Dispatches from the home of Angie’s List magazine.
“I thought you stayed away from anything that didn’t have pictures.”
- Col. John “Hannibal” Smith of the A-Team
Last weekend, after getting trounced out of an intense match of croquet, my brother Kevin and I were discussing writing, the internet and blogs. He had a particular beef with my previous posts: not enough pictures. Continue reading ‘Pictures, puppies and boxing in boxers’
Well, my wedding went off without a hitch, and my wife and I enjoyed a wonderful, relaxing honeymoon in a forgotten corner of Florida. We had a terrific time away from our normal hectic life and felt tremendously blessed to not only have each other, but wonderful friends and family that supported us before, during and after our big day.
Then, we came home — and realized that our apartment looked like a tornado hit it. Continue reading ‘Bless This Mess’
I’ve been taking a lot of baths lately. Now, I can already guess what you’re thinking: “I thought ‘Mike’ was a guy’s name?” Continue reading ‘My bathroom is doomed.’
The Indianapolis 500 is two days away, but it’s race day here at Angie’s List. Today is the second annual Angie’s List Soap Box Derby. I don’t have much time to write, as the festivities begin in just a few minutes.
The entire Angie’s List work force was divided into 30 teams earlier this week, each with about a dozen employees. Team names and captains have been chosen, and $75 gift cards to a home improvement store were used to purchase car parts. This morning we’ll put the cars together, and after lunch, race them downhill through a parking lot filled with wet, sticky hay bales. Continue reading ‘It’s race day’
Probably the best thing about my new house is the view of the Indianapolis skyline, right across the split of I-65 and I-70 at the heart of downtown. It’s an underrated view; not many places really consider the Indy skyline to be a classic view, but to me it’s a gem.
If a city can be said to have a heart, those highways are most certainly its arteries. And I feel a special connection to this area as well, just a stone’s throw away from Pogue’s Run – where my great-great-great-great-grandfather, George Pogue, was the first European man to settle in Marion County, first establishing his cabin in 1820 or so.
Ever since moving here I’ve become deeply invested in the local community – partially as the community liaison for Angie’s List, but also because I’m deeply interested in doing everything I can to improve the quality of life in my immediate neighborhood, the Holy Cross neighborhood, and the overall Near East Side. Particularly now that we’re the subject of literally national media attention, as revitalizing this area was a key part of Indianapolis’ bid to land the 2012 Super Bowl. Continue reading ‘Location, location, location’
I’ve lived in my house for nearly two years, and haven’t managed to get much done … as far as gardening goes. The front yard is in decent condition, but the back is lacking. We had fantastic weather last weekend, so I decided to grab the trowel and some gloves and give it a go.
I started in the backyard, which, as you know, is in pretty bad shape due to my large herd of dogs. I bought some lovely ferns to hang in the back, some trellises to mask the unsightly garbage-can area and ground cover to surround our birdbath. After a few hours of backbreaking work, I was able to revel in my accomplishments. Then it hit me … Continue reading ‘Garden of heathens’
I faced one of my biggest fears this week – I finally went to the dentist to have a couple cavities filled. There’s a good reason I’m scared of the tooth doctor, and it’s not the needles or drills that give me the heebie-jeebies. I’ve had too many bad experiences with several different dentists.
When one dentist filled a cavity for me a couple of years ago, my whole face swelled up like a balloon and my mouth became covered in sores. Continue reading ‘Drilling for a nerve’
In case you’re biting your nails with curiosity, wondering if I actually finished the Mini-Marathon or if I ended up in the back of an ambulance somewhere along the course, you can rest easy. I survived. My colleagues have heard me regale the events of the day, but just in case I missed anyone I can sum it up thusly: I ran, I walked, I ran some more, I walked a lot more, my legs ached. I crossed the finish line and ate a banana and a cookie. All in just three hours. Would I do it again? Sure, why not? After all, they do give you a cookie at the end. 
Alas, my cookie-eating days are limited. Continue reading ‘Survival of the fittest’
I’m counting down the days until June 21. That’s the day I’m competing in a triathlon here in Indianapolis. And, because I’ve got quite a bit of work to do to get ready for it, the time is just flying by.
I’m not a runner. I don’t even own a bike. I have no pool to train in. How did I get myself into this? Continue reading ‘Five weeks and counting…’
Yep, I’m a survivor. Today is my one-year anniversary working for Angie’s List. I know, I know: I’m the man. And after picking up my anniversary reward/gift, I’m convinced working at the List was the right choice. Here’s a pic of me showing off my newest toy:
