Wednesday, July 04, 2012
Tuesday, July 03, 2012
Observation
I never doubt why I married my wife, but there are times when I am surprised and delighted by something she says or does -- particularly when it results in me coming out of an intense funk.
Monday, July 02, 2012
Who are you?
Sometimes, people aren't who we think they are. Sometimes, they really aren't.
As in, for example, the case of Alan Z. Feuer.
As in, for example, the case of Alan Z. Feuer.
Sunday, July 01, 2012
Dragon
Last night, I went out to Redbox to pick up two comedies, but, to my surprise, one of them that the website assured me was there, wasn't. So I picked up The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. I asked my wife which she'd like to watch first, and she said Dragon -- if it's no good, we can switch to the other.
We've yet to see the comedy. From the initial moments, Dragon captivated us. It's an intense, powerful film. Some of what they showed startled us and made us glad our daughter wasn't watching with us, but from start to finish, we were captivated. When it was done, we thought Wow.
It's not for everyone, but it's excellent.
We've yet to see the comedy. From the initial moments, Dragon captivated us. It's an intense, powerful film. Some of what they showed startled us and made us glad our daughter wasn't watching with us, but from start to finish, we were captivated. When it was done, we thought Wow.
It's not for everyone, but it's excellent.
July
July, we're not so sure about.
The reason? Since January, we have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the French family with whom we'd stayed, last year. Back in January, they said they'd be coming in July, and we thought Great! We've thought about places to take them, we've cleaned and rearranged furniture, we've looked at recipes for foods that they might like -- American foods, yes, but not the run-of-the-mill stuff that we eat all the time. We wrote to them, six or seven or ten times, to say that we were thinking of them, we were hoping they can stay a long time. Asking when they'd come, so that we could make some reservations for some popular attractions. We thought of New York, the Statue of Liberty, Washington, perhaps Williamsburg. What would you like?
We did not receive a single response. Not one.
To say that this flummoxed us is to put it mildly.
Perhaps we were entirely wrong about them. Or perhaps we were right, but things happened to change their minds about us, or the whole idea of coming. Or maybe they just don't believe in the concept of answering letters. Whatever. All we know right now is, if they come, we'll be pleased, delighted even, but still: a little disgruntled. Why didn't you answer? we'll be thinking. And if they don't? Even more so.
I've mentioned this to some of the French people I've spoken with, trying to find out if, perhaps, this is considered normal for French people. And to a man, they've been surprised. No response? Nothing at all? They shake their heads. One of them said This is why I don't trust people.
I still trust them, but I'm beginning to wonder if I'm just being a sap, again.
And like poking at a tooth that aches, I can't stop thinking about it.
The reason? Since January, we have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the French family with whom we'd stayed, last year. Back in January, they said they'd be coming in July, and we thought Great! We've thought about places to take them, we've cleaned and rearranged furniture, we've looked at recipes for foods that they might like -- American foods, yes, but not the run-of-the-mill stuff that we eat all the time. We wrote to them, six or seven or ten times, to say that we were thinking of them, we were hoping they can stay a long time. Asking when they'd come, so that we could make some reservations for some popular attractions. We thought of New York, the Statue of Liberty, Washington, perhaps Williamsburg. What would you like?
We did not receive a single response. Not one.
To say that this flummoxed us is to put it mildly.
Perhaps we were entirely wrong about them. Or perhaps we were right, but things happened to change their minds about us, or the whole idea of coming. Or maybe they just don't believe in the concept of answering letters. Whatever. All we know right now is, if they come, we'll be pleased, delighted even, but still: a little disgruntled. Why didn't you answer? we'll be thinking. And if they don't? Even more so.
I've mentioned this to some of the French people I've spoken with, trying to find out if, perhaps, this is considered normal for French people. And to a man, they've been surprised. No response? Nothing at all? They shake their heads. One of them said This is why I don't trust people.
I still trust them, but I'm beginning to wonder if I'm just being a sap, again.
And like poking at a tooth that aches, I can't stop thinking about it.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Planning
Today we talked with the guy who set up our trusts. Although he did not say we should move our money from the big financial company that has it, he strongly suggested we at least talk with some local financial planners that he knows and respects. Coming from someone we trust, that means a lot.
Evening
Tonight I had a total of three calls on Skype, two of them overlapping a third. The third was particularly interesting as it was a person I know who wanted to practice some English immediately in preparation for an English proficiency test tomorow. I think I was able to help. I hope so.
Not so successful was the second call, which I terminated to take the third one. I was talking with a young woman whose father, an architect/construction manager is having difficulties with his company -- there have apparently been a lot of slowdowns, and he's concerned about the future of his company. I tried to console her a bit, but there's really not a lot I could offer. I felt a little badly about ending the call early, but that other one seemed urgent to me.
And I spoke briefly with a man in south eastern France -- at least, I think that's where he is. Nothing substantial, though. We're scheduled to talk on Thursday evening.
Still haven't heard anything from either the family who's supposed to come here in July or from the man I used to talk with two and three times a week. Both are disappointing to me.
Not so successful was the second call, which I terminated to take the third one. I was talking with a young woman whose father, an architect/construction manager is having difficulties with his company -- there have apparently been a lot of slowdowns, and he's concerned about the future of his company. I tried to console her a bit, but there's really not a lot I could offer. I felt a little badly about ending the call early, but that other one seemed urgent to me.
And I spoke briefly with a man in south eastern France -- at least, I think that's where he is. Nothing substantial, though. We're scheduled to talk on Thursday evening.
Still haven't heard anything from either the family who's supposed to come here in July or from the man I used to talk with two and three times a week. Both are disappointing to me.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Reading
Finished Bond Girl. Not bad. I only skipped over about three pages, where a scene seemed to be going on a long time.
Cooking
Cooking just plain old burgers is good.
But cooking one that's got garlic salt, beaten egg, grated onion, kosher salt, and pepper mixed in with the ground beef, then served with buttered/toasted bread that has cheese and sliced onion with it....
