Saturday: Up at 5 AM. Shower. Down basement for morning practices. At 6:20, pulled a few things together, fed the cats, quick breakfast and, after saying goodbye to MB, out the door (6:47). Arrived at KKC at 6:55.
Bus ride to NYC. Uneventful. A movie was offered, but I wasn't in a movie watching mood. Earplugs and sleep. Chat with Wnd. Arrive NYC around 11:30.
Spent a couple hours wandering around the top two floors (5 and 6) of the Rubin Museum. These floors are a traveling exhibit, and only here temporarily. Some amazing Buddhist painting. The detail is quite incredible. At 1:30, we walked out and found a small Asian restaurant. I sat with Hln and Wnd. We talked about the homework that is due tomorrow. Pad Tai and very spice vegetable soup. Back to the Rubin around 3, and explored floors 4, 3 and 2 (the museum's own collection). A quick look at some Tibetan photography in the basement. Throughout our day at the museum, the pleasant sounds of a solo African performer filtered up from the lobby. Enjoyable, but a little bit of a strange cultural juxtaposition.
At 4:30, back on the bus. More dozing. Called my mom. More chat with Wnd. Back to Boston by about 9:40.
Looked for a place that was open, and would sell me a notebook, but I was unable to find a store that fit both these criteria in my neighborhood. Back home. Completed morning practice. MB called from the road (she was at a belly dance workshop today) to say she would be home in an hour and a half. For the rest of the evening, I anticipate some food, study, and guitar.
Saturday, April 30, 2005
A Squelchy Release
Friday: Up late last night. MB headed to work and said goodbye. Slept in a bit. Morning practices part 1. Phone calls to car dealership, plumber and department of water and sewer. Morning practices part 2. Packed some breakfast, and headed to work.
Don hit me up for a 20 on my way into the parking lot. Added another little feature to the small feature of the last couple days. Called it good enough. Some consulting with Al. Answers about some OS issues were forthcoming today. Nothing to be done on one front. Lunch at my desk. Pulled an old recording of mine off DAT into my laptop. Made a mix CD. Left work at 7:30.
Back home. Picked up MB. Headed out. Found that only one channel had made it on the mix CD, so back home and burned another version. Down to Roslindale for the CD release party of Dr. X's (Tim Casey) new CD of Brian Eno covers. Quite a fun evening. It was my first time meeting Tim in person. Snacks, and a Surround Sound listening (the event was in a small art space.) Came away with two potential gigs for the NEGC. At one point in the evening, two people began talking to me about NST, and became quite defensive of the "pervasive" tuning. I wonder where that comes from. I talked to one fellow who had seen The League in Israel sometime, by his account, around 1990. This evening at the feeling of the future reaching backwards to pull me along. But tonight wouldn't have happened, if I hadn't been in Project Eno a couple years back. And that wouldn't have happened if I didn't know Shawn. And, I wouldn't have known Shawn if I hadn't played in Sabot. And I wouldn't have played in Sabot if I hadn't seen Moni and Christine playing on the street in Harvard Square in the summer of 1995. But, I suppose every outcome is just one realization out of the myriad potentialities, and looking backwards you can always invent a causal chain.
Driving home, got stuck in traffic on Storrow. Arrived around 1 AM. Need sleep.
Don hit me up for a 20 on my way into the parking lot. Added another little feature to the small feature of the last couple days. Called it good enough. Some consulting with Al. Answers about some OS issues were forthcoming today. Nothing to be done on one front. Lunch at my desk. Pulled an old recording of mine off DAT into my laptop. Made a mix CD. Left work at 7:30.
Back home. Picked up MB. Headed out. Found that only one channel had made it on the mix CD, so back home and burned another version. Down to Roslindale for the CD release party of Dr. X's (Tim Casey) new CD of Brian Eno covers. Quite a fun evening. It was my first time meeting Tim in person. Snacks, and a Surround Sound listening (the event was in a small art space.) Came away with two potential gigs for the NEGC. At one point in the evening, two people began talking to me about NST, and became quite defensive of the "pervasive" tuning. I wonder where that comes from. I talked to one fellow who had seen The League in Israel sometime, by his account, around 1990. This evening at the feeling of the future reaching backwards to pull me along. But tonight wouldn't have happened, if I hadn't been in Project Eno a couple years back. And that wouldn't have happened if I didn't know Shawn. And, I wouldn't have known Shawn if I hadn't played in Sabot. And I wouldn't have played in Sabot if I hadn't seen Moni and Christine playing on the street in Harvard Square in the summer of 1995. But, I suppose every outcome is just one realization out of the myriad potentialities, and looking backwards you can always invent a causal chain.
Driving home, got stuck in traffic on Storrow. Arrived around 1 AM. Need sleep.
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Stata
Thursday: Woke with MB at 7:30. Brief morning practices, shower. Breakfast with MB (eggs). Got my gear from the basement. Left for our gig slightly after 9 AM.
Arrived at MIT Stata Center at 9:30. The building looks like it was slightly crushed. Or perhaps, something that an architect might dream up while suffering DTs in the aftermath of a drug binge: the product of a high fever, that wishes to instill the same nausea and delirium in all those that walk past, or through. Excellent! The parking lot we were supposed to be in was full. Found our performance space. Originally we were going to play outside in a little amphitheater, but we'd been moved into the lobby because of the chill and drizzle.
MB and I unloaded. David was already there (and wife and child). Victor and Méli arrived soon after. (Also Bridge and Jn.) Dev and Martin a bit later. N, the organizer, shepherded us to another lot. We walked back, strapped on our guitars, and began, slightly after 10 AM. (No tuning?) As we played, a quite remarkable flock of toddlers arrived at our feet. Most of them sat on the floor. Some were in a little hand cart. A couple of girls danced in a circle holding hands. They dug our stuff. The acoustics were very nice. What a treat. We were playing through little Mouse amps. It worked quite well for the space. Our set ended at 11. Walked back to the lot with Dev, talking about the state of affairs of the GC Journals.
