Alpha Centauri 2

Community => Recreation Commons => Topic started by: Unorthodox on November 19, 2018, 01:42:13 PM

Title: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 19, 2018, 01:42:13 PM

Ah.  The Holidays... 

So, this year I find myself with very little in the way of plans for Turkey day. 

Like many families, we've traditionally done the every other year thing, but it's the in-laws year.  Since they aren't with us anymore, that leaves us on our own.  With hEt working, that makes turkey day more problematic. 

We will make our way to a local buffet that will be open instead.  And honestly, the worst part about that is a lack of leftovers. 

I haven't fully decided if I'll venture into the melee of shopping afterword, or maybe just catch a movie, or go home.  We need a new TV for the bedroom, and I wouldn't mind a better rice cooker.  Tables are always worth looking at for the pumpkin party, but there's not really anything big I need to target. 

We DO have some decorations to put up for the Christmas holidays this year...though chances are decent they are going to upset and/or confuse people. 

In general, I'm really not feeling Christmassy.  I mean even less than normal. 

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 23, 2018, 03:48:20 AM

Nothing but trouble with all the websites today/last night. 

Gamestop was broke for more than an hour, and then had several advertised deals that turned into bait and switch crap.  (might detail later)

Walmart was broke for quite a while as well, I'm not sure how long, I gave up and didn't check back til 8 hours later. 

As such, I went ebay a lot more than planned, and even tossed a bone to best buy that I hadn't planned on, both with equivalent deals while the aforementioned websites were down. 

We only made a passing attendance in store this afternoon after a movie.  It was a half-hearted "I wonder if they still have this thing I kinda want but it's not a great deal and can find it later."  No dice. 

I will be doing a couple stores tomorrow that didn't open today. 

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 23, 2018, 06:00:53 AM

We achieved a conflict free family dinner, always a win. Granted, my wife's youngest sib couldn't attend from out of state this year, and she is quicker to quarrel with the middle sib, so that improved the odds of peace. Conflict free is not drama free. Somebody overheard some murmured grousing when they walked into the room, and demanded to know what it was about. During the repeat somebody else walked in  who wasn't supposed to hear it. The original problem was an interaction last weekend with walk-in #2's  no-show live-in boyfriend. Texts ensued. Possibly it was a misunderstanding, or so he claims in his defense. I hope so, too.


Anyway the meal was stress free, and the food was good. ( I ate turkey, gravy, and Brussels sprouts, mostly. I had a little cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and ice cream, too.)  The highlight was an apple wood smoked turkey breast, which had been marinated in bourbon and maple syrup, then dry rubbed. I know, it wasn't entirely dry, the rub didn't stick, but it was the finest flavor I've ever tasted on a turkey, whatever it was.


According to the weather forecast, tomorrow is my window for stringing lights. I did try to order some stuff on line, but it looks like the ones I wanted are in store only/ limited supply. I am loathe to go on black Friday, but I may be forced to. I'm pretty sure I'll need more clips to string my lights, and I get them from the same store. Maybe in the afternoon.

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Geo on November 23, 2018, 08:35:34 AM

I sometimes wonder, were do you guys keep all the stuff you buy? :D
Storage space is always in an issue in my life.

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 23, 2018, 10:42:51 AM

I honestly think the most storage space required items I bought were the special light bulbs for Halloween, and they'll go in the light bulb container.

Other items include a phone, some ear phones, clothes, and a couple games. 

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 23, 2018, 09:47:28 PM

Reserving my place in the special hell...

I might just have to add a manger next year.

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 24, 2018, 12:43:57 AM

My basement is pretty big, so there's lots of storage there, but my brother-in law has 3' shelves floor to ceiling full of muscle car parts on two of the walls.
It's cluttered. No sooner do I re-organize and crate more space then some in-law manages to fill it. To be fair, my wife has some stuff in some of their houses, too. I guess if there's a fire they won't lose everything at once.


I went to Fleet Farm to get a door buster Milwaukee Electric cordless 1/2" drill and a worklight ( $ 198 value ) for $89. The crowds had disspated, the parking lot was about 95% full, but all but 15 registers were open, so it wasn't too bad. Got some spare lights and a lot of light clips. My old clips were brittle and seemed to explode when they flexed. Local news says sales far surpassed last year.

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: E_T on November 25, 2018, 08:32:36 PM

Quote from: Rusty Edge on November 23, 2018, 06:00:53 AM

Texts ensued.

:lol: Dueling Texters...

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: E_T on November 25, 2018, 08:35:21 PM

Quote from: Unorthodox on November 23, 2018, 09:47:28 PM

Reserving my place in the special hell...

I might just have to add a manger next year.

Inflatable Three Wise T-Rex's... Neet...

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 26, 2018, 12:04:19 AM

I now have hats for them too. Need to find some vinyl glue to add them. 

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 26, 2018, 05:08:21 AM

Quote from: Unorthodox on November 23, 2018, 03:48:20 AM

Gamestop was broke for more than an hour, and then had several advertised deals that turned into bait and switch crap.  (might detail later)

So this amounted to a couple of bundled items.  Where the advertisement was for specific bundles.  On the day, however, those bundles were nowhere to be found, and instead had what amounted to placeholder items on their website.  Stock item with unspecified bundled items, but the bundled items were digital instead of the physical copies promised in the print and online ads.   

I've been doing this black friday thing quite a few years now, and I KNEW this had to be a problem/error.  So, worst case, I figured, we'd get digital copies instead of physical ones of the games listed in the ads, even though the cart items didn't specify. 

Friday night, I got email saying there was an error on the website and we'd be getting stock items ONLY.  This naturally pissed me off, but I had screencapped all shopping carts, and knew damn well I could make enough of a stink if needed as this was illegal. 

Saturday I got an email saying the former one was in error, they are working to correct the problem. 

Sunday morning I got several emails with gift cards enough to purchase the missing items from the bundle however I want.  Physical, digital, or other games entirely different from the ad. 

Basically Gamestop screwed up royally on Black Friday (thursday), and made it worse before making it better. 

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Rusty Edge on November 26, 2018, 07:14:45 PM

I haven't been trying to accomplish much, but I haven't been able to purchase anything. Every attempt ended with a gateway error, a connection timed out, a site down for maintenance, a please try again later...

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 26, 2018, 07:29:38 PM

My work pants went on sale today.  $20.  Can get rid of the clown pants soon. 

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 28, 2018, 01:46:46 PM

So, one of our neighbors...

This particular neighbor doesn't really join us for Halloween festivities.  Either the party nor the day of.  However, they've generally been supportive of the idea of the party, and always makes sure the church party doesn't overlap with our party (though partially due to the last time that happened didn't go well for the church party). 

Anyhow, our party first sprung up in 2010.  In 2013, this neighbor began their own party for Christmas.  Just a block party in their cul de sac.  Fire pits, cocoa, donuts.  Simple.  Easy.  The hook is they asked that instead of neighbor gifts, everyone just bring money to their donation box and they'd take it down to a local charity/angel tree. 

I'm not sure how widespread neighbor gifts are, or if it's a Utah/LDS thing, but typically junk food or trinkets, sometimes home baked goods no one really wants, and it's more chore than enjoyable, and occasionally just some weird better than you competition.  So, I rather liked this whole arrangement, more than happy to plop cash in the box instead of coming up with some annoying thing people will throw away. 

ANYHOW.  This party typically sees about 25-75 people every year, depending on weather and who's got what going on that day and which kids are home.  So, hEt gets a text over the weekend.  "We're happy to make the fliers and pass them around the neighborhood, but we need help with the party.  Would you mind supplying the donuts and cocoa?" 

Full stop.  We just got done doing pizza/donuts/cocoa to a much wider area, not to mention the walkthrough and candy the night of.  We've NEVER asked for help with the party.  Even the year I was out of work, we'd found a way to make that party happen without asking for help.  I'm absolutely boggled by this. 

