Job Time Over My Time

I've worked 20 of the last 35 hours, not including travel time and lunch breaks.  I know some people do more, and I did, too, when I was younger.  Overtime sucks now.  I can't complain about the money, although we'd get by just fine, thank you.  There is a serious management problem when your department is on overtime as much as mine.  Overtime should be a stopgap solution, not a long term business plan.  And, yes, it has been happening for years - over a decade in this department.  There is more I'd like to say, but it would not be appropriate here.  I hope it doesn't come to this because I would hate to start over again, but it may be time to look for work elsewhere...

I am not a 'happy camper' with my bosses or my job right now, and I foresee no changes coming.

Beeholed, The Opening.

This is where our bee swarm from a few weeks ago lived.  I killed some chemically and the rest, I believe, moved.  The dead grass is from the wood I placed there for about a week.

We may not have them living in our back yard anymore, but there are plenty about.  Their numbers seemed to increase but they also seem more sluggish.  Perhaps this is their last big party time before they die or hibernate?

Staycation Jolly Good Fun Time

Once again I have taken some time off work around my birthday, last week.  I didn't say much about it here because I try not to advertise what I plan to do as much as like to write about what I've done.  Plans can change and it's no one's business when our home is unattended for a few days.  This isn't facebook but the thought of security is the same.

My time off started a week ago Friday as we left for this year's weekend at a rented cabin with my in-laws after I came home from work.  For the most part it was relaxing time for all - unless you wanted a full night's sleep.  I didn't write much about that weekend a few posts ago.  There is a reason, but I still better leave it alone.  In fact, bury it.  Remember it, but bury it deep.  The end.

Monday was to be a relaxing first day off at home.  The weather was nice, I got a few things done but mostly I rested, reading and watching the internet.  I did take myself out to lunch at Brothers Three.  Tuesday, of course, was my trip to see Grandma L.  It is nice to see her, I just wish it wasn't so far.   (Almost 2 hours each way.  That might not be a whole lot to some of you, but I am a homebody who really doesn't like to travel much.  For the most part, I don't mind driving as much as I just hate traffic.  Get everybody else off the road and I'll drive you wherever you'd like.  Maybe, if it's not too far.)  Still, I am glad I went and hopefully I can make the trip again next year.  I did get back to town in time to meet up with a buddy for a couple drinks up the road at the Malt House, but I was tired from traveling much of the day so that was just a nice, short meeting for a couple of drinks and some catching up.

Then the weather changed.

On Wednesday, if I remember right, it rained in the late morning and when it finished the already humid day got downright sticky and uncomfortable.  Never fear, however.  Soon the humidity fell to reasonable levels and by evening it was 'close the windows' cool.  Wednesday was wet, gray and cool and I did a whole lot of nothing but surfing the internet - in 3 layers of clothing.  Thursday, on the other hand, was not much different.  Not wet, but even cooler, still gray.  I managed to get dressed to go out to a steak dinner (again, Brothers Three), otherwise I had much the same as the day before.  Now, Friday was totally different.  Friday I said to hell with it and turned on the heat for a time.  In the middle of September.  I hoped the neighbors didn't notice, but I know some of them had theirs on, too.   There was more sun than the last couple days but highs in the mid 50's and lows in the upper 30's does not help a house keep its heat, especially on the gray days.   Contrary to my griping, these were not bad vacation days for me.  I did not have a big project lined up like I usually do, so the weather did not affect me much.  I just stayed inside and lounged, and was thankful for the opportunity to do so.

*I wrote the above two days ago, so I guess I'd just better finish this up and get it posted.

Saturday morning I spent working on the garden.  Kate wanted support posts for the raspberry plants.  I still haven't taken pictures to post on the garden blog, but there is more work to be done back there this weekend.  Then that afternoon we went out to Mazonet Marina for their customer appreciation day.  It was still cool, but the sun was out.  Next to the water with a band playing, grilled polish sausages and beer.  It would have been almost perfect but the bees were out in force, attracted by all the food and drink I'm sure.  I don't think anyone got stung but they were sure a nuisance - and cover your drink at all times so they don't get in!

Overall, I did not think about work more than a couple times last week.  Very good, I thought, surprising, but it was very nice.


