Author Topic: What's Up? (Read 6590 times)

Alphabet Soup · « **on:** February 15, 2015, 08:54:50 AM »

I know that we all have busy lives and tend to react and respond to events rather than generate them. I think that shows in some of our recent posting history. So to offer a slightly different opportunity for interaction, and to inspire some camaraderie I'm posting a general "What are you doing?" thread. Go ahead and let it be free-ranging - or ignore it altogether ;')

Yesterday I went with my brother to the Corvette Show n Shine swap meet. The weather was decent with a couple of relatively quick downpours and a fair amount of sunshine (WTH is that?!!). Although there were notably fewer exhibitors from last years event (the first automotive swap meet of the season) there was a great turnout of attendees. My younger brother is working on a new project - a 32 Ford tub - and so was seeking sheet metal. I'm just looking for little odds and ends for my Chevys.

Today promises to be sunny so I'm going to be spending the day clearing storm debris (a project that will no doubt last me until fall). I've already cut and stacked four cords of wood and I haven't even gotten to the main tree trunks!

So what are y'all up to?

AlanS · « **Reply #1 on:** February 15, 2015, 10:04:15 AM »

Working. Actually, right now I'm waiting on a helicopter to take me to my truck so I can go home.

AmericanPatriot · « **Reply #2 on:** February 15, 2015, 12:01:37 PM »

Good idea, Soup

Today, just trying to stay warm.
With all the global warming we have here.

Circling around a couple projects trying to get a little ambition.

Highlight of my day will be planning my nap.

Weisshaupt · « **Reply #3 on:** February 15, 2015, 12:39:18 PM »

Yesterday I attended a gun show and washed the car ( its what Michelle wanted for Valentine's day) and then went to a friend's for dinner. Went off my diet, drank too much and played games. (Diet is going poorly this year, I have only dropped 15 lbs so far. Going to try to make it to my wedding weight - so I have another 25 to drop..)

Today, since the winter storm arrived early, I will be trying to fix a portion of the wood floors I installed that swelled too much with the summer moisture ( in Colorado that is near impossible, but there it is) instead of trying to plant posts for Cross-fencing. Last weekend we rented a dumpster, gathered up the rakes and shovels and implements of destruction and got rid of the carpet, wood trim, a giant pile of cardboard and the other debris and detritus that has accumulated in the spaces where the metaphorical pews used to be. We also began renovation of the 12x12 shed that will become a 12x16 greenhouse for Aquaponics and Fodder systems in the next few months. Oh and we stacked about 4 cords of wood my neighbor brought when I had purchased two from him..
I also finished assembling a new i3 based computer for my other neighbor whose system motherboard decided to die, fought with bad windows 7 media for a while, and then was pleasantly surprised when Windows let me transfer an OEM license to the new Motherboard without making a fuss and forcing me to threaten installing Linux instead.

Halter Training of Baldeesh continues daily - he has started to give into the lead, and we are making small progress.

My Dead blu-ray player comes back next week, so I get to put that back in the rack and get it working again, and my awful job for real money continues unabated. ("If you spend 10 minutes on an email - "round up" to the nearest 15 minutes, like to 30", while the VP above him says , round up to the next highest hour.. yes its that bad.)

IronDioPriest · « **Reply #4 on:** February 15, 2015, 01:42:59 PM »

This weekend has been all about the little one. Friday, I chaperoned her field trip to the "Mill City Museum." Saturday was the first dance competition of the season. Today (Sunday) is the last gymnastics meet if the season.

My sons have been home from college every three or four weeks since they left in August. But this weekend marks the first time that one of them came home and the other decided to stay behind.

Netflix is new to us, so we've been binge-watching boob-tube at about 1000% of normal. I'm not even kidding. I didn't used to watch much TV at all. Now with the ability to watch or rewatch entire series in chronological order, it's too easy. I'm sure this fascination will pass. But so far, we've watched Breaking Bad and Sons of Anarchy, and I've watched Star Trek ToS and Star Trek DS9. I'm currently watching Star Trek TNG, and thoroughly enjoying remembering exactly why I loved it so much in its first run.

Like Don Corleone said, I'm enjoying wine more than I used to. In my imagination, I have Michael patting me on the shoulder telling me "it's good for ya Pop." But really, I don't overindulge, and the only comments I get are teasing, I s'pose because drinking wine around the house "just because" is a relatively new thing for me. I also came across a dynamite recipe for frozen strawberry margaritas that I've been partial to lately.

