I'm back from my sojourn to California. I had some thoughts of skipping it this year and pleading busy. But a promise is a promise, so off I went. In hindsight, I am glad I did.

I very much enjoyed my trip. I got to spend a lot of quality time with friends and family. Thank you to all of you who made the time. I don't think I've ever has so little time to kill on a trip back. I miss you all.

For those keeping score at home this is my sesquicentennial post.

Labels: California, family, friends, vacation

# posted by Max : 11/27/2006 11:57:00 PM 0 comments

Just got back from my Thanksgiving trip. A darn tooten' goodtime. Rocky enjoyed the constant attention but didn't eat much. I got to see mom and the family and that was great. Dave and Noelle threw a fantastic Friends Thanksgiving party as per usual. If you haven't already take a moment and shoot them an email telling them how awesome it is that they host that craven horde of beasts, and then do the clean up.

Robert stares down HWY 93 outside of Wells, NV.

My mom's neighbor's Jeep "Tail Heavy"

Labels: California, family, friends, image

# posted by Max : 12/05/2005 06:07:00 PM 0 comments

My brother was here. It was great to see him. I get the sense he understands now what I'm up to out here. The following are some of his photographs.

The Merry Widow mine is one of those holistic health centers (read: scam). You pay for "treatments" which involves sitting in this old mine with other suckers for thirty-three 1 hour sessions. It was being run by an attractive young lady who let us wander through. It apparently works by triggering our natural healing abilities and ties in some how with our near negligible levels of radiation we produce naturally. I would have asked her out but I don't believe in pixies and gnomes. It was cool of her to lets us wander around.

Merry Widow Mine

We went to the capital building. Way super neat. One of the prettier buildings of the state. Especially considering our legislature is in session for 90 days every two years.

The State Capital Building of Montana (Helena, MT)

On a lark we stopped at this glass blowing shop. We sat in while they made there nifty art. As a former Californian it's bizarre to live in such a cool place. Sure they blow glass in California, sure they let you watch; but they don't let you sit close enough to reach out and touch the molten glass.

Rolling molten glass in a coloring agent

This was pretty awesome.

Sticker on a logging truck

Labels: Butte, family, image, Montana

# posted by Max : 10/11/2005 10:02:00 PM 0 comments

Had a pleasant visit from mom. She made an ass load of food. We didn't do much of anything because she wasn't here long. She loved Rocky.

Peter and Denna got a dog named Escrow. Golden Retriever. They (or just he) is coming in late July early august for a week to 10 days. He wants me to restart HHAN. But the Onion and The Daily Show does such a great job its sorta silly to do so. Plus I was getting complaints before from people who didn't like being on a list.

Perhaps as an alternate idea i'll do an advice column sorta deal with some whacky persona. Send your cards and letters to 78 E. Park Street Butte MT, 59701, or email to me at advice@mikeablexray.com. We'll see how it goes.

Labels: family, internet, mikeablexray.com, pets

# posted by Max : 7/01/2005 03:46:00 PM 0 comments

Had dinner at the Broadway Cafe last night with Robert Christina and Keri. Sat next to some local government folk we know. They where debating the realtive merits of some developers packet proposals (which includes the 659 S. Main and 631 W Silver Properties we bid on.) We were told it was unlikely we would get both (probably the Main St. one as we were the only bidder). But Robert seems convinced that the silver one will go to us as well. I think the only other bidder was a war vet with pronounced PTSD.

I'm going to start crate training Rocky today. I'll try to use the one that Robert bought for Billy-Bob but its will likely prove to small. So I'll be ordering one today. Rocky's severe separation anxiety causes him to tear a place up so it's really the only way. He gets trapped in the bathroom and other stuff. I don't want to come home with him crushed under something he knocked over. He did shit two out of three times in the parking lot at the old Pudgies pizza yesterday so that's good.

I figured out the payroll stuff more or less. I should probably have hired someone else to do it but I'd rather figure it out myself and then turn into a data entry spreadsheet activity for Keeley.

An employeed approached me on Ralph Clarke's behalf. He wants us to give him a raise. We have just bumped him to $7, though he clearly should be getting $8. Ralph has been excellent and would be worth every bit of $8. We pay the other two regulars $8. Steve is worth it but Dave has been slacking and largely worthless. I just want to get workers comp coverage before he freaks out and takes off his toe with w/ a nail gun.

Mom comes Thursday night, late. She's here until the morning of the 28th. Insists that she needs to see me on my birthday. I'll show her my little empire. Keeley starts work again the same day.

The BLDC has refused to accept 649-651 S. Main as part of a collateral package for a loan. they say's its un-marketable. I disagree (but my vote doesn't count). I'm going to try to get an appointment with the main shot-caller to discuss collateralization.

Well Lots to do.

Labels: Butte, family, friends, Montana, Silver Bow Properties

# posted by Max : 6/21/2005 10:03:00 PM 0 comments