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November 20 Disconnection with RealityHow does it happen? I get so caught up in yuppy unballanced work-life that I know the snow report, when I'm going on vacation, and where my next drink is comming from, but I forget to VOTE!
Oh... I remembered the primaries (barely), but me, the staunch hater of all things Seattle Monorail, I forget to go to the poles on November 8th and put my ballot where my mouth is! Thankfully, the good people of Seattle came to their senses on their own and put down the mismanaged monorail project before it became a financial burden on Seattle tax payers for the next 50 years. But this project will still leave me with a bitter taste in my mouth for a few years to come: After all assets of the monorail project are sold, we will still be paying the insane vehicle tax for an estimated 2 more years to pay off all the debt they incurred without ever breaking ground!
Yah know, it looks like all of the things I cared about worked out on their own: Seattle and King County still have decent leaders at the top. Bars won't be full of cigarette smoke anymore. Gas taxes were not repealed so Seattle can still aford to fix the viaduct before it collapses (which could be any day). Is this a sign that I should just be more self-absorbed? Or did I get out of jail free just this once? October 14 On AttractionAt the age of 26 I think I’ve figured out what combination of factors causes me to be attracted to another person. And I’m not talking about the instant and brief infatuation of seeing the hot one walking by on the sidewalk or the one night stand with too few words exchanged. I’m talking about the *spark* that causes you to be sincerely attracted to (maybe the right words are intrigued by) another. I told Jason about this today, and he looked somewhat incredulously at me, as if I was crazy to try to rationalize such a thing. But I caught myself recently when one such spark flew that I wasn't ready for, and I’ve been pondering it, and I’ve discovered that I’m a very simple creature. I need three things (and possibly in this exact order):
Now you’ve all got to be reading this and thinking, “This garbage is embarrassing!” Dude, I’m right there with yah. But after reflecting on prior experiences for about a week, I’m fairly certain it’s accurate. I might not be able to explain the exact mechanics of steps 1 & 2, but I know when they happen. And realizing what causes you to be attracted is liberating because you’re finally playing a game you understand! A lot of previous encounters start to make sense. You have a framework for understanding future situations. So far I’m stoked. PS - Pray for snow! October 12 ThanksgivingThe beauty of waiting a couple days to blog about a big event is that other people do it for you. :)
October 10 Front LoadingAt work, we like to "front load" as much of the risky work as possible into the beginning of a project schedule... but that has nothing to do with this post.
What I'm saying is that Jason and I went to Lowes Sunday night and bought a front loading washer and dryer pair. And while these have been much talked about items, you just can't purchase them on a whim. As it was, fate interveened Thursday morning when our existing washer started walking around the laundry room with smoke comming out of the back. The actuator (I don't really think that's the right word, but it sounds cool, so I'm going with it) that holds the wash drum in place gave out. As the drum banged around inside the washer's metal housing, the machine started moving about. The undue stress inflicted upon the motor caused the machine to bellow smoke while it took rusty vengenace upon the laundry within. In a moment of great courage I slew the beast... that is I turned it off.
Faced with a growing pile of dirty laundry, we had to do something. When Shane declined our offer of indentured servitude (complete with dungeon accommidations and protection from the INS), something had to give... our wallets. Major appliances are like houses and cars: "you have to think of them as an investment." All that basicly means is that you can spend more than you really should and still feel good about it.
And so the front-loaders arive tomorrow afternoon. I don't think I've ever actualy looked forward to doing laundry, but I must admit I'm pretty psyched. ;) April 17 Simply BrilliantNo, not Guiness! Clocky! http://bicillin.media.mit.edu/clocky/ Were this a real product, my college roommates would most certainly have gotten me one! :) My solution at the time was to set my HUGE stero to play the most obnoxious music ever VERY loud. The alarm was set at 7:30 AM every morning for 2 semesters so that I could make my 8:00 AM calculus class. I was trained so that when the amp "clicked" on, I would be awake. I would roll out of my bed with military precision and hit the power button on the other side of the room before any sound was emitted from the speakers. This scheme worked very well on most mornings. I was always wide awake and filled with adrenaline... ready to start the day if you will. And I finaly understood how those "instant on" reactions could be achieved (like when a sleeping mercenary in a movie pulls a gun on his attacker out of a dead sleep). It all worked really well... except for when I was hung over or way too tired. Then everyone got a very rude awakening. They especialy loved it when I would go on vacation, lock the door to my room, and forget to turn off the alarm... ;) Sorry guys. |
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