Bacon Gravy

Ran over to the shop this morning and pulled the charger off the Model A.  Hit the starter button on the truck and it turned over and seemed to have plenty of cranking power.   I need to get some gas and will see if I can get it started.

Couple of days ago I made some suet from bacon drippings.    I needed bacon for the bacon gravy I was making to go with our mashed potatoes and left over’s from Christmas.   So anyway I poured the bacon grease into a paper coffee cup and then added bird seed from the bag.   Once it cooled I put it into the freezer and let it sit overnight. The next day I pulled it out of the freezer and tore the paper cup about halfway down so that half of the suet was exposed.

I placed it outside on the fence.   I tried to keep an eye to see if any birds were attracted to it.  I did see a couple sitting next to it, but not eating from it.   The next morning I looked and it was gone.    A squirrel or a raccoon must have gotten it overnight.

We were at Michael’s today so while I was wondering around the store, I came across a few items that I could use to make a bird feeder for the backyard.    I spent about eight dollars and it took me about 10 minutes to put it together.   Filled it full of bird seed and hung in on the back patio.

Bacon Gravy Recipe

4 Slices of bacon

2 Tablespoons of Bacon Grease

2 Tablespoons of Flower

2 Cups of Milk

Salt and Pepper to taste

Cook the bacon until crispy and then pour off the bacon grease.   Set bacon aside and in the same skillet, add two tablespoons of the bacon grease and add the two tablespoons of flower and whisk until lumps are gone.   Then add the two cups of milk and heat and whisk until thickened.  Crumble the bacon and stir into gravy.

Happy Hiking

Always something to laugh about

Not much to report on today.   We went out and did a quick 2 miles this morning.   I then headed over to the shop to play around with some new items I received for Christmas.   I stopped in, turned the heater on and then drove over to Starbucks's for a coffee.   When I returned about 10 minutes later it had heated just enough to be bearable.

First thing I did was get the battery charger going on the old Model A.   Santa brought me a new rotor, distributor cap, wires and coil.   Took about 30 minutes to get the new parts on.   I pulled the starter cover and added a couple of new felt washers.   I tried to start it but the battery was so weak that I could only get one turn.   I decided to leave the charger on over night.   Will get some gas tomorrow and see if I can get it running.   I would like to have it ready for spring and summer and drive it around.

Back at the house I did a little repair on the basement door.   Guessing the cold weather had caused it to swell so I sanded down the door edge and it closes now and doesn't rub the door frame when closing.

Below is my route log for the last two days.   It's snowing out now, doubt that it will amount to much.  Going to try to get out again tomorrow.

Happy Hiking

The Day After

Hope you had a Merry Christmas and are looking forward to a Happy New Year!  It was pretty quiet around the Robinson house this year.    The boys, Candy and I, were together on Christmas Eve, we ate on the snacks that Candy had made and then opened presents.   Everyone seemed pretty happy with what they received.  On Christmas Day, we had all our favorites.   Candy cooked up a rib roast, cheesy corn, mashed potatoes, garlic salad and more.   

We were supposed to make a quick trip out to KS to see family.  But on Christmas day we decided we were going to stay home and relax and get ready for 2013.   I hated to miss my Dad’s Birthday, but with all the travel I have done this year being home with some time off is something I need.

I headed out this morning and did a 5.2/mile loop.   As I was walking down the street to the trail head I caught one of our neighbor’s feeding one of the deer.  She stood with a bag in one hand and her other hand was out flat and the deer was eating from it.  I will have to keep my video camera handy so I can get some footage for the television show When Animals Attack.

While on the trail, I did manage to get a couple of decent pictures of a chickadee and magpie.   I was lucky that they sat still long enough, which is usually the problem.   It was cold out this morning, around the mid 20’s.   I was dressed warm enough so the cold didn't bug me.  Made my way down along the creek and took a couple of pictures.   The snow still covered the trail and the trees.   With the light breeze blowing snow off the tree’s it almost appeared as if it were snowing.

We went to see The Hobbit this afternoon.  I really enjoyed it and the 2+ hours blew by pretty quick.   Many of the same characters from the previous movies were in this movie as well as many new characters.   If you were a fan of the Lord of Rings trilogy, you will probably like The Hobbit. 

