| 12/26/05 - Another fun hiking trip with the LV TrailBlazers. Today we went up Fern Creek Canyon in Red Rock Canyon Park. There was about 8 of us in our group. It is always amazing the things you will see and find in the desert. |
| 11/13-18/05 - I took a most excellent vacation with 4 other friends to go kayaking in the Sea of Cortez (or Gulf of California). We all met in San Diego and rented a van and then drove into Mexico. Our first stop was Ensenada and La Bufadora. We then continued south to San Quentin where we spent the night at this rather remote hotel (La Pinta) which was right on the beach (Pacific Ocean Side). The next day we drove 4 more hours south and then cut across to the east to end up in the town of Bahia De Los Angeles. This is were we met our guide Florin who would then take us out for 4 days and 3 nights of ocean kayaking and camping on the nearby islands. The weather was great and kayaking was a true adventure. We saw some really cool things and also did some hiking and snorkeling. The area was totally isolate and we were the only ones in the area for miles around. Just being in Mexico was also an adventure in itself. I had a really great time and I think everyone else did as well. I felt Florin was also a very good and qualified guide. He provided all the equipment and prepared all the meals (good meals too). For $950, the trip included two nights in a hotel (first night when we arrived in Bahia and last night when we returned to land) plus 4 days and 3 nights of kayaking/camping/hiking/snorkeling adventure with all the gear and all the food. I would recommend this outfitter - Miramar Adventrues |
| 10/22/05 - The Trailblazers took me to the Bowl of Fire. Unlike Valley of Fire, this is a different but similar spot of red sandstone rock formations out near the Lake Mead reservoir. There were 15 in our group. From the road you have to walk in about 1 mile on no particular trail to get to the red sandstone rock area. From their we split into a few separate groups and went exploring for a few hours and then met back at the cars to head home. It was a nice day, and I believe a fun day for all who attended. |
| 10/16/05 - I saw the George Carlin show at the Stardust hotel and casino. I was looking forward to it but was a bit disappointed overall by the show. The beginning was good and funny as was the end. But the middle had this very long and angry and insulting rant by George. While the message was true overall, it just wasn't funny and I had come to see comedy and not a political and demoralizing rant on how all Americans are some combination of stupid, fat, brainwashed, selfish, arrogant, ... |
| 10/15/05 - This BLOG entry is here to rant about the rather unpleasant and dissatisfying dealings I have had to endure regarding the CPA firm Chavez & Koch. I followed my long term accountant, Tom, to this firm when he took a position with Chavez & Koch in early 2005. Tom had always done right by me but I never could have imagined how underhanded and dishonorable this company would be in my opinion. I had just moved to Las Vegas in April of 2005, so I knew I would be late to file my tax return. After submitting my papers to Tom on June 6 (after the majority of the tax rush was now past), Tom had completed my return and sent it to review on 6/20. At my initial consultation, Tom estimated the cost for this years (more complex than usual) tax prep to be in the neighborhood of $800-$1000. He also told me I could expect a combined tax refund (Fed+State) of just over $2000. All was good until I learned that shortly there after Tom was terminated by Chaves & Koch. It then took Chavez & Koch over 2 months to put in an additional 5.75 hours of work in reviewing and revising my tax return. The net result of this was a reduced refund to the neighborhood of <$1000 and new fee of over $2000. As a result I denied acceptance of this work and my return and after having left a $500 deposit I walk out with my personal papers, leaving my tax return with Chavez & Koch and refusing to pay their outrageous fee. I then had to have my tax return re-prepared (for additional fees). Tom assisted with this and I did finally receive my $2000+ refund. I later received calls from Chavez & Koch stating that I was required to pay for their services even though I refused to receive the tax return. I tried to explain to them what had happened and that I was not advised at the time of my refusal that I would still be responsible to pay. They apparently could care less about that and simply forwarded their claim to a collection agency. While I had the option to fight, I did sign a rather disturbing contract (which was for their records, not mine). In an effort to cut my losses and sever all current and future deals with this company, I paid their claim. However, it is the intent of this BLOG entry to advise anyone considering entering into any business with Chavez & Koch to be very careful as it is my opinion that this company does not have the best interest of its clients in mind but rather to simply cover its own ass, collect your $$$, and only perform the minimal work as to avoid any future consequences. This company is clearly, in my opinion, more of a law firm then an accounting firm. |
| 10/02/05 - I spent much of today going through my large and historic collection of my photo prints (in the days before digital). My collection covers roughly 1983-2002 which is when I got my first digital camera. Other photos are from my parents collection which date back to the 1950's till about 1980. I also scanned many of these photos for the upcoming updates to my web-page so check back often to see what's new. I also watched an interesting show on the Discovery channel about Super-Volcano eruptions that are possible in the Yellowstone area. Such an event has occurred 3 times in the past 2 million years with the last one occurring 650 years ago. This type of eruption could kill 80% of our country especially considering how ill prepared we are for even relatively minor disasters (take the recent hurricanes). It gave me something to think about in terms of how I live my life today, tomorrow, and in the future. What can we as individuals do to be better prepared for whatever events (natural or otherwise) that could happen? If you consider relying/depending the government to save or even be able to help you in the event of major disaster, then you are ill prepared to survive! |
| 10/01/05 - I went on a hike today with the Trailblazers. We went up to Mt. Charleston area with the intent to hike to the top of Mummy Mt. at 11,542 ft. (the second highest peak in the southern Nevada range) This hike is rated as moderate (3 on a scale of 1-5) but to the casual day hiker you could call it difficult! From the trail head, this hike is about 7 miles round-trip up and back. The grade is steady and moderately steep up to the last 1/4 - 1/2 mile where it becomes really steep with serious rock-scrambling. There were 10 that started out in our group, 2 dropped out early, one stopped at the saddle (2 mile point), myself and 2 others made it to the horses-trough before turning back and 4 others attempted the summit. It was a beautiful day and the Aspens were changing colors. We met at a parking lot at 9am and got back to the parking lot at 3pm (6 hr.) |
| 09/30/05 - I did some computer work today as part of my PC-Lee business. To find out how Lee can help you with your computer problems please check out PC-Lee |
| 09/29/05 - I put the car back together today. It runs .. Yaaayyy. I just hope I don't have any more oil leaks for a while. I also went back to Lone Mountain to take some more (better) pictures for my slideshow. |
| 09/28/05 - Today I'm going to go back to working on the car. Trying to finish up replacing the oil pan gasket. I'd like to say that fixing my own car gives me great joy and pisses me off to know end. I would like to have car designers work on the cars they design to how retarded they are in some of their designs. |
| 09/27/05 - Went on a hike up Lone Mountain today with the Trailblazers. It was a night hike with 8 people. We went rock scrambled up the side of the mountain and then hiked down the ridge in the dark. There were great views of the city and for such a close and short hike I think I'll be doing this one again even on my own. |
| 09/26/05 - I actually got some work for my PC-Lee business today thanks to my real-estate agent. |
| 09/24/05 - Went hiking with the Trailblazers today to Fletcher Canyon up at Mt. Charleston. It was a great day and a great hike with 17 people on the hike. I even managed to get a few good pictures out of it. |