Oversharing...

 

I am often accused of over-sharing.  I won't say by whom, but it is Joan (oversharing).

Or, as our daughter says, "Just because you think it, it doesn't mean you have to say it."  Sounds like something a teacher would say.

So, what made you think of this oversharing topic, Jim?  Thank you for asking - I know I can count on you readers to keep the conversation moving.  This morning, as I was undressing to take a shower, I was wearing PJ bottoms.  Well, that isn't entirely accurate, as I don't wear pajamas.  (I feel some oversharing coming on).  I wear a t-shirt to bed.  But, I do generally put on some lounging pants when I get up.

Anyway, this morning, apparently those lounging pants were slipping off my waist and my underwear was showing (oversharing).  Joan asked me, "Are you trying to look like a rapper?"

"Yes, because that is what I do - I try to look like a rapper."  (that isn't oversharing - that is bullshit)

She asked, "What is your rapper name?"

There are websites to help you come up with your "rapper name"... they ask questions like: What is your favorite fruit?  What is your Mother's maiden name?  What street did you live on as a child?  What was your first pet's name?  What is your Social Security Number and bank PIN number?  I think this could be someone trying to "mine" your personal information.  That is not the kind of oversharing I do.

Back to the story: I said, "Dip Shiddy."  Apparently that wasn't an acceptable answer.  Apparently this is an important question/answer, in case I decide to break into the rap business.  Is it a business?  I based that on a rapper name I could remember: P Diddy.  I think that may have been 8 or 10 names ago for Sean (P Diddy, Puff Daddy, Puff, Puffy, Diddy, and others) Combes.  Do you think when he fills out a job or credit application he has to list all those names as aliases he has used?  I digress.  Apparently, I do that a lot.

So, Dip Shiddy doesn't cut it.  Maybe: LL J-Bat?  That has worked for LL Cool J... apparently the "LL" stands for "ladies love"... LBT J-Bat?  As in: Ladies Barely Tolerate J-Bat.  Who is J-Bat?  Duh, that's me: first initial of my first name, first three letters of my last name.  I came up with that on my own, after deciding to not give the Rap Name Generator website all my personal information.  I could go with just J-Bat, but Jennifer Lopez has kinda used that up.  Li'l J?  Like Lil Wayne, Lil Bow Wow, Lil Baby, Lil Jon, Lil Poopy.  Lil Poopy?  There's a rapper named Lil Poopy?  Apparently.  That definitely sounds like oversharing to me.

Just writing this, I'm over the whole rapper name thing.  Although there is probably an opening for an old white guy (oversharing) in the rapper scene... for sure it hasn't been overdone.  You have Vanilla Ice (old time) and Eminem... Rob Van Winkle was quick to get in on the "Ice" thing... Ice T, Ice Cube, Ice Billion Berg, and now Ice Spice.  Gray Ice?  It would probably be misappropriating something if I went with Black Ice, huh?  (moved from oversharing to completely inappropriate) 

Years ago, I knocked on our neighbor's door - I saw they had company with kids and a dog and I wanted to let them know that I had just sprayed weed killer on the paver bricks between our houses.  A young Hispanic girl answered the door and politely said, "Yeah?"

I asked, "Is Sandra here."  She and her husband own the property, but it was a weekend getaway place, not their main home.   (oversharing)

Someone in the house asked, "Who's at the door?"

The girl turned her head inside and said, "Some old white guy."  I was laughing too hard to be offended, I mean, it was an accurate description.

Some Old White Guy.  I think I may have found my rapper name.  I'm kidding... in spite of this being the 50th anniversary of "the birth of rap" (I saw that on some awards show), I never got into that.  If you're into rap, don't be offended.  I'm not into polka music, either, but apparently the Chicken Dance is still a thing.

Hmmm... chicken.  I could go for some Alice Springs Chicken from Outback.  That isn't oversharing, that is digressing once again.  Apparently I do that a lot.  Is that oversharing?

