Let's do some catching up...

Well, life has been quite busy lately. I guess when you're a college student working in retail at an outdoors store during the holiday & hunting season, life isn't going to exactly be boring huh? We were told we can pick up as many hours as we want this week, including overtime, so I've taken advantage of that.

I went out with a couple friends last weekend and saw a movie, then had a blind double-date on Saturday. I really hate blind dates. I am an out-going people person, but it's a little different when it's labeled a "date" ya know? She is JP's girlfriend's roommate. So, her comfort was Ashley (JP's girlfriend). JP was such a nice pal to point out when my voice managed to squeek. But, a good friend couldn't let that joke go without saying I guess. I would do the same thing to him. It went really well. Suffice to say, when you are forced to sing in front of the girl on the first date (we were playing Rock Band), it works as a great ice-breaker.

Sunday I worked, Monday I had class and homework up the wazoo. Then Tuesday Ryan and I went out hunting and I worked 10 hours after getting up at 4:45 for a hunt. Then Wednesday I had school, including my exam, and then worked 5 1/2 hours. Today I had some "me" time, that was actually "me studying" time and I work 3-10 tonight.

This coming Sunday will be crazy. I go in at 9 a.m. Sunday morning and don't get off until 3 a.m. Monday morning. We are doing another re-arranging of our department and dum-dum me, volunteered to help stay. My saving grace is that my 8:30 class is cancelled both days next week!

The holidays are pretty much upon us now. I am really looking forward to family coming. It will be busy with work, but I will make sure I spend plenty of quality time with family over the season.

An update for you...the MRI on my buddy's mom showed 4 cysts on the brain. They don't know anything about them at this point, she is going to a specialist. So, prayers are still needed and greatly appreciated.

Now, your homework assignment. Give me updates on what's going on with you, my loyal friends and family. I know it's the busy holidays right now, but just leave a comment letting me know how you're doing!!

First Snow

Well it's officially cold in Michigan. It was really snowing last night and this morning on my way to class. Nice for now, but I'll be complaining about it soon enough!

I do ask a favor of you. My good friend's mom is having an MRI this morning to find out if a brain tumor is back. She had one some years ago and had it removed but she is having the same symptoms as before. Please keep her in your prayers today.

First Snow

Well it's officially cold in Michigan. It was really snowing last night and this morning on my way to class. Nice for now, but I'll be complaining about it soon enough!

I do ask a favor of you. My good friend's mom is having an MRI this morning to find out if a brain tumor is back. She had one some years ago and had it removed but she is having the same symptoms as before. Please keep her in your prayers today.

1933-1997

My Gram would've been 75 years old today. How I wonder what she would be like.

HallowPalooza

Below are some pictures from my cousin Josh's HallowPalooza party this past weekend. Very good time! I won most original/creative costume (I was a Chick Magnet!!).

Me & The Mexican!

Me & Dan (costume #3)

Me & Erica (Sarah Palin)

Me & Aunt Janet

Shawn (AKA Woody)

See....chick magnet!

Cuttin a rug

The doctor and the patient...who's scarier?

Aunt Janet & Mrs. Captain Morgan

My costume

YIKES! WOW!

Dan & Kristen

Ryan doing who knows what!

Me, Aaron, & Ryan

Me & Pancho Villa

Me & Tiff

Me & Jodee (Miss America)

Jodee's husband Nick (Billy Mays from the Oxy-Clean infomercial!)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

From Left to Right

Larry The Cable Guy (AKA Aaron), Lazy Dude (AKA Ryan), Ben Wallace/The Ghost of Pistons Past (AKA Me), The Voodoo Priest (AKA Brandon)
Me & Brandon

Just a funny little thing....

It cracks me up all the Amish people at come into work and take pictures of the mountain and animals with their cell phones and digital cameras. How does that work?!

Just some pics of lately

Me on our beer run

Me & JP...crazy good times!

JP's feelin good in this pic!


