Comments for «leftbraned http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned go. figure. « Sun, 12 Oct 2008 20:01:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 Comment on I Heart My Tar & Chip Driveway by Perry http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37996 Perry Sat, 11 Oct 2008 04:21:42 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/archives/2006/04/19/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37996 I just recently looked into paving my driveway. In my area the prices have gone thru the roof. We live in the country and our current drive is gravel. CR610 I am told they call it here. Anyway if anyone can please confirm, will tar and chip be less expensive? I simply cannot afford to asphalt. We live in North Mississippi just south of the Tennessee sate line. I just recently looked into paving my driveway. In my area the prices have gone thru the roof. We live in the country and our current drive is gravel. CR610 I am told they call it here. Anyway if anyone can please confirm, will tar and chip be less expensive? I simply cannot afford to asphalt. We live in North Mississippi just south of the Tennessee sate line.

]]> Comment on My Next Book: “HoTMaiL [is] for Dummies” by Andy http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/my-next-book-hotmail-is-for-dummies/#comment-37980 Andy Thu, 09 Oct 2008 20:45:31 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/archives/2005/03/07/my-next-book-hotmail-is-for-dummies/#comment-37980 Ron, you are quite right hotmail does suck, for the reason you already stated. If you don't log in for 30 days then good night Vienna. I work abroad sometimes and i had a hotmail account, because i had no acess to a computer or the internet, i lost my account and all the contacts i had inside it. So i think hotmail sucks, i have had a yahoo address for 5 years now and i still have it and my contacts. My yahoo account does'nt get bombarded with spam either. I think you are justified......Andy Ron, you are quite right hotmail does suck, for the reason you already stated. If you don’t log in for 30 days then good night Vienna. I work abroad sometimes and i had a hotmail account, because i had no acess to a computer or the internet, i lost my account and all the contacts i had inside it. So i think hotmail sucks, i have had a yahoo address for 5 years now and i still have it and my contacts. My yahoo account does’nt get bombarded with spam either. I think you are justified……Andy

]]> Comment on I Heart My Tar & Chip Driveway by Angela http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37979 Angela Thu, 09 Oct 2008 20:27:26 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/archives/2006/04/19/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37979 I live in northern NJ and Ron was quite helpful in my quest for info on tar and chip. It's not easy finding someone to do tar and chip. We have a long driveway, about 2100 sq ft total, so no matter what, we're not getting off cheap! Here is my experience thus far. Hope it helps. <ul> <li>Craig from Hup and Sons was so nice. Most expensive at $8700, but I'm willing to pay a little more for the job to be quality</li> <li>Harrington in Chester was $7850. Great to work with and glad to give references: 50 Parker Road Chester, NJ 07930 PHONE: (908) 879-7500 . This is who we've decided on. </li> <li>Hicks in Sussex County at $4800 and would not give me examples of their work. If it seems to good to be true...</li> <li> By comparison, a plain asphalt quote came in at $5700</li> <li> Tar and Chip can be done in NJ until Oct 15th - latest. So that means you need to make a decision and get on your contractor's work shedule late Aug or early Sept.</li> <li> Since we called too late in the season, we will have to wait until May or June 2009 to get the work done. I'm hoping oil prices will be more favorable by then. If not, Harrington said they will honor our quote even if prices are up in the Spring. I'll be sure to post an update then...</li> </ul> <i>Response from Ron: Angela, thanks for the great info. Hope to hear all about your new driveway next spring. Good luck with the project! </i> I live in northern NJ and Ron was quite helpful in my quest for info on tar and chip. It’s not easy finding someone to do tar and chip. We have a long driveway, about 2100 sq ft total, so no matter what, we’re not getting off cheap! Here is my experience thus far. Hope it helps.

  • Craig from Hup and Sons was so nice. Most expensive at $8700, but I’m willing to pay a little more for the job to be quality
  • Harrington in Chester was $7850. Great to work with and glad to give references: 50 Parker Road Chester, NJ 07930 PHONE: (908) 879-7500 . This is who we’ve decided on.
  • Hicks in Sussex County at $4800 and would not give me examples of their work. If it seems to good to be true…
  • By comparison, a plain asphalt quote came in at $5700
  • Tar and Chip can be done in NJ until Oct 15th - latest. So that means you need to make a decision and get on your contractor’s work shedule late Aug or early Sept.
  • Since we called too late in the season, we will have to wait until May or June 2009 to get the work done. I’m hoping oil prices will be more favorable by then. If not, Harrington said they will honor our quote even if prices are up in the Spring. I’ll be sure to post an update then…

Response from Ron:
Angela, thanks for the great info. Hope to hear all about your new driveway next spring. Good luck with the project!

]]> Comment on I Heart My Tar & Chip Driveway by charlie dougherty http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37972 charlie dougherty Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:42:31 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/archives/2006/04/19/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37972 hi ron i just wanted to know what you ever did about your drive way that got messed up.or if you would still go back to tar & chip seal? <i>Response from Ron: Hi Charlie, thanks for asking. Actually, we did nothing--the hole is still there! It's bad but not terrible. If I had time, I'd look for another contractor to try patching it, but since we had a baby this summer, I've had no time. Next spring, I may revisit it. As for tar & chip in general, I'd have to say yes, I'd definitely do it again. (For what it's worth, I think that our driveway hole was caused by bad grading, not by bad tar & chip.) --Ron </i> hi ron i just wanted to know what you ever did about your drive way that got messed up.or if you would still go back to tar & chip seal?

Response from Ron:
Hi Charlie, thanks for asking. Actually, we did nothing–the hole is still there! It’s bad but not terrible. If I had time, I’d look for another contractor to try patching it, but since we had a baby this summer, I’ve had no time. Next spring, I may revisit it.
As for tar & chip in general, I’d have to say yes, I’d definitely do it again. (For what it’s worth, I think that our driveway hole was caused by bad grading, not by bad tar & chip.)
–Ron

]]> Comment on I Heart My Tar & Chip Driveway by Susan http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37928 Susan Fri, 03 Oct 2008 17:13:54 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/archives/2006/04/19/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37928 I have been reading (and been part of) this wonderful blog for awhile now. I see that many people are searching for companies that install tar and chip driveways. Therefore, I would like to tell you (I have Ron's permission) of a directory I have very recently put together for companies that provide this, listed by state. It can be found here: http://www.landscape-design-advice.com/tar-and-chip-contractors.html It is linked to from the pages Tar and Chip Driveways, Driveway Designs, and Driveway Paving. You can find these on the Site Index. My goal is to list as many states as possible. If there are any contractors who are interested in being added to the site, you can contact me through the Contact Page on my site. I do charge a fee which goes towards my time working on the website. I hope this proves to be helpful to many homeowners. Susan I have been reading (and been part of) this wonderful blog for awhile now. I see that many people are searching for companies that install tar and chip driveways.

