I have made it to (almost) age 50 without a car accident (ask me about that ugly fire hose incident when I was in college-that was the only traffic violation I've ever had). Until yesterday.
Decided to stop off at a downtown Minneapolis retail establishment that has a smallish parking lot. I pulled into a spot, and realized it was the handicapped slot. So I started backing up, checking about me, and wham-I hit something.(at this point I'm not sure who hit who). Got out of the car to be encountered by 2 twentysomethings yelling at me, the usual "didn't you hear me honk, didn't you look" etc. I looked at my car and saw nothing wrong. I looked at their car-the back bumper had some damage to it-like part of it was missing. The guy of this duo pointed to a dent above the right wheel well. He said that was where the damage was.
The 20something girl came over and was distraught. Her boyfriend said she got hit about 3 days ago in the front of this same car and that's why she was so upset. He said we had 2 options: I could call my insurance company right there and admit I hit them, or we could call the police.
I couldn't get over why I should call my insurance company. We exchanged the requisite insurance information, then I called Richard and told him what was going on. As I was in the car talking with him the 20something woman is yelling at me "who are you talking to? you are the rudest person I have ever met! You really need to get a new attitude! You never even said you were sorry! " When she asked me again who I was talking to, I said "my partner." Evidently boyfriend didn't hear her because he said "what did he say." She said "he's gay!"
They wouldn't let up on this rant of calling my insurance company. So I said I'd call the police instead. As I was calling, I could see them going through their car and they proceeded to empty a trash can from their car into the garbage can in front of the store. Wondered what all that was about?
Don't know how it transpired, but they called the police who said we could file a report with MNDrive.org, and call our insurance companies to report the accident. 20something couple then told the police they didn't need to come.
Any guesses about 1) what was being discarded and 2) why they were so against calling the police? ?
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Ruckus
Things have been bad in the Pietz/Jorgensen household as of late. It all started last month when we signed up for the City of Minneapolis Wi-Fi service. The modem, called a Ruckus, arrived December 14th. It was then I realized that this wasn't wireless. The Mac still had to be plugged into the modem. So this was not appealing-I want to be able to wander from room to room with my Mac.
We couldn't get a good signal, and I still wanted this to be truly wireless. So I went out and bought a router. Still no good because the signal was bad, and dealing with the support at Belkin was not a happy experience (think calling India). The easy startup cd was a nightmare. So I packed up everything and decided I couldn't deal with these problems until after our vacation and the whole holiday whirl was over.
Deceided to try again last Friday. I never should have started this after work and before Men's Knit Night at the Yarnery. I got so involved I didn't get out of the house for Knit Night, and I heard it was a really fun time. Sorry Scott and Eric.
Called USI Wireless on Friday night and they said they would send out a super-duper modem. It is basically the same Ruckus, only with an antenna attached to the modem. The new Ruckus arrived yesterday, so I set it up. Same thing. Bad signal. What to do. Called USI Wireless this morning and explained that the new Ruckus didn't help matters. They called back with 2 options: 1. For another $50 they would come out and put an antenna on our house. 2. We could cancel the service and get a full refund.
Guess which option I chose. I must say they were very nice about the whole thing. Didn't have to threaten calling our city council person or other friends in high places. So, back go the 2 Ruckus modems. We'll stay with Comcast for now. And I'll go out and buy an Airport to have the truly wireless experience in our house. This has taught me to not jump on the next new thing until the next new thing is about 2 years old.
We go to another Packer playoff extravaganza on Sunday. (I guess I need to say why I'm a Packer fan-I grew up in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, 30 miles from Green Bay and my aunt and uncle and cousins lived about 3 blocks from Lambeau Field). This time our friends Terry and Susan are going to be making Northeastern Wisconsin chili along with the brats from Maplewood Meats in Green Bay. This basically means elbow macaroni in the chili. A co-worker strolled by my desk today said "I guess you'll be pulling for the Packers this weekend" and then started to throw stats at me-finally coming to the point that the Packers could be the only team able to beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl. My eyes glazed over and I just agreed with everything he said. Luckily my phone rang, and I said "oops, gotta take this." Saved by the bell.
