After much consideration, and the purchase of "Puppies for Dummies", Rachelle and I brought Lucy home today. Her mother is a "small" Great Dane (110 lbs.) and her dad is a medium-sized chocolate lab (80 lbs.). Lucy was the smallest female in the litter, so I'm really hoping that she maxes out at 90ish pounds. That's about 55 pounds heavier than Bo. He'd better be nice to her while she's still small. So far, he's been doing a lot of barking and she's been doing a lot of ignoring him. And sleeping. Got to go. I need to re-read the chapter on house-breaking. That's a VERY important chapter.
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Lucy?
One step closer to getting a "friend" for Bo. I'm not sure he's really looking for a friend, but these puppies are almost too cute to pass up. We'll see how it all shakes out. Puppies are a lot of work, but they're a hell of a lot of fun, too. We might give one a test-drive this weekend to see how Bo deals with a new addition. There go my new hard-wood floors.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Bay to Breakers: 2006
I think this is my favorite picture from this year's Bay to Breakers in San Francisco. You've got to admire a man who can run 7.75 miles in a sheer skirt, ruffled shirt and Mardi Gras beads, all the while drinking screwdrivers out of a gallon jug. I'm not sure if I'm more confused by this guy who was actually part of the race or the dude with the red boots who is just watching. It is San Francisco, so he may have actually just been walking home and saw a race going on.
I was really glad to see the Elvis dancing on his balcony. He was actually wearing a jump-suit last year, but it's either at the cleaner's or he been spending some time at the gym and wanted to show off the new abs.
This is one of the races that I really actually enjoy every year. There are 65,000 people running it, so chances are good that I'm not going to finish dead last. Especially considering about 5,000 of those people are running either naked and/or drunk. I wasn't either of those this year. Maybe 2007 will be the "Year of Kelly" and I'll run naked. Maybe not. I get my race packet every year and it specifically says "NO NUDITY". Could be they just mean "NO NUDITY KELLY. NOBODY WANTS TO SEE THAT. KEEP YOUR CLOTHES ON." In any case, Rachelle was nice enough to stay with me for the entire race and we finished in under 2 hours. Not a great time for a "runner", but rockin' for a fat, lazy, 36-year-old dude who usually only runs when it's treat day at the office and there are donuts in the break room. I'm really surprised that I could still walk come Monday.
I was really glad to see the Elvis dancing on his balcony. He was actually wearing a jump-suit last year, but it's either at the cleaner's or he been spending some time at the gym and wanted to show off the new abs.
This is one of the races that I really actually enjoy every year. There are 65,000 people running it, so chances are good that I'm not going to finish dead last. Especially considering about 5,000 of those people are running either naked and/or drunk. I wasn't either of those this year. Maybe 2007 will be the "Year of Kelly" and I'll run naked. Maybe not. I get my race packet every year and it specifically says "NO NUDITY". Could be they just mean "NO NUDITY KELLY. NOBODY WANTS TO SEE THAT. KEEP YOUR CLOTHES ON." In any case, Rachelle was nice enough to stay with me for the entire race and we finished in under 2 hours. Not a great time for a "runner", but rockin' for a fat, lazy, 36-year-old dude who usually only runs when it's treat day at the office and there are donuts in the break room. I'm really surprised that I could still walk come Monday.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Costco: Cradle to Grave...
Just one more entry in the "If it ain't at the Costco, I don't need it" file.
"LOST" in Orangevale?
So I decided to finally (after 5 years) take out the clothes-line pole in the backyard. It looked like there was maybe a coffe can worth of concrete around the pole. How hard could it be? After about an hours worth of digging to find the edges, I ended up with a slab of concrete about three feet across and six inches deep. At this point Rachelle's asking if we found a hatch like in "LOST". I'm more hoping for a 60's era bomb shelter. Turns out it was just a huge slab of concrete holding in a very small pole. Not exactly the twenty minute project I was hoping for, but I was able to put my 200ish pounds behind my eight pound sledge hammer (I told Rachelle I had a reason for buying that thing!) and tore it up. About the time I pulled it out of the ground I started thinking that maybe it wasn't a clothes-line. Here's hoping it wasn't anything important.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Baseboards. Almost.
