Crappy 4th

Here it is, well past midnight, and some jerk keeps on lighting fireworks. Carrie and I had a rocket land in our laps (practically). People seem to stop right outside our door just to yell at their friends across the street. Our car alarm went into warning mode at least three times, and went off once. Some idiot let their car alarm go off for a whole ten minutes before deigning to shut it off. Oh yeah,I love this holiday...

Neo-Luddite

We’ve somehow gone from simplifying complexity to complicating simplicity. The varieties of inventions and gadgetry that actually do the latter whilst claiming to perform the former are plethora, and simply placebos at best, shams at worst. Of course, by presenting such a near-Luddite thought in this forum, I'm freely admitting to the self-indulgent hypocrisy inherent in my statement.

3rd of July

Had a pretty kick-ass BBQ last night. Dry rubbed ribs that were slow-grilled for three hours - corn - roasted potatoes and freshly made peach and rasberry tart for desert. Excellent stuff! Before that, however, my father-in-law and I spent two hours in Lowes getting wood cut and supplies for a compost bin that I'll be making next week.  Perhaps not the most exciting of times, but pretty damn good times nonetheless.

Oh - and happy 4th :)

[~neverland~]

I find it impossible to live in the present. It's much easier to live in the few moments between the new memories of what I was and the new experiences of what I am about to be.

In-laws, day two

My father in law and I spent an hour putting together the very first accessory that Carrie and I bought for our house - a Webber Grill (the Genesis model). Afterwards, we celebrated by having beer-can chicken with roasted potatoes, all cooked on the grill.  Today, we're having a small gathering, in which I'll be making spice-rubbed ribs and  - well, I think that's really all that I'll be making, as Carrie'll probably be making the sides!

From [~neverland~]

We really don't have plans for the 4th - at least not yet. Fireworks at Lake Union are out, as are the ones at Elliot Bay, since it takes too long to get out of those places after the festivities are over. Being as far north as we are, fireworks can't really start utill around 10, and that's usually when these old farts (okay, this old fart) are off to bed!

In - laws, day one

A new grill, a used elliptical machine (the owner wanted $70, Carrie haggled her down to $60), a very nice espresso machine on order ($750 machine for $575, with free shipping), and in-laws sleeping in the living room. Plus, quick jaunts to a taco truck on Ranier for lunch, and to our favorite place in Columbia City, Geraldines, for dinner. Very nice.

In-laws coming in for a visit

My in-laws are coming in today from Utah. I get along with them pretty well, so I'm actually looking forward to them coming up and spending the next few days with Carrie and me in our new house.  Rus (my father-in-law) and I will probably be picking up a grill from Lowes as well as some furniture that Carrie picked up on Craigslist.

In other news - we finally got Dish network, as well as Qwest DSL, so I can finally ditch Clearwire for better, more consistant coverage.

Not looking forward to the first set of bills as a new homeowner.. :(