| It's a Thursday |
[Jun. 18th, 2009|17:17 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  amused | ] |
LIBRETTO
Yet Ere the season died a-cold
Borne upon a zephyr's shoulder I rose through the aureate sky
Lawes and Jenkins guard thy rest
Dolmetsch ever be thy guest,
Has he tempered the viol's wood
To enforce both the grave and the acute?
Has he curved us the bowl of the lute?
Lawes and Jenkins guard thy rest
Dolmetsch ever be thy guest,
Hast 'ou fashioned so airy a mood
To draw up leaf from the root?
Hast 'ou found a cloud so light
As seemed neither mist nor shade?
Then resolve me, tell me aright
If Waller sang or Dowland played.
Your eyen two wol sleye me sodenly
I may the beauté of hem nat susteyene
And for 180 years almost nothing.
from Ezra Pound's Canto LXXXI |
Errands
By the end of the month I'd lose two personal holidays from work if I didn't use them, so I requested off for today and next Thursday. I've been out for some errands (including dropping by my office, and the gas company, and signing my lease for next year), and around the apartment some (the Matter of Britain seemed very happy to fall asleep atop me). And I was amused at lunch; I'd felt awkward at first when Kyrie and Skyler came to hang out with my neighbor on our porch last night, but today that didn't stop Kyrie from dragging me to her section when I wandered by the restaurant for lunch. ^_^ |
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| Wednesday! It's lunchtime, and I'm back to chilling in my office |
[Jun. 3rd, 2009|11:49 am] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  busy | ] |
Whee!
While I enjoy the warmth, I'm also trekking back and forth across campus today in its 84°F (29 °C) balminess. So I'm also enjoying the modern wonders of air conditioning too, now that I'm taking a moment for lunch... ^_^ |
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| It's time off, but only semi-relaxing |
[Mar. 19th, 2009|13:59 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  aggravated | ] |
Happy
Birthday,
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) pictsy!Today
Today I paid bills...
And stood around forever at ALAGASCO.
They may still cut my gas off tomorrow.
But at least now a superintendent has called me.
We'll see if they still want me to pay for gas heat that I didn't get?
And I can document that I've made a good faith effort to pay *my* part.
(Anyone local dealt with Rhonda Roberts at FOX 6?) |
|
|
| Wherein I wax loquacious |
[Feb. 2nd, 2009|09:40 am] |
Photo
The above photo of leliel was from a December 2007 series:
http://martinhesselius.livejournal.com/1376484.html
Birthday
My birthday weekend was good. Saturday I ran around in circles, caught the ImagiCon volunteer meeting (where two different tracks wanted to draft me because they knew me), and wandered back to Los Amigos for my birthday dinner. alexsala was the first out-of-towner to show up, followed shortly by solfox and falfox, who surrprised me by driving down from Chattanooga for the first time for a birthday! And boojum2k and Demon came up from Montgomery (not surprisingly, when we wandered back to my place 'twas easier to name the titles of mine on my SF "action/adventure" bookshelf that boojum2k didn't have, than the many titles we shared). And quite a few locals made it down as well: samguss and hearthwitch, who made my birthday cake; tayrune and drk_ghost, who live the better part of an hour south, and almost don't qualify as locals; officemate Donovan; photographer, LARPer, and giant dirty old man Tony; and sometimes neuroscientists Blarkless and Fritzina from the Disgruntled Peons group (and who also raid in World of Warcraft on the Area 52 server... I should note that Blark is working on his PhD, while sidekick and good guy Ehren was mainly a lab tech for a while! ^_^ ). Later that evening I had out of town visitors from even further away: a half-dozen folk wandered in, led by swampfox68k and novus_vita, who'd left for Washington, DC after she'd finished school and become a dentist and he'd finished his PhD in physics; they brought along Alan and Caitlin, whom I knew, and nearby neighbors Nathan and Amber, whom I didn't. I never made it out, despite offers of drinks by djspankmi and Girl with Book, and finally shooed everyone off shortly before midnight. It was a good birthday. ^_^
I'd sit with the men, the women of God
There by the lake of beer
We'd be drinking good health forever
And every drop would be a prayer.
