I got a headache.
That is all.
shhhhhh…I don’t want to jinx it, but I see blue sky patches and sunlight!
Some things don’t deserve answers… 
And regarding your birthday, since you never personally told me when it is and ensured that it’s on my calendar, what, precisely, do you expect of me? Hmmmmm?
Nope, no grumpy pill - just in a mood.
My roommate has declared a West-Wing-A-Thon this week. We’re only on the second season, but I’ve got it on the brain. 
I sort of figured that because this is the third year straight that I had to remind you that July 31 ought to be a National Holiday, somebody would have written it down. It’s not my job, since I have the day firmly ensconced in my psyche.
“Oh, shut up!” would have worked for me…
Well, dang, kai, how the heck did I miss the meaning of Mud Slinger?? I blame the humidity. And the Republicans. And training meetings. And the price of tea in China, while I’m at it.
My brother suggested to us that having a home equity line of credit would be a Good Thing. Since my bro is a CPA and has been the CFO and CEO in various companies, I figure he’s kinda money smart, so we decided to go ahead and get ourselves a line. Which means we have to have the house appraised. So the guy is coming over on Saturday morning. I’m not concerned at all - houses around here have sold for way more than we paid for ours, so I know we’ve got more than enough equity for the amount I requested.
Got an invite in the mail today for a surprise b-day party for the aforementioned baby brother - he turns 50 next month. But if we go, we gotta be able to spend the night at Mom’s because the party doesn’t even start till 5, and it’s over 2 hours away. But we’ll probably go. At least I know there won’t be a polka band like when my sister turned 50. That party was way too weird for words.
Lessee, what else - I’m waiting for the HVAC guy to arrive. We’re getting an estimate for a new system, since ours is the original installation and I don’t trust it to last another season. Plus 30-year-old technology ain’t the most energy efficient. So that’s today’s excitement.
That, and I’m doing laundry. Woohoo!
Is it Friday yet??
May I remind you that those of us of advanced years have occasional memory issues?? As you’ll soon discover…
Geez, why are some people such babies about birthdays?? Guess I need to learn to make balloon animals or something.
grump grump grump
Did we get an extension on National Stoopid Week? Because this afternoon I have gotten three calls from three separate companies. We are the authorized US distributor for X Corporation, not just for sales but also for installation and repair. There’s one in Hawaii, and another up in Ontario for Canadian sales and repairs. That’s it, no other.
So why do I keep getting phone calls that sound like this:
Me: This is Sean at Technical Thingies. Can I help you?
Stoopid Caller: Hi, we’re a distributor for X Corp, but they told me to get a quote for part number 12345 from you.
Me: Strange, I thought distributors got that information from the manufacturer. Customers get the quote from distributors, like us, Technical Thingies Inc.
SC: Can I get a quote?
Me: Yes, I provide quotes to all customers.
This is fun for me. I come across as politely confused, yet infuriatingly helpful. It’s either that, or yell obscenities into the phone (I save that for after I’ve hung up.)
I’m polite
I didn’t know you could do that on a potter’s wheel…
[Jack Nicholson voice]You want excitement?!? You can’t handle excitement!![/JNV] We just got the first estimate on a new Trane. ::We need a fainting smiley:: Be prepared.
I know a good HVAC system will cost a few bucks, but I figure with reasonable efficiency, I’ll save a lot in electricity, which will be a return of sorts on the investment. But it’s not like I have a choice - with our humidity, we’d be suffering without AC, and the wood stove only heats half the house.
Good afternoon all. I am newly re-CAC’ed.
What a pain. First the system didn’t like my left finger print. Whatever, I re-did it a bunch of times. Pressing to hard on the reader, too high, too low, too hard. At one point, I was barely touching the damn thing. Anyway, after getting my picture taken, verifying info, ad infinitum, the new card turned out to have a bad chip or something. So…we had to start ALL over again. Again with the left finger print issues, then they had to take my picture two more times after the original. The original was no good due to bad card, the second picture had too much hair in my face :rolleyes:, finally the third one was a go.
I left my office at 9:20 and didn’t return until almost noon. Geeze.
**Bobbio, ** I won’t be here on the 31st to propery wish you a Happy Birthday, so here goes.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUUUUUUUUUU!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUUUUUUUUUUU!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR BOBBIO!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!
**Sean, ** here’s a HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
For all of you that were concerned. The yellow jacket (or wasp) nests have been DESTROYED! Damn pesky things. Professional, schmessional…we’ve been destroying wasp nests for years.
Swampy, I’ll be singing to you on Friday, since I am leaving Saturday for CA-LI-FORNIA.
I better do some work now. I need to ensure all my security certificates were properly installed.
