Monday, 8/31

I wish I could say I'm surprised. But, sadly, I can't.

I'm in the process of reading a book called “Head in the Cloud” by William Poundstone. In it,.the author writes about whether or not it's important to know stuff in the age of Google. If you can look it up on the Internet, why should you have to know it? It's an interesting book; as someone who seems to have a lot of random knowledge stuck in my head I never thought about the fact that one might not need to learn every trivial fact that you come across, but apparently that's not the case.

Especially for about a third of the country.

As part of his research for the book Poundstone did surveys about how much Americans know and how they get that knowledge. He (and I, when I read it) was shocked to find out that about a third of the people in the United States have absolutely no interest in learning stuff. They have no interest in furthering their education, and they have no interest in acquiring new knowledge, especially (and this is what blew my mind) if it goes against the pre-conceived notions they already carry around.

So if you ever wondered why there are still people who believe the Earth is flat, and refuse to accept any and all evidence that it's not...well, that's why.

I wish I could say I'm shocked by that fact, but I'm not. I just can't believe that there are people out there who don't wanna learn anything new, especially if it changes their mind or their outlook on a matter. One of the great joys of my life is learning something new; in fact, that's why I'm read books like “Head in the Cloud”. I can't imagine not having a desire to learn anything new. How can you grow as a person that way? Why would you want to be stuck in 1996, or whatever year you finished your formal education? The world is constantly changing; how can you expect to keep up if you're not learning about what's going on?

I just don't get it.

I mean, sure; people who don't wanna learn anything new can look up whatever they need to know on Google. But you have to know WHERE to tell Google to look. You have to know what you're looking for in the first place. And if you're convinced you don't need to know anything new (or you don't want to learn anything new), pretty soon you may not even possess the critical thinking skills that allow you to know where to look, or for what you need to look.

(As an example--one of the many facts I gleamed from reading the book and learning about the self-imposed ignorance of Americans? Nine percent of the people who live in the United States don't know what country New Mexico is in, nor do they know how to look at a map to find it.

Sigh...)

To me, at least, learning isn't something that ends when schooling ends. Learning is something you do all your life. It's one of the ways that you make yourself a better person and a better citizen. Not wanting to learn? That's just...

Well, I don't know what it is. I just wish more that 68 percent of Americans agreed with me.

(jim@wmqt.com)

Friday, 8/28

I suppose I should get out & visit the park at least once.  After all, it is named for part of my family. 

 I've been spending a lot of time riding the Iron Ore Heritage Trail this summer, and if you're familiar with the trail you know the park to which I'm referring. Just past where you cross County Road 492 right outside of Marquette, and where the trail used to turn from pavement to gravel (at least before they paved it this year), you'll notice a bench and a sign pointing toward the “Schwemwood Park” trail-head. I usually keep going past it, but I really should stop one day and check it out. 

 After all, I'm part of the extended Schwemin family for whom it's named. 

 The park was donated to Marquette Township by my late great Aunt Evelyn (my grandfather's sister)15 or so years ago. It was the last part of the old Schwemin family farm that hadn't yet been sold off to & developed by Walmart, Michael's, and Starbucks (a process that was actually started by my parents, when they started their auto repair facility (now Lafayette Collision) 45 years ago). Right behind the strip malls & big box stores sits several acres of trees & trails, not something you'd expect in an insanely busy commercial district. 

 That's probably another reason I should actually pay it a visit. 

And here's a third reason—I actually spent the first few years of my life just a couple of hundred feet from the park. In fact, even though I would have no memory of it, I probably was on the land quite a few times. You see, my parent's first home was on the edge of my mom's family's farm. The house, in fact, sat pretty much where the back driveway to Walmart is now located. For the first four or so years of my life I lived there, and have seen pictures of a young me in the woods behind the house So who knows—maybe I've been in the park, and just didn't know it. 

 I just haven't been there since it actually BECAME a park. 

 So on one of these trips I may have to take a few seconds, hop off my bike, and take a stroll through the trails. After all, there is a bit of history behind it, and unlike many of the historical things I study, it's actually a bit of family history. 

 And you don't get the chance to do that that often. 

