tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62977772011-09-01T11:55:33.271-04:00ABOUT YOUR HOST: Brad is a sometimes Legislative Aide, sometimes Softball Superstar, sometimes faux Duke boy in waiting. Things he likes include baseball, politics, golf, and Easter Candy. Things he does not like include green bean casserole, the Yankees, golf and Easter Candy.Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.comBlogger691100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1131845491496590452005-11-12T20:17:00.000-05:002005-11-12T20:31:31.506-05:00

My new post at the Michigan Department of Transportation hasn't left me with anymore time for blogging than I had before, but our new computer at home has opened the door for a possible return to this on a semi-regular basis. The lovely Kristen is spending the evening is not-quite-as-lovely Sterling Heights and I'm sitting home on a Saturday watching old NFL Films Super Bowl highlights. I'm

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1110403617516168942005-03-09T16:26:00.000-05:002005-03-09T16:26:57.516-05:00

The two Brad's and their lovely fiances. 

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1110378504121645942005-03-09T09:27:00.000-05:002005-03-09T09:28:24.123-05:00

I got engaged last night. I'm working on compiling the whole tale. Check back later for more information and pictures.

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1109968861477280362005-03-04T15:41:00.000-05:002005-03-04T15:51:50.316-05:00

Remember last year when I posted about my trip the Michigan Political Leadership Program fundraising dinner where I met Tucker Carlson and James Carville? Well, my boss in his infinite generosity took me again last night. This years guests were former Presidential candidates Pat Buchanan and Howard Dean. You might remember that I drank the Dean Kool-aid early and often in 2003 and 2004. In fact,

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1108677559182300102005-02-17T14:39:00.000-05:002005-02-17T16:59:19.186-05:00

It's 23 degrees in Lansing today, and the snow was flying last night landing on top of frozen roads. In Lakeland, Florida it is Fair and 77 degrees. The Tigers Pitchers and Catchers reported today and all is well with the world.It's going to be a good year for the Tigers as they have added a few key pieces that should make them contenders in a weak division. That's a long ways from the team

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1108418441147109682005-02-14T16:41:00.000-05:002005-02-14T17:00:41.150-05:00

Lansing, MI - Reknowned blogging superstar Brad Williams today announced today that he has instituted new policies for his mediocre and rarely visited blog "Thoughts From the Shower.""I've been getting harassing comments, e-mails, and other communications from anonymous and other sources commenting on my less than prolific blog posting, and to be frank my poor spelling," Williams said. "So I've

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1108417117298874392005-02-14T16:22:00.000-05:002005-02-14T16:38:37.300-05:00

This past weekend I got to go to a friends wedding. Not a friend I keep in touch with everyday mind you, but a friend all the same. The interesting part about those types of weddings is that when the vast majority of your memories of the bride or groom is as a single person, you're never fully prepared to see them as a part of a couple.It was also different because in the past weddings have been

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1105654235765771282005-01-13T17:06:00.000-05:002005-01-13T17:10:35.766-05:00

Shortly before Christmas, I was summoned to a “going-away” party for someone whose job was going a full five miles away. A wonderful event no doubt, but it was also the same evening when the Michigan Democratic Party was sponsoring its annual holiday party/overwhelming booze-fest. The going away party was taking place in the “Governor’s Room” at Karoub and Associates, a lobbying firm right next

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1105133695166209802005-01-07T16:33:00.000-05:002005-01-07T16:34:55.166-05:00

Dear (Insert Your Name Here), Hey, how’s it going? It’s been a long friggin’ time since I’ve talked to you. How were your holidays? Mine, oh pretty good. But you’ll never guess what happened to me. So, I’m in my truck on my way up north for Thanksgiving and the roads were a little bit slick. I was trying to watch my speed, but at the same time anxious to get home and spend time with my

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1100814380623097002004-11-18T16:45:00.000-05:002004-11-18T16:46:20.623-05:00

We like to think that it was heaven’s way of saying, “Nope, you’re not ready for this yet.” How else can you explain it? Williams men have many talents, pie eating, bull shitting, story repeating, loud talking; but one thing that is not among our talents is deer hunting. Its not like that will come as a big secret to anyone. Williams men have been hunting in Lake County for generations, as

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1099690011736581522004-11-05T16:25:00.000-05:002004-11-05T16:26:51.736-05:00

