Let's Try That Again...

Once again, back from vacation with many a picture and many a tale!!!

This vacation, due to the financial constraints imposed by the sewer repair from earlier this year, is something of a revisit of two years ago's vacation where everything broke!!! This year came out somewhat better than the last one, but there were a few rough patches along the way this year, too.

The first couple of shots here I'm thinking of entering in my works second photo contest. I entered a couple shots in the first one, and didn't prevail with either. To be fair, there were a LOT of great shots entered!!! The first shot is of Descanso beach, where you go to start the zip line tour. Yeah, we did that again this year, on the first day we were there!!! The price has gone up, but they've improved the course with automatic braking at the end of the runs. They've added night runs, and that was (kinda) what we got. It was actually a twilight run, which could have gone until it was full dark, but the tour we were on only had two other people besides our group. Only had to have our headlights on for the last line. The younger is heavy enough to go on his own now!!! The second shot is from the top floor of the Casino building.

We went paddle boarding & kayaking around the harbor the next day (or the day after??? It's all a blur)... after we'd gone parasailing!!! Another that the younger had wanted to do, but chickened out on last time. He made it this time, though, and thoroughly enjoyed it!!!

A couple of new things we got to do this time were the inland tour (on a 1953 Flxable bus!!!) that made it to the far side of the island with a stop at the Catalina airport, the Airport in the Sky, and the behind the scenes tour of the Casino. Both were very cool, and both could get a post of their own. See if that happens!!! First time I've ever been inside the Casino, even though I've been to the island probably a dozen or more times since I was a kid!!!

I'd meant to put a shot or two of the Airport in the Sky... still could, but if I don't maybe I'll get to doing a post about that trip!!! There's the bus...

And there's a group shot from on the bus!!!

What about those rough patches??? They were both due to online travel sites, or at least so it seems. First one came on the day we arrived in Catalina. We caught the shuttle van up to the hotel, same one we'd stayed at last time, and went to check in. The desk clerk checks, and lo and behold, no reservation!!! She looks a bit further, and finds it... three days later, the day we were supposed to check out!!! Of course, there's no available rooms of the class we'd reserved. The desk clerk was awesome, and it took about 45 minutes and four hang ups on the phone from Expedia, but finally they got them to fax over an overwrite, and they put us up in an open room... the executive suite!!! Awesome room!!! It has a separate master bedroom, full kitchen, huge bathroom with a two person whirlpool tub and a giant shower stall, and two balconies on either side!!! EPIC!!! Better than our home, but a bit smaller. If I win the lottery, I'm moving in there for a few weeks straight!!!

The second came back on the mainland. To avoid any vehicular mishaps, a la last time, I had a rental car reserved. Headed over to pick it up, and, surprise, no reservation!!! Furthermore, no, we don't even have any cars, so you're out of luck!!! This was in Long Beach, so I headed over to my parents house to use their computer and retrieve the reservation information. Half an hour on the phone with Hotwire (much of it on hold) and they finally connect me to Budget rental company: "Oh, I see you've got a reservation with us... yes, we have that and we have your car waiting for you..." Funny how now they do... Needless to say, I'm not much impressed by either of these companies. From this point on, I called ahead on every reservation to verify.

There's the minor outline of the island portion of our vacation, as well as the worser parts. Back on the mainland we hit several parks, but none of them for a full day. We did a night in Buena Park, with an afternoon and evening at Knott's Berry Farm, then the next morning Knott's Soak City water park. Down to Carlsbad (same resort as two years back) and a morning at the Lego water park (which you have to go through the Legoland park to get to) then left for lunch with the thought of returning to Legoland for the afternoon-evening. Both boys were tired out and stayed back, but mom and I had to return to retrieve our stuff from the locker, as well as go on the Dragon coaster and check out Miniland some. The next day we went to Legoland some more, then down to San Diego. We went to Boomers mini golf & fun zone that evening, where we rode the go-carts several times, did the batting cages, rode the world's weakest bumper boats (but with a cool built in water cannon) and played 18 holes. Our last full day we headed off to Sea World until around 2 or so. I know there's a lot more I could tell about, but we'll save that for another post!!!

Saturn Similitude

How's the newest member of the automotive family doing a couple months in, you ask??? Pretty good, still. Of course, there's been a few things. That's why a little follow-up post!!!