- from "St. Brigid's Prayer," attr. 6th c. CE |
Imbolc
February 1st is usually the day I think of Imbolc, rather than today; but then the first has become the feast day of St. Brigid, the "Mary of the Gael", who prayed that "I'd like to give a lake of beer to God. / I'd love the Heavenly / Host to be tippling there / For all eternity." But not a few nowadays remember the goddess Brigid, the Dagda's triune daughter, on February 2nd, which has become Candlemas and Groundhog Day. Either way my day was the same -- I checked on leliel's fuzzy Bandi (the fair engineer is off with doughty dhc10 to celebrate her birthday weekend), caught coffee and coffeecakes with falfox and solfox, and then hit the road for Huntsville. I never made it into Huntsville proper, but rather caught lunch at Greenbrier BBQ with my dad, stepmom, dad's sister Aunt Louise, and uncle Dick -- the same Richard Smith who was director of Kennedy Spaceflight Center from 1979-1986, which I think is terribly cool (can you blame me for being a space enthusiast?). Then I wandered back to Birmingham, buying a new pair of Ariats on the way, and spent most of the evening relaxing and five-manning Karazhan in World of Warcraft for grins and giggles. Not a bad Sunday. ^_^ Today I'm off work, with errands to run, oh no? |
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| A post wherein I merely repost recent posts! |
[Jan. 30th, 2009|10:43 am] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | amused | ] |
Reminder I
I'm approaching my last birthday in my forties (Saturday).
As mentioned, I'd like to have a small BYOB birthday get-together Saturday eve.
I'm looking at gathering at Los Amigos Mexican Restaurant at 6 PM.
If anyone wants, we can walk the block back to my place afterward.
Los Amigos is at the corner of 34th Street and Clairmont Ave S.*
*Clairmont Ave S. is what University/8th Ave S. turns into.
(Don't bring alcohol or the restaurant, it's for after >.< )
Reminder II
Play On Con will be held Memorial Day weekend this year, woot!
Friends are running it, I'm planning on going, and I'd recommend others come, too.
B'ham's OmegaCon, which had its first and last iteration last spring, is gone and kaput.
But there's a new convention in town that I hope to see, ImagiCon, March 27-29, 2009.
And my coworker, who'd never even been to a con until last year, is helping coordinate volunteers.
(No, I don't plan coincidences like this, I just stand still and they gravitate to me.)Dear Volunteers,
Thank you for your support of ImagiCon! Without you, ImagiCon wouldn't be possible!
We will be having a Volunteer Meeting on Saturday January the 31st at the Sheraton hotel in Birmingham, AL at 3:00 PM. The tentative location for our meeting is Room 423 but you will be notified if this changes.
Sheraton Hotel is located at:
2101 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N
Birmingham, AL 35203-1101
MAIN: 205-324-5000
800: 877-764-9612
FAX: 205-307-3045 Main Hotel
Please try your best to attend. ImagiCon is fast approaching and we have lots of planning yet to do. We need your input and ideas. Come meet the ImagiCon Staff if you haven't done so already. You will have the opportunity to coordinate with the Head of the track(s) you will be volunteering for and address any questions and troubleshoot any obstacles.
To thank you for all your hard work yet to come, the staff of ImagiCon will be hosting an Appreciation Party just for you directly following the meeting. Drinks and light refreshments will be served so plan to come and enjoy yourself! Hope to see you all there!
As always, continue to spread the word that ImagiCon is coming!
Join the newsletter here: http://imagicon.org/gatekeeper/
Join the ImagiCon forum here: http://imagicon.org/gatekeeper/
In addition, we are still accepting applications for more Volunteers here:
http://imagicon.org/gatekeeper/index.php?option=com_facileforms&Itemid=89
Anyone interested in volunteering may come to this meeting and join the
party afterwards! So spread the word about the Meeting and Party.
--
Thomas Wood,
ImagiCon Chairman |
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| (no subject) |
[Jan. 1st, 2009|00:01 am] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  sleepy | ] |
Happy
New Year! |
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| Fridazily |
[Dec. 5th, 2008|12:21 pm] |
A Flaw
Poetry, every art, is a flaw and reminds human societies that
we are not healthy, even if we confess it with difficulty.
- Czeslaw Milosz |
Lazy day
While I'd been thinking of trying to catch The Crüxshadows in Atlanta tonight, plans haven't worked out so I'm sitting around the apartment being decadent and lazy. But I am hoping to catch Sleep When You're Dead II here in Birmingham tomorrow night! ^_^ |
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| Turkeyday |
[Nov. 27th, 2008|09:11 am] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | happy | ] |
Happy
Thanksgiving! |
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| Armistice Day / Veterans Day |
[Nov. 11th, 2008|08:35 am] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | busy | ] |
In Flanders Fields
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
- John McCrae
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Thank you
To everyone who has served in their Armed Forces --
Thank you, and my respects. |
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| Friday! |
[Oct. 31st, 2008|15:04 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  bouncy | ] |
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| Fridazed |
[Oct. 17th, 2008|10:03 am] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | amused | ] |
Random
Beep! Beep! Beep! I love taking a day of vacation merrily spiced with my pager telling me I'm needed -- thankfully I just took the time off to run errands and pay bills. And I'm glad my coworkers do call me when something comes up. Not sure what I'm doing for lunch, but with friends coming over for anime tonight and the Witch's Ball tomorrow at the J. Clyde, it should be a good weekend? *Smile*
Pics
leliel's Delta still growls and barks at me when I drop by Ferret Rock if it looks like I'll go back near the puppies -- though she has no problem if I take her for a walk or pet her once I've been there a little while. In fact she demanded I pet her several times, and fell asleep next to me while I visited last night. And it's OK for leliel to bring the puppies over (some have their eyes open!). Go figure? Anyhow, puppy pic!
