Getting a New Car

Well, it’s not actually new, and it’s not actually mine to keep. But there is an extensive, multi-year U.S. Department of Transportation safety pilot research study being conducted in our area. It’s pretty neat. And, being somewhat of a vehicle safety nut, I find it interesting and signed up to participate when the study was first announced.

There are three levels of participation. The least-involved level (which we currently have on our main vehicle)  includes a small data collection device that involves no interaction from the driver. The middle level (which my boss has) includes the data collection device and also emits warning signals when another study vehicle is too close. The third level involves driving a study-provided car equipped with five cameras that collect data about driving conditions, proximity of other vehicles, driver reaction, etc.

I was notified today that they want me to participate in the third level. Besides being excited to participate further in the study (I happen to work in the research environment at the university, and was interested in research even before I started working there), I am really looking forward to driving one of their vehicles for 5-6 months. It won’t be a luxury vehicle, but it’ll certainly be nicer than the 2003 Ford Focus station wagon that I usually drive. (Or maybe it will be a luxury vehicle – I’m supposed to be getting a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. Not new, but nice!)

Here’s an interesting article on the study, from Wired magazine. (Though I do think their “300 vehicles” figure is wrong.)

Now That’s a Horse of a Different Color

OK, a kid of a different color. Or a shirt, really.

The day after Allie wore her “Go blue!” clothes, she got to wear her “Go green!” clothes. And so did Adam and I. More specifically, we got to go to a hockey game at my alma mater! (Which just happens to be another huge Big 10 university within easy driving distance – and oh, did I mention that it’s my employer’s archrival?)

Adam and Allie with Aunt Betsy, our benefactor for the evening.

How did that happen, you may ask? Well, it was another example of why I love Facebook so! I posted a picture of Allie in her maize and blue – and one of my college friends chided me (good naturedly), asking how I could let her wear those colors. I replied that we wear the colors of both schools, and that we’d even go to another (alma mater) hockey game if my sister Betsy could get us free tickets again. Two minutes later, I had a private message from Betsy saying that she had free tickets to the game that night, and would we like to go! Of course we would! So I got off work an hour early, raced to pick up the kids and run home to change (why oh why did I have to wear a maize and blue shirt for casual Friday?) and get to the hockey arena.

We had a blast, as expected. Our team lost (5-2, yikes) but it was fun. My friends and I had season hockey tickets all through college, and our dorm was directly across the field from the hockey arena (on top of which I had my first-and-only cigarette – just a puff, really) so it felt just like the old days.

I don’t remember the band being this big when I was in college (it was usually about a third this size at hockey games).

In fact, it really felt like the old days because of where we sat. Our ticketed seats were quite a ways from the band, and we couldn’t hear it very well. And what’s the point of going to a sporting event if you can’t do the silly chants/cheers, sing the fight song, etc.? We quickly noticed that the student section was only about a third full – because it was spring break. So after the first period, we moved to the student section, which surrounds the band. It was kind of surreal. On the one hand, I felt like I was back in college, because this is how I spent many a Friday night. On the other hand, watching Adam cheering and singing with gusto – I felt like I was getting a glimpse of my son in 7 years or so, a college kid rooting on his team. Weird. But cool.

I admit that I was a little disappointed that the student section no longer does a couple of the gags that we used to do. I mean seriously, if the other team has someone coming back in after a penalty, and you know the announcer is going to say “Western, full strength!” – why wouldn’t you shout “Hey Jerry (or whatever the announcer’s name is now), what’s that smell?” Or when the announcer is going to say “One minute left to play. One minute.” wouldn’t you shout “Hey Jerry, how much time?” Sheesh. Kids these days.

Mmmm, the traditional hockey game snack – Melting Moments ice cream cookie sandwich.

Go Blue!

