Now that's what chocolate cake is all about!
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Merry Christmas
We had a very nice Cristmas Eve. The family converged on my sister Katie's house this year for celebration and the gift exchange. We met over there at 2:00 in the afternoon, and of course all the males insisted that the Seahawks game be on, although it wasn't a very exciting game. The Colts were resting Payton Manning, and some of their other players in anticipation of the playoffs, So the Hawks won pretty easily. Then we came back home and Lyk and Lisa and the kids came up and spent the night, and Rose and her boyfriend came over. Everybody had a great time.
I have the rest of the year off, so my project is to get the truck that I got for free running, but since Mrs. Alstuff has tomorrow off, we will probably go see "The Cronicles of Narnia". I read the books to my kids when they were growing up, and the movie looks like it will be good.
So Merry Christmas to the World, Peace on Earth and all that stuff.
I have the rest of the year off, so my project is to get the truck that I got for free running, but since Mrs. Alstuff has tomorrow off, we will probably go see "The Cronicles of Narnia". I read the books to my kids when they were growing up, and the movie looks like it will be good.
So Merry Christmas to the World, Peace on Earth and all that stuff.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Updates
So it is the middle of December, and we are plugging along, but just barely. Stuff keeps happening. The other day I took some Campbells Chunky Soup in the microwaveable container to work. On the label it warns that uneven cooking can cause popping noises and a small amount of spillage. About a minute and a half into the two minute cooking time, it didn't just pop, it jumped four inches in the air, blew the top off of the container, and spewed soup all over the inside of the microwave. Not only did I end up without a lunch, I had to spend my lunch time cleaning the #$%^& microwave. I wrote Campbells and they sent me six bucks worth of coupons. Hardly an apology and compensation.
Then stepdaughter calls, and the starter has gone out of the Nissan Maxima I gave her. So down to Tacoma I go. The new starter was $169.95 plus tax. I also got a new headlight, so the tab was almost $200.00. Hell, I only paid $250.00 for the whole car. They were offered $1,500.00 cash for the car, so it is worth the cost of a new starter. As we put of in I heard her boyfriend yelp and heard a zap. When we got the starter in, it would not turn over. After a frustrating 20 minutes trying to figure out what had happened, I pulled out the fuse panel, and the fuse to the starter button was toasted. I thought Nyk had shorted out between the battery cable and the frame, but he had shorted out between power and the starter button. Put in a fuse, and everything worked fine.
I got a call later that night that after running some errands, they had gone to the Laundromat and when they started, the starter wouldn't disengage. Even turning the key off wouldn't turn it off, so that means that the armature was stuck. They eventually pulled off the battery cable, but the starter was fried. I told them to take the starter back and tell them it was defective. They put in the new starter, but they have burned up some of the wiring, so they have to short between the battery cable and the solenoid with a screwdriver to start it.
Mrs. Alstuff just came in and told me that Stepdaughter is in the hospital. She just had a miscarriage. We only found out she was PG last weekend. This is two miscarriages and one stillborn from unknown causes. Gotta be hard. It is something I have never had to go through, although I was in the room when they delivered the stillborn baby, and held him in my arms, and held a crying wife as she cursed fate. Tough stuff.
I am listening to Keiko Matsui's "Deep Blue". Wonderful jazz piano.
Better go, I have been interrupted three times in the last five minutes. Think they are trying to send me a message?
Then stepdaughter calls, and the starter has gone out of the Nissan Maxima I gave her. So down to Tacoma I go. The new starter was $169.95 plus tax. I also got a new headlight, so the tab was almost $200.00. Hell, I only paid $250.00 for the whole car. They were offered $1,500.00 cash for the car, so it is worth the cost of a new starter. As we put of in I heard her boyfriend yelp and heard a zap. When we got the starter in, it would not turn over. After a frustrating 20 minutes trying to figure out what had happened, I pulled out the fuse panel, and the fuse to the starter button was toasted. I thought Nyk had shorted out between the battery cable and the frame, but he had shorted out between power and the starter button. Put in a fuse, and everything worked fine.
I got a call later that night that after running some errands, they had gone to the Laundromat and when they started, the starter wouldn't disengage. Even turning the key off wouldn't turn it off, so that means that the armature was stuck. They eventually pulled off the battery cable, but the starter was fried. I told them to take the starter back and tell them it was defective. They put in the new starter, but they have burned up some of the wiring, so they have to short between the battery cable and the solenoid with a screwdriver to start it.
Mrs. Alstuff just came in and told me that Stepdaughter is in the hospital. She just had a miscarriage. We only found out she was PG last weekend. This is two miscarriages and one stillborn from unknown causes. Gotta be hard. It is something I have never had to go through, although I was in the room when they delivered the stillborn baby, and held him in my arms, and held a crying wife as she cursed fate. Tough stuff.
I am listening to Keiko Matsui's "Deep Blue". Wonderful jazz piano.
Better go, I have been interrupted three times in the last five minutes. Think they are trying to send me a message?
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
MEMEME
Stolen from The Peanut Queen
1. Name 3 people that you miss that you haven't seen in a long time.
My two sisters who live in Minnesota. They haven't been here for Christmas for a quite a few years. It would be nice to have the whole family together.
2. Name 3 things you miss about home during the holidays.
Winter. Idaho had winter, Seattle doesn't. Here we have the warm rainy season and the cold rainy season.
.3. Name 1 holiday memory that you have from childhood that you will never forget.
The year when my brother and I got bikes for Christmas. Sure, they were used, but no one could have happier.
4. Name at least one favorite book or movie that always reminds you of the holidays.
When we were growing up, I always read DR. Seus to my little sisters. I loved the word play and illiteration. I was the only one in the family that could wrap my tongue around all that fun without stumbling, so The Grinch always reminds me of those times.
