Month: February 2020

Today is Monday. No big deal that. Just sayin it out loud.

I did manage to go workout with Marika. She was actually able to get herself out of bed and go with me. And I was only two minutes late. This morning is a “class” of sorts. No one is ever in the class except for Marika and me. So once a week we have a class. I am just a workout junkie and this works. I get a free structured workout. Yay.

We went for coffee after. An acquaintance from the gym was there and he bought our coffee. Such a nice guy.

I have a full slate of appointments today so we took our coffee to go and headed home. Marika has a job interview as well later this morning so she is moving quick too.

Turned out Marika was not quite ready for the interview. I had to help her print out her resume (was a big typo, not noticed) to take with her. Then we had to review the info the company sent since she didn’t. I took enough time with her to get her confident enough to go to her interview. Taking time also made me late for my first appointment which was not so helpful.

I did manage to get the kid going. I got out at 1030. Called my 11 and reset to 1130. Raced off to work. Clear sailing and I managed to cruise in at 1125.

My day had three appointments. Plus a thousand phone calls. So I was busy. I can’t say I was busy with work today except for the calls. I did not complete any projects either. Not the perfect day.

Marika did call to report what happened at her interview. Sounds like it could go either way. Interviewer was a douche lord. He did not provide much input to the interview. She should hear more next week. She called from home where she was making dinner. Love it.

Speaking of dinner, I headed home for dinner at a quarter past six. No traffic and a fast drive. The turbo is really cooking now with the new tune. So fast trips are a little more common now.

Nothing crazy this evening. Marika had made chicken curry over riced cauliflower. Delish. A bottle of wine just to lubricate. And that’s the meal. I also received a newspaper today even though I don’t have a Monday delivery. The buttholes did not deliver on Saturday and I think they were making up for it today. I don’t mind.

Watched a little TV. Missed Jeopardy though. Am going to bed very soon.

I have been resting. Sort of. Forgive me for not speaking to you since last Thursday. Nothing momentous stopped me, I was just lazy. And tired.

On Friday I did workout. My fifth day this week. Marika had begged me to go with her on Wednesday, not a workout day for me, and I presumed she would do me the honor of going on Friday. Presumptions are dangerous. She did not. My Friday workout was very good. Not as crazy hard as Thursday but still good.

Usual morning – shower, shave, breakfast. Nothing special. Drove the turbo Fit to work. I still need to get to the speed shop with both dash lights on. If on then Josh can read the codes and maybe figure out how to shut them off. Well, I managed to hit the drive just right and forced the traction warning light in. Also on, the engine light. So I drove to the shop prior to work. Funny how easy it was. Josh ran the codes, hooked his computer up to my car and clicked off the barometric switch. So far, thru Sunday night, the lights remain dark. Cross your fingers.

Went to the office. Worked all day to about 6. Headed home.

Emily made dinner tonite. Chicken. We watched some TV and went to bed.

Saturday we slept in past 8. Mostly house cleaning chores. Nothing fun. I made reservations at a nice Italian place in Newcastle for dinner. Have not been there in over a year so it’s about time. Dinner was very good.

Went home after and went to bed.

Sunday morn. Up and the three of us went for a hike. Great way to start the day. Quick couple miles. We finished up and went for coffee, no breakfast, after the hike. Came home, got ready and went to work. Yes I know what day it is. Worked about six hours and went home.

We had a really nice dinner. BLT salad, and cocktails. Booze goes with everything.

the balance of the evening was spent helping Marika get ready for her interview tomorrow. Lots of questions. Too many. Once done, we went to bed without bad TV.

Yes, it’s Thursday. Big, fat, hairy deal. Thursday is not a special day. It’s mostly insignificant. People call it pre Friday in a search for meaning where there is none. I like it.

This morning was a normal one. I did all my tasks with skill and vigor. Made all the hot beverages. All the hot breakfasts. Got the hot wife on the road. Managed to get Marika out of bed. We went to the gym. It is rewarding when all goes well.

I need to mention my workout. Since I got my ass kicked by it. 6 separate exercises in a count down or count up of 20 reps each. So it’s 160 total reps of each exercise. 2 exercises at a time, alternating. 12 hours later I am still fatigued and sore. This morning I was lie on the ground wiped out.

Just a quick idea on the workout. First 160 pushups with one hand on a low bench and one on the ground with a shift from one side to another after each. 160 jump squats. 160 rows. 300 jump ropes. And 480 other fun reps. I think you get the idea. Ass kicked. I will never admit it out loud. Tomorrow is not so harsh.

We did stop for coffee on way home. Sadly, I got the extra caffeine Nitro and it has no affect on me. And I have been off caffeine for months. I got no lift. Sucks.

Marika does not work today so she is going to see her boy toy today. She won’t be back for dinner. Perfect day to take the bride out to eat. I made a reservation at a nice Italian place in Newcastle. I have not been back there since last February and it’s about time.

