Month: June 2019

I am shortening up my work Friday. Plan on leaving work early, by 2 if possible. The three of us are going to Visalia to visit Dad. We are leaving when I get home from work so my exciting Friday night will be spent on Hwy 99 south. About 4 hours worth.

This morning was quick. Shower. Made coffee. Ate and left. Not bad. Always faster when I hurry. Go figure.

Work was very quick. I answered emails, processed my payroll, handled a few things that came up. And then I left. Headed home for the day.

Everyone was ready to leave when I got home. Except they were not packed and sitting around watching TV. That kind of ready. So I had the pleasure of waiting for them to get ready. I had packed last night. Not sure why I thought being ready was necessary. Obvs the ladies did not think it necessary. Prob not necessary, but too many years of packing for work makes me do it a day in advance. Go to sleep ready.

Well, I think everyone knows how I feel about my daily drive. Boring. This is a level of four daily drives. 4x boring. The drive was long and tedious. There was nothing going on. The only excitement was a stop for gas, water and food. And that was as expected.

So on we drove, and, for the millionth time, Emily said this was her least favorite drive in the world. Mine too. Everyone hates 99 through the Central Valley of California. Because it’s awful, hot, smelly and dull. I’m not overselling it I hope.

Arrived in Visalia around 9. Mimi, dads care giver, provided Chile Colorado with all the fixings. Very nice. We went to bed just after dinner.

Good question. Which is a bad answer.

I worked out this morning. Good news, last day till Monday. A 3 day no work out weekend. It’s like a holiday every weekend. Sort of. Except I have to go to work.

I had a few errands on the way to work. Got a screw loose in the back door, no, the actual back door. Don’t go there. I stopped at the hardware store for that. And, I needed coffee. Stopped for a quad iced americano. Not from Starbucks. I use the local guy. Next up, a different hardware store. I need some fittings I saw there on Sunday and did not think I needed. Wrong.

All set and off to work. Managed to get there early. 1130. It is before lunch and still the morning. So, early.

What’s up at work? Nothing.

I spoke to a few people on the phone. Answered emails. Too many. Spent an hour on the phone with my consultant. Cleaned my desk. That’s scary and very time consuming. I have an appointment tomorrow, new client, so best to pretend my desk is always clean. Fake em out up front. I like new business so I present a false image. Don’t want them to know the truth till they pay me. Then I can relax. That’s tomorrow.

End of day. Nothing doin. Went home. No stops, no traffic, quick. Hardly enough time to drink the rest of my daily half gallon of water. A chore I save for my drive. Just a convenient time.

Home. Lots to do. It’s garbage night and I helped get that finished. Then walk the can down the hill a hundred yards to the pick up spot. The garbage truck has been tearing into the asphalt at the top so we have banned them to far away where he can’t fuck things up. Nuff said.

Dinner was 99% done when I walked inside. Hurray for me. I’m the winner. With the two home, Em and Marika, dinner gets done. Marika even made Aperol Spritzes too. It’s a good evening. Pork Loin with broiled veggies.

I did wash the dishes. I’m a giver.

Now, you know it, bad TV. Then bed. First, chocolate cake.

I am sitting in the waiting room for a dentist appointment. Actually, I just had my second appointment this week. Now I am waiting for Marika and her second of the week. I know a dentist appointment is not too exciting but mine requires a little background for those with short term memory problems.

My dentist, Ted Ramirez, passed away last summer while we were traveling in Europe. They are not related events. I met Ted in 1984 in Davis. I was a bartender and he a customer. I had a dentist already, and Ted was in far off Dixon anyway. Fast forward to 1990, I moved to Dixon with my lovely bride and one of the first things we did was call Ted’s office. He had been our dentist for 28 years. The only dentist either kid ever had. Long time. I still miss him.

Present day. His office reopened with two new dentists. New dentist, new point of view. Ted would never do anything to my teeth unless it was essential. He watched cavities for years before doing anything. He had that if it ain’t broke attitude. In the long run cheaper too. The new dentist, oh no, seems they want to do all work now and get paid. I miss Ted. I just got two fillings which requires shots and a drill and I hate it. Yes once replaced a filling I got when I was 14. I believe around 1990. He was just conservative. And I liked that. I miss Ted. I miss home with every visit to these new guys. Times change but good people don’t.

