Friday, December 30, 2005

New Project: Day 1+


New Project: Day 1+
Originally uploaded by klycolllins.
The new year is just around the corner and I started thinking, "Hey, why don't I turn our house into a crap-hole every year at this same time?" I am one day into what I hope is a long weekend project to install wood floors. Myself. Seriously. As of 8:14 pm (Pacific Time), I have removed all of the carpet, pad and original 1958 tile. I also have 30 cases of tounge-and-groove flooring. Currently, I am married. I'll fill you in after the true project starts.

Saturday, December 24, 2005

California Class


California Class
Originally uploaded by klycolllins.
Rachelle and I aren't going to be headed back to Omaha for Christmas this year (something about the airlines wanting "lots of money" for a ticket), so we're celebrating quietly in Orangevale. I was in line at Trader Joe's yesterday picking up Christmas "supplies", i.e., booze, and I saw this really interesting display. Little 4-packs of champagne in a can. The truly interesting part was that the canned champagne was from a decent Napa winery. Even from a decent winery, I was a little hesitant until the woman in line ahead of me mentioned that the cans came with their own individual bendy-straw. A grown-up juice box. Sweet! While it was very strange to be drinking champagne out of a can and through a straw, I would have to say it was pretty decent stuff. Fun, too.

All for now. I need to hit the mall for some last minute shopping. HA! Screw that. Anybody who doesn't already have a present is getting cash. Whatever I can find in the change jar. Or I'll be wrapping cans of soup/beans. Ho, ho, ho.

Merry Christmas!

Wednesday, December 07, 2005

Not Working...


Not Working...
Originally uploaded by klycolllins.
Don't people work anymore? I'm sitting in It's A Grind at 10:00 this morning and the place is jammed. I'm actually taking a vacation day. These people look like they live here. About a 50/50 mix of dudes who look like they're working and slack-ass students from the community college up the road. I may just be getting old (OK, there's no "may" about it), but I don't think I would have enjoyed a $4 cup of coffe when I was that age. $4 was a good dinner out at Taco Bell. I truly miss those $0.49 tacos. Damn, that sounds tasty!

Rachelle had her office Christmas/holiday party at Carmelita's in Fair Oaks last night. It was her second day at the new job so it was a little strange. By the time we were seated for dinner I had actually spent more time talking to her boss than she had. I had to make sure I was on my best behavior. No talk about crazy families, no talk about Bo's "issues", no rants of any kind. And a strict two-margarita limit. Oddly enough, the company picked up the tab for the whole thing. My office party is going to consist of a meat & cheese platter from Costco in the conference room. No margaritas.

Saturday, December 03, 2005

Christmas Grilling


Christmas Grilling
Originally uploaded by klycolllins.
December 3. December. And I'm grilling on the patio. Meanwhile, where I grew up (Omaha), today's high was 23 with a crap-ton of snow. I'm not sure I made the right choice in moving.

Friday, December 02, 2005

Not Too Tasty...


Not Too Tasty...
Originally uploaded by klycolllins.
So I was invited to a baby shower for a woman in our office this afternoon. I'd never been to a baby shower before (I'm a dude), but I was promised cake. Imagine my confusion when I went to the conference room and saw a cake that was made completely out of (new & unused) diapers. Cute, but I'm a fat pig and was expecting cake. With frosting. Fortunately, this was just a decorative thing that apparently is part of the baby shower thing. Whatever. As long as there was going to be REAL cake served, too. Anyway, there's a reason guys don't usually get invited to baby showers. Lots of cute little baby things, no electronics, no tools, no small talk about sports, no beer. And waaaaay too much talk about how babies are born. Ooof. I prefer not to think about things like that. I'm much more comfortable with the stork concept.

On to the movie review for this week. If you haven't rented "Mr. & Mrs. Smith", DON'T. Lots of promise, little follow-through. I had high hopes going in; hot hit-man/woman, Vince Vaughn as comedic relief, explosions, fighting, etc. There was only about 30 minutes of actual entertainment in a 1:52 movie. And it wasn't all lumped together. Slooooooooow pace. If you happen to catch it on HBO at 3:00 in the morning when you can't sleep, enjoy. Otherwise, take it off your Netflix queue.