Things Happen

Sometimes there just doesn't seem to be time–or inclination, perhaps–to write about some of the things that have been going on and, partly, keeping me from writing about what's been going on. Not all of it's bad, either, so don't stop at the first one.

  1. Some big news I need to mention to some of you at least: a week ago last Monday, on my way to lunch, a reckless and thoughtless driver sideswiped my car and ran me off the road; it seems he had a sudden need to be in my lane despite the fact that I was already there. Since we were going in the same direction, a great deal of kinetic energy was dissipated in noise and buckling metal, but not so much momentum was exchanged. In other words, I was unhurt but my car was fatally injured. I am sad but it had lived a good life and served me well for over 15 years, if you can believe it. Fortunately the insurance picture is slightly smoothed by the frequent admissions of the reckless driver that it was all his fault. We're now in the realm of rental car and shopping for a cheap replacement.
  2. Earlier this year I wrote an erotic memoir, called "Tom Selleck's Mustache", for a volume (to be called I Like It Like That) edited by Richard Labonté and Lawrence Schimel (Arsenal Pulp Press, expected fall 2009). We went through an odd exchange with copy editors, but I recently did final edits on the "galley" and the book is looking pretty interesting. I'm rather pleased with the way my contribution turned out.
  3. For the last few years the self-propulsion on my lawnmower had been propelling itself less and less. When the propulsion works, it seems weightless; when it doesn't, the lawnmower is a slug of lead that's no fun to push around our hilly yard. I am absolutely delighted to report that we discovered the easy way to fix the problem (it's a 6.5 hp Toro PersonalPace–let me know if you need instructions) and this past weekend I mowed the lawn in 70 minutes, a task that took 2.5 hours with frequent breaks (for cooling off and complaining) last year.
  4. Sunday I noticed that the single Rudbeckia maxima we planted a couple of years ago (we bought it as a nearly dead single specimen on sale) has started to bloom. The flower stalks are about six-and-a-half feet tall. I'll have some photos later.
  5. I already wrote about it but I got the "Eye for Science" project launched last week. I'm pleased about that, but not enough of y'all have stolen the widget yet. What's that about?
  6. The weather has been nice and we've had some very pleasant parties to go to in the last couple of weeks.
Posted on July 1, 2009 at 00.43 by jns · Permalink
In: All, Personal Notebook

2 Responses

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  1. Written by S.W. Anderson
    on Friday, 3 July 2009 at 23.35
    Permalink

    Jeff, sorry about the accident. I'm mighty glad you weren't injured. Hope the replacement holds up as long and well as the old one.

    And, congratulations on the book.

  2. Written by BearToast Joe
    on Saturday, 4 July 2009 at 08.22
    Permalink

    Ah, the limits of physics. Come on, I mean, only ONE object occupying the same space at the same time? I think insurance companies made that up!

    And, though it took me decades, I am so glad that I now understand why I loved Tom Selleck's mustache (among others). I'm such a slow learner. But I'm doing OK with all the remedial lessons!

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