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The perfect meal

So last month I got a little bit older.    37 to be exact.   For the past few years my lovely wife and i have been throwing a pig roast party at Mars bar downtown.  It’s always a great event and a ton of fun but biy is it a shit ton of work.   My poor wife nearly kills herself preparing days in advance.   Rent the truck, rent the grill, pick up a 70lb pig, make collard greens for 75+ people, buy the carcoal, rush to the bar and start cooking at 6am.   Slave all day, drink too much then try to clean it all up and return everything to it’s original place the next morning while completely hungover.  It’s always one helluva party, but does not make for a relaxing weekend.   This year we decided to do something a bit different.   We rented a house in wine country with a small group of friends and decided to take the weekend down a notch…..Little did I know what was in store.

My wife and dearest friends know my passion for pork and pulled off what may have been the greatest meal I have ever been served.   At home OR in a restaurant.   While a handful of close friends were enjoying a day of wine tasting around Sonoma,  Robert & Barbara (head chefs), Tim and Lori (sous chefs) and my lovely wife Zetta (birthday planner extraordinaire), slaved away in the kitchen from 10am to 8pm preparing the most delectable selection of pork delights ever to grace my lips.

I’ll give you the blow by blow.

The Soup

1st course was a delicious ginger infused pumpkin soup garnished with sage and freshly bacon from a pork belly broiled in its own fat for some 3 hours.

Bacon wrapped pork loin

2nd course Pork tenderloin wrapped with sage and prosciutto accompanied with cream roasted potatoes drizzled with Manganista gravy.

The belly of swine, shed for your sins

3rd course was the ulitimate:  Roasted Manganista (wooly pig pork belly)  accompanied with bacon wrapped green beans, parsnip puree topped with fried manganista and a veal reduction sauce

The car bomb cupcake

and for dessert, my dear friend Christine made Irish car bomb cupcakes that taste just like my favorite drink (Vanilla Panna Cotta smothered in quince sauce accompanied with warmed Guinness Whiskey and Bailey’s Irish Cream Cupcakes.)

Robert and Barbara and their helpers plated and served this delicious meal to 14 guests.  A huge undertaking over a beautifully decorated table.  And I’m not kidding ya, this was Thomas Keller French Laundry quality cooking  Boy did I feel loved.  I think everyone kicked in in some fashion, be it with prepping or cleaning or just general debauchery.   Checkoway and Cooper poured us some amazing wines purchased in the valley that afternoon.   Being surrounded by a handful of amazing friends was just what the doctor ordered this year.  And being treated to a meal like that is something I won’t soon forget.

 

Yeah, I ‘guess’ it’s an infraction

So I wake up Thursday morning, look outside at the blue sky and smile.  “It’s beautiful out.”   I decide that I’m going to ride my bike to work.   It’s November so how many blue sky days will we have left before the rainy season.   So I am coming down Folsom street in the bike lane.  As the light before me turns from yellow I have slowed down and have looked up 10th street.   It is 7:30 in the morning and there is not a single car approaching the intersection for as far as I can see from Folsom all the way up to Market.   It’s a ghost town.   So I peddle forward and through the intersection as the light is turning red.   It is at this time that a big bumbling jolly cop pulls into the bike lane in front of me and waives me over.  I can’t help but think of last night’s south park episode.

Shit, it is the same guy with a white handlebar mustache that had my wife’s car impounded for missing registration last year after her car was broken into.  I already hate him.

Officer:  “You just ran right through that red light, you have ID on you?” as he dismounts and pulls out his little ticket book

Rick: “You’re giving me a ticket”?

Officer:  “That was a pretty thing stupid thing you did, yer damn right I’m giving you a ticket”

Rick:  “There’s no need to be rude”

Officer:  “That was pretty rude what you did to the people at that intersection”

Rick:  “What people????”    (gives up)   I hate him even more now.

There is no point in talking to this guy, there is no getting out of this.  Technically, yeah, I guess I did cross against a red light, but the only people within blocks of this intersection were me and the cop who snuck up behind me.    What I want to know is where was this traffic Nazi the countless times I have been nearly doored, killed, or otherwise pulverized in the bike lane?   I recognize that being on a bike puts you at greater risk than being in a car and therefore use exceptional caution while riding.    But if NOBODY is on the road at all, is it really such a bad thing to cross an empty intersection?   Am I not just a pedestrian on 2 wheels?   No?

