Some Leftovers

Iron and Wine with Calexico

Just plain good.



----> Live & Acoustic <----

Living Like a Refugee

Not to be mistaken with Living Like a Fugee. That would be WAY different.

Either way though, this is another band I can't seem to stop listening to.

Perhaps kinda "summer-like" for this, a mid-winter post. But I, and perhaps you too, need a lift in spirits for this time of year.

Very much a feel good band.

Clickity-click yourself here ----><---- before you clickity-clack yourself anywhere.

You can clickity-click here ----><---- as well, if still in danger of clickity-clacking elsewhere.

Big Tree Falls, Witness Blames Wind

Yes, and the witness was probably right.

I only mention this because I and others performed the clean up. And it was a good photo op. A local news crew (consisting of one camera man, and one camera) showed up on scene and took in some video. We don't know if we made the news. Climbers on Mt. Hood are more important anyways.

Other than that, I have a new band rolling around in my noggin. Beruit.

Kid tested, parent or guardian approved...

...more testamonial

And then the music<----click this thingy for a nice melody

When in Doubt

From just the other morning on the way into work, I snapped this one, looking just over the roof of the Glasgow Store.

I have been in doubt about what to post, since my routine is so ordinary lately.

And I like pretty pictures. Dustin believes in barns covered by snow. Billy believes in the children. They are our future, and are here to replace us, eventually. I here in Oregon, believe in a sunrise.

I would also like to point out, a barn merely holds hay. Maybe some mangy farm animals as well. A sunrise however, holds the promise of a new day. The embarking upon new things. Kids and sunrises are the coolest. Barns are...well, not as cool as Billy and me :]

As for real news, Brandon and Sage both get the congrats for their new sons, Elijah and Mordicai respectively.

Therefore, 2 more votes for kids and sunrises.

More of Only Good Stuff

Bring me your tired, quality-web-content hungry masses, and I give them KEXP.org

No big deal, only the best radio station on the planet.

Yes, you can listen to them on-air live. Or if you choose, as I do often enough, partake in their deep, previously recorded, in-studio performances.

Gobs of great NW talent, and some known names as well.
I personally recommend the takes from:
Citizen Cope
Thee Emergency
Cracker

Checkity check it ---> click here! ----->KEXP

New Music Monday

... and now, your nominee for Best New Band of the Year: Dispatch.

Except, it should be in all fairness mentioned, they (the band) have actually broken up already. But!! they sure put out some great, live, concert material . So, I'm still nominatin' them.


Click the link, and then Albums to give a listen.

http://www.dispatchmusic.com/

Getting Positive Feedback

Since popular demand demands it, (ok, not by mass popularity, but more by one guy who is just massively popular) I have included more pictures of recent outings.

In this first pic, I'd like to introduce a new friend. This is her first appearance, so let's all give her a warm round of applause.... so give it up for Sierra the dog!! C'mon everyone now!!

Just Some Nice Views

...or a photo-journalstic, slash scientific-geological review. Depending on your view.

New Month, New Format.

And, I'm tired of poker ads that net me 0 dollars in any recent or near long term memory.

The Wallace House bathroom update is, deck installed and 100% functional. Bathroom has some new features, and at this point, only needs a smooth coat finish, and then paint. The counter top for the sink is newly painted and has been ready to go for weeks now. A sink is ready, and I just bought a new faucet. All harware is in house, and on hand. This weekend I believe, tile work is being performed elsewhere, which I could have access to for 10-12 quick cuts of Wallace house, tile, material.

I don't have pics.

But I do have these.

What have I been doing??

Its been a slow summer mostly. Things have been going on, but I have settled in a very normal pace of life. No poker (very little anyways) just work, and the every-so-often Cape Arrago venture.

There is a dinner out at the house tonight for Jaimie's going back to school get-together. And thats all I can think of that's new.

But I do have some pics of recent expeditions.


Oh also, I'd like to give a very special shout-out to my biggest fan. You know who you are.

It's been a while

Just ask Bush though, I've been busy.

Of course, I'm in the Wallace house, very near Charelston. Two miles to be exact. I checked it all out on the mtn. bike last evening, around sunset.

The weather has finally broke. While most of country has been broiled by heat for two weeks, Charelston has been packed in with fog all day, and has been breezy and cool at night. However, two days ago, summer finally showed up in the form of bright, sunny, and clear 79 degree weather.

