So I took part the other week in a Pinewood Derby race. First off, I somehow managed to build a car between Wednesday night and Saturday afternoon. I guess that was not so much of an accomplishment in itself, but combine that with the fact that I had also to work 24 hours after I started working on the kit. Figure in a day or so of building, a day and a half of painting and what we had was a nice looking car, a car which everyone told me looks like an HHR.

This was much more amusing than the typical Cub Scout race, though harnessing the cubscouts and running them down the track is fun, that is anither story entirely. There was no “parent involvement” other than the fact that a majority of the people participating were parents. But there was no arguing about results or their running of the double elimination brackets, I just do’t understand how I raced the same people as many times as I had without losing a race. When all was said and done, I managed to win the time trials, as well as the actual race. It was a good feeling, to let me know that I havent lost my touch on running these things.

While feeling the need to get out and exercise, I decided - as usual - that cycling hsould be my activity of choice. What better a way to get back to cycling than by participating in a charitable ride or two, it just so happens I got a flyer in the mail about a ride to support the American Lung Association. While I would enjoy doing this 50 mile per day ride, I have problems seeing myself getting the minimum fundraising accomplished ($375). I decided to look into something perhaps a little more local and possibly a little lower total amount as a first charitable ride to participate in.

First things first, lets turn to Google, that all encompasing answer to any question you might have. Not always the right answer but an answer none the less. Lets see, search terms “bicycle charitable michigan” sounds like it might be promising, at least perhaps steer me in the right direction. Hit Search, alas - not the type of results I am looking for, however another article catches my eye. An article on the Michigan Brewers Guide (MBG) on Bicycles and beer. “What the heck it deserves a read!” While it is interesting,s till not what I wanted, but I felt compelled to share this one quote from the article, for those of you who have no desire to read it.

“Some cautionary words about drinking and sports: Real cyclists carry water bottles for hydration, or sometimes use a bladder with a hose connected. The device is filled with Gatorade, water, or a sport drink, not beer.”

That being said, time to going back to searching for what I started looking for, whatever that may have been.

Clearly, I should have known who was going to win this game.

So growing up, I remember going to the Anheuser-Busch brewery in St. Louis on a family vacation. It was a great time got to see the big horses, yes I know they are Clydesdales, but you think I could remember that much at the time? Well When we went on the brewery tour itself, I remember almost becoming ill at the smell of brewing. I have obviously since gotten over that and I like the smell of the grains and fermentation, it is all just such a tasty smell. I have found somethign that will still make me sick at the smell of it, I know its not something I would come across everyday - not that I smell brewing everyday either. The noxious odor of chemically burning hair off of cowhideis far worse, apparently this is done with a mix of lime and soda ash, but all in all it is enough to turn a man’s stomach. I give the guys working with this process credit for doing it everyday. Well thats my two cents for now.

This home in Alpine Estates on a quiet cul-de-sac has much to offer! Current asking price:$155,000

• 3 generous sized bedrooms with double closets
• 1 1/2 baths
  • Main bath has tile countertop and floor and a large linen closet
• Main Floor Laundry with storage cupboards
• Living room with neutral decor
• Dining room with built in china cabinet
• Kitchen
  • Corian counter top and tile back splash
  • Built in dishwasher and microwave
  • New vinyl flooring
  • Generous sized cupboards and counters
• Family room with brick fireplace
• Attractive brick and aluminum ranch home
• Award winning Kenowa Hills School System
• Beautifully landscaped and maintained with underground sprinkling in the front yard
• Central air conditioning
• Whole house attic fan
• Built in hot tub off back deck

Anyone Interested, please let me know via comments, e-mail, or a call.

I believe I have, IMHO, achieved a few things. First the completion of the first book I have taken the time to read in a while, The Chronicles of Narnia. Second, finally beating a video game that had plagued me for quite a while as a young boy.

First, I enjoyed the book, had it not been so thoroughly filled with religious whatnot it would have been a truly enjoyable time. Unfortunately in order to enjoy it most of that had to be taken and put aside. But a good story, and I can see why it has been such a popular collection of stories. Now that I have finally had a chance to get through it, I would like to get out and see the movie rendition of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Unfortunately I really do not have the time to go and see a movie, so we shall see what happens with that whole idea.

Second, the video game. Not that anyone cares, or even for that matter should care. I have sunk my time and effort into defeating the evil wizzard behind the NES series Wizards and Warriors. I guess had I been a video gaming machine like some of you out there it would not have taken me near as long, only about 5.5 hours of actual playing time, maybe a little less, I get distracted easily. I was rewarded for all of this time invested with potentially one of the worst endings of all time. Wizards and Warriors III, provided quite a bit of entertainment, but I would have much prefered something decent for an ending rather than the idea that our hero will next tackle time travel to solve all the problems cause by the sprit of the evil wizard. I guess it is a good way for the creators to end the series though. Enough about that though, though maybe it wouldn’t have taken so long if I had that USB NES controller.