Me, JP, & hen gadwall duck Sunday night

Me & our hen gadwall

JP & his little bro Nick & the hen gadwall Sun. ngiht

JP & hen gadwall Sunday night hunt

Markie Mark- the DU dog

This morning, JP, Ryan, and I went out in the marsh again to bring some din din home. We had two mallards come flying by us, circling in to land. So, we all raised our barrels and shot at em. We had one dead, but it was in the middle of the boat launch canal (too deep to wade to get it), and shot and injured another one....not sure where that one went.

Our dilemma now is how to get our dead duck. We could wait for a boat to come and maybe fetch it for us, but by that time it could be blown to the other side in the weeds. Being a hardcore waterfowl hunter, I stepped up to strip down and swim to get it. I was down to my skibbies and jumped in, swam about 15 yards out and was freakin freezing. I swam back in, dried off with a hoodie, and got re-dressed. The duck floated on.

A bit later, I realized we could walk the field on the other side of the weeds on the other side of the marsh and retrieve it. That's what we did. Why I didn't think of that before I took the polar bear plunge, I have no clue. Regardless, we got our duck. We tried to stalk up in a back pothole and get some wood ducks. We jumped 4-5 up and shot at em, but even the best shooter sometimes misses!

All in all, great day with great buddies!

Fan-freakin-tastic day!

Me, Ryan, & JP went out for a freakin fun evening in the marsh. Good evening, had a hen pintail land in within the first 1/2 hour of being out there. Then JP's squeaky toy couldn't call geese in, but were they ever curious as to what was making such a hideous sound! HAHA!! Going out again Friday morning before work.....great times in the duck blind! Then me & JP went and hung out at his place for a little bit before coming home and prepping the duck for lunch tomorrow!!

One down, one to go....

Had the first part of my intro to biz exam this morning. It was very easy and I feel very comfortable about how I did on it. Part two is Monday. Don't think that will be so bad either.

Went to my law class that I had the test in on Monday. She didn't mention anything about the exam or hand it back. Then finally, at the end of class, she said she had them graded, but hadn't applied the curve yet. WHAT?! Normally, a professor adds a curve onto all the test grades if the scores in the class weren't so hot. We could go up and get our grades without the curve added though. I was almost scared to, because I didn't want any bad news today. I did though. While waiting in line, the two people in front of me had a 58 and a 62. The nerves were getting a little frazzled. It came to me and she told me I got an 86 (remember, that's before she adds the curve). What a relief, I did good!!

Tonight, Ryan, JP, and I are going out hunting. Ryan's never been and likes to give me crap and tell me how much more fun and challenging deer hunting is. I tell him he don't have room to knock it before he tries it! Last night, he bought his licenses and shells to waterfowl hunt. Right after I leave my last class, I'm gonna meet them for an evening hunt! I'm converting everyone in my department one by one from big game hunting to duck and goose! They're both really cool guys, so it should be fun!

The forecast I just heard for weather includes our first snow next week....burrrrr!!

It's Monday...

...and my dragging feet are proof. I am so tired, it was one of those drives to Ypsi I don't even remember how I got here! Last night I was supposed to work 3-10. We are rearranging our department and tried to do a lot of it last night when we closed. Ryan, Brandon, and I were goofing around, I decided to stay til about 12:15. I had to get up for school at 6. Law test in my 2nd class today- then I think I am ditching my last 2 classes that I know we are not doing anything in. But, shhhh...don't tell Mom!!!

Good Morning America!

This is the third time I've attempted to post this....somehow it keeps getting erased! I hope the third time is the charm!

Just thought I'd stop by and blog and say hello! It's been a couple of mediocre days. Worked on my business breifing presentation for Cabela's last night. It's a school project that I have to present on the 27th. It's done now, so I don't have to worry about it! Not a bad project though, researching a company I'm familiar with and like, working with PowerPoint is kinda fun too, even though the new version is kinda difficult to navigate!