This morning, for those of you keeping score, I worked out. It was tough. I am never sure how tough until next day but I could tell it was a hard workout.

Had to be home by 9 so I skipped my warm down. Emily, I thought, had gone to yoga. And, the furniture repair guy was coming over to look at the couch. Finally. Once he sends in pictures to Lexington, and they ok, he comes back and does the work on site. No waiting. Except I do wait for the process to play out.

No huge surprise. Sand the rough finish and re apply top coat. There is a spot that requires some iron in resin and color. Then, voila, new couch. I can hardly wait.

Off to work. I do have things to do and am meeting Marika at the office, she was overnighting in Sac, to go to the dentist. She has the same need for fillings only far more extensive. I miss Ted. Marika was in the office when I got there, working on her resume.

I did finish a few tasks before we left at 125. Drive at top speed to Dixon, and went totally dental.

It’s now about 335 and she is still not done. I get the feeling we are gonna go back to the office, get her car, and go home. No more work. Driving back across the causeway at this time of day is quite daunting. And real damn slow. I would say we’ll see but it’s gonna be a lousy drive.

I hate being correct sometimes. It took forever to get back to the office. 445. Marika left. I went inside before Cara left because my keys were in their. I forgot them when I left for the dentist. So it is kinda late, not much I can accomplish. Considering that, I finished a few things and left at 530. We are heading to Wiener Wednesday in Old Town. It’s at a local fancy restaurant. Tonight they serve discount Chicago Dogs in the bar. Which is lucky cuz that’s where we sit. It is a wine place but they do serve alcohol. Which is what I had. As did the ladies. We are consistent on that front.

We did enjoy ourselves, nothing quite like hot dogs and liquor. There were quite a few diners. Most, it appeared, were there for the fancy food and not the wieners. Their loss.

After dinner we raced home. By races I mean Emily in her car and me in the S2000. I did not realize we were racing till a mile down the road. I was rushing home so Marika could poop. So I hurried. And Emily raced. So I started racing too. And we raced through town. Traffic was heavy the whole way. In the end, no one won.

At home, we had cake. The bundt cake I made yesterday. It was good but I know, 40 years since I last made it, I can’t remember the recipe. So the glaze was wrong. Still tastes good but I’m a perfectionist. I want the cake I used to make as a kid. Next one I guess.

Now, bad TV time. Emily loves TV and one of her faves is on, Amazing Race. I could do without it. Like go to bed without her. Yes, I did.

Again, it’s still Tuesday. Like it was yesterday. Good news, I can probably remember what I did today.

First thing, I went to work out. Not going to meet with the trainer today, just a regular workout alone. Well, I forgot my phone and all my workouts are stored in my phone. What to do? Asked the trainer if he had a handy workout printed. He decided to invite me to workout with another person and him. So I got a guided workout done. Sweet.

Back to home. Emily and Marika are both at home. They don’t usually get moving to quick. Emily is up at a reasonable hour, Marika not till past noon most often. Must be nice.

I went to work. Work was the usual. But, I was too busy to notice. I had a lot to do. Which is strange of late. Been pretty boring last couple of weeks. Today, almost exciting by comparison. Had a few visitors, many calls, feels like old times. Only one check in the mail which makes it less happy.

I did leave early, had to go to the bank and get cash for the concrete guy. He is supposed to finish on Friday. I hope. Gotta get the concrete ready for the buildings which should be going up next week. I hope.

Next up trying to get the special Rx food for the dog. This chore has turned into a pain. The. Pet store we used in Vacaville was super convenient. Now, it’s an hour round trip from Auburn to the pet store and back. Not easy. I went to the closest place to my office, only 15 minutes in the wrong direction from home. Great.

Off to home. Tonight I am in charge of Taco Tuesday. I stopped at a local place that has a poor rep on Yelp. Food was good. And really, really expensive. Maybe that’s the Yelp review I should write. I did enjoy dinner. Emily forced me to make Margaritas for us all too. She’s a meanie.