Therefore, I would like to tell you (I have Ron’s permission) of a directory I have very recently put together for companies that provide this, listed by state. It can be found here:
http://www.landscape-design-advice.com/tar-and-chip-contractors.html
It is linked to from the pages Tar and Chip Driveways, Driveway Designs, and Driveway Paving. You can find these on the Site Index.

My goal is to list as many states as possible.

If there are any contractors who are interested in being added to the site, you can contact me through the Contact Page on my site. I do charge a fee which goes towards my time working on the website.

I hope this proves to be helpful to many homeowners.

Susan

]]> Comment on The Worst of the Best by Mosca http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/the-worst-of-the-best/#comment-37907 Mosca Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:57:09 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/?p=115#comment-37907 I got my information about the cheese being Monterey Jack by asking the question directly to the waitress at Revello's. But sure, brick cheese makes sense, too. You gotta love it... not the pizza, but the passion it evokes, y'know? As long as people love to eat distinctive food, there is hope for the world. I don't care who likes or doesn't like OFP, really; just stay out of Olive Garden and Pizza Hut and I'm happy. BTW, for OFP lovers; the quality of Arcaro & Genell's pizza has declined precipitously over the last year or so. They seem to have decided that their signature twist is going to be stale, mealy, flavorless crust (I know, I left you haters a hanging curve ball there). The sit-down meals are still great, but the pizza is now a "must skip" for me. I got my information about the cheese being Monterey Jack by asking the question directly to the waitress at Revello’s. But sure, brick cheese makes sense, too.

You gotta love it… not the pizza, but the passion it evokes, y’know? As long as people love to eat distinctive food, there is hope for the world. I don’t care who likes or doesn’t like OFP, really; just stay out of Olive Garden and Pizza Hut and I’m happy.

BTW, for OFP lovers; the quality of Arcaro & Genell’s pizza has declined precipitously over the last year or so. They seem to have decided that their signature twist is going to be stale, mealy, flavorless crust (I know, I left you haters a hanging curve ball there). The sit-down meals are still great, but the pizza is now a “must skip” for me.

]]> Comment on I Heart My Tar & Chip Driveway by allen http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37849 allen Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:36:06 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/archives/2006/04/19/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37849 I am looking for a tar and chip contractor in N. California. I am in Mt. Shasta n. of Redding and South of Oregon. I am looking for a tar and chip contractor in N. California. I am in Mt. Shasta
n. of Redding and South of Oregon.

]]> Comment on I Heart My Tar & Chip Driveway by H.Gallagher http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37835 H.Gallagher Tue, 23 Sep 2008 02:39:57 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/archives/2006/04/19/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37835 Thanks gavin i thinks so too, If anyone has any questions or need's anything please feel free to contact me. Thanks gavin i thinks so too, If anyone has any questions or need’s anything please feel free to contact me.

]]> Comment on My Next Book: “HoTMaiL [is] for Dummies” by Antonios http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/my-next-book-hotmail-is-for-dummies/#comment-37829 Antonios Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:23:48 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/archives/2005/03/07/my-next-book-hotmail-is-for-dummies/#comment-37829 My hotmail account was hacked into. For the last hour, while hotmail's crack team of employees aren't resetting my password, my friends have been conversing with the scum who have sent everyone in my address book an email about what a lucrative opportunity I have found in England while attending a youth program... I'm 32 And I'm a paying customer. I have only the small satisfaction of having been able to cancel my subscription in the meantime. My hotmail account was hacked into. For the last hour, while hotmail’s crack team of employees aren’t resetting my password, my friends have been conversing with the scum who have sent everyone in my address book an email about what a lucrative opportunity I have found in England while attending a youth program… I’m 32

And I’m a paying customer. I have only the small satisfaction of having been able to cancel my subscription in the meantime.

]]> Comment on I Heart My Tar & Chip Driveway by gavin bell http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37719 gavin bell Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:15:53 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/archives/2006/04/19/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37719 Gallagher Surfacing Am i missing something here? why are people ripping into Harry. He only offered his services and proudly described his position. I visited his site and it looked like a profesional outfit with good plant. I think some are jealous of you Harry . **** them . good luck Gallagher Surfacing
Am i missing something here? why are people ripping into Harry. He only offered his services and proudly described his position. I visited his site and it looked like a profesional outfit with good plant.
I think some are jealous of you Harry . **** them . good luck

]]> Comment on I Heart My Tar & Chip Driveway by Pat Gorman http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37705 Pat Gorman Sat, 06 Sep 2008 02:40:07 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/archives/2006/04/19/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37705 (Ya, that is kind of weird,) So what do you have to say for yourself, Mr "Gallagher"? Mr three chipseal crews? can you provide any proof, of the existence of you're massive chipsealing company? and if so do you intend to take you're company public? I would like very much to get in on the IPO and if you ever decide to publish a book or host a series of seminars, on "how to get rich from having three chipsealing crews that work seven months out of the year", please let me know.................................. you're biggest fan "Pat Gorman". ( presently only one chipsealing crew that works 9 - 10 months out of the year.) <i><strong>Note from Ron:</strong> Pat and "name withheld," please feel free to question other people's comments, but let's all remain polite and avoid being unjustifiably rude. Thanks!</i> (Ya, that is kind of weird,) So what do you have to say for yourself, Mr “Gallagher”? Mr three chipseal crews? can you provide any proof, of the existence of you’re massive chipsealing company? and if so do you intend to take you’re company public? I would like very much to get in on the IPO and if you ever decide to publish a book or host a series of seminars, on “how to get rich from having three chipsealing crews that work seven months out of the year”, please let me know……………………………. you’re biggest fan “Pat Gorman”. ( presently only one chipsealing crew that works 9 - 10 months out of the year.)

Note from Ron: Pat and “name withheld,” please feel free to question other people’s comments, but let’s all remain polite and avoid being unjustifiably rude. Thanks!

]]> Comment on I Heart My Tar & Chip Driveway by name withheld http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37689 name withheld Fri, 05 Sep 2008 02:22:32 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/archives/2006/04/19/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37689 this is hilarious: <blockquote>I own gallager asphalt located in fort worth texas and would be happy to help with any prices or questions you may have.We have 3 chipseal crews that work 7 months out of a year. Contact H.Gallagher 1800 490-1875 or gallagherharry1@gmail.com or http://www.gallagherpaving.com</blockquote> I'm not trying to hurt anyones ego or anything else here, however i cant help but point this out. Mr. Gallagher, I find it very odd you are running 3 chipseal crews 7 months out of the year. For one you only have 4 trucks thats 1 truck to every crew. Also, on your website there is only one thing, a track paver and roller. I dont see 3 chipspreaders, 3 distrubutors, rubber tire rollers, big steel wheels etc etc etc.. I'm sorry I just had to point this out.. this is hilarious:

I own gallager asphalt located in fort worth texas and would be happy to help with any prices or questions you may have.We have 3 chipseal crews that work 7 months out of a year. Contact H.Gallagher 1800 490-1875 or gallagherharry1@gmail.com or http://www.gallagherpaving.com

I’m not trying to hurt anyones ego or anything else here, however i cant help but point this out. Mr. Gallagher, I find it very odd you are running 3 chipseal crews 7 months out of the year. For one you only have 4 trucks thats 1 truck to every crew. Also, on your website there is only one thing, a track paver and roller. I dont see 3 chipspreaders, 3 distrubutors, rubber tire rollers, big steel wheels etc etc etc.. I’m sorry I just had to point this out..

