Random thoughts #25

1) Yes I know I said I was on hiatus.  I guess I decided to say that because I was tired of making promises I wasn't keeping. It's not who I am. Rather than say "I'll be back" and not be, I decided to just quit and do it when I can. Maybe that is why I'm posting a bit more. Because I said I wouldn't. Who knows.

2) I talk too much. I'm a talker. Way overboard in that aspect. I admit it. That being said, if I say anything tonight that I've already said it's because I've become to dumb I can't remember if I've said it or not. However my subconscious takes over and I suppose that is why I may repeat myself. Because I think it's worth saying again.

Aaah, vacation. I deserve it.

As a few of you know, I'm heading to St. George, Utah, a golf mecca, ( was that too many commas?) for a golf weekend. Much deserved from my standpoint.

I haven't played there since the late 80's.  I was going to go to Phoenix but I'll keep this short. A couple of other people became involved and so St. George it is.  One of the guys was a golf superintent there and we supposedly are going to have cheap golf. I say "supposedly" because he bailed. He was our in!  Now he's not coming along? He made all the tee times so I hope he has some pull.  Otherwise, well, I'll be a little bent.

Here's the deal. When I travel, one of the things required is that my hotel has a bar. Of the 32 hotels in St. George, none have a lounge. You read that right. Zero bars in any hotel. I can handle that if the golf is still discounted. If it's not, then Mike will have a lot to answer for. Like and old fashioned St. Mary's "meet you at the flagpole" beating.

It's in the heart of Mormon country I know. But really? Not one lounge in a hotel? I thought we lived in America.

My gear is packed.  My work is done.  Tomorrow will be like a paid day off.  We leave at 4 PM. I've said it before and I'll say it again, everyone should work with my on Friday. I can't be brought down. If you think that is good, work with me on the day before I leave for vacation. I'm happier than an albino in the shade. Or as Jimmy says "happier than a dog with two peters."  Just happy.

Safe journeys to you (and to me) til then.

Chip

I didn't know Baxter

I don't go out much on Wednesday. No drink special at the Grantree (my haunt) it's mid week. Nothing really to do.

I started stopping at Boxer's Lounge ( not our Boxer I don't think but maybe? She can confirm.) this past summer. Went in there in July on a non-North Dakota trip for something different. Well it turns out that a lot of guys I know in Belgrade stop there on Wednesday so I would pop in on occasion and tip a few with them. My banker, a couple of guys I play golf league with, people I know. Anyway, its always a nice evening.

Random thoughts #24

Things that crossed my mind while wondering if Ralph will ever admit I let him tie me in the alumni wrestling tournament. ( I could have crushed him, just for the record ).

1) I went to Salt Lake City to watch my beloved Bobcats play the Utes in both teams opening game.  The Cats gave up 17 quick points to the 28th ranked Utes and settled down to only lose 27-10.  This is game one of my "perfect season" with the Bobcats. I have every intention of being at every game.  As a season ticket holder the home games are a given. Every game is 6-7 hours driving distance from Bozeman with the exception of Portland State which I've take an extra day from work to drive to.  If you're a sports fan, keep track of this team. Something tells me this season is going to be special. That's why I'm going to every game.  I could be wrong and if I am, it will still be a great thing to do.

OK a couple of videos

I've been on the road. It's hard for me to wind down.  Here's some videos. Enjoy. Maybe Heff still reads this. Probably not. Kind of southern flavor though.

Friday thoughts

I really need a secretary to ride with me when I'm on the road.  Kind of like Van Wilder. "Write that down."  Honestly, my head is going 90 miles an hour when I'm driving.  So here's some stuff.

1) Why did Obama want to be president?  It's a "leadership" position.  He never voted as a state senator or as a US Senator. He is incapable of making a stand. Where I come from the term is "gutless".  I never thought I would wish for Hillary to be our leader.

2) If I saw Harry Reid in a bar or at a restaurant or on the steps of the Capitol Building, I'd challenge him to a boxing match.  They keep talking about how he was a boxer so that makes him a "fighter". All I see is a spineless wimp who would hide behind his wife in a home invasion.

A mixed tribute band

So when I was home for the 30th Greg gave me a CD.  Here is how cool Greg is.  We haven't hardly talked to each other in years. He's on the reunion committee. Helps put the best of the three we've had together. Knows I'm going to be there and when I showed up at his coffee joint/photograph studio he gives me a CD and says "Chip, I know you will really like these guys. They put an 80's song with a 70's song and make it great." He is soooooooooooo right.  Here for you followers is Rock Sugar.  By the way, Rock Sugar will be at Rockin the Rivers along with PAT BENATAR!!  MRM will be hanging with Greg and catching up with his life. This would be a GREAT place for a blog summit.  Get your collective shit act together and come to Montana. I'm not gonna beg. It's not my style. Please oh please come out. Buzz, grab Mrs. Buzz and the Eagle Scout and get your country ass out here.  You'll sell your house and build a nice leantoo.  Sorry for calling you out but you're an eastcoaster. Come see the mountains.   Here's Rock Sugar.

