Well, I dropped the hammer on Thursday and bought a new bike. It's a Raleigh Grand Sport 2005. Aluminum frame, carbon fiber front & rear forks, carbon fiber seat post, and lots of goodies. It's got all the upgraded gear stuff, brakes, shifters, etc. My neighbor is also a biker and he's pretty jealous. That's how I knew I got a good bike., jealous neighbors. :^)
I got a good deal because it's last years model. Plus, since I work with the guy that owns the place I got 15% off of the bike and 25% off of the accessories. Gotta love the good deals.
Anyway, I've riden twice now. Ten miles on Thursday and 11.5 miles today. Today I averaged 16.7 mph. I know this because I bought a computer that attaches to the bike to tell speed, mileage, etc. Like a true engineer, I'll be keeping a running log of my distances and speeds. I'll be a geek later and post my progress.
Updates to come...
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Friday, May 19, 2006
Hail Damage
Wow, did we ever get the mother of all hail storms! I've never seen anything like it. It started really quickly, building for about 5 minutes, until it proceeded to pound us with golf ball (& bigger!) size hail for about 15 minutes. Check out the picture below.
Unfortunately, the storm caused quite a bit of damage. Both of our cars were outside. Currently the damage is estimated at $2800 on Jen's car and $3500 on mine. Of course, we have a $500 deductible on each, so there goes a quick 1000 bucks. Ugh!
The storm also nailed the house. The guy from All-State came out about a week ago. The entire roof, all the siding on all sides, all gutters and downspouts, some screens, and other small stuff all needs to be replaced. We haven't gotten the estimate yet, but I'm guessing well over $20,000 by the time it's all said and done. Of course, another $1000 deductible on that. Nice.
The only saving grace of the whole situation is that I might be able to save on the replacement costs of the house and pay the deductibles. The siding was aluminum, and we're thinking of replacing it with vinyl, which is cheaper. That could be a good $3000 or $4000 in our pocket. It doesn't effect the resale value of the house at all so it's probably a good option. I might also be able to do some of the repair work myself, or at least help. We'll see how the financials all work out.
It was definitely a cool storm, but now it's a pain in the rear to try and deal with everything. Oh well.
Unfortunately, the storm caused quite a bit of damage. Both of our cars were outside. Currently the damage is estimated at $2800 on Jen's car and $3500 on mine. Of course, we have a $500 deductible on each, so there goes a quick 1000 bucks. Ugh!
The storm also nailed the house. The guy from All-State came out about a week ago. The entire roof, all the siding on all sides, all gutters and downspouts, some screens, and other small stuff all needs to be replaced. We haven't gotten the estimate yet, but I'm guessing well over $20,000 by the time it's all said and done. Of course, another $1000 deductible on that. Nice.
The only saving grace of the whole situation is that I might be able to save on the replacement costs of the house and pay the deductibles. The siding was aluminum, and we're thinking of replacing it with vinyl, which is cheaper. That could be a good $3000 or $4000 in our pocket. It doesn't effect the resale value of the house at all so it's probably a good option. I might also be able to do some of the repair work myself, or at least help. We'll see how the financials all work out.
It was definitely a cool storm, but now it's a pain in the rear to try and deal with everything. Oh well.
You Don't Know Jack
Most everybody knows by now that we have a new cat, Jack. We adopted Jack from the city shelter about a month ago (I think). He's a four year old gray and white short hair. Check out the picture.
Jack and Mosby didn't get along so well at first. Basically, Mosby is a spoiled jerk and kept bugging Jack all the time. He'd tackle him, bite him, chase him around the house, etc. Jack would just whine and run away as much as possible. We were wondering if it was going to work out.
Fortunately, Jack has come around and is now just as rambunctious as Mosby. In fact, half the time Jack is the one that initiates the wrestling. Just last night they were going at it on our bed. I think Jack had the upper hand, but Mosby did get a couple good tackles in. All that weight packs a punch.
