I am set off to travel.

cincinnati oh 7/23
columbus oh 7/24
pittsburg pa 7/25 +26
brookville pa. 7/27
dexter mi 7/ 28

Since I am heading east i decided to visit the now open ROXX http://www.roxx.biz/about.html

As you will find reading the web site, this has been a dream of jinny and andy eigel for some time.
after my investment and 6 month of birthing twins sideways, the dream of ROXX has been realized.
Roxx opened up and is doing quite well. So if your in cincinnati come on in for a visit.

I am on my way to pittsburg for confulence and would love to stay over night in columbus.
I am interested in having a bed to my self or sharing if needed. I can get sleepy when i drive. taking this trip alone i need to be careful and pullover when tired. so staying in columbus would break up the trip to pittsburg. i do apolize for the short notice. i have had this post on my to do list for quite some time.

my stay over in brookville allows me to visit with jill grubbs and her daughter hillery whom i have not seen since i brought howie harrison to pete and jill's house and there was some offering marriage to howie for the price of a loaf of bread. there was a lot of screaming and laughter. of course i probably have it all wrong.

then i finally get to see carol and cliff house. which i am looking forward to.

so if you have a spare bed , live around columbus and would love to have me stay overnight please respond.

thank you for your friendship and reading my posts.

Does anyone have any recommendations or anti-recommendations? Thanks!

July 20, 2008 is Spaceflight Day.

On this day in history:

( Go to The List )


(Mural in the U.S. Capitol)

LOL! Just saw the VH-1 "Best Week Ever" episode with a short interview w/Joss Whedon for Dr. Horrible. The mis-pronunciation/correction of George Takei's name -- loved it!

There are a couple of things in my life that are challenging my comfort zone, and frankly it's a little terrifying.

1) Work circumstances and a change in some of the tactics of one of my product managers is an adjustment. I think that what's happening will be a good thing. I just have to learn new patterns in the environment. It also means lifting my nose from the grindstone and taking in the panoramic view of our business goals. The potential boggles the mind. My role in it hasn't really changed much, yet, but the mind is expanding in ways that it must to take the next step someday.

2) Choosing to become passionate about an art form. Some of you are aware that I've been taking bellydancing lessons for a couple of years now. This may sound like just some fun romp of an activity for entertainment purposes with the side benefit of toning the body. Maybe for some people that's exactly what it is, but for me it has turned into a journey of self exploration.

This is the first enduring artistic activity in my life that I have consciously chosen completely without the influence of some other important person in my life. Grew up with music. Married a musician. Became a filker partly by default, partly by choice, and partly from association. Became friends with magicians. Became an experienced observer.Mom taught me the handcrafts. Still do handcrafts. Siblings were into photography. Yearbook required photography. Enjoy photography and may even really learn to do it well someday. Grew up reading. Studied literature, wrote poetry. Taught reading. Burnt out on reading. No time/energy to invest in the writing process to do it well. Relearning to enjoy reading. Grew up with educators. Became a committed educator. Got chewed up and spit out by petty administrators that couldn't follow the curve. Fell into project management. Happen to be pretty good at it. Like it well enough to choose to make a career at it.

There is no one heavily influential in my life that dances - not in any form. I'd seen middle eastern dancers, and thought "I could do that!" Finally found an instructor in town. An instructor that is educated and knowledgeable about the cultures these dances represent. Signed up for class without knowing a soul. I've spent a lot of time contemplating who I am as a dancer, and finding the parts of my soul that have been barren and dead, and testing out whether or not this is the thing to revive them. I'm far enough on this path, that I've selected the music to which I'm going to make an attempt at choreography and solo performance. Costuming is being researched, and carefully selected. There's an image in my head for the interpretation of the music into motion. References have been ordered, and a new level of conversation has started with my instructor. I'm dangerously close to becoming passionate about being a dancer and letting it own part of my soul.

This is a frightening thing. When something is allowed to live and grow inside your being, it changes you. I don't know where this is going to take me. I just know that I have to go.

Today is Julie's christening. Of course, we're not quite ready for everyone to show up, but jeff_duntemann and Carol are coming over shortly and will help cure that problem.

My job right now is to take Katie off to lunch so that she can't take things out of boxes faster than everyone else is trying to put them into the boxes.

I am the proud mom, of a member of the "Order of the Arrow" - the honor society for Boy Scouts.

http://www.oa-bsa.org/

July 19, 2008 is Wagon Day.

On this day in history:

( Go to The List )

But Julie's Christening is , um, later today and I needed to finish her dress. My wonderful brother and S-i-L came over this afternoon to mind the girls while I sewed. I got most of it done before dinner, but both girls were difficult this evening so I kept getting interrupted as bedtime drifted later and later.
But now all I have to do in the morning is tack the bows on to the sleeves. And decorate the candle. That won't take long.