I'm sorely tempted to point out the illegality of the donation box.  Any kind of gathering you need a license to collect money, even for a charity.  (it's why I don't for halloween)

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: E_T on November 28, 2018, 04:13:03 PM

Umm, sorry, but our cashflow this year (due to Home and Yard improvements) prevent us from being able to do this.  Thank you for the consideration but we really just can't at this time...

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Rusty Edge on December 02, 2018, 06:46:37 PM

Speaking with experience as a former farmer with lots of neighbors and landlords, friction is inevitable  and it goes both ways, but in the long run it's better to turn those neighbor relationships into friendly ones whenever possible. Trusting and respectful, at least. Neighbor wars take too much energy, tend to escalate, and you're too vulnerable to each other unless you're always there and watching, which only makes you prisoners. I always advise and encourage everyone to take a give and take approach with their neighbors, because the shoe could be on the other foot tomorrow, and likely will be eventually.

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 07, 2018, 05:26:03 PM

Kristmas Kitchen Kalamity Kavalcade this weekend. 

2 batches sugar cookie dough finished. 
Items for the rest bought.

English Toffee has become a staple. 
Going to possibly attempt a new peanut brittle and a random recipe from the pile grandma was throwing away. 

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Geo on December 07, 2018, 10:21:37 PM

Quote from: Unorthodox on November 28, 2018, 01:46:46 PM

ANYHOW.  This party typically sees about 25-75 people every year, depending on weather and who's got what going on that day and which kids are home.  So, hEt gets a text over the weekend.  "We're happy to make the fliers and pass them around the neighborhood, but we need help with the party.  Would you mind supplying the donuts and cocoa?" 

Full stop.  We just got done doing pizza/donuts/cocoa to a much wider area, not to mention the walkthrough and candy the night of.  We've NEVER asked for help with the party.  Even the year I was out of work, we'd found a way to make that party happen without asking for help.  I'm absolutely boggled by this. 

I'm sorely tempted to point out the illegality of the donation box.  Any kind of gathering you need a license to collect money, even for a charity.  (it's why I don't for halloween)

If I may be so curious, anything further happening on this one?

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 08, 2018, 12:01:14 AM

Party was...Monday? Tuesday? 

We basically ignored the text and nothing come of it. 

Bitterly cold.  Practically no one showed up.   Whoever made the hot chocolate basically heated water and forgot the chocolate.  Someone ended up bringing doughnuts but they were literally freezing. 

We put in a 'polite appearance' only, and got out as soon as reasonable. 

I mostly chatted business with a neighbor teen who had worked a local haunted house, giving advice on how to handle people for next year, which she's excited to do again.  Her experience will let her be a line worker next year, which is difficult but rewarding. 

I have a real distaste for the fact they use real wood firepits, so you smell like campfire afterword.  Have offered my gas options several times.  Maybe once I get the mushrooms. 

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 10, 2018, 03:05:02 PM

Busy weekend.

I decided to split the Kristmas Kitchen Kalamity Kavalcade into 2 this year.  Only cooked for work last weekend, will do the family next.  So, it was a busy weekend but not oppressive like normal. 

In the middle, my brothers put on a Christmas show for their church. 

1.  I was not invited.
2.  I was not exactly welcomed last time they did this.
3.  I'm forgetting the word I agreed on at the moment, so we'll settle for that awful example of the gender my brother married was running the show, and we...well...

Despite that it was made known to me my parents were going to be most displeased if I did not show up.  So, I did what I normally do in uncomfortable situations, and just brought along the camera.  Now, my niece went to school to learn photography to help the business, but she was going to be singing in this production, and I figured she'd be glad I was shooting at least.

Indeed, we (me and 2 kids) skip the social hour portion, and show up just before the concert, and my niece is thrilled someone is going to take some pics. 

I know I reviewed the last show somewhere on here. 
Musically, they played it VERY much safer this time, specifically choosing more church friendly music. 

If you've ever been to a trans-siberian orchestra show, they pretty much put that on last time.  Nothing necessarily wrong with that, but this being TEH CHURCH, some references to a bar didn't go over well. 

They also had someone mixing sound that knew what they were doing, so it was mostly much better sounding. 

They wrote a spoken script between musical pieces, trying to copy the TSO show format, but make it CHURCH...and it was horrible.  Preachy was to be expected, but oh my.  Writing is not among the gifts my brother has. 

My niece had no business being up there singing. 
My nephew had skipped all practices and got essentially cut out of the show. 
My older brother played worse than I've ever heard before (but he's still a good guitarist)
My younger brother was bored out of his mind tapping drums on boring songs. 

Anyway, it gets done and I'm ready to get out of dodge.  I track down my niece and hand her the card from the camera, telling her I shot it all in raw specifically so she can edit it easily.  (well over 100 pics) 

She don't know how to edit raw files. 
How...
Why...
What...
SHE WENT TO PHOTOGRAPHY SCHOOL SPECIFICALLY LEARNING TO SHOOT AND EDIT.  GRANDMA BOUGHT HER A TOP OF THE LINE DSLR FOR THIS PURPOSE.  How do you NOT shoot in RAW?!?!  Shooting Jpeg is completely counter to the whole concept...

*sigh*

Parents didn't speak to me while there.  Brother's wife was pissed I showed up.  Sister in law (other brother) was glad to see Talia and along with niece was the only one to talk to me. 

Just another annoyance while I  try to do my best to maintain the peace. 

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Geo on December 10, 2018, 06:20:01 PM

I do hope your parents talk to all their grandchildren?

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 10, 2018, 06:54:09 PM

It's complicated. 

I'm the black sheep, and it does rub off onto the kids some. 

Both my brothers from the get go run home with every problem.  My parents help, either with money or with labor. 

We don't, we'll deal with the problem ourselves, and have since I left the house.   

Both my brothers see my parents daily, we don't.  Weekly at most.  Part of this is proximity, but part of it is I just don't care to. 

Both my brothers arrange their vacation to align with my parents and go camping in one big jamboree.  We like our family vacations getting out to see things ourselves, not go to the same damn campground every year. 

Both my brothers work at the music store.  I don't. 

So, it's a bit galling sometimes, but no, they don't have the same relationship with my kids as their other grandkids, but I don't know that I would change how I've handled things.  We treated my in-laws the same, really, and they always made sure to spend time with our kids, inviting them to activities or sleep overs, etc.  We've tried, really, to get my parents to invite our kids to anything to no avail.

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: E_T on December 11, 2018, 05:34:22 AM

IIRC, one of your Brothers tried to get you to "invest" in his business (or some other BS), which caused ya'll giga-tons of grief.

Now that the kids are getting older (and wiser), how do they feel about the situation.  I hope that they don't take it badly.  I really doubt that they would (as they ARE hEt's and your's kids...) but could still have some emotional turmoil over time.

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 11, 2018, 04:21:41 PM

Yes.  My older brother owns TEH STORE: https://musicvillageusa.com/

He has had no other job than working at TEH STORE, and purchased it from the former owners, who were Jewish (I only mention because it's about to matter). 

On purchase, brother allowed the vituperator (remembered!) to take over managing the books/front end of the store so he could just keep doing his repairs in the back.  At the time, younger brother ran the drum department as well as teaching lessons, and the former owners worked part time and acted as advisors, and were supposed to get some kind of monthly payment until the store was paid off. 

Former owners were very much philosophical about the business, and believed that music, the store, and philosophy, if not specifically their religion were all part of living a good life, and taught this all at once in whatever they did.  The one I had any dealings with would discuss teachings of some rabbi with me while we were moving his house, but it was as much a give and take, not so much being preached to. 

