We went up to the lake last Friday morning to open it for the season. Stopped first in Birch Run for a few items (outlet malls are becoming shopping malls, methinks), then for lunch and return empty printer cartridges for $3 credit OfficeMax in Midland (James' blog about his Kindle book bargain prompted this stop), and finally dropped off a watch for repair at Hick's Jewelers in Clare.
Pouring rain when we arrived so had to postpone visiting Preston, Angie's 3.5 week old newborn son, until later. Unloaded stuff, put a few things away and read for a while. No dead critters--flies, spiders, or otherwise. When the rain stopped we started the pump (did not want to get drenched in the downpour). Off to see Preston, then to Foster's for a few grocery items. Listened to Red Wings on radio that evening before turning in.
Saturday was a work day. Kathy cleaned--dusted, vacuumed, washed and scrubbed--the inside and removed the leavings of a local raccoon. I prepped the Ranger and JD riding mower for the summer. Took a spin on the Ranger to Kelvin's and Lee's but go no answer at either. We then inspected the property on our way back finding many trees down or nearly so--cleaning them up will keep us busy.
Sunday morning we picked up Kelvin and went to Barryton for breakfast. Spent extra time talking and finishing our coffees. After that we packed the SUV and took a leisurely drive home.
We have a busy summer planned for the lake -- a mix of work, play, and relaxation.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
A New Author for Me
I just finished People of Darkness by Tony Hillerman. Jim Bade suggested this author if I was interested in native American culture since the main character is Jim Chee, a native American who is a detective with a tribal police force.
The setting in New Mexico, outside major cities, on reservations and in desolate outposts. Chee solves a case of a murdered dying man, a box of rocks that someone is will to pay dearly for its return, and a many-years-old crime.
I found descriptions of culture, including religion, fascinating, fresh and interesting. I've already started a second Chee mystery.
The setting in New Mexico, outside major cities, on reservations and in desolate outposts. Chee solves a case of a murdered dying man, a box of rocks that someone is will to pay dearly for its return, and a many-years-old crime.
I found descriptions of culture, including religion, fascinating, fresh and interesting. I've already started a second Chee mystery.
Monday, April 14, 2008
MBT
On Thursday we saw Meadowbrook Theatre production of Moonlight and Magnolias, a play about writing the screenplay for the movie Gone with the Wind. It was interesting how the screenplay came about and the time it took. In addition, the director and writer had little confidence in its success.
I know little about the story GWTW--from the book or the movie--except for some character names and the famous line. If I would have watched the movie or read the book before I saw the play, I would have appreciated it more.
Great acting and another great set. One actor, who played Ben Hecht who wrote the script for the movie, is Tom Whalen, who James knows from his summer work while in college. We have seen him in a number of productions but I believe this one is his biggest part. We look forward to seeing him again.
I know little about the story GWTW--from the book or the movie--except for some character names and the famous line. If I would have watched the movie or read the book before I saw the play, I would have appreciated it more.
Great acting and another great set. One actor, who played Ben Hecht who wrote the script for the movie, is Tom Whalen, who James knows from his summer work while in college. We have seen him in a number of productions but I believe this one is his biggest part. We look forward to seeing him again.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Great Minds
I just finished a fascinating account of Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six MIT Students Who Took Vegas for Millions by Ben Mezrich. This is the basis for the movie 21.
A group of MIT students, some undergrads and some graduate students, implement a systematic team-oriented card counting system that increases chances of beating the dealer in blackjack. As cards come out of the "shoe", team members count cards in lower third (roughly) as positive one, cards in the middle third as zero, and cards in the upper third as negative one. The greater the positive count, the greater chance a player has of beating the dealer. A computer simulation in the mid-60s produced results suggesting greater positive shoes give about 7-20% advantage to the player over the dealer, depending on the size of the positive count. As the shoe is dealt a team member keeps a running total and signals teammates to enter the play at their table and also gives verbal signals as to the positive count of the shoe. After long periods of time spent in practices, the team goes to Las Vegas and other casinos and earns tens of thousands each day of their play. Their escapades is the main theme of the book. A secondary theme is their interactions among themselves and with casino "security".
