Dependable Pete

Year In Motion: Cross Country Challenge 12/04/2011

2011-12-05T21:35:00.000-06:00

Year In Motion: Door County "Fall50" 10/22/2011

2011-12-05T21:33:00.001-06:00

Year In Motion: Potosi Bicycle Tour 9/24/2011

2011-12-05T21:31:00.002-06:00

Year In Motion: Fox Valley Marathon 9/18/2011

2011-09-20T23:53:00.001-05:00

Year In Motion: Full Moon Half Marathon 8/13/2011

2011-09-13T21:39:00.000-05:00

Year In Motion: Ragbrai Day 7

2011-09-06T17:33:00.002-05:00

Year In Motion: Ragbrai Day 6

2011-09-06T17:32:00.002-05:00

Year In Motion: Ragbrai Day 5

2011-09-06T17:32:00.001-05:00

Year In Motion: Ragbrai Day 4

2011-09-06T17:31:00.000-05:00

Year In Motion: Ragbrai Day 3

2011-09-06T17:30:00.000-05:00

Year In Motion: Ragbrai Day 2

2011-08-02T21:09:00.000-05:00

Year In Motion: Ragbrai Day 1

2011-07-31T18:42:00.002-05:00

Day 1 took us from Glenwood, IA to Atlantic, IA over 63.8 miles and 4,471 feet of climb. Felt great. What an amazing thing to do. People of all ages and walks of life come together and have a wonderful time. It's really funny seeing older people so clearly feeling like a kid again out for a bike ride.

Year In Motion: Biking with Beanzie

2011-07-18T17:03:00.002-05:00

Year In Motion: Swedish Days Bike Ride

2011-06-27T18:14:00.001-05:00

Year In Motion: Bike for Life 60 mile cycle

2011-06-13T17:03:00.001-05:00

Year In Motion: Elgin Fox Trot 10 mile

2011-05-31T22:43:00.000-05:00

Year In Motion: Des Plaines River Canoe Marathon

2011-05-22T22:09:00.001-05:00

Year In Motion: Great Western Half Marathon

2011-05-02T12:30:00.001-05:00

Year In Motion: Emmett's Big Wheel Race

2011-03-14T18:02:00.004-05:00

Year In Motion: Hustle Up The Hancock 2/27/2011

2011-02-28T15:36:00.000-06:00

Year In Motion

2011-02-24T19:32:00.000-06:00

Dependable Pete Year in Motion

2010-11-29T11:33:00.013-06:00

For the year 2011 I'd like to do something fun for all of us and, God willing, I may trick some people into joining me. I'm planning to do numerous community based outdoor activities. Mostly for the purpose of showing how much fun a little physical activity can be for everyone and even more so for the purpose of entertainment. I have always felt that the events held in your own area are great ways to find motivation for achieving health, fitness, and weight loss goals. As the year plays out I'll post updates on training and thoughts, and as the events happen I'll post photos and videos for your enjoyment. Take the motivation I can give you. One may find you don't need to be an Olympic athlete to participate and just might get healthier in the process. Of course I am asking anyone interested in joining me to please do so. Here's the list that is subject to change of the events selected at this time:

2/28 Hustle up the Hancock (registered11/1) An event based on climbing the stairs up 94 floors
Emmett's Ale House Big Wheel Race
Great Western Half Marathon
Elgin Fox Trot 10 mile run
Des Plaines River Canoe Race. An 18 mile canoe thing
Boomtown Half Marathon
Potosi Brewery Cycle Century (9/2011)
Bike for Life 60 mile cycle
Swedish Days double metric century (125 mile cycle)
Biking with Beanzie (century cycle)
7/24-7/30 RagBrai (registered 11/15), Registers Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa.
Sheboygan Full Moon race
9/18 Fox Valley Marathon
Fall50 (50 mile relay)
Cross Country Challenge (4.9 mile run)

I'd like to add to the list a polar bear club and hopefully someone will have some other great suggestions (post any ideas in comments as you may have them). Of course there will be some events I'll do that will be more spontaneous and those will certainly be included as they are presented. I've asked my wife if an inexpensive video camera can be budgeted and she's thinking about it. Now you'll have something to think about all year long. Don't let this post sound to official or like I'm asking you to do anything or for anything it is merely informing you that a ton of nonsense is coming. (photo is me bringing it in at the Fox Valley Marathon in 2010 in 4:15) Stay tuned and let's see what I can get myself into this year.