As a reminder to myself, I have yet to write about getting my first ever cell phone.  I got it about 3 weeks ago.  Also, I quit smoking (again) a month ago.  These are topics for when I don't know what to write about later.  PTFO

Happy 9/11 Day

via Bits & Pieces

via I Have Seen The Whole Of The Internet

Grandma Trip

Yesterday I made a road trip to Grant county to see my 95-year-old paternal grandmother.  (My maternal grandmother passed last year at 88, I think.)  It was nice, I met my mom there and we visited and took her out to lunch.  I was glad to have my mom there, she's a talker and I'm not really so she kept the conversations going. 

Grandma seems well - old and frail, but well.  She doesn't hear very well and she is very slow moving about but she was interesting and would liven up when she would start telling us stories of the farm where she was raised.  I, rather unstealthily (isn't that a word?), made a couple videos of her talking, trying to catch one of those stories.  After all, each time I see her I fear it will be the last.

Cabin Weekend

We spent last weekend with my wife's family at a log cabin, above, as we did last year and the year before - different cabins each time.  Food, campfire, games, etc.  Well, that's that, then.

Sting - Stang - Stung

Yesterday I was under the impression that August had only 30 days.  I had nothing to really write about, thus the quick post in the few minutes I had after my nap and before going to the neighbor's party.  Today, what was something little turned out to be a bigger deal.  Now I have something to write about.

I think it was August 14, about two and a half weeks ago, I got home from work and was mowing the lawn when it felt like I was getting poked with a needle on my foot.  I shook it and then looked down and saw a bee in between the leather on my (toe covered) sandals.  I let go of the mower and ripped my sandal off my foot.  I didn't see where the bee went, but the immediate threat was gone and I had a lawn to mow so I put the sandal back on and continued.

A few minutes later and on the other side of the yard I started to feel like I was getting poked again, same as before.  This time it was at the very top of my left ass cheek.  Again I let go of the mower, then I ran to the garage while grabbing at various parts of my shorts.  I got to the side door - locked.  I ran around the corner and in the open garage door but there was one problem - it was daytime and the open garage faces the street (and neighbors).  Quickly, I hit the button to shut the garage and turned on the light.  I continued dancing around until the door was mostly down then dropped everything right there in the middle of the garage.  By then the poking had stopped and no bee was found.  Back to mowing the lawn. 

At least two stings, minutes apart.  They itched like crazy - and continued to itch for about a week and a half - but no swelling whatsoever.  None.

I kept my eyes open as I finished mowing but saw no bees flying around at all.  It was a few days later we found their 'nest'.  They were coming in and out on the edge of the lawn under the wood that separates the tree area.  I sprayed their entrance several times and eventually saw no signs of bees and thought that was that.  I was wrong.

Yesterday morning I mowed the lawn before the rain came.  I wasn't even thinking of bees, but I should have been.  Not long after passing their area with the mower I felt that same sting, this time on the back of my right arm just above the elbow.  The perfect spot that I couldn't reach on the first try and he got me good.  I saw activity in that same area that I had sprayed before so I sprayed it again.  That quieted them down for the moment and allowed me to finish the lawn.  When I was done mowing I sprayed it again and put some spare wood over it.  I doubt it was a good enough fit to trap them inside, but maybe making them burrow through grass would make them leave.  I had one more shot at spraying left in the can, in fact I still need to get more to try to finish the job.

Not too long after I noticed that I was developing a welt, red and puffy and itchy.  I put some Afterbite on and tried to forget about it.  Just a couple hours later it was getting hard to ignore.  The swelling had spread, it was red and hot to the touch.  I put a compression sleeve on to hopefully keep the swelling down and carried on with my day.  By the evening my whole arm was swollen.  Not too grotesquely, mostly the back and inside of my arm from just below the elbow to below my armpit, but even my hand was a tiny bit puffier than the other.  It was uncomfortable because my skin was taut around my elbow and bicep and it itched - oh, the itching!

Today the redness has spread almost to my wrist but thankfully has not moved up to my shoulder.  The skin is still tight and the red areas are still itchy and hot to the touch.  I've tried ice packs yesterday and they really don't do anything.  It has not been painful, really, just very uncomfortable and has made me a bit grumpy.  I guess I am allergic to bee stings now.  I'm not sure how that works, but if it happens again anytime soon I may make a beeline for the urgent care, pun intended.

Some way to spend a holiday weekend, huh?

