Job change, way too busy, new bike, server upgrades, schedule changes, tired. But, Arrested Development was awesome.
the importance of aesthetics in cheap stuff
Why do I hate Walmart and love Ikea when they really aren’t that different? Is aesthetic that important?
More Google Earth as a harbinger of decay
The Register has a mostly humorous but somewhat serious look at how Google Earth is giving anyone access to view places that would have been unthinkable 50 years ago. I find the comments made by the Indian officials to be somewhat comforting. I love access to information – especially geographically significant information. It’s possible that tools like this could be used in terrorist attacks, but I think it’s unlikely that removing access to them will hinder them. And so much more can be done with that information. Still, you know people will continue to freak out the first time they see tools like Google Earth.
Rafting the Tieton
Saturday Michelle and I headed up north to Yakima to raft the Tieton river with family (including my surrogate brother Brent) and visit with other family.
This was Michelle’s first rafting trip, and currently the Tieton is swelling with water that is being released from Rimrock dam to make room for this winter’s water. I’d rafted the Tieton twice before with the Manfredis, but this was the first time I’ve ever been in a paddle raft.
My mom won the tickets on the radio. I’m not sure how or when, but it was quite a score. Osprey, the guide company even had wet suits for us to use, which was an improvement over long underwear and rain pants.
The five of us shared one of the smaller play boats and our guide apparently though us the adventurous and responsive type because we got a great ride. The difference between this trip and previous was that I’m used to safely avoiding obstacles, and our guide (since it was his boat), playfully spun off a few rocks, and dipped us into a hole.
The pictures are great – and we got them from Osprey. Sadly, the one missing picture is the failed “Bow & Arrow” affair. You see – our guide instructed the paddlers on the left to hook their paddles onto a low-hanging cable as we passed under it. The idea was that they would hold on as long as possible and then let go – shooting the paddles back at the other rafts. But he didn’t tell us that. And, I missed the part about the people on the left doing it, so I stood up and hooked the cable too, and then didn’t know what to do so I held on as best I could and was pulled out of the boat, (Canoers aren’t supposed to ever let go of their paddle) pulling Brent into the water with me.
It was hilarious, and the water was fairly shallow and really quite warm, so we drifted a bit and go back into the raft to the cheers of the other boats in our flotilla. I suppose I should be more embarrassed, but it was fun, and the water was nice.
The ride lasted roughly two hours and was followed by a satisfying lunch. People were smiling knowingly at me. “There goes the guy who didn’t listen to his guide, then didn’t let go.” Yeah, well it was fun and I don’t regret it. I just hope Brent didn’t mind going for the ride with me.
Meg and Troy get hitched
Congratulations to Meghan and Troy on a wonderful wedding and best wishes to them in the coming years. We love you both and hope the honeymoon goes well. If you can travel together, there’s little you can’t do.
The wedding itself was marvelous. Meghan was glowing and Troy was calm and confident. If you don’t believe me, look at the pictures.
Bicycle Respirator
Traffic on Broadway yesterday largely consisted of large trucks and delivery vans. Most were diesel burning beasts that are exempt from DEQ emission standards. The fumes and exhaust were nasty and you could feel the particulate at times, and the pace going up Broadway ensured that you were always paired with a van, truck, or bus for most of the trip.
The effects of the exhaust and exertion did give me an idea though. A bicycle respirator! No – not those cumbersome full-face things, or even the avian-flu-nurse-like mask – something that could mount on the handlebars and allow you to use it only when you needed it – only when you were in a thick cloud of nastiness.
Bike Commute Challenge ’05
Today is the start of the BTA’s Bike Commute Challenge. The goal is to encourage people to ride their bike to work, and especially to encourage new riders to try it out. Last year I rode 17 days for the month of September and was quite pleased. This year I don’t expect as much given the change in distance. Still, if you want to ride to work, give it a shot. It feels good, and you get an immense sense of satisfaction when you pop a cold one when you get home. Oh, there’s some smugness that comes with it too, and the sense of smugness inflates at the same rate as gas prices.
Go – Ride!
Let me introduce you to my friend Monty
I was recently reflecting on nerd stuff with Noah when I recalled seeing Monty Python and the Holy Grail for the first time. Cue the flashback noise.
My parents had decided I was now old enough to enjoy the humor of the movie and rented it on a night that my sister was staying with a friend or something. It was wonderful, and hilarious, and full of awkward silences when my parents tried to suppress their laughter as to not acknowledge the dirtier jokes. I also tried not to laugh at jokes that I thought I probably shouldn’t have understood.
Shortly after that introduction, we saw most of the Python collection, and I’ve tried hard since then not to repeat lines from the movies in public. Faux pas. My parents told me that I used to love “Flying Circus” when I was 2, though I don’t remember that. I’m sure “Holy Grail” would have been funny at 2 as well, though on a different level. You know, the hopping on one leg level.
Now I need see “Lost in La Mancha” to complete the Terry Gilliam tour.
Funny Typos
It brings a little sunshine to my morning when I get an e-mail complaining about something being “mispelt.”
New Job – sort of
Yesterday I started working as the Student Help Desk Coordinator, a position that Noah left so he could go expat. I’m jealous of his adventure, but for some reason I’m also excited about taking this job. Oddly enough, I researched the position 3 years ago to see if a student help desk at a community college was even feasible. Well, there were only 5 or so at the time, and with varying degrees of success. When we created the job description and posted it, my boss encouraged me to apply for it. I wasn’t that interested and declined. I had a good thing going.
Three years later – what’s different? Well, not much. In fact, I had planned on taking more classes at PSU so the increased responsibility was an odd choice. My decision to take the position was based on the advice of a friend who, like me, is not cut from management cloth. Chris said that I had to do it, and that even if I hated it, I’d learn a ton and gain invaluable experience. Ok.
Ok – I can handle that. Kind of odd how full circle I’ve come. I’ll have to write my old managers at WWU and tell them. This is exactly what I had planned on doing with my degree in Geography. At least I enjoy the work.