I've been working on my new hardwood flooring since January and I'm finally to the "baseboard" stage. The floors have actually been done for months, but I'm just now getting around to the finishing touches. Rachelle told me I had 6 months to get the baseboards up. Tick-tock. I was really getting used to the look of the blue moisture barrier and pad. Kinda classy. Anyway, I decided to go with the 5-inch pre-primed composites. Looks good and really easy to work with. I figure I should have the entire project finished well within my deadline. Hey, it's May already, isn't it? Crap.
It's nice to see somebody other than Rachelle reads my blog. I'm not truly sure she "reads" it, but she skims it for anything that may cause her to re-think the whole "marriage" thing. Anyway, somebody saw my post about our soon-to-be-indicted Congressman John Doolittle and sent in a comment. Apparently, I'm not the only one in my district who would like to see the dude spending his campaign contributions on a legal defense fund instead of a congressional campaign. There's a "Dump Doolittle" blog that has articles about hookers, ethics investigations, links to some snarky political blogs (nice!) and links to all of his competitors web pages. My heart (and vote) still belongs to Charlie Brown, but I'm willing to keep my options open. SIX MORE MONTHS, SIX MORE MONTHS...
It's nice to see somebody other than Rachelle reads my blog. I'm not truly sure she "reads" it, but she skims it for anything that may cause her to re-think the whole "marriage" thing. Anyway, somebody saw my post about our soon-to-be-indicted Congressman John Doolittle and sent in a comment. Apparently, I'm not the only one in my district who would like to see the dude spending his campaign contributions on a legal defense fund instead of a congressional campaign. There's a "Dump Doolittle" blog that has articles about hookers, ethics investigations, links to some snarky political blogs (nice!) and links to all of his competitors web pages. My heart (and vote) still belongs to Charlie Brown, but I'm willing to keep my options open. SIX MORE MONTHS, SIX MORE MONTHS...
Monday, May 08, 2006
I'm Super Fast! (Not Really)
Once again, I agreed to participate in the 5 mile Fair Oaks Fiesta Sun Run. It sounds like a great idea every year before the race and sounds like a much less good idea the day of and/or after the race. Considering I run maybe once or twice over the course of a given year, I'm pretty happy I even finished, much less in under an hour (59:40). I really need to find another age group, though. Either that or I need to start actively recruiting fat, slow 35-39 year old dudes to run the race. On the plus side, Rachelle gave me her ham & eggs at the pancake feed after the "race". Score!
I had a message on the machine when I got home today from Charlie Brown asking me to vote for him for Congress. Turns out it's not actually a joke. Lt. Colonel Charlie Brown (USAF, ret.) is running against our current Congressman, John Doolittle. For those of you not familiar with Rep. Doolittle, he took buckets of money from Jack Abramoff, was/is really close to Tom DeLay and his wife skims a little off the top of every campaign "contribution" (for a little Soprano-ish twist to campaigning). Basically, an incumbent congressional representative. I figure Colonel Charlie could break into my house, rifle through my wallet, take the last beer from the 'fridge, tickle my ass with a feather and he'd still probably get my vote. The ass-tickling thing might be a little weird, but I'd be willing to let it slide if he promises to steal less than the current administration. I'm not sure what he stands for yet, but he's at least different. You've got my vote, Charlie.
I had a message on the machine when I got home today from Charlie Brown asking me to vote for him for Congress. Turns out it's not actually a joke. Lt. Colonel Charlie Brown (USAF, ret.) is running against our current Congressman, John Doolittle. For those of you not familiar with Rep. Doolittle, he took buckets of money from Jack Abramoff, was/is really close to Tom DeLay and his wife skims a little off the top of every campaign "contribution" (for a little Soprano-ish twist to campaigning). Basically, an incumbent congressional representative. I figure Colonel Charlie could break into my house, rifle through my wallet, take the last beer from the 'fridge, tickle my ass with a feather and he'd still probably get my vote. The ass-tickling thing might be a little weird, but I'd be willing to let it slide if he promises to steal less than the current administration. I'm not sure what he stands for yet, but he's at least different. You've got my vote, Charlie.