Leave it to the US military to take a good idea and CAC it up real good.
We’ve been trying to take more data, but there is now a recurring problem with reading it off the buffer or something and it all comes out as garbage. I still have to write that abstract. Two hundred words shouldn’t be that hard.
FCM, my grandfather was an HVAC engineer, although I don’t think he was licenced in Maryland. Oh well. Plus he’s retired now.
Well, lessee - it’s 4:25. Our appointment was at 4. So far, I’m not impressed with this company, despite what everyone has said about them. They’ve got 30 minutes, then we’re gone - we’ve got another appointment at 5:30 and it’s a 30-minute drive from here.
GRRRRRRRRR!
When we replaced our furnace we got a good Rheem. rimshot
Which got me to thinking about what their motto could be:
Everytbody needs a good Rheem doesn’t seem like a good idea.
Anyway, I looked them up and it seems to be * Relax it’s Rheem.*
FCM, We berthed next to a very classy ocean sailor one time called, IIRC The Ginger Lady. She was wood though, with lots of teak. I’ve put your naming conundrum into my subconscious to see if anything interesting falls out.
In case I don’t get back here until Monday, Happy Birthday to everybody who needs it.
I haven’t been around all day because I got the opportunity to go to the Opening Day at Saratoga Racetrack. It’s my first ever time to the races. Taxi and Ex will know what I’m talking about. Anyway, I probably spent about $20 all told, admission was free, but between gambling and buying water and cotton candy I made it up to $20. On the last race, I bet on a WINNER! And won $9 back. So not bad at all.
The fish is some kind of fish called a porgy. I have no idea.
Thanks. I was beginning to think everyone only thought the fish was cute. 
Kidding!
Oh, goody, another near-geezer to pick on! Hi Bobbio!
I, too, am from the don’t-name-the-food school of thought. And I thought Carl was cute. But the sushi was cuter. Oh…and Mika and Carl were cutest, of course. You look all proud of yourself!
Glad you’re doing better Jahdra. Loved the kitty pics. Especially the hiding one - not sure why, since you can barely see her.
Nice to hear the Cherry family is on the mend. And happy birthday to the Boy Wonder.
So are ya gonna name it Mud Slinger, FCM? Are ya? Are ya? ::Looks expectantly in the direction of Maryland::
Taters is going to California?! Did we authorize this?
Sorry about the headache, MBG.
I got home a little after 4:30 and sacked out on the couch for an hour. Then I read for a while. Then I took another nap. They I read some more. Then I had a nutritious dinner of Ritz crackers and chocolate. No, I am not kidding. I’m still groggy. Guess I’ll go back to my book till I fall asleep again. I’m reading the latest Janet Evanovich (12 Sharp). I was getting kinda bored with Stephanie Plum, but this one is much much better than the last few.
Back later if I don’t just sleep through the night…
GT
Ya know, it’s strangely quiet in the ol’ MMP when our dear Swampus Bearus isn’t around to post.
Well, I’m home. Two more days of work, then it’s VACATION TIME! I’m so looking forward to it.
Hubby went to lunch today with my MIL and niece. He had himself some blue cheese burger thingie and a Flat on Your Beak, followed by a Sand in Your Shorts. He’s now slightly subdued and tired looking.
Today it was supposed to be cool. HAH! It’s 88 degrees out. Still, it’s better than 100 degrees.
MBG, I hope your headache is gone.
FCM, did the HVAC guy show up? Nosy folks like me wanna know.
That’s all I’ve got. Oh, wait. The hubby’s replacement phone arrived today, so I need to switch out the battery and SIM card and hopefully, all will be golden.
Well, HVAC guy showed up, looked at what we had, and discussed our options. He’s gonna fax 4 estimates to FCD tomorrow - 4 variations on a theme. We’ll call a couple other places, too, just to see how they stack up.
Anyway, once he left, we went down to check out the marina, and decided we really like it. The owner is a great guy, the facilities are bare-bones - no pool or showers, but we got a great slip and it’s a do-it-yourself boatyard, so we can haul out and do our own work if we want. So now all we have to do is get the boat.
So now I’m home. And tired.
Is it Friday yet??
I haven’t read everything, because you guys have created two pages of chaos while I was out.
It’s hot.
I do not think it is possible to do ballet shimmy sideways while doing sharp vertical hip drops. It is not possible. On the bright side, for the first time ever I can sort of do backwards released figure eights. Also I have been informed that in the next few weeks we will be lighting the candles on the damn headpieces. I am not up to really dancing with real fire on my head. Someone else can do it, and I’ll watch.
Tomorrow is the first day of the Beaches International Jazz Fest. There will be about 2 hundred thousand people on my street. And in front of my work. Oh, joy.