This Valentine's Day marks the 6th year that Derick and I have officially been "together."
It started that night before Valentine's Day, six years ago, that I agreed to be Derick's Valentine. I wasn't sure that it meant anything that I had laughed and said, "Yep, I will be your Valentine tomorrow." Apparently he had many plans in mind! I remember waking up that morning, grabbing my toothbrush and facewash, heading to the bathroom for the morning. I opened my door and there was a balloon attached to a rose outside my bedroom door! Wondering which one of my friends played this apparent prank on me (I had never gotten flowers from a boy other than once when I was about 6 or 7 years old). It plagued me into the afternoon - and I thought I had it narrowed down to about three of my guy friends. Later that afternoon, (I was an RA at the time) I went to check my mailbox in the staff lounge. I had planned on carrying it upstairs with me and going through it in my room because there were quite a few people standing behind the desk and in the general area. Someone (I don't remember who at this point) asked me if I was going to look at my mail and suggested that I look at it downstairs. (I think it might have been Derick himself who suggested it!) I flipped through it and as I did, a folded piece of paper fell out and onto the floor. I picked it up and opened it. There was a list of places to check downstairs in the staff lounge to find something at the end - a scavenger hunt! I went to all of the places noted in the note and ended up at a black tote container. I opened it and inside, there was a basket of flowers with a small, brown teddy bear! Derick had gone to all the trouble to write me a sweet note and then send me around looking for my flowers! That was one of the sweetest things he or any guy has done for me. I still have the teddy bear and even the basket the flowers came in!
Well, this year I left him a box of Swiss Cake Rolls (one of his favorite guilty pleasures), a small box of chocolates (that said Funky and a had a picture of a monkey!) and a card in his place at the table. I am positive that I got the "surprise" gift giving aspect from my dad and mom. My parents would put out little things for holidays at the table for us. My dad still has flowers delivered to myself, my sister and my mom at work/school! Pretty sure he has the reputation around here as the "best dad ever!"
So, I am left wondering what he may or may not have for me this year! Last year, he went online and looked up how to make origami roses, and made me a dozen purple and red roses! They were so pretty and neat!
My Valentines Day did not start out the best though. I arrived at work, got all of my things out of the car, walked around to the back of my car, and totally wiped out on some black ice! I hit my left knee really hard and skinned it up pretty bad, even ripping a hole in the knee of my pinstripe pants! I was so pissed! It hurt (and still hurts) pretty bad. My left elbow also met the ground, and while it didn't break the skin, there is a little road rash there...I am a hot mess! So, hopefully things will turn around today!
I did make Red Velvet cupcakes this weekend and brought many of them into work this morning. Maybe I need to go eat one of them! Yes, that could very well be it!!
-L
***Update***
So, an update to what happened in regards to the rest of my Valentine's Day!
So after my not-so-lucky start to the "most romantic day of the year," I received flowers at the front desk at work from my dad! They were beautiful! Deep reds - tulips, gerbera daisies, Carnations, Alstroemeria and some smaller filler flowers and greens. That helped brighten my day!
Then later, close to "quitting time" at the office, Derick called me and asked if I wanted to eat at home or eat at Sweet Taste of Italy (a small GEM of a restaurant close to our home that we love because the food is awesome and awesomely priced to fit out budget!) So, I drove home, went inside to drop off my work stuff, and saw on the table that Derick had got me a small rose plant and a hand-made notecard! We decided to head to the restaurant and ate some yummy food! Later, we came back home for some relaxation time on the couch. We watched How I Met Your Mother, and then tuned in for the rest of The Bachelor (yes, I will admit that I have been sucked into this show - Thank you Amy S! lol!) I think that also made my Valentine's Day! Michelle got kicked off the show - the psychopath whom no one seems to like (myself included)!
I am a very lucky girl with many good guys in my life - a great Dad who is always looking out for me, a wonderful Husband, and even a great puppy, Tucker! He wanted to snuggle all last night too - maybe he was even feeling lovey! I hope that you all had a great night - regardless if you are with someone or not. And even if not, who says you can't get yourself a box of chocolates?!
