May Mayhem: Michigan and More
“Where’ve you been?”
“We’ve missed you.”
“Are you even still alive?”
OK, no one has actually said any of that to me, but let me pretend someone noticed I haven’t been blogging in a couple of weeks.
I have an excellent array of excuses, though, otherwise known as my May calendar.
But before we get into an illustrated account of why I didn’t blog in May: This post is part of the Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer, and What’s Been on Your Calendar, hosted by Sue, Debbie, Donna, and Jo. So have a seat, grab a treat, and let’s get to it.
The Day Job
If you read my April update, you know I’ve been busy prepping for a campus interview for a position at my current university that would be a significant promotion. That interview happened in mid-May. It seemed to go well, and I should know in a week or two if I got the job. It feels great to have the interview behind me–campus interviews require an insane amount of preparation.
The Staycation
I took most of a week off in early May while Long-Suffering Husband made his annual trek to Uranium Springs Detonation (learn more in this post). I didn’t get to relax as much as I usually do, because a) I had some work meetings I couldn’t easily opt out of, and b) I was prepping for my interview. But I still found time to read about 3 books, finish expanding our drip irrigation system, and waste time scrolling Twitter and Reddit. Go me.
The Vacation
The evening after my campus interview, Long-Suffering Husband and I drove to Phoenix to spend the night in a sleep/park/fly hotel (pay for a night of lodging and get a week of free parking + shuttle to the airport), then flew to Detroit the next morning. I attended a work conference for 3 days while he farted around in Detroit, then we rented a car, drove along the eastern coast of Michigan, and spent most of the time commenting on the weather (cold), the vegetation (green, lush, and not spiny), and the water (lots of it).
Can you tell we live in Arizona?
Oh, and we took pictures.
So. Many. Pictures.
I’ll share some in my next few weekly posts, including this one.
We were gone 9 days and got home this past Wednesday. I’ve been recovering ever since.
Detroit
We stayed at the conference hotel, the Marriott at the GM Renaissance Center. The Renaissance Center (other than in the hotel) was so empty it was almost creepy. It’s a beautiful facility but with almost no one in it.
The hotel sits along the Detroit RiverWalk, which was also my route to the convention center each day. The city on the other side of the river is Windsor, Ontario.
We could see this tugboat from our hotel room.
And here’s me, walking back to the hotel on the last day of the conference, with the Detroit Princess riverboat in the background:
Port Huron, Michigan
After the conference, we rented a car and drove to Port Huron to start our journey up the coast of Michigan’s “Thumb.” The weather was beastly for most of this part of the trip, which limited my ability to take absurd numbers of pictures of ships and lighthouses.
I love ships and lighthouses.
Wanna see some?
Fun fact: the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in Michigan. Learn more here.
Seriously, if the weather had been better, we might never have left the Thumb, because I would have insisted we stop to look at every ship and lighthouse we passed. And there are a lot of ships and lighthouses on Lake Huron. But fortunately for Long-Suffering Husband, I hate cold as much as I love ships and lighthouses, so we didn’t have to stop every hundred yards.
Coming next week: More lighthouses. Also: wildlife!
The Memery
What do I do on vacation besides take pictures of water-related items? Eat! Then eat some more. I’m pretty sure I ate my body weight in ice cream, fudge, hotel waffles, and road snacks. So let’s talk about:
Food
Everyone jokes about getting sick at Taco Bell, but I never have (and I’ve eaten a lot of Taco Bell). My stomach is inured to abuse.
Follow me for more healthy eating suggestions.
If I’m awake, that’s me.
My Life (when I’m not eating or on vacation)
Me last night: Interview is over, vacation is over, I can get back into my morning writing routine tomorrow.
Me this morning: [plays solitaire on the computer for half an hour]
*sigh*
This is what books are for: latibulation.
Pity the person who shows me the ropes on a new job. They’ll be stuck answering my dumb questions for the next 2 years.
I wish my brain were as good at solving problems as it is at finding them.
And finally, this one has nothing to do with my life, but I giggled like a teenager the first time I saw it:
And… that’s a wrap. Who’s doing something fun this weekend?
26 Comments
Kelly
RE: Colon cleanse. For me, it is KFC. I can scarf down a couple of crunchwrap supremes with their hottest sauce and Taco Bell offerings don’t phase me. One piece of chicken and its colon blow time.
Also, do not worry about your ability to find and point out problems. I used to be concerned about my inability to pose adequate solutions, until I realized that if I didn’t say anything, everybody else would continue as if there were no problem. Denial is a a major default position in modern bureaucracies. Finding and pointing problems is a distinct and useful skill set….although it will not win you friends amongst you superiors.
Janet Alcorn
I agree–there’s definitely value in being able to spot problems even if you don’t have solutions. Too many managers confuse raising potential issues with being a naysayer, and they aren’t the same thing.
The only foods that consistently give me issues are certain kinds of sausages and lamb. Something about the type and amount of fat, I think.
Bobbiem91
What did I do this week? I put a novel into my spread sheet to start revisions. I revised a chapter of my WIP for a meeting, I worked, spent time at the doctors trying to get something done to stop the pain, but seems like all they want is to feed you pills and see you in two months.
Like you, I love light houses and boats and ships and green things that aren’t spikey. But I’ll take my arid desert over wet cold any day.
