My New Toy

It's a Nikon CoolPix S3000. I bought it because I've been looking for a great pocket-sized camera that I can take with me pretty much everywhere.

I love my Canon Rebel XSi but it's just not practical to carry with me all the time and my camera phone just doesn't take the quality of photos or offer the features (i.e. zoom, flash,...) that I need.

I'm loving it. It's a great little camera for a great low price.

Little Snow

We got a bit of snow overnight, but a lot of it has disappeared already.

That was just ahead of a cold front that's moving through now. We've already hit our high temperature for today and the temp is dropping quickly. We're expecting more snow tonight.

Blogger is pissing me off

It's not letting me post pictures from Flickr or my computer.

Happy Birthday from Cosmos

Cosmos wanted to wish Annemarie a happy birthday... Actually, he wanted to go back in the house where the heater is located, but I made him do it anyway.

Happy Birthday, sis!

McDonald's Honors McRib Superfans

I am reposting this article from Asylum.com.

By Laura Leu

Behind every great man, there's a great sandwich. When done well, a hunk of meat slapped between two slices of bread can ignite passion from within, inspiring man to move mountains, swim oceans and unbutton his pants -- all for the sake of the lunchtime staple.

The McRib is one of those sandwiches.

The elusive hoagie, McDonald'sboneless pork patty slathered with onions, pickles and a tangy BBQ sauce, is usually only offered in limited markets for short periods of time.

But now (through Dec. 5), the Bigfoot of fast food returns nationwide. No market will be left un-McRib-bed.

In honor of the launch, McDonald's threw a party this week, celebrating the McRib, as well as the men who hold it in such high regard.

Keep reading to meet three superfans who've dedicated parts of their lives and most of their cholesterol levels to the legendary sandwich.

Joey Erwin, "Mr. McRib"

Superfan Credentials: For the last 10 years, Erwin has eaten a McRib sandwich for lunch every day when they're in season. His co-workers, noticing his penchant for the sammy (and probably the BBQ-sauce-stained office supplies), dubbed him "Mr. McRib" and created a Facebook fan page to help him keep track of his gluttonous accomplishments. So far, he's estimated that he's ingested around 300 McRibs.

On DIY McRibs: "The McRib didn't come to [my hometown of] Greenville, South Carolina, at all last year, which was really depressing. So that's when I started trying to make my own McRib, without much success. Wal-Mart sells a frozen riblet sandwich that looks sort of like a McRib. So I took it home, got some pickles and tried to dress it up to make it look like the real deal. I sat down, bit into it, and it just didn't do the job. It was enough to get me by, but it wasn't the same."


Adam Winer, McRib Road Tripper

Superfan Credentials: Living in the McRib-barren land of New York City, Winer had gone 15 years without eating a boneless rib hoagie. So, when a McRib hankering became too strong to bear, he flew to Chicago. From there, he embarked on a road trip to St. Louis, stopping to eat the sandwich at every McDonald's along the route.

The McBirth: "During my road trip, I talked to McDonald's original head chef -- he's the guy who invented Chicken McNuggets. When the McNuggets first debuted, all the franchises wanted them, and McDonald's couldn't get enough chicken to meet the demand, so he had to invent another product to give to franchises that couldn't get McNuggets. The substitute he came up with? The McRib."


Alan Klein, Creator of the McRib Locator

Superfan Credentials: For this man, hunger is the mother of invention. Klein created the McRib Locator website two years ago, when he and his friends were hunting for McRibs but didn't know which McDonald's offered them at the time. He sprung into action with a Google Map of user-generated sandwich sightings. Next up for Klein? A McRib Locator iPhone app. (You'll finally get some use out of that gadget!)

Will Travel for Pork: "The furthest I've driven for a McRib sandwich is about four hours. I had family in that area, so I swung over to see them -- but the McRib was the incentive for the trip."

Sick of It

All right. I can't hold my tongue any longer. I am absolutely sick of commercials using people with British, Australian or similar accents to sell me anything.

I just viewed the latest assault on my senses seconds ago on a Ryan's steakhouse ad. Ryan's? Seriously? You need an English-sounding spokesperson? Why are British accents perceived to be so much more glamorous or sophisticated than American accents?

I'll give Outback Steakhouse a pass because, well, they're Australian-themed. But I'm getting a little sick of the others. I'm looking at you gecko.

I don't have anything against the English. Coll and I enjoy watching what we call "Britishisms" Saturday evenings, which include "As Time Goes By," "Waiting for God," "Keeping up Appearances" and "After You've Gone." Just don't try to sell me cereal. I've grown weary.

