May 14, 2008

Rollcall, Gamenight, Tracts, Strangers, Sleepy, Fences, Wednesday

Happy Wednesday!

Picture of the day!
P5020011
Another pic taken during my fence remodel. Note shadows. I mainly took it because I have almost no picture of my car.

Speaking of fences, we've heard that there are cosmetic changes coming that will fix most of the problems (except our loose/not nailed in slats).

I'm sleepy. I have a two-year-old that wakes up a bit too early and has taken to extreme tantrumming . It's exciting, in a horrible way.

Sometimes I like to read through a stranger's blog, just gather up points about their life. I guess that's one of the driving factors of this whole writing for the world endeavor. Sometimes the people I find are interested and I'll read and return for a while, but rarely do I contact them. Is that weird? Are there people doing that to me?

More Christian tracts on the work bulletin board. The pile at my desk grows.

I had a gamenight, but other people's obligations eated it. It's been rescheduled.

Rollcall: Who's reading?

Posted by Michael Doss at 08:49 AM | Comments (3)

May 13, 2008

Not Much, Vacation, Roaches and Beetles, Too Many Beers, Brandon's Birthday

Happy Birthday to Brandon today!

Picture of the day!
P3150013
Brandon and Jesus at my birthday.

Had too many beers and not enough food last night, but I'm feeling better now.

We used to have roaches in our complex - almost never in the house unless we brought in a box from the garage, but all over the clubhouse and pool. Lately, though I haven't seen any, but I have seen a bunch of large black beetles. War, perhaps?

I think my vacation schedule is full for my trip to the bay area later this month, but spots might open up if you'd like to get together. I might even be in Santa Cruz for a time.

Sleepy. Wondering about lunch already. Not much to write about today. That's all.

Posted by Michael Doss at 09:22 AM | Comments (0)

May 12, 2008

Hanging, Throwbacks, Baking Rampage, Countertops, 80s Prom Picture, Monday

Happy Monday!

Picture of the day!
2485064557_2898dc7a7f_o
Tori found this picture in the depths of her archives. I'm scared. It's from the Kresge "80s prom" (I think it was at Kresge - someone will correct me otherwise). Notice I'm wearing earrings in both ears, my hair is long and half-blond, half black, and I weigh a good 20 or 30lbs more than I do now. I thought The Girlfriend looked fine, but she's right about that dress being ugly. We might still have it somewhere, though. I know exactly where that suit is.

Countertop replacement is finally rolling along. We had a guy come in and measure today, and we'll get an estimate in a few days. Assuming it's not absurdly high, we'll tell them to go ahead, and we'll have a new kitchen within 3 weeks, in time for Katie's birthday party in mid June. Here's to hopin'.

I went on a cooking rampage this weekend, and made a small cake (with buttercream frosting), cupcakes (with cream cheese frosting), pizza (with no frosting, just delicious cheese and homemade sauce), and a homemade strawberry pie with glaze (that awesomely sweet clear glaze like you find in restaurant pies? Super easy). The cupcakes are going to work. The cake's for whoever comes over to share it. The pizzas are mostly gone. The pie will likely be finished tonight. Good eats at my place.

Throwbacks Sports Bar & Grill opens tonight. Come watch your Angels attempt to not lose again, drink some beer (22 on tap - delicious), and play some pool. I'm very excited.

Off to start the day. How's it hanging?

Posted by Michael Doss at 08:41 AM | Comments (1)

May 09, 2008

Let's Do Lunch, Beer, LAV, Soda Survey, Throwbacks, Friday

Friday's here already. Amazing!

Picture of the day!
P5020017
My yard, sans fence.

Got to check out Jason's new bar yesterday, Throwbacks, in Anaheim. Great place, lots of TVs, nice and open, and lots of friendly folks. Looking forward to having a place to go where I know some people and watch a game.

Questions of the day: how many sodas do you drink in a day?

