Monday: Woke around 7 as MB headed out, but slept until 9. Felt fairly good, which was a relief, because I was afraid I was coming down with something after the cold weather yesterday. Up and brief sitting in the dance room, shower, gave Gus his fluid and so on. Called the vet to see if I could get more saline bags and vitamins for Gus. Called KKC to see if I could pass water bowl duties off to someone else today. Robina herself answered the phone. She said basically "If there's no one around, it won't get done. What can you do?"
The car was very belligerent about starting today, even with the power-boost. It was quite cold out again. Drove to Davis Square and picked up the cat supplies, leaving the car running. Then, to KKC. Jf and Ngawang were there. Jf said he'd fill the bowls. Ngwang gave me a hard time about my laziness regarding Tibetan language, in a good humored sort of way, of course.
In to work. As I was leaving the garage up the ramp on foot, I saw one of the executives from the architecture firm a couple of floors below us, unable to get into the garage due to the new Draconian "security" measures they have put in place. Walked down to the bank, then since I was close, picked up a bagel, some yogurt and juice. Then coffee from Toscinini's.
A productive day. Overheard B and Jn going through everyone's bug lists. Went through mine, and to my relief B was not going to try to prevent me from taking my time off. I stomped a few bugs, hooked back up a dialog. Did some consulting with Elrn, and RPT. Got a couple of slices of pizza at one point. Stayed until about 10:30, chatting with B before I left.
Back home, and MB agreed to help drop my car off at the shop. We drove to Union in separate cars. Then back in hers. Some hanging out, then packing. Many last minute details, and completing the practice for the day, kept me up until about 3 AM. The alarm was set for 4 AM.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Monday, February 27, 2006
Snowy Owl 3, and return
Sunday: Snowy Owl Inn, Waterville Valley, NH. Woke to the alarm at 7 AM, but then slept until 8:30. After a shower (while I packed), MB retreated to the lounge to give me some time for practices. Then at 10:15 we carried our stuff to the car, retrieved our skis from the shed, and checked out. Over to the town center for a breakfast at the coffee shop. Well worth the extra expense. Eggs biscuits home-fries French-toast coffee juice. Mmmm. Then, down to the office to buy our trail passes. Today was cold and clear. We got our first real look at the mountains. Then some snow began to fall. We drove to the upper landing, strapped on our skis and hit the trail. More people out today, no doubt spurred on by the snow that fell overnight. We skied out for about an hour, then turned around and came back.
There's a huge difference in quality between a circular trip, and a straight "there and back" trip (where the return is the reverse of the journey out). Music has both varieties. A third variety that music has is "Instantly transport yourself elsewhere, then work your way back."
We got back to the car a little before 2 PM, and agreed we'd had enough. So skis off, and on our way. I was very sleepy driving back. Dangerously so. I felt some guilt about this later. I underestimated how draining exercise in the cold we be, I think. We got back to the house a little after 4 PM.
Unpacking, tending to Gus, and so on. Caught up on email. Coffee. Down basement for continuation. At 8, MB and I headed to Guitar Circle.
We arrived at the same time as Martin. The outside door to the dojo was locked. Quite cold out. Bummer. But, luckily the roll-down security door was unlocked, as was the door behind it, as was the inner door, so a little initiative got us in.
We began with an exercise where 4 of the 5 of us was pedal on a note (forming chords) while the fifth person soloed. Then circulation, with music jumping out here and there. We worked on Third Relation for some time, first running it minus MB, then working more slowly including her (she just learned the two main lines this last week, without much time to practice). I had mis-taught her the fingering of the first bit. We looped the re-intro with 4 bars of the main melody.
A short break. We talked about how a definitive recording of Third Relation remains illusive.
Next, Martin went in the next room and did some personal work on the Hammerhead exercise, while the rest of us worked on Invention 1. David Victor and I all had the experience of the piece seeming to have rearranged itself since the last time we worked on it. We worked through most of it in sections, but still have not been able to make it straight through without train wrecking.
We played Eye of the Needle and Askesis through a couple of times. And one more time through Askesis with David listening. Some talk about upcoming gigs. David and I are both out of town next week, but Martin and MB will have a lessonish sort of meeting at Victor's house.
Back home, a hot shower for me, then soup and tea, MB reading a Rolling Stone article aloud to me. Now sitting on the couch with two cat-loaves in my lap.
There's a huge difference in quality between a circular trip, and a straight "there and back" trip (where the return is the reverse of the journey out). Music has both varieties. A third variety that music has is "Instantly transport yourself elsewhere, then work your way back."
We got back to the car a little before 2 PM, and agreed we'd had enough. So skis off, and on our way. I was very sleepy driving back. Dangerously so. I felt some guilt about this later. I underestimated how draining exercise in the cold we be, I think. We got back to the house a little after 4 PM.
Unpacking, tending to Gus, and so on. Caught up on email. Coffee. Down basement for continuation. At 8, MB and I headed to Guitar Circle.
We arrived at the same time as Martin. The outside door to the dojo was locked. Quite cold out. Bummer. But, luckily the roll-down security door was unlocked, as was the door behind it, as was the inner door, so a little initiative got us in.
We began with an exercise where 4 of the 5 of us was pedal on a note (forming chords) while the fifth person soloed. Then circulation, with music jumping out here and there. We worked on Third Relation for some time, first running it minus MB, then working more slowly including her (she just learned the two main lines this last week, without much time to practice). I had mis-taught her the fingering of the first bit. We looped the re-intro with 4 bars of the main melody.
A short break. We talked about how a definitive recording of Third Relation remains illusive.
Next, Martin went in the next room and did some personal work on the Hammerhead exercise, while the rest of us worked on Invention 1. David Victor and I all had the experience of the piece seeming to have rearranged itself since the last time we worked on it. We worked through most of it in sections, but still have not been able to make it straight through without train wrecking.
We played Eye of the Needle and Askesis through a couple of times. And one more time through Askesis with David listening. Some talk about upcoming gigs. David and I are both out of town next week, but Martin and MB will have a lessonish sort of meeting at Victor's house.
Back home, a hot shower for me, then soup and tea, MB reading a Rolling Stone article aloud to me. Now sitting on the couch with two cat-loaves in my lap.
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Snowy Owl 2
Saturday: Snowy Owl Inn, Waterville Valley, NH. The alarm sounded at 7:20. We didn't really pay it much mind for a bit, getting up around 8:30, quickly throwing on clothes and heading towards the "continental breakfast" which ends at 9. No sooner had we left our room than the fire alarm went off. We grabbed coats and stood around outside for a bit until the "all clear" was given. Someone had burned a bagel. We gathered some semblance of breakfast from the remains of the buffet. No coffee left. Lots of families with kids, giving everything a slightly loud and chaotic tinge.
Back to the room. Showers and so on. MB read in the lounge while I attended to morning practices. Around noon we suited up, grabbed our skis, and headed for the village square. We bought trail passes, got our maps, and then embarked on our maiden voyage as a cross-country skiing couple. MB had bought us cross country skis a couple years ago, but this was the first time we had actually used them. Her first time at all. I had a fair amount years ago. We took the southern Pond Loop and also "Figure 3"... MB took to it easily, having some downhill in her experience. Quite pretty out, and not so many other skiers. The conditions were not bad. There was ice, but it was under enough packed snow to rarely be a problem. We wound up back in the town square around 1:40. Had some sandwiches at the little deli, and coffee (obtained from the shop across the way). Then back out for more skiing, heading out on "Swan's Way"... A steady snow was falling which continued through evening. Lovely moment standing on a foot bridge over a little semi-frozen stream. MB fell a couple times, but nothing major. One lady was rather "helpful" in a good-natured way as to how to get back on one's feet. We came to a road, and thought perhaps we should turn back. I went to look at my watch just as the "we should turn back now" alarm that I had sent went off. So, back we went. We arrived at the ski center at exactly 4 PM, which is the time the trails close.
