Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Going through Classics: Sleepy Hollow and Dracula

So, some of you may know that Anna and I both bought Kindles...and we LOVE them!

While looking for cheesy romance novels, Anna stumbled upon the free book section. Within this vast library of harlequin greatness are some great classics...

Not wanting to pay for my a new book, I decided to download a handful and work my way through them. This week (really a couple weeks ago, I'm slow at this blogging thing): The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Dracula

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irvine

Washington Irvine's classic tale of heroism, bravery, love and decapitation.....okay, maybe just love and decapitation....well, mainly just decapitation. Even though I knew how the story went, I still found myself hoping Ichabod Crane would pop out of the woods and belt into song...or something like that. Great short story, makes me want to visit the New England states in the fall..but NOT at night.

Dracula by Bram Stoker

The vampire genre has exploded as of late...with all the tweeny-bopper blood suckers out there, we tend to forget the original. I had to give it a second look, "Is Dracula REALLY a classic?" After reading it again...YES. It is told through a series of diary entries, newspaper clippings and letters. For most of the book, it makes the reader discern for him/herself what is really going on. Modern vampire fans won't enjoy it because they know too much about what a vampire is, but reading it with an older mindset and allowing yourself to get sucked into the early 19th century, you won't be diasapointed. No half naked werewolves in this story, but a monster so evil that not even the mighty Edward Cullen could stand up to it.

That's all for now...next time: Gulliver's Travels

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone, forgive any grammar/spelling issues

Location:Washington 7,Tacoma,United States

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Case for more HOV lanes


Okay, I know I'm not the first person to complain about I-5 traffic, BUT maybe I'm the first to rationalize the absolute NEED for more HOV lanes.  See the above photo.  It doesn't matter if you carpool or not, you're sitting in the SAME traffic.  Over the past few months I have traveled to Seattle and RARELY is there any benefit for having a second (or third or fourth) person in the car.

With the recent "GO GREEN" excitement that is sweeping the country, you would think this would be a no-brainer.  ESPECIALLY in Washington.  The EverGREEN state!  Oh, they're trying....we're constantly urged to carpool...lower our emissions and carbon footprint.  While it's all well and good that it's a good idea for the environment...in today's society, we need some sort of kickback.  Enter:  The HOV lane!  A fast track to wherever you are going all because you're doing your part.....yeah right.  NOT anymore!

So, here's my idea.  It's simple.  5-lane highway = 3 HOV lanes!  THAT will get people to carpool!  I'm really not for the whole "carbon offset" idea...BUT, I would be willing to concede the middle lane to single drivers who want to pay a toll for it.

Who does this screw....yep, the single drivers.  But really, if the HOV lanes are as promising as they can be...actually allowing drivers to get to their destination without too much trouble, yeah I think more single drivers will make an assertive effort to carpool.  Right now, there's NO INCENTIVE!

Anyway....those are my thoughts....not necessarily in jest!  Let the Jason-bashing begin! :)

Monday, August 2, 2010

Random Thoughts

Inspired by a fun weekend....

If you eat massive amounts of Jell-O and start dancing around...will you ever stop?

How effective is a towel wrapped in lemon juice attached to a snorkel as a (fire created) smoke filter?

If you were able to visit the future or visit the past (and come back) what would you do?

Do vegetarians own meat thermometers?

How did the T-Rex scratch his back?  Were there trees THAT big?

Happy Monday ALL!