Microwave

2010-09-16T17:52:00.004-05:00

I was recently reminded of the early years of the microwave oven, and how the owners manual was so fraudulent. It had, like most kitchen appliance manuals, a section of recipes and on the cover was wonderful photos of a whole chicken cooked to a beautiful golden brown next to mashed potatoes and gravy with the microwave oven positioned in the background with the door open as if this just came out. No corporation could dream of getting away with that fantastic a crock of bologna these days.

Duct

2010-07-11T20:25:00.003-05:00

Two summers I've been wondering why the AC sucks. Today I found out why and used some duct tape to seal the wide open duct that dumped air into the basement not 5 feet from the furnace. Another great discovery.

Least likely candidate theory

2010-06-28T21:23:00.004-05:00

This is a tough one to explain so just try not to discount it too quickly. I've been tossing this around in my head for upwards of 6 years. The bugs in the theory haven't been worked out but let me do my best to plant the seed and you can kick it around and see how it applies to your own life. While working at a big box electronics retailer I was able to accurately (100%) predict the supervisory promotions based on who I felt would be the biggest laughing stock, the laziest, and most disconnected from the department. The least likely candidate. This happens consistently at larger companies where no one really cares that much. Why this occurs is a laundry list of shoulder shrug guesses. Usually it is based on friendships or the amount of smoke they're blowing up someones ass. It can also be the result of my own hindsight bias. Look at some supervisors or managers and consider what led them to their current position. Then look at potential positions that are open and think it over.

Don't let your meat loaf.

2010-06-28T20:59:00.003-05:00

The mesquite smoked bacon wrapped meatloaf. Turned out surprisingly good.

Orchard

2010-06-07T22:40:00.004-05:00

There are currently two apple trees in my backyard. In the last two years neither have produced an edible fruit. All the apples have had spots and some even looked shriveled. Previously there was a peach tree but it had been dieing for some time and ironically was the only tree to produce a decent fruit. One peach, and it was excellent. I've since cut the tree down and have been using the wood to smoke meats. Recently I've decided to put more effort into these great resources. I've began spraying them this summer to stop the fungus. I also ordered another tree, a honeycrisp apple tree, and it is doing good so far. At the moment I'm considering adding a couple cherry trees but I'll wait and see how these work out. I drew a picture of myself driving a tractor on an orchard. Enjoy.

Dream Journal

2010-03-04T23:21:00.004-06:00

I was at work but the setting ,i.e. desks and surrounding room, was different. I was looking from the perspective of inside the computer monitor looking out at myself. As I watched myself work I was noticing my eyes frantically moving back and fourth. As I was watching I slowly began to see that the me that I was watching was significantly older. My hair was longer and my face was aged and out of shape. Like a weight on my chest I became very sad for the man I was looking at. Humbling to look at myself and think thoughts of sympathy for the years of hard work with little to show for it but wrinkles. Then I awoke.

Funny Story: Nick

2010-02-06T11:14:00.005-06:00

On the evening of 1/18 Nick went into his room, and much in the style of a school boy, put on headphones and began to read science fiction while laying on his bed. Quickly Nick fell asleep, and around 9 pm I noticed he was sleeping and turned on the cheesiest music I could find in his headphones and increased the volume much louder. Nick remained asleep. The following morning Nick called in sick to work complaining that he didn't sleep well.

Facebook

2010-01-14T13:22:00.003-06:00

When I first set up my Facebook profile I whole heartedly expected someone, anyone, to profess their undying love for me. As of today that has not happened. Am I disappointed? No. Hopeful. I just assume there is someone out there with tear filled eyes checking my status daily feeling let down and discounted by my relationship status. Ramble on sweet facebook dreamer.

Cursive

2010-01-14T13:18:00.002-06:00

New Home Discovery.

2009-12-03T18:22:00.003-06:00

Apparently I'm not the only one finding strange things in newly purchased homes. My friend Tom found several geiger counters in his recently purchased condo. With a discovery like this it is really easy to question the mental health of the previous owner, but I recommend waiting till you turn that thing on first. You'd hate to get a little egg in your face if that needle should go nuts.