I am still settling in. I am in the midst of texturing the bathroom. After that, a new sink and counter top (made of tile) will be installed. New lino will go in, and eventually, so will tile around the tub/shower.

Also in progress, is a new (albeit temporary) deck. This however, will follow a quick coat of paint to the back of the house.

Other than that, thats about it really. Business is ok. Today I made the first step to contact some of my previous business contact, California cohorts regarding pcb work. And doggonit, if the whole state of Oregon is under atm/phone freeze because of some main data trunk goin on the blink. At least this is what the people at Wal-Mart explained to me. I was unable to find any official explanation through my tiny arsonal of news links. Perhaps Dustin, being the big news guy could find the inside scoop.

Today, It Is Friday

Here today, it is Friday. I have successfully returned back from the state due south.

It was a tough drive. Tougher than many others. I was tired, and my back began to bother me. I’m just not as young as I used to be, this is for sure.

The picture you see is off the loft balcony, just outside the upstairs door. I took about four. This was the best of the lot.

Jamie is arriving tomorrow. She has the summer off from college, and wanted to live here before going back in the fall. I can’t say I blame her.

I have had work the past three days, enjoying the indoors of it all, while it has rained almost consistently since I have been back. While today, on the radio they said Redding would see high 90’s. Indeed, it is a different world here on the Southern Oregon Coast. Again, I really take notice, to the world here, more, somehow.

This Wednesday is grandma’s lunch/mass party hardy. I think she may have ordered the keg already. Keg of wine, though, I think. What this means for me however, is I must clean windows, doors, floors, etc.
I have to set up a few big tables too.

Also, while back, and with more returned items from storage, I have been able to go through a few things. In addition to finding my digital camera, to which you have already been the direct beneficiary of, knowingly or unknowingly, but I have also found many old mix tapes from the early through mid 90’s. I predict these may be a big ticket item some day. Hot stuff.
Found as well, were some good college radio listening. Girl dj stuff Melanie would probably find noteworthy.

Added, is one more computer, three cd players, two turntables and a microphone. Naw, but it sounded good. One turntable, no microphone(s), two receivers, one dual-action tape deck, dvd/cd player, and a pair of 15” Infinity house speakers. I’ve already test fired a few sonic booms. For purely testing purposes only, of course.

With the infusion of various genre tapes, cds, and dvds, I’ve taken the long over due, and very necessary action item of saving the best-of-the-best to mp3 format, and then to the mp3 player.
I’ll be all digital. Musically speaking.

Speaking otherwise, I think that’s it.

More family members are arriving periodically, perhaps even randomly through the course of the current summer, I’m told.

I’ll update if I’m witness to any special goings-on.

Swimming in Summer's Afternoon

As a courtesy update, I am still in California. Finished is Dieter's backyard, and finished is Mutti's backyard. Both turned out well I think.

Yesturday I taxi'ed Mutti to Merced to visit the Langer side of things. We both stayed the night and enjoyed the vacationing neighbors pool and diving board.

Today Nicholas has a swim meet, so we will all caravan there as the support crew. Either tonight or early tomorrow I deliver Mutti back to the people of Lodi.

Then, I head back to San Jose to pick up my wireless mouse (I left at Dieter's house last week) and perhaps to complete a pc design. If the pc thing happens, it may be Wednesday before I retreat back to the serene woods of the Franson Estate.

This is all the news worthy of print.

The Golden State

I've traveled southward again.

I left last Saturday morning, and wound down highway 5 for ten hours. I arrived in San Jose, staying at my uncle Dieter's, to pick up my remaining items from storage.

I had planned to leave and head back up to Oregon the next day, or perhaps Monday. Instead, Sunday afternoon I helped Dieter landscape his front yard. It's a small condo yard, but it ended up very well. A rough and scrappy piece of rocky dirt, was transformed into a nearly tropical, very Japananese garden, complete with pagoda, pebble river bed, and mini-bridge. I'll try to get some pics.

Then, Monday morning I grabbed my stuff from my storage, and hit the highway. Just before pulling into Lodi for a quick Mutti visit, I decided to call Sage and appologize for not finding the time to meet up. He was ok with it, and instead offered a few days of work, in exchange for nominal payment and a free Santa Cruz Blues Festival ticket. Deal. Count me there.

