Christmas Around the House of K.

So now I'm just inspired. Here's some shots from around the house this Christmas. Everything was designed by Leslie or by Leslie and her mom. I did the outside lights. Reminded me of National Lampoons Christmas Vacation getting up there on the roof. Last year, the first year I ever put up Christmas lights in my life, I had some "Witnesses" come by and preach to me while I was hanging the lights. The irony made me laugh.

Empty Hands

I've been sitting here with my hands on the keyboard for a couple of minutes now waiting for the words to start appearing on the screen. It would seem I have blog block. I try to write to an audience sometimes and tell interesting or personally funny stories. Those things keep happening- I just haven't been writing about them for some reason. Maybe it's because I compare my blog to KAL's. His if first class in my opinion. But I'm not trying for the same blog. I guess I should just let it flow.
I could talk about the verbal slap I gave another teacher today. I got pretty angry. The principal walked up, stood there for a second listening, turned about, and walked away. I'm finding it's better for me, and the other party involved if I just go ahead and confront them about whatever I'm pissed about. I'm the kind of guy who holds onto stuff for a long time inside. It's not good for one to do this. I don't like to upset people though so I often don't say anything. I just boil inside and lay sleepless thinking about the problem. I think I solved this issue- and I'm over it. I'm not mad anymore- nor am I holding a grudge. So that's that.
I could also talk about hunting. It's not going so good at this point. Oh, I killed another deer. Unfortunately, it had been shot twice about two weeks prior to our meeting. It was a mercy killing as it turned out. I knew something was wrong as soon as the deer appeared. It looked like the fur on it's back was turned up. I shot and killed the animal. When I approached it, it had a huge chunk missing from it's back and another from its chest. Someone had not been a good shot. It's amazing the strength of these creatures to carry on with such wounds. I have great respect for them. I left the deer where it lay because there was no point in trying to salvage any meat- infection was obvious. I returned to where I shot the deer last weekend. There was nothing but a bare white skeleton left.
Oh, I got a new Element. Very nice and this time Galaxy Grey Metallic! Woooweee! It has some really nice performance upgrades from my '05, and some nice trim upgrades. One thing I'm a little disappointed with is the new five speed transmission. It's nice and smooth but it has a bit of a shift drone just before upshift that bugs me. I've been talking to some folks about it on theeownersclub some of them noticed the same thing. Maybe there will be a recall. I've been making a stink about it to Honda.
My wife started a blog. I'll suggest it to you now. Heretis Good thoughts.
I'm pregnant. No wait, that's not right. I'm not pregnant. Many people are though, so I better get back to saving the universe. Tata.

If you are a dog AND cat owner

you'll find this hysterical. Leslie and I have two dogs and two cats. The parallels of this read and our reality are just too close. I was laughing so hard I was crying.

*The Dog's Diary*
8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 PM - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
1:00 PM - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 PM - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 PM - Dinner! My favorite thing!
7:00 PM - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 PM - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 PM - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

*The Cat's Diary*
Day 983 of my captivity.
My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are Fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an Attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their Feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates my capabilities. However, they merely made Condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Bastards!
There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was Placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.
Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow, but at the top of the stairs. I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and Snitches.The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released, and Seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird must be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now......

