What Is Your Favorite Whine?

Can it be, "I want to go to Miami!," or "Are We there yet?," "How Soon?," Well, yesterday 3-27-2010, ours was I WANT TO GO TO "WINE ON THE LAKE!'' It was held at Erie Convention Center on the bay front. It was my first time to attend. This was my Christmas present to my brother Phil. he had made a comment way back around thanksgiving that he was thinking about getting a ticket to check it out. I had figured, No brainer what to get him for Christmas. Alas he had to wait another 3 months to actually experience his present. I hope that the wait was worth while for him.

Also attending were my friends Margie and Bert. Plans were made, and we planned on going together as a group. We decided on dinner first. Going to a wine tasting, did not want to go on an empty stomach. We decided to give us time, to meet for dinner at 4 PM. Wine tasting was to start at 6 and run to 9. Figuring early start to dinner would allow us to be sure that we finished in time to make it to the convention center on time. Knowing that there is limited parking at the center, we did not want to arrive too late.

I do not know if it was because we arrived so early or was it meticulous planning, but in any case, we were finished with dinner by just after 5 PM. A leisurely drive had us arriving at 5:30. We were early! That is so not a family trait! We got great parking, only approximately 25 yards from the front doors. We entered and joined the queue. This line was not too long, maybe a hundred people ahead of us. VIP passes allowed some people to enter earlier. We chatted in line and just were able to enjoy the view from the wall of windows to our right.



Just before 6 Pm the cattle chutes were opened and we were herded in. Just inside the gate, they took our tickets and then we proceeded to get our complimentary wine glass, and bag of coupons, and guide to who was where and what vendors were present. Luckily, since we were at the head ( nearly ) of the line, we got in before the crowds really hit.

In the first ball room, the floor was all carpeted, and all vendors were against the walls. Center floor had some tables to stand at to enjoy one another's company and to soak in the ambiance. Center floor was a small stand of which a string ensemble played music for your enjoyment. As you step up to a vendor, they were all so very friendly. They asked what sort of win you like, and then they would relay what they had that might meet your criterion. They would give you a sample and you could sniff, taste, and enjoy the experience. They were available to answer questions. Alas, that option quickly died as the building filled with eager samplers. You got the impression of a very popular bar with a very thirsty crowd. Do not get me wrong, was not pushy or bad attitudes, but just so many people there wanting to sample all of what was available in our region.



Into the next ball room, this one had tiled floors, and also had vendors in the center space. Some of the center space vendors had more room and more people to dispense samples. Not only was there wine available, there too was vendors selling cheeses, and fruits, as well as vendors selling jewelry and art. There was also even a vendor selling yachts. I guess the tie in for that one would be that you could drink wine on the lake all summer. lol Also, as an added bonus, a chiropractor had a small booth set up where they offered a few minute should massage. Sitting kind of backwards in a chair, your face goes into a doughnut hole and you lean against it while you get your massage. Also, for entertainment, this conference room had a trio playing. Again, there were some tables around, as well as this time some chairs.


In the photos posted here, I tried not to show all of the crowds. Had attempted to shoot around them. At one point, I rec'd a tap on the shoulder with the question, " Excuse me, are you Mikes brother?" I peered upwards towards the ceiling likes to face who had asked me the question. It was a young and very tall gentleman, and I said, possibly, because I wanted to be sure of which Mike he was referring to. Turns out he is my sister in laws nephew Mark. We chatted a while, and went on to sample the wares of the vendors.


We had heard from one of the vendors that the original wine tasting last year was all done in the first conference room where we entered. From what they said, it was very crowded and very hot!. Even with all the room we had, the rooms both had definitely warmed up. Every here and there, you could feel the cool air from air conditioners come on and blow down on ya. I am sure I had a great time, and hopes that everyone else did too. And also, they were selling their wines as well as letting you sample them, so of course, we had to walk away with some bottles.

I've Had A Birch Of A Time

Follow up to last post. As most all of you know, my intent was to have Birch trees. I had seen the material panels at one time, and it took me over a year to find out where the printed material had been gotten. Alas, by the time I got there, the pattern had been discontinued, and they no longer had any.

I opted for second choice, and I did follow through with the Oak pattern. Was not my best endeavor, but, I went for it anyway. In searching for photos of Birch trees, I came across the two here below that most came close to what my idea was to be.

"Imagine if you will, either a larger stand of White Birch trees, or just a couple filling the corner of your room, multiplied only by the number of panels you apply. However you choose, you have entered the Tree Zone."

OMG! I HAve Been Queer-Eyed

OMG! As the title already states, "I Have Been Queer-Eyed !" I had an idea, and I am experimenting. I had wanted to make a change. nothing drastic, but I wanted to do something different. I no longer just wanted to live with just plain blank, painted walls.

