Month: March 2019

I am sitting at the table, it’s 645am, and the annoying black cat is “seated” in front of me on the table right where my breakfast should be. She is reaching out and butting me with her head while her tail is whipping around like a snake. Ever so slightly in my way. I would change chairs but she moves too. I think she likes the challenge. I need to wait till she gets bored and leaves.

I am headed to Dixon soon. I have two appointments this morning in town and don’t want to be late. I have a couple in the office right after as well. People are coming out of the woodwork. Like roaches.

Going to be a long day of work and nothing but work. Short blog kind of day. Work makes you dull. Maybe I should change careers. It works well for characters in TV shows, they just switch jobs and have instant success. Real life always works that way too.

Just for the sake of full disclosure, it’s Thursday at 7am now. It’s been 24 hours since last paragraph. Black cat just arrived at the table. She is consistent. And persistent. And, above all, annoying.

So yesterday I drove the race car to work. First stop was West Dixon at a retired veterinarian’s home to pick up hos tax info. He is 84 years old so I give him a little grace and pick up his stuff. We had a quick discussion of his records, got caught up with our lives and I was off to next appt.

Jayme is a hair stylist. She is a brand new client. I coached her son in little league over 20 years ago which is when I first met her. I don’t usually go to visit but it is a Dixon person, she is new, she cuts hair and with all that I know I gotta impress up front or the whole town will know in 5 minutes. That would do me no good. And, it’s nice to catch up on all that is going in her life, hear about the kids (daughter is an exotic dancer!) and the rest of the fam. That part is really awesome as well. Probably the best part.

I stopped at Jim’s shop next mostly just to say hi. I was in town, so I stop. I told him I would hate for home to hear I was in town and did not come by. And, I got to dump all my cardboard in his recycle bin. That was nice too. Jim is getting real close to retirement and moving to South Dakota. I don’t see how they will stand the cold ass winters having lived in California the last 60 years but not my issue. I will visit in summer and hunting season only.

Quick stop at the hardware store, get greeted by everyone. I do forget what that’s like, nowhere in Auburn am I as known as Dixon. That’s tough. Though I get to be anonymous again and that has its high points.

Off to work. Yay. The rest of the day, surprise, was head down working. What fun. I had to drink lots of coffee to keep moving. I am nodding off at work and driving. I am tired.

I worked till about 10pm. Early I think. Emily thinks that is late. Too much work to do. Had a couple appointments, a couple drop offs, calls, etc. the usual. Tiring and boring. Had one argument, I mean discussion, about a client invoice. One of those cultural things, his culture requires he challenge all prices. And my culture requires I tell him to pay the fucking bill and quit complaining. Dick.

Drive home was fun. The new car, still under a thousand miles, is a blast to drive. Especially when other drivers think they are super awesome and want to be stupid. I can show them up. That’s fun.

I had leftovers for dinner, Emily had not made new. No matter. Tandoori chicken and rice is good every day.

Off to bed, a little reading, and not enough sleep.

It’s Tuesday at 654 am and I just finished my breakfast. Got Emily out of here, 10 minutes late. That puts her in a mood. I am going to Sugar Bowl this morning for a little skiing. I need to see if the boots are still causing pain in the big toes. I may need a not so quick trip to Buck’s for an adjustment. Or new boots. That’s his call. For today, I hope the boots feel good.

I need to be out of here in 15 minutes. So off to the showers.

Ok. It’s almost 10. Pm. I was in a hurry and did not touch my blog. Sorry.

I discovered this morning that it takes just over an hour to get to Sugar Bowl Ski Resort from my front door. I am close. I can get up at 7 and still be there before the lifts open. Amazeballs. This morning I was in there parking lot at 830 and got front row princess parking. Turns out, there was no one there. Almost uninhabited. So arriving early May have been pointless.

It was a lovely bluebird day. Up until about one when it started to snow. I left for the office. I don’t have cables or chains for my car so I am not waiting for chain control.