Much better. It would not be an exaggeration to say that this is what I expected from French cooking.
(Found many places, including here.)
But cooking one that's got garlic salt, beaten egg, grated onion, kosher salt, and pepper mixed in with the ground beef, then served with buttered/toasted bread that has cheese and sliced onion with it....
Much better. It would not be an exaggeration to say that this is what I expected from French cooking.
(Found many places, including here.)
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Observation
Tonight we spent a little time looking at the pretty chart that the financial planner sent us. Basically, he wants me to start taking Social Security this year, and my pension, such as it is, next year, and to make up the difference between those and our monthly expenses by withdrawing from my 401(k) and other sources. Which, if followed to the limit he projects, would mean that one of my 401k(s) would be depleted in 10 years. This is not a bad thing, because I have another, and because it doesn't even touch my wife's 401(k), which is larger than both of mine. We;d start drawing from it after drawing mine down, and it would be handily supplemented by pension and Social Security. I know, numerically, that we'll be fine.
Still....it's unsettling to contemplate. Even knowing that we're projected to have a large number -- what we consider to be a large number, and thank you, belle-mere, for mentioning today that when you retired, you thought you had a comfortable amount, and now you're a little nervous; it's a big enough number that I joked to my wife that we ought to vote Republican -- doesn't help me feel calm. Which is why I am writing now instead of going to sleep as I'd originally planned.
Still....it's unsettling to contemplate. Even knowing that we're projected to have a large number -- what we consider to be a large number, and thank you, belle-mere, for mentioning today that when you retired, you thought you had a comfortable amount, and now you're a little nervous; it's a big enough number that I joked to my wife that we ought to vote Republican -- doesn't help me feel calm. Which is why I am writing now instead of going to sleep as I'd originally planned.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Questionable
Even knowing that this is a trick question....even having seen it before.....I still got it wrong.
Here’s a simple arithmetic question:
A bat and ball cost a dollar and ten cents. The bat costs a dollar more than the ball. How much does the ball cost?
Here’s a simple arithmetic question:
A bat and ball cost a dollar and ten cents. The bat costs a dollar more than the ball. How much does the ball cost?
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Well, Then...
A little bit of a scary time. My wife's decided, with my support, to take the early retirement option that her company is offering. If all goes as we expect, she'll be retired from this company as of August 31 of this year. She doesn't really want to, but given how this company has shown a propensity to lay off some very bright and capable people with no warning, and given that the CEO says she wants to lean-down the company, and has indicated that she isn't fond of mainframe business, we think it's a reasonable decision.
There are some alternate possibilities. One is that they will refuse to accept her acceptance of the offer. That might happen if they're swamped by people saying Yes. We think that unlikely. Another is that they accept her acceptance, but then turn around and fire her between now and August 31. That's a little more likely, but still not very likely.
So, that's that.
We're doing the reasonable things. We've looked at the forecast that we have of our both routine and extraordinary expenses for the next thirty years. (There is, alas, no way to forecast unforeseen expenses, though I wonder if there is a way to make a 'best guess'). We've talked to a financial planner from the company that handles our 401(k)s, and is handling this transition. We've given our best shot of ongoing routine and forecasted extraordinary expenses, as well as forecasted revenue streams from 401(k)s, pensions, and Social Security to the financial planner, who liked what he saw enough to suggest that we ought to consider hiring them for their Premium advisory service. (That's a notch above call-them-and-get-some-rookie-in-Bangalore.) He also asked if we've considered any charitable giving. It's a good thought, though, when I heard it, I mouthed to my wife - this was a teleconference with the planner - How much money does this guy think we have? Next week we talk with our estate planning tax guy -- he set up a couple of trusts for us, last year, which are intended to ensure that money after the death of one of us will go to the other, and not to Uncle Sam. At least, not as much of it as Uncle Sam would like. We've arranged for the financial planner and the tax guy to coordinate with each other.
Our best guess is that we're fine. Better than fine. We expect to be fine for the foreseeable future, too.
But you never know. Inflation could spike - right now, it's about 2%; in the 70s, it was as high as 7%. Granted, interest rates would go up at the same time, but not as much as inflation. That could be pretty awful. Or we could have abrupt significant expenses, sell-the-house-and-find-an-apartment expenses.
So it's a little scary. But we think its the right thing to do. Check back with us in twenty years.
There are some alternate possibilities. One is that they will refuse to accept her acceptance of the offer. That might happen if they're swamped by people saying Yes. We think that unlikely. Another is that they accept her acceptance, but then turn around and fire her between now and August 31. That's a little more likely, but still not very likely.
So, that's that.
We're doing the reasonable things. We've looked at the forecast that we have of our both routine and extraordinary expenses for the next thirty years. (There is, alas, no way to forecast unforeseen expenses, though I wonder if there is a way to make a 'best guess'). We've talked to a financial planner from the company that handles our 401(k)s, and is handling this transition. We've given our best shot of ongoing routine and forecasted extraordinary expenses, as well as forecasted revenue streams from 401(k)s, pensions, and Social Security to the financial planner, who liked what he saw enough to suggest that we ought to consider hiring them for their Premium advisory service. (That's a notch above call-them-and-get-some-rookie-in-Bangalore.) He also asked if we've considered any charitable giving. It's a good thought, though, when I heard it, I mouthed to my wife - this was a teleconference with the planner - How much money does this guy think we have? Next week we talk with our estate planning tax guy -- he set up a couple of trusts for us, last year, which are intended to ensure that money after the death of one of us will go to the other, and not to Uncle Sam. At least, not as much of it as Uncle Sam would like. We've arranged for the financial planner and the tax guy to coordinate with each other.
Our best guess is that we're fine. Better than fine. We expect to be fine for the foreseeable future, too.
But you never know. Inflation could spike - right now, it's about 2%; in the 70s, it was as high as 7%. Granted, interest rates would go up at the same time, but not as much as inflation. That could be pretty awful. Or we could have abrupt significant expenses, sell-the-house-and-find-an-apartment expenses.
