Month: February 2020

This is a Saturday. We did not get up early. Early is bad. We did all get up, early ish and head out to go for a hike. Marika picked the trail so we followed her lead to the trailhead. I would call it the usual, we ended up down by the river in the Rec District. The trail is part of the Western States 100. Our hike was about 3 miles out and 3 back. Seems to be an old roadway dating back to the 20’s. We found a road abutment marked 10/29. So it’s an old road. Great views since we are hiking on the river.

Turns out Marika is going to SF today for Chinese New Year so she is kinda in a hurry to get the hike done. And runaway with her boyfriend. And this hike was her idea.

The hike was interesting. The trail is very well travelled. We saw runners, groups of runners, other hikers, bikers and horse riders. A very busy trail.

We had a great time. Stoped on the way home to wash the car. Marika got carsick too. Way fun.

I had been expecting a call from George Bob Powell while I was hiking. He is meeting me at home to help fix up my shop. He owes me for some tax work and this is how he pays back.

I met Bob back in 1993 when he had a stair company. His wife, at the time, Dede was from Visalia like me. And, strangely, worked at Young’s Market with me. Known her longer than any other person I still have contact with. 42 years.

Anyway, when we got back home from the hike, Bob was waiting in the driveway. I got him directed to where we were working. He did a survey, we decided what we were doing , and we went to the hardware store for supplies. Emily left for Roseville to do some shopping and Marika went to SF.

Bob and I spent an easy hour at the hardware store. Needed plywood, screws, shelf brackets, and shelves. We loaded up Bobs truck and headed back to the homestead. Then spent the next several hours building work benches. I need shelves but we only had time for the work benches. It will be damn nice to get the workshop in order. I am closer now.

Bob left at sundown. Em and I made dinner. Mostly Em made dinner and I took a shower. We had taco boats. Very nice. A little TV followed and then bedtime. A nice Saturday.

I am not working out today. I do a 4 day a week thing, and today is the fifth day. So no workout. Tomorrow is the 3rd and Friday the 4th. Makes sense.

I went to the county this morning to ask questions about my property tax since they don’t answer their phones. They are so busy stealing money from property owners they ignore the phones. Assholes.

I had a little trouble finding the correct county office. No number on the building does impede me. But find it I did. Parked and headed inside. Checked out the directory and headed to the second floor. What do I find? Three separate counters opposite each other with thick bulletproof windows on all. You may think it’s because of the money they collect. No. The grand majority is collected by check and credit card. The glass is because we all hate these motherfuckers passionately and would kill any one of them given a clear chance. The money has nothing to do with it.

I managed to get my question answered, pay my taxes and get the hell out before I killed anyone. I think that’s a good thing.

Off to work, 27 minutes to my office from the 49/80 intersection. Fast.

Again, nothing of. It’s happened at work. Nothing. Marika called at 345, Jutt coming to dinner. Which means I have to leave by 5 to get to the butcher for steaks to bbq. A for the last hour I ran through a tax projection for a veterinarian which I have needed to get done for quite some time. It’s done.

I raced to the #120 exit, Lincoln Way. I made it in 37 minutes. Managed to get four nice sirloins and went home. Marika was home when I arrived, in a rather foul mood. Joy. I was home by 530 and dinner was now at 8. So I really had nothing to do for a couple hours. So we drank some wine and sat around. Emily showed up a half hour later and joined us. It’s gonna end up as 2 bottles.

We started making dinner about 730 which is when I lit the bbq. Threw the steaks on at 745. Jutt showed at 8 and it’s dinner time. Pleasant evening. Usual eat and drink thing.

After dinner Marika made brownies and ran to the store for ice cream. We stayed up and waited though past bedtime. She and Jutt finally got back and we had our dessert and went to bed.

Today, even though a taco Tuesday, was very boring. By boring I mean very like many other days that came before. A lot of sameness.

Workout same. Marika went with me. It was a tough workout. My shoulder is killing me.

Home to shower and dress. And off to work.

