Wednesday, May 31, 2006
mobile post: I can be a dumb ass
I like to consider myself a decent traveller but thought nothing of it when the time at the gave was different than the board. Well, that was because I was at the wrong gate. Good thing the real flight's wasn't on time.
mobile post: so far, so good
Walked in to get some food before my flight and the bartender offered me a free vodka soda. That's a good potent for the trip. Though I'm not sure if that's the right use of that word.
OK people, I'm going to Guatemala and you people are on your own. I might be able to post from someplace but you'll probably need to figure out a way to survive without me. See you all in hell.
First dumb ass move with the new camera, instead of busting out the 1GB memory card I took a bunch of house pics with the smaller card and copied it to my computer. I assumed I could copy them back to the camera. Well, that isn't the case and I'll need to take a bunch more pictures if I want to show off my house to my brother (not the one here, another one; I'll start just using references to this new one and expect you to keep up with the conversation).
Labels: technology
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
OK, the world may have just been dislodged from orbit: I have a camera again. The documentation of every 20 seconds of my life is back!
 These are all the limbs outside the house waiting for pickup. By far the most in the neighborhood. |
  The new oven and an even closer up view of the oven. |
 Another room almost done. I know it's no Alice in Wonderland, but you've got to start somewhere when you're not a local area artist. |
I seemingly did more in an hour this morning that nearly all weekend. Primarily putting shit away and tossing crap into piles, but some progress is better than none. Now I need to go to the office and get stuff done there, too.
I'm leaving for Guatemala tomorrow afternoon, my place is trashed, I'm way behind at work, and I feel like shit. Good times! That whole weekend of drinking really wasn't a good idea.
Monday, May 29, 2006
This day's been a total waste. I woke up nearly dead from yesterday's poolside fun just in time for Mr and Mrs. Bubba to show up from running a triathalon. So what do I do? Convince them to go to Mother Egan's for some beers. Then I came home to fester for an hour before passing back out. Now I'm wide awake but still with no desire to do any of the remaining crap around here.
And then there is the Pistons. Don't get me started on them.
And then there is the Pistons. Don't get me started on them.
Labels: basketball, bubba, sports
Sunday, May 28, 2006
neolefty was at the game where Barry Bonds hit home run number 715. Not many times you get to be a part of history. Or would this be more like a footnote? Anyway, good for him.
Labels: neolefty
Friday, May 26, 2006
 This is where I work. Theft so bad in the kitchen that people need to put up threatening signs. Very odd. |
The new guy next to me says 'Happy Friday' on the phone. That's got to go.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Mild precautions on this video. Lots of issues all over the place with it. I'd recount them all, but I'm just too tired. But not tired enough to stop me from meeting up with The Closer for some drinks.
Labels: the closer
 Here are my new shoes! Guatemala here I come... |
No major updates today, though some new trim is up. I think I'll wait until I get the whole deal done now before more pics.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Pretty decent leak at the valve going into the stove, but the gas guy said it shouldn't dislodge itself when it's moved around. So I don' think we did anything that should've done that. Either way if it's good, I'm good.
Oh, I forgot to mention we jostled the duct tape the previous owner had on the gas line so I'm now waiting the gas company to come on by to take care of the gas leak in my house. Hope to see you soon, grandma!
  New floor is all laid. We finished about midnight last night so my involvement took about nine hours (though that did include lots of shuttling back and forth to Lowe's and dinner). I think the next step is to put up the new trim around the doorway.Our first shot is my normal shot of the corner with the second coat of stain and the new floor. The second one is just a farther angle, though you should be able to make out the floor a bit better. At least you tell it's different. |
 Here's the floor on it's own terms. You can't quite grasp how shitty the previous floor was (especially as I didn't take too many pictures of it) but this is a significant improvement.I feel like I'm turning this into a home improvement site or something. Where are the days long past of exploits of me just getting loaded? I sure hope that doesn't mean I'm maturing. |
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Damn Pistons! Oh well, I still see them winning the series. One game does not a series make.
