Random Access

Thursday – 04 December 2008
Last night, because of a comment Logan made earlier in the day, I craved pizza for dinner. The solution: Get a pie from Papa Murphy’s. And it was good. Very good, indeed. I took it to SaraRules’, where we – and her family – watched Hancock. I didn’t watch any of the bonus material, so I still don’t know what was behind the recurring eagle motif.

I headed home after the movie, ostensibly to tackle the train table project. That turned into me doing a crossword puzzle and otherwise meandering around the apartment. SaraRules came over a little later; she offered to help with taking down the Rokenbok. I wasn’t about to pass up that opportunity, so just like Big Daddy Kane, we got the job done. It’s amazing how much faster it was to disassemble than it was to put together. I also took apart and boxed up the LEGO train set.

I don’t know what was going on, but this morning, the radio in my head was on “Super Mondo Mega Random Shuffle.” Seriously. I had snippets of songs from The Crying Game to Missing to Iko Iko running through my head while I was getting ready for work. Since I have no other explanation for it, I will blame , as usual.

Stray Toasters

• New addition to The Covet List: LEGO Silver Rings
• By way of SaraRules: Michelle Obama: What Should She Wear?
• Cinderella, Super-Spy: Roberson on the Fables Spin-off
• From BBC News: The Box
• Word Up
  Cameo |MTV Music

• Super Human Resources
• It was snowing here a few minutes ago. Nothing major, but there’s a light dusting o’ white on the mountains. I messaged my father to tell him that it was snowing – I didn’t want to call, as he and my stepmother are visiting Adam, Chelsea and Caden. He messaged me back: “Do you want HIGH/COLD winds to go with that snow?” I replied that I’d pass on it.
• The Sartorialist

And that’s a good place to hang it for now.

Namaste.

Wednesday – 03 December 2008
Mid-week. And stuff.

«REWIND«
Wes and I hit the gym yesterday at lunch:

• Dips: 3 sets/10 reps
• Bench press: 3 sets/10 reps – 1 set @ 200 lbs; 2 sets @ 185 lb
• Curls (dumbell, concentration): 3 sets/10 reps, 30 lbs
• Side bends: 3 sets/10 reps, 25 lbs
• Lateral raises: 3 sets/10 reps, 15 lbs
• Push-ups (elevated): 3 sets, 10 reps

I think that was everything. And I neglected to throw in Friday’s workout, too… but it was basically the same as last Tuesday’s, but with lighter weight, as I was working out with SaraRules.

Post-workout weight: 180.1 lbs.

›PLAY›
Last night, I had some grand delusions/designs of possibly breaking down my Rokenbok/LEGO train table. But, by the time I got home, I realized that it was almost time for the new episode of NCIS… so I sat on the couch to watch it.

I should have worked on the table, because about 15 minutes into the episode, the TV was watching me.

I faded in and out during the episode, but woke up for the very end of it. At that point, I figured that I should eat something… and it was time for Fringe. So I ate and watched Fringe. No falling asleep this time. I considered working on the table after it went off, but I got involved in surfing the Interwebs. So, the table remains a task for another day.

Today, I’ve already had an impromptu, albeit brief, meeting and put out a couple of minor fires. I call that a decent start to the day. And I get to hand off The Leash today, after two weeks of being on-call; I opted to do the two weeks on so that I can have two weeks off while I’m on vacation. Win-win.

Stray Toasters

• There’s a chance of snow in the forecast. I’m somewhat surprised – though not upset – that we haven’t seen very much so far this year.
• American folk music legend Odetta dies at 77
• From NPR Music: Best CDs of 2008
• Why the love affair with man-eating plants?
  
• By way of ThinkGeek:

  
  (click image for details)

• Some people stop at nothing
  If you’re searching for something
  Lay down the law
  Shout out for more
  Breakout and shout, day in day out
  Breakout
• First Look: Static in the DC Universe
  I really want to make a joke/pun about the Milestone Universe being “integrated” into the DC Universe… but it’s a little too easy. Suffice if to say that I’m glad that it’s being done and it’s a bit overdue. In fact, the 2003 season opener of Static Shock, “Hard as Nails“, that made a sideways nod (second quote) to the issue of a shared universe.
• Will Iron Man 2 feel the Black Widow’s sting?
• 
• How comics can save us from scientific ignorance

I’m not sure if today is a sushi day or not, but comics won’t be in until tomorrow.

