Bits & Pieces

I am currently reading New Earth Awakening to your Life's Purpose.

Total Lunar Eclipse Tonight. It will be the last total lunar eclipse until 2010. It's cloudy in Phoenix tonight. Shit. At least I can say I caught the last one. Blogged it even....

I am sick and lacking appetite and sense of humor. Mel is on his way to try to restore both. Good luck with that.

Big ole powerball jackpot tonight.

Photo of the eclipse courtesy of C.A in Illinois.

Thank you!

Education in Adversity

In a moment of melancholy I sat down at my old desk and revisited my now aging PC. It's been a year since I even came in to this room. Why tonight? I don't know. But it's as if time stood still here. The calendar pad under the keyboard reads March, 2007 the month my world changed. The photograph of my lightening shot over Camelback mountain is still hanging in here. I forgot all about it and really should bring it back into the world. It's a good shot. The desk drawers are littered with long ago forgotten items. White out - nobody needs that anymore. My disc with AOL press, completely out of date but I would use it today if I was still writing websites. A tablet that Phil scribbled some numbers on. Who knows what he might have been calculating. Most likely the number of days until he could leave me. Months have passed but this computer and desk have been frozen in time with his notes in a drawer, the IChing on the desktop and the music he downloaded playing on iTunes. I don't know why it's taken me so long to get rid of this last piece of history. But as it's the anniversary of his "Judas Kiss" I suppose it's apropos now. This will be my final writing on this computer and then the whole thing is getting reformatted. I don't need it anymore.

Life is an adventure in acceptance and forgivness.

My side of the story

If you want my weekend recap just read Mel's blog as he took the liberty of embellishing my life in public. I do have a clean truck though, that much is true.

GooaaaaaaLLLLL!

Emma scored the only goal for her team today. Such a huge accomplishment at 3 years old.

Popsicle Toes

I am on the edge of weary at the end of my day and the weather is helping me in that regard. It is so dreary, drab, cloud socked in rainy dark...... just the way I like it kind of an afternoon. Zach called me around noon and asked me if I still wanted to golf today or was I afraid of the rain. I told him I had more work than expected for the weekend so I was going to get ahead of the Sunday night panic curve and get the balance of it done. The last thing in the world I would have wanted was a hefty schedule today, as I am sleep deprived. Between the late seating Valentine's dinner last night and the early morning delivery that I had to do, I am running on satisfied empty today. It was a great weekend and there are still two more days of it!

Zach showed up with reinforcements some 10 minutes later rescuing me from mountains of plastics. He Tyler and I worked a long afternoon, mostly in silence. We are rarely silent when we work here. Since it's such close quarters and in such an informal setting, people feel compelled to make polite chatter. An issue I have often wrangled with. Since our work is so tediously mundane, I am often found with my iPod on my head reading a book or two. But in a room with 1-2 other people, it's rude to shut your self out via headset. We have all tried it at one time or another, but with the same outcome. It feels rude. My point, if I even had one, might have been that we three worked without radio or TV or conversation today and it felt perfectally comfortable. We were unspoken commrades.

I couldn't wait until they left. Give me my house back!! I am tired. I had a wacky notion to pull out the bed in the couch in OVF's main room and hang out here tonight writing bad blog and watching worse movies. I feel like I am camping in my house cold and all as I refuse to turn on the damn heater. My toes are like popsicles.

A funny funny thing just happened unless you hate it when people talk about their pets. It annoys me too, but shit, sometimes it's all we got to talk about! Paws is getting settled into the couch/bed and his ass just went into the sinkhole at the bottom with his head some 3 inches higher. He looked at me as if to say "I'm comfortable like this". But he looks ridiculous. We are kinda digging this bedroom in the living room "studio apartment" sort of thing we have going on. Everything I need is just right here. The refrigerator is exactally 21 steps away before the staggering begins.

A fact: I wrote the very last line of this post first and then assembled my thoughts around it to bring you this story of my day. Please don't judge my last thoughts first.

