Seems a lot of folk are out of sorts today. I'm noting depression, agitation, and general grumpiness. Robert usually holds that the change in weather is accompanied by a change in the ions in the air, which in someway affect mood. That would hold for Butte but I'm noting cantankerous attitudes across the country.

I'm in a pretty good mood, so the rest of you should just snap out of it. In fact, you should all just take a moment to think about me. It's a sure ticket to joyfulness.

Labels: mood

It promises to be a crazy winter here in Butte. The two most reliable sources of weather information (the Farmer's Almanac and Robert) both agree that this winter will be all over the place, i.e., hot and foggy and cold and dry and rainy and snowy and windy and calm and all manner of other adjectives.

There will be a few things we can count on. 1) The days will be short. 2) We will have weather. 3) Most of the weather will be in or from the sky. 4) I will not regrow my hair.

South West Montana Summer '06 was a good time. I had some friends and family out. I went floatin' a few times. We made a bunch of progress on Silver Bow Properties, LLC and somewhat less progress on Silver Bow Software, LLC. All in All, a great time was had.

Now it's late fall and we're even coming up on the end of hunting season. I'm pleased to report that I'll have a freezer or mule deer steaks, ground venison, mule deer salami, and jalapeno cheese venison kielbasa. Oh, and the head will make a great dog toy. Disturbing pictures to follow.

It's been brought to my attention that not all of you know what I look like anymore. I've shaved my head and face; but I promise I'm not running from the law.

I'd like to thank Billy-Bob for posting this picture of us floatin' the Jefferson to his myspace profile.

Labels: earth science, floating, fun, hair, hunting, image, mood, pets, Silver Bow Properties

I'm entirely displeased with the new look of the website. I Love this new design. Lets never speak of that other thing again. How do you feel about it? One good thing is that it's now compatable with FireFox.

Labels: mikeablexray.com, mood

One of the places junk mail comes from is your friends, family and coworkers. You know the ones. The ones who forward you silly animations of dancing teddy-bears or some nifty mind trick that can predict that you came up with "donkey" and "the number 7". All those instances of your email address being tossed about on the internet sea, eventually will lead it in to the net of a spammer. Thanks. No. is a website that you could send to these people. It politely suggests that they should be more sensitive to flagrant usage of your email address. But like any constructive criticism I cant imagine anyone who is fooled by a missive claiming "everyone you know will die if you dont send this to 10 people this minute" will not take offence. Sigh. I dont even know what I'm talking about anymore. Oh, and by the by. I'm not talking about you. Oh and whats more; if Bill Gates wants to donate billions to save gay baby orphaned whales on crack, he will. He doesn't need you to forward an email.

Labels: internet, mood

My innards are in rebellion. I think it might be something I ate. It was either the two apples or the Taco Johns. It's too soon to tell. I may not have sufficient empirical evidence to make a definitive judgment.

Labels: food, mood, review

Every once in a while something happens that helps us gauge our place in the world. Like when you call the cops and when they get there they at first think your the bad guy.

I had one of those moments yesterday. I went to the bank at 4:45 to talk to my banker. Unfortunately my bank closes at 4 on Thursdays (its open until 5 on Fridays). Yet I got someone's attention, mimed "I want to talk to my banker" (I'm a talented mime.), and was let inside. My banker was still there and jumped at the chance to help. The help involved dropping some fees and granting better terms. It was just one of those moments.

I had another such moment at 3:00 am this morning. Some of my crew got polluted and tuned up some friend/dumbass who provoked them. I was the camp councilor who got woken up by a blubbering girlfriend to lock down the disaster. I had to take one of my dudes to his house and put him to bed, find a crash spot for instigator/victim who couldn't find his keys, and survey the damage. Thankfully Robert and I are only out one really raped door. Rocky helped by taking a massive panic duke on the floor.

Labels: mood

Our buddy Mr. York took us hunting this morning. We saw a mule deer buck with some does and I somehow ended up being the only one with the correct tag. So I shot at it and (in my retardation) blew a chunk out of its lower leg. Its clear that I'll need to purchase my own equipment. If only to have something to be familiar with.

