The replacement Oreo cookies & Vinturi are out for delivery as I write. I'm all giddy with excitement that my gift will finally arrive in tact and the 15+1 year newlyweds will be whole again.
I am a bit perplexed because when I compared the package size (DON'T BE DIRTY!) of this delivery to the one that arrived without the cookies, this package is half a pound lighter. I have no idea what they will be receiving today, but I hope it is thoughtful and nice because I'm plumb out of complaining about customer service today.
I'll update you as soon as I know. I know you're on pins and needles.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
"We're going to love this brand to death" H. Schultz
Oh my...I'm sure you all know that Starbucks owns the Seattle's Best Coffee brand. It was a smart acquisition for *$ and many thought it would spell the end of a loved Seattle brand. Well, the demise has been slow - but the plot seems pretty clear.
SBC has been disappearing from loved locations (downtown, Bellevue Square) and now has a "snappy" new logo to go with it's quieter presence in the marketplace.
Frankly, I could have come up with something better than that using my "excellent" Word Art program. It looks a lot like a jacked up Target logo which makes me wonder will they be co-locating into Target stores? No, they won't because Starbucks is already there. Silly us. Say good-bye to this historic Seattle based brand - it is officially dead.
SBC has been disappearing from loved locations (downtown, Bellevue Square) and now has a "snappy" new logo to go with it's quieter presence in the marketplace.
Frankly, I could have come up with something better than that using my "excellent" Word Art program. It looks a lot like a jacked up Target logo which makes me wonder will they be co-locating into Target stores? No, they won't because Starbucks is already there. Silly us. Say good-bye to this historic Seattle based brand - it is officially dead.
I want to make fun of Lindsay Lohan, but can't.
The story is that she was promoting a film (that hasn't been made or financed) and her passport was stolen so she couldn't make it back.
Well, it turns out the judge in the LA court could give a flying f*ck about her troubles and issued a bench warrant for her arrest.
Oh girlfriend, you're in the shiz now!
Lindz appears to be surrounded by people who can't seem to help her make smart decisions. She's a money maker for her family and that seems to cloud their judgment regarding legal issues.
I feel for her because it's pretty clear to me, a total nobody, that she needs help. And by help, I mean the kind of help Miss Brittney got - keep the bad people away, sober up and focus on the important things in life.
Lindsay is easy to make fun of because of the stupid stuff she does, but in the end her story is sad. She'll go to jail for a while and it won't help. If she could get sober I bet there are many many hollywood people that would take her in, give her work and I predict she would have an amazing career. I think the girl CAN actually act, but she has to work out her personal crap before that can happen.
Her parents SUCK and aren't helping. In my opinion, they should also get some time to reflect on their lack of parental guidance and how it contributes to the soon to be loss of this poor girl.
Gosh, I started out wanting to mock her for being stupid and since it's such a senseless loss of a bright young person I simply feel sick. I hope she gets help.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
can we make it on time?
Jason and I are planning a little Las Vegas get away in the fall and are excited to try restaurants by chefs we've seen on Top Chef (a favorite show).
We are excited (and I am drooling) over the menu at CraftSteak, a Tom Colicchio venture. It is ALL meat and I am confident it will be done well.
They take reservations so after consulting with Jason, we decided to commit because we're going over a possibly high traffic weekend and expect it to be busy. I smartly went online and booked us a table at the romantic hour of 8:30 pm... but for TONIGHT.
I had to call and fess up that I'm a dumb ass. The phone dude (British accent) was nice and moved everything around and didn't mock me.. but he wanted to I am sure of that.
We are excited (and I am drooling) over the menu at CraftSteak, a Tom Colicchio venture. It is ALL meat and I am confident it will be done well.
They take reservations so after consulting with Jason, we decided to commit because we're going over a possibly high traffic weekend and expect it to be busy. I smartly went online and booked us a table at the romantic hour of 8:30 pm... but for TONIGHT.
I had to call and fess up that I'm a dumb ass. The phone dude (British accent) was nice and moved everything around and didn't mock me.. but he wanted to I am sure of that.
Sorry I'm so boring
As I wander around the house I'm reminded of all the little things I want to get done and don't manage to do.
Our tablecloth & napkin collection are in a pile on the bed in the spare room. I have plans to sort them by size. We have THREE different tables in our house, including the outside table and it seems that I'm the only one who knows where they are and which one fits which table. I guess, in spite of my best efforts some areas of this house will be known only to women.
There are still some lingering photo projects from the wedding. I have a rather large box of mementos, cards, toasts that I would like to organize in some way other than stuffed into the weird bird cage I thought I needed to have.
