Several years ago, there was a station wagon that was covered from side to side with bumper stickers (on the back). I saw this wagon quite often rummaging about Greenwood, and I was fond of reading the various extreme, anti-government, we can-do-it-ourselves types of messages plastered about, but the one that I was most fond of, and still remember to this day simply read “Compost Happens”. And it does.
This is the first major step in the garden project. I’m hoping that if I mix it up every day that I might have something usable in a few weeks, depending on the weather. Right now it’s just a mixture of mulched leaves from the fall and about a weeks worth of kitchen scraps. If you have any kitchen scraps you’d like to contribute, they would be much appreciated.
For those of you interested in starting a compost of your own, I purchased this compost bin from Lowes for about $50 US. It was in the way back of the outdoor garden section (part of the store you’ve never really been to).
Here is a useful link for more information:
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/homecompost/building.html
Not much happening right now. Studying for MS 70-291 which I plan to take by month’s end. At which point I will be done with PTC forever.
Finished painting the baby’s room this past weekend. A nice cool blue named “inhale”. I’ll post pictures when we have more decorations up.
Recently I posted that I wanted to start a vegetable garden in the back yard, however I had some concerns with doing this, mainly time and the condition of my soil. If the soil in the backyard was anything like that of the front, nothing would grow in it (granted, grass grows in the backyard).
That’s where this book comes in: The All New Square Foot Gardening. I just got the book yesterday, so I haven’t had a lot of time to read it, but general idea is to build boxes on top of the ground, fill it with nutrient rich soil, plant, grow, pick, eat, repeat. Only planting the amount you really need is also key.
I’m hoping to start construction in the coming weeks. More to come on that.
Mandy and I were at Food Lion tonight getting our weekly stock of various food sundry when an overwhelming urge to buy Italian Ice overcame us both (simultaneously). For those of you who are not schooled in this desert, it’s basically made using the same process as ice cream, but uses ice (shavings) and flavoring. A much more basic desert than ice cream or gelato (the later preferred of the two) and feels “healthier”. It provides a cool, refreshing sensation the same way water does on a hot summer day with a creamy, light texture that’s sure to please.
This week I read through Beowulf. I tried reading it when I was in middle school but couldn’t really get into it (I really didn’t like reading if the subject matter wasn’t computer related). But since I’ve been reading fiction recently I thought I’d give it another go, and I’m VERY glad I did.
This tale has such scope and epic details that I was completely enthralled from start to finish. It makes me want to consume scores of mead and wild game while gallivanting throughout the yard swinging my magical sword battling horrific creatures of ancient antiquity.
But alas….I will just read it again someday.
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about building/planting a vegetable garden in the backyard. Maybe not anything too large scale with just tomatoes and potatoes to start with. I plan to do some loose documentation on the process here on briandean.net. I hope to finish my plans for the season by the end of the month (which I will put on the blog) so I can start real work in February.
More to come on that.
Here’s my new years resolution. I’m not really sure what constitutes as a resolution versus a goal so the following are just things I want for myself over the course of 2010.
1. Get in better physical condition while creating and maintaining a “real” exersise plan.
2. Obtain various industry certifications. I’m pretty close to my MCSA, then probably go for the E. If I didn’t spend time finishing up PTC, I’d be done with it by now.
3. Simplify. I realise this is a pretty trendy thing right now, and pretty vague in general, but that shouldn’t detract from the advantages of simplifying your lifestyle in general. I’d say this mainly pertains to possessions then commitments.
4. Spend more time with the Lord through scripture reading and prayer.
That’s it for me. Hope you had a great new year, I sure did.
-Brian
Mandy and I have been in Washington D.C. since Saturday (day after Christmas). We got in that afternoon after a rather pleasant airline experience, which is surprising considering the circumstances. We had very little hassle through security, no delays, and we had a prompt take-off after boarding.
Sunday was spent touring the Smithsonian. We hit a total of six museums which, thankfully, were in close proximity to each other. That took the entire day, and wore us slap out. Room service that night which watching The Invention of Lying. Pretty good movie, but could have been better.
Monday was our planned visit to the capitol, which was cool. All of the politicians were off so there wasn’t much going on there. Still cool to see the rotunda. Also frequented the Washington memorial and the white house (free viewing from the road), both cool. Went to Georgetown that afternoon/evening to shop and see Up in the Air. Awesome movie IMO.
Today, slept pretty late and spent some time in the gym. Made it to the US Postal Museum, which was cool, and then to Union Station; for a train station, it was pretty cool. We then went to the National Archives which had a line a block down the street to get into the building. Didn’t really know what was going on, but it was too cold to stick around to find out. But that really didn’t seem to deter us much since we then got off at the Smithsonian metro station and walked all the way down to the Lincoln memorial, which is actually just a mile, but when your walking against chilling wind…it’s soooo cold. Worth it? Yes.
That’s all for now.
Merry Christmas to everyone. Hope it’s a great one for you. Off to DC tomorrow then to Charleston next weekend for new years.
In other news, the healthcare bill passed the senate yesterday, which means we’re one step closer to everything that Obama promissed wouldn’t happen, which is namely keeping our country free…
A recent one-way conversation I had with someone who was questioning my dedication to a project that I never promised anyone but merely hinted at the fact that I might one day produce such an object that was being discussed.
“[22:01] z3px: poop
[22:01] z3px: all over the place
[22:01] z3px: i mean seriously
[22:01] z3px: lets be real
[22:01] z3px: you and i
[22:01] z3px: frank about this whole situtation
[22:02] z3px: you put a wennie in a bun
[22:02] z3px: you put relish, mustard, ketchup, and chillie on top
[22:02] z3px: then you shovel it into your mouth
[22:02] z3px: chew
[22:02] z3px: swollow
[22:02] z3px: poop
[22:02] z3px: repeat
[22:03] z3px: do you catch my drift?
[22:03] z3px: my tokyo drift?”
In other news, I finished school tonight for this semester and my final class at PTC. Good riddance.