Easy Hunting

This summer my wife's uncle came up with an idea to build a hunting blind that his son (and anyone who wants to stay out of the weather) could hunt from. He asked me if I knew anyone who'd be interested in helping with the project and I came up with one name- Meathead. So I asked Meathead and he agreed and we started planning. I was the middle man going between Rick and Meathead (Eric) planning the project. The I got a supply list, took it to Lowe's in Eric's truck, filled one of those big lumber cart things until it was so heavy I had to push on it for about two seconds before it started to move, and then headed it out to the truck to find Eric's truck wouldn't start. About an hour later and figuring out the problem I drive across town and Eric and I build the base for this blind. Weeks later we take the base and the rest of the lumber out to Rick's farm and start putting this thing together. We prebuilt all the walls up at the shed and quit for the day. The next week we came back and put the walls on a trailer and took them down to the spot for the blind and started getting everything in place. We worked until dark that day and got the roof on while using the lights on the tractor to see what we were doing. Then we came back again and set the windows (which are Andersons) and put on the shingles. It was quite an ontaking but it turned out great. the actual "box" is 5'X6' inside with 7' high walls. The platform is 8'X6'. There is a trap door in the bottom of the box with a ladder going to it. There is also a ladder going to the 2'X8' landing on the backside of the platform. From the landing you can take the third ladder to the roof and hunt from there as well. Each window has been offset from the one across from it to prevent wildlife from looking straight through the box. The screen over the windows is screen that you can shoot through either with a bow or gun. Not all the screen was up when the pictures were taken. The inside of the box is painted black so it's nice and dark. It's almost impossible to see into the box with the combination of the screen and black interior. It was a big project that turned huge. The finished product is really cool though- so it was worth it. I don't know that I'll ever hunt out of this blind, but you could spend the coldest day hunting in it very comfortably. I need to take some pictures of the view from this blind. It looks out over a field that stretches for about 300+ yards. The blind is backed up to a small wooded area and hills are on both the left and right sides. Maybe I'll get some pictures of that this weekend when gun season opens.

The morning after State Cross-Country

I really wasn't planning on hunting this morning. When I went to bed I was pooped. The state Cross-Country championship wore me out- and I didn't even race. Those kids have a lot of energy. It's funny how they can just ride up and down an elevator like it was Space Mountain. Anyhoo, I figured if I woke up and felt good- I'd go. I haven't had very good luck the past couple of years. Some of it has been my fault, some of it has been just bad luck. Like yesterday when my historically top two runners had major issues and the worst races of their season. You have to keep trying if you want something though. So I went and it paid off. Right now deer is becoming jerkey. Funny how your day can change quickly. One moment you're chasing a doe trying to get some action- next thing you know you're soaking in soy sauce.

Honda should sponsor me.

State Bound

In about 3.5 hours I'll be leaving for Cross-Country state Championship in Jefferson City. It's pretty cool to think we made it this far our first year out with a sport we haven't had here in about 25 years. Even if we hadn't made it to the championships, I'd still be very satisfied with this year. Everyone worked hard and improved over the season. Next year will be even better.
Although we didn't have a full girls or boys team, we still qualified 4 of 7 individuals for the championship. That's a nice percentage.

Good Beers

I love beer. Let's just get that right out there. I don't like Bud or any of that crap. I mean real beer. Beer that you don't drink more than about 3 or 4 of without feeling like you just ate a 5 pound and the grissle. Here's one that's been my favorite for a while now. Here's what the maker of the beer says:

Pyramid India Pale Ale has the distinctively hoppy flavor and aroma craft beer enthusiasts demand. Abundant helpings of Columbus hops gives this ale an astonishing 67 IBU's - truly a beer for bold tastes! The distinguished Celebrator Beer News aptly named this brew "hophead nectar" (June/July issue, 1998). Original Gravity: 16.7Alcohol By Volume: 6.70%Malts: 2-Row Barley, Munich, Caramel, CarapilsHops: TomahawkAvailability: Year RoundBest Paired With: Fish, BBQ and all things hot n' spicy.
But with cooler weather being here you have to try some of Sam Adams Double Bock. It's a very smooth, sweet beer with, no joke, a half pound of malt used per bottle. It's about as strong as wine and very heavy. Although I bought it last fall and winter here, according to the Sam Adams website, it's sale is illegal in several states including Missouri.

Well if I can't get that this winter, another favorite cold weather beer of mine is the Trippel from New Belgium Brewery. This is not a beer tasting beer. At least not by American norms. It's a good one though- very complex and almost strange. It is supposed to be a Belgin style beer afterall.

