Beep Beep, Beep Beep, YAH!

For the past few weeks I have wanted to post a topic into my blog. I had no idea what to write. I have been very diligent in my "Friend of the Week" post, but other topics have alluded me. However, I finally realized there is something I could post. It’s time to ask for assistance.

I am looking a purchasing a car… there I said it. Now before you start thinking of all the ways you could talk me into buying some pile of junk you have out back know that I pass on junk piles all year long at auctions. What I would like to know is WHERE should I look for a car? Is there a place you swear by? A website you can’t live without? Maybe there’s a dealer out there you actually trust.

All I need is a lead. I am in no rush on finding a car, but I do have a somewhat limited budget, so new is out of the question.

Of course this post may garner no responses… which is fine I can always find a car, but I thought everyone else might have some good suggestions.

Thanks,
Andy

Heading Lyrics – Baby You can Drive my Car, by The Beatles

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Yesterday… it was snowing… Yes, I know it was April 11th. For those of you who are my friends from the south, or the coasts… YES this is a bit odd. If you have not had the joy of a Midwest winter than you are really missing out.

The whole seasonal craziness really hit home when I was sitting with my family on Easter and there was more snow on the ground than there was at Christmas… very odd.

Sorry I don’t have anything profound to say, keep on rockin’
-Andy

Heading Lyrics - It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas by Johnny Mathis

No, You're Never Too Old to Rock 'n' Roll if You're Too Young to Die – Part 2

I know it seems a bit early to be writing again, especially since it has been LESS THAN 1 WEEK since my last post. However, I need to post a follow up to an entry from last year at this time.

This past weekend I partook in an annual tradition know as Castaways. This yearly retreat to Northern Minnesota has been consistently a place where some serious rockin’ goes down. For the first time in my 10 years of rockin the bass guitar I was joined, on drums, by my brother Mike instead of my brother Joe. To be completely honest I think this change energized me a bit and helped me to drive the rock ‘n roll vibe for the weekend. I hope next year Joe, Mike and I can all play together… which would pretty much rock like never before.

So yeah, I guess all the problems that burned me last year weren’t a big deal this year. I am glad I went and I hope that I will get to go again.

Keep it Real,
Andy

(Heading Lyrics - Too Old to Rock 'n' Roll, Too Young to Die, by Jethro Tull)

We're an American Band

I wouldn’t call myself a fan of reality television. However, about a year and a half ago I did mention in one of my blogs how much I liked the show Rockstar INXS. That show was pretty good and I still think back to some of the rockers that graced the stage of competition. One show I have NEVER gotten into is American Idol (not a big fan of singing along to a recording). Recently the voting on American Idol has come into question, and while I really don’t care, I do want to explain why I believe it isn’t working.

The entire voting system is flawed. As voters you should be voting people OFF, not voting to keep people on. Last year the same thing happened with that Chris guy. Everyone thought he was so good that he would go on to the next round, but no one voted for him. Everyone instead voted for the other 3. The same goes for this Sanjaya guy currently on the show. People are voting for him because he sucks and they feel sorry for him. If someone could be voted OFF instead of ON, he would be gone in a week.

Okay, sorry to drop such a pointless item on the Blogesphere, but it had to be said.

Catch Ya Later,
Andy

Heading lyrics – We’re an American Band by Grand Funk Railroad

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

When I was a freshman in college I had a roommate that was not social (that is an understatement). Anyway, since he would go to bed at 10 pm I began a ritual of visiting my a couple friends not to far away… John and Tony. These 2 guys were great. John first began talking with me because we both played guitar and so as I started to visit his dorm room I got to know Tony as well.

Our nights would often consist of John playing Super Tecmo Bowl on old school Nintendo, or watching the news while Tony would clean house playing the Quake (the original) and fragging loads of opponents. The night would culminate in the viewing of Cheers. Okay, so I didn’t say this was going to be a GOOD story, but hey I was a college freshman with a roommate who went to sleep at 10 pm… I didn’t have a whole bunch of options.

I know you were wondering why all this came up. I pretty much gave up on my BlogSpot blog and switched over the Myspace one I started. So Tony (from earlier in the story) emailed me and wondered if I was still alive... which I am. Well today, I am going to start posting my thoughts in both locations.

I hope you enjoy.

Catch ya later,
Andy

Heading lyrics - Where Everybody Knows Your Name (Theme from the TV show Cheers) by Gary Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo

I Breathed the Mountain Air Man

I am really looking forward to this weekend. Not because I am going anywhere special or doing anything fun, but because I FINALLY know what’s going to happen. (Alright, I am getting a little ahead of myself, let me start at the beginning.)

Monday – My boss’s assistant came to my office and told me that I need to fly to Detroit with my boss this weekend or to Denver next weekend for training. (At this point in the week I have NO idea what training I need.) I told her that I couldn’t go to Denver because of a very large auction my father is doing, and that he needs my assistance.

Tuesday – My boss’s assistant returns to tell me that tickets for Detroit are $1,100.00 because there are only 3 seats on the flight remaining. (Didn’t know Detroit was such a vacation destination.)

Wednesday – I finally have a chance to ask my boss about the expense and he definitely thinks it’s alright to pass on this training opportunity. (I now find out that I am supposed to learn how to train our members on our compensation plan.)

Thursday – When I see my boss he mentions that I should plan on setting aside a weekend in November for training in Sacramento. (Sounds much warmer if you ask me.)

Friday – I speak with my boss’s assistant again and realize there was a mistake made with the Denver weekend. NOW it looks like I will be spending a few days in Colorado later this month. (I would rather be in Denver than Detroit anyway… maybe I can hitch a ride down to Colorado Springs while I’m at it…)

Anyway, it looks like I will be working an auction way up north tomorrow and I’m happy about that since I wouldn’t have been paid any overtime for flying to Detroit. Well I better get going before my story changes again.

Editor’s Note: I just realized this wasn’t a very good story, but hey, at least I got 2 entrees done in 1 week.

Heading lyrics – I Been Everywhere by Johnny Cash

Don't Miss the Deadline

In the past I have mentioned my girl friend Jessica. Today I am dedicating this post to both her and the entire group of second year PhD students that turned in the written yesterday.

For those of you who don’t speak PhD, the “written” is roughly equivalent to a grad student’s thesis. However, the written is surpassed only be the “Oral” which happens in the spring and is like standing in front of a highly educated firing squad as they fire off round after round of questions to see if they can kill your future in the PhD program.

Last night we raised many a glass in a triumphant toast to the completion of one more step on their journey toward becoming PhD tote’n members of society. I know this was a great deal of work so I just wanna say… I am proud of you Jess, way to go!

Editors note: Yes I will go back to my usual sarcastic banter soon, sorry for those of you who happened upon this odd moment of genuine emotion. I will do my best to suppress that inclination in the future.

Heading lyrics – Deadline by Blue Oyster Cult (It’s no “Don’t Fear the Reaper” but it does have to do with the topic at hand.)