Settled in the new apartment

It's Monday evening. On Saturday we went over to the old apartment and painted the walls white where we'd sponge painted. That was the last task before being done and being able to just enjoy the new apartment and wait for the house to be built.

Well now we are completely done with the old place. We are moved into the new apartment and loving it. It does take me longer to get to work now - about a half-hour commute each way. But that's not bad at all. And Shirley's much closer to her job, so that's good. We are also now on the 3rd floor, so we no longer have neighbors above us, and at this complex that also means that we have vaulted ceilings. I can't tell you (but I'll try) how wonderful it is to be in a place that is pleasant!

So it is now off to a celebretory dinner. For the curious, I've posted some pics of the old place and the new.

Oh yeah, and our blueprint review for the house is happening tomorrow, so we are finally through the permit process and might start moving forward a bit. Life is good :-)

Almost done with the old apartment

It's Saturday morning of a 3-day holiday weekend, and we were up at 6:30am. It's about 7:15am now and we're getting set to head back to the old, nasty apartment, and paint the walls white where we'd sponge painted just 3 months ago. And then we will be DONE baby! We will never have to go back there, and we can enjoy living in the new apartment until the house is done sometime late in the year. We've taken a number of pictures of the old place and the new place and will post those and more details later. Definitely good for a laugh at our expense -- and there was plenty of expense when you add up the cost of breaking the old lease, deposits and fees at the new place, cost to rent a truck and hire a couple of folks to help with the move, and time that could have been spent working (which means more income, since I'm paid by the hour).

By it is a good day. We have learned much, the sun is out, and we will soon be free of the old and embracing the new. Cheers :-)

Bush in 30 seconds ads

George W Bush is ruining America, and indeed seriously harming the planet and humanity. It is my goal to see John F Kerry elected this November (as opposed to simply selected) as the next President of the USA. Millions of Americans (and many more people around the planet) feel similarly. My gosh, I never in my worst nightmares thought that Bush could do so much harm so quickly. Sure, there's the recent scandal about the prison in Iraq. But what about the prison in Guantanamo? What about the genocide going on in Sudan, with the USA and rest of the world just sitting by (of course, there's no oil - as far as we know - in Sudan, so who cares, huh)? The tax breaks for the wealthiest folks, which contributed to giving us the largest deficit ever -- of course, the billions already spent are merely a start to what Bush's immoral war will eventually cost. There's a good editorial in the Washington Post today about Bush's deficit trap. And then there's the whole trail of lies that led to the US invasion of Iraq. OK, obviously I do not at all like what Bush has done.

Well MoveOn.org held a contest early this year for the best anti-Bush ads. Over 1,500 entries were submitted, and 150 of the best of those ads are now available for viewing:

In future posts I'll try to be more positive and discuss why I think John Kerry will be great for America. But every time I look at the newspaper I get mad at Mr Bush, and I had to vent.

OK, time for perspective:

"Breathing in, I calm myself. Breathing out, I smile"

"Breathing in, I calm myself. Breathing out, I smile"

From teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh

More beaches - Florida natural yard

Last weekend Shirley and I popped south just past Sarasota to check out Siesta Beach in Siesta Key. This is supposed to be one of the best beaches in the world, and it was definitely nice :-) ...Most beaches have sand comprised of crushed coral, shells, etc., and the sand can feel quite hot on a sunny summer day. At Siesta Beach, the sand is quartz-based. It is also extremely fine - like sifted flour. Because the quartz is so reflective, the sand always feels cool to the feet. We, of course, took some pictures which Shirley has posted with her own entertaining comments.

This weekend we decided to go see a certified Florida yard. Homes can be certified as having "Florida" yards if they are landscaped using plants native to the area, managing the yard in an environmentally-friendly manner. Ben didn't have to be to work until later in the day, so we were all able to go check out one of these yards, then hit the beach, and then later Shirley and I went down to St Pete Beach to catch the sunset and have dinner. It was a truly wonderful day. Pictures are here.

Sunset from St Pete Beach:

Disney blocking Michael Moore's new movie

The links I include on the left (appropriately :-) of this site include some news sources that offer news told from a different angle versus much of what one can get from the mainstream US media. I believe it is very important to seek out news from the foreign press and other sources. It's important not to believe everything you hear or read....including here. Question your sources. Investigate. Make informed decisions.

Well, love him or hate him, Michael Moore offers opinions and news that is definitely different from much of what one typically hears. It is important not to censor what Mr Moore and others with non-mainstream views might have to say. Here is the text from an editorial from the NY Times today.

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May 6, 2004 – Editorial, New York Times

Disney's Craven Behavior

Give the Walt Disney Company a gold medal for cowardice for blocking its Miramax division from distributing a film that criticizes President Bush and his family. A company that ought to be championing free  expression has instead chosen to censor a documentary that clearly falls within the bounds of acceptable political commentary.

The documentary was prepared by Michael Moore, a controversial filmmaker who likes to skewer the rich and powerful. As described by Jim Rutenberg yesterday in The Times, the film, "Fahrenheit 9/11," links the Bush family with prominent Saudis, including the family of Osama bin Laden. It describes financial ties that go back three decades and explores the role of the government in evacuating relatives of Mr. bin Laden from the United States shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The film was financed by Miramax and was expected to be released this summer.

Mr. Moore's agent said that Michael Eisner, Disney's chief executive, had expressed concern that the film might jeopardize tax breaks granted to Disney for its theme park, hotels and other ventures in Florida, where Jeb Bush is governor. If that is the reason for Disney's move, it would underscore the dangers of allowing huge conglomerates to gobble up diverse media companies.

On the other hand, a senior Disney executive says the real reason is that Disney caters to families of all political stripes and that many of them might be alienated by the film. Those families, of course, would not have to watch the documentary.

It is hard to say which rationale for blocking distribution is more depressing. But it is clear that Disney loves its bottom line more than the freedom of political discourse.

Link to NY Times editorial on their site