December Check-in... last of 2010

Greetings from Portland, Maine. I decided not to go video with this one to simply get a few things out there.

I've got a lot in the hopper. Pich' Awards, and Milwaukee Movie are big projects but in the more near future will be the year in review blog. Also trying to finish my picture calendar for next year.

I have to start with last weekend's trip to NYC. It was a rare trip for me where I didn't have anything planned to do while there. That worked to my benefit as the weekend saw my first trip to the National History Museum, and then the creation of "office bowling" at the New York Philharmonic (video to come). There was much drinking, mostly wine, and some good overall times were had. From Christmas lights tours to judging the best limbo contest I've ever seen. From watching ballet with homemade brownie sundaes to the usual excitement I have for being in NYC the trip was amazing. However it all takes a back seat to the time I spent with Katie, a friend of Danielle's I met over the summer. It was a joy getting to know her better then and I've continued to do so despite my return to Vermont and her travel home to Kansas for the holidays. Thank you technology. All in all it was a great trip that went way better than I could have ever hoped, and I didn't even spend that much money. Big thanks to Danielle and Phillip for hosting me while I was there. They rode back to Vermont with me for the holidays.

I worked three days last week before being off for 5 days over the Christmas holiday. I spent Christmas day doing the radio show from 1-3pm then shooting over to Dad's for dinner and gifts. The next day I headed for Portland where I am now. I'm supposed to meet up with Alicia, better known to most as "Frost," for a Cracker Barrel outing. I'm also going to finally meet her boyfriend and put the rumors of his existence to bed. The Vermont crew has known her since about 2004 and she's been dating him the whole time yet we've never met him.

On the way back I hope to do some shopping in NH and then on Wednesday it's the busiest day of the year for UVM Athletics as we host back to back hockey games (Women's then Men's) and then in the Patrick Gym at the same time as the men's hockey game we have men's basketball. Might set a record for people in the building that day. I'll then have the next day off before returning to work for the New Year weekend as we host the TD Bank Tournament.

I've already enjoyed the holidays more this year than last. It's been good to see all the friends and family and having some money to actually buy people gifts this year has been great too!

I'm continually thinking of great video ideas and I sometimes get off task of the Pich' Awards. That is priority one right now at Sharp-Shinned Hawk Studios as many of the award winners have already been notified. They are coming along and hopefully can be unveiled in January.

As mentioned I've had a lot of time off lately and I'm putting it to good use with a good mix of adventures, relaxing, and computer work. I hope to fix the audio on the hockey commercial later today. I've really been surprised at the responses. I appreciate the feedback. I threw that together so fast but I was proud of it.

Rockin' New Year's Weav' is on for this Friday night. If you've got no where else to be... join us for our usual blend of fun. Once again even though I started asking people in November... we inevitably get to the point near Christmas where we still have no plan and the Weav' gathering is always a good back-up.

Alrighty I'm off for now... getting some footage for the Pich' Awards opening sequence... but I can't close without the following:

I sincere and heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who impacted my year. It was an odd, strange year and I couldn't have done it without the support of my family and friends. From Milwaukee to Vermont, from Maine to Florida. Thank you all so much, nd have a happy and safe new year!

The First Ever Video Blog From Pich'!

Well... let's test this thing out...

Recorded Dec. 16th approx. 10:30pm





And what we have here will become a big part of the future for JasonPiche.com, Sharp-Shinned Hawk Studios, you, and me. Back with more before the holidays!

Giving Thanks... A long update

I titled this blog before I started writing, and since it's been over a month since I last checked in you know I have a lot to say. Let's start with the updates.

The biggest news is that I'm once again living at 281 Weaver St. Not over the garages however. I'm in the house in the bottom portion (my step-brother lives in the upstairs apartment). Before I go any further I have to thank my Aunt and Grandmother for allowing me to inhabit here while they spend the winter months south of Mason-Dixon Line. This was the prefect fit for me and has been a nice pick-me-up in the otherwise drab and dreary Fall season.

Next I have to thank Holly for her generosity in taking me in for a few months. It was just the thing I needed at the time and it was good to have a space of my own again in Vermont. I'll never forget my time there and I'll miss Holly and of course my other roomie, Solomon "Big Time" Bombard. Since they are both right down the road I'm sure I'll see them often in the future.

I've got a lot of my stuff here. Not unpacked but at least here so I can get to it all. It's nice to see somethings I haven't seen since April. I have a lot of my wardrobe back and tomorrow I'll get my own cable and internet hook-up here. It's odd to be living here in a way because of the history my family has with this part of this property in particular. My Dad grew up here, and therefore all of my life I've been coming to this place. November was always the hotspot for this place. For years this was where our family gathered for Thanksgiving. The last time they got together here was the first year I was in Milwaukee. I regret missing that last one. It will be weird to live here for Thanksgiving and yet travel across town to my Dad's for the festivities.

That all said this isn't a permanent residence for me, but it was something I was hoping could happen for this winter. This gives me a great chance to save money and continue my search for a roommate. There are some options I may or may not have that I won't discuss. That said I'm so proud of myself for simply not finding somewhere else sooner and staying patient as this summer and early fall went by. I'm in a better place now because of it.

As mentioned above my internet connection has been brought to you by The Weav' lately and the signal isn't the best. It's made it hard to watch Hulu or update my website, but I'm getting caught up slowly. Speaking of caught up not only did I add a smartphone to my belongs last month but now I finally have a PS3. I missed playing video games a lot and it's great to finally have my own system.

I've noticed over the years that I have less pictures in the November albums than any others. Probably a combination of not much happening balanced against my lack for wanting to take pictures. The seasonal depression is going better this year thanks to some vitamins and things to be positive about.

It's trip announcement time... 1st up will be in December the weekend of the 18th and 19th when I'll visit Danielle in New York City! It's always a blast and her and her boyfriend, Phillip, will be riding back to Vermont with me for the holidays.
2nd is a ways out but the weekend of the 4th and 5th of March, the madness strikes again! It's the America East Tourney in Hartford. Last year was a huge trip for me (I was coming from across the country after all) and this year should be off the hook again. There was hoop, casino, exploration, shopping, and me winning a giant check. Be a part of the clan this year and get in on the fun! And last but certainly not the least... times to be determined but centering around April 4th I will return to Milwaukee! It's opening day time for the Brew Crew and I've been to the last 2 so why stop now? By then I should have quite a bit of vacation saved up and I may stay for about a week. It's early yet, but I'm excited to go back to Milwaukee for many reasons. Also I'll be collecting interview footage for the movie I'm working on.

I'm looking forward to this year's holiday season cause I haven't been in Vermont for Christmas in over three years! (Portland, Roanoke, Milwaukee) It's been a hectic year and the holidays and new year always sort of seem to settle me down and get me ready for the 2 months of crap before the madness makes life better in March. I feel like everyday I wake up I'm making the most of my time being back here in Vermont. I'm not over doing anything or distracting myself simply because it's boring here. Basically for the first time in a long time I'm proud of how I'm conducting myself. I have the right amounts of fun without risk or unnecessary spending. I'm not spreading myself thin or working too hard. I'm paying bills, and getting caught up to the point where I can actually... get this, SAVE money. I have car insurance for a period longer than to simply get inspected for the 1st time in years, and all-in-all it's going well. Not something I usually say or think in the fall/winter.

I think that since I moved to Milwaukee I've changed. I left as a 29-year-old "man-child" and came back a 31-year old man. I'll still always be a kid at heart and play 5 years younger than my license says I am, but I'm more savvy now. Mistakes I used to make... I don't get into now. I see 5 steps ahead a lot and even though sometimes I don't feel like I'm living life by not taking chances, after the couple years I've just had... that's just fine with me, for now.

Work has been going pretty smooth... somedays almost too smooth. I feel like everyone else has that vibe too which sometimes has all of us over-analyzing the tiniest things. The season is not going so well for the hockey teams... yet, but the season is still young. I'm still looking for my first win of not only the year but since December 2007 while driving for the Catamounts. Hopefully that ends soon! I'm really enjoying the lesser cleaning role we have there, although most of my duties still center around that. It's freed up our staff to do a lot of tasks I always felt I had to do myself if they were ever going to get done. It's been fun being back there and with the overtime and the pay raise it's been profitable too (says the guy who hasn't been paying regular prices for rent and bills).

What have I been up to? Well I've been playing video games a lot recently. I've been playing Madden and even reuniting with NHL '10 at home and even getting in to Call of Duty: Black Ops up at Eddy's place. Not normally my type of game, but it's fun. I however might be one of the worst players ever. I'm flat out comical to watch as Jay so eloquently pointed out while watching me play recently. I have trouble with the controls and my brain just doesn't work fast enough to compete with these folks online. I have been combat training though and hopefully soon I can be more than just comic relief in the battlefield. On the computer I put away my farm on Farmville after a run since Feb. of this year. I got a little tired of it and ESPNU Collegetown filled the void with the same style, yet sports as it's centerpiece... more my bag.

I've also been sleeping a lot, keeping up with all of my shows online and recently trying to get over a cold. In the near future I'll be spending time with family and friends around the Thanksgiving holiday and then getting ready for the UVM Athletics Fac/Staff Flag Football game. This is apparently the 3rd such event but it's the 1st since I've been here and if you know me you know football was always my best game, and combining that with the Fac/Staff atmosphere and my legend in such games... this is sure to be a fun time. Rumor has it ESPN Classic is going to be there to film the action to fill time on their network.

