Skip to the Lou

I'm back in the Lou. Actually, I got back on Friday afternoon, but then I left again for a quick road-trip near Chicago. Thanks to Tim & Jen for their 3rd Annual Octoberfest -- sorry I fell asleep. I was on my way to their 2nd Annual Octoberfest last year when I was deployed to Buffalo.

I've been told that I haven't posted in a while, but I do have a few new posts in the queue coming this week.

I want to wish a Happy 40th to Cousin Kim, today. You don't look a day over 39.

I'm looking forward to "not doing anything" for the next week, but then I'm sure I'll get restless and want to get out of town. Athough, I believe a stop at Rigazzi's for toasted ravioli and a fishbowl Michelob will need to be arranged soon.

I'm looking forward to heading down to Litte Egypt with the top off the Jeep while I still have some warm weather left. Three months in Florida, and I couldn't even enjoy my pride and joy (admittedly, I have a small love affair with my truck). Speaking of which, I'd like to give credit to my parents last night for taking a ride in my ride. My mom apparently does not do well with stick shifts, and my dad had to ride in the back seat. Although, this Jeep is a much nicer ride than my first, I can't imagine it was too comfortable for them. Of course, my dad hit his head on the roll-bar trying to crawl out. It was also an extremely windy day in central Illinois, and a box on wheels is not particularly aerodynamic. I did put the top back on before they got in.

Side note to my family: I did stop in Marion to visit with Aunt Judy on the way back on Friday. I played Bingo with her and several other ladies for about a half hour. She seemed to be doing better than the last couple times I've seen her, and she's still a spitfire to everyone around.

Sweet Release

As many of you know, I've spent the last three months working in Jacksonville, FL (except for a brief vacation out of the country). I'm getting released from this assignment this week, and I'll be home at the end of the week.

I'm tired, and I'm ready.

Do you like Pina Coladas?

Haven't we heard this story before -- about 30 years ago?

At least, there was a happy ending in the song. I think the fact they each felt betrayed by the other is ironic and funny. They apparently think the same way, so maybe they are soulmates (if you believe in that sort of thing).

Hat tip: The Agitator.

Gator Dan's got nothing on me.

I took a bike ride today (a little over 33 miles) on the Jacksonville-Baldwin Trail. It's part of a Rails to Trails program here. It's a nice bike path. I was hoping to see some 'gators roaming around, but I didn't see any.













The following pics are from a nature preserve at the University of North Florida campus. This is right by my hotel in Jacksonville. There are several trails around here, and there are a lot of wildlife roaming around.






Now, I finally get to see a wild gator swimming and hanging around. The sign said "Don't Feed The Gators," but there were some people throwing bread crumbs and fishing lines at him and the turtles. I didn't get too close, but the opportunity was there for him to approach anyone.

Bullet Points

Sometimes, it's the little things that I truly enjoy. I noticed it as I was reading the question, but I'm really glad he pointed it out in his response:

Q: Don't feel too comfortable with the Moss Era. Remember, in '05, Moss's first game for the Raiders, he blew past your boys, too. Moss is (a) as brittle as an 80-year-old women with osteoperosis, (2) as moody as a 50-year-old woman in menopause and (d) as devoted as a Christina Ricci's character in "Black Snake Moan." So he encompasses all ages of womanhood. Brady might be a "leader", but so was Cris Carter, Art Shell, Warren Sapp, etc., and they couldn't keep him in check. Prediction: Moss will be on IR by Week 8, and you guys will still compete with Brady throwing to your shady sideline camera men as receivers. And the country will still hate all-things annoying and Boston. -- Nema, San Fran

SG: Believe me, I will never be comfortable with Moss. My guard couldn't be more up. By the way, I loved the fact that Nema used "a," "2" and "d" as the headers for his three reasons. Nobody ever said my readers were brain surgeons.

For some reason, that was enough to make me laugh for about 10 minutes this morning.

Fort Clinch State Park

This is at Fort Clinch State Park on Amelia Island, FL.

