Cubby The Bear

Political Correctness.....

2009-03-29T12:53:00.000-07:00

The following is the winning entry in an annual contest at Texas A&M University calling for the most appropriate definition of a contemporary term: This year's term was Political Correctness.

The winner wrote:

"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end"

R. J. Wiedemann LtCol. USMC Ret.

Ten Rounds with Jose Cuervo

2009-03-29T12:20:00.000-07:00

Heard this on a jobsite on the jobox radio on Friday. Had to look it up on Youtube, and the video is just as much fun as the song!

Ten Rounds with Jose Cuervo - Tracy Byrd:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z16jVKrk2s

Doing much better

2009-03-26T23:08:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm finally able to type at a much better pace using both paws correctly placed on my Micro$oft wide spread keyboards on my computers. I'm not at 80 keystrokes as per usual, but, thankfully I'm not 'huntin' n' peckin'' on the keyboard as of late.

The E-stim/tens unit I've been using for my radial arm nerve retraining therapy has been working well in aiding with my recovery, on more than one front. I have a new appreciation for life, love living life, and have been enjoying life as of late. I've been dating quite a bit since I really put an effort into 'marketing myself' as a desirable commodity on the open market bear market. Not all dates have gone as wells as expected, which is normal. I've also made plenty of new online local and distant friends online.

I had a lunch date today with a nice bear, after many online volleys and a couple of phone conversations. He seems to be a pretty nice guy, he's SINGLE, owns a successful business like I do, has a great sense of humor, and is a dashingly handsome bear. I'd really like to see him again.....which I hadn't uttered under my breathe in many go-rounds lately.

I'm back in full swing, and it's good to be back as ME. I like ME, as many others do as my pals.

Been away for a spell...

2009-03-13T21:13:00.000-07:00

It's been quite a while sinces I've posted here. For the last few weeks, I've been dealing with radial nerve damage and radial palsey in my right arm, affecting my right wrist and fingers. Typing has been somewhat of a bitch, and I'm 'hunting and pecking' while typing this to you.

I went for my second weekly occupational therapy appointment this morning. Heidi, my rehab thearapist is great! My arm was heated in a blanket to start. Then my arm got a massage....MMMmmm. Then E-stim on my arm. E-stim was weird at first, but, I was able to do things with my hand that I couldn't do before.

My neurologist says I'll be as good as new in a few months, and my rehab progress with the strength meters and new movement capability has been optimal.

As of late, much like a wounded animal, I've pulled away from 'jungle life', as no wounded animal wants to be easy prey for predators in the open plains.

I may be wearing a custom made wrist splin, but, this bear is back on the roam!

Good to be back 'home',

Cubby

Two stars remaining out of five

2009-02-08T10:38:00.000-08:00

Nobody is forcing you to read my BLOG linked on Biggercity. Pegging me with a one star rating after only accumulating two prior votes in total is pretty mean.

Personally, it really doesn't bother me, and I really don't care. It's my BLOG and with nearly 800 total hits since I had launched and linked it.

Warm Fuzzies

2009-02-05T23:59:00.000-08:00

D-

I had a wonderful time this evening spent with you. You have a beautiful home and funny enough, we share some of the same tastes in furnishings and even collect Nelson McCoy pottery. It was fun to see which pieces of NM we share in common and in different colors. It was also fun to share the stories of where each piece came from. My favorite is my jade green McCoy trumpet vase, the very same one that you have in white.....in your bedroom.....on your dresser.

Dinner was great to share out this evening. We got a chance to get better acquainted and learn more about each other. The Calamari appetizer we shared before dinner wasn't as 'faaaabulous' as the waiter had proclaimed....but, that was the least of my interests and focus this evening. It could have been dried leaves and twigs with mud dipping sauce on a plate for all I was concerned. You're a great conversationalist and you speak from your heart AND with your head, without hesitation.

