It's Not What You've Got, It's What You Give

It has been a while since I've made much of a post. I had been wanting to do a little bit of a "what I got for Christmas" post, and while this will be something of that, I'm going to tell some about what I gave, too, because as I age I find that more of my joy comes from giving than receiving.


So, what I got. Much very cool stuff. One of the tops on my list Tom Petty's "Highway Companion" CD. Every track on this disc is tasty. I got a nice set of pajamas. Usually my tastes run towards some baggy shorts and a button up top (for some reason, they always seem to have three large buttons) but this pair has long baggy pants with no elastic, just a drawstring, and a T-shirt. There seems to be no content tag on the shirt, I'm not sure what it's made of, but the fabric feels great.

Another one I'm sure I'll enjoy (when I get to it, more on that in a few) is Stephen King's "Lisey's Story". I have yet to read a story of his that I don't like. My oldest boy got me C-3PO. This is another of my favorites, because he picked it out himself and bought it with his own money. I got a tin of licorice flavored Altoids from the younger. They know of my fondness for licorice. One of the few things I had asked for was a new belt, and I got a belt. It's nice. Brown, woven leather. I bought for myself an 18" breaker bar, 1/2" to 3/8" adapter, short wobble extension, and a hand socket spinner adapter. Ironically, I am in a position to get a better price on all that stuff than anyone else. My parents got me a complete set of metric and SAE nut drivers, and for both myself and my wife a 4 person tent and a shiatsu massging cushion. Both very cool. We went down and visited with Sammy Christmas evening, and he got me a NICE watch. I almost feel like it's too nice for me, it is a very handsome Kenneth Cole. Oh yea, my sister made up a belated batch of tamales and some green sauce. Made my yule season!!!

Now, onto the stuff I gave. I picked up another Stephen King novel, "Cell" for my wife. I also got Dean Koontz's latest, Brother Odd. I don't know of a single other character who has been the subject of more than one of Koontz's books. I remember when the first sequel book came out and my wife was trying to remember the name, and asked "Odder Thomas???" I said yes, Otter Thomas, he is valued for his pelt. Great stories, I have absconded with this book and am currently working my way through it. That's OK, she's currently reading through the first of the two other books I got her, "Digging James Dean", the fourth in the Nina Zero series. Probably after she finishes that one, she'll be onto the next one, "Zero to the Bone". It is a great thing to have the same taste in literature, I get to enjoy the gifts I've gotten for her. I also bought her a Victoria's Secret "Rapture" gift set. Yet another gift for her that I get to enjoy.

That is a gift that we have passed onto our sons, I think, our love of reading. My oldest got several books, too. Two from the Charlie Bone Series, two from the Artimus Foul series, a Lego Exoforce graphic novel, and I think some other book or two. He also got a skate board, a couple of PC games, a couple of Lego sets, a crew of Storm Troopers (to chase C-3PO around, I guess) and a lot of military vehicles. When I tried to pin him down on what his favorite gift was, he told us that he likes everything that he got.

We got a few books for the younger boy too. There is a Cat in the Hat rain forest book I'd never heard of before that he got, as well as a backyardagins story, and a train book that came with a pillowtick cap and bandana and train whistle. Oh, and many Thomas products. And a Spider Man scooter. His favorite, though, is a stuffed jaguar that he has named Spot. He loves that thing, even though he is known to swing it around by the tail.

Another one that seems to have been quite well received was a keychain mag light and a keychain size Leatherman-type tool. I noticed afterwards, though, that the little tool, while pictured next to keys, has no provision to attach it to a keychain.

I'm sure this list is not all-inclusive, but I believe I've hit a lot of the high points.

After Christmas...

Watch out for things getting dry and hot!!!

Christmas Corn???

Tamales are a favorite of mine. Not especially the squishy little impostors that come six or seven to a can, wrapped in greasy paper of some kind. They'll do in a pinch, but it's like expecting an authentic Italian meal and getting Chef Boy Ardee. I'm talking the full-on, wrapped in a corn husk hand made suckers that'll fill you right up. I'm not sure the reason or connection, but for some reason they are associated with Christmas among the Latino community. It seems like eating the canned suckers for Christmas would be sacrilege. Kind of made me wonder if that had something to do with the "Christmas corn" post that Lilly did for Granny, being as they are made in corn husks and the outer breading is a corn meal base. Sometimes there will be a guy selling them from the back of a truck or a kettle in a shopping cart at the store when I'm there, hawking them by repeating the phrase, "Tamale-tamale". If I haven't eaten, he or she is usually assured of a sale. At the goody day celebration, someone brought these MASSIVE tamales. Brought to mind the phrase "too much of a good thing", everything there was tasty, and just getting a few bites of everything was more than enough food.
I ended up eating more than half of one, anyway. The guy who mentored me had his in one of the ziplock bags we ship stuff in, in the cabinet over the printer we were at. Good thinking. I ate some of those canned ones for lunch today. *Hanging my head in shame*

Merry Christmas, Cali Style

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!