]]> Comment on I Heart My Tar & Chip Driveway by Gabe Daly http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37688 Gabe Daly Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:09:03 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/archives/2006/04/19/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37688 RRMore, it would be a wise choice to remove the existing asphalt and the now failed base aggregrate. Like asphalt, Tar and Chip is not structualy strong. (unless full depth paving is specd) The aggregrate base under the tar and chip or asphalt is where you get the structual strength from. If you were to go over the top of what you had now, you would still have the dips and crowns that are there now. Or if they were to bring everything to grade with multiple shims of tar and chip, it would more likely cost the same as it would to do it right. I would highly recommend that you remove all the asphalt and install a new gravel base then tar and chip with 2 or 3 layers for the best results. Gabe Daly / Daly Paving www.dalypaving.com RRMore, it would be a wise choice to remove the existing asphalt and the now failed base aggregrate. Like asphalt, Tar and Chip is not structualy strong. (unless full depth paving is specd) The aggregrate base under the tar and chip or asphalt is where you get the structual strength from. If you were to go over the top of what you had now, you would still have the dips and crowns that are there now. Or if they were to bring everything to grade with multiple shims of tar and chip, it would more likely cost the same as it would to do it right. I would highly recommend that you remove all the asphalt and install a new gravel base then tar and chip with 2 or 3 layers for the best results. Gabe Daly / Daly Paving http://www.dalypaving.com

]]> Comment on I Heart My Tar & Chip Driveway by RRMoore http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37686 RRMoore Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:54:12 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/archives/2006/04/19/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37686 It was a pleasure reading through everyone's posting. My current asphalt driveway is shot, width-wise cracks filled with weeds, potholes and an uneven 4" setteling, have all taken their toll on this 43 year old drive. Would it be to my benefit to have it all ripped up and start from scratch before applying a tar and chip drive? Thanks for your suggestions. It was a pleasure reading through everyone’s posting. My current asphalt driveway is shot, width-wise cracks filled with weeds, potholes and an uneven 4″ setteling, have all taken their toll on this 43 year old drive. Would it be to my benefit to have it all ripped up and start from scratch before applying a tar and chip drive? Thanks for your suggestions.

]]> Comment on Cygwin cron: Spurious Messages in Event Viewer by Taylor Monacelli http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/cygwin-cron-spurious-messages-in-event-viewer/#comment-37657 Taylor Monacelli Sun, 31 Aug 2008 19:36:56 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/?p=262#comment-37657 Thank you Ron for the information on how to get the Windows to stop complaining. I appreciate it. Thank you Ron for the information on how to get the Windows to stop complaining. I appreciate it.

]]> Comment on I Heart My Tar & Chip Driveway by Steve Cranford http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37623 Steve Cranford Tue, 26 Aug 2008 21:21:51 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/archives/2006/04/19/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37623 I live in High Point, NC and am interested in going over my existing asphalt driveway (approximately 4100 sf) with tar and chip. Does anyone know of an experienced tar and chip contractor in this area? I live in High Point, NC and am interested in going over my existing asphalt driveway (approximately 4100 sf) with tar and chip. Does anyone know of an experienced tar and chip contractor in this area?

]]> Comment on I Heart My Tar & Chip Driveway by Aaron Williams sr. http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37619 Aaron Williams sr. Sat, 23 Aug 2008 17:58:57 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/archives/2006/04/19/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37619 Williams Brothers Paving is a family business that started out laying tar & chip driveways in 1947 and hot mix asphaltic concrete drives in the mid 1950's. We still do both and, also build natural earth mixed on site with polymers for a hard surface drive or haul road with a natural look. BBB and Service magic members in good standing,base in Austin Texas we do state wide contracting. See our website for details Williams Brothers Paving is a family business that started out laying tar & chip driveways in 1947 and hot mix asphaltic concrete drives in the mid 1950’s.

We still do both and, also build natural earth mixed on site with polymers for a hard surface drive or haul road with a natural look.

BBB and Service magic members in good standing,base in Austin Texas we do state wide contracting.

See our website for details

]]> Comment on I Heart My Tar & Chip Driveway by Pat Wade http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37612 Pat Wade Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:11:55 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/archives/2006/04/19/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37612 Anyone know a tar and chip contractor around Gainesville/Ocala/Inverness, Florida? Anyone know a tar and chip contractor around Gainesville/Ocala/Inverness, Florida?

]]> Comment on I Heart My Tar & Chip Driveway by mark http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37608 mark Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:44:12 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/archives/2006/04/19/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37608 ANYONE IN PHILADELPHIA PA AREA CONTACT ME IF YOU DO THIS PROCESS. ANYONE IN PHILADELPHIA PA AREA CONTACT ME IF YOU DO THIS PROCESS.

]]> Comment on I Heart My Tar & Chip Driveway by Frank Stransky http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37607 Frank Stransky Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:35:00 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/archives/2006/04/19/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37607 I live in the Chicagoland area and have been looking for someone who does "tar and chip". I've got a 3500 sq ft drive and parking area. It's always been gravel and is in need of more, but before i just throw down some road mix, I thought..."tar and chip. Any one out in my area still do it? I live in the Chicagoland area and have been looking for someone who does “tar and chip”. I’ve got a 3500 sq ft drive and parking area. It’s always been gravel and is in need of more, but before i just throw down some road mix, I thought…”tar and chip. Any one out in my area still do it?

]]> Comment on Is Home Birth Courageous? by Carol http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/is-home-birth-courageous/#comment-37601 Carol Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:30:06 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/is-home-birth-courageous#comment-37601 I am so envious of your beautiful homebirth... it would seem like the greatest dream to me to be able to give birth at home. Sadly, my first daughter, on the 13th of May, 2003, died while I was laboring at home. I will never be able to not second guess whether being in a hospital could have saved her. Thus, I am now tied to the hospital, and technology is both my friend and a very effective tool for maintaining my mental health during birth. However, I will add, that my two births that followed Charlotte's death were very independent, drug free (at least until the prolapsed cord was discovered at 10cm with my son) and very much guided by me. I feel fortunate to have access to a birthing center where mothers are always encouraged to take the upper hand and always get the last word in (at least if you are bossy like me!) It would be my hope that in the future women could be encouraged to take charge of their own births and not let hospital staff dictate the course of their births so as to draw in unnecessary complications. I wrote about this on my blog a lot a while back, but really it comes down to this: once you become part of the babylost world, you have sympathy for those doctors: if you had the choice to maybe intervene and maybe save a baby's life, you should. Because having your baby die is an experience I would wish on no-one. I assure you pitocin, a c-section, or anything else you might be handed is better than waking up the day after you give birth to an empty womb, leaking breasts, and no baby to feed. So, after that brief defense of hospitals and their staff, I do in all honesty congratulate you, and please know that I only wish I could have been so fortunate. I am so envious of your beautiful homebirth… it would seem like the greatest dream to me to be able to give birth at home.
Sadly, my first daughter, on the 13th of May, 2003, died while I was laboring at home. I will never be able to not second guess whether being in a hospital could have saved her. Thus, I am now tied to the hospital, and technology is both my friend and a very effective tool for maintaining my mental health during birth.
However, I will add, that my two births that followed Charlotte’s death were very independent, drug free (at least until the prolapsed cord was discovered at 10cm with my son) and very much guided by me. I feel fortunate to have access to a birthing center where mothers are always encouraged to take the upper hand and always get the last word in (at least if you are bossy like me!) It would be my hope that in the future women could be encouraged to take charge of their own births and not let hospital staff dictate the course of their births so as to draw in unnecessary complications.
I wrote about this on my blog a lot a while back, but really it comes down to this: once you become part of the babylost world, you have sympathy for those doctors: if you had the choice to maybe intervene and maybe save a baby’s life, you should. Because having your baby die is an experience I would wish on no-one. I assure you pitocin, a c-section, or anything else you might be handed is better than waking up the day after you give birth to an empty womb, leaking breasts, and no baby to feed.
So, after that brief defense of hospitals and their staff, I do in all honesty congratulate you, and please know that I only wish I could have been so fortunate.

]]> Comment on I Heart My Tar & Chip Driveway by Ron http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37600 Ron Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:42:44 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/archives/2006/04/19/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37600 <blockquote>Is this surface appropriate for playing basketball on? Not a real game, just shooting hoops.</blockquote> Nah, I wouldn't say it's appropriate for bouncing a ball.

Is this surface appropriate for playing basketball on? Not a real game, just shooting hoops.

Nah, I wouldn’t say it’s appropriate for bouncing a ball.

]]> Comment on I Heart My Tar & Chip Driveway by K http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37599 K Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:35:11 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/archives/2006/04/19/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37599 Is this surface appropriate for playing basketball on? Not a real game, just shooting hoops. Also, when I am trying to find a contractor what should I be asking? How many layers should I expect? What size stone? What should the tar make-up be. Is there anything else I should ask about? I'd like to sound like I know what I'm talking about when comparing contractors. Thanks Is this surface appropriate for playing basketball on? Not a real game, just shooting hoops.

Also, when I am trying to find a contractor what should I be asking? How many layers should I expect? What size stone? What should the tar make-up be. Is there anything else I should ask about?

I’d like to sound like I know what I’m talking about when comparing contractors.

Thanks

]]> Comment on The Worst of the Best by Dave Zinovenko http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/the-worst-of-the-best/#comment-37596 Dave Zinovenko Tue, 22 Jul 2008 06:14:31 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/?p=115#comment-37596 My parents grew up in Old Forge and every year in the late 40's or 50's we would spend a week or two there during the summer. I have not tasted OF pizza for at least 55 years but I can still remember it ...and the clambakes too. I'd like to try it again but I'm sure that it won't be the same. Something about childhood and nostalgia. I understand the strip mines are all closed down and most areas filled in. I think they finally put out the underground fire in the coal dump alongside Lackawanna Ave. And I'm sure the family house on Hickory St has been renovated several times over. A lot changes in 50 years but the experience of eating OF pizza comfort food will remain. I'm in south central Connecticut right now and close to Pepe's of New Haven, the undisputed champion of gourmet napo-style pizza. Call it heresy or what but I'm actually thinking of getting an OF pie and a Pepe's pie and comparing them side by side. I'll let you all know if I do. My parents grew up in Old Forge and every year in the late 40’s or 50’s we would spend a week or two there during the summer. I have not tasted OF pizza for at least 55 years but I can still remember it …and the clambakes too. I’d like to try it again but I’m sure that it won’t be the same. Something about childhood and nostalgia. I understand the strip mines are all closed down and most areas filled in. I think they finally put out the underground fire in the coal dump alongside Lackawanna Ave. And I’m sure the family house on Hickory St has been renovated several times over. A lot changes in 50 years but the experience of eating OF pizza comfort food will remain. I’m in south central Connecticut right now and close to Pepe’s of New Haven, the undisputed champion of gourmet napo-style pizza. Call it heresy or what but I’m actually thinking of getting an OF pie and a Pepe’s pie and comparing them side by side. I’ll let you all know if I do.

]]> Comment on I Heart My Tar & Chip Driveway by Andrew http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37595 Andrew Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:38:49 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/archives/2006/04/19/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37595 Can someone give me a definitve spec for a tar and stone drive for the UK. A friend of mine has had one laid today and is worried about the work carried out. The contractor sprayed tar onto a Type 1 surface and then rolled in crushed granite. Appreciate any help. Andy Can someone give me a definitve spec for a tar and stone drive for the UK. A friend of mine has had one laid today and is worried about the work carried out. The contractor sprayed tar onto a Type 1 surface and then rolled in crushed granite. Appreciate any help. Andy

]]> Comment on The Worst of the Best by Linda http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/the-worst-of-the-best/#comment-37594 Linda Sat, 19 Jul 2008 21:39:54 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/?p=115#comment-37594 P-Daddy, that is what i keep saying, Old Forge pizza is the worst stuff, how anyone can think that is pizza i'll never know. Has me stumped. P-Daddy, that is what i keep saying, Old Forge pizza is the worst stuff, how anyone can think that is pizza i’ll never know. Has me stumped.

]]> Comment on The Worst of the Best by tom http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/the-worst-of-the-best/#comment-37589 tom Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:44:42 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/?p=115#comment-37589 Oh.. to be able to write so many words with such a limited brain. The same drugs which destroyed your brain cells have clearly blunted your taste buds. Old Froge pizza ranks tops in styles, tastes, and quality for Italians the world over. You, my fair skinned Anglo, have little abilty to judge. Your opinion is like so many hairs on a dog's backside grounded in a history of tastless meals. Enjoy your Pizza hut! Oh.. to be able to write so many words with such a limited brain. The same drugs which destroyed your brain cells have clearly blunted your taste buds. Old Froge pizza ranks tops in styles, tastes, and quality for Italians the world over. You, my fair skinned Anglo, have little abilty to judge. Your opinion is like so many hairs on a dog’s backside grounded in a history of tastless meals. Enjoy your Pizza hut!

]]> Comment on I Heart My Tar & Chip Driveway by Leonard Jeffery http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37585 Leonard Jeffery Tue, 15 Jul 2008 23:16:40 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/archives/2006/04/19/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37585 With the price of asphalt rising sky high, chip seal is becoming more popular. I love chip seal because it looks more natural and is lighter which is ideal for the desert. Also I can lay more than asphalt at a better price. I am licensed, bonded and insured and would love to give a free quote also. I am located in Arizona. I am listed in the yellowpages and am a member of the BBB. My name is Leonard Jeffery and my business is Pro-Pave Inc. My number is 602-741-5415. With the price of asphalt rising sky high, chip seal is becoming more popular. I love chip seal because it looks more natural and is lighter which is ideal for the desert. Also I can lay more than asphalt at a better price. I am licensed, bonded and insured and would love to give a free quote also. I am located in Arizona. I am listed in the yellowpages and am a member of the BBB. My name is Leonard Jeffery and my business is Pro-Pave Inc. My number is 602-741-5415.

]]> Comment on I Heart My Tar & Chip Driveway by Glenn Vollmer http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37584 Glenn Vollmer Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:14:02 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/archives/2006/04/19/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37584 I am the owner of Vollmer Tar and Chip, Inc. We specialize in tar and chip for residential and commercial use in the Elk County, PA area. We offer services to the surrounding areas. If anyone is interested in a free quote please do not hesistate to call us at (814) 335 - 4234. "Don't get left in the dust!" I am the owner of Vollmer Tar and Chip, Inc. We specialize in tar and chip for residential and commercial use in the Elk County, PA area. We offer services to the surrounding areas. If anyone is interested in a free quote please do not hesistate to call us at (814) 335 - 4234. “Don’t get left in the dust!”

]]> Comment on The Worst of the Best by celo http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/the-worst-of-the-best/#comment-37583 celo Fri, 11 Jul 2008 01:23:41 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/?p=115#comment-37583 Dude Ghigerelli The best! Old Forge pa right across from rivellos Dude Ghigerelli The best! Old Forge pa right across from rivellos

]]> Comment on I Heart My Tar & Chip Driveway by BillHobo http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37582 BillHobo Thu, 10 Jul 2008 19:45:51 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/archives/2006/04/19/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37582 Can anyone recommend a tar and chip company in central NJ (Monmouth County)? Can anyone recommend a tar and chip company in central NJ (Monmouth County)?

]]> Comment on Fixing minidom.toprettyxml’s Silly Whitespace by gmolleda http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/xml-dom-minidom-toprettyxml-and-silly-whitespace/#comment-37581 gmolleda Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:39:40 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/?p=252#comment-37581 Hi, I have fixed other problem [in minidom]: When you use the writexml function for write a beautiful and readable file, and read the file, and other time use writexml function, then you could view a lot of ugly newline characters. Adding a new conditional in the loop "for", we could remove the blank lines with only indent and newline characters <code> for node in self.childNodes: + if node.nodeType is not xml.dom.minidom.Node.TEXT_NODE: # 3: + node.writexml(writer,indent+addindent,addindent,newl) - #node.writexml(writer,indent+addindent,addindent,newl) </code> Hi, I have fixed other problem [in minidom]:
When you use the writexml function for write a beautiful and readable file, and read the file, and other time use writexml function, then you could view a lot of ugly newline characters.

Adding a new conditional in the loop “for”, we could remove the blank lines with only indent and newline characters


for node in self.childNodes:
+ if node.nodeType is not xml.dom.minidom.Node.TEXT_NODE: # 3:
+ node.writexml(writer,indent+addindent,addindent,newl)
- #node.writexml(writer,indent+addindent,addindent,newl)

]]> Comment on Fixing minidom.toprettyxml’s Silly Whitespace by gmolleda http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/xml-dom-minidom-toprettyxml-and-silly-whitespace/#comment-37580 gmolleda Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:08:56 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/?p=252#comment-37580 Hi, if you add a conditional in loop for, the extra newline character is not added in next calls to function: <code> writer.write(">%s" % (newl)) for node in self.childNodes: + if node.nodeType is not xml.dom.minidom.Node.TEXT_NODE: # 3: node.writexml(writer,indent+addindent,addindent,newl) </code> Hi, if you add a conditional in loop for, the extra newline character is not added in next calls to function:

writer.write(">%s" % (newl))
for node in self.childNodes:
+ if node.nodeType is not xml.dom.minidom.Node.TEXT_NODE: # 3:
node.writexml(writer,indent+addindent,addindent,newl)

]]> Comment on Fixing minidom.toprettyxml’s Silly Whitespace by Ron http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/xml-dom-minidom-toprettyxml-and-silly-whitespace/#comment-37579 Ron Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:05:20 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/?p=252#comment-37579 gmodella, thanks for your feedback. You're right, the code as published wasn't working, because Wordpress converted my "" to html tag delimiters, instead of converting them to "&lt;" and "&gt;". (Notice that it did the same thing in your comment; your 'write.write("%s%s"...' should have a , but Wordpress stripped them in your comment as well.) I've fixed it manually, and now Wordpress is rendering it correctly. Thank you for alerting me! gmodella, thanks for your feedback. You’re right, the code as published wasn’t working, because Wordpress converted my “” to html tag delimiters, instead of converting them to “&lt;” and “&gt;”. (Notice that it did the same thing in your comment; your ‘write.write(”%s%s”…’ should have a , but Wordpress stripped them in your comment as well.)

I’ve fixed it manually, and now Wordpress is rendering it correctly. Thank you for alerting me!

]]> Comment on Fixing minidom.toprettyxml’s Silly Whitespace by gmolleda http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/xml-dom-minidom-toprettyxml-and-silly-whitespace/#comment-37578 gmolleda Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:03:20 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/?p=252#comment-37578 I have found errors in fixed_writexml function: 1.- Errors in number %s into strings 2.- Errors in ending labels, the functions write label and not The correct is: def fixed_writexml(self, writer, indent="", addindent="", newl=""): # indent = current indentation # addindent = indentation to add to higher levels # newl = newline string writer.write(indent+"") self.childNodes[0].writexml(writer, "", "", "" ) writer.write("%s" % (self.tagName, newl)) return writer.write(">%s" % (newl)) for node in self.childNodes: node.writexml(writer,indent+addindent,addindent,newl) writer.write("%s%s" % (indent,self.tagName,newl)) else: writer.write("/>%s"%(newl)) # replace minidom’s function with ours xml.dom.minidom.Element.writexml = fixed_writexml I have found errors in fixed_writexml function:
1.- Errors in number %s into strings
2.- Errors in ending labels, the functions write label and not

The correct is:

def fixed_writexml(self, writer, indent=”", addindent=”", newl=”"):
# indent = current indentation
# addindent = indentation to add to higher levels
# newl = newline string
writer.write(indent+”")
self.childNodes[0].writexml(writer, “”, “”, “” )
writer.write(”%s” % (self.tagName, newl))
return
writer.write(”>%s” % (newl))
for node in self.childNodes:
node.writexml(writer,indent+addindent,addindent,newl)
writer.write(”%s%s” % (indent,self.tagName,newl))
else:
writer.write(”/>%s”%(newl))

# replace minidom’s function with ours
xml.dom.minidom.Element.writexml = fixed_writexml

]]> Comment on I Heart My Tar & Chip Driveway by ChuckD http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37577 ChuckD Sun, 06 Jul 2008 14:47:42 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/archives/2006/04/19/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37577 Hey Rich (and others) thanks for all the details. I just started my search for someone to do a similar job at my place, 400' gravel drive, 6700sf total. First contractor I called immediately told me macadam "had been outlawed". Guess this doesn't bode well. He was nice enough to tell me who locally was "licensed" to do it though. Hey Rich (and others) thanks for all the details. I just started my search for someone to do a similar job at my place, 400′ gravel drive, 6700sf total. First contractor I called immediately told me macadam “had been outlawed”. Guess this doesn’t bode well. He was nice enough to tell me who locally was “licensed” to do it though.