On a funny note, I sent an anniversary gift to Becky & Brett to celebrate their 15 +1 year anniversary. In my selfish, me me me, I'm so in love and getting married haze last year I failed to do anything thoughtful for them on what I consider to be a rather large milestone. So, this year I dialed up my favorite web site for fabulous gifts, packaged fabulously and sent them a Vinturi wine aerator and a box of chocolate covered oreos (Brett drinks red wine and Becky who favors white likes chocolate). The gift arrived on time as expected, but sadly there were no oreos in the package.
I called RedEnvelope and their solution was to resend the entire gift. It seems strange that they couldn't send the oreos independently, but I suppose having an extra vinturi won't hurt the 16 year newlyweds. Since they offered to replace the whole order I'm not sure why I feel like I've stolen the second aerator, but I do. Oh well, these are the things to get over.
Vinturi, for the non-oenophiles (wineos) is a nifty little thing that you pour your red wine through and it adds air to the wine, which "opens" up the flavor. We've done taste tests on aerated and non-aerated wine from the same bottle and I'm telling you, it really works. It's not that the non-aerated wine is bad, it isn't - but running it through the vinturi makes the wine taste like it should after you expose it to the air for a while.
That's it for now. Maybe after I eat I'll be inspired with something sarcastic and fun to share.
Our tablecloth & napkin collection are in a pile on the bed in the spare room. I have plans to sort them by size. We have THREE different tables in our house, including the outside table and it seems that I'm the only one who knows where they are and which one fits which table. I guess, in spite of my best efforts some areas of this house will be known only to women.
There are still some lingering photo projects from the wedding. I have a rather large box of mementos, cards, toasts that I would like to organize in some way other than stuffed into the weird bird cage I thought I needed to have.
On a funny note, I sent an anniversary gift to Becky & Brett to celebrate their 15 +1 year anniversary. In my selfish, me me me, I'm so in love and getting married haze last year I failed to do anything thoughtful for them on what I consider to be a rather large milestone. So, this year I dialed up my favorite web site for fabulous gifts, packaged fabulously and sent them a Vinturi wine aerator and a box of chocolate covered oreos (Brett drinks red wine and Becky who favors white likes chocolate). The gift arrived on time as expected, but sadly there were no oreos in the package.
Vinturi, for the non-oenophiles (wineos) is a nifty little thing that you pour your red wine through and it adds air to the wine, which "opens" up the flavor. We've done taste tests on aerated and non-aerated wine from the same bottle and I'm telling you, it really works. It's not that the non-aerated wine is bad, it isn't - but running it through the vinturi makes the wine taste like it should after you expose it to the air for a while.
That's it for now. Maybe after I eat I'll be inspired with something sarcastic and fun to share.
Friday, May 14, 2010
They stick needles in your eyes!
I have been very unproductive today. The lure of the sunny outside world is calling to me. If I would get my status report done I could move on to other things, but here I sit... blogging.
GET OFF YOUR ASS AND DO IT!
(time passing)
Ok, whew, it is done.
I got a FUNNY phone call from my mom yesterday. She had the first of two cornea transplant surgeries on her eyes to improve (save) her vision. In the olden days you would just go blind. Now. thanks to science and people who generously donate their organs when they die, vibrant people can stay vibrant.
Of course, it is a serious operation that involves cutting and drugs. They gave her some sort of 'shot' which relaxed her to the point of not really remembering the procedure. It has some lingering effects and when she called me at 3 yesterday she was... LOOPY. She was in love with everything and thought she was super funny. Apparently, as the nurse walked her out of the office and through the lobby to the car, my mom told the entire waiting room full of old people "They stick needles in your eyes!" I'm sure the nurse wanted to drop kick my drunken mother on the curb.
Mom also had some strange epiphany on the ride home when she noticed that the color of a coca-cola truck on the highway was one color out of her old eye and another color out of the new eye. I think she has decided her new eye came from a man and that she's color blind now. Anywho she had some strange comment about how there are men wandering around in pink and purple clothes who think they are wearing red. I'm thinking it takes the brain a tiny bit of time to process the information coming from the new eye.
Dad tried to put her to bed AGAIN, and I haven't heard from them today so I'm assuming everything is ok, or he had to put a pillow over her head to stop the comedy show.
I'm happy she was able to have this done. My dad went through it a number of years ago and I think it saved his life. Imagine being less mobile than you want to be and not being able to escape into the books that make sitting in your house all day bearable? For mom, it gives her back the ability to drive a night time (safely) and I'm sure a bit of a regeneration of energy.
