Month: November 2019

Woke up in a strange place. A queen size bed, sure, wife and dog, yes, but it’s the Lamp Liter Inn Visalia, circa 2019. I last stayed here in 1972. So weird. Hotel is now a tired 70’s place, once renovated. It is cheap.

We got ready. I took the dog out to crap. Always fun in a hotel.

We went to Starbucks on the way to Dads. Had to since we received a five drink order from my sis on the way there. That was fun. The Starbucks was actually quite nice and efficient. And all worked out well. Surprises me.

Today is (fake) Thanksgiving. Here at our house we are standing around chatting. Vincent made breakfast, an egg dish of some sort. Some champagne. Nice morning. Then work starts. I had to go to the store for a couple pies since I am only making one, a lemon meringue. It was a real pain. I did not know that pecan pies are impossible to find outside of Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks. So I ran around to several places and finally scored one.

By the time I returned Emily and my sis had gone to the store for other things. That’s how it always seems, you can never have everything you need. I always spend part of today, almost a holiday, and the real day and Christmas running around to some store or other.

We got dinner going by 230 then came the cocktails, beer and wine. Everyone sat around getting a little liquored up. Then the arguments started. It’s 9 pm now and the volume and intensity has increased. My stupid drunk sister is mad at me for not joining in the “discussion”. Her word. And she is drunk.

I made cocktails and pie. That would be old fashion, lemon drop and lemon meringue. It’s all I do but I do it well. My meringue was perfect btw. As were the cocktails. Did I mention my sister is drunk? Worth saying twice. And, after all, what’s a family gathering without someone being over drunk and abusive? It’s so much fun.

As I was saying, we were sitting around eating and drinking all day. We have been joined today by my Dads neighbors Jimmy and Chrissy. They seem to like dad. Questionable. But all of us are having a great time.

We did finally get everything ready. I carved up the turkey which turned out to be kinda underdone in the center of the carcass. So we served the done part. Our meal was a great Thanksgiving meal. Everyone seemed to enjoy it and most of us overate.

The drinkers in the group continued through the dinner, and the post dinner period to consume more wine and beer. Which for those of us not so inclined was very amusing. Unfortunately with my sister, once she gets good and drunk her volume and cursing go up to. My son also got into the melee with his aunt. So, by and large, we had a lot of yelling and drinking though nothing was broken. Maybe some hurt feelings. For a couple hours.

Dessert was next. The only necessary part of the meal if you ask me. I am a big fan. It is traditionally my job to make a pumpkin, pecan, and lemon pie for thanksgiving and Christmas. I don’t break with tradition. Today is fake Thanksgiving so I only made a lemon pie. The others I purchased. So sue me. Michael made a casserole sized pumpkin creme brûlée too. See, he is good for something after all.

Serving the dessert did not slow down the yelling and arguing one bit. They all kept at it till the party broke up. My sister had to be carried to bed. The rest of us went under our own power. Em and I were sober. That’s gonna be even better tomorrow.

We are back at the hotel. Cleaned up and in bed. I’m blogging, obvs, and Em is playing on her phone. Jax is sleeping very soundly. He had a hard night. He went out back to go to the bathroom and fell in the pool. Fine now but it took a lot out of him. All are bed ready.

The more I think about it, the more I realize how much my life revolves around cars. Of course, I have 3 personal cars and I drive each one. I have been trying to do performance improvements to all three for the last year. I spend weekends washing cars and btw it takes 3 to 4 hours to wash my three and one of Emily’s. She has two. One of hers has a car wash subscription. Besides all this I have regular maintenance for each as well. I had a rock stuck between the rotor and back plate on the R which was all day in the shop last Saturday. In spite of all this I love the cars I own and lots I don’t. I am going to the SF auto show day after Thanksgiving. It probably qualifies as an obsession. Maybe a disability under the ADA. I need an accommodation. Maybe the government should pay for my cars.

I bring all this up because I am going to pick up the Fit today. And drop off the S2000 for a little work on the shifter. I can’t wait to see how the Fit does with the new turbo.

My day began as most do. Fed people and animals. Packed lunch. Made coffee. Chased wife out the door. Woke up the kid and we went to work out. The work out was very hard. I added a set to make sure and used increasing weight on each subsequent set. I breathed hard and sweat. Must be working. I had to be done early because I am meeting Hal Brown at my house at 9 to go over ongoing cases. Don’t want to be late.

