Skil Cross-Line Laser Level

    Well, my wife will be the first to tell you that I am no carpenter. Over the years I have done several light carpentry jobs around the house. As time goes on I am becoming more proficient and learning what tools to use. So far things have gone well and although I always seem to make more than one trip to the hardware store, I have yet to make a trip to the Emergency Room :) One of the tools that I have found very helpful is the Skil cross-line Laser Level.

 The project I have used this tool for the most was creating custom wainscotting for our new home. I created it by using chair rail and base cap for the squares. Getting the squares and trim to line up just right and be level would have been quite a challenge if it weren't for my handy little tool. When I first started on this project I was using a tape measure and chalk line. I quickly discovered how messy a chalk line can be. With little ones running around many parents know there are enough messes to clean up without blue powder everywhere. I set out (again) to the hardware store in search of a laser level.
     Prior to becoming a firefighter I was a painter for almost 10 years. I had a laser level that I had used for various painting projects. I stopped using it because it was the kind that sticks to the wall and it would always fall off. When I arrived at Lowe's there were several choices for laser levels. After looking at all of them I chose the Skil based on price and the fact that it came with a tripod. Set up was a breeze. The 3 legs have 2 positions each to adjust height and there is an extension that comes out the top using a crank for precise raising and lowering. The laser beam will project up to 30 ft. and projects on multiple walls at a time. You can select horizontal line, vertical, or both. I found that I did not have to move it around very much do to the fact that it projects on multiple walls. After having used the chalk line I found this tool to be much more precise and alot less messy! No blue powder floating in the house now! The Skil laser level can be purchased at Lowe's for $89.99 which is significantly cheaper than the other models there. It comes with a case for both the tripod and the level itself. I am very happy with my purchase and am pleased with how it helped me with my project. I am looking forward to using it on other projects down the road. Most of all my wife was very happy with how it turned out. Thanks to the Skil laser level it looks like an actual carpenter did it...for the most part.

Bang Fitness Project in Carmel

     It has been nearly a decade since I started working out on a regular basis. Since then I have had memberships at several gyms. Some were good experiences and some were bad. It seems when you finally find a good facility with good equipment everyone else seems to go there too. It doesn't matter that the place has nice equipment because you can't get a turn on it. This is not the case with Bang Fitness project.
     I recently received a two week pass to workout at Bang Fitness Project (formerly Cardinal Fitness). I went at different times during the two weeks to see if there was a "busy time" and was pleased to discover that no matter when I went I was always able to access the things I needed. There is lots of great equipment there including some things I have never seen before. There is plenty of free weights, benches, smith machines and squat racks on one side. Down the middle are all the pulley machines, which they have plenty of. Along the front on the right side are all the cardio machines, which, again they have plenty of. Each time I went I never saw anyone standing around waiting for a machine. One of  the pieces I really like that I have never seen before is an ab machine where you throw medicine balls at a target as you sit up and they roll right back to you, very nice!
     Another great feature of the club is the Kid's Club section. It seems like the only clubs that offer this anymore are the large chains like Lifetime Fitness and their kids section is in a completely different area. I really like that the Kid's Club at Bang is right there where you can check in on your kids. They also have plenty for the kids to do. I tend to be very cautious with my kids and I would feel very comfortable having them in the Kid's Club while I workout. The overall atmosphere of the club was great. There was no loud annoying techno music blaring through the speakers, no muscleheads posing in the mirror. Brian, the club owner greeted me and shook my hand the first time I went there. He was very polite and it was nice to see that he was there interested in his club and the clients who go there. The rest of the staff were very polite and helpful each time I went.
     The price for membership is very comparible to some other clubs if not slightly cheaper. Like many other clubs they offer a month-to-month or yearly membership. They even offer a discount if you want to buy a whole year up front. they have lots of different things to offer complementary when you first begin. The offers are ever changinf but may include things like a couple free training sessions, body composition test, visual analysis, and thorough gym tour as well as other things. Overall when you first join they will spend up to about 2 hours with you at a time that works for you making sure you know your way around, help you set some goals and put you on the right path to meet them. When my wife and I decide to join a club, this will be the one we join! The pricing is great, it is a very convenient location, the hours are great, and it is a wonderful facility. Whether you have been working out for years or are just trying to get started, I would highly recommend going to Bang Fitness Project, especially if you have children.
Thank you to Brian and his staff! For more info go to http://www.gobangfitness.com/

