Wichi Dude

GEEK CARD GOES GLOBAL

The GEEK card is still in jeopardy.  Dudette and I bought a GPS Nav. system the other day in preparation for a trip.

TRANSCENDMENTAL MEDIATION

or the zen of lawnmower maintenance.

STORMY WEATHER

The weather today was overcast and rainy.  OK...a bit of lightening and thunder thrown in.  I guess that is important in this.

SPEAKING OF THE DRYER

We've test driven it a couple times since it was set up earlier this week.  And...

NO "WHEELIES" PLEASE

Having ridden a motorcycle before, I tend to pay attention to fellow riders.  Road courtesy and respect, that sort of thing.  Come Spring, I tend to be even MORE attentive for riders.

Bogie posted on the new ride she got.  Riders are out there.  LOOK for them.  One of them may even be a friend or relative.

And when you're looking...

DRYER TIMES COMING

We got our new washer not too long ago.  At that time we decided to hold off on the dryer as the old one was still working just fine.

THE THINGS YOU HEAR...

and say at a restaurant.

For those easily offended, skip this.  It's a little rude, but the shock value was worth it.

Be warned and *click*, or not.

NOTHING BUT...

goofy critter stuff here.

MEMORIAL DAY

It is a day to remember those known and unknown.  Those that make posting a blog like this possible.  Where the freedom, amongst others, to say what you think, one way or the other, is allowed.

Yet, to a lot of people today is just a three day weekend.

Me, I remember...

THE "WHAT" KEY?

A friend of ours that seems to enjoy gracing the world with some of the most unusual happenings, shared with us yet again.

BONSAI TIME

Weather, wind, and temps have given me the hint it was time to move my trees outside the garage.  So, off they went.  Sort of.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

Happy Mothers Day to any and all of the mothers out there, whether you heard from your "kids" or not.  (I talk to mine every day, she knows.)

So, lets start a list and why:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CK

Happy Birthday to CK today.  She is a quarter century old.

DUDETTE'S NEW BOX

Dudette got a new computer ( a couple weeks back...yeah, I'm still behind the times here).  She's been using my "old" computer since her "old" one decided to start failing fast.  Not too good of a trade off though.

GOING TO ANOTHER CONCERT

This weekend the Blue Man Group is playing in town.  Taking Dudette to see them.  Should be a show.  I'll let you know about it later.

Concerts happen.

LIGHTS OUT...IT'S EARTH HOUR

Turn them off and be part of something special.  8 o'clock.  Be there.

Dark happens.

HE 'WHAT'???!!!

I heard a story today that was worth listening to.  Of course, I know of the people involved.  But still...WOW!  You'll see why.

TEST TIME SCHEDULED

CK and Chew came over to night.  We ended up going out for dinner.

CONGRATULATIONS TO CK

This needed to be posted, so here it is...

BUSY WEEKEND

Tonight, Trans-Siberian Orchestra is in town and the crew is going.  That would be Dudette, CK, Chew and myself.  Should be a great show.

Then...

BELATED THANKSGIVING FEAST

Normally we enjoy Thanksgiving like most people, on Thursday.  Not this year.  We did it tonight.

ROAD TRIP

Final approval came through on some training.  I will be traveling to the Great Lakes region soon.

SPEAKING OF MEDS...

CK let us know today she passed her certification process and, once she gets her certificate, she will be a Certified Med Aide.  That should make her work happy.  She will be certified to dispense meds to her patients.

WOO-HOO!!  Go CK!  *warm round of applause for the kid*

A little closer every day happens.

AND ON A LIGHTER NOTE

Since the accident, I mentioned things Dudette and the kids have done for me.

Well...

STILL ALIVE, BUT HURTING

Short version (not enough energy to get very verbose).

Dey indeed "pimped my 'rist".

KIND OF QUIET

I have not had much time to put together the form letter yet.  Not really in much of a mood for it despite my grumping.

SLICE N' DICE SCHEDULED

Dey gwin' pimp my 'rist!!!  Homey.