Namaste.

Tuesday – 02 December 2008
Another day, another dollar seventy cents (or something like that, after taxes).

Stray Toasters

• I talked with Adam again last night. All’s (still) well in the northern hinterlands. Our parents are headed out there tomorrow; Chelsea’s folks are already there. I can’t wait for the stories.
• Grace has learned a new word: “Bobo,” a character from one of the books that Bot and read to her. Still no “Mama,” yet, though… much to Bot’s chagrin.
• By way of SaraRules and the “Welcome to the Land Behind the Zion Curtain” file: Buttars takes aim at stores waging ‘war on Christmas’
• Rachel sent me an item that I hadn’t seen before: Physics doesn’t exist, it’s all about Gnomes
• I don’t mean to downplay this, but doesn’t this come under the heading of “Duh…” – Chances of WMD attack in big city greater: report
• Every time I drive past an Arby’s or especially when I see one of their commercials with this logo…

  

  …I laugh. Not because “I’m thinking Arby’s” is funny. Rather, the image looks more like “I’m thinking giant penis.” (Someone pulled a fast one over on the guys in the marketing department.) Seriously… look at the young lady and the guy on the right and the looks on their faces – they aren’t thinking about curly fries or a “Five for $5” roast beef sandwich combo.

• Disgruntled 8-year-old boy crashes teacher’s car
  …which, after I shared the link, was followed by:

  : Next article: German churches find ‘chocolate Jesus’ tasteless”
  : Clearly someone used poor quality chocolate in their chocolate jesei

• With the apparent demise – or at least long-term coma – of WizKids and HeroClix, I decided to scrape the site for as many of the character cards from the last eleven sets as I could get.
• Steampunk sewing machine

…right on to the friction of the day.

Namaste.

Monday – 01 December 2008
And so, another work week – and another month – begin.

I was lucky enough to get to spend a portion of my morning on the phone with HP Tech Support explaining why they needed to ship me a replacement for a replacement part they sent last week. Short answer: They sent the wrong part. *sigh* This time, I sent to an email to the rep, so that he could see the differences bewteen Part A (the part I need to have replaced) and Part B (the part they sent). I should have the new – and hopefully correct – replacement part tomorrow.

Stray Toasters

• As I mentioned last week, there’s a new member of the family – now complete with pictures.
• By way of SaraRules:
  • As Taboos Ease, Saudi Girl Group Dares to Rock
  • Atlantic Records Says Digital Sales Surpass CDs
  • Kanab Orchestra Thrives Under Long-Time Maestro
    
• By way of comes an interesting read about comic book cancellations and why the Big Two keep churning out mega-crossovers: “Why you feelin’ sorry for him? He asked for it…”
• How Dan Kaminsky broke and fixed DNS
• I just discovered that a coworker used to play Star Fleet Battles, many moons ago.
• I read a news article title from Wired.com – Genetically Modified Peanuts Could Save Lives – and my first thought was of Charles Schulz’ comic strip… new and improved! Finally, Charlie Brown can kick that football! lj user=”everydave” pointed out the following:
  

  “sure..but the mutation would be across the board…so while CB might be able to finally kick the ball..the ball, now sentient, is going to come back and reign down hell on ol’ chuck in retaliation…”

• Best Book Covers of 2008
• Yiddish in Jazz
• Meetings. YAY!

Namaste.

Sunday – 30 November 2008
Today is the last day of November. It’s odd to think that we’re almost in December already.

It’s been a lazy day. It started off with sleeping in – which is a pretty good way to kick off a Sunday, I must say. Next up was football and breakfast. And coffee. Tasty, hot coffee.

After the first games, SaraRules and I headed to her parents’ place… for more football and hanging out. We also worked on this year’s Christmas card. *nod* Later this evening, we might watch Hancock. We’ll see.

Football
What do and NY Giants’ WR Plaxico Burress have in common?

Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens
3 – 34
The Bengals took on the Ravens in Baltimore today. The game wasn’t televised here, but I followed the game on NFL Game Center.Joe Flacco threw for 280 yards, 2 TDs and 0 interceptions. Mark Clayton even got in on it, with a 32 yard TD pass to Derrick Mason. Clayton also had a touchdown, as did Todd Heap.On the other side of the ball, Ryan Fitzpatrick couldn’t seem to pull his offense together into a fully-cohesive unit. He did put together a good drive near the end of second half… but he couldn’t turn it into six points. Sorry, and .

—

Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers
35 – 31
The Panthers took on the Packers at Lambeau Field. Jake Delhomme passed for 177 yards, with 0 INT. He also ran for one touchdown and DeAngelo Williams ran for four more. The game came down to a Jon Beason interception of an Aaron Rodgers pass, with 1:09 left in the 4th Quarter.

—

Miami Dolphins at St. Louis Rams
16 – 12
The fish took on Marc Bulger and the Rams in St. Louis. After a 1-15 run last season, the Dolphins had pieced together a 6-5 season coming into this game. It wasn’t a powerhouse game. Chad Pennington threw for 166 yards, 0 INT. RB Ronnie Brown ran for Miami’s only touchdown. The game came down to the last forty-two seconds (00:41), when Andre Goodman picked off a Marc Bulger pass.

Stray Toasters

• I talked to Adam for a bit, earlier. Chelsea and Caden are home, both are doing well. He hasn’t sent or posted any pictures yet, but there should be some forthcoming.
• Trains on the Brain
• I have a taste for sushi.
• Vintage space age illustrations
• From Slashdot: Diet of Fast Food and Candy May Cause Alzheimer’s
• From Irregular Webcomic:



• Mile-long secret tunnel in central London for sale
• From the “Spreading Christmas Cheer” file: Large Candy Cane Used to Beat Threatening Neighbor
• Top 10 Comic Book-Based Movies of All Time

Dinner time!

Namaste.

Wednesday – 26 November 2008
First off, congratulations to and on the birth of their daughter.

Last night, I stopped in to see and help sort out a problem with her bed. Fortunately, it seemed to be a fairly easy fix. After that, we headed down to Red Espresso, a new coffee shop at 509 East 300 South. It’s a very small, but quite cozy little shop; it’s been open for about a month. I had a caramel mocha (made with real caramel, not just caramel-flavored syrup), while Nyx had a chai latte – we enjoyed our respective drinks. If you’re downtown and looking for a new place for a coffee drink, give it a try.

After that, SaraRules met me at my place and we traipsed off to Best Buy… who is having a great movie sale. We walked out with something on the order of ten movies for a little over $70, including the new 2-disc Hancock and 24: Redemption (which I missed the other night); the other movies clocked in between $3.99, $4.99 or $6.99. Check out the Best Buy website for titles and prices – as I recall, there are about 520 titles on sale.

Today will hopefully be a relatively quiet day around the office. I have a training module to do and a server fan to replace, but I think that’s pretty much it. Then, I’m Ivory Soap sure that I’m heading to Far West to play a game or two of ‘Clix before heading off to make sweet potato pies for tomorrow.

Stray Toasters

• Cars and Guitars: Autopia’s 10 Best Songs about Cars
• A Pillsbury cookie commercial came on last night and the following question popped into my head: Who would win in a fight between the Pillsbury Dough Boy and the Gingerbread Man (from Shrek)?
• Marine Boy

  As a kid, I think that this was one of my favorite after-school cartoons. And it also piqued my curiosity about boomerangs… thus generating many trips to Toys ‘R’ Us to buy toy boomerangs.

• I just found a bunch of opening credits from cartoons that I used to watch as a kid:
  • Wheelie and the Chopper Bunch
  • Devlin
  • Jonny Quest – which I occasionally catch on Boomerang
  • Hong Kong Phooey
  • The Perils of Penelope Pitstop
  • Star Trek: The Animated Series – which, if I remember correctly, is part of Star Trek canon.

