Garage Shelving Project

Today I finally installed some new shelving in my garage. The project started with a trip to Lowe's where I bought all the necessary items. Then I got home I started by installing the vertical supports. All was going well until I tried to set the shelves on the support brackets. Apparently if you are off my even a fraction of an inch in the spacing of the supports then the shelves won't fit correctly. So rather than panicing or getting really mad, I just set them in as best I could using a hammer and was happy with the results. Once items are places on the shelves it doesn't matter that they are not sitting perfect. I bought enough for another set, but I might return those and get a different kind of shelf. This is all in an effort to trash a huge wooden shelf that was there when I bought my condo. Once I have everything off that old shelf then I have to bust it up and somehow take the pieces to the trash.

My Mustang Has Been Built

I just found out that my Mustang was built on Valentine's Day. This could be good or bad. If the factory workers were worried about buying a gift for their spouse, or if they had no one to buy a gift for, then the car could turn out to be a lemon. However, if they were happy about the day and in a good mood then I could be getting a well built car. It will be shipped soon, which will take up to two weeks, so it is on schedule to arrive the second week of March.

Karl Strauss Free Beer

Here I am drinking beer thanks to Karl Strauss and the $25 gift certificate I won. As usual, the beer and food was exceptional.

Sunday Morning Project

I had been planning this project for six months and finally tackled it this morning. I used to have a large hutch above my computer desk but after I took it down I liked how my room looked, plus it added more wall space for my action figures. However, I had some "loose" figures that I needed to be displayed, so I added these two shelves. The figures are an odd assortment including my original Star Wars figures that I played with as a kid, Simpson's Pez dispensers, two cats, some Buffy figures, Nibbler and a group of Homies. I now realize that I need a third support because the shelves are slightly warped. I wanted to center the two supports, but the studs in the wall are oddly spaced. Perhaps in another six months I can fix the warping, but first I have a bigger project - putting shelves in the garage to make room for the new Mustang!

Car Repairs, Basketball and Free Beer

Yesterday I took my car into Toyota because the "check engine" light was on. The bad news was that they had to replace the catalytic converter and it was going to take all day. The good news was that it was under warranty so it was free for me. This was the second time I've had this problem with my 2001 RAV/4. The first time was at 20,600 miles. It seems that there was a problem with this model and many people had to get this work done. They also had to replace two air fuel sensors and two oxygen sensors both times. The repairs would have cost $1300. The car has 69,000 miles now so hopefully this is the last time I'll have to worry about catalytic converters.

Yesterday I watched a high school basketball game at my alma mater but was cheering for the other team which is coached by my friend. I felt torn between allegiances but I'll live with that. I never attended any school sporting events while I was in grade school, so it seems strange to start during my 30's. There was an episode of the Simpson's, I believe, where for some reason Bart said "I don't want to grow up to be one of those 35 year olds who show up to high school basketball games." I laughed at that joke but then wondered if that is how someone might see me. I go to these games with other friends and their families, so it is not like I'm hanging-out alone. My friend's team won and hopefully they made the playoffs which start this week.

Today I received a letter from Karl Strauss Brewery. I quickly opened it up hoping it was a gift certificate for $25 and it was! Last year I entered a contest by filling out an online survey about my experience at Karl Strauss in Carlsbad and they said 1/20 people would win $25. My sister bought the meal and we agreed that if I won I would use the certificate when she was with me. She always says, "free beer comes my way", and once again it has.

Happy Valentine's Day (Beer)

I had forgotten what day it was until I drove home from work and experienced extra bad traffic. Everyone must have been leaving work early to buy their loved one some flowers and candy. I witnessed this when I stopped at the store to buy dinner. There I was, standing in the checkout line with a frozen pizza and a six pack of beer, while all the other men were purchasing flowers. I actually bought two pizzas, so maybe they thought I had a real cool wife, or something. However, don't feel sad for me - this cold beer tastes great!

I Feel Great

And it is a beautiful day outside. My knees feel fine after yesterdays hike and I have a ton of energy. I haven't felt this good in months! Now I need an outlet for all this excess energy.

First Hike of 2006

Yes, it was once again time to hike Iron Mountain. This is my first hike in the series of warm-up hikes for Mt. Whitney. For the first time recently I used a hiking stick - a ski pole. This seemed to help on the steep parts of the trail where big steps were necessary, but it also got in the way on the flat parts. I won't know if it help my knees until I wake up tomorrow. Next time I might try wearing some knee braces I bought a long time ago - if they still fit. I'm hoping these warm-up hikes help strengthen my muscles and not damage my knees, making the Mt. Whitney trek impossible. Time will see.

View From Work

This is the view of the Pacific Ocean that I can see from my new place of work. Too bad I spend the whole day inside a windowless room. Actually, I have been going for a walk at lunch along a road above the sea cliffs. The other day I saw two dolphins riding a wave, and they were having much more fun than me.

Tentative Date for my Mustang

Good news! The tentative date for delivery of my 2006 Mustang GT is the week of March 5. Four weeks and counting.

Mt. Whitney

I have committed to climbing Mt. Whitney this summer! My friend who is organizing this adventure has submitted the necessary forms to request a hiking permit. I don't know if I will be able to make it too the summit due to my knee problem and the thin air. I have never been above 12,000 feet, and at that altitude I was feeling dizzy and had a headache. My doctor said that he will prescribe some pills that will help with the altitude sickness. We will go on numerous warm-up hikes, so I will know before hand if my knees will survive. I have been taking glucosamine daily for some time and it definitely helps, but it might not be enough. Perhaps some kind of knee brace plus good hiking boots and a hiking stick will help too.