I read that the pipeline bringing gasoline from New Orleans to the Southeast has been fully restored. Thus, gas prices in the area served by the pipeline have begun to drop appreciably. Unfortunately, the pipeline from the RDU Airport area to North Raleigh is still out of commission. That’s why gas prices are twenty cents cheaper around the airport than they are ten miles farther north.

Officials have no word as to when this vital pipeline will be repaired. Perhaps when a few of those stations get busted for price gouging.

Last night, Tropical Depression Ophelia was named as it took a turn towards the north. I was getting my hopes up that finally we’d get some rain, but then the five-day forecast has it getting pushed farther out to sea. It’s tracking kind of crazy right now, so where it ends up is anyone’s guess. While I don’t wish a hurricane on anyone, it would be nice if it were to gently blow across the state, bringing much-needed rain with it.

As I was cleaning up the last few dishes from tonight’s dinner, I turned on the water at the kitchen sink. The water splashing out was refreshingly cool, a pleasant little oasis for these warm, dry days. My mind drifted from arctic scenes, snowfalls, and cool mountain waterfalls. After savoring those thoughts for a moment, it was time for warmer water. That’s when I turned on the cold water.
Continue reading →

I just read a transcript of Ray Nagin’s interview where he lashed out at the abysimal relief efforts for his city. If the relief efforts were turned over to his control, New Orleans would be on the mend already. The guy’s a real leader.

As many, many people have pointed out: everyone should have seen the New Orleans disaster coming. The danger was never a secret. Only blind luck has kept it from happening sooner. The May edition of Popular Science discussed ways to solve the New Orleans problem. Further back, Popular Mechanics discussed this scenario as far back in September 2001.

I think once the city is drained, a lot of hard discussions will need to take place. One thing’s for sure: the city of New Orleans as we know it is gone forever.

New Orleans secession from the Union has driven up gas prices. Gas prices literally rose ten percent overnight at the “barometer” gas stations I see on my commute. Last evening, unleaded sold for $2.59 a gallon. This morning, the price was an eye-popping $2.85 a gallon! Twenty-six cents overnight. Arrrrrrgghhhh!!

I’m tired of getting screwed by the oil companies. I want a more fuel-efficient car! The CR-V was a nice upgrade, but it was a lateral move efficiency-wise. Time to do better.

If prices keep rising (and of course they will), suburban commuter cities like Raleigh are going to eventually wither and die. It won’t be cost-effective to keep driving.

I just caught up to the weblog of Cpl. Thomas Strickland, who was killed in Iraq when his humvee overturned. Thomas was a talented writer and poet who was trying to understand the war he found himself in.

Blogs like his really bring the war home. They also show how senseless it all is.

Yesterday, the Army vowed to better control soldier’s logs. Coincidence?

I’m shocked at the amount of damage to New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina. I’m also shocked at the devastation that swept Mississippi. New Orleans may get all the attention, but the people of Mississippi are hurting just as bad, if not worse. Those people didn’t have a lot before the hurricane. Now they’ve got even less. So sad.

At least its good to know the President is doing his part. Laissez les bon temps roulez!

This morning, I took the tags off of the “Old Nole,” my 1990 Honda Accord EX. I’ve owned it for four years and driven it many, many places. It’s kind of sad to see it go. Cars become a part of you (if you’re lucky, they do so only figuratively). It’s been a super car, though. I’ll miss all of its quirks as much as its excellent service.

The Old Nole is going to a good home, though: tomorrow, my brother becomes the third Turner to drive it. I expect he’ll enjoy it at least as long as I did. Possibly longer. She’s still got a lot of life left in her.

The new ride is a 2001 Honda CR-V. I’m still getting used to the idea of driving an SUV. Its nice to drive a newer car, but bigger isn’t necessarily the direction I wanted to go. Of course, once I see how many computers I can stuff in the back before next month’s TriLUG meeting, I’ll probably fall head over heels for it. Or when I see how it drives in snow. For now, though, we’re still feeling each other out.