Oh Fudge!

Like I mentioned in a previous blog, there were a lot of fudge shops along the "fingertips" in the lower peninsula of Michigan. I was strong for about the first 10 shops, but finally gave in around the 11th or 12th, and bought some. (That is a total exaggeration by the way, but that's what it felt like.)
I chose a creamy pumpkin fudge and my BF chose a vanilla Oreo one. As those of you that enjoy fudge know, it doesn't take a lot to satisfy. Just a little morsel with a cup of coffee or a glass of milk and you're good. So by the time we left Michigan there was still a chunk left to bring home. So I packed it, and we headed to the airport. But all you fudge carrying travelers beware! Apparently in the x-ray machine at the airport fudge looks like...well, I don't know what exactly, but something the TSA considers very dangerous, and they take it VERY seriously. Let this be a lesson to you all.

Oh Fudge!

Screenplay by: Me

Based on a true story.
Scene: Detroit Metro Airport security.
Characters: Super serious TSA Guy, and me.

TSA Guy: Who does this bag belong to?"
Me: "Me." (I smile, he doesn't.)
TSA Guy: "OK M'am, Can you please step over here. I'm going to have to open your bag."
Me: "Sure.OK."
(I go stand by the table that he has set my bag on, curious to get a look at whatever he is looking for. I smile again, he doesn't again.)
TSA Guy: "Please step back. You may not touch the bag, or anything in it while I am inspecting it. Do you understand?"
(I step back, put my hands behind my back and nod. He is very serious and freaking me out a little with the way he is looking at me like I am a criminal.)
TSA Guy: "Did you pack your own bag?"
Me: "Yes."
TSA Guy: "Has the bag been in your possession from the time you packed it?"
Me: "Yes." (I try smiling again, he doesn't...again.)
TSA Guy: "Are you aware of the items banned from carry on luggage?"
Me. "Yes."
TSA Guy: "Do you have any of those items in this bag?"
Me: "No. I don't think so."
TSA Guy: "Are you sure?" (Looking at me very seriously....neigh unto accusingly)
(Me trying to think.)
Me: "Yes?"
TSA Guy: "Ok. Well I'm just going to have a look. There was an object that came up on the screen."
Me: "Ok." (feeling nervous for no good reason)
(TSA Guy rummages around while I try to think of what could have set of the alarms (hair straightener? tweezers? buckle on my shoe? did I accidentally put my perfume in there? or some other liquid?). Finally he pulls out a purple bag, holding it between two gloved fingers like a dirty diaper.)
TSA Guy: "What is this?"
Me: "Ummmm...fudge?" (I don't know why I say it like it's a question.)
(TSA Guy opens the bag and cautiously peers inside and sniffs, but in a VERY serious way.)
TSA Guy: "What kind?"
Me: "I'm sorry?"
TSA Guy: "What kind of fudge is it? Where did you get it?"
(I hesitate feeling like it's somehow a trick question.)
Me: "Pumpkin and Oreo...well, actually I thinks it's vanilla with an Oreo cookie on the top...although there might be some Oreo flavor in the actual fudge...I can't remember....I..." (I'm rambling)
TSA Guy: "Where did you get it?" (It's more of a demand than a question.)
Me: "I got it on Mackinac Island."
(TSA Guy eyes me suspiciously, like a human lie detector, for a second before answering)
TSA Guy: "I see."
(I wait, not sure if he believes me or not. But also not sure why he wouldn't believe me. I feel very confused.)
TSA Guy: "Good. Because if it was any of that machine made crap, or in the jar stuff I would have to confiscate it."
(I think it's a joke but I'm afraid to smile now. He puts everything back in bag, and zips it up and gives it to me. But still looks totally serious.)
TSA Guy: "You have a nice flight M'am."
(I let out my breath.)
Me: "Ummm...thanks?" (Again not sure why I say it like it's a question.)

Fin

Mackinaw City, MI

We took the ferry to Mackinac Island, but we stayed across on the mainland in Mackinaw City. If you have noticed the two different spellings you are not alone. A local on the island told us that the first is the Native American spelling (although I'm not sure how that works exactly) and the other is the French spelling of the same name. We stayed at a little hotel on the water! Since I brought my camera and tripod I spent about an hour freezing my butt off outside trying to get a couple nighttime shots of the bridge and the island. They didn't come out great, and I think it was because there was too much artificial light. It's a bummer though because I really was tired and freezing waiting for them to take. Oh well. For what it's worth here they are.

Mackinac Bridge at night

Bridge and the Big Dipper!

