Time to Get Fit
Mood:  cheeky
Topic: Pre Season
It's not too early to start thinking about the upcoming ski season. Mike has some tips for conditioning.
With summer winding down, I'll have to cut back on beer consumption, and start ramping up the Jack Daniels for the winter months.

Mood:  a-ok
Topic: New Start
After two tries (and two calls to qwest support) I got MSN working. I'm just taking things slow and easy to get this thing correct. My next project is to get my hardware (software for it) installed as I'm now at the library using up my printing bank account. I hate leaving money someplace, even though in this case it was only $2.
I can hear the Blue Angels flying overhead, I wish I had had time to go down there; I'm still trying to get my bicycle on the road. We'll be at the hydros this weekend, but Kathy-with the bum wheel-won't be able to negotiate the hillside. We're just set up on top.
We've always gone to the races, it's just a ritual, not many of our friends go. Actually, Bill said he and his wife might go, it's just us old people anymore! I do miss the old days: People just strolling along the road drinking beer and having a good time. The cops were cool, we just wanted to party. This new generation couldn't handle such freedom, they'd have to knife or shoot somebody.

Topic: Computer
Well I'm back on line. This is going to take awhile, reloading all my preferences and programs. I've got a backup of everything but I think I will just start over. When I started the computer I didn't really have a clue what I was doing so it's not a bad idea to start from scratch. I just hope I don't have to spend a lot of time on the phone with various support people.

Mood:  down
Topic: Computer
This just sucks, my post yesterday just vanished. I'm at the library, this computer is not filtered, but the mouse barely rolls. With an hour limit, the time is clicking down rapidly! I should get my CPU back this week sometime, if it wasn't on warranty I would just buy a hard drive and install it in an hour.
I'm trying to convince Kathy that this is the reason I need the Sony Vaio laptop but shes not buying it. It's around $2,000, but its the only laptop that appeals to me.

DAMN
It's been a hard week down in the basement at the computer. It was my fault deleting this blog, I was hurrying and not paying attention. Computers are like woman: Just when you think you figured them out, they zing you!
I started out this morning with a complete hard disk failure. Luckily when we bought the system a year and a half ago, Kathy got an extended warranty at Compusa.
Anyway, Kathy got her walking cast this week, starting to make progress, I don't have to carry her on the stairs. The handicapped parking really helps out, but I don't understand why it is free. I don't mind paying for things, just because you've got a disability doesn't mean you're poor.
I'm feeling kind of broken down. I got new tires for my mountain bike; it has a flat, haven't gotten to it. Yesterday, I had a blowout on my street bike, so I need to fix that. When I don't have my bikes available, it really cramps my lifestyle.
So I'll get to work. I'm here at the library on a filtered computer, so that should really reduce my Internet surfing!

Mood:  cheeky
Now Playing: LIUNA Laborers' International Union of North America
Topic: Union Issues
I have done pretty good as a Union Laborer. It's hard work-I'm not opposed to work-I just feel I deserve decent pay, benefits and working conditions. Since I'm 52, my physical laboring days are in the past, I can plug along, but construction is a young person's occupation. Laborers' is a good career choice for kids so inclined. If they can do the physical work-which is difficult-and take as much training as possible: They'll do good.
Right now, there is some dissent in the AFL-CIO and LIUNA is one of the dissident unions. The "backeast" bosses want to protect the status quo, we want to organize. The Laborers' need more members, the difficulty of the work is such; us old guys are not going to be able to do it.
My Local (Building Laborers' 242) has been really successful in signing up new contractors. The reason is we provide a good product. A skilled workforce, even with higher pay, adds value for a contractor. It's the weirdest thing when I hear so many people claim they deserve high pay, yet construction work is considered unskilled. I've seen the homes of some friends with this attitude. Home Depot should prosecute them for abusing their products.

PACIFIC RACEWAYS
Mood:  cool
Now Playing: Carquest Nationals

Photo by Ken Grohs

That is me and Kathy, circled. We have the front corner seats, which in a crappy facility is about as good as it gets.

Oops
Mood:  hug me
Now Playing: Stupidity
Topic: New Start
Well, I was looking for a new start so I guess this is it. I just deleted my entire blog. I won't need to worry about storage space for a while. That was amazing, I pushed the wrong button, and poof, it's gone. I'm sitting here in a state of shock, what to do? ...........Continue on.