These are the musings of a diverse dude. We'll discuss sports, politics, family, music, hunting, fishing, and of course, all things that hold the interest of yellow dogs and those that patrol with them.
Not sure how things could have gone much better for my first day at work. Here are the activities of note:
My agenda was full all day, as it is for most of the week. I've already got a lot to do, and I won't even be able to get to the work part until late today because...
My time has been spent in orientation. It's incredibly thorough, and has already provided me a deep understanding of the company.
Even lunch was choreographed, and I had a lunch date with my boss and other leaders.
Speaking of my boss, she picked me up at 5 and drove me around town; pointing out things to know and places to go.
I was then taken to dinner by her and other leaders.
My day ended with one of the CEOs shooting me an email at 7 last night, confirming something we had been discussing earlier and reiterating to me how great it was to have me on their team. I know I'm only a day into it, but after a couple of cultural nightmares in my past, this sure feels good.
You know that us here at YDP love the Foo Fighters, and consider them the last rock band still standing. While I've already featured this song in a previous Saturday music post, I bumped into it recently, and felt it appropriate relative to the start of my new job today: Oh sweet ignition be my fuse You have no choice you have to choose Bid farewell to yesterday Say goodbye I'm on my way But in the end we all Come from what's come before So here... I... go...
After being one of the most dominant teams in the NHL for most of the season, the Wild have been in an absolute tailspin; losing 9 of their past 11 games. Their losses haven't been flukes - they suck across all aspects of the game. The most noticeable part of their poor game is their distinct lack of hustle. This team got where it did via its speed and positioning. Now, they're not fighting for pucks and they're easily shoved out from in front of the net. It is gutless, ugly play. They did enough early in the year to clinch a playoff birth last night, despite a brutal 4-2 loss against a poor Vancouver team, but make no mistake, without an 180-degree change, this team is going the way of the Gopher basketball and hockey teams and will be one and done in the post season. Ugly.
Nobody influenced rock and roll more than Chuck Berry. His riffs, use of the guitar solo, and stage presence are still being plagiarized to this day. Deservedly so. The man was a pioneer and a genius. He also passed away last week after a 90 year life, and while his corporal life may be ended, his musical life will continue to live on in perpetuity. To quote Bob Seger, "All Chuck's children are out there playin' his riffs..." They will continue to do so.
Can't make that long cast? Still cast with two hands (right, Fuzzy)? Can't get that lure in the perfect placement? Just whip out your drone and get to catching that big one:
My schedule and the weather afforded a rare run outdoors on Monday morning this week. It has been a while since I've been able to do so - last outdoor run was in Sedona a couple of weeks ago, and the hilliness of the area really made it a task. I do enjoy the morning runs around here. Typically, I'm out the door and on the road a little before 4:00AM, and as one would guess, I have the road to myself. At this time of year, I'm out there well before the sunrise, so I'm often greeted with a nice moonscape and/or a sky of stars. Ultimately I'll meet up with the guy delivering papers (he's about the only one I see), and I'm usually back and working on my first cup of coffee by 4:45. Most of the time, I won't go when there's a chance for ice or frost on the ground, as it's just not worth the risk of injury, hence I'm pretty safe. The only time I was in peril was a couple of months ago. I was running down the road as something on my right which was moving caught my eye. I turned to my right, and in the moonlight I could clearly make out the biggest skunk I had ever seen in my life running right at me. He was making a beeline for the road, but at the same time some early-riser was in their car, also on my right (I run opposite of traffic) and he was making a beeline for the skunk. Given speeds and trajectories, it looked like we were all going to meet each other. That meant that the skunk would get hit, and spay everywhere (including me) or he'd make it just past the car, would be scared and pissed off, and would run right into me. I had already begun to figure out how I would call into work to tell them I wouldn't be coming in as I had been sprayed by a giant-sized Pepe Le Pew as I was sure this wouldn't end well. As we all came together it looked for sure like the skunk would get hit, however by some miracle, he must have turned at the absolute last second because as the car passed, he was nowhere to be found. I still don't know what happened, and how he didn't get hit. He just flat disappeared like Scotty beamed him up. Regardless, I came out of the situation smelling like a rose. Or at least smelling like a runner that didn't get sprayed by the biggest skunk in all of Wisconsin.
With our impending return to the state, Minnesota is suffering from sports futility. How bad are things? Let me count the ways:
Despite being one of the best teams in the NHL for much of the season, the Wild have backslid and now are looking up at Chicago in the rankings. We'll make the playoffs, but our fate will be ended at the United Center, if we even make it that far
Despite having one of the best young teams on paper, the Twins will continue to suffer. How bad is it? Bung Ho Park has a good chance at making the club. I'm not kidding. This team is looking at another 100 loss season.
Despite a resurgent season the the Big Ten coach-of-the-year, the Gophers went one and done in the NCAA tournament as a 5 seed, losing to a 12. Sure, they were impacted by injuries, but holy cow, Middle Tennessee?
Despite making multiple moves in free agency, the Vikings are not appreciably better. Their offensive line, a massive need, was only upgraded slightly, and other adds have been marginal. Likewise, losses of Mudderlyn and Patterson are going to hurt a whole lot.
Despite being located in The State of Hockey, the Gopher Hockey team continues to disappoint. They did make the NCAA tournament, but as far as the Big Ten tourney went, they placed exactly zero players to the All Tournament Team. One and done for them as well?