Star trails over Mackinac Island

Star Trails over Mackinac Island and Bridge

Dawn over Lake Huron

Sunrise over Lake Huron

Mackinac Bridge at dawn

Where we had dinner;)

Mackinac Island, MI

On my trip back to Michigan I visited Mackinac Island for the first time. I rode past it dozens of times as a kid, when my family and I were on our way to Wisconsin but for some reason or another we never were able to stop and see it.
It was AWESOME! I really, really enjoyed it, and will almost certainly be back. The little downtown was great with all the touristy things necessary to keep people like me happy. More fudge shops than you could shake a stick at (whatever that means), AND we found a bar serving Michigan's own  Bell's Oberon microbrew for only $2.50 a pint! Score.The rest of the island is beautiful coastlines, nature, water, sweeping vistas of the Mackinac Bridge, exquisite sunsets...you name it! It was just great.
And the fact that no cars or motor vehicles are allowed really offered a unique experience. It was so quiet, but at the same time you could hear the quaint sound of horse shoes clicking at almost any time. It was like going back in time. Transportation options were: horse and buggy taxi, a bicycle, or your own two feet. And that's not just for tourists either. That goes for everyone who lives and works on the island except emergency response vehicles. Isn't that something? I saw inventory being delivered to Starbucks by horse and buggy, and garbage "truck" horse and buggy. There are still street sweepers there too!
Anyway, if you ever have the chance to go I highly recommend it. And if you can take the 8 mile bike ride around the island. It doesn't take long and it's really beautiful!

Here are some of my best shots. Enjoy!

Packers Last Second Victory!

An amazing Jennings interception!!!

I've been trying for an hour to think of what I want to say and how I want to say it. But every time I think about the game last night I just get angry and all the things I feel like saying...well, primarily involve using the same four letter word in all it's versatility as a noun, verb, adverb, adjective, as well as in its traditional expletive form. In short not very nice. I thought a nights sleep would help alleviate some of my frustration, but it has not. Especially after reading the NFL's official statement this morning. An injustice has been done, a trust has been betrayed by the owners of the NFL, and the integrity of my favorite game has been compromised. To say I am angry is an understatement. But I'm going to try again to voice my thoughts because someone has to stand up for "my" guys and "my" team.
Now I am sure all non-sports fans are thinking "so what? whats the big deal?" but let me explain it to you. First of all there are only 16 games in the season, so even one loss could ruin the Packers chance for any post season. Divisions are won, and wild card spots are often acquired, on the difference of a single game. So yes, it's a big deal.
Second, even though it's a game, a trust has been broken. Not by the replacement refs (who are just pawns in this awful mess), but by the owners, and Roger Goodell. I don't care if it's about football, or anything else, when a person or party you trust and respect breaks their promise to you, and goes back on their word, it becomes personal. I'm not so upset for myself. But I feel especially protective of my team, and they guys on it. I hate that MY Packers have to play on in this mess. I hate that they went back on the field for the final point after. Shame on whoever in the Packers management made them do it. I'd rather the Packers maintain their integrity than show supposed "class" by participating in something everyone and god knew was wrong. It was insulting to me and most importantly to them.
Across the NFL all our players are being forced to participate in a game that is no longer fair, and they have no choice but to accept decisions made by people who are unqualified and indisputably WRONG. Never should we bow to what is wrong, I don't care who says it, or what the situation is. Not in politics, not in personal life, not in football. If it's wrong it's wrong. Period. I don't think the Packers players should accept the loss just because a ref didn't understand the rules. It was the wrong call, it was unjust, and they should not be compelled by their owners or contracts to go along with something that goes explicitly against the rules stated by the governing entity they are employed by. What kind of example does that set for the millions of kids who watch their favorite team every Sunday? What does that make them think about their role models when they see some of them accept without comment what they shouldn't, while others, clearly cheating, take credit for something they didn't do? There is a principle being trampled on here, in front of millions of people, and I think it's a discredit to everyone involved, and horribly insulting to the players and coaches to even ask them to keep playing under the circumstances. The more I think about it, the more angry I get. It's like the NFL has become some kind of weird dictatorship funded by greedy, selfish men, ruled over by Goodell, and enforced by incompetent and unqualified generals, and no one has any choice but to bow down to them, keep their mouth shut and keep playing. For those of us who love the game it is a devastating blow to the integrity of something that we trusted and admired, and it has destroyed the essence of what the NFL is about.
The Pack worked hard to come back, and we won the game fair and square with a glorious interception at the last second! I can't even even begin to understand how the NFL is still justifying it's position that the Seattle won. They know they are wrong, EVERYBODY knows they are wrong, but they are not going to take responsibility for it. Roger Goodell had a chance when they released their official statement this morning, and he failed to do the right thing. And maybe that is what angers me the most, that those with the authority  are not owning up to their responsibility. The right thing to do is for the NFL to get the real refs back on the field, have a press conference and apologize to ALL of the players, coaches, and fans (particularly kids), and to officially to recall the win by Seattle and rightfully award it to the Packers. In my opinion, that is the ONLY way they can fix this and retain any integrity. I know it would be unprecedented, but you know what? So is a quarterback winning a game by throwing an interception in the end zone. So is the NFL releasing a statement saying that the call was correct, when it clearly wasn't. Two wrongs don't make a right, and the NFL should be ashamed for lying to the fans to cover up their mess. How can they expect players to take ownership of their mistakes (i.e. the Saints bounty scandal) if the Big Shots won't take responsibility for theirs? How can it justify fining players for breaking the rules (like not wearing NFL licensed merchandise in post game interviews, or tweeting out against the NFL) but turn a blind eye to the multitude of rules that have been wrongly called and enforced by their own hired referees? It's ludicrous. The NFL ownership has become an untrustworthy band of hypocrites, with Roger Goodell as their front man and it disgusts me.