Though I have never played blackjack at a casino, I found the book interesting, informative, and entertaining. A good read. I look forward to seeing the movie.
A group of MIT students, some undergrads and some graduate students, implement a systematic team-oriented card counting system that increases chances of beating the dealer in blackjack. As cards come out of the "shoe", team members count cards in lower third (roughly) as positive one, cards in the middle third as zero, and cards in the upper third as negative one. The greater the positive count, the greater chance a player has of beating the dealer. A computer simulation in the mid-60s produced results suggesting greater positive shoes give about 7-20% advantage to the player over the dealer, depending on the size of the positive count. As the shoe is dealt a team member keeps a running total and signals teammates to enter the play at their table and also gives verbal signals as to the positive count of the shoe. After long periods of time spent in practices, the team goes to Las Vegas and other casinos and earns tens of thousands each day of their play. Their escapades is the main theme of the book. A secondary theme is their interactions among themselves and with casino "security".
Though I have never played blackjack at a casino, I found the book interesting, informative, and entertaining. A good read. I look forward to seeing the movie.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Doubt
We went to Ann Arbor last week to see Molly Thomas in the Performance Network production of Doubt. A play set in 1964 at a Catholic school and focuses on the principal who confronts a priest about his abuse of a young student. In addition the principal confronts a young teacher (Molly) about her teaching and her support of the priest, actually disbelieving the principal. Eventually the priest, under pressure, moves to another parish, and about the suspicions of the principal? We are left with doubt.
About a dozen of us went, some retired collegues of Jane Thomas and some family friends, and had dinner before. A fine production with great acting in this small venue. The set was terrific. And we found out after the performance that the production is extended for an additional week.
About a dozen of us went, some retired collegues of Jane Thomas and some family friends, and had dinner before. A fine production with great acting in this small venue. The set was terrific. And we found out after the performance that the production is extended for an additional week.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Final Game
Now that I've done so well, LOL, let me pick the National Champion...
Memphis. Just because.
Memphis. Just because.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
My Picks...
For the Final Four games.
I'll take North Carolina over Kansas. Too much power.
And UCLA over Memphis. Too consistent.
With NC as national champion.
Shut Out Already?
We had a great day for baseball at Comerica Park. Tigers vs KC Royals for an afternoon game. Cloudless skies, temps in the low 50s, not even a breeze. Cap and gloves came off when we took our seats.
Smiths went with us and we had lunch at Leo's Coney Island at the ball park (our first choice, Cheli's Bar, had a 45 minute wait 50 minutes before game time).
Seats were behind the visitors dugout, about 20 rows up, and we stayed warm in the sunshine until the ninth inning when the shadows of the upper deck finally covered us.
Kenny Rogers started for the Tigers and pitched quite well. As did relievers. They gave up four runs. But the well-paid offense produced nothing. Three hits--all by Edgar Renteria who was eliminated twice by ground ball double plays. So Royals pitchers faced on one batter more than the minimum--great pitching.
But it's always a treat for us to see the Tigers play in person.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
We Can't See You
We had a great time at the Midwest Regional games at Ford Field. Fairly close to the floor we have fairly good views of most of the play. But it could have been better.
The basketball floor was placed in the center of the stadium rather than in an endzone, a first of its kind. It was also raised about 20 inches above the stadium floor. Risers were built from about the 12th row of the permanent seating to near the floor along the sidelines; some permanent seats were removed to permit the risers. This provided over thirty rows from the floor to the stands on the risers. (Risers were also built from the basketball floor endlines into the endzones--not sure how those seats were distributed nor how much was charges for them, but they could not have permitted a decent view.) In addition to the spectator seats there were the obligatory many rows of tables for media and others along the sidelines.
Our view was from the 23rd row of the risers in a section roughly along a line from the center of he court through the corner of the court.We were fairly close to the court but were obstructed by those seated in front of us from a clear view of the entire court and of the full length of the players. In addition, during parts of Friday's games and during all of Sunday's game students in the adjacent section closer to midcourt than we were and in the first several rows stood so we would stand to see part of the play. That may not have been bad except the rise from row to row was about 6 inches (so many rows were placed in a rise of so few feet) and spectators in front of me more than made up for my extra elevation with their extra height.
