It's Pepper time!

There were just too many amazing pics of Pep lately... So, I'm dedicating this entire post to the house princess --

Someone wants to be like Pops...

Or just on Pops...You gotta love a dog that is persistent and determined...

And knows what she wants...

And is willing to wait for it...

Or even go for it...

Pep got a football for Super Bowl Sunday...of course, she'd rather have had beer...

But it seemed that both appeared to have the same consequence...nap

But in fact, it doesn't take a football or beer to promote a nap... just a warm spot, especially on a sleeping bag...

'Cuz when you're this cuuuuhhhhhrrrrrraaaazzzzzzyyyyyy... you gotta find time to nap...

And yeah...Hiking is ok out here in SF/Marin...

But there's no place like home... (I think someone's ready to be back already)

The things he'll do....

the image wasn't the only thing he got...

say hello to poison oak... awwwwwwww

One more clue to the psyche of the typical SFer...

I came across this article today while eating my lunch. In a nutshell, recent studies at the London Business School have "concluded that luxury seems intrinsically linked to self-interest." Perhaps luxury is indeed a factor in the self-interested disposition of most inhabitants of this place. As one of the only SFers that I have actually enjoyed so enlighteningly told me, "It's the perfect weather that makes people in San Francisco feel so self-entitled all the time. If they had to deal with bad weather, they'd likely be more willing to suck it up and deal with other inconveniences of society more often." E and I complain frequently about our fellow citizens of this "great" metropolis...and despite the denials of so many around us that make claims to its superiority, we are still waiting to find the virtues of a place with perfect weather (most of the time) and despicable people. And, to leave with something very insightful from the article:

luxury does not necessarily induce "nasty" behavior toward others, but more indifference toward them.

Back to the grind...structured grind that is...

Today is the first day I have class in the last semester of Grad School. By having class- I am a teaching assistant for one of my mentors. The funny thing is- the school has a teaching practicum but it happens to be the same time as a grad level landscape class. This class is an art history based class but if I have learned anything from 3 semesters at SFAI- art history classes have little to do with history. Dates? Nope! Time lines? HELL no! This class promises to be the most applicable to what I do so I couldn't not take it.
So, that being said- I am enrolled in an intro to photography class. I'll be the TA, learning from one of the best photo teachers this or any school has to offer. I'm really excited. Linda has opened a number of ideas and associations in my work so far and it should be great to watch her with intro level students.
The only down side to this? The first day is bring your work and a camera to class. Not bad- I have lots of cameras and most of them quite small. The hitch is Linda asked me to bring the big one. Still- so what? I have a bike trailer and should be fine. Things would be no issue aside from our being in the midst of the rainy season. That's right- winter is replaced with "the rainy season". It has been dumping for days and I really hate driving in this city. What ever.
Looks like I will be moving the truck once every two hours. Oh- the class is 6 hours long. NOthing like a marathon class to get things rolling.
What ever. Better in school than looking for work these thin days.
Hope all of you are well.
I have been sick and am feeling better.
Lego Batman is a huge waste of my days...mmmm...Lego video games!
Pepper is grey as ever and sleeping like no other...
Gretta is looking at the future and doing well!
later
e

our home

just a short video of our apartment...and gretta and pepper...
enjoy



feel free to comment...have a good one...call if you get the time

e,g,&p

video posting (thanks to Gretta!!!)

So Gretta finally showed me how to post videos onto the blog so I will just put some up for you to enjoy (or not) and then post comments.

This one is our hike in Marin County on Christmas day...warm, quiet, and our fine family being what we are- simple in our pleasures...

One sweet deal at a time

As I sit here listening to new SF Public Library music acquisitions and feeling quite proud of myself, it occurred to me that this is a time to share.
Why am I feeling so proud? Yet another repair on the truck is done and all that I have to show for it is some (actually a ton) scratches on my arms and pesky "dirt"  under my nails. Today's adventure was all about the broken headlamp and our power steering. Upon evaluating our new truck we found that the passenger side light was hanging on by the wires. This is no exageration! The mounting bolts had been damaged, the light socket was broken and the bulb hung in the light keeping it from falling backwards toward the engine. Thanks to the battery there was something solid to keep things in their places (kinda).
So, first thing I started out on the light. Just as I was making headway (the light was a pain to get out thanks to the broke-ass grill in the front) the parking lady that haunts us drives up and has no time for my story about not being there for more than the hour you are allowed. What ever- she rolled on and I got out of a ticket for the moment. An hour later (really- those things are not meant to be changed- that is why they have replaceable bulbs) I was done!
After hearing that Gretta didn't need the truck today I figured it was time to deal with the leaking high pressure return hose and housing for our power steering. If you have the money I would only recommend letting someone else do this!!! I had to buy a 24mm socket and adapter to even get going on this. Next- remove the cool front skid plate. This thing really is ready for Centre County!!! Just like the old "Canyonero" (R.I.P.). One nicety has to be the lack of corrosion. Bolts just come off when you try! After removing the battery (second time today) and the radiator overflow tank, it was time to hit the big old pressure bolts. OK, I am not built for strength in my upper body- these things barely came loose before I gave up!!! Honestly- this was the hardest I have worked in years (physically). The housing gushed out fluid and took an old mountain bike race t-shirt with it. The housing had to cup the engine and work it's way up on both sides. By housing I mean steel piping. The removal and replacement took 2 hours. 1 hour was wasted on just one end of the housing and the bolt being put back. You see, just cause you can look at a bolt don't necessarily mean you can get to it. If you can get to it, you probably won't be able to get any force to it. Long story short- I cut the hell out of my arms and twisted my wrists and fingers in ways I hadn't previously though I could just to get a single mounting bolt in place! The other side went quickly and I bled the system in no time!
Looking back- there are things worth paying for. The labor on this job is in that category. The joy of overcoming a challenge never gets old. The torn up arms- that is getting old.
I'll keep you updated with the next repair (I can't imagine there aren't more to come!)
Later.
E
PS

You can't see the scratches or the dried brake fluid...damn photographs

This one is better person as well...you can see the scratches more now...

One for the ladies....sorry fellas!!! Suck it! Sweet beard and Disco Patch!

Just for you kids back east- my arms got scratched up cause I was working on the truck in short sleeves!!!!! Nothing like non-seasonal temperatures at New Years.