Yeah, I know, it was a 'school night' for the both of us, with careers to attend to in the morning....bummer. It was nice to head back to your place and watch the TV without kinda watchin' the TV. You give good snuggle. I like the fact that you're not shy at all. "I'm heading upstairs, wanna come?" ...."You, don't have to ask me twice, mister."

While typing this, Janie Fricke churned up on the 'lectronic Squeezebox Jukebox. I hadn't heard this song in years. I had it on 'cassette' many years ago.

It Ain't Easy Bein' Easy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCASdn_ve1Y

I can't wait to see you this weekend. It's been easy, being with you.

Gd'night, handsome

WOOF! D.P.D.

2009-02-02T22:32:00.000-08:00

I must admit, you look better naked in my bed, than your handsome profile pictures online. You found me online and not on Biggercity. Post Superbowl Sunday 'events' shall never be the same in enjoyment on my end and closing the evening out with you. "Tonsil Hockey"....you're an expert on the lip-lock.

I can't wait to see you again this Thursday after work to share supper with you at a favorite Capitol Hill restaurant, after I meet up with you at your new home on Capitol Hill. Baltimore shall miss you, but, I'm here and you obviously like the naked Cubby on the top.

It was nice to doze off afterwords, being held in your furry and strong arms as a bear near my size and proportion. That's a place that I'd really want to revisit and claim/mark as my own territory.

I hope it all works out for us down the road. I know in fact that momma would approve of you. She only wishes for my happiness and for me to partner with someone that can make me happy. She also will be fulfilled with her request on intelligence, charm, and being able to park the Buick in a tight street space, with your abilities.

It doesn't hurt matters that we look REALLY cute together, and 'you taste good'. I'm not lacking in my SALT content.

Rest in Peace, Dudley

2009-01-30T19:13:00.000-08:00

It's one of those phone calls you never want to receive.

Yesterday, I had received a call from mom at 6pm PST. I recognized mom's phone number and picked up. She was in tears and very upset to the point of not being able to speak. After I got her calmed down a bit in talking with her, she told me that she had to put down my deceased father's cat, Dudley, the now 17 year old Maine Coon feline that brought my father so much joy in their home when dad was alive.

It's not that simple, for mom. After dad passed away, Dudley the cat didn't know what to do without dad in his life, and made mom's life a living hell for a few months. Finally, Dudley must have realized that dad wasn't coming home, and made amends with mom, and befriended her as his primary care giver and 'human pincushion pad on the couch'. It was a less than perfect relationship, but, they were there for each other.

On the second day of not eating, mom took him to the vet when he became jaundice around the ears. The vet said that his liver and kidneys weren't functioning properly/at all and they couldn't do too much for Dudley. It was too much for mom, as dad had a similar yellow coloration to his skin before he passed away at home with major organ failure before expiring.

She was there for and with Dudley, when he was euthanized. She said he looked so peaceful like dad, after death.

Talking with mom today and her in a much better state of mind, I mentioned that, "That damn cat" (as she used to 'lovingly' refer to him) is in a better place, likely sitting on dad's lap in heaven and purring.

Mom's having Dudley cremated. In better weather, she's planning on going to the cemetery where dad's at, and spreading some of Dudley's ashes on top of his grave, to be with dad. She'll sprinkle some more of his ashes on Dudley's favorite napping/parking space on the back patio outside of the old homestead, and keep the rest in an urn.

Mom still has her cat, Sassy, the sweet calico that's still spry and healthy at 9 years old, nearly half the age of Dudley. I'd be more than worried about mom if Sassy wasn't there to keep her company.

And, yes, mom has an invite to come to Seattle to live in classy/upscale senior housing near me, if she chooses. We'd kill each other under the same/my roof, but, coexisting in the same town would be great. "Mom, I have lunch free today, let's go have lunch!" After this last loss, time will only tell with what shall transpire....and hopefully for the good for all.

Peace Out,

Cubby

You know you're getting older, when.....

2009-01-27T17:12:00.000-08:00

You know you're getting older, when...

You show up to the jobsite/home on Mercer Island, that your business buddy in the heating and cooling trades got you the plumbing gig for a new hot water heater recirculating system as it take forever to get hot water at the other end of the house.