5. Name your top 3 favorite holiday songs that get you in the mood to celebrate.
Nat King Cole's "Christmas Song", Bing's "White Christmas", and "Jingle Bell Rock"
6. If you could go anywhere other than home for the holidays, where would you choose to go and who would you want to bring along?
Actually Carol and I were just looking into a trip to China at Christmas time. It would be awesome if the two of us could get away for a couple of weeks. I want to see the Forbidden City, walk the Great Wall.
7. The Grinch or Rudolph? Definitely The Grinch, for reasons mentioned above
8. Formal holiday dinner or casual get-together food? Since there are around 25 immediate members in my family and another 15 in Carols, the only way to go is casual, otherwise we would both be frazzled out of our minds, and there would be no time to visit.
9. Name the best holiday gift you ever received and why?
You've seen "A Christmas Story" where Ralphie gets the Red Ryder BB gun? That could have been me, except for the having my mouth washed out with soap.
10. Describe the funniest holiday moment you've ever had. My little brother, Bill wasa always the one to tell an amusing story when we were together. SOme of them were even probably even true. I remember hin telling This story: Bill owned a 1959 Triumph TR3, which we both spent a lot of time working on. When it was together it was a lot of fun. One of his friends' wife loved that car, and every time he went to visit he had to take her for a spin. One fall day he got over to their house after dark, and took her for a spin to Golden Gardens Park. WHen they came around the corner into the parking lot, they noticed a small light that was travelling back and forth in the middle of the parking lot. They pulled up close and got out of the car. It was a mouse, running around in a circle, and the light was the headlights reflected from his eyes. They stood there mesmerized, watching this mouse run around and around in a circle. He says that he has no idea how long they stood there watching the mouse. He put out his foot and stopped the mouse, and it stopped, but when he removed his foot, it kept right on going. Eventually when he stopped it, it shook it's head and seemed to come to it's senses, and ran off into the night. He and the lady got back into the car and he drove her home. His friend was furious. "Do you know how long you have been gone?" Bill figures his friend never believed him. I found the story highly amusing, especially the way he told it. And of course I'd had a couple of Hot buttered Rums. I was never sure if it was true.
A couple of years ago I was going to work at zero dark thirty, taking a path through the ornamental shrubbery here at the "Lazy B", when I caught something moving out of the corner of my eye.
It was a mouse.
He was running around and around in a circle. Every once in a while he would stop and roll over, then go back to running in a circle.
11. Name a holiday memory that truly warmed your heart.
When I was stationed overseas, one of the places I worked part of the time was Camp Mercy, which was a home for retarded kids. Most of them were abandoned. We got together and donated a bunch of cheap gifts to the kids, delivered them and sang some Christmas Carols. Those kids were thrilled. It was like we had given them the most wonerful things. None of them was disappointed or jealouse. I thought we all could learn a lesson from these kids about being happy with what you get.
12. Name your top 3 favorite TV specials that frequent the airwaves during the holiday season.
The Grinch, It's a wonderful life, and A Christmas Story.
13. Sledding, snowball fight, snow angels or building a snowman?
None of the above. Snowmobiling rules!
14. Eggnog, hot chocolate or hot cider
I suppose hot chocolate, but I'd really prefer a hot buttered Rum!
16. Favorite holiday cookie: They are all equally bad for me, since I am diabetic. So which ones will I cheat with? Buckeyes! My sister-in-law is from Ohio, where they are like the state official cookie or something. Peanut butter and chocolate, kinda like a round Resse's peanut butter cup.
Stolen from The Peanut Queen
1. Name 3 people that you miss that you haven't seen in a long time.
My two sisters who live in Minnesota. They haven't been here for Christmas for a quite a few years. It would be nice to have the whole family together.
2. Name 3 things you miss about home during the holidays.
Winter. Idaho had winter, Seattle doesn't. Here we have the warm rainy season and the cold rainy season.
.3. Name 1 holiday memory that you have from childhood that you will never forget.
The year when my brother and I got bikes for Christmas. Sure, they were used, but no one could have happier.
4. Name at least one favorite book or movie that always reminds you of the holidays.
When we were growing up, I always read DR. Seus to my little sisters. I loved the word play and illiteration. I was the only one in the family that could wrap my tongue around all that fun without stumbling, so The Grinch always reminds me of those times.
5. Name your top 3 favorite holiday songs that get you in the mood to celebrate.
Nat King Cole's "Christmas Song", Bing's "White Christmas", and "Jingle Bell Rock"
6. If you could go anywhere other than home for the holidays, where would you choose to go and who would you want to bring along?
Actually Carol and I were just looking into a trip to China at Christmas time. It would be awesome if the two of us could get away for a couple of weeks. I want to see the Forbidden City, walk the Great Wall.
7. The Grinch or Rudolph? Definitely The Grinch, for reasons mentioned above
8. Formal holiday dinner or casual get-together food? Since there are around 25 immediate members in my family and another 15 in Carols, the only way to go is casual, otherwise we would both be frazzled out of our minds, and there would be no time to visit.
9. Name the best holiday gift you ever received and why?
You've seen "A Christmas Story" where Ralphie gets the Red Ryder BB gun? That could have been me, except for the having my mouth washed out with soap.
10. Describe the funniest holiday moment you've ever had. My little brother, Bill wasa always the one to tell an amusing story when we were together. SOme of them were even probably even true. I remember hin telling This story: Bill owned a 1959 Triumph TR3, which we both spent a lot of time working on. When it was together it was a lot of fun. One of his friends' wife loved that car, and every time he went to visit he had to take her for a spin. One fall day he got over to their house after dark, and took her for a spin to Golden Gardens Park. WHen they came around the corner into the parking lot, they noticed a small light that was travelling back and forth in the middle of the parking lot. They pulled up close and got out of the car. It was a mouse, running around in a circle, and the light was the headlights reflected from his eyes. They stood there mesmerized, watching this mouse run around and around in a circle. He says that he has no idea how long they stood there watching the mouse. He put out his foot and stopped the mouse, and it stopped, but when he removed his foot, it kept right on going. Eventually when he stopped it, it shook it's head and seemed to come to it's senses, and ran off into the night. He and the lady got back into the car and he drove her home. His friend was furious. "Do you know how long you have been gone?" Bill figures his friend never believed him. I found the story highly amusing, especially the way he told it. And of course I'd had a couple of Hot buttered Rums. I was never sure if it was true.
