Happy, uh, 5th of July

I didn't look at the clock until just now, so I realize that it is no longer Independence Day. It was a little less exciting than 4th in the past. Due to the fact that nearly half of the state in on fire, they have postponed the city display until September, so we enjoyed a few safe and sanes in the front yard and called it a day. We did get to view some illegal aerial fireworks from the people the next block over, but I am pretty sure that they were tracked down by the roving FD folks.

We have had some really great news--my mom has been offered a job in Hawaii...she will be moving in the next month or so. I am excited for her, but feel a deep sense of loss at the same time--my best friend and mom is moving out of state. I will be lonely. It also means a huge shift in responsibility for me, as I will be buying their house here and taking it on. Wow, grown up stuff. No longer a renter, but full fledged home owner!

Workin' hard in hard workin' clothes

I have blogged about these guys before--LA Police Gear has tough clothes suitable for those hard working law enforcement folks or for those of us who like to do some outdoor recreation in tough clothes. Check out their sale here, 5.11 Tactical. To sweeten the deal, they are offering free shipping. Right now, while everything is expensive and driving to our nearest mall (30 plus miles away) costs an arm and a leg, online shopping is a very attractive option, especially when shipping is free!

I've said it before, but traversing the lava fields, or climbing Mt. Lassen, takes tough clothes that won't rip easily. One product I like is those pants that have zip off legs--pants when you need them, and shorts when it's too hot. I like that 2 in 1 factor.

The Big 5-0

My blog is 50--50 posts old! Its a birthday post!

I took youth from my program to the movies--that is what they chose to do with money that they had raised this spring. We saw the movie Zohan--I was mortified to watch this film with youth. Within the first minute and a half, there was naked butts, and a fish being caught in one...sex at every turn. It was gross. I was beyond embarrassed. So, hey, PG-13 has a very broad array of allowable themes.

Proud to be a Californian--for now

I am so glad to be a Californian, where it is now legal for a same-sex couple to marry. Friends, everyone who wishes to should have equal right to marry the person they love, and enjoy the rights and priviledges that comes with marriage. They should have the right to say "we're married"

I am hoping that this November's right-wing plot to create a constitutional amendment in favor of discrimination and hate is overturned. Please, if you support the ability of one person to legally and publicly declare their love for their significant other, sign the Human Rights Campaign petition to KEEP same-sex marriage legal. Go to the Human Rights Campaign site for more information:

A Little TLC from Kashi

I am sometimes a little behind in the times on various products, but I have hit the Kashi Bandwagon in a big way over the past year. I love that most things are TLCs (Tasty Little Crunchies, Tasty Little Chewies, Tasty Little Crackers, Tasty Little Cookies). What I am a big fan of is the Frozen Entrees. They are made with the Kashi-promised 7 whole grains, but in neat and unique meals, both containing meat and vegetarian, like Lemongrass Coconut Chicken and Lime Cilantro Shrimp. The meals and the flavors are very light, but I feel so self-satisfied knowing that I ate something so good for me. It justifies my afternoon Snickers bar.

Everything is Expensive for a college student

I remember vividly the day that I had to take over my own car insurance payments. That was scary--and expensive. I was in college, and had no idea what to do about insurance, just that I had to have it. Today there is cost u less insurance to smooth the way for students. Cost U Less Student has some great resources for new drivers, and their parents, and offers free price quotes. Their insurance prices are so low, you can afford them as well as your books, your top ramen and the 40 espressos it takes to stay awake during freshmen psych. So you whipper-snappers head on over to Cost U Less Student today to get the low down on low cost car insurance.

Rest In Peace, ET

My cat, ET, whom I have had since I was 17, died last night. She was my only companion while I lived by myself in Humboldt County, my goofy and opinionated cat, and really my first personal cat. We'd had family cats in the past, but she was mine, and with good reason--no one else liked her. She had this siamese-like yeowl and was stubborn. She actually ruined 3 different toasters by peeing in them--I'm still not sure how she did that. She was all white except for a calico tail and a brown and black spot on her head. My friend Theresa says that she stole another cat's tail, so the cat hit her in the head with it, causing the spots. (Theresa's a weirdo). She used to steal bagels, and would eat any kind of bread as well as the occasional apple or cucumber, but she hated wet cat food. She was also a big fan of vegan cheese.

She had been really sick for a long time, and this morning I found her in the garage. I'm gonna miss that freaky little cat.

Who wants BOOTS?

I am a big fan of boots, having grown up in the grunge era, where docs were king. Work Boots USA doesn't carry docs, but they have an extensive assortment of work boots. They carry brands like Converse (I didn't know Converse did work boots--they are pretty cool looking too), Corcoran, Wolverine, and Rocky, to name a few. I am partial to the Rocky brand, as they carry several styles that are similar to the docs of my youth. Most impressive is the wide variety of styles Work Boots USA carries--there are boots for literally any need, from rugged boots necessary for ranch work, to dress boots that look great but still have the comfort and durability needed to get the job done. They also have a variety of women's styles.

