So this isn't the update on life that I promised, and it isn't really about valuable life lessons, but it was quite an adventure. I wanted to blog about it when it happened last week, but time flies and here I am a week and a half later hoping I can to it justice...
Last week (on Wednesday) in Oakland, I learned that it is possible to spend 30 minutes putting 2 gallons of gas into a car. Not possible, you say? That's what I thought...
I made a quick trip to Oakland for one of our clients. On Wednesday, I was kind of out of work and getting a little anxious to leave, so I left the office at 2:30--almost 2.5 hours before my flight--for the airport (I was working 3 miles from the rental car return, I was already checked in, and I wasn't checking a bag--this was ridiculously early). I figured I'd fill up the rental car (we don't get reimbursed if we let the rental car place fill it up...lame), return the car, and get through security early enough to sit down to a decent lunch and still have time to do some sudoku before I boarded the plane.
At the gas station, I hesitate before pulling up to the pump because I realize I have no idea which side the tank is on. I generally pick the driver's side first (this has always worked for me in the past). So, I pull up to the pump, get out, realize I was wrong, get back in, and make a nice, wide (embarrassing) u-turn to the other side of the pump (+1 minute).
In the midst of my turn, I almost run over the teenage salesman who had decided to stand in front of the pump. I smile, trying to apologize for almost hitting him, but he takes it as an invitation to begin his sales pitch... After letting him begin to tell me about their "special, free promotion," I let him know that I'm in a rental car and I can't take what he's selling on the plane with me (+3 minutes). I probably should've let him finish, but I was really looking forward to my lunch and sudoku...
So I'm all set to get my gas (it must be noted here that the machine accepts my credit card/zip code without a problem), I've selected the fuel grade and everything. All I need to do is pump the gas, but when I hold down the handle, nothing happens... There's no resistance to the lever, and when I hold it down all the way, no gas comes out. After trying a few times, the disappointed salesman walks over and says, "Oh yeah, I think that pump has been having problems. People keep trying to pump gas and end up going inside to talk to the guy..." Awesome. Maybe if I had been nice to him, he would've warned me earlier (4 minutes).
I take the salesman's advice and go inside. I wait for two people to pay for their hot dog and gas. When it's my turn, I tell the man behind the counter about my problem. He looks at the register and says "Everything's okay on pump 5. It's ready." I explain that I've been trying. And then he amazes me with his response, "Well, you have to push the handle for the gas to come out..." Really??? Is that how gas pumps work? (+6 minutes -- this guy was in no hurry)
Realizing that the clerk is going to be no help, I decide to switch pumps. The little salesman laughs as I cancel my transaction on pump 5 and move the car forward to pump 6 (+2 minutes).
I get everything set up for a second time: open the gas tank, swipe my credit card, enter my zip code... But this time, the machine beeps at me and tells me to see the clerk. So back inside I go. I wait as someone buys a soda, and tell the clerk that it says I need to come inside. He says, "It won't let you use this card out there, you have do to it in here..." Instead of arguing that it worked earlier, I decide to just comply. Then he asks, "How much?" I tell him I want to fill it up. He holds on to my credit card and sends me back outside. I walk away, a little wary of what he might do with it while I'm gone (+6 minutes).
I pump the gas (FINALLY!!), which amounts to a whopping $4, and go back inside. I wait as the clerk returns to the counter and swipes my card. I sign the receipt, get in my car, and finally leave the gas station (+5 minutes). I took one glance back and I swear I saw the salesman laughing...
I still ended up being early to the airport, but not early enough to eat in a sit-down restaurant. Instead, I opted for a CPK pizza while I did my sudoku :).
Moral(s) of the story: Be nice to the little people (salesmen?); you may need them.... And, my favorite lesson of all: You have to squeeze the handle to make the gas flow!
(Sorry this was so long... I've been thinking about it since I left the gas station and decided it might amuse someone else too.)
Friday, January 23, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
...and we're back!!
I know, the title makes it sound like we went somewhere. I guess we technically did for Thanksgiving, but really I have no excuse for not updating my blog (except, in my defense, I did warn everyone that I would be slacking with the post I made here). I did have a lot of vacation time and work has slowed down (somewhat) so I really have no excuse now.
That being said, I don't really have access to my pictures (I'm on my work computer) and I don't have time to write anything just yet (I'm at work). But since Shane's in the Young Men's presidency now, I'll have plenty of time while he's gone on Wednesday night and all of this weekend! Stay tuned folks...I'll be back soon (hopefully).
