Whats worse than getting caught in the snow?

Whats worse than getting caught in the snow?

Getting Snow on your Lambo... of course.

Only in NY

Thanks to Jalopnik for this one.

Stick a fork in it... this week is done!

Stick a fork in it... this week is done!

None to soon I might add.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Planet

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Planet...

While we are here freezing, the girl's (note: girl not Girl the little g denotes the Girl's girl...) studies have taken her to St Petersberg, Russia where she too is likely freezing, just literally half a world away.

She is truly a traveler and her grades allow her scholarships and programs not offered to many, one of which she is taking advantage of right now.

I know this church is on her itinerary, and I wish I could say this is a live picture, but I will have to thank Flickr user Gargaro for the great shot. I guess internet access for here is pretty skech over there so communication in general will be a challenge for a few days until she gets settled.

Lucky girl.

Dear Mother Nature...

Dear Mother Nature...what did I ever do to you?

Random one-liner

Client:
"The economy is not getting better. I heard Exxon had to fire 25...
Congressmen today!

Snow Tracks

People(and dogs) walking along our sidewalk left reverse prints on the sidewalk once the top layer of snow was removed. It left an visual record that I thought was at least marginally interesting so I thought I would share it with you.
More snow is on the way as the total for the year have swung from below average to above for the season.

Tanner Checks back in...

With the consentraion of a chess master, Tanner contemplates her next move on the soccer ball as snow falls all around again this morning. More snow is bringing more headaches to the area as just enough to make it slick fell right before the morning commute. Snow is in the next 4 days forecast as winter, late to come to the table, seems reluctant to ease up its icy grip here.

My printer is out to get me, and other tales of paranoia.

Look I am not one to complain but this HP printer is the biggest piece of crap ever made. I am not sure, but I think if crap itself could crap it would crap out something like this. What I mean to say: it’s a giant plastic box of whirring, paper eating, ink smearing, duplex clogging, file flubbing, productivity sucking, stinking waste of my time. I hate it.

Today it proved the feeling is mutual.

Its bad enough that it takes an act of congress to print an envelope. Really, does it have to be that hard? Not to mention HP’s thinly veiled plan to make stinking wads of cash by producing the cheapest machine possible and making ever more expensive and ink cartridges and replaceable printed heads (seriously printer heads?) is almost more insulting than calling this a printer in the first place. Almost. Here is idea for the next year printer: a completely empty box, for next to nothing, and the entire printer, feed, duplexer, and inner-workings are attached to one of 17 required and ridiculously priced ink cartridges, sell them for about $1000 a piece and you have a business model to run with.

Yet it overcame all this to prove what a potent enemy it could be.

In a single act of defiance, its refusal to print on the grounds of a non-existent paper jam was just the right amount to incessantly infuriating insanity that I am not sure how it escaped me throwing it into the snow bank. Waiting until I was insanely busy, and showing me the same impossible error over and over again…a masterpiece of soul crushing cyber terrorism that had to be by design. I am sad to say, I was defeated, the printer had won.

If it will not work tomorrow, I only have one last recourse. A new printer for me. Not before complete and utter dismantle and inspection down to the last circuit board. Just to prove there is not one fiber of paper in the machine causing a jam... and maybe a little revenge.

Guy On Bicycle...

Dear Guy on bicycle during snowstorm:

Poor little guy. I don’t know why you have a death wish, but life is to important to for you to throw it away on economical transportation. Plus if I hit you, you are going to scratch my paint. Please refrain from such selfish activity in the future.

Sincerely,

-The rest of us.

Editors note: this is only topped by they guy on the motorcycle that I was not quick enough to get a photo of.

Late Winter Storm

They called for a little snow overnight and snow throughout the day but we woke to about 5 inches in the drive way. I was not expecting to break out the plow until later in the day but I could not get the Girl out of the driveway so Tanner helped me plow. Of course this set us up for a late start.

All work and no Play

Seems to be the norm, as the rental house needed a few repairs before a new tenant is to be found. We spent a good chunk of the day today over there, the girl painting and I replacing plugs and switches.

You never know what you are going to uncover with old wiring in an old house.

Shop update

The file cabinet project is finally stained and almost ready for
completion.

Often I say I am going to the park

Often I say I am going to the park, I mean one of several places around the area where Tanner and I go play.

