Friday, November 30, 2007

More Immigration Wisdom from Theodore Roosevelt


WTF, por favor, originally uploaded by CraftyGuy.

I had been poking around on Sitemeter, which keeps track of the number of visits to my blog page, and I discovered something a little unexpected. The most often visited blog entry was one I posted just over a year ago (one year and one day, to be exact), quoting Teddy Roosevelt regarding his views on American immigration.

I (finally) decided to look this up on snopes.com to confirm that this really was one of his quotes, and was delighted to discover that it is indeed true. While poking around on snopes.com, I also came across a whole batch of quotes from Mr. Roosevelt on the subject of immigration, and while I will spare you an outright cut-and-paste of the whole thing (which is a really great read, by the way), I will most happily share a couple of the highlights.

This is from a letter written in 1919:

In the first place we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here does in good faith become an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with every one else ... But this predicated upon the man's becoming in very fact an American and nothing but an American.

and from a 1918 speech:

This is a nation - not a polyglot boarding house. There is not room in the country for any 50-50 American, nor can there be but one loyalty - to the Stars and Stripes.

He puts it so well. To those who desire to come to this country to make a better life for yourself and your family I would say: if you want to work hard, learn the language, and abide by the rules that are in place - indeed to become an American and not just live in America, then you should - and shall - be welcomed with open arms. If you want to just come here and sponge off the system at the expense of hardworking, tax-paying citizens; if you do not desire to adopt the language and abide by the laws of this country; if you desire to be here physically, but leave your loyalties elsewhere, then don't let the door hit you on the ass on your way out.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Her Royal Meowjesty


100_5915, originally uploaded by CraftyGuy.

This is Angel, better known as "Her Royal Meowjesty". She is two years old - a full grown cat on the outside, but still all kitten. She's very lovable and cute, and definitely makes her demands known to all. She thinks she runs the place. No, she knows she runs the place.

It's true what they say, cats don't have owners, they have staff.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Organ Hero?

My oldest son, MJ, is big-time into the video game Guitar Hero. From what I understand, the object of this game is to play the guitar part various rock tunes as they are displayed on the screen, using this guitar-shaped controller with colored buttons instead of strings. The more accurate you are, the better you score. Rather much like Dance Dance Revolution, except for your fingers.

Last night, I was made privy to (thanks to a discussion on the Utata group on Flickr), a really cool YouTube video of what would appear to be a graphical representation of the classical (and classic) Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by J. S. Bach. It sounded cool and looked even better. My first thought is that it was kinda reminiscent of a round of Guitar Hero.



What do you think? Is the world ready for Organ Hero?

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Yo Ho Ho and a Pint of Rum Raisin

I have not met an ice cream I didn't like (except for maybe Chubby Hubby - pretzels and ice cream? ahhh, no). And I have no problem polishing off a pint in a single sitting. It's just one of those guilty pleasures, of which I probably have too many - guilty pleasures that is, not ice cream; you can never have too much ice cream!

Monday, November 26, 2007

A Plaid Day


Red Plaid, originally uploaded by CraftyGuy.

Today has been a plaid day. If you've been there, you know exactly what I'm talking about. If you haven't, I couldn't even begin to explain it!

Busy, but bored senseless just the same. Productive, yet somehow I don't feel I've gotten anything accomplished. The mind goes in twenty different directions all at once, but not a damn souvenir to be had from all that travel.

I've been randomly reading other people's blogs for some sort of inspiration for tonight's entry, but nada.

Plaid belongs on fabrics, especially flannel - I love flannel - but it's not a good look for days to wear, Mondays in particular. Plaid makes Monday's ass look too big (and Mondays are a rather big bad ass day to begin with).

I warned ya I could get random at times. Especially on plaid days.

I think I know what I'm gonna wear tomorrow...

Sunday, November 25, 2007

I've Been Tagged!

I've been tagged! As part of an ongoing net-game known as blog-tag. The lucky "tagee" gets to post some fascinating stuff about himself/herself, and then pass it along.

I was fortunate enough to be tagged by TracyTea of A Map of My Life, So Far.


Here are the rules:

1. Write your meme, then link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog. So people can know whether to thank you , or curse you.

2. Share 7 random and/or weird things about yourself. You know the weird random stuff, that you think could make for a interesting blog post, but you were shy to tell about.

3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.

4. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog. Do this step wisely. You know who is game to play and who isn't.