-L
Monday, February 14, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
The Effects of a National Logo Change (on graphic designers)
I was looking up some friends on LinkedIn and found this article from one of the "groups" I have subscribed to, and thought that it was very true. The New NBC Universal "logo"
Being trained in the field of Graphic Design, there are things that have been ingrained into my thinking and my general way of life. When building a logo, you are not only creating a symbol consisting of colors, text or image(s), you are creating the emblem of a brand. There is something to be said about the logos that have stood the test of time, are easily recognizable and memorable. Take for instance, the Nike "swoosh" logo, the Apple logo, and, even the NBC peacock logo. All of these most people can take a look at and say one or more of the following:
I find it interesting that so many brands feel like they need to "update" themselves and re-make their image. Some of the most iconic logos, as I was getting at earlier, work well for the company and their image. I once had a book about the 100 most memorable logos and when paging through the selections, it was obvious that behind each logo, there was a story and a memorable company eventually attached to each one. It is sad to see some of the older logos go away, because these days, it seems that a lot of the new logos are worse - design wise - than the ones that they started with in the first place. I guess I would like all companies to employ the phrase, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," because then things like Gap and NBC Universal happen. Oy vey!
-L
Being trained in the field of Graphic Design, there are things that have been ingrained into my thinking and my general way of life. When building a logo, you are not only creating a symbol consisting of colors, text or image(s), you are creating the emblem of a brand. There is something to be said about the logos that have stood the test of time, are easily recognizable and memorable. Take for instance, the Nike "swoosh" logo, the Apple logo, and, even the NBC peacock logo. All of these most people can take a look at and say one or more of the following:
- I have seen that before
- I know what that stands for/I know the company that represents
- Can rattle off information about said logo and or the representative company
I find it interesting that so many brands feel like they need to "update" themselves and re-make their image. Some of the most iconic logos, as I was getting at earlier, work well for the company and their image. I once had a book about the 100 most memorable logos and when paging through the selections, it was obvious that behind each logo, there was a story and a memorable company eventually attached to each one. It is sad to see some of the older logos go away, because these days, it seems that a lot of the new logos are worse - design wise - than the ones that they started with in the first place. I guess I would like all companies to employ the phrase, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," because then things like Gap and NBC Universal happen. Oy vey!
-L
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
In the Workplace
I just read an article that was posted to a site I frequent: Behaviors in the Workplace
I really liked the bulleted section:
I saw another post on the same site that claimed that, "Colleges not preparing Graphic Designers for the workplace." and I almost 100% agree with that statement. From my college experience, there was little application for how to conduct yourself in an actual interview situation, what materials to bring to your interview from your portfolio, and so on, and that was just in regards to the interview portion of things.
Sure, we had the Portfolio Preparation I and II classes. Here, the focus was: Student will gain an understanding of the preparation of a professional portfolio and interview techniques. And the second part was more: Final preparation and presentation of a well designed portfolio and resume in preparation for seeking internships and employment.
I vaguely remember talking about the actual interview process in those classes, and the day after the actual Portfolio Presentation was over, I had never felt more alone in my life in regards to my professors, teachers and mentors at college. There was zero assistance from the department(s) in regards to "internship or job interview assistance." Funny, because that, partnered with the claims and glowing reviews given to me by one of my senior professors at a college fair (before I had even applied to this university) said all the opposite. They said that they had one of the best design programs in the country (true at the time) and that there would be plenty of assistance when it came time to finding an internship and landing a couple of first job interviews. Wow, was I in for a rude awakening!
