Detroit Leaning

Let it rest

2008-09-22T22:29:00.002-04:00

Clearly it's been a while since I've posted. I'm going to let this blog rest for a while. Life is being lived and not making much time to jot and post. Thanks for reading!

Think outside the car

2008-01-17T20:37:00.000-05:00

In typical Amtrak style, I’m writing this while aboard a train running late. Two hours and thirty minutes late—to be exact (correction: now two hours and forty five minutes late). If I expected them to be on time I’d be frustrated and would likely swear this to be my last time aboard an Amtrak train. But that’s not the case. I understand up front that Amtrak will almost absolutely be late. It comes with the territory and is the product of a flawed system. More on that later.

Why ride the train? Well, my place of employment is two hours (by car) from my place of residence. I could sit behind the wheel four hours weekly if I wanted to avoid the shortcomings of the train. Most people, actually, would prefer to strapping in behind the wheel and giving it a go on the highways. I prefer to use the time for myself and not spend the commute time stuck in a car. I can instead spend the (quoted) three hours on the train working, reading, sleeping, or any other such chore. It’s my time. I’ve taken it back and made it my own.

I’ve especially utilized Amtrak’s services now in the winter months. I’d prefer not to contend with the cold commute that is often slowed and hindered by Michigan’s winter snow and ice.

Many ask how much it costs for a roundtrip ticket. Almost as much of a tank of gas (and I suspect it will soon be cheaper considering the upward gas prices). Not bad at all! My gas consumption as a driver has dropped dramatically now that I’ve switched to regular train travel. My environmental footprint is being reduced each time I decide to purchase a ticket and board a vessel that’s already traveling my way. My train ticket represents one less car on the road.

Patronage of Amtrak also supports a service that (for some) is essential. Not everyone owns a vehicle or has access to one. Some people depend on this service to get home for the holidays, make a visit from school, or see family on the other side of the state.

Some may think train travel is a dying method, but that is not the case. On a recent Monday morning, 60 people boarded at one stop! On many occasions most seats are occupied.

I suspect that Amtrak isn’t bringing in loads of cash. The money brought in from fares likely doesn’t offset the costs associated with its operation and upkeep. It’s probably like other forms of local public transportation. Not a money maker but certainly necessary to its clientele.

Why is Amtrak almost always delayed? From what I gather, two major reasons are at play. First, some of the route is single track territory. That means that only one train (either freight or passenger) can pass at a time. On many a trip does the passenger train pull off in a holding area to let another train in the opposite direction pass. It’s a time consuming process. Second, much of the route is shared with freight traffic. It seems that freight traffic trumps passenger traffic. Amtrak seems to have little push in the fight with freight. Oh, and derailments occur occasionally. Be it a passenger or freight derailment, it really slows things up.

What does the future hold for Amtrak and passenger train travel in Michigan?

Positive scenarios for the future:
- What would happen if Michigan residents made rail travel a priority?
- What if there was a designated express rail for commuter traffic?
- What if you could travel from Detroit to Chicago in two hours time via rail?

Negative scenarios for the future:
- What if existing Amtrak service disappeared in Michigan?
- How would a loss or reduction of Amtrak services impact Michigan families already struggling?
- Could bus service handle the new demand from a loss of rail service? Wouldn’t the bus system collapse over the cost of fuel and the influx of new clients?

You’re right; Amtrak isn’t especially reliable because it’s always late. Know this up front and plan accordingly. Rail travel won’t be the best option for every need, but at least explore this option next time you’re planning a trip. Examine the potential benefits and weigh them against the expected costs. You might be surprised.

An entirely new experience: Detroit’s Institute of Arts

2008-01-05T16:18:00.000-05:00

Have you been to the new Detroit Institute of Arts? If you live in the Detroit area, you must have at least seen the catchy blue ads found along the highway, on your television, or online. “Let yourself go” is the slogan. The DIA went into hiding for a while, but it’s back in incredible new glory. Existing places have been reinvented and entirely new wings have been created. When we first stepped into this place and started wandering around, we felt as if we were in the middle of Boston’s Museum of Fine Art or Chicago’s Institute of Art. The DIA redefines the cultural landscape of Detroit.

