Thursday, September 27, 2012

Misc

Still no job.

Andy Williams died.

Dinner at Avenue M this evening. I had my usual Bombay Sapphire gin gimlet. Appetizer was Bacon-wrapped Mission figs stuffed with mascarpone and with a sauce. Then Shrimp & Broccoli with Farfalle. Side dish of Yellow Beets, Squash & Onions. Yum yum. Some to bring home, too.

Ordered a longer TV mount. The one I have now allows the TV one corner to sit on the bed and the other side is right against the window. The new one will put the TV farther from the wall so it can be positioned to watch it without it being against the window or hitting the bed. Yay.

Also got a piece of software called TuneUp which works with my iTunes program to fill in info and figure out what a track is. It also deletes duplicates and looks up album artwork. Am still fiddling with it but it's pretty intuitive.

Got a tarp big enough to cover most of the rig. Now all I have to do  is wash the damn thing clean of all the cherry tree ickiness. Got enough bungee cords (I think) to tie the tarp down. It'll help keep the rig clean and provide a small measure of insulation and leak proofing during the winter. The rig is 8 ft wide and 19 ft long; the tarp I got is 10x16, so I think it'll cover the roof and the cabover, which are the main things. Once I get the tarp positioned, I'll mark the corners so I put it back up without having to twitch it around too much. I'm hoping it won't be too hard to handle -- getting it down won't be a problem but getting it back up may be a two-person job (hope not). We'll see.

I also have to get up on the roof and remove the signal extender I put on the my old antenna so I can crank it flat. I got my new antenna, which is indoors, and am very happy with it.

Read the new J.D. Robb, "Delusion in Death." I'm still enjoying the series but it's beginning to show signs of age, e.g. formulaic plotting, but it is #35. I think she should have quit with "From Dallas to New York," which was a couple of books ago. But that's me. And I'm still reading them, so what do I know?


Monday, September 10, 2012

Gallivanting etc

Saturday night I was hauled along to the Town Pump in Black Mountain for the 30th anniversary party. A popular band, Second String, was reformed for the occasion. The reason this is important is that the lead singer/guitarist is Lance, husband of Sabrina, who is a close friend of Amy, whose backyard I  live in.

I don't think I've ever been in the Town Pump before, but there's nothing special about it. It's basically a beer bar though it does have mixed drinks, too (I got my standard dive bar drink, a tall 7&7, which came in a short glass and was really strong). There's a backyard with some seating, down a set of steps which I managed to negotiate at least twice when the heat and the crowds got to me.

The band was terrific. Bluegrass with guitar, mandolin, banjo, and bass. Mostly hard-drivin' stuff with the bassist boppin' in the background, throwing the bass around. I understand that when he has room, he can toss the bass up in the air and play it that way. Sadly, it was too constricted at this bar.

They played a long set and then we all left about 10 and went to Lance & Sabrina's house in Swannanoa to hang out around a bonfire. Sunday was Amy's long work day, starting at 8am, so we headed home around 11:30. A fun time was had by all.

On a sad note, I didn't get the museum job. They decided to hire someone with more nonprofit organization experience. Very disappointing. So --- still looking.

And the weather change means I have unearthed my down booties.

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Movies

There's a new Chinese martial arts film with Jet Li, Flying Swords of Dragon Gate, directed by Tsui Hark. It's one of those period movies (like Crouching Tiger) that gorgeous, violent, and fantastical. It's just out yesterday but only on Imax, so it' not here yet.

Also, I just remembered one of my favorite movies but couldn't remember the name so I went off to imdb and finally chanced on it. It's Bagdad Cafe, a charming tale of a German tourist who is stranded at a cafe/motel in the middle of nowhere out west. It's a rundown place struggling to survive, owned by CCH Pounder. The tourist is played by M. Sagebrecht, a fabulous German actress, who sets in to transform everyone's lives. Jack Palance is in it, too.  It's charming and just draws you in, subtly and quietly.

No news yet about the museum job.