Monday, July 30, 2007

Moved!

Into Center City, Philadelphia. Oh, the movers accidentally charged me $1,000 more than they should have, and the Comcast guy spent three hours rewiring the house's built-in ethernet connection - the wrong way - and the back yard isn't useful for the doggy because the city historical commission hasn't given our landlord the permission to build the steps yet, and I can't find the hair cutting scissors so I look like an unfrozen caveman lawyer, and I'm pretty sure, but not really sure that my cell phone charger is at work which I hope it is because my battery sure is dead. And I have to call Apple's customer support to complain about the backwards compatability of iTunes (if you have a video iPod, do NOT plug it in to a computer running iTunes 6. You will not like what happens); Comcast to complain about our installer (seriously, three hours? did he take a nap or something); Sprint because someone (not me) signed me up for their expensive equipment replacement plan when I bought my new phone; and of course Chase bank, to make sure the refund owed to me by the movers goes through (lest I really start complaining).

But.

Everything's out of boxes except for our book collection - and that's like 13 boxes or something - and a bunch of Meg's boxes full of random stuff, much of which was never actually packed because it was never unpacked from when we moved to the last place a year ago (she's funny like that).

The dog is fairly well settled during the day, but pretty much a basket case at night.

Walking to work is infinitely awesome. Having tour buses go by on the street outside your stoop, also awesome. Grocery delivery is awesome. Across the street from a high-end sushi restaurant; awesome. Moving into the city and *gaining* a back yard; totally awesome.

Pictures soon.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Officials worry of summer terror attack - Yahoo! News

Officials worry of summer terror attack - Yahoo! News

...the very definition of all bun, no burger.

Synopsis:
-The director of homeland security has a gut feeling that a period of increased risk may happen
-An official who dare not be named is worried without any knowledge of a specific threat.

What's to be done, then? A level of super extreme readiness? Will we ever get to terror level "a-okay"? Do we even know what the colors are underneath yellow and red?

What reasons could there be to run an article like this? To inform the public that the guy who's responsible for being concerned about possible terror attacksis concerned there might be one? As opposed to every other day, when he has a long lunch and naps under his desk?

Is it trying to inspire the public to be more vigilant? I hope not. My experience in the vigilance of the ordinary citizen has not been the greatest. Most people I see on mass transportation do their best to ignore their fellow travelers, and do so fairly successfully. So, is an article like this *really* going to supplant basic self-preservation as an impetus to be watchful?

If not, what is it trying to do?

Is it blatantly fear politicing? I guess, but man, a little subtlety wouldn't be too tough.

Monday, July 09, 2007

Suspension of Disbelief

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/111-07072007-1374412.html

The latest engagement took place Thursday for Jessica Margerum, 20, of Bristol Township, who goes by Jessyka, and Michael Birbeck, 26, of Falls Township. As the big question appeared on the scoreboard, Michael lowered to one knee, and Jessica's screams alerted the fans around them.

The pair became friends four to five years ago, but waited to date until Margerum finished high school. Birbeck, a youth minister at First Presbyterian Church of Levittown, felt it was inappropriate to date a member of his youth group. Spending more time together, they realized they were meant for a deeper connection.

“Our relationship went from him being my mentor, to one of my best friends, to my boyfriend, and then to my fianc. It is a very nice progression,” Margerum said.

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...uh huh. So she was.... and he was... I see.

And they didn't... until...

And if you believe that,