Labor Day Weekend 2014

I noticed that I have never posted less than seven times a month, and that's not going to change now.

Happy holiday weekend to all!  I got my three day weekend started by mowing the lawn before the rain came today.  After putzing around for a while, we went out for lunch before I laid down for a nap.  See, tonight we have a party to go to over at the neighbor's and at 8:00 the Wisconsin Badgers open their college football season!  Finally.  The Packers start next weekend.  Tomorrow, weather permitting, we're supposed to go out on a friend's pontoon boat, and we'll probably do some chores so we can be restful (lazy) on Labor Day.

Goodbye August, I hardly got to know you.

Friday's Feast

Hot Ham and Swiss sliders

We had some friends over Friday night to watch the Packers' preseason game against Oakland and have a fire in the back yard.  Well, many could not make it for one reason or another and it was really hot and humid, so the fire pit got nixed.  But Kate made a great spread of food again!

Pepperoni and String Cheese egg roll wraps

She also had potato skins ready to put together but wound up not making them because there was plenty of food already for the people who did come over.  They're in the freezer now for the next get-together for a football game.  Besides the pictured, she also put out 3 different kinds of popcorn, and there were tortilla chips and a cheese dip that she made in the fondu pot.  I got stuffed - and we had plenty of leftovers that we were eating yesterday.

Both  of the foods on the right were found at Do It And How, thanks Krisgo!


It's been business as usual, otherwise.  I have less overtime next week, so that's good.  Maybe more posting, maybe not.  It's hard to post when you have nothing new, funny or odd to share.

Drinking in Wisconsin

I've loved this bit for some time now, ever since I first heard it.  This is Lewis Black on drinking in Wisconsin.  Classic because it's very true.  Yes, I'm a bit intoxicated right now, late this Friday night, aren't you?  We were out with friends and had some fun.  I hope you had a happy Friday night, too!  After all, you've had a long week - you earned it!   NSFW!



*Hiccup* - maybe it's time for bed.  Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwn

GodMode

For Windows 7 or 8.  I saw this over at Bits & Pieces and watched the video.  It's really just as simple as that, copy the code and create a folder on your desktop, name it the code and... Ta-Da!  Tons of functions at your fingertips!  Thanks Jonco!

Copy this code: GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

Supermoon

via

This And Thats

It has been a week since I posted anything but not a lot has been happening.  It must be time for a little bit of this and a little bit of that.

• Work has been keeping me busier than I'd like.  I shouldn't complain, it is only 5 hours of mandatory overtime a week, but I still do.  Especially in the summertime it is nice to be off work at my regular time.  I do have a week off pretty soon, hopefully that will relax me, maybe change my attitude.
• We have been pretty dry lately, but not dry enough to turn the whole lawn brown again.  We've also been warm this summer, but not warm enough to use the air conditioning too often.  Overall a very nice summer.  I'd like more rain but we seem to be getting by for the moment.
• Ace Frehley's new album Space Invader comes out real soon.  I'll see how it sounds to me, but as long as it doesn't bomb it just may be my next LLP post.
• Due to reasons nonforthcoming, money has been a little tight recently.  Not too bad, but there is a lot that we need and want by this fall.  Kate is going to take some online classes so we need to get a laptop for her, and I've been wanting a power washer for several outdoor tasks around here.  We know what's number one on the list, after that is the 'wish' list that greatly declines in urgency as it gets longer.  I think we've prioritized well and should be able to get everything necessary by the time it's needed.  See also the overtime above.
• I missed my sister's kids birthday.  Sorry J&L, happy belated!  I'd like to think I'm getting better by creating a list with phone numbers, addresses and birthdays, but I still should get better with cards, especially with the kids.  I've never been a card person, but I really don't get to see the nieces and nephews much.
• Nothing new on the computer front, the old one is still humming along nicely.  It's easy to get complacent but we have to have a back up plan.  There was no warning last time it crashed and I don't expect one next time.
• The Packers play their first preseason game tonight!  Yeah, it's early and we won't see a lot of the starters, but some of the kids we do see may make the team.  I can feel the season coming!

That's what's going on in my world, what's going on in yours?  I hope it's more exciting.

Where Is Hyrax?