It's like this. How would we feel if suddenly every cop in the country was replaced with shopping mall security guards? AND they had no accountability to the law other than their own personal understanding of what it is. AND they got to be judge and jury and there was no recourse for those accused once the verdict had been made against us? AND the government wouldn't step in to free us even though they know we wrongly accused?!? WTF? Surely we can all see that would be a grievous crime against us all. And I feel pretty certain that none of us would sit back idly and let it happen. Well, that is what the NFL is doing, and getting away with it!
But what to do? I'd boycott watching the games, but it's not our players and coaches who have let us down. Still maybe it's the right thing to do. The coaches and players are stuck, but we as fans could maybe do something if we could just stick together and stand in solidarity. As long as the owners are making money they don't care whether what is happening is right or wrong. But if we could all collectively impact their profits, maybe that would get their attention. It would be a beautiful thing if all the fans from all 32 teams found a way to stand together to defend OUR game and OUR players against blatant injustice. I've often wished I could really be part of the team. I'm sure a lot of other fans have too. Well, maybe it's finally our chance to contribute. I just wish I knew how.
I know it may seem like I'm overreacting and I guess it's your right to have that opinion. But here's the thing. If you mess with my family, or my football team, know that I will defend them until you and I both draw our last breath. And know that yours will probably be coming first.

P.S. Just for the record, I do not accept last nights game as a  Packers loss. I don't care what anyone says. It will always and forever go down in my books as a glorious comeback for an AWESOME last second interception and win. I'm proud of ALL the guys for playing a great second half, for never giving up, and for sealing an amazing victory in the end. Well done boys!!!

Autumn Equinox

I haven't posted any blogs during my vacation because I have been way too busy enjoying it. But on the eve of my return trip home I find myself snuggled up in a booth at Panera, in the middle of a torrential downpour and fantastic South Florida thunder storm, with nothing better to do with myself than write.
It's funny to me that fall for me, the real "official" one, is starting out in such a dramatic and unexpected way, but I'm loving it! The storm is awesome, and just the kind of...intensity that reflects the energy bubbling up inside of me at the thought of Autumn. It's wonderful. 
There are other places in the U.S. that might have better weather, or sandier beaches, or more sunshine, but I have never in my life been anywhere that rivals the magnificent storms that frequent the South Florida coast. I'm glad I get to enjoy one before I leave.
Up until last night we hadn't had much bad weather here, but around 5:00 pm smoldering grey clouds appeared on the horizon, and within an hour it was raining so hard I could barely see five feet in front of me. It's been storming on and off ever since, and I love it! 
Sure I'm missing out on a last day at the beach or pool, but I don't mind. I got my tan, and I swam in the ocean (twice), I saw a jelly fish, collected a few shells, and built a sand castle, so all the boxes have been checked and I'm content to sit inside and watch the rain.
In the end, I really can't think of a better way to spend my last day of vacation, and my last day in Florida. It's both a beautiful ending, and a wonderful beginning all wrapped into one furious storm.
It's glorious! Happy Autumn Equinox everyone!!!

Week 1: Packers vs. Niners

Clay Matthews sacks Alex Smith.