Drove back home with MB. Swapped my NEGC gear for my electric rig, and then off to work.
Fairly productive day. Worked out the kinks in yesterday's little feature enhancement. Features always beget features. Tiger is about to be released, so a swirl is going on around that. A meeting to discus a bugaboo in a feature under development. Took a walk out, bought some tea. And a burrito. I sat in on a meeting talking about some new graphic APIs. Headed out around 7:40.
Over to Arlington to Shawn's rehearsal space. We worked on a drum and guitar version of another classic bit of repertoire. What fun! Then a recap of our work from last week, and in the last 15 minutes or so, some work on my recent composition. Some talk of possible covers. A very productive evening. Gave Shawn a ride to his place. Listened to a bit of a radio show on Tibet on my drive home.
MB wasn't in when I arrived, but came in while I was unpacking and getting settled. I ate a veggie burger, while she made some lunches. She and Bn had gone out to dinner and then to the JM Ballet. I still need to complete my morning practices.
Arrived at MIT Stata Center at 9:30. The building looks like it was slightly crushed. Or perhaps, something that an architect might dream up while suffering DTs in the aftermath of a drug binge: the product of a high fever, that wishes to instill the same nausea and delirium in all those that walk past, or through. Excellent! The parking lot we were supposed to be in was full. Found our performance space. Originally we were going to play outside in a little amphitheater, but we'd been moved into the lobby because of the chill and drizzle.
MB and I unloaded. David was already there (and wife and child). Victor and Méli arrived soon after. (Also Bridge and Jn.) Dev and Martin a bit later. N, the organizer, shepherded us to another lot. We walked back, strapped on our guitars, and began, slightly after 10 AM. (No tuning?) As we played, a quite remarkable flock of toddlers arrived at our feet. Most of them sat on the floor. Some were in a little hand cart. A couple of girls danced in a circle holding hands. They dug our stuff. The acoustics were very nice. What a treat. We were playing through little Mouse amps. It worked quite well for the space. Our set ended at 11. Walked back to the lot with Dev, talking about the state of affairs of the GC Journals.
Drove back home with MB. Swapped my NEGC gear for my electric rig, and then off to work.
Fairly productive day. Worked out the kinks in yesterday's little feature enhancement. Features always beget features. Tiger is about to be released, so a swirl is going on around that. A meeting to discus a bugaboo in a feature under development. Took a walk out, bought some tea. And a burrito. I sat in on a meeting talking about some new graphic APIs. Headed out around 7:40.
Over to Arlington to Shawn's rehearsal space. We worked on a drum and guitar version of another classic bit of repertoire. What fun! Then a recap of our work from last week, and in the last 15 minutes or so, some work on my recent composition. Some talk of possible covers. A very productive evening. Gave Shawn a ride to his place. Listened to a bit of a radio show on Tibet on my drive home.
MB wasn't in when I arrived, but came in while I was unpacking and getting settled. I ate a veggie burger, while she made some lunches. She and Bn had gone out to dinner and then to the JM Ballet. I still need to complete my morning practices.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Over my head
Wednesday: Woke around 8:30, but didn't get out of bed until after 9. Shower. Fed cats. Down basement for a full compliment of morning practices. Some guitar. Packed a quick breakfast and headed to work. Raining out.
Got a tea, juggling umbrella, cup and briefcase. Breakfast at my desk. Worked on a small enhancement to a feature I added in the last release. Some consultation with B, A and Dn. More emails about the illusive bug. Left work a little after 6:30. Still raining.
Arrived at KKC a little late, just as class was getting underway. Heady stuff. Difficult to follow... "Can't see the forest for the trees." I guess you keep looking and, eventually, a map of the forest grows internally. I couldn't answer a question at the end. Made an announcement about some fund raising were doing. Said goodbye to Wnd.
Back home, MB was stretching. We talked about logistics for tomorrow. I made a quick noodle-egg-drop-soup. Soon a bit of guitar, then bed.
Got a tea, juggling umbrella, cup and briefcase. Breakfast at my desk. Worked on a small enhancement to a feature I added in the last release. Some consultation with B, A and Dn. More emails about the illusive bug. Left work a little after 6:30. Still raining.
Arrived at KKC a little late, just as class was getting underway. Heady stuff. Difficult to follow... "Can't see the forest for the trees." I guess you keep looking and, eventually, a map of the forest grows internally. I couldn't answer a question at the end. Made an announcement about some fund raising were doing. Said goodbye to Wnd.
Back home, MB was stretching. We talked about logistics for tomorrow. I made a quick noodle-egg-drop-soup. Soon a bit of guitar, then bed.
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
The Boat
Tuesday: Slept later than I was planning, waking at 8 as MB was leaving. Brief morning practice, shower, pulled stuff together, swapped phones from basement to second floor, and on the road by 9.
Drove into Boston... a lovely day out. Found parking easily and walked to my dentist appointment, arriving about 20 minutes late. (9:20). Sadly, my regular dentist's mother had just passed away. The receptionist, who is also a dental hygienist, gave me my cleaning. I felt well taken care of. Stopped at the CVS on the way back to the car, venturing upstairs for mouthwash and dental floss, and then at a bagel shop for an egg sandwich. Also picked up a large tea at the fancy tea shop. Astute readers will remember that on my last visit into Boston for a dentist's appointment, this tea shop smelled of vomit. Not so this time. The young man behind the counter sold me a tea named "Golden Monkey"... I didn't ask which part of the monkey, or monkey by-product was involved... But I was reminded of kopi luwak.
At work, I had thought that today was the day to begin my next big project, but I got pulled into putting resolving a bug that had been plaguing me for several days, definitively proving that the problems is outside the bounds of our code. Fixed a few other bugs. Lunch at my desk, thanks to MB. Talked to Mtw about a matter of some import. Headed out at 6:20.
