Rooftop

I was surprised when the National Park Service announced that it had installed PV and Solar water heaters on the roof of the White House. Why was I surprised? A little something called history.

President Carter installed the first solar panel on the White House while he was in office. It was more of a symbolic gesture as it wasn’t nearly enough to contribute to the actual energy uses at 1600 Pennsylvania Drive. It was also a symbolic gesture when President Reagan promply removed the panel and killed funding for solar research when he took office. It surprised me to hear that President Bush would install such a symbol of “personal virtue.”

Well, it surprised Richard Perez of Home Power Magazine as well, and he did some research to find out about the equipment. Its still offers a trifling fraction of 1% of the daily energy consumption of the White House. But here’s the real gem: The PV and Solar Heating system was initated by the Clinton Administration, and has simply took this long to muddle through bureaucracy. I guess we shouldn’t be surprised. At least the sun is starting to shine in Portland again.

Internet quizzes are fun and accurate. Tonight I found out that I’ll be living in the third level of hell. Here’s the description:

Third Level of Hell
In the third circle, you find yourself amidst eternal rain, maledict, cold, and heavy. The gluttons are punished here, lying in the filthy mixture of shadows and of putrid water. Because you consumed in excess, you meet your fate beneath the cold, dirty rain, amidst the other souls that there lay unhappily in the stinking mud. Cerebus, a canine monster cruel and uncouth with his three heads and red eyes, dwells in this level. He growls and tears at the damned with his teeth and claws.

So far, its an aweful lot like Portland. Go Figure.

Yesterday Scott and I hiked Saddle Mountain, which is the highest point in the NW corner of the state. It was a beautiful day, and we could see from Long Beach, WA to Manzanita, OR, and from the mouth of the Columbia to Mt. St. Helens, Ranier, Adams, Hood, and Jefferson. It was a great view, but difficult to capture with pictures. We’ll just have to go again.

Other news, Michelle starts finals today, and Tom, the home renter said he and his brother would take a dog. We’ll be meeting in Multnomah Village on Thurs, and hopefully signing a lease. Things sure can happen quickly.

It would be so nice to know that if I stepped in dog poop in the yard, it would be my own fault.

6:15: Awaken to a bright room, clock says 9:15 which startles me. Crap, I’m late for something. No, clock says 6:15. Room too bright, forgot to twist blinds shut.
7:15: Can’t force myself back to sleep. Start mulling days activities over in head.
8:15: Mom calls; Old neigbhbor bought house, is moving out of rental in SW Portland. Wants to know if we’re interested before telling landlord.
9:15: After following 5 dead ends, finally find house. Its very cute, and closer to work. Feel odd driving by knowing they’re inside.
10:15: Arrive at kennel that Barley’s staying at for trip to Nebraska. Nice drive, and cool owners. Boarding is a necessary evil.
11:15: Snood….
…
5:15: Stop by rental house to have a look. Cooler than we expected. Hope owner will take pets. Will have to wait to hear.
5:30: Dinner at Scott & Sarah’s. Sarah gets free pizza from Papa John’s. I overcook free steaks because they were still frozen inside. Steamplant warning.

A co-worker sent me an e-mail that only contained one string of text: snood.org

Last year we had a mini-Collapse addiction which ultimately ended up in scores so high that the amount of time required to reach was more than we had available. Moira took the crown with a score of 3,385,076. I still have the post-it note on my screen reminding me to beat the score. I’ve long since given up.

This year the drug is Snood, and we’ve started a friendly tournement among co-workers. You can check the stats yourself. We’ll see how long it lasts, but my eyes are already burning.