The dress is out of eyelet, tiered and ruffled.
I'm happy.


GHR

One Christmas I got to pick three LPs from a catalog of promotional gifts from a supplier to my Dad's company. Those were my first LPs.

THE MAMAS AND THE PAPAS - Farewell to the First Golden Era - 1967

PAUL REVERE AND THE RAIDERS - Midnight Ride - 1966

THE FIFTH DIMENSION - Up, Up and Away - 1967

I guess that was Christmas 1967, which means I was in the 8th grade.

I still own all three, and all three have songs I still enjoy hearing. What's more, I still have a working turntable connected to the home entertainment stack, but A through M of the LP collection has been moved to the basement, and none of these three LPs were ever replaced with CDs. When I get in a "Golden Oldies" mood and queue up a fistful of MP3s, though, you might just hear "California Dreaming" or "Kicks."

Lenny came by and looked at our air conditioner this morning. No freon, so he's refilled it as a temporary solution to the problem. Since he also refilled it last year, there's either a leak or someone managed to hit the valve and blow out the freon. If the air conditioning holds up, it was the latter.

In the meantime, he's going to research replacement units for us and get us some proposals and pricing. One possibility would put in a separate unit for our upstairs, which might be a big improvement as far as our cooling bills go. We'll see.

He's also going to look in the attic and see if the cooling situation can be improved with an attic fan to vent the hot air out. But he'll do that on a cooler day than today. :)

He just posted this comment to my post, so maybe he'll make his own post soon:

"Thanks for the good wishes everyone, and Carol, thanks for posting this. Basically it looks like I had a viral infection, with a kick-up of my gall-blader. What worried me the most was that my kidneys hurt, but they're not involved."

I got a spam email this morning from "FBI" in "WASTINGTON DC."

July 18 is Hometown Day.

On this day in history:

( Go to The List )

What a fan's gotta do!

Doogie Howser as a Mad Scientist = ROTFLMAO

I foresee a BIG market on CafePress in Mad Scientist Coats.

I got home from work for dinner with daisy_knotwise, jeff_duntemann, Carol, Katie, and Julie and I noticed that the house was a bit warm. Apparently, the air conditioner was doing a fine job of running, but no job at all of cooling.

Since the fan was running and no cold air was coming out, the conclusion is that the compressor is not a happy beastie. We've called our heating and cooling guy -- the husband of one of Gretchen's former co-workers -- and he'll come by in the morning and look at it.

In the meantime, it's going to be a long, hot night.

I just sent two pages of bullet points to the Vice President in charge of our group that outline what I think needs to be done in our development effort across the next 18 months to two years. It pretty much says, "I can give you what you asked for -- here's how. And you get these things too."

Our Product Manager is going to hate it, I suspect.

And we'll see what happens next.

He is in the hospital. I have no details except that they are running some tests; he asked someone else to call and let me know and ask me to inform LJ.

He's at Abbott Northwestern. I have the room number, but have no info about whether he wants or can have visitors. I will let you know if I find out more; email me: cak hyphen edit at comcast dot net, or IM me: CollectingMomma if you want check in.

We're well past the halfway point now. The kitchen, bathroom and bedroom are all but packed with just a few can't-pack-until-the-day-we-actually-move things. Today we're tackling the crafting room. Gray's trains are all packed and moved and he's working on his desk and work table. I've been sorting and packing my sewing, knitting/crocheting, cross-stitch and paper crafting supplies and tools. Boy do I have a lot of crafting things. And yet there are still more crafting things that I'd like to have. So much stuff. And that's not even mentioning all the kitchen gadgets! Or music books!

So why do we tend to accumulate so much stuff? (Totally rhetorical.)

Anyhow, we're plugging away with the packing of our stuff. I'm really hoping to have everything in boxes and ready to go by next Thursday. Then we'll have another day to do some of the cleaning and get groceries for moving day sandwiches, salads and munchies. We pick up the truck early Saturday morning and then it's party, party, party! Woo hoo!!!

As Nomi has mentioned already in her journal, we're off to Readercon this weekend. And since they now feature Thursday night programming, our weekend is starting a day early.

I posted my programming schedule a few days ago, and I snuck in one particular listing. I'm surprised that no one commented on it. Either no one is reading my posts anymore unless they feature my younger brother driving across the country, or people skip convention schedules when they're not planning to be there.

So, let me post that one line once more time:

Friday 12:01 AM: “The Dark Knight” at the AMC Loews Burlington 10

That's right. For the first time in my life that I can recall, I'm going to a midnight movie.

We may be starting out the convention weekend exhausted, but it'll be worth it.

See you all on the flip side.