The Go Ped

2009-12-01T19:22:00.002-06:00

That's how we do.

Toro

2009-10-13T22:33:00.000-05:00

I picked this up for free. BLAM!

Potosi Brewing Co.

2009-09-20T16:35:00.004-05:00

"The museum looks like a bar and the bar looks like a museum". The beer museum and attached microbrewery in the scenic town of Potosi Wisconsin, on the banks of the mighty Mississippi river, is a must see for anyone who enjoys craft brews. Aside from the great beers, great bar and interesting museum, a particularly appalling incident took place. A friend asked the bar tender if the beer steins behind the bar were for sale and she replied "Whats a stein". At a shithole bar this is understandable, at a microbrewery this is frowned upon, at a microbrewery with a museum showcasing the history of brewing this should grounds for termination.

Loud Speaker

2009-09-07T11:21:00.003-05:00

When you buy a home you should expect to find things around the house that don't quite make sense. For instance; a door to the garage that locks on the wrong side, or a screen window into a crawl space letting in outside air year round. I never could have anticipated something like this. What looked to everyone like a garage heater turned out to be a loud speaker for a long since removed security system. Blew my mind. I only wish I could have discovered it by inadvertently setting it off. All in all the little discoveries like this keep things interesting.

Note: 50 bucks will go to the man who can wire that speaker under the hood of my truck. Super red neck.

Stockholm's

2009-08-22T15:48:00.002-05:00

The worst Microbrew I have ever been served is on tap at Stockholm's in Geneva, Il. Upon initial sip of this English Pale Ale my face cringed at the sour punch in the mouth. I tried real hard but I couldn't finish it after more than an hour.

Lunch Pic

2009-08-14T18:06:00.002-05:00

3 dollars well spent. Made my Friday.

It doesn't get much better

2009-08-07T23:05:00.002-05:00

Fireworks

2009-07-17T20:38:00.001-05:00

Milwaukee Ale House

2009-07-14T16:32:00.001-05:00

What a great micorbrewery in the heart of Milwaukee. A hoppy pale and a great menu.

AC in the summer

2009-06-23T19:04:00.000-05:00

The temperature indicated on the lower left is the indoor temp. You would be punctilious in assuming the AC has crapped out. I sweat standing still and have not seen the cat in hours.

Salisbury Steak

2009-05-28T16:56:00.003-05:00

The only steak you won't find on the menu at your favorite steakhouse. The infamous Salisbury Steak. While at the local grocery store I noticed every brand in the TV dinner isle had a Salisbury Steak even the healthy brands. I honestly can say I have never eaten nor seen this meal outside of the TV dinner or cafeteria. Everyone I've asked said the same thing except Paul (asshole), who thought I was talking about Cubed Steaks. I'm also having trouble finding a recipe, which I believe speaks volumes. I imagine the recipe is like this: make a hamburger in a frying pan then deglaze the pan into a brown gravy and serve with mashed potatoes. Stand by for a picture of the first ever homemade Salisbury Steak.

Status Check part 2

2009-05-20T19:28:00.004-05:00

After the follow up health screening I thought it would be fun to share the results. This comes after going to the YMCA 4 times a week or more.

Height: 75 inches
Weight: 189.8
Body Mass index: 23.7% (Optimum is 20-25%)
Body Fat: 16.7% (Optimum is 8-20%)
Blood pressure: 116/68
Total Cholesterol: 173 mg/dl (desirable is anything under 200)
HDL: 40 mg/dl (Optimum is 40 or higher)
Cholesterol/HDL Ratio: 4.4 mg/dl (Optimum is 3.5-1)
LDL: 115 mg/dl (Optimum is 100-129 or lower)
Triglyceride Level: 91 mg/dl (Optimum is anything less than 150)
Fingerstick Blood Glucose: 105 (normal is 100 or lower)

Thanks to the good people at Sethwerks.com here is a comparison chart of my improvements.

