Quote on Freedom of expression

If we don't believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don't believe in it at all. -Noam Chomsky, linguistics professor and political activist (1928- )

Lots and none at all

...is basically what's going on right now. I'd like to spend more time posting here or just writing in general, but I've been pretty busy with work, teaching and other sundry. This last weekend, my uncle came over (more like a brother considering he's only six years my senior and how we were raised, etc.) and assisted greatly in the assemblage of a grid for a suspended ceiling. As a matter of fact, he did the lion's share of the work. Last night, I started putting in the tiles, which, surprisingly enough, is going well so far. I've had to cut some for vents and a rather large sewer pipe but even those went fairly well. The other side of the sewer pipe is going to be more interesting and I have to decide how and where I want some electrical boxes that were implanted in the old ceiling.

It's spring break at the moment, which is nice in that I have a little extra time during the day. I need to go through and get my taxes together and get that taken care of this week. I was waiting for something from my ex, but it doesn't look like she's going to get it to me. *shrug* Oh well.

On the good news side, I had my car in last week to have the oil changed and tires rotated along with an examination of the engine as it's been running just a bit off lately. The mechanic indicated that he thought it might be carbon buildup around the EGR valve. The bad part was that it was going to cost a minimum of $75 more to find out and then probably another $300+ to fix the problem. On a whim on Friday morning, I stopped and purchased some gas at a different store than I usually acquire it. Their price hadn't jumped to $2.179 and was still at $2.119 so I decided to fill up quick. I also dropped in a little bottle of injector cleaner. Today, as I started the car, it coughed (for lack of a better term) and then continued running normally. I didn't think anything of it but on the way in to work I noticed that it was running better and that the "Check Engine" light was no longer lit. I may have to stop getting gas at Kwik Trip. I've heard a few other people note that Kwik Trip gas isn't the best, too. *shrug*

And now, for bed.

Quote on beauty

There is no beautifier of complexion, or form, or behavior, like the wish to scatter joy and not pain around us. -Ralph Waldo Emerson, writer and philosopher (1803-1882)

---

Occasionally, I get the idea that Mr. Emerson (above) had some good ideas.

The rest of the quote

When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us. -Alexander Graham Bell, inventor (1847-1922)

---

I've always heard the first part of that quote, but the second part really drives home the lesson.

A quote for those with low self-esteem.

I have often wondered how it is that every man loves himself more than all the rest of men, but yet sets less value on his own opinion of himself than on the opinion of others. -Marcus Aurelius, philosopher (121-180)

---

Office move

The long and the short of it is, three or four of my co-workers and I are being forced to change offices for about a month or two due to demolition of various duct work in the ceiling above our current offices. It stinks. The amount of time it takes to pack up an office and then move to a communal area is phenomenal. The fact that it is communal just came home this evening and as far as I'm concerned, that also stinks. We're stuck in one large room with no dividers other than low counters. *sigh* (Bitch, bitch, bitch. I know, it could be worse.) It's just a lot of time which could be spent on other, more important things. Oh well. On ward and upward?

My girl-friend is awesome. She recently indicated that she wanted to move her computer out of her bedroom and into the dining room. Although I wasn't overly thrilled with the idea, (primarily because of the work involved running more CAT5e network cable) I helped her with the project. It worked okay, but wasn't great as her setup took up most of the dining room table. Then, she indicated that she could put things on a smaller kitchen table which wasn't being utilized. At first, I didn't like that idea because I was worried the table would be too tall for her but it turns out that not only does everything fit (albeit snuggly) but the height is good and she loves it. (The last part there is the most important.) I really like it, too. It gives the user (me, at the moment) a good view out into the back yard as well as being able to watch cooking food in the kitchen or keep an eye on the fire in the wood stove or watch TV, etc. It was a good idea of which she has many. She just has to time the introducing of them correctly so I can hear them. ;-)

I had a conversation this evening with a formerly close friend. I forgot how much I enjoyed talking with her. It was nice. It reminded me of better times under a different sky. Alas, those times are gone and are unlikely to return. I think there was a lot of miscommunication in those days. Oh well, for better or ill, things are.

I miss my friends in Florida. She of my friends who I have known longer than any called me last night for a brief chat while she was getting ready to go on a week-long trip to present at a multitude of workshops. It doesn't help that I'm listening to The Indigo Girls at the moment. This beloved friend of mine introduced me to their gorgeous music some 15 years ago now. My how time flies.

"The sweetest part is acting after making a decision." -Hammer and Nail by the aforementioned Indigo Girls. Perhaps it is time to make a decision.

A New Stove

400 pounds of cast iron and steel graced my door step this last Sunday. The gentleman from whom I purchased the well cut and good looking piece of metal assisted in the transport and installation of said item along with a bit of repair work (replacement blower and paint). Overall, I like it. It takes up just a bit more room but nothing obnoxious and the useful heat out of it has probably tripled over the last one. The fire box is also much larger, probably two to three times the size of the little one now gracing my garage. There is but one thing I like not, the dampers. The little one had dampers and vents all over the place which meant it was highly configurable. The "new" one has but two (assuming you don't count opening the front door of the unit) and it's hard to tell sometimes if they actually change much. The placement of the dampers also causes it to billow smoke into the house with little or no provocation when attempting to add wood. Still, as I said, I like it. It heats the upper floor of my house much more quickly than the last one and I seem to be able to leave this one for longer periods of time without needing to re-fire it. Now if my back will just get better from lifting the beast into place. ;-)

Winter continues to be here. Snow and chilling winds have reinforced my conclusion that I really don't like winter. Of course, I knew this in November, but still, it's nice to have confirmation.

Tax season approaches. 'Tis yet one more blight upon the crop of my time. *sigh* Oh well.

Quote and a Question

The man who strikes first admits that his ideas have given out. -Chinese proverb

---

I only have a few repeat customers on this BLOG so I'm not expecting a torrent of responses, but: Would anyone be interested in reading some fiction I've written and/or will write. ("No's" need not respond ;-)