Marty, Marty, he's our cat!

I first heard about Mount Washington Observatory from debgeisler a couple of years ago. The observatory claims Mount Washington is the "home of the world's worst weather" and they have some chilling statistics to back them up. The 231 mph wind recorded there in 1934 still stands as the all-time highest surface wind speed on record.

Today, I hope Mount Washington is setting new records -- records measured in website hits, voter turnout, and membership revenue. For they're in New Hampshire and they're running an amusing primary of their own -- one to select a new feline mascot for the observatory. Many thanks to timill for bringing this to my attention.

Voting is open to all until 7pm EST today. And, as I discovered after casting my own vote for Marty -- the only candidate who seems to have the slightest chance of surviving a deliberate or accidental trip outside the confines of the observatory --they're also offering a 1-day discount on observatory memberships.

To my eyes, this is a brilliant marketing move on their part. I was especially pleased to learn they're a member of the Association of Science - Technology Centers, which has a travel passport program that includes admission at other ASTC locations across the US and in 14 foreign countries including Australia, Canada, and the UK. There are a couple of restrictions -- it's for general admission only and you have to be at least 90 miles away from home. I'm good with that.

Now that I'm a member, I'm thinking a fair-weather visit might be in order. As if there is any such thing as fair weather on Mount Washington. Most websites list things like hours the places are open under Visitor Information. The MWO website links to a page on lightning safety and another on Surviving Mount Washington that includes lists of everyone who's died up there. And several obituaries. Really.

Then again, they have a cog railway! Yep. Definitely gotta get up there!

Shopping Report: Follow-up

Remember that dress I picked up for $33.99, not even knowing it was on sale until the price showed up on the charge screen? Well, I received my Macy's bill today, and the story gets even better.

Here's a picture. The details are in the caption. Click on the picture for close-ups of the dress, a couple of snapshots showing the velvet jacket from the Coldwater Creek Sale Spree, and a bonus picture of Jim's Potatoes.

The $33.99 dress When I walked up to the Macy's cashier, I thought I was going to pay $119 for this party dress (with jacket). Turns out it was on sale, and then they gave me another 15% off for using my Macy's charge account. The amount on the sales receipt = $33.99. Then the bill came. Turns out I had at $25 credit on my account. Who knew? I hadn't used it in over 5 years; I don't remember why I had a credit. Found money. Yay! Does that make this my $8.99 dress? Presumably not, but who knows when I would have cashed in that $25 credit otherwise.