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stevetuba.co.uk
Days in the life of a Curmudgeon...2008.
Velence...January 1st 2008. 0528hrs...0543hrs...The street light is showing that it’s snowing a bit. Well...Happy New Year to one and all. I woke up to the sound of fireworks...must have been midnight...duh. It’s not yet six hours into the new year here...hence the west coast it still waiting. 0821hrs...The snow continues...and has now filled in most of the holes that there were...leaving white blanket over the whole area. I see in the street two places where the snow seems to have melted...strange. I should go out and take a closer look. There is geothermal activity in this area...which could be the cause. The sat images show that there maybe some clearing of the clouds...perhaps sunshine later in the week. Time for breakfast. 0907hrs...The snow has picked up. The flakes are larger too. 0926hrs...Have swept the porch and stairs. Doing my second cup Java...Joe...Mud...coffee. And started the dishes. I did check out the small dark spot in the snow...and it looks to me as though it is melting because of something warm underneath the asphalt...duh...though I don’t know the cause. 1038hrs...Just in...having taken a few frames for the record. The skater shots from the other day look interesting. As of now the flakes are again smaller. I noticed that the D200 sensor needed cleaning again...done deal. Used a new swab this time...retired the one that I’d been using...for sometime. Interestingly...the mirror lockup function doesn’t work with a usable though weak battery. Makes some sense. 1410hrs...At least three inches of snow. It’s white allover...except where it’s not. 1554hrs...Stopped snowing. Finished KP. It’s minus 1.1°C. 1801hrs...It’s coming down...as though it’s not made up it’s mind yet. One the other hand...the porch now has as much snow as before I swept it off. News...The price of gas has gone up as of today...don’t know what it was...nor what it is now...need to find out. The bigger cities are picking up after last night’s fireworks...and the snow. In some places there has been a foot of snow. 1944hrs...Watching a French flick...dubbed into Hungarian...which is world class. The film is good too. Cila call...exchanged greetings...Laughed...and it came down to one of my favorite quotes...that "stupidity has no limits"...Of course I didn’t know it in Magyar (Hungarian)...But I was able to start it..."stupidity...has...ah...ahh"...which she finished for me...which translated came out as "not having a border." Great I thought...hahahhaa. 2028hrs...I’m a wreak...I was drawn back in...as I heard an aria from "The Merry Widow"...five sopranos...And then...it was a piece from "The Land of Smiles" ...my heart can’t take it. I was out earlier...and I made note of the fact that it was dark...as I looked up. Now...wait for it...This time out...I saw STARS!!! Then later...It was thick fog...nothing looking up...and I could not see the other side of the street. I almost went out with the 10-20...but... Now the fog is gone...and I can’t see the stars. 2125hrs...Watching another French flick...I’m enjoying it. It’s about an old guy...50...taking up the Tango...and it looks like an affair...in dance...with a young gal. Well now...it looks more like...well...ah...both. The girls mother is against it...as of this scene. The dance sequences are good...I think...feel. They hold hands...waiting for the lift. Shits hit the fan! The weasel...got in with them...and hits her with her pending wedding...which is unknown to our old guy...queering the whole thing between them...he leaves her by driving off alone, Gads...she’s shown up at his place of work. She explains. He listens. His secretary eavesdrops...Gads...he never wants to see her again...as friend as she suggests. Tough. Next scene is with his father...who’s a prick... Tells him off but good...as in it’s the last time he visits. Forgot to mention that his office overlooks the dance studio. He is some kind of process server...and has been back to serve a final one. Not a good thing. Damn...his father has seen his last. It’s getting way too complicated...Fade to black...as they dance...the Tango. 2317hrs...2323hrs...2334hrs...Another flick has stared...not sure I’ll do it. Switched channels...seen it...but will let it run. I think it’s "The Wild Geese." The best scene is the very last one...I don’t think I’ll be awake to see though. I was looking at my 35mm scans...Damn...even if I do say so...there are some nice shots there. It’s that time...boys and girls... Velence...January 2nd 2008. 0920hrs...Up for an hour...No sun...yet...temps at zero. Doing coffee. Have yet to go online. 1057hrs...It’s now a heat wave...1.4°C...above zero. The snow that had been on the railing has now melted. My Leningrad 4 (1978 vintage) light meter reads a solid 7...at ISO 200...that’s f/8 at a 1/60th ...I found it at a car boot sale while living in UK Land. To hit the shower...or not. Oh...have been online...nothing to report. No emails. 1127hrs...it’s now 2.0°C. Get out the sun block!...we may need it soon. 1217hrs...Showered...Now 2.5°C. Started a second cup of Joe. 1328hrs...Have swept the porch and stairs again. It’s 2.8°C...and I see delineation in the clouds...though I can’t tell where the sun is. 1351hrs...and I’m hungry. 2100hrs...Have been reading a download...interesting. But it’s now time for House. Velence...January 3rd 2008. 0805...Minus 3.4°C! It’s below freezing again. There are what appear to be crack in the ice on the lake...long linear ones. 0820hrs...The clouds are out of the east...and there is delineation...such that I can now see some faint blue patches...and some bright patches too. 0853hrs...Seeing actual blue sky...AND there is this big bright thing in the sky...not sure what it is. Have turned the space heater back on! 1106hrs...Have been to the close store...It was damn cold I thought. Have seen the sun again...and this time I took out the binocs...saw no sign of the sunspots...that were supposed to be there re an eruption the other day. Also...some Sparrows are finally feeding on the poppy seed pastry I’d put out on the kitchen window ledge about a week ago or so. They seem to like it. About time. Reading "The Genetic Origins of the Nations"...Interesting...but as has been the case so far...it raises more questions than it answers. This one is trying to connect Biblical accounts with the genetic data. I was unable to follow it. Too many...begets‘. And there are names that are not mentioned at all. There is a saying..."If you have a simple answer to a problem...YOU don’t understand the problem"...Interestingly...the writer doesn’t actually say...at the end..."Well...there you have it"...as one would expect given the thesis...that the Biblical accounts can and do match the genetic data. If that were so...then that would be the end of it...no? This raises another question...that of who is checking who? 1421hrs...Have done lunch. It’s a minus 4.7°C. Hate it! Did I mention having read "Ice Station Zebra"...Nothing like the film. A bit of trivia...ISZ was Howard Hughes’ favorite film. Yeah...I know...I didn’t know until I read it some place either. It seems that there were a whole bunch of people...on the move...Back and forth...east...then west...north...south...and they sometimes fought each other...and at other times and places they merged. They gave themselves new names...and were known by different names by other peoples. They sometimes moved because of the weather. There was at one time an ice age that effected many peoples...and they would have tended to find places that were to some extent free of ice. One can imagine that at those place there would have been some mutual accommodation. During a forest fire...animals are not interest in each other...as they would normally be...prey and hunter. Their mutual enemy is the fire...a truce is in effect. Now it’s interesting to speculate if man declared a truce during the time that they occupied the ice age refuges. Or...was it every man (tribe) for themselves? Given limited resources...I’m inclined to go with the latter. None the less...these refuges would have been a hub...from which a new wave of migration would have started. Again we speculate if they went back to their original locales...or sot new territories. I’m inclined to think that again the latter is most the likely scenario because it may well have been a number of generation...since they had migrated in the first place...and now have only stories about the old places. Which if you think about it...would have been pretty much generic in nature. 