Where ever you are, how ever you celebrate: Merry Christmas, God Bless, and May all of you and your families have a safe and enjoyable Holiday!
:jason and Lilah
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
A Rose by Any Other Name...
I did a quick search on Google for the Name "Troxel". I was actually trying to see where abouts TroxelTaxidermy.com would come up. I'm on page 20 of about 506,000 results (!!!) and thus far no TroxelTaxidermy. But I expected as much seeing how Google Ranks Pages.
Anyway, to say the least, I was not prepared for the sheer number of results under the Troxel name. So, in an effort to entertain, I'm going to include links to some of the more note-worthy results, with a brief description accompanying.
Here Goes:
The Troxel Company -- Brian and Kris Troxel build houses in West Michigan.
Troxel Equistrian Helmets -- If you ride horses, you probably already knew about this. It's the number 1 Google Result for Troxel and they're scattered throughout each search page.
Troxel Steel Tubing -- Name says it all. Based out of Moscow Tennessee.
Troxel Realty -- Another dead give-away. Jack M. Troxel is an Associate Broker and their website says they've been in the business since 1958, out of Battle Creek, Michigan.
Jeff Troxel -- Jeff Troxel was the National Guitar Flat Picking Champion in 2003.
Troxel Vs. Granville -- In Troxel, the United States Supreme Court invalidated Washington State's visitation statute as an unconstitutional intrusion into a parent's fundamental liberty interest in raising a child as the parent sees fit. There's a lot of legalese here; I'm no lawyer. Read at your own pleasure.
Troxel Equipment Dealer -- Okay, maybe you don't think selling John Deere tractors is monumental, but I thought it was cool; located in Bluffton Indiana.
Karen Troxel -- Romance Novelist Extraordinaire... I wouldn't read them, but hey she's in print and I'm not!
Dr. Sarah Troxel -- Plastic Surgery in Anchorage Alaska never had it so good!
Dr. David Troxel -- A professor at UC Berkeley, no less.
Prof. Troxel -- But a proffessor at MIT!!!
Melaine Troxel -- Melanie Troxel is a NHRA Top Fuel Dragster Driver!!!! She's everywhere, just search on her name; it's crazy!
Thomas H. Troxel -- Author, Historian, etc.
Mandy Troxel -- A local singer from Orcas Island Washington. I don't know her, but her name is popping up in several places. See also Mandy Troxel's homepage.
Wendy Troxel -- Wendy has a doctorate in behavioral medicine and is published in numerous medical journals, according to her bio.
Of course, if you modify that google search to Troxel Taxidermy then Dad's site comes up as the top two hits out of about 850 results. If you still don't understand why there are 850 results, go back and look at that google article again. :j
Anyway, to say the least, I was not prepared for the sheer number of results under the Troxel name. So, in an effort to entertain, I'm going to include links to some of the more note-worthy results, with a brief description accompanying.
Here Goes:
The Troxel Company -- Brian and Kris Troxel build houses in West Michigan.
Troxel Equistrian Helmets -- If you ride horses, you probably already knew about this. It's the number 1 Google Result for Troxel and they're scattered throughout each search page.
Troxel Steel Tubing -- Name says it all. Based out of Moscow Tennessee.
Troxel Realty -- Another dead give-away. Jack M. Troxel is an Associate Broker and their website says they've been in the business since 1958, out of Battle Creek, Michigan.
Jeff Troxel -- Jeff Troxel was the National Guitar Flat Picking Champion in 2003.
Troxel Vs. Granville -- In Troxel, the United States Supreme Court invalidated Washington State's visitation statute as an unconstitutional intrusion into a parent's fundamental liberty interest in raising a child as the parent sees fit. There's a lot of legalese here; I'm no lawyer. Read at your own pleasure.
Troxel Equipment Dealer -- Okay, maybe you don't think selling John Deere tractors is monumental, but I thought it was cool; located in Bluffton Indiana.
Karen Troxel -- Romance Novelist Extraordinaire... I wouldn't read them, but hey she's in print and I'm not!
Dr. Sarah Troxel -- Plastic Surgery in Anchorage Alaska never had it so good!
Dr. David Troxel -- A professor at UC Berkeley, no less.
Prof. Troxel -- But a proffessor at MIT!!!
Melaine Troxel -- Melanie Troxel is a NHRA Top Fuel Dragster Driver!!!! She's everywhere, just search on her name; it's crazy!
Thomas H. Troxel -- Author, Historian, etc.
