Lots to catch up on!
Went on a hike with an old friend and some new ones, randomly ran into someone who used to attend Mom and Dad’s Provo ward. She has very fond memories of both of them, and Mom’s bread 🙂
A couple days later I had a big group over to watch About Time. I had to do some work beforehand to cleanse my place of a fruit fly infestation. Steve I related quite a bit to your tale. For my part, I can heartily endorse the cathartic release that comes from wielding an electric fly zapper racket. Nothing quite like eyeballing a meandering fruit fly, predicting its next moves, then swooping in for the kill. That combined with apple cider vinegar in a container covered in saran wrap with holes poked in it proved pretty effective.
Managed to get 98% of them gone by the time movie night rolled around. Everyone had a great time. Afterwards I realized though that over my career as a video cleaner-upper I evidently started out quite conservative. About Time might need a refresh, some stuff was edited out that was just silly. I think I was mirroring the sentiments of whoever made the original edited DVD. Stuff like, Uncle Desmond saying “Oh hand me the little bugger, let’s see if he bounces!”
Made good progress on that evil puzzle afterwards.
My back deck got all finished up. I’m relieved that the color works out, as now that it’s a composite decking it’s much more expensive to change…
Spotted some lovely cirrus clouds.
I was due to receive Dad for a weekend stay, but got pulled away to a state fair. Dad made his way to my place via public transit while I lollygagged around the fairgrounds.
First time ever riding one of these catapult things, great fun. 
Surprise fireworks show near the end of the evening.
The weekend with dad was awesome. We finished the evil puzzle, watched the premier episode of Foundation, as well as the edited version of The Patriot. Dad enjoyed a Sunday drive in Shadowfax, we had good steak at home and brisket at a neighbor’s house, and Dad helped me replace not one but two of my smaller toilets, as well as a broken doorbell.
My trash barrel is comically small, so I can fit roughly 2/3rds of a toilet at a time. Thus over the last three weeks I’ve been siphoning off parts of the old toilets (ok “toilet” is a weird word to be typing a bunch, just gonna say) until last week the two bowls made their way off.
While Dad was here the landscaper began work on the side yard. It’s been a mud pit ten months out of the year ever since I moved in. I unfortunately don’t have a before pic, but I’m very happy with the result.
I find myself walking back there even when going through the garage would be fastest, just to enjoy the ability to pass through without getting a speck of mud on my shoes.
Also, I found myself missing seeing my landscaper every day. He’s a cool dude. He did agree to come by quarterly to do some maintenance back there, so that’s nice.
The Friday after Dad left, I brought my projector to the Seattle church building to stream the BYU-USU football game. And of course the best play of the game happened while I was in the bathroom. Ah well, we still won, good times were had.
I was chilling in my car in the parking lot after the game, getting ready to drive home, when I got a phone call from a friend in the Seattle ward.
“Hi! What’s up?”
“So, I heard you like cats. I’m in a living situation right now where the landlord doesn’t allow pets. Would you be able to cat sit for a bit while I figure something out?”
“Absolutely! When should we meet up?”
“Well as soon as possible, maybe tomorrow? I’d ask for tonight but I know that’s a long way for you to drive…”
“Heh, well guess what, I’m parked at the Institute building, text me your address and I’ll be right over.”
“You’re a lifesaver.”
So that’s how I got my new roommate, Moroni. He spent the first week and a half quite skittish. Still has is bouts of “Thou shalt not touch the royal person”, but he’s gotten pretty chill, and regularly makes himself known to my coworkers when he strolls across my desk in front of my laptop.
I have to say goodbye to him this Friday, when his owner comes and picks him up after her move.
Exploring the place for the first time. 
Unfortunately I learned too late that he’s a scratcher, and he did a number on my ottoman. I’ll see if I can paper over the damage, but in the meantime I got him a couple of scratch toys that he quite enjoys.
For Conference weekend I decided to try grilling a roast, and it turned out fantastic. Had some friends over to enjoy it too.
Not the best angle, it’s not quite clear that this is over two pounds of goodness. 
Got invited over to a neighbor’s place for Canadian Thanksgiving. Volunteered to make dessert, and tried my hand at spicy raisin bars. Mom assured me that it would be hard to mess up, but I gave it the old college try when I added a tablespoon of baking soda rather than a teaspoon. Luckily I didn’t have to throw out too much, just the flour and salt.
End result: tasty
Afterwards we played a couple rounds of Rummikub, where I acquitted myself well. I also learned about glider planes; one of the hosts made a hobby of it a ways back. I might have to pick up that hobby myself.
He couldn’t figure out how to get the toy off him. 
‘Tis the season of Halloween. Friday was a costume/dance party, and Saturday was a trip to a corn maze. Fall colors on the drive were splendid.
Pizza after the corn maze.
Till next time!
