THE WEISS CHRONICLES

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Rain, Rain, Flood, Flood - but free bus ride

We had been dry this year with a nearly precip free March and some other dry months. Through June 23, it remained dry.

June 24, it rained moderately, then June 25 we had several hours of torrential rain. About 4 inchs in two hours. The basement flooded despite the fact that the sump pump was working. We also had heavy rain on June 26 and June 27 (but not as much and with no flooding). The total for the 72 hour or so storm (it probably rained no more than 24 hours during that period) was over 10 inches.

The only good out of this was that I got two free bus rides (bus late, bus driver nice).

posted by Martin Weiss # 6:56 PM

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Interesting Way to Put that..

M was visiting Sonya Bellak today and bringing groceries. Sonya is a 87 year old friend whose daughter Trina died at age 48 after a 3 year battle with cancer. Sonya was telling me that a friend of hers was telling her that God took Trina because Trina had finally suffered enough. Sonya said that she (Sonya) didn't believe in God and that this made things worse for her.

"I wished to hell that I could believe in God." Sonya said.

"Interesting way to put that." M responded.

"What... oh... yeah.. how about that." said Sonya.

posted by Martin Weiss # 2:18 PM

Friday, June 16, 2006

"...but I think 'snotty' is the best term"

In the government we argue about adjectives a lot. Example, is the plan "insufficient", "lacking", "deficient", "incomplete", etc.

At work, I had (per direction from management) done a lot of telephoning and emailing with the US Post Office to set up an event for the 50th anniversary of the Interstate system (June 29). The Post Office was very accommodating - even enthusiastic about helping us (they would develop a cancellation mark for use on the 29th and we would have a little event in our building - cancel some letters, etc.). I sent the results up and they eventually reached the public affairs office. The PA office comes back with an email that says "how do we know the Post Office will help" and other stuff which showed they didn't read the email along with "I did this right back in 99 and you guys don't know what you are doing". I went into another office to commiserate with them (they were the coordination office for the 50th year celebration).

I said to the group, "How did you like that snotty email from public affairs?"

One of them said that, ".... and since then public affairs has been quite condescending..."

I replied, "Well I would have used the word 'patronizing' but 'condescending' works too; however, I really think 'snotty' is the best term."

posted by Martin Weiss # 11:35 AM

Monday, June 12, 2006

Bizarre Triple Play

KC got its first triple play in 10 years yesterday (vs tampa bay).

This is how it was described at: http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/gamecenter/recap/MLB_20060611_TB@KCi

"...With Aubrey Huff on third and Rocco Baldelli on first, Russell Branyan flied out to David DeJesus in shallow center. Huff came home on the play. Baldelli attempted to take second on the throw home, but was thrown out by pitcher Scott Elarton (1-8), who was backing up the throw to the plate.
Angel Berroa tagged out Baldelli and then threw to Mark Teahen at third base as the Royals claimed Huff had left early. Third base umpire Bob Davidson agreed with the appeal and ruled Huff out.
"(Huff) left a step early," Teahen said. "It wasn't even close. He definitely left early."

Tampa Bay actually won the game despite the double play. Two of their players each hit two home runs (score 8-2).

posted by Martin Weiss # 11:52 AM

Sunday, June 11, 2006

Shaftkoft game

Berg, Walrus, David Rochlin and John Tepper came over for a card game. It was Tepper's first try at the game. Berg won with 27+, Rochlin had 8, walrus and John had 0, I had -35 (lost 24 on a failed shafskoft). Rocklin was visiting from Denver, CO. John was visiting from Boston, MA.

posted by Martin Weiss # 10:00 PM

Friday, June 09, 2006

Lower Mississippi Valley - Still poor - still have roads to be improved

June 5-8, M was in TN, MS and AR visiting places like Covington, TN; Lyon, Batesville, Tunica, Greenville and Clarksdale, MS; Brinkley, Pine Bluff, Dumas, Arkansas City and W Bend Arkansas.

You can still buy a 5 bedroom, 3 bath mansion in Clarksville for $100k or less. A very nice motel room near the Casinos in Tunica was only $40. We used a Town & Country minivan which actually got about 25 mpg - mostly highway driving.

posted by Martin Weiss # 9:55 PM