Read my Liberal Atheist Vegetarian blog. Leave comments. Connect in other ways.Enjoy your day.

Looks like we're going to Beer Appreciation at BJ's in Brea on June 3. Join us, won't you?

So, I'm 30. I decided months ago that I'd do a bunch of awesome stuff during my birthday year, but it's been a little slow going. Lots of this stuff depends on you, though. First on my list: Having lunch with everyone. Yes, everyone, even you. If we saw each other this week, or haven't seen each other in 10 years, I want to do lunch. If you're around Santa Ana, weekdays work. If not, I'm free just about every Saturday. Seriously, let's do lunch.

Posted by Michael Doss at 09:27 AM | Comments (3)

May 08, 2008

Keepin' On, Travel Plans, Spears, Robots, Twitter, Sun, Hello

Hello!

Picture of the day!
P5080068
Jacaranda and a beautiful blue sky. They're blooming all over, as they always do this time of year. How do I know it's this time of year? This photo was taken 4 years ago today.

Sun's already coming out. Whether today will clear up or not is another matter, but awesome.

Do you use Twitter? If so, follow me.

So we brought Roomba upstairs yesterday to take care of our newly clean bedroom. Now I remember why we got wood floors downstairs - carpet hides everything. I don't think I'll get an upstairs-only robot yet, but we'll see...

I was just remarking that Britney Spears is only 26 - she has the life experience and haggard look of someone much older. It's sad - 26 should be a fun and very attractive age.

It's pretty much set - I'm traveling to Fremont May 31, returning June 1. If you're in the general area, we might be able to get together early in the day. Hit me up.

That's all. Keep on keepin' on.

Posted by Michael Doss at 09:00 AM | Comments (4)

May 07, 2008

Say Hello, Question, Fence, Gmail Spam, Busy With Michris, Good Day

Good day!

Picture of the day!
P5030020
Baby in her pajamas and her mommy's shoes.

Things are busy. While I don't advertise it, I have a web hosting/design company. Mostly I host for friends, and when they think of it, they pay me (I never ask - I do it for free). In the last month, I've acquired 4 new clients, just by luck. I'm finding my web design skills aren't top notch. That said, my "finding free templates, graphics and stock photos" ability is great. You wouldn't want to hire me for your high-level design or web application, but for the basic needs of most people on the web, I do just fine.

I love my gmail spam filter, but in the last couple weeks it's letting more and more through. It's also not very good about distinguishing between website notifications that I have a new spam comment, and spam themselves. Any gmail users out there know of a way to force something into the inbox?

Fence update - it's "done", but there are a lot of problems. Some of the slats are off, with exposed nails. The new fence is higher off the ground, and the installers didn't put in a way to get in the back (no handle, no chain-pull through for the latch), so you have to reach way up (I'm almost too short to do it). It looks nice from the outside, but those changes best be made.

Question: I've found religious tracts at a bulletin board at work, near the time clock. I've been removing them and trashing them - should I go to HR? Is this legal, or do the rules depend on the company?

That's that. Say hello!

Posted by Michael Doss at 08:58 AM | Comments (5)

May 06, 2008

Peace Out, Benevolent Blogger, Cleaning, In The Paper, OC Atheists, Tuesday

Happy Tuesday!

Picture of the day!
P5040023
Nearby cave. Actually, some missing dirt under the stonework in my backyard, caused by fence excavation.

The next meeting of the Orange County Atheists will be held Tonight, May 6 at 7:30PM at the International House of Pancakes at 18542 MacArthur Blvd in Irvine. If you consider yourself an atheist, an agnostic, a freethinker, a humanist, or are just curious, check out this month's event. If you're planning on attending please RSVP at our website forums. Hope to see you there!

I'm in the paper today. Well, I'm in the paper most days, but today I actually have a piece on page 2 of the Life section (excerpts from the Liberal Atheist Vegetarian blog).

