October This-And-Thats

I know this is a busy few days of posting for me, so scroll down and see if you missed anything after this post.  There was a night out posted on Saturday and a new Latest Listening Pleasure posted yesterday.  This post will be on Monday and a New Roof II post is imminent, probably later this week.  I guess I felt like writing and just had a few things I wanted to get out.

Anyway, I've had a few other random thoughts and pictures that I've wanted to share and document here, so once again it's time to start typing and see where we end up:

Heat - We had the heat on for the first time this season Friday night.  Just for a few hours as the upcoming weekend temperatures were to be warm and wonderful.  It's been a balancing act with not having the heat on.  The house gets cooler at nights but rebounds with the sun during the day and by opening the porch, which collects heat in the sun to share with the house. 

Cats - With last week getting as cool as it was, the cats warming pad was brought out.  They certainly know exactly what it is and absolutely love laying on it.  Thankfully, it has a timer so we don't cook them, but they lay on it even when it's not on.  Gosh help us if they ever learn how to turn it on themselves.

Nuts - It has been a banner year for the neighbor's walnut trees.  One of the heaviest years I've seen for nuts falling into the yard.  I usually go out with the grabber to pick them up and toss them into the corner behind the lilac, and I don't remember ever having to use the rake before but I have twice now so far this year.  Pull them into piles then scoop them into a bucket and dump in the corner.  They will break down and the critters will be in there all fall and winter for the nuts, so the bulk will go down but I may still have to get rid of some material in the spring.  By that I mean shovel that stuff into buckets to take to the dump, at least to get down to the bottom of the fence again.

Sunflower Seeds - The seeds I harvested recently are completely different than the seeds that were planted.  This just confirms the hybrid theory.  Mammoth Grey Stripe seeds are bigger, white and with a few black/grey stripes.  These, as you can see, are smaller and pretty black though you can see some of the stripes in places.  Next year I think I'll go 50/50, seeds from that first sunflower (that are getting older yet) and these black seeds from the multi-bud hybrid that I got this year.  I will have to pay attention to the one-bud sunflowers next year to harvest the Mammoth or at least Mammoth-dominant seeds.

Sunflower Buds - The sunflower plants are way past their prime, yet they continue to pump the last of their energy into lots of buds.  These late buds are very dark green and may not even fully open, but the plants will continue to try until the weather ends their efforts and the cleanup commences.

Halloween - The Halloween decorations have come out.  We've had some pumpkins and mums on the front stoop for a couple weeks now.  The day we put the mums out we saw on doorbell camera what appeared to be a homeless person steal one.  My wife replaced it the next day and we've had no other issues except for nibbling from squirrels.  I was reminded of something I bought for the front corner windows on sale after last Halloween, so there will be something new there this year.  I've still been searching for window coverings similar to that old mummy, but I never imagined it would be so hard to replace.

Sports - The small-market Brewers had the best record in baseball again this year, won their divisional round and are now facing the big-money Dodgers again in the National League Championship Series for the right to go to the World Series.  It's been a fun summer to watch the Brewers again, though my wife has seen me less.  Yesterday the underdog Packers pounded the Bears 31-7.  The Bears won the last two matchups last year and were obnoxious about it, so that felt good.  The Packers have now beaten the Bears 110 times in this oldest rivalry in the NFL.  The Badgers football team had a bye week, but have been winning since the season-opening loss to Notre Dame at Lambeau Field.  Bucks preseason basketball has started, though it's a rebuilding year after trading Giannis.  And Badger Hockey is starting and basketball will be soon, men's and women's for both.  Even the Badger volleyball team has been hot this year.  It's all fun but I'm really, really hoping the Brewers win their first World Series this year.  Go Brewers!

