Mike of Magnesia

One Year Passed

2008-09-03T11:01:00.010-05:00

Tomorrow marks the one-year anniversary of my dad, James', passing. I tribute this aptly titled song to him and his memory:

"James" ~ O.A.R.

You said, "Young man, don't rely on a sword.
Cause your words will outlive even time."
I've counted my blessings.
The rest are for you.
Please listen close for awhile,
And breathe, breathe, deep for me James.
Don't you feel that you're free now from pain?
I've heard about heaven for years.
Can't be sure where you are, wander on blessed James.
I'm fine with you here.

I made the mistake once of fearing an end.
Is this life that we live just the world's accident?
Not a chance, so I move on with a smile.
Are you surprised where you are?
So breathe, breathe, deep for me James.
Don't you feel that you're free now from pain?
I've heard about heaven for years.
Can't be sure where you are, wander on blessed James.
I'm fine with you here.

I grew up slow on the heels of the rest.
Left my heart back at home, carried you in my chest.
And I don't feel like crying today.
Why can't we talk for awhile?
And breathe, breathe, deep for me James.
Don't you feel that you're free now from pain?
I've heard about heaven for years.
Can't be sure where you are, wander on blessed James.
I'm fine with you here.

You said, "Son, just listen to me."
But I'm doing fine, James.
So you can sit back and just breathe.
And it's time now to let yourself go.
Hold us close, spin the dream, the curtain will fall but behind it
I see that you're here.

New website is lauched

2008-04-30T12:28:00.003-05:00

As most of you know, I am heading to Oregon for the summer with my friend Shayanne. I have started a website to document our summer-long trip.

http://www.shayandmike.com/

10 Things I Miss About Paintball

2008-04-09T08:29:00.009-05:00

This past weekend I was fortunate enough to hang out with a good friend and Frostburn teammate, Dan "No Shoes" Sanders. Through the course of the weekend, many memories were brought up concerning our glory days together while wearing the Frostburn blue. I haven't played paintball on a consistent basis since 2005, which was also my last year with Frostburn. I've been thinking about what I miss most about playing paintball during the past couple days. My old teammates will probably understand all of these and be able to add to the list themselves. Here we go...

10. Driving to Ramsey at 6 am on a tournament morning with Kevy and listening to Booker T. and the MG's, "Green Onions." This would be higher, but having to wake up at 5:30 am every tournament morning still pisses me off. In fact, that is the ONE thing I hate about paintball. Which brings this memory all the way to number 10.

9. The butterflies. At the time I played, I hated them. When I first started playing tournaments, my stomach would get tie itself into knots just on the way to the field. After a year of playing steadily, that changed. But what never changed is the feeling I felt when stepping on the field and the anticipation during the 10 second countdown. I was nervous, almost always had to take a piss and was super excited. I suppose that all can be contributed to my adrenaline coursing itself through my body. I hated the jittery feeling, but it's what made paintball real to me. It's what signaled my brain and body to say, "let's do this."

8. "The Turning Point." Frostburn was an aggressive team. However, we didn't always fire right out of the gates. But, no matter how bad or quasi-bad we were playing, there was a moment during the tournament where someone would make a big play and it would turn everything around. Once that turning point happened, we became a steamroll that demolished everything in our way. It didn't matter if it was a better team, worse team or even a small child. We'd dominate.

7. Comradery with other teams. All things considered, when it comes to competition, it's a pretty cool thing when you can be at a level where all you want to do is destroy the other team but when the dust settles, you can still be good friends. Frostburn had a lot of rival teams, but with most of these teams it was a rivalry with respect for one another. That's a pretty cool thing. On a personal level, I built a lot of lasting friendships through paintball and these rivalries and I know I'm not the only one. It's awesome to be able to win a nail-bitter and tough game against a big rival, but have them cheer you on to win the next game.