The galleries are deliberately created to educate and welcome those without formal training in art. I certainly don’t hold an art degree so I appreciated having the art brought to a digestible level. What I would have once glanced at while walking past, I can now evaluate and interpret through the assistance of the resources provided. A massive framed piece was dissected by individual appearing in the painting. The story of the picture was taught to me. I now knew what the painter wanted to achieve and what he wanted me to see. This art now becomes life.

The DIA’s going to need your support. Lots of money put it back on the map, but you’re going to need to do your part to keep it alive. How?

If you live in Detroit…support this place by visiting. Visit often. If you can afford it, become a member. The benefits make it worthwhile for anyone who appreciates the arts and culture. If you have friends coming for a visit, put the DIA on your schedule for a visit.

If you’re coming to Detroit or anywhere close…visit this place. It’s a must. And then tell your friends.

If you’re never been to Detroit…plan a visit to the city so you can see this place. While you’re here there are lots of other gems that are worth your time.

Detroit’s recreating itself and coming back to life. Woodward now shines brighter with the DIA’s marble additions embracing those who approach. Let yourself go. Slip into the building that houses the art of the world. Expand your mind and take it all in.

GOOG 411 it!

2007-12-31T08:53:00.000-05:00

You don't need a Gmail account or access to a computer to put Google's latest offering to use. It's GOOG 411, folks, and it's here to help. See the video below to learn more.

Kristin and I have used this service on several occasions. It's been accurate for the most part and is super easy to use. Interesting to see Google coming into a service realm where one doesn't need to be a computer user to benefit. Give it a try! Keep it in mind when you're on the go and need a number! See GOOGLE 411's site for full details.

Your pass for adventure

2007-12-28T17:48:00.000-05:00

You go to Macy’s, right? Look at things, maybe spend some money. Would you like it if Macy’s spent money on you? Sounds good, huh? Well read on!

If you live in Southeast Michigan, Macy’s is giving your money back to you! If you don’t know it, you need to tune in and keep an eye out for the Museum Adventure Pass program. It’s a partnership program between Macy’s and libraries in Southeast Michigan. You may have seen it if you’ve visited a public library lately. How does it work? What’s in it for you?

In short, Macy’s is connecting you with many of the premium institutions of history and learning in the area. It works like this, you walk into your public library, look at the museum passes available, grab one that interests you, take it to the desk, and then you get a pass for 2 or 4 to visit. Simple like that!

I won’t list off all of the participating organizations but do check the site for a full listing.

This program is amazing because it’s getting people into high quality places that will expand their experiences. Not everyone can afford the admission price to the Motown Museum or the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House. This program opens up access and brings down the barriers for admission that have typically existed. It’s applied the library mentality of access and information to all to a sector typically experienced with a cost for admission. This is just another case of libraries connecting one to resources that will further one’s knowledge.

Take advantage of this program if you want to save some cash or if you want to check out some place that has been out of your price range in the past. Take this opportunity to support and discover new places. You may find a new favorite in the area. It also works well to plan visits for folks out of town or friends in the area.

And I must say, it’s changed my outlook of Macy’s. I certainly didn’t consider them anything like the evil corporate empire (read: WalMart) but I didn’t go out of my way to shop there. Now I at least consider shopping there sort of as a way of saying thanks for their efforts. The program is set to expire in fall 2008. Hopefully this’ll just be the first year and it’ll be available for years to come.

Help make this program a success. Visit a library near you (click here for a list of participating libraries). Clear some time on your calendar and schedule a visit to one of the many sites available through the program. Experience Southeast Michigan’s finest!

Stay tuned

2007-12-06T12:03:00.000-05:00

The holidays are approaching. Perhaps time will present itself to pull a post or two together. Until then, watch this video.

Contemplating "Cult of the Amateur"

2007-08-20T15:16:00.000-04:00

Yikes, it's been about three weeks since I've posted any words to this here blog. Vacation. Work. Life. I've been reading The Cult of the Amateur: How Today's Internet is Killing Our Culture. It really has me thinking about a number of things. Ever declining readership for printed newspapers. The demise of Tower Records. The voice of authority in regard to information. The danger of amateur collaboration to create "information". An example in the book states if everyone agrees (or rather, no one disagrees) that 2 + 2 = 5, well that might start to sound like the truth. Excellent things to ponder. I'd recommend it for tech folks, information junkies, librarians, curious people, readers, and so on.

