Random Thoughts on Labor Day 2007

1. As I read Lisa See's Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, I wish my mom or grandma were around to discuss some of the plot elements. Mom was born in China and my grandma spent considerable time in China. I wonder if any of the traditions represented in the book (ie.: footbinding, the nu shu writing among women) is familiar to them?
2. I spent part of labor day with my sister's family. We had lunch at Saddle Ranch at the Legends. I had a Reuben sandwich (which was dry) and I paid for my niece's dinner in observation of her birthday.
3. Next weekend, I will celebrate my 42nd birthday, which was August 30th.
4. I saw the movie Stardust with Clare Danes, Charlie Cox, and Robert DeNiro yesterday. I thought this fantasy plot was very energetic and original but I thought the ending was a tad bit disappointing. Overall, I would not mind seeing this flick again.
5. Water main update: In an earlier post, I described the broken water main at a neighboring house and the city's pathetic attempts to fix it. Well, I have had discussions with some neighbors and it seems the city water department still has to finish the job. After the first repair attempt, water still leaked into the sewer and the front part of the driveway concrete was destroyed and replaced with gravel. That was ten days ago. Now, I have been informed that the owner has contacted members of the local news media to inform them of the problem. Keep an ear to the Kansas City news media....You never know if this story makes the nightly news.