Actually, I went to the DMV. This was the most exciting thing in my day. I girded my loins for the usual fight. Crowds and surly employees. Well, I was disappointed. The people in the Auburn DMV we’re friendly. There were only 5 people in line in front of me when I got there. It was quick. I got my car registered and my address changed. Easily. See? I told you it was exciting.

Now, off to work. So tired I nodded off twice on the way.

Got to work. Stayed till 6 doing what I have been doing for the last 30 years. Whole lotta same.

Home. Fast drive. Emily had taco Tuesday from our favorite carniceria waiting. Marika was off downtown. So Em and I enjoyed our feast. We have been eating taco Tuesday from Lupitas for the last 20 years. Very same.

Now I’m watching bad TV. Oh so same.

Bedtime.

Today is the usual crapola. That’s Latin for crapola.

I slept horribly last night and got up early. What’s wrong with this? All is wrong with this. I took melatonin at 130 and finally fell asleep at 4 am. I hate not sleeping.

No matter how tired I was I still went to work out. It’s a thing. Today is the first day of my gyms new program for workouts. They are basically fucking all the current workout customers. I am not sure what the hell is wrong with them. I have private workouts a couple times a week with a trainer. Those are being kicked to the curb in favor of group training. I am sure they are more profitable though no one really likes them except gym management.

Well I still had a fine workout. The group training had no one show up. Score one for management. I worked out in peace and quiet. That worked.

Back home again the usual morning routine.

Tried to go to the DMV on the way to the office. I have heard small town DMV offices are not so busy. I found ours on a backstreet near the freeway. I was busy. At least twenty people in line. Guess I heard wrong. I skipped it.

To work. I wasn’t even tired. Still got a decaf on the way. Drive was fast, I daydreamed all the way to the office.

My appointment did not show. Asshole. But, another client filled in for that by showing up without an appointment. I got him straightened out and he needed it.

The only interesting thing today: I locked myself out of the office. Late after everyone left I went to the restroom and left my keys behind. Oops. Good news, it’s not yet 5 o’clock so the building manager is still in. So at 5 to 5 I ran like hell upstairs and got the last person in their office on the way out her door. She unlocked me. I got in and worked another hour and headed home. Trip home was slowed down by a multi car accident. Not much for mayhem but added an easy twenty to my trip.

I made it home with no stops and no more slow downs.

Marika has made dinner. Chicken mole. Lovely. I did open a nice bottle of red. We enjoyed the wine, finished dinner and watched worthless TV. All my favorite things. Besides going to bed and sleeping all night.

It’s Sunday. That means when we finally get our butts out of bed and have a quick breakfast. Then we go for a hike. Anyway, we went for a hike.

Last week we had been unable to find the trailhead for Cardiac Hill and went down some other trail. Not very satisfying. But, on our way out I asked a Ranger where the trail was. This week, Cardiac Hill.

Cardiac is so named because the trail is kinda steep and of course a tough trail to hike. But, easily worthwhile because it goes down to the American River and runs along it for miles. About a 2.5 mile hike down to the river with the payoff being the views and the hike and the outdoor fun.

We spent about three hours hiking. And we were both exhausted. Sorry, no boasting here, hike was an asskicker. I feel pretty good this evening, not to sore.

Once we got home we did housework. Yes, kind of a letdown. Laundry too. And it’s Super Bowl Sunday. We don’t have any Super day traditions. Most years I don’t bother to watch the game. This year my fave team is playing so I will be watching.

Emily started making dinner about when the game started. She is making Mole which we are going to put on sweet potatoes and chicken.

Next up we watched the game. Which ended poorly and we changed the channel. I did manage a cocktail at least. Little consolation.

We had dinner about 7. The Mole dish was excellent. Emily, as usual, outdid herself. Marika is at Jutt’s. Again. She missed dinner. She’s a butt.

We are now watching the infamous bad TV. Not much on. I am ready for bed and my book.