Photo by Allen J. Schaben

Happy Festivus

I happened to be looking for an old post tonight and came to realize that today was the day that the official observance of Festivus was to take place. Strangely enough, it was the day that had been designated for the family-wide get-together for Christmas.

On Friday, everyone at work seemed to have a little extra spring in their step, a little twinkle in their eye.

I saw a guy on the news the other day at the airport in Denver. He was saying how mad he was. The nerve of the weather, being inclement!!!

Do you have any idea how much 5,000 single edge razor blades weigh???

I got my bonus on Friday. Of course, so did everyone else. Maybe that was why everyone was going around looking like they'd just gotten laid. It was exactly where I had predicted, only less on the bottom line. The Man do take his chunk.

What are the differences between being a geek and being a dork??? Is there a quiz that you can take to determine which one you exhibit more characteristics of???

I seem to be staying up later and later these evenings recently. Insomnia??? Or is it because the boy is out of school for a few weeks and there isn't so much noise in the mornings???

I heard that one year on bonus day, our employees shut down the bank branch that issues our checks. Ran their asses out of money and they had to close their doors for the day. Ha!!!

Mad about the inclement weather at Denver??? Try hiking up Mount Hood, asshole. Your attitude made me dislike you and feel delight at your plight.

Forty pounds. That's about what 5,ooo single edge razor blades weigh.

I aint mad at the man for taking his chunk, mind ya. Anything I get is gravy at this point. Of course, one can never have too much gravy.

I bought a pizza on Friday night. I had been craving meat and cheese on the drive home. The flap on the box said "Dinner now. Breakfast tomorrow." Well said.

It rained sometime Thursday night, before I got up. None of the weathermen had predicted any kind of rain. I certainly didn't order any rain. Good thing it was gone by the time I got up.

One of the rituals that signals the end of Festivus is the feats of strength. Festivus is not over until the head of the household has been wrestled to the ground. My father and I were wrangling for the remains of the pecan pie.

I found a slip of paper on the floor at work the other day that said "Can do!" on it. I cut that part out and taped it to my tray. It shall be my motto.

I updated my wallpaper page for the first time in months this morning. A very cool image I found a while ago. Check it soon, it's seasonal.

My newspaper deliveryman has sent me two things thanking me for my tip. I've never tipped him. Is that presumptuous, or is someone else tipping him in my name???

Damn, that Christmas tree is THIRSTY!!!

Everyone clapped for everyone else when they were called up to get their bonus check. I counted more that sixty people in my department, then stopped counting. One guy did and end zone dance as he went up to get his check, and gave the supervisor (the newest one, he's been there less time than me) who was handing 'em out a big hug instead of a handshake like everyone else.

Where the hell are Gonk and Eyeball???

My newspaper deliveryman is probably one of the few who actually witnessed the rain. Maybe I will send him a little tip. Around the time I get my tax refund. Or maybe I'll send him something on Cinco de Mayo.

How does anyone know if clams are really happy???

Damnit, I started this post on the official day of Festivus, but now it's well into Christmas eve. Change the reference in the first lines to read the 23rd is Festivus.

why does google have kangaroos around their logo today???

I don't mind The Man taking his chunk. I'll have it back come April 15th, and then some, yo!!!

Goody Day

Tomorrow is Goody Day at work. Everybody in the whole place (I'd have to guess 150 or more) brings something, and everyone eats. This will be the fourth time this month I've eaten for free there. Have I mentioned that I really like this job??? I'm taking banana nut bread that my wife cooked up today. Very tasty. Low fat, too, she'd substituted apple sauce for butter, and put some crushed pineapple in for good measure. Came out as good as I've ever tasted!!!

