Lite blogging

Blogging will be light as I try to recover from recent shoulder surgery. The surgery was fine; the post-op is not so fine.

302

My office number and my house address are the same: 302. It only took three years for me to realize this...

Treasure Island

As part of my summer of classic novels, I read Treasure Island (by Robert Louis Stevenson). To me, the novel seemed a pure adventure story. However, on the back cover of the B & N Classics edition, Prof. Angus Fletcher sez:

The unexpected and complex relationship that develops between [Long John] Silver and Jim helps transform what seems at first to be a simple, rip-roaring adventure story into a deeply moving study of a boy's growth into manhood, as he learns hard lessons about friendship, loyalty, courage, and honor -- and the uncertain meaning of good and evil.

On a side note, the name of the "Long John Silver" quick-service seafood restaurants now makes sense. Long John Silver was the ship's cook on the journey to Treasure Island. (I don't know if they have any of those fast-food joints here in Montana.)

Evinrude at rest

Can you find the outboard motor?

Road construction

Fowler was widened at its intersection with Huffine. Eventually, the intersecton will get a signal.

Pride and Prejudice

My Summer reading plan for fiction is as follows: read classic novels that I've never read before. Luckily (?), my engineering education leaves me plenty of options to choose from.

I read Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice on the advice of a fellow Montana blogger. A great novel - sparkling wit, a very appealing protagonist (Elizabeth Bennet), great sense of irony, awesome authorial stlye. Unexpected reading for Big Mike?

On tap: Northanger Abbey, Candide, and Treasure Island.

#713 of 1001 ways to use duct tape

The latest trend in tree surgery, no doubt.

Cathodic Protection Test Station

I sleep a little easier knowing that the local gas pipeline has Cathodic Protection...

Leaning trees

On W. Babcock, near Fowler. I wonder if/when they'll finally topple?

Y2Y

"Yellowstone to Yukon" requires "sex across the highway."

CAT vs. willow tree

The CAT won.

I am kitty...

...hear me roar.

Cars - credit cookie

Cars has a credit cookie - a short clip after the credits. I thought the movie was funny, but about 20 minutes too long.

Vacation home?

Lot's of folks buy vacation homes in Montana. What about those of us who live in Montana? -- castles for sale.

(h/t boingboing.net)