May be less tasty, but more satisfying, don't you think?
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Should I be concerned
that a fire truck or two and an ambulance came up with lights flashing (but no sirens) in front of my apartment building, stayed awhile, and then eventually left? Hopefully nothing was truly wrong. One of my gaming buddies got a scare Saturday night when part of her complex caught fire and burnt down. She and her things were alright, although she and her neighbours were evacuated until 4 am and the smoke detectors didn't go off--they were roused by people banging on doors. The apartment her sister occupied until recently was gutted, having been close to where the fire began. Scary.
It's been a weird day in that we had a huge storm with lots of lightning, car accidents all over the place (including a very bad tractor trailer accident that closed the Interstate), and flash flooding (although I don't think it was on Louisville's scale). Fortunately I got from one workplace to another right before the storm hit.
It's been a weird day in that we had a huge storm with lots of lightning, car accidents all over the place (including a very bad tractor trailer accident that closed the Interstate), and flash flooding (although I don't think it was on Louisville's scale). Fortunately I got from one workplace to another right before the storm hit.
Oh, no....
Flash Flood Drowns Lousiville Free Public Library (Thanks to Libraryman for the information.)
[Image by Greg Schwartz, Library Systems Manager of the Louisville Free Public Library (the library's website is down as I write this, but I'm sure they'll get it going as soon as possible.)]
According to LISNews and the story at the Louisville Courier-Journal, damage is estimated as of now in the range of $1,000,000 to the main branch, which has three feet of water in the basement and has sustained quite a lot of damage to the lower level, used for much of the operations such as tech services, judging by the statement than thousands of books have been destroyed, including news ones being processed. The main branch is closed until the damage can be fully assessed. Two other branches are also closed due to flooding. In the meantime, donations can be sent to:
The Library Foundation
301 York Street
Louisville, KY 40203
[Image by Greg Schwartz, Library Systems Manager of the Louisville Free Public Library (the library's website is down as I write this, but I'm sure they'll get it going as soon as possible.)]
According to LISNews and the story at the Louisville Courier-Journal, damage is estimated as of now in the range of $1,000,000 to the main branch, which has three feet of water in the basement and has sustained quite a lot of damage to the lower level, used for much of the operations such as tech services, judging by the statement than thousands of books have been destroyed, including news ones being processed. The main branch is closed until the damage can be fully assessed. Two other branches are also closed due to flooding. In the meantime, donations can be sent to:
The Library Foundation
301 York Street
Louisville, KY 40203
Well, the answer wasn't 'no'--yet
Today I exchanged several e-mails with a sales rep at the car lot. She said the business office thought a car to trade in and $500 down would be helpful in getting a new (used) car. But she had an appointment and I talked to another sales rep she set me up with. Given the oeconomic environment, my poor credit score, and the tiny trade-in value of my Taurus, he thinks it likely that I would need a bigger down payment, such as $1500. That's doable soon, but not this month. He did, however, agree to put a request through with the $500 figure, just to see if the finance company would allow it. If no, I should know sometime tomorrow. If yes, it may not be until Thursday.
I'm not eligible for the Cash for Clunkers programme, because my current car gets over 18 miles per gallon and even though the car has been in my possession for four or five years, it was not in my name until this spring. Oh, well--it was worth a try.
So the strategy is to start saving, something I've never gotten into the habit of doing.
In the meantime, in order to attempt a trade-in, I had to drive my car home and then to the lot, and it did pretty well, so then I went grocery shopping (about a block or two) and over to my friends' house (a few miles away). So far no total lack of power or anything. I think I may take off Thursday and take it into Mitch's Auto Repair to get some idea if this is just from the speed sensor working intermittently or if it's something worse like the transmission or fuel pump. Then I'll decide from there if it's worth fixing. I'll have enough (if I get an extension on my electric bill) to pay for the speed sensor, but if it's going to cost more, I think I'll just drive the car as long as I can and put the money towards another car.
