Blacksmith tools

Here's the latest in my famous old-fashioned tools series. This was taken in the blacksmith shop at Greenfield Village.

No post yesterday, but this time I have a good reason - our internet service was out. It didn't come back up until sometime this morning when I unplugged the modem, iBoss, and router for five minutes or so. Sigh.

It was my off Friday today and I enjoyed it. Didn't do much, though. I slept in a little and then worked from home most of the morning. In the afternoon, Loyal Readers Numbers One and Four and I went to Kohl's to spend the gift certificates they gave us on Black Friday. They were going to expire tomorrow, so we needed to get it done. We also set up the Christmas tree and put on most of the ornaments. We'll finish up decorating the house tomorrow. Tonight, Loyal Reader Number Four and I are going to our panel discussion on parenting. Wish us luck. Although it might be quite anticlimactic, since I don't know if anyone is planning to be in the audience.

Let's see, what else? LRN1 is going to Daly City tonight to babysit Loyal Reader Number Twelve tomorrow while her parents are both at work. That's right, Loyal Reader Number Six is starting a new job! He has been enjoying staying home with the baby, but I guess it looked like a good gig, so he's trying it out. I'm not sure what they're going to do for babysitting. But that's their problem, isn't it?

Time to get ready to go. Have a great weekend, and I'll see you on Monday.

Wild thing

Here's Loyal Reader Number Twelve on her oddly-named little car, Wild Thing. It looks like a dune buggy. It's nice to have wheels of your own, no?

No time to post, so it's another extremely Short Shrift post. Also no post yesterday - we jacuzzified instead, which I'm sure all my Loyal Readers would agree was a much better use of my time.

However, the last couple of days have been productive. Several of my colleagues have been calling in sick, but I'm feeling fine so far. Must be that flu shot I got.

Loyal Reader Number One found the software development kit for Google's mobile phone operating system. He's gotten a "Hello World" application running. It looks like a cool OS and I'm confident there will be a huge number of cool applications for it by the time the first phone is available. That's the biggest mistake Apple made with the iPhone - no third-party apps for the first six month plus. Could be the death knell for the platform, especially when Android hits the streets running. We'll see. In the meantime, here's yet another opportunity for Gardenville Software to get in on something on the ground floor. What do you think, Loyal Partners?

Nothing else to report. Enjoy the photo and I'll see you tomorrow.

Bridge

Here's a peaceful river scene from our Clark's Fork campout this summer. Now that we're in the depths of winter (the Weather Channel actually reported light snow in Stockton this morning, but I don't think anybody actually saw it), campouts are but a pleasant dream. Sigh.

No post on Friday - I was on vacation. But it was certainly a busy day! We went to a couple of stores on Black Friday. It was certainly an early morning, but it went just fine and we got a few really good deals. Would I go again? Maybe. If I wanted a big-ticket item, definitely. But maybe not again at 4:00 in the morning.

The rest of the weekend was pretty quiet. Loyal Reader Number One and I were really busy on Saturday (finally) installing the new radio in the Miata. We went to a local car stereo store and bought the only installation kit available for the Miata. It's a pretty chintzy plastic universal kit, but it fit with a minimum of cutting, filing, and mucking about and it looks fine. The radio works well and sounds better than the factory relic it replaced. LRN1 pointed out that this is probably the most extensive auto modification I've ever performed. He has a point. Oh, and I really like the remote control, although I'm not sure I'll ever use it. I certainly don't need it. It's not like it's hard to reach the radio itself or anything.

One of the things I like most about it is that it has a jack on the faceplate where I can plug in my iPod. No more cassette or radio adapter! In fact, there's no cassette player at all (of course). It has a nice CD player that can handle MP3 CDs and even displays the album title and song name. I need to burn a CD so I can check it out Real Soon Now.

During the installation, I pulled a muscle in my arm. Ouch. It was quite sore for about 24 hours and it still hurts a little, but it's getting better quickly. Pity me, Loyal Readers.

Loyal Reader Number Five called this evening and told us her Thesis defense was tough but successful. She's earned her Masters degree! Many congratulations, LRN5.

By the way, did I mention that LRN1 got his acceptance letter to BYU last week? Probably so. At any rate, congratulations again, LRN1.

Thanks again to Anonymous for his/her vigilance and to everybody else for their comments too.

See you tomorrow.

Camo baby

Here's Loyal Reader Number Twelve hiding in plain sight. With those camo pants on, it's a wonder you can see her at all. Photo courtesy of Loyal Reader Number Five.

Happy Thanksgiving! We've had a pleasant day today - didn't do much besides relax around the house and eat turkey dinner. Loyal Reader Number Four and I did go out to check out a Thanksgiving-day sale (shudder) at K-Mart (double shudder, but in its defense I must say it's not nearly as bad as it used to be). They were already sold out of pretty much all the things we had been interested in, so we only got a couple of things.

