Sunday, February 24, 2008
A Thousand Words
I was watching the national news a few nights ago, and they were running one of their "housing market in the toilet" stories. When I suddenly had to pause the channel and grab my camera.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Well, that was...a non event
We got 3-4 inches of snow at our house today. So, I broke out the snowthrower when I got home from work. I started it up, got to plowing, or throwing...and it took all of 5 minutes to clear the 60 or so feet of driveway from the shelter down to the street, and the sidewalk to the front door. Seriously, about as hard as walking. Wow. If you have a driveway, and you're wondering what to get with your tax refund...you can't live without one of these.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Sump Thing
Today is of course the day when we observe the birthdays of our great leaders by holding a huge mattress sale. Instead of getting in on the fantastic bargains, I decided to start some work on the train layout.
I went into the utility room to start, and when I entered, I could hear the motor from the sump pump running. only it didn't sound right. Plus, it shouldn't just be running like that.
When I went over to the pit where it lives, I removed the cover and was greeted by the sight of a nearly full sump pit. At least it wasn't raining today.
I couldn't figure out what was wrong with the pump, mostly because I have no idea what to look for. I went to the computer and checked the Lowe's website to get an idea of how much this was going to cost. Luckily, the first pump that appeared looked identical to the one that I'd just removed. I checked the part numbers and it was a match. Plus, it was pretty inexpensive - only about $80...I was expecting a few hundred.
I drove over and bought it and returned home. I put it together, installed it in the pit, and plugged it in. About as simple as it could get. It drained the pit in about 20 seconds, and the motor is nice and quiet.
Now, here's the funny part. If I wasn't going in that room to get ready to work on the layout, I never would have known anything was wrong, and probably wouldn't have gone in there until I needed a light bulb or something. The pit would have filled and flooded the basement like it's never been flooded before. The train layout, in a roundabout sense, has saved the house.
So, train layouts are an essential part of home safety. I'm going to see if I can get funding to start an awareness campaign.
I went into the utility room to start, and when I entered, I could hear the motor from the sump pump running. only it didn't sound right. Plus, it shouldn't just be running like that.
When I went over to the pit where it lives, I removed the cover and was greeted by the sight of a nearly full sump pit. At least it wasn't raining today.
I couldn't figure out what was wrong with the pump, mostly because I have no idea what to look for. I went to the computer and checked the Lowe's website to get an idea of how much this was going to cost. Luckily, the first pump that appeared looked identical to the one that I'd just removed. I checked the part numbers and it was a match. Plus, it was pretty inexpensive - only about $80...I was expecting a few hundred.
I drove over and bought it and returned home. I put it together, installed it in the pit, and plugged it in. About as simple as it could get. It drained the pit in about 20 seconds, and the motor is nice and quiet.
Now, here's the funny part. If I wasn't going in that room to get ready to work on the layout, I never would have known anything was wrong, and probably wouldn't have gone in there until I needed a light bulb or something. The pit would have filled and flooded the basement like it's never been flooded before. The train layout, in a roundabout sense, has saved the house.
So, train layouts are an essential part of home safety. I'm going to see if I can get funding to start an awareness campaign.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
The Best Laid Plans
Remember that deorbiting spy satellite I mentioned? It must hate freedom...W has decided that the Pentagon needs to launch a missile at it. Which will create a cloud of orbiting pieces of ex satellite.
This is s step that has never been taken before.
Never mind that our country got all high and mighty and scolded China about being irresponsible when they did the same thing to destroy one of theirs last year...and this couldn't possibly be a show of force after Iran launched a satellite earlier this month.
Either that, or it has a decent chance of hitting a populated area. But I'm sorry, with W involved the first thing to question is his motivation.
This is s step that has never been taken before.
Never mind that our country got all high and mighty and scolded China about being irresponsible when they did the same thing to destroy one of theirs last year...and this couldn't possibly be a show of force after Iran launched a satellite earlier this month.
Either that, or it has a decent chance of hitting a populated area. But I'm sorry, with W involved the first thing to question is his motivation.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Snow day
I had scheduled today off work a couple weeks back. Perfect timing so I could avoid the snowy rush hour drive today.
Plus...I'd get to try out the snowblower!
So I stepped outside this morning to start it for the first time. I get it (and my hands and winter coat) gassed up and pull the starter cord. It comes to life right away. Nice.
The snow auger that chews into the snow has a clutch handle like a lawn mower blade..so I pull the handle, and the auger starts spinning. I release the handle to stop it...and the auger keeps spinning. Hmmm. I jiggle the handle's control cable, and still no change. I shut it off, and start messing with the cable, which was attached but was pretty loose. After about 30 minutes of adjusting and re-adjusting, I have it taut enough so that the handle stops the fun when I want it to.
I go inside for a fresh coffee, come back out, and...it's raining. Lovely.
Plus...I'd get to try out the snowblower!
So I stepped outside this morning to start it for the first time. I get it (and my hands and winter coat) gassed up and pull the starter cord. It comes to life right away. Nice.
The snow auger that chews into the snow has a clutch handle like a lawn mower blade..so I pull the handle, and the auger starts spinning. I release the handle to stop it...and the auger keeps spinning. Hmmm. I jiggle the handle's control cable, and still no change. I shut it off, and start messing with the cable, which was attached but was pretty loose. After about 30 minutes of adjusting and re-adjusting, I have it taut enough so that the handle stops the fun when I want it to.
I go inside for a fresh coffee, come back out, and...it's raining. Lovely.
Friday, February 8, 2008
They should eat more fresh fruit
So, went home from work with the flu yesterday. Today has been spent sleeping, getting up to get more water, and sleeping. Boo.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Numbers
This link takes you to the latest wide-ranging poll number on American's opinions on life, the universe, and W. It also displays the historical responses to the same questions ranging back to 2002 or so, with some going back to the early 1990s. Interesting to see how much some opinions have changed, and those that have largely remained the same.
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