Whine & Cheese

First Cooper Fun Run

This was originally supposed to be a Monday post, but you just never know what life will throw your way... so here we are on Wednesday!

I joined the local MINI Cooper Club last summer, but thus far have just attended a couple of events... both of them social (a car show and one of their monthly ice cream meetings), but none that involved any group driving.  I really don't think we have a terribly busy social calendar, but there always seemed to be one odd conflict or another with the "fun runs."

Well that finally ended this past Saturday evening with a sunset drive up Phoenix's South Mountain.  It was a perfect first run for me since at least I was familiar with the road... it has been my "test run" a couple of times (my Cooper's first ever weekend and a "check" after the overheating incident).  It's conveniently located, not a huge time commitment (15-20 minutes one-way), you climb up a couple of thousand feet with sweeping views of the Valley of the Sun, and most importantly lots of twists and turns.

If you've been reading this blog of late, you know it has been a little chilly (according to my car, it was 46 degrees, with some "wind chill" around the time of this picture) ... so not a huge turn-out, but here are 6 of the 7 cars at the pre-run meeting spot.   

The run was really a blast.  I was 3rd in line up the hill... and I can only describe the group's driving strategy as a "slingshot" approach.  The "lead" car would slow to a crawl... allowing any cars in front of our MINI "convoy" to get way ahead of us... then zoooom we were off and running!  Even though we were driving up the mountain, it felt, at least to me, like we were on the downside of a roller-coaster.  Ummm... we were probably likely well beyond the 20 mph speed limit.  It's amazing how tight a Cooper can take turns... and let's just say I confirmed that my car has dynamic stability control!

We arrived at the top just in time for quite a lovely sunset. 

My Cooper is next to last in the picture.  One thing I have to learn is to better stagger my parking for the required group photo session at all these Cooper club events. 

Afterwards we headed off to dinner at one of our favorite food places, Chino Bandido... a Chinese-Mexican restaurant.  Yes, you read that correctly!  I got my usual combination plate... a chile relleno, jerk-chicken quesadilla, black beans, and chicken fried rice. 

tags:  mini cooper

REPLY:  Figured I just reply here to my Scott x 2 comments...

Scott "O":  Yep, Todd was well on his way to France by Saturday evening.  Actually, I kind of surprised myself by going out and being somewhat social, usually I tend to cocoon while he is away.  It's very easy to do nothing when you are by yourself (or should I say.. nothing productive).  However, it is probably a good thing he wasn't there.  My heart was pumping real good on a few of those turns and hills... so probably a good thing I didn't have a passenger!   

Scott C:  I totally know what you mean.  I don't know what is says about us that we have an "extra" car for those times when we need to transport animals... haha!
 

The Heat is (Back) On

Good news... the heat is back on in the house!

Now, I have to admit I felt pretty stupid about yesterday's post after watching the national news last night.  They had reports all about the big Midwestern winter storms... with tons of people losing power, deaths, injuries, people going to shelters, etc... and here I was merely sitting in somewhat chilly house drinking a vanilla-caramel Keurig coffee and watching the Golden Globe Awards.  Whoops!

Just keep in mind this blog is Whine & Cheese, so I do have a free pass for a "woe is me" post every so often!

So, one half of the house did not have any problem at all!   Silly me!  Apparently when it gets really cold outside, your heat doesn't work as well.  I know, common sense... right?!?

On the side of the house, where we really did not have anything happening... the culprit was a busted capacitator that was preventing the blower/fan from starting inside the house.

Total cost... $174.   Unbelievable. I figured the labor alone would be more than that!

However, the technician said that we should probably think about replacing our two heating/AC units.  I asked them what their typical life span was and he said 10-12 years.  The age of our units: apparently 12 years.  And how much do those run?   Umm.... around $4,000 each!    Yikes, but we'll just think about that another day (and hope that this one doesn't bit us on the butt).

Anyhow, speaking of heat (translation: any excuse to post the picture below).... it is mighty hot down in Australia.  The first Grand Slam of the tennis season, the Australian Open, started on Monday and temperatures in Melbourne are over 100 degrees... as you can see, my own personal space heater, Rafa Nadal, got a bit schweaty:

And speaking of Aussies and weather, another segue to one of my new blog finds (something that has been sorely lacking of late!)... Craig at Outside the Box.  Craig recently stumbled on this blog and quite nicely left a few comments.  I have since been checking out his blog (the have yet to break my commenter shyness).  An Aussie transplant now living in the Pacific Northwest, Craig is discovering all fun things about life in the U.S. and the joys of a Northern hemisphere winter and new stuff like snow!   