We're heading out very early tomorrow for Black Friday shopping. Wish us luck.

See you tomorrow, if we don't get trampled.

Tree walkers

Here's Loyal Reader Number Four with some of her friends, who are walking on a tree that was cut down over a hundred year ago. I see Loyal Reader Number Two back there, and Loyal Reader Number One way back there in the background. Other tree walkers are members of the Crockett family, with whom we went camping. Love those pretty gold dogwoods.

On the train today, and don't ask me whether I'm happy about it. Okay, do ask me. I'm not happy at all, and it's my own fault. I was planning on taking the 4:00 bus, getting me home at 6:30. I had somebody in my office, though, and got out late, so I missed the bus. I went over to the light rail in the vain hope that it could get me to the train station on time. Barely missed the 4:16 train, and the 4:31 train didn't get there until 4:39. I missed the ACE train. The good news, though, is that I was first in line for the late one! Sigh. At least it's not crowded, probably because everybody else had the good sense to go home earlier. Double sigh.

However, the Thanksgiving weekend has begun! All is right with the world.

LRN4 and I are planning to venture out early on Friday morning for some Black Friday shopping. In fact, we hope to get all our Christmas shopping done in a single day. In a single morning, in fact. We'll see. We need to decide which store to hit first and whether to divide and conquer. I don't really have my eye on any big-ticket items, so it's not clear at all where we should go. I need to check out the Black Friday website when I get home.

I just got a call from LRN1. He's been accepted into BYU! Congratulations, LRN1. Now let's see how much scholarship money you can snag. Not to mention housing.

Well. There's certainly been an excellent response on my sneezing question. Based on the entirely random sample we've taken, I think we can safely say that 100% of the population uses the sun (or a bright light) to at least aid a balky sneeze. So much for calling it a genetic disorder.

I have nothing to say tonight, so I'll end. Happy Thanksgiving and I'll see you tomorrow.

Batgirl

Here's Batgirl early in life. Or maybe that's Loyal Reader Number Twelve. Photo courtesy of Loyal Reader Number Five.

Left the office at a few minutes after 3:00 this afternoon. There was plenty of time, so I decided to take the back roads, which I haven't done in quite a while. Big mistake. There was a multi-car accident on one of those back roads and traffic was backed up quite a ways. It didn't look like anybody got hurt, fortunately, but one car flew off the road into a vineyard. On top of that, there was the usual slowpoke blocking traffic all the way through the twisty bits.

At least the Miata was in top form. It ran perfectly all day - both warm and cold. I think the new catalyst really healed it. Great!

I don't think I mentioned yesterday that the fishy thing is that the owner before me left a receipt for a new catalytic converter about six months before I got the car. It's obvious that all they did was take the old one off and turn it around (poorly). I don't know whether the shop defrauded the previous owner or whether they colluded to fraudently pass the emissions test. Either way, it's a nasty business.

Chatted with Loyal Reader Number Three this evening. He's had a bad cold for quite a while now, but he's feeling well enough to travel to Las Vegas tomorrow. Good luck, LRN3! And Loyal Reader Number Fifteen too!

I got some good responses on the sun sneezing (link note: I resent the suggestion that it's a "genetic disorder!" It's more of a "feature.") question, but I'm still looking for more inputs. We need to get some statistically significant figures. Loyal Readers?

I'm on the train tomorrow. See you then.

Calaveras campsite

Here's our campsite during our most recent trip. Pretty campground, that. And a nice roomy site too.

Anonymous noticed I didn't post on Friday. I have a great excuse. I forgot. Sorry about that, Loyal Readers. And thanks for noticing, Anon!

Fine weekend. I got the Miata fixed on Saturday. It was way past time for an oil change, so I decided to have them look at the loud exhaust and the front end rattle while it was there. It turns out the rattle was caused by a brake missing its shim, which is simply an annoyance. When it's time for new brakes, it'll get a new shim. The exhaust problem was caused by a catalytic converter that was installed upside down and backwards, not to mention that it appears to have been welded in by children. I got a new converter and it's now quieter (but not much - there's still a very pleasant exhaust note) and much more powerful. I was going to take it to work today to see if its cold performance has improved (I expect it has), but they were predicting rain so I took the Honda - ABS, traction control, and more accident safety. I'll probably drive the Miata tomorrow, when it's going to be sunny all day.

Wednesday will definitely be a train day, though. As in Washington, my observations here tell me that the commute on the evening before a major holiday is pretty bad. Here in Lardville I have an option, so I'm going to take it.

