Cruising Up The Pacific Coast Highway
Irma and I experienced something we have been wanting to do for some time – drive along the Pacific Coast Highway in California. Known as the “1” or “PCH” for short, this highway runs mostly along California’s coastal line and offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, sometimes at near sea levels while other times atop high cliffs.
Anthem HOA: As Anal As They Come
For the most part, I love living in Anthem, Arizona, a master-planned community built mostly by Del Webb (Pulte), located just south of New River. However, I hate my anal HOA (Home Owners Association). In fact they have to be one of the most anal, annoying and idiotic HOAs on the planet. A recent violation notice they sent me has got me all fired up. Now I’m ready for a fight!
My First Laptop
I was transferring some old business files to new boxes yesterday when I can across a purchase receipt that was somewhat amusing while being somewhat stomach turning at the same time. It was the receipt for my first laptop, purchased in 1997 from a local company.
At a total price of $3,639.39, that’s a whopping price to pay compared to today’s pricing. Wait till you hear what almost four grand bought you back then.
The Evolution of Music Playing Formats [Infographic]
In light of Sony retiring the Walkman Cassette player today, I thought it would be neat to put together a Infographic representing some of the history of audio recording formats. In my generation, vinyl records and cassette tapes were the norm although I remember my Father’s love of his reel-to-reel. However there is much more history beyond that… and how far we come!
Our Dog Jody: R.I.P.
It is with sadness that I announce that our dog, Jody, passed away yesterday. She was about 10 – 11 years old as we are not sure of her birth date, only her adoption date. Jody met her fate after getting into some rat poison which she mistook for something to chew on. The vet tried to save her with injections of Vitamin K but is was too late.
The Things We Do To Protect Our Grand-Babies
We (my wife mostly) watch our grand-babies, Andy – 2yrs. old and Jadyn – 1 yr. old, at least three times a week while their mother works. My daughter being a single a mom, we are glad to help out as the costs of daycare can be enormous.
That being said, we have literally transformed portions of our home to keep these precious little ones safe. I thought it would be interesting to provide a peek at what we actually have to do every time these little ones are with us.
Netflix: You Are Driving Me Away!
I have always been a huge fan of Netflix. What’s not to like about them – get as many DVDs as you can watch delivered by mail for a very reasonable price. Add to that the ability to live stream movies via your PC, specific set-top devices and even some TVs and it is a match made in heaven for any lover of media on DVDs.
Unfortunately as of late, Netflix has been driving me away. I have been courting another DVD rental “lover” and that is Redbox. “What can possibly be the problem,” you might ask? Just look at my current queue of DVDs I’m waiting on.
7 Ridiculous Homeowners Association (HOA) Rules
The astonishingly restrictive ways of homeowners associations (HOAs) came under scrutiny this month when a Sussex Square, Virginia, HOA demanded that a 90-year-old World War II vet remove an unapproved flag pole from his front yard. After receiving support from members of Congress, and even the Obama administration, Medal of Honor recipient Van T. Barfoot, who once singlehandedly took on three Nazi tanks, triumphed in his quest to fly Old Glory. Other homeowners haven’t been as lucky in their battles against their own HOAs’ “fascist” rules.
U2 360 Tour Comes To University of Phoenix Stadium
After many years of wanting to see U2 live but always missing the opportunity (concerts sell out), I finally got to see themalong with my lovely wife Irma in their biggest, baddest show yet – U2 360. Tuesday, October 20th at the Cardinals stadium is where it all took place and although the show here didn’t sell out (Phoenix you suck), there were about 55,000 in attendance.
Property Tax Review Board (PTRB): Is It a Scam?
This post is specifically for residents in Arizona but who knows if this scam is not going on elsewhere throughout the country. A company called “Property Tax Review Board” or PTRB for short is sending out letters promising homeowners that they can help homeowners reduce their property tax bills for the 2009 tax year for a fee of $189.