( Puppy ) |
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| Before I get my eyes looked at |
[Oct. 6th, 2008|09:43 am] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | busy but posting what I had | ] |
Random
These are random notes written over the weekend...
Weekend
The weekend was lovely. Friday evening hearthwitch and Samguss, leliel and Dan, and drk_ghost and tayrune joined me at the Golden Rule, and then the latter two came over and we watched a couple more episodes of Cowboy Bebop. Saturday I dropped by a local event, then swung by the High Note to catch up with Girl with Book. And on Sunday I went over to Ferret Rock to take pictures of that morning's puppies (PUPPIES!), before wandering down to blipangel's with Dan and a couple of guys from Gadsen (Girard and... er, I forget Art's nick?); we met draconisgold there. 'Twas my first time to play, but Settlers of Catan rocks!
Hunh?
One of our past researchers who's moved on to Kennedy Spac Center has been bugging me for why we handle certain chemicals the way we do. At first I didn't want to answer him because of liability reasons... but I kinda liked this investigator, and one of my uncles is a past director of KSC. So I sent him some references. It hit me that one of these links might be useful for those who want to win a barside argument over what is and isn't generally considered a known or suspected cause of cancer. So here's the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) groups, ranging from “Group 1: The agent is carcinogenic to humans” to “Group 4: The agent is probably not carcinogenic to humans.” Make sure you toast at least one drink to me. Cheers!
http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Classification/index.php
Wishes o' mine
Joseph Fourier found what we now call "the Greenhouse Effect" in 1824, and Svante Arrhenius first crunched the numbers in 1896. But it wasn't until almost a century later that we really started crunching the numbers hardcore and with evermore precision modeling... or turned the topic into one of those political hot potatoes like Creationism. Having had to work with micro- and mesoclimatology for both real-world screening smoke operations and with modeling downwind hazard predictions for defense against hypothetical nuclear, biological, or chemical attacks, and being related to climatologists whom I consider both sceptical and mathematically rigorous, I accept the consensus that some of the climate change we're seeing in manmade ("anthropogenic"). And I'm amused that it's "climate change" to the bulk of the scientists but "global warming" to the radio talkshow hosts (a misnomer: melting too much of the northern ice cap might freeze out Europe). This is why I like the fact that both Senator McCain and Senator Obama favor cutting back our CO2. And this is why I'm annoyed that Sarah Palin doesn't think there's an anthropogenic factor. Some people... Well, as we say around here, "Bless her heart."
Wayback machine
These folk pushed things back even further than my university had (now it's "before 1908"):A Viral Blast From the Past
ScienceNOW Daily News | By Jon Cohen | 1 October 2008
The second-oldest HIV sample ever discovered has pushed back the date the virus jumped from chimps to humans more than 2 decades, according to new research. The study helps further clarify how the AIDS epidemic started, and it reinforces the mounting evidence that HIV did not spread readily until cities emerged in central Africa.
The sample comes from a lymph node biopsy taken in 1960 from a 28-year-old woman in what is now Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Researchers led by evolutionary biologist Michael Worobey of the University of Arizona, Tucson, analyzed tissue blocks taken from 27 patients between 1958 and 1960 that the University of Kinshasa had kept along with some patient records. As Worobey notes, these patients had biopsies taken because they had mysterious ailments, including lymph node abnormalities, which are common in HIV-infected people. "You really couldn't ask for a better cohort to look for people who had HIV in Kinshasa," he says. - Read More - More puppy pics
Pssssttt... down here, yo!
( Read more... ) |
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| Returning |
[Sep. 2nd, 2008|10:18 am] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | busy | ] |
On for a moment
I'm taking a breather.
I've enough in my office and elsewhere to keep me busy today --
But I'll take a moment to put up the pics I formatted last night:
http://martinhesselius.livejournal.com/1443457.html
(Yes, I usually write most of these posts the night before.)
(No, I haven't hardly read any LJ, and won't.)
Dragoncon 2008 photos
Normally I leave my camera in my room...
So I only take a few photos of the many available at Dragoncon.
But check out the the official staff photogs, like spiritchaser1 and amazing_tito!
My own paltry few appear below the cut, of course.
En route
Stopping at the Books-A-Million in the Colonial Brookwood Village mall maul before I left Birmingham, I bought a handful of books... and when I asked the clerk to search for one of cmpriest's books she brightened and told me that I should meet her daughter, who was a big Cherie Priest fan. Alas, her daughter was on her way to school in Scotland. Then, at Dragoncon, I bumped into one of the Books, Beans and Candles (BB&C) regulars from Birmingham, a terribly cute redhead who'd recently graduated from high school. I asked her what her mother's name was when she mentioned she was on her way to Scotland for university... and then told her to tell her mom we already knew each other! Moral of the story: go read cmpriest.