Yes, I actually sent this. I think it is pretty nice. Dear Mr. President, Let me start off by being honest with you. I didn’t vote for you. I never even considered it for a second. I was so offended by your first term in office that when I found myself questioning whether or not I could vote for Sen. Kerry, this otherwise rationale individual actually looked up the Socialist candidate for

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1098911783948689342004-10-27T17:15:00.000-04:002004-10-27T17:18:42.726-04:00

Published October 27, 2004Schneider: Church display kills Halloween spirit This Halloween in Lansing there's horror, and then there's HORROR. Jennifer Dent took a birthday-party group of 11-year-olds to the "House of Horrors" in Delta Township on Saturday night. Dent, who lives in Lansing, expected to treat the kids to the standard, good-natured haunted house-type thrills. Instead, she got

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1098909010298693552004-10-27T16:29:00.000-04:002004-10-27T16:30:10.300-04:00

It’s the campaign season, as anyone with a TV knows. I always find it interesting when people ask me about the campaign. Just today my doctor asked my how the campaign was going; he said “So what’s really going to happen?” I hate to admit to him that I don’t really know. While I might be better versed on the comings and goings of the campaign I am definitely not an insider. Any information

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1097873907059918512004-10-15T16:56:00.000-04:002004-10-15T16:58:27.060-04:00

So, I know that I have had big lapses in the time I’ve written stuff. But honestly, there really hasn’t been anything good to write about lately. I mean, I can think of lots of topics, but most run the risk of realizing one of the following disqualifying characteristics: a) just a bit too personal to share with the entire world, b) just a bit too offensive to share with the entire world, c)

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1096924307559007632004-10-04T17:09:00.000-04:002004-10-04T17:11:47.560-04:00

A couple of weeks ago, I finished a book called How Soon Is Never? The book was about a rock journalist, Joe Green, from a fictional magazine called “Headphones.” The second half of the book was outlined the Joe’s efforts to re-unite the band of his youth, The Smiths. I couldn’t identify with Joe very well, frankly he recovering heroin addict who traded in his addiction for alcoholism who saw

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1095711096190715922004-09-20T16:09:00.000-04:002004-09-20T16:12:50.296-04:00

note: If you the reader happen to be one of my parents and don't want to be assaulted with pangs of guilt you shouldn't read any further. But that isn't why I wrote this. I just re-read an old children’s story, which I barely remembered from my younger days. “The Velveteen Rabbit” is about a boy and his stuffed bunny. The boy loves the bunny so much that rather than being burned with the rest of

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1095090070931498872004-09-13T11:31:00.000-04:002004-09-13T11:41:10.930-04:00

On Friday, I was feeling a little bit down in the dumps. In an effort to help me feel better about myself, Kris made me help her list all the things that were good about me. Half were her ideas, half were mine. The list was preserved for history... it is as follows. - Forearms. - Ri-cock-u-lous-ly hilarious. - Nice to people. - AWESOME wing-man. - Really good at underwater handstands. - Has a

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1094847796569653112004-09-10T16:22:00.000-04:002004-09-10T16:23:48.866-04:00

“I think we’re going to have a good sunset tonight,” I said as I returned to Charlevoix from and afternoon and evening in Traverse City. When you live in Charlevoix, you have to make a day out of it if you need to do some shopping. In this particular case, I needed to go to Best Buy to purchase the new stereo receiver that Mom and Dad had supplied a gift card for to honor my birthday. We were

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1094236269997596602004-09-03T14:30:00.000-04:002004-09-03T14:31:09.996-04:00

Near Charlevoix, Consumers Energy operated Big Rock Nuclear Energy Plant for nearly fifty years. It always astounds me that a reaction similar to the one I’ve seen pictures of in Hiroshima and Nagasaki happened every day within fifteen miles of my house, completely contained. I’ve had one eye on the Republican National Convention this week. So far, I’ve done a good job at containing my rage,

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1093467075161325422004-08-25T16:49:00.000-04:002004-08-25T16:51:23.850-04:00

editors note: This post is a bit old, I was waiting for my Cousin Jason to read it first. As a lifelong Christian, I don’t think I am allowed to believe in karma am I? Something tells me that I’m not so I’m going to start this all off with: I don’t believe in karma, but if I did this would make a whole lot of sense. You see, I know that along with my twin cousins Todd and Brian, I was a little

