What Did You Do Today? What are you doing today?
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What a sweet and thoughtful gift. Your mom is going to love it!
What a great gift! Your mom should be very touched by the extra thought that went into making it special for her.
I got sleeping beauties for my girlfriends christmas present yesterday. I hope she likes it, we are both huge Stephen King fans.
It's an AWESOME book. I'm still in the middle but enjoying the heck out of it. The actress they have narrating the audio book is fantastic. Love her voice for Evie.
I am trying to read more. I listened to Ransom Riggs Peculiar Tales to see if it would be okay for my grandsons. The first tale was very odd but was a great cautionary against greed and materialism.
Mr. King has a great story where he explores that called Morality. I found it very disturbing but I couldn't stop thinking about it. I think that Mr. King's examination of choices and their after effects is often more scary than the supernatural.
Mr. King has a great story where he explores that called Morality. I found it very disturbing but I couldn't stop thinking about it. I think that Mr. King's examination of choices and their after effects is often more scary than the supernatural.
I was BassDog today. Played two sets at our Unity Day celebration today 
It was fun \w/
Glad I don’t have to schlep my bass on the train anymore though. Trying to navigate a packed train with a bass guitar is challenging!
It was fun \w/
Glad I don’t have to schlep my bass on the train anymore though. Trying to navigate a packed train with a bass guitar is challenging!
The weather was nice enough in the afternoon to have worked outside, but all I did was rake a couple of smaller piles of leaves and such into one larger pile. I wouldn't have gone out at all except I had to pick up a few things at the drugstore. While I was out, I disconnected the lawnmower battery and brought it inside, as it is supposed to be charged once a month between the last fall mowing and the first spring mowing. I went to the basement, where I generally used to work on my computer before moving everything upstairs, and brought up a nice convection space heater purchased online which is better than the radiant heaters available at stores, because the room where I sleep has been freezing. Cleaned and set up the heater.
The other day when The Yearling was on TCM, I looked everywhere upstairs for the book, because I've seen the movie a number of times but only read the book once, and wanted to find a scene near the end which is different, but I couldn't remember what happened in the book. Today I went to the basement and did find the book, in the box of books I was going to bring upstairs next, and brought up that book only. I also watered plants and that was about as much as I had energy for.
The other day when The Yearling was on TCM, I looked everywhere upstairs for the book, because I've seen the movie a number of times but only read the book once, and wanted to find a scene near the end which is different, but I couldn't remember what happened in the book. Today I went to the basement and did find the book, in the box of books I was going to bring upstairs next, and brought up that book only. I also watered plants and that was about as much as I had energy for.
The wife has become addicted to this HQ live trivia app on her iPhone. It’s a live game played every day at 3pm and 9pm with cash prizes ($1,000, split between winners, and if nobody wins it adds to the next game). She’s been playing it for a couple of weeks now. I hear it’s one of the top apps in recent weeks (only on iphone currently but will be available for androids by Christmas). The host is rather funny and entertaining and there are 12 questions that progress from easy to hard. You get one wrong and you’re done. The wife’s record is 6 correct questions. When she started playing there were an average of 60,000 players at the 9pm game. Now it’s over 300,000 players.
Last night’s game we decided to play together. You only have 10 seconds to answer a question, which goes by really quick.
322,000+ players and the game begins. Fast forward: We had gotten to 10 correct answers (including 2 lucky guesses). She is getting excited and asks me how I know all this stuff. I tell her it’s because I’m an evil genius. She replies that’s an odd way to describe a pompous a$$. Isn’t love grand?
We get number 11 correct and she’s ecstatic. She says she doesn’t care if we win or not because she never thought she would ever get this far. Only a little over 100 players left. The question comes up. I say “Mexico City.” She asks if I’m sure as time is running out. I say “YES, DAMMIT... CLICK MEXICO CITY... NOW!”
WINNER!!!
