(no subject)

Just got back from the dump (its official name is the Bermondsey Transfer Station, but anyway). My presence was necessary because only I can wield the Sooper Special Letter of Authorization that lets you dump 1 T of residential construction waste free. I was wearing sandals and work clothes, so didn't help my uncle unload any of said construction waste (for which I feel a little guilty).

For a city girl, the dump is a pretty strange place. It's tucked away behind a big transforming station (I guess they wanted all the bits of urban blight in the same place). You drive in, take the waste lane (not the household hazardous waste lane, thank you), and line up to get onto the weigh scale. Then you present the letter and your ID, and they hand you a receipt that lets you into the transfer station itself. This is a cavernous building, half underground, piled with garbage (the smell is unbelievable) with birds flying in and out to get nesting material. There were a couple of bulldozers ready to pile the stuff up. Not sure where it all goes after that -- probably Minnesota.

You ditch the stuff in the truck as fast as you can and drive out again, pausing on the outgoing weigh scale, where your Sooper Special Letter is returned to you. This load was 150 kg; 850 to go. I'll be sure to wear boots next time.

In other news, a toilet has been installed, the survey is final, and I got hold of the city water guy (who was just as charming as his voicemail led me to believe). Oh, I said that already. The other water guy, the this-side-of-the-property-line one, came and gave us a quote. Final architect's drawings early next week. Progress.

trivia

Apropos of same, I had always vaguely assumed (passing the exit on the highway) that Bermondsey was pronounced BURR-mund-zee. My uncle, however, says ber-MUN-see.

I don't know where one would go to check this out.

(no subject)

Happy Birthday simplystars!

when morons write letters to the editor

In light of yesterday's attacks in London, one must pose the question: How many attacks on Canadian allies are necessary before our government wakes up and begins actively fighting for and defending democratic values?*

Dear David A. Wishinsky, Willowdale, Ont.:

Perhaps you'd care to expand on this. Which democratic values do you feel our government is not actively fighting for and defending? What, in your view, could it have done differently to prevent this attack? If you want us to get involved in the war in Iraq, (a) why not come out and say so, and (b) could you kindly explain how it would have helped?

If, on the other hand, you are referring to any of (a) the sponsorship scandal, (b) gay marriage, (c) a triple-E senate, or (d) Belinda Stronach, then... well, actually, then I'm still confused.

*Sorry for the subscriber-only link. But that's all there is to the letter anyway.

(no subject)

...crap, I can't remember what triple-E stands for. Equal, Elected and Ecountable? That's not right...

*Googles*

Oh. Effective.

I think mine's better.