http://www.mynameiskate.com/blog Where it all comes together Tue, 02 Mar 2010 03:36:59 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en (mouse over pictures for captions and click for bigger versions) Before this project, I knew very little about cars. Looking under a hood, I could identify only a few things like the dipstick and fluid reservoirs. The most advanced work I'd done to date was to replace my headlights a few ... http://www.mynameiskate.com/blog/2010/02/22/car-project-entry-2-of-4/ I have taken my engine apart, reassembled it, and lived to tell the tale. Not only that, but I'm left with a nicely running car that I can finally drive again. I'll get into the details shortly but I have to say I'm feeling pretty proud of myself at the ... http://www.mynameiskate.com/blog/2010/01/21/car-project-entry-1-of-4/ [Also cross-posted to Steve's blog at http://steveleroux.com] Steve and I would like to share some sad news: we are separating. For almost two months, we've been doing a trial separation while (mostly) staying in our house, staying in separate rooms and switching off weekends as we figured everything ... http://www.mynameiskate.com/blog/2009/11/12/a-sad-announcement/ It comes down to cost. Either I must pay my cell phone carrier a monthly fee for some number of included texts (which is more than I'd ever send), or pay $0.15 each. I might be willing to do that, except I get unlimited data on my phone, a Blackberry. ... http://www.mynameiskate.com/blog/2009/06/10/why-i-dont-text-much/ This vehement guest column from the Times Online UK had me raising my arms and shouting "amen!" "All the Disney princesses are there in a terrifying tableau of simpering, gurning girlishness. Why are all these princesses, the apotheoses of modern girlhood, clasping their hands together in front of them, in an ... http://www.mynameiskate.com/blog/2009/05/29/the-pernicious-pinkification-of-little-girls/ Every year, I try to go see some movies at the Seattle International Film Festival. I've had a few off years lately, but I had a great time in 2004 and 2005, so I'm ramping it back up this year and planning to see fourteen films. A few years ago, ... http://www.mynameiskate.com/blog/2009/05/18/how-i-choose-my-siff-movies/ As a Blackberry user, I've long been jealous of Urbanspoon's excellent iPhone application, which includes a slot-machine randomizer to help you decide upon a restaurant. While it's still not available on the Blackberry (despite my pleas), anyone with a Flash-enabled browser can now use the slot machine! The Urbanspoon restaurant picker ... http://www.mynameiskate.com/blog/2009/05/12/where-should-we-eat-tonight/ It's a sad day in Seattle as the Seattle Post-Intelligencer stops its presses for the last time. I wanted to write a post today about what our society is losing as newspapers close down, but I re-read my 2005 post, "Why Newspapers are Still Relevant," and realized it's all pretty ... http://www.mynameiskate.com/blog/2009/03/17/goodbye-seattle-p-i/ 'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free 'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be And when we find ourselves in a place just right 'Twill be in the valley of love and delight. 'Tis the gift to be gentle, 'tis the gift to be fair 'Tis ... http://www.mynameiskate.com/blog/2009/01/20/simple-gifts/ Outgoing Vice-President Dick Cheney congratulates Vice-President-Elect Joe Biden (I couldn't resist) http://www.mynameiskate.com/blog/2009/01/07/grade-school-flashback/