Not Hirax, a metal band out of L.A.  Hyrax, an obscure metal band from Germany, as far as I can tell.  I came across this band almost a year ago, (they're one of my LLPs,) though it seems longer, on one of my youtube searches for something fun and new and striking to me.  I found Hyrax by chance and have been loving their music ever since.  Their previous 'debut' album, Over The Edge, is the most available but for early EPs and random stuff.  It came out last year when I first wrote about the band. I'm surprised writing this now that I now it was less than a year ago, the fact that I really like their music and I'm looking for more proves they're doing something right.

Still, there's not a lot of live stuff on the ole internets.  Maybe they're in the studio, I don't know, I don't speak German.  Still, I like it and I'd like to hear more.  Here's a few good ones I found tonight.  Forgive my indulgence, I'm rockin' out!

Hyrax - Too Kind

Hyrax - Your Company

Hyrax - Tasting Pain

Garage Project Finished and Atwoodfest

I spent a couple hours finishing the garage yesterday midday.  It went pretty easy, even though it was a bit warm it was mostly overcast.  Now I have to spend some time organizing and utilizing the new space wisely.


Afterward, Kate and I walked over to Atwoodfest, one of the neighborhood festivals with food, vendors and bands.  A lot of each, it was a larger deal than I was expecting.  We met up with James, our favorite cook at our favorite bar and grill, and later his friend, also named Kate.  We had a really good time trying different foods, drinking, listening to music, people watching - you know, street festival stuff.

It was about a 15 minute walk from our house, mostly on the bike path, longer than I have walked in some time I'm sorry to admit.  After stepping up and down a ladder dozens of times, and then, of course, we were on our feet up and down the street all afternoon.  The walk home was quite uncomfortable (my dogs were barkin'!), but an ice cream cone on the way helped make it better.  The bike path was busy that day, and nicely lined with community gardens for much of the walk and flowers everywhere.

We live in a pretty neat part of - overall - a pretty neat city.  We need to get out and walk like that more, a fifteen minute walk to get lunch, shop or have a drink is really not that much.  Just not yet, my feet still hurt today.

I believe that bikes would be soo much better, and we could go a bit farther.  We have discussed it, but they are low priority for now, added to an already long list.

Thanks for getting us out, James!  It was a great day!

Garage Storage Project

There was a sale on lumber a couple weeks ago so got my friend Keelan - and her truck - to help me get some boards for a storage plan I've had in the garage.  Not cheap, just over 100 bucks with a box of screws, but it will be more functional and look a whole lot better. 

Above is how I had been storing things in the rafters, on every large, thick cardboard box I got - starting with the lawn mower box on the left shortly after we moved in.  I've since made most two boxes thick.  We don't store anything extraordinarily heavy up there, but boxes sag.  You can see a stick above the workbench helping support an area.

Last Saturday I got a start on this project while my wife was away and I was free to listen to music and play in the garage.  Not that I couldn't have done it with her here, it just happened that way.  I really enjoy projects like this.  I'm not working for 'the Man,' I'm working for myself and I can go at my own leisurely pace.  I've always got good music playing so I can rock out a bit when necessary.  I get real focused while I'm planning things on the fly.  And I love the feeling of having something to look at and say that I did that.

Well, only half of that, for now.  I plan on finishing the other half this Saturday.  Eventually I'll be more organized, I've also had thoughts of fixing up my work bench area and somehow creating a gardening station.  All in due time...

Vertical Videos Are A Sin

I would agree.

via

My Computer Issues

It was almost two weeks ago on a Monday night that we shut down the computer like usual, all was as it had been and should be.  Tuesday after work when we started it again all was definitely not well.  It took forever to start and then it moved slower than molasses, each keystroke would take minutes to register.  There was no getting online, no nothing you could do at that speed.  I spent that night and the next trying everything I could to fix it.  Nothing I tried worked, but I did manage to get the few recent files off that I didn't have backed up.  I even called StepDan for some advice, but even he couldn't think of anything I had not already tried.

So Thursday after work I went out and picked up a new one.  Wow.  First off, Windows 8.1 is waaaay different than 7.  And I noticed it seemed geared toward the all-in-ones with a touchscreen.  This would take some time to learn and get used to it. 