Fine, you’re right.  I wouldn’t have done it in my car.   But I have no love for the SFPD who can’t bother to lift a finger when our cars are burglarized every other night.  The same guys who turn a blind eye to every crack dealer slinging in the Mission.   About a month ago walking up market street a guy was pissing on the wall of the Virgin records building about 15 feet from 4 cops on the sidewalk drinking coffee.  As I passed them I let them know, “um, that guy is pissing on the sidewalk right there”   They looked at me like “what do you want us to do about it?”  There is something seriously wrong in this city when I am the guy the cops are spending time harassing instead of the people pissing in the streets.   I guess law enforcement isn’t really worthwhile in SF unless they can squeeze a few bucks out of you.

OK I’m done ranting.   Maybe this will at least be good for a laugh for ya’ll.

 

The Reicker amateur guide to the Silverado Trail.

Dear diary,

I owe you an entry almost as much as I owed my wife Zetta a weekend away.   Late in the week in the wake of my first successful product launch at my new job, we decided to take a weekend away in wine country.   Having waited too long to find a nice Bed and Breakfast, we booked a room at the Embassy Suites in Napa on Hilton points earned during my previous business travels at PRN.    Saturday morning we woke up early, hopped in the car and zipped off to Napa.   We started our day driving over the golden gate bridge, across the 37, over the 121 and up the 29, where I hear they grow grapes.   I’ll be perfectly honest and start by saying I know precious little about wine.   Half the fun of this trip was just tooling around and learning to differentiate a Cab from a Cab Franc.   Not really having a plan, we read about the many vineyards open to the public over breakfast downtown and headed up the valley for a day of wonderful wines and 5 star food.

Since we were able to knock down a whopping 13 vineyards, and 2 of the best restaurants in the area, I figured I’d give them all a brief review for anyone else thinking of visiting this incredible valley.

Back Stallion

Our first stop on the list, a new winery called Black Stallion – This place was cute as can be and the first stop along the Silverado trail north of downtown Napa.   A nice Vineyard, built on an old equestrian ranch and possibly involved with the film from the late 70’s.  Beautiful indoor and outdoor tasting area and a decidedly charismatic host who welcomed us in with a glass of 2008 Pinot Grigio.   Refreshing and delicious to say the least.  The staff here was incredibly friendly and charismatic.  They gave us several good suggestions for the day ahead.

Off to a good start, we wandered across the street at the Reynolds family winery.   It was harvest day here and as such we got to see them stripping the grapes from the vines and sorting them into crush bins.    Of all the places we visited, the bouquet on the Cab and their special blend “Persistence” stand out in my mind as being the most bold and fruity.  This place was cute, petite, and family owned, complete with antique furniture and kitty cats keeping them warm for the guests.  We bought a Cabernet here and will definitely save this one for a special meal.

Stop # 3 was Darioush.    It was beautiful to be sure.  Absolutely gorgeous in every right, but so pretentious it was painful to be inside.   Swarming with yuppies and clearly every penny of your $30 tasting went into maintaining the indoor waterfall and luxurious Greco-Persian architecture.   The gardens are also stunning but as for the wine,  well, we wouldn’t know.   We were so turned off by the people and crowds that we walked back out without giving it a shot.  Stop by here to admire the grounds, the architecture and “royal hall” if you are into it.   It felt more like a Vegas night club inside that a winery to us.

Robert Sinsnkey "Flight of Fancy"

#4  Robert Sinskey – Easily our favorite in the Stags Leap district.  This place was was an excellent experience from the moment we parked the car.   Before  you enter the winery you pass a large coy pond, FULL of hungry fish.  We sat for a while, enjoying the afternoon as the coy fish nipped at our fingers, giving us little fishy kisses.    This place does it right.   Understated.   An awesome wine tasting and pairing including marcona almonds, olives and a Gruyere cheese pastry puff for $15.   We started with something called “The Abraxis”, which is one hell of a yummy brunch treat.  49% Pinot Gris, 22 Gewurtztraminer, 20% Reisling, 9% Pinot blanc.  All the wines here were great.  They waived the fees because we bought the flight.  The Abraxis,  the 2005 Merlot, and 1998 Stags Leap district Cabernet Savignon.   I don’t know why more places don’t do the food pairing.  It completely changes the flavor and accentuates the structure of wine.   We learned a lot here.   Most of their wines are small lots, 50-60 barrels.   Astounding quality all around.