Changed shoes, and then coffee and treats in the little cafe above the center. Back to our room, and a lovely hot-tub. MMMmmm life is good. At 7 we headed back to the town square and to the Italian restaurant. MB had linguini with red sauce and mixed vegetables, and I had spinach ravioli. Pretty good, though my salad was drowned in dressing. We talked about running restaurants, and the various characters that we know who are in the business. Back to our room, feeling tired and satiated. Our "do not disturb" sign had gone missing. I turned on the TV. MB began watching a show on the medical procedure involved in helping to heal a man with third degree burns over 75% of his body. Being a bit squeamish about such things, I practiced guitar with my back to the TV. MB switched to reading, but then found that my guitar playing a distraction. She headed out to the lounge to read. Some emailing. Later on, MB was getting sleepy, but she revived long enough to have another Third Relation download.
Back to the room. Showers and so on. MB read in the lounge while I attended to morning practices. Around noon we suited up, grabbed our skis, and headed for the village square. We bought trail passes, got our maps, and then embarked on our maiden voyage as a cross-country skiing couple. MB had bought us cross country skis a couple years ago, but this was the first time we had actually used them. Her first time at all. I had a fair amount years ago. We took the southern Pond Loop and also "Figure 3"... MB took to it easily, having some downhill in her experience. Quite pretty out, and not so many other skiers. The conditions were not bad. There was ice, but it was under enough packed snow to rarely be a problem. We wound up back in the town square around 1:40. Had some sandwiches at the little deli, and coffee (obtained from the shop across the way). Then back out for more skiing, heading out on "Swan's Way"... A steady snow was falling which continued through evening. Lovely moment standing on a foot bridge over a little semi-frozen stream. MB fell a couple times, but nothing major. One lady was rather "helpful" in a good-natured way as to how to get back on one's feet. We came to a road, and thought perhaps we should turn back. I went to look at my watch just as the "we should turn back now" alarm that I had sent went off. So, back we went. We arrived at the ski center at exactly 4 PM, which is the time the trails close.
Changed shoes, and then coffee and treats in the little cafe above the center. Back to our room, and a lovely hot-tub. MMMmmm life is good. At 7 we headed back to the town square and to the Italian restaurant. MB had linguini with red sauce and mixed vegetables, and I had spinach ravioli. Pretty good, though my salad was drowned in dressing. We talked about running restaurants, and the various characters that we know who are in the business. Back to our room, feeling tired and satiated. Our "do not disturb" sign had gone missing. I turned on the TV. MB began watching a show on the medical procedure involved in helping to heal a man with third degree burns over 75% of his body. Being a bit squeamish about such things, I practiced guitar with my back to the TV. MB switched to reading, but then found that my guitar playing a distraction. She headed out to the lounge to read. Some emailing. Later on, MB was getting sleepy, but she revived long enough to have another Third Relation download.
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Snowy Owl 1
Friday: Woke around 7:30 as MB headed out. Finally up around 9:30. Feeling energized, though little sleep. Shower, fed cats and had a breakfast of eggs, listening to NPR. Packing. Down basement and focused session of exercise and morning practice. Cleaned up a corner that had some empty boxes mixed with some bottles of wine leftover from the wedding. Off to work.
In the office, worked around an add-on problem (can only handle one buffer size), and fixed the functioning of a class of add-ons. Had a chat with Dnl, who is on the trail of a memory trashing bug. Dv is looking pretty wiped out. Some consulting with Eln about parameter control, and deep data copy. Got back to my code (dealing with the later issue). Read some of a document called "Addicted to Anger" about a certain extremist preacher. Chilling stuff. Headed out around 5:30.
Home at 6 on the dot, but no MB. Fed cats, made coffee and played some guitar. MB showed up around 6:20. She packed while I packed the car. Shared the coffee. We headed out around 7:10. Got gas, then a straight shot up 93 to Waterville Valley. Lively conversation on the way. My current burning political questions: "What in God's name has become of the fiscally conservative, and the libertarian, factions of the Republican party?"
Arrived in WV around 9:20. We decided to go straight to the restaurant, since we were late for our reservations. It was quite empty, and I don't think we would have had a problem. Some more than adequate food, served by a very friendly waitress in big room with lots of plate glass windows and a gas fireplace. MB got the chocolate volcano for dessert, which was a little funny, since she just completed writing a book on Earth Science.
Checked in, and unloaded our gear. I forgot to put the tag in the windshield to back out to do that. A gaggle of early teen kids were running around the hallways. MB talked to her folks, and I said hello as well. I hung out while she opened her presents. We took a bath in the big Jacuzzi. Heading to bed not long after.
In the office, worked around an add-on problem (can only handle one buffer size), and fixed the functioning of a class of add-ons. Had a chat with Dnl, who is on the trail of a memory trashing bug. Dv is looking pretty wiped out. Some consulting with Eln about parameter control, and deep data copy. Got back to my code (dealing with the later issue). Read some of a document called "Addicted to Anger" about a certain extremist preacher. Chilling stuff. Headed out around 5:30.
Home at 6 on the dot, but no MB. Fed cats, made coffee and played some guitar. MB showed up around 6:20. She packed while I packed the car. Shared the coffee. We headed out around 7:10. Got gas, then a straight shot up 93 to Waterville Valley. Lively conversation on the way. My current burning political questions: "What in God's name has become of the fiscally conservative, and the libertarian, factions of the Republican party?"
Arrived in WV around 9:20. We decided to go straight to the restaurant, since we were late for our reservations. It was quite empty, and I don't think we would have had a problem. Some more than adequate food, served by a very friendly waitress in big room with lots of plate glass windows and a gas fireplace. MB got the chocolate volcano for dessert, which was a little funny, since she just completed writing a book on Earth Science.
Checked in, and unloaded our gear. I forgot to put the tag in the windshield to back out to do that. A gaggle of early teen kids were running around the hallways. MB talked to her folks, and I said hello as well. I hung out while she opened her presents. We took a bath in the big Jacuzzi. Heading to bed not long after.
Friday, February 24, 2006
keep a perspective on things
Thursday: Woke in the afternoon with two cats on my chest. Made the morning as efficient as I could. Fed the cats. Showered. Down basement for exercise and practices. Put away laundry. Drizzle and chilly outside.
In at work did some research into a bug that had wound up in my queue. Determined that the bug was actually someone else's. Took a walk out, talked to my mom on the cell. Bought a few items at the Harvard Coop. Picked up a burrito. Back in the office, ate, then began working on a project to copy the deep data of add-ons from one project folder to another. MB called, reminding me we needed kitty litter.
Drove to Central Square and found an open CVS. They actually did have some litter. Picked up a few other things, then back home. Hung out with MB a bit, then said goodnight. Down basement, wrapping. Hung up a large history chart that I've owned for years, but that has been rolled up since perhaps 1989.
What is "The Flood" doing on this chart?
In at work did some research into a bug that had wound up in my queue. Determined that the bug was actually someone else's. Took a walk out, talked to my mom on the cell. Bought a few items at the Harvard Coop. Picked up a burrito. Back in the office, ate, then began working on a project to copy the deep data of add-ons from one project folder to another. MB called, reminding me we needed kitty litter.
Drove to Central Square and found an open CVS. They actually did have some litter. Picked up a few other things, then back home. Hung out with MB a bit, then said goodnight. Down basement, wrapping. Hung up a large history chart that I've owned for years, but that has been rolled up since perhaps 1989.
What is "The Flood" doing on this chart?
Thursday, February 23, 2006
fruit on my plate
Wednesday: Having gotten to bed around 7:30 AM, slept until early afternoon. Shower. Had a big breakfast. Brief morning practices, then in to work.
