Monday, April 28, 2008
Check Engine Light Madness
We are going on about 8 weeks...the battle for supreme weekend mechanic is heating up. I feel like I'm ahead, but that stubborn ass 4Runner just keeps getting back up. So far in my quest to eliminate the dreaded orange glow from the dashboard, I have cleaned my throttle body, replaced the throttle position sensor, cleaned the mass air flow sensor, replaced the plugs and wires, cleaned my injectors (which was really cool by the way...blue smoke for 30 minutes!), tested the ECU for defects, and have run diagnostics on my laptop a 1001 times. It keeps coming back, telling me I'm running too lean. I know the problem, just don't want to acknowledge...plus I'm again too cheap. I need to replace one of the O2 sensors, but they are expensive. If I will the light off and concentrate REALLY hard, I know it will happen. Although willing my pen to move across the desk was a huge failure, so maybe I should consider that a power which skipped me on super-power handout day. So we continue the battle...I refuse to give up...and lose! Wish me luck...
Catching Up
It's been another blog hiatus for me. I have been swamped...well sort of. Just to catch you up on life in the fast lane, I offer the following recap:
1. Most important: WE FINALLY HAVE A Wii! It consumes mucho time and the results of day one were soreness and a Wii hangover! But oh so worth it my friends. This little box is the coolest gadget since Atari!
2. Spring has sprung and I still haven't completed my landscaping vision...although I did get my backyard shrubs and trees pruned. I have been procrastinating the start of the mowing season, with good reason, it sucks. I need a yard boy, anyone know where I can get one for free?
3. Jamaica looms...we are down to about six weeks and I am no where NEAR beach body ready! It's starting to give me anxiety. I think I need a vacation from the vacation prep.
4. E enrolled in Kindergarten last week. I'm still in shock. It seems absolutely inconceivable that my oldest will start public school. On a positive note, no more preschool tuition! My tax dollars will finally support one of the Carpenter's!
5. Truck and I have found a new hobby in model rockets. It is so cool, I have the heart of a sixth grader again! The bigger the engine, the more damage is done, and it is a great pastime with beer. I would steer clear if I were you!
6. Cindy finally let me buy a flat screen for the bedroom and I spent the weekend mounting it and concealing the cords. I am totally stoked! Of course I had to concede to selling the Bowflex in exchange, oh well, well worth the trade!
7. I almost succumbed to my automotive schizophrenia this week but passed up the chance to buy a Nissan Titan, which was kick ass I might add. It was the perfect pkg, low miles, well maintained, perfect color (SILVER...Ohh Ahh), but I resisted. I am becoming too practical...Cindy is rubbing off.
There are many more completely boring tidbits of my life I could post, but will spare you the dreary read. On a side note, I am still intrigued by the presidential primaries...interested to see the finale! Peace out my peeps...til another day.
1. Most important: WE FINALLY HAVE A Wii! It consumes mucho time and the results of day one were soreness and a Wii hangover! But oh so worth it my friends. This little box is the coolest gadget since Atari!
2. Spring has sprung and I still haven't completed my landscaping vision...although I did get my backyard shrubs and trees pruned. I have been procrastinating the start of the mowing season, with good reason, it sucks. I need a yard boy, anyone know where I can get one for free?
3. Jamaica looms...we are down to about six weeks and I am no where NEAR beach body ready! It's starting to give me anxiety. I think I need a vacation from the vacation prep.
4. E enrolled in Kindergarten last week. I'm still in shock. It seems absolutely inconceivable that my oldest will start public school. On a positive note, no more preschool tuition! My tax dollars will finally support one of the Carpenter's!
5. Truck and I have found a new hobby in model rockets. It is so cool, I have the heart of a sixth grader again! The bigger the engine, the more damage is done, and it is a great pastime with beer. I would steer clear if I were you!
6. Cindy finally let me buy a flat screen for the bedroom and I spent the weekend mounting it and concealing the cords. I am totally stoked! Of course I had to concede to selling the Bowflex in exchange, oh well, well worth the trade!
7. I almost succumbed to my automotive schizophrenia this week but passed up the chance to buy a Nissan Titan, which was kick ass I might add. It was the perfect pkg, low miles, well maintained, perfect color (SILVER...Ohh Ahh), but I resisted. I am becoming too practical...Cindy is rubbing off.
There are many more completely boring tidbits of my life I could post, but will spare you the dreary read. On a side note, I am still intrigued by the presidential primaries...interested to see the finale! Peace out my peeps...til another day.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
A Room With A View
I told you I would be dangerous with a camera...
And I overlook this from my sweet slumbering abode (temp abode that is)...
Project Phoenix: FINITO!
Well it has been a grueling 18 months, but FINALLY, the end has arrived! We went from old growth cotton filled farm land (weird I know, it's the desert) to this little gem of a center! Although I am excited the project is complete, I'm sad to leave the Valley of the Sun as a destination...but happy to leave behind a small bit of my blood, sweat and tears. Thought you might enjoy some pics...I just bought a new camera so you can bet there will be many more pics to come! Visual representations of my random thoughts, now that is a scary concept!
