30 July 2007

American Hurling Company

I want to leave a huge plug for the American Hurling Company. I recently purchased a hurley and sliotar from them and am very pleased with both the quality and customer service. If you're a North American looking for a hurley maker, this is your company.

Regarding the weather...

Well, July was a heck of a lot better than May and June. In general, the weather was relatively cool (mostly in the 70s ºFahrenheit) and we received between 3.5 and 4.0 inches (90 to 100 millimeters) of rain. The latter figure is at or slightly above the historical average, which is a great improvement over the terribly dry May and June that we had.

Currently blooming flowers include Rudbeckia 'Indian Summer' (Gloriosa Daisy), Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower), unknown Rosa cultivars (Roses), Buddleja davidii 'Black Knight' (Butterfly Bush), Hemerocallis fulva 'Kwanso' (Double 'Common' Daylily) and a number of wildflowers. I'll try to get some pictures up in the next couple of days.

2008

At the risk of ticking some people off, I'm with Fred.

***20 minutes later***

I've thought about it and I want to make something clear. "I'm with Fred" because, in my opinion, he is the candidate least likely to expand the power of government. I may be wrong in this belief (if he's anything like George W. Bush), but only time can tell.

Let me preface the following paragraphs by saying that ALL politicians are out for themselves.

As an American who believes in limited government, I generally vote Republican. However, I also believe that human activity (namely our reliance on the burning of fossil fuels) is the primary reason for global climate change. This scares the heck out of me, and I strongly support legislation to reduce our impact on the environment.

That being said, you can see my political predicament.

If I vote Republican, I (used to) get representatives who favor small government, individual freedoms, personal responsibility, and the destruction of our environment.

If I vote Democrat, I get representatives who are more likely to do something about the environment but want to tax the heck out of me and make me dependent on them.

What I want is a party that promotes small government, individual freedoms, personal responsibility, and environmental protection. I understand that my preference for small government is at odds with the notion of environmental regulations, but I guess we'll just have to live with that contradiction...

Now wasn't that fun!?!?

22 July 2007

20 Days

Wow, it has been 20 days since I last published a post. The reason for my absence is the birth of my first child, a son, on 2007 July 04. He is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.

On a completely different note, I purchased Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows yesterday afternoon. After reading for most of the night, I finished it late this morning. To avoid spoiling the plot, I'll just say "wow."

I'll be back at work tomorrow for the first time in two and a half weeks. In the next few days I'll try to catch up on things.

02 July 2007

A View to the Heavens

This late afternoon "sunset" was mesmerizing. I felt like I was gazing at the heights of the Himalaya.











Black Sunday

To Buffalo Sabres fans, yesterday was "Black Sunday."

...Despite our losses, I'm sure that Lindy will keep the ship on course.