Mikey D

Snow Day #2 for me today. Yesterday was the first and I spent pretty much all day fixing my computer. I have reinstalled everything and put in 2 more GB of memory, and now it is running smoothly and faster than ever. Yay me. And fuck the Geek Squad and their ridiculously high service charges.

1) I have diligently kept to a routine of working out, which is 3 times a week. No, that's not a "hardcore" workout schedule, but I am working out, which is more than I can say for the past two years (eek). I go on Sunday mornings, and Tuesday and Thursday before school...which means I am up at 3:45 in the morning to do my thing. I know, that's insane, but so far so good. Getting up hasn't been a problem and I actually feel pretty good for the rest of the day. I can now run one to two miles on the treadmill (depending on my mood) and do some lifting and not feel like death afterwards. Grace is happy too because I'm getting all buff for her...well, buff may not be the right word...perhaps "not fatter" would be better.

2) My second round of MSU courses have started. Only two this semester, which is much more manageable than last semester when I wanted to die. I can't believe by the summer time I'll have my Master's. I am honestly thinking about doing a PhD program down the road, but I'm not sure if my motives are right yet. The main reason I'd want a PhD right now (besides my pay raise, which goes without saying) isn't for the quest of knowledge, but rather to be called doctor. Doctor Mike. Awesome. And you best believe I'm making everyone call me by my professional title, although I'm pretty sure Kevin will not just to piss me off. At least I'll know everything is still right with the world.

3) Grace and I have started a house hunt, which is very exciting for us. I know I've complained about it before, but I just want to cry with how much we pay in rent. Anyway, Grace and I checked with a realtor and some lending agents and found that we are not that far off and could actually afford something if we wanted to. Now Grace and I have our hearts set on a single-family home, but in order to get that we'd have to move outside of our current location, which we love. So that leaves us the option of a townhome or condo. We've already crossed off condo because it's too much like an apartment, so we're looking mostly at townhomes. It's not something we're going to be in for 30 years, but it's an investment that will provide the down payment and assistance we'll need on our next "forever" home (assuming the market doesn't plummet forever and ever), something we aren't getting from our apartment.

So Grace and I went last weekend to look at some places with our realtor. We have fallen in love with a house that's near where we want to be. Trust me when I say the pictures don't do it justice. The backyard area is absolutely fantastic. I'm not a pool guy, but there is a nice walkout deck and entertaining area that is gorgeous. Inside there is a ton of work to be done (kitchen, bathrooms, etc.), but it's something Grace and I would be willing to do. We are going to see if they would be willing to lower the price accordingly for renovations, and if there's nothing structurally wrong (foundation, roof, etc.) that'll cost Grace's arm and leg, we are going to consider an offer...we'll see though. We are probably going again this weekend with our realtor to look at some more stuff.

4) Speaking of Grace, I ordered her a necklace that she ooooo and awwwed about in one of her fashion magazines (she doesn't think I listen to her, but I hear things...). I was getting it for her for Valentine's Day, and I wanted to make sure I had it in advance, so I ordered it early (beginning of January). I checked the mail when I got home for three straight weeks and there was no sign of this necklace. The ONE DAY I don't check the mail and Grace gets it, the necklace fucking comes. She came home from work and opened the door and said, "Who's this for? Jewelry for me?" Sigh. Happy Valentine's Day, baby.

5) Sports. So the Tigers have signed Brandon Lyon to be their potential closer, with Fernando Rodney as the back-up option. I know Kevin is probably going, 'who?', so let me tell you about this guy. He was Arizona's closer for part of the year, until he lost his job because too many base runners were reaching base. Hmmm a closer that gave up too many base runners...a closer that made every 9th inning an adventure....sound familiar? Yes, Lyon seams to be Todd Jones reincarnated. I am not happy with signing, especially with the influx of closers on the market that could have been had for relatively cheap. I know the Tigers didn't want to increase their payroll, but this seems like wasted money to me. If you're going to spend, why not spend it on something worthwhile?

Michigan State versus Ohio State was a perfect portrayal of 2008/2009 MSU basketball. At times we are wildly inconsistent- turnovers, fouls, can't make shots, etc., and at other times we are unstoppable and on fire. In the first half we played like ass against Ohio State, and in the second we were the unstoppable team we are capable of being. It all depends which team shows up on a given night. And come March...can we be consistent enough to do it in consecutive games? I am happy about our conference road record, 4-0, which is the best road start ever for MSU basketball. Pretty impressive, fellas.

And one general comment on college basketball. A quick glance at the polls and you will see that North Carolina is ranked 6th. Do you think, if the tournament would start today, and North Carolina was matched up against ANYBODY, they wouldn't be favored? The odds makers in Vegas would list them as the favorite against any team in the country. So why are they ranked 6th, then? Well, because unlike in college football, that's where they deserve to be. They lost two basketball games, one to team they should have beaten and one to a team in front of them, which means they are behind teams like Oklahoma (who I think would get slaughtered by UNC). It makes me happy that the rankings thus far have been based on merits, and not perceived talent. Yes, there's human bias in every poll and we can probably pick out some example of injustice. But for most part, you're seeing a fair poll. Even as UNC rolled top-15 Clemson last week, they didn't move from #6 because nobody in front of them did anything to warrant the jump. I like it, that's the way it should be. North Carolina may be the best team when it's all said an done, but whatever spot in the tournament, whatever ranking they hold, will be earned by them, not given.

That's enough for today.

~Mikey D