7 Random/Weird things about me:

1. I love puns, as well as other amusing (and/or annoying) abuses of the English language stemming from poor grammar, phrasing, or punctuation. As such, one of my favorite books is
"Eats Shoots and Leaves" by Lynne Truss.

2. I have been crocheting off and on since I was about 9 or 10 - mostly self-taught, but got assistance from Mom whenever it was needed.

3. I used to know every lyric to every Weird Al Yankovic song (but that was a number of years ago).

4. I love musical theatre! There, I said it, and I'm glad I said it!

5. I actually don't mind putting on a few pounds over the holidays. Truth be told, I prefer to put on some extra winter weight.

6. I am often rabidly conservative in my political views, which will sometimes collide with occasional bouts of idealism.

7. I don't believe in political correctness. It's all a bunch of evil Orwellian hogwash created by those people whose mommies didn't teach them how to put on a thicker skin (people will, due to human nature, unintentionally - and sadly sometimes intentionally - say things that might offend -- GET OVER IT and get your panties untwisted!)


And now, my "Tag-ees":

1. Carol of Carol's Little World

2. Rainy Pete of Rainy Pete's Unbalanced World

3. Patti C (that's Mrs. CraftyGuy to you!) and her Yahoo!360 blog page

4. Chrystie69 of Illegitimus Non Carborundum

I regret I only had 4 bloggers that I felt comfortable enough to tag (boo!), but I reserve the right to spring this on three other unsuspecting "victims" at some future point. :-)

Saturday, November 24, 2007

They Wrote 'Em in the Good Ol' Days


Woolworths Door, originally uploaded by CraftyGuy.

Patti and I just got done watching "White Christmas" on television. Why can't they make movies like that anymore?

A simpler time, when movies told a story and entertained you with true talent - unlike the mindset of today where movies must either gross you out or ram some sort of misguided person's sense of "social consciousness" down your throat. Not that social consciousness is a bad thing necessarily, but it depends on whose version it is, plus I don't go to the movies to get preached at (so shut the hell up and crawl back under your rock, Michael Moore!)

Anyway, I digress. It's a darn shame that the world couldn't be as simple and innocent as it once was.

There was something to be said for the ol' Woolworth's lunch counter. I remember them as a kid growing up in the 70s. They were on their way out at the time, but at least they stayed around just long enough to give us "young'uns" a glimpse to an earlier, less complicated time.

I could really go for a chocolate malt now...

Friday, November 23, 2007

Friday Frivolity #8 - Party Down in Mianus

...Mianus, Connecticut, that is...

After a extended hiatus, Friday Frivolity is back, with all its pre-adolescent charm, compliments of the MTV show "Jackass" and YouTube.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Thankful Thoughts


Utensils Ready, originally uploaded by CraftyGuy.

It's getting late, and I'm still groggy from the food coma - this papa bear is ready to hibernate for a while - so I will keep this brief. I thought I would share a few thankful thoughts.

- Even though I hate my job, I'm thankful that I have one.

- Even though it seems the bills pile up faster than I can pay them, I'm thankful that there is house to pay for, as well as oil to heat it.

- Even though the public school system has more shortcomings than I can enumerate, I'm thankful for the opportunities for education that my kids have.

- Even though hearing about all the liberal swill on the television and radio raises my blood pressure and gives me an ulcer, I'm thankful to live in a country where they are free to voice their viewpoint, as I am as well, and thankful for those willing to fight (and those who have before us) to make that possible.

- And even though I haven't a clue what even the next day brings, I'm especially thankful for a loving God who does know, and who wants only the best for us, and who will take care of us.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

What to Do With Uncooperative Piecrust

I was try to blind-bake this crust for a chocolate mousse pie, but the naught pastry decided to fold on one side during baking.

No worries, though. Brush a little melted butter on it, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, and back into the over for about 10 minutes or so - and voila! Breaking off the occasional piece to munch on is not a bad thing...

Also good is having extra pie crusts to bake as a back-up. :-)

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Holiday Prep


Holiday Prep, originally uploaded by CraftyGuy.

The prepwork for the big T-Day has begun. In the pot, pork sausage is cooking along with some extra marjoram and caraway seeds. Here are the onions, celery, apples, sage and bread cubes that will be joining it, along with a little chicken stock to make a killer stuffing/dressing. A little quality time in the oven today, a day or so in the fridge and a reheat on Thursday, and this will be all set.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Sleep Shopping

I was at Hannaford (supermarket chain if you're not familiar with the name) this evening, I saw this 30-something woman shopping in her pajama bottoms. What the heck is up with that? Was she shopping in her sleep or something?