For the most part today was normal. It’s Friday and I did workout even though I never do on Friday. But, with my gym having changed the way they do workouts, I was not able to do my usual workout on Wednesday. Today wins. Marika had a hot date so did not come with me. Loser.

The work day was the usual load of crap. Not extreme, just the usual.

The day did take a turn. A weird one. Emily called late in the day from the MBZ dealer in Rocklin (turns out it’s in a cellular dead zone) and the host of what I heard was she was there looking at a the new GLB and saw a nice one and call went screwy. I was unable to get back ahold of her (see above). Well, I had to finish up my day before I could join her. It’s a 20 min drive if no traffic.

So what to do? Finish all my work and drive to Rocklin. While on my way I decided to call the dealership so I could maybe find out what the hell she was doing. That assumes she knows. Funny thing, I called and the receptionist knew who I was asking for. Funny. And it turned out Emily was kind of buying a car. Or not.

Allow me to digress. Emily has always complained, for years, that I always am the one who buys the cars. She may be right but she picks them out. So I arrived and Emily was in quite a tizzy. She was really unclear on what she was doing. I asked many questions of the sales guy, Robbie, made him dance a little, Told him our price, based on invoice, coached Emily and let her know she was allowed to leave, walk away and not buy. I told her she would be allowed back later and asked for Robbies blessing on that which he did. I stayed about 20 mins. Then I left. Told her to buy the car or not I was out. Her turn. She was very nervous. And once I left, no contact, cell dead zone.

Marika has called earlier and told me we should go out to eat tonight. Her boy toy, Jutt, was in town and she wanted to party down. We texted back and forth a bunch and ended up choosing to go to Club Car with a couple back ups in case. Club Car can get busy.

I got to Club Car first. And there was a fine table available. Absolutely butter up against the stage. And there is loud music tonight. No choice. I took the table. As luck would have it , a table farther in the back vacated while I waited for the gang to arrive. Waitress moved us. Nice.

had a nice old fashioned while waiting. Club Car has 150 bourbons on the bar. I enjoyed my drink and the music. Sat about 10 more mins and the kids arrived. They had drinks. We had steamed clams. We waited for Em. Could not call. The find friends did work on the phone. That was my only info, she was still there. We all finally ordered dinner. We got about halfway through dinner when Emily finally got there. She bought a car. I hope she finally feels complete.

Emily ordered soup. Said her head hurt, she didn’t feel good, prob buyers remorse. Her problem. I feel fine. We have to go give up the GLK tomorrow. Sad day. She drove the new GLB home tonight.

We did have a great time tonight. Food was great, I had the cioppino, great. Music was loud but entertaining and unending.

Emily and I abandoned the kids and went home. I am not sure but I think that stayed for music and drinks for awhile. I don’t know cuz I went home and went to bed. End of week and I get tired.

Tomorrow we have lots to do. Nothing important.

Saturday morning we slept in till 9. Wow, love that. Very slow morning, coffee and breakfast. Newspaper. Showered and dressed. Ready to go by noon. Neither of the kids were up or awake. Shocking.

Our first chore: taking our trade in to the dealer. They made the deal without seeing the car. Seems kinda strange. Emily also has to resign the contract, the finance guy found a better deal on the interest rate. I like that guy. Emily had also left the Honda at the dealer when she took the new car home. So we drove back to Auburn in two cars. I drove the Honda. Surprise.

We drove home. No stops. Weird. Once home we cleaned the master and floors in back. We have a room by room cleaning schedule for each week. When done, I went to grocers and got a few odds and ends for dinner. Got chicken, which I BBQd. Turned out quite nice. Some green beans and salad. Marika is working and missed her 7pm shift end. They kept her till nine. We ate without her. We were hungry.

After dinner we watched a little TV. Saying that I mean Emily slept on the couch and I blogged. With the TV on. That is watching TV.

Marika arrived home around 920 and had her dinner. She also let us know for the zillionth time she hates her job. Join the club.

We continue to watch TV. Now I am done blogging. Marika is watching. Emily is snoring. Some things stay the same.