Random Ramblings from Snowy Southern CA

Ok, so the title would have been best last week when I promised Matt I'd have a fun play on blog's title for the post title.

Confused yet? Me, too. Let's just move on, shall we?

Last week it was downright cold here in Southern CA. Highs in the 40's. Lows in the teens. For just about a week. We're finally getting weather in the 60's during the day and 40's at night. Decent winter weather.

And Wednesday last week, we had some seriously freaky weather. Some day it snowed, but the only thing I ever saw was hail. I did hear it snowed in Malibu. That's just not supposed to happen around here.

Frankly, I wish it had snowed. That would have been something fun to talk about later.

Other then freezing to death, I've been busy as always. The 13th we took the youth to a conference down in Anaheim. Yes, I was that close to Disneyland and didn't go. I haven't been in over a year and am having serious withdrawls. Other then that, it was a great day. Several different sessions and some fun games in the afternoon, including human foozeball. And, unlike when we did it in June, I got to play, too.

TV shows are starting up again. Veronica Mars tonight, in fact. And last week was 24, which I guess I won't be watching any more. After they killed me off at 10 AM. Do dead people watch TV? (Yes, I'm joking.)

Saturday night, I had a movie marathon, watching Jump In (new Disney channel original movie) and Guilty Conscience, a mystery recommended by Paul. Very interesting. Look for the review coming soon to an Epinions near you.

And speaking of reviewing, I'm two reviews away from 900 reviews at Amazon. Plan to write both of them by the end of the month.

Thursday Threesome for January 18th

Of course this post is brought to us by The Back Porch, but also curtisy of the freezing weather we've had this last week.

Onesome: No California-- drivers allowed! Do you drive and talk on the cell phone? Come on, fess up...
Well, since I have to fess up...I don't. It helps to not have a cell phone. Makes talking on one impossible unless I've borrowed one. And I don't borrow one while driving.

Twosome: Oranges-- and Apples and Pears, oh my! Do you have a favorite fruit?
Strawberries and, unfortunately this year, oranges.

Threesome: this Year-- I'm going to _______ (go ahead; fill in the blank. No, it's not a resolution !)
Get back into shape now that I have my health back.

Stuff

So, I did this big life update on Tuesday, then realized I forgot somethings I wanted to blog about.

Did you hear about the youth group from Dallas that got stranded in the snow storm in Colorado over New Years? Well, that wasn't my brother and his youth group, but it was very close. Apparently, they and that bus were at a rest stop at the same time. Bro decided to seek selter in the town, while that bus kept going, slid off the road, and got stuck.

So instead of the youth group staying in a hotel and skiing, they camped out at a church for the duration of their trip until the weather cleared up and the roads cleared enough for them to drive home. God, and the church, really took care of them. Still, some people got sick. No permanent damage, however. I'm just thankful he has enough sense not to continue on when it looks dangerous out there.

Then there was last weekend when I joined Kurt, Kellie, Kenny, and Katherine (yes, I was feeling outnumbered) for a round of disc golf. It was the first time I've made it to the course here in town. It was quite nice. Only nine holes, but we played forward and backward. I came in third. Lots of fun. And the weather was so nice. Mid 70's.

Then Casey and I went to see Happily N'ever After. Definitely a movie for the kids. Not bad, but not super great either.

The weather sure has been weird around here lated. It was in the 80's earlier this week. Now it's cold. If the percipitation had materialized last night, it would have snowed. As it is, it'll be down around freezing just about every night for the next week with the highs barely reaching 55. I bet you can guess which weather I prefer.

Thursday Threesome for January 11th

That time of the week again. Brought to us by The Back Porch, as always.

Onesome: Strange-- twists and turns on the web? Do you recall how you ended up here at the Back Porch? ...just curious.
That's easy. The Other Side of Glen Road (the web address) refers to the Glen Road that Trixie Belden lives on. It was a web site started and populated by Trixie friends I had at the time. In fact, it used to be a group blog and I was a contributer for a while. And joining that group blog is what got me blogging here.

Twosome: Little-- by little we branch out and bloom. How often do you post per week? Is that more or less than six months ago?
Seems like it's once or twice a week if I'm lucky. I think that's about the same as six months ago but down from a year ago.

Threesome: Bud-- break time is coming later this year. ...but are the bulbs in your area pushing up through the soil yet?
Earlier then week, the temps were in the 80's, there might have been. But it's back down to the 50's now, so I doubt it.

Catching Up

So, it's been way too long since I blogged. So maybe I should update you on my life.

I love my new laptop. Granted, I still haven't moved my bookmarks and files into it. But it's great to sit anywhere I want in the condo and be on the computer. And I can be on the internet anywhere I want, too. Life is good.

And I had a great Christmas. But it was very busy. Hardly had time to turn around with all the people it was time to see. But it was wonderful. Got to see good family friends as well as spend good time with family. And Santa was good to me, too. Got the fifth seasons of 24 and Alias, new Foxtrot and Zits books, Pirates and Cars.

The weather was great both directions, which was a relief considering a bad storm came in while my brother and sister-in-law were heading back to Dallas. There were wind warnings the whole way down, but it was never too windy. The Grapevine had been closed the night before because of wind and snow but was open by the time I got down here.

Then for New Year's I went to Indio (near Palm Springs) and hung out with Donald, Heather, Stephen, Natalie, and Dylan. I was only supposed to be there New Year's Eve, but because traffic was getting bad, I stayed through the 2nd. We hung out and played games with me checking on the Monk marathon every chance I got.

And speaking of Monk, the new tie in novel is great.

Anyway, I was off through the 2nd. I love three day work weeks. Unfortunately, I have to work five days this week.

Last week, my hot water heater stopped working. I could get it to light for a while, but it would go out again later. We discovered this Thursday, and Friday a repairman came out and fixed it. The thermostat was out. It sounds simple. But it was expensive. About half of what it would have cost to replace it. But since it is only six years old, hopefully it was worth it.

That about sums up my life the last few weeks. And I promise to feel guilty if I take this long between updates again.

Two Thursday Threesomes

Yep, it must be Thursday. Both can be found here.

Onesome: Happy--New Year to you and yours! ...any plans for this weekend? Dick Clark? Guy Lombardo? Early to bed?
I went to Indio (Palm Springs area) and spent a couple nights with friends. Donald and Heather hosted, and Donald's sister, brother-in-law, and nephew joined on New Year's Day. We played lots of games and generally hung out and had fun.

Twosome: New--year, old year. Is this the year you take up skiing? ...or knitting? ...or vacuuming every other day ? Do you have any major project you'd like to tackle? (Sure, 'resolutions' count...)
Nothing really big I plan to tackle this year. Other then getting back into shape after last year.

Threesome: Year--end chores? Do the lights and decorations come down this weekend? ...or are you already "done with Christmas"?
I still had to buy calendars a week ago. Got them all now. I took down Christmas decorations when I got back on the 2nd. Sure looks bare now.

Onesome: College-- playoffs? Yes or no? ...or 'who cares?' Is the current BCS system something you think works or would prefer things a bit more 'tidy'?
This is a gimme. NO! BCS? What's that?

Twosome: Bowl-- of cherries? Chips? Tofu? What's on your snack list during a game. ...or a favorite show?
I very seldom snack while watching TV. Might eat dinner but won't snack.

Threesome: Games-- within games: if you're a sports fan is there any sort of 'inner game' you like to watch during the contest? I'm thinking in terms of line work in football or post play in basket ball. ...and if you're not into sports, how about something similar in your favorite pastime?
Nothing really comes to mind.

Still a Long Time

I should be in bed right now. I didn't get much sleep last night. Instead, I'm playing around on my computer.

And yes, I am on my lap top and I love it. It does a couple weird things, but I will get used to it.

Just upgraded my blogger account, so I will post this for now and see how it goes.

