File this under “Duh”: AT&T is now the worst carrier, according to Consumer Reports. Seriously, Verizon, I hope you get the iPhone early next year like I’ve heard.
Again, this is pure Win: Baja Racing With a BMW, a Dream and Not Much Else. My hat is off to you, sir. You are crazy, but you are living the dream. Godspeed.
I still feel a little queasy from the exhaust fumes, but it sure was nice to warm Peer Pressure up and drive her into work. I wonder if a hardtop would cut down on the smell.
I did represent the Scout on my Christmas list; at the top was a new gas tank sender and J-hooks, as well as some inexpensive speakers and a Service manual. Come on Santa!
I spent only a short amount of time in front of the TV this weekend, but reading this article made me glad I didn’t see the news: Apparently the Republicans have coerced convinced enough of their representatives that tax cuts for the insanely wealthy are still a good idea. I’m fine with extending them for families making less than $250K, which seems to be the way the rest of America is leaning, but these pricks are hell-bent on making their rich friends richer while we all get poorer. This article makes it sound as if the White House is going to compromise; what I want is for my President to stand up, shame these assholes into submission, and tell them to get bent once and for all. Grow a pair, Obama. Quickly.
Mr. Scout was here on Friday to install our back window and door, but fate and the odd inventory policies of the Lowe’s corporation conspired against us: there were no 32″ steel 15-pane doors in stock to be bought, so we had to settle for the window and a huge sheet of temporary plywood. He stayed overnight with us in order to get a headstart on his weekend, and treated us to some delicious oyster stew as well as some great company.
I took the opportunity of a rare unscheduled weekend to catch up on some sidelined projects. First up was the attic window I’d replaced temporarily, after having pulled a titanic air conditioner out of the top half and clearing out a nest of drowsy wasps weeks ago. I shimmed up the sides, filled the cracks with foam, and sealed it up to keep the heat in the attic where it belongs.
Next up was the underlayment on the side porch, covering square yards of hard Georgia pine that’s destined to be sanded and finished. I’ve talked about the process of pulling ring shank nails before, so I won’t repeat it here; I plugged into my iPod and enjoyed about ten episodes of my favorite history podcast while I methodically hammered and pulled. It’s slow going due to the sheer number of nails around the perimeter of each sheet, but I’m about 80% complete.
As can be expected, there were casualties. I jammed my knuckle on the edge of a nail on Saturday, and it bled continually until I wrapped it in a paper towel. Sunday afternoon I gouged the meaty end of my left middle finger with the crowbar, which bled like a stuck pig until I bound it in painter’s tape and tissues. (Band-aids were out of reach on the second floor, but I’m rocking Cookie Monster on it now). I was somewhat alarmed at the time each cut took to stop bleeding, because usually I close up fast, but I guess the fact that I was still using my hands meant I was continually opening them back up.
I’m really getting excited about this room, though, and as things keep moving, I can see the pieces falling into place. One of the other things we did Saturday was purchase about $250 worth of electrical gear to run recessed lighting, a ceiling fan, and all the switches, plugs and wires for this section of the house.
I had hopes I’d be able to get to other things, like running the Scout, raking some leaves, and cleaning the basement up, but time was not on my side. I’m thankful for the time I got and the progress made, and there will be more to come soon.
“But I….I have a wah-wah pedal!”
All I can say is, I better hear good news on this vote: House tax break vote expected Thursday. I don’t advocate gridlock, and I’m tired of Partisan politics, but this is one of the things I think they need to stand firm on. If they cave on this for some stupid reason, I’m going to have to register as an Independent.