So I've been pondering how I'd like to put this piece of online real estate to use. Stay tuned.

Hungry for ice cream? Head to Jackson.

2007-07-28T12:58:00.000-04:00

While visiting for a weekend in Kalamazoo and Battle Creek, it occurred to me that Kristin and I could stop into Jackson for some delicious ice cream. Back in the day I went to a place called Jackson Dairy. It was just far away from my home in Battle Creek that a quick trip could be made on select summer evenings with family or friends. After searching a bit online I saw that its name had changed to The Parlour. Same location, new name--but it looks like the place has been bought up and is now run by a mini-chain. With directions in hand, Kristin and I hit the road and headed east. It helped knowing that ice cream will be had halfway into the journey.

The Parlour is a big place. It doesn't look particularly inviting or appealing from the outside. Park your car and step inside and you feel like you're walking into an old diner. Lots of seating with a white and red colored decor. Take a few moments as you head to your seat or on your way out to look at the pictures on the wall. They help put time in perspective.

It's great fun watching folks go through the cycle of the visit. First they rush to an open seat and then they gaze excitedly at the many options on the menu. All sorts of tasty options pairing ice cream with any number of sweet tasting companions. Then a little bit of waiting before the requested item is brought out and placed in front of the hungry patron. After scooping their way through their order, their pace slows and their hunger is forgotten. Completing the task becomes a challenge.

If it's your first time here, you're probably going to be shocked at the size of your order. They make the servings big. Take a look around before you place your order to make sure you know what you're in for. We found that it was totally sufficient to get the junior version of the menu options. I'm pictured here with a junior version of a banana split.

The Parlour is sort of like a big version of Ray's in Royal Oak. But, honestly, Ray's has them beat for the iced treats. The ice cream at The Parlour isn't not bad ice cream by any means, but the ice cream isn't the draw--it's not especially unique. Go to The Parlour for the experience and the atmosphere. It's a good time.

So you want a library job in Michigan?

2007-07-27T10:08:00.000-04:00

Are you nearing graduation with a library degree? Do you want to stay in Michigan? Such questions were being discussed on my alma mater's listerv and I thought I'd share my response (slightly modified for the blog).

1. If you're looking for a job in the state of Michigan, recognize that the economy has changed considerably within the last few years. It's in a much different spot today than just last year. This changing economy impacts the system on many levels. Graduates are having a tough time finding available positions and are becoming more desperate for work. Many libraries have suffered significant funding cuts and are working with less. Regional library cooperatives are closing their doors and reducing staff numbers.

2. You may not get a full time position immediately after graduation. Funding shortages have forced libraries to get creative in job openings. They may, for example, offer two part-time positions with reduced benefits rather than a full-time position with full benefits. You may need to work another part-time job to supplement your career dreams until something full-time surfaces.

3. Look outside of your concentration area for work. I concentrated on public library work while in the program. After graduation I worked for a library software company in their support department. I now work in the field of philanthropy as a solo librarian. Be flexible in your expectations--especially for your first position after graduation.

4. Don't ask your graduate program to tell you'll get a job. You get the skills and knowledge from the program--it's your responsibility to put that to use and find an opening. Use them as a resource to strengthen yourself as a potential candidate. Your graduate program would LOVE for all of you to find employment right after graduation--but they can make no guarantee that it's going to happen.

5. What have you done to set yourself apart from other candidates? Why should a prospective employer be interested in you when you're mixed in with 30 other candidates? Join one or several student organizations--take on a leadership position in a group. Join one or several professional associations and read what they send you. Start writing a library-focused blog (like Betsy Stoll's 'Second Life: Binary Footprints' blog). Jump into online environments (MySpace, Facebook, Second Life, blogging, YouTube) and get a feel for how they can be used--it could be helpful to at least be familiar with them.

The thoughts shared above are certainly relevant outside of the library community as well. Generally tough times in Michigan.

