My wife and I have been saving monies for the past few years, getting together a decent amount of scratch for a down payment on a house. Yeah, I know, that's old-fashioned, who actually puts down a down payment anymore?
Well, turns out we are freaking prescient, because about nobody wants to give you a mortgage anymore unless you are sitting on a nest egg (like us) and have stellar credit ratings (like us). We were made in the shade. We got pre-approved for a no-fee mortgage over the internet (only $3,000 in closing costs). Whatever. We'd started doing drive-by's (the suburban, house-shopper kind) of houses we were looking at. We started getting our hearts set on places that were close to wooded areas, off of main roads, and had 2-3 bedrooms.
There was just one thing holding us back: We are still in a lease. I was under the impression that you could break a lease and just pay half a month's rent penalty as long as you gave 30 days notice. Turns out, no. You pay all the rent you agreed to pay for the entire term of the lease. That's a lot of money.
So, we are not buying a house now. We will wait until our lease runs out. Unless any smart commenters happen to be able to know how to bust the hell out of a lease with minimal penalty.
Also, Delta Airlines can kiss my grits. They cancelled about 250 flights in Atlanta last week, and then gave me a hotel voucher for a hotel that was already full. Worst. Night. Ever.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
Amped on pancakes and peppered-chicken
We've got one of these coming in the mail soon:
It's called a Griddler, which sounds like a cartoon character, but is actually a portal to a place I like to call "flavor country". It can either operate as a George Forman-esque dual-sided grill, or it opens up all the way and you can swap the plates to that it is a large, flat griddle. Non-stick, and the plates are machine washable. It's like this thing was designed for us.
Want a panini (fancy name for an expensive sandwich)? How about some pancakes? Hamburgers? Bacon? 6 chicken breasts covered with black pepper? WE CAN DO THAT.
This is going to be awesome. I'm going to make pancakes, and we will love our little griddler.
It's called a Griddler, which sounds like a cartoon character, but is actually a portal to a place I like to call "flavor country". It can either operate as a George Forman-esque dual-sided grill, or it opens up all the way and you can swap the plates to that it is a large, flat griddle. Non-stick, and the plates are machine washable. It's like this thing was designed for us.
Want a panini (fancy name for an expensive sandwich)? How about some pancakes? Hamburgers? Bacon? 6 chicken breasts covered with black pepper? WE CAN DO THAT.
This is going to be awesome. I'm going to make pancakes, and we will love our little griddler.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Two great things
First, this video:
I love how the countries/ethnicities are represented by various foods. Especially the Bahn Mi.
Second, this excerpt of an interview with world-famous rapper DMX. Be forewarned! The dude curses, and you will encounter some of the curse words he uses. If you are not accustomed to the company of sailors, you may find it crude. But still hilarious:
Are you following the presidential race?
Not at all.
You’re not? You know there’s a Black guy running, Barack Obama and then there’s Hillary Clinton.
His name is Barack?!
Barack Obama, yeah.
Barack?!
Barack.
What the fuck is a Barack?! Barack Obama. Where he from, Africa?
Yeah, his dad is from Kenya.
Barack Obama?
Yeah.
What the fuck?! That ain’t no fuckin’ name, yo. That ain’t that nigga’s name. You can’t be serious. Barack Obama. Get the fuck outta here.
You’re telling me you haven’t heard about him before.
I ain’t really paying much attention.
I mean, it’s pretty big if a Black…
Wow, Barack! The nigga’s name is Barack. Barack? Nigga named Barack Obama. What the fuck, man?! Is he serious? That ain’t his fuckin’ name. Ima tell this nigga when I see him, “Stop that bullshit. Stop that bullshit” [laughs] “That ain’t your fuckin’ name.” Your momma ain’t name you no damn Barack.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is America, and it is hilarious.
I love how the countries/ethnicities are represented by various foods. Especially the Bahn Mi.
Second, this excerpt of an interview with world-famous rapper DMX. Be forewarned! The dude curses, and you will encounter some of the curse words he uses. If you are not accustomed to the company of sailors, you may find it crude. But still hilarious:
Are you following the presidential race?
Not at all.
You’re not? You know there’s a Black guy running, Barack Obama and then there’s Hillary Clinton.
His name is Barack?!
Barack Obama, yeah.
Barack?!
Barack.
What the fuck is a Barack?! Barack Obama. Where he from, Africa?
Yeah, his dad is from Kenya.
Barack Obama?
Yeah.
What the fuck?! That ain’t no fuckin’ name, yo. That ain’t that nigga’s name. You can’t be serious. Barack Obama. Get the fuck outta here.
