The bathroom sink was stopped up.   I noticed it when I was brushing my teeth before going to work.  Joy was in the adjoining bath, and yes, hers was also plugged up.  "No problem,"  I said.  I’ll take care of it after work."
          At 5pm, I went to the drug store and bought a bottle of "liquid plumber."  This should take care of the problem before Joy gets home from her bank job.   I poured a half bottle down the drain.  Nothing.   Nada.  OK, I dumped in the entire bottle, and waited a few minutes.   Still no luck.   I decided to get serious.  Back to Longs for a plunger.

"Joe the Plumber’s" job is safe, I’m stickin’ to my day job

         It’s now 6 pm.  I’m doing the sucking thing with the plunger when girl friend Joy comes walking in.  A couple small hair balls appeared, but still no luck.  "Why don’t you try liquid plumber?" Joy asked as a suggestion.  I told her I already tried that.  But I had an idea.   I had heard that you could straighten a wire coat hanger, and use it as a substitute for a snake device that plumbers use.  I got almost the entire coat hanger down the drain, and was pushing and pulling, and finally…….SUCCESS.   I think.     The water started flowing down the drain.   I was proud.  I saved a plumber bill.  "Joy…just call me Joe the Plumber.   Check your sink. The water should be gone."
           Joy was excited: "The water is all pouring onto the floor.  You poked a hole in the pipe.  I think you better keep your day job."    We both laughed.   The next day I called "Joe the Plumber."
      

Today’s trivia on KOIT:

Yes, long over due, but never over done…She’s back to share.

What can I say…it was an interesting holiday season, my first alone and perhaps thats why I chose not to talk about it.  I was in the holiday spirit, just not part of it…and I guess I felt a bit self conscious about sharing that here.  I promised myself it would be different from the last one…and it was, and that’s what counts.

None the less, it’s the new year, with new possibilities a chance to make new plans, new friends – a new life.
So with your help – we’ll make whatever trials and tribulations of 2008 a bittersweet memory and move forward. 

Speaking of that…we’re walking, we’re walking….

What’s new with Laurie?

Dogs -  Emily and Oliver doing ok…funny little cocker spaniels that entertain me beyond belief…just ask me someday about squirrel TV.

Dolly -  the mare with the injured leg has healed but still extremely lame…but it’s expected. We still have another 20 days to go before we start handwalking.

Starting to date again….how DO you do it?  It’s been an interesting new venture so I’m making it up as I go.  I figure I’m no longer a teenager, so those old dating rules don’t apply to me…so it’s a new adventure!

Well, I caught up on the HBO series – "True Blood"
the new FX series "Damages" is back on…Glen Close at her best!
and American Idol starts up again next week…I can’t wait.to see what talent or lack thereof auditioned here in SF!
Stay tuned!   I’m back…sorry that I took a break, but it’s a new day…a new world…

                            A lot of people consider New Years Eve to be amateur night.  And for a long time, I have been one of them.  And then I received an invitation from River Rock Casino to be a guest at their New Years’ Eve VIP party.
             Hmmmm.  I checked with girl friend Joy.  (She’s the boss.)   "It sounds like fun," she cooed.   OK, It was a "go."
             We arrived at the quaint Geyserville Inn at about 7pm, checked in, and grabbed the casino shuttle for the ten minute trip to River Rock.   A red carpet greeting  had been laid out, and we were instructed to follow it into the VIP room.  Waiting to greet the revelers was River Rock CEO Shawn Smyth.  The affable Smyth made everyone feel welcome, and the room  was filled with a boutiful array of culinary delights. 
           After a glass of champagne, we could hear the sounds of one of my favorite Bay Area bands; "The Unauthorized Rolling Stones."   They  look and sound like the real deal.  I know how Joy loves to dance, so I knew I was in for a workout.   Amid the sounds of "Satifaction" and other Stones favorites, we could hear the happy screams of the revelers who were among the winners of the tens of thousands of dollars that River Rock gave away that evening.  And according to casino exec Jennifer Menicucci,  they’re going to do it all again on January 16th.  Good thing I didn’t throw away my party hat.