The birds have strapped on little skates and will do figure-8s on the ice-covered bird bath.
As Churchy La Femme observed, when Friday the 13 falls on a Friday, " Be resolute. Be unafraid. Hide early." (Because Pogo is out of circulation, but still under the family's copyright, it's difficult to find good examples of that most excellent strip. I have several books of collected comics, still hilarious, insightful, and heart-breaking after more than 30 years.)
I dropped off some ginger ale and Popsicles to Mike's family. Everyone's been sick, even the cat. Cassandra was the last to catch it, while the others are returning to normal. I asked if there was anything else they needed. Matt said, "A heal-the-family pill."
Maybe we should arrange for this guyy to make a house call. But, wait, there's more.
Everyone has a dream. This dog-washing machine looks new, but the Three Stooges demonstrated the idea in Mutts to You in 1938.
Today's automated search for a technical documentation position: Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Advisor.
Yesterday afternoon I met Sandra at a local mall where we were going to have dinner. I sat outside for a few minutes, watching the people and the traffic. It's a marvel that we don't do more damage to ourselves and property with our cars. Even at parking-lot speeds, we're dangerous, inattentive and in a hurry. Of course, sometimes it's due to our passengers. More than a few times, I saw an annoyed teenager hop out of a car to get into the mall; moments later, a relieved parent drives away.
Friday, May 13, 2005
Thursday, May 12, 2005
"We made too many wrong mistakes."
In May 1977 my father had his sailboat on the trailer in the backyard, ready for the new season. He has a picture of the boat, with a foot of snow. We're not going to get snow, but the National Weather Service has sent out frost warning bulletins for tonight.
We had our supper on the back porch yesterday, enjoying the mild breezes, sighs, and sounds. The soft green of the new growth is filling out, except on one tree. We have a honey locust in our front yard. We call it our Stephen King tree, because its twisted branches, thorns, and pods make it look as though we're having a glimpse of the Territories. Each year we wonder if the tree is dead. Each year, later than we'd expect, its leaves emerge.
Tess was sick, so yesterday wasn't much of a birthday celebration. This illness has been making its way through their household, so it may be a few days before the parents can sound the All Clear. Matt was home for a couple of days as well. He and I had a very nice IM chat yesterday afternoon.
When the grandkids were younger, before they discover just how badly I sing, I would the Monty Python Lumberjack Song as they were going to sleep. (I didn't sing in Polish. It just sounded like that.)
Self-replicating robots. What could go wrong?
Most people who are treated for depression respond well to medication. Some do not. Electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) provides a good meaure of relief. This study is exploring magnetic stimulation as a more focused, less voltaic option.
Toyota is playing Curtis Mayfield's Move On Up in their new ad. The music isn't loud and is easy to miss.
He's not a member of our immediate family and he did play for the Yankees, but, Happy 80th Birthday, Yogi
We had our supper on the back porch yesterday, enjoying the mild breezes, sighs, and sounds. The soft green of the new growth is filling out, except on one tree. We have a honey locust in our front yard. We call it our Stephen King tree, because its twisted branches, thorns, and pods make it look as though we're having a glimpse of the Territories. Each year we wonder if the tree is dead. Each year, later than we'd expect, its leaves emerge.
Tess was sick, so yesterday wasn't much of a birthday celebration. This illness has been making its way through their household, so it may be a few days before the parents can sound the All Clear. Matt was home for a couple of days as well. He and I had a very nice IM chat yesterday afternoon.
When the grandkids were younger, before they discover just how badly I sing, I would the Monty Python Lumberjack Song as they were going to sleep. (I didn't sing in Polish. It just sounded like that.)
Self-replicating robots. What could go wrong?
Most people who are treated for depression respond well to medication. Some do not. Electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) provides a good meaure of relief. This study is exploring magnetic stimulation as a more focused, less voltaic option.
Toyota is playing Curtis Mayfield's Move On Up in their new ad. The music isn't loud and is easy to miss.
He's not a member of our immediate family and he did play for the Yankees, but, Happy 80th Birthday, Yogi
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
The mail is here. It's not for you.
When Mike and Adam were teenagers, Sandra and I pretty much stopped answering the telephone because it was never for us. Even now, we still get calls for Mike, Michael Francis, or Matt. We receive letters for Adam occasionally and most days we get at least one mailing for my mother. Yesterday, though, was something new. Some mail, addressed to my father at this address, asked he wanted to sell his house.
