Fridge Status

When I left for work this morning, the freezer on the new fridge was at about -1 degree. This afternoon, when I got home, it was 38 degrees and had been as high as 41. There may be some latitude on range of the temp sensor in the freezer but 40 degrees is way too much. So I called Whirlpool and we discussed it. It cleared up when I moved the temp control and the freezer kicked in. Until that point, it was basically at the same temperature as the main refrigerator ... which is too warm for the freezer. I said I'd call back if there was a recurrence of the problem and I'm monitoring it. Anyway, I knew everyone would want to hear about this so I'm dutifully reporting it (hehe).

I'm looking forward to going to see Jeff Dunham tonight at the Paramount ... even though I'll be going alone. He's so funny!

Tomorrow is the annual inter-department golf tournament at SaddleBack golf course in Solon so I think I'll take the day off. That means I can stay out later tonight and maybe sing after I leave the Paramount.

Later ...

After The Fridge ...

Well, the new fridge is working great. Interestingly enough, I was talking to my son, Ryan, about this ventriliquist comedian, Jeff Dunham, when I was in Chicago at the Cubs game last Saturday. And I found out last night that Dunham is going to be here at the Paramount in Cedar Rapids tomorrow night (Thursday, the 27th). Quickly checking online, I ordered two tickets for the 7:30 performance. Of course, I don't have a date, so we'll see what happens there ... but I have a ticket if someone shows up and would like to go. Anyway, this guy is just incredibly funny and he has maybe half a dozen different dummies that he uses in his act. Seems like I heard he now has a regular show (maybe on Comedy Central, I'm not sure) ... but it's going to be fun seeing him, even if I just go by myself.

Oh, and I need to report that I turned the dial the wrong way on the freezer so it has been warming up today (I wanted it colder) ... . It's a vertical thing and, in my defense, it seems like turning it so the marker goes "up" means I'm turning the "cold" "up" ... but it really means I'm making the temperature "higher". Guess I need to learn to pay more attention to the markings and less to "human" factors, eh? Well, no damage done ... so it's an easy lesson (and, believe me, I don't seem to get too many of those anymore ... "easy" lessons, I mean). So at least I can smile about it. The old fridge has been "shedding" water as it sits there in the kitchen waiting to be picked up next week (Friday, 10/5) by Alliant Energy. So it surprised me this morning as I thought the new one was leaking ... but it wasn't.

Later ...

3rd Anniversary Signoff

Hi Everyone!

Yes, today would have been the third anniversary of my first date with the (now ex-) love of my life. And, interestingly enough, it's also the day that I've replaced my old refrigerator with a new Whirlpool one from Sears.

A few interesting quotes ...

"Tell me I've led a good life ... tell me I'm a good man."
-James Ryan, Saving Private Ryan

"Somehow, the conversation mentioned your name. And someone asked if I knew you. Looking away I thought of all the times we had together; sharing laughter, tears, jokes and tons more. And then, without explanation you were gone. I looked to where they were waiting for an answer, and then said softly, 'Once ... I thought I did.'" -Unknown

... later ...

... Fall Is Fell ...

Yes, today is the astronomical first day of autumn. And it feels like it ... I think it's only about 50 degrees out there this morning. But it's a good thing ... and yesterday (Saturday, 9/22) was a great day. I drove to Chicago to meet Ryan as he had tickets to take me to a Cubs game (he flew in from North Carolina). We watched the Cubs beat the Pirates 9-5 as they hit 4 home runs (again ... they did that on Friday as well) in the game. I also picked up a Cubs hat and a print of a painting of Wrigley Field that I need to get a frame for (10x20). After the game we went and got a bite to eat and stopped at Starbucks for coffee and talked for awhile. Then I left town and made it out through the 5:00 rush hour but still got back to Cedar Rapids before 9pm (about 8 hours of driving yesterday). What a great day!

Oh, but too bad about the Hawks losing ... they made a pretty good effort against Wisconsin but the offense just doesn't seem to be up to the task. You can only rely on the defense for so much before you really have to put points on the board.

Well, I notice today that my weight is up to 162 ... a couple pounds too high. Have to do something about that but it will be pretty straightforward. Sure makes it obvious how easy it is to gain weight though. I think I've been to Pei's a few times too often in the past month. But they have such good crabmeat rangoons!

