Proof that we’re getting older - our neighborhood NYE party wrapped up at about 12:25, and only lasted that long with the use of coffee at around 11:00 or so.
Yesterday, we went to see the Titanic exhibition that’s been next to my office for a few months. If you’re in the SF area, it’s been extended to the end of this month. They’ve got a bejillion artifacts recovered from the wreck, including a 30,000 pound section of the hull. One fairly striking item was a couple dozen baking dishes laid out like dominos, backed with an undersea photo of the dishes as they were found - the wooden cabinet they were in had long-since disintegrated, leaving neat stacks of dishes. The dishes themseves looked entirely unaffected by their time underwater.
Towards the end, they give some insight into the preservation aspects of how they need to desalinate and stabilize things so they can survive normal atmospheric conditions after being at the bottom of the ocean for several decades. Apparently, cast iron has a way of exploding if it comes in contact with air. They didn’t tell what or how many cast iron things self-destructed that way. There was a surprising amount of paper items - letters and money and even razor blade wrappers - that survived thanks to being in leather wallets, briefcases, etc. The tannins in the leather provided tiny pockets of safety from bacteria that would have otherwise eaten the paper.
I’m still of mixed emotions about it all. Are they preserving bits of history, or are they desecrating a grave? I’m leaning toward the first as the presentation is about as dignified as you could hope for, and they’ve determined that the structure of the ship is going to collapse entirely in just a few more years as the iron-eating bacteria continute to feast on the hull.
Good morning everyone. I had a nice long post, but lost it.
So, I’ll just hit the important points in my post:
Hugs and peaceful vibes to Nava and her family.
Hugs also to both Rigs and Biblio. I really do hope that things sort themselves out eventually.
Swampy, you will be pleased to know that I am wearing appropriate dark colors. My jammie bottoms are dark blue and I’m wearing a black sweater. Perhaps not appropriate FUNERAL attire, but certainly appropriate colors.
I tried to sleep in today, but couldn’t. First, I woke up when the hubby left for work. Then I woke when the kids did for school. I dropped off to sleep after they left, but just for a very short while. My back was killing me, so I had to get up. I wasn’t going to be able to sleep anyway.
Nothing exciting going on here. I am relishing the peace and quiet before the kids and husband get home today. I’ll probably do a little laundry. I need to clean the kitchen and I may start on removing the Christmas decorations. Yeah, we’re slow about that. Oh well.
I would definitely go with the former. But then again I care not one whit what happens to my remains after I die as long as my memory is somehow preserved, so I sometimes find it difficult to see the issue from the other side, plus not only are they preserving history, they are preserving the memory of those killed in the tragedy.
Rigs and Bibs I hope everything works out for the both of ya. Y’all always have the cool kids to vent to if’n ya needs to.
Taters I’m glad you are clad appropriately for mourning. Jammie bottoms are ok for inside mourning. The black sweater is most appropriate. My shirt has some black in it, so it’s appropriate for work mourning.
Tigs I’ve never been to the National Cathedral. D.C. either for that matter. I must do that. I want to go to a Sunday service at the Cathedral. Being as I’m Whiskypalian and all, that’s kinda like a pilgrimage. It’s offical name is The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in the City and Diocese of Washington. Only a really nerdy Whiskypalian would know that fact. :o
Swampy, I dunno if they still do, but they used to have summertime organ concerts at the cathedral late Sunday afternoons, that were attended by a small enough crowd that you could go up and sit in the choir stalls. It’s like sitting inside the organ – just amazing! And let me tell you, you ain’t lived till a 32-foot organ pipe kicks in directly behind you; even in my misspent youth, nothing ever gave me as good a rush!
Gah. I wrote a big long post about New Years’ and how fun it was (most of the time) and how much I lurve all you guys … and then I accidentally closed the window and lost it. So pretend I said all that. Grr.
My credit union in FL was open - I called them this morning. I don’t have a bank in Md, so I don’t know if it’s a regional thing or what.
I threw 8 pieces successfully, and killed about 3 others. I’m taking a break and having a late lunch before going back to finish the last couple of pieces that need glazing.
I’ve got a cat on the arm of my chair leaning on my shoulder with lust in her eyes for my BBQ. Fat chance, kitty!!
Can’t believe I have to go back to work tomorrow. I could get used to this hanging around the house all the time. I believe retirement is my destiny. Three more years…
Aw, bibby, that’s a shame. Depression is a real beast. Mainly because those who suffer from it can’t hear you most of the time over the noise of the pain. Feel free to babble to the Cool Kids.
Well, I went in to get bloodwork and an EKG to see if I can take part in a study for a new drug for Restless Legs Syndrome. I had a really bad night with it last night. I would like to get in on this study.
A full weekend of hockey is planned - home games Thursday and Friday, then a road trip to Huntsville on Saturday. We had a lot of fun on the last one, and we’re going to stay overnight and come back Sunday.
There is a Booster Club Executive Board meeting tonight. At Applebee’s. Of all places. There are loads of decent or even good resturants in this town; why choose Applebee’s? The food is so blah.
