The rest
I just posted an in depth recall of the parallel bar construction process which consumed a large part of my Saturday so I don’t need to recant that other than mentioning they are done and functional.
One thing I didn’t mention was when I was buying supplies at Home Depot Friday after work, my purchases included a $21.97 light bulb. The compact florescent bulb that was in our master closet burned out and I wanted to replace it.
CFL light bulbs were hailed as the next great thing years ago. They offered the same light as conventional bulbs while using a fraction of the energy. Well they do that but they also have an ugly side to them. First CFL bulbs contain mercury, a very toxic and poisonous substance. It is for this reason that they absolutely must be recycled instead of just tossed in the trash, Well of course this is lazy America, only a small percentage of individuals are going to take the time to make sure the bulbs are properly disposed of.
Second, CFL bulbs are EMF powerhouses. I watched videos where they measured the electromagnetic field thrown off by a CFL bulb and it was incredible. If your house is filled with these types of bulbs you are taking an EMF shower and not even realize it. The alternative to CFL are old, energy sucking incandescent bulbs or the new, efficient, non-EMF producing LED lights.
LED lights have some disadvantages of their own. First and most obvious, they are EXPENSIVE. To pay over $20 for a single light bulb is pretty outrageous although supposedly they have a lifespan that dwarfs both CFL and incandescent lighting. The other issue is the amount of light they emit. In my quick check at the store I didn’t see any LED lights that emitted more than the equivalent of a 40 watt light bulb. (which is what I bought)
When I installed the light at home the low light power was evident but it was sufficient for a closet. If you wanted to really illuminate an area I’m not sure what you would do. At least I know I am not frying my brain anymore when I pick out what shirt I am going to wear.
Saturday was pretty much all parallel bars building. On Saturday night we watched my latest Netflix dvd to come in the mail, The Social Network. I heard this movie talked up quite a bit. It is about the origin of Facebook and the people behind it. I have heard the movie described as really good, fantastic and even spectacular. After viewing it, I honestly don’t get it.
The film did a fine job of outlining the growth of Facebook from an idea, arguably somebody other than Mark Zuckenberg’s idea, into the monster site that it is now. Facebook is engrained into the fabric of people almost as much as Google is.
The problem was I just didn’t find the movie all that entertaining. I would call it borderline boring at parts. It just didn’t grab me in the least. A super nerd, gets filthy rich and steps on a lot of toes on the way? Isn’t that what Bill gates already did? I’d give it a B. Even Ali who is attached to Facebook like super glue didn’t seem all that excited with the movie.
On Sunday morning we did the water park deal again. I skipped running totally this weekend because of my heel pain which, knock on wood, feels better now. Instead we did a bike/swim brick. Despite a stronger head wind, we covered the 12.25 mile course in two to three minutes less time. I also managed to shave 30 seconds off my 1200 meter swim time.
The water park was ridiculously full. At 10:15 (the park opens at 10) there was a line 25 deep to get in. Luckily we got VIP treatment when we flashed our season passes and got to skip most of the wait. Michelle later showed up with her boys. When I was done swimming she hopped in and did some laps with Ali while I watched the kids. We went over to the kiddie pool area where they both had a lot of fun.
Even though we hit the lunch shack early, a little after 12, there was already a lengthy line developing and no tables available to eat at. By the time we left at 1:30 the lines everywhere were outrageous. People were snaked halfway down the tower for the water slides, miles long for food and backed up at the front gate. This is a time of year that we never visited the water park before. It isn’t a great time to be there if you want to actually enjoy the amenities.
We headed home about 1:30. I had already gotten way too much sun from being outside Saturday, I didn’t need to fry any further.
I received my sonic birdhouse on Saturday. I set it up over the weekend. It has three sensitivity settings depending on how far away the barking is. I didn’t seem to be getting any results at the short and medium range so last night I flipped it to the highest setting. We will see how the barking is in the next week or so.
Regardless of the barking issue I am still very unhappy with my neighbor treating her pets like this. As the entire family relaxed out on the pool deck all afternoon yesterday they ignored their three dogs sitting by the screen door just begging to be part of the fun. Instead they were left to sit out in the sweltering sun and temps in the upper 80’s. Nothing will more negatively affect my opinion of you than if you mistreat animals.
I have a feeling that an eruption on my part is only a matter of time and it won’t be a pretty sight. The whole situation has been on my mind quite a bit lately and it really bothers me.