First thing that came up of note were the rear brakes. Bought a new set of shoes (they're cheap) & went to work. Come to find out, on the S series Saturns, the access hole on the backing plate lines up with... NOTHING!!! The side that was making the most noise took me HOURS of pounding & levering to remove the drum!!! If I had a clue to how bad it was inside, I may have been a little rougher with it. A new one was in order, and the wheel cylinder was leaking, too, so it started getting a bit more expensive. Finally finished the passenger side, and went to the other side. It went quicker, but the wheel cylinder was shot on that side, too. Took way longer and cost more than I'd wanted, but still a lot less than if I'd taken it to a shop.

Insult to injury, the hoses to the cylinders have a brass sealing washer. The one on the driver's side... didn't seal anymore. A week later I was out there again replacing that. It's all better now, but even though I've thoroughly bled the lines, there still feels like there's more pedal travel to it than on the coupe.

The other major thing was seen to just last weekend, for my wife's birthday. One of the initial questions I'd asked when I first contacted the previous owner was if the windows were tinted. They said no, but soon after getting the family truckster home I realized there indeed was some tint to the back half windows. The passenger rear door window had some interesting streaking on it, as though some solvent had gotten on the weather seal & melted the surface all along the area it rolls up and down. Also, in the bottom corner it was peeled away in a tiny little area. Just the TINIEST hint of color to the windows, and the film was so far to the edge of the windows I thought it was actually in the glass. The tint shop we took it to ended up not being able get it all off in the one day they'd thought they could, but they agreed to drive over for my wife on Monday once it was done, so that worked out. Had them do limo tint on the side windows and for a visor strip, and a shade lighter on the back hatch for easier night time viewing. Pretty good picture of my wife through the back window there!!! Fortunately my younger went with her to pick it up, because he noticed they hadn't done the visor tint. They took another 15 minutes to get that together. I think they should have knocked the price of it off and done it anyway. The pictures don't show it too well, I don't think, but I'm pleased with the results. Compare the side view with the Paint Shop job I did in the original post!!!

What else??? Things I like about the newer one:

The key doesn't have to be turned to run to roll the windows. The SC2 has that, and if you don't have your seat belt on, it does the ding ding. Irritating.

The daytime running lights don't come on until you put it in gear. The SC2 lights them when you release the parking brake.

The tint shop managed to knock off this little access panel below the hatch on the inside. It has three along the edge. Behind the panel is a nice thick steel tie down hook!!! Nice touch, my dad's Durango didn't even have that, he had to add in some eye bolts.

My wife drives her mostly around town, but even so she seems to get not as good mileage as the SC2.

Things yet to do:

I need to replace the lock switch on the driver's door. Interestingly, that was the first thing I had to replace on the SC2!!!

Duplicate the exhaust system I made for the SC2.

The actual throttle body goes straight down on the SW2, as opposed to horizontal on the SC2. I'll have to look, but I think I might be able to get the cowl scoop that Subaru has on their cars. I'll bet doing a straight shot instead of the twisty duct from the air cleaner back would do her a world of good. I've been thinking forever that I should shorten up that duct on the SC2 and flip the air cleaner box over, modifying it into a scoop.

The Broken Screen

When the main event of this post occurred, my youngest exclaimed, "I know you're going to use this on your blog!!!" With that kind of set up, guess I have to!!!

Pictured above is something I rigged up a while back. On my last recliner, the cat always loved to lay about on the foot rest portion. (As i searched for the post on the recliner, I realize I've not made mention of it's demise. It was an excellent chair, but unfortunately somehow the mechanism for the footrest broke, so it was permanently extended, making the sitting down and rising up difficult... but providing a ready resting spot for the feline!!!) Around my birthday of last year it was replaced by a smaller recliner, which fits the room nicely, but the footrest hits me mid-thigh, and it's vinyl skinned. But, it's in good shape and the recliner portion works well.

So, as the old one was on it's way out, I detached the footrest portion. Knowing that kitty was already accustomed to it, and knowing that one of his favorite places in the house is looking out of the window over the washer and dryer in the laundry room, I devised something I knew he'd like. I already had a couple of shelf brackets, but to span the distance I had to add a piece of wood under the footrest. All I had around was a 2x2, which I screwed to the bottom. Naturally, I had to mount the whole rig far enough out to clear the old school louver windows. He took to it right off!!! The first hiccup happened a couple days later. The shelf brackets are of stamped steel, and the 2x2 is on the very end. In other words, not near strong enough to support the mighty girth of wonder cat. It twisted around and probably dumped him off, or at least made him do the awkward struggle to maintain composure as it rotated around. I added in a couple aluminum brackets running up higher on the window frame, and it was back in service. As the weather warmed up, I finally got the chance to open up the window, affording him not only the view, but also the multitude of smells his kind so enjoys!!!

