Life and times of DM

A life update

2009-04-06T09:50:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've ventured over here and posted something. A few things have changed since the last post. For those of you who read this that don't know, I've asked my wonderful girlfriend Tammy to marry me! She said yes (of course!) We're now thinking late February of 2010 in Vegas to get married.

Quit hawking this shit at the office..

2009-02-04T09:25:00.000-08:00

Go Grandma, Go!!!

2008-11-03T15:29:00.000-08:00

This lady is my hero!!

My Hero!!

A new addition to my office

2008-10-21T14:49:00.000-07:00

Music.. Wonderful Music

2008-10-21T10:11:00.000-07:00

My co-worker Matt directed me to this site Pandora This a pretty rad site. First off it's free which it awesome. Once you create an account you can setup "stations" of sorts of your favorite artists. From there it cycles through music that is similar to the artist you put into your station. You can create as many stations as you'd like and also create a mix of your stations as well.

Give it a look!

A great morning..

2008-10-21T10:07:00.000-07:00

A morning starting off with waking up next to the one you love, hoping on the bus for an uneventful ride, onto the chiropractor for a great adjustment and to finish off the morning a wonderful nutella hot chocolate. I think the day couldn't get much better.

More intruders should be dealt with...

2008-10-20T16:37:00.001-07:00

A great example of a man defending his home and his family. I applaud you sir!

A Good Father and a Great Man

For the kid that is in all of us

2008-10-14T10:59:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across this link and made me smile thinking about all the fun I had when I was a child playing with lego's. Lego's aren't just for kids, anyone can have fun with them..

Lego Fun!!

Beer v2.0

2008-10-13T14:03:00.001-07:00

So the beer was brewed, and now it's bottled (well last week). Only a few more weeks until the bottles get cracked open and see if there any good.

And then there was one?

2008-10-13T13:54:00.000-07:00

Our numbers have dwindled, from 3, down to 2.. could it be that outside forces has reduced it to one?

Still searching for the truth, but who knows what will be found, if anything at all.

Childhood Memories

2008-10-08T08:20:00.000-07:00

We all saw the two movies, we all loved them when we were children.. and now with the economy tanking, you can have a piece of movie history...

Ghostbusters!!

NASA and 9/11

2008-09-12T09:21:00.000-07:00

As I'm a photographer (as most of you know) Photographs to me hold a variety of different emotions, but this one that NASA captured on 09.11.2001 make chills run down my spine. It's a wonderful image, but also shows a very sad time in our countries history. Below is the photo, but I've also attached the link to NASA's website that has the image and a short blurb about it.

NASA

I'm on Digg.com

2008-09-02T12:44:00.000-07:00

Since Google can't seem to release a product that works, my cohort in crime posted up a screen shot of my desktop failing on initial load of the new Google Chrome browser.

Click here to see

25 Years and it's still kicking...

2008-08-22T10:21:00.000-07:00

So when I moved out several years ago I was given this TV from my parents. I remember watching it while I was growing up and it worked wonderfully. Was built in 1983, has a knob on the side to change channels. It maxes out at channel 13. It also supports UHF/VHF which neither of those most have heard of. Was able to convert it so that it'll work with your standard cable provider and have been using it ever since. Finally upgraded to a new model that comes with a built in DVD player from my wonderful lady.

I wonder...

2008-08-22T10:16:00.001-07:00

I'm wondering if this guy is trying to tell us something? Count the number of for-sale signs on vehicle..

Things I did yesterday

2008-08-20T16:44:00.001-07:00

Downtown Crazies

2008-08-20T14:59:00.000-07:00

I don't think this needs a description.

Funny Things found at a pet store

2008-08-20T14:55:00.001-07:00

So the Lady and I were at the pet store here earlier this week pricing out all of the things we'll need for the dog. Afterwards we head over to the reptiles, fish, and other cool critters. The following was observed as we were walking by.

Queue Barry White music....

