Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Random Update

I really feel like I am neglecting this blog.  So I’m going to fill you in on all the exciting things I’ve done.

Thrilled yet?

Honestly, I’ve been keeping pretty busy with work and the rest of life.  I’m still watching too much TV and need to find something to cut out, but I’ve been saying that for how many years now?

A week and a half ago, some good friends had a first birthday party for their little girl, which was a ton of fun.  Yes, I do mean that.  I got to catch up with a lot of mutual friends I haven’t seen in a long time.

This last weekend, I went to see The Lion King with a different friend – the Broadway version.  That was a blast.

And in the midst of all this, I’ve been decorating for Christmas.  It’s 29 days away, after all, and I’ll be with family for Thanksgiving as always.  I’m happy to say I’m done.  Now I just need to actually do my Christmas shopping….

So that’s pretty much it.  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Monday, November 25, 2013

Word Association for November 25th

30 days to Christmas.  Let's celebrate with some word association.

  1. Directions :: Lost
  2. Juror :: Judge
  3. Cheating :: Game
  4. Fact :: Checker
  5. Clue :: Mystery
  6. Week :: End
  7. Enthusiasm :: Excited
  8. Smug :: Arrogant
  9. Venture :: Forth
  10. Bench :: Warmer

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Word Association for November 19th

I can't believe I missed the last two weeks of word association.  But let's do this week's to make up for it.

  1. Jealousy :: Green
  2. Twin :: Sister
  3. Logo :: Brand
  4. Bang :: Gun
  5. Darts :: Wall
  6. Window :: Wall
  7. Arcade :: Game
  8. Sniff :: Cold
  9. Tickets :: Play
  10. Eraser :: Chalkboard

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Unexpected Friend Visits

This last weekend, I got to visit with two friends unexpectedly.

The first was Matt, my friend from a decade ago who moved to Kentucky.  I hadn’t seen him in a little over 3 years, and in that time, he’s gotten married and had a daughter.  He and his family were in town for a week, so I got to see him and meet them.  They came over to the condo for an hour or so.  I would have loved for them to stay longer, but it was great to see them for any amount of time.

Then on Sunday just before I was going to get ready to go to ultimate Frisbee, Luke called.  He was passing through town, so we headed over to Cold Stone and hung out for about an hour.  He’s maybe half an hour away, but it was still great to catch up with him for a little while.

Other than that?  I’ve been working and that’s about it.  Nothing majorly excitingly going on.  Heck, I didn’t even leave my condo on Saturday, although now I kind of wish I had.  Sounds like I should see Thor before the next episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and I’m not sure that will happen this weekend.

Tuesday, November 05, 2013

Month Old Concert Report

After my last mud run of the year, I went to a concert.  I know, that was a month ago and I’m just now talking about it.  That just shows how far behind I’ve let myself get.

And this in no way reflects how glad I am I went to the concert.

The mud run I did that morning was half way between home and the concert, so after getting cleaned up, I didn’t go home but straight to the concert site.  I found a nice shady spot and parked and read.  It was a pretty great afternoon.

I’d been eyeing the tickets sales on line, and I knew the seat I really wanted.  It was off to the side but still front row just cheaper than front and center.  It was still available at the door, so I bought it.

And the artists?  Steven Curtis Chapman, Laura Story, and Jason Gray.  I’m big fans of the guys, so I was super jazzed.  And I became a fan of Laura’s before the night was out, too.  Still not a fan of the CD of hers I’d already bought, but her other two are great.

The evening started with Steven coming out and doing “The Great Adventure” before introducing Jason who did a few songs.  Then Laura did a few.  Finally Steven did a medley of some of his hits over the years before intermission.

Once we came back it was all Steven all the time.  He mostly did songs from his new CD, but he did mix in a few classics.

Honestly, I do have a huge complaint.  It could have been much longer.  I really would have liked to hear more from Jason and Steven.  Once I’ve listened to Laura’s CD’s a couple more times, I’m sure I would feel the same about her.  Still, it was a great evening, and I am so glad I went.  I’ve seen Jason a couple of times before touring with downhere, but I’d only seen Steven in concert once.  It was at the Anaheim stadium or whatever it is called where the hockey team plays.  It was a good concert, but I couldn’t see a thing.  This time, my seat was awesome!