Cliff Notes of my Life

If you could see my world at this moment you would see the colorless sunset which is just as spectacular as when it puts on a show. Tonight it's just easing gracefully down over the top of my brick wall. There are 5 tall skinny palm trees paling to black against the light blue sky. It's really quite spectacular and I should not take it for granted just because it's a nightly show.

I find it annoying and comforting that friends are still prefacing conversations with "how are you doing"? I know that after all of the hell I drug ya'll through, you have every right to your concerns. I am far removed from last year at this time but I still seem to be in the telephoto lens of my fate. Let me just tell you, I can see the bigger picture now.

OVF has suffered a mutiny leaving me back to scrambling with the workload completely on my shoulders again. I felt the pressure of production this week for the first time in awhile. Which is not necessarily a bad thing. I had gotten quite comfortable with my role as propriater and getting back in the trenches shows me problems, areas we are getting lazy. I can see where streamlining can benefit, I become full of ideas and improvements when involved in the actual toil of it all. So I'll just hang the "HELP WANTED" sign once again. I have been here before. The familiar territory will get me through this current evolution.

In the Writing Garage

As predicted, it was a perfect weekend. The good weather was expected. What I didn't expect was this shift in attitude I have recently aquired that doesn't seem to go away. I have never been so completely without struggle. Oh I have the same precieved "problems" like everyone else. The bills and tasks of living are always going to be there and my EGO will continue to get in my way, but I'm learning the big lesson of letting it all just unfold without taking it personally. I am currently standing outside of my life while I wait for my next big task. So I gave in to these feelings and have had the benefit of two blissfuls days doing nothing out of the ordinary, but jut enjoying every minute of it.

It was perfect...........

Saturday was crack of dawn soccer cheering for Emma Hamm, star of her 2-4 year old league over there in Surprise, AZ. That was #1 event of the weekend. But there were a few honorable mention moments you might enjoy. One of them being that Mel and I hiked South Mountain, so be it in an Expidition, but for me, that was an exercise in tenacity since I am such a big fan of four wheeling and scarey switchback mountain roads. Once at the top it was a little bit awe inspiring. Even Mel was humbled for once as we marveled at "how the place has grown".

Second & third moments are restaurant reviews, so bear with me. These can be fun. Mel's current mission is to introduce me to every hole in the wall restaurant that has been in business for 30 years or more. You know the type, one family owned, reknown for some reason or unduplicatable recipe that just kept them far enough from progress but not from success. These great establishments are generally humble storefronts with quaint & charming interior surroundings that you just know have been in place for the duration of the place. No updating necessary when you have a good streak going, afterall. The first such place this weekend was:

The Knock Kneed Lobster, let the name speak for itself. Their address @ 32nd Street and Washington in the red light district of Phoenix is just west of Tire Dawg's. Both of which are on the same unfortunate path of the up and coming LIGHTRAIL construction that is about to devour history on this corner. The parking lot is a gravelly space in the back of a nondescript building. Mel advised me not to talk to anyone if confronted out here. So much for valet parking. He reaches for the apparent front door. Let me just say that if you had never been here before, you would have never gotten in because the "front door" in the back of the building was white metal with a steel rod handle and no sign. Who knew? Glad I was with such a historian. When I questioned him about how he knew how to recgonize the front door he just said "Oh, I don't know, I have been coming here for years". SEE! This word of mouth restaurant was worth my wait. The entry hall, akin to grandma's back porch with a Centipeed arcade machine was first opinion. The restaurant itself was as clumsy as the name implied, but one of the more charming places I have visited in quite awhile. It's so laid back, you just hope to find an employee with which to place your order at the walk up counter. Hand written signs cajolled us to return with our claim ticket when our number was called or we would be denied our food. The propaganda in general plastered on the walls had a threatening tone as if their arrogance with fish house fame makes them in charge of all that enter. But I softened to gingham table cloth type dining with nautical decor that did not blend and a wooden bathroom door that was aged enough to offer a splinter. But the place had ambience if not downright character. The food is fish and chips, made with Alaskan or Icelandic cod; deep fried in pure lard that is the draw to this out of the reach spot. If you simply want to taste the most decadant comfort seafood and forego guilt, you can give yourself up to this place. No one would disagree with facts, 47 years in business on the same spot and still acclaimed. I can recommend it.