So it's a little scary. But we think its the right thing to do. Check back with us in twenty years.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Bridesmaids
I occasionally see bride-and-entourage pictures, and they're usually pleasant, sometimes banal.
And then there are these ladies....
And then there are these ladies....
Words That Work
I've been reading this book, and I have to say that while part of it is interesting, part of it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
The author says, multiple times, that all he does is encourage people to use clear, straightforward language, and to select words that either do or do not carry baggage (depending on whether it's baggage you want), and that is a lot of what he does, but not all of it. There's something slimy about his techniques. It's analogous to when people say if you don't have anything to hide, you shouldn't object to being searched, as if the right to privacy means nothing. They just slither right past it, acting as if your desire to keep your privacy is proof that you're hiding something. This guy twists words with a wide-eyed innocent who, me? I'm just helping people communicate better attitude. That is what he's doing, but he's doing it in a slithery way.
There's useful information in the book, but I find that I'm skimming it a lot.
The author says, multiple times, that all he does is encourage people to use clear, straightforward language, and to select words that either do or do not carry baggage (depending on whether it's baggage you want), and that is a lot of what he does, but not all of it. There's something slimy about his techniques. It's analogous to when people say if you don't have anything to hide, you shouldn't object to being searched, as if the right to privacy means nothing. They just slither right past it, acting as if your desire to keep your privacy is proof that you're hiding something. This guy twists words with a wide-eyed innocent who, me? I'm just helping people communicate better attitude. That is what he's doing, but he's doing it in a slithery way.
There's useful information in the book, but I find that I'm skimming it a lot.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Yearbook
When I was in high school, I got a yearbook each year, but once I had moved out, I didn't want them any more.
This year, seeing my daughter's yearbook, I had a sudden burst of nostalgia, wishing that my parents had kept them. So, with some misgivings, I went to the Classmates web site, and found that they had a yearbook from one year that I was there. I ordered one (it's expensive!), and it arrived today. Its not pristine; they buy yearbooks, including whatever scribbling was in there, and scan them for resale - but it looks just like the original (I was expecting a cheap photocopy, never mind the price.) I was glad to see it.
And seeing that seventeen-year-old me delighted me.....
This year, seeing my daughter's yearbook, I had a sudden burst of nostalgia, wishing that my parents had kept them. So, with some misgivings, I went to the Classmates web site, and found that they had a yearbook from one year that I was there. I ordered one (it's expensive!), and it arrived today. Its not pristine; they buy yearbooks, including whatever scribbling was in there, and scan them for resale - but it looks just like the original (I was expecting a cheap photocopy, never mind the price.) I was glad to see it.
And seeing that seventeen-year-old me delighted me.....
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Electoral Thoughts
I'll most likely vote for Obama no matter what. I believe that Obama is the better of the two, that Romney will lie and
distort, and that having him as President would be a very bad thing. We would have a smart person with the morals of George W. Bush.
But this evening, I saw an Obama ad saying that Romney said he could create jobs when he was governor of Massachusetts, and they lost jobs. I wondered: can he be blamed for that? I would be willing to believe that he did try. And if he did, if thats true, then the Obama team is doing their own version of lying. Is that our style?
On the other hand, playing fair could cost the election. Losing elections is the Democratic style. I don't want to lose.
But this evening, I saw an Obama ad saying that Romney said he could create jobs when he was governor of Massachusetts, and they lost jobs. I wondered: can he be blamed for that? I would be willing to believe that he did try. And if he did, if thats true, then the Obama team is doing their own version of lying. Is that our style?
On the other hand, playing fair could cost the election. Losing elections is the Democratic style. I don't want to lose.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Monday, June 11, 2012
Financial Planning
So do I take Social Security first, on the assumption that it's going to go bankrupt, and so I should get some of my money while I can, or do I take 401(k) first, on the assumption that the struggling company that owns it may give in to the temptation to raid the funds?
Decisions, decisions....
Decisions, decisions....
Saturday, June 09, 2012
Friday, June 08, 2012
Remember
I was looking through some images that I've saved, and came across this. It still tugs at my heart.
Tuesday, June 05, 2012
Observation
It's a delight to see the joy and enthusiasm of newly-minted high school graduates, but boy, it can make you feel old.
Monday, June 04, 2012
Reacting
Every so often, I do something dumb as a parent.
Last night, while I was trying to get her laptop to work, my daughter took the opportunity to write CLEAN ME in the dust on the picture of her mother that I've kept on the bureau since we were married. It irritated me.
Walking up the hall, I thought "Don't do this."
Seeing her grin when I said Someone wrote Clean Me, I thought "Don't do this."
I did it anyway. Said Don't do that. And saw the light die in her eyes.
She'll get over it. I'll get over it.
But still....
Last night, while I was trying to get her laptop to work, my daughter took the opportunity to write CLEAN ME in the dust on the picture of her mother that I've kept on the bureau since we were married. It irritated me.
Walking up the hall, I thought "Don't do this."
Seeing her grin when I said Someone wrote Clean Me, I thought "Don't do this."
I did it anyway. Said Don't do that. And saw the light die in her eyes.
She'll get over it. I'll get over it.
But still....
Sunday, June 03, 2012
Restoration
Tomorrow is my daughter's last day in high school. Tonight she came home, turned on her laptop, and exclaimed All of my stuff is gone!
I did a System Restore, which said it failed and did nothing.... and her stuff was back.
Personally, I think it was an attempt at suicide by the computer.
I did a System Restore, which said it failed and did nothing.... and her stuff was back.
Personally, I think it was an attempt at suicide by the computer.
Saturday, June 02, 2012
Design
Bookmarks are for two things: to be able to find the stuff that you come back to, repeatedly. And to be able to find the stuff that you marked because you want to read it some time in the future.
I think that the latter should have a time limit - say, thirty days. At 25 days, you get a popup = THE FOLLOWING BOOKMARKS EXPIRE SOON". Then at 30 days, they're gone. You want to keep them, because, hey, you might go there? Stick them in a folder.
Yeah, that should do it.