Friday, April 4, 2008
OGIO: Backpack of Dreams
It’s Friday morning and I have been up since 4am rushing to catch a flight home from Phoenix. The plane is only half-full (it’s an optimistic day) and I am stretched out across 3 seats with my 50lb rucksack of assorted electronic accoutrements sprawling its contents along side me. Joking of course when I say it weighs 50 pounds, we'll go with 30. My good ole Ogio Metro…it has been with me now for nearly 4 years, abused nearly all of that time. It’s like my security blanket and good luck charm all rolled together, lending me a sense of cohesion when my chaotic travels leave me longing for the comfort of ballistic nylon.
Anything and everything I could need or want in any given week finds a place in my go-go pack, even the kitchen sink (if you consider germ gel an equal substitute). What I cannot figure out, is why I feel the need to carry all of these electronic gadgets that each require their own charger (two in some cases)? Who the hell in the merry old land of electronics decided to have different source inputs? I carry two cell chargers (AC/DC), two Blackberry chargers (see cell chargers), iPod w/ charger and USB cord, mini/mini cord for rental cars new enough for an aux jack, headphone splitters, two sets of headphones (noise canceling and ear buds), laptop (and the chargers, mouse, memory sticks, and misc cables that go with it), camera (with extra battery and charger)…and on and on.
Even though it is high tech in surplus, it maintains a primitive role of capture and carry: Gum, Altoid tins, highlighters, pens, pencils, calculator (why? When Blackberry, cell, and laptop each have the same function…so I'm old school dude), lip balm, two pairs of sunglasses, spare change (6 lbs worth clanging around the bottom), business cards, post-its (many, many post-its), calendars, legal pads, keys, letter pads, stolen hotel pads, emergency trail mix, nail clippers, magazines (always a minimum of two, preferably three), an occasional book, project files, drawings, loose receipts, mail from six weeks ago I just threw in the bottom, yada yada yada.
It’s sad when you consider a funny blog post one which depicts the “life in a bag” as a sales pitch. Hurry, SALE SALE SALE NOW…only two minutes left and supplies are limited…don’t be left holding the bag…uhh, ok that was lame, but you get the point and I thought it was funny. If you see me randomly meandering around an airport with earbuds, double-timing with my Ogio, and looking like I have no idea a big world is revolving around outside, please do me a favor and get me an appointment with a Chiropractor. I need an adjustment.
Anything and everything I could need or want in any given week finds a place in my go-go pack, even the kitchen sink (if you consider germ gel an equal substitute). What I cannot figure out, is why I feel the need to carry all of these electronic gadgets that each require their own charger (two in some cases)? Who the hell in the merry old land of electronics decided to have different source inputs? I carry two cell chargers (AC/DC), two Blackberry chargers (see cell chargers), iPod w/ charger and USB cord, mini/mini cord for rental cars new enough for an aux jack, headphone splitters, two sets of headphones (noise canceling and ear buds), laptop (and the chargers, mouse, memory sticks, and misc cables that go with it), camera (with extra battery and charger)…and on and on.
Even though it is high tech in surplus, it maintains a primitive role of capture and carry: Gum, Altoid tins, highlighters, pens, pencils, calculator (why? When Blackberry, cell, and laptop each have the same function…so I'm old school dude), lip balm, two pairs of sunglasses, spare change (6 lbs worth clanging around the bottom), business cards, post-its (many, many post-its), calendars, legal pads, keys, letter pads, stolen hotel pads, emergency trail mix, nail clippers, magazines (always a minimum of two, preferably three), an occasional book, project files, drawings, loose receipts, mail from six weeks ago I just threw in the bottom, yada yada yada.
It’s sad when you consider a funny blog post one which depicts the “life in a bag” as a sales pitch. Hurry, SALE SALE SALE NOW…only two minutes left and supplies are limited…don’t be left holding the bag…uhh, ok that was lame, but you get the point and I thought it was funny. If you see me randomly meandering around an airport with earbuds, double-timing with my Ogio, and looking like I have no idea a big world is revolving around outside, please do me a favor and get me an appointment with a Chiropractor. I need an adjustment.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Feeling Old
A few weeks ago, on our trip home from Texas we spent Friday night with some great friends in Dallas. Doug and Matt, two of my fraternity pledge brothers, their wives Kathy and Karen respectively and each of our broods. We hosted all at the Renaissance Hotel where we overnighted for some fun at the indoor pool, some fatty pizza, and of course a little drinky. We had a blast, kids had a great time with each other, they swam their little hearts out (in an ice cold pool I might add, of course dad’s were on water duty, thanks mommies) and all passed out side by side watching an episode of Little Einstein’s on my laptop.