A couple of years ago I was going to work at zero dark thirty, taking a path through the ornamental shrubbery here at the "Lazy B", when I caught something moving out of the corner of my eye.
It was a mouse.
He was running around and around in a circle. Every once in a while he would stop and roll over, then go back to running in a circle.
11. Name a holiday memory that truly warmed your heart.
When I was stationed overseas, one of the places I worked part of the time was Camp Mercy, which was a home for retarded kids. Most of them were abandoned. We got together and donated a bunch of cheap gifts to the kids, delivered them and sang some Christmas Carols. Those kids were thrilled. It was like we had given them the most wonerful things. None of them was disappointed or jealouse. I thought we all could learn a lesson from these kids about being happy with what you get.
12. Name your top 3 favorite TV specials that frequent the airwaves during the holiday season.
The Grinch, It's a wonderful life, and A Christmas Story.
13. Sledding, snowball fight, snow angels or building a snowman?
None of the above. Snowmobiling rules!
14. Eggnog, hot chocolate or hot cider
I suppose hot chocolate, but I'd really prefer a hot buttered Rum!
16. Favorite holiday cookie: They are all equally bad for me, since I am diabetic. So which ones will I cheat with? Buckeyes! My sister-in-law is from Ohio, where they are like the state official cookie or something. Peanut butter and chocolate, kinda like a round Resse's peanut butter cup.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Newstuff
So I've been away a while. So sue me.
Don't get me started. I dare you.
Daughter DUI
Other daughter PLEEZE give ne $200 or we will freeze to death.
Sonand wife "We reallycan't take care of my son butWHY are you insisting he go to church?"
As Blake suggests, everything falls apart, but I suggest that only those that hang together provide for the structure that makes things possible.
Don't get me started. I dare you.
Daughter DUI
Other daughter PLEEZE give ne $200 or we will freeze to death.
Sonand wife "We reallycan't take care of my son butWHY are you insisting he go to church?"
As Blake suggests, everything falls apart, but I suggest that only those that hang together provide for the structure that makes things possible.
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Overtime
So, it is Saturday, but I am at work.
Shipside support needs to be manned even if there isn't anything much going on. Just in case, like having the Fire Department available. It can make for some pretty boring days, but at least I get Time and a Half.
I haven't been up to posting much lately, as I had shoulder surgery, and I wasn't up to the challenge of typing one handed while high on pain killers. I was off work for a couple of weeks. The doctor would have liked for me to take off a third week, but I was going nuts. There are a lot of things I would like to be doing. Rebuilding the deck, working on the Z. Unfortunately they all require the use of both arms.
You can only watch so much History Channel and Speedvision. And Percocet interferes with my ability to concentrate enough to read.
We're going out tonight to Jazz Alley to see Keiko Matsui. She is one dynamic performer, so it should be good. We are taking Rose out for her 21st birthday. Hard to believe my baby is turning 21.
Tomorrow I am getting a car for Lisa (My step daughter). It is just a beater, a 1988 Nissan Maxima, but it looks good and it runs. For $250.00 it will be delivered to my driveway. I am told it needs a clutch. I know it needs a throwout bearing, so it will be getting a clutch whether it needs one or not. Who would tear off the transmission and not replace the clutch while you had everything torn apart? Don't know if my arm is up to taking on the job yet, but it I work smart I should be able to use tools to do what I would normally use muscles for.
Shipside support needs to be manned even if there isn't anything much going on. Just in case, like having the Fire Department available. It can make for some pretty boring days, but at least I get Time and a Half.
I haven't been up to posting much lately, as I had shoulder surgery, and I wasn't up to the challenge of typing one handed while high on pain killers. I was off work for a couple of weeks. The doctor would have liked for me to take off a third week, but I was going nuts. There are a lot of things I would like to be doing. Rebuilding the deck, working on the Z. Unfortunately they all require the use of both arms.
You can only watch so much History Channel and Speedvision. And Percocet interferes with my ability to concentrate enough to read.
We're going out tonight to Jazz Alley to see Keiko Matsui. She is one dynamic performer, so it should be good. We are taking Rose out for her 21st birthday. Hard to believe my baby is turning 21.
Tomorrow I am getting a car for Lisa (My step daughter). It is just a beater, a 1988 Nissan Maxima, but it looks good and it runs. For $250.00 it will be delivered to my driveway. I am told it needs a clutch. I know it needs a throwout bearing, so it will be getting a clutch whether it needs one or not. Who would tear off the transmission and not replace the clutch while you had everything torn apart? Don't know if my arm is up to taking on the job yet, but it I work smart I should be able to use tools to do what I would normally use muscles for.
Friday, September 23, 2005
Updates
I haven't done anything here lately, because I have been busy posting some short fiction on my other blog, BLATHERSKITE. I put a couple of short stories there. (http://blatherskited.blogspot.com/).
I have been meaning to get here and post about our trip to Moses Lake with Morning Light, but between rerouting all the cable TV connections, and moving the computer upstairs, I just haven't had the desire. Maybe this weekend. I have a bunch of pictures to include.
I need to get ready for Fall, which officially started yesterday. Tomorrow I go to get a ton of pellets for the pellet stove. After that I need to do annual maintenance on the pellet stove and clean the chimney. Sunday we are going to Church and then to Tacoma to see the grandkids, Next weekend we are going to visit Joanne on Sunday, so that really leaves only next Saturday, then I will be getting my shoulder operated on, on October 4th, so I won't be able to do much for at least a couple of weeks.