When I had some of my first interviews, I donned the matching suit, hauled my giant silver portfolio all around town and ready to give my 20-30 minute sch-peel to my possible future employer. Uninterrupted and get through my entire portfolio. Wrong again. Some of the things I had done had absolutely zero commonality with the places I was interviewing with. Also, much of the work I had was student work, and that was apparent to just about any person with whom I had interviewed with. I think colleges should give more training on the different types of interviews out there and how to tailor your presentation and yourself to be the best fit for that job that you want to land. Also, more emphasis should be about promoting your brand - or, yourself. In your first steps into the "real career world" or even down the road - to keep stock of what you love and how you want to keep growing and expanding your career and therefore, your brand.
Alright, I will get off my mini soapbox now. I just got caught up in the article which then caused me to reflect on my training and my preparation, or lack of, in relation to the after-college experience.
-L
I really liked the bulleted section:
- Give people the importance they deserve.
- Let them know that their contribution is valued and that their opinions, recommendations and advice are needed.
- Analyze the reasons for uncooperative behavior-it is an indication that something is not right, that there may be certain issues that need correction.
- The best way is to allow the situation to cool off and speak at a later time about avoiding such a scene in future.
I saw another post on the same site that claimed that, "Colleges not preparing Graphic Designers for the workplace." and I almost 100% agree with that statement. From my college experience, there was little application for how to conduct yourself in an actual interview situation, what materials to bring to your interview from your portfolio, and so on, and that was just in regards to the interview portion of things.
Sure, we had the Portfolio Preparation I and II classes. Here, the focus was: Student will gain an understanding of the preparation of a professional portfolio and interview techniques. And the second part was more: Final preparation and presentation of a well designed portfolio and resume in preparation for seeking internships and employment.
I vaguely remember talking about the actual interview process in those classes, and the day after the actual Portfolio Presentation was over, I had never felt more alone in my life in regards to my professors, teachers and mentors at college. There was zero assistance from the department(s) in regards to "internship or job interview assistance." Funny, because that, partnered with the claims and glowing reviews given to me by one of my senior professors at a college fair (before I had even applied to this university) said all the opposite. They said that they had one of the best design programs in the country (true at the time) and that there would be plenty of assistance when it came time to finding an internship and landing a couple of first job interviews. Wow, was I in for a rude awakening!
When I had some of my first interviews, I donned the matching suit, hauled my giant silver portfolio all around town and ready to give my 20-30 minute sch-peel to my possible future employer. Uninterrupted and get through my entire portfolio. Wrong again. Some of the things I had done had absolutely zero commonality with the places I was interviewing with. Also, much of the work I had was student work, and that was apparent to just about any person with whom I had interviewed with. I think colleges should give more training on the different types of interviews out there and how to tailor your presentation and yourself to be the best fit for that job that you want to land. Also, more emphasis should be about promoting your brand - or, yourself. In your first steps into the "real career world" or even down the road - to keep stock of what you love and how you want to keep growing and expanding your career and therefore, your brand.
Alright, I will get off my mini soapbox now. I just got caught up in the article which then caused me to reflect on my training and my preparation, or lack of, in relation to the after-college experience.
-L
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Movie Update and Travel Plans!
Movie Update:
Last night we sat down to watch the latest movie that graced our mailbox, Salt.
I sort of figured that the movie would be action-packed and a pretty girl doing some pretty kick-butt things, as she is most known for in her films. Well, I got that and then some!
Not only was there a lot of intense action scenes, but there were so many plot twists that at one point I had to stop and really think about what had and what was happening in the movie. The one thing that I like about action movies is that for the most part, they keep me on the edge of my seat (ok, sometimes, burried in the depths of my couch viewing some parts around a pillow...) but they seem short! Lately, when the hubby suggests we watch a movie, I think to myself, ok, is that really the best way to spend 2-3 hours of my time...it has become a lot about time the past few years. I think working a full-time job with it being as crazy as mine is I can attribute some of it to that. It doesn't help that I have transferred into more of the time and project management role of our department (can I hear RAISE in March?! Please!!)
