Category: B-Town

A New Visit With An Old Friend

For all past and present Bloomingtonians, the Von Lee is back!

Sadly, it’s not a theatre but still very enjoyable to visit.  Over the past year or so, the building has undergone major renovation.  The lower level is now a eatery named Noodles and Company, while the upper level houses offices for Indiana University.

I must say I enjoyed it tremendously!  There is lots of charm within the building, as much has been done to preserve it contents.  I found a very interesting article on the Von Lee, read it here:  http://www.in.gov/dnr/historic/tcs_vonlee.html

I will never forget some of the experiences I had within this building in my “tween” years.  I saw many movies that “made me think.”  The one I will never forget is Fire In The Sky.

Noodles and Company offers many different and interesting items.  I had to stick to my “American” roots, so I got the “Wisconsin Mac & Cheese” and their “Chicken Noodle Soup.”  I had to support my fellow cheesehead and .rox blogger Kelly.

For once, I’m happy to go downtown again 🙂

The China Syndrome

Well………….not literally.

I came home from work today to discover my computer was shut-off.  I like many others, leave my computer on all the time.  Due to power saving features etc. it seems easier that way.

Ever since I built this computer I have only had one problem continuously, my power supply.  For all of you non tech people the power supply is what splits the power to everything located in your computer.

The case to this computer is very cheap, and came with a cheap power supply.  After about 6 months the original died.  This is not an easy item to purchase online, much like a car.

There is only one computer shop on my side of town, so I went there to purchase another one.  I was told they only carried one type of power supply.  So I purchased one and was on my way.  It fried the next day!  So I brought my ‘puter in and was “mad as hell!”  They happily replaced the defective unit and even installed it for me.  Well this one died and I didn’t want to buy another POS model.

So after informing my wife of the issue, we went over to the olde’ east side of town and purchased a good quality 500w power supply.  This should be enough for my 4 hard drives, dual core processor (thanks B!) and numerous cards.

Only time will tell how “good” this one is.

My next purchase will be a new case, as mine has almost bit the bullet.

A New Venture

I have officially decided to try to expand my very small mowing business.  Just to emphasize how small it is, I only have one customer!  And that’s my current employer.

It seems to be more lucrative than video transfers, but my heart will always belong to it.

I am tired of working for someone else.  I think a vast majority of americans agree with me on that point.  I’m taking the first step to be my own boss.

My wife and I created the flyer below, I have printed 100 of them and I’m currently working on sending them out.  I specifically picked a wide variety of businesses, churches and upper middle class to upper class homeowners who might already pay to have someone handle their yard work.

I hope to receive a 25% rate of return on this venture.  If so the possibility of me being self employed is quite possible.

The only problem with a business of this type is the shear number of them in the area, literally hundreds!  I do have one leg up on them though, the same leg I have with my video business, I can undercut anyone due to my lack of expenses.  I have good equipment, and do a good job.  I’m not trying to get rich, I’m just hoping to make the same as I do now.

Wish me luck, please?

Meet Gil!

 
If you’re in Bloomington, and decide to go to the Fun Frolic.  DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT play the “win a bunny game.”

We did, and are now proud parents to a 7 week old bunny, we decided to name Gillham or Gil for short.  Gillham is the name of the street we live on.

I must admit, he is quite adorable.  What’s even better is how he doesn’t have a care in the world for the cats!  He sniffs and goes on.  It’s quite amazing since the cats are at least 3 times his size.

We are going to take the responsible adult approach and “try” caring for him as a pet.  If it becomes too much to handle we might find a better home for him.  He is in a much better home than he was at the Fun Frolic at this point.  The poor bunnys were being kept outside in the mid 90’s humid heat.

We are mainly keeping him in a cage right now, at least once a day we are letting him out into a controlled environment.  I’ve read that this is best for younger bunnies, to give them their freedom in slow increments.  It is also important for them to feel loved, but not man-handled.

We’re Number 6

Here’s some facts showing how Bloomingtonians are still being “raped” by big business.