Today when I say we went to the park, I mean went to the park I have been going to since I was a child. Suddenly it struck me that this park that I often take for granted has more memories and ghosts for me then I care to remember. Like a wave they all came flooding back and for a brief moment I was young again standing on the rocky shore of the river while the melting snows make the water babble with the excitement of the coming spring.

Just for a moment. Then just like that I was back again.

At the park.
With the dog.

The dog who seemed oblivious to my momentary melancholy and vacant look in my eyes. She just dropped the ball at my feet and wagged her tail.

Often I say I am going to the park. Today I just a little farther then normal down a trail I have been down a few times before.

This Week

This week might be categorized as the week that was made an example of to keep all other weeks in line.

Oh yeah...

Oh yeah...That's why I don't play Chess.
It's hard.
I should write this shit down.

The Archives:

Thanks again to all Vapor Life followers and commenters!

The cool thing about Vapor Life is we have been around for a while. So if you get a chance root around in the archives or do a little search in the box on the top left…you will be surprised at what you might find.

Since many of you may not have time to go digging through the old posts I gathered some of my favorites… let me know what you think:

Best rant:

http://vaporlife.blogspot.com/2009/05/dear-general-public.html

(or maybe)

http://vaporlife.blogspot.com/2009/08/what-is-it-about-mondays.html

Best Photo

http://vaporlife.blogspot.com/2005/09/houghton-lake.html

Best Email:

http://vaporlife.blogspot.com/2009/12/somtimes-people-are-funny.html

Best Twitter Re-post:

http://vaporlife.blogspot.com/2009/08/somtimes-twitter-pays-off.html

Best Sarcastic Post:

http://vaporlife.blogspot.com/2006/03/time-for-tech.html

Best Wood Shop post:

http://vaporlife.blogspot.com/2008/10/shop-update-mission-coat-tree-2.html

Best Aviation related post:

http://vaporlife.blogspot.com/2008/04/bye-to-cessna.html

Best Stupid Post:

http://vaporlife.blogspot.com/2009/12/overheard-at-office.html

Best Photo Shop

http://vaporlife.blogspot.com/2008/09/because-my-freind-did-not-believe.html

Best Dressed:

http://vaporlife.blogspot.com/2006/09/owen.html

Most Cryptic:

http://vaporlife.blogspot.com/2005/09/ddaaryk.html

WOW

Never ever believe what you see on TV!
Thanks to *Giz* for this one!
If you cant see then embedded image above, try this direct YouTube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clnozSXyF4k

Tanner Hard at Work

A dogs life.
So difficult.
You can see here she is sick with the stress of her day.

What can I say, I am jealous.

Today is not starting out that great....

I feel like I am looking at life this morning through shattered glass.

Not to mention things are coming up to quickly.

Its going to be a long day.

Thanks to LilFr38 for the cool photo.

Phat Tuesday

OMG, its fat Tuesday and day is almost over before I even noticed. That means Lent starts tomorrow and THAT means a long dry spell for me (and the Girl) as I (we) give up drinking.

I must admit I would have rather been at Mardi Gras then here at the office where I had a busy day.

Micro Rant: PLEASE DO NOT LIE ABOUT WHERE YOU LIVE THEN GET MAD BECAUSE YOU DONT GET YOUR BILL. SERIOUSLY DONT!

But I guess I should be thankful I have a job to report to, right?

Thanks to bitzcelt for the cool photo and for reminding me what Lent is about. What is that you say? Why its shiny colored beads and partying to excess of course.

From one big coin flipper....

From one big coin flipper....To another, I loved this post from lifehacker re-posted from minimal:

"When faced with two choices, simply toss a coin. It works not because it settles the question for you, but because, in that brief moment with the coin is in the air, you suddenly know what you are hoping for."

Happy Monday....

Happy Monday....

Apparently where you live makes difference in just how happy you are.

Per Click on Detroit.com

Mich. City Makes 'Happiest Place' List

Holland, Mich., Ranks 2nd In Gallup Poll

POSTED: Monday, February 15, 2010

UPDATED: 2:50 pm EST February 15, 2010

Gallup Poll

www.well-beingindex.com

DETROIT -- Holland is known around Michigan for its annual tulip festival. Now, it's being nationally ranked as one of the happiest places around the country.

A Gallup poll that asked more than 350,000 people about their jobs, physical and emotional health and finances, has ranked Holland second in America for overall well being.

I don't always put to much stock into these polls.

