Thursday, October 18, 2007
My new mansion... anyone want to loan me some money?
Here is a building in Shelbyville for sale... only $160,000. It would take some time to fix up, but it'd be a fun project to work on in my spare time and I could have all you guys over at the same time. Just send your checks to 3443 S Burks Ct, Bloomington, IN 47401
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Ryan's family summer adventure of '08 or How my mother dresses me funny
I'm thinking about buying this car for 100 dollars
to compete in this event next summer.
i'm not sure when next years event will be, but it will be hella fun. read through the website and discuss.
-ryan
ps. no it doesn't run yet, but its very close. from what i understand just some vacuum lines. famous last words right?
pps. incase my bad to the bone hyperlink doesn't work, its www.24hoursoflemons.com
to compete in this event next summer.
i'm not sure when next years event will be, but it will be hella fun. read through the website and discuss.
-ryan
ps. no it doesn't run yet, but its very close. from what i understand just some vacuum lines. famous last words right?
pps. incase my bad to the bone hyperlink doesn't work, its www.24hoursoflemons.com
Monday, October 15, 2007
We took this picture in London. It must have been the sixth or the seventh of July. I remember thinking how cool it would have been to see the race in England. No such luck.
Anyway, I was looking through our pictures and I saw this one and remembered that I wanted to post on it all that time ago. Or did I post on it already? Hmm.
New Car: the Subaru Factor
So after a long wait we got our new car! Two months of buses and walking were quite educational but we are more than super-grateful to Ryan and Bo-J for this most awesome motorcar. It's a 1996 so it's no spring chicken, but it has almost half the miles that the Saturn had when he met his untimely demise. It's 4-wheel drive, is significantly higher off the ground than one would anticipate (making entrance and egress a simple thing for the tall) and has room enough for us to move to San Diego this week without any problems. Awesome!
Thanks to Ryan for being an awesome big brother. Plus we had a blast with you and the girls on Saturday. Bummer that we're moving!
Plus if anyone wants to know how much it costs to get from Provo to Ogden by bus, it's a buck sixty! Seriously, even with a car, I'm temped to take the bus from now on. Save some rubles.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
quikie
i've really had a crush on this song. it makes me wish i could play a guitar. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvP-ae4KxXE
-ryan
ps cold war kids.
pps we used to vacation acoustic on you tube
-ryan
ps cold war kids.
pps we used to vacation acoustic on you tube
Monday, October 8, 2007
Sunday, October 7, 2007
My systems analysis and project management professor
"An unusual love story, a unique adventure, and a classic escape plan combine in Escape, the true story of Dwight and Barbara Worker..how they met, fell in love, married..and left a trail of outraged police and Interpol agents, arrested government officials, an embarrassed U.S. Embassy, and at least one dead body behind them. Dwight Worker was the first person since Pancho Villa to escape from the maximum security prison called Lecumberri in Mexico City. Through this lightening-paced account of what life inside a Mexican prison is really like, we relive with him the dramatic events leading up to his arrest and "trial" in Mexico City; his first hand confrontation with beatings, filth, rape, and extortion; his refusal to "cooperate" with prison commandos...a refusal that resulted in violent torture and a near-fatal stabbing. The engrossing narrative then takes the reader deeper and deeper inside this "inescapable" prison and its politics as Dwight describes the behind-the-scenes events Americans never hear of: a U.S. Embassy spokesman on the take from a Mexican lawyer; a corrupt network of U.S. trained narcotics agents with lucrative "connections" of their own; and a group of some 500 American prisoners, many of whom epitomize the plight of the stoned generation..passive, dependent, inarticulate, and in Dwight's words, "doped to the eyelids". Barbara, in alternating chapters explains how they met, their courtship, their plans for marriage and for freedom."
This is the description I found for my professors book, which was also made into a tv movie. I think he was arrested for drug smuggling. This stuff makes me laugh.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Happy Birthday, Betsey
A little early, I know but I wanted to be the first to wish you a very happy birthday. I'm thinking about you and hoping that you have a very enjoyable day tomorrow, October 4th.
In honor of you -- a picture montage of whatever I have on my computer.
xo!
-Your sister
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Dream Job
Marjorie started her new job yesterday. Karl is starting a new job in December. Ryan recently changed positions within his company, Edward and Meridth have new jobs on the horizon. I've got a new "job" coming up in 8 weeks as a mom. All this started me thinking about what my "dream job" would be. If I had no constraints at all, what would I want to be doing with my time?
