BenBlogs...Stuff

New Orleans

2008-03-08T20:27:00.007-06:00

I went to a conference/expo for work this week. As the title suggests, it was in New Orleans. The conference/expo was good, but that's not what I'm writing about (although I could probably go on and on about how much of the incredibly huge convention center the show took up). You'd think that after so long , the hotels would be somewhat back to normal, but the one I stayed in... ...was across the street from this office building under renovation. The hotel was actually pretty nice for a H.I. Express, considering it was a block from Bourbon Street. I didn't question the stains in the carpets--I just never walked around barefoot.

I did'nt see any of the Katrina devastation personally while I was there, but I was told it was still evident in other parts of town. I've never been to New Orleans before, so I don't know what it was like before Katrina. I do know that that the French Quarter is a pretty dirty place. It's the kind of place were the three-second-rule doesn't exist, where you wouldn't even think of sitting on a street curb (unless you were drunk), or you have to wash the sticky stuff off your hands every time you touch a door handle or a sign post or chair back. This may be related to the fact that most of the idea of behind the French Quarter is that it's no fun unless you've gotten drunk at one of the more than 50 bars in 10 square blocks or visited any of the numerous strip joints (where you also can get drunk). And I only saw one rat the 3 nights I was there. However, most of the food was great, so I supoose it's really not all that bad. I would maybe go back sometime, but not to visit the French Quarter (and I definitely won't be taking my daughter there until she's, like, 30--unlike the other parents I saw with small children).

Anyway, here's my favorite part. I had a sunny and warm day to myself and I spent the majority of it next to the Mississippi. I didn't get out of town to see more of the river like I had hoped, but it was still a good day. Especially when a teenager walked by and asked me "I have a really dump question. Is this the Mississippi River?" No joke. It was a dumb question.

And if you ever find that you're in the Dallas/Fort Worth airport terminal without your IPod, they've got you covered...

Title Goes Here

2008-01-14T20:47:00.000-06:00

Every once in a while, I sit at my computer and think to myself "hey self, maybe it's time for another blog entry". And then I sit and stare at the computer for a bit and think about it some more. Then, I play some solitaire to get my mind working. Then I do some surfing or email checking (don't write any emails though, I'd have to think about that). All the time wondering what I should blog about, why I even try to blog, what does "42" really mean to me anyway (besides being the answer to life), and where's my blasted towel. And then, it's time for bed and a little light reading, and I'll try again another night.

Then I had an epiphany. If Seinfeld could do it and The Simpsons can still do it after 19 years, then I can too. So here's to Jerry and Bart: I've got nothing. Superb!

Well, I guess I did go to a model railroad show this weekend and came home with 22 coal cars. I suppose that's a bit more than nothing, but that's probably it. Maybe I'll have a picture of one of them next time...oooohhhh...or maybe all 22. Probably should check back to see if I really do it. (I know it's not really a cliff-hanger, but you'll probably come back anyway, right?)

Which Way Did He Go George? Which Way Did He Go?

2008-01-03T21:12:00.000-06:00

So I went away for a while? So what? I didn't really go away, I just went in another direction. Instead of blogging, I took up writing letters to long lost freinds and driving all over the place to visit with freinds and family I haven't seen in years (most of you know by now that the previous stament is a flat-out lie and that really I'm just lazy). Actually, I got frustrated every time I would post because I'm so picky that it took me forever to write even the shortest posting. Like now, I'm adding half of this paragraph after nearly finishing, and deleting half of what I nearly finished in the first place. Anyway, I figured that with the new year I should do something to celebrate. No, this is not a New Year's resolution...strictly speaking. I've been planning to get back to this for a while now. I ain't going to spend all my time frettin over grammer and likewise nonsents like spelling and just tipe out tha words(see, that was funny).

There were a couple of catalysts though for this post. One, the fact that Brad didn't even notice that I hadn't updated since 2006 was really beginning to bug me--not so much that it's been over a year since my last post, but that he must have been reading the same post over an over again. Two, my mother started a blog. EEEEEKKK! I've taken a step backwords in the technosociological advancement (new word I just made up, I think) of the modern era and fallen into the dark ages where people only talk on cell phones (without texting, mind you), all as my mom plows ahead into new and uncharted technological exploits (well, at least new and uncharted to her).

So, long story short: I'm back, I've removed the '06 Christmas list, and my mother has now been added to my links.

The Annual List

2006-12-11T20:01:00.000-06:00

So some of us still have a Christmas List. Big deal. Lists aren't just for kids you know. My mom still asks me for one, so I'm glad to do it. My wish list for this year is in the sidebar, right over there. No, over there. Most of you won't be getting me gifts (don't worry, no pressure), but it is intended mainly for family. Mainly. You could get me a gift if you really wanted to. I suppose it would be O.K. I certainly won't stop you. Or, you could just consider it a look into Ben's brain. Anyway, for the family, most of the listed items are only available on-line--sorry for the late notice. All the stuff at Solarbotics is really cool, so any of it would rock. There's still 9 shipping days (11 if you count Saturdays) 'til Christmas :)

This Has Been a Test of the Blogger Booting Service

2006-12-11T19:47:00.000-06:00

Well, I've concluded my test. Blogger will not give you the boot for leaving your blog idle for 38 days. I figured it was best not to push my luck waiting to 40 days, so now I know how long I can really go in between posts (although it's not likely I'll wait that long again). Wait a minute. Is that what you really thought? I'm not that lazy. It was all a test. I am a scientist, you know.