Next big project on the agenda is still the roof replacement. I signed the contract and sent out a payment Friday (9/21) to get that process started. I'm guessing they'll order the material and get organized in the next two weeks and I should have a new roof in place by Halloween.

Today I think I'll ride up to Center Point ... it's a nice solid 24 mile ride on a good road. And by 10/7/07 my weight will be back to 160 or less ...

2700 and Counting

Over 2700 miles of bicycle training this year, as of Wednesday afternoon. Feels good but I think some additional training is in order. So October will be "stretch" and "abs" month (hehe). I'm going to be very focused on stretching every day for at least 5 solid minutes with a goal of 10. And 200 crunches per day will be the norm. Why? Well, I don't know ... but I do know this: after having so long having had reasons and goals in my heart for love and happiness with my friend and my woman, I know that I don't have to have reasons anymore if I don't want to. So it's just something I feel like doing ... and I will.

Also, progress on the new roof. It will be installed in the next few weeks. Should be the last roof I'll ever need on this house ... which is the one I intend to stay in for the rest of my life ... alone or not. Should be in good shape with the only upcoming maintenance I can think of being the possibility that I'll need a new water heater soon. But we'll see, eh?

Played our end of season golf tournament today ... not very successful but still a good time (much better than being at work and the weather was perfect).

Later ...

Beautiful Sunday ...

Very nice out today. Spent quite a bit of time outside as I took a nice 24 mile bicycle ride and, after a cloudy and cool morning, the sun was shining and the breezes were fairly light this afternoon at right around 72 degrees.

I did watch Tiger win the Tour Championship. Never ceases to amaze me, just watching the shots he can make. Otherwise, a rather unremarkable day with the exception that one of the contractors I've talked with about my roof was upset when I asked him for a detailed breakout of his bid. It was like I was impugning his honor/integrity or something. All I have to say is that it's a lot of money and I want to know where it's going. I told him that if the other contractors bidding (next week) had the same problem with my request I'd agree with him. But I think I have the right to ask without him asking if I'm questioning his integrity. That question, actually, now makes me wonder if he has something to hide. He could've simply responded "no, I have a policy about not giving out those details" and I would've accepted that, although I will still ask each contractor that bids. Oh, well ... fact is I do like the product and warranty he has and it's likely I'll go with his bid anyway (although I may ask him for a reduction, why not?).

Looks like a slow night tonight, although this week I've made a lot of progress in reading Vincent Bugliosi's book on the Kennedy assassination. Now that guy has some great common sense and knows how to get the facts together and written down. I'm reading the (lengthy and somewhat pedant) section on the life of Lee Harvey Oswald right now. It's very interesting and gives a lot of insight as to why he was willing and able to kill the President. So maybe I'll get through more of that tonight ... later.

Fall Is Fell ...

Sure can tell there's a chill in the air when I've been out recently ... particularly when riding the bicycle. Guess it's only a week or so until autumn officially starts, so that makes sense. Well, next Saturday I'll be in Chicago taking in a Cubs game with my oldest son ... and he bought the tickets! It's great. And they won again today (in the first game) although I think they have another game tonight.

So how 'bout them Hawks? Can't say today's game surprised me too much as they haven't really had a good test yet ... plus the Iowa State thing always seems to add something. Anyway, I didn't see much of the game as I was watching Tiger in the third round of the Tour Championship where he finished setting a 54 hole PGA tournament record of 191 on rounds of 64-63-64. I figure Tiger's more reliable than the Hawks (or the Cubs) at winning and I couldn't see the Hawks game here at home anyway (the part I did see was out at Pei's). Tiger's just phenomenal and I recommend watching him play in the final round tomorrow (televised on NBC) if you are at all interested in golf.

Got a bid on replacing my shingles with an aluminum roof. It's a pretty hefty cost but it's a one-time thing and it actually does add some value to the house, should I decide to sell it before the life of the roof is up (50 year full warranty). Also, I get a 10% reduction on my homeowner's insurance because it's resistant to hail damage and it's fireproof. Of course, the fact that it qualifies for a $500 tax credit as an energy deduction (if completed by 12/31/07) is also very positive. I'll decide soon but I do plan on removing the old shingles to examine the roof for any possible leakage/damage to the plywood before the new roof is installed. I only mention this because it's an option to install the metal roof right over the old shingles ... but I guess I just don't like that idea.