Monday I will start a new job on Wedgetail, a sorry of miniature AWACS. Don't know exactly what I will be doing, except writing assembly planning. It will be something to do while the strike lasts.
I have been meaning to get here and post about our trip to Moses Lake with Morning Light, but between rerouting all the cable TV connections, and moving the computer upstairs, I just haven't had the desire. Maybe this weekend. I have a bunch of pictures to include.
I need to get ready for Fall, which officially started yesterday. Tomorrow I go to get a ton of pellets for the pellet stove. After that I need to do annual maintenance on the pellet stove and clean the chimney. Sunday we are going to Church and then to Tacoma to see the grandkids, Next weekend we are going to visit Joanne on Sunday, so that really leaves only next Saturday, then I will be getting my shoulder operated on, on October 4th, so I won't be able to do much for at least a couple of weeks.
Monday I will start a new job on Wedgetail, a sorry of miniature AWACS. Don't know exactly what I will be doing, except writing assembly planning. It will be something to do while the strike lasts.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
The Latest
Since the last time I blogged, things have been pretty hectic.
One daughter lost her job at Downtown Harley Davidson, and the other got evicted from her apartment. I had to replace the differential and half-shafts in the 77' 280Z, and the mechanics went on strike at Boeing. I also saw the doctor about the severe pains in my right sholder, and will be going in for arthoscopic surgery to remove a wicked bone spur on October 4th.
We also went with Morning Light for a show at Maple Lane. The band had made some serious modifications to the sound system, and it sounded great. This weekend we are going for a two day gig in Moses Lake. The whole thing in Moses Lake is pretty disorganized, with no one knowing exactly what is going to be available when we get there as far as facilities and acommodations go. We are bringing along a tent just in case, and have made reservations at Potholes State Park for a camping site, about 20 miles outside of town.
Since the Mechanics are on strike, I am back at my old desk in ECAT. The company has halted any activity on the airplanes, so there really is no reason to have shipside support. There isn't a whole lot to do in ECAT either, so mostly we try to find something to do, and do a very thorough job of whatever you can find. I don't know why the Boeing Company chose to play lowball hardball with the union at this time. The last time the contract came up with the IAM, it was right after 9/11 and the transportation industry was in the toilet, aircraft sales were down, and the company stock had taken a real tumble. For all those reasons, the IAM settled for a borderline contract. Acutally they voted down the contract, but couldn't get the 2/3 majority to sanction a strike. This time, the Transportation Industry is in recovery, The stock is almost double what it was, and there is a very good backlog of orders. The offer that they made would erode the financial standing of the mechanics. They would be effectively making less at the end of the contract than they make now.
The Union I am in (SPEEA) has it's contract coming up in December, so the present state of things is unsettling, since SPEEA usually gets offered slightly less that the IAM. I would prefer not to be marching the picket line at Christmas.
One daughter lost her job at Downtown Harley Davidson, and the other got evicted from her apartment. I had to replace the differential and half-shafts in the 77' 280Z, and the mechanics went on strike at Boeing. I also saw the doctor about the severe pains in my right sholder, and will be going in for arthoscopic surgery to remove a wicked bone spur on October 4th.
We also went with Morning Light for a show at Maple Lane. The band had made some serious modifications to the sound system, and it sounded great. This weekend we are going for a two day gig in Moses Lake. The whole thing in Moses Lake is pretty disorganized, with no one knowing exactly what is going to be available when we get there as far as facilities and acommodations go. We are bringing along a tent just in case, and have made reservations at Potholes State Park for a camping site, about 20 miles outside of town.
Since the Mechanics are on strike, I am back at my old desk in ECAT. The company has halted any activity on the airplanes, so there really is no reason to have shipside support. There isn't a whole lot to do in ECAT either, so mostly we try to find something to do, and do a very thorough job of whatever you can find. I don't know why the Boeing Company chose to play lowball hardball with the union at this time. The last time the contract came up with the IAM, it was right after 9/11 and the transportation industry was in the toilet, aircraft sales were down, and the company stock had taken a real tumble. For all those reasons, the IAM settled for a borderline contract. Acutally they voted down the contract, but couldn't get the 2/3 majority to sanction a strike. This time, the Transportation Industry is in recovery, The stock is almost double what it was, and there is a very good backlog of orders. The offer that they made would erode the financial standing of the mechanics. They would be effectively making less at the end of the contract than they make now.
The Union I am in (SPEEA) has it's contract coming up in December, so the present state of things is unsettling, since SPEEA usually gets offered slightly less that the IAM. I would prefer not to be marching the picket line at Christmas.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Camping Trip
Here's the new tent, and Carol sitting outside it. I really liked the new tent. It was relatively easy to put up, spacious and easy to use.
Rich and rachel at the beach.
Benjamin and I chillin' on the tailgate.
Hiking in the Olympic Rain Forest.
Cooking with fire.
Azalea at the campsite.
Rick, Rachel, Benjamin, Carol,, me, Azalea, and Riley in front of the worls largest Sitka Spruce.
Picking Balckberries in the back yard.
Friday, August 05, 2005
VACATION!!!
As of 2:30 I am off on vacation for a week! My attitude improves by the minute.
Carol's son Rick, his wife Rachel, and their three kids arrive tonight from Ogden. They are going to be here for two weeks. The first week we are going camping at Twin Harbors State Park outside of Westport Washington. It is a very nice park, and we are located on the Dune side. The grandkids have never seen the ocean, so it will be cool to play in the surf. I also intend to teach them how to fly a two string acrobatic kite. Burned marshmellows, hot dogs dropped in the campfire, coffee with insect parts, smole and sand everywhere. Tall tales by the campfire light. Insect bites and sunburn.
