Allison and I have been battling allergies the past couple days. I love and hate this time of year. Hopefully the sneezing and sore throats will be over soon though.
We fly into Flint late on Thursday night for a long weekend in Michigan. We're both looking forward to a long weekend from work and a chance to see our family and friends.
Want to hear something funny? Allison's snoring video on youtube has received over 1,300 views! She's not too happy about that, but is happy that I locked out comments on that site so people can't make fun of her. :)
Looks like Allison is just about ready for work. Time to go.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
National Opinion of Detroit
I read this interesting article yesterday about future "lost cities". They listed the top 5 major US cities that don't have much of a chance, and guess who made the list? The good 'ol city of Detroit made the list! Check it an excerpt out below.
The concept of a lost city has always astounded me, not because I don't see how you can simply let a civilization dry up, but because I realize that in several hundred years, there will be anthropologists of that age looking at the ruins of whatever modern encampment didn't quite work out, and asking the same questions we now ask about the Maya, or the Inca, or any other ruins we stumble upon with little explanation.
With that thought in mind, and the coming climate change, what cities are most likely to be abandoned and raising questions?
3. Detroit
Detroit is the lone city on this list that's already in the process of becoming ruins– over fifty percent of the city's peak population has already moved away, and vast areas of the city have been demolished to hide the occupancy issues posed by this economic tragedy. Obviously there's hope in radically paring down and repackaging the city, but the possibility of success is yet to be seen.
http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/ecology/five-lost-cities-of-the-future/1065
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Coming Home & KBIS 2008
Since my trip to China was canceled, I just booked a trip back to Michigan. Allison and I will both be flying into Flint on Thursday night, May 1, and flying back to Wisconsin Sunday evening, May 4. So if any readers of the blog want to catch up with us while we are home, let us know so we can plan on something.
This past Friday, Allison and I went to one of the most important industry shows in our industry - KBIS (pronounced kay-bis). KBIS (Kitchen and Bath Industry Show) is held in Chicago every other year, and Kohler got some charter buses to haul us down for the day. I was pretty interested in going. Being my first show in this particular industry, I was really curious how to this show compared to the auto show in Detroit. To make a long story short, KBIS fell pretty short of the glitz and glam of the auto show. Personally, I didn't think the exhibits called enough attention to the new products that the companies were offering. However, it was really cool that Kohler was the big dog at the show. All of the lanyards with people's ticket/ID to get into the show had KOHLER printed all over them. Kohler easily had the largest and nicest display at the show. They even had a stage with Cirque de Soliel-esque performers! Unfortunately, another big difference was that no cameras were allowed in McCormick Place (where the show was held). That's one of the things I really liked about the auto show - getting up close to some really cool vehicles and taking all kinds of pictures. I don't understand why cameras weren't allowed, but I certainly saw plenty of people taking pictures. Oh well - I should have been a rebel and brought my camera. While we were there, we saw Ty Pennington from Extreme Home Makeover filming some scene at KBIS. My guess it was probably some kind of promo for KBIS.
All that said, the show kinda paled in comparison to the beloved auto show in Detroit, but it was interesting to see the Kitchen & Bath Industry in action. Hopefully in the coming years, I'll have plenty of products debuting at this show.
This past Friday, Allison and I went to one of the most important industry shows in our industry - KBIS (pronounced kay-bis). KBIS (Kitchen and Bath Industry Show) is held in Chicago every other year, and Kohler got some charter buses to haul us down for the day. I was pretty interested in going. Being my first show in this particular industry, I was really curious how to this show compared to the auto show in Detroit. To make a long story short, KBIS fell pretty short of the glitz and glam of the auto show. Personally, I didn't think the exhibits called enough attention to the new products that the companies were offering. However, it was really cool that Kohler was the big dog at the show. All of the lanyards with people's ticket/ID to get into the show had KOHLER printed all over them. Kohler easily had the largest and nicest display at the show. They even had a stage with Cirque de Soliel-esque performers! Unfortunately, another big difference was that no cameras were allowed in McCormick Place (where the show was held). That's one of the things I really liked about the auto show - getting up close to some really cool vehicles and taking all kinds of pictures. I don't understand why cameras weren't allowed, but I certainly saw plenty of people taking pictures. Oh well - I should have been a rebel and brought my camera. While we were there, we saw Ty Pennington from Extreme Home Makeover filming some scene at KBIS. My guess it was probably some kind of promo for KBIS.
All that said, the show kinda paled in comparison to the beloved auto show in Detroit, but it was interesting to see the Kitchen & Bath Industry in action. Hopefully in the coming years, I'll have plenty of products debuting at this show.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
No China
So after all the poking and prodding, looks like I won't be going to China in May - scheduling issues. But it looks like I may be coming home with Allison the first weekend in May. Stay tuned.
Monday, April 7, 2008
"Jesus Christ" by Brand New
This past weekend, I was doing some reflecting, and my thoughts turned to my first bible study I had in Mount Clemens. Robbie, Emily, Melinda and myself read & discussed Walking on Water by Madeleine L'Engle. One of the many, many things I benefited from that time I spent with my friends was L'Engle's interesting perspective on what people define as "religious art". L'Engle argues that "[b]asically there can be no categories such as 'religious' art and 'secular' art because all true art is incarnational, and therefore 'religious.'" And "incarnation," in L'Engle's view, means "God's revelation of himself through particularity" (Amazon).
Anyways, awhile ago I was particularly struck by the song "Jesus Christ" by Brand New. Now this band is certainly not what many would define as a "Christian band", but the honesty of the words are compelling enough that I wanted to share them with many that probably have not heard the song. The lyrics and a random, non-official video are below.
