Today Is A Day! It's Also 7/20/2014

 

            Greetings this extra fine morning to everyone in reader land!  I say it is an extra fine morning because I have coffee.  So even though I have been up all night at work, it was my Friday at work, so I figured I could stay up a little bit longer and bust out a blog post or two.  Sleep is very over rated anyway.  Plus did I mention I have found coffee!?   So today's post comes from the casino I work at.   It happens to have two Starbucks in it, and I rooted myself in front of the open one and jumped on the free Wi-Fi.  So not only do I get to enjoy the free Internet and the coffee---I get to people watch as I type my random rambling.  Since I have been up all night--the coffee really nay not help -and what surfaces in this post might easily be more rambling than content or than what is normal.  Even normal in my standards.  ;)

    Being just 9 AM on a Sunday morning you would not think there was to much people watching to observe.  Everyone should be at church and all--but the casino floor is already pretty steady.   Plus I found a great perch across from the coffee shop and just I from the motel entrance.  I can also watch a large screen TV with no sound.   For many early morning shows --the no sound concept just might be ideal!  I do have to complain just a little about the table I chose.  I did choose it, so Faw on me, I guess.   So I am across the isle at a snazzy bar that is not yet open --and the seats are super comfy!  But my table is all a mirror top, and I must say it is much to early in the morning to have my ugly mug staring back at me.   I might have mentioned before that I enjoy coffee--but not necessarily Starbucks coffee.  But since they always have free Internet now, and just by sure volume of the stores--I seem to find myself in one more than not.   In Seattle -were cloudy daze are the normal it is not rare to find a Starbucks on all four street corners at any given intersection.   And I am starting to believe that soon for them to open new stores--they will have to open mini S Bucks in the restrooms of current coffee shops.   I mean how awkward would it be to run out of coffee while sitting on the potty??  Speaking of awkward--think of the conversations with those "towel attendants."  I have not visited a store that sells booze yet.  It seems like a bad kind of convenience really.  But I can also see the perks of waking up, going to the corner coffee shop---guzzling coffee until I was awake--and than not even having to leave to switch to drinking.  Will they have days were they give away free adult beverages--like they randomly do with the coffee?  Because in a town like Tucson I could gather a very nice buzz by getting one free drink at even half of the Starbucks locations.  I do enjoy bigger towns on the days they give away free coffee for sure. 

 

I do believe this might become my new picture for MY pages.

What do you think? 

     Lastly---on the same note--kind of I must now mention my idea for a new coffee shop.  I have brought this up before---but it has been awhile.   Anyways I am picturing a topless coffee shop---and I will name it Perkies!  

     So tomorrow night my wife and I get a very rare date night.   We are not sure what we are doing yet-but we are sure it involves no kiddos!  I love them to death, but I am also more than over joyed that on Thursday--as in THIS Thursday, they all return to school.  I think we will be dropping them off at the school around 3 AM that morning.  This Thursday is a triple good Whammy for me.   The kiddos go back to school, it is pay day at work, and it seems to be my day of birth also.  OK two out of the three things are good. 


    
    

 

I call it "vertically challenged" and my wife prefers to be called "fun sized."

 

  This sight can no longer be found in Sheridan, Wyoming were I grew up

or in almost any small town USA anymore.  It is a relic for sure.

A drive in movie theatre. 

At the end of every summer they used to have movies all night mainly for the youth to enjoy.  This was officially called Dusk till Dawn---but most of us knew it as Drunk till Dawn. 

On long boring nights---there are many in Wyoming, we used to park across from the screen -tune in the car radio and enjoy some free movie watching.  Or pull out our spot light and blank out the movie screen for a short period of time.  You had to already have the car running to do this though, because the workers did not enjoy this type of fun as much as we did.  My last experience here was watching Titanic one rainy night.   The movie was so long, that running the wind shield wipers actually killed my car battery. 

 

 

 

Good times!

 

 

 

 

 

 

My wife has the same look much of the time also!

 

 

 

 

Dam editors and speel check.

 

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow We Welcome July

        **"Coffee is that place where the sun comes up over the horizon and lights the heavens in a burst of vibrant colors."**----Even if you live in Oregon or Washington!

