A little over 10 years ago a consultant from Microsoft jokingly described me as a cross between Rosanne Barr and Woody Allen.  You can file that nugget however you’d like.  :-)

Believe it or not you can still find free air at the local Marathon station here in Findlay.  I’m not sure what the going rate is when you do have to pay but this Marathon station in Strasburg, OH charges 75¢.  Don’t have any change? No worries, just charge it to your credit card.

Need Air? Charge it!
Marathon Station Strasburg, OH
June 21st, 2009

Quick FYI, IdeaFestival announced their 2009 speaker lineup and started selling their all access passes today.

I’m not a Star Trek fan but this caught my eye on the bottom of a gas station receipt.

Live Long and Prosper
Shell Station Cadiz, OH
June 18th, 2009

Had lunch today at local institution and burger joint Wilson’s.  It’s the place Joe Biden stopped at during the campaign and where locals have compared the ordering process to that of Seinfeld’s Soup Nazi.  The counter folks have mellowed in recent years so fear not!

I’ve been to Wilson’s numerous times over the years but today the burger wrapper grabbed my attention so much that I had to take a picture. I’m most intrigued by the saying WHEN BETTER HAMBURGS ARE MADE WILSON’S WILL MAKE THEM which warps my mind like a crazy riddle.

Better Hamburg
Wilson’s Findlay, OH
June 16th, 2009

I also snapped a picture of the TIDYNAP napkin dispenser and speckled table.

TIDYNAP
Wilson’s Findlay, OH
June 16th, 2009

All this burger talk reminds me of a place called The Spot in Sidney, OH.  I remember the onion rings were good and the folks extremely friendly.  One lady from the area’s senior center recommended the Swiss Lad. It’s along the same lines of Wilson’s. Check it out if you’re into pie eating locals and non chain quick burgers.

The Spot
Sidney, OH
September 24th, 2008

Speed Limit Fraction
Downtown Findlay
June 15th, 2009

Cherie and I tried to find a few geocaches this afternoon at Litzenberg Memorial Woods Heritage Trail Center.  It didn’t go so hot.  The deer flies, dragon flies and other pests were out in full force.  I did manage to snap a few pictures as we were scurrying around the trail and back to the car.  It’s funny how a place can be both miserable and gorgeous at the same time.

Yellow Daisies
Litzenberg Memorial Woods
June 14th, 2009

Muddy Deer Track
Litzenberg Memorial Woods
June 14th, 2009

I’m in VMware ESX training this week and one of the instructors sounds exactly like Wanda Sykes.  I can’t make this stuff up.

Some cool cube finds at Jeffery’s today.

Canal Clipper

I’m Really Thirsty Damn It!

From the back…
Sgt. “Inge” Ferrin
… in characteristic pose
Mitchel Field, L.I., N.Y
1944-45-46
Public Relations Office

I also picked up two 3×4 transparent pictures.  I’m not sure if they are actual pictures or more like a positive negative.  The only way I could think of sharing was to place them on the laptop screen with a white background then photograph.  It was a quick hack job so the colors, focus and cropping are all off.

Just Sitting Shed

Just Sitting Fence

I attended the best graduation ceremony three weeks ago hands down. My sister graduated from WVU’s Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism. NBC journalist Hoda Kotb gave a lighthearted keynote which captivated the audience. Her speech was more down to earth and entertaining then most commencement speeches I’ve seen.

If a good keynote wasn’t enough, the school had a reception afterward featuring cookies, brownies, punch and pepperoni rolls. Pepperoni rolls!?! Yep, they had trays and trays full of these WV culinary delights which can be found at virtually every gas station, bakery and grocery store across the state. Very classy indeed!

Commencement Pepperoni Rolls
WVU’s Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism Commencement Reception
May 17, 2009

While we are on the topic, pepperoni rolls aren’t the only regional food you should know about.  West Virginians also like their hot dogs too.  Stop laughing, hot dogs are serious business in the Mountain State.  Check out the West Virgina Hot Dogs website and their blog for the most comprehensive scoop you’ll find on WV hot dogs.

So the next time your passing through West Virginia, be sure to sample a pepperoni roll, hot dog or better yet both!