« February 2007 | Main | April 2007 »
Page 1 of 1
Check out this combination fish tank and deep fat fryer:
The hot oil floats on top of the water -- since heat rises the water stays cool enough for the fish to live. Meanwhile the greasy crumbs from deep frying settle into the tank to become fish food.
Click the link below for the full story from SciFi.com's blog, which also contains a cool video demonstration of the apparatus. (I wish I could understand the language the video is in...)
The days are long enough and the weather is warm enough. If rain stays out of the forecast, next weekend you may spot me on the streets of KC as I tackle my first major walk of the season. And it's a doozy!
I spent most of last week depressed after I came to the realization that I was twice as old as one of my co-workers.
I brooded over this for a few days, even feeling weird out about socializing after hours with someone half my age.
Finally I mentioned something about this, and my co-worker's response startled me. What did he tell me?
(1) That 24 x 2 = 48, not 38 as I had been thinking...
(2) That I am 37, not 38. Whoops!
Hooray! I'm not old after all!
Live it up, get lit, but be safe and smart and walk, take cabs, or take the MAX. (I hear there will be checkpoints galore.)
I'll leave you with a very special St. Patrick's Day message from Mel Brooks.
I don't know if it's because I look menacing, because word has gotten around that I don't give, or if I've just gotten better at avoiding them; but I'm rarely accosted by panhandlers downtown any more. The few times I do cross their paths there's seldom more than an exchange of hellos.
Still, I occasionally do get hit up... and when I do, I take a firm and abrasive attitude.
Earlier this evening I was pulling up alongside a building as two older men in baggy pants and dirty, oversized coats were walking by. As I parked the two stopped near my car and looked towards me, smiling. I prepared myself for the inevitable request for money as I got out of the car.
"Good evening to you sir," one of them said as I stepped out.
I sighed, bristled, and let out a acidic "Good evening, what do you need?"
"Oh, sorry," he said, taken a bit aback. "I was just wondering if you knew whether this was the building the 12-step group meets in."
Ugh. :(
I hate what aggressive panhandlers have turned me in to. I'll have to try to remember not to turn unpleasant until after the actual request for money/similac/gas/a ride is made.
I completely support the rights of people to peacefully protest.
Here is a picture of people in Brazil protesting a visit by Bush to discuss ethanol production.
When protesting perceived US imperialism, I have no problem with people in other countries burning our flag as a means of expressing their anger.
But can't they at least respect us enough to get the colors and patterns right? Or at least close?
Come on, I've seen third graders color far more accurate representations of our flag.
If I were going to burn your county's flag, I'd at least make sure I get the basic design right.
Show some respect. :)
The following lists are inspired by a combination of this post and one of my favorite TV shows, Monk.
The Top Five Things That Most People Like But That I Find Disgusting
5. Fruit, especially the flavors banana, pear, peach, strawberry, and pineapple.
4. Milk. Cottage cheese is especially revolting, and orange cheese is pretty bad too. (I don't particularly care for ice cream, either, but will eat chocolate if I have to.)
3. Cola, any brand. Dr. Pepper/Mr. Pibb also revolts me, so does Mountain Dew.
2. Condiments, especially...
1. Pickles! (BLECH.)
My Top Five Fears
5. Heights. Simply using a stepladder to change a light bulb has put me into a panic. (But I am perfectly at ease in tall buildings.)
4. Elevators. I have had a nightmare about an elevator malfunction nearly every night for at least 15 years. When possible I try to avoid using them for any climb/descent of 6 stories or less.
3. Lightning. I've gotten too close to this random and indiscriminate killer. Getting struck is my only major fear about any storm.
2. Flying. Any time I fly anywhere I have no anticipation about what I will do after I get to where I'm going, as I generally assume I will not survive to reach my destination.
1. Spiders! I respect them and admire their webs in their natural environment (which I have extended to include basements), but I would kill each and every one of them that enters my home if I only could stand to get close enough to squash/spray/vacuum them.