Today I don't work til noon, so I laid in bed a majority of the morning catching up on some old "West Wing" re-runs on Bravo. I always did love that show, and wish it was still on. I could always picture myself being one of the staffers at the White House. Nice to imagine sometimes!

Well, hope everyone has a good day!

Weekend Wrap-up

These pictures were taken in Milan today on my way home from school. Fall is really my favorite time of the year!!

Well, it truly was one heck of a weekend. Lots of fun, a few ducks, and very little sleep!

Friday I got off work at 10 and headed straight for Ike's house. We finished getting everything ready for the hunt and went to sleep about 12:30 or 1. We were up at 3 on Saturday morning and out to the marsh by 3:30. We got everything set up, including that sweet blind we built and waited for shooting time (7:11).

About 20 minutes before shooting time, two guys decided to canoe in and set up about 50 yards away from us. Bull crap! We were out there since 3:30! We tried talking to them and they didn't care. Screwed our morning hunt big time. They were using electronic calls (illegal in Michigan) and shooting at swans. Their Mojo duck (a motorized duck that spins its wings to get ducks in your decoys) was attracting everything and they were sky busting big time (shooting at birds no matter how high). Took everything from us. Nothing Saturday morning. We went in about 10 and reorganized for the evening.

Saturday night we went out to state land in Erie and hunted. Ike's Uncle Johnny came along with us. It was off the hook. Thousands of geese and lots of ducks. I won bragging rights until next year, I shot the first duck of the season...a hen mallard. Then Mike shot a drake mallard and a hen pintain. Johnny shot a hen mallard and a hen wood duck. It was really crazy! We got in about 8:30 and got everything organized and ready for the morning. Got to sleep around 11.

We got up at 3 again and met Johnny to go back out to Erie. Got there and started setting up and some guys decided to come in and start setting up at the same time. We tried to reason with him too, and he didn't care. In fact, he actually just threatened to shoot our way (which meant shoot us!) if we didn't move. What jerks, ya know?! So we conceded and moved back to the spot we hunted the previous night. Mike and Johnny got a duck each, no luck for me. Got a teal and an American Wigeon. Came in and passed out for a little bit, then Ike and I went back to the marsh we normally hunt and waited for woodies. One buzzed right over my head after we'd been there about 20 minutes and Ike saw a teal land in the lily pads and shot it. Unfortunately, he lost in the weeds and we never found it. Didn't see any more ducks until after shooting time and two woodies crashed right in the pot hole we were hunting....go figure!

All in all, a very fun weekend with a few ducks. We grilled them last night and ate em...tasty!

Friday I'm heading out in the morning with Shane and JP from work to see how we can do. They're both newbies to waterfowl, so I'll have to impart some wisdom on them!

School was good today. Nothing big to report, just an evening of homework and I'm off work tomorrow. Sounds like a good day to re-coop for me :)

YES! The excitement is building :)

Cabela's offers us outfitters a great incentive program called "Blue Sheet program." Outfitters can check out any item in their department to field test for 60 days- for free! After the 60 days, we can decide to keep it, and we pay cost (which is about 50% off) or they put it in the Bargain Cave and there's no charge to us. And after we return the item, we have to write a little report and present it to an outitter in our department. How great is that!!

Tuesday, I check out a sweet waterfowl coat. Cost: $199.99. It's a 3-in-1 which means it's a jacket with a removable fleece inner liner, and removable hood. It's got neoprene cuffs so my arms won't get wet. It's also 100% waterproof, windproof, and breathable. It's got pockets that are magnetic and stay open to hold a box of shells. It's got everything, literally! I'm just gonna be shocked if it doesn't shoot the ducks for me too! (Well, that would suck because that's the fun part!)

If I decide to keep it, I pay $109. GREAT DEAL! It'll be a little warm for it this weekend, but I can wear the outer shell and be okay I think. But hey, it's a brand new coat for 60 days, and then I can check out more stuff!!

Whoaaa...that was a close one!

