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going postal

2009-06-24T09:29:00.000-07:00

My neighborhood seems to be home to a lot of ‘colorful characters.’ Living in a University neighborhood means 2 things; a lot of retired people and the rest are students. So for the most part there are a lot of people around during the day on weekdays. And I happen to have weekdays off, so I get to see a lot of this. It’s so weird sometimes that I think I need to use this blog to start sharing and documenting the crazy-ass ‘hood. I’ll start explaining and naming characters as I go along, but for now, here is today’s story:
This morning I noticed there was a new crazy guy at the Post Office. I’ve seen him around, he’s odd, but not homeless. Stinky but visibly clean. He was at the counter paying for something or picking up something, then he entered the lobby about the same time I walked in from outside. I over heard him say this: “After this we can get some sausage. But she can’t shove that whole thing up you’re ass all at once, that’s gonna kill me. She might have to pay for that. That’s bull-shit. That’s bull-shit.”
He’s a short guy and always wears a stocking cap, which makes him look Irish to me. So I will call him Mayor McSausage.

Mary Getting her Head Shaved!

2009-04-20T19:28:00.001-07:00

Team Tanner and St. Baldrick's a.k.a. The balding of Mary!

2009-04-20T15:56:00.000-07:00

St. Baldrick's Reno, NV at Coconut Bowl

2009-04-20T11:05:00.000-07:00

***

Last month some very amazing friends of mine teamed up to raise money for childhood cancer research. Here are their pictures:
Participants before the shave

And now, here are all the supporters that showed up to cheer, jeer and buy them beer:

and now, the shaving....

Mary Doyle, the one that gets my complete admiration:
You go GURL!

Watch the video:

***

There will be blood

2009-02-24T16:36:00.001-08:00

Things got pretty hairy today and I almost went to war over wine! Before Valentines Day I ordered wine from Indian Springs Vineyard. 4 bottles! I'm a wine club member, so it's not like they don't have my info. Well, many days passed and no wine. I called last week, they called back today and said it was delivered last Tuesday! To the house next door!! So, in case you don't know, the house next door has the party garage (heretofore: garaje de fiesta). Nobody works, and the garage is equipped with a wood burning stove, carpet, TV and couches. If you're in the mood to watch some sports (most likely NASCAR or football) and drink some beer.... and it's 8 am? No worries, there's always someone to party with at the garaje de fiesta! Can you imagine what how little a chance my poor little wine shipment had of surviving. I can just see them guzzling Syrah Port while watching midget tossing on ESPN Ocho! grrr. I got home from work and marched over there, being sure to leave my work uniform and cuffs on. Right before I knocked, I decided to confirm the address. Wrong house! The wine wasn't delivered there at all, it was the house on the other side of that! When I went to that door, they answered and were so relieved, they had the box waiting by the door for me... ahhhhh... exhale.

I'll drink to that...

got my stripes....

2009-01-29T16:24:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder what you would do if someone came up behind you and tried to choke you out? What if they pulled a gun/knife on you? Okay, so where I work, prolly the worst offense is getting poop flung at you. But today I spent all day getting recertified in these techniques. My ass is one big bruise, but I'm certified for the next year. Yea! So glad that's over with. (although next year I be another year older trying to do this same ol' crap... argh)

your mom's da bomb, like napalm in a wigwam...

2009-01-20T16:21:00.000-08:00

This show is so outrageous and hysterical at times, then at other time it leaves me scratching my head. But for the funny times, I stick with it....

See How We Are...

2009-01-18T18:17:00.000-08:00

Last night I saw 'The Knitters' (a.k.a. John Doe, Exene Cervenka, Dave Alvin and DJ Bonebrake) at The Palms in Winters, California. A small farming town that was once the home of R. Crumb.

Anyhoo, the venue was intimate, we sat in the second row. It was a small crowd, though the show was sold out. The band seemed to really connect with the crowd and the energy was palatable.

I met some long-time friends of Brad's, and really really enjoyed the evening with them. New friends, great music, traveling with Brad, and time off work.... all my favorite things.

The band played some X songs, a Dave Alvin song, and of course Knitters songs, as well as many other old favorites. I've never seen X or The Blasters, so this was a pretty exciting show for me.

The video clip on this blog is one of my very favorite X songs called, "Burning House of Love." Wow.

hey old people, no more TV for you...

2008-10-20T15:24:00.001-07:00

Thanks for the laugh, Brad! Just had to pass it on...

oohhhh dear!