      I am not sure how it is posiable but in mere hours we turn the calander to the July pages.  For betterer or for worse, this year is flying by.   Add working graveyards in a casino --were it is purpously  ill lighted, so one never really knows what time it is, and most of the time I have no concept of time or what day it is if I am at work or at home.  Another thing that does not seem possiable is that our oldest kiddo is not a kiddo anymore.  He is turning 14 in a few daze.  Speaking of people that are not kiddos anymore--I also might have a birthday this month.  Although I can not be to old, because cashiers and bartenders still card me when I buy booze.  It just happened today in fact.   After working almost nine hours on my day off work, I thought maybe I needed an adult beverage or five.  ;)      On this same note, somewhat I noticed just out of town on I-10 there is a big billboard about how expensive drunk driving can easily become.  This important billboard is sandwiched between not one, not two, but four---ads for beer.  I am not sure were my point is in telling this, but I find it amusing.  You might not, but please note--I grew up in Wyoming and am very easily amused. 

                                                      **"Sleep is over rated."**

  **If one is stuck in a parking lot---what I call not moving while on the interstate due to huge congestion----is it still considered driving and text or calling??**---Just curious. 

    **320 daze out of the year--I wear this badge with pride! The rest of the year-My wife gets the badge. Just like today---I must say she wears it well. **---Just sayin'   This badge I made myself  now Wally Worlds seem to lock up the materials to make your own name badges.  In any case  this hangs proudly on our fridge. 

    Our kiddos had a great time at the zoo and all I got was to touch an elephants butt! Do I look like a tourist?? Many more pictures from the Tucson zoo to be posted.   I will have to dig to find the pictures, but I have several pictures of my touching random things  and seeming to really enjoy it.   One was the feet on the large statue in front of the Hoover Dam.   Another is some fake boobs on a casino wall in Viva Las Vegas!

   Lots of updates coming to this page!   Including our whole family's recent journey to the Tucson zoo.  A great day indeed.  Despite the messed up date stamps on the pictures, this was last Monday. 

http://exarizonagobensonbobcats.blogspot.com/

                                     Sign I found while Exploring Billings MT one fine night.

                                                                    Umm   OK....

 

In case you have not gotten the memo--I am NOT in favor of ANY gun control.

 

 

     **"We just felt the tremors from a small earth quake. I didn't think they had those in Arizona."**----Two nights ago at about 10 PM our house began to shake.  I was trying to blame the movement on the near by rail road tracks.  Sometimes if you are sitting on our potty when a train goes past, the potty sways, but this movement seemed like much more.  We got online and found that 50 miles east in New Mexico a 5.2 earthquake had hit.  Soon after I had to drive to work.  I was half expecting to drive into a sinkhole on the way to work.  I still have found no reports of damage---but this is a very rare event.  And my first quake for sure.  Pretty crazy!

    On a similar note.   For years my wife has talked about how on the night our oldest was conseived, she felt an earthquake.  I must note here, I was not involved in this night at all---her ex husband is rather large, and they were in a motel in Arizona at this time.  I and everyone involved of this conversation, had never heard of an earthquake in Arizona, and we always counted up the earth movement to how large her ex husband was, and to what they were doing in that motel room at the time.  After almost nine years of giving my wife crap about this---we experienced this earthquake, and as usual she was right all along.  

 

 

Last for tonight---but not least     I bring back my picture of the day feature!

I try to use this more and I try to use current pictures   but this one caught my eye tonight.

This is during the huge rodeo parade in Sheridan Wyoming.

The sign in the background seems to go perfect with this float  somehow. 

But what do I know??

 

Aberdeen Day Two!

 **This was first published in my newest blog series. Please check out all the picture filled posts at http://exploreb-ham.blogspot.com **

Welcome back! After the holidaze I have many new ideas and posts coming! I hope that everyone sticks with me. And PLEASE share these links, if you enjoy what you see here.
Our family has been experiencing overly poor service almost every were we shop in the last few months. I have an entire blog post about the worse offenders in the works. But to counter the "bad karma" this might bring, I am going to post about a quality business in every new post on this sight. As long as we actually have an enjoyable shopping, dining, or business experience. Places that stand out and offer beyond great service, actually going the extra mile to make our day or at least be helpful. Many have already been noted in these posts. Our family offers them a huge thank you! After I have a large handful, of businesses posted, I have a plan to attempt to cross publicize with them. To freely push customers to there business and to my random web-sights. Thank you ahead of time, to anyone that goes with this.