Happy Hiking

Nuthatch

Slept in till 8:30 AM this morning.  We had a cup of coffee and then dressed to head out for a walk.  Walked over to BCP and did a loop around and back to the house.    It was cool out but not bad, I had on my gloves and hat and could have gone without them.

As we were making our way up the trail Candy spotted this White-breasted Nuthatch.  I managed to snag a picture as he was working his way up and down the trunk looking for food.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-breasted_Nuthatch

Happy Hiking

Who's ready for snow?

I heard rumor that we may get some snow tonight/tomorrow.   I doubt it will happen but we can only hope.    It is supposed to be cold and windy tomorrow so that may hamper my idea of walking to work.   I would take the bike, but would hate to end up like this poor bastard.

Happy Hiking

Made the walk to work this morning, so I was able to log in 3.2/miles.   Nothing exciting to report, I did see several rabbits but no coyotes.

Came across this picture and found it to be pretty funny, clearly the sky writer was trying to spell Shilo.

Happy Hiking

Home again!

Wow, I was on the road last week and it was a busy week, but home now and trying to get back into the groove.   Did 3.5/miles this morning and it felt good to be back on the trail.   I am going to try to walk to work everyday this week and keep the walking up through the Holidays.

I counted 15 deer this morning.  They are like rats around here.  Speaking of rats, for the last week we have had the smell of something dead in the office. Found it last night, we had a dead mouse under the book shelve.  Not sure where the hell he/her got in from.

It was cool out this morning, guessing in the mid 20's when I left the house.   Made a run up through BCP and over to the nature center and back.   I should have gone a little further but needed to get home so I can go fight with people at the Mall.   I am not ready for the holidays and I can't believe that this year is almost over, but it is so suck it up.

Below is my track and elevation log for today.

Happy Hiking

Ricardo Gonzalo Pedro Montalbán y Merino

Mortally wounded, Khan activates the Genesis Device, which will reorganize all matter in the nebula including the Enterprise. Though Kirk's crew detects the activation of the Genesis Device and the Enterprise attempts to move out of range using impulse engines, with the warp drive damaged they will not be able to escape the nebula in time. Spock leaves the bridge and goes to the engine room to restore the warp drive. When McCoy tries to prevent Spock's exposure to high levels of radiation, he incapacitates the doctor with a Vulcan nerve pinch and then performs a mind meld, telling him to "Remember". Spock restores power to the warp drive and the Enterprise escapes the explosion. Kirk arrives in the engine room, where Spock dies of radiation poisoning. The explosion of the Genesis Device causes the gas in the nebula to reform into a new planet, sustainable of life. A space burial is held in the Enterprise's torpedo room and Spock's coffin is shot into orbit around the newly formed planet. The crew leaves the planet to pick up the Reliant's marooned crew from Ceti Alpha V. In the final scene Spock's coffin is seen to have soft-landed on the planet.

Ricardo Gonzalo Pedro Montalbán y Merino - November 25, 1920 – January 14, 2009) was a Mexican radio, television, theatre and film actor. He had a career spanning seven decades (motion pictures from 1943 to 2006) and many notable roles. During the mid-1970s, Montalbán was notable as the spokesman in automobile advertisements for the Chrysler Cordoba, in which he famously extolled the "fine Corinthian leather" used for its interior. He also advertised the Chrysler New Yorker.^[1] From 1977 to 1984, he became famous as Mr. Roarke the main star in the television seriesFantasy Island. He played Khan Noonien Singh in both the 1967 episode "Space Seed" of the first season of the original Star Trekseries, and the 1982 film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. He won an Emmy Award in 1978 for his role in the miniseries How the West Was Won^[2] and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Screen Actors Guild in 1993. Into his 80s, he continued to perform, often providing voices for animated films and commercials, and appearing in several Spy Kids films as "Grandfather Valentin".

Why the tribute to Ricardo, I don’t know.  I was watching him in Star Trek II this evening and that made me remember him from the old Chrysler Cordoba commercials and Fantasy Island back in the day.   In the late 80’s I was driving a 1975 Chrysler Cordoba with rich Corinthian Leather.  It was burgundy in color and a pretty decent car being that when I got it was already 10 years old. People used to give me shit when they would get in, oh, feel the rich Corinthian Leather. LOL

Hit the trail this evening about 4:30 PM, it was already getting dark.   I did a 6.8 mile loop up through Bear Creek Park and up the mountain and down the other side to High Drive.   I had two head lamps with me and I needed them.   One was on my head and the other attached to the chest strap on my back pack.  If you are going to hike in the dark, make sure you know the trail and where you are going or you will get lost.   I had a pretty good time and didn't fall on my ass.  This is the route that I took this evening.