Yoga at KKC. Wendy was very helpful to a new woman. We opened the windows and let the surroundings filter in a bit. One tough new strength posture "The Boat." Wendy said you could think of a lake... I said "Yeah, of fire." Talked for a while with Wendy and Wnd about Ed, who is tending to his ill mother. Said goodbye to Wnd. She missed some of her practice last night, and is involved with some conflict resolution at work.
Back home, MB had made a stir fry. I ate, and we talked about the energy situation. Scary stuff. She read me a depressing article about Michael Crichton in Audubon magazine. We hung out a bit. Soon, I go down basement, for the completion of morning practice, and guitar.
Isn't it funny that materialists can't really tell you what material is?
Drove into Boston... a lovely day out. Found parking easily and walked to my dentist appointment, arriving about 20 minutes late. (9:20). Sadly, my regular dentist's mother had just passed away. The receptionist, who is also a dental hygienist, gave me my cleaning. I felt well taken care of. Stopped at the CVS on the way back to the car, venturing upstairs for mouthwash and dental floss, and then at a bagel shop for an egg sandwich. Also picked up a large tea at the fancy tea shop. Astute readers will remember that on my last visit into Boston for a dentist's appointment, this tea shop smelled of vomit. Not so this time. The young man behind the counter sold me a tea named "Golden Monkey"... I didn't ask which part of the monkey, or monkey by-product was involved... But I was reminded of kopi luwak.
At work, I had thought that today was the day to begin my next big project, but I got pulled into putting resolving a bug that had been plaguing me for several days, definitively proving that the problems is outside the bounds of our code. Fixed a few other bugs. Lunch at my desk, thanks to MB. Talked to Mtw about a matter of some import. Headed out at 6:20.
Yoga at KKC. Wendy was very helpful to a new woman. We opened the windows and let the surroundings filter in a bit. One tough new strength posture "The Boat." Wendy said you could think of a lake... I said "Yeah, of fire." Talked for a while with Wendy and Wnd about Ed, who is tending to his ill mother. Said goodbye to Wnd. She missed some of her practice last night, and is involved with some conflict resolution at work.
Back home, MB had made a stir fry. I ate, and we talked about the energy situation. Scary stuff. She read me a depressing article about Michael Crichton in Audubon magazine. We hung out a bit. Soon, I go down basement, for the completion of morning practice, and guitar.
Isn't it funny that materialists can't really tell you what material is?
Monday, April 25, 2005
Where's the Plumber?
Monday: Slept late, not getting up until 10. No sign of the plumber that was supposed to come take a look at the furnace today. Shower. Brief morning practice. Over to KKC. Geshela, Ngawang and F were watching TV. I said hello, then swept the floor, put away a table, and filled water bowls. Rainy in the morning, clearing in the afternoon.
In to work. A parking spot opened in front of me near the bagel shop, so I stopped and picked up some breakfast, which I ate at my desk. Fixed a few little bugs, and carried out some email correspondence. Some text chat with Wnd.
Back home a little after 9 PM. Talked a bit with MB as I made some quickie burritos. She called her parents. I drank some tea. Down basement, and completed most of my morning practices. Soon guitar.
A principal is a generalization based on simplification and assumption, and is almost useless without the application of intelligence.
Still, sometimes, we are not blind, but just in a dark room, and instruction can lead the way, until we find the door, and can see for ourselves.
In to work. A parking spot opened in front of me near the bagel shop, so I stopped and picked up some breakfast, which I ate at my desk. Fixed a few little bugs, and carried out some email correspondence. Some text chat with Wnd.
Back home a little after 9 PM. Talked a bit with MB as I made some quickie burritos. She called her parents. I drank some tea. Down basement, and completed most of my morning practices. Soon guitar.
A principal is a generalization based on simplification and assumption, and is almost useless without the application of intelligence.
Still, sometimes, we are not blind, but just in a dark room, and instruction can lead the way, until we find the door, and can see for ourselves.
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Work Day
Sunday: Up around 9. MB was getting ready to go to a belly dance workshop. Brief morning practice in bed. I showered, ate a quick breakfast and headed to KKC, arriving a little late: 10:10 AM.
An engaging class on "Special Insight"... Some of my favorite material, puzzling out why the mode that we view things in is incorrect. Fairly easy to understand intellectually. Very difficult to experience directly. I asked a question about language, using my cats (and mice) as an example.
After class, a KKC work-day. Pizza, with extra goodies on top care of Vkm. Moved the candle hut outside. I helped move a washing machine down into the basement. Took down Christmas lights in the front and back. A passer-by said "Are you supposed to leave those up all year?" I asked if that was a city ordinance. Cleaned gutters, with the help of an enthusiastic red-head kid. I was happy that he didn't break his neck. The wind blew over one of the ladders I had put up, and almost pasted his mom. BB pulled her away just in time. Quite a scare. The weather went from rainy, to quite nice today.
Tea, and then Hln invited me upstairs to have tea with Geshela. I ate part of a corn muffin sitting on the floor, and had a nice conversation, about longevity (Tny from FL's mom just passed). Wnd put in long hours in the library cataloging tapes. I headed home around 5.
Down basement, and the completion of morning practices. MB called from the road saying she was on her way home. When she arrived, we walked out, and picked up a couple items at the convenience store/Keno Parlor (smokey), then got some subs at our favorite local pizza shop. I talked to a cabby a bit, who said he'd been driving in Somerville for 57 years. Back home, and ate our food. Brief run-through of Invention 10, and then, after packing Victor's PA speakers into MB's car, off to Guitar Circle.
A good meeting tonight, running through most of our repertoire in preparation for the "Earth Day" gig at MIT. We go on at 10 in the morning, and it's unclear exactly what sort of attendance there will be. We're taking it as an opportunity to have some fun. We played plugged in through little mouse amps, which is the same amplification system we will be using at the gig. Invention 10 went surprisingly well. Israel, less so. Can't play Flying Home without Terry at this point. Victor and I are the only leads on Calliope and Moving Force.
