Saturday, January 12, 2013

New Year

So it has been quite a while since I have visited the B-town adventures and quite a lot of things have happened since I last have. Moving into a house with my best friend, taking a semester off of school, working full time and just plain having some good old fashioned fun.

Now since I haven't posted in oh around 10 months please excuse any errors that might be in this post. But this last year has been a consistently changing environment that has shaped not only my life but the lives of some of the people closest too me. To begin the year I'll leave off around March of 2012. I was over joyed to say the least when Ryan told me he was planning on coming up to Bemidji to go to NWTC, the community college just miles from BSU. All I could think about was the kinds of trouble he and I were going to get into. We signed a lease on a house in Bemidji with Katie and then had two random roommates who so  far have been anything but pleasant. However we all have seemingly been able to get over the hurdles that have stood in the way and made this place livable.

A major decision that I made was that I needed to take a little bit of time to gather my thoughts and figure out exactly what I wanted to do with my life. You may say that's what college is for......... Well I think I would rather not spend 8 grand figuring out what I want to do. So fall semester of 2012 came around and I began working full time at Home Depot in Bemidji. It's not nearly as awesome as I thought it would be, it began to bring major stress into my life with pressures coming from family on answers about school to just finding a reason to go in to a place that eats you up, chews on you for several hours each day and then spits you out with no thank your or anything. So once again here I sit trying to decided if I want to become a teacher like I have always planned or try something different and see where those ventures might lead.

After sitting down with my family over a short vacation around Christmas I decided that I was going to stay on the history track but in a different direction. Maybe I will become a museum curator or a national parks tour guide it all remains to be seen but these different possibilities excite me. They captivate the history nerd inside of me that makes me ask my friends about obscure history questions and give them odd little factoids. Plus I'd get to wear shorts to work everyday who wouldn't want that. They say that people evolve during their time in college, they change in ways they never would have believed. Well saying goodbye to teaching for now might be a good idea. I had lost my drive to become a teacher. I wanted something more something that would give me the chance to get out of bed and love going to my job.

Frankly I have changed in my four plus years of college. I have become a person who I wouldn't be able to pick out in a crowd if I had to. And for what its worth that might be a good thing in some ways and in others it might not seem so favorable. But that's what this world is about. Growing and adapting to the surrounds that you are placed in. Making the place you are the place you want to be. Is that place Bemidji most likely not it could be the best place in the world for some and for others it could be a metaphoric prison that their parole hearings hadn't come up yet. But the day will come and those it traps will be free.

I've often heard this line and it never really clicked for the longest time but now I seem to slightly be getting my head around it.


 If you want to make God laugh tell him your plans.


I'm sure he has been laughing for a while at my plans. Oh well everyone needs a laugh here and there.


Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Penn trip continued

So I know its been a while since I posted last but I have been very busy with school and work. The rest of my trip to Harrisburg went very smoothly and I had a blast. I love my brother in law and sister very much and I was sad that my trip was coming to an end. But I was very excited to go to Gettysburg and the plan was then to continue on to Baltimore and Cockysville.

When we went to Gettysburg we were expecting to take a look at the museum and then continue south into Maryland but that didn't go as planned. We ended up spending around 5 hours in the very historic town and seeing the battle fields. It was beyond interesting visiting the site where Lincoln gave the address and the national cemetery. Followed by a auto tour of the battlefield.

The museum recently got a face lift in 2008 I believe including a large museum and a cyclrama. The painting of the battlefield painting was done a few years after the battle and it is 377ft long by 40ft tall. It was restored and it was amazing. There was a narration which included lights going off behind the painting made it look like there were explosions and it was incredible.

After spending an hour or so in the museum we decided to head out and look at the battlefield. I took pictures but unfortunately my computer isn't letting me throw them up at this time. Lynds was insistent on taking goofy pictures which she was able to get me and mike to do a few along with a observation post that tested my fear of heights. It was was a gorgeous day with the sun peaking in and out between the clouds as we continued around the sites. It was breathtaking how many monuments there were for both the north and the south. I snapped pictures on both my camera which by this point was low on batteries so I took over as cameraman with the nice camera my lovely sister owns. We found some great shots along with a "No relic hunting signs" which kinda shot down my dads hopes when he would make it back out there.