So, I call the guys in the San Jose pcb design office, and let them know I'll be in San Jose for up to another week. Turns out Dieter will be able to let me borrow a computer to do that work as well, in the evenings, or when Sage's wraps up. So, I finally pull into Mutti's, and was able to keep my storage stuff in her garage while I pull a u-turn back to SJ. As it were, she needs her backyard landscaped. I agreed to do it, when I am finally, for real, heading back up to Oregon. It should take no more than 2-3 days.

Then, Dieter and I worked out a deal to landscape his backyard now, as well.

One small errand I had to do, instead has turned into four new projects.

Wish me luck with the landscape gods.

(I hope the gods of Oregon will not be angry at me for patronizing the good gods of landscape)

More Visuals

One At a Time

Another.

A Little Snapshot

Here you go.



I did take more.
Detailed close-ups too.

However, the dear, old, funky Uncle Stanley only emailed me one of nine from his camera. I am still unclear what the other strange attachments I found in my inbox, from him were. Maybe he is secretly a techno-superhero and has invented a new file format which includes the remaining eight images. I hope they are in 3-d. Either way, I hope to make contact with techno-superhero today so I can decipher his new way.

as per requested

For all you whining, sniveling cry babies, here you go. Please be sure to wipe your post nasal drip, before it gets crusty.










Oh, shoot, my bad. This is actually another stock photo.


I'll get a real pic soon.

It's a Modern Society

It's a modern society nowadays. Except way up Kentuck Inlet.

Here, it is an untamed wilderness. Not much unlike the depths of the Amazon or Congo. There, they have tarantulas, flesh eating wildebeest, snakes and crocodiles with big teeth. Not to mention something about quicksand, I've heard.
In these parts however, we have the relentless, mind-killing drone of incessant rain, and any of the above can kill you, eventually I believe.

However, I have temporarily at least, staved off death with steadfast pursuit of a finished bathroom. And without further delay, here is the latest update.

All shower tile is in. All sink tile is in. All floor tile is in. It is 95% grouted. The toilet, sink, and faucet is installed. And the walls have been painted a semi-gloss white.
Left to do, is sealing of the grout, finish wood trim, towel and tp racks, and put the door back up. Oh ya, ever so minor texture and paint touch will then cap the project.

Added on however, is a mini-kitchen, just on the other side of the bath wall. U. Dan insisted I t-bone the hot and cold water supplies, and sink drain way back when. All on the hope that one day a kitchenette would be added. And son of a gun, if that day did not arrive sooner than I thought.

There, U.D. (as he shall forward be deemed) (it works for Michigan's U.P. right?) has already installed one base cabinet and is tiling a countertop this very afternoon. A mini-fridge has already been placed, plugged in, and immediately began to serve it's intended purpose well, in the chilling of some nice, ice cold beverages. And, I believe it is worthy of mention, I do like ice cold beverages.

In other news, I have had my first full week of work through my new pcb design venture. It seems to be going well. I hope the prospect for more work continues.

And finally, for all of those who have been crying for a new post, I say to you resoundly, "go screw off." Listen, like I said, it's a modern society, but not on the ouskirts of Coos County. Here, there is no hi-speed cable, there is no coffee shop around the corner, no. Instead, it is a nearly inhospitable environment, fraught with potential dangers lurking behind every overgrown shrub and tree. Bottom line, I'm basically marooned on a deserted planet, with no hi-speed internet. Honestly, I have no idea how we all survived the 56k era.

In any event, thank God for wireless internet thievery from the neighbors. I think they have satellite internet or something. However, it should be said now, and forevermore, I will post only when something is worth mentioning. Here, at Las Vegas and Other N. American Points dot com, we strive for only the freshest ingredients. No salt, no additives, and no msg. And best of all, I will never, hear me, NEVER simply post random jokes from random comedians, just to fill space. Our motto is, if it's not juicy fresh, it won't get posted.

So, if you want to go to those "recycled" so-called blogs, go right ahead.

But if you want quality, here is where you find it. Residing up Kentuck Inlet.

Moving Forward...

... in space, time, and the bathroom remodel.



Where I last left off, I was California bound, but only for a short time. I have since returned with enough computing power to launch a small, privately financed, space shuttle. Perhaps this is a marketable side business... I do not know... maybe in Russia. But what I do know is that I now have all of my construction tools on hand as well. This is an overwhelming convenience. My life is much happier, and healthy now.

