Reality Me

Blog

  • And the day slips away…

    I spent my morning at a sales meeting which went very well! (I hope) The afternoon I removed bubble jump from the 10 month old’s head (thanks to the 3 year old). Btw, no scissors, just olive oil and peanut butter then shampoo and let the dog lick the head. I had fun with the boys and drove the Jeep into the lower lot only to get a flat, so now I fix a flat. But first, SuperDad must rescue BrainlessBoy from AngryMom!

    Update:The sales meeting did not go as well as anticipated. Apparently upper management had already decided upon a vendor and I was not meeting with the person with decision authority.

  • Real Life Warner Brothers

    Pet owners will enjoy this story of a pet sitter and a rabbit.

  • Who has the right of way?

    I don’t care what color the light is you yield to an 18 wheeler! (and since it is a run-on accident, I am not correcting my run-on sentence.)

    This test of physics (ie. 2 objects cannot occupy the same space at the same time) occurred at the intersection of Northshore Drive and Morrell Road at roughly 1:00pm today.

  • Taxes filed!

    My taxes have electronically drifted off to the IRS. This is an incredible relief! See, the last time I filed taxes as April 15, 1999. Most people don’t know how to respond to a statement like that. Typically the jaw drops and the subject changes quickly. I also had an IRS agent come a hair short of calling me a moron.

    Obviously there is a backstory but I have to consider the movie rights before revealing the whole plot. I can say it has some classic themes that the Coen brothers would really enjoy.

    I just feel a little more human being a good citizen again. Now that 2005 is filed I can go back and start fixing the other years.

  • Public Outcry Does Change Things – Safe to drink in TX again

    A bit of news made the rounds not long ago. Texas was arresting drunks in bars (you know, fish in a barrel). They assumed these drunks would try to get behind the wheel of a car (guilty until proven innocent – doesn’t imply I want drunks on the road). After much ridicule and public protest, "Operation Last Call" has been "temporarily suspended."

    [Source]

  • I hate this day already

    It’s 9:20am and already I’m in reaction mode.

    Long live Quad I!

  • AC Update

    The ice is thawed and the unit running. Let’s see if it can keep up. Current indoor temperature: 27.2 ° C

  • Cops can be wrong

    Abuse of privilege.

  • New Car Time?

    Maybe it is time to trade in the old Jeep.

  • AC Very Cold

    Outside: 23.8° C Inside: 25.5° C

    Outside AC unit
    This is the outside unit.
    Inside the outside ac unit
    This is inside the outside ac unit. Note that the white stuff is ice and should be copper.

    This is inside the inside unit. Note that the white is ice and should be copper.

    So, today’s research challenge is to figure out why an air conditioning unit ices over.

    Update: Anwer – I knew this. It’s either 1) low coolant – ie. leak or 2) the cold air return is blocked

  • Today’s Challenges

    1. Fix air conditioning
    2. E-file 2005 taxes
    3. Fix a lawn mower and cut the grass
    4. Scrub floors; clean house
    5. Program

  • WWASD

    My favorite television show is Lost. My 2nd favorite is Boston Legal. One of my favorite characters on Boston Legal is Alan Shore portrayed by James Spader (starred in Stargate the movie).

    So I have this new anger management plan. Whenever a situation arises with the children, or a phone call (call), or anything else, particularly if I feel myself starting to boil, I pause and ask myself, "What would Alan Shore do?" I did this for several weeks with much success before confiding my plan with my wife. Now she is aware and periodically calls out, "you’re doing it now!" with a grin. I tilt my chin up slightly, give a Mona Lisaesque smile, and reply, "of course I am."

    This morning I forgot to ask, "What would Alan Shore do?" It really does make a difference! So, next time the tension hits, just ask, "What would Alan Shore do?"

    See also http://boston-legal.org and http://jamesspader.org/.

  • Do-over!

    I’ve started this day on a bad note. I’m going to lie down for 30 seconds, change clothes, and start over.

  • Of Grasshoppers

    Student: Why do I feel guilty after doing something fun?
    Master: Does your fun come at someone else’s expense?

  • 67 degrees out; 76 degrees in

    I am convinced that there are no air conditioner repair people that know what they are doing in Knoxville. Looks like I’m about to have HVAC to my list of skills.