Yesterday, I didn't have to be to work until noon. So, I slept in, woke up, did a little homework, watched some stuff on the DVR, and in the mean time, fell asleep! Woke up and hopped in the shower, quickly out the door because I was running late.

I was on North Custer Road in front of Munson Park and the red Focus in front of me pulled off to the shoulder. I just figured they thought I was tailing them close and was letting me pass, so I went around. That's when I saw it....the red and blue lights of the City of Monroe Police car in my rear view. CRAP!

I pulled over just hoping it would be an officer I knew from my time at City Hall. It was. He got out of the car, walked up to my window. "Hey Darryl," I said.

"Late for work?" He asked me, noticing my work shirt.

"Yeah, a little bit. I fell asleep on the couch."

"I clocked you at 56 in a 35, going a little fast," he informed me.

YIKES! I really had no clue I was going that fast. That meant the Focus must have been blazing just as fast as me.

"I really had no clue I was going that fast," I honestly responded.

"Let me see your information," he said as I handed him my license, registration, and proof of insurance."

"How do I know you?" He asked me.

"Well, I went to Pathway with your son, worked in the Treasurer's Office for a couple years and processed all of your tickets, and my brother is a 911 dispatcher for the county."

"Ok, you just really need to slow down," he said as he handed me my information back.

"Certainly sir, thank you so much," I said to him.

Ohhh, what a relief. That's not what I needed at anytime, particularly this week! I guess connections do come in handy. I got to work about 2 minutes a little late. I told the guys in the department about the incident, and on our break, Ryan decided to let everyone know what happened. So, now thanks to him, everyone knows not only about my DNR ticket, but also my lead foot! It's all good though, we jab eachother back and forth and it makes for a fun day!

Made quite a large sale yesterday also. A couple going to Wyoming on a deer hunt came in to get outfitted. Spent four hours helping just them, got great kudos from them and they were just a joy to work with. Both signed up for a Club card. Their bill qas quite hefty to say the least.

Ike called me last night to inform me the handle for the motor on the duck boat broke yesterday as he was scouting. Not good news so close to opening day. We're gonna use his uncle's motor for this weekend. Also, there's not much water in the pot holes we're going to hunt. But the East winds starting this evening should blow some in. Upper 70s and sunny forecasted for this weekend. Could turn out to be blue bird weather (more favorable to see blue birds than ducks), but I really hope not. We'll see some I'm sure in the spot we're hunting. Just could've had more ideal weather for opening weekend, but it's coming! My main goal particularly this season, but would be excellent for this weekend, is to shoot a wood duck. I have yet to get one. And a factoid for you: they're one of the only, if not THE only duck that will go in trees. They are one of the prettiest ducks in my opinion and would love to get one mounted. Will have to wait til late season to get a mountable one though, as that's when they have the best plummage and color. Here's a picture:

Drake (male) wood duck

Busy day today. Slept in because sleep might be scarce this weekend. Preparing for the hunting weekend. Gotta get my gear together, pack a weekend bag, straighten up my room, and tie up loose ends on homework due Monday. I'll be sure to post tomorrow night after the evening hunt how opening day went.

Wheww a minute here....

Hello all, and hope this post finds your week going well!


It has been a very busy week. Working and school are keeping me quite busy, as is getting ready for the day I've been waiting since February for. Duck and goose season open this Saturday.


This past Saturday, Julie got married. It was a very nice ceremony and nice to be with friends and family at the reception. I'm posting some pictures below for you to see. Mom & Dale were in town all week last week, so I tried to spend as much time as I could with them too. It's so great to have them here, and hate to see them go. But I'll make it up north sometime in the next month and a half or so.

School is keeping me very busy too. I had my accounting test last week, which I got an 84% on, very happy with that score. I also had a communications test this week, which I found out I got a 93% on today. All my grades are great, getting straight A's still! I'm currently working on a presentation/ business briefing for the 27th. I'm acting as a marketing representative for Cabela's. I'm putting together a slideshow to present to the class. It's actually kind of fun, especially since it's a company I work for a really do love!

