Bruiser

So, we have a re-fresher training at work. One of the last 3 things I have to do in order to get my happy book let signed off. I have had the training before, but no one signed my book off, so once again I get to take the training, at least I don't have to get sprayed again. Anyhow, we have the presentation explaining the history of pepper spray, proper way to use it, the different types, etc. A nice waste of time. Then we go the "exercise portion" of the training. We stretch and warm up. Then we partner up, with punching bags and run through the exercises.
So, my partner is the one person who has a "fragile neck". She also happens to be holding the punching bag close to her head, so when it is punched "lightly", by me, goes smack into her chin and tweaks her neck. She goes to the doctor, has missed 4+ hours of work, and has strained neck. Just what I needed. Plus, I don't think that lady likes me anyway.
Lucky me

Things that excite the Dead

Well, not really exciting things. I found that except for the occasional package in the mail from my English pal. (john you kick ass!) There isn't a terrible amount of excitement. Wake up find the dog has thrown up chunks of bone on the carpet....Great! I think my pets want the rug to be a camouflage style of stains, so you can't really tell what color the carpets is. But that is just an ongoing (losing) battle.

Since the seasons have been changing and it is no longer 95 degrees out and most of the grass has returned. I decided to go after the dead patches and replanted the grass. Why do that? Well big brown spots don't seem to turn me on. So I am out with my pick ax (I broke both the hoes I bought) and wheelbarrow. It was going fairly well, until yesterday, when I am swinging and hear crack when the ax hits dirt. Ok, let me guess (SHIT), I have hit the sprinkler line. How do I know? Well it could be the water soaking the dirt. Sprint to the water valve, turn it off. Dig out sprinkler line. See the crack/hole I have inflicted. It is a nice one, about 4 inches of pipe destroyed. Great. Hey I'll call the guy who installed it asking him some question.
"how is it going?"
"yeah, I hit the sprinkler line with a pick ax how to I fix 4 inches broken section of pipe?" (thinking that it's going to be a pain in the ass)
"A slip fix and that will fix it?"
So I race off to the hardware shop grab the PVC saw, the slip fix (basically an extra sized pipe that will slip over an area once the cut out area has been well cut out), glue ($20 total) and a little how to by the hardware dude.
5 minutes later broken section removed, area prepped, and slip fix is in place. Now waiting the 2 hours to see if yours truly can make a water tight seal and follow direction. So 2 hours later turn the water valve on, okay no leaks, turn on sprinklers, no leaks.
So I now have practical experience repairing PVC pipes. And if it was a commercial
Grass Seed $20
Peat Moss/Fertilizer $20
Slip Fix, PVC Pipe Saw, Glue $20
Learning to replace broken sprinkler line, because you were pick axing the lawn Priceless.

Or as my wife Toni said, "let's hope you never have to use that knowledge again." followed by "you have managed to pick ax ever cable and underground thing in the yard."
Which is not true. I have only hit the sprinkler line and several of the drain pipes for the gutters. I have not hit the electrical, water, sewer, and the gas and a couple of the drain pipe for the gutter, so I am doing pretty good.

Also watched the movie Crash. Never has a movie tried so hard to be dramatic about racism.

Vacation

So we took advantage of Labor Day Weekend and, drove off to Reno. It was the first vacation in two years, especially without out the dogs. It was great, only 6 hours driving to Reno, better traffice than going to Portland.
Hell, didn't lose as much money as I thought I would, always a plus, which was mainly due to winning more money, than usual, so I do not have to use "my money".
The weirdiest thing I noticed, is that 95% off all toilet seats in Reno are scared and abused.
How the hell does that happen? What type of activity are people doing in the rest room, that leave the seats looking like they were used as shields in a gladiator ring.
What type of shits are people taking? I can imagine that those seat have hard lives, due to the party style of Reno, but come on that is a lot of damage.
9 whole days of no work, have to go back tomorrow don't really want to.

Thanks to my English Friend, who sent me shirts from Polish/European Breweries- I will have to post them.
ps. yeah football, even if it was a unbelievable week.