Been cleaning. A lot. I mused a while back that if I spent 20 minutes a day doing something productive around the house (in addition to daily duties), I'd have gotten rid of (or at least hidden) all clutter in a matter of weeks. So yesterday we rocked the upstairs (enough for Roomba to take a crack at it) and the bathrooms. I can has clean house? It's more likely than you think.

Considering being a Benevolent Blogger. It's a worthy program. Thoughts?

That's enough for me. Seeya tonight at OC Atheists. Peace out, yo.

Posted by Michael Doss at 08:57 AM | Comments (0)

May 05, 2008

Happening, Fences, Game Night, LAV, June Gloom. Cinco de Mayo Birthday

Happy Cinco de Mayo! And happy birthday Angela!

Picture of the day!
P6260073
Laughin' Marek.

It's May, and the June Gloom, as usual, is early and wonderful. Thanks, local topography!

LAV today - In case you missed it.

Game night is coming. Oh yes. I won't accept my recent party failures. There will be game night.

So, fences. They look pretty good until you really start to focus on any one aspect. Some of the slats are upside down (hard to do when one end is shaped, and the other is flat), the boards aren't nailed in correctly everywhere, and the bottom is horribly uneven along the side. We've called to complain, I'm just hoping something gets done. Unfortunately my Association board gets what they pay for. More updates later.

What's happening?

Posted by Michael Doss at 11:49 AM | Comments (1)

May 02, 2008

What's Happening, Red Lights, Open Yard, Rebate, No Pants Day, Friday

Happy Friday!

Picture of the day!
P4270042
Katie and her grandma at Faire. Katie, by this point, had decided that her outfit wasn't doing it for her, and borrowed a shirt from Nathan.

Today is No Pants Day! Celebrate!

The government has entrusted me a tax rebate, hoping I'll help bolster the economy. Since I've pretty much already spent it on home improvement purchases, looks like I'm doing it right.

My backyard is still open to the world. The voyeur in me, however, gets to enjoy looking into the neighbor's yards too. They certainly won't finish today (they haven't put the cement down for the inside part of the fence), but we might have an outer fence - time will tell. Might have to have our Fishbowl Party after all...

Last July I asked a question about what, legally, constitutes running a red light. Tori learned in traffic school that any time you're in the intersection and the light isn't green, you're in violation. I've always assumed you have to clear the intersection before the light turns red. Section 21453 of the vehicle code deals with it, but doesn't give any specifics - my literal reading would have me believe that as long as I don't enter the intersection when the light's red, I'm fine. I've heard conflicting explanations from cops, traffic schools, and the internets. Your thoughts?

Got a busy day ahead, but an exciting one. What's happening with you?

Posted by Michael Doss at 10:40 AM | Comments (0)

May 01, 2008

What's New, Fences, Breakfast, Twitter, Prayer, May Day

Happy May Day!

Picture of the day!
P4270010
Ren Faire pics. We really didn't take many - they whole set is up here, though.

Today's also the National Day of Prayer. Remember that Zeus doesn't want you to have any gods before him, or he'll smite you down. I'm more partial to Eros and Bacchus, myself. But hey, Satan's pretty awesome too - I'm sure when the President asks Americans to pray, he wants you to pray to whoever you think is important. Just remember to pray!

I've been using twitter for a few days now. I didn't like it at first, but I think that's because I didn't fully understand it. Now that I've added some people to follow and figured out the syntax, it does have some promise. I'm surprised something that doesn't allow for embedded pictures or other media took off like it did, but there you go - now people use it, so the service can add features as time goes on. You can see my profile and follow me here. If you use it, let me know.

I'm not sure I remembered to eat enough breakfast this morning. I might have to go the French Fry route around noon.

Workers have started removing the fences in our complex to replace them, and today was our day to have work started, so my back yard is completely exposed to the world. It's very weird, but it'll be nice to have a new fence and get at some areas that are hard to reach.

That's plenty for today. What's new?

Posted by Michael Doss at 10:46 AM | Comments (1)