After rehearsal, helped carry Victor's speakers back upstairs. (We hadn't needed them. He just wanted them back.) MB made a funny comment about the deportment of his leggings.
On the drive home, coming out of the Tip O Tunnel, something that looked like a white Corvette, or perhaps a Lamborghini passed us at around 90 mph. MB commented that if it had taken us out, the last thing we would have been talking about was I Love Lucy. Back home, email, diarizing. Soon bed.
An engaging class on "Special Insight"... Some of my favorite material, puzzling out why the mode that we view things in is incorrect. Fairly easy to understand intellectually. Very difficult to experience directly. I asked a question about language, using my cats (and mice) as an example.
After class, a KKC work-day. Pizza, with extra goodies on top care of Vkm. Moved the candle hut outside. I helped move a washing machine down into the basement. Took down Christmas lights in the front and back. A passer-by said "Are you supposed to leave those up all year?" I asked if that was a city ordinance. Cleaned gutters, with the help of an enthusiastic red-head kid. I was happy that he didn't break his neck. The wind blew over one of the ladders I had put up, and almost pasted his mom. BB pulled her away just in time. Quite a scare. The weather went from rainy, to quite nice today.
Tea, and then Hln invited me upstairs to have tea with Geshela. I ate part of a corn muffin sitting on the floor, and had a nice conversation, about longevity (Tny from FL's mom just passed). Wnd put in long hours in the library cataloging tapes. I headed home around 5.
Down basement, and the completion of morning practices. MB called from the road saying she was on her way home. When she arrived, we walked out, and picked up a couple items at the convenience store/Keno Parlor (smokey), then got some subs at our favorite local pizza shop. I talked to a cabby a bit, who said he'd been driving in Somerville for 57 years. Back home, and ate our food. Brief run-through of Invention 10, and then, after packing Victor's PA speakers into MB's car, off to Guitar Circle.
A good meeting tonight, running through most of our repertoire in preparation for the "Earth Day" gig at MIT. We go on at 10 in the morning, and it's unclear exactly what sort of attendance there will be. We're taking it as an opportunity to have some fun. We played plugged in through little mouse amps, which is the same amplification system we will be using at the gig. Invention 10 went surprisingly well. Israel, less so. Can't play Flying Home without Terry at this point. Victor and I are the only leads on Calliope and Moving Force.
After rehearsal, helped carry Victor's speakers back upstairs. (We hadn't needed them. He just wanted them back.) MB made a funny comment about the deportment of his leggings.
On the drive home, coming out of the Tip O Tunnel, something that looked like a white Corvette, or perhaps a Lamborghini passed us at around 90 mph. MB commented that if it had taken us out, the last thing we would have been talking about was I Love Lucy. Back home, email, diarizing. Soon bed.
Saturday, April 23, 2005
Infernal Revenue
Saturday: Up around 10. Brief email. Shower. Fed the cats. Down basement and complete morning practices. Back up around 12:30.
Began making breakfast, when MB returned from her dance class. It was her first time taking ballet with José Mateo. It seemed like she enjoyed it. We ate eggs together. Drank tea. Sorted through a pile of mail. I washed up, and then it was time to go to Tibetan.
A good class today. Damchoe scolded us for not studying more. I'm not super motivated at this point, since this time around is mostly review for me. We learned the prefix, suffix, post suffix rules today. Wnd came in a bit late. She seemed in a down mood today.
I stopped at the donut shop on the way home, and pick up MB and me a little snack. We ate our donuts, and then worked on Invention 10 for about 40 minutes, managing to get through the whole piece once. I watched another episode of "The Wire." Fun show. We were supposed to meet some people for dinner (a famous BD instructor, and a few of MB's BD associates). The instructor's train was late, so we had to wait for a phone call. I watched a little more Wire. Around 7 we headed to Kaya.
An enjoyable evening with M, ZaB and her husband and AnitChris. M is quite a character. She said at one point "The Infernal Revenue Service decided they were going to be my proctologist." Veggie sushi, miso soup, edamame, Be-bim-bap.... Mmmm. We headed out around 9.
Back home, MB and I watched the rest of the Wire episode. I walked the DVD back to the store. On the way back, I tried to imagine the city as it would be without cars. Also contemplating how I wound up living here. Back home, email. Text chat with Wnd. Deconstructing.
Began making breakfast, when MB returned from her dance class. It was her first time taking ballet with José Mateo. It seemed like she enjoyed it. We ate eggs together. Drank tea. Sorted through a pile of mail. I washed up, and then it was time to go to Tibetan.
A good class today. Damchoe scolded us for not studying more. I'm not super motivated at this point, since this time around is mostly review for me. We learned the prefix, suffix, post suffix rules today. Wnd came in a bit late. She seemed in a down mood today.
I stopped at the donut shop on the way home, and pick up MB and me a little snack. We ate our donuts, and then worked on Invention 10 for about 40 minutes, managing to get through the whole piece once. I watched another episode of "The Wire." Fun show. We were supposed to meet some people for dinner (a famous BD instructor, and a few of MB's BD associates). The instructor's train was late, so we had to wait for a phone call. I watched a little more Wire. Around 7 we headed to Kaya.
An enjoyable evening with M, ZaB and her husband and AnitChris. M is quite a character. She said at one point "The Infernal Revenue Service decided they were going to be my proctologist." Veggie sushi, miso soup, edamame, Be-bim-bap.... Mmmm. We headed out around 9.
Back home, MB and I watched the rest of the Wire episode. I walked the DVD back to the store. On the way back, I tried to imagine the city as it would be without cars. Also contemplating how I wound up living here. Back home, email. Text chat with Wnd. Deconstructing.
