Here is a photo that was taken in front of the Come Hahn Inn during the opening day of pheasant hunting season. I'm not really sure who is who, so take a look and see if you can figure it out.

Yes another hiatus,but we are back. It's been a busy Fall season for me, and I've been deprived of my good friend, Jane, who provides most of the inspiration for the comedy and the creativity that takes place here. We see each other occasionally and split a sandwich. She tears out the crust and gives it to me.

The Pheasant hunting season has been going well. By that, i mean there have been no reports of dogs getting skunked and all that jazz!

Denise Ross was at DWU with her documentary film, "Unplanned Democracy". It was well produced, directed, and edited. Political bias was not readily detected, at least not by me.

Since we last got together I see Dave Letterman got in the news for getting it on with a happening lady. In this case, it was not Mrs. Letterman, his wife of, what, 20 minutes. It was his assistant Stephanie "Monty" Birkett. Monty, as she was called, appeared on Letterman's show quite a bit. He said she was his girlfriend, and even though it was supposed to be a joke, as was Bonnie Hunt being his ex-wife, I had to wonder if this ditzy chick wasn't giving Dave a little something to get this camera time, as she had absolutely no stage presence at all. She was quite nice to look at, so i let that slide. As it happens, nobody is giving me a little something to appear on JTV. I can't even find someone to play Monopoly with around here.

Speaking of JTV, I lost the camera, so I went to Wal-mart to by another. This one is pink instead of black. It was the only camera available

A lot of men are a little vague on exactly when middle age begins. It has nothing to do with your chronological age, and it doesn't matter if your hair has gone gray, white or AWOL. You have officially arrived at midlife when the most important aspect of any given activity is comfort. In midlife, excitement, adventure and even finances all take a back seat. What you're looking for is comfort. You're not interested in physical fitness, you want heating and air conditioning. You want padding -- on your furniture, on your paycheck and on your own butt. Even your love life is affected. Forget passion, what you want now is a "comfortable" relationship, where nobody yells at anybody, nothing changes and nine times out of 10 you fall asleep before your wife does. Your wild oats have turned to Wild Oat-Bran. As middle age progresses, you'll probably even become "comfortable" with yourself. Some call it giving up. I call it true success. When you can stand in front of a mirror or a banker and say proudly 'This is as good as I get,' hey, that has to be a comforting thought.

When I first came to DWU, I was nobody. I was just an old fat guy from some wide spot on the road called Holabird that few ever heard about, and fewer even cared about, but something happened. Koinonia helped me to get to know my fellow students, and vice verse. Koinonia is Greek for Togetherness, or possibly Communion. It is a time of fellowship and sharing a meal that helps us not only put behind the pressure as students we feel during the week, but it helps us get to know each other, not only as people, but as children of God. Apart from koinonia, I randomly met (or so it would seem in a worldly POV) a young man named Colin Duffy, who eventually became known as my Rebel Son. He and his lady friend Jessica could have just as easily washed both hands of me, but for some reason we have managed to become almost nearly just about family. I think the world of both of them. We've not always seen eye to eye on things, we get on each others nerves, but we still keep our lines of communication open. If only my biological family could do that!

The bottom line is that when you let love and understanding into your heart and life, you can change the world in ways both big and small. Sometimes all it takes is a little bread and wine, a beer at the White House, a common meal, or even a little Captain Morgan, to bring the thing about. DWU President Dr. Duffet has promised that when he's not busy he's going to have a drink with me at Java City so we can talk about things. It hasn't happened yet, but I know his heart is in the right place. The best thing about drinking is that is keeps your hand to full to make a fist!

There is just too much going on in the world. It's so hard to keep up. Locally we have the 4-3 decision by the Mitchell City council to sell booze on Sunday. I still say anybody who can't get drunk by Saturday night isn't trying. Still, it's no skin off my liver! Sarah Palin resigned as Governor of Alaska. In her Resignation Speech, she stated, "I'm a fighter, not a quitter!" Oh yes you are, Ms. Palin! When one resigns, one is by definition a quitter. There is speculation that Palin resigned so she could run for president in 2012. This may have escaped everybody's attention, but that is a full three years away! What the heck is she going to do until then? If I quit a job (in this economy yet!) and then 3 years later applied for a new one, I'm sure the 3 year gap of employment would come up in the interview process, proving I got that far (not likely). If I told the employer that I quit that job to get ready for this interview, I don't think it would go over too well.Then we have the whole MJ media circus. Yes, I know he's a legend and all that, but let's not forget this is the same media that called him "Wacko Jacko" and was constantly crowding him when he was a living legend. It's been mentioned that perhaps the Oxy-clean guy could get a couple of camera at his place for a spell. There are just as many unanswered questions with him as with Jackson. Like how can a healthy 50 year old man get killed by a fall in the tub? More importantly where is Dennis Miller? For years I thought he was Billy Mays. After all they have never been seen together. When he died, Dennis Miller disappeared too!

