What's in a Name?

After nearly 12 months out of the cat business, we have jumped back in. Circumstances brought a couple of friends of ours to ask if we would be willing to assume the care of a couple of 11 year old balls of feline fur, and we decided...why not? Last weekend we met Sanchi and Mango, and they began to get accustomed to their new home.

Of course, I had a hell of a time remembering Sanchi's name, and eventually began calling him Satchmo, because it was as close as I could get. Then, a couple of days ago, the wife asked how Melon was doing. I said, "You mean Mango?" She admitted she couldn't always remember Mango, but knew it was a melon of some type.

So, for a while at least, we will probably sway back and forth between Sanchi/Satchmo and Mango/Melon...but I suspect we will eventually fall into Mel and Mo.

They don't seem to care what we call them as long as we call them for dinner. They are adapting quickly, and seem very happy. We are introducing them to the dogs slowly and deliberately. So far, they get along great with Tom because they are bigger than him...they seem to have accepted Sam, because everybody loves Sam...they scare the hell out of Sara...and they have yet to meet Katie or Ellen.

At any rate...I give you Sanchi/Satchmo and Mango/Mel...you figure out which is which.

Find Your Center...Ooohhhhhhmmmmmm!

I try...I really try. Keep your cool Fish, it really isn't that big of a deal. But when I see something like this, I just go BERSERK. (For the old farts out there, they might recognize that as a paraphrase of a line from Billy Jack).

Parking lots are my bane. Between the dim bulbs who can't cram a car into one spot, the lazy fucks constantly trolling for the closest spot and the mental midgets who leave the shopping cart in the middle of that spot when the cart return area is all of two cars away, it is all I can do to keep from just ramming the Tundra straight through the front doors.

When I slow down for you to walk across in front of me, MOVE YOUR ASS. Don't slow down, answer your phone and walk along the driving lane instead of across it. Just because you have a big load of crap from Home Depot to load into your truck does not entitle you to park in the driving lane in front of the door and prevent others from coming and going. Haul it out to the parking lot and load it yourself like a man. Hell, if I could cram it all in a Maxima for years, you can sure as hell shove it into your Lincoln or Cadillac "pickup" by yourself.

But tonight I witnessed a new low. Whilst parked at Carino's in the take out spot (don't get me started on how incredibly inefficient that operation is), I was blocked in by a vehicle who had parked at the front door in order to load an elderly disabled gentleman in the front seat. Now, before you get all bent out of shape about how I hate the handicapped, and how your Dad lost his legs in some horrible lumberjack accident providing lumber for the growing industrial revolution, I must tell you there were three (3) vacant handicapped parking spots not fifteen feet from where these selfish SOB's had parked.

For Chrissake, The American's with Disabilities Act was passed for just this reason. Move your rig, haul Grandpa the extra few feet, and spend the rest of the fucking night getting him loaded up. As long as you are out of the way, in your specially designated, front row, premium parking spot, I don't give a crap.

All I am asking for is a little consideration. Thanks for listening.

Happy Freakin' New Year

2009 has gotten off to a glorious start. Got to play golf in shorts and sandals on Jan. 2nd and 3rd. God, I love West Texas.

And, yesterday I received a phone call at home from my boss. He is moving back to Tyler to take over that District. Looks like I will have one final shot at the top job here in Lubbock. Guess I better shine my shoes, rent a suit, and sharpen up my ass kissing skills.

Phase 1 - Complete (More or Less)

Well, I managed to get almost complete with everything I had hoped to do before Christmas. The only thing lacking in Phase 1 is the glass shelves and doors in the bar.

Phase 2 will get the floor and walls. Still slightly under $12,000 at this point.

Taking a Peek Out of the Box

Damn...it has been almost a month since I posted anything on this blog. Is my life really that boring and eventless? Not really...I just haven't had much to say.

A quick update.

The kitchen is coming along nicely, but I have been struggling mightily to get some things wrapped up before next Tuesday, when the Warren clan will descend on Maniacal Lane for Christmas. My goal is to have everything complete, except for the floor. Pictures will be forthcoming once that occurs. The walls will have to wait, as the wife has yet to decide what treatment I will be applying.

Bought a new grill today for my Christmas present. Ironically, considering how much shit I gave the wife about her convection oven, I drank the grill Kool-Aid and bought into the Infrared scam. Don't know if it will make any difference in how things cook, but telling people I have an infrared grill just sounds cool. Bought it at Lowe's and was informed they had none in boxes, and I should just roll the display up to the cashier and pay. I felt kind of silly as I went through the line, pushing this humongous grill ahead of me. Then it hit me..."Geez, I am buying a demo. They should discount this thing." Managed to get them to knock 15% off, saving me $75 on a $500 grill. That will make the burgers taste better for a while, at least.

That's it...work, go home and work on the kitchen, sleep, wake up, work, go home and work on the kitchen...well you get the drift. Have a nice Christmas, and stay tuned for finished kitchen photos next week.

What's Old is New

I took the dogs out for their after dinner business tonight. It is a nightly ritual, wherein I watch them to assure they have each done their business, and make sure neither of the young Aussies partake of any poop-sicles that might be strewn about the yard. It also gives me an opportunity to see that Katie makes a good long walk around the back yard to get some exercise on her substandard hips. As I plod along, urging Katie to keep up without letting her break into the hop-skip gait she prefers, I am hit again with the knowing that her days are numbered. It is clear that her ability to get around is diminishing, and her senses are fading little by little. The hearing is very selective, smell and vision are not as sharp as they used to be. But, she seems happy, even if I am not.

Just as I begin to fall into that depressed mood, little Ellen Barkin, the youngest Aussie, comes bounding by with Sara Evans, the next in line...bound together by the rope toy they are fighting over. They gallop around the yard like a team of horses in stride, as they each try to get the toy away from the other. I am reminded to cherish these days with these two dogs, as I know one day, they too will be in their twilight years, and unable to perform this task for my amusement.

Katie will enter the clearing at the end of the path one of these days, and so will all of the others...that is the nature of having dogs. But, just as Ellen is filling the role Katie used to perform, others are sure to take her place as well.

There will always be another dog...but for now, I will enjoy these days with the five crazy canines currently under our care, and constantly remind myself that time, in dog years, flies by.

Marathon Week

Well, the long week has come to an end, and I think I accomplished everything I told the wife I would while she was in Georgia. The cabinet work is complete...now for the details, like doors and trim and hardware and painting. Might start trying to schedule the brother in law for the tile backsplash.

Finished The Beast today.