Her second surgery is next month and I'm hopeful that she doesn't feel the need to re-tell her "joke" about the needles to the next waiting room full of patients when she goes in. However, she's related to me and if there's one thing I know it's that it's always better to tell an off color or rude "joke" at least twice to make sure it really and truly isn't funny to other people.
GET OFF YOUR ASS AND DO IT!
(time passing)
Ok, whew, it is done.
I got a FUNNY phone call from my mom yesterday. She had the first of two cornea transplant surgeries on her eyes to improve (save) her vision. In the olden days you would just go blind. Now. thanks to science and people who generously donate their organs when they die, vibrant people can stay vibrant.
Of course, it is a serious operation that involves cutting and drugs. They gave her some sort of 'shot' which relaxed her to the point of not really remembering the procedure. It has some lingering effects and when she called me at 3 yesterday she was... LOOPY. She was in love with everything and thought she was super funny. Apparently, as the nurse walked her out of the office and through the lobby to the car, my mom told the entire waiting room full of old people "They stick needles in your eyes!" I'm sure the nurse wanted to drop kick my drunken mother on the curb.
Mom also had some strange epiphany on the ride home when she noticed that the color of a coca-cola truck on the highway was one color out of her old eye and another color out of the new eye. I think she has decided her new eye came from a man and that she's color blind now. Anywho she had some strange comment about how there are men wandering around in pink and purple clothes who think they are wearing red. I'm thinking it takes the brain a tiny bit of time to process the information coming from the new eye.
Dad tried to put her to bed AGAIN, and I haven't heard from them today so I'm assuming everything is ok, or he had to put a pillow over her head to stop the comedy show.
I'm happy she was able to have this done. My dad went through it a number of years ago and I think it saved his life. Imagine being less mobile than you want to be and not being able to escape into the books that make sitting in your house all day bearable? For mom, it gives her back the ability to drive a night time (safely) and I'm sure a bit of a regeneration of energy.
Her second surgery is next month and I'm hopeful that she doesn't feel the need to re-tell her "joke" about the needles to the next waiting room full of patients when she goes in. However, she's related to me and if there's one thing I know it's that it's always better to tell an off color or rude "joke" at least twice to make sure it really and truly isn't funny to other people.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Why isn't licorice taxable?
The State has spent considerable time identifying candy and deciding if it is taxable or exempt. They have issued an 84 page spreadsheet that defines for us which items are or are not actually "candy".
The State has defined "Candy" as: Candy is a preparation of sugar, honey, or other natural or artificial sweeteners combined with chocolate, fruits, nuts, or other ingredients or flavorings and formed into bars, drops or pieces. Candy does not include any preparation containing flour and does not require refrigeration.
Licorice gets off the tax hit list because it is typically made with a binder that is more often or not flour. Make your licorice with gluten free starch and you're going to pay an extra 9.5%. So all we have to do to avoid the dreaded taxman is dredge our Mars Bar through some flour or stick it in the fridge!
I think it is going to be mighty complicated for retailers. It turns out that TWIX, Milky Way, and Wonka Bars are exempt, but Abba Zabba bars are taxable. I doubt the corner grocery really going to account for these nuances in their point of sale system? I wonder if we, as consumers will be forced to carry our pocket tax guide with us so that when we pick up a package of licorice we can argue with the clerk that it is not a taxable item. I think big stores will get it right, but the little guy... not so much. Do we get a double tax credit when we are charged taxes for a TWIX bar that we shouldn't have been charged for? Oh, it is going to be so very complicated come April.
For the record, I thought these items already WERE taxable so I don't mind this 'sin tax' on these items with little to no nutritional value. I'd rather pay an extra 9.5% on my snickers than lose a social worker or a police person. I don't think this tax unfairly targets a specific group - although those damned diabetics never pull their own weight. It does seem that the kids with Celiac disease (a serious condition where the lining of the stomach is damaged by gluten including wheat) will pay dearly for their candy treats because they won't be able to opt for the exempt licorice or Wonka Bars... they'll have to stick with the taxable Milk Maid Caramels.
I do think that the tax on cigarettes is way crazy. Tax it yes, but each package of 20 cigarettes nets our state $3.025. If you're a smoker, cigars are the way to go - to pay less taxes. According tho the May 2010 Legislative Tax Update tax on large cigars cannot exceed 65 cents per cigar, whereas moist snuff is taxed $2.526 per can. My lord...why are cigars less taxable than cigarettes? They are stinky and icky too... WHY?
No matter... the candy tax doesn't go into effect until June 1, so you have 17 days to stock up!