Pearl Izumi Syncropace 3/ Athlete's Foot Avon, IN

    This is the first pair of Pearl Izumi shoes I have owned and will not be the last! The Pearl Izumi Syncropace III is the best shoe I have ever owned. I have had them for just about a year now. I feel like they were made just for my feet. I had these as well as a new pair of expensive Asics. I would alternate sometimes and quickly discovered that the arches of my feet would hurt when I wore the Asics so I stuck with my trusty new friends. 
    The shoe is pretty lightweight and breathes very well. I am surprised how well the shoe has held up. Originally I purchased the shoe at the beginning of Fire academy to use for our intense Crossfit workouts everyday. For 4 months I wore these shoes everyday to do Crossfit workouts and long jogs on the road. Not once did my feet or legs hurt. I have worn them to lift weights in since that time and despite the beating they have taken they are in good shape still. Although they are not falling apart yet, the folks at Athlete's Foot would probably tell me it's time for a new pair. I will retire them someday and replace them with a new pair of Pearl Izumis.
     I want to say a special and long overdo thank you to the staff at Athlete's Foot in Avon, IN. 19 young firefighter recruits descended upon the store one afternoon to have a fitting and purchase shoes. The staff there were so friendly and helpful. I had never been treated to such a thorough shoe fitting. They had us each walk across a pad that measured the positioning of our foot in stride. After this they recommended a couple different shoes for us. It is because of the knowledgeable staff at Athlete's Foot that my feet made it happily through that intense 4 month period. Thank you again!

Dodge Grand Caravan Crew

    I recently had the privelege of driving the new Dodge Grand Caravan Crew model. This was my first experience driving a minivan with the girls for an extended period of time. We rented it on our recent trip to Florida. First of all let me say, minivans are the greatest invention for families! We normally drive a small SUV that seats 5 adults, but, with 2 car seats inside it really only seats 2 adults. I was so thrilled when my wife, the 2 car seats, our huge B.O.B. stroller and all of our luggage fit comfortably inside the van!

     As hard as it is to admit as a man, a minivan has been my dream car for about 4 years now. They are so practical and the design of them lately is really cool. I've always kind of had my eye on the Honda Odyssey but I must say I was very impressed with the new Dodge Caravan. The exterior design is very nice and not too boxy. The model we rented had the push button side doors which I highly recommend. Several times I had my hands full and was able to simply push a button allowing the girls easy access to the van. It also sits low to the ground so both girls were able to climb right in by themselves. Another feature I really liked was the many different possibilites for seat rearrangement. When the back row of seats is in place there is a deep storage bin that is exposed. You can also fold the middle and back rows completely into the floor to make a nice large flat area for luggage and things.

     The model that we had did not have all the bells and whistles but I was impressed that even such a "basic" model had so many ameneties. we had all power windows and doors, even the rear tilt windows were power. The interior was very sharp and stylish. I really liked the Ebony wood grain dash panels. There were tons of storage compartments which I loved! They were everywhere, in the ceiling, on the walls, in the floor, it was great! Finally, even though it was a "basic" model, I loved the very large screen back-up camera that automatically comes on when in reverse. I very much enjoyed my week as a minivan Daddy in the new Dodge Grand Caravan. I would highly recommend this van as a family vehicle. It was fun to drive, had plenty of space, the seats were very comfortable and it was great on gas.