Dewey's not dead

2007-07-16T18:22:00.000-04:00

The New York Times reported that an Arizona library had done away with the classic and functional Dewey Decimal System in favor of broad subject browsing groups (as seen at most retail bookstores). How would this new approach work? Instead of going to 917.74 for a travel guide on Michigan, you would go to a large subject collection of travel items and browse for the desired item. That sounds fun and easy but it really doesn't play out in a favorable way. I know I've been consistently frustrated when seeking a particular title in a bookstore--they're not super tight on organization or controlled presentation.

The library that implemented this change is led by Harry Courtright. Mr. Courtright said annual surveys indicated most library users came into the building without a specific title in mind. They just wanted to browse. What about the library users who have a specific title they're after? Wouldn't it be nice for them to be able to find what they're seeking without browsing rows of undesired titles? This isn't the best solution--there's a better way.

Willard Library's new branch has implemented a fine hybrid of old school library ways and contemporary use preferences. When you walk into the Helen Warner Branch, you feel like you're sort of in a bookstore--but not entirely. They've divided the library collection into broad subject groups (travel, cooking, etc.) and then organized books within each subject group by Dewey Decimal classification. It is an ideal combination of organization methods since a user can casually browse a subject area or find a specific title quickly using the Dewey Decimal System. The library system's director, Rick Hulsey, has set a great example by presenting a traditional library classification system in a way that is relevant to today's user.

The article states "Mr. Courtright says most people don't know what the numbers mean anyway." Why should that signal the Dewey Decimal System be deemed irrelevant? Such a revelation about the using public should lead to education about libraries, how they're organized, and what they offer. This education can be directed at all age levels from elementary students to seniors. Could a "crash course in library use" be offered to new library card holders or interested members of the community? Empower library users to get the most out of their library visits and they libraries they fund.

Libraries aren't bookstores. Libraries will be on shaky ground if they attempt to become completely like bookstores. The library community can embrace certain aspects (mainly atmosphere) of bookstores but they can't lose their identity in pursuit of the competition. Instead, libraries need to breath new life into their buildings and into the profession. They need to capitalize on what sets them apart from bookstores by highlighting the many unique and valuable services they provide.

I hope that the demise of the Dewey Decimal System is limited to Mr. Courtright's library. Dewey isn't a perfect system of classification. It has its shortcomings. But it's served library users for generations and is vital in today's quest to connect library users to desired content.

Cosi breaks even

2007-07-16T16:49:00.000-04:00

Last weekend we made our way to the Birmingham Farmers' Market. What a delight to buy produce grown locally. Over time I hope to recognize the growers and sellers and perhaps develop relationships! Coffee and breakfast items were available so one could make a morning of it. Live music and running little kids made the scene festive and alive. In the future I must remember our reusable grocery bags and my coffee mug so less waste will be generated by my purchases.

After a while at the market and a bit of wandering we visited the Cosi in Birmingham for a quick lunch. It was my first time dining at Cosi. Kristin and I both ordered sandwiches. Tasty sandwiches, freshly prepared on thin, salted bread. I was quite pleased that carrots were available as a side in place of the standard potato chips. Healthy options can help folks make healthier food decisions! Thank you, Cosi!

For the negative--the place was a mess. When we first arrived it was fairly busy. By the end of our meal the dining room had cleared out and we saw it was wrecked! Paper waste on the floor, chairs situated haphazardly, empty plates and dirty silverware on several tables, YUCK! We inquired about comment cards and were directed to their website. After sharing our feedback with the woman behind the counter we were told something about tight staffing and having a rush. I understand, really.

Update (7/17/07)

Here's the response from Cosi.

Thank you for your Talk To Us email about your recent visit to Cosi in Birmingham, I am sorry to hear that you did not have a good experience. I can assure you that the dirty dining room you experienced is not how we strive to run our business and we know that our success will only be achieved through meticulously clean restaurants. I will follow up with the restaurant team in Birmingham about your experience to reinforce our standards with the managers and partners.

Please accept my apologies and if you care to forward me an address I can send coupons to enjoy your next meal at this or any of our Cosi locations on us. I hope that you will return soon and I look forward to continuing to serve you.

Thank you for your time and concern - guests such as you who give us honest feedback help us continue to improve Cosi operations.