. Jan-09--May-09 % Change
Height: 75 75 Inches 0.0%
Weight: 190.8 189.8 lbs -0.5%
Body Mass index: 23.8% 23.7% -0.4%
Body Fat: 15.9% 16.7% 5.0%
Blood pressure: 110/78 116/68
Total Cholesterol: 185 173 mg/dl -6.5%
HDL: 40 40 mg/dl 0.0%
Cholesterol/HDL Ratio: 4.6 4.4 mg/dl -4.3%
LDL: 120 115 mg/dl -4.2%
Triglyceride Level: 124 91 mg/dl -26.6%
Fingerstick Blood Glucose: 105 105 0.0%

Rebate

2009-05-11T20:59:00.000-05:00

If you plan on buying a patio set I suggest looking for one that has a rebate offer. Never in my wildest dreams could I hope to find one as lucrative as "$75 dollar rebate on all patio sets with purchase of two (2) 24 packs of Budweiser". Parties at my house.

Tin Can

2009-05-05T22:51:00.002-05:00

I read an article that I really need to share. The topic of the article was the historic relevance of canning food. I'll paraphrase. In 1820 some explorers brought food stored in tin cans as they were attempting to cross the arctic in a sailboat. They died. Most recently them and several tin cans of veal were recovered. The contents of one can was fed to a cat and the cat suffered no ill effects. When I read this it reminded me of the Yadda Yadda episode of Seinfeld. They clearly skipped the best part, which would have certainly been the part where one scientist saw an opportunity to potentially eliminate one nuisance cat, obviously his wife's, by feeding it 189 year old veal.

(Clever photo to follow)

Demon Cat.

2009-04-28T18:10:00.003-05:00

An interesting situation has presented itself in my home. My wife and I moved in to our house a year ago. Things have been heard at night and throughout the day increasing in frequency as time goes. These noises and sensations have been brushed off. Recently my cat was acting a little funny; hissing into an unused room. The cat, being of reduced intelligence, was not taken seriously. Later that night my brother-in-law slept (passed out) over, and when the morning came he nervously mentioned some weird noises coming from the same room. I told him it was probably the cat knowing full well the cat sleeps on my head every night (seriously). I've decided to document all unexplainable experiences around the house, because I'm getting a little freaked out.

Lawn boy

2009-04-24T18:12:00.004-05:00

I don't mo lawn, I sweat through shirts. This is just the easiest way to accomplish that.

Crocodile Dundee

2009-04-20T17:11:00.003-05:00

I overheard a guy say this the other day.

"...I was able to track it about a mile and a half across a field where I found it lying in a creek bed".

I assumed he was talking about a recent hunting trip. I was interested so I asked my friend what he was talking about later. Apparently it was windy and his garbage can blew away. Who talks like that? I guess when you are in your mid to late forties a garbage can flying off can be quite an adventure. Priceless.

POW!!!

2009-04-01T20:21:00.003-05:00

Welcome to pimp status.

It is supposed to be nice out.

2009-03-29T21:00:00.004-05:00

I woke up to this. WTF!

Man, Where was I?

2009-03-16T19:48:00.002-05:00

One thing I've come to love about riding my motorcycle is the way in which I randomly find gas station receipts in my leather jacket from various parts of the country with no recollection of ever having been there. Here's one I found the other day from 9/29/07 1:32 pm in Williamsburg KY. I never thought I'd ever been there, but apparently i was, and purchased 3.68 gallons of premium gasoline there.

Photo: the receipt, I smudged out the signature for obvious reasons.

Eyeballs! (my actual boot camp nickname)

2009-02-10T17:28:00.003-06:00

Somehow I managed to scratch my eyeball. Once this happened I realized how bright it really is everywhere, so bright in fact I can feel the fluorescent bulb burning through the back of my freaking skull.

Status Check

2009-02-01T14:32:00.003-06:00

After a recent health screening I thought it would be fun to share the results with all of you. Let's not blast me until you can post your own digits for comparison.