After dinner, what do you think? You are right, bad TV.

Took a break to put chocolate glaze on the cake I made.

Then off to bed. Favorite part of the day.

It’s Tuesday evening. I can’t remember my entire Monday. Would be a waste of headspace, I think.

I know Monday started as usual. I went to work out. Very exciting. Wore me out. I remember that much.

I went home. Cleaned up and drive to work. Ok. That’s all a definite. I did spend the day at work doing work things like ignoring the phone and staring into space. Love it.

Tonight we are hosting Leahness, her husband Trevor and toddler, Amelia. Leah is a friend since birth of Marika. We have known Leah’s parents since before Leah was born. We’re tight.

Good news. Trevor is a chef and he is making dinner for us tonight. When is the last time that happened to you? First time for us to have a dinner guest make dinner for us. Very nice. All I made was cocktails.

Very pleasant evening. Fun had by all. Time for bed.

It’s Sunday, the last or first day of the week. Today I am going with last. As I lay here in bed, I am hoping I won’t be cleaning or doing other chores all damn day. But I can feel a day of work in front of me. Sunday should be a day of rest. For us, not just god. Am I right? Of course I am.

I did manage to sleep in a little more today. Not much. But I like it. Just a little more.

Instead of taking a shower, I am going to clean the cars. Since I will obvs get filthy cleaning cars it seems pointless to take a shower till after. Of course, coffee first and a Sunday paper. Which finally showed up after many calls and emails. I did not get Friday or Saturdays paper. My delivery sucks. Of newspapers.

Emily is going to be cleaning the house and mopping all floors. That is a fantastic time to be busy outside and not be around her. Two things, one she is always in a foul and angry mood while cleaning. Two, trying to help her really does not help her because no one on the face of the planet cleans as well as her. At least I discern that from her comments over the past few years. Negative comments, about my house cleaning abilities. Or lack thereof. I think I do fine. She doesn’t. So I am outside cleaning cars. Including hers. Win win.

Today the cleaning is a new thing. Yesterday, I went to the gas station for a fill up. Which is not related but there was a product demo at the station for compressed cans of cleaning wax for cars. No water required. Spray on, rub in, wipe off. And it looks clean. I bought two cases. And some interior cleaner and tire shine too.

So at home. The cars must be inside the garage and out of the sun to use the wax/cleaner. Just like waxing a car. What’s the new stuff like? Well, the cars are dirty. I get the feeling it will be much easier the next time I use it and the dirt level is not so high. This time, lots of elbow grease required. A lot. It’s a workout. The outcome? The three cars took four hours to clean and wax (one does it all) and they look great. Clean and shiny. I am brilliant.

After all three it’s shower time. I went in and Emily was just finishing and heading to the shower. As was Marika. I pulled shower #2. Marika used the other shower so I still had to squeege the shower. I hate squeegeeing.

Had something to eat. Then, off for a little shopping. Needed a hose and some drip line. Not much. Didn’t take too long, maybe an hour. Had to, Emily said, go to Roseville. Not so sure.

I drove the race car, just to show off all the shine I just put on it. The wheels were especially beautiful. Emily noticed people checking it out. Always a bonus. I love the response. It’s like people staring at your wife cuz she is hot. Never gets old.

We did have to stop to pick up a milkshake for my bride. I got nothing. I’m driving the cool car and don’t want to be in charge of a messy drink while driving.

In Roseville, we visited two stores, close to each other. Got our crap and headed home. Not a difficult or extensive search.

Home. I hooked up the hose and started the drip on the tree. Then switched to dinner. I had defrosted a pork tenderloin and put it in a marinade. I have at least 90 minutes to soak it before it hits the grill. Emily and Marika are in charge of the side dishes. I made cocktails. It’s what I do. Raw meat and strong drink. It’s an avocation.

So I just sat and drank my Margarita. Extra strong. Watched some TV and let the meat marinate. I am tired from all the car cleaning. I think it may be more work using a can and no water. There is a tremendous amount of rubbing. Nonnapping though, bad TV keeps me awake.

I started the BBQ at about 715, it will be ready in 10 mins. Sat down again, to relax, I need it.