Dragoncon 2008
As always I saw too many folk to mention. Special thanks go to my roomies: noted author cmpriest; her poetical hubby, moriarty6; good friends solfox and falfox, whom I see too rarely; and (for the first night) blackaire, herself a noted author of several series and a delightful soul as well. Special thanks also go to nash076, who again hired me to do interviews. And finally my heartfelt thanks go to those whom I interviewed: cmpriest, Steven of ego_likeness, Rogue of the Crüxshadows, and Peter S. Beagle. Dragoncon 2008 also ended on a pleasant surprise: I hadn't heard from New Orleans' Maven since before Katrina, and he was literally the last person I bumped into as I left Dragoncon. A good convention all around!
Post-con
Midnight Sunday I came home to a very demanding kitty; the Matter of Britain has been very affectionate since. Yesterday I dropped by to meet leliel's latest addition to Ferret Rock, Delta. Afterward we caught lunch at a local sandwich place where I became a bit more alert when some uniformed folk sat next to us; I suspect they were Notional National Guard, but I still become very careful whenever a major general (two stars) sits at the table next to me. And the new puppy's engineer joined soulfulsinner and I at Surins for sushi and Thai last night. All in all, a very pleasant Labor Day, and a good remedy for avoiding post-con depression.
Random thoughts
I love my country, warts and all (even when they get elected).
But it still amuses me that we celebrate our Labor Day on the first Monday of September...
While the rest of the world uses May 1st for Labour Day
Some but not all
The first of these pushed my own buttons. Illegal search and seizure was one of the hot topics for some of our American Founding Fathers, which is why we have search warrants nowadays. It's a document where a judge says that he or she deems that a search is warranted, be it for protesters, drugs, illegal firearms, or what have you (as I've oft noted I consider myself a Liberal but think that assault rifles should be encouraged in the households of competent, adult citizens who aren't felons). So warrantless search and seizure in cases other than hot pursuit always make me twitchy... Anyhow, anyone seen these? Methinks the Republican National Convention got a bit out of hand (not saying these officers reflect on the assembled politicos, but it does look a bit outrageous).
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/allison-kilkenny/amy-goodman-arrested-at-r_b_123051.html
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/09/01/donna_brazile_hit_by_pepper_sp.html
Dragonon pics!
Clickie on the LJ-Cut --
( Clickie, I say! ) |
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| My hand is now covered in sleepy cat spit |
[Aug. 20th, 2008|13:31 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | amused | ] |
I can see clearly now
Last night I upgraded my video card in the safest way I knew: I had someone else do it. Believe me, it's far faster. While hearthwitch read a book on the couch leliel installed my new card (much nicer!). Then I caught dinner with both lovely ladies before wishing them adieu, and then going back to my place and playing too many video games. Today I worked a half day and was going to get things done... but the Matter of Britain says that I should nap. How can I resist a cat-mandated catnap? |
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| Fellow Verizon Wireless folk - beware the Bait and Switch |
[Jul. 1st, 2008|19:05 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | infuriated | ] |
So...
There are many good Verizon Wireless store managers, etc., and some of them are my friends. But I remain less than pleased with how the company itself shoves hidden costs and bait and switch schemes down the throats of its customers.
Way back...
Three weeks ago
When my car got hit I decided to take the money I was saving for an iPhone and repair my car. But I couldn't get another PDA like my broken Verizon 6600 unless I switched to paying an extra $20 for a data plan I wasn't using and didn't want. So I switched to an LG Voyager. After finding out that their V Cast music package included browsing via their Web 2.0 package, and music management software for my desktop PC, I signed up (part of this was to avoid additional text and picture message charges, as well). I loaded the required V Cast Music Manager music software off the CD enclosed with the phone, liked it, and even bought a few songs using it.
That all changed today.
Rhapsody of the
bait and switch
I tried to log into the V Cast store using my PC and was forced to download the brand new Rhapsody / V Cast music client. Yes, the launch button even uses the same icon. But I noticed that the $15/month Rhapsody charge did not say that it included current V Cast customers. It took me over 40 minutes on the phone with Verizon Wireless' technical and customer support to confirm that, yes, if I wanted to purchase music for my phone using the new desktop computer client they forced me to install, then I would have to sign up for both the V Cast and the Rhapsody services. That's $30/month, not $15/month. So caveat emptor!
By the way
Here's the FCC site for complaints:
http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm |
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| Why I hate Verizon, Iteration X |
[May. 18th, 2008|19:51 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | infuriated | ] |
Y'know...