There are so many good beers out there anymore. It's hard to choose when I go shopping. Leslie's step-dad and I like to get together and talk beers when the opportunity comes up. I should start a beer tasting party. I could plan it on the same nights as the "other" parties that the ladies like to have. You know like, Pampered Chef and whatnot.

ISS Post

I shouldn't have eaten those cupcakes. Every once in a while someone brings in some garbage for us to eat. This particular time, our counselor's husband who works at the local cupcake factory, brought in some cream filled badness for our gorging pleasure. I did partake. I regret. Now I am tired, heavy feeling, and I'm pretty sure my blood is stuck in traffic. It's weird how when you get away from eating that stuff and you're eating lean and healthy, the times you do get some junk food take an immediate toll on you. Sure did taste good though. Ummm, chocolatety, creamy... I feel like Homer Simpson. Well, I guess with the holidays coming up I better practice getting my eat on because before you know it I'll have a beer in one hand and a cookie in the other.

ISS has been busy lately. Seems people need to try new behaviors that others have gone before and tried. Sort of like mountain climbing, "Well all these other guys tried for the summit and died, but I think I have a shot." ISS is the same, "Well, he didn't make it, but I'll give it a shot." "Oops, no, that didn't work. Now I'm in ISS." It's even easier to get in trouble now because we have video cameras.

I haven't been riding much. In fact I haven't ridden but twice. Those were some sweet rides though. Ozenpro was a bit disappointed when I didn't get dropped repeatedly on my maiden voyage on the new bike. I was wondering why he brought his fixed gear. The only thing I could figure is that he expected me to be slow and weak. Well, spend three months running with high school kids five days a week and you'll stay in pretty good shape too.

Now it's three days since I started this post. Not too much has happened since I started it. We had parent/teacher conferences last night. That's always a blast. I love having some loud guys with bad breath get all up in my grill and tell me about how great the Patriots and Red Sox are for about 4.5 minutes and then save the last 30 seconds of our conversation to talk about his daughter. Oh yeah, and thanks for telling me about your eye surgery and how they had your eyeball all taken out and then shoved back in. Needed that. No, actually the conferences were fine. That one guy just kind of stood out to me for some reason- no idea why.

Tomorrow is the District Cross-Country Meet. The top 15 automatically go to State. I'm hoping for a couple of my team to make it. That would be really cool in the first year of the program. If not, we're done for the year. I'm about ready for a break anyway. Three months of one sport being the only coach is enough. We've had our ups and downs but overall it's been a good season.

It's no mistake...Dave can devistate.

Rap has come a long way from this.

I wonder what Dave is up to these days.

The rest of the bad album covers are here. I find some of them hard to believe.

I think today is my first post from ISS. This place has become more structured and less fun. We have all these new forms to fill out and less time to observe and be amazed at the behaviors.

What I may be for halloween

This could be useful the entire year. I could see myself using this for bike racing in '08. The helmet would be a hard fit.

Speed Poster

I have no time...so...
Some people have blogs and no entries. That's not a blog.
Someone stole one of our hanging basket ferns from the front of our house a couple of weeks ago. Those ferns are like my childeren man! I have considered booby trapping the rest of them.
Did my first ride in a year on Sunday. It was very nice. Big Tree, WINDY! Jason and I. Should have been Luke too, but he had other things going on. Riding after having a year off is very strange. I need new bibs.
Leslie and I did a fall scene in front of our house this year. This must be booby trapped too.
Cross-Country is interesting. Why are so many of the meets on Saturday? We've had some good results for a first year team- even a first place out of 114.
Alan, I can't keep up with your blog- holy moly.
I have four minutes...
Uh, uh, oh yeah, we've been "investing" in fall/halloween decor this year. It's fun. I didn't get to do any of that stuff growing up in the cult I was in. No white bread either. Now we have scary stuff around the house- YES!
Check out the smile on Butthead's face on his blog. www.thebutthead.blogspot.com He doesn't usually look like that.
Oh. Time's up. Ding ding.

