Friday, 9/29

Wait. September’s almost over?????

I seem to recall writing something similar back at the end of either May or June, and I also recall ending that something I had written with the prediction (or warning) that come the end of August or the end of September I’d be doing the same thing, because by the end of August or the end of September I’d still be shocked at how quickly time has flown past.

Well, it’s nice to know that I can accurately forecast the future, right? Either that, or I’m just really too predictable in the things about which I whine. I’ll leave it up to you to choose which is more correct.

Saying “goodbye” to September really is like saying “goodbye” to summer, even if this year we didn’t really have much of a summer to say “goodbye” to until, you know, the past couple of weeks. Heading into most Octobers you know you may have a nice day or two pop up here or there, but you also know that there’s an equal (if not better) chance that you’ll see the first snowflake of the year, even though it seems like the last two snow days we had May 1^st and 2^nd seemed like just yesterday (and even knowing the last snow day was May 2^nd shows that you have some deeply rooted problems!)

I know that there are some people—heck, I know that there are many people—who just love October, who think it’s the greatest month of the year. They like the cooler temperatures; they love the colors and the crisp, sharp smell you get when out walking among the falling leaves. And I can see the appeal in all that, especially in the changing colors. But it also means that my favorite time of the year is over.

Much in the same way skiers mourn April or deer hunters mourn December, I kind of mourn the end of September. Like I mentioned before, it signals the end of my favorite time of the year. And it means that, unless we have another weird and wacky year like 2023 (which I’m not in any way ruling out), it’ll be another seven or eight months before we can head outside and play in the warm sun. I know that for most people that’s not that big of a deal, but apparently I’m special in that way.

Aren’t I lucky?

Don’t worry; after today, I shan’t bring it up again. After all, I whine about the weather enough in here, and if I can remember back that far, I believe my New Year’s resolution was to try to cut down on my whining about the weather and things way out of my control. However, today marked a significant cut-off point in that regard, and I just felt that it should be observed.

So I’ll shut up now. Have a great weekend. And if things actually turn out as forecast, enjoy the almost summer-like weather we'll (hopefully) get!

(jim@wmqt.com)

Thursday, 9/28

Wow. I forgot I even had come up with those.

I stumbled upon a computer file yesterday when going through an old flash drive, and it was a computer file that had ideas, concepts, and fleeting thoughts about topics for these daily ramblings. Some of them I had used, some of them ended up being not good enough to use, and then there was the one about “first lines”.

I’ve always thought that the first line of an essay was the most important. Not only does it have to impart information about the essay, but it also has to reel you in and make you want to read what’s coming up. I think I’ve been lucky in that regard; I’d like to think that I have a little talent in that area. I mean, I’ve come up with lines like “I now know what the inside of a seagull smells like” (following a kayak trip to Ripley’s Rock) and “I woke up yesterday and realized that I misplaced the 1990s”, following a morning in which I woke up, and well, realized that I had forgotten much of what I did during the 1990s. Of course, none of that tops what may be the single greatest first line ever written, a line in a 2007 California newspaper story that read, and I quote, ““A jazz musician was injured Friday after jumping from a burning motor home driven by a one-time roller skating stripper“.

See? A great opening line and, perhaps, a TV reality show just waiting to be made.

Anyway, I’m bringing this up because the note I found contained what I thought would be a couple of great opening lines. I mean, when you read them you know that they’d never actually happen and are the product of an obviously demented mind, but I’d like to think that they’d draw you in to read what’s next.

And those lines are?

“I didn’t think the explosion would be quite THAT big. . .”

“I thought it would stop oozing after a day or two, but I guess I was wrong”.

“I know how the world is gonna end”.

Like I said, these are lines that would obviously never actually occur in reality (at least I hope they wouldn’t), but they’re lines that could, in a proper context, hopefully make you want to read on. And that’s what’s important in a first line, right?

It’s amazing what you can find hidden on computer flash drives, isn’t it? It really is.

(jim@wmqt.com)

Wednesday, 9/27

I like my cities weird. What can I say?

As promised yesterday, more pictures today from our jaunt to Chicago. Yet another one of the ways in which Marquette and Chicago are similar is that you can walk around, pay attention to your surroundings, and then notice certain things that might be considered out of the ordinary in other places.

That might range from one set of businesses that you might not necessarily think would go together--

To another...

Although, when you think about it, doesn't it actually make sense to combine a psychic and an insurance agent? After one, one might be able to tell you when you'll need the services of the other, right?

8-)

You can also see notes from store owners who (I think) are trying to be helpful--

Pharmacies getting into the spirit of Greektown--

A pigeon eating a scone--

Helpful grammar notes for for anyone who's spelling challenged while putting up graffiti--

To, uhm, whatever the heck this is--

So remember, if you're ever in a new city, look around, because you'll never know what you might see. Unlike, say, these people.--

(jim@wmqt.com)

Tuesday, 9/26

As promised...details on Chicago!

Like I mentioned yesterday, we had a great time visiting my second favorite place in the United States. We actually stayed in the Loop for the first time, which gives you an entirely new perspective on the city, especially when you can see this when you walk out of your hotel--

It was a short walk to Greektown, which means that it was a short walk to Greek food--

And everywhere you strolled, you got to see some amazing architecture--

Speaking of amazing architecture, we paid a visit one of the oldest existing buildings in Chicago, one with a familiar name--

Where in the lobby they have mosaics depicting how Jacques Marquette was the first European to “discover” the Chicago River--

As I mentioned on TV last night, Marquette (the city) and Chicago have connections that no one ever knew or thought about, unless you pay really close attention.  Speaking of which, there's a display in the main branch of the Chicago Public Library that consists of dog tags for each of the 58,000 Americans killed during the Vietnam War--

And if you go into the display, you can search for the names of those who died, including those who came from Marquette--

And much like in Marquette, people were enjoying a nice first day of Autumn--

That's that side of the story. Tomorrow, just like you can see while walking around Marquette, the weird side of Chicago. And trust me—it gets kinda weird down there.

8-)

But before then, one more picture, if only because we took a LOT of them--

(jim@wmqt.com)

Monday, 9/25

 If anyone cares, I'm back!

(And, I'm guessing, aside from my parents most people who read this are going "wait, you were gone?", but that's neither here nor there).

I don't have a lot of time to write this morning, as being gone for three days means there's a lot of catching up to do.  You'll get a far more detailed report tomorrow.  But just let me say that we had a great time, which means two things--we were really bummed that we had to come home, and that I'm never gonna eat again.

Yes, I know I say that every trip, but this time I'm serious.  We kinda sorta are a LOT this time around--

I do have one other thing to say, though--you know how every time we leave Marquette it gets nice for you guys and the rotten weather follows us?  While you were enjoying 78 degrees and sun Thursday, here's what we had--

So...you're welcome.  Hope you enjoyed your nice day.

8-)

Actually, aside from Thursday the weather was fine. Like I said, MUCH more tomorrow!

(jim@wmqt.com)

Tuesday, 9/19

See you in a few days, I guess.

I mentioned yesterday that Loraine's car will get a few more miles added to its odometer this week, and I wasn't kidding. It gets to go all the way to Sawyer tomorrow, where it'll sit in a parking lot for a few days while Loraine and I have a little fun in Chicago. Then it brings us back to Marquette and, in total, gets to add another 30 or so miles to the 10,000 it now has.

Exciting, isn't it?

Thinking about this, I'm pretty sure the trip will be much more exciting for Loraine and me than it will her car. This is our “vacation” for the year (the drive down to Loraine's parents a few weeks ago notwithstanding) so we're hoping to make the most of it. After all, we love the city and the things to do there, so if we haven't been able to go anywhere else this year at least we get to spend a few days in our second favorite place on the planet. And, as a bonus, the weather's actually supposed to be quite nice while we're there.

So maybe it was meant to be.

Needless to say, that means there won't be any more of these mis-typed ramblings for the rest of the week. Assuming there's not some huge failure of the airline system Sunday (which, sadly, always IS a possibility) I'll be back Monday with pictures, stories, and most likely, the need to lose a pound or two. But then that's what vacations are for, right?

8-)

Before I leave, though, I need to wish a happy anniversary to the two people without whom I would not be here. That's right; my parents are celebrating another year of wedded bliss, so if you happen to come across them either today or while I'm gone, wish them a good one.

Happy anniversary, kids!!!

Love,

(jim@wmqt.com)

Monday, 9/18

It took five and a half years, but we finally got there.

As you know, neither Loraine nor I drive much. We both walk to work, bike to many other places, and, at times, seem to have a car just in case we ever need it. Loraine bought in the spring of 2018, and before we went down to her parents earlier this month it had just slightly over 9,000 miles on it. We thought the trip would bring the car to the mythical 10,000 mark, but it didn't. And even after running around taking care of a few chores this weekend, it was still a few miles short of five digits.

So we did something we hardly ever do. We went for a five mile ride just to watch the odometer flip.

Yes, I know we're weird. What's your point? But it's been five and a half years. And we figured that reaching 10,000 miles was a big deal, at least for her car. After driving to the Marquette Food Co-op (and only adding a half mile to the odometer) we decided to take the long way home, a drive along the lake where we first documented this--

And then, as we turned around near Lakeview Arena and began the trip back to downtown, the magical moment--

Five years, four months, and a handful of days after Loraine picked up her latest car, it has finally been driven 10,000 miles. Have I ever mentioned we're easily entertained?

8-)

We'll actually get to take it for a little spin later this week, and give it a few more miles on the odometer. Details tomorrow!

(jim@wmqt.com)