Umrain's blog

Smells I Smelled Today

Top three smells that I can remember:

• Vinegar (from a sandwich)
  
• Freshly layed ashpalt (it was still sticky to walk across)
• Burning wood (so good a smell)

If only someone had spilled some gasoline the day would have been perfect.

QotD: Celebrational Muppetational!

Who is your favorite Muppet ? Why?
QotD submitted by knitwitology.vox.com .

YOU ARE

(omg i zinged you so good!  thx for the setup, vox!  p.s. relax it's a joke! ♥)

Pictures of LEGO That I Saw, For You

LEGO Blimp

So I was at the Mall Of America a few weeks ago, and the only thing good there was the LEGO store. Yes the ONLY thing good.  There were tons of dinosaurs and robots and whatnot.  Some of my photos were too blurry to show anyone but I got a lot of good ones.

Follow the link to see a bunch of pictures of dinosaurs and space stuff, along with rare examples of LEGOemo and LEGOracism!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/umrain/with/192848667/

Thoughts from the Flea Market

So we went to the local flea market today.  It is HOT outside OMG.  My brain did not have a lot of thoughts, probably to keep from creating extra heat (my brain is clever like that), but here are some of the few thoughts that did happen.

1. It is HOT OMG.
2. I did not kow they made DVDs for movies that are still in theatres.
3. I am doubtful that those computers are still functional especially after sitting in this heat for many weekends.
4. Mmm, this Yoohoo is delicious.
5. I did not realize there were so many spanish radio stations.
6. Those kebab things that place is grilling look good; it is a shame that I am not hungry.
7. I will never get the hypnotic chant of "12 socks, for 7 dollars" out of my head.
   
8. Arg I am tired now - time to go home.

Radio Voices

When I hear people talking on radio shows or podcasts or whatever, I do not want to know what they really look like. I have already imagined what they look like in my head. And what they really look like is almost always wrong. It's not their fault; I know. But seriously, radio people, I can avoid images of you easily enough, but please don't mention things like how tall you are or your hair color when you are talking. I already know better than you and it is REALLY annoying when you contradict me. THANKS.

Crossing the Street Part 2

Sometimes circumstances require that I cross the street where there is no light or crosswalk to avoid walking several extra thousands of feet. So I wait until there is a sizable car free gap in the road and head across.

You would think this would be easy for drivers to handle, as they don't have to do anything. But some fools still have a poor grasp of the concept of right of way. It is a non-waivable right. Just because I am stainding at the side of the road or at the corner does not mean you can stop for me. ESPECIALLY DO NOT STOP IN A HIGHWAY OFF-RAMP. I CAN SEE CARS COMING FROM FURTHER THAN YOU CAN; LET ME HANDLE MYSELF. I DO NOT WANT TO PULL CAR SHRAPNEL OUT OF MY EYES AFTER SOMEONE REAR-ENDS YOU; THANKS.

Also, when I am standing at a corner, and you don't have a stop sign, DON'T STOP IN THE INTERSECTION TO LET ME WALK ACROSS. I know perpendicular cars have to stop anyway, but seriously, KEEP GOING. IT IS NOT SAFE AND I DON'T PARTICULARLY TRUST YOU TO NOT RUN ME DOWN WHEN I PASS IN FRONT OF YOU AND ALSO DON'T RUSH ME!

The only good thing about these situations is that as a pedestrian, I can make much bigger arm waves to encourage them to MOVE then they could ever do from their cars.

Neckties

They are, simply put, the worst article of prevalent clothing in modern times.

1. Most of them are ugly.
2. They manage to look even more ridiculous than ususal when it is windy.
3. They impair airflow to the lungs and bloodflow to the brain harming productivity, morale, and health.
4. The are a not so subtle reminder of the S&M-esqe relationship of employers and employees.
5. They add an extra step to washing hands in the sink.
6. The are a serious safety hazard around various office machineries.*
7. They are the only piece of clothing where you need to apply fucking origami to wear them.

(*One time I was at this expo and there was these giant high speed rolling printers. A guy asked me if I had any questions and I said "What is that big red button for?" He told me it was them emergency stop. I said, "What kind of emergencies?" He did a little nervous laugh and it seemed like he didn't like that question, but then he finally answered with something like "hmm. i'm not sure. i guess maybe if something gets caught, like a necktie.")

Crossing the Street

Why was I the only one that had to take a test to get my drivers licence? I mean I hardly even use it. Anyway, if you are one of the people that missed out on the test here is a quick lesson for you:

When you are at an intersection with a traffic light, there are rules that determine who goes when. This is called "right of way". For example, if you are waiting to turn left when the light turns, and someone is in the crosswalk to the left of you, do not try to turn left until they have passed so you do not run them over. Also, if there is a car facing you that wants to go forward, you are supposed to let them go past before you make your turn so they do not have to hit you. Here is a tricky part: What if there is a person in the crosswalk to the left AND a car across from you going straight? ANSWER: YOU DO NOT CUT THEM BOTH OFF. ESPECIALLY NOT EVERY OTHER DAY.

Bonus Lesson: a red light means STOP. ALWAYS. I don't care if you can "right turn on red"; you still have to stop first. Like a stop sign. HOW CAN YOU HAVE A DRIVER'S LICENSE AND NOT KNOW WHAT A RED LIGHT MEANS? IT MEANS DON'T RUN ME OVER OR CUT ME OFF, THANKS.

I hope this advice was informative.

kthxbye.