I can't replace my PDA with my "new every two" plan because Verizon will force me on a data package. Because all PDA's must surf the net at over $100/month, doncha know? And -- if they can find a replacement -- Verizon will charge me over $600 if I try to just outright replace my POS broken PDA phone ($200 if I just get a phone). Which POS PDA randomly reboots. Usually wiping all data and info except contact info numbers I've backed up to the chip. Usually the chip can restore those fine. Except...
Tonight it cold rebooted, and I tried to backup the contact info.
MY POS VERIZON PDA DELETED SEVERAL HUNDRED NAMES:
IT ATE EVERY NAME STARTING AFTER FRIGGIN' "C."
DIAF, Gorram Verizon, DIAF slowly and horribly.
(I should have backup numbers at work.)
(Whenever I get back to work.)
(I'm still convalescing.)
(I lost your new number, soulfulsinner.) |
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| Friday! |
[May. 9th, 2008|10:10 am] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | hopeful | ] |
Happy
Birthday,
prosphoros!
(More b'day wishes here)Thank you!
Many, many thanks to all who wished me well --
I'll do what I can to heal up fast!
Tastes like borg?
The above pic of my sling and painkiller pump made me laugh. The sling itself has a square padded pillow designed to keep my arm a little away from my body; the black bag atop it is a painkiller pump that shunts into the shoulder. It's all seemingly nylon, velcro, and plastic. The shoulder dressing and the pump come off tomorrow; I bathe as best I can now but after these are off I can shower again, yay! In general I hurt a lot less than after my foot surgery; but I cannot recline without the pain increasing so I have to sleep sitting up and am only catching a few hours of sleep a night. Hopefully this will abate soon; I look forward to being able to sleep through the night again.
Homebound
Since I feel better I'd like to get out and about. But I've been told decisively that there will be no repeats of how I injured the shoulder in the first place. So no lunch with the EVE Corp crew yesterday, no Disgruntled Peons lunch today... Come visit, people! Heh. *Chuckle*
Kitteh to the rescue!
As anyone who knows me already understands, I love and adore my ex-wife Lady K, her husband Mosat, and their son Conor. I'm now indebted to one of the stray felines they've adopted, Rorschach. A dog from across the street who was two or three times Conor's size tried to attack Conor... only to be driven off by Rorschach not once but twice. And yet Rorschach is a sweet kitty nonetheless. Here is a photo that they sent of Rorschach and Conor, who remains a very cute baby (if you cannot tell which one is the cat and which the kidlet, I am soooo not offering a clue):
( More Pics of Rorschach )
Rorschach needs a home!
Alas, as she says below, Lady K needs to find a home for Rorschach.
If you're at all interested please email me and I will forward your email?
Or you can leave it in the comments below. ( Lady K's letter ) |
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| Post post post? |
[May. 7th, 2008|16:33 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | woozy | ] |
Birthdays
See yesterday's post --
I don't know how much I'll be posting this week?
As it is, I'm still woozy and dizzy from the anesthetic, etc:
I've been warned two or three times to not sign legal documents!
But at least I wanted to say thst I'm back (and post a gothiqroze pic ;) ).
I can tell that my judgement's impaired, though --
So I know better than to catch up on LJ!
*chuckle*
Hagiography
hearthwitch is a saint.
She not only got me to and from the hospital, but stayed throughout.
This surgery lasted a while longer than my January foot surgery --
But I was delighted that he changed his technique.
(He was able to do it arthroscopically. :) )
Shegor me to the
Oooops, still woozy! |
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| Wandering the Botanical Gardens, etc |
[Mar. 3rd, 2008|08:50 am] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | busy | ] |
| [ | Current Music |
| | Deine Lakaien's A Fish Called Prince | ] |
Weekend
For Saturday lunch I wandered out to our local Pagan bookstore, Books, Beans, and Candles, and caught up with local author Amber Holmes; we chatted about mutual friends and acquaintances from Chattanooga and elsewhere. Saturday afternoon Ryan and I went and took photos at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens (see photos below the LJ cut). Saturday evening I fell asleep in my computer chair and missed Devyani's hafla, but did get up later to catch roquestar's boyfriend at The Nick in an odd Elvis cover band, the Tupelo Trio.
Sunday afternoon my cute, demure, brunette pixie of a bartender asked what I was reading, and turned out to a secret comics geek; we talked of indies as well as DC and Marvel universes, Alan Moore, and how there's a movie in the works for The Watchmen (I don't think my bartender was even walking when Watchmen came out... my first exposure came from late 80s next-door neighbor robespierrette). And Sunday evening I let the lovely ladykat88 drag me along to hear televangelist Joel osteen, who turned out to be far more inspirational and less annoying that I'd suspected beforehand... though I do think that having an "O" on his podium instead of a cross or an ichthys would demonstrate a bit less ofermod.