Sincerely,

[name not published]

District Manager
Team Michigan

Thanks, Cosi! We'll be back!

Don't ask Sprint too many questions

2007-07-11T15:19:00.000-04:00

On Saturday the Wall Street Journal shared some surprising news about Sprint. Sprint sent letters to about 1,000 paying customers to let them know they would need to find a new cell phone service provider by the end of the month. The customers receiving this letters were being dumped because of excessive calls to customer service. I guess having a customer call about 25 times a month bothers Sprint. Fielding the the flood of calls from these customers was making it hard for Sprint to earn money on their accounts since they had to put so much forth in customer service hours. Boo-hoo for Sprint. It's a good thing they're not charging customers for the early termination fee.

What can you learn from this? If you want to terminate your contract with Sprint prematurely, call their customer support line daily (at least) and ask really complex questions.

Read the Wall Street Journal article here.

Ginormous IS a word

2007-07-11T10:23:00.000-04:00

I've dropped the word "ginormous" into conversations previously. I always kicked myself for using such a word around intelligent company. I feared the word would be perceived as juvenile or something (yup, it is). But now it's a word--at least according to Merriam-Webster. I still think I shouldn't use it too often. Read the story here.

Open the box: Pandora Radio

2007-07-02T10:49:00.000-04:00

I've found a most excellent way to listen to music while online. It's called Pandora Radio and it's totally rad. Pandora Radio builds a listening stream based on your tune preferences. Go here. Create an account. Then get started by inputting an artist or group you dig. Pandora will usually play one song by this performer before selecting other artists or groups who have qualities similar to the performer you first selected. It will typically toss in other songs by the performer you originally entered as the mix goes through its catalog. You can give Pandora's selections a thumbs up and it will remember you liked it. Make a point to give a thumbs up to songs you enjoy so that you keep the stream going in the right direction. Or you can give it a thumbs down and it will move to the next selection.

I've created several stations that represent different music interests. My stations include Tom Waits, Ruth Brown, The Black Keys, Kevin Coyne, The Mountain Goats, and The White Stripes. For artists that have a distinctive style, Pandora Radio works really well. I'm usually pleased with an entire listening session for The Black Keys. For an artist like Tom Waits the selections are not always right on. Mr. Waits has many unique styles so it's tough for the system to come up with appropriate recommendations.

Use this tool to explore artists and groups you may not have considered previously. It opens your radar to a whole realm of untapped possibilities. It's more targeted than just streaming a radio station. Once you login it remembers your preferences. If you're away from your personal computer you can still access this for music (perfect for playing while at work).

Click on the selection currently playing in Pandora and you can get connected to more information on the artist and album. View the attributes assigned to the selection, see similar works by other performers, and if you're really into it--click the link to purchase it via Amazon or iTunes.

Click here to give it a try. You'll have to create an account but it's a painless process. Give it a go!

Why can't people afford a healthy dinner?

2007-06-30T11:59:00.001-04:00

I was at the grocer yesterday. Just picked up a few items. Our grocery shopping style is typically quick visits throughout the week over one major trip per week. I'm a big fan of red peppers. Green peppers aren't bad--it's just that red peppers are so sweet and delicious! I was completely shocked when I went to select a few of the red ones from the produce section. The price listed below the peppers? $4.99 per pound! Really? How is that possible? I quickly looked around, expecting to find myself in the organics section or something. Nope. This was the "standard" produce. At those prices how can people afford to incorporate fresh vegetables into their meals? How can they afford to put a priority on fresh produce if they cannot pay to get it on their tables?

While at this same store I overheard two elderly women discussing what they had in their carts. The first woman pointed at a head of iceberg lettuce and several tv dinners in her cart. The other woman complained about the high price of heads of iceberg lettuce. Something like $1.25 a head. They seemed pretty shocked at the sticker price. What they had in their carts did not reflect healthy eating by any means. It looked that they are eating what they could afford--regardless of its nutritious value. Will these food choices keep them strong and healthy into their years ahead? I think not.