Initially, I thought that I would be good as a professional television watcher. I love T.V. I'm have a very low standard at what television shows I enjoy watching. I can watch Ken Burns "The War" just as easily as I could watch Brett Michaels Rock of Love. It is all good to me. But then I realized that I start feeling a little sick if I watch more than 5 hours of television. I start feeling physically ill. I don't think that is a job I could do everyday for 8 hours a day.
Then, I decided that I would be a good baker. I would like to own a bakery and make delicious yummy cupcakes and treats all day long. I enjoy trying out new recipies and I really love to eat cupcakes.
But then I thought about working for my favorite radio show "This American Life" and decided that it would be a close race between owning a bakery and working on This American Life.
So how about all of you? What are your dream jobs? What would you do with yourself if you had no constraints?
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Celebreality
I am catching a quick bite at the Detroit airport last week when I look to my left and Vince Neil is sitting beside me. I know what you are thinking, Vince Neil doesn’t really constitute “celebrity” status because he appeared on the surreal life but for a few of us he is better known as the lead singer for heavy metal band Mötley Crüe.
Question to the family, what other "celebrity" run-ins has the family had over the years?
UAW recesses strike after reaching tentative agreement with General Motors
UAW negotiators reached a tentative agreement with General Motors at 3:05 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 26.
The strike by union members was recessed at 4 a.m., and workers will report for work beginning with second shift today. Certain skilled trades workers may be notified to report to work earlier by management at their facilities.
“We’re proud of this tentative agreement and we look forward to getting into the field and discussing it with our membership,” UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said.
The UAW International Executive Board and the UAW GM National Negotiating Committee -- made up of elected representatives from UAW GM locations throughout the country -- have unanimously recommended ratification of the agreement.
“We reached this agreement because of the extraordinary solidarity of our membership, and through a tremendous amount of hard work by the committee they elected to negotiate a new contract,” said UAW Vice President Cal Rapson, director of the union’s GM Department.
Details of the agreement are being withheld pending ratification.
The strike by union members was recessed at 4 a.m., and workers will report for work beginning with second shift today. Certain skilled trades workers may be notified to report to work earlier by management at their facilities.
“We’re proud of this tentative agreement and we look forward to getting into the field and discussing it with our membership,” UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said.
The UAW International Executive Board and the UAW GM National Negotiating Committee -- made up of elected representatives from UAW GM locations throughout the country -- have unanimously recommended ratification of the agreement.
“We reached this agreement because of the extraordinary solidarity of our membership, and through a tremendous amount of hard work by the committee they elected to negotiate a new contract,” said UAW Vice President Cal Rapson, director of the union’s GM Department.
Details of the agreement are being withheld pending ratification.
Monday, September 24, 2007
UAW Calls National Strike Against GM
DETROIT (AP) -- Thousands of United Auto Workers walked off the job at General Motors plants around the country Monday in the first nationwide strike against the U.S. auto industry since 1976.
UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said that job security was the top unresolved issue, adding that the talks did not stumble over a groundbreaking provision establishing a UAW-managed trust that will administer GM's retiree health care obligations. Gettelfinger complained about "one-sided negotiations."
"It was going to be General Motors' way at the expense of the workers," Gettelfinger said at a news conference. "The company walked right up to the deadline like they really didn't care."
Gettelfinger added that the union and GM's management would return to the table Monday.
Workers walked off the job and began picketing Monday outside GM plants after the late morning UAW strike deadline passed. The UAW has 73,000 members who work for GM at 82 U.S. facilities, including assembly and parts plants and warehouses.
General Motors Corp. had been pushing hard in the negotiations for the health care trust -- known as a Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Association, or VEBA -- so it could move $51 billion in unfunded retiree health costs off its books. GM has nearly 339,000 retirees and surviving spouses.
"This strike is not about the VEBA in any way shape or form," Gettelfinger said at an afternoon news conference in Detroit.
"The No. 1 issue here is job security," Gettelfinger later said, adding that the union also was fighting to preserve workers' benefits.
GM spokesman Dan Flores said the automaker was disappointed in the UAW's decision to call a national strike.
"The bargaining involves complex, difficult issues that affect the job security of our U.S. work force and the long-term viability of the company," he said. "We remain fully committed to working with the UAW to develop solutions together to address the competitive challenges facing GM."
It remained to be seen what effect the strike would have on the automaker and consumers. The company has sufficient stocks of just about every product to withstand a short strike, according to Tom Libby, senior director of industry analysis for J.D. Power and Associates.
Worker Anita Ahrens burst into tears as hundreds of United Auto Workers streamed out of a GM plant in Janesville, Wis.
"Oh my God, here they come," said Ahrens, 39. "This is unreal."
Ahrens has seven years at the plant, where she works nights installing speakers in sport utility vehicles. She waited outside the building Monday for her husband, Ron Ahrens, who has worked there for 21 years.
