What a trip!

My family recently took one of the good old fashioned style road trips.  We got to see and do lots of incredible things.

We went to several different attractions including zoos, museums, and even a race track.  We hit several cities in the Gulf Coast states including Pensacola, Mobile, and New Orleans.

I plan on going into more details on the specific locations we stopped in future blogs, but until then just know it was fun and a definite area to visit.

Discipling students for saving a life?

We are bombarded with advertising to stand up and stop the bullying and stop the violence, so why then were 3 students who saved a fellow students life suspended?  According to this article, Fox4 is reporting that when 2 students were arguing on the bus, one pulled out a loaded revolver and pointed it at point blank range at the other student.  Three fellow students witnessing what was going on quickly jumped into action and tackled the gun wielding student.

The article goes onto say from several witnesses and parents, that the actions of the three students saved one life and likely others.  I cannot figure out why these students have been suspended, there is no reason for it, in fact we should be throwing them a parade.

The suspect's charges also leaving me scratching my head.  He is being charged with possession of a firearm on school property and assault with a deadly weapon WITHOUT intent to kill.  Without?  He had a loaded revolver that he not only threatened to kill a fellow student, but pointed it at him! I just don't get it.

When Fox4 tried to ask the principal questions, she did what everyone else does and quickly sped off without comment.  I would love to hear the superintendent and school board's opinions of this.  What if these were your kids that were suspended, what would you do?

So I ask, how would gun control laws have changed this case?  This gun obviously did not belong to the student, which means he obtained it illegally.  The public does not need to fear the licensed and responsible gun owners, but thugs like this who obtain weapons illegally and intend on using them for evil.

Tigers raising prices?

The Detroit Tigers have had a few good years and spent lots of money to put a quality product on field.  They have consistently been in the top 5 of payrolls in recent years and will be into the foreseeable future, but the end product is never certain.  The Tigers have decided this year to have the fans help out by increasing ticket prices.

While it may not sound like much, the average ticket price increase is $5.  The cheap seats, which were $5 will now be $12 each.  So even if you bring your own food and water into the game, a family of 4 now has a $28 dollar increase.  Now factor in parking which is about $10 - $20, unless you are a casino card member than its free.  Now factor in how much gas is with gas prices at $4 a gallon and depending on how far you have to drive.

Who can go to a game though and not get a hot dog, pretzel, or cracker jacks? Let's not forget a program, oh and if you have kids and this is their first game, or you don't go very often, try walking out of there without a souvenir or two.

I think that this is just a bad idea in the current economy, especially when the goal is to try and bring fans into the heart of the city. Some of you may say well than by from a scalper or StubHub.  Scalping is illegal in Michigan and StubHub is wrong on so many levels.

I think at least for the short term, we the fans should not be covering Mr. It's tax issues with Detroit or helping to build the new arena.  I for one have probably been priced out of attending as many games as I would like.

I should note, i am a life long Tigers fan and some of my best memories growing up revolve going to games with my Dad and Grandpa.  What are your thoughts?

Pet peeve

One of my pet peeves is the media's over use of the term "breaking news."  The term seems like it is used for every little story nowadays.

When I was growing up and even until just a few years ago it seemed like the "breaking news" tag was reserved for big stories.  Big stories that were worthy of "breaking" into regular programming.  Some examples would include plane crashes, big fires, major accidents,  police situations, and important news like wars.

Now the media throws that tag on celebrity news like Lance Armstrong breaking his silence or Lindsay Lohan's latest debacle.  The media needs to re-evaluate their usage of this term so it is reserved for what it was intended.

I know it seems petty in the grand scheme of things, but when I see the "breaking news" tag I am expecting real big news.

What are your thoughts, do you think it is over used?  Or do you think it is used just the right amount?  What are your thoughts and opinions?

Kelsey's Law... a waste

As mostly everybody knows, yesterday, 1/8/13, Gov. Snyder signed Kelsey's Law into the books.  This law makes it illegal for anyone on a graduated level 1 or 2 license to drive and be on their phone.