In other news
I got my vacation dates approved for the end of March into early April to go and visit my dear friend in Texas! I am SO super excited already! I cannot wait! I have never been down to Texas before, and am really just looking forward to a vacation and spending some time with him! It has been a long time since we have gotten to hang out...over a year I think by now. I thought about driving when I saw the price of airline tickets, but that would be an awful drive for me, a young-er female taking all by herself. And in the end, with the gas prices, it would end up almost costing the same to drive and to fly, minus about $50-$100 give or take here or there. I am sure I will be flying - it is shorter and more convenient. Hopefully. I am really wanting to catch a direct flight down there. Connecting flights make me nervous, as I have this fear that I would inevitably miss my connecting flight, and then be SOL. It may be cheaper, so I will have to weigh my options!
All for now!
-L
Last night we sat down to watch the latest movie that graced our mailbox, Salt.
Not only was there a lot of intense action scenes, but there were so many plot twists that at one point I had to stop and really think about what had and what was happening in the movie. The one thing that I like about action movies is that for the most part, they keep me on the edge of my seat (ok, sometimes, burried in the depths of my couch viewing some parts around a pillow...) but they seem short! Lately, when the hubby suggests we watch a movie, I think to myself, ok, is that really the best way to spend 2-3 hours of my time...it has become a lot about time the past few years. I think working a full-time job with it being as crazy as mine is I can attribute some of it to that. It doesn't help that I have transferred into more of the time and project management role of our department (can I hear RAISE in March?! Please!!)
In other news
I got my vacation dates approved for the end of March into early April to go and visit my dear friend in Texas! I am SO super excited already! I cannot wait! I have never been down to Texas before, and am really just looking forward to a vacation and spending some time with him! It has been a long time since we have gotten to hang out...over a year I think by now. I thought about driving when I saw the price of airline tickets, but that would be an awful drive for me, a young-er female taking all by herself. And in the end, with the gas prices, it would end up almost costing the same to drive and to fly, minus about $50-$100 give or take here or there. I am sure I will be flying - it is shorter and more convenient. Hopefully. I am really wanting to catch a direct flight down there. Connecting flights make me nervous, as I have this fear that I would inevitably miss my connecting flight, and then be SOL. It may be cheaper, so I will have to weigh my options!
All for now!
-L
Monday, January 24, 2011
The Pack is IN!
Newsflash: The Green Bay Packers are headed to the SUPERBOWL to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers!
The game yesterday between the Packers and the Chicago Bears was one to remember! Chicago went through three QBs! Cutler claimed to have had a knee injury - but was shown up walking and "biking" on the sidelines for the remainder of the game - no ice or heating pad on it in sight...sounds more like an "Ego injury" to me. One of the bigger highlights for the Packer fans - must have been when #90, BJ Raji (linebacker) got the interception and went in for the touchdown! It was unbelievable! Derick said that when Donald Driver (#80) retires, Raji will become my new favorite and then all I will have to do is all 10...#80 to #90...but then I reminded him that Clay Matthews (#52) was also pretty spectacular as well...so, I have my favorites :)
As that game finished, I finalized our Facebook event - our 3rd annual Superbowl party! Derick and I are planning on going all- out, decorations, re-arranging some of our house to accommodate more tvs and a lot people and a few dogs in our house!! It is going to be a fun time, that is for SURE!
Friday
Friday night was also a fun night - my friend, Emily was celebrating her birthday with a wine tasting and game night at her and Lissa's bachelorette pad. The weather was less than pleasant - very cold and very snowy and slippery - but I made the trek out to Albertville to their house! I was glad that I did - there was some very good wine and we played a few fun games - Apples to Apples and (a new one to me:) Things. We also got out the Wii controllers and played the Just Dance game. I was the long-standing champion of the night - and boy, can some of those dances be a workout!! There only ended up being Emily, Lissa, myself and a friend from high school, Tara, who were there. I guess others had backed out, but we had a good time, and watched Lissa's dog Madelyn and her foster dog, Sienna, (beagle) play together and with us. I love love love the puppies!