I can't wait. No computers no internet no television. I will be taking a cell phone, but I'm hoping we don't have service unless we need it.
Pictures and camping tales to follow!
Carol's son Rick, his wife Rachel, and their three kids arrive tonight from Ogden. They are going to be here for two weeks. The first week we are going camping at Twin Harbors State Park outside of Westport Washington. It is a very nice park, and we are located on the Dune side. The grandkids have never seen the ocean, so it will be cool to play in the surf. I also intend to teach them how to fly a two string acrobatic kite. Burned marshmellows, hot dogs dropped in the campfire, coffee with insect parts, smole and sand everywhere. Tall tales by the campfire light. Insect bites and sunburn.
I can't wait. No computers no internet no television. I will be taking a cell phone, but I'm hoping we don't have service unless we need it.
Pictures and camping tales to follow!
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
NewZ
My 77 Datsun 280Z was in a car show last week, so I hurried and put my new exterior rear view mirrors on for the show. When I got the mirrors, the Z Store included a new catalogue. In perusing it there were several "I gotta have that" moments. Consequently when the opportunity to work this weekend came up, I saw Z parts in the budget.
When I was taking a break, I called up the Boeing Classified ads on-line. There I ran accross an ad that said "Free: 1978 Datsun 280Z, must be moved by Friday 07/22/05."It was Saturday, but nothing ventured, nothing gained, so I called the phone number, and the car was still there, so I went after work to take a look at it. I fugured at the very least, I could use it for parts.
The car was complete, less the battery, and had been running when it was parked for restoration. It had good rubber all the way around, and the body was fairly straight. They had sanded and primered the hood and front fenders. I told them that I would be back with a tow truck after work on Sunday.
So I dragged it home, and immediately after this post, there is a picture of it. It has several parts I can swap to my 77, like the center console and the factory mags, but I think I can, with a minimal investment of time and money, turn it into a daily driver.
Last night I hooked up a battery, but it wouldnt turn over, so I got a remote starter, hooked it up, and turned the key on. It turned over freely, but wouldn't start. When I sprayed a little started fluid in the intake it fired up for a second, but quit. I pulled the fuel line and there wasn't any (fuel that is). I can hear liquid sloshing around in the tank, so either the fuel pump is bad, or the wiring is bad. Neither of those things is any big deal, although I would rather it was the fuel pump, although that will be more expensive, but I have spent the last year and a half chasing electrical problems in the 77 and am tired of wiring.
I still haven't figured out when I will be able to replace the deck off of the living room.
When I was taking a break, I called up the Boeing Classified ads on-line. There I ran accross an ad that said "Free: 1978 Datsun 280Z, must be moved by Friday 07/22/05."It was Saturday, but nothing ventured, nothing gained, so I called the phone number, and the car was still there, so I went after work to take a look at it. I fugured at the very least, I could use it for parts.
The car was complete, less the battery, and had been running when it was parked for restoration. It had good rubber all the way around, and the body was fairly straight. They had sanded and primered the hood and front fenders. I told them that I would be back with a tow truck after work on Sunday.
So I dragged it home, and immediately after this post, there is a picture of it. It has several parts I can swap to my 77, like the center console and the factory mags, but I think I can, with a minimal investment of time and money, turn it into a daily driver.
Last night I hooked up a battery, but it wouldnt turn over, so I got a remote starter, hooked it up, and turned the key on. It turned over freely, but wouldn't start. When I sprayed a little started fluid in the intake it fired up for a second, but quit. I pulled the fuel line and there wasn't any (fuel that is). I can hear liquid sloshing around in the tank, so either the fuel pump is bad, or the wiring is bad. Neither of those things is any big deal, although I would rather it was the fuel pump, although that will be more expensive, but I have spent the last year and a half chasing electrical problems in the 77 and am tired of wiring.
I still haven't figured out when I will be able to replace the deck off of the living room.
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Monday, July 18, 2005
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times
OK, so maybe that's an exaggeration. Maybe it was more like "It was a real good day, it was a real bad day", but that just didn't sound right. Besides, everyone remembers the opening lines of "A tale of two cities". What a great opening line, one of the best ever. Maybe not as good as "In the beginning God Created the Heavens and the Earth", but equal to any other first line. How about "Call me Ishmael"?
At any rate, Saturday was one heck of a day. Morning Light just completed their second CD, so Saturday was the CD release party, and a free concert at Golden Gardens Park in Seattle. Carol and I were up at 4:30 so we could be in Kenmore at 6:00 to start packing up the equipment. It was cloudy, cool, and drizzling. In otherwords a typical Seattle summer day. As we always do, we said a little prayer asking the Lord for his help and inspiration (and a little good weather). By the time we got the stage up it was clearing, and by the time the band went on stage at 1:00, it was clear with a few clouds. After lunch when they started the second set, it was clear and getting hot. About that time my skin started to feeling tight, and when I checked it it was turning red. OOPS! By the time we put on the sunblock it was to late. At work Laurel was calling me "Lobster Boy" today.
The concert was fantastic. The band, despite a few technical problems, was right on. Their normal gigs are in Penal Institutions, so usually everything is very structured, and we only see the band members and our fellow roadies, so it was great having a big family get together complete with spouses, kids and dogs. Frisbees, barbeque, watermelon and good fellowship.
Carol is a lot lighter skinned than I am, so she burned worse. She is currently a study in various shades of pink.
On the way home from a very good day, we were in a car wreck. I was trying to do too many things at once, like accellerate, change lanes and watch traffic in front of me. I noticed an opening in the HOV lane, so I was trying to move over, check my blind spot, and keep half an eye on traffic in front of me. Between when I looked to check in front of me, looked in my rear view mirror, checked my blind spot, and looked back, traffic had stopped. I was already 75% in the HOV lane, and I made it 90%, so when I hit the car in front of me it was a glancing blow. No one was hurt, but the car I hit , hit the car in front of him. So rather than going home to relax, I had my daughter come and pick up Carol and Vincent and Molly our Shi Tzu, while I stayed with the car until it got towed.