I think that the latter should have a time limit - say, thirty days. At 25 days, you get a popup = THE FOLLOWING BOOKMARKS EXPIRE SOON". Then at 30 days, they're gone. You want to keep them, because, hey, you might go there? Stick them in a folder.
Yeah, that should do it.
Zapped
I just bought a pair of shoes from Zappos. I've never bought anything from them before, but I have heard some very nice things about the company, along the lines of the nice things I hear about Amazon. So we'll see. I like their quirky sense of humor. The 'customer registration' email says that I should save it, because it might save my life some day. Probably not, it goes on to say, but it might. Nice. I like that.
I was looking around at some of the other things they sell, and found myself gazing at the men's underwear. I wonder sometimes why men's underwear tends to be bland (except for the stuff that's aimed at the fabulously fit mid-twenties range). It's just dull. I never quite understand guys who wear women's clothing -- there are times that I wonder why we're so hung up on that distinction, but I know we are, and, truthfully, so am I -- but there are times when I look at how stylish and visually interesting women's clothing can be, and I can almost understand it. For most people who sell guys clothes, underwear is either white or emblazoned with something like Home of the Whopper. Or occasionally the Batman logo, to show that you're still wild and crazy even though, of course, you're not. I think it should be better than that. I've heard it said that women feel better when they're wearing something sleek and sexy, even if no one can see it, and I wonder: could that be true for guys, too?
But for now, I'll just get the shoes from Zappos. Actually, sandals. I think it's the second pair I've had in 60 years. Don't want to rush into this!
I was looking around at some of the other things they sell, and found myself gazing at the men's underwear. I wonder sometimes why men's underwear tends to be bland (except for the stuff that's aimed at the fabulously fit mid-twenties range). It's just dull. I never quite understand guys who wear women's clothing -- there are times that I wonder why we're so hung up on that distinction, but I know we are, and, truthfully, so am I -- but there are times when I look at how stylish and visually interesting women's clothing can be, and I can almost understand it. For most people who sell guys clothes, underwear is either white or emblazoned with something like Home of the Whopper. Or occasionally the Batman logo, to show that you're still wild and crazy even though, of course, you're not. I think it should be better than that. I've heard it said that women feel better when they're wearing something sleek and sexy, even if no one can see it, and I wonder: could that be true for guys, too?
But for now, I'll just get the shoes from Zappos. Actually, sandals. I think it's the second pair I've had in 60 years. Don't want to rush into this!
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Financial Planning
We're nowhere near the nitty-gritty yet, but in looking at the spreadsheet that I've kept for about 10 yers of long-range planning assumptions, we've made an interesting discovery.
Apparently, the last time that I updating the value of our 401k's in that spreadsheet was when the stock market was in a slump. The market's somewhat stronger now. As a result, the current value is about 15% higher than the spreadsheet thought it was.
Now, this does not address the important question of short-term liquidity -- after all, that's where we live, day to day -- but it's definitely pleasant news.
Apparently, the last time that I updating the value of our 401k's in that spreadsheet was when the stock market was in a slump. The market's somewhat stronger now. As a result, the current value is about 15% higher than the spreadsheet thought it was.
Now, this does not address the important question of short-term liquidity -- after all, that's where we live, day to day -- but it's definitely pleasant news.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Monday, May 28, 2012
Changes
Nothing dramatic, and yet -
We're buying a new dish washer. We're replacing the shades in the den, and adding valances. We're getting an additional bed for guests. We're changing my mother's living room back into a bedroom. We're getting four new chairs for the kitchen table.
In a week, barring disaster, my daughter will be a high school graduate. In two, she'll be on her way to Ohio for the summer with Glassmen. And in three months, she'll be a college freshman. Around the same time, my wife will, probably, have taken early retirement and be contemplating whether she even wants to go back to work. And some time in there, with luck, our French guests will be here.
Some things won't change. We're not tossing pictures and such that my mother accumulated. That tangible history - can't do that. We're keeping her sofa, too. And my daughter's room won't be touched -- though my wife vows to clean it thoroughly.
Changes. Some big, some small.
We're buying a new dish washer. We're replacing the shades in the den, and adding valances. We're getting an additional bed for guests. We're changing my mother's living room back into a bedroom. We're getting four new chairs for the kitchen table.
In a week, barring disaster, my daughter will be a high school graduate. In two, she'll be on her way to Ohio for the summer with Glassmen. And in three months, she'll be a college freshman. Around the same time, my wife will, probably, have taken early retirement and be contemplating whether she even wants to go back to work. And some time in there, with luck, our French guests will be here.
Some things won't change. We're not tossing pictures and such that my mother accumulated. That tangible history - can't do that. We're keeping her sofa, too. And my daughter's room won't be touched -- though my wife vows to clean it thoroughly.
Changes. Some big, some small.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Just Playing
I don't tend to spend a lot of time thinking about sex toys. Those that are aimed at women, I find moderately funny. Those that are aimed at men, I find more than a little creepy. That these things help perfectly normal people achieve pleasure in a way that doesn't harm anyone else - this doesn't affect my impression of them. They're just strange. Even the all-American capitalist win for the guy who developed the Fleshlight -- yes, there is such a thing, and no, I'm not going to describe it - and as a result is now very rich doesn't make it more acceptable to me. It's just - strange.
Nevertheless, this New York times article about the Tupperware-type mainstreaming of sex toys, intrigued me.
Nevertheless, this New York times article about the Tupperware-type mainstreaming of sex toys, intrigued me.
Observation
The other day, I was told by someone who should know that I care too much about other people. People who you wouldn't think I would. People not part of my family. Told rather strongly, in fact. And it's true, I do. Not everybody, not most, but some people, yeah. No idea why. Something about them slips through my defenses.
Like this girl, who wrote a note which appeared on the Post Secret site:
Dear Frank,
Last night, I attended your PostSecret Event at the University of Oregon. Not only was I blown away by you and everything you do and the secrets that others have shared with you, but I was blown away by the community I am lucky to be a part of.
