Gentlemen, start your engines!

Yup, Eric and I went to our first ever NASCAR race on Saturday. It was held in Brooklyn, MI at Michigan International Speedway.

Now, I know you're saying "Ugh, NASCAR", but we had a pretty good time. We never watched it before this year, and only because of friends of ours did we start. I watched some Indy car last year, but not really a lot of NASCAR.

My only complaint about the race was smoking was allowed in the stands. I'm not used to this - when I go to a football game or other sporting event, there's no smoking in the stands. The people next to me kept lighting up, and of course, their smoke ended up in my face. Yuck.

For those of you that don't know, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won his first race in the last 76 starts! So, it was a good day for most of us. The weather was beautiful, and man are those cars loud! I know, I look more like I went to a football game...

And, my favorite driver (and former Indy driver), Sam Hornish, Jr.

A sad day...

While cleaning my office today, I happened to go out into the office, see the TV, and the breaking news said "Tim Russert has died". WHAT?!

I yelped. Literally - it was a really odd sound. I love Tim Russert. He's part of my MSNBC/NBC team that I love to watch (most of you know I love my MSNBC). I love my Sunday morning "Meet the Press" (when I get up in time for it).

I'm still shocked. I was looking forward to watching all the coverage during this election year, because I enjoy watching Tim Russert (and his whiteboard!)

Rest in Peace, Tim. I know you'll be commentating the presidential election from where you are.

Something new...a book review!

I haven’t done this yet, at least as far as I can remember. I just finished reading this fantastic new book, Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith. It was just recently released in April of this year, and it is Mr. Smith’s debut novel.

Honestly, I started reading this book while I was reading two others. I hadn’t planned on getting sucked into it, but once I started reading it, I couldn’t stop. I had huge blocks of time this past Friday and Saturday where I did nothing but read this book.

It is definitely a suspense book. Set in Stalinist Russia, it follows a State Security agent named Leo Demidov, who believes in what he does for a living – arrest people for anti-State activities. His dedication to his job is unwavering, until someone close to him is named as a traitor.

Without giving too much away, the book follows his exile to the lowest rank of militia, his marriage, and his hunt for a child killer. There are a lot of story lines in Leo’s life, but it’s very well written, and I would highly recommend this book to everyone.

On the road again...

I'm coming to you live from the dining room at Eric's house in Muskegon. I just got back from having my eyebrows waxed (oh, so much better!) and picked up some food on the way home. Which made me decide that I was going to write a blog about some of my favorite places to eat in the Muskegon area. There are plenty of chain restaurants in the area, but there are so many good local places, I have to highlight some of them:


G&L Chili Dogs, Multiple Locations

This happens to be what I picked up on my way home. Need to look at the menu? Nah. Cheddar Chili Dog Special please, with everything (onions, mustard, cheese!). For a total of $5.29, I got two cheddar chili dogs (yum!), fries, and a drink. You can't really get much better than that.

There are multiple locations in the Muskegon area. The downtown location is the original. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever gotten anything off the menu other than chili dogs and chili cheese fries... Not only are there four locations in Muskegon, there is one in Spring Lake, one in Holland, and even one in Kalamazoo!!!!


Egg Roll House, 1084 E. Sternberg, Muskegon

Originally a restaurant in the old Muskegon Mall, downtown, the Egg Roll House moved out to the Sternberg area where the new mall is. The food is the same, trust me. I've been a frequent customer there (with my parents), since I was probably about 6 years old. The owners know me, and even one of the waitresses that's still there knows me.

What do you get here, you ask? Well, I typically can be found getting the Mandarin Chicken dish. It's a plate of wings in a molasses-y sauce. They are deep fried. It is amazing. It takes a little longer for this dish than others, but it's totally worth it. Eric likes to get the General Tso's Chicken, and I have to say that the Mongolian Beef is fantastic too. I don't think I've ever had anything here I didn't like.

They also have lunch specials - the portion is a little smaller, but you get a crab rangoon and egg roll with it. These run every day from 11am-3pm, and usually are under $7.


The Station Grill, 910 W. Broadway, Muskegon

Probably the best burger I've ever had. So yummy. I also recommend the texas fries (similar to potato chips, but still a little soft). I also love the Ham and Cheese Fingers (literally, they are little buns with ham slices and melted cheese), and they also have good burritos, salads, and the "World's Smallest Sundae"! For lunch, you can even call in your order ahead of time, and it will be waiting when you get there!!!


City Cafe, 411 W. Western Ave., Muskegon

Oh, Gorgonzola Cream Bruschetta, how do I love thee? My favorite appetizer, also good paired with just a house salad for a good meal. :-)

However, City Cafe, which is located in the basement of the Frauenthal Theater, has fantastic food. They always have different specials, and somehow, the strangest things that are put together are delicious. You can go here casually, or dressed up. They have great sandwiches, and my other favorite dish is the Chicken Salad with Michigan Cherries and Walnuts. It comes with a great side of fruit (grapes, pineapple, honeydew melon, and cantaloupe). It also comes with this fantastic orange bread.


Even though I just ate, all of these sound really good...there are more places I want to write about, but I will save them for my next blog.

A random hodgepodge of topics...

There may be no rhyme or reason to this post, except to get things off my mind that I keep thinking about...

First, another friend of mine posted this, but I thought it was just another reminder of why libraries are so important.

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-andrews15-2008may15,0,3401026.story

Why shouldn't everyone have access to knowledge? Regardless of how much money any of us have, we should be allowed to have access to books, computers, movies, and all the other services our local libraries offer us. Knowledge should not only be for those who have money.

Second, I'd like to take a moment to advocate for who I think would be the best choice for Barack Obama to make for Vice-President. Please see the photo below.

I know, wouldn't I be great? Haha. Just kidding.

John Edwards would be the perfect pick, in my opinion. He's from the South, he has a blue collar background, he's a populist, and gosh darn it, people like him. I know what you're saying - it didn't work last time. Well, remember he was paired with someone who had about the charm of a wet rag. An Obama/Edwards ticket would be dynamite!!!

Third - I went into the Hot Topic store in Muskegon recently. As Eric and I were looking around, I heard this fantastic music they were playing. I asked one of the guys that worked there who it was, and it turns out it was The Dresden Dolls. Who are they, you ask? Apparently, a group that Ben Folds has produced, with two members, a female singer/piano player, and a drummer. I went out and bought their new CD last night, and I highly recommend it to you all.

I think that's all for now - GO WINGS!!!!!

Ode to Dakota

This is my dog. She has been so good she deserves a small photo montage on my blog.

'Nuff said.

"The mind is everything; what you think, you become."

Last week was rough. Really rough. The first couple days were long at work and the last couple were just messed up with other stuff. I almost feel like it was just screwed up all around - long work days, lots of stuff going on in the evenings, had to dog here, kept messing things up, and no exercising happening.

I'm going to try and get back on track this week. That includes exercising, cleaning my apartment a bit, and taking some time for myself. I have to take some time to reflect upon my own actions, and remember that I can control how I react to or do things. I cannot control how other people act - especially when they are unreasonable or immature about it.

I will continue to do things and make them as successful as I can. I will take constructive criticism, though most people seem to just give criticism. I will be the best that I can be.

Hm, let's see how this week goes.

Currently Watching: Deliverance