Weather - After a week that culminated in us turning on the heat for a bit on Friday evening, it has been a beautiful, summer-like weekend.  We went out for dinner on Saturday night (out in public two nights out in a row!) and Sunday was beautiful though I spent it indoors but with windows open all day.  A double batch of flatbread made, the Packers game, a nap, then the Brewers game last night.  Today may be our last summer-like day with temperatures up to the mid-80s ºF, with the high 30 degrees lower by the end of the week.  I have nagging thoughts of fall cleanup that needs to be done, but it's still a little early for most things.  At least no gutter cleaning this year.

That seems to be what I can think of for now.  The seasons go faster every year, except for winter.  Winter drags on every year, whether it's a harsh one or not.  I hear a lot of talk about El Nino this year, but no matter.  Cold or mild, snowy or not, we just have to deal with it.

Have a good week, everyone.  Thank you for reading my ramblings.

Latest Listening Pleasure 41 - Electric Callboy

It's been a few years since I did one of these, I think from laziness as there have been favorites that I've thought about writing up here.  Måneskin was a big one that I can think of now but, of course, they've since disappeared.  Rob Zombie is more than deserving of one; I really like his returning guitarist, Riggs, whose own band Scum Of The Earth was LLP 32.  Wet Leg is very intriguing but we'll see when they come out with a second album.  Falling In Reverse, Skynd, Wednesday 13 and Scene Queen might get here eventually.  I'm older now and don't as actively seek out a 'latest and greatest' anymore, but they still find me.  And I still very much enjoy all the artists that have already been in this series, varied as they may be.

Eskimo Callboy found me in 2020 when they released the song Hypa Hypa and, in fact, I did write a LLP Bonus post about them and Skynd back then.  Since then, this German band has just gotten bigger and better, and have just been a joy to listen to and watch their concerts and videos.  Even the behind the scenes stuff just makes me like this band and these people even more.

Here's that first one that got me - hook, line and sinker.  Hypa Hypa:

Eskimo Callboy became Electric Callboy shortly after that time, and everything was updated to the new name.  The band was unaware that their name was considered a slur by some, and they're just so damn wholesome that they couldn't have that so changed their name.  I don't disagree, but I did recently find a Hypa Hypa tee shirt online with the old name so I bought it for posterity.  It arrived this morning, actually, so I haven't even worn it yet.

I could post any of their videos here and love it similarly.  We Got The Moves:

The band changed one of their singers shortly before Hypa Hypa came out, for the better in my opinion, and I've consumed everything of theirs that I could ever since.  Their concerts are non-stop energy with great effects to keep everyone fully engaged and moving.  I've watched so many of their shows online and watched them grow bigger as a band ever since.  Last year there was even a change of drummers that was an amazing story, but would take to long to convey in this space.

There is a youtuber, Tank the Tech, that I watched now and again, and he, an American, now works for the German band full time as their tour manager, even uprooting his family to Germany.  But he's related so many good stories about how they're just such good people.  Truly heartwarming in this day and age, and thankfully they are so un-American it gives me hope for the world.

A much more recent favorite, though I like them all.  Elevator Operator:

First and foremost, I enjoy this band's techno-metal sound and energy.  Their shows are very theatrical with several costume changes with good humor sprinkled throughout everything they do, and they've had a lot of fun collaborations with other bands.  But the behind the scenes personalities and stories make it just so much more enjoyable.  The songs, sound, energy and positivity have easily made them one of my favorites these last six years.  And likely many more to come.

Previous LLP Posts:

