morrowlife

Here are Loyal Reader Number Four and one of her many colleagues working on an old Hiller helicopter. Part of both my famous Statue series and my famous Machinery series.

Merry Christmas! We had a great day. Lots of presents were given and received, new stuff was played with, video games were played, He-Man cartoons were watched (that show was so bad it was great), a new jigsaw puzzle was started (and will probably be finished tonight), and a general nice time was had by all. I’m sorry the day is over.

But it is, and I’m exhausted. We stayed up way late again last night, what with preparations for the holiday. We slept in quite late, but it still wasn’t quite enough. Need more sleep tonight.

Tomorrow morning is shooting time (at the range down the road, that is) for the boys and shopping time for the girls. Except that some of the girls might be coming for shooting time too. I’m hoping it’s not raining. The Weather Channel is calling for cool but mostly sunny weather. So there’s hope.

I played with my TomTom for quite a while today – it’s pretty cool. I never went out of the house other than the back yard, so I haven’t actually used it to navigate anywhere, but I’m looking forward to trying it out in the car tomorrow. It locks on to satellites really easily and knows where all the roads are. I updated it online, and discovered you can put your own splash screens, voices, map updates, and lots of other stuff on it. I especially like the ability to do custom voices. I just might try that.

Also love my new Seiko watch. It’s small and light, unlike the monstrosity I’ve been using lately.

Lots of other new stuff to talk about, but it’s too late. See you tomorrow.

Here’s a plasticky-looking lady in the Victorian Christmas Farmhouse, getting ready for Christmas. Picture courtesy of the exclusive Treo-cam. Part of my famous Statue series.

Great day! Loyal Readers Numbers Three and Fifteen arrived mid-day. We’ve been enjoying the day. Games are being played, computers are being worked on, shopping was done, wrapping is happening (and there’s more to come), great food was eaten, cookies were baked, home teachers visited, Loyal Reader Number Twenty-Four spent much of the day, and . . . let’s see . . . lots of other fun things happened. Oh, and I worked for a few hours. But we won’t count that.

So my first official day off was a great one.

We’ve decided where to go on Christmas Eve. We’re checking out the Hiller Aviation Museum. LRN3 has been requesting it for a few years now. Loyal Reader Number Five preferred the Asian Art Museum, but we think Loyal Reader Number Twelve might not do as well there this year. Maybe next year.

We went to the wacky light house last night. It was as lighted-up as last year, but it was cold, windy, and raining. There weren’t many people there, there was no Santa, and there was no hot chocolate. On the positive side, there was plenty of nearby parking. We took a quick look, got back in the car, and went home for our own hot chocolate. I’m glad we went, but the weather was not very favorable.

Good news! My recently-ordered Christmas present arrived in the mail today. Bad news! LRN15’s gift that was ordered before mine and for which quick delivery was paid still hasn’t arrived. As I mentioned to her, I guess I’ve been good this year and she hasn’t. Do better next time, LRN15.

Nothing else to write about tonight. Film festival tomorrow, which will be duly reported on. More Great Art will be shot over the next few days. See you tomorrow.

Here’s a guy I saw in a Chinese restaurant in an airport. Maybe in Chicago. But I don’t remember. Looks like maybe he’s been eating a little too much. Picture courtesy of the now-retired famous RAZR-cam. Part of my famous Statue series.

The need for new Great Art grows ever more desperate. Fortunately, we have a camping trip scheduled for Thanksgiving weekend. Plus, it’s a campground we’ve never visited before, so I’ll be looking at things with a fresh eye. So hang on for a few more weeks, Loyal Readers.

There’s also the ward Halloween party this Friday, if I can remember my camera. Which will probably be difficult, as I’m planning to leave the office an hour early and go directly from the station to the church. I’ll have to either leave it in the trunk in the morning or ask the Loyal Readers to bring it for me.

I hear that Loyal Reader Number One received his computer’s memory stick in the mail and got it installed today. Hey, it’s working great! It’s amazing how much faster your computer gets when you quintuple the memory.

Speaking of Macs, I ordered Office 2008 this afternoon. We get it through work for twenty bucks, so I couldn’t resist. I recently got iWork, which I like very much (although I must admit I’m still having a hard time wrapping my mind around its paradigm), and the latest Beta of Open Office works quite well on a Mac, but there are times when you would like to have Office. Unfortunately.

I also installed Office 2007 on my laptop today. I don’t hate it yet, but I haven’t really used it much so far. I’m sure it won’t grow on me.

Today’s Morrowlife controversy: Does this look like a good retirement home?

Financial Juggernaut update: I’m up to $7.29! At this rate, I’ll be able to afford that retirement home Real Soon Now.

See you tomorrow.

Here’s an odd bit of statuary in downtown Nice, France. Somebody actually paid for this. Possibly a lot of money. Part of my famous Statue series.

The weekend is here! As discussed before, Loyal Readers Numbers Five and Twelve are here. LRN12 is even cuter than on her last visit, if that’s possible. And it is. The pickup is at my friend Dave’s mechanic, as discussed before. His name is Vito. He does indeed work out of his barn, which is a beautiful, well-stocked, but very crowded building. His family invited us to dinner. I have high hopes for good work.

Otherwise, I’m looking forward to the weekend. I have a few computer software things to do and I would like to wash the Honda and the Sable. Otherwise, I’m pretty open.

Loyal Reader Number One called this afternoon. His interview with Apple appears to have gone very well, and he’s quite hopeful. He’s done everything he could do, so he should be pleased with himself whether he gets the job or not. Best of luck, LRN1!

Loyal Reader Number Twenty-Three called this evening. He’s thinking of buying a newer, bigger boat than the one he has now. Sounds like he’ll probably do it. Good luck with it, LRN23!

Time for bed. See you tomorrow.

Here’s a statue of a . . . umm . . . wolf? Dog? Coyote? Mongoose? Wolverine? Something else? Anway, it was wearing a yellow suit and the picture was taken in downtown Sacramento several months ago when we went to see Phantom of the Opera and is courtesy of the exclusive – and now retired – RAZR-cam. Part of my famous Statue series.

The blog is in bad shape, Great Art-wise. I’m really in barrel scraping mode. I need to get out more and not leave my camera at home so much. But mostly I need to get out more. Maybe Saturday.

Speaking of Saturday, my late friend John’s memorial service is Saturday morning. We’ll attend, of course. He will be missed by his friends, who are many.

Loyal Readers Numbers Five and Twelve are coming over this weekend. Loyal Reader Number Six is staying behind for some much-needed Alone Time. We’ll miss him, but can’t argue with his logic.

Thanks to my Loyal Readers for their comments on yesterday’s controversy. What’s the scariest car you’ve ever seen? My answer: I’d have to say it’s a toss-up between the Aztek (link warning: I believe the car shown is the concept version that’s not nearly as ugly as the production model) and the Pacer. However, the Lincoln Versailles gave them both a run for their money.

Loyal Reader Number Two’s recovery continues to go well. The doctor warned us to expect a downturn on the third or fourth day, so we’re hoping things at least maintain. Keep those sympathy rays (and prayers, of course) coming.

I have a meeting with my friend Bill tonight, so I’m cutting out now. See you tomorrow.