Today, I realized how funny my Mother-in-law can be. She'll call and talk to either Shawn or me and tell us a story. Then she'll ask to speak to the other person. Once that person is on the line she says "I'll let Katina/Shawn explain it, BUT..." and then goes on to explain the exact thing she just said she'd let the other person explain. Of course, this negates the need for us to tell each other anything.
Also today, the new lady started at work. She's nice. I'm going to go out on a limb and say "I like her!" However, I think Kena had a bad day at work...she had a meeting with her supervisor, and the supervisor's supervisor. AND she didn't look too hot after the meeting. Furthermore, her supervisor was asking the other person she supervises if Kena had told him anything. Which she hadn't. BOO on bad meetings with supervisors.
hmm, and I think that's about it for what's been happening today...yeah, I know, not very entertaining...tomorrow's plans include going to the Kitchen/Restaurant store during Lunch break and buying oven-proof Onion Soup Bowls. YAY!!!!
Monday, January 29, 2007
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Oh good God, I've gone Key-raise-ee
That's right, yours truly has gone certifiably insane. Jo-ann Fabrics is having a sale right now. It is a sale because the store is moving to a different shopping center, but still, everything is 30-60% off. So, I, being the completely sane and logical person I am, decided to buy 16 yards of fabric (at least 8 of which can be considered "baby print") and a "fabric book" (you know, one of those books made for babies that teach them about numbers, or winnie the pooh or some other benign thing). Now then, I don't sew much to begin with, and thus far I've made a different thing for each friend that's gotten pregnant (and I already made the baby blanket). BUT this way I can at least be prepared (Jesus, I make it sound like someone says "I'm pregnant!" and I need to have a baby present for them within a day)--the baby blanket project only takes like 2 hours, so it's baby blankets for everyone! weeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Wish List
It's July... Which means that it's time to start thinking about what I want for my birthday/Christmas. "What do you want for your birthday?" usually starts on October 1, and "What do you want for Christmas?" generally starts at/around Thanksgiving. (even though the post date says January--that's because I changed it to say that so this wouldn't show up at the beginning of the blog)
Ergo, I decided I should keep a list of things I want so when people (aka 'family') finally start asking, I'll have a better answer than 'hmm, I could really use some new socks.'
Dogs:
Events:
Ergo, I decided I should keep a list of things I want so when people (aka 'family') finally start asking, I'll have a better answer than 'hmm, I could really use some new socks.'
Dogs:
- Training treats for dogs at the shelter - Puproni, Bil-jacs, Blue Buffalo, Beggin' Strips, etc.
- Toys for dogs at the shelter (Kongs, stuffed toys - get 'em cheap, though)
- Consumables for the dogs at the shelter (bully sticks, rawhide chews, pig's ears, etc. - Amazon has some pretty good deals on bully sticks)
- Martingale collars for dogs (size Medium seems to be the best size to get) - order 'em for cheap from Amazon
- 6' nylon leashes for dogs (1" wide is best)
- Freedom Harness for dogs - size M and size L - I don't care about the color so get whichever color is cheapest.
- Donate to your local animal shelter or to Dogs Out Loud
- Kitten toys (they tend to like small stuff they can carry around - so maybe a value pack of the little mice or a pack of 1" diameter pom-poms you can get at a craft store)
- Warming Disk/pad for foster kittens ("Snuggle Safe" seems to be the brand) - or you can just google "Warming Disk Kittens" to see what it looks like.
- Gift Card to Petsmart
- Gift Card to Amazon
- I would buy either dog-related stuff listed above, kitten related stuff listed above, Lua the Pup T-Shirt, or a treat pouch for training
- Gift Card to HEB
- Gift card to Academy
- I need more running socks, shirts, and yoga pants (size small should work for most cases), socks - size 6.5
- Gift card to Ikea
- Gift card to Lowe's or Home Depot
- Gift card to H and M
- size small
- Gift card to Old Navy
- Shirts: size small
- jeans: 'sweetheart' or 'dreamer' styles in size 0 or 1
- Restaurant gift cards (can't go wrong with Italian)
- AirBnB now has the option of giving gift cards which is cool, but it requires you to create an account to send one.
- Gift card to Google Play store (to buy books)
- Gift cards to garden centers - The Great Outdoors and The Natural Gardener sell gift cards that you can purchase online.
