Search


(Searches for all words, in any order)

LinkRoll

15 row(s) meet your search criteria for February , 2003.
Goto page: 1 2 

Truck is back home - February 24, 2003

I picked up the truck today. Seems to work fine, but a virus is lurking. It's going to be a little nerve-racking anywhere I go in the car, as I know that it will fail at the worst possible time. The next one of those will be tomorrow when I head out to the airport for my flight to LA.

#  | 07:04 PM |  Comments Closed (0)  |  (Tags: General)

While the Wife is Away... - February 23, 2003

....the husband will play.

I bought a car today, on Ebay! A Volvo S80.

I've actually been watching Ebay for cars for about a month. My target was initially the BMW 528i. After watching it for about a month, and bidding lightly on a couple of items, I came to a decision that I would not buy a car. However, Ebay is like a drug, and it's hard to not look. I think I was able to last 2 days without looking.

So after I "quit looking", I expanded my search to a couple of other cars that I've always liked: Audi A6, the Volvo S80, and the Nissan Maxima. Pricewise, the BMW's were the most expensive, then the Audi's, the Volvo's then the Maxima's. It was interesting that at the same price point, I might have been able to get a 1997 BMW, a 1998 Audi, a 1999 Volvo, or a 2000 Maxima. I watched many auctions, and it seemed that there were plenty of buyers and plenty of cars coming on auction. However, the supply and demand curves where not matching up, as many auctions ended without the sellers minimum price being met. These cars would often then come up again, and may again go unsold. The minimum price is rarely shown on EBay, some set their minimum as the "Buy it Now" price (which will end the auction if you click "Buy it Now"); most of the time you don't know what the minimum is - so when you bid you put in the most you'd pay for an item. If it is above the minimum, the auction is on. If not, then you may end up being the highest bidder at the end of the auction, but you will not win. It is an interesting process.

So anyway, I saw an S80 that was mis-labeled. It was not advertised as a Turbo model (T6), but you could plainly see in the photos that it was. I felt that this item could be overlooked by bidders seeking a T6, and therefore could go less than market price - so I put it on my watch list. I also noted three re-listings that had not been sold as they did not meet the reserve, however, the re-listing did not have a reserve price - so I added these to the watch list as well. These were interesting because they were in LA, so I could easily fly down and drive back rather than spending another $1000 to have the car shipped.

So I put in a bid, and won it! Buying a car without seeing it is a little scary. I'm picking it up on Tuesday, and will drive it home Wednesday. I hope all goes well.

#  | 08:04 PM |  Comments Closed (0)  |  (Tags: General)

Truck Develops a Disease. - February 23, 2003

The truck died last Tuesday. I was driving, and all of the sudden it quit on me. It would start, but die seconds later. With some experimentation, I discovered that by putting minimal pressure on the accelerator I could keep the engine running. But any more or less than a little the engine would die. Since I was close, I nursed it back home at 20 mph but no more. Then I got the vehicle towed to a repair shop.

On Wednesday, the repair shop called and was unable to get the problem to occur. But a minute later they called back and it happened to them. Over the course of Thursday and Friday they ran the car for 8 hours but were again unable make the issue come up again.

Now what. The car has an intermittant failure lurking.... and you know that it will manifest itself at the worst possible moment. Maybe it's time for a new car?

#  | 07:54 PM |  Comments Closed (0)  |  (Tags: General)

Day 4, The End Game - February 23, 2003

An easy morning, a trip to the airport, and Marie got home on time. Both kids were happy to see her, maybe not as much as Marie had hoped. I guess I failed in preparing them to be way happy on her arrival. However, showing genuine physical excitement is difficult in a car seat with a 5 point harness holding you down.

So the experiement is over. Piece of cake. No big deal. Now I can rest a little right?

Nope.

Marie wants a nap. She was go-go-go the whole time at Lisa's and didn't take the opportunity to catch up on sleep. She was however, able to recuperate mentally, which was necessary, but she need the rest too. Next time she goes somewhere (and I really hope she does when she needs a break), she'll go alone, with no activities so that she can get the rest AND relaxation she needs.

For me, it was an empowering experience. I am man, hear me roar. I proved to the naysayers that I am capable at caregiving to my kids. While I'm not ready to be Mr. Mom on a full time basis, I hope I can be periodically. Marie gives up a lot so I can go on my own trips, and I hope that she feels comfortable taking some time for herself now and then on a trip to somewhere other than the Supermarket.

#  | 03:39 PM |  Comments Closed (0)  |  (Tags: General)

Day 3 of the Experience - February 22, 2003

Garrett was up early, Sara woke up later. I think that Sara is going to be the sleeper. Garrett has always woken up early and likes to get downstairs early and start his day.

I didn't have much of a plan for the day. I did have a talk with Dave Brown about meeting up with him and the boys late in the afternoon at OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry). But at about 1:00 I decided to head to the gym for a workout. They have a babysitting area that the kids seem to enjoy. I figured an hour or so workout should get me home so Sara could nap and the schedule would be preserved. So the time came but instead of leaving on time I spent 15 minutes looking for some shoes for Garrett, coming to realize I had left them in his backpack at the Brown's house. A quick call to confirm this and then we headed over there. Arriving at the gym, I realized that I had forgotten my own workout gear and had to go home! I then realized that by the time I got home, got back to gym, I would have about 40 minutes for a workout before the schedule was violated. DOH! I'm not going to do that. So instead of a workout, I went to Dairy Queen for a blizzard. On the way, Garrett fell asleep. ARGH!