6. Watching movies with teammates, then quoting lines during games. I still laugh just thinking about it. The best instance ever was when we were in Duluth watching "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back." There is a scene in the movie where Jay and Bob are extras in a movie starring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon called, "Good Will Hunting 2: Hunting Season." The line is: "What do you think about them apples?" Matt Damon picks up a shotgun, shoots the guy and says, "Applesauce, bitch." Quite naturally, after 8 beers, that's pretty friggin hilarious. In fact, it's still funny sober. The next day, in the very first game, I ran the field shooting out 3 guys in the move and yelled to my teammates, "Applesauce, bitch!" Laughter ensued.

5. Winning in a clutch situation. Man that felt good. Words can only describe so much when it comes to the feeling you get. It's like this warm tingly feeling in your neck, right above your spine. Oooooo, I'm getting it now. My favorite moment was the last NLPL with Frostburn when we won our last two games in the finals, against the two toughest opponents, to take home 1st place. What a feeling!

4. The Frostburn parties. Granted, these parties never happened while playing paintball (except one time when Kevy, Corky and Wischy and I polished off a 24-pack in 30 minutes at one tournament. However, we were not playing as Frostburn), but it's because of paintball that these parties happened. Whether it was a bon fire listening to Zeppelin tunes at BJ's house, or a New Years party at Kevys, or even a full-on weekend binge fest and BBQ at my parent's house, these parties left lasting memories and lasting friendships. These are the things that made Frostburn what it was.

3. Reminiscing with teammates. Kevy and I always used to say, "try to remember being at a tournament and having the time of your life. It's impossible. The only time a tournament became fun is when you're done with it and talked about it with your teammates." And it's so true! I'm having fun now reminiscing about the things I miss about paintball. Memories last forever and talking and sharing them with someone who experienced them too makes it 10 times more enjoyable. I can't even tell you how many good times were had on the drive back from a tournament, no matter how good or bad it was, the reminiscing made it fun.

2. The competitiveness of the sport is at a high level. That's just a fact. It doesn't matter what skill you are or the skill of your opponent. When you strap on your goggles and hit the field, it's on. I LOVE that about paintball. Being a very competitive person myself, playing paintball was just a natural fit. I still haven't been apart of something or played another sport where my competitive streak smeared as much as it did with paintball.

1. Winning. Isn't the what most people equate to success? Winning? I'd definitely agree to that to a certain degree. It's not everything, but it's something. And winning a game/tournament/showdown or whatever it may be was the one thing I miss most about paintball. Winning and competitive spirit go hand-in-hand. Which also explains why I have them #1 and #2 in my list of 10 things I miss about paintball.

The drum kit and bedroom

2007-12-24T09:49:00.000-06:00

Here is another blog post that is essentially about nothing. My continued efforts of bringing you nothing but fluff has been brilliantly successful. I got this drum kit as a gift from my mom. I've wanted one for years upon years.

As I took pics of the kit, I realized a lot of you haven't seen the recent editions to my bedroom (even though they're not that recent at all). The last time I had a major house party and gave tours was in September of '06 and its changed a lot since then. I got my projector system setup and my pine bed moved in since that time.

Disregard the hot chick on my computer screen. Or regard her if you want. I'll leave that to you.

A Very Successful Halloween

2007-10-30T11:17:00.000-05:00

After 8 months of planning and deliberation, my buddy Nic and I hit a homerun with our Halloween costumes.

This is Why I Like Going to Work

2007-10-26T14:02:00.000-05:00

My work just recently purchased the unit next door and decided to build a training center and offer classes to clients and potential customers. What better way is there to motivate people than those classy posters. You know the ones I'm talking about. They always have an amazing, inspiring picture with a winning phrase like "Achievement" or "Effort." Of course, there is always a little quip there too to really bring the point home.

We decided to succumb to such juvenile tactics. I took a couple pictures of the training center plus some closeups of my favorite posters. These posters can be purchased at Despair.com.

Yeah

2007-10-04T09:09:00.000-05:00

I'm still here. Just got a lot of shtuff going on lately. Chances are, if you're reading this you know me personally. Logically then, you know what's been going on. Once I have some free time and sometime to sit down and scribe about, I will do that.