We got the dinner together and prepared by 8. Eating took only 15 minute. We are that good at it.

We hit the hay not long after. No point in more bad TV. Time for sleep, I hope.

In blog terms, I have posted thru Friday and am now working on current memory of yesterday, Saturday. I feel close to caught up. I feel good. Not James Brown good, but good.

Saturday is the day to sleep in. Did what I could on that front. It’s difficult to say you are sleeping in when you roll around in the middle of the night for a couple hours not sleeping. Finally, fall asleep, and you need extra hours. So, I slept in like that.

Chores today. Of course, it’s Saturday. Clean the house, mop floors, change linens, do laundry, wash cars. And by do chores, I mean start all these chores and finish on Sunday. For instance, I have some new waterless car wash/wax and I am using it on the cars for the first time. So it’s taking longer. I finished one car and started on another. I did start the process very late in the day, around 5, so by 640 it was past the cocktail hour and I gave up. Still have Sunday. Also, on laundry, if you have ever done it, requires a broad swath of the day for all items and the full cycle will take 2 hours per load. That’s a two day job. And floors? Actually only vacuumed the floors. Entire house is tile. So mop today. See. Saturday is for chores and Sunday for finishing chores. Wow, I just have a rundown on my entire day off. Don’t be jealous, it’s not as much fun as it sounds.

I did have a huge errand to run in the middle of the day, 11 to 2. We bought new furniture back a few months, ordered it, 10 weeks for build and deliver. There was damage to the couch, noted upon arrival, and to one drawer in the chest of drawers. Well, the furniture store could not be more helpful. This week drawers (2) arrived to replace my broken one. I drove to Woodland, hour each way, to get them. They loaded the two boxes in my car and gave back the damaged one as well. All is good, yes? No. Should have opened the boxes. Color was off. Drawer front placement on the drawer box was off by enough to be wrong. I contacted the store. They are sorry. Really not their fault, it’s Hooker Furniture that screwed it up. Both times.

On the drive back, which goes through Sacramento, I received a very timely call. Sharif Jewelers, who had my watch in for maintenance, had it ready to go. Btw, Sharif never has customer service issues. I made a small detour and picked up the watch. This is a big deal for me. I wear the watch every day. Every day since my parents have it to me in 1986. I don’t feel right without it. Maintenance on a Rolex means 5 to 6 weeks. Used to be they sent them to Switzerland for work. Now, certified jewelers in US can do the work. Simply put, I was thrilled to finally get my watch back.

To home. Got there and dove into the daily chores. The aforementioned ones. Also, this is when I pulled out the new drawers and took some time to try and make them work till I discovered they were just plain wrong.

As I mentioned above, after these chores I moved on to cars. And cleaning. Waxing. Etc.

Emily was sacked out and snoring in front of the TV when I came in at 640. What to do? I made Mai Tais. Cures fatigue. Sure. I then out together an awesome charcuterie plate, put it on the coffee table and said “dinner”. She was ok with that. Me too. Then it was all alcohol, cured meats and rich cheese. Crunchies. We watched Bad TV (any other kind) for the remainder of the evening. Marika went to a friends house in West Sacramento for her evening. All is fine.

When we finally both decided we would rather sleep in bed than in the front room, we got up and did so.

Though I don’t feel bad. Seems I have not blogged about things since Monday and it’s Saturday night. I’m lame.

Let’s move through my week. At least the week I can remember.

Tuesday I went to my regular workout. First in 12 days. Been on vacay. I can’t say it wore me out but it was work. I felt I had never left, never missed a day. Planning on working out every day through Friday.

Home to shower. No surprise there. Marika and Emily are both home. Doesn’t matter. I got cleaned up and dressed and went to work. Drove the Fit, it’s full of boxes for my work can.

Work. You know how I feel about work. It’s so fun only not, and boring. But I go every day in spite of that. I’m an idiot. Put in a full day and went home. Which is a fun place and not boring. The rest of Tuesday? I can’t remember. It’s Saturday now.

Wednesday. Workout. Again. No surprise there.

Went to work after. Emily, who has been ill since we left for NO last week, finally went to the doctor. She has a sinus infection. She should have gone for meds last week when I suggested it. But she doesn’t listen to me. That’s no surprise.