I have no idea what this is, but I thought it was interesting. It goes under the pier I was on and, at least, quite some way into the water below the surface. It doesn't appear to go anywhere above land. I don't remember seeing it last year when I was on the same pier.

Fort Clinch State Park is a great place to visit. The fort itself is a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed both times I went last year (pics below). I'm still expecting to come across some wild 'gators running around, though.

Open House

Welcome to my new home. Someday I may actually settle down and have a real house, but for now you can find me on the air in Cincinnati… excuse me, on-line. I've had the WKRP song in my head for the last few days while setting up this site.

A little synopsis about me: I'm currently 32 years old, and I work as a catastrophe adjuster for a nameless insurance company (nameless to protect me from repercussions from my employer). I rent a house with two friends (who are brothers) in St. Louis, but I've only spent about 5 months total in my own bed of the last 14+ months that I've "lived" there. I'm a proud central-Illinoisan, and I was born and raised in Litchfield. It will always be home, and I still get nostalgic for when I return. But, I have no plans to live in the area again. I've also lived in Nashville and Chicago.

The name Biennial Man is a reference to the fact I change my lifestyle (work, home, etc) on average of about every two years. It's never been intentional, but that's how it always seems to work out. I'll even admit that it's getting old, but I don't see me settling down anytime soon. I really enjoy the traveling life I have now, but maybe after the next move… And it will happen. I hope to at least stay in this job for longer than two years, though.

I've been a long time reader of various blogs. My first and favorite is already posted in the upper left corner: The Agitator (he's been a blogfather to many). My buddy, Scott, has said for years that I should start a webpage. I never thought I'd have much to post -- and I'm still not sure that I will. However, the occasional mass e-mails I've sent in the past have been popular with a few. Well, my sister and Scott's wife have their own blogs now, and I realize that I can keep family and friends up to date with my whereabouts and travels at their own interest. Also, this way, I don't have to force my annoying rants in mass e-mails to those who really don't care what I think.

I hope you enjoy your time here, or at least find something interesting to take away from it. If you have any suggestions or requests, please feel free to let me know. The comment threads are open, but please keep in mind that my grandma is reading.

Thanks for visiting.

Percy Priest

I can't forget about my neighbor dog here in Jax and in St. Louis. Percy is a spaz, but he's a lot of fun. His mom, Sarah, wanted to share this pic. I don't know if Rob is planning on wearing this again, though.

Watcha lookin' at, Pilgrim?

As promised, just giving a shout out to Duke.

He's not nearly as vicious as this picture might suggest. He was just mad at his mom, Teresa, for leaving him home alone.

Throwing Rotten Apples

The teachers in my hometown of Litchfield are threatening to strike on Sept. 24. The story was reported in the Springfield paper, which usually has some of the more, umm, colorful comment threads that I see on the internet. My opinion of that town (Springfield) continues to slide, and it wasn't very high to begin.

I'm not a fan of unions, period, but I also don't begrudge their existence and occasional usefulness. However, I don't have any problems with someone trying to negotiate a better salary for themselves. It's not about the children; it's about a better standard of living. And each person sets their own standards (and maybe it's about their own children). The arguments that the LEA is being selfish is unwarranted. If their entire compensation package is below the average, then it is understandable they will take issue during a contract negotiation. Without seeing the full details it's hard for me to judge whether it is an acceptable offer by the school board.

But, the point that seems really idiotic to me is, "teachers knew what they were getting into when they chose this profession." Umm, yeah. So, what? Just because you take piss-poor compensation for a job you love doesn't mean that you can't try to make better conditions for yourself. I applaud those who try to achieve higher standards for themselves. Also, the argument that teachers don't work that much is one who doesn't understand the entire responsibilities of the job, or what it means to be compensated for those expectations.

But, ultimately, I think these points would be moot if we opened up the system to competitive school choice. Take the tax dollars out of the equation and schools will have to perform (quality + profit) to succeed. In order to draw the best teachers - salaries would have to improve. But, I also realize that many in this state (and country) are too scared (or lazy) to make choices for themselves, and I'd say many of those people also live on-line at The State Journal-Register.