The NCAA can boast that record crowds for playoff games were set both days, 53000 and 53500. But how can one spectate from the upper level endzone seats? Or the suites which are set along the outside walls of the stadium. And yet I read the NCAA will keep the same configuration for the 2009 NCAA Final Four at Ford Field except for some tweaking. I suppose this is more evidence (do we need more?) of NCAA greed.
I think Kathy and I can summarize our feelings about the seating. We talked about the conditions and asked each other two questions.
Q1. Are you glad we came and did you have a good time?
A1. Yes, definitely.
Q2. If you could have the same seats for the same price for the 2009 Final Four, would you buy them?
A2. No (even though we would love to see a Final Four).
A Weekend in the D...
for the NCAA Division I Midwest Regional and a DSO Pops Series Concert.
Friday afternoon we drove downtown to the Courtyard hotel on Jefferson at Brush, about 15 minute walk to Ford Field. We dropped the car with the valet and checked in where we were upgraded to a junior suite--bigger room including sofa, this one with a view of the Detroit River and Windsor. Fourteenth floor (but that would change--more on that below). During the weekend we saw several freighters both upbound and downbound, and broken ice--several miles long-- flowing from Lake Saint Clair to Lake Erie.
Left for the 7:10 game between Wisconsin and Davidson. Met a few UW fans in hotel elevator who were surprised we would be pulling for Wisconsin--they seemed very parochial, that only they from Wisconsin would be rooting for THEIR team. But they may not be typical. We eventually went back on our word and became Davidson fans. Tied at the half we wondered if either team would shoot well. Davidson owned the second half. Baby-faced sophomore Stephen Curry took over and shot the Wildcats to a double-digit victory with a great individual performance (later he was named Most Outstanding Player of the regional). Wondering why he was playing at DC, Kathy found out he was only 5'7" as a hs junior and the "big" schools would not touch him. I think it works in his favor that he got to such a selective school. The next morning UW fans at our hotel were like rats leaving a sinking ship. A quiet, somber mood among them.
After breakfast Saturday morning we drove up East Jefferson to Pewabic Pottery to see their store. A building in front of the store is being demolished drawing interested people to take pictures. We should have had breathing masks because of the dust. Interesting store with many fine pieces by a number of different artists. A huge kiln and racks of pottery being readied for firing were found behind the retail space. I saw many pieces that I wanted but the price kept the plastic in my wallet. Then drove through Grosse Pointes and back downtown to look for geocaches. Had many options and chose one at Mariner's Church and another at the Renaissance Center--found neither; will do more research so we can grab them later. Dinner at Fishbone's Rhythm Kitchen on the edge of Greektown, followed by a walk back to the hotel to dress for the DSO concert. A great concert featuring six singers belting out songs of the sixties accompanied by the DSO.
Let's get a good night's sleep. And we did, until 4 am when the smoke detector began chirping like it wanted a fresh battery and then went full blast like I was back at school! Called the front desk and was told, "Just remove the battery." I don't think so. "You should send someone up here soon!" was my reply. And a rent-a-cop showed up without a clue as to what to do. He called the front desk and, I suspect from hearing his responses, was told the same thing. Eventually, after we spent about a half hour in the hall protecting our ears from the noise, we were told our room would be changed to the twelfth floor. We packed it all up and, dressed in our finest robe and pj's, lumbered off to our new room led by one of the late night parking valets!!! Finally, back to bed.
After rising later than we planned and dressing for the day, we checked out and were given some accommodation for our inconvenience. Breakfast in Dearborn? Why not. Found a good family restaurant, Leon's, near one of our favorite burger shops, Miller's Bar. We were hoping for a good IMAX movie but nothing that interested us was playing at either the Henry Ford Museum or the Detroit Science Center. So let's just bum around Fairlane Shopping Center. Back to Ford Field where we found a parking spot where we normally park (could have used the hotel parking but thought we would get away from the stadium easier). Went into the stadium for the pregame color. And what a game! The best of the three. Close the entire game though I thought Kansas would begin to pull away from Davidson midway through the second half. But Davidson would not go away and could have won on a last second three-pointer had Kansas not played such tough defense that final 16 seconds. And, again, the star of the game was Stephen Curry. We look forward to seeing him next year.