Wow... that sure smells like yesterdays raw fish
After a couple years of driving by, I decided it was time to stop into the Viet-Wah the grocery store in the Renton Highlands that serves the Asian population. They are, near as I can tell, an independent version of Uwajimaya. I don't mean to suggest that Uwajimaya is a huge conglomerate, they have 4 locations and are marketed quite well to both the Asian community and us "honkeys". Viet-Wah is a three location outfit and they have most of the wonderful noodles, sauces, spices, foods that you can not pick up in the "Asian" section at Safeway. They don't have the fresh sushi or hot foods that Uwajimaya offers, but if you want to cook with authentic ingredients the Viet- Wah can help you out.
I was pleased to find 6 varieties of noodles for our stir fry and the brand of Hoison sauce that I love so much. They also have a rather large meat and seafood market. Sadly, it smelled like hot raw seafood. (For the record, this is NOT a pleasant smell.)
We may venture back again, but since Renton has an Uwajimaya store, the Viet-Wah doesn't hold much promise to be on our regular grocery route. The smell was unfortunate. Now, if I was in the market for funky Chinese or Vietnamese cigarettes, the Viet-Wah would be the place to go!
I was pleased to find 6 varieties of noodles for our stir fry and the brand of Hoison sauce that I love so much. They also have a rather large meat and seafood market. Sadly, it smelled like hot raw seafood. (For the record, this is NOT a pleasant smell.)
We may venture back again, but since Renton has an Uwajimaya store, the Viet-Wah doesn't hold much promise to be on our regular grocery route. The smell was unfortunate. Now, if I was in the market for funky Chinese or Vietnamese cigarettes, the Viet-Wah would be the place to go!
Monday, May 10, 2010
A first time
It was a weekend of firsts!
- The first 2010 Saturday & Sunday in a row that were glorious weather wise.
- The first dinner out on our patio under our kicky Costco Umbrella.
- The first time use for three wonderful wedding gifts: a cake decorating kit, the fancy mandoline and a beautiful, even cooking wok. All three were fun and I'm sad that we hadn't put them into service before. The mandoline makes perfectly julienned carrots and for our stir fry dinner it was perfection.
- The first time my book group has ever met on a Friday evening. It was a nice change, but we'll probably never do it again. Fridays are date night and the beginning of Shabbat. We all love book group, but it shouldn't mess with family time. We enjoyed the book, Let The Great World Spin. (Not to plug myself, but click HERE to read our write up.)
- The first time in 2010 our bicycles were taken for a spin. I love that we can ride all over the neighborhood without having to drive the bicycles to an acceptable route. There is a trail along the Cedar river that we'll have to drive to because even if I survived the ride down the hill to the river, I would NEVER get back up.
- The first time we washed our cars in our own driveway. It's not the ideal use of water resources, but we were conservative with the water, so quit judging me.
- This was also one of the first weekends in a while where we didn't HAVE to get up early for something, but yet we were up at our normal 6:20 am every day. Why does sleeping in elude me?
- We offered to adopt a child in need, but we were refused. Sure, he's 40 and owns his own place, but it seemed like the perfect solution. Jason and I would be parents but we wouldn't have to mess around with diapers or paying for college.
Friday, May 07, 2010
Whine
Two weeks ago I got an 'easy' but tedious assignment at my favorite new job. I have been slogging away at it and at every turn a bit frustrated because all the information I need wasn't in one place. (I'm supposed to be creating a file of all the standards in regular document (word) form for our super star web master.) I found that many of the files didn't exist and had to be recreated. That's the danger of letting your team save the master files on their personal hard drives. When they leave the data is GONE.
I'm down to two documents and they are a bitch. They are 22 pages of embedded tables containing configuration code for hardening some dumb server system.
I found the document in PDF form, and copy & paste works, but the table formatting dies when you do it.
I've managed to get through about an hours worth of work on one document and am only 3 pages in. I want to jab my eyes out.
I'm down to two documents and they are a bitch. They are 22 pages of embedded tables containing configuration code for hardening some dumb server system.
I found the document in PDF form, and copy & paste works, but the table formatting dies when you do it.
I've managed to get through about an hours worth of work on one document and am only 3 pages in. I want to jab my eyes out.
Thursday, May 06, 2010
She speaks
Well, look who has been too busy to hammer out an online essay for your enjoyment.
I have some quick thoughts that may or may not be interesting, most likely not, but you never know.
We bought a sailing trip at an auction and I'm enjoying the process of planning when we'll get to go. Captain Chris seems like a nice guy and his boat looks solid. It looks like it will be an August activity. I hope early August because I'd like Chelsey & Doug to come and she's "due" in September and I doubt she'll want to be rolling around on a sailboat at 8 1/2 months. Or 36 weeks - or however the preggo people tell time.
