October Birthdays

Last weekend went to two birthday parties, my god-daughter Jordyn who just turned 6 and my Dad's, John's, and uncles group party. Lots of food and good times.

Cool...So what does this mean?

You are The Hierophant

Divine Wisdom. Manifestation. Explanation. Teaching.

All things relating to education, patience, help from superiors.The Hierophant is often considered to be a Guardian Angel.

The Hierophant's purpose is to bring the spiritual down to Earth. Where the High Priestess between her two pillars deals with realms beyond this Earth, the Hierophant (or High Priest) deals with worldly problems. He is well suited to do this because he strives to create harmony and peace in the midst of a crisis. The Hierophant's only problem is that he can be stubborn and hidebound. At his best, he is wise and soothing, at his worst, he is an unbending traditionalist.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Still looking...

Well it's been a week since I've been laid off. Aside from polishing up my resume and sending it out, its actually been nice taking some time off. Went to the Dixon pumpkin patch and cornfield maze with Chelle. This place was named 2007 Guiness Book of World Records for having the largest cornfield maze...over 40 acres. Seems like you would need some sort of gps equipment to be able to find your way out. With our excellent sense of direction and map reading skill we were able to come out alive in about 45 min. Here are some pics of the adventure...

Drinks anyone...

Well this week has been kind of a bummer, yup, I got the pink slip from work, laid off due to workforce reduction. Seems like the housing market has hit the company pretty hard. Well off to look for a new beginning. But first would anyone like to join me for a drink or two. A new found drink for myself...SAKE BOMB!!! Here's a look at the massive bottle. Anyone care to help me finish it?

As I am a dessert kind of guy, I have also collected some dessert wines. The Deaver Port is one of my favorites...goes very well with chocolate, yum.

Might have to bring back the Thursday night drinking sessions.

John and Jo's Birthday Dinner

For Jo and John's Birthday we had dinner at Man Puku's in Livermore. The food is great yet inexpensive. The sake bombs were awesome. It was a great time with friends and family.

Weird grinding noise is finally gone.

Well brought the Montero in to get the brake accumulator replaced and voila the weird grinding noise is gone! Man that was annoying. Well now to get the struts/shocks replaced as well as tires. Snow season is upon us and I can't wait to break out the snowboard.

More RC Pics

The Montero Maintenance Saga Continues...

Well after getting my Montero back from a $2000+ service everything seemed fine. But a few days ago I noticed a weird metal grinding noise. Hmmm, well I thought it was just some sort of break in. Well today, it happened again and continuously...WTF!!! I just got it back from service. So I go back to the shop that serviced my truck and come to find out that it is the accumulator...? According to the mechanic its a high pressure, nitrogen filled cylinder that assists the braking system. Huh, well it was fine before I brought it in. But he says that they do wear out and that it's an $80 part with $25 labor to install. Great, so the maintenance continues. Still need to replace shocks/struts and tires plus an alignment...ugh...I should've just bought a new car!

Rev 'em up

Well got the urge to start up the RC monster truck bashing (thanks Rex). Just dug up the Savage and the MT. Gonna get them ready to go.

Too much maintenance = new car?

A while ago I was back and forth about getting a new car. With 188000 miles, and $2500 in maintenance costs, hmmm...well...
Nah, just kidding...it's a loaner. So I call this place, which will remain nameless, to get a quote for some service on my truck. I needed a major service (air filter, oil change, spark plugs and wires, coolant flush, lube diff and door hinges), timing belt replaced, and a brake job. The quote sounded reasonable and they said they can do it in a day. Cool, so I make an appt. a week in advance. Brought it in the morning early bird drop off...these guys don't open till 9:30am. Get a call early afternoon, "Uhh, a part we ordered won't be here until late, so we won't be done till tomorrow afternoon...". Hmm, fine, take your time, get it done right, and give me a loaner. Thinking I'll get some beat up old Ford Fiesta, the guy brings me out to an RX8...cool. Haven't opened her up yet, but will let you guys know... As for a new car, I think I'll stick to my Montero for a while. I like not having car payments.

Happy Birthday!!!

Even though it's a little early, we decided to celebrate Dave and Gee's birthday. Man you guys are old! Haha, just kidding. Lots of food, lots of laughs, and lots of fun. Even had a little Wii sports competition. Here Dave, Ray, John, and Gee are getting it on in an intense tennis match.
John and Jen duking it out in boxing.

Anyone insterested in Mini Pinschers?

Went to a buddy's house who breeds miniature Pinschers. Here are a few pics of them. If anyone's interested let me know.

Fry's Sales Reps are IDIOTS!

So I was thinking about buying a new laptop. I went to Fry's because they have a pretty good return policy - 15 days to return and no restocking fee. So I'm there at Fry's waited half an hour for a sales rep, no one in sight, all busy. Low and behold I see a random sales rep walking along the next isle, about 6 feet tall, white, and dopey looking. Seems like the kinda guy you don't want helping you, but I was already frustrated. So I ask the guy for some help. Bad idea...didn't know anything about laptops except for the one he bought for himself a year ago. Okay, so I ask him about a specific laptop I was looking at and if it was in stock...10 min. later and after another rep told him they didn't have any in stock except for a couple open box, he tells me that he has a couple of them, open box...DUH!?! So I express my concern about open box items and he goes to show me the condition and that it works...ok another 20 min. passes by. So by this time I just want to blow him off...I tried. He just followed me around holding this open box laptop...OMG!!! Fine...so I ask if another laptop is in stock. Great, it's in stock, but he then goes to explain about the extended warranty...5 times! Are you kidding me???? I don't know if he realizes that I'd probably return it within 15 days, but I really don't care about how he bought it for his laptop and is going to use it to get a new model. Man, this guy is killin me! So after I refused the extended warranty...for the 5th time...he grabs the laptop from the back and I notice that there's an AMD sticker on the box. I questioned this and he shows me that the tag shows the correct model and starts to walk me up to the registers. As we're walking he still asks me if I'm sure I don't want the warranty (with attitude)...I just wanted to drop kick this guy! Okay so we're at the front, to no surprise, waited 10 min. for a register to open up. One guy says he'll help us after he finishes up with a customer, just then 2 registers open up. He starts to walk to one of the registers, then turns to the other (which happens to be a girl), then turns to all three and in his pathetic, dorky wanna-be gansta voice, "Who wants this?", and goes straight to the girl...go figure. If I wasn't so pissed, I would've been on the ground laughing at this guy trying to spit game to this chick. So trying not to laugh, I paid for my new laptop and I was on my way. When I got to Chelle's place, I opened the box and to my surprise...IT'S THE WRONG FRIGGIN LAPTOP!!!!!!!!!! I was furious, dissapointed, I...can't even explain it, I wanted to kill that guy. So I pack the shit back up and head back...good thing Fry's is only 10 min. away. Go to the return counter and they said to take it to Customer Service. Are you kidding me, so I take it there, tell them I bought it just 30 min. ago, didn't even unwrap the laptop and he walks me right back. So I finally get my refund, hey they do take back returns without a restocking fee. Well lesson learned. Don't trust the sales reps, they're IDIOTS!!!

Camping at Lake Chabot

What a way to end a long work week.


Here are a few snapshots from our trip:

Daph and Harry.

Here Dave nabs a 15" bass using the Banjo Minnow.

Jo and Lydia enjoying some grub.