Sunday Driver...

 

Well... rider.  I got out for a ride on the CTX yesterday.  The Burgman 200 has been getting more attention the last few weeks - I'm not playing favorites.

Just beyond mid-February and the mountain near our home is "greening up."  It's a pretty time in the desert.  I haven't seen any flowering blooms, yet, but the ground cover, scrub brush, and ocotillos have gone from brown to green.

Some photos from the 360 camera:

 Being a Sunday, and a beautiful day (mid-70s, clear blue sky, wind light and variable), I knew there'd be plenty of traffic.  I wasn't wrong.  I got slowed down a couple times... both times by... yep, cars with Minnesota license plates.

I once read: if someone is tailgating you, they are probably an asshole.  If a bunch of people are tailgating you, you are probably the asshole.  One of the MN cars did pull over.  Slowly.  And then traffic thinned out as people could drive or ride more than 10 mph below the low speed limit.  Until getting behind the next MN car.  No matter, I was enjoying the ride... if you can't get your adrenaline pumping from the thrill of the ride, you can enjoy the scenery.  I must be getting mellow - I did not utter a single swear word inside my helmet.  You're thinking: "It was many swear words?"  I like the way you think, but no.

At the parking lot at Dobbins Overlook, there were no parking spots open, and cars waiting in the middle of the road for something to open up...

I carefully weaved my way through the stopped traffic and found some open road.

Some fine riding when the traffic isn't all bunched up.  I did come up on a Lexus SC400; when he saw me in his mirror, he picked up the pace... to the point where he was pulling away from me, and I was trying to keep up.

Not a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

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The movie trailer for the upcoming blockbuster: "Traffic on... The Ride."  One man, one bike, one twisty mountain road... and a gazillion Sunday Drivers...

 Coming this spring to no theaters near you.

We went to a rave...

 

... and a baseball game broke out.

Last night, we met Mark and Cindy at the Peoria Baseball Stadium.  We were coordinating by text for where to meet... Mark texted me "Raise your hands so we can find you," and the pregame entertainment broke into Y-M-C-A!  LOL

We did find each other and waited in line at the gate while players from both teams came out to entertain the crowd...

 We made our way into the stadium and found seats...

Who's playing?  Thanks for asking: the Savannah Bananas vs the Party Animals.  (Like the Harlem Globetrotters are always playing the Washington Generals.)  This is baseball... kinda... with rules that differ from, and are more entertaining than, regular baseball.  It is "Banana Ball!"  And entertaining is what it is all about.  There isn't a lull in the music that is blasting - both teams dancing through it all.

What are the rules in Banana Ball?  Teams score points by winning an inning (no matter how many runs are scored during the inning).  The only exception is the last inning, where every run counts.  While the traditional game goes 9 innings, Banana Ball is on the clock: 2 hours or 9 innings, whichever comes first.  There are other "entertaining" rules, but this is how you win the game.

It is open seating, so you want to get there early to get good seats.  In this stadium, built for the Spring Training leagues, every seat is good - our seats were on the first base line, just beyond first base.  There is an announcer (Ring Master?) and all kinds of things going on at the same time... like trying to watch a "3-Ring Circus."  Merchandise sales are brisk - I waited in line twice: once to get a jersey for myself, and a second time to get a jersey and hat for Dan (he and Cindy were holding our seats while Joan, Steph, Mark, and I went "shopping."  Judging by the lines, sales were brisk.

More images during the game...

It was definitely more entertaining than a traditional baseball game, but the players are all good.  They range in age from 18 to 23 and some are drafted into the MLB.  It is a for-profit venture; the team is valued at 20 million dollars.  Real baseball with a large measure of showmanship.  They regularly have the crowd on their feet.

In the end, the Bananas won.  No, it isn't "fixed," last time Mark went to a game, the Party Animals won.  But, the crowd always gets a good show... and it starts while you're waiting in line to get in.

