It's cooling off at night, basically 30 degrees cooler than during the day; however, when it's 115-116 during the day, cooling off 30 degrees is still 85-86 at night.
The air conditioner is running day and night, although it's set at 85 degrees, which is pretty high for most desert dwellers, but feels quite nice when coming into the house from outside. The tile floors help the house stay cooler than it would be without the tile, and the ceiling fans run 24/7, which also helps keep the inside cooler. I shut the vents in the room I don't use, as well as both bathrooms. The new energy efficient window in the front of the house is helping, especially with the thermal drapes, as is the new slider on the patio, but ...
116 is just plain HOT, no matter how you define it. It's been this hot since the first of June, with little relief in sight this year.
While I was on my trip to Canada, my friend thought it was too warm in the house and turned the thermostat down to 80! I cringed when she told me that, knowing that her decision will cost me big bucks in the June electricity bill, but it was too late to do anything about it. She told me she turned it down for Mia, but I know she turned it down for herself, not the dog, because her house is an ice cave in summer and a steam bath in winter!
My past highest bills have been about $150 during the summer, but I'm betting on double that this year. I didn't turn on the AC until June, but it's been working over-time since then. Electricity is the costliest desert utility, probably because it is the one we need the most, and families that don't practice conservation often have electric bills hovering between $500-$750 dollars a month during the summer. People who live in the big houses with all the must-have amenities can write checks for a thousand dollars a month without even trying.
Perhaps the good news is that the AC heavy-use period is about 4 months and this too shall pass.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Acting Chops
This morning’s news includes an article that claims Dennis Haysbert’s portrayal of the President of the United States may well have paved the way for a successful presidential bid by Barack Obama.
I don’t think so.
The military believes in what is called command presence, the aura of authority that comes naturally to some people, most especially Dennis Haysbert. No matter the role he has been given in films or television shows, Haysbert commands the screen. In 24, he is the President; in The Unit, he commands the unit of specialized service members who fight for truth, justice, and the American way; and in commercials for an insurance company, he assures us that we are in good hands with the people paying his salary. As an actor, he travels the world and asserts his authority wherever he is, in whatever role he has been given, because that is what he is paid to do.
But what amazes me more than the claim of paving the way to the [Obama] presidency is that anyone actually compares an actor’s role to the real world. Barack may also be black, but he’s no Dennis Haysbert. Haysbert earns darned good money portraying characters and reading lines written by professional script writers. The decisions he makes are part of the roles he plays. It ain’t for reals; it’s for the movies.
A president, however, must be believable without a script, without a controlled set, without a stuntman to do the hard work for them. Not only do I not believe that Obama is that good, but I also don’t believe that McCain is anywhere near the caliber of command presence that distinguishes the political leader of the free world. Many are called, but few are chosen to serve with distinction, and all we have to do is look at the decline into mediocrity that has marked our presidential process since World War II.
One of the hallmarks of good leadership is total commitment to one’s ability to perform the job: no explanation, no excuses, and no apology. A person who does what needs to be done when it must be done without regard to how it will play out in the press is the kind of person the office demands, but that person in today’s society is crucified by the press – and a president who plays to the press panders to the press. Right now, the power seat rests with the talking heads on the network shows, the pontificating pseudo-politicians who look good and dress well, who read scripted commentary and rant and rave about shoulda, woulda, coulda. They live vicariously through the power position of the instant news media – and create media politicians, such as Barack Obama, who also knows how to dress well, socialize, and stay on message, all that is required to be elevated to the national political anchor desk in the Oval Office.
Oprah Winfrey has made Barack Obama her media darling, her choice for politician of the month. She’s demanded that we all read him, as if he were a book chosen for her reading club, and that we use her study guide to discuss him as the heir apparent. She has an agenda, as do we all, and it is “this man, this time.” Anyone who does not come on board her Obama production risks being outed as a racist. The media backs her 100% because she is a proven political power: what Oprah wants, Oprah gets, and she has both the wealth and the connections to make it happen. She wants Obama; we get Obama. I doubt that anyone has the stones to challenge her choice for book of the month, much less President of the United States.