20/20

Good: Taking a year off from riding a bike since I was sick of it, getting back into some other things I hadn't been into for a while, getting over the feeling that I have to train every single day or else I am falling apart, turning money from bikes and everything else involved in racing and riding into other valuable items like: a new bow, blind, puppy, tree stand.

Bad: Getting rid if ALL my bike stuff. I mean every single scrap. This wouldn't have been bad except for the fact that I'm wanting to get back into riding. So it's like starting over. That takes some money, but you just figure out how to do it cheap.

Advice: Take time off if you need it. Don't get rid of all your stuff.

The future: My outlook on cycling has changed some now that I've had time to get away for a while. I think I'll do some racing, but not much. I think I'll be able to keep it a lot more fun now also since I have no intention of trying to ride everyday. I'm not going to stock up on lots of stuff. I want to keep it simple this time and own what I need and that's about it. Nothing fancy. Nine speed for now. No epic long rides. No riding in bad weather- that's running and lifting weather. No more beer in the waterbottles- no vodka either. No carrying chili in a ziplock for a mid-ride snack.

Goals: Get my link spot back on Butthead's blog, go back to having Meathead call me five times in an hour to set up a 20 minute ride, get dropped by Mr. International Junior Toothpick, meet up at the Coffee Zone for a ride, drink coffee, forget about the ride and go home.

Ahh... good times ahead.

Roots, Blues, Rock and Bikes

Columbia is a cool town. I've posted and boasted about this before, but it keeps getting better. It's cheap to live here, it's got lots of stuff to do- both indoor and out, culture, rednecks, gays, bi, lesbians, curious, Christians, Atheists, left-wingers, right-winger, intelligence, morons, city mice, country mice, hunters, anti-hunters. Everything and everyone. City parks, state parks, dog parks. Good weather, bad weather, moderate and extreme weather. Well, I'm starting to sound like Dr. Sueuss so let me get to the point. This weekend we have the BCNB Roots and Blues Festival. It's going to be pretty cool. Music and BBQ competition for two days. Did I mention it's free and even Taj Mahal will be here to open the weekend. Checkitout . I didn't realize it, but apparently I could enter the BBQ contest. I'm not going to toot my horn too much, but I think I could do pretty good with a big ol' pork loin like we had at Leslie's birthday last November. That thing weighed about 12lbs and there was nothing left by the time the sun went down. Then on the following Wednesday, Wilco will be here to play a show on 9th St. in front of the BlueNote. I may not make that show since tickets are high dollar. I could always just hang out on the corner down the street I guess and bring a pair of binocs. Then, on 9/11 the Tour of Missouri starts with one of the stages ending right here in C-Town. All this and Tiger Football. I must be living right.

What th! How'd that get there?

So I go out in my garage this morning and look what's hanging between my Element and one of my climber tree stands:

Have you seen my keys: Update

Well, about two hours after my last post I got a call from the gym. Some guy brought a set of keys up to the front desk from the "VIP" locker room. He said the keys had been back there for a couple of days and he figured someone would be missing them. So it wasn't a woman and they weren't in a purse. I don't understand how they got in the locker room though. Usually people take the keys off the front desk area when they're leaving. The locker room is back in the gym area. It must have been an old confused man who didn't know if he was coming or going or if he had got his exercise yet or not. I'm just glad to have them back.
Work started yesterday. I was in bed by 8:30 and lights out by 9:00. This will take a little getting used to.
Jason says I need to get a bike. I'm working on it. I may need a donated chamois.

Have you seen my keys?