Our TSA/ATA is useless

2008-08-19T15:50:00.000-07:00

So I came across this article today as I was reading CNN.com. It was regarding someone by the name of James Robinson. One is a decorated Brigadier General and commercial airline pilot, one is 8 years old, and the last is a US Attorney general. Now you ask, what do all these people have in common aside from there name. They are all on the TSA terrorist watch list. Some one who has served our country for at least 20 years and has been certified to carry a weapon in the cockpit to prevent terrorist from hijacking a plane and he is still on the list?? An 8 year old who doesn't even know what a terrorist is again is on the list?? The third one being a US Attorney who served under President Clinton, now that one I can understand (just kidding).

How worthless is our Department of "homeland security" when they are flagging military personal, 8 year old kids (who was just being born as 9/11 was happening) and a US Attorney.

As I've been flying for the last 7+ years I really feel no safer now than I did before the department of "homeland security" was created. All it's doing to the average everyday passenger is making their lives more difficult and sucking more money from the tax payers.

Here is the article in which I rant about Sad.. so sad..

Disappointment

2008-08-12T11:49:00.000-07:00

So I've been a fan of DJ Shadow for a long time; thanks to one of the Superfriends for introducing me to him back in the day. Last month we went down to the Showbox SODO to watch DJ Shadow spin. Well as I noted in the blog I posted about it last month we were both pretty disappointed.

So this morning I decided that I was going to write a constructive email to him in hopes of expressing our disappointment in the show. I made sure that it wasn't an email slamming him, because I'm still a fan and just because of a bad show that it wasn't going to change my opinion. I highly doubt I'll get a response, but hopefully he'll at least read it and realize two long time fans were pretty bummed out after spending $70 to come see him.

Crazy bus people

2008-08-12T10:05:00.000-07:00

On my way home from work last night, the bus was on time which was a pleasant surprise. Normally it's a few minutes late so I thought that it was on time because traffic wasn't messed up today. I hop on and it's fairly empty so I decide to take a seat up front. The two people try to get on and they are asking if the bus stops at 45th in the University district. The bus driver in a slightly confused manner says 'yes we do'. Well this bus doesn't actually stop at 45th until about 7pm or so. One of the patrons on the bus had to correct the bus driver.

The weather was awfully nice yesterday so all of the windows in the bus were open to move a little bit more air through. Sadly the A/C was not working so it made the bus just a little bit hotter than most would consider comfortable. The lady who had advised the bus driver that the bus didn't actually stop at 45th then proceeded to "yell" at the bus driver about it being to hot in the bus and that he needed to fix the A/C. I look over at this person and see that she is wearing long pants, a long sleeved shirt and a heavy long sleeved fleece jacket. I look at her and just shake my head. I went back to listening to the Men's Room on KISW - check them out at http://www.kisw.com or on the dial in Seattle @ 99.9.

Great new blog to read..

2008-08-12T10:04:00.001-07:00

Found another great blog to read. Interesting articles about finance and other general money related items.

The Site

Taking photos is a crime

2008-07-30T14:28:00.000-07:00

It's sad to report that in other countries throughout the world, one can be jailed and sent to labor camps for up to 4 years without a trial or even formal charges. This all for the offense of taking photos of buildings that were destroyed in the quake in China. I'm thankful that as screwed up as our country is, there are far worse places to live.

Chinese man held for quake photos

How sad...

2008-07-30T13:00:00.000-07:00

'Extreme Makeover' Home in Foreclosure

Things couldn't look better three years ago for Milton and Patricia Harper of Lake City, who giddily accepted the keys to a small castle, plus enough money to pay taxes on it for 25 years.

Now, the Clayton County house that "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" built is a two-story, turreted example of how things can go wrong. It's in foreclosure.

The Harpers used the house at 5489 Ahyoka Drive as collateral for a $450,000 loan, Clayton County mortgage records show. Records at the law firm handling foreclosures for the lender, JPMorgan Chase Bank, say it is in foreclosure. The four-bedroom house with decorative rock walls and a three-car garage is scheduled for auction on the Clayton County Courthouse steps Aug. 5.

The Harpers, who declined interview requests when reporters knocked on their door Friday, told WSB-TV they got the loan for a construction business that failed.

Weekend Update

2008-07-28T12:18:00.000-07:00

So one of the Superfriends and I went to see DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist. We met up with one of the other Superfriends and she and all of her coolness hooked us up with some free beer (YEA for Free Beer!!). We then headed down to the showbox sodo for some good times. We see a van parked outside that says 'kube 93' what the heck is that radio station doing at a show like this. Well the opening act (if you can call them that) sucked horribly. So we sat and drank PBR Tallboys (see below photo).