Mandy Troxel -- A local singer from Orcas Island Washington. I don't know her, but her name is popping up in several places. See also Mandy Troxel's homepage.
Wendy Troxel -- Wendy has a doctorate in behavioral medicine and is published in numerous medical journals, according to her bio.
Of course, if you modify that google search to Troxel Taxidermy then Dad's site comes up as the top two hits out of about 850 results. If you still don't understand why there are 850 results, go back and look at that google article again. :j
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
4 Shopping Days until Christmas!
So I'm back from my last trip of the year, a one week tour on the USS Stennis, CVN 74. I picked up a sinus and ear infection as a souvenir on my trip and thus am at home popping antibiotics and narcotic cough medicine.
I think poor Calla is going stir crazy. What with me being sick I'm at home, which in her eyes means it's time for a trip to the Dog park. Our good friends the Stewarts (see photo) have a very energetic Schnauzer that Calla likes to play with. I might beg to borrow their Bode (that's his name) and wear the old girl out. Aaron has been out to sea with a different project (we work together) and Chelsea's been at work, so I bet Bode could use some crazy time, too.
Anyway, things are well. We're getting lots of rain now and I've found a new leak in our laundry room. Other than the inconvenience, this is an area that will be completely torn down and replaced, so I'm not in a panic. But I do need to check the rest of the house to make sure that nothing nasty is happening. I'll be very very glad when this project gets started and I can see all the problem areas being tended.
I'm including some pictures from my trip aboard the USS Stennis. They're mostly from just two of the 6 days, but you'll see that Jeff, my good buddy from the Nimitz project that I did down in San Diego, was aboard with me on this one. Curt and Eric, too!Take care everyone! Miss you all.
Friday, December 09, 2005
Chicken Scratch
(*Edit*) Wow, my most responsive post yet! So for those of you who have emailed me directly as well as for those who have posted comments on the blog:
In reality, the pictures were only meant to convey the impact of the project on the retaining wall. In order to do that I had to show the property lines, the placement of the house on the property lines, and the modifications to the wall. Because I was trying to hurry and because I was using MS Paint instead of a real drafting program, I just copied the picture of the house and added the changes that would affect the property line: mainly the front of the house and the front access points, the sitting room on the left side of the house, and the modifications to the yard.
To answer some of your questions:
Okay, I had to throw something together for the structural engineer to give them a conceptual idea of the changes we're making to the house. This is literally a "crude" representation. However, it does make for a pretty good draft board as to what one could expect to see when it's done. So I'm gonna share it with you.
This first picture is what the house currently looks like:
This second picture is what the house will look like when we're all said and done. Remember, this is only a concept drawing. Nothing detail about this other than the broadest of pictures.
Comments and questions are welcomed, as always! By the way, if you happened to have forgotten, if you click on the pictures, you will get a larger image to look at; makes it easy for those of us with old eyes! :jnl
In reality, the pictures were only meant to convey the impact of the project on the retaining wall. In order to do that I had to show the property lines, the placement of the house on the property lines, and the modifications to the wall. Because I was trying to hurry and because I was using MS Paint instead of a real drafting program, I just copied the picture of the house and added the changes that would affect the property line: mainly the front of the house and the front access points, the sitting room on the left side of the house, and the modifications to the yard.
To answer some of your questions:
- The front door will be at the top of the stone stair case. They may not line up in this sketch, but in the engineered drawings they will.
- The upstairs door is acutually an existing door that goes out onto an existing porch.
- There will be access to the house through the garage/basement.
- The house will also undergo some significant structural changes that are not represented in this sketch. The house was more or less a place holder to outline the foundation changes.
- The 60 foot ban on building was imposed so that the city council can decide if they want to limit the height of building to 35 feet or raise it (as developers in the area desire) to 60 or 70 feet. What is at stake is the view of the water and the mountains, and depending on how that decision turns out could drastically affect our house and view, and perhaps the reconstruction of our house!
- The construction will take no more than 12 months from the time we break ground.