Between the accident and the sunburn I didn't get a whole lot of sleep Saturday night. I was unsettled and nauseous on Sunday, from nerves and sunburn. Sunday we were celebrating my birthday, which is actually today. So I barbequed steak and shrimp-ka-bobs, although I didn't eat a whole lot. I had consideable help, so there wasn't a whole lot left over.
When I got up to go to work, the battery on the "Z" was deader than dirt, so I thought "Hmmmmm, it's my birthday and my backup car won't start. Maybe it's a sign that I should take the day off." But that was just too easy a copout, so I threw it on the charger on 35 amp quick charge, but it still took almost an hour to get it to where it would start. So I was an hour late for work.
One of the gifts I got for my birthday was a set of external rear view mirrors, so when I got home tonight I put them on the "Z". The "Z" is going to be in a car show on Thursday so I wanted to make sure the new mirrors made it on. It was hot and sunny, so I didn't want to be out in the sun too long, but the installation wasnt too difficult. The mirrors look great. I will post a picture when I get the time.
That's all for now
In the words of the immortal bard Tigger "TTFN".
At any rate, Saturday was one heck of a day. Morning Light just completed their second CD, so Saturday was the CD release party, and a free concert at Golden Gardens Park in Seattle. Carol and I were up at 4:30 so we could be in Kenmore at 6:00 to start packing up the equipment. It was cloudy, cool, and drizzling. In otherwords a typical Seattle summer day. As we always do, we said a little prayer asking the Lord for his help and inspiration (and a little good weather). By the time we got the stage up it was clearing, and by the time the band went on stage at 1:00, it was clear with a few clouds. After lunch when they started the second set, it was clear and getting hot. About that time my skin started to feeling tight, and when I checked it it was turning red. OOPS! By the time we put on the sunblock it was to late. At work Laurel was calling me "Lobster Boy" today.
The concert was fantastic. The band, despite a few technical problems, was right on. Their normal gigs are in Penal Institutions, so usually everything is very structured, and we only see the band members and our fellow roadies, so it was great having a big family get together complete with spouses, kids and dogs. Frisbees, barbeque, watermelon and good fellowship.
Carol is a lot lighter skinned than I am, so she burned worse. She is currently a study in various shades of pink.
On the way home from a very good day, we were in a car wreck. I was trying to do too many things at once, like accellerate, change lanes and watch traffic in front of me. I noticed an opening in the HOV lane, so I was trying to move over, check my blind spot, and keep half an eye on traffic in front of me. Between when I looked to check in front of me, looked in my rear view mirror, checked my blind spot, and looked back, traffic had stopped. I was already 75% in the HOV lane, and I made it 90%, so when I hit the car in front of me it was a glancing blow. No one was hurt, but the car I hit , hit the car in front of him. So rather than going home to relax, I had my daughter come and pick up Carol and Vincent and Molly our Shi Tzu, while I stayed with the car until it got towed.
Between the accident and the sunburn I didn't get a whole lot of sleep Saturday night. I was unsettled and nauseous on Sunday, from nerves and sunburn. Sunday we were celebrating my birthday, which is actually today. So I barbequed steak and shrimp-ka-bobs, although I didn't eat a whole lot. I had consideable help, so there wasn't a whole lot left over.
When I got up to go to work, the battery on the "Z" was deader than dirt, so I thought "Hmmmmm, it's my birthday and my backup car won't start. Maybe it's a sign that I should take the day off." But that was just too easy a copout, so I threw it on the charger on 35 amp quick charge, but it still took almost an hour to get it to where it would start. So I was an hour late for work.
One of the gifts I got for my birthday was a set of external rear view mirrors, so when I got home tonight I put them on the "Z". The "Z" is going to be in a car show on Thursday so I wanted to make sure the new mirrors made it on. It was hot and sunny, so I didn't want to be out in the sun too long, but the installation wasnt too difficult. The mirrors look great. I will post a picture when I get the time.
That's all for now
In the words of the immortal bard Tigger "TTFN".
Sunday, July 10, 2005
Jazz Alley III
So, for the third weekend in a row, we went to Jazz Alley again last night. This time it was to see Acoustic Alchemy. I wanted to see them last time they were in town, but we had something else going that weekend, so we missed out. I was determined not to miss them this time, even though it was a strain on the budget to go out three weeks in a row.
It was well worth the expense. They are such a dynamic group. I have admired their work for a long time. I hear them on the local Jazz station on the radio, and they have such a complex mellow sound that has layers on top of layers, but revolving around two exceptionally tallented acoustic guitar players. One plays steel strings, the other nylon, and the stuff they can do is amazing. I have played both, but know just enough to leave me standing there shaking my head and wondering "How the hell did he do that?" They just came out with a new CD "American/English". Go buy it. The band is MUCH better in person than on the CD. You miss the whole Jammin' thing, and all the solos that you get in a live performance. They really had the place jumping last night, and received standing ovations. Great performance!
Next weekend we will be playing roadies for the Christian rock band Morning Light. They are giving a free public concert at Golden Gardens Park on Saturday. Two performances. It is also their CD Release party. It will be a lot of work, but a lot of fun, too. As always their message is that it is possible to have a good time without drugs and alcohol. Check the side bar for their website. You can even catch a glimpse of yours truly and my lovely wife Carol in the Backstage Pass section.
