Our last day in California

Tomorrow is the big move (in theory). We finished the paperwork yesterday and shipped it off to the title company. Barring a trajic FedEx accident or a missing signature, etc., I should get a call today giving us the go-ahead to move in.
I just got word this morning that my transfer is secure and I will start Oct. 3rd at a new job. There are two possible accounts they can put me in, one with Clark County and one with a new hospital. Either way I will be doing IT/helpdesk work. Both will be a very short commute. I'm finally done making copies!
Everything is finally coming together.
Update: The loan funded and the house is ours! The move goes on as planned.

Say hello to the newest member of our family!

Niki just put a deposit on this chihuahua puppy. The breeder (local to Vegas) will hold on to him until he is completely weaned and accustomed to the smell of puppy pads but we may be able to take him home as soon as the first of October. We were very impressed by the attitude and practices of the breeder. They seem to do it purely for the love of the breed and are not as profit minded as some.
Now comes the interesting part. We haven't decided on a name yet. Choosing a proper name is of the utmost importance for a breed with such heritage and unique characteristics. I vote for Taco. Any suggestions?

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Our second walkthru went well. Pretty much all expectations were met as far as the builder is concerned. The title company, on the other hand, has really screwed up. They are taking their sweet ass time and the likelyhood of us moving in this weekend is now in doubt.
We had a good time Sunday night... a little too much fun. Thanks to a 32oz 190 Octane (w/ extra shot of Everclear of course), two or three Long Island Ice Teas, and two shots of Stoli, I was severly hung over all day Monday. It wasn't pleasant. The gambling went pretty well. We didn't hit any big jackpots this weekend but we got some nice bonuses playing Pai Gow. Niki got four-of-a-kind twice and I got a straight flush. We were only betting a dollar at a time on the bonus so those three hands added up to $100. We have done much worse.
Update: I forgot to mention something. When we were playing blackjack at the Stratosphere, Niki sat next to a guy who bore a striking resemblence to a young Lemmy. He was a dead ringer down to the clothes and hat. The only thing missing was the Coco Puffs.

Morton's Steak House

Niki went to a business dinner last night (with the accounting firm she is temping for) at Morton's. I have always wanted to try it but the prices are prohibitive. She was kind enough to bring me her left-overs. Even reheated in the microwave, the filet mignon, sauteed mushrooms, broccoli, and sauteed potatoes w/onions were all fantastic. The portions must have been very large because the leftovers were enough for a meal. Even the remaining bit of filet must have been at least 6 oz. I whole heartedly recommend Morton's if you want a GREAT steak and don't mind paying for it. She said her filet (and keep in mind this is a la carte) cost $39. I'm glad her company paid for it.
On a side note, she was informed at this dinner that she will be given a permanent position and will be able to telecommute from Vegas. The details have yet to be worked out but they are giving her a laptop to use and hopefully a nice raise. This is great news because she really likes the company and it relieves quite a bit of stress knowing that she has a job waiting for her in Vegas.

Full Size Truck Blues

Well, I have gone through 3/4 of the gas my Tundra came with. I usually don't let my gas get below 1/4 tank but I'm afraid to fill it up. It's going to be expensive and I have this awful dread of seeing the price. What have I done?!?

Some good old fashion gospel music

Please listen to this MP3. It's been stuck in my head ever since I listened to it a couple days ago and I can't stop laughing about it.

Back from Vegas

Our trip went well. The walk-thru revealed some cosmetic blemishes (which is expected) but nothing major. The exterior color scheme is still not what we were told it would be but is acceptable and no longer baby crap yellow. I am very pleased with all the upgrades and colors we ordered. It all came together very nicely. We got confirmation that our mortgage was approved so, once I do the second walk-thru on the 18th and sign off on it, we only have to wait a few days for move in. Pending unforseen, catastrophic circumstances, we will move in on the 23rd.
My meeting with the Xerox dude went very well. I was running late so we met up at the sports book in the Wynn. He put most of my fears to rest and gave everything but a guarantee of a position. One opening I could possibly fill is an IT position with the county. It's so close to my house that I wouldn't even have to get on the freeway. I should get more conclusive info by the end of next week.
The Monte Carlo was very nice. The rooms are nicely appointed and the table limits very reasonable (mid-week anyway). I like the spacious feel of the casino. Now it just needs a Fat Tuesday.
Our gambling was pretty rocky right up until the end. We were down by $500 before dinner last night but Niki won back $500 on a quarter machine at Hooters. Of course she had to give $50 back before we left. Walking away down $50 for the trip might as well be even.