I haven't done too much on my movie lately but I'm still collecting bits and pieces everyday. I'm waiting for my next upgrade of software to come before I go too much further. The project will also take a backseat to another project coming up that will be announced soon and be ready for early January! Stay tuned to JasonPiche.com for details.

People have asked me about Sharp-Shinned Hawk Studios and why I've named my production company as such. It all stems from UVM when the turf field was put in and we got a Bird-X sound effect machine to keep pesky critters and unwanted birds off the field. One of the predator bird noises in the machine is the Sharp-Shinned Hawk (a real bird) and it's always been a point of joking around our staff. I had a great picture of one and decided that should be the name.



Other quick hits before I check out:

- So happy that Miley Cyrus turns 18... oh look at that... TODAY! I've had a crush on her for awhile and now people can't say it's creepy... well they can but I won't care. Also happy birthday to Kyle Goyet who shares the day with Ms. Cyrus.

- Since I mentioned a gal I have a crush on let me just state that Taylor Swift is just so beautiful. Certain folks may think otherwise, and that's fine. (They're entitled to their wrong opinion) I'm not talking about her live music, or reaction to Kanye... whatever to all of that. The gal is pretty and bangs out hit country music... Leave her be. It's so odd to me that others could see her as unattractive because when I look at her I see near perfection. I don't understand why but I guess it's true what they say... Haters Gonna Hate



Picture Credit: Brought to my attention by Ed Companion... ironically he's part of the folks who have said wrong opinions on Ms. Swift.

- I'm cooking up some other blogs ideas about my favorite shows, and why I like 'em... maybe coming soon. Also always working on JasonPiche.com in some way... even if I'm the only one who sees it. I love that I have so much of my life chronicled in one spot. It's like a diary, picture album, yearbook, memorial, and pure unadulterated fun wrapped up in to one thing. As always it's a pleasure to share it with everyone.

- What are the Utah Jazz and Philadelphia 76ers wearing this season? Throwbacks are one thing but those jerseys are just PLAIN in one case (76ers) and UGLY in another (Jazz). Have some self-respect and change these monstrosities. Needless to say these two won't ever make their way in to my jersey collection.

- I've gotten to the point where I simply can't watch the Celtics anymore. They make me so mad with their whining, cheating, and lack of good men on the team that I can't even watch to root against them like I always have in the past. If someone offered me free tickets court-side I really don't think I could go without getting kicked out. Basically I like to stay sane and calm, and they drive me crazy so I won't watch them play again until they revamp their roster to have less deuchbags. They are bad for the NBA on and off the court, but they have a lot of basketball talent which sucks for everyone cause you have to respect it and constantly show their games on TV.

- And you thought I'd go a whole blog without hating on Boston... did you not see the mullet-clad gentleman and the message with him?

- Buy generic food it's cheaper and tastes the same most of the time.

- Love NyQuill but don't abuse it.

- May your rounds always be fudgey, and your wallets stuffed with ham.

So as it's Thanksgiving aside from the other thanks I've already given I'd like to thank everyone who has been a part of my life over the years. I've always said that everyone you meet and the expierences you have are what build you in to who you are. With everyone's help from words or encouragement, to helping me move... from a card, to a Facebook comment... from a money supply injection to a place to rest my head for the night. THANK YOU ALL!

Back on The Radiator, UVM Hockey starts up, & finally a smartphone!

You see the logo there for The Radiator 105.9 WOMM-LP. The website is TheRadiator.org and the station streams live there. Mike Wells is the point man for The Pich's return to radio and last Saturday (9th) we had our 1st show. It was my first time on the radio since the night before I pulled out of town for Milwaukee. Many great memories filled me as I entered the studio. I reunited with Navy Duck who is now out of the service and is simply citizen duck.




Mike Wells was a part of the later episodes of "the radio show." This marks the third show Mike has had on the channel and he knows his way around the board. Of course he welcomed myself, Kyle Goyet, Ed Companion, and Justin St. Louis to join him. Some pairing of that five-some will make up the show. The first one featured just Mike, Kyle and a tardy Pich'.

I don't want to get too far of topic but I realized that a lot of the stuff I had in Vermont before I left, I didn't have now. Being back on the radio is an important part of having something fun to do other than work. It also gets me back in the media to an extent and with the time of the show falling before my Saturday shift it works out pretty good for me. That said I'll miss this next two shows due to afternoon hockey events, but will most likely join via the phone. And speaking of phone...

*Let that sweet segway goodness wash over you (how is segway not in the dictionary? Get that red squiggly line out of here!)

On Monday (11th) I finally got a smartphone. Now I too can go online, Tweet, Facebook, and basically... live. I have all the info right in my pocket. I'm really pleased with it so far and it's so nice to finally have this kind of access. Chalk it up to something I should have had a long time ago, but couldn't afford it. I'm finally getting the stuff I should have already had and it feels good to be making headway on bills, saving, and in general I'm not paycheck to paycheck like I usually am.



Work has certainly got better since the opening of hockey season. I'm not getting as much overtime as i did before due to actually being on my regular shift during most games, and or clean-up crew is huge and works hard. However I'm glad that at the end of game weekends I have my days off and during the week I get a few hours of OT due to the University's love affair with broomball who often has the ice until at least midnight. Basically it's good times at work and now with the radio show, and my smartphone times are getting better outside of work.

I still have the fingers crossed that in November I'll be able to move back to the Piche Campus on Weaver St. This could open up more happiness and a reconnection with all of my stuff. I have been struggling lately without a lot of my winter gear which I had packed away good and tight back in April.

I hope everyone enjoys the pictures which I'll try to throw in more in the future blogs. I've also recently gotten an updated version of iLife and am enjoying the help it's giving me on the movie. In that same field I've got a couple video announcements coming soon. Including two separate things coming in December!

Ok well I'm out for now. The webpage for The Saturday Hangover will be coming soon. And also don't forget to follow me on Twitter at @ThePich84 and my work friend @UVM_Zamboni for all the inside UVM Hockey stuff! Now that I can Tweet from literally anywhere you never know when my comedy will twickle your funny bone. #TwickleIsPushingIt #BeAPichTweep

September Check-in

Lately I've been working on a video that is already near and dear to my heart. It's going to be the full story of how I came to move to Milwaukee, my time there, and the eventual move back. I intend to interview several of my friends, and family members to get "testimonial-style" footage for the piece. This is going to take a long time because I want to do it right. So far the opening sequence is completed and I simply love it. I'm making this movie for 3 main reasons. 1) I want to have a great documentation of my time in Wisconsin. 2) I want the people in my life to really see and know what went in to this. I feel they forget I was gone a lot but I want everyone to get to know the real stories and real feelings of the whole deal. 3) I never did a proper thank you/send off for my peeps in Wisconsin and this will be worth the wait. In fact I'll probably have to visit them to get testimonial footage and I'm already eyeballing dates for next spring at the latest.

The doctor's appointment I mentioned last time went pretty well. I got some information to help with the issues I have and I anticipate a much better fall/winter this year.

As I've started to get used to being back on the 2nd shift I've realized how much I hate it. I'm not enjoying life like I was for the entire summer. I don't even have time to get together with people I know, let alone meet anyone new, or legitimately date. I mean this sucks... the BEST thing about moving back to Vermont was my family and friends... and now I hardly see them. This shift doesn't work with what I want out of life here. Before, I was bored with life in Vermont so I found things to fill my time with... Tv Show, radio show, Monday night cards, ETC. I mean I was almost too busy sometimes, but I was having fun and doing some stuff I thought would add to a resume. Now with my night schedule I can't do some of that same stuff. I'm locked in really. I mean I love the job... it just kills my outside life. Obviously the fact I still don't have a set place to live where I can have all my stuff is also really getting to me. The worst part is I don't see that changing in this calendar year. I ask around but I have no live bites for a roomy. I'm ready to bail on my family's place, which was my future option, and it's still my best option. I just want all my stuff in one place and out of boxes.

Basically I've reserved myself to not loving life this fall/winter, but as usual I plan to make the most of it. I just need a better quality of life after I punch out of work. I have ideas on how to turn it around but we'll see...

I seem to be repelling women at an alarmingly fast rate now days. Used to be about a month to 3 months before gals lost interest... now I'm lucky if I actually get a couple of weeks out of 'em. I'm not sure why. I'm not saying it's me. I'm just saying. I feel like a pretty eligible bachelor for my age. I mean I'm 31, never been married, no kids but wants kids, good steady job, not disgusting to look at, in decent shape, can jump car hoods in a single bound... what's doing ladies? I hope none of you chime in with the "you're intimidating" or "you make the move" junk. I'm about as intimidating as a Snuggie, and I'm done being the mover... it hasn't got me anywhere since I've been back but confused, and alone. Yup... it's pity party time... bring your green hat.

So I'm just throwing this out there but hey... I have Sundays and Mondays off. Sure I use Mondays for errands, and then I go to the Weav' on the 8% chance that we'll play cards... at least we watch on two TVs one of the best nights for programming. So yeah if somethings going on let a guy know. You're having a gathering and need some tall white guy to come speak in broken eubonics? I'm your dude. Watching football (non-Patriots game) and want someone to come give you your own version of the old hit TV show Talking Trash in your living room? I'm in, I might even bring nachos. You building something or moving something heavy? I'll help but honestly it's not ideal... I mean these are supposed to be days off after all and if I remember right on the 7th day he said to rest...