No, I probably shouldn’t have been spending the money with my car repairs and all, but it was so worth it.

Friday, November 01, 2013

Word Association for November 1st

The week seems to be running away from me.  Here's this week's word association.

  1. Poison :: Ivy
  2. Las Vegas :: Gamble
  3. Nanny :: State
  4. Tablet :: Computer
  5. Trail :: Hiking
  6. Innocent :: Lost
  7. Invited :: Party
  8. Life :: Fun
  9. Tormented :: Soul
  10. Lousy :: Day

No, my day wasn't lousy, but that's what popped into my head.

Monday, October 28, 2013

Car Fixed - Finally

Considering I was without my car for a week, I did a remarkable job of getting to and from work.  God had really been providing for me because I have a co-worker who lives in my complex as well as one near me.  They start very early, so I had to get up and get out the door early, but I got four days of work in.  Friday, they both wound up not working, so I was stuck at home.  All told, I’m thankful.

Meanwhile, the mechanic had decided what I suspected all along, the problems I was having last weekend were related to a cable they had found that needed to be fixed.  They thought I could drive it with the cable as it was.  Obviously not.  So they ordered the part on Wednesday and it came in Friday.  They fixed it for me right away and then came and picked me up Friday afternoon.

They test drove it quite a bit, and I drove it all over town over the weekend as well as to and from work today.  I feel confident in finally say that it is fixed.  The cable needs to stretch a little, and it doesn’t always seem to register that it is in park, but that’s the only issue.  If it keeps acting up, I’ll have them take a look at it when I get my oil changed next time.  For the time being, I can get it into park when I need to.


The car is running great, the transmission is shifting just fine.  I think I can start putting this entire episode behind me.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Word Association for October 24th

Here's this week's word association.

  1. dead :: Certain
  2. bangs :: Hair
  3. future :: Tense
  4. holistic :: Medicine
  5. circumstance :: Bad
  6. past :: History
  7. fan :: Air
  8. happened :: To Be
  9. room :: Living
  10. awful :: Bad

Monday, October 21, 2013

The Continuing Saga of My Car Troubles

So, here’s a summary of my weekend.

Spencer was out of town this weekend, but my car was ready to be picked up.  Arranged to get a ride from Spencer’s to my mechanic, so I pick up my car.  I’m almost home when my check engine light comes on.  It’s still on the next morning, so I take my car back.  They keep it all day and fixed a couple of things (spark plugs, etc).  It’s fine Saturday night, but last night driving home from ultimate, the light comes on again.

Meanwhile, a couple of times, my transmission had shifted down to either first or neutral and stayed there.  It had concerned me, but when I was almost home from ultimate, it stayed there for the final half mile home.  Obviously, it’s not working right either.

I took a quick shower and dropped my car off at my mechanics, planning to go take Spencer’s car again.  Only it won’t start.  Most likely the battery, which he has known needs to be replaced soon but he hasn’t worried about.

Fortunately, I learned six months ago or so that one of my co-workers lives in my condo complex.  Even more fortunately, I have his phone number.  I got a ride in to work with him this morning.  The down side, we left an hour earlier than normal for me.  He normally starts even earlier than that, so if I’m going to keep getting a ride from him, I’m going to have to be leaving by 6 instead of 7:30 like I have been.  On the plus side, I can get to and from work.

I’m frustrated.  And tired.  Very tired.

I had nothing planned this weekend but relaxing at home.  Not sure about the relaxing part, but at least I had time to deal with all this.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Word Association for October 17th

Welcome to this week's word association.

  1. Untraceable :: Signal
  2. Senator :: Congressman
  3. Humongous :: Big
  4. Drinks :: are on the House
  5. Ringing :: Endorsement
  6. Overloaded :: Support System
  7. Annoyed :: Sibling
  8. Blondie :: Dagwood
  9. Suits :: USA Network Show
  10. Deadly :: Fire