Went home a little early. Tonight we are taking Randy, our houseguest, our to dinner. He has finished his rotation in Grass Valley, already has a real job back home, and is leaving Auburn tomorrow.

Good enough. We went to Carpe Vino, in Old Town. We brought our own champagne and an extra bottle of red. Had a wonderful dinner. There are five of us because Marikas friend Taylar is visiting. It’s a full house. We went thru a little bit of everything, all courses. Great meal.

What else happened today? Couldn’t tell you. It’s Saturday and that’s just too long.

Thursday. Usual morning workout. And went to work. While at work the concrete fairies showed up and dug out the foundations for garage and shop. Very exciting. I need to schedule the building install too. Won’t be long now.

Went to work, usual day. Slow and boring.

Home at usual time. Tonight, a couple of Marika’s friends are coming by for cocktails. Just hanging out. Seems they want me to hang out with them and make the drinks. I need more friends my child’s age. Sure.

We had a great time. I made a few drinks for all. Emily has gone to bed already, guess they did not want to hang with her. I like her, I hang with her. I did not stay up as late as the kids. I got work. And I’m old. I went to bed by 1030.

Friday. Work day for all. My trainer cancelled the workout. So up as usual. Concrete guys here already. Love it. My landscaper came today as well. He is finishing the property clean out he started a couple weeks ago. We are slowly advancing our property into ship shape.

I left all these people, and went to work. Work was the usual. I did get to go to the bank, that’s fun. Not much else of note.

I left late, due to some late crap coming along. Which is a pain. Emily has taken all day to clean out her classroom. She had thought it would take two hours. Off by a factor of four.

She ended up getting home after all of us. Ended up being so late we decided to dump our plans for dinner at home and go out.

Headed to old town. Italian seemed a good choice. Guess what, we walk up the the restaurant and pg & e is there. And the lights are out and no one is home. I think no Italian. What’s close to Italian? Indian! We strolled 100 yards up the hill to the Indian place. Great food. No alcohol. Too bad. We did have a fine meal.

Home and off to bed. Funny how we go to bed early when we are sleeping in the next day. I don’t understand.

We had plans for today. A few things before we fly out at 742pm.

Well, things changed. Mostly because my daughter woke up with a fine hangover. And, like her mother, it was the end of the world.

She got the waste can from the bathroom and took it to bed so she could puke in comfort. I guess. I felt ok. I ate. I drank coffee. I was dressed and ready to go. Marika was in bed a couple hours more.

Finally she went vertical and took a shower. Got dressed. Mood and health did not improve.

We finally went out to lunch, it was late. We went to a place we had been before, NOLA Poboys. And I got a quintessential NO item, Crawfish Pie. And it was really good. Marika has water. Water is good for hangovers.

After our fine last supper, Marika wanted to go back to the hotel. She is very sick to her stomach. We went back, and since we have no room, she and I went to the pool and she fell asleep on one of the covered chaises. For about two hours. At which point the heavens opened up and the rain really came down. We ran inside.

It was close enough to 4 I figured and we called Lyft. And within five minutes we were headed to the airport. We have flights on United to Sacramento via Houston.

We have super econo fares so we are not allowed to carry on much. United required us to check most of our carry ons at $30 each bag. So much for a low fare. They suck.

And better yet, you only get middle seats in the back of the plane. And you can’t sit together. Lovely. I just know these flights will suck.

Other than sitting in the middle seat, very uncomfortably, the flight had nothing remarkable. Took forever. Very boring. I read a book the entire time.

We arrived in Sacramento after midnight, had to wait twenty for our bags, and we met Emily at the curb. And off to Auburn. And immediately to bed. We were whipped.

Every year I get a day. This is it. Marika has said nothing. Emily just hung up on me because she feels ignored. No other calls or texts. Happy Fathers Day to me.

We ate in the room this morning. We are on a vacation diet you know. We have a visit to the Cabildo and Presbytere in Jackson Square this am. Both have been turned into LA State Museums. Jackson Square has a monument to the hero of the War of 1812, Andrew Jackson. Seems a central point in the French Quarter. I have been through here every day at least once.