Vacation Wrap Up

Back to work. I'm actually kind of relieved to be back at work. Being on vacation just isn't that great when you share a house with your mother (who is also on "vacation") and there is work to be done around the house. Also, having a complete moron covering for you at work is rather stressful. The less time he spends here the better. I get to spend the rest of this week fixing his screw-ups.
On a lighter note, I did get to play some video games while I was home and I went on a very fun fishing trip. I went on a special extended, limited load (read more expensive) 3/4-day fishing boat out of Newport Landing and caught the three biggest fish (medium size Bonito) I ever caught. My most interesting catch of the day was a Seagull. They DO taste like chicken! This is the first time I have ever been open water fishing without my Dad and it was very refreshing to not spend half my day untangling his line and watching him lose his possessions in the briny deep. On our last trip, Davy Jones claimed his watch and his hat. It's really quite spectacular and must be seen to be believed.
Tomorrow night Niki and I are off to Vegas again where we will be staying at the Monte Carlo. Our first walk-thru is on Thursday and I will be meeting with the local Xerox bigwig immediately after. Hopefully, all will go well and he will have a position to offer me. Then we return home so we can both work Friday. It's gonna be a hectic week!

This is too funny

I had to share this thing. My dad sent it to me and I have no idea where he got it, but it is hilarious.

Enjoy!

Pocket Taser Stun Gun, a great gift for the wife. A guy who purchasedhis lovely wife a "pocket Taser" for their anniversary submitted this...Last weekend I saw something at Larry's Pistol & Pawn Shop that sparkedmy interest. The occasion was our 22nd anniversary and I was looking fora little something extra for my wife Toni. What I came across was a100,000-volt, pocket/purse-sized taser. The effects of the taser weresupposed to be short lived, with no long-term adverse affect on yourassailant, allowing her adequate time to retreat to safety.... WAY TOOCOOL!

Long story short, I bought the device and brought it home. I loaded twotriple-a batteries in the darn thing and pushed the button. Nothing! Iwas disappointed. I learned, however, that if I pushed the button ANDpressed it against flesh or a metal surface at the same time; I'd getthe blue arch of electricity darting back and forth between the prongs.Awesome!!! Unfortunately, I have yet to explain to Toni what that burnspot is on the face of her microwave. Okay, so I was home alone withthis new toy, thinking to myself that it couldn't be all that bad withonly two triple-a batteries, right?!!!There I sat in my recliner, my cat Gracie looking on intently (trustinglittle soul) while I was reading the directions and thinking that Ireally needed to try this thing out on a flesh & blood moving target. Imust admit I thought about zapping Gracie (for a fraction of a second)and thought better of it. She is such a sweet cat. But, if I was goingto give this thing to my wife to protect herself against a mugger, I didwant some assurance that it would work as advertised.

Am I wrong?

So, there I sat in a pair of shorts and a tank top with my readingglasses perched delicately on the bridge of my nose, directions in onehand, and taser in another. The directions said that a one-second burstwould shock and disorient your assailant; a two-second burst was supposed to cause muscle spasms and a major loss of bodily control; athree-second burst would purportedly make your assailant flop on theground like a fish out of water. Any burst longer than three secondswould be wasting the batteries.

All the while I'm looking at this little device measuring about 5"long, less than 3/4 inch in circumference; pretty cute really (andloaded with two itsy, bitsy triple-a batteries) thinking to myself, "no possible way!"What happened next is almost beyond description, but I'll do my best...I'm sitting there alone, Gracie looking on with her head cocked to oneside as to say, "don't do it master," reasoning that a one-second burstfrom such a tiny little ole thing couldn't hurt all that bad.. I decidedto give myself a one-second burst just for the heck of it.

I touched the prongs to my naked thigh, pushed the button, and HOLY MOTHER, WEAPONS OFMASS DESTRUCTION )*(&#(*)&)(#%)jld*(&#*#***!!! ]

I'm pretty sure Jessie Ventura ran in through the side door, picked meup in the recliner, then body slammed us both on the carpet, over andover and over again. I vaguely recall waking up on my side in the fetalposition, with tears in my eyes, body soaking wet, both nipples on fire,testicles nowhere to be found, with my left arm tucked under my body inthe oddest position, and tingling in my legs. The cat was standing overme making meowing sounds I had never heard before, licking my face,undoubtedly thinking to herself, "do it again, do it again!"Note: If you ever feel compelled to "mug" yourself with a taser, onenote of caution: there is no such thing as a one-second burst when youzap yourself. You will not let go of that thing until it is dislodgedfrom your hand by a violent thrashing about on the floor. A three secondburst would be considered conservative. SON-OF-A-BITCH... That hurt like hell!!!

A minute or so later (I can'tbe sure, as time was a relative thing at that point), collected my wits(what little I had left), sat up and surveyed the landscape. My bent reading glasses were on the mantel of the fireplace. How did they up getthere???My triceps, right thigh and both nipples were still twitching. My face felt like it had been shot up with Novocain, and my bottom lip weighed88 lbs. I'm still looking for my testicles. I'm offering a significant reward for their safe return.