The in-laws are coming in June for the wedding of the son of Jason's cousin. We are trying to work out fun things to do. Maybe Teatro ZinZanni. It's like a theater version of Circ du Solei but with dinner and drinks.
Jason and I might be hosting the church "FAN" group for a BBQ also in June. FAN stands for something, but is essentially a grown up get together for people without kids (or who are willing to leave the kids at home). I haven't told him yet, but I've hung with the churchy people before and it is quite fun. They will bring meat and sides and we'll provide beer/wine/soda, plates and some sort of bbq dessert (can you say special brownies?) Our little back yard should be able to handle it quite well and while we don't have tons of outside seating if the weather is good we can take a table outside. It will be June, so we'll likely be inside with the BBQ tucked under the eave of the house like we do in the winter.
I asked for official permission to attend the conference in London, and then backed off with a "you know, I would rather attend the one in Boston in the fall and XXX event. Those two combined will be cheaper than the London thing. We'll see what the reply is. London would be cool, but REALLY expensive and even though it isn't my money it seems crazy.
The oh-so-thoughtful-Mother's Day gifts were delivered this morning and I hope the items we selected look nice upon arrival and are spectacular by Sunday. Jason's mom will have no doubt in her mind that it originated from me, but isn't better Mother's Day swag the perk of raising a nice boy who marries a nice girl?
That's about it for now. Later.
I have some quick thoughts that may or may not be interesting, most likely not, but you never know.
We bought a sailing trip at an auction and I'm enjoying the process of planning when we'll get to go. Captain Chris seems like a nice guy and his boat looks solid. It looks like it will be an August activity. I hope early August because I'd like Chelsey & Doug to come and she's "due" in September and I doubt she'll want to be rolling around on a sailboat at 8 1/2 months. Or 36 weeks - or however the preggo people tell time.
The in-laws are coming in June for the wedding of the son of Jason's cousin. We are trying to work out fun things to do. Maybe Teatro ZinZanni. It's like a theater version of Circ du Solei but with dinner and drinks.
Jason and I might be hosting the church "FAN" group for a BBQ also in June. FAN stands for something, but is essentially a grown up get together for people without kids (or who are willing to leave the kids at home). I haven't told him yet, but I've hung with the churchy people before and it is quite fun. They will bring meat and sides and we'll provide beer/wine/soda, plates and some sort of bbq dessert (can you say special brownies?) Our little back yard should be able to handle it quite well and while we don't have tons of outside seating if the weather is good we can take a table outside. It will be June, so we'll likely be inside with the BBQ tucked under the eave of the house like we do in the winter.
I asked for official permission to attend the conference in London, and then backed off with a "you know, I would rather attend the one in Boston in the fall and XXX event. Those two combined will be cheaper than the London thing. We'll see what the reply is. London would be cool, but REALLY expensive and even though it isn't my money it seems crazy.
The oh-so-thoughtful-Mother's Day gifts were delivered this morning and I hope the items we selected look nice upon arrival and are spectacular by Sunday. Jason's mom will have no doubt in her mind that it originated from me, but isn't better Mother's Day swag the perk of raising a nice boy who marries a nice girl?
That's about it for now. Later.
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Fictionary
El Coucho: A not so swanky restaurant located near the el tvo in your homeo (house - not "homo") . "We couldn't get a table at El Gaucho tonight, instead we'll be dining on the El Coucho."
Thankfully, the dress code at El Coucho is much more relaxed than at the sister location of El Gaucho.
Shameless plug for a favorite dining spot is here: Meat Makes Me Happy
Shameless plug for a favorite dining spot is here: Meat Makes Me Happy
The Purity Test
Saturday is free shred day in Renton and Jason and I are getting ready. We went through four boxes of old taxes, old bills, college transcripts (a driver's ed completion certificate) and crap left over from Messy Martha. I doubt that she'll need the divorce paperwork anymore.
Going through stuff I've been hanging onto was freeing. I may love those old Daly's newsletters but I haven't looked at them in over 15 years and frankly didn't read them last night either. I also had old letters that I had written to college chums after graduation and while it is fun to see that I was a party girl, I'm not her anymore.
I'm proud of Jason too. When we moved he promised me that he would go through his boxes of paper and ditch the sales receipts from 1998. (For the record, I had them too.) We both will be shredding all tax information except for the last 7 years. You had your audit chance Mr. IRS, but the 2002 audit window has been closed!
I found some wonderful family history stuff from Messy Marthas final box and saved that stuff. I'll bring it to Ma & Pa's place over Memorial Day and we'll go through it.
