Matt’s News / Blog

Today, I finally did it… switched my drivers license from Indiana to Illinois. A couple of weeks ago I got new plates for my car but didn’t install them until today* (that’s another story). I also registered to vote here in Illinois. So, I guess this makes me an official resident of the state of Illinois. No more funny demonym. What is a Hoosier anyway?!? I still haven’t figured it out. With my official residence of Illinois, Brack Obama is officially my Senator. I think that’s pretty cool, but I suppose he is pretty busy with campaigning for another job. Being from Michigan and really only traveling to the Chicago area of Illinois, I don’t know a much about the state. Most of what I do know comes from Sufjan Stevens.

*Front License plate holder.
After 3 trips to Auto Zone, one Internet order (and return) and one trip to a car dealer I finally have installed my new Illinois license plates (mostly). Being from Michigan and Indiana were we don’t believe in have license plates on the front of our car my car was not prepared for one to be installed. It’s been quite a learning experience. First I went to Auto Zone and bought some license plate bolts. They were way too small for the bumper and clearly didn’t work. After some snooping and other old Civics and the internet I learned that you need a whole license plate holder. So, I went back to Auto Zone and bought the generic one. Nope. The screws for the bumper were too small. It wouldn’t work. I went back and bought the biggest license plate screws that had. Still, no dice. Giving up on Auto Zone, I turned to the internet. I found a holder that claimed to fit a 97 Civic, so I ordered it. When it came, I opened it up to find no bolts or screws. I took it down to my car to see how it might fit. Nothing lined up — I have know idea how it would have worked.

Giving up again, I returned it. After I got my new license this morning, I went over to the Honda dealer. I got the holder and the bottom bracket. When I got back to my apartment, I installed the plate with the new holder and bracket but the screws and bolts they gave me for the top two holes were too small. So, my license plate is held on by just the bottom bracket, which is attached to the car with one bolt.

I think the correct way to use the top two holes is to take the bumper off and use a nut and bolt. But taking cars apart is not my specialty :/ So I’m not sure what I’m going to do.

We left Michigan yesterday morning to get back in time for the Nike Human race. It’s a 10K race that took place in 20+ cities around the world. I ran in the Chicago race. I did pretty well, coming in 66,833th place (out of hundreds of thousands) with a time of 56′29″. My pace was just of 9 minute miles, which is better then my Shamrock Shuffle pace of just below 10 minute miles.

The race was fun and the second half of the course had a very nice view of the Chicago Skyline. There was a Fall Out Boy concert after the race but we didn’t stay.

This weekend was Alisse’s 2nd bridal shower hosted by my Mom and Aunts. Alisse, my sister Amanda and I headed off for Michigan around 6:00 Friday evening. On the way we picked up Alisse’s mom at the Detroit Airport at about 12:30-1:00am. On the way from the Airport we drove through Detroit (yay, we drove thru Detroit at 1 in the morning). As we were driving along, all of a sudden a car full of young kids pulled up next to us. They continued to speed up, slow down and switch lanes recklessly. They seemed to be trying to stay with us. We eventually called 911 to report the car. Soon after we called the police they got off the express way and a few minutes later we say a Detroit City Police car speeding by us. Too bad the crazy car got off.

After leaving the city we ran into another adversary: the fog. It was really hard to see and I had to drive about 40 mph. After we dropped Alisse and her mom off at the hotel and went home, it was 3 am. Yeah, I was kinda tired.

The shower was nice. Again, I was the only male there. Everyone seemed to have a good time and we got some nice presents including a quilt that my Aunt Kathy made.

Sorry it’s been a long time since I’ve updated. I’ve been pretty busy. I drove to Michigan 3 of the last 4 weekends. First for Camp, second for Darrel’s Bachelor party and third for Darrel’s wedding.

For Darrel’s Bachelor party we went to a Tigers game. The game was delayed about an hour for rain but it was a good game. The Tigers beat the A’s 10-2.

The next weekend, I went back for Michigan for Darrel’s wedding. I was one of groom’s men. Everything went smoothly and according to plan. I’m very happy for Darrel and Sara — Congratulations!

Along with traveling, Alisse and I have been finishing up our wedding planning. It’s hard to believe that the wedding is just a little over a month away. We’re going to Michigan again this weekend for Bridal Shower, Part II, the Michigan Edition.

In other (very much less exciting news) I successfully rolled my old 401(K) over to two IRA (one traditional and one Roth). If your curious, I went with Scottrade and investing in ETFs.

This past weekend was pretty busy. Saturday my mom and sister came into town and Alisse and I went to a wedding. It was one of Alisse’s friends from High School. The wedding and the reception were nice. The best part was watching the bride and groom dance to “Jump On It” during the reception.

Sunday was Alisse’s (Chicago) Bridal Shower. I went along to to eat food and assist with the present opening. We had a good time and got lots of cool things, like a blender, and stand mixer and knives.

I have a 401K from my previous job and I want to roll it over, but I’m having some trouble deciding what where to roll it over too. My old 401K is with Fidelity. Here are the options I can think of and some possible benefits:

• Fidelity Rollover IRA
  • Same company my 401K
  • Probably would be the easiest
• Transamerica
  • I would rollover my old 401K into my new 401K
  • All of my retirement money would be in one 401K
• Scottrade
  • I already have a brokerage account with Scottrade for stock trading
  • Access to lots of mutual funds

Have you had to rollover a 401K before? Any other ideas?

I was disappointed yesterday when I read that Obama voted for the FISA bill going against his promise to vote against it. I still think he is the best candidate for president but wish he would have voted ‘no’. It’s also interesting that Clinton voted ‘no’ for the bill. Maybe she will try to make a comeback based on this vote?

Over the 4th of July weekend, my sister and her boyfriend went to New York City. While watching the fireworks he proposed and Amanda said ‘yes’.

So, both of my future brother-in-laws are named Chris. Hopefully, it won’t be too confusing.

Anyway, Congratulations to Amanda and Chris!