Zonker's World

Been a Long Time...

2010-02-15T17:17:00.000-08:00

Too easy to just throw a short phrase up on Facebook instead of putting together a blog post. Here goes some catch up from fall on. It is all about the greenhouse I built last fall and worked in today for about an hour (well maybe 15 minutes of it was a nap in the sun...). I was actually sweating in there even though the high today was 37. And all I was doing was weeding and removing some old plants not like I was digging a ditch or anything! I did also pick a nice salad for dinner tonight. Still have a couple lettuces, carrots, beets, herbs, plus some of the bokchoi and tatsuta that have not gone to seed. In the pictures are a lettuce bed already replanted with more lettuce, tonight's salad, the beds out from the floating covers (the greenhouse is not heated but has survived below zero nights on its own), it under construction, and one with snow all around.

Still Waiting

2009-07-21T06:22:00.001-07:00

The birds are still commandeering our back door. And now they hold a constant vigil with a constant chirping too. Not bringing food to the nest yet that we can tell and not sitting on the nest all the time as I just saw them switch off sitting on the wire watching. I was too slow to get both the mom and dad bird at the same time. They both were there, then one scooted over close to the one that just landed, then took off as I pointed the camera. We sure would like that door back someday!

Scene from a Scout camp

2009-07-11T19:09:00.000-07:00

A bottle of water, a cot for a bed
Perhaps a bottle of Benadryl instead
We'll get a tent far from the street
In a totally unfamiliar place...

That is Blondie the squirrel who frequented camp quite a bit. The last visitor was a young bear after family night who must have liked the smell of Papa Jojn's pizza. After campfire and the rain, the kids went over hill and dale back to camp to startle the youngster that was checking out the trash that didn't get picked up in the earlier run. All in all a good week. Rain every day but at pretty convenient times and short each day. Only a few injuries. The weird one was 7 scouts from all around camp all in sick bay at the same time with a swollen eye or two on Monday. Our one kid of the seven had his swell completely shut. Doses of Benadryl and detox showers and back to camp with them all. Next we had a kid that had to go home after throwing up most of the night Tues. Another camper (not our troop) was choppered out Wed night with an apparent appendicitis. Thursday Ben fell off his horse when cantering but was not hurt. Friday John fell jumping a ditch with not as much luck and took a chunk out of his knee that bled rather well. All are back home and crashed in their beds. Think I will too.

Off to summer camp!

2009-07-05T08:47:00.000-07:00

The boys and I (first time for all three of them) are heading out for summer camp at Peaceful Valley Scout Camp. Do to work and a lousy back, I'll only be staying a couple of nights to show the other leaders the ropes and get Ben and John started off okay. For once we are not scrambling at the last minute to pack. We must be forgetting something!

The Things we do

2009-07-03T08:55:00.001-07:00

We tend to let the yard go natural whenever possible and this vine is pretty cool so we've let it be over the years. Well it decided to cover our back light, but no biggie. Then while we were gone on vacation the back door (shown) no longer was left open all day for the woofus to go in and out at her leisure. With the quiet, a bird decided to nest in the jungle on top of the light. No harm and we came and went out the door. Until one day when the bird panicked and coming off the nest about hit Lauri. So now for the bird's sake (and ours), that door is off limits and we go around. Poor missy still waits to go out that door while the one over at the sun-room is sitting wide open, but old habits are hard to break. Maybe when the babies fly we can get our door back!

Spring hits Colorado...

2009-04-19T18:06:00.000-07:00

Right after snowing for three days straight I might add. Within an hour of the snow stopping it all had gone away and everything was green. Amazing what some moisture will do. Inspired by the weather and Home Depot having a 2 for 1 plant sale today, we decided it was time to finish the plant boxes. That meant finding the vermiculite in huge bags to make my "Mel's Mix" soil for the boxes. Mel is the author of Square Foot Gardening. With the vermiculite found we mixed it with peat moss and several kinds of compost (1/3 by volume of each) then filled the boxes. Our annual Robin pair that had been checking out nesting areas earlier in the day, decided to see how the hunting was in the boxes. To finish the gardening for the day (and my back too), I planted 3 blackberry bushes and 2 blueberries and mulched my 5 apple trees that even though they have been neglected are all doing rather well. Maybe this year I will get more than the one apple I have had the last two years!

