August 26, 2008
August 25, 2008
News From The Front
Newsflash: Turning Point in the Battle on the Northern Front!
VICTORY -ENEMY HALTED AS ALLIED ADVANCE CONTINUES!
VICTORY -ENEMY HALTED AS ALLIED ADVANCE CONTINUES!
Visalia, California - This 10th day of continuous and bloody fighting on the northern front has resulted in a strong foothold for the forces of homeland defense. Although the previous week was filled with many (plant) casualties and frustrations in battle, a turning point is now believed to have been reached. Supreme Commander of the homeland forces was surprised that the enemy, "fell for the old carrot trick." He continued to say, "There may be more out there so we need to keep at it for a few more days".
Today was the first day in which the enemy had been stopped dead in his tracks. Although there was celebration for the victory in battle, there is still concern for the vulnerability of the southern area of the homeland. "There's only one trap that seems to be working - you just can't cover everything at once." An eerie silence fell over the battlefield as the reality of continued fighting sunk in.
There is a certain unpredictability in war fought underground and so victory is hard to claim until large areas are contained. Allied forces will continue to patrol and set traps for the marauding intruders until every last one is either killed or captured (probably killed).
"This is a great victory for our homeland," said the Commander, "It looks like he'll be pushing up daisies now rather than pulling them down!"
Today was the first day in which the enemy had been stopped dead in his tracks. Although there was celebration for the victory in battle, there is still concern for the vulnerability of the southern area of the homeland. "There's only one trap that seems to be working - you just can't cover everything at once." An eerie silence fell over the battlefield as the reality of continued fighting sunk in.
There is a certain unpredictability in war fought underground and so victory is hard to claim until large areas are contained. Allied forces will continue to patrol and set traps for the marauding intruders until every last one is either killed or captured (probably killed).
"This is a great victory for our homeland," said the Commander, "It looks like he'll be pushing up daisies now rather than pulling them down!"
The despicable vermin himself shown here with "his last meal".
(Gophers: 5, Steve: 1)
August 20, 2008
Of Gophers and Men...
A Lawn, Lawn time ago in a yard not far, far away...
Gopher Wars!
It's true - we have gopher(s). Coincidently, I have also been here for almost 4 weeks now and I haven't killed anything yet. Not that I really want to, or really have a quota or anything. But this is me we are talking about so the odds are that something should have happened by now.
Anyway, back to what we were talking about...gopher wars. So fortunately my parents were in town since they dropped by to visit on the way back from their vacation. They got to spend a couple weeks in the Eastern Sierras and decided to come back on the other side of the range and visit us. I wasn't able to join my Dad and brothers on the backpacking portion of the trip this year (a shame) but I heard that it was amazing (including time on an elusive california glacier - quite the rare commodity). Hopefully, Jen and I will have time to get away in September (yes, of course I will take pictures!).
So back to the story...my Dad was in town and happens to be the foremost expert on killing gophers. Background: It's the mid 90's...North San Diego county...you've just discovered that your dog can hear gophers underground and dig holes chasing them at about a cubic foot of earth per second. This is how my Dad became the expert that he is. If he didn't kill em, our dog would kill our lawn!
Well, all that to say, I had his assistance. Unfortunately, Home Depot didn't have "the trap" though so it wasn't perfect conditions to start with but don't worry though we brought the battle to them anyway! Turns out that now that my back lawn is back to being alive the gophers apparently came back too. Well, since I officially own it, and they aren't paying rent, it's time to evict (it's good to be the Landlord!).
After my best attempts at catching them I gave up and bought "The Black Box"- this thing is the closest to "the trap" that my Dad uses. It has a hair trigger, it's sly, and it even has the air hole to ventilate the bait into the tunnels.
And now we wait...
(Gophers: 5, Steve: 0)
Gopher Wars!
It's true - we have gopher(s). Coincidently, I have also been here for almost 4 weeks now and I haven't killed anything yet. Not that I really want to, or really have a quota or anything. But this is me we are talking about so the odds are that something should have happened by now.
Anyway, back to what we were talking about...gopher wars. So fortunately my parents were in town since they dropped by to visit on the way back from their vacation. They got to spend a couple weeks in the Eastern Sierras and decided to come back on the other side of the range and visit us. I wasn't able to join my Dad and brothers on the backpacking portion of the trip this year (a shame) but I heard that it was amazing (including time on an elusive california glacier - quite the rare commodity). Hopefully, Jen and I will have time to get away in September (yes, of course I will take pictures!).
So back to the story...my Dad was in town and happens to be the foremost expert on killing gophers. Background: It's the mid 90's...North San Diego county...you've just discovered that your dog can hear gophers underground and dig holes chasing them at about a cubic foot of earth per second. This is how my Dad became the expert that he is. If he didn't kill em, our dog would kill our lawn!
Well, all that to say, I had his assistance. Unfortunately, Home Depot didn't have "the trap" though so it wasn't perfect conditions to start with but don't worry though we brought the battle to them anyway! Turns out that now that my back lawn is back to being alive the gophers apparently came back too. Well, since I officially own it, and they aren't paying rent, it's time to evict (it's good to be the Landlord!).
After my best attempts at catching them I gave up and bought "The Black Box"- this thing is the closest to "the trap" that my Dad uses. It has a hair trigger, it's sly, and it even has the air hole to ventilate the bait into the tunnels.
And now we wait...
(Gophers: 5, Steve: 0)
August 7, 2008
The Old 9 to 5 (er, um... 7 to 4 actually)
Here's a quick update for you all. I figured since we had successfully survived our first week here (summary: we worked on the house, unpacked a lot, and then I got sick), and I am now working at my new job so that's what I should show you first.
First of all, I have a pretty brutal commute. I can't even go half a mile without changing street names, there's construction, and some "traffic", but at least no freeways though.
Oh, wait I guess I should also mention that it's only .4 miles one way through my neighborhood and I have only one intersection with an actual stop sign.
Here's video proof as I return to work from having lunch at home...
Also, here is my office including my new computer, loaner chair, and loaner desk until my boss and I go out and pick what I would like to have. And yes, I do have a corner office with windows! But no, it does not feel real to me yet.
It probably doesn't help that I am working really hard by keeping to myself and reading stuff to study for my exams all day - just doesn't really give me that whole "worky" feeling quite yet. I am sure I'll get there soon though (Candace - as you may have guessed that is not the plant you gave me. It fits better in our home office!) .
So, in the mean time, still some more unpacking and buying lots of things for the house left to do. =)
First of all, I have a pretty brutal commute. I can't even go half a mile without changing street names, there's construction, and some "traffic", but at least no freeways though.
Oh, wait I guess I should also mention that it's only .4 miles one way through my neighborhood and I have only one intersection with an actual stop sign.
Here's video proof as I return to work from having lunch at home...
Also, here is my office including my new computer, loaner chair, and loaner desk until my boss and I go out and pick what I would like to have. And yes, I do have a corner office with windows! But no, it does not feel real to me yet.
It probably doesn't help that I am working really hard by keeping to myself and reading stuff to study for my exams all day - just doesn't really give me that whole "worky" feeling quite yet. I am sure I'll get there soon though (Candace - as you may have guessed that is not the plant you gave me. It fits better in our home office!) .
So, in the mean time, still some more unpacking and buying lots of things for the house left to do. =)
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