After the game last Sunday I was sitting on the couch thinking to myself "I've been waiting months for this?"
First of all I'd like to talk about the replacement officials. Basically they sucked. I know it's not their fault, but really? We need our regular guys back. I want Ed Hochuli! The refing was not (necessarily) the reason I think we lost, since there were bad calls both in our favor and against us, but I will say this. I think the game plan was to start out fast. I saw Rodgers try to go into the no-huddle a few times in the first quarter, and every time the game was stopped for some reason. And I think that just threw the whole offense off. They lost their plan, and were trying to make up a new one on the fly. The flags were comming out late, and calls were being made and then retracted. I was calling penalties from my couch faster than they were being made on the field! That's frustrating to me, so I can only imagine how bad it must be for players and coaches. Like I said it's not the ref's fault that they don't know what they are doing, it just makes for some really awful football.
OK, but onward.
The offense wasn't great. Maybe it's because they got thrown off, but then maybe not. Despite the addition of Cedric Benson our run game is still non-existent. He rushed 8 times for like 19 yards or something. Rodgers got more ground yardage. So...I don't know how that's going to pan out. It's true the the Niners D was best in the NFL last year against the run, so maybe it's not so much that we are bad as it was that they were just really, really good. As for receivers, Jennings had a couple good plays, Cobb had another great night (although his return for TD should have been called back). Finely is back, and I am honestly not too stoked about him. He just rubs me the wrong way, and he had so many drops last year. I hope I'm wrong, but I'm not sure I trust him to play consistently.
Rodgers threw an interception...He only had 6 in all of last year, so hopefully it was a fluke thing. At any rate, I think he will be fine, and otherwise when he could, I thought he made nice plays. He didn't have a great game, but it wasn't terrible either.
The front 7 did OK, but not great. AR was sacked a few times, and hurried and otherwise harassed much more than I would like to see. Especially since he goes down field a lot, he needs to have enough time in the pocket for his receivers to get there.
Moving on to the defense. Again not great. The middle of the field is like...the Bermuda Triangle for the Packers D. There is just always weird things going on, and they just can't make the tackles. I am still so pissed we let Cullen Jenkens go. I knew as soon as I heard it, we would regret it. We lost Nick Collins last year, and now Desmond Bishop is injured. I don't know what needs to happen, but whatever they have set up now is not working. Jarret Bush is not the right guy to have at cornerback I don't think, and I have this feeling like the defense is playing to deep for some reason. Like they are afraid of the hail Mary for a TD, but they are letting all the short yardage passes go.
I will say that I thought A.J. Hawk had a nice game. He made a bunch of great tackles. I think he missed a few too, but I'm trying to be "the glass is half full". Also I thought Matthews had a nice game. 2.5 sacks! He only had 6 all of last year. I am always amazed at how hard he works on every down. You can just see that he gives it his all. It paid off in that game. He was the only highlight in the game as far as I am concerned....well, maybe him and Cobb.
Anyway, it was a disappointing loss. I was pretty bummed out too, because if anything they seem worse than last year, but maybe it was just an off game because of the officiating. I don't know, and it's too soon to tell. Hopefully everything gets sorted out and we get a win against the Bears tomorrow!
Either way I'll still be cheering for the Pack. They are like family. You might not always love what they do, but you stand behind them no matter what.

Found the photo here. 
A  great photographer with a bunch of other shots from the game! If you are interested you should take a look.

What's It Worth To You?

One of the victims. (borrowed from LA Times website)

I don't consider myself a "tree hugger", but I am still pretty appalled by the fact that 400 trees are going to be cut down along the streets of LA to make room for the Space Shuttle Endeavour to get from wherever it is now to it's new home at the California Science Center. As if LA isn't ugly enough, now it's going to have 400 fewer trees.
Not 10 or 35, or a hundred even, but 400 trees, many of which are older growth trees. The plan is to plant twice as many more to make up for cutting them down. But I'll tell you, if someone came down my street and told me they were going to cut down the beautiful, shady, gigantic trees in front of my house, and plant two little saplings in place of each one, I would still be devastated. I'd be heart broken. Trees make ugly places pretty, and give a little relief to the endless miles of concrete. I just can't wrap my head around it.
I'm not saying that it wouldn't be awesome to have the shuttle at the Science Center, I'm just saying I feel like there has to be another way, and if there's not that it's not worth cutting down 400 trees. Why not cut the wings off the shuttle (which is not alive and converting CO2 into oxygen) and re-attach them at the science center? I don't think there are any plans to make it fly again, so what would be the big deal? Sure it would be a bunch of labor, but so would planting 800 trees I think.
Anyway, I don't know why this irks me so. It just does.

A Bold Prediction

I was at Chili's the other day and they had this thing where you could donate to St. Jude's Research Hospital, and they gave you a chili pepper to color in. So I did one. I know, it's a bold prediction, but....well, sometimes you just gotta be bold!