My New Favorite Device

2009-02-21T08:56:00.000-08:00

I've been stymied in getting music from iTunes to the main stereo due to the wiring needed. But no longer! I was introduced to the Apple Airport Express by a guy at work and confirmed by Sam the Apple geek. Get yours here -> http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB321LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDA0Mg&mco=MjE0NDc0OQ though I got an open box one on eBay for $30 less. By easily replacing the home wireless router (it will do in addition as well), with this tiny device located next to the stereo, all I had to do was connect a stereo cable from it to the stereo auxiliary input. It really is small, only 2" x 3"! Now any computer in the house can play through iTunes to the speakers in the living room or kitchen or both! That replaces the old iPod that was connected to that amplifier which would only work with a remote control as the touchpad quit working a year or two ago. Now that that iPod is liberated, I may have to attempt to fix it again. Last time it worked for a whole week before giving out again. Note that it even does wireless N so it has huge speed increase and twice the distance of G as well! I plan to use them for wireless at our new building. Then we will be able to play music in the big conference room from someone's pc without having a computer hooked to the stereo in there. One more note is that it can connect up a usb printer too to make a network printer without attaching to a PC and sharing to all. Apple really does make some great stuff.

Sign of the Times

2009-02-08T09:56:00.000-08:00

This last week I was interviewing for interns at work. I contacted the local community college to see if they had a program and they sent me 5 candidates that were about a year or so into their degree program in technology. Of the 5 , 3 were older than me and I consider myself getting up there! The three were all trying to break into a new field after doing various other things for the last 30 years or so. Knowing that this experience will make a real difference when it comes time for them to get a full time job, I feel like I hold way too much power! In the end I went with one of the older three as they seem more eager to do anything even if it is carrying equipment during our move three weeks from now. That and the experience working however distant the field, seems like it will be helpful during the crazy times coming up.

The view from the new office

2009-01-07T20:41:00.000-08:00

Here is my soon to be view in our new building. Yes it is a parking lot but that is actually better than my current view of the side of the shipping and receiving building. Of course at least I have a window and not cube walls! The big excitement today was 4 of our 17 sky lights were put in. They are huge. Something like 4'x4' each. They let in a lot of light, hopefully not much snow...

And here is the actual office. Note that the wall to the right has the Mile High Sports Bar on the other side. I hope they play good music!

And the snow cometh..

2009-01-04T14:45:00.001-08:00

This is the Dufus telling me it is time for the walk, or to be fed. We didn't work on the circumnavigation of Palmer Park as I jinxed it by mentioning that it was snow free before. We got a couple of inches of snow and it was 0 degrees wind chill this morning when I could no longer ignore missy and got out of bed. I usually sit at the computer and see the headlines while she does her best to get me moving. I gave in as usual and then went for the 30 minute tour of the neighborhood.

Update on How to Beat a Cough

2009-01-03T14:17:00.000-08:00

The answer is elderberry cough syrup within 24 of taking it (2 teaspoons every 4 hours), the cough had dimished 80% and within 48 hours I coughed no more. So much for burning it out which just drug it out another 2 weeks. So now we know.

Views from Kinnikinnick

2009-01-03T10:13:00.000-08:00

Here are some shots from this morning's hike with the dufus. This was our third day on the Kinnikinnick trail. We have been taking advantage of the long holidays (Thanks USA Cycling) and the lack of snow on the trails to try and cover the whole Palmer Park again. Two weeks into it but will need several weekends after going back to work to try and finish up. I doubt the snow will hold off but we'll just see. Not that we can't hike it in the snow (that's when we first did it), it is just easier to recognize the trails when they are not covered.

Keeping the Streak Going

2009-01-02T07:35:00.000-08:00

No not the continual playing of Ray Stevens' "The Streak" but taking the motorcycle out for a ride on Jan 1. Didn't go too far as it was quite windy which translates to chilly. Just to work and to the new building so about 20 miles. That helps keep the carburetors from gunking up. It had only been a couple days since I rode it so not needed for the carbs but just for the streak.

Carpet is going in at the new building and it is looking pretty finished in places. As it is 300 feet long, some of the building is further along than the rest. Certificate of Occupancy is supposed to be Feb 5th. By the time we get furniture and stuff after that, it may be Mar 1 before we actually start working there.

Best New Music for 2008

2008-12-28T13:14:00.000-08:00

Not that I call myself an expert, but from the CDs and mp3s I bought this year, here are my favorites. Note that I probably only bought 5 or 6 2008 releases!

Top Songs:
Sundays - Counting Crows Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings
If I Die Suddenly - John Mellencamp Life, Death, Love, and Freedom
Without a Shot - John Mellencamp Life, Death, Love, and Freedom
God Bless this Mess - Sheryl Crow Detours

Top CDs:
John Mellencamp Life, Death, Love, and Freedom
Sheryl Crow Detours
Metallica 12/18/2008 Live
Rush Snakes and Arrows Live

Live Metallica

2008-12-28T13:04:00.000-08:00

I may be a little behind the times but I discovered this site the other day where you can get each Metallica show for download. It started with a great review of an LA show a week or two ago and bam next thing you know I had bought it. Fantastic, I must say. http://www.livemetallica.com/default.aspx

A Great Present

2008-12-28T13:00:00.000-08:00

Here is another one of my presents. It is a shuffle holder that keeps the wires from getting caught on anything. I have worn it while climbing under the car and all around outside without catching a wire and ripping the headphones out of my ears. Quite cool. Get them here -> http://arriva.com/

Somebody likes me...

2008-12-20T12:05:00.001-08:00

Or just is sucking up really well! My three IT employees got me a Logitech Harmony 880 universal remote for Christmas. Man am I stoked! I wanted to get one but would never have gone that high up on the model scale myself. Now if I can ever get a chance on the TV, I am going to try it out! See it at http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/detailsharmony/US/EN,CRID=2084,CONTENTID=9933

How to beat a cough

2008-12-20T07:35:00.000-08:00

I am of the reasoning that taking it easy when you are sick only prolongs the agony. I think you should make the bug as miserable as you can to get rid of it. Lauri might think I'm insane but I still take the doofus out early for a jaunt so that I can cough up a bunch of junk in that brisk 10 degree air. This morning we even went for the hilliest part of Palmer Park so I could get the old heart rate up and break a sweat. Take that you lousy cough! Now to see if I get well or end up in the hospital. Either is fine, just no wallowing for me.

Found it

2008-11-28T10:32:00.000-08:00

Think Hogwarts enchanted ceiling. You can go buy me one here. Even the wall picture would be nice, I like the ocean one.

Decisions...

2008-11-28T09:33:00.000-08:00

Trying to figure out what I want for Christmas and I found the ultimate geek item, A plant twitter kit. Basically your plants will twitter you when they need water. That sounded like a great idea until I figure that the plant would start out like: "Hey its me the 3rd geranium from the west wall and I'm getting a bit parched - thanks." Then it would be: "Hey what's a plant got to do to get a drink in this joint?" And "The banana leaf thingee is hogging the sunlight again", or "The bouganvilla is poking me with those mighty big thorns it has".

I guess I'm still looking.

Thwarted

2008-11-28T08:04:00.000-08:00

Yesterday while hiking at Palmer Park with the hineyness, I thought it was time to once again do a full park hike over many days. I like to do it when it is cold and generally miserable so we don't run into someone complaining about the dog off the leash. Two years ago we did it over 6 weeks but there was snow most of the time and this year I found that some of the trails didn't seem familiar any more. So I decided to do the rounds of the 737 acres that is Palmer Park again. Because of the mesas, there are three times the normal trails as would fit in that area. One at the bottom, one across the sides, and one at the top of each mesa. Add in all the connecting trails and there must be 50 miles worth. Someday I will get a pedometer and find out! Anyway, it snowed last night so this morning it was a walk in winter wonderland but decided to wait on covering the lesser traveled trails. We did one of our usual trails and put the first steps in the snow except for where a trail crossing was it looked like a dozen rabbits had gone though each way. Tomorrow I should remember to bring nuts and seeds for the birds as they were making quite a racket this morning.

Not too bad of a Monday

2008-11-25T05:36:00.000-08:00

After starting off so cold, by noon it was in the 50's and just right for playing tennis without a warm up suit. Even broke a sweat. Then last night Lauri and I went to see Jesus Christ Superstar. It was amazing. The lights kept making Ted Neely look bald on top which was weird. For an old man he still has an incredible voice. He even talked to the crowd for a couple minutes afterward. Highly recommended.

Brrrr

2008-11-24T05:34:00.000-08:00

While taking her hineyness for the morning ritual, the weather says it was 16 degrees with a wind chill of 5. Even running part of the way didn't warm me up. Nice waning cresent moon out there though you could see the whole moon even if only a sliver was lit up. Miss Dofus de Do do Head (her other name) didn't like one street I was going to take this morning so did her usual routine of jumping up and mouthing me to say I was going the wrong way. I learned that about a year ago. It took several times before I figured what the heck she was doing.

History

2008-11-23T17:55:00.000-08:00

The old blog is gone - long live the new one!

Blog has been removed

Sorry, the blog at billbog.blogspot.com has been removed. This address is not available for new blogs.

Dilemma

2008-11-23T10:46:00.000-08:00

Found the old blog at http://billbog.blogspot.com/. Now what to do? It seems that it was July 2005 when I last posted to it and since I spelled blog wrong in the name of it, I guess it goes bye-bye!

The view

2008-11-23T08:05:00.000-08:00

Still thinking about Zihua - time to get studying Spanish again to get ready for another trip there one day.

Time to start again

2008-11-22T09:07:00.000-08:00

They seemed to have lost my old blog since I hadn't posted to it for two years or so. What is up with that! Now I have a new place to post not much of anything. This time last year we were in Zihua. "So many nights I just dream of the ocean - God I wish I was sailin' again" Grif