Yeah - I know one of the current fads among the teens now is to be traipsing about in pajama bottoms. But why? And why particularly is a 30-something woman doing this? Far be it from me to condone actually giving a crap about what other people think (anyone who's been reading my blog for any length of time knows that I don't give a rat's ass about what other people think - actually my preference is to try to raise an eyebrow or three), but that looks downright lazy.

Then again, there is probably a certain amount of comfort and convenience in that manner of dress as well, I suppose. I wonder if I could get away with shopping in my sleep attire...

On second thought, the image of a hairy, teddy-bear-shaped guy in his boxers, scoping out the fresh produce likely wouldn't do much for business, would it?

I didn't think so...

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Choices Made and New Paths?

During a conversation with some friends last week, it came up how much I dislike my job (in this particular context, when I say "dislike", I mean "hate with the burning intensity of a thousand suns"). More than my job, it's actually the whole stinking computer, high-tech industry that I can't stand. I want out in the worst possible way.

I majored in computer science, but could have - or, sometimes I wonder, should have - majored in art/photography, music, or culinary arts. But I opted for what would pay better, instead of what I was really passionate about.

Now here I am, 40 years old in a career I despise, and even with the larger income (compared to if I had taken one of the other paths), I'm often at a loss over how the bills are to be paid. There are some days (not all mind you, but enough for me to take notice) that I feel utterly "trapped".

Before you say "just quit and get a different job", it's not as simple as that. Taking a sizable pay cut to take a more "creative" job elsewhere is simply not acceptable (bills, remember?). And as much as I'd love to go back to school and "start over", who's going to pay for that? I'm still paying off my student loans from the first time around.

What I'd really love to do is to buy a couple of adjoining storefronts and open up a cafe/coffee-shop on one side, and an art gallery on the other - a place where local craftspeople and artists can showcase their work. I want to somehow get good enough with my photography that someone would actually consider buying my work - I'm not into sitting around taking pictures of screaming brats (God bless those with enough patience for that!), but want to get into "fine art" photography.

I did decide today, though, that even if I couldn't go back to school and major in "what I maybe should have in the first place", there are still things that can be done. For instance, today at the library I checked out some books which I will be working on absorbing over the next few weeks. The first of which is "The Ultimate Field Guide to Photography". So far it's a really good, informative read, and I can work on picking up some of the basics that I have woefully been missing. There's no substitute for experience, of course, but this is a start, and the experience will come over time.

So my free time (what of it there is) in the near term will be filled with reading about photography, possibly crocheting one more afghan before the year is out, perhaps making a cheesecake or three, and - not to be forgotten - catching the occasional Patriots' game on TV.

At least someone is annihilating the Bills...

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Wheel of Blogger!

Since I haven't a clue what the blog about tonight, I am playing a game that just popped into my head, named "Wheel of Blogger". The NoBloPoMo website has a feature called the Randomiser which will drop you very neatly at the blog site of a random participant. Come with me as we visit a few random blogs and I will share the first thing that pops into my head (and perhaps drop an extra link for blog sites that may or may not otherwise have gotten that extra link).

1. LilyPotterKnits - A discussion on the huge number of knitted project this blogger has completed (6,284 neck warmers). I should be so lucky to be so prolific! I might get a few afghans made over the course of a year. I would love to be able to make a huge pile of stuff to sell at craft fairs and such.

2. JunkMonkie - Awwwww. What a cute baby. Do I want any more kids? No thank you - three is enough...

3. According to Heather - An A-to-Z list of drive-through services; how cool is that?

4. Unabashedly Me - Apparently loves mango smoothies.

5. Mama-Om - Having read only the title of that particular blog entry, new words to that old "Barney" song popped into my head... Do your boobs hang low, do they wobble to-and-fro? Can you tie them in a knot, can you tie them in a bow? Can you throw them o'er your shoulder like a Continental soldier? Do you boobs hang low?

6. ...On Being a Sports Girl - A New England sports fan. I may considering reading this on a regular basis.

7. Can't comment on this one - it's not even in English. Not a complaint per se, but am definitely wishing my browser would just recognize and translate these as they may very well make for fascinating reading...