Anyhow...Vituperator took extreme offense to this and asked them to stop coming in to the store, saying they were only spreading their religion.  I have no proof but have it on hearsay there may have been some anti-Semitic language used by her. 

Around this same time, my younger brother had his first child and wanted to adjust his hours.  Vituperator denied the request and he quit working the front of the store.  He was managing all the inventory and orders, having been trained to manage such by Target before. 

For about a year, the person hired to replace my younger brother embezzled from the company.  Vituperator was so good at the books she had no idea.  When that was discovered, the employee sabotaged the books prior to leaving, which caused a huge problem, including losing a couple of vendors. 

At the same time the city tore up the street in front of the business, causing huge foot traffic problems.  And then the economic downturn hit.. 

They kept going back to former owners and restructuring whatever arrangement for purchase they had made during these hard times, explaining all these problems. 

Somehow, despite the struggles, they expanded the store, acquiring the section of the building next door, and my dad, uncles, myself, my boys, etc all went down and remodeled the interior to create a really fine lesson studio.  Really sound dampened (not quite PROOF) individual studios.  Increasing lesson space from 5 rooms to about 20.  Theory, more lessons, more sales.  They rent the rooms to the teachers, so it's theoretically just free advertising and sales. 

While this was 'cheap' due to all the free labor, it is still capital investment. 

With the renovations done, another company offered triple the rent for the space, and the landlord asked them to move to a new location.  They'd pay for renovations at the new place and give them free rent for a few years.  So, we moved the store, remade the lesson rooms at the new location, and they were going to even have some extra left over because we again provided free labor. 

Brother took a trip to Europe at this point.  While I can't be SURE it was from this left over, I have a good guess. 

Former owners say it's time to live up to the monthly if you got time and money to go to Europe. 

Store can't support that monthly fee, former owners no longer willing to re-negotiate. 

Store going to fold, so they just stop paying the monthly fee, get a lawyer and start preparing for bankruptcy to salvage relation with suppliers, specifically making sure former owners going to get screwed.   

Former owners sue.  Bankruptcy.  But most the inventory had been returned to the suppliers at that point. 

Remaining inventory goes to auction.  Parents buy the majority, and wanted me to buy the rest, I was having none of this.  Theory being this will get the store back on it's feet after the legal proceedings and we'll get paid right back.  Among other things my parents buy is several high value collectibles from brother's private collection.  (Custom Guitars signed by the likes of Van Halen) 

Store pops right back into existence a few months later.  There's still HORRIBLE problems with the front of the store. 

It's now years down the line.  My parents have never been paid back, and have allowed Brother to even regain possession of the collectibles, not to sell, mind you, just to have.  Brother and family are taking ANOTHER trip to Europe this year.  Somehow I'm still the bad guy as the store would have come back better if we'd helped, at least according to my brother.  My parents have kind of come to the realization I was not totally wrong in my hesitation to invest in that [poop] show. 

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Geo on December 11, 2018, 06:40:34 PM

Don't tell me that bankruptcy cleared the debt of your musical brother towards the former owners. :(

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 11, 2018, 07:14:22 PM

Yes, it did, and was the whole point.  It's [nonsense].

He purposely somehow arranged it that all the other debtors got paid off prior to the former owners.  I don't know the figures, but they got a raw deal all the way around.  It's sickening to me, they practically brought him in as the son neither of them had, and he did this.   

There was a whole legal thing about the name of the store too, he somehow managed to legally keep the name they built up over 60+ years as well.

I have severe ethical issues with the whole thing, and am not shy about stating such when it comes up.  Hence adding to the all my fault problem. 

I never bought in to the former owners being unreasonable line brother was dishing out.  And heard enough to be more than willing to believe the hearsay about anti-Semitic statements coming out of the vituperator's mouth. 

Since his debt was never written down to my parents, that's just never going to get paid back, I guarantee it. 

My brother is lawful evil.

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: E_T on December 12, 2018, 02:41:45 PM

and your the "black sheep"... 

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 17, 2018, 04:11:37 AM

The annual luminaries at the cemetery was Friday. 

I only took Clarence, wanting to play with settings more than necessarily get good pictures. 

The cemetery has a real problem with their tea lights.  Rather inferior quality, frankly.  Thus much darker than year's past in general.  Clarence performed better than expected in the situation, but still had focus issues with the dark. 

(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/Halloween2018-204.jpg?i=987416673)

There was a new fancy statue at the cemetery.  No plaque around it to let me know what it is for sure...I was guessing Mary, but the rosary make me question that.  I haven't seen Mary with rosary before anyway. 

(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/Halloween2018-202.jpg?i=2065768270)

One thing Clarence did SHOCKINGLY well, though was a pic of the moon. 

(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/Halloween2018-200.jpg?i=134983575)

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Geo on December 17, 2018, 11:23:22 AM

Quote from: Unorthodox on December 17, 2018, 04:11:37 AM

One thing Clarence did SHOCKINGLY well, though was a pic of the moon. 

(https://www.anunorthodoxhalloween.com/blog/wp-content/gallery/2019-fun/Halloween2018-200.jpg?i=134983575)

Oh, that's a beauty for sure.
I've had pictures taken through a telescope which were less sharp.

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 17, 2018, 02:23:58 PM

With a crappy kit lens and not a great sky, even. 

I snapped three shots of the moon, only the one turned out, I've got to dig in and see what the hell the settings were that produced that. 

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 17, 2018, 02:43:18 PM

Quote from: Unorthodox on December 07, 2018, 05:26:03 PM

Kristmas Kitchen Kalamity Kavalcade this weekend. 

2 batches sugar cookie dough finished. 
Items for the rest bought.

English Toffee has become a staple. 
Going to possibly attempt a new peanut brittle and a random recipe from the pile grandma was throwing away. 

We split this over 2 weekends this year, and it was SO MUCH nicer to deal with. 

Our english toffee was a horrible mix this year. 

2 batches failed, 1 did ok, one was great. 

The failures taught me there IS a difference between brands of butter.  I have to watch that in the future. 
I wasn't ever able to find the item I wanted to test with peanut brittle. 
I did a random recipe from grandma's pile...
"Soft cookies", which had sour cream instead of milk, and generally odd otherwise. 
They were rather meh as the recipe stood.  It was clearly missing something.  Mom seems to think they were heavily frosted or even iced, but I turned them into snickerdoodles, rolling them in cinnamon/sugar then topping with more while hot, and people LOVED them.  However, the real gem for me is they'll make a fantastic base for me to experiment with pumpkin in the future.  (my pumpkin cookie experiments have been getting less and less erratic results every year.)   

Slightly altered method on my famous mix. 

hEt's extended family party tonight.  This has become fairly miserable since her parents died.  Her siblings are both out of state this year as well, so we'll be in a corner alone somewhere. 

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 19, 2018, 04:30:52 PM

So, survived hEt's family party. 

I don't think I got into the nastiness surrounding the circle (what I've renamed pithenge) project here as I was making a real effort to be positive about the entire thing. 

We hired hEt's cousin.  He was starting up his own landscaping company, and I knew immediately this was one of those projects someone could take pics of and put in a portfolio.  Even if we didn't want the water feature he kept trying to hard sell us on (what he wanted to specialize in, fake rivers/waterfalls are all the rage here, I find them idiotic in the desert). 

His bid was a little more expensive than competing bids, but we figured helping out family was worth it. 

He blew that budget before the stones were set, which is why the boys and I ended up doing the path of death and all finish work ourselves.  (sod, decorative rock, etc)  I called him out for his rather horrid business side at the time, but he did genuinely good work otherwise.  Just his billing and rates were ludicrous.  I mentioned competing bids, and going rates for this work at the time.  Anyhow, it ended about as well as essentially firing a guy can end, which is to say, not great. 


