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Waterless toilets.
Let that one just hang there for a while. In theory using less water is a good idea, but composting one's own feces in a box within a structure is a bit of a trade-off. Open-field defecation may actually be more palatable.
Showing posts with label Tools. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tools. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Lawn Mower Blade Sharpener and Costco
I finally got to use my new sharpening tool and it worked really well. Along with some other minor maintenance on the mower (e.g. cleaning out the muck of 3+ years), the machine now works like a charm. It was clearly working better than before and my lovely Bride even commented that the cutting looked "cleaner" than the last time I mowed. This wasn't enough to cause me to break into song or even pull a Victor Kiam (think back to those old Remington Electric Shaver ads), but it made me quite proud.
On a related note, I purchased a new tool while at Costco last night: a 13 foot extended branch trimmer. It got me thinking about how incredibly weird a store Costco is. It is one of the few stores that you can impulsively purchase hundreds of dollars worth of merchandise and still feel like you are saving money. I rank them right up there with the Disney corporation in their ability to separate you from your hard-earned cash.
Here is the way my trip last night transpired:
While picking up the tiny one, the daycare informed us that we were running low on diapers and wipes. Since Costco sells these items in quantities that make you feel like having triplets could be a feasible option and at a reasonably good price, I decide to make the trip after the baby is put to bed. Stated purpose of the trip: purchase diapers and wipes.
The Bride was suffering from a cold and going through tissues at an alarming rate so I decide on the way there to also pick up a gross of tissues. Impulse rating (1 through 10 with 10 being the most impulsive): 3.
Picked up a case of Gatorade bottles to support the Bride in her efforts to stay hydrated while sick. Impulse rating: 2 (just means I am thoughtful).
Realized I was running out of frozen waffles after picking up the tissues. While crossing the store, I see the 13 foot extending trimming tool. The Bride and I had been talking about trimming our Crepe Myrtle so I pick up this item and add it to the cart. Impulse rating: 7. Continue on after getting the trimmer and get the waffles. Impulse rating: 4 (we had noted over the weekend that we were running low and I eat them, so back off!).
On the way over to the diaper/wipes area, I see the socks area. Knowing that the Bride has been coveting new socks, I decide to check and see if the have any dark-colored women's dress socks. They don't. But they do have a rather impressive selection of men's slacks. I need a pair of tan slacks, so I look and there is a pair of Tommy Hilfiger slacks in my size. Into the cart they go. They also have tan men's dress socks there. One pack to go with the pants. Impulse rating: 8.
Finally reach the diapers. Two giant boxes of diapers and two boxes of wipes. The wee one will have a clean tushy for the foreseeable future. Impulse rating: 1. Since it was the stated purpose of the trip, it cannot be an impulse. Time to head to the checkout lines.
One the way there, I pass the multi-vitamins. I remember that I ran out of vitamins last week. I grab a bottle of Flintstones with roughly enough vitamins to keep Secretariat in good health for about 1 year. "Flintstones?" you may ask. I hate taking vitamins and since they taste good, I remember. Impulse rating: 7.
So, my simple errand to buy diapers and wipes turned into a $255 shopping adventure. You have to give Costco credit: Where else can you buy bulk baby supplies, decent men's fashion, lawn and garden tools, frozen food and health supplies all at once?
Perhaps the most alarming thing about this trip is that I realized the next morning that I have almost finished my industrial drum of Listerine. This means I will have to go back in about 1 or 2 weeks....
If you are still wondering what the heck I meant with the Victor Kiam reference earlier, here is a link that removes all the suspense.
On a related note, I purchased a new tool while at Costco last night: a 13 foot extended branch trimmer. It got me thinking about how incredibly weird a store Costco is. It is one of the few stores that you can impulsively purchase hundreds of dollars worth of merchandise and still feel like you are saving money. I rank them right up there with the Disney corporation in their ability to separate you from your hard-earned cash.
Here is the way my trip last night transpired:
While picking up the tiny one, the daycare informed us that we were running low on diapers and wipes. Since Costco sells these items in quantities that make you feel like having triplets could be a feasible option and at a reasonably good price, I decide to make the trip after the baby is put to bed. Stated purpose of the trip: purchase diapers and wipes.
The Bride was suffering from a cold and going through tissues at an alarming rate so I decide on the way there to also pick up a gross of tissues. Impulse rating (1 through 10 with 10 being the most impulsive): 3.
Picked up a case of Gatorade bottles to support the Bride in her efforts to stay hydrated while sick. Impulse rating: 2 (just means I am thoughtful).
Realized I was running out of frozen waffles after picking up the tissues. While crossing the store, I see the 13 foot extending trimming tool. The Bride and I had been talking about trimming our Crepe Myrtle so I pick up this item and add it to the cart. Impulse rating: 7. Continue on after getting the trimmer and get the waffles. Impulse rating: 4 (we had noted over the weekend that we were running low and I eat them, so back off!).
