Split tree continued

After going through the trauma of our downed tree a few weeks back I was supposed to get a visit from a local tree-chopping guy who worked with the town.. I never saw anyone -- until today. A big tree-chopping truck pulled up in front of the house and I walked out front to meet the guy. I quickly figured out this was the guy who was going to give me an estimate on the remainders of the split tree. I think he was surprised I was home. I didn't bother to explain my time-killing status.

I've been having growing concerns about its strength and I know I was going to worry about it with every passing storm with wind. I've had varying opinions on this tree's status, but now I can rest assured and I have my answer. The tree-chopping guy, when asked about the tree's status, performed the highly technical tree assessment test. He kicked the base of the tree with his boot and stated "this tree is dead".. If it isn't dead it surely is dying. I felt like I was dealing with a pro.. (Is my condo ready yet??)

The guy gave me a decent price so I agreed to go with it.. There was no firm date or price in writing - it was the handshake that did the trick PLUS one of the town guys was with him. The town guy I can't forget - he's their tree guy and his name is "Chip"... good branding?? It's like the town plumber with the name "Drippy"...

Early rising

One constant and reliable time killing mode is sleep. It's the most relaxing and productive so far. Last night that relaxing and productive process was interrupted by a loud skid, crash and alarm at 3 am. I thought it was either close OR in my driveway. It woke me right away and was extra loud as I had the window open. It took a while to locate what happened. My wife and I actually bumped into each other in our dark hallway trying to get to the best viewing window. Eventually we saw it was right across the street. The car was nestled into a tree, airbags deployed, lights on and some leftover steam or smoke.

The driver was out of the car and talking to a neighbor who had called 911. The police were there within 5 minutes and there was a small gathering of sleep deprived residents. As serious as it was I couldn't help but think how similar this is to an episode of "COPS".. All the elements were there - confused driver, wrecked car, flashing blue lights, curious bystanders, serious police officers telling the crowd (of 4) to disperse so they could continue their investigation. All this needed to mimic a true "COPS" episode was a smoking, shirtless man with a tattoo leaning on a chain link fence telling his Pit Bull to quiet down..

Road Game

As I mentioned in my last entry I was going to Maine then Boston to see the Yankees play the Red Sox at Fenway. I have a good friend with season's tickets who wanted me to have the Fenway experience. It certainly was an experience. I have to admit after thinking on my 225 mile drive back today that the Red Sox may be as popular OR more than the Yankees I was torn..This was a topic of discussion with me taking the Yankee side. I don't know how to measure such a claim, however, I did stop at a Service rest stop on the interstate at 11 am the day after the game and I would say there were about 300 Sox fans (dressed as such) using the facilities, eating and gloating over the their victory..Not a NY fan in sight and this was a NY-bound road

I was hoping to go to the T-shirt shop and pick up one of those popular "I just drove 225 miles and all I saw was the NY Yankees get their asses kicked" shirt...To be continued in October..

Touristas

New time killing opportunities these past few days with seeing the sights on the city I was born in and been living near for my whole life. The reason was our good family friend came into town to visit and we used him as an excuse to ride the Circle Line around Manhattan. NYC has quite a bit to see and as long as the crowds are minimal and you don't make me hang off the 89th floor of a skyscraper I have fun. Overall it was a great day and a great weekend.. Time killing at its most productive. (We even discussed some good business ideas as we are all interested in a new routine while making some money)...

As part of the day's festivities we saw a "mentalist" show at a small theater downtown.. Small as in about 75 seats. Overall it was good, not great. Lots of numbers gags and card gags. It does get you talking after the show trying to figure out "how the hell did he do that?".. Is there such a thing as mind reading (I dunno .. are there UFOs?).. two of the four of us were called up as "volunteers".. Luckily the two most reluctant ones - my son and I - were skipped.. it must have been the look on our faces or the memory I had of being called up by a very amateurish magician years ago. This nudnik put my neck in a clamp and didn't realize he was choking me until I couldn't answer him..Good thing he didn't hypnotize me as I'd still be clucking like a chicken.

The time killing week continues as I am off to Boston to meet another friend to see the Yankees and Red Sox play at Fenway..Maybe I'll bring my big foam finger and adjust it accordingly being the Yankee fan that I am.. (more to follow)...

A tree splits in Purdys

I thought I was going to be tied up all day today and killing time waiting for an expensive tree crew to show up to clear away a very large tree that split and fell in my front yard. Luckily no wires were involved, nobody got hurt and it didn't hit any cars or houses. Also luckily it blocked the street which means - THE TOWN has some responsibility for the mess since cars can't get through. I figured, and the cops confirmed, that the town would clear the street and the rest of the mess was MY headache..I was prepared for tree service time killing..

After the nighttime street clearing I retreated to the house and checked the yellow pages for today's hijinx. I figured I'd call about 9 am.. At 7 30 I hear trucks (plural) pull up to the scene of the crime and three guys looking chain-saw-efficient get out and survey the damages.. These are different guys from the Sunday crew. I headed out to say hi and see what I was in for.. I had plans to tip them to take all the wood and clean up figuring I had to hire someone later OR god forbid fire up my Craftsman wobbly chain saw.

They assured me they'd clean up the whole thing which reduced my Major time killing into a Minor episode. They left the place spotless in one hour.. If I had tried it myself it would have been 6 hours and missing fingers, however, since my wife slept through the whole thing I am going to wake her and take credit for the clean up in my complaining whiny way..I am rehearsing now --- "God, that was a backbreaker.. I can't believe you didn't hear the chain saw.....I saved us a lot of money....I hope I didn't wake the neighbors...Aren't you proud I got the chain saw started?" She'll never believe a word...

Global what?

Weather is a boring topic to me but it has been playing a significant role in day to day life lately. Like most people I don't like extremes. Anything over 90, under 40 or slippery affects my time killing capabilities. It's almost June and with the exception of a 2-day heatwave it has felt like mid-October. It's an easy shot to start in with the global warming doubts so I'll hold off. I keep seeing giant ice bergs splitting into pieces on the Discovery channel which can't be good.

HItting the road

I normally don't do much sight seeing. I'm not sure why because I know it can be nice and people enjoy it. I always remember the scene in the Chevy Chase "Vacation" movie when he gets out of the car at the Grand Canyon, takes a look and nods his head as if to say "OK, there it is, let's go!".. So in a continuing time killing effort my wife and I took a very long car ride this Memorial Day. I figure why not give it a go and "stop and smell the roses".. (they have thorns too)..

I guess we did 100 miles easy and I was surprised after living up this way how rural the area becomes just a few miles north. I also thought there'd be more traffic since it was one of those get out of the house holidays. We did stop and have some lunch which was pretty good except their restrooms were flooded. We stopped at a covered bridge (a la Madison County). That was the only place there was a crowd. People were all trekking down the semi-steep hills to sit and fish on the rocks which lined the fast-moving waters. It was a nice sight and a nice experience. I actually took some pictures (very rare)..All they needed to be complete was a rest room..