1. I decided to turn in my car and lease a new one for a number of reasons. For starters, my Nissan Sentra reminded me of those Disneyland motor boats where it takes a few seconds for the mechanism to recognize you’ve given it gas to proceed. SOOO slow on the uptake.  Truly a gutless wonder.  Secondly, I can’t remember having a car without a loan payment (except my ’67 VW bug which was given to me by my father.  I had to push start it everywhere, I LOVED that car…but I digress).  I’ve had the Sentra three years and I’ve only put on 13,000 miles plus I’m saving over $100 monthly for a much better car, so why not lease?  I’m liking my car so much, I’m considering giving it a name!

2. I’m going to miss my next High School class reunion because I’m attending the Topa Topa Folk Fest in Ojai.  I either really love music, or I really hated high school.
To be honest, I was an honor school student, and I continue to enjoy taking classes to further my education, but I couldn’t wait to get out of that place.  I had intended to go originally, but didn’t realize it fell on the same day as Topa Topa. So now I’m going to Whittier the following afternoon to meet up with a handful of friends…the only ones I really cared about seeing anyways, plus I’ll save $150, AND, I get to drive my new car!

3. There is some new commie rat bastard around the area who has taken it upon himself to tag local businesses with his obnoxious graffiti. Thankfully, we have the best graffiti team at the City; they respond quickly to all complaints. I just hope PD nails the fucker sooner than later, and I don’t run into him myself.

4. I use to wonder if anyone else covers the camera on their laptop, then I read in a NY Times article that Mark Zuckerberg does; not only that, he also covers his microphone.  Be afraid, be very afraid.  Apparently, the practice is fairly technologically simple: Hackers trick people into clicking on links or unfamiliar websites containing malware that allows them access to the devices.
Consider this my public service announcement to protect you.
Here’s the a link to the NY times story.

5. A quick Grammar Nerd hint on how best to use “two”, “too” and “to”.
In a really good dictionary, there are over 25 definitions of the word “to.”  Crazy, right? So at the very least, you should learn the other two really well.  We all know the definition of “two” (and if you don’t, move along). So really learn the definitions for “too”.  Get them down pat.
1.  in addition; also; furthermore.
Example: He was handsome and funny too.
2. excessive, beyond what is desirable fitting, or right.
Example:  He was too sick to travel.
3. extremely; very.
Example: The plant was too near the window.

Everything else is most likely “to”!  You’re welcome.

6. I subscribe to Yummly where they send me an email several times a week sharing recipes all types. I saw one recently entitled, “Lazy Chicken Soup for One.”  Wouldn’t that just be adding water to a condensed can of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup?

7. My girlfriend Linda and I were discussing how much I hate to shop when she  suggested that I could just make myself comfortable in the store of my choice’s dressing room and she’d bring me items within my budget and my fashion sense (what little of that there is).  I’m willing to go along as long as I can bring a glass and a bottle of wine.  Now that’s shopping I can get behind!
Sydney Rose, what do you think of that idea?

8. I found a blog called, “A list of rules for being a gentleman in 2014” and I confess that No. 9 truly confuses me. It reads: “Do not refer to things as ‘gay’ that aren’t homosexual human beings. People who call things ‘gay’ as a pejorative are truly the raisins in the trail mix of life.”

So, raisins are bad?  That’s just a horrible metaphor.  I can think of much better figure of speech to demonstrate using ‘gay’ is unacceptable; such as, “People who call things ‘gay’ as a pejorative are truly the booger flavored treats in a bag of Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans.”

9. I’ve mentioned Tammy and Brother Rob before because it’s always so much fun when we get to hang out together. Tammy makes it out to Ventura a couple of times a year to work on special events (Beer Fest, Wine Walk, Tequila and Tacos) and Rob can only go out when he has those night’s off. So it’s always a treat when we make it go right. We yap it up, and reminisce about when we worked in radio together back in the 90’s. Those were such good times! I especially love it when they joggle my memory and bring up something I’d forgotten like giving the morning show guys a “cease and desist” notice when they’d make fun of our afternoon drive guy. I so loved being the program director of an alternative rock radio station. I’m sad those days are gone, but so happy they happened.

10.  Well it looks like the crew in Transportation Engineering will be dressing up for Halloween this year.  Photos to follow 😉

11.  Speaking of Halloween, I’ve been thinking of buying my first bag of the year of candy corn.  When I went to find a photo I found this great idea of making candy-corn-on-the-cob!  This gal used cookie dough for the center which only makes it more intriguing!
Here’s a link to her recipe: http://www.instructables.com/id/Candy-Corn-on-the-COB/

12.  From my favorite quotes file: “I’ve been shopping all my life and still have nothing to wear.” ~Author unknown