Sunday's assignment was La Pinta Mexican restaurant on 19th Ave and Osborn in Phoenix. Now when we arrived the above pictured storefront was my first impression. My mind's eye saw bare lightbulbs glaring over uncomfortably close booths with questionable service and I was hesitant. Oh how we judge. The entry was startling as it was bigger than imagined and warm and cozy. Red and Mexican decor of endearing charm reaked with comfortable familiarity. Anyone that has reminisced about a good Mexican Restaurant in Arizona has envision a place just like this. The food was typical Mexican fare but with a genuine taste, and atmosphere to match, this is another one that you'll want to be able to claim, "I've been there".

With so much gastranomical success in one weekend, it was time to quit eatin'. Mel and I ended Sunday night in lounge chairs with the promised Corona and lime, saluting our gratitude.

Besides the highlights and the honorable mention stories of the weekend, there was the in between it all that made it something special. Rather than bore you I'm going to just write the rest of it off........................ But that was the memorable part.

Tonight's Disclaimer, Blogger's Spellcheck is still not working and I am to damn lazy to give any more effort other than hope for the best ...........

Best Prank Ever

Signs of Spring

I have spring fever. I am so anxious to get growing. I have been sowing seeds in Emma's garden for the last week. With this great sun and warm days, I think my timing may have been perfect. I expect to see life creeping out of the ground any day now. This is the time of year that we live here for and I intend to relish every second. Much to my astonishment, PawPaws took the plunge today. First swim in the pool for the season. I don't know what he was thinking. It had to be cold and I yelled at him to get out. He did, acting all smug about the whole thing. But he must have been freezing his ass off!

Emma's tree is budding already!! Yes, everything belongs to Emma.....I just raked up the last of it's leaves last week and it's already coming back. It was only dormant for a few minutes. It's going through a big growth spurt this year and should actually provide shade on the NE side of the house this summer.

I hate to brag about our temperatures, especially when I think of Cindi over there in Illinois living vicariously through our weather reports. But I'm gonna do it anyway. It's still 70 degrees at 5 PM tonight, simply the most perfect day yet this year. But the weekend promises to hold some record breakers for perfect. We may see 80's but are assured high 70's both days. I am going to make the most of every minute of it. A hike for sure. A little horseback riding on Sunday at South Mountain and without a doubt some intense gardening concluded by a Corona and lime while soaking up a bit of sun watching the hot air ballons behind my house rise in the late afternoon sky. A huge V of geese just flew over with a few stragglers in the rear trailing behind. There is something about the geese that just brings out the zen in me.
Namaste'

Fat and Super Tuesday

Fat Tuesday and Super Tuesday collided today in a barrage of beads and political retoric. New Orleans is celebrating the day before Lent with Carnival while most of the rest of the country is going to the polls. 24 States to be exact. Early afternoon CNN is reporting that enthusiastic voters are recording heavy turnout across the country. Of course California is the prize and will be last reporting today. The only issue so far in this primary election is with the State of Arizona that is reporting numerous problems with provisional ballots which may send final conclusion in to a very late night. I will certainly be glued to my media source of CNN droning on in the background of my living room for the latest breaking news.