Walking back to the car, my ears were ringing.  The volume level is more like a rock concert than a sporting event.  I was wore out - you get your exercise at one of these games.

Our thanks to Mark and Cindy for making tickets available to us: these games are always sold out, wherever the Savannah Bananas and Party Animals play.  Mark is a member of the K-Club, a fan club for the team - members get first shot at tickets for any venue around the country.  As a member, you can get tickets (there is a "lottery" to get to buy) at the face value of $35 each... on the secondary market, tickets sell for $150 and up.

The Peoria Stadium is the Spring Training (Cactus League) home for the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners.  Seating capacity is around 12,000... and this was a sell out.

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Chillin'...

Taking it easy this morning, all three of us were out on the patio.  I was the first one out, slipped into the hot tub.  Joan came out next and opened up the patio umbrella and rolled the catio out of the shed.  Then, Murphy joined us... the boy likes his catio...

Going Bananas...

 

You decided to become a Minion?  No.

 

Mark and Cindy asked if we wanted to go to a Savannah Bananas baseball game - they bought tickets for this months ago, and offered 4 of them for Joan, Steph, Dan, and me.  Steph and Dan are excited, and their friends are jealous - the Bananas' games in Peoria (a suburb of Phoenix) are sold out.

Mark told me about this team a couple years ago.  Sounds like the baseball version of the Harlem Globetrotters: part baseball, part theater, part comedy show.  The game is this evening - we're looking forward to it! 

It's a new day...

 

If you said, "A song by will.i.am, 2008," you get 30 bonus points.  If you were wondering how Murphy is doing after his day with the vet yesterday - the boy is himself again this morning.

 He hasn't been his typical kitten-ish self for a couple days (since going to the vet on Tuesday).  I may be reading more into it, but he seemed very lovey and grateful last night.  Perhaps after spending a day at the vet's office, he now appreciates even more how good he has it at home?  Yes, I am kidding - he's a sweet boy.

This morning, he was more lovey than usual, more grateful to have his breakfast on time... and he was full of energy: running and jumping; playing with his toys.  When Tango came over for a short visit, he kinda wrestled with him.  He wanted to be playful, but Tango wasn't sure about that.  But, they were nice to each other.  I think I heard him tell Tango: "They took me to this place where they locked me in a cage and poked and prodded on me.  Then, after hours and hours, they shaved my leg and stuck a needle in it!  Not sure what happened after that, but when I woke up, it felt like they rammed something in one ear and out the other!  Then, they put me back in a cage again, until my Mom and Dad rescued me."

Yeah, that sounds pretty close to what went down.  This morning, though, he got some snuggling, his regular breakfast, a nice walk out in the courtyard, and lots of running, jumping and playing... including a couple "ninja kicks" on the furniture (all 4 feet off the ground, and a kick off with the rear feet).

Yeah, I'd say he is good.

He doesn't understand...

 

I feel like a bad cat-Dad.  Our little furry guy Murphy didn't get breakfast this morning.  In the nearly two months he has been with us, his meals have always been on-time... even if he didn't know what that time is.  We have been dealing with an ear infection with him for 3 weeks, and the cleaning and antibiotic ear drops that we have been diligent with haven't helped.

At his vet visit on Tuesday, the vet recommended we bring him back on her "procedure day" (today) to let them sedate Murphy and do a cleaning and exam that he wouldn't tolerate if he was awake.  So that meant no food after 9:00 last night and no breakfast this morning.

Murph understands the morning routine: I get up, he follows me to the bathroom, then the kitchen.  I get stuff ready for the day, then he gets his breakfast.  He waits to get petted, then he eats.  He and I both appreciate the routine.  This morning, the routine was different... "Why am I not getting food?"

I explained to him what is going to happen.  Yes, more for me than him.  A little after 8:00, I put him in his carrier and we drove to the vet.