1533hrs...Experiencing some CP...just right of center. Felt it when I was going to the store...this morning. The clouds are lower again...and I can hardly see the other side of the lake. Did see a white-ish winged bird of prey. Was close to grabbing the 200 with the 300 2 8...which I now keep close to the door. 1617hrs...it’s now a minus 4.7°C...and plummeting! Plummeting I say. The phone rang earlier...Jutka...misdialed. Then later another call...looking for Istvan...same old thing. 1642hrs...Just had another caller...same stuff...same drill. Huh...who’s on first...that’s right. 1738hrs...Had stepped out...and heard the sound of a shovel clearing snow...Istvan..."Cila’s is coming"...he says. 1929hrs...Minus 6.4°C! Foggy. Velence...January 4th 2008. 0538hrs...Up since 0500hrs. Doing coffee. It’s cold out there...the wind chill. 0904hrs...Well...we have some hazy blue shy...and a hazy sun...at a hazy minus 3.9°C. Next time I go out I’ll meter the light. 1003hrs...We have actual sunshine entering the room! 1538hrs...And now we have an actual sunset in progress. And some clearing to the east. The pots on. Waiting. I’ve taken apart the vacuum...in the hope of fixing it. It has a defective on/off switch. Was able to get only so far...and I’m now stuck...thinking. Took a few frames of wind skaters...earlier. I also see some guys out there harvesting the reeds. 1725hrs...No wonder...just in...it’s a bloody minus 6.1°C! I was able to see some stars too. Have yet to edit the 200 plus frames! Some day...I’ll get around to it. I know what it is...in addition to the other problem...it’s the question of how much work I should put into some frames...as with Nikki’s. Cosmetic type stuff I’m talking about. It’s a lot of work to get it good enough to say...print...and it’s another for just show and tell. Had been online earlier...no email. Oh...did GS on "Mike Gazarek"...it was his family that had moved into the Pride/Charles C. Dose house. I think I found him. Put on a whole lot of weight. Into the Knight of Columbus. Had a operation of some sort on the 16th of January...don’t know the year for sure...but at least one year ago. Came out of ok. He had a cute sister...and one day I showed her how to flip someone...by flipping her...right there on the grass parking strip...GADS...I could have hurt her...thinking about now. Needless to say...she didn’t want to see me do it again. Yesterday I did a GS on Hugh Laurie...HOUSE....etc. Impressive stuff. I was interested in his film credits...because I noticed him in a flick. Anyway...he’s now...Sir Hugh. He’s British...but is known for his convincing American english. But I remember him from the Blackadder series...among others...while living in UK Land. I have trashed a number of frames that I had scanned prior to my latest technique. Seeing the images...and as I’d said...there are some good ones...I get the urge to go back again...through the negatives for what must be...in their entire history...the 20th time. Just handling the negatives does them no good at all...and it’s a sad case of cleaning up the image after scanning...or at least cleaning them first...which is a bitch...on time. And there are still the Kodak 2475 negatives to go through. 1827hrs...minus 6.9°C. That’s the coldest it’s been...I think. Thinking food... Oh...remember...to get light bulbs. 1905hrs...Without cloud cover...it’s now a minus 7.3°C! Velence...January 5th 2008. 0705hrs...Minus 8.7°C...color in the sunrise. 0800hrs...looking at the frost on the windows...thinking about a frame or two. 1024hrs...I did check out the frost shots...I’d need to shoot from a tripod. Have done the shower trick. Help me Rhonda....etc... Been online...though...Back up...the system got hung up...so I never got to checking my mail. NBD. 1838hrs...The lads have just left. First Pityu showed up...There I was drumming my fingers on the desk top...a kind of rumble it was...when I thought I heard an other rumble elsewhere...Sure as hell...Pityu had rumbled the front door. I drug out one of my Xmas gifts...a bottle of Tokaji and we began to talk...And then since the I left the door unlocked...Istvan was able to enter unassisted...looking for Pityu since Cila had noticed that he‘d left without wearing a coat...and thought that...he might freeze...hence the search party. Got another glass...and drank a toast to the new year. Talked some more. Gave Pityu the OM’s old 35mm Minolta. Ended the evening with one empty bottle. Velence...January 6th 2008. 0800hrs...I’m up. 0833hrs...A minus 1.0°C...and a large drop in barometric pressure. And it seems to be raining something...water and ice. 0855hrs...I see icicles forming...so it’s mostly rain that’s falling. Time for some breakfast. Done deal. 0918hrs...I believe...after a great deal of thinking...that I have been...and continue to be...the statue! The rain has picked up. Time to go online...pardon my back. 1325hrs...A blistering plus 0.9°C. Will now look at the last few frames I’ve taken. Done deal...and NBD. 1729hrs...Just off line...And it’s a scorching plus 1.2°C. Things are melting out there. 2320hrs...Gads...what am I doing up...at this hour...you ask. Pityu had called around 1800hrs and then came over...ostensibly to bring over some papers...as it turned out...that I’d left there at least a week ago. We then started talking and then I offered some wine...the last...that I gotten for Xmas. This time it was a red...Csobor...Cabernet Sauvignon 2006. I don’t actually like red wines...but drank it anyway. He left around 2000hrs...and I’ve been online the rest of the time. It’s a plus 0.9°C. And time to pull the plug...you know the drill... Velence...January 7th 2008. 0721hrs...It’s foggy and a minus 1.9°C. Not a good omen. I need to go to the doctor’s office to get a prescription amended...and get it filled...and then the far store. All three are in the same area...but it’s getting there that will be the problem. Kemping is rutted with ice. 0858hrs...The sun is doing its best to burn off the fog...and may get there sometime this morning. Time to hit the shower. OH...I was looking out the window and noticed that there was about an inch of ice on the very end of one of the radials of my Discone antenna. Now you say..."what’s so unusual about that Steve?" Well I looked at the other radials...and GADS...there was ice on the end of them too...BUT...they were about eight inches long! Now for the punch line. The icicles were NOT hanging down...as one would expect...but in line WITH the radial...having kept the same angle...in effect making the radial longer. I had never seen anything like before. The water (rain) must have flowed down the rod...and then froze...and as more rain flowed...it simply added a bit more ice to that which was already there...and so on. Interesting I thought. Ok...time to do it...0910hrs. Done deal...0932hrs. 1053hrs...Change of plans. I dug into my backup supply and found that I have plenty pills to tide me over. On the other hand if it continues to warm up...as it is now...above zero...I may go out yet...since I should go to at least one of the stores. The sun is showing...through the fog. 1434hrs...Just back from the far store...and checking the doctor’s office. Closed. Tomorrow 8 to 1130hrs. Good thing I have pills. The sun never did manage to burn off the fog. And I had quite a time negotiating the icy patches...and even getting up here from the street was not without hazard...and certainly a pair of snowshoes would not have been out of place...though that would have increased the difficulty of peddling the bike...by at least an order of magnitude. 