What the Bleep
Friday: Up around 9. Web. Brief morning practices. Shower. Guitar (Invention 10, Bicycling bass). Cool and clear out again today. Installed coat hooks by the door in the basement. M arrived to clean the house.
In to work. Got a bagel at F.B. and a tea. More design work. Hunting an illusive bug that seems to be in some code that is out of our control. Another bug had already been fixed. An colleague from days gone by, JDP stopped in. He's been working at Sun, Altavista and Google. Around 3:45 a meeting was called to discuss some of the stuff I've been designing. I wrapped up my work, and printed it out, then did a diagram. Meeting. Walked out and got a burrito. Not terribly productive for the rest of the day, but, my work was largely accomplished already. Headed home a bit after 8.
MB was out at a BD gig. I completed my morning practices, then walked out to the video store, picking up "The Wire" and "What the Bleep do we Know?" Back home, watched The Wire while eating a cheese sandwich. MB returned, having dropped some flyers off at Mta's apartment. We watched "What the Bleep" which was interesting, though not always successful.
Random thought: Does the new Pope get all new Pope Duds, or does he wear hand-me-downs from his predecessor?
In to work. Got a bagel at F.B. and a tea. More design work. Hunting an illusive bug that seems to be in some code that is out of our control. Another bug had already been fixed. An colleague from days gone by, JDP stopped in. He's been working at Sun, Altavista and Google. Around 3:45 a meeting was called to discuss some of the stuff I've been designing. I wrapped up my work, and printed it out, then did a diagram. Meeting. Walked out and got a burrito. Not terribly productive for the rest of the day, but, my work was largely accomplished already. Headed home a bit after 8.
MB was out at a BD gig. I completed my morning practices, then walked out to the video store, picking up "The Wire" and "What the Bleep do we Know?" Back home, watched The Wire while eating a cheese sandwich. MB returned, having dropped some flyers off at Mta's apartment. We watched "What the Bleep" which was interesting, though not always successful.
Random thought: Does the new Pope get all new Pope Duds, or does he wear hand-me-downs from his predecessor?
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Tires, Shawn
Thursday: Slept in a bit, waking around 10. Very drained last night. Put away some shirts. Brief sitting. Shower. Put away laundry. Down basement for morning practices. Packed summer tires into the car. Talked to neighbor, finding out he has had some serious health problems lately. Packed my music gear into the car. Headed to the tire place. Sunny and slightly cooler than yesterday.
Dropped my car at the tire shop, then walked to the office. More design work. Checked in with Dnl about a problem in his code that I had discovered while thinking about my design. The tire place called, so walked back over and picked up my car. Slice of pizza. Back to the office and lunch at my desk. Emails back and forth with a third party. Looked into a couple bugs in the evening. Headed to Arlington a little after 7:30.
Found Shawn waiting for me. Down into his new, quite nice, practice space. We worked on a drum and guitar version of a GC theme. I'm not used to playing my electric guitar. Will need to work with it. Walked out and got a tape. Talked about banks. Recorded our efforts for his study. A little bit of my latest composition. Gave Shawn a ride home.
Back home. Unloaded music gear. Unloaded snow tires. A couple of small bean wraps. MB called to say she was on the way home... Which I think she is now!
Dropped my car at the tire shop, then walked to the office. More design work. Checked in with Dnl about a problem in his code that I had discovered while thinking about my design. The tire place called, so walked back over and picked up my car. Slice of pizza. Back to the office and lunch at my desk. Emails back and forth with a third party. Looked into a couple bugs in the evening. Headed to Arlington a little after 7:30.
Found Shawn waiting for me. Down into his new, quite nice, practice space. We worked on a drum and guitar version of a GC theme. I'm not used to playing my electric guitar. Will need to work with it. Walked out and got a tape. Talked about banks. Recorded our efforts for his study. A little bit of my latest composition. Gave Shawn a ride home.
Back home. Unloaded music gear. Unloaded snow tires. A couple of small bean wraps. MB called to say she was on the way home... Which I think she is now!
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Plumber B
Wednesday: Up around 8:30. MB off to work. Shower. More laundry. Down basement for morning practices. Talked to 'plumber B' who had left a better price for the job I'm considering. Feeling like I had pissed in my own soup, I made some edits to the last few days entries. A bit of guitar. Off to work. Another beautiful day out, even edging towards being hot.
The garage door was stuck halfway up, and the parking area smelled of burned newspaper. Tea and a muffin. Most of the day was spent on design. Spoke with a third party developer about a work around for a bug he has with a new OS. Mk and B are back in the office. Enjoyable interactions with them. Headed out at 6:30.
Seventy topics with Geshe Tsulga. A bit sleepy at the beginning, but perked up about half way in. Difficult material. Afterwards, talked to Wendy about a fund raising appeals to fill the prayer wheel with microfilm. Helped Wnd assemble HHDL DVDs. Talked with Wendy about yoga. Took a drive around with Wnd, talking about her day with her father, her plans for attending some courses in reflexology, and some of the material from Monday.
Back home. MB had a drum class. We talk about communication and finding time to hang out.
The garage door was stuck halfway up, and the parking area smelled of burned newspaper. Tea and a muffin. Most of the day was spent on design. Spoke with a third party developer about a work around for a bug he has with a new OS. Mk and B are back in the office. Enjoyable interactions with them. Headed out at 6:30.
Seventy topics with Geshe Tsulga. A bit sleepy at the beginning, but perked up about half way in. Difficult material. Afterwards, talked to Wendy about a fund raising appeals to fill the prayer wheel with microfilm. Helped Wnd assemble HHDL DVDs. Talked with Wendy about yoga. Took a drive around with Wnd, talking about her day with her father, her plans for attending some courses in reflexology, and some of the material from Monday.
Back home. MB had a drum class. We talk about communication and finding time to hang out.
