Hate power failures, especially in winter. I grew up with well water, with the power problems it brings...
Snow here is just winding down. Maybe a couple inches. Mostly slush on the roads - no sledding.
-jk
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Hate power failures, especially in winter. I grew up with well water, with the power problems it brings...
Snow here is just winding down. Maybe a couple inches. Mostly slush on the roads - no sledding.
-jk
I wish we had a generator! We've priced them but it's rather impressive cost-wise. We've got an older house, fairly big, two heating/cooling systems, two well pumps. Propane fuel. Generator is doable but we need to save some big buck, beginning around 6-7K.
Whining and belly-aching is a lot cheaper ;)
We got about 10 inches of snow over the weekend and now it's decided to turn to ice. It was 65 degrees and sunny last Wednesday. Indiana weather at it's finest.
I think about 10-15% of folks in my town have generators these days. Pepco had been awful over the years. But they do seem to be trying - we did well with the ice storm.
The cost is high. It would take a whole bunch of lost freezer stuff and hotel rooms to pay off.
-jk
No power on a well is not fun. My sister has resorted to melting snow on the cooktop to have water to flush. Doesn't work so well if you are dealing with an ice storm or don't have a gas cooktop.
Living in snow country, I do pretty much want/envy the $6k full house auto kick-on generator systems.
But we have something that works sufficiently: we got a generator (gasoline powered) and had an electrician wire up
enough circuits to keep the house from freezing...it basically runs the water well pump, the furnace, and most lights in the house, and
the fridge. Does not do the electric stove...but the total cost was less than $2k and VERY much worth it, has saved us several times.
Plus you can keep the generator inside (wheels easily outside) where the trickle charger keeps the battery warm and toasty.
Get the electric start, too, much less frustrating than the pull cord models.
After thirteen years, this is the first Christmas that Santa is not the star with anyone in the OPK household. Kinda sad. Just does not really get me revved when the secular stuff is just boiled down to a want list.
Really not jazzed this season. Feh.
Well, we have always left out Twinkies and single malt. THAT tradition will continue, or the damn tree will be on the lawn before sunrise.
But I am with you, after disliking the Christmas trapping, then reveling in the wonder of youth, I am back to the meh. Glad the kids are still under my roof, although that's end is starting to come into focus too. I guess "mixed blessings" is the theme this year, but gotta embrace the blessings where you can find them.
Last year there was a general consensus that the movies weren't that great, and that the categories weren't that strong. The year before, The Artist (a movie I found dreadfully boring and uninspired) won it all mainly because it was "artsy."
Well, all that changes this year. This might be the strongest movie awards competition ever. I know Throaty (or someone) has been arguing that all we have are these awful big budget movies, but the awards argue differently. Check out the likely candidates for the top awards
Best Picture:
Captain Phillips, 12 Years a Slave, Nebraska, Gravity, American Hustle, Inside Llewyn Davis, The Wolf of Wall Street. All great choices
Best Actor. Might be the toughest lineup in history
Tom Hanks, Captain Phillips
Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years a Slave
Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club
Bruce Dern, Nebraska
Robert Redford, All is Lost
Best Actress
Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine
Sandra Bullock, Gravity
Amy Adams, American Hustle
Judi Dench, Philomena
Emma Thompkins, Saving Mr. Banks
Best Supporting Actor (also might be best grouping ever)
Michael Fassbender, 12 Years a Slave
Barkhad Abdi, Captain Phillips
Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club
James Gandolfini, Enough Said
Daniel Bruel, Rush
Best Supporting Actress
Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle
Lupita Nyong'o, 12 Years a Slave
Julia Roberts, August: Osage County
June Squib, Nebraska
Sally Hawkins, Blue Jasmine
Best Director
Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity
Paul Greengrass, Captain Phillips
Steve McQueen, 12 Years a Slave
Alexander Payne, Nebraska
David O. Russell, American Hustle
I mean those categories are...all...just stacked. In each one I could make a solid case for at least three people to win, and in many I could make a solid case for any of them to win. Will make for a tense and exciting awards show, I would guess, as no one film should dominate (though I guess 12 Years a Slave might win a bunch just because of its power)
Finals. Are. OVER.
I am now halfway done with law school.
:D