Height: 75 inches
Weight: 190.8
Body Mass index: 23.8% (Optimum is 20-25%)
Body Fat: 15.9% (Optimum is 8-20%)
Blood pressure: 110/78
Total Cholesterol: 185 mg/dl (desirable is anything under 200)
HDL: 40 mg/dl (Optimum is 40 or higher)
Cholesterol/HDL Ratio: 4.6 mg/dl (Optimum is 3.5-1)
LDL: 120 mg/dl (Optimum is 100-129 or lower)
Triglyceride Level: 124 mg/dl (Optimum is anything less than 150)
Fingerstick Blood Glucose: 105 (normal is 100 or lower, mine was high due to the Milwaukee's Best the night before)

Paraphrased nurses summary: Pete you are in great health. Your weight is right where it should be, and your HDL and LDL levels will improve as you've begun working out more. Just watch you carbohydrate intake and you are as healthy as an ox.

Flannel shirts.

2009-01-20T21:23:00.007-06:00

The Man space, my man-ctuary, man land; call it what you will this is the one place in the life of the everyman where cigars are smoked, tools are organized and reorganized, bikini clad women are longingly pinned to the wall, and flannel shirts are always in style.

I have a garage. I have a tool box. I wear a flannel shirt.

Lawn Boy

2009-01-12T22:22:00.004-06:00

It's truly unfortunate that we are only giving one life. We only have one opportunity to be someone because when we're gone we are gone my friend. Now, I don't know about you but I'd rather not sit back and watch it slip away like a picnic lunch next to an ant hill. No, I'm doing what's right, I'm gonna buy a nice run down and perfect in every way piece of shit of a used riding lawnmower this summer. As of now I'm thinking of icing that white trash cake with a Foam Dome (beer holding helmet) but I may fall back on a nice big brimmed hat (because I'm old school). I long to glisten with a disgusting sweat in a shirtless filth as I'm tortured by the Illinois sun. I want to be the Lawn Boy.

That just happened.

2009-01-05T19:04:00.006-06:00

This is what I'm talking about! My wife says she would like to have Chilimac for dinner and I casually respond "how about chili and mac"? So I throw down with the greatest of ease; home made chili with home made mac 'n cheese. A die hard fan might recall a dish I once made called "the childhood special" which was simply a hot dog (on bun) completely buried beneath Hormel no-bean chili, then topped with Kraft Mac n' Cheese, topped with Tater Tots, this would be a variation of that recipe.

Lunch Pic

2008-12-29T17:13:00.000-06:00

While using up the last of my vacation days from work this december the twenty nineth, also my now wifes birthday, I enjoyed a most amazing gyros at Skippy's Gyros in south Elgin. I would say probably the best gyros I've had to date.

I look like shit.

2008-12-18T22:51:00.003-06:00

Several years and about five thousand beers really takes a toll on you. I mean, what the fuck, look at me. I look like shit.

Happy Winter!

2008-12-16T17:54:00.000-06:00

Happy Holidays from all of us here at Dependable Pete Dot Com. We've got a long, cold, and dark winter ahead of us so you best hunker down. When I say "hunker down" I mean lounge in a drunken spacey mess next to the fireplace in your jammies.

Hope Merchant

2008-12-09T21:51:00.006-06:00

Strange thing these dreams. Most nights I don't think I dream but sometimes I do, and I believe that the more abstract the better and memorable. I recall various dreams were I've given birth or run from evil beings I never actually saw. In a recent dream I was being called a "Hope Merchant" which I have no idea what that could possibly mean but it involved an M-16 and loaded magazines being handed to me by my wife (odd) with townspeople cheering for the Hope Merchant (me). I have heard some people keep a diary next to there bed and in the morning they will right down a brief recount of what they dreamed. I would love to read someones dream diary. It probably reads like Timothy Leary's research notes. I've also heard that some people will designate a friend to clean out all there porn if they die so their legacy isn't fetish porn but wonderful stories of charisma. I would recommend including dream diary on the list of things to clean out if you die so they don't think you were doing psychedelic drugs before bed.

(Pictured is a photographic interpretation of dreaming)

If you need me on Black Friday, you know where I will be.

2008-11-29T12:27:00.000-06:00

Preposterous Thought – Waking up at 4 am and bundling up to beat the cold, only to drive to an overcrowded store to fight with mobs of people trying to get the same $10 sale on a DVD Player…only to drive to another crowded store for Hannah Montana sale. Eat at chain restaurant. Go home pissed off.

Not so Preposterous Thought: Sleep until 9. Make coffee. Add whiskey to said coffee. Log onto computer. Order Christmas gift. Sit on couch in boxers until afternoon. Go to Emmett's for pale ale.