This post needs no picture. Two days ago I was at the gym. When you walk in there's a place where many people leave their keys. They are just placed in one of two bowls or left just under the bowls on the counter if the bowls are too full. So I leave my keys there along with most everyone else. I don't think I'll be doing that anymore unless I attach a rattlesnake (live) to my key ring. I always check to make sure I get MY keys when I leave. You wouldn't believe how many people there have a Honda. All the key fobs look alike and they all have these giant over sized keys. So you have to be careful. I've actually picked up someone's keys before but since I actually look at the keys carefully before I walk away I correct and get my own. Wouldn't it be great if everyone else did that? I'd sure appreciate it since it's now been two days since I had my keys which include my work keys. Did I mention I go back to work full-time on Monday? Unfortunately, the person who picked up my keys by accident doesn't believe in getting exercise everyday and they have not returned to the gym. What's strange to me and I'm sure you've already thought of this too is that this person with my keys is without theirs. It seems to me they'd get a clue when they can use my keys on their stuff. I also asked the gym staff if any keys had been left. No. So my idea is this: Someone rode to the gym with someone else on their way out they instinctively went to get their keys, picked up mine looking like theirs, got a ride home, left my keys in their bag or whatever, and found theirs at a later point laying on the kitchen counter, and just assumed that's where they put mine when they got home. So my keys are probably resting in purse (yes, I have a feeling a woman did this) somewhere here in town. I can only hope she put my keys in her favorite purse and it gets used in the next couple of hours. I have asked the gym staff to let me know who the person is when my keys come back because I'd really like to talk to the person who need to pay a little more attention to detail. The only positive to this is the lucky fact that just one week before this fiasco started I placed my only remaining spare in one of those magnetic boxes that you attach to the underside of your car. Without that I wouldn't have even been able to get home from the gym without running there or getting a ride- which by the way I had to do the week previous to that when my car key jumped out of my pocket on one of my runs. Yes, keys have been an issue lately.

Dis and Dat

I have to get over this thing where I feel the need to post pictures when I want to blog. There's been lots to blog about: Cross-Country, floating, running, shooting, organizing, etc... But here are more pictures. The above is where we camped on the most recent float trip down on the Current River. As far as I've found, the Current River is the best river to float on if you want good scenery and cold, spring fed water. You'll have to leave your beer bong and jello shots at home for this river though because they are trying to improve the level of enjoyment for everyone on the river. This ain't the party cove after all. Moving on...

This is part of the land I'm getting to develop into a cross-country course behind the high school. Uh... it needs some work. It's been brush-hogged, but it needs to have a path mowed into it, smoothed some, and treated for various blood suckers. We started practice on the 6th and used the land but had to quit using it because the ticks were so bad. So over the next couple of years it should turn into something better. Here's a couple more shots of some of the land. The big loop is 1.7 miles around.

This is actually a good hill with my Element at the bottom. It might even make a good cyclo-cross course someday. It'd be cool if Josh could set up a race there sometime in the future. But like I said, it needs work. That's alright though because the runners do too. One kid got dizzy at practice. After a little questioning I found out she hadn't eaten breakfast or dinner the night before because she was too busy. They'll get there though. I took them to a running clinic and for a visit to Dr. Pam of sports nutrition this week. I think they're getting the picture. Much thanks to Pam and Amy for their time. If you have a catchy phrase to put on the T-shirts for cross-country we're going to get done up for the kids, let me know. I was thinking something like "I'm faster than your mama on her way to bingo night at the VFW". Just let me know if you have any ideas.

What the heck kind of bug is this? They were on one of our trees outside this afternoon. Kind of dangerous looking.

Ziggy (below) and Olivia say hi. They're not so much on this heat. The past couple of weeks have been hard times on outside life. We started CX practice just in time for some good triple digits. Luckily, we've been starting practice at 7:00am when it's only about 85 degrees outside. I think we got Dallas, beat on the heat. I'm getting tired of taking three showers a day.

Here's one kind of flower we have that doesn't seem to mind the heat.

Otherwise things are just cruising along. School starts next week. We'll probably get out early some the first week since some of the buildings don't have AC- although they should in the next couple of years.