Got home early after one stop at the Dollar Tree. Crap for Emily. I also needed ziplocs. Took little time.

Home. Got all cleaned up and dressed by 9. At 902 Hal called. Turns out he had some call he had to be on at nine and he would be late. Sure. No fucking problem. It’s not like I already have a shortened workday, car swap out, work to do in office, out of the office by 3 to get home and pack up for Visalia. Be as late as you want.

Now I’m reading the paper. Looking at the mail. Texting. Making calls. Waiting. Hal finally showed up at about 1020. We have lots to do, phone calls mostly, discussing ongoing cases, trying to figure out insurance financing on the cases. We did not get done till 1230. Now you can see why I wanted to start at 9. Christ.

We parted company. I went to Sacramento. Ate my lunch in the car. The car with the broken window, stays open. Lovely. Got to the shop to swap out the cars and mine was not there. Great. Now I have to wait for owner Josh who is out driving it around. Every damn thing in my way to slow me down and screw up my schedule. Christ.

Finally, Josh returned. With my car. We did the swap and I went to the office. Arrived at 150 which is 50 minutes late for my tax appointment. He was not mad, fortunately, and I was able to finish a couple returns for him. He is coming back on Monday to do more. These time issues just snowball.

I finished up payroll and left for home. Out by 330. Drive was fast. “New” Fit is a race car. It’s gonna take some getting used to to handle the turbo properly but the driving is just great. I was not fully able to stretch it out on the freeway or 49, but I will soon. And report in full.

At home I staged all the crap we are taking by the front door. Emily returned at 530. We finished the load and got on the road.

Stopped at a local burger joint for dinner. They were making Mandarin orange milkshakes, it’s Mandarin season, and I had one. Mindblowing. Just fabulous. May have to go back soon.

Our drive to Visalia was fast and uneventful. I drove most of the way until I started to fall asleep. Then Em took over. We are staying in a hotel since the house is full. Probably more comfortable for all. Dog is here with us too. Emily is snoring like hell right next to me.

Well, bedtime. 1230. Big day tomorrow.

Today I got my workout. I feel way better when I do.

Did I mention the shop did not finish my Fit? Only finished the new clutch on the S2000. Is like to pick it up today but having just called, it’s not done yet even today and won’t be till tomorrow. Christ.

Today was very like yesterday. Only I left at a normal hour. Went to work. Saw the same people. Did the same work. Nothing exciting. Too many damn phone calls.

I am prob going to pick up the other car tomorrow. Not sure if I have time. Em and I are going to Visalia for fake Thanksgiving and I may not have enough time to pick up and work and pack and leave early. Gonna be a busy day.

I am going to pack tonight so I am ready to go as soon as I get home tomorrow. Emily has done no pre work on that and won’t be home too early. It may just be a long evening in the car.

Well, I am going to bed. After some ice cream. Then bed.

Way too early. I am riding with Emily to Dixon this morning. My S2000 has been in the body shop for a week to repair the front fascia. It sits very low, close to the road, so it hits t try pad trash and parking barriers with ease. Not the first repair. Prob not the last.

I had to be up earlier than usual, usual being 530. I had to have all the usual things done – lunch, breakfasts, pets fed – and be ready for my workday. No workout and clean up later. Got the call at 5am.

Strangely, we were out the door timely and ready to go on time. I hardly believe it since Emily continuously complains about leaving late. Maybe she just wanted to show me up.

I am an improvement in Emily’s regular drive. Why? Because two people in a car qualifies her for the diamond lane. That’s right, high speed drive for 25 miles of the commute. Normally, she does not get that. She does cheat every day, a little, but not 25 miles worth.

With this improvement it is difficult to see what she complains about. The drive was fast, we made Dixon in under an hour. I slept for 30 minutes too. That was nice. Emily dropped me at the body shop, my car was out front waiting. I kissed her goodbye and went in. The regular crew was not in yet but owner Darren was. Nice guy. Talkative. We sat for a few, I paid up, we talked cars for awhile and solved the worlds problems. Best we could. A brief and friendly respite to start my day.

