Randomness and Rants
Apr. 15th, 2008 05:45 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
revidI'll start with the rants first:
~~I paid $3.79 for a gallon of regular gas today. I have an 18 gallon tank. Do the math. However, I don't expect to get a lot of sympathy from my Canadian or my UK friends, as this works out to C$1/Liter or 50p/Liter. A quick Google check show current prices there at about C$1.25/L and £1.05/L, respectively. OUCH!
~~My house has a second floor deck that is actually built over the garage. Unfortunately, there were some construction flaws that included non-galvanized flashing around the edge which has rusted and allowed moisture leakage as well as rust staining on the stucco exterior, and inadequate flashing around the railing posts, which has also allowed moisture to damage the garage drywall and create mold. I finally had a deck contractor come look at it and give me an estimate to correct the construction flaws and repair the damage. $4000 OUCH! The house is 10 years old, so going back to the original builder would be pointless, and filing a Homeowner's Insurance claim would probably double my premiums.
~~My friend who was taking care of the kitties while I was gone noticed what appeared to be termite damage. So I had a termite contractor come out to look. Yes, indeedy. Looks like I (and the cats) will need to be out of the house for 3 days while they tent and fumigate it. Don't have the estimate yet, but figuring $1500. Fuckity, fuck fuck. At least there doesn't appear to be significant structural damage.
Now the randomness:
~~I was in the car and "Holiday" came on the radio. I actually ran another errand just so I could stay in the car longer with the sun roof open and the radio at full blast. As if I hadn't heard it 48575234820934 times before!
~~This is a really interesting article from The New Yorker from a few months ago: "The Checklist"
The author, Atul Gawande, is a surgeon and a wonderful writer. I highly recommend his first book Complications: A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science. (I haven't read his second one, but I'm sure it's excellent as well.) Thus article describes how the too simple idea of using checklists can dramatically improve medical care. It's a bit long, but I don't think you have to be in a medical field to find it of interest.
~~Slowly but surely uploading my pictures from my trip to Photobucket. Here's a teaser:
That's the eye of an octopus hiding out in a barrel sponge.
That's the boat. (Duh!)
~~Remember my excitement at my upcoming trip to Vancouver Island to visit![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
and_ed and see Matthew Good in concert? It got even better. While I was on the other side of the world, Matt announced another show on V.I., in Nanaimo on 29 June, which happens to be his 37th birthday. So even though she had no idea whether or not I could stay the extra day or change my flight, she went ahead and got a pair of seats to the show. In the second row! Because she rocks like that! And just to prove that it was meant to be, when I called the airline to change my ticket, the nice lady on the line didn't charge me the $75 change fee. Did I mention that Barb rocks?
Edited to add this email I received today:
Hey Overcast Kids!
Do you think you stand out from the rest of the OCKs? Do have what it takes to be the next OCK Fan of the Month? Now is your chance to prove it to Fall Out Boy. You have been chosen as one of the lucky 40 OCKs this month to answer the question, "Why do you think you should be the OCK Fan of the Month?" We will choose one lucky winner to be our OCK Fan of the Month and not only will your picture be posted on the OCK fan site, but you will also win a pretty cool piece of swag from the band.
Be sure to submit your answer to contests@overcastkids.com before April 21st at 10am EST to ensure your chance in the running to be the OCK Fan of the Month. May the BEST fan win!
Regards,
Overcast Kids
I'm considering responding with the claim that I'm the oldest card-carrying OCK.
(For those of you unaware, The OCK is the official Fall Out Boy fan club. I'm so ashamed.)
I hope everyone on the flist is having a great day!
~~I paid $3.79 for a gallon of regular gas today. I have an 18 gallon tank. Do the math. However, I don't expect to get a lot of sympathy from my Canadian or my UK friends, as this works out to C$1/Liter or 50p/Liter. A quick Google check show current prices there at about C$1.25/L and £1.05/L, respectively. OUCH!
~~My house has a second floor deck that is actually built over the garage. Unfortunately, there were some construction flaws that included non-galvanized flashing around the edge which has rusted and allowed moisture leakage as well as rust staining on the stucco exterior, and inadequate flashing around the railing posts, which has also allowed moisture to damage the garage drywall and create mold. I finally had a deck contractor come look at it and give me an estimate to correct the construction flaws and repair the damage. $4000 OUCH! The house is 10 years old, so going back to the original builder would be pointless, and filing a Homeowner's Insurance claim would probably double my premiums.
~~My friend who was taking care of the kitties while I was gone noticed what appeared to be termite damage. So I had a termite contractor come out to look. Yes, indeedy. Looks like I (and the cats) will need to be out of the house for 3 days while they tent and fumigate it. Don't have the estimate yet, but figuring $1500. Fuckity, fuck fuck. At least there doesn't appear to be significant structural damage.