Jahdra - time to switch to Firefox. Then all those IE problems will go away.
Allister - I know how you feel about moving. That’s why I’m never going to do it again. Ever. Especially since the exterior work on the Factfortress are completed. Tomorrow I get a big-ass shed built in the backyard.
swampy - we get people wandering in at times looking for a past tennant. Our guy used to be on the old PTL Club TV show before he went solo.
Hope things went better today for y’all. I really got to go now.
Sean what a golden opportunity! You could offer prayer cloths and little bottles of healing oil for a modest price. Now see, that’s the type racket I need around here. BTW, the FactFortress looks mah-ve=lous. Has stuff stopped fallin’ off yet?
Supper tonight will be leftovers from yesterday. Tomorrow it shall be beef stew. I put it in the slow cooker to simmer til beddy bye time when I got home. It smells good already.
SCL, I have a problem with RLS, too, and I’ve actually found a simple solution that works well for me – vitamin E. It’s not a mega-dose or anything, so I was pleased to discover that if I take a capsule right before bed (and one in the morning if I’m going through a rough patch)), my legs are much, much quieter. It’s one of those things that is a “can’t hurt, might help” solution that I read about online and figured I might as well try. IANAD, obviously, but hey, it’s only vitamins, right?
Palebunny and I went out and ran around a bit earlier. She went to Trader Joe’s while I bought some yarn for hats requested by my mom, and then we went to Michael’s, where she bought a gorgeous cross-stitch pattern. I tried to talk her into giving it to me when she’s done, but for some reason she laughed at me. Such an ungrateful child! Oh, and I got a thingy to play my iPod in the car, which I definitely need for the long, boring drive to Lousyana and back.
All this means, of course, that I have been successfully avoiding working pretty much all day. Alas, that can’t last – I have to get this stupid job done. Can someone please just wave a magic wand and make it happen for me? Pretty please?
I left work early because I got tired of being unproductive, and being frustrated. So I went to the gym, where my aching body reminded me it’s been four days since my last visit (now that I say that it doesn’t sound like a long time, but it FEELS like it right now), came home where I:
De-Christmased the outside of the house
Unloaded the dishwasher and started another load
stripped the bed and am washing the comforter
vacuumed the whole dang house
sprayed some Clorox on the moldy upstairs bedroom window and am about to go up and wipe, and clean it off then hang what the Wife calls a 'Roman Blind" in there
There is a huge fire visible from our office, with lots of thick black smoke. Apparently, it’s an apartment complex under construction, and the flames are supposedly seven stories high. At any rate, it’s impressive. We haven’t had this much excitement since the Santana Row fire, but then, that was an 11 alarm fire. This is “only” a 5 alarm fire.
Well we have been dating for a few months now (she has been brought up here and elsewhere on the Dope as some, more astute, MMPers may recall) and this weekend, after I finally finished moving, she came over to visit on Friday afternoon and ended up staying until Sunday afternoon. As of late I had come to the realization that I was in love with her, but she had previously expressed her uncertainty in moving much further in relationship too quickly, so I was not sure what to do. Imagine my relief (and general all around felicity) when she essentially intoned (in more, and more eloquent words) that bugger her uncertainty, she loved me. Needless to say ‘blissed out’ does not quite do my mood these last several days justice.
I love roman blinds. I have some in my new place. In fact one of the best parts about living on my own is the ability to decorate the place as I see fit, which means that I finally got a chance to pick out drapes! (And yes that was real excitement, my new drapes are awesome)
Tigs, march right in there and get your work done, young lady! No excuses. Don’t stomp your foot at me! I’ll give your dessert to your brother. You know I will. Now get in there and get busy. It ain’t gonna do itself you know. Watch it or your face will freeze like that missy! I mean it! Get in there and get busy right this minute!
While I’m at it, Rigs don’t think I’ve forgotten about you, young lady. Is that bedroom clean yet? Are you sure? Will I think it’s clean if I come look at it? Hmmm? Well, it better be!
Sigh And the doctor wonders why I [del]drink so much[/del] need so much of my nerve tonic.
It has been a semi-busy day. I took Maggie to the dogpark, but she did want to slay off leash, so we walk around the rest of the park. Laundry is done, floors and bathroom are cleaned, and dinner is cooking. Whew! There is a hockey game on the radio tonight.
{{{rigs and Bibcat}}}}, I hope you can work things out. You have a MMP worth of people praying and hoping for you.
Drae, did you get trashed and puke on you nice dress? Do you have a new tattoo in an odd place? Tell us!!
SCL, that Booster club trip is to Columbia, S.C., not Columbus Ga. Wishful thinking on my part, I guess. Go Snakes!
swampy, I am having a few “nerve tonics” during the game tonight.
On preview, Stay, not slay. That mutt won’t slay anything that isn’t cooked and served on a plate.
Such an ungrateful child! Oh, and I got a thingy to play my iPod in the car, which I definitely need for the long, boring drive to Lousyana and back.