On the way over to the diaper/wipes area, I see the socks area. Knowing that the Bride has been coveting new socks, I decide to check and see if the have any dark-colored women's dress socks. They don't. But they do have a rather impressive selection of men's slacks. I need a pair of tan slacks, so I look and there is a pair of Tommy Hilfiger slacks in my size. Into the cart they go. They also have tan men's dress socks there. One pack to go with the pants. Impulse rating: 8.
Finally reach the diapers. Two giant boxes of diapers and two boxes of wipes. The wee one will have a clean tushy for the foreseeable future. Impulse rating: 1. Since it was the stated purpose of the trip, it cannot be an impulse. Time to head to the checkout lines.
One the way there, I pass the multi-vitamins. I remember that I ran out of vitamins last week. I grab a bottle of Flintstones with roughly enough vitamins to keep Secretariat in good health for about 1 year. "Flintstones?" you may ask. I hate taking vitamins and since they taste good, I remember. Impulse rating: 7.
So, my simple errand to buy diapers and wipes turned into a $255 shopping adventure. You have to give Costco credit: Where else can you buy bulk baby supplies, decent men's fashion, lawn and garden tools, frozen food and health supplies all at once?
Perhaps the most alarming thing about this trip is that I realized the next morning that I have almost finished my industrial drum of Listerine. This means I will have to go back in about 1 or 2 weeks....
If you are still wondering what the heck I meant with the Victor Kiam reference earlier, here is a link that removes all the suspense.
Friday, May 06, 2005
Lawn Mower Blade Sharpener
I have purchased a new lawn-mower blade sharpener this week. Not that this is an earth shattering event for me or for the lawn mower, but it did come with a fairly lame story.
I decided to purchase this tool after perusing several different models on the internet. I personally went with the EZ grip, which seems easy to use, requires no power equipment, and should not result in my losing any digits.
Since I work in an office, I decided to have the item shipped to my work address. Like most other times before, I figured it was better to send it to work, than risk having the mail carrier or UPS delivery person decide whether or not to leave it next to my front door.
At my office, the shipping manager likes to be notified ahead of time when you are going to receive a personal shipment. Our office receives very few shipments, but personal ones do not have to be logged, so I guess it saves him time. Anyway, I go to tell him about it and after describing the shipment in detail, he requests an e-mail with all of this restated. I decide to send the following:
Great. Now everyone gets to know that a lawn-mower blade sharpener is arriving soon with my name on it. Not that anyone really cares, it just sucks to have something that mundane that no one really has to know about broadcast to such a wide audience. I have seen worse such as replies meant for an individual that contain somewhat personal content that end up going to EVERYONE in the company. I just prefer to be the one that gets to laugh at those people instead of having to wallow in their cesspool.
Anyway, the sharpener arrived yesterday and I fought the urge to send a message to everyone to let them know it made it here safely.
Coming Attractions: Maiden Voyage of the Sharpener!
I decided to purchase this tool after perusing several different models on the internet. I personally went with the EZ grip, which seems easy to use, requires no power equipment, and should not result in my losing any digits.
Since I work in an office, I decided to have the item shipped to my work address. Like most other times before, I figured it was better to send it to work, than risk having the mail carrier or UPS delivery person decide whether or not to leave it next to my front door.
At my office, the shipping manager likes to be notified ahead of time when you are going to receive a personal shipment. Our office receives very few shipments, but personal ones do not have to be logged, so I guess it saves him time. Anyway, I go to tell him about it and after describing the shipment in detail, he requests an e-mail with all of this restated. I decide to send the following:
Hi John,Unfortunately, that day my e-mail program had lost the ability to use auto-complete for names in the "To:" field of e-mails. Rather than look up the shipping manager's address, i chose to reply to an earler e-mail he sent. The e-mail he had sent had been to an internal group that includes, my boss, all the customer service reps, the marketing department, and the company CEO.
I ordered a Lawn mower blade sharpener from Country Home Products for delivery to this office. It should get here within a week or so. It is a small item that is about the size of a screwdriver.
Thanks,
Doug
Great. Now everyone gets to know that a lawn-mower blade sharpener is arriving soon with my name on it. Not that anyone really cares, it just sucks to have something that mundane that no one really has to know about broadcast to such a wide audience. I have seen worse such as replies meant for an individual that contain somewhat personal content that end up going to EVERYONE in the company. I just prefer to be the one that gets to laugh at those people instead of having to wallow in their cesspool.
Anyway, the sharpener arrived yesterday and I fought the urge to send a message to everyone to let them know it made it here safely.
Coming Attractions: Maiden Voyage of the Sharpener!
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