41 thoughts on “December 21, 2013: No Time”

1. Starting the trip back to IA today. First leg is from Virginia to my grandparents' in Indiana. Travel time is about 9 hours. I'm going to spend all day with them on Sunday, then do the 11 hours to my parents' on Monday.

   1. off to Santa Fe today.

      1. In Lost Wages, waiting to change planes. I can almost smell desperation in the air.

   2. drive safe, man -- lots of rain and some freezing going on in the center of the country. I think we'll stay above the freeze line here...

2. Luis Suarez with two goals before half. ho hum.

3. For the second time this year we're getting new credit cards. Yes, we shop at Target. At least they alerted everyone right away, unlike the local grocery store chain.

   1. We have not yet heard. Hopefully, we escaped the breach.

      1. Same.

   2. how are they notifying folks?
      (i.e. how will I hear if...?)

      1. I would like to know this also. I had assumed email.

      2. They did not notify us -- the particular bank that issues the card that we used notified us. I'm assuming Target notified the bank. Still haven't heard from Discover Card yet.

         1. I got an e-mail from Target saying "maybe, we're looking into it." My understanding was that some banks were figuring it out with their own fraud investigators, so might have had some particularized knowledge that Target didn't yet have.

4. NDSU destroys New Hampshire 52-14, will defend their two national titles. It wasn't as close as the score might indicate.

   Fun fact: in 14 games, the Bison have allowed a total of 9 yards on punt returns.

5. Busy overpass not far from us was redone over the summer into what is called a Diverging Diamond Interchange. It seems to be working, although it's strange as all get-out to be crossing the highway on the opposite sides of the bridge than normal. I did note today while crossing the bridge that traffic crosses at shallow angles instead of 90°, so it tends to blend better when it's busy.

   1. Wow. That's a lot of interesting turn lanes.

      Looks like it should make U-turns on I-70 after missing your exit easy, though.

      1. I think i came up with a pretty good theory on why the cover leaf was ever designed: the engineer who came up with it was named Phil Cloverleaf, and he had such an ego that, when asked to design something for the interstates had to have his name attached regardless of functionality.

         1. Heh- the Cloverleaf isn't too bad if everyone drives 45 and yields like they're supposed to. Neither of those things happen with any regularity.

            I definitely prefer the Diamond or even the folded Diamond. I'd have to drive this Diverging Diamond a few times to see where it falls in the spectrum.

            1. I don't know what it's called, but my favorite is this kind.

               1. Yes. That particular intersection works brilliantly.

               2. Is that maybe a Single Point Urban Interchange? They just put one of those in on the 94 / 70 overpass a few years ago; I call it a "flying X". It works very well, but with the long "X" double lanes of crossing traffic I'm afraid of cars not sure where to go when the lines become snowcovered.

                  1. True. When the above one was installed, there were a few accidents because it's confusing at first. But oh man, did it reduce trips across that bridge by about 10 minutes thanks to remove four stop lights and replacing it with one.

6. Got some unexpected good news! My sister is out of the hospital, Christmas-as-usual is on for tomorrow!

   1. Yay!
      for her
      and for you
      and other friends-and-relations.

   2. Yay! However, you and all the family will remain in our prayers.

      1. Obviously I know your intent, but the way you phrased it makes it sound like a threat 🙂

   3. Glad to hear - especially during the holidays.

   4. Awesome news. Very glad to hear it.

   5. Excellent, Phyllo.

7. Today is the tenth anniversary of waking up together as husband and wife.
   So celebrate that!

   1. Congrats! Nothing like snuggling in a cold house before the boiler has kicked in.

   2. You're assuming they slept the night.

      1. I assume they fell asleep for at least a short period of time.
         Also, before kids, they probably slept in.

   3. The good news is, when you've been married that long, you know you can always celebrate on a different day. It still counts.

      1. I've been married that long and I don't think EAR would buy that.

         1. Are you sure you're doing it right, then?

            1. Four kids so yeah, seems successful.

8. The annual box of Omaha Steak products arrived today, which means the annual fun with dry ice in the sink!

9. Speaking of anniversaries, I realized that 14 years ago today I asked my lovely bride to marry me.

   1. Suspense -- what'd she say?!?

   2. Busy times at WGOM, it turns out.

   3. Today is also the day I first became a father. I'm a year away from having a teenager (although he's already in junior high and involved in the church youth group). Scary.

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