Saturday
Saturday was another night for driving. Derick and I made our way to Hastings for the MCA meeting at Ron's house - to see his "fish room." Okay, calling it a "fish room," was VERY undeserving! It was an entire FISH BASEMENT! WOW! I have never seen anything like that in my life! It was almost like he had a pet store and a couple large-size aquariums. I mean, even two cars came from Iowa to see the fish room and to also partake in the fish trades/buys that happen at all of these events. Right away - once you descended the stairs, you knew you were in for something different. The temperature set down in the basement was 78 degrees! Hot and humid and the noise was all of the bubblers in each of the tanks! One tank was four feet wide by four feet deep by eight feet long. I forget how many gallons of water that one held - but wow. It was insane! It was actually made out of Plexiglas - because, as Derick was telling me, once you get a tank so large, the pressure of the water on the glass of normal aquariums becomes too strong, and they break. Whereas the Plexiglas tanks can be better fused together. Derick sold 6 of the Sajica babies - but for very cheap. Apparently we found out that most people in that club prefer the African Ciclids - and not the South or Central American that we have breeding in our tanks currently - and which we prefer for the most part (though I find myself drawn to some of the Africans at times, and even had an African tank set-up in the 45gal just prior to this last shift when we obtained the 75gal tank). The meetings are held monthly and the troop travels to various people's houses to see their setups. They are all also crock-pot/potluck meetings, so there was some good food we got to eat after our fish-gazing in the basement. Check out the MCA link at the top of this paragraph to see some pictures of some of the fish in his basement - and yes, I even made the photo reel this time...
Last week...
Just a brief rundown of some of the things that happened last week. My mom, sister and I had pedicures at the Marsh salon/spa/wellness center on Wednesday night. It was so nice to be pampered like that! Then, Thursday, we all got massages and went out for dinner afterward! It was amazing and much needed. Though mine felt like more of a pain than a relaxing massage, that night and the next day - and even now, I am much more loose than when I went in. When I laid down, and the massage therapist started in on me, she was like, wow, you are tight ALL over the place! Yup - pretty much - stressed out and being tense does that for a person. So, that was really nice of my mom to share a Christmas gift with my sister and I.
Okay, enough for now! Have a great week everyone!
-L
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Observations at the MOA
Most of the day yesterday was spent walking the levels of the Mall of America. Initially our work team went there to talk about a new ceiling grid structure from which to hang window display elements such as banners, and dare I say, or even attempt to dream it, props. *gasp*
In order to get a better idea of what we wanted, we took a tour of the mall - doing what few others at the mall do - look UP inside the other retailer's window spaces. We saw the full gamete of ideas and installations for hanging systems. It was rather enlightening to say the least.
Our troop enjoyed lunch at Crave (though I admit my salad left a little to be desired and contained a few "questionable" items.) Then it was off to the CB store to evaluate fixtures and the combination of the CB and CJ stores into one big, beautiful (or so we hope) Dual Store.
There was one moment when our team was walking on the first floor when we passed the "new" Microsoft Store - right across from an Apple Store. I stood between them and time stood still as I laughed my ASS off at what a wannabe Microsoft is. I mean, seriously, I can just picture Microsoft sending over their corporate teams to different Apple stores in the area to "spy" on everything they have in their store. From their finishes, to their colors, wow. Unfreaking real!
I am never shocked to discover all of the odd people that come out to the MOA. There was one instance where one of the escalators was broken down and blocked off. This discheveled woman walked over to the block-off guard and physically kicked it with her foot! My coworker and I were also trying to get downstairs, but fortunately, there was an elevator behind us. Well, Crazy noticed that too, and went to hit the down arrow, and then stepped right up to the door, and clawed with her long fingernails at the door to open faster. I was a little timid to enter the same vator, but when it opened, there were other people inside, so we all traveled down together. Crazy actually gave an explanation of her kicking the block-off guard to anyone who wanted one riding downstairs with her. But wow, weird. There were of course others, but none that I had this close of an interaction with.
