Tight Band Alert!

Went to see the best local band going right now Saturday Night. We braced the cold and wind, jumped into the SUV and made our way to First Ave for a great CD release party.

By pure good fortune, I was given a pre-lease copy of the CD the day before and had the pleasure of shoveling to it all Saturday afternoon. If you check out one new local band in 09 give these guys a try. Hints of They Might Be Giants, maybe a little Pink Floyd, a big Styks finally on one song... just great get up, dance around have fun... and awesome cowbell. "I need more cowbell!"

Here's a link to their myspace:

http://www.myspace.com/thehopefulsmusic

You must check out, buy, download and enjoy.

DJ says go now.

Long time no post...

... What with Facebook, job boards, Christmas shopping, Holiday cards, shoveling, hockey practices, hockey rinks, school plays, school concerts, school science fair projects, basement plumbing overhauls, more shoveling, laundry, informational interviews, resume sending, home video editing, hockey games, post office runs, dishes, and that was yesterday.

Cessica's media buying has been going great gonzo, so I've become Mr. Mom so to speak. We've traded roles to a certain extent and honestly, it's not an easy task. I'm use to having a task to tackle, and then go about working on until some form of resolution. Usually that involves a bunch of multi-tasking, but this house/family upkeep is multi-tasking to the extreme, especially tying in the basement renovation. 

Projects: Remove the work bench from the basement and all the tools and painting equipment and move it to the garage. That then makes way for the walls to go up in the basement. Once the vapor barrier and the studs are up, I'm thinking I'll need some insulation and then some type of paneling. I'm thinking a thin bead-board instead of drywall, as I really have no desire to mud and tape, plus I'm hoping the bead-board will look cool. Then, about 20 years of clothes stored in the basement need to find their way into plastic bags and then off to goodwill with a few pieces going off to a consignment shop.

You accumulate a lot of shit, when you're making money and now that the budget's a little tighter, I find I really need to purge the excess. I thought, since the economy sucks and hardly any company is looking to expand anytime soon, I'd have the time to get some of these things accomplished, but the lists are never ending.

Quick sports update: My fantasy football team, the JackRynos, who took the CHFFL title last year, are instead headed to the toilet bowl; the consolation bracket of the CHFFL. A dubious honor to lose the toilet bowl game, as the loser of the losers buys the 1/4 barrel at next years draft.

Superstar's Highland Capitals Squirt B Blues team took one on the chops from the B-Reds. Jack netted the only goal, but our team plays with very little heart and for a guy who's made his way in the hockey world playing with far more passion then skill, it's hard to understand how to help as the assistant coach. I really would prefer to be the head coach this year, I would do things a little differently that's for sure, and hopefully before our next game, I'll be able to give the "GottaWanna" speech. 

Meanwhile the Entertainer's, Edgecumbe Mite team is too huge. 30 kids on the squad, broken up into three sub-section teams. The organization could have easily fielded a mini mite team and probably aided the development of all the kids much more. Jay and I have spoken and he has the best interest of the kids at heart, but the organization's not helping. 

On a brighter note, the Stoneridge Falcons are off to their best start in AHA Hockey history. (Course that's not saying much as last year we didn't even win a game) But right now we find ourselves a half game back of first place. And although I'm not leading the team in scoring like I did last year, I'm having a lot more fun. Playing on the checking line and seeing some of the young guns lose the attitude and play with their heads, it's been a better season.

Rockstar, has his Snowboarding pass to Afton and he's been ripping it up on the slopes as often as possible. Hopefully this weekend he can get out to the hill for some quality shredding now that all the runs are open. 

And in order to stay in shape, we've now joined the YMCA and left the International House of Fitness... aka Bally's. Cessica's been getting in some workouts, but I have yet to make it over there to even get my picture taken. Maybe when I make the goodwill run.

Well, try to keep your holiday season stress free and get some sleep. I know I could use both. 

Happy Holidays: It's time for a little rhyme

So it's the holiday season and all through the land

People are laid off and thinking of starting a band.

A group set to rock out and show they got fight,

Tired of the bullshit and sick of their plight.