Some bug fixing, mostly "low hanging fruit" and looking at the rest of the issues on my plate. Headed home around 11:30. Talked to MB who was working late as well. She decided to stay at a hotel up in NH, and continue working in the morning. Down basement, exercise and practices. Afterwards, some left-over lasagna, toast and tea, listening to the BBC.
long day at the office
Tuesday: Up around 7:45. MB headed out. Down basement. Suddenly felt very sleepy, so decided to nap. Two hours later, morning practices, now in the afternoon.
Headed to work. The nap served me well. I put in about 14 hours. Checked in my fast and slow feature. Fixed a few bugs, completing the necessary work for the beta on Wednesday. It was getting light out when I drove home. Got to bed right around the time MB was needing to get up.
Headed to work. The nap served me well. I put in about 14 hours. Checked in my fast and slow feature. Fixed a few bugs, completing the necessary work for the beta on Wednesday. It was getting light out when I drove home. Got to bed right around the time MB was needing to get up.
Monday, February 20, 2006
no rest for the wicked
Monday: Up around 7:30, saw MB head off. Breakfast. Fairly focused morning, heading to KKC around 11:30. Filled water bowls Saw Geshela, Ngawang, Damchoe, and Helen! Also saw Mr.
In at work. Lots to do. Did a bit of shopping and got a coffee. Stayed late. Today was a "holiday." Most of the staff was in.
In at work. Lots to do. Did a bit of shopping and got a coffee. Stayed late. Today was a "holiday." Most of the staff was in.
Little chunks/Teaching 3rd Rel
Sunday: Woke around 9, and gave Gus his saline and whatnot. MB headed to OCBC, and I decided to go back to sleep. Woke on her return, two cats next to me. Shower, and then MB and I walked out to pick up some groceries. A clear and cool day.
Back home, and noticed the 'protective seal' on the Agave Nectar we'd bought was ruptured. Breakfast of cereal and left-over coffee. Down basement and some morning practices. Hearing MB watching a BD video. Found out no circle meeting tonight.
Upstairs, and some hanging out with MB. Showed her some of the lead line to Third Relation. She picked it up very quickly. F and M happened to stop by. We had a sort of lunch with them of left-overs from the party. M enjoyed the chocolate we had from V-Day also. F told us about his millipedes and his discipline problems in the classes he teaches.
After they left I had some more time in the basement. Wanting nothing but to sit quietly today. Later, MB and I walked out. Seemed quite cold. Returned the Agave Nectar for another bottle, and then returned the DVD. It should have shown up as being late, but it didn't. I protested, but weakly. On exit I said "Today is officially my lucky day!" to which, MB did a little jig.
I installed a keyboard tray for MB in the office on the second floor. This was a nice job, because I'd bought this tray years ago, and never used it. Vacuumed up the sawdust, and found that the switch on the vacuum is broken (but there's still a way to force it on). MB showed me some of the BD vid she'd been watching. Some very good finger cymbal exercises combined with simple steps and counting. Good for any musician.
Down basement, exercise and another chunk of my daily practice. There's something good about breaking it up into little chunks throughout the day.
Back upstairs. A snack. MB had just showered. I showed her the second main section of the Third Relation lead line. She did great. Emailing, and so on.
Back home, and noticed the 'protective seal' on the Agave Nectar we'd bought was ruptured. Breakfast of cereal and left-over coffee. Down basement and some morning practices. Hearing MB watching a BD video. Found out no circle meeting tonight.
Upstairs, and some hanging out with MB. Showed her some of the lead line to Third Relation. She picked it up very quickly. F and M happened to stop by. We had a sort of lunch with them of left-overs from the party. M enjoyed the chocolate we had from V-Day also. F told us about his millipedes and his discipline problems in the classes he teaches.
After they left I had some more time in the basement. Wanting nothing but to sit quietly today. Later, MB and I walked out. Seemed quite cold. Returned the Agave Nectar for another bottle, and then returned the DVD. It should have shown up as being late, but it didn't. I protested, but weakly. On exit I said "Today is officially my lucky day!" to which, MB did a little jig.
I installed a keyboard tray for MB in the office on the second floor. This was a nice job, because I'd bought this tray years ago, and never used it. Vacuumed up the sawdust, and found that the switch on the vacuum is broken (but there's still a way to force it on). MB showed me some of the BD vid she'd been watching. Some very good finger cymbal exercises combined with simple steps and counting. Good for any musician.
Down basement, exercise and another chunk of my daily practice. There's something good about breaking it up into little chunks throughout the day.
Back upstairs. A snack. MB had just showered. I showed her the second main section of the Third Relation lead line. She did great. Emailing, and so on.
Sunday, February 19, 2006
dinner party with fire dancing
Saturday. Up around 10, to a call from Hp, the daughter of my mom's second husband. She was in town with her son, for a debating tournament he was in. Gus fluids. We had some breakfast (eggs etc). Shower, then down basement, for abbreviated morning practice. Chef called from the T. My car needed a jump, and then, I drove off to pick him up. A clear cold day.
At the T stop, just as I met Chef, a woman asked me where a nearby hotel was. Rather than try to tell her, I offered a ride. She and her daughter were here from Atlanta, visiting her son, who is in Harvard. Dropped them at the hotel. Back to my place briefly, and Chef scoped the kitchen. Then, to the grocery store, and provisions for the evening. Back home, I hung around until it seemed Chef had settled in. Helped some. Then down basement for exercise and more practice. When I came up, dinner was well underway, and a lovely smell of garlic butter and mushroom pervaded the house.
Shawn arrive a little before 7. We got a small kit set up for him in the living room. Put another leaf in the table. Other guests began to arrive. Yummy little bread toasts. Shawn Chef and I had a little percussion/piano jam. 7 total: Me MB Chef, Shawn, Ra, Mg and Urs. Absolutely delicious dinner: mushroom lasagna with porcini sauce, mixed greens with apple and sugared walnuts (blue cheese or pomegranate vin), and creme brule for dessert with strawberries and whipped cream. Ra found a little piece of plastic in her food, that I later discovered was part of the salad servers.
Chef is a "burner" and did some fire dancing for us in the backyard, while Shawn, MB and I drummed. I saw some neighbors looking out their windows at us. I'm sure this is an unusual sight in this neighborhood. Then the party moved to the living room. Ra shared some drawing and books with us. Shawn and I played a few tunes (me unamplified) by candle-light. Chef joined in on "The Ides" with some poetry. MB danced to "IBE"... Quite a lot of fun. Shawn took off after our set. I played a little more guitar while Mg talked about her complicated love life, and we all chatted about our various interests and endeavors. The gang headed out, Mg giving rides, around midnight. MB and I cleaned up. Some more hanging out and talking about the party. Then, I tucked her in, and headed down basement to complete the day.
Saturday, February 18, 2006
a rack of little boxes
Friday: Woke as MB was headed out. We administered fluid to Gus, then I went back to sleep. When I woke again, gave Gus the rest of his goodies, fed the cats, web, shower, then some breakfast. Down basement and morning practices, skipping the exercise. Very windy today, the door blew open just as I was completing. Deconstructed an old piece of unneeded furniture (a simple shelf that MB's dad had built).
In to work, and a short day, responding to K's email about his whacked API. Almost there with my slow speed feature. Talked to Dn for some time. B gave me a little pep-talk based on some feedback from a user. Headed home around 8:20.
Back at the ranch, MB and I walked out and got veggie subs from Leone's, then walked to the video store. We watched Murder Ball while we ate. People are people. Clean up and some lounging. MB got very sleepy and got ready for bed. Guitar. Down basement, and working on my "organizing the storage room" project. Got it far enough along that the main room is now back to a close semblance of order. Exercise. Soon bed.
In to work, and a short day, responding to K's email about his whacked API. Almost there with my slow speed feature. Talked to Dn for some time. B gave me a little pep-talk based on some feedback from a user. Headed home around 8:20.
