It was a big weekend here at the old homestead. For the first time in longer than I can remember (mostly ‘cuz I can’t really remember shit for very long these days), our kitchen cabinets have doors on them. They look very different, and I’d forgotten what a pain in the ass it is to have to open doors to get stuff out. I also built a shelf and storage area for the above the refrigerator/next to the microwave area. It’s far from perfect, but didn’t cost me anything, since it’s all made from scrap wood and stuff left over from tearing the old stuff out (in other words, I am being “green” by recycling). And it gets the job done, so it’s good enough for me. Fortunately, my wife isn’t fussy, either (I mean, she married me, so how fussy could she possibly be).
The weekend wasn’t without its casualties, though. For one thing, I broke the only belt sander belt I had. The belt sander is how I “even out” my woodworking (along with caulk and Spackle, of course). Now I have to go out and get a new one (and to thin,k I’ve only had that one on there for a mere twelve years or so). It’s been so long since I’ve bought one, I have no clue what size it is (3″ x something or other). It’s a Craftsman – has to be close to 50 years old, if not older.
Also, I recently (like, last week) purchased a little magnetic stud finder, and Sunday was my first chance to really use it on a “production” job (as opposed to just playing with it). Nothing fancy – just a couple of strong rare earth magnets encased in plastic with a bubble level in between. You run it along the wall in a “S” pattern, and when it finds a nail or screw, it just sticks there (like magic). Oh, I suppose you could just get a strong magnet and use that, but the level is kind of nice. It’s very simple, about a million times easier to use (and more accurate) than my electronic stud finder (assuming you don’t have abnormally thick walls or they forgot to screw down the sheetrock at every stud or something), and comes in handy to hold a drill bit or whatnot so you don’t lose it when you’re changing back and forth from the drill to the driver (I really need to get another cordless drill). Unfortunately, if you don’t keep an eye on it, somebody in your home may carelessly set a metal oven rack down near it, then put it in the oven and bake it at 325° for three hours, melting the shit out of it (doesn’t do much for the bubble level, either).
So, here’s a tip to the Do-It-Yourselfers out there: be sure to check for tools in your oven – early and often.
Ed Schultz apparently told Robert Gibbs he was full of shit. Far be it for me to agree with Fat Headdy, but I’m forced to concur. I heard Gibbs on the news a couple of times last week, and, while he spoke, he said absolutely nothing. Of course, what can he say, really? I guess all he could really do was tell Eddy to go Cheney himself.
“I told him he was full of sh*t is what I told him. I mean I did.” Schultz told an audience in Minnesota over the weekend. “And then he gave me the Dick Cheney f-bomb the same way Senator Leahy got it on the Senate floor.”
Schultz continued: “I told Robert Gibbs, I said ‘And I’m sorry you’re swearing at me, but I’m just trying to help you out. I’m telling you you’re losing your base. Do you understand that you’re losing your base?'”
The MSNBC host…has repeatedly accused the Obama administration of giving up too much ground to moderate and conservative Democrats as well as Republicans on health care reform.
“We have to get these people who have infiltrated the Democratic progressive movement, and get them the hell out,” Schultz said.
All I can say, is, “you tell ’em, Ed.”
On a side note, how pissed off do you think Randi Rhodes is that Ed (or Rachel, for that matter) is on MSNBC, and Randi is on, well, whatever the hell it is she’s on these days? Not that Randi has a big ego or anything. 🙄
Congratulations are in order for the New Orleans Saints. It’s nice to see a team that’s never been to a Super Bowl finally get to go to one. And the people in New Orleans certainly deserve something to celebrate. As for the Colts? Screw ’em. I hope the Saints wipe ’em out.
BTW, what’s up with the Pro Bowl being before the Super Bowl? No pro-bowl players on the two Super Bowl teams? How stupid it that? Not that I really give a crap about the Pro Bowl (or the Super Bowl, to be honest; it’s just on too late for a school night), but still.
Big night here as Georgetown comes to town for “Big Monday.” We hate Georgetown here – and we really hate losing to them (especially at home). Hopefully SU will play a bit better than they did on Saturday.
Oh well, I hear the sirens, so I guess I’d better make like a good little Eloi, and head off to do my duty.
Takes one to know one Fathead Schultz.
“what’s up with the Pro Bowl being before the Super Bowl?”
‘Cause nobody gave a shit about the Pro-Bowl in Hawaii for years before ’cause a lot of the players had just finished playing in the Super Bowl and didn’t give a shit about the Pro-Bowl (except to go to Hawaii). Now they can not go and not give a shit a week earlier.
Ironically, still…., no one will give a shit.
Don’t buy Craftsman- they’ve sucked for years. All the mechanics I work with have got DeWalt power tools.
Windows 7 was my idea.
Dewalt’s OK (they’re just a branch of Black & Decker). I have a Dewalt compound miter saw and corded drill. As for a new cordless drill, I’m looking at a Rigid one that looks pretty nice. Actually a drill and cordless sawzall combo that looks pretty good.
Craftsman hand tools are still good (they tend to be bulky; Snap-On would be nice, but they’re big bucks). I have a Craftsman table saw that gets the job done. Nothing great, but it was pretty cheap. I have a Craftsman 18-volt cordless drill that’s been just fine, too.
I have a Craftsman miter saw stand that sucks big-time. I’d never get that again.
Of course, my Craftsman circular saw and belt sander were my Dad’s, and are at least as old as I am. Probably won’t see another tool that lasts as long as they have.
And I can’t say enough good things about my Rockwell Jawhorse. That thing is just astounding.
What we’ve all been waiting for
Air America RIP– A Guest Post From Former Air America CEO Danny Goldberg
:fu:
Didn’t you notice the smell of plastic and isn’t that a new oven? 😯
Since I live in the land theocratic corporatists, I enjoy Ed. He’s gotten better over the years (or maybe me more desperate). The main thing I don’t agree with him on is Workers’ Comp.
re#6, is that jerk still alive?
and what about Makita products? I have a Makita cordless drill I like.
re:#6 I think Cenk at the Young Turks has the perfect blend of passion, vision,superficial humor, political wonkiness and a great buisness model.
He’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Objectification of women is hardwired into the program with Anna’s seeming blessing but then I’m just too old to get upset over everything.
No talent on the level of a maron but much more entertaining than Big Al ever was. They’ve got about a billion hits on youtube which, for better or worse, is a standard of success;
but I’m getting my $10 a month money’s worth.
He had a great interview with Greg Epstein, the unvoted upon leader of the secular Humanist movement in the US. I bought the book-“Good without God” which I’m really enjoying, and to my surprise on ABC news this weekend found out it’s a large movement going on with young people (which I am definintely not) and there was an interview with Greg Epstein.
http://www.theyoungturks.com
Makita is good as far as I know but a little pricey (?)
In the end, I actually decided to buy a Makita cordless drill. They had them on sale.
‘Bonanza,’ ‘Trapper John, M.D.’ actor Pernell Roberts dies
🙁 :gate: