Thoughts in Veeberland

[Originally posted December 22, 2005]

NYC will always overcome.  I am quite proud to be from there, though I really don’t fit the typical Manhatten resident.  This strike has really put a lot of people out and yet it seems everyone’s making a great attempt at getting in to work regardless.  I’m sure the casual shopping is down, but they brave the 2-3 hour walks or incredible traffic on the bridges and streets.  What troopers those New Yorkers are.

I really think the TWA is being greedy.  They are arguing because the city wants new employees to pay 6% of their salary towards their pension, which they can start claiming as early as 55.  Most workers across the US can’t really retire until 62 and probably don’t even get a pension.  You’ve got really good benefits already and you’re asking for respect and dignity?  What is that saying about all of the other workers in NY or the rest of the country.  Those people who working for minimum wage and no benefits are just suckers?  The strike really only hurts them.  The rest of the business world is moving on since their companies can afford to have them work from home or to arrange transportation.  The MTA should fee free to negotiate the best contract that they can, but they cannot claim the moral/judicial high ground when they are causing tens of thousands more to suffer.  That’s just rediculous.  At least go back to work while you are negotiating.  The people of NY are not on your side in this.

[Originally published April 25, 2006]

Oh boy was yesterday just a comedy.  To understand what’s going on I guess I need to go back a few weeks.

So back in December a company came and did a pitch on replacing our windows.  We were quite impressed, so we decided to get all 5 of our sliding windows replaced, and chose to put in new doors.  A new front door and two sets of French doors on the back.  It took us 4 months after that to get our Home Owner’s Association to approve the work, because it was changing an external architectural detail.

After some production delays our doors and windows were delivered, and it turns out they measured the basement door incorrectly and now we have to wait for a new one to be made for them to install it.  We haven’t been all that happy with the job they did on the other two doors.  The windows have ultimately turned out ok.  A few minor details, but they will come and fix them soon enough. read more »

[Originally published May 5, 2006

We had a plumber come by yesterday.  I had put in a request to ServiceMagic about needing the fixtures in our guest bath changed out.  The knobs were leaky and the shower diverter was jammed.  We went to Home Depot the day before and bought the only two handle kit they had.  Looked ok, but the display in Home Depot is deceptive.  I can get to that later.   read more »