In the evenings, now that we can keep the windows and screen doors open, we can hear the sound of the ice cream truck in their neighborhood.
My father brought an armadillo home from his travels during the 30s. His mother lined the innards with satin and made it into a basket for her sewing things. We now use the armadillo to hold our napkins.
Let me see if I've got this straight. Not content with outsourcing its call center operations to India, a subsidiary of ebookers is sending young Europeans to India and paying them Indian wages.
The Canadian Air Guitar Championship competitions are underway in Québec. The world championship will be held in Oulu, Finland. My mother's family comes from the Oulu area, Oululanni, in the northwest of Finland near the Arctic Circle.
Seven years ago today, Sandra called me on my cell phone to tell me about the birth of our second granddaughter. At the time, I was driving on Route 101 in Santa Clara, California.
Happy Birthday, Tess.
In the evenings, now that we can keep the windows and screen doors open, we can hear the sound of the ice cream truck in their neighborhood.
My father brought an armadillo home from his travels during the 30s. His mother lined the innards with satin and made it into a basket for her sewing things. We now use the armadillo to hold our napkins.
Let me see if I've got this straight. Not content with outsourcing its call center operations to India, a subsidiary of ebookers is sending young Europeans to India and paying them Indian wages.
The Canadian Air Guitar Championship competitions are underway in Québec. The world championship will be held in Oulu, Finland. My mother's family comes from the Oulu area, Oululanni, in the northwest of Finland near the Arctic Circle.
Seven years ago today, Sandra called me on my cell phone to tell me about the birth of our second granddaughter. At the time, I was driving on Route 101 in Santa Clara, California.
Happy Birthday, Tess.
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Gateway to Tree of Knowledge Corner
When we arrived at my father's house, he was looking through a basket of old photos. All of the pictures we saw were from a time when the world was black and white. It included the obligatory cute picture of me having my bath in a tub in the back yard. My father was looking for some pictures of a friend who'd recently sent him a letter. "When I get some time," he said, "I'm going to organize these." I was reminded again, as I was when my mother made a similar remark about getting organized, that there's no real hope for me on this front. I've seen my future and, although it's pretty good, it's got a lot of stuff in it.
Today's automated search for a technical documentation position: "US Citizens: Sr or Lead SAP ABAP with some Public Sector (*HOT*) #909. It's in Munroe Station MA. I didn't know that such a place existed, but, then, there are lots of places in Massachusetts that I didn't know about, such as Hephzibah Heights, Zylonite, and Dingley Dell.
The Wall Street Journal reports, in a copyrighted story, that, and I quote, "More employees are spending time on the Internet, for both work and personal reasons." Maybe I can get a job at the WSJ. The title of my first story would be, "Marley Wants a Pork Chop."
A friend claims that Willie Nelson and Hank Williams that they are as good at writing songs as they are bad at singing them.
More job interviewing tips, from a professional. “Candidate inquired about the location of the company’s security cameras.”
In town news, one of our favored candidates won in yesterday's election, while another lost. We had to re-vote because, at first, we thought we could vote for two selectman candidates and then discovered that we could vote for only one. The scanning machine wouldn't let us vote for too many candidates. Imagine, a machine that prevents us from voting stupidly. I can hear Karl Rove whimpering softly.
Of course, because we've had enough rain this year, the town lifted restrictions on watering our lawns. If the rains stop, we won't be able to water. Whether we can water or not, at least we can be stylish. In addition, a local vendor assures us that we can get drinking water from the air.
It looks as though the police haven't scheduled radar locations near our house for this month.
Happy Anniversary, Adam and Jennie
Today's automated search for a technical documentation position: "US Citizens: Sr or Lead SAP ABAP with some Public Sector (*HOT*) #909. It's in Munroe Station MA. I didn't know that such a place existed, but, then, there are lots of places in Massachusetts that I didn't know about, such as Hephzibah Heights, Zylonite, and Dingley Dell.
The Wall Street Journal reports, in a copyrighted story, that, and I quote, "More employees are spending time on the Internet, for both work and personal reasons." Maybe I can get a job at the WSJ. The title of my first story would be, "Marley Wants a Pork Chop."
