Garland Goes Green

Earlier today I waddled over to Garland, to see their Garland Goes Green event. As I suspected, it wasn't huge .. but not bad for a suburb (as well as a way to showcase their sprawling Firewheel Town Center Mall).

One of the more entertaining things was a rare Corbin Sparrow -- an all-electric three-wheeled one-person vehicle, owned by a Garland resident who drives it every day. (more details here: John Brecher's 2002 Corbin Sparrow). What remains of the company that made this car is now online at MyersMotors.com, although the $35K+ price tag will scare off all but the most determined tree-hugger.

The Sparrow was part of a three-car display by the North Texas Electric Auto Association, which is a group of guys who learn about (and convert to) electrically powered cars. I had a nice chance to chat with them for about 15 minutes, learning about the various challenges faced by someone who wants to forgo gasoline-powered vehicles .. in Texas. The 30-mile range is a definite handicap, and I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of an encounter with a Chevy Suburban. Still .. since Dallas is not really in Texas .. it fills a niche.

More: EV Album: Electric Vehicle Photo Album

do you hear that clicking sound?

Sometimes, I amaze myself by how slow I am in recognizing when something's about to break.

Such was the case this weekend when my 10-year old refrigerator stopped chillin'. I think. The first sign was that one of my new Mochis (found at Saigon-Taipei supermarket in Garland) was unusually soft, not like this frozen concoction is supposed to be. I thought maybe this flavor was different from the others, but didn't think much about it. That was Friday night.

Tonight, I decided to try another one, but noticed that some of the stuff-in-cardboard in the freezer compartment was soft. And there wasn't as much noise coming from The Box as usual .. just an unusual clicking sound. I rooted around, found the thermometer and took a look. About 40F in the refrigerator side, probably about the same on the freezer side. I suspect either a bad compressor or global warming. It might be neither. Call made to repair, but they can't get here until Wednesday morning. {sigh}

So, I took as much stuff as possible into the garage where The Beer Fridge sat underused. Some stuff in the refrigerator won't spoil : soft drinks and such. The rest of the stuff in the freezer may/may not survive the ordeal: mostly vegetables. We'll see.

appraisal porn

I had an early appointment today with Dallas Central Appraisal. They're the ones who estimate the value of your home, and then someone else sends you a tax bill based on that appraisal. So, it's to the homeowner's advantage to get the appraisal as low as possible. Texas law limits them to a 30% increase every 3 years, so I've been told. True to form, they routinely raise my appraisal 10% every year.

Cut to the chase: I got the same treatment as the last time I challenged the appraisal. Namely: There's the door. Don't let it hit you on the a$$ as you leave.

Anyhoo, one thing struck me funny during today's hearing. Soon after I made my case, the chairman of the tribunal leaned forward:

"Got any pictures?," he salivated.

I could tell this is what he lived for. He wanted photos of exposed plumbing dating back to the 1890s. Buckling foundations. Anything. He wanted closeups of lurid, gaping holes in cracked sheetrock. Peeling paint. The more of an eyesore, the better. And Repair Estimates, the more detailed the better. I could sense what he wanted: Appraisal Porn.

If I'd whipped out a photo of a hole in my roof, he might have climaxed on the spot.

When I told him I had no such photos, he sighed with an incredible sadness. I had single-handedly snuffed out his only source of joy in life.

Suddenly, I felt a sense of overwhelming grief. I stammered a promise to Return Next Year, with 8x10 color glossies, scenes reminiscent of Alice's Restaurant. That promise cheered him up; the sparkle returned to his eyes. I Just Knew that I had done my Good Deed for the day, and nearly skipped out of the building, happier than I've been in months.

Titanic

Perseus - The Blogging Iceberg says that the majority of blogs are abandoned after 2 months. Does this mean that most people only have 2 months (or less) worth of stuff to say? Hmm.

Coming this weekend: 8th annual ArmeniaFest

should I invest in a GutterHelmet™? It seems a better approach than leaf screens (I got a bid for each: leaf screens are 25% the cost of a GutterHelmet). I suspect this is one of those "you get what you pay for" issues. In my old age (!) I have learned that it is possible to throw your money away on Cheap Stuff That Just Doesn't Work.