Weird Weather We're Havin'

It looks like rain when you get up, but turns sunny and warm--but not too warm--as the day wears on. It is not hot by any means--not like it was a few weeks ago. The weather is WEIRD.

My parents are in Hawaii now. Weird weather there is actually normal. It is no big thing to have a major rainstorm every day around 4, or to have a chilly day followed by a balmy night. They had been in drought for a few weeks prior to my mom going over there, but it began raining in earnest almost as soon as her plane touched down. We have dubbed her the Rain Goddess, since she has had that effect on the island numerous times. They ought to pay her for her rain giving services!

Better Vision for Your Outdoor Summer Recreation

Here's a source for those looking for binoculars, telescopes, digital cameras (or binoculars for your digital camera) sunglasses and more to make your outdoor activities so much clearer. I know when I go to the coast or to Hawaii, a great pair of binoculars makes all the difference in my enjoyment of the scenery.Those of you who hunt, they also carry Rifle scopes, so here's your vision-related supplies as well. I personally enjoy a different kind of shooting--using a camera. They carry top quality brands, including Nikon and Canon. Most orders over $29.95 qualify for free shipping.

If you are into birdwatching, astronomy, hunting, or photography as hobbies, this is the place to go. Vacation travel may not be in the cards this year, but with telescopes and binoculars from Optics Planet, I can enjoy the scenery right here in my own back yard.

Happy-dappy June!

I am in utter disbelief that it is June! My mom is in Hawaii (with my dad, who's basically a full-time resident now), so I am super jealous. But the weather here has turned, it is extremely beautiful, so I am glad to be in Red Bluff at the moment.

They took the ugly metal screens off of the windows at my office, so there is sunlight streaming into the room--of course it also highlights just how dirty the window are, but I hope they leave the stupid screens off, because it sure is nice to turn off the fluorescents and just work by sunlight.

Within the next couple of days I will post a couple of how-tos that I have been holding onto while I waited for pictures. They are good 'uns. Later, y'all (and by y'all I mean the 2 regular readers that I have and the countless others that stumble upon my blog hoping to find something good. Sorry to disappoint!)

Bought and Sold by Earthlink

I just cancelled my Earthlink account, after 6+ months of not using it (and now I have DSL and loving it). When I signed up for the Earthlink account 3 years ago, I received an email address, but since I already had a yahoo account, I never used it. I'll repeat that: I NEVER used the Earthlink email account. For anything. Ever.

Can anyone explain to me why this email address that I never used has more than 100 spam messages in the inbox? I never signed into any website, signed up for any program, or ordered any product using this email account, so the only way that it could have been added to any spammer lists is if Earthlink itself sold it. Funny that they were charging me 22 bucks a month for the account when they were making money off this email address that I never used. That is lame.

Ever gone back and read your diaries?

I did, and it was a weird and enlightening experience. To see who I was so long ago...for instance, I just read the diary I was working on when I got my current job, 6 years ago. It is funny, when I saw the job announcement, I wasn't too excited about the job, then I interviewed and was certain that I didn't get the job, and secretly hoped that I wouldn't because I didn't think I was completely qualified. I read about, and re-lived the day that they told me I got the position, and showed me my office--that was the part I emphasized, not the people I met, but that I had an OFFICE (a word that was underlined about 6 times). I can't believe how childish I sound, when I thought I was so mature back then (I was 24 at the time).

I even read some of the stuff I wrote in high school and college. I was so full of angst. How very 90's of me...

Pickle it up!

I just had lunch at Mr. Pickle's Sandwich Shop. I am a huge fan--really tasty sandwiches. Their menu is great. I had the Golden Gate today, a warm chicken sandwich with jack cheese, teriyaki sauce, jack cheese and veggies. So yummy! It is drippy, so you have to assume the hunch position to eat it or wear it home with you.

There are lots of interesting options--I might try the Got Beef next time (roast beef, pastrami, and melted jack cheese) or the Hot "T" (hot turkey, melted pepper jack, baja and cranberry sauces). There are many sandwiches that center around avocados, but alas, I will not be able to experience them (deathly allergic to avos). They also offer warm fresh chocolate chip cookies, a wide variety of chips and all sorts of drinks.

My niece likes their mascot, a 6 foot tall pickle in a chef's hat. The place, which opened a few months ago next to the new Starbucks on Adobe Rd. is usually packed, though on a weekday around 1:30 or later it seems to quiet down. The first time I went, on a Saturday around lunch time it was a zoo--but everyone always greets you as you walk in, no matter how busy they are.

I have a confession...

I am letting you know...this is hard...that I really, really like Harry Potter. That's right. I am a giant Harry Potter nerd. I have read all of the books a couple of times now, watched the movies countless times, listen to www.mugglenet.com podcasts and check the site at least a couple times a week to see if there is any new Potter news. I sometimes even find myself pondering the wizarding world. It is sad, pathetic. I know it. I am seeking help.