Saturday, August 27, 2011

Living in a box


Old metal shipping containers are being used in creative ways. Homes are being made from the used boxes. Some are just one box with just the essentials and others are incorporated into larger homes. Using the containers saves money and reuses discarded materials. examples

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Kyle Busch loses his driver's license


Kyle Busch has pleaded guilty to speeding and no contest to reckless driving. He loses his license for 45 days, receives a fine of $1000, gets 30 hours of community service, and one year unsupervised probation. Bush was pulled over while driving a hand-built LFA sports car. He was doing 128 in a 45mph zone near a church and day-care.
Then he told the arresting officer that it was "just a toy." His attorney thinks he was treated unfairly. Busch incident

no apostrophe for Old Navy


Old Navy has partnered with several higher learning institutions to create sports t-shirts. Unfortunately the shirts are lacking an apostrophe and a proof-reader is probably lacking a job now. Old Navy fail

9/11...10th anniversary


The date has become famous because of the tragedy that happened 10 years ago. It is a day of grieving and remembrance. It is time to take that day back from the terrorists. A couple plans to marry on that day--for them, it will be a day of celebration. Eddie Casinover and Christine Briggs will wed on 9/11 after winning a wedding contest. Musket Ridge Golf Club decided to run the contest to shed light on the fact that most civilians are avoiding doing anything that might be a celebration on that day. I know there are many quotes out there along this thought: Forgetting our past--dooms us to repeat it. My daughter entered the military one week before that fateful day which sent me for a loop. I, for one, will not give in to terrorists and will take back my September 11 from now on. I will never forget that day or those that we lost. 9/11 anniversary

Washington Monument closed


After the earthquake on the east coast, a crack has been discovered in the top of the Washington Monument. This will keep the monument closed until further notice. It was a 5.8 earthquake but has only caused some structural damage. That can be fixed or replaced; lives cannot. I was visiting Virginia Beach last week. Looks like I left for home just in time. earthquake

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Chely Wright weds


Chely Wright marries Lauren Blitzer in a ceremony at Blitzer's aunt's house. Both wore white gowns but no veils. Barbecue was served to the 200 or so guests. A reverend and rabbi both officiated in an interfaith ceremony. wedding

Republican senator wants to change the constitution


Rick Perry is a republican from Texas and is running for President. He's got some ideas on how he wants to change the Constitution including doing away with a couple of amendments. his ideas

He was creepy


The Burger King mascot will not be missed by me. Those commercials were just a bit on the strange side. Honestly can't imagine anyone thinking about having a burger when there's a giant headed stalker outside their window. retired mascot

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Bucky Covington

Saturday night in Arcadia, Bucky Covington put on a very high energy show. He showed his humor as well; plus had us all singing, standing, and dancing. What an amazing performance. We are so lucky to live in this area and have so many great artists come to entertain us.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Having a whale of a time


A mama whale is comfortable where she is and in no hurry to go back to the ocean. She took a wrong turn with her calf and ended up in a river near the California/Oregon border. The calf has since found it's way back but the mother seems content to stay in spite of several attempts to coax her out to sea. She seems to be feeding from the bottom of the river and is looking healthy. Officials have decided to let her be for now and see what happens. whale

Lee Greenwood

Friday, August 12, was a great night in Arcadia. Lee Greenwood performed to a full, very appreciative crowd. He covered a couple tunes, played some of his early stuff, and gave us a taste of his new music. It was a trip through music over the last 30 years. Hard to believe he's been at it that long. The night ended with a standing ovation while he sang "God Bless the USA."

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Taylor Swift tour


Taylor Swift has added a new element to her tour. She covers songs of artists from the area where she's performing. It was Springsteen and Bon Jovi in Jersey, Alanis and Bieber in Toronto, and in Michigan it was Eminem. She's on her way to Chicago--who will it be there? Taylor's tour

first taping of Two and a Half Men is in the can


The first episode will air on September 19 but has already been taped. Charlie Harper is dead and it wasn't pretty. The show eluded to his departure from this world by having a funeral and details of his passing included the likelihood of him being pushed off a subway platform by Rose. His house goes on the market and hosts plenty of prospective buyers. 2 1/2 men

Meester of the Jaguars helps young boy walk


Six-year-old Luke Akerstrom was left in a wheelchair after a bout with encephalitis. Brad Meester and others visited Luke while he was in the hospital and a friendship developed between Meester's family and the young boy. Luke told his mother, "I have to walk because Jaguars don't roll, they run."
Luke walked again...right into the arms of Brad Meester. It all took place on the team's training field with Meester's wife tearing up in the background. five steps

youngest crew member

I think I met him. Last night at the LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway I was chatting with some young boys in the VIP section. One was wearing a Sean Pfaff, #21, shirt. Eleven-year-old Chris was very proud that he has helped work on the 21 car and he was quite knowledgeable about the car. His two brothers, Derek (9) and Austin (7), also spoke highly of Sean and his race car.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Poison and Motley Crue concert at Fort McCoy was awesome

I arrived just before Poison took the stage. At first, there was something wrong with their sound. That was soon fixed and I kept thinking that Poison should have been the headliner. They were amazing--we sang along and danced. But then... Motley Crue commanded the stage--came on with a bang (literally). If anyone in the crowd was bored, tired, or just not paying attention; they were well aware that Motley Crue had started. The crowd stood for most of their performance especially when Tommy Lee played the drums while riding around an upright circle contraption. I still don't know how he could concentrate and play amazingly while traveling upside down. A military personnel was invited to ride along and did great on the "air" drums. Both bands had awesome stage shows with plenty of pyrotechnics but I have to agree with my friend, Rick, that Motley's stage show was the absolute best I have ever seen.

Toy is a lifesaver for troups.

A radio controlled truck equipped with a camera saved the lives of six soldiers in Afghanistan. It was being used ahead of a Humvee when it tripped a wire that set off a bomb. The small truck was destroyed but none of the soldiers were injured. The toy had been a gift from U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Christopher Fessenden's brother Ernie from Rochester, MN. Ernie is already planning to send his brother a replacement. toy truck

more Idol changes coming?


The voting has been an issue on American Idol and the powers that be for Idol are considering a change. A couple ideas are being considered such as limiting the number of votes that can be made per person. Or letting the judges pick between the bottom two. It will be interesting to see how they try to fix this. voting on AI

Goodbye Charlie Harper


All that's left of Charlie is a bowling shirt and khaki shorts. TMZ leaked pictures of what looks like a memorial service sans casket. Ashton Kutcher will join the cast of Two and a Half Men this season in place of Charlie Sheen. story pictures