The Critter Tree

Windy storm pictures

I wish I could share some with you. Alas, my digital camera has given up on life. (I'm in the market for a new one - If you have recommendation for a great camera, let me know).

But there are pictures of the aftermath all over the blogosphere. Here's a post on slog of one scene:

Downed Pilot

The significance of that picture is that it's only two blocks away and the tree that fell smashed a Vanagon. We have a Vanagon in the driveway that mother nature (or god or whatever chose to spare) although its going up on craigslist before weeks end. So if there is anyone out there who wants to surprise a special someone with a big green hippie van, I'll give you first dibs. We also have a car salesman in the extended family and therefore know where to get one of those enormous red bows.

Egan's

The charming little jazz venue gets a nice write up in the Seattle times today.

It's telling people to go there. And who couldn't agree more? Cute, cosy, full of jazz and run by a very cool lady Suzanne Weghorst from the HIT lab.

Really? In Shelton?

We're trying to go away for a couple days over the holiday break. I was searching for vacationy type things that would be relatively close. Craigslist usually has lots of good options to choose from both close and far.

I found this gem in Shelton. It says it's a romantic getaway, they do have winter discounts. Sounds great right?

Well...not exactly.

Don't click on this if you are at work and your boss doesn't like you looking at inappropriate pictures of 70s models or the butt cheeks of a man cleaning out an above ground inflatable pool.


And in Shelton, which for those of you who don't know is famed for being a rur-burb (that's a word I just invented, a rural suburb) of olympia. It's a town known for meth consumption and lots of DUIs, and evidently nudist colonies.

I can't help but think of the last chapter of Naked by David Sedaris and wonder if this place has a strict towel policy.

Stormy

It's blowing up a storm and has been for the past 12 hours or so. It's garbage day. The street is littered with empty garbage cans, trash, paper and rolling lids.

Dropping the jargon

The plain talk movement is gaining hold in state government. Here's an article in the Olympia paper about getting rid of, as they say, the gobbledygook.

The gist of it is:

Talk to the public as you would talk to any other person - simply, and in plain language.

Roomba success

The Hairy Eyeball got the roomba we were talking about a while back and he talks about its limitations and successes.

Based on his thoughts, I'm thinking a roomba would make a good present for someone who:

• has multiple pets
• not be a slob, but not enough of a clean freak to keep up with the regular pet hair challenge of sweeping once a day
• not have crap all over your floor
• have hard woods or tiles
• enjoy watching automated appliances swirl and dance accross the floor