There's a handsome young cub already in the basement ripping out and wrestling with the old furnace to be replace. *you feel a slight stirring in your jockey shorts* with this furry display of cub-like masculinity.

In chatting, you find out it's the heating and cooling company owner's son, that is old enough to be your very own child.

In preparation of running the recirculation line through the crawlspace, the heating and cooling cub says, "Wow, I'm surprised you don't have some 18 year old that does all your crawlspace work."

You reply, "If I had an 18 year old, I'd probably never leave the house!"

.......I (mentally) beat him about the torso with my cane while saying, "Young man, RESPECT YOUR ELDERS!" I stopped when he apologized...... (grin)

Much like fine wine and cheese, I only get better with age, and I'll be damn near perfect by the time I'm in my 90's.

This weeks Onion horoscope

2009-01-26T12:14:00.000-08:00

Your Birthday Today

They say you have a head for numbers, but that's because "head for tumors" isn't really an expression.

Aries March 21 - April 19

Your shortness of breath and wild fainting spells will be cured this week, thanks to a series of well-placed commas.

Taurus April 20 - May 20

People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones, though it's your habit of cooking naked that's really pissing the neighbors off.

Gemini May 21 - June 21

The stars apologize for last week's prediction of "money problems." Looks like they forgot the "k" in there.

Cancer June 22 - July 22

You'll soon possess the courage of 10 men, and the sexually transmitted diseases of about 50.

Leo July 23 - August 22

The stars foresee a second job promotion in the days to come, though they should probably be telling Dave about it instead of you.

Virgo August 23 - September 22

Your creativity will be at an all-time high today, much to the dismay of your wife, the vacuum-cleaner salesman, and the dozen or so poodles.

Libra September 23 - October 23

Text "LIBRA" now for your chance to enter our weekly Astrological Giveaway! (Contest void in Hawaii, Alaska, and the binary star system of Alpha Centauri.)

Scorpio October 24 - November 21

You're no art expert, but you know what you like, which explains all the meatball sandwiches hanging on your walls.

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21

Things will look up this week, before bearing their teeth, rearing up on their hind legs, and suddenly leaping at your throat.

Capricorn December 22 - January 19

You may not be a wealthy man, or a rich man, or even a prosperous man, but then, you do have a mastery of English-language synonyms.

Aquarius January 20 - February 18

It may seem like torture to you now, but one day you'll thank your parents for ripping off those fingernails.

Pisces February 19 - March 20

You'll do it for the children this week, which is really too bad, as "it" involves exposing yourself behind some bushes.

Happy Chinese New Year!

2009-01-25T21:56:00.000-08:00

The Chinese New Year marks the beginning of Spring time on January 26th, 2009. Look to the skies and see a difference in the light from above, the fresh smell of the air, and enjoy the feeling of newness that abounds on this sacred day and in celebration.

I mentioned this to my mother, as she had forgotten this ancient Chinese celebration coming up earlier this year, having wonderful neighbors that live next door to her that are originally from Chongqing China, inclusive of the three wonderful and sweet young children that live next door. Her response was on the mark, "I'll have to head out to buy three red envelopes for the children, and enclose $5 in each for good fortune for them on Chinese New Year."

Mom's come a long ways over the years, and even so much more so recently. The Chong family have been gracious neighbors to my parents. When my father passed away in the Summer of '07, the entire family showed up at mom's door, complete with a white Chrysanthemum plant, and food to nourish the family in mourning. The language barrier may be rough at times, but, this action from the Chong family spoke directly from their hearts where language is no barrier.

Much like a 'fortune cookie'....check out your Chinese horoscope for the year of the OX, for 2009. I checked out mine, the year of the Dragon, and it seems as if I've already set quite a bit of ground work down, this year shall be easy-breezy.