Of course, the vet-tech brought in paperwork.  I knew what I was going to sign.  Any time one of these furry kids have to be knocked out, there is always the chance that things can go wrong.  Yes, please do whatever is necessary for our boy.  I felt the tears welling up... the loss of Rufus is still way too fresh and raw.  And in the short time Murphy has been with us, he is already deep in our hearts.

It is hard to leave him there, hard to have to wait for a phone call, and harder knowing our furry boy has to go through this.  In the grande scheme of procedures, this should be pretty minor and not a threat to his life.

He's a sweet boy, and we can't wait to get him back home and back into his routine.

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5 1/2 hours later, I gave the vet center a call.  The receptionist put me on hold to go check on Murphy.  They hadn't started his procedure, yet... "but the doctor is about to start on him."

That's 5 1/2 hours he had to sit around... on an empty belly... in unfamiliar surroundings.  Not what I wanted to hear, but not much I can do about it.  This vet seems good and thorough.  No doubt I am being an over-protective cat-Dad.

I know they will keep him for observation for a couple hours after they do the procedure on his ears... so, we wait.

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We have our little furry boy home.  We were able to pick him up just before 5:00.  The culture today showed that the antibiotic drops made no difference.  On the bright side: no polyps or anything unusual.  With this deep cleaning, we are starting fresh... the vet thinks it may be a food allergy, but nothing certain.  We take him back in a week for another culture that they will send out.

In the meantime, Murphy is home.  Starving (we can't feed him right away), and just a bit wobbly on his feet.  They had to shave the inside of his right front leg for an IV, so he has the indignity of another hairless spot...

If you look close at that front leg closest to the camera, he looks like he is wearing Ugg boots.  That is a bandage (and the shaving) - we'll be able to take that bandage off in 20 minutes.  If he licks at it too much, he is going to have to wear a "cone of shame"... hoping it doesn't come down to that.

Look at his eyes in this photo...

The pupils are huge, making him look a bit glassy-eyed.  He should be back to his old self by tomorrow.  In the meantime, we'll keep him off his tower or the bar stools (he likes to sit on those).  Small portions of food.  And, hopefully, a good night's sleep.

He doesn't seem to be mad at us for letting the vet people do all this to him, but he isn't anxious to sit right by us just yet.  All in due time - we're just relieved to have him back home.

If you get dead...

 

... I'm going to give all your guitars away... to people you don't like.

Happy Valentines Day!  Yes, Joan said the above.  "Why?" you ask.  It's her sweet way of telling me that she worries about me.  I had music practice with 3 of the guys today, at Ron's house.  Ron lives in the downtown Phoenix area.  It is a lot closer than going to Mark's place.  And the other advantage today: I wanted to take my scooter... with my Emerald X7 strapped on my back.

Yes, like the singing nun...

 I won't be dressed like a nun... don't want to get in the habit.  (rimshot)

Joan was concerned that it wouldn't be safe with the guitar strapped on my back (the case has backpack straps).  I had concerns about it at freeway speeds, but I did do a "once around the neighborhood" as a test, and knew I could get to Ron's house via surface roads (not needing to get on the Interstate).

Joan really thought I should take the car; I was intent on riding the scoot.  In the end, it all worked just fine.  No issue getting to Ron's, and a shorter distance on surface streets instead of taking the Interstate.  I never got above 45 - 50 mph.

We had a good practice - worked up a few new songs, practiced some old ones, walked to lunch at a nearby restaurant (a big plus for living right downtown).

And then on the way home, when I checked the Maps app, there was plenty of "red" on the Interstate - surface roads are best way back, too... traffic was a lot heavier on these streets, but not stopped (other than at stoplights).

So, music and a couple of scooter rides - not a bad way to spend Valentines Day if I wasn't going to be with my Honey.  When I got home, I had a couple hand-made (well, computer-made) cards from my Honey and the new furry boy.  Joan made us a nice supper.  Murphy got in a late afternoon walk.  It's all good.