 On that note, have yourself a fantastic weekend...the last one (sob) of meteorological summer.

 (jim@wmqt.com)

Thursday, 8/27

 I'm not ready for summer to be over.

The rain of yesterday, the cool temperatures forecast for this weekend, and the fact that I just typed “8/27” when starting this blog have added to the feeling I've been carrying around the past couple of weeks that my favorite time of the year is coming to a close. I mean, it's been a great summer—mostly warm, mostly dry, and one that's given me plenty of chances to play outside.

But it's still almost over.

If you're a weather professional, the season actually ends Monday, when “Meteorological Summer”, the months of June, July, & August wrap up. And that's how I usually think of summer, even though the three weeks of September before the actual equinox occurs can often be nicer than the beginning of June. However, there's just something about the high sun angle and the promise of warm days to come in June that you can't get in September, no matter how hard you try.

But...what are you gonna do, right?

I know there are plenty of people who are looking forward to the cooler days, the changing leaves, and the pumpkin spiced everything that mark the next few months. I don't begrudge them that at all. But for me, summer—especially in 2020—is an escape from reality. It's a time when I can head to the beach or jump on my bike and just mentally run away from everything.

Call it a character flaw on my part, but I, at least, can't do that when it's cold or snowy or pumpkin spiced. I just can't.

Hopefully, everything that I was able to get out of summer this year will help me get through to summer next year. Given the way this year has gone so far, I'm not 100% sure, but I'm hopeful. Otherwise, come January or February get ready for me posting a lot of pictures of sun & leaves & blue skies and maybe, just maybe, a lot of whining about I'm soooooo ready for summer to begin.

Don't say you weren't forewarned.

8-)

(jim@wmqt.com)

Wednesday, 8/26

 Because 2020's been so insane, and because I've had a documentary and purple hair to obsess about, I've realized that I haven't really been out a lot this summer with a camera, just wandering around and taking pictures of things I see.

That changed this past weekend.

For some strange reason, as I was out walking around with a camera I started noticing the geometry of buildings around downtown Marquette, a rather ironic thing seeing as how I suck at geometry. However, that led me to take a series of pictures I call, with great imagination, “Angles”--

I don't know why I ended up taking so many pictures like that; I guess the juxtaposition of one wall against the other just spoke to me, in whatever strange language it is I speak when I have a camera in my hand.

I've also taken a turdload of pictures of the Savings Bank Building over the past two decades. Yet this weekend, I took it from a slight different angle and with a slightly different lens. That way, at least to me, it becomes a whole new building--

And finally, it's nice to see that people follow the rules around here.

I really need to get out with my camera more. And now that “Third Street” is done and the purple had faded (way too early) from my hair, I just may have to.

(jim@wmqt.com)

Tuesday, 8/25

 I don't know if I should be surprised or not, but most of the color is already gone.

As I posted yesterday, I colored my hair purple over the weekend. The first day the purple was bright and vivid, the second day it was a little more muted, and when I woke up this morning it was barely there, just acting as highlights in the black & gray that normally covers my head.

Hmm.

This is both bad & good. It's bad because the coloring I bought says it would last 35 shampoos, and I'm still something like 33 shampoos away from that. So so much for truth in advertising. It's good in that I actually wanted it to be subtle. I actually wanted it to act as highlights in the black & gray that normally covers my head.

Now I'm just hoping that it doesn't disappear any further, that it actually sticks around for the 35 shampoos for which they promise. We'll see.

I put a picture of the purple up on Facebook over the weekend, and it engendered all kind of comments, including one that said, and I quote, “I don't know you, but why would you do that to yourself”? Well, if that person DID know me, they'd know why. They'd know of this...obsessive curiosity I've had with my Corona Curls, they'd know of my fondness for purple, and they'd know that I have no problem making a fool of and/or a statement about myself.

Most people, however, found it a cool thing.

I have no idea how long the purple will last. I could wake up tomorrow and it may be all gone. I'll be disappointed, but I'll live. After all, it was just an experiment.

An experiment I'm glad I conducted.

(jim@wmqt.com) who, by the way, left the long hair & Corona Curls on my head...at least for now.

