A Long Break

I haven't posted in a while. AMAZING!! As I usually have something to say. However the combination of a weeklong conference after getting the lead out of my apartment, and then having the wood restained in the sunroom this past week while doing battle with the forces of chaos at work has proven draining.

Little did I know that the sunroom window was poorly insulated with yellow (fiberglass?) batting or that it was not totally sealed between the edge of the window frame and the opening. By golly Martha that there's some daylight!!! Calling all carpenter ants!! Free food!! But we fixed that with some 'shaving foam' style spray insulation. Then I learn I have 3, yes 3, variants of pine in the sunroom, ranging from nearly 100 year old old growth to newer, chemically treated wood. Trying to match stain was nigh on impossible and I wasn't looking for Da Vinci level artistry so what I have now is good enough, thank you very much.

Then there was the matter of the back door which was looking pretty sorry after being stripped, but oh what a difference stain makes. All the character is coming through. The handyman I worked with was very knowledgeable about his work and also very complimentary about my unit's woodwork. He opined that for a mere $100K it could be replicated. UH, no I don't think we're going to be tearing that apart anytime soon.

So a long 2.5 weeks, even if Williamsburg was pretty, when I could get out of the hotel in the evening to see it.

However, I am still staying on top of the Peak Oil and Peak Energy issues. Those of you praying for biofuels to save you can rest easy and quit your chanting. They need more R&D before being ready for prime-time. Seems algae is the newest "thing" in biofuels and the hype is massive. Ethanol is already losing its luster. We will have biofuels, just not as much and perhaps not as soon as some folks might wish.

In the meantime, Robert Rapier explains why gas prices remain high. In the comments section he includes a link to a George Will column noting that demand continues to increase. Given the current supply is it any wonder prices have climbed? Basic demand/supply theory folks. Lots of geekiness in the post and comments, but enough plain English for the rest of us. Assuming the reader hasn't declared Big Oil the BIG EVAHL!!!!!!!!!!

Someone slap the politicians for pandering on the issue of gas prices. Please? I'll hold 'em down for ya!