Allen Gathman

Still snowed in

Originally uploaded by Allen Gathman.

From Monday night through Wednesday morning, we had 4 inches of sleet followed by 5 inches of snow. Wednesday I spent 6 hours digging the two little trenches you see in the photo so that I could get the car out of the driveway. Today (Friday) the university finally reopened, and I did get the car to work. I can’t turn it around in the driveway, though, and I don’t think any of the other vehicles will make it out. So this afternoon I’m going to pick up Sophie at the end of the driveway and take her to work.

My new car

Originally uploaded by Allen Gathman.

After Sophie wrecked her Escort, we needed another car in our household. When I was visiting Ralph and Gerry in Louisiana, I mentioned this, and Ralph pointed out that they needed to sell the Z3. I laughed, but when I heard the price, I started thinking about it. After all, I mostly just drive myself and a few groceries. This car gets around 30 mpg, it’s fun, and it’s in perfect condition.

I have to say I surprised myself. I’ve always claimed to have no interest in cars other than that they get you to the place you want to go. Given an actual opportunity to have a really nice car, though, I was excited. So here I am, driving a car that everyone says is totally not me. Fun, though.

Yo-SEMO-te

Originally uploaded by Allen Gathman.

Earlier this week I noticed that there was a patch of grass outside the building where I work that seemed to be steaming. The ground felt warm too. I just thought that the steam tunnel was close to the surface there, and was thinking about what a waste of energy this was. Later that day I saw Joe the plumber (yeah, the head plumber on campus is really named Joe) out there, so I asked him what was up.

“I told them not to just bury the steam line in the ground. I told them they needed a tunnel. Did they listen?”

So today they have a crew digging to find the break in the steam line. The potential as a national park had already struck me. Our department chair, though, suggested that we could buy a half hog and bury it in the pit this weekend.

Taking down the tree

Originally uploaded by Allen Gathman.

We took down the Christmas tree today. This always gives me panic attack/depression, but it was meliorated by knowing that tomorrow I would leave to go visit my sister Gerry in Louisiana. Yay!