Thanks, Brenda! I had heard that but didn't process that it would affect us.

This is the house I want to live in: Shelf-Pod by Kazuya Morita Architecture Studio

Got it. Borg + Twin Peaks = tommy's dream house

Not seeing that mashup at all Hec.

These are amazing - look at this one!

[link]

I used the H&R Block software to do my taxes. H&R is holding on to my electronic return until the IRS is ready to receive it.

These are amazing - look at this one!

Damn. That's awesome.

Not seeing that mashup at all Hec.

But...but, it's a cube. And wooden.

This is cool: Chicago Dibs

Urlesque sez:

When you're caught in the middle of an epic blizzard, it's not exactly easy to find a parking space. In Chicago, the few brave people who have dug their cars out are saving their coveted spots using all kinds of weird junk. It's apparently a time-honored tradition, and a new Tumblr called Chicago Dibs documents the madness.

The classic dibs-object is a chair, but Chicago Dibs gives us a curbside view of every piece of random crap imaginable. From the logical (bicycles) to the unconventional (vaccuum cleaners) to the just plain trashy (um, bags of trash), it's all there. Chicagoans, we feel for you, but this "dibs" phenomenon is pretty funny. At least it puts a humorous spin on all that blizzardy gloom.

I like the ones that have threats against anyone who takes the space:

I spent three hours digging this spot out. If you take it, I will spend 6 hours BURYING YOUR CAR BACK IN IT!

The inside of that house really reminds me of a bookstore. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

Cyclist Riccardo Ricco Reportedly Hospitalized After Performing Blood Transfusion On Himself

ROME — Italian prosecutors and the Italian Olympic Committee are investigating reports cyclist Riccardo Ricco was hospitalized after an alleged self-inflicted blood transfusion.

The Gazzetto dello Sport reported Wednesday that doctors at Pavullo Hospital in Modena quoted Ricco as saying he administered a transfusion on himself using blood stored in the refrigerator for 25 days.

The paper said he was admitted to the hospital on Sunday in a state of shock. Ricco was expected to be released on Wednesday.

The paper reported prosecutors have opened an investigation.

Ricco signed with Vacansoleil this season after a 20-month ban for doping at the 2008 Tour de France. His team withdrew him from the five-day Tour of the Mediterranean that started Wednesday.

My tax folks charge in the $350 range to do my taxes. But: I own, I support a couple of charities, I have a second job where I'm self-employed... paying quarterly estimated taxes is confusing enough by itself to justify paying someone else to figure it out.

Although I do vaguely resent the fact that I have to fill out forms for the accountants. If I'm dealing with paperwork either way, what do I pay you for? (Okay, their forms are much easier. Still! Grump.)

Shelf-Pod by Kazuya Morita Architecture Studio

That's amazing! I love that the floor of one level becomes the table of the lower one.

Ugh. I got into work in enough time to run down and get an omelet at the cafeteria, but after returning to my desk and having about four bites, it made a reappearance. Ugh. I just hope my stomach calms down so I can eat lunch before the cafeteria closes in 2 1/2 hours, because I really need to get some protein in there. It was the first time I've thrown up at work since the surgery (the other times have all been at home), so at least now I know I can run to the bathroom in time.