zrath

I hope y'all had a pleasant Easter (Paques) weekend.
Mine was pretty good overall, though fairly unexciting.

On Thursday, during lunchtime, I committed serious power toolness. I went to Home Despot to get some new battery
packs for my trusty Black & Decker Versapak(tm) electric screwdriver and snakelight. Unfortunately, I discovered
that Versapak(tm) had long been discontinued. So I had to look at a new electric screwdriver/drill. After looking
at various models, I picked up a nifty next generation Ryobi 12volt LithiumIon jobbie in dark grey and neon green.
It looks like a handtool suited for the minifigures of the new Lego "Power Miners" theme! :D
It's compact and efficient and yet still big enough for my giant Kzinti mitts. The battery packs are also smaller
and more efficient compared to your typical contractor-issue units with the almost cubic battery packs.
For $80, I got the drill, 2 battery packs, a smart charger, a double-ended bit, and a neat nylon carry case.
I do believe this is the first serious piece of power tool-ing I have ever bought.
I went back to work, unpacked my new toy, and charged both batteries. Cool Manager wondered if I was going to do
some contruction work around the office. Ha ha ha, no. :)
After work, I put the Ryobi to good use by opening up the left taillight assembly on the F(n)ord (St)Ranger to
replace a burn-out turn signal/taillight bulb. It worked like a charm! I'm gonna like this thing!

The studio was closed for Good Friday. Day off for everyone, wooh!! I'm hoping it's a paid day off.
With them darned Canuckies, ya never know! :)
I took the opportunity to run the various errands I usually run on Saturday, ranging far afield.
And I took a break from fast food by treating myself to a nice little lunch.
I went to Claim Jumper and enjoyed a chopped cobb salad, with some tasty garlic toast on the side.
This was the first time I had ever gone to a Claim Jumper. I've been to Outback Steakhouse, Black Angus, Houston's,
TGIF, Chili's, Red Robin, Elephant Bar, B.J.'s and other such places, but never to Claim Jumper.
The salad was seriously nummy. It is a shame that aren't any Claim Jumpers in the Metro L.A. area.
The closest ones are in Northridge, City Of Industry/Rowland Heights, or Torrance. Not close at all!
The salad was so big and filling that I didn't dinner, just a little snack around 9pm.

On Saturday, I slept in then did some stuff on the computer. Later, I took care of my grocery shopping at both
Trader Joe's and Ralph's. I picked up some frozen buffalo burgers at TJ's that looked interested.
I also picked up some Milton's old-fashioned hamburger buns, might as well. :)
But it was too early for dinner and I had work to do. I chained myself to the computer and proceeded to place 6
Vespa Club badges on eBay. I mentioned in an earlier post that I had decided to sell my father's collection of
metal Vespa Club badges and pennants from the '50s. They're not doing me any good and I figure some collectors
are probably interested in buying them, especially European collectors. I may keep one of two, I'm not sure.
Once that was done, I prepared dinner. The buffalo burger patties already have chopped mushrooms, chopped onions
and white cheddar mixed in, so it's just a matter of slapping a couple on a frying pan and cooking them correctly.
The heels of the hamburger buns (the bottom part) fit in my toaster just fine, but the crowns (the top part) were
too big, so I used the Sammich Maker to grill them. That actually worked pretty well!
(I know the names of the hamburger bun parts from reading the inside of a wrapper at a fast food joint)
The burgers turned out pretty good, and I still have a pair of patties in the freezer.
I watched 3 episodes of "Brisco County Jr.". I'm getting near the end of the series, as this was Disc 6 or 7.
There was a two-parter episode with Terry Bradshaw and what I suspect were a bunch of American Football players.
One spoke decent enough English, but they had wacky subtitles whenever he spoke. In the first part, Bradshaw
kept spouting "Patton" movie quotes. Boy, that was such a fun little show.

On Sunday, I slept in again, then made the foolish decision to clean out my e-mail in-box and sent box.
Two hours later, I tore myself away from the computer, stumbled into the shower, cleaned up, and got dressed.
Then I started up the first of three loads of laundry. How exciting! :D
While doing laundry, I also made dinner and packed 4 different items for shipping on Monday.
Dinner was Pasta Kzinti Spéciale! Organic penne rigate, canned marinara made from all natural ingredients and
without any sugar (I <3 Trader Joe's!), shredded cheese (4 Italian cheeses), a raw egg, and chopped-up garlic.
It was awesomely tasty but next time? Less garlic! :O
The drink was Pomegranate 7-Up, which I guess is still available. Ralphs had it for 79 cents for a 2-liter.
The DVD was Disc 6 of Season 2 of "The Invaders", and featured an episode where a USAF general threatened the
Invaders with a "Doomsday Device" similar to the one mentioned in "Dr. Strangelove" (and probably "Fail Safe" too).
Considering the episode aired around the time both movies were in theaters, I ain't too surprised! Still funny though.
Well, funny now. Not so funny back then...

Anyvay, zhat's about it mein Fuhrer. I mean, Mister President!
Aufwiederzehn!