( Why you should check out Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog before next week. Last wedding post: fire alarms, my present to Rand and Erin, thanks for the photography encouragement! )

“,,,part of his delusion was the belief that mechanization and modernization are ruining the world...”
    A Psychologist commenting on the real-life case of Theodore Kaczynski (the ‘Una-bomber’)

Though there are a lot of benefits to humanity and civilization that have resulted from 'mechanization and modernization'-- there are a lot of problems as well.  On this issue, Ted Kaczynski wasn't entirely wrong...

That's the last line in a post I made two years ago.

It makes me sick to think how much worse it is today than two years ago.

Josh called me a few times yesterday to tell me about the vast empty spaces that they were driving through in Wyoming.

The Vast, Empty Spaces of Wyoming

They had spent Tuesday night in Aravada, Colorado, with a friend of Rachel's. They had a picnic lunch and went to a beach on Big Soda Lake, but I forget if they did that on Tuesday or Wednesday. (At least, I think it's called Big Soda Lake. I'm having a hard time deciphering my notes from yesterday's calls.)

Wednesday morning (or maybe early afternoon) they got on the road again and crossed into Wyoming. Josh called me around 3:38 pm EDT (1:38 pm MDT) to tell me that they were on I-25 North, beyond Cheyenne, and that there was absolutely nothing on the road for miles.

"Wait, there's a house," he said at one point. He also spotted a post with four mailboxes on it. It reminded me of the time I drove from Los Alamos to Lamy, New Mexico. Very desolate, and very empty.

Josh wasn't surprised, though, given that the estimated population of Wyoming (as he recalled) was 493,000.

He told me that they only had a quarter of a tank of gas and no water, and miles to go to the next town, which has a very appropriate name for the area.

Chugwater, Wyoming, and that really is their website. I went searching for it to see if they had one, so I could tell Josh if there was a gas station there. Not only did I find listings for auto repair, but I also found Horton's Corner, a place where Josh and the family could stop for water.

They found it too.

Horton's Corner, Chugwater, Wyoming Civilization at last.

And they got water.

Water...water...

Josh was desperate for a Starbucks as well, and as they were staying in Casper, Wyoming that night, he asked me to use the Starbucks finder to find him one. As it so happens, there's one at the Eastridge Mall, and I gave him directions. I presume he got his Starbucks coffee last night, but I don't know for sure.

Today is day eight of the Great Drive, but I may not have a chance to update for a bit, as Nomi and I are going to Readercon tonight and will be away the whole weekend. So for those of you who can't wait, here's their itinerary for the last few days:

Day 8 (Thursday, July 17): Casper, Wyoming to Idaho Falls, Idaho
Day 9 (Friday, July 18): Idaho Falls, Idaho to Boise, Idaho
Day 10 (Saturday, July 19): Boise, Idaho to Prineville, Oregon
Day 11 (Sunday, July 20): Prineville, Oregon to Eugene, Oregon
Day 12 (Monday, July 21): Move into house in Eugene Oregon

And if you want to see a picture of the Dick Cheney Federal Building, be sure to check out the picture gallery, link below.

(Basic message repeats: Rachel is looking for a group with which to go see the new X-Files movie at the 10 pm showing on the night of Friday July 25 at the Eugene Valley River Center movie theater. She already has her ticket. Get in touch if you'd like to go see the movie with her.)

[Josh & Rachel's Trip Picture Gallery]

Account Structure Update
Back by popular demand, Basic Accounts will be available to all users again by the end of the (northern hemisphere) summer. More information on the decision-making process and proposals relating to the future of Basic Accounts are in lj_2008.

New Themes
Two attractive and all-new Flexible Squares themes, "Circular" and "Circular Brown" are now available.


L to R: Circular and Brown

New V-Gifts
Give someone you care about the gift of enticement. With the new Chocolate Ice Cream, Vanilla Ice Cream, Tea, Coffee, Curry and Sushi v-gifts, all the significant people in your life will be able to share in the longing for the tasty edibles below. Plus, it reminds loved ones you think they're really sweet, really savory or just plain satisfying.


L to R: Chocolate Ice Cream, Vanilla Ice Cream, Tea, Coffee, Curry and Sushi

Ж-Men...but not the ones you might expect!
This week LJ Russia launched Ж-Men, a new comedy series about superheroes, inspired by the LJ communities dedicated to superheros, comics and cartoons. The title's "Ж" comes from ЖЖ, the nickname for LiveJournal in Russia.

Ж-Men's script is written by a group of LJ enthusiasts who also happen to be television professionals. Who knew? Following the premiere, five more episodes will be broadcast over the next two weeks. We hope you find the series fresh and enjoyable.

This is, of course, an experiment for LiveJournal. As always, we'd love to hear what you think!

Last night The Colbert Report had very special musical guests - Rush. They said it was their first US TV appearance in 33 years, and they didn't appear on The Tonight Show, or Letterman, etc - but The Colbert Report. That's quite a coup for TCR, a nice 'get'. If you missed it, the full episode is online.

A very happy birthday to my old friend hotwire7!
You gave me my first motorcycle ride, my first ride in a convertible, good advice (mechanic and otherwise), plenty of hugs and shoulders to cry on and even a car to use once or twice!
Don't know how I'll ever repay you but I surely do send you many hugs, an open door anytime (but give me advance notice and I'll even clean!), and lots of love.

Hope your day is filled with joy, love, laughter and music!!

(*oh - and you also introduced me to lots of music too - like Saffire (I think), and Two Rude Girls...) :-)

(** oh - and I used this icon because I figure I looked roughly like this when we met probably, the timing is right)

July 17, 2008 is Chocolate Day.

On this day in history:

( Go to The List )

This gentleman (and I use the word confidently) has already made history. He now deserves to make it to his 3000-person goal. Be sure and read the 'perks' section at the bottom, too.

And if you live in Kansas, I think you've found your candidate.

Katie has a new word: pie.

I suggested going to Sweet Baby Ray's for dinner with the objective of Key Lime Pie for dessert. And when I said Key Lime Pie, Katie started bouncing.

"Pie! Pie! Pie!"

And she was actually remarkably well-behaved during dinner when we explained to her that if she didn't behave, there would be no pie. :)

One of my absolute favorite students gave me a present today. I adore this little guy because he is smart and funny and sweet and very geeky. I suspect he will grow to do amazing things.
I also happen to really like his parents, who are both writers.

This is the most astonishing present I've ever gotten as a teacher and when I say I will treasure it always, you had better believe it.

To see what it looks like go here:
Bexley Fountain Pen It's amazing. Well - that is - I think it will be amazing. Alas, Staples did not have the waterman ink that was recommended to me. (Not calligraphy ink I was cautioned!) The nib is carefully adjusted. (I'm terribly nervous that I messed it up by poking it wrong but hopefully not!)
Here's what it says at Richard's Pens web site:
"

If the nib’s no good, it doesn’t matter how fancy the rest of the pen is — it’s not a good pen.

Unless otherwise requested at the time of sale, I tune each new pen or nib at no extra charge before shipment. I fill the pen with Waterman Blue-Black ink and write with it on paper from the same fountain pen friendly pads we sell, adjusting as necessary to bring it up to the RichardsPens.com “factory” standard for smoothness and flow. The result is an adjusted nib, not a customized one.

A custom nib. Yes, well - I imagine I can wait a few years before I need a custom nib. Re-learning how to write by hand will be a start!
It has a solid gold nib. It is all gorgeously cat-like and mottled like autumn, my favorite time of year.

Really, what more could I want in life?

So now I have a bright red Moleskine notebook and a fabulous pen. Soon I shall get ink and then I will begin writing poems again. Will you see any of them? Maybe. Maybe not. But it will be good to write again!

I cannot express the depth of my gratitude. This pen will always remind me of the fabulous P and is also representative to me of my need to do things "just for me". (needless to say this pen will NOT be shared with my children!)

Yay!!! Squeeeeeee! (I squeeeee! Yea verily like unto a Seanan I squeeeeee!) (never mind... go about your business...)

I'm trying to get rid of/recycle some of the old "stuff" at work. Stuff that "Nobody" could possibly have a use for now, but which I can't convince myself that it might not be sheer treasure to someone. I "know" that just because someone might eventually want something (like an old membership booklet for a defunct con) doesn't mean that _I_ need to save it... but all too often nobody else has, so I feel a bit of obligation.

( Lists of some stuff I'm close to tossing, but haven't yet made the final move on: )
( Stuff I've decided on )

So... if there's anything in that pile that someone can't live without -- that they didn't even know still existed, or that they think is just too funny to pass up, let me know. And if I still have it, you may have gotten yourself a piece of history.

Central Continental Bakery in Mt. Prospect is awesome.

I recommend the Mieneke Car Care Center on Elmhurst Rd. also in Mt. P. They do a good job and won't sell you repairs you don't need.

GHR

The painters have been here. The trim on the house is bright white again.
I called our Mieneke car care. They assured me that the dealership guy was giving me a song and dance as there was nothing wrong with my rear brakes when they looked at them in May.
I ordered the cake for Julie's Christening on Saturday. It's a small cake as were doing a small affair this time. Chocolate cake, Chocolate moose filling, Vanilla buttercream frosting. And Daffodils.
Katie had a close encounter with my lipstick. She is rather pink, but babywipes got it off of the phone, kitchen table and chair.
I have folded a load of baby laundry, put a load of underwear and tee shirts in the washer and have a load of Roper's polo shirts ready to go in.
Both girls are napping at the moment. When I finish this I'm going to do more work on Julie's Christening dress.

It feels good to accomplish things.

GHR