Jesus Christ, that's a pretty face - the kind you'd find on someone that could save. If they don't put me away, it’ll be a miracle. Do you believe you're missing out? That everything good is happening somewhere else? But with nobody in your bed the night is hard to get through. And I will die all alone. And when I arrive I won’t know anyone.
Well, Jesus Christ, I’m alone again. So, what did you do those three days you were dead? Because this problem's gonna last more than the weekend. Well, Jesus Christ, I’m not scared to die. I’m a little bit scared of what comes after. Do I get the gold chariot? Do I float through the ceiling? Do I divide and pull apart? Cause my bright is too slight to hold back all my dark. This ship went down in sight of land. And at the gates does Thomas ask to see my hands?
I know you'll come in the night like a thief. But I’ve had some time alone to hone my lying technique. I know you think that I’m someone you can trust. But I’m scared that I’ll get scared, and I swear I’ll try to nail you back up. So do you think that we could work out a sign? So I’ll know it's you and that it's over so I won't even try. I know you'll come for the people like me. But we all got wood and nails - turning out hate in factories. Yeah, we all got wood and nails and we sleep inside of this machine.
Anyways, awhile ago I was particularly struck by the song "Jesus Christ" by Brand New. Now this band is certainly not what many would define as a "Christian band", but the honesty of the words are compelling enough that I wanted to share them with many that probably have not heard the song. The lyrics and a random, non-official video are below.
Jesus Christ, that's a pretty face - the kind you'd find on someone that could save. If they don't put me away, it’ll be a miracle. Do you believe you're missing out? That everything good is happening somewhere else? But with nobody in your bed the night is hard to get through. And I will die all alone. And when I arrive I won’t know anyone.
Well, Jesus Christ, I’m alone again. So, what did you do those three days you were dead? Because this problem's gonna last more than the weekend. Well, Jesus Christ, I’m not scared to die. I’m a little bit scared of what comes after. Do I get the gold chariot? Do I float through the ceiling? Do I divide and pull apart? Cause my bright is too slight to hold back all my dark. This ship went down in sight of land. And at the gates does Thomas ask to see my hands?
I know you'll come in the night like a thief. But I’ve had some time alone to hone my lying technique. I know you think that I’m someone you can trust. But I’m scared that I’ll get scared, and I swear I’ll try to nail you back up. So do you think that we could work out a sign? So I’ll know it's you and that it's over so I won't even try. I know you'll come for the people like me. But we all got wood and nails - turning out hate in factories. Yeah, we all got wood and nails and we sleep inside of this machine.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
A Taste of Spring
This weekend was the first real taste of spring that we've had here in Sheboygan. On Saturday, Allison and I went out and explored the Kohler Andre State Park, which is just about 15 minutes south of our apartment. Then this morning, we went out to Kettle Moraine State Park, which is about 45 minutes west. Hiking was a bit tricky with a good deal of packed snow and ice in the forest, but it was enjoyable to get out and enjoy the fresh air.
We had such a good time on Saturday, Allison actually got quite tuckered out. She gave me permission to post the following video:
Things are going well at work. I'm starting to make some good progress on one of my projects, which is always rewarding. Allison is enjoying her job. She's expressed to me that she feels better utilized at Kohler than she was at Chrysler, which makes me feel even better about our move.
My trip to China has been pushed back a week. Rather than the last week in April, I will be going the first week in May. Either way, I've been fully poked and prodded by the medical department at Kohler for my Hepatitis A, B, typhoid, and flu vaccinations. I also got a medical kit that I can take with me that included prescription strength anti-diarrhea medicine. The nurse even called special attention to it, which makes me a little more skeptical about the food. Oh well, we'll see what happens. At least I'm prepared!
Speaking of China, if anyone has been on international travel for 7+ hour flights, feel free to give me any tips you may have. Thus far my international experience has been to Canada and the Caribbean, so this will be quite a learning experience. Everyone tells me that after so many times, Shanghai feels just like Chicago, and it's nothing special. But this will be my first time, and I am looking forward to it.
Oh, I almost forgot. In recent weeks, I made an important discovery. Our families will be happy to know that in case of a nuclear attack, the nearest fallout shelter is just 5 blocks west at the post office. Now you won't have to worry.
We had such a good time on Saturday, Allison actually got quite tuckered out. She gave me permission to post the following video:
Things are going well at work. I'm starting to make some good progress on one of my projects, which is always rewarding. Allison is enjoying her job. She's expressed to me that she feels better utilized at Kohler than she was at Chrysler, which makes me feel even better about our move.
My trip to China has been pushed back a week. Rather than the last week in April, I will be going the first week in May. Either way, I've been fully poked and prodded by the medical department at Kohler for my Hepatitis A, B, typhoid, and flu vaccinations. I also got a medical kit that I can take with me that included prescription strength anti-diarrhea medicine. The nurse even called special attention to it, which makes me a little more skeptical about the food. Oh well, we'll see what happens. At least I'm prepared!
Speaking of China, if anyone has been on international travel for 7+ hour flights, feel free to give me any tips you may have. Thus far my international experience has been to Canada and the Caribbean, so this will be quite a learning experience. Everyone tells me that after so many times, Shanghai feels just like Chicago, and it's nothing special. But this will be my first time, and I am looking forward to it.
Oh, I almost forgot. In recent weeks, I made an important discovery. Our families will be happy to know that in case of a nuclear attack, the nearest fallout shelter is just 5 blocks west at the post office. Now you won't have to worry.
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