We are coming up on "Hocktober." This signals the start of hockey season. Aside from the NHL and AHL, college hockey opens up the first weekend in October. I'm looking forward to working games again and being a pseudo part of the team. However it does kind of lock me in most weekends... at least the OT will be good. Hey folks, come out and see a game this year... seems like I don't see enough of my peeps at games... and why not? You do know a guy who can get you some tickets.

Quick hits before I go:

- Yes, I like Taylor Swift, and yes its for her music and her looks. I don't want to fight about it. I don't care what you think of her... same as I've never cared what people thought of my love for Mariah Carey, or my budding love for Miley Cyrus. I don't work for Blender or MTV... I have weird musical taste... get off me.

- I haven't seen anything in 3D in the modern era of 3D TV and movies... I need to get on that.

- There's something else I haven't done in the modern era it would be nice to do again too...

- Getting closer to a PS3 thanks to deposit back from Milwaukee, Ebay sales, and some games I have that a guy was looking for on Craigslist!! User name: Catamount84 Be ready!

- I've watched way too much Jersey Shore this season and had a hard time at the club last night trying to not use phrases like, "DTF" and "grenades."

Alright well the less time I spend blogging the more time I spend on the movie so I'm off for now. I'll work on getting a series of "trailers" out for the movie, but at this point I have no testimonial footage except some from me. Hang tight it will be good. Here's the only tease I'll give you... It's brought to you by my two production companies: Sharp-Shinned Hawk Pictures & Golden Boy Productions

Softball Wrap-up, and the end of summer.

As the summer said good-bye the last couple of weeks I reveled in the memories that made it so great.

It didn't end the way I wanted to but both softball seasons had greatness on and off the field. While On Tap's season ended in a 1-2 finish in the tournament, McKees powered to the winners bracket finale before then losing to on a Tuesday to finish 3rd. It was a sad end for the McKees group who I had only lost one game with since joining the squad before the "Twofer Tuesday" to end it. I can't go in to every moment here or break it down like I did with the state tourney. Needless to say our team is hungry and I'm going to let my memories stew and fuel my fire until next season. That said I'm sure that softball will come up again during the 2010 Pich' Awards in many ways. It was an excellent summer and softball was the centerpiece of that. Thanks to all the great teammates who made it so special!

At work the days of 2:30-11 start tomorrow. It makes me feel like I only have 2 days a week to really do anything again which is what always bothered me about the second shift. I'm going to work harder to have a life despite my schedule. At my age I can't afford to waste as much time as I did before. I was outside a lot in the final weeks. Working on the game ops building, and prepping for soccer season. I feel that as soon as I get comfortable on the 2nd shift again that I'll be OK.

Which leads me in to my doctor's appointment I recently had. I hadn't seen a doctor in a long time and it was good to get some questions answered. I also was advised on ways to deal with the upcoming SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and I'm optimistic that the things I was told will help me get through it. I was pretty worried about it especially this year because the newness of being back in Vermont is wearing off, going back to the night shift sucks, and with the SAD on top of it I figured I'd better not just grit my teeth and bare it like I did both years in Milwaukee.

Here's some quick hits before I wrap-up:

- I went to the Champlain Valley Fair the other day and I probably will again before it ends... it was nice to reacquaint with the Fair as I hadn't been in 3 years.

- Where is everyone for cards on Monday nights? Let's get some in or next semester I'm taking a night class instead.

- Stephen Strasburg will recover and be the best pitcher ever... everyone can stop thinking he's done, or that this is awful... if he fixes it now he'll be here for the playoff run next year. The Nats better days are ahead of them and so are Stephen's.

- I have recently decided to start putting together a few sets in hopes of starting a career in comedy. I've thought about ti for years and finally I'm ready to put things together and use my powers of laughter inducing for good. Just a friendly warning.

- Talking Trash is still on the back burner. Not sure if I want to fill my little available time with the show right now.

- I'm heading to Portland, Maine for a couple days over the Labor Day weekend. I haven't seen my Mom in over a year! I can't wait to see her and southern Maine where I haven't been in 2 1/2 years.


Ok... those aside and all that you know I must say I've been happy lately. Seems odd since the softball season ended prematurely and I'm about to go back to crappy hours at work, but a certain someone still has me smiling. In the words of Forrest Gump, "That's all I have to say about that." For now....

So the Summer said good-bye over the last couple weeks. It was fun while it lasted, but I honestly feel ready to say hello to the Fall. In the Fall... I'll rise... stay tuned

Whats been up, more memories of 2 years ago, and whats to come.

It's been far too long since I last checked in. The softball blog was an adequate way to fill this void though as its filled most of my free time over this summer. Sadly as the regular seasons have both ended the seasons come to a close soon. It has me worried about the end of summer but I'm ready to get back on top of making sure my seasonal depression won't dominate my fall. As the newness of being back in Vermont is all but gone, I worry that without softball I'll need to find something else to do regularly. As the UVM school season starts again at the end of the month I'll get a feel for what days I could be free, but the time for the return of Talking Trash nears. I spoke with some folks at UVM about helping out the recently launched CatamounTV. I'm not holding my breath, but hopefully they will see me as a valuable asset that both loves the Catamounts and has on-camera experience.

Since I last wrote some milestones came and went as pertains to my move to Milwaukee which was August 13th, 2008. Most notably was the July 17th date which I have previously mentioned in past blogs. (In 2008 I was flown to Milwaukee for an interview at the Bradley Center, in 2009 I was fired on the same date) This year Danielle, her boyfriend, and her roommate were in town and we partied hard all over downtown Burlington, and even found time for skating. It was a great day and put July 17th back on the map in a positive way. Also oddly as August as arrived the first two PichStock festivals celebrated anniversaries. Its been tough not to think back to these times, but yet I never look at any of them as negative. I never hang my head, or regret. I'm simply happy I had all those experiences. My "Farewell to Milwaukee" video is about done... in my head. I like to over think projects until I finally sit down to work on them. This blog as always been a great example of that.

Those things aside soon my car will have Vermont plates again, my license will be from Vermont again, and the slow transition back will be more final. However I can't shake the feeling that things aren't still where I want them to be. There are a number of things that need to happen for me to feel officially back. I spoke of some of those things before, but here are a couple...

- Moving in to Holly's place has been great. It's given me my own spot to be me, and feel like a little less of a loser cause I don't live with my folks. So far since I've been back I've struggled to find my place here when I'm not at UVM. For now this place is great, but I still long for the bachelor-pad-style and decoration flair that only I can provide. It will come in time and for now I'm very pleased with my "attic" at Holly's and hanging with my new animal friend, Solomon (He's a dachshund and I call him "Big Time").

- Working the first hockey game at UVM. There have been lots of little things that changed on the old job front, but mostly it's felt the same. Perhaps my favorite thing about working there were game days. When we have that first game and I'm a part of the Catamount display with all those fans rocking the Gut... it will be pretty special.

- Talking Trash returns? As badly as I want to bring the show back I feel that maybe this would be a good time to change something about the show. Either the format, or graphically... I'm not sure, but I'm thinking of ideas. The conditions for a return to VCAM have to be just right... I'll need more assistance than I've had previously and I want to make sure the show comes back with the old stuff viewers loved and some new stuff viewers can love too. (Pretty sure we're cutting any 'Billy Joe' segments)

- This may sound odd but I feel like some folks don't really know the new me. I've gotten a little tougher in some areas, a lot softer in others (get you minds out of the gutter you sick bastards). Oddly the reason I think I've had the most fun meeting new folks through softball is that they only know the "Post-Milwaukee Pich'" or PMP which is almost 'Pimp' and yes I like that coincidence. Just like when I moved to Milwaukee and people there didn't know me from my past... they only knew me from what I told them and of course what they could read online thanks to the database that is my life at JasonPiche.com. I like that my friends here know all of me, but I'm not sure how they are all digesting things when I "Hang that Pich' piece on 'em." There's stuff I learned and gathered while in MKE that have shaped me into to who I am now... just the same as the 29 years of Vermont shaped me into the dude who moved halfway across the country by himself for adventures and fun.

Thats about it... and of course the license and car stuff. It's all coming soon and it's making it all more real. I can't help but think of my buds in Oak Creek moving out this coming weekend... I guess I haven't said this anywhere but I feel bad that I left before our lease ran out. I had promised them I'd stay through it even though I got fired 2 days after we moved in. I know they don't really place any blame on me, but I feel bad that I had to back on my word because life folded out this way. I know it was the right move, but it was hard... I really liked it there. The job situation brought me there and likewise it brought me back home. I can't help but think about how when I'm creating the video of MKE that I'll have a hard time with it. Even though I had some of my worst times there, I also had some of my best times there too. It was a lot to go through in a short time. As I move forward with life in Vermont I don't want anyone to ever think I'll forget about Wisconsin or the great folks I met there. They had less time to shape me, but they 'did work, son!'

As I move forward I feel this is a good break spot. So stretch out, hit the restroom then come back for part 2.

*Elevator music plays... think soft rock... less 'Melissa Etheridge' and more 'Counting Crows'... good stuff to urinate to

Alrighty then, so what's been up lately?