We have noticed that Jack is immensely smarter than Mosby. Jack figured out how everything works in about a week. Mosby is still working on it after almost two years. Mosby is the "special" kitty and Jack is the smart kid. They're both lots of fun, though.
Hopefully this is it for while on the cat front. Grandma warned us about some lady with 41 cats being arrested. Hopefully I can get Jen arrested if she tries to get another cat. :^)
Jack and Mosby didn't get along so well at first. Basically, Mosby is a spoiled jerk and kept bugging Jack all the time. He'd tackle him, bite him, chase him around the house, etc. Jack would just whine and run away as much as possible. We were wondering if it was going to work out.
Fortunately, Jack has come around and is now just as rambunctious as Mosby. In fact, half the time Jack is the one that initiates the wrestling. Just last night they were going at it on our bed. I think Jack had the upper hand, but Mosby did get a couple good tackles in. All that weight packs a punch.
We have noticed that Jack is immensely smarter than Mosby. Jack figured out how everything works in about a week. Mosby is still working on it after almost two years. Mosby is the "special" kitty and Jack is the smart kid. They're both lots of fun, though.
Hopefully this is it for while on the cat front. Grandma warned us about some lady with 41 cats being arrested. Hopefully I can get Jen arrested if she tries to get another cat. :^)
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Mark Faces the Enemy
Those of you that know me know that I hate mustard with all of my soul and all of my being. Seriously, I think mustard was brought forth from the gates of hell itself. It is the spawn of satan and represents all that is evil and bad with the world....
Plus, it tastes and smells horrible.
Well, my lovely wife thought it necessary to make me face my worst enemy the other day. We were at BW3's enjoying some very tasty mini-corndogs. I had some nice spicy BBQ dipping sauce and Jen had some spicy mustard dipping sauce. Everyone was happy and the corndogs were finished off nice and quickly.
Being the testosterone-infused man that I am, I pointed to the spicy BBQ sauce and asked her what she'd give me if I drank the rest of it. She gave me the "jackass" look and told me that I was an idiot. You know, the usual. But then she noticed the mustard and the wheels started turning. A deal was to be made and Mark was to face his enemy.
The deal was this: drink the mustard sauce, taking as much time as I need. Rule 1: No vomiting. Rule 2: No drinking anything for 1 minute after the last of the sauce disappears. The Reward: A road bicycle (which I've been wanting for about 2 years).
Here's how it went down:
I worked up the courage and tipped back the small plastic cup. I thought I was okay until I tried to swallow. At this point the mustard swooshed around my mouth and throat. I then proceeded to vomit into my mouth and nose. I had to plug all major orifices to make sure Rule #1 was not violated. I then swallowed all of this down and claimed victory. Yes!!!!
Jen then informed me that there was, in fact, more mustard left in the cup. That's when I realized she hates me. What loving wife would make her husband face his enemy twice in one sitting? Mine, that's who.
Anyway, I saddled up again and took down the rest. Gagging all the way, but I took it down.
Then the minute of Rule #2 started up. This is when the burning started. I couldn't tell if it was the mustard of the vomit, but something in my throat and nose was trying to burn off through to the surface. Seriously, it was bad. Even when the minute was up and I got to take a drink it didn't stop. It took a good hour for everything to calm down.
The Result: I get a new bike. I hate mustard even more. Jen thinks I'm a wus.
So I'll be buying a new bike pretty soon. More on that when it happens.
Plus, it tastes and smells horrible.
Well, my lovely wife thought it necessary to make me face my worst enemy the other day. We were at BW3's enjoying some very tasty mini-corndogs. I had some nice spicy BBQ dipping sauce and Jen had some spicy mustard dipping sauce. Everyone was happy and the corndogs were finished off nice and quickly.
Being the testosterone-infused man that I am, I pointed to the spicy BBQ sauce and asked her what she'd give me if I drank the rest of it. She gave me the "jackass" look and told me that I was an idiot. You know, the usual. But then she noticed the mustard and the wheels started turning. A deal was to be made and Mark was to face his enemy.