]]> Comment on “We’re Not Candy. (We Mean It!)” by Angela http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/were-not-candy-we-mean-it/#comment-37570 Angela Sun, 29 Jun 2008 23:54:39 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/archives/2005/03/11/were-not-candy-we-mean-it/#comment-37570 Wow!!! I'm at a lost for words. My niece and I actually grew up together in the NY area back in the 80's, and til this day we still talk about that PSA. Of course we moved to the south and I guess it never made it down there. When we would sing that song of course in our 30's people look at us like we where crazy. Have to admit....we begin to think we actually made in up in our childhood. Then one day we were just browsing the web for old theme songs and my niece came up with a great idea. Look up the old We're not Candy theme song. Me being skeptical...I didnt think we could find it. Then there it pops up...the first link from searching on yahoo. Now I have it saved to my laptop to share with my kids...And ok ...I will send it to my niece so she can prove to her friends and co-workers she is sane...lol. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!! Wow!!! I’m at a lost for words. My niece and I actually grew up together in the NY area back in the 80’s, and til this day we still talk about that PSA. Of course we moved to the south and I guess it never made it down there. When we would sing that song of course in our 30’s people look at us like we where crazy. Have to admit….we begin to think we actually made in up in our childhood. Then one day we were just browsing the web for old theme songs and my niece came up with a great idea. Look up the old We’re not Candy theme song. Me being skeptical…I didnt think we could find it. Then there it pops up…the first link from searching on yahoo. Now I have it saved to my laptop to share with my kids…And ok …I will send it to my niece so she can prove to her friends and co-workers she is sane…lol. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!

]]> Comment on The Worst of the Best by P-Daddy http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/the-worst-of-the-best/#comment-37564 P-Daddy Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:31:29 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/?p=115#comment-37564 I was so happy to find this site. I moved here about 10 years ago and kept hearing about how “Old Forge” pizza is the best in the world. The first time I tried it I had almost the exact same response as previously described. I had a nostalgic feeling when tasting it and then realized it tasted almost exactly like the mini pizza we made as kids (with bread or English muffins, sweat sauce and cheap American cheese. It also tastes a lot like cafeteria pizza (sweet, chewy, and often soggy). This is without a doubt the most overrated food I have ever eaten! Hello, anyone ever wonder why one can buy a tray for so cheap?! The ingredients! Inferior, cheap ingredients. There must be some form of hallucinogenic in the sauce for so many NEPA’ers to believe it’s great (even good) pizza. So incredibly overrated!! I was so happy to find this site. I moved here about 10 years ago and kept hearing about how “Old Forge” pizza is the best in the world. The first time I tried it I had almost the exact same response as previously described. I had a nostalgic feeling when tasting it and then realized it tasted almost exactly like the mini pizza we made as kids (with bread or English muffins, sweat sauce and cheap American cheese. It also tastes a lot like cafeteria pizza (sweet, chewy, and often soggy).
This is without a doubt the most overrated food I have ever eaten! Hello, anyone ever wonder why one can buy a tray for so cheap?! The ingredients! Inferior, cheap ingredients. There must be some form of hallucinogenic in the sauce for so many NEPA’ers to believe it’s great (even good) pizza. So incredibly overrated!!

]]> Comment on I Heart My Tar & Chip Driveway by H.Gallagher http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37561 H.Gallagher Thu, 19 Jun 2008 03:29:01 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/archives/2006/04/19/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37561 I own gallager asphalt located in fort worth texas and would be happy to help with any prices or questions you may have.We have 3 chipseal crews that work 7 months out of a year. Contact H.Gallagher 1800 490-1875 or gallagherharry1@gmail.com or www.gallagherpaving.com I own gallager asphalt located in fort worth texas and would be happy to help with any prices or questions you may have.We have 3 chipseal crews that work 7 months out of a year. Contact H.Gallagher 1800 490-1875 or gallagherharry1@gmail.com or http://www.gallagherpaving.com

]]> Comment on The Worst of the Best by John http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/the-worst-of-the-best/#comment-37560 John Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:52:51 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/?p=115#comment-37560 Which pizzeria do you guys prefer in Scranton? Alfredo's or Pizza by Alfredo? -John Which pizzeria do you guys prefer in Scranton? Alfredo’s or Pizza by Alfredo?
-John