Zetta & the coy pond at Robert Sinskey

Our next stop was The Stags Leap cellars.  Very good, albeit pricey, Cabs, the best of which was the 2005 Cask23, wow!  $200 was a bit out of our price range though so we moseyed on up the road to David Miner for stop #6.   This place was big but unremarkable.  We had high hopes for this place as it was a written up as bio-dynamic vineyard, specializing in varietals.   But ultimately the only things here we really liked were the stemless glasses and a hell of a view.  They had a decent rose´ which neither of us really like in general, but everything else here was, as Zetta put it, “skunky”.  We were not wowed.   Upon leaving we were told by a limo driver that the $90 Oracle, their signature (unimpressive) blend, was named such as the founders of Oracle corporation bought this place a number of years ago and buy their grapes from the former CEO of Inktomi.

Joke:  Q: How do you make a small fortune in the wine business? A: Start with a large fortune.

From Miner we wandered up to Rutherford’s Ranch, a favorite of the Wells family.  They were very sweet folks and did a nice wine and chocolate pairing, courtesy of our concierge.   We treated ourselves to a nice blend here called Rhiannon.   A very smooth blend of Cab, Merlot, Syrah and Petite Syrah.

Rounding out the afternoon we wandered across to the 29 via Silver Oak, easily the best Cab we had this day next to the Reynolds (in my opinion).  $20 gets you a tasting for 2 each with a souvenir glass.   Cabs here are understandably famous and start at $70 -$100.   The grounds here are lush, the vibe is chill. This place is the real deal.   Not garish in any way, simply amazing Cabernets.  If you go to Napa, don’t miss this stop.  It’s right between the 29 and the Silverado Trail.

It was impossible to top the Silver Oak in terms of quality but we made one final stop at Peju.   I had been here before and forgotten about it.     Honestly nothing truly amazing but an enormous variety of wines, and a generous free tasting.   We picked up a nice Merlot and several laughs from the host who must do a night shift as a stand up comic.  Entertaining as hell.   All fun and games at this place which churns through 50 guests every 30 minutes due to the free tasting at 8 tasting bars.

Not knowing our schedule, I had made 2 dinner reservations, one at Mustards (6:00) and another at Brix (8:45)    Although Mustards has a great reputation, we were a bit tired and the frenetic pace proved to be too much, so we retreated to our hotel and napped for a couple hours before a wonderful dinner at Brix.

The filet mignon at Brix

Brix was all charm and bumbling service.    I say it with a smile as our waiter was a good kid, just having an off night.  Located on the 29 amidst an enormous garden where they grow most of their own vegetables and spices, the vibe here was definitely more our speed.    The first faux pas was when the waiter brought a plate of gazpacho and oysters by our table “courtesy of the chef” and then upon setting it down said “oops, wrong table”.  We laughed as he took away our treat and gave it to the honeymooners in the neighboring booth.   He must have felt bad because 5 minutes later he came by and delivered us the same plate.   We then eased into the cauliflower soup (delicious) and a half dozen Hog Island Oysters.  Before our entrees came the waiter brought us a second plate of oysters which we did not order, he rolled his eyes at his own mistake and we all laughed as he took them away again.    For entrees we had the pork chop and a filet with zucchini and cherry tomatoes grown on the premises.   Both delightful (although a tad overcooked).  Veggies really are best when picked fresh from the garden.   Stuffed to the gills we wandered home and called it night.

Day 2

After a leisurely breakfast, we visited the Oxbow market where a nice butcher at Five dot ranch gave us two 21 day dry aged T bone steaks just for chatting him up about his shop.    “Fortune smiles upon us! These will go great with some more wine”.  We decided to hit a couple more vineyards we had missed the day before and pick up a few more bottles.   We started with Luna. Luna is a cute little spot with a Tuscan tower and roof deck offering great views of the Los Carneros district and fields of Savignon Blanc growing in the sun.   Two Sangioveses on the flight, too acidic for my taste but characteristic of that grape.  We picked up a pair of Pinot Noirs here at a very reasonable price after the tasting fee was waived.

