The Real Life of a Geeky Tai-Tai » Family

A Scare

Geeky — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 01:40:37 +0000

Some of you may not be aware that my husband and I repatriated just over a year ago after living in Singapore for nearly 4 years. While overseas, MANY things were replaced except for the roof and the central air. Last year, I knew that we would be required to have our central air replaced because of the freon issue. I was informed many times as the air-conditioner-repair-dude (ACRD) was recharging our system. I felt terribly guilty at the time, but $$$ preclude guilt on occasion.

Today, after suffering many HOTlanta days, some air-conditioner-replacement-dudes were in and out of our house ALL day long. Clyde and Hunter were very protective of me — as long as they were behind the baby-gates. ;-) Actually, they could “get” the scary ACRD’s if they were brave enough to try another route. They chose to stay close to Mama, and that was fine by me.

The ACRD’s were finally finished with our new HVAC system by 6 p.m. I inspected (read: FELT COLD AIR COMING FROM DUCTWORK), signed-off, and gave the check to the Chief ACRD (dude). About 15 minutes later, I fed Clyde and Hunter. Then another 15 minutes later it was time to go outside to do some “bidness”.

Well now, dontcha know? Clydie came running up the stairs all proud of himself doing “bidness”, but there was no Hunter at the door! Hunter is ALWAYS first at the door “peddling” away. So, I get off of my lazy-computer-addicted-butt to investigate. Clyde led me back down the stairs. I’m hollering and doing my special whistle for “come” for Hunter… no response.

No reason for worry, Hunter always comes when Mama calls for him…until, Clyde and I discover that the basement door is wide-open, all of the lights are on, and the GATE… OMG the GATE IS WIDE OPEN!

I keep doing my “Come to Mama” whistle and yelling for Hunter. ABSOLUTELY NO RESPONSE.

This is giving Clyde and me a very big stomachache because Hunter is ALWAYS by Mama NO MATTER WHAT.

Well, the ACRD’s changed all of that. Once Hunter discovered that the gate was open, he decided to go for a walk down our street because he loves to go taunt “Old Blue”, a big old German Shepherd who lives on our cul-de-sac. Fortunately, the cute 10-year-old-twin-girls discovered him, and knew his name. They immediately hooked-him-up to one of their pretty pink leashes and brought him home!

OK, he only went down the street a few houses, but I never thought he would be the one to leave our yard. I’ve always envisioned my pretty, Smilin’ Clydie would do that, and he didn’t.

I guess I’ve learned a couple of lessons today — NEVER trust ACRD’s to close a door, turn off lights, or MOST importantly, close a gate. The second would be, that our furbabies can always learn new “tricks”

Sam’s First Snow

Geeky — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 22:29:47 +0000

Last week we had snow which is a rarity in Atlanta. They don’t call it “Hotlanta” for nothin’. I wanted to document Sam’s first experience (Hunter and Clyde’s second). This isn’t the best video I’ve ever done, but I’ve been busy with these little fellas!

This week? I’ve got the windows open, ceiling fans on full-speed, and I’m wearing a sundress while trying to stay cool in our 80-degree office. Our neighbors have started their aircon, but I just can’t do that. No, I need the fresh air — even though I do have allergies. They’ll be flaring-up soon enough because the pear trees are in bloom and the daffodils are already wilting. I wish I’d put in some hyacinths because I love the scent!

So, here ya’ go with my half-rate video. Still, these little guys are so much fun for me. I hope they are for you too.

Hey, I’m Still Here!

Geeky — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 16:40:38 +0000

I just wanted to let y’all know that I’m alive and well, just a bit harried by computer woes over the last couple of weeks, broken glasses, and some other unfinished business.

My five-year old Toshiba laptop decided to crap out on me. It’d been acting strangely the last couple of months, but then the last week it would shut down each time I tried to connect any USB device or even just touch it. Fortunately, I had sense enough to back-up my hard-drive before she gave up the ghost.

I know you’ve all heard this before, but it really is important it to back-up all of your data on a regular basis. It’s not as difficult as it used to be in the days of floppy-disks and CD-ROMs, or the real floppy disks! I also use Norton’s online back-up for my Quicken files and Flickr for my photos. By the way, Flickr is free (now owned by Yahoo), but I upgraded to a Pro account so that I could create sets and collections.

When I was shopping for my new laptop Saturday, I saw 4GB flash-drives for $13 and 500GB USB mass-storage devices for $80. I realize that we’re in tough economic times, but do you really want to risk losing all of your data because your computer decides to do the nasty and crap all over you? Back-um-up, baby, back-um-up!

In other news…

My nephew, Eric, has started a blog, “Eric’s Blog: a look at life through color-blind eyes…”, and plans to attend TequilaCon ‘09 in Sante Fe, NM April 25! Please head on over there and welcome him to the blogosphere because I know you’re gonna love him — because he’s way-hotter than Tom Cruise, has a brain that Tom Cruise could only wish for, and he’s funny as hell!

Another of my nephews, Andrew, has also started a blog, “The Wayward Hoover”. He won’t be attending TequilaCon since he’s busy living on the other side of the world in New Zealand. Of course, he’s handsome, talented, and very funny too because, well, these are genetic traits that run in the family!

Ode to the Falcons

Geeky — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 22:03:42 +0000

by Patrick Brooks

Dear Atlanta Falcons,
What has become of you this year?,
You once blew fat monkey balls,
and made me well up with tears.

To your games I could not,
Give tickets away free.
Scared the fans were,
to catch losing like a disease.

But, to see you this season,
In your exuberance and grace,
makes me happier than ever,
more than shit in Petrino’s face.

To the playoff’s we go,
First time since ‘04
The Falcons are good again,
Thank you Matt Ryan…Thank you lord.