1532hrs...Into my second cup of Java. Further to the coffee pot plot. It goes back to when I first arrived here at Cila’s house...and there was some consternation regarding the fact that the coffee maker had its mating pot missing in action...as in I presume now...broken. BUT...and you know the drill...there was a non-matching pot...that in the end did function after a fashion...in as much as one rammed the pot into place at the requisite angle...and hoped for the best. Time passes...and I get the idea that I will purchase a new coffee maker...because while the arrangement did work...since the pot did not mate with the maker...it would not keep the coffee hot if left unattended...which I was likely to do. Ok fine...next time out...I buy a new one. Happy camper...I retired the old setup. The new one used paper filters...but...AYKTD...the filters I had on hand were a size too large...so every time I made a cup...I would have to cut down the filter. Then one day... 63...11653 points... As I was about to say...one day I did something...the precise details of which escape me at the moment...suffice to say that I cracked the pot...rendering it useless to it’s intended function. Nothing for it...but...buy another one...right? This I did again first chance I had. The new one was of the filter less type...and though I did use it that way for awhile...I decided to use up the remaining filters...which in this case did not need to be cut down to size. The main reason for doing this was to facilitate the dumping of the coffee ground...tossing it filter and all. Everything went well...until...YKTD...until...the other day...when in the process of cleaning said pot...nothing more I assure you...I managed to crack the pot. The pot being of unusually thin glass...and I might add...suspect in its constituency...i.e...is it really Pyrex? What to do now? Nothing for it...but grab the original pot...the one that did not mate with the maker portion...and now...except for the fact that since this pot does not mate either...things are just ducky! All I have to do is place the pot in at an angle and I’m all set. OH...and since I’ve now used the last of the filters...which if you recall fit...I’m back to filter less mode meaning that I now have to empty the grounds by the expedience of slamming it...the filter less filter...upside down onto whatever. You know the rest. 1702hrs...NCIS tonight! Earlier I caught Istvan coming home...talked a bit. Mentioned Cila but I have not seen her making it home. 1812hrs...Having risked life and limb...have managed to take out the garbage. It’s now a plus 1.4°C...and raining...which I think is a good thing. 1727hrs...Have done dinner. The rain has abated somewhat. 2045hrs...Stopped raining...and I can see stars. Velence...January 8th 2008. 0836hrs... 0917...Have done coffee...Planning on going to the doctor’s office. It’s below freezing...but the road is clear. I need to do a system recovery on the laptop. The speedometer shows the CPU running at 100%! Post dated...It is and continues to be bloody Skype! OH...Yesterday...Stock symbol FE topped out at over 100%...in fact 104.9%...so there it is....100% plus in something over three years. 1047hrs...Damn...My first shot at a system restore...failed. Doing it again with an older date. The sun’s disk has been visible...a the temp is just above freezing. Change of plan re doctors...Need to nail the laptop first. 1230hrs...The last attempt failed also. Have done lunch. It’s partly cloudy for a change...and the big melt is in progress. Took out the 300 2 8...just in case something showed up...nothing so far. On the sunny side of the house the air temp is a plus 13.2°C. The back is a plus 3°C. 1410hrs...It’s now 3.9°C. Mostly clear blue sky. Everywhere it’s melting nicely. The mission to recover the garbage can went as planned...and without drama. 1512hrs...All the frost that had accumulated on the trees has melted. I’ve repositioned the front temperature sensor and it still reads a plus 14.6°C? I‘ve also swept the front porch...using hot water...and the balcony deck. FE at 108.57%! 2037hrs...It’s a minus 0.7°C. And the fog is back. Have been online...for some time...reading about the American political scene. Earlier I went out with one of my binocs...to check out another comet. Velence...January 9th 2008. 0447hrs...Minus 1.1°C...Foggy...Coffee... 0831hrs... 1005hrs... 1030hrs...Done the shower trick. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX The Test! You are to be place on a recently discovered very large island ...code named...XXX It’s location has been kept a secret. This island has an abundance of natural resources. It has water...A river...A number of large, medium and small lakes...The lakes have a variety if aquatic life...It has trees of all kinds...It has mountains and valleys. There are birds...and a number of four legged animals. None of which are a danger to your life. You hold PhD’s in Physics, Chemistry, Geology. You hold a Masters in Electronics, Botany, Astronomy, Metallurgy, Computer Science, Optics, xxxx...And you are also Doctor of Medicine. You will be provided with every reference books you wish...in addition many more that you have not stipulated. In effect you will have a library containing most of man’s knowledge to date. 1209hrs...Back from the far store. 1406hrs... Continued...You’re are given a few basic tools. A big hunting knife, an ax, a compass, small binocular, a box (100 count) of waterproof matches, two medium size tarps, a 74 (give or take) function Swiss Army knife, a small waterproof flashlight (taking two standard D size cells)...with four cells as spares, a spool of strong string, a thirty foot length of half inch Manila rope, one hundred foot length of quarter inch Nylon rope, a spool of 16 gauge copper wire, a spool of 18 gauge iron wire, a mess kit, a P38 can opener, xxx Food for thirty days. XXXXX Your task...should you except the challenge...is to get rescued from the island before your food supply runs out...contingent on any additional food you’re able to gather. There is a catch. The only way to get rescued is to send a message. xxx 1924hrs...Foggy...about zero. It’s HOUSE night. Cila called earlier...misdialed. 2038hrs...Minus 0.1°C. Velence...January 9th 2008. 0419hrs...Woke up around 0400hrs...started the coffee...then stepped out. The only sound was from a number of dogs barking on the other side of the lake...0430hrs...they’re still at it. This is unusual. 0926hrs... 1355hrs...Have done lunch. Have cleaned the kitchen. Have moved the sensor of the front thermometer...and it now agrees with the one at the side of the house...to within 0.3°C...now reading a plus 1.1°C. The sensor had been placed in such a way that it must have been measuring some warm air escaping through the window frame...Now reads plus 0.9°C. Have finally logged on to Schwab. Had to find and reprint the email that contained the UN and PW. I how know to within a $1000 (exchange rates etc.) my net worth. That’s not plus/minus...just minus. Naturally I have less than I would have liked...but you play the cards you’re dealt. I shall run the numbers to work up a plan of action. 1655hrs...it’s just at zero...foggy. It’s been a lackadaisical kind of day...though I did get some things done. I guess waking up a 0400hrs...is not the best way to start the day. I’ve got a slight TA going...took 4 aspirin...and hit the paint remover...and waiting for it all to kick in. Re the story I started...I think I need to restart it. It’s not going in the direction I’d intended. Post dated...it’s actually ok...as far as I’ve taken it...it just need to be continued on. Velence...January 11th 2008. 0652hrs...Coffee... 0730...Foggy...Minus 2.0°C. The TA woke me up at 0130hrs...Took 4 aspirin. Seems ok now. 1611hrs...Have been out helping Istvan de-ice the walk. It’s just above zero. Have been working the numbers also. 1748hrs...Just read that Sir Edmond Hillary died...1919-2008...age 88. His Sherpa guide...Tenzing Norgay...had died in 1989. Another era has passed. 1847hrs...Just in...and I can see some stars to the east...It my well turn out to be a sunny day tomorrow...can always hope...huh? Getting really tired of this fog...and cold. Help me Rhonda... Velence...January 12th 2008. 0735hrs...It’s at zero...The sky is mostly clear...there is color to the east as the sun comes up. 0801hrs...the first rays of sunlight have entered the room...long time no see. 1031hrs...Just in...I had been distracted by a noise at the side of the house...and went out to investigate...Snow had come off the roof...and then I see Istvan returning to de-ice the walk. It’s a plus 4.1 °C at the side...and a plus 20.1°C in the sun in front. Yesterday I had an email from "A"...stating that she had withdrawn her monies and sold INSP...which I already knew. This morning I looked into opening an account with Schwab...but ran into a snag or two...which I related in my reply. Wait and see. Istvan says that Jutka is planning on going the USA...later in the month. News to me...but NBD. Except that I have relied on her for trips to the stores...which I will need to do again soon. Thinking that I should go to the local store...not sure why though. He goes on to say that yesterday ALL the females went into Feharvar...re Dori’s pending wedding. Girl stuff! It’s 23.1°C in the sun! Oh...the laser printer is starting to ask for coal dust. This is going to be a problem! GADS...another big noise...back in a flash... Sure as hell...it now came down onto the stairs. 