Today I have two such businesses. --- Before our trip out of town, and again this morning--I find myself at Midas to have our car looked at. They have been overly professional and helpful. Fixing what we decided was in our budget, and not pressuring us to have more things fixed. This morning they squeezed our car right in to get looked at. As I was driving it yesterday afternoon, both wiper blades decided to quit. They are still stuck in the up position, and you can hear the moter running, but they will not budge. In Washington, this is a huge problem. Midas got the car right in to look at, and offered a very reasonable cost estimate. They know I can not venture to work tonight with no wiper blades, and did not take advantage of the situation by jacking the price way up.
While they are looking at our car, it is a quick venture to Barnes & Noble. With most actual book stores vanishing, it is awesome to have such a large book store in town! You can roam all of the isles and books, even hide away in a corner and read ---without being annoyed by workers. The store also has a Starbucks in it, with treats, and coffee of course. This coffee shop is tied in with the Cheese cake factory ---so treats are expensive, but sooo good! And offers free wi-fi, which is how I am typing up today's post! Neither business offers outstanding service, but I have also never had poor service in a Barnes & Noble or a Starbucks.

I try to keep this sight as current as possible. I also attempt to keep all exploring in Bellingham or Whatcom county. Again today I am going to venture much further down the trail and tell a little more about our recent trip to Grey's Harbor. For more exploring from way beyond---please check out my other blog sight at www.wyomingjack.blogspot.com
For my 2.5 readers in Wyoming, I have many posts about exploring Sheridan, Wyoming. Just type "Sheridan" into the search section at the top of the blog screen.

Easily the koolest statue in Sheridan

On to the picture filled exploring!
So on day two of our mini trip--- the rain disappeared long enough for some trail exploring. The boys and I ventured past the house we were staying at, past the local middle school. Through many trees and past many ponds.

I love how it is so wet that everything in Washington is green.

Even the trees are green all over.

Reflecting bridge toke us into Cosmopolis.

I apologize if I spelled the town wrong.

Short section of track remaining down by the water.
Our youngest found the Frisbee --pictured above. One of us seems to find at least one treasure every time we venture out.

A few rare glimpses of the sun follow.

My readers in other states, probably do not realize how little we see of the sun in the winter time.

This is why I bring it up so much, and have so many random pictures of the sun.

It is nice to recall what it actually looks like, and think of it's warmth!

On days that the sun does make an appearance, all residents are squinting, trying to recall what that bright light in the sky is. And trying not to run into things while walking.

The great Northwest usually has amazing, sun filled summers, but the winter is full

of grey and rain.

Back were we stayed, there are many cats.

Every time we ate or sat at the table- there were many glowing eyes watching us.

My wife took this picture on the way to Aberdeen.

Considering we were on I-5 and moving, it is a very neat picture.

The Space Needle top was recently painted gold for it's 50th anniversary.

Right now it is getting a new paint job. A tree landscape around the top.

Voted on by residents of this state.

We also had time to visit relatives.

We had started to think that my wife was adopted at an early age--for many reasons.

Or maybe it was just hopeful wishing on her part. But she looks just like this recently found sibling.

The kiddos got to see relatives too, and have an all out brawl!

Notice the fine made sock "boxing gloves!"

Than we explored many of the homes my wife lived in.

Or at least drove past them.

My wife is the only person I know, that has moved more than me.

Thank you for reading and sharing this post!

Next I return to the wonderful Bellingham area.

Last Saturday we explored Fairhaven and enjoyed all of there Christmas activities!

    **"I just read something so funny it made me spit coffee out my nose, which is odd because I wasn't drinking coffee at the time."**----  I can not say this is a true statement or is not.  I'd mainly say not, because it is so rare that I am not drinking coffee!

    **"Currently shopping online for cardboard cutouts of various horror characters. That should teach me roommates to stop taking acid on Thursdays~"**

                            **"If looks could really kill than my profession would be staring."**

 **" I saw my mate Jim for the first time in ages today, I said good god Jim you've put on a lot of weight , he said, "Tell me something I don't know" I said "Salad tastes good"**

   **"Loving all of my free time and time with the family! But I have started like 50 projects and need to finish some. lol"**-----Me-----As always one of the things I neglect the most each day, is this blog.   Life is great, but it keeps getting in the way of me posting regularly, somehow. 

   **"Deff a March day yesterday. Woke up to a lil snow. Than the rain hit. While I was bbq'n ribs we saw hail and than all out sun! Six days till spring!"**---Me-----I believe we have 3 days left until spring officially hits.  No one here has told this to Mother Nature.  About all else I can add to this is that the ribs were awesome, and our dog is still enjoying the rib bones.   We just are rationing them out to him a few at a time as treats.   We also have to watch what we take out of freezer bags when looking in the freezer.  Because his bones are in a freezer bag and when he sees one he gets more than a little excited.
    On a some what related note.  While I was walking Max last week, in the middle of no were, while he was on his leash I might add, five large dogs came charging down the trail towards us.  I was a little worried at first.  Both because I didn't know these large dogs, and I really did not know how Max handled other dogs.   I know for sure, he does not like cats---good dog on that one!   Now if we  could just train him to attack snakes, he would be my hike buddy all the time for sure.   Than I was annoyed, because my dog was on a leash and these ones were free to attack us.  Obviously I was not harmed to badly, or at all, because I am now typing this some what boring story to y'all.   The point to this story really is coming, soon even.   The dogs owner soon came down the trail.  And she started petting Max.   She recognized the dog, and used to walk him all around town.  Thus again proving that this is both an extremely small town and world. 
    Also on a related note.   As in it involves the dog.   I am happy to report that both Max and myself were approved for housing on the same day!   We get the paper work next week to sign and put me on the lease.   And already have the paperwork for the dog.   I had thought this process would take much longer.   And ultimately result in a lot of sneaking in and out the residence back door.    This all also gets us one step closer to being married.  But mum is the word on all of that for the moment ;)