I was thinking earlier about a comment my sister made a few weeks ago when I was in Michigan. She mentioned that somebody was puzzled when she talked about looking at a light to sneeze. She had no idea that trick didn't work for everybody. Neither did I. Check this out. How many of my Loyal Readers are light-sneezers? Comment!

Besides the car repairs, Loyal Reader Number Four and I got a few other things done. We got a loveseat from some friends. It works in the family room and looks nice. We've been looking for a new couch for that room. I think the search will still go on, but we at least have a workable temporary solution.

Otherwise, pretty uneventful.

It's Thanksgiving week! I'm looking forward to being home for a few days and having Loyal Readers Numbers Five, Six, and (especially) Twelve over. Sadly, Loyal Readers Numbers Three and Fifteen can't come. They're going to Las Vegas.

Only two more workdays to go! See you tomorrow.

In the chair

Here's Loyal Reader Number Twelve sitting in the infant seat she wouldn't have anything to do with when she was the right size for it. Now she loves it. Figures. Photo courtesy of Loyal Reader Number Five.

Toughish workday today. Lots of conflict. And slower traffic. On the other hand, the potluck was very nice. People in my department bring good food to these things, although a surprisingly large amount of it came from restaurants.

I've been eliminating podcasts I no longer enjoy, and now I need to find a few new ones. I've downloaded a few episodes of The Get-It-Done Guy. I'll let you know if they're any good. Based on his website, my hopes aren't too high. Maybe I better find some more old-time radio shows.

Time for bed already. See you tomorrow.

Camp dinner

Here's the beginning of a terrific meal at our most recent campout. This little fireplace has all the hallmarks of a CCC project. It was pretty cool. Except when it was pretty warm.

My brother-in-law Ken dropped by this evening. Apparently he had previously mentioned the visit to Loyal Reader Number Four, but his arrival was the first I had heard of it. We had a nice visit, as always. He travels a lot and always makes time to visit family and friends when he's out, which I like.

Otherwise quiet day. Got up, got ready, went to work, worked, came home, visited with the BIL. I skipped my Wednesday evening meeting.

Tomorrow is my work potluckluncheon. I'm bringing pork barbeque on homemade Kaiser rolls. Ought to be great.

LRN4 and I have been invited to be on the panel for a parenting discussion at church at the end of the month. The choice was an obvious one - we've tried everything wrong already, so we must know what the right things are. Ought to be great.

See you tomorrow.

Tree hole

Here's Loyal Reader Number One engaged in a strange primitive sequoia-related ritual. Really. There was a sign up near this downed big tree that said people have stuck their heads through this hole to pose for pictures for over a hundred years now. Way to keep up tradition, LRN1!

No post yesterday, and short shrift yet again today. My Loyal Readers aren't getting their money's worth. Oh wait, yes they are.

Fine weekend. Sunday was full of meetings. Loyal Readers Numbers One and Two enjoyed their Youth Conference quite a bit and we enjoyed a visit from Loyal Readers Numbers Five, Six, and Twelve on Saturday. They're back again this evening - LRN5 was the guest lecturer at Loyal Reader Number Four's book group.

And now, a message from our sponsor:




Speaking of sponsors, the blog's Commerce section has now made two cents! I've doubled my income. Nothing can stop the Morrowlife juggernaut now.

I had a long conversation with Loyal Reader Number Three this evening. He's at a major education/career decision point and wanted to talk about the numerous possibilities. I hope I helped somehow. Good luck, LRN3! Pray about it until it becomes clear.

Time for bed. See you tomorrow.

In the station

Here's the train in the station at Greenfield Village. Sadly, this appears to be the last steam-powered device still in operation there. They told us at the machine shop that all the other ones just got to be too expensive.

It's Friday night! The work week is over and the whole weekend is still ahead. Sadly, it's supposed to be cloudy with a little rain and highs only in the mid-60s. I suppose we'll just have to make the best of it.

Loyal Readers Numbers Five, Six, and Twelve are coming over tomorrow. We thought we might be going over there, but they say they want to get out of the house. We're looking forward to seeing their place again, though, so we'll have to make the trip in that direction soon. They had a little car trouble the other night, so they took the Suburban home with them. It needs to get back home.

Loyal Reader Number Two gave a piano performance this evening at MJC. Loyal Reader Number Four reports that it went well - he was definitely a standout performer. Sadly, I couldn't get home on time to be there, so I'll have to take her word for it.

I've been watching some old Home Improvement shows on the iPod. I borrowed some DVDs from LRN6 and converted them. Last week, he brought me the entire series, so I have plenty of disks to rip.

Time to start ripping. See you on Monday.

Family portrait

Here are Loyal Readers Numbers Five, Six, and Twelve posing for a family portrait. I can't tell whether LRN12 is practicing for her 80th birthday or just not too happy to be there. This one definitely ought to be on their Christmas card.

