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Sunday, October 17

Suck Ass Weekend

At least that's how Susan felt this morning, as we were filling the car with rain-soaked camping equipment that we never really used...

It started with great intentions, wanting to take advantage of what could be our last open weekend of 2004. Susan got some tickets to Great America from work, so I planned the weekend on the assumption that Great America = Six Flags, a la Gurnee, IL. We got a walk-in campsite at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, and set the tent up just before it got hella dark.

On the way through St. Helena, I noticed a banner announcing a Harvest Festival that included a Pet Parade. The nice folks in the supermarket told us the parade was at 11 AM, but when we showed up the next morning a few minutes late, it was all over (started at 10). We headed 30 miles south to cash in those free tickets at Six Flags, only to realize that we actually had tickets to Paramount Great America in Santa Clara - 70 miles away. We swallowed that one and made the trip, arriving at the park 3 hours before closing time.

3 long ass lines and 3 decent rides later, they kicked us out. We got back to the campsite around 9:30, put down the obligatory s'mores and headed to bed. It started raining in the middle of the night, and stopped right after we put the tent away this morning. Taking a shower hepled immensely - as did wine tastings at Beringer, V. Sattui and Ballentine before calling it a weekend.

Now Playing: Vikings, Saints, Red Sox & Yankees

posted by Brad at 10/17/2004 07:52:00 PM | permalink | 3 comments

3 Comments:

• I was very excited to read the blog...it has been way too long since I have been able to read about the day-to-day happenings of one Bradley P Johnson. I am hoping Derek and I will soon get one of our computers fixed and perhaps get internet in our apt. But then they may actually start charging us for cable...this is quite a predicament...quandary of sorts. Perhaps the almighty blogger himself could offer up some advice?

  By  Anonymous, at 10/18/2004 1:40 AM 

• Brad & Susan's weekend could have been much worse. No one likes rain when you spend time outdoors, but four months ago when they moved to Calif they probably never expected to not have any rain at all in those 120 days! Planning the perfect weekend takes a bit more Map Quest and Park Location Information. A thing like missing a pet parade never hurt anyone. If you think that was all bad, how about a weekend spent with 6.5 hours of total furstration on Saturday over computer issues and having to purchase and install two new toilets in a week. Believe me when I say, you managed to have some quality time together, see some new sites and enjoy some new wineries. In comparison to many, you had the time of your lives. Now you have a bench mark for a low point, only 3 hours at an amusement park (free). Only one day of rain in 120. Most anyone would be very pleased with that as a GREAT weekend. Signed Bob Johnson II, Brad's Dad.

  By  Anonymous, at 10/18/2004 7:43 AM 

• Boy, that last guy sounds like he didn't have any fun. Sour grapes?? He's just jealous.
  The only winery I remember is the "vsattui".....we went there 20 years ago before wine was cool! We bought wine in a wooden crate and saved it for so long it went bad! Love ya, Mom

  By  Anonymous, at 10/18/2004 10:20 AM 

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Thursday, October 14

One-time indexing has started...

I went to USA Today's website to find an article that give the Lodi wine industry some mad props - thanks Missy. While on the site, I came across an article announcing another free tool from Google:



I haven't actually used it yet, but hopefully you heard about it here first. It's apparently going to be "several hours" until ze indexing is complete, which makes me sad because the bottle of wine I've been nursing over the past few days is now vanquished.

Today was the last day of the United Way rallies at the plant, and so far we've raised over $128,000. Our goal is $200 large, so we've got some work to do yet. I hope it isn't the coordinator's responsibility to make up the difference, but that wouldn't be the first thing that nobody bothered to mention to me...

I've got to finger out what we are doing this weekend, since Suzie Q is off. Can anyone explain why CA State Park campsites are booked on Friday night but available on Saturday night?

Now Playing: Jack Johnson - On and On

posted by Brad at 10/14/2004 11:52:00 PM | permalink | 0 comments

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Prism

While I'm on a roll linking to videos, check out this new guy.

posted by Brad at 10/14/2004 03:11:00 PM | permalink | 0 comments

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DKOKS: RepetiSHON

9/11? 9/11. 9/11!

posted by Brad at 10/14/2004 03:05:00 PM | permalink | 0 comments

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Wednesday, October 13

Happy Happy Joy Joy

I've gotten a few nice cards in the mail, but Mother Nature has provided me with the best present yet...

Racine, WI	Minneapolis, MN	Lodi, CA
Cloudy, 57°	Showers/Wind, 50°	Sunny, 91°

Think you can top that? I invite you to try, but it's going to cost you.

posted by Brad at 10/13/2004 01:42:00 PM | permalink | 1 comments

1 Comments:

• Just think how many speeding tickets you'd get in that thing! You're better off with with a nice van! Happy Birthday to you! Love ya, Mom

  By  Anonymous, at 10/13/2004 4:35 PM 

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Tuesday, October 12

HSR X Pose Eh?

If you like the Homestarrunner, you should definitely check out this super great thingy that some video game network did.

posted by Brad at 10/12/2004 03:48:00 PM | permalink | 2 comments

2 Comments:

• The weirdest part about that video, is when Matt starts talking like Strong Bad. I seriously found myself sitting here watching it, thinking to myself, "Man, that guy sounds JUST like Strong Bad!".