If you need me on Black Friday, you know where I will be.

-Marks Guest Post

Hey Stewarts! Pimp my morning!

2008-11-21T22:02:00.002-06:00

I became a fan of Stewart's Coffee a few years ago and recently uncovered a grocery store that carries the whole line. I haven't slept since and speak in rhyme.

Marks guest post.

2008-11-17T22:17:00.002-06:00

I've received word from Mark himself that he is thinking really hard about what his guest post will be. We sit and wait. Standing by. Hold Fast. Chill. Not getting our panties in a bunch. Sitting tight. Holding out. I'm really jonesing.

Super China Buffet

2008-11-02T20:13:00.005-06:00

The Chinese food buffet is the worst idea for anyone looking for a good meal. This is a photographic journey of what I call session eating.

The Red Carpet

2008-10-23T18:45:00.002-05:00

I'm married now. I wrote my own vow, and then transcribed it to harmonica solo. There wasn't a dry eye in the house.

PULL!

2008-10-21T16:07:00.003-05:00

Remington 870 express 12 gauge shotgun

2008-10-15T22:00:00.006-05:00

Consider for a moment if a pandemic were to strike earth and how that might play out. I would hate to admit that, given this planets population density, an event like that wouldn't be the worst thing to happen. The most important thing is to have is a back up plan, a course of action, a survival strategy. There are two options that come to mind; a bomb shelter that is hermetically sealed (installed in your backyard), or living in complete isolation like in the woods of Canada. Which do you chose? The bomb shelter? How would you gauge when it's safe to come out. You could be locked away down there for a few years with no TV or Radio because they're all dead. How about isolation in the woods? You could bring supplies, a tent and fishing pole. It's a tough decision to make. Ponder the idea and let's see what everyone can come up with.

anyway, I picked up a Remington 870 and brought it along on my honeymoon. What a great gun, and what an even better action shot my wife took. Look at the shell ejecting.

Poems and Pics

2008-10-02T17:53:00.004-05:00

The Destructor.

The Destructor,
an instigator,
like the condor
flies through deaths door.
He'll want more.
He'll lift his wings to soar
toward the sun of evermore,
and till that day
when we'll say
here flew a bird of prey
do what he may
till his feathers give way,
and breaks the day
The destructor way.

Fresh Hops!

2008-09-19T16:12:00.002-05:00

The beer I wait all year for has hit the shelves. This is Goose Islands end of summer/fall seasonal beer made with fresh hops instead of pelletized hops that beer is typically made with. If you haven't tried this yet I recommend you do so. Here's mine shortly after purchase, thanks Katie for pointing out the sale, while walking through the parking lot of the local Jewel-Osco.

The Appreciation Week Has Ended.

2008-09-17T19:47:00.006-05:00

As The Fan Base Appreciation Week has drawn to a close I'm hoping we all had fun reading something new everyday. I know I had fun, and look forward to the next time when I can do something fun for all of you out there to show my joy in putting a smile on your face even if it is a confused one. In my own effort to make sure you aren't left feeling empty I will leave you with this little hint; There is a project in the works that, if I were a betting man, you might expect this fall/winter and just might embrace an element of music. Now, we anxiously await marks guest post and future musings to grace these pages.

And The Winner Is....

2008-09-15T17:51:00.002-05:00

Appreciation Week Drawing Update

2008-09-14T21:04:00.004-05:00

Due to the number of people who have entered the drawing, ten thousand, I have decided to make some changes to the prizes. There will be only one winner and he or she will be given the opportunity to post something on the blog. The drawing will take place tomorrow as I have taken the day off from work.

Note: The number of drawing entries may vary by 9,993.

Shop Vac

2008-09-14T20:53:00.007-05:00

In the last two days I've vacuumed up roughly 36 gallons of water from the basement floor. It has finally stopped raining after a relentless four day down pour.

Day 7; Creation

2008-09-12T22:25:00.003-05:00

Working on various gifts for various people. 26 dollars, one bent sewing needle, and one migraine all in the name of friendship. Luckily Coors light is the most refreshing beer on Earth at least until the Hadron particle accelerator destroys it.