I would sooner vote for Oprah than I would vote for either McCain or Obama. She has command presence and uses it more effectively than any politician currently on the scene. If it were “this woman, this time,” I might be tempted to put both the first woman and the first black in the White House this November.
Dennis Haysbert is a great actor; Oprah is a great television host; Obama and McCain are unknown quantities who have neither the acting chops nor the script to support them in their bids to become President of the United States. In my world, we are left with no choice, not at this time and not with these candidates, and a foreseeable future that may well be better off with Dennis Haysbert reprising the role of President for the next four years.
I don’t think so.
The military believes in what is called command presence, the aura of authority that comes naturally to some people, most especially Dennis Haysbert. No matter the role he has been given in films or television shows, Haysbert commands the screen. In 24, he is the President; in The Unit, he commands the unit of specialized service members who fight for truth, justice, and the American way; and in commercials for an insurance company, he assures us that we are in good hands with the people paying his salary. As an actor, he travels the world and asserts his authority wherever he is, in whatever role he has been given, because that is what he is paid to do.
But what amazes me more than the claim of paving the way to the [Obama] presidency is that anyone actually compares an actor’s role to the real world. Barack may also be black, but he’s no Dennis Haysbert. Haysbert earns darned good money portraying characters and reading lines written by professional script writers. The decisions he makes are part of the roles he plays. It ain’t for reals; it’s for the movies.
A president, however, must be believable without a script, without a controlled set, without a stuntman to do the hard work for them. Not only do I not believe that Obama is that good, but I also don’t believe that McCain is anywhere near the caliber of command presence that distinguishes the political leader of the free world. Many are called, but few are chosen to serve with distinction, and all we have to do is look at the decline into mediocrity that has marked our presidential process since World War II.
One of the hallmarks of good leadership is total commitment to one’s ability to perform the job: no explanation, no excuses, and no apology. A person who does what needs to be done when it must be done without regard to how it will play out in the press is the kind of person the office demands, but that person in today’s society is crucified by the press – and a president who plays to the press panders to the press. Right now, the power seat rests with the talking heads on the network shows, the pontificating pseudo-politicians who look good and dress well, who read scripted commentary and rant and rave about shoulda, woulda, coulda. They live vicariously through the power position of the instant news media – and create media politicians, such as Barack Obama, who also knows how to dress well, socialize, and stay on message, all that is required to be elevated to the national political anchor desk in the Oval Office.
Oprah Winfrey has made Barack Obama her media darling, her choice for politician of the month. She’s demanded that we all read him, as if he were a book chosen for her reading club, and that we use her study guide to discuss him as the heir apparent. She has an agenda, as do we all, and it is “this man, this time.” Anyone who does not come on board her Obama production risks being outed as a racist. The media backs her 100% because she is a proven political power: what Oprah wants, Oprah gets, and she has both the wealth and the connections to make it happen. She wants Obama; we get Obama. I doubt that anyone has the stones to challenge her choice for book of the month, much less President of the United States.
I would sooner vote for Oprah than I would vote for either McCain or Obama. She has command presence and uses it more effectively than any politician currently on the scene. If it were “this woman, this time,” I might be tempted to put both the first woman and the first black in the White House this November.
Dennis Haysbert is a great actor; Oprah is a great television host; Obama and McCain are unknown quantities who have neither the acting chops nor the script to support them in their bids to become President of the United States. In my world, we are left with no choice, not at this time and not with these candidates, and a foreseeable future that may well be better off with Dennis Haysbert reprising the role of President for the next four years.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Sweat Equity
It was 100 degrees when I left the house at 9 am, and by the time I drove back into the garage at 2 pm, it was 112, too darned hot to do much of anything.