Since returning, I have framed in the shower walls, and installed the mixer. The mixer, is the device which mixes both the hot and cold water together, to an individually perfect blend of hot and cold water. Hence the name, mixer.
The shower head plumbing has also been decided upon, and installed. The big news though, is the water test that we performed yesterday. Turns out, there was one PVC pipe fitting located on the outside wall, for fresh water supply that was not glued. This burst, and the test failed.

Today, the fitting is now glued, and the hot water heater must be electrically connected to truly test the hot and cold function of the aforementioned mixer.

Once all the "inside the wall" stuff can pass inspection, the shower pan can be placed permanently, drain installed, insulation put up, and backerboard screwed in. Backerboard being, that which the tile will adhere to. Then, drywall will go up all around. After that, you may well imagine, we are tangibly close to a real bathroom.

As far as the picture from above, it is just a stock photo of Cape Arago, just a few miles south of town. I included this for the exclusive benefit of you, the occasional observer. Enjoy.

What Month Is it??

I can't believe it's been a month since I posted. I guess it's not too bad, if compared to my brother's blogs. I think I'm still way ahead on an average post per month basis... assuming the last 8 months are included in the calculation.

Where was I... the loft bathroom. Well, at this point, all the heaviest of heavy duty labor is done. 146 feet of trench dug, all at 1/4" per foot of slope to accommodate the necessary plumbing exit (sewer line, that is, in layman's terms). Since then, all 146 feet of 4" ABS pipe has been placed, glued, and buried, along with all code appropriate cleanout intervals. In short, the loft is now plumbed to the septic. Hypothetically, if you carried your own bucket of water with you, you could take a duke, if you so desired. But I wouldn't recommend the sitting position as comfortable, since the toilet is not actually installed. However, in Japan they do it that way. If we have any Japanese visitors soon, we are ready for business.

So, as for the very now, the honorable Uncle Dan and I have been negotiating shower wall plans. He opinioned that plastic walls would be fine. I have advocated for tile. I think I am winning this debate. We are also divided on the floor material. He believes linoleum is ok. And, yes, the cost savings is significant (whereas costs are comparable with tile shower walls vs. plastic) and installation would also be much quicker and easier with his preferred choice. I may relent, but only if the shower walls can be done the right way, with tile. However... work is about to go on another break. This should only last a week.

This is the deal. I am starting up KB Design, with worldwide headquarters located here in lovely North Bend, Oregon. The KB stands for Kirk and Bryan. Bryan Coleman that is. The week delay is for me to travel back to California to pick up a computer, and some light training with my Uncle Dieter. Then I return to Oregon as soon as possible, and we embark.

This does put the loft bathroom, somewhat on a back burner. NOT off the stove, not chilled and in the freezer, just lowered to a simmer, and set nearer the wall. I will then pick it up on weekends, and when there is time between the new startup work. It does look like I will be busy immediately, so weekends just may be the only time.

IN other news, I sold the Supra. It was burning more oil than I thought was healthy. That, and I really do need a truck. Sports cars are fun, but not practical. Even for a single guy. So, with a favorable tax return, I picked up a Nissan Frontier.

I'm liking it so far.




I think that's it. No poker news. I'm just too burnt on it all. Perhaps when I'm an old rich dude, with nothing to do in my retirement but burn hundred dollar bills. For now, I got a bidniss to run.

Oregon at Last

I have arrived in Oregon recently, soon to find out that my uncle Rick had passed away.

A family reunion will now fall together. And, this has changed my plans. Not to a great extent, but I have put the loft bathroom somewhat on the backburner now.

Instead, the loft's main living quarters have been given priority for wayward travelers here to mourn all that was, all that had been, all what might be of Uncle Rick.

Although the bathroom does have a newly purchased vinyl, sliding, window, and a shower pan on order, for the most part, yard maintenance, household cleanup, and occasional Uncle Dan helper-outer duties have scheduled out my days. I have been chipping away at the drain trench too. (This will take some time unless a small crew can be assembled for the thankless, unpaid, and back-breaking labor that it is) (Oh, trencher machine you say, great idea, but no, it cannot be. The area available between the house and the hill do not provide enough clearance. Sadly, it must all be done manually.)

Billy, Liam, perhaps Sheena and my mom are all on their way as well. I am really looking forward to getting together again.

