Happy Leap Day

So today one of my coworkers said, quite seriously, that she thought there were 30 days in February. If she's playing dumb, she's doing it really convincingly...


Today's earrings: frogs, kangaroos

Bedtime reading: Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon, Donna Andrews

Dicrostonyx vinogradovi suggests

for the new water heater. I think maybe a McCarroll-March food-inspired appliance skirt would be more fabulous.
On second thought, I don't think I could cope with that much fabulousness first thing in the morning.


Today's earrings: moose, theobromine molecules

Bedtime reading: In Search of Dracula, Raymond T. McNally & Radu Florescu

Hot water

The plumber dude showed up bright and early, covered with tattoos and competence, and replaced my water heater with alacrity. The old one was white, and other than being a water heater in a kitchen, sorta blended in ok. The new one is battleship gray with two copper loops coming out the top. They look like mouse ears or something. The new contraption, despite its tingent disharmony, is capable of heating and containing water at the same time. I'm for it.

Next problem: draining half a dozen sodden towel without any outdoor space.


Today's earrings: mermaids, teapots

Bedtime reading: "Trouble with Water," H.L. Gold

Update

The on-call maintenance guy called back 45 minutes later & helped me find the water valve to the heater, so the torrent is stopped. The landlord called next, and promised plumbers in the morning. He was not entirely pleased with my inability to tell him exactly what was leaking, but hey, it wasn't my idea to jam the heater in behind the stove.

Blessing count: I got my beautiful kitchen rug out of the kitchen before water reached it; the cold water flow is unaffected; there is wine about the place.

Happy Wednesday, everyone.

Leak

Moments after my last post, I heard a sudden sound, like a torrent unleashed. I tracked it to my kitchen. At first I was sure it was a gas leak. Luckily it was just a pipe bursting. So far. I've called Bldg Mgt; let's see how long it takes them to get here.

Flight

Got spammed an excellent fare, so I'm off to see the Tiger the first week of May. Must visit Green Apple in preparation...


Today's earrings: bats, crows

Bedtime reading: In Search of Dracula, Raymond T. McNally & Radu Florescu

The web is a most astonishing resource

Tonight I stumbled across a scrap of etymology: Oil of vitriol
Cool, huh?


Today's earrings: turquoise, aquamarines

Bedtime reading: Hard Row, Margaret Maron

Here there be dragons

http://www.xkcd.com/256/


Today's earrings: swords, alligators

Bedtime reading: Hard Row, Margaret Maron

Strategery 2-nite!

Times like these, I wish you all watched Survivor. There was strategy and counter-strategy and what I think will turn out to be a Pyrrhic victory... definitely an E Ticket.


Today's earrings: bees, typewriter keys

Bedtime reading: Ashes to Ashes, Emma Lathen

Comfortable Eclipse Viewing

Stopped at the Top of the Mark, had a drink, checked out the shadow of the earth upon the moon. Highly cool. The Moon passed behind a building. I ordered the cheese plate. The moon - what was left of it - came out from behind the building. I ordered another drink. The moon disappeared completely. Kind of neat in a system-mechanics-in-action sort of way, but I was promised color effects that didn't materialize. I blame the high clouds. I finished my drink, and when the moon still hadn't returned, I called for the check and went home.

The Top of the Mark afforded excellent conditions for eclipse viewing. Comfortable, good service, a fine (if unexceptional) cheese plate, fantastic view. I strongly recommend it for all your astronomical observation needs.


Today's earrings: suns, earths

Bedtime reading: East of the Sun, West of the Moon, Kay Nielsen, il.

Wise women

You don't have to be pretty
Yes, you are


Today's earrings: owls, estrogen molecules

Bedtime reading: Ultimate Blogs, Sarah Boxer, ed.

Appetite for Destruction

You know that fake water wheel in the back yard at the Dancing Square? It's not there any more. We beat it to pieces with its own axle. M was especially good at putting the boot in. Then we dismantled the bridge, to the Bandicoot's dismay. (The Bandicoot had taken to lurking, troll-like, under the bridge.) I am guilt-stricken at not having fulfilled my promise to put a troll under that bridge. And now it's too late. I don't know how to make it up to them...

After piling the rubble, we went back inside and M conquered the world.

In more constructive news, I got a valentine from Tiger. Such a thoughtful child! I wonder what he wants for his birthday.


Today's earrings: wheels, ebony teardrops

Bedtime reading: Die For Love, Elizabeth Peters

Finitum Meleagris

That bird is cooked. I feel much better now. I may even take Monday off.


