In case you didn’t notice, Rick Rubin took home three big awards at the Grammies on Sunday (Best Rock Album, Album of the Year, Producer of the Year). I found this interesting article about him (and the Dixie Chicks) using Google News.
Actual conversation with Thomas
Thomas just came into my office asking advice. His question went something like this:
OK, all my zones have high demand, but the problem is that I don’t have any money to build. Should I take a bond and hope that my tax revenue goes up when my zones grow?
He’s playing Sim City 2000.
Vital Statistics
Bike odometer: 656 miles
Weight lost: 52 lbs.
Hours of sleep last night: 10
Hours billed last week: 40
Total mice caught: 12
Current reading: 2107 Curious Word Origins, Says & Expressions by Charles Earle Funk, 7 Seconds or Less by Jack McCallum
Recent listening: Thick as a Brick by Jethro Tull, Sammy Davis, Jr., XO by Elliott Smith, The Outsider by DJ Shadow
Recent viewing: Countdown, Sportscenter, Stargate SG-1, The Daily Show, Saturday Night Live, Meet the Press
Recent playing: Donut Games
Recently accomplished: Mouse hunting, picked up van from mechanic, vacuumed van
Imperative To Do: RMA old Tivo drive, pay bills, hair cut, fix bathroom sink, procure longer Ethernet cable for Tivo
Play DonutGames
After playing Castle Smasher for a week or more, I finally clicked the “More Donut Games” button and discovered several other excellent time wasters:
Visit with caution. You may not get away for hours!
Is Your Boss An Asshole?
Guy Kawasaki offers 11 questions to help you answer the question.
It’s alive!
Tina and the boys heard the “snap” again while they were eating breakfast this morning. They thought it was by the cat food again, but I didn’t think they could hear a trap in the garage from the dining room. I was right – it was under the stove where I had set two traps over the weekend. Not only was this one alive but it was squeaking up a storm!
I pulled out trap/mouse and put them in the middle of the kitchen floor. Eventually, both cats became interested enough to check it out. I cruelly shot some video with my digital camera while Ming had a look. I should warn you that these videos will be upsetting if you don’t like seeing mice in traps:
- At first, he doesn’t realize what I have, even though it’s squeaking.
- Then, he sniffs it like he might another cat.
- Realizing it’s a mouse he has a few pokes at it.
- Finally, he ignores it before poking it again. Notice the mouse biting back a bit.
I only let this go on for a couple of minutes before I dropped him in a salsa jar with baking soda and vinegar. It was all over in about 15 seconds. (Thanks for the great advice, Thane!)
Finally, here’s a few more from YouTube:
In defense of our cats
A loyal reader recently wrote:
Your blog said: Sunday night we got one by the cat foodYou mean your cats can’t catch these mice??? Do they try?
Yes, it’s true – our cats have been completely ineffective in keeping our house pest free. However, it’s not really their fault. Ming, who is 14 years old, is blind in one eye and nearly deaf. Nietzsche is 15 years old and has arthritis. They are essentially just grumpy, old cats at this point in their lives and definitely no longer mouser material.
When Tina and I got married in New Mexico, Nietzsche was not yet a year old but proved to be an excellent mouser. He caught at least two in the short time that we stayed at Jan and Tom’s house and even left one on our pillow for us one night! Those days are long gone now, but they both enjoyed when I let them check out our most recently trapped mouse this morning. More on that later.
Former NBA player John Amaechi is gay
Amaechi announced it prior to the release of his book, “Man in the Middle,” which details his experiences in the NBA. Henry Abbott, over at TrueHoop wrote an excellent and incisive article that not only deals with homosexuality in sports but talks about the larger societal picture. It’s really a must-read. Here’s a couple of excellent points he makes:
- “I’m of the opinion that everyone in this world should be able to conduct themselves with pride.”
- “You know that open season on homosexuality is coming to an end sooner or later. I don’t see much point in hanging on the tired ways of ignorant yesteryear much longer.”
Physically Separated Bike Lanes
Jonathan Maus makes the case for physically separated bike lanes. It’s a good idea but not entirely without problems.
Who’s the leader of the club?
And another tonight by the cat food. I’ve lost count but my friend Amy said they caught 26 one year in their old house in Michigan. I hope we don’t have that many!