Matthew E. Semrau

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Twins enjoy life on the road as truckers – Oakland University News Bureau

December 13, 2014 by Matthew Semrau

Originally published December 13, 2014 on the Oakland University News Bureau

BY MATTHEW E. SEMRAU
OU News Bureau

Few can measure distance driven in trips to the moon, but for these identical twins, that’s their life.

Don and Dave Wolf of Fenton, Michigan, are 25-year veterans of the trucking industry. They’ve driven over 4 million miles. That’s eight trips to the moon and back.

The twins have been featured in National Geographic Magazine as well as the History Channel show “Big Rig Bounty Hunters.”

“We just really love the freedom,” Don said.

Identical twins Don and Dave Wolf have driven big rigs for a quarter of a century. PHOTO/MATTHEW E. SEMRAU
Identical twins Don and Dave Wolf have driven big rigs for a quarter of a century. PHOTO/MATTHEW E. SEMRAU

The twins worked as roofers in Phoenix in the late ’80s. Don drove loads of material to the dump, but was only working three times a week. If he was going to drive a truck, he decided he’d try full time. Dave joined him.

“It’s a twin thing,” Dave said.

Their very own truck

For two years, the brothers drove a company truck, but, according to Don, they only were given four days off a month.

So, they bought their own truck — and essentially more freedom. At the time of this interview, they had just finished a monthlong bow hunting expedition to the Upper Peninsula.

“So, what keeps us in it,” Dave began, “is the freedom to take time off,” they finished in unison.

Everything used by Americans is shipped by truck at some point, the brothers said. That includes cargo that is a tasty treat for criminals.

“If you haul computers, you sign a form that you won’t stop within 200 miles,” Don said. “They are a big commodity to be hijacked.”

But that’s nothing compared to a couple of shipments they carried from a Remington factory.

“Had a trailer full of shotguns, maybe some long rifles,” Don said. “That’s the one place leaving I was looking in my mirrors.”

But criminals aren’t the only danger. Truckers don’t stop when the weather gets cold. Even when it’s very cold.

“A few years ago in Montana, without wind chills it was a flat 50 below zero,” Dave recalled. “Somehow, we lost the heat.”

They put on their hats, gloves and, when not driving, retreated to a sleeping bag until they could get to the next truck stop.

“Don went to spin around to back into a place, and the air line [for the brakes] just snapped like a twig, so brittle,” Dave said.

The brothers had to take turns going into the truck stop and working on the line. The attendant gave them free coffee they used just to keep their hands warm, Dave said.

It was so cold that a container of windshield solution, rated down to negative 20 degrees, became an icy slush — and it was in the cab.

Good money

Trucking can be a lucrative business, they said.

“We could make a lot more than what we do, but if we go out and do 5,000 miles in a week,” Don explained. “We could bring home $3,800.”

New drivers make a little less. A downside to the business: there isn’t much room for advancement. Veteran truckers don’t make significantly more.

Up until about five years ago the brothers would average around 250,000 miles a year.  This year, they’ve driven less than 100,000 miles.

“Our new motto is work to live, not live to work,” Don said.

Neither of the men are married and they’ve managed their money well. Their staple diet for the road reflects that — a log of pepperoni and a big wheel of cheese.

Both men agreed the business is still as lucrative as it was when they first started, but some things have changed.

“Back when we started, truckers were still kind of seen as the white knights of the roads,” Don said.

Prior to cell phones, truckers would often help motorists, he explained.

Now, most drivers have cell phones and most truckers use a satellite communication system that removes the need for outside help.

“It’s a me-me society,” Dave said. “They took God out of the schools, and now look.”

Working as truckers for 25 years, they wouldn’t do much differently. They enjoy the job and have made a reputation for being reliable and punctual.

“I’d started driving sooner,” Don said. “You make good money, you don’t have a boss breathing down your back, the open road ahead of you. Nope, no regrets.”

Filed Under: Published Articles, Writing Tagged With: commercial trucking, news bureau, oakland university, truckers

WildStar Online: Out West, In Space

December 9, 2014 by Matthew Semrau

A review of WildStar Online

by Matthew E. Semrau

 

Tighten your belt and pull up your boots. There’s a new kid in town and his name is WildStar. Wildstar Online.

WildStar is a Massively Multiplayer Online game (MMO) developed by Carbine Studios. WildStar is Carbine’s first game, but don’t let that fool you. The ranch may be new, but the ranchhands are no greenhorns.

The studio boasts impressive talent from some of the biggest names in the industry: Everquest, World of Warcraft, and the late Warhammer Online—just to name a few.

Not Re-inventing The Wheel

Those accustomed to the genre won’t struggle to find their bearings. The user interface is the usual fanfare: healthbars, minimap, and action bars.

Each class has many skills to customize the experience. You’re limited to using nine at any given time, so you’re forced to strategize. It’s fun. Getting the right combination takes trial and error.

For those new to the genre, Carbine includes a plethora of useful tooltips and eases players into game concepts.

The tutorial area does a good job of introducing players to the basics. It would be nice, though, to have an option to skip it after the first time.

UPDATE: An option to skip the tutorial zone has since been added.

 

New Tricks

Carbine Studios / Matthew E. Semrau
Carbine Studios / Matthew E. Semrau Unlike other MMOs, Wildstar uses a “telegraph” system. You have to actually aim your attacks and so does your enemy.

Absent is the familiar medieval facade of fiefdom, fortresses, and forges. In its place, spaceships, laser saws, and robots.

Wildstar is unmistakably science fiction. But, even that gets its own unique spin with a wild west flare. The Exile humans have a thick drawl, and aliens run around with six-shooter inspired lasers and ten-gallon hats. It’s a regular game of cowboys and aliens.