It was well worth the expense. They are such a dynamic group. I have admired their work for a long time. I hear them on the local Jazz station on the radio, and they have such a complex mellow sound that has layers on top of layers, but revolving around two exceptionally tallented acoustic guitar players. One plays steel strings, the other nylon, and the stuff they can do is amazing. I have played both, but know just enough to leave me standing there shaking my head and wondering "How the hell did he do that?" They just came out with a new CD "American/English". Go buy it. The band is MUCH better in person than on the CD. You miss the whole Jammin' thing, and all the solos that you get in a live performance. They really had the place jumping last night, and received standing ovations. Great performance!
Next weekend we will be playing roadies for the Christian rock band Morning Light. They are giving a free public concert at Golden Gardens Park on Saturday. Two performances. It is also their CD Release party. It will be a lot of work, but a lot of fun, too. As always their message is that it is possible to have a good time without drugs and alcohol. Check the side bar for their website. You can even catch a glimpse of yours truly and my lovely wife Carol in the Backstage Pass section.
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
MRI
I think I mentioned that I screwed up my sholder in High School throwing bad curve balls, and I have suffered the consequences. Last January, I hurt my right sholder again, and it doesn't seen to be able to recover on it's own, so I went to see the doctor. A shot of Cortisone didn't help, so it was off to the specialist for x-rays, and then to the Super-Duper-Specialist for an MRI (Magnectic Resonance Imaging). This is supposedly a pain free experience. Well I am here to tell you otherwise. Yes the actual MRI is painless, but they spent 45 minuted injecting special dye into the joint of my sholder before we got to the painless part. As I told them "I am not sweating like this because I was exercising".
Fortunately, the internal application of minor amounts of alcohol might get me to the point where I can sleep tonight. With being basically sleepless on the Fourth, not getting more that five hours last night, and probably not a whole bunch tonight, I guess I will need a 20oz Diet Coke with Lime tomorrow morning to get "Yump Started" as my Scandahovian friend would say.
I suppose I am facing surgery if I want to get it fixed, but CRAP I don't want to do it, but I can't even skip stones with my grandkids or play catch. Sure I don't throw things for a living, but I shouldn't have to give up that whole part of my life.
"Go not gently into that dark night, sweet Horatio."
"Go down gently, Go down silently.
I'll go down screaming 'Give it back it belongs to me'."
Fortunately, the internal application of minor amounts of alcohol might get me to the point where I can sleep tonight. With being basically sleepless on the Fourth, not getting more that five hours last night, and probably not a whole bunch tonight, I guess I will need a 20oz Diet Coke with Lime tomorrow morning to get "Yump Started" as my Scandahovian friend would say.
I suppose I am facing surgery if I want to get it fixed, but CRAP I don't want to do it, but I can't even skip stones with my grandkids or play catch. Sure I don't throw things for a living, but I shouldn't have to give up that whole part of my life.
"Go not gently into that dark night, sweet Horatio."
"Go down gently, Go down silently.
I'll go down screaming 'Give it back it belongs to me'."
Monday, July 04, 2005
Jazz Alley II
I heard that Robben Ford was going to be at Jazz Alley this weekend, so it was dinner, drinks and a show again on Saturday. Carol wanted to know if we could afford ir, and all I had to say was "If I can't afford to go see a show and have dinner when I want, what the hell am I working for?" We spend most of our disposable income on kids and grandkids, so they can just cut back their expectations for a while. Besides, next weekend Acoustic Alchemy is going to be there, and I am not going to miss that show. When they were in town last year, I had other committments.
I have one month left to get things done for when Rick and Rachel and the kids are here for two weeks. I just hope Carol doesn't obsess too much about the house. Martha Stewart living will never feature our home, but it is comfortable and functional and I like it the way it is. Sure, there are things I would change if I had several thousand dollars to spare.
Today is the Fourth, and I can't help but stop for a minute and think about a small group of determined men who dared commit high treason against a tyrannical and opressive rule by a physically superior group of people in a foreign country, to inspire a belief in freedom that has changed and inspired the world. I also worry that the country that was born of opression and the desire for freedom has come to the conclusion that it is our responsibility to enforce our will throughout the world, whether we have justification or not. There was no smoking gun, no WMD. So, shame on all you newly discovered Conservatives who have abandoned your principles to cower behind your big daddy and declare "My daddy can beat up your daddy". That doesn't make him or you right. Whay kind of loyalty do you profess when you turn tail at the first sign of adversity and join the very forces that create the atmosphere of distrust and suspicion that makes things ripe for ferment? Go bow to your newly found gods of power and oil.
OBTW, just in case anyone thinks to claim higher ground, I am a disabled Vet who served our country proudly, and I support our troops, no matter what insanity our leaders have gotten them into.
I have one month left to get things done for when Rick and Rachel and the kids are here for two weeks. I just hope Carol doesn't obsess too much about the house. Martha Stewart living will never feature our home, but it is comfortable and functional and I like it the way it is. Sure, there are things I would change if I had several thousand dollars to spare.
Today is the Fourth, and I can't help but stop for a minute and think about a small group of determined men who dared commit high treason against a tyrannical and opressive rule by a physically superior group of people in a foreign country, to inspire a belief in freedom that has changed and inspired the world. I also worry that the country that was born of opression and the desire for freedom has come to the conclusion that it is our responsibility to enforce our will throughout the world, whether we have justification or not. There was no smoking gun, no WMD. So, shame on all you newly discovered Conservatives who have abandoned your principles to cower behind your big daddy and declare "My daddy can beat up your daddy". That doesn't make him or you right. Whay kind of loyalty do you profess when you turn tail at the first sign of adversity and join the very forces that create the atmosphere of distrust and suspicion that makes things ripe for ferment? Go bow to your newly found gods of power and oil.
OBTW, just in case anyone thinks to claim higher ground, I am a disabled Vet who served our country proudly, and I support our troops, no matter what insanity our leaders have gotten them into.
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Jazz Alley
Carol and I both like Jazz Alley: http://www.jazzalley.org/, which is listed as one of the planets top 100 Clubs. They always have high quality performers, and the Club is well run, serves good food, and there isn't a bad seat in the house.