Enter DJ Shadow... now myself and the superfriend that was with me turned me onto DJ shadow in the first place. I've wanted to see this guy live for well... ever. Well they do this funny intro talking about they'll be spinning real 45's all night. A 45 for those of you who don't know is referring to a record. So 20 minutes into it I'm wondering what the deal is I haven't recognized a single thing thus far. At 90 minutes into it I look at the superfriend and we say screw it and leave. So after years of waiting to see one of my favorite artists I am sadly disappointed that not a single lick of what I've known was played.

Now you ask, well David maybe you haven't kept up on his music. Well actually I have and so has the other superfriend and he didn't recognize any of the tunes either. Now it wasn't a bad show, but a show lacking any of his old/current music.

So we split and decide to hit Dicks Burgers on the way home. So Kevin and I are leaning up against the back of his car grubbing on some wonderful burgers. A rather rotund Seattle cop walks out the back door of the fine establishment with a large box under his arm. I'm tracking him the whole way from the door to the vehicle he is going to. He notices me and yells out "Haven't you ever seen a cop before". I respond with "Yeah, I've seen a cop before". He retorts "What are you looking at" and I respond "Just Curious to what you're doing". At this point I give up because I'm slightly drunk and figure if this diatribe goes much further I'm going to risk getting arrested by an off duty cop. The thing that pisses me off is he most likely is getting/taking food from Dicks for him and his stupid as buddies. He didn't stand in line/didn't pay etc.. We finish up, get in the car and split before this cop decides to be a real prick.

BTW - we are both still sober in this photo.

Any of these will do....

2008-07-25T10:37:00.000-07:00

Must have one of these....

2008-07-25T10:25:00.000-07:00

The Uber Camera

Red Sox vs Mariners

2008-07-25T09:44:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the photos from our adventure to the baseball game..

The Field

It Was the 5000th Game!!

The Man

The Drinkers

Sleepy Dude 1

Sleepy Dude 2

The SuperFriends ( minus one) !!

Yard Work update..

2008-07-19T18:35:00.000-07:00

Money spent to date: $32 - Dump fee's
Total weight of blackberry bushes - .22 tons
Total trips to the dump - 2

The view of my "backyard"

The workhorse

Sad sign of the times...

2008-07-18T14:01:00.001-07:00

This sign was found up the street from my house. I had to steal it and take a photo as proof it actually existed. If this is a tell tale sign of our public schools, then we really need to look at our education system.

Bounty found thus far

2008-07-17T09:46:00.000-07:00

1 12oz can of Pepsi - Used circa 1988
1 12oz bottle of Corona - Used
1 white walled tire - Used
Several saturn missile remnants

I'd sell my soul for this...

2008-07-16T15:24:00.000-07:00

A house to end all houses

* Update *

I'd have to make roughly $755,688 a year just to cover the mortgage payment.

Even Bill Gates....

2008-07-16T15:09:00.001-07:00

Even Bill Gates isn't safe from the ups and downs of the real estate market. Now mind you his house is valued at about $140 million dollars, the value can fluctuate (and has) about the cost of yours' and mines' house.

50,000 sq feet
25 bathrooms
8 bedrooms
5 acres

Go check him out at Super House

Another cool place that has houses slightly cooler, but not nearly as expensive is University Park, TX.

Driveway Havoc

2008-07-14T09:56:00.000-07:00

So I invited my father down (AKA the supervisor) to assist in the removal of the dead grass in my soon to be expanded driveway. So I left him to start pulling up the grass and I headed back up to my hill of terror. I got about 5 minutes into it and my metal rake was broken by the vines of death. Blackberry bushes defeated my metal rake???

So I had the supervisor dig about 6" down right along the line that the utility companies came and sprayed (verizon, comcast,pud,etc). Nothing was discovered and so I figured that the lines were further down(18-24").