Michigan is rated the worst unemployment in the nation, has one of the worst housing markets and could be described by many... well lets just say as the exact opposite of happy.
I have to admit, I have not been to Holland in a long time, and The Girl was talking about going to the tulip festival this year. Maybe we will have to check it out this year after all.

At days end...

The cold blue steel sky is intersected by the sunset tonight like a hot knife through ice as the day ends over Bruan farm outside of town. It was a short weekend and I swear the lingering winter is playing tricks on my mind as dreams of spring dance though my head.

Today, Valentines day, I gave the girl chocolates and a token of my love, and we had a great dinner here at home for a nice wrap up for the day. Although at the end of the day it hard to compete with mother natures display.

Overheard Last Night on the Couch.....

Me:
"Did you figure out why the cat was jumping on the bed this morning?"

My Girl:
"She wanted Water."

Me:
"How did you figure that out"

My Girl:
"When I went downstairs she was standing in Tanners empty water bowl, looking at me meowing."

Me:
"I see."

My Girl:
"I don't know why, but she has been very lovey all day. She wants to be in my lap all the time."

Me:
"She is not being lovey, she is sucking up because we taught her we control the water."

Sombody at Ford's marketing department...

Must have realized that my lease is almost up. The marketing onslaught has begun.

If karma is a bitch...

I feel like I am on poop patrol as I have been fixing crap all week. I
don't know who I screwed over to deserve working Saturday but it must
have been awfull because working on the weekend sucks ass.

An unexpected meeting.

After a full day, and some highs lows, I had to go plow out the rental house as the drive way was a mess from the snow the other day. So that meant Tanners walk was late, and the park was completely dark as we did not get there until around 8. Tired and hungry we trudged through the deep snow. Tanner was excited as ever, bounding through like a kid on a sugar high.

Walking around the far side of the park I rounded the fence of the baseball diamond with Tanner, and about 25 yards ahead was very nervous and very large coyote. It was dark but I could clearly see the pointy head and tail tucked between its legs. It kept glancing over its shoulder and across the road and the normally shy animal was skittish but was nervously standing its ground.

I asked Tanner to stop and sit/wait so I could creep slightly closer to get a photo. I could not get a good shot it was to dark and my phone would just not cut it.(stock internet photo but amazingly accurate) I could not help but think that this large animal (as tall as but just thinner than Tanner. I would estimate 50 lbs) was waiting for its mate. As soon as I thought it I turned to seen Tanner, standing, with her nose in the air trying to catch the sent of the second one that was behind us. It was nervously trying to figure out how to get around us, and re-unite with the other and stay off the road that we were adjacent to. The second seemed to be the male and was larger than the first, if you can believe it.

The second one went around the far side and the first nervous one went of to meet it the long way around. I never felt threatened; of course if I was a child or a small dog then their intentions might have been more nefarious. I was amazed, however, at the whole episode. It was kind of cool to be that close to some wild animals.

Shop update: A Good Find

Today I was looking for some wood for another project and I found these sequentially cut 18 inch wide pieces of elm that I am going to make into a table. I am very excited as they are cuts 4 and 5 from a log cut unto 15 planks and the grain is just amazing.

Sure it was not the best day but this may just have made up for it.

The Waiting Game

All day long I have been playing a waiting game. I have been waiting on one thing or another all day, and it has been FRUSTRATING as they are all out of my control.

Here I am, waiting again, for lunch to go at Alpha Coney. Lunch was called in but was not quite ready when I got there. Go Figure.

I know sometimes I can be impatient but it seems to me like someone specifically designed today just to be as frustrating as possible to torture me for some reason.

Seriously am STRESSING OUT and DON’T THINK I CAN TAKE IT ANY MORE!!!!

Sometimes a photo...

Sometimes a photo... can capture exactly how you are feeling in on 1/1000th of a second.

Thanks to Crowbert for succinctly summing up my feelings with a random and quick push of the shutter button.

Tonight at the park: catch the wave

Strong winds followed last nights snow making a bad situation even more irritating.
In the snow and cold and wind late at night the park, beauty can be still be found as wind shaped the snow into this wave shape along each post. Despite an irritating day, its was irritatingly striking in the dim light.