For months, I have felt so alone here. Last night, I decided to share my secret at the microphone. Right after, I received a hug from the stranger behind me. Not a pity hug, I could feel that she really meant it. After the show, I was approached again a few times and received encouraging words from people I knew and also total strangers. When I returned to my dorm room, I was Facebook messaged by an acquaintance, and emailed by a girl whom I didn't know, but recognized me from a mutual class. It was all so touching, honestly.
Here I have been, in my dorm room for months thinking I'm the loneliest girl in the world, while I'm surrounded by this wonderful community of caring people. What I'm really trying to say is, thank you, Frank, for bringing me closer to my community. And GO DUCKS!
I'd just like to give her a hug. Which, no doubt, would creep her right out.
Like this girl, who wrote a note which appeared on the Post Secret site:
Dear Frank,
Last night, I attended your PostSecret Event at the University of Oregon. Not only was I blown away by you and everything you do and the secrets that others have shared with you, but I was blown away by the community I am lucky to be a part of.
For months, I have felt so alone here. Last night, I decided to share my secret at the microphone. Right after, I received a hug from the stranger behind me. Not a pity hug, I could feel that she really meant it. After the show, I was approached again a few times and received encouraging words from people I knew and also total strangers. When I returned to my dorm room, I was Facebook messaged by an acquaintance, and emailed by a girl whom I didn't know, but recognized me from a mutual class. It was all so touching, honestly.
Here I have been, in my dorm room for months thinking I'm the loneliest girl in the world, while I'm surrounded by this wonderful community of caring people. What I'm really trying to say is, thank you, Frank, for bringing me closer to my community. And GO DUCKS!
I'd just like to give her a hug. Which, no doubt, would creep her right out.
Last Week
This week coming up is my daughter's last full week in high school. It's not really a full week -- she's off tomorrow for Memorial Day, and she only has to go to the school for three days; two for about an hour each day to take a final exam, and one for graduation practice. And that's it. My daughter will be done with high school, and ready for college.
Us, I'm not so sure about.
Us, I'm not so sure about.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Where We Are
My daughter now has three great and two good grades. She's still got exams, but I'm delighted.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Well, Well, Well
My wife didn't lose her job....but she may choose to go.
There is a possibility that HP will offer her a retirement starting in August, coupled with a very generous up-front payment of several months salary. It's not definite. If she takes it, she tells me that she will look for another job, though not one in the high-tech field. Working in a candy store might do nicely.
The only downside, other than loss of income after that payment runs out, is that she's working on a massive project, and she hates the idea of abandoning them. Having seen the effect of losing people, both on the project and on the team, she doesn't want to do that to them. But when balanced against the likelihood of being summarily laid off - well, that's a tough choice.
So things are improving, slightly.
There is a possibility that HP will offer her a retirement starting in August, coupled with a very generous up-front payment of several months salary. It's not definite. If she takes it, she tells me that she will look for another job, though not one in the high-tech field. Working in a candy store might do nicely.
The only downside, other than loss of income after that payment runs out, is that she's working on a massive project, and she hates the idea of abandoning them. Having seen the effect of losing people, both on the project and on the team, she doesn't want to do that to them. But when balanced against the likelihood of being summarily laid off - well, that's a tough choice.
So things are improving, slightly.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Lottery
Apparently, we've entered the stress lottery -- my daughter tells us that her calculus final will include material from last year, when she wasn't in the class, and last night my wife bit down on something, and now her tooth hurts. Hmmm.... I feel as if I ought to wrap myself in cotton wool for a while.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Cheerful
I needed a little cheering up on this glum, rainy day in central Pennsylvania -- my wife's probable loss of her job is a downer, even if we are in a strong enough financial position to weather it. I just don't like that kind of thing, for several reasons.
So I wanted something that would cheer me up. This article, which is now several months old (gives you an idea how backed-up my RSS reader is), about a woman who started a small cafe in an unfashionable corner of London, and in the process brought gentrification there, did the trick. I delight in knowing that such people exist. I don't have the guts to do it, myself, but that she and others do is wonderful.
So I wanted something that would cheer me up. This article, which is now several months old (gives you an idea how backed-up my RSS reader is), about a woman who started a small cafe in an unfashionable corner of London, and in the process brought gentrification there, did the trick. I delight in knowing that such people exist. I don't have the guts to do it, myself, but that she and others do is wonderful.
Interesting Week
My wife's probably going to be notified on Wednesday that she's losing her job. The actual termination may occur this week, or it may occur some time in the next two months.
My daughter now has 3 great, one good, and one moderate grade. I'm delighted. It's all due to her own effort.
My daughter now has 3 great, one good, and one moderate grade. I'm delighted. It's all due to her own effort.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Waiting
HP has announced that they intend to lay off about 30,000 people, which is about ten percent of their workforce. Most of the layoff will be just that; a few will be retirements.
We figure there is a two out of three chance that my wife won't be employed by the end of the week. And about a one in four chance that she'll be offered early retirement.
==========
Not sure if Irony is the right word -- she may be fired in three days, but right now she's putting in extra time to help on a task that isn't hers. Do the corporate oligarchs appreciate this? Hell, no.
We figure there is a two out of three chance that my wife won't be employed by the end of the week. And about a one in four chance that she'll be offered early retirement.
==========
Not sure if Irony is the right word -- she may be fired in three days, but right now she's putting in extra time to help on a task that isn't hers. Do the corporate oligarchs appreciate this? Hell, no.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Yes
Most of this post is a direct lift from Bill's Journal. I must say, I find that I agree with the sentiments herein more than I would have ever suspected. To hell with propriety.
----------------
Someone somewhere this morning uttered the word muse, a word I had not given thought to in so many years. Why not and why now? I could say back when I considered my muse, its comings and goings, with its wildly erratic behavior, its brilliant performance when it was showing off, I could say I was young and foolish. Perhaps a better explanation is to show the muse in action at its best and demonstrated by the Englishwoman, Jenny Joseph, in her wonderful poem, Warning, for I myself have reached that certain age.