Jerry had enough of his long hair and decided to go to a haircutting establishment. The first person he ran into was Jessica, a former member of the management team at the Hut. Jerry selected the #3 haircut from one of the lady barbers that wasn't Jessica because he didn't feel he could stand the excitement. He paid darn near $13 for the haircut. Everything in the big city is pricey these days!
Jerry decided not to run for president and has not told too many people why. A pretty blond co-ed has talked him into running for VP instead so he readily agreed! He has also been accepted onto one of DWU's Ethics Bowl Teams. Hopefully he has not taken on too much.

Jerry also attended many of the Theatre Week events. He played an improv game called "Blind Date" and sang "Respect" in the manner of Otis Redding. He almost didn't sing because just when he was scheduled to go on nature called. At Jerry's age the call of nature is more like a shout than a whisper.

Jerry went to the Super Bowl party on Campus instead of going to the library. He and his adopted Canadian sister Kandy had fun torturing people with a different kind of Pepsi Challenge. They would present people with two glasses of Pepsi and ask them which was Coke and which one was Pepsi. Not everyone saw the humor in that and let them know right away. Jerry shook his head and said, "What do you Americans know anyway?" Kandy did a take and replied, "Dude, you were born in this country! Stop pretending to be Canadian!"

Jerry ate too much and paid for it at Cybex Class. Jane wanted to study for the Psych test. She is worried because they haven't seen the results from the previous test, which she's sure she bombed. She shows Jerry a copy of her article for the class. "A present for you," she says with a smile. Jerry takes a deep breath and lets it out, then intones melodramatically, "Thank you, I shall treasure it always! Could you sign it for me?" After writing VOID across the page, she gives him the sought for autograph . he folds the paper up and places it in his shirt pocket. Jerry then puts his hand over the pocket like he's getting ready to say the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Phreno comes out a week late, but is well received. Jerry's Observatory article and restaurant review got the attention of the Journalism Department. He is asked to consider taking the Intro to Journalism Class. There may even be an internship at the Republic for him if he so chooses. Jerry is offered his own column in the Phreno as well. Some of his fellow Senators have approached Jerry about running for Student Body President. Jane is not impressed with Jerry's photo. It's too blurry! He needs to get it redone, she says. She also tells him she'll vote for him if he does run.

The test goes well for Jerry. The grades come back with two B's. Jane doesn't say what she got, but does tell Jerry to have a good weekend. She informs him that she and her boyfriend are going to Valentine, Nebraska for the weekend. Jerry takes in the news with a poker face. After all, she is over 21, making her own money. He wonders what exactly is going on, but realizes it doesn't matter. As far as she knows nothing has changed. Jerry will make sure it stays that way, for now.

Jerry found his cell phone while he was reading his Internship homework on FDR. All of the sudden the familiar stains of "Jingle Bells" ran out like a multitude of the heavenly hosts. The net morning he couldn't wait to tell everyone who had been looking that the lost had been found. He also changed the ring tone from "Jingle Bells to "Fanfare". Later on, He discovered the phone missing again. He convinced his good friend Nicole to call his number, because he was sure it was in his apartment, but no ringing. The next morning, he found it under a light dusting of snow. It worked, so he called Nicole to let her know he found it again. He was so happy that he decided to become a customer of Nicole in her Reliv business. This company makes the best breakfast drink in the world.

Meanwhile, the weather kept Jane from class on Monday. When she came back on Wednesday, Jane wanted to borrow Jerry's notes until she saw them and ridiculed his handwriting. Michelle was going to be gone on Thursday and Friday because a friend of hers from back home was dying of cancer. Jane had a speech in her class about what she would take with her should her home catch fire. Jerry went to Taco John's for breakfast, but made it back in time to listen to her practice the speech. As always, Jane was nervous, but Jerry taught her a few tricks that he thought would help, like imagining the audience on the toilet. Instead of helping, they made her giggle. There wasn't so much that Jerry could do but laugh with her.

This was raffle and silent auction week for MCC as well as Jerry had a Senate meeting on Tuesday morning. Jerry managed to get his SSL paper done on Thursday as well. He needs to read a little more in his WWII History class or he will lose his self proclaimed title of "King of History" (Jerry even bought a blue cap that he calls his crown)

Jerry's parents were supposed to have mailed his proof of insurance two weeks ago. He doesn't have it, and the current proof expires on February 9. Jerry knows this because one of Mitchell's boys in blue pulled him over for a defective tail light, which he has 10 days to fix.

Jerry was double booked for most of the rest of the week. With his public Service research project, another SSL paper and two articles for the Phreno on top of fundraising for the MCC, he had to skimp. Kelly, being the project leader, took up most of the slack. Jerry got his SSL paper done a day early instead of three days late like last time. He also managed to get one article done and throw Muriel a birthday party at Pizza Hut before his History class.