After Luna we wandered to another small place called Hagefen.  Hagefen is an Israeli winery with a collection of award winning wines.  The host, Yair, was among the most personable and friendly guys we met during our weekend away,  They also had the best Chardonnay we found in the valley and we went home with one of those as well as a Zin and a Cab.    Don’t miss this stop.  Great value, free tastings if you make a purchase.   Yair gave us 2 more suggestions before we wandered home.  The first of which was the Regusci winery.

Regusci, sits at the base of the mountains, up a long driveway lined with walnut trees which led us to a large stone home where we tried several tasty wines, ultimately settling on a delicious Merlot.  The best Merlot of the weekend in my opinion.   The family pictured on the wall look like Al Capone, James Dean, and Tony Soprano, in that order.   Nice place, great staff.

Last but not least, we stopped at Paraduxx. I really liked this place.   Can’t say why exactly.  The gardens lining the vineyard are lush and full with Rosemay, Lavendar and Sage.   Those smells permeate the air and they have a great area with comfy chairs underneath a walnut grove where you can enjoy their cheese and wine pairing.   This was a perfect place to wind up the weekend.   My favorite wine of the weekend, the Paraduxx 2004.

This is a straight up murderous good wine.  It’s amazing.

They make the same blend here year after year and we tried the 2004, 2005, 2006, as well as a Rose.   They limit sales of this to 1 bottle per customer and if you can get your hands on one, don’t miss the opportunity.

On the way out of town we had to wrap it up with lunch at Buchon, the casual kid brother of Thomas Keller’s French Laundry.   I’ve never had a better french fry in my life.  It was a bit pricey for a leisurely lunch but if you can get in, it’s well worth it.  The mac and cheese is to die for and they make flank steak taste like a filet mignon.

A bountiful harvest

That’s all folks, if read this whole thing you were either really bored, really like wine, or really think I’m an ass,  spouting off about all this as if I have the slightest idea what I am talking about.   All I can tell you for certain is that we have a ton of wine to drink and we had one hell of a nice weekend away.

 

One step closer to dentures

What the hell?

Nobody wants to get old right?   But quite possibly the most sincere slap in the face will be the day that your dentist tells you….”you need dentures”   I’m not there yet, but I feel like I’m closer than most.  I mean seriously?…What is that?….  Spare parts?…For real?   It’s not like replacing the brakes on your car,… or is it?    I mean honestly?   Your mouth wore out?   For real?   Is it directly proportional to caloric intake?

OK, ok, they aren't mine

How humbling!   I can kinda get my head head around a replacement hip, or maybe a knee.  Maybe these ancillary mobility mechanisms should wear out as we age gracefully.  But we don’t hunt and gather so much anymore.  Not in the days of takeout and microwave nutrition.  They are only slightly more important than your appendix.   And I live in the now. In 2009. Where one can be perfectly sedentary and survive quite comfortably with just a credit card and a telephone.  We can telecommute.   And many people do.  With a press of 7 buttons or a few clicks on a simple internet connection, a full meal will arrive at your door in 30 minutes.  So why is it your teeth wear out so damn fast?  There are waaaay more dentures out there than pacemakers.  Everyone gets old.   Premature hair loss,  wrinkles, I can deal with those.  Dementia, maybe Alzheimer’s…ok, eventually.  But your mouth is part of the primary system.   It’s core functionality.   Circulatory, Respiratory, followed by Digestive.   Without teeth in your mouth, you can’t chew.   You can’t even speak well enough to order soft foods.   Seems like an evolutionary flaw to me that even with proper maintenance, one’s mouth can wear out before one’s heart or mind or credit line.

And with this inevitable parts replacement you have an entire smorgasbord of products to look forward to, designed to protect your oral investment.   How nice … cleaners, polishes, and effervescent concoctions.   It’s good to know that even in our old age we can accessorize oral hygiene.   First it’s pacifiers, maybe braces, headgear, retainers, then vibrating toothbrushes, a million ways to care for your calcium chewing stumps, professionally modified and adorned with gold fillings, porcelain veneers, even diamond bling!   But ultimately, your teeth are likely to be replaced by prostheses, that will need to be polished, refinished, and refurbished, like the paint job, on a classic old car.   Which in a way, I guess your smile is

Did you know the health of your gums is directly related to the health of your heart? Well again I ask, what the hell?  I exercise, I have a child’s low cholesterol so why are my teeth falling apart?