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Le Parkour
Tuesday: Up around 9. It's been good to catch up on sleep. Much needed. Brain flurry of the last couple days subsiding, but not gone entirely. Shower. Fed cats. Down basement for morning practices. Packed some breakfast to augment the lunch MB made for me. Laundry. Could have biked today... Really pretty out. Drove in to work around noon.
Mellow day in the office. Email thankfully silent, except for a nice note from Wnd. Responded to some work emails. Looked into a few bugs, but didn't find much of anything to work on. Headed into some design work. Lunch at my desk. Around 6:40 I got changed into some sweat-pants, and walked down the street to the local yoga studio.
Never been there before. This was supposed to be the "gentle" session, but it was pretty intense for me. Lasted over an hour and a half. Lots of props. The guy leading the class was a real body nerd and would say things like "This posture will help to reliquify the pasticabluim globules that connect your hepnium to the flagscaplium." He was very kind to me, since he could probably tell I'm pretty new to this. Around quarter to 10, I walked next door, and got a mushroom/spinach crepé. Quite good. They would sell more if the young woman at the counter would smile once in awhile.
Back to the office and completed a few things. Sent some emails to Shawn.
If you haven't seen it, watch this.
Back home. A brief but focused guitar session: Moving Force. Bicycling bass. Invention 10. Computer stuff.
Mellow day in the office. Email thankfully silent, except for a nice note from Wnd. Responded to some work emails. Looked into a few bugs, but didn't find much of anything to work on. Headed into some design work. Lunch at my desk. Around 6:40 I got changed into some sweat-pants, and walked down the street to the local yoga studio.
Never been there before. This was supposed to be the "gentle" session, but it was pretty intense for me. Lasted over an hour and a half. Lots of props. The guy leading the class was a real body nerd and would say things like "This posture will help to reliquify the pasticabluim globules that connect your hepnium to the flagscaplium." He was very kind to me, since he could probably tell I'm pretty new to this. Around quarter to 10, I walked next door, and got a mushroom/spinach crepé. Quite good. They would sell more if the young woman at the counter would smile once in awhile.
Back to the office and completed a few things. Sent some emails to Shawn.
If you haven't seen it, watch this.
Back home. A brief but focused guitar session: Moving Force. Bicycling bass. Invention 10. Computer stuff.
Monday, April 18, 2005
Boston Marathon
Monday, Up around 9. Strange dreams. Shower, morning practices. Doing my best to push away the thoughts related to my recent email exchanges and focus. Complete with practices around 11. Fed the cats, and drove to KKC.
Ngawang was there watching the marathon. He came out excitedly saying "Many people running!" I filled water bowls, and give a quick sweep. Back home, I installed some hooks on the back of the bathroom door.
Efficiency is not always the highest priority. For example putting my tools away, I could have left them in the basement because I have a similar task to perform... which might have been more efficient, but completing the first task was more important.
In to work. A beautiful day. Quiet in the office. I looked into a few bugs, but didn't get a whole lot done. Spent more time than I should have writing an email. At least I now feel that I've said my peace, and can move on. Lunch at my desk. Left around 6:30.
KKC for a commentary on a particular practice, given by Geshe Tsulga. Good stuff, but I was sleepy. I'll need to listen to the recording and maybe look at Wnd's notes. Tny approached Wnd and I, and showed us an huge prayer wheel that she's going to fill with micro-film-mantras. At least a billion mantras will be packed inside. We need to try to raise some funds. Wnd kindly gave me a yoga bag.
Back home, MB was napping. I practiced some guitar. She came downstairs, and we had a little food: quicky burritos for me. Many good laughs following from the material available at this site:
Rock and Roll Confidential
More guitar: Moving Force. Bicycling bass and "lick", Invention 10.
Email. Wnd sent me a couple of interesting links:
Meditation and Crime Prevention
Water Crystals, Music and Thought
Our thoughts directly effect our world.
Ngawang was there watching the marathon. He came out excitedly saying "Many people running!" I filled water bowls, and give a quick sweep. Back home, I installed some hooks on the back of the bathroom door.
Efficiency is not always the highest priority. For example putting my tools away, I could have left them in the basement because I have a similar task to perform... which might have been more efficient, but completing the first task was more important.
In to work. A beautiful day. Quiet in the office. I looked into a few bugs, but didn't get a whole lot done. Spent more time than I should have writing an email. At least I now feel that I've said my peace, and can move on. Lunch at my desk. Left around 6:30.
KKC for a commentary on a particular practice, given by Geshe Tsulga. Good stuff, but I was sleepy. I'll need to listen to the recording and maybe look at Wnd's notes. Tny approached Wnd and I, and showed us an huge prayer wheel that she's going to fill with micro-film-mantras. At least a billion mantras will be packed inside. We need to try to raise some funds. Wnd kindly gave me a yoga bag.
Back home, MB was napping. I practiced some guitar. She came downstairs, and we had a little food: quicky burritos for me. Many good laughs following from the material available at this site:
Rock and Roll Confidential
More guitar: Moving Force. Bicycling bass and "lick", Invention 10.
Email. Wnd sent me a couple of interesting links:
Meditation and Crime Prevention
Water Crystals, Music and Thought
Our thoughts directly effect our world.
Delivered the Table
Sunday: Slept in a bit. Up and shower. Brief morning practices in the basement, MB returning around 11:45.
We had some breakfast (lunch for her). Then, I loaded our old kitchen table into my car. It was surprising to me, but I managed to fit the whole thing in (including 4 chairs), with the help of some bungee cords, even leaving the passenger seat free. We drove over to Cambridge and delivered the table to a friendly young woman in a second story apartment. The power of Craigslist.
Back home, I was feeling a little odd. Decided to remain active: replaced the shower curtain liner. Got some goo off the floor. Glued a bit of wood back up into a closet door. MB out in the yard. Down basement for the rest of my morning practices.