At Cybex class everyone was to be lifting 10 more lbs than the started with. Some machines were harder than others. One machine was particularly difficult. Jane cheered him on, "you can do it", she kept chanting. Jerry finished the 8 reps and replied. "You were obviously a cheerleader in high school. "Not me", She shot back. After Cybex, Jerry went to the archives to look at some background for his other Phreno article. Jane was studying for the Psyhcology test later on that afternoon. "Are you ready for the test?" she asked, "I probably should start studying for that one" Jerry said. "Ya think!" Jane said with a laugh. she then turned serious, "I'm not sure I'm ready for this test", she intoned. Jerry put his hands together and said, "The Chinese have a saying that goes 'Most battles are won or lost before they are even fought'". Jane absorbs what Jerry is trying to tell her. She then declares, "I'm gonna win!"

Cybex Training gets a little more intense. Day one, Jerry could do 8 reps easy, then they went to 10, then 12. It gets a little intense. He's starting to wonder if he is going to be able to continue. Jerry is able to be himself around Jane a little easier, but still doesn't want to be too familiar. She ribs him about his Spiderman folder. "It was 84 cents at Wal-mart!" Jerry says, which startles her. "Kind of defensive about that!" she counters. Jerry calmly say, "Well, I am spending my own money"After Cybex, Jerry goes to the library to meet with Kelly, his research partner, for a big University project. While he waits he sees Jane again. "My pink folder was 89 cents," she says with a chuckle. "The extra 5 cents was well spent", Jerry replies nodding. She's working on a speech for her class and asks Jerry to look it over. He sees that she repeats herself a bit, and their should be there, but other than that he's impressed. She's a bit nervous because the speech has to last at least a minute. "You're gonna do great!", he reassures. Kelly comes in and they hit the ground running, Kelly was sick Wednesday night, and as the group leader she does most of the coordinating. Jerry insists that they have the best project in the competition. Kelly is not too sure. As they look over things, Jerry sees that Kelley really covered everything pretty well on her end, but thinks maybe he let the team down by not providing enough information. During their consultation with the professor, Kelly asks if she has too much information. After suggesting a few tweaks in Kelly's part the professor quits looking it over, and calls it good, for now anyway. Jerry wonders if that means his part was all right or it was even read.

At the TRIO luncheon, Jerry eats alone mulling over the reflection paper he hasn't started in his religion class. Tina, one of the rivals in the Public Service Research decides to sit next to him. He lets her know right away that her team will come in silver instead of gold. She take the news well, a far as he can tell. Tina may have her poker face on. They also discuss their presidential projects. Everyone in class must give a lesson on a modern president. Jerry has FDR, she has Bill Clinton. Tina, being Republican finds it challenging to be objective. "Every president is human", Jerry tells her. "They all had good points, and bad. The trick is to find the right balance."

After lunch Jerry gets cracking on the paper that is due today, time gets short, and he has to get off the computer to go to his job. Halfway to work, he realizes that he forgot to save the paper to his disc. It's still in the hard drive. He'll have to finish it in the library tomorrow. The next day, he sees that the library is closed and won't be open until next Monday at 8. MLK day! Jerry utters a stream of words worthy of having his mouth washed out with lemon juice. at least there are no classes on Monday. Nobody will ever know how stupid he truly was!

Jerry gets up and goes to Cybex Training. The class starts at 8, so he really has to get going. The class starts out with everyone warming up by walking on the treadmill, stair machine or the bicycles if need be. Jerry is walking on the treadmill next to Jane, one of the other students in the class. He notices that he is only walking at 3 mph, while she is going 4.2 mph. Of course, she younger and in better shape than Jerry so no big deal right. Well, Jerry increases speed little by little to just see if he can do it. He gets up to 4.2, but she's up to 4.7, at which time they have to go to the Cybex room. Michelle, another student notices Jerry is bench pressing 70 lbs while she presses 20-30. "Jerry is a beast!", she exclaims. "You're just a soft city girl!", He shoots back.

Later on a blizzard hits, Jane and Jerry meet in the library for Developmental Psych. Jane is worried that she won't make it home and wants to cut class. Jerry talks her into waiting, since it's only an hour and her last class. Jane notices that Jerry is a little worn out from this morning, and teases him about not being used to exercise. Jerry let's her know that it is easier that how he spent Christmas Vacation. "How's that?", she inquires. He then tells her how the water was froze up at the Ponderosa and he had to haul water to the house 10 gallons at a time like they were in a 3rd world country. He had to admit that big city life was making him a little soft as well.

After class he tells Jane to be careful during her 85 mile trip back home. "Remember that just because 75 is the speed limit, you don't have to drive it," he chimes. "I won't." she assures. As they part Jerry thinks about the determination it takes for Jane to come to DWU. She gets up at 5:30am to make it there by 8. Jane is usually the first one at the treadmills too. Her attitude is down to earth and friendly. He'd like to ask her to be his workout buddy, but--he shakes off the thought and goes to the post office to see if anyone has found his missing cell phone. No such luck! He goes outside to make his way to the Thrustmobile. as he gets into the car, the sun comes out and the snow stops blowing as the radio announcer says that night classes at DWU are cancelled for the evening.