Now the randomness:
~~I was in the car and "Holiday" came on the radio. I actually ran another errand just so I could stay in the car longer with the sun roof open and the radio at full blast. As if I hadn't heard it 48575234820934 times before!
~~This is a really interesting article from The New Yorker from a few months ago: "The Checklist"
The author, Atul Gawande, is a surgeon and a wonderful writer. I highly recommend his first book Complications: A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science. (I haven't read his second one, but I'm sure it's excellent as well.) Thus article describes how the too simple idea of using checklists can dramatically improve medical care. It's a bit long, but I don't think you have to be in a medical field to find it of interest.
~~Slowly but surely uploading my pictures from my trip to Photobucket. Here's a teaser:
That's the eye of an octopus hiding out in a barrel sponge.
That's the boat. (Duh!)
~~Remember my excitement at my upcoming trip to Vancouver Island to visit
and_ed and see Matthew Good in concert? It got even better. While I was on the other side of the world, Matt announced another show on V.I., in Nanaimo on 29 June, which happens to be his 37th birthday. So even though she had no idea whether or not I could stay the extra day or change my flight, she went ahead and got a pair of seats to the show. In the second row! Because she rocks like that! And just to prove that it was meant to be, when I called the airline to change my ticket, the nice lady on the line didn't charge me the $75 change fee. Did I mention that Barb rocks?Edited to add this email I received today:
Hey Overcast Kids!
Do you think you stand out from the rest of the OCKs? Do have what it takes to be the next OCK Fan of the Month? Now is your chance to prove it to Fall Out Boy. You have been chosen as one of the lucky 40 OCKs this month to answer the question, "Why do you think you should be the OCK Fan of the Month?" We will choose one lucky winner to be our OCK Fan of the Month and not only will your picture be posted on the OCK fan site, but you will also win a pretty cool piece of swag from the band.
Be sure to submit your answer to contests@overcastkids.com before April 21st at 10am EST to ensure your chance in the running to be the OCK Fan of the Month. May the BEST fan win!
Regards,
Overcast Kids
I'm considering responding with the claim that I'm the oldest card-carrying OCK.
(For those of you unaware, The OCK is the official Fall Out Boy fan club. I'm so ashamed.)
I hope everyone on the flist is having a great day!
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2008-04-16 02:46 am (UTC)Ouch and double ouch on the deck and the termites. Only 10 years old - that does not seem fair! Hope nothing else comes about as I think you're about to invest your fair share of "homeowner dues".
I'm looking forward to your pics as you always have some fabulous stuff that just amazes me. I love the boat - so exotic looking!
And the FOB fanclub?! Hmmmm........so you're like Doc OCK? *oooohhhh....very bad joke - couldn't resist!*
no subject
Date: 2008-04-16 03:07 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-04-16 05:54 am (UTC)One of 40 fans this month...whoo hoo, how can I resist?
no subject
Date: 2008-04-16 05:58 am (UTC)I wonder what great swag they're giving away?
no subject
Date: 2008-04-16 06:27 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-04-16 07:33 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-04-17 08:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-04-17 08:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-04-17 08:33 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-04-17 09:01 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-04-17 05:24 pm (UTC)You're gonna be the next OCK fan of the month...I can feel it. ;)
Again, my sympathies on the termite thing. Ouch.
Can't wait to see the rest of your pics.
no subject
Date: 2008-04-18 02:54 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-04-25 04:22 am (UTC)But oh man, sorry about all the repairs the house has to go through! :( If it's not one thing it's another, huh? And jesus, you're not kidding about gas. I just filled up my tank today and it was 86$. For just ONE measly tank of gas. Granted I drive a Dodge Ram 1500, but still. :p
As far as the OCK is concerned, Pete Wentz can blow me sideways. Did you happen to get the email about the Diamond/Platinum/Gold membership? Looks like they are putting different levels on membership. Like seniority of sorts. It's not quite in place yet, but it will be. Diamond will be the best. Diamond members will have first access to things like early entry, M&G, pre-sales, and all the other OCK perks. Platinum members are next and they have the same perks but ONLY after the Diamond group. Then the same with Gold. I imagine that means that when pre-sales start, only Diamond members will be able to purchase right away, then platinum, & then Gold if there is anything left of pre-sale. (I see the Gold members pretty much buying their tickets with the general public.) I'm not entirely sure how it works, but it doesn't matter because I'm screwed anyway.
My membership lapsed, so if I renew now, my only option is "Gold" status. (Okay we both know I'll probably renew, but still. No really. Fuck you, Pete.)
Whatever, right? If I never make it to the barrier of a FOB show, I think I won't mind too much, considering that is the most vicious pit I've ever been in. :p