Cool Gear: Vintage Land Rover

Randomly found in a parking lot in town.
This vintage land rover was AWESOME and it pretty good shape considering this was likely a 30+ year (I estimate 35 yr) old vehicle. It was cool to see it was someones daily driver as well and I had a little jealous tinge when I left, thinking my lease is up soon, maybe I'll get a vintage vehicle.

PS - I think some of these had aluminum bodies and were 4 cyl diesel, that would be crazy as salt an aluminum don't mix (just ask your local airport)

Overheard at the Drowsy Parrot:

Barista John: "So... got plans for Sunday?"

Me (pre-coffee): "I feel like I should know the answer to this one..." (blank stare into space)

Barista John ( hysterical laughter): "Seriously?"
Me: Ummm... (frantically trying to figure out what he is talking about )(after seriously long pause): "OH... Valentines day. Right, not much really"

Barista John: "AH.. to be in love"

Editors note: In my defense, I am pretty sure he was fully caffeinated and I was tired from shoveling.

Tanner Helps out...

Tanner Helps out this morning as I clean off the drive way. 8 inches of snow fell around the area enough to get the ATV out with the plow. Afterwords Tanner sees fit to knock through every tall drift possible make of mess of what I just cleaned up. Winter has arrived late this year, and I suspect we have more snow to come.

Why I need to cool it on the multi-tasking...

My desk at work has, two computers three screens and a zillion windows wizzing by at the speed of internet...

So what is the problem? It should be a dream come true, right? The problem is my attention span is getting shorter and shorter, and I start reading the news headlines. The problem is I read them... but I see something else. Take today's headlines for example:

Actual headline:

Gibbs Scrawls Grocery List on Hand in Jab at Palin (fox)

I see:

Gibbs crawls for grocery's and hand job from Palin.

Actual headline:

Death of Nancy Kerrigan's father ruled a homicide (cnn)

I see:

Tonya Harding kills Nancy Kerrigan's dad.

Actual headline:

Lil Wayne Shot Nine Music Videos Last Weekend (MTV)

I see:

Lil Wayne shot nine times last weekend.

Actual Headline:

Prius success story stalls after recall (CNN)

I see:

Prius Sucks

Actual Headline:

Autopsy: Jackson had vitiligo, wore wig (msnbc)

I see:

Autopsy: Jackson had vertigo for wigs.

I really really have to slow down.....

The Big House- Winter edition

Today I had to go see a man about a house and had a quick second to take this photo of the Big House (Michigan Stadium) in the snow. The plows were keeping up at 12:30 when I took this shot, but have been fighting a loosing battle all afternoon.

Reports of accidents are pouring in and it only is going to be worse before its over I am afraid.

So stay home, don’t even go out. The weather will break tomorrow, then you can venture into your new winter wonderland.

Here at Vapor Life we do not advocate taking photos while driving, please don’t attempt we are professionals. While we are at it some other things you should not do… in a moving car:

Text, Twitter, or blog.
Eat, cook, or clean.
Apply / remove make-up
Shave any part of your body. Or anyone else’s for that matter.
Intercourse (sorry guys) of any kind
Driving while objects you placed on your roof are falling off is also discouraged.
Driving while: angry, tired, sleepy, distracted...
Pretty much just pay attention on driving, while driving, until your done driving.

I think that just about covers it.

How (not) to get your VaporLife comment rejected:

Thanks for all the comments everyone. As I had mentioned I had to change the comments to and approval type deal so don’t be discouraged.

Here is a quick list, just a short reminder if you will, of un-acceptable comments:

1) A comment with self serving, unrelated to the topic, links. (IE links to porn)

2) Post in a language other than English. (sorry has to be in English)

3) Be unnecessarily profane or otherwise objectionable. (only I can do that)

4) Threatening, or violent comments (again only I can do that)

5) Anything else inappropriate

Acceptable Comments:

Just about anything else.

So please keep the comments coming, they are all great. Just don’t expect to see it posted if you don’t play nice.

Yes, the snow is here!

As you can see in this "live" photo of the edge of the Diag in Ann Arbor, the snow has finally arrived and is starting to make the roads slippery.

You can see a live shot *here* and watch the snow pile up over the day.

We are currently under a winter storm warning expecting about 6-10 inches through the morning and maybe more.

Compared to some places this is nothing and you would think we would be used to this but its late in the year and Mother Nature had just began to lull us into a false sense of "no-snow" security so I predict this will grind everything to a literal halt.

