Compost Experiment

This week, I ate at the ever enjoyable Pizzeria Pagliacci's (a guy should be able to indulge himself on his birthday, right?). Besides having some awesome pizza and salad, which was not a surprise, I was served a frothy root beer in this "plastic" cup. It seems like any other plastic cup, even more sturdy, but it advertises as being made completely of corn and totally compostable. Not that I don't trust one of my favorite pizza places, but I gotta see this for myself. Does the marketing definition of "compostable" agree with mine? Do you first have to send it through a shredder? Does it take non-normal composting temperatures to break down? Are we talking glacial timeframes here? Hopefully my little experiment will answer all my questions. What I've done is tied a string to said cup, dropped it in our compost (and buried it good with corn leavings etc.), and plan to check on it every 3 months or so. Any guesses? When we shovel compost onto the garden next year, will we notice any [pseudo-]plastic? I, for one, look forward to finding out.

Wednesday August 13 2008

File under: environment, misc

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on Wed 13th Aug, 2008 01:53 pm PDT Nesbitt said: Heard a story on NPR about the Democrats trying to use compostable balloons at their convention. They tried a similar experiment with a sample and after a few months there was no change to said balloons in the pile. Interested to see your results. ************************ on Wed 13th Aug, 2008 01:55 pm PDT Nesbitt said: Secondly, advice on good composting units would be helpful; I'm in the market. ************************ on Wed 13th Aug, 2008 02:12 pm PDT gretchen said: composting corn/cane utensils and cups/plates takes incredibly high temperatures. i'm not sure you'll reach them in a home composting bin in the nw. but i look forward to hearing how the experiment goes. ************************ on Wed 13th Aug, 2008 05:46 pm PDT Sean said: What kind of compost bin do y'all have? Do you flip it/roll it/stir it up? Or just leave it be?I've got worms. ************************ on Thu 14th Aug, 2008 07:35 am PDT cardboard said: sounds like you might need the temps a large pile of Hogfuel (hogsfuel, hogged mulch, hog, fuel...whatever you want to call it) to get that baby to break down. ************************ on Thu 14th Aug, 2008 10:04 am PDT Wren said: Nesbitt and Sean, we are really happy with our compost bin (seen above). It is a cone-shaped jobber with a portion that sits below the ground. The above ground portion has layered walls so that air can get between them. You just throw your compost in there (with the addition of newspaper or sawdust every now and again, and it's happy. We have two side by side and alternate their use every 6-8 months, allowing for full compost. I highly recommend them! ************************ on Thu 14th Aug, 2008 01:58 pm PDT Mom said: The green cone system is great for us city folks--it keeps the 4-legged varmits out of the compost. Here's more information and a link to the manufacturer ************************ on Thu 14th Aug, 2008 08:19 pm PDT Emily said: Happy-After Birthday to you!!! ************************ on Mon 06th Sep, 2010 02:11 pm PDT Matt Galvin said: I am very interested to hear the results. As the owner of the business and the one who was sold on the compostable packaging through Fabri Kal Greenware, I am vested to make sure that we are in fact getting what we are paying for. Matt ************************

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Ten Year Reunion

The 10-year high school reunion is an institution, a rite of passage, a tradition. It appears in movies and is something you have in common with everyone "of a certain age" you pass on the street (even if it is only comparing notes on why you didn't go, why you didn't hear about it, how your high school sweetheart looks so happy now, or whatever). This myth - lore, expectation, curiosity - led me to greatly look forward to my 10-year reunion. I'm pleased to say that it didn't disappoint. While some of the cliches applied (there was a drunkard or two that made a fools of themselves, and a few people that had "swelled"*), in general, I was pleasantly surprised at so much. Lots of people showed up, way more than I was expecting (across the 3 events, I would say about half of the graduating class was represented). Most people looked really good. The conversations were much less stale than I might have thought (quickly getting the location/marriage status/job stuff exchanged and then finding a commonality; not nearly as much reminiscing as I feared). But possibly the most pleasant surprise was most people's seeming willingness to leave behind cliques, old grudges, etc. and eagerness to re-meet the people with whom we all share a common past. And while often unsaid, the openness, acceptance, and inclusion displayed signified to me an appreciation and camaraderie the stemmed from that shared experience. My only real disappointment* was the lack of more than a few notable faces. As I pointed out in my earlier post, "the more, the merrier" couldn't be better applied than to a class reunion. Those who chose not to go made the experience that much less complete. During the showing of the senior class video* when a non-attending classmate was featured, you could hear murmurs from the crowd. Why isn't Siri here?, I wonder what Jeff is up to., or I was really hoping that Aron would be here.. Alas. While not the same, perhaps those questions will be answered at the 20-year. See you in 2018!