Limited access to fresh and affordable produce will have its consequences. Our bodies will not be fully nourished and will become increasingly vulnerable to sickness. Food that is cheap is usually unhealthy. Frozen pizzas, chips, soda, and other such things will put on the pounds. This extra weight can lead to a whole slew of health issues down the road. With the state of our economy and where people stand with money, they're forced to make food choices that weaken them as people. Food decisions are made in the present--but the consequences reach far into the future, unseen now. It's no wonder we have an obesity crisis in this country. People can't afford to make healthy decisions.

For one week a few folks in Congress tried to live like a lot of Americans live. They had to make all food purchases on the average food stamp allotment ($21 per week). Sound tough? Read the article here. Details of what they ate and reflections on the experience are on a blog tracking the challenge here. Could you meet all of your food needs for a week with $21? What would that be like?

Keep your eye on this when at the grocery store. Imagine shopping with a paycheck half of what you get now. Imagine shopping to feed four or five kids. Imagine trying to buy food for healthy meals if you worked for $7 per hour. People all over the country live this daily--it's real and it's hard.

'Roid rage' made me do it

2007-06-29T10:39:00.000-04:00

Three people were found dead in a entertainment wrestler's home earlier this week. Chris Benoit killed his son and killed his wife before killing himself. As soon as the media reported it was a murder-suicide I knew that it was yet another case of some male killing people he once loved and valued. It wasn't that all three were murdered by a home intruder or something. Once you're on the look out for such cases of murder-suicide in families, you see a small flood of them reported in the media.

Why did he do this? What exactly happened in that house? We'll never know--Chris Benoit is dead too. There's no way to try this case in court and the state can't hold him in prison for life. Does that mean the story is over? Not at all! This situation can be used to bring awareness to issues around domestic abuse and crimes committed against women and families. Chris Benoit was well known in a specific community--that's a target audience who could learn from this situation, along with everyone else.

It's completely unacceptable that it's being called a 'roid rage' driven act. (Roid rage being something brought on by steroid use.) Focusing on 'roid rage' takes away from the unimaginable act that was committed by Chris Benoit--the real issue. It takes the spotlight off what he did and attempts to paint his actions as understandable and perhaps acceptable considering the circumstances. He killed his wife and his son! His crimes cannot be dismissed--although he too is dead his image needs to be held accountable for what he did to his son and wife--he cannot become a mourned figure.

I get "coffee headaches" if I don't get a cup of brew first thing in the morning. Does that mean I can run out and punch old ladies and tip over flower pots and run kids over with my bike? NO! I'd like to see myself trying to explain my actions by pointing a finger at "coffee headaches"--it wouldn't fly! Yeah, I know, completely different but it's just as ridiculous.

The Benoit situation is getting (now waning) major attention. I hope this serves as an opportunity to bring conversation and education around domestic violence issues. He may have been on steroids, he may have had 'roid rage,' but he murdered two people who trusted him. That's completely unacceptable and horrific. It needs to stop!

A slight negative for a big positive

2007-06-26T13:31:00.000-04:00

While reading this month's Mother Earth News, I came across an interesting bit of information that was completely new to me and I'd like to share it.

"Compact fluorescents do have a downside: They contain tiny amounts of mercury, so instead of throwing them out, they should be recycled or taken to your city’s hazardous waste collection point." (Source)

Really? Very good to know considering I've made an effort to get more of the compact fluorescents into our residence.

But worry not, even though they contain a tiny bit of mercury, they're still better when you look at the bigger picture and their overall benefits. See below from NPR's Morning Edition.

"...even though fluorescent bulbs contain mercury, using them contributes less mercury to the environment than using regular incandescent bulbs. That's because they use less electricity — and coal-fired power plants are the biggest source of mercury emissions in the air." (Source)

Interested in properly disposing of your compact fluorescents? Check Earth 911 for a site near you! If you're close to an IKEA store, they offer bulb disposal/recycling services.

Switching to the compact fluorescents seemed like a bit of an investment when I purchased a 4 pack from Target for $15 or so. Then I found Costco was offering multi-packs of both 75 and 100 watts at bargain prices (8 Energy Star certified bulbs for around $10). But really, the cost is secondary to the energy savings.

Now that I've learned this information I see that a mercury warning is printed on the side of the bulb. Lesson learned? If you're not reading Mother Earth News, read your light bulbs.

Drink up. CamelBak makes it easy.