We took the full auto tour minus a few spots north of time. It was around 4 oclock and we had to get back to let the fur kids out and find something delish for supper.

Upon arriving back in Harrisburg a quick nap was in store before heading out the ABC brew pub where I had an amazing burger and tried their beer sampler. It was also my maiden voyage in the Black Pear. It was a great time but unfortunately my trip was coming to an end the next day and we called it a night.


Overall it was a great trip and I was very sad to see it come to an end. But i am very very Thankful for my lovely sister who funded my trip out there. Lyndsey and Mike were amazing hosts and I can't wait to head back out there for a month or more so I can get a true feeling of living out east and seeing some more amazing sites and spend more time with my family. Thanks again Lyndsey and Kelsey for a great trip and I love you both.


Also super excited for this weekend I'm heading out to Moorhead to see my Bestie Rachel and spend some time away from the B-town. Plus in two weeks I am going home to see the fam for Easter.

In the words of Billy Joel I'd rather laugh with the Sinners then cry with the Saints the Sinners are much more fun. :)


Tuesday, March 13, 2012

My wonderful trip to Harrisburg/Philadelphia/Gettysburg

So for spring break I was very lucky to see my beloved sister Lyndsey and the best brother-in-law Mike that a guy with two sisters could ask for. I spent three days out east which flew by and I definitely wish I would have been able to stay longer. But the powers that be I.E money, School and the length of days between my flights made sure that I made it back up to Bemidji.


On my first day in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania my flight landed and Mike came and picked me up. When flying in I was within oh three miles of Three Mile Island which melted down but was the least destructive of all the nuclear meltdowns in history. But upon getting in the car Mike told me we were gonna try to go to Troegs brewery with Jake and Dave. However upon coming up on the brewery it was closed. It was Sunday which is understandable but it seems as though in Pennsylvania things are closed on odd days. So we decided to head back to their house and I got to see the Puppies who were super excited to see me. We took a quick cat nap and then headed to the grocery store to make dinner for Lynds. The store in we went to was unlike anything I've ever experienced so it was fun. We make spicy cubanos and they were delish. The nighted ended early after some planning for the days i was gonna be out there.


On the Monday we made a quick jaunt to Philadelphia which took about an hour and a half and we began our auto tour of the city. It was a very good looking city overall but I had some major history on my mind. We went to take a look at the tours of Independence Hall. It was an amazing tour with our tour guide who brought to light some of the chilling details about the history site. Unfortunately my camera batteries died but Lynds took some amazing pictures.She is turning into quite the photographer and takes a ton of pictures. After the tour of the Hall we went and saw the grave of the unknown solider from the revolution and then the Ben Franklin bridge that leads over to Camden NJ. It was awesome being able to look at the bridge however I would probably never travel across that I hate bridges.We continued seeing the sights such as Ben Franklin's grave and then a few other interesting sites. We went to the Philadelphia museum of art and did the very touristy Rocky steps. We took a ton of pictures of the stairs and Lynds failed to pull the Rocky arms off. She didn't understand how to put her arms straight up in the pose haha. The size of the museum was simply breath taking. Mike was more excited to get to Tony Luke's for a true Phili cheese steak. And it was probably one of the best but fatting things I have ever eaten.


It was a few hour drive back to Harrisburg but we needed to let the pups out to go to the bathroom and we took a trip to the local bar for some good French onion soup and beer aka the Lager. Again an early bedtime was in the plans as we prepped to head to Gettysburg. But seeing as how I have class in the morning I will complete this tale later.




Tuesday, February 21, 2012

My weekend at home

This past weekend I was able to take in two pretty good hockey games at the University of Minnesota. The Bemidji State Beavers got swept unfortunately but it was a blast taking a game in with the man who gave me the gift of playing the sport my dad and then bringing a guy from school to the game.

While I was at home I was fortunate enough to take in a few meals with some people who are pretty close to me. On Saturday morning I was able to go out to breakfast with my Grandma Sandy. We had a great time at Good Earth in the Galleria with a great breakfast a lot of conversation and a great gift. My Grandma gave me something very special when we were at breakfast one of the watches my grandfather had and wore. It means so much to me to have part of him with me when ever I leave and head somewhere. It was an emotional morning but it was well worth it to see her and spend time with the ones I love.