Which reminds me….   I can clearly recall thinking, when I was child, that a career in dentistry was a bit on the geeky path. Something short of a doctor, but above an attorney.   Both careers in which owners are likely to drive a nice Benz or a Mercedes.   Yet my dentist drives a Lamborghini Gallardo!!, and  I drive a Volkswagen.  He spends as much time on the golf course as he does in the office.   Shows ya what I knew….  know….  whatever.

I cannot help but think that with every new crown, not only have I put a new prosthetic in my mouth, but also a new set of rims on my dentist’s ride.

Really?…  A piece of porcelain manufactured in Mexico costs as much as San Francisco rent?  I’m in the wrong business.

In case it wasn’t clear,  I have bad teeth.  Horrible teeth.   And I’m not even British!!   I know you can’t tell from my pretty smile, but I’m kinda bitter about this.

It’s not like I don’t floss.   It’s not like I don’t care.   It’s just genetics.   I eat healthy, I brush twice a day and I’ve spent as much on my mouth in the last 10 years as I have on my car.

I’ve had 4 different dentists, in the last few years, all VERY well respected.

I already have 4 crowns at 36 years old and one of my fillings just popped out… again.   Just tonight.

Shit.

I’m one step closer to dentures.

 

True story

Actual conversation at Embassy Suites,  Seattle, WA.,  Friday, June 12, 2009  - 2 children estimated at 7 and 9 years old, while waiting in line at the free happy hour bar.

Child 1: You should ask for it with no ice.

Child 2: Shut up.

Child 1:  No really, ice is a rip off, especially at amusement parks, it doesn’t cost them hardly nothin to make it, like maybe 50 cents a cup.

Child2: No way !

Child 1: Yea, I mean ice is good for its purpose, it keeps it cold and all, but it’s just water, and then they fill it with syrup and MORE water… carbonated water, and its not a good deal for the money.  But it’s free here.

Rick: (smiles inwardly, remembering having this conversation as a child)

Child 2: (shifts attention to woman on 3rd floor of atrium) MOM !!! IS THE DOMINOES HERE YET ?…..So what should I get? (shifting attention back to brother)

Child 1: (while drinking a shirley temple) Get a sprite with lime.  Actually, get a sprite with lime and one with cherry and then we can try both. (child one runs off to wait for smaller child to bring him another drink, despite having a full one)

Child 2 to bartender:  Can I get a sprite with cherry and a sprite with lime?

Bartender:  Double fisting huh?  You must be thirsty… where are your parents?

Woman: TROY!!  YOUR PIZZA IS HERE!!

Bartender: I am sorry but we have a one drink minimum, you have to drink one and come back for the other.

Child 2: But…

Bartender: I am sorry, it’s the rules.  You can have the shirley temple now but will have to come back for the other.  (bartender makes shirley temple)

Woman: TROY GODDAMN IT, YOUR DINNER IS HERE, WHERE IS YOUR BROTHER?!!

Child 1:  TROY!! WHERE IS MY FUCKING SODA!!?

Child 2:  I am working on it, but this lady won’t gimmie it!

Child 1: (runs up to younger child with slice of pizza and makes a grab for the shirley temple)

Child 2: Fuck you, it’s mine

Child 1: Well where is mine?

Child 2: This bitch will only give me one!

Bartender:  You are both cut off, where are your parents?!

Child 1  then decks child 2 with a strong right hook and grabs the soda.  Child 2 begins crying and swings wildly at brother. Child 1 throws slice of pizza at child 2 and misses, hitting bartender right in the chest.

Bartender: Fuck !!! (sighs) SECURITY!

Woman:  GODDAMMIT TROY!!  YOU LITTLE FUCKER, (and grabs both children by the ear and drags them both off together while apologizing to bartender)  THAT’S IT,… NO SUPPER!!

Rick to Bartender:  You OK?