A friend claims that Willie Nelson and Hank Williams that they are as good at writing songs as they are bad at singing them.
More job interviewing tips, from a professional. “Candidate inquired about the location of the company’s security cameras.”
In town news, one of our favored candidates won in yesterday's election, while another lost. We had to re-vote because, at first, we thought we could vote for two selectman candidates and then discovered that we could vote for only one. The scanning machine wouldn't let us vote for too many candidates. Imagine, a machine that prevents us from voting stupidly. I can hear Karl Rove whimpering softly.
Of course, because we've had enough rain this year, the town lifted restrictions on watering our lawns. If the rains stop, we won't be able to water. Whether we can water or not, at least we can be stylish. In addition, a local vendor assures us that we can get drinking water from the air.
It looks as though the police haven't scheduled radar locations near our house for this month.
Happy Anniversary, Adam and Jennie
Monday, May 09, 2005
Noises not of our own making
We had a delightful Mother's Day lunch with Mike's family yesterday. They're a wonderful crew. Cassandra joined in the time-honored tradition of pulling pens from my shirt pocket.
Our town has published a book that shows not only the names of people at each address, but also the birthdates and occupation. Our copy of the book is nearly 10 years old. I was listed as a consultant at that time. The book is both handy and a bit creepy. I've been somewhat secretive about my birthday, particularly at work, because I've not wanted to draw too much attention to myself. (He says while writing a public blog accessible to countless millions.) I like my birthday and want to have a lot of them.
For a while now, we've been hearing a 'thump' in the house. At first we thought it was a bird hitting a window, but it's happened too often and at too many times of the day and night.
Speaking of ghosts, a minister noted that many churches started using the name Holy Spirit, rather than Holy Ghost, when referring to the Trinity. Most kids, and many adults, heard the name Holy Ghost and thought of Casper.
Why would there be a billboard on the side of a laundromat in downtown South Gardner advertising Rolex watches?
From The Copy Editor's on Vacation Dept., I saw this sign in a local business:
Today's automated search for a technical documentation position brings a listing of junior marketing job for Kay Guitars. In addition to some college courses and experience with office software, the requirements include "[m]ust have a better than average attendance record and job tenure (we do check)." My first guitar was from Sears, but I had a Kay for a while.
Students in England can get an extra two percent on their exam grades if their pet dies. If I was a hamster, I think I'd want to hide under the sawdust during exam time.
Our town has published a book that shows not only the names of people at each address, but also the birthdates and occupation. Our copy of the book is nearly 10 years old. I was listed as a consultant at that time. The book is both handy and a bit creepy. I've been somewhat secretive about my birthday, particularly at work, because I've not wanted to draw too much attention to myself. (He says while writing a public blog accessible to countless millions.) I like my birthday and want to have a lot of them.
For a while now, we've been hearing a 'thump' in the house. At first we thought it was a bird hitting a window, but it's happened too often and at too many times of the day and night.
Speaking of ghosts, a minister noted that many churches started using the name Holy Spirit, rather than Holy Ghost, when referring to the Trinity. Most kids, and many adults, heard the name Holy Ghost and thought of Casper.
Why would there be a billboard on the side of a laundromat in downtown South Gardner advertising Rolex watches?
From The Copy Editor's on Vacation Dept., I saw this sign in a local business:
Ring"s and Pendant"s at Price"s you can affordAnd, on a website selling premium trash cans:
20 Liter (5.5 gal.) "Slime Line" Step-On Trash CanThis group of Extreme Ironing enthusiasts was featured in yesterday's Parade Magazine. I'll let you decide if they're nuts or, well, that's probably the only choice.
Today's automated search for a technical documentation position brings a listing of junior marketing job for Kay Guitars. In addition to some college courses and experience with office software, the requirements include "[m]ust have a better than average attendance record and job tenure (we do check)." My first guitar was from Sears, but I had a Kay for a while.
Students in England can get an extra two percent on their exam grades if their pet dies. If I was a hamster, I think I'd want to hide under the sawdust during exam time.
Sunday, May 08, 2005
I cut it twice and it's still too short
Happy Mother's Day to those who are mothers, have mothers, remember their mothers.