The day after should be even better. Bonus time!!! I only get 12% of the bonus, but still it will be the best I've had in the last six years. The bonus is based on yearly profit somehow, usually it's at least around 200% of whatever your monthly salary is. This year is 350%!!! How would you like to get an extra three and a half month's worth of pay??? Yea, me too!!! But I'm even perfectly happy with 42%. Did I mention that I really like this job???

Tree Time

We went out yesterday and got our Christmas tree from the United Melon Tree Auction. They had a most unique tree there. They said it was from the Bahamas.

Bridge of pallets???



"The revenge of the disco balls!!!"

Superior

Today there was a grand opening for a new store in the neighborhood. This is on the location that there used to be a store, until sometime last year. It will be nice having a store there again, it is much more convenient than the one we've been going to.

I like all the neon on the old art-deco front facade, and the inside is nice, too.

The place was packed this morning when my wife went there. It was packed when I was heading home and decided to stop in to take a look and some pictures!!!

They're either going to need more parking spaces or less popularity.

I think a lot of people in the neighborhood are tired of the lousy service at Food 4 Less and are thrilled that there is now an alternative. The prices seem not a lot better, but they have some sale items for less.

Ummm, do my eyes deceive me, or do they already have a couple of the letters in "enter" burned out???

I walked around taking pictures for a while, until a plainclothes store security with a lip piercing came up and told me that I had to put my camera away. "This is SO going on my blog!!!"



I guess the chickens aren't the only ones watching!!!

MoonRaiser

This is a transcription of a bit done by Mark and Brian a few years back. It is featured on their charity C.D., Little Drummer Boys. They just re-played it the other day and brought it to memory. Very Christmas-y and funny!!! One of my favorites:

Mark: Well, many of you probably remember the Rudolph situation where he discovered the land of the misfit toys in the Rudolph Christmas special, he discovers the land of the misfit toys. And, last year we spoke with King MoonRaiser, the king of the island of misfit toys, who was hoping for some of our listeners to adopt some of the misfit toys and ease overcrowding on the island, 'cause it's really kinda getting a little bit space challenged. Well, we thought we'd see how that went. So, with us once again with us is King MoonRaiser. Good morning, King MoonRaiser.

(Floof floof, floof floof)

Mark: He's flying in...

(floof floof)

King MoonRaiser: I am King MoonRaiser, king of the island of misfit toys.

Mark: Good Morning

King MoonRaiser: Good morning, I'm a flying lion.

Mark: Yes, you are. Now, what is the situation on the island of misfit toys?

King MoonRaiser: Worse than ever, I'm afraid, not that you'd care

Mark: Of course we care

King MoonRaiser: Not only did none of your listeners not adopt any of our reject toys, but during the past year even more loser toys have flocked to my island looking for a free ride.

Mark: Well, would you like to run down some of the toys, just in case our listeners might be interested in adopting one of them?

King MoonRaiser: Yes, it would help a bit.

Mark: OK

King MoonRaiser: Here is a list of just a few of the toys I would really love to get rid of:
Barbie's Malibu Outhouse. Misfit toy.
Nicotine Patch Kids.
Tic Tac Camel-Toe.
Baby Got Backgammon. Misfit toy.
Honkey Kong. Misfit toy.
Tickle Me L. Ron Hubbard. Misfit toy.
Crucifixionary.

Mark: Fly around some, King.

(Floof floof)

King MoonRaiser: I'm a flying lion, I'm the King of the misfit toys.

Mark: Right.

King MoonRaiser: Crucifixionary.
Mr. Potato Crotch.
Mouse Crap. Misfit toy.

Mark: Guess it would be

King MoonRaiser: My First Crystal Meth Lab. Misfit toy.
John Candy Land.
Michelob Lite Brite.
G. I. Joe Momma.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Gallaghers.
Hasbro's Do It Yourself Circumcision Kit. Misfit toy.
And, finally, Poop Chutes and Ladders.

(Floof floof)

King MoonRaiser: Flying, around flying...

Mark: Allright, yeah, well, listen...

King MoonRaiser: These are just some of the toys I want to shove out the screen door and don't let it hit you in the ass. Get off my island, you misfit toys! Please someone, come and rescue them.

Mark: Well, we understand it is an overcrowded situation there. We'll do our best to see that listeners come and adopt some of those misfit toys.

King MoonRaiser: I'll be flying out now to go back to my island.

(Floof floof, floof floof)

Mark: See ya, King MoonRaiser!

(Floof floof, floof floof)

Mark: Bye bye!

