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More Old Games

These 2 card games are among my favorite: 1962 French Game- Mille Borne and 1998 Scrabble/Rummy hybrid Quiddler. We recently came across these classics at local toy store and sure enough, they still got IT!

GIANTmicrobes

GIANTmicrobes Stuffed animals include: The Common Cold, The Flu, Sore Throat, Stomach Ache, Cough, Ear Ache, Bad Breath, Kissing Disease, Athlete's Foot, Ulcer, Martian Life, Beer & Bread, Black Death, Ebola, Flesh Eating, Sleeping Sickness, Dust Mite, Bed Bug, Bookworm, H.I.V. and Hepatitis.

Each 5-to-7 inch doll is accompanied by an image of the real microbe it represents, as well as information about the microbe.

A Mystery Resovled - Below the Root

This was one of the most awesome games I played in 1984. For the past year or so, I had been trying to recall the title- without success. I was able to visualize the game, but I couldn't even remember if I played on the C64, the Atari, or possibly the Apple II or Sega... I knew that the player could choose different characters 'be' during the game, each with unique strengths/weaknesses... I knew that the players had to move through the trees and interact with other characters in order to further the game... and that eventually the games shifts to caves and tunnels underground.

I searched and searched the massive internet databases to try to locate comprehensive lists of 1980s games, or seeking some combination of 'adventure game' 'trees' 'tunnels' 'choose your character'.... Plenty of other old forgotten games were found, but not this one. I eventually found the title by Googling 'grunspreke', which I thought was a spell that could be cast in the game. So thrilled to have found this game again. Now I know the game was based on a trilogy from the late 70s, that there are whole game walk-thrus available, and that the game was so advanced for its time. Next, I'm going to find a copy to download so I can play again!

Car Sharing

According to AAAs recent report, average yearly cost to drive a medium sedan 15,000 miles a year are $9,641 - That's fuel, maintenance, tires, insurance, license and registration, etc... Forbes Autos Top 10 Least Expensive Cars to Own shows that even the cheapest cars on the market (MSRP between $9,800 - $15,000) cost over $30,000 to own over the first five years! And don't even get me started about the environmental impact of automobiles.


San Francisco has 3 competing (complementary) car-sharing services: Zipcar,City CarShare,andFlexcar. Each has a fleet of vehicles including hybrids, convertibles, trucks (some even have BMWs and Volvos) available for use by the hour or by the day for affordable rates that include gas, maintenance, insurance, cleaning, registration fees, etc... Reservations may be booked online or via phone minutes in advance to up to a year ahead (although about 40% of all cars are currently booked the day of use). Save a ton of money. Save the environment. Have convenient 24/7 access to a fleet of nicely maintained, fully fueled and insured cars.

The Thought That Counts....

I have been asked if my photos may be used for- 1. Album Cover 2. Maltipoo Website 3. San Francisco Magazine. I'm not famous yet, but at least people besides my friends and family are beginning to appreciate my skills!

And Many More

Oktoberfest by the Bay! October 11 - 14, at the Ft. Mason center.

Yet Another Street Fair

FOLSOM STREET FAIR This was one street fair that I actually have been interested in checking out, but that I missed again this year.

Hardly Strictly

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival 2007 is a yearly free event held in Golden Gate Park (this past weekend), featuring, among others, John Mellencamp, Neko Case and Doyle Bramhall II.

Street Fair

Castro Street Fair was this past Sunday. This is another annual event that I have not yet attended.

Fleet Week 2007

San Francisco Fleet Week 2007 We saw the Blue Angels over the weekend from our neighborhood. This is the 25th consecutive year that I have not gone to fleet week!

Remind Me To Go Here

The West Point Inn - Marin, San Francisco, Mount Tamalpais, Hiking "Secluded among the trees on the upper south slope of Mt. Tamalpais, the Inn was once a stopover for passengers who rode the "Crookedest Railroad in the World" up from Mill Valley to the top of the mountain. The railroad is gone now, but the Inn remains as a haven for hikers and a monument to the rich historic heritage of the region. The sweeping panoramic view from West Point Inn includes much of the East Bay, parts of San Francisco, the Marin Headlands, one tower of the Golden Gate Bridge, and out over the Pacific Ocean." Only $35 per night for adults (and $17.50 under 18yrs)!

Commands Understood

Sit, Down, Belly, Up, Come, Give, Eat, Quiet, Fetch. Next up- Stay, Roll, Outside, No, Off!

Puppy Moments

The rule in our house is that Rufus sleeps in his kennel at night. If one of us is awake, however, it's ok for him sleep on the bed. He especially loves to nap on the bed when my wife is asleep.

Over the course of five hours of sleep, each time she awoke momentarily to move or stretch, he would watch her and stretch the same way before going back to sleep. Too cute!

SF Small Dogs - Beach Walk!

www.ForTheDogs.net-�Small Dog (under 20 lbs) Off-Leash Beach Walks Every Saturday at 10AM there's a big group beach walk for small dogs in SF. Some groups charge $10-$15 per hour to socialize with other small dogs. This weekly event is free!