Janet Alcorn
I’m so sorry you’re hurting! I hope you can find a doctor who’s willing to investigate root causes rather than just treating symptoms.
And yeah, wet cold is awful. I don’t mind it for short periods, but I wouldn’t want to live in it again. It’s depressing and makes my joints ache.
trentpmcd
I grew up on the shore of Lake Erie so, yeah, large Lake Boats and light houses… (OK, Michigan has more and better lighthouses than Ohio, but… It also touches 4 of the 5 Great Lakes, Ohio just has one). I never liked Detroit – one of the few places on Earth that makes Cleveland look good. I haven’t been in Detroit in almost 40 years, so maybe it is better than in the 80s.
I think I have a new favorite word, though I agree with you that if I am going to latibulate, I should have a good book.
Good luck on the hoped for new job!
Janet Alcorn
I enjoyed Detroit, but then I was in only a small part of it–the part that’s been undergoing lots of renewal. I hope the city is able to continue turning around. I hear some tech and other startups have been moving in. That should help.
I really enjoyed the lakeshore, and I’m astounded at how cheap property is in Michigan. I wish I weren’t such a wimp about dark and cold.
trentpmcd
Dark? Maybe, but imagine sitting outside at 10 PM in June and it still being light… There is a lot to be said for the Great Lakes region, but, yeah, it can be cold. Particularly Mich (more than Western Ohio).
Kirstin Troyer
Trent, I saw your comment about growing up on lake Erie…my parents both grew up in Northern Ohio (Lorain) and we lived there until I was in 4th grade. A few of my aunts now live in Marblehead and one aunt lives on Kellys Island and has a vineyard and wine tasting room.
leannelc
Hi Janet – well done on the interview prep and attendance – I hope it all pays off and you get the job – fingers crossed for you. Nice that you got to have a bit of a break (if not a true vacation) as well.
Janet Alcorn
Thanks! I’m enjoying our long Memorial Day weekend. It’s not a long break, but it’s the first free time I’ve had at home in awhile where I don’t feel like I have to be doing something.
csuhpat1
What a nice trip to Michigan. Great pics. #weekendcoffeeshare
Janet Alcorn
Thanks!
Natalie
That looks like a fun trip to Detroit and Port Huron. I visited Windsor, Ontario a few times and could see Detroit skyline across the river. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.
Janet Alcorn
I wish I’d made it over to Windsor. Had my passport and everything but no time.
Christie Hawkes
Welcome back Janet! Thanks for sharing your trip photos. It looks like a good time. Also, thanks for all the funny memes. I enjoyed the laugh. As for my weekend, we are lying low at home, avoiding all the tourists in town for the holiday weekend.
Janet Alcorn
Thanks for stopping by! Your strategy sounds smart. I’ve lived in tourist areas before, and lying low was definitely our approach on holiday weekends.
Gary A Wilson
And I think that the best way to spend a day off is sitting and thinking about all the things I could get done if I could just get a day off.
Janet Alcorn
LOL. That’s me with writing–wasting time I could be writing thinking about how I should be writing. Or reading books about writing. Or doing pretty much anything besides, you know, writing.
Sue from Women Living Well After 50
Hi Janet, so lovely of you to join us for the WBOYC? for May. You’ve been busy that’s for sure. I’ve never been to Detroit and my husband had cousins who lived in Michegan. Their parents, his aunt, and her husband caught a boat to the US from Italy just after the war. My in-laws caught a boat to Australia as my MIL was ill. They never made it to the US apart from a visit. Good luck with the job. x
Janet Alcorn
There was so much migration after the war. Interesting to imagine how different things might be if WW2 had never happened.
Thanks for the good wishes!
Jo
I hope you hear about your job soon… The holiday looks good and your May calendar looks a tad like mine was lol. As an aside, I like boats and lighthouses so you’re safe. Thanks for linking up.
Janet Alcorn
Thanks! May was fun but *exhausting*. I’m happy to report that my June calendar contains nothing out of the ordinary.
Retirement Reflections
Hi, Janet – Thank you for joining us for #WBOYC. Your post brought me both nostalgia and giggles. I grew up in Windsor, Ontario and clearly remember the Ren Cen being built. It was a Big. Deal. I had a first date there in their skyline restaurant and my family stayed their one weekend at Christmas time. It was a busy, happening place. I’m sad to hear that it stands quite empty now. It was a beautiful, regal building.
Janet Alcorn
How cool! The Ren Cen is beautiful, but other than the hotel and a few restaurants, there’s not much there. I suppose that’s because GM has moved so much of their business out of the city (and out of the country). At least the facility seems to be well-maintained.
Joanne
While I’ve never been to Detroit (or Michigan for that matter), I can relate to the water, lush, and not-quite spring weather. We just went to Acadia, Maine this weekend and we went to check out the lighthouse! Can you be near the water and not look for a lighthouse? I don’t think so.
Janet Alcorn
We went to Acadia back in 2016. It’s soooo beautiful up there! That trip (and all the lushness and flowers) inspired me to try (again) to garden successfully in Arizona. I realized I couldn’t be happy without growing things. And that time it worked.
There’s something fairy tale like about lighthouses, though I don’t envy the lightkeepers from the old days. What a lonely life.