----------------
Someone somewhere this morning uttered the word muse, a word I had not given thought to in so many years. Why not and why now? I could say back when I considered my muse, its comings and goings, with its wildly erratic behavior, its brilliant performance when it was showing off, I could say I was young and foolish. Perhaps a better explanation is to show the muse in action at its best and demonstrated by the Englishwoman, Jenny Joseph, in her wonderful poem, Warning, for I myself have reached that certain age.
When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit.
You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.
But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.
But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Grades
With about two weeks to go in the marking period, she now has bearable, though not stellar, grades. Two great, one good, two not good. If she can just survive the remainder of the month, and then the finals, she'll be cool....
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Service
I'm always a little bit fascinated by the idea of customer service -- of delivering a product in auch a way that the customer is delighted. I like to know what it takes to supply that level of service. I'm also a bit intrigured by what happens when the customer comes to expect that level, but no longer appreciates it. So, when I was in line at the bookstore for something, and saw a book titled Concierge Confidential, with a subtitle that suggested that it talked about exactly that sort of thing, I picked it up, leafed through it, and bought it.
This book is a perfect example of why I should not do that. It's a terrible book. Basically, it's a guide to how to be a poser -- how to toss around famous people's names so that others will do what you want. The author does have a track record in that general industry (if you expand the idea of 'service' to include 'personal toady to powerful Los Angeles film industry people' and 'singer making huge fees on a cruise ship' ), and he does know how to get magical things to happen, but after an hour of reading, and flipping forward ten and fifteen pages at a time, I gave up on it. It just wasn't worth it. I felt somehow soiled by his tips. I just didn't want to know.
I think I'll go back to Red Cell.
This book is a perfect example of why I should not do that. It's a terrible book. Basically, it's a guide to how to be a poser -- how to toss around famous people's names so that others will do what you want. The author does have a track record in that general industry (if you expand the idea of 'service' to include 'personal toady to powerful Los Angeles film industry people' and 'singer making huge fees on a cruise ship' ), and he does know how to get magical things to happen, but after an hour of reading, and flipping forward ten and fifteen pages at a time, I gave up on it. It just wasn't worth it. I felt somehow soiled by his tips. I just didn't want to know.
I think I'll go back to Red Cell.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Tuesday, May 08, 2012
Grades
One grade just edged up from absymal to not good. So thats two greats, one good, one not good, and one abysmal. Three more weeks...
Sunday, May 06, 2012
Monday, April 30, 2012
Note
I'm still scared for my daughter getting into college. Her grades have improved slightly, but they're still in the range that could be fairly called a 'notable drop'. I have been putting the fear of god into her.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Who Are You?
My state recently implemented a law that says you need ID before you can vote. Yesterday was a test run -- you were asked for ID, and if you had it, cool; if not, still cool, but you got a flier advising you that in November, it would be required. There's some backstop to that; if you don't have ID in November, you can still vote, but the vote is 'provisional', meaning that you fill out a paper rather than voting on the machine. You then have five days to come up with ID, or they pitch your vote.
The liberals say this is an attempt to suppress turnout. They say that the kind of person most likely not to have ID is also the kind of person most likely to vote for Democrats.
The conservatives say this is needed to combat voter fraud. Last time around, several people said to us that they thought ID should be required, just for that reason. This time, several said 'good idea'.
Not all of the approval came from Republicans. Not all of the dismay came from Democrats.
The liberals say this is an attempt to suppress turnout. They say that the kind of person most likely not to have ID is also the kind of person most likely to vote for Democrats.
The conservatives say this is needed to combat voter fraud. Last time around, several people said to us that they thought ID should be required, just for that reason. This time, several said 'good idea'.
Not all of the approval came from Republicans. Not all of the dismay came from Democrats.
Stiff
I am hobbling around like an old person -- the aftereffect of working at the polls all day yesterday. The working part wasn't so bad -- we had a low but continuous stream of people. But sitting in the car for the drive out to the election offices and back, then sleeping, stiffened me right up. Movin' slow...
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Collitch
Apparently, we won't be needing to buy a four wheel drive vehicle with studded snow tires, after all. My daughter just told us of her college selection.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Movement
This article from Neoformix on the determination and illustration of patterns in data is an example of the kind of thing that fascinates me. Its odd, because I'm not a numbers guy, and this is very much a numerically intensive application. Yet, it appeals to me.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Note
To whomever controls the environment:
There are birds chirping in the distance. A cool breeze is billowing the curtains. The temperature is about 65 degrees.
Keep it this way, please.
There are birds chirping in the distance. A cool breeze is billowing the curtains. The temperature is about 65 degrees.
Keep it this way, please.
Monday, April 16, 2012
XKCD
XKCD should have a timer to force me out into the rest of the net after...oh, thirty or so comics. Sinfest, too.
French
I feel stalled in French. There's so much that I can't do as well as I should, and I'm making almost no progress. It's quite frustrating.
Monday
I don't tend to be busy, but lately, yes. So it's particularly nice to be able to just sit. Granted, I have a list of things that I want to do, from cleanup in the store room to various French study activities - a lot of them; I've been distracted -- but right now I'm just sitting in the kitchen, listening to the birds, and thinking that perhaps making some breakfast would be a good idea.
I'm not good at understanding people's motivations. My impulses are all wrong. I just don't have the empathy to understand them. That can get me into trouble, as it did when I was briefly friends with the French girl. That ended badly, as I’ve mentioned. I still occasionally look at her Twitter feed, though, because I wonder how she's doing with her remote - literally - boyfriend. Well, I looked this morning, and was startled to find that since I looked last, some time ago, she’s gone from pining for him and planning a delightful meeting in Paris to wishing him completely and totally out of her life. Apparently, he did something seriously wrong. It's her right, of course, but still, I wonder: . How can someone change opinions that drastically, that quickly? If we were friends, I'd ask - but I guess I know better than that.
We stayed in Dayton so as to watch most of the finals, and I have to say, I was impressed by all, and astounded by one - the Japanese group, which comes to WGI once every two years. They were incredible. The video on this page gives a taste of what the competitions can provide. (If you get the 'login' popup, just close that window. The video doesn't need a login.)