I went out to vote myself today at about 9:15. Work at OVF was underway with Nik and Zach at the helm. I excused myself to exercise my rights as an American citizen. I walked to the elementary school a few blocks away were I would too, cast my opinion. I was so in the spirit of doing the right thing that I got all "green" about it and left my truck at home. A decision I second guessed when I got to the lake with the wind blowing across it in the 40 degree temperatures making me feel like I was doing hard time. I entered to no lines to stand in, delighted that it was to hot in there. The blue hairs in front of me were arguing with the volunteers that were just trying to follow the rules. They apparently did not have the right credentials and were asked to cast a provisional ballot, to which, they were outraged and trying to justify themselves. There's just no getting away with it at the polls if you don't have all of your "P's and Q's" in order. They left in a huff. My turn. I was similarly interrogated for ID. I whipped out my voter registration card and ID, feeling smug. Well, I too am an apparent bad citizen, even though my ID is up to date. My registration still had my old last name listed and spelled wrong. SIGH. The remedy was to present a bank statement (like I carry one with me on an everyday basis) or my car registration. Again, SIGH. I explained I walked and my car was blocks away. I was coralled over to the provisional officer. At least they had my party affilliate right, so I took my chances and cast my vote. With AZ having the problem with provisional ballots, I guess I am amongst the statistics.

But I had bigger fish to fry. Work concluded a lot earlier than anticipated which left me with a free afternoon that I didn't expect. I moseyed to the corner strip mall to have my tires rotated. I felt pretty proud of myself for taking care of necessary shit. However the guy told me it was a 2 hour wait. SIGH. I made an appointment for 8 AM and wondered over to Staples to buy things I don't need. Next door was Petsmart. I went there to buy PawPaws some cheew-eez to make his day. While I was shopping, I heard a child wailing "I want a Beta". He was making a childish spectacle that I had to witness. I went over to the fish tanks where he was pleading for a blue fish in a little cup. I took up his cause and said to him "I want a Beta too". He looked at me with gratitude and said"right? a blue one". I agreed wholeheartedly as his dad rolled his eyes at me. A kid should have a fish if he wants one. My new friend and I each left there with a blue Beta.

I am pretty proud of my new fish. I got home and spent an hour or more making him a home. I planted him in my bathroom in front of the mirror. He seems happy. I read up on Beta's and their evolution from Japan and their habits. Beta's are like roaches in Japan. They live in the streets in miniscual puddles and are a nusiance. Here, however, they are pets. I've named my new Japanese roach, Nemo. It seems that these fish prefer to live alone and if confronted by another fish, they are aggressive. Last I checked on Nemo he was looking at himself in the mirror thinking he was another fish and "puffing" up in a display of superiority. I have an arrogant and very stupid fish.

SIGH...

Giants WIN !!!! What a game!! This was the best Superbowl in decades What a comeback!!!!! Eli is the real deal and he pulled it off! Manning brothers back to back champions.

See the ad you couldn't see on TV

Unfinished Blog Post

(I fell asleep before finishing this post. Make up your own ending)

My town is alive with Superbowl visitors. I was driving down the freeway yesterday when a convoy of super-semi's passed by. I was curious as they were big and shiny and at closer look, all boasting the logo "CBS SPORTS". Ahhhhhh the media is in town. As the Superbowl is being held 12 miles from my house, I am feeling left out not to have a ticket. I too, will have to live vicariously through my TV. But when you're watching the game this weekend folks, I just want you to know, that's my hood!

Much to your delight, I am not going to go off on a political tangent tonight, although my brain is alive with opinion. But the Fact that John Edwards threw in the towel today delights me and I wonder who he will now endorse with his 56 delegates to offer. This is the most interesting presidential campaign of our era, for sure. I will offer my own endorsement in the next few posts, as if to influence my 4 readers.

Have you ever gone to bed for the night before the sun went down? Well me either, but I think I am going to break a trend. In a recent effort to streamline frivolous payroll, I have been parking my sweet ass on the assembly line for the last 2 days doing some hard core labor. A humbling experience to say the least. I used to do this job, if you can remember. But I have apparently become so all and mighty that it was below me to shove in light pipes for hours on end. In an effort to get back to basics, I have done just that. I can honestly say my Popeye arm has earned it's spinach and my sweet ass is exhausted. Good Lord! I am a F'ing slave driver. How do these people do it? Yesterday I felt vindicated for my efforts, but could not sleep all night. Round 2 AM I relinquished and turned on Coast to Coast, deciding I could find sleep til 9ish and make up for lost REM. 4:12 AM my phone deliverers a text message from Tim stating they are ready for delivery and the sooner the better. I was on the road by 4:58, which was not a bad thing! Traffic was manageable at that hour and speed no problem. I ran on adrenaline all day completing some 300 units before crew of Emo and Michel arrived at 12PM to mop up the rest of today's production.