Before leaving I made a call to the upholsterer in Woodland. They have two of our chairs, have had for about a year, and I wanted to get them done, finally. I called, and Lori at the place recognized my voice right away. I must have made an impression on her. We did have to re do the order in a way. It’s been so long she needs to be sure the fabric we picked is still available. We left off with her checking on it and calling me with the update.

Also called my health insurer to find an acupuncturist in Auburn. My shoulder has been very sore for over a month and I need to do something about it, like not doing 160 pushups. I did get a name and number. I will call.

Now off to work. Kissed the girl goodbye and out the door. Managed to get to the freeway before I noticed a strong need for gasoline. Took care of that and off to work.

On my way, actually as I pulled off the freeway in Sacramento, my traction control light popped on. Ever since the turbo install and retune, the car has constant warning lights on. The tuner has been trying to get the cars computer to relinquish control but it’s funny how it keeps it. And turns things back on like check engine light and others. Short story, drove to the speed shop and Josh read the codes and plugged his laptop into my car and tried to shut off the two lights. Which, 12 hours later has worked. Of course, car computers have a mind of their own and may switch back on. Time will tell.

Went to the office. Worked like a dog. Only no panting. Went straight to 630 then made a quick exit to head to dinner with Emily.

our meal of Sicilian style Italian was excellent. And not to expensive. Very relaxing at the end of my day. I had a glass of cab produced about 5 miles away. Very nice. We were to full for dessert at the end.

To home. About 830. I emptied the waste cans and Emily drive me down the hill with the hatch open holding the garbage can. Works. Much easier than walking it down.

Next up, bedtime. A little blog. Some book. I am still wiped out.

Again. It happened again. I had a normal morning. Everything the same.

A couple differences. Marika refuses to get out of bed for workout. Loser.

At said workout, I dropped a thirty pound dumbbell at finish of a set, it bounced and caught the ring finger of my left hand in a pincer between that weight and a 25 pounder. Yes, it hurt. Like hell. It was all I could do to keep from screaming. 12 hours later , my ring finger and knuckle are purple. Good news, no bone or joint damage. Just soft tissue.

I finished the workout. No pain, no gain.

I headed straight home after. I’m really tired and need to go to work. I managed to get ready quickly.

On that note, I stopped for coffee on the way out. Then (I’m driving the convertible) I stopped at the upholstery place to get an estimate on my convertible top, which has a hole, and the deteriorated drivers seat which, well, has deteriorated. I like the upholstery shop. I spoke with the owner who is quite friendly. Played with the pugs, they have 3. They have a “living room” off the front counter where they sit with the pugs during work. Fun place. I learned a lot about convertible tops from him. I decided to have him take care of it. Two weeks. Because next week he is going to Maui. I am in the wrong biz.

Left the shop and went to work. Forgot to put the top down. In a moron. Trip was quick.

Again, no excitement at work. I did go to FedEx to shop two packages. The trip allowed me to see an in medicated homeless guy screaming at the top of his lungs at no one. Good times. Then to bank to deposit a check. Palpable excitement.

Back to the office I worked through to 6pm and went home. Awesome day. One appointment in the middle for taxes. Usual question and answer.

It’s Tuesday and Emily picked up a mess o’ Mexican from the carniceria. Very good as always. Tuesday’s are the bomb. It’s national drink wine day so we opened a bottle. I don’t want to offend the holiday makers.

After dinner, bad TV. Soon to bed.

Today is a national holiday. In honor of that I got up early and went to the gym. Actually, I would go without a holiday. Workout sucked, way too hard. Stopped for some unleaded coffee. Just lovely.

Went home. Passed Emily going the other way to her yoga class. She did not get up at 6 like me. She’s lazy.

I managed to get ready and get out of the house before Emily got back. Holiday or not, I am going to work for the day. I have lots to do.

Work was the same as always. Lots of boring accounting work. Katrina has overloaded a circuit with too many plugs and we have lost several receptacles. It’s a holiday so we can’t call the property manager. I hope they can fix it tomorrow. Otherwise we will be using extension cords. Fortunately, Cara is gone today so Katrina took her desk for today.

I spent my day doing taxes. Answering emails. Usual crap. Emily has gone to Sacramento for some such I don’t know. She called when she was here. That’s my day.

I left the office at about 515. Roads were holiday uncrowded and the drive was fast. Beat the old lady home.

We fixed dinner as soon as we got home. Meatball sandwiches and a salad. They were good. Needed softer rolls for the sandwiches though.

I did get a call. A childhood friend died. Those are bad calls. She was the same age as me. That’s always a shock to the system. I know this will continue, forever. My Dad has told me his friends just keep dying. Get used to it.