Day 6; Dan

2008-09-11T17:59:00.004-05:00

Any other form and I wouldn't recognize him.

Day; 5 The hidden benfit of a twin.

2008-09-10T16:23:00.004-05:00

Sometimes I see someone and their twin and think that it might very well suck to have a walking double. I have no twin but if I did I imagine the benefit of having an outside perspective of yourself, or at least someone who looks like yourself could prove invaluable. You could see for yourself if you need to lose weight, change your hairstyle, or stop wearing certain clothing styles. It may also prove be an accurate gauge of how lame some of your mannerisms are, and show first hand certain phrases you use too often that may help to consider avoiding. Having said that I also wonder if the novelty would wear off before you ever realize the benefit of utilizing the situation as a resource for introspection.

Day 4: Creative Text Messaging

2008-09-09T16:49:00.004-05:00

Next time you want to send a text message to a close friend try this more creative and interesting form. Draw a sketch that depicts the message you're trying to convey, and send them a photo of that sketch. Here is a text sent by my brother, which served to ask me if we were going to our favorite bar, Emmett's, later that evening.

Day 3: Simple insight

2008-09-08T16:18:00.003-05:00

Here's a little insight to ponder on this rainy afternoon.

In life there will always be someone who takes things way too seriously.

Day 2; The Origin of Blogging

2008-09-07T17:51:00.003-05:00

If you should ever take an English composition course they will definitely teach you never to talk about the paper in the paper. Similarly you should never talk about the blog post in the blog post. You can, however, discuss blogging in a blog post. Where did blogging begin? You could say blogging grew organically out of the traditional diary or journal over time combined with technology. I have my own theory. I feel the blog as an online journal and creative outlet is a result of two key figures in American history; Doogie Howser m.d. and Jack Handey. These two people were bloggers who were way ahead of their time.
At the end of ever Doogie Howser m.d. episode he was seen writing in a journal on his computer and saving it to a now classic 3x5 floppy disc. However lame his concluding wisdom may have been it was fundamentally what blogging is. As for Jack Handey, who by the way is a real comedic author, in many Saturday Night Live episodes showed text of a "Deep Thought" scroll over a scenic photo while being narrated. This looked and sounded like genius blog posts. Two prime examples of blogging before it became a reality.
While millions of bloggers support was is known as the blogosphere and Doogie Howser dodges thousands of malpractice suits, Jack Handey is still publishing sheer genius. I relish his writing style and take comfort in knowing he never lost his identity by succumbing to his own creation. The blogosphere, written by hundreds of millions and read by no one.

Day 1; Appreciation Week Drawing.

2008-09-06T14:44:00.007-05:00

What you may have heard is true, I'm having a drawing. Here's how it works; email me at pete@dependablepete.com to enter. I will reply to your entry with a number, that number will be written on a tiny piece of paper and put in a (empty) fish bowl, then at the end of the Fan Base Appreciation Week I'll draw the winners. Here's the prizes; one winner will receive a signed photo your favorite local celebrity, me, Dependable Pete, and the grand prize is a signed photo of Dependable Pete and you will be invited to author a post to be put up on Dependable Pete.com. Ok, so don't waste too much time in entering.

Fan Base Appreciation Week

2008-09-04T18:59:00.004-05:00

Dependable Pete supporters, I have decided it's time to give all of you something special in return for your years of dedication and toleration. You, as my fan, friend, and confidant, I am going to post something new everyday for 1 week beginning 9/6 and ending 9/13. This is going to be a lot of fun, very exciting, and hopefully mildly funny in a dumbass kind of way.

The BLT

2008-08-18T18:52:00.003-05:00

If you want the perfect BLT logic will tell you that you need a tomato slice that is equal in diameter as your bread slice. My advice for growing a tomato for such a sandwich is that no amount of fertilizer is too much. Watch a short slide show of my perfect BLT.

Friendship

2008-08-12T22:28:00.004-05:00

Friends. The most important people in your life. Treat them well, because you will find that the good things in life are best when shared with the ones you care about. Malt liquor is one of those good things.

Chili

2008-08-09T15:35:00.002-05:00

A friend from work and I went for a nice ride on our bikes after work. We stopped for chili which turned out to be good enough, no pun intended, Cindy.

