Some guy came up with a water pump powered by playing children:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22846013/

Kinda cool.

I went to a convention last weekend, shook a bunch of hands, and the next day had a sore throat and fever that has made me miserable for over a week now. Now its in my chest. Whatever I happened to catch is particularly nasty and lingering and Matthew has it now as well.

Morrigoon, I really hope Alex has something entirely different because I wouldn't wish this particular cold on anyone.

Ten years ago we bought a 4,000 square foot newer home, with 3 baths, five bedrooms and a huge yard for $145,000. It's nearly doubled in value, even with the housing crash. Granted, the median hourly wage here is slightly above minimum, but I feel loads better about it when I see what you all pay for real estate down there.:D


Pru- Bobbi was impressed that Seattle hadn't succumbed to the usual post-snow chaos when she was there. Of course, it was the weekend. She also said the trip over the Pass was grueling- took over three hours. When she got home she discovered that nearly all the deciduous trees and shrubs in her yard were obliterated by the heavy snow. It tried to take down our lilacs, but I went out and shook all the snow off the branches before they snapped.

Brigitte- how much did you all get?


Alex- the thought of you living here made me crack up. There is no culture in Spokane, silly!

And finally, in August it averages 100 degrees up here as well, so I may be looking back at these pictures with a bit of longing. I doubt it, but it could happen.

There's no culture in my particular Bay Area suburb, either.

But the major difference is the length of commute to get to culture - MUCH shorter where you are are than in Spokane.

I wouldn't know what culture is if it fell on me...

Didn't I read that this was SRI's second choice for the location for Disneyland? ;)

Even if it were a bucket of yogurt? ;)

True, but I like long drives to get where I'm going.

Trust me, if the serious opportunity arose to move to Spokane (or almost anywhere else) I'd do it it without hesitation. 10 years is too long to live in one place and about 5 years longer than I ever planned on.

Thurston is back from the ophthalmologist. His eye appears to be mostly better. No more meds and no more e-collar. YAY for Thurston!