We couldn't get a good signal, and I still wanted this to be truly wireless. So I went out and bought a router. Still no good because the signal was bad, and dealing with the support at Belkin was not a happy experience (think calling India). The easy startup cd was a nightmare. So I packed up everything and decided I couldn't deal with these problems until after our vacation and the whole holiday whirl was over.
Deceided to try again last Friday. I never should have started this after work and before Men's Knit Night at the Yarnery. I got so involved I didn't get out of the house for Knit Night, and I heard it was a really fun time. Sorry Scott and Eric.
Called USI Wireless on Friday night and they said they would send out a super-duper modem. It is basically the same Ruckus, only with an antenna attached to the modem. The new Ruckus arrived yesterday, so I set it up. Same thing. Bad signal. What to do. Called USI Wireless this morning and explained that the new Ruckus didn't help matters. They called back with 2 options: 1. For another $50 they would come out and put an antenna on our house. 2. We could cancel the service and get a full refund.
Guess which option I chose. I must say they were very nice about the whole thing. Didn't have to threaten calling our city council person or other friends in high places. So, back go the 2 Ruckus modems. We'll stay with Comcast for now. And I'll go out and buy an Airport to have the truly wireless experience in our house. This has taught me to not jump on the next new thing until the next new thing is about 2 years old.
We go to another Packer playoff extravaganza on Sunday. (I guess I need to say why I'm a Packer fan-I grew up in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, 30 miles from Green Bay and my aunt and uncle and cousins lived about 3 blocks from Lambeau Field). This time our friends Terry and Susan are going to be making Northeastern Wisconsin chili along with the brats from Maplewood Meats in Green Bay. This basically means elbow macaroni in the chili. A co-worker strolled by my desk today said "I guess you'll be pulling for the Packers this weekend" and then started to throw stats at me-finally coming to the point that the Packers could be the only team able to beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl. My eyes glazed over and I just agreed with everything he said. Luckily my phone rang, and I said "oops, gotta take this." Saved by the bell.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Tough Love
My friend Eric over at http://ericwithac.blogspot.com/ had to practice some tough love with me the other day. Eric was the first person to teach me the basics of knitting 2 years ago-and with much patience he helped me get through my first scarf. I still depend on him and Scott (his partner) at http://going40ina20zone.blogspot.com/ for my sometimes dumbass knitting questions.
Anyway, the other day I was asking him what class I should take at our FYS (Favorite Yarn Store) The Yarnery in St Paul. http://www.yarnery.com/ I was thinking about the class in knitting an Aran sweater. Eric suggested I wait a bit before taking that class. At first I thought he was telling me I didn't possess the skills to tackle an Aran sweater. But when he elaborated, he said he was practicing tough love with me, because of the vast number of projects I have going.
So my New Years resolution is to have no more than 3 projects going at any one time. I'm kind of embarrassed because the scarfs I promised for my family for Christmas weren't done in time, so now they will become birthday presents scattered through the next 12 months. Luckily, we have a lot of fall/winter birthdays in our family. But I was putting myself through way too much torture trying to get like 12 scarves done. So, right now, I am working on a Knitting Pure and Simple v-neck sweater for myself, a reversible cable scarf (again for me), and a pair of socks. My sister's birthday is February 10 and her scarf is almost complete except for the weaving in of ends. Ok, so I guess I can have 4 projects going-the scarves for birthday presents really don't count (I'm rationalizing here).
I also sorted yarn over the past couple of days. One bin has yarn for the presents. Another has sock yarn, another has just odds and ends, and some stuff I won at a fundraiser last May, and finally, the bin for felted projects-I made a bunch of felted bowls for Christmas presents for Richard's family and other friends-luckily all those got done. But I still have yarn for several more bowls. I am feeling less schizo and more organized about my knitting obsession. But Eric, when you read this, I'd still like to take the Aran sweater class.