Diversion
As ladykat88 figured out last night, I'd been writing this entry all weekend (that way I was able to post this in a minute). And now I must needs get off this computer, get to work, and visit several places around campus. So have some photos until tonight or tomorrow!
( Saturday:
Ryan and the Birmingham Botanical Gardens ) |
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| Middle of the week |
[Dec. 19th, 2007|08:02 am] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | content | ] |
From last Saturday
Below are the shots I took of Devyani's December hafla.
Alas, I had to miss Megha and Jasmine as my rechargables were at home and my other batteries dead --
But I had fun taking pics of the rest of the evening, and the dancing was wonderful as always!
( Devyani hafla: 42 photographs ) |
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| Randomness |
[May. 11th, 2004|23:20 pm] |
Synapse sparkings
My orientation may be Monday, but my days are full nonetheless. || My Tuesday night Dungeons & Dragons character died last week, when I was sitting out the game with surgery the next morning; I think that I like my new good-aligned half-orc better than the bard. || 'Twas nice to have Japanese cuisine with leliel and elysiangirl. || Can't take pics of The Amy at lunch tomorrow; I have to work. || We had to re-do the Department of Justice's Immigration and Naturalization form 9(?) because the HR lass copied my passport date as written; while the Department of Defense and Department of State use the more international day-month-year, the INS has written a full memo devoted to why they won't accept that system... even for identification that uses it || I was a 'light sleeper' under anesthetic; that's apparently why my pulse jumped and respiration rate doubled halfway through my half-hour under surgery. || I don't have time to read my LJ Friends list, I think... ::Smile & hugs:: |
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| And again |
[May. 11th, 2004|17:23 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | busy | ] |
Second
Warning
Time and space
As I said, I'll soon be reading LJ far less.
But, hey, that's a good thing; trust me on this.
And my days are now full for the next three weeks.
Always best to hit the ground running... ::Grin:: |
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| Thankfulness |
[May. 11th, 2004|06:19 am] |
Keeps rolling along
As expected, the polyp removed from my throat was benign and all looks clear. The rest of last night was equally pleasant and peaceful. My inner peace should come from inside, not out; but I was thankful and not complaining. Anyhow, I have to be at work shortly for a staff meeting, so I should go (yes, they were *that sure* I'd sign the offer letter... but then we've been talking for weeks, and my enthusiasm is, um, notable?). Be well, all. ::Grin:: |
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| Of note |
[May. 10th, 2004|14:03 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | happy | ] |
Some cause happiness wherever they go;
others whenever they go. - Oscar WildeFirst
WarningTime and space
I'll soon be reading LJ far less.
I won't promise that I shall post less...
But will have far less time to read LJ.
And this is a very, very good thing!
So I apologize in advance.
::Smile:: |
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| Lunes |
[May. 10th, 2004|09:15 am] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | recumbent | ] |
Sunday, Sunday
With nothing planned, Sunday was a day to catch up on things. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban became my poison of choice, and I indulged in it at random throughout the day from lunchtime on. By late afternoon the lasso of boredom had my imagination fully hog-tied, and I started to clean: the floors and tub are now better than they were. By evening I might have imploded into nothingness from lack of stimulation, but tayrune joined me for a movie and dinner since drk_ghost was busy and about (movie-first sounded like a good idea, given the lateness of the hour). We caught Godsend, which may have been a bit predictable but which caught the gist of what a good supernatural thriller should be.
Shards of the past
Throughout the day I also tinkered with my website, adding a photo link to the home page and continuing my tinkering with my few photo galleries. I finally decided to add icons to the photo index, as well. The result is a bit busy; I'll have to think about it. And the rounded GIFs I initially tried didn't come out the way that I wanted, so the thumbnails are mostly JPGs, but at least now there are hints of what each gallery holds.
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|
| (no subject) |
[May. 9th, 2004|14:50 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | peaceful | ] |
Happy
Birthday,
prosphoros!
And Happy
Mothers' Day!Somnos
Though I normally do not spend more than five or six hours a night sampling the wares of the Gates of Horn and Ivory, I've slept far more than normal over the past thirty-six hours or so. Six hours night before last; a four hour nap yesterday; and nine last night. In my 'teens and twenties I could easily sleep a dozen hours straight on a weekend, but it has been many years since I could do that by myself (snuggling up to someone for hours on end is a little different). Perhaps this is a consequence of a nice weekend, fantastic friends, becoming comfortable with being single, and my ease now that I have a job offer that I like? Or perhaps I was just a bit tired. ::Grin:: |
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| A quiet night of chatting? |
[May. 9th, 2004|02:24 am] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | content | ] |
These city lights shine too bright for me
I can't remember what I'm supposed to be
These city nights last too long for me
I can't remember nights of peaceful sleep
- Goteki, Piranha Advancement
Highlights of the High Note
Yes, yes, I am that freak that takes a book into a bar; in this case, 'twas Sharon Shinn's Angel Seeker, which I thoroughly enjoyed. And I enjoyed 'chatting' on napkins with the Howseman, the Tony, and others whom I knew; and met new acquaintances Rachel and Scott, as well. The staff also has a place in my souless heart: I grow ever more fond of them. Though as I 'said' to Catherine the Magnificent, "I've had one of the most enjoyable nights ever here, and I haven't said a word... I don't think that I want to think about that too hard!" Heh. |
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| Good night, good morning, and badly annoying telemarketers |
[May. 8th, 2004|17:18 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | annoyed @ moronic telemarketer | ] |
Peacefulness
As I didn't want to risk road problems that might require talking, leliel gave me a ride to shadrone's party in Huntsville. Though most of my passengers or drivers of the past week enjoy talking at my mute self, I found that riding up there with almost no conversation was peaceful and relaxing; I value having a friend like this around whom I can remain silent and not feel uneasy.