You’re telling me you haven’t heard about him before.
I ain’t really paying much attention.
I mean, it’s pretty big if a Black…
Wow, Barack! The nigga’s name is Barack. Barack? Nigga named Barack Obama. What the fuck, man?! Is he serious? That ain’t his fuckin’ name. Ima tell this nigga when I see him, “Stop that bullshit. Stop that bullshit” [laughs] “That ain’t your fuckin’ name.” Your momma ain’t name you no damn Barack.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is America, and it is hilarious.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Hey Internet
I haven't posted in a while? What's up?
Just wanted to drop this tidbit I gathered after reading some links on my older sis's bloggity-blog:
The Coen Brothers are going to adapt The Yiddish Policemen's Union.
I'm half-way through the book right now (kind of stuck and half-way because I forgot it at my in-laws' house). If there is one type of movie the Coens do well, it's a weird noir film, and if there were a story that begged for a weird noir treatment, it was this one.
Based in an alternate-reality where the Jewish refugees from WWII settled in the Sitka of Alaska instead of Israel, a cop looks for the murderer of a potential-messiah who was excommunicated for homosexuality. Chess, drugs, pie, religion, mysticism, and Sam-Spade style narration abound.
I can foresee this being the Big Lebowski with more Yiddish and less weed.
Just wanted to drop this tidbit I gathered after reading some links on my older sis's bloggity-blog:
The Coen Brothers are going to adapt The Yiddish Policemen's Union.
I'm half-way through the book right now (kind of stuck and half-way because I forgot it at my in-laws' house). If there is one type of movie the Coens do well, it's a weird noir film, and if there were a story that begged for a weird noir treatment, it was this one.
Based in an alternate-reality where the Jewish refugees from WWII settled in the Sitka of Alaska instead of Israel, a cop looks for the murderer of a potential-messiah who was excommunicated for homosexuality. Chess, drugs, pie, religion, mysticism, and Sam-Spade style narration abound.
I can foresee this being the Big Lebowski with more Yiddish and less weed.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Hypocrite Alert
So, totally recanting a post. This weekend, we bought Guitar Hero for Wii, now that it is in stock again. So. Much. Fun.
Kate is even enjoying it, which is good because she never played the real guitar. She is slowly working her way through the beginner songs. Once she learns to relax when playing, I think she will do even better. Right now she says her hands hurt from playing, which is really a bad sign when you are playing the easiest, slowest songs on Beginner.
If you have this game, and a Wii, you should send me your Online player ID# so that we can play online. That would be dope. Also, somebody will have to visit us and bring a guitar controller so that we can unlock the remaining songs.
Work sucks, they make me come in like-a ev-er-y day. Nobody will get that reference.
Take it easy, internets.
Kate is even enjoying it, which is good because she never played the real guitar. She is slowly working her way through the beginner songs. Once she learns to relax when playing, I think she will do even better. Right now she says her hands hurt from playing, which is really a bad sign when you are playing the easiest, slowest songs on Beginner.
If you have this game, and a Wii, you should send me your Online player ID# so that we can play online. That would be dope. Also, somebody will have to visit us and bring a guitar controller so that we can unlock the remaining songs.
Work sucks, they make me come in like-a ev-er-y day. Nobody will get that reference.
Take it easy, internets.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Hillary probably didn't win the primary there...
Kansas that is. This story tells us how a female referee was stopped from officiating a boys highschool basketball game.
"The reason given, according to the referees: Campbell, as a woman, could not be put in a position of authority over boys because of the academy's beliefs."
Can you believe this stuff?
As I read the article, I found a few more interesting points.
Huh. This church has been around for less time than ME. Sweet.
"The reason given, according to the referees: Campbell, as a woman, could not be put in a position of authority over boys because of the academy's beliefs."
Can you believe this stuff?
As I read the article, I found a few more interesting points.
- Despite the school's name (St. Mary's), the school is NOT catholic. It is owned and operated by the Society of St. Pius X.
- The society's world leader, the late Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, was excommunicated by Pope John Paul II in the late 1980s.
Huh. This church has been around for less time than ME. Sweet.
Race? I love to race! Oh wait...
The other day, I stumbled upon This blog. Now, I love satire, but I can pretty much say I've never been personally the subject of it before. It's kind of weird.
I mean, I'm white (as you can tell by the bicycle - bikes are one of the things that white people like). And as a white person, I understand that I probably have a better life because of it. It's not something I'm proud of, but I will admit that having pale skin and a non-ethnic name has probably helped me in my life. Thus, I'm skeptical of people who complain about "reverse-racism" and crap like that because it's garbage.