Fun blog

2006-11-03T21:59:00.000-06:00

I found a fun blog the other day. Actually, it found me via email. I'm a Sonic Cruiser--because I eat there a lot and thought it might occasionally save me a buck or two, which it has--and I get regular emails. One of the emails had a link to the Brian Blog: .The Brian Blog. It may not be the funniest blog I've seen, but it is pretty funny in it's own right. Who would have guessed that Brian is such a ladies man? You'd know that's a joke if you've read some of his blog entries. I'm sure it's all written by some ad agency writer and may be determined by some not a real blog, but that's what entertainment is all about anyway

The perfect October activity

2006-10-19T14:56:00.000-05:00

Ahhh, the perfect October activity--donating blood. Although it's not Halloween yet (and I don't mean to make light of giving blood), it is October and people are beginning to think about ghouls and ghosts and werewolves and vampires. And being October--the month of Halloween--my company decided to do a blood drive (I think they did actually pick Oct. because of Halloween). I donated for the first time. It's a nice feeling knowing that you may be able to help save a life.

Now, back to the actual donation of the blood. Having followed one Dr.'s advice for many years, I have never given blood before, and due to the prompting of a current Dr., I decided to give it a shot. I did very well with the donation and for the rest of the evening--a little light-headed for a while, but no passing out. However, I have discovered that my body doesn't like for me to give away my blood--hence I am at home in the middle of the afternoon the next day resting (still, not passing out though). I'm sure it could have been avoided if, for instance, I had followed the directions given me and drank more water than normal and possibly not gone back to my "bat-out-of-hell" work ethic the very next day (that's a Halloween reference, btw). At least now I can return the Battlestar Gallactica DVD to Netflix that I have been hoarding for a month. Well, back to bed. Why does the floor seem to be getting closer......just kidding.

72 holes of golf, anyone?

2006-10-08T19:23:00.000-05:00

72 holes of golf in one day. Who is crazy enough to do that? Can you imagine the green fees? What about the cost of the cart? What a waste of a day. Now, 72 holes of disk golf--pure bliss. It costs nothing to play, the equipment is cheap (under 30 bucks and you're set for anything), and there's no one driving around in a cart yelling "Candy, cigarettes"--or whatever it is drink peddlers say on golf courses.

I'm up for 72 holes of disc golf, how about you? Thanks to Mike L., I played 72 holes of disc golf last Saturday with Mike and Chris C. I can already hear some of you saying: pppfff, since when is "Frisbee golf" a cool thing to do? Well, it is--and dang fun too (that was toned down for younger readers).

You'll notice in this picture, that I am the not-so-geeky one who is not showing off golf discs (although, I admit, I am still a geek).

We played four courses in three different parks in two cities in under 16 hours, including driving and meals. We played in Marshall and Columbia, MO. Talk about a marathon (however, this trip did involve "swimming", so it would be more like a biathalon). We had a blast and came home with no injuries--unless you count pride, because I beat both Mike and Chris on the day.

Again, I am the not-so-geeky one not blinding passers-by while rummaging through a nasty lake looking for "my [Chris] best disk" that wouldn't even be in the lake if it had been thrown around instead of over the lake like I did.

For any of you who don't know how to play disc golf and might like to know more, don't let bright-skinned males rummaging through muck dissuade you (really, they were the only ones doing that), let one of us know (Jim C. plays too). It's a lot of fun. Michelle, Sarah and Jen even play so the ladies have no excuses :) Or, you can go to this link to learn more: http://www.pdga.com/.

Too Long?

2006-09-20T21:17:00.000-05:00

How long is too long? I'll admit that I think three weeks is too long and I should probably be punished. But I have an excuse so it shouldn't be severe. In fact, my excuse is good, so let's just skip the punishment. Some would say "no excuses mister!" (just like my high school English teacher used to say). But I do have an excuse and it's a good one, well, it's a bunch of good ones. It's just that I'm soooo lazy sometimes (at least I'm honest w/my excuses). And work can really sap your energy. And the other blogger in the house is always using the computer to updater her blog (like, every day). And that new Lego Star Wars game is a blast. Should I go on?

I can even prove that I'm lazy [sometimes-ed.]. I've had the whole week off from work and I'm just now getting around to updating my blog. Why so long you ask? Well, I went to the air show on Saturday and in the evening picked up Steve and Nicole at the airport--flying is always a pain. Sunday I played Xbox all afternoon and was just worn out (again, at least I'm honest). Monday I went to the dr. in the morning and then lunch w/my mom in Indep MO and spent the afternoon working in the yard. Tuesday I went to Clinton lake to camp for the night and didn't get back until today. Speaking of honest, I even saw a skink riding on the back of an owl which had just caught a huge black snake that was eating a deer (eight of them, maybe nine, but I couldn't see the ninth). Kansas is so fascinating. Which brings us back to tonight, and I'm finally writing something in my blog. What about the two weeks prior this week? Well that one's short and sweet. Work [sucks-ed.].

