Jacques Barzun has died, aged 104. I didn't know he was still alive. He was the best kind of generalist historian, who wrote in a clear manner that swept the reader along, and he included popular culture and art along with the wars to give a full picture. Great man.
MeatLoaf has endorsed Romney! I am aghast. Another idol (so to speak) has gone down in flames, showing his idiocy all the way to the hell that he's promoting. Gah.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Work, Spooks, Frankenstorm
Waiting for news from the homeopathic manufacturer re the proofreading job. Probably won't hear anything for a week.
Saturday, will go to a hallowe'en party at Traci & Ed's. Last year, I went as Scheherazade but this year I'm going as me because I'm going to go play cards first.
Sounds like a killer storm setup about to hit the east coast this coming week. We will get some rain and wind, and maybe a little snow even.
That's all that happening here, except I got the smaller tarp up on the rig. I've repositioned it a bit to better cover the danger areas. Hope the bungee cords hold when the winds come.
Later.
Saturday, will go to a hallowe'en party at Traci & Ed's. Last year, I went as Scheherazade but this year I'm going as me because I'm going to go play cards first.
Sounds like a killer storm setup about to hit the east coast this coming week. We will get some rain and wind, and maybe a little snow even.
That's all that happening here, except I got the smaller tarp up on the rig. I've repositioned it a bit to better cover the danger areas. Hope the bungee cords hold when the winds come.
Later.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Comics, Tarps, & TVs
Forgot to post about my day at the ComicCon last Saturday. Amy and I went to help out Tillman at his booth. Amy dressed herself up in a long black gown (that was her bridesmaid dress at a friend's wedding; cool) with fancy accessories and a neon red wig with horns. Walking to the Civic Center, an couple asked if we were going to Oktoberfest (no; different debauch). The Con was on the exhibition level, accessed from Hiwassee St., and was full of nerds and geeks, some costumed and some not, game players, etc. There was a PoC (Jeremy Whitley) up from Raleigh who had some interesting non-white-person art and also was showing his Eisner-nominated book. I bought "Shakespeare Shaken," a graphic anthology of comic stories and he signed it for me (it'll be an xmas gift). I finally left about 4pm but Amy stayed till the end. After the con I went home and put my concrete-ly unhappy knees up for a rest and then went off to play cards at Hazel and John's.
On Tuesday took the rig out for its monthly dump & flush. Then drove to Mills River to get the rig washed at Professional Auto Detailing. They did a good job and it now looks white and gleaming again. Parking under a cherry tree means lots of nastiness. I had a tarp to put over it on Wednesday for the winter so now it looks like a badly wrapped package. I had bought a 10x16 tarp but decided it was too small, exchanged it for a 12x26, which is on it now and is way too big. Sooo, I'll take it off and go back to the smaller size. I should stop overthinking.
The new TV mount is up (thanks, Tillman) and it's working great. TV doesn't drag on my bed anymore and also doesn't bang on the window. I'm happy.
Have a job interview this coming Monday as a proofreader of labels at a homeopathic "medicine" manufacturer. Fulltime at decent pay so I may take it (if offered). They offer vacations, holidays, and a dental plan. Don't offer medical insurance because employees can take products for free and the chiropractor owner will do "adjustments" for employees. I just hope they don't ask me my opinion of the efficacy of this stuff.
On Tuesday took the rig out for its monthly dump & flush. Then drove to Mills River to get the rig washed at Professional Auto Detailing. They did a good job and it now looks white and gleaming again. Parking under a cherry tree means lots of nastiness. I had a tarp to put over it on Wednesday for the winter so now it looks like a badly wrapped package. I had bought a 10x16 tarp but decided it was too small, exchanged it for a 12x26, which is on it now and is way too big. Sooo, I'll take it off and go back to the smaller size. I should stop overthinking.
The new TV mount is up (thanks, Tillman) and it's working great. TV doesn't drag on my bed anymore and also doesn't bang on the window. I'm happy.
Have a job interview this coming Monday as a proofreader of labels at a homeopathic "medicine" manufacturer. Fulltime at decent pay so I may take it (if offered). They offer vacations, holidays, and a dental plan. Don't offer medical insurance because employees can take products for free and the chiropractor owner will do "adjustments" for employees. I just hope they don't ask me my opinion of the efficacy of this stuff.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Proudness
A friend of Amy's is a drag queen, so Tillman, Amy, and I went downtown today for the Gay Pride gathering and drag queen show. Miss Vanity was fabulous (as expected). On the way in, I was accosted by a lesbian who commanded me to "smile -- you can't go any farther until you smile!" She was pretty cute, so I smiled, and laughed, too. Then I ran into Jeff, who used to work at Downtown Books (he's a cross-dresser but wasn't dressed up today). Amy's boss showed up with a sash saying that he's NC Gay Pride something something At Large 2012. Well, he is large.
Dragged out the winter jackets, shirts, and shoes today. The high tomorrow is supposed to be 51 and almost freezing tomorrow night. Put away the really light clothing and was surprised at how little space they took up. Of course, I've been getting rid of stuff right along; guess I pared down more than I thought.
Off to play cards this evening over at Hazel & John's. Missed two Saturdays, and then they were gone for two Saturdays, so it's been a month since I've seen them.
Dragged out the winter jackets, shirts, and shoes today. The high tomorrow is supposed to be 51 and almost freezing tomorrow night. Put away the really light clothing and was surprised at how little space they took up. Of course, I've been getting rid of stuff right along; guess I pared down more than I thought.
Off to play cards this evening over at Hazel & John's. Missed two Saturdays, and then they were gone for two Saturdays, so it's been a month since I've seen them.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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