The adults sat around sipping Heineken from a mini keg (thanks Doug E Fresh!) and catching up. I sort of had an out of body experience that night as I watched from atop the room our circle of friends of old chatting, laughing, drinking, just like old times. Then it really hit me that we have all come so far. It is really funny to see us all older, some of us fatter, some of us more gray, some of us balding, some of us sporting crow’s feet. I saw my parents in that room, surely that cannot be us! It really blew my mind. Well Eli, face it my friend. We are old, no doubt about it.
It will be fun as more time goes by and we still just pick up where we left off. That’s the beauty of friendship, especially those that you carry from younger days. I am excited that our move to DFW will come with the added perk of being closer to all of them. Ah, the nostalgic tide is rising, best swim to the beach for an icy cold beverage before it passes for something real, like work...boo.
The adults sat around sipping Heineken from a mini keg (thanks Doug E Fresh!) and catching up. I sort of had an out of body experience that night as I watched from atop the room our circle of friends of old chatting, laughing, drinking, just like old times. Then it really hit me that we have all come so far. It is really funny to see us all older, some of us fatter, some of us more gray, some of us balding, some of us sporting crow’s feet. I saw my parents in that room, surely that cannot be us! It really blew my mind. Well Eli, face it my friend. We are old, no doubt about it.
It will be fun as more time goes by and we still just pick up where we left off. That’s the beauty of friendship, especially those that you carry from younger days. I am excited that our move to DFW will come with the added perk of being closer to all of them. Ah, the nostalgic tide is rising, best swim to the beach for an icy cold beverage before it passes for something real, like work...boo.
Reaction to FRONTLINE
Reader beware, more political philosophy to follow, continue at your own risk:
I happened to catch the Monday night episode of Frontline on PBS (I know, dork) entitled “Bush’s War”. It was fascinating and incredibly frustrating at the same time. Although I did not sit through the nearly three hours of programming, the gist was made impeccably clear and opened my eyes even further to my continuing disdain with the Iraq War, the detaining of “terrorist” leaders unlawfully, and the gross abuse of power by the executive branch of our current Cheney regime. How have we allowed this to happen? We have all been sucker-punched with tactics of fear for our way of life. We have silently stood idle while our elected officials have waged a covert shift in national policy by sidestepping and manipulating the laws of our great nation like a crop of ambulance chasing, blood-sucking lawyers and PR professionals. We are now suffering the consequences of our actions as the world continues to devalue, rightfully so, our intentions of peace and protection for all. I will not get into details here; look them up if you dare. It will only piss me off even further. The whole point to this post was to simply vent.
With power comes incredible responsibility lawfully, politically, and ethically. Yet we sit by and watch those in power everyday undermine the principles for which we have our freedoms. I believe very strongly in the Bill of Rights. It is the basis of the Constitution of the United States of America. We simply do not hold accountable those that choose to circumvent those 10 powerful little statements. It is true of elected officials and corporate business leaders alike. I suppose the Milton Freedman free market economic theory of instability as cure has made its way into public and diplomatic policy and practice.
Enough, I will now step down from my soapbox and relinquish the mic. I urge you to pay attention to the foreign policies which have created our current quagmire, whether or not you agree with my point of view or not is quite frankly not the point. The point is no one should have the power to do what has been unless done so through the process set forth by our founding fathers. They were smart. Balance of power, three branches of government, checks and balances, they were all created to prevent this exact scenario. How did we let it go unchecked? We have only ourselves to blame.
I happened to catch the Monday night episode of Frontline on PBS (I know, dork) entitled “Bush’s War”. It was fascinating and incredibly frustrating at the same time. Although I did not sit through the nearly three hours of programming, the gist was made impeccably clear and opened my eyes even further to my continuing disdain with the Iraq War, the detaining of “terrorist” leaders unlawfully, and the gross abuse of power by the executive branch of our current Cheney regime. How have we allowed this to happen? We have all been sucker-punched with tactics of fear for our way of life. We have silently stood idle while our elected officials have waged a covert shift in national policy by sidestepping and manipulating the laws of our great nation like a crop of ambulance chasing, blood-sucking lawyers and PR professionals. We are now suffering the consequences of our actions as the world continues to devalue, rightfully so, our intentions of peace and protection for all. I will not get into details here; look them up if you dare. It will only piss me off even further. The whole point to this post was to simply vent.
With power comes incredible responsibility lawfully, politically, and ethically. Yet we sit by and watch those in power everyday undermine the principles for which we have our freedoms. I believe very strongly in the Bill of Rights. It is the basis of the Constitution of the United States of America. We simply do not hold accountable those that choose to circumvent those 10 powerful little statements. It is true of elected officials and corporate business leaders alike. I suppose the Milton Freedman free market economic theory of instability as cure has made its way into public and diplomatic policy and practice.
Enough, I will now step down from my soapbox and relinquish the mic. I urge you to pay attention to the foreign policies which have created our current quagmire, whether or not you agree with my point of view or not is quite frankly not the point. The point is no one should have the power to do what has been unless done so through the process set forth by our founding fathers. They were smart. Balance of power, three branches of government, checks and balances, they were all created to prevent this exact scenario. How did we let it go unchecked? We have only ourselves to blame.
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