I might have infected the whole title company, but I just got back from closing on my house refinance. Yeah, it starts the 30 year period all over again (it will be paid off when I’m 72!) and I’m borrowing almost as much as I did 5 years ago when I bought the house (to cover all the closing costs) and it now means I’m a lifer at my company (I get a 1.5% interest discount as long as I’m an employee there), but my payments will be $250 lower every month. After five years, they drop another $58. And as a surprise bonus I didn’t know was coming: no house payment in December. Wee!

For the people who think AIDS is under control:

The five million cases recorded in 2005 was “the highest number of people newly infected (in a year) since the beginning of the epidemic,” Peter Piot, executive director of the UNAIDS programme, told reporters in New Delhi.

Source

My friend Jess and I both have horrible colds. We sound like sniffling, coughing old men who’ve spent their lives smoking and drinking strong whiskey. So, for some reason, we decided to hop in the car (or, as we also called it, the Bird Flu Mobile) and drive to Houston to see the “Forbidden Gardens” – a bizarre little place that tries to replicate some historical sites from China. At one point (in the 1/30th scale reproduction of the Forbidden City), I felt like I was standing in the world’s largest doll house…complete with animal poop. Did I mention it was outdoors?

Anyway, the reproduction of the terra cotta army was the most interesting thing there. It really made me want to see the real thing. And, of course, I took pictures.

For those keeping count, today’s damage: A set of six vintage coke glasses (in their original metal holder) that was given to me by my Grandma. They were on top of my refrigerator, not on the shelves Mishka usually attacks.

I got an estimate on what it would cost to put glass doors on my entertainment center/shelves: $170 per door (I need two) for the glass. That doesn’t include hardware, labor, etc. I can’t afford that right now.

What did I do on my day off? Go to the San Antonio Zoo. I’d forgotten what a sad zoo it is – not a lot of room for the animals to run around.

Does anyone want a cat? He’s real cute. Sure, he’s possessed by satan, but he’s real cute.

I was doing a last minute e-mail check while waiting for my friend to come over so we could head out to a movie (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, btw – damn funny) when I heard Mishka jump up onto the forbidden shelf in the living room. Yes, that’s how honed in I am on that – I heard it a room away. I go running in there to knock him down but not before he knocks the beautiful purple hand-blown glass bowl I bought at the Grassroot Soccer auction last week. It shattered all over the place. My friend shows up as I’m trying to vacuum up the glass and keep the damn cat away. I’m pissed. We are late for the movie.

A few hours later, we are walking back into the house when I hear glass crunch under my shoe. Must have missed a piece. Nope. He broke something else. I don’t know what to do with him. I’ve asked the vet – vet said he’s bored. I play with him, I leave him toys out (rotating them every other day so it’s not the same toys all the time)…I’m at my wits end.

And now…my Baltimore pictures. I wasn’t in town for long – just time for lunch with friends and a little stroll around Fells Point.

Just posted pictures from my trip to Pennsylvania last weekend. They are all from the Landis Valley Museum – a wonderful place to visit and stroll through. Baltimore pictures will be posted later tonight or tomorrow.

Some friends in NY have reported that they noticed the odd, sweet smell. More reports at Gothamist. So, is it something evil? Something good? Random occurance? Mass hypnosis? EGGO-terrorism?

So, when Brownie kept saying he had no idea how bad things were? That was a lie? A politician lying? Go figure!
FEMA Official Says Boss Ignored Warnings

Marty Bahamonde, a FEMA regional director, told a Senate panel investigating the government’s response to the disaster that he gave regular updates to people in contact with then-FEMA Director Michael Brown as early as Aug. 28, one day before Katrina made landfall.

In most cases, he was met with silence. In an Aug. 29 phone call to Brown informing him that the first levee had broke, Bahamonde said he received a polite thank you from Brown, who said he would check with the White House.