Shockingly, the business is not going well.  He wants to come install an automatic sprinkler system now.  I want him nowhere near my house again, frankly.  As if I wasn't already uncomfortable enough at the party.

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Geo on December 20, 2018, 12:18:20 AM

If you let them enter with a toe only, the rest will follow...

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: E_T on December 20, 2018, 04:31:49 AM

not if you cut off the foot...

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Rusty Edge on December 20, 2018, 05:32:52 AM

I'd say you handled the home project complication well, Uno. You gave him an opportunity. When he couldn't complete the project within budget, you took over. That's fair. Not like you sued him, bashed him on youtube, or forbid him from using the pictures of your project in his portfolio.

The way I figure it, a lawn sprinkler system would only bring back your slugs. I have a lawn sprinkler system, but it's more trouble than it's worth. I haven't tried to use it in years. Well, it wouldn't work now, but that's a story. At any rate, you're trying to work with nature, there in the desert. It's not about him, it's the fact that you have neither need nor desire for such a lawn. At least, that's how I'd frame it.

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 20, 2018, 01:38:19 PM

A sprinkler system is in the cards down the road, when I don't have ample slave labor kids at home to take care of it, but its fairly far down the priority list. 

It's even more complicated than I write above.  He's wanting to do it 'for free' by using 'extra parts' from a big development he's putting in somewhere else.  This is...look, I don't want him fudging books at all, this is sure way to fail, but I certainly want to be no party to it.  So, I've got ethical stakes here. 


Speaking of ethical challenges, Festivus at work today.  I've now got 35 folks from 20 organizations involved.  The rules of just putting on a simple business lunch are becoming problematic the bigger this gets.  I can manage this year.  When it gets bigger next year, I'll be up against limits and not technically allowed to ask the other companies to pitch in.  The way around that is to turn it into something else, but that means a more formal setting and me having to do a presentation. 

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Rusty Edge on December 20, 2018, 06:47:16 PM

Quote from: Unorthodox on December 20, 2018, 01:38:19 PM

Speaking of ethical challenges, Festivus at work today.  I've now got 35 folks from 20 organizations involved.  The rules of just putting on a simple business lunch are becoming problematic the bigger this gets.  I can manage this year.  When it gets bigger next year, I'll be up against limits and not technically allowed to ask the other companies to pitch in.  The way around that is to turn it into something else, but that means a more formal setting and me having to do a presentation.

I'll be looking forward to a Festivus Circus story next year.

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 20, 2018, 08:57:29 PM

Quote from: Rusty Edge on December 20, 2018, 06:47:16 PM

I'll be looking forward to a Festivus Circus story next year.

Many former co-workers think it's a hilarious concept.  I was once a most notorious hermit. 

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Geo on December 21, 2018, 07:07:51 AM

I suggest a well-trained secretary/assistant in the art of Aerofestivus.
I'm surprised it didn't already come as one of the perks of your posirion? 😉

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 22, 2018, 02:27:38 PM

Indy is 10 years old...he decided this year the tree makes a great cat perch and has now broken about a dozen branches.  I'm just duct taping hoping it makes it through the holiday.  Baffled why the sudden change in attitude toward the tree. 

Quiet Solstice last night.  hEt and I's anniversary.  Unfortunately plans for celebrating at the fire pit got snowed out. 

3 family gatherings left to survive, but we're hosting 2 of them, so not bad.  Only Monday/Tuesday off work. 

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: E_T on December 22, 2018, 08:26:00 PM

Happy Yule Everyone!!

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 01, 2019, 05:08:12 AM

.   .    .    . 

Turkey day at my parents went fairly smooth.  Just the normal level of disapproval. 

I have a legitimate excuse to miss out on my brother's Christmas show at the church this year, but my parents are quite upset I'll be missing it. 

Work Festivus...I had to put on the damn presentation and bring it formal...I know this is oxymoronic as I have more people over to my place on Halloween, but this made me so nervous to the point of being sick I actually ended up in the hospital after, with the stress triggering another gallbladder attack.  12 hours into the attack, they were prepping me for surgery when things suddenly freed up.   

This year's winter holiday is completely fubar. 

hEt, Kyle, and myself are working Christmas eve, which makes Christmas morning difficult (Kyle and hEt both night shifters)  Christmas Eve breakfast with my family cancelled as a result.  Christmas Morning breakfast with hEt's family cancelled. 


Black Friday was extremely civilized and relaxed.  We didn't hit any big stores, just little specialty shops on actual friday morning.  No crowds, no fuss. 

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: E_T on December 01, 2019, 08:04:48 PM

Quote from: Unorthodox on December 01, 2019, 05:08:12 AM

.   .    .    . 

Turkey day at my parents went fairly smooth.  Just the normal level of disapproval. 

Hey, for one, you (and yours) don't deserve that, not in the least bit.  Karma is a castiron b*tch and they will eventually get theirs.  I just hope that they learn from it when it happens...
Happy Festivus!!

Quote

I have a legitimate excuse to miss out on my brother's Christmas show at the church this year, but my parents are quite upset I'll be missing it. 

Work Festivus...I had to put on the damn presentation and bring it formal...I know this is oxymoronic as I have more people over to my place on Halloween, but this made me so nervous to the point of being sick I actually ended up in the hospital after, with the stress triggering another gallbladder attack.  12 hours into the attack, they were prepping me for surgery when things suddenly freed up.   

Stress can be a killer, be careful and hope you don't have to play ringleader much  (I'm assuming that whatever it was, was similar to that, although you can definitely give us a better analogy...)

Quote

This year's winter holiday is completely fubar. 

hEt, Kyle, and myself are working Christmas eve, which makes Christmas morning difficult (Kyle and hEt both night shifters)  Christmas Eve breakfast with my family cancelled as a result.  Christmas Morning breakfast with hEt's family cancelled. 

Ouch, just hope it doesn't happen in the following years.  Maybe you can move it to New Years (maybe a modified thing, although the thing with the Boss's family is likely not able to be adjusted for).  Hmm, How long until the others are starting work?

Quote

Black Friday was extremely civilized and relaxed.  We didn't hit any big stores, just little specialty shops on actual Friday morning.  No crowds, no fuss.

Anything planned for Cyber Monday?
Everyone, Have a Happy Festivus and may the New Year be bright!!

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 01, 2019, 11:49:57 PM

Quote from: E_T on December 01, 2019, 08:04:48 PM

Anything planned for Cyber Monday?
Everyone, Have a Happy Festivus and may the New Year be bright!!

A good 80% of Xmas is already done online. 

Not specifically Xmas, but a TV upgrade coming Thursday.  Yeah, it's a last year's model bargain bin typical black friday thing.  A DUMB TV of all things in this day and age, but the Apple TV runs things anyway, and I don't need any smart features.  The dust of rennovation caused our main tv to go to hell back when, and we've been on literally the cheapest 55" I could find since on the main TV (day after xmas sale).  This will also allow me to dump a rear projection monstrosity in the basement as we shift TVs around. 


Work....

I am probably one of a handful of actual experts in my field.  Most people just go through the motions, and really, that's all that's needed 90% of the time.  This company is a little more clueless than normal at a corporate level, as in I literally have had to fight tooth and nail for all the support, and convinced corporate to actually procure basic software.  As in, I'VE WRITTEN SOFTWARE for this, and have been offered jobs by all the companies that sale the software when they come to train as there's a few things I do that make things really easy and always insist the software is modified to accomplish them. 

Anyway, 4 years ago I made the pitch to come up with a department for this specialty, buy software, etc in prep for the eventual Govt oversight audit.  Well, they wanted to run things in Virginia, and while I was offered the job, moving wasn't in the cards.  That audit happened in Oct.  My site passed.  Others, not so much.  Virginia utterly failed on all fronts. 