In other news:
The 75-gallon tank has all of its plants in and secured (some we have tied to the driftwood or the clay pots to "train" them to grow around the pots when they grow out) and ready to grow! Derick also discovered that one of the larger of the 4 baby Saijcas that are in the tank decided that he wanted to build his cave under part of the driftwood and was already clearing out the rock with his body! It is too large for him to move with his mouth yet - since he is little, so he has taken matters into his own hands and started moving-in! We put a stop to that by finally placing the pots in the tank for them to claim as their "caves."
In OTHER, other news:
The Packers play in their second playoff game this weekend - which has our household very excited! We may end up inviting some people over to watch the game with us - maybe not, we'll have to see. I am looking forward to the weekend (as I usually am) to just rest and relax - seriously. I will NOT get antsy pantsy and want to go and do things. Ok, maybe I will WANT to, but actually going out and doing things - nope. I need to get back to my books. I have a small stack on my dresser that I have been wanting to get through for some time now, and the pile has not budged or gone down - but has maybe only grown since I got a few new books for Christmas!
Hope all you people in MN are enjoying the snow falling out there - HUGE snowflakes! Wow!
-L
In order to get a better idea of what we wanted, we took a tour of the mall - doing what few others at the mall do - look UP inside the other retailer's window spaces. We saw the full gamete of ideas and installations for hanging systems. It was rather enlightening to say the least.
Our troop enjoyed lunch at Crave (though I admit my salad left a little to be desired and contained a few "questionable" items.) Then it was off to the CB store to evaluate fixtures and the combination of the CB and CJ stores into one big, beautiful (or so we hope) Dual Store.
There was one moment when our team was walking on the first floor when we passed the "new" Microsoft Store - right across from an Apple Store. I stood between them and time stood still as I laughed my ASS off at what a wannabe Microsoft is. I mean, seriously, I can just picture Microsoft sending over their corporate teams to different Apple stores in the area to "spy" on everything they have in their store. From their finishes, to their colors, wow. Unfreaking real!
I am never shocked to discover all of the odd people that come out to the MOA. There was one instance where one of the escalators was broken down and blocked off. This discheveled woman walked over to the block-off guard and physically kicked it with her foot! My coworker and I were also trying to get downstairs, but fortunately, there was an elevator behind us. Well, Crazy noticed that too, and went to hit the down arrow, and then stepped right up to the door, and clawed with her long fingernails at the door to open faster. I was a little timid to enter the same vator, but when it opened, there were other people inside, so we all traveled down together. Crazy actually gave an explanation of her kicking the block-off guard to anyone who wanted one riding downstairs with her. But wow, weird. There were of course others, but none that I had this close of an interaction with.
In other news:
The 75-gallon tank has all of its plants in and secured (some we have tied to the driftwood or the clay pots to "train" them to grow around the pots when they grow out) and ready to grow! Derick also discovered that one of the larger of the 4 baby Saijcas that are in the tank decided that he wanted to build his cave under part of the driftwood and was already clearing out the rock with his body! It is too large for him to move with his mouth yet - since he is little, so he has taken matters into his own hands and started moving-in! We put a stop to that by finally placing the pots in the tank for them to claim as their "caves."
In OTHER, other news:
The Packers play in their second playoff game this weekend - which has our household very excited! We may end up inviting some people over to watch the game with us - maybe not, we'll have to see. I am looking forward to the weekend (as I usually am) to just rest and relax - seriously. I will NOT get antsy pantsy and want to go and do things. Ok, maybe I will WANT to, but actually going out and doing things - nope. I need to get back to my books. I have a small stack on my dresser that I have been wanting to get through for some time now, and the pile has not budged or gone down - but has maybe only grown since I got a few new books for Christmas!
Hope all you people in MN are enjoying the snow falling out there - HUGE snowflakes! Wow!
-L
Monday, January 10, 2011
A Sense of Accomplishment
This weekend was certainly one of the more fun, productive and anticipated weekends in awhile.
Derick and I had made the decision to try to acquire a 75 gallon fish tank to accompany our existing 55gal, 2 - 10gals and 1 5 gal fish tank in our downstairs "sun" room. So, off to Craigslist and the fish forums we went...