I am not artsy enough to do murals or anything, or even faux-suede a paint scheme, so I had a thought. Mind you, I never said it was a good one, or well thought out.

My idea was to use material to hand and put a scene up in one corner of the living room. In my mind, and stole the idea from someone else, I wanted to put up trees. I had originally seen White Birch Tree pattern used like this in a corner and it really brightened up the room, and made a little statement. Sure did break up just the whole mono-chromatic paint scheme.

Sighs, as is always my luck, "A Day Late, And A Dollar Short," It took me some time to track down where the material was purchased at. They no longer handled the White Birch design. Sighs, Had to go to a plan B. Had to find another design. Finally decided on an Oak Tree Pattern. Of the four designs available, the one I opted for was the lightest shade. Sighing, it is still too dark now that I have it up.

Which brings me up to my next hurdle, How to hang this. I had asked questions when I got the material. They recommended me to go to a paint store. Alas, the one they recommended is not long in existence. Some thoughts given to me was to use wall paper paste to glue it up, Grommets was another option, and to not have the grommets show, would turn the top edge over so that the material would drape back up and over the grommets and they would not show at all. This would have moved the top edge of the material out from the wall before coming back down. I went for another route. I went with Velcro. So, if the idea does not work out, can more easily return back to the way it was.

So, below is how the end? product looks. Comments or guffaws are always welcomed.

First Snow In Erie 10/15/09

Not a big thing to say today, but, As I was driving home from dinner tonight, I had noted at first that there were a few snowflakes mixed with the rain. Well, before long, it had changed over to a lot of snowflakes mixed with a little rain. We are not expecting much, but, this was our first real snow of the season. It actually got cold enough outside, that the temperature dropped lower than my low limit for the furnace in the house, and my furnace kicked on. Brr, am not looking forward to the rest of the season. Whatever happened to Indian Summer? LOL I would like a week or so yet of warmer weather.

p.s. The grey streaks above the car is the snow as it is falling down yet. this was taken at about 8:45 this evening

Adventure Day

I had promised my nephew and his wife a special Birthday present for their son Grady. he likes trains, so I had promised to take him on a train ride. Alas, at the time of his birthday, things just had not worked out. I had a week of vacation time, but alas, between families, out off time did not co-ordinate well. Now, the last week of Sept. had been nothing but cold and rain, but, in a good way, that was good for us. I am off from work now, and it just worked out well, that Sat. Oct 3rd, was open and there were seats available on the train. This was questionable because with the fall season, a lot of people go on the train to see the fall changing of the leaves. As mentioned above, with the rain the prior week, and temps down into the 50's well, that made for some available seating. Train was due to depart the station in Titusville at 11 AM. I arrived at the house, and the kids were ready, and with directions from the Garmin, we were on the way. Evan was a great help with the navigation, but, his own personal knowledge ended at Rte 198. We went a bit beyond that. But, all was well, and we arrived with a little time to spare.







I had gotten a bit anxious as the last 15 minutes out of town, were were following a bus. Sure enough, it was going to the same place. Yikes! Well, we unloaded out of the car, and got into the station before the bus did and got out tickets. Not to worry though, there was still plenty of seating available. The train excursion for this trip was the OCTRR, or otherwise known as Oil Creek & Titusville Rail Road. All told, there were like six cars, plus one open stand up car for the passengers as well as a few freight cars. This trip as posted, was in THE VALLEY THAT CHANGED HISTORY. That was because we were running the valley where commercial oil was first discovered and refined and shipped from. Up this valley where the cliffs could be within 5 feet of the car on one side and about 15 feet from the water. All told, we crossed the Oil Creek four times on each direction. This train also had a dining car/post office. This post office is the last moving railroad post office still in existence.





Jennifer, the children's mom, had accompanied us for this adventure. Mike was involved with his work and the school. We were all excited. We found a couple of seats, and within a few minutes, we were underway. Approximately 10 minutes into the trip, the train stopped at Drakes Well Park. Here we picked up some bicyclists. They were going on closer to Oil City. And off we were once again. We found that even though the cars were riding in and original, we found that we could open the windows. The opened up about half way. This was enough for the youngsters to look out unimpeded. For them, it was an adventure. For once, while traveling, they were not seat-belted into place. They could actually get up and move around. One of the big thrills was to be able to move from one car to another while the train was underway. The floors were moving from side to side and a little up and down and you can actually see the tracks below us as we went from one car to another.



This excursion is scheduled for about a total of 3 hours. they held pretty close. For a 3 year old, 3 hours is a long time. We got a little antsy before the end, but nothing too bad. We had fun all along the way. We even enjoyed a snack! At the haly way point in Oil City, as we were waiting to load new passengers, Our engine decoupled, and went a ahead a bit, and then switched to a set of tracks right next to ours, and Then swapped ends and hooked back uo so that they could pull us back to our start point in Titusville.

