Emernation

Hockey Night In Iowa

The love of my life, Monica likes to leave
random notes on a chalkboard in our kitchen. Can you tell that
there's a hockey game tonight? Chops vs. the San Antonio Rampage
tonight in Des Moines 7:05 Puck-Drop. I hope they can snap out of
this 7-game skid against the basement dweller Rampage.

Amtrak 2 MKE

I just bought my Amtrak tickets to Milwaukee for the season opener for the Barnstormers & Chops away games. Several fraternity brothers of mine and my brother are heading up there for a weekend of sports, beers and fun.

I have increasingly been traveling on the Amtrak system more and more. My first trip was in November of 2007 when my girlfriend Monica and I headed out west on the Empire Builder. The Empire Builder is perhaps the most heralded line on the Amtrak system, and it got me hooked. It was on time and much cleaner than I had remembered when I traveled on the train as a child. Since then I have taken the train fairly frequently east in to Chicago for a conference for work and to catch a connecting flight on my trip to Mexico earlier this month.

I have noticed that people are eager to listen to my experiences on traveling on the trails. I think there is a lot of renewed enthusiasm in America for people to travel by train. My companions on this trip quickly pounced on the oppurtunity to take the train even in lieu of comparable airfares out of the Des Moines Airport.

Here are a couple of tips for people who are traveling on Amtrak out of southern Iowa:
* The train typically runs late. Be prepared for delays.
* You can't purchase tickets at many trains stops, but you can always purchase online or from the conductor once aboard (at a higher rate)
* You can bring your own food and beverages on the train. Pack a lunch and some beers, and save some moolah.
* Have a change of heart. The train is often stopped for passing freight traffic. Calm down and enjoy the big seats and new friends.

A trip to Milwaukee in March

I'm taking a trip to Milwaukee between March 26th and March 29th.

Visiting Milwaukee, WI for the season opener for the Iowa Barnstormers vs. the Milwaukee Iron AF2 and the Iowa Chops vs. the Milwaukee Admirals

I would give those guys on Big Bang Theory a run for the money any day. I am literally a "bigger" nerd than any of those guys.

P.W. Is taking a snooze after a busy weekend of guests visiting.

Trying to get my life togther... through ping.fm.

Starting my day off right with Toad in a Hole and a big glass of horchata.

My worldly travels...

Looking down in to the lobby.
Originally uploaded by Brood_wich

Usually I'm on of those people who politely applaud when people win things like trips and appliances. Deep down inside I want to give them the finger. I never win.

That's why I was very appreciative and blessed to have been invited on an all-expenses paid trip to Mexico by one of my best friends a few weeks ago. His employer was celebrating their 20th Anniversary and as a bonus to their employees they were invited to take a guest and themselves on an all-inclusive vacation to the Yucatan penninsula in Mexico. These things never happen to me. I felt like I won big on Wheel for the first time in my life.

The furthest I have ever been outside the United States in my 35 years has been to Canada and Tijuana. I don't think Tijuana really counts as an objective visit to Mexico. After visiting Tijuana I was traumatized for years by the plethora of midgets selling gum. I was much younger when I was in Tijuana and it was firmly ingrained in my consciousness during a visit to San Diego that if I was not very careful my wallet and possibly my life would be taken. I spent those few hours in Mexico more concerned about being mugged than opening my eyes to where I usually was. Well that trauma has carried on to my adult life where as I about developed an ulcer about going to Mexico.

I had heard about the water and the famous Montezuma's Revenge. "Only drink bottled water!" I was told. I was so concerned about perceived widespread and rampant crime that I put my wallet in my front pocket when I disembarked the plane. I was worried that I was going to be imprisoned for the bag of pistachio nuts I brought to snack on the plane for violating one of the agriculture importation ban in the small print on my immigration form. No one would ever know where I was. Tell my mother I love her!

I was worried about the guys with the submachine guns along the road way. Was this the private narco-paramilitary of the local drug cartel? If you can't tell, I am a worrier. A

My trip to the Grand Flamenco Xcaret in Mexico was one of the most relaxing and enjoyable trips I have ever taken. All of my fears and worries quickly melted away at this top notch resort. It was about an hour long bus ride to the resort which is located adjacent to an "Ecological" Park.

Peoria Sucks!

Chops vs Peoria 1-30-09
Originally uploaded by Mark Lasnek