getting colder

Energy efficient moves this Fall/Winter including spending extra for energy saving Refrigerator and Dishwasher. Also added weather-stripping to three interior doors that act as exterior doors, installed clear removable caulk on upstairs windows, draft dodgers, programmable thermostat and had the zone-valve fixed on our boiler.

PC Basketball started and once again we don’t have anyone to pony up on the 3rd ticket. The only rule change I’ve noticed is that the ‘low-block’ is open on free throws. In other words, all the players at the line are now closer to the shooter with only 3 players each side. Also we have noticed super-mayor Steve Laffey sitting across from us this year. Hopefully I’ll have a chance to chat-him-up this season.

Ebay stuff has been listed with the hope of getting some spending money this year. I’ve listed over 30 items and 9 have sold already.

The newly resurrected Kindercore label has a super limited (100 copies) Christmas CD available for pre-order. If you have ever wanted a song written for, and about, your choice of subject. This HHBTM pre-order for the Keith John Adams cd may be your ticket.

rare opportunity

Do not wait. If you missed your chance from the 2005 tour here is your opportunity to pick up one of the best band items ever, a White Stripes Record Box that comes with a 7” slipmat. There's a bunch more stuff available from the cancelled tour including kilts, t-shirts and stickers. The White Stripes have the most innovative band merch ever, and that makes them better than the rest. Here is a list of creative merchandise from all their tours.

blandest

At right is the proposed design for the Riverside Cape that still needs local zoning approval for the a new bath and hallway + a new, front pergola with deck above.

Here is the existing rear of a Barrington Cape and besides adding a new second floor we are looking at removing the unused patio room while adding a deck, mudroom and garage. This is my first pass at the design.

open your wallet and smile sucker

Well, no surprise today as the voters of Portsmouth, who have no money and are completely broke, approved raising their taxes to finance a 3.2M wind turbine and gave the ‘advocates’ 4M to spend as they please while limiting any chance to amend their school budget. This was done with the approval of 2K votes.

This is the uninformed RI moron factor that keeps this place a Welfare State: Approve 2.6M financing for a 3.2M windmill that will, in 25 years, save the town 50K per year. Of course, no one cares how they will get the missing 600K to actually finish the project (can you say supplemental tax). I hope the people are smiling as they truck their trash to the dump this winter and find out this spring that the school budget fails to keep up with teacher/municipal benefits that are guaranteed.

Here’s another typical RI success story: It details how to sell out your family history and make yourself famous at the same time. A DeWolf descendent is cashing in and will never have to work again, she’s now a big-time RI advocate. Unfortunately I know a little too much about family members trashing relatives to make themselves feel good.

Here are a few more results from some amendments voted on around the US yesterday. This included NJ residents rejecting financing 450M for the Stem Cell scam, Oregon residents refusing to raise their cigarette tax to RI levels (2.02 per pack) to fund crimalien heath care and a few states trying to legalize pot. Q: How many new smokers do we need to finance free heath care for illegal aliens? A: None. They already get everything for free.

The funniest thing about the Oregon vote is the governors’ interpretation of why it was rejected: the big, bad tobacco companies purchasing votes. Well I guess that is better than the tampered voting machine excuse most Democrats use whenever they lose an election. They must saving that one for when Shillary goes down.

hot buy

Mudhoney has a new, live vinyl LP on Sub Pop that is limited to 500 copies. It is also available from my new favorite vinyl store Vinyl Collective or Suburban Home. Stay up to date on all things vinyl by linking to the news section.

Here is the definition of insane politicians fooling their constituents for favorable press.
The town of Portsmouth is broke, they have no money in reserve and the school system is under-funded. So what are the residents going to vote on today? Raising their taxes to borrow 4M for open space and 3M for a wind turbine.

So let’s add the numbers. The uninformed RI morons are (probably) going to approve raising their yearly taxes by an average of $100 per year AND now pay a $100 yearly permit fee to throw their trash out while the schools are still not funded correctly and will likely require a supplemental tax payment in about 4 months to finish the school year.

No trash pickup? I never knew this was an option. Starting Jan. 1st the town also will now require all residents to purchase a $100 permit to drive to the transfer station and throw their own trash out. To me, this is unacceptable.

Wind turbine? Not enough time to tell you why towns that are broke should not be trying to sell this fools gold. Maybe they should just plant corn so the price of beer, gas and food will not rise.

Here is the BeloJunkBond version of the Portsmouth votes.

last week

I spent most of last week working on some local jobs. This Barrington Ranch is under construction and the homeowner got cold feet on my original design (seen at right) when the contractor mentioned he could make it into a straight McFamily Room. So we developed a box that matched the existing roof with gable dormers. I feel it looks a little too big and still prefer the original, smaller design.

We have settled on this design, that includes a new front porch and full 3-bed second floor at the ranch mentioned below. Still working on the kitchen location and I’m still not convinced we shouldn’t go with the Gambrel roof in the opposite direction. Developing.

Next up is this Riverside Cape where the owner is looking to add a bath, front entry and take advantage of the water view.