Sunday August 10 2008

File under: Anacortes, misc

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on Sun 10th Aug, 2008 10:39 pm PDT Saxtor said: Meh... ************************ on Sun 10th Aug, 2008 11:20 pm PDT Horge said: "When I feel... quiet... when... I feel... blue... ...For a while... For a while." ************************ on Mon 11th Aug, 2008 08:21 pm PDT Andrew said: Why wasn't Andrew there? How is he these days? I heard he is a racecar driver! ************************ on Mon 11th Aug, 2008 08:54 pm PDT Jule! said: Happy Birthday Wren!! ************************ on Tue 12th Aug, 2008 11:40 pm PDT Horge said: Sretan rodjendan! (Bosnian for the above statement) ************************ on Wed 13th Aug, 2008 08:14 am PDT dave said: omeidetou gozaimasu! ************************ on Wed 13th Aug, 2008 01:44 pm PDT Saxtor said: I'm pretty sure you low-rezzed that photo on purpose... ************************ on Wed 13th Aug, 2008 02:57 pm PDT Wren said: The photo is low-res because I stole it off myspace. I even tried to hack the URL and everything to get a better copy. ************************ on Thu 14th Aug, 2008 07:39 am PDT cardboard said: is that fantini up front there with the microphone?? looks raging ************************ on Tue 26th Aug, 2008 11:19 am PDT Wren said: A few pics from the reunion: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 ************************

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FC 44 - The Biz

Deanna comes through again with another awesome split-panel, bear/telephone comic*. I only hope that I didn't botch it all up with my coloring and whatnot. In thinking about this comic, I also started thinking about Picky Oony the Worm. When I ran the idea by a few people, I got the impression that Mr. Oony was quite a bit less well known that Mr. Wuzzy. Have you heard of Picky Oony the Worm? (If not, I'm running to the nearest children's book publisher and starting myself a franchise.)

Thursday August 7 2008

File under: comic

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on Thu 07th Aug, 2008 10:51 pm PDT Wren said: (non post related comment: It seems that this little old blog is causing some problems with my host, so you might see it pop in and out of service until we get the problem worked out. Not to worry, though, it shall be fixed. And now back to your regularly schedule programming.) ************************

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The Cycle Continues

It was time to shave. And since I can't shave without doing something stupid/fun, and since I can't do something stupid/fun without taking a picture, and I can't take a picture without posting it, here you go. Note to fellas: How come I am the only one creating and posting ridiculous beard pictures?

Wednesday August 6 2008

File under: beard

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on Wed 06th Aug, 2008 01:48 pm PDT Nesbitt said: It would take me two years to actually grow the beard. ************************ on Wed 06th Aug, 2008 03:14 pm PDT Saxtor said: Well, for starters, facial hair is serious business. You're the only one clowning around with the whiskers. And much like a tree falling in the woods, I still believe that "goofy" facial hair trimming does not count unless your friends are able to marvel at its magnificence...in person. ************************ on Wed 06th Aug, 2008 07:14 pm PDT nathan said: here's a dumb mustache picture for you - its a bit dated, but it retains its stupidity quite nicely if you ask me . . . http://picasaweb.google.com/nathan.mcneil/ThisDrawer/photo?authkey=Ol3d8CPfbtU#5231593077045425330 ************************ on Wed 06th Aug, 2008 07:15 pm PDT nathan said: try this one: ************************ on Wed 06th Aug, 2008 10:11 pm PDT Wren said: I had to do a double take on that one. I didn't recognize you at first. That is awesome!! ************************ on Wed 06th Aug, 2008 11:00 pm PDT Saxtor said: V, is that you?! ************************