Last night we went to see Dianne Schuur http://www.dianeschuur.com/content/albumthirteen.htm with The Carribean Jazz Project. She is a two-time Grammy award winning vocalist and they are a Grammy award winning band. Together they make for a pretty dynamic performance. She has this amazing voice, with a three octave range, and although she only did one number on the piano, she plays a mean jazz piano. Scat singing has never been my favorite part of Jazz, because everyone who thinks the are a jazz singer attempts it even though they aren't worth a damn. But when it is done right with the right band by the right artist, it is something else. Dianne Schuur is one of the few who really do it right. At times when she is scattin' you can't tell whether it is a musical instrument or her voice, but what the hell, her voice IS a musical instrument.
"Deedles", as she is known, was in fine voice, and the band was hitting all the right notes. It was a lot of fun. And a good dinner and a couple of T N' T's didn't hurt the situation at all.
Last night we went to see Dianne Schuur http://www.dianeschuur.com/content/albumthirteen.htm with The Carribean Jazz Project. She is a two-time Grammy award winning vocalist and they are a Grammy award winning band. Together they make for a pretty dynamic performance. She has this amazing voice, with a three octave range, and although she only did one number on the piano, she plays a mean jazz piano. Scat singing has never been my favorite part of Jazz, because everyone who thinks the are a jazz singer attempts it even though they aren't worth a damn. But when it is done right with the right band by the right artist, it is something else. Dianne Schuur is one of the few who really do it right. At times when she is scattin' you can't tell whether it is a musical instrument or her voice, but what the hell, her voice IS a musical instrument.
"Deedles", as she is known, was in fine voice, and the band was hitting all the right notes. It was a lot of fun. And a good dinner and a couple of T N' T's didn't hurt the situation at all.
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Father's Day
I know, I am delinquent again. Father's Day was Sunday, and this is Tuesday, but since my dad passed away a few years ago, I guess he isn't waiting for this.
Dad was born and raised in New Mexico, up around the Four Corners country. His usual mode of transportation was horseback, up until the time he could afford a motocycle. In his years growing up he worked part time as a genuine old fashioned Cowboy, helping drift a herd of mixed stuff to summer pasture. His first job was working in a Trading Post on the Reservation. Since he spoke Navaho and Ute as well as Spanish and English, he often would translate letters for the locals into English to send off to whatever Bureau needed whatever. The very first thing he bought with his wages was a turquois ring, which I have. It's a little small for me, but I can get it on my little finger. Every once in a while when I am thinking of him I will get it out and wear it.
Seeing as he had worked as a cowboy, he adopted that taciturn strong silent type mentality represented so well in the movies. It was the one thing about him that always irked the heck out of me, that he wouldn't tell stories about himself. What we learned, we learned from others. I have a copy of a picture of him at 19 dressed in black, astride a Harly Davidson, black hair slicked back and one leg drapend oh so casually over the gas tank. There had to be some hell raising going on, but us kids never got to hear about it.
I didn't always get along with him. He was a staunch Catholic, and I got to where I didn't like the church. I still don't, but dad's faith was unshakable. I guess that divesting yourself of your parents is a part of growing up. The idea is to have it as painless as possible. It wasn't too dificult for me. Uncle Sam decided he needed me over on the other side of the world, but that is another story.
There were seven of us kids, every one independent, opinionated and intelligent. I do have to say that my folks must have done something right, as there is not a one of my sibligs that I don't consider a sucess in their own way.
After I got out of the Service, I got together with dad for a guys night. He came over and spent the night, and we got a gallon of wine. By the time we got through with it he had forgiven me for every wrong I had done, and I had forgiven him for every slight, real and imagined. We were never best buddies, but we got along and understood each other. Sometimes I really miss his plain down to earth common sense and dry sense of humor.
Here's to you dad, wherever you are. I was proud of you all the way to the end and beyond.
Dad was born and raised in New Mexico, up around the Four Corners country. His usual mode of transportation was horseback, up until the time he could afford a motocycle. In his years growing up he worked part time as a genuine old fashioned Cowboy, helping drift a herd of mixed stuff to summer pasture. His first job was working in a Trading Post on the Reservation. Since he spoke Navaho and Ute as well as Spanish and English, he often would translate letters for the locals into English to send off to whatever Bureau needed whatever. The very first thing he bought with his wages was a turquois ring, which I have. It's a little small for me, but I can get it on my little finger. Every once in a while when I am thinking of him I will get it out and wear it.
Seeing as he had worked as a cowboy, he adopted that taciturn strong silent type mentality represented so well in the movies. It was the one thing about him that always irked the heck out of me, that he wouldn't tell stories about himself. What we learned, we learned from others. I have a copy of a picture of him at 19 dressed in black, astride a Harly Davidson, black hair slicked back and one leg drapend oh so casually over the gas tank. There had to be some hell raising going on, but us kids never got to hear about it.
I didn't always get along with him. He was a staunch Catholic, and I got to where I didn't like the church. I still don't, but dad's faith was unshakable. I guess that divesting yourself of your parents is a part of growing up. The idea is to have it as painless as possible. It wasn't too dificult for me. Uncle Sam decided he needed me over on the other side of the world, but that is another story.
There were seven of us kids, every one independent, opinionated and intelligent. I do have to say that my folks must have done something right, as there is not a one of my sibligs that I don't consider a sucess in their own way.
After I got out of the Service, I got together with dad for a guys night. He came over and spent the night, and we got a gallon of wine. By the time we got through with it he had forgiven me for every wrong I had done, and I had forgiven him for every slight, real and imagined. We were never best buddies, but we got along and understood each other. Sometimes I really miss his plain down to earth common sense and dry sense of humor.
Here's to you dad, wherever you are. I was proud of you all the way to the end and beyond.
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
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