Category Archives: Blog

Offbeat Thoughts and Ideas

Trip to Champaign

Sold my TV so that I would have enough money to make a trip to see some old friends and colleagues down in Champaign/Urbana. This was the first trip back with Virginia and Joy since the birth.

Had some dinner with Jason Pankoke. He seems to be doing some interesting new projects. I look forward to seeing how they turn out. Also met up with Chris Green. He looked exhausted after a long day of driving. It was good to see him. We talked a little about future projects. I hope that those things come to fruition.

Went for a trip to WILL. It was really nice to see some of my old co-workers. They were really happy to see Joy. It was a little depressing because so many people have left since I worked there. It seems like WILL is going through some really tough times. I hope that things get straightened out and back on track soon.

We also got to see Alison, Joy’s middle name namesake. It was so great to see her in her new job. She seemed so happy doing the fun work. She also talked a little about here new adventures in teaching. She has always been good at working with students while she was working at WILL. It is nice to see that she is doing something formal with it. I think that she would make a great professor once she has her graduate degree.

Went over to Alison’s workplace and got to spend time with her and Tim. I am glad that I got to see him. He was teaching some of his new interns on how to use their cameras. I remember when I was a young pup not knowing how to do anything. It was Tim who got me started in the business. I also got a chance to look at their studio and control room. I have been trying to look into as many studios as I can, because that it going to be a big project that I will be working on in Qatar.

Before we left, we had breakfast with Hank. It was really good to see him. He seemed to be the most relaxed of everyone. For the last couple of years he seemed to be super stressed. Work was really getting to him. Getting out of that place was probably the best thing for him. I really enjoyed hearing about some of his plans for the future. He was always one of the good guys. I am glad that I got a chance to work with him.

Another Good Day

Met up with Doug Jones this afternoon. Love hanging out with him. His friend DJ met us out. Never met DJ before, but he seemed like a really great guy. We talked a lot about TV, friends, life, and Winston Churchill.

Went to the Poster shop after meeting up for coffee. I loved some of the posters, but don’t need to buy any before I leave. I’ll have to find something like this in Doha. Then we went to Bar Louie for a burger. Had a wonderful waitress, who we gave crap to most of the time. Or, was it Doug Jones that we were giving crap to? Doug was his typical charming, good natured self, and wound up with the girls number. Don’t know how he did that, because it is damn near impossible to get a waitress to give out a number, but he did. She seemed very nice, and I hope things work out between them.

Came home and sold my TV. I have been getting rid of stuff in preparation of leaving. The living room seems kind of bare now. Virginia is happy with it though. She hates having a TV. I think that she is really looking forward to making this place hers. She has ideas for decorating and stuff. I think that it will be great when she gets done. We moved in here so quick, and didn’t really finish it up, so it has never really felt like home to me.

Old Times

Yesterday, I went back to Waubonsee, my old community college. I had to get a transcript for the work visa in Qatar. It was weird to think that I spent a year of my life at that place, but don’t remember anything. Don’t remember the building, the classes, teachers, or any students. I have never been great at remembering events in my life, but this is ridiculous. I’d have thought that being back there would have brought back something. Granted it has changes a lot, but I didn’t recognize anything. I am getting old.

Football!!

I am so ready for some football. Bears start the season by beating the heavily favored Colts. Their new running back Forte is the real deal. Orton still isn’t great, but does the job.

Tom Brady is out for the season. I feel bad for all the Pats fans out there. I just wish that ESPN would stop showing the hit over and over again. It makes me feel queasy to see someone get hurt. That is why I can’t watch Jackass.

Favre won his first game with the Jets. Can’t wait for the Pack to loose tonight. They were stupid to give up an a hall of fame QB.

Flugtag!!!!

Went out to the Flugtag today. Crazy people trying to build flying machines. Most looked liike a good way to hurt yourself. It was fun to see the skits though.

After the show, I met up with Laura at Cafe Margot for a delicious lunch/dinner. The I got a call from my old WILL colleague Steve that he and his wife were eating just up the street. Laura and I hunted him down and said Hi. They were eating so we didn’t want to bother them, so we invited them over to the bar after wards. They didn’t drink, but Laura kept on getting more drinks for the both of us. Steve and Diane left after a while. It was really good to see them. Laura’s friend Amanda met up with us at the bar.

We continued to drink for another while, until Laura suggested going to an improv show at the Second City. It was a really funny show up in Donny’s skybox, but I have one suggestion for them. Don’t pick the drunkest guy in the audience to come up and do some improv with you. That just happened to be me. The pulled me up, but I don’t think that I was walking well. It is really kind of a blur, but I had fun.

After that more bar time, and then a trip home. Time to go to bed now, gee am I old.

Northwestern Visit

I got a chance to see the Communication and Journalism programs here at the Evanston campus. It was good to see how they do things here, before I head off the Qatar. I have a lot of ideas about how to do things when I get there. I look forward to helping out soon.

I’m Batman

Went out and saw Batman at the IMAX with Doug Jones. It was a great movie. Heath Ledger is amazing. This was my first IMAX experience so I was doubly impressed with the picture. I loved the extra resolution that was there. There are some movies that are fine on DVD, but this one was really enhanced on the big screen.

This was also my first visit to Navy Pier. I have been in this town for over a year and had never been there. I can’t say it was the greatest thing in the world, but I am glad that I got to see it. I wanted to go up on the big ferris wheel, but I am a little afraid of heights so it might now be a great idea.

I’ve got a new job

Just got an offer for a job at Northwestern University Qatar. I will be supporting the computers and video equipment that the students use for the Journalism and Communications program. It is a three year contract, and I leave next week. Everything is moving quickly. Can’t wait until I get going over there and get things started.