Happy Birthday

2007-08-21T08:59:00.000-05:00

Happy 18th, Hayden Panettiere! Now I don't feel like such a creep.

Rewind the Clock

2007-08-13T09:50:00.000-05:00

Digging through some of my old school work, I came across this music video and uploaded it to YouTube. It was part of my final multimedia portfolio project in March 2003. It's Bob Seger's, "In Your Time." Enjoy.

Frostburn: The Glory Days

2007-08-08T12:51:00.001-05:00

I was bored and made a neato highlight reel with clips from my old paintball team, Frostburn. Years 2003-2004.

Being a Web Designer

2007-07-27T14:57:00.000-05:00

Being a web designer is, all-in-all, a pretty cool job. You get to play in Photoshop all day making pretty looking things, surf the internet, take YouTube breaks, you can virtually work anywhere there is a WiFi connection, drink Starbucks or Caribou all day. In addition, since it's part of the creative field, you're encouraged to listen to your iPod, wear shorts and sandals (or in my case, go barefoot), have funky haircuts and wear graphic tees. Well, maybe not encouraged to do all that, but I would like to think so.

All too often, potential and current clients come in and have the idea of constructing an all-flash based website. If you don't know what flash is vs. having a regular text and graphic based site, you're an idiot and I won't explain it now. In my opinion, which as I found out, is commonly shared with most web designers out there, an all-flash based website is just a horrible idea.

I found this flow chart that web designers can use on a case-to-case basis. I love it because it explores all avenues and the pros and cons of creating a flash website.

Ruh Roh!

2007-07-18T11:58:00.000-05:00

This can't be good.

There is a God

2007-06-14T17:02:00.000-05:00

Or a higher being of some sort to make this possible:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2004580002-2005100513,00.html

STUNNING actress Jessica Alba says she is up for a one-night stand - as long as the man leaves the next morning.

The curvy 23-year-old, who was recently romantically linked to Hollywood hunk Mark Wahlberg, likes the idea of getting intimate with lots of different people because she loves experimenting in sex.

She told Cosmopolitan magazine: "I just wanted to see what it was like to be with different people. I don't think a girl's a slut if she enjoys sex."

"I could have a one-night stand, and I'm the kind of girl who looks over in the morning and is like, 'Do you really have to be here?' I don't need to cuddle and do all that stuff because I know what it is and I don't try to make it more.

"I feel like a lot of women try to make it into more, so they don't feel so bad about just wanting to have sex. I don't really have a problem with just wanting sex. Never have.

"Even when I was a virgin and wanted to marry the first guy who I slept with, I never passed any judgments about that. But now I'm done with dating around."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's shame she doesn't want to cuddle, but I'd be willing to make an exception. I'm just that kind kind a guy. A true champ and gentleman.

A letter of gratitude

2007-06-07T09:02:00.001-05:00

To whom it may concern,

Thanks for sounding the tornado sirens last night at 3 a.m. I really appreciate being woke up, dazed and confused, scrambling for a TV remote to see what terrible force was about to sweep up my whole life. "Wow, a tornado at night, this storm must be something else," I thought to myself.

I could hear the wind howling and the thunder rumbling off in a distance. Once my projector turned on and finally warmed up, I quickly turned to channel 11 to read about my impending doom. My heart races because, "damn, you don't just turn on tornado sirens at 3 a.m. unless there's a damn good reason."

Squint-eyed I look at the tiny weather alert that's being drowned out with this infomercial. "Tornado Watch under affect in the following counties: blah, blah, blah." I thought to myself, "self, none of these counties are even near good ole Dakota." In fact, they were all in Western MN. So, I nervously waited to hear the verdict for my dear old county. "Severe Thunderstorm Warning under affect in Dakota County until 3:15."

Severe Thunderstorm? Tornado Sirens alarmed at fucking 3 in the fucking morning to warn me a 10 minute shower with some thunder and lighting, a regular May and June occurrence, was going to pass overhead in just a few minutes. Wow, thanks for the heads up! I'm really glad to know I have people watching out for me like that. It gives me a warm fuzzy just thinking about it.