Ryan called this evening and I talked to him for about 1/2 hour. Interesting enough, another researcher out there (at NC State) was using Scott's master's thesis as a reference for some of the work he was doing on his thesis. Somehow this came out with Ryan and he said he'd really like to talk to Scott about some of the mechanical aspects of his paper (Scott's Master's is in Mechanical Engineering). So Ryan obliged by giving him Scott's email address. Pretty small world, eh? But pretty cool that Scott will now be a reference in someone else's thesis.

Dancing at Walford was pretty fun last night but I only stayed there an hour and then went back to the Red Lion to have a drink and sing a few songs. Turns out there was some available dancing there as well, so it was an extra fun evening.

Well, I better get to a bit of practice on some songs before I go out tonight as I'm not sure at all what I want to sing. The latest I've been working on are "How's The World Treating You" and "When I Could Come Home To You" but they're both fairly sad one's and I need to have a few nice pick-me-up or classic standards/oldies in hand to brighten things up ... and put a smile on at least one person's face in the crowd.

Later ...

Rainy Days & Mondays ...

Yes, it's raining today ... and it is Monday. But it's not too bad because it's a good little test for my new gutter covers and they seem to be working. However, it's been quite a gentle rain so I'm not getting the (needed at some time) "downpour" test ... although I'm sure that will come. I also got some Scott's Turfbuilder so I hope to get that put on sometime in the next couple of days.

Got my teeth cleaned today and looks like I'm going to have to get a new crown. About two weeks ago a piece of tooth just broke off. It's on the upper left side. Interestingly enough, I wasn't even eating anything at the time. I was sitting at my desk at work and just felt a piece of "something" in my mouth and it was the corner of that molar. Well, maybe things just start breaking off if you manage to get old enough (hehe).

Anyway, I decided I didn't feel like challenging the elements today so I'm not riding the bicycle. As fall arrives in force, though, I'll focus on an attitude adjustment to ensure that I "enjoy" the cold rides that will start to be standard fare. But I definitely like the hot, humid weather better than winter.

In roofing news, I called 3 different contractors about metal roofing but none of them answered the phone. I didn't feel like leaving a message today but I probably will tomorrow if I don't get an answer when I call again.

Go Cubbies!

Super Sunday

Interesting afternoon and evening yesterday (Saturday). I did end up mowing the lawn and then decided to ride up to Center Point on highway 150 ... well, I thought, the weather is great so why not? For some reason it takes about 40 minutes for me to make it up there (to the Casey's) and then about 45-47 minutes coming back (at least for the two times I've taken this ride). I think it must be a little downhill going up there (north) and uphill on the way back. In particular, there was virtually no wind yesterday so that wasn't a factor.

Then (after a shower, of course) I went down to Union Station and watched the first quarter of the Iowa game on their huge televisions. But it started getting pretty smoky in there so I left and decided it was time for a hamburger ... naturally leading me to Sammy's. After that I decided to head down to the Red Lion as it was near time for them to start the evening's karaoke. Had a pretty good time there and, in particular, I was very pleasantly surprised when, after asking the hostess, Wendy, if she knew the Brad Paisley/Alison Krauss duet "Whiskey Lullabye" she said "yes" and agreed to sing it with me. That wasn't the real surprise ... which came when we started singing. She not only knew it but did an absolutely amazing job ... what a talent! I'll have to see if she'll do more duets from time to time. Then Joe (the harmonica wielding Fed Ex driver) signed up me, him and Dave to do Seven Bridges Road ... he called it the "Let's Dance" reunion as we all used to sing there and that's where Joe first started playing/singing. That was fun.

Tiger's on the prowl today again, looking to win the BMW championship (part of the FedEx Cup) at Cog Hill (in Chicago). I think he's about 1 under after 4 holes and is 1 shot out of first place. I think he's going to win this ... as he is just playing solidly today (well, no risky prediction there, eh?).