I decided to join the supervisor and head down and help dig the top layer of the grass off. It was found that the grass/dirt in that area was incredibly hard and compact. After about an hour of digging we both decided that it was going to be a long and painful day. Since my rake was broken I needed to head to Lowes and purchase a new one that we'd also stop by Hertz and see if they had any small rototillers for rent. Got one for 3 hours for $35 dollars. I figure that's a great deal and I should be able to bang it out in less than three hours. We head home with the tool in hand unload it.

I get working and realize that this thing is a real bear to work with. One because the ground is hard as a rock and two because the bugger is heavy. After a few hours of work I've finished off about 95%, battered, beaten, burned, and about to give up the ghost. We load it back up on the truck and head back to the Hertz shop. Drop it off and make our way back to my house.

Run in and take a shower and then head downstairs to check a few things online. Well I don't have a signal and I'm not getting out anywhere. So I check my router, my terminal out on the side of the house and both of them are in an error state. I immediately think - the line is cut. I run into the garage and grab my shovel and start digging. After about 5 minutes of digging I realize that the utility company didn't come even close to spraying the lines right for my fiber cable. I found at least one spot where I'd cut it with the rototiller.

So I call Verizon and go through the whole deal with them. Thankfully I got on the phone with someone who actually cared. Apparently this is not an uncommon thing as the guys out there spraying are using a metal detector to find the lines. Well for those of you who don't know about a fiber cable, its made out of glass. Glass doesn't reflect well with a metal detector. I was promised to be contact in the next 24-28 hours and that someone would be out to fix the severed cable.

The Supervisor

The Hardware

The Aftermath

My Bounty today....

2008-07-11T13:06:00.000-07:00

So myself, Russ, Chuck, GJ, and Randy went to lunch today. As we were out and about it was free handout day... here is the bounty I acquired...

The Little Guy vs NSA

2008-07-10T10:40:00.001-07:00

Now kids, make sure you're not surfing for inappropriate things, the NSA will find them and come knocking on your door

AT&T vs NSA

In other good news..

2008-07-08T08:07:00.000-07:00

So last night my ever so wonderful girlfriend made me this super yummy salad for dinner. If you the reading public enjoys pecans, pears, blue cheese, and a rather tasty dressing, give this a try.

Roquefort Pear Salad

In other reportable news I have new next door neighbors. I went over and introduced myself to them last night and got to talking. They thanked me for "mowing" the lawn. I did it because I was tired of no one taking care of it as the previous owner was a complete toolshed. I also talked with them about all of the trees in the back of their lot. Convinced them that they should cut these trees down. They agreed and said once they move in they'll have them taken down. Now you ask, why is it that I'm asking for them to take these trees down. Well because every wind storm that rolls through I fear that one if not many of them may hit my house. The previous owner really didn't have much motivation to get most anything done, let alone get those trees taken out.

Backyard carnage..

2008-07-08T08:03:00.001-07:00

So again last night I took to the hill and laid waste to more blackberry bushes. Though this time they fought back and one got the upper hand and took a cheap shot at my upper lip. Needless to say I put him down with a vengeance.

And the pile grows... and grows...

Cancun 2008

2008-07-07T14:35:00.001-07:00

So I finally got through and uploaded all of my photos.. Check them out here!

Cancun Trip

Email is down...

2008-07-07T12:39:00.000-07:00

So we've had a major outage today... thankfully I have my deposition to read to keep my entertained.

Poor Beaker...

2008-07-07T08:31:00.003-07:00

I loved these guys when I was a kid, only to see this on CNN this morning...

The Backyard got owned!

2008-07-07T08:17:00.000-07:00

Really, are we that bored?

2008-07-02T15:41:00.001-07:00

Is there really a reason for people to still get upset over something that hasn't happened in a very long time? People talk about wanting to move forward, but yet people take things out of context and get upset over a stupid piece of rope. I think what happened to the Africa Americans back in the day was a really shitty thing; but it's 2008 here people. Do we really need to bitch and complain about it? I could understand an African American being upset over this, but a white dude and his son??

Pointless...

Goverment Funding for Religion

2008-07-01T13:49:00.000-07:00

Mr Obama,

There isn't a chance in hell of ever getting my vote now.

Sad... Sad...

Cool Events..