Monday, 8/24

 Well, it didn't turn out QUITE like I thought it would, but here 'tis--

Yup; after weeks of ruminating about it and/or threatening to do it, I put the purple dye I bought Thursday into my hair. I honestly thought I would get black hair with purple highlights. Instead, I have purple hair with black (and gray) highlights. I'm wondering if perhaps I should've used a slightly different shade; maybe a plum, or something a little more subtle.

But, you know, if you're gonna do it, do it whole hog.

The reactions to it have been for the most part quite positive and for the most part quite fun. I've also learned something else—a large majority of people who said something mentioned they like the long hair I've been sporting recently, the “Corona Curls” that have been growing since March. I didn't really expect that, and that now sets up a quandary.

You see, I colored my hair purple at this particular time because I have a hair appointment tonight. I figured if I didn't like the color that I could get my hair cut to its normal length and it wouldn't be quite as noticeable. And, to be honest, I'm still undecided about the color, so I had been leaning ever-so-slightly toward getting the curls chopped off. But now that people have said what they said, I'm not quite so sure.

I know. I'm devoting way too much thought to all of this. But I've been devoting way too much thought to this hair since March, so why change now?

As I type this I have no idea what I'm going to do tonight. As it is, I'll probably change my mind a couple of hundred times between now and 7. I just have no idea how it'll end up.

I'll let you know tomorrow, I guess.

(jim@wmqt.com)

Friday, 8/21

 Three quick things to wrap up the week. First, a piece of Marquette history is being destroyed--

That is (or was) the passenger platform from the old Fifth Street train station. It was a 200-foot long slab of concrete that marked an era long gone, and was one of last (if not the last last) pieces of urban grunge left in the city. Surprisingly, not many people knew it was there, but for those of us who are (or were) fans, it's a sad, sad day.

On a brighter note—Susan from American Airlines thinks we got shafted.

I spent quite a lot of time on the phone with Susan last night (at the exact safe time that the ceiling in our apartment started leaking water from somewhere, but that's another story for another day). Like I mentioned yesterday, Susan couldn't understand for the life of her why we had been turned down for a refund for our flights to France after the airline had canceled said flights. After speaking with a couple of people and filling out forms on our behalf, she said we should be getting said refund in a week or so.

So thank you, Susan, for making a strange week a little less strange. And for restoring, if just a little bit, my faith in your employer.

Finally, I think this might just be one of my weekend projects--

We'll see...

8-)

(jim@wmqt.com)

Thursday, 8/20

 And now, the clean up begins.

As I mentioned yesterday, our trip to France has now been officially axed, which means that we get to deal with canceling stuff and getting refunds and/or credit, and generally just extricating ourselves from what we had hoped would've been a fun getaway.

Bummer.

And it's off to a great start, too. This all started when American canceled our flight over to Paris and then on the way back from London to Chicago. While on the phone with the nice lady who was handling it, she told me—repeatedly--that because they had axed our flights, that we'd be eligible for a full refund, as long as I filled out all the forms online. I did what she said, and 24 hours later was sent an e-mail telling me that we weren't eligible for a refund.

Even though I was told so. And even though it's all because American will no longer fly three out of the six legs of our trip.

Sigh.

I have the sneaking suspicion that this may turn into just as much of a fiasco as trying to get reimbursed after they lost our luggage flying to Germany five years ago. Those of you who were reading this back then may remember that it took over six months to get the $150 we were told should just take a few weeks, and that was after submitting paper work, receipts, copies of paper work, and copies of receipts.

But we eventually did get the money back.

Now, I know that airlines are hemorrhaging cash, and they're putting up as many roadblocks as possible to frustrate people into accepting credits instead of refunds. It's not right, but that's business in this era. And when our flight to Germany was canceled back in April, we received the refund right away. Apparently, things have changed in the four months since then.

However, they canceled the flight. We'd still be going if we had our choice. They told us we'd get a full refund. So if they think that we'll go quietly into that goodnight, if they think that I don't have unlimited patience when trying to right a wrong, they have a few things to learn, at least about us.

I just hope it doesn't take another six months again. Keep your fingers crossed.

(jim@wmqt.com)

Wednesday, 8/19

 Coronavirus 2, Jim & Loraine's travels 0.