  

  • Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kids – look, I didn’t name the show, I just watched it.
  • Valley of the Dinosaurs
• Ann Coulter’s Jaw Wired Shut
• Quietly Terrifying Karl Rove NYT Interview

Quote of the Day
Today’s bit o’ banter comes from yet another IRC chat:

(08:26:43) entered the room.
(08:27:07) : damn dirty market.
(08:27:50) Ahpuc: Dirty, filthy, slutty market
(08:28:27) : YEAH
(08:30:45) : that is all.
(08:30:45) left the room (quit: Leaving).
(08:55:35) Me: O,o
(08:58:32) Me: damn dirty == apes
(08:58:42) Me: damn dirty == market
(08:58:48) Me: So… market == apes?
(09:04:09) Ahpuc: And apes = monkeys – tails
(09:04:18) Ahpuc: So market = monkeys – tails
(09:04:25) Me: Ah…. this shit is bananas.’
(09:04:34) Ahpuc: Therefore monkeys = market + tails !
(09:04:41) Ahpuc: Pin the tail on the market!
(09:04:48) Me: tails = tuxedos
(09:05:00) Me: Therefroe monkeys = market + tuxedos
(09:05:14) Me: apes = monkeys – tuxedos
(09:05:30) Ahpuc: tuxedos = penguins ?
(09:06:13) Me: So, by that rationale: Charleton Heston starred in “Planet of the Monkeys – Penguins”
(09:06:16) left the room (quit: res pls).
(09:06:43) entered the room.
(09:07:01) Ahpuc: apparently does not like our logic.
(09:08:12) Ahpuc: r0b, I just realized the implications here. Charlton Heston could fix the market!
(09:08:15) Ahpuc: Too bad he’s DEAD.

Tuesday – 25 November 2008
Day 2 of 3.  Selah.
It’s been a quiet day. I had a meeting. I have another meeting in less than an hour. WHEEE!

Workout
Marci, Wes and I hit the gym for a lunchtime workout. In the locker room, I had a realization:

I have two (2) pairs of navy blue gym shorts:

• An “around the house” pair (the waistband is a little frayed, has a few holes – that give them character) and
• A “going to the gym” pair – in good all-around condition.

Guess which pair wound up going with me to the gym today.

That didn’t stop us from having a good workout. Wes and I went for max presses today – He’s still a couple of weeks out from hitting 225 lbs; I’m still not back to 300, but I had a good 250 rep. Then we went into the rest of the workout – Marci joined us for everything but bench press:

• Bench press: 3 sets/10 reps – 2 sets @ 200 lbs; 1 set @ 200 lbs (7 reps)/185 lbs (3 reps)
• Fly (machine): 3 sets/10 reps, 120 lbs
• Back Extensions (machine): 3 sets/10 reps, 120 lbs
• Curls (dumbell, “middle block”): 3 sets/10 reps, 15 lbs
• Reverse Punch (dumbbell): 3 sets/10 reps, 15 lbs
• Decline Barbell Press: 3 sets/10 reps – 2 sets @ 40 lbs; 1 set @ 50 lbs
• Tricep Press (bar): 3 sets/15 reps, 80 lbs
• Wrist curls (barbell): 3 sets/15 reps, 45 lbs (forward and reverse)
• Push-ups: 3 sets, 10 reps

Post-workout weight: 181.3 lbs

Stray Toasters

• Three auctions’ of ‘Clix – SHIPPED.
• Polygamist leaders indicted – and jailed
• I ♥ Parallels.
• The Sartorialist and Building Your Perfect Business Wardrobe
• 
• From Slashdot: Arranging Electronic Access for Your Survivors?
• Nanotech clothing fabric ‘never gets wet’
• Mythical Female Snipers Stalking Russia?
  

Namaste.

It’s been a pretty decent day… even for a Monday.

