bobinrob - it's bear-awesome

Happy Birthday Stacy!

Whoops, meant to put this up last night, but then got tired. A special (uncensored) video for Stacy - enjoy!

bobinrob on 12.30.07 @ 08:45 AM NZST [link]

Dirty Jobs

So I don't know about any of you out there, but we love the show Dirty Jobs. Unfortunately, we (or should I say Simon mostly) just had to deal with a dirty job of our own.

I had been noticing a few days before Xmas that some water was leaking outside our back door from somewhere, but it would only be maybe after my shower, or after the washing machine had been on. It would be gone pretty soon so I wasn't too worried about it, and I did tell Simon about it but he has been working on a major project at work and has barely been home the past couple of weeks. So finally on Monday I was able to ascertain where the leak was coming from, and to notice that it was getting worse.

On Xmas Day, the water was standing around for a lot longer, and stuff wasn't going down the toilet properly, so Simon knew we had a bad clog in our sewage pipes - great! It kind of puts you off enjoying your nice Xmas dinner when you know you will probably have to poo later, and that poo may end up floating around your backyard.

On Boxing Day we headed down to the hardware store to buy a plumber's snake, and we tried that out but nothing was happening. I called some plumbers, but as it was a holiday the only one who might be able to come out was going to cost $450! I said no thanks and Simon said he would go next door and pull up the manhole cover and we could try the snake through that way - but luckily that was where the blockage was. I got Simon some gloves and a bucket and he cleaned out the clog - he said it looked like someone had thrown a book down the toilet. (And don't feel so sorry for him - I always have to clean up anytime the dog pukes or poos in the house - Simon starts gagging just thinking about it, I don't know what the difference was then but he made it through OK). So we ran some water through there and made sure that was it and we were so relieved it was fixed.

I learned a lot about our sewage system during this time - that all the waste water from the house goes into the poo flume under our backyard, which meets up with our neighbor's poo flume under her driveway, and from there I guess it goes on out to the main sewer pipes. I was surprised that the sewers were so open, but you never smell anything - seriously, even the blockage didn't smell as bad as I thought it was going to. And the poo flumes were amazingly clean for what they have to deal with every day - namely poo.

So, while I'm still going to use my nice thick Kleenex Cottonelle bath tissue, I'm trying to use less of it, and not throw any more books down the loo. The End.

bobinrob on 12.27.07 @ 20:40 PM NZST [link]

It's A Festivus Miracle!

Happy/Merry/Feliz whatever you celebrate (or don't), and Happy Festivus to the rest of us!

bobinrob on 12.23.07 @ 17:17 PM NZST [link]

No, I Didn't Feel The Earthquake

Simon was in the lounge, and saw and felt it, I was in the kitchen and didn't feel or see anything. Weird. It was pretty far away from us, but Simon knew it was a big one.

bobinrob on 12.20.07 @ 23:09 PM NZST [link]

Longer

Adios Dan

Jeebus, they don't write love songs like that anymore, do they?

bobinrob on 12.18.07 @ 18:30 PM NZST [link]

Happy Birthday Olivia!

And in honor of Olivia's birthday, here's another Olivia - enjoy!

bobinrob on 12.16.07 @ 21:06 PM NZST [link]

Starry Crown

Do yourself a favor and check out the Carolina Chocolate Drops - great sound and they seem to be having a lot of fun.

bobinrob on 12.15.07 @ 11:54 AM NZST [link]

Why Doesn't It Just Rain Already?

We haven't had a good rain in a long time, and the skies look threatening now, but I don't think it's going to happen. Of course it might, since I have hung my laundry out, including our duvet cover which takes forever to dry.

Had a get together from an old job on Friday, and I love seeing everyone, but I don't especially like hearing sordid details of things that happened back on the project or why someone's marriage broke up, especially if they are just an acquaintance. I know this stuff goes on, but I don't necessarily want to hear about it.

bobinrob on 12.09.07 @ 12:50 PM NZST [link]

Whataburger

So I found this blog called Homesick Texan and it is pretty much about how much she misses her Texas food, and last year she did some Q & A's with other Homesick Texans and one in particular made me laugh because he said sometimes he cries himself to sleep thinking about Whataburger. OK, I've never cried myself to sleep but sometimes I sit I think "I sure do wish I could go to Whataburger right now". I'm just glad I'm not the only one.

bobinrob on 12.02.07 @ 17:35 PM NZST [link]

I Know This Is A Downer

But everyone should read this.

Via BobHarris.com

bobinrob on 12.01.07 @ 11:04 AM NZST [link]

I'll Go Mine