Setup went okay and I was learning to navigate somewhat, and I was able to connect to the internet, but then it would be gone, and then it would be back.  I was able to get a stable, yet slower, connection via wifi, but the Ethernet connection was on/off/on/off literally every few to 20 or so seconds.  It was maddening. We made do with the wifi connection for a while as I sought a solution.  I tried a different Ethernet cable, reset my router/modem and spent a good half hour on the phone with my ISP, but it was not their issue and they could not help.

There was no phone number in the materials that came with the computer but I found a number for the manufacturer easily online.  I called and a guy named Natesh walked me through a number of different things.  I remember him saying at one point that he thinks there may be a glitch - meaning a hardware problem.  Finally he had me do a factory restore.  On a brand new computer.  If I didn't know before, I surely knew then I was returning the computer.  This took quite some time so he scheduled a call back later that evening.  The callback was late and it was probably his supervisor, Natesh got stuck on another call, so by then I had the computer boxed up and ready to return.  When the factory restore failed there was a blue screen and a code and the message that the computer needed repair.  I had a lemon, all right.

But, I must say, they provided very good customer service.  They even called me back the next evening to make sure I was able to return it and get my money back before shutting the case.  That impressed me and I filled out their short email survey favorably a few days later.

So, I'm sitting with a busted computer again and I decided to drop the big one.  Restore to factory settings the computer we had.  Nothing else helped and I had most everything backed up, anyway.  And it worked!  It was acting normal after a successful restore.  The only thing is it was like a brand new computer that had sat around for about 5 years.  A lot has changed and updated in that time.

When this computer was brand new it looked totally different than the computer we were used to using.  Over the last several days it is slowly becoming the computer we had before the crash, but it has taken many hundreds of updates, downloads and service packs to get back up to speed.  I'm thankful because now I have what I had, what I like, and what I'm used to.  But even if we get it back to perfect for us, who's to say it won't crash again?

And that's where it stands.  I have no idea what the odds are or how likely another crash may be.  We may take a look at other computers as a backup plan, but for now I think we're just going to let it ride and see what happens - or hopefully what doesn't happen.

Pizza Delivery Driver Joke

I've seen this kind of thing posted online before, so I have tried it a few times.  I think the first two were when we ordered pizza online during last winter.  In the 'special instructions' area I wrote something asking them to draw a snowman on the box.  Come to think of it, they may have actually done it one of those times.  I have no idea which delivery place did, luckily we have several options for food delivery in our part of town.

Tonight we got Domino's because of their 50% off online pizza orders deal.  In the 'special instructions for the driver' area I typed; "Write your favorite joke on the box plz.  Thx:)," or very similar.  I know it took up every character allowed.  When it arrived I was pleasantly surprised!  Although I had totally forgotten my request when I answered the door, I gave him a pretty good tip (as we always do) and as soon as he left I noticed the writing and remembered.  Kudos Domino's delivery driver!  I'm happy for the little participation in a bit of fun by someone who doesn't need to, but I hope it made at least him and maybe his co-workers smile.  Makes me feel a little better about, well, people.

Still, you can't offend me, delivery guy,  next time I'd like to see your real favorite joke!

I'm Back For Now

It's a story that I really don't want to take the time to get into right now, but I will surely tell the tale of my computer adventures in a post sometime soon. 

Meanwhile, we have been busy with real life and all it throws at you.  Weather-wise it has been mostly pleasant - we haven't had to use the central air conditioning in quite a while.  The news even spoke of a 'polar vortex' that brought us cooler weather.  Cooler, well, I wore a light jacket to work two days this week, optionally.  Still, it is different than those 90º humid days we usually see often this time of year.

I have to post about the garden soon.  Much has changed since the last post.  I took pictures last night and tomorrow morning I will take pictures again after my wife removes plants that are floundering, for reasons that my wife thinks and maybe I'll try to explain more when I post.  Basically, organic growing is very hard for some plants in our area, from what I understand.

Well, that's it for now.  I don't foresee another abrupt end to my access to the internet again, but I can't rule it out just yet.  More to come, I'd like to tell the whole story at once, and, hopefully, with a very happy ending.

Peace -The F**k- Out!

Spoke Too Soon

I'm having all sorts of trouble getting a stable connection.  Not fun.  Wish me luck, I think I need it.  And I think I will be returning the computer.  We'll see after this factory image restore and what HP's Natesh says when he calls back in an hour.
-Typed with one fat finger on my wife's iPhone.

Back Online!

I'm back!