Anyway, the other day I was asking him what class I should take at our FYS (Favorite Yarn Store) The Yarnery in St Paul. http://www.yarnery.com/ I was thinking about the class in knitting an Aran sweater. Eric suggested I wait a bit before taking that class. At first I thought he was telling me I didn't possess the skills to tackle an Aran sweater. But when he elaborated, he said he was practicing tough love with me, because of the vast number of projects I have going.
So my New Years resolution is to have no more than 3 projects going at any one time. I'm kind of embarrassed because the scarfs I promised for my family for Christmas weren't done in time, so now they will become birthday presents scattered through the next 12 months. Luckily, we have a lot of fall/winter birthdays in our family. But I was putting myself through way too much torture trying to get like 12 scarves done. So, right now, I am working on a Knitting Pure and Simple v-neck sweater for myself, a reversible cable scarf (again for me), and a pair of socks. My sister's birthday is February 10 and her scarf is almost complete except for the weaving in of ends. Ok, so I guess I can have 4 projects going-the scarves for birthday presents really don't count (I'm rationalizing here).
I also sorted yarn over the past couple of days. One bin has yarn for the presents. Another has sock yarn, another has just odds and ends, and some stuff I won at a fundraiser last May, and finally, the bin for felted projects-I made a bunch of felted bowls for Christmas presents for Richard's family and other friends-luckily all those got done. But I still have yarn for several more bowls. I am feeling less schizo and more organized about my knitting obsession. But Eric, when you read this, I'd still like to take the Aran sweater class.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
He's back...
I've had several people ask when I'm going to get back to the blog-honestly, I don't know, and I haven't had time to figure out all the cool stuff a person can do on a blog, like pictures, video, etc. That is why I've been reluctant to post anything.
Our Christmas party last Saturday night was a blast. I believe we had 40 people crammed into our house, but nobody seemed to mind. Food was great, (thanks, honey) and several new people came which made things even more fun. One especially shy person (or so she says she is in social settings) said she didn't think this was like a typical cocktail party-people making small talk, but nobody really saying anything. She said she got into some really good discussions-which doesn't surprise me because most of our friends are pretty political. It also was a good thing that we had Richard's former boss, former Secretary of State of Minnesota, Joan Growe, in attendance. Richard was her chief aide in the days she was Secretary of State. She even introduced me to Vice President Walter Mondale at a Humphrey Day dinner right after Richard and I met 10 years ago.
So now it's on to my 50th birthday celebration...no surprise party for me, which is fine because I get to make some decisions about what I would like. When Richard turned 50 several years ago I did a surprise party for him, and it turned out great-but he didn't have a say in anything. He said he couldn't surprise me on my 50th because it had already been done. So it's going to be smorgasbord and I'm hoping people wear their Norwegian sweaters. Maybe this weekend I'll get to figure out posting pics and stuff like that. But then again, maybe not. Friday is Men's Knit Night at the Yarnery in St Paul, and Saturday is the first Packer playoff game. I may have to blog as the game progresses. Wonder if I can blog and watch the game at the same time? Stay tuned.
I've had several people ask when I'm going to get back to the blog-honestly, I don't know, and I haven't had time to figure out all the cool stuff a person can do on a blog, like pictures, video, etc. That is why I've been reluctant to post anything.
Our Christmas party last Saturday night was a blast. I believe we had 40 people crammed into our house, but nobody seemed to mind. Food was great, (thanks, honey) and several new people came which made things even more fun. One especially shy person (or so she says she is in social settings) said she didn't think this was like a typical cocktail party-people making small talk, but nobody really saying anything. She said she got into some really good discussions-which doesn't surprise me because most of our friends are pretty political. It also was a good thing that we had Richard's former boss, former Secretary of State of Minnesota, Joan Growe, in attendance. Richard was her chief aide in the days she was Secretary of State. She even introduced me to Vice President Walter Mondale at a Humphrey Day dinner right after Richard and I met 10 years ago.
