Not a fan...

Lama Lover's computer was overheating recently. The culprit? Most likely cat hair, animal dander, or lama hair stuck in the internal cooling fins. Like any good engineer would do, I decided repair it myself. "All I have to do is get in there and simply blow out the dust!" That's ALL I had to do? RIGHT! That's like saying we're just going to gather a couple pounds of rocks and some dust samples and then explain that the rocks and dust are on the moon. This picture shows what it takes to get to the fan and "simply blow out the dust."

Ridiculous! Just to get to the cpu fan! Thanks to you, HP for attempting to make sure owners can not accomplish simple upkeep on their own devices. This computer was clearly designed to fail so the customer would either have to pay somebody to fix it or so he or she would have to buy a new computer. Luckily, I had enough beer, another computer to find how-to's on youtube, and a lot of patients to disassemble the entire computer to get to the clogged fins.

Felis Cumpleanos

Felis Cumpleanos, Miata Guy!

As  you are officially closer to 40 then 20 now may you find comfort in the words spoken by Benjamin Franklin, "At 20 years of age the will reigns; at 30 the wit; and at 40 the judgment."

 Here's to the next decade in your life, may it be filled with even wittier jokes than the last decade.

A decade reflection from Miata Guy: "I raise my glass of ale to you! With this ale crafted so, a year ago this very day, it is only until now ready to ring in the new decade as the old one is gone and missed by those who were not blessed enough to know Miata Guy in his twenties, and remembered by those who had a hand in the craft in not thy ale in hand, but a hand in the craft of the life of Miata Guy. For an ale so sweet and smooth after a year of days, the crafted self is now refined and palatable after another decade of years in the life he has been giveth"

2012 Resolutions

I'm surprised how quickly New Year's resolutions are forgotten. A month into the new year, and weeks have gone by since I've heard anyone mention the subject. Even the media seems to have abandoned the idea. Of my family and friends many don't even bother making resolutions. They exclaim, "What's the point when you'll just disappoint yourself in the end by not accomplishing any of them!?!" Why are we so quick to be defeated?

For many years now, I've always thought about resolutions. My list, like many, would include weight loss, eating healthier, saving money, and reducing stress. But they were just thoughts that never turned into action. This year I decided I am going write a list and keep myself accountable for each item. But what to put on the list? I don't want to set myself up for failure! Looking at the most popular resolutions Americans set, I realized how self centered are most people's resolutions. Most of them seem to provide solutions for the following questions: How good do I look? How much money do I have? What big vacation or luxury item can I buy? When did our society become so egoistical?

Below is a list of my resolutions. For every self center item on the list I attempted to include one item that would help others (human or animal) or the environment. Although the very first item is self centered, and some of the others are as well, there should be a balance of selfish and selflessness by the end of the list.

• Continue to exercise (cardio workout, as in pouring a little sweat) at least 3 times a week
• Continue to take The Star on walks as often as possible to provide her with exercise and mental stimulation
• Continue to not consume meat, eggs, and dairy products, and to greatly reducing the amount of sugar, oil, and processed foods consumed
• Limit trash waste to less than a bag a week and increase the amount of materials recycled
• To remember "Weddings are about love, about family, and about a major life transition......not color coordinated, choreographed doves that launch fireworks." except from this book.
• Try a "Greener Idea" every month
• Increase communication with close family and friends
• Ride in tours that support a charity or organization
• Support friends and family in charities and organizations that matter to them
• Not to be afraid to admit when I don't know or understand a disease process or procedure and to be open enough to absorb the new information
  

Annoyances of 2011

Normally, I am as happy as a lark, and calm as millpond trudging though this clear as mud path called life. However, there are a few things in life that make me hotter than hell and as mad as a hornet. The following is a collection of photos that made the list for biggest annoyances in 2011!

Really?! There are 6 other bins within a 20 second walk! 

Or, it takes less than a minute to place the full bin in its designated 

spot and get a new bin.

Seriously, Miata Guy, the hamper is just a few inches further!

Ok, so I haven't cleaned your box in a week,
but don't you think peeing on the floor is a little harsh?

Image source

Dear traffic light at a T intersection on my way to work,
do you really need to turn red when I'm the only car on the road and running late?
Sure, I could just creep through on red, but I have this
fear a cop is waiting near by with his lights off.

Oxygen tanks labeled full when they are really empty!

So I forgot to put the gate up, but did you really have to eat the chocolate cake mix?
Why not the vanilla? At least, it would have matched the carpet!

Whole grain wheat bread too large for the toaster. 

To ignite a fire within me

Almost a year ago, Miata Guy gifted me an e-reader, the Kindle. Yes, the Kindle is great for all the reasons seen on TV commercials, such as being able to store thousands of books, magazines, and newspapers, the lightness of the device, and the glare free screen. However for me, I love my Kindle for the following top three reasons.

3. I can lay in bed reading at night without bothering Miata Guy. The light attached to the hard cover protected sleeve is less bright than a nightstand light but bright enough to illuminate the entire screen. The fact the e-reader slides into the protection cover and uses the battery to power the light is pure engineering brilliance. I can also read comfortably by the campfire. No longer do I have to try to figure out how to hold my book and a flashlight/lantern at the same time. Which leads us directly into the next reason where

2. I no longer have to feel guilty returning library books to the library that smell like campfire.

1. The most important reason I enjoy reading my Kindle vs a book is that I can sit comfortably in my reading chair wearing my fleece pj pants and over sized t-shirt with The Mask lounging happily on my chest. With a book turning the pages while reaching over a 16lb purring beast on your chest proves to be more difficult than one may think. With the Kindle, with the press of my thumb the page is turned.

Peeeaaanutttt Peanut Butter!

"Peanut Butter is like crack for dogs!" Miata Guy

Every Day Better and Better

Today marks Miata Guy and I's 4 year anniversary, dating anniversary that is. Because no, we are not married (yet  ; ) ).  Today, 4 years ago, Miata Guy and I both volunteered to collect tickets for our local town's winter symphony performance. After arriving Miata guy worked outside in the snow directing cars while I was warm and cozy inside. The last song performed that night, George Bizet's L'Arlesienne Suite No. 2 Farandole, is one of my absolute favorite pieces from the Romantic Period. (IF Miata Guy decides he loves me enough to ask to me marry him, and IF I decide I love him enough to say yes...... you might just see some nontraditional things at our big party, like a Farandole wedding march. : ) ) After the performance this piece set Miata Guy and I up for a great conversation over dinner and drinks at a local brewery (He ordered for me a chocolate type porter, which was my first non MBC beer (IF we have a big party next year you just might see a homemade beer replica)). The rest of the story is history. Everyday, we find new ways or am reminded why we love each other. I can't wait to see what this next year will bring us!

I LOVE YOU HONEY BUNNY

Our first dance and dip attempt

Our first brew day

I love you flowers!

Our first Camping Trip

One of many Brewery trips

Our first bike tour

Best Valentine's Day gift ever!

Celebrating the New Year in Style

Lombard Street with Alcatraz in the back

We Love Halloween

Our "family"

Kids at Heart

Love