Labels: basketball, sports
I got a call from Bubba asking if they could tear my floor up. My response: "Sure, why not!" Might as well make the most mess I can now, eh?
Labels: bubba
 And some of the tomatoes are growing up. |
  A few days of trimmings were combined with some serious work yesterday by my brother and my cop neighbor. The shear depth of the limbs is lost in these pictures. |
Monday, May 22, 2006
I changed my work password today and have already forgotten it. That means now work tonight, but it also means I've got to go in early tomorrow to try to fix it. That'll be fun.
 I really should've got a picture between the sanding stopping and the first coat of stain being applied, but Mrs. Bubba moves too quick. Anyway, I'll stick to just one in progress this time since there are a couple more coats to come. And the cupboard doors (or are they cabinet doors?).I came home after work and the place was a bit of a mess though my brother says it was even worse earlier. Lots of sanding was done, stuff moved around. Mess all over the place. But it's looking good. |
Labels: bubba
One thing that's really annoying me is the new spam that's being sent with future dates. Basically, I'm getting things today that have a date of Tuesday or Wednesday on them. Maybe it's because Yahoo's junk mail filters aren't working properly, but I check my junk and trash folders and there's now all these future dated piece of shits. I guess I could trust the filter though I don't see that happening. Lots of time to kill.
Speaking of killing time, I've got to go to the office.
Speaking of killing time, I've got to go to the office.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Good to see the Pistons return to form and win today, but what's beginning to piss me off is the lack of Tigers highlights on ESPN. They covered everyone else but the Tigers so far. And now I'm giving up.
Regardless, lack of anything but some tree trimming happened around here today. I had hoped for some more but I'll take that.
Regardless, lack of anything but some tree trimming happened around here today. I had hoped for some more but I'll take that.
Labels: baseball, basketball, sports
Saturday, May 20, 2006
I've got the first coat down of the dark blue, but pictures don't do it justice so you'll have to use your imagination.
Not only did I get a short jog in this morning, but I was able to use the damn pool. Oh, it will be glorious to have that from May through whenever as opposed to mid-July like last year. Now I've got to paint the kid's room before Fat Boy and his family come by to use the pool. Pool is in session.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Amazingly, the Pistons didn't blow the game tonight and in celebration I jumped in the pool (for the first time this year!). And it wasn't really jumping as much as it was slowly getting the courage to get into the water that was below 60 degrees. I still somehow survived.
Labels: basketball, sports
Well, Bubba and my brother are on the road to Rockport. I'm hoping I can get some stuff done around the house, but at the very least it'll be quiet. Maybe.
Labels: bubba
Thursday, May 18, 2006
 Colors for the kid's room. Might go with this crazy bicolor pattern that Winston suggested. |
Labels: winston
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
My folks sent out the first couple photos of their China trip and one's of my mom (on her birthday, no less) in a McDonald's and one of my dad with a clerk in Walmart. Hopefully they were able to see some other things.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
The Pistons may blow, but the Tigers keep on winning. They won their fifth straight tonight. What next, the Lions winning? Well, that can never happen.
Labels: baseball, basketball, football, sports
   Mrs. Bubba is back at it, this time at my kitchen. Obviously these are some in-progress photos. Maybe more accurate would be to say mid-destuction. |
Labels: house
mobile post: same thing, different day
I continued my streak of being put off by any other males in my cooking classes. These other fuckers gots to go!
It's not a good sign when I get up at 5:45 and only think to put a post when I'm walking out the door (late) to the office.
Monday, May 15, 2006
The Pistons SUCK. Good news, if there is any, is that they couldn't have played any worse. Or so I hope. I'll have to start calling them Red Wings North if they keep this up.
Labels: basketball, hockey, sports
Blue pool!