After three and a quarter hours, we all arrived back at our original train station. They boys seemed to be really thrilled with just looking and watching the model train display that was set up in the lobby. After viewing the lobby/museum/gift shop, we loaded back up into the car, and with navigator Evan, we found a place to have some lunch before heading home. Even got some time in at the play area. On the way back home, the skies had darkened but no rain had fallen the whole day. Was a great trip and great company to go with.

The 3 S's Suite, Sweat, SWEET

This blog has been quite a few months in the making. As some of you may have heard, I will be replaced in my current job by automation. We were first told of the upcoming loss of our positions a few months ago. At the time, we were brought into a meeting with the President/General Manager and told of out outcome. It was not to be because of job performance, but, do to financial. They would no longer in the near future be able to afford us in the budget.

Am getting a little ahead of myself. Let me digress just a little. I am not the only one who got this notice. There are three of us. In my Department, originally there were six people. The three of us were given notice, and since then, one more had been let go. After the three of us go, then there will only be two. I am great at math huh? LOL

Anyway, We three got the notice early. Since we had gotten out notice, five have been let go. One of them being the other person from my department that I had already mentioned. Of the five that were let go, two were department heads. So, a total of eight seems to me the magical number for amount of Reduction In Force, or as it is also known, RIF.

Getting on as to how I named this entry. I gave it this title, because thru the years, I have taken some photographs of my office. First set would be my old set-up, and next grouping would be after the announcement of The loss of my job, and last set, of which I had been waiting to take to show The new automated equipment.

My job is called Master Control Operator. I work for a local television station. I am the person who pushes the buttons who puts programs and breaks on the air at the correct times. This is an overly simple explanation of what I do. It is enough to explain a little of what you will see in the upcoming photos. When I first started at this place, it was back when all the break spots had to be run individually. Each break segment was on a different tape and we had multiple decks on which to air the spots. As I can recall, If a program was short, We may run from 12 to 16 spots on rare occasions.

As time progressed, we moved to getting a server installed where we would load the spots onto a server, and the server would be able to run all the spots without the use of any tape decks. This made the job a whole lot easier. This was all in the time of Analog Television. I was there for the transition into the Digital age. At one point, we were broadcasting in both analog and digital Programming. We were the first in our local area to be broadcasting Digital. At first, was just all SD. Was not all High Definition. Even now, not all programs are HD, but all are Digital.

With the digital age, we have moved from broadcasting just a single channel and co-broadcast on cable, to broadcasting an analog signal and a digital one. While still being an Analog station, were were actually broadcasting three channels. Now, as a digital station, we are broadcasting three different channels not counting doing anything affiliated with cable. We are carried on a few different cable companies. There is our local one, We are on some others feeding nearby communites as well as a cable company in Canada feeding the London Ontario market.

Going to the photos at the top of the page, this was my original Suite. Alas, the photos to our temporary MCO office have been lost. This office for those of you whom may have visited me at work was the small room just off of the main office. All the equipment was crammed into this small room. hence the word in the title of SWEAT. With all that electronics equipment in a small room, it heated up fast. We were so loaded with electronics, that we had a concern about blowing fuses because of how many extention cords we had been using. There was no more spots open in which to plug in anymore.

The SWEET name comes from our new suite. WOW, What a set up. Am learning how to use, but this is all going towards my replacement, but, atleast I will have experience on the board. The Master Control Office now looks so large! Eliminating the racks that had held all the Cathode ray TV units have now been replaced by only TWO count them, Two, Flat Screen units. Even the desk top has so much room now. I will add a few photos below. It has been a ride.




Lastly, I will add on a video clip I took using my camera. Just to show what these flat screens can do.

SCARY EXPERIENCE

The other day (Thursday) I forgot my watch at home when I went to work. I was lost without it. Anyway, when I got home after work, I settled down to watch some TV before bed. Is strange huh, that I sit and watch TV to relax when here it is my job to work at a television station and my job is putting shows on the air at correct times. Anyway, I had my bottle of soda next to me and sipped from it while I watched for an hour or so. I finally was getting tired enough to call it a day. I turned off the tv, and set the remote down, and then off came my glasses and I put them right next to my watch which was where I left it the day before, and I clicked off the light. After a short interval, sleep overcame me.

Well, next morning comes, and alarm clock sounds, and I awaken. Here is where the strange part comes in. I found that the TV remote was on my chest, and my watch was on my wrist! Yikes, and it was even put on the right way. And before you ask, the TV was still turned off. Just was a little freaky to find my watch on my wrist, and remote sitting on my chest.