morrowlife

Here’s another abstract vision from the exclusive Treo-cam. It’s the salt factory near my office. Also near the train tracks. It’s abstract because of the appallingly low quality of the Treo-cam, which Loyal Reader Number One and I are trying to turn into a popular art form.

Here‘s a link to some higher-resolution photos of the same place taken from roughly the same location. Now honestly, which picture do you like better. Okay, not so honestly.

The weekend’s over. Sigh. And what did I accomplish? If we had asked that rhetorical question Friday evening, I might have been hard pressed to come up with anything besides Relaxation. Which isn’t an inconsiderable thing, mind you.

But Saturday was a different story, full of accomplishments. Let’s tally, shall we?

Cleaned the pond filter. Got the Honda and Sable washed. Got rich and famous. Built a working rocket launch pad. That’s about it.

About the rich and famous thing. Loyal Reader Number Four and I took my car for gas and a car wash. No problem. Then we took her car for gas and a car wash. We were greeted by the car wash owner, who informed us we were the lucky fifteen thousandth customer, for which we were rewarded with a month-long unlimited car wash pass and our picture in the paper. Fame and fortune. It’s nice at the top.

About the launch pad thing. It’s the water rocket (link advisory: this is a picture of my old friend Dan and one of his famous multi-bottle water rockets) launcher discussed Friday. We built it. It works. Sort of. Almost. Well, it gets up to 40 PSI, anyway, after which it can’t take the pressure and starts leaking. A little tweak or two and we’ll be up to the required 60 PSI level. Even in its crippled state, though, it’s really cool. Our couple of test launches of an unmodified bottle with a non-scientifically determined water level and substandard pressure flew up to fifty feet or so. I’ll take a picture and post it Real Soon Now.

They’re finally cracking down on crime in Ohio. Thank goodness.

Today’s Morrowlife controversy: Is it too late for England? My answer: Yes.

See you tomorrow.

Here’s an abstract vision of rail travel’s past and present. Snapped a couple days ago with the famous Treo-cam as a freight train passed on the next track.

As discussed yesterday, I was home today. Did about two hours of telecons in the morning and a few minutes of time cards this afternoon, but that was it for work. So did I accomplish all those things I mentioned yesterday?

No. Of course not. Maybe tomorrow.

We did go to Home Depot and buy the bits and pieces we need for a water rocket launcher for Loyal Readers Numbers Two and Four to use at the Science Olympiad. We’re going with a hybrid design, based on several plans we’ve seen online.

One of the events at the Olympiad is making a water rocket out of a one-liter bottle that will launch an egg. You get points for how long the rocket is in the air, with additions for returning the egg unbroken and for having some separating parts. We need to make our own launcher for the team to practice.

It occurred to me this afternoon that it’s been a long time since we jacuzzified. I’m thinking of going out there tonight to make up for it. LRN4 has been working hard on getting the Hanging Gardens of Lardville ready for winter, and it’s looking very nice back there.

It should be a perfect night for being out, too. It was about 90 degrees today, as predicted, and it’ll probably still be well over 70 by 9:00 or so. Perfect comfort.

They’ve finally found a use for Disco music, thirty years after the fact. Still, better late than never. After reading the article, I can’t get that tune out of my head, so I guess I’m ready to save a life.

– Later –

Just got out of the jacuzzi. Turns out it was the perfect night.

See you Monday.

Here’s one more picture of a Proton from my deep archives. I have got to get out and take some more Great Art. Maybe a brief vacation is in order.

I missed an important milestone yesterday. It was my 600th post! Great celebration, huh? Woo hoo! Welcome to number 601.

The work week’s over. Although I’ll probably end up working several hours tomorrow anyway. I at least have to prepare for and hold my 10:00 meeting. Also do timecards. Also fill out an overdue form telling how we’re complying with some corporate requirements.

On the personal side, I must wash the Honda and Sable this weekend. Then there’s a bunch of stuff I want to do on the Sudoku Solver program. I have some ideas for a better user interface as well as a beefed-up solution algorithm and a general code cleanup. Then I need to come up with a design for the Spinfo site that will actually allow me to post software on it. I want a nice stylish, clean design for once, so I’m not going to just slap something up there. I’m thinking Blacktree Software as an example (although I think their design has gotten less impressive with time). Do any of my Loyal Readers have other sample websites that feature stylish, tasteful, and cool design? I’d love to check them out.

Loyal Reader Number Two’s recovery continues, though slowly. He’s not relying on painkillers right now, and he’s not feeling very good. It’s hard to figure out whether he needs medical advice or whether things are still on track. I think we’re going to call the doctor tomorrow and see what he has to say. Keep those prayers coming, Loyal Readers! Not to mention sympathy rays.

Time for bed. See you tomorrow.

Here’s Christmas in Cannes a few years back. Very festive.

Warm weather again today – we’re having another little heat wave. It’s supposed to be back above 90 degrees by Friday, with lows in the lower fifties. Then back to more standard highs/lows of 70s/40s within a couple more days. I’ve worn my light jacket a time or two lately because of the cool fall mornings.

Fall is definitely here. The tomato trucks are dropping tomatoes at all the street corners, and the pumpkin fields are pretty full. The corn maze has been open since the first if the month. I’d like to go one of these upcoming Mondays. Maybe next week.

No leaves down yet, though. Let’s not be ridiculous.

Who knew the Hubble Space Telescope’s computers were running Windows?

I’ve seen an old, rusty steam locomotive parked behind a building near Fremont. It’s visible from the train. I keep hoping to get a photograph, but I haven’t identified any waypoints nearby, so I keep missing it. Maybe tomorrow. I think it might turn out to be Great Art.

Loyal Reader Number Two took the PSAT this morning. He thinks it went pretty well. Good job, LRN2!

Speaking of LRN2, he’s still not feeling very well. He can’t eat without pain – even soft foods. Loyal Reader Number Four may check in with the doctor to see if he’s still on track, healing-wise.

Just in case Loyal Reader Number One can’t get the Monkey Man job with ACE, I have another opportunity for him: restaurant worker!

Loyal Reader Number Five wonders why we canceled our traditional Saturday morning breakfast the other day when they just happened to be there. There were no sinister motives, but thanks for the idea. Sadly, the state of LRN2’s throat was still not allowing him to take much solid food. The breakfast is merely postponed. We’re talking about the 25th now. Presumably, the nearby Loyal Readers will be here, and we can all go together.

I have to agree with Loyal Reader Number One’s observation about the Lazy Dog Inn (see yesterday’s comments). You might not want to leave your pet in their “Doggie Play Area” without checking it out pretty carefully.

Otherwise, no news from me. See you tomorrow.

Here are Loyal Readers Numbers One and Two posing as bobbleheads. Taken at Jellystone Park during a camping trip in Virginia long, long ago. Part of my famous Camping series.

That picture was in honor of LRN1’s 18th birthday. Happy birthday, LRN1! You haven’t changed a bit. You can now vote. Use this superpower wisely.

Worked like a dog. And not like Loyal Pet Number One, either. I prefer it the other way.

Thanks for the many thoughtful comments yesterday. I’ve decided to use the Mighty Putty to tow just the Suburban, but to do it uphill, and with the transmission in Park. Now there’s a challenge for you.

Maybe I should try it on somebody else‘s car first, though.

I’ve found the perfect job for any college-student Loyal Readers who aren’t able to get a great Apple gig next summer: Monkey Man! (Link warning: strange news report with sound.) We could use one on the ACE train.

Time for other things. See you tomorrow.