Had a nice, smooth bicycle ride this morning and took another look at my roof today. I'm seriously thinking that it's looking poorly (especially on the south side) and I'm going to call tomorrow to see if I can get a bid or two on a metal roof. There's a few reasons for this line of thought. First, the lifetime of such a roof is at least 2-3 times that of an asphalt roof (some have 30-50 year warranties). Second, there's an energy tax credit available of up to $500. Third, there may be favorable treatment from a house insurance perspective (less of a fire hazard as well as much less likelihood of storm damage). Finally, I'm probably going to just stay in this house forever ... but if it's going to be in the area of as short as 15 years or so, there doesn't seem to me to be any good reason for replacing the shingles yet again (even if it's just to sell the place). Of course, the value of the house should be enhanced a bit by the better quality roof too (hope that doesn't result in higher property taxes though!). Well, we'll see what the options are.

And how 'bout those Cubs!

Later ...

P.S. Well, it's later. Nice TV movie day as I watched the ends of two of my favorite movies, Pure Country and Pretty Woman. Okay, okay ... I guess it's true I'm a sap for happy endings where love wins out. Anyway, more important (anymore) is that Tiger did win today and I went out and played 9 holes of golf late this afternoon. This will be an exciting week as I get my teeth cleaned tomorrow and then ... well, who knows what for the rest of the week (hehe). G'nite.

Fridge Woes, Gutter Goes!

Well, I got an email from Sears and they cancelled my fridge order. So I checked it out with them and it's apparently because they ran out of them due to demand (it was a 15% off Labor Day sale). So now if I reorder I'll just get the regular price. Breaking News! Just in the past few minutes Sears called me from the local store (Cedar Rapids) and said they could fill the order by the 21st of the month or so. They'll match the online sale price and I'll even get a rebate on the delivery cost, so it'll be a better deal. H-mmm, I think the online guy must've contacted the store guy after he heard from me and they decided to get something worked out to make me happy. Well, that's a good idea ... and a good deal ... but I still didn't sign up for the extended warranty stuff. That's really not worth the money.

I got some new gutter leaf guards yesterday and spent this morning installing them. Well, for some unknown reason, I didn't order enough to finish the two small sections of gutter above the front door so I had to order another 5 4-foot pieces. Guess I'll finish that up sometime in the next week. But the minor work remaining can be done using only the step ladder so it shouldn't be too tough. I had some leaf guard stuff in the gutters before but it wasn't working very well so I decided to replace it. This new stuff is called GuttaGuard and it completely covers the gutter except it has a curved lip on the outside that lets the water drop down into the gutter (about a 1/8" gap). I think it will work and it was much cheaper than having something like Gutter Helmet installed.

In recreational news, dancing was fun last night (although I didn't stay very late) and I sang a few songs, had a few more dances (at Red Lion) plus had a margarita at Papa Juan's. Tried calling Ryan this afternoon while I was eating lunch at Pei's since his current school (NC State) was on TV playing Boston College. Thought he might be watching it at home ... but no dice on that. And it's very nice out right now ... I should probably get the lawn mowed and perhaps go for a bike ride. Think I'll go down to Union Station to watch the Hawks play tonight at 7pm (I think they're playing Syracuse ... and it's on the Big Ten Network).

Right now Tiger's in the lead at the BMW Championship of the FedEx Cup playoffs. I think the course is in the Chicago area so they have great weather too. And Tiger is smiling ...

New Fridge Ordered

Well, today I ordered a new refrigerator. Wanted a particular Sears model but I talked to them and they don't make that model (meaning no such top freezer fridge at 33" wide). I prefer the wider fridge however to their new widest size, which is 31", so I simply looked online and found that they sell a nice Whirlpool model (highly rated by Consumer Reports, btw) that is 33" wide and, of course, has an icemaker. The icemaker is one of those things that you just don't want to do without once you've had one. I admit it's not as important as a garage door opener, but it's right up there ;) ...

Anyway, I ordered it today because it's a 15% off Labor Day sale that ends today and I thought "what the heck". My current fridge is still working but I don't want to have to buy one in a panic and this thing is at least 15 years old. Anyone out there that wants the old one can have it if you can haul it away. Otherwise, I'll just have the delivery guys take it with them.

