I am currently stealing wireless internet from the neighbors. Checked facebook and was glad to see that it no longer asked me to confirm my relationship status. Checked email and saw that J. Crew is having a sale on corduroy pants. Checked Jo-Jo's blog and saw some awesome videos of him dancing.
Going to bed soon. Realizing that this is the third "house" I've lived in this year. Glad to be done moving around for a while.
For those of you who are wondering, married life is awesome. Sure, we're in that "honeymoon stage"--though I wish the entirety of the honeymoon stage played out in Cape May during the off-season--and that is supposed to mean that everything is wonderful. But I am willing to believe that it's wonderful anyway.
Anyway, goodnight friends. Love you all.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
New Jersey Fun Facts (#1)
For those of you who will be driving in New Jersey next weekend, this is very important information:
In New Jersey, it is illegal to pump your own gas.
That's right, there is not a single self-service gas station in the entire state of New Jersey. For those of you who grew up anywhere else in the world, this may seem unreal. But it's not. I didn't learn how to pump gas until I was 20 and living in Iowa. Most, if not all of my family--with the exception of the Iowa branch, of course--don't know how to pump gas.
"Why!?" You might be saying, "What could possibly lead to the legislation against pumping your own gas? Is it even constitutional to be denied the right to do things for yourself?" Some of you might even be outraged to the point of, "These are the beginnings of communism!"
The story I'd always heard was about unemployment. Someone, everyone, said that sometime in the seventies unemployment peaked in New Jersey, and our ever watchful state government came up with a plan to create jobs. "Let's make it illegal to pump your own gas," they said, "And force gasoline stations hire attendants. That will create hundreds, if not thousands of jobs!" And what I've always heard was, "Maybe that was a good idea then, to help the people get by during hard economic times, but now we've created a career option that doesn't leave much room for growth." My band director always used to tell us, "Don't drop out of school because you'll end up pumping gas." In New Jersey, pumping gas tops flipping burgers on the list of jobs-teachers-threaten-students-with-when-telling-them-to-stay-in-school.
The internet, which is the answer to all of life's problems, offered some different explanations:
It seems that once upon a time, pumping your own gas was dangerous, so the law was passed to protect the people. Oregon apparently shares this view, and with reason: Zoolander's fashion buddies died in a horrible self-pumping gasoline accident. And there have been no such accidents reported in New Jersey (or Oregon) since the enacting of the law.
Most articles I could find cited the "danger" factor as the reason for the law. Some added a note about the American Disabilities Act, while others did briefly touch on the unemployment issue. But none cited it as the main reason.
In my searching, I did find an article from May 2006 where the governor proposed installing some "test self-service stations" along the NJ turnpike. As you can see from the article, the people of New Jersey threw the biggest hissy fit against a government since the Boston Tea Party. In less than a week, it says, the governor withdrew his proposal.
So whatever the reason, the people of New Jersey do not and will not pump their gas. And while you're here, you shouldn't either because it's the law. When you pull up to the station, greet the attendant warmly and thank him for his willingness to serve.
In New Jersey, it is illegal to pump your own gas.
That's right, there is not a single self-service gas station in the entire state of New Jersey. For those of you who grew up anywhere else in the world, this may seem unreal. But it's not. I didn't learn how to pump gas until I was 20 and living in Iowa. Most, if not all of my family--with the exception of the Iowa branch, of course--don't know how to pump gas.
"Why!?" You might be saying, "What could possibly lead to the legislation against pumping your own gas? Is it even constitutional to be denied the right to do things for yourself?" Some of you might even be outraged to the point of, "These are the beginnings of communism!"
The story I'd always heard was about unemployment. Someone, everyone, said that sometime in the seventies unemployment peaked in New Jersey, and our ever watchful state government came up with a plan to create jobs. "Let's make it illegal to pump your own gas," they said, "And force gasoline stations hire attendants. That will create hundreds, if not thousands of jobs!" And what I've always heard was, "Maybe that was a good idea then, to help the people get by during hard economic times, but now we've created a career option that doesn't leave much room for growth." My band director always used to tell us, "Don't drop out of school because you'll end up pumping gas." In New Jersey, pumping gas tops flipping burgers on the list of jobs-teachers-threaten-students-with-when-telling-them-to-stay-in-school.
The internet, which is the answer to all of life's problems, offered some different explanations:
It seems that once upon a time, pumping your own gas was dangerous, so the law was passed to protect the people. Oregon apparently shares this view, and with reason: Zoolander's fashion buddies died in a horrible self-pumping gasoline accident. And there have been no such accidents reported in New Jersey (or Oregon) since the enacting of the law.
Most articles I could find cited the "danger" factor as the reason for the law. Some added a note about the American Disabilities Act, while others did briefly touch on the unemployment issue. But none cited it as the main reason.
In my searching, I did find an article from May 2006 where the governor proposed installing some "test self-service stations" along the NJ turnpike. As you can see from the article, the people of New Jersey threw the biggest hissy fit against a government since the Boston Tea Party. In less than a week, it says, the governor withdrew his proposal.
So whatever the reason, the people of New Jersey do not and will not pump their gas. And while you're here, you shouldn't either because it's the law. When you pull up to the station, greet the attendant warmly and thank him for his willingness to serve.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Weather
So what's the weather like in New Jersey in mid-October? According to weather.com (click here to see the forecast) it's high in the mid-sixties, low in the mid-forties. That means cool in the morning, comfortable-cool mid-day, and chilly at night. That means wear layers because even though you're cold in the morning, it'll heat up by 20 degrees and if you're not wearing anything under that heavy sweater, you might suffer heat stroke.
Fall is not very convenient for knowing what to wear, but it sure is pretty! The trees are starting to change color and there's that crisp, winter-is-coming smell. I hope you'll enjoy the drive down from the airport. It's a little hectic until you get on 55, but at that moment you are rewarded with lots and lots of beautiful trees.
Looking forward to seeing you!
Fall is not very convenient for knowing what to wear, but it sure is pretty! The trees are starting to change color and there's that crisp, winter-is-coming smell. I hope you'll enjoy the drive down from the airport. It's a little hectic until you get on 55, but at that moment you are rewarded with lots and lots of beautiful trees.
Looking forward to seeing you!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Airport Pick-ups
So the next big thing I'm working on is picking up people from the airport. If you haven't already, send me or michael your flight information and we (or my uncle or cousin or somebody) will come get ya!
Thanks, and see you soooooooon!
Thanks, and see you soooooooon!
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