1127hrs...Second cup of Joe...in works. 1308hrs...Have done lunch. I have now witnessed a few avalanches coming off the roof. You hear it first...and then wet show hitting the ground. GADS! I just touched the radiator next to me...HOT as hell. I had felt for sometime this morning that the room was unusually warm...and attributed it to the warmer outside temperatures. WRONG...Istvan has stoked the fire so to speak...without telling me...naturally. I even left the doors open...telling myself that I was just airing the room...when in fact I was trying to cool it down. 1353hrs...Clouds have arrived to obscure the sun...hence a drop in temperature...now a plus 12.6°C in front...the melt continues nicely. 1759hrs...Earlier stepped out and there was Istvan again...and then Pityu showed up too. Says he plans on getting some ice fishing in...tomorrow. Also talk about some birds he’d seen the other day...Sounded interesting...If the sun should show tomorrow...I may go and take a look. Though from what I hear...there is rain in the forecast. I also find out that my photo paper is now here in HU Land...Budapest to be specific...at Eva’s. I talked to Istvan about it since he was the one that said getting the paper is not a big problem...Though he ask about its weight. I just looked at a box and there was nothing. At the same time...I don’t know if the three boxed are naked or boxed up. Getting complicated again! Velence...January 13th 2008. 0730hrs...And it’s a PLUS 3.1°C...for a change. 1002hrs...Cloudy...the melt continues. This is a good thing. 1519hrs...Just in...was out there...in a coat...reading and enjoying a cup...as the sun tried its best to shine. But I‘m getting ahead of my story. It was about 25 minutes ago that I decided to make what would be my second cup of coffee...and all went well...pour water into reservoir...put mismatched part "A" into mismatched part "B"...measure out coffee for what I figure to be two cups worth...into filter matching mismatched part "B"...and place the combination...at an angle onto coffee maker under the spout. It was now at the point where one just waited. There was still the matter of putting sugar into my "I Love my Coffee" coffee mug...in effect killing time. Now...the location I had to use for the coffee maker was predicated not on best position possible...but the length of its power cord...which I’d like to say here and now...is DAMN short. Hence it sits on a small cutting board that sits on the right top burner position on the gas range. There is only one real problem with this solution...and that is that it’s...UNSTABLE! There...I said it. So...you guessed it...I turned away for just a second...and then...in slow motion...the pot went flying as the maker/cutting board combination tipped. Me and coffee makers don’t seem to get along. I now have three coffee makers...all without pots. Email from "A"...surprised...it’s ok with her re keeping the account open. It’s just logical. Thinking about taking the Celestron C8 off the equatorial mount...and putting it on the big Slik tripod...for my next attempts at photographing the ISS. The difference this time over the last time I used the C8 will be that I will be sighting through the lens as opposed to using the finder scope. Though it did work...the fact that the image in the finder is upside-down made it a nasty proposition...as I tried to track the fast moving ISS. The only question is...whether it’s possible to mount the C8 on the tripod. To do that...there needs to be a 1/4-20 thread in the mounting block. I’ll take a look sometime...soon. 1614hrs...The sun has set... 1640hrs...Pityu just showed up. 1726hrs...Pityu has gone...He came to ask for details re the photo paper. Gave him Eva’s phone number...and the rest will be taken care of next week...or was it two? Anyway...it’s a done deal. 1834hrs...The sky is clear... Velence...January 14th 2008. °C 0538hrs...Up since 0530hrs...Coffee...boiled water and Instant. It’s clear this morning...and a plus 2°C! I will shower soon...and hit the far store. 0641hrs...Have showered. It’s now overcast! Should see some color as the sun rises. 0818hrs...Back from the far store. 0853hrs...The sun is in a race with the clouds...and I now see smoke to the south...along the waterfront...but not the source. 0900hrs...I shall now read the downloads from yesterday...on language, tribes and clans. 0939hrs...Done deal. Interesting. I will need to think about it. If Arpad’s seven tribes constituted 108 clans...where one clan is counted as from 7000 to 10000 population...that would work out to a total population of from 756,000 to 1,080,000. Add to this the other three Khazarian tribes... For a total count of from 1,008,000 to 1,440,000...entering the Carpathian Basin. The fires continue...From the look of it...they are burning the reeds along the shoreline. 1056hrs...Have removed the C8 from its mount and remounted it on the big Slik....There was a 1/4-20 thread...making it a no brainer. Took the rig outside...and took a few frames. It’s the same old problem of the whole thing moving during the exposure...which I expected. So I’m all set for the ISS to show...early next month. 1203hrs...Had lunch...it was good. It’s sad to realize that I have not heard every piece of music that I would ultimately like...had I been able to hear it. In the sun it’s a plus 17.4°C. 1629hrs...Been back for about 20 mins...Jutka had called...store...yes...go...come...done deal. 1839hrs...NCIS tonight...seen it though. 1925hrs...Typically...Jutka went on about having seen a program on TV about Hungarian Nobel Laureates...and how it‘s the fact that they went to schools here...that made them what they became. WELL...I tried half heartedly to point out a few facts...but she would not listen...Her mind is...and has been thus set...permanently. And that seems to be pandemic in the "village". This...what I must call a heavily biased view...is so typical of a small country. These Nobel prize winners did not learn everything there was to learn here in HU Land. Most of them studied further in other countries. And while I don’t doubt that they were "ahead" of many others in there fields...there was a perfect window of opportunity...that was then open...and then closed. Other windows have opened up...computer science...micro-electronics...(chips)...and others. So while there may have been a greater difference in the rigor of the educational systems...here and abroad...it has I believe diminished. Velence...January 15th 2008. °C 0643hrs... 0718hrs...Taking the garbage can out was a piece of cake. Most of the snow on the ground is gone. I’ll check...but I don’t think it went below zero last night as had been forecast. It’s foggy as of now. 1154hrs...Listening to old ethnic Hungarian music...Love it. The only other music that’s even close is some Cajun. 1638hrs...had lunch about 40 mins ago. It was good. I’m on Tom Van Baak’s website...Great stuff...though I had been there before...still fun to re-read some pages. "You da Man!" Am just now printing out a 51 page document from his site. My damn laser printer just hates to move paper though itself...so I have to continuously monitor it. There...Done Deal! "The Evolution of the Quartz Crystal Clock". 1932hrs...Have just gotten off line. And lots to read. I downloaded a number of pages. I had just stepped out earlier...when the phone rang...looking for Istvan...no...try this number...ok. Step back outside...the phone rung again...same gal...tell her that we’ve done this just a minute ago...bye. 2035hrs...The fog continues. Temps are above zero. Velence...January 16th 2008. °C 0622hrs... 1551hrs...Have spent the day reading..."The Evolution of the Quartz Crystal Clock"...and "Accuracy evaluation of the primary frequency standard NIST-7"...and managed to take a shower...and fix lunch. And am still not dressed. I may not...since I have one more to read..."The Photon"...though I did scan it as it printed out. L. Essen...Time Scales. And The Photon. 