8. Pink Lesbian *whats*? Not only am I not linking that one, I think I'm done with playing "Wheel of Blogger" for tonight. Plus I've really got to get that Barney song out of my head...

Earworms with low-hanging boobs? Yikes!!!

Friday, November 16, 2007

I am SO gonna regret this!


I am SO gonna regret this!, originally uploaded by CraftyGuy.

I saw these in the vending machine at work today, and just couldn't resist the temptation.

Holy crap, are these things hot! Just one of 'em, and I started sweating profusely.... combine that with that whole potato chip "you can't eat just one" thing, and was I in for it!

I managed to get through the whole bag, except 3 or 4 of these bad boys. What remained of my sinuses were plenty clear!

[NaBloPoMo Day 16 - over halfway there!]

Thursday, November 15, 2007

The Forgotten Holiday?

When the heck did we start going from Halloween straight to Christmas? It's only mid-November - still one week before Thanksgiving for cryin' out loud! Any chance of actually keeping each holiday separate and distinct?

I have already seen one more Christmas special, heard too many Christmas songs, and seen waaaay too many Christmas trees than what should really be necessary until at least the last weekend of November.

Before y'all start calling me a Grinch (who's wicked cool, btw), let me just say - I love Christmas, really I do. But is it really too much to ask that - before we start diving right into the 'gimme gimme' mindset that is so disgustingly prevalent these days, and especially this time of year - we not lose sight of the holiday in which we ought to be grateful for what we already have?

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Sick Day

I ended up calling in sick today. Nothing serious, but I was definitely feeling run-down and had a bit of a headache this morning.

The problem with sick days is that I tend to go stir crazy fairly easily... as much as I dislike my job, I can't stand being cooped up doing nothing. Could I have been blogging during the day? Of course, but it's something I can't do unless the "mood" strikes, if that makes any sense to you. Outside of watching the Food Network most of the day (oh yeah!), and logging into work a couple of times to check e-mail (what the heck kind of masochist am I?), it was a froggin' boring day.

It's now almost 11pm and I'm still feeling really tired, but at least the headache's gone. And I will likely be at work tomorrow, probably pissing and moaning about how I'd rather be at home...

Go figure.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Swim At Your Own Risk


Swim At Your Own Risk, originally uploaded by CraftyGuy.

I don't know about the swimming part, but I do feel in over my head tonight. What was I thinking? A blog entry a day for an entire month! Me? I prefer one or two word answers instead of a 10 minute treatise on the weather. Why expend 200 words when a mere grunt will suffice?

This whole NaBloPoMo thing will stretch me for sure, and by the time the month's over maybe I'll be somewhat more proficient at expressing myself in written form (don't hold your breath for that!).

But for tonight, this is all you're getting. I'm tired, my head is in a fog, I've had my flu shot today (my arm is sore and I'm cranky), and I'm feeling altogether uninspired.

Good night.

Monday, November 12, 2007

What a Life


100_5915, originally uploaded by CraftyGuy.

I don't know what it is about Mondays, but they suck. The only good thing about Mondays is that it keeps Tuesdays from being the sucky day.

I think cats have the right idea. It can be Monday, or Tuesday, or even Saturday, and it's all the same to them. Eat, sleep, clean, sleep, eat, purr, demand attention, eat, sleep, repeat.

What a life.

Angel ("Her Royal Meowjesty") can find comfort and contentment just about anywhere, in nearly any situation. I think there's a lesson to be learned in there somewhere, but I think I'll wait until Tuesday to figure it out.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

The Next Iron Chef

I like cooking shows. No, I take that back. I love cooking shows. I don't know if it just about the creativity, or the vicarious viewing of the "road not taken", or just because I love eating - but I am a major cooking-show junkie. I could watch the Food Network 24/7. Throw in a bit of "Hell's Kitchen" and "Kitchen Nightmares" (yes, I find the swearing, temperamental Scottish chef rather entertaining).

I just watched the finale of "The Next Iron Chef", and was delighted (though not at all surprised) that Michael Symon won the competition. While chef John Besh certainly is talented and creative as well, I don't feel he could be as consistently innovative as chef Symon.

Now that "The Next Iron Chef" is over, I'm watching a re-run of a special episode of "Iron Chef" that pits Giada Delaurentis against Rachael Ray (I've nicknamed this episode the "Battle of the Babes").

Now we're cooking!

