The US government has set aside $1.5 billion dollars for digital television boxes. In February of next year, the television industry will be switching from analog signals to digital. This means that anyone with an analog television will be unable to receive a picture. These televisions will now require a box to convert the signal. Now, while I understand this puts an unfair burden on low income families, I am annoyed that our government is so concerned about or TV viewing audiences that they will create $40 certificates.

What about health care? I know $1.5 billion wouldn’t go far for 300 million citizens, but wouldn’t it help some of the most needy? What about putting that towards renewable energy research, medical research, world peace, or something? Really, is TV that much a necessary component of our society that we need to create a coupon similar to food stamps for it? Am I the only person flabbergasted by this?

I had to endure a three hour meeting today that was painfully dry. To make the experience even more unbearable, I was forced to look at a bedazzled, 80’s acid-washed jean jacket. It doesn’t stop there. The woman wearing it was doing needlepoint during the entire meeting!

It was almost as hellish as my root canal, which included a TV in the ceiling. The program on during my procedure was the O’Reilly Factor on Fox.

This man claims that genetics prove people of African decent are intellectually inferior to whites, that gay fetuses should be aborted, and that there is a link between skin color and sexual prowess (darker the skin = higher the prowess).

He didn’t mention, ironically, the genetic link between light skin and sun damage. Just saying…

We are still selling our house. It has been a slower process than first assumed. However, there has at least been interest. The frustrating part is waiting… and waiting. My biggest annoyance is that people haven’t been taking off their shoes. So I put up a sign telling them to…

School started back up and work has been hectic. So many odd issues arise at the beginning of the year that I was unaware of. It is, however, nice to have an active campus again. It is almost eery in the summer when the campus is empty.

Anthony and I are going on a South American cruise in December (the southern hemisphere’s summer!). We have to get a visa to enter Brazil, where the cruise begins. There is this stupid rule that if a country requires a travel visa for it’s citizen to enter, then they will require visa’s of that country’s citizens (reciprocal visas). So, in addition to the expense of the cruise, we have to pay roughly $160/person for a visa (or $100 to fly to San Francisco and do it in person).

Doesn’t it almost seemed staged? Within three or so months, three super-conservative republican law makers (Larry Craig of Idaho, David Vitter of Louisiana, and Robert Allen of Florida)have been caught doing something “lewd.” The best part is, two of the three were caught in gay acts! Did I mention that these two are vehemently against gay rights? In fact, Craig at one point called being homosexual ridiculous. He is the ridiculous ass who is feeling the wrath of karma!!

I just finished my antibiotics today. Last Friday, I was diagnosed with strep throat for either the 14th or 15th time in seven years. I told the doctor that I really want to have my tonsils removed because they cause so many issues. The answer I have received in the past has either been: tonsillitis, not strep throat, is a cause for removal or that my tonsils needed to be damaged. My latest doctor told that if I were to get strep within the next year, we would discuss removal.

On a positive note, I was weighed and found out that I am about 7 pounds lighter than I thought!

The past few weeks have been rather eventful… although you would never know from my lack of postings.

First, a couple weeks ago, Anthony and I decided to finish our main-level flooring by having bamboo installed in our kitchen and guest bath. We decided to us iFLOOR to install. When we first moved in, they supplied to flooring for the rest of the main-level. At the time, they did not do installs. The quote came to $17/sf. For that amount of money, we were expecting the company to seamlessly blend our existing flooring with the new. What we got was the following:

• Scratches/gouges on our existing flooring
• Scratches on the new flooring
• Broken stove
• Improperly reinstalled fridge and toilet
• A pedestal sink not reinstalled, which left the bowl falling away from the wall
• Damaged kitchen cabinetry
• Mis-measured transition between existing and new flooring, resulting in a poorly, hand-cut, 1/2″ piece of bamboo with mis-matched wood fill to cover the extra gap
• Damaged trim in both the kitchen and bathroom

All of this happened on July 2nd. When we asked that the major items be addressed before the 4th (i.e. the stove, so our kitchen was operable) I was told that it was unrealistic that we expect their “hard working” employees to be inconvenienced on “our nation’s holiday.” Apparently it was okay for us to be inconvenienced due to their negligence… but heaven forbid they be inconvenienced. After more than two weeks of fighting via email and over the phone, the only thing iFloor would do is credit us the fee for the sink installation (perhaps because they didn’t do it…) and half the blending fee (existing with new). I have NEVER in my life dealt with such an unprofessional company. At one point, the claims manager told me to “look on the bright side, you can only see the damage to the cabinetry if you are on your knees.” First of all, I don’t give a fuck if you have to have a mirror under the cabinets to see the damage. They damaged it! Then, a fitting end to the cabinetry saga, our neighbor (who is 6′8″ mind you) saw the damage before I even pointed it out (and he wasn’t on his knees). In the end, all we got was a couple credits and then… the final slap in the face: a $75 gift card to Omaha Steaks. The idiots sent a vegetarian household a gift card to a meat company. Below are a couple images of their negligence. DO NOT EVER USE iFLOOR!!!

To make up for this horrible experience, Anthony and I booked a South American cruise!!! We will be going to Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina in December. I am SO excited. This wasn’t a pity purchase, actually… We found an AMAZING deal on Travelzoo. It included the flight and cruise for only a few hundred dollars more than flights to Argentina. I have really wanted to go to Buenos Aires for a long time. The cruise ends there, which is perfect!

And finally. Yesterday, Anthony and I ended our 2 years of terror. No longer will we ride the bus in Seattle! It takes about an hour each way to go 10 miles. An hour of hell, dealing with inconsiderate asses on their phones, screaming children, drunks, crazies, funky smells, and standing while hurdling down the street. To remedy this, we purchased scooters! We have been researching the cost to own one for some time (insurance, gas, vehicles, etc.). It costs significantly less to own, maintain, and drive a scooter. Plus, we get a huge discount to park on campus and our UPass will be free. Here is a picture of mine (Anthony’s is red).