In other news, I have begun the steps to set up a small printed circuit design studio up here. My cousin Brian appears excited about seeing if he may want to collaborate. Additionally, a friend of the family, Jeremy may be interested as well.
I am very excited about the prospect.

As a courtesy note, I may not update my blog here, as often as I have in the past. Out at the house, there is only a weak 28k dial up. Thus, I need to drive into town, and shack up at a local coffee shop (as I am doing now) to update. And, all in all, the days are more routine, and non-noteworthy enough to warrant a full-on blog update. Just rest assured, work is being done, and sooner or later, there will hopefully be most of the following:
a) a clean, well maintained house/loft
b) a clean, well maintained yard
c) a fully functional bathroom in the loft
d) a financially viable, productive pcb design office

Now, I need to pick up a few things at the hardware and grocery store.

The Delay, It's Almost a Cliche

Leaving Santa Cruz late week, I thought I quick stop in the San Jose/Walnut Creek/Discovery Bay area would be all that separated me from Oregon. Instead, while driving through San Ramon I realized I needed to pull into San Ramon Valley Medical Center.

Long story short, another minor medical phenomena has held me back. For Friday of last week through Tuesday of this week, I had been laid up on Jimmy's couch. Wednesday (yesterday) I was finally able to get around and feel normal again. And with that, I would have been Audi 5000. Except for one thing.

My brakes on the new car, as I posted earlier, had a slight squeak. I had already had them checked in Merced from a trusted family mechanic who told me, it was nothing more than the non-factory brake shims rubbing during braking. But, while driving to Santa Cruz last week, I was feeling some shuddering at freeway exit braking levels.
So, while in Discovery Bay, I figured Jimmy's garage was a great place to replace the shims, and investigate the shudder.

I had ordered the shims on Tuesday, so I already had the new brake parts. But instead decided to first reroute a wiring harness under the hood, that I thought could be a future problem. End of day Wednesday, the harness was fully done, and looking good. But it did end up taking all day.
Today, I began the brakes only to find out I received the wrong parts from Toyota. Awesome. Tomorrow I should be getting the right ones.

If all goes well, I should be taking off tomorrow afternoon.

WPT Qualifier At Bay 101 - The Results

Today I played some 6-12 before the 8:45am tournament. I made a whole $20.

The tournament though, was a $125 buy in, with 110 entrants. 1st and 2nd would gain entrance into thier WPT main event in March. The other top 15 or so would gain take home cash.

We all started with 1000 chips, and the blinds began at 25-25, going up every 20 minutes. Perfect. Exactly how I like it. Chill, and wait for the good cards to come.

At the 45minute mark I caught A-A, and some guy ahead of me had already bet 600. I hesitated, and waited a while, to make it seem like a tough decision, but then carefully stacked it all-in. He thought for a while, and eventually caved. Dam. I guess 600 plus the blinds, will be ok.
Later, I'm holding an A-J, it's me and another guy after a hefty 300 pre-flop bet. The board goes K-Q-10. I flopped the straight! I bet 200, in a "I'm buying it, kinda way." He goes all in. I call. He holds a friggin A-Q. Then the turn gives him a jack for a straight also. Dam. I guess splitting the blinds will be ok.

For the last hand before the 1 hour break, I catch a King-high flush. This is normally a great hand. Instead I see a huge chunk of change lost when I was beat not only by a full boat, but also by four of a kind. Jimminy Christmas, I thought, for lack of another foul-language outpouring.
An hour and a half into it, I'm down to 800. Half the table has moved into the multiples of thousands range, and the blinds are soon to be 200-400. It's time to make a move.

Three of us call 400 to go. I have A-10 suited in clubs. The flop-ola is Qclubs-8clubs-9diamonds. I act first. I pretend to think about betting (I have the nut flush draw, an inside straight draw, and an ace for an over card) and instead, power check. Dude next to me immediately bets 200. The other guy ponders the reality of life, for an eternity, and then moves all in. I have to call. I have only 400 left, and I have a 3-1 chance to draw the ace high flush, and a shot at other potentially win-able hands. I call, putting myself all in.

Dude next to me calls. For an opportunity to go way up in chips, I liked my chances. IN the end however, no other club showed up, nor did an ace.

Big tourney victory will have to wait another day.

I'm am now in Capitola, to meet up with my cousin Sage. Then, it's northward.