At work it's been work on the outdoor building by the turf field. Our staff is building it all by hand so it's been good to get in on some man-work. Also we recently had the UVM Athletics Retreat which has gotten less and less cool and informative as the years have gone on. Still it was a good way for me to meet new coaches that have popped up in the past couple of years, and I was officially announced back so that people could stop asking me if I was 'back for good or just back for the summer.' I've been inside alot this summer, by design, and doing lots of painting and odd projects here and there. The greatest thing that happened while I was gone is that there is a seperate custodial group now in the building and we take care of other stuff now. Other stuff was always my favorite. I love painting, hanging stuff, and making the building a better place to be for everyone. I feel like my time is better used not cleaning stuff as much as improving other stuff. Basically it's good. I do slightly fear the return of regular building hours and a return to 3-11:30 schedule but... I knew what I signed up for.

Away from work it's still been mostly softball and both regular seasons have finished. Both teams are among the top teams in each league. I know McKee's finished tied for 1st in our league and On Tap is somewhere near 3rd or 4th. There sure weren't a lot of losses this season, but there was a ton of fun. Despite losing my lifelong baseball homey, Jay, to injury I still feel both squads are poised to make noise in the playoffs! Get well soon Jay! (He hurt his thumb playing softball turning around 3rd which wasn't staked in as he rounded during what was going to be an easy in-the-park-homerun. He slipped and jammed his thumb... x-rays pending)

At home I'm feeling quite comfortable in my 'attic" as I call it. It's probably more accurately described as a loft. I've got my own space up here and have my clothes in dressers... it's a good little setup for a guy who has felt like I've been living out of my car for the better part of the summer. It's location is choice for work and Weav'... it's in Winooski. Holly has rolled out a virtual red carpet for me and has been a gracious host. Aside from here softball hardware this summer (2 Championships, 1 2nd-place, and one overall tourney MVP), she is almost a lock for some Pich' Award hardware this winter!

SIDE NOTE - My website was quite the in-between game chatter during our most recent tournament. It had Nan telling other people about things I liked and disliked, as well as people telling me how to spell their last names so they could get in on a Pich' Award. Nice to know you're all doing your homework... there will be a quiz later. Now focus on the softball hardware... we've got games to win!

That's about all I've got for now. Nothing to report on the 'lovelife' front. Not that there usually is. Even if there was I wouldn't blog about it... I don't want to be asked questions about it while I'm in the on deck circle. Maybe after the season...

Anywho... Stay classy, and don't forget to have your pet spayed or neutered while keeping your feet on the ground but still reaching for the stars. Nice triple-take of classic sign offs... but mine's the best... Thanks for coming

McKees 7-game Sunday leads to #2 in the standings #1 in your heart

I will be using folks first names here and I don't know most of their last names but for all intensive purposes I'm sure no one involved would be angry with me sharing this tale.

Before I tell you the tale of this weekend's tourney, I feel it's important to note how I got hooked up with this group. It's a tale that really begins back in Milwaukee.

In April as I announced my return to Vermont I realized I needed a team to play softball on. I put out a post on Facebook proclaiming myself to be the hottest free agent on the Vermont market. Not a Lebron-esque hour special or anything. Just a way to generate a buzz and maybe find someone looking for a player. My oldest friend Jason came calling with an offer to join him and people he knew through work. After playing an early game with "On Tap" Hollie, from our team, mentioned she needed another guy to play the next night in Colchester in another league. I gladly accepted and after every game our coach, Rudy, would always tell me to come back. Now I'm a full-fledged member of the squad. Rudy asked if anyone would be interested in playing in the state tourney and I signed up. (The state tourney is completely separate from our regular league play.)

So on Saturday I headed up for our 11am game and although not our whole regular team was going to be there I expected us to win a few games. I learned it was a 12-team field with a guarantee of 3 games. There were some awkward rules to adjust to, but all-in-all I figured it would be a fun day. The day started annoyingly for me because I had to keep answering questions as to where the other girl was that I was supposed to be bringing and really I had no idea, but as we would all weekend, our team pressed on.

We lined up to play our first game and we weren't hitting that well. The team we played had already played earlier and their lack of rust led them to a last inning victory. We were headed for the losers bracket. We had about a three hour break in between these games so we all sat around, tried to stay out of the sun, and shot the shit. There was a lot of getting to know you type stuff. A good portion of the team had played together for years, but aside from myself, still a relative newcomer, we also had couple others making their debuts, and/or long awaited returns to McKee's play.

Our 3pm game was a bit of a joke. We smoked this team pretty badly and were out of there early due to the 10-run rule enforced after 5 innings. We headed home knowing 2 things. 1. We had to play tomorrow at 8am and 2. if we wanted to keep playing we had to keep winning. Looking at the bracket after day one and see our possible path was a daunting task. In order to win it all we'd have to play 7 games. That would be great foreshadowing if you didn't already know their were 7 games coming wouldn't it?

I woke up at 6am and got my things together and left around 6:30. Oh... did I mention this tournament was in Hyde Park, Vermont? Right near Morrisville just north of Stowe... it's a haul... a little "east bumfuckish" if I may use the term. If you ever get a chance to visit... pass. Stowe is cool and I guess the drive up 100 is scenic... just not my cup of tea. This was the first time I really had left Chittenden County since returning from Wisconsin and it was a great reminder why I don't leave Chittenden County. I like me some civilization. I mean their grocery store didn't even have self-checkout! It's 2010!

Ok back to Sunday... this is the day that makes this a story worth telling. I arrived at the field at about 7:45 and the fog was out of control. It covered all three fields and delayed the start of the days action by at least a half hour.

Finally we started and boy did we start. The team we played had been decimated the day before by injuries and lost players due to their already having lost two games. It showed. We worked them in 5 due to the 10-run rule. This led us to a break that extended a little due to our early finish and the late overall start. It wasn't too long before we were back on the field (little over an hour?) and then we got right back to kicking ass. Another 10-run rule schlacking. This again gave us another favorable break. I saddled up and ran in to town to use a restroom, (the port-o-pottys had long since run out of TP) I needed a change of clothes and I also got a bunch of water for the team and a little snack for myself.

The next game we came out fast and again 10-run ruled them but this time in 6 innings. It was now almost 1 and we had positioned ourselves a spot in the final four! It was time for about an hour break as we awaited our next opponent.

At this time I had seen most of the teams in the tourney and I'd say we were definitely a top four squad so I was glad that despite it taking us three games on Sunday we had made our mark as a top team. It was at this point that it sort of became obvious to us all that we were doing something special. We weren't afraid of either opponent in the game in front of us and thanks to a total team effort even off the field we were hydrated, loose, and ready to give 'em hell.

And hell we gave 'em. I'm not sure if we 10-runned them, but I think so. It was about this time that I lost track of even my own batting statistics for the day. All I knew is that so far I had made only 2 outs, had numerous RBIs, and couldn't stop scoring runs when I was on base. As this game ended we realized we had made the top 3. We were assured a trophy and after 4 do-or-die games it was sweet to think we had made a solid impact and would have something to show for it.

After this game the breaks between games weren't there. It was win then go play again. Maybe a ten minute break but nothing legit. Now teams were waiting for us, and to make matters tougher they were rested. Both of the remaining teams had only played one game before us on this day and it was against each other in the winner's bracket finale. We started to realize that we had nothing to lose and quite frankly we were hot. Literally and figuratively. It was a humid and hot day and we kept hydrated and tried to stay limber. Our bats didn't let us down.

We came out gangbusters and really put it on a good squad. They hung tough but we got them in the end and advanced to the finals! We gained the respect of our fellow teams. They all had known what we'd been doing this day and yet we couldn't be stopped. It was almost laughable... in fact as the finals began we were all getting a little silly from being in the sun all day and giving everything we had.

We would have to beat the team we were playing twice to win it all. They had won the winners bracket and were 4-0 for the tournament... we were 5-0 on the day, but after 5 games we were all pretty wiped and running near empty as the next game began.

We played solid defense as we did for the bulk of the tourney and got clutch hitting. Despite a late inning rally we held them off for an 8-5 win. We now had won a sixth game and were one more victory from an improbable comeback. We were permitted about a 15 minute break between these games. As I walked into the dugout I uttered the following, "What we have done here today is stupid. It is. The pressure is now on them to not choke to the team that's played all-day. We know there's not another game after this one. We have nothing to lose."

It was no "win one for the gipper" speech but I was so giddy, and tired that I had to take a minute to reflect on what was happening.

The next game started and we went back and forth for awhile until they opened up a big inning where they simply hit it where we weren't. It wasn't for lack of runs as we scored 10 but their hitting improved in our second game and they put 16 up on us. It wasn't for lack of defense. Very few errors for the bulk of tourney for our entire team. It just seemed that this team was putting them in the right spots and after keeping teams at 5 or under runs all day we were cracked in a big way and it led to our first loss of the day.

As we came off the field some of us hung our heads a little, myself included, not because we were ashamed by any means... just because we were tired. I'm pretty sure there's still a lot of our team left up in Hyde Park, because we left it all out there on the field. Our tanks just ran dry.

During the post-game handshake the other team commended us for an awesome tournament as we congratulated them on their win. Afterwards we took a team picture with the runner-up trophy and then we all went our separate ways. As we all started to leave I felt a sense of pride at a job well done like I hadn't felt it awhile. As I said good-bye to my teammates I could see some of us on the verge tears emotions were high all day and we could finally take a breath. Maybe it was dehydration. Maybe it was hunger. Maybe it was being tired. I like to think it was a little of all of that, but also a sense that we had all just done something stupid. Not in a smart kind of way... But in a special kind of way.