Speaking of lessons...French calls. We are working on my accent -- there are lots of things I say badly, and the killer is that I often don't even know it. Apparently I'm understandable, but the listener has to think what did he say? for a moment. I want to be better than that. And there's a bunch of review to do, too.
But for the moment .... I think that I'll just sit and listen to the birds.
I'm not good at understanding people's motivations. My impulses are all wrong. I just don't have the empathy to understand them. That can get me into trouble, as it did when I was briefly friends with the French girl. That ended badly, as I’ve mentioned. I still occasionally look at her Twitter feed, though, because I wonder how she's doing with her remote - literally - boyfriend. Well, I looked this morning, and was startled to find that since I looked last, some time ago, she’s gone from pining for him and planning a delightful meeting in Paris to wishing him completely and totally out of her life. Apparently, he did something seriously wrong. It's her right, of course, but still, I wonder: . How can someone change opinions that drastically, that quickly? If we were friends, I'd ask - but I guess I know better than that.
We stayed in Dayton so as to watch most of the finals, and I have to say, I was impressed by all, and astounded by one - the Japanese group, which comes to WGI once every two years. They were incredible. The video on this page gives a taste of what the competitions can provide. (If you get the 'login' popup, just close that window. The video doesn't need a login.)
Speaking of lessons...French calls. We are working on my accent -- there are lots of things I say badly, and the killer is that I often don't even know it. Apparently I'm understandable, but the listener has to think what did he say? for a moment. I want to be better than that. And there's a bunch of review to do, too.
But for the moment .... I think that I'll just sit and listen to the birds.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Away Game
I’m in a hotel in Dayton, Ohio. My daughter’s color guard outfit is here for the WGI finals – or was here, I guess I should say; they failed to make the cut for the finals, so today they’re just spectators. This is the last competition for her. I won't really miss most of it. It's a lot of work. For most competitions, which tend to be held at high schools, even just getting there is tedious - the schools are hard to locate on the map; and parking is usually problematic. When you get there, the bleachers are usually designed for younger butts than mine, and they're frequently steep (I still worry about falling). But the groups themselves are usually good, and occasionally great. At WGI, though, the groups are usually great -- easily living up to the 'world' in WGI -- but WGI makes you pay for it, charging for everything, and not nominally, either. Good riddance. Okay, being surrounded by excited teenage girls who are mostly all in fantastic shape is rather nice, but having to listen to them chatter as they swarm -- well, a little of that goes a long way. I tease my wife that seeing them makes me wish I was a teen again, but, truth to tell, I don't. These girls would slay me without thinking twice. I'll stay the age I am, thanks.
But getting into the finals would have been nice....
Dayton is a bit of a strange city. This is only the second time that I’ve been here, so I really don’t know much about it. It feels as if the city is struggling, economically, but you see areas where things are stable, and even some where new things are in place. Yesterday we had breakfast at a restaurant called Mimi’s, which appears to be owned by the Bob Evans company. You can’t tell from the restaurant itself; it’s decorated in a sort of Cajun French style. The food is pretty good. I was pointing out to my wife that one dish wasn’t ‘four cheese quiche’, it was ‘quatre fromage quiche’. I said it in French just as the waitress arrived. She looked at me askance and said ‘you aren’t going to order in French, are you?’ So of course I said “je voudrais café, et une verre du jus….’
The hotel is on the moderately crummy side. It appears to have been a Holiday Inn, then taken over by Ramada. I think they tried to upgrade it, but you can clearly see what it used to be. The two wings of the original open-to-the-air building were roofed over to make one big building, but the stairs are still the same cheap outdoor carpet that you see in a lot of low-to-middle motels. The room is okay, though they have a major problem with water pressure (I had to let it run for 10 minutes yesterday before getting hot water that faded to lukewarm ten minutes later). And the restaurant is - meh. I guess it’s a good rule of thumb that when a motel has been taken over by a different chain, the odds of it being a decent place go down.
Tomorrow we go home. I asked why we couldn’t go today, and was told that we had to stay to watch the awards tonight, of course!
Of course.
But getting into the finals would have been nice....
Dayton is a bit of a strange city. This is only the second time that I’ve been here, so I really don’t know much about it. It feels as if the city is struggling, economically, but you see areas where things are stable, and even some where new things are in place. Yesterday we had breakfast at a restaurant called Mimi’s, which appears to be owned by the Bob Evans company. You can’t tell from the restaurant itself; it’s decorated in a sort of Cajun French style. The food is pretty good. I was pointing out to my wife that one dish wasn’t ‘four cheese quiche’, it was ‘quatre fromage quiche’. I said it in French just as the waitress arrived. She looked at me askance and said ‘you aren’t going to order in French, are you?’ So of course I said “je voudrais café, et une verre du jus….’
The hotel is on the moderately crummy side. It appears to have been a Holiday Inn, then taken over by Ramada. I think they tried to upgrade it, but you can clearly see what it used to be. The two wings of the original open-to-the-air building were roofed over to make one big building, but the stairs are still the same cheap outdoor carpet that you see in a lot of low-to-middle motels. The room is okay, though they have a major problem with water pressure (I had to let it run for 10 minutes yesterday before getting hot water that faded to lukewarm ten minutes later). And the restaurant is - meh. I guess it’s a good rule of thumb that when a motel has been taken over by a different chain, the odds of it being a decent place go down.
Tomorrow we go home. I asked why we couldn’t go today, and was told that we had to stay to watch the awards tonight, of course!
