Sunday, August 31, 2008

Aaa-ten HUT!

Leading the band to the first game.
One very proud mom!


A good toss and catch. And Cal won, so it was ALL good.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Full Moons Make Us Sleepy

It's true. The full moon - or even a good, bright almost-full moon, makes us walk around in a zombie-like stupor the next day. Today, for instance.

The problem with a full moon is that it brings the forest critters out in larger numbers than usual. And Gus takes his responsibility of protecting us from any and all forest critters very seriously.

Before the GCS, he'd just stand in the living room and bark at the lunar-inspired invaders. Now he starts in the living room, then bolts out the back door in order to better confront them.

This happened every hour last night from midnight until 6 a.m. But, I do have to say that the critters did not vandalize the house or steal our cars...

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Dancing Dogs in New Jersey


The photo speaks for itself...

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Romas and Radiators

New developments in This Land: The first harvested veggies. I know it's nothing compared to the bounty of the Kitchen or Eugene, but we have a shorter season up here and don't get as many hours of direct sun.

We have two other types of tomatoes growing as well - all in pots - but those haven't ripened yet.

In 2002 news, there's an upgraded cooling system. 02s are known for running hot, and a common upgrade is installing a bigger radiator. You can go the triple-core route for big bucks, or the Pick-N-Pull route with the rad from an early-80s 320i. That's what this is. It also has the electric fan from the same car.

To make it fit, you have to notch out the edge of the battery tray. So I have officially begun customizing this car - cutting out bits to make it better. The fan works but it's not on the circuit I want it on, so I'll fix that in the next day or so. I was pleased that other than miscounting the circuit, the wiring went perfect. It has a temp sensor and when the gauge got near the middle the fan kicked right on. It's installed in front of the radiator, behind the grill, and I was able to take off the factory fan, which runs off the water pump. It frees up a little engine power and removes a rotational load that shortens the life of the water pump.

Saturday, August 02, 2008

Football Season Has Begun

It's football season in This Land.

The season doesn't begin when the Bears play their first game, or when NFL training camps open. It certainly doesn't begin when Diane begins reading Rivals.com (because then it would never end.)

Nope, football season begins when Diane gets to take the field at Memorial Stadium at the Women's Huddle.


Good ball protection!











Diane trying out for the O-line, under the watchful (albeit bemused) eyes of Alex Mack, described by Rivals.com as the "best player in the country not playing for USC...")


Putting the moves on after catching a pass...








And breaking into the clear for a TOUCHDOWN!