A pic of me on my Birthday....

Received this from my Dad today. Not the best pic of me.....but my eyes are open ( fastest lids in west!) and that is a feat in itself.

My first day alone ( my boss went on vacation for 2 days and I have to run the whole show solo) and I have survived very nicely. Like I should have ever doubted! :-)

Blog rises from the ashes!!!!!!

Well I am am back! Well errrrr I have been back for a while but its taken me a while to sit down and craft "the magic" that is my facinating blog ( Insert Krusty the clown laugh here)

We had a great time in DC. We were fortunate enough to be able to visit both the Capitol and WhiteHouse. Not a easy thing in post 9/11 times. We contacted our Senator and his office was able to arrange tours for us. If you ever head out there.....do this a couple of months in advance. We also visited all of the Memorials ( Lincoln,Jefferson,WW2,Vietnam..etc) they all are very stunning and impressive. Every day was a full day, between hitting the Smithsonian and the above places. We used the Metro subway system to get around ( a new experience but kinda cool) town. I felt very east coastish as herded the fam onto the train and kept my head on a swivel to protect them from thugs!!!














I used my digital camera quite a bit....I only included 3 out of the 200 I kept..( gotta conserve web space for my nice blog provider! First shot is of the very helpfull groundskeeper at Mount Vernon. He was so happy and he keeps a nice green lawn for George Washingtons house. :-)
2nd shot is at Arrlington Cemetary. Its kinda arty....but its of the area where they have funerals for the buried. 3rd is of the Lincoln Memorial. You really cant get a bad picture of that sculpture. The weather there was brutal. It was always around 99 degrees ( one day was 102) and high humidity. We made the best of it and sweated like tourists!!!!! We were able to see everything and created some great memories. I loved this trip because my Son will always remember this. Amusement parks are fun, but a mouse with overpriced souveniers cant provide what DC did. History is impressive and it gives you such a sense of what the USA is about. Great trip.

I have now finished 1 week of training in my new job, and I love it. Very different from my Warehouse job. But that was the point wanst it!!!! I am just so happy that I found a way to get back on track to doing something that I like. I will keep my many ( thanks to the 3 that even leave responses!) readers posted on any new news regarding my job. :-)

Its a sunny day out....I better get out of the chair and enjoy it!

Till next blog!

So much stuff going on!

Its been busy busy in the Young household!

The last week or so we have had my Dad and his wife Nancy in town for a visit. The weather has been brutal hot ( yeah I know....its been hot for the rest of you also!) and we have have had very high humidity. So.....lots of movies in the AC and very quick trips outside with the dog for "potty breaks". Also... to make the heat even more fun.....my warehouse job ( yes I am counting the days to start my new job) is NOT airconditioned. Full sweat through the shirt by about 30 minutes at the job! What a nice mental image I have provided you! :-) The good news is that my new job will be airconditioned. Progress!

Tonight we are packing for our family vacation to Washington DC! Of course the heat will follow us but....we are young and tough!!!! :-) I am really looking forward to going out east for the first time in my life!

And lastly.....even though its a national holiday to some....there are a few that dont know that its my birthday. So to those poor unfortunate few!

ITS MIKES 42ND BIRTHDAY!!!!

Make sure to have your chairs out early so you get a great view at the Michael Young Birthday Parade! Ahh yes its so much fun for everyone !

:-)

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeah!!!

I feel like like leaping like Pete Townshend!

Yep! I GOT THE JOB!!!!!

For those that have not purchased my leather bound 996 page autobiography. I have been working my last 2 jobs in a warehouse. I have learned skills that I never thought I would ever be able to do. I have learned that some people that work in those enviorments break many of the stereotypes associated with those kind of jobs and I learned that a hard days work is a reward that shouldnt be undervalued.

That said. I never really loved my job. It had its perks ( I was able to use my huge music collection daily and play DJ to my coworkers) and its frustrations. I spent 7 years doing something that never really made me feel much more than "its just a paycheck". I wanted and expected more from myself, but had a hard time finding something that I wanted to stick my neck out for. I tried a couple of times for other jobs within the company that I work for. Only to find out that 1. it paid less and 2. after hearing in total what the job was about....it wasnt for me. I truly believe that God had me experience these things for a reason. I accepted those disappointments and just kept looking for a fit. I found it .