Well, I switched supervisors again around July, and she got looking at my resume and has made a huge deal over my 20+ years expertise in both the system and my field, and folks back east took notice, so you know who can fix this problem?  Uno. 

The thing that stresses me is not so much the presentation, it's the knowledge that we are in no way prepared for the re-audit coming the 20th.  We have the systems in place, but there are some people who lack the basic discipline.  Given that I really, really, really don't like people in general and do all I can to avoid awkward situations and confrontation, putting me in charge of confronting 800 people on why they are sucking isn't exactly an ideal situation for me. 

The flip side is it IS being recognized at work, and I'm trying to take it as opportunity for growth.  I was just given their highest recognition award, which is more or less an entire annual Halloween budget. 

Meanwhile, I'm fighting a different department back east on a parallel discipline I've picked up responsibility for locally, and they are making it difficult on purpose.  Considering no one in the company has utilized this discipline in the way we are trying, and I'm really good on the fly, this gets frustrating. 

I created a code to run some calculations and sent the results in a spreadsheet that included the codes in it.  Got back saying how I'd done it all wrong.  Their supervisor meanwhile asked how the hell I'd come up with a better code than they use as after checking it my answers were actually correct and break things out a lot further than what they were using.  (this is another thing they should REALLY buy the software to do this instead of everyone creating ad hoc excel sheets.)

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: E_T on December 02, 2019, 08:39:24 AM

Wow, more later, as It's really late for me now...

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Geo on December 02, 2019, 09:45:52 AM

Quote from: Unorthodox on December 01, 2019, 05:08:12 AM

hEt, Kyle, and myself are working Christmas eve, which makes Christmas morning difficult (Kyle and hEt both night shifters)  Christmas Eve breakfast with my family cancelled as a result.  Christmas Morning breakfast with hEt's family cancelled. 

Nightshifts on Christmas? Are they working in civil services or something (hospital, fireguard,...)

At my work (food distribution center) the afternoon shifts on both Christmas Eve en New Year's Eve are always replaced with a Saturday shift earlier in the month.

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 02, 2019, 12:08:25 PM

hEt works in a hospital.  I could go on about how they've changed the scheduling for holidays at length, but suffice it to say she's royally getting the shaft this year.  Not so much the xmas eve for her, we're used to that, it's the rest of the week that's killer. 

Kyle's a manager at the UPS sort facility.  UPS is delivering Christmas day...

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Geo on December 03, 2019, 12:08:18 AM

Yeah, that's clear enough in HeT's case.
In Kyle's case, can't imagine many people are ready to face deliveries on Christmas morning though. And in the afternoon lots of people are probably visiting relatives.

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 03, 2019, 02:11:31 AM

Quote from: Geo on December 03, 2019, 12:08:18 AM

Yeah, that's clear enough in HeT's case.
In Kyle's case, can't imagine many people are ready to face deliveries on Christmas morning though. And in the afternoon lots of people are probably visiting relatives.

Amazon thinks otherwise. 

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: E_T on December 03, 2019, 03:53:53 AM

and if FedEX and UPS won't deliver it on Xmas, amazon will (and take more away from the others than they can afford to lose, but then that doesn't count the human cost from that...)

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 04, 2019, 03:06:14 AM

Quote from: E_T on December 03, 2019, 03:53:53 AM

and if FedEX and UPS won't deliver it on Xmas, amazon will (and take more away from the others than they can afford to lose, but then that doesn't count the human cost from that...)

Sundays too...

I actually think FedEx/UPS are being stupid as Amazon is using them as a stop gap while they build a better delivery fleet.  They'd be better off letting Amazon not be able to meet the ludicrous delivery schedule. 

I really wish Amazon would allow me to choose my delivery service, not just a number of days.  I'd be more likely to buy from there.

I am quite the fan of the UPS deliver to an access point service.  Nothing on my step to be stolen.  I've actually considered paying extra for one of their addresses. 

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Geo on December 04, 2019, 09:11:05 AM

Ah yes, I didn't think of simply dropping a package on a clients doorstep.
Over here the deliverer needs to have deliveries signed of. Meaning neighbours are often called upon to sign.

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: E_T on December 04, 2019, 02:26:22 PM

You even put in that "Signature Required" thing when setting up the shipping and they still drop it on doorstep, without knocking.  I don't know now many times that I have heard them right outside the door (having not even knocked, mind you) dropping package off and leaving.  Typically, by the time I have gotten to the door, they are just getting back into truck and leaving (or are just going around the bend in the walkway).

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 16, 2019, 03:10:37 AM

Story time. 

I've relayed pieces of this in the past. 

Being a child of the late 70s and early 80s, the santa 900 numbers were THE [poop] during December.

Being poor, we never got to call the 900 number, but mom would dial up Santa just the same.  He'd tell us stories and answer our questions, and even occasionally chew us out for being naughty.

Perhaps ironically, it was a 900 number that made me realize Santa wasn't real.  I remember I was over at a friends house, and there was like 10 of us there and they were calling Santa.  There was this crappy pre-recorded message on the phone, and it SURE AS HELL was NOT the Santa I'd been talking to for years. 

It was years later that I would learn Santa was actually Uncle Blaine. 

My family prior to this generation was a railroad family.  Going back to the actual creation of the railroads.  That's just what dOx's did. 

There were 2 railroads in Utah in the 80's  The Southern Pacific, and the Union Pacific.

Dad and Blaine worked for the SP. 

Grandpa and my other uncles worked for the UP. 

Without getting too technical, the railroad is GREAT money when you can work, but it takes seniority to get on a regular crew.  Thus, dad trying to earn the seniority didn't make good money because he was often out of work when I was younger. 

Blaine, however, was my grandpa's brother, and thus working regularly and making good money.  When Grandpa died, Blaine pretty much took over, and we'd go visiting each week at least. 

Where grandpa would tell us wild stories about the lone ranger riding through just before we got there (and spread 'silver' bullet casing in the garden to sell the point), Blaine was much more a poker player with his stories and he'd weave in both truth with the fiction, and leave you guessing what was real. 

Us dOx's are a long line of tale weavers it seams. 

Blaine would teach me to use his ham radio and take personal interest in my bug collecting as well as always be on hand when he was in town to help with things that would crop up around the house or if dad was going through a rough patch.   

Point is I KNEW Blaine.  I never questioned the person on the phone was Santa clause, never crossing my mind it could be Blaine. 

I got a phone call this evening. 

My niece has been questioning the Santa situation, and my brother wants to keep the magic there just a bit longer for her brother. 

I've been telling those two stories for years, they know me...but those were scary stories. 

Tonight, I remembered all those answers Blaine told me all those years ago.  I remembered the happy voice that got me radio job offers.  They KNEW they were talking to Santa. 

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: E_T on December 17, 2019, 08:52:08 AM

Let's see if this works...  Trying to upload a picture file, but I will likely have to reduce the file size, first.  if so, I'll try tomorrow...
[EDIT]  worked, o.k.
This is taken in the College Park Area, in Orlando (not far from Downtown).  The house is where Smith St Splits off of Princeton St and they both become one way streets (the east end of the one way split, very near to Edgewater, cross street).  The road curves such that if you missed the 2nd curve (of the split), you will end up in this house's front yard.  The people living there have these two Skeletons out, dressed up and posed in various ways, at different times.  Thought that you might like it...

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 19, 2019, 01:48:15 AM

Those are an interesting enigma. 

Clearly a sunjoy ripoff due to the joints, but I'm not familiar with that skull model.  (not a particular fan of it either) 

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: E_T on December 20, 2019, 05:15:05 PM

Yeah, but most times, you only get to see a glance at it, as your passing by.  But when traffic is backed up, I can look at them better, and yeah, I've seen much better from you.  But still, they always have them dressed/posed for the season.  Halloween, one was dressed as a Shark, the other a Pirate (IIRC).  I kept on thinking that it would have been better if they had the one posed to look like it was "Jumping the Shark"...