Now we are watching bad TV again. It’s an unbreakable habit. Sleep does not rescue me fast enough.

We slept in. Way in. Very close to 9. Nice.

Today is a big day. Huge. I got up and had breakfast. Read the paper. Cleaned up a little in the house. Showered, dressed and went to work. It’s the time of year where I work some weekends. I hate it. I hate my job, most days. Definitely Sunday.

Well, nothing to tell. Hit the office and worked 6 hours and went home. I refuse to write about what I did. I just did it. All of Sunday or at least the good hours.

Having done my time, I left for home. Nothing of note on the drive. Nothing.

Home was good. Emily has dinner ready – homemade meatballs, grilled asparagus, a nice salad. Wine. An exciting end to a boring day. Dinner was delicious, and does make my day better.

Since this is a regular work day, sort of, we sat on the couch and watched bad TV. Soon to bed.

Yikes. I have avoided blogging since Wednesday. And now it’s Saturday. Oh well.

I can only remember so much. And so far back in time. Sorry. Truth be told.

Early Friday, 7 am, I had my workout. My schedule has changed since my gym changed the way they run things. Long story though I may change gyms once my contract is over. But for now, I get two workouts every week.

Today I finally got to meet up with my bro in law to sign a contract on the sale of my LLC to him and his partner Omar. Omar already signed and paid a huge down payment about two weeks ago. Today, all I get is a signature. Mostly cuz the bro in law is a cheap bastard and he makes me wait for money. I am charging late fees and 10% so screw him. I had to meet him in Cordelia which is a 90 minute drive and then another 60 to work. Lovely.

It’s Valentine’s Day too. And I celebrate as above. Boy am I fun.

Worked all day till 7 pm. Mostly because I waited all week to make a dinner reservation and it’s Valentine’s Day. So I got a reservation at 845 at a place we never eat at. In Auburn. Which is why I worked till 7 and then drove to the restaurant. Might as well work till close to dinner. Works for me.

Drive up was fast. Hey, it’s late, no traffic. Got parking right in front of the restaurant. Hey, it’s late. Waited for the girls in the car for 15 minutes. Then we went into the place.

This place is an Asian Fusion place. Which is why we never go. Weird food. Weird drinks. But it’s all I could get at the last minute. Surprisingly, the food was good and not very expensive. It was a nice place. I doubt I will ever be back. I like steak and hard alcohol. They had neither. Time to leave.

We went home after the meal. And it was bedtime. Which I like.

Saturday morning we were going to go for a hike. Instead, we cleaned the house for two hours. That was fun. Then Marika, who just got up at 1130, went to work. Emily left to have lunch with a friend. I ran a few errands like going to the upholstery shop (closed), goodwill drop off, picked up my wine club case which included some Rye whiskey. Then home.

I got home. My buddy Bob was there. We continued working on the shop improvements we started last week. This week week we hung shelves. We did not finish and need one more day to get this done. Still need the “attic” storage and a couple more shelves. Also gonna add some bracing for the shelves. Then I may be done.

Emily managed to get home from her lunch by 530. Hell of a lunch I guess. Bob was leaving about then too. So we sat around for a couple hours. Then made dinner. I made cocktails before dinner. Then, I Q’d a couple steaks, grilled artichokes. Nice bottle of Cabernet. I just picked up our case from the club sale. Had to try some.

We sat around watching TV after dinner. Marika and Jutt got home around 930. They ate out. Losers. Emily is asleep in a chair in front of the TV. I am ready for bed. I should leave her here.

Today seemed like a normal day. Except no workout. So I was ready early. By 830. So I went to work. Definitely surprised everyone at work.

I got to work and jumped right in. I have a lot of people calling and sending in info and wanting it all right away. Always nice to be needed. I got a call from a client asking what time we were meeting. I had forgotten to check my schedule. When I checked I found out I had two appointments out of the office, one at 11. So, jumped into fast mode to get the clients taxes done and ran off to the car.

3 appointments later at 2, I left Vacaville for the office. And of course hit the traffic on the causeway. Got to the office, again, and jumped back in again. Worked as long as I could and left at 7. I did manage to get the veterinarians 5 year tax projection finished. I am doing it for his new finance guy. I have to say one thing, what a waste of time and money. No one and I mean no one can accurately project financial info five years in the future. It’s all fiction. A guess. Pointless and stupid. Though I suppose the finance guy can sell it as useful. It’s idiotic. But I got it done. I am gonna charge a lot for this.

I did run out, literally, at 7 and headed home. Marika has arranged dinner for us and then run out to go see the boyfriend. So I had dinner with Emily.

Not much else going. A little bad TV and off to bed.

Today is the worst day of tax season so far. It would be even worse except it’s taco Tuesday and that makes the end of day very nice. And spicy.

