Sunday of Restfulness June 29, 2008
Posted by glanzerr in random.Tags: belle plaine, cannon falls, goofy golf, grand prix, karaoke, photoshop, steak
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Patrick always takes a full day off after every trip he takes to recover. That Patrick may be onto something. Since we got back yesterday, we had a full day Sunday to relax. And relax we did! After waking up around 1, we watched Kevin Slowey’s masterful pitching as the Twins beat the Brewers 5-0. After the game, we did some grocery shopping, grilled some steaks, and then all four roommates headed out to the parking lot for some goofy golf which Nick recently purchased. Nick and I teamed up to beat the girls, 4 games to 0… not that we were keeping track or anything.
Now it’s back to work, and I have a pleasant surprise waiting for me at the office upon my return… a new computer! One that hopefully can open a 50MB Photoshop file in under three minutes, unlike this old beast. Last weekend was the company’s summer golf outing in Buffalo, which I was unable to attend. Tuesday we have no softball, but it looks like a marketing department grillout is scheduled at Josh’s house in Belle Plaine. Wednesday night, Lauren’s friend Elise is stopping by, and the gang is planning a trip to Country Bar for karaoke. Thursday after work, the gang is heading down to Cannon River for a couple nights of camping and tubing down the river. I will leave Saturday and go back home for a night of the Willow Lake 125th birthday celebration, and presumably get the old Grand Prix back.
We Made It June 29, 2008
Posted by glanzerr in random.Tags: chicago, impala, lake zurich
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Thursday was a great day in Chicago. Friday, uh, not so much. On our way to the White Sox game, I got a flat tire. We pulled over, put on the spare tire, and made it to a shady South Side CarX. The man who fixed my tire said I could pay him $200 cash and it would be a done deal. I said no, went in the office, and paid $20.
A while later, I was driving around US Cellular Field when I heard a clunking noise. We pulled into another auto repair joint, and they said they left rear trailing arm was bent, probably due to the guy at CarX jacking my car up in the wrong place. I hit a bump, and the tire blows out. My car is not safe for highway driving.
So there went our Friday. We managed to hang out with Lauren’s high school friend Elise for a few hours, but the damage was already done. I drove slowly back to Lake Zurich and decided to get the car fixed in the morning.
Saturday morning at 9, I drove down to Firestone. They looked at the car, then told me there was nothing they could do, but I should visit the local GM dealer. I drove to GM, and unfortunately they didn’t have Saturday office hours. But a man on site told me to check out Tires 4 Less. The guy there said that wasn’t something they handle, but to check out Discount Tires. Billy took a peek and said there was nothing he could do either, but to check out AutoFixer. By some miracle, they located the correct part and fixed it in under three hours. We were on the road by 1:30 and home by 8, just in time for Kate Rosok’s birthday bash!
Our Day at Wrigley June 26, 2008
Posted by glanzerr in Uncategorized.Tags: chicago, cubs, white sox, yosh kawano
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Lauren and I just got back to her aunt and uncle’s house in Lake Zurich, IL after a pretty cool day of rubbing shoulders with the Chicago Cubs.
We left Minneapolis after I got off work yesterday and drove all the way to the northern suburbs of Chicago by 1am. I drove to Madison, WI, and Lauren drove from there. The Poulters accommodated us with a very nice basement, which is basically a full apartment, complete with stocked fridge and tons of movies and games and stuff.
Today Lauren’s aunt, uncle, cousins, grandma, and us left for the Cubs game at 11 and made it to the ballpark just as the Poulter’s family friend Yosh Kawano threw out the ceremonial first pitch. He and Lauren’s grandpa were old war buddies. Despite having fought for the Americans in WWII, his family was sent to internment camps. The Wrigley family, who Yosh worked for, was so appalled after learning this that they gave Yosh a guaranteed lifetime no-firing contract with the Cubs, and for 65 years he has been the team equipment manager.
Wrigley Field was all we could have hoped for. Lauren and I even donned some new Cubs shirts for the occasion, though I constantly checked the Twins score. The Cubs lost in humiliating defeat to the Orioles, 11-4. The most surprising part for me? The fact that the Cubs concession prices were so much cheaper than the Twins.
Afterwards, we were on the “guests only” list to get into Yosh’s reception at Harry Caray’s restaurant. We were a little disappointed that no players showed up, but lots of front office personnel were there, including Harry Caray’s wife Dutchie. I loaded up on free appetizers and took full advantage of the open bar.
It’s only 9 but I’m pretty much out for the night. We have another big day tomorrow as we’ll try to score some tickets to the White Sox game vs. the Cubs on the South Side!
