Radio tuning

I finished the biography of Augustus. It was a bit superficial, but I did enjoy it. I remain in awe of Augustus, above, and how maintained a 40-plus year reign in such a chaotic time.

More so, though, the book fed my interest in Agrippa -- I've always had a great respect for him as being the best friend an emperor could have -- and Tiberius. I learned a lot about his early life, his undying love for his first wife, Vipsania, and his brother, Drusus.

I'm reading "The Time Machine," by H.G. Wells. I was born the same day as he was, but 100 years later. So, I will keep an eye on Aug. 13, 2049.

Radio static

I've lamented the poor quality of West Michigan radio many times before, but, hey, why stop now?

I've had enough of 92.7 WYVN out of Holland. The station recently ditched its live DJs and classic rock and now has all canned material and preprogrammed music. It plays the same dozen songs or so all the time. It's all soft rock from adult contemporary stations. Yuck! And the canned stuff is done so badly that it talks over itself.

I found a station out of Kalamazoo, 106.5, that's pretty good. It plays good rock, some soft 1970s stuff (I like Michael Martin Murphy's "Wildfire," if you must know) and a little stuff from the top of the charts today.

If you get a chance online, tune in to lakeshoreradio.net. It's done by the guys who used to be on the old WEVS out of Saugatuck. It plays about everything with a heavy lean toward 1950s-1960s stuff with lots of Beatles and Elvis.

Thought: I need an i-Pod so I can stop listening to radio!

Dog days

Above is a picture of our dog, Milo. He just came in from lounging in the snow under the dogwood tree in our backyard. He's been loving our lake effect -- another million inches of snow yesterday.

School was closed again Tuesday. The kids now expect the school to close with every flake that falls. Thursday for them is a half day, then it's a week off for winter break. Tough life!

The roads have been bad, but it is February. I'm just tired of the local television stations treating this snow like it's the end of the world. They seems to enjoy growing panic.

I was lamenting another inane news report on TV in which the reporter was talking to police. The police said they wished people would just stay off the roads.

Sure, I respond. I'll call my boss and tell him that the Allegan County Sheriff's Department said I could not go to work because vehicles have to stay off the road. Oh, and I expect to be paid for it, probably by the sheriff's department, because I'm being denied a chance to work.

Puh-leeeeez.

Thought: Again: Puh-leeeeez.

Same old, same old

Nothing more exciting than a headline like that, eh?

My wife said it's been a while since I wrote in the blog. I don't have much to say (new for me, I know). It's still snowing -- another 6 inches or so expected tonight; the kids have been sick (Alyssa down with the flu last week; Elspeth had stomach pain last night); and my body continues to rebel against my change in work shifts.

I'm used to getting about 5 hours of sleep most nights, so now, when I go to bed at 10-11 p.m., I wake about 4 a.m. ready to go. That's a good time to shovel the snow!

I did take advantage of the heavy rain -- yes, rain, not snow -- on Sunday to drive up to Holland to visit a former co-worker who got laid off a few weeks back. Man, that was a depressing visit. He looked terrible, his confidence was shaken and the optimistic attitude I'd seen him have at work for more than 15 years was all gone.

He said he's considering moving to Battle Creek with his sister if he can't find a job around Holland. As he said, "If I lose the house, I lose the house."

Thought: Savor the times when I have nothing to say!

Dashing through the snow

I've been a bit out of touch (but you knew that) since late January -- my apologies.

First, I've been impacted with some changes at work. I'm transitioning to the dayside and weekdays. I've been working the weekend shift for 17 years -- what will life be like when I don't work Saturdays?

I'm The Sentinel's News Team Leader. It's like the old city editor job I did about seven years ago or so. I work with reporters on news content for the print and online products. It's not really a promotion but a lateral move. Once all our changes are complete, I'll work Monday through Friday, but for now, I'm still working Saturdays.

Second, we've all been battling the weather. This has turned out to be a real winter this year. Lots of snow and ice and wind and snow and snow. It's made for longer commutes and more time inside.

Today is a good example. It was about 3 degrees this morning when I went out to knock down the snow drifts on the walkway and driveway. With the wind, the temperature was more like minus 500 degrees. I could only stay out about 20-25 minutes, even in full winter gear. I'll have to go out again soon to start the cars and re-shovel the driveway.

So, we haven't been able to walk along the river or wander the dunes and beach along Lake Michigan like past years.

Above are a few pics of this morning. In one, you can sort of see where I cleaned the end of the driveway. Note the road is white. We live on a state road which is usually kept clear. No gray pavement here! Note no cars. Very rare for a Sunday morning. Even churches cancelled services today.

Other stuff

Thanks to Geodude for his comment on the last blog. He's reading a book about a trek to the North Pole. Seems appropriate in this weather!

I'm still reading "Augustus." I'm a little disappointed -- it's a bit superficial and this soft-cover version I purchased must be an early run. It has lots of typos and misused words.

I enjoyed the Super Bowl last week. I was going to go to bed at half time (Tom Petty was uninspired), but thought I'd stick with the game a few more minutes. I'm glad I did. What a fantastic finish! Despite the constant references to the Giants defeat of the Bills, I still enjoyed watching Tom Brady and the Patriots become victims of their hubris. I love a Greek tragedy.

Thought: From "Welcome Back, Kotter," a joke in the taylor's shop -- Eurypides you buy-a-dees.