The couple has three children, including a college freshman, and Ahrens worried about how they would pay their bills.
"This is horrible, but we're die-hard union, so we have to," Ahrens said. "We got a mortgage, two car payments and tons of freaking bills."
Gettelfinger said he believed the UAW's leadership owed "our membership an answer as to why they're out there."
"This is as serious as anything that any of us do," he said. "There's not one person on this stage ... that wanted to see these negotiations end in a strike. Who wins in a strike? But again, you can be pushed off a cliff, and that's what we feel like happened here."
Despite the strike, GM stock rose a penny to $34.95 in midday trading.
UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said that job security was the top unresolved issue, adding that the talks did not stumble over a groundbreaking provision establishing a UAW-managed trust that will administer GM's retiree health care obligations. Gettelfinger complained about "one-sided negotiations."
"It was going to be General Motors' way at the expense of the workers," Gettelfinger said at a news conference. "The company walked right up to the deadline like they really didn't care."
Gettelfinger added that the union and GM's management would return to the table Monday.
Workers walked off the job and began picketing Monday outside GM plants after the late morning UAW strike deadline passed. The UAW has 73,000 members who work for GM at 82 U.S. facilities, including assembly and parts plants and warehouses.
General Motors Corp. had been pushing hard in the negotiations for the health care trust -- known as a Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Association, or VEBA -- so it could move $51 billion in unfunded retiree health costs off its books. GM has nearly 339,000 retirees and surviving spouses.
"This strike is not about the VEBA in any way shape or form," Gettelfinger said at an afternoon news conference in Detroit.
"The No. 1 issue here is job security," Gettelfinger later said, adding that the union also was fighting to preserve workers' benefits.
GM spokesman Dan Flores said the automaker was disappointed in the UAW's decision to call a national strike.
"The bargaining involves complex, difficult issues that affect the job security of our U.S. work force and the long-term viability of the company," he said. "We remain fully committed to working with the UAW to develop solutions together to address the competitive challenges facing GM."
It remained to be seen what effect the strike would have on the automaker and consumers. The company has sufficient stocks of just about every product to withstand a short strike, according to Tom Libby, senior director of industry analysis for J.D. Power and Associates.
Worker Anita Ahrens burst into tears as hundreds of United Auto Workers streamed out of a GM plant in Janesville, Wis.
"Oh my God, here they come," said Ahrens, 39. "This is unreal."
Ahrens has seven years at the plant, where she works nights installing speakers in sport utility vehicles. She waited outside the building Monday for her husband, Ron Ahrens, who has worked there for 21 years.
The couple has three children, including a college freshman, and Ahrens worried about how they would pay their bills.
"This is horrible, but we're die-hard union, so we have to," Ahrens said. "We got a mortgage, two car payments and tons of freaking bills."
Gettelfinger said he believed the UAW's leadership owed "our membership an answer as to why they're out there."
"This is as serious as anything that any of us do," he said. "There's not one person on this stage ... that wanted to see these negotiations end in a strike. Who wins in a strike? But again, you can be pushed off a cliff, and that's what we feel like happened here."
Despite the strike, GM stock rose a penny to $34.95 in midday trading.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!
34 years ago today, Ed and Claudia were married! Congratulations Mom and Dad! I think you need to scan some of those great old wedding photos and put them on the blog! I think you should take a picture of yourselves today side-by-side with one from the day you got married!
Congratulations mom and dad! We are glad you got married! We are glad you had us kids! We love you both very much!
Congratulations mom and dad! We are glad you got married! We are glad you had us kids! We love you both very much!
Friday, September 21, 2007
just something to think about
i just kind of enjoy statistics in general and was forwarded a link to www.zipskinny.com. It's kind of interesting. anyway, here is a little comparison
-ryan
General Information:
ZIP 46733 84403
Population: 19,046 34,976
Density*: 110.8 961.8
Housing Units: 7,642 13,071
Land Area (sq. mi.): 171.9 36.4
Water Area (sq. mi.): 0.3 0.0
* People per square land mile
Educational Achievement:
ZIP 46733 84403
<9th grade: 3.9% 4.7%
9-12th: 10.2% 8.8%
H.S. grad: 48.0% 21.3%
Some coll.: 19.7% 27.3%
2 yr deg.: 7.2% 7.4%
4 yr deg.: 6.4% 19.9%
Grad/prof: 4.7% 10.5%
H.S.+: 86.0% 86.5%
4 yr+: 11.1% 30.4%
Marital Status:
ZIP 46733 84403
Never married: 22.3% 25.9%
Married: 59.3% 57.8%
Separated: 1.1% 1.5%
Widowed: 7.8% 5.3%
Divorced: 9.6% 9.6%
Stability/Newcomer Appeal:
ZIP 46733 84403
Same home 5+ yrs: 63.1% 48.5%
Household Income:
ZIP 46733 84403
<$10,000: 5.9% 7.6%
$10,000-$14,999: 5.9% 5.5%
$15,000-$24,999: 13.8% 12.4%
$25,000-$34,999: 14.3% 13.5%
$35,000-$49,999: 20.3% 19.2%
$50,000-$74,999: 21.9% 19.5%
$75,000-$99,999: 11.4% 8.8%
$100,000-$149,999: 4.6% 7.8%
$150,000-$199,999: 1.2% 2.8%
$200,000+: 0.6% 3.1%
Median: $41,829 $43,067
Occupation:
ZIP 46733 84403
Mgt./Prof.: 22.5% 36.3%
Service: 14.9% 13.9%
Sales/Office: 22.4% 27.1%
Fish./Farm./Forest.: 0.7% 0.3%
Constr./Extr./Maint.: 11.5% 9.0%
Prod./Trans.: 28.1% 13.4%
Unemployment/Poverty:
ZIP 46733 84403
Unemployed: 2.4% 4.3%
Below Pov. Line: 5.3% 10.3%
Race:
ZIP 46733 84403
Hispanic/Latino: 4.9% 14.6%
White*: 94.1% 79.9%
Black*: 0.2% 1.3%
Native American*: 1.0%
Asian*: 0.2% 1.8%
HI/Pac. Isl.*: 0.2%
Other*: 0.1%
Multi*: 0.4% 1.5%
* Does not include individuals in this racial group who identify as Hispanic/Latino.
Age/Sex:
ZIP 46733 84403
Males: 49.3% 49.7%
Females: 50.7% 50.3%
Median Age: 35.7 30.0
-ryan
General Information:
ZIP 46733 84403
Population: 19,046 34,976
Density*: 110.8 961.8
Housing Units: 7,642 13,071
Land Area (sq. mi.): 171.9 36.4
Water Area (sq. mi.): 0.3 0.0
* People per square land mile
Educational Achievement:
ZIP 46733 84403
<9th grade: 3.9% 4.7%
9-12th: 10.2% 8.8%
H.S. grad: 48.0% 21.3%
Some coll.: 19.7% 27.3%
2 yr deg.: 7.2% 7.4%
4 yr deg.: 6.4% 19.9%
Grad/prof: 4.7% 10.5%
H.S.+: 86.0% 86.5%
4 yr+: 11.1% 30.4%
Marital Status:
ZIP 46733 84403
Never married: 22.3% 25.9%
Married: 59.3% 57.8%
Separated: 1.1% 1.5%
Widowed: 7.8% 5.3%
Divorced: 9.6% 9.6%
Stability/Newcomer Appeal:
ZIP 46733 84403
Same home 5+ yrs: 63.1% 48.5%
Household Income:
ZIP 46733 84403
<$10,000: 5.9% 7.6%
$10,000-$14,999: 5.9% 5.5%
$15,000-$24,999: 13.8% 12.4%
$25,000-$34,999: 14.3% 13.5%
$35,000-$49,999: 20.3% 19.2%
$50,000-$74,999: 21.9% 19.5%
$75,000-$99,999: 11.4% 8.8%
$100,000-$149,999: 4.6% 7.8%
$150,000-$199,999: 1.2% 2.8%
$200,000+: 0.6% 3.1%
Median: $41,829 $43,067
Occupation:
ZIP 46733 84403
Mgt./Prof.: 22.5% 36.3%
Service: 14.9% 13.9%
Sales/Office: 22.4% 27.1%
Fish./Farm./Forest.: 0.7% 0.3%
Constr./Extr./Maint.: 11.5% 9.0%
Prod./Trans.: 28.1% 13.4%
Unemployment/Poverty:
ZIP 46733 84403
Unemployed: 2.4% 4.3%
Below Pov. Line: 5.3% 10.3%
Race:
ZIP 46733 84403
Hispanic/Latino: 4.9% 14.6%
White*: 94.1% 79.9%
Black*: 0.2% 1.3%
Native American*: 1.0%
Asian*: 0.2% 1.8%
HI/Pac. Isl.*: 0.2%
Other*: 0.1%
Multi*: 0.4% 1.5%
* Does not include individuals in this racial group who identify as Hispanic/Latino.
Age/Sex:
ZIP 46733 84403
Males: 49.3% 49.7%
Females: 50.7% 50.3%
Median Age: 35.7 30.0
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