The Year Of The Ox Chinese Horoscope:

http://shine.yahoo.com/page/2009-chinese-horoscope/

Мир, влюбленность, и зажиточность с вами! (peace, love, and prosperity be with you)

Cubby

Well....it's official

2009-01-20T19:08:00.000-08:00

I watched the entire inaugural process until 2pm when stations went back to their local scheduled programming. I was moved to tears of joy, especially during the inaugural speech, the swearing in, and the blessing delivered. I sat there with a box of tissues during this historic moment.

As a business and personal tax payer, I later told my mom in phone conversation concerning the parade, "Hmmmm, I wonder how much tax payer money was ponied up for the presidential limousine and the entourage that followed? Aren't we trying to cut government spending?"

I'm certain we could have saved a lot of money with sponsorship stickers like on race cars on the limo, or, perhaps found a used Caddy limo (bullet proofing extra) on Ebay motors, and a fleet of decommissioned Crown Victoria police vehicles (prior to being turned into taxi cabs) for the remainder of the crew at a fraction of the price. After all, the government frowned upon the heads of the big three automakers, flown to DC in corporate personal jets, later returning in vehicles produced from their own companies. What's good for the goose is good for the gander? Probably not.

All in all as an American, it's comforting to know that for the first time in eight long years, we finally have something we've been missing in government for a long time. "INTELLIGENCE" President elect Obama may be young, but, he's got the smarts to run this country and bring back the economy with an espirit de corps, that involves everyone as a nation standing united.

The winds of change are blowing, and we're all in this together, folks. Like many of my friends and business compatriots, a vast majority of us are really paying attention to what's been going on in DC, and are eager to follow what's in store to bring us all into a brighter future that lies ahead of us.

Peace Out,

Cubby

January 20th, 2009 BEAR gameplan - Pacific Standard Time

2009-01-19T21:09:00.000-08:00

7:00 am - alarm goes off...I'll stretch, growl, and get outta bed.

7:15 am - brush my bear-fangs, shower, and then shave away unwanted fur on my puss.

7:45 am - lumber down the stairs to the kitchen, make coffee, grumble some more while inappropriately scratching myself in my pajama bottoms.

7:55 am - after the longest 10 minutes of the day, I'll pour myself a nice cup of black coffee. Dependant on my current mood, will steer the way to which from 'outta town logo'd Starbucks' coffee mug I'll drink out of. I think I'll use the Dallas Starbucks mug in honor of GW being put to the curb with his presidency after 8 years and two elections that I didn't vote for him...twice.

8:01 am - mmmmmm....*COFFEE*

8:03 am - locate plasma TV remote and turn TV on.

8:05 am - mmmmmm....*COFFEE*

8:06 am - pop two Jimmy Dean frozen breakfast sandwiches into the microwave.

8:08 am - mmmmmm....*COFFEE*

8:12 am - breakfast sandwiches are done. Plate them and continue back to the TV with food in paw.

8:13 am - scratching inappropriately again....for good measure.

8:14 am - run back to the kitchen to pour a glass of Orange juice.

8:17 am to 9:00 am - Watch a lot of expensive commercials and upcoming inaugural hype. Start to consume breakfast sandwiches and chugging OJ.

9:00 am - President elect Barack Obama will be sworn in as the President of the United States. At the end of being sworn in, our country will be in much better hands of an intelligent and true leader, with a vice president and appointed officials that will turn our and the world's economy back around.

As with today, with Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech, and remembrance of him today, "I Have a Dream", shall, be rekindled tomorrow, with hope for all.

I hope. And I believe in our future.

Personal Best,

Cubby The Bear

Down Home Cookin'

2009-01-18T17:18:00.000-08:00

Red Beans and Rice

If you're hankering for down home cookin' that's affordable and good for you (as a complete protein with combining beans with rice), my mother's recipe back from the Bayou State is far better than any other that I've ever eaten, even in the finest restaurants in New Orleans and Metairie. The recipe can be doubled or even tripled without changing the outcome. Patients and a lot of love and care are part of the preparation of this dish. Don't attempt to 'crock-pot it' while at work, as it needs occasionally attention with stirring on the stove cooking on low after the original boil.