Said my goodbyes, and headed off. To work? No. To get a decaf Americano at my fave coffee spot in Dixon. I don’t live here anymore so I have to take my shots while I can. I did take the coffee to go since I have one more important stop. My fave bakery for an apple fritter. Solano Baking has been here in Dixon almost as long as I lived here. I did beat them to town by a couple years. I don’t miss many opportunities to come here. When Marika was little and traveling with me to work every day, we would stop for a donut 4 days a week. Or five. All the time. Today just me, but I love fritters and don’t need any help.

What now? I am going to the speed shop to drop off the S2000 to get a new clutch and pressure plate. I will be able to pick up both on Thursday and be done with all the car repairs. Till next time. Actually, Monday, Emily’s MBZ needs some body repair. But at least tomorrow I will have all mine home.

Time to go. Car awaits.

Made the shop in good time. Left Dixon late enough to miss the commute. Just like old times. Josh, the shop owner, tells me 6?hoirs on the new clutch. I tell him I will be back at 6 but will call at 4 to check progress. Plenty of time for them to do their thing. They have my Fit scheduled for the turbo tune this evening as well. Both should be ready later.

I got a Lyft to her to the office. So close, cost me $7. Not much.

Spent the day working. A shock, I know. Finished several tax returns. Had a new client come by. He needs last five years tax returns prepared. Good work if you can get it. Late meeting with the same client who was in yesterday and got his returns finished. Lovely day.

I did call the shop at 4 and they said I could have the car by 6 as promised. Cool. Between 4 and 530 I managed a few more work tasks. At 530 I called for a Lyft and was on my way by 545.

Well, trouble. I arrived at the shop about 6. The transmission was not reinstalled. Air intake not in. Exhaust manifold. Not in. Same for shifter and alternator. Uh oh. The tech spent the next 2 1/2 hours getting the car back together. And I got to stand around and watch. Not good.

in spite of all that, the car got done and I went home. Dinner was waiting for me. Saw the girls for 30 minutes before they went to bed. Not to thrilling.

I am in bed now and headed for slumberland.

I got the post holiday blues and it was hardly a holiday. I’m gonna be beaten by the next real day off.

My day, oye my day was normal. Morning is definitely by rote. All the same. No deviations from the mean.

I had a fine workout. My trainer is trying to be harder on me because I workout and feel like I haven’t. I don’t breathe hard or sweat much. Today she added sets to try and get me. Also much harder exercises as well. I told her to bring it on. I think she is afraid to push me too hard. So I have to push her to push me.

After workout we headed home. The plumber, Heinz, was already there. He is doing a few repairs and installing new faucets in the master bath. It’s always a surprise how much these things cost. Faucets are 600$ each. That seems a lot until you realize that was the wholesale price. Retail is 25% higher. Now I have working faucets. A plus.

I left Heinz working and kid sleeping and went to Sacramento. I have a meeting today that I can’t miss. Have to be at the Board of Accountancy for a conference. These people are the worst type of regulator I have ever seen. The kind of people who should be wiped off the face of the earth. They eat their young. It’s difficult to stress how worthless they are, what a waste of skin they are, how unimportant their jobs are. Pieces of shit might be a good description. And dry pieces, because water has value. Anyway, I made that meeting, had a pointless conversation with an automaton and went back to my productive life. There but for the grace of god…..

Worked the rest of my day. Actually accomplished something. Had a final meeting at 4 and finished three tax returns. Seems like a positive day. Esp if you ignore my earlier meeting.

Managed to leave by 530. Tonight we are heading up 49 north to a Mexican place for taco Tuesday. We saw this cafe on our way home from grass valley this past weekend. Decided we should try it out.

Bad news, we finally got there and they were closed. I checked the hours, closed on Tuesdays. Only. Sounds like some Mexicanos unclear on the concept. So we drove down to Combie Rd & 49 to another Mexican place. One we had tried prior and didn’t like. Tonight, the food was really good. Go figure.

We have one more task for tonight. We drove from dinner into Auburn and commenced to purchase all the Thanksgiving food. Remember, we are having Turkey Fay this weekend at Dads in Visalia. We needed to get the food while we have a chance. We won’t be able to shop on Friday since most of the day is work then driving.