And happiness
shadrone's party 'twas much fun, from NinjaBurger to the white board which the host gifted me. Afterward free_gypsy took me back to her place, where I joined her and fritzling in staying up far too late (the white board was invaluable). While I wanted to stay for her party tonight, I found the 'no talking' shtick more and more wearisome, so I accepted her prior offer to return me to Birmingham today; she was a wonderful host.
And peacefulness
Here I had a late lunch with the Howseman (after accidentally disturbing The Amy's younger sibling and friend, who did not know what to do with the speechless old man at the door). We ate at the Five Points Grill, where our waiter was James, of Promise the Ghost (most of the staff are members of different bands). At Bohemian Rhapsody we bumped into Leigh Anne, who hopes to re-start her band soon. Since she found my muteness worthy of multiple hugs and kisses of condolences, I'll gladly support her band.
And the bloody damn phone
Arriving home and finally relaxing and unpacking, I noticed that I'd had a half-dozen out-of-area unlisted calls; they hadn't listened to the voice mail saying that I wasn't supposed to speak until Monday, obviously. Within twenty minutes the phone rang again. I picked it up, fearing an emergency. Instead it was "Warren," representing the Alabama State Police Association, which I only found out after I carefully and slowly explained "I don't know who this is, but I've just had surgery and am under doctor's orders to not speak until Monday; please call back after then." Instead Warren began badgering me to stay on the phone and talk; I fear that I slammed the phone down.
With my cat bois here I'll get over it within the hour... But what kind of idiot fund-raising agency did our Hellabama troopers hire, anyway? And how do I complain? Break doctor's orders and stay on the phone, my happy little chairwarmer indeed. |
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| Mr. Headless Roosterman |
[May. 7th, 2004|14:31 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | busy | ] |
| [ | Current Music |
| | BUSY BUSY BUSY | ] |
Busy
Must pack for weekend in Huntsville.
Must go pick up nearlyheadless shortly.
Maybe I'll read last night's LJ Friends list on...
Monday?
Cry Wolf again
With no other known and reliable shop, I have to fall back on the Wolf Camera in the Maul for my photo CDs. Alas, they still have not unloaded the blank CDs. But they did copy a few images to floppy for me. I didn't take many pics in Phoenix, but since satyr69 and kiserai asked sweetly, how could I not post previews of theirs? (Note: I want to be as cool as thetoken when I grow up... yes, I know that's impossible, but it's good to have unattainable goals and dreams, no? ::Smile::)
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| It even tainted the void where once dwelt my soul... |
[May. 7th, 2004|03:31 am] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | I saw; how can I be forgiven? | ] |
Worst
movie
EVAR.May Providence show Her mercy on me
I am forgiving of bad movies. But now I face a dilemma: if I gnaw my hands off, I won't be able to gouge my eyes out with rusty spoons for willingly watching Van Helsing. But if I gouge my eyes out first, I may not be able to see to gnaw to bloody stumps the hands that willingly paid money to see it. And I cannot even try to crash my head against the wall like a rotten egg, for I might merely induce amnesia and go back to see that wreckage again, which would be worse than hamster-wheeling on the great wheel of rebirth. Oh, the terror of it all!
Kate Beckinsale does have a terribly, terribly sweet derriere, especially in tights and a corset. Which may have been the only reason I did not take my blunt Sharpie and stab my mute self to merciful death early in the movie. Munchkins and flying monkeys, oh my! And what is with the tie-in with the Wandering Jew and the Angel of the Magnificat? But Kate Beckinsale has a terribly fine fundament. I am given to the sense of comics, and I have an affection for steampunk: I enjoyed the Wild, Wild West movies for their campily bad style, and was willing to tolerate LXG for the sake of watching Peta Wilson. But this? This! And I saw it, and of my own volition; I have been contaminated, corrupted, and desecrated. I must revel in the fact that Kate Beckinsale has a deliciously tasty tush in tights, for otherwise I shall realize what I have done, and make try to make amends for having supported such an abomination...
No foreshadowings
The earlier evening held no evidence of the horrific travesty that was to come upon us when we gathered to see the midnight showing of Van Helsing. At dinnertime I brought my pen and index card deck and met up with the fanclub LARP for the traditional Thursday night gathering at Formaggio's; despite my lack of speech, I even held my own in a good (if hastily scrawled) discussion with mystcbrd and veraklon. Bidding adieu to them (and accidentally dooming several of their number to the midnight madness and massacre of movie sensibilities), I left for the Howseman's manse.
With pad and pen I convinced the Howseman to likewise follow us into the gates of theatrical depravity, though with a layover at the High Note, where the Howseman and Catherine the Magnificent alternated between making me feel at home and indulging in the absurdities of my mutedom, often at my expense (and, yes, I loved it). Then we left for the theatre, not knowing what would be inflicted upon our innocent selves. How could we have known? Once there we met up with mystcbrd, neverwhere74, the Samedi, the Lisa and her boi, and others of the Damned. But I, I alone, I have escaped and 'lived' to tell the tale. Know, and heed: or else to pay the price yourself. Say not thou that we did not warn thee! Heh. |
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| Little Cthulhus singing "it's a small world" |
[May. 6th, 2004|13:53 pm] |
It is a very sad thing that
nowadays there is so little useless information.
- Oscar Wilde</i>
Lunch
Lunch with hearthwitch was fun; we bumped into the Howseman at the Maul, my driver and mystcbrd finally met in the flesh, and Wolf Camera told me that they were out of CDs and couldn't burn me one of my SWRE and local band photos until tomorrow. OK, two out of three wasn't bad, and the company is always pleasant. ::Smile:: |
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| Thor's Day |
[May. 6th, 2004|10:50 am] |
Post-cutting, Day 1
The surgery left me with a mild sore throat, and I'm sore a little sore along my back, ribs and neck from coughing myself awake at 3:30 AM (yes, there might be contributing factors). But other than that I'm doing fine. Surprised, I said hello before I caught myself when leliel dropped by on a whim to check up on me and see if I wanted to watch another episode of Nadesico (which lrdtorquemada loaned me). My voice was fine, and lacked the hoarse, raspy burr of the past few months.
For the nonce, adieu!
I'll try to read LJ later, but now I must get ready: hearthwitch is coming by to take my silent self to lunch, I likely have company dropping by tonight, and I think that I have some film for the Wolf to develop? ::Smile::
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| He louted low down to the knee: Harpo of Ercildoune |
[May. 5th, 2004|20:25 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | amused | ] |
| [ | Current Music |
| | Give me a minute to start it up! | ] |
Night
Mmmmmmmmm...
hearthwitch & nearlyheadless brought me sherbert.
Change
OK, I liked how the latest LKH Merry Gentry book ended. Which may say something unpleasant about my nature. ::Grin::
With quacks and pops and gestures
This whole "voice rest" thing is beginning to intensely amuse me. I have my sharpie and 'flash card' ruled index card deck. "Unsweet tea, please" indeed! And I have my quacks and pops, inflecting the ends to say 'yes' or 'no' or the be quizzical. But the grand, sweeping gestures; oh my! And my written word is more succint and legible than my hoarse voice of the past few months; 'tis a wonderful time. Now if I can just remember to keep my "Vow of Silence" around the boi cats. With people 'tis easy to not speak, but not so with my furry feline landlords. |
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| No hobby-ish meetings for moi... |
[May. 5th, 2004|18:35 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | alf-dozen cups of honeyed tea | ] |
| [ | Current Music |
| | But isn't it music to *your* ears? | ] |
Can't drive today
Anesthetic = no drive.
Looks like Mexican again...
And I have a handful or three of DVDs.
And a movie rental place just next door.
But suck at watching movies by myself.
At least I like Mexican and books.
I have diversions: that's amusing.
::Heh::
Poll #289296 Where to start?
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: AllOh, where to start? |
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| Post-op? |
[May. 5th, 2004|15:57 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  Why no 'Righteous!' icon? | ] |
Loss of judgement
Maybe the anesthetic *did* affect me.
But at least I added red shorts this time!
Hmm... seems like my TMI filter is down, though.
Beware what questions you ask -
Yay, LJ!!! ::Grin::
In the classroom, eh?
"Years ago, it was read in schools and kids learned about heaven and hell."
<RANT> Interesting tract, Mr. Chick.
But I like the solution of Roger William's Rhode Island Baptist colonists.
They thought the relationship between a believer and Jesus to be personal.
So they didn't want the State telling the members of the Church how to believe.
But, hey; my Church runs many, many private schools that teach the Bible...
But I don't think that you think that Roman Catholics are exactly Christian.
Maybe Separation of Church and State really is a good idea? </RANT> |
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