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.

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

# posted by Max : 11/15/2006 09:51:00 AM 1 comments

Last year I dove headlong in the world of 29 gallon fish tanks. I bought myself a Walmart tank, some tank stuff like a back filter, and a mess of tiger stripe fish. The result... Mass Extinction.

The ammonia and nitrates got all screwed up and my piddly heater couldn't keep up with living in a borderline abandoned building. So by mid-winder I had 29 gallons of ice. Since the spring thaw I've had a feted glass box of old fish water on my desk.

So I've started a new. With the help of the local pet store guy (Mark Dawson of the "Fish Bowl") I've got all new gear. -I'd link to the Fish Bowl site but they don't seem to have one.- In any case... I have a new under gravel filter powered by an Airtech 2K4 and a Whisper Heater 40. Whatever that means. I'm running all that for 2 weeks or so to give the happy bacteria population a chance for to settle in. I'll also get some live plants and build a LEGO under-sea lab. When I get the fish I'll probably get a new back filter.

This is your chance to prevent genocide. If you have any helpful suggestions on how not to decimate the coming refugee fish population; speak up. Or their blood will be on your hands!

Labels: image, pets

# posted by Max : 7/26/2006 12:00:00 AM 1 comments

I am an excellent purveyor of good advice and all other things wise. But perhaps a change of speed is order. Today: the lessons that can be learned from Rocky.

• Take three quick spins to make sure its cool to sit.
• You only have to listen when your in arms reach.
• Chewing on expensive personal electronics is a great stress reliever.
• If you have the mind of pigeon no one is going to hold you accountable.
• If your left alone its ok to vindictively destroy the belongings of others.
• Food tastes best when you snag from someone who is in the can.
• Unidentified gooey stuff that isn't for eating is for to rolling in.
• If you do it enough, people just assume you cant control your slobber.
• The best place to be is on the other side of the door.
• It never hurts to piss on your own feet.
• People are for sitting on.
• Pitifully ugly gets you the chicks.
• Crutches are freaky.
• Despite their protests cats like to be chewed on.
• If your worried, poop on the floor.
• If you don't want to; just pretend you didn't hear.
• Sharing an individual's attention is unacceptable.
• Bathing is a punishment.
• Chicks are strangely wierded out about being drooled on.
• Falling is a close substitute for sitting.
• Whining gets people out of bed.
• Being mounted by a rottweiler is very disturbing.
• Being cute gets you food.
• People who freak out are just covering for their deep desire to pet you.
• Regardless of what they want, its alright to make people ask you repeatedly.
• It's a waste of time to beg from vegetarians.
• Your the king when no one is watching.
• Every dandelion requires extensive examination.
• Asses are like dandelions.
• Children are not to be trusted.
• Facing the other way means no one can see you poop.

Labels: opinion, pets

# posted by Max : 6/17/2006 10:48:00 AM 0 comments

Its so awkward when you walk in on a private moment.

Love

Labels: image, pets

# posted by Max : 9/25/2005 11:11:00 PM 0 comments

Rocky winks. It's disturbing really. Traditional domesticated pets are clearly social parasites. By looking adorable and conveying humanish emotions they fake there way into our hearts. Their antics and cuddly faces allow us to project upon them all of the emotions one might expect from a human. I'm sure this wink is just a twitch; just like I'm sure that when he covers his eyes with his paw he is just trying to get something off his face, and not expressing shame. But dammit, they are cute.

Holla back!

Labels: image, pets, social engeering

# posted by Max : 9/03/2005 05:31:00 PM 0 comments

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

# posted by Max : 8/12/2005 03:10:00 PM 0 comments

Who likes monkeys? I do I do!

Keeley returned today. She mostly worked on the BGE stuff. I offered her the over time. She was unenthused but didn't say no. She sighted continued illness. She says that Craig was not well. Some cellulitous or such thing. Mosquitoes.

Prior to the meeting I got a call stating that the 651 S Main place (old main) was unsuitable. I presented it as an option anyway. The board couldn't have been less interested in stock and were compelled by the notion that Old Main is a detriment. I was able to convince them to table the issue for a month until the main street place is completed. When done (hopefully the next two weeks) we will get an appraisal. That should satisfy the counsel.

I just found some food stuck to my arm.

I was asked to be at the counsel meeting tonight. The competing bid for the 6 lots on the 200 Park Street guys are trying an 11th hour switcheroo (The competitor for the mini-golf). Or aleast thats whet i've been told. I was asked to decide objectionable I find their new proposal. We would be in a weak position to protest as our idea was to convert it into a miniature golf course. I advised that they contact MERDI. They have an east side development plan. I'm sure they have an opinion on the development. Simply a matter of whether they wish to throw their weight around.

I want to go the movies. The last movie I saw: Batman Begins was quite good. I'm going to chance War of the Worlds.

Robert has left with Christina and Keri to take them to the airport in SLC. I took Billy Bob out and he rolled in animal carcass. Not as bad as before but he will still need to be bathed. He is whiny.

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

# posted by Max : 7/06/2005 05:32:00 PM 0 comments

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

# posted by Max : 7/05/2005 10:39:00 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

Robert got a Beta. His name is Fish.