After shopping, it was 830, we headed home. Got there and rounded up the cats. Put the dog out. Sat around some. No TV. Go to bed. Thanks, I will.

That would be Sunday and Monday to the uninitiated.

Since it’s late Monday I am going to breeze through what we accomplished on Sunday though it is amazing. And historic.

On Sunday morning we decided to go to Grass Valley to do advent shopping. I know, some are unfamiliar with advent. Some have heard of advent calendars. Basically, you will receive a gift every day of the advent to Christmas, December 1 to 24. That requires someone, Emily and I, to acquire said gifts. Back to Grass Valley. We decided that’s where we were going to start our advent shopping.

The trip up was so fast. I always forget how close it is. Grass Valley had it rough during the power outages and many merchants are in bad shape. Another good reason to shop there.

Store to store we went, up and down all the streets of downtown. Not saying much, it’s a small downtown. We spent 4 or 5 hours prowling through the stores. This is the historic part, we managed to complete advent for both kids and Carly. 72 gifts. Lots of looking. A lot of pain. In perspective, never before have we finished advent shopping in an afternoon. Usually takes weeks. See? Historic.

The trip home was just as fast or faster than than the trip up. We discovered a Mexican restaurant just 5 miles up 49, which is under 10mins from our house! Can we all say, new taco Tuesday place? Yes we can. Tomorrow, actually.

Great news! Since we now have completed all 3 advents, 72 individual, daily gifts, all we have left to do is wrap them. The joy continues. We got home, sat down and wrapped every one of them. Not a hell of a lot of fun, but we are done in one day. Now I only need about 18 more things for Emily’s advent.

All that was left of our day, after the advent ordeal, was dinner and bed.

Ok. Monday now. Monday is the third day of the holiday but it’s also a weekday too. So lots to do weekday wise but all the benefit of a holiday.

Weekday Monday started as usual. Got up and fed me and the dog. Coffee for the wife. Marika is away for the evening. I went to workout, gym is open 24/7, no excuses. My trainer was there too. She makes no excuses. Although, the workout was holiday like from my perspective, though the trainer thought it was tough. Strange.

After the strenuous workout, I took my car into the shop. Making strange sounds from front end when backing up. Not a normal thing. They need it a few hours to determine and fix it. I caught a shuttle from the repair place to home. Had a nice chat with the shuttle driver. Not sure anyone ever talks to him.

Done and home. Usual weekday get ready. Shower, shave, etc. Snack. Normal morning. Emily was doing much the same.

We are going shopping again today. No more advent. Hardware, craft store, grocery, car wash. The usual.

Off to the stores. At Home Depot I got necessary supplies to hang a closet rod in Marikas closet. There is nothing in there at present and she has a lot of clothing to hang up. Of course buying all the hardware needed to hang it means I have created a job for myself later. Should not be too tough. I am capable of a minor carpentry task.

The craft store was another matter. Emily was in charge of getting her school crap. Of course she refuses to ask for help. I don’t know why. I finally asked for help so I wouldn’t be there all day. After assistance the collection of craft crap moved much faster.

B ack to grocers. We got groceries. Duh. Not sure what anyone expects.

Same goes for the car wash. I can only hope y’all realize we washed a car. That’s about all you can do there. It looks great.

I tried calling the auto repair to see if my car was ready and it wasn’t. Which means, we will be heading home now and prob get home and get the call from the shop and have to turn around right away.

strange, we were home 10 minutes before I got that call. Haha only. It funny. Emily gave me a ride to the shop. My service adviser had gone home early and was not there to help. I was upset until I was told his dad died and he had to leave. I think I have that kind of grace for anything he does.

Car was not broken it turns out. Rock caught between rotor and a rake backing plate. Lots of noise. No damage.

I did not go straight home. Instead I went back to the hardware store for more screws I needed and forgot. I went to the grocers for missed items, then home.

Em was downhill of the house decorating one of the trees on our property. Kinda funny, but cool too. A decorated tree in the middle of nowhere. Not something you see every day. But I will, now. Till January.

We fixed our dinner. Steak and potatoes. Wine. Nice. Now watching TV while Emily snores. Surprisingly, Marika has joined us in the front room. She is glued to her phone but most nights she does that in her room. Some things never change. I may have dessert or not. But bedtime is here. I like bedtime.