Bartender:  Yeah, Fuck my life.  What can I get you honey?

Rick:  Jack and Coke, make it a double (leaves $10 tip)

Bartender:  Aw Thanks, You wanna piece of pizza? (laughs)

Rick: I can’t wait to have kids…………

 

Change (and smoke) is in the air!

Hello world, 

I hope this update finds you all well.  It has been a good little while since I have visited wordpress and oh my, change is certainly in the air.   I apologize for the length of this post but much has happened in the past 2 months.

This was the view from downtown Santa Barbara May 8th 2009

Where to begin?   Our friends Chip and Amy had their long awaited baby!   The Brass Tax unveiled their new baby at the Howard Street Fair.   The world went temporarily insane as  “The Swine Flu Pandemic” claimed the lives of 100 hispanics and 300,000 pigs in an act of complete stupidity.   I only bring this up because my wife and I were also knocked out of commission for 2 weeks with an unrelated flu.   The 5th season of LOST wrapped up this week with another bang, and I wrapped up another epic season of snowboarding.  

It was a long time goal of mine to take up a snow sport and I am proud to say that I can finally keep up with my wife and our die hard friends.   Winters will never be the same.  Even now in mid May, Robert and I are eyeing Mammoth which still has an incredible base.   One last weekend before the heat wave perhaps?    The mind wanders..and I digress.

May 1st proved to be pivotal date in my life.  In addition to being my 6 year anniversary at Premier Retail Networks, it was also the day that I was extended a job offer at videoegg,  a very savvy ad network in San Francisco.    Making a career change in this economy definitely gave me pause, but ultimately, this was a simple decision and one that I am quite happy with.  After 6 years at PRN, it was time for a change, and I am very excited about immersing myself in a new business. 

ground zero

The following week was quite emotional.  While debating the career change, my parents neighborhood, and much of my home town was going up in smoke during the Jesusita fire (90% contained at the time of this posting).  Many of our friends, as well as my parents were displaced.   My folks were largely unreachable and as a result my phone was ringing off the hook as concerned friends and relatives sought information about their well being.   After 5 days of uncertainty, they were finally let back into their homes.   It was a tough week for everyone.  My parents were rushed out on Tuesday morning without being able to grab most of the keepsakes or even the cat!   We had one eye on the the news all week as sundowner winds spread the fire through the canyons of Santa Barbara in a scene that can only be described as apocalyptic.  It was difficult to watch the news, seeing the neighborhood I used to ride my bike around as a child go up in flames.  Fortunately my parents home was spared.   Four other homes on their block did not fare as well.    Much of the  neighborhood I grew up in has been has been completely destroyed.  Wow.

Anyway, I am glad my friends and family are back in their homes, and definitely do not envy them their stress last week.   I guess living in a setting as beautiful and unique as Santa Barbara comes at a price beyond the expensive real estate.  I suppose when “the big one” hits they will say the same thing about San Francisco. 

That’s all for now.  Oh, and happy birthday Mama Reicker !

 

What happened to all the good cards?

Wha What?!

It seems that lately all the good luck has run out in America.  I remember playing Monopoly as a kid, learning about money, real estate, and utilities. Do you remember Chance and Community Chest?   There was a mixed bag of different cards that both cost you and rewarded you on an equal basis.  You were just as likely to “Advance to GO” as you were to “Go to Jail”.

   Nowadays, it seems all we are drawing are bad cards.  “Pay Parking Fine $30″,  ”Pay Car Repair $200, “Pay Income Tax $2000″, Increased HOAs, Recession, Housing Crash, Stock market Crash!  Where did all the GOOD cards go?  The government is handing out “Get Out of Jail Free” cards to big business left and right, but where is our “Walk on the Boardwalk”?    

Well last night while picking through the mail, we pulled a card from the deck of  “Chance”.   At first glance what I believed to be a collection notice, turned out to be a check from GE corporation for $138! (currently trading at just above historic lows). 

 

 The top of the check form simply read:  “We  overcharged you for your recent refrigerator service” 

I was dumbstruck.  I recall about 10 months ago, that the service seemed pricey at over $200 to replace a defunct heating coil, that resulted in the demise of our ice machine.  I never thought that in this day I would see a huge American corporation willingly refund me money for an error they discovered on their part.   I had forgotten all about this service and would never have been any wiser about this mistake.  So big kudos to you GE.  Thanks for being an honest stand-up company in a time when most people have lost faith.  I’m not getting my hopes up, but maybe there is hope for corporate America yet.