Let's all commiserate on linkedin and facebook,

A Jeff Covey push is really all it took.

But cyberspace reality pales in comparison,

To the harsh state our country is in.

It's hard not to question, where all the change?

And not trying to shift blame...

But 350 billion is quite a big chunk

Is wall street just a pit, CEOs just drunk?

No money is moving, stores cry no fair,

Who will be shopping, does anyone care?

For it's the season of giving, or for some maybe making,

A wood working project, or maybe some baking.

Or maybe some artwork, or perhaps just time,

And that's my thought to end this holiday rhyme,

It doesn't have to be big, it doesn't have to be rich.

Just something from the heart, cause unfortunately sometimes life's just a bitch.

Week before Thanksgiving - AND WE'VE GOT ICE!

Amazing... after a little of afternoon rink maintenance, the ice was ready for action and as soon as the kids returned home from school, the kids hit the ice. Here's some of the action...

The Eldest - ROCKS!

Last night was The Eldest's big rock concert... acoustic style. 

THIN ICE! Water is freezing... and I almost fell in

So the rink is in. Water is poured. Leaves were added, (not intentionally) Right now we're looking at about an inch thick ice, but in my attempt to tight-rope walk the boards up against the garage so I could shovel off some of the late falling leaves, I was one bent index finger away from complete splashdown. 

It's the first time I've ever tried to squeeze by on that side of the rink, and I think it might also be my last. I'm hoping that after this weekend the ice will be thick enough to stand on. The opposite side from the garage, where the ground is the highest, I need to do a little fill in with ice. It would be nice to get the whole surface around a couple inches thick and then have a blanket of snow fall, which I could then shovel into the gap.

Trying to start the rink as early as I did, it's really been a learning experience. If the leaves create a huge problem, I might have to hope for a thaw out, or really work the Zamboni as the season gets into full swing.

Rest of the news:

Couple of job resumes off to various HR folks.

Trained as a recount challenger for the Senate race.

Learned how to edit with iMovie and iDVD.

Transition team announces focus on renewable energy.

Falcons craw back into contention

I can't be beat at the Air Hockey game I added to the bottom of the blog.

The eldest performs in his first Rock Concert at HarMar Mall Thursday... he rocks! A shot of some of his finest guitar work.

Ice Time!

Folks it's not even December and believe it or not, I might already be suffering a small amount of hockey burn out. No, it's true. I wasn't able to update the blog this weekend, cause it's hard to type with hockey gloves on. Let's see, Friday evening, coached Top Dog's squirt team, then had a late night game with the Highland coaches that lasted late into the wee hours of the night.

Saturday, Top Dog had his first game. Although he didn't rip the twine, as he is often want to do, he was named player of the game in a 3-1 lose. At the same time, at the same arena, but in a different rink, Snow Princess had a practice of her own... then later that night, after a rousing game of couples Bunco at some friend's house, I had a Falcons game out in New Hope. The Falcons won, 8-3 and although I netted no points in the contest, I did get into it with the opposing goal-tender, and it wasn't until after I started messing with his head that he started letting in goals. I did take 2 penalties for my transgressions, but sometimes you have to take one (or two) for the team. For more on the Falcons, check out the AHA website at www.ahahockey.com Check out the B2 pool for stats and schedule.

Sunday rolls around and again Snow Princess had early morning practice. I had the pleasure of running part of the practice and there's nothing more enjoyable than helping and watching Mites figure out the game. Many are just learning the very important aspect of hockey and that is stopping... it's a slow process, but critical as the kids are finding that crashing into the boards is not the best way to stop their momentum.

Then after the Packers destroyed da Bears and the defending Fantasy Football Champion JackRynos notched a win from the front-running Blowfish in the CHFFL (Cheesehead fantasy football league) the J-5 jumped in the minivan, headed off for Top Dog's second game of the season up in Shoreview. (about 25 minutes away) The problem, we arrived at 3:50pm, only to find out the game was NOT at 4:20, as I thought, but instead at 6:40. So we turned around, had a light dinner, only to pile back in the minivan to return to the arena a couple of hours later. 

