Wednesday, March 21, 2007

What I learned from the news this morning.

PARENTHETICAL ENOUGH-IS-ENOUGH THOUGHT: Aside from the usual unending flood of political sewage which is rapidly becoming too nauseating to follow, that is....

I read this story and learned that the latest "thing" for the uber-wealthy is to build giant fireplaces, sometimes with kitchens attached, in their backyards.

I've always wanted a huge chimney in my backyard, haven't you?

I guess if you are one of those fortunate folks who have money to burn -- so to speak -- and feel a need to one-up the neighbors, you have to do something drastic. So yeah, why not put up something everyone in the neighborhood can see, whether they want to or not.

Of course the story was already going downhill for me when it was mentioned that one of the avant-garde couples who have ordered up a big-ass smokestack for their yard spent over $13 million to build the house adjoining the new toy.

A $13 million house? For two people?

I feel left out. I can't even comprehend that.

Then there's a report (sorry, the link doesn't seem to work) that Chinese food is bad for you. So, by the way, are Mexican and Italian foods.

I wonder what the people who compile these studies eat? Raw veggies and meadow grass?

Frankly, I suspect the authors reviewed their work over a meal of Quarter-Pounders-with-cheese, fries and soft drinks. It's the Al Gore Syndrome: tell others how they must live, while living your own life by another set of rules. Or no rules.

Art Bell was right. There is at least one parallel universe out there, and probably more, governed by forces incomprehensible to most of us and peopled by strange beings.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Chinese food is poor for you??? wowsers! Then why do Asian women not ever usually experience menopause which has been attributed to their eating habits...or is that an urban legend?? smiles! Lou

MrScribbler said...

Darned if I know, Lou...that's out of my area of expertise, so to speak....

Anonymous said...

Well it wouldnt be any good having an outside kitchen here in the UK because all the food would get rained on! Seriously though who on earth needs a $13 million dollar house..That is just silly money!

Anonymous said...

I just did a $65K patio/arbor addition for one of my homeowners, which also included an outdoor grill (great idea) and a masonry fireplace (stupid idea). It was all on daddy's money...oil "bidness". $13,000,000 house for 2 people?? Well, it is California. Anywhere else it would probably have been about $200K. haha! :)

Anonymous said...

the 65K patio/arbor addition Lowandslow speaks of is amazing!!!! It turned out so well! Outdoor kitchens are all the rage in thee parts

MrScribbler said...

Mebbe so, Kelly...me, I'll just stick to the good ol'-fashioned BBQ unit on wheels. Or cook the food inside and cart it out to the patio.

Anonymous said...

A 13 million house is obscene even if you can afford it. I'd have a hard time respecting anyone who would waste money like that. I think, given half a chance I could do something more interesting than that with that kind of money.

I am nodding off and can't spell. G'night Scribbler.

MrScribbler said...

I'm sure you could, Joan. Would love to see you doing it, too!

Anonymous said...

My chimenea cost 80 bucks, and gives me big kicks...
The way people waste money these days really is obscene...
I dont want to draw some line,
but come on,
how much does a person really need?

Good night Scribbs, see ya around.
Woofster

John0 Juanderlust said...

No Italian or Mexican food is the same as no food at all. The two best cuisines ever.

I've read that veggies kill you too. As a matter of fact studies show that life is generally fatal, most of the time in less than a century!!

John0 Juanderlust said...

Got to figure that 13 mil was good for the workers and conatractors who built the house. If I were in construction I'd be all for it. Why not? Lot of people had some food on the table as a result, and they spent the money somewhwere.

Anonymous said...

I'm with Joan. I would never want to spend that kind of money on a house. There are better things to do. I would open huge shelters all over the world!

MrScribbler said...

harpo'fly -- not to sound like some kind of raving socialist (which I'm not), but I would much rather see 100 $130K houses -- not all jammed together -- for people of moderate means....