Before I mention a little bit about the players. I need to preface with this. Everybody on this squad gave it their all. Everyone played great. Fielding. hitting, base-running. We all did the little things and some of the big ones that make streaks like that possible. It was the most evenly matched total team effort I've ever been a part of. There wasn't one person who didn't hit, or make a great play in the field consistently. For every runner picked off there were 5 more taking an extra base. The team support was enormous and I set a new personal record for high-fives in a day... I also lost track of those after game 3. I am so proud to have been a part of this team. I know I'll play with them again during the weeks ahead but the team will have some different faces. Nothing will ever be like the group we had on this day.

The team was comprised of the following folks:

Mike -McKee's Team regular - I had to lead with Mike cause he's our lead-off hitter. No joke, he's the fastest white guy I've ever met and you may not get that from looking at him. But the first time you see him hit, and turn to look for the ball only to look back and see him rounding first, then you know. The guy gets to balls in the outfield a lot of other folks can't and he played solid out there mostly in left field. I felt like he was one of the ones who struggled most in the finals round and after I yelled in support to him, "Ring out the sponge Mike, you've got some more in there," he then hit an inside the park home-run which was the catalyst for our 6th win of the day.

Natalie - McKee's Team regular - Nat looks like that girl you want to hit the ball to in the outfield, but you don't. Her glove work is strong and she made several knee-first slides during the weekend. At the bat she always found a way to bloop out at least a single and with her speed and heads-up base-running she was a terror for teams to deal with.

Jeff - McKee's Team regular - Jeff plays the outfield with reckless abandon, but he made more good plays than silly ones and was a solid lefty bat in our lineup. Jeff split games with Kevin and therefore also did a lot of base-coaching and cheerleading. Maybe he had so much energy due to not playing every inning either... lucky bastard.

Kevin - McKee's Team regular - Kevin has a solid bat and always seems good for a line shot to the outfield. He played well in the outfield despite normally playing 3rd base. I like Kevin a lot and sometimes I feel bad in our regular league because I feel like I took his spot and maybe some of his playing time. However to his credit he's been cool about it and had been a great teammate always encouraging our play. He also seemed to spark us whenever he was inserted to the lineup halfway through games which was a good pick me up for us along the way.

Christine - Non-regular - Christine joined us from Rudy's women's league in which he also coaches. She was a varsity softball player at UVM and had an amazing bat while holding things down in right field. We had many discussions about UVM as a result and she was a great new face to add to our mix. She batted 2nd the whole tournament and I felt like she was always on base. I think she even had 2 home-runs during the weekend (Note: no over the fence homers were permitted so all were in the park jobs).

Nan - McKees Team regular - Nan is the most solid chick first-base-women I've ever seen. Bar-none. She's got a great glove and can scoop or leap to get balls that might normally be overthrown. She also has an excellent arm which got used on a couple of throws across the diamond to pick off silly runners. She was also one of our resident goofballs in the later games and is good at keeping people loose. Her yelling of support for players is still ringing in my head.

Hollie - McKees team regular - Hollie is my link to the team and her overall skill can't be matched. Sadly she is coming back from some injuries which hobbles her but she toughed it out at 2nd in the field and even after her multiple clutch hitting. Hollie always batted after me and when I was on, which was most of the day, I knew it was time to run. She also took charge of the infield and called out coverages and where cut throws should be headed. You couldn't have a more softball savvy player on your team.

Nick - Former McKees Team regular - In our regular league Nick now plays for an opposing team, but for this tourney he joined back up with Rudy and the gang to help replace our missing regular big bats. Nick was known for smoking balls as hard as any I've ever seen hit over or through the infield. He also played some excellent shortstop and even when things got a little crazy he still made plays including swatting a ball out of mid air with his glove to deflect it to a waiting Hollie for a force at second. It was bananas.

Ed - McKees Team regular - Ed is our pitcher and he might have set a tournament record for strikeouts... seriously... he struck out the side one game and had 7 punch outs total in 5 innings.. crazy for slow-pitch softball. The guy has an array of pitches including a knuckler that dances toward the plate. His fielding skills are ultra-sharp and he often snares balls near him. At the plate Ed takes a workman's like approach. He makes up for his lack of speed with placement hitting and whenever he was on base you had to watch. Always an adventure, but a fun one. Also he dropped a gem when asked about his continually reddening face due to a solid burn that was setting in that, "It'll be OK by Thursday."

Jennie - Former McKees regular - Jennie replaced Lynsi who was only there for Saturdays games. Jennie was our catcher and our smallest player. She drew lots of walks, put the ball in play and probably distracted a few fellas with her flirtatious giggles as Ed's pitches danced in. She was a bolt of lightning on the base-paths which was key because she was at the bottom of the lineup and with Mike behind you you have to go fast!

Rudy - McKees Team Manager - Rudy is mostly a coach now but he did pinch run a couple of times and was on the roster. He found the lineup he liked and stuck with it the entire weekend after game one. Aside from really putting the whole team together I think I'll remember Rudy the most for the looks on his face as we kept winning games. He was amazed and elated. Despite not actually being on the field he rode the ride with us and led us to our glory.

Larry - McKees #1 Fan - Natalie's boyfriend, Larry, was a great supporter for our squad. Not only did he keep conversation going during breaks but he also went on water runs and found a way to shade our dugout with a tarp. Without his support off the field, we couldn't have survived on it and that's why we made sure he got in our team photo at the end.

Then there's me. I hate to toot my own horn while talking about how great a team achievement this was, but I also played at a very high level all day. I think I averaged only 1 out per game and I scored a ton of runs. After the first three games on Sunday I was 9 for 11 with 10 runs scored just to give you an idea. I, of course, was even more proud of my fielding at third. Teams really hit a lot my way and I shut them down time after time. I also feel like I did a good job keeping everyone loose with jokes and such. On a day like this one, we all had to be in good spirits and it wasn't tough to be because we all had each others backs... all day long.

So there we were. The players, the coach, even the fan. All a part of an epic day that I'll never forget. Since I hit 30 I thought my days of athletic competition at such a level were going to be more for fun and nothing more. This weekend, nay, this day proved to me that while having fun you can achieve at a high level and get a sense of teamwork I had not yet been apart of. I'd like to thank all of my teammates for a great day. I'm so glad I got to be a part of it. It was an honor doing battle with you all on this day. This Sunday where even though God said, "Let there be rest," we played 7 games of softball instead, and nearly did the impossible. In fact I think we all left the field feeling like we did.

Short take on my 4th this year and last

Tonight as I watched 4 towns fireworks going on at the same time from the Weav' I was reminded of last 4th of July. I sat in my own apartment watching Milwaukee's fireworks go off not far away. Much like when I look back on this day I doubt I'll remember the details of a day with little fanfare. However I will remember the mindset I was in and where my life stood.

Last year at this time life was exciting. I was nearing the end of my first year in Milwaukee and at my job at the Bradley Center. It was my last month at my apartment and in a couple weeks I'd be moving just south of the city to an awesome place with Neil and Dan. After taking all life had thrown at me I got lost in the fireworks, despite not being a big fan. I remember telling myself how different next 4th of July would be. Little did I know how right/wrong I would be.

Of course we all know July 2009 was a major swing month for me last year and ultimately led to my return this past May. The fireworks that took place between then and now re-shaped a life I thought that had already had squared out. This month, is my final month for rent back to Milwaukee and with it the memories of it often come back. I've had a hard time working on the "farewell Milwaukee" video due to the feeling I have like it's not over. Also hard to find time to sit at the computer for too long with all of the activities and softball I'm a part of.

Basically there's been a lot to get me where I am today... even if it's in the same place. Cause here I was watching the fireworks from the Weav' deck yet again like I had done so many times before. However, things are different this time. I'm excited for the future for the first time in awhile because tonight I remembered how quick it can change. Thanks fireworks.

NOTE: I'm still not overly impressed with fireworks and still believe that we should have something better and maybe less expensive to watch explode on our nation's birthday. However i appreciate the moments fireworks provide. A moment to look up at something beautiful and hope those still moments on 4th of July nights could last a little longer when things are going well.

What's been up... the edited... edited edition

In an effort to not cause anymore unnecessary drama I've taken special care to eliminate well over half of what's up with my life in this blog. Sad really, but it's a keeping the peace technique. Basically I have things to say that people either don't want to hear, or don't need to hear. Despite having a lot inside to share, I'll be brief.

I can get over what a weird feeling this has all been. In the 2 months since I've been back everything has been crazy and felt unorganized, messy, and almost never settled down. I'm not happy with my current situation on many angles, but I knew this would be part of the move back when I did and I'm tasting that flavor now. It's bittersweet. Nice to be back to familiar stuff but since the first month passed and the freshness of the move back has worn off I've been forced to see the side of Vermont that made me leave. Sadly I don't have all those same things that distracted me before. No TV show, no radio show, no place of my own.