1 pound dried red beans
1/4 cup sliced green onion tops
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1 cup chopped onion
1 tbsp. minced garlic
1 tsp. ground allspice
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1 tsp. salt
2 bay leaves
1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
1/8 tsp. dried basil
1/2 pound Chorizo or Louisiana Cajun spiced sausage
boiled rice

1- Soak your dried red beans in cold water overnight.

2- Drain beans and place in soup pot and add enough water to cover the beans.

3- Add all ingredients to beans and water, except sausage and rice.

4- Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for about one hour with the lid on. Continue simmering for 2-4 hours longer, lidless, occasionally stirring until the broth has thickened to a stew like consistence.

5- Cut up and brown sausage in a skillet in a dot of oil.

6- Add cooked and drained sausage to the red bean mixture on the stove a half an hour before serving over prepared white rice.

Serve beans over rice with buttered white bread on the side for sopping up the bowl/plate.

Serves 4-6

Bon Appetite, Bayou style!

Cubby

Corona with lime - Chips with salsa

2009-01-13T13:00:00.000-08:00

It's pretty amazing how hearing a song can bring back a flood of memories. Heard this recently when I was back in San Francisco while hanging out at Chaps II. It took me back to my youth when I'd hang out with my best friend Robert and his older brother, listening to ZZ Top on the 8-track (....yes, 8-Track stereo) while smoking pot in the root cellar.

ZZ Top - Mexican Blackbird:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DjuptXKNZg

When in San Francisco, stop into Chaps II. David's a charming and gracious (not to mention HOT BEAR) host, and Matt the boot-black gives a great shine. "Two paws up, guys!~"

row-row-row-your-boat-gently-down-the-stream

2009-01-12T19:31:00.000-08:00

Gotten quite a bit of rain here in the greater King County area. I have a service call in Mill Creek mid week. Maybe I should take the K5 Blazer to work on that day:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jybgGqoCqIU&feature=rec-HM-rn

merrily-merrily-merrily-merrily-life-is-but-a-dream.

'sbeen a while

2009-01-11T11:46:00.000-08:00

Got an email this morning from my friend Adam. He was the one that installed my new windows in the dining room and the parlor and installed the hardwood Oak floors too, a few years back when he was running his contracting business.

I had wondered what's been going on with him and his wife, and got the full download this morning. His wife took a relo- with her job at @mazon, the company shipped all their belongings to London, and they rented out their house out in Columbia City. And, recently, they've been relocated to German. The company puts them up in a rented home and a property management company takes care of their home here in Seattle. Nice work with great perks if you can get it!

It's a two year deal in Germany, and so far they absolutely love living abroad. It's amazing how the miles shrink away with an email or with a phone call. I emailed him back, and brought him up to speed on the Seattle scene on my end.

For Wayne residing near Dublin Ireland

2009-01-05T00:22:00.000-08:00

Wayne,

Thanks for keeping in touch in emails and SMS TEXT messages on the cellphone. It was great to meet you in San Francisco, and get to know you personally. You're a sweet and gentle soul that I truly enjoyed getting to know over what little time we had spent amongst the rude and drunken "Cali-set".

I apologize once again for the majority of the "Leftcoast" of the United States, and their lack of personal manners and general inhospitality, including attendees from San Diego and Long Beach California with your/my experience. "Talking shyt" about people over the dinner table in The Castro has never been part of my life.....I gave you the 'puppy dog sorry eyed look' over pasta served amongst our fellow dinner attendees in the Castro, wanting to exit out the back kitchen door after leaving payment with the waiter for my fare.

I can greatly say, "I'm NOT from here", concerning the greater Westcoast of the United States. I grew up in my teens in the midwest of the United States, but, home is in the deep South, and my heart and every fiber of my being comes from Metairie Louisiana in Jefferson Parish as home as the son of a true gentleman.

Not everyone residing west of the Rocky Mountains in the US is bad or mean spirited. I'm here. Sometimes, I feel stuck here, but, I try to make a difference in the quality of life personally and with my work.

