Random dumb thoughts

This page is to put those little weirdnesses of life that don't really fit anywhere else, or aren't worth a page of their own

Thursday, April 29, 2004

Something else you should take a look at. I found this through a link at the National Review's version of a communal blog. And you thought they were all stuffed shirts....

.: posted by Lily Thursday, April 29, 2004

Tuesday, April 27, 2004

Photos of the new condo are up. The page is primitive, but when I tried to space the thumbnails in a nice grid, they all showed up on the page on top of each other. It was an interesting effect, but not effective. I will update the page when I have some time, but here's the condo in the before state. Note the blue stained cabinets and gigondo overhead oven.

You also can't see just how dark the purple-green walls are in the bathroom are, but it is, trust me.

Not too bad, but needs a bit of cosmetic surgery. Much like the new owner, I guess.

.: posted by Lily Tuesday, April 27, 2004

Sunday, April 25, 2004

I found something to piss me off in a minor way as I'm freaking out over being a real estate baron. Now, it's not taking on a mortgage -- I can honestly say that this has been painless. When all is said and done the mortgage payments will be perfectly affordable, and writing the big check isn't painful, as it's coming out of an account I never saw or used or paid any attention to the balance. It's all numbers. However, I bought this place with the understanding that the kitchen -- all 8X10 feet of it -- would have to be replaced. Once I account for bumps in the wall, appliances etc, I'm looking at about 20 feet of cabinetry (and that's including top and bottom) and 8 feet of counters. Well, I started going to kitchen places, and they're saying this is going to cost $30,000-$40,000!

For what? What *&%#! gold leaf are they planning to put in there? What the hell are they smoking? After a day of getting more and more discouraged, I went to Home Depot, and started pricing things there -- finally, a more reasonable amount of numbers. So I don't think I care if their installation services are crap -- the Home Depot it will be. I still hate big box stores, but when people want $40,000 to put a basic fridge, stove, dishwasher, microwave, sink, counter, flooring and cabinets into 75 square feet -- none of it top of the line, screw the US economy and the home grown "artisan". I'm sending my paycheck to China.

But that's not what's under my skin. I was watching tv and there was this really dumb commercial on. A young-ish couple is in the middle of a large plaza, probably in Italy. They mention it's their anniversary, and the guy says there's something I have to do. So he starts screaming at the top of his lungs "I LOVE THIS WOMAN". So she's all annoyed and like, cut that out you jackass, you're embarassing me, dorkwad. So he finally cuts it out and pulls out a diamond ring. So then, and only then, she has this virtual orgasm and starts jabbering "I love this man, I love this man!!!!!".

I know you're supposed to think that it's a sign of their mutual love, but the impression I take away is that it's not the man she loves, only what he can buy for her. Now, if my hypothetical significant other showed up with a nice ring, I'd be happy because I like shiny pretty things (see the kitchen story above). But it really wouldn't alter my feelings toward the guy. If he's a good guy, he's a good guy and I don't care what he buys for me. If I really want a pretty diamond ring, I'll get my own -- it's the 21st century woman thing. But if he caught me when I'm in a "you're such a jackass" mood, it's not going to get him out of the doghouse. That commercial just gets more odious every time it comes up.

.: posted by Lily Sunday, April 25, 2004

Comments by: YACCS