I will be a customer service rep.

I am excited about this because. I get to use my gift of gab. I am able to use my computer skills and I am able to be in a job where I feel like a professional again.

I am proud of myself and happy to see the sun shine again. Like all of the jobs I have ever worked, I will give it my all.

Thank you to all of you that prayed for me during this period of searching and frustration. I truly felt your energy.

The job thaaaaaang

Well......as the old addage goes "no news is good news". That is the case with my pending job news. As many of you know....when you are dealing with corporate companies....progress on anything moves like a glacier.

I remain very optimistic and trying to stay patient....BUT COMEON!!!!!!!!

You all will know when I do!

4th of July!

I love the 4th of July. I have great memories of neighborhood gatherings for fireworks. Eating watermelon.....and picnics. Since I have moved out into my little corner of the world. A new tradition has grabbed the Youngs. The annual 4th of July Parade. Its full of firetrucks...candy and politicans! ( I like the first two MUCH better!).

The pics I included are of the "boat parade" on the lake at my brothers cabin.....we circled the lake in style with flags a wavin! ( thats my bro at the wheel...my mom to the back....my neph...and my son!) And the last 2 are of the fireworks we set off tonight ( july 3rd ) on the driveway....I am a BIG kid and I love to buy "a few" to set off!

I experimented with some slow shutter speeds and got some great firework shots! Did I say that I love this camera????? Yeah I did!

Alice Cooper- Taste of Minnesota.UPDATED!!!!!

10:30 PM

The family just returned from a nice little concert in downtown St.Paul.

ALICE COOPER!

I have been promising Steven to take him to a real rock concert...when the right act hit town. The young lad loves theatrics and makeup ( yep,,,,he loves KISS) ....since KISS is on its 65 year "farewell" tour in Japan...I knew ALICE would be the perfect fit!

I was about 12 when I first started listening to him...it was so cool to look at my son...with his Alice shirt and makeup (his idea! Really!) dancing along with his "old" man!

Lots of colorfull characters ( which of course gravitated towards Cherol!) to watch. Cherol did this for Steven and I ....I know this isnt her "cup of tea!"

Alice put on a great show!The straightjacket, the fake decapitation....and of course all of the classic hits! I was able to take some good pics ( love this new camera!)....which I will post a few for everyones enjoyment!!!

ALSO ADDED!!!! A LINK TO A REVIEW OF THE SHOW! http://www.startribune.com/1374/story/527920.html

Satisfaction

Day 4 with the camera and I am taking pics that are waaaay past the quality that I am used to.

This photo is of a day lilly that I bought as a gift to my wife on mothers day. It bloomed this morning and I thought I better get a snap of it for good measure!

I purchased a Uv,polarizer and diffuser filters for the camera....so I am all set for accesories. With a busy summer planned and a couple of great sightseeing trips on the schedule....I cant wait to put this camera through the paces.

In other news. I just finshed a big yardwork project. Removed several bushes and stumps in our front yard. Added a new burning bush and some wood chips.....and pretty much cut back on the amount of foilage in the front. I am going for the minimalist look.....less is more! :-)

I love this time of the year, the colors and the activity makes me feel very good!

I have some other things going on in my life that could really make my world a little brighter. Hopefully in a few days I will be sharing that news! Dont want to jinx it....but....all of your prayers for my job thaaang could be answered. ( yeah I want to blab!)

The camera has returned!!!!

After some stops and starts....the digital camera is back! The process was irritating....I had to make numerous phone calls and be pesky....but. lets just say, after the dust has settled...I made out good in the deal!

I will write more later....the above pic was the first shot I took with the new setup!

NIIIIIIIIIIIIIICE! :-)

R.I.P. Billy Preston

Sad news in the music world. Billy Preston passed away at age 59 after a long battle with kidney failure.

One of the first Lps I bought was "the kids and me". He was a great keyboardist who played on many classic songs. Was called the 5th Beatle beacause of his work on the "let it be" album.

Oh yeah....he is responsible for the deep rumination "nothin from nothin leaves nuthin"

Chew on that for a while! :-)

back to old school!

Today the Fuji Finepix s-5100 is in a box heading back to Pittsbugh Pa. I should have a replacement back to me sometime next week.