It’s one pm, Saturday. It’s not a normal day. Not like any other. Except, Emily has to leave by 8 and meet her bro and sis in Santa Rosa then have dinner together with them. They have stuff to do.

This morning, was a morning like any other. Just started later. We got up at 7 and not 530. I did the usual as did the bride. Fed all. Coffee all. Etc. Out the door by 8.

This would be where the day diverged. I ate some yogurt, no surprise there, then raced (literally) into the repair shop. I have had funny noises from my front end (no comments) and want to get that looked at. Well, the aholes can’t look at it today. Has to be Monday. Not following their excuses.

Raced back home. Why race? Well, my electrician will be here at 845, he says, to continue the odyssey of upgrades and repairs we are doing.

Arrived at 847. No Walter (that’s Sparky). He tends to be late on arrival I have noticed. Does not really bother me because I am the same way.

I need to be here to keep Walter on the proper task. He wanders. Just a bit. So I kinda watch him. And keep him moving toward conclusion.

He does have to install a four gang receptacle, sideways. Only way it fits. But, if I don’t pay attention he just does it. Versus having a talk about why he is doing it that way before he does it.

Today I got the water heater wiring up to code. And the aforementioned 4 gang box installed in the coffee closet. The water heater was a breeze. The other is going on three hours of work. Walter has a date so he is leaving at 130. Back tomorrow at 8am. On Walter time that’s between 8 and 9.

Marika just got home. It’s just after 1230. That’s when her shift starts. Seems the brain trust at the Annex scheduled three servers and a trainee at 1230. Usually covered by one person. So she got to come home. She is a little pissed.

So, what to do? Well, Marika wants to go shopping in Roseville. She has internet purchases to return to a real store. I need doggie diapers and a trip to Winco, my fave grocer. A couple other stops. Took three hours, whatever we did.

We finally drove home. Dinner is next. Marika tells me Jut will be coming this evening for dinner.

He did show for dinner. If he had not we were going to go someplace nice. Would have been nice. So instead, what did we have? Jut went to Popeyes in Roseville and picked up spicy chicken sandwiches. There has been a big craze in the last month, nationwide, over these sandwiches. So we had that. And a nice bottle of wine. And a salad. The wine and salad make up for the fast food.

About the time we finished, Emily got home. Turns out she did not get dinner with her fam. And we have nothing for her. Oops. That’s what I get for believing her when she said she would eat there. She did bring Jut a birthday cocktail glass. We put that in play immediately.

She joined us at the table. Had some wine. We sat around far to long chatting. Past 1030, which is when I went to bed. They stayed up. I fell asleep.

I can’t say today was any more exciting than any other day this week. Well, I actually could but it would be incorrect.

My lovely bride got up early this am. Ya, crazy. She has to gas the car and pick up donuts for her class. You can see what motivates her.

She left. I have nothing to do because no workout. So I ate my breakfast and cruised my phone and waited for the real paper to be delivered. It comes late, like 730 or 8. And, because Emily was gone I had to walk down. Of course, I had the opportunity to walk the garbage can back up the hill. Not my fave task.

Newspaper in hand, up to the house, I spent a good ten minutes on the paper. It’s a bit of a no news day. Off to the shower. Dressed. Ready to go. Kid got up about now. We had a short conversation. I gave her some chores. She mopped the kitchen and ironed my shirts. Sort of my own Cinderella.

Off to work. Drive was steady, no hiccups. Got to work, put my deposit together and went to the bank. Also cashed a check to be able to pay the electrician tomorrow. Walter the electrician is a doppelgänger for my nephew Dennis. Kinda freaky. Walter is in school to be an electrical engineer. Dennis is an engineer. Weird.

Back to office, worked the rest of the day till 6 pm. Nothing exciting. Cleaned up part of my desk. Finished a couple tax returns. Letters mailed. Usual.

Got a call near 5, Em was in Rocklin with the kid, shopping. Kid is going to Dixon tonight, where her boyfriend lives. Surprise. Asked Emily about dinner and she said she would just as soon eat leftovers as go out. Wow. We always go out on Friday. I thought she might be dying.