1829hrs...Done deal. Very interesting. Have had two calls...both looking for Istvan and or Cila. Tonight is HOUSE night. I never did watch NCIS the other night. I had set the TV’s timer for 1.5 hours...and listened. I heard it start but never got into it. What to read up on next? The moon is visible through some clouds. It’s also on the warm side... Damn...the phone again...I’ve got it figured out...today is Wednesday...and that’s the day that these people make the bloody calls...I hung up on this last one. Warm side as I was saying...at a plus 6°C in front. The forecast is for warmer days also. GADS!...I just noticed more printouts that were still in the printer tray! Let’s see what we have boys and girls..."Cesium Beam Atomic Time and Frequency Standards"... 1949hrs...Done deal. 2014hrs...I must admit that I get a real kick out of time and frequency measurements...clocks and oscillators...Nothing even close to Tom Van Baak...but share the same high. The evolution of the technology is astounding...Time is the most accurately measurable quantity...known to man! Velence...January 17th 2008. °C 0624hrs...Coffee... 0652hrs...All signs of snow have disappeared...almost. Just a small patch hear and there...should be gone today...given the temps. The lake of course is still frozen...though unsuitable for skating. Speaking of the lake and ice...yesterday I saw two crows...on the ice. Interesting I thought...given that there is not much to do...on the ice. Unless the crows were...comedian crows..."look...look...I’m a duck...Hahhahaha." Or...it was a case of the betting crows..." I dare you to land on the ice...!"..."How much you want to bet?"...Or...they were religious crows..."I shall now...walk on water..."... 1156hrs...The printer finally stopped...lacking toner. I had a brand new toner cartridge for an older printer and managed to remove the toner...and put it in the current printer. Should be just fine. Jutka called...invited for lunch...yes...1300hrs...yes...etc. I’ll leave here about 1230hrs. I shall now read the latest downloads. 1227hrs...Out the door... 1618hrs...Have been back for about 30 mins... I’m now crunching numbers relative to Jutka’s latest proposal. I now also have the latest bank statement. Jutka had mentioned that she ended up talking to Eva...as part of setting up the pickup of my photo paper. 1858hrs...Getting that old feeling again. 1945hrs...Oh...Jutka is in fact going to the USofA...leaving February 3rd...return on May the 10th. Gads.... Velence...January 17th 2008. °C 0746hrs...Up for about 30 mins...Coffee...and the one Fank left from yesterday... 0857hrs...Earlier...caught Cila on her way to work. I need to hit the far store...should take a shower...and then do some powerful thinking. 1054hrs...And I’m dressed ready to go...but as I noticed the last time I was outside...it was raining...and now a bit heavier. So I shall wait. 1147hrs...And listening...!..Ancient sounding music...my heart soars... 1508hrs...Back for about 30 mins...Had hit the far store. 1819hrs...Did lunch around 1600hrs...Am now looking at the spreadsheet dealing with Jutka’s finances...And am thinking about making her an offer that she can’t refuse...at least that’s the way I have to look at it...all or nothing. Fixing up the top floor would take...by the latest estimate...3.5 million Forints. That’s just over $20K in real money. 1935hrs...Just in...The fog is back with vengeance. People walking in the street...Kemping Street does not have a sidewalk...look like ghosts. 2101hrs...Just in...the moon is visible through the fog...and from the phase...it’s a start of another month here. Been here for six months! 0517hrs...Post dated June 19, 2008...as I edit...Don't know the date. 0747hrs...Time for breakfast. It’s raining...lightly. 1103hrs...Well...the plot re-thickens. I was online...and at one point...don’t ask me why...since I’d done it before...I did a GS on just "Dose"...and on the first hit...there it was. What was...I hear you ask. Well it was a Seattle.Gov...Department of Neighborhoods...web site...showing the "Pride" house. Printed it and did a search on our house. Bingo...there it was also. These were historical houses. I did a search on the Elfendahl house and come up with nothing...which I should have reckoned. Anyway...they got some of the facts right...and others wrong...on both houses...so I sent them an email...though only on ours...since at the time I had not read the details of the Pride house. Speaking of which...didn’t it strike the writer as odd that since the house was built in 1911...that house was not purchased till 1936? And then it went on to state that they...the Mu....STOP PRESS...I need to take a closer look at this. The name I was about the write was Murphy! If that is true...re the house...then it was NOT the Pride house...but another. I need to check the address...again. Found the papers that I was looking for...and...GADS! Well...the Murphy house was built in 1911...And from the web page...if correct...because they have the same date as our occupancy...the Murphy’s lived there until 1968...which sounds about right...given that I don’t recall running into John...after I returned from Okinawa. It says that the house was bought by Robert and Harriet S. Murphy in July of 1936. I have not found the paper about the Dose/Pride house from which I’ll have an address...but when I do...I’ll do another search...online. Should be interesting. OH...and here is the really big deal in all of this...i.e...the point that I wanted to make...and that was...that Mr. Thomas...was in fact the Reverend Mr. Thomas!...and...Synodical secretary with the Presbyterian National Missions. THE Bishop...as it were! 1248hrs...Just in...saw a Kestrel...and grabbed the 300 2 8...fired off a few frames. Fixing lunch as I write. Velence...January 20th 2008. 0453hrs...6.6°C...windy...out of the west. 1543hrs...Back for about ten mins...having spent most of the day at Cila’s. Got there about 0940hrs...Wine...snacks...lunch with Pityu...fried chicken with rice...more wine...play with Jimmy...the Puli. Knackered. Oh...the reason I was there was to pick up my photo paper. Velence...January 21st 2008. 0716hrs...3.3°C. We have a sunrise this morning...and it looks like there will be proper sunshine today. 1029hrs...Well...I had one of my "LOST" dreams again. It was not a full blown nightmare...just that I kept looking for my two cameras...and could not find them...over and over it went. At one point I found something mixed in with camera gear...and this large contraption...was leaking water...onto the gear...so I picked it up...and while doing so...water came squirting out...so I moved it. Never did find the cameras. 1024hrs...The sun is shining...and I have been outside with the 300 2 8. I went to the back first without luck...then I went to the front...ditto...back to the back again...when I heard Jimmy the Puli...barking...and a voice. The voice came through the gate...It was Lajos...I hailed him. He went about opening a large tin...of what turned out to be dog food...as Jimmy went nuts waiting. Then Lajos came out the last gate and we chatted a bit...Pityu had called he to ask if he would buy some dog food and feed the Puli...since he had the day off. Off he went to see about his water bill...which seems to be a problem around here...in as much as the meters seem to read high. It now 19.5°C...in the front which faces the sun. I get the itch to go out again...but I suspect I won’t see anything worth shooting. 1307hrs...Well...that was good...lunch out on the patio...the sun blazing down...reading further into SJG’s book. 1423hrs...it’s showing 25.6°C...on the sunny side of the house...a veritable scorcher! When I come back...I will do so as...moss...I think. The sunshine keeps drawing me out...so I shall do so. 1921hrs...Answered an email I got the other day from a guy that had been stationed on Ie Shima. Liked reading my stuff...thanked him. Have been reading through a bunch of D/Ls...about the old homestead...aka...the Mt. Baker area...specifically the close neighborhood. Found a lot of good information. Would have been better yet if it had all the data per house...but I guess it’s a good start. Interesting stuff about the Pride house...not sure I understand it though. It’s as though the Pride’s were renting(!)