The deal was this: drink the mustard sauce, taking as much time as I need. Rule 1: No vomiting. Rule 2: No drinking anything for 1 minute after the last of the sauce disappears. The Reward: A road bicycle (which I've been wanting for about 2 years).
Here's how it went down:
I worked up the courage and tipped back the small plastic cup. I thought I was okay until I tried to swallow. At this point the mustard swooshed around my mouth and throat. I then proceeded to vomit into my mouth and nose. I had to plug all major orifices to make sure Rule #1 was not violated. I then swallowed all of this down and claimed victory. Yes!!!!
Jen then informed me that there was, in fact, more mustard left in the cup. That's when I realized she hates me. What loving wife would make her husband face his enemy twice in one sitting? Mine, that's who.
Anyway, I saddled up again and took down the rest. Gagging all the way, but I took it down.
Then the minute of Rule #2 started up. This is when the burning started. I couldn't tell if it was the mustard of the vomit, but something in my throat and nose was trying to burn off through to the surface. Seriously, it was bad. Even when the minute was up and I got to take a drink it didn't stop. It took a good hour for everything to calm down.
The Result: I get a new bike. I hate mustard even more. Jen thinks I'm a wus.
So I'll be buying a new bike pretty soon. More on that when it happens.
Tony the Tiger
I'm really liking my job now that I've been doing it for a few months. It's certainly different than my old job. My last job was concerned with well-defined situations. This job is more about taking everything in from everywhere and trying to make sense of it all. It's quite a bit higher paced.
The latest news is that I've been recruited for a "Tiger Team". A Tiger Team is a team of people that is given quite a bit of leeway to get the job done by whatever means necessary. Kind of like Jack Bauer on 24, except we don't shoot people.... usually.
The team was formed to expedite some parts we're having made for an engine test this next January. I was working on the parts before, so my job hasn't really changed, except that I now have a guy directing things that really knows his stuff. We've nicknamed this guy Tony the Tiger because he pretty much is the Tiger Team all by himself. The rest of us just try to keep up.
Anyway, it's a great experience and I'm learning a lot. These next few months are going to be very, very hectic. Lot's of overtime. Of course, I still won't be working nearly as much as Jen, so I shouldn't complain. I still will, but I shouldn't.
The latest news is that I've been recruited for a "Tiger Team". A Tiger Team is a team of people that is given quite a bit of leeway to get the job done by whatever means necessary. Kind of like Jack Bauer on 24, except we don't shoot people.... usually.
The team was formed to expedite some parts we're having made for an engine test this next January. I was working on the parts before, so my job hasn't really changed, except that I now have a guy directing things that really knows his stuff. We've nicknamed this guy Tony the Tiger because he pretty much is the Tiger Team all by himself. The rest of us just try to keep up.
Anyway, it's a great experience and I'm learning a lot. These next few months are going to be very, very hectic. Lot's of overtime. Of course, I still won't be working nearly as much as Jen, so I shouldn't complain. I still will, but I shouldn't.
Friday, May 05, 2006
Finals are done!
Well, I think finals went okay (knock on wood). The first one seemed the best. There were 7 questions and I had a pretty good idea on 6 of the 7. The 7th one was pretty vague, so I could have done well or not. We'll see I guess.
The second final was more of a pain. There were a ton of detailed questions with lots of room to screw up little things. Luckily, that was the class I don't think I had to do as well in. She's an easy grader, which helps.
Anyway, now it's nose to the grind stone at work. More on that later...
The second final was more of a pain. There were a ton of detailed questions with lots of room to screw up little things. Luckily, that was the class I don't think I had to do as well in. She's an easy grader, which helps.
Anyway, now it's nose to the grind stone at work. More on that later...
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
I'm going in!!!
Well, finals are about 15 minutes away. Am I prepared? Tough to say. There's a lot to know. I'll let you know 5 hours from now how it went.
Wish me luck.
Wish me luck.
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