I need to go back and mention it again with more emphasis how people just don't get how weird this is. I wish there was a better word for it... There's no way to adequately describe what I'm going through and that's one of the things that bugs me. People don't know the daily battles I don't take up to simply go with the flow. I'm really more of a "create-your-own-path guy" than a "follow-the-path-guy," I'm thinking you all knew that. It's been a hard thing for me to do these past few months. I feel the parts of me that I lost in Milwaukee are back but so too are those parts of me that are questioning why in the hell I moved back here. I've taken the humble-pie stance of taking steps backwards to eventually move forward.

Be it here in Vermont or elsewhere in the future... my immediate future is here. Rebuilding the good stuff, leaving out the bad, and remembering to advance on the new stuff. Keeping my options open for any and all things that fate might throw at me next.

Fate has always been a big part of my life. I have to believe in it... if I didn't I'd probably be muttering this blog to myself in a straight-jacket as I tossed myself off padded walls. We can prepare, and we can plan but we can't predict accurately. Fate won't allow it. It's like watching a mystery/suspense with no ending. It's best stories come after the moments we are currently in. Who is to say fate won't take me out of Vermont again? Who is to say it won't leave me here? Who's to say I don't control any of it? With so many questions and no answers until later it's easy to get overwhelmed at the idea of fate. I however embrace it, and enjoy making choices within it along the way.

Anyone still with me? Good. I got a little preachy there for a second. Maybe you thought you had mistakenly logged in to a different blog from a religious cult. FUDGE! See... we're back. Now watch yourself... you're in the kick zone!

KICK ZONE! (New Blog Feature where I kick around topics of interest)

* Speaking of kicking... I've taken harsh criticism for not supporting the USA during the World Cup. Simply put I didn't support the World Cup. Period. Soccer might have taken off more here if they did well. I'm sick of that sport getting any pub here in the states and therefore I wished losses on them for my own selfish reasons... although I'm POSTIVE that at least 70% of America agrees with me that soccer sucks.

* It's sad how the reality shows of today have made our youth soft. They think things can just be handed to them like winning a lottery instead of putting in hard work, studying, or both to get what you want rather than have it handed to you. Let's be honest... there's a real good chance if you're under 30 and not working hard or studying that your grandparents are disappointed in you.

* Softball has been a life-saver for me as I've met a lot of great new folks and gotten a chance to play a lot. I was worried in April that I might not catch on with a team in time but thanks to Jay Lestage the one I'm on with him led me to another. Playing at least a couple nights a week has been a good escape for me and I'm optimistic that the new relationships I've formed, and am still forming, will last a lifetime!

* I recently got moved back to a Noon-8:30 schedule except for days I have softball. I'm not happy about the move back in time as it doesn't allow me much evening time for a life, but I guess I shouldn't be shocked... I never had much of a life before on 2nd shift... just think about how bad 3 to 11:30 will be come the fall. There have been a number of changes at UVM since I left and most of them are positive, but the major change has us responsible for a lot of outside stuff which I hate doing! However it's a good group of guys there and it could be, and has been, way worse in the past. I came back for the benefits first and foremost and between health and schooling I plan to get what I need as I help UVM Athletics run smooth as ever.

* I'm with Team Jacob if anyone cares. I've never seen any of the films or (obviously because I hate reading) ever read any of the Twilight series books. Just seems like I've heard about a lot of positive stuff with human-wolf relationships... boys raised by wolves, Dances with Wolves, Teen Wolf... those all worked out OK. Never heard of human-vampire relationships going too well... you know because of their pesky taste for OUR HUMAN BLOOD! Plus Edward is creepy looking... that is all.

* I want to see Hot Tub Time Machine despite it looking really dumb. It's out on DVD so if anyone buys it let me know I want to borrow it.

* I miss my stuff more than you realize. I need my stuff to feel at home, and to properly accessorize. My wardrobe is repeating itself too much but I can't get to all of my shit. I can not wait until I have my own place to hang my stuff and get normal for awhile. Don't know when it will be but I think I'm closing in on some options... sadly all still about a month away.

* Turd Furguson is a funny name.

* With the fourth of July around the corner I wonder how much money is wasted per year on colorful explosions in the sky? I've never been a big fan. Don't see all the fuss unless someone just hit a homerun. Why not use the death penalty to our advantage on this day? Create small planes that could crash mid-air to kill the inmates and produce an explosion worth seeing? I'm just saying? (might be time soon for another "When I'm King" installment)

Ok you're safe... you've left the kick zone.

*kicks at you "HI YAAA"

Watch it my kick range is strong. I can close quickly sometimes you think you're out but then BAM, size 14 in your grill!

Anyway... I lightened this up and got in a better mood today due to a special redheaded friend, so thanks for the pick-me-up! I'll be back with fresh blog soon. For now, chew on this!

The other half... week 2 back in Vermont

This week was definitely a more accurate portrayal of life in Vermont for me. Some was awesome, some sucked, and some was simply a by-product of restarting here. All was interesting and weird.

The biggest thing was restarting work at UVM. It was the key piece that brought me back to Vermont after all. It was so good to be back working with guys I've grown really close to and back doing stuff for a University and area that means so much to me. Although I'm still officially part-time, I did get my keys this week and was assured the full-time gig was mine and would be just a matter of time. We had an ice maintenance course, took the ice out, did some outdoor work mowing and weed-whacking. I went to Ace hardware to buy stuff, I drove the truck, the Gator, and the Zamboni. I made jokes, and even a commercial (find it under "Remover Magic Commercial" on YouTube). I got so many welcome backs and happy smiles. It really was a great week and no matter whatever happened, is happening, or will happen UVM Athletics and the people there really make it a special place to work. I'd work there forever if I could, and maybe this time I will. Going away and coming back has given me a new perspective on what did bug me about there. Every job has it's good points and it's bad. I've realized more than ever that at UVM the good FAR outweigh the bad. I'll come back and read this blog at some point when I forget, but I'm hoping just remembering this will be enough.

As far as Vermont life went I'll admit I'm struggling with the living situation. It's no knock on my Dad or Step-Mom, who have been kind enough to take me in and feed me the occasional meal, but I've been use to life a certain way at home. Being 31 and living with parents is never really where you want to be. I try to stay out of their way and still do what I need to do, but it's hard for someone who has the heart of a "homebody" when I don't really have a home of my own. I knew this would be a factor when I came back and hopefully this issue will fade away as I begin to search for places to live and consider all options. Once I can set my stuff up and be out of boxes that will help me a great deal.

This was the first week I've been back in Vermont in almost two years where I didn't have tons of things planned, or I wasn't trying to see a ton of people, or cram a bunch of stuff in to my "visit-time." People went back to their regular lives. The glitz and glamour of my return is over. No need to rush to see me because this time I'm not going anywhere anytime soon. I knew this time would come, but again I think it would be easier if I had my own place to hang at. One day this week I was so confused that after work I drove to Weaver Street before I realized that wasn't home anymore. I drove around one night getting reacquainted with areas I hadn't been to in a long while. I'm unsettled, but it will come with time.

The fellas and I have been getting active. In addition to the psychical labor at work I've been out playing basketball and even softball. It's been good to get back to being in motion a little more than virtual farming or winning PS3 Stanley Cups. Vermont is really pretty choice in the summer and the warmer weather has finally arrived.

The biggest hole in my life right now is a regular internet connection. I don't have it in my room at my Dad's and I've used their hard line a few times, but mostly rely on work, or friends places to check in on the internet. I miss having my own setup where I could work on the website at my leisure. As JasonPiche.com is about to celebrate it's 5-year anniversary I'm not happy with my lack of updating with the site since my return, but again this will change as I settle in and have my own joint.

The absolute worst thing about being back in Vermont is all of the Boston love. Boston teams, Boston fans, the city, the accent, and Boston news. I underestimated how awesome it was to be so far away from all of that. I was a lot calmer over in Milwaukee despite having turmoil at several turns I had less hate in my life. Since all hate emanates from Boston, America's worst city, being far away from it would probably behoove my long-term living goals. I may have shortened my life by coming back. As Dan said via text "New England is full of Boston loving gaywads. You need to put them in their place." I replied that maybe it's my life's work, but I often feel I'm fighting a losing battle. These people are followers and they are too dumb to know any better. Sadly some of these people are my best friends and that's why it hurts so much. Picture your sister dating a guy who stabbed you, or your Mom shacking up with your high school bully. It hurts to see that "B" on anyones head let alone my own friends. They obviously don't want to be individuals and would rather join the local "dumb-masses." It's sad really. It's was easier before because the jump of everyone on the bandwagon was gradual. Now coming back after being away it's made it a lot to take in a little time. Didn't help that my Orlando Magic decided to not play hard at all and show no heart against the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. Now an area that never pays attention to the NBA, unless the Celtics are good, are all leading bandwagon back with every "W."

I think the thing I touched on back when I was still in Milwaukee that I wanted no one to forget, and the thing I wanted people to understand most is still the big factor here. For all of you life here went on. Now I'm back and people assume I should just fit back in the way I did before, but the simple fact is... I don't. I didn't fit in that well here before, and now after having lived in the kind of area I always wanted I learned a lot about what I want from life moving forward. I have different dreams and goals now than I had before. My lifestyle, lingo, and the way I see things are very different now. I hope that over time people see not just "The Pich'" as they saw before, but also "Jason" who emerged in Milwaukee.

Another week down in my return and I'm sure the adventure has still just begun!

The past week... the 802 welcomes me back.

A week ago I sat in my room in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. With a heavy heart I struggled to take pieces of the many things in my head and write them in a manner that could make since to anyone. I wove from idea to idea, took time to compose myself, and even quoted Miley Cyrus.