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1093287271753591502004-08-23T14:49:00.000-04:002004-08-23T14:54:31.753-04:00

Ok, first things first… I apologize that it has been so long since I’ve posted anything. I actually wrote a post last Monday but as it was about somebody, I e-mailed it to that person before I posted it and haven’t heard back. So if I get it back I will post it with an editor’s note. Anyways, the last time I wrote something to the extent that I didn’t think I had lived enough to provide the

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1092344157644831592004-08-12T16:54:00.000-04:002004-08-12T16:55:57.643-04:00

I wonder if there is something wrong with me. Is it indicative of a greater problem that I can’t think of great things to write about any longer? There was a time when topics for the blog just kind of poured out of me. But it seems since the summer has hit my brain has dried of fun thoughts and topics. Maybe I need to stop using the drugs. Hah, I’m just kidding mom. It seems that sometimes

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1091566088142247142004-08-03T16:38:00.001-04:002004-08-03T16:49:52.220-04:00

Are you sitting down for this? The words that are about to escape from my fingers don’t even form themselves in my mind very easily. I have even tried to say them before but I turn into a stuttering mess before my lips can form the first syllable. I was wr-r-r-r-r-r-rong. Wow. That was even tougher than I thought it would be. Couldn’t tell you the last time I’ve said that. I know, all of you

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1090958374045640012004-07-27T15:59:00.000-04:002004-07-27T15:59:34.046-04:00

  My recent vacation was spent lounging around my parent’s house in Charlevoix.  My days included a lot of reading, a lot of golf, and a lot of sun.  Part of the reason I chose the week I did was because it was Charlevoix’s annual Venetian Festival.  While I was growing up, Venetian was exciting simply because it meant that the carnival came to town.  In retrospect, the wisdom of spending so much

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1090346408234683882004-07-20T13:43:00.000-04:002004-07-20T14:01:11.343-04:00

Editors Note: Do you remember a few years ago when David Letterman had open heart surgery.  Dave had several of his friends and other pesonalities come in as guest hosts.  The nice part about Dave is that he was confident enought in his own ass-kickingness to bring in the best subs he could find.  I remember that some of Dave's guest hosts made you wish that some of the individuals would have a

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1089836246346482732004-07-14T16:17:00.000-04:002004-07-14T16:17:26.346-04:00

Normally, the Major League All-Star Game is one of my favorite sporting events in any given year. I remember growing up on at least a few occasions that the All-Star game would fall on a day when my mom was dropping off my brother and sister at camp. It would just be Dad and I and a couple of fat steaks watching the mid-summer classic. Back in the day, the Tigers used to routinely send several

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1089406354212527592004-07-09T16:45:00.000-04:002004-07-09T16:52:34.213-04:00

I suck. I haven’t written jack in this blog in so long. I’d like to say I have a really good reason, like my fingers were chopped of by a mob of angry cannibals on a recent trip to Gilligan’s Island thus making typing impossible unless I wanted to type with my nose. Alas, I’ve got nothing. Pure laziness, mixed in with a dearth of ideas. I often think I would like to write for a living, but

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1088542222484749332004-06-29T16:45:00.000-04:002004-06-29T16:50:22.483-04:00

The following editorial is copied from the satirical newspaper "The Onion." I found it hysterical. As Americans, we have a right to question our government and its actions. However, while there is a time to criticize, there is also a time to follow in complacent silence. And that time is now. It's one thing to question our leaders in the days leading up to a war. But it is another thing

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1088438191823988022004-06-28T11:54:00.000-04:002004-06-28T12:01:15.320-04:00

Last night I came home (Lansing) from a great weekend at home (Charlevoix). I can’t put my finger on why this weekend was special, but it was just a lot of fun. Sometimes when I get in the car and head back south I feel sad, like I didn’t live up to my end of the bargain. Again, I can’t ever put my finger on why. Yesterday, my drive home was filled with smiles and forward thinking

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1088195008503878862004-06-25T16:01:00.000-04:002004-06-25T16:32:03.890-04:00

I suppose it could be worse. I’ve never been struck by lightning. I’ve never been hit by a drunk driver. I’ve never had food poisoning. But then again… I’ve never won anything in games of chance. I’ve never had a hole in one. But what are the odds? I went to the gym on my lunch hour today, as is my Friday custom. When I was done working out, I showered up and grabbed some food on my way

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1086982489599471322004-06-11T15:32:00.000-04:002004-06-11T15:34:49.600-04:00

When I hear last Saturday the Ronald Reagan had died, I knew that sooner or later I would want to comment on the death of the 40th President. I started to think of the talking points in my own head, “I respect the office and hate to see anyone die but…” I remembered all the things about Reagan that have incensed me over the years. Maybe its maturity, or maybe its laziness, but I don’t really

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1086374756503357322004-06-04T14:41:00.000-04:002004-06-04T14:45:56.503-04:00

Scott Wieland was/is a drug riddled rock and roll singer whose life seems to be constantly spinning out of control. I saw a story about his new band “Velvet Revolver” where a commentator mentioned his past problems with drugs but said “Hey, he’s managed to keep himself alive, so that’s something.” So why then would I choose Scott Wieland as my new pied piper? Well before he uses the lyrics “

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1085761446112969832004-05-28T12:19:00.000-04:002004-05-28T12:25:29.313-04:00

Wow, I can't believe how lucky I am. I just got a letter from my Congressman, Mike Rogers. He sure seems like a great guy. Here it is. Dear Brad, I wanted to write to update you on recent legislative activities in the United States Congress. I appreciate the opportunity to contact you. In the past four years, I have worked hard to provide real tax relief for working American families.

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1085426062509511042004-05-24T15:12:00.000-04:002004-05-24T15:14:22.510-04:00

A: Yep, because if it had been anywhere else they would have called it the teethbrush. On Friday morning, my brother Tony, my friend Drew’s brother Adam, and I packed up and took off for Oak Hill, WV, about 60 miles southeast of Charleston for a whitewater rafting adventure. We made our way through Michigan and a good part of Ohio in typical fashion, plenty of loud music, Styrofoam cups and

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1084825324256156492004-05-17T16:20:00.000-04:002004-05-17T16:22:04.256-04:00

There is an old Bill Cosby bit that I remember from his video “Bill Cosby Himself,” where Cosby talks about hard working Americans who work their tail-off all week in pursuit of Friday. Then after a weekend full of fun and festivities crawl back in on Monday morning and say “Don’t ever let me do that to myself again.” I sort of feel that way today. When my alarm went off this morning I should

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1084221251366137812004-05-10T16:27:00.000-04:002004-05-10T16:34:57.156-04:00

I just re-formatted my blog to a new and improved layout. The old layout was getting pretty boring and pretty stale. Let’s face it, things were really starting to drag with the mundane orange and white. Since I changed the format though, I haven’t figured out how to add back the “Comments” function or the “Links”. I’m not sure how many people followed my links, but I hope many people found

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1083604251634867702004-05-03T13:09:00.000-04:002004-05-03T13:15:02.903-04:00

Note: The following is my Mom's observations on our competing in the Calvin College Spring Classic 5k race on Saturday. If you want to hear what I have to say on the matter, keep reading. My post is next. -bw I do believe that I have been the first person ever to be invited to write a guest “blog” for Brad’s “Thoughts from the Shower.” It’s not often, that Brad would allow something like

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1083604135295674922004-05-03T13:08:00.000-04:002004-05-03T13:13:06.593-04:00

Is there anything more egomaniacal than setting up a blog filled with your own opinion and anecdotes and then expecting people to read it? What I’m about to say might seem that way, but bear with me… the massage of my psyche will be followed closely by humility and then a bit of gloating. I am not a natural athlete, when I was in Kindergarten I know the gym teacher had a conversation with my

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1082751997378948172004-04-23T16:26:00.000-04:002004-04-23T16:31:45.500-04:00

I swear to you… no matter how this looks to you on your screen, I am not crazy. Earlier this week, some dude who is a friend of a friend that I’ve never met or spoken with sent to me, through this third party a link to an article that he thought I would get a kick out of. The article is kind of beside the point, but basically is about “Friend Crushes” that every guy gets in college. You know a

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1082129445710230152004-04-16T11:29:00.000-04:002004-04-16T11:34:44.746-04:00

I’ve got many things to get off my chest today… plus I don’t have anything else to right about, but if I go to long without posting I hear about it from two or three people. Since that is about half my readership, I’ve got to write something today. I was going to try to do a contrived “Mailbag” piece, but that just didn’t flow like I had hoped. So hear goes my cop out for the week. • Tomorrow