I think we found a total of three 75 gallon tanks with stands that we were looking at on Craigslist. Derick contacted each right away through their reply email. We waited. And waited. and waited. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. I then tried replying to the posts, thinking maybe they would see another user - and respond faster to either Derick's or my response to their sale post. Nope.
Well, fast-forward about a week to Thursday night. Derick had his friend, Paul, over to the house to talk fish tanks and CO2 filtration building projects. They also made a side-trip to Terre Quatics to look at fish and plants. Derick found out from the owner that she knew of someone who was trying to get rid of a 75gal. tank and gave Derick her number. He called her that night just to find out more about the tank and what all she was going to be selling/getting rid of. We decided to go for it, and he could pick it up the next day, Friday, after they had removed their fish and drained the tank.
When I got home from work on Friday evening, Derick was at their house, loading the tank, stand, and two large garbage bags full of fish tank paraphernalia into his truck to bring home for us to work on. We decided to keep it in his truck until Saturday, and we would tackle the project then.
Late Saturday morning, Derick and I caught his huge Pleco (algae eater) fish and brought him to Terre Quatics. We bought some plants and driftwood that we planned to place in the new tank once it was up and running. Then, it was off to the hardware store for 4 cans of black lacquer spray paint and a couple of foam brushes to touch-up and re-paint the "new" fish tank stand.
We had planned on being home and having a Lynnea and Brynn, friends from Bemidji, come over around noon to spend a little time together, let her dog, Morgan, and Tucker play together and get a bite to eat at 5-8. Brynn was also buying our Wii and our Wii games from us, and was going to be visiting Lynnea for the weekend, so it all really worked out well! That was really a lot of fun hanging out with them again - I cannot remember when I laughed so much or so hard! Oh the jokes and memories from B-town!
After they left, it was right to work on the fish tank stand and hood - repainting. After a couple of coats, it was looking very nice! The fumes, however, were a little much to handle, and we had to air-out the garage. Not something easy to do in the winter and still try to keep the garage warm enough to work in! We managed to get it all accomplished and let it dry as we worked on the actual tank. What a lot of scrubbing! Wow! The glass tops were a train wreck, which we tried to get as clean as we could, but we may end up just replacing them when we make a little more money off our fish.
We got the stand, tank, hood and light in place and decided how we wanted to lay-out the room with that new addition. With a little more tank draining, shifting, and shifting back, we got everything to look really nice in the room! Then, we began assembling the interior of the tank - the tray for the oil dry substance that will be used to grow plants in the center of the tank, and slate panels on either side, and covered by small pea-gravel. Here was the old room set-up:
Here is what the tank looked like as we were setting it up:
So, to round-out our weekend of fun and productivity, we cleaned the mess in the house that the fish tank moves caused, and I made lemon poppyseed bread, cornbread muffins, garlic dip and a couple of other things for the Packer game and our friends, Laura and Bobby, who were coming over to watch the game with us. It was great getting together with them and catching up with them a little after the craziness that has been their lives the past few months. I also got to see some of their wedding planning that they have been up to and talk about some of their ideas about their invitations and program ideas and printing. Their wedding is in May, and then we have one more friend's wedding in July of this year! I like weddings. It is fun to go to them and see what other people have done for theirs, and how they all turn out. Thinking back, there are always things I would change to make ours better, but that is just the way I am sometimes.
As far as the new fish tank goes we are going to wait for the plants to take off more before we add fish. That, and we still have to create the "caves" for the fish to hide out in as well. Currently to "cycle" the tank, and create the proper bacteria for fish life, Derick caught 4 of the Sajica babies and put them in the new tank last night. It was really funny to watch them group together and explore the ginormous tank that was now their new playground.
This coming week should be a pretty quiet week otherwise. Next Saturday is the next Packer Playoff game. We may have more people over for that game as well - as it was so much fun just having Laura and Bobby over last night to watch! And come on people, this is when it all gets REALLY exciting! We're in the PLAYOFFS!!