  Not only did my brother pull down that potting shed monstrosity, but he's got the pool back online. The backyard's almost set for the summer. |
Sunday, May 14, 2006
I can't find any before pictures of the potting shed. Funny, I was up on the roof ripping shit down and taking some pictures, but didn't get one of that. I guess that's not really funny.
Less shit means more open space
 I came back from my cooking class and thought I heard my brother say it took down the potting shed. Unfortunately I was so loaded that I thought I dreamt it. I didn't. It is gone, too. Now it just needs to be trucked away. Though the fence back there is a piece of shit so that will need to be replaced. That's for another day. Now I need to get back to bed and sleep off my drunk. |
Saturday, May 13, 2006
off with her head!
  It is gone! Way past due, but the mural is gone. There is still some minor bleed through, but I think the next coat of primer (if needed) will be tinted with the color I want to paint it with. |
Friday, May 12, 2006
This week's killed me. Well, not literally or I wouldn't be writing this, but it was pretty close. Now, I'm just chilling out and getting some sleep. And messing with my new phone!
Labels: writing
Looks like the cell phone is on its way out for delivery. Conveniently (?) my brother's not working today so he can be here waiting for it. Though I don't know how truly convenient that really is.
Man, I tried to change my alarm last night and instead changed the time. As a direct result of my actions I am up way too early.
But I did come up with a crazy plan to finally paint over the kid's room. Yes, by Sunday, no more Alice in Wonderland room. So it is written, So it shall be.
But I did come up with a crazy plan to finally paint over the kid's room. Yes, by Sunday, no more Alice in Wonderland room. So it is written, So it shall be.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Back from the Crown and I have a new temporary phone. Winston had an old Cingular one laying around and now I'm back online. Until tomorrow when the other phone's supposed to get here. Only if I had mentioned it to him earlier in the week. There were plenty of calls for me not to get that I missed.
Anyway, the Crown has the best BLT in town. The best, Jerry, the best.
Anyway, the Crown has the best BLT in town. The best, Jerry, the best.
Labels: winston
Just got back from the office and need a quick turnaround to get to the Crown. Beer is needed after this crazy week. Good thing I actually got done a majority of this presentation I had been putting off because there's a slight chance I'll be hungover tomorrow. Glorious!
Jager sent me this great story about a hockey player attacking another player in hallway. At least it's international so the national media won't latch onto it and blow it out of proportion. Not that they probably this guy hasn't left them plenty of material.
I meant to recount this Saturday when it happened, but time has certainly flown by. So I was in this cooking class and there was this jackass. I hate to generalize, but any guy taking a cooking class has something wrong with them (obviously your kind hearted author outstanding). They're usually there with their wives and try to seem witty and knowledgeable in front of a bunch of other people. They are usually neither and more than like a friggin moron. Like Saturday.
Anyway, his turn at pouring stuff in the mixer ended and he disappeared. A couple minutes later he came back and was talking under his breath in Spanish. Now this guy was as white as me, but his wife latina. His wife realizing that neither one of them are in the CIA responds back in English, but he keeps talking Spanish. She's looking around giving the "I married a cockless prick" look to everyone; I give her a sympathetic nod though I really think she needs to have him taken care of. Moron.
So that was my Saturday. Good thing I let that go in the last four days because I love starting off the day with vitriol and hate. It's like Wheaties or something.
This was a hands-on class so the class was broken up into thirds. I was in jack ass' group and we headed up towards the end. He was pouring some stuff into a mixer when his cell phone started ringing. Now, every class starts with simple instructions that include turning your cell phone off or putting it on vibrate so I get pissed that people don't listen to said instructions. I realize people are idiots as a species so I don't expect any glorious  revelation changing that perception any time soon, but what made this guy even more special was that he tried to deny that his phone was going off. Somehow the noise coming out of his pocket wasn't his phone. Even the instructor gave him a hard time by saying, after his voice mail alert went off, "I guess that isn't your voice mail either". |
Anyway, his turn at pouring stuff in the mixer ended and he disappeared. A couple minutes later he came back and was talking under his breath in Spanish. Now this guy was as white as me, but his wife latina. His wife realizing that neither one of them are in the CIA responds back in English, but he keeps talking Spanish. She's looking around giving the "I married a cockless prick" look to everyone; I give her a sympathetic nod though I really think she needs to have him taken care of. Moron.