2008-05-21T13:13:00.001-07:00

My Cat can eat a whole watermelon

2008-04-29T12:49:00.001-07:00

Afraid of the (fill in the blank)

2008-04-29T11:52:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of this year, a young woman was tragically abducted and later killed. The home she was taken from is walking distance from my house. This made me start to be more aware of my surroundings (it's still dark out when I leave for work), and I went to my neighbors' doors and introduced myself. A couple weeks ago, the ground started rumbling and rocking and rolling. Friday night I shot bolt upright in my bed and grabbed ahold of the dog and rode out what felt like 5 minutes of quaking (it was only about 10 seconds and a 4.7 quake). I could hear glasses clinking and blinds hitting the windows and it sounded like a semi truck was heading down the road. That was followed by a couple more. Sleep wasn't gonna happen that night. Saturday afternoon, I bolted shelves to walls, put out the bottled water and first aid kit and some pet supplies, and learned how to turn off the gas and water to the house - just in case. Sunday morning, woke up to more quaking and now a new crack runs along the kitchen wall. Sunday, came out of work to see dark smoke billowing up from town. Holy Criminy - I can't take much more of this.....

Park your bike and crack open a fat tire

2008-04-25T20:29:00.001-07:00

Last year I attended Tour De Fat with my cousins. I had a new cruiser and was dying to show it off. It's a super fun, eco-friendly event in Truckee, and if you get a chance to go I highly reccommend it. This year, I will be the veteran taking a newbie. Together we will parade our bikes around and drink Mothership Wit out of compostable corn beer cups!

If only.....

2008-04-21T17:01:00.000-07:00

What if I'd been shown this video in 5th grade instead of that stupid one about how to apply a sanitary pad?

SAy it like you mean it!

2008-03-31T15:15:00.000-07:00

I've always love contradictions. My recent fascination is with old fashioned arts and crafts with a modern twist. I just finished this for a friends birthday:

A Super Bowl

2008-02-04T05:19:00.000-08:00

I always dread the SuperBowl. In years past, it usually meant a large gathering of my dad's friends at some bar. At point something stupid would happen (like a drunken rude proposition from one of my dad's friends). This year, Brad surprised me by coming over to my house while I was at work and assembling some furniture I bought for the kitchen. I made a Turkey dinner and he's a bit of a football fan, so he watched the game. Here and there he'd switch over to the Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet. Probably for my benefit. But it was the first enjoyable Big Game Sunday I've ever had (other than being tired and cranky!). Thanks, Brad!

reach over...

2008-01-22T15:03:00.000-08:00

This morning I was driving across town, so I was on the freeway. I was just remembering how much I hate the freeway as the guy the front of me was tooling along at 45-50 mph. He had his right arm stretched out across the bench seat and was reclined like he was in front of the TV. I was thinking I needed to pass him when *ding* a female figure pops up in the passenger seat and they look at each other and laugh!! Oh, they had 'summer teeth' smiles.....

{I threw up a little in the back of my mouth}

Genius

2008-01-14T21:39:00.000-08:00

A truly genius scene from one of my all time favorite movies...

Holiday Cheer Pt. 2

2007-12-20T14:58:00.000-08:00

Cheers

2007-12-04T14:18:00.001-08:00

Let's get Physical....

2007-11-08T05:12:00.000-08:00

Thanks to James for this little gem.....

the times they are a'changin'

2007-11-06T08:18:00.000-08:00

Last night I invited my nephew to come to dinner and have sushi with me. He said, "no, thanks." This is the first time he has 1) turned down sushi and b) turned down hanging out with me. yes, he's almost 17, so it is healthy and normal. But it kinda hurts.... :(

Luuuucy, you have some esplainin' to do....

2007-10-18T22:30:00.001-07:00

I got this email today:

Coffee Restaurant Spoon Boss Button Parachute Bridge Snail Snail Circus
Aircraft Carrier Rock Slave Tapestry Feather Spice Spice Gas X-ray Data Base Sandwich Bird Foot Floodlight Shop Airport Album Restaurant Pyramid Bible Vampire Rocket Sphere Bible Eyes Rocket Potato Sandwich Saddle Film Freeway Bomb Clock Airport Kitchen Dress Videotape Telescope Bridge Tiger Baby Rifle Rainbow Wheelchair Water Shoes Elephant Junk Coffee God Sports-car Necklace Train Plane Backpack Gemstone Book Foot Triangle Spoon Triangle
Slave Bed Salt Typewriter Diamond Chocolates Clock Finger Tiger Liquid Bomb Toilet Insect Electricity Sunglasses Milk Nail Tiger Meat Drill Ring Shop Boss
Cycle Gemstone Stomach Album Sunglasses Wheelchair Ship Bed Brain Maze Surveyor Ice-cream Baby Space Shuttle Bridge Magnet Bank Pepper Desk Train Earth Bank Barbecue Vulture Jet fighter Cycle Ice Meat Vulture Bomb Bed Room Freeway Ship Needle Balloon Bird Post-office Weapon Swimming Pool Triangle Bowl Bomb Junk Explosive Shop Horoscope Sword School Rock Child Drum Horoscope Pyramid Church Bridge Boy Spoon Tennis racquet Water Weapon Bank Church Circus Web Drill Wheelchair Airforce Book Sandpaper Carpet Spice Bee Brain Torch Treadmill
Army Arm Pendulum Spiral Signature Coffee-shop Grapes Pendulum Space Shuttle Hat Egg Spectrum Kaleidoscope
Hammer Radar Fan Chisel Boss Rifle Rope Leg Festival Bathroom Shop Printer Boy Sandwich Printer Film Album Bathroom Rope

b-l-o-double G

2007-09-28T05:15:00.000-07:00

I can't say much for the video, but this version of this song just cracks me up....

creations...