I've also been enjoying cooking a lot, plucking new recipes from the internet, or cookbooks.

Looking forward to spring thaw and the return if open water, where my heart is truly captivated.

Libertas · « **Reply #5 on:** February 15, 2015, 04:06:40 PM »

Work is fun, closing a new month and fending off auditors interested in past history thankfully only happens once a year. Trying to keep folks finances and computers running smoothly, which isn't always as easy as it sounds. Attending Nephew's hockey games which is fun now that playoff season has started for their league. Watching fishing shows has me thinking of Spring and a boat, and I do not care if the boat is a used old POS, I need something to get on other lakes. Nephew is fish-crazy still so I have an ally there. Been gathering info together for taxes, plan on doing mine and my parents next weekend. It's turned pretty cold again so anything that takes my mind off of that is a good thing. Like Weisshaupt I could stand to drop a few pounds, problem is winter is tough as I enter my least amount of activity (I wish I could hibernate like a bear!) and it is mostly due to not being as into outdoor winter activities any more and because I am not a gym rat (people, ugh...they can be such a pain!) and I haven't made as much time available to beat on my punching bag as I should, I will be rectifying that...I kinda feel a need to hit something. I also hope to get some golf in this year, it's been almost 4 years since I've gone and I miss it. My father doesn't go anymore and that is OK so now I can go back to walking the course again. Thinking of a summer vacation too, maybe grab the Nephew and go do some day hikes here and there.

warpmine · « **Reply #6 on:** February 15, 2015, 05:28:35 PM »

Glad to see you all doing and getting things done. For me, I'm toiling with the worst colds I've ever witnessed. First my daughter got it and within a few days, my wife came down with it. Both had a nagging light fever and coughing fits. My poor wife was in such sad shape, the coughing led to loss of voice for a few days and horrible inflammation with anything related to coughing. I don't understand how or why, but I managed to not come down with it despite being near my almost 6 year old daughter. She hasn't seen school in two weeks. I moved to the spare room(couch) to allow sleep for my wife and of course that never happened.

My prayers have been answered as both are in recovery mode, although the wife is in need of a few more days. Work is almost non existent so I can at least look after them both. The weather has been frigid so I'm not missing anything outside. I have learned one thing through all this, I hate that POSOTUS even more than i previously had.

Other than repair to the toilet, I'm resting if you can call it that. Piss be upon dear leader.

John Florida · « **Reply #7 on:** February 15, 2015, 10:02:31 PM »

Just got home from seeing American Sniper. Great movie.

Alphabet Soup · « **Reply #8 on:** February 15, 2015, 10:03:15 PM »

Quote

For me, I'm toiling with the worst colds I've ever witnessed.

I don't know what was up with the cold/flu that is running around this winter but it's been especially nasty. I hope your family is on the mend.

For me it started a little after New Years with a tickle in my throat that in years past meant sore throat. Only I never got a sore throat. Instead I developed a cough that was like bronchitis. On the 3rd or 4th day I woke up with a toothache. It went away after about an hour but returned in the evening. The next morning I awoke with the whole side of my face aflame. A bunch of tylenol helped - for a while. I came and went over the next few days and then came - and stayed. I couldn't eat anything firmer than apple sauce, scrambled eggs, and mashed potatoes. I emptied my emergency drug stash and my liqueur cabinet. And I went for days on end with no more than an hour or so of sleep.

So I called my dentist and made an emergency appointment. X-rays didn't detect anything and they looked at me almost as though I was faking or exaggerating. They asked my how I had managed over the last week and when I said "Vodka and Vicodin" they helped me get set up with an appointment to see a specialist.

I went in the next morning and a consultation revealed nerve damage in a capped tooth. So I had a root canal. The Specialist assured me that the pain would diminish "almost immediately" but after three days I had exhausted the supply of Hydrocodone they had given me. So back to the specialist I went. And ultimately had a 2nd root canal done.

What with the follow-up visits to finish the procedures my teeth are only now calming down. It was probably the most painful four weeks I've ever spent. And it was caused by a cold.

warpmine · « **Reply #9 on:** February 16, 2015, 04:52:41 AM »

Quote from: Alphabet Soup on February 15, 2015, 10:03:15 PM

Quote
For me, I'm toiling with the worst colds I've ever witnessed.

I don't know what was up with the cold/flu that is running around this winter but it's been especially nasty. I hope your family is on the mend.

