A fluff of fur

Yes, that is Skippy, on his perch, sleeping. The grey fluff in the middle is the tail hanging over and the white are the back feet. He likes to sleep on top of this tall cabinet. The plant is fake so at least he doesn't eat it or hurt it. Probably pretty dusty up there except we put a towel up there for him to sleep on. He is our baby after all.

Later,
JH

Mobile computing

I have entered the world of mobile computing. I am now the owner of a BlackBerry. The first thing to do is figure out how it works as a phone. Maybe because I have been working on computers for so long but I have always resisted technology upgrades. I took me a long time to get a new laptop. I always just wanted a cell phone that was a phone. But Mrs. wanted a new BB so why not get the two for one deal. Anyway, lots of things to figure out I guess. Twitterberry, Facebook, email and that phone thing. I am sure it will come in handy. Wonder if I can blog from it, hmmm, might have to look into that.

Later,
JH

Lunch time

Today we met some friends that are moving to SC this weekend. Jamie is a Food Network junkie like some of us. So, we ended up at Valencia Luncheria which was featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dive. Pictures of arepas, enpanadas and ceviche are above. Everything was great. Took a menu with us as it may become a new takey outy spot for us. Pics are by cell phone, forgot the good camera.

For DC, here is the play by play. Top pic is a sliced pork arepa which Mrs. had, she really liked it. She even added some cilantro sauce to it.

Next is a ceviche which had a nice note of orange. Quite tasty.

Last pic is a carne machada arepa and a chipotle pork empanada. Both could have used more spice but both the beef and pork were tender and moist. There was a nice fresh made chipotle sauce on the table which I did add. Also had a bowl of rice and beans, also good. The corn cake was moist and not too soft.

With the fame of DDD comes the crowd. It is a tiny place with maybe 7 tables. Lots of people getting take out and all the tables were full the entire time. Will definately go on the list for takeout.

Later,

JH

Heading change

You probably didn't notice. The heading changed, yep just three more weeks till the whole process starts again. We are going to have to ice again a bit early. That means the ice installation will start around the 1st of September. A couple of cleanup project prior to the compressor going on. Our scraper blades are still in Canada at this point as well.

Everything will get done and then it will back to the cold, windowless environment that we all love so much.

Later,
JH

Moose Hunting

Skippy on the porch

Oh, what is that, is it a moose?

A MOOSE! I will catch it and bring it to you.

Okay, so not quite. Skippy likes to go to the screened in porch at night. We always kid that he is hunting moose. Well, he does get to visit with the deer that seem to inhabit the back yard. Nice six point buck sitting about 15 feet from the back door.

Skippy spent about an hour just staring. The big brave hunter that he is.

Later,

JH

Hard at work

I have achieved 20 years at my current job. I guess that is pretty good except when I look at Dad who retired from three different occupations.

For my 20th I get an extra week of pay which as we say around here is better than a kick in the ass. Would have been nice to get an extra week vacation which I always seem to run out of right about now.

So, 2 years as a programmer at an insurance company that doesn't exit anymore after college. Also spent the summer after college working at my normal summer job since Dad was laid up with a bad back and I wanted to be home to help out. Then onto the Bell system which was a job to retire at but then the original breakup occurred. Stayed for a year after that at AT&T communications then got "recruited" to the consulting firm that now employs me. Nine years total at Bell which got me some kind of pension if I remember and they can find me. Probably enough to buy a loaf of bread a month when I retire.

I am actually kind of a "youngster" in the current firm. Most of the folks have been there since the company formed in 1985. Some where there in the prior iterations as the whole thing started in 1959. They have not been there since the beginning but for some time before 1985. Original founding father Oskar Morgenstern founded the whole thing from Princeton.

Anyway, looking forward to retirement someday. Got to keep buying those powerball tickets to speed up the process.

Later,
JH

Vacation over

No posts from another country. The intarwebz were really slow in Canada. Maybe the chill in the air was slowing down the electrons. But it was a lot of fun.

Fishing was average. No problem catching walleyes and had a nice shore lunch. Did catch a really nice smallmouth and lost a largemouth right at the boat. Did well the day we went out for northerns. No pictures as didn't want to mess up the new camera. Should have taken the point and shoot with us on the trip. Next year.

The weather was good, a little rain here and there. Definately cool, only one day in the 70's really. Lots of wind a couple of days.

So back to the grind. Yankees game tonight then off to the Plainfield picnic tomorrow. Off to NJ for a meeting on Monday. Good to have a couple of days to jump start the brain before work starts.

The border was interesting this year. On the way in it was an hour line up to get through. Friday afternoon traffic and such. Wanted to know the name of the person we were going to visit. Also asked if we had our luggage which doesn't always make it. On the way back really no lineup at all, maybe five minutes. No strange questions.

Oh yeah, and the Phillies decided to bury the Mets while I was away. So all in all a nice time.

Later,
JH