We got the call last night we didn't want to hear, informing us that our trip to France has been, indeed, officially canceled. I know I mentioned yesterday that I thought it would be the 27^th, when the EU would shut the door on us, but nope. This time it was American Airlines, informing us that while we could still get to London there's no way we could get to Paris from there, thanks to a new quarantine rule between the two countries.

C'est la vie.

Like I mentioned yesterday we've known for months that we weren't going to be able to go, but to actually have it officially pronounced that way still stings. On one hand, it means that I won't have to spend the next few weeks working ahead to get ready to go, and the work that I have done means I might be able to enjoy a day off here or there. After all, I now have eight extra vacation days I have to use.

On the other hand, it also means that 2020 has won. Again.

At this point we have no idea when or if we'll ever be able to travel again. People have asked me why I was even looking forward to traveling to Europe, instead of maybe going to someplace in the US. And my answer is this—Covid-19 is under control in most of Europe, while it's running rampant in most of the US. It's actually a whole lot safer in Europe than it is in the US. The reason we can't go to Europe is because of states like Florida and Texas, states people suggested I visit.

So why would I want to go to places like that, you know?

While it is a bummer, we shall survive. 2020 only has a few months left, and I have the feeling that once the end of the year rolls around and things change in the US that life will start to get back on track, people might actually see that masks are good things and/or a vaccine will be developed, and slowly (probably too slowly, but we'll take what we can get) life will return back to normal.

We'll just have to see if we'll be able to go somewhere after that.

(jim@wmqt.com)

Tuesday, 8/18

 To quote my friend Deanna, it's better than good. It's done.

Yesterday morning I handed over the flash drive containing the mastered version of “Third Street: Day & Night” to the fine folks at the Marquette Regional History Center. It goes up for sale tomorrow on their website and then I won't have to think about it again.

Woo hoo!!

I know I've been mentioning it a lot recently, and sometimes in not glowingly positive terms, but I had a lot of fun making it. Sure, I wish I had more time and sure, I wish I had more technology than my five year old laptop, but as I mentioned to someone yesterday I'm 97.5 percent happy with the way it turned out.

And considering it wasn't even a concept two months ago, I can live with that.

If I do another one (a big “if”, at the moment), I'll be able to put a lot of lessons learned from this one into that one. As I transitioned from making the short videos I was doing during the stay-at-home weeks to this longer one, I discovered what I could & couldn't do with the tools at my disposal. And if you know where to look during the video, you can really tell. One of the last segments of it I put together was about the history of the building that houses Stucko's, and to me, at least, it looks completely different than some of the first parts I put together. No one else has noticed it until I point it out, and I'm sure that anyone not knowing what I'm talking about would notice, either. But if you do watch it there are several things about that segment that I wish I would've known about while I was doing some of the first segments.

But that's life.

So now that that's done, I have to turn my attention to the trip of ours that's supposed to start September 3^rd but will probably be officially canceled on the 27^th, when the EU meets to reconsider their travel ban on Americans. But until they officially cancel it, I have to work on the assumption that we're going, even though we know we're not. It's the same as I had to do back in April for our trip to Leipzig.

And that sucked.

Of course, if I have to work ahead that means I may actually have enough work stocked up to take a few days off. And who knows—if that happens, maybe I'll have a little time to think about whether or not I want to make another video just like “Third Street: Day & Night”.

We'll have to see!

(jim@wmqt.com)

Monday, 8/17

Whaddya think—is the entire state of Michigan vacationing in Marquette?

I have to wonder after being in and around the city on Friday afternoon. Because Loraine's sister and boyfriend were visiting, I took a little time off to show them around some areas they wanted to visit—Dead River Falls & Black Rocks.

What we saw there blew my mind--

I didn't take any pictures at the falls, our first stop of the day, where we had to park almost a quarter mile away from the cul-de-sac because there were so many people there. Then, when we went to the Island we noticed that parking was also at a premium--

Two observations here. One is that I have never seen either place so packed...and on a Friday afternoon, to boot. Secondly, being the dork I am, I looked at the license places of the cars, and at least 90 percent of them were from the state of Michigan. That's good, in a way, because it shows that even in the midst of a pandemic there's still something so appealing about Marquette that it attracts people from all over the state. It's also bad, in a way, because it shows that even in the midst of a pandemic there's still something so appealing about Marquette that it attracts people from all over the state.