You asshole.

Signed,
Misha Erickson

Holy Mullet America

2007-05-20T10:06:00.000-05:00

I ended up going to the Skynyrd / Hank Jr. concert on Saturday night. It was a lot of fun. Had a few pre-concert brews with the roommate at Champps Downtown. There were many, how do I say this, mullets in the crowd Saturday. Most were real, some were wigs but it was funny to see regardless.

The only reason I went to this concert: "Free Bird."

I would go as far as to say that the song did not suck. In fact, they completely owned it. However, I was not a fan of how they opened for Hank Jr. because as far as I'm concerned, you don't follow "Free Bird" unless you follow it up with another "Free Bird."

Mort and I decided to leave early and then get some after concert brews. That was OK, but we got bored and just decided to head home early to try to catch a friend's bday party. Well, by time I got the call back, I was already passed out. So much for that.

The new ride

2007-05-13T18:21:00.000-05:00

Well, I been shopping around for a new car the past month or so and Saturday I reached a stunning conclusion by buying a brand new off the lot 2006 Mazda 6. My buddy Brent is a salesman at Morrie's Mazda in Wayzata. I liked Mazda's and I wanted to go to some place where I could feel safe of not being screwed over. We test drove a few vehicles but the 6 stuck with me. Attached are a few pictures.

One month later

2007-04-27T09:51:00.000-05:00

I might as well post SOMETHING... It's been a full month.

Let's see, what to talk about... Who cares? Nothing is really new or worth reporting. Nothing is pissing me off too much in politics or world affairs. Glad to see McCain throw in his hat for the presidency.

Last night was our first softball game. We destroyed the other team in about 45 minutes. I'm playing with The Crew again, thank God! Turns out everyone else left Hoppers for the same reason I did: lack of dedication from team leaders and a pain-in-the-ass teammate that should just shut the fuck up and play ball. I figure by me talking with about 6 other players that left and they all said the same thing about why they left was a tell-tale sign. Hoppers got destroyed last night because they have no one left from our kick ass team last season and rightfully so. You stab all your teammates in the back, it's bound to come back and bite you right in the ass.

Long live The Crew and all our red glory.

Plausible Truth or Paranoia?

2007-03-20T10:57:00.000-05:00

So, there I was, lounging on my couch after a rather rough weekend in the abyss that is Grand Forks, North Dakota. The weekend was grand, but I was hung over-squared from all the partying we did. Let's face it, it's Grand Forks. What else is there to do there besides partying?

It started innocently enough with me flipping through channels to see what kind of quality, mind-numbing programs I could enjoy. I did notice, however, that many stations had similar themed programming. Thinking nothing of it at first, I just decided to stop and watch Deep Impact. I like those kinds of movies, a little bit of science, a little bit of drama and the high stakes world of catastrophe and chaos. That and I honestly have never seen the movie in its entirety. I sat down, watched it diligently and started to relax and enjoy my lazy Sunday afternoon.

After the movie was over, I had a choice between watching "Manchurian Candidate" on TBS or "The Day After Tomorrow" on FX. I thought to myself, "Self, why is there this theme in programming on entirely different stations?" The theme of course, being world disaster. Chalking if off to coincidence and nothing more, I decided to actually do some work instead.

7:00 rolled around and I decided to turn on some television. This time, however, I was in the mood for something that was a little bit more fulfilling. Anytime I'm in that mood, History Channel, National Geographic Channel or the Learning Channel get the nod. History Channel had a very promising sounding program that was on. It's called, "The Last Days on Earth."

For those not familiar with this program, it's about seven things that could end life on this planet as we know it. Such things as death of a nearby star causing Gamma Rays and even roaming, rogue black holes. They talked about being hit with an asteroid or comet, plagues, artificial intelligence, nuclear war, etc. A common theme was discussed throughout. That theme was: humans are more likely to destroy this planet versus things we cannot control, i.e. cosmic events. I don't know how you can argue that logic. There are countless ways that we can do it. However, as soon as they reported on the #1 threat, I think the program lost its credibility.