It Didn't Work!

2006-08-31T20:27:00.000-05:00

Dang-it! All I got out of it was one lousy day--although I did enjoy it if only for a day. Yep, the gas tank on the motorcycle is leaking, again. I put it back together on Monday, rode it to work on Tuesday, and woke up Wednesday to the smell of gasoline in the garage. Completely new holes this time, even though the recent repair was supposed to fix the old holes and keep new ones from forming. GRRR. I won't give up though. I want this thing to run! (more than a day, more like 3 months would be good, at least) I still have a chance at a tank on eBay tonight and maybe another one this weekend if tonight's doesn't work out. I may pull out the JB Weld again and plug the new holes to gain me another couple of days riding too. Keep your fingers crossed.

It Works!

2006-08-28T21:52:00.000-05:00

And it doesn't leak all over the floor. My motorcycle, that is. It's been down and out since sometime in early June (maybe even May--so long I'm not even sure when). Yes, I do have a motorcycle. I got it last November but didn't get it running until April. It had a minor gas leak that I fixed and then it had a bad gas leak in May or June and has sat in various states of repair since then. Now it's fixed and it doesn't leak and I'm giddy with anticipation. By the way, I've heard lots of bikers use the word "giddy". And I'm sure I've seen it used multiple times in all of those colorful t-shirts that you always see for Sturgis, like the one that says "If you can read this, then the bit..." Maybe that one's not a good example. Anyway, here's a picture of me and my bike--which is a Honda and not a Harley. It matches my car. I'm so 'not' a hardcore biker.

Don't I look hot on that bike? I had just finished working on it, so the bike was hot from running for a while and the sun was really bright, and hot. I was hot just sitting on it. Ohhh, you didn't think I meant "hot" did you? Ha, ha. That's the kind of humor you can expect from me. I thought it was funny. Now, if I could just find more of those decals for my car...

Every day is crazy

2006-08-13T22:06:00.000-05:00

I've noticed that some bloggers out there (not thinking of anyone in particular, if you're feeling guilty) update their blogs everyday. Whaaa? I guess maybe "Wow, you go blogger!" is a better response. I hope no-one expects that from me. I'm sure it's something in the air in my house...

Jennifer, Katie and I went to Powell Gardens on Saturday. If you live in Kansas City and even remotely like plants, the outdoors, or even snakes, I highly recommend it: http://www.powellgardens.org/ . They're located way, way, way out east--just kidding--20 miles east of Lee's Summit. Well worth the drive. Most everything there is very kid-friendly too. There is a special butterfly exhibit running right now that is really cool--you can walk through a greenhouse filled with butterflies. Katie loved the butterflies. She even posed as one.

The gardens themselves are very nice too (which are all outside, so go early or when it's not 100 out). Some are in the shade and some are not. And yes, I did mention snakes. There's a big lake and if you look close enough like I always do, you're bound to see snakes. I would post a snake pic, but Frankie would never look at my blog again.

Mean

2006-08-11T11:30:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, Jennifer may think I'm mean, but I think I'm just funny.

Finally made up my mind

2006-08-08T20:48:00.000-05:00

I finally made up my mind. It took 2 months (maybe more), but I did it. The second hardest thing I've ever done...the title. I say the second because I can't think of a first right now, but I know there's a long list of the hardest things I've ever done. Anyway, there it is...the title (it's that statement at the top of the page, for you non-bloggers).

So, about that title and this blog. "Stuff" is a reference to "everything" (which is a word I almost used instead of "stuff"). I have, at the least, a slight interest in just about "everything". And by "everything", I mean just the stuff I'm interested in--I could care less about the rest (see point 1 below). As time goes by and I post on this blog, you will notice that I have an interest in just about everything. Yes, I said that twice on purpose to drive that point home--I have an interest in just about everything. Three times now, so that someone couldn't later say something like "this guy just can't pick a topic and stick to it". Well, they can say that, but I already pointed it out so it doesn't count.

I have a couple things for you to look out for in future blog entries. The first is sarcasm and cynicism. Sometimes it's there, and sometimes not. Sometimes thick, and sometimes thin. Most times, you won't even be able to tell--which is the most likely scenario. I'm full of it, really, I am (and you can read that however you want).

The second is wit. I'll try, but I'm not good at it. So maybe there won't be much of that.

The third is likely to be something offensive. Not like, really offensive, but moderately offensive. Mostly, it would be something overlooked by me and not intentional. Like, "people who eat anchovies are stupid". Someone might find that offensive, but really, they're just stupid. What about the bones? Some even still have eyes.

The last thing (I'm sure I'll come up with more in a week or so) is grammer. You may see good grammar, and you may see bad grammer, and you may see good grammar and bad grammer at the same time. I have pretty good written grammar, but sometimes I mix it up for my grammetical friends.

Enjoy my blog about stuff (or everything) and come back often. Who knows, there may be something interesting tomorrow, or it could be just a rant about the mysterious "leak" under the urinal at work.