So that was my Saturday. Good thing I let that go in the last four days because I love starting off the day with vitriol and hate. It's like Wheaties or something.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
I made some chili and realized (again) how great it would be to have my phone so I could take some pics. About three quarters of the way through it, I realized there wasn't any meat in it. It's still pretty hearty.
So the chili was started off by caramelizing a whole onion before adding a chopped carrots (I find carrots add a nice thickness to substitute (if one can?) for meat). That cooked for a bit while I toss in some spices (cumin, paprika, red pepper flakes) in. Then I tossed in some green pepper, tomato paste, and a can of stewed tomatoes. Then there's some secret stuff, but we don't know each other well enough for me to give up the trade secrets. Let's just say there was some liquid added that's only purchasable in Michigan.
So the chili was started off by caramelizing a whole onion before adding a chopped carrots (I find carrots add a nice thickness to substitute (if one can?) for meat). That cooked for a bit while I toss in some spices (cumin, paprika, red pepper flakes) in. Then I tossed in some green pepper, tomato paste, and a can of stewed tomatoes. Then there's some secret stuff, but we don't know each other well enough for me to give up the trade secrets. Let's just say there was some liquid added that's only purchasable in Michigan.
Labels: cooking
I realized I put the larger JPG in for the hallway. I fixed that so don't you worry!
  The hallway is done! Well, there are some recess lights to be put in, but it's done enough for me to post pics. I need to find or print out some pictures to line the wall. Maybe the millions of pictures I have in storage could be put up. Or, maybe not!And here's the before pics back in March. The hallway pictures are in that third batch down there some place. Funny, I mention in the post how everything will soon be done. Two months is progress around here, I guess. I've got some Soviet era planning going on. |
Labels: house
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Crazy day of work. Starting working around 8 and am still going strong. At least I'm at home. And on the couch.
Monday, May 08, 2006
Mrs. Bubba just got here to finish off the hallway. I don't think I want her to ever leave. Well, not at least until all the projects are all finished.
Well, I got a new phone on the way. I should've confirmed this, but it would be good to have one that used the same battery. At least I'd have that for the couple hundred bucks I blew on that phone. Friggin technology!
Somehow missed an email from Chilly that he saw Quentin Tarantino last Thursday. And I just get emails from Vice Presidents asking me to do work.
Labels: chilly
Sunday, May 07, 2006
My folks are all back from China and had a great time. Or so they tell me.
Back to the hallway slavery!
Back to the hallway slavery!
I wasn't really sure if they were serious, but the Bubbas are coming over to paint my hallway. I feel slightly guilty that I took them up on their offer, but my brother ain't making quite the progress he could have been making.
Labels: bubba
I had this odd dream that I was watching a Pistons game and they had a female point guard. And she was Muslim and wearing a full burka running the break. I'd think that wouldn't be best for playing basketball.
Labels: basketball, dreams, sports
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Some more crazy rain this afternoon, now I just need to let it subside before I head to this party up north. I'd like to take a nappy wappy, but it's too darn late for that.
Stuck on the couch catching up on TV and saw Thursday's Lost. HOLY SHIT. It almost puts me out of the sour mood that jackass in the cooking class put me in. Stupid guys in cooking class...
Labels: television
Another crazy set of storms rolling through this morning. I don't know when this much rain has fallen in just a couple days. And it's days like this when I love that I have a working roof. Maybe not enough for me to be up before 8 am on a Saturday, but close.
Friday, May 05, 2006
This phone is f'd. I feel naked without it. The whole Austin Cingular network being down didn't help the situation, almost like sympathy pains for me. Yes, it is all about me.
Well, I've got nothing much else going on so I'm going to catch up on taped TV shows.
