OT - Friday what's goin on open thread

Submitted by JeepinBen on

Evidently I'm bored this morning before Profit so he should consider his thunder stolen like Seattle

 

What's everyone doing on this day before a long weekend? It's gorgeous here in Chicago, 70-80 and sunny. Staying at the desk is going to be rough today, as is the 9 miles I've got to do between tonight and tomorrow to train for a half marathon. Anyone have fun vacation plans? Or have today off so the rest of us can live vicariously though you?

EDIT: and thank you to nmumike for the reminder about how this isn't just a long weekend, Memorial Day is important in and of its self. Take some time to remember/thank those who are serving and have served.

[EDIT:  Negged to Bolivian for stealing my thunder.  Points will return in 10 minutes.]

 

RakeFight

May 25th, 2012 at 9:29 AM ^

Reviewing the week's patients before I go off to the OR for a morning of joint injections.  Wife is working this weekend, so will be hanging at home with the kid.  Hoping to buy a car if everything falls into place.  

JeepinBen

May 25th, 2012 at 1:10 PM ^

That whole segment is basically brand new. The Rav4 is one of the older designs out there.

The Equinox was new 2010, the Escape just got re done (don't think the new one is available yet), the CR-V was just refreshed, the CX-5 is new (and has gotten great reviews) the Tiguan just got a refresh... it's one of many segments that's very competitive right now. I don't think you can really go wrong with anythign I've listed, good luck with the purchase! I've mentioned it before, but Car & Driver is my go-to place for car info. They just did a reveiw of the new CX-5.

Here's their buyers' guide: http://buyersguide.caranddriver.com/

CX-5 Review: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2013-mazda-cx-5-sport-manual-test-review

Escape Review: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2013-ford-escape-ecoboost-first-drive-review

RakeFight

May 25th, 2012 at 2:30 PM ^

Appreciated... actually, I saw your posts on last week's thread and had already checked out Car & Driver... and Edmund's, and Consumer Reports.  The only thing that makes me nervous about the CX-5 is that it IS new.  It's not usually my style to buy the first of something, prefer to let them get all the bugs worked out... hence the 2004 RAV4, which is, to this day, one of the highest rated, if not the highest rated car in terms of reliability ever produced.

Jmilan

May 25th, 2012 at 9:30 AM ^

Higgins Lake campsite for the weekend after work. Bought a lot of beer and food last night should be a great time. Never been up there before, but I'm sure it will be a good time.

UMgradMSUdad

May 25th, 2012 at 9:43 AM ^

Higgins Lake is a great place to be. The water is cold as hell, but it's so clear you can still see the bottom of the lake even in 20+ feet of water. We rented a cabin there every summer.  I still remember my dad having me jump out to check the depth because he had an old Evinrude outboard with a long prop--he was always worried when the water was under 4', and there are parts of the lake that stay shallow 100' from shore.  So, he'd get worried and have me check the depth.  More often than not, when he thought it might be 4' deep it was 10-12' deep.  With the clear water and the sand bottom, we just could not tell that the water was that deep.

dlcase1708

May 25th, 2012 at 9:31 AM ^

I'm actually heading out to Chicago for the long weekend tomorrow, staying through Wednesday.  Got big plans with the lady, as I'm planning to pop the question on Tuesday!

MGoRyan

May 25th, 2012 at 10:16 AM ^

Nice!  Just did the same thing myself.  If she knows it's coming (or has been hinting at it), she'll say yes.  I've been dating my fiancee for 4 years, and knew she would say yes, but was still nervous as all hell.  Congratulations

dlcase1708

May 25th, 2012 at 9:40 AM ^

Haha, everytime I'm on my phone, she says "Did we get a new recruit or something?" because she knows I'm always on the blog.  Hell, if she asks me what I'm doing all I have to say is "the blog" and she just knows. :)

ChopBlock

May 25th, 2012 at 10:04 AM ^

...and you should be all set. And if she does ask for it, give Tremendous's (not TTB, that might end very badly).

Other pieces of advice:

1) Never, EVER use the words "I guess" in a marriage proposal

2) The McDonalds Playplace is not romantic

3) Do NOT reference Michigan football while proposing

4) You probably shouldn't have bought the ring from that guy selling them out of his backpack on the El

5) This:

 

Erik_in_Dayton

May 25th, 2012 at 9:45 AM ^

In case you don't have it all worked out, try to avoid these common pitfalls:

1.  Do not refer to her as having "worn (you) down."

2. Do not say, "I figure I could do a lot worse."

3.  Do not propose anywhere where there are rats.

4. Your evening should have nothing whatever to do with methamphetamines.

5. Do not preface your proposal by singing "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" a cappella.

6. Do not say anything like "F--k it.  Wanna get hitched?" 

 In all seriousness (and again) good luck!

UMgradMSUdad

May 25th, 2012 at 10:03 AM ^

I didn't do any of the first five on your list, but my proposal was essentially no. six, after a long night of drinking.  We've been married 25 years (of course there was quite a bit between the proposal and the marriage, including the hangover, and wondering if she would even remember the proposal... she did---and that's my only bit of advice about girl friends and wives: be careful what you say, women don't forget anything.

Jfox1020

May 25th, 2012 at 9:32 AM ^

The only thing that will fix this damn hangover is a new recuit and kate upton dancing.. Becareful of Bacardi 151 Rum Runners mix..SHIT is no joke

UofM-StL

May 25th, 2012 at 9:36 AM ^

It's been nice here in St. Louis for the past few weeks, but it's starting to get hot and humid. Which means going outside is going to be near unbearable for the next 3-4 months.

I am pretty exceited about my work day today. I've got a meeting with a client in which I get to present two pretty sweet feature enhancements for their website that I built this past week. Hooray for recognition!

umhero

May 25th, 2012 at 9:36 AM ^

I have meetings until about 2:30 and then I'm leaving early for an evening of fun with my friends.  Tomorrow, I'll take my son to the zoo, Sunday the OL St. Mary's fair, and Monday a barbecue with my brother and his family.   It looks like the summer has started.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Indiana Blue

May 25th, 2012 at 9:37 AM ^

Indy 500 .... essentially a 3 day party fest with Monday for recovery.  The PERFECT start to summer!   Plus after this weeknd - my offical countdown to M football begins!

Go Blue!

mgowill

May 25th, 2012 at 9:53 AM ^

I think it is nice what they are doing in honor of Dan Wheldon.

 

The bulk of auto race fans will now get to do the same for Wheldon, the two-time Indy winner (2005, 2011). They will get a pair of white cardboard sunglasses to wear on race day, as a nod to him. He was known for his white rims. Fans will be asked to sport them on the Parade Lap prior to the race, and on laps 26 and 98, indicative of the numbers on Wheldon's two winning Indy 500 cars.

http://www.cleveland.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/05/tributes_to_dan_wheldon_at_ind.html