Thanks to everyone for so much interest and such great questions! I'll keep posting updates as they emerge. :jnl (*End Edit*)
Okay, I had to throw something together for the structural engineer to give them a conceptual idea of the changes we're making to the house. This is literally a "crude" representation. However, it does make for a pretty good draft board as to what one could expect to see when it's done. So I'm gonna share it with you.This first picture is what the house currently looks like:
This second picture is what the house will look like when we're all said and done. Remember, this is only a concept drawing. Nothing detail about this other than the broadest of pictures.Comments and questions are welcomed, as always! By the way, if you happened to have forgotten, if you click on the pictures, you will get a larger image to look at; makes it easy for those of us with old eyes! :jnl
Thursday, December 08, 2005
In other news
So I stopped into Art Anderson Architect & Structural Engineering the other day to discuss with them the plans and drawings that I'm working on for the house. Come to find out there is currently a 60 day ban on construction in my neighborhood. In truth, that doesn't affect me so much because I don't intend to break ground until April. But, the reason they are holding the moratorium is of interest to me. I'm trying to find out more, but apparently the main reason is to establish zoning regulations on property height and such.
This could be good news, though. If they establish a regulation that promotes building in my area, then we will have developers bringing fresh money into the area. Currently there are construction plans along Washington from 1st street to 5th street and maybe as far as 6th street. If the city council decides to allow for appealing zoning, that could push the renovation belt all the way to 11th street!
I'll keep you posted as I find more out about these developments.
:j
This could be good news, though. If they establish a regulation that promotes building in my area, then we will have developers bringing fresh money into the area. Currently there are construction plans along Washington from 1st street to 5th street and maybe as far as 6th street. If the city council decides to allow for appealing zoning, that could push the renovation belt all the way to 11th street!
I'll keep you posted as I find more out about these developments.
:j
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Up In Smoke (a societal rant)
New laws, voted by the people and for the people of Washington, take affect today: no smoking in any public building (mostly already adopted so this really only affects bars and bowling alleys), no smoking with 25 feet of a door to a public building, no smoking at any workplace (auto mechanics are sure to rebel), no smoking in cigar Bars, or even in private clubs, and most notably: no smoking in a minimum of 75% of all hotel rooms.
How did this happen? Well, voters passed it by a 2 to 1 margin, to be honest. That means out of every 100 people 66 said no smoking and 33 said let ‘em smoke.
The “25-foot rule” makes Washington’s law the most restrictive in the country. And in a state whose largest population density (King County/Seattle) is made up primarily of liberals, that’s downright amazing.
I quit smoking a number of years ago and am, to be truthful, one of those very annoying ex-smokers who can no longer stand the habit. However, I’m not completely unsympathetic as I feel that cigar bars and smoke shops should be left alone. The irony here is that an establishment solely designated for the population that smokes should not be allowed to let people smoke. Sometimes people don't think things thru well enough.
That said, there is a certain amount of rejoicing from yours truly:
A great many smokers insist that they’re polite and will go out of their way to not smoke near those who don’t puff. Bogus; every morning on my way to work and inside my work perimeter I find myself behind a smoker and awash in their cloud (I work with 10 thousand people so waiting for them to pass is tantamount to just inviting another smoker to walk in front of me). There might be twenty people in front of me, but the only one I notice is the one who insists on getting that last ciggy in before work.
My real annoyance is that after the new law passed the state capitulated and said that they would not persecute smokers who were in transit. And, there again, someone isn't thinking. Put a smoker in a designated place and I can avoid that place, but how do I avoid walking in the cloud of the person in front of me if there is no restriction against this? In fact, the new law more or less encourages this. Well, at least we'll have cardiovascularly healthy smokers here in Washington.
Too, many smokers claim that their habit doesn’t affect anyone else. Hogwash. Secondhand smoke has a baseball field worth of studies that link it to cancer in non-smokers (and yes, there might be an opposing team but I’m going with the one I’m rooting for). More importantly though, is that a smoker inherently imposes upon everyone around them. The smell, the burning eyes, the acrid air, the “smokers” breath, the skunk affect of a smoker’s clothing that propels a horrid air behind them as they walk through a room after a smoke break.
Smokers claim non-smokers are overly intolerant and hypersensitive. Have you ever seen a smoker who can’t smoke? THERE is someone who is cranky and intolerant.
Regardless, it seems that for better or worse, there's a brand new perspective on smoking taking place. California will surely stiffen their laws so as to not be outdone by Washington. And if America can't make smoking illegal, they can definitely tax the habit to oblivion. When I smoked in the Army, a carton of Marlboro was between $8.00 and $10.00 depending on the time of year. That same carton costs a Washington Resident in EXCESS of $50.00 and $60.00! As more and more people are convinced or forced to quit, there will be a smaller and smaller population that is resistant to a nationwide contraband on Tobacco.
I predict it will happen in my lifetime. Mark your calendar.
:j
How did this happen? Well, voters passed it by a 2 to 1 margin, to be honest. That means out of every 100 people 66 said no smoking and 33 said let ‘em smoke.