I'm not eligible for the Cash for Clunkers programme, because my current car gets over 18 miles per gallon and even though the car has been in my possession for four or five years, it was not in my name until this spring. Oh, well--it was worth a try.
So the strategy is to start saving, something I've never gotten into the habit of doing.
In the meantime, in order to attempt a trade-in, I had to drive my car home and then to the lot, and it did pretty well, so then I went grocery shopping (about a block or two) and over to my friends' house (a few miles away). So far no total lack of power or anything. I think I may take off Thursday and take it into Mitch's Auto Repair to get some idea if this is just from the speed sensor working intermittently or if it's something worse like the transmission or fuel pump. Then I'll decide from there if it's worth fixing. I'll have enough (if I get an extension on my electric bill) to pay for the speed sensor, but if it's going to cost more, I think I'll just drive the car as long as I can and put the money towards another car.
Um...scary Orwellian tactics
SIN BINS FOR WORST FAMILIES
Britain To Put CCTV Cameras Inside Private Homes
Why would anyone think this is a GOOD IDEA????
The Children’s Secretary set out £400 million plans to put 20,000 problem families under 24-hour CCTV super-vision in their own homes.
They will be monitored to ensure that children attend school, go to bed on time and eat proper meals.
Private security guards will also be sent round to carry out home checks, while parents will be given help to combat drug and alcohol addiction.
Around 2,000 families have gone through these Family Intervention Projects so far.
Britain To Put CCTV Cameras Inside Private Homes
Why would anyone think this is a GOOD IDEA????
How awful
Israelis rally after 2 murdered at gay center: Masked shooter opened fire in Tel Aviv, killing 2 and injuring 11
The centre was set up as a safe place for gay and lesbian youth--many still struggling with whether to come out to parents, families, and friends--could meet and receive counseling. An unknown gunman entered the centre on Saturday night and began firing, then escaped, leaving the normally vibrant Tel Aviv gay community concerned for further attacks. A counselor and a 17-year-old girl died; several others were wounded, some critically. Some parents of the wounded did not know the sexual orientation of their children until called to attend them in hospital.
What a horrible, hateful thing for someone to do. I hope they find the culprit soon, before there is other violence. I'm thinking it might be someone religiously ultra-conservative, but I may be wrong. It could just be a bigoted wingnut. But one thing's for sure--that person has to be stopped.
The centre was set up as a safe place for gay and lesbian youth--many still struggling with whether to come out to parents, families, and friends--could meet and receive counseling. An unknown gunman entered the centre on Saturday night and began firing, then escaped, leaving the normally vibrant Tel Aviv gay community concerned for further attacks. A counselor and a 17-year-old girl died; several others were wounded, some critically. Some parents of the wounded did not know the sexual orientation of their children until called to attend them in hospital.
What a horrible, hateful thing for someone to do. I hope they find the culprit soon, before there is other violence. I'm thinking it might be someone religiously ultra-conservative, but I may be wrong. It could just be a bigoted wingnut. But one thing's for sure--that person has to be stopped.
Even rabbis-to-be blog and tweet
For more on the men, look at The Road Sage website
'By traveling across America,' Levi explains, 'we have the opportunity to involve as many different types of Jews as possible to join in this cause.' 'We will be traveling in a Mitzvah mobile,' say Levi, 'a van fully-loaded with everything Jewish - books, videos, and paraphernalia; it’s like a traveling educational center.' 'Our goal is to help at least one-thousand Jewish men and women to perform a Mitzvah-a good deed by the end of our trip.'
They reached California in time for Sabbath. The trip was dedicated to the late Gabi & Rivkah Holtzberg, the Jewish couple murdered in Mumbai a few months ago (but whose son thankfully survived).
Thanks to Steven for the head's up.
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Maybe it's time things went my way a little
Today at work two salesmen from the car dealership came in. I explained that I'd filled out an application online. They said to come to see them and one gave me his card. Also, there's the renewal of the 'Cash for Clunkers' programme to consider, as one friend made sure to call me today and remind me about. The dealership was running their special through Friday but with the extension it looks like they're continuing it. If I can get financing, it would be better to use the rebate for a new car. There's a Hyundai Sonata in with the qualifying vehicles, and I've been impressed with Margaret's Sonata.
