Uncategorized – Page 25 – A Jaunty Little Blog

September 30, 2008June 13, 2018

Why? Oh, Why?

Little Furry Buddies,

You’ve got questions! Here’s one from our cherished commenter KC:

Whatever did you do to deserve THREE dogs???

Intriguing! Well, there are two spotty dogs better known as The Goon Squad who need a place to stay while somebody goes on holiday.

There’s another little black dog who also needs a place to stay. My sister rescued Lola from a shelter in San Diego a very short time before she was to be destroyed (your sister? -ed Of course not, she has her papers and all of her shots.). My sister then found out that the allergies threatening to blow her head to smithereens were largely brought about by said puppy dog. Since she’s also moving and I’m not, I’ve decided to take her in.

Oh yeah, about the fighting, the goons have been terrified of Lola’s high-energy, open-mouthed bullying. I left them alone today while I tended to one of America’s favorite non-profit disasters (dying servers, multiple power failures!) and fancy this; they’re getting along better now. There was actual play going on between them. Can you believe it?

What could I have possibly been worried about?

bob

September 29, 2008June 13, 2018

Speed Fest!

Friends,

This is going to be a big photo blort, so pardon the lack of commentary. It’s been a long weekend, but I thought that the pictures needed to go up right now. By the way, you can click on each picture to see a larger version in a new window…

A bigger smile you’ll not easily see. What he needs is his very own helicopter. Thankfully, they have plenty at the newly christened Naval Base Coronado. I remember when it was North Island Naval Air Station. The link still shows up on the google, but it redirects a couple times now. Enough geekery. On to the real reason we went to Coronado…

Vintage auto racing on the airstrip. It was Fleet Week and each of the last seven years, there’s been a race out there at the air station. Big names show up…

That includes this guy, who tops off his radiator with bottled water. Fancy!

…and these ladies who dine while staring at the rear end of an MG. Charming!

…and this woman who spends her weekends beating up on the guys.

We didn’t watch too much racing because it was way too loud for a certain someone, despite the earplugs. Saturday was full of practice and qualifying anyway, so there wasn’t too much on the line. Lots to see though, and that turned out to be enough.

The big story today was also transportation related…

All three dogs are now at the Lodge. They didn’t hate each other during the drive, but they sure hate each other now and I’m not really sure how I’m going to handle it. More later (if I’m not mauled in my sleep).

Your pal,

bob

September 26, 2008June 13, 2018

Financial Failure Photo Fun!

Pals,

Considering that it’s the largest bank failure in United States history, Washington Mutual and their new masters at JP Morgan Chase seem to be taking the whole thing very well. Since they’re in such good spirits (and they don’t seem to have trashed my account), that we can have a jolly old time as well. Here’s a screenshot from their website (click on the image to go to their current site).

I think a caption contest is in order, don’t you? I’ve got some to get you started:

“Open your wallet and close your eyes, and you’re gonna get a big surprise…”

“I can’t bear to look.”

“Happy 119th birthday! You’ll never guess what we got you!”

I’m sure you can do better. The comments are open…

– bob

September 25, 2008June 13, 2018

An Important Announcement

My friends,

We are facing a serious crisis in our country and it would be irresponsible to continue to make this all about me. Therefore, following the lead of the Republican candidate for president, I’m also going to suspend my own campaign tomorrow.

Aw heck. Never mind. It seems like cheating. (er, exactly what campaign? -ed) Good point. I’ve got nothin’.

– bob

September 23, 2008June 13, 2018

Happy Autumnal Equinox!

Okay, fine. It was yesterday.

As you know, this is the time of year that the trees get GM Employee Pricing on poorly assembled crossovers that’ll be discontinued next year anyway.

Stupid trees.

– bob

September 22, 2008June 13, 2018

A Bouncy Birthday

Let’s say you’re turning seven.

How could you better spend your birthday party than to beat your brains out in a bouncy castle?

Naturally, you would invite your friends…

…and maybe even relatives who may not be too clear on what this bouncing business is all about.

Of course, you’d have to ask your mom for permission.

Aw, c’mon. Please?

– bob

September 18, 2008June 13, 2018

The Great American Bathroom Remodel – Part Nine

Friends,

Ancillary bits are in. Ain’t it just adorable? Much better than throwing towels on the floor all the time, don’t you think?

I also thought having toilet paper at hand within easy reach of the commode might be neat as well. The walk out to the laundry room really wasn’t working out.

Could it be? is it done? Is this it?

Nah, must be something I’m missing…

– bob

September 17, 2008June 13, 2018

Jaunty Weather Update

[This Jaunty Weather Update is brought to you by the Idyllwild Weather Clam who has been consistently beating the hotshot weather forecasters for over three months! Now that’s a clam you can trust.]

Friends,

Our own Idyllwild Weather Clam doesn’t have a snazzy thunder and lightning graphic yet (it’s not in the budget. – ed but she knew that there would be some sort of storm yesterday. I guess I knew too, but took the top down on my Miniature Racecar™ anyway during my drive home yesterday. What’s the advice for convertible drivers caught in the rain? Just outdrive it.

