Friday, July 25, 2008

Futility

(Click the pic for full size view)

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Our Pool

In June, we had this sudden urge to have a pool installed in our backyard. It's something we've wanted to do for years, but until recently, it's only been a dream. I'm not sure what changed, but we decided to take the plunge (pun intended) and do this thing!

After hearing a few quotes, we decided to go with Indian Summer Pools. The owner/salesman/CEO was very knowledgeable, and appeared to have a VERY good rapport with his previous customers. He lives in the area, and has connections with several friends of ours. We knew that he was the best choice, and boy were we right!

Here's what our backyard looked like BEFORE (click on the picture for a bigger version):



Actually, I took this picture AFTER the grass had been removed, but before anything else had been done. Notice the tree coverage - we have a couple of Eucalyptus trees growing there. What a pain! Every time there's any kind of wind, branches go flying, and that's no little thing! These branches are DENSE and HEAVY! I was afraid it might hurt somebody someday, so I asked that both trees be removed before the pool was put in.

Anyway, 5 weeks after the picture above was taken, this is what it looks like now:



Can you see the difference? I know it's sleight, but it's there, especially in regards to that big wet thing in the middle! ;-) Seriously though, we jumped in the pool for the first time on Friday (July 11, 2008), and we've been swimming ever since. That rock like thing in the center of the picture is actually a grotto/waterfall, and a great place to launch yourself for a cannonball!

The pool itself covers 460 sq ft (+52 sq ft for the spa), and goes down to 7 feet deep. I think I heard that it holds 22000 gallons of water. Want to see more? I photo documented the whole process, from excavation to finished product here if you are interested. Now if you don't mind, it's like a hundred degrees outside, and I'm going to take a dip!

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Global Disease Alert Map

Here's a google map EVERYONE can enjoy:

http://www.healthmap.org/en

Want to know where the latest Cholera outbreak is? Wondering which kids really have the Measles? Maybe you just suspect the guy across the street as having Anthrax. Now you can check it all out in one easy to use interface. Fun for the whole family!

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Bill grogan's goat

I was humming this song from summer camp today, and it made me want to see if I could find the lyrics. Well, I did, and now I'm singing it proudly at the top of my lungs in my office:

Bill Grogan's goat
Was feelin' fine
Ate three red shirts
Right off the line

Bill took a stick
Gave him a whack
And tied him to
The railroad track

The whistle blew
The train drew nigh
Bill Grogan's goat
Was doomed to die

He gave three groans
Of awful pain
Coughed up the shirts
And flagged the train

That's all there is
This story's done
I hope you had
A lot of fun