Posted on 06/01/2006 1:08:49 PM PDT by Buck Ninety-Nine
WASHINGTON, May 31 — After vowing to steer a greater share of antiterrorism money to the highest-risk communities, Department of Homeland Security officials on Wednesday announced 2006 grants that slashed money for New York and Washington 40 percent, while other cities including Omaha and Louisville, Ky., got a surge of new dollars.
Homeland security officials said the grants were a result of a more sophisticated evaluation process
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
As a matter of fact, we do have natural gas, as I refuse to cook on an electric stove.
I opted to send the biohazardous materials to a place where they'd do the most good. Darksheare's critters will have to fend for themselves, which, I'm sure, they already do.
Put the camera away now, then drink and get dizzy!
So-so. Not exactly dying in the heat/humidity we're enduring -- mild by the standards of the rest of the country but then we're well adapted to grey comfortably-cool drizzle (and there are those who would quibble with "comfortably-cool," 'Face?).
Health-wise likewise; OTOH our houseguest seems to have pretty much the same symptoms of *something* I have, plus symptoms of something much worse.
How about you?
:-). Gotta take care of Vlad. I'm mixing the wine with Diet 7-Up.
I remember those pictures, and I smile.
Um, no comment. Don't recall seeing the pictures, and I suspect my doctor would disagree about shape, but I'm still here. *\;-)
I'm sorry to hear that you're under the weather (both kinds, apparently).
I'm getting over a wretched summer cold. Other than that, I'm keeping very busy.
The kids are all hale, hearty, and insufferable, so we're par for the course there.
Our regular season for summer swimming ended today with our second win of the season over our archrival. We now have an undefeated season, something that has not happened in living memory!
The three oldest have decided that they want to audition for The Nutcracker this year, so I have to revamp some of our lesson plans in order to accommodate the lunacy that comes with auditions, rehearsals, and performances. This will be the boys' second go 'round with The Nutcracker and Tertia's first audition for a professional company.
Are you still traveling up a storm?
I'm trying to decide which beverage is being done the greatest disservice in that concoction. ;)
Okay, here's the plan. A generator with an electric start option will be connected to the supply of natural gas.
Whenever your power goes off for several seconds, (you select the timing), the generator will automatically start up, and provide power to the circuits you have designated as emergency.
I would advise not using air-conditioning in this manner, but it's a matter of taste, (and cost).
It's also wise to have a few circuits not connected to the generator, so that you know when the power comes back on.
Privately, if you can, try to acquire a generator that is water-cooled, (this would allow you to use that heated water as an emergency source of domestic heat and hot water).
As a cost-saving measure, occasionally one can become the proud owner of a welding rig m=eant for service trucks. They often have everything you would need.
Just for comparison purposes, here is the kind of system that I am talking about.
Not this week. It was 101 yesterday, 98 today. Yukky.
Wow! That's some system! Do you often have need for a back up system (I'm assuming that you'd use a generator for a back up system) where you live? This is the first time that our power has been out for more than an hour.
Actually no, but I believe in being prepared. If I had better choices, I might be inclined to lean toward a co-generation power plant.
Usually such a decision would have to depend on distance and availability of power lines, et cetera.
You would probably be surprised to discover how many people live off-grid today. I don't, but I'm tempted.
Heh, no. The last trip was... April? The next (if approved) October in Paris...? And if that is denied, maybe November...
But all this has me reconsidering my job. I'd miss the international venues (and all the "places to come") but those are vulnerable to my employer's climate w/r/t investors. Add some things I just really dislike, more now that I see them upfront instead of a hypothetical -- I'm about ready for new employment. With a small local company and with *zero* travel. "Stay-at-home" is far much better than anything "airport."
There are interesting realms within "technical standards committees," but my gigantic corporation employer isn't buying. So I am ready to walk.
Fly me a good enough job offer, I am gone.
I like being prepared, too, but I'm not the sole arbitor of decisions around here.
My dream, when I allow myself to do so, is to design and build my own passive solar home.
Good luck in your job search. I hope that you find what you are looking for.
I've been exploring that path for the past several months. Trying to find something that I'd enjoy doing, that would enable me to support myself and the kids should that ever become necessary, and that would allow me to continue to homeschool the kids as my primary job, has been a tremendous challenge. I'm still working on it, but I've discovered new friends and resources, so I continue to plug away at it.
When you are not pining away for a new job, what are you up to, for fun?
I'm signing off for the night. I'll check in when I can. I hope that the remainder of your weekends are fabulous!
I would sing you the birthday song but I can't afford the royalties that AOL is asking.
Refrigeration is another matter. Whether it would be practical to make the investment for your own ice-house or not is up to you, and it depends on your climate.
To be practical, you could use the same procedures to build a walk-in freezer, and just use an ordinary refrigeration device.
I hope that the remainder of your weekends are fabulous!
I should have written: I hope that the remainder of this weekend is fabulous for all of you!
Good night, all!
Oh, gardens and greenhouse are included in my plan, as are other energy friendly things.
'night!
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