CSP Runs Streak to 2 June 24, 2008
Posted by glanzerr in baseball, random, work.Tags: cannon falls, captain safety planet, gambling, granite falls, willow lake
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Move over, Red Sox Nation! Captain Safety Planet Nation is on the rise after a 12-4 victory Tuesday. That makes two victories in the last eight days for CSP, where we’ve outscored opponents 28-11. Besides some very tough luck by Casey Dahl (0-for-3 with the bases loaded, lining out and fouling out deep to left), the team came together to overcome a big 1-0 first inning deficit and defeat the shorthanded Marrow’ners.
Personally, I went 2-for-3 with two doubles, a run, RBI, and walk. Yes, my first walk of the year in softball. I wanted to swing, but the pitches were not exactly hittable. I also pitched four innings, allowing three runs, before handing it over to Walsh, who picked up the save.
Last night I drove to Granite Falls to meet Mom and Dad and exchange cars. We went out for dinner at the Prairie’s Edge Casino and did some moderate gambling. Now I can drive to Chicago and back this week, as long as I can get the car to start! I seem to put a jinx on the well-being of any car I step foot in. This car wouldn’t start for me tonight when we tried to go to softball.
No one, not even critical co-workers, can say anything bad about the work I’ve done this week. It has been a brutally busy week so far and I have had but a few minutes of down time. Go ahead, check my Internet browsing history! I haven’t had time to do anything other than come up with new designs for the company website.
Plans are basically finalized for the 4th of July weekend. The gang is heading down to Cannon Falls for a camping/tubing excursion. Coming for sure are Walsh, Sarah, Lauren, and me. Anyone else is welcome! I will be taking off Saturday, however, to return home for the Willow Lake 125th birthday celebration. Maybe Lauren will accompany me?
A Night with the Saints June 23, 2008
Posted by glanzerr in dj.Tags: chicago, dad, dj, mom, saints
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I DJ’d a charitable fundraising dance in St. Paul last night at O’Gara’s for the Minnesota Saints Power Hockey team. I suppose you could call them amateur or semi-pro athletes. The team is made up of people with disabilities, many with muscular dystrophy, and all were in wheelchairs. Liz Burke, who initially got word out that I would be interested in volunteering my services, was true to her word and stayed up on stage with me all night.
Though the dancing was minimal at first, it picked up as the night went on, and by the time the last songs were playing, the dance floor was pretty packed. The highlight of the night was definitely when I was reading off the winners for the raffle. There were 22 prize packages, all very nice, ranging from deluxe night hotel stays to restaurant gift certificates. With only 70 people in attendance, your odds of winning were about 1 in 3. Unless, however, you bought half the tickets in the box, just as one man apparently did. This guy won about seven prizes, and every time I called his name, boos reigned down until he finally started forfeiting his prizes. I thought it was hilarious.
Tonight I am leaving directly from work to head westward on Hwy. 212 towards South Dakota, with Mom and Dad doing the same, heading eastbound. When we meet up, we’ll switch cars so I can have a reliable mode of transportation to get Lauren and I to and from Chicago this week. The old Grand Prix always seems to have some nagging problem. This time it’s the radiator which is leaking profusely. The car runs perfectly fine as long as I pour about three liters of water in every time I go somewhere. But Dad just replaced the radiator not more than three months ago and the warranty will allow him to swap it out with a new one. I assume I’ll be driving the Impala until I can get home again. Right now, I am still debating going home for a day over the 4th of July weekend to see the old Willow Lake gang at the town’s 125th anniversary celebration.
Nick Goes to Mexico June 21, 2008
Posted by glanzerr in random.Tags: diamondbacks, randy johnson, roscoe, san diego, sioux falls, tequila, tijuana, twins
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Well Friday was quite the day. I got word from Lauren around noon that, due to lack of work for her to do, they let her go from her job at HTA. Poor Lauren! Let’s all be really nice to her and give her money. I’m sure she won’t be out of work for long. Any company in the Twin Cities would be lucky to have her talent and experience on board! After I mentioned this news to Aaron, he said that this move could benefit MB. Now I will have to work extra hard to ensure I keep my job… after all, we wouldn’t want both of us unemployed.
That didn’t stop us from taking in the Twins/Diamondbacks game at night. Pitching for Arizona was future Hall-of-Famer Randy Johnson, who is second all-time in strikeouts and at one time was the tallest player in history. Going for career win #288, Big Unit was struck hard by the Twins in a 6-run fourth inning, which ended with a long home run by Craig Monroe. Despite the rough inning, Unit actually pitched a complete game in a 7-2 win for the Twins.
It’s also a big day today for the roommates. Sarah and Walsh spent last night in Sioux Falls and will reportedly be back today. Lauren may join me in my DJing adventure to Plymouth. And the most exciting news of all… Nick will be flying out to San Diego with his church group later tonight for the start of his week-long house-building excursion in Tijuana. Lauren just asked if Nick would bring us back some tequila from Tijuana. Nick said he wasn’t planning on it. That remind me, I still have a full bottle of tequila from that wedding dance two weeks ago which I was given as a tip.