TRUCK CHECK TIME

Even though I know this will flip out Bogie, I have to mention it.

Tomorrow I will be taking the truck in for its 30K check-up.  Yeah, I know, it's about time.  After all, the truck IS almost 4 years old.

Miles (finally) happen.

I'M AT IT AGAIN

As some of you may remember, I just changed positions (two earlier posts) at work.

I may be doing it again.

ALL DRY

I mentioned the windows leaking.  And I mentioned the wonderful reception I got when they called to set up an appointment.

Well...

AHEAD BY A NECK

In case you were wondering, my neck is doing much better.  Just a few tight spots but no real pain.

WATER,WATER, WHAT HAPPENS

I mentioned all the Water we had come in through our "new-er" windows.

Well, we heard from the makers rep.

WATER, WATER, EVERYWHERE

I forgot to mention the storm we had Monday.  As if my neck wan't bad enough to worry about.

AND THE SIDE EFFECTS MIGHT BE...

contradictory.

Dudette took me to the clinic yesterday to get my neck looked at. 

OW...OW...OW...OW

Pulled a muscle in my neck this morning.  It is cramping and twinging despite ice.  Took over 20 minutes to put this up.  And I go back to work tomorrow.  Oh joy.

Pain (is) happening.

MORE WEEK

Thursday I headed out to run some errands.  I won't bore you with the details.  Lets just say that an hour or two run started around 8, and ended after noon.  With very little to show for it.

ABOUT THE WEEK...

let's see...where to start.  How about...

QUICK POP POST

Just stopped in to say that "Bright Lights: Part 1" is up on Storyman.

Had that sucker all edited out and ready to go a while back.

HAPPY 4th of JULY

Everyone have a happy and safe 4th.  Celebrate Independence smartly.

COOLEST THING

I forgot to mention this about yesterday.

I MUST BE FEELING DIRTY

hey there little ....WHAT?  NO!  WAIT!!  Wrong beginning for that title.

GOTCHA!

I've been cleaning stuff since starting vacation.  NOT reading or writing like I said I was going to do.  Go figure.

NO BABY PICS

Sorry to all those out there hoping to see pictures of the baby turkeys.  Dudette hasn't seen them again.

And, possible bad news.

STORY EDITED AND UP

Alright.  Finished rereading the story and making some minor changes.  Amazing how much your spelling can improve over a period of time.

Anyway, I didn't hear any complaints about including the submissions to the story, so they are at the bottom of it.

Hope you enjoy rereading it as much as I did.  You can find it on "Storyman".

Rewrites happen.

ALMOST THERE

To do the Bright Lights series right, I pulled up the very first story that introduces the main characters.  And that is where I started my work.

MILE STONE FOR ME ANYWAY

I was digging through the site today looking for stuff and noticed....I have over 900 posts up.  Now....to make it to 1000.  The 1K mark is a goal now.

Don't hold your breath though.  It only took me 4 years to get this far.

Time happens.

THEATRE TIME AGAIN

Tomorrow starts the beginning of theatre time again.  The first show for the season was a sell out.  Sales went so well, they added a few more shows to the end of the season.  That's only happened a few times.

Must be a HOT show.  I look forward to seeing it.

Shows happen.

SPEAKING OF HELP

Dudette's assistant is back to work this week.  She looks good and is feeling better every day.

She likes SM also.

Staff happens.  (the working staff that is)

THE NEW HELP

Dudette's new help, I'm going to call her SM (short for Swiss Miss), seems to be working out very well.

VISITED AN OLD FRIEND

on the 'net today.  They have pulled the plug on an their site.  They had good reason.  But they did grace me with an e-mail to say hi.  Hopefully, they will stay in touch.

Gone happens.

FREAK HAPPENINGS (again)

I never run out of stuff to talk about as long as some people are around.

AN ARMY OF ONE

Dudette looks to finally have hired another person for her department at work.  Which is good.

Now for the bad news.