Stopped by Pat Morrow's on the way home to pick up Tiger tickets we are buying through her son, Brian, for Wednesday's game. Let's get home and get some sleep--without a smoke alarm failure.
Friday afternoon we drove downtown to the Courtyard hotel on Jefferson at Brush, about 15 minute walk to Ford Field. We dropped the car with the valet and checked in where we were upgraded to a junior suite--bigger room including sofa, this one with a view of the Detroit River and Windsor. Fourteenth floor (but that would change--more on that below). During the weekend we saw several freighters both upbound and downbound, and broken ice--several miles long-- flowing from Lake Saint Clair to Lake Erie.
Left for the 7:10 game between Wisconsin and Davidson. Met a few UW fans in hotel elevator who were surprised we would be pulling for Wisconsin--they seemed very parochial, that only they from Wisconsin would be rooting for THEIR team. But they may not be typical. We eventually went back on our word and became Davidson fans. Tied at the half we wondered if either team would shoot well. Davidson owned the second half. Baby-faced sophomore Stephen Curry took over and shot the Wildcats to a double-digit victory with a great individual performance (later he was named Most Outstanding Player of the regional). Wondering why he was playing at DC, Kathy found out he was only 5'7" as a hs junior and the "big" schools would not touch him. I think it works in his favor that he got to such a selective school. The next morning UW fans at our hotel were like rats leaving a sinking ship. A quiet, somber mood among them.
After breakfast Saturday morning we drove up East Jefferson to Pewabic Pottery to see their store. A building in front of the store is being demolished drawing interested people to take pictures. We should have had breathing masks because of the dust. Interesting store with many fine pieces by a number of different artists. A huge kiln and racks of pottery being readied for firing were found behind the retail space. I saw many pieces that I wanted but the price kept the plastic in my wallet. Then drove through Grosse Pointes and back downtown to look for geocaches. Had many options and chose one at Mariner's Church and another at the Renaissance Center--found neither; will do more research so we can grab them later. Dinner at Fishbone's Rhythm Kitchen on the edge of Greektown, followed by a walk back to the hotel to dress for the DSO concert. A great concert featuring six singers belting out songs of the sixties accompanied by the DSO.
Let's get a good night's sleep. And we did, until 4 am when the smoke detector began chirping like it wanted a fresh battery and then went full blast like I was back at school! Called the front desk and was told, "Just remove the battery." I don't think so. "You should send someone up here soon!" was my reply. And a rent-a-cop showed up without a clue as to what to do. He called the front desk and, I suspect from hearing his responses, was told the same thing. Eventually, after we spent about a half hour in the hall protecting our ears from the noise, we were told our room would be changed to the twelfth floor. We packed it all up and, dressed in our finest robe and pj's, lumbered off to our new room led by one of the late night parking valets!!! Finally, back to bed.
After rising later than we planned and dressing for the day, we checked out and were given some accommodation for our inconvenience. Breakfast in Dearborn? Why not. Found a good family restaurant, Leon's, near one of our favorite burger shops, Miller's Bar. We were hoping for a good IMAX movie but nothing that interested us was playing at either the Henry Ford Museum or the Detroit Science Center. So let's just bum around Fairlane Shopping Center. Back to Ford Field where we found a parking spot where we normally park (could have used the hotel parking but thought we would get away from the stadium easier). Went into the stadium for the pregame color. And what a game! The best of the three. Close the entire game though I thought Kansas would begin to pull away from Davidson midway through the second half. But Davidson would not go away and could have won on a last second three-pointer had Kansas not played such tough defense that final 16 seconds. And, again, the star of the game was Stephen Curry. We look forward to seeing him next year.
Stopped by Pat Morrow's on the way home to pick up Tiger tickets we are buying through her son, Brian, for Wednesday's game. Let's get home and get some sleep--without a smoke alarm failure.
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