Back at the ranch, MB and I walked out and got veggie subs from Leone's, then walked to the video store. We watched Murder Ball while we ate. People are people. Clean up and some lounging. MB got very sleepy and got ready for bed. Guitar. Down basement, and working on my "organizing the storage room" project. Got it far enough along that the main room is now back to a close semblance of order. Exercise. Soon bed.
Friday, February 17, 2006
Where to buy bearings
Thursday: MB and I administered Gus' fluid again this AM. Fed cats etc. A sitting of sorts, web, and then shower and on with it. Down basement for some brief morning exercises. Put away garbage cans an packed the car with my electric rig. A call from Shawn verified we were practicing this evening. Put a few things away.
Headed to work, stopping at the same faceless building which had stumped me a few weeks back. After talking to two people, they pointed me to the door to the storage room, where they sell bearings. Friendly folks. Will have it in tomorrow.
Arrived at work in time for the programmers lunch... but there was no programmers lunch. Dropped off left-over candy-canes at the front desk. Walked out and got a burrito. Ate it at my desk. Worked on the slow speed project, and binding the stream API to my cache classes. Talked to my mom, who is a bit worried about the fact her doctor will not visit her in the Hospital. Headed out around 7:25.
Stopped to pick up a coffee and a couple slices of pizza, which I ate in the car. A good session with Sawn, running through our existing material, and working on the new piece. We experimented with what sort of beating instruments to use... My favorite overall is the little bundles of wooden sticks, but he says the break really quickly. Shawn experimented with playing while wearing his "Beaker" mask from Halloween. Told Shawn about the 4th way course. He seemed interested. Gave him a ride back to his house, that seems strangely vacant and forlorn now that the owner has passed on.
Back home, computer fussing, MB had left a message saying she'd be home around 11. At 11:15, MB called again saying she was right outside, and would I help her carry things. Of ocurse. Some hanging around. A snuggle, talking about contentment and ambition. Then, I said goodnight and headed back down to the basement for exrecise and concluding practices.
Headed to work, stopping at the same faceless building which had stumped me a few weeks back. After talking to two people, they pointed me to the door to the storage room, where they sell bearings. Friendly folks. Will have it in tomorrow.
Arrived at work in time for the programmers lunch... but there was no programmers lunch. Dropped off left-over candy-canes at the front desk. Walked out and got a burrito. Ate it at my desk. Worked on the slow speed project, and binding the stream API to my cache classes. Talked to my mom, who is a bit worried about the fact her doctor will not visit her in the Hospital. Headed out around 7:25.
Stopped to pick up a coffee and a couple slices of pizza, which I ate in the car. A good session with Sawn, running through our existing material, and working on the new piece. We experimented with what sort of beating instruments to use... My favorite overall is the little bundles of wooden sticks, but he says the break really quickly. Shawn experimented with playing while wearing his "Beaker" mask from Halloween. Told Shawn about the 4th way course. He seemed interested. Gave him a ride back to his house, that seems strangely vacant and forlorn now that the owner has passed on.
Back home, computer fussing, MB had left a message saying she'd be home around 11. At 11:15, MB called again saying she was right outside, and would I help her carry things. Of ocurse. Some hanging around. A snuggle, talking about contentment and ambition. Then, I said goodnight and headed back down to the basement for exrecise and concluding practices.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Gus 2 Vet/Lunch with M
Wednesday: Up around 8. Took care of Gus, fed cats. Shower. Down basement by around 9:30. At 11:15, came up to take Gus to the vet, but couldn't find him. Looked all over. Eventually he emerged from a closet I had looked in already. At the vets, they said he was doing better, at least judging by what they could see. Back home, dropped him off, did some book-marking of my course materials.
Back to Davis, and lunch with M. Talking more about the venture. Still seems like a good idea. Some gossip, but, in some ways it was necessary. Off to work.
I made some important decisions in the code today. In the differing time streams that will now be present in one object, it can mostly work in driver's time, and only one small part must be aware of 'global' time. Began writing some other objects that will be necessary for the "slow" feature. Sent out some info about the dinner party on Saturday. Received an email from CG about a 9 month residential 4th-way course. Geshela and Ngawang have returned from India. Talked to Amt, who also just got back from India...Headed out around 10, MB still at work.
Back home, spent some time computering. Then, more fussing with shelving in the storage room. MB called a couple of times giving me status reports. Some evening practices. MB returned around 2 AM. Toast with butter, sitting on the couch. Gus is on my lap purring.
Back to Davis, and lunch with M. Talking more about the venture. Still seems like a good idea. Some gossip, but, in some ways it was necessary. Off to work.
I made some important decisions in the code today. In the differing time streams that will now be present in one object, it can mostly work in driver's time, and only one small part must be aware of 'global' time. Began writing some other objects that will be necessary for the "slow" feature. Sent out some info about the dinner party on Saturday. Received an email from CG about a 9 month residential 4th-way course. Geshela and Ngawang have returned from India. Talked to Amt, who also just got back from India...Headed out around 10, MB still at work.
Back home, spent some time computering. Then, more fussing with shelving in the storage room. MB called a couple of times giving me status reports. Some evening practices. MB returned around 2 AM. Toast with butter, sitting on the couch. Gus is on my lap purring.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
v-day/PRS delivered
Tuesday: Woke spontaneously around 9. Quite a chore, getting all the goodies into Gus. I pricked myself with his saline needle, and managed to squirt water all over the bed. Valentine's email. Shower, then down basement. Called Mgn, since we'd talked about having lunch today, but she had to run errands. This was actually a good thing. Down basement for the rest of my practice. A little tidying. Pulled stuff together, and off to work. Forgot I had to mail some stuff, so back home, dropped it at the PO, then on my way.
A good day at work. Got the initial bit of the "double speed" feature working, then began looking at the "half speed" aspect. Bought a mozzarella sandwich and coffee from the place down the street. Worked until around 6:20, then headed to yoga.
A good session tonight. She gave us "down dog" again. Tonight was a little strange in that she skipped "bridge"... which I think is a real staple of our routine. Some challenging balancing postures. Chatted with some new folks afterwards.
Stopped on the way home and got a veggie burger at a fast food place. Ate this while watching a bit of a documentary on JRR Tolkien. MB returned home. We hung out a bit, watching little video clips on the computer. She was drinking a Jasmine tea that had a flower that bloomed as it steeped. Some email. We'd both like to get to bed early tonight.
Got a note from the fellow that bought my PRS. It arrived, and he's a happy camper.
A good day at work. Got the initial bit of the "double speed" feature working, then began looking at the "half speed" aspect. Bought a mozzarella sandwich and coffee from the place down the street. Worked until around 6:20, then headed to yoga.
A good session tonight. She gave us "down dog" again. Tonight was a little strange in that she skipped "bridge"... which I think is a real staple of our routine. Some challenging balancing postures. Chatted with some new folks afterwards.
Stopped on the way home and got a veggie burger at a fast food place. Ate this while watching a bit of a documentary on JRR Tolkien. MB returned home. We hung out a bit, watching little video clips on the computer. She was drinking a Jasmine tea that had a flower that bloomed as it steeped. Some email. We'd both like to get to bed early tonight.
Got a note from the fellow that bought my PRS. It arrived, and he's a happy camper.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Late night with MB
Monday: Woke around 10. Email. Attended to Gus. He puked his vitamins on the bed. Brief sitting. Headed over to KKC, jumping the car in the garage... Filled water bowls, and cleaned the floor. Saw Tsunma-la briefly. Stopped at the donut shop and got an egg-bagel, which I ate in the parking lot. Back home, put away laundry, then headed for work.
Fairly good day in the office. Made a couple of important decisions for the project I'm on, and got some code written. Talked with a third-party developer about a strategy they are looking into. Took a walk out to the CD store. Talked to Wnd and MB. Figured out with K how to send email messages to her cell-phone. Headed home around 10:30.
Back home, made some coffee and cheese toast for MB and myself. We listened to the CDs I'd bought her for Valentine's Day. The two Barrys. Down basement for transplanted practices. Set up shelves in the storage room. Some exercise. Email. Back upstairs, now 4 AM... and juice and chocolate with MB.