The ride to Sac was about an hour and a half. Clear sailing. I had to stop for coffee. I was falling asleep at the wheel. Yikes. I pulled into work at half past 2. I had made an appointment with a client for 4pm while enroute to work.

Today I only worked till 7. It’s Taco Tuesday and Emily wanted me to stop and look (buy) at a couple benches for our porch. Which I did. I brought them home in spite of not really liking them.

We had a feast for dinner. Emily has never been the buyer of Tuesday dinner. She does not understand portion control. She got two burritos, each the size of a small dog and a half dozen tamales. Likely all leftovers will go in the freezer. They can sit next to the otherbtamales she has purchased before. We shared a burrito which we couldn’t finish. I am now so full I can’t eat any of the lemon bundt cake she made me. My stomach hurts.

I unpacked some boxes tonight. A stab at getting rid of our extra crap. And I am trying very hard to find a couple client folders that got packed up with the house.

I am going to bed in about five minutes. I am beat.

Not this one, of course. This one just sucked shit.

It’s now Sunday at 1125pm. Just for perspective.

Saturday up early. My car was in service so I decided to drive Marika’s to work. Hers is easy to find. It’s the filthy one parked by the trailer. Really filthy. On the inside. The recent tins have sorta cleaned outside. But it needs a drive. And it needs an oil change. And a detail. Today, she gets a drive. I left for work at 10am. I came home at 11. Pm. In between I worked. Like a dog. As usual, no reports for you on the work. It’s just continual to work, file after file, with the monotony broken by an occasional call or text. It’s like base jumping. Without the pure thrill. And no excitement.

I did get a call from service. Maintenance cost me $300. But I had some other issues. Like a broken door lock assembly. That part comes in this week sometime. $521. Yikes. But I like my door to latch well and properly. So I’m fixing it. And the mystery noise (a screech) when I cold start? That would be a $692 starter. I will wait on that one. If it’s gonna break, it’s gonna break. Could be next year.

Good times.

Sunday was better. We got up early after having set our clocks forward last night. I hate that. I needed a ride to get my car from service. Also, I invited my lovely wife out for breakfast. We are making our way through the local eateries. Breakfast was very good. Loved it. $30 to two does seem pricey. Service and food very good.

Then it happened. I went to work. See Saturday above for what happened because it happened again. Don’t worry, I brought broken toothpicks to prop my eyes open. And I had a lot of coffee.

Back hone at 11pm. Emiky ate the steak she said I could have. Nice. There is nothing much you can make, or want to make, at 1115 pm. I opened a can of beanie weenies. I love those. And I had another hot dog to add in. Good stuff.

Going to bed.

It’s 7am Friday morning. I am tired. I went to bed at midnight same as last several days. Good news, tomorrow is Saturday and Emily does not get up. So I get to sleep in. I can hardly wait. These 18 hour days are murder on my delicate constitution.

Not much going these past two days. Usual workdays that don’t seem to end. A supply of tax returns to prepare that will not end. People calling and wanting things from me. Now. I am living the life.

Tonight I am leaving work by 6. Since it is Friday, Emily and I are going out to dinner. In Meadow Vista of all places. Hal recommended a place there and I found it is so popular you need an advance reservation of at least a week. That bodes well. Also means I get even more sleep because I will be in bed early. Everything just keeps getting better. Except I have to work all day today before I collect my reward.

It’s time to get ready. I am just sitting and vegetating, which helps my brain work. I am too tired.

Just for the sake of fairness, it’s now Saturday morning. I was too tired/distracted/busy to finish up my post yesterday. No worry. My stellar memory can remember all the way back to yesterday. If I forget anything I can just make it up out of whole cloth.

I can’t say much about my drive. It was the usual, uneventful series of turns and brakes and stops. You have been there. I did stop for a large coffee, I can’t get enough.

Work. Nothing special. I had a few appointments, none too exciting. All pleasant people. That’s nice. I hate the ones who are “going thru” something when they visit. I always feel like I have done something wrong and no matter what I will never be able to fix it. Taxes are an emotional experience for many people.