Gee, you'd think I was dreaming of the lottery. It may be just as unobtainable, but worth a little fantasy, don't you think?
Gee, you'd think I was dreaming of the lottery. It may be just as unobtainable, but worth a little fantasy, don't you think?
Yay, cat herding!
These Cardigan Welsh Corgi puppies (and the long-suffering cat) are adorable. Fortunately corgis don't seem to climb. Thank goodness for short little legs and microwave stands. :)
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Well, it couldn't hurt, the worse they can say is 'no'
The car is dying, I believe. I couldn't get it above 25 mph Thursday on the way to work, the engine was revving to 4000 rpms, and smoke or steam was coming out from under the hood.
Needless to say, it's sitting at work until I can take it in Monday to get the verdict, but most of what I'm seeing and hearing about it is that it is possibly a fuel pump but more likely the transmission, and the transmission fluid is dark, rather than red, so that increases the chances of a need for a rebuild. Thing is, the transmission was rebuilt a couple of years ago, and it is too expensive to do again for a car worth at most $300-600. A fuel pump isn't much better.
So. That means either saving up for a car that's, say $2000, or doing the unthinkable (with my credit) and trying to actually get a car financed. Ha! you say. But you know, the worse they can say is no.
I looked around and found a vehicle I liked from Glenn Auto Mall, the car lot that is within walking distance. It's a 2002 Honda Odyssey, 98,380 miles (that's 150,000 or so less than my current car), Taffeta White, and running $9,477. Yes, for those uninitiated, it's a small van. But I figure I schlepp five animals about occasionally; it might be nice to have some room, plus the ability to haul things [at least sub-pickup truck things] back and forth can be useful. The car payment would be less than $150-$175, if the credit thing works out alright, and I could do that. When I crunched the numbers, I was surprised that if I take my average paycheque from the store and put it with the hospital's, it comes out to about $6,000 more per year than last year, but then I had more than $1/hour raise at the hospital earlier in the year due to a market adjustment. So I'm hoping that will work in my favour.
Like I said, it's worth a try. I don't fancy a lot of bus travel, and there are others who depend on me for a ride. So it would be good all around to have a car of some type, especially one that has some life in it yet. So wish me luck.
Needless to say, it's sitting at work until I can take it in Monday to get the verdict, but most of what I'm seeing and hearing about it is that it is possibly a fuel pump but more likely the transmission, and the transmission fluid is dark, rather than red, so that increases the chances of a need for a rebuild. Thing is, the transmission was rebuilt a couple of years ago, and it is too expensive to do again for a car worth at most $300-600. A fuel pump isn't much better.
So. That means either saving up for a car that's, say $2000, or doing the unthinkable (with my credit) and trying to actually get a car financed. Ha! you say. But you know, the worse they can say is no.
I looked around and found a vehicle I liked from Glenn Auto Mall, the car lot that is within walking distance. It's a 2002 Honda Odyssey, 98,380 miles (that's 150,000 or so less than my current car), Taffeta White, and running $9,477. Yes, for those uninitiated, it's a small van. But I figure I schlepp five animals about occasionally; it might be nice to have some room, plus the ability to haul things [at least sub-pickup truck things] back and forth can be useful. The car payment would be less than $150-$175, if the credit thing works out alright, and I could do that. When I crunched the numbers, I was surprised that if I take my average paycheque from the store and put it with the hospital's, it comes out to about $6,000 more per year than last year, but then I had more than $1/hour raise at the hospital earlier in the year due to a market adjustment. So I'm hoping that will work in my favour.
Like I said, it's worth a try. I don't fancy a lot of bus travel, and there are others who depend on me for a ride. So it would be good all around to have a car of some type, especially one that has some life in it yet. So wish me luck.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)