Peon's Place

So, yeah. I’ve been “missing” for a few weeks now. What in the hell have I been up to? Great question!

As many of you know, I’ve been working full time, going to school 4 nights a week, and then cramming in other activities to fill in what little free time I have remaining. I took off my Thursday night class (microeconomic theory) to go to my first concert in a long time; Christina Perri + James Blunt at the Warfield in San Francisco. I was fortunate enough to meet Christina and have a CD autographed by her!

I finished up my classes last week – two weeks after moving to a new company, where my growth opportunities are just about endless. I’m doing more or less the same thing that I have been doing for nearly three years now, except at a very prestigious company, and for substantially better pay. I’ve learned a ton about the industry in my training classes that I never had the opportunity to learn before. I had my business class (Tuesday nights) grade posted over the weekend — squeezing in my ‘A’ with a 90-point-something percent in the class (with a ‘B’ on the final). there’s a possibility that i end up with 3/3 ‘A’s, but who knows. I’m aiming for ‘B’ grades, and the ‘A’s are all accidental, I assure you.

Linda and I moved the majority of my large furniture, including computer, TV entertainment system, etc this weekend. Suffice to say, I’m a wee bit tired today from heavy lifting, stairs, etc; but it’s all worth it in the end. ;)

I’ll be trying to squeeze in my normal internet-friendly self in the next week or two, now that my days are no longer 17 hours long, and I’m not skipping between beds/homes. I’ll be fixing up my bathroom (new shower, toilet, flooring, etc) in the next month and hope to be renting my condo out by July. We shall see.

..aanndd out!

I wonder if he can make my living room bling like ice?

Vanilla Ice (aka Robert Van Winkle) will star in a home improvement series on the DIY Network entitled, The Vanilla Ice Project. The first season is ten episodes, starting October 14th.

“Over the last 15 years, Rob has taught himself the basics of home improvement through hands-on experience. In each episode, Rob demonstrates his vast knowledge in home renovation … . He calls the shots in this room-by-room home makeover series, exposing an entirely new side of the star — one that his fans never have seen before.”

Ever been too lazy to get off the couch and get a beer? Or are you looking for a new way to impress your buddies? These instructions will show you how to train your pooch to fetch a beer (or any other drink) from the fridge.

Grabbing the Beer

1. Empty a beer can and play fetch with it. If necessary, wrap something around the can so the dog can grab it more easily.
2. Put the beer can on the lowest shelf of the fridge so that your dog can reach it. It helps to clear out any stuff around it.
   • Put something against the fridge door so that it stays open without you having to hold it.
   • Near the fridge, point to the beer can and tell your dog to “fetch”. If your dog doesn’t understand, as you give the command pick up the beer and place it in the dog’s mouth.
3. Give your dog praise. Give the “drop” command so that she drops the can into your hand. Give praise and a treat. Repeat until your dog can pick up a beer can and put it on your hand using only verbal commands.
4. Move further away from the fridge and repeat. Keep moving a little further away until you’re sitting on your living room couch in front of the TV, or wherever you’ll often be when you command your dog to fetch the beer.

Closing the Fridge

1. Open the fridge door slightly.
2. Dangle a treat so that your dog gets up on his hind legs and leans with his front paws against the door. This will close the door. Say “Close it” when you’re doing this, and reward your dog when he puts his paws on the door.
3. Move further away, leaving the fridge open. Tell your dog to “Close it”. Reward your dog whenever he closes the fridge.

Putting It All Together

1. Stand close to the fridge. Ask your dog to “Get me a beer”. He should now be comfortable opening the fridge door. While the fridge door is open, tell the dog to “fetch”.
2. Have him put the beer in your hand and reward him.
3. Repeat the previous step, but this time say “Close it” after he grabs the can and reward him profusely after he’s brought you the beer.
4. Move a little further away and say “Get me a beer”. Your dog should open the fridge door but if he forgets to, just grab the beer or close the fridge, and remind him verbally.
5. Reward him when he brings you the beer (having done everything he was expected to do). Keep doing this and eventually most dogs will complete all of the tasks with a single command: “Get me a beer”.