Robert and I chased it about 5 miles. Near the end when it was clear that it was long gone I happened to stumble onto a little house in a ravine. It was such an odd place for a house that I didn't see it until I was almost in it. Of course I riled up the dog and drew out the owner. I think he had more feet than teeth, but its hard to say as I was more concerned with the revolver (357 perhaps) he had tucked in the waist band of his sweats. He was not happy that I was trespassing. Considering how far I had gone its quite possible that I was. We agreed that it was best I leave, quickly.

On the hike back I saw a giant Elk. I have a tag for one but I guess the wrong kind. It was moving pretty quickly so no shot would have been possible. Hot on its tail was a nice rancher lady. She was very disappointed that I hadn't killed anything. "We have way too many elk out here.". An amusing dichotomy in opinion.

York suggested that the buck will likely heal up and then regaled us with tales of giant three legged bucks. Robert suggests that their great healing is owed to there refusal to eat cheezy popcorn. Which sounds like crap to me. I didn't partake in his cheezy popcorn and I still have a wheeze from traipsing around after the damn thing.

Labels: culture, hunting, mood, opinion

Look at this dog. I demand that you admit that is by far the more precious being on the planet. If not well then you either have no soul or should get your cataracts checked. Everyone should know at least someone who is way happier than they are. Even if its a dog.

Rocky.

Labels: image, mood, pets

The Mortgage people handling the loan for the Granite Street purchase took their sweet time getting started. I failed to bust their asses sooner in the process and am paying for it now. They have two options: A full-doc that requires sale proof on 50 E. Valecitus (which I'd have to get from Paul) or a stated that relies on the legal existence of Silver Bow Software, LLC. Bizarre; the value of that which is truly nothing.

I need to give the presentation to the BLDC board tomorrow. I need to convince them to take the Imperial and some combination of stock and the 649 S. Main Street project as collateral. I need to get a real estate guide to pull some comps. I'll do some for the Imperial, though I do already have a comparative analysis from the Real Estate Agent. I'll mostly want it for the Main street property. I'll also want to show the general market appreciation if I can.

Several weeks ago I shot a shotgun off upstairs as a test of how far load goes in a house. It went through a lath/plaster wall and some pellets though the next. Robert shot his nine-millimeter. It went through two walls and then some shrapnel ricocheted off the floor. This more or less matched my original thoughts that a shotgun is the best for home defense and in our case should only be used when cleanly backstopped by a brick wall. Hollow points like in Robert's 9 pack with wall material and more or less gain momentum.

I shall go retrieve the guide I require after this episode of Voyager. "The Omega Directive."

I tried to find the SBS business license but found it missing. The lack of proper filing is driving me crazy. Though it is fair to remember its was further behind before Keeley was here. I do need to spell things out for her more thoroughly than I have been. Mind reading isn't in her job description.

Rocky 2ed out side twice and was 1 and 1 with 1s today. The 2nd 2 was like three tatertots. I think he squeezed them out solely for my benefit. I shall take him with me on my little trip to find a real estate guide. Then it's off to bed.

This morning I took a pee at the 1st alarm of 6:30. I was more awake then than the #3 7:45 alarm later on. I think I'll change up to waking at 6:30 regardless of how nice I might be to get that extra hour plus. This wont be the first time I've fail at making this correction.

Labels: Butte, guns, Montana, mood, pets, Silver Bow Properties, Silver Bow Software

Robert and I were yelling at each other on the street yesterday morning. Not as funny at the time but certainly histerical in retrospect. He was talking to Bob and I was standing right there but not paying attention. He assumed I was which led to a miscommunication. The miscommunication inconvenienced him so he was raging. I should have been paying attention; he should manage his anger better. The whole thing is pretty damn funny. We put on quite a show for the neighbors.

Our suckiest prerealase crewman showed up again. He isn't bad per say, but its impossible to communicate with him. One is never sure that he understands. We asked for a 6 dollar dude and encouraged the crew to bring someone else but guess who showed. May need to run a 5 person crew just to get a new guy. Ralph moonlights at the Red Lion. I'm not sure I like that but I'm not surprised either. The guy is a workaholic.

It sounds like we are going to go to comedy night with Keri. Today was the first day that Keeley was around the house in the morning. Schedule adjustments will need to be made.

Laura got the chocolates I sent her. I wish her the best in Africa.

Labels: friends, mood, Silver Bow Properties