Good day at the office. Getting close to closing the deal, I believe.
As I sometimes do here on the blog, I apologize for my rants when I have them. Yesterday was one of those. So, sorry. Sort of.
I think it's all just part of readjusting.
Here are some snaps taken recently.
A book store. A huge bookstore.
Books everywhere. This is but a fraction of the options. Amazing.
^ And there is even more upstairs.
^ Then there is Harris Teeter, a grocery store around the corner from us. Strapping store, and it is not even the biggest one.
The pictures below are of special interest to me - I had forgotten that these existed. Lines where you scan your own groceries. It is tended by one person at a stand at the end of the machines. It works by ensuring that the weight of what you scanned on one side of the machine is the same as the weight of what you have when you check out. It is virtually fool-proof in terms of thievery. Ingenious.
Below is the same paradigm - Red Box. Swipe your debit card and give your e.mail - then pick a DVD. It's a buck a day per DVD. After 15 days, you've bought it. Again, fool-proof. Ingenious.
So, I guess in some ways our land of excess is also to be seen as a land of plenty. This self-service theme is an interesting one. Really makes you think.
Here is some of the aftermath of the financial/real estate crisis here in the US.
^ This is "Mediterra", a development around the corner from us. It does not appeal to me with the wall and the faux Amalfi Coast look. It is at a standstill, by all appearances.
^ A house in Tufton Brae, a new neighborhood near us, as well. For sale.
^ Another house in Tufton Brae. I think someone may live here. It is lonely for them.....
^ ... because this is how the rest of Tufton Brae looks. Weeds, empty lots and for sale signs in front of them.
Here is some of our remodeling being done on our house. If you will, it is our own version of largesse, but we feel ok about it. Keeping people working, that's what we're all about, right. ;-)
^ Floor outside of the bedrooms, now oak. We're all about getting rid of the carpet.
^ Floor of the library, almost completed with flooring.
^ Widening the door between the den and the kitchen. This is one of those projects which is "growing" as they discover more and more dependencies, such as the need for a big beam along to top of the newly-widened opening.
^ The living room remains a dumping ground.
More to come!
