Long time, no see...

I got an iPod. Until now, I had forgotten that I like music. No more commercials on radio...no more waiting through songs I hate to get to one I enjoy...I now control my own musical fate. It only took me five years to get on board.

I'm what you call a "late adopter"...wanting to be sure that the new technology will truly stick before I take a gamble on it.

I have been gifted an iPod Classic for the holidays this year. Shortly thereafter, I went to visit my family in Ohio. I hoped to spend time with my parents, brother, nephew and others. On day three, I accompanied my nephew and brother to a "record" store (thinking we would buy CDs or something). Turns out that my nephew is into actual records. We shopped for a bit and bought him a real live "record player".

So, I find myself asking...what does it mean that I finally managed to buy an iPod and my 14 year old nephew bought an honest to goodness "record player". To add insult to injury...he purchased two albums...both Van Halen (about 25-30 years old).

What is going on here??

Small engines

If you've been reading...you know that I moved to the sticks last year. Suddenly, I'm the befuddled owner of a plethora of small (gas) engines. Before I moved I had a lawn mower. Since moving, my list includes:

- aforementioned lawn mower
- lawn tractor (gifted by the previous home owners)
- weed wacker and brush cutter
- snow blower
- hedge trimmer
- leaf blower/vacuum
- chainsaw

The latter is my favorite...as of today. I finally got to use the chainsaw today. With the help (and guidance) of my father in law, I assisted in the felling (is that a word?) of two trees.

With my new found confidence (and experience) I plan to attack the many wood piles and dead trees on my property.

I flew a plane

I took off 10 straight days for the holidays. I spent several with my wife and her family. Then it was off to lovely Akron, Ohio to see my family. Akron may not sound like a great town, but the area in the Cuyahoga River Valley where my family resides is really quite beautiful.

My first suprise upon arrival was that I'd be flying (in a plane) with my Uncle and Brother (who, bought a plane, but don't yet have licenses). Gladly, their instructor came along. We set off for Wooster, Ohio to meet the rest of the family at The Barn (a great restaurant in rural Ohio, known for their salad bar). My Brother flew first and did a fabulous job. I was informed over lunch that I would be flying the next leg (with the help of our instructor). I took off, flew for about 30 minutes and landed the plane (although, I'm pretty sure the instructor did most of the work). Lastly, my uncle flew and took us through some aeronautical exercises including power "off" and power "on" stalls. I'll say that the power "on" stalls were a bit much for my first day in the air. After practicing some landings we headed home.

I'm back home now and have a mild interest in flying. We'll see if this sticks.