The wife goes wild and starts her happy dance. The 22 winners each get $45.46. Party time! But with the wife’s reaction you’d think we’d won the lottery. I guess all that worthless knowledge rattling around in my noggin is actually good for something. Wish I would have helped her when the prize was at $8,500.
Last night’s game we decided to play together. You only have 10 seconds to answer a question, which goes by really quick.
322,000+ players and the game begins. Fast forward: We had gotten to 10 correct answers (including 2 lucky guesses). She is getting excited and asks me how I know all this stuff. I tell her it’s because I’m an evil genius. She replies that’s an odd way to describe a pompous a$$. Isn’t love grand?
We get number 11 correct and she’s ecstatic. She says she doesn’t care if we win or not because she never thought she would ever get this far. Only a little over 100 players left. The question comes up. I say “Mexico City.” She asks if I’m sure as time is running out. I say “YES, DAMMIT... CLICK MEXICO CITY... NOW!”
WINNER!!!
The wife goes wild and starts her happy dance. The 22 winners each get $45.46. Party time! But with the wife’s reaction you’d think we’d won the lottery. I guess all that worthless knowledge rattling around in my noggin is actually good for something. Wish I would have helped her when the prize was at $8,500.
The wife has become addicted to this HQ live trivia app on her iPhone. It’s a live game played every day at 3pm and 9pm with cash prizes ($1,000, split between winners, and if nobody wins it adds to the next game). She’s been playing it for a couple of weeks now. I hear it’s one of the top apps in recent weeks (only on iphone currently but will be available for androids by Christmas). The host is rather funny and entertaining and there are 12 questions that progress from easy to hard. You get one wrong and you’re done. The wife’s record is 6 correct questions. When she started playing there were an average of 60,000 players at the 9pm game. Now it’s over 300,000 players.
Last night’s game we decided to play together. You only have 10 seconds to answer a question, which goes by really quick.
322,000+ players and the game begins. Fast forward: We had gotten to 10 correct answers (including 2 lucky guesses). She is getting excited and asks me how I know all this stuff. I tell her it’s because I’m an evil genius. She replies that’s an odd way to describe a pompous a$$. Isn’t love grand?
We get number 11 correct and she’s ecstatic. She says she doesn’t care if we win or not because she never thought she would ever get this far. Only a little over 100 players left. The question comes up. I say “Mexico City.” She asks if I’m sure as time is running out. I say “YES, DAMMIT... CLICK MEXICO CITY... NOW!”
WINNER!!!
The wife goes wild and starts her happy dance. The 22 winners each get $45.46. Party time! But with the wife’s reaction you’d think we’d won the lottery. I guess all that worthless knowledge rattling around in my noggin is actually good for something. Wish I would have helped her when the prize was at $8,500.
What a great memory you created with your wife.
Last edited by a moderator:
The wife has become addicted to this HQ live trivia app on her iPhone. It’s a live game played every day at 3pm and 9pm with cash prizes ($1,000, split between winners, and if nobody wins it adds to the next game). She’s been playing it for a couple of weeks now. I hear it’s one of the top apps in recent weeks (only on iphone currently but will be available for androids by Christmas). The host is rather funny and entertaining and there are 12 questions that progress from easy to hard. You get one wrong and you’re done. The wife’s record is 6 correct questions. When she started playing there were an average of 60,000 players at the 9pm game. Now it’s over 300,000 players.
Last night’s game we decided to play together. You only have 10 seconds to answer a question, which goes by really quick.
322,000+ players and the game begins. Fast forward: We had gotten to 10 correct answers (including 2 lucky guesses). She is getting excited and asks me how I know all this stuff. I tell her it’s because I’m an evil genius. She replies that’s an odd way to describe a pompous a$$. Isn’t love grand?
We get number 11 correct and she’s ecstatic. She says she doesn’t care if we win or not because she never thought she would ever get this far. Only a little over 100 players left. The question comes up. I say “Mexico City.” She asks if I’m sure as time is running out. I say “YES, DAMMIT... CLICK MEXICO CITY... NOW!”
WINNER!!!