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1081883647750671942004-04-13T15:13:00.000-04:002004-04-13T15:18:03.140-04:00

For Christmas this year, I got a book that chronicled the 1984 World Championship Season of the Detroit Tigers. It doesn’t seem like that happened 20 years ago. My family had just moved to Charlevoix, and I suddenly made the transition from innocent six year old Duke’s fan, to innocent seven year old baseball fanatic. I can’t pinpoint what first got me interested in following sports, but once

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1081454845441072272004-04-08T16:06:00.000-04:002004-04-08T16:11:14.090-04:00

While I was on my way back from Toronto on Monday night, my friend and former boss Gary was having a brain aneurism. I’m not really sure of his status at this point as he is still in intensive care, but I’ve definitely been thinking more about Gary the last couple days then I usually do. His good qualities are far to numerous to list in this space, but one thing he did for me that I will never

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1080933229298554582004-04-02T14:12:00.000-05:002004-04-02T14:17:29.576-05:00

When you spend you days toiling for elected officials, you get a fair dose of humility on a frequent basis. There are often occasions where Senate staffers are seen shaking their heads as their bosses make one more inadvisable move. They have their reasons, but almost weekly I share my sentiments with another helpless onlooker. “This would be so much easier if they just let us make the

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1080592504871262562004-03-29T15:20:00.000-05:002004-03-29T15:38:39.403-05:00

It’s not often that I write overtly religious pieces. I know my small but loyal readership doesn’t need to hear my perspective on the biblical issues of the day. But yesterday’s experiences at church provided one of those epiphanies that you just feel like commenting on. I wouldn’t think that anything I heard yesterday would come as a surprise to many people, and it shouldn’t really have come

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1079733731616490672004-03-19T16:59:00.000-05:002004-03-19T17:06:04.280-05:00

One of my favorite musicians today is a fellow named Ryan Adams. Ryan comes from a genre called alt.country wish fuses traditional country music with modern day rock ‘n’ roll. Some people think Ryan a pompous asshole, and they are probably right… others think he is a genius and the next Bob Dylan. While that may be stretching it, his talent is no doubt significant. One of Ryan’s significant

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1079638772307088652004-03-18T14:35:00.000-05:002004-03-18T14:42:51.640-05:00

Last night, I had the pleasure of once again attending the East Lansing Film Festival. Most people know that I don’t always hold the Lansing area in the highest esteem, but this is one of those events that I would miss if I were to ever leave. I especially enjoy the opportunity to see some documentaries. Of course this meshes well with my professed love of Reality TV, and the documentary film

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1078952720206682312004-03-10T16:02:00.000-05:002004-03-10T16:08:29.123-05:00

At 7:25 every morning, the TV in my room turns on to slowly pull me out of my slumber. Five brief minutes later, the fingernails on chalkboard like blaring of my alarm sends my limbs flying in the direction of that devil’s box. I usually spend ten minutes or so waiting for my roommate to finish in the bathroom contemplating which shirt is clean, and what suit it matches, while catching up on

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1078520023243333882004-03-05T15:53:00.000-05:002004-03-05T16:09:42.310-05:00

When I proposed the title of this post to my friend Kris, she mentioned that it reminded her of the slogan that all of my gutless Democratic friends used around the Iowa Caucuses “Dated Dean, Married Kerry.” Let there be no doubt about my distaste for John Kerry. Those who may be confused by my title should not be. When my brother Tony was born, I know there was some debate as to what his

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1078178037643588442004-03-01T16:53:00.000-05:002004-03-01T16:56:54.360-05:00

Nothing, and I mean nothing has got me fired up today. I mentioned Friday how much I hate my office. That reality has never been more true than today. It was a beautiful weekend in Lansing, the sun was shining and it was plenty warm. I went for a run outside on Saturday morning. One would expect the burn of sub-arctic air would drive most runners into the treadmill on most February mornings.