I also found a really fun relic from the days at the paint store. The Purity Test! The PT is a 500 questionaire designed to determine your "purity score". The questions range from platonic relations questions (have you ever had a date, a date past 1am) to legal items (have you ever shoplifted, made out a check that bounced, drugged someone without their knowledge). The questions get really personal (anal sex, paid for sex, group sex) and quite detailed.
Your score is determined by taking the number of yes answers and identifying your purity percentage. "The higher the number, the more pure you are; n the same vein, the lower the score, the more of a sleaze-bag you are.
I have a complete test (on paper) and found one online . Neither require names or identifiable information.
The copy I have is a photocopy from one of the nice paint store boys. He has is 11/27/1989 and 1/26/1997 score neatly written on the top. (73.2% down to 66.8%) I think I need to invite him over for dinner, a test and an updated test.
I've got an appointment this afternoon, but we'll see if I have time to do my own score.
Going through stuff I've been hanging onto was freeing. I may love those old Daly's newsletters but I haven't looked at them in over 15 years and frankly didn't read them last night either. I also had old letters that I had written to college chums after graduation and while it is fun to see that I was a party girl, I'm not her anymore.
I'm proud of Jason too. When we moved he promised me that he would go through his boxes of paper and ditch the sales receipts from 1998. (For the record, I had them too.) We both will be shredding all tax information except for the last 7 years. You had your audit chance Mr. IRS, but the 2002 audit window has been closed!
I found some wonderful family history stuff from Messy Marthas final box and saved that stuff. I'll bring it to Ma & Pa's place over Memorial Day and we'll go through it.
I also found a really fun relic from the days at the paint store. The Purity Test! The PT is a 500 questionaire designed to determine your "purity score". The questions range from platonic relations questions (have you ever had a date, a date past 1am) to legal items (have you ever shoplifted, made out a check that bounced, drugged someone without their knowledge). The questions get really personal (anal sex, paid for sex, group sex) and quite detailed.
Your score is determined by taking the number of yes answers and identifying your purity percentage. "The higher the number, the more pure you are; n the same vein, the lower the score, the more of a sleaze-bag you are.
I have a complete test (on paper) and found one online . Neither require names or identifiable information.
The copy I have is a photocopy from one of the nice paint store boys. He has is 11/27/1989 and 1/26/1997 score neatly written on the top. (73.2% down to 66.8%) I think I need to invite him over for dinner, a test and an updated test.
I've got an appointment this afternoon, but we'll see if I have time to do my own score.
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Don't ask me...
I'm thankful that I'm not sitting on the jury who is at this moment deciding the fate of Conner Schierman, the 28 year old man convicted of stabbing and murdering a young Kirkland family (a mom, two boys and a visiting sister) and then setting their house on fire.
His story is that he doesn't remember what happened (but they found lots of blood evidence that indicated he had been inside their house) due to alcohol and drugs. While this story seems like a convenient way to suggest that he's not actually responsible for his actions, the evidence was strong enough to cause a jury to convict him.
This crime was horrific and purposeless. The death penalty is a reasonable penalty to consider for this person.
I'm thankful I'm not on the jury because I do believe that he doesn't remember the event and that it was not something he planned or seems to take pleasure in. I don't think he should ever be free to walk amongst the rest of us, but I wonder if killing him is less of a punishment than having him face the next 50-70 years in what I imagine is the scariest and bleakest place on earth.
The press hasn't said what outcome the family of the victims have requested. It would make the decision of me, as a member of the jury a lot easier if the husband, father and brother-in-law (all the same man) had a strong opinion one way or the other. In trying (feebly) to put myself in his shoes I can't say that I would ask for the death penalty. I wouldn't bring my family back, but it might put an end (after all the legal wrangling) to the issue once the deed was done.
And, if you use Christianity as a piece of your moral guide, which part of the biblical teaching are you supposed to fall back on... turn the other cheek, an eye for an eye, or ask for forgiveness and it shall be given? How nice that which ever way you go you can find scriptural support, but are you supposed to just use the one that "feels" most right?
This man may not have shown mercy during his night of terror, but I'm thankful that it is not up to me to decide his fate.
The Cost Factor
I've heard it suggested that it might be better to put someone to death than to pay year after year to have them incarcerated? Economically, it seems logical that a dead psychopathic murderer costs less than a live one. Factually, there is lots of information that says it isn't cheaper when you factor in the cost differential of the trial (and required appeals) of a death penalty case.
Multiple studies in California show that the cost of perusing the death penalty costs over 114 million per year over the cost of cases where life without parole is the intended outcome. They also state that a death row inmate costs about $90,000 more per year to house than a "regular" inmate.