The local Big University’s women’s basketball team was supposed to visit the first grade classes at Allie’s school on Monday. Unfortunately, the visit was canceled that morning. Allie was disappointed, but was thrilled when she found out that the team had sent ticket vouchers to the entire class. She insisted that Tim go with her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They had great seats. Allie watched for a classmate friend that she knew would be there, and she and Tim were able to sit right next to them. The pep band was there, and so were the cheerleaders. Tim might possibly have really enjoyed that part. Allie also liked the local baton twirling school that performed at halftime.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tim caught a shirt from the shirt-shooting cannon. It’s a little big for Allie, but she’s using it as a night shirt now.

Oh, and our team won, 50-55.

Phil Was Wrong!

I never put too much stock in Groundhog Day, but it’s always fun to see what groundhog Puxatawney Phil. This year, he predicted an early spring. I don’t think so …

We got 8.6″ of snow last night – on top of 1.26″ of rain that fell earlier in the day.

It was beautiful, for sure. And Allie and Jenny had a blast playing in the snow. I may post pictures of their adorable snowman tomorrow.

But what a mess! t was a really, really heavy and wet snow. Tim nearly got stuck twice getting out of our subdivision (and we only live about 6 houses away from the main road). Adam and Allie were thrilled to have a snow day. And Adam might get another day off – his school was without power today, and it still hadn’t been restored earlier this evening (last time I heard an update).

Sure hope this is winter’s last hurrah.

What Are Your Hot Spots?

No, I don’t mean that kind of hot spot.

I’ve been following Flylady for about six weeks. (Flylady is basically a system of getting and keeping your house decluttered and clean.) I don’t follow it to a T, but I follow a lot of the basic elements, and it has really helped. Tim and the kids are following it too, though they don’t necessarily realize it. The house isn’t spotless, but it is much neater than usual – and it’s much easier to get the house into shape.

One of Flylady’s terms is “hot spot.” This refers to a place that you can. not. keep. decluttered. Though much of our house tends to collect clutter, there is one spot in particular that starts to fill up the second I get it cleared up: the “peninsula” counter in our kitchen. Our kitchen has always been the heart of the house – I spent a lot of time there for obvious reasons, it’s a major thoroughfare because of the layout (it has an entry on both ends), and it’s close to garage, which is where we always come in/leave. This part of the counter always has some combination of “important” school papers, bills, toys, books, etc. on it, waiting to be put away, sorted, tossed, etc. It doesn’t seem to matter what I do, there is always stuff here.

As soon as I read the term “hot spot” in a Flylady email, I knew exactly what it meant – and what it meant in my house.

What is your (clutter) hot spot?

(Maybe I’ll get brave and take a picture tomorrow.)

She’s a Star

Allie did a terrific job in her school play on Tuesday! I thought she was nervous, but she told me afterward that she hadn’t been a bit nervous. She was a little hard to hear because of where the microphone was located, but she hit all of her lines. In fact, afterward, her music teacher told us “I knew that no matter what else happened, Allie would know her lines!” Tim and I thoroughly enjoyed watching Allie in her (first?) play, and we were so proud of her.

Unfortunately, the picture-taking opportunity stunk. The parents were seated around the perimeter of the auditorium to accommodate several classes of kids on the floor (they were supposed to have seen the show the previous day, which ended up being a snow day) and the lighting was bad, But here are the best of the bunch.

Waiting for showtime.

Mama Snowman and Papa Snowman have an awfully tall Baby Snowman …

A Star is Born (?)

The first and second graders at Allie’s school are putting on a musical play tomorrow. Allie is excited and has been practicing for months. Why is she so excited? Well, she was cast as the main female character! She and Tim, who enjoyed participating in community theater back in the day, have had fun running her lines several times a week.

And although the play isn’t until tomorrow, so it’s a little early to know for sure – she is good! She says her lines enthusiastically, with good diction and projection, etc. After hearing her practice for the audition, I honestly wasn’t surprised when she got the part.

I just can’t wait to see the play tomorrow. I am taking my good camera and will post a picture if I get any good ones.