Of course.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Tardy
My daughter’s a little upset. As a result of getting a low grade in one class, she’s got two problems. First, she didn’t get on the honor roll for the last marking period. This is the first time that she hasn’t been on the honor roll since she started school. That wouldn’t be so bad, but it also means that during the current marking period – the last one of her high school career – she won’t qualify for ‘senior privileges’. Mostly, she doesn’t care about that, but one of them is the right to skip the first period of school, and she likes that a lot. Now, she has to be there. She’s going to try to make the case that it’s just one class, and that her average is still a high B – but we’re talking about high school administrators here – the sort of people who are comfortable using words like ‘tardy’ and ‘privilege’. (Did you know that having a locker is a ‘privilege’?) They like things cut-and-dried, black-and-white. Well, of course, we're sorry, but those are the rules, there's nothing we can do. Pursed lip smile. So, I’m not sure. Any reasonable person – but these aren’t reasonable people.
More importantly, she’s afraid that the drop in her GPA will be seen as the classic ‘senior slump’, and colleges have been known to revoke acceptances for that. I think it unlikely – again, it’s one grade, and she’s still passing the course; her other grades are fine – but who knows? The real killer is that she's got the lower grade because she thought it would help her to take the a challenging course on english literature now rather than waiting for college. Colleges like that, seeing you push yourself. Yeah, they likely do. Not too thrillled when it means lower grades, though.
So she’s a little glum, this morning.
More importantly, she’s afraid that the drop in her GPA will be seen as the classic ‘senior slump’, and colleges have been known to revoke acceptances for that. I think it unlikely – again, it’s one grade, and she’s still passing the course; her other grades are fine – but who knows? The real killer is that she's got the lower grade because she thought it would help her to take the a challenging course on english literature now rather than waiting for college. Colleges like that, seeing you push yourself. Yeah, they likely do. Not too thrillled when it means lower grades, though.
So she’s a little glum, this morning.
Sunday, April 08, 2012
Phones
We just turned on a data plan for my daughter's phone. We figure she'll need it when she's on tour with a drill team this summer; not to mention, when she goes off to college. We contemplated getting her a new phone, too, but it turns out we can't do an upgrade until September unless we're willing to pay full price the phone, which we're not. (Though the clerk did say that we could add a fourth line to our package, use that to get the new phone, then have her phone number ported to it. Interesting..)
Speaking of phones, and in particular iPhones, yet another article about someone finding their stolen iPhone. Got to wonder why this isn't available on phones from other vendors....
Speaking of phones, and in particular iPhones, yet another article about someone finding their stolen iPhone. Got to wonder why this isn't available on phones from other vendors....
Saturday, April 07, 2012
Friday, April 06, 2012
Variance
....and now she's thinking that she does want to go to the first school after all. Though, hmm, it does get pretty cold up there in the winter......
Trying really hard not to push her in one direction.
Trying really hard not to push her in one direction.
Thursday, April 05, 2012
Milestone
My daughter just went to do the weekly shopping, by herself, for the very first time.
I wonder what conclusions she'll draw from this experience? Other than when dad asks if you want to collect the trash or do the shopping, pick 'collect the trash' ?
I wonder what conclusions she'll draw from this experience? Other than when dad asks if you want to collect the trash or do the shopping, pick 'collect the trash' ?
Tuesday, April 03, 2012
Selecting a College
We just made a college road trip. It was a decent trip, though, due to some surprises from the Virginia Department of Transportation, which elected to close the highway a mile before our destination, leading us to take a side road, and then spend more than an hour in a traffic jam, it was more than a little stressful. But I was willing, because I wanted her to see this place. It's where I'd like her to go. It's not entirely selfish on my part -- the school is a good one, and it's got the Corps function that she wants - but I like that it's three hours closer to home. Plus, due to the location - Virginia, not Vermont- the likelihold of her getting stuck on Amtrak in a blizzard when coming home during the winter is considerably less. I do want her to go where she wants, but I have a preference, and she knows it. And to prove it, we just had this dialog:
Daughter: Would you fill a water bottle for me to take to color guard tonight?
Me: What do I get out of it?
Daughter: The grateful thanks of a daughter who might go to Virginia Tech - I have till the first to decide!
Oh, yeah - she knows. I'm not getting my hopes up - well, not much. Maybe just a little, though.
=============
Update: Apparently, she's actively considering it. She liked the campus more than she expected, and she liked the Corps of Cadets more than the one in Vermont. Still a long way from being a sure thing, but now I'm really glad that I made the trip.
Daughter: Would you fill a water bottle for me to take to color guard tonight?
Me: What do I get out of it?
Daughter: The grateful thanks of a daughter who might go to Virginia Tech - I have till the first to decide!
Oh, yeah - she knows. I'm not getting my hopes up - well, not much. Maybe just a little, though.
=============
Update: Apparently, she's actively considering it. She liked the campus more than she expected, and she liked the Corps of Cadets more than the one in Vermont. Still a long way from being a sure thing, but now I'm really glad that I made the trip.
Sunday, April 01, 2012
Voting
In just over a month, we'll have the Primary election. This will be the last one for which I'm the judge. I'm pleased about that.
The very first time I did it, the whole process was new and exciting. It was the Presidential election, and there were hundreds of people coming to vote. We had to learn some things on the fly. I was busy all day, and I was needed. I liked that.
The other elections were boring. Dozens of people, not hundreds, and frequently ones and twos, not dozens. Occasional small problems; one problem that the trainers had said would be a Big Problem if it happened, but when it did, they said meh, don't worry about it. And you get to spend the whole damn day there, from about 5:30 in the morning till about 9PM. Plus another 45 minutes to bring the votes out to the country office and turn them in.
I got to the point where I dreaded the day. I think it's just the sheer boredom that got to me.
So, no more.
The very first time I did it, the whole process was new and exciting. It was the Presidential election, and there were hundreds of people coming to vote. We had to learn some things on the fly. I was busy all day, and I was needed. I liked that.
The other elections were boring. Dozens of people, not hundreds, and frequently ones and twos, not dozens. Occasional small problems; one problem that the trainers had said would be a Big Problem if it happened, but when it did, they said meh, don't worry about it. And you get to spend the whole damn day there, from about 5:30 in the morning till about 9PM. Plus another 45 minutes to bring the votes out to the country office and turn them in.
I got to the point where I dreaded the day. I think it's just the sheer boredom that got to me.
So, no more.
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