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1077912047097324422004-02-27T14:59:00.000-05:002004-02-27T15:03:39.530-05:00

It has been a really long week in surprisingly sunny and warm Lansing, Michigan. It’s been the kind of week that for no apparent reason just gets you down. Over a beer at the Nuthouse last night, I told my friend Kris that the conditions were prime for “Belligerent Brad” to make an appearance. This nasty creature will often show up once or twice a month when I’m grumpy to begin with and

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1077570713021016862004-02-23T16:09:00.000-05:002004-02-23T16:14:39.920-05:00

I spent my weekend in Charlevoix. While briefing my co-workers on my weekend plans, I tried to explain why I loved being home so much. I love the ability to revert back to 16. I love the fact that all my “Lansing Stresses” are left at the county line. But it really is more than that isn’t it? I don’t know what it is about loving home, but it seems to be a consistent thread through all of my

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1077293484820549392004-02-20T10:03:00.000-05:002004-02-20T11:14:07.280-05:00

Earlier this week, I promised that I would do a rundown of my “Top Ten Favorite Legislators” of all time. Someday I might do that, but today I don’t know if I could do the list justice. There are many Legislators on both sides of the aisle I am quite fond of. Of course, my boss Sen. Ray Basham has to head the list, but the Senate is chocked full of great public servants like Mickey Switalski,

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1077133196868269662004-02-18T14:39:00.000-05:002004-02-18T14:42:36.530-05:00

It’s come to my attention recently that my Mom has been working overtime on doing some grassroots advertising for me. That can only mean my readership is increasing, with that in mind I think I need to answer some frequently asked questions (FAQ). By the way, let me say that I think the FAQ is one of my favorite forms of mass communication. Question: Brad, what is a blog? Answer: I’m not

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1077113429373110012004-02-18T09:09:00.000-05:002004-02-18T09:13:08.983-05:00

This may seem peculiar to some, and I admit seems a bit inconsistent for me too. Here is my reasoning. Michigan and its Senate is very diverse, while Christians definitely have a strong plurality the rest of the state is filled with Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Wiccans, Pagans and all other forms of religion. Being that the members of the Senate represent people of

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1076362878231401782004-02-09T16:34:00.001-05:002004-02-09T16:43:45.403-05:00

I love it when the old lady that runs the card shop down the street says “See you tomorrow!” when you leave, even though the odds of me returning tomorrow are slim… What does it say that as of Saturday, I’ve traveled approximately 10 mph faster on my snowmobile than in my truck.... Is there anyone left who thinks that it’s a good idea that Iowa and New Hampshire essentially get to pick the

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1076362473725112452004-02-09T16:34:00.000-05:002004-02-09T16:37:00.983-05:00

I love it when the old lady that runs the card shop down the street says “See you tomorrow!” when you leave, even though the odds of me returning tomorrow are slim… What does it say that as of Saturday, I’ve traveled approximately 10 mph faster on my snowmobile than in my truck.... Is there anyone left who thinks it’s a good idea the Iowa and New Hampshire essentially get to pick the major

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1075826156787564162004-02-03T11:32:00.000-05:002004-02-03T11:38:15.640-05:00

Written by my friend, comedian, and fellow Tigers fanatic Andy Hoffman 10. Rodriguez finally fills place in my heart left by Mitch Meluskey 9. Nate Cornejo recruits Fernando Vina to help him with a 'Cerano' type plot to woo local weather lady. 8. Microphone used to announce Batting 5th Craig Monroe can be destroyed. 7. Bonderman's reasons to drink removed before he was allowed to. 6. Based

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1075756871488746082004-02-02T16:19:00.000-05:002004-02-04T15:47:32.466-05:00

Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez agreed to become one of the wealthiest immigrants in Michigan today. Pudge is the new Catcher/savior for the Detroit Tigers, he signed a contract that could be worth up to $50 million over five years. Pudge was born in Puerto Rico and like many of his countryment came to the states as a teenager in search of the American dream. Pudge made his debut at the age of 19

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1075315881822543862004-01-28T13:50:00.000-05:002004-02-04T16:03:05.640-05:00

This morning as I was about to turn the shower on, I heard a quiet tap on the bathroom door. My roommate asked if I was just getting into the shower and I said “Yeah, but come on in.” I figured he had to use the john. “No, my car is stuck. Can you push me out?” So I got out of the potential warmth and invigoration of the shower, sleep still in my eyes, hair standing on end, pulled on some

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1074799830651607632004-01-22T14:29:00.000-05:002004-01-22T14:32:33.106-05:00