So once we got home, Garrett woke up, still in the carseat and realized that we were not in fact at the gym, but arriving home and he was pissed. I took Sara up to bed while he wailed away "no go home". I tried to explain that I messed up, it was my fault, I'm sorry but all he knew was that he was not where he was supposed to be.

When Sara woke up about 4, I packed everybody up and we trekked to OMSI, arriving about 4:40. Much to my dismay, the placed closed at 5:30. The kids had fun in Busytown even though the place was packed with people. I was very nervous trying to keep track of Garrett, and making sure there was peace at the Brio train setup (where he spends his time) and that Sara doesn't walk away.

As I figured, leaving was a bit of problem, as Garrett doesn't like to leave, especially as the crowd thins and he gets primary control over the train display. But we made it out alive. Garrett again sang the "no go home" song as we approached the neighborhood, and I tried to harmonize with the "too bad kid" song.

Dinner was typical, Garrett eats a little and Sara eats everything, and then bedtime. Another day down, Mommy is back tomorrow.

#  | 10:22 PM |  Comments Closed (0)  |  (Tags: General)

Staten Island Fire - February 21, 2003

100,000 gallons of unleaded burns really good. That was evident today in Staten Island as a barge exploded as it unloaded its cargo. It was cool to watch as the burning gas floated away from the sinking barge.

I can see it now... all the Exxon/Mobil stations in the area were busily adding dimes and nickels to the price of unleaded before the fire was even out.

#  | 10:43 PM |  Comments Closed (0)  |  (Tags: General)

Great White...still touring? - February 21, 2003

This fact in itself is sad.

The fact that they employ pyrotechnics at performances in small clubs is really sad. (Isn't the music exciting enough?)

And the fire it caused that killed nearly 100 fans in Rhode Island is tragic. That was a huge fire. It was amazing to watch. I find it very ironic that this came so close on the heels of the Chicago club trampling, and that the camera crew was onsite doing a story on how that couldn't happen at this club!

While it looks like blame will probably point at the band, even the most jaded "80's hair band" would probably admit that causing the death of 100 fans is not good for ticket sales on the remaining dates of the tour.

#  | 10:26 PM |  Comments Closed (0)  |  (Tags: General)

World Events - February 21, 2003

While I'm relatively new to blogging, I did not think I would comment on things going on around the world, or even locally. Typically, I've never thought myself a very deep, or opinionated person so commenting on these events or situations will be uncomfortable. But this, as I have found in my blog reading, is almost unheard of.

So, from time to time when things strike me, and I form an opinion, I'll share. Please feel free to add your comments, in agreement, disagreement or otherwise

#  | 10:14 PM |  Comments Closed (0)  |  (Tags: General)

Day 2 of the Experience - February 21, 2003

Getting the kids to bed late usually means an early morning. Today was nearly true to form as Garrett woke up unhappy at about 5:30. The good news is that he was amenable to cuddling up quietly (he may have even gone back to sleep) with Dad for an hour while my brain cleared. More good news is that Sara bucked the trend and slept until about 7:15. But this was only the beginning of her schedule snafu.

Breakfast came and went and the kids played in the living room while I read the paper. Pretty amazing considering the demands placed on Marie during that time of the morning. I suppose the kids have come to expect a different "standard of care" from Dad. I'm not sure if that's good or bad.

Time flew by and before I realized what was when, it was 10am, about 30-40 minutes past Sara's naptime. She went down fine and I coaxed Garrett into the shower and a change of clothes. She ended up sleeping until nearly 12:30!

Now the problem, normally she would nap at about 2, but the cleaning lady was here, and I had an appointment to take Garrett over to the Brown's place for some time with Nicolas. So when should she nap? My idea was to go over to the mall for a "father/daughter bonding" experience - hoping she would fall asleep. No luck. Maybe she would sleep in the car for a few minutes to get her through the "dead hours". No luck. oh boy.

We got home, served dinner and targeted an early bedtime. I was out of there by 7:15 (not as early as planned). She was hysterically crying by 8, and rescued soon thereafter. After a bottle, some "Funniest Home Videos", and a short discussion with Mom, she got to bed about 9pm and has been quiet since.

Now the real problem - remember the opening ...in bed late, up early. Next time, I'll respect the schedule and stop improvising.

#  | 09:51 PM |  Comments Closed (0)  |  (Tags: General)

Day 1 of the Experience - February 20, 2003

The Boss left today to visit her buddy Lisa down in the Bay Area. I am alone with the kidlets. I am in control... so far.

I dropped Her off at the airport about 1pm. My activity for the afternoon was a drive in the car. We got home about 4 and began the "dead hours" before dinner, but Garrett got on the computer (laughing his buns off at disney.com) and Sara and I played on the floor. Two poopers later it was dinner time.

Another after dinner poop, and Sara was ready for bed. Dave Brown and Nicholas came over to pass some time and gave Garrett an active workout. Sara to bed at 7:45 (about 45 minutes too late) and Garrett about 8:30.

Day 1 is over (albeit a short one), but not a single cry for Mama, Mama, MaaaaaMaaaaaa. yet. I gotta get to bed. When they get to bed late, they get up early. Let's hope for the best.

#  | 10:34 PM |  Comments Closed (0)  |  (Tags: General)


Goto page: 1 2