Bay Area traffic second-worst in nation

Bay Area traffic second-worst in nation Knew it was bad- but I guess until now I hadn't heard that we're #2 in the country!

Recently ReDiscovered the Best Week Ever

Best Week Ever VH1s Weekly round up is apparently also available online!

Joys of Unemployment

Have I mentioned recently how pleased I am to no longer be working?? I recently decided to return to school full time to wrap up my undergraduate degree as quickly as possible (following a 10+year hiatus). This is the first time I have ever pursued an education program for myself, rather than to please others or just because it's the next thing to do. Very exciting. Now I can incorporate all of the following into my continuing schedule while still making school the main focus (many of which were left by the wayside when work demands were made the priority over my personal goals): visiting with family, spending time with my puppy, sleeping, exercising, reading, working on photography, taking care of errands around the house, travel....

To Inform

This morning, I am deciding from amongst potential Informative Speech topics. I must prepare a 4-6 minute speech which is designed to inform. The possible topics at this time are: To inform my audience about ways to use digital pictures, To inform my audience on how to select and purchase the right vehicle, To inform my audience on prepare for a successful backpacking trip.

Golden Gate Park's Conservatory

Conservatory of Flowers We're joining some friends in Goldent Gate Park today for an end of summer picnic. Rufus can finally run around in the grass like a normal dog! The conservatory is hosting a show called "CHOMP! CARNIVOROUS PLANTS" that looks intriguing. It's running thru 11/4, but maybe we'll check it out today.

My Dog is Dying

He's not dying. But I keep worrying that he might be. What on earth would I do if anything ever happened to him?

Yesterday I was worried he's dying of Parvo because he was 'lethargic' (i.e.- took a nap). This is highly unlikely, however, since he's had 6 rounds of shots already and he's not symptomatic at all.

Today I was worried that he gave himself a concussion running into the couch head first at top speed. Jumped right up and kept playing though- so I guess he's just being a dog.

Backpacking in Yosemite

Yosemite Wilderness Center Working out details for a quick 1 night backpacking trip to Yosemite in a few weeks. It's been years since I've gone on such an excursion. YaY!

$1980 = Average 1 Bedroom Rental in San Francisco

What's behind the current hot San Francisco rental market?: According to Craigstats, "Average one-bedrooms, which hovered around $1,770 between September 2006 and April 2007, now go for about $1,980. And though two-bedroom prices dropped from about $2,600 in October 2006 to about $2,400 in February of 2007, they have since catapulted up to over $2,900. By the same token, three-bedrooms, which hit an annual bottom at around $2,950 in November 2006, rose to around $3,800 in August."!!!

Rufus

Rooooofus. Roof. Roofaloooo. Rufus FuzzyBottom.

Play Area Puppy

My puppy was victimized at the doggy play area. A gang of bigger dogs were chasing him, snapping just above his head. He ran scared, crying... screaming for help as they descended on him from all sides. His ears tucked back, his fur shook around him as he bounded for safety. To his pursuers, he looked like a rabbit, taunting and teasing them while he ran. He found himself trapped against the fence while they were growling, barking, and bearing down on all sides. His cries of agony rang out as I stepped swiftly toward the crowd and scooped him up to carry him to safety. Moments later, he was wagging his tail, ready for more.

16 & 17 year olds, Watch Out!

Guv signs law banning minors from using cell phones while driving: "Come July 1, thousands of 16- and 17-year-olds in California will be prohibited from using cell phones, PDAs, laptops and pagers while driving, under a bill signed Thursday by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger...Teens cited under SB33, authored by state Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, face a fine of $20 for a first offense and $50 each time after that. Officials said traffic officers will not be allowed to pull drivers over simply because of a cell phone infraction, and violations will not count as part of the traffic safety point system. Emergency calls will be exempt... Similar laws are in effect in 15 other states (Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia), as well as Washington, D.C"

Electric Cars - Up to 40 MPH, $10,000

Electric Cars | ZAP A truck, a sedan, and a solar version of each. These 3-wheeled, non-gasoline vehicles are available at dealerships today for about $10,000!

Flying Car - Available 2008 !?

M200_Brochure.pdf (application/pdf Object) M200 Verticle Take Off and Landing - This 'flying car' can operate up to 10 feet above any surface: land, water, sand, snow, swamp or grasslands... combining the capabilities of a boat, hovercraft, ATV, snowmobile or other off-road vehicle.

Wait Wait...

NPR : Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! Another excellent radio program available free online. I'm a newshound with a quirky sense of humor, so naturally, I find this show appealing.

Great Radio - Listen Online

Michael Feldman's Whad'Ya Know? Understated midwest humor at its finest! For some reason, this show really 'talks to me'.

Skilled in the Ways of Humor

Famous Last Nerds These guys are hilarious. I went to high school with Erik. Check out these video clips- freakin' genius!

What I tend to write about-

My postings are fairly predictable and usually fall into one of the following categories: things I like/dislike, things I want, travel opportunities, news headlines/articles, interesting/odd events, questions, general musings, adventures with pup, et.al.

something very appealing about this...

World's smallest four-seater car takes centre stage | the Daily Mail

And they're off!

Welcome one and all. I choose my words carefully. These few remarks took over an hour to compose.