Happy Hiking

I hope that you had a great Thanksgiving!  I got up that morning at 5am and got dressed and went out for a short walk up Orion to GCR.  Hit the Starbucks for coffees and breakfast sandwiches.  Candy was still sleeping when I returned so started cleaning the kitchen and doing the pile of laundry that we were behind on.    We made a quick run to Wal-Mart to get dog food as the dogs were out. I spent most of the day cleaning and doing laundry while Candy cooked Thanksgiving dinner.  Oh what it a dinner it was. We had turkey and all the fixings’.  Eric and Clark were both here for most of the day.  Kicking back in the basement playing video games and drinking margarita punch.  It was a great day and we have a lot to be thankful for!

I slept in this morning till 9am.   First thing I was up in the attic and started pulling down all of the Christmas decorations.  Put the inside decorations on the dining room table and hauled the outdoor lights to front porch.   Put up the outdoor lights, which really only consist of wrapping the porch railing in lighted garland.   Then I put up the twig tree in the square garden.  I passed on putting up the blow up Santa and train this year.   Less is more, right? 

Take a look

What’s up race fans?   Let’s see, so I managed to get 13.7/miles in this week.  Most of them were on the treadmill at the gym.    Yes, I joined a gym.   There is one close to the house and with the cold weather; it makes it nice to be inside.  In addition I find myself doing some lifting, etc. while I am there.   I try to get in by 6:30 am and spend about 20 minutes on some of the machines and then hit the treadmill for an hour.   Shower up and then head to the office.

Candy and I went out for a 3/miler today and I am guessing we saw over 30 deer on our walk up Orion to Gold Camp Road.  Candy got a picture of a big buck.  Larger than this one that was in the neighbors front yard that I had taken.

Traveling tomorrow and wanted to get the shop cleaned up and finish getting the sheet rock on the fascia.   Finished out the fascia and swept up the floor and loaded all the trash to take over to the dumpster.  Managed to get most everything up off the floor and boxed up on the hanging shelf.  Looks pretty good and now I have a clean palette to work with.  Probably should have hung the Christmas lights today, but maybe next weekend.

For the last week and half I have been working my way through a learning Java book.  Having a blast, I get to use my old VI and Sys-admin skills.   It came back pretty quick.  I did run into a couple of issues but with Google I was able to find the answers I needed.

I picked up some new tunes for the IPod, Redlight King, Everlast and Black Label Society.   I am really enjoying Redlight King and the album “something for the pain”.  Check out the website for music and videos Redlight King 

Old Man

Happy Hiking

Where's Dennis

It has been a few weeks since I have written any updates.  After being on the road for a couple of weeks and busy with work I just haven’t had much time.   I am home for a week or so and then off to NJ later in the month and then down to Austin.

I did get to the shop this weekend and made a little more progress.   I was able to get the underside of the hanging shelf completed.  I called my friend Norm up and he was ready to come on over.   He drove his 69 mustang GT500 and I could hear him coming from a block away.  Talk about a smoking machine.  He rebuilt and parted out a lot of the work and it looks and runs awesome.

He talked about taking it to the Mecum auto auction coming up in Kansas City on December 6^th through the 8^th.   If he goes through with it, I think it would be cool to tag along.

I learned about using a kicker to hang sheet rock above your head.   I basically made a T out of 2 2x4’s.    Once we cut the sheet rock to size we lifted it up and got it close then put the T up underneath then kicked it in to place so that it held up the sheet rock and we were then able to work with it to get it lined up and screwed in.  Sure made easier work.

Cut the last couple of pieces to finish out the top of the shelf and got them screwed in.   I have to finish the fascia but I can start putting stuff up and getting it off the floor.

This last week I have been working through a Beginner’s Guide to Java.  I installed Cygwin and setup a UNIX like environment.  Downloaded the current JDK and am on my way.  I am using VI as my editor most of the key shortcuts have come back to me.   Once I get further along I may choose an IDE to start working with.

Sunday I jumped on Craigslist and found a company that delivers fire wood.   They said that they would be by today between 9 AM to 1 PM.  Guy shows up about 10 AM with a dump truck load and dumped it in the yard/street.  He said he would be back in an hour with the other half cord.  I ordered up a cord and half, and we should be set for a while. 