In todays newspaper, an article states how Forbes has ranked B-Town the sixth best place in the country for business and careers among smaller metro areas.

If you notice, “business” is the first listing there, as this is why we were ranked 6th.  Here are the complete listings.

Bloomington was sixth overall. It ranked ninth in cost of doing business, 19th in educational attainment, 25th in cost of living and in culture and leisure, 44th in crime rate, 80th in colleges, 90th in income growth, 92nd in net migration and 115th in job growth.

There were 179 other “small metro areas” in this study.

Such a great place to live, but I am by no means proud.  The rankings in income and job growth disturb me deeply.

Free At Last, Free At Last

Those very famous words, spoken by the immortal Dr. Martin Luther King are exactly what I’m feeling now.

Today, I accepted an offer for a new job.  I finally get to leave my horrible work hours, days and conditions behind.  Thank God!

The new position is at Sternberg, an International truck dealership.  They are headquartered out of Jasper Indiana, with locations in Evansville and Bloomington.  The position isn’t glamourous by any means, I will be simply cleaning up the shop.  The best part is I can have a life again, as it is Monday thru Friday (with some Saturdays) and 7:30 to 4:30.  Small world, my wife’s hometown is 10 minutes away from Jasper!

It is in a place with the same atmosphere as where I’m currently working (a truck shop), but there is room for advancement within the company and other “normal” benefits.  What’s normal you ask?  Try holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving.

All I feel is joy, I never realized how better I would feel about a new job.

The person hiring me has done a very quick job.  I applied to the position last Thursday, had an interview Monday and was offered the position today!  He called here and spoke with my wife first thing this morning and said “he wanted to talk to me.”  She immediately called me and told me to call him.  I was still at my soon to be old job, so I went and hid and started calling.  Their automated night time system was still on and I couldn’t get a hold of anyone for a while, once I did I told him I would be there asap.

I will miss my co-worker CJ, as he has become a dear friend.  I told him this morning about everything before I left, as I am on my weekend now and wouldn’t see him again until Sunday night.  He gave me his digits and told me to call him.  I told him the same.  I’ll miss you CJ!

Things at FirstLease were getting to a breaking point, and I’m glad to be gone.  I was a temp there the whole time, 2 months after I started they hired another temp.  Just a week or so ago they hired him as a permanent employee, but didn’t mention a thing to me.  The climate there is very hostile, and discrimintory.  There are a select few who can do no wrong (but do all the time) and then the rest are always “on notice.”  CJ has a picture and sign on his toolbox, that are quite funny.  The picture has 3 people figures of different colors and it says, “equal what???.”  The other is a sign made out of cardboard, it says “Discrimination Lane.”  I think that paints the picture of how he sees the place.

Thank God Almighty I’m Free At Last.

Think Globally, Act Locally

After becoming a homeowner, I have acquired many things I do not need or want.  All of these items were on my property at the time of purchase.

Rather than throwing away many of these items, which are mainly in decent shape.  I decided to try to give them to other deserving homes.  These items aren’t new, or fancy.  Their just items I don’t need or want.

The only outlets that I knew of, until now were the local newspaper and a “trading post” at the local trash site.  Yesterday I discovered an amazing way to relinquish these items, and make a larger audience aware of them.  It’s called Freecycle.

It was started with the old saying that “one mans trash is another mans treasure.”  Keeping unwanted items out of our landfills is a great way to help the enviroment, which is the main scope of freecycle.

I immediately signed up, and added some posts for items I have been tirelessly trying to eliminate from my land.  When we removed the hideous pool from our backyard, it left a big pit with sand and gravel in it.  I have placed free ads about it, and let my neighbors have all they want.  It hasn’t even put a dent in the sheer amount of material there.

2 hours after I posted this entry, I had over 20 responses asking about it, and when they could get it.  Hopefully we can get our yard back in some order now.

Check it out, if you have workable items you need to get rid of, you never know who might want them!

 www.freecycle.org

The Indian Connection

I previously wrote about how I am trying to get my hands on a piece of John Mellencamp artwork, and how I adore Cherokee indian art.