Fairly good day in the office. Made a couple of important decisions for the project I'm on, and got some code written. Talked with a third-party developer about a strategy they are looking into. Took a walk out to the CD store. Talked to Wnd and MB. Figured out with K how to send email messages to her cell-phone. Headed home around 10:30.
Back home, made some coffee and cheese toast for MB and myself. We listened to the CDs I'd bought her for Valentine's Day. The two Barrys. Down basement for transplanted practices. Set up shelves in the storage room. Some exercise. Email. Back upstairs, now 4 AM... and juice and chocolate with MB.
Monday, February 13, 2006
Snow day/Gus treatment/storage room
Sunday: MB and I both slept in, until noon. Gave Gus his first in-home saline treatment, and his other meds. We both trundled downstairs, and had breakfast together, eggs, frozen waffles, soy sausage, coffee, tea and juice. It had snowed considerably in the night... really the first big snow of this winter.
After cleaning, we got suited up and went out front to shovel. Light and fluffy snow: easy to lift, but it blows around, and doesn't stack up. Our neighbor Bill had shoveled our walk for us several times already. The plow trucks came by a couple times while we worked. Down basement for exercise and practices.
I came up around 5:30. MB and I cooked a late lunch/dinner together: a quick stir-fry of frozen vegetables and tempeh, buckwheat noodles, and steamed buns (with lotus bean filling). MB packed lunches for tomorrow and made an Apple crisp. My mom called while we were cleaning up, and gave me a report about the very wonderful LRS fund-raiser she had attended last night. When I hung-up, MB and I called her parents, and heard about their plans to travel to Hawaii. Some guitar. Laundry.
Back downstairs for more practices. Also, pulled quite a lot of stuff out of our "storage room", cleaned the floor, and began setting up the new shelves. This will be a week-long project, no doubt. Some email.
Back upstairs, MB was folding veils, and planning to be up late working. Ate some cheese toast. Email. Diarizing.
After cleaning, we got suited up and went out front to shovel. Light and fluffy snow: easy to lift, but it blows around, and doesn't stack up. Our neighbor Bill had shoveled our walk for us several times already. The plow trucks came by a couple times while we worked. Down basement for exercise and practices.
I came up around 5:30. MB and I cooked a late lunch/dinner together: a quick stir-fry of frozen vegetables and tempeh, buckwheat noodles, and steamed buns (with lotus bean filling). MB packed lunches for tomorrow and made an Apple crisp. My mom called while we were cleaning up, and gave me a report about the very wonderful LRS fund-raiser she had attended last night. When I hung-up, MB and I called her parents, and heard about their plans to travel to Hawaii. Some guitar. Laundry.
Back downstairs for more practices. Also, pulled quite a lot of stuff out of our "storage room", cleaned the floor, and began setting up the new shelves. This will be a week-long project, no doubt. Some email.
Back upstairs, MB was folding veils, and planning to be up late working. Ate some cheese toast. Email. Diarizing.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Return of the Gus
Saturday: Woke around 8:30. MB headed out earlier to drive down to RI for some BD related business stuff. Had a lazier morning than I should have, doing minimal practices, eating breakfast and watching the rest of "The Island" before heading out to pick up Gus around 11:20. Dropped my excise tax check in the mail. Dropped off the dvd.
The news about Gus was not so great. He hadn't shown any signs of improvement, as far as his blood-work was concerned... but he seemed better. They gave me a demo of how to administer the saline treatment.
Back home, MB had returned from RI, and was about to head back out to her dance classes. She headed out, but I threw my coat on, and caught up with her. It was a bright sunny day. We walked up the hill to the bus stop, and I waited with her. After the bus came, I walked back down and around to home.
I played a fair amount of guitar in the afternoon, working out an approach to the bass part for Chrysanthemum. Spent some time IMing with an internet friend who lives in Canada. Feeling a bit out of it. Down basement for exercise and practices.
MB returned from her classes around 6:30, and headed back out sometime after 8 to a BD gig in Winthrop. I reheated the last of the Indian food, and watched some of Return of the King. Then, headed out to Home Depot, and bought some shelves. One of the units I bought bore the slogan "Being Organized is Bliss."
Back home, unloaded the shelves, and put my car in the garage, so MB could park in the driveway. A snow emergency has been declared for Somerville. Watched the rest of Return of the King. Weepy. MB got in around 1:30.
The news about Gus was not so great. He hadn't shown any signs of improvement, as far as his blood-work was concerned... but he seemed better. They gave me a demo of how to administer the saline treatment.
Back home, MB had returned from RI, and was about to head back out to her dance classes. She headed out, but I threw my coat on, and caught up with her. It was a bright sunny day. We walked up the hill to the bus stop, and I waited with her. After the bus came, I walked back down and around to home.
I played a fair amount of guitar in the afternoon, working out an approach to the bass part for Chrysanthemum. Spent some time IMing with an internet friend who lives in Canada. Feeling a bit out of it. Down basement for exercise and practices.
MB returned from her classes around 6:30, and headed back out sometime after 8 to a BD gig in Winthrop. I reheated the last of the Indian food, and watched some of Return of the King. Then, headed out to Home Depot, and bought some shelves. One of the units I bought bore the slogan "Being Organized is Bliss."
Back home, unloaded the shelves, and put my car in the garage, so MB could park in the driveway. A snow emergency has been declared for Somerville. Watched the rest of Return of the King. Weepy. MB got in around 1:30.
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Welcome to the Machine
Friday: Woke around 9. Web. Shower. Breakfast. The house seems a little empty without Gus here. Down basement and to work. A bit more focused than I had been recently. My exercise is paying off... feeling stronger. Upstairs, and packed a box to return a shirt to LL Bean. Wrote out another check to send to my luthier. Dropped both the box and the check at the PO on my way to work.
Not a terribly productive day. I did some design work, and played with some code that I'm going to need to interface with. One of the design principals I've come to trust over the years is, it's a bad idea to put implementation in an abstract base-class. The code in question was guilty of this in several ways, and I was working at reducing this... but I ended up ditching my work. A bad API is a mysterious thing. Ate a sandwich at my desk. Got a coffee later in the day. Talked to the vet, and we decided to have Gus stay another night. Left work around 9. I noticed that someone had folded the notice to hide my little addition from the Ministry of Information.
Gave MB a call. She's working late up in New Hampshire. Picked up "The Island." Back home microwaved a bean and corn-bread instant meal, and watched some of the vid. Tired of watching the bad guys chase the good guys, and fired up the laptop. MB called to say she was coming home soon.
Here's a fun vid
What would the world be like, if everyone, or even just a lot of people, suddenly said "Hey! I don't have to play this game anymore. Let's climb a tree!"
Not a terribly productive day. I did some design work, and played with some code that I'm going to need to interface with. One of the design principals I've come to trust over the years is, it's a bad idea to put implementation in an abstract base-class. The code in question was guilty of this in several ways, and I was working at reducing this... but I ended up ditching my work. A bad API is a mysterious thing. Ate a sandwich at my desk. Got a coffee later in the day. Talked to the vet, and we decided to have Gus stay another night. Left work around 9. I noticed that someone had folded the notice to hide my little addition from the Ministry of Information.
Gave MB a call. She's working late up in New Hampshire. Picked up "The Island." Back home microwaved a bean and corn-bread instant meal, and watched some of the vid. Tired of watching the bad guys chase the good guys, and fired up the laptop. MB called to say she was coming home soon.
Here's a fun vid
What would the world be like, if everyone, or even just a lot of people, suddenly said "Hey! I don't have to play this game anymore. Let's climb a tree!"