As I previously mentioned, this is opening weekend for waterfowl. Been very busy this week after work and school working with Ike to get the duck boat ready. We re-painted it, built a frame for a blind to go on it, and put the finishing touches on it tonight. We also found what could be a potentially awesome spot this evening in Erie. Also, we saw a field with about 20 deer in it, all does. Saturday and Sunday you'll find me in the marsh!!

So, yes Tisha, I'm still here! Thanks for your comments and I knew I had to get something on here, just finding a moment to breathe and post. I can do it from my phone, don't know why I don't do that!!

A thought...

"Looking for a reason,
Roaming through the night,
To find my place in this world"

October 4

Today's the big day...Julie & Gary's wedding is this evening! It's outdoors and weather couldn't be more perfect. I'm sure I'll have pics to post :)

The wonders of Facebook!

So, it's been an interesting week on the 'net! Mom joined Facebook, which is funny because now she's like a cool college student. Well, actually she was invited by her cousin out in Phoenix (her dad's sister's daughter). So, I added her too, but I also added her daughter who is just a little younger than me. I've never met Marilyn (mom's cousin) or Taylor (her daughter). But for the past day or so, Taylor and I have been constantly messaging eachother back and forth getting to know eachother. That's what's so cool about the internet and social networking sites like Facebook or Myspace, you can find and stay in contact and get to know long lost friends and family even if you've never met! Just very cool! Now I have to figure out how to get to Phoenix to meet them, Taylor did offer for me to come out and she'd show me what Arizona is all about!

Shooting for a B

Thank God, the dreaded accounting test is done and over. I think I did fairly well- at least a B, but hoping for a pleasant surprise of an A!

I was having deep thoughts on the way home today. Driving past the airport, quite a few planes were flying low, landing in. That has always amazed me seeing something so big "floating" in the air. But I was wondering where it was coming from, who was on it, why they were flying and what their story was. Coming home to a family after a lengthy business trip, coming home from a warm vacation, coming to visit family, a wedding, a funeral, a surprise visit? Just something cool to wonder about that I'll never know the answer to.

It's a nice evening here to put on flannel pants and a sweatshirt. Fall in Michigan is here! Have a nice evening everyone!

I'm still here!!

Well, I know it's been a while, but I'm still alive and breathing. It was a very busy weekend.

Friday I worked all day then went to Mike's football game. Da Bears lost unfortunately. Then he had a bonfire afterward to celebrate his 17th birthday. It really is quite hard to believe he is 17 already. Where has time gone???

Saturday morning, we just kinda chilled around the Oley house and hung out. Ike got some cash for his birthday and was burning a hole in his pocket in no time, so we went to Cabela's and took care of that problem. Yes, I love the store so much, I really don't mind going there on days off!

Mom and Dale are in town this week for Julie's (Dale's daughter's) big wedding day on Saturday! Can't believe that is here already, I can't believe it's October already! So we went to dinner with Grandma Hibbs and Dale's brothers to Cracker Barrel on Saturday. I worked Sunday, but a pleasant surprise when Mom, Mike, Jessie, and Taylor appeared in the vastness of the camo at work! Went went to the new LaFiesta restaurant in Dundee for lunch and I came home and we had dinner and hung out here.

Today was a very interesting day, which is the main reason for this blog post....can I get your opinion please?

After my last class, I stopped at the gas station about a block or two from campus to pick up some gum and across the parking lot was a black lady in a long wool trench coat and nice pants walking toward me waving her arms. She looked very decent. As she got closer, I could tell she was a little rougher than she appeared from a distance. I rolled down my window and she said, "Can you please do me a favor?" I told her it depended on what it was. She replied: "My van broke down a couple blocks away, and I need to pick my people up at the airport, which is why I'm dressed this way. Could you please give me a ride to the airport and a couple dollars for gas if I pay you back?"