For me it started a little after New Years with a tickle in my throat that in years past meant sore throat. Only I never got a sore throat. Instead I developed a cough that was like bronchitis. On the 3rd or 4th day I woke up with a toothache. It went away after about an hour but returned in the evening. The next morning I awoke with the whole side of my face aflame. A bunch of tylenol helped - for a while. I came and went over the next few days and then came - and stayed. I couldn't eat anything firmer than apple sauce, scrambled eggs, and mashed potatoes. I emptied my emergency drug stash and my liqueur cabinet. And I went for days on end with no more than an hour or so of sleep.

So I called my dentist and made an emergency appointment. X-rays didn't detect anything and they looked at me almost as though I was faking or exaggerating. They asked my how I had managed over the last week and when I said "Vodka and Vicodin" they helped me get set up with an appointment to see a specialist.

I went in the next morning and a consultation revealed nerve damage in a capped tooth. So I had a root canal. The Specialist assured me that the pain would diminish "almost immediately" but after three days I had exhausted the supply of Hydrocodone they had given me. So back to the specialist I went. And ultimately had a 2nd root canal done.

What with the follow-up visits to finish the procedures my teeth are only now calming down. It was probably the most painful four weeks I've ever spent. And it was caused by a cold.

Sounds every bit like the one my wife has. Took her a 1/2 hour to eat half a slice of banana bread and for the same reason. I had that tickle but immediately when for the zinc loaded lozenges and thus far everything good. I feel for you brother that episode was nasty.

Libertas · « **Reply #10 on:** February 16, 2015, 06:49:45 AM »

Man, what an ordeal, probably not the story I need to hear seeing as I have to swing by the dentist today! But I am just getting an old filing worked on.

I hope those colds were just colds, what with Entero and God knows what coming in with all the illegals Obama is waving in...we have never been at more risk.

Typical winter cold pattern for me is sniffles, head cold, throat, chest and it just migrates around like that. Today feels more like a head cold. But I've avoided the flu and I do not get those stupid shots, so otherwise pretty health (knock on wood).

If just a cold sometimes a hot toddy is just the thing in the evening to gently slide into rest-mode.

Magnum · « **Reply #11 on:** February 17, 2015, 08:11:26 PM »

I am relieved we have had a mild winter so far. Last year I was putting in 55-60 hour/week. Now that there is little snow and fairly mild temperatures I am using excess comp time I have built up.

In the past year I have taken up a new hobby that has obsessed me........... guns. I grew up in the city and my friends and I did not do much hunting or shooting other than the occasional grouse or deer hunt. About a year ago I got my first AR and got hooked. Since than I have built five for others and myself some in different calibers. They seem to breed like rabbits once you get one. I like working on guns and taking them apart almost as much as I like shooting. I just got a Mosin Nagant and spent the weekend cleaning off the nasty cosmoline that it comes packed in. But I do say I think I got most of it off and it seems to be a beautiful gun with all matching parts and the bore looks very good. I got the bayonet to fit and it looks downright mean with it on. I have spent this week working on a 1911 taking it all apart for cleaning and polishing especially the disconnector, sear, trigger, hammer hopefully for a smoother trigger pull. Thank you you-tube. It is a good friend.

My next project is to try and re-blue a 30/30 for a friend. Never had done one but I am going to try.

This is why the latest B.S. with this vile administration banning M855 ammo is driving me nuts. I am now having to spend money saved for guns and parts on ammo. I wanted to buy a SKS but I am now concentrating on stocking up on ammo.

I pray everyone is doing well........ those colds can be nasty, that is one of the few benefits of working outside you stay fairly heathy and flu and cold free but at the end of the day a guy sure can get cold. That is why my water bill is so high because of long hot showers. Gods Blessings to All!

Libertas · « **Reply #12 on:** February 18, 2015, 07:25:08 AM »

Wow, nice hobby Mag's!

Best of luck with your endeavors!

Libertas · « **Reply #13 on:** February 20, 2015, 07:29:32 AM »

Anybody have any vacation thoughts/plans?

I'm thinking of going out West again, see Glacier NP, the Sawtooth in Idaho, stuff like that.

And I will put a premium on patronizing states that honor my permit!

IronDioPriest · « **Reply #14 on:** February 20, 2015, 08:09:14 AM »

Quote from: Libertas on February 20, 2015, 07:29:32 AM

Anybody have any vacation thoughts/plans?

I'm thinking of going out West again, see Glacier NP, the Sawtooth in Idaho, stuff like that.

And I will put a premium on patronizing states that honor my permit!