I'll never be a clone....best presented with the video by Alice Cooper:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cx6oku3T9Cc

I look forward to hearing from you when you get back home to Ireland. You made me smile and enjoyed our short time spent together.

Best,

Cubby

When Hell or Seattle Freezes Over First

2009-01-04T20:59:00.000-08:00

Honestly, it's been great to be back home in Seattle after spending Christmas vacation in San Francisco. I had a great time with my ex- "BEARSON" on Biggercity.com from Guerneville back in San Francisco and his new beau, from Vallejo CA. It was like a gay adventure of the Three Musketeers for us over Christmas!

I spent NYE at home in Seattle and went to bed early before the New Year was locally chimed in by firecrackers and gunshots in the still evolving and mostly gentrified neighborhood in the Central District of Seattle in my refurbished and fussy 1902 Queen Anne Victorian Home. I woke up and had to go pee in the 'wee hours' (pun intended), and while 'relieving myself', I was relieved that I wasn't leaking bodily fluids from extraneous bullet holes in my body, and all my new windows were in tact.

Trying to get back into the 'slipstream of life' on my end, after chatting with mom this evening, I decided to tune in and tune out with DirecTV with the Food Network and get a bite to eat in my kitchen during viewing, before bedtime. Well...it's more of the same-old-same here as of late. The snowfall here was so thick this evening and the satellite receiver went down concerning the weather completely just before any broadcast on any channel became 'blocky and blurred'.

The local Seattle weather forecast is predicting rain to wash away any new fallen snow. I've heard that before, recently, and IT DIDN'T HAPPEN. I've been here 14 years, and this is the most harsh and miserable Winter I've ever endured in Seattle.

On the other hand, on a left-handed note, the handsome bearcub that found me irresistible in my leather chaps that I wore, that I took home from CC Attle's last night during the bear-beer-bust, kept me warm all night long and we played together most of the next day naked in my bed.

....Actually, yes I can complain, still. Damn weather!

The Beginning at the end of Sloat

2009-01-01T22:55:00.000-08:00

The journey back to San Francisco started here, and it was a week spent in paradise amongst family and friends. I haven't posted anything here recently, as I've been lost reliving the memories of recent days gone past.

More to come soon, once I get off my 'silver cloud'.

Cubby

People In Motion

2008-12-22T23:39:00.000-08:00

Bayview Limo picks me up in exactly 4 1/2 hours. Takin' the red-eye back to San Francisco for Christmas with my ex-. I'm so looking forward to this trip, and to see him again.

I did the big substitution, concerning. I substituted a small Caesar Salad for the fries, and forewent the flowers in my hair for Hein Gerrick German made leather chaps and Wesco leather logger work boots. ....should feel right at home, yes?

Scott McKenzie-San Francisco:

http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=DspcTcVslsI

BOO-YEAH! I'm outta this frozen tundra!

Cubby

pfff...pfff...testing....123

2008-12-22T00:47:00.000-08:00

During my Christmas shopping at Fry's Electronics in Renton, I bought my own Christmas present for myself.

I had been using the Cambridge Audio speakers on my current computer from my very first computer from Gateway in 1999. Actually, I was astonished with the sound, until several months ago when the left channel decided to give up the ghost and die on me.

I bought the replacement uber fancy Altec Lansing surround-sound speaker system with subwoofer at Fry's for myself. I'm catching up with computer technology. Big flat screen monitor and a sound system to match have been added.

I put one of my favorite childhood songs by Tanya Tucker to test my new sound system on YOUTUBE. I found out early on to hold on to your beer bottle off the desk with the 'loudness' button turned on and the bass pumped on FULL.

Testing station:

Tanya Tucker, Blood Red and Goin' Down:

http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=5cG-2bbVvBQ

It's like being 12 years old again with your first stereo.

Cubby feeling like a kid

Cabin Fever

2008-12-21T13:50:00.000-08:00

I haven't experienced cabin fever in years. At least as a kid back in the day, I could always go sledding in the snow.