Lakefront Brewery

2008-07-28T20:10:00.004-05:00

A regional brewery based in Milwaukee has always had the best tour, and a really good line of beers. They've certainly hit one out of the park with their newest edition to the family, this IPA. I give it an A+.

Dependable Pete Classic Clip: Stop motion beer

2008-07-19T13:04:00.004-05:00

Bicycle

2008-07-14T21:52:00.003-05:00

It's summer, you should get outside and go for a bike ride. I mean, look at you, all cooped up in the house and it's so nice outside.

DependablePete Classic Clip: The IPA

2008-07-05T16:05:00.006-05:00

Here's a short clip of a very underrated custom in our culture, ordering a beer.

Poems and Pics

2008-06-22T20:11:00.006-05:00

When the days are long,
and your stresses have compounded.
The days of your youth are gone,
And the pressure of a career have mounted.
I shall ask you to sit with me,
and I'll lend you my ear.
You are all you need to be
while you enjoy a frosty beer

I could never have seen this coming.

2008-06-13T16:05:00.006-05:00

This is quite simply mind blowing. This photo is of a girl named Gina. She lived next door to my family all through my childhood. Her family is very religious. One day, several years ago, I'm sitting in a bar with my brother (not uncommon) and a free magazine distributed to all local bars intended to advertise drink specials and various events in the area is sitting there and I'm staring at it blankly as I drift off in space (not uncommon). Suddenly I snap out of it, scrunch my face, and mumble "wait". I open the cover to the table of contents and read what I never thought possible. If her family ever saw this they would most certainly disown her. What I felt was particularly unnecessary is going topless behind the guitar. Had she wore a shirt behind the guitar her parents would be proud of her small success and I'd have no fun with this. After my brother and I decided not to drop it in their mailbox as an effort to sabotage her, I saw her in their driveway and delicately asked her about it. The website and magazine state very clearly all modeling is done free, models aren't paid. She made up this bullshit story that they gave her a thousand dollars. Laughable. I would have said that too.

Fireside Folk

2008-06-10T17:40:00.005-05:00

Take A quick tour of the folk songwriting room as it nears completion. Exciting things are on the horizon.

Breakfast Pic

2008-06-07T16:29:00.002-05:00

Chorizo and eggs on Saturday morning. Too good, too spicy, and oh so filling.

Beer Brat

2008-05-28T21:47:00.000-05:00

One onion, one brat, one bun, and one satisfied Dependable Pete. MMMMMmmmmm.....I spoke fluent German for a good hour after eating this. Guten Tag!

Pro Bowler.

2008-05-18T14:47:00.005-05:00

Here's me out throwing rocks.

Crossing the line

2008-05-13T16:58:00.001-05:00

Just when you thought you they couldn't take it any farther. Behold the Harley Davidson fertilizer spreader. I'm saving up for the screaming eagle billet wheels. The fertilizer is made out of ground up bikers.

Three pretty little maids all in a row.

2008-05-11T21:25:00.003-05:00

This is the most beautiful picture I've ever taken in my entire life. Just look at it. I took it with my cell phone and sent it to myself in email, and when I saw later on at home I swear it brought a tear to my eye. Take a moment. Beauty, perfection, and incense. Mug #62 is in the middle.

Sound Quality (Test Clip)

2008-05-05T22:21:00.006-05:00

This post is intended to test several things, video quality, my cameras mic, and how it all works out loading it on the Blog. For the sake of being factual, that's my G&L Bluesboy. If you're wondering why this needs to be tested, well that will be revealed soon enough.

Living the High Life

2008-04-29T20:05:00.005-05:00

A few years ago I toured the Miller Brewery to see how the big boys do their thing. You see sometimes we can get caught up in our microbrewery ways. Here's a clip of me delicately sampling a Miller High Life. (Turn the sound down on this one, because some douche bag college kids at another table decide to chime in with "Chug...Chug..")

Our Luncheon Together.

2008-04-09T16:30:00.008-05:00

In a previous post I asked a simple question. Do lunch pics ever make you feel like you sitting there with me discussing philosophy while plowing fast food? This pic may help you feel that way. Here's me, Dependable Pete, destroying a beef sandwich at the famous Russell's Barbecue while looking you right in the eye.