Monday, January 28, 2008

Will It Snow?

As you may know, it snowed some in Seattle last night and this morning. Enough to close some schools, but not too much to impact my commute, albeit enough for me to take the bus instead of driving.

The question is: will it snow more tomorrow? Steven over at The Weather Vortex has written up a detailed post as to the chance of it snowing more tonight and tomorrow in Seattle. Looks like it all depends on how cold it gets.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Drive Slowly Through Arizona, And Affect The State Budget

Apparently Arizona is banking on speedy drivers to fill the state coffers. The state anticipates $120 million in speeding ticket revenue to come in via a new camera-based speeding ticket system.

OK, so it's a fraction of the budget, indeed. But if you're facing a $1.2 billion shortfall, shouldn't you be focusing on ways to impact that deficit in more significant ways?

Wait, isn't Dr. Weil from Arizona? Can't he sponsor some national "come to Arizona and I'll make you healthy and let you touch my beard" event to raise some cash?

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Knitting

OK, confession time: I've started to knit.

Here's the deal: my wife knits, and has so for the past couple of years. She's really into it, as are several of our friends. We host a weekly stitch n' bitch night where people come over, knit, and chat. Oh, and someone bakes a yummy dessert to share.

Now, typically I've been the "bitch n' dessert" person of the group. Meaning, I don't stitch; I just chat and eat the dessert. This has proven to be a good plan to date.

Until recently. You see, my friend Bryan picked up knitting. And he's now totally done with an entire scarf. In an unhealthily short amount of time. In other words, Bryan is kicking my knitting butt, even though I'm not even knitting.

Well, you can't play the game if you don't play the game, right? Yep, so now I'm knitting too. And yes, when you make it competitive, most guys jump in headfirst.

But I joke: it's not about competing with Bryan. Knitting's kinda neat: you can make practical stuff you can wear, like hats and scarves, which are especially useful in the colder winter months
here in Seattle. Oh, and I hear you can make beer cozies too.

See? Knitting is all about staying warm and drinking beer. What's not to love?

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Bacon + Chocolate = Pretty Good

So you may recall me blogging about Vosges's Bacon Chocolate Bar. Well, my wife bought me some for the holidays as a stocking stuffer. And, naturally, we tried it just as soon as I pulled it out of the sock.

Here's the play-by-play:
  • Smell: more or less like regular chocolate. Maybe a hint of smokiness?
  • First taste: pronounced milk chocolate flavor. Smooth, well-tempered.
  • As it melts: bacon taste and saltiness start to build.
  • Some mild chewing later: more bacon, mixed with chocolate.
  • After a swallow: lingering smoky, salty taste in the mouth.
Sound weird? Well, you kinda have to like bacon, and be OK with mixing sweet and savory together, to enjoy this bar. Both of us like bacon, so we enjoyed this chocolate. We let my sister and brother-in-law try it over the holidays, and they didn't care for it so much. Your mileage may indeed vary.

Thursday, January 03, 2008

Just Call Me Mayor George

Hey, look: I have a city. It is Zorbaville. It's in Greece.

You should pay it a visit and help it grow.

That is all.