The Best Sleeping Pill

Lately I've found a trick to falling asleep. It's very similar to the time I used a glass of milk and the rock opera, Tommy. Can you guess what the movie is now? Here's one hint...

"But if you miss you had better miss very well. Whoever double-crosses me and leaves me alive, he understands nothing about Tuco."

Dad should know it now.

Give up yet?



Familiar yet?

Maybe by now Peej has an idea...



Now it's getting obvious. Ready for the big secret?



Ta daa!!! Puts me right to sleep. I was going to try the three hour movie and I made it about 15 minutes. It's a slow start. Good movie but a slowwwww starrrrrrrt.

It Was a Merry Christmas.

This years' Christmas was a good one; better than I had anticipated. Everyone gathered to discuss politics and new technology. Where was I? Playing Twister, Fooseball, and Apples to Apples. However, I was also doing a little bit of sneaking...

The family's newfound google maps thinger:


Also, one of the best family pictures I've seen in a while... too bad there are a couple missing:


Later that night was Apples to Apples. Think John was nervous?


And finally... a father and son, bonding over the magnificence of a simple game on Christmas Day:

The Big Reveal

It's not really that big. I just jumped on a train and went to Chicago where I was picked up and brought to Northern Illinois University to spend a few days with someone I met at the safety conference I went to in Kentucky Nov. 6th, 7th, and 8th. It was cool. I don't get to see other schools very often. I spent a lot of time in the engineering building because he's a computer technician there and I tagged along.

My adventure started right away Monday morning. My train was scheduled to leave at 7:35am. I had arranged a ride to the train the week prior and called the night before to make sure he was still on. We decided he'd pick me up at 6:50am. When 6:50 rolled around, he wasn't here. I tried to call and he didn't answer. I called about three times and finally noticed I had a voicemail from him at 2:30am. "Hey JP, it's Gootz, call me back." Son of a... I called his roommate to see if he could go wake him up and his roommate, Rob, was nice enough to not only answer the phone and get out of bed, but he actually just got up and gave me a ride himself (Gootz has proven himself very unreliable). With no time to waste, I grabbed my stuff and at least walked out to the road when Rob was close. It was about 7:15am. I'm freaking out at this point. We were cutting it close the entire way and fighting morning traffic into the city. We finally get to the train and what do you know? It's parked on the street and people are boarding... from the other side. I took it upon myself to get out and do a little run around the entire thing and I got on... with about 3 minutes to spare. Whew...

The train ride was pretty cool. I sat next to a gentleman who used to be a professor at Grand Valley in the engineering department. He is teaching at a different school now and lives in Holland. I told him all about my (short) past experiences with moving to California and my future internship... we talked almost the entire way. He was an interesting person.

Is there any such thing as too friendly? I think I make new friends everywhere I go...

Into Chicago I came. (The NIU guy is Matt). Matt's sister was waiting to pick me up. Equipped with a phone number and zero knowledge of what she looks like, I was off into Union Station in search of a stranger. I found her within 3 minutes I think. Impressive?

From the station she made the 1.5 hour drive in less than an hour. A little nerve-racking but I think she was comfortable driving, which helps put me at ease.

As far as the actual visit... nothing much happened. Like I said, I hung out in the engineering building every day. I met his boss. One of his professors. I got to see the safety classrooms. Walked around the campus (it's really spread out). Walked to rent some movies. Not only was the weather bad, but he doesn't have a car. I did a LOT of walking.

Before I knew it, I was on my way back to good old Michigan. The ride back was long but alas, I'm back and in good condition.

Did you know to take a train from Grand Rapids to Chicago is only $14 one way and $14 back between Monday and Friday?

Where In The World Is...

Jay Pee?

That will come at a later date. I had three days off from work so I vacated for a while. I'll let you guys try to guess it out a little. It'll be an interesting post for a later date.

For now, I need to update on a very important matter. I don't know how I mustered the strength to wait so long (my internet connection failed). Without further adue, I present...

The newest intern for Alcoa, Torrance, CA.

I accepted the internship position out in LA. I'm moving!! Here's a link to my plant and what we make:

http://www.alcoa.com/locations/usa_torrance/en/home.asp

Isn't that awesome? On Monday, the guy that set me up with the position sent me a pack of some papers to sign and return along with an Alcoa pen/highlighter and Alcoa 1GB USB drive. I'm happy.

You may be wondering, what are some of the perks? With new work, there are always perks, right? Here's mine: In the dead of winter (Febuary-March) they want to fly me out there to take a look at the plant and get to know some of the people I'll be working with. I will also be hooked up with a realitor to try to find a place to stay. Jealous yet?

Finally, just to warn you, with all of this newfound success I might be the biggest threat at the "Anything You Can Eat With A Spoon" competition. Are you ready for a throwdown???

Exams Are Coming to a Close

One down, 4 more to go. Today's went well. I've recieved unofficial final grades in two classes right now and I can proudly say, not too bad. Tomorrow I have two take home exams due and philosophy statements. Next week I have to take two more exams and turn in an Industrial Hygeine paper. I'm feeling good about the end of the semester and already looking forward to the next. I wish I would have heard of this major sooner...