I've been shooting my bow a lot since bow season starts in a month. I have big plans for the deer this year- I've been shopping for a deep freeze. I can put 3 of 4 arrows in a three inch circle at 30 yards at this point. That should be deadly enough.

I'm ready to have a bike again. Not sure what I'll do about that, but it's been good to be away from it for a while. I'm predicting to do well at the GatewayCup this year since I'll be riding a Vespa. Should be an easy win everyday.

Intentions #2

The last post you can see on my blog without going back to the older posts page is "Intentions" and at that point I'm about to start summer break. Well, now I'm about to end summer break. It's been a good one. I don't actually start teaching again until the 22nd, but I start Cross-Country practice on the 6th- so that's kind of what I consider going back to work since I'll be there everyday for a couple of hours. I'm excited to get that going.

Another interesting thing this year will be just working in my building where we're going to have about 7 or 8 new teachers because so many left last year for various reasons. I'm going to tell them all I'm their boss and they must do as I say- you know like, "Bring me some coffee!" "Why aren't these papers graded?" "Who forgot to make my copies?" "You there, go get my lunch." "This child isn't behaving, he/she will be in your class from now on." Ah yes, it will be a good year.

Here's a random image for your viewing pleasure.

Chad Vader

Watch Chad I'd be surprised if you haven't heard of or seen this eight episode series. I started watching it this winter and I love it. It's really well done for a spoof video. The link is to the first episode.

Hey All

I haven't had much time to post because I've been doing so much dang dong runnin'! I got 32 miles in this past week. Two of the runs were 5:30am group runs with between 75 to 120 people showing up. Pretty cool to run in such a big group.

I've been watching way too many little snips of "The Ballad of Ricky Bobby". I keep catching it and if it's at a "good" part- I watch. Then I turn if off and go quote it with a heavy accent to my wife who now says she doesn't need to see it because I quoted the whole thing. Well, she doesn't need to see it anyway 'cause it's kind of dumb- but somehow it still kind of makes me chuckle. Speaking of chuckle... look at this...

Isn't that just terrible? Baby Sloth. But you laughed didn't you?

Haven't sold the Element yet. Don't really care one way or the other. We'll see what happens.

I have about three weeks of summer break left and then it's the beginning of Cross-Country practice. I hope the kids are ready to run. If not I'll just have to chase them. Maybe put on a scary mask or something. "Run I said! Run!" I tell you what, I bet they'd run if they saw little Baby Sloth come ridin' his little Superman scooter down the trail. I'd be right there with 'em.

Man in the Box

This is a great "car"!

I have a '05 Honda Element EX AWD. I've had it for almost two years now and I have to say it's the most versitile vehicle I've ever owned. I've slept in it on hunting trips, hauled firewood in it (almost half a cord), carried concrete in it, all the supplies for my back patio project from last summer, lawnmowers, tillers, bikes, camping equipement and campers- everything. It has no carpet so it just wipes down and hoses off. It gets around great in the snow, gets good gas mileage (about 25 on the highway), and it's comfortable. So that's the '05. Right now I'm in the process of trying to get a new '07. It has some nice upgrades from the '05 and I can basically flip cars at little or no extra expense- so why not? I drive about 250 miles per week to work and back so it makes sense to have something that's fun to drive and super functional. Nice stereo too. If and when I get the '07, I'll have to post about it and it's upgrades. Until then you've got to check this out. The one's with the crab are the funniest to me.