I've often thought that it was unfair that my mother's birthday was so close to Mother's Day, that neither holiday received their full measure. I/we tried to make sure that we observed each day fully, but the gravitational forces are strong. And by itself, Mother's Day can be a tough holiday for some. Father's Day has some of the same barbed wire around it, but motherhood has a special sentimentality. It's tough to get it right. Me? Well, I wouldn't mind a do-over or two.
I'm pretty sure that today would be Aitienpaiva in Finnish, but I'll have to check with my father.
Sandra's a good and careful worker on home-repair projects. A few years ago, she received a reciprocating saw for her birthday to go along with the fine collection of tools that she keeps in the cellar. I provide the oatmeal power. I lift what needs to be lifted, push what needs to be pushed. I can tell the difference between a cross-cut saw and a rip saw (learned that in junior high shop), but that knowledge doesn't translate to an ability to cut a straight line. Yesterday afternoon we trimmed a piece of plastic that is part of the vent for our air conditioner. (Yes, we believe that summer is coming, even though it's 41° now.) Sandra did the cutting and it fits nicely.
Today is also Victory in Europe day, marking 60 years since the surrender of the German army in World War II. We have parades and speeches and political brouhaha.
In the There will always be a Britain Dept., while peace was breaking out in Europe, we find a notice in the May 8, 1945 edition of The London Gazette, the paper of record for the United Kingdom, announcing the appointment of a second handmaiden for Princess Elizabeth. (PDF reader required to view the gazette. There's a list of similar official publications for other countries here.)
One of our favorite PBS shows, Ballykissangel, was unexpectedly replaced with another show last night. We wandered with the clicker and settled on the National Geographic show about the Yellowstone caldera. I'd heard the word caldera before, but mostly thought of it as a Linux distribution. So we watched the show and got suitable scared at the prospect that thing will blow. Then, in one my online news sites, I find that Yellowstone is a high threat for explosion. Yikes.
An added footnote: One of the side effects of a major volcanic eruption is global cooling. The ash (pulverized stone) goes into the stratosphere and dims the sunlight. In 1816, an eruption in Indonesia caused what's called The Year Without Summer. There were killing frosts in July and August. That was also the year that our house was built. (No mention in the historical records about cold weather.)
I've often thought that it was unfair that my mother's birthday was so close to Mother's Day, that neither holiday received their full measure. I/we tried to make sure that we observed each day fully, but the gravitational forces are strong. And by itself, Mother's Day can be a tough holiday for some. Father's Day has some of the same barbed wire around it, but motherhood has a special sentimentality. It's tough to get it right. Me? Well, I wouldn't mind a do-over or two.
I'm pretty sure that today would be Aitienpaiva in Finnish, but I'll have to check with my father.
Sandra's a good and careful worker on home-repair projects. A few years ago, she received a reciprocating saw for her birthday to go along with the fine collection of tools that she keeps in the cellar. I provide the oatmeal power. I lift what needs to be lifted, push what needs to be pushed. I can tell the difference between a cross-cut saw and a rip saw (learned that in junior high shop), but that knowledge doesn't translate to an ability to cut a straight line. Yesterday afternoon we trimmed a piece of plastic that is part of the vent for our air conditioner. (Yes, we believe that summer is coming, even though it's 41° now.) Sandra did the cutting and it fits nicely.
Today is also Victory in Europe day, marking 60 years since the surrender of the German army in World War II. We have parades and speeches and political brouhaha.
In the There will always be a Britain Dept., while peace was breaking out in Europe, we find a notice in the May 8, 1945 edition of The London Gazette, the paper of record for the United Kingdom, announcing the appointment of a second handmaiden for Princess Elizabeth. (PDF reader required to view the gazette. There's a list of similar official publications for other countries here.)
One of our favorite PBS shows, Ballykissangel, was unexpectedly replaced with another show last night. We wandered with the clicker and settled on the National Geographic show about the Yellowstone caldera. I'd heard the word caldera before, but mostly thought of it as a Linux distribution. So we watched the show and got suitable scared at the prospect that thing will blow. Then, in one my online news sites, I find that Yellowstone is a high threat for explosion. Yikes.
An added footnote: One of the side effects of a major volcanic eruption is global cooling. The ash (pulverized stone) goes into the stratosphere and dims the sunlight. In 1816, an eruption in Indonesia caused what's called The Year Without Summer. There were killing frosts in July and August. That was also the year that our house was built. (No mention in the historical records about cold weather.)
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