It's Official! Your Amazing Race All-Stars!

Kevin & Drew (Season 1)
Joe & Bill "Team Guido" (Season 1)
Oswald & Danny (Season 2)
John Vito & Jill (Season 3)
Teri & Ian (Season 3)
Charla & Mirna (Season 5)
Uchenna & Joyce (Season 7)
Rob & Amber (Season 7)
Eric & Danielle (Season 9) - "new" team, now dating (poor Jeremy & Dani!)
Dave & Mary (Season 10)
Dustin & Kandice (Season 10)

The Amazing Race All-Stars begins Sunday, February 18th!

The 'Race' is on, all-star style (USA Today)

UPDATE:  Here are some quick thoughts on the "cast."  I was just so excited to see the news this morning that I wanted to get the teams up ASAP.   

I am thrilled that the early seasons were not forgotten, glad to see Kevin/Drew, Joe/Bill, and Oswald/Danny back (and two gay male teams to boot!  for those TAR newbies, not Kevin and Drew... though they can bicker like a gay couple with the best of 'em). 

John Vito/Jill, not a bad choice perhaps now more interesting since they are no longer a couple.

Teri/Ian were my "old folks" choice to return, they had an edge and weren't instantly likable, so ironically enough I liked that!   

Charla & Mirna, I think were pretty much a slam dunk to be an All-Stars. 

As "monette" commented, mixed feelings about Uchenna/Joyce and Rob/Amber.  I am fans of both teams (yes, even Romber!).  But if you are going to bring back a winning team (Uchenna/Joyce), there is no good reason not to invite back other winners (equally/more charismatic teams of Chip/Kim and BJ/Tyler have been quite vocal about not being chosen)... and at this point, Rob/Amber are professional "reality" stars and I can quite understand why "normal" teams would be quite unhappy about their inclusion here (a 6th round of reality!).

Interesting "twist" that they created a new team with the melding of Eric/Danielle.  As noted above, I think their former partners Jeremy & Dani probably feel pretty screwed if they were willing to race again.

I personally would not have included Dave/Mary.  I think the appeal of them this past season was the whole "fish out of water" aspect... and that will be gone with a second go-round, particularly so soon (I haven't had a chance to miss them yet)... and besides, thanks to Rosie & The View... the racked up some major gifts like a new house, car, and vacations.  Dustin/Kandice are pretty good choices and, in my opinion, the most competitive all-female team ever to race (sorry Lyn & Karlyn)... but again, a bit too soon... and especially when there are no representatives from Seasons 4 & 6, plus the Family Edition (though that is probably alright). 

Baby Its Cold... Inside

Last night was not a good time to lose the heat in one's house.

Now, I know what you may be thinking... oh, you wimpy Phoenician what did it get down to 62 degrees outside?  Not quite.  Last night was the 2nd consecutive night of below-freezing temperatures.  On Sunday morning, our indoor/outdoor thermometer read 27 degrees.  This morning it was even lower... 25 degrees.  According to the newspaper, these are the lowest Phoenix temperature readings in 16+ years.

My first "uh-oh" moment was last night.  As I was watching TV, I was thinking "Hmmm... it seems a bit chilly."   I go to the thermostat to pop up the heat ... and nothing turns on... and then I realize it should have been on before I even got there.

  Ok, I thought no huge deal.  We have 2 outdoor AC/heating units. I go check outside, both are on and blowing. Back inside, the other side the house is humming away.  However, when I was reading in bed (I know, I know the bed is only supposed to be for sleeping and that) I feel a cool rush of air blowing from the air vent in the ceiling. I just think I must be imagining things. The air is probably "warm" but I am just not feeling it in relation to the outside temperature. 

I am not good at all with "guy" things.  I know, shocking.  Todd takes care of all that stuff, plus he's owned a home before, where my "fix it" expertise was calling the apartment complex office for a maintenance guy to come over.

So, I wake up this morning and the "heated" side of the house is at 62 degrees and the non-heated side is a brisk 59 degrees. Something is obviously not right.  I emailed Todd just to see if he had any ideas.  I figure I am just being "stupid" about something.  Though in retrospect probably a bad idea since he (a) certainly doesn't need another thing to worry about and (b) can't do a thing about from France.

The phone book is full of "same day service" ads for AC/heating unit service companies.  The first one I call says they can come out Wednesday morning... the second says tomorrow/Tuesday morning.  I figure I can make it through 24 hours... and figure it is a bit silly to keep calling around and making and canceling appointments.