I purchased my first piece of Indian art way back in 1996.  I had it framed a few years ago.  It’s a beautiful print from Cherokee artist Ben Adair Shoemaker.
Someone very special read that post, Shoemaker’s grandaughter.  The strange part is that she is applying to come to the IU school of law!  I just might end up with some more interesting pieces from this fine artist.

Still no luck on the Mellencamp front, but I’ll keep plugging away.

Money Won’t Buy You This!

I am not a big sports fan, per say.  I follow a little bit of this and that, but I ALWAYS watch the superbowl.  The Colts finally pulled it out, and won their first Vince Lombardi trophy!

This year was the one to watch.  The Colts vs. The Bears, with Bloomington native Rex Grossman as the QB for the Bears.  More on that later.

Luckily, my sister and brother-in-law were there in Miami for the game.  Or should I say unluckily?  It was raining cats and dogs.  It is the first time it has rained at a superbowl, this was SuperBowl 41.

I have been following the many stories the local newspaper has ran on Rex Grossman and his father lately.  These stories have been very “fluffed,” as they have done nothing but speak of how he was “destined” to do this.  Just read this line I grabbed from the paper: “Chicago prides itself as a city that works, so Rex Grossman, a blue-collar guy, fits right in.” Blue collar?  He doesn’t even know the true meaning of that term.

He is a member of one of the richest familys in the area.  Their home is called “The Grossman Mansion.”  Rexs’ father is a wealthy doctor and co founder of Monroe Hospital.  There is even a “Rex Grossman BLVD.”  The only reason Rex did so well while he played at Florida in my opinion is because his father donated 10 million to the school.  I think it is also the reason he lost the Heisman as well.

I am the same age as Rex, and even went to school with him.  I may not know him now, or ever really knew him, but I never agreed with his “upper crust” attitude.

I hope in some way this game has finally shown him that money doesn’t buy you everything.  It really doesn’t. 

 

Some may not agree with my stance, or statement.  But it is my opinion, not a fact.

Photos courtesy of The NFL

Moving On, And Up?

Rachel has moved up the higher education ladder, finally.  She accepted a position with the IU school of Informatics.  I cannot remember the exact position title, but I believe it is Director or Assistant Director of Graduate affairs???

I am thrilled for her, as she has been under-employed and under-appreciated since she moved to B-Town.  Her talents and abilities have yet to be unleashed.

With this new job, comes the honor of being my sugar mamma too 🙂

I will miss everyone she worked with at The Kelley School of Business MBA Program, Admissions office.  They have become a second family over the years.  Through parties, social gatherings, and personal events we have came to respect and love each other for who we are.  They even threw us a wedding shower (I’ll never forget that).  I hope her new office has the same feeling.

So here’s some words for those I will miss.

Terill & Joe:  I will miss the annual Christmas party.  The both of you are excellent hosts.  The “gay” bathroom is something I will never forget, in a good way.
Jenny:  What can I say?  Will you miss the love letters I wrote with deep passion in mind?  I will miss your love for life, and your high maintenance ways, as you are the closest thing I have had to a “girly girl-friend.”
Jeanie:  You are one of the sweetest persons I have ever met!  You helped us move in that blistering heat!  Your passion to help others is one that I will always remember.
Jim:  What can I say?  Your a great guy, who makes some killer guacomole.  I hope to hear from you in the future.
Lisa:  I love ya!  Your killer personality amazes me.  There is no “title” that can describe, or limit your possibilities.
Tim:  Your scandinavian ways never make me stop thinking.  Rachel and I will never forget how beautiful of a team Mary and you make.  We will always remember with joy, your vocal abilities at our wedding.  We need more people (and couples) like you in this world.
Brandon:  Call me, I promise we’ll go out for a night before you go off and leave me alone with Rachel.  I’m very interested in this “Property Management” thing.

If any of you need to reach me, you can via my website, LMLVideoservices.com