The “25-foot rule” makes Washington’s law the most restrictive in the country. And in a state whose largest population density (King County/Seattle) is made up primarily of liberals, that’s downright amazing.
I quit smoking a number of years ago and am, to be truthful, one of those very annoying ex-smokers who can no longer stand the habit. However, I’m not completely unsympathetic as I feel that cigar bars and smoke shops should be left alone. The irony here is that an establishment solely designated for the population that smokes should not be allowed to let people smoke. Sometimes people don't think things thru well enough.
That said, there is a certain amount of rejoicing from yours truly:
A great many smokers insist that they’re polite and will go out of their way to not smoke near those who don’t puff. Bogus; every morning on my way to work and inside my work perimeter I find myself behind a smoker and awash in their cloud (I work with 10 thousand people so waiting for them to pass is tantamount to just inviting another smoker to walk in front of me). There might be twenty people in front of me, but the only one I notice is the one who insists on getting that last ciggy in before work.
My real annoyance is that after the new law passed the state capitulated and said that they would not persecute smokers who were in transit. And, there again, someone isn't thinking. Put a smoker in a designated place and I can avoid that place, but how do I avoid walking in the cloud of the person in front of me if there is no restriction against this? In fact, the new law more or less encourages this. Well, at least we'll have cardiovascularly healthy smokers here in Washington.
Too, many smokers claim that their habit doesn’t affect anyone else. Hogwash. Secondhand smoke has a baseball field worth of studies that link it to cancer in non-smokers (and yes, there might be an opposing team but I’m going with the one I’m rooting for). More importantly though, is that a smoker inherently imposes upon everyone around them. The smell, the burning eyes, the acrid air, the “smokers” breath, the skunk affect of a smoker’s clothing that propels a horrid air behind them as they walk through a room after a smoke break.
Smokers claim non-smokers are overly intolerant and hypersensitive. Have you ever seen a smoker who can’t smoke? THERE is someone who is cranky and intolerant.
Regardless, it seems that for better or worse, there's a brand new perspective on smoking taking place. California will surely stiffen their laws so as to not be outdone by Washington. And if America can't make smoking illegal, they can definitely tax the habit to oblivion. When I smoked in the Army, a carton of Marlboro was between $8.00 and $10.00 depending on the time of year. That same carton costs a Washington Resident in EXCESS of $50.00 and $60.00! As more and more people are convinced or forced to quit, there will be a smaller and smaller population that is resistant to a nationwide contraband on Tobacco.
I predict it will happen in my lifetime. Mark your calendar.
:j
Sunday, December 04, 2005
It's Begining to Look a Lot Like Christmas!
Everywhere I go...
Which now includeds a return to Washington after a brief stint down in San Diego. I won't go into how frustrating this type of job can be what with all the mix ups and miss communications. Lets just say, I'm glad I'm home.
So, here it is the 3rd of December. That's only 22 more shopping days left for all you slackers out there! ha! Me, I'm sticking by my claims of shopping completion. Now it's going to be all about getting the house paid for and that kind of stuff. No more shopping sprees, that's for sure!
We're going to be assembling our Christmas card list shortly. If you didn't get a Christmas card from us last year, please email or call us so that we can get you on our list.
Other than that, it's been a pretty good lazy Sunday. I'm really ready for Christmas vacation, I'll tell you that. I know I love travelling, but it's the going back to work part that's the heart breaker.
Anyway, I'm gonna get. I just wanted to let you all know that I'm safe and sound back in Washington and that we're doing fine. Miss you all and hope that you're doing well.
:jnl
Which now includeds a return to Washington after a brief stint down in San Diego. I won't go into how frustrating this type of job can be what with all the mix ups and miss communications. Lets just say, I'm glad I'm home.
So, here it is the 3rd of December. That's only 22 more shopping days left for all you slackers out there! ha! Me, I'm sticking by my claims of shopping completion. Now it's going to be all about getting the house paid for and that kind of stuff. No more shopping sprees, that's for sure!
We're going to be assembling our Christmas card list shortly. If you didn't get a Christmas card from us last year, please email or call us so that we can get you on our list.
Other than that, it's been a pretty good lazy Sunday. I'm really ready for Christmas vacation, I'll tell you that. I know I love travelling, but it's the going back to work part that's the heart breaker.
Anyway, I'm gonna get. I just wanted to let you all know that I'm safe and sound back in Washington and that we're doing fine. Miss you all and hope that you're doing well.
:jnl
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