Value of Views

Last Saturday morning, I did my usual weekend jog at Austin's Townlake. As I was crossing the foot bridge to meet my friends, I witnessed a quite amazing view. The moon was setting over a mansion on a cliff which overlooks Townlake. It was just before sunrise, and the moon was bright with a redish tint. It was a clear and cold morning with steam rising from the lake's surface. It was quite amazing.

This got me thinking. That mansion perched up on that cliff overlooking downtown Austin is probably millions of dollars more just for that view. While I got a great view on the bridge for free. I wonder how much those occupants of that mansion really appreciate their view. When you have to travel somewhere for a view, you will always appreciate it more. When it comes easy, it will always get old.

So don't pay extra for a view. Just be sure you have access to areas with great views, and make it habit to visit those places. When you visit those areas, you will then get your money's worth (especially when the visit is free!).

Engineers and Tattoos

I have never seen an engineer with a tattoo. My theory is that what makes people want to become engineers will also make people not want to get a tattoo. The two desires are opposite of each other. As an engineer, I would never consider getting a tattoo for several reasons: cost, health risk, pain, dislike of needles, fear of being a senior citizen with a tattoo. Perhaps there is some "coolness" with a good tattoo... But I bet for most engineers, the drawbacks greatly outweigh this "coolness".

posted by Ken on 2:52 PM permalink and comments  

Post a Comment

Sunday, January 19, 2003

 

Historic Month for Seinfeld Fans.

Finally saw the rerun of the Puerto Rican Day episode. This was the second to last episode of the Seinfelds. It got a lot of criticism and NBC had decided to not show reruns of it. Don't know how it was handled in syndication, but all I know is that I never have seen it after it was first shown.

The hullabaloo was over Kramer who accidentally set the Puerto Rican flag on fire. It made for a humerous way for Kramer to get in trouble during the parade. I don't know why there were so many complaints. It was just an accident by Kramer (more carelessness with his cigar), and most importantly, it's fiction!

Well, anyway, it was nice to see the episode again. I really liked the part where George gets stalked by the laser pointer guy. It was classic George where he went to the movie while they were stuck in the parade just so he could use a funny line during the explosion of the Hindenburg. The laser pointer guy ruined it for him, and George was all upset at him. Through out the rest of the show, the laser kept popping up on George, and he kept trying to resolve the issue in his classic funny ways.

Can't live only on comedy....Great PBS documentary on the early history of Chicago. website

Pretty amazing seeing how things we take for granted like a sewer system and clean water were so difficult back in the old days. Found it funny how difficult it was for them to build a decent sewer system. In the 1850's it drained into Lake Michigan where they got their drinking water from. So they thought they could fix it by getting water farther offshore with underground pipes. Still didn't work when spring time floods pushed the sewer farther out. So they redirected the Chicago canal to drain south into the Illinois River rather than in Lake Michigan. That way the sewer would be washed downstream away from Lake Michigan. The classic case of throwing your problems over the fence...

Some of my interesting life views...

Often we spend money and time on things that really don't make sense. He are some examples (in my humble opinion):

Why do people think wrinkled clothing looks bad? It's just as clean as ironed and pressed clothing. Why not look at wrinkled clothes as a piece of artwork or a natural beauty. Here's my view of it: Wrinkled shirts are like snowflakes, no two are alike.

Why is it that tanned skin looks appealing to people but tanned teeth looks bad? People want white teeth and tanned skin. What's wrong with white skin and tanned teeth? Tanning is not good for the skin, and there's nothing unhealthy with mild stains on the teeth. Why bother to whitten your teeth and sun bathe? Just change what you consider appealing!

Some of my favorite quotes from the Simpsons that I remembered today:

Homer trying to explain to Marge his excuse for not going to church:
"But what if we picked the wrong religion? Every week we're just making God madder and madder"

Last week on the Simpsons: Homer explaining to Lisa why he thought hiring a PI to learn about her likes and dislikes was a good idea:
"The childless drunks down at Moe's thought it was a good idea"

posted by Ken on 12:14 PM permalink and comments  

Post a Comment