- I could also use 2 more Dripping Springs Ollas, or some of the smaller ones for flower pots, or I can make my own using plain terracotta pots
- I could always use more natural fertilizers like Sea Weed or Fish Emulsion
- Felco One Hand Pruning Shears or Picking and Trimming Snips (small hand size is probably the best)
- Long Handle Hose Nozzle - sold at most garden stores and HEB. They look like this)
- Kamenstein 3oz spice jars (can be found at the Kitchen Collection at the Outlet mall)
- Variera or similar shelf rack to use wasted space in cupboards (can be found at Ikea)
- "Thirsty" coasters
- Access Flosser Refills
Events:
- Texas Stars hockey tickets,
- Musical/Orchestra/Play tickets (specifically Jurassic Park in Concert)
- +30 degree to +45 degree sleeping bag (for backpacking)
- Wool shirts - great for backpacking - SmartWool is a great brand, albeit pricey
- Community TV series (Dani already got me season 1)
- Lilo and Stitch movie
- About Time movie
- We're the Millers movie
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Flood Pictures
Hey all, here are some flood photos from Saturday (Jan 13):
Here is Lake Creek close to the Walmart, and by the fire station (the flood picture is upstream looking downstream, and the normal picture is from the bridge looking upstream...so in other words, if I took both pictures at the same time, the flood picture would be a picture of me on the bridge taking a picture of my other me by the tree next to the water quality pond. Clear as mud? good):
Here are a few pictures a little closer to my house...this bridge is close to the middle school, and is right next to the swimming pool. The first one is upstream looking downstream (so if you were a ping pong ball, you'd be floating INTO the culverts) and the little culverts are about half full, the second picture is from the bridge looking downstream, (you'd be floating OUT OF the culverts) this creek is normally dry.
And what's this, why I do believe it quite possibly might be SNOW (1-16-07)!
Ice day. YAY!!!!
it's so sad...I'm just like a little kid. When the weather starts to turn bad I go "man, I hope I get out of going to work." kinda sad really, but at the same time, I think all of us want an ice-day...just a day to sit around in your pajamas, or house pants, and do nothing. So good.
But unlike snow-days in colorado where half the time the day was decided (no school) but the weather wasn't really bad enough to warrant it, so you got to go out and do stuff...not so much with Austin...when it's an ice day, it's like 25 outside (which, yeah, I know not cold), but the damn roads are a sheet of ice, so you might as well stay inside...oh, and I think we've got what could actually be considered "snow" at the house...not much at all, and really when it first started falling it looked much more like miniature hail than snow flakes, but I think it can be considered actual snow since it wasn't sleet or freezing rain.
On the plus side, the cats haven't been begging to go outside...even they know how cold it is.
But unlike snow-days in colorado where half the time the day was decided (no school) but the weather wasn't really bad enough to warrant it, so you got to go out and do stuff...not so much with Austin...when it's an ice day, it's like 25 outside (which, yeah, I know not cold), but the damn roads are a sheet of ice, so you might as well stay inside...oh, and I think we've got what could actually be considered "snow" at the house...not much at all, and really when it first started falling it looked much more like miniature hail than snow flakes, but I think it can be considered actual snow since it wasn't sleet or freezing rain.
On the plus side, the cats haven't been begging to go outside...even they know how cold it is.
Monday, January 15, 2007
stupid Vista
Stupid Vista...making it so I can't play my Sims...I like my Sims...especially when I have the day off and nothing to do because it's stupid weather outside...
Never to fear, I just ended up going over to Miss Sarah's house because she also had the day off. I told her of Baby Colison's project that shawn and I made yesterday...she's at least excited, which is good because the flannel I chose for the project is blue and white, which can be construed as "boy" and Mr and Mrs Poochie are probably having a "girl." But I can tell you that John at work would say that the design makes it a "girl" blanket...because male babies are highly susceptible to "turning gay"* if they are surrounded by images/likenesses of rabbits, horses, and sheep...yes, he would probably think that all cowboys are gay.
*This phrase is in quotes because I believe that gay/straight is determined when the baby is created.
Never to fear, I just ended up going over to Miss Sarah's house because she also had the day off. I told her of Baby Colison's project that shawn and I made yesterday...she's at least excited, which is good because the flannel I chose for the project is blue and white, which can be construed as "boy" and Mr and Mrs Poochie are probably having a "girl." But I can tell you that John at work would say that the design makes it a "girl" blanket...because male babies are highly susceptible to "turning gay"* if they are surrounded by images/likenesses of rabbits, horses, and sheep...yes, he would probably think that all cowboys are gay.
*This phrase is in quotes because I believe that gay/straight is determined when the baby is created.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Sewing Notions
So it was rainy today....of and on rain all day long. fun. I'm not on call (YES!!!) but I am beginning on Tuesday...so it better stop raining by then dammit!
Anyhow, I went out to get flannel prints to make a project for Baby Colison. This is what I learned:
1. When it rains lots, Lake Creek is more like a raging river. I took pictures.
2. Lowe's does not sell "grow-lights" for plants...well, they might, but I wasn't sure, plus I think I'll just take the basil to work so it gets more light and hopefully won't die.
3. The men at the fire department probably think I'm crazy. I pulled in to the department so I could take a picture of the creek, but then decided that I shouldn't park next to the "safe drop-off for unwanted babies" door, so I drove across the street to Walmart and walked along the aforementioned "creek" to get a picture of the water going under the road.
4. Hancock Fabrics does not have a good selection of fabric, but their Fleece is 40% off right now, and they have tons of "fur" fabrics good for stuffed animals. They also have a good selection of anything velcro.
5. Joanne Fabrics is moving. Most of the store is on sale, except for appliques and "books made of fabric" kits. They have a great selection of fabrics, but no good "furs". Their gender-neutral baby fabrics are blah.
6. Walmart is closing down their fabric section of their stores...It is also the place that I found the fabric I wanted...and they only had like 6 flannel prints....as opposed to the 68 I found at Joanne's.
7. Petsmart has great deals on Christmas themed dog and cat toys--I paid $1.50 for each dog toy and $1.60 for the plastic stocking filled with cat toys.
8. Don't walk from the far end of the parking lot to Old Navy when it's pouring...you'll get soaked.
9. Old Navy's clearance stuff was blah...thus it was pointless to have walked from the far end of the parking lot in the rain...damn.
and finally
10. The cat doesn't know if he wants in or out...he just wants you to stand there holding the door open for him so he can sniff the air and contemplate if he wants to go outside when it's that cold and wet. And don't try to force him out the door...it's like trying to get a cat into a sink full of water.
Anyhow, I went out to get flannel prints to make a project for Baby Colison. This is what I learned:
1. When it rains lots, Lake Creek is more like a raging river. I took pictures.
2. Lowe's does not sell "grow-lights" for plants...well, they might, but I wasn't sure, plus I think I'll just take the basil to work so it gets more light and hopefully won't die.
3. The men at the fire department probably think I'm crazy. I pulled in to the department so I could take a picture of the creek, but then decided that I shouldn't park next to the "safe drop-off for unwanted babies" door, so I drove across the street to Walmart and walked along the aforementioned "creek" to get a picture of the water going under the road.
4. Hancock Fabrics does not have a good selection of fabric, but their Fleece is 40% off right now, and they have tons of "fur" fabrics good for stuffed animals. They also have a good selection of anything velcro.
5. Joanne Fabrics is moving. Most of the store is on sale, except for appliques and "books made of fabric" kits. They have a great selection of fabrics, but no good "furs". Their gender-neutral baby fabrics are blah.
6. Walmart is closing down their fabric section of their stores...It is also the place that I found the fabric I wanted...and they only had like 6 flannel prints....as opposed to the 68 I found at Joanne's.
7. Petsmart has great deals on Christmas themed dog and cat toys--I paid $1.50 for each dog toy and $1.60 for the plastic stocking filled with cat toys.
8. Don't walk from the far end of the parking lot to Old Navy when it's pouring...you'll get soaked.
9. Old Navy's clearance stuff was blah...thus it was pointless to have walked from the far end of the parking lot in the rain...damn.
and finally
10. The cat doesn't know if he wants in or out...he just wants you to stand there holding the door open for him so he can sniff the air and contemplate if he wants to go outside when it's that cold and wet. And don't try to force him out the door...it's like trying to get a cat into a sink full of water.
Monday, January 08, 2007
The weekend
1). I didn't do anything on saturday...okay, well, I finished my book (The Prestige).
2). Sunday we went to the Lima Bean's baptism. Pictures following soon I think/hope--I didn't take any pictures so I'm at the mercy of Mr. and Mrs. Lima Bean....It was funny during the baptism because the priest asked for "the parents" to stand next to him and Mrs. Lima Bean was all like "mom, dad, get over here" (motioning to her parents)...no, honey, YOU'RE the parents he's talking about!
3). Went out to eat after said baptism with Mrs. Lima Bean's family (from Venezuela), Mr. Lima Bean's family (from Ohio), Mrs. Lima Bean's best friend from school (and her husband), and Miss Sarah...who isn't really starting to show yet, but her boosums are huge.
4). Shawn went and busted my new computer (something about updating bios with the wrong version, so now the motherboard doesn't work)...so I don't know when I'll next be able to blog...not that I blog frequently, but still...I only have access to the internet at work now...so sad.
5). I started re-reading "Enslaved by Ducks." good book, good book...
2). Sunday we went to the Lima Bean's baptism. Pictures following soon I think/hope--I didn't take any pictures so I'm at the mercy of Mr. and Mrs. Lima Bean....It was funny during the baptism because the priest asked for "the parents" to stand next to him and Mrs. Lima Bean was all like "mom, dad, get over here" (motioning to her parents)...no, honey, YOU'RE the parents he's talking about!
3). Went out to eat after said baptism with Mrs. Lima Bean's family (from Venezuela), Mr. Lima Bean's family (from Ohio), Mrs. Lima Bean's best friend from school (and her husband), and Miss Sarah...who isn't really starting to show yet, but her boosums are huge.
