PHG alert

The weather has been anything but tame just about anywhere you look.

Well, except maybe in my neighborhood, so I won't post any pictures.

The extended family have, for the most part, been fortunate that the weather has only slightly inconvenienced them.

Except this morning!

PHG* had to have her roommate drive her to work.

There are others who aren't nearly as fortunate.

We pray they get relief soon.

*christened Permanent House Guest in May 2012, rechristened Pretty Hot Girl soon thereafter.

Opinion . . . and more

Tomorrow's post today because tomorrow we are on the road again, for at least three days, delivering children home to their parents in Washington.
There is some question if we will take the most direct route, as there is a serious situation¹ in the Redding area. So far I-5 looks okay.

The local daily (newspaper)
I won't mention any names.
I used to believe this one was better than the local in Redding.
My opinion has changed.

Actually I can't much comment on the paper itself.
Since I subscribed on June 22 we have received exactly one copy.
My issues up north had as much to do with content as with delivery.
Up there the complaint wasn't about receiving it.
It was about where I would find it.

So I was listening to a discussion on NPR the other day.
A senior editor from one of the major chains was lamenting how circulation, both hard copy and online, is declining.
The lament was more about the number of journalist jobs being lost rather than the cause of the decline, though some words about the importance of journalism transpired.
The local station also interviewed a "regional" [as in four western states] editor, of the chain that owns the local, about the loss of journalist jobs due to cost cutting measures.

Almost the entire time I was listening to these important newspaper people I got the impression they were sure they knew what the customer wants.
Not once did either mention timeliness or convenience.

The news in the papers is no longer new when it reaches the customer.
It has been hashed and rehashed again and again on TV and the radio.
The newspapers could provide some depth, but that would require research and research is expensive.

They talked incessantly about their websites.
I have yet to see a newspaper website that was user friendly or, for that matter, easily accessible.
I will be darned if I'm going to go retrieve my news if I have to pay for it, too.
They never mentioned home delivery [or if they did I missed it].

The newspapers have continuously given short shrift to their home delivery subscribers.
They have all but eliminated afternoon papers, which, if you treated your carrier right, you could find on your front porch.
There's nothing wrong with an early morning paper.
It's just that, in many cases the early morning paper is really a late delivery of last night's paper because the press run started at midnight [or earlier].
The real issue, though, is how poorly the delivery people are treated.
Reimbursement for what they do is borderline criminal atrocious appalling dreadful terrible and the hours really suck.
It's a seven day a week proposition, too.
I'm of the opinion that the journalism side of newspapers should do an investigation of how the publishing side abuses their contractors.

You might ask why I haven't contacted the paper about the missed deliveries.
I would respond that I have . . .   EVERY TIME IT WAS NOT DELIVERED!!!
I was reassured each time that the problem would be taken care of.
Unfortunately there was some kind of disconnect between the parties to whom I spoke and those who ensure delivery.
All manner of promises were made . . .

. . . and not kept.

I would be really miffed, since this was a prepaid subscription, but for one thing.
The subscription was purchased through an agent.

MB and I were at AT&T Park for the Giants game.
We were strolling through the area behind the Left Field Bleachers, where all of the amusements are, when the agent got our attention with, "Do you get the paper?"
MB replied, "We don't live here."
"Where do you live, he asked."
"Sacramento?"
"Oh, do you subscribe to the _____________?"
"Er . . .  no? We did but cancelled."
"Well, I can sign you up . . .   and you can have this custom Giants sweatshirt . . .   for $11.52"
Well, winner, winner, chicken dinner, it just so happened that MB had overlooked packing a warm wrap for the game.
If you have ever seen the prices of logo merchandise at a MLB stadium, you know what a bargain that is.

In case you're wondering, I am still going to have to get her a birthday gift.

feels better now

 that it's cancelled

¹I lived in the area for 44 years.
Maybe I can write about it when the crisis ends.

Evidence

Ducky and Eeyore can use just about anything to create a game.
Last week it was their version of Kick the Can (as evidenced by the dent in the equipment).
I failed to observe, but from the sounds of laughter it must have been great fun.

Zzzzz

Did I mention

 . . . that while we were at Berkeley last Saturday I saw the UC baseball team working out?

Yeah there's a balcony at Haas Pavilion that overlooks the baseball stadium.
Just beyond the right field fence is Edwards Stadium, which until 1999 was the oldest track-only stadium in the United States.
Then it was reconfigured for soccer, too.
The trees in the background are redwood trees.
It was a beautiful day.