The weather is heating up here, at least for September, as it was in the high 80's today and may be about 90 tomorrow. I like it hot ... and this is probably summer's last hurrah. Now I need to think about the water heater, which is 13 years old. It's also probably good for awhile ... but maybe I'll look around at options and deals, along with the most energy efficient units. I guess the only other thing around here is the roof ... although I think this one still probably has a good 5 years left, the shingles are starting to curl a bit, at least in front, and that's not a good sign. Well, I have time to think about that as well ... guess I'll just continue reading my Harry Potter book.

Great Weather For Biking

Well, of course, the weather's great here today for anything outdoors but it's especially wonderful for biking. Just a slight breeze and, at 10 this morning, about 65 degrees with clear, blue skies. So I started my ride and just kept heading north on Highway 150 (Center Point Road). Ended up riding to Center Point and it's much more efficient (and less dusty) on the road than on the trail. Plus I don't feel compelled to wash the bike and clean the chain since it really doesn't get very dirty riding on regular roads.

I stopped in to the first Casey's store there in Center Point and had a Gatorade, then rode back. There was another rider at the store and we met up again just north of County Home Road, so we rode together for a few miles. He lives up in the new area between Council and C Avenue on the NE side of Cedar Rapids and also rode this year's RAGBRAI. In the end it was a nice 24 mile ride ... meaning I can eat a little more today!

After eating at Subway, I'm taking in the 3rd round of this week's PGA tournament where Tiger is now pretty much on fire (with 4 birdies in his last 5 holes) and has reached 2nd place (occasionally alternating with 1st). Seems like great golfing weather as many of the competitors are shooting low scores today. I think this playoff tournament actually finishes with a Monday round, so we'll see how it goes tomorrow.

And on beautiful days like this, a "young man's fancy" always seems to turn, as they say. Well, for me that means memories, of course ... and when I think back on "the one" woman for me, I remember one thing above all others. And I think it's something that perhaps neither of us really understood ... about me. This is it ... every single time I saw her I fell in love with her again, I know that now. And I was never good at waiting for that moment to happen from day to day. Can you imagine? Falling in love multiple times per week (and we're talking the same woman, here, so get your collective minds out of the gutter, hehe)! What a great thing for anyone to experience. And I *know* that's why it was so difficult to accept knowing that she didn't love me anymore. Because that's true, she didn't love me for 6-10 months before she dumped me, even though she never said that in so many words. Whew! It does feel good to understand this detail ... although it's not something that I feel will ever happen again for me. So if you're wondering how it is that you know, really know, whether or not she is "the one" ... think about how you feel each and every time you see her. And if you fall in love every time ... she's the one. As far as the other half of the equation, well, quite obviously I'm not the one to offer advice about what it is that brings that same feeling to her. Just realize that it may not happen for her ... and it *is* hard to take, but life goes on ... really it does.

Interesting Friday Night

Well, what in interesting evening it was last night. I stopped at Pei's for a soda and then decided to go to the new Kevin Bacon movie, Death Sentence. This is really just a remake of Charles Bronson's "Death Wish" from about 30 years ago. Not really a very good flick, but it's one of those shows where justice is done ... even if there won't be many moviegoers that take this in. I rate it about a C- ...

Then I went down to the Red Lion and, lo and behold, who's there but Kohl Packingham. He graduated in Scott's class, I think, and he was sitting there having a beer when I stopped up at the bar. He recognized me right away and we talked for a few minutes. He does electrician work and has been doing that for 7+ years now. He's still very slim and looked like he was doing well. I told him about what the boys were doing and that was about it. Well, I was going to give him their email addresses but when I looked for him a few minutes later he'd already left (I think he went to either Prime Time or Gator's across the street). Oh well.

Then some group turned in 3 song requests for the hosts at karaoke and they didn't know any of the songs, so they asked if I did and would do them. And I did (I didn't know them well, but a song's a song) ... so that was fun. Still have a hoarseness in my throat though ... it's been there since RAGBRAI (I think I posted on this about a month ago) and haven't been comfortable singing since then. I think maybe I just need to get more sleep.

H-mmm, well, I was asked (again, that's twice this year) if I was gay. Apparently this question comes up in some people's minds because I seem to almost always be out without a gal. All I can do is smile.

... later.