I'm sorry, Hec. That all sucks big-time.

I knew he was vocal about political and environmental issues but I didn't realize that he was in government. Good on him.

I personally agree, but there are many on the left who were outraged and have accused him of being a turncoat. He's joined one of the major parties, and our party discipline is stronger than yours. As environment minister, he's approved a number of projects opposed by environmentalists, such as a new pulp mill in Tasmania, expanding a South Australian uranium mine and dredging Melbourne's Port Phillip Bay. The Australian Greens' leader, Bob Brown, accused him of selling out for campaiging for Labour and against the Greens. Most recently, he's copped flak (and a demotion) for his handling of a rollout of a home insulation program, intended to make Australian homoes more energy efficient. It's been claimed it was pushed out with insufficient training for operators; there've been four deaths by electrocution in separate instances, and 93 house fires.

I think it's good he's willing to have a go; but honestly, I'm not sure he's that good at politics.

So might could just do it until then.

I wish you lived closer, Hec, because we could help backstop some of the daycare in the summer. Ugh. Lots of stress for you.

Hec, I'm sorry about the issues with the car and all the resulting chaos. Let me know if there's anything I can do.

True Fact: I was born in Bakersfield.

Bakersfield always makes me think of the Camper Van Beethoven song "Come On Darkness" - does Bakersfield have some honky-tonk they call the Wagon Wheel?

Probably. They've got boulevards named after Buck Owens and Merle Haggard.

So if they can learn a bit about presentation and making things that are a little out of the norm ( for Bakersfield) there might be a chance. Esp. If their rates are competitive.

The gal bartender knew a lot about wine and was trying to educate herself about whisky. The guy with three kids confessed he was used to a sports bar thing and was just learning mixology. But they were both bright and pleasant and professional. They could easily work in SF if they didn't have kids around here that anchored them.

It being Easter they both had their parents sitting at the bar while they worked.

It's just interesting. You can really see an interesting perspective on the country here. I don't know if this hotel can make it, though they did have a good turn out for their Easter Brunch. It's a very nice place here and there are business owners and such who can afford to come here to eat or drink or go to the attached club. But it's so depressed here and I don't really know who's going to be staying at the hotel. It's not really a destination and it's not like halfway between SF and LA.

But I'll take it for tonight.

Gah, Hec. You are not the only Buffista ever to get stranded in Bakersfield by a busted car. I was on a climbing trip to Joshua Tree one year with two friends in a an old Ford van, and it broke down twice before it gave up the ghost in Bakersfield. Rather than give up the trip entirely, we rented a car and kept going to Joshua. But the friend who owned the van had a hell of a time getting it home to SF to do the work on it.

My sympathies, and may something awesome come through to help.

I hung with the family for a bit, went and looked at houses, talked to realtors, saw three houses I thought were darling and couldn't afford, and now I have an appointment with a realtor to come see my house next Friday and tell me what I can get for it. I guess that means I need to move the twelve boxes of books out of the spare room and into the garage. And clean madly. Bleah.

It's hammering rain here, really amazing.

Up from nap. Need to do some things to get ready for the week, including cook some chicken before it goes off. I think I'm just going to bake it for simplicity and versatility's sake. I also have laundry and computer stuff to do.

Just as soon as I get off the couch.

Yup, any minute now.

I wish you lived closer, Hec, because we could help backstop some of the daycare in the summer.

That'd be sooooo convenient.

Hec, I'm sorry about the issues with the car and all the resulting chaos. Let me know if there's anything I can do.

Thank you! I'll let you buy me a chicken sandwich when it's convenient.

True Fact: I was born in Bakersfield.

The thrift shopping here is kick ass.

Plus, "The Bakersfield Sound."

I wish I could help, too. The only thing I can think of is that Charlie's old Honda needs a clutch (he bought a new used car in December) and it could be more than drivable again. But I don't think he can afford to give the Honda away, and, it still needs a new clutch. So it's probably not the answer. But damn, I am sorry about the car woes.

Thank you! I'll let you buy me a chicken sandwich when it's convenient.

No problem.