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 20, 2019, 08:06:50 PM

A Christmas Carol (2019) review. 

Somewhere a group of people got into a room, huddled around, and asked each other how to make this movie DIFFERENT from the umpteen million other versions.  Someone shouted from the back "We should make it R rated!" 

This is not, I realize, an utterly terribly idea on it's own merit.  However, this group of people sat round without any concept of how to actually produce a visually horrifying version that would merit an R rating on it's own merit, and seeing a merely PG-13 [poop] show, they decided to pepper the dialog with F Bombs with no other point than to achieve the desired rating.     

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: E_T on December 22, 2019, 09:45:14 PM

I figured as such from the Trailer

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 23, 2019, 04:03:30 AM

So...Christmas Eve Breakfast...

I'm taking this tradition of mine back to it's roots, and cooking breakfast at work for those of us who have to be in. 

That's how it initially began, we'd all get together and go out to breakfast at work when we had to be there but NOTHING to do.  As I moved into jobs where I was off, I began by inviting my family out to breakfast, and eventually just started making it for them instead as it was easier on me somehow. 

So, I'm taking the show on the road to work.  There's all of 12 of us working.  Biscuits and gravy is easy to crock pot, and I'll whip up some french toast and scrambled eggs on site.  Planning on just going in late, this also allows me to cook for my kids before I go in to work so they still have the tradition at home. 

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: E_T on December 24, 2019, 07:39:03 PM

How do you do it in the crock-pot (asks someone whom has access to one but really does not know how to use it)?

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 30, 2019, 01:19:16 AM

Make ahead of time and let the crock pot keep it warm on that one.  Not a dump in the crock and have a magical meal in 4 hours thing there. 

2 secrets to sausage gravy:  Quality spicy sausage, and mix in some cream of celery soup instead of just using milk and roux.

(Though that was the potato soup today.  canned diced potatoes, drain and throw in crock with a little bit of onion and garlic.  add enough chicken broth to cover, set crock, leave.  Come back after ~4 hours on high, or 6 or longer on low, dice and fry a little bacon, add bacon to soup, return grease to stove and whisk in some flour, add to the soup and stir till thickened, add some cheese to taste. For extra thickness, you can blend some of the potatoes with a stick blender)

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 16, 2020, 06:40:19 PM

Quote from: Unorthodox on December 23, 2019, 04:03:30 AM

So...Christmas Eve Breakfast...

I'm taking this tradition of mine back to it's roots, and cooking breakfast at work for those of us who have to be in. 

That's how it initially began, we'd all get together and go out to breakfast at work when we had to be there but NOTHING to do.  As I moved into jobs where I was off, I began by inviting my family out to breakfast, and eventually just started making it for them instead as it was easier on me somehow. 

So, I'm taking the show on the road to work.  There's all of 12 of us working.  Biscuits and gravy is easy to crock pot, and I'll whip up some french toast and scrambled eggs on site.  Planning on just going in late, this also allows me to cook for my kids before I go in to work so they still have the tradition at home. 

Wow...guess I was too busy to post the update last year...I ended up feeding a vast majority of people on post that day. 

Corporate asked sites to submit what they were doing for the holiday the day of.  Not to be seen as a party pooper, boss man asked if I could keep cooking, and I ended up serving ~300 service members that day.  Somewhere there's a pic of me in a frilly pink apron (because it was funny) as the face of BAE Christmas outreach. 


Anywho. 

Covid.  We gots nothin planned.

I went to UPS and bought an address to solve the Amazon delivery problems.  Everything just ships to the UPS store box now, and they text me when things drop off.  Doesn't matter who the carrier is now, it jsut goes to the UPS store so I don't need to worry about porch pirates. 

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Geo on November 16, 2020, 10:18:43 PM

Now you only need to worry about the UPS crooks?  ;)

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 24, 2020, 06:45:21 PM

I'm giving very serious consideration to dropping off a charlie brown thanksgiving meal to my family, and maybe a few others just as a laugh. 

Strongly doubt anyone would 'get it'...which like the zombie awareness day egg drops, is half the point. 

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 24, 2020, 07:33:08 PM

Joke that are partly funny precisely because no one will get them?  That a personality flaw of mine, too...

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: E_T on November 24, 2020, 10:17:29 PM

Quote from: Buster's Uncle on November 24, 2020, 07:33:08 PM

Joke that are partly funny precisely because no one will get them?  That a personality flaw of mine, too...

No, just the people that your targeting them towards don't get them.  Other like minded people (like us here), would get it...

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Geo on November 28, 2020, 07:13:25 PM

Quote from: E_T on November 24, 2020, 10:17:29 PM

Quote from: Buster's Uncle on November 24, 2020, 07:33:08 PM

Joke that are partly funny precisely because no one will get them?  That a personality flaw of mine, too...

Other like minded people (like us here), would get it...

What are you guys talking about? ???


EDIT: I'd expected some snarky comment by now. ;)

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on November 29, 2020, 05:33:39 PM

That's what's so funny...

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on November 30, 2020, 04:42:44 PM

I ended up doing it.  Dropping off the goodies Wed night. 

NONE of them 'got it', and my eldest looked supremely annoyed at the very concept (I made sure to get it to him.  In person.  In front of his employees...), so bonus points for me there.  My SIL really appreciated that we found a way to include them/their kids at all, so double bonus points there.  Where I found my Halloween gift of the scary stories books has been absorbed with all the enthusiasm I suspected from my niece/nephew. 

I'll need to get some pics of the new C lights on the house.  Got "smart" lights that Talia is controlling with an app.  But they'll go in the back yard after the holidays, either on the gazebo or maybe draped between the trees and roof. 

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 13, 2020, 04:08:51 AM

Long story short, a lot of folks are on forced vacation as the company decided anyone charging overhead shouldn't be able to carry a lot of vacation into next year.  I don't know how that helps them since it just means I need to charge overhead when I'm covering...

So, they're not happy to be on 'vacation', and I'm not happy that I'm got put in charge of the holiday festivities as a result.  The last week has seen me organizing the angel tree and well, we're not supposed to call them holiday gifts, but stupid gift baskets they decided to do since we couldn't have a holiday party.  Whoever did the ordering didn't bother to notice these needed to be refrigerated, either. 

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: E_T on December 21, 2020, 08:52:46 PM

BUncle has put up the Holiday Decorations for Yule...  Happy Yule one and all!!!

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 21, 2020, 11:02:13 PM

You might be the only regular in the default theme, so I should point out that the Winter theme is forum default for solstice until I go to bed in about five hours...

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 22, 2020, 01:46:53 AM

Merry solstice everyone!

You may or may not know it marks the anniversary of hEt and I being a couple.  Unfortunately she works tonight, and we will celebrate xmas eve. 

So, further xmas plans...

Kyle has to work xmas eve, and will head to his +1's after work. 

Traditional hEt family dinner of ham and funeral potatoes for dinner (google funeral potatoes, or search the lazy gourmet thread worth it).  This has been a standard in our house since the in-laws passed. 

Xmas morning, we're having BIL and family to breakfast...I'm not overly thrilled with the notion of having people over, but SIL will be in surgery recovery, and thus will have been tested clean.  This is another hEt family tradition. 

Xmas afternoon, we'd normally go to my parents and try not to kill any of them.  But, I realized I need to make a xmas dinner, so have a super simple one pre-made.  (chicken mignon and mashed pot)


For my siblings, I decided since we were not meeting together on xmas, I decided to hit them with a bevy of xmas memories from our childhood, and am doing all the things we used to as kids.  Dipping pretzels and cookies, making them the traditional pickles, the traditional mix, and on xmas eve, I will deliver them a traditional family recipe lemon pie...which is SURE to piss off my mom for reasons that are beyond complicated.  I may even make traditional family hot mustard, but it's a pain to package and I'm already getting mom's panties in a twist with the pie, so only if I have some time. 