Thanks to the GI Bill, thousands of soldiers returning from Europe and the Pacific were able to get their college degree after suffering gun shot wounds. In 2004, my brother is doing the same exact thing. Well… ok, not the same exact thing, but it’s still pretty heroic. First the gun shot wound. When Tony was little, he used to follow me around quite a bit. One late fall afternoon, we were

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1074717664634515572004-01-21T15:40:00.000-05:002004-02-04T16:10:19.560-05:00

I’ve not slept well the last few nights. It might be because of the disappointing outcome of Monday’s Iowa Caucuses, but I don’t think that’s entirely the reason. It might be because of the intimidating “hunks” that recently were injected into “Average Joe: Hawaii,” but that doesn’t make sense either. I also don’t think it has much to do with any of the following: the Tigers potential

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1074198124149080122004-01-15T15:19:00.000-05:002004-01-15T15:23:57.280-05:00

I am a bleacher guy. I like the feel of cold, flat aluminum underneath me. I like stadium corridors with dirty water leaking from the pipes down the walls. I don’t even mind waiting in line throughout half-time to take a leak in trough urinal. Last night, former Chicago Bears great Jim McMahon (Derek) invited me to join him for a Michigan State basketball game at the Breslin Center on campus.

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1073945151275029852004-01-12T16:59:00.000-05:002004-01-12T17:06:12.493-05:00

I remember 1991. In 1991, my mom was holding firm to her conviction that MTV should not be allowed in the house. This did little… if anything to prevent MTV from being regularly visited on my trips through the vast cable wilderness. They didn’t know it in 1991, but MTV was about to revolutionize TV. In 1991 MTV opened one of their new shows with the words “This is true story, of seven

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1073680694013618272004-01-09T14:59:00.000-05:002004-01-09T16:05:03.060-05:00

I've been spending a lot of time at the local YMCA with former Chicago Bears great Jim Mc Mahon (it's not really Mc Mahon, but in a bit of "Uncle Bob Envy" my friend Derek has requested that I refer to him as Jim Mc Mahon). I am the kind of guy who makes a lot of declarations in his own head only to not follow-up on them... "I'm going to wake up on Saturday and get something done." "I'm going

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1073593226351682212004-01-08T14:22:00.000-05:002004-01-08T15:20:46.296-05:00

When I was in college, my friend Kyle fancied himself a singer/songwriter. Among his hits were "The Moped Song," "In My Dreams," "Then Came Ronnie," (yours truly was a co-writer and performer on the latter). One song he wrote that never got as much play was a song called "My Dad is Batman." The gist of the song was that Kyle always thought that his dad was invincible growing up, that he had

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1073578007080197862004-01-08T10:19:00.000-05:002004-01-08T11:11:09.423-05:00

Yeah, I wear a bowtie... what's it to ya? About two years ago, I made the life changing decision to go with bowties almost exclusively. This is my identity and I will never be able to shake it. On those few work days where I decide that I want to wear a straight tie, I am nearly rendered useless to my employer due to the fact that I am constantly answering questions about my tie. People find

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1073508505169364052004-01-07T15:26:00.000-05:002004-01-07T15:48:44.456-05:00

Why Isn't Alan Trammel In the Hall of Fame? When I turned eight, the only thing I wanted for my birthday was an Alan Trammel jersey. Later that year, when my family spent a day at Tigers Spring Training in Lakeland, FL the only autograph I wanted was Alan Trammel's. When I played Little League Baseball, I asked my coaches to ignore the hard and fast rule that lefties can't play shortstop

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1073506266781176472004-01-07T14:49:00.000-05:002004-01-07T15:17:09.340-05:00

I've been waiting for a long time for someone to put these kind of thoughts into words. I went to a private Christian college and as a Political Science major I felt as if I had apologize for my political beliefs far to often. I've become fiestier in my old age, and don't cede the moral high ground to the right-wing anymore. That gets me into to trouble sometimes. The guy who wrote this

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297777.post-1073503381368265082004-01-07T14:17:00.000-05:002004-01-07T15:15:08.716-05:00

I'm new to blogging... in fact my only experience with this medium is through my periodic viewings of the Howard Dean blog. But you know what, I've got things to say. Sometime they are serious, usually they are a bunch of shit, but that's what the web is about right? I mean they let former Detroit Tiger Left-handed Relief Pitcher CJ Nitkowski on the web, why not me? Wow, after coming up with

Bradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18194664887065081885noreply@blogger.com0