That being said, I don't really have access to my pictures (I'm on my work computer) and I don't have time to write anything just yet (I'm at work). But since Shane's in the Young Men's presidency now, I'll have plenty of time while he's gone on Wednesday night and all of this weekend! Stay tuned folks...I'll be back soon (hopefully).
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Prisoner
So, I need to vent... I'm currently working on a client I worked on last year (no names will be named here folks). Last year, I was given an access badge and the ability to work in my own cube and walk to and from meetings at my leisure. Sure, I may have gotten lost once but I never deliberately wandered anywhere I shouldn't have gone. Everything worked nicely and the client even requested that I come back this year because it went so smoothly.
So, here I am. I was given the same badge on Monday and everything was fine. But for some reason, yesterday they decided to revoke my independence!! I now wear a pretend badge that doesn't give me access to anything and must be escorted everywhere. Also, I have to work in the same room as my client contacts, which is definitely an inconvenience to both of us. But really, the worst of the entire situation follows:
So, here I am. I was given the same badge on Monday and everything was fine. But for some reason, yesterday they decided to revoke my independence!! I now wear a pretend badge that doesn't give me access to anything and must be escorted everywhere. Also, I have to work in the same room as my client contacts, which is definitely an inconvenience to both of us. But really, the worst of the entire situation follows:
- I can't be left alone in the room. So, today when the only other person in the room needed to go to the bathroom, I had to walk with him to the breezeway (between two locked doors which I can't open) and wait there while he used the restroom.
- I can't go to the bathroom by myself! To get to the bathroom, kitchen, microwave, etc., I have to pass through a door that I have no access to open. Thus, if I need to use any of the above mentioned items, I have to ask for someone to come with me (and wait, where necessary). And if you know me, I hate asking for things like that...
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Your Vote Counts!!!
In the spirit of election day, I would like to ask everyone's input on a very important matter... You see, last January Shane and I bought a Christmas tree. I think it's a 7-foot tree or something. Anyway, we decided we needed ornaments to decorate our new tree since the mini decorations we used for the 3-foot tree we inherited (stole?) from my parents will seem funny on the big tree. So, we went to Ikea last weekend and bought some decorations. We were really excited about them until we showed them to Tom... He mentioned that our blue/silver color scheme (which makes me think of winter, snow, ice...) made him think we were celebrating Hannukah instead of Christmas.
So, I want some input... If you saw these decorations on someone's tree, what would you think?
First, these in silver and dark blue:
Then, these in silver:
These in white and dark blue:
The white ones of these:
The blue ones of these:
Your comments are appreciated! Remember...every vote counts.
So, I want some input... If you saw these decorations on someone's tree, what would you think?
First, these in silver and dark blue:





Monday, November 3, 2008
Como Los Peruanos...

On Sunday, Shane and I made Peruvian food for Tom, Ashley, Jenny, and the Guthries. To break them into the Peruvian way of life, we made Lomo Saltado (Translation: Tossed Beef; i.e., the dish I ate pretty much everywhere while we were there). I wish I took a picture of the final creation, but it disappeared pretty fast so I don't think there was time to take one. Instead, I found one on the internet. Mine wasn't served with lettuce, the french fries weren't mixed in with the sauce (we had a few complaints about soggy fries...), and we didn't have an Inca Kola to drink it with (you can see it in the background). Despite these differences, I think it turned out okay because I made WAY more than I thought we'd need and there was barely any left. Next time...Aji de Gallina (Translation: Pepper Chicken)! Before they know it, they'll be regular Peruvians.
In other news, I am currently in Black Hawk, CO. It's a little mountain town about 40 miles outside to Denver. I'd compare the town to Park City, but it's lacking a few of Park City's draws: the view, the shops, the food... Pretty much, it's a very narrow town in a really narrow canyon that's made up of 5 casinos/hotels. Sounds fun, huh? I'm up here until I can get my work done. Then I'm catching a bus back down to Denver, where I'll catch a cab to the airport. Until then, I'll just brave the threats of snow...
That's all for now... Halloween pictures to come!
Friday, October 10, 2008
Attack of the killer...
...Bamboo?? So, Shane planted a new bamboo plant in our front yard. It's in a little patch of dirt between our driveway and sidewalk. Anyway, it's definitely thriving.