Guilty

I missed soccer practice on Saturday. It was not lost on Emma.

Sorry baby. I love you.

Daily Guru

It's simply a made to order Sunday. Dark and gloomy with steady rain falling, my fat Sunday newspaper waiting to be devoured and a dog on the mend snoring on the couch beside me. For those that have tentatively inquired, he is still with me. Nigella is cooking on TV dripping in British sex appeal. My legal pad and constant companion is full of "to do's" and "must buys", taunting me. I am trying to figure out how much of it I can put off to spend a truly decadent day doing nothing. I do need to get new drill bits for tomorrow's work, but can probably do that before or after my morning drive to Tempe. But I am out of milk and will not be able to survive without it, so it's looks as if I am going to have to take a shower after all.

Later...... the sun is setting but who would know? It hasn't come out all day much to my dismal delight. Phoenix has not had good rain for 2 years. Today qualified as good. I was out yesterday to do some hiking at Lake Pleasant. I am privileged to live within a 10 minutes drive to this man made lake in the middle of nowhere. I was struck by how green everything was. I do not ever remember the desert being this beautiful. It's generally drab sand grey dotted with saguaros, except for the rare blooming season when it is indeed a sight to behold. But I was amazed how the floor of the desert resembled rambling moss beneath the feet of the cactus residents affording them more respect than usual. With today's downpour, we are assured an amazing blooming springtime show and I can assure you, it will all be chronicled here. Another reason to stay tuned besides, of course my incredibly interesting life that you can't get enough of. I'm speaking to you Safari.

(Sorry to bore the general public with inuendos) For the inside track, just email me and I'll fill ya in.

I can honestly and without shame, say that I took off yesterday's pajamas to put on tonight's. No clothes or shower in between. At least I changed! My newspaper is on the floor and I slipped on the glossy coupon inserts on my way to the bathroom damning their thrifty presence. The dishes in my sink, four days old are in the same water I left them in on Wednesday when I intended to wash them. The stench provoked me to toss in a chlorine tab from the pool stash to buy time. I'll get to it.

Don't judge me. I'm single, who cares.

This has been my favorite Sunday - ever, but I'm still out of milk.

Wasted Day

In an attempt to Pimp my Blog I have spent my entire Sunday, so far, blog hopping trying to get inspiration from other writers. I am not looking for things to plagiarize, but rather tools and tricks from more advanced bloggers, and maybe even a widget or two. Notice my recently added signature?? Stole that idea from Andrew, thank you very much. And so I feel compelled to give him a shout out:

4th Avenue Blues
Inspired by C.A's blog chatting about the things she loves which seemed to be a rebuttal of her previous post about things she hates, I thought I would make my own list. I'm trying to be the glass half full girl too, so here goes:

Things that Don't SUCK!

1) Rain
2) Chocolate Raspberry Mousse that I hoarded
3) An afternoon at Barnes and Noble
4) Alimony
5) 100 Grand Candy Bars
6) Segways
7) Text Messages that catch me off guard
8) A.J's
9) Oregon pinot noirs

10) Wine in a box (this should be #1)

That was quickly the first things that came to my mind, no matter how stupid and offensive. Tells you a bit about how my mind works. If I did offend anyone, then so be it.

Have anything to add??