LLP 1 - Pain
LLP 2 - Nightwish
LLP 3 - Die Antwoord
LLP 4 - Pain part 2
LLP 5 - Andrew Bird LIVE
LLP 6 - Nightwish part 2
LLP 7 - Paramore
LLP 8 - Newsted
LLP 9 - U.D.O. LIVE
LLP 10 - Nightwish Imaginaerum Movie
LLP 11 - Kiss
LLP 12 - Rick Springfield
LLP 13 - Hyrax
LLP 14 - In This Moment
LLP 15 - Faster Pussycat LIVE
LLP 16 - Sebastian Bach
LLP 17 - Cradle Of Thorns
LLP 18 - Amaranthe
LLP 19 - Lindemann
LLP 20 - Halestorm
LLP 21 - Garbage LIVE
LLP 22 - Arcade
LLP 23 - Nightwish LIVE
LLP 24 - Ace Frehley
LLP 25 - Darkc3ll
LLP 26 - Dementia
LLP 27 - Rammstein
LLP 28 - Marilyn Manson LIVE
LLP 29 - The Harp Twins LIVE
LLP 30 - Diamante
LLP 31 - Steel Panther LIVE
LLP 32 - Scum Of The Earth

LLP 33 - Marty Friedman LIVE
LLP 34 - Buckethead LIVE
LLP 35 - Alice Cooper LIVE
LLP 36 - Poppy

LLP 37 - Code Orange

LLP 38 - Wargasm UK

LLP 39 - The Warning

LLP 40 - ZZ Top - LIVE

LLP 41 - Electric Callboy

An Inconceivable Evening

My wife and I don't go out at night very often anymore, but last night we went downtown for a show - An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes.  My wife's favorite movie is The Princess Bride, so I got tickets when they went on sale last spring at the historic Orpheum Theater.  Even getting tickets early the lower floor was practically sold out, but I got two tickets in the second row of the balcony near center.  Second row was fine with me; I'm tall and the railing is low and there's no safety net.

The movie began promptly at seven, followed by the actor and an interviewer seated center stage.  He regaled us with amusing stories of filming the movie with director Rob Reiner, co-star Andre the Giant and the others.  It's a fun movie and good to see it on the big screen.  Overall, an enjoyable - if not inconceivable - evening.

Dreary Day & NRII Part 12

Today is absolutely dreary out again, overcast and rainy all day.  My wife woke up sick yesterday morning and wound up coming home early from work.  I've been super fatigued all week and wound up calling in sick today.  My wife has more symptoms and I only have that feeling of malaise, though I've been doing all the supplements this week to ward off any sickness.  Normally, when I have a virus I can 'taste' it.  Most don't quite understand that, I don't think, but apart from the feeling I have I do not have that.  Hopefully it doesn't get to that and I can get back to normal sooner than later.

Like the picture a few posts ago, you can see all the plants have gone past their summer prime.  The lawn needs mowing but it's too wet and I'm too tired anyway, so it will likely get done this weekend.  The weather, wet or not, has been in the 60's ºF and that looks to continue, but the nights look to get colder, into the low 40's ºF, but thankfully not lower yet.

A couple updates on the new roof saga to share:

On Thursday, 9/24, I received text from someone at the roofing company saying that Isaac told them it was ready for a final walkthrough and asked to set up a time.  I replied that Isaac was mistaken.  I was dealing with Matt now and am still not satisfied.  I also said the communication with and apparently within their company was lacking.  The next day I received an apology, and Matt was out of office until the next Tuesday but they would check with him.  Speaking of Matt, I've still not heard from him since I emailed him on 9/22.  I've still not been up to see the overhanging shingle trimming, but will have to do that this weekend.

On a better note; yesterday, 9/30, salesman Tony copied me on an email to my insurance company with pictures they found of the old roof being removed with the ice/water barrier that was present.  I still have to reply to add the broken window that was missed on the initial claim, but that will be done soon.  Still no word from Matt since I met him on 9/1.  "Watch your email," he told me as we parted that day.  It is now a month later and I've heard nothing back.  I have no idea when or how they intend to complete the issues.  If we get to completion I will be asking for a considerable consideration on the bill, which may determine if I am satisfied or if I will be leaving an honest review on every platform possible.

Every day, still, you can hear the sound of nail guns in the background anywhere outside on this side of town.  If I had to do it all over I would have waited until spring to hire someone.  Right now, they're all looking to get in, get out, get on to the next and hope no one looks too close.  I mean, really, how could even a day laborer start the first row of shingles halfway covering the gutter?  