Wikipedia (where the facts may or may not be facts) states that the average cost to house all prisoners is $62.05 per day or $22,648.25 per year. Assuming the cost of death row folks are included in that average and accounting for places that cost WAY less, let us assume this figure is mostly accurate. How long would it take to "make back" the cost of executing someone, without considering the higher cost to put them on death row? By my math it is about 4 years for every year they sit on death row. So, for someone who is on death row 10 years there won't actually be a 'cost savings' until 40 years after the execution. (My math: cost per year $22.5 for everyone, death row adds another 90k, so 90/22.5=4)
Some states are far more aggressive at (forgive the pun) pulling the trigger. I encourage you not to get convicted in Virginia - since 1976 they have executed 106 people and only have 13 awaiting their fate. Texas, is another that has a pretty quick turn around 453 executions with another 352 pending. Our state of Washington has executed 4 and has 9 on DR. California is paying the most to house death row inmates with a population of 678 (with only 13 executions since 1976). (These figures are from the "Death Penalty Information Center web site.) These four states alone the are paying an annual cost of $94.5 million in addition to the normal cost of a imprisonment.
As long and drawn out as this explanation is, like it or not, I don't think we can use cost savings as a justification for choosing the death penalty over a life sentence.
Life is LIFE
It is a consideration, however, that no matter how punitive and unpleasant our prison systems may be, for the inmate a life sentence still gives the prisoner some sort of life. They may be allowed to work, go to school, read, write, get letters, visits from family, friends, heck some may even get to have sleep overs with their spouses. Is this fair for someone who has taken the life of four innocent people? Should a prisoner get to celebrate Christmas or his or her own birthday? I'm not suggesting prison would be fun; being introduced to Hulk, your butt raping serial killer roommate would certainly ruin your day. But there are folks who thrive in the prison environment - they find their way and manage to live within that world not as free people, but probably not in a constant state of repentance. (Is that what I would need as a victim? Again, not sure.)
What the heck is your point?
I have no point...I'm just trying to work it out in my head (and now online).
Most importantly, I feel a profound sense of compassion for the Milkin families and hope no matter what happens with this man convicted of altering their world that they find some sort of comfort and peace. If I was on the jury, I hope I would have the strength to let that be my guide.
His story is that he doesn't remember what happened (but they found lots of blood evidence that indicated he had been inside their house) due to alcohol and drugs. While this story seems like a convenient way to suggest that he's not actually responsible for his actions, the evidence was strong enough to cause a jury to convict him.
This crime was horrific and purposeless. The death penalty is a reasonable penalty to consider for this person.
I'm thankful I'm not on the jury because I do believe that he doesn't remember the event and that it was not something he planned or seems to take pleasure in. I don't think he should ever be free to walk amongst the rest of us, but I wonder if killing him is less of a punishment than having him face the next 50-70 years in what I imagine is the scariest and bleakest place on earth.
The press hasn't said what outcome the family of the victims have requested. It would make the decision of me, as a member of the jury a lot easier if the husband, father and brother-in-law (all the same man) had a strong opinion one way or the other. In trying (feebly) to put myself in his shoes I can't say that I would ask for the death penalty. I wouldn't bring my family back, but it might put an end (after all the legal wrangling) to the issue once the deed was done.
And, if you use Christianity as a piece of your moral guide, which part of the biblical teaching are you supposed to fall back on... turn the other cheek, an eye for an eye, or ask for forgiveness and it shall be given? How nice that which ever way you go you can find scriptural support, but are you supposed to just use the one that "feels" most right?
This man may not have shown mercy during his night of terror, but I'm thankful that it is not up to me to decide his fate.
The Cost Factor
I've heard it suggested that it might be better to put someone to death than to pay year after year to have them incarcerated? Economically, it seems logical that a dead psychopathic murderer costs less than a live one. Factually, there is lots of information that says it isn't cheaper when you factor in the cost differential of the trial (and required appeals) of a death penalty case.
Multiple studies in California show that the cost of perusing the death penalty costs over 114 million per year over the cost of cases where life without parole is the intended outcome. They also state that a death row inmate costs about $90,000 more per year to house than a "regular" inmate.
Wikipedia (where the facts may or may not be facts) states that the average cost to house all prisoners is $62.05 per day or $22,648.25 per year. Assuming the cost of death row folks are included in that average and accounting for places that cost WAY less, let us assume this figure is mostly accurate. How long would it take to "make back" the cost of executing someone, without considering the higher cost to put them on death row? By my math it is about 4 years for every year they sit on death row. So, for someone who is on death row 10 years there won't actually be a 'cost savings' until 40 years after the execution. (My math: cost per year $22.5 for everyone, death row adds another 90k, so 90/22.5=4)
Some states are far more aggressive at (forgive the pun) pulling the trigger. I encourage you not to get convicted in Virginia - since 1976 they have executed 106 people and only have 13 awaiting their fate. Texas, is another that has a pretty quick turn around 453 executions with another 352 pending. Our state of Washington has executed 4 and has 9 on DR. California is paying the most to house death row inmates with a population of 678 (with only 13 executions since 1976). (These figures are from the "Death Penalty Information Center web site.) These four states alone the are paying an annual cost of $94.5 million in addition to the normal cost of a imprisonment.