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Ms vs. Twins

One of the upsides for working for a big company is the little perks now and then. Photoworks (now an American Greetings Company) recently made available a couple of Mariners' tickets that I handily snatched up. Baseball games are fun. Baseball games for free are even more fun. Despite the $4.25 bottled water*, no ground crew dancers*, and the one place that servers soft-serve ice cream in a little plastic helmet being closed, excitement and fun conquered the day, helped along by an epic rally by the Ms late in the game led by a Raul Ibanez grand salami. Yep, an epic comeback, a gorgeous night at the stadium, and free tickets make for an evening that is alright by me. (Lack of a drunken college roommate yelling in Japanese at Ichiro did lessen the excitement, however).

Tuesday August 5 2008

File under: misc, Seattle

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on Tue 05th Aug, 2008 08:08 am PDT Nesbitt said: Thanks for the shout-out, although I maintain my blood alcohol level was bellow the legal limit. I don't need to be drunk to yell obnoxious things in Japanese. ************************ on Tue 05th Aug, 2008 06:36 pm PDT Sarah said: Bellow? Below? Maybe he should stick to Japanese... (But, I'm stuck marrying him...) ************************

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FC 43 - The Little Things

You guys are stuck with me as an artist again this week. Hopefully we'll get another guest artist in soon. But for a change of pace, I cast the mouse aside and picked up a pencil, just like the pros do. Granted I came back through and spent twice as much time touching it up and coloring things with the computer as I did making the initial drawing in pencil, but the bulk of it was comic making just like our forefathers did. This comic was inspired by a feeling evoked on a trip to Fred Meyer* this week. I won't ruin the comic for you if you happen to be reading this blurb first, but I will say that I was reminded of life's little pleasures. Speaking of life's little pleasures, what would be on your welcome to heaven billboard?

Thursday July 31 2008

File under: comic

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on Fri 01st Aug, 2008 06:23 am PDT Sara said: Yay for pencils! ************************ on Fri 01st Aug, 2008 08:12 am PDT Saxtor said: It's like the modern day version of hobo heaven. ************************ on Sat 02nd Aug, 2008 06:42 am PDT Nesbitt said: "Welcome to Heaven, nap-time noon to four." ************************

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Inquire Within

Ever since the Back Porch Cafe discontinued quiz night (and subsequently went out of business*) and IHJ's short-lived but incredibly well done Tuesday Trivia went on temporary(?) hiatus, my trivia needs have gone unfulfilled. Sure a nightly rendezvous with Alex Trebek helps, but it is just so one-sided. You can imagine my delight at hearing the Longhorn Saloon in "Historic" Edision, WA has started their own trivia night. Last night, we got a table early, filled our bellies with brain food (cheeseburger, grilled oysters, and beer) and planned our strategy, which mainly consisted of picking a team name. To make a long story short, Inquire Within came from the ranks of obscurity to conquer the day. After 4 rounds of 10 ?s each (categories of Saturday Morning Cartoons*, Visual Identification, General Knowledge, and Song Recognition), we stood in a tie for first. For the tie-breaker round, each team selected one member to compete in a final 3 question sudden death. Barely edging out My Two Dads, Inquire Within won it all with Paraguay*! Yes, Longhorn Saloon, I will be back to play your trivia again.

Thursday July 31 2008

File under: games, Anacortes

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on Thu 31st Jul, 2008 04:56 pm PDT whuppinstick said: nice work! what did you win? (nice new site..) ************************ on Thu 31st Jul, 2008 04:58 pm PDT Wren said: We won $25 off our tab (or as a gift certificate for next time around. But since next time around, we are going to win again, we just put it toward our tab.) ************************ on Wed 20th Aug, 2008 02:42 pm PDT jenelle said: nice typeface design in the poster. man, if only it were letterpressed. ok, type geek is done commenting. ************************

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Quote for Monday 4

"Think Fast. Live Slow." At its inception, the purpose of this here quotes series was to not only share inspiration/affirming quotes, but also to point out that such quotes can be found in our everyday lives where we might least expect them. Case in point: the other day, I was walking down town with shoes (Simple clogs) on my hands* and happened to glance down at the soles of my hands. This week's quote was staring back at me. I've owned these shoes for nigh on 9 years and never noticed said quote before. (As a side note, while I don't really like to encourage consumerism and its associated advertisements, Simple Shoes has been a company I've had a crush on for years and years. Their ads are fun, their slogans are clever, and they once sponsored Dan Price and his Moonlight Chronicles.