Very funny little thing just happened… There’s a TV commercial for PetSmart on where there’s a dog lying in bed and some woman yells “Roscoe!” and the dog gets out of the human bed and into its doggy bed. Of course Roscoe, missing his mommy Sarah, heard this and perked up, looking around for Sarah. We hit rewind and played it a couple more times, turning up the volume. Roscoe was certainly fooled, and even now is wondering who was calling his name.
Lots of business the next week… DJ tonight, DJ tomorrow night, meet Ma and Pa halfway to exchange cars Monday night, softball Tuesday night, drive to Chicago Wednesday night, Cubs game Thursday, possible White Sox game Friday, drive home Saturday.
Another Day in the Books June 19, 2008
Posted by glanzerr in random.Tags: d-brian, diamondbacks, dj, facebook, fat tire, josh, kyle dahl, minnesota twins, nick, patrick
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Since I was banned from using the Internet at work for posting blogs or anything else non-work-related, my work days have become surprisingly productive, but also long. Whereas before when I had a little down time, I’d pop open baseball-reference.com or Facebook. Now, I have to find more work. Today easily ranks Top 10 all-time for longest feeling day of work. At one point I thought it was 4 and it was 2:20. I was very disappointed. Over break, Josh and I met up with Nick and Patrick for a little D-Brian’s action in EP. Josh got to meet the gang for the first time, and I’m sure he was impressed.
The weekend is practically here, and I’m DJing not once, but twice this weekend. Here’s hoping I get tipped well this time. When we call the bride and groom the week before the dance, we’re supposed to tell them “If there’s anything I can do to earn your reference and gratuity, please don’t hesitate to give me a call.” I feel weird asking them point-blank for a tip on the phone, so I typically leave that part out and just hope they know to do so.
Friday night, however, we should have some fun. Lauren and I are going to the Twins/Diamondbacks game with our free tickets from Twinsfest and hopefully will land ourselves Dan Gladden bobblehead dolls. Afterwards, Kyle “2-run single” Dahl is hosting a bon fire at his house in Maple Grove, which I’ve still never visited. I have a vision in my head of what it looks like though. We’ll see how close I am to getting it right.
Right now, I’m chilling on the couch by the AC with a Fat Tire Skinny Dip, which is quite possibly my favorite current beer, watching Scrubs, and waiting to see what’s keeping Lady L. She would normally be home by now!
Wednesday Night Update June 18, 2008
Posted by glanzerr in baseball, random, work.Tags: chicago, cubs, grilling, jason, pork tenderloin, white sox, yosh
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I’m back after a long day at the office. I had to go in at 7am to make up for the times I’ve left early for softball. After a severe scolding Monday, I was on my best behavior and did a full day’s work. Josh and I went to Millie’s Grill on break, which by my count is the only restaurant in Chanhassen I haven’t tried in my 2.5 years. We liked the price, but the food was mediocre at best. I also bought some transmission fluid and a Powerball ticket.
Currently Jason is over after playing Nick in tennis. I am telling Jason all about last weekend’s trip to Milwaukee. I fired up the grill a little while ago and Lauren’s grilling a pork tenderloin. I used to be bad at starting the charcoal grill up, but now I don’t think I’m going too far by saying I’ve mastered the art. One minute, minimal lighter fluid, and I’ll give you a glowing flame.
Lauren and I also have a very impromptu trip to Chicago on the horizon next week. Lauren has a family friend named Yosh who has been the Cubs clubhouse manager for 65 years, and with his upcoming retirement, the Cubs are honoring him at next Thursday’s game vs. the Orioles. Lauren has zeroed in on some tickets, and we’ll basically have a free trip excluding gas. We might also take in the Cubs/White Sox game on Friday at US Cellular on the South Side. All of this is riding on whether or not we can get a reliable car. So I may be attempting to meet Dad halfway to switch cars one of these days.
Nick’s Good Luck Shoes June 18, 2008
Posted by glanzerr in baseball.Tags: rail station, softball
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Just wanted to quickly write a very brief post here regarding last night’s thrilling 14-7 victory for Captain Safety Planet over Fireside. We scored 4 in the second, 5 in the third, 3 in the fourth, and 2 in the fifth for 14 runs. Personally, I went 2-for-4 with 2 doubles, 2 runs, and an RBI. I pitched 4 innings, allowing a walk with two strikeouts. Walsh pitched the final inning for the save.
I forgot to grab Lauren’s spikes out of my car before we left, and she wore flip-flops to the game, so she had to wear a giant pair of Nick’s shoes. They must have worked, as Lauren collected a pair of hits in the game.
Afterwards, we all went out to the Rail Station for a celebratory drink and dinner.