 

The luckiest girl in the world.

The Reicker wipe out

Originally uploaded by Rick Reicker 

 

February 27th we departed the Bay area en route to Lake Tahoe where we met up with our good buddy and snowboard enthusiast Robert Bailey. We rolled in late, cracked a few beers and woke up fresh, ready to hit the slopes at Squaw Valley for SNOWFEST 2009.

It was a terrific day. Pristine conditions, deep snow, not too cold, not too hot, and not too crowded. I worked on getting a bit faster on my edges, Robert worked on getting me down a steep cornice and in between trees, and my wife worked on landing jumps in the terrain park. We all had our share of spills but none so much as Zetta who hit the ground so hard her skis popped off, and as we learned later, her ID and credit card were thrown from pants pockets as well.

Well doesn’t that suck?  We all know what that means, a whole day wasted at the DMV?  Possible Identity theft?   Oh well, shit happens.  We all made our way back down the hill and spent the rest of the afternoon grooving to the beats of the Space Cowboys who brought the Unimog to the plaza for the afternoon.   A thoroughly good time.  Many beers later as we were leaving Squaw village, the luckiest girl in the world (a.k.a. my wife) and I found ourselves walking next to a police officer on the way to our car. Being the smart ass that I am I could not resist making some kind of comment to turn his head. He was a good sport and made a joke back.  My wife then made a crack about having no identity with which to prosecute us.

As it turns out, officer Larry had an ID and credit card in his pocket.   He pulled them out and said, “you ain’t the only one who lost their ID today”.   We all laughed at this random exchange, but as we caught a glance at the cards, we all realized that they WERE ZETTA’s CARDS !    He was on his way to the office to turn them in when our paths crossed and fate intervened. Somebody had found them in the snow on the back side of the mountain and had just turned them in.  What was she, Gandhi in a former life? At the largest ski resort California, what are the odds?

Officer Larry has the goods !

 

The mother of invention

 

6 years of grime !

 

In March of 2006 my wife and I bought our first home.  It was an exciting and scary time and we ended up on the 10th floor of a condo highrise, in the middle of downtown San Francisco, with a sweeping downtown views of the Bay Bridge and Giants Stadium in the distance.  We loved our new home, but what we didn’t know at the time, was that through a series of errors the building was built without the equipment necessary to clean the windows. We were told it would be resolved by the holidays of that year and we waited.  The developer bought some hardware that failed OSHA compliance.   The holidays came and went and nothing happened. We complained, the building replied, and ultimately, nothing happened.  And “nothing” continued to happen for the 3 years that we have lived here.

 Eventually, in 2008, a lawsuit was filed between the HOA and the developer and last I checked there is some settlement being discussed, and allegedly, in a few more months there will be some action.  Same old story. Lots of talk.  NO action. We have tried everything, involving the HOA, professional window washers wouldn’t get involved due to liability, I even tried to hire a rock climber to repel off of the roof and squeegee the windows like the people below us did when they sold their home in 2007.  

For 6 years this argument has raged in the building with no results.  And for 6 years, carbon, exhaust and San Francisco’s finest soot accumulated on our windows to the point that they were so black and obscured, you can barley see the beautiful view that convinced us to buy our home in the first place.   The entire 100+ unit structure took only 2 years to build and in 6 years they couldn’t fix the problem?   Pu-leeaase !!

a little ingenuity, and a can do attitude

Well last night I had enough.  With a little ingenuity, a trip to Discount builders, $50 and some zip ties, I constructed a pressure washer on a telescoping pole that I was able to angle around the balcony on the 10th floor.  We hooked it up to the faucet that feeds our washing machine and blasted the grime off of our windows once and for all.  We rejoiced at the presence of beautiful illumination in our living room, even on a rainy day, not seen since we first purchased our home.  The following video is good for a laugh.  Enjoy the Reicker family pressure washer in action.

 We can see clearly now.  I cannot believe we waited so long to take matters into our own hands. Indeed, as they say, necessity IS, the mother of invention.