2007-06-22T18:29:00.000-04:00

I'm a fan of water. I like to listen to it. I like to shower in it. I like to play in. Most of all, I like to drink it. I'm passing this next bit along as an enthusiastic two-thumbs up review of CamelBak's Better Bottle.

It has a bite and sip valve system that hasn't yet leaked. This bite and sip method took a short time to get used to--I wasn't sold right away. In fact, I called it my 'man bottle' for a while. It grew on me.

The attached straw makes it a breeze to drink on the sly or while driving. No need to tip the entire bottle for a drink and no chance for a wet spill.

The lid has a molded plastic hoop that allows for easy carrying or attaching. This being a considerable improvement over Nalgene's loop that connected the bottle to the top and was prone to breaking with use.

Oh, and the opening of the bottle easily accommodates ice cubes. A major plus for the summer months.

They say the CamelBak is dishwasher safe--thus far I have just washed by hand. I've only filled it with plain ole water so I cannot comment on lingering flavors due to non-water liquids.

I bought my first one from Bearcub Outfitters in Petoskey and have since purchased two more for the household when REI ran their annual sale.

Enjoy--happy drinking!

Thank you, WAB

2007-06-21T16:46:00.001-04:00

We dined at Woodward Avenue Brewers last weekend and ordered the chicken and avocado quesadillas along with a salad. The avocado slices were crunchy, not yet ripe, and certainly no good. We brought this to our waitress' attention and she happily put in a rush order for a different type of quesadilla. Thank you! Super response and just the type of service I would expect. Fine job, WAB--see you soon!

Last summer in the woods

2007-06-21T16:16:00.001-04:00

This time last year I was making my way through the hot desert region of Southern California. I was hiking hard and moving north. My goal? Make it to the Canadian border before the snow fell. I thought I had it in me. I thought success in that endeavor was fully guaranteed. Never did I think that I would lose the desire. Lose the drive. Lose the love of the experience. By early July I was headed back to Seattle, going north quickly by car. Passing the mountains and trees that I would have hiked through slowly on foot. I discovered a lonely life in the woods. A life that became increasingly selfish and isolated with each passing day. So I tossed my pack on my back, passed my extra food to those around me, hiked to the top of Mt. Whitney, and then came down to civilization. The summer's hiking adventure was over.

A few months later I moved my life back to Michigan--the state that I had left in haste the year previous. The miles passed in solitude showed me that I wanted to be around those I called friends and those who were family. And it was the best decision I ever made. A few months later I found the woman who will soon be my wife. Instead of embarking on an adventure in the woods lasting a summer I will now undertake the biggest endeavor and most complete thrill with the one most special. Never did I expect all of life's pieces to come together so well.

Microwaved for your consumption

2007-06-18T09:33:00.000-04:00

Here's the thing, it's usually an enjoyable dining experience. A fine Midtown location, hip staff, and a varied menu. I thought Traffic Jam & Snug's meatloaf might be a good choice. Bad idea--especially if I was looking for a fresh meal. And the wait staff was completely certain the mushrooms would not be in the spinach lasagna.

I'll let my message to Traffic Jam & Snug explain...and then her response...and then my response...

from: Matt Church
to: tjsnug@traffic-jam.com
date: Jun 9, 2007 9:05 AM
subject: Surprise at Traffic Jam

Good morning,

Last night my fiance and I dined at Traffic Jam. We're both Wayne State graduates, frequent the Midtown area, and are usually pleased with our Traffic Jam experiences. I'm sorry to say that last night was a huge exception to our positive Traffic Jam meals.

Before we placed our order my fiance made in inquiry about the vegetarian spinach lasagna. She greatly dislikes mushrooms and asked the waiter specifically if mushrooms were in the lasagna. He informed us that he too did not like mushrooms and they were most certainly not in the lasagna. Based on his response she ordered this dish. Once she started eating her meal she was completely dismayed to find large chunks of mushrooms in the lasagna! She pushed them to the side of her plate and showed them to the waiter. His response, "Hm, I don't know what those are--they're not mushrooms though." They were clearly mushrooms! When he returned with the check he told us that someone in the kitchen said it was burnt pasta. It is not at all possible that what was on her plate was burnt pasta. It was mushrooms--and it's a good thing that she wasn't allergic to them. We did not at all appreciate feeling that the waiter was trying to cover his mistakes with a clear fib!