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Seis de Mayo
Rachelle and I caught a Rivercats game with Ken and Shelly last night. We didn't get there early enough for the free sombreros. Damn. Shelly had somehow scored tickets in the Solon Club (kind of like the "Champagne Room" at Scores; very exclusive). Rivercats games are always a good time, and the Dinger Dogs rock, but the $9 beers are kind of a drag. Really helps keep you sober. Fortunately, Ken and I had started the evening at Q'bole in Folsom. An extremely authentic Mexican restaurant/bar filled with extremely caucasian patrons. Lots of big hair and cleavage. And tattoos. I never thought I'd have to say this, but quite a lot of the cleavage was very disturbing. I'd have to say I was quite impressed with some of the younger crowd, though. The younger people haven't quite learned the concept of "pacing yourself" and Ken and I were trying to guess which ones would actually be "awake" at sundown. We had to leave for the game, but I'm pretty sure the chick who downed a shot at the bar and killed off half her margarita before the bartender came back with her change was probably sleeping in the back seat of somebody's car by 9:00.
Finally, I'd like to thank my neighbors for starting their landscape remodel at 7:30 this morning. We woke to the gentle rumble and high-pitched beeping of a Bobcat ripping up concrete. Happy Saturday morning! I'm thinking about setting my alarm for 3:00am and weed-whacking my fence right next to their bedroom window. Or I could just start the mower, leave it there and go back to bed. It'll run out of gas eventually. BASTARDS!
FOLLOW UP: I met my neighbor when I went over to get the card of the guy grading the yard and he seems like a nice guy. I take back the nasty things I said about the early start to the yard work. We needed to get up anyway.
Finally, I'd like to thank my neighbors for starting their landscape remodel at 7:30 this morning. We woke to the gentle rumble and high-pitched beeping of a Bobcat ripping up concrete. Happy Saturday morning! I'm thinking about setting my alarm for 3:00am and weed-whacking my fence right next to their bedroom window. Or I could just start the mower, leave it there and go back to bed. It'll run out of gas eventually. BASTARDS!
FOLLOW UP: I met my neighbor when I went over to get the card of the guy grading the yard and he seems like a nice guy. I take back the nasty things I said about the early start to the yard work. We needed to get up anyway.
Friday, May 05, 2006
Bad Neighborhood
So if things weren't bad enough with the rattlesnakes, Ken's bobcat and the wild turkeys on the trail (the turkeys can be surprisingly scary; they're fast little buggers), I have to see these signs plastered all over the place. I actually came home with a tick stuck to my leg on Wednesday, but he wasn't strong enough to make it through the hair on my legs to get a good meal. Poor little guy. I did save him for Rachelle to look at, though. She didn't like it so much, so I had to flush him. I'm pretty sure this is going to give me a great excuse to quit working out on the trail. Sweet!
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Rattlesnake Training
Below is an actual e-mail Rachelle got at work today. I'm not sure California is such a great place. I really like the advice about walking with a co-worker and making sure to keep "at a very safe distance" if you see a rattlesnake. I'd be keeping a very safe distance. I'd be distantly in my car heading to a safer place, i.e., Iowa. I made the mistake of reading this damn e-mail before I hit the trail today for a bike ride. Every little rustle in the bushes and I was scootin' off the other way. All I actually saw were about 40 wild turkeys, but they could have been snakes. Dangerous little bastards. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want Len's job. Also good advice about remaining calm if you get bitten. I'll make sure to remember that.
From: Xxxxxx, Xxx
Sent: Wednesday, May 03, 2006 1:33 PM
To: All
Subject: Rattlesnake Awareness/ALERT
Importance: High
Len Ramirez of Ramirez Rattlesnake Removal visited our campus today to educate us here at Blue Shield on rattlesnakes and the danger they bring to the El Dorado Hills Campus. Len has already removed 3 rattlesnakes from our campus this year .
Please help me help you to prevent any episodes of rattlesnake bites to us here on our campus. Below I have mentioned a few ways to bring caution ideas to you for the work place and your home.
WORK:
When you're outdoors, two people walking together are better than one. Look at your surroundings around your feet and up ahead. If, you or your colleague see a rattlesnake, one needs to keep an eye on it (at a very safe distance) and the other needs to contact security immediately. This will help security to contact Len and give him an idea where to begin his work.
Rattlesnake Havens:
Rocks are a number one source for rattlesnakes. So the next time you decide to cut corners by walking on the rocks or making shortcuts through the bark, remember, the rattlesnake is making his shortcuts too and you could be his next victim. Rattlesnakes are deaf to airborne sound but have an 18" good eyesight.
Cars: Rattlesnakes could be hovering under your car in the shade. Len has removed them from car radiators before as well (not from cars on our campus). So proceed with caution when going to lunch or leaving from work.
