Four Legs are Better than Two
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Our family has a history of strong women, an aspect I've noticed more recently when reflecting on the younger generation's choices and life activities.Speaking of strong women, I received a small package from our Oma in the mail a few days ago, the contents of which included the original owner's manual for the 1970 Schwinn Twinn that Lisa and I inherited. The model: "Schwinn Twinn with coaster brake" retailed for a whopping $106.95 -- as suggested by the manufacturer. (106? Why not 105 or 107? Am I missing something here?)
It was a fantastic surprise to get this in the mail, in immaculately clean condition.
Labels: family history, Tandem
written by Eric Mills at 09:25 
Prost!
Monday, November 27, 2006
Not exactly a scrap: this image is a cropped and colored section of Oma Muller and Aunt Erna 'prosting' on the back porch of the 8778 house. Thought I'd point that out over here so you can take a look. I can't link to it, because it is one of our sites, and those who are in charge of these sorts of things will see it as gratuitous.Although, if you happen to be reading our page on wine, the link to which you can find on our links page, you'll notice this image. You'll also notice that these two lovely ladies are holding their wine glasses by the stem. Opa Muller always used to make a big point on that when toasting; the clinking just sounded so much better that way (not to mention the heat from your hand didn't warm up your wine). Cheers!
Labels: 8778, Erna Emmighausen, NY, oma, opa, photograph, Rosa Muller
written by Eric Mills at 17:34
Heroes & Villains on iTunes
Friday, November 24, 2006
It's a little surreal to visit a remarkably successful online music store and see someone you know. Make that someone you used to play a little music with from time to time. No, scratch that: someone you practically had to beg to sing or play because she was so shy. And now? Here she is, playing with her band, "Heroes and Villains" -- the album is downloadable on iTunes. Search for the album title 'Turn Your Swords'.As soon as I head down to the basement computer, where my music stuff lives, I'll be downloading the entire album. Oh yeah, PS, Ali sang the most beautifulist song at my wedding. You were there. You know what I'm talking about.
Ali Ippolito took her degree from SUNY Fredonia in Piano pedagogy in 2000. Since then, she has maintained a studio in Portland, Oregon in affiliation with the Multnomah Arts Center. She can be reached at alisfingers at hotmail dot com.
written by Eric Mills at 01:34
Interested in Selling your Truck?
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
I've been lucky enough to have my beater pickup truck last 8 months, so far. At ~$800.00, that's $100.00/month in car payments. Not too shabby, really, if you think about it.Unexpected, and very interesting, is the amount of attention my truck has garnered. Perhaps it is because I replaced the non-existent dashboard with a slightly-less-non-existent dashboard from the junkyard. Or, perhaps people really like the "weather-worn gray" look.
Whether it is the guy from Mississippi who was displaced in the hurricane recently (who helped me hot wire the truck when the steering column froze up), the secretary from my office building, or Willis from the Yota-yard, our local parts area, everyone says that at 200,000 miles my truck isn't even broken in. Not yet.
Most unexpected of all, though, are the notes I've found left on the windshield. Pictured here is the second note in the last month. It's interesting. It almost looks like -- despite the typos and near-child-like scrawl -- someone has a template they printed. Then, when they're cruising the neighborhood, they slap a note on whichever automobile catches their fancy, "penciling in" the kind of car at the last minute in pen (see how "truck" is lighter than the rest of the note?).
I'd like to call "Steve;" I'd like to know what line of business he's in. I'm afraid if I call, however, that I might jinx the future note leavers. I'll leave it alone, for now. And, no, I'm not interested in selling my truck, in case you were wondering!
Labels: automobiles, found
written by Eric Mills at 16:40
Found: Note on Envelope from 1972
Friday, November 17, 2006
Having tarred the roof myself (noted on the back of this envelope) one hot summer day around 1999, it feels strangely good to know that it leaked back in '72. And the Bank of New York? Coinciding nicely with the yellowed envelope, The Bank of New York is the oldest bank in the United States -- on Wall Street since 1787, after an advertisement placed in 1784.
Labels: 1972, Catskills, family history, found, NY, South Cairo
written by Eric Mills at 00:00
$40.00 and Change for a Workbench Made with Opa's Tools
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Your supplies | Your cost:10) 96'' 2x4s | $19.60
1) strange long piece of plywood from the "cull" bin at homo-depot | $0.51 but the lady didn't charge us.
2) more strange things from the cull bin | $1.70 but the lady didn't charge us.
1) piece of peg board | $9.95
1) package of pegboard thingies | $1.99
1) 5/8" plywood for workbench top | $8.99
1 ea.) 3/4" 2 1/2" 3" coarse thread drywall screws | ~$4.00 a box
1) cat to get in the way | immeasurably annoying.
1) beautiful wife to help you measure | priceless.
A few hours later, and with a sore wrist from drilling, you have a really sturdy workbench that was your wife's idea (only if your wife is as cool as mine). There is a kit you can purchase from Home Despot for $60.00 that has 1/3 the space and neat things that this $40.00 homemade one has.
Interested in building your own workbench? This workbench is open source. View the progress, start to finish here.
Labels: howto, malwart/homodespot, opa, projects
written by Eric Mills at 00:39
How to Save your Mom's Cell Phone
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Does your grandmother point the "clicker" at herself instead of the TV? Does your father perform high-tech fruit repairs? If so, you need to step it up a notch and become your own IT department. Does your mother misplace her half-full coffee mug for a cell phone holster? (That is, of course, when she remembers to take her coffee out of the microwave).
Given how many (very many) mobile phones my mother has been through, it seems only appropriate that I make the knowledge of how to save her phone publicly available. This way regardless of whomever might be with her the next time it happens, and it will happen, there's a chance of rescuing it.
How to Save a Wet Cell Phone
There is only a slim chance of the above method working, but it is worth giving it a shot.