Ok, I guess that is all for now, more later!
-L
Derick and I had made the decision to try to acquire a 75 gallon fish tank to accompany our existing 55gal, 2 - 10gals and 1 5 gal fish tank in our downstairs "sun" room. So, off to Craigslist and the fish forums we went...
I think we found a total of three 75 gallon tanks with stands that we were looking at on Craigslist. Derick contacted each right away through their reply email. We waited. And waited. and waited. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. I then tried replying to the posts, thinking maybe they would see another user - and respond faster to either Derick's or my response to their sale post. Nope.
Well, fast-forward about a week to Thursday night. Derick had his friend, Paul, over to the house to talk fish tanks and CO2 filtration building projects. They also made a side-trip to Terre Quatics to look at fish and plants. Derick found out from the owner that she knew of someone who was trying to get rid of a 75gal. tank and gave Derick her number. He called her that night just to find out more about the tank and what all she was going to be selling/getting rid of. We decided to go for it, and he could pick it up the next day, Friday, after they had removed their fish and drained the tank.
When I got home from work on Friday evening, Derick was at their house, loading the tank, stand, and two large garbage bags full of fish tank paraphernalia into his truck to bring home for us to work on. We decided to keep it in his truck until Saturday, and we would tackle the project then.
Late Saturday morning, Derick and I caught his huge Pleco (algae eater) fish and brought him to Terre Quatics. We bought some plants and driftwood that we planned to place in the new tank once it was up and running. Then, it was off to the hardware store for 4 cans of black lacquer spray paint and a couple of foam brushes to touch-up and re-paint the "new" fish tank stand.
We had planned on being home and having a Lynnea and Brynn, friends from Bemidji, come over around noon to spend a little time together, let her dog, Morgan, and Tucker play together and get a bite to eat at 5-8. Brynn was also buying our Wii and our Wii games from us, and was going to be visiting Lynnea for the weekend, so it all really worked out well! That was really a lot of fun hanging out with them again - I cannot remember when I laughed so much or so hard! Oh the jokes and memories from B-town!
After they left, it was right to work on the fish tank stand and hood - repainting. After a couple of coats, it was looking very nice! The fumes, however, were a little much to handle, and we had to air-out the garage. Not something easy to do in the winter and still try to keep the garage warm enough to work in! We managed to get it all accomplished and let it dry as we worked on the actual tank. What a lot of scrubbing! Wow! The glass tops were a train wreck, which we tried to get as clean as we could, but we may end up just replacing them when we make a little more money off our fish.
We got the stand, tank, hood and light in place and decided how we wanted to lay-out the room with that new addition. With a little more tank draining, shifting, and shifting back, we got everything to look really nice in the room! Then, we began assembling the interior of the tank - the tray for the oil dry substance that will be used to grow plants in the center of the tank, and slate panels on either side, and covered by small pea-gravel. Here was the old room set-up:
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| Old room set-up |
Here is what the tank looked like as we were setting it up:
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| New tank placement |
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| Whole tank view - oil dry and plants in the center of the tank |
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| Close-up of the driftwood and the plants |
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| Final room-tank set-up. Two 10's on the far left, 75 in the center, 55 on the right, and 5 on the far right on the desk. |
As far as the new fish tank goes we are going to wait for the plants to take off more before we add fish. That, and we still have to create the "caves" for the fish to hide out in as well. Currently to "cycle" the tank, and create the proper bacteria for fish life, Derick caught 4 of the Sajica babies and put them in the new tank last night. It was really funny to watch them group together and explore the ginormous tank that was now their new playground.
This coming week should be a pretty quiet week otherwise. Next Saturday is the next Packer Playoff game. We may have more people over for that game as well - as it was so much fun just having Laura and Bobby over last night to watch! And come on people, this is when it all gets REALLY exciting! We're in the PLAYOFFS!!
Ok, I guess that is all for now, more later!
-L
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