Specifically, people from areas where the Coronavirus has hit a LOT harder than it's hit here.

Even when we got back into the city there were throngs of people everywhere. Admittedly, it was a beautiful 85 degree day, and, admittedly, it was welcome back weekend for NMU. But to literally not have any room to walk downtown and Third Street sidewalks? Like I said, I've lived here most of my life, and I don't ever recall it being this insane, especially, like I said, on a Friday afternoon.

Thankfully, almost everyone I saw was wearing a mask, at least on the sidewalks. Hopefully, they left with fond memories of a wonderful place,, and hopefully, they didn't leave anything behind except some of their hard earned money.

I guess we'll find out as test numbers come back in the next two weeks, right?

(jim@wmqt.com)

 

Friday, 8/14

 Since my sister-in-law is up visiting, and since I've spent so much of the past month writing about it, how would you like to see a segment (although not the grocery store one; I haven't re-edited it yet) of “Third Street: Day & Night”?

And it you like it, you can always purchase it for download Wednesday.

8-)

Have a great weekend,

(jim@wmqt.com)

Thursday, 8/13

 Just when I think I'm out they pull me back in again.

Tuesday night I rejoiced, as I finished editing my “Third Street: Day & Night” video. While the music isn't done yet, the hard part was finished, and I was even able to send a low resolution version to people to get their opinions. After six weeks of work here and there, I thought I was done.

Oops.

Yesterday morning I received a call from the History Center informing me that a gentleman from downstate had some pictures he'd like to give me. They were pictures of a grocery store that I devote a little time to in the video, yet don't actually have a picture of it. I had to use newspaper & yearbook ads as visuals when talking about it. So there was no way I could say 'no”, because they'll make the video better.

Of course, it means that I have to re-edit an entire segment, but what are you gonna do, right?

One of the things I've noticed putting the whole documentary together is that I seem to be a real perfectionist. I can't tell you the number of times I wasn't happy with an edit or a transition or the placement of a picture, and redid a bunch of work just to make sure it was the way I wanted. I'm guessing 99.9 percent of people wouldn't even notice the difference between the two, but as we all know I've never been among the 99.9 percent, so some segments were edited over and over.

Just like the segment on grocery stores will now be.

Hopefully, these will be the last edits, as I really have to master it and get it on the History Center's website so people can start buying it Wednesday. Hopefully, no one else will bring in amazing pictures that I've never seen, and hopefully, I can actually think about something else for a bit.

Hopefully. But the way I've been getting dragged in and out of this project I', thinking not.

(jim@wmqt.com)

Wednesday, 8/12

 I know I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll say it again, but this is my favorite time of the year.

I mean, sure, I love it for the sun, the heat, the days off, and the general sense of well-bring that summer provides. But I also love because I can take my camera out and instead of seeing nothing but white or brown or just plain dull, I get to see colors.

Lots and lots of colors.

Want proof? I went for a little stroll—no more than three blocks—yesterday, just to see what I could see, and this is what I saw.

I saw colors like red--

I saw yellow--

I saw pink--

I saw orange--

I saw magenta--

And I saw purple and pink and every color worth seeing--

And that was just within a three block jaunt from where I live. I can just imagine what kind of pictures I'd get from the rest of Marquette—or you might get in whichever city you live. It truly is (with apologies to lovers of a certain holiday) the most wonderful time of the year!

(jim@wmqt.com)

Tuesday, 8/10

 I would like to know the story behind the shoe.

When I was out and about Sunday morning I saw the shoe, just as it was pictured above, on the steps of the Peter White Public Library. When I walked past the library again later that afternoon, the shoe was still sitting there.

I want to know why.

Admittedly, the shoe must've been left on the steps on Saturday night, and even during a pandemic there is one thing that happens in downtown Marquette on a Saturday night. People consume alcohol. I know it's shocking, but as someone who lives and works near downtown, I can tell you it's true. And that's why I'm fairly certain that the shoe on the steps of the library probably has something to do with alcohol being consumed.