4). Shawn went and busted my new computer (something about updating bios with the wrong version, so now the motherboard doesn't work)...so I don't know when I'll next be able to blog...not that I blog frequently, but still...I only have access to the internet at work now...so sad.
5). I started re-reading "Enslaved by Ducks." good book, good book...
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Happy New Year
Happy New Year, Internet!
I have already started planning 2 baby showers, woo! well, we pretty much have the dates, and the houses, but we don't know which house for which date. Meh, details--it was all about choosing a date so people don't go out of town or make other such plans (especially since one of the showers is going to be during spring break). Hey, look! I found a pic of the two preggers ladies...granted, this was well BEFORE either was pregnant...in fact, this picture was taken well over a year ago.
I also went and installed a program on 15 different computers--okay, I had help, two of the guys I work with came with me so it only took 2.5 hours instead of 5 or 6 hours.
The neighbor's cat loves our yard. This only sucks because she doesn't like other cats, so she attacks the sliding glass door every time she's close by and IV or Quazi is sitting next to it...so, we're serenaded at 5 am daily by our cats growling, hissing, and howling at the other cat...fun!
And here's a pic of me holding the Lima Bean...she was a couple days old...she doesn't look so "fake baby used for teaching CPR" anymore...now she laughs when she watches the ceiling fan.
I have already started planning 2 baby showers, woo! well, we pretty much have the dates, and the houses, but we don't know which house for which date. Meh, details--it was all about choosing a date so people don't go out of town or make other such plans (especially since one of the showers is going to be during spring break). Hey, look! I found a pic of the two preggers ladies...granted, this was well BEFORE either was pregnant...in fact, this picture was taken well over a year ago.
I also went and installed a program on 15 different computers--okay, I had help, two of the guys I work with came with me so it only took 2.5 hours instead of 5 or 6 hours.
The neighbor's cat loves our yard. This only sucks because she doesn't like other cats, so she attacks the sliding glass door every time she's close by and IV or Quazi is sitting next to it...so, we're serenaded at 5 am daily by our cats growling, hissing, and howling at the other cat...fun!
And here's a pic of me holding the Lima Bean...she was a couple days old...she doesn't look so "fake baby used for teaching CPR" anymore...now she laughs when she watches the ceiling fan.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Stories of Airports and Snow
yeah yeah, so Shawn and I didn't go anywhere this year (which isn't true, we went over to the Lima Bean's house...she's so much cuter now that she can hold her own damn head up). BUT that doesn't mean that we haven't heard endless stories of travel travails.
My dad was stuck in North Carolina (?) because he couldn't get back to Colorado...but hey, Carolina is better than Jersey.
Everyone in Colorado was stuck in their house.
One of my coworkers was stuck at the Austin Airport for 10 hours because she missed her first flight to Chicago...the flight didn't even have to go through Denver...just straight through to Chicago...but I guess Chicago was on a 4 hour flight delay because of fog.
And we...why we weren't stuck at all! yay for mild climates!
As far as Christmas presents go, we got quite a few nifty things...things like a 750 piece "solve the mystery" puzzle, which we solved the puzzle, and managed to solve the mystery without the "key evidence"...but then, I think the clues and the lab reports and what other crap they gave you really gave the whole thing away...not nearly as hard as the puzzles Mom used to buy us. We also got like $125 in movie gift certificates...so, we's goin' to the movies! And I got a nice outfit from Mom. She had Dani help her, but it's all good, the clothes fit and everyone at work said they looked nice. I got a nifty iHome...it's for my iPod...which I've taken to calling my ip-odd instead of my "na-new, na-new." That's all for now...I'll post a pic of the puzzle later so that the fam can use it to make their version of said puzzle.
My dad was stuck in North Carolina (?) because he couldn't get back to Colorado...but hey, Carolina is better than Jersey.
Everyone in Colorado was stuck in their house.
One of my coworkers was stuck at the Austin Airport for 10 hours because she missed her first flight to Chicago...the flight didn't even have to go through Denver...just straight through to Chicago...but I guess Chicago was on a 4 hour flight delay because of fog.
And we...why we weren't stuck at all! yay for mild climates!
As far as Christmas presents go, we got quite a few nifty things...things like a 750 piece "solve the mystery" puzzle, which we solved the puzzle, and managed to solve the mystery without the "key evidence"...but then, I think the clues and the lab reports and what other crap they gave you really gave the whole thing away...not nearly as hard as the puzzles Mom used to buy us. We also got like $125 in movie gift certificates...so, we's goin' to the movies! And I got a nice outfit from Mom. She had Dani help her, but it's all good, the clothes fit and everyone at work said they looked nice. I got a nifty iHome...it's for my iPod...which I've taken to calling my ip-odd instead of my "na-new, na-new." That's all for now...I'll post a pic of the puzzle later so that the fam can use it to make their version of said puzzle.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Good God, there's something in the water!