When we shut down the computer on Monday night all was well.  When we started it up again after work on Tuesday it was slower than molasses.  I tried everything - and I mean everything - that I could think of to try and fix the problem.  I worked on it Tuesday night and Wednesday night to no avail.  Absolutely nothing helped.  I even called computer-savvy StepDan and he couldn't think of anything that I hadn't tried yet.  So I went out after work yesterday and got a new one. 

Now the real work begins.  I have things set up and stable enough to use, but we will be fine tuning and learning how to use the new PC for weeks.  A major pain, but I'm sure we'll adapt.  I'm okay with the new mouse, but I think I'm going to go back to the old keyboard.  This one is too flat.

But for now, I got some catching up to do!  PTFO

Offline

I'm roughing it with a broken Internet machine. Back ASAP. Typing this on my wife's phone is a pain in the rump!

Peeps, Part Two

Last night we had our friends over for a fire pit, drinks and snacks.  Always fun to do, and it is a holiday weekend, after all.  I also had a lot of little sticks and bark I wanted to get burned up. Turned out pretty well.  While mosquito season is peaking, there was a good breeze and smoke to keep them at bay.  Also it wasn't a real hot day so sitting by the fire was more comfortable than it could have been.

It's been over two years since the original Peep incident (see the original video here), and last night Terry was ready to try and make lightning strike twice.  Well, I don't know if it matches the spontaneity of the first video, but it was entertaining nonetheless.

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

This And Thats

It has come time again to drop all sorts of little nuggets about this or that going on in our life recently.

• I've been overdue to update the garden site.  We've had a lot of rain recently and the plants have been growing well.  According to our rain gauge, we had about 8.5 inches in a 4 day stretch last week, and some pretty severe storms.  I got home one day and the street was blocked off just past our house due to downed branches and phone, cable and power lines.  There were similar or worse scenes all around the region.  I wanted to post about it but I don't want to show my neighbor's houses.  I can choose to post our own house, but even then I've blocked out the street numbers before.
• Speaking of the garden - well, I started to - salad greens have been ready and we got some more from a friend so we have been eating a lot of salads lately.  Kate has been eating more than I since I tend to tire of them after a couple days.  Steaks on the grill tonight!
• I'm taking a bit of time off this week and I really have nothing planned.  No projects, no nothing.  I'm starting to feel a bit guilty about being lazy, but I really need my batteries recharged.  I've been almost constantly training in one thing or another at work since last August and my brain is tired.  I have a U.D.O. concert dvd that I haven't watched yet - there, now I have plans tomorrow.
• I got a laugh from this fact about Wisconsin, via a very interesting article at Huffington Post that my wife pointed out to me:  'With a population of 5,664,893, Wisconsin has only 57 fewer drinking places (3,043) than California (3,100), a state with a population of 39,969,200.'  And 'Wisconsin had nearly three times more bars than grocery stores.'  It is an interesting article that covers a lot of things we're known for here, and not just drinking.
• We've had fun getting together with friends for fun and family for Father's Day recently.  We were going to have our spring party last weekend, but a few weeks ago, right before we started plans in earnest, we got a flier on our door for the 3rd annual street block party.  Just the same, the timing wasn't the best for us this year to throw a big shindig like we have almost every year since we moved here.  We have not gone up to the street's block party (held on the next block) yet, it seems like it is more of a families with kids thing.  Or maybe that's just an excuse.  I like to think we are friendly with most all our neighbors, but we are actually pretty private, too.

I've left this for a bit and come back after a wonderful grilled tenderloin steak dinner.  I really thought that I had more to say.  I'll probably think of a half dozen more things after I hit 'publish.'  Good thing I have a couple more days off...

Latest Listening Pleasure 16 - Sebastian Bach

I didn't really like Skid Row, but I admit to liking selected songs, mostly years later. When it comes down to it, I liked the singer, the band not so much. Sebastian Bach has had arguably the better career since the split, yet he seems to think a reunion would make them millionaires again or something. I just know what I like, I like Sebastian Bach more than the band he was in, or even much of his solo stuff... Well, there is some real good stuff on his solo albums and he is a great metal frontman and gives it his all. I do see what all the detractors see, but I have respect Sebastian Bach.  Enough that he is now one of my LLPs!  In fact, this is probably the best lyric video that I have seen to date, off his latest release 'Give 'Em Hell.'