So we've established that.

What I'm a little more curious about, though, is what happened to the person who lost the shoe? Was she carrying both shoes in her hand, had to sit down because (and I'm guessing here) she drank a little too much and just forgot to pick one of her shoes up? Or did she somehow lose one of her shoes while standing on the library steps, then end up making her way home with one foot bare and the other in a shoe with a 3-inch heel? I'm guessing that wouldn't have been the most comfortable walk home, but depending upon the amount of alcohol consumed that may not have mattered.

By the way, have I ever mentioned that people drink alcohol in downtown Marquette on a Saturday night?

Now, when I walked to work Monday morning the shoe was gone, which means that either the person who lost it retraced her steps and found it, or (more likely) someone from the library saw a shoe on their steps and got rid of it. While that's probably a good thing for the environment, it still does not answer the most pressing question of our time--

Just how DID the shoe end up on the steps of the library?

(jim@wmqt.com)

Monday, 8/9

 At least I know why the theme from “Lost in Space” popped into my head at 4am.

First of all, a little back-story, back-story that may allow you to delve into my psyche just a bit. When I was a kid, I really liked the TV show “Lost in Space”. Not quite as much as “Star Trek”, but it obviously made an impression on me in one certain way. I specifically liked the third season of the show for two reasons, the first being because they spent time in space and not marooned on some planet. Secondly, I liked the third season because the show had one really cool theme song. It was written by a guy named Johnny Williams, who would a few years later drop the “ny” from Johnny and write perhaps the greatest fanfare in movie history..

When I was a kid, I was able to watch “Lost in Space” every summer when it was broadcast on WKBD TV from Detroit, a station we received on cable. The show would always return about the same time school let out for the year, and it would be one of the highlights of my youthful summers. The only problem was this—I really wanted to see the third season episodes, but I had to sit through the first two seasons first, because the station always started at the beginning. That means I had to sit through a month of black & white shows, then another month of shows in color but featuring space pirates, space frogs, and space Vikings. It was torture, but as soon as the station got to the final episodes of the second season, I knew my time was coming.

And that's why the third-season theme from the show popped into my head the other night at 4 am.

I hadn't thought about the show for years now, not since I picked up the DVDs a decade or so ago and could watch the third season whenever I wanted, unshackled by broadcast schedule of a downstate TV station. But I'm thinking there must be something lurking deep in my subconscious, something that realized that the holy grail of my childhood TV viewing—the third season of “Lost in Space”--would always start near the beginning of August.

Think about it. What is it now? Yup; it's near the beginning of August. So even though I haven't thought about or watched the show in a decade, it must have made such an impression on me as a kid that even, all these years later, my brain still knows when it's “Lost in Space”time.

And if THAT doesn't say something about the way I turned out, I don't know what would!

8-)

So anyway, that's why the third season theme from “Lost in Space” popped into my head the other night at 4am. It means absolutely nothing to me these days, but it's still there. Like a bird knows when to head south for the winter, my brain knows when it was time for me to start getting excited about “Lost in Space”.

(jim@wmqt.com), uber-dork.

(And if you wanna know what I'm talking about--

Friday, 8/7

My list would be incredibly small, from the looks of it.

I came across a fascinating article  last night about Americans who are stranded in other countries thanks to the Coronavirus, and what they're missing most, food-wise, about the US. Most of the answers were for things like Velveeta Cheese & ranch dressing, two items I have to admit I do not like very much. So that got me to thinking...what would I miss, food-wise, if I were stuck in Europe?

As it turns out, hardly anything.

In fact, I actually think I'm missing more things (many more things) being stuck in the US and not being able to go to Europe (see yesterday's blog for more on that) to enjoy them. Thankfully, a lot of the things I miss I can still get sent to me (including the Roobois tea with vanilla I'm drinking as I write this). But not everything, sadly. So I decided to flip the tables. Say I was stuck in Europe. What foods from the U.S. WOULD I miss? After as I can tell, it would be just these--

TURKEY. Outside of some pre-processed lunch meat, I haven't seen a lot of turkey anywhere in Europe. But I'm not surprised; it's more of a North American delicacy than anything.