Thursday Threesome for December 21st

I'm officially off work until next year! But, before I leave the office, I'm going to do the Thursday Threesome for today. Which is brought to us this week by something few people have and The Back Porch.

Onesome: Plenty-- of time, take a deep breath. Overnight/Saturday delivery could work for you... So could a trip a few hundred miles away if you're into shopping on Sunday! How are you doing? Do you have it together?
As I said yesterday, I have all my presents bought and wrapped. I just need to pack before I leave tomorrow.

Twosome: of-- all the states, I'm hearing the worst reports from Ohio! It has no snow! No snow, no Christmas! What's to be done? Is it looking like the normal Christmas weather there for you?
It always seems to get bitter cold right before Christmas. And it's been bitter cold. About normal here, I'd say.

Threesome: Time--Time? Good grief, the 24th is days away, and most men haven't even awakened a sense of urgency as yet . Is anyone done, finished, wrapped and resting?
Yes. I'll be going home to watch The Santa Clause now.

I'm Getting Bad About This

Has it really been 8 days since I updated this thing with life news? Yikes!

Remember who, when I ordered my computer, I said it wasn't going to arrive until right around Christmas? I was wrong. Instead of shipping between the 18th and 21st, it shipped last Friday and arrived at Mom and Dad's Monday. If I'd known, I could have had it shipped down here and been using it already. O well. At least it won't arrive after I plan to leave to head back south. And I'll have it to use when I'm up there for Christmas.

Speaking of which, I am proud of myself. Every year finds me rushing to wrap presents and watch Christmas specials in the last couple days before I leave. Usually, I do it at the same time. This year, I wrapped presents while watching the Survivor finale via tape Monday night. Then tonight, I watched Frosty, Charlie Brown, and the Grinch. still haven't gotten around to watching the original Santa Clause. Maybe if I get off work early tomorrow?

And this is inspite of the fact that I spent all weekend partying. Friday night was the jr. high Christmas party. Saturday I went to Mysteries to Die for's annual Christmas party and got to catch up with Joanne Fluke. Then I met up with Debbie and Casey to see Eragon. I liked the movie at first, but the more I thought about it, the more I felt the story was a little too easy. Of course, when I found out that a 700 page novel was turned into a film less then 2 hours long, I suddenly understood why I felt that way. Anyway, Sunday night was the Christmas carol sing at church followed by Kurt and Kellie's Christmas party. A packed but fun weekend.

Tomorrow is the last day of work for the year. And I think I'm in pretty good shape. I have almost all of the work done I need to get done. Just a little bit of year end payroll stuff to do tomorrow (like printing W-2's) and I'll be good to go.

Tuesday, we had a potluck at work. I made a cheesecake, and it was a huge hit.

Also yesterday, I went to the movies again. My friend Adam and I went to see The Pursuit of Happyness. We found it to be rather depressing. I'm not sure either of us liked it. It was a last chance to hang out for a while since he's heading to IBEX next semester. The bum!

But today I got the best news of the week. Remember that sweepstakes Epinions is running? I won $100! I so seldom win sweepstakes that I'm rather surprised. And thrilled. Yes, I'll still be entering next week's as well (for one things I've got reviews written that will qualify), but I won't be upset if I don't win again.

Thursday Threesome for December 14th

Need to get this up because I really need to get to youth group.

Brought to us by Burl Ives and The Back Porch.

Onesome: Holly-- Hmmm... Do you have holly where you are? Is it used for decorating? ...and if not, what types of greenery are used to show off the season? Inquiring minds and all that...
No holly here or Northern CA. Lots of evergreen to decorate for the season, however.

Twosome: Jolly-- Jolly Elf or The Grinch? How is your Christmas experience going so far?
Except for conflicting Christmas parties this weekend, I'd say it's going very well.

Threesome: Christmas-- Hey, I miss ol' Burl Ives singing the song in this header: who does your favorite Christmas song? ...and which song is that? Yes, yes, you're allowed more than one ...
I've got way too many to list, so I'll just go with my top pick - "Come on, Ring Those Bells" by Evie.