Drive home was steady, no hiccups. A twofer I think. I saw a skunk on the last turn up the driveway as I did last night. Only thought, don’t spray me. Jax was out front when I pulled in with Em trying to keep him out of the way. Fun.

We went in the house and dropped our crap. Hit the head. Then I fed the dog. Stop me when it gets too thrilling. Next up, a couple of plates of leftovers. Day two on the rotisserie chicken. Day three on the meatballs and spaghetti. Day two on the sweet potatoes. And, if it is possible, day two on the Zinfandel. I should mention, I have two meals worth of meatballs left. Come on by.

We are now sitting and watching TV. Emily is having ice cream and I am watching. I am sure we will be going to bed soon. She is already complaining about fatigue.

Assume that’s true cuz I’m signing off.

Today is Wednesday and all day long I’m thinking it’s Thursday. I blame daylight savings. Why not, everyone else does. So my day was fine most of the morning. I had a fine workout with trainer Pam. Marika spent the night in Truckee with friends and did not make it back for early workout.

Finished up in fine time. Stopped for a decaf (sob) at Starbucks. I hate decaf. I want regular!! Went on home. I have an early appointment at my office with someone who showed up for an appointment last week while I was away camping. Oops. Not sure how it was misscheduled but I don’t want to be late today just because of that.

I got ready for work. Shower, shave, get dressed. Usual. Made a snack for now. Made my lunch and filled my canteen. Managed to use up quite a bit of time. Was on the computer for awhile. A lot of non linear movement. Eventually I discovered I was getting very close to my appointment time and needed to get going.

I jumped in Marikas car and went to work. I have another appointment in Elk Grove at 3 so I just gotta get there.

Bad news. The freeway has one lane closed for several miles so I ended up being 20 mins late for my morning meeting. But I did call ahead and let them know.

Meeting went well, only 30 minutes, and done. Just a year end review and not much has changed.

I worked until 2pm. Worked through Cara’s birthday lunch even. At 2 I went to the bank and made a deposit. Dropped mortgage payment in the mail. Headed to Elk Grove. Funny thing, I was actually late to this meeting too. Traffic again. Of course my meeting is with a lawyer and he was 23 mins late. So it didn’t matter.

We were reviewing a contract for the sale of my LLC. I have buyers but just want a good contract to cover my ass. Crossing my fingers. The review took 15 minutes followed by an hour of bullshitting. It’s what we do.

I hung around long enough to give traffic a chance to get awful before I headed north. I left and it took 2 hours to get home. If maybe I hadn’t bs’d so much it could have been quicker.

Drive home very slow. But also uneventful. As you know, that’s the goal.

Home. Emily was working on some school stuff. Not much else going. I made dinner, not exciting, just leftovers. We ate dinner, watched some TV and went to bed. Marika is at friends place in Dixon tonight but claims she is coming home tonight. We will see.

I seem to have forgotten to blog Sunday and Monday. Maybe I can mix in a few anecdotes on my way through today. Tonight we are going out for taco Tuesday for a change. I really miss my favorite carniceria in Dixon.

Marika and I did make it to our workout. My trainer sent me a workout for today. Kind of funky, lots of exercises with no resistance except body weight. Not really my kind of workout but it was alternately excruciating and easy. Again, not my type.

No worry about stopping for coffee on the way home. Mostly since I am off coffee, doctors orders. Though it seems the doctor was right because my symptoms have abated. Gonna keep going another week and see. If I stay well, I am having a cup of coffee to celebrate. Cold brew. With heavy cream.

I spent a large portion of my morning looking for my sunglasses. The ones I wore yesterday had disappeared. I have a collection of sunglasses and wear a different pair every day. I noticed last night they were missing. This morning I went back to the car and actually remembered last night. I had locked them in the glove box when I got to the store. Too was down and I can’t be too careful. I forgot I had done that when I saw Emily across the parking lot backing her car out. I called her and she had already done the shopping so I raced out. At least not lost.

Marika had dinner ready when we walked in. The service here is fantastic. She made a garlic sauce for pork loin chops with veggies. Very nice.

After washing the dishes, we sat and watched a little TV. And went to bed, again early because of daylight savings which is evil. And of the dev-il. I read awhile and went to sleep.