Personally I think it is a waste of time.  The real focus should be on driving ability.  How many people speed, rapidly change lanes, swerve or veer amongst lanes, dont signal, etc?  There are already ways that law enforcement officials can write citations to distracted driving as well as reasons listed above.  They can write you if they see you or as a result of an accident and they can charge you with reckless, careless, impeding traffic, and others, so why create more laws?

I feel that parents need to be more involved in their kids lives and helping tell them right from wrong.  There are too many kids that think they are entitled to cellphones, game systems, etc and instead of being taught they have to earn them they are just given them.  Many parents today would much rather be their child's friend than a parent and dont take away possessions as a form of discipline.

In Kelsey's case she was an inexperienced driver, talking on her phone and passing vehicles.  While no one will know what happened it sounds like she passed a slower vehicle, over-corrected, crossed the centerline, hit a snowbank, and was then struck by on-coming traffic.  Do we know she was killed because she was distracted?  How do we know?  What's next pasding laws saying teenagers cannot pass traffic?

All in all it should come down to parenting, if you teach your kids values and responsibility, and teach them well they should turn out to be ok.  Way too often people are jyst looking to pass the blame instead of looking at themselves.

2012 year in review

2012 what a roller coaster year it was.  I'm sure I will forget some high points and low points, but here is my brief summary.

The year started out great, in March we went on a vacation to Kansas.  We were able to see many new places including the St. Louis Arch, Titanic exhibit, several zoos, and a TIV ( tornado intercepting vehicle).

In May, Alex and I went to Sterling Heights to see their Memorial Day Parade.  On our way over we picked up my Grandpa and spent the day together.  Looking back I am so glad I chose to do this, because we all had so much fun and my Grandpa really enjoyed hanging out with his Great-Grandson.

Shortly after Memorial Day came a very low point, I got the sad news that my Grandpa had passed away.  The thing is, he was more than a Grandpa, he was a mentor, listeiner, and my best friend.

Then came September, when we had a huge family get together to celebrate Alex's first birthday.  We had a great time and Alex recieved tons of great gifts from everyone.

Shortly after Alex's birthday we loaded up the car and went on a mini vacation to Tennessee.  We love Tennessee, everyone is so nice and friendly there, I dont think I can say one bad thing about the state.  We will retire there one day.

After returning, we had the rush of holidays to close out the year.  All in all 2012 was not too bad, but it definitely does not rank #1.  I want to try and get back into blogging more in 2013, so lets hope this is the start of many posts.  What are some things you want to hear about?

Arts, Beats, & Eats review

I know it's a couple weeks after the fact, but I wanted to share my experiences. First off let me share this was my first AB&E experience, and it was average at best, but has potential.

When we first arrived we were already through the turnstiles before security chased us down and stopped us to look through our diaper bag.  Also, the whole entrance/exit gate areas need to be reworked, they put them right next to concert stages so its hard to hear the cashiers and ask questions.

Next we started walking around aimlessly, because again I could not hear the cashiers if there were maps of the event available.  We finally found the main stage and my wife and I enjoyed watching Saving Abel and Theory of a Dead Man.  The only complaint I have was lack of shade over part of the area to be cool, as it was hot & sunny.

After the musical acts, we started walking past a few food booths and was suprised at how expensive some of the food was.  I was not expecting things to be that expensive so we ended up holding off on eating until after we left and ate in Downtown Royal Oak.  We did find a carnival food trailer that was accepting cash or tickets and I did the math it was $2.50 for a pop cash or the cash equivalent was $3.15 using tickets.

On our way out we walked past some art booths and I was disappointed.  I was expecting better quality or at least a juried event, but some of the items I saw were not even made they were bought at a store and trying to be resold for profit.

I do want to salute the men & women of the Royal Oak PD & FD.  I saw the FD run 3 medical calls in the same area within 30mins, they were so busy even the Chief and other fire officers were getting hands on helping out at medical calls.  I do suggest that the city make the event hire a private EMS agency to assist with the call volume.  The PD was great they were there and you could see them, but at the same time they stayed out of sight, unless needed.

I don't know how the event faired later in the evening, but I did not see any serious issues while we were there and will definitely be back in the future.