Monday July 28 2008

File under: quote

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FC 42 - You Talk a Big Game

Do you think writers of t.v. shows ever look at the finished product and think, "Damn, that didn't turn out nearly as well as it was in my head"? Or maybe the director of, say, Jury Duty* felt the need to get up in front of audiences and apologize for what they were about to see, because although in his head, the idea was great, it just didn't make its way out properly? Well, that is my caveat for this comic. It was funny in my head. But wouldn't that be great if somebody who liked to brag to all their friends that they could do better was put on the spot like that. Maybe it was a sports fanatic second guessing the coach's decision to run that play. Or a music nerd's questioning Microsoft's creation of the Zune. It would just be great if Bill Gates was sitting behind him on the bus*, overheard his conversation, and straight up made him in charge for a day. At least that would be funny, even if the comic isn't. (P.S. Eyes are hard to draw, so just pretend Billy's eyes aren't creepy.)

Thursday July 24 2008

File under: comic

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on Fri 25th Jul, 2008 09:34 am PDT Sara said: Billy McYokel of NEBRASKA. Thanks. Good to know what you think of the state and its residents... Wouldn't Oklahoma have been a better choice? :-) ************************ on Wed 30th Jul, 2008 10:25 pm PDT rus said: one of your best yet ************************

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Sedro Frolfing

(To all of you who read the Brothers Root version of the events first, sorry for the overlap. But cross-blogination can be fun, like this counterpoint to Andrew's pic) Summer in Anacortes means a constant flow of old friends passing through town. As a semi-full time resident*, I try to take advantage of their free time and more pressing desire to get out and enjoy what the area has to offer. The most recent case of this involved a trip up river to the NSRA Frolf Course outside of Sedro Wooley. I've been up there once before, but since the first time through a course is never ideal, I was greatly looking forward to this little excursion. On the upside, the area of the course is gorgeous, with spectacular a backdrop of the Cascade foothills and hayfields. It is [supposedly] on the site of an old mental institution and has some old overgrown buildings to fit my creepy mental image. The course is a full 18 holes with decent terrain include varying drive lengths and a bit of vertical change. But... On the downside, the course was overgrown to the point of being almost unplayable. The fields were covered with grass up to 7 feet tall* and the blackberries and other pricklies thankfully only claimed one disc*. In spring there is an issue with soggy ground, so when is the best time to play this course has yet to be determined. But still, tromping around with friends is always a good time.

Tuesday July 22 2008

File under: misc, pics

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on Tue 22nd Jul, 2008 03:59 pm PDT Andrew said: "ALMOST" lost Andrew? They left me to die amongst the brambles and thorns! I was given up on quicker than Saxtor's lost disc (RIP)! If I hadn't been adopted by a loving family of ticks I may have never found my way to freedom. ************************ on Tue 22nd Jul, 2008 04:41 pm PDT whuppinstick said: I'm jealous man, I think I own the only disc on my island! ************************ on Tue 22nd Jul, 2008 08:58 pm PDT Ryan Walters said: NRSA was the site of Northern State Hospital for the Insane from 1912-1973. The hospital maintained a large farm that provided nearly all the food for its patients -- many of the old farm and hospital buildings are still there -- and was notorious for its lobotomies. I do civil detention hearings on Tuesdays at a considerably more modern facility on the same site. ************************ on Wed 23rd Jul, 2008 04:20 pm PDT Saxtor said: That was the third time I played there. It really was a lot better the previous times I was there. That said, it REALLY sucked this time. ************************

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