]]> Comment on I Heart My Tar & Chip Driveway by Rich http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37557 Rich Mon, 16 Jun 2008 22:49:40 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/archives/2006/04/19/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37557 I live in northern Illinois south of Chicago. I have a 500 foot long (8 foor wide) tar & chip driveway (w/ 3 layers of tar covered by 3 layers of chips) that gently declines in grade and blends into my 3,000 square foot blacktop parking space in front of my garage and house. I made sure that my road grader operator building the original driveway had the black dirt (organic material) peeled off of my driveway lane down to a clay base. Then, I trucked in 2 and 1/2 inch -3 inch gravel for the initial base of my driveway until the gravel was 4-6 inches deep. I topped this gravel layer off with another 2-3 inches of road mix gravel (smaller sized gravel with crushed limestone also in it). I wanted to make sure that the road grader placed a nice crown (a slight ridge in the center of the driveway) on the center of the driveway so that the rains (and melted snow) would drain or flow off the sloped driveway. The solid base of your driveway is very important so that is why I started with a clay base, covered over by large sized gravel, followed by smaller sized gravel interspersed with crushed limestone so it would all sort of "lock together in place" like a jigsaw puzzle. Then, I waited for three years while I drove my cars and my heavy grain trucks over this gravel driveway so it would be firmly packed down solid. Then, I went over it with 3 layers of tar & 3 layers of chips (called an A-3 surface, I believe). My township road commissioner said to go with 3 layers of alternating tar & chips for the best results and the greatest longevity. I waited until I knew our local rural township roads were soon going to be tarred & chipped. I then called our local township road commissioner (a great guy) and asked him if he would ask for me if the firm doing the township roads would be interested in doing my long driveway since they were already going to be near me and their equipment was already out next to me. The tar & chip company said that they would cut me a very low price since they were already out next to me doing the townships roads. This was twenty years ago. The price I paid back then for the 3 layers of tar & chips was about $1 per square foot while my blacktop parking space was about $2 per square foot back then (and concrete would have cost me $3 per square foot back then). The tar & chip part of my driveway has held up superbly. After 18 years had gone by, I added one more layer of tar & one more layer of chips (for a total cost of 30 cents per square foot) just to "dress up" or maintain the driveway. I am sure that I got it done cheaply because the tar & chip company was in my neighborhood once again anyway doing our townships rural roads. I will get an occasional tuff of grass or a weed that takes root somehow in the tar & chip driveway but it is insignificant in scope and amount. I just spray a weed killer or Round-Up weed killer on the errant tuff of grass or weed. When I plow the snow off of my tar & chip driveway in the winter time with my 22 horsepower tractor with a snow blade, I have two tiny little 1/2 inch wide "runners" welded on my snow blade that keeps the blade up about 1/2 inch above the driveway so I don't peel off a thin layer of some of the stone chips that are imbedded in the tar base of the driveway. It works like a champ. I don't have but a few handfuls of chips that get plowed off to the side by the snowplow into my yard. With the blacktop section of my driveway and parking space, I have to seal it with a blacktop sealer about once every third or fourth year. That is a pain to do and it costs me about $220 for the liquid oil-based sealer needed to seal off the 3,000 square feet of blacktop that I have. I do it all myself with a pushbroom, 5 gallon buckets of sealer, and I wear my grubbiest cloths because I know that I will get blacktop sealer on my old jeans and ragged old tennis shoes each time. My advice is: Call your local township road commissioner for his advice and help in obtaining the services and best prices from a tar & chip company that he uses each year for your township's roads. Tar & chip your driveway at the same time that they have their equipment and men out there and you will save at least 30%-50% on what they would otherwise quote you or someone else to do your driveway. Good luck. I live in northern Illinois south of Chicago. I have a 500 foot long (8 foor wide) tar & chip driveway (w/ 3 layers of tar covered by 3 layers of chips) that gently declines in grade and blends into my 3,000 square foot blacktop parking space in front of my garage and house. I made sure that my road grader operator building the original driveway had the black dirt (organic material) peeled off of my driveway lane down to a clay base. Then, I trucked in 2 and 1/2 inch -3 inch gravel for the initial base of my driveway until the gravel was 4-6 inches deep. I topped this gravel layer off with another 2-3 inches of road mix gravel (smaller sized gravel with crushed limestone also in it). I wanted to make sure that the road grader placed a nice crown (a slight ridge in the center of the driveway) on the center of the driveway so that the rains (and melted snow) would drain or flow off the sloped driveway. The solid base of your driveway is very important so that is why I started with a clay base, covered over by large sized gravel, followed by smaller sized gravel interspersed with crushed limestone so it would all sort of “lock together in place” like a jigsaw puzzle.
Then, I waited for three years while I drove my cars and my heavy grain trucks over this gravel driveway so it would be firmly packed down solid. Then, I went over it with 3 layers of tar & 3 layers of chips (called an A-3 surface, I believe). My township road commissioner said to go with 3 layers of alternating tar & chips for the best results and the greatest longevity. I waited until I knew our local rural township roads were soon going to be tarred & chipped. I then called our local township road commissioner (a great guy) and asked him if he would ask for me if the firm doing the township roads would be interested in doing my long driveway since they were already going to be near me and their equipment was already out next to me. The tar & chip company said that they would cut me a very low price since they were already out next to me doing the townships roads. This was twenty years ago. The price I paid back then for the 3 layers of tar & chips was about $1 per square foot while my blacktop parking space was about $2 per square foot back then (and concrete would have cost me $3 per square foot back then).
The tar & chip part of my driveway has held up superbly. After 18 years had gone by, I added one more layer of tar & one more layer of chips (for a total cost of 30 cents per square foot) just to “dress up” or maintain the driveway. I am sure that I got it done cheaply because the tar & chip company was in my neighborhood once again anyway doing our townships rural roads. I will get an occasional tuff of grass or a weed that takes root somehow in the tar & chip driveway but it is insignificant in scope and amount. I just spray a weed killer or Round-Up weed killer on the errant tuff of grass or weed. When I plow the snow off of my tar & chip driveway in the winter time with my 22 horsepower tractor with a snow blade, I have two tiny little 1/2 inch wide “runners” welded on my snow blade that keeps the blade up about 1/2 inch above the driveway so I don’t peel off a thin layer of some of the stone chips that are imbedded in the tar base of the driveway. It works like a champ. I don’t have but a few handfuls of chips that get plowed off to the side by the snowplow into my yard.
With the blacktop section of my driveway and parking space, I have to seal it with a blacktop sealer about once every third or fourth year. That is a pain to do and it costs me about $220 for the liquid oil-based sealer needed to seal off the 3,000 square feet of blacktop that I have. I do it all myself with a pushbroom, 5 gallon buckets of sealer, and I wear my grubbiest cloths because I know that I will get blacktop sealer on my old jeans and ragged old tennis shoes each time.
My advice is: Call your local township road commissioner for his advice and help in obtaining the services and best prices from a tar & chip company that he uses each year for your township’s roads. Tar & chip your driveway at the same time that they have their equipment and men out there and you will save at least 30%-50% on what they would otherwise quote you or someone else to do your driveway. Good luck.

]]> Comment on I Heart My Tar & Chip Driveway by Bama Boy http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37556 Bama Boy Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:03:49 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/archives/2006/04/19/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37556 I also have a large Driveway and a circular in front of the house that I am wanting to get Tar and Chip. If you know of a contractor in the Central Alabama area....please let me know... Thanks! I also have a large Driveway and a circular in front of the house that I am wanting to get Tar and Chip. If you know of a contractor in the Central Alabama area….please let me know…

Thanks!

]]> Comment on I Heart My Tar & Chip Driveway by traci http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37555 traci Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:32:44 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/archives/2006/04/19/i-heart-my-tar-and-chip-driveway/#comment-37555 I have had a crusher run drive for years. I had crusher run poured on the drive after getting worn asphalt removed. I did not realize crusher run could have been poured over the old asphalt drive. The crusher run has held up well, but I think it may need another layer soon. I would like to get a red brick color on the drive, and have heard of tar and chip and macadam driveways. Would either of these give the redbrick color? Is there any one in Southeast Alabama who does these kinds of driveways. Lately I've seen warm up tracks around baseball fields that appear to be made from brick color gravel. Does anyone know what these gravel are and if they would do well over an existing crusher run driveway? I have had a crusher run drive for years. I had crusher run poured on the drive after getting worn asphalt removed. I did not realize crusher run could have been poured over the old asphalt drive. The crusher run has held up well, but I think it may need another layer soon. I would like to get a red brick color on the drive, and have heard of tar and chip and macadam driveways. Would either of these give the redbrick color? Is there any one in Southeast Alabama who does these kinds of driveways. Lately I’ve seen warm up tracks around baseball fields that appear to be made from brick color gravel. Does anyone know what these gravel are and if they would do well over an existing crusher run driveway?