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By the way, I think I'm getting the new format figured out. You all can be the judge

I guess I'm a Friday poster now

Hello followers of the drivel (yes Karl, the drivel. Thank you for thinking its more than that by the way).

Let me try to get you all caught up on things here in the Gallatin Valley.  Last Sunday I left for Williston, ND.  Spent the night in Miles City.  Every creek (we prounounce that word "crick" for the record) was out of it's banks. Every little stream that flowed water was swelled.  Bismark, ND is flooding as we speak. So is the town of Roundup, MT. My heart breaks for those people.  I've driven through Roundup more times than I can count. The Musselshell is a soft slow moving river, much like the Milk River.  To see this small town get hit this hard, is honestly breaking my heart.  Joplin, MO has me down as well.  I've often wondered why tornadoes have never hit towns of any sigficant size and when they have, have been so brief in reality compared to what Joplin suffered.  Still over 1200 people missing.  So sad.  Montana has never in my lifetime had the flooding we are enduring now.  It brings things into perspective.  We here in Montana have watched many, many times as other places have been hit with this disaster but have been fortunate to not have to feel the pain.  We do now.

PICTURES!! Finally.

So here are some pictures from my last road trip.  Drove from Bozeman to Missoula and then Great Falls on Monday. Then from Great Falls to Helena, Butte and Bozeman.  Here are some photos and a video from that trip.  Don't get your hopes up. I took most of these while driving but did stop and take a few where I could kind of frame a shot.


The view from my front window Sunday morning.

 The Pintler Mountains west of Anaconda, Montana.

 This one is out of place.  This is at Three Forks, Montana about 22 miles west of my house but before the last one.  Three Forks is named for the confluence of the Gallatin, Madison and Jefferson Rivers and is where the Missouri begins. More after the jump.

Songs on my way home

My letter to Adam Ant.

Adam Ant ( why would call yourself that?) Here's a video that sucks. Why are you doing this Adam? Oh wait, I know, it's because everything else you've done sucks.  Here is the oringinal which is good. Enjoy.  Another version here.   Here's what pisses me off /has another glass of crown and tries to gather his thoughts. Don't pretend to want women when you really don't.  You just fuck it up for all the straight guys.  Be gay. I'm fine with it. Just don't prance and pretend you want women when you don't. You mess it up for the rest of us Adam. It's hard enough out here without you fucking it up. Just sayin. And yes for the record, I've had a Crown or three.

Adam Ant, I'd beat your eyes shut. Just for a little life lesson. Oh, that seems harsh. I'd better go to bed.

Songs on my way to work

I've been thinking about starting a daily feature where I put up a video of the best song that I heard on my casual 15 minute commute to work every day.  Then I thought "what the hell are you thinking about?  You can't do a daily meme/theme whatever deal.  You barely participate in Haiku Monday, it took every ounce of creativity you had to host Movie Clip Wednesday and now you want to have a DAILY post? Pull your head out of your ass!"  Ah, the voice of reason.  So seldom does it make an appearance that I barely recognize it.

More after the jump

Friday!!

It's been a long week.  Actually, it's been a long year.  More stress than I am accustomed to but that corner is about to be turned.  More on that this Monday so stay tuned.   Meanwhile, as it is Friday and I'm in a great mood, well, because it's Friday, I'll treat you all to a video.  It's what was playing on the XM when I rolled into work after having breakfast with my good friend KB.  Happy Friday everyone.

Indiana, being uptight since 1816

Indiana officially became a state on December 11, 1816.  Hoosiers have been uptight ever since and now this from the Huffington Post.  Really Indiana?

Don't forget that tonight is the season premier of Justified. I'm not saying I have a man-crush on Timothy Oliphant but dammit he's so cool.  If you get a chance check it out.  Maybe set your DVR to Archer as well.  It's animated but I watched my first two episodes last week and it's pretty funny as well.  It also has sex, violence and strong language so it might not be everyone's cup of tea.