Stay tuned, or not, but this may continue for some time yet.  The timeline doesn't bother me so much as the shoddy workmanship, horrendous communication, and broken promises.  I was promised premium work and didn't get it.  I refuse to be taken for a sucker.

Vacation Recap and NRII Part 11

Well, before it gets too far away from me I should recap my vacation last week.  I didn't have many exact plans for the time off this vacation, and that was on purpose.  It started with a simple birthday, going out for a few drinks after work then coming home and ordering out pizza.  Good times, but nothing unusual.

The next day I made a batch of baguette in the morning, for the second weekend in a row.  The prior weekend I must have just gone through the motions as they didn't turn out as well as I would have liked.  Neither did this batch, but it was okay.  The afternoon was spent watching the Badgers play football and relaxing.

Sunday morning I made a trip down to Mom's.  When I was a kid I would always ask for Mom's butterfinger dessert for my birthday, and she would make it for me.  We went out to lunch, then afterwards I made that same butterfinger dessert for her from her old recipe.  Her birthday is not long after mine, so it felt good to make it for her, for a change.  And it was yummy.  Very rich, but yummy.  We then spent the afternoon and evening watching the Packers game and relaxing.  The next day I got to work on her list of things that needed to be done, had lunch, and I left for home early afternoon.  It was a nice visit, and overdue as I hadn't been down to see her since my vacation in May.  I hate to admit it, but we haven't even talked on the phone as much.  I used to give her a call when I would be out by the fire, but I've not done that so much this summer.

The next couple days were spent being lazy relaxing, with a few chores here and there and lunches out.  And on Thursday I had a wonderful massage.  Only 60 minutes as that seems to be about right, but I added on a scalp massage at the end, and it was so relaxing.  I feel like I drifted in and out during the scalp massage, but kept trying to stay awake to enjoy it fully.  I think I'll be adding this on to all future massages.

By Friday the weather was very cool and damp, and I don't think I left the house the whole day.  Didn't accomplish anything with my time, just took it easy and told myself that was okay.  More of the same on Saturday, though we did have a late lunch out and watched the Badgers play again that evening.

            *            *            *            *

Sunday, 9/20,  got a little busy at an inopportune time.  I spent the morning making another round of baguette that turned out the best of those last three weekends.  But about 11:30 I ran out to get gas in the car and pick up lunch, getting home in time to put the bread in the oven.  At 12 o'clock noon the bread was in the oven, lunch was getting cold, and the Packers were seconds away from kickoff when the doorbell rang.  It was someone from the roofing company here to trim the excessively overhanging shingles on the porch.  They wanted me to show them but I said it was the whole porch and I was busy.  After thinking for a second I went back to tell them to come some other time, but they were already up there so I let it proceed.  Thankfully they didn't bother me again.

I haven't been up to check their work yet so I will have to do that soon, but that brought the roof back to front of mind.  Yesterday, 9/22, three weeks after meeting with Matt and him telling me to watch my email, I emailed him.  I wanted to call, but I want the paper trail.  I told him rather than cutting into the siding to do that seam up right, I just wanted a wider board to cover the old caulk line.  Truthfully, I don't trust them.  I also inquired about my supplemental insurance claim.  When they were removing the old roof they were supposed to take pictures of the whole process - standard operating procedure, I was told.  This was important because I needed proof that the roof had the ice barrier at least 3 feet above the bottom edge under the shingles.  This was worth at least another $2000 from the insurance company, per their salesman.  When Matt was here I saw him go through the pictures and there were none of this.  Without pictures as proof, I'm out that money from the insurance company.

I've not heard anything back yet, but I'll get that money even if I have to withhold it when the bill comes due.  And that won't be the only discount or credit that I'll demand.