This next video, 'Temptation,' is actually the first single of the new album. It features Duff McKagan who also played on some of the album.


*I found this in my drafts from a few weeks ago so I must have been drinking when I wrote it.  In fact, I did post the first video recently, but now it's official - Sebastian Bach is a latest listening pleasure!  Enjoy!


Previous LLP Posts...
LLP 1 - Pain
LLP 2 - Nightwish
LLP 3 - Die Antwoord
LLP 4 - Pain part 2
LLP 5 - Andrew Bird
LLP 6 - Nightwish part 2
LLP 7 - Paramore
LLP 8 - Newsted
LLP 9 - U.D.O.
LLP 10 - Nightwish Imaginaerum Movie
LLP 11 - Kiss
LLP 12 - Rick Springfield
LLP 13 - Hyrax
LLP 14 - In This Moment
LLP 15 - Faster Pussycat

FYI: Fun Youtube Info

You can download a youtube video by adding ss between www. and youtube.  Example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9b8It9_iV58

just add 'ss'

https://www.ssyoutube.com/watch?v=9b8It9_iV58

Just click to go on to the website, wait for it to load, then click download.  There's even different formats to choose from.  It really works and it's pretty fast, so if you have a need for your own copy of a video then have fun with it!

Power Naps

I saw this video recently and it made sense to me.  I've actually been doing this for a couple years now, I get a 35 minute lunch and I go straight to the car, set a timer for 30 minutes, turn the radio on really low and lay back with my hat over my eyes.  All year round, too, so there are some accommodations for weather.  It started when my back was aching as a chance to rest it during the day, now I needs me nap!


Not a whole lot going on right now.  There are some things I should take the time to write about so there may be a 'This and Thats' post soon.  The helicopters are done falling so I need to clean the gutters, and the squirrels have been leaving the new strawberry plants alone.  Oh, and after enjoying several weeks of temperatures moderate enough to leave the windows open we may have to start the air conditioner soon.  Maybe even tonight.  This week is to be warm and humid all week.  Oh well, it was nice while it lasted.

Cat in a Basket

Hamish, left, looking at Kate while Basil wants in on whatever's happening.

Have Gnome Will Travel

The gnome has a new home!  His old area by the base of the lilac got a bit overgrown so now he is back along the fence among the hostas!  At least for now.

Check out recent pictures of the garden and some plants around the yard over here!*

*I'm too tired to post anything witty, look at our plants!

Space Stream Follow-up

That last post is out of this world, isn't it?  Granted, the feed may be black when it is on the other side of the Earth than the sun, but wait just a little bit and it will be back to daylight - and some fascinating views!  This site, the ISS Tracker, can actually show you where the International Space Station is in real time, including it's path and the sun's horizons.  You can also sign up for email alerts for when you can actually view it where you live and with your naked eye over at NASA's Spot the Station website, which I also list in the right column.  I, myself, try to see it every reasonable hour it happens comes our way.

Space Stream

Live, from the ISS...

More info here.

Squirrel Proof

Yesterday I mentioned how all squirrels are bastards.  Today there is more proof of that statement.  Absolute strawberry destruction.

'Helicopter' Season Began Today

You know, the winged seeds of maple trees.  Now they'll literally be all over the house and yard for a few weeks.  The squirrel bastards* will feast, and even plant or hide many in the lawn and garden.  I'll have to clean the gutters again when it is over.  I also saw the first signs of the cottonwood tree's spring presence today.  I have no idea where the cottonwood trees are around here, but we are aware of them every spring.  We got a little rain and wind this evening and, if you look closely at the picture, every dot in that sky is a 'helicopter.'
 Actually, this isn't so much of a complaint as it is an acknowledgement of our particular rites of spring, living where we do.  After all, so many events occur only briefly every season, especially in the springtime.  We really have to remind ourselves sometimes to try to appreciate these events for the wonder that they are.  And also sometimes be thankful they are only for a limited time...

*My latest conclusion is that all squirrels are bastards.  They seem to dig up or get into everything eventually. 

Memorial Day 2014

Happy Memorial Day!  Sounds odd, what's so happy about a memorial?  Most people are just happy to have a three day weekend.  Work on project list - check, grill out - check, gardening - check, see friends - check.