So I started stacking, grabbing an arm full and walking up the hill and stacking it up.  I don’t now how many trips I made but my ass is sore tonight.  I don’t literally mean my ass just that I am sore all over.  I made a pretty decent dent in getting it stacked.  Eric came over after class and helped me with what was left.  I am glad he showed as I was ready to get this done.

Off to Ft. Collins in the morning so I get to do the I-25 battle.  Better have my Starbucks!

Mr. Pietro Ferrero

No mile(s) to report today, even with having the best of intentions.  Shame on me!   It has just been crazy busy at work or that is just another excuse.  Will make it happen tomorrow.

I think the skunk has moved on.  No sign of any digging the last couple of days. Was excited about the chance to play "Billy the Exterminator", I guess I still could.

Mr. Pietro Ferrero would be so proud of what his "pasta gianduja" has become.  You can tell she is a fan.  I usually eat it with an apple but this is another way to go about it.

For the history of nutella: http://www.nutellausa.com/history.htm

Nothing New

I checked the skunk situation and no new movement.  The trap remains empty and  no sign of any new digging.   Guessing that either the porch light or the repeated hosing has gotten it to move on.  Closed the trap, if I caught something tonight, I wouldn't have time to deal with it tomorrow.  Busy week ahead, with a couple trips to Denver planned.

We went out and walked through BCP and did a two mile loop.  Felt better this morning so it was nice to get out and work up a sweat.   The tree's have really turned around here, lot of yellow's and golden browns.  We went to the movie this afternoon and saw Looper.  Interesting story, good action, slow in some spots.  I would rate it a 4 out of 5. Bruce Willis always does a good job....

Dude, your still sick.

I wish I could kick this dam head cold.   I slept till 10 AM this morning and was slow to get moving.   We needed to go to the store, so before we left I loaded up some items that have been sitting in the garage that we were going to put into our garage sale.   Decided it was just easier and to take the write off on the taxes and take the stuff to Goodwill.  We dropped off what we had and went over to the grocery store to get some food for this week.

When we got back to the house and got everything unloaded I went and took a nap for a couple of hours.  I think I just need to get out on the trail and maybe all this crap in my head and chest will break free.

So I checked on the hole under the porch.  Doesn't look like the skunk came back last night.  The dirt is still where I left it from yesterday.  

I may have solved the problem already.   I noticed the hole when I was replacing the porch light.    Not sure how long the light had been burnt out as I have been gone.   With the light being replaced this may keep it away anyway.   We will see.

I did go ahead and set the trap and loaded it with peanut butter, will check in the morning and see if we have caught anything.   About half tempted to leave the porch light off and see if that improves my chances.

Happy Hiking

Skunk Removal 101

Well this should be exciting.  I think I have a skunk who has decided to move in under the front porch.   I found a mound of dirt yesterday with a hole going under the porch. The hole is under the water faucet so yesterday I ran some water down the hole and then pushed the dirt up in the corner covering the hole.   I looked this evening and the hole was dug back out and the mound of dirt was bigger than it was yesterday.

I dug my box trap out and have been watching YouTube videos and others removing skunks.   I have a plan.....   For tonight I pushed the dirt back into the corner and figured I would check again tomorrow.  This will give me some time to get everything I need together to set the trap and try to catch and relocate it.

Items Needed
1. Box Trap
2. Gloves
3. Two Large Towels
4. Safety Goggles
5. Peanut Butter

I will take some pictures and if I get creative I may even shoot my own skunk removal video.

Funny

I came across this picture and caption and just found it to be to funny and had to share.

For the ride home

I actually met these guys back in early 2k, when doing some consulting down in Amarillo TX. Safe Travels!

Home

Wow, finally back home after being out on the road for the last 10 days.   I was in San Francisco as we worked two conferences and Xtivia hosted our Portal Leadership Retreat over the weekend between the two conferences.   All went very well and had a great time with the team our customers and partners.

The city was packed with people.   Oracle Open World and JavaOne were going on.  It was also Fleet Week as well as the America’s Cup.  The first week there was a team of three of us working at the JavaOne conference.  The conference ended Thursday and Wednesday afternoon I could feel something coming on.  I could feel my throat getting sore and my sinus were dry and burning.   That next morning I woke up and my head was congested, eye’s running and head full of crap.