The wife goes wild and starts her happy dance. The 22 winners each get $45.46. Party time! But with the wife’s reaction you’d think we’d won the lottery. I guess all that worthless knowledge rattling around in my noggin is actually good for something. Wish I would have helped her when the prize was at $8,500.
LOL. You don't know the wife. She'll expect this kind of thing every time we play or I'll be called a doofus. At least it gets her some bragging rights with her Facebook friends who also play... for a little while, anyway.
This was written a couple days ago.
Let's talk international glamor!
Up at 6:30 a.m. in Astana, Kazakhstan, after a not-so-great night. Pack everything, 'cause I'm checking out after the assignment today. Go to assignment. Things go great, finish up, I get needed paperwork out in about 20 minutes at the table. Change in the restroom, ask for an early shuttle to the airport, get it. China Air is whisking me to Taipei. Never flown China Air. I'm curious.
All good. Well, unless we're talking about a fairly unfriendly airport where I walk around, zombified, with no working counter or kiosk until check-in three hours early, 7:30 p.m., and am told I need a visa for where I'm going. No, really, I don't, is my polite response. Are you sure? Yes, this is my third visit to Taiwan this year. I'm sure. And security isn't quite getting the equipment that I'm carrying, but they're going to take their time to try. Then I get approached while sitting at the gate and am told I can't leave because I don't have a return ticket as required.
The last one is the real challenge today. I politely point out that I do have a ticket to leave, from Taiwan to San Fran to Denver. He says, not in his system. I pull up the reservation, I pull up the online paperwork. He's confused. "May I take a picture of your screen?" "Of course," I reply politely. "May I take a picture of your passport?" "Of course," I reply politely.
He's looking at this, looking at his handheld, and saying, "I wonder why this isn't in my system." (Probably because it's United and you're with China Air, but I don't say that out loud.) Then he launches into apologies that he's personally responsible to make sure that the rules get taken care of, and so on. I politely say, "It's not a problem. Thank you for your good work. I'm glad things got worked out to your satisfaction."
Politeness, patience, and perseverance. Fast-forward six or seven hours later in the security line in Beijing, after they've unceremoniously dumped out all my electric cords, plug-ins, router, adaptors into a tray and run it back through. As I patiently wait for all that, I'm next to a guy who doesn't get it. He's vociferously arguing with the security officer that his stuff has already been gone through by police elsewhere. The security officer slows down and and gets yet more thorough. The traveler gets more upset. I collect my tangled gear, stuff it in the bag, and walk away.
You can't play the security game on their turf when they've got all the game officials and can make up the rules as they go along. They deal with anxious people all day long, and their job is to find out if there are problems. Don't be a problem. Give them affirmation for what they're doing, thank them, smile and cooperate, and things go better. I mean, for all I know, that upset guy is still there.
In Beijing, simply getting from gate to gate takes a couple hours of my three-hour stopover. On to Taipei, another three-plus hours of flight. All these miles get me line privileges, yay, because I'm rabid about getting on ASAP to make sure there's overhead space for my carry-on. Then I'm sitting behind a guy who bounces in his seat some and leans it back as much as possible. I'm sitting ahead of a lady who likes to push and prod the seatback in front of her - i.e., me. All part of traveling.
I hit the Taipei airport, and they are being efficient and nice. I get through the immigration station, no visa needed, of course (hah!), and try to catch a shuttle bus to the hotel. Every bus company, when I give them the address, tells me to go to a different bus company. I finally hit the MRT (metro rail) to get me close to my ultimate goal today, my hotel. But once I ride and get to a transfer station, my path is not well marked, a harbinger for walking around Taipei. I walk for seemingly miles, end up outside a couple times, and finally get the correct connecting train (and I have just skimmed over a lot of time and energy in frustration). It takes me to the station from where my hotel is "five minutes away." I can't even find the correct street, and I hail a cab.
The cab driver, Jack, is a great young man, great English, and he does get me to the hotel, and it definitely takes more than five minutes of driving. I tip him well, and karma pays off almost immediately. He had a phone charger for the passengers, guess where I left my phone, and he comes running into the lobby to deliver it to me. What a great guy.