Of course, I'm talking about the theory known as Global Warming.

Oooooo, yes, I said theory. It's a widely accepted theory and like any theory, it has its fair share of holes and skeptics, myself included. I believe in Global Climate Change and it's something we are experiencing now. We experience Global Climate changes all the time. The same people talking about Global Warming today are largely the same ones complaining about Global Cooling 30 years ago.

My problem with the program talking about Global Warming is that they reported it as fact. They imply that Global Warming is 100% absolute truth and that humans are the ones behind it. Look, I understand the theories behind Global Warming and humans involvement in it, but at this point nothing has been proved and to talk about and report about it otherwise is a complete farce.

Yes, Co2 levels are rising. Yes, temperatures are rising. Yes, global greenhouse gases (such as methane) are rising too. There are quite literally hundreds, if not thousands of different factors involved in rising global temperatures. To say humans are the primary or #1 factor is just ludicrous. The UN reports that Agriculture, for example, produces 18% more greenhouse gases than transportation (http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2006/1000448/index.html).

Look, I'm not saying that there is no way we are responsible. If you do your research into ancient ice cores, you'll see that earth has been going through climate changes for ages. We have records that go back millions of years. There is a direct correlation between Co2 levels and temperatures. When the Co2 rises, temperatures rise. However, so have the other greenhouse gases, so human induced Co2 is NOT the ONLY culprit.

Repeat: NOT the ONLY culprit.

However, I will state that we are the ones with the most power to control greenhouse emissions. But for this program to report this Climate Change the way they did really rubbed me the wrong way. I'm sorry, it just seemed like very biased programming. Which relates nicely to where I was originally going with in this blog.

Why the themed programming on all these different stations, ran by different companies? What significance could March 18 (that particular Sunday) have to do with anything? I decided to do a little Googling to find out. Turns out, it's not March 18th that has any significance, it's March 19th that does. March 19, 2003 to be exact. The anniversary of Coalition's liberation of Iraq.

Is it possible that these liberals running television program scheduling do this on purpose, together? Were they trying to get Joe Q. Public to think about his well-being and the well-being of his family with these programs? Get him slightly vulnerable, or at least thinking about the world today and where it lies in the whole scheme of things. And then, the next day, remind him of this war going on in the Middle East and how much of a mess everything is in that region of the world. Is it possible?

I'd have to say it's possible. Perhaps unlikely and most likely just mere coincidence, but possible never the less.

Song of the Week

2007-03-14T12:52:00.000-05:00

I've been in love with this song since the moment I first heard it.

"Hey There Delilah" - Plain White T's

Hey there Delilah
What's it like in New York City?
I'm a thousand miles away
But girl tonight you look so pretty
Yes you do
Time Square can't shine as bright as you
I swear it's true

Hey there Delilah
Don't you worry about the distance
I'm right there if you get lonely
Give this song another listen
Close your eyes
Listen to my voice it's my disguise
I'm by your side

Oh it's what you do to me
What you do to me

Hey there Delilah
I know times are getting hard
But just believe me girl
Someday I'll pay the bills with this guitar
We'll have it good
We'll have the life we knew we would
My word is good

Hey there Delilah
I've got so much left to say
If every simple song I wrote to you
Would take your breath away
I'd write it all
Even more in love with me you'd fall
We'd have it all

Oh it's what you do to me

A thousand miles seems pretty far
But they've got planes and trains and cars
I'd walk to you if I had no other way
Our friends would all make fun of us
and we'll just laugh along because we know
That none of them have felt this way
Delilah I can promise you
That by the time we get through
The world will never ever be the same
And you're to blame

Hey there Delilah
You be good and don't you miss me
Two more years and you'll be done with school
And I'll be making history like I do
You know it's all because of you
We can do whatever we want to
Hey there Delilah here's to you
This ones for you

Oh it's what you do to me
What you do to me.