HOME:
Poison Oak, retaining walls & of course rocks are a snakes haven. They also can come in through your garage or door entry. Here's just a few pre-cautions you can take to prevent this.
Keep your landscaping thin, not overcrowded. Especially around the garage and the front door.
Check your garage door for gaps. If you shut your garage door and can see light on either side, seal it with weather-stripping or necessary action to remove the light.
New developments are another source of rattlesnakes because their dens have been interrupted.
DOGS:
Pets are not an exception. Red Rock Biologics is a good source to inquire how you can vaccinate your dog against fatal rattlesnake bites. (sorry, no vaccine for cats yet) Check out their website for more information at www.redrockbiologics.com
For more information on rattlesnakes & service, visit Len's website at www.ramirezrattlesnakeremoval.com
Please remember, rattlesnakes have the capability of striking at one twenty-fifth of a second. Thanks for listening and please be safe this summer season.
Len tells us if you are bitten by a rattlesnake; anywhere. Please keep calm as much as possible (the faster the adrenaline, the faster the poison will travel to the heart), keep the bite area below the heart. If alone, walk, do not run to receive help.
From: Xxxxxx, Xxx
Sent: Wednesday, May 03, 2006 1:33 PM
To: All
Subject: Rattlesnake Awareness/ALERT
Importance: High
Len Ramirez of Ramirez Rattlesnake Removal visited our campus today to educate us here at Blue Shield on rattlesnakes and the danger they bring to the El Dorado Hills Campus. Len has already removed 3 rattlesnakes from our campus this year .
Please help me help you to prevent any episodes of rattlesnake bites to us here on our campus. Below I have mentioned a few ways to bring caution ideas to you for the work place and your home.
WORK:
When you're outdoors, two people walking together are better than one. Look at your surroundings around your feet and up ahead. If, you or your colleague see a rattlesnake, one needs to keep an eye on it (at a very safe distance) and the other needs to contact security immediately. This will help security to contact Len and give him an idea where to begin his work.
Rattlesnake Havens:
Rocks are a number one source for rattlesnakes. So the next time you decide to cut corners by walking on the rocks or making shortcuts through the bark, remember, the rattlesnake is making his shortcuts too and you could be his next victim. Rattlesnakes are deaf to airborne sound but have an 18" good eyesight.
Cars: Rattlesnakes could be hovering under your car in the shade. Len has removed them from car radiators before as well (not from cars on our campus). So proceed with caution when going to lunch or leaving from work.
HOME:
Poison Oak, retaining walls & of course rocks are a snakes haven. They also can come in through your garage or door entry. Here's just a few pre-cautions you can take to prevent this.
Keep your landscaping thin, not overcrowded. Especially around the garage and the front door.
Check your garage door for gaps. If you shut your garage door and can see light on either side, seal it with weather-stripping or necessary action to remove the light.
New developments are another source of rattlesnakes because their dens have been interrupted.
DOGS:
Pets are not an exception. Red Rock Biologics is a good source to inquire how you can vaccinate your dog against fatal rattlesnake bites. (sorry, no vaccine for cats yet) Check out their website for more information at www.redrockbiologics.com
For more information on rattlesnakes & service, visit Len's website at www.ramirezrattlesnakeremoval.com
Please remember, rattlesnakes have the capability of striking at one twenty-fifth of a second. Thanks for listening and please be safe this summer season.
Len tells us if you are bitten by a rattlesnake; anywhere. Please keep calm as much as possible (the faster the adrenaline, the faster the poison will travel to the heart), keep the bite area below the heart. If alone, walk, do not run to receive help.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Utah: Part II
Rachelle and I went to Salt Lake City a couple weekends ago to help my dad and his wife move to their new house. Regardless of what you think of the bizarre liquor laws in Utah (I happen to think they're complete crap, but more on that later), the place is beautiful. We got so much done on Friday (before Rachelle arrived) that we decided to take the scenic drive up to Sundance on Saturday. We went from the nice, warm, sunny weather in the valley to the nice, warm, sunny weather in the mountains. The only difference seemed to be the snow. And the avalanche warnings. Skiing is definitely over for the season, but there was still enough snow on the slopes to get a good idea of what it looks like in season. What it looks like is "SCARY". I prefer my ski slopes with a much more gradual grade. Much, much more gradual. Like a parking lot. The steep hills are a little scary when they're covered with snow, but I'm willing to hike a good ways for a decent picture. Rachelle, Dad and Sheila stayed safely below while I hiked up to Bridal Falls. Probably a good call. Toasty warm and a long way down if I slipped. Sadly, the one thing running through my mind as I'm picking my way carefully down the hill was, "Man, I hope I don't fall and wreck my Treo".