Friday, February 10, 2006
Gus goes to the hospital
Thursday: Woke at 8:30... only a couple hours sleep. The vet called, and we decided to have Gus stay for a day or two at the kitty hospital, so they could give him a good dose of IV fluids. This reshaped how I'd planned my morning. Quick shower, and boxed PRS in the car. It was cold, so didn't bother trying to start the car, but just hooked up the booster charger. Car running, put Gus in the cat carrier, and in the trunk. Dropped him off at the vet's. Asked if they wanted a deposit, they said no... and I said "You have my cat, anyway!" Drove over to Medford and shipped off the PRS. They wouldn't have taken it if it was customized for one-of-a-kind. Stopped at the donut shop, hoping for a quick breakfast, but they put bacon on the sandwich, even though I had said "no bacon," so I had to go inside and have them make me another one. Ate this with the coffee sitting in my driveway. Exercise and then a slightly truncated practice. Tidied a drawer. Packed my electric rig into the car, and off to work. Made a call on the cell en-route, determining the staff was going to lunch at Spice.
Lunch with the guys... talking about guitars, more than technology. J was there as well. A real blast from the past. More bug fixing. Tracked two subtle ones down: One was the result of some pre-roll that was not correctly repositioning a sub-system (put in by DJS), and the other was a long standing bug in a clutch system I'd put into generation. Talked to the vet at some point. Got a coffee. Talked to Alx who was surprised that I don't use the Apple supplied email and web software (I prefer Eudora and Firefox). Shawn called with some sad news about the woman who owns the house where he lives. Our rehearsal was canceled as a result. Headed home around 9.
MB was off at a BD gig. Ate some noodles and toast while watching Return of the King. Leo seems a bit lonely without Gus around. Then, down basement for the completion of my practice. Spacing out a bit, made it difficult. Lack of sleep, in part. More RotK. MB got back from her gig, and we sat awhile talking. She's upstairs listening to music and typing. Soon bed.
Lunch with the guys... talking about guitars, more than technology. J was there as well. A real blast from the past. More bug fixing. Tracked two subtle ones down: One was the result of some pre-roll that was not correctly repositioning a sub-system (put in by DJS), and the other was a long standing bug in a clutch system I'd put into generation. Talked to the vet at some point. Got a coffee. Talked to Alx who was surprised that I don't use the Apple supplied email and web software (I prefer Eudora and Firefox). Shawn called with some sad news about the woman who owns the house where he lives. Our rehearsal was canceled as a result. Headed home around 9.
MB was off at a BD gig. Ate some noodles and toast while watching Return of the King. Leo seems a bit lonely without Gus around. Then, down basement for the completion of my practice. Spacing out a bit, made it difficult. Lack of sleep, in part. More RotK. MB got back from her gig, and we sat awhile talking. She's upstairs listening to music and typing. Soon bed.
And you ask every passing stranger in the shopping mall, “Is all this fucking necessary?” Only to discover that you are in an isolation chamber, a vacuum, a void in which no one can hear your voice at all. They are sleepwalking. They are shopping.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
packed PRS
Wednesday: Slept in. Had a few errands to run. Fed cats. No milk in the house. Decided to do the minimum practice up front, then drove out and bought a large cardboard box and some bubble-wrap, listening apologists for the Bush administration on NPR defend warrantless wiretaps, without being able to say why the existing mechanisms that have oversight are insufficient. Ate a food bar and some nuts for breakfast, then headed to work. Stopped on the way and mailed a package for MB. Bug fixing. Updated our API for external devices to include a new parameter. Updated the three add-ons that we ship to allow accessing this parameter as well. They are "tightening security" in the building I work in, such that if you accidentally swipe your pass-card twice heading into, or out of the garage, it will lock you out. If this happens after hours, there is a $100 fine. I appended to this note, which had been posted in the lobby "Also, we are switching from e-mail to pneumatic tubes. Thank you. The Ministry of Information."
On the way home, stopped and did a quick run to the grocery store. Filled the tank of my car. Back home, heated up left-over Indian food for MB and me... we ate. Took out the recycling. Packed my PRS, which went quite quickly. Cleaning up after that. Exercise and daily practice. It was early morning when I was done.
On the way home, stopped and did a quick run to the grocery store. Filled the tank of my car. Back home, heated up left-over Indian food for MB and me... we ate. Took out the recycling. Packed my PRS, which went quite quickly. Cleaning up after that. Exercise and daily practice. It was early morning when I was done.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
time warp
Tuesday: Slept in a bit, with MB heading out early. She's been being quite a super-hero lately, staying up till all hours, doing work. I was not very focused once up. Fed cats and gave Gus his antibiotic, etc. Shower. Breakfast. Played guitar. Dilly-dallied. Down basement for exercise and practice. Must have entered a time-warp, because I think I didn't come up for three hours. When I did, I threw things together and got out the door as quick as I could.
In at work, more sorting through bugs. Found one had been caused by a new guy, naively extending some code, not realizing that a particular historical container class did not implement standard C++ copy semantics. An old program is full of manholes like this. We fill them in as time permits. I thought the Wiki was Dnlizing my code, and had a little snit about it, but then found it was just removing line-breaks willy-nilly. Sold my PRS guitar on Ebay, after talking to the buyer for a half hour or so. Ordered food from India Palace, which I picked up on my way home, around 10 PM.
MB (who had just gotten back from Franklin, where she taught a BD class) and I had a nice dinner, and then she got back to work in the upstairs office. Guitar and some web surfing. We took a little break for coffee and rice pudding. Listening to the 2003 Repertoire Project Luau recording, and making Leo dance to Calliope. She's back at her work again. It's 1 AM.
In at work, more sorting through bugs. Found one had been caused by a new guy, naively extending some code, not realizing that a particular historical container class did not implement standard C++ copy semantics. An old program is full of manholes like this. We fill them in as time permits. I thought the Wiki was Dnlizing my code, and had a little snit about it, but then found it was just removing line-breaks willy-nilly. Sold my PRS guitar on Ebay, after talking to the buyer for a half hour or so. Ordered food from India Palace, which I picked up on my way home, around 10 PM.
MB (who had just gotten back from Franklin, where she taught a BD class) and I had a nice dinner, and then she got back to work in the upstairs office. Guitar and some web surfing. We took a little break for coffee and rice pudding. Listening to the 2003 Repertoire Project Luau recording, and making Leo dance to Calliope. She's back at her work again. It's 1 AM.
Monday, February 06, 2006
Coccyx
Monday: Up at 7:30 to NPR. MB was already at the computer, but I didn't notice right away. She headed out, taking her car to the shop and getting a loaner for her drive to work. I remembered I forgot to give Gus his antibiotic last night, so did that. Fed cats. Took a shower. Cereal and coffee. Dilly-dallied a bit longer than I should have, and so I had to rearrange my plans. A brief sitting. Down basement for tending to things and exercise, then tidied up a stack of papers, and packed Gus into the car. Car needed to be jumped.
Then to the vet. They took more blood, and gave him some fluids. Dropped him off back home, then headed to KKC. Dropped off the cards I'd had printed and laminated for Tsunma-la. Filled water bowls. Tsunma-la came out, and she gave me a report on the wildlife in the backyard. I offered back the payment for the cards. She gave me some blessed water for Gus and a CD of prayers for the time of death. She suggested I bring the cats over to meet Geshela sometime, and to be blessed. This may sound silly to us, but to Buddhists, all beings are equal. Stopped for a small coffee at the donut shop.
Back home and gave Gus some blessed water, and encoded the prayer CD into MP3 format on the iMac in the room where he's been hanging out. I left it playing on repeat for the rest of the day. Drank my coffee. Down basement for my morning practice.
In to work, and a discussion about an alternate data inscribing methodology that will need to be developed. The rest of the day was spent bug fixing, or weeding through bug reports. Lunch at my desk. The Spanikopita tasted a little refrigeratory, so later on I got some pizza. While things were building researched "Mr Pibb" and "Red Vines." Wnd sent a note saying her computer was fixed (again). Headed home around 10.