Well, I've got nothing much else going on so I'm going to catch up on taped TV shows.
Winston suggested a hair dryer for the phone, but I think it's done for. Worse, I've got some plans with other Cingular people and the network seems to be down. I guess I'll assume plans are still on, but it still is a pain in the ass.
Labels: winston
Well, me and my phones continue with bad luck. Mine took a swim in the can. Good thing it was a clean bowl, but still it doesn't seem to want to come back to life.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
First Thursday before the rain
 And the rain came down like friggin rain coming down. |
Well, another slow starting day, but I do have more brisket than I know what to do with and new business cards.
And I'll take my new cards and hand them all out!
And I'll take my new cards and hand them all out!
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Long day of work to come home to Chinese Food? Heck, I expected brisket, but instead my brother had bought some Chinese take out and I wipped together some egg drop soup and some spicey asparagus.
  And there's brisket. Cut into thirds and ready to rock. And it's pretty darn good. I figured it was my duty to taste it out. I guess twenty two hours of cooking worked it's magic. |
Labels: cooking
Looks like my new business cards were shipped out last Thursday so they should be here any day. Now I just need my brisket to get another 10 degrees hotter so I can go back to bed.
Labels: cooking
 OK, she looks pretty much done, though I'm putting it back in the over uncovered for about 30 minutes. I want it to crack 190 and then the carving will come. Though this is a real inconvenient time for me to get back to sleep. |
The timer went off like ten minutes ago and the brisket has finally got to the right temperature. Or so I hope. I'll have to take a picture later. Much later because I'm going back to bed.
Labels: cooking
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Friggin brisket is still going. I need to sleep in the living room to check on that damn thing. This is more work than work.
Labels: cooking
Mr and Mrs. Bubba came by and since the brisket wasn't done, we headed out to Trudy's for dinner. I need to remind myself why I ever go to that place because the service blows, the food's mediocre, and the Mexican martinis just decent. I need to find a decent and cheap place near me.
But Mrs. Bubba did say something extremely entertaining; she asked me to join her and Bubba for a half-triathalon in a few weeks. And she asked as if it was something I was actually capable of doing.
But Mrs. Bubba did say something extremely entertaining; she asked me to join her and Bubba for a half-triathalon in a few weeks. And she asked as if it was something I was actually capable of doing.
My brother got confused by the timer so he turned off the brisket. Still needs to get up another 80 degrees or so.
Labels: cooking, my brother
 I missed being able to honk the heck out of my horn at 90k. And I think everyone knows how I like blowing my horn. |
Brisket Time!
  So I decided to toss this huge brisket in the oven this morning. Just over eleven pounds. I tossed on some plain salt and pepper across both sides. Then I tossed on some crazy rub of well, crazy stuff. |
 The rub consisted of pretty much everything in the cabinet (heck, I didn't even make it to the spice drawer). I started off with a generic brisket rub and combined that with seasoned salt, chili powder, lemon pepper, garlic pepper, paprika, cinammon, brown sugar, red pepper plakes, some plain jane Italian seasoning and fennel seeds (Plus a couple things that I'll keep secret). I also chopped some garlic into little bits and put them on after the rub. I then let it set for a bit, maybe about an hour. And that's that. |
  There the brisket awaits a long, slow day of heat. I only have an oven so hopefully that'll take care of some business. I'm thinking it'll be done near to 5:30 to 6. |
Labels: cooking
Monday, May 01, 2006
The Tigers won so maybe this will be a rare night that every Detroit sports team will win. Uh oh, I think I just jinxed them all.
I got a tough night of sports ahead of me: the Pistons and Red Wings are both on at the same time and I can't get PIP on both of them. That means the internet plus lots of flipping back and forth.
Labels: basketball, hockey, sports
I got up early, but a surprisingly unproductive morning. I don't know if that's the beer's fault (God I hope not!) or just my own laziness, but I do know I need to send something about First Thursday today. Or die trying.
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