Category: Misc

Craigslist for dummies

I need some advice. I used craigslist.com this weekend to clear out some old boxes and miscellaneous garage items that I didn’t want to haul to the dump. Plus, the idea of recycling these items made sense. I only listed things that I wanted to give away. The sign up was easy enough and the service is free. However, once folks began replying to my posts I ran into a bit of trouble. What do you do about folks that say they want your stuff but then never show up or email back with specifics. Help me out here. I tried following the first come first serve method, but I had folks that said they’d be by my house in a few hours and then never showed up. Meanwhile I received several more emails asking about the items. What do I tell these guys? Has anyone found a method that works for dilemmas such as this? I feel weird about giving out my physical address, too. Do you find a common meeting place to make the hand off?  Talk to me, Sacramento.

If you grew up here, you’ll know

I was bummed today to read this article about the land that used to house the Oakwood Lake Resort in Manteca (aka Manteca Waterslides).  As mentioned on this here web log several times over the years, it’s somehow more painful to know the details of its future. I know many of us spent our summer days trying to swap out our colored mats without getting caught. And for those moments of childhood bliss, I say farewell!

Maybe they’ll build a commemorative slide on one of those artificial lakes…

Only in Sacramento…

Last week two very incredible things happened to me, and they both I think have everything to do with life here in Sacto. First of all, we found out that one of my daughter’s preschool classmates lives in the house I grew up in. Her parents actually bought it from my parents about 4 years ago, and now she is one of 24 or so kids in my daughter’s class.

The second one is I think even weirder. Continue reading “Only in Sacramento…”

Halloween wrap-up

We enjoyed some high-returns trick-or-treating last night in Tahoe Park (specifically the region between 11th and Raymond Aves and 58th-60th streets. It was positively hoppin, a great vibe.) Witches seemed to be very popular. As usual, the most popular costume had to be “punky high schooler walking around with a pillowcase full of candy” (and I know that’s not limited to TP…)

When we got home and reviewed the photos we realized that I wore the same outfit as last year, which is funny considering it’s a night specifically about dressing up, even though as I previously stated I do not participate. Read on for the photo comparison…

Continue reading “Halloween wrap-up”

Tricks and/or treats

Despite the fact that I blog here every day under a geeky fake name, CoolDMZ and Mrs Cool do not dress in costume for Halloween (although if I did, it would be BSG related). We’re planning to take the girls (both “nice” witches) in a little loop around the hood and then we’re going to hit the church event and then maybe Boo at the Zoo. I also understand there is an event at IKEA which is a little too weird, although most IKEA product names would make great candy names (“dude you totally scored some EKTHORPE!”) and we got invited to Midtown Safeway (by a clerk who was inviting everyone, but still, partay!!)
Continue reading “Tricks and/or treats”

Free Boo-Rito

Yes, I know it’s a national chain, but who doesn’t like Chipotle?  If you go dressed as a Chipotle burrito, burrito bol, or salad tomorrow (Halloween), you’ll get a free burrito.

Of course, you’ll probably spend more on the materials needed to make yourself look like one of these food products than you’d spend on a burrito should you go dressed as a civilian, but hey — let’s show some Halloween spirit here. 

Right Awn! Friday: Who says door-to-door campaigning doesn’t work?

Right Awn!When people think of heroes, they rarely think of politicians – except for Arnold, who was the Last Action Hero.  He still is. However, per usual, I digress.

As of today, consider Gray Allen (you got his name wrong on your web story, CBS13), who is running for the Placer County Water Board, a local hero:

(CBS 13) ROSEVILLE, Calif. A Roseville woman was pinned down to the ground for four days after her refrigerator fell on top of her in her kitchen, as she fought to stay alive…

Luckily by the fourth day, Greg [sic] Allen, a politician running for the Placer County Water Board, heard Inga’s call for help while going door-to-door campaigning. He found an unlocked door and ran in to save Inga’s life.

Inga Walen, 69, suffered several injuries including a broken collar bone and injuries to both her legs. But, as she says:

…she doesn’t care which political party Allen represents, she’s voting for him either way.

For his part, Gray Allen is not seeing his rescue of Inga Walen with an eye for personal gain:

“I hope the bottom line is to get people to stay in touch with each other,” Allen said.

Further, as the Sac Bee put it:

No one had been checking on her [for three days]. Having a 96-year-old mother, Allen believes sincerely that older people need a safety network. That’s how you know he’s not running for president.

Gray Allen for Placer County Water Board! RIGHT AWN!!
 

City of trees?

Earlier this year I found myself in Cincinnati, and now that I’ve seen that town I have some tough questions for Sacramento about the “city of trees” mantra that we like to repeat about our fair city to anyone who’ll listen. I was lucky enough to get a 19th story view of southeastern Cincy from a Hyde Park highrise and I have to tell you, Cincinnati looks more like a forest with a giant city hidden in its midst. It should be in the dictionary next to the word “nestled.” It kind of looks like Endor. (On an unrelated note it also has 3, count em, 3 downtown riverfront sports facilities (gulp).)

In addition to the anecdotal evidence of my 19th story observation, Cincy has a smaller population, which leads me to believe it’s possible that it probably has a lot of trees per capita, which is what we always say about our tree population. So what gives?