MB was in the office, with the prayers still going. I turned them off. They'd fixed her car to the tune of $800. We got caught up on each other's days... then I headed downstairs for email. Now maybe a little guitar.
Speedy "Torture Boy" Gonzalez played fast and loose with the constitution in front of congress today.
OK, 9/11 was a nasty business... but how many people died? 3,000ish?
40,0000 Americans die every year as a result of cigarette smoking.
157,000 Americans die every year in traffic fatalities.
What is the absolute worst that al Qaeda could do? I say, don't pay 'em any mind, it just encourages them.
Watch this.
Then read this.
President Bush proposed a $2.77 trillion budget on Monday calling for increased spending on the military and domestic security and substantial cuts in domestic programs as disparate as education, farm subsidies and the national parks.
Hello? Is anyone home?
Oh, this is good too.
If relaxation doesn't work, try tension. If tension doesn't work, try relaxation. If neither work, try alternating between them.
brain stem
Sunday: Slept in a bit, while MB headed out to the dance studio. She gave me a call, saying her car's "check engine" light was on. We decided she should just drive it home when she was done, and drop it at the shop tomorrow. A mellow morning hanging with the cats. Shower. Down basement briefly. I was up making breakfast around noon when MB returned. I split my food with her so we both had something to eat (scrambled eggs with Spanikopita, soy sausage, toast). I noticed her nose looked a little dark, and she then realized that the heating system at the dance space was malfunctioning, and she had been inhaling soot. She described some of the work she'd been doing on the planning for her dance performance.
After clean-up and some more email, down basement for morning (afternoon) practices. When I emerged, MB and I decided to go visit LzH at her new condo in Roslindale. MB put some plant cuttings in a vase, and we were off.
The condo is on a main drag, with the commuter rail right behind. Met Lz's new guy friend, and a co-worker. Saw the newly painted kitchen. This was promoted as a house-warming, but they've been living there since August. Sat watching the 'pre game' show at the Superbowl. Making Stevie Wonder do medleys... but clearly this is not about the music. It's all so packaged and rushed. It's a spectacle, nothing more. They ought to just blow stuff up. Ate cheese and crackers and cookies. The dog knocked a block of cheese on the floor with his tail. Stayed about an hour, then left.
Back home, paid bills as MB worked. Played guitar, reviewing Invention Number 1 and warming up a bit. Off to guitar circle.
David locked himself out, so missed a bit of the beginning. Eye of the Needle, Askesis, Third Relation. We did quite a bit of work on Invention 1, making it through perhaps 4/5ths of the piece. A break, which turned into a political discussion (by way of Zappa). Some talk about MB's project.
Back home, noodles, orange juice and tea. MB is staying up late again working.
After mentioning the tarot card "the fool" in an email yesterday, and picking it for the title of my diary entry, I found a brief article in Tricycle magazine of philosophical musings on the same. It's a sign!
After clean-up and some more email, down basement for morning (afternoon) practices. When I emerged, MB and I decided to go visit LzH at her new condo in Roslindale. MB put some plant cuttings in a vase, and we were off.
The condo is on a main drag, with the commuter rail right behind. Met Lz's new guy friend, and a co-worker. Saw the newly painted kitchen. This was promoted as a house-warming, but they've been living there since August. Sat watching the 'pre game' show at the Superbowl. Making Stevie Wonder do medleys... but clearly this is not about the music. It's all so packaged and rushed. It's a spectacle, nothing more. They ought to just blow stuff up. Ate cheese and crackers and cookies. The dog knocked a block of cheese on the floor with his tail. Stayed about an hour, then left.
Back home, paid bills as MB worked. Played guitar, reviewing Invention Number 1 and warming up a bit. Off to guitar circle.
David locked himself out, so missed a bit of the beginning. Eye of the Needle, Askesis, Third Relation. We did quite a bit of work on Invention 1, making it through perhaps 4/5ths of the piece. A break, which turned into a political discussion (by way of Zappa). Some talk about MB's project.
Back home, noodles, orange juice and tea. MB is staying up late again working.
After mentioning the tarot card "the fool" in an email yesterday, and picking it for the title of my diary entry, I found a brief article in Tricycle magazine of philosophical musings on the same. It's a sign!
Sunday, February 05, 2006
the useful fool
Saturday: Slept in, and MB up, and off to her day of dance classes. Muddled around for the morning. Answered some work related email. Cereal and coffee. Down basement in the early afternoon. Put my Marshall stack up for sale on Craig's list. Answered questions about the PRS. Took up the bridge pickup and collected some info. Polished the frets. Talked to the vet about Gus, and we came to an understanding about how to proceed. He's still looking better than he was. Cleaned out my electric razer. MB returned around 6:30 or 7. Email. Later, I made a mushroom casserole with the second harvest. MB made some salad. Dinner. Bits of guitar practice interspersed here and there. Some text chat with a friend I've made who lives up in Canada. MB came down from working in the office. I made us some bowls of ice-cream and we watched a bit of Lord of the Rings. Now, completing the day.
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Bad news for Gus
Friday: Slept until 10... not so bad considering I didn't get to bed until 5! MB had left long before. Decided to allow myself to have a lazy morning, after last night's heroics. Looked in on Gus. Not a happy camper. Made some eggs and so on for breakfast. The coffee squirted on the floor again, and this time also on my shirt. Shower. Email. Down basement and exercise and morning (now afternoon) practice. Physically felt pretty strong today. The daily exercise is paying off. Cleaned the coffee spill from the inside of my car. Off to work.
But first, to the CVS, and then to Gnomon copy. The guys there now me, and so I was handed my completed job (the one I handled for Tsunma-la) without having to ask. Also gave them a couple of books that I'm having converted to "lay flat" binding. Then to the ATM to deposit pay.
At the office, going through the bug-list. Gave Dnl a high-five for our tag-team efforts. We did indeed go beta today. Found and fixed a crash bug introduced by my fix of last night. Tried to reproduce another bug, but could not. My mom called and we chatted for a bit. She used the gift-card I had given her for Christmas, and her purchases exactly equaled its value. Got a call from the vet about Gus. He's pretty sick. Probably just age related kidney failure. She's recommending putting him in the cat hospital for a couple of days. Talked to MB, who is also working late. Headed home around 8 feeling a little blue about Gus. What is "feeling blue?"
Back home, Gus was looking a bit better. He was curled up with Leo, and then was happy to sit on my lap. He ate some wet food, and generally acted a little less pathetic than he had over the last few days. Computering. MB gave a call to say she was on her way. Diarizing. MB arrived. Ate some dumplings and potato listening to the WMMR session with the LoCG from 1987.
But first, to the CVS, and then to Gnomon copy. The guys there now me, and so I was handed my completed job (the one I handled for Tsunma-la) without having to ask. Also gave them a couple of books that I'm having converted to "lay flat" binding. Then to the ATM to deposit pay.
At the office, going through the bug-list. Gave Dnl a high-five for our tag-team efforts. We did indeed go beta today. Found and fixed a crash bug introduced by my fix of last night. Tried to reproduce another bug, but could not. My mom called and we chatted for a bit. She used the gift-card I had given her for Christmas, and her purchases exactly equaled its value. Got a call from the vet about Gus. He's pretty sick. Probably just age related kidney failure. She's recommending putting him in the cat hospital for a couple of days. Talked to MB, who is also working late. Headed home around 8 feeling a little blue about Gus. What is "feeling blue?"
Back home, Gus was looking a bit better. He was curled up with Leo, and then was happy to sit on my lap. He ate some wet food, and generally acted a little less pathetic than he had over the last few days. Computering. MB gave a call to say she was on her way. Diarizing. MB arrived. Ate some dumplings and potato listening to the WMMR session with the LoCG from 1987.