Best of the day: Monday 2/8/10

Best kiss of the day… “I love you Baby” after dinner kiss

Best call of the day … Bitchy claim adjuster. When I said she was not making sense, she STARTED TALKING LOUDER. Stupid bitch.

Best drink of the day… after dinner cocktail poured without asking. Thank you baby.

Best laugh of the day… out loud, full belly, stand up comic on radio stated….Cant really repeat. It was funny.

Best Cry of the day… What am I a girl? There is no Crying.

Best slight of the day… see best call of the day

Best choice of the day-… to close to call.

Best advise of the day… “Have a good one.” Cop I know randomly at the drowsy parrot.

Best comment of the day…”I don't know, Beano. Pulling out is only successful 75% of the time.” Technically yesterday but I am still laughing.

No-Snow Ball

Although almost impossible to catch on camera(click photo to enlarge)… steam was rising off Tanners ball this morning while we were playing fetch in the front yard.

We might not have much snow right now, spotty at best as you can see the grass in the photo, but winter is not over yet. With temperatures in the single digits this morning it sure feels like winter and I just heard more snow is on the way.

Play Nice

There has been so much interest in Vapor Life lately it is great…

Thanks to everyone again for stopping by.

There have been some “comment” abuse and it is getting to be a little out of hand. This is unfortunate and because not everyone can play nice I have had to tighten up the content moderation just a little.

So if you post, and you don’t see your comment right away, don’t worry. If its legit, it will show soon I promise.

Sorry a bad apple or two had to ruin it for the rest of us.

Super Bowl Sunday

I wouldn't really be a red blooded American male if I did not acknowledge that today is Super Bowl Sunday.

Its the Saints Vs the Colts and although every one is talking about the Saints Cinderella story I still like the Colts to Win.

Not just because they are slightly favored, at least I think they are, I have not seen the odds lately and am not much into sports betting. Actually on the contrary I, like many, ofter favor the underdog. Really I think Manning will pull it out in the end. Honestly I hope it is just a good contest.

Enjoy the game everyone.

Snow My God....Depth Perception

I had to re post this weather channel pict that this guy "Ed" from Pa
sent in of snow outside his house. I used to think that if it was
going to be cold it might as well snow. Today I am at least aware of
the fact that although freezing here, it could be worse.

Sweet Moves

The kids play Wii before lunch.

Gabriel and Mina were over for a day of fun. My niece and nephew are cute, and can be more than a handful. We had a great time today.


Here is a quick video of Gabriel showing of his sweet Wii Ninja boxing moves.

Before the kids are here...

Before the kids are here...I decided to whip up some tortilla's for
lunch.

I have a 1,945 step plan to make my life less complicated.

Why does EVERYTHING have to be over complicated? Seriously I want to simplify my life but every time I think about it the task itself becomes so daunting I get depressed. I need one of those damn “Easy” buttons.

Banking Karma

Today at the bank, I helped a guy in the parking lot jump his car.
He was trying to use one of those emergency car jumper things clearly it was just not working.

So I just helped him out.

Maybe it will be some good Karma for the weekend.

TGIF

Its Friday and I SOOOO do not want to be in the office today. I cant wait to break out of here.

Bonus #1- No office hours planned for tomorrow!

Bonus #2 – All that pesky snow everyone is scared of is going south of us

Also, and this is kind of a bonus as well… we are watching my Niece/Nephew tomorrow. Should make for some good blog posts.

Photo Credit to Rizalgeo. Thanks for capturing my escapism thoughts in this image.

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE!

Shop update- The Projects are adding up.

I have to stop thinking in my free time.

Ron Y has asked me to make some "built in" book cases that match the 100 year old woodwork in the room. Challenges abound but I cant stop by brain from working on the problems... over and over again.

This is some of those thoughts that just spilled out onto the paper. By thoughts I mean obsessive ramblings, and by paper I mean the computer.

It does not help that project "W" took a small step forward and just got be all juiced up in general.

Yesterday if you would have told me....

Yesterday if you would have told me....

That I was going to be blog of note and get 10x my normal blog traffic I would have been ecstatic. If you would have told me that that would not have been the craziest thing that happened that day I likely would have laughed in your face.

I am not laughing now.

What a difference a day makes.

Welcome to Vaporlife!

I noticed traffic was through the roof today and I checked and sure enough Vaporlife was mentioned on "Blogs of Note". Thank you to all our new visitors... I hope you like what you read and visit often!