(Floof floof, floof floof)

Mark: Say good bye to King MoonRaiser, everybody.

(Floof floof, floof floof)

Mark: King of the island of misfit toys.

(Floof floof, floof floof)

King MoonRaiser: Is that your car down there?

Mark: No, why, what are you going to do?

(Grunt)
(Floof floof, floof floof, floof floof, floof floof)

Mick's Brain

My firstborn came up with this week's phrase for Magnet Mix-Up, all on his own. Lots of bonus points for taking a lot of liberties with the letters, notably the U turned to a C, the 8 as a B, the V inverted for an A, and the Z and I combined for another M!!!

Busy, Busy, Busy...

It's been that way for the last several days!!! Busy, but good. Wednesday they had lunch at my work for my department. Great food, good times.

Thursday I took my personal day from work, as I had an appointment with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, regarding the way they had held up my final checks (read all about it here). Not surprisingly, those scum bags had not given them the whole story. I filled in the blanks for them, and ended up getting paid. Call it severance or a little bit of an early Christmas bonus. Of course, I don't have it in hand yet, but if it doesn't come through I have a feeling that the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement will not let them slide. For exactly that reason, they want the check mailed to them, then they send it on to me. Said they would mail the check today, but I've heard that song and dance for the last year or so that I was there!!!

Yesterday we left the boys with some friends and went to do a little shopping. I'm surprised at how much we spent!!! That evening we left them at my parent's house for the night, and we went to my company's Christmas party. That's where the picture is from. It was great, open bar, good eats, elegant surroundings. I only saw probably less than a dozen of the crew that I work with there, but it was still cool. They had a band there that was quite woofy. I could go on...

Today was my niece's birthday party. It was at a place called John's Incredible Pizza. I had never heard of the place, and it's a ways out, but it was GOOD!!! Buffet style, with a great variety of different pizzas and salad bar and pasta and fries and dessert bar, as well as rides and games. Beats the hell out of Chuck E. Cheese's!!! They had this one kind of pizza, spicy peanut butter pizza, sounds bad, tastes good. I could go on, once again, but the hour draws late...

110

I wasn't going to post anything today, because I didn't have much to post about. But then, I found this video on someone else's blog, and it was too cool not to steal and post here!!! Google was being a bitch about making with the code, so I just stole it from the one I found it at. Hope it works, I'll be taking it down if it doesn't.
*Note: It didn't work, so I found the same vid on YouTube. It's missing the downtown stretch, but it has the rest, as well as a usable code!!! Only thing, their vids seem to make my posts move way down on the page for some reason...



This is the first freeway ever built in California, and the second in the nation. It was constructed in 1940, with a speed limit of 45 MPH. The original portion features many twist and turns, "to keep drivers from getting sleepy".

Viewing this video, you can see a lot of what I used to deal with four days a week on my way home from my previous job. This is a fairly clear time of day, it gets completely stopped in the afternoon. Going through the downtown skyscrapers is always cool. Heading up to the tunnels, you'll notice the left lane is all backed up. It's usually like that, it exits to the 5. The next lane over backs up, too, because there are a bunch of idiots waiting until the last minute to get over. Max would sympathize. Just past there it gets into the twisty section. You may notice a tall railroad trestle, that was abandoned for many years, but now is in service for the Gold Line. My home is off this portion. It's fun, the exits are hard 90 degree turns, posted at 5 MPH with very short ramps. High rolling vehicles best heed the 5 MPH. The entrances are fun, too. They have a stop sign, and you have a very short area to get up to speed. Don't pull out in front of me from one of those unless you've got the motor to back it up, you will get a federal bumper up your ass!!! But, if this section is reasonably clear, FUN!!! Test you vehicle's cornering capability!!!

The Rock Pile

The last of the shots from last weekend's trip. This was pretty cool and needed to be shared, I thought.

Coming onto a military base out in the Mojave, there is a large rock pile that has been painted by the various units that have trained there.

A lot of really cool artwork!!!

These shots are only a small portion of what was there.









Check out Sergeant Major Dale!!!

No TV...

Welcome to the third installment of Magnet Mix-Up!!! In response to my last posting, Eyeball came up with "no tv 4 ned". I rather liked it, except I'm a bit N challenged so I had to change to names. I responded to Eyeball:

"The other night I was trying to listen to some music on my comp and wifey comes in and turns on some inane show on. I was wishing I was Ned."