I'll be able to go to work tomorrow. I am not driving, period. If you've read far enough back in my BLOG, you know that I received my first moving violation in 21 years a couple of weeks ago. I'll have the ticket deferred, however, I need a clean driving record for one full year before the deferment period is satisfied and reached. Chancing it driving in all this new and additional snow is a gamble I don't want to take. Receiving a new citation, will void the deferment, and I get both sets of points on my license and I'll be responsible the full amount owed on all tickets. ...see my point?

I made arrangements with Brian, the owner of the coffee shop that I've been working on his new location. He's driving a new all-wheel drive Subaru Impreza, and is picking me and my tools up tomorrow. We'll make a run for some supplies and I'll be able to hook up all the machinery and set bathroom fixtures, tomorrow.

The space has really transformed nicely, and they may be able to open for business shortly after all the final inspections for plumbing, electrical, and occupancy are passed. That is, if the city inspectors are actually out in the field driving in the snow.

I'll snap some photo's tomorrow, and post them.

Later on today, I'll mozy down the block to my best friends house. There's a six pack of Sam Adams in the bar fridge that I'll tote down with me. She's been busy sanding bedroom flooring, and a beer break is a good thing.

Tis the Season...

2008-12-20T17:29:00.000-08:00

This has been the coldest in a really long time here in Seattle. The snow was fun at first, but it's becoming troublesome to get to work anywhere and pipes have been freezing and bursting all over town.

I received a call from a neighbor up the block who has NO water to their entire house. The main water service underground and under their driveway has frozen solid. I haven't run a pipe thawing machine since my apprenticeship days as a plumber, and never intend to ever again as it involves digging up the front lawn by the meter to connect one of the clamps like in the drawing, plus I'm not fond of mixing high amperage electricity and water in the first place. I referred her to a larger company that likely has thawing machines.

Tomorrow, on holiday/Sunday rates, I have a burst pipe in the basement of one of the cottages on Lake Washington Blvd that I replumbed last summer. The existing copper water main split just above the dirt floor in the unfinished basement/cellar. The tenant turned off the water at the main for the evening.

Still haven't heard a peep from the client on Capitol Hill concerning his frozen hot and cold lines feeding the upstairs kitchen and downstairs tub. I'm assuming they're still frozen like everything else in this town.

All hell's gonna break loose once it warms up a bit above freezing.

LIKE A ROCK

2008-12-19T22:54:00.000-08:00

A cowboy knows his trusty steed, and how 'she' handles in the curves and on the high plains. Whether it be a rodeo competition including the barrel race, or on the city streets in rough weather, I can always count on 'her'. A trusty truck or a trusty horse is no different.

It was akin to Christmas today with my client with rough weather and icy snow covered streets in Seattle, and I as "Santa Plumbing Bear" arrived in my steadfast and trusty Chevy K5 Blazer four-wheel-drive instead of my usual plumbing truck, with tools and materials loaded within like Santa's sleigh.

My 1991 Chevy K5 Blazer Scottsdale Edition is nearly 18 years old, now. It has just over 96,000 miles on the speedometer, still with the BIG EXTRA ZERO in front of that number. And, just like the kid that I was, my 'toys' were always very well cared for, and my K5 Blazer looks as if it had just rolled off the Chevrolet dealership showroom floor, yesterday. Occasionally I'll get a hand written note placed under the driver's side wiper blade with a phone number, "Do you want to sell it?!".

My K5 has nothing to worry about. I haven't seen anything at all that could replace 'her' pure utilitarianism, nor trustworthiness. Nor, could I ever find a more beautiful truck, and on a side note, that makes me feel, look and drive more BUTCH.

If you're intending to buy a truck/new truck....BUY A CHEVY. It'll never let you down. It'll be more dirty and sweaty than you'll be by the end of the day.....AND ASK FOR MORE!

Like A Rock - Pretty Chevy Trucks:

http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=tivyvb0seI0

Cubby, the lover of the "Chevrolet 'bowtie' Blazon"