Adventures in Plumbing: Fountain (for Sparkle Plenty)

So Sparkle Plumby... errr... I mean Plenty... has recently had some plumbing woes with her aunt and friend. This gave me the opportunity to share with some of what I do at work on a daily basis. For the last 4 years I've been employed by a water heater appliance distributor. If there's a complaint about plumbing, I'm pretty sure we've heard all of them.

Personally, I don't deal directly on the phone with customers with what I do, but there's enough of my co-workers around me that do, so I know how much abuse they take from irate customers. But understandably so. No one really thinks about their hot water until it's gone- taking showers, washing hands, clothes and dishes are rather mundane activities but if you can't do any of that, things deteriorate rapidly; so it's our job to try to restore that hot water as quickly as possible and keep our customers satisfied. Of course doing this is costly, which is part of the complaints.

Anyway, when one of our heaters goes bust or isn't up to snuff, they get returned to us. About 10 years ago, this fountain was created with returned tankless heat exchangers. A very out-of-the-box recycling endeavor... I know... water heating is a tankless job... (HAR!)

Protein Roll-up

Here's a new healthy creation I conjured up yesterday:

1 Whole Wheat Tortilla/Wrap/Flatbread
2 Tbsps Hummus, any flavor (although I recommend Joseph's Supreme or 1001 Spices)
2 slices Light Bologna
10 slices of pepperoni

Spread Hummus in a rectangle in the middle of the wrap. Layer with bologna and pepperoni and roll. Enjoy!

Where the ducks walk on fishes

Last night I had a laugh at this NPR 'All Things Considered' story. I thought I'd share to end the year since it would be tacky of me to do any resolutions or top ten lists. Enjoy and Happy New Year!

Please celebrate responsibly...

Taking a Break

Apologies to my few faithful readers and friends. Redbeard is taking a sabbatical from blogging as he is not feeling the creative juices lately, hence the lack of posting. Instead of turning in sub-standard posts, I'm just quietly going to turn the lights out and walk away from blogging for awhile. Maybe in 2009 I shall be inspired and make my triumphant return to the blogosphere.

Those of you who know where else to find me online, please continue to do so by those other avenues. Until then, take care, and peace.

Tyranny Is Dead. But Is Not Dead.

I originally wanted to write this on September 3 2008. This would have been the 350th anniversary of Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector who died on this date in 1658.

Always the controversial figure, he bucked the system when the system was corrupt by waging war against the Catholic King, Charles I. Of course we all know Cromwell then became corruptible after overthrowing and beheading the King. The Rump Parliament failed whilst Ireland was pillaged, then of course he did the ultimate flip-flop and shut down Parliament and assumed a dictatorship.

I've had some post-election thoughts. Though I have high hopes and the utmost respect for President-Elect Barack Obama, how much are things really going to change? Of course I hear the conservative grumblings that government will be so one-sided. My answer to that is that they should have done a better job in the last 8 years, then things wouldn't have come to this. The nation spoke, like a New Model Army or a changing of the guard, and our new leaders will take us forward.

But how much are things really going to change? Government is still government. They will still spout the same rhetoric; the same problems still plague us along with new ones. That is why I say, Tyranny Is Dead. But Is Not Dead. I do not know if Utopia can truly be a reality, if the human condition continues with corruption and deceit. It would be a good ideal to strive for, but with so many variables I highly doubt it truly can be achieved.