  By  MICHAEL, at 10/12/2004 7:11 PM 

• I know you're busy with your United Way Campaign at GM so I thought that an email through your blog might be the best way to wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Sorry we couldn't be there to help you celebrate, we'll have to make up for it when you're home on Halloween.
  
  Don't get sick off the raw fish, yuck!
  
  See you soon!
  Rebecca

  By  Anonymous, at 10/13/2004 7:09 AM 

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Monday, October 11

Dot Underscore

I've only recently decided that my first born will be given the middle name "dot" or "underscore" so the e-mail address firstname.johnson or firstname_johnson is ironically actually their name.

Now Playing: John Mayer - Room for Squares

posted by Brad at 10/11/2004 10:41:00 PM | permalink | 1 comments

1 Comments:

• What...are you nuts? This would create a lifetime of form filing out errors for a poor little kid! I think the wine is going to yur head! Love ya, Mom

  By  Anonymous, at 10/13/2004 12:28 AM 

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Sunday, October 10

Double Disappointment

I was dumbfounded yesterday when the Twins and Gophers provided deja deja vu vu by both losing in similar fashion as one year ago. The only good news about no Twins game to watch today is that I was able to clean up the mess I made in the garage yesterday, and capture some photographic evidence of my shoddy drywall hanging skills.

I also included some pictures of the house proper, that a certain parent of mine may or may not have been bugging me about sharing...

posted by Brad at 10/10/2004 04:39:00 PM | permalink | 3 comments

3 Comments:

• For those of you that aren't as computer savy as I am, you need to click on the picture to view all of the pictures. While your there, check out Brad's amazing photography skills! Very artistic!
  
  -Susan

  By  Anonymous, at 10/10/2004 9:29 PM 

• Wow! Great pictures and it looks like you have finished all your projects. I noticed the curtains in your bedroom, the mirrors, and all of your picture projects. It all looks very nice. You did a great job in the garage - does this mean you can park in there now? I am so looking forward to seeing you both in a couple of weeks. Take care. Jan

  By  Anonymous, at 10/11/2004 5:06 AM 

• Thanks for the pictures...you guys have done an amazing job! Mom

  By  Anonymous, at 10/13/2004 12:30 AM 

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Thursday, October 7

Gosh Darnit

When am I going to learn to write down the things I want over time instead of straining my poor brain to remember them before things like birthdays and holidays?

Now that Susan subsidized my birthday bike, I think a bike computer would be neat to have - especially a silver wireless one.

I used QuickBooks to handle all of Technically Speaking's financials, and hated every minute of it. As a result, Microsoft Money became my personal financial management software of choice. I noticed the other day that they came out with Money 2K5, which I'm going to need to get fo sho.

What self respecting man doesn't need a moose flask and several hundred clay poker chips?

posted by Brad at 10/07/2004 01:43:00 PM | permalink | 0 comments

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Wednesday, October 6

|\/|33L|0|\|

Courtesy of Laura - win 1 million frequent flier miles

posted by Brad at 10/06/2004 11:11:00 PM | permalink | 0 comments

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Tuesday, October 5

Tick Tock Biological Clock

I can't believe that I'm going to turn 25 in a week... Here are a few things I've had my eye on (and the cheapest place I've found them available on the web)

• The Wines of California
  
• Wine Spectator's California Wine
  
• SanDisk 512MB Compact Flash Memory Card
  
• Kill Bill Vol:1 DVD
  

Now Playing: Bela Fleck - Perpetual Motion

posted by Brad at 10/05/2004 06:56:00 PM | permalink | 0 comments

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Liszt

I really need to sit down and hammer out a post before I forget all the wonderful things that have gone on lately. Below is a mixed list of things - some of which I've done, some of which I need to do, and others that are just things in my head right now...

• A kind soul turned my PDA in to the neighborhood grocery store, and they called Jim who gave me the happy news at work today
  
• I got my 2nd replacemnt phone from Sprint PCS, which is a Sanyo 5400 - I took advantage of the color screen by downloading a Twins wallpaper
  
• The United Way campaign starts next Monday, which is causing my head to spin
  
• I've been plowing through hundreds of pictures in Picasa (which I really like), and will hopefully soon have some good ones from this past weekend's Estrogen Fest.
  
• My birthday is coming up and some people want to know what I want, perhaps I should tell them
  
• Susan is excited about applying for a job at the plant
  
• I lost my fantasy football game this week by a coupla points in the waning minutes of tonight's MNF game :(
  
• The wound I suffered while making dinner Friday night is healing nicely
  
• Does anyone want to come over and iron a couple dozen shirts for me? The pile is growing faster than I can shrink it
  
• I should probably get back to those auditors, eh?
  

Nick's new Vanagon:

posted by Brad at 10/05/2004 01:31:00 AM | permalink | 1 comments

1 Comments:

• It should be noted that this is a BEFORE picture of my new Vanagon. Also, I found it for free on Craigslist - thanks to you Brad for the introduction. Craig and I are getting to be pretty tight.
  
  I am unfortunately not the winner of 2 free CL cars, though. The Opel went to a different and hopefully better new home.
  
  Happy to hear you got your PDA back! That's awesome that there are such nice people out there still.

  By  Nick, at 10/05/2004 2:42 PM 

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