I caught the premier of The Chicago Code on Monday. ITS AWESOME!!  I love DVR. It's a good thing too because I have a Jeopardy qualifier at 7, then a committee meeting for the Citizens for Balanced Use, then have to pack for a four day snowmobile trip to Alpine, Wyoming staying at the Box Y Lodge. It's a 30 mile trail ride just to get there and I can hardly wait.  I think there are 12 of us going.  Accomadations include three meals a day but it's a BYOB place.  I can handle that.

When you get to be my age, you have to enjoy these moments all you can. HEY YOU KIDS!! GET OFF MY LAWN!!

The Grizwagon "Dash Cam"

Well here's a little slice of life from southwest Montana.  We had a pretty nice storm blow in yesterday afternoon so I took four videos with my old Kodak.  Two of a couple of legs of my journey home last night and then two of my trip in this morning. I just set the camera on the dash and let it do the work.  I even have some commentary along the way.  Proof positive that I have a voice for blogging. This first video is right after I turned onto Love Lane.  It really looks like I'm going fast than I am.  Travel speed on the first two videos is 30-35 mph.

Fun at 7500 feet

L to R, your humble host, friend Scott and his nephew Casey.

Just some pictures BG took this past Saturday.  It was the first time we've all been out riding.  There were places where the wind was blowing 40 MPH but mostly the weather was great.  The snow was like riding in pure sugar.  Very soft and lots of work.  I was a little sore for a couple of days afterwards but no where near as sore if I hadn't been going to the gym. That really saved me. 

Fortunately BG never took any pictures of the couple of times I got stuck.  One was epic!  Climbing a little hill with about 5 feet of powder and got kicked out of the trail, fought it back and was ready to give myself a high five and fist bump when my foot slipped off the rail while switching sides and I dumped it big time.  You kind of had to be there.

Pictures didn't turn out to bad considering BG took them with her HTC Incredible.  Then she posted them to her FB page from where these were taken.  The 21st century is so awesome.

L to R, Casey stuck as he went to help Aunt Mary who was stuck.

This actually put both of them tied with me for being the stuck the most.  That was before the hill incident.  And *ahem, another time right after that. The last one really made me angry.  Pure stupidity and not listening to Scott. "When in doubt, THROTTLE OUT!" It's good advice. I ended up getting stuck the most.  It's not a title I relish and one I've claimed more than my fair share since I started riding.  I think I need new skis on the front.  Yeah, that's it.  New skis will solve my problems. Sure enough.

 

MRM taking a break and getting ready for a snack.

Is this commerical offensive?

.........or just funny?

Plowing with spite.

Buzz's comments in my previous post reminded me of a story.  It again is about being a good neighbor.

The street I live on is all tract housing.  Duplexes (legal description is townhouse and it sounds so much more elegant). I told Buzz that I usually plow a lot of sidewalks when I have my four-wheeler running.  I like to do it and ever since I started wearing my snowmobile helmet and goggles, the only thing that ever gets cold is my toes.  I just drop the blade at one corner, push the snow into the street and then go to the next corner and do it again.  I only know a couple of my neighbors by name but I know more than a couple by sight and usually get a nice wave if someone is doing their driveway when I go by.

A couple of years ago I happened to be in Belgrade at lunch so I went to my little townhouse.  Had a sandwich watched some TV and probably took a 45 minute nap. It had snowed the day previous and I had done my plowing of sidewalks. Anyway, I jump in the grizwagon and head back to work. I live on the north end of the block. As I get to the south end, I see a little old lady who had just finsihed shoveling a path to her car. The driveways on both sides of her were neatly shovelled.

Have a great weekend. Go Cats

Spent the last two nights at an avalanche awareness seminar.  It's one of the reasons I haven't been much of a blogger.  It was a great course.  The in-field training is next Sunday and I'm looking forward to it.  Anyway,  after attending classes and getting 8 inches of great snow last night I thought I'd take you all into the weekend with this awesome snowmobile video.  This will be my third season riding and it's as much fun as anything.  While we try to be safe, it is also the most dangerous activity I partake in.  We don't climb hills or "highmark". We look for big "powder parks" to just play in.  Lots of fun and virtually no danger of an avalance.  There were some interesting things that I learned though and will be even more aware of my surroundings while traveling to play. 

Three highligts to look for.  Around the :56 mark this guy is just plowing through snow in a meadow.  The first day I took out my new sled last year it was like this and it was the most fun I've had riding. At 2:57 you can see an avalanche fracture on the left of the screen.  The rider looks to his right and sees the snow wave coming.  He banks out to the left around the tree or rock formation (hard for me to tell) and out of the path to safety.  Textbook riding.  At 3:22 he makes a big jump and cranks the sled to his left leaving this big trail of "cold smoke". Its awesome.