A couple weeks back, my wife, being the first one up, explains, "The screen is out!!!" There's another phrase that has taken on a whole new connotation!!! First thing I was wondering was if it was a computer screen, a TV screen or a phone screen!!! Of course, when I found out, I wasn't as concerned as I'd started. A little miffed that I was going to have to replace a screen, but that was about it. I mean, there wasn't any way our giant cat could get out between those little four inch slats... was there??? I did my morning routine, but I did notice that he wasn't around... so I told my wife to try and locate him. He eventually answered back... from directly below the window!!! Now his tuxedo markings are that of the Great Houdini!!! Oh, and the window is now closed.

Next up is some of the most intricate whiteboard art yet, the older's rendition of the Mobius Double Reacharound (Virus??? will putting virus references on my blog make it a restricted site???), another reference to Homestuck!!!

Found the original image. I know I had issue with it before, but now it looks like blogger posts GIFs without issue!!!

And finally, a little cup art. The only part I did was the 512. Below it is one of the new line stickers from work, which one of the girls did my nickname on. Now if you wondered, you have a clue to my real identity!!! Last week I'd worn my Karkat shirt, and ended up having to explain it several times. Did an image search for Karkat for one of the girls, and she says, "Awww, he's CUTE!!!" Haha!!! I was working with her again the next day, and she added in his shirt logo. I noticed shortly thereafter that it was actually a mirrored image. I theorized that it was because she's left-handed!!!

50 50 Finally!!!

Here it FINALLY is, the pics & my take on Slater's 50/50 Burger!!! The pictures were from just over a year back, which was the last time I was there. Stacked, I'd been to more recently, but it's closer (more on that later) and the wait is usually less.

First food shot is their vampire dip, which is amazing. Roasted garlic, cheese & artichoke dip! Served in a sourdough bread bowl with fried pita chips, cut & pasted from their website (the description, not the photo). Damn, now I want some!!! Probably shouldn't be doing a food post when I'm hungry!!!

Next shot is my first born's creation. Sloppy!!! Almost always translates to delicious, and this was no exception.

And there's the wife with the younger, and her creation.

It's been more than a year, so I don't remember most of it, but I think it was their featured Cinco de Mayo burger, I want to say with chorizo instead of bacon in the 50/50 blend, but don't quote me. Probably jalapenos and it sure looks like black bean and corn salsa.

There I am, with my creation. Don't know what all it had for sure, but I know this: bleu cheese, garlic aioli (which spell check doesn't seem to recognize,but suggests ravioli, which might be pretty good!!!), and grilled onions were in there!!!

Next shot reveals that dill pickle and tomato were also involved, which sounds like what I'd get!!! Probably more than that, in sauces, as baconnaise is also on the menu. In the background is the first born's again, and in the center was the subject of that particular shot, a little sample of their chili!!! It sounded too much to have on the burger with all the other deliciousness involved, but almost every time I go to a place with chili, I want to see how they've done. I think my consensus was fairly tasty but nothing that would put it over the top. In other words, nothing like mine or Tommy Burgers!!! Good of them to let me try a taste, tho!!!

Funny thing, though, for all the bacon included in the burger patty, I really don't taste it that much... kinda defeats the purpose!!!

And the younger, what does he get??? Grilled cheese!!! Not a bigly adventurous eater (although I'm pretty sure he had some vampire dip, and probably ate of the bread bowl containing it), but look at how he's attacking his food!!! Probably had more to do with the 45 minute drive to get there and the two hour wait once you're there!!! But hey, the burgers are made with 50% sirloin and 50% bacon!!!

So why now do I finally do a post on Slater's 50/50 Burger??? Because I recently found out about another build-a-burger spot nearby, The Counter. WAY closer to home for me than either 50/50 or Stacked, and when we made it there yesterday, there was no waiting for a table!!! Looking at 50/50's website so I could link to it in this post, however, and I see there's now another location, probably a mile closer than The Counter!!! Of course, it's in Old Town Pasadena, where it's going to cost you to park, and if it's like the other ones I've been to, there's the wait. Also, I think that The Counter ended up being just a tad less pricey than Stacked, and a fair amount less than 50/50. Probably the next time I visit The Counter I'll bring along my camera and feature it!!!