I went out and bought some cold and flu medicine and spent my day Thursday locked up in the hotel room in bed.    Candy was scheduled to arrive that evening, so at 8:00 PM I grabbed a cab and went out to the airport.   Picked her up around 9:00 PM and we grabbed a cab and headed back to the hotel.   Didn’t take her long to figure out I was sick.  Back at the hotel we ate at a Thai restaurant nearby the hotel.   Some of the best Thai I had eaten all week.

On Friday I put on a smile and we headed out of the hotel mid-morning.  Down on the street there were numerous vendors with local arts and crafts, we walked through and checked them out.   Then we walked over to the pier across the street.   It had numerous shops.   We had a quick bite and then headed back to the hotel.  I took a nap for a couple hours and Candy went out and checked out the shopping.  Later that evening we headed out and grabbed dinner and were back to the hotel around 8:00 PM.  We crashed out early, or at least I did.

Felt a little better on Saturday.  We went down to Pier 39 and checked out the shops and the Sea Lions.   When walking back to the hotel we came across wild parrots in a park near the hotel.   Apparently they escaped from a pet store several years back and have adapted to the area.

Sunday morning I was still feeling sick and oh yeah Happy Birthday.  Sunday October 7^th was my 48^th Birthday.   We headed out and got a coffee and walked around the street vendors and checked out the arts & crafts.    Candy got me a new pair of glass cuff links that one of the vendors was selling.  We headed back to the hotel around noon and got her bags and got her in a car back to the airport.

Back at the hotel I made my way down to the conference area and found our location.   They had already delivered our booth display.    I started pulling everything out of the cases and got the booth all together and got all of our marketing material all setup.  It looked pretty awesome.   When done I headed up and showered and got dressed as I had a team dinner to host.    Before heading out I had a co-worker take a picture of me with our booth display.

The conference was great and XTIVIA received the Liferay North American Partner of the Year for 2012.   We have a great team and everyone has worked really hard to make this happen.  http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/Liferay-symposium-awards/prweb9997760.htm

I got home late Wednesday evening still feeling ill.  I did try to keep track of my miles, but blew the diet; I was eating out most lunches and dinners and eating way too much.   I logged about 12 miles.  I am home for about 10 days before I have to make my next trip. 

Nothing New

I didn't get any miles in today, made the drive up to the Denver office today.  Left the house about 6:50AM.  Got home this evening around 6PM.   It was raining/sprinkling so I told myself I would make it up tomorrow.   Working from the Spring's office tomorrow so if it is not raining I'll hoof it in.

On the ride up on the I-25 Motor Speedway, I had the tunes rocking.  Driving the stretch between CSpring & Denver and the reverse is a new experience every time.   No road rage today on my part.  With the rain this evening that slowed everyone down and they kept a little more distance between each other.

Here is the song of the day.  This is the band Operator and the song is called Nothing to Loose from their Soul Crusher album.

Note to self: Call Marv and see if he can help me on Friday.

Happy Monday

I drove Candy's car today over to the Toyota dealership.  Somehow moister got behind the clear plastic that cover's the instrument panel.   So when looking at your speed you could see it but through cloudy glass.   So dropped it off with them to have the glass replaced and the oil changed.  From the dealership I walked to the office.   It was just under two miles.

Busy day at work today and has been for the last several months. Makes the day fly bye!  From work I walked back up to the dealership and picked up the car.   Headed home and started dinner, threw a load a clothes in the washer, folded the clothes in the dryer, unloaded and loaded the dishwasher.  Man I would make the perfect wife! :-)   I put pork chops in a baking dish, added a can of cream of mushroom soup mixed with a can of water.   Poured it over the top of the pork chops then layered 7 slices of bacon over the top, followed by sliced onion.  To accompany this fine dish I made homemade mac & cheese.

I logged 3.8/Miles on the GPS so that puts me at 43.22/Miles for the month.   Tomorrow is a Denver day so I will have to either get up at 4:30AM or walk in the evening when I get home.   Going to opt for the evening as there is no way I am getting my ass out of bed at 4:30AM. :-)

I am not a big fan of country music, but as of late I have been listing to Hank Williams III.  I am not sure that you can really call him country, but here is video of one of his songs that I have been listing to.