The team played better and netted a 5-5 tie and should have had a win had it not been for a slight mental lapse with :49 seconds left to play in the game. Still scoreless on the game, Top Dog had some nice chances, and made some nice plays, but like his papa, only showed up on the stat sheet after getting a penalty for slashing. It was a bad call as it was hustle that put the play in motion. They were on a breakaway and he tracked down the shooter and stick-checked the kid, the way he's been taught by lifting the stick from underneath. Bias, but it was a bad call. He lifted the stick, which is the proper way, but used some force and I think the sound of composite stick on composite stick is what caused the call.

With all the hockey excitement, The Eldest now wants to play this year. He hasn't played organized hockey yet, but is a good skater, and indicated he now wants to play this year AND wants me to coach his team. Oh boy, more ice time. Details are sketchy as to weather I can still get him on to a team, but I'd love to see him have a sport to get into and if you haven't guessed it by now, I think hockey is one of the finest.

Time to Vote

Sure, November 4th was a monumental day in our nation's history, but once again it's time to vote.  The NHL all-star voting is in full swing and Mikko Koivu needs your support. 

Speaking of hockey; The backyard  rink is now complete and being filled. As I type, the hose is on full bore and the rink is becoming a pool. The weather forecast calls for 6 out of the next 10 days to be below freezing and if that holds, we might have ice before Thanksgiving. The tricky part will be keeping all the debris, falling leaves and pine needles, out of the water while it freezes. I will be looking at getting some waders and "dragging" the water with a fishing net to remove as much of the leaves as I can. After it freezes, a shovel will keep the debris out.  This is the earliest the rink has gone in and I might be jumping the gun a bit, but my hope is if we do have a warm up, I can keep everyone off until it refreezes.

On to the really important stuff. Took a blow today on the job front. The University of Minnesota had an open position in the Institute on the Environment for a multimedia producer. Fabulous position, fell completely in the wheel house of matching skills and interest and would have afforded the opportunity to work and go back to school. That would have been perfect, however on the same day I found the position it was filled. So back to the grind. The resume is completely updated and I think looks pretty good, and I'm trying to get more word out there in an attempt to network my way into positions of interest.

Speaking of interest, I have been asked by the Al Franken campaign to assist with the recount. Starting on the 18th, ballots will be recounted across the state and at this point, Al is currently 206 votes down. If things hold true to form, that number will swing wildly as the recount gets into full swing. Back when I was producing the Kent Hrbek Show I had talked both campaigns into going fishing with Kent for what I was calling a KHO fish off. The plan, take each guy out, fish with them on Lake Minnetonka, chat with them about outdoor issues, and see who could catch the biggest fish. The problem, Kent himself backed out. Would have made for great rating, I would probably still have my job and since I was producing, I think I could have swayed about 206 votes.  (My gut tells me that Al could have out-fished Norm any day of the week). So on Saturday I go for some training and then on Tuesday I spend the day helping recount the votes and challenging those ballots that should or should not count. The process will most likely take 2-1/2 weeks, but I need to focus on the job search so I'll probably put in about 2 days.... unless of course it leads to a position itself... which ultimately would be a good thing.

Speaking of a good thing... here's a question for you. How much should parents do in helping their kids get there homework projects done? Case in point, on Monday the Eldest and his friend Justin got together to complete a history assignment about the Civil War. They were to be news-reporters and file a report from the battlefield. Topics they choose to discuss, Fort Sumpter, Bull Run, Emancipation Proclamation etc... They wrote out the whole thing, and had an idea of how they wanted it to turn out. I said, reporting, video... hey I can help. They said "we want to include pictures and music", and I said I can help. Well 10-12 hours of editing, $20 worth of blank DVDs  later I put together a Ken Burns type documentary with their work. I have a feeling, it will be the most polished work turned in, but I'm sure the Eldest's teacher will question his involvement. He was very involved, but did not stay up until 3am editing the piece. Of course, if I had access to editing equipment that I had worked with before it wouldn't have taken as long, but instead I was learning how to edit with iMovie on the Mac... and found a few limitations. (I want Final Cut for my birthday) But it was a lot of fun and I hope, for his grades sake, it was worth the effort. So again... how much parent involvement in preparing you children to succeed in school?

