Yesterday I found out that my hot water heater died in the flood, so it was replaced AND in the opinion of the furnace repair guy, it's throwing money away to repair the furnace electrics ($1500-$2K minimum) when the furnace is so old (we've estimated it was made in 1922) and clearly on its last legs.

Then I went to Target AND Home Depot only to find they have sent back ALL their space heaters for the season. My next move is to call around to all the non-chain hardware stores here and find if any have some in stock....

jilli, I saw these cards and thought of you: [link] They would be extra awesome if they were actual papercuts and not just prints.

On the bright side, it's supposed to hit 61F today. However, it's in the high 40s as I write this and even with the oven going in the kitchen, my fingers are damn cold.

I've already spent enough on the sump pump and replacement hot water heater than I will make in a couple weeks at the Census job....

Oh man, Theo. What awesome timing for you. Oh, wait -- not awesome, the other thing.

There was a whole lot of WTFery in here after I went to bed, to which I say: WTF.

I spent from 3-4 awake, which was annoying and I don't understand. Bleh.

Happy Evacuation Day!!!

Dear insomnia fairy,

You too, huh?

Although the insomnia fairy was being weird last night. I'd be dreaming, but still realize I was lying in bed not really feeling asleep, and a couple of times that I thought I looked at the clock, I must have done so in my dream, because the time didn't make sense.

Also, when I first went to bed, I thought I'd been lying there for an hour or so and it turned out to be three. Still didn't feel like I got any sleep, though I must have.

So basically, I had restless night's sleep where I dreampt I had insomnia. FU Tino you polar bear!

Ack, Theo. You don't have to do asbestos remediation, do you?

Oh, that sucks Theo!

19th century manly slang

Cupboard Love. Pretended love to the cook, or any other person, for the sake of a meal. My guts cry cupboard; i.e. I am hungry.

Earth Bath. A grave.

Fimble-Famble. A lame, prevaricating excuse.

Gentleman of Four Outs. When a vulgar, blustering fellow asserts that he is a gentleman, the retort generally is, " Yes, a Gentleman Of Four Outs"--that is, without wit, without money, without credit, and without manners.

O'clock. "Like One O'clock," a favorite comparison with the lower orders, implying briskness; otherwise "like winkin'." "To know what's O'clock" is to be wide-awake, sharp, and experienced.

Rumbumptious. Haughty, pugilistic.

Snotter, or Wipe-hauler. A pickpocket whose chief fancy is for gentlemen's pocket-handkerchiefs.

Tune the Old Cow Died of. An epithet for any ill-played or discordant piece of music.

Theo, I am so sorry, that sucks donkey balls. Any chance that the new stuff will be eligible for energy efficient tax credits next year? I am gonna buy a lotto ticket at lunch and will say here now, that should I win, you're gonna get a chunk of it.

Readot concept translates 2D images into tactile information

Designers Lim Hyoseon, Kim Seungmo and Kim Suhyun won the 2009 Red Dot Award for this amazing concept device called the Readot. The device would essential translate two-dimensional digital images into tactile three-dimensional constructs for the visually impaired.

Readot uses a grid of pins that raise or lower in response to digital information corresponding to colors and shapes. In addition to the tactile component of the imagery, users would also be able to save the images or even print them out via PC. Hopefully, this brilliant piece of concept technology will see the light of day sooner rather than later.