I was taken off guard. Ok, have you been faced with a situation like this? I didn't know what to do. What if she was legitimate? What if she was a professional pan handler who would take me for all I have if I let her in my car? And the ultimate question: What would Jesus do? I had to think about this all in a couple seconds. It's so sad we live in a world where we are scared to help people?

I politely told her no. She asked again and I said "No, I'm sorry." I rolled up my window and drove away to the next gas station. But, again, what a dilemma. I just had to go with my gut on this one, but should I have went with my heart and done it? I go right by the airport, I could've at least given her a ride. But, even as I type this, I realize that would've been a stupid thing to do. Let a strange woman in my car and take her alone to the airport. So, please let me know how you would've handled the situation....

Busy week this week. Work tomorrow and a cook-out at a friend's house (Sue Fisk for those of you who know her!). It's a get together with all of mom's friends while she's in town. Wednesday, an accounting test. Thursday, work 2-10, same Friday. Wedding Saturday and work 9-5 Sunday. Whewwww.....!!

Today....

I HATE ACCOUNTING!!!!

Wasting time...

I am sitting here outside my class waiting for my professor who obviously has a hard time getting out of bed because he is always late. Anyways, this morning's drive was annoying because traffic was thick and going about 60, so people were riding my bumper and "coming to visit" as Jess says. So I get over and they speed past me at 85 only to slam on their brakes a second later and not get two feet further! Not my fault your butt can't get out of bed early enough to get to work on time! Stupid people!

Anyways, feels like today is going to be a good day! Hope yours is the same!!

Wheww

Update: Ryan left at 4, and I managed to avoid him enough today to not do that all-store page :)

Ahhh...kinda scared!

I am sitting in my car on my lunch right now...kinda bored. But I have been giving Ryan crap all morning about a couple thing (but he started it by constantly teasing me and telling everybody in our department about my DNR ticket). We constantly try to flip pens out of each other's pocket. And, well, when I tried to get him this morning, I hit his jaw and he bit his tongue! Oops...haha! Now he is making me do a page over the PA this afternoon as part of my "training." If you ask me, it's initiation! I DON'T WANNA!!!

Miscellaneous Stuff....

Pop Quiz for people who used to live in Monroe. Can you guess what the following pictures are:

Read the entire blog to find out.....

Today was a good day! I got the highest score and an A+ (which I never heard of those in college before) on my Business Communications class before! That would go on the fridge, but I need it to study for my next test!

"49/50 A+ Great Work" from my Communications test

In my Law class, we had to write a paper describing our roles in life and who our stakeholders are, as well as the definition of a business professional. This was 2 weeks ago, and this is my favorite class. She put the papers on the front table and said that if our paper was in that pile, we got full credit. If not, we needed to see her. While I was waiting to find my paper in the pile, she said she would just call off the names of the people she needed to see. Well, she called off a few names, then (hold your breath) she said "Mark Cochran." Ohhhhh boy, my heart was racing and I was nerved up, feeling about two inches tall.

I waited for her to get done telling the guy in front of me what she really wanted to read in the papers and what he left out, blah blah blah. Then I approched her and told her my name. She looked through the papers, pulled mine out, and looked at it. She replied, "Ah, yes. I just really wanted to meet you. Yours was one of the best papers I've gotten in a long time, from a very neat perspective. I just wanted to meet the person who wrote this." WOW! What a relief and a surprise. I was so shocked, I said thank you and shook her hand and walked away.

"Great Perspective" from my Law paper

How cool was that! That has been my favorite class all semester, she's an awesome professor who is very engaging and interesting to hear teach and talk. She is a corporate lawyer who knows her stuff. I really want to find out what other classes I need that she teaches!

So, all in all, not a bad day! Now, I need to go and print off some homework and watch the season premiere of "Two and a Half Men!"

***************************************************

The answer to the pop quiz: That is the site of the former Wickes Lumber property and several houses. Soon to be the Super Wal-Mart. Demo started two weeks ago and now all of the buildings are gone. The existing Wal-Mart is going to be turned into a Hobby Lobby about a month after Super Wal-Mart opens in September, 2009.