But I still run out and get another space heater, since the one I do have couldn't get my not terribly big office past 63 degrees.  I plug in the new one, get a cup of coffee.. and everything in my office is off.  I had blown a fuse/circuit.  Fortunately, I figured out how to get that back on... though it was a bit scary when a couple of the first attempts to "fix" it didn't work.  Again, hopelessly inept when it comes to these things.

One place I called also does plumbing and they said they were getting more calls for busted pipes due to the freeze vs. heating unit problems.  When I was asking my two fellow "work at home" co-workers about their heating/AC experiences, one of them said they haven't had water for 2 days now.  I definitely prefer being a bit chilly than having to deal with that!

So I guess that's it.  The outdoor temp is up to about 50 degrees ... the indoor seems to be hanging around the mid 60s... so we're doing fine... but I will certainly appreciate the heat when it gets back!

Dream Flight

A rare weekend post from me. The explanation: I am all by myself this Sunday morning.  Todd left on a business trip to France yesterday morning, so I'll be flying solo until Friday night.

He did give me a ring this morning to let me know he arrived safely. 

After the "how was your flight, how are things there?" exchange, he goes "You'll never guess who was on my plane from Paris to Toulouse?"

Immediately, my brain tries to think of any famous French person... predictably I can only come up with Celine Dion... but a) she's Canadian and b) why the hell would she be going to Toulouse?  My only response can be... "I have no idea."

So Todd says he's waiting to board and notices one good looking guy and then another and then another... etc... in casual, workout attire... they are... a team of...

FRENCH RUGBY PLAYERS!!!

Now, if you are reading this and happen to not be a gay man... let me show you why this is important:

This is the cover of their 2006 calendar.  'Nuf said.

I am sure Todd will do some "research" to see if he can recognize anyone... though apparently they were wearing clothes at the airport and on the flight.

So while I am pretty darn jealous, it is probably a good thing I wasn't along for the ride... I am sure my "tray" would have been in the upright and locked position the entire time.

Express Lane: Issue 22

Already time for our first Express Lane recap of 2007:

Bravo will make Paula Abdul docu-series - Ah the reality, train-wreck show of our dreams... we hope!  (1/12/07)

Matthew Fox talks about his dark side... and his back side, if you're so comfortable being naked Matt, let's see it!  Also, some other interesting quotes from this type-casted (?) good guy. (1/11/07)

Meryl tunes up for big 'Mamma' - This news took me a bit by surprise, but it should work... Streep to star in the movie version of the Broadway musical "Mamma Mia!" (1/11/07)

FOX Plots 'Idol' Course - Here's your important Idol dates. Debut: Jan 16.  Hollywood: Feb 13.  First votes:  Feb 20.  First Final 12 Show: Mar 13.  So folks we have a long way to go before the show 'really' starts! (1/9/07)

Mario Lopez to host Miss America pageant - Not sure this is such a great idea... should the host be prettier than the contestants?! (1/3/07)

CNN apologizes for mistaken headline -   A graphic asks "Where's Obama?" instead of "Where's Osama?"... now, now CNN don't be giving Fox "News" any ideas!! (1/2/07)

'Studio 60' Gets Bump from DVRs - We're not alone... nearly a million others don't get around to watching this show on its "regular" Monday night time slot either. (1/2/07)

Three's Company at The Office

Lately on Thursday nights we have not got around to watching much "same night" TV on the TiVo (especially with a 9pm-ish reading period strictly enforced)... so usually, we just get to one NBC sitcom... more often than not, it has been The Office.  I hate to admit it, but Scrubs just isn't quite doing it for me this season... not sure about the whole Turk/Carla baby thing and JD's girlfriend most certainly needs to go (perhaps George Costanza can send her some envelopes to lick?). 

But anyhow, back to The Office.  I am pretty surprised it is still on the air.  I always liked it, but it just didn't seem like one of the show a major television network would keep on despite any critical acclaim and one that will never be a big audience/mainstream success.  I think the show has really hit its stride of late...

That said, I still think it can be pretty hit-or-miss.  There are times when I think Michael Scott is even more than I can handle... and I think some of the Jan stuff from last week's episode was insanely out of character.  I think the show is far more successful when its subtle or even silent, uncomfortably silent.  I particularly love the supporting players... Phyllis, Stanley, Ryan, Kelly, Meredith, Toby, etc!

Going into this season, I was most worried about the handling of the Jim-Pam thing.  I am savvy enough to know that the TV gods were not going to make them a couple anytime soon.  But still the initial office physical/distance split and the emergence of an "other woman" through me off for a bit.  However, I am pretty pleased and think the storyline has been handled with quite a bit of care.  The viewer has been privy to some private and unexpected moments with each character... Pam's little cry, Jim not so sure he's over Pam, and Karen's reaction to Phyllis' little Jim/Pam slip last night.

Now while my other half likely will not agree, I think that why this has worked is that they have made Karen a likable character.  I think part of it is that I have preemptive sympathy for her... wrong place, wrong time, wrong person... and ultimately pulling the short straw in this scenario.  So credit to Rashida Jones for creating a character that could have been so easy just to "love to hate."  (BTW, I was not at all familiar with Rashida before this ... did you know she is the daughter of music icon Quincy Jones and actress Peggy Lipton?!)

tags:  the office

Vanity (Plate) Fair

Not too much time today.  This morning, I am off to my PCP (that's Primary Care Physician for you acronymically challenged) for the first time ever.  Well, my current PCP that I have been assigned to for the past three years or so. It's been longer than that since I have seen a non-dental, non-cosmetic, non-animal doctor!  According to my first pay stub of the year, I am scheduled to pay over $6,000 for health insurance this year, so I figure I should at least meet the guy!   Though it'll cost me $35 for walking through the door.

However, this is not a mere "meet and greet"... don't worry, nothing serious (I think!).  Well, it took 3 full business days for them to find an appointment for me, so that probably says something about the "threat" level.  However, it is a "Do I or Don't I?" blogging dilemma... for now, I have decided not to share (this is where you, dear reader, imagine something far worse than the truth).

So, I am finally getting around to sharing this photo I took at the car show way back in November.

I get search hits pretty regularly about vanity plates  particularly those related to a MINI), so this seemed like a good picture to share... a good brainstorming session if you are in the market for a personalized plate.

It has been fun having a vanity plate of my own.  At a traffic light stops, I often look in my rear view mirror and see folks smile or laugh when the figure out my MINI Cooper plate. Granted EZ2PARK, is not the most cryptic one out there... so the light bulb usually goes on pretty quick.

I think my favorite plate is the above photo is: P B4 UGO.  I am pretty sure no DMV would approve that one.  At least on my vanity plate request, you had to explain what the meaning of the plate. I am guessing bodily functions are likely not allowed. 

The Curiously Incompetent Mint

In honor of POTUS announcing a plan for Iraq this evening (c'mon folks, it's progress... at least the words "plan" and "Iraq" are being used in the same sentence)...

Can't quite say the phrase "civil war"? 

Sectarian violence leaving you with a little morning breath?

Introducing Impeachmints!

The mint that will still leave you with a bad taste in your mouth after you're done!

Believe it or not, the mints and tin are real (and as noted peach-flavored too!).  Any attempts at humor are mine.  I saw them at our bleeding-heart crazy liberal, left wing independent bookstore at that recent book signing and new I had to get it.

They had two other "flavors".... IndictMints and National EmbarrassMints... but at $3.50 each (and about one-third the size of an Altoids tin), I figured it exceeded my gag gift budget. 

Despite a couple of search engines thinking I was just a bad speller, I did cyber-stumble onto the other two mints!

If interested, you can purchase them online at Scribbles for $3.95/tin.

Tennis: Balls & Groin Pulls

To counteract my book-related post from earlier today, thought I'd share a couple of borrowed photos.

Over the holidays, this Wimbledon streaker suddenly showed up.  A bit strange since Wimbledon is in the middle of the summer... but I am guessing it was thought to be one of the "pictures of the year" (not a good thing for tennis, when there's not a tennis player in the frame!).  I generally don't post nudity here on W&C, but while this is a bit balls-y... no kibbles & bit is showing, so I figured what the heck!   If a co-worker is looking over your shoulder right now... my sincere apologies!

I think it's a pretty cool and fun picture, and actually pretty artistic... the "pose" and the timing of the photographer to catch it while it was PG-13.  If my memory serves me correctly, this "show" was during the Maria Sharapova and Amelie Mauresmo semifinal.  Usually these streakers are not the most attractive gents out there, but this guy looks to be in fairly decent shape.

And, in case you haven't noticed, the 2007 tennis season is already underway Down Under. 

Here is a little montage of what W&C mascot, Rafael Nadal, is looking like these days...

Yep, it looks like he totally slacked off on the workouts over the holidays!  Not. 

Anyhow, not good news today for Rafa.  After reaching the semifinals of his first tournament of the year, he had to pull out of his first round match in Sydney with a groin pull.  Hopefully, a few days rest will be good enough to get him in gear for the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open starting on Monday.

Now... to enjoy avoid a groin pull of my own.