Too cute

Caroline Stratton, 10, left, and her two sisters Jackie, 7, and Maddie, 16 stand at attention with Cadet Squadron 37 while Caroline and her family were Cadet for a Day at Air Force Academy Friday, Oct. 15, 2010. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)

Today's Trawler

48' de Viking Dutch-Built steel trawler

(Source: yachtworld.com)

I came across this looker today while cruising YachtWorld. She's a fantastic looking vessel inside and out.

She's what's called a pilothouse trawler, which I'm starting to consider versus the flying bridge models. Lots of pros and cons between the two styles, which I'll get into another time.

Specs

Builder: Viking Trawler

Dimensions
LOA: 48'
Beam: 14' 6"
Maximum Draft: 4' 1"
Displacement: 39000
Bridge Clearance: 13' / 16' 4"

Engines
Engine Brand: Ford
Engine(s) HP: 120
Engine Model: Bowman naturally aspirated
Cruising Speed: 8
Engine Hours: 5543

Tanks
Fresh Water Tanks: 300
Fuel Tanks: 400 +/-
Holding Tanks: 40 +/-

She's located in Chester, Md., and is selling for $163,000.

It's Back!!!

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it.

I was just at McDonald's yesterday (no I don't go everyday... rarely in fact). But when I ordered a milkshake yesterday they told me their milkshake machine was broken. So my milkshake desire not slaked (I love that word) I drove back through today and this is what I saw:

If you don't know about my addiction to love for obssession with the McRib, it's pretty serious. I've written about it before. Apparently I'm not alone.

I forgot all about the milkshake.

Today's Trawler

46' 1986 PT Sundeck Trawler
(Source: yachtworld.com)

I was looking at this 46-footer today trying to see the major differences (besides overall length) between this and a 50-footer.

It seems like you might get a lot for those four feet, but I guess it also depends on the layout of the boat.

The Bella Blue is a nice looking trawler but the salon seems a little small. Probably because it has an aft deck (which is something Coll said she wants). The master stateroom also seems a little on the small side, but it might be because there are three staterooms (an aft master and foreword and starboard guest staterooms). I've seen some of the larger trawlers with three staterooms and three heads. This one only has two heads, but two heads are better than one. ;) (I couldn't resist... but somehow using it in this sense makes more sense than the typical usage.)

The galley looks decent especially considering the size of the salon. At least it has a larger fridge and not one of those dorm-sized deals.

Specs
Builder: PT
Designer: John Norek

Dimensions
LOA: 46 ft 4 in
Beam: 15 ft 9 in
Maximum Draft: 3 ft 8 in

Engines
Engine Brand: Ford Leman
Engine Model: Turbo
Cruising Speed: 18 mph
Maximum Speed: 23 mph
Engine Hours: 1344

Dimensions
Displacement: 25,000

Engines
Total Power: 270

Tanks
Fuel: 600
Fresh Water: 200
Holding: 40

The Bella Blue is currently located In League City, Texas, and is selling for $126,900.

Today's Trawler

50' Custom Steel Pilothouse Trawler
(Source: yachtworld.com)

I came across this unusual custom trawler today. It looks quite different than most of the trawler's that I've been looking at (at which I've been looking?). It looks vaguely military and it's definitely not a vessel I'd put on my list, but it seems to have a pretty spacious interior.

I can't tell if the cutout designs along the boatdeck on top are supposed to be sharks, orcas or dolphins. They're very shark looking. The motif is carried throughout the interior woodwork, too. There's some nice tile work in the galley and there are three staterooms and three heads.

Very different. But I guess there are as many types of boats as there are boaters.

Specs
Builder: Custom
Designer: Bruce Roberts Hull Plans

Dimensions
LOA: 50 ft 0 in
Beam: 15 ft 4 in
LWL: 41 ft 8 in
Maximum Draft: 4 ft 6 in

Engines
Engine Brand: Mitsubishi
Engine Model: CM6-55TI
Engine Hours: 460

Dimensions
Ballast: 1,400
Displacement: est. 60,000

Engines
Total Power: 200

Tanks
Fuel: approx. 600
Fresh Water: approx. 310
Holding: yes

This 2001 vessel is selling now for $119,750.

I Lit Up Her Life

Colleen went out of town for the weekend, so it gave me a chance to tackle a project I've had on the back burner (no pun intended...pun to be explained upon further reading).

We have one of the tiniest kitchens in the world (seriously I've seen news articles on tiny European apartments with larger kitchens), which might lead one to believe that it would be easy to illuminate. But you'd be wrong. There is plent of really harsh light right above the sink (see below) but the cabinets block the light from the stovetop where it is needed more. I bought a small battery powered light a few years ago that mounted under the cabinet, but it really didn't work very well.