However, in the between, I was shopping, preparing for my official retirement trip, which begins Monday at 5 am when I report to the airport -- I hope. Still don't know if the flight has been cancelled or changed. I have now 6 pairs of new white 1/2 socks, a package of plastic ties to replace all those that have popped off the lattice hiding the dog run, some cheap towels to make quick covers for the chairs I bought for the paver patio, and, last but not least, 3 new patio chairs.
My life is a story, always a story, so here's the story of the new black chairs. I've been to K-Mart, Target, Wal-Mart (2 different stores), Lowe's, Big Lots, and Home Depot looking for wooden stools for the repurposed bed frame table. Nary a wooden stool in evidence, just the incredible teak chairs at both Lowe's and Home Depot, but much too expensive for my pitiful patio. Those of us of Scandinavian heritage are a determined lot (some people say "stubborn," but I think that's too harsh), and we don't give up once we make a decision or set a goal. The more challenging the decision or goal, the more determination seeps out of our pores.
On the way to meet a friend for lunch, I stopped by Linens 'n Things and, right outside the entry, were 3 wooden chairs marked "clearance." Ah ha, says I, and go into the store to ask if there are 4 chairs, my goal, whether they are natural wood or painted, and the sales price.
Answers: there are 3 chairs, they are black laquer finish, and they are dirt cheap: the big bar stool is under $30 and the smallest chair $20. "I'll take 'em," I told the cashier, who rang them up to a total purchase of $55 for all 3 chairs. He remarked that was certainly a good buy (the tallest bar stool was priced originally at $109.99, and the other 2 chairs at $79.99 each), so I guess it was the correct price (he scanned the bar code). I was thrilled.
Sure, they are 3 different sizes, from really tall to comfortably small, and I hadn't thought about black laquer for the table, but it's doable. I assembled all 3 chairs in about an hour, dripping sweat from every pore as I bolted the pieces together. The tallest bar stool is missing the 3 cross pieces that provide stability between the legs, which may be why it was so cheap, but I'll deal with that when I return from the trip.
I'll secure the dog run lattice with more plastic ties after the sun heads out west and then I may be finished for now. The little computer is up and running wirelessly, so that's ready to write the story of our trip. My bag is about half-way to packed, and it's not going to be really full, but my smaller bag is too small for 21 days' worth of whatever for the trip.
Okay, now what to do W-Th-F-S-S?????
UPDATE: the tall stool is way too tall, but since it was basically free, I'll see about cutting it down to size after I get back!
However, in the between, I was shopping, preparing for my official retirement trip, which begins Monday at 5 am when I report to the airport -- I hope. Still don't know if the flight has been cancelled or changed. I have now 6 pairs of new white 1/2 socks, a package of plastic ties to replace all those that have popped off the lattice hiding the dog run, some cheap towels to make quick covers for the chairs I bought for the paver patio, and, last but not least, 3 new patio chairs.
My life is a story, always a story, so here's the story of the new black chairs. I've been to K-Mart, Target, Wal-Mart (2 different stores), Lowe's, Big Lots, and Home Depot looking for wooden stools for the repurposed bed frame table. Nary a wooden stool in evidence, just the incredible teak chairs at both Lowe's and Home Depot, but much too expensive for my pitiful patio. Those of us of Scandinavian heritage are a determined lot (some people say "stubborn," but I think that's too harsh), and we don't give up once we make a decision or set a goal. The more challenging the decision or goal, the more determination seeps out of our pores.
On the way to meet a friend for lunch, I stopped by Linens 'n Things and, right outside the entry, were 3 wooden chairs marked "clearance." Ah ha, says I, and go into the store to ask if there are 4 chairs, my goal, whether they are natural wood or painted, and the sales price.
