DanLog the ramblings of Daniel Pettit

This is how Lauren was as I headed out the door to go to my mom’s, obviously not up for a jolly time. She ended up regaining consciousness about an hour later, and joined the festivities. This is how she ended the evening

The bounty was piled high by the tree. But what on earth is in that big blue box? It turned out to be new microwave for Grandma from the grandkids. I was surprised that they got it and a bit worried that mom wouldn’t like it, as her microwave was not broken and it was much smaller. Turns out mom wanted a white one to go better with her new decor but would never toss a perfectly good appliance. As for the size I quickly ran an analysis and concluded it shouldn’t be a problem, “I mean really who the hell actually cooks a turkey in a microwave”? Anybody what to buy a 40 lb microwave?

My sister Renee was taking pictures with this crappy little disposable camera for some reason today. Later in the day I found out that that camera was my present or more accurately the photos of street mattresses contained within were mine. She had been snapping them for the last month or so in her travels in South LA county. Now that gift is right up my alley (intended) and a total surprize. Deviating from my published wish list is treacherous territory, given what a persnickety bastard I am. However she braved the stormy waters with great skill. Can’t wait for my stained goodies.

In the afternoon Lauren and left to pick up her friend Barbara and then headed over to her parents for a steak dinner.

All the photos

I managed to install the sliding door today dispite it being too wide. After routering the sheathing flush the opening was still about 3/16″ too narrow. A few well placed sledge hammer smacks nudged one of the 2×4s over just a tad. Once I routed off the excess sheathing again, I had just enough room to slide the door in. I flashed the opening, laid a bead of caulking around the perimeter and set the door in and nailed it in place.

I finished up with spray-foam insulation on the inside. I ran out of caulking so I couldn’t get anything else done today. I felt like relaxing anyway due to the dizzyness.

Today it was even warmer than yesterday, in fact is was a little too warm working up on the spag roof. The tide was real high with some decent surf. Got some decent pictures of the ocean before and after work today.

I was continuing on my rewiring project at spag today, clear, warm and calm. Finishing up as the sun was going down and the light turned amber I suddenly was reflective on what a perfect day it was here it is December 15, the sun about to set and it is just the right temperature for short sleeves. No slight chill and no sun beating down on you. While in Minneapolis, where my GM just returned from it is below zero.

As I packed up my tools I noticed the setting sun refecting off the plate glass windows of all the hillside homes in spyglass and Newport Coast to the south. They converged in a simmering bright orange light that looked like the hillside was on fire. It was quite stunning. Too bad I didn’t have my camera in tow. I didn’t have time to climb down to get my camera and climb up again. I’ll have to remember to try again some other day.

Tonight Lauren and I went to the Renaissance at Dana Point restaurant to see Lauren’s high school friend Deanna sing. She is in a local blues band called Savage City. The show started at 8:30 and we left around 10:30. They are really good. There were 9 musicians backing her up. About the only thing missing from the show was a smoke filled room. Deanna really has stage presence, you’d think she has been doing this for 20 years instead of a few.

Here are couple video clips (you need RealPlayer): Clip 1 Clip2

All the photos

We arrived at 7:30 to have dinner, it also guaranteed we’d have a good table for the show. The menu is fairly limited especially for my antiseafood self. So I ordered a filet mignon. Now keep in mind where we normally eat Cheescake Factory and Claim Jumper, when my meal arrived (quickly BTW) it was an attractive arangement of my 8oz steak, one dollop of mashed potatoes in a starburst pattern and small patch of carrots and squash. It seriously looked like a diet plate, as portions go. So I took my time and savored what little food I had. It wasn’t long before I was done, however surprisingly I was satisfied, the predinner bread and beer no doubt helped. Not stuffed in the least but at least I wasn’t still hungry. However it wasn’t much of a value at $25. One third the amount of food for twice the price. The value ended up coming from the “free” show. Lauren ordered a chicken salad something, she didn’t like it much.