Pick A Side

You can play as one of two sides: The Exiles or The Dominion. The Dominion believes it has an obligation to rule the universe—you know, for it’s own good. This is somewhat of a sore spot for the Exiles, driven from their homes by the Dominion.

Yeah, the Dominion are kind of jerks.

Flashpoint

The game revolves around a mysterious planet called Nexus. It’s the long-abandoned experiment by a race of super aliens.

The Exiles see it as their new home. The Dominion see an exploitable resource. See the problem?

The Path Less Traveled

The “path” mechanic is an interesting feature. Independent of your faction or class, you can pick between one of four paths: Soldier, Scientist, Explorer, and Settler. Each path influences how you experience the game world.

The tasks often encourage players to work together. For example, a Settler can rebuild a robot, and then a Scientist can reprogram it. The robot then reveals a hidden reward. This is just an example.

Choose wisely. You are locked into your path at character creation. Frustrating. Players unaware of how a path influences their experience may invest hours only to discover they hate their choice. Your only options are to deal with it or create a new character.

 

Carbine Studios / Matthew E. Semrau For an MMO, Wildstar provides amazing customization—especially for faces.
Carbine Studios / Matthew E. Semrau
For an MMO, Wildstar provides amazing customization—especially for faces.

Not Too Serious

The art is cartoony and the humor matches. When a player gains a new level, it flashes across your screen, a gruff voice congratulates you, “Way to go, spanky!” The Dominion starting area includes human experimentation that results in Exile prisoners dying in morbidly humorous ways. Again. Dominion. Jerks. Everything is a caricature. It works.

Got Class

The classes fill the usual archetypes of healer, damage, and tank. Each class is capable of two roles.

The classes are familiar, but all are given an original take. For example, the engineer is a ranged tank with heavy armor and robot pets. This is unusual in the genre.

Having played many MMOs for over a decade, this game stands out as being the weirdest, strangest, yet most familiar game I’ve played. I like it.

I’ve only begun my adventure on Nexus and there is still much to explore. It’s nice to experience something original in a genre that’s often stale.

I highly recommend jumping on the wagon.

Filed Under: Blog, Reviews, Writing Tagged With: opinion, PC, Reviews, Video Game, Wildstar

Every Man I Know

November 28, 2014 by Matthew Semrau

(Photo: flickr.com/vinothchandar)

 

BY MATTHEW E. SEMRAU

There have been a lot of people in my life who have influenced me. Each deserve their own story. Together, they have been my friends, support system, encouragement, conscience, and role models.

These are the men I know.

Moose

I call him Moose. His real name I don’t know. Okay, that’s a lie. I was best man at his wedding, but using his real name is weird. To me, he is Moose, and Moose he is. He kind of lives up to his name.

He is a gentle giant. Well, unless you hurt someone he loves, then he’s liable to throw you over a car. Yes, he’s really done that. He’ll tell it to you straight, sometimes too straight, but then, that’s one of the reasons why I call him “brother.”

You don’t have to guess where you stand with Moose. Generally, below him. Because he’s tall. Really tall.

George

George is like another grandfather to me. Probably because he’s really old. How old are you again George? But in all seriousness, I love George. He’s one of the sweetest guys I know. He’s blessed me and my family so many times when we needed help most.

I look up to George. I don’t know if it’s because he’s tall or not. I’ve never met him face to face. He could be really short. Maybe George is a midget. I don’t know. But I still look up to him.

Tom

Tom is another old guy I know. I know he’s old because he’s told me. Not that being old is bad. It means you’ve survived a lot of things. I hope I get to be an old guy some day. Especially, an old guy like Tom.

He also has looked out for my family. I haven’t met Tom either. I really should. He only lives across the state. Tom, how does Christmas sound? Okay, maybe not Christmas. But we should meet sometime soon.

Jonathan

Jonathan is… I don’t know how to describe Jonathan. He’s one of the few in this story that I know I’m taller than. I still look up to him. I have to sit down to look up to him, but I still look up to him. He’s my closest friend. I call him “brother” too. I mean that. I get choked up just thinking about it.

Someday we’ll both be old guys in a retirement home and still be arguing over politics and video games. Maybe in the future politics will be decided by video games. In which case, him and I will both be great politicians.

Brother SeanNazarene General Assembly 2013

I can’t exclude Brother Sean from this list. I don’t know his real name either. Okay, another lie. I know his last name, but he’s “Brother Sean” to everyone I know. Not “Sean.” Brother Sean. He’s a pastor. He glows.

He doesn’t literally glow. Well, I’m sure if you covered him in radioactive paint he would glow, but he’s the nicest guy I know. I mean, he’s like exploding with niceness. Oozing, even. But it’s never obnoxious. I mean, if you don’t like nice people, then I suppose it’d be obnoxious. But I like nice people.

He’s almost an old guy. Almost.

Dad

My dad is another guy I know. He helped make me. At least, that’s what he and my mom claim. I honestly don’t want the details. Eww.

But, I look enough like him and am missing enough hair that I can buy that. He’s helped me become who I am.

Not just because he helped make me (again, eww,) but because he’s always looked out for his family. I want to be like my dad when I grow up. Well, maybe with more hair.

I look up to him too, because he’s like an inch taller than me. I blame my mom for being shorter than my dad. She’s really short. But that’s a topic for another story.

More

These aren’t the only men in my life. Honestly, there are so many men who have been such a great influence on my life that I could write a book on it. Maybe I will.  I have to mention Daniel, Joseph, Trevor, Shea, Brian, both of my Grandpas, and a lot of others. You guys are awesome.

Seriously. I mean that.

Thank you.

Filed Under: Blog, Writing Tagged With: essay, feature, friends, men

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