Pre-Season Week Four

I just realized I forgot to write about the last pre-season game!
As expected the starters hardly played. Even so B.J Raji managed to get hurt. Not good. Luckily I don't think it's too severe, but you never know. These kinds of injuries can resurface again and again throughout the season and be a real pain in the butt.
What about Graham Harrell?!? I couldn't believe how good he was. It was like night and day from his other performances. It was hard to believe he was even the same guy. Which leads me to two theories I have, both involving aliens. Either a.) He really is an awesome QB but was abducted by aliens for the first three weeks of the season, replaced with a less than savvy "clone", and was only returned to us for game four, or b.) He's a crappy QB, was only abducted last week, and replaced with a super awesome alien clone for week four. I still can't decide which I think it the correct answer. Either way he was awesome. Very Rodgers/ Matt Flynn in his passes and rhythm. I was really impressed. Maybe he did so well because his job was on the line?
There were 4 receivers fighting for one spot, and while I thought they all did great, I am glad the Packers chose Boykin (#11)....Didn't I tell you they would? I knew it! Like I said, the other guys did a really good job, but I think McCarthy made the right choice.
Also McMillian, with his punt block has been impressive all pre-season. I have a good feeling about him, and I look forward to seeing what he's got.
Sam Shields got a nice interception. He hasn't been doing much, but it's good to see him in action. He was great our Super Bowl year.
To be honest, I can't really remember if there were any more highlights I wanted to mention...I guess not.
But before I go, I do have to comment on all the pre-season facial hair I saw on the guys Thursday. Rodgers rocking the handlebar, Bulaga, Lang...all different 'stache styles...Love it. I look forward to it every year!
Also, I saw a video of the "Annual Packers Luncheon" and a bunch of the guys went cowboy style. Again, I love it. Rodgers looked really sharp in his all black outfit. He makes for a very good looking cowboy it turns out. And I loved John Kuhns old style bankers hat. LOL. I love that my Packers like to dress up as much as I do;) All photo's borrowed from Packers.com.

Brian Bulaga Big man, tiny hat.

Detrich-Smith (no relation)

Kuuuuhn!

ARod

Jeff Saturday

I do not get this at all.

Grapefruit Juice for Free!

I had the opportunity this weekend to take as many grapefruits as I wanted from a tree that was practically FULL of them. I don't have any fruit trees of my own, and so I was really excited about it. Plus I happen to love grapefruit. So, I collected 7 or so bags of the delicious juicy fruit! Ha ha...I am serious! They were all over my kitchen and back patio...everywhere! I went through about 150 grapefruits, and ended up with around 5 gallons of juice. I have grapefruit juice on every shelf in my refrigerator, some in my freezer, and I gave some away. My kitchen floor and the counter were sticky for two days, and still my house smells like a Jamba Juice! It was awesome! I decided to juice them because there were way too many just to keep, and some were bruised from falling out of the tree. That took a bit of time, and like I said was a little messy, but it was worth it. And I really enjoyed picking some the fruit off the tree, (especially since the owners of the tree just throw them away). It was so enjoyable...well, except for the thorns. It's just so amazing to me that a tree can make something so tasty you know? What an amazing world we live in! 

Color ME Rad

So I did my first 5k this weekend! I was really excited, and a little nervous. Not that it was so far, but...I don't know. I usually don't run with other people, and I kept thinking what if I fall behind. I got up about 20 times the night before to drink water, convinced I would be dehydrated or get a cramp or something.
BUT it turns out all my worrying was for nothing (as it most often is). First of all a 5k is only 3 miles...well, 3.1 miles actually. I run more than twice that almost every day. Second, it was more of a fun family event than a serious race, so while I wasn't one of the first runners to cross the finish line, I was definitely not the last either. It took me about 30 minutes. And I was more than able to keep up with the two guys I was running with.
The best part was getting covered from head to toe in bright beautiful colors along the way. There was yellow, green, pink, blue, purple...and at the finish line there was a little bit of everything all mixed together. I'll try to post more photo's later, but here are a couple from my phone.

Pre-Race and Sparkling Clean

Self Portrait While Running

At the Finish Line (with colors in my eyes)!

Autumn Tidings

As I mentioned before, my Autumn Season began last Thursday! So one of my "chores" this weekend was to put out all my fall decorations. I didn't buy much new stuff, just a couple candles and a rug, because all my old decorations still get the job done. This summer was great, but I am ready for some pretty leaves and cooler days. Hope you all are as excited as I am for the upcoming season! Yay! Happy Fall!!!