Several weeks ago I picked up a couple of small fluorescent lights to mount beneath the cabinets I just hadn't had a chance to mount them since buying them. Wiring them was pretty easy, I just tapped into the receptacles on each side of the sink, wired up the lights and mounted them beneath the cabinets. I am so pleased with the results!

There is plenty of light now for cooking. And I like that the light is not right in your face. This will definitely be my new favorite morning light.

This is what it now looks like with the over sink and the under cabinet lights on. Pretty cool, huh? Colleen doesn't know I mounted them. She'll get home tomorrow while I'm at school. I hope she likes them.

Today's Trawler

1972 50' Grand Banks Trawler

(Source: yachtworld.com)

I came across this gorgeous boat searching yachtworld.com today. She looks to have lots of livable space with a decent galley and full-size refrigerator.

The listing says she surveyed in "above average condition" two years ago. The photos look like this two-owner boat was very well maintained. She has a wooden hull (that's something else I need to study on--which hull is the best, wood, steel, fiberglass).

The master stateroom looks very roomy and the master head has a tub. There are two more staterooms and two additional heads aboard.

Specs
Builder: Grand Banks
Designer: American Marine

Dimensions
LOA: 50'
Beam: 15'5"
Maximum Draft: 5'6" (a little deeper than I'd like)
Displacement: 60,000

Engines
Engine Brand: Caterpillar
Engine(s) HP: 210
Engine Model: 3160
Cruising Speed: 8
Maximum Speed: 10
Engine Hours: 2111

Tanks
Fresh Water Tanks: 600
Fuel Tanks: 1200
Holding Tanks: 140

The topper? She's named Beaufort. Beaufort, N.C. (pronounced Bo-fert), is one Colleen's favorite coastal towns, as opposed to Beaufort, S.C. (pronounced Byou-fert), to which I don't think either one of us has ever been.

She's selling now for $129,000.

Ready to set sail

M-V Wild Blue a Selene 53 Ocean Trawler in Icy Strait, SE Alaska, June 2008
(Source:mvwildblue.blogspot.com)

"If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to
gather wood, divide the work and give orders.
Instead, teach them to yearn for
the vast and endless sea."
—Antoine de Saint-Exupery

I've been yearning lately. Ever since Coll brought up how much she would like to retire and live on a houseboat. Not a houseboat like Tom Hank's character in "Sleepless in Seattle." More like a renovated shrimp trawler, or a custom-built liveaboard trawler, like the Wild Blue pictured above. And not that we're anywhere close to retiring. But it is a dream to work toward.

I've been looking at lots of boats, and there appear to be lots of boats out there. I'm not sure if it's always like this or it's just a symptom of this economy, but there seem to be a lot of great boats available at reasonable prices.

I'm thinking we'll need a vessel between 45 and 50 feet LOA (length overall) to live aboard comfortably. It should also have a beam (width) between 14 and 16 feet--to fit into most berths--and somewhere around 4 feet of draft (depth of the keel below the water's surface). It should have at least two staterooms so we can accommodate periodic guests. I'm still studying on engines (gas vs. diesel, one vs. two). I think I'd like it to have a flying bridge, but I'm not sure if it will make the boat too tall to travel certain places. Above all the vessel must be seaworthy and capable of not only sailing along the coast but cruising to the Caribbean--I so want to cruise to Puerto Rico.

I'm already making travel plans for this future boat. We knew we want to cruise the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway along the East Coast, but did you know there's also a Gulf Intracoastal Waterway? There is also The Great Loop (or Great Circle Route) that incorporates the Atlantic and Gulf Intracoastal Waterways along with a cruise through the Great Lakes and journey through the country's interior down the down the Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee Rivers and the Tennessee-Tombigbee (Tenn-Tom) Waterway to Mobile, Ala.

I can't wait to take this journey. Who knows when that will begin or what the vessel will look like, but we do know what we'll name the boat:

The Caliente Colleen

Anchors Aweigh!!

Not so Intimidating

(Source: intimidator.carowinds.com)

On Friday, I got to visit Carowinds amusement park for the first time. I'd always wanted to go, but never had the opportunity, so i jumped at the chance when Coll invited me to go with her as she escorted a group of 16 students from her school on their senior trip.

I wasn't sure what to expect from Carowinds, but I have to say it was a great park. Loads of great rides. It's small enough to walk around the whole thing in very little time (unlike Six Flags Over Texas or Astroworld...is there still an Astroworld?... oh, how sad, I just Googled it and found out that it's closed and demolished) but big enough with enough rides to offer a day full of fun.