It took forever to drag Marika from bed this morning. I even let her sleep an extra 30 mins which did not help. I had to slap her around a few times, goose her, go for the feet. You know. She did finally get up.

We went to workout. None to exciting. I may change gyms though. They have made drastic changes to how they operate and I am beginning to tire of it. Everything has been moved around and usable floor space has decreased. This gets to me when doing floor exercises, which are a big part of my workout. Today I had to do my dumbbell exercises between the weight machines because the floor that is left was in use. I get inconvenienced in order that the gym owners can make more money. Assholes. It gets worse every time I go. My contract is up in a couple months and it’s all bets off. My workout was ok, in case you are concerned.

On the way home from the gym we went to the grocers and did not get any coffee. Although I did pick up cream for coffee.

Got home and did the usual. Shower and shave and dressed. Packed up my lunch and every thing else and went to work.

drive was nothing special. I stopped at the speed shop to get my codes scanned. No big deal but they managed to get the check engine light and others turned off. That’s nice because warning lights always on have no warning effect.

Got to office. Plenty of trouble. I received about a million emails about taxes. I hate that. I need to print out every doc and put in each persons file. I truly hate the process. Especially when the volume kicks up. I need to retire. The info just kept piling on. I even had a couple appointments I could do without. People suck. I played happy face. I still want to get paid.

The volume of work continued to come at me till I finally left at about 615. I just dropped all and left.

On the way home I stopped at the pharmacy for drugs and the grocer for ice cream. Emily always wants ice cream.

We dove straight into our mexi food upon arrival home. It seemed to taste better tonight than usual. After dinner a surprise. I had checks for each of the ladies to buy them out of our family company. I just sold it and took in the down payment (NON refundable). Emily and Marika seemed pleased. Everybody likes money. I am still managing member of the new company so no buyout for me. That’s fine. I will get paid.

Time for the evenings bad TV. I missed Jeopardy since I got home so late. Did get Wheel. Yay.

That’s my evening. I am going to bed soon. Emily is headed to bed now. After last nights lousy sleep I am truly exhausted.

Pets are wonderful. Some say. Supposedly enhance your life and help you live longer. Some say.

Last night I don’t say. What did my daughters retard cat do? For no reason. It is a cat.

Last night we woke to what we thought sounded like someone shaking the sliding door trying to get in the house. Emily thought that, I thought it was the wind. We are having an unusual wind storm here. Turns out it was said retard cat trying to dig his way through the full length mirrored cabinet next to the bedroom door. By dig I mean violently dig in a way that seemed it could be someone tying to break in. I got up and chased the stupid animal out. I would shut the door but from experience know that makes the cat try to dig his way in. We went back to sleep.

About the time we got back to sleep the cat started up again. One more time for fun. Same thing, chase cat away and kick him a couple times, gently of course. I know you are saying throw the cat outside. Except it’s Marika’s cat, she is not here, and she wants him inside at night. There are hungry wild animals out there. Cat tastes just like chicken. Anyway, back to sleep.

About the moment we got back to sleep the little shit did it yet again. I couldn’t catch the cretin, though I tried. Unfortunately I couldn’t get back to sleep but good news was cat stayed away. I hate him.

I was awake about an hour. I hate that cat. I did finally go to sleep. Cat did not come back to digging on the wall. Instead he ran through the room at top speed, jumping to our headboard from the nightstand, up to the mirror above our headboard (a refurb’d window with ledge) across and down the other side. I hate the cat.

I did fall back asleep faster. Of course, he did it again. He is a dick, after all. But, still, back to sleep again. And to cap it all off, the dickhead did it one last time around seven am. I tossed him out. Cold as hell and very windy out there, hope he enjoys it.

We got up. Exhausted. Breakfast. Paper. Coffee. It’s Sunday after all. We sat around awhile with paper, etc since we were wiped out. I had planned on getting some work done outside except the wind, which is very unusual, is blowing like hell. Difficult to use a blower or wash a car when being bombarded by high wind and the crap that comes with it. So I never got out.

Instead we ended up running errands like Target and Goodwill drop off. Had a snack. Grocers. Usual weekend shit.

We came back home. I did a few loads of laundry. Emily is working on her glass projects. We had picked up ribs for tonight’s dinner. I got this all ready. They have to sit and dry marinate for a couple hours then 2 hours in the oven. So I started early. And I cleaned the kitchen. Hell of a day.

So we had ribs and grilled artichokes and watched the Oscars. Lots of movies I have never seen. And will never see for that matter. I can’t say I even enjoyed the show. It is a little pretentious. And I never saw most of the movies getting attention.

We just had dessert and are watching after Oscar crap. They act like it’s big news. Or important. And discuss the fashions. Although it seems unimportant to me a lot of people do watch. Probably more important to most than the “serious” news. No matter. I changed the channel to Last Man Standing. I like that.

Emily is ready for bed. I suppose I should join her.