I ordered the meatloaf. I was looking forward to sweet potato fries and a delightful meal. What was served to me looked like a tv dinner or a microwave meal on a nice plate. The peas were shriveled--definitely microwaved. The sweet potato fries were rubbery and dull--also clearly microwaved. And the meatloaf--it was okay but microwaved as well. My entire $14 dish had been microwaved! What a surprise from a decent restaurant! I asked the waiter to swap out the peas and sweet potato fries for soup. He suggested that sweet potato fries sometimes look like that and have that texture. The only fries that I've seen with that texture and appearance are microwaved fries! I do appreciate him providing me with soup in place of the microwaved sides, but to even have any such sides be served to customers is unbelievable.

My fiance and I had been considering having our wedding rehearsal dinner at Traffic Jam. After last night's experience we can cross that option off the list without a doubt. We would not at all want Traffic Jam to reflect the dining options of Detroit to our guests. We had been excited about holding the event at your restaurant--considering you've been around for so many years, you're in the heart of Midtown, and you have people from the area working there--but last night's meal experience told us without a doubt that we will take our business elsewhere.

Thanks for your time. I hope that the microwaved plate policy doesn't continue to stand. Provide your customers with the meals they pay for and expect from Traffic Jam!

Matt

I was pleased to see a response in my inbox. The contents of the message didn't really keep me pleased.

from: tjsnug@traffic-jam.com
to: Matt Church
date: Jun 12, 2007 3:59 PM
subject: Re: Surprise at Traffic Jam

Dear Matt,
I'm sorry! Yes, late last week we did experiment with the lasagne. It has been a mainstay here for so long, and we wanted to perk it up a bit. We did a trial run with portebello mushrooms, sampled it on the staff, earned positive feed back, and ran with it. My big mistake was not ASSURING that each and every of our 35 wait staff knew about the change. A poor job, now recognized.
As for the meatloaf, that item, along with its peas, has always been microwaved. A majority of our business comes from people in a hurry-short lunch break, quick dinner before the symphony, etc. and we could not meet that demand by baking-to- order. We try to overcome that fact by adding leeks, apples, currants, curry and other flavorful ingredients. The sweet potato fries are deep fried.
Again, I'm sorry that you were unhappy with your meal.

Sincerely,

[name not published]

Right. And I'm supposed to feel better about our meal? I think not.

from: Matt Church
to: tjsnug@traffic-jam.com
date: Jun 13, 2007 4:36 PM
subject: Re: Surprise at Traffic Jam

Hi [name not published],

Thank you for your response--albeit a faint apology. You don't seem especially concerned about making sure my business returns to your establishment.

While I completely understand that you can't freshly prepare each slice of meatloaf, microwaving the entire plate seems pretty awful in terms of food taste and presentation. Peas don't microwave well. And while the sweet potato fries were deep fried initially, those on my plate were without a doubt microwaved prior to being served. How about putting a microwave icon next to items that are microwaved so customers know what they're ordering--and the quality they're paying for? It's nice that you cater to those in a hurry, but why offer fast food quality meals at decent dining prices? Perhaps you could come up with a short menu for those in a hurry and save the rest of the menu for those who actually want to come in and enjoy a meal. I'm offended that you so openly offer microwaved meals at $14 per plate. Feels like you all are serving up left-overs to paying customers. Certainly not in line with all the fresh bakery items and the "best, freshest ingredients" you tout on your website.

Thanks for your response though--at least I now know where to go for a quick microwaved meal at a hefty price.

Matt

That's the end of the story for now. Super disappointing considering I've enjoyed many meals there. The Midtown area needs solid restaurants--I hope the lasagna and meatloaf experience was a fluke and not an indication of a downward spiral for such an institution.

Packing up for a return

2007-05-01T10:17:00.000-04:00

Funny how life sometimes goes in large, unexpected circles. Having left Detroit two years ago, I never would have guessed that I'd be returning. Even more of a happy surprise is that I'm returning engaged, completely in love, and ready to build a life with another.