2008-06-30T16:46:00.000-07:00

So I normally listen to the Men's Room on KISW (99.9) and this afternoon they had a topic about people who've done the unmentionable at work. Well we had a person at our company get fired because he decided to do this during work, while sitting at his desk, while his wife was giving him a show via the webcam. So I wrote into the Mens Room and didn't figured they'd actually read it. Low and behold at the point I was about to get up and leave my desk I start hearing a familiar story. Low and behold they decided to read my story on the air. Miles was pausing while reading it having to reword the email as there are several words they can't say on the air.

Anyways, not a terribly exciting story for the rest of you. I've written in several times and never gotten on the air, it was pretty cool.

NBA Officials being paid off?

2008-06-11T10:39:00.001-07:00

To tell me that NBA games are rigged by the officials?? I'm amazed, shocked, perplexed. Heck, a 2 year old could officiate the Finals better than the ref's that are doing it right now

Worthless Ref's

BMW Ingenuity

2008-06-11T10:13:00.001-07:00

This is one of the most incredible (maybe not production possible) car ideas I've ever seen.
BMW Cloth

Some days I feel like this....

2008-06-03T17:18:00.000-07:00

Office Fun

...Worth...

2008-05-30T08:47:00.000-07:00

7 != 5

An update on Inconsiderate people...

2008-05-02T09:24:00.001-07:00

So according to the King County RCW 74.34.020 there isn't much I can do without getting arrested. I almost lost it this morning with this inconsiderate bitch who decided to sit down next to me in Everett and talk the entire way into Seattle. Since this is a commuter bus, there never is any room to go sit elsewhere. So I either I go find some place else in the bus to stand or grin and bear it.

Fun with Physics

2008-04-29T09:52:00.001-07:00

A good friend sent this to me earlier today and I thought the viewing public might be interested in seeing this..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpovwbPGEoo

A new block of House MD

2008-04-29T08:04:00.000-07:00

Finally after a long awaited hiatus, new House, MD was back on the air. It's only a 4 show block, but hopefully they'll be producing more for this "season". Last nights show was a great, his normal antics were back in full force and another great story to keep you laughing and intrigued throughout the entire show.

On another quick note while I'm on the topic of TV/Movies. Went to see the new Harold and Kumar movie this weekend. This is a non-stop laugh out loud type movie. If you're expecting something of substance, you'll be disappointed. It's a great follow-up to the first movie, though you don't have to see it to understand this one. There are a few jokes that reference the first movie, but nothing you won't find funny otherwise.

Tulip Town

2008-04-19T18:05:00.000-07:00

Well after all of the snow/sleet/rain/wind/lightening/thunder and whatever else may have happened in the last 48 hours I still managed to make it up and do some work at the tulip fields in La Conner, WA. For an hour or so I froze my tuckas off but got a few decent images that I figured are worth sharing with the public. When you open up the gallery look for items tagged with Tulip Town x.

Enjoy and feel free to leave me some feedback (or if you'd like anything to purchase)

The Death of Common Courtesy

2008-03-18T18:50:00.000-07:00

I've come to the realization that the fleeing hope I had for basic common courtesy is almost gone. I cite an example for today that makes me believe this.

I've started riding the bus for a variety of reasons; saving gas, reduced stress, reduced mileage on the car, and overall savings of money. So I believe that while riding any public transportation, be it a bus, train, van pool, or airplane that there should be a low level of basic common courtesy that people abide by. One of these things is to limit your conversations on your cellular phone. Now I understand that if someone is picking you up on the far end of your trip and you are going to be late a quick call to update them is appropriate.

What I don't think is yacking on your cel phone for the entire duration of a bus ride. With a bus packed full of people who have worked all day long, the last thing they really want to hear is your useless 45 minute long conversation. Also there is something I think many people have never learned, it's called and inside voice. This is when you talk in quiet tone because there are lots of people around that really don't want to hear about your escapades from the night before.

The bus is also not a place that you feel the need to start up a dial a friend situation. You really are not that important that you need to go through your entire phone book and call everyone you know and tell them some useless fucking tidit of information about what happened in your life that day that they probably don't give a shit about anyways.