Anyway, the park's newest attraction is a ride called The Intimidator, a NASCAR-themed ride inspired by the late Dale Earnhardt. The Intimidator is billed as the tallest, fastest, longest roller coaster in the Southeast. I had to ride it.

Coll wasn't too keen on riding it, so I rode it by myself and I have to say... I loved it. It was THE most thrilling ride I've ever been on. The first thing that was different about this ride was the rider's seat. It sits up above the car rather than inside a car. There is no seat belt like most of other rides at the park, only a lap bar that I have to tell you I was holding on TIGHT to it the entire time.

(Source: intimidator.carowinds.com)

I had half a mind to reach my right hand out and hold on to the bottom of the seat to keep myself in, but I didn't. Starting with the first 211' drop and with each successive hill I got more and more air time, floating in zero G down the other side.

I look forward to taking on this ride again. It was one of the most thrilling rides I've ever been on.

Come On, Kumon

Have you seen the commercials for the Kumon learning centers that help kids with reading and math? What's up with their logo?

Does that logo say "success" to you? Not me. To me it seems more like "depressed." I don't have a problem with the name itself. It's named for company founder Toro Kumon, of Japan.

According to a corporate press release, the 'O' is supposed to be a "hand drawn 'Thinking Face'" supposedly relecting "Kumon’s philosophy that every child possesses unlimited potential."
But it just looks sad. Not very encouraging to a child who needs help with math or reading.

I'm not the only one who feels this way:

Unhappy Kumon Logo on Flickr
KUMON LOGO'S OH-FACE
Why does the kumon logo look so sad?

What do you think?

Disaster Averted

Colleen woke me up yesterday and told me she thought there might be something wrong with the water heater.

"Cool," I thought. "I can put some of my newly learned electrical skills to work and troubleshoot the problem." Thinking it probably wasn't an emergency, I took my time getting up, took time to eat a bowl of cereal and eventually made my way outside. I grabbed my tools and went to the backyard where the access to the crawl space is located. I opened the door to the crawl space and immediately noticed that the backside of the door was wet... not a good sign. Next, I crouched down to go through the doorway and heard the sound of water flowing and thought, "Crap... probably not electrical." I crawled up to the water heater and saw that water was spewing from the drain at the bottom of the tank. I tried to tighten the valve, and was successful in slowing the flow, but water continued to come out.

"Am I going to have to buy a new water heater?" "How much is a new water heater?" There's more about water heaters that I don't know than I know. But I know an electrician who knows a lot about water heaters. His name is Steve and he's not only my electrical instructor but he's also my friend and mentor. I called him up and he came right over and figured out what it would take to fix the leak. So we went to the plumbing supply store bought a new drain valve and replaced the broken one. Easy peasy and for about 5% of the cost of a new water heater.

Disaster averted. And a big THANK YOU to Steve for his help. I'm so glad he was available.

CTRL + ALT + DEL

It's time to restart this blog. I just spent the last hour or so rereading all my old posts and reliving the past couple of years. Lots happened. Had many giggles.

I think one of the funniest things I came across was from a meme my sister sent me almost two years ago:

11] How old do you think you will be when you finally have kids? That's a toughy. 37?

I turned 37 nearly a month ago and no hint of having a kid in sight, but to be fair I did answer the question with a question. I also came across another meme that said I would name my kids Spot, Rusty, Fluffy and Nana, which should go to show how seriously I desire to procreate. ;)

I don't really feel any pressure to have children. Sometimes I would like to have a little curly headed boy or girl, but sometimes I feel very selfish and don't want to be bothered. I'm not sure how much pressure Colleen feels about having kids. Some days she says she wants one and some days she says she doesn't. Her sister doesn't have any children either and I know her mum wants grandkids, but I don't see any on the horizon.

I've heard that as a woman gets older it gets more risky for her to have a child, but I don't know. I've also heard of women having children in their 40s. Who knows? Maybe one of these days we'll have one. Maybe not.

I also read in the past hour about all the layoffs at my former employer including mine less than a year ago. I've since enrolled in the Electrical Technology program at Haywood Community College and I'm loving it. I've learned a lot and on Friday was able to solve an electrical problem for a friend's mother whose electric range was not working. The problem turned out to be furry and four-legged and not much of a challenge to solve, but it was a learning experience anyway and it felt good having been able to help them out.

I've been a little ambivalent about being on the computer lately hence my absence from the blogosphere, but I'm hoping to start posting thoughts and happenings again.