Ever hear of a partial power outage?

We came home last Wednesday night to find half our house without power.  I went downstairs with my circuit tester and found only one of two legs hot... (each leg supplies 120 volts, & together 240 volts).  I've never heard of this happening, but when I called the power company they said it "happens all the time".  Apparently if the insulation gets nicked on underground cables and water gets in, the aluminum cables corrode and eventually fail in that spot.  A power guy showed up Wednesday night about midnight and "jumped" the legs so the whole house had 120 volts which is all you need to turn on lights, but the AC doesn't work without both legs (and 240 volt service).  "Don't worry" he says, someone will be out tomorrow, and if not then Friday.  I didn't figure anyone would show up Thursday other than to "blue stake", but when I came home Friday to an almost 90 degree home, I called the power company again.  I simply called to follow up and get an update.  The unfortunate kid who took my call got an earfull when he reported that the ticket was closed and everything was certainly repaired.  When he wouldn't listen that I was testing the breaker panel and could verify it wan't repaired, I popped a can of Dutch Poppa-Bear whoop-ass on him.  Repairmen showed up that night. 

They're able to detect the location of the break with this gadget.  My buddy Jason probably designed it in his sleep on night.  I love being friends with one of the smartest guys on the planet.  If you don't know him, check out his blog.

I lucked out - the break was in the corner of my yard and they didn't have to dig up my lawn or cut down another tree.

Hey Chris, the pros work with live power just like me!  Except, the live cables they're messing with will turn you into a Post Toastee...

There it is, oxidized all the way through.

They just clean up the ends, strip a little insulation, clamp together and shrink wrap.  Phew, we were finally able to sleep again that night!

What, birth announcements?

I've never heard of a birth announcement before, but apparently this is commonly done.  I guess, upon reflection I'm aware of having received several through the last few years from close friends and family.  We just ordered announcements tonight to mail out, but spent some time this weekend getting photos put together and touched up.  The following are just couple of our  favorites. 

Who doesn't like Bob Dylan?

I appreciate all forms of music, if you hadn't been able to tell by my blog's changing playlists.  My buddy in Phoenix has formally requested that I change out the Dylan playlist - apparently he doesn't like Bob Dylan?  Before I did that, I wanted to establish for the readers Jason's musical prowess.  Forunately I also like Jason't preferred hillbilly "music" that you can play at the bottom of the screen.  The following are videos posted on his own blog.

A good sampling - and Amen to the last part!

Jason "had" to "put up" with his mom & sister's music...

This is atually quite clever, but passes for highbrow culture with my buddy.

Cake does happen to be my favorite group - glad to see his kids have good taste.

Pioneer Day, 50 years, and fireworks!

Last weekend was Pioneer Day - by-far the biggest holiday in Utah.  It celebrates the trek of the Mormon Pioneers out west in 1847.  The Mormon element aside, it's really an American story of rugged tenacity that's hard not to appreciate.  We attended the Bountiful Pioneer Day Parade, which is the best parade in the state.  Enjoy some photos.

The 2 nephews snoozin' in our Pram - highly recommend the Bugaboo stroller.  If you don't recall my rant...

I really like tractors, okay!?

How the heck did the short-bus make it in?

Marching bands are cool like once or twice.  By the time these guys came by I was done.

Yes, I really DO like tractors, okay?

Our friend Cathy Liou turned 50 last weekend too.  Her husband Ted asked me if I'd be willing to do a fireworks display after dinner - he didn't exactly have to ask me twice.  The best part?  He funded it too!  I reached deep and channeled my Grandpa Bakker who used to do big shows for the family.  What you're seeing is the grand finale - 29 spinners rigged to go off in courses, with some magic whips and ground blooms all interspersed.

Of course, I had to wait through dinner first...  We did a mystery dinner theater where most of the attendees had a role to play kind of like this.  It ended up being pretty fun.  Everyone had a set of secret goals to accomplish like acquiring items, killing people, buying secrets etc.  I was so close to finishing my goals when it was over that I really wanted to kill the guy that I was trying to work with - sorry Kirk, I'm still steamin'.

A witch doctor and reporter.

The dubious Dr. Schwartz - I never trusted that guy.  Marie - also untrustworthy.  She did save my life, though only to save her own bacon...

Chef Ted in his gourmet kitchen.  He's a great cook!

"Captain", turned out to be a double agent for the Brits...

This was the best backyard fireworks show in the state (at least with legal fireworks...).  My Grandpa would have been really proud.  I've always known that Black Cat had the best novelty stuff, but their fountains ended up being WAY better than TNT.  The bad news?  There's only 6 Black Cat dealers in Utah, and I had to drive to Murray to get everything.  It was worth the trip though, and I sense a new family tradition starting....  You're coming back next year, right Jason?

Colonial lumber was on fire on the way home from work this week.  Seemed pretty tame, but it's not every day you get to see a whole building burning.

Just when I got bored and left to fill the tank, flames started bursting way up over the roof line.  Dang it, I should have stayed put.

I don't have any photos, but I did manage to sell the Volvo for $1100 Sunday night.  Sorry to all those hopeful buyers - you should have moved quicker.