Managed to get to the bank. Finally. I work like hell all day, get taxes done, get paid, and never get to the bank. I have no time to do anything with the money anyway.

We have been in crisis mode here at the office since yesterday. The most important thing in the entire place has been offline. Our copier has no toner. The machine shuts down when it runs out. I know, you people think, hit Amazon or Staples or something. Wrong. This is an industrial size model and you have to find a special place to get it. My maintenance guy (the women here call him Frosty) is supposed to supply toner with my plan. He is a lame ass, though inexpensive, repair guy. And he is always “I just ordered that” or “it’s on the way”. Well, I can’t make money without the copier. So those excuses don’t work.

I had to spend some time online finding a vendor. The item itself is not an advertised part. Hence the time spent. I did find a wholesaler, yesterday, who would sell to me. I had to submit a credit application (I’m paying cash!!?) wait for approval, submit payment info by email and wait for approval, then they send address if warehouse where they have instructions to give us one. No, I am not purchasing heroin. We did all that. Copier up. Back in business, baby!!

Frosty is getting backcharged.

Well, by 545 I was ready to head uphill. I have a self imposed leave by 6 deadline. So, heading to door and in walks a client. She says we had an appointment. I have no memory and no written info. But, she is here from Roseville which is a long drive and I want to move work. So we sat and whooped through her crap. Turns out, she sold her rental and did not bring the required docs to report that. So I gave her the (friendly) bum’s rush and I left. By 620. Only a little late.

Pedal to the metal, head for Auburn. I need to go straight to Honda and drop off my car for service and repair in the am. Emily is picking me up from there to head to Meadow Vista. I arrived just before seven and they were shutting down service, turning off the lights. I was just in time for a live drop off. The sales dept was still open so I hung there and waited for Emily. I have to tell you, they had a ‘97 Prelude in red on the showroom floor! That is crazy. Though I wanted a test drive. And still do.

Emily was here kinda fast. Kinda. We drove off to the Tin Lantern. It’s only a 15 min drive. We got there by 725 and got the last parking space. Place is busy. So, we walk in, bar is right next to the door. And two people who had just eaten at the bar were leaving. So we took their chairs. I love it when things work out.

Hal, who recommended this place, had also recommended the cocktails. So we both ordered the house special old fashioned. Only $7.50. Nice. We met some nice people at the bar, a 1st grade teacher, her friend, the friendly bartenders. There is a real homey atmosphere at the bar. Like cheers. Nice people, in various states of drunkenness, enjoying the last work day of the week. I had a second drink, with a better flavor whisky in it. A great improvement.

Dinner res for 8. Our table was ready. The menu was a real mix. The prices, low. I ended up getting the filet, $25, highest price on the entrees. We had a great meal. Awesome. The wine was cheap too. Don’t get the wrong idea, I am not all about price. But this place is cheap and good. It’s a W.

Good thing, Emily was driving, cause I am not in the condition I should be to drive. I am def not legal level.

Got home and really just brushed my teeth and passed out. In bed. Yes drunk, but tired too. That’s my story at least.

Today is Tuesday. Taco Tuesday though I had Chile verde for dinner. Yesterday I did not post. Let me fill you in on Monday. Up at 530. Did the usual. Went to work around 745. Got coffee on the way. Got to the office. Worked till 1030 pm. Went home. Ate dinner. Bed. I am thrilled too.

Today was better. Same as every other morning till Emily left at 625. Ate breakfast. Then I had a few calls.

I had neglected to cancel my phone and internet at the old address. I called. After five minutes of automated voice and fake typing sounds I was put on hold. Twenty minutes later I hung up. Tired of the hold. I called back and of course got the automated ATT idiot. He put me into tech support. I guess the automated guy can’t hear too well. He translated disconnect as tech support. But, I got a live person immediately. She was dumbfounded that I was talking to her. But she got me to customer retention very quickly. And I told the new gal what I had been through. She was so sorry. Sure. But she did process the order very fast.