So now it's on to my 50th birthday celebration...no surprise party for me, which is fine because I get to make some decisions about what I would like. When Richard turned 50 several years ago I did a surprise party for him, and it turned out great-but he didn't have a say in anything. He said he couldn't surprise me on my 50th because it had already been done. So it's going to be smorgasbord and I'm hoping people wear their Norwegian sweaters. Maybe this weekend I'll get to figure out posting pics and stuff like that. But then again, maybe not. Friday is Men's Knit Night at the Yarnery in St Paul, and Saturday is the first Packer playoff game. I may have to blog as the game progresses. Wonder if I can blog and watch the game at the same time? Stay tuned.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Yes, 50 really is the new 40! Or so Dennis Hopper says in an Ameriprise commercial.
So the picture you see is me at age 2 and my baby sister Sue, age 1. We're 369 days apart in age.
Age 50 arrives next month. I was thinking the other night I was always the one to hit the milestone birthdays before the rest of my friends. Now that was important when I turned 18 and it was legal to drink at 18 in Wisconsin. I was one of the first of my friends to be able to consume alcohol (legally). It was less fun at age 40 and even less so at age 50, when I think of my friends who will remain in their 40's for several more months.
So I start a blog at age 50. Do other people care what really goes on in my life? I don't know-but I'm learning that a blog is more than just a rehash of events-some of my blogger friends put really cool stuff on their blog, so I'm hoping to add some cool stuff of my own. I've got a lot to learn, like how to add pictures, favorite blogs, lists, etc. But it won't happen this weekend.
Tonight Richard and I are having a best bud of mine from Luther College class of 1980 for dinner. Michael lives in San Francisco, teaches music in Marin. We'll be having another Luther alum (class of 1979), who was a friend in college, now lives in Mpls and is one of the areas favorite actresses, as well as the voice of the Hiawatha Light Rail Line (you know "50th street station, exit left.") Am really looking forward to seeing Michael-it's been over 10 years since we last saw each other.
Friday we go to Scott's 40th birthday party-which I expect will have about a gazillion attendees.
Scott's blog is at http://www.going40ina20zone.blogspot.com/ and you can read his thoughts about turning 40. I remember it well.
Saturday Richard and I host our annual Christmas party-yes, it's ok because the 5th is the 12th day of Christmas. And Sunday we collapse.
So the picture you see is me at age 2 and my baby sister Sue, age 1. We're 369 days apart in age.
Age 50 arrives next month. I was thinking the other night I was always the one to hit the milestone birthdays before the rest of my friends. Now that was important when I turned 18 and it was legal to drink at 18 in Wisconsin. I was one of the first of my friends to be able to consume alcohol (legally). It was less fun at age 40 and even less so at age 50, when I think of my friends who will remain in their 40's for several more months.
So I start a blog at age 50. Do other people care what really goes on in my life? I don't know-but I'm learning that a blog is more than just a rehash of events-some of my blogger friends put really cool stuff on their blog, so I'm hoping to add some cool stuff of my own. I've got a lot to learn, like how to add pictures, favorite blogs, lists, etc. But it won't happen this weekend.
Tonight Richard and I are having a best bud of mine from Luther College class of 1980 for dinner. Michael lives in San Francisco, teaches music in Marin. We'll be having another Luther alum (class of 1979), who was a friend in college, now lives in Mpls and is one of the areas favorite actresses, as well as the voice of the Hiawatha Light Rail Line (you know "50th street station, exit left.") Am really looking forward to seeing Michael-it's been over 10 years since we last saw each other.
Friday we go to Scott's 40th birthday party-which I expect will have about a gazillion attendees.
Scott's blog is at http://www.going40ina20zone.blogspot.com/ and you can read his thoughts about turning 40. I remember it well.
Saturday Richard and I host our annual Christmas party-yes, it's ok because the 5th is the 12th day of Christmas. And Sunday we collapse.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