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Shameless Plug from a Proud Uncle

I don't go out to see movies very often (mainly because they're so froggin' expensive), and I am not a big fan of thriller-type movies, but a couple that I would love to see (if they come to a theatre rather than straight to DVD) are a couple of indie flicks: Fog Warning and Person of Interest.

Now why, pray tell, would I want to see these? For no other reason than that my nephew, Cuyle Carvin, is in them. Yup - the youngest son of my #3 brother (I have five), William (a.k.a. "Pee Wee" - a topic for another day), is a fairly new actor - hasn't made it "big" yet (or whatever his aspiration may be) - and has made a few appearances in a soap or three (can we say "party-goer #7"?). Yup - he's now in a couple of movies. From what I hear tell, he also played a publisher in the pilot episode of "Cashmere Mafia" (which if/when it airs, will be a boon to you fans of the magically-delicious Lucy Liu), and has played a bartender in an episode of "Rescue Me" (I have never watched that show, but I hear it's rather popular) - I believe it was an episode from the 2006 season called "Discovery".

You could say I'm more than a bit proud of Cuyle...

Friday, November 09, 2007

It's Done!!

Holy frog - I actually finished the 365days self-portrait project!!

For photo #365 I went back to where it all started - in my office during my lunch break.

365 days ago (ok, 368 days ago, but close enough), I joined the 365days group and began this project in order to work on improving and being more creative with my photography, and to stop being so bloomin' shy about being in front of the camera.

Much to the chagrin and disgust to many of you I'm sure, I'm not all that camera shy anymore (as you can tell from my photos). Whether or not my photography has improved any, or whether it's showing a higher level of creativity - it's hard to say - that is likely in the eye of the beholder.

At any rate, despite a few too many days of "oh crap, it's late at night and I don't have a photo - so I'll just point and shoot and post whatever", it has been a blast. I have enjoyed this project immensely, and have enjoyed seeing all of your work as well.

Will I do this again? Absolutely - but after the holidays so I can take a breather. You can look for (or be warned, and run away from) my "365 Days 2.0" set, starting on January 1, 2008.

Cheers!

Thursday, November 08, 2007

Almost Done


Day 364: 2007 11 08 - My Wenis, originally uploaded by CraftyGuy.

For the past 364 days, I have been participating in a "take a photo of yourself everyday for a year" project on Flickr, called "365 Days" (how original).

Anyhow, I am almost done, and I've been getting more comfortable in front of the camera as a result.

...maybe TOO comfortable perhaps...?

I figured since I am nearly done, I would get really, really daring.

That's right - I exposed my wenis on the Internet for all to see!

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

So Much For The Yardwork


Backyard Sepia #2, originally uploaded by CraftyGuy.

It's Fall, it's freaking cold out, and I'm not happy about it! I never did get the shed put up, since the sand and gravel to level out the ground, plus the plywood for the flooring will amount to some serious bucks - so that project was back-burnered until next year. Which of course means that the garage remains the interim storage shed for the winter, and the blazer will remain in the driveway.

Still haven't gotten around to the raking yet... maybe this weekend if the weather holds up...

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

On a Roll


On a Roll, originally uploaded by CraftyGuy.

Just when I thought I was on a roll with this NaBloPoMo daily blogging thing, I draw a blank.

Actually I did have something earlier, had a photo and a suitably smart-ass comment, and even had it posted - but I thought better of it about an hour of so later, and deleted it. No, I did not succumb to a sudden fit of political-correctness (I assure you, it will be a very cold day in Hell before I give in to that Orwellian bullshit!). No, this was a case of really bad timing on my part. I could have easily and justifiably posted it a couple of months from now (and I still might when the time comes), but doing so now would not be the wisest thing.

So I was left with nothing to blather about for today - but wait! I also have my art photography blog that was due for a new posting. So now, there is a fresh entry there, and a shameless plug here.

Not bad for not having anything to say...

Monday, November 05, 2007

Keyed-Up


Keyed Up, originally uploaded by CraftyGuy.

Happy(?) Monday!

Mondays are hard enough as it is, but why do I need to endure three meetings on a Monday, the first of which was at 9am? I'm sorry, I'm not sufficiently caffeinated by then, you'll just have to wait - or you can just hold the meeting at your own peril. Yes I'm already keyed-up today.