The first museum deals with birth of the city to current. History. The usual. Fun to find out how everything got there. Haphazardly it appears. With plenty of violence and death. Ahhh, history.

The next building, the Presbytere is all Mardi Gras and hurricane Katrina. I guess they ran out of other history. You can see both for about $12 a person. I would say a $7 value. At least to me.

After the museum culture we wandered and decided to find a cocktail. That turned into a trek. Where we were, Royal St, had no bars for several blocks. We started criss crossing. Found a nice gay bar, Lafitte in Exile. No thanks. All the stools were upside down. We wandered more and finally found a bar advertising drinks to go. My speed. I want to go. Marika bought me a drink for Father’s Day.

Next up, Clover Grill which self advertises “worlds best” hamburgers. Took our drinks in and decided to split a burger.. Very good but hardly top o the world. Sorry. Nice people. And they have pie. I like pie. We are post meal sitting here and enjoying the half drunk digest red meat feeling. Always good.

We wandered out. Walked. Stopped in a leather goods store where I purchased four insulting coasters, leather, for my home bar. The store owner, Jimmy, also gave us a few pointers and suggestions. Oh, the coasters never got home. They disappeared out of my luggage in transit. God love the TSA. Can’t keep anything safe.

Ok. Quick trip back to the hotel. Clean, comfortable restrooms. And a quick nap. We are about to go out again. I have a feeling tonight will be legend…wait for it…dary. Or close. We gonna try the Port of Call burger (Jimmys suggestion) and a monsoon (sweet and too much liquor). Then Preservation Hall Jazz. Then who knows. It’s how legends are written. Of course, legends need money so first stop is an ATM.

Up from nap promptly at whenever. We decided to go to the early show at Preservation Hall. That’s a 5 o’clock. Which means you need to get in line by 430, first come first served. We got there and the line was not doable. There is a show at 6. And Pat O’Brien’s Bar is next door. So we got in line by going to Pat O’Briens and having cocktails. We got back in line around 530. This time very near the front. I think it’s the cocktails that did it.

The show was fun. Small room, holds 50 people and the band. The crowd is just a couple of feet in front of the band. I think intimate would be a fine description. They played a couple of their choice and then told the audience to give requests and money to hear what they wanted. I don’t go for shakedowns and I already paid $20. All in all about 8 songs in a 45 minute set. And I can check it off the list.

We again wandered a bit after the show. We are good at it. Finally, decided to go to The aforementioned Port of Call for dinner and drinks. Long walk, about 8 blocks, but we are superhuman, which is because we have been drinking all day. Every day.

Walk was good for us. Still light out and went through areas we had no seen before. Not much different than any other neighborhoods, but new to us. About a 15 minute walk.

Port of call was not overly impressive from the outside, but the area is nice. Inside the place, it was packed. The bar is right inside the front door and two people were leaving and we grabbed their stools. It’s first come first served at the bar and we probably jumped in front but too bad. How it works. The bartender stepped up quick and we had our order in immediately. Burger fries 2 Monsoons. Love it when the planets align.

As a rule, I prefer to eat at the bar if I can. Service is better. I have someone else to talk to, the bartender, folks sitting next to me. It’s a better situation. You can watch a lot going on too behind the bar, which can be entertaining. All positive. Most of the time at least.

The burger was fantastic. Much better than the “worlds best” I had earlier in the day. Very enjoyable. The drink was sweet and strong and ok I guess. Neither of us was able to finish out drink. We took them with us and dumped them. Marika wanted the cups and they were to go. I should mention, this meal was the cheapest one so far, it felt like not paying at all.

We finished up and started the wander again. Ended up on the far end of Bourbon St. there is a bourbon bar there and we have it a shot. We hardly need more booze, both of us have been drinking all day and are drunk. But the bourbon called our names. We decided old fashions were appropriate and a couple shots of some other bourbon they had on the shelf. They had over a thousand different bottles. Had a nice discussion about bourbon with the bartender. He had far to much information.

By now we were drunk. No lying about it. It was late. We headed to the hotel, and, strangely, passed out. Tough day.