Answers: there are 3 chairs, they are black laquer finish, and they are dirt cheap: the big bar stool is under $30 and the smallest chair $20. "I'll take 'em," I told the cashier, who rang them up to a total purchase of $55 for all 3 chairs. He remarked that was certainly a good buy (the tallest bar stool was priced originally at $109.99, and the other 2 chairs at $79.99 each), so I guess it was the correct price (he scanned the bar code). I was thrilled.
Sure, they are 3 different sizes, from really tall to comfortably small, and I hadn't thought about black laquer for the table, but it's doable. I assembled all 3 chairs in about an hour, dripping sweat from every pore as I bolted the pieces together. The tallest bar stool is missing the 3 cross pieces that provide stability between the legs, which may be why it was so cheap, but I'll deal with that when I return from the trip.
I'll secure the dog run lattice with more plastic ties after the sun heads out west and then I may be finished for now. The little computer is up and running wirelessly, so that's ready to write the story of our trip. My bag is about half-way to packed, and it's not going to be really full, but my smaller bag is too small for 21 days' worth of whatever for the trip.
Okay, now what to do W-Th-F-S-S?????
UPDATE: the tall stool is way too tall, but since it was basically free, I'll see about cutting it down to size after I get back!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Picking Up Sticks
This weekend has been like a game of pick-up sticks, that handful of wooden sticks that you hold onto and then let go ... and try to pick up one at a time without disturbing any of the others. Sometimes, I just want to pick them all up at once, rather than having to deal with one stick at a time, but life gives us lots of little sticks, so we deal with what we have, rather than what we want.
Anyhoo, I've cleaned, changed the sheets and towels, done laundry, paid bills, filed paperwork, contemplated the increased mess in the garage from the additions donated by son prior to our departure for Canada, and spent some time thinking about all the little sticks I still have to pick up.
The pile of crushed rock is no longer on the driveway as I shoveled it into the wheelbarrow and spread it throughout the backyard, wherever there was a low or bare spot. I also replanted the foliage along the garage slab as those plants died during the 10 days I was gone. I've put together a temporary watering system using soaker hoses, but don't know if it'll do the job while I'm gone this time. It only takes about 10 minutes each evening to water all the plants, which is the preferred method, but I hate asking my house sitter to do that ... but I'm going to have to impose on him as I cannot afford to replace plants again.
I scooped poop, found more rocks and finished the path at the edge of the paver patio, and contemplated how to stabilize the wooden table before sanding and painting it. I'm going shopping before I leave on my vacation, so will see if I can find chairs so my housesitter can use the table if he wants to sit outside. I also need 6 new pairs of cropped socks to wear with my athletic shoes as I've worn mine out with all the outside work I've done.
The sink isn't going to be repaired prior to my departure, so I'll instruct my sitter not to use the garbage disposal as it not only doesn't work, but it leaks. I'm allergic to mold, so can't have water leaking into the cabinet under the sink and causing mold to grow.
I made reservations for a motel in the Boston area, the first leg of our summer adventure. The hotel is about 15 miles from downtown, but close to the aquarium and Salem, 2 of the attractions we want to visit. It'll be a long drive the first day, but then we'll stay put and explore, which will be fun. We have a movie camera, digital still cameras, and, as of tomorrow, a small computer to take along so we can write our story about our adventures.
Because I can't wait to leave, I'm already packing -- and making lists of the electronic items I don't want to forget! It used to be easier to go places and do things ... . I"m taking one bag, but a bigger bag than I took on the drive to Canada, so will have to steel myself not to complain if I have to pay the airline to transport it.
After all, the ticket I bought is for me, not for a suitcase, to fly to PA, right?
Anyhoo, I've cleaned, changed the sheets and towels, done laundry, paid bills, filed paperwork, contemplated the increased mess in the garage from the additions donated by son prior to our departure for Canada, and spent some time thinking about all the little sticks I still have to pick up.