I started riding the bus to get away from the stress of the commute; but with these worthless things that resemble a human life form, its starting to wear on me. Now I know you could say "well david, why don't you just listen to music and drown them out" Well I do listen to music, though I'd prefer not to blow my ear drums out by turning the volume up all the way to drown out the person next to me and their fucking phone conversation.

New work

2008-03-16T16:28:00.001-07:00

I've been slacking the last few weeks and have just gotten around to posting up some new work today. I figured if I was sick and my back was killing me, what better to do than sit in front of a computer and process and post photos for your viewing pleasure.

My New Work

Why....

2008-03-05T12:54:00.000-08:00

When I need to be I can be brash, cold, and rather rude to people; but that is rare. I am so fucking tired of people being so god damn touchy feely when it comes to communication. If you ask me a simple question, I'll give you an answer to the question that actually answers it. There is nothing hidden between the lines that is subliminally telling you that I think you're an incompetent fuck who can't do his job.

For the love of whatever god you may pray to, please stop creating these fantasies in your head about what you think I might be saying to you. If I'm mad, disgruntled, pissed off, or I whatever else, I'm going to express it to you. Otherwise don't assume that I am.

Another point, if you really do feel like I'm being a dick to you and being short, come to me. Don't go and bitch to people who have no knowledge of what is going on and throw me under the preverbally bus.

Pain... edition 2

2008-02-28T10:59:00.000-08:00

So I went into the Chiropractor yesterday and my back felt wonderful for a while yesterday. Went and had a beer with an old co-worker yesterday and sat down. Now normally I'd not think twice about sitting down, but since saturday sitting has been a problem. Sat down and started talking, only to realize about 20 minutes later 'hey, my back isn't hurting like hell'. So continue drinking, talking, etc.. Catch the 6:49 bus home and keeping my fingers crossed that my back won't act up on the hour long bus ride home.. Got back to Everett and all was great, that is until I got into my car. Got into my car and instantly my back goes back into uber pissed off mode. Thankfully I only had a short run home from the bus station. Got home and iced it and all was "happy again"

The ride in this morning wasn't too bad, though towards the end it was getting a bit irritated. The hour long meeting this morning was a bit much for it, but managed to stay seated through the whole thing. I'm hoping I can hold out until tomorrow for my next apt.

Pain...

2008-02-25T09:34:00.000-08:00

So as most of you know I was in a nasty accident a few months back with two very close friends of mine. Well we all "walked away" without any serious injury to be spoken of. I've been going to the chiropractor ever since and it really has been helping with my back that got rather fucked up in the accident.

All had been calm for a while until this last Saturday. It was Big Dick's LAN Party 2008! usually a great time with gaming, drinking, and vast array of food that'll clog up your arteries. I had a kickin time, met some new people and played Team Fortress 2 (great game if you haven't played it yet). Got most of the way through the day (well about 4-5pm) and my back started seizing up on me. So I gracefully make an exit, get my gear back into my car and head home. I then proceed to collapse on the floor for the rest of the night.

I found that I can do most every except sit down (which ironically I'm doing right now to be writing this) I spent most of Sunday in bed or lying on the floor. Once Ryan and Jill came over I was making dinner, thankfully this required standing so I was okay.

I woke up this morning and was feeling alright. Drove down to the train station to hop on the 510 bus to head into work. Sat down on the bus and by the time I had to get up to get off the bus at 5th and pike I could barely move. All this time all I can really think about in revenge on that stupid bitch who slammed into my car and caused all this pain with myself and my friends.

Refi almost done...

2008-02-23T17:56:00.000-08:00

Signed at the escrow company yesterday and the refi will be closing late next week. Once that is all taken care of I'll be able to fund the rest of my house projects and be much happier :) I'll start feeling like I actually want to live here.

On a side note.. I was awarded "rock star" status on my yearly review

Big Dick's LAN Party '08

2008-02-23T17:55:00.000-08:00

Good times where had, Team Fortress 2 was played and way too much beer and food was eaten and drank... Now I'm lying on my floor wishing I hadn't eaten so damn much.. BLEH...

2.21.2008

2008-02-21T15:44:00.000-08:00

Today I've decided to start down the road of blogging. Hopefully I'll be able to post something new up every day that. Its a beautiful day in downtown Seattle and I'm planning on getting the heck out of town and enjoying some quality time outside of work.