But, oh, that vampire dip!!!

A Little Random

Several things happen between posts. Here's a few!!!

My older boy had his birthday celebration. Once again, the torch has been passed, and he did his own cake. A bit thick on the lettering (he needs to do a smaller hole in the bag), but it was pretty decent.

If you don't know, it's the Black Star logo from Soul Eater.

On a slightly related topic, one of the guys at work was asking me if I was into Manga and Anime. I reply that my boys are, and he starts going on about Bleach and how he's recently gotten into it and how there's like 250 or more of them.

Also related: the boys think they should dress as the brothers from Full Metal Alchemist for Halloween this year. The size scale between them is about right. Geek it up to the max!!!

Something we got him, a pair of Fila Skele-toes. Yes, he only has four toes. Four per foot, that is, he isn't some kind of freak or anything. Well, not a four toed freak, anyway.

Took my younger boy to his first Dodger game today. It turned out to be a real good game, not a shame. They haven't been doing that great this season, but they pulled out a 5-3 win over the Cardinals. Good times!!!

This little doodle is from one of the guys at work. He did a similar one on one of my cover sheets with "EZ $" written next to him. "Easy money!!!" is one of those things I say when I get an easy batch at work (or a difficult one, in scarcasim).

SO, my younger boy had his turn to do some white board artwork. He had no idea what to do, so I showed him this one, and told him to do his rendition. Not bad, and he added a few personal touches!!!

That very day he was doing some Biology or Health homework. Beneath it he drew a pretty good rendition of the human eye!!!

Finally, a little scrap of paper that was in with some product at work. I though, when I first saw it, that it was a picture of a despondent robot!!! Don't know what it actually was, for all I know it might just have been!!!

Renaissance, Man!!!

Last weekend the boys and I did something I think about most every year, but until then never managed to do. We went to the Renaissance Pleasure Faire!!! It was a great time!!!

It gave us a chance to geek it up a little, too. I had a white shirt with a black and white pattern on either side of the opening that was plausible. The older broke out his ninja gauntlets and boots, tied bandannas around the ankles (they're kinda small now...) and found a black shirt with white on either side of the opening, kinda opposite to mine. The younger had the shoulder guard and cape from last year's Halloween, this time with a dark hoodie, that came out pretty good!!!

First place we saw right after entering was an eatery. However, they had a helmet on the table that the younger wanted to try on. Went pretty good with his outfit, actually!!!

Next place we stopped in at was a couple of brothers doing a juggling act!!! They were great, both at juggling and at the routine and theatrics!!! As witness to their juggling skills, the wooden battle ax wasn't part of their props, but something the kid in the front row was holding!!!

But THIS was one of the main attractions for the older boy!!!

Turkey leg!!! I bought myself a bratwurst with sauteed onions.

Down to the bone!!! Which he saved, originally thinking to give it to the neighbor's dog, but now he's thinking knife handle.

The younger had wanted to bring a bow and arrows... This worked out better, I think!!!

Aye, the only picture I got of myself!!!

Geese and goslings in the pond there. Another first, the grounds there I've been driving by for more than 20 years, probably, and this was the first time I've actually been in!!! I've got more pictures I may do as another post...

And there's the older, wearing the younger's shoulder guard & cape arrangement. Works nicely, huh???

The younger had to take it off, to go on the trampoline-bungee cord rig there!!!

Dr. Who reference FTW!!! There was a tad of that other places here and there, too. In fact, the older had been considering going as the Dr. to this event, too.

One of the other things we were impressed by was the falconry show.

Owls, hawks, and a peregrine falcon. The peregrine falcon went off on a little tangent a couple of times, going after other birds flying through the area!!!

The joust "to the death" was a great spectacle, too. Hint for photography, though, don't get a seat directly behind a pole!!!

After one was knocked from his steed, various other combat ensued. Not only implementing a bullwhip, but lighting it on fire!!! The first few cracks after dousing and igniting it produced impressive balls of fire!!!

What, exactly, are you proposing here???

Fairly late in the afternoon... he wasn't just putting it on, he was OUT!!!

Confused???

Steampunk goes just fine at the faire, too!!!

And one (well, two) last things as an attraction...

Pushed up,

pushed together,

and displayed nicely!!!