Happy Hiking

39.42

On Saturday Candy had a hair appointment, so I decided to go hiking and then work over at the shop.   I loaded up my pack with the shop keys and the keys to the cars.  Started walking, I hiked over to the shop through BCP and then through Red Rock Canyon.   Managed to get 5.81/miles in.

Once at the shop I mowed the yard and got the water going.  On the inside I spent most of my time sweeping, cleaning and putting everything back in order.  Now that it is all clean I am ready to make another mess.  Took the Model A for a spin around the block and drove the vette over and got me a coffee.

When I got home from the shop, I showered up and we headed out to eat.   Went downtown as we have tickets to see the Colorado Spring Philharmonic play Led Zeppelin.  Had a nice dinner and then headed to the Pikes Peak Center.   The lobby was abuzz with people both young and old.   We found our seats and they were great, we were in a box just to the right of the stage and it sat 4.  The singer did a great job and sounded like Robert Plant.  Even tried to pull of the look, with long curly hair.

This morning we took a drive up Old Stage Road.  The first seven miles or so are washboard and will bounce you all over.   If you go, make your friend drive and take his/her car.   Parked at the St. Peters Dome parking area and headed up the trail.  This isn't a long hike at all, 2/Miles round trip, but you get a great view of the city once you make it up to the top.

With yesterday and today that get's me up to 39.42/Miles for this month.

Happy Hiking

TGIF

Manged to get 2.5/miles in this morning by walking to work.  The darn dog got loose this afternoon because somebody left her out when they came home for lunch.  Not saying who, but it wan't me.   She was found at the basketball courts down at the park.   Somebody call the number on the tag which goes to Candy, she called me, I called Clark, then Eric.  Anyway Clark got her and brought her back to the house.

Loser

Well I didn’t get out today and walk.  I should have but I managed to make excuses for myself.   I feel like a loser for not making the time. The youngest is struggling with two classes at school and we needed to have a little discussion on how we were going to get everything back on track.   So we are working on home work and making sure I know when the next tests are and what is due and when.  Trying to keep calm!

Twenty Nine

It was back to Denver today.  The trip up this morning took longer than expected.   I was moving along pretty good until coming into Castle Rock.  Traffic was at a snails pace and it took about 15 minutes to cover 2 miles.   A car was against the retaining wall and the front end was pretty smashed in.  A little further up was a pickup truck in about he same shape.  Looked like both drivers were OK, but pretty rattled.  I know I would be.  With the Police, the wrecked cars and two big tow trucks, we were down to one lane and everyone trying to merge together.  I got to the office about 9:30.  I started back to the Springs at 4:40, was home by 6PM.  The traffic back was heavy but everyone was moving at the speed limit.

I really didn't want to walk this evening, but I did a quick change and grabbed my hiking pack and was out the door before I could even talk myself out of it. Made my way up the street and into Bear Creek Park http://adm.elpasoco.com/PARKS/Pages/BearCreekNatureCenter.aspx .  I started out on the same route that I had taken yesterday for about the first mile and then caught a side trail.  Today I can confirm how Bear Creek Park got it's name.   As I was hiking along the top of a gully I came around the bend and about 30 yards on the other side of the gully, it looked like a there was a deep hole on the side of the hill.  I had been through here before and never seen this.    Well this hole starts moving and get's up and starts walking away into the trees/shrubs.  It was a decent size black bear, he turned and looked at me for just a second, but he was gone.  It was 7PM, just about dusk.

I dug the camera out of the pack in the hopes that I might get another opportunity. After seeing him I started paying a little better attention.  I did find several piles of scat that had apple in it.  Not talking about a little apple but a lot.  I have seen a couple of crab apple tree's in the area.  Might have to head back over and see if I can spot him/her again.  Since I had the camera out I snapped a picture looking back towards the mountains.

So I am up to 29/Miles for the month.  Not bad, just need to keep after it.  The diet is going OK, I could do better but cookies keep showing up in the kitchen. :-)

Happy Hiking

Deer

I had two meetings up in Denver today.  The first started at 7:30AM. So it was an early morning for me as I was up at 5:30AM.  Did the SSS and was dressed and out the door.  Made it on time for the most part, I was about 15 minutes late.   They did have a nice little breakfast, with eggs and sausage.  Can't go wrong with sausage, just ask all my Muslim friends.