CATCHING UP FOR THE WEEK

For those that missed the previous post, with the car discussions and carpooling going on, I have been kind of tied up this week.  I didn't realize HOW tied up till I started reading the blogs and found out how far behind I was.

Before I post, I always read my "R.O.B." (run of blogs).  So I was shocked when I noticed most posts I read today originated on Monday.  That's a bit more than I planned on being behind.

I even missed that Venomous Kate tagged my post on "Sud".  I am honored.  (She even wished Dudette a Happy Birthday.  Cool, huh?)

I guess,

busy happens.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

a

DUDETTE!!

What more can be said?

Birthdays happen.

GOING FOR THE SILVER

Anniversary, that is.

Wichi and Dudette are amazed and thrilled to be celebrating our SILVER ANNIVERSARY today.

Kewl, huh?

PARTY TIME

Friends of ours invited Dudette, CK, Chew, and I over for a party last night.  (One of several parties they throw each year.)

This one was for Cinco de Mayo.

HOW FAR BEHIND AM I?

Very far behind.  That's how far.

Late on Thursday I was notified I got the job I tried for at work.

A BELATED BIRTHDAY WISH

Once again, I am behind the eight-ball when it comes to birthdays.

This late birthday wish goes out to Cop Car.  I know I missed it on Friday.  Sorry.

Will you forgive me?

Birthdays happen.

NOT SO FUN TIMES

Did the Wine-Fest thing this past Saturday.  Very busy.  Afterward, Dudette, Ck, Chew, and I went out to eat.  By the time we got back home, it was way late.

Planned on posting Sunday, on a lot of stuff.  But that was not to be.

BELATED BIRTHDAY

Yesterday we celebrated CK's birthday.  Nothing too special, just her, Chew, Dudette and I, went out to dinner.  Best we all could do as schedules weren't working out well for all of us.

Still, it was nice to grab a last minute get together.  It was a lot of fun even if rushed.

Birthdays happen.

SAW THE DENTIST

today.  Not exactly a wonderful time.  I needed a root canal done and a crown replaced.  Because of the time needed to do these procedures, I took the day off.

LONG WEEK

It has been one of those weeks that seemed to never end.

Not only did it go on forever, but it rained most of it.  I don't think the two had anything in common other than sharing the same days of the calender.  But it sure seemed like a conspiracy.

KIDS MOVING

The kids have found a new apartment.  They start moving this weekend.

Well, they start moving this weekend, after signing the papers tomorrow.  If all goes well, they will be stealing my truck to lug a bunch of stuff over to the new place on Saturday.

Don't know if I will be there at the moment.  Still waiting to see if we work this weekend.

Moving happens.

BANQUET

The yearly banquet has once again come and gone.  I thought it went pretty well.

The theme this year was "The Oscars".  Presentations were delivered much like the Oscar ceremonies and there was even a contest built around the theme.  Everyone could fill out an "Oscar" ballot of who they thought would win in all the categories, the winners will get movie passes.

A BIRTHDAY

If you are bored or just want to check out a new blog, then pop over to Martie's Place and wish her a Happy Birthday.  She is the mom of another friend blogger, Happy Heathen.  Nice lady.  Both of them.

Neat people happen.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year!!!

Celebrating or not, I hope every one has a FUN, and SAFE New Year.

Remember, you're not the only ones out on the roads.  Come home safe, I'm not done annoying you yet.

Best wishes happen.     See you all in 2007.

AND WE WISH YOU A

Merry

Christmas!!

From all of us.

Holidays and Cheer happen.

GET TOGETHER

Tomorrow, we are having CK and Chew over for Christmas.  Nothing too fancy.  Some breakfast cinnamon rolls, opening presents, then hanging out and having an early dinner.

Dinner isn't too fancy either.  Light holiday fare of turkey, rolls, mashed potatoes, cranberry jelly and maybe some green beans.  Yeah, like you bought that "maybe" part of the green beans.

I'll let you know how things turned out if I am still awake enough to post after eating.

Holidays happen.