Finally, speaking of school, tomorrow I explore continuing school for a teaching degree, just to get the info. Might be another blog with that one.... peace!

Back to the Search

Now the job search returns in earnest, but not before running out and purchasing some new fangled hardware for the computer to help translate camcorder video into a usable format... that's because mister big time TV producer didn't realize the compatibility issues between the camcorder and iMovie. So the Eldest's civil war Eyewitness News Special report, didn't get in on time and so that left me scrambling.

Also, had to replace a window on the first floor cause the lovely tried to break in the house cause that's where she left the keys... unfortunately, due to the fact that we had someone else actually break into the house and steal thousands of dollars of stuff, I've screwed all the 1st floor windows shut... so if one was to try and break in again, you'd have to break a window. Bingo.

Anyway, got that repaired. Got a visit with the genius at the Genius Bar. Decoded the video file to make it usable and now I'm hungry. Oh yea, the job search is just moving right along. Hopefully, I'll be able to finish up the revamped resume today... and then pick up my new DVD of sample projects I've produced, to hopefully land that next new gig.

Keep ya posted...

Rink pictures

Future site of Rink... from Porch to Flower garden to back fence, to garage - 20'x40'

Stack of wood to be used to put up the 18" side boards

Putting up the boards... I pound 1x6 pointed planks about 6" deep into the ground and then screw the 2x6's into the support planks

Lucus and the Captain swing by to give mad props to the rink building

Future NHLer's - one will win the Vezina Trophy and the other will top Wayne Gretzky's total points mark

The Process: Take 2

Building a hockey rink your backyard, you need two things; fairly level ground, and cold. Now in the process of waiting for the weather to cool before I complete the last step of securing the liner in place and filling my temporary backyard pool with H20. I have found a company that will come and pump in chlorinated water and fill it in about 20 minutes... but you know, I much perfer the all day hose run. I'm hoping to borrow water hoses from three neighbors this year and if I can line it up, should be able to fill the rink in about 3-4 hours. It's a longer process, but I'll get the neighbors excited about being a part of the rink, which they all love watching the kids skate during the winter, and sometimes half the fun of getting there is getting there.

I wish I could say the same about renewing the process of finding employment again. I was laid off for about 7 months starting back in January after ShopNBC cut it's work force by about 15% in the series of 2 lay offs. I had worked my way up the "corporate ladder" for six years at home shopping's number three. A unique blend of infomercial and reality programming. Motivating viewers to action. I've often classified it as the third form of tv production. Of course there's news, which is informative television. There's couch potato tv, which is pretty much 80% of television. All entertainment type shows. Sit-coms, dramas, entertainment news, reality shows... mind numbing dribble which might make you laugh or cry or feel something, but most often just time wasting entertainment, and then there's motivation tv... aka home shopping. Trying to entice the viewer to pick up the phone, reach into their wallets and spend money.

I've now worked in all three areas, producing news programs, entertainment series, (Kent Hrbek Outdoors for example) and home shopping/commercials. I've developed a Jack of all Trade mentality and feel comfortable producing any type of programming for the television industry. But folks, it's not the most stable industry to be in and as I've found in bad economic times, especially here in the midwest, not the most secure. So, I now look at other options. 

A producer is in essence the guy who makes sure everything you need to have happen, happens. Every last detail, staying under budget, developing an end product and in the process, making it worth watching. There are tricks to the trade, and are good crews and bad crews, but being the producer, regardless of your parameters you are ultimately the one responsible for making sure the job gets done. That translates to a number of other corporate jobs, but getting young HR recruiters to see that connection, I've found, is tricky.

With the new hope for our country now voted into office, my hope is that our nation takes on a new direction, and because of that I'm also considering a new direction. I certainly feel I have a higher purpose they battling around from one production to the next, and that is why I'm strongly considering getting my teaching degree and teaching and coaching hockey full time. There is so much satisfaction, giving back and I've found over the last 4-5 years of coaching, I'm pretty good at it.