That evening before the hockey game I was able to take in a great Perkins meal with Sarah my friend who goes to Gustavus Adolphus. It had been quite a long time since we had hung out so it was great to sit down and talk about life and the events that make it great.

After the hockey games of the weekend I headed back north for The Fighting Amish's tangle with Brutal. We were expecting a full team but unfortunately we had five guys and a goalie meaning we were forced to play the entire game. It ended up being a successful venture as we won 6-2. I was able to crack the score sheet for the first time this season with two assists and was very successful in the face off dot winning about half of my draws.

Now with winter finally breaking through in Minnesota my parents were able to jet off to Hawaii for two long weeks of hot sand, sun and water with cold drinks and no three am wake up calls from work. I hope they have a great vaca in the tropical islands.

One more game separates the Amish from the playoffs and only two short weeks until I jet set out to Harrisburg to see Lynds Mike and the fur kids for a few relaxing days out of the winter wonderland that is Bemidji..


Until then You Stay Classy Bemidji and to Life Love and Loot

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Weekend Recap

So it ended up to be a huge weekend for the Bemidji State Beavers with a SWEEP of the #10 Colorado College. I watched Friday nights come from behind victory from the most comfortable seat in the house...... No  unfortunately I wasn't in a suite at the Sanford Center I watched from my couch. It was a great game by the Beavers scoring three in the third. I watched with much frustration as the Gophers fell to Denver but there was always hope for Saturday.

I watched the Beavers from the student section as the Beavers again beat Colorado College at a 4-1 clip and even got myself a game puck from one of the CC coaches. It was a nice parting gift as the tigers retreated with their tails between their legs. After the game I took my first car ride on a frozen lake with Dan Perry in celebration.

It was a very relaxed weekend for me with a short 4 hour shift today. Next weekend I'm excited to head home to watch more college hockey with the Beavers and the Gophers. Now I still don't know who I'll cheer for it will be tough.


Yukon your always right behind me......... I love you bud.



Thursday, February 9, 2012

Weekend hockey update

So tonight was the return of the Fighting Amish hockey club. And with our usual goaltender on a vacation in the sunny San Diego I was forced to return between the posts after my 4 year hiatus. Now that wouldn't seem like that big of a deal however I left my gear at home and the gear of our usual goaltender in the third floor of an apartment with no possible way of reaching them I was forced to wear the ever gracious rec sports equipment. It was almost like the pads you used to use for street hockey and they were about 4 inches too small so it was quite a feat.


The hockey club continues to improve playing close games all season and when we have more than 2 spare guys we could run the league. Now it is off to study for my one class tomorrow then work then the Beaver hockey games as they host Colorado College....... Lets Go Beavers.




Wednesday, February 8, 2012

First Blog

So I recently decided to start a blog seeing as I'm one of the only ones in my close family that doesn't have an active blog. Now I used to think that blogs only were in place for people who couldn't communicate with people in real life..... but the more blogs that I read including my sisters it really started to show that this was not true. However I still don't know exactly what I'm going to blog about except my Bemidji escapades and the time that I'm up at school (which still seems far too long for me). Now for those of you who don't know Bemidji is closer to Americas hat then the Twin Cities where I call my home. It tends to get nice and cold up here with a large amount of snow and ice. The snow is lacking this year which unlike some people I don't actually mind. I like the ice and can handle the cold but the snow drives me nuts. Now after a great weekend with Joe Larsen up here enjoying a lot of hockey it has once again become the dull north woods. The plus side is getting to go home in a week to see my beavers face my gophers in a WCHA clash. This one really is gonna be hard to cheer for one and not the other. I've loved the gophers since I was born and still bleed maroon and gold Ski-U-Mah but I have come to adore the Beavers. So we will see.

It seems like mid-week just about every week I die thinking about going home. Its gotten tougher the longer I am away. I wanna go home just about every weekend but the boss man usually has a different idea. This adds to my stress about 5 fold, but enough complaining.

For now it seems like country music and studying will have to hold me over till next weekend when I get to go home see the fam and friends which will help exponentially. Till the next time Yukon you will always be my puppy, Grandpa you are always closer than I will know, love to the fam........











And you stay classy Bemidji