When I came back up, some lunch. Then took Leo out in the backyard on his leash. MB still doing things: planting in the garden and the flower boxes. Mapped out the down-beats of the bass part of Invention 10. My concentration wandered. Guitar for an hour or so, working through the keys of Eb and Ab triad arpeggios in first position. MB's spanikopita came out of the oven and we ate a bit. At this point, it was around 7 PM. I took a walk, stopping to get an energy drink, then up and over Highland. Nice view from the top, at a Civil War memorial. It's strange to think that people from Somerville fought in the Civil War. Then, when I returned home, off to guitar circle.
We covered a lot of ground: Circulating C Major and C Major Pentatonic (skipping every sixth person) in three octaves. Third Relation, Eye of the Needle, Bicycling to Afghanistan. My contact with the repertoire has slipped a bit. Growing Circle. Some body beat work on the two hand clavé pattern. A discussion of the Genius, Master, Professional, Apprentice model and the related Creative, Conscious, Sensitive, Automatic energetic model. I asked about the relationship of the energetic model with the functioning of the three centers, which led to some interesting discussion. Need to work on repertoire, for now.
Back home. A snack and some tea. Wrote an email which I then largely deleted. I hope I can put this matter behind me soon.
We had some breakfast (lunch for her). Then, I loaded our old kitchen table into my car. It was surprising to me, but I managed to fit the whole thing in (including 4 chairs), with the help of some bungee cords, even leaving the passenger seat free. We drove over to Cambridge and delivered the table to a friendly young woman in a second story apartment. The power of Craigslist.
Back home, I was feeling a little odd. Decided to remain active: replaced the shower curtain liner. Got some goo off the floor. Glued a bit of wood back up into a closet door. MB out in the yard. Down basement for the rest of my morning practices.
When I came back up, some lunch. Then took Leo out in the backyard on his leash. MB still doing things: planting in the garden and the flower boxes. Mapped out the down-beats of the bass part of Invention 10. My concentration wandered. Guitar for an hour or so, working through the keys of Eb and Ab triad arpeggios in first position. MB's spanikopita came out of the oven and we ate a bit. At this point, it was around 7 PM. I took a walk, stopping to get an energy drink, then up and over Highland. Nice view from the top, at a Civil War memorial. It's strange to think that people from Somerville fought in the Civil War. Then, when I returned home, off to guitar circle.
We covered a lot of ground: Circulating C Major and C Major Pentatonic (skipping every sixth person) in three octaves. Third Relation, Eye of the Needle, Bicycling to Afghanistan. My contact with the repertoire has slipped a bit. Growing Circle. Some body beat work on the two hand clavé pattern. A discussion of the Genius, Master, Professional, Apprentice model and the related Creative, Conscious, Sensitive, Automatic energetic model. I asked about the relationship of the energetic model with the functioning of the three centers, which led to some interesting discussion. Need to work on repertoire, for now.
Back home. A snack and some tea. Wrote an email which I then largely deleted. I hope I can put this matter behind me soon.
Saturday, April 16, 2005
Off the Island
Saturday: A very late night last night. Slept in as MB headed to a hair appointment. Shower. Some morning practices. She returned a little after noon. Breakfast together: eggs and one waffle each with some banana compote.
Did some work with my old diary entries, posting them to a new home. Exported MIDI versions of the JSB Invention 10 and posted them to the necircle site. Did some work on the KKC site. Scraped a bit of goo off the front door. Drove to Home Depot, returning the horrible shoe rack, and picking up some lawn supplies.
Back home, worked in the back yard, putting down seed, fertilizer and mulch. While doing this, talked to my friend Christine about her upcoming tour of Europe. 11 shows in Switzerland and France, over the span of 3 weeks. They have it worked out so they at least break even, and maybe make a little. Hooked up the watering system. Quick shower. MB and I put together a shopping list. Grocery shopping, then putting away.
Got a note regarding a post of mine to the Guitar Craft journals. Spent some time formulating a response. MB headed out for an evening of belly dance watching with her instructor. Ate a noodle vegetable egg concoction. More email.
Watched "Law and Order." Some text chat with Wnd. Soon guitar and the completion of morning practices.
Did some work with my old diary entries, posting them to a new home. Exported MIDI versions of the JSB Invention 10 and posted them to the necircle site. Did some work on the KKC site. Scraped a bit of goo off the front door. Drove to Home Depot, returning the horrible shoe rack, and picking up some lawn supplies.
Back home, worked in the back yard, putting down seed, fertilizer and mulch. While doing this, talked to my friend Christine about her upcoming tour of Europe. 11 shows in Switzerland and France, over the span of 3 weeks. They have it worked out so they at least break even, and maybe make a little. Hooked up the watering system. Quick shower. MB and I put together a shopping list. Grocery shopping, then putting away.
Got a note regarding a post of mine to the Guitar Craft journals. Spent some time formulating a response. MB headed out for an evening of belly dance watching with her instructor. Ate a noodle vegetable egg concoction. More email.
Watched "Law and Order." Some text chat with Wnd. Soon guitar and the completion of morning practices.
Gypsy in Cairo
Friday: Woke around 9, after MB headed off to a lesson with Victor. Didn't actually manage to get out of bed until about 10. Email. Was going to do part 1 of my morning practices, but the phone rang. No one there. So, shower. Then, brief morning practices. Fed the cats. Off to work. Another cool clear day.
Tea and two mighty mini muffins. At work, tracked down and nailed a couple of hard to diagnose bugs, involving old parts of the OS APIs, that we really shouldn't be using any more. Made some comments, doing my best to remain calm, about a certain feature that I do not think we should remove from the program. Walked out and got a burrito, which I consumed at my desk. We are on the top floor, so the elevator only goes down. A 'repairman' on a recent service visit put back the button so it points up. This was pointed out to him while he was still on the job, but he couldn't be bothered to fix it. Now, several times a day, I am reminded of his laziness, and unintentionally wish him ill. Left work around 7:20.