Getting back to the strange liquor laws, the one thing I did learn on this trip was that you can't get an IPA before noon on Sunday. Not that I would normally order an IPA before noon (at least during the week), but I do like to keep my options open. Given the general dislike for alcohol among the local population, I was pleasantly surprised that SLC had even one good brew-pub. Turns out the other brew-pub downtown is just as good. We hit the Red Rock Brewing Company for dinner before Rachelle and I headed to the airport for our flight home. I kind of wish we had gotten there earlier, because I wasn't able to work my way through the entire beer menu. Next trip. For anybody in the area looking for a good mini-pizza and tasty brew, Red Rock gets a Kelly-rating of 4 pints out of 5.
Finally, I know this story is a couple of weeks old, but I'm really curious to learn more about the case of the old man in Florida who was going door-to-door offering free breast exams. What amazes me more than the guy actually doing this is the fact that there were several women who believed him. I can't even imagine who would think that could be a good idea. "Hmmm, I've been meaning to get a breast exam, but I just haven't had the time. How convenient that somebody will come uninvited to my door to check me out." I've got to tell you, if a creepy looking dude ever comes to my door saying he's a doctor and is offering free prostate exams, I'm gonna ask for some I.D. LOTS AND LOTS OF I.D.
Getting back to the strange liquor laws, the one thing I did learn on this trip was that you can't get an IPA before noon on Sunday. Not that I would normally order an IPA before noon (at least during the week), but I do like to keep my options open. Given the general dislike for alcohol among the local population, I was pleasantly surprised that SLC had even one good brew-pub. Turns out the other brew-pub downtown is just as good. We hit the Red Rock Brewing Company for dinner before Rachelle and I headed to the airport for our flight home. I kind of wish we had gotten there earlier, because I wasn't able to work my way through the entire beer menu. Next trip. For anybody in the area looking for a good mini-pizza and tasty brew, Red Rock gets a Kelly-rating of 4 pints out of 5.
Finally, I know this story is a couple of weeks old, but I'm really curious to learn more about the case of the old man in Florida who was going door-to-door offering free breast exams. What amazes me more than the guy actually doing this is the fact that there were several women who believed him. I can't even imagine who would think that could be a good idea. "Hmmm, I've been meaning to get a breast exam, but I just haven't had the time. How convenient that somebody will come uninvited to my door to check me out." I've got to tell you, if a creepy looking dude ever comes to my door saying he's a doctor and is offering free prostate exams, I'm gonna ask for some I.D. LOTS AND LOTS OF I.D.
Monday, May 01, 2006
... And I Have a LITTLE Truck!
Good God, gas is expensive! I was watching the little numbers spin by as I filled up this weekend and was starting to worry that I might have to start turning tricks in the AM/PM parking lot to settle my tab. And that could take a while (the fat, bald dude ho' is more of a "niche" market). I was actually thinking about trading the Ranger in on something a little more comfortable, but I think I'll stick with my 25mpg sweat-box for a little while longer.
The first sure signs of Spring have finally appeared in Orangevale. In some places you look for the first robin. In others, the first tiny buds on the trees. In Orangevale, you know Spring is truly here when the old guy at the end of the block is doing yard-work in his tidy-whities. We also saw a chick mowing her lawn in a bikini Saturday, but the old dude is ALWAYS out in his underwear. Got to give him credit, though. He's in great shape for 70+. I figure I've got to hit at least 60 before I can start wandering the neighborhood in my skivvies.
The first sure signs of Spring have finally appeared in Orangevale. In some places you look for the first robin. In others, the first tiny buds on the trees. In Orangevale, you know Spring is truly here when the old guy at the end of the block is doing yard-work in his tidy-whities. We also saw a chick mowing her lawn in a bikini Saturday, but the old dude is ALWAYS out in his underwear. Got to give him credit, though. He's in great shape for 70+. I figure I've got to hit at least 60 before I can start wandering the neighborhood in my skivvies.
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