The weather outside. . .

It is 18 degrees outside.

It's Comforting to Know

Former Giants Assistant General Manager, Ned Coletti is leading the Dodgers down the path to mediocrity. This is something Giant's fans are used to. Maybe the fact that the Dodgers look to be well on their way to challenging the Giants in fielding the oldest team in baseball might help bridge the gab that has separated this age old rivalry for so long. Sure, age brings leadership, but it also brings a hell of a lot of tired old men come September. Good luck with all that guys.

"When Character was King"

I again apologize for lack of new material, but I have been pretty sick recently. Between sleep and work, there hasn’t been time for much, but I have been reading Richard Reeves’ biography of President Reagan’s time in office. It’s very good (if you’re into that kinda stuff) and it illuminates how our last two-term Republican president wasn’t all that different from our current one. I have excerpted one paragraph below that readers might find humorous. Do know that this occurs one week after the President was shot in the chest, so at least he had that for an excuse:

Soviet troops and tanks, along with units from other Warsaw Pact countries, were on the borders of Poland - two Red Army divisions were permanently stationed inside the country - on “maneuvers” and “war games” called Soyuz-81 that already lasted three weeks. The Soviet leader, Leonid Brezhnev, flew to Prague on Sunday to make an unusual appearance at the Czech Communist Party Congress. He then sat behind the Czech party leader, Gustav Husak, applauding as Husak compared the threat of Solidarity union unrest and strikes in Poland to the situations that led to Soviet invasions of East Germany in 1953, Hungary in 1956 and Czechoslovakia itself in 1968. Warnings of the “gravest consequences for East-West relations” were issued from the White House - along with statements that the President was conferring with aides as the crisis deepened. The American television networks were breaking into regular programming for live coverage of speeches by Lech Walesa, the Solidarity leader, and the new Polish leader General Jaruzelski. During one of their televised speeches, an intern checking Reagan’s room noticed that the President was sitting up, happily watching television cartoons.

Again, I apologize.

It was brought to my attention recently that my mother-in-law's friends have expressed concern in the lack of updates on federalcheese. Maybe it's because I think I'm boring. Maybe it's because I think no one really cares about the mundane details of my work-a-day world. Hell, maybe I'm just lazy, but I'll give it another go.

Winter weather has arrived in Seattle and my 106 year-old oil furnace has been going full blast. I am reading "Biodiesel America" and inquired into the use of "alternative fuels" in my furnace. The oil company rep said that biodiesel eats away the seals and isn't recommended. I remain suspicious.

My street recently got new sidewalks and a planting strip.

The mid-term elections are next week and the traditionally conservative "eastside" is coming down to the wire between incumbent Bush crony Dave Reichert and Democratic newcomer Darcy Burner. Democrat Maria Cantwell looks to be well on her way to reelection to the Senate. And Democrat Jim McDermott also seems to be a lock for reelection to the House for Washingtons's 7th District.

A guy was arrested in my back alley today. I am about a third of the way towards finishing a fence in the backyard (pictures to come) and today I found myself looking upon Seattle Police officers handcuffing a "suspect" near said fence-under-construction. Regretably, I don't know many details except that the suspect looked to be on drugs. And barefoot.

That's it for now.