Friday, June 29, 2007

Land of Good Eats

Our office is getting out of control. I like to bake, so ever since I started work I've occassionally brought in banana bread, muffins, cookies or brownies. And sometimes my boss will pick up bagels or doughnuts for her staff and others in the building. But up until now, the two of us would supply treats 2-3 times a month. We also have cake for any possible birthday, so that added another treat or two a month.

Over the past two weeks, we've had bagels (boss), doughnuts (co-chambers, just because), banana bread (me, 8 brown bananas in the freezer), birthday cake (co-chambers), bagels (intern sucking up), and doughnuts again (co-chamber's intern's last day). There has been a steady procession of fresh baked goods for six of the past eleven work days, and with leftovers there is always something to eat in the kitchen.

It is a wonder that I am not a fat ass. I attribute this to a much better diet when I'm not at work, going to the gym 3-4 times a week, and taking public transportation, which requires walking to and from the station each day.

I think I'll have another doughnut.

Monday, June 18, 2007

Facelift

The Dallas mayoral election: Did I say 2%? Because I meant to say 20%. Leppert squashed Oakley by something like 58 to 42. I'm not surprised by the Leppert win, but I am surprised that the margin was so large. And as with most elections, I was depressed by voter turnout. It was something like 13%, which is pathetic. I think that all Americans eligible to vote should be forced to spend some time in a true, vibrant democracy, where they will learn the power one vote can have.

Anyway, on to more important things. I got a new fence. It took forever to build, but I think it looks great. It is a HUGE improvement over the piece of crap that was in its place. The contractor made a mistake and built the better board-on-board privacy fence instead of the side by side that I ordered, but that is their problem. They still made money off of me.

The old fence bowed in at a 70 degree angle at some parts along the side

I am now debating whether to stain the fence. You don't have to because cedar is supposed to last 15-20 years. I could let it age naturally. Or, every 2-3 years, I could spray it with some noxious stain (clear, most likely) that contains heavy metals to extend the life of the fence. And if I decide to stain it, I have to let the fence dry out for a few months, which means I'd stain it one 110 degree August weekend.

The grass is green and lush, but the rest of the yard kind of looks like crap and the trees need to be trimmed. Also, there is a funny double barrier of hedges where the old short fence along the driveway used to be. But landscaping is for another day.

I got a nifty iron gate that closes over the narrow driveway. One reason (not THE reason) I got the fence and gate is because a certain new resident could jump over the old 4 foot fence that ran from the side of the house to the right side of the garage.

Help me, please.


Up till now, Nacho has been an inside dog. Now he can run free within the confines of the backyard, chase bugs and squirrels, lie in the grass, and not poop all over the guest bedroom while I'm away at work all day. Okay, the latter only happened four times in four months, but one diarrhea disaster is enough.

Friday, June 15, 2007

On politics

The mayoral run-off between Tom Leppert and Ed Oakley takes place in Dallas tomorrow. I didn't vote for either of the candidates in the May 12 primary. Both Leppert and Oakley have similar positions on the major issues facing the city. Leppert has been weak on details, speaking only of a "vision" for the city and, as a political neophyte, has nothing to run on except his tenure as a CEO of a giant construction company. Oakley has a batty idea of tearing down crime-ridden apartment complexes,* but at least he has some experience as a member of the city tribal council and has lived in the city for more than a few years.

There are, of course, some differences between the two candidates. Leppert has the support of the city's business establishment and apparently of the religious conservatives as well. Oakley has been endorsed by the Dallas County Democratic Party even though this is a supposedly non-partisan election. More importantly, Oakley is openly gay. If elected, he will be the first openly gay mayor of a major U.S. city.** Whether he will be the first crappy openly gay elected mayor of a major U.S. city remains to be seen.

Sexual orientation, surprisingly, has not been much of a factor in the race. Maybe that is because since Oakley is out of the closet, there can't be a whisper campaign. At least one religiously conservative PAC did a bunch of robocalls this past week that just happened to inform the recipients that Oakley is gay. But not to worry, the gays are fighting back with their own GOTV effort: no cover at two of the gayborhood's corporate bars*** (S4 and Sue Ellen's) this Saturday and Sunday with a stamped voter registration card indicating that you voted in the election! Woohoo!

Me? I'm voting for the 'mo. We need to break another ceiling, even if Oakley isn't that different from Leppert. Plus, few things would be more awesome than a gay mayor of President Bush's future home and site of his library.

The pessimist in me gives the race to Leppert by 2%. Last November's Democratic tidal wave that swept over Dallas County likely won't come back this time since there is no "straight" (haha) ticket voting. But you never know.


*Where will the residents go?
**Providence, RI is not a major city.
***One company, two city blocks, four different bars.

Sunday, June 10, 2007

First day of school

Nacho had his first day of obedience school today. I've worked with him some (we have "sit" down pat), but we need lots of help with not jumping, not crawling in my lap while I'm working on the computer, and staying. He seemed to like the class, and he did pretty well with the things we learned today (sit, by my side, and proper leash walking).

Afterwards, I took him to the doggie wash,* which he hated. But too bad; he needed a bath. Now he is clean and fluffy and smells good.


Yes, I could have washed him in the back yard, and I do that sometimes. But the doggie wash has elevated sinks with restraints, warm water with a sprayer, all the crap you need to wash your dog, and a gigantic blow dryer which Nacho hates.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Annoying commute

Today's commute was a little annoying in both directions.

I didn't go to the gym before work this morning, so I had to put up with the indignity of traffic congestion. For most of my 10-minute car trip (normally 5) to the park-and-ride, I was stuck behind some woman who apparently didn't realize that she was driving a moving vehicle along a busy street. She somehow thought she was still in front of her bathroom mirror at home. She applied lipstick, eye liner, eye shadow, mascara, the works - all while supposedly also paying attention to the traffic conditions around her. Except that she wasn't paying attention, which is why I was annoyed to be stuck behind her. She even tilted her review mirror so that she could apply her make-up. I wonder if she ever considered the possibility that she might get in an accident while applying her make-up, which would probably result in a serious injury since she would jab an eye liner pencil into her eye.

I've had eye injuries on the mind lately. Work was more time spent with detailed pleadings about smashed eyeballs.

On the way home, the train was late (!) and there was only one car instead of the usual two or three at rush hour. The train was crowded, but it wouldn't have been that bad had the 15 people standing at each of the exits moved into the aisle to make room for those getting on. But that would have made sense and been considerate to other passengers, so why do it? Also, the train conductor kept announcing that the train was very full and that there was another blue line train right behind her. But it wasn't that full, or at least what I would consider to be "full." Eight people smashed into a two-door Toyota Tercel for 7 hours over a bumpy, muddy Central African logging road is "full." Me having to stand in the train aisle (by myself, since everyone else is either seated or standing in the exit) for 20 minutes is not.