It was easy to slide around the giant, lazy drops until I had to slow for that school bus. At that moment, the hail started to fall, which had me worried about the paper-thin sheetmetal on said tiny racecar. No sooner had I resolved to go find a hammer and dolly to pound the new dents out, settling back in to wait for a passing opportunity then…

POK!

A hail stone smacked off my skull with the force of a wayward tee shot. Stars, the works. I don’t know how big the thing was, but it certainly got my attention. I’m sure the last kids dropped off on the bus’ route had a good laugh too.

Glad I could oblige!

– bob

September 17, 2008June 13, 2018

The Great American Bathroom Remodel – Part Eight

Pals,

This shower stall, fabricated in China by the way, was the toughest piece of this puzzle to put together. The fasteners included were garbage. They stripped out, bent, broke, and it all led to frustration along with more money spent on stainless steel fasteners.

And there’s this—the doors are adjusted with soft plastic screws that have since stripped. Again with the fasteners.

But hey! Look at that pfaucet! Ain’t it adorable? Hope it works. We’ll check after the silicone cures…

– bob

September 15, 2008June 13, 2018

The Great American Bathroom Remodel – Part Seven

Friends,

This is the part of the project when everything comes pretty fast. After painting, the lighting went up.

This helped confirm that I’m not a very good painter. I’ve got a lot of touchup to do. But at least the toilet’s back in. That’s gotta count for something. In the middle of the night. After too much iced tea…

I’m one of those weirdos who buys all the parts before starting the job, so every piece has been spread out throughout the house for the last few weeks. It’s nice to get this part done, once I stopped the leaks from the faucet. Besides, this represents three boxes and countless bags of stuff that I don’t have to trip over. Always good.

So now things are really starting to come together.

I’m not going to comment on the shower stall though. Just two words: Chinese Screws.

More later.

– bob

September 12, 2008June 13, 2018

Jaunty Dumptruck O’ News! Trouble In Bolivia!

Friends,

There’s big trouble between the United States and some left-wing South American states. I know you’re concerned about these events and what they could mean to you, so I’ll try to explain them as clearly as possible.

It’s a terrible situation in Bolivia at the moment. Leftist president Evo Morales (file photo, top) is supported by the poor and destitute in the West of his country, but is vigorously opposed by the moneyed interests in the oil-rich East. President Morales accuses our ambassador (pictured, center) of siding with those who oppose him and has ordered his expulsion.

We retaliated and expelled the Bolivian ambassador (photo not available), which I suppose is what you do in these things. But international buttinsky, Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez (file photo, bottom) has sided with the Bolivians and has issued an order to expel our ambassador to his country. Naturally, we’re going to expel the Venezuelan ambassador to the U.S. in retaliation at some point.

Venezuela is the fourth largest importer of crude oil to the United States. Good night, honey. Sweet dreams!

– bob

September 11, 2008June 13, 2018

The Great American Bathroom Remodel – Side Note

Dear Kitsch Fans,

A strange thing happened on the way to mid-century cabin quaint…

No. This wasn’t planned.

This intellectual property thing is really getting out of hand…

– bob

September 11, 2008June 13, 2018

11 September 2001

Pals,

It’s the seventh anniversary of the attacks and I’m finding it hard to believe it was that long ago. We turned on the teevees at the 42nd Largest Marketing Firm in the country (by billings) in time to see the World Trade Center towers collapse. After speculating for a while on what it all meant and coming to no conclusion, we were all sent home for the day.

That’s my overall recollection of the day. That, and the commute down the 5 freeway seemed painfully long, and a lot of anxious smoking, and pacing, like a mental patient.

Those sick bastards who sent the attackers still to this day claim that we’re the evil ones. Crazy with rage on a day like today perhaps, but not evil.

Never forget.

– bob

September 11, 2008June 13, 2018

The Great American Bathroom Remodel – Part Six

Dear Right Angle Haters,

Yes! the moulding is finally done! Hooray! Yippee! You may even find this surprising, but I can still count to ten without taking off my shoes after all this chopping.

You can’t swing a 66-inch stick of quarter-round without, well, hitting more quarter-round.

…and think. All of this gets painted.

Pardon the weird exposure problems, but if you look at the joint in the corner, you’ll notice that it’s perfect. You don’t get to say that very often.

– bob

September 10, 2008June 13, 2018

Happy End Of The Planet Day!

Pals,

The Large Hadron Collider is scheduled to go online very early tomorrow, our time.

I’m not all that worried about the potential for the creation of micro black holes considering that I’m incredibly dense myself. I can take whatever the Swiss can dish out. What I am concerned about is strangelets.

I had no idea…

– bob

UPDATE: According to Britain’s Sun newspaper, the world has not ended. I think you can understand that this is a great relief to many people. Particularly those with appointments scheduled for today. So please, everyone, do carry on. Thank you.

UPDATE II: Nothing to worry about, Bob. Everything’s gonna be fine, they say. No chance of any trouble, they insist…