We were like two ships that passed in the night.

I trust that "she" will return. ;-)

The camera has arrived. In typical Mike Young fashion.......issues have
occuured. The "deluxe bag" that was included ....was so tiny you couldnt fit a camera ( any size) if you tried. The usb port to connect the camera to the PC is cracked. I have solved the usb issue for now...( card reader should do the trick while I wait for a replacement) and the bag is being worked on also.

Ahhhhh at least the thing takes very nice pictures. I will trust in good customer service and enjoy the pics !!!!

A New Purchase

Ahh yes....The wonders of Ebay! After owning a "nice" digital camera for the last 3 years, I have decided to "upgrade"to the fuji finepix s-5100!

The upgrade is a modest one. *Caution Geek Technology Rant To Follow!!!!*

I went from a 3x optical zoom to a 10x optical zoom and moved from a 2 megapixel to a 4 megapixel. Also the camera is packed with features that will indulge my inner photo artiste tendencies! Also purchased a 1gb memory card for this camera with will enable me to hold around 900-1000 pics in the camera.

The best thing about this is....The price was extremely reasonable ( hence the thank you to ebay....and some savvy bidding from yours truly) and its a very nice fathers day/birthday gift from my wife.

We are going on a nice summer vacation later in July to Washington DC ( sorry loyal readers....no daily blog entrys from me to get you through your day) hahaha . I cant wait to fill this camera with great shots of the all the stunning landmarks .

In other news....caught a very good concert last week at first avenue ( yeah the place where the little purple guy from Minny did a movie). The headliner was a group called The Drive By Truckers. I was able (since it was a general admission concert) to push my way right up front and center and be about 3 feet from the lead singer/guitarist. Very fun!

Well I made it through a post! Didn't think I had much to write about.....but one never knows what one can accomplish if he tries !

( yeah I stole that from a fortune cookie!)

Mothers Day

To all of the my readers of the female persuasion that have children.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

Without Moms, this world would be a much colder place. I am lucky to have a Mom that did a great job. As I grow older, and am faced with different parental situations, I understand clearer what a tough job it is to be a great parent.

You are faced with being selfless in a world that is geared at being selfish. You are trying to raise kids in a world where kids are being treated as adults at age 10. As negative as those statements sound, its important to remember that YOU ARE THE PARENT. You have the power to make a difference in your child's life. I feel its not the goal to be your kids best buddy...but rather his best parent. Its lifes most important job.

Thank you to all of you that are doing your best!

Gotta Love Hardcore Fans!

As you all have read.....

I have been inhabiting the Black Crowes Message Board. Thru that board I have been able to track down a audience recording of the concert that I attended in Oct. of 05.

The Black Crowes encourage fans to bring recording equipment to concerts. Thank goodness......this was a concert that I wont forget. Its interesting to hear it some 6 months later. Since that time, I have become a very hardcore fan of the bands and have collected several shows from the tour. I still think this one was a special show.....lots of jamming and the setlist was packed with my faves. I will attach the setlist and my comments to the end of this post.

The pic to the right is from the show.....

Below is a setlist of the show....I will give some short comments by some of the songs.-Set One-STARE IT COLD -Great song to kick start the night off.STING ME - One of my favorites...great Stones like riffsSOUL SINGING -Cd version is a nice sing along.this live verson takes you to church for 15min.SEEING THINGS -Another deep cut...another fave.GO TELL THE CONGREGATION-Geez another fave....great hammond b-3 organ DARLING OF THE UNDERGROUND PRESS - A rare electric version NEBEKANEZER -A fun little cosmic ditty :-) YOUNG MAN,OLD MAN -Nice percussion.. .LONG LONG LONG - Brother Rich Robinson does a nice verson of the George Harrison song. MY MORNING SONG -One of my favorites VIRTUE & VICE - My favorite!-

Set Two-SONG OF LOVE -Great jamTHORN IN MY PRIDE - Best song of the night....complete with drum solo that wasnt boring!SING ME BACK HOME CLOSE UP THE HONKY TONKS SOMETIMES SALVATION WISER TIME SHE TALKS TO ANGELS HARD TO HANDLE A CONSPIRACY REMEDY-
Encore-HAPPY- Nice way to end the night...nice cover of Keith Richards Stones classic.