This meant I was going to forego the traditional three wise T-rex sugar cookies, but Talia is having NONE of that, so we'll cut and decorate those on xmas eve as well. 

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: E_T on December 22, 2020, 02:51:50 AM

Quote from: Unorthodox on December 22, 2020, 01:46:53 AM

Merry solstice everyone!


This meant I was going to forego the traditional three wise T-rex sugar cookies, but Talia is having NONE of that, so we'll cut and decorate those on xmas eve as well. 

Can't have the season without the Three Wise T-Rex's....

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Rusty Edge on December 29, 2020, 12:48:10 AM

Yeah. I've got a sister-in-law holiday story.

My SIL isn't mean. She's stupid and racist.  To be fair, so were her parents. It's probably hereditary one way or another. She works in a nursing home, so she knows proper safety and hygiene procedures with regard to Covid. Stupid as she is, she has advocated for herd immunity via exposure on social media. It's a wonder she still has a job in a nursing home.

Anyway, she was miffed that we declined Thanksgiving invitations because the size of the gathering would exceed the state limit, and nobody would be masked or social distanced while they ate. SO, we agreed to attend Christmas Eve gift opening and family photo at her daughter's home, but we'd be masked and not eating or drinking or staying longer than necessary.

The residents ( SIL's daughter, daughter's husband, and a boarder ) didn't wear masks because it was their home and they didn't want to. Neither did SIL ( because she follows her husband's lead), her husband ( political denial of Covid) , and her son ( hates masks and thinks he had it once).  The other 8 of us wore them. We were sitting around the perimeter of the room.

We had to wait 45 minutes for the last people to show up before we could get started. Plenty of time for people to drink and get loud. When they finally arrived my wife made them get started with the photos. We were there for about 2 hours total.

Christmas Day SIL's complaining about how her body feels like it was hit by a truck and then trampled by a thousand people. Had chills so bad she had to get up at 4AM and take a long, hot shower. Was so tired that she couldn't sleep, and had some common cold symptoms. Intermittent fever. Then she's complaining that work won't allow her to come in before January 8th, and she needs to work! Alternately she's afraid of going on a ventilator. Soon after her husband is complaining about his "sinusitis, but it's not the Wuhan virus" ( he's not afraid of any stupid virus). Last night he went to bed about 8PM.

Today they both got tested "just to be sure", and both were found positive. Meanwhile... the youngest daughter had cold symptoms, slept 5 hours in the middle of the day, then wanted to go back to bed again. My other SIL's daughter ( who was seated near the idiot on Christmas Eve) reports symptoms tonight.

Christmas Day the family photos appeared on social media, and SIL says "I love my family." Yeah, well, too bad you didn't love them enough or weren't clever enough to wear a mask and act like you didn't want them to become infected!

We have been trying to isolate. So far, no symptoms. The others are trying to arrange tests. I can't imagine some of the others who attended Christmas Eve not partying on New Year's unless they are too sick to get out of bed by then.

Happy Holidays!

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Rusty Edge on December 29, 2020, 03:13:22 AM

Meanwhile.... SIL was saying that she always wears a mask and is fanatical about handwashing. Well, I can't remember seeing her in a mask once this year. Her bathroom was clean once in the 17 years or so that I've been around, and that was when her husband cleaned it for a confirmation or graduation party. She is a hand washing/sanitizing fanatic. So there is that.  I don't know if she knows the difference between antibacterial and antiviral.

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: E_T on December 29, 2020, 04:57:39 PM

WOW, talk about Morons in action!!  Hope ya'll didn't get anything and keep us informed!!

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Rusty Edge on December 29, 2020, 10:27:35 PM

Quote from: Rusty Edge on December 29, 2020, 12:48:10 AM

The residents ( SIL's daughter, daughter's husband, and a boarder ) didn't wear masks because it was their home and they didn't want to. Neither did SIL ( because she follows her husband's lead), her husband ( political denial of Covid) , and her son ( hates masks and thinks he had it once).  The other 8 of us wore them. We were sitting around the perimeter of the room.

Today they both got tested "just to be sure", and both were found positive. Meanwhile... the youngest daughter had cold symptoms, slept 5 hours in the middle of the day, then wanted to go back to bed again. My other SIL's daughter ( who was seated near the idiot on Christmas Eve) reports symptoms tonight.

UPDATE- From the maskless group, SIL's daughter's husband tested negative. Daughter is working from home and had a test scheduled.

Among the eight mask wearers, another daughter and her boyfriend have tested negative. She can use this test to return to work. He is a union apprentice electrician and will be payed to stay home for a week anyway. 

Youngest daughter is puking and tested positive. Her live-in boyfriend will likely get it from her if he didn't get it at the gift opening.  My other SIL's daughter tested positive, but can't get off work. She's considered a tier 1 medical worker. Other SIL is awaiting test results.

The wife and I are hanging out at home and waiting. I figure this is happening to other families in the area as well. We also figure that Cheeseheads being the champion drinkers that they are will not be doing it home alone this New Year's Eve. We don't plan on going anywhere for about 2 weeks.

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Rusty Edge on December 29, 2020, 10:39:06 PM

To add to the tale, moron SIL is still alternating between I feel terrible and I want to go back to work, without seeing a logical sequence. Meanwhile her husband is busy looking at the pictures and blaming the two girls infected at the party for not wearing their masks properly and getting him sick, even though he obviously got sick before they did. My BIL is not stupid. He's an electrical engineer. He also never admits his own his mistakes, is quick to blame others, and is cranky whenever sick or recovering form surgery or injury. So we mostly ignore him at times like this.

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: E_T on December 30, 2020, 01:42:53 AM

I'm hoping that ya'll stay well and the others make rapid recoveries.

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Rusty Edge on December 31, 2020, 11:43:52 PM

Quote from: Rusty Edge on December 29, 2020, 12:48:10 AM

Yeah. I've got a sister-in-law holiday story.

My SIL isn't mean. She's stupid and racist.  To be fair, so were her parents. It's probably hereditary one way or another. She works in a nursing home, so she knows proper safety and hygiene procedures with regard to Covid. Stupid as she is, she has advocated for herd immunity via exposure on social media. It's a wonder she still has a job in a nursing home.

Anyway, she was miffed that we declined Thanksgiving invitations because the size of the gathering would exceed the state limit, and nobody would be masked or social distanced while they ate. SO, we agreed to attend Christmas Eve gift opening and family photo at her daughter's home, but we'd be masked and not eating or drinking or staying longer than necessary.

The residents ( SIL's daughter, daughter's husband, and a boarder ) didn't wear masks because it was their home and they didn't want to. Neither did SIL ( because she follows her husband's lead), her husband ( political denial of Covid) , and her son ( hates masks and thinks he had it once).  The other 8 of us wore them. We were sitting around the perimeter of the room.

We had to wait 45 minutes for the last people to show up before we could get started. Plenty of time for people to drink and get loud. When they finally arrived my wife made them get started with the photos. We were there for about 2 hours total.

Christmas Day SIL's complaining about how her body feels like it was hit by a truck and then trampled by a thousand people. Had chills so bad she had to get up at 4AM and take a long, hot shower. Was so tired that she couldn't sleep, and had some common cold symptoms. Intermittent fever. Then she's complaining that work won't allow her to come in before January 8th, and she needs to work! Alternately she's afraid of going on a ventilator. Soon after her husband is complaining about his "sinusitis, but it's not the Wuhan virus" ( he's not afraid of any stupid virus). Last night he went to bed about 8PM.