Taxes is making Fish feel welcome.

Labels: image, pets

# posted by Max : 6/24/2005 12:45:00 AM 0 comments

The dogs have gone nuts. Christina's mom Carol, Christina, and Robert went to Glacier today. The dogs have been uncontrollable. This after noon perhaps I'll take them to the lake.

Today I have to program an application for SBP accounting. I have Keeley entering data into a database I designed. I need to produce a tool for her to do it with.

Bartender Girl had a reasonable excuse for missing date number 2 or 3 (I forget at this point). She has offered to take me to dinner tomorrow night. I am to pick her up at 6 from the bar. She was especially fetching last night.

Our buddy Bob and his mason buddy are here this morning. After this log I will check on their progress. They are repointing the mortar on the east wall in the west basement as well as finishing their repairs in the boiler room.

Ralph (who is our newest prerelease crewman) got a raise yesterday to $7/hr. He is turning out to be a fine employee. I'm debating supporting him as a candidate for foreman, when we need one. From what I hear we will be starting 44 E. early next week.

Labels: friends, pets, Silver Bow Properties

# posted by Max : 6/05/2005 12:03:00 AM 0 comments

I read the book on dog piss training last night. I'm going to use the word Sheist (German command for "shit") for park time. I did take Rocky over to Washington last night. No accidents but I'm already breaking my own schedule. Tomorrow will be a crazy day, Keeley should be moving in soon and I have a resceduled date with Girl Bartender (crossed fingers); making now a horrible time to try this complex dog schedule. The book said that a "den" is important. I'm going to get a kiddy stairway guard playpen thing for my mezzanine office (have one for the Washington place already.)

I've lost my stylus for the ipaq and my check to the CA State Franchise Board bounced. Huzzah!

Today is a day off but I'm in the office anyway because I'm so far behind. I'll putter about and listen to the BBC streaming broadcast, call Girl Bartender at noon and knock off about 1500 to go straiten up my house on the off chance she wants a night cap.

Labels: pets

# posted by Max : 5/30/2005 10:17:00 PM 0 comments

I am always thirsty, always peeing (probably because of the always thirsty), often tired, get strange headaches or numbness when I nap, have difficulty focusing, and may be experiencing a degradation on my eyesight. Rocky is chasing rabbits in his dreams again. In any case I don't want to loose a foot. So I'm gona look into it some more and brace myself for a diet a life style change. Perchance it might even be worth a journey to the doctor. But if I do that my premiums will assuredly go up. (if not now then in the future.) Sigh.

Labels: health, image, pets

# posted by Max : 5/26/2005 01:29:00 PM 0 comments

Had fun camping (even if briefly) with the Yorks (parents of our friend Brandi). Went to the little Joe campground which is to the south in the mountains near Big Hole River. There was the most attractive looking Fly Fishing stream. I'll need to investigate that further.

Some Video of Rocky

the world famous M&M.

Labels: camping, image, Montana, pets, videos

# posted by Max : 5/24/2005 10:06:00 AM 0 comments

We have a stray dog. The guys were feeding it in the alley two days ago and Robert accedently locked it upstairs. His howling woke me up yesterday morning. When I went to let him loose he didn't want to go. So he's on probation for a few days to see if he is going to work out. I've named him Rocky after the kid with elephantitus in the Cher movie "Mask". I'm well aware that makes mea bad person, but it makes me laugh.

Glamour Shots of Rocky

Labels: image, pets

# posted by Max : 5/14/2005 12:57:00 AM 0 comments

Never mind the murky water.

Labels: image, pets

# posted by Max : 4/25/2005 04:03:00 PM 0 comments

Sampson has proved too weak to climb stairs. A further issue is his marking habit. It's not practical to house train such an old dog. In anycase he got a night away from the shelter and a bath. I wish him well though I dought that many people go to the pound for an old dog. But then again I went for puppies; and if I had a farm house porch for Sampson to sleep on for ever I'd still have him.

Labels: pets

# posted by Max : 4/03/2005 12:29:00 AM 0 comments

We got some dogs. Robert and Christina had picked out a black lab named Billy Bob. Billy Bob doesn't play well with others. However between his fussiness and the general poor selection I was able to get a seemingly suitable pet.

Samson is a cool dog. However there could be a problem. He is an old dog I hoped to give a final home too. Unfortunately he might be too old to climb the stairs.

Foreground: Sampson Background: Billy-Bob.

Labels: image, pets

# posted by Max : 4/02/2005 12:24:00 AM 0 comments

We recently went to the shelter to snag some kittens. Pest deterrence and all that. I ended up with two cats, Death and Taxes, (Thank you Mr. Franklin). They were at the pound because the old lady that owned them passed on. Here is a short movie of Taxes playing with the paper shredder. And no I don't think its cruel and inhumane. There is no way that cat could get it's paw deep enough into the shredder to get sucked in.

I have Death on my shoulder.

Taxes Being adorable.

Taxes Laying In Wait.

Labels: image, pets

# posted by Max : 3/03/2005 01:12:00 PM 1 comments