Friday, October 31, 2008

Is it 2005?



I was a bit groggy when I passed the eleventh WAWA on my way to work this morning so when I looked out the window and saw that gas was under $2 a gallon I wondered if I was dreaming, I had to pinch myself and sure enough I wasnt so I scrambled to get my camera and take a picture before the stoplight changed from red to green. Actually, forget the light, I probably needed to take the picture before the price changed again. Who knows how long this will last. As some may know, I have very mixed feelings about these fluctuations in gas prices that the country has been experiencing lately. Part of me is selfish and delights in the fact that it doesnt cost almost a days wages to fill up my gas guzzler. Then there is the other part of me, the side that wants to see the bigger picture and is sad to see gas prices fall. That side of me wants to see them get higher, like $8 or $9 a gallon at least! I know it sounds ridiculous and would truly "shoot me in the foot" considering my commute, but the only way to get the average American to look at the crisis that we are creating with our dependency on this high polluting foreign oil and the corrupt companies involved is to get them where it hurts, the wallet. When gas prices are low no one thinks of their energy consumption or considers alternatives. Is it not discontent that spurs change? Why buy a hybrid or consider investing in research for alternative fuels if gas is cheap and flowing like water? American cars have only gotten 6% more fuel efficient since they were originally invented. The Model T Ford got 17 miles to the gallon, that is more than my truck right now! Americans citizens are at the mercy of oil and the oil companies that are squashing the advancements of technology. I say let the prices go sky high and see what happens.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

A bit of paint and as good as new-almost

Well we have been back from our trip for a few weeks now and unfortunately have settled down into the everyday, laundry -work-eat-sleep -repeat. Before we left we kept saying that "when we get back we have to do something with this kitchen!" Sure enough as soon as we returned we got some paint and sandpaper and with a bit of elbow grease(mostly Daniel's) we repainted the kitchen. Here is a before picture:

And here are a couple of afters. Daniel took the ugly country woodcut above the sink out and replaced the ugly light fixture above the sink. All the dingy off white is gone and so is the blue. I will have to say that I think it is quite an improvement.