Today they both got tested "just to be sure", and both were found positive. Meanwhile... the youngest daughter had cold symptoms, slept 5 hours in the middle of the day, then wanted to go back to bed again. My other SIL's daughter ( who was seated near the idiot on Christmas Eve) reports symptoms tonight.

Christmas Day the family photos appeared on social media, and SIL says "I love my family." Yeah, well, too bad you didn't love them enough or weren't clever enough to wear a mask and act like you didn't want them to become infected!

We have been trying to isolate. So far, no symptoms. The others are trying to arrange tests. I can't imagine some of the others who attended Christmas Eve not partying on New Year's unless they are too sick to get out of bed by then.

Happy Holidays!

Sadly this has become more of a Covid story than a holiday/inlaw story, so I'll continue with it the Covid thread/

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: E_T on December 31, 2020, 11:46:53 PM

Dang

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 06, 2021, 06:38:32 PM

KLAATU BARADA NECKTIE!

Let's see: 

Thanksgiving:  I ordered a pre-packed meal from the grocer and it turned out better than anticipated, really.  Would do again. 

Talia the only one home for black friday as the rest of us worked. 

Sunday before Thanksgiving hEt's siblings held a meal...Sis brought sick kids.  FFWD a week, they all have covid.  We're in the clear now so no biggie, go vaccine. 

On my family front, Mom/Dad are canceling everything gathering wise which is just fine with me.  Though they made sure to let me know this is a permanent decision.  No more holidays at their house...except for my little brother, HE will still be invited after covid.  Me and my elder bro are out.  Cool beans. 

Elder bro isn't seeing my parents anymore as he refuses to wear a mask at their house.  He doesn't have his employees wearing them at work either.  Though they all have vaccines so don't need them in his view...I'd disagree when you're working retail as lord knows what the customers are doing but whatever. 

Younger bro was a borderline OCD clean freak before Covid...as in his boy was not allowed to play with match box cars on the floor as it was too dirty level crazy.

So that leaves us: 

Xmas.  Kyle will be at his +1's place for xmas eve and morning...possibly back for xmas dinner but no promises.  (they're talking about moving in together and if house prices weren't so ridiculous probably would have) 

Xmas eve breakfast:  Cancelled. 
Xmas eve dinner:  In the air...may do ham/funeral pot like normal. 
Xmas Morning breakfast with hEt's siblings moved to 26th.  I'm pushing to host... Maybe something easy for us at home xmas morning. 
Xmas Dinner, I'm going fancy and doing a Chateaubriand.

Almost all xmas done online. 

Alec got an adult bed, and it's already in use. 

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Rusty Edge on December 24, 2021, 12:24:17 AM

So this year...

1) In-law Drama. The husband of one of the nieces did something criminal causing a rift. So some won't appear in the same place as he is. She is loyal to her husband and she and her father aren't speaking.

2) Covid.  The plan was to include grandma this Christmas. Trouble is that she has vegetated in assisted living so much that she can't negotiate 2 steps with grab bars to get into our house. She tried it a month ago and her knee gave out. We have since got a portable wheelchair ramp, because all of our houses have 2 steps to enter. So the plan was to do Christmas Eve at the assisted living complex.

Well, the complex requires masks. The usual suspects aren't happy about that. One of them is still unvaccinated, two of them are unboosted ("not anti-vax, I don't trust the unproven technology").  Not sure about a couple of others, but they won't appear together anyway.  The medical career in-laws are tested and want the others tested, too. You guessed it. The usual suspects decline to be tested as well. My wife actually succeeded in finding some quick tests that were still on the shelf by the time I got there.

Meanwhile, my wife has hosted ( hostessed?) a Dec 26th Christmas party for the extended in-laws since forever. Last year it was cancelled on account of Covid. This year the extended in-laws all are opting out, although they like the idea of rescheduling as a Christmas in July.

Things are in flux. At this moment it looks like Christmas Eve gift opening will be in the senior complex with G-ma, me, my wife, her sister and niece. All of us are boosted and will be tested. The SiL and niece seem to have permanently lost their sense of smell.

Looks like Dec 26th will be here and function as a gift opening with brandy slush, but with fewer folks than Christmas Eve or Dec 26th.

We are taking several of the nieces, etc. to an early hibachi dinner on New Year's Eve.

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Rusty Edge on December 24, 2021, 12:26:37 AM

It occurs to me that we shall be blamed as part of the Liberal conspiracy to cancel Christmas using mask/vaccine/testing mandates.

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Geo on December 26, 2021, 09:44:49 PM

Well Christmas Eve went on as usual in my nick of the woods. At least 3 of us were already boosted (my parents and SiL dentist). I'm scheduled in 10 days for the booster. And as far as I know all of us have had the vaccin earlier this year. Sofar, none of us seems to have contracted Covid.
In other news, the Omicron variant has become dominant now in the country, and will probably have pushed out Delta by end of the year.

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 27, 2021, 02:29:39 PM

To recap: 

Tali falls ill 12/18.  Tested 12/19 vanilla flu.  Started tamiflu. 
I show symptoms 12/20, immediately start Tamiflu.  Both should be non-contagious by 12/24 if we can keep everyone else from getting it, Tali and I go hardcore quarantine. 

12/24 is a rough one for hEt after losing her parents, I pull out the traditional family meal of theirs of Ham and Funeral Potatoes.  Not easy, still not 100% energy from the flu. 
12/25, I'd already gone all in on the chateaubriand purchase, so fancy meal there.
12/26 hEt's family for breakfast...MOSTLY reheating the xmas eve ham and potatoes with scrambled eggs and whatnot, but requires furniture rearrangement to fit everyone.  Still not 100% from flu. 

Oh, and My parents have permanently disinvited us from xmas from here on out, so that's actually a bonus. 

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 27, 2021, 02:31:25 PM

Chateaubriand spread:

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Rusty Edge on December 30, 2021, 05:23:35 AM

Nice looking dinner, Uno.
I know it's pretty miserable to be re-arranging furniture and on your feet in the kitchen when you have the flu. I hope you and Talia are feeling better.

-----
As for my in-laws, things turned out okay. After airing the grievances before the holiday, the actual gatherings were smaller, more peaceful, and more of them. People avoided the ones they conflict with. So, over all less stress. Nobody has reported sick yet.

Also, the wheelchair ramp worked.

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Geo on December 30, 2021, 04:20:54 PM

Quote from: Rusty Edge on December 30, 2021, 05:23:35 AM

Also, the wheelchair ramp worked.

Was it a pushover?
( ;cute )

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Rusty Edge on December 30, 2021, 04:29:27 PM

Good one!

Title: Re: Festivus (Uno's annual holidayish type discussions)
Post by: Unorthodox on December 13, 2022, 12:51:03 AM

Ho ho ho li crap it's been another year. 

Let's see....

Kyle's moved out with his plus 1, bought a house together (not sure why not just get married at that point).
Alec is doing Alec
And Talia joined the high school wrestling team....which puts just about every weekend at wrestling tournaments. 

Don't get me wrong, that was my sport right up until the local college quit doing a team (no way I was going to be able to afford living out of state, even with a scholarship), and I was GOOD, getting recruited by colleges in 6th grade...But It's been rough for me to see Talia struggle.  I knew immediately they didn't have the right mentality for it out of the gates, but they're wrapping their head around that, and there is a lot of good that can be learned.  I'm actually kinda shocked that girls wrestling is a BOOMING sport locally.  (not coed) 

Between the various schedules, we got Jen's family the 23rd, I'm offering my traditional xmas eve breakfast to my family again, though I don't anticipate my parents coming, and it's 50-50 on the brothers.  Jen works xmas eve, we're going to really sleep in xmas day, Kyle comes up around noon, and I'll do our big meal again then.