Fall Equinox 2026

Tonight at 7:05 is the Autumn Equinox here, 11 minutes after sunset.  Fall has already made itself known around these parts.  Last week was cool and damp, this week is even more cool though it is supposed to warm up a little toward the end of the week.  Plant life is showing the ravages of summer and my mind drifts to all the cleanup to be done though it is not time for any of it yet.  This summer seems to have gone faster than usual and some things seem to have just gotten away from me this year, but I'm not going to spend my time worrying about weeds and such until spring comes and with it hopefully a fresh start and more effective weed killer.

I bought two pumpkins today, small ones.  Halloween decorations and candy have been in the stores for a month and now Christmas stuff is coming out everywhere.  Still September, right?  I swear it gets earlier every year.

Anyway, I normally like to have a fire pit on this type of occasion, but I'm going to have to pass tonight and hope the spirits forgive me.  Fire pit count is still at 2 for the year, and I'm not proud of that.  But instead tonight I'll be staying inside and watching the Brewer game while trying to get started writing a recap of last week's vacation and a roof update.  Happy Autumn, everyone.

Buds to Blooms

Patriot Day, Sunflowers & More

Today is the country's 25th anniversary of 9/11, and my 59th anniversary of 9/11.  Patriot Day is a national holiday of observance, but not a federal public holiday.  I like to get this date off, but I'm not so lucky this year; I'll be at work.  (This post has been scheduled.)

The original sunflower blooms are long gone but the secondary blooms are popping up all over the place.  I've not even tried to count them, but the quality of bloom will be less and some may not get to be much more than they are now.  The tallest sunflower, in the corner of house and porch, reached 10' 7" this year.  I like trying to grow them tall, and I will save the seeds from the head I have bagged, but more and more I'm thinking I might try a different variety next year.

There is also one sunflower plant that the secondary blooms have a bit of different color to them, with the yellow.  They appear to be a different hybrid, but could be some kind of soil deficiency or who-knows-what.  I could look it up, but you know, I'm just not going to worry about that.

I have some plans coming up and some rest and relaxation scheduled.  No big project on my list, just maybe little ones and the PITA ones that I never seem to get around to doing.  I don't want to be too busy right now, anyway.

Starting today I have to relax and just enjoy my time.  I may pop in and out, here, or I may just recap at a later time.  No matter what, I hope it's an enjoyable week for all.  Cheers!

NRII Part 10 & Weekend Musings

8/31 Monday    I expected supervisor Matt around 3:30.  At 3:45 I texted him to see if he was still coming, he replied that he had me on his calendar tomorrow.  Looking back I believe he was correct and I was jumping the gun.  I had not written it down.

9/1 Tuesday    Had a good meeting with Matt.  He saw my issues and said they would be corrected.

Prior to meeting Matt I got out the ladder and did some more checking.  The rain deflector over the walk-in garage door was short and had no angle.  And, an even bigger issue, the bottom row of shingles hung over the roof edge 1 to 2.5 inches, covering much of the gutters.  Ideally this should be 3/8 to 1/2 inch, tops.

Now I wait again.  It will be some time before they can get a crew out, but I'm okay with that as long as it all gets fixed before winter.

I cleaned up the back yard yesterday morning, before the heat and humidity moved in.  Temperatures actually aren't so bad this holiday weekend.  This past week was very hot and humid, with rain here and there.  Our drought status has improved to 'abnormally dry.'

I'm not sure if I will keep seeds from these sunflowers or not.  I've had thoughts of trying a different kind of sunflower than the mammoth, something that is supposed to have multiple blooms as the hybrid mammoths I have do continue to flower but the quality of the later blooms isn't that good.  We'll see what I decide, probably in spring.

Kate and I took a walk this afternoon.  Recently there had been some sort of burn in places along the creek.  Unannounced and the wrong time of year, so I'm not sure if was on purpose or arson.  Anyway, we found some ducks today.

