Author: Matthew Semrau

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

    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.”

  • WildStar Online: Out West, In Space

    WildStar Online: Out West, In Space

    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.

  • Every Man I Know

    Every Man I Know

    (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.

  • Blog

    Blog

    Welcome to the Matthew Semrau blog. I like to write about a lot of things like politics, technology, and other odds and ends. You can see my latest posts below, or use the menu to browse categories.

    Blog
    November 7, 2014
    Read more…
    2014 Midterm Election
    November 5, 2014
    Read more…
    Rainfall leads to treacherous roads
    May 14, 2014
    Read more…
    WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGES: Genocide on Campus
    April 17, 2014
    Read more…
    Humans of Oakland University
    March 18, 2014
    Read more…

  • 2014 Midterm Election

    2014 Midterm Election

    Abstract

    The United States 2014 Midterm Election has been historic on many accounts. There have been a lot of interesting stories coming out of it. So, I’ve compiled some of the most interesting here. I’ll update it regularly as new stories emerge, also, feel free to suggest them on Facebook or Twitter.

    Updated

    2014-11-06 6pm

     

    Historic Republican Victories

    2014-11-05 – Republicans now have every congressional seat for Arkansas for the first time in 141 years | by Hunter Shwarz | The Washington Post

     

    Youngest Woman Ever

    Elise Stefanik

    2014-11-05 – New York elects 30-year-old Republican as youngest woman EVER in congress just weeks after she became old enough to stand | By AP and Josh Gardner | Daily Mail

    2014-11-03 – Meet the Republican who may become the youngest-ever woman in Congress | by Marisa Schultz | New York Post

    2014-11-03 – This 30-Year-Old Rising Star Is Already Being Touted As The Future Of The GOP | by Brett LoGiurato | Business Insider

    Saira Blair

    2014-11-04 – West Virginia Elects America’s Youngest State Lawmaker | by Kris Maher | The Wall Street Journal

    Defiant Obama

    2014-11-05 – Day after defeats, Obama strikes defiant tone | by Julie Pace | Associated Press

    2014-11-05 – Obama in denial, says he doesn’t feel repudiated in last night’s Republican wave election… | by The Right Scoop

    2014-11-05 – Krauthammer: Midterms ‘A Nuclear Explosion,’ ‘The Worst Wall-To-Wall Shellacking You Will Ever See’ [VIDEO] | by Al Weaver | The Daily Caller

    Democrats Defeated

    2014-11-06 – Wounded Dems look for answers | by Mike Lillis | The Hill

    Democrats on the Defense

    2014-11-03 – Harry Reid’s Fateful Evening | by Jon Ralston | Politico

  • Rainfall leads to treacherous roads

    Rainfall leads to treacherous roads

    Video #2

    Roadway flooding in and around Holly, Michigan Wednesday morning may prove to make challenging commute. (more…)

  • WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGES: Genocide on Campus

    WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGES: Genocide on Campus

    [metaslider id=269]

     

    Oakland University is talking about genocide after a student group presented provocative images of death camps, executions, and abortions to campus, last week — April 7th and 8th, 2014.

    The Genocide Awareness Project

    The exhibit, called the Genocide Awareness Project, was hosted by Students for Life at Oakland University. The exhibit belongs to and is sponsored by The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform which is based in Lake Forest, California.

    “I would say that before this display was up here, say a week ago, very few people were really talking about abortion,” Mark Wolf said, a volunteer representing the center. “I would say right now the whole college campus is talking about this.” Mark adds, “It’s started conversations going that weren’t going before.”

    (more…)

  • A Tutorial for the Photojournalist

    A quick and easy guide

    The folks at the Journalists’ Toolkit have compiled a list of articles from Photo Composition Articles into an easy to understand guide to the basics of photojournalism. In seven links, they address several important aspects of photography that should be considered by every photojournalist (or photographer for that matter.)

    The tutorial covers:

    • Simplicity

    • Rule of Thirds

    • Lines

    • Balance

    • Framing

    • And how to avoid mergers

     Included, with each step of the tutorial, are photos and captions briefly explaining the principles covered in the article. This makes the subject material easy to digest and understand. Taking a cue from its first tutorial, the articles are simplistic. There is not large sections of text to digest, but rather a few sentences to each photograph. Most of the photos concisely pull together the concepts being discussed. The entire tutorial should take you no more than half an hour to fully-digest.

     The articles combine technical tips with aesthetics to make sure the photos you select (and take) are aesthetically pleasing. This means that in the process of understand the technical aspects of the photographic concepts, but that the overall impression of the photo to your average audience is pleasing and fitting.

     All of these articles are provided free of charge. They can be easily accessed via the Journalists’ Toolkit website at http://www.jtoolkit.com/photojournalism/ If this tutorial isn’t enough, the Photo Composition Articles website has a plethora of other content regarding photography at http://photoinf.com/

     If you’re looking for an even more succinct overview of the lessons you can checkout my slideshow embeded below.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IwPR0XF4_w