A week later I'm more composed. Things in Vermont are falling in to place gradually. It's going to be a long process, but so far so good.

I arrived back last Friday evening and joined an already scheduled bash. I was attacked for a hug so hard by one, Jess Buchanan, that she actually had a concussion! It was good to reunite with some old friends, and the next evening the official return bash scheduled for the Weav' was awesome too. Lots of people stopped in and a great time was had by all. I had a little more to drink than usual, but it was a fun time.

This week I've been spending some time with friends doing a bunch of different stuff. Monday was cards at the Weav'. Tuesday was softball with Jay, and an evening at the Weav' to watch 'Lost' like old times. Wednesday was the arrival of my stuff in the truck, an interview at UVM, and an evening with Justin and Michelle to watch the Canadiens game 7 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tomorrow it's time to get me a local bank account, pay some bills, and set up my room a little with the things I'll need rather than living completely out of boxes for who knows how long.

My dad and step-mom are out of town right now, which also reminds me to congratulate my step-brother Jamie and his wife on the birth of their second child. Therefore I've had the pad mostly to myself as I look after their dog, Dusty, and cat, Boo-Boo. Things will be much different when they return but it's been nice to have some alone time as I transfer back to Vermont living. I am so grateful to be able to live here so I can save money on rent because I have to pay rent for a couple more months back to Milwaukee until the lease runs out. However being a 31-year-old guy who likes to have his own space... at some point this will bother me. But I realize sacrifices had to made to make this whole thing work.

The pieces are all in sight but it will be a while until I feel "all the way back." My patience will be aided by my knowledge that things will only get better and are not terribly far away.

There have been many things that have made me feel weird already... mostly little things. I'll adjust. Sometimes I get the feeling like I'm on vacation but I always remind myself, and others, that there's no rush to see me in a limited time... I'm not going anywhere this time.

Next week I'll begin working again at UVM. It may still be a little while before the wheels turn to get me on full-time, but they have to take the ice out, host graduation, and then put the ice back in the next few weeks so I'll have plenty of work as a "part-timer." Hopefully not for too long. The interview today went about as well as anyone could have ever hoped for and I was glad to see that everyone there really welcomes my comeback. I'm excited to work with a great group of guys again and share some of what I've learned while away. I really have been impressed with the way things have changed at UVM even as I was leaving and I can't wait to get back to doing what I do. It's the major cog in why I moved back now and the biggest part of making me feel that "all the way back."

In fact everyone has been really glad that I'm back and it may sound obvious to say, but it's meant a lot to hear the words I've heard from folks leading up to and after my return. I've been praised for my risk taking ability, or "balls" as the kids say, for taking a shot at my dream and walking away from a great situation to try something on my own. I've been missed in a comedy stand-point with my wacky views and even hate for Boston.

Mostly I'm glad to be back to be a bigger part of my friends lives again. I missed being there for a friend in need. I missed lending an ear, or opinion. I missed seeing their families grow, or being there for them if they shrunk. I've realized this fact lately: I have a lot of friends that I would hug hello, and even more that would get a solid handshake. It kind of made me realize that I've touched a lot of people in a positive way and I form close relationships with many people. I was away from them all so long I think I forgot just how many there were.

So as week 1 of being back in Vermont comes to a close I will welcome my Dad home (and happy birthday on the 13th!), and also continue re-carving out my place here. I still have to find that future place to live, get my license renewed, do all that car stuff, and finish paying bills from Milwaukee. It's been an interesting first week and I hope that the climb I'm on back to the top of life in Vermont goes a little easier than my attempts in Milwaukee. So far... so good. Thanks to everyone!

A quick note that I'm working on a farewell Milwaukee video, and thanks blog. My computer time has been shorter since moving back but I'll work on it as I can. I refuse to rush it and have it not be something I'm proud of. The folks there deserve better than that!

Farewell Address

I've probably been writing parts of this blog for the past few months in my head. Now here I sit, my last night in Wisconsin, and it's time to put some of it down. Tonight the folks I've met here in Milwaukee came together for a last second outing and it was the perfect way to live out the last night here. PichStock4 kicked off last night and thanks to all who came out. After I've had more time to digest it all I plan a special blog dedicated to the fine folks I met during my time here... as of tomorrow that "here" should read "there," and, yes, even that makes me sad.

Over the past month, as I announced my move back to Vermont, life has become surreal. I've drank in moments I know I'll never live again and, no, "drank in" didn't mean I had adult beverages. I drank in simple things like restaurants, radio stations, and sights. Bigger things like locations, and people I've become quite fond of. I guess I've known for awhile that I wouldn't be in Milwaukee long-term, but it didn't get real until the past month.

It's been hard to realize I'll never drive by Miller Park, and a casino on the way to or from work. That my roommate will never again score me tickets to an NBA Playoff game where he works. That lawyers with no charisma will no longer be in commercials on my local TV. That I won't be joined by anyone in Vermont by "urban speak" that doesn't make me cringe just a little. That my time in Milwaukee is nearly over.

I didn't write too much until now because I'm not sure where to start... or even contemplate an ending. It's tough to be a guy like me when you don't know how to say what you feel.

I guess the thing I've learned the most about my time in Milwaukee is that life is not always what you expect. I knew this before, but this was a solid example. Nothing here was like I expected, and not all of that unexpected was bad. Some was just life happening and some was me happening in life. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that my time here is over... I never expected it to go this way.

I know I previously posted that I wanted to thank the Bradley Center for being the reason I came out here, and I still do thank them and I take nothing back I've said. However, it's very safe to say that I simply never fully recovered from the termination there. I couldn't even get part-time work at Target during the holidays. Thank God the Pettit National Ice Center gave me somewhere else to be once in awhile and a way to make some of my own money. I hated being on unemployment. I missed having benefits, and I missed being a part of a workforce where I felt like I was doing something important. I liked working at the Pettit, but felt like making the ice was all I did... it simply wasn't enough for me.

Aside from professionally I also never really felt I had it all here. To me, "having it all" is having a great place to live, great friends, and a great and secure job. I guess maybe I had 2 days on top after all. Without those things I feel like life becomes a path towards achieving that. And when I'm doing that I tend to forget to enjoy everything else.

I do feel like the people I was closest to here got to see the real me in bits and pieces enough to know what I'm about. I tried like hell to not have it come to this, but the pieces fell in to place too perfectly, and it's the best thing for me right now. I think that's why no one has given me even a tiny bit of crap about leaving. They know, like do, that like splitting aces at the blackjack table, that it's my only play here. It might workout and it might not, but given the choice you'd always split aces.

I hope you stay with me here as I make reference to a song by Miley Cyrus. Say what you will about her, or my liking of her in anyway but just know how important her song, The Climb, is to me. Rarely in life does an entire song capture your place in the world. This song captures all about me and my want to move to Milwaukee, my time here, and the end result. I hope the next time you hear it you listen to how it captures my situation. Most notably though moving forward I give you the chorus:

There's always gonna be another mountain.
I'm always gonna wanna make it move.
I always gonna be an uphill battle,
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose.
Ain't about how fast I get there,
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side.
It's the climb.

I can't say I enjoyed every moment of this "climb" through Milwaukee because I always wanted to move mountains. I wanted to learn all about my job, and eventually find a better place in the area to live. I wanted to get on top financially and take in all that Milwaukee had to offer. I wanted to meet new people at almost any cost. The world was new at every turn and gradually over time I started to enjoy the "climb." I lost a lot of uphill battles here, but I took solace in the ones that were completed or at least going well. I'll admit that some of my lowest moments in life took place here, but also some of my highest. That's what made my time here so special, and what makes leaving so hard.

Tomorrow I have 3 major things to do. Make sure the trailer with my stuff is picked up. Swing by the Bradley Center to say good-bye to Dan, Neil, Rueben and Derrick. Then leave town. Not going to be easy, but something I have to do.

If you know me at all and I'm guessing if your reading this, you do. You'll know how many times I've had to stop writing to compose myself. I could probably write on for hours, but I need to keep this brief for now. I haven't blogged this hard in a long while.

For now I must embrace the future. So often as I've told my tale about being from Vermont to people here, I have always been asked the same question: "How do you walk away from all that?" My answer is always relating to wanting to live in a big city and try my hand at a cool job unlike anything Vermont could provide. However their question always stuck with me. Somedays it was hard to figure out why I did leave. But at the end of it all I wouldn't have changed my path here... maybe somethings along that path, but luckily I can look back at them all and gain the perspective from all the experiences that I went through here.

What makes this so hard for me is that this is where my dreams came true. This is also where they were shattered. This is where I tried to pick up the pieces and keep moving forward, but the road led me back to Vermont. I can't help but feel hurt that I was close to having the things I'd always wanted. I even had them for awhile, but now it's over. There will always be so many "what ifs" for me when I think about my time here. I've always tried to live my life with no regrets but sadly I'll always have some when I think of Milwaukee. I was overwhelmed often by life and my defense was laying low, and trying to take the high road.

They say you shouldn't shop for groceries when you're hungry and by that same token maybe you shouldn't blog when you're upset. Hopefully this mis-matched bunch of thoughts makes some since to you. Getting them out is helpful for me so even if you don't pick up what I'm puttin' down at least I get that out of it.