Last weekend, we noticed two new shoots coming up out of the ground. Yesterday, Shane noticed that the shoots had grown quite a bit so he got out his tape measure (yes, we lead very boring lives when we have to measure our bamboo shoots...). We are now tracking the growth, just for fun. Here are the measurements so far:
Day 1 (10/09, 6:00 pm): 34 inches
Day 2 (10/10, 7:30 am): 38 inches
That's right, it grew 4 inches in just over 12 hours! I don't have any pictures to document this phenomenon, but I'll have to add some once I take them. Until then, we'll keep documenting the measurements and keep you all posted... I'm sure you're just dying to see how fast it grows!
Last weekend, we noticed two new shoots coming up out of the ground. Yesterday, Shane noticed that the shoots had grown quite a bit so he got out his tape measure (yes, we lead very boring lives when we have to measure our bamboo shoots...). We are now tracking the growth, just for fun. Here are the measurements so far:
Day 1 (10/09, 6:00 pm): 34 inches
Day 2 (10/10, 7:30 am): 38 inches
That's right, it grew 4 inches in just over 12 hours! I don't have any pictures to document this phenomenon, but I'll have to add some once I take them. Until then, we'll keep documenting the measurements and keep you all posted... I'm sure you're just dying to see how fast it grows!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Changes...
So, time flew by and it's been a month since we last posted. I know, I know, I'm a slacker. I have been taking pictures with real intent to update our blog. I'm currently on a client where we conveniently have to leave around 5 each day, so I'm loving the free time!
Anyway, a lot has changed around our house, so here are some before and afters.
First, you may remember how excited we were when Shane's bamboo sprouts were about an inch tall...
Well, now the two that survived have 4 shoots each and are a couple feet tall!!! Happy birthday Bamboo...I think you're about a year old.
Next, our mismatched, inherited couches (which we loved and appreciated greatly) were donated and sold (one each)...
...so we could make room for our new couch, Sinclair, and a rug.
Then, with the help of some granite scrap from Excel and some mis-ordered sinks from Linkasink (and a lot of work on Shane's part), we transformed the master bathroom from this:
To this:


Finally, I got a bonus for passing my certification exam, which we decide to invest in some new wood floors (bamboo, of course) for the master bedroom. Here's our old carpet, which looked really nice when we bought the house, but we have since made it quite dirty...
Here's our new bamboo floor (and the installation progress--I needed to give Shane, Tom, and Roy the credit they deserve for all their hard work)...

We haven't cleaned them up quite yet due to another project Tom suggested while we had our room emptied and messy... Can you figure out what it is? Look closely at the pictures above. Still nothing? Here's an old picture from the same place to help you out.
We took out the door and put in a window! One day, while we were waiting for the vapor barrier to dry, Tom, Shane, and I were standing in the doorway looking at the room. Tom asked if we've ever used the door. Honestly, the only time we used it was when we were putting in our other wood floors and could only get into the unaffected portions of the house (the kitchen and our bedroom) through the back doors. We realized it was a waste of a wall and decided that if we took out the door, we'd be able to put our bed in that nook and have tons more space in our room. So we took advantage of the mess we'd already created and did it all at once.
So, those are our changes in the last while. Really, the sink and counters in the master bath have been done for a while and we've had our couch since the middle of August, but I haven't gotten around to blogging about it.
Sorry that we bore you with our house updates. It's just exciting to see how far we've come. It's funny, I keep saying "we" but really the credit goes to Shane and his wonderful father and brothers for everything. I just supervise (i.e. make them crazy with all of my questions and concerns since I don't understand the process...).
Anyway, that's all for now. I promise our next post won't be all about the house... Hopefully we'll have something more interesting to post soon!
Anyway, a lot has changed around our house, so here are some before and afters.
First, you may remember how excited we were when Shane's bamboo sprouts were about an inch tall...
So, those are our changes in the last while. Really, the sink and counters in the master bath have been done for a while and we've had our couch since the middle of August, but I haven't gotten around to blogging about it.
Sorry that we bore you with our house updates. It's just exciting to see how far we've come. It's funny, I keep saying "we" but really the credit goes to Shane and his wonderful father and brothers for everything. I just supervise (i.e. make them crazy with all of my questions and concerns since I don't understand the process...).
Anyway, that's all for now. I promise our next post won't be all about the house... Hopefully we'll have something more interesting to post soon!
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