MEXICAN FOOD. Actually Mexican food with a great mole sauce.

CUBANS. The sandwiches, that is.

CORN BREAD. Someone in the article says she's learned how to make it using polenta, as cornmeal really isn't available in Europe. So maybe that should only qualify as half a item.

BLACKROCKS HONEY LAV BEER. It's the only American beer I can actually drink. But since Europe is the beer capital of the world, maybe that should only qualify as half an item, as well.

That's it. Four things. I wouldn't miss Chee-tos, bologna, boxed macaroni & cheese, or deep-friend anything, all of which made the list of Americans currently struck aboard. Once again, I seem to find myself a stranger in a strange land.

Good thing I'm used to it.

I'll spend a few seconds enjoying the tea & chocolate I still have from Europe. I hope YOUR weekend is great, too...and filled with foods that you'd miss if you couldn't get them!

(jim@wmqt.com)

Thursday, 8/6

Even though the odds are that we won't be going anywhere, I have still entered “The Safe Zone”.

What's “The Safe Zone”, you ask? Well, I answer, that's when I can not do anything that would cause an injury that would not heal in the next month. Get a paper cut on my finger? That’s okay. Go riding no-handed on my bike, not see a rock on the bike path, fall over, and break my arm?

Not okay.

“The Safe Zone” started as a joke between me & Loraine after my somewhat horrific bike accident seven years ago. Among other things, we were just happy it didn't occur right before we were scheduled to go to Europe, a trip where I would've been driving everywhere. Ever since then, the month before we go has been designated “The Safe Zone”, and even though we know in our hearts we won't be going to France next month, the trip hasn't YET been officially cancelled, so here we go back into “The Safe Zone”

I mean, I always try to be careful, no matter what I do. I’ve hardly had any serious accidents in my life, I’ve never broken a bone; heck, I’ve never even spent a night in the hospital. So it’s not like I go out and court danger. But I do do physical things that could, under the right circumstances, turn dangerous--I ride my bike (yes, sometimes, no-handed), I hop over rocks on a breakwater, and I try to walk across streets in downtown Marquette when drivers don’t seem to pay attention to pedestrians.

All it would take is one bad move from any of those activities, and I’d end up in traction when I should be driving around Normandy & Brittany.

Now, I’m not gonna stop doing what I do. I mean, it’s summer. I’m not gonna not ride my bike, and I’m certainly not gonna not walk across the street (especially when I have the light AND the right-of-way). I’ll just take extra care with what I do. I may not ride my bike no-handed (even if you get more of a workout when you do). I’ll look both ways--two or three extra times--when I’m crossing the street.

And, who knows, maybe I’ll avoid sharp knives and scissors entirely.

So wish me luck, and keep reminding me--pay attention to everything I do, everywhere I go, and every breath I take. Even if it'll probably all be for naught.

(jim@wmqt.com)

Wednesday, 8/5

45 years ago today was a very big day for my parents.

I'm about to share a direct quote from my dad, who remembers that morning in 1975. He was standing outside of a new building and talking to himself. According to Chicky-poo, he said “Okay, you dumb Finlander (one of his preferred terms for himself), now you're going to have to work you a$$ off”. The new building was the body shop by parents had just opened, Koski Collision Center, and they had no idea 45 years ago today if it would work out

Spoiler alert—it did. Over the next two decades my parents poured their heart & soul into it to make it the success that it became. And still is, actually, as it' continues to go strong being run by my ex-brother and law and nephew.

I guess both my parents ended up working their a$$es off.

I see different parts of parents in me, my sister, and my brother. None of us seem to share the same parts, with one exception—we all seem to have this incredible work ethic. My sister is one of the owners of a grocery store, for gosh sakes. My brother loves get his hands dirty and fix things or build things. And I seem to have this habit of having three or four projects going at once, whether I want to or not. And I can state without any doubt that all comes, in part, from what my dad said standing in front of that new building 45 years ago today. Or what my mom would tell me when I was young and still at home, getting my start in radio, and leaving to work an overnight shift--

“Do a good job tonight”. And I always did my best.

