Chrissy & Justin's Wedding

Two of my great friends were married just after Thanksgiving in downtown St. Paul, and I was honored to be part of the nuptials. And of course, they soon regretted their decision to include me in the wedding party (kidding, well...kind of). Here is the link below to their wedding video, which I thought was amazingly well done. Be sure to check out the blooper section as well once you choose "Couples Directory" and then scroll down to Chrissy and Justin's name. Thanks again, Sam, for your help in making me the star of a totally separate kind of video.

http://www.johnhoelweddings.com/

Pumpkin Patches

Umm...is it really 34? Do I get anything special for that, besides a different marketing demographic?

It's funny, because now that I am on the west coast, it is already my birthday in Michigan... I just hope everyone remembers the time change when they call to wish me happy birthday in the morning! (Kramer, this means you...no more 5am wake-up calls, my man) But it was another gorgeous day here in Oregon, and the stock market was up over 900 points, and generally a lot of people just took a full breath of air for the first time in about two months because hopefully we have turned the corner in the economy. Hopefully. I am an eternal optimist, so we shall see. I should've purchased Ford stock when it was going for $1.99 on Friday afternoon...that's like, 2 double cheeseburgers from McDonald's! But maybe I have enough eggs in that basket.

I have received some pretty cool gifts recently, but even though I am happy to receive all these items (and the music is really unbelievable), I have to stop and be thankful for all the rest of the gifts I have in my life. Amazing family and friends come to mind, a steady job, a house to call my own, some cool trips on the horizon, and a beautiful setting to wake up in every morning. I really am pretty lucky, and I do wish to thank everyone out there that I don't get to thank enough. So hopefully, I get to talk with you tomorrow, but if I don't...please just know that I am thinking of my family and friends all day, and having a great birthday. Peace and love... Michael

Words And Speeches Don't Matter - Part Two

As if there wasn't enough trouble with our financial crisis, and the state of our government, as well as the big loss on Wall Street...I heard my favorite argument turned on its head today. After the House of Representatives voted against passing the $700 billion relief package, the finger-pointing began immediately. Here is a clip from CNN this evening:

Nearly 60 percent of Democrats voted for the bill, and about a third of Republicans supported it. House Republican leaders blamed Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic Speaker of the House, for the bill's failure, saying she had scuttled a bipartisan compromise with a "partisan speech" shortly before the vote. Pelosi started her speech by citing "the Bush administration's failed economic policies -- policies built on budgetary recklessness, on an anything-goes mentality with no regulation, no supervision and no discipline in the system."
"I do believe that the vote could have succeeded," Boehner said in a news conference. "But the speaker had to give a partisan speech ... that poisoned our caucus."

Wait a second...I've heard for the last 9 months from the Republican party that words and speeches don't matter, and then I wake up this morning to find out that...speeches matter again! It appears that someone can go to both sides of the debate, depending on how convenient it is. You would think that I would be happy that someone finally made my argument for me, but alas they were only using a speech to cover up the fact that nobody in Congress wanted to vote for a bill that may cost them their jobs when they come up for reelection in 5 weeks. Forgetting for the moment that it may be all their constituents who will be out of work if they don't start resolving the issues now and take some action.

I actually had to laugh when I heard Barney Frank's response to the claim above, which I read on the Fox News website. I've never cared much for him either way, but I am increasingly becoming a fan of his. Here is a clip of it:

Republicans were quick to blame House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the bill's failure, saying a pre-vote speech in which she criticized the Bush administration's handling of the economy had turned Republican votes against the bailout.
But House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank, D-Mass., took umbrage with that claim.
"Because somebody hurt their feelings they decide to punish the country. ... I mean, that's hardly plausible" said Frank. noting that the number of Republicans insulted was the same needed to pass the legislation. "I'll make them an offer. Give me those 12 people's names and I will go talk uncharacteristically nicely to them."

Classic.