Just remembered

So when we were down in Mexico, I played some beach volleyball. This is post edge of death sickness- so I wasn't hittin' on all eight to say the least. I pretty much felt like half or a little less. Nonetheless, I tried. Well, there was this couple there from Texas, more than likely Dallas- westend folk. The guy seemed nice enough- kind of quiet and reserved but having a good time. His wife on the other hand was...hmmm....something else shall we say. She thought and dressed like she was every straight man's fantasy. It was just a little over "over the top". She was yelling at the other guys on her team when they'd miss a bump or spike or whatever and acting like she was ready to knock the ball down my throat. But what really stuck with me and still makes me kind of chuckle to think about today is what she kept yelling at her husband. You need to hear this in your head with a heavy Texan accent and think of an older, not really in shape, scantly clad, leather skinned, half buzzed, half naturally obnoxious "lady". She must have yelled to her quiet, reserved husband at least a dozen times, "SPIKE IT TONY!!!!" Yeah well, Tony was about 5'6" and there weren't gonna be no spikin' on this net ya'll. It was about two feet above regulation and he didn't even have the wind in his favor. But... she kept yellin', "SPIKE IT TONY!!!" I'll leave you with another gem she said when he missed a shot. "Well, guess what you're not getting tonight?"

Here's a photo just because:

This is a resort delivery truck. One more drink and I would have taken off on it and let them chase me.

Rainy Day Post

It was getting kind of brown and dry around here, so I washed my car yesterday. You're welcome Columbia. No joke- the last time it rained here was the last time I washed my car by hand- pretty ironic.
It's been a month since my last post and it's probably be longer before I posted again but after looking at K.A.'s blog a moment ago I thought I better play a little catch-up. So let's see what's happened in the past month: Went to Mexico- good time except for getting very ill and not leaving our room for about 36 hours. I never really quite recovered the rest of the time we were there. I'd feel better- then worse, better- then worse. I think Leslie and I agree that Jamaica was better. Jamaica is just socially warmer.
I've been running a lot. I did part of the MU cross-country camp this week. I only did one of the runs, but it was a really good one out at Rockbridge State Park. We ran about seven miles and I was able to keep up with the halflings (kids half my age). Other than that it was going to talks on running mechanics and whatnot.
This Sunday I'm going on a camping/float trip with longtime friends, Morgan and Mac. We haven't done anything like this together in about 10 years or more. We're heading down to the Jack's Fork river which is spring fed and in big time Deliverance country. I'm sure we'll quote the movie more than once. You know, "Who's playin' that banjo?" "You got a real pretty mouth on ya. Yer gonna do some prayin' for me." "Take them panties off. Take 'em straight off!" Oh what fun we'll have. Kermit will be glad to know the squirrels will be safe. (inside joke)
I almost went out and bought a bike a couple of days ago. I just felt like riding. So I went out for a long run and got over it. Actually, I would like to get a bike just so I could ride if I wanted to. The problem is that I'd have to get a nice one after always having had nice bikes. That's a big investment I'm not sure I want to make today. We'll see what happens.
Let me see if there are any pictures I want to share... no. See you next time.

A new kitchen and new friends

The past 10 days have been way busy. I finally finished the school year and on the last day,which was filled with meetings in the morning and playing poker in the afternoon, I was counted as a "no show" to a meeting while attending another. I don't even know why I'm mentioning it except that it pissed me off to be doing what I should be and having my "boss" think I'm blowing off work. Vel anyvay...

So the new kitchen... here's before sort of. Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures before the demo started- but you'll get the idea.

Okay, so let's just add a little...

Bam!

Bam!

Bam!

Bam!Bam!

New quartz countertop, swanstone sink, faucet, under cabinet lighting, "over the sink" light, and a Colorado slate backsplash. Lots of work, work, work- but it was worth it. Leslie designed the backsplash layout and it is very cool with pewter accents. I ran the tile saw, Leslie's mom and step-dad helped out in a huge way doing a little bit of everything.

Like the title said, I made some new friends lately too:

I met this "guy" in my backyard. His name is Butthead. He's about four feet long and hard on mice and small rabbits.

Finally, I met these guys at Leslie's graduation party. Their names are Dino and Swen and they are members of a Swedish rock group called Onyourputer. Very friendly and obviously "artistic". They told me the names of some of their songs and their latest release includes the singles, "Dude", "Play my glockenspheil", "Oh no, it's baby poop", "Can I fix your sink?", "Seven bikes and nowhere to ride" and my favorite "Quit touching me there!"