]]> Comment on Fixing minidom.toprettyxml’s Silly Whitespace by Ron http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/xml-dom-minidom-toprettyxml-and-silly-whitespace/#comment-37538 Ron Sun, 15 Jun 2008 09:07:26 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/?p=252#comment-37538 Yikes, I just came across a better solution on <i>comp.lang.python</i>: use <strong>xml.dom.ext.PrettyPrint</strong>. I've updated the main post to reflect this option. (See <a href="#best-solution" rel="nofollow">#4</a>.) Yikes, I just came across a better solution on comp.lang.python: use xml.dom.ext.PrettyPrint.

I’ve updated the main post to reflect this option. (See #4.)

]]> Comment on Baby Name Brainstorm by Serge http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/baby-name-brainstorm/#comment-37537 Serge Sun, 15 Jun 2008 02:56:44 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/baby-name-brainstorm/#comment-37537 ...and it all ended up with the ordinary name after all the brainstormings. Congratulations and cheers to little Leo! You should consider registering leorothman.com for him. …and it all ended up with the ordinary name after all the brainstormings.
Congratulations and cheers to little Leo! You should consider registering leorothman.com for him.

]]> Comment on My Next Book: “HoTMaiL [is] for Dummies” by Serge http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/my-next-book-hotmail-is-for-dummies/#comment-37534 Serge Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:16:36 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/archives/2005/03/07/my-next-book-hotmail-is-for-dummies/#comment-37534 Yes, I did get here by typing "Hotmail sucks"! I just wrote an article myself about their services and i'm not even using Hotmail, but i still have reasons to hate them and millions of others are in the same boat with me. Hotmail is blocking emails I sent from normal account to my friends! So, please, everybody just stop using hotmail services! Yes, I did get here by typing “Hotmail sucks”!
I just wrote an article myself about their services and i’m not even using Hotmail, but i still have reasons to hate them and millions of others are in the same boat with me. Hotmail is blocking emails I sent from normal account to my friends! So, please, everybody just stop using hotmail services!

]]> Comment on My Next Book: “HoTMaiL [is] for Dummies” by Why you should quit using Hotmail and advice others to do the same. » turcanu.net http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/my-next-book-hotmail-is-for-dummies/#comment-37533 Why you should quit using Hotmail and advice others to do the same. » turcanu.net Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:54:59 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/archives/2005/03/07/my-next-book-hotmail-is-for-dummies/#comment-37533 [...] Hotmail is for Dummies [...] [...] Hotmail is for Dummies [...]

]]> Comment on The Worst of the Best by Justine Jill http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/the-worst-of-the-best/#comment-37529 Justine Jill Sat, 07 Jun 2008 19:23:19 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/?p=115#comment-37529 You are wrong. Old Forge pizza uses something called Brick Cheese look it up on Wikipedia. While Revello's is the best pizza in Old Forge, Pizza by Pappas is the best pizza in the Scranton area. You are wrong. Old Forge pizza uses something called Brick Cheese look it up on Wikipedia. While Revello’s is the best pizza in Old Forge, Pizza by Pappas is the best pizza in the Scranton area.

]]> Comment on The Roach Story (Kerala) by Bala Chandran http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/the-roach-story-kerala/#comment-37528 Bala Chandran Wed, 04 Jun 2008 11:42:50 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/archives/2005/04/01/the-roach-story/#comment-37528 Though bit late in the day ,it was really interesting reading your'wonderful day horrible night'roach story.The story is still very hot,as roaches are,here with us,though not in large numbers,as west-inspired insect killing spreys are now so common.Comparing to those,your trusted weapons 'Anna karenina'or even'kazanstakis' is almost stone age stuff.Well,being a journalist ,professionally trained to see a 'man attacking a roach', the real story rather than 'a roach flying down on a man,I think your strong sentiments against the'alien' roaches are fully justified.I still have a doubt,isn't there a possibility that some charity exsists that looks after the welfare of roaches,that may possibly be helping to keep the environmental balance.(You haven't really thought about it, in your premodial frenzy to finish off the enemy,have you?)Don't forget that after a nuclear holocast the roaches would be the only living creatures left in this world. Though your writing is every bit evocative and out and out hilarious,you seem to be a bit politically incorrect, looking from the point of view of cockroaches. I still dont understand the big fuss about cockroaches honestly,as we in India (and all Asians) have been in peaceful co-existence with them(like myriad other creatures,some harmful,and most otherwise).I have the same wonderment when my British born sis-in-law now living in Austin TX, jump up and howl on seeing some puny little creature we don't even notice. I read the essence of the story thus"inspite of the roaches Kerala is wonderful".Thank you for being objective.So when you are in Kerala next time,dont miss Trivandrum,where I am sure we breed not that much roaches. Though bit late in the day ,it was really interesting reading your’wonderful day horrible night’roach story.The story is still very hot,as roaches are,here with us,though not in large numbers,as west-inspired insect killing spreys are now so common.Comparing to those,your trusted weapons ‘Anna karenina’or even’kazanstakis’ is almost stone age stuff.Well,being a journalist ,professionally trained to see a ‘man attacking a roach’, the real story rather than ‘a roach flying down on a man,I think your strong sentiments against the’alien’ roaches are fully justified.I still have a doubt,isn’t there a possibility that some charity exsists that looks after the welfare of roaches,that may possibly be helping to keep the environmental balance.(You haven’t really thought about it, in your premodial frenzy to finish off the enemy,have you?)Don’t forget that after a nuclear holocast the roaches would be the only living creatures left in this world.

Though your writing is every bit evocative and out and out hilarious,you seem to be a bit politically incorrect, looking from the point of view of cockroaches. I still dont understand the big fuss about cockroaches honestly,as we in India (and all Asians) have been in peaceful co-existence with them(like myriad other creatures,some harmful,and most otherwise).I have the same wonderment when my British born sis-in-law now living in Austin TX, jump up and howl on seeing some puny little creature we don’t even notice.
I read the essence of the story thus”inspite of the roaches Kerala is wonderful”.Thank you for being objective.So when you are in Kerala next time,dont miss Trivandrum,where I am sure we breed not that much roaches.

]]> Comment on 2 Become 3 by The Kolody Family http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/2-become-3/#comment-37506 The Kolody Family Mon, 19 May 2008 06:06:09 +0000 http://ronrothman.com/public/leftbraned/2-become-3#comment-37506 Congratulations!! Leo is adorable. We can't wait to meet him. Congratulations!! Leo is adorable. We can’t wait to meet him.

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