So as that process unfolds, it will be one of the topics of conversation. Keep plugging through the "tv industry" or get out of the television business and into b2b or b2c corporate life, or get the teaching certificate and teach. Regardless, it will be a major focus as we roll through the end of 2008. 

In the meantime, there are rinks to build, basements and 3rd floors to renovate and of course hockey. Enjoy the chill... winter is coming.

CHANGE HAS COME

St. Paul, MN - Today America woke up to a brand new day. A dawning of possibility and the burden of fulfilling the expectations of generations of U.S. citizens grown disenfranchised by their own leaders.

Enough is enough, America said on Election Day. Enough of the greed of the few. Enough of the trickle down economic theory that has proven a bust. Enough of the leadership vacuum in Washington, and enough of the divisiveness that has strained this great nation.

No today, we look out at the same world, but with a different outlook. How can we be a part of bringing change to the local world around each and every one of us. How can you or I benefit from the hope and renewed confidence that we as a nation can come together to create a better future for ourselves and for our children.

With so many people left unemployed due to the economic downturn, myself included for the second time this year, I ask what can I do to improve this situation so that not only my future is secure, but so are those around me. As only as a healthy nation do we grow. Taxpayers need to go back to work. Families need to have time for family. Opportunities need to be created. Leaders must be allowed to lead, and be vigilant in their execution.

Good health to our new president and god speed to this great nation.

Weather looking good for rink installation

To the right is a little piece we put together last year. Hopefully this winter stays right around 30 degrees from December thru March... then warm to 65 April 1st.

Here's the link directly if it doesn't work:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOp_Hhbylzc

It's Hockey Time Once Again

Well, folks, sure the election is just a week away, but if you're living in Minnesota, this time of year means hitting the ice. Some call it the State of Hockey and if you looked at my calendar over the next 3 months, it's wall to wall hockey and I'm telling you, if I'm not playing or coaching, I'll most likely be watching. Not to mention this is the weekend I'm planning on installing the backyard rink.

I will be doing a picture progress report as I go through the process and that coming this weekend.

See the tricks of the trade... and who might stop by as I transform the backyard into Pine Needle Park. 

Work/Life balance

Actually written 10/7/08
Kent Hrbek Outdoors is on Fox, FSN, and World Fishin Netwrk (Fox Sports Net-Wisconsin) in Madison.
The show is probably aired a couple of times each week, and most likely it
floats somewhat depending on what live sporting events they are telecasting.
Check your local tv listing for exact times in your viewing area. (The show
currently on air centers around former Vikings football great Chuck Foreman.) I
wrote about half the show, organized the and directed the shoot in the school,
and courtyard, as well as arranged Hrbo and Gis stand-ups in the MN Vikings
ship. (Not to be confused with the Vikings love boat scandal)

This coming week, we head to San Francisco and spend time in a wildlife refuge
and go Halibut fishing in the San Francisco Bay. I did not attend the San
Fran trip, but wrote the show. There is a focus on one MN company, (who just also happens to be a sponsor) where I have to walk the fine line between promoting, and making the show entertaining and informative. Love to hear if you
think I pull it off. This show has been sent out today, and begins it's airing
locally Sunday night at 10:30pm... Again check your local listings.

Thirdly, the plan I outlined in an earlier blog still calls for a volunteer army. I am exploring
the idea that like Switzerland, all Americans must do something for their
country. Military, peace corps, disaster relief, apprenticeships, etc... is an
off shoot of a two month manditory course on Americana. (Learn how to pay taxes,
run a mile, vote, get off drugs, etc...) then off to service for your country in
a variety of different programs. Perhaps to entice more men and women to choose
military service, there are greater rewards at the end of two years, to
compensate their potential bravery in support of our country.

Many if not all of these programs could and should be able to pay for themselves
over time. Start up costs would be immense, but so is giving Wall Street $700
billion and we as a country have no idea where that money will end up. (Rest assured, the rich will get
richer and much needed resources will be squandered)

I would like to see Barack stop playing the safe card. Sure he won last night's
debate, but he is staying so far away from risk right now, he could potentially
hurt himself in the long run. Part of his appear in the primaries was his
inspirational speeches, and bold vision. I know he hasn't lost that, but he
could lose some of the band wagon jumpers, if he doesn't speak with a bit more
passion during the third and final debate.

