OK, I admit it. Until today, I have never used an RJ-11 crimp tool. I know, I know. How could I go so long? But with the Vonage install, I decided to properly run some phone cables around rather than just drape them hither and thither. So I've started making some cables to the right lengths and running them around the molding with little clips and it's all very DiYAdorable. But I'm happy, and the Tivo finally can make its little phone calls without us plugging it into the phone every other week. I'm using Cat3 for my phone cable, which specifically says on the reel not to use it as a replacement for "flat phone cord." I, um, am using it as replacement for flat phone cord. So I'm not sure what that means... but it seems to work.
Started playing around w/ soft drinks last night. Made my first quick ginger ale. Mediocre results so far (good, but not great yet).
1c candied ginger chopped fine Simmer 5 minutes in 2c water Steep 20 minutes, strain. Mix ~50/50 with club soda
Next try will use 1c fresh ginger and mix in some simple syrup rather than using candied ginger. I'm going to stick w/ carbonated water rather than yeast for now; I don't want to have to tend the bottle. Ginger water can go in the fridge, and carbonation added on demand (w/ club soda for now).
Also, finished Dune, started Dune Messiah (both audiobooks). I really enjoyed Dune; DM is ok.
Yesterday we started work on the front garden. We're pulling out the bushes and putting in something more interesting that blocks the house less. Step one was to start pulling stumps. One stump pulled (of five); wow that was a lot of work. But it was good. Rained on us most of the time, but it was a warm rain. And I think I really need to get that dirty about twice a month...
We're just got back from Ireland, and discovered that house ninjas have thrown a party in our home. House ninjas are possibly the best thing ever created. Standing in the yard, seeing the treehouse platform back up nearly brought me to tears. It was like finding an old friend again. We can't thank you guys enough for everything you did. Thank you so much for finally finishing the painting we've left almost done for years. And the bathroom looks so much better already. It's amazing how bright it is in there now. I promise, we'll paint it before next OTP.
Please, please, come invade our home any time you like. We hope to see you all in person next time, with or without tools.
Oh, and Ireland was fantastic. I'll have to post more about that soon. Need to unpack right now. House ninjas are an inspiration.
I was in an interesting discussion recently about the Internet and the idea that people are just meaner today than they used to be. Jefferson came up as a proponent of educated discourse, leading to my thoughts on the subject:
Jefferson certainly knew all about the power of flame wars.
People aren't meaner. The same mean people just have very cheap access to a very large megaphone and anonymity. The cheap slander that was put out in the eighteenth and nineteenth century fliers and broadsheets were also often anonymous or pseudonymous, and vitriolic. We just don't read them today. 100 years from now, no one will go back and read the stupid /. postings either. They'll remember an Internet of this time that was much more cooperative, hopeful and egalitarian than their own time, because the things they save and study will be the best we've written.
None of the blogs can figure out if this is pro- or anti-science, but wow is it the funniest thing I've seen in a long time:
If I were dyslexic I'd even hate dog, too.
Wow... I can only hope to be important enough some day to be lampooned so well.
It probably actually is from the Expelled guys (it fits Stein's new bad-boy image and slick marketing), but reactions on Panda's Thumb say a lot about the differences in the camps. I doubt something this disrespectful to major Fundamentalist religious leaders would be posted and laughed about on Uncommon Descent. Oh, I'm sorry, that's not a religious blog is it?
Don't really have a lot to say, which is good because I don't have a lot of time to say it. Mostly bustling around the house this evening, checking things off my todo list. And updating LiveJournal has been one of those things I keep letting slide. I put it on the list because I want to do it. It's too easy to skip over the non-worky things on the list.
Lists have a weird sort of power. They give a quick shot of yea! when you check something off. That's the appeal of the GTD stuff. But of course they also can drag you into doing stupid things because "it's on the list" and worse, managing lists can itself become a task; horror, even a goal in itself. That's when you have to back away and remember why you did it in the first place.
Keeping track of what I need to be doing has become more important in my new job(s). I have actual deadlines now. And clients.
Well, jammy dinner tonight, which sounds very nice for a Sunday night. Though I'm missing those great Sunday Dinners, so vilejynx and I need to start that again. I'll put it on the list.
I finally finished The Fountainhead a few weeks ago (since then I've been listening to Neverwhere, which I've enjoyed immensely). As usual, I find Rand often infuriating, sometimes brilliant, and impossible to walk away from. ( Collapse )
accomplished
thankful