I normally start off with “awesome!” in these cases, but I’d rather get the word out to any of my readers who have such appliances.

Whirlpool Corp.’s Maytag unit is recalling about 1.7 million dishwashers because of a fire hazard. The Consumer Product Safety Commission, which announced the recall Thursday, says the company, part of Whirlpool Corp., has received 12 reports of electrical failures in the dishwasher heating element that led to fires and damage.

One kitchen fire caused extensive damage, the agency said. No injuries have been reported.

The recall includes Maytag, Amana, Jenn-Air, Admiral, Magic Chef, Performa by Maytag and Crosley brand dishwashers with plastic tubs. The recalled dishwashers were made with black, bisque, white, silver and stainless steel front panels and sold at department and appliance stores nationwide from February 2006 through April 2010. They cost between $250 and $900.

CPSC advises consumers to immediately stop using the recalled dishwashers and disconnect the electric supply by shutting off the fuse or circuit breaker controlling it. Consumers can schedule a free in-home repair or receive a rebate of $150 or $250 toward the purchase of select new Maytag dishwashers. The amount of the rebate depends on the type of model to be purchased.

A company spokeswoman says Whirlpool set aside $75 million to cover the costs of the recall. More information on the numerous serial numbers involved in the recall can be found at the company’s website or the website for the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The recall is Maytag’s second of more than a million major appliances in a little more than a year. It recalled 1.6 million refrigerators because of fire risks in March 2009.

Whirlpool, based in Benton Harbor, Mich., bought Maytag in March 2006 in a $1.8 billion deal.

This was originally posted by me  November 1, 2007 on MySpace, but I found it classic enough to want to share again. ;)

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“So the drippy faucet”, I thought to myself at 7 am this morning as
I can’t go back to sleep for my alarm to faithfully awaken me at 8, “has
finally gotten to me.”

You see, being that I don’t pay the water bill (HOA covered) I hadn’t
been too concerned with it. Putting cost into something that’s not costing
me anything is well.. heh, throwing money down the drain, literally.

(read more)

I’m utterly exhausted at work today! The double-shot espresso this morning I don’t think really phased me. I rarely ever consume coffee or coffee products, so they normally hit me hard (or as my coworker Joe would say, “crazy mofo”) when I do.

Friday I went out with Joe to see other members of our football league, and hang out at their place in Emeryville. Pizza, margaritas, and watching Eric die about 20 times in the span of 3 minutes playing COD4. We drove back that night, but I was content just with just crashing on their couch.

Saturday was part relaxation, part “home improvement”. I got around to painting the doors I previously removed earlier in the week. They’re all finished right now save for the backside of the bedroom door; it was getting dark and I wanted to park back inside my garage! I then went rollerskating with a friend and met up with another of her friends, who dressed up as…. yes….

You know it was awesome! He was the life of every party that we went to. Even the 2am diner stop.

Sunday I watched my games of football. Despite my doubleheader of Niners followed by Packers both being a loss, I still came out 4-0 in my fantasy teams for the week. I then met up with friends at a coffee shop and later the club, which I had not been to on a Sunday night before. Ugh. I’m tired.

The best part is, I am guessing I’ll be out for my regular Monday night club / boozingfest when it’s dollar drinks from 10-11. Tuesday is going to hate me…

So I took the two bathroom doors and one of the bedroom doors off last night for painting this weekend. I figure it shall be step 1 of bathroom remodeling. While I’m at it I may paint some or all of the bathroom this weekend as well. With the kitchen pretty much done, it’s been a few months since I’ve been all Home Depot on my snazzy little pad.

Note to self: Pick up paint today at lunch. Also, another set of door stops.

Also, I need to update this blog-a-thon of mine more often.

In regular Rocky & Bullwinkle fashion, I present to you…..

How to Flood Your Bathroom,
or, Home Upgrades: The Plumping Department

You choose.