So then, the Lima Bean was born in September...and Mrs. Poochie is going to have a baby in May...and now Miss Sarah is going to have a baby in July! I swear, there's something in the water...I think I'd better switch to bottled, just to be safe.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
The Baby Name Wizard
No, we're not having a baby. Ross got me hooked on a website a while back, and so I started reading more about the actual book and then had the stupid, stupid thought "wow, that's pretty cool, I should get the book." And thus, I have bought the book...I also got a "how to make stuffed animals" book too so that I can make something for Baby Colison. The book is such a let down...maybe it's a let down because it really is just another baby name book and it doesn't explain the science of what research went into it, or it doesn't explain why people sometimes choose mates that begin with the same letters...or even why parents that have twins always seem to name the kids with names that all begin with the same letter. But anyhow, I'm disappointed. They don't even have my name in it. :(
Names that go with Danielle: Nicole, Erica, Amanda, Rachel, Stephanie, Derek, Jeremy, Sean, Travis, Adam
Names that go with Mary: Margaret, Catherine, Martha, Rosa, Anne, John, Charles, George, Edward, Paul
Names that go with James: Mary, Elizabeth, Anne, Camilla, Charlotte, Robert, William, Thomas, Phillip, John
Names that go with Danielle: Nicole, Erica, Amanda, Rachel, Stephanie, Derek, Jeremy, Sean, Travis, Adam
Names that go with Mary: Margaret, Catherine, Martha, Rosa, Anne, John, Charles, George, Edward, Paul
Names that go with James: Mary, Elizabeth, Anne, Camilla, Charlotte, Robert, William, Thomas, Phillip, John
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Europe or Central America?
So then, as I said earlier, this is a picture of our shower wall...apparently I take really long showers or something because I swear to God that this looks like Spain, Italy and a messed up Greece...but then one day I thought it looked a little more like Central America...but you can't have Spain, Italy and Central America all connected...or can you? Dur, and after I uploaded it I realized that there are little red lines acting like messed up little arrows when really they point to nothing, so look ABOVE the titles--except for Spain, which is in the middle of where Spain is in my Shower Wall World.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Chrismakuh
Ah Chrismakuh...how glorious of a season you are. You get to bring out the best and worse in people. For example: Project Blue Santa--good (not to mention the fact that this organization gets thousands of unwrapped toys which they then go and wrap...that's a lot of wrapping), and psychotic christians--bad. Yes, that's right, psychotic christians. I believe I have found my arch nemeses...Everyone knows of this type of person--the person that is personally offended that someone dare say "happy holidays" instead of "merry christmas". they'll claim that "people have taken the christ out of christmas" which guess what? not everyone is christian. There are tons of other religions, so yes, "Happy Holidays" is what you say to people when you aren't sure if they're christian...but then, at the same time, there isn't a muslim, hindu, or buddhist holiday around christmas, so maybe it would be best if we just didn't say anything to anyone about religious holidays unless you absolutely know without a doubt what religion the person is...hmm, that could work nicely, though i'm sure the psychotic christians would still be upset because they need to be recognized...stupid attention seeking whores.
Religious Holidays in December (via earthcalendar.net):
12/3--Beginning of Advent (christian)
12/8--Immaculate Conception (christian)
--Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (sikhism)
12/10--Ganga Bua (voudon)
12/12--Agu Arroyo (voudon)
12/16--Beginning of Chanukkah (judaism)
12/21--Alban Arthuan/Heruin (celticism)
--Litha/Yule (paganism)
12/24--Christmas Eve (christian)
12/25--Christmas Day (christian)
--Bain de Noel (voudon)
12/26--Zartusht-No-Diso (zoroastrian)
12/31--Asara B'tevet (judaism)
--Omisoka (shinto)
Non-Religious days of note (via earthcalendar.net):
12/23--Festivus
12/26--beginning of Kwanzaa
So choose a holiday and enjoy, just remember that not everyone you meet celebrates the same one. And on that note, Happy Holidays!
Religious Holidays in December (via earthcalendar.net):
12/3--Beginning of Advent (christian)
12/8--Immaculate Conception (christian)
--Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (sikhism)
12/10--Ganga Bua (voudon)
12/12--Agu Arroyo (voudon)
12/16--Beginning of Chanukkah (judaism)
12/21--Alban Arthuan/Heruin (celticism)
--Litha/Yule (paganism)
12/24--Christmas Eve (christian)
12/25--Christmas Day (christian)
--Bain de Noel (voudon)
12/26--Zartusht-No-Diso (zoroastrian)
12/31--Asara B'tevet (judaism)
--Omisoka (shinto)
Non-Religious days of note (via earthcalendar.net):
12/23--Festivus
12/26--beginning of Kwanzaa
So choose a holiday and enjoy, just remember that not everyone you meet celebrates the same one. And on that note, Happy Holidays!