Informatica was presenting on Agile Business Intelligence.  Decent presentation but not very well attended.   That's what I don't like about hosting events like this.   People have the best intentions but something always comes up and then they don't attend.  At 9:30AM the fire alarm went off. We didn't have to leave the building but the alarms were a little annoying.  I swear I didn't have anything to do with it.  Anyway we made it through alarms.  The content was good and I learned a couple of things.

We wrapped up at 11AM so I connected with two other co-workers and we met up for lunch.  We ate at The South Restaurant.  I had the special for the day and it happened to be prime rib.   It was ok, a little heavy on the rosemary in my opinion. 

From the restaurant we went across the street to the TDWI (The Data Warehousing Institute) chapter meeting.  We had a team of six people in attendance and had a small table with sales literature and a few gimmies.   This event was very well attended.  We even had two of our current customers in attendance.

I left the meeting about 2:30PM and made my way back to Colorado Springs.  The traffic wasn’t bad and I was back by 4:00PM.   As soon as I pulled in the driveway I ran inside and changed into my hiking gear.   I did 5/miles up through BCP to Gold Camp and then down and around.  I had not walked the last two days and I have been beating myself up for not getting out.  Felt great and was glad to be out.  I stayed on the main trail for the most part but in a one place I did take a side trail.  Well I found a nice and complete Deer skull head.  It had been pretty gone over by other animals and insects, so gone over it was picked clean.

You don't come across to many finds like this and I had to have it, why I don’t know.  So I took my pack off and cleaned out an area where I could pack it and take it home.  I loaded it up and away I went.  When I got home I put it out in the backyard.  When Candy got home she noticed it out back and was OK with it.  The dogs all gave it a good once over and didn’t mess with it.  That is probably a sign that if the dogs won’t mess with it, that I shouldn’t be either.  Oh Well!

Happy Hiking

Dog Tired

I had big plans to walk today but that didn't happen.  I slept as late as I possibly could and then made a mad dash to the shower, threw on my clothes and like a flash, I was out the door.   Did have enough time to run by and pick up a coffee.   When I got home this evening I dropped my bag in the chair and flopped down on the bed.  Woke up about an hour later.   I haven't been getting to bed early enough these last couple of days.    I don't think I got to sleep before 2am these last four days.

Candy cooked up an awesome little pork roast that had spinach and artichoke hearts in the center.  We had left over cheesy corn and some bread.  It was great!

Over the last week I have been working on the blog style and colors.   Added a couple of new link sections with sites that I often visit and having been trying to get photo's uploaded to Picasa.  Today I set up twitterfeed http://twitterfeed.com/ so that when I make a blog entry it will update Facebook and Twitter.  Not sure if I am going to like it or not.  I don't know that I want every blog posting going to FB.   Will try it for a few days and see how it goes.

Happy Hiking

twitterfeed

I have setup twitter feed on the blog.  This should update FB and Twitter when I enter a new blog entry.  We will see how the works over the next couple of days.

Rockin Out

These are a couple of new bands that I have been listing too the last week or so.  Some great beats to get you up the hill.

HARDCORE SUPERSTAR

MISS CRAZY

Late Sleepers

We slept in this morning, even with the alarm going off.   Turned it off and slept until 9am.  I shouldn't have stayed up so late last night watching Netflix.    I had a coupon for a free car wash and decided to run my truck over and wash and clean out the inside.   Before doing so I went over the Home Depot and grabbed a box of screws.  I looked around for awning support posts.   I need to replace the three post that support our awning out back.   Looks like I am going to have to find an awning or metal works works company.  Ok, It's on the list.  The other big item on my list is the basement bathroom.   I need to get the shower redone and a new door.  It needed help when we bought the house 12 years ago.   It has made it through two teenagers, but it's time to get it done.  Looking at going with http://www.rebath.com/

After getting the truck all cleaned up, I headed over to the shop and starting watering the tree's.   We have 5 that we planted last year.  They are doing well and this was probably the last time I will need to water them for the year.   It takes 10 minutes or more to water each one.   While waiting on the water I opened up the shop and fired up the Model A and drove it around to the side of the yard where the tree's are.   Gave the truck a good rinsing and drove it around the block and back into the shop.  Gave it a quick dry with a towel.   When I finished the tree's I set the sprinkler and fired up the vette.   Backed it out and locked up the shop.  Drove over to the car wash and cleaned up and headed home.

