Of all my web design/Internet marketing clients, redozdachs's San Francisco CPA firm gets the most spam mail and phone calls to the webmaster from firms offering to help them become #1 in Google search results. It's disheartening, because when I've asked the salespeople on the phone how they found us, they mumble and say something about Google.  Yep. Sterck Kulik O'Neill accounting group inc. is currently #1 in Google searches for "San Francisco CPA".  That makes them the #1 target for people trying to sell them Search Engine Optimization services. I just deleted another spam mail from some poor saleswoman offering [...]

One of the people in my church community was shot Friday night. He's in SF General with wounds to his neck and shoulder. He and the others injured "appeared to be innocent bystanders caught up in a gang retaliation shooting," according to SF Gate's interview with a police officer. I am not friends with the victim -- in fact, I don't think we've met. But, I received early email notification of the shooting because I send out the church's electronic newsletter and he is one of us. Then I received a phone call telling me not to email out anything [...]

In reverse MasterCard commercial, but personal importance, order:A two-and-one-half-hour dinner with redozdachs to celebrate his birthday: Priceless. Dinner at Epic Roasthouse: Decidedly equipped with a price.A wonderful evening doesn't need a perfect restaurant! My comments on Epic Roasthouse.

I got up an hour early this morning to meet up with folks from church to prepare breakfast for 90.  The picture is of some of the volunteers on the serving line -- working in the shelter is a tradition for many families, and some of the kids have done it all their lives. For me, making breakfast is such a easy way to help out a bit and feel good. Now I'm preparing for a once-a-year meeting where the Trustees of the William and Alice Hinckley Fund decide who to give $95,000 in grants.  It's the most fun committee meeting [...]

At 6, 6:30, and 7 the national CBS radio news breathlessly talked about the ongoing tragic fires in southeast Australia.  Their announcer talked about the inferno near Melbourne and throughout the province of Victoria. Finally, I couldn't take it any more and called the KCBS news tip line.  Australia has states and territories.  No provinces.  It's the State of Victoria.  The KCBS woman on the phone seemed stunned -- of course, she said. She'd let national know. The 7:30 national news talked about the fires in the State of Victoria. I know news budgets are cut. But, I hope CBS [...]

Last weekend redozdachs and I visited the home of the woman who bred Syntax (our healthy 17 year old) and Audit (who died last month at 16 years. Ellen, the breeder, wanted to see Syntax who is her oldest surviving offspring. Syntax had a big day for an old girl, but maintained her composure in style.  I've posted pictures on Facebook. We hadn't seen Ellen in 12 years.  She'd gotten married and stopped breeding and started playing with grandchildren.  Recently, though, she was given a beautiful dog with great bloodlines (with a connection to Audit).  Ellen's first litter in probably a [...]

... Array would still be Queen. We took her in today to the eye specialist because her right eye has filled with blood.  The eye is permanently blind says the doctor.  We're giving medication to see if the pressure goes down. Otherwise, it'll be surgery, eye removal, and eye patch time. What happened? Who knows?  Maybe a tumor (most likely benign)? Maybe cataract? Maybe a sport injury?  If the meds don't work and we remove the eye we'll know more. Here's hoping for permanent ignorance.

We went to the Golden Gate Kennel Club show at the Cow Palace this morning. Unlike most shows, this one is "benched". The dogs and their people exhibit on benches for the whole day, so the general public can come up and talk to the people and admire the dogs close-up. Seventeen years ago we went to the same show meet breeders, and we met Syntax's breeder Ellen there. Today we watched the judging of the long hair dachshunds in the ring, and then wandered through the three huge halls filled with dogs and canine accoutrement. Fun. We also met [...]