...more on this later. Post dated June 19, 2008...What must have happened was that they paid the house off...and then sold it. AND...I even found Susan’s house if you can believe it. If I have my dates right...then her name was Susan McMillan(sp)...though it’s spelled McMilian on the D/L...typo(?). They were there from January 1960 through 1968. They made $7000...on the house when they sold it. Just occurred to me...I have a Seattle phone book for 1962...so I will take look...and that will nail it for sure. Post dated...June 19, 2008...The 1968 date above is bogus...in that a great number of entries ended on that date...it was not an actual date of the event...just the date they stopped further research. Post dated...3rd May 2008...I just drug out the ‘62 phonebook...and guess what...I found...what might be it. A John A. McMillan...2540 34th S. Parkway 5 8216. Well now...I had scanned that page when I found the book at Anci’s...but did not find the name...it was a quick search. But...there it is! More on this in real-time. The Pride house is an interesting case...and this is where the information is lacking...Built in 1910...is right...but is shows that it was not "bought" until...or say the first time...in August of 1938(!)...and the Polk directory shows it as vacant in 1940(!)...The next buyer was there for only two years...through 1943...and THEN...I quote..."William Pride resided in the building by 1955 and purchased the building in July of 1957 for $13,950. That same day sold the building to Charles Ganarek(sp) for $15,500, and he remained through 1965." Well NOW...We bought our house in 1952...and took up residence that same summer. As I recall...the Pride’s were already there...And as for selling the house to Ganarek...well...the name was Gazerek...and came later I think. I will check this out....I have Burt’s email address...somewhere. If tomorrow will turn out as nice as today...I should take a run over to Anci’s...and dig out the phonebook...and have a chat with Anci. I need to hit a store anyway...which I can do on the way back. So back to the "Pride Case." Was the house empty from 1943 till 1955?(!!) Hard to believe...no? And then...how can you be residing in a house...and then buy it just like that...and then sell it. Was the house always up for sale...while it was occupied? Curiouser and Curiouser. Another thing...has to do with the house numbers on our block...not sure what to make of it. It’s as though some house numbers were skipped...but don’t quote me on that...yet. And then we have our house. The same strange scenario...as the Pride house...in as much as there seemed to be no residents until it was bought in 1930(!)...which if true...in the sense that it must have been occupied be the then owners...the Dose’s...as I think the case with the Pride house. I our case...the House was in fact sold first to Mottinger in 1907...was then bought by Wightman in 1925...AND THEN bought by Thomas in 1930...who was in fact the first mane and date stated in the web page. And then we have the "Egger Case." What are the odds of two people having the same surname living in the same block...in the same time frame...named "Egger"? One a Edwin F. Egger...the other a...Gads(!)...I don’t have the other ones name at hand...YES I do...a Glen M. Egger. It’s NCIS night...so...It’s STOOAC...till next time boys and girls...when it’s Howdy Doody time again. Velence...January 22nd 2008. 0713hrs...Coffee... 0756hrs...Well I had yet another "Lost" dream this morning. This time I was somewhere in the U-District...trying to get to a particular avenue...and just couldn’t find it. It didn’t help that the area seemed to look like a house floor plan...without the roof. The streets had walls. Then I ran into a woman...who seemed to recognize me...but I don’t seem to recognize her...anyway I explain my problem...and she says that she will help me...She smiles and gives me directions. She disappears behind a door...and I head off. I don’t get very far...because I am lost again. The end. It’s garbage day today...so it must be Tuesday. It’s overcast...and 4.1°C...in front. 1034hrs...have just showered...and doing a second cup...OH...The other day I did it again...This time it was going to be hot Chocolate...right...what could be simpler? NOT! Put chocolate in cup...add milk...place in microwave...ding! I was fine until it got to the add milk part. I poured in the contents of what I again took to be the milk...and watched as I poured...and then gave it stir...ok(!) fine...I gave it more that just one stir...like many...AND then lick fork...I use a fork...GADS...that tasted like...orange...it was. I thought about patenting it...but figured that other may have...I say may have...already done it too. No problem with the coffee that’s now cooling...since I am out of milk...hence need to hit a store sometime today. Speaking of which...it’s on the cool side and there is a wind blowing...hence wind chill...I don’t think I’ll do Anci today. I need a day like yesterday...since I want to dig pretty deep into my stuff. The phone book...papers...other stuff that I’m sure I’ll know it when I see...find...it. It’s now been months that I was there last...I think. Would like to find the copies of the deeds to our house to get the full names...etc. 1237hrs...Just finished lunch...delicious...even if I do say so myself. 1421hrs...GADS! I looked out the window and notice the there is a crew working on one of the house toward the lake. And I think to myself that they are getting close to finishing tiling the roof. Looking closer yet...I notice that there are three men on the roof...and only later do I see that there is one more at the bottom of a ramp...AND then(1)...I see tiles sliding DOWN the ramp!.........I’m watching to see what happens next. I mean...the roof must have been done...I just didn’t make note of it...and NOW their going to take it all down?...Well I guess not...they seem to be swapping out that which was up...for that which was piled up by the road...as though it may have just arrived...will keep you advised. And then we have the Photon! Here it is...smoking along at the speed of light...when it encounters one surface of a piece of plate glass...AND slows down going through said glass...and when it reaches the other surface...it resumes going at the speed of light again. "How do it know?" If you want my opinion...I say that it never slowed down! I say that it...the Photon...had farther to go in the denser material...in this case the plate glass. It was in effect...XXXX Velence...January 23rd 2008. 0546hrs...Coffee...as planned...no drama. 0602hrs...Just in...2°C...Full moon...still windy...Last night very strong gusts. Partly cloudy...Mercury is visible. 0914hrs...Just back from the far store. 1108hrs...It’s f/8 at 1/000 ISO 200 as of now...clear blue skies. 1145hrs...It’s that time again... 1256hrs...Have done lunch...and as usual...it was good...or if you will...I liked it. Yesterday Jutka called to tell me about the high winds alert...and to take care of the patio furniture...which I had in fact started to do...but went out to do the rest. The first gust that hit...long before Jutka’s call...was quite awesome...which was why I had already moved the table. 1309hrs...I’m going to make a run to Anci’s... 1536hrs...I’m back. Ended up that Lajos was there...and came out just as I was about to leave...Had some wine...talked. Found the Genome stuff and some other paper. A box of audio tapes...that I’ll need to go through one at a time...have no idea what’s on them. I brought over the 450mm...and the IR scope...the Tamron 500mm...Oh...and the Nikon C950...and the Nikor 28mm with my IR filter set. 1710hrs...Just finished reading some of the paper that I’d found. I had also seen the setting sun...the last of it...bright red it was. Tonight is HOUSE night... Oh...I put one audio tape into the machine...and it seems to have been tape recordings that I’d made...I am setting it up so all I have to do is hit the "REC" button to record the radio programs at 1145-1200hrs. All set! Now I just have to remember to catch it...! 2100hrs...Took the C8 out with the C950...not much luck for lack of a charged set of batteries. Perhaps again tomorrow. Velence...January 24th 2008. 0746hrs...Coffee... 0816hrs...One set of batteries is charged...and look good. Another set is on the charger. These two sets are 2000mAh batteries. It was below freezing last night...and about 1.0°C now. It’s mostly cloudy as the sun rises. Yesterday at Anci’s I never did fine the 1962 Seattle phone book. Saw the Kestrel again...this morning. Saw a large flight of Geese too...all strung out in a line. 1148hrs...A recording is in progress....1200hrs...done deal. 1533hrs...Have done lunch...and have been online for a number of hours...R1a1 stuff. 