Candy was finishing up paying the bills.  When she got done we took the vette over and mailed the bills.  Then took a spin through Old Colorado City and up to Manitou Springs.  The weather was great today so it was a good day to take a drive out under the sun.   We pulled back into the shop and locked up the doors.  Turned off the water and headed home.

I plan on walking to work tomorrow and will take the long way and make up for not walking today.

Marv

Before

I had planned on getting out and walking this morning.  But when the phone rang at 7am and woke me up, I looked to see who was calling and it was a friend of mine, but I had missed his call.  Went back to bed and it rang again at 8am and I answered.  He was ready to help if needed it over at the shop.  I accepted his offer and made plans to meet at 9am.

When I arrived Marv, was already parked.  I pulled in and we headed inside.   I needed help as today I wanted to get the sheet rock hung and get the lighting wired.   I hung the last couple of strips of insulation between the studs and we started working o the sheet rock.   Once we got started we moved pretty quick.  Took a little time to get the measurements transferred for the cutout around the electric outlet and switch.

After

Once all the sheet rock was up, I started wiring all the lights together and then flipped the breaker and wired into the box.  Put bulbs into the sockets and turned the power on and we have light.   We put up two sheets of plywood on the top of the shelf.  I have once piece of sheet rock left and need two more to finish the ceiling under the shelf.   I would have had one on today but I ran out of screws.   I would like to get this done this coming week as I have pretty full travel schedule starting the following week.  Included are before and after pictures of what we got done today.

I got back to the house around 2:30.  I needed to get some miles in today so I asked Candy if she wanted to go walking with me.  She was up for it, so we did 2/miles from the house through lower BCP and back to the house.  That brings me up to 20/miles over the last six days.  We snapped a few pictures from the trail.  Candy got this nice shot of a coyote out in the field.  We are going to go fishing and take a drive through Phantom Canyon tomorrow and see some of the Aspen's.  Need to go get the poles ready.

Happy Hiking

End of the Week

Hey race fans it's the weekend!  So let's see I managed to log 18/miles in this week.   I have managed to keep my diary updated with what I am eating, drinking and my daily weight.  Planning to get out tomorrow and Sunday as the Aspen's are starting to turn.

I came across this bad boy on my way home this evening.   Not sure if this was his home or if he was making himself at home with a family of mice or some other critter.   He worked his way into the hole until he was gone.  This is one of the biggest snakes that I have come across.

Crazy

So it has been crazy insane at work these last couple of weeks.   I have found myself making numerous trips up to Denver, usually twice a week.  I have to admit I have been pretty lucky with the traffic.   I try to avoid the rush hour traffic so I leave early around 6:30 or mid-morning around 9:30.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining glad to be busy.  It’s an awesome team with very smart individuals and we are growing.

Looking back at the date of my last update, I have a few updates to catch up on.  I haven’t’ been to the shop at all this week.   I have gotten a little more done since my last update.   I decided to go with canister lighting instead of the 8ft Florissant lighting.   I put them in and have run all the wiring, but not connected them together yet.   Here is a picture of the latest.  I hope to get over there this weekend and get the wiring done for the lights and the sheet rock up on the wall.  These last couple of days we have finally gotten some much needed rain fall.   I have not seen it yet, but at the company BBQ today it was mentioned that snow had covered the top of Pikes Peak.   I found this link from the city maybe in the morning we might be able to see how much snow has fallen: http://www.springsgov.com/units/pikespeak/index.asp

For the last week I have been trying to make a real effort to get some miles in.  I started a new diary tracking what I eat, my weight and how many miles I have walked.   For this week I am up to 13/miles. Candy is off tomorrow and plans to walk with me for half the way.   She was off on Monday and walked with me then as well.  I have put some new tunes on the IPod and made up a new playlist.  Most of the music I listen to is Rock or Alternative.   You will find a little Country and Pop in the list but they are songs with a good beat.    Here is what I was listing too as I walked to and from work today.

Here a some links to video's I could find of the songs I have listed above:

Hinder - Hey Ho http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZThx1IdlQfY

Crossfade - Falling Away http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3OhAC-C3tI&feature=BFa&list=AL94UKMTqg-9B-BYUrAzuMjfYPAtlSl__Q

Placebo - For what's it worth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9H6GjvRn7Y

Empathetic - Get Paid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vI9F70wvK70

12 Stones - Eric's Song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWoIrmLdPoA