Author: RonTopofIt

RonTopofIt is a complex personality, as are most of the small breed of modern day renaissance millionaires. He wishes more people were like him and yet believes that it takes all kinds. You've met RonTopofIt many times, you just don't remember him.

Reminder: Survivor tryouts tomorrow

Those of you with free time tomorrow (Thursday, July 15th) may be interested in heading out to Thunder Valley Casino to audition for the next season of “Survivor” which will be held in Nicaraqua.

“This is no picnic. If they want to last on ‘Survivor,’ they have to be able to survive the Sacramento heat,” Elmets said.

Good one. I can’t believe this show has been on for years and still only offers up one million to the winner. Perhaps this will pave the way for Sacramento (Wow!) to host an American Idol audition (An official resolution? Double Wow!).

It’s no big deal

Refinishing the surface of the indoor pool at Ca Fit Natomas
Spaulding, Nooooo!

I had to take a shot of this today while at the California Family Fitness in Natomas. If you’re like me, you’ll immediately think of this scene. More entertaining than writing about a body “showing up” in Sacramento canal, huh?.

The fully-clothed body appears to be a man. It was found hung up on a buoy about three feet from a ladder.

“Appears” to be a man. Ok, then, who wants a Fresca?

To the naughty step you go!

The Clever Way to Calmer Kids
If you can't do the time, don't do the crime.

While browsing Goore’s recently, I came across this little gem (YouTube video). Apparently, how to handle your misbehaving little one is not has easy as it used to be. The Time Out Pad solves your problems by putting your child in virtual lock down.

The makers (Gro-Group) ask, “How do you monitor a time out when you’ve got so many things to do? And what happens if a child gets up during the time out? How does the child know when the time out is finished?” Their solution: a plastic cushion equipped with a red-yellow-green light, a timer, and congratulatory beeping when their time out is over. Unless your kid bails on their time out, and then an alarm will sound.

You know, unless. I guess this is how electric dog fences were created. Oooh, that gives me an idea!

No hoodies for young men


Creative Commons License photo credit: Life of Sport

The movement to rid the world of hoodies took another step forward recently according to an article on news10.net regarding a proposed dress code for patrons of Regional Transit.

“It can be intimidating sometimes when people are wearing hoodies,” Hammond said. “We need to create a friendlier atmosphere for everyone riding.”

The snark opportunities here are endless. Bonus points for working in a reference to the new 100.5 radio station tag line…

Artest goes short

Ron Artest loves animals
Ah, how cute.

I missed this story about former Sacramento King Ron Artest shorting his home in Loomis.

The short sale that Artest used to escape his losing real estate investment has become a commonplace tactic in an area beset by plunging housing prices…In Sacramento County, 58 percent of homes for sale in mid-May were short sales, according to Metrolist Services.

Wow. The house is dog-friendly though (FauxPaws!).

With the sale, the forgiven debt is $480,000, but Artest just might get a parting gift out of his short stay in Sacramento. Recently signed state and federal legislation eliminates taxes on forgiven mortgage debt from 2009 through the end of 2012.

Eliminates taxes? Whoa, whoa, whoa. I thought taxes were, oh, nevermind…

I wonder if this will be included in his new reality series.

Things to do this weekend

Tower Bridge & Fireworks
Creative Commons License photo credit: Logan Sakai

The Sacramento Press has put together a nice listing of the events going on this weekend to celebrate the Fourth of July.

I recently attended a Rivercats game on fireworks night and, man, it’s quite a show. Friday is also $1 Hot Dogs & Desserts night. You can’t beat Raley Field to catch a game.

Anything else going on? I’m sort of ambivalent about this holiday. I love me some flag waving and parading, but could really use less of the round-the-clock neighborhood fireworks for days before and after. Damn kids and their tomfoolery.

More radio retreading in Sacramento

Radio station 100.5 The Zone has been made over as Now 100.5.

CBS Radio has relaunched Hot AC “100.5 The Zone” KZZO Sacramento as Adult CHR “Now 100.5″ playing “Today’s Best Hits Without The Rap” at noon today.

“Without the Rap.” Love it.

The first hour consisted of:
Daughtry – What About Now, Nickelback – This Afternoon, Lady Gaga – Bad Romance, The Script – Breakeven, Train – Calling All Angels, Pink – Who Knew, Bon Jovi – Who Says You Can’t Go Home, Ke$ha – Your Love Is My Drug, 3 Doors Down – Kryptonite, Shinedown – Second Chance, Uncle Kracker – Smile, David Cook – Light On, Kings Of Leon – Sex On Fire, Kris Allen – The Truth, Theory Of A Deadman – Not Meant To Be, Adam Lambert – Whataya Want From Me, Daughtry – Home, John Mayer – Heartbreak Warfare

Taking a real chance, huh?

June ballot measures add up

Capitol Alert Screenshot
Conflict of interest? Or just annoying?
This story in the Bee about the amount of money spent on the June ballot measures made me cringe.

Nearly two-thirds of that cash came from Pacific Gas & Electric, which has poured $46 million into the campaign for Proposition 16, a constitutional amendment that would require two-thirds voter approval on proposals for a public utility to expand services to new customers or new territories using public funds or bonds.

“PG&E’s spending to support Prop. 16 has eclipsed all other proposition spending this election season,” the foundation’s president, Kim Alexander, said in a statement.

Of course, I scan over to the right side of the page and what did I see being advertised? Fitting, I guess.

Sure seems like this kind of money could be put to better use, huh? Perhaps PG&E could save a library or two and use that exposure to promote their measure? Seems crazy, but these are crazy times, right?

Vacationing on the cheap

A little Ford’s Real Hamburgers shout out on Friday (actually, she credits roadfood.com, which is a great site, btw…Hello, Marie’s Do-Nut Shop!) on Fox 40 Morning News when Paul Robins interviewed Amy from “On the go with Amy,” a mother of two who blogs about vacationing on $150 – $200 a day. She offers up some great ideas on making it work including finding activities that are free or inexpensive (walking across the Sundial Bridge in Redding, visiting the Oregon Vortex where balls roll uphill, and strolling through the zoo in Portland). This trip takes them from San Francisco to Seattle.

I discovered a little travel trick of my own recently. When renting a car, try agencies located outside of the airport. If you’re traveling light enough, the cab or shuttle fare is well worth the hassle. I was able to cut $150 off the same reservation at an agency 5 miles from the airport (the same agency, mind you). Fewer taxes, too.

Watch the clip after the jump… Continue reading “Vacationing on the cheap”

Coffee Talk

The News & Review has a great story about Sacramento’s Best Baristas. The Q & A with local baristas was especially entertaining. I really need to get out more as I have only been to one or two of these local coffee houses. Next to bike shops, the hipper-than-thou attitude at most of these places is enough to keep me away, but these guys seem like the real deal and totally into it for the right reasons. Well, reason, I guess; they love them some coffee.