1623hrs...God...I’m a wreck! I can hardly see to write. 1654hrs...time to hit the Unicum...I know I’m going to hate it... Damn...Bad stuff...but I think I’ve had worse. That was bad...time for another shot...Down in one...DAMN! Time for another...WOOOFFFF! And another! Down the hatch! 1800hrs...The 2700mAh batteries are done...back into the strobe. Time for that last of it! Oh Maiden...My maiden...How I weep for you.........Over and over again.......... All that’s left is bubbly....two bottles...to be specific...in the fridge as I write! 1906hrs...Time to step outside...and........... Velence...January 25th 2008. 0607hrs...Coffee... 1339hrs...Have just had lunch...and as usual...it was good. I had it outside again...and read...but it was on the windy side...though as I predicted this morning...that there would be sunshine by 1400hrs...though it’s not warm. Have done some laundry...and general pick up. Found a few interesting things. 1529hrs...Just back from the close store. The sun is in fact shining. 1541hrs...Istvan is out there doing something. 1613hrs...I joined him...and later changed out the bulb at the side door. 1648hrs...Well...it’s off to Pityu’s with Istvan to see about tomorrows schedule... 1822hrs...I’m back. Ended up getting fed. Good! Had some red wine also. Talked. Lajos had been there earlier...though not by the time I got there...and then showed up again. They were preparing to make sausage. Well...it’s on for tomorrow at some ungodly hour...0700hrs at Bela’s. A pig roast...as it were. 2030hrs... Velence...January 26th 2008. 0530hrs...Coffee... 0614hrs...Just out of the shower. The sky is totally clear. 0639hrs...Dressed. When I first hit the kitchen...I heard Jimmy barking...This meant that the Lads were up and getting ready to leave...and I figure that they were running late. There is color in the east. It’s only about 1°C...not what I would call warm. Thinking that I will take two cameras...two lenses....and oh...the flash. 0648hrs...Cameras and flash are set. 0654hrs...Decided to have breakfast. 0708hrs...Out the door in 5 mins. 1313hrs...Been back for about ten mins... 1649hrs...I’m still here...as in I thought I would have gotten a call by now...at which time I would have gone back for some grub. Not a real big deal...except I would have recovered the gloves I left behind. I don’t think I got it backwards...as in I was to call them. I let Bernadette use my D70 to take photographs...which I’ve looked at...and they are quite good. The was a colorful sunset. The sky still has bright red clouds showing. 1724hrs...Cila just called...and we will in fact be going to Bela’s together as it were. Velence...January 27th 2008. 0413hrs...The winds finally got me up...though the multiple TA’s kept me awake all night. It’s warm out at 8.5°C. Doing coffee. 0427hrs...Just in. It’s bloody windy out there with very strong gusts. And there is some moisture too. Wouldn’t call it rain yet. Have take four 75mg Aspirin tablets...and I’m going back to bed. 0814hrs...Up again. It is now raining...and continues to be windy. 0907hrs...Have lost power at least twice so far. The last one just a few mins ago. They were momentary...just enough to kill this computer...and a digital clock. 0937hrs...Happened again! 0951hrs...The wind is fierce! I guess I should say that the gusts are the big deal today. Looking at the sat image...I can see where it’s coming from...the north. 1415hrs...Up since 1400hrs. The windy conditions continue. AND the wind has blow sheets of ice up into the reed...AND...water is now visible in two areas of the lake...the ice is breaking up. And the sun is trying to break through too. 1451hrs...There are now numerous areas that are free of ice. I’m sure that the wind is helping speed up the process. 1541hrs...There is a part of the lake that looks like a river...the wind is blowing it with great speed...and that water is being forced under the ice...breaking it up all the more. 1756hrs...The winds and strong gusts continue. Have popped 4 more Aspirins...The TA’s continue also. Running out of pills...need to take care of that too. Hate the hassle! 1828hrs...The lights blink now and then... The sky is clear...stars are out. Velence...January 28th 2008. 0713hrs...Coffee. The sky is clear...and we are close to sunrise. 0807hrs...The lake is blue again...I see no signs of ice as far as I can see. 1038hrs...Back for about 15 mins...And it has not been a good day so far! It started out ok...but then went down hill. I went to the Doctors to get a new prescription...and it took 45 mins to get in. Then I went to get monies out of the cash point...that went ok. Then to the chemist...I will have to go back tomorrow...which did not surprise me...and I’m not actually out of pills yet...so that was no big deal. It’s then that I notice that I only had half a pair of gloves. Back tracked without luck. I then hit the store...the far one...since it’s right there and I needed their bread...ok fine...and back home. I had bought some jam filled pastries...that will go well with my second cup of coffee. So there I am...measure out a cups worth of H2O...pour it into a small pot...place on gas stove. Right! Backing up...light the burner and then place pot...BUT...I notice the that damn thing is already warm...Which explains why when I made the first pot earlier...the water kept on boiling...albeit just...and I attributed it to the heated iron retaining the heat...and went about my morning. The bottom line is that I had in fact NOT turned it off...to the left...but to the right...Low! This meant that I didn’t need to light the burner...since it was already lit...And it’s then that I realized that I had forgotten to buy a lighter. I did remember to buy some pain killer...for my ongoing TA...and ended up with something called Saridon...which turns out to be nothing more that Parcetamaol, Propyphenazone and Caffien. The lady said to take three at a time...She’s a relative...but I was able to decode the dosage...to two at a time...which sounded right to me. Last night was not hot either. I crashed early...about an hour into it...the phone rings...it’s Jutka...wanting to know what I thought about the high winds etc...went back to bed...only wakeup an hour later...back to bed...up again around midnight. 1112hrs...It’s 6°C in the shade...and 24°C in the sun. 1145hrs...That time again. 1206hrs...30°C in the sun now! 1232hrs...Back from having gone to the close store. Did buy two lighter. It’s good to see waves on the lake again. The wind has picked up again. 1706hrs...Just before 1500hrs...the phone rang...Jutka wanting me to go over. I do...have now returned. I was to bring two eggs also. Talked stocks re Imre...while I ate the spinach and two eggs that Jutka had prepared...the eggs being the two that I brought. Spinach is not one of my favorites. At the end she wanted $100...ended up giving her 30,000ft ($171)...which also covered my internet access fee. (6,000ft)($35)...to give to Pityu for the Palinka that was to be produced from some of her grape harvest. Oh...we will be going into Feharvar tomorrow...at 1100hrs. I will need to dig out some paper that will need to be transliterated. And I need to find the last dividend check that I will deposit in a new Hungarian bank account. 2027hrs...It’s NCIS night. Got to write Bill an email sometime soon. I have another unanswered email also...from the guy that had been stationed at Ie Shima...Det 1 of the 1962nd Comm Group. Which brings up the whole Flitterman incident. Velence...January 29th 2008. 0709hrs...Coffee... 1005hrs...Panic as I tried to find some documents. I did find one in the last place I looked...The other one alludes me still. Called Jutka...gave her the details...and the fact that I need to hit the Chemist’s and the cash point. Hope I dropped the glove there. 1051hrs...Waiting for Jutka to show up. She’s is...on average...always late. 1615hrs...Back for 15 mins. Not this time she wasn’t! Did a Office Depot that just happened to be there. Bought a toner cartridge for my laser printer...and an 8MB memory stick. Then it was to swap Pounds for Forints...which then Jutka swapped for Dollars...which I then deposited into my new bank account. I know...hard to believe. And since the first place wouldn’t except a 20GBP note because it had a very small piece torn off...and neither would "my" bank...I ended up giving it to Jutka...More like she asked if they would except it in GB Land...to which I say yes...she took it! I think the real winner in this whole deal was...you guessed it...Jutka. While I waited for Jutka to take care of her business...I checked out some CDs...and ended up buying two. Then it was back to here...to collect some shopping bags...and then off to shopping with Jutka...Spar. Velence...January 30th 2008. 