It was zero degrees here this morning. It is about 15 now. I just finished running some errands and was pulling into the garage.
I noticed 'smoke' around my roof and thought, ugh, the furnace is running. Closer look. It is steam coming off the roof from the melting snow. Steam! 15 degrees! I need to get solar heating on my roof so my furnace does NOT have to run!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Minnesota Gophers Mens Hockey
Julie Elias had tickets to a University of Minnesota mens hockey game at Mariucci Arena. They were box tickets for her husband's company.
Julie, Jenny Batten and I went. We had a blast. The game was exciting....it ended in a tie with University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs.
We learned the Gopher fight song. The band and student section was right below us. The students never sit down during the game. They all looked like they were have a great time.
Jenny gave me my birthday present. Yes, my 50th birthday celebration keeps going on. Jenny made a book of the pictures from Cozumel trip. A book! She used Shutterfly which is an online photo tool. The book is so cool.
Julie, Jenny Batten and I went. We had a blast. The game was exciting....it ended in a tie with University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs.
We learned the Gopher fight song. The band and student section was right below us. The students never sit down during the game. They all looked like they were have a great time.
Jenny gave me my birthday present. Yes, my 50th birthday celebration keeps going on. Jenny made a book of the pictures from Cozumel trip. A book! She used Shutterfly which is an online photo tool. The book is so cool.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Made it home
Really not any different time-wise from any other Thursday night flight home. Would have thought with the snow may be the flight would be cancelled.
So far American hasn't managed to leave Dallas any where near the scheduled time. Took off about 8:30pm (supposed to leave at 7:20pm). Landed about 10:45pm. Sat on the ground forever again.
Arrived home to about 12" - 16" snow drift in backyard. A LOT of snow to shovel.
So far American hasn't managed to leave Dallas any where near the scheduled time. Took off about 8:30pm (supposed to leave at 7:20pm). Landed about 10:45pm. Sat on the ground forever again.
Arrived home to about 12" - 16" snow drift in backyard. A LOT of snow to shovel.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Spring is springing
It was 77 degrees when we went out to lunch today. There are trees that are starting to bloom already!
It is supposed to be in the 80's tomorrow.
It is supposed to be in the 80's tomorrow.
Monday, February 23, 2009
No surprise - Dallas again
Another week in Dallas/Irving.
My India-based replacement is also in Dallas. I'm training him to take my place.
There are three India IBMers in town now. Last week I took them to the Texas Book Depository and grassy knoll so they could see some US history.
My India-based replacement is also in Dallas. I'm training him to take my place.
There are three India IBMers in town now. Last week I took them to the Texas Book Depository and grassy knoll so they could see some US history.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Nissan Altima
I picked out a black Nissan Altima this week. I can say "picked out" because I rented from National again.
I actually thought it was the same vehicle that a co-worked had rented a few weeks earlier. Turned out he had a black Nissan Maxima. They look exactly alike - inside and out.
This Altima had keyless entry and start just like the Maxima did. You get this enormous fob. Actually you get two. And the key chain has note attached that if you lose the fob, it is $250.00 fine.
To unlock the car you have to have the fob and you just touch a small rubber piece on the door handle. Touch it twice and all the doors unlock. To start the car put your foot on the brake and push the start button. Took me a couple of seconds to figure it out but there is an idiot light/indicator/icon that shows this.
The Altima is very fun to drive. It has great pickup from standing still and getting on the highway or passing.
The steering wheel telescopes in addition to adjusting up and down. The gauges are easy to read. The trunk release button is not well indicated. The gauges were too bright for me so I was looking for the adjuster. What I thought might be it turned out to be the trunk release. The little trunk picture isn't visible until you push the button down.
I opened the trunk while I was waiting for the National attendant to finish my checkout. I couldn't get out of the car as I was pulled right up to the side of the kiosk. I had to stop on the street, get out, and shut the trunk.
I eventually did find a knob/stem to adjust the gauge intensity.
I liked the Altima. It is quiet on the highway but when you step on the gas, it is tuned to sound kind of like a Mustang...big, powerful engine noise.
I actually thought it was the same vehicle that a co-worked had rented a few weeks earlier. Turned out he had a black Nissan Maxima. They look exactly alike - inside and out.
This Altima had keyless entry and start just like the Maxima did. You get this enormous fob. Actually you get two. And the key chain has note attached that if you lose the fob, it is $250.00 fine.
To unlock the car you have to have the fob and you just touch a small rubber piece on the door handle. Touch it twice and all the doors unlock. To start the car put your foot on the brake and push the start button. Took me a couple of seconds to figure it out but there is an idiot light/indicator/icon that shows this.
The Altima is very fun to drive. It has great pickup from standing still and getting on the highway or passing.
The steering wheel telescopes in addition to adjusting up and down. The gauges are easy to read. The trunk release button is not well indicated. The gauges were too bright for me so I was looking for the adjuster. What I thought might be it turned out to be the trunk release. The little trunk picture isn't visible until you push the button down.
I opened the trunk while I was waiting for the National attendant to finish my checkout. I couldn't get out of the car as I was pulled right up to the side of the kiosk. I had to stop on the street, get out, and shut the trunk.
I eventually did find a knob/stem to adjust the gauge intensity.
I liked the Altima. It is quiet on the highway but when you step on the gas, it is tuned to sound kind of like a Mustang...big, powerful engine noise.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Eyewitness News
So I'm just working at my desk in the sun room and...BAM....car accident right in front of my house.
This big SUV was going the wrong way on my one-way street. Driver has slammed into a parked car across the street.
I grab my cell phone and call 911. I also head out front to see if driver is okay. There are already two people helping and another on a cell to 911 also. The 911 operator finishes with me very quickly. I figure she's already figured out there is another call on same incident.
Driver is talking and looks fairly okay. The airbag did not deploy even though she ended up demolishing the Taurus she plowed into. The Taurus was pushed into the small SUV parked behind it.
Meanwhile there are two other vehicles that she has hit on the way. One lost its front fender and the other has its rear bumper ripped off. And from some vehicle is an entire wheel in the middle of the road.
There are plenty of people helping so I head back in the house. Paramedics arrive. Police arrive. I think the driver ends up going with the cops. Flat bed comes and takes away big SUV. I didn't see the Taurus get taken away but it was.
The other wrecked vehicles are still here on the street. Not a pretty site for the owners.
This big SUV was going the wrong way on my one-way street. Driver has slammed into a parked car across the street.
I grab my cell phone and call 911. I also head out front to see if driver is okay. There are already two people helping and another on a cell to 911 also. The 911 operator finishes with me very quickly. I figure she's already figured out there is another call on same incident.
Driver is talking and looks fairly okay. The airbag did not deploy even though she ended up demolishing the Taurus she plowed into. The Taurus was pushed into the small SUV parked behind it.
Meanwhile there are two other vehicles that she has hit on the way. One lost its front fender and the other has its rear bumper ripped off. And from some vehicle is an entire wheel in the middle of the road.
There are plenty of people helping so I head back in the house. Paramedics arrive. Police arrive. I think the driver ends up going with the cops. Flat bed comes and takes away big SUV. I didn't see the Taurus get taken away but it was.
The other wrecked vehicles are still here on the street. Not a pretty site for the owners.
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