Positive Stimulus

The proposed economic stimulus is probably to little, to late to correct this economy. And, as it's being spent with borrowed money from China, it's just another American debt forcing this country to it's knees. The good news is, it's an election year! I had an enlightened conversation tonight with Professor Moriarity who made me think twice. I was lamenting the woes of current politics and such before we got on to a long suffering conversation of the real estate market. She gently reminded me of something that I already preach. The power of positive thinking. Everyone is agonizing about the downturn in the market and it's this way because everyone is agonizing about it. If and when the collective thoughts turn positive, so will the real estate market and our economy in general. We have been eight long years into the Bush administration and even he is getting sick of it. We are ready for new. This election will be a political "New Year". We are all going to feel the fresh air of a new regime and bask in the resolutions. It may be short lived but just the kick in the ass this country needs to turn things around. It's not a $600 check that's going to have any affect on anything, but a feeling of hope of change that just might make all the difference.

The Decision

I just snuck out to the patio for a fresh cigar that I bought at the corner humidor today. I love going in to this shop. It's tiny and dank but feels so comfortable. The entire shop is a humidor so when I walk in the atmosphere hits me in the face. Heavy air keeping the bounty of cigars that line the walls fresh. I have become quite friendly with the shopkeeper, Marnie who recognizes me by my Coach bag that she envies. Every week when I come in for my 3 cigars she acknowledges it and then me. I understand her reverence as I too adore it. Marnie knows what I like and sets out picking 3 cigars for me, not to stout, always flavored and slim enough to be feminine but big enough for a hearty smoke when I sit down to write. Today was a typical visit. I'm testing her selection tonight of a rum flavored "Sweet Daddy" brand. I can recommend it. I "snuck out" from tending to my terminally ill dog that is showing signs of giving up. After work I babied him and talked to him trying to offer some comfort. He's in pain now and his eyes are pleading with me for relief. He's in a morphine induce sleep on my bedroom floor that I covered with a down comforter. As much as I love his vet and her compassion, I realize that it's in her best financial interest to keep offering treatments, and so she does. But I am going to have to dig deep and do the right thing on his behalf. I'll have to take solice in the fact that I will make the right decision for Paws. The further shattering of my already broken heart might just be more than I can bear.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food and water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who have been ill and old are restored to health and vigour, those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: they miss someone very special to them who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance.
The bright eyes are intent; the eager body quivers. Suddenly it begins to break away from the group, flying over the green grass, strong legs carrying him faster and faster. YOU have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face, your hands caress the beloved head and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together.

On a Political Rant

This election year has an interesting flavor in that, we all hope for a Democratic outcome to get back to the unrealistic changes that they will make to mask the current malady of a soft economy, war and the downward slide that is this US. However our choices are a women and a black man. Not that I discount either for their minority, but how did this happen?? We have never had either run for office, and at this critical juncture, this is not the time for this. And so the Democratic vote in and of itself is it's own minority. And as if in self destruction mode, the traditional Democratic Party coalition is falling apart, as can be witnessed in recent media.
It's enough of a fact that we think the outcome is even in our own hands as we go to the polls. As it is in every facet of life, money and power are in control. We are ultimately a corrupt society, relying on the greasing of palms to buy whatever you need. And so is politics though on a bigger scale. The stakes are high in this game.

So Mr. American, no matter how hard you want to believe that your vote counts, it is all played out in the background despite your voted chad. But don't let that deter you. It's principal if nothing else. Take this current demise as your own responsibility. We are the people and have a big voice if only we would get off our cell phones and out of our small worlds to voice an opinion and effect change, change would come. Until we become strong enough for that, we remain at the mercy of this Government.

Stand Up.