I called Home Depot about our washer/dryer order. The very rude operator just kept saying the delivery was rescheduled and did not care that she was wrong. I decided to just go into the store where I could grab someone if needed.

I cancelled the next utilities online. That worked well.

I know I called one more place, I love talking to customer service pros, but can’t remember who.

Next a quick shower and I’m off to town. Stopped at grocers for a few items. And a cup of coffee. Then to Home Depot. I cornered the woman, Julia, in appliances. I asked her if she had time for a chat. She had & hours. Perfect. I related my tale of woe. Three calls over the last few days. Three different delivery dates. No call from anyone for delivery. Very rude lady that morning. So Julia went on her computer and verified my story. Finally I have a friend. She gave me a $50 credit. She called the manufacturer and the delivery co. The mfr’r gave me an “inconvenience allowance” which is nice.

I feel much better and am beginning to believe I may get the stuff delivered soon. Julia is confident as well. I drove to work.

Ok, here it is, I worked all day doing taxes. I had only one appointment at 5. That’s it. Emily was complaining last night that I never come home. So tonight I am leaving by 7. We can have dinner together.

I was home by 8. Emily called so I could pick up baking soda. She is making banana bread.

We had our carnits and Chile verde, together, at the table. Emiky was pleased.

After dinner we watched the Bachelor. Had to, we only get one station. I stopped paying attention about two minutes in. I hate that crap.

Now, bedtime. I am exhausted. It’s probably all the blogging. Off to bed

It’s Sunday night at a quarter to midnight, I just got home, and I’m eating my dinner. Taco soup if you are interested. Actually, taco soup if you’re not.

Emily made dinner tonight even though I was at work the last twelve hours. Work was a blast, not. I did have one client visit. I finished his return just before I left. Two returns. He has a Corp.

That, my friends, is the exciting part of the day. I visited with a client. The rest of my Sunday, and Saturday was head down working. That’s so difficult to write about. Only because I don’t want to relive it.

So that’s all I got folks. And I’m soulful now. So off to bed. As they say in the salon, tomorrow I will again wash rinse and repeat.

I got up at 430 this morning. Not on purpose. Emily has Breakfast With Books this am and I threw in to help. Which is why I am awake so early. Not much earlier than usual but it sounds early when I say it.

Well, besides helping Emily out and doing the usual morning chores, I did nothing out of the ordinary. I went to work and worked till almost seven. While at work I made dinner reservations for tonight in Auburn. And, next friday night at a place in Meadow Vista. I wanted to go there tonight but the place is reserved a few days out. So next Friday it is.

My workday was not exciting. It was the usual. I had appointments and in between those I prepared tax returns. It’s truly electric.

So I left before seven and raced up the hill. Want to be on time. I got home by 735 which is plenty of time to get to the restaurant by 8. Except Emily has no concept of on time and dragged her ass all over the house.

So, we were 13 minutes late and we lost our reserved table. The place was full, too. As penance they made us sit and wait for a table. We didn’t wait long, five minutes tops. Even got a booth.

This is a well thought of place. It certainly looks good. But, my old fashioned was only good. I ordered a different drink for number two and I sent that back. Third drink was ok but not great. Food was excellent. But I want great cocktails too. At least I was really wasted on the two mostly because I am so damn tired.

Nothing else to report. Got home and to off to bed.

I am really hating this blog software. It just erased my entry. I really hate it.

I skipped yesterday’s blog post because nothing happened. I just worked all day and night. I did have to go to the nearest branch of the bank that financed my new car. Only an hour twenty drive. Why? I had a payment due, first one, and they had sent incomplete info. Which I can not submit online. The branch I chose is closest to home. Lovely. Balance of Wednesday till past midnight was work. Nothing else, just taxes.

Thursday was the same. Though I stopped at the pet store for a pooper scooper on my way out of town.

That was followed by 14 hours of taxes. And a quick trip to the bank.

Not much else to report. Emily leaves me a meal so I can eat at midnight.

So it’s very late. Bedtime.