Today's earrings: scarabs

Bedtime reading: Die For Love, Elizabeth Peters

Black heart, cold blood

Hope you all had a lovely Valentine's Day. Tomorrow: Lupercalia.


Today's earrings: hearts, lizards

Bedtime reading: Die For Love, Elizabeth Peters

Something rich and strange

Chris March shows at Bryant Park! Hooray!
This is going to be good.

Also - new pictures of Tiger, posted early! Hooray!
This is already good.


Today's earrings: mermaids, anchors

Bedtime reading: Die For Love, Elizabeth Peters

Festival

Does anyone want to go to the Clam Chowder Cook Off weekend after next? There'll be clams...


Today's earrings: pineapples, peppers

Bedtime reading: The Danger, Dick Francis

Workplace hilarity

[Extended conversation spanning the past week about how Turkish Customs posts info elided.]

Boss: Something is funky with Turkey.
Me: Yeah. Why should chickens get all the fun?


Today's earrings: squirrels, leaves

Bedtime reading: The Danger, Dick Francis

Fish on Friday

Went to b2's brother's wife's brother's latest restaurant tonight, and, my, she was yar. I can recommend the salmon cakes. :)


Today's earrings: flies, trout

Bedtime reading: Breakup, Dana Stabenow

Happy New Year!

The Guy With The Sign is back, now with more galaxies. Didn't really get a chance to read his new screed, but I note that he still has corporate backing.

I figured out that "Idea and Crafts Production Law" (literal translation) means "Copyright Act." I had this same revelation last year and didn't write it down. I wrote it down this time.

Survivor brought back the horriblest person ever to play the game, only to have him beg to leave at the first opportunity... and he was voted off! I can watch this season without cringing for the entire hour! (Still gonna cringe at the schmoopy couples, but at least they're not vocally proud of the banality of their evil, you know?)

If it goes on like this, the Year of the Rat should turn out ok.


Today's earrings: sapphires, aquamarines

Bedtime reading: To the Hilt, Dick Francis

Finally!

I'm sure he's probably a nice enough guy when he's not sleep-deprived and having cameras constantly stuck in his face, but I am glad Ricky is gone from my television.


Today's earrings: camels, lizards

Bedtime reading: Ashes to Ashes, Emma Lathen

Primary Day

As of this writing McCain is winning, and Clinton and Obama are still both in it, with Clinton ahead.

It's bizarre to have the California primary matter.


Today's earrings: steer horns, ravens

Bedtime reading: The Portable Poe, Edgar Allan Poe

I should have worn these earrings Wednesday

No, I can't break away, I must have you every day,
As regularly as coffee or tea;
You've got me in your clutches and I can't get free--
You're getting to be a habit with me
(Can't break it)
You're getting to be a habit with me.

- - Al Dubin


Today's earrings: coffee cups, teapots

Bedtime reading: Space Chantey, R.A. Lafferty

Brilliant Candlemas, everyone!

According to ancient lore I found on some random website, February 2 is the day that bears and wolves come out of hibernation. And groundhogs. Except, wolves don't actually hibernate, and most animals don't keep to the Gregorian calendar. So, yeah. But it sounded good.

M and I went to the DeYoung today, and amused ourselves exploring the parking garage (there's a tunnel!) and mocking this mantlepiece. The picture does not do it justice, not at all. The dogs flanking the hearth are anatomically correct. The section above the clock is a full relief of hounds bringing down a boar. The deer on top looks pissed, perhaps because he's got the wrong horns glued to his head. There's this random foliage all over it - I could come up with a theory that fit in the acorns and pomegranates, but the little sprigs of lily-of-the-valley make nonsense of it all. It's truly a thing of joy. We also checked out the Turkmen textiles in the Dimly Lit Gallery. Those Turkmen (well, Turkwomen, actually) could really knot a rug.

-tonight, my adorable local entire family took me to Chez Panisse. Yummy, yummy, yummy. Happy, well-fed me! I gyre and gimble with delight.


Today's acquisitions: 1 Klein hat, 4 pairs earrings, and one "oh yeah, I've been to Chez Panisse" credit.

Today's earrings: bears, suns

Bedtime reading: Space Chantey, R.A. Lafferty

Once upon a time

there was a website devoted to the "good parts" of songs. Like the drum break in "In the Air Tonight," or the "aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am" from "Suffragette City."

I went looking for it tonight. I can't find it. It was just a shiny bit of flotsam wooshing through the intertubes, and I guess it's washed away. Oh, ephemera.


Today's earrings: lobsters, shells

Bedtime reading: Space Chantey, R.A. Lafferty