OH, THE NOISE

Still under the weather.  Yesterday was kind of a fog.  Kept losing hours at a clip.  Never went to sleep mind you.  Just one minute it was this time, then it seemed like I took care of a 5 minute project, and it was an hour or two later.  Made for a short day.

Today,

WAXING AND WEATHER

While on vacation during the Thanksgiving week, I decided to get the vehicles ready for the winter weather.  Other than the "once every 4 - 5 month oil change, whether it needs it or not", I washed and waxed both beasties.

And apparently, not a moment too soon.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE!

Hope everyone has a great day, no one gets hurt playing football, and the leftovers are small.  Don't forget to drive carefully out there.

Holidays happen.  (lets keep them happening.  KK?  K.)

FEST UP(DATE)

Anyone who hangs out here on a regular basis, knows I mention Wine Festivals all the time.  Not only because Dudette and I work them, but because they raise money for various charities.  And, they educate everyday people about a great number of wines, what they are like, how they taste, what they go good with, how much they cost, and so forth.

Of course, we add the education of responsible drinking in the mix as well.

To show the impact such a fun and educational venture produces, this years numbers are in.  For the four charities that benefit from the events, a total of almost half a million dollars was raised.

Not too shabby.

Not too sure which the bigger event is; the one raising the money, or presenting it to the charities?

Events happen.

FUN BRUNCH

Ck and Chew invited Dudette and myself to brunch today at the local Granite City.  Never been there for brunch.  So we decided to go.

We've eaten at GC several times before and like both the food and the atmosphere.  And the brunch is a buffet set-up with the traditional fair of food.  The biggest exception being they will make Eggs-Benedict to order with 7 different styles to choose from.  And, they deliver HUGE cinnamon rolls to the table.

ANOTHER 'FEST DONE

Well, another Winefest is done.

Dudette and I headed out Saturday afternoon and it was tough going at the start.  Jabara was having their air show and once again, we watched the jet and the prop flying together.  Riveting.  And, as Cop Car mentioned in comments in the previous post, I'm guessing the prop was flying flat out, and the jet was idling.  Still, to watch them fly like that is awesome.

FESTIVAL TIME AGAIN

Once again, it is Winefest time again.  Dudette and I are heading out to do the KC Winefest this weekend.

So I will not be available for a few days.  Like anyone would notice.  Since I haven't been posting much lately anyway.

That is soon to change though.  Work is slowing down finally.  Looks like I will be working "normal" hours for a change.  At least for a while.  And with that, I should be a little more rested and have the time and energy to post more.

We'll see.

The real world happens.

MET WITH THE CONTRACTOR

The contractor we use stopped by today to meet with us about some repairs we are wanting done.  Just a couple windows and a door to start out with.  Then on to the deck, slider, and maybe the master bathtub.

"KILLER CLOBBERED" READS THE HEADLINES

I posted pictures of Killer on the side bar and talked about CK's new addition here.  She takes that silly kitten everywhere.

Anyways, she stopped over for a visit Friday night.  Killer was perched on her shoulder.  She had a good time visiting.  We put Killer out in the grass a few times.  Being primarily a house kitten, the grass messed with him.  A jet passed over head and Killer bristled up at the noise.  As the jet passed, he settled down.  I'm guessing he figured he scared the plane away and took pride in it.

SOME HAPPENINGS AROUND THE HOUSE

Some of the stuff we have been talking about and working on around here is for the future.  Dudette is working on pulling together a series of books to plan for retirement and "in the event of..." stuff.

I MADE A PROMISE...

Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you've no doubt heard that Rob "Acidman" Smith passed away a month ago.

That said, I promised I would post about him from my point of view.

If you don't know who I am talking about, stop here.

If you do, drop down at your own risk.

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING (SHORT VERSION)

Since no one yelled, wanting to know what I've been doing, other than still breathing, I'll give you an idea.

MEET KILLER

CK and Chew have a new addition to their household.  And I thought you might want to meet Killer, the new kitty.  So I will add some pictures to the side bar for a better look at the puffball.