Steak n' Shake...the next generation

Even though my flight leaving for St. Louis left at 6:40 am (are you serious? you really tried booking a flight THAT early in the morning even though you know how awful you are before 10:00 am? I really am asking for it...), I decided go out the night before. And what was supposed to be a nice, quiet evening with friends turned into a raging ping pong tournament that lasted well beyond midnight. Hmm...so I woke up at 5:40 am, packed a single bag, threw some clothes on, brushed the gophers, and literally flew to the Eugene airport to attempt to somehow make my flight at 6:40 am. I parked the car in long term parking, and ran to the gate, but did not arrive until 6:20 am. So while I am expecting US Airlines to laugh in my face as I hand over my paperwork...I am surprised when the attendant states: "Mr. Kutzner, we have been expecting you. Have a great flight." Umm...yeah! Okay, no fees, no charges, no lectures... I get through security and walk right onto the plane.

I LOVE SMALL AIRPORTS!

So naturally, the first thing to do when arriving in Missouri is to go to Steak n' Shake. Quite a hectic day flying cross-country, but there is always time for the greatest restaurant known to mankind. Luckily, we have a few shots of the nephews enjoying the wise decision of their elders.

Festivus! (finally...)

Auntie Beccar was kind enough to send me some pictures to include on the blog from Festivus over July 4th, and a wonderful time was had by all! There was a firework extravaganza, good food, competitive games, not-so-competitive golf, swimming, paddle boats, golf carts, volleyball, and good old fashioned family bonding. It's fun to watch the next generation grow and play together, much like the cousins did when we were young. Enjoy the pictures!

Stuff White People Like...

Well, I visited Portland over the weekend, and visited the best bookstore on the planet (Powells) while I was there. I didn't realize it on my own, but the reason there are so many good bookstores and coffee shops in the Northwest is because it rains a lot in the winter. Umm, okay... sometimes I'm a little slow to pick up obvious things like that. But the book was entitled "Stuff White People Like" and it's a satirical take on getting to know and befriend white people. However, a lot of what the author talks about is true, and applicable to liberal folks like myself (although I don't drink coffee, or eat tofu). But anyway, here is one entry which you can also locate on the website of the same name. It's funny, because it's true that I'm a hypocrite when it comes to some corporations, so I thought I would point that out. By the way, Home Depot said that my $100 check is in the mail, so we shall see!


#82 Hating Corporations
March 5, 2008 by clander

One of the more popular white person activities of the past fifteen years is attempting to educate others on the evils of multi-national corporations. White people love nothing more than explaining to you how Wal*Mart, McDonalds, Microsoft, Halliburton are destroying the Earth’s culture and resources.
While the growth of multi-national corporations can be attributed to a number of complex social, economic and political factors, many white people prefer to take the word of two trusted sources: No Logo and AdBusters.
Published in 2000, No Logo has been responsible for more white person “enlightenment” than any book since the burning of the library at Alexandria. By reading this one magic book, white people are able to get a full grasp on the evils of multi-national corporations and then regurgitate it to friends and family.
Advanced white people will supplement No Logo with a subscription to AdBusters, where they will learn how to subvert corporate culture and return it to the masses. Specifically, this means taking ads and redoing them to give a negative message about a product. Apparently the belief is that when other people see this ad, they will be hit with an epiphany that their entire existence has been a Matrix-style manufactured universe.
If you plan to engage in lengthy conversations or get high with white people it is recommended that you read No Logo or one issue of AdBusters. Failing that, it is acceptable to buy a copy to leave on your coffee table. When white people see it, they will recognize you as someone who can see through the advertising and has a proper perspective on life.
When engaging in a conversation about corporate evils it is important to NEVER, EVER mention Apple Computers, Target or Ikea in the same breath as the companies mentioned earlier. White people prefer to hate corporations that don’t make stuff that they like.
Following these simple steps can help you gain the trust and respect of white people in a relatively short period of time.