Laws (Justice)
Infrustruture (Roads and bridges)
National health care database (beginning of Universal Health Care)
2-year Civil Service
Flat-rate tax code, with tax breaks for working families and small business
Strong Humanatarian Military, not solely focused on national interest, as oil
will no longer be a national interest, see next piece to the plan.
Leaders in all alternative energy initiatives. (Will be the funding engine to
stablize and grow the economy)
Enhanced focus and funding for public education
Liberty for all!

What's so wrong with selling that to the American people?

Politically Speaking

This race for the White House has taken a terrible turn, as the Carl Rove led GOP attack team has ventured into the traitorous criminal territory by inciting riotous behavior in campaign stops. McCain and Palin have nothing to offer the political discourse of this country so they have gone to the race card, the terrorist card, and lie card.

McSame is an ass. He's greed, and I seriously believe his greed stems from the fact that he thinks he's owed a life of luxury because he had to endure 5 years as a POW. 

Phycologists could very well suggest that he suffers still to this day a resentment towards his own country and does not care for the ramifications of satisfying a lingering and encrusted need for payback, nor care about the fallout of that type of entitlement.

He is savvy, if not smarmy. He has nothing to offer, but feels entitled to the power of the office of President. His personal misguided and somewhat dysfunctional American Dream. But if it was a dream, he would be able to share it, not just with his friends and connections to connected people, but a vision to the masses. A shared hope and dream of a better place. A place where each generation looked out for the next, and instilled in them the sense that tomorrow would be a better place to live.

But then again if the senator from the great state of Arizona actually had that ability to seek justice and equality for all, and strive for all to succeed in their own American Dream, his name would not be McCain, but rather Obama

For in this time, this day and age, our country does not need an out of touch, buyable, misguided ex-soldier who still suffers from PTSD, no what this country needs is a revolution. But since this land is too fragile to endure a full scale revolt, a breath of fresh air and hope can go along way towards healing what ails this great land of ours.

The flaw in flag waving:
Since Ronald Reagan was in office, the religious right and for that matter the GOP has used flag and country and patriotism as symbols of what their party stands for. However, by eliminating the draft during the Nixon years, the personal connection with what war actually means to humanity has been lost in our great land. We as a country no longer appreciate what it means to send our men and women into battle, as the cost of doing so is so removed from so many people. I truly believe if there had been a draft or a national service obligation at the time the Bush administration was rattling sabers to go to war in Iraq, the country and for that matter congress may have lead more resistance. But because the volunteer army has turned into a tool for nation building and crack diplomacy, and in truth no longer directly impact every family across this land, America has lost it's connection with actual patriotism. The blending of ideas and opinions, based in fact, with the good of the ALL people at stake.

I would consider a radical change and a way to bolster the greater good in the long run. 

* Institute 2 years of mandatory service from every abled bodied man and woman between the ages of 19-20. Not only military service but a 2-month basic service training course on Americanism and fitness, and then service in either the military, national park service, Famine and natural disaster relief efforts, world wide humanitarian initiatives such as Peace Corps, or even manufacturing apprenticeships or drug treatment and care would be facilitated and in some way partially funded by the American Government. All basic necessities would be provided these individuals, and a minimum wage weekly stipend issued.

* Upon successful completion of service, each person would receive a check for $100,000 for service to their country. (Much would annually return to the economy perhaps with some going towards down-payments on homes and vehicles, some invested, some used to pay for college, some to gambling debt) Regardless, it would be the carrot on the stick for performing various necessary national tasks while enlisted in the aid of our country. Think of it as a "starter payment" to begin the American dream.

*  Funding for new infrastructure would come out of the militaries budget and facilities would be constructed in areas where they could also be used for evacuations and shelter in times of national disaster.

* Through this national service program, all citizens would be signed up for universal health care identification. To streamline the system, one computerized bar-code system, with fail safe privacy encryption would be deployed so that all insurance and health care facilities would utilize one system. Portable, affordable, and once again the best in the world.