As long and drawn out as this explanation is, like it or not, I don't think we can use cost savings as a justification for choosing the death penalty over a life sentence.
Life is LIFE
It is a consideration, however, that no matter how punitive and unpleasant our prison systems may be, for the inmate a life sentence still gives the prisoner some sort of life. They may be allowed to work, go to school, read, write, get letters, visits from family, friends, heck some may even get to have sleep overs with their spouses. Is this fair for someone who has taken the life of four innocent people? Should a prisoner get to celebrate Christmas or his or her own birthday? I'm not suggesting prison would be fun; being introduced to Hulk, your butt raping serial killer roommate would certainly ruin your day. But there are folks who thrive in the prison environment - they find their way and manage to live within that world not as free people, but probably not in a constant state of repentance. (Is that what I would need as a victim? Again, not sure.)
What the heck is your point?
I have no point...I'm just trying to work it out in my head (and now online).
Most importantly, I feel a profound sense of compassion for the Milkin families and hope no matter what happens with this man convicted of altering their world that they find some sort of comfort and peace. If I was on the jury, I hope I would have the strength to let that be my guide.
Monday, May 03, 2010
What are you sitting in?
I find it ironic that our weekends are jam packed from now until fall but that we have days where we don't have much going on. We had a gaggle of cousins who were invited over for dinner Saturday evening, but our day was wide open and Sunday we had hopes of going to church and that was about it.
The weekend ended up being filled with errands, movies (I finally watched Avatar) and yard work. I did manage to work in a serene moment in my fabulous bathtub.
I'm addicted to a silly product from Lush called Bath bombs. They are giant fizzy tablets that fill the tub with wonderful smells and (usually) silky skin emollients. The Big Blue bomb also turns the water a pretty blue. I tried a new bomb called Honey Bee, which was sold to me as a "sweet and soothing honey-toffee bomb for deliciously soft skin." Nowhere is there a disclaimer that states that the Honey Bee turns the water the color of urine. I think there should be some sort of sign that says this is for a candlelit bath only.
While I love the Bath Bombs, you have to be careful of your time management. Most Bombs result in the need to scrub the tub when you're done. There is one that has actual sparkles embedded into the mix. That one might never get used at my house. I don't care how good it smells, I'm not picking up sparkles in the bathtub. Heck, I'm still finding sparkles on the floor from the 70's disco birthday party in January (and I vacuum on a regular basis!)
So, after the Urine bath, we watched Avatar. I can see why people said to see it in 3D. Visually it was wonderful and I'm sure on the big screen it would have been even better. The story was so-so and now that I've seen it I don't have to again for a long long time.
This is an "at home" week and I'm happy to be waking up in my own bed for many many days in a row. Rico is coming over for dinner Saturday and Sunday we are free of any obligation. It is mother's day, but we won't be driving over the mountain to surprise Mrs. P. We will be going for memorial day weekend and I hope we'll be forgiven for doing a home based activity. (Maybe we'll get the bikes out if it doesn't look like rain.)
We'll see.
The weekend ended up being filled with errands, movies (I finally watched Avatar) and yard work. I did manage to work in a serene moment in my fabulous bathtub.
While I love the Bath Bombs, you have to be careful of your time management. Most Bombs result in the need to scrub the tub when you're done. There is one that has actual sparkles embedded into the mix. That one might never get used at my house. I don't care how good it smells, I'm not picking up sparkles in the bathtub. Heck, I'm still finding sparkles on the floor from the 70's disco birthday party in January (and I vacuum on a regular basis!)
So, after the Urine bath, we watched Avatar. I can see why people said to see it in 3D. Visually it was wonderful and I'm sure on the big screen it would have been even better. The story was so-so and now that I've seen it I don't have to again for a long long time.
This is an "at home" week and I'm happy to be waking up in my own bed for many many days in a row. Rico is coming over for dinner Saturday and Sunday we are free of any obligation. It is mother's day, but we won't be driving over the mountain to surprise Mrs. P. We will be going for memorial day weekend and I hope we'll be forgiven for doing a home based activity. (Maybe we'll get the bikes out if it doesn't look like rain.)
We'll see.
Saturday, May 01, 2010
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