But I've never really heard any negative connotations about being white before, other than the obvious "they can't dance and they like mayonnaise". And I never even heard the mayonnaise part before Undercover Brother. It seems like every other race has some sort of negative stereotype that the anonymous cabal of racists keeps pushing on us. Well, now there is a list (a numbered list!) of things that White People like, and how wrong they are for liking them.
I don't think it would bother me so much if it weren't so accurate. I mean, that list is basically describing me and my friends. The numbers that fit me are: 3-16,18-20,23,25-27,30,31,33,35-45,55,48-53,55,58,61, and 63. That is a LOT. I mean, that's 70%. In college, that would have been a C. Getting a C on describing me without having ever met me is is pretty damned creepy.
But, the thing is, a lot of people like that stuff. The only thing I can think of as an illustration of how dumb stuff like this is the stereotype that black people like fried chicken and watermelon. Everybody likes fried chicken and watermelon, that stuff tastes good. Also, the "Jews like money," bit. Well, seriously, find me a person who hates money and I will show you a freaking anomaly. Money can be used to purchase goods and services. You'd be hard pressed to find somebody who doesn't like goods and services, they are the bomb.
I think I know what David Chappelle was getting across in his sketch where he is on an airplane, and he doesn't want to order the chicken dinner, because he hates playing into the minstrel-show black stereotype. I mean, I felt self-conscious about liking NPR. Seriously. I mean, I'm probably not going to stop liking snowboarding or bikes or stuff like that. And Panera makes some damn good sandwiches. But it's hard not to hear a little bell ring every time I chick off another mark on the list.
What I do like about the list is the things that I feel don't describe me. Liking "Thinking they know what is best for poor people." I'm very confident that I have no idea what is best for poor people. So, no skin off my nose. And "The Toyota Prius". Aside from the exterior design (it is the most aerodynamic car on the road), it is a nearly negligible improvement over a regular economy car. And it uses highly toxic batteries which will need to be replaced every 7 years.
How does the list make you feel? How much applies to you? I almost prefaced those questions with racial identifiers, but I don't think it's necessary.
I mean, I'm white (as you can tell by the bicycle - bikes are one of the things that white people like). And as a white person, I understand that I probably have a better life because of it. It's not something I'm proud of, but I will admit that having pale skin and a non-ethnic name has probably helped me in my life. Thus, I'm skeptical of people who complain about "reverse-racism" and crap like that because it's garbage.
But I've never really heard any negative connotations about being white before, other than the obvious "they can't dance and they like mayonnaise". And I never even heard the mayonnaise part before Undercover Brother. It seems like every other race has some sort of negative stereotype that the anonymous cabal of racists keeps pushing on us. Well, now there is a list (a numbered list!) of things that White People like, and how wrong they are for liking them.
I don't think it would bother me so much if it weren't so accurate. I mean, that list is basically describing me and my friends. The numbers that fit me are: 3-16,18-20,23,25-27,30,31,33,35-45,55,48-53,55,58,61, and 63. That is a LOT. I mean, that's 70%. In college, that would have been a C. Getting a C on describing me without having ever met me is is pretty damned creepy.
But, the thing is, a lot of people like that stuff. The only thing I can think of as an illustration of how dumb stuff like this is the stereotype that black people like fried chicken and watermelon. Everybody likes fried chicken and watermelon, that stuff tastes good. Also, the "Jews like money," bit. Well, seriously, find me a person who hates money and I will show you a freaking anomaly. Money can be used to purchase goods and services. You'd be hard pressed to find somebody who doesn't like goods and services, they are the bomb.
I think I know what David Chappelle was getting across in his sketch where he is on an airplane, and he doesn't want to order the chicken dinner, because he hates playing into the minstrel-show black stereotype. I mean, I felt self-conscious about liking NPR. Seriously. I mean, I'm probably not going to stop liking snowboarding or bikes or stuff like that. And Panera makes some damn good sandwiches. But it's hard not to hear a little bell ring every time I chick off another mark on the list.
What I do like about the list is the things that I feel don't describe me. Liking "Thinking they know what is best for poor people." I'm very confident that I have no idea what is best for poor people. So, no skin off my nose. And "The Toyota Prius". Aside from the exterior design (it is the most aerodynamic car on the road), it is a nearly negligible improvement over a regular economy car. And it uses highly toxic batteries which will need to be replaced every 7 years.
How does the list make you feel? How much applies to you? I almost prefaced those questions with racial identifiers, but I don't think it's necessary.
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