I have another care package on the way to me.....a fellow fan is sending me 10 cds worth of material....

Dont worry...I still listen to other stuff besides the crowes..... :-)

Father and Son master arcade hook game!!!!!!!!!

Come on...admit it...there are times when you pass one of these machines and see something that looks worthy of a try!

My son sees something just about EVERY time we pass a hook game. So I usually watch him ( and give him sage advice) win something that is cool for about 10 minutes.

Yesterday.....that all changed! :-)

I saw this bear. It tugs at your author's heartstrings. Because I was a HUGE Oakland A's fan growing up as a wee little one in Fresno California.

I reached for my pocket. $3. did the math.....50 cents a try....daaaaang should have passed that higher math stuff....ummmm that makes 6 tries! first try....miss, second try won a horrible looking swan ( which was given away to a passer-by...had bigger fish to fry here!) 3rd try I had it hooked and it fell off ( did a angry fist pump on that one) 4th try....missed. 5th try....lifted up and fell off...right by the slot. sixth try....................................................

YES!

41 year old dancing! How sad!

:-)

Tuesday Lunch break

Its time for another blog entry!

Here is a different angle for a post...for me at least....

Current things that are making happy!

1. the ability to go outside and absorb the sun into this somewhat pallid skin.
2. the smell of a barbq cooking and a baseball game on the radio......
3. jumping on my bicycle and riding to the health club for a good workout!
4. Black crowes message board! Lots of nice people that like to share great music over there!
5. Hearing from friends that I havent heard from in ages.

Current things that make me unhappy..
1. gas prices ( sorry...I am not unique!)
2. feeling like I am stuck in a rut

Hey! At least the happy stuff is a longer list then the negative.......certain days the list can change one way or another...... as for the negative stuff...I cant control the gas prices....but I can do something about the rut!

Happy Easter!

Wishing everyone a great Easter. !
(worlds shortest post EVER!)

Mike

Steven the bell ringer!

My boy has been chosen the last 2 Sundays ( at random...no cash under the table stuff) to ring the bells at our old country church to greet the congegation.

The bells are heavy and require me to help. Its a very nice moment for a parent to share this little gift with your child. We both had smiles as we rang them nice and loud and went waaaay past the required 12 rings! :-)

I didnt lapse into the Hunchback Of Notre Dame impression I was dying to do. ( just mumbled..."the belllllls....the belllllls" to myself)

Saturday Morning pulse check

Thank goodness I have some readers out there that give me the proverbial kick in the can to update this thing "we" call ......FROM REDLANDS TO MAPLEWOOD!

This morning I am heading over to my moms garage to clean out the crawl space that stores all sorts of mystery 'stuff'. My brother Dave and his wife Lori will be there...as well as my sidekick Cherol. The plan is to weed out this stuff for a garage sale in the near future. Another sign that spring is almost here......The garage sale season!!! Hey single digit readers???? Are garage sales still something you stop at from time to time???? I don't hit em as much as I used to.....I will slow down if I see a cd or so....:-)

Ok....I got through a paragraph of lukewarm material....asked a bland question to the readers....what to write about now????

Baseball has started.....for the first time in ages....I am not into it. Its sad, but I think the steroid thing has really clouded my feelings about the sport. It used to be my love and passion, baseball was everything to me as a kid. I could recite to you baseball stats and history....just like I can blubber about music. When the Mcgwire/Sosa race for 60 happened....it was a nice story for baseball. Energized the fans after the strike fiasco. But now in retrospect....it was all juice related. I now watch the game like I watch slow pitch softball...just wait for the 17 homers a game... and yawn. (well when I am watching another team besides our banjo hitting Minnesota Twinks!) I really hope to recapture the love of the game. I am sure the tide will turn....true love doesn't usually flame out entirely! ( wow...the juices are starting to flow! Check out that illiteration!!!!) :-)

Time to hit the shower and get ready for the new day.....Still hitting the gym 5-6 times a week....have lost around 20 lbs or so.....still making progress!

Have a great weekend!

Thanks Gopman for the friendly push! I should give you a co-writers credit! :-)

I am including some shot from my fave team as a lad. The 70's Oakland A's!