Today I try to get back into the normal swing of things. I’ve got a mix of links again, and am awake too early because I woke up too early, not because I had to take a walk in the frost in the yard at 5am. Thanks to those who emailed or called with condolences over having to take Don back. Not only was it emotionally expensive, it was a pretty steep financial price, too. The breeder does not give refunds on returned dogs, and beyond the nearly $500 I spent on Don, I spent an additional $300 on various other bits for him. I got a hundred bucks back from the breeder for returning the kennel.
I still need to do a thorough cleaning to get the last of the doggy-smell out of the house, too. I seem to have cleaned up enough that my dog allergy isn’t bothering me, but there’s a bit of an odor remaining, probably from one of his accidents. Maybe we’ll get a little Indian Summer so I can open the windows and clear some of the odor out (though I probably need to do more cleaning before that’ll be useful). Being able to open the windows some afternoon will also be helpful if I get organized enough that I can start painting in here.
Anyway, it’s time to get back to work in a serious way. And I actually have been productive enough lately, that I’ve cleared the decks somewhat. If you or someone you know is looking for Mac Programming or Web help, I’d appreciate it if you pointed them our way.
- Maybe it’s just me, but John Kerry’s Plan now makes a lot more sense to me. [mitch]
- Speaking of John Kerry’s plans, I’ve always been suspicious of politicians who think we’re going to solve the high cost of prescription drugs by importing them from Canada. After all, the majority of such drugs are made here in the US, and price-controlled up there on the other side of the border. Now, as Canada deals blow to cheap US drug imports, it become clear that these politicians were either clueless about economics or pandering to people they hoped were clueless. If we start reimporting the drugs from Canada, either the price-controls will fall apart or the supply will dry up. Either way, the “savings” to those of us here in the US won’t be that big, and we’ll probably wreck things for those nice folks to our north. [instapundit]
- It’s time for Fall cleaning: Minneapolis will start sweeping streets today. With the chilly temperatures we’ve had lately, it feels like time for that, but I don’t have many leaves in my yard yet. But at least maybe the next time I pull out the lawnmower, it will just be to mulch some leaves, rather than because the grass has gotten too tall again. [strib]
- Hey, there’s a court out there that’s upholding the fourth amendment! Terrorism fears not sufficient reason to search protesters, appellate court rules:
In the absence of some reason to believe that international terrorists would target or infiltrate this protest, there is no basis for using Sept. 11 as an excuse for searching the protesters.
And Terror fears don’t trump Constitution, court rules is a version from CNN that won’t go behind a firewall in a couple weeks. [strib and fark!] - In Hold On Loosely Evan points out that Smithwick’s is available in the US, and it’s a pretty good beer. I remember it fondly from Ireland, but haven’t been impressed with it down at Keegan’s. Shrug. Jim’ll probably like the link. [101-280]