I’m not going to link to any articles concerning this, but I’m curious…
… anyone who visits here want to comment on whether they believe Saddam Hussein is getting a fair trial (or not) and why?
Monthly Archive for September, 2006
Ok, I think I’ve got it.
As I have enough hardwood on its way to floor the living room and kitchen, I’ve decided to remodel the kitchen too. Basically, I’m going to rip out all the floor cabinets (and appliances), lay the new hardwood underneath, then put things back… sorta’.
Really, there will be only 2 big layout changes. I’m going to move the refrigerator from where it is over to the other side. Then I’ll install a pantry closet where the refer. was to give me the cabinet space I’ve been sorely lacking. Here’s a conceptual image.
Next, and this concept image doesn’t really show it, I’m going to reduce the footprint of the "peninsula", and opposite the sink-side, install a breakfast bar that will also serve as a buffet table.
The good news is that I’m not going to have to knock down any walls nor relocate any plumbing. The design still leaves the kitchen a ‘high-traffic area’, as it’s the only way from the main living area to the Cozy and the back bedroom. But it should be more functional and look a helluva lot better.
Moving to the next phase of remodeling, I have ordered about 1200 sq ft of Brazilian Cherry hardwood for the floors. Originally, I wasn’t planning to do any more than just the living room. But that should be enough to do the living room, kitchen and possibly the back bedroom. I need to measure before it gets here.
The issue now is what to do about the kitchen cabinets. Eventually, I’d like to replace them. Do I remove them and floor the entire area, then replace the cabinets, or do I floor around the cabinets, which might mean some repair/filler work on the floors later?
Well… funny. I’ve been thinking about this for weeks now, but when I put it that way, the answer seems obvious. I guess I’ll be ripping out the cabinets. Ugh!
Muslim fury grows at Pope’s speech
Turkish Lawmaker Compares Pope to Hitler
World of Islam condemns pope’s remarks
The Pope Tackles Faith and Terrorism
These all focus on one piece of the speech, where Pope Benedict said, quoting 14th century Byzantine emperor Manuel II Paleologus, "He said, I quote, ‘Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.’"
But go read Pope Benedict’s full speech and see if, taken in context, you think those who are outraged have anything to really be outraged about.
I’m a frequent traveler, and therefore, like many of you, I go through the airport check-in process more often than I eat at Greek restaurants. Over the years, I’ve seen the screening become more and more strict and intrusive.
Today I happened across The Great No-ID Airport Challenge. Go ahead. Read it, then come back. I’ll wait for you.
Did you catch what I did? First, the guy got through security and onto his plane without having any ID. Now, I always thought that the ID-check was to verify that you are who you say you are, and that your name matches that on the ticket. I mean… what else can you gleam from a quick look at someone’s driver’s license?
What I found curious though is that they didn’t ask to see a credit card, a library card, a business card or anything else to prove his identity. They didn’t ask for the phone number of a friend or family member who could confirm he was traveling. Instead, they pulled him to the side and searched/scanned him for explosives residue. Once they found he was safe, they let him pass.
How did the driver’s license become a magic ‘get through security free’ card?
And then I also found IDs and the illusion of security, which talks about it a little more. Do we live now in a "show me your papers society"?
Today I returned from what was my "birthday trip" to Boulder, CO. I had some business there, but it worked out to take a few extra days to visit my best friend, Dina, and her husband, Pat. (the BEST birthday present I could have wished for!)
Saturday afternoon I met Dina in downtown Boulder for lunch, where I had the most awesome grilled cheese (with bacon and tomato). She had the same, but with mushrooms and tomato. Good stuff. Visit the Mountain Sun on Pearl St. if you’re ever out that way. They have good beer too.
After lunch, we walked up and down Pearl and saw some break-dancers and other interesting things.
Just then, Dina’s husband called and sent us on a mission to find some cheap toy prizes for the children’s games at this weekend’s community picnic. So Dina and I had a good time playing around with the various toys at a shop we found on Pearl.
Afterward, we headed up into the mountains to Dina’s house. We piled on lots of layers, then headed out for "movie night". This was so cool. The neighbors tied a white sheet between a couple trees, and with a projector and DVD player, several of us enjoyed an outdoor showing of R.V. with Robin Williams. It’s a cute movie, but was hellaciously funny given that it centered around an RV trip to the Rockies in Colorado… and well… we were in the Rockies in Colorado!
It was a little cold though. And there were few other smokers. I’ve realized after my many trips to CO… you don’t find many smokers a mile-and-a-half above sea level. The air is a bit thin. Smoking doesn’t help the whole "oxygen to the brain"-thing.
Even more ironic, we then retired to a neighbor’s parked RV to have a few more beers and chat.
The next day, Sunday, we slept in, except for Pat who had to get up early to help coordinate the festivities. While Dina worked on making a couscous salad and banana bread, I took a stroll through the neighborhood. On my trek… well… you won’t find this in the mid-west!
So I think it’s pretty-much settled. There are logistics and details to work out, but it’s now officially on my 2-year plan. I’m moving.
First, I added a banner, but if you were not aware, September is National Preparedness Month. Please take a few minutes to follow this link and at least think about how your home, family, community and workplace plan to deal with the unexpected.
If you don’t have a "kit", now is a great time to build one. If you do, now is a great time to update it… replacing batteries in your flashlight and radio, etc. And especially if you have bedrooms on the 2nd floor, this is a great time to have a family fire-drill and practice climbing out the window on that rope/chain ladder you hopefully have stored up there.
It’s also a good time to update your "plan". Has anyone on your emergency contact list moved or changed phone numbers? What about their cell phones? Now that school has started, have you updated the communications plan with the new school’s phone number, or your kids’ teacher’s names? Have YOU moved? Do your friends, family and school have YOUR new emergency contact information?
And finally, once you’ve prepared yourself, your home and your family, ask around at work to see what they’re doing and what plans they have in place. You might just be surprised.
It’s sad to hear, but the Crocodile Hunter is dead… apparently killed by a stingray.
I’m not going to discuss any of the “he deserved it” or “poor Steve Irwin” subjects that are flooding the blogosphere right now. Instead, I’d like to point you to the Stringray Talk Page over at Wikipedia. There you’ll find an interesting, and sometimes absurd, war over whether Irwin’s death warrants mention in the “stringrays” article.
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