No, I will not make out with you

2007-03-07T10:23:00.000-06:00

Did ya hear that? This girl wants to make out with me in the middle of class. You got Chlorophyll Man up there talking about God knows what and all she can talk about is making out with me. I'm here to learn, everybody, not to make out with you. Go on with the chlorophyll.

Wow, that was awesome. I haven't quoted Billy Madison for quite some time. Now that I have your attention, I would like to tell you about snow blindness in cats. It's affecting more and more cats each year, and it scares the living shit out of me.

And now for the main feature, I have some good advice for you all:

• If the coffee pot is no mo'e, make some more joe.
• A cougar will eat your booger (also your flesh).
• Don't be a fool, wrap your took. (Courtesy of Matt Davidson)
• Plant it low and it won't grow; plant it high and it won’t die.
• If you don't stop your slavery, I will invade you with the North. (Doesn't rhyme, but sorta catchy)
• You know you're alone when you lost your cell phone.
• If you open a statement with the phrase, "With all due respect," you can say whatever you want to say. Mostly because it's with all due respect.
• 98% of us will die at some point in our lives.
• Never, EVER, walk away from a K-19 paper jam.

Song of the Week

2007-03-05T22:50:00.000-06:00

This song is in tribute to an amazing concert I went to on Saturday night and my plans this Friday. Led Zeppelin, ladies and gentlemen:

"Kashmir" - Led Zeppelin

Oh let the sun beat down upon my face, stars to fill my dream
I am a traveler of both time and space, to be where I have been
To sit with elders of the gentle race, this world has seldom seen
They talk of days for which they sit and wait and all will be revealed

Talk and song from tongues of lilting grace, whose sounds caress my ear
But not a word I heard could I relate, the story was quite clear
Oh, oh.

Oh, I been flying... mama, there ain't no denyin'
I've been flying, ain't no denyin', no denyin'

All I see turns to brown, as the sun burns the ground
And my eyes fill with sand, as I scan this wasted land
Trying to find, trying to find where I've been.

Oh, pilot of the storm who leaves no trace, like thoughts inside a dream
Heed the path that led me to that place, yellow desert stream
My Shangri-La beneath the summer moon, I will return again
Sure as the dust that floats high and true, when moving through Kashmir.

Oh, father of the four winds, fill my sails, across the sea of years
With no provision but an open face, along the straits of fear
Ohh.

When I'm on, when I'm on my way, yeah
When I see, when I see the way, you stay-yeah

Ooh, yeah-yeah, ooh, yeah-yeah, when I'm down...
Ooh, yeah-yeah, ooh, yeah-yeah, well I'm down, so down
Ooh, my baby, oooh, my baby, let me take you there

Let me take you there. Let me take you there

Humor From a Pilot

2007-02-27T08:46:00.000-06:00

My pilot buddy Nic sent me this picture along his crazy pilot-life travels.

For those of who you know Nic, I imagine you're just shaking your head and smiling.

Seriously...

2007-02-06T08:57:00.000-06:00

In the spirit of remaining mysterious and keeping my blogs short and sweet, I'll summarize the latest events in my life to one word...

"Really...?"

Blah Bleh

2007-02-02T08:31:00.000-06:00

Meh. Lethargic am I in the past couple weeks. I need a boost.... Or resort to alcoholism. Either way, I win.

The Crossroads

2007-01-23T09:08:00.000-06:00

With a lack of other things in my life to talk about. I present to you a very real and tricky situation. Here in Minnesota we are privvy to snow in the winter months. A few days after a fresh coat it may or may not start to melt away. However, one thing that snow does is cover up parking lane lines. What are we to do when those white lines are camoflouged in that tricky and spiteful white powder (This is one of the few times I'm not talking about Coke)? Well at first, you just park wherever and then everyone follows the next guy.

Well, here's the problem. After a few days, a white line or two will show itself. Now, the guy that parked before you didn't see these white lines. He's a rogue and rogues park wherever the hell they please. At this point, the pattern was created. So, do you follow suit or go by the binding white line, in which so can so clearly see? Therefore, starting your own pattern of correct parking procedure.

Yes, a question for the ages and does anyone really know the correct answer?