Our vacations have changed over the past several years. My daughter competes in the national events for dance every summer, so our summer vacations for the last 3 years (soon to be 4) have been a week at Wisconsin Dells Kalahari Resort. That's a helluvan expensive week. Not only do we pay to put her in the competition, but the resort is none cheap. It's a nice family vacation, but it is totally centered around her activities.

Compound that with my wife's love of scrapbooking (and the 3/4 extended-weekend ladies retreats/year that go with it) and my annual Canada fishing trip with my boys (plus my other weekend fishing ventures) and there is scarcely the time or money remaining to go on a family vacation aside from those built-in "regular" trips. We'll usually slip in a last minute long weekend up at Gull Lake, Lutsen, or some other MN destination.

I'm not complaining. But we used to have the freedom and resources to go on a nice cross-country or warm weather trip; choose a destination, and go. Now it seems like everything is set. So I guess I am complaining just a wee bit - while acknowledging our blessings.

I really, really, really miss Colorado/Wyoming/Montana. Badly. I also miss Puerto Vallarta. We used to go there annually. We got scared off by beheadings in other parts of Mexico about the time our new vacation "regular" schedule came about. But there hasn't been the kind of cartel violence in Vallarta that there has been elsewhere, and I really love that city.

ToddF · « **Reply #15 on:** February 20, 2015, 08:18:26 AM »

Last year it was South Dakota, then down the front range, from Wyoming to New Mexico, bobbing in and out of the mountains, going here and there.

Next year, probably Asia, again. That's a bi-annual thing, now. Because I can't get enough of 18 hour flights, and bitchy unionized legacy flight crews from the old Northwest Airlines.

Weisshaupt · « **Reply #16 on:** February 20, 2015, 09:09:24 AM »

Quote from: Libertas on February 20, 2015, 07:29:32 AM

Anybody have any vacation thoughts/plans?

Our "vacations" basically involve trips to the bug out. The Bug out is in a very pretty place in Colorado, so I don't mind much, and any money for vacations out of state is pretty much sitting in hard goods at that location. I would still like to take a road trip with the kids to the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone in the coming years, but that is about it. Both Michelle and I are fine with it if we never travel outside the United States again. A few trips to go see her family in Virginia is all she wants, and I don't acknowledge my family anymore. And leaving - even to go to the bug out - is difficult with so many animals to be watered and fed. Right now, I think the money for such things is just better spent on preps.

I have already accepted because of ZIRP and the coming crash of SSI , I will never retire and will never have the opportunity for leisure vacations that the current crop of seniors has and currently enjoys ( in part at my expense) So you retirees on SS, drink a toast to me next time you are sitting on a beach enjoying your retirement.

AlanS · « **Reply #17 on:** February 20, 2015, 10:00:40 AM »

I spent 2 days changing the rear wheel bearings in the piglet. Sometimes it pays just to get the right tools.

As far as vacations, the wife and I will make 25 yrs this year. Since we've never had a honeymoon, we're heading to Playa de Carmen (Cazumel) in May to an all inclusive resort. I plan on staying drinking and eating my way through the entire time we're there.

That's right. I'm gonna be a Playa.

Alphabet Soup · « **Reply #18 on:** February 20, 2015, 10:02:53 AM »

Quote from: AlanS on February 20, 2015, 10:00:40 AM

I spent 2 days changing the rear wheel bearings in the piglet. Sometimes it pays just to get the right tools.

As far as vacations, the wife and I will make 25 yrs this year. Since we've never had a honeymoon, we're heading to Playa de Carmen (Cazumel) in May to an all inclusive resort. I plan on staying drinking and eating my way through the entire time we're there.

That's right. I'm gonna be a Playa.

Congrats in advance! Enjoy the trip ;')

Libertas · « **Reply #19 on:** February 20, 2015, 10:04:43 AM »

My brother is spending his retirement now and goes on vacations - cruises, etc 2,3,4 times a year. He's passed his idea along to his kids, they like that plan too. Problem is you live long enough you have zip for the finish. Maybe it'll all work out anyway the way the world is going...

Anyway, just simple vac's for me more than anything, the lake. Been a few years since I went anywhere and I drive and camp at KOA's, that's my budget. No interest in leaving the states either.

Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee in the Smokies & Blue Ridge sound like fun to me too.

Would like a warm place like where Alan is going...lounging on a beach, hooch, cigars, good food... (sigh)

But, we have to be thankful for what we got and what we can get!

Play it up, Alan!