Stray Toasters

• Before the collapse of WizKids, Jake Theis – former Brand and Product Development manager – wrote a series of blogs on “Brand Development and Philosophy.” They were good. Very good. It was supposed to be a ten-part series, but he only got five of them into print before Topps decided to fold the WizKids line. This afternoon, I finally jotted an email to him about my thoughts on the series and whether the rest of it would see print. A short while later, I received a reply. And, it looks as though Parts Six through Ten may see print.
• Jonathan Glancey on why LEGO is the best brick on the block
• Burj Tower: the world’s largest cloud buster
• Because it’s always good for a laugh or twenty-seven: Best of Craigslist
• Despite the fact that you weren’t born to millionaire/billionaire parents AND the fact that you haven’t traveled the world to study martial arts AND the fact that you don’t have the limitless resources of a multinational company at your disposal, have you ever wanted to be Batman? Well, maybe these will help you get one step closer.
• Speaking of billionaire industrialists: Iron Man Children’s Costume Modded to Be Deadly-Cute
• By way of : Mega Man “trailer”

Today’s Challenge
I’m in search of a Mäkta Decorative Sphere, specifically the amber/yellow one. Unfortunately the local IKEA does not seem to have any in stock.

So, my challenge to those of you who live near a Garden of Sweden: Find one.
If you should happen to find one, please let me know in which location you found it.

Namaste.

Monday – 24 November 2008
It’s definitely a Monday.

I don’t mean to say that it’s been “bad,” per se, but it’s been proven itself to be “a Monday” already:

The day started off well…

• The alarm went off and I got up…
• I went into the living room and plopped down on the couch for a few…
• I talked to SaraRules for a couple of minutes…
• Got under way and got ready (including getting lunch and breakfast ready)…
• Hit the door…
• Got in the car…

…to find that my battery had decided to call in sick.

I got a jump-start from one of the maintenance guys and headed on in to the office. Looks like I’ll be hitting up AutoZone or Pep Boys on the way home.

Other than that, the day is going pretty well. Even for a Monday. And it’s a short week, to boot.

Stray Toasters

• The machinations for Christmas Card 2.0 are under way. Beware.
• Pocket cowboys.
• This is my new “Favorite Userpic of the Day” (so far):



• Man killed by Scientology guard
• The Raiders… beat the Broncos?!  Wow.
• Someone left a piano in the woods
• For the chemist on your holiday shopping list: Glass molecule reproductions from Erowid.org
• For :

And that’s it for now.

Namaste.

Friday – 21 November 2008
It’s the end of the week. Finally. Amen.
I seem to be on the downhill slope of this cold. Finally. Amen.

Today hasn’t been bad. I didn’t rush in getting ready this morning, including a thirty-minute Interweb surfing session before heading out the door. I can’t really complain about the workday, so far, either. Or maybe that’s just Friday apathy talking. Who knows?

Stray Toasters

• You’d think that if a vendor/manufacturer sent you a multi-thousand dollar server, they’d include a power cord or two with it.
• I don’t know how long ago they implimented it, but I just discovered that you an schedule your auction start times on eBay. The last that I was aware, you had to buy auction management software to schedule them for you. I like this option much better… even if there is a $0.10 fee for doing it.
• For reasons that I have yet to explain, I had the theme from My Mother, the Car running through my head while I was getting ready for work this morning.
• Cranky Colbert warms up for a heartwarming holiday show
• Ginger snaps. The cookies, not the movie.
• 2000-point unrestricted ‘Clix bash tomorrow. I should really put some thought into who I want to use.
• Guitar Hero as training for bionic arms

Almost… done…

Namaste.

Thursday – 20 November 2008
Another NBN Thursday kicks off.

Last night, after work… and dinner… and a trip to Dr. Volt’s and to the fabric shop… I watched WALL•E with SaraRules and her family.  SaraRules watched some of it – she was busy working on a quilt for my soon-to-be-born nephew. It’s cute. I’ll post pictures of it when she’s done with it. After the movie and the first few minutes of The Late Show, I headed home. I half-watched The Late Late Show while reading through yesterday’s four-color haul. Then I crashed.

Four-Color Coverage
I’ve been reading Tiny Titans since the book started.

It’s part of the Johnny DC line, DC Comics’ young kids series of books, but it’s one of the best – and most consistently funny – books that they publish.

It features the Teen Titans, as elementary school-aged kids, in out-of-continuity (and rather non-sequitur) adventures. Most of them revolve around… being kids: Going to school. Hanging out on the playground or in their treehouse. Getting into “fights” with other kids (usually the Tiny Titans versions of Titans East or The Fearsome Five). This month’s issue features Supergirl and Batgirl trying to find a place to have a tea party; the issue also features Streaky the Super-Cat and Ace the Bat-Hound.

If you’re looking for a light, fast and fun read – or if you have a young reader in your household – I highly recommend this title.

Stray Toasters

• I am sick of this head cold.
• The “miniatures killer” is back on tonight’s CSI:.
• The Wonder Woman animated feature has a release date: 03 March 2009
• 
• From NPR Music: Feeling the Vibes: The Short History of a Long Instrument
• J.J. Abrams previews 30 minutes of Star Trek footage at New York event
• By way of :

And that’s it for now.

Namaste.

I was assigned a task this afternoon that made no sense to me.

I asked DaveW (on another team) about it – the item looked like something that he might have some insight on. He just rolled his eyes and started on an abbreviated tirade about the complete lack of thinking that some people do when they have a problem.  This culminated in him saying that the task should have never crossed my desk and the person who created it should have known better in the first place. He also suggested that I verify the nature of the problem with the originator and, if necessary, suggest that they reassign it to the proper team.

A few minutes later, the task was out of my queue.

Yay for monkeys!

Stray Toasters

• Stan Lee and Olivia de Havilland Among National Medal of Arts Winners
• Rather’s Lawsuit Shows Role of G.O.P. in Inquiry at CBS
• From the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” and “Eww…” files: Washington prisons, inmate settle disfigured groin case
• Five Gadgets That Were Killed by the Cellphone
• Seven (More) Gadgets Killed by the Cellphone

Namaste.

Tuesday – 18 November 2008
Today, while relatively uneventful, has been good. Discounting the road monkeys that I had to deal with on the way to work being the main exception.

Marci, Mark, Wes and I hit the gym for a back and triceps workout today:

• Lat Pull-downs: 3 sets/10 reps, 100 lbs
• Reverse Flys: 3 sets/10 reps, 70 lbs
• Row (machine): 3 sets/10 reps, 80 lbs
• Dips (unassisted): 3 sets/10 reps
• Tricep Press (t-bar): 3 sets/10 reps, 45 lbs
• Tricep Extension (rope): 3 sets/10 reps, 30 lbs
• Push-ups: 3 sets, 15-15-10

It was a good, focused workout and everyone seemed to like it… despite the pain/tense muscles.

Post-workout weight: 182.4 lbs.

Stray Toasters

• I have a tasty birch beer to go with my lunch!
• The LJ server upgrades must (finally) be complete – I can access WP again. Apparently, the LJ Crossposter plugin has to check in with LJ on every page load.  Fortunately, someone posted an easy workaround for the “transport error” problem that occurs when LJ is unavailable.
• By way of Drew: NASA Dryden Research Aircraft Photo Collection
• I got some ‘Clix auctions posted last night. A couple of them already have watchers.  That’s a good sign.
• Today’s Questionable Content is amusing.
• Will President Clinton provide a major obstacle to Senator Clinton’s becoming “Secretary Clinton?” We shall see.
• Arkham Asylum, by the numbers

Back to lunch and then back to the grind.

Namaste.

Monday – 17 November 2008
This past weekend was… something of an adventure.

SaraRules wanted to head to Cedar City for the dual purpose of seeing the SUU production of Facing East and to get a few things from her storage unit down there. I’m almost always up for a road trip… or a play… or seeing the other MFAs, so this sounded like a good idea to me. Saturday morning, we got up and under way. We hit the road around 10:00 AM. We neared Scipio around noon.

And that’s when the fun started: Dropping into the valley that Scipio is in (about 2 hours south of SLC), the engine started revving and the RPMs jumped by roughly 2000.  Oh, and there was no acceleration.

Great.

We pulled over to take a look under the hood.
Nothing leaking.
Nothing spewing.
Nothing smoking.

We got back in and started up again.
First gear… good.
Second gear… good.
Third gear… third gear…? Bueller?  Bueller?

So, we dropped it into second gear and rode the shoulder into Scipio. We stopped and the Eagle Landing gas station. There were a couple of tire guys there – we hoped that they’d be able to offer a little insight. Not really. Their best suggestion was to head over to Richfield (40 miles away) and wait for something to open up on Monday. *blink blink* There were a couple of other gas stations on the other side of the freeway; we decided to go for a second opinion.

As we got to the other side of I-15, we noted that the other stations’ garages were closed. But, there was a sign for the Scipio Garage, which was just down the street. And, away we went. We got there and the garage door was open. This was a good sign! We stopped the car and walked into the mini-store that was connected to it.

*cue the theme from Deliverance*

Once the owner decided that neither SaraRules nor I had two heads on our shoulders – and that we really did intend for him to get out of his chair to take a look at the car – he went outside to see what I could discern about our problem. He looked under the hood and found the transmission fluid dipstick. He pulled it out, looked at it and put it back in.

Then he did it again.
And a third time.
And a fourth time.
And, yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus was a fifth time. But this time, he smelled the stick, too.

He said that the transmission fluid didn’t smell burned, but that it was possible that there was air in the pump. His suggestions included getting the car towed or trying to get back to Provo or SLC.

We went with Option #1: Get back to Provo or Salt Lake City.

For those of you who’ve never had to do it, let me just say that driving 30-40 MPH on the shoulder of a nominally busy freeway is not the most fun way to travel. Rumble strips. Road kill. Blow-out debris. But, you do what you have to do. We got to Nephi (formerly home of the Motel 8 “NEHPI” sign) about an hour later. We pulled off the freeway and decided to drive frontage roads/state routes back to the Provo/Orem area.

Scenic, yes.
Slow, yes.
But we made it.
And, we even discovered a Dairy Queen knock-off in Santaquin called… Santa Queen.  (Yes, we had the same images pop into our heads, too.)

We got back to Salt Lake around 4:00 PM. After a quick stop at my apartment for a bite to eat and use of the water closet, we moved the bags into my car and attempted the southern trek once more. We were more successful this time… although we didn’t get to Cedar City until after 8:00, which meant that we missed the play. We did get to go into the theatre for the post-performance talkback, though. We had dinner with the MFAs. And we crashed at Rachel’s.

Yesterday morning, we got up, got ready and headed over to the storage unit. We found the items that SaraRules wanted to bring back, loaded them in the car and got back on the road. We were back in SLC around 2:30 PM. I dropped SaraRules – and her stuff – at her parents’ and headed to go play ‘Clix with Chris and Perry. Chris (of course) schooled us; I came in second and Perry got a nice box of Rice-A-Roni.

This morning, we took SaraRules’ car to the shop. Let the pros figure it out, we figure.

And that’s how I spent my summer vacation weekend.

Stray Toasters

• Since posted this the other day, I figured I’d try it, too:

  39.5 miles per gallon

  Created by The Car Connection

• ‘s stepfather sent me a link to a neat PowerPoint presentation about the SR-71
• By way of and the “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” file: Man tries to pay bill with spider drawing
• What do you get when you cross the 44th President-Elect with a videogame? Super Obama World
• For those who haven’t seen it yet: The new Star Trek trailer

Back to it.

Namaste.

Friday – 14 November 2008
And the week is nearly at an end.

Last night was date night… and my night to cook. SaraRules had requested spaghetti and homemade sauce; that’s what she got. We watched a couple episodes of The West Wing and the new episode of CSI: before we fell into channel surfing.

Today we are having a team-building exercise; that exercise is known as Quantum of Solace. ‘Nuff said.

Stray Toasters

• LEGO kitchen crafts
• Sib-2 sent me a link to this article: Man Finds Racial Slur Printed on Receipt
• By way of SaraRules: U.S. To Name First Female 4-Star General
• By way of Drew, a couple of fun items:
  • LEGO, a Flickr set
  • Star Wars, a Flickr set (with the 501st Legion)
• Because style never goes out of fashion:
  • The Return of the Interview Suit, thanks to SaraRules for the link
  • How to Choose a Multi-Occasion Suit
  • Wearing a Sport Coat with Jeans
    

And… that’s all for now, because it’s movie… uh… I mean “team-building” time.

Namaste.