Over on the other side of the bay it was the Fleet Week celebration.
The US Navy's Blue Angels and the Canadian Snowbirds were both showing off their skills in the air.
Unfortunately we did not observe any of their antics.

not gonna discuss

 holidays here today

Monday update

Yeah, it's been awhile since we posted a "Monday update."
There really isn't anything to update, unless you consider there were three soccer games and a gymnastics meet this last weekend.
Actually, there was a lot more than that, but that's what was in the immediate vicinity [we could stretch ourselves even further].
Those were only the most visible of our activities over the latter part of the last week.
I should mention now, rather than later, MB was the really busy one.

like the title

*Once upon a time

I remember, when I was a kid, on Saturdays I could always find a game at the park, at the playground, or at one of the schools.
Sometimes we even played in the street or someones yard or driveway, depending on what game we were playing.
We didn't worry about uniforms, paid referees or umpires, or if there were kids younger or older than us.

We only concerned ourselves with having enough players and a ball.
We didn't time the games either.
If one team was creaming another we just redistributed the players.
We never saw many adults around.
They only showed up when they wanted their kid to do something else.
If there was an adult hanging around we'd find something else to do somewhere else.
Sometimes we would spend the entire day playing.
Nobody won, or lost, even though we kept score.
It was just fun.

Now it seems a kid can't have fun unless a group of adults has organized it and it costs money.
Sometimes the travel time to and from is longer than the game.
Don't get me started about those activities that have been organized all the way over to Sundays

what's this crap about snacks?

*sjc

Okay, it was day five

. . . and we were booking our way out of the auditorium with another couple.

the clothes may be a hint

You might think that was a simple task.

However, it was the last day of the convention and there were more people out in the foyer of the two auditoriums being used than there were inside at the plenary session   . . . and it was filled to capacity.

The folks outside weren't necessarily looking to get in.
They were more interested in trading collector pins with others.
They didn't seem to care that they were being rude.

The four of us were kind of in a hurry because we had a time schedule to maintain.
That involved catching the shuttle back to our hotel and getting to the subway to catch the Red Line [we've mentioned this before].

 This was our destination.

What's better than the national pastime on . . .

[for everyone but the Cubs fans]
The plan was to enjoy ourselves.
We did, despite having to walk some distance because of a transit glitch.
We were used to walking by then.

It began appropriately.

We ate lunch at the game.
We tried Italian Beef, having already determined Chicago dogs are really good.
We know how to produce both in our own kitchen now.
. . . and there was plenty of action.

the runner was out

Afterward we made our way back to the Wellington Station, about a mile, where we caught the Brown Line back downtown, where it runs elevated through the city and makes own small loop within The Loop.

We completed the day by attending a reception for all of the newly elected International Officers.
After which MB and I went looking for dinner.
We missed our first choice and ended back here

Right next door to the hotel entrance.

tomorrow's the last day for sure.

Baseball

So yesterday was spent dealing with the logistics of traveling (about 99 miles, one way) to AT&T Park with 14 people to watch the Giants play the Pirates.

the Group

the Couple

It was a long day, and into the next.

fun, though

Earlier

This morning I commented over at Sarge's place to the effect I am not posting well lately.

 [One or more of you may have noticed?]

I was thinking about the dearth of content here.
First thought is I'm busy with lots of distractions because the move has put things in a state of flux.

[True, but . . .]

Immediately following that thought is the realization that the doldrums have set it.
That's what happens when there are a hundred-million little things you don't want to do, but have to do or they'll create such a brain overload that you can't free up space for fun stuff, like earworms and things that can't be unseen.

Just for the record:

Winter sports are finally finished . . .
One of the teams involved held some interest for me.
I found a picture that puts it in perspective.
After all it's only a game.

Who won?
Can you tell from the picture?
The answer is here

have a good day

Odds 'n ends

So there I was*  . . . in the aisle of the Save Mart.
A somewhat familiar voice said, "Save them. Rescue them."

I'm sure it was Buck.
They will live in the flower vase until their quarantine ends tomorrow.

Of note:
The most recent report on Sebastian is he is adjusting to his new digs.
On Sunday he hung out with this guy.

Malcom

The irony about Malcom lounging on the scratching thingy is:

• the scratch thing is Sebastian's, but he ignored it
• Malcom has no claws

There are two other cats, Gilbert and Asja, in the household.
There is still some confrontation occurring on that front.
All of the cats jus ignore Archie, the Cocker Spaniel.
That's quite an accomplishment, as Archie is an attention hound.



It seems like it's only a brief stopover this week.
Tomorrow it's off to Anderson again [because we can], then to a Giants game [it is a Christmas gift] as we attend ur second Lions convention in two weeks.
The miles are piling up.
We haven't kept track.

life is good

If you don't laugh we understand

While golfing, a senior gentleman accidentally overturned his golf cart late one afternoon​.
A very attractive, young, female golfer, who lives in a villa on the golf course, heard the noise and called out, "Are you OK?"

"I’m OK, thanks," he replied, as he pulled himself out of the twisted cart.
She said, "Come up to my villa, rest a while, and I’ll help you get the cart up later."

The old guy noticed her silky bathrobe was partially open, revealing what appeared to be a very nice figure.
"That’s mighty nice of you," he answered, "but I don’t think my wife would like it."

"Oh, come on now!" she insisted. She was so pretty, and very, very persuasive. He was weak.
"Well, OK," he finally agreed.

After a couple of Scotch and sodas, he thanked her and said, "I feel a lot better now. ​
​But I know my wife is going to be really upset. So I’d better go now." 

"Don’t be silly!" she said with a smile, letting her robe fall slightly more open.
“Stay for a while. Your wife won’t know anything. By the way, where is she?"


He replied, "Still under the cart, I suppose." 

ya think

Now it's my turn

I'm at a convention [well, the preliminaries . . .   the convention doesn't actually start until tomorrow, but the folks who're running the show had meetings to attend yesterday and today].
I the overall scheme, my presence would not be missed.
I have no tasks that someone else can't handle.
I am the perfect definition of a supernumerary.

Speaking of super, did anyone watch the game on Sunday?
I have already spewed enough about my thoughts elsewhere.
Like another recent major event in this country [that takes place every four years], it is over.
There's nothing to see here, folks, move along.

don't touch anything that isn't yours.

Friday cat

What ever happened to . . .

. . . Bill the cat?

story here

first full squad workout in two weeks

Counting Down

Another post sent to us by MNBF.

So much to do so little time. Three weeks. Actually only 20 days. It can't come soon enough but we really need more time.
There was a proposal. It was on October 30. As Skip left to go home on the 31st, he made a "comment" about the proposal. I didn't tell anyone because I wasn't sure it was real. Over the course of the week we texted. We may have talked on the phone - I don't remember. But there was no discussion of the proposal.
Friday has become my favorite day because it means Skip is arriving or I am going there. He came back that next Friday (November 4). As usual, he came to my office and then I took the rest of the afternoon off.
We went to my house. We sat down on the couch. We looked into each others eyes. Okay, there may have been a kiss or two or three. Finally, I looked at him and said, "You know that question you asked me last week - I need you to ask me again. I need to know if it's real."
He asked. It was real. I accepted.
No hesitation. No question in my mind. At this point I couldn't imagine living without him. I didn't even like the days between weekends without him.
Then the question of when. First reaction - let's just do this now. I don't want to wait. Then reason overruled and I realized that it isn't just about us.  Our families should be a part of this.
We decided on what seemed a reasonable date, far off in the future - a whole 3 1/2 months away.  If we lived in the same community and saw each other whenever we wanted to, waiting longer MIGHT have been an option. But eliminating the 163 miles that kept us apart could not wait any longer than absolutely necessary.
So here we are. Counting down the days. I am mildly freaking out about everything there is to do - not for the wedding - there are three fabulous young women who have taken on that responsibility because they wanted to and I told them to surprise me. I am more interested in the result than the event.
But there is furniture to move - some out of my house and some from his to mine to make it ours. Each weekend visit involves a car loaded with "stuff" whether it is his on the way down or mine on the way home.
It might not seem so impossible if it weren't for some very busy days and way too many time commitments. Between now and the wedding (20 days) I will be out of town 6 1/2 days. I will work everyday until family arrives on the 16th. I will only be home 3 evenings before family arrives.
My house needs to be cleaned and I have no idea when I can do it. My neighbor's housekeeper may find herself with an extra job. The yard needs some attention (it's been raining a LOT - that's my excuse). That may have to be an "oh well" and I'll suffer the embarrassment.
As for moving the rest of the stuff, we have resolved to do most of it after the wedding. We have until the end of April to vacate his premises completely and even then, it's family moving in.
20 days. Not enough but too many. 20 days and I can't wait. There may be a meltdown or two during that time but there is someone who will hold me together through it and be there forever after. Counting down. . . .

pitchers and catchers in two, one day

But wait . . . there's more

I bet some of you thought we were done talking about Thanksgiving?
The balance of the weekend was pretty special, too.
My friend and I rose early Friday to we could drive further south to Clovis and join my sister, brother and other family members for the traditional post Thanksgiving breakfast.
Yes, there was bacon.

Traffic in that direction was relatively light and we arrived at 9:00am to a fresh pot of coffee.
Introductions were made and the visiting commenced.
We caught up with everyone as they arrived for the meal.
I much prefer greeting folks one at a time as they arrive, rather than being the last one there.

The best part about the weekend so far had been being able to avoid watching any pro football games.
That is until the Nebraska Cornhuskers played the Pittsburgh Steelers Iowa Hawkeyes [at first glance it is virtually, and almost literally, impossible to tell those two teams apart].
Go ahead and ask me what I think about football.
I'll tell you, "I don't care!"
I will check a college game occasionally.
But in the overall scheme of things it really doesn't matter.
Maybe, some day, if the showboating, bragging, boasting, and all of the other ego driven antics go away, I may regain an interest.
But watching kids play soccer, even four on four with no goalie, is a lot more entertaining.

After the nieces and my brother's family departed, the afternoon was for naps.
Then we had leftover turkey, stuffing, and the like for dinner.
Meals in the family are all about the conversation.
Food is a bonus and always good.

Saturday was for the return north.
First we had to visit with one more niece, who had to work on Friday.
Then is was . . .


. . .  back to reality.

Everyone and their cousin was on that road.
I have come to the conclusion there are three major types of drivers.
Two of those I can do without.
There are the reckless (wreckful?) ones and the cautious ones.
Bother are dangerous.
I think the cautious ones are worse because they're harder to spot.
They're the ones who wait until they are all the way onto the highway before they even try to get up to speed and insist upon going absolutely no faster than the speed limit, even if it means it will take them ten minutes to pass a semi while ten thousand other drivers line up behind them.
The third type are those I call safe drivers.
You don't even notice them.
Although sometimes they can become impatient and appear to become Me Firsters.

So it took a bit longer to get back to Elk Grove.
The weather had some effect.
It started out clear and sunny but about 50 miles into the journey is was raining steadily.
The journey went without incident.

Saturday night it was pizza for dinner.
A movie (vcr tape) on the TV was shown [and there was some frustration with a certain tablet].
Then a good night sleep because there would be more driving on Sunday morning.
Someone had to be home by Sunday afternoon.

there's still more

Late again

I'm gonna blame the season.
No, not the one that follows summer.

Football season . . .
I stopped paying much attention to it about  two years ago.
I have found I can almost ignore it now.
The exception is when one local high school freshman has a game.
Even then (which is usually Thursday at 5:30pm) I am slightly conflicted because there are conflicting events [No burritos or tacos are involved].

Anyway, that has removed a major source of blogfodder.

The other source I could draw from is the chaos that started in earnest about two years ago.
There are enough other bloggers and koobecaFers* already beating that horse.
My two cents worth will not do anyone any good.

I could be tempted to become a hermit if I didn't enjoy watching some of the really dumb inane comedy shows on network tv and non-political stuff on PBS.

Fortunately, there are activities to occupy the time I would usually spend watching football and to distract me from the other fray.

don't ask

*should be in the Acronym Page

Where has my attention gone?

I think I started posting photos and a video of creatures from the zoo in Omaha.
There are really some great exhibits there.
It's a fantastic zoo.

It's just that I am way too easily distracted lately.
The weather hasn't helped.
It's turned to those really cool nights and relatively warm days.

Now that school's back in full swing the kids have lots of activities.
I have grandchildren who are participating in said activities.
Regrettably, only one lives really close.
The nearest others are some three hours away. 

Were kids activities ever so organized when I was a kid.
It seemed like my grandparents could visit just about any time.
When we played, we didn't need all of the adult involvement there is today.
We didn't have to go out and sell candy bars or solicit donations o support out games.

I would suggest that it be investigated as to where all of the money goes.
But that doesn't seem prudent because the folks who investigate all seem like crooks and spend way too much investigating.
It would be a lot less expensive if the organizers let the kids win or lose and didn't give everyone a trophy.

Anyway, I'm off to watch a soccer game.
I'd call it football like the rest of the World does, but one of the others in playing football that isn't soccer and I don't want to confuse any more folks than I already have.

no, this doesn't answer the question posed

Monday update

Has anyone been watching f/b lately?
Let me just say that a certain player on a Bay Area pro football team has been getting a lot of attention for something he didn't do on Friday night.
It seems like everyone has an opinion.
It is exactly what he wanted . . .   attention.

If you are a regular here, you already know the NFL has fallen into disfavor in this household.
College football isn't far behind.
High schools and the PeeWee game is nothing much to brag on either.

My biggest complaint about the game is it no longer about fun and more about ego.
Oh, yeah . . .    and money.

Anyway . . .   that player, who shall remain unnamed, his actions, and the team for which he plays, are one more reason I am no longer a fan [go ahead correct the grammar].

Maybe f/b should be called Bandwagon?

whatever!

Whatcha been doin'?

Friday first . . .

I promised a neighbor, a friend, to take her to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento for an outpatient procedure.
She would let me know what time we had to be there after they contacted her.
The notification was received at 7pm Thursday that we had to be there by 6:30am [the folks who live in Sacramento are not any more aware of the fact that they're not even in Northern California than the rest of the folks in the world     . . .they just think they're in Northern California].
That meant that departure would have to be sometime around 3am to allow for any delays.

The only real plus is that the temperature at that time of day is somewhere around 72°F.
Traffic wasn't bad either.
We were there before 5:30
(if I say how much before 5:30, I might incriminate myself)

The procedure was quick and uneventful.
We were back at our respective homes by 12:30pm

I was barely able to stay awake Friday evening long enough to see the final score of the Giants game.
Then I slept until 7am Saturday.
(I seldom sleep past 6:30)

On Saturday . . .

After feeding the cat I went to the usual "meet with friends and have a donut."
(that also involves driving a neighbor but there's no story)

I was home by 10am, straightening up around the house and preparing some materials for a meeting I am leading this afternoon.
Then it was back in the car at about 12:30 [yes, in the triple digit heat of the day] for another trip south to Northern California . . .  after booting Sebatian out of the house.

This time it was to Vacaville.
It is called that because Cowville doesn't roll off the tongue quite so nicely.
It used to be a wide spot on U.S. Highway 40.
Today it doubles as a distant suburb of the SF Bay Area and Sacramento.
It is 50 miles from the former and 35 miles from the latter (YMMV and so will the travel times).
Hwy 40 is now I-80 and ten lanes.
There is a huge complex of outlet shops, restaurants, and big box stores.
There were millions thousands lots and lots of people.
I browsed some shops before meeting with friends for dinner.

We met there because it was a central location for the four of us, who traveled from three different directions.
We'd decided to meet at 4 to avoid the dinner rush.
The restaurant folks were really accommodating, allowing us to hijack a table for fours hours during the busiest part of the evening.
We always seem to have much to talk about.
[yeah, yeah, bad preposition placement  . . . suck it up buttercup]

One thing we decided is, we're gonna do it again in early November.
We have some plotting to do.

A thought about the two drives:
There are already driverless cars out there on the roads.
There's someone behind the wheel who has no clue about what they should be doing.

After two round trips, totaling 620 miles, I came home to find Sebastian waiting for me on the roof, whining to be helped down.
He was still up there this morning when I got up.
It only took a couple of minutes for him to figure out I was not gonna help.
He got down by himself.

I'm positive . . .

Really!
The media makes it difficult,
But, this blogger is making every effort to remain positive.

One of the things I am positive about is that I will probably not watch any of the events at this year's Olympics.
Well, that is, other than what I saw of the opening ceremonies.

Much of the reason I won't be watching is that I seldom turn on the tube before 5pm.
The local PBS affiliate has been broadcasting good stuff that may be new content, or it might be something I missed earlier.
In any case it holds more interest for me than the Olympic events.
Also . . .
Whenever a U.S. participant fails to win an event, the folks announcing seem to feel it is a failure on their part, rather than the success of their opponent.

Yeah, I'm positive I will probably continue to boycott the Olympics.
I like them better when the participants weren't career athletes anyway.
Avery Brundage had the right idea.

I did enjoy the interview with the Irish rowers.
(There's no link because nobody can vouch for it's security)

maybe if they paid me