If I had a Hammer

The weekend melts away tonight with total satisfaction of accomplishment, friends, good food a Sunday night cigar and a feeling of appreciation for it all. We did not work Saturday, as usual. Instead, we spent the day on a construction crew with Habitat For Humanity building a house. I didn't know what to expect from the day as I got up at 5 AM to get ready. I packed the truck for a long day and walked Paws in the dark, despite the coyote crew that were howling on the corner. I had instructed the boys that I was leaving at 7 AM sharp whether they were there or not. My crew is not known for being on time and less than responsible with early hours, especially on a Saturday. Much to my delight, Mike and Emo arrived ahead of schedule and devoured donuts and milk in the truck while we waited for the others. The Kent boys arrived just 30 seconds before I was ready to go and we were off, the 5 of us, driving south with sunrise just beginning. We arrived at the jobsite where throngs of volunteers were checking in and shivering in the cold. Our assignment was the Selgado house and the wall raising, Whatever that meant. Turns out, it meant building the walls from 2X4's with hammers and nails. We donned aprons and hammers and got to work. For the first hour the sound of 34 hammers pounding in spikes was deafening music. As the last nail was in place the foreman orchestrated raising the first wall built which was a cooperative effort of every person picking it up and bolting it into position. The recipient of the home was in tears as she watched her house being constructed. There was immense satisfaction in that moment. And then we had 3 more to build, and so it got down to hard work. For me, a woman that could not hang a picture last week, to have participated in building a house was ineffable.

Fry-Day

After 5 days with a migraine I woke up as myself again this morning. It was nice to be back but I can credit that headache for some wasted time that I don't regret and great pampering by beloved Mel, whom I could not live without. Sometimes it's nice just to give in.

I started the day before the day even started with great intentions of conquering my work in lieu of the fact that the Overflow crew is taking Saturday off to go build a house for our community service project. My hopes were dashed when Tim called to say there were no plastics drilled so my work would not be ready until late afternoon. I just restructured my thinking and called Nikki in to do paperwork, which she is genius at and has taken the pressure of the business side of my business completely off my back. Oh, and made sure she brought Emma.

Miss Emma arrived and we made a plan to head to the lake. It's been eons since we've had an outing with the ducks. She was so excited! Nikki was jealous and said she wanted to go feed ducks. We squashed that and told her to go to work. Someone has to keep Overflow flowing. Out the door with all of the necessary equipment including an apple and some "beauty". We got to our spot and all of our old friends were there, Brownie and Mr Fatty taking center stage chomping bagels right out of our hands. Emma, flirted with all of the golfers and posed for the camera, all the while dancing in the grass musing about ducks and chickens and planes.

Late afternoon I left C-tech with a sigh of relief. Love weekends and my lack of traveling to Tempe. With that Friday feeling in my soul I stopped off in Scottsdale on my way back to do a restaurant with Mel. So here is my review of the next place you won't want to eat at:

The Office Bar and Grille at Desert Ridge.

First of all, let me say, there is not one damn good restaurant in all of Desert Ridge which is to bad because it's so conveniently located, though impossible to exit. The engineering of this strip mall is quite pathetic and you have to know secret passages usually involving an illegal u-turn to get back to the freeway.

We entered a nearly empty restaurant, the majority of the patrons drinking at the bar, all 3 of them. Even the one eyed guy seemed at home here. It was a comfortable atmosphere I suppose, if you like big screen TV's placed around the hemisphere every 3 feet all broadcasting the same program, yet at different intervals which made me a little dizzy. Why this place is called The Office was enough to confuse me. The walls were replete with autographed basketballs and Baseball Jersey's and all sports memorabilia that may have been impressive if I knew anything about it. The bare beam ceilings were beautiful reminding me nothing of any office I had ever been in. And giant blackboards boasted happy hour specials of which the 6 people a few booths away were clearly taking advantage of.

Our menu ranged from "I'm confused" to "how greasy is that going to be". And we were not disappointed!

Mel's Chicken sandwich with avocado was mysteriously presented with a whole avocado plopped on top. Try to bite into that! I was happy with my mushroom burger that resembled manwich. It was greasy enough to be flavorable. Pawpaw agreed when I brought it home to him via doggie bag where it belonged. I have to say though, they know how to do apple, jicima salad! And that's impressive, because who ever heard of it?

Enough of this nonsense. I have a house to build tomorrow.

Goodnight Safari!