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
The Wall in the Shower
So, I'm going to blog about the wall in the shower. Boring you may say. But, au contraire mon frer. The wall is marble...therefore it's got the funny little feather lines in it. These lines can be imagined to draw things...you know, like how you can see things in clouds. I will post a picture later (I have to figure out how to get my camera all hooked up and downloading pictures while using this crazy new OS called "Vista"---mwah ha ha ha, that's right, Shawn's got a Developer's license for Vista so he gets to play with it at home to try to find bugs and whatnot.). But, back to the issue at hand, I want to know if it's a funky drawing of Spain, Italy, and Greece, or if it's a drawing of California, Baja, and Central America. As I said...later.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Bah Humbug!
On Thursday I had to go to the doctor for a stupid physical. YAY nothing's wrong! they put a rush order on the lab work so I found out 15 minutes later. YAY! But then, the question of the tetanus shot came up..."uh...let's see...we were going to Albuquerque for a band trip...and I had to get it right after that trip because I was turning 15 and that's when I needed the shot...and now I'm...25...damn." so the tetanus shot it is. The shot itself didn't hurt. by that night I was in pain. I woke up at least 4 times because I'd hit my arm, rolled over on it, or just tried to move it. Friday day I couldn't lift my arm at more than a 15 degree angle without seeing stars...That's when I started taking the pain meds. ThenI got the reaction to the vaccine where it feels like you have the flu but not--so I was nauseous, chills (so I was wearing sweatpants, a t-shirt, a sweatshirt, and was still under a blanket...and this was AFTER I turned the heat up to 72), achy, low-grade fever and dead tired. I slept in the same outfit as described above and woke up once to take more pain meds...Saturday's been better...but then I've been on a constant Advil high all day, and, since Shawn's starting to get some sore throat type sickness, he hasn't complained about me turning the temp up inside the house.
In other stuff, we went to Shawn's work group's holiday party on Thursday night. There were conversations about Linux, the delicious soup, and a very in-depth conversation about Transformers...I don't know if I should be impressed, or very, very scared.
In other stuff, we went to Shawn's work group's holiday party on Thursday night. There were conversations about Linux, the delicious soup, and a very in-depth conversation about Transformers...I don't know if I should be impressed, or very, very scared.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
So, you know how I said
that Shawn had built me a new computer with all the stuff that he bought the day after Thanksgiving? And how I needed a new computer because the only thing I could do on my old one was surf the web? Yeah, well, funny story: Since shawn is obsessed with Linux (what's a linux?) he decided to install Sabayon on my computer (as well as Windows). And now, for some reason, he can't connect to the internet--nevermind the fact that it connected perfectly fine to the internet last night. And this is why I hate computers...
In other news, my in-laws decided that we (us and his parents) should all throw some money in and get my sister-in-law and her husband one big present (combined for their birthdays and Christmas). This is perfectly fine with me...the only problem is that we had already gone out and bought Christina her Christmas presents...which we can keep one of them til next Christmas, but I'm worried about keeping the one that Shawn chose because I think the stuff may not be good if we wait a year...so I guess it will become a birthday present maybe? but then I feel like we should get Nathan something to open as well...oy vey...see the problem with going shopping the day after Thanksgiving?
In other news, my in-laws decided that we (us and his parents) should all throw some money in and get my sister-in-law and her husband one big present (combined for their birthdays and Christmas). This is perfectly fine with me...the only problem is that we had already gone out and bought Christina her Christmas presents...which we can keep one of them til next Christmas, but I'm worried about keeping the one that Shawn chose because I think the stuff may not be good if we wait a year...so I guess it will become a birthday present maybe? but then I feel like we should get Nathan something to open as well...oy vey...see the problem with going shopping the day after Thanksgiving?
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Let the Christmas shopping begin
So, Thanksgiving. We were home, by ourselves, we had smoked turkey breast, and it was delicious. Then 9pm rolled around and Shawn said "let's go get a hard drive from CompUSA, they have a good deal on a 160 gig drive." so it was off to CompUSA where we waited in line to get out of the store for about an hour and a half, but we had the hard drive. We got home at like 11:45 and then set the alarm to wake up at 4am so we could leave for Fry's to get their computer based deals. We got to Fry's at 4:30 and waited in line to get INTO the store for about 20-25 minutes--they opened a little early because the line had gone from the front doors all the way down to the fire station. Now then, last year we waited in line for about an hour to get out of the store, so this year's goal was to get in and get out as quick as possible--no lollygagging around looking at things we weren't going to buy. We didn't even have to wait in line to leave. We were out of the store by 5:05am. Then it was off to Kohl's for actual Christmas gifts, that was an hour and a half long wait. Then to Linens 'n Things, then to Old Navy (both of which didn't have very long lines--mostly because by this time, both stores had been open for about an hour). And then we went back to Fry's the following Sunday to pick up some more presents for people. And thus we have bought ourselves the stuff to make me a new computer (my computer is so outdated that about the only thing I can do on it anymore is surf the internet) and the stuff for a new media computer (now we can get High Def television), and gotten about half of our Christmas shopping done. WOOO! and it's only December 2nd. Now then, we just got to go wait in line at the post office so we can ship all this stuff out.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Thanksgiving dinner
my initial statement and question: "hmm, thanksgiving is this week. you want a turkey...so, what should we have for side dishes?"