   For not working I have a lot of plans for the rest of this month and beyond.   I have pictures from past activities, but have not posted them on here yet.   Lucky you!   Future plans include going to Seattle with my fiance for some R & R and good times at the end of the month.   I will defiantly have pictures to add about that trip.   Another is the local St Patty's Day parade.   It was very kool last year.  And I believe the rain stopped for most of the actual parade. 

   I pause to ask my readers a question.   And at the same time vent just a little bit.   Over the weekend I tweaked out on one of our neighbors.   Although it was a great stress reliever for me, I doubt the action did any good.  This person is a perma-tweak who keeps forgetting she has a kid.  We bend over back wards for her son, because it's not his fault that his mom has done more than her and my share of drugs.   On that day we some how had her son from the time school let out till about 11:30 Saturday afternoon.  Or morning, depending on if you sleep in.   Her son was a perfect gentleman during his stay--that's not the problem.   Beyond the neglect, we were more annoyed that that Saturday was our date night, and we had child care for the night lined up for all of my fiances three kids.   We really didn't need a fourth running around -is the cliff notes.

   I guess the real question here --is how can someone effectively get points across to an individual that has far fewer brain cells remaining?   I have lots of "speeches" on numerous topics memorized from my daze and years of working at Wally World.  But I was also sure that everyone I talked to comprehended at least 80% of my rambling.   If you have any input on this or my blogs in general----please leave comments and or feedback.  
    When I worked at the Wally World here in Bellingham there was this man that would roam around the store all the time with his hands in his pockets and a very happy, yet distant look in his eyes.  One day I was working on a ladder, and was more than a little surprised when the customer asked me to continue working on the registers up front, because the lines were backing up.   That was the day I learned this man was one of my assistant managers!   I was new to the store, and thought he just shopped there a lot.    I am not making fun of him at all.  He was/is very laid back and I don't believe I ever heard him yell.  Not even at me!   He was very mellow and laid back and it just seemed that he did some very good drugs in the 70's.   The main differences between him and our neighbor.  Are that he stopped doing drugs, and he was still a fully functioning member of society.   At any rate we called him Perma Fry!   I believe in free choice on most topics, as long as that choice isn't hurting someone.  But if you ever need a sure fire bet to keep your kids from even trying drugs, I will give you our neighbors address and our phone number.   You can thank me later.   From a distance. 

  
   **"American novelist Philip Roth complains that the “real world” has grown so berserk that fiction has no hope of keeping up and remaining credible at the same time."**

      This man's shirt is amazingly hard to read.  The concept is about as hard to swallow.  During a large conference last week, homeless people were "paid" to be wireless hot spots for the day.  I put paid in quotes, because they received $20.00 for the entire day from the company.   Although they could ask for donations from computer and cell phone users of there services.  After hearing about this on TV this morning, I had to look up the subject to decide it really happened.  The sight I got this picture of off, connects to another sight were the homeless used each has there own page complete with a donation area at the bottom of the page.  It also shows which streets they are begging on if one lived in the area and would prefer a more personal donation or to talk to any of them.   If done right I suppose this could be a great idea.  Not to much harsher than paying the homeless to hold up signs for pizza joints all day.  Except that the grub signs will not give the workers cancer for sure.     What are your thoughts?   Please share in my comments or feedback. 





 

   Today's picture of the day is from Sheridan, Wyoming.  For better or for worse, my home town.  I have many pictures of this sculpture.   This one was near Christmas time.   The building in the background is the local senior center.   Just to the right is the fountains and a small park.  They have many events and some other great sculptures to view.   Just beyond this is the city park.   And to the extreme right is the towns great library.   This sculpture is turned "on" in the summer time, and water drips out of the riders hat. 

   Here's another shot

And in this one you can just make out the water dripping out of this proud riders hat.