Drove to Arlington center and found parking. Attended a large scale (as these things go) belly dance review, put on by Johara. MB danced in one portion. It was entertaining, and fairly well organized. The choreographer has a degenerative eye disease, and will be completely blind before long. This put the 'light diversion' in a rather somber frame, for me.
After the show, hooked up with MB. We walked her stuff to my car, and then to an Argentine restaurant named Tango across the way. We met up with someone MB knew from the cast. We sat with her and her husband through dinner. It turned out that they both knew my old band Sabot, and he currently plays in a band in the same vein. He's also involved in work with the homeless and was aware of the organization of which I used to sit on the board. Small world. MB had some wine. Flan. Quite cold out on the walk back to our cars.
Back home, late. Odd smell of snuffed out candles in the house. MB's ready for bed. I've taken a shower and brushed my teeth, but, now I go down basement to practice guitar and complete my morning practices.
Tea and two mighty mini muffins. At work, tracked down and nailed a couple of hard to diagnose bugs, involving old parts of the OS APIs, that we really shouldn't be using any more. Made some comments, doing my best to remain calm, about a certain feature that I do not think we should remove from the program. Walked out and got a burrito, which I consumed at my desk. We are on the top floor, so the elevator only goes down. A 'repairman' on a recent service visit put back the button so it points up. This was pointed out to him while he was still on the job, but he couldn't be bothered to fix it. Now, several times a day, I am reminded of his laziness, and unintentionally wish him ill. Left work around 7:20.
Drove to Arlington center and found parking. Attended a large scale (as these things go) belly dance review, put on by Johara. MB danced in one portion. It was entertaining, and fairly well organized. The choreographer has a degenerative eye disease, and will be completely blind before long. This put the 'light diversion' in a rather somber frame, for me.
After the show, hooked up with MB. We walked her stuff to my car, and then to an Argentine restaurant named Tango across the way. We met up with someone MB knew from the cast. We sat with her and her husband through dinner. It turned out that they both knew my old band Sabot, and he currently plays in a band in the same vein. He's also involved in work with the homeless and was aware of the organization of which I used to sit on the board. Small world. MB had some wine. Flan. Quite cold out on the walk back to our cars.
Back home, late. Odd smell of snuffed out candles in the house. MB's ready for bed. I've taken a shower and brushed my teeth, but, now I go down basement to practice guitar and complete my morning practices.
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Day 1
My new commitment to journaling began today and run for 1001 days, completing on or about January 9th, 2008.
My aim is to notice my life.
---------------------
Thursday: Up on the late side. Email. My friend Shawn beings the process of ending his marriage. Shower. Left one phone msg with the plumber, and one with the woman who helped us buy our kitchen table. Down basement for morning practices. A bit of guitar. Another bright day, on the cold side.
Tea and a bran muffin. The woman behind the counter handed me all the money I handed her as "change", so I handed it back to her. Not terribly productive day at work. A bug that has been a bug before, and probably will be a bug again, has raised its head. Trying to get to the bottom of it. Took a walk out and left a 'merit box' at the Tibetan crafts store down the street. A couple slices of pizza with "Mad TV" providing my monthly dose of American Culture. Some consulting with Dn and Al. MB arrived around 7:15.
We got her parked in the lot, then walked to OCBC. Scott F was there and said hello as we got our tickets. Finding we had a little time before the performance, we walked across the street for some tea and a crepe. Then, the ballet performance. 3 major works, and then a series of short vignettes. 3 brief intermissions. I thought the less romantic bits, with the 'modern' classical music were the most interesting. The part with the Latin music didn't work so well for me, and the music had a real side-to-side swagger, that the vertical form of the ballet didn't match. After the show I commented to the choreographer that I thought that Guitar Ensemble would be a good pairing with Ballet Troupe, since in each case, the members are ideally interchangeable units, working to form a greater whole.
Back home. Constructed a shoe rack, discovered it was a piece of junk, and deconstructed it back into its box. On the box I saw the notice: "Only the unsatisfactory part in a multi-piece product will be exchanged." In other words, if the whole thing stinks, you're out of luck. But, I rest assured that the Home Depots generous return policy will save me. MB's upstairs practicing guitar. I soon will be as well.
My aim is to notice my life.
---------------------
Thursday: Up on the late side. Email. My friend Shawn beings the process of ending his marriage. Shower. Left one phone msg with the plumber, and one with the woman who helped us buy our kitchen table. Down basement for morning practices. A bit of guitar. Another bright day, on the cold side.
Tea and a bran muffin. The woman behind the counter handed me all the money I handed her as "change", so I handed it back to her. Not terribly productive day at work. A bug that has been a bug before, and probably will be a bug again, has raised its head. Trying to get to the bottom of it. Took a walk out and left a 'merit box' at the Tibetan crafts store down the street. A couple slices of pizza with "Mad TV" providing my monthly dose of American Culture. Some consulting with Dn and Al. MB arrived around 7:15.
We got her parked in the lot, then walked to OCBC. Scott F was there and said hello as we got our tickets. Finding we had a little time before the performance, we walked across the street for some tea and a crepe. Then, the ballet performance. 3 major works, and then a series of short vignettes. 3 brief intermissions. I thought the less romantic bits, with the 'modern' classical music were the most interesting. The part with the Latin music didn't work so well for me, and the music had a real side-to-side swagger, that the vertical form of the ballet didn't match. After the show I commented to the choreographer that I thought that Guitar Ensemble would be a good pairing with Ballet Troupe, since in each case, the members are ideally interchangeable units, working to form a greater whole.
Back home. Constructed a shoe rack, discovered it was a piece of junk, and deconstructed it back into its box. On the box I saw the notice: "Only the unsatisfactory part in a multi-piece product will be exchanged." In other words, if the whole thing stinks, you're out of luck. But, I rest assured that the Home Depots generous return policy will save me. MB's upstairs practicing guitar. I soon will be as well.
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