Busy, busy, busy today at work. There are a million things going on, none of which I can seem to get done. Sigh.

On the bright side, Loyal Reader Number One got his patriarchal blessing tonight. It went well and was a very nice blessing.

Nothing else to the day. Got up (almost an hour later than usual), went to work (got there a few minutes later than usual), worked, went home early, ate, changed clothes, went to the patriarch's house, came home, changed clothes, did a little reading (They Shoot Canoes, Don't They? by Patrick F. McManus - read it before and, like all his books, it's always worth reading again), had dessert (banana pudding - yum!), and blogged. Then it's time for bed.

I watched some of an old Clint Eastwood movie called Firefox on AMC last night. When we got home this evening, it was on again, so I got to see the last few minutes of it too. What a cheesy movie. The action is ridiculous, the characters are more like caricatures, and the special effects are unbelievably horrible. On the bright side, Clint has lots of opportunities to squint. Not recommended unless you're in the mood for an old cheesy movie.

Well, that bed's calling to me. What it's saying is that I need to put my stuff away before anybody can get in it. So I'll see you tomorrow.

Drive-thru tree

Here are Loyal Readers Numbers One, Two, and Four and friends in front of a tree you can drive through. Well, you used to be able to drive through it. But at least you can still walk through it. The signs said the original owners of the park cut the hole in this tree because those competitive jerks at Yosemite had one and they needed one too.

Back on the train after yesterday's pathetic morning commute. My boss said it was just as bad today. So I didn't miss anything. The train's been much more crowded than before. With gas prices over $3 these days, it's much cheaper to ride. It's still been fairly comfortable.

Otherwise, there's not much to report. So why waste bytes? See you tomorrow.

Blacksmith's bench

Here's another in my famous workbench series. This one is in the blacksmith's shop at Greenfield Village.

Very short shrift tonight. Home evening is over (enjoyed it, as usual), I stayed up way too late last night, and I'm sleepy.

Wretched morning commute today - three and a half hours. It was a little under two on the way home, but the damage was done. I'm riding the rails tomorrow.

Otherwise fine day - and fine weekend, for that matter. I finally got some new speakers installed in the Miata on Friday (off Friday, of course), did some pretty serious cleanup work on the pool (it's not yet healthy, though), and had Loyal Readers Numbers Five, Six, and Twelve and the other set of grandparents over on Sunday evening for LRN12's first birthday party.

Her official birthday was today, though. Happy birthday, Loyal One-year-old! The Loyal Readers had a little tire trouble last night, so it took quite a bit longer than expected for them to get over here, but we had a nice meal and a good time together anyway.

But I'm exhausted, so it's time for bed. See you tomorrow.

The Halloween spirit

Here's Loyal Reader Number Twelve yet again, enjoying her Halloween dinner. Looks like she's had a little too much trick-or-treating. Photo once again courtesy of Loyal Reader Number Five.

Wonders of Blogger. I just never got to it on Thursday or Friday. Considering the fact that I was home all day Friday, that's pretty lame. Oh, well.

There wasn't a lot going on those two days anyway. I drove the Miata to work again on Thursday - beautiful weather coming home, as usual these days. I think this coming week will be nice too, although I'll probably ride the train at least a couple of times. The Honda's mileage budget allows me to drive it to work once a week or so as well, so that might happen too.

I bought some new stereo equipment for the Miata on Friday and got the door speakers installed already. They weren't too difficult to do once I got them figured out. I may have to take them back out again to install a rubber piece between the speakers and the doors, but we'll see if that's necessary. The stereo will probably require a custom installation kit. They don't cost much, but I'm not impressed with the kits I've seen so far online. Might have to just bite the bullet and buy the best one of them I can find. The stereo has a CD player and - most importantly - a plug for my iPod. Sweet.

I also tried to install the new radio I got in Detroit for Loyal Reader Number One's car. It's a brand-new 1993-ish premium Ford radio that's never been played but has been in one accident crash (actually, it wasn't an accident at all). I was able to get the old radio out (after buying the right tool which was fortunately quite cheap), but the plug arrangement of the new(er) one is different. It looks like the existing one can handle only four speakers, while the new(er) one can take up to eight. The original one is back in the car, but I think we can make this one work. I just need to find the pinout for the new(er) radio's connector and we can get it connected. It would be really nice to find the right connector itself so I could just solder wires, but that may be too much to ask.

Anyway. We just finished re-watching Operation Petticoat on DVD. What a great movie. In fact, it's been kind of a movie weekend. I saw A Day at the Races yesterday, and we just started Horse Feathers. I like the Marx Brothers - not all the time, but often. Zeppo (link note: I recommend my Loyal Reader consider joinging SPAZ!) just isn't funny, though, is he?

Time to do other things. See you on Monday.