I hit the room, clean up, and walk to my assigned workplace (see picture) for the next day to introduce myself and get the lay of the land. That works well too. On the way back, I explore the neighborhood for groceries and such and find out by sad experience where I don't want to return. I grab some food, and back to the hotel room.
It's been 33 hours since I got up for work the previous day, and I was already tired then. I don't really want to crash out this early. I still have prep to do. Heck, I still have to unjumble all the stuff that the Beijing guys mucked up. I start untangling and putting all the electrics out on the bed so I can put them back in the bag more neatly. I shouldn't be using the bed to do this, but the room is really small, and it's the only surface space I have.
And why shouldn't I be using the bed for this?
You can guess. I didn't last long. Probably seven hours of sleep (yay!) later, and as of this writing it was 2:00 a.m., I'd changed out of the clothes I crashed out in, and I'm putting things together and writing about this. I figured I'd get back to bed when I was done and finish off the night's sleep. The reality didn't quite match the plan.
The glamor!
Let's talk international glamor!
Up at 6:30 a.m. in Astana, Kazakhstan, after a not-so-great night. Pack everything, 'cause I'm checking out after the assignment today. Go to assignment. Things go great, finish up, I get needed paperwork out in about 20 minutes at the table. Change in the restroom, ask for an early shuttle to the airport, get it. China Air is whisking me to Taipei. Never flown China Air. I'm curious.
All good. Well, unless we're talking about a fairly unfriendly airport where I walk around, zombified, with no working counter or kiosk until check-in three hours early, 7:30 p.m., and am told I need a visa for where I'm going. No, really, I don't, is my polite response. Are you sure? Yes, this is my third visit to Taiwan this year. I'm sure. And security isn't quite getting the equipment that I'm carrying, but they're going to take their time to try. Then I get approached while sitting at the gate and am told I can't leave because I don't have a return ticket as required.
The last one is the real challenge today. I politely point out that I do have a ticket to leave, from Taiwan to San Fran to Denver. He says, not in his system. I pull up the reservation, I pull up the online paperwork. He's confused. "May I take a picture of your screen?" "Of course," I reply politely. "May I take a picture of your passport?" "Of course," I reply politely.
He's looking at this, looking at his handheld, and saying, "I wonder why this isn't in my system." (Probably because it's United and you're with China Air, but I don't say that out loud.) Then he launches into apologies that he's personally responsible to make sure that the rules get taken care of, and so on. I politely say, "It's not a problem. Thank you for your good work. I'm glad things got worked out to your satisfaction."
Politeness, patience, and perseverance. Fast-forward six or seven hours later in the security line in Beijing, after they've unceremoniously dumped out all my electric cords, plug-ins, router, adaptors into a tray and run it back through. As I patiently wait for all that, I'm next to a guy who doesn't get it. He's vociferously arguing with the security officer that his stuff has already been gone through by police elsewhere. The security officer slows down and and gets yet more thorough. The traveler gets more upset. I collect my tangled gear, stuff it in the bag, and walk away.
You can't play the security game on their turf when they've got all the game officials and can make up the rules as they go along. They deal with anxious people all day long, and their job is to find out if there are problems. Don't be a problem. Give them affirmation for what they're doing, thank them, smile and cooperate, and things go better. I mean, for all I know, that upset guy is still there.
In Beijing, simply getting from gate to gate takes a couple hours of my three-hour stopover. On to Taipei, another three-plus hours of flight. All these miles get me line privileges, yay, because I'm rabid about getting on ASAP to make sure there's overhead space for my carry-on. Then I'm sitting behind a guy who bounces in his seat some and leans it back as much as possible. I'm sitting ahead of a lady who likes to push and prod the seatback in front of her - i.e., me. All part of traveling.
