Year: 2005

Plumbing Link

Adventures

A week or two ago, we noticed spots on our kitchen ceiling. At last, we called in the plumber. The plumber came in and it seems that the leak is from a drain pipe and not a water line so we’re doing some diagnostics to find out whether it’s a toilet or sink.

But here’s the interesting part. When I got to work I talked to a couple of people about it, and found that this problem is more common than one would think. KA had a finish carpenter drive a nail through a hose in his tub. Others have had drywall screws driven into drain pipes. The screws rust away two years later and now you have a leak. I think this is what happened to us; our house is two years old.

Switchfoot – Revised

Observations

Regarding Switchfoot, I have to retract my earlier statement about Jon’s focus on narcissism in Nothing is Sound. The record contains ample excoriation of narcissism — as did The Beautiful Letdown — however there are other and new themes with a strong presence. Most notably, the world-weariness of The Blues, The Setting Sun, and Politicians. These songs remind us that we all get tired more or less often, and they provide reassurance that justice will prevail in the end.

Instant Foods and Preference

Observations

MG has reminded me of something I was thinking about when I wrote about instant foods. Namely, there are certain of these foods — for example instant oatmeal — that we have begun to like better than the real deal. Probably, we could compare this to enjoying a football video game more than we enjoy real life football.

Switcfoot – Nothing is Sound

Observations

Yesterday brought to me the new Switchfoot, Nothing is Sound, and after the first 2 listens, I’m finding it quite enjoyable. For what my opinion is worth, I think this record ranks with The Legend of Chin and New Way to be Human for listenability. Learning to Breathe and Beautiful Letdown were solid but I found that they lacked the musical freedom of the first two. Well, I think Switchfoot have recaptured some of that freewheeling spirit. Lyrically, one could make the case that Jon [again] focused too narrowly on excoriating narcissism. Howsoever, as much or more than any other lyricist in my CD player, he writes about interesting subjects using specific words; specific and interesting enough that I’ll keep on listening.

Instant Foods and Necessity

Observations

Did you ever notice how many “instant” versions we have of foods that are already quick and easy in their regular form? These “instant” versions may be superfluous:

– Frozen Waffles

– Gas fireplaces

– Instant coffee

– Instant oatmeal

– Instant potatoes

– Instant pudding

– Instant tea

– Microwave bacon

– Microwave brats

– Microwave popcorn

– Premade cookie dough

The savings in time that these “instants” offer do not begin to pay for the taste, quality, and character they swindle.