Sunday, January 22, 2017
The drought is over
As of this morning SoCal is said to be 178% over average in rainfall for this season. The rain has been coming down not heavy, but steady all day. It's been like this for a day or so at a time every couple of days. On one hand, the rain is really wonderful. My yard, and for that matter the entire neighborhood, is going to be so happy come Spring. But I'm left to wonder about the hillsides. No past fires around me so I know the vegetation is keeping the tiny little canyon, that comes down to street level in the lower part of my front yard, stable. I've put a lot of work into improving drainage around the garage and the house. Past rains have told me to do so. So far, the basement is dry so I'm guessing the improved drainage is doing it's job. The lingering thought is events from about 15 years ago, before I moved in, that the neighbors still talk about. Seems one VERY dark and stormy night, during the last El Niño, the backyard of the house at the top of the hill decided to pay us a visit. The entire concrete patio of the big house at the top of the hill, was undermined by the rain and came tumbling down the hill. The mud/landslide took out everybody's backyard but did no damage to any of the houses. The mud/landslide also stopped at my garage. Had it come through the garage it would have taken out what is now my house. The next day, two lots over and also coming from the top of the same hill, a mudslide came pouring down the street. Everyone woke to find the street under several feet of mud and their cars washed halfway to Figueroa. 178%, with predictably more on the way is incredibly nice to listen to. It's not cold but it is chilly. I'm enjoying the rain a lot, probably because it's been 10 years of drought which makes it new and exciting. But I am nevertheless a bit uneasy at the thought of waking up to the sound of someone's backyard landing in my backyard.
Saturday, September 10, 2016
B'bye Jake
June 6, 2016
Had to let Jake go this afternoon. He was my pal for almost 34 years. But over the weekend he had crossed the line from just being terminally sick to being downright miserable. Last December he was a bit overweight at a little over 600 grams. Monday he was down to 303 grams. Watched the vet put him to sleep. Took about two minutes to go from awake to a quiet deep sleep. Absolutely the hardest thing I have EVER had to do.
I honestly can't remember the last time I cried. Not even over the loss of my parents. Leaving my last girl friend was more celebratory than loss. But this... One big giant empty hole. A different kind of quiet in the house. The wrong kind of peace.
A delicious six pack of 7.5% designer beer helped me spend the evening in quiet commemoration. I sat outside and listened to the quiet of the neighborhood and the backyard birdsong for a while. Then I filled the glass up again. (No, I didn’t drink all six of them.)
Seeing the empty cage this morning was hard, but I think I have to leave it there for a while. I think seeing the empty space where it was is probably gonna be worse. Probably prove to be a good place for a plant of some kind, eventually.
(- sigh -)
Had to let Jake go this afternoon. He was my pal for almost 34 years. But over the weekend he had crossed the line from just being terminally sick to being downright miserable. Last December he was a bit overweight at a little over 600 grams. Monday he was down to 303 grams. Watched the vet put him to sleep. Took about two minutes to go from awake to a quiet deep sleep. Absolutely the hardest thing I have EVER had to do.
I honestly can't remember the last time I cried. Not even over the loss of my parents. Leaving my last girl friend was more celebratory than loss. But this... One big giant empty hole. A different kind of quiet in the house. The wrong kind of peace.
A delicious six pack of 7.5% designer beer helped me spend the evening in quiet commemoration. I sat outside and listened to the quiet of the neighborhood and the backyard birdsong for a while. Then I filled the glass up again. (No, I didn’t drink all six of them.)
Seeing the empty cage this morning was hard, but I think I have to leave it there for a while. I think seeing the empty space where it was is probably gonna be worse. Probably prove to be a good place for a plant of some kind, eventually.
(- sigh -)
Monday, June 8, 2015
A Little Soulful Tune - (got me 2nd place)
My video entry for the 2012 PTG National Convention : The Hum-Onious Technician Contest.
My apologies for the quality. The camera must be at least 10 years old. My phone has a larger image size. Hmmm. I should have used that.
Whatever. I entered the contest and won a GPS device as 2nd place.
My apologies to Taj.
My apologies for the quality. The camera must be at least 10 years old. My phone has a larger image size. Hmmm. I should have used that.
Whatever. I entered the contest and won a GPS device as 2nd place.
My apologies to Taj.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
New World Manifesto
EPISODE 6: REVEREND IVAN STANG & THE CHURCH OF THE SUB GENIUS
Ivan Stang founded the Church of the SubGenius with Dr. Philo Drummond (who is now a DJ on the popular Berkeley radio show Puzzling Evidence) in 1980 with a satyrical pamphlet titled “SubGenius Pamphlet #1.” What’s formed in the 30 years following is an entire parody religion that, while no less real than any other religion, is thankfully only taken seriously to a dangerous level by a small chunk of people. Most followers of the Church of the SubGenius are such because of the humorous and lighthearted nature of the way it satirizes fanatic-based religion, conspiracy theories, and aliens.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
The house that D&W bought
My first ever home of my own. A gift from my parents that I wish they were still around to enjoy with me. 1929 Spanish style. Lots of new stuff inside. Some old stuff outside that needs work. Quiet! (Yay!)
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