The Station

Cabin Fever

It's 6PM on Friday night. The temperature is -3F with a windchill of -20F. So much for that picnic I planned...
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What Were They Thinking?

This post was supposed to initiate the use of categories by being another "urban legend" post. However, I thought of something more interesting.

It seems that I have a good memory. Indeed, I can remember first-hand accounts of events that happened when I was as young as two years old. One of the unique advantages of this, is that I can remember the replies my parents gave to my questions when I was very young. Clearly, they didn't always know what they were talking about, or (more likely) didn't care that they over-simplified just to get me to shut up. I couldn't tell, I was a little kid, I'd believe anything.

Brian: Mom, why will we get to Florida faster in an airplane than in a car?

Mom: There are no stoplights in the sky, so planes don't have to stop like cars do.

(Nevermind the fact that airliners move nine times faster than an automobile.)

Brian: Why is "Ambulance" written backwards on the hood of that ambulance, Dad?

Dad: To get people's attention. If they wrote it normally, people wouldn't stop to try and read it; but writing it backwards draws attention to the ambulance, which is good.

(As you know, it's actually mirror writing, so the ambulance can be identified in a rearview mirror.)

Those are the only two that come to mind now, but I know there's more. I love my parents.
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You Can Try This One At Home, Kids!

The other day I observed that if you look at a CRT screen straight on (as you're probably doing now unless you've got an LCD monitor) the screen is steady, but if you look at it in your peripheral vision, it flickers. The effect is more pronounced when the room is dark. Go on, try it. What causes that?

Don't tell me that I can eliminate this effect by setting a faster refresh rate - I already know that. I'm interested in knowing why there's a difference with peripheral vision.
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Cookie Tree

I noticed this while walking home from class on Friday. Yes, someone really did wedge a cookie in the branches of that tree.

Back In The Box

I'm back at school, isn't that grand (insert sarcasm)? Maybe this semester won't be so bad. Who knows what will happen? I don't, and that's a good thing (I think).

Moving on to something important. I'd like to say thanks to all of you for an outstanding winter break. It was only over too quickly. Thanks again for all the cool Christmas gifts, too, especially the roller coaster. So, don't forget it: you all rock!
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I Hate This Computer

I've been working on a new version of my website for the past week or so. The frustration has actually taken years off my life. Hopefully, it will be finished soon.
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Urban Legend

It's time for a more creative entry. What to do, what to do? Ah, here we go...

Since there apparently is a television program that debunks urban legends, I'll invent a new legend to prevent them from becoming extinct. Here goes:

If you duct tape refrigerator magnets to your television screen and leave the set on for a few days, gold will form behind the glass. Of course, to get to the gold, you'll need to smash the CRT and enlist the help of an ATVLT (Anti TeleVision-Leprechaun Team). The amount of gold is proportional to the time the set operates with the magnets in place. Thus, to recoup the expense of replacing the tele and payment for the ATVLT, you'll need to leave the tele on for about a week.

Alright everyone, point your most gullible friends to this site and let the destruction of TVs commence!
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Spite Conspiracy

Yesterday we decided to go tobogganing at Swallow Cliff. When we arrived shortly after four in the afternoon, the slides were closed with a sign that read, "Closes at sunset." Now, it was more than an hour before sunset and the Cook County Forest Preserve website claimed that it would be open until 9PM. No explanation, no reason for it to be closed. Stupid Cook County Forest Preserve!

To continue the disappointment, we found that White Fence Farm was closed after we decided to eat there, and one of our other choices, David's Pasta, doesn't even exist anymore! So we ended up eating at Machiano's in Shorewood.

Despite the fact that we drove all over only to end up back in the village with nothing to show for it, the trip was rather entertaining. I like improvising adventures and changing plans on a whim; it makes life interesting.
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Not The Best Day For Titles

The ski trip to Wisconsin last weekend was interesting. It rained on Friday, then temperatures dropped over night causing significant icing on the slopes. If you've ever tried it, you'll know that riding on ice is a fight that can't be won. I bruised a knee and hand, plus bashed up my board a bit. Our frustration caused us to quit early Saturday, but by Sunday natural and manmade snow covered the ice sufficiently enough to get a good edge.

Even though the weather conditions were not to our advantage, we had a really great time. We selected a lot of great restaurants and found a Gander Mtn. to wander around. For the uninitiated, Gander Mtn. is a large outdoor gear store much like a Bass Pro Shop. They've got everything, including a pool to test kayaks and canoes! I bought a new parka that was on sale; it makes me happy, and warm. All in all, the time with Uncle Bob and the boys was great fun. We'll have to go back at a better time to discover the mountain's true potential.

Yesterday, Andy, Christina, Jim, Allison, and I went to Chestnut Mountain in Galena for a day of winter fun. We got a great deal on tickets and I think everyone had a fun time skiing. Conditions for riding were great, but I was disappointed to find most of the terrain park closed.

After we left the hill, we headed into Galena to find a place for dinner. We ate at a place called "Bubba's" which may have been a little out of our league considering our (especially my) behavior. It was a great time though. We learned that Andy thinks the number "two" in a countdown is amusing and we discovered the definition of "blackened" as it pertains to steak. Jim dislikes the taste of Sharpie markers augmented with mushroom juice.

I'm glad we went to Galena instead of Wisconsin. The drive was more scenic and the town was far more intriguing. I even found a couple houses I'll have to buy, or, at the very least, steal some architectural cues from for a design of my own.

Hmm, this post was somewhat documentary in nature. Perhaps the next one will be more creative. With these sorts of things, I feel I've left out details that someone else will think is important. Sure, I could go on and on, but I've got to make it manageable.
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Over The River And Through The Woods...

...Up The Mountain For Snow!

Today I'm leaving for Wisconsin with Uncle Bob, Darin, and Adam. This should be a fun weekend of snowboarding. Never been to Rib Mountain, but I hear it's one of the best in the midwest (hey, that rhymes). Too bad I didn't make it out west this year. The only bad part about this little vacation is missing out on fun activities at home. Oh well, I'll be back on Monday and everyone's going skiing on Tuesday!

Outside smells like Canada today. It's hard to describe, but people who have been there know what I mean. I think it's the combination of the cool air, saturated with humidity to the point of fog, and ever so slightly infused with the scent of burning wood.

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