Today I've made baguettes and taco sauce, already enjoyed the Brewer game and later the Wisconsin Badgers open their football season at Lambeau Field against Notre Dame, and I'll be right here watching.  Tomorrow is Labor Day, so a three day weekend and short work week, and I finally have a vacation coming.  Cheers, everyone.

New Roof II - Parts 1-9

8/10, Monday    8:30 a.m.  Roofing supplies on a pallet along with longer trim pieces are dropped off behind the house on the side of the driveway, a bit on the lawn.

8/11, Tuesday    11:30 a.m.  The roofing crew begins working after being delayed by rain.  Roofing and cleanup completed and the last truck leaves at 6:58 p.m.  Some sunflower disrespect pointed out when I got home from work, but mostly I let them work and checked in from my window views.  Also received text from Julia, saying she was the backup project manager and secondary contact to Isaac, the project manager - not on site.

8/13 & 14, Thursday & Friday    Gutter crew arrived late afternoon.  My house gutters are six inch, but they arrived with 5 inch for the porch.  They asked me, and I sighed and figured 5 inch was adequate for the porch and let them proceed.  Not ideal, but whatever.  When the porch gutters and gutter covers were completed they let me know they would be back the next day to put the gutter covers on the house since they only had 5 inch.

8/18, Tuesday    Morning text to Isaac hoping to get a timeline on the work that needed to be addressed yet, more later, and when extra roofing supplies would be removed - 1 week after roof was done.  I waited two days with no response.

8/20, Thursday    I texted Tony the sales guy about the lack of response and he responded right away.  Later that morning Isaac left a phone message.  Tony texted to verify he got a hold of me.  I called Isaac after work, we set up time on Tuesday at 3:30 for final fixes and walk-through.

8/23, Sunday    Trimmed bushes out front.  Collected my third pail of garbage, nails, shingles pieces, and other left by the roofers.

8/25, Tuesday    Expecting to meet Isaac at 3:30, found out he arrived earlier, did some work, talked to Kate and tried to get her to sign off as complete.  I really did not like this.

8/26, Wednesday    2:30 pm I texted backup project manager Julia, asked for Isaac's supervisor's name and number.  4:00 pm that day the leftover supplies got picked up, 15 days after roof completed.

8/27, Thursday    Project manager Julia texted back with names and a number.  When I called that afternoon that number never rang, so I looked up the Madison office number from their website.  Eventually I was put in contact with supervisor Matt.  We spoke that afternoon and I went through my whole complaint list, noting to him that in the grand scheme of things most of it was nothing, but it is the work that lasts.  We have an appointment at my house after work on Monday so he can see my issues in person.

These are pretty much my timeline notes so far, with video to back up almost all of it.  I should have written this in parts as it happened, but I was not expecting this to be so drawn out.  My big issue is with the seam between the porch and the house.  It has looked like shit since we bought the house so I expected it to look much cleaner after this, but it did not.  They did not use a wide enough board to cover the old black caulk, so you could see the old caulk and the new, and it was ugly.  Apparently Tony failed to measure this area too, beside my gutters.

Isaac's proposed fix was some paint.  I was skeptical, but was willing to see what he would do.  Then he was sure to get in and get out before I got home from work.  He knocked on the door and my wife happened to be home, so he told her generally what he did and handed her a paper with some random numbers to pay and asked her to sign it off as complete.  She wouldn't, of course.

He didn't paint, he attached a piece of flashing that creates a channel.  Well, I've never seen anything like it on a house so it's hard to describe, but I don't like it one bit.  Then I saw him on video strategically photograph it for their records, but not the view of the second picture below.

This is a very reputable company with great google reviews, an inspiring backstory, and an A+ Better Business Bureau rating, all reasons I chose this company.  But yet, service has been terrible and this is yet incomplete.  I require a better fix for this and we'll see what Matt says on Monday when he sees this work in person.  I can't imagine anyone thinking this is okay.