Basically what I'm trying to say is that, "there's always gonna be another mountain, and I'm always gonna wanna make it move." Now those mountains are green once again. It took my "climb" here in Milwaukee to fully understand that I can do anything. And perhaps more importantly, I can enjoy and learn along the way, but I'd never want to do it alone.

Thank you to everyone who helped this happen. From financial to mental, and moral support. But I would be a fool to not thank Neil and Dan. Without getting into it too far I'll just say I couldn't have done it without them.

Also to my parents: I'm sorry you had to get so many calls from me with bad news during my time here. I actually used to have nightmares about calling you with more bad news. Thank you for being there for me, at every step along the way. The good, the bad, and the ugly. I know this was as hard on you as it was me, and I'm glad that you NEVER made me feel bad for taking such a chance with my life. I love knowing that you supported me in this effort despite your inner thoughts. I don't know if I could be that strong, but I'm so glad you were. As always you let me discover things on my own terms. That kind of support is priceless and could never be replaced.

I have a chance to start over again in my hometown. I'll work to get back the parts I loved, and use my new outlook to find the things, people, and places that make me happy. I'll have the same folks around me that got me through my first 29 years in Vermont, and I'll meet some new ones too. It's hard to be excited about going back right now, because even though I only have mere hours left in Milwaukee I still have some big things to do.

I'll check in from the road. The Pich' has left Milwaukee, and it has left a special place in my heart forever.

Brief thoughts on leaving Milwaukee

This is hard. I've not really spoken too much about leaving.

I haven't sat to write anything about leaving Milwaukee yet for fear that I'll sit and write all night. Also it's hard to find a place to start, and think of a way to end. It's sad. How will I say good-bye to the people, places, and things that have made these past few years all that they were? The good, the bad, the ugly... it was all here.

I haven't had to say good-bye to anyone or anything too major yet. Still a few days left of work at the Pettit, trying to plan a final get-together based on when I roll out of town, and packing and prepping for the move.

This was where my dream to move to a big city, and fresh start by myself came true. Where I had some of my highest highs, and lowest lows. As the clock ticks down on my time here it's hard to not look nostalgically at everything. It's more difficult than when I left Vermont, because I don't know when I'll ever be back to visit. It seems more final.

Basically what it equates to is that I can't think Vermont, and the future, too much more until I get over the hurdle of actually leaving Wisconsin. Aside from moving details, and prep I can't get caught up in the return, until I leave.

I don't want to say too much more right now. It's too soon. I just want to make it clear that I feel moving back to Vermont is the best thing for me right now for a few reasons, but it doesn't make leaving here any easier.

March Madness of 2010, a look back

When I look back at this March I'll always remember it for two things. 1) All the travel to support the Catamounts, and 2) It easily paved the way back to Vermont for me. I've referred to this month already in this way; "I've done more this month than lot of my friends will do in their lifetime." (Meant from a travel perspective purely and not to diminish any overall accomplishments of anyone's life)

Let's look at this in a fun way. First here it is by the numbers:

-Over 5,000 miles traveled
- 6 different airports
- 3 different Catamount teams supported
- 6 different places stayed overnight
- 3 car trips
- 9 days worked

First let me add the fact that if you told me before March 2010 that I'd see 2 NCAA Tournament games in March featuring Vermont I would have said I believed you. However, if you would have said that despite the Men's hoop team being in the tourney and the NCAA Tourney having first and second round games in Milwaukee, that neither would be them... I'd have called you a liar, but nonetheless it was true.

- It was the 8th time I've seen at least a part of the America East Men's Basketball Championship Tourney since '02. It was the first time I'd ever seen the Women's AE Tourney.

- I attended the Men's AE Championship game for the 6th time (4th as a worker) and have seen every one in Vermont history.

- Saw the Women's Basketball NCAA Tournament for the 1st time ever (2nd Round Vs. Notre Dame)

- Saw the Men's Hockey NCAA Tournament for the 3rd time ('96 in Albany, '97 Worcester, '10 St. Paul)

- Visited 3 new arenas (Chase Family Arena in Hartford, Joyce Center at Notre Dame, and Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul)

- Visited Texas for the first time due to traveling issues that brought me to NYC where I switched airports and then spent the night in Dallas before flying back to Milwaukee in the morning.

And now at long last the Fun Facts, and observations from March 2010. Here's what I learned:

*They say to show up at the airport 2 hours ahead of time, but no matter how much time I slice off that I'm always waiting at my leaving gate over an hour.

*Alicia Frost-Kolva has so much going on inside of her head that she gets in her own way sometimes.

*Ed Companion still likes to repeat things we've already said like he wasn't sitting right there when we said it earlier.

*March 2010 marked the final month Gene Gagne III was a minor.

*No better way to make yourself known to all the people you know in an arena than... winning $1,000 for the Burlington Boys and Girls Club! Now I know what it's like to shoot "free" throws under pressure. Thanks Newman's Own!

*Mohegan Sun must have called Potawotami Casino in Milwaukee to continue keeping me at about 50/50.

*Falling asleep in the backseat with a box of Krispy Kremes will lead to picture taking.

*Hartford area stores still stock and sell the crap out of Hartford Whalers gear, and I applaud it!

*Women's basketball can be hard to watch at times, but I think I already knew that before March.

*Stony Brook fans are "fairweather" ones but since their men's team was the #1 seed they made their 1st America East Tourney appearance.

* Stony Brook fans don't care for people who point that out.

* Green Mountains are in fact greater than White Mountains

* I knew in his freshman year that Marqus Blakely would be in the college dunk competition in 2010. In March of 2010 Marqus made sure of his invite (and eventual win in April)

* The rematch of Vermont Vs. Syracuse in the first round of the NCAA Tourney really only proved one thing: We need a rubber match to break the tie... standby

* Being involuntarily bumped off a flight gives you some nice perks, but is really only sweet if they actually come through with getting you home in a timely manner afterwards.

* When your flight itinerary for the beginning of the day says Burlington-Cleveland Cleveland-Cincinnati Cincinnati-Milwaukee and you spend the day in New York City airports before spending the night in Dallas, Texas... something's wrong.

* Between daylight savings time and the one-hour time difference... my internal clock was messed up for over a week after my return.

* Driving Zamboni after about 3 weeks off not takes a little readjusting time.

* During the Vermont-Syracuse game I paced, swore at the lousy internet connection freezing up, and began packing for my eventual move home.

* Lady Cats > Lady Badgers

* Notre Dame has perhaps the greatest sports complex I've ever seen. Even softball has their own mini-stadium, football's practice field is nicer than any field in the entire Vermont state, and their soccer field actually made me want to... get this, see a game there.

* It's nice being a short drive to big events and big cities.

* Dress in full uniform when your team only has a handful of fans and there's a good chance the coach will spot you and wave hello.

* The Vermont women's assistant coaches wife, who sat next to me for the game, has lots of passion for the game, and was a hoot to sit near.

* Notre Dame's women's team is good, and this may have been the best Vermont women's team I've seen in quite awhile. Don't tell Sherri Turnbull, or Sharon Bay I said that though.

* There are a lot of tolls between Milwaukee and South Bend, Indiana

* If you're listening to the radio, your iPod, or a CD while driving through Chicago know this: If a song by Chicago comes on you must listen to it in full. "You're the meaning in my life..."

* People in Chicago care about as much about the speed limit as people in New England care about San Diego Padre Baseball.

* The Wisconsin Dells is like Lake George on CRACK, crack I tell you crack. In fact I shouldn't really even compare it to Lake George because it's insulting to the Dells. They do entertainment and fun right and I just drove through.

*La Crosse Wisconsin welcomes you to town with a huge statue of Indians playing... you guessed it, lacrosse.

* The drive along the eastern border of Minnesota is beautiful. Mountains on one side, Mississippi river on the other. Also some historic towns on the route... Wabasha - Known for being the town featured in "Grumpy Old Men" films Lake City - Which is the birthplace of waterskiing and I defy you to drive through it without picking up that fact. Red Wing - Home of Red Wing Shoes and the entire town uses their logo on EVERYTHING.

* The Xcel Energy Arena is one of the finest indoor arenas I've ever visited for hockey... or anything else for that matter.

* The only non-UVM employee that I knew at the game in St. Paul was the man seated next to me. Fellow Colchester High School '97 graduate, Kyle Kadish. An ironic twist if there ever was one that we would represent the super fans in St. Paul.

* Dan Lawson, whose parents sat in the row in front of us, is the king of replay goals. Also his only two goals of the season were the only two goals the Catamounts scored in the 3-2 loss to the Badgers.

* Badger hockey fans are some of the rudest fans in all of college hockey that I've seen. They put Cornell's fans to shame. They actually booed Vermont's college commercial video when played on the scoreboard. Then they chanted "Hobey Baker" after their player, a candidate for the award, had injured one of our players while he was still down on the ice. That player received a penalty for the hit.

* Butler University is in Indianapolis and they are very good at basketball.

* Andrew Bogut should work on his dismounts

* R-E-S-P-E-C-T find out what it means to Eagles... taking offers for Donovan McNabb?

* I made the decision to move back to Vermont with a lot of help from the University of Vermont and their great people there.

* I realized that March Madness was merely the prequel for "Spring Packing - April Countdown," and "Moveback May."


So as you can read it was an exciting month with moments, memories, and people that will last forever. More big stuff to come as the road to Moveback May continues!