The pile of crushed rock is no longer on the driveway as I shoveled it into the wheelbarrow and spread it throughout the backyard, wherever there was a low or bare spot. I also replanted the foliage along the garage slab as those plants died during the 10 days I was gone. I've put together a temporary watering system using soaker hoses, but don't know if it'll do the job while I'm gone this time. It only takes about 10 minutes each evening to water all the plants, which is the preferred method, but I hate asking my house sitter to do that ... but I'm going to have to impose on him as I cannot afford to replace plants again.
I scooped poop, found more rocks and finished the path at the edge of the paver patio, and contemplated how to stabilize the wooden table before sanding and painting it. I'm going shopping before I leave on my vacation, so will see if I can find chairs so my housesitter can use the table if he wants to sit outside. I also need 6 new pairs of cropped socks to wear with my athletic shoes as I've worn mine out with all the outside work I've done.
The sink isn't going to be repaired prior to my departure, so I'll instruct my sitter not to use the garbage disposal as it not only doesn't work, but it leaks. I'm allergic to mold, so can't have water leaking into the cabinet under the sink and causing mold to grow.
I made reservations for a motel in the Boston area, the first leg of our summer adventure. The hotel is about 15 miles from downtown, but close to the aquarium and Salem, 2 of the attractions we want to visit. It'll be a long drive the first day, but then we'll stay put and explore, which will be fun. We have a movie camera, digital still cameras, and, as of tomorrow, a small computer to take along so we can write our story about our adventures.
Because I can't wait to leave, I'm already packing -- and making lists of the electronic items I don't want to forget! It used to be easier to go places and do things ... . I"m taking one bag, but a bigger bag than I took on the drive to Canada, so will have to steel myself not to complain if I have to pay the airline to transport it.
After all, the ticket I bought is for me, not for a suitcase, to fly to PA, right?
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Repurposing Son's Bedframe
Today, I bought a set of solar lights and placed them throughout the paver patio project, then moved the heavy wrought iron table and chairs (which are really dirty!) into place in the middle section of the patio. I hauled out the umbrella that goes with the set, an item that has stayed in the garage due to the ongoing high winds in my area. George came out to take a looksee, so I asked him to join me for coffee on the new patio ... and stayed out until the solar lights came on.It's been a long time coming to see the yard landscaped and usable, but it was worth waiting for. The night air has finally cooled off, so it was beautiful outside, rather than too hot. George complimented my hard work and was a gracious guest. If you look at the left side of the photo, you can see him watching me work, one of his life's pleasures, judging by how much time he spends so occupied.
Mia ran around, played with her pull toy and crawled up into my lap. She's not sure what's going on, but she has been keeping a close eye on me since I left her on her own for 10 days.
After our coffee was finished, I showed George how I'm going to repurpose the wood from my son's bed frame to make a new patio table. The slats are going to be screwed to 2 pieces exactly the right length without cutting, then I'm going to add 2 end pieces, which I'll cut down from the existing side pieces. Once that's done, I'll turn the table bottom side up and add legs, which are also conveniently cut to the correct size. I'm not sure what I'll do for chairs, but may find something at Lowe's, perhaps wrought iron benches. I now have my $300 gift cards to spend, shopping that will include a chiminea for the other side of the paver patio.
I don't want to sit the wood table out in the direct sun, which is why I moved the wrought iron onto the paver patio. Whatever sits out there in the open also has to be heavy enough not to blow away, and the wrought iron set is that.
So, there you have it. Somewhere down the line will be a shade cover, but for now, it's looking good in the neighborhood.
NOTE: I went looking for wooden chairs to match the table when it's finished, which means sanding and then painting it to match the backyard landscaping plan. I found some killer teak chairs at Lowe's, but they are $100 bucks a pop, so that's a no-go. I found some black laquer chairs at Target at $75 each, which is still pricey, but more reasonable. I'll do a bit more looking before I buy as I want to have 4 chairs, or 2 arms chairs and 2 benches, because I plan to use this as the food table and the wrought iron set as the lounge furniture. We'll see.
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