Archive for June, 2007
I’ve been Simpsonified!
June 29th, 2007. Published under General. 3 Comments.
There’s this great application on the Simpson’s Movie website where you can make your own avatar.
Here’s how mine turned out:
Go make your own! :-)
Happy Friday!
Home Sweet Home
June 25th, 2007. Published under General. 3 Comments.
After reading this advisory today, I think I’ll skip the outdoor run and do my foot strengthening workout today instead, which is all done indoors on the treadmill. I did about 4 miles yesterday outside, and my sinuses are paying for it today.
* * * * *
Here’s an interactive map of Hennepin County and all the foreclosures for this year. In our townhome complex alone, there’s been 11 foreclosures this year.
It’s a real eye-opener to the problem of predatory lending in this area. But it’s also a glaring example of people living beyond their means. I have acquaintances that have purchased real estate over the past 2 years and they bought as much home as they were approved for in the loan approval process, not paying attention to whether or not they could really afford that payment. What happens is that these people get an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) to make the payments “affordable” - but don’t realize that it will bite them in the ass later on down the road.
Granted, there are people who bought property to “flip” - buy a property for cheap, fix it up and sell it for a profit - where having an ARM made sense. The problem is that the real estate market will be unpredictable and you can’t control when your property will sell and for how much. Also, with the glut of shows like “Flip That House” and “Property Ladder”, people think that “hey, I can do that” and dive right in, not realizing that the flipping bubble has long since burst.
But I digress.
When I bought my house, I bought something that was $40,000 (that’s not a typo) less than what I was approved for, because that was what I could afford.
Now these same friends, who bought as much as they were approved for and/or because they had to have a brand new house are struggling to make ends meet. I was more than content to buy a property that was 20 years old and put a bit of elbow grease into it to make it a home.
Why am I getting into all of this?
Because no matter how stressful money issues can be, we do have things pretty good. We have a roof over our heads - one that we can afford - and we have an awesome life together. Sure there are the debts that everyone has that need to be paid off, but that just takes time, patience and determination. But for the most part, even though I get grumpy in the morning sometimes, things couldn’t be better. I love my life and the person who makes it worth living. :-*
Indiana Jones = teh hot
June 22nd, 2007. Published under General. No Comments.
I don’t know about you, but Harrison Ford just keeps getting better looking with age. I mean, come on - I liked him from the moment I saw Han Solo’s smirk in the first (Episode 4 if you’re that big of a nerd) Star Wars movie.
Today, I ran across this photo of him from filming the 4th Indiana Jones movie:
Dude! Rrrraarroowwlll.
Dave and Buster’s tonight! Woot!
Running Achievement!
June 18th, 2007. Published under General. 3 Comments.
I logged into my Nike+ account today so I could track my run from Saturday on my Spark People site and this announcement popped up:
WOOO!
What an experience.
June 15th, 2007. Published under General. No Comments.
All I can say about my experience working at a Habitat for Humanity house is…wow.
I had such a good time and I feel really good about my contribution to the project - and I got to spend the day up on a 3 story scaffolding hammering in shakes to the house. Gorgeous day, and I did something good for a family in need.
How could you not feel good about that?
Friday Night Happy Hour/Grill
June 13th, 2007. Published under General. No Comments.
In case you missed in buried in a post…
The First Whenever Friday Night Happy Hour/Grill!
Since we got a new grill, and since we’ve not had a real party at the house since I bought the place, we’re going to break the grill in and have people come over to grill things, enjoy tasty beverages and hang out on a beautiful Friday evening.
- Time: 7pm
- BYOB
- BYO-grill item
Interested parties can email me for details and directions.
When Web Designers and LOLCats collide…
June 12th, 2007. Published under General. 1 Comment.
You get this…
*dies laughing*
Taking Care of Business.
June 11th, 2007. Published under General. 7 Comments.
This is going to be a busy week.
* * * * *
Pink Ninja Studios have two new shows that have been released with one (possibly two) more to come out in the very near future. The first show is Five Speed Radio and it’s done by Tim and his friend Matt (a.k.a. Hedgie). They talk about cars from a nerd standpoint, not a gear head standpoint. It’s pretty funny and they release a show every two weeks.
The second show is The Commander Tim Cast and is a departure from our other shows as it is a daily (M-F) show. Tim’s always on and will have a revolving door of guest hosts - most of the time it’s me because we live in the same house, but there’s plans to have many other guests and friends on the show.
We’ve also lightened the language guideline that we started out the network with because we just want to do our thing without the restrictions. Especially since we’re not actively seeking out venture capital at this time.
So go listen, subscribe and enjoy!
* * * * *
Tim and I picked up a grill this weekend and we assembled it yesterday and cooked our inaugural meal of bratwurst. Nothing better than a fresh bratwurst - the pre-cooked ones are gross. I also introduced Tim to the wonder that is Old Dutch Dill Pickle chips.
Note: Lay’s does make a dill pickle flavored potato chip, but it is far inferior to the Old Dutch dill pickle chip. Seriously. I’ve tried them all.
Anyway, back to the grill. Now, I get to reach into my bag of recipes and concoctions that I used to make on the grill way back when. Grill potatoes, zucchini and summer squash roasted veggies, stuffed chicken breasts….yum! Once I get my herb garden planted, I’ll be able to make lots of yummy things. I can’t wait!
So, in order to fully christen the grill, we’re planning on a Friday night happy hour grill party at our house. So if you’re interested, bring something to grill, your preferred beverage of choice and a lawn chair. We’ll hang out, grill and have fun. Comment if you want me to contact you.
* * * * *
I get to work on my first Habitat for Humanity house on Thursday of this week. My office is sponsoring a full week build and I’m fortunate to have been selected as one of the crew people. Between this and the playground I helped build a few weeks ago, this is the part of my job that I really LOVE - helping people who can’t repay you for your help. I’m sure I’ll gush about it on Friday. :-)
Have a great Monday!
Saved by the Olympics
June 8th, 2007. Published under General. 5 Comments.
You’ve all seen the disaster that is the London 2012 Olympics logo:
Um…London? Hi…1983 called, and they want their graphic design back. Are all the participating countries going to wear leotards, headbands and legwarmers?
Seriously, that has to be the WORST graphic design I’ve seen in a LONG time - and I believe it cost somewhere in the amount of £400,000. Are you kidding me? It looks like something a 12 year old did in Microsoft Paint. I could’ve made a better logo drunk off my ass and falling down the stairs than this guy.
But then, today, I saw this hilarious video…and whomever put this together got it SPOT ON:
BWAHAHAHAAA! Brilliant!
This is exactly why I don’t go shopping.
June 6th, 2007. Published under General. No Comments.
I was walking through the Saks Off 5th (their “outlet” store) coming back from the bank and they were having a buy one, get one 1/2 off sale.
Saks isn’t normally a store where I would say “WOOO A SALE!!!!1!!!” but I do like shoes, so I decided to take a peek.
There wasn’t a shoe there that I even remotely would even CONSIDER buying due to a variety of factors. But then, I saw this shoe:
But it was a dark red color.
Cute, yet sensible and a bit British in its style. It’s perfect! I tried them on and they fit perfectly as well! (apparently I’m a UK 38.5) I then took a peek at the pricetag, just to see how much they were.
They were $359.98…ON SALE.
*chokes*
Why are the horribly uncomfortable shoes the ones that are in my price range? Even my Danskos at full retail price aren’t more than $120.
Seriously, this is why I don’t shop. Damn expensive tastes…*grumble*
Recent Comments