I hit the Taipei airport, and they are being efficient and nice. I get through the immigration station, no visa needed, of course (hah!), and try to catch a shuttle bus to the hotel. Every bus company, when I give them the address, tells me to go to a different bus company. I finally hit the MRT (metro rail) to get me close to my ultimate goal today, my hotel. But once I ride and get to a transfer station, my path is not well marked, a harbinger for walking around Taipei. I walk for seemingly miles, end up outside a couple times, and finally get the correct connecting train (and I have just skimmed over a lot of time and energy in frustration). It takes me to the station from where my hotel is "five minutes away." I can't even find the correct street, and I hail a cab.
The cab driver, Jack, is a great young man, great English, and he does get me to the hotel, and it definitely takes more than five minutes of driving. I tip him well, and karma pays off almost immediately. He had a phone charger for the passengers, guess where I left my phone, and he comes running into the lobby to deliver it to me. What a great guy.
I hit the room, clean up, and walk to my assigned workplace (see picture) for the next day to introduce myself and get the lay of the land. That works well too. On the way back, I explore the neighborhood for groceries and such and find out by sad experience where I don't want to return. I grab some food, and back to the hotel room.
It's been 33 hours since I got up for work the previous day, and I was already tired then. I don't really want to crash out this early. I still have prep to do. Heck, I still have to unjumble all the stuff that the Beijing guys mucked up. I start untangling and putting all the electrics out on the bed so I can put them back in the bag more neatly. I shouldn't be using the bed to do this, but the room is really small, and it's the only surface space I have.
And why shouldn't I be using the bed for this?
You can guess. I didn't last long. Probably seven hours of sleep (yay!) later, and as of this writing it was 2:00 a.m., I'd changed out of the clothes I crashed out in, and I'm putting things together and writing about this. I figured I'd get back to bed when I was done and finish off the night's sleep. The reality didn't quite match the plan.
The glamor!
Grandpa - I think I got really tired just reading that adventure. Don't know how you do it!! May your work go swiftly and calmly. And thank you for sharing your adventure. How soon before you are back home? Be safe in all travels!
Two Saturdays from now. (It's Thursday my time as I write this.)
I'm in a little writers group, and Grandma and I host an annual Christmas party for them. It's been a new tradition and a great event. Had to cancel it at our house this year because 1) my schedule trashed it and 2) we have some major, and expensive, house rehab that's come up during my absence. Whole 'nother story.
Manifesting quick repairs at minimal expense. Maybe Santa will send some of his elves your way to help out with those repairs.
Just be safe in travels. Bet Grandma is anxious for you to be home again.
Work today.
Guitar lesson and rehearsal for my musicians workshop tonight. Playing bass and guitar in that. Not at the same time though! Not even SwiftDogs are that talented
Guitar lesson and rehearsal for my musicians workshop tonight. Playing bass and guitar in that. Not at the same time though! Not even SwiftDogs are that talented
Grandpa that is such a cool-looking building! I wish I had your patience. Security lines have become obnoxious to the extreme, partially because they know they have the upper hand. But some of the people the TSA hires (Canada and the UK have been able to find nice people, why can't they?!) should be fired asap. One guy in the Kona airport several years ago really had me boiling. I filed a formal complaint, he was that bad. He isn't at that airport anymore.
Even though your party is a no-go for this year and you need to do "house stuff" (ugh), I hope you enjoy your travels (as much as possible) and you arrive safely home when you return. In the meantime, do continue to post pictures and tell us what you're doing.
Even though your party is a no-go for this year and you need to do "house stuff" (ugh), I hope you enjoy your travels (as much as possible) and you arrive safely home when you return. In the meantime, do continue to post pictures and tell us what you're doing.
Today I managed to get a few gifts under the tree and pulled out my address book and calligraphy pen in preparation for the (ominous music) HOLIDAY CARD LIST (gasp). 
After reading ominous music, in my head I heard...dun dun DUNNNNN!Today I managed to get a few gifts under the tree and pulled out my address book and calligraphy pen in preparation for the (ominous music) HOLIDAY CARD LIST (gasp).
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