Thar She Blows!

It is done, done, done. I finally finished reading Moby Dick, by Herman Melville. All 536 pages of difficult language and mystifying symbolism. I'll never do it again. It was a great book, but it was a brain buster.

Benjamin Franklin's Thirteen Virtues.

1. TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
2. SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
3. ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
4. RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
5. FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.
6. INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
7. SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
8. JUSTICE. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
9. MODERATION. Avoid extreams; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.
11.TRANQUILLITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
12. CHASTITY. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dulness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.
13. HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

free firewood project, 2006

free firewood project, 2006
Originally uploaded by danmanning2001.

My neighbor dropped off a truckload of wood yesterday. And now the fun begins. After failing with a conventional chainsaw (i took it back) I bought an electric one, and it sliced through the wood like hot knife through butter.

dan and the pinewood derby

dan_pinewood
Originally uploaded by danmanning2001.

i made it to the winner's bracket, which was a surprise, because there were a lot of great cars, and I barely spent any time at all on mine.

Pinewood Racer of Death

pinewood1
Originally uploaded by danmanning2001.

This is my Pinewood Derby car for the Hideout Brewing Company pinewood derby. It is as ugly in person as it is in this picture.

I also golfed today at Grand Island Golf Course.

email joke. i didn't forward it to you, i just put it here instead.

here's a joke someone sent me:

Two Afghani men are pals and decide to move to the US.
They further make a bet about who will be more American after a year in the US.
The meet up after a year. First guys says “Ha! I am more American than you. My wife is
a member of the PTA, my son is a Boy Scout, my daughter is on the school soccer
team, and I am a life member of the NRA.
Other guy says “Fuck you, rag head.”

Weekend Roundup

Howdy Pardners!

• Friday: Played too much World of Warcraft. Did manage to hit some golf-balls. Also, I did get a call or two.
• Saturday: Took the kids to see the Egyptian exhibit at the Public Museum of Grand Rapids. It wasn't all that, but it was friggin' expensive. Played too much World of Warcraft.
• Sunday: Played too much World of Warcraft. Fought urge to play even more, got back to writing International Bestseller.

help me. World of Warcraft is taking over my every waking moment. help me!