No matter how much fun you have or how lazy you feel, take a moment and remember why you have the extra day off.  There's my public service announcement.

Now, I was looking for something to post this morning but nothing stood out.  Oh, there's tons of flags and headstone pictures out there, with all types of reverent sayings on them, but I was looking for something more relevant to us.  I had to go out this morning, and I remember seeing them starting to set up the 'memorial mile' the other day, so I thought I would try to get a picture while driving down Atwood Avenue.  There are similar displays of death all across the country this weekend, this is Madison's, in Olbrich Park which is right on Lake Mendota.

I wound up taking a video of the entire mile.  It goes too fast to read, but the signs say things like '2009 Afghanistan,' followed by a headstone for each life lost.  Turn down your speakers!  The road noise is a bit much.

Recent Music Interests

I've seen a couple music videos over the last several months of bands that, well, I like them but I guess not really enough yet to give them a Latest Listening Pleasure post.  Or in this first case, Die Antwoord, they've already been featured in one of my LLP posts, plus several other posts since I first posted about them in early 2010, before I even had LLP posts as a thing.
Also the newest video posted here tonight, this is Die Antwoord - Pitbull Terrier.


Next is an old almost favorite kind of thing.  Let me say that I don't like Skid Row, but I do like Sebastian Bach.  I don't know why, but hey, I like Rick Springfield sometimes, too.  Here's my favorite of Bas' latest videos from his recent release:  Sebastian Bach - Taking Back Tomorrow.


Then there is the band Ektomorf, that I first learned of while on vacation on the Alabama coast earlier this year while perusing Blabbermouth on my Mom's ipad.  They've gotten my attention and kept it, so there is something I like.  Ektomorf - Numb and Sick.


Another recent liking is a band that had a few albums in the early-mid nineties and recently reformed for another album. I'd never heard of them before, and I'm not terribly crazy about the album as a whole, but I do like this song. Skintrade - Hardcore MF Heart Attack. 


I don't know music, I just know what I like.  PTFO

Catching Up Outside, Part II

In my haste to get the pictures uploaded, formatted and posted I forgot to mention a few details.  Not just for you, we look back here sometimes to find out when was the last time we did something, stuff like that.  So I want it on record that we got the house washed today, and the windows - inside and out.  It's still a bit cool to enjoy having the windows open comfortably.  But it is a nice feeling that we have them paid off even before we can fully enjoy them - we just had them installed last November.

The back steps are scrubbed and ready for another water sealing.  That should be pretty easy to do any evening this week, as long as the overnight temperatures are warm enough.  I also have a couple painting projects this year.  I bought black paint yesterday to do the garage trim, and eventually I need white paint to clean up and repaint the trim along the roofline at the front and back of the house.  Then there are the front railings that I should take a wire brush to and then spray paint.  And if that isn't enough, this fall I could get a start on some concrete patching and painting on the foundation.  Next spring we want to do the whole foundation but I can probably get the areas where there are no plants done yet this year.  We'll see.  I hate painting.  Wait.  No, that's right.  I hate painting.  And plumbing.

Catching Up Outside

Last weekend we had friends over for our first fire pit party of the season.  Nothing spectacular, but always a good time with good food and good friends.  (On a side note, I just bought a party game that I think will be a blast to play with this bunch!)  I think Bridget is raising her glass here, I don't believe she would be flipping off my camera.  At least I hope not!

I finally finished the drain project at the side of the house.  I put the new drain tube in a few weeks ago, before the hostas came up, but I wanted to get the tray at the end inset into the ground a little bit.  It will probably still hold some water in the tube after a rain, but surely not as much as the old one, which I had to replace due to it breaking at the elbow by the drain pipe.  It's still a bit of an awkward corner, but what else can I do?  It looks good enough to me, but I do still want to get a hose guide in that corner.

Spring is here!  The gnome has it's home for the season.

Kate has done even more planting, check out the garden here.

Happy Mother's Day 2014

Hi Mom, Happy Mother's Day!  This isn't really for you, just something different than is posted everywhere else today.  I looked around for something, but I sent you a card and like I said, that usual stuff can be found all over today.  By the way, Mom, I'm glad you liked the pictures and no, that was a cat toy they were batting around.
Here are members of Steel Panther having fun with the day, they are a (pretty good) 80's hair metal spoof band.  A bit NSFW.