Solonor's Inkwell

As you know, I’m not one for blogging when there’s nothing to blog about…

Ha! See? I knew I could make you laugh.

Anywho, we had a fairly strong contingent of kidlets at the door on All Hallow’s Eve. In fact, I think we broke the record. We’ve lived in this house for 8 years (Halloween is actually the anniversary of our move-in), and we have never seen so many trick-or-treaters. There must have been 15 of the little buggers!

Of course, that number includes the gang of transvestite teenagers that showed up near the end to abscond with our pirate-clad daughter. (Damn, I gotta find that camera.)

Other than that, things are puttering along at their usual pace. I’m spending more time fretting about missing my self-imposed recording deadlines than actually recording anything to meet them. The Mrs. continues to be sick (going on a month now). The young ‘uns continue to become less young.

We went and saw Good Night, And Good Luck earlier this week. David Strathairn was perfect as Edward R. Murrow, and the atmosphere of the film and its history were excellent. I thought that it was a little lacking in punch, though. Anyone who knows the history of the blacklists in that time knows what was at stake, but I’m not sure that someone with less familiarity with the history would get it from this movie. They sort of launch right into the fight after a cursory text scroll about the Red Scare.

What scares me is how few people even know what the film is about. Memories are short, and we need to see the parallels between the overzealous attacks on freedom in the name of anti-Communism and the abuses of power today in fighting terrorism (CIA secret prisons, anyone?). I have touched on this topic before: Ann Coulter, Historian

So, brush up on your history and go see a movie that might win George Clooney an Oscar (if you can believe it).

Did you know that if you have a clogged drain, and you don’t have any Drano® or other chemical drain unclogger handy, that you can dump vinegar and baking soda into the sink instead?

Did you also know that you can substitute baking powder for baking soda, if you don’t have any of the latter?

Did you further know that it might not work, but it makes a really cool whooshing sound and lotsa bubbles?

Finally, did you know that you’re supposed to put the two ingredients directly into the sink and not try and mix them in a measuring cup first, or it will explode all over the place and leave you with a vinegar-scented mess on the kitchen counter?

The more you know, the smarter you grow.

Because of the cold front that is pushing Wilma quickly out to sea, they just said the low tonight is gonna be 47! Yikes!! Where the hell is FEMA???

The womenfolk just informed me that they need to eat all the ice cream in the freezer “in case the power goes out”. Where the hell is FEMA???

Holding onto our Easter bonnets here, but so far we’re not in the thick of things. Wilma is pounding South Florida, and there are tornadoes on the Space Coast. Lots of wind and rain here. Enough to make the roads un-fun and to close all the schools and businesses (including my office). Hopefully, the storm will zip outta here without causing too much grief.