Shawn's in-depth and highly complex answer: "jello"
And the rest of the conversation is as follows:
"alright, what type of jello?"
"I don't know, strawberry?"
"No, I don't mean what flavor, I mean what type--like lime with cream cheese and marshmallows, or cherry with fruit, or strawberry with whipped cream?"
"Why's it got to have extra stuff in it?"
"Because it's Thanksgiving."
"You know, just because it's Thanksgiving doesn't mean it has to be difficult."
"right, well, what else should we have for food?"
"we've already got potatoes...and a box of stuffing...and biscuits...and jello...."
"yeah, I know, but that's all easy stuff, what else should we have?"
"uh...apple pie?"
"Ah yes, apple pie! That's kinda difficult...or not difficult but time consuming. Okay, now we're good."
"you know..."
"yes, I know, just because it's Thanksgiving doesn't mean it has to be difficult."
Shawn's in-depth and highly complex answer: "jello"
And the rest of the conversation is as follows:
"alright, what type of jello?"
"I don't know, strawberry?"
"No, I don't mean what flavor, I mean what type--like lime with cream cheese and marshmallows, or cherry with fruit, or strawberry with whipped cream?"
"Why's it got to have extra stuff in it?"
"Because it's Thanksgiving."
"You know, just because it's Thanksgiving doesn't mean it has to be difficult."
"right, well, what else should we have for food?"
"we've already got potatoes...and a box of stuffing...and biscuits...and jello...."
"yeah, I know, but that's all easy stuff, what else should we have?"
"uh...apple pie?"
"Ah yes, apple pie! That's kinda difficult...or not difficult but time consuming. Okay, now we're good."
"you know..."
"yes, I know, just because it's Thanksgiving doesn't mean it has to be difficult."
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
The good (transpo) book
So, as I promised last week sometime (whenever it was that Jon posted about the guy running for senate or something in Pennsylvania) here is my post about determining speeds for roadways...of course, for whatever reason the book gives everything more as a "if you want the speed to be this, then you should design this as..." as opposed to "if you have a roadway that is designed as this, then the safe speed should be..." But I digress.
Ok, #1. There are tons of tables...which I do not feel like scanning in for your betterment...so if you want the tables themselves, go find them from AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials)...or find the transpo book I have (Transportation Engineering Planning and Design Fourth Edition by Paul H Wright And Norman J. Ashford)
Various parts that go into designing a road:
-Sight Distance (how far can you see in front of you),
-Perception-Reaction distance (how far you travel from when you first see something to when you react to it--Reaction is usually set to 2.5 seconds, but can go up to 3.0 seconds),
-Braking distance (how long you're breaking for),
-number of lanes (number of lanes needed to maintain a certain level of service--otherwise known as "why am I sitting in this traffic jam?")
-width of shoulder (the wider the clear shoulder, the faster people will go)
-slope of hill after shoulder (this determines usage of guardrails)
-other various stuff which I do not feel like typing about (gutter inlets, train intersections, highway intersections, bridge design, type of pavement used, thickness of pavement, etc.)
Sight distance on the road generally just means "how far can you see in front of you?" this is why when it's dark out you don't want to "out drive" your headlights. And thus, probably the reason for Texas having "Day speed limits" and "Night speed limits". Stopping sight distance is the distance you travel from when you first see something to when you actually stop...How fast can you stop the car when you see a hindrance in the road? AASHTO uses "wet pavement" calculations because wet pavement has less friction than dry pavement, thus it takes you longer to stop. So then, the calcuations are as follows:
Perception-Reaction distance: 1.47*(2.5 sec)*V where V is the velocity of the car in mph.
Braking distance: V^2/(30*f) where V is the velocity of the car in mph and f is the coefficient of friction (between 0.28 (for about 70mph) to 0.4 (for about 20mph))
Therefore your stopping sight distance is the distance you travel while reacting plus the distance you travel while breaking...and this is only for level ground, it would be longer for slopped ground.
And thus, the speed limit you select should take into account that your stoping sight distance needs to be shorter than your sight distance--you don't want people traveling on a road at 65mph when they can only see 50 feet in front of them.
Number of lanes calculations: Number of lanes = Directional Design Hourly Volume (DDHV) / Service Flow Level.
DDHV = Annual average daily traffic * K * D
K = percent of AADT that occurs in the peak hour (usually 10 - 20%)
D = Directional factor (percentage of cars on the roadway going the direction of interest) (usually 50-70%)
SFL (service flow level) is taken from a table--calculated as "vehicles per lane" by a percentage of trucks (0-20%) and by terrain (level, rolling hills, or mountains). The better the level of service, the less cars in a lane, and therefore the less likely you are to get stuck in a traffic jam.
Wide shoulders and other types of obstructions:
The wider the shoulder, the faster people can travel safely because brokedown cars can get completely off the road, plus you can use the shoulder for evasive tactics if needed.
The wider the lanes, the faster people will drive because they don't have to worry as much about hitting cars in other lanes.
The steeper the hill off of the shoulder determines the use of gaurdrails--you're more likely to over compensate and try to stay away from the guardrails, plus if you do hit the guardrail, it's supposed to keep you from going over the edge of the mountian.
Dividing a highway makes it safer to travel faster because you're not as worried about being hit by oncoming traffic.
Dividing a small neighborhood street, usually gets you to go slower because you can't necessarily see people or animals crossing the street as easily, especially if trees are added.
Adding cones gets you to slow down because you don't want to hit anything...even if the cones are placed to give you the same amount of space as the lane does.
Ok, #1. There are tons of tables...which I do not feel like scanning in for your betterment...so if you want the tables themselves, go find them from AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials)...or find the transpo book I have (Transportation Engineering Planning and Design Fourth Edition by Paul H Wright And Norman J. Ashford)
Various parts that go into designing a road:
-Sight Distance (how far can you see in front of you),
-Perception-Reaction distance (how far you travel from when you first see something to when you react to it--Reaction is usually set to 2.5 seconds, but can go up to 3.0 seconds),
-Braking distance (how long you're breaking for),
-number of lanes (number of lanes needed to maintain a certain level of service--otherwise known as "why am I sitting in this traffic jam?")
-width of shoulder (the wider the clear shoulder, the faster people will go)
-slope of hill after shoulder (this determines usage of guardrails)
-other various stuff which I do not feel like typing about (gutter inlets, train intersections, highway intersections, bridge design, type of pavement used, thickness of pavement, etc.)
Sight distance on the road generally just means "how far can you see in front of you?" this is why when it's dark out you don't want to "out drive" your headlights. And thus, probably the reason for Texas having "Day speed limits" and "Night speed limits". Stopping sight distance is the distance you travel from when you first see something to when you actually stop...How fast can you stop the car when you see a hindrance in the road? AASHTO uses "wet pavement" calculations because wet pavement has less friction than dry pavement, thus it takes you longer to stop. So then, the calcuations are as follows:
Perception-Reaction distance: 1.47*(2.5 sec)*V where V is the velocity of the car in mph.
Braking distance: V^2/(30*f) where V is the velocity of the car in mph and f is the coefficient of friction (between 0.28 (for about 70mph) to 0.4 (for about 20mph))
Therefore your stopping sight distance is the distance you travel while reacting plus the distance you travel while breaking...and this is only for level ground, it would be longer for slopped ground.
And thus, the speed limit you select should take into account that your stoping sight distance needs to be shorter than your sight distance--you don't want people traveling on a road at 65mph when they can only see 50 feet in front of them.
Number of lanes calculations: Number of lanes = Directional Design Hourly Volume (DDHV) / Service Flow Level.
DDHV = Annual average daily traffic * K * D
K = percent of AADT that occurs in the peak hour (usually 10 - 20%)
D = Directional factor (percentage of cars on the roadway going the direction of interest) (usually 50-70%)
SFL (service flow level) is taken from a table--calculated as "vehicles per lane" by a percentage of trucks (0-20%) and by terrain (level, rolling hills, or mountains). The better the level of service, the less cars in a lane, and therefore the less likely you are to get stuck in a traffic jam.
Wide shoulders and other types of obstructions:
The wider the shoulder, the faster people can travel safely because brokedown cars can get completely off the road, plus you can use the shoulder for evasive tactics if needed.
The wider the lanes, the faster people will drive because they don't have to worry as much about hitting cars in other lanes.
The steeper the hill off of the shoulder determines the use of gaurdrails--you're more likely to over compensate and try to stay away from the guardrails, plus if you do hit the guardrail, it's supposed to keep you from going over the edge of the mountian.
Dividing a highway makes it safer to travel faster because you're not as worried about being hit by oncoming traffic.
Dividing a small neighborhood street, usually gets you to go slower because you can't necessarily see people or animals crossing the street as easily, especially if trees are added.
Adding cones gets you to slow down because you don't want to hit anything...even if the cones are placed to give you the same amount of space as the lane does.
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