Friday, February 03, 2006
late night bug fix
Thursday: Slept in a bit... 10 or so. MB did as well, saying that she had missed her slot at the dance studio. I had some cereal and coffee for breakfast. The French Press squirted hot coffee out the side and onto the floor. Down basement for morning practices. More mushrooms harvested. Put away laundry. Shawn wrote saying we were on for the evening. Packed guitar and so on into the car.
In at work, chasing more bugs. Consulting with Dnl about an bug we've both been hunting for several days now. Lunch at my desk, thanks to MB. Left around 7:30. Got a coffee. The lid didn't fit quite right, and I spilled some in my car.
Over to Arlington, and a session with Shawn. Worked on the new tune and ran through the other stuff. One good version of Chrysanthemum. Half-hearted looping. It's becoming clear that some of this material wants to be played on acoustic guitar. Gave Shawn a ride home.
Called MB on the cell, and we decided we both wanted to keep working. So, back to H Sq and more work. Dnl had checked in some fixes. Gave him a call, and managed to catch him. I did some deeper analysis based on his feedback, and discovered the underlying bug: In an important place, I was using the originating time, where I actually needed to be using the resultant time. Checked that fix in and headed home, around 4 AM.
Back home, completing the day. Heard MB's alarm go off for "Friday." Thought Leo was in my lap and Gus was running up the stairs, but, not surprisingly, it turned out to be the other way around.
In at work, chasing more bugs. Consulting with Dnl about an bug we've both been hunting for several days now. Lunch at my desk, thanks to MB. Left around 7:30. Got a coffee. The lid didn't fit quite right, and I spilled some in my car.
Over to Arlington, and a session with Shawn. Worked on the new tune and ran through the other stuff. One good version of Chrysanthemum. Half-hearted looping. It's becoming clear that some of this material wants to be played on acoustic guitar. Gave Shawn a ride home.
Called MB on the cell, and we decided we both wanted to keep working. So, back to H Sq and more work. Dnl had checked in some fixes. Gave him a call, and managed to catch him. I did some deeper analysis based on his feedback, and discovered the underlying bug: In an important place, I was using the originating time, where I actually needed to be using the resultant time. Checked that fix in and headed home, around 4 AM.
Back home, completing the day. Heard MB's alarm go off for "Friday." Thought Leo was in my lap and Gus was running up the stairs, but, not surprisingly, it turned out to be the other way around.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Gus to the Vet
Wednesday: Up around 8:30, and brief web, shower, then breakfast. Guitar. Down basement and dilly-dallied a little more than I would have liked, but still got a good bit done. Took Gus to the vet at noon, arriving about 5 minutes late. Now we're waiting on test results. Back home, and some more practices. Laundry.
Driving to work, I sat stopped in traffic for 15 minutes. Some workmen were loading a small tractor onto a flatbed truck, and not letting anyone pass. In at work, spent most of the day sorting through bugs. Wrote a long email that I deleted, replacing the entire text with the phrase "Quite an optimist, you are." Dnl found some odd behavior in the parameter sequencing. I spent the rest of the evening working on a solution to this. In the end, the solution fixed his test case, but not the larger issue we are trying to address. Back in his court. My mom called and told me her tale of woe, involving switching from AOL to a local high-speed internet provider. It's pretty confusing stuff to her. Also got a call from Wnd with some interesting developments in her personal practice. Headed home around 11:30.
Arrived back home just as MB was getting in. She'd stayed late at work as well. We're both tired. We ate a microwaved potato and some bean soup from a can. Quite tasty, actually. Gus seems to be doing a little better. I'm to give him antibiotics twice a day for a week. They also gave him a little fluid treatment, which seems to have perked him up.
Looking for a recording of Third Relation. The Luau CD from the repertoire has laser rot, and won't play. The version from the L3 (Jakes 2) suffers from the same thing that most of that material suffers from: Frantic. (What were we thinking?) MB asks what the name means, and I counter that the full name is "Third Relation Axial Antelope," hoping that would settle the matter. It didn't, so I suggested she ask Tony G.
Driving to work, I sat stopped in traffic for 15 minutes. Some workmen were loading a small tractor onto a flatbed truck, and not letting anyone pass. In at work, spent most of the day sorting through bugs. Wrote a long email that I deleted, replacing the entire text with the phrase "Quite an optimist, you are." Dnl found some odd behavior in the parameter sequencing. I spent the rest of the evening working on a solution to this. In the end, the solution fixed his test case, but not the larger issue we are trying to address. Back in his court. My mom called and told me her tale of woe, involving switching from AOL to a local high-speed internet provider. It's pretty confusing stuff to her. Also got a call from Wnd with some interesting developments in her personal practice. Headed home around 11:30.
Arrived back home just as MB was getting in. She'd stayed late at work as well. We're both tired. We ate a microwaved potato and some bean soup from a can. Quite tasty, actually. Gus seems to be doing a little better. I'm to give him antibiotics twice a day for a week. They also gave him a little fluid treatment, which seems to have perked him up.
Looking for a recording of Third Relation. The Luau CD from the repertoire has laser rot, and won't play. The version from the L3 (Jakes 2) suffers from the same thing that most of that material suffers from: Frantic. (What were we thinking?) MB asks what the name means, and I counter that the full name is "Third Relation Axial Antelope," hoping that would settle the matter. It didn't, so I suggested she ask Tony G.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
dissonant convergence
Tuesday: Woke around 10. MB was in the office, and I didn't disturb her. Shower, then down basement. Afterwards, made an appointment with the vet for Gus, who is looking rather sickly these days. An icy drizzle falling, I drove across town to work.
Brief day at the office today. I was hunting a bug, and first thought it was not in my domain, then thought it was, then proved it wasn't. That was pretty much my day. Oh, one other thing: Had a long discussion with RT, where he used the same phrase to describe the situation in the office, that I did in my diary yesterday: "It's not healthy."
Drove over to KKC for yoga. Tsunma-la button-holed me, and gave me a project related to an upcoming trip of Geshe-la's to Mexico. Then yoga. Seemed particularly strenuous tonight. Perhaps Wendy is serving us double since we are only meeting every other week these days. Chatting afterwards with her and Wnd. Then, out for a late dinner with Wnd at a local Italian chain. Talking about her ailing laptop. She's been going through rather a lot lately, taking care of her mom after her father's passing, and trying to help her friend who is suffering from mental and emotional disturbances.
On the national front, today seemed like some sort of convergence point: Coretta Scott King died, Judge Burrito was sworn in, Chimpy Flight Suit gave the State of the Dis-Union screed, and Alan Greenspan served his last day as Fed chair.
Back home, and hanging out with MB. Perhaps some guitar.
Brief day at the office today. I was hunting a bug, and first thought it was not in my domain, then thought it was, then proved it wasn't. That was pretty much my day. Oh, one other thing: Had a long discussion with RT, where he used the same phrase to describe the situation in the office, that I did in my diary yesterday: "It's not healthy."
Drove over to KKC for yoga. Tsunma-la button-holed me, and gave me a project related to an upcoming trip of Geshe-la's to Mexico. Then yoga. Seemed particularly strenuous tonight. Perhaps Wendy is serving us double since we are only meeting every other week these days. Chatting afterwards with her and Wnd. Then, out for a late dinner with Wnd at a local Italian chain. Talking about her ailing laptop. She's been going through rather a lot lately, taking care of her mom after her father's passing, and trying to help her friend who is suffering from mental and emotional disturbances.
On the national front, today seemed like some sort of convergence point: Coretta Scott King died, Judge Burrito was sworn in, Chimpy Flight Suit gave the State of the Dis-Union screed, and Alan Greenspan served his last day as Fed chair.
"The forms are all there, all untouched, all reassuring, the houses, the shops, the jobs, the mealtimes, the visits, the concerts, the cinema, the holidays. But the spirit, which you never noticed because you made the lifelong mistake of identifying it with the forms, is changed. Now you live in a world of hate and fear, and the people who hate and fear do not even know it themselves;" (full article)
Back home, and hanging out with MB. Perhaps some guitar.
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