* A renewed focus on curing disease and illness as opposed to simply treating them. 

* Tax code needs to be revised to reduce the number of loopholes afforded big business and wealthy individuals.

* Tax breaks would be saved for all new and existed companies that developed manufacturing and tangible goods here in the United States.

* Securities and exchange regulations would be reenacted such that similar "crisis" such as the Wall Street bailout would be avoided.

* Educational system to receive twice as much funding as currently supplied... calling for highly qualified instructors and greater resources.

* Exploration of seas, solar system, and alternative energy resources must be fostered and expanded.

* Social security would remain a safety net vehicle to aid all retired workers

* Renewed focus on eliminating the influence of religion in politics. Settlers came to this land to avoid religious persecution, thus the separation of church and state, however, right-wing fanatics have infused god into our national discourse and decision making. We must avoid ever again, leading what some would call a religious jihad against another people of the world as we have in Iraq.

* Remove special interest money from Washington. 

These are but a few radical ideas that could be brought into the national discussion and openly debated. Just got to writing down some, interested in your feedback.

Politically speaking,

Welcome to Blog-o-sphere

Greetings and welcome to this here blog. 

I'm new to the world of blog and hope to enlighten and entertain here in deejha''sWORLD

Let me first explain the name. It's a name, actually a spelling I gave myself, stemming from a nickname in college, when roomies, had consumed too much fermented mult beverages or smoked way past their bedtime. The very easy and condensed nickname of DJ wasn't enough, and at some point, with Jim Morrison playing in the distant din of the dorms, one hall mate turned DJ into a three syllable deeg-a-Ha. After awhile it somewhat stuck, I liked it, but no one had any idea of how to spell it. So I developed the spelling of deejha (with the "h" either silent or slightly enhanced).

Since, the word is pretty widely unused throughout human civilization, I took it upon myself to run with it, so here I am in the middle of the blog-world and it's what I've chosen to roll with.

A little other insight. I work in the media, mostly a producer, but I've spent time on both sides of the camera and behind the microphone. Being a jack-of-all trades when it comes to television production has enabled me to work on a bunch of different projects, and productions and currently I'm producing a local weekly series here in the twin cities featuring a well known sports celebrity. It's a fun gig, pays some of the bills, but with a mortgage, wife, three kids and all the other trappings of society, always got my eyes open for the next opportunity.

We live in the middle of great neighborhood. I didn't think so when we first moved into our 100 year old, 3 story Victorian... I thought it too much of a money pit, as one can sit in any room in the house and say, this needs work, or that needs work, but over time, the community, the neighbors, the friendships have made this house a home. My wife grew up in a similar house, on a similar street, in a similar town. (Actually the same town, about 1/2 mile away, but who's keeping track). But I grew up in the country; corn fields and cows, acres of woods and ponds and places to explore. My only regret here and with society today, it's hard to feel comfortable letting the kids; ages 12,9,7, go out and explore the world around them the way that I was able to. I was able to figure out how to carve enough room into the backyard of this city lot, to construct an ice rink, which I'll chronicle as the weather allows for it's construction this winter.

The cool thing, they have all found friends here in the neighborhood, as have we and that has made it so worth it in the long run. I guess it someone asked me "What do you do for a living?" I'd first answer be a part of this family. At this point in my life I find so much more satisfaction in that than the job. Money is a tool, not a means to an ends. Really; You only go around this crazy world once, and you can't take it with you. Of course due to this Bush economic downturn, I did get to experience the cost of downsizing and layoffs first hand and I must say, our country is ripe for a revolution. I hold out hope that we will find a way to reverse the course of the misguided right-wing, neo-conservative politics of greed. Our country has been high-jacked by a select few and that has crippled our great nation in so many ways, but I'll save the political rants for another day, and I look forward to discussing these political theories with anyone who cares to over time.

So welcome to this little slice of cyber-space. I'll be posting pictures, thoughts, observations and perhaps a few feelings along the way. Enjoy and please be a part of it, let me know your thoughts, give me feedback, let me know what you like or don't like and from time to time, I might even make it humorous. 

Let the blog... begin... deejha