Archive for November, 2009

Flower girls

Monday, November 16th, 2009


Here are LRN4 and LRN12 with flowers behind their ears. Very subtle. Taken at the Young Women fund-raiser Mexican dinner on Saturday night. Great Art courtesy of the exclusive iPhone-cam.

The dinner was fun, the food was good, and I spent way too much money at the silent auction. Bought a bunch of babysitting, among a few other things. I also have somebody to wrap all my Christmas presents for me. So they might actually look nice this year.

Time’s short tonight. The Miata’s hydraulic clutch leaked all its fluid out before we noticed it again today, so LRN2 was unable to use the car today. Since the Suburban is already at the shop (current estimate: $1700), a quick repair was imperative. LRN2 and I got it done in good time, but it’s already late, and Home Evening was pretty short too. Activity was . . . auto repair. Fortunately, the Miata is really easy to work on. Also watching Beauty and the Beast, which is a favorite around here these days. I’m rooting for the Beast.

Spoke in church on Sunday, at the Young Single Adults ward. Attendance was moderately light – maybe a few more than at the Spanish branch – but there was a good spirit there and I enjoyed being there. Felt like I hadn’t prepared enough material. Ended up using only about half of what I had prepared. As usual.

So let’s end with today’s Bad Idea news. If I were a turkey, I might think of lying low this time of year.

See you tomorrow.

New car

Thursday, November 12th, 2009


Here’s LRN4’s new car. I have no idea what kind of car it was, but I like it. A lot. I want one. Picture taken in Victoria, BC, during our cruise. Part of my famous Machinery series.

Pretty good day. It’s gotten pretty cool around here, but was way up in the fifties when I left this morning, although it only went up to about 63. Brrr! Even cooler weather is on the way next week.

Nothing much else new today. LRN5 is over for the evening, which is nice for LRN12. I have no idea how long she’s staying.

We’ll finish with today’s food violence news: a taco-tossing son. Bad son! Bad son!

Angry pumpkin

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009


Here are LRN4 and LRN12 with their Angry Pumpkin on Halloween. LRN2 made a Happy Pumpkin but, sadly, I didn’t get any pictures of it. It was really neat, though. Photo courtesy of the exclusive iPhone-cam. Part of my famous Statue series.

No post yesterday. I was sick. There was plenty of time for blogging, but I wasted most of it sleeping. Not that I regret that. I feel much better today; thanks for asking.

Normal work day. Got a few things done, left a few for tomorrow. As usual. The train wasn’t very full in either direction, what with Veterans’ Day.

Speaking of which, Happy Veterans’ Day! Hug a veteran near you.

We have some particularly shocking Food Violence news tonight: they’re eating airplanes. Fortunately, duct tape can fix anything. Literally.

See you tomorrow.

Oncoming train

Monday, November 9th, 2009


Here’s an oncoming train. Picture taken at the Santa Clara ACE/Amtrak platform. This particular train was an Amtrak, which I do not ride. I do photograph it, however. Great Art courtesy of the exclusive iPhone-cam and part of my famous Machinery and Train series.

I think the sky was kind of pretty that day.

Extreme Short Shrift. It’s late and I’m sleepy. My Mac updated itself this evening and never started back up. Had to force-quit it and give it another try. Worked perfectly that time. But I wasted a lot of time waiting the first time. And did I mention I’m sleepy?

Nice weekend. It was great visiting with LRN9. And everything else we did. Whatever that was. Oh, yeah – LRN5 was here for a few days too, which was great, especially for LRN12, who was truly happy to be with her mom. LRN5’s coming over again on Thursday.

LRN12 and LRN2 have both been suffering with cold symptoms. Get well soon, Loyal Readers! I’m not sure if I’m coming down with it too. I’m feeling a wee bit feverish, possibly, and just kind of achy and uncomfortable. But maybe that’s just the way I am. Time will tell. Stay well, Loyal Blogger!

I’ll end today with what I think is an entirely reasonable malady – vegetable panic. I think I may have it, in fact.

See you tomorrow.

Fire truck

Friday, November 6th, 2009


Here’s LRN12 responding to an emergency at Chuck E. Cheese this evening during her third-birthday-palooza. Great Art courtesy of the exclusive iPhone-cam. Part of my famous Machinery series.

Pretty good day, except that this afternoon’s train appears to have struck a pedestrian (I hope they survived!) and never arrived. After getting the word, I got back in the pickup and drove home, which wasn’t a satisfying solution, it being a slightly rainy Friday evening. Took a long time and the traffic was terrible, but I beat the train. So it worked out.

I heard later that an Amtrak train with which we share the tracks also hit somebody and killed them. Very bad night for commuter trains.

Update – This article says both people died. Very sad for the victims and their families, and certainly a trauma for my friends who work on the train as well.

I’m also very saddened to report that my friend Mark Forsyth has passed away. We knew the Forsyths in Pennsylvania – Mark’s wife Liz was LRN2’s organ teacher and they became good friends. They’re wonderful people and we’re still in a bit of shock over Mark’s death. We have no idea what happened.

All is otherwise well and normal. Looking forward to the weekend. LRN9 is coming to visit on Saturday and staying until sometime Sunday. Haven’t seen him for quite some time. He’s apparently coming to town on business and was able to come a bit early (or stay a bit late – that’s not clear to me yet) to visit us, for which I’m truly grateful. I have to spend a few hours at Youth Conference and give a 10-minute talk on Saturday and attend another high council-type meeting on Sunday afternoon, along with normal church meetings, including an early arrival to prepare for the choir performance during sacrament meeting. Otherwise, I’m pretty much as free as a bird. And just as neat.

No post Thursday. Had a busy and pleasant evening. Thanks to Anon for noticing, as usual.

We’ll end with some important gaming news: maybe this guy should try something a little less complex. Candy Land might be a good idea. But definitely not this.

See you tomorrow.