0643hrs...Coffee. Rough night! TAs...no end. Vodka and pills. 0731hrs...Will leave soon to see the Dentist. 0902hrs...Back for about ten mins...Well...that’s one down. Should have been three if it were me...but I’m just the patient. Cila has just left for work. Oh...cost me 2000ft...($11.43). 1310hrs...Yesterday evening as I was partaking of dinner...the phone rang. Cila wanting to tell me about an asteroid that is to come close. I told her that I knew about it. I did in fact. The problem was that it was overcast...and...that’s a big AND...the asteroid was rated a 10 magnitude. And that meant that one could not see it without proper optics...as in a large telescope. Back to dinner...and then sometime later...the phone rings again. Anci wanting a big favor...that turned out to be my chains...as in snow. The girls were going skiing in Austria...and needed to have a set...just in case they were checked...no matter that they may not have fit their tires. Done deal. 1317hrs...I’m a bit pissed off...with the Dentist. He pulled one tooth that in fact needed attention...like right now. On the other hand...there was at least one more that I would have liked to have pulled too. And he was mumbling about two weeks plus! Damn! AND...Though the tooth is out...I’m in pain...now that the effects of the Novocain have worn off! Popped two Paracetamol. Have not had lunch...not really hungry. 1323hrs...In the sun it‘s 21.8°C. 1547hrs...Have just had lunch. 1636hrs...It’s been a bummer day...not sure why...though I got some things done. HOUSE night. The dance sequence from: Picnic, Crocodile Dundee, Pulp Fiction, Dirty Dancing, Fred and Ginger pick one.... Velence...January 31st 2008. 0704hrs...Coffee... 1757hrs...Well it pays to keep your eyes on the ball. With the upcoming launch of STS-122 on the 7th...I updated the Keplers...and took it for a spin. I set the date for the 7th...just to see if it will be possible to see both the ISS and STS-122. The answer is no. But as I moved the time around I noticed that it appeared that optimum ISS orbit were later than I thought they should be...given that I have been waiting...without checking...for good passes to arrive. Anyway...I set the clock back to current time...and to my stupid amazement...there was the ISS...granted at low elevation...directly south of me. Had I stayed outside for another minute...and looked in the right direction...which was an area that I was scanning anyway...I would have seen it. As it was...I grabbed the big 11X80 binoculars...and sure as hell...there it was...plain as day. Back at command central...I checked out the next days orbits...and I will take a shot tomorrow...not a good orbit but it will be good practice...with the C8 mounted as it is...weather permitting. Earlier...Caught Istvan coming home...talked. Last night was HOUSE night NOT. I crashed early...and though I heard it come on...I switched it off...and had a good nights sleep. I don’t know what it is...perhaps one of the pills I take...as in I know for sure that one is labeled as inducing sleep...hence taken at night...when I’m not likely to be operating heavy equipment. Yes...but what about in my dreams...what if I am driving a big rig...(?)...do I drive it...FUNNY? Defining moments: There are events in our lives that make an impact. An impact that at the time you may or may not know the significance...there of. It is only some time later that it hits home...that GADS...there it was. This phenomena should not be confused with my other favorite whipping boy...the fork in the road of life. No...this is something entirely different. These are in some cases very subtle...to the point that you may not even be aware of the effect it had on you...but there non the less. In no particular order...: (1) Germany...Wartenburg. It was the summer of 1951 and we were all outside enjoying the pleasant weather. Sunshine...casting dappled shadows. The green grass...birds chirping...a gentle breeze...all was well in the village...as it were. When I say we...I mean to say that there were a number of people...that thinking back now must have been some of the OM’s students. These students were for lack of a better term...driftwood of the war...refugees...from many countries...they were young and in some sense disoriented by their war experiences...which had been over for the last six years. They were their in a sanitarium. Anyway...there we were....I remember that one group was playing with a pellet rifle...target shooting. Then someone had an idea...the trick was to put a pellet through the open end of an empty wine bottle...Not sure anyone knew what to expect...but they were having great fun. There would have been refreshments...sandwiches...pie...and pastries...talk...relaxing...good for the soul stuff. Then someone spotted a squirrel up in a tree...and before you could say "Thisspipple"...everyone was all excited at the prospect of trying to capture it. With great abandon...people were running all over the place...it was infectious. Running...laughing...yelling. The squirrel did it’s best to accommodate...by jumping from branch to branch...tree to tree. It was great fun to watch. Then someone picked up a stone and threw it in the direction of the squirrel. Others took up the new theme...and did likewise. After awhile...stones were flying all over the place. The thrill of the chase. They cheered when a stone came close to scoring a hit...more tossed stones...more cheers. They would all move from tree to tree as the squirrel tried to escape as best it could. This went on for a few minutes when...the squirrel actually came to ground...and scurried about madly. Cheers went up...as capture became viable...and possibly eminent. No one really knew what to do...so they began to chase the squirrel...while trying to keep it from getting back up in a tree. Laughter...joy...a thrill...a summer breeze... Then...the squirrel took what it thought was a way out...and ran right between the legs of one of the merrymakers...who happened to still have a stone in his hand...and from fear as much as anything...threw that stone down hard...killing the squirrel. The laughter and joy...stopped...the silence was thunderous. (2) In two parts. (1’)The year was whenever Mission Impossible was on the air...the original. The plot was like all the rest...except that this one would require a computer to be re-programmed. Greg Morris’ character is asked if that will be a problem. It must be remembered that this took place long before personal computers were even a dream. So when Greg’s character say...something to the effect that..."no"...that should not be a problem...since it was in fact the very computer that he learned to first program. I remember thinking...mmmmm. (2’) Renton, Washington...Leasametrics...Kin King’s outfit at the time. An auction. We were there to pick over the bones of a company going under the gavel. I was there looking for bargains...while the OM and his longtime friend Tom Askey were there to bid on a computer. A Wang. The word was that they had set a high figure...in the high hundreds...and hoped. Looking back now...I have not the slightest clue what they thought they could/would do with it. Not sure that I did either. The Wang was set up just to the right as you came in the front door. We all stared at it. I came and went a few times as I looked over all that would be auctioned. Then sometime later...as I approached it for one more look...I noticed that there was someone sitting at the console...typing. Closer...I hear him talking to someone else...and it soon became apparent that he was in the process of programming the computer to...count. I was mesmerized watching with anticipation. There were a few false starts...but then...numbers scrolled down the left hand side of the green screen. A number of years later...One of the first things I did with my first computer was to.... It was so easy...to do...child’s play...could do it blind folded...one hand tied behind my back... BUT...at the time...that day...watching the numbers scroll...it was MAGIC. (3)....XXX Velence...February 1st 2008. |