In fact, to show you the work ethic my parents have, they wanted to retire early, which is why they sold Todd the shop in the mid 90s. They had plans to do all kinds of things and have all kinds of different experiences. However (and I do have to chuckle about this) they became so bored that they both got jobs—my mom as a bookkeeper, and my dad as a certified furniture installers. They kept doing that for another decade before retiring-retiring.

To paraphrase something I said Monday...parents these days.

Anyway, it all started 45 years ago today. So on that note, happy work-anniversary Mom & Dad. And thanks for setting such a good example.

****

Before I go, I have to show a picture from that day 45 years ago--

For those of you who don't know, where my parents body shop still sits is now surrounded by things like Walmart, Starbucks, strip malls, and parking lots. But back then?

Trees. Nothing & nothing but trees. I guess it shows just how much that part of Marquette has changed since then.

(jim@wmqt.com)

Tuesday, 8/4

Slowly but surely it's all coming together.

Over the past month and a half I've been talking about the “Third Street: Day & Night” documentary I'm putting together for the Marquette Regional History Center. It's in place of a walking tour on which the Covid-19 pandemic put the kibosh, and it started as what I assumed would be a simple way to present the information I'd gathered and help make the History Center a little money.

But you know what they say about assuming things, right?

I'm still waiting on drone footage and a little music. But I am now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Almost all of the footage has been edited together into segments, and once I get the music & the drone stuff I can stick all those segments together into a big, one hour (one hour!) extravaganza.

I'm, like, 85 percent of the way there. I'm just waiting on other people now to give me the stuff I need to finish it.

I don't have a definitive date yet for when it's be available for viewing (with a small donation) on the History Center's website, if only because things are a little out of my hands at the moment. However, in the back of my mind, I'm thinking August 19^th. Why, you ask? Well, I answer, that's the day I was supposed to give my “The Greasier the Spoon” walking tour, and since that's not happening, either, maybe we can at least do something on that date. But like I said. It's out of my hands. I'm just waiting on getting what I need.

And yes, I've already been asked if I'll be making a video version of “Greasier”. I have no idea. That's kind of like asking a woman who's going through labor if she'll be having another child shortly.

Assuming I get the drone footage soon you guys may have a trailer to look at by the end of the week. And from there?

Well, then I'll be able to get it finished. And that's the important thing.

(jim@wmqt.com)

Monday, 8/3

Kids these days.

I have an acquaintance, who's in his mid 20s. He was talking to a compatriot of his; she's in her mid 20s, as well, and they were discussing a couple of people they were both looking to interview. Since she's new to the area he was giving her a few pointers, which included this gem--

“They're in their early to mid 40s, which means they're on the cusp of being old”.

Yup. Kids these days.

I have to admit that my first reaction was to (literally) do a spit take. I was drinking tea and laughed so hard some shot out of my mouth. I couldn't help myself. And just so you know--blueberry-acai tea is REALLY hard to get out of a white shirt.

My second reaction was what I assume anyone at or past their early to mid 40s would do or say, and that was to shake my head at the wonder of it all. I can't say this with any certainty, but something along those lines may have popped into my brain when I was in my mid 20s. Back then, I probably thought that anyone in the early to mid 40s was about to be old. And I was wrong. Really really wrong.

After all, when you get to be my age, you realize that it's actually people in their 60s or 70s who are really, really old.

That's a joke; after all, you're only as old as you feel. And I can see why someone in their 20s might feel like someone in their 40s is getting old. But I would also point out to people in their 20s that they themselves will one day be in their 40s—in fact, it'll happen much quicker than they think—and maybe they might want to modify what they're thinking.

Of course, there's no way anyone in their 20s would believe what I was saying. It's just one of those things you have to experience for yourself before you realize it's true. Maybe it's something you can't comprehend until you yourself have jumped over the cusp of being old.

Maybe.

I'm sure my friend has no idea that what he said was so funny, at least to me. But who knows—maybe, when he's in his early to mid 40s and on the “cusp” being old, he'll have an acquaintance who makes a comment like the one he made, and he can then sit there, shake his head, and mutter that wonderful phrase--

“Kids these days”.

(jim@wmqt.com)