But somehow the 4-5pm meeting was the most annoying. Why? Because I have a ride to/from work on Mondays, and I usually need to leave by 4:30. Other days, I have to leave by 4, because I have a life (rather, I want to ensure that Patti and the kids are able to get to whatever evening things that might be scheduled). Fortunately the person I was riding with today had no problems occupying himself for the extra 30 minutes or so while I sat through my little fun-fest.

Oh, and those 4pm meetings won't be happening anymore (or at least shouldn't be). I scheduled in a "dummy" appointment in Outlook from 4-5pm everyday so that any automatic scheduling (that looks for when you're free, and then robs you of that free time slot) will see that I'm "busy".

I wonder if I could get away with blocking out the 9am time slot as well... Probably not. Ah well - just keep the coffee coming...

Sunday, November 04, 2007

Fall is Here (big whoop)

I was trying to remain in denial as long as I could, but this whole "falling back" of the clock has nailed the coffin for me - fall is here.

Don't get me wrong - I actually like fall (mostly). I like the changing colors of the leaves, the smell and the sound of those leaves on the ground, also the warm cider and donuts that are widely available this time of year. What I dislike - no hate - is the cold weather (and getting colder). I prefer the warmer, if not hot, days of summer, where the layers of clothing are fewer and lighter - as opposed to the feeling of being strangled and suffocated under a dozen layers of heavy fabric (though flannel and crocheted afghans are a nice consolation). Also despised are the shorter, darker days. The decreasing sunlight is just downright depressing.

This is the time of year that my four-month-long funk starts in, and I just want to hibernate like a brown bear until spring - just be sure to wake me up for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's and Bethanie's birthday (late January). Okay, also for the NFL playoffs and the Super Bowl.

At least the kids are old enough to shovel snow - my back just can't take it anymore...

Saturday, November 03, 2007

Feeling Flushed

Just when you thought I might miss a day... here I am!

It has been a long, busy day. First, I (finally!) got around to getting all of air-conditioners out of the windows and back into the garage for the winter. That was the easy job, potential for hernias notwithstanding. Next was the real challenge: replacing a toilet seat in the second-floor bathroom. Now, on the surface that doesn't seem like a big deal - and normally it wouldn't be - but this was a really old seat being replaced. These days, the hinges and bolts and such are all made from plastic of some sort, but these were made of metal (yes, that old). Now, metal bolts and hinges on a toilet seat - especially one that has been there for who-knows-how-many decades - tend to not want to be removed from where its been most happily installed for oh-so long. I ended up having to take a hacksaw to the bolts to convince it that it must go. It takes a goodly amount of time to hacksaw through two 3/8" metal bolts. Let me tell you, after being bent over a toilet for a long time (and not for reasons more familiar to me from college), inhaling metal dust being spat forth from my frantic sawing, I've pretty much called it a day after that!

But we do now have a brand-spanking-new toilet seat in place - complete with nice, white (for now), plastic hardware (which thankfully isn't as hard as its predecessor).

I think that should be enough potty-talk for one day.

Friday, November 02, 2007

Good as New


Good as New, originally uploaded by CraftyGuy.

Day 2 of NaBloPoMo and I'm still with it (woohoo!)

This is as good a time as any to get you caught up with the whole accident situation from a month ago.

Well, it turns out that the Blazer wasn't totaled after all (good news), and the body shop was able to fix it up as good as new - and maybe even a bit better in many ways from when we had it before - and we had to pay only $7 of the whole expense (even better news)! Why $7? Turns out that the repair job came to $7 more than than estimated insurance payment, and it was just easier to pay that little bit out-of-pocket instead of running it through the whole process.

We ended up having to fork out around $900 for the rental vehicle for the 28 days that we had it while waiting for the Blazer to get fixed. No, we did not have rental coverage (in hindsight, we should have, even if we couldn't afford the extra cost for the insurance - that extra $5/mo might as well be $50).

But when all is said and done, things are returning to some sense of normality, for whatever that's worth...

Thursday, November 01, 2007

NaBloPoMo ProMo

November is National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo), the object of which is to post a blog entry every day for the entire month. As one who has been more than a little lax with the posts lately, this could be the impetus I need to get my butt back in motion. Going from posting once or twice a month to every day for a month - I'd better be careful that I don't injure myself!

Here is my shameless plug for my NaBloPoMo profile page:




I look at it this way - if I can take a self-portrait once a day, every day, for 365 days (ok, so it will take me 368 days to finish - close enough - I'm already done with the first 356 days!), then a blog entry a day for one month shouldn't be hard, right? (famous last words...)