2007-09-26T09:42:00.000-07:00

A friend has commissioned me to make some tea towels for her to give as wedding gifts. I just wanted to share...

2007-09-19T08:42:00.000-07:00

Today is the last day of 9 days off work. boo. It was a productive week. I was a little sidetracked by Logan's cat getting injured. The Vet thinks he must've caught his paw in a chain link fence. He tore a tendon in his leg allowing the ankle joint to dislocate and also fractured a bone. Poor thing. My mom was so worried about him, it broke my heart. So I spent a large chunk of my time helping out with administering meds. transporting to the vet and comforting my mom. Aside from that, I worked on some projects around the house. It was 1 year ago that my grandfather passed away. And it was 1 year ago that I aquired Maggie. This also means that it was 1 year ago that I started the remodel on this house and started moving in. The biggest task hanging over my head was getting the wood moulding finished. I couldn't decide what to use around the windows, so it sat unfinished all this time. Well....it's finished!! Wahoo!!!

leave Britney ALONE! PLEEEZZZ!

2007-09-13T15:39:00.001-07:00

new wheels

2007-09-05T21:31:00.001-07:00

So I picked up my new car today. A Jeep Grand Cherokee. It's not new-new, but it's new to me, and newer than the other Jeep. It's super sweet. Power locks, power windows, power seats, heated seats, car alarm, those little knobby things on the steering wheel to adjust the radio whilst you drive..... ahhhhhh

Ruybalid Chili Roast...

2007-09-04T12:19:00.001-07:00

It was that time of year. The Ruybalid Family Chili Roast. This tradition (which always takes place on Labor Day Weekend) has turned into more of a party than a weekend of work. That's not such a bad thing, there was work done, but it also felt like things are changing as the younger generation of Ruybalid's are taking over. There were boyfriends, girlfriends and friends working hard. It used to be family and only family..... I kinda like how we are including those who are important to us in this event. Next Reno Roast is at my house. I'm already freaking out!!! P.S. Thanks, Brad, for all your hard roasting work. There are rellenos in your future as payment!

Stitchy McYarnpants

2007-08-30T15:02:00.001-07:00

If you are on my Christmas list, you can look forward to this:

every time...

2007-08-29T08:37:00.001-07:00

I watch this, it makes me laugh....

For Scoobs

2007-08-28T11:58:00.000-07:00

for Brad

2007-08-25T21:15:00.001-07:00

today rawked

2007-08-21T21:59:00.000-07:00

I sat in a lawn chair and embroidered, Brad read/slept in the hammock, Maggie napped in the lawn. The weahter was nice and warm, the sun was shining and the birds sang. Then tonight I met friends for cool summer refreshemnts and laughed. I loved today...

Holy Cow

2007-08-15T07:54:00.001-07:00

Phil Rizzuto, the sure-handed Hall of Fame Yankees shortstop nicknamed the Scooter who extended his Yankee life as a popular, even beloved, broadcaster, punctuating his game calls with birthday wishes to fans and exclamations of “Holy cow!” died Monday night. He was 89. Meat Loaf used Rizzuto’s broadcast voice in his 1978 hit song “Paradise by the Dashboard Light.”

How could I pass up a chance to listen to Meat Loaf???

Anniversaries

2007-08-14T22:49:00.000-07:00

The first week of September will mark a year that I have lived with Maggie. She's a sweet sweet dog. It also marks a year since my grandfather (and last living grandparent) died. I now live in his house and I wonder if he is ok with that. After all I did paint the bedroom pink.

Not My Fault

2007-08-13T16:13:00.001-07:00

There are 2 events that occurred recently that I happened to be present for... but I want to go on record as saying that I was not the one (directly) responsible for these events. Okay, so I had a BBQ and my cousin-in-law, Sandie, wanted her hair dyed with a little bit of pink that I use in my hair. I'm not saying that she is blaming me for said pink.... but she didn't clear me name either!! http://theruybalidfamily.blogspot.com/2007/08/do-not-drink-and-dye.html#links

There was another event... someone very close to me decided to get his first tattoo. I went along to watch. So I thought I would just go on the record as saying that these events were not my doing. But I'm glad I was there!!!