Ames Floodagedon 2010

As of yesterday, most athletic facilities at Iowa State were under (partial) water. Drinking water is not expected to be safe until early next week. A total of six water mains have broken and people are stranded in their homes, out of town, or in town. A boil ordinance will be in affect for up to a week after water pressure is restored, as 1 water tower is completely empty and another is just starting to fill. They will be opening up fire hydrants to flush water to rid contaminants which will dump even more water into the streets. I only hope they know what they're doing!

Luckily, we live just outside of city limits and are part of a rural water association. I did make it into town to experience the craziness of the water shortage at Hy-Vee (yes, they rain out of bottled water and were well on their way to running out of Gatorade and flavored waters, as well) and to take some photos. Is it wrong of me to think that natural disasters are beautiful?

Also, in case you were wondering the speed limit for all boats is 25 mph at the Iowa State Center! ;-)

Most Duff Avenue businesses are still flooded, but it's looking promising that they could open sometime next week, as well. At least the biggies, like Target & Wal-Mart, because *how* will we survive without them? The local, family owned restaurants, garages, and other businesses could be even longer.

All in all, I feel very grateful. I have been safe (so far), but more rain is expected tonight and tomorrow. Let's hope it isn't as bad as is being predicted.

For more information about the flooding, check: The Des Moines Register, The City of Ames

See more of my flood pictures on Facebook. (You should be able to view these even if you aren't a member of Facebook.)

Blogging is harder than it looks...

To all my interwebs friends who blog religiously weekly or daily: I envy you. I envy your witty banter and your endless fountain of ideas. I want that. I want witty banter and endless ideas. So, what am I going to do about it?

I recently asked on Twitter and got ONE response. But it was a pretty good one. Create folders on your PC that involve blog ideas. Ok, done. And after one measly day, I have zero ideas in said folder. What is wrong with me?

Ok, short answer is probably nothing. Long answer is... I am distractable and easily bored. I have no job right now. I am starting classes at the end of August, but most of my day consists of taking Will to and from work and housewifery. I can't find the motivation to finish any one project and easily lose interest. I had a good blog idea, but the thought of actually writing that idea makes me bored. The idea? Product reviews. Good idea (I think) in theory. Making them interesting enough that even I'd want to read them? Not happening. And I can't make myself write something I wouldn't want to read. So, maybe I can incorporate that idea into this blog. When I find a product awesome (or sucky) enough to write about.

So, the best answer I can find as to why I love to write but hardly ever do? I'm scared. I'm scared that this will be shit, people will criticize it, or (worse) not even read it. Am I paranoid? A little. So, I guess the point is... here is my 18th (exaggerated) attempt at writing a blog. I have no expectations for it to be kickass or awesome. But mostly just for it to endure. Let's see how I go with that goal.