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stevetuba.co.uk
Days in the life of a Curmudgeon...2009.
Velence...January 1st 2009. 0405hrs...Happy New Year...one and all. It’s a minus 4°C on the lake...an overcast start of a new day and a new year...as I slurp a cup of Java. Have not seen Mom since she slipped under the boat. I thought that it may be her reaction to the fireworks...we shall see. This year will be an eventful year...in spades! 0437hrs...Well that figures...My internet access failed while connected. So what else is new? 0444hrs...Just in from out...and so is Mom! I stroked her...and felt her ears. She had NOT been out in the COLD all this time! Hence it begs the question. 0802hrs...Doing a second cup of Joe. 1053hrs...Today is to be Bela’s last day of work...ostensibly. Have dressed. Work continues of the TubaFamTree spreadsheet...And going well...I think. 1732hrs...Been back for close to an hour...having been called over to Cila’s per the fact that Agnes Tuba had arrived. She was there with her son...and his wife Bernadette...Sari’s daughter...by a previous marriage. As soon as I went into the front room where they were all gathered...Agnes...holding up the A3 print that I’d made for Pityu...thanked me profusely for it! GADS! I said nothing but did catch Cila’s eye. In said photograph was their mutual grandfather...a young Pityu sitting in his lap. [This was not "our" Pityu but another. Pityu is a common nickname for Istvan...as is Pista and Pisti.] During the course of events I had occasion to hold said print...as wanting to remove it from possible harm...and deftly let the print fall between the seat and back of a couch...ending up somewhere on the floor underneath. Istvan saw the mishap and made an attempt right then and there to retrieve said errant print...but at the time failed. I thought nothing further about. Later...Agnes and company gathered themselves together...and left. Earlier...Csaba Horvath showed up...and left at the same time as Agnes and crew. It was only then that I asked Cila to explain the situation regarding the photo. The bottom-line was that Agnes...seeing her grandfather’s image...JUST assumed that the photo was for her. Istvan had in fact retrieved the print and put it on the window sill...more or less out of sight...though it was not intentional. The result though...was that Agnes did not walk off with the print. I’m expecting to be call back for some sustenance...soon. I have scanned all the photos that Agnes had brought...and I re-printed said image on Photo Quality Ink Jet Paper...A3...to see if it will pass examination. If so...I shall make another one for Pityu...and keep the original for my own portfolio. 1938hrs...I’m back. Velence...January 2nd 2009. 0524hrs...A cup. A minus 2°C...overcast. 1014hrs...Have been to the close store. Continue work on the tree. Well now! It’s back to the murder case. Jutka had it wrong...that while she may well have known Tuba Istvan (1923-2006)...he could not have been the one that had the tavern...as listed in the book for the year 1930. That Tuba Istvan would have been only 7 years old! And as I found out just yesterday...he worked for the Telephone Company...making it a no brainer. This brings us back to his father...Tuba Istvan...born in 1880. Prison at 18...making it 1898...out in 15 years...making it 1913...and 33 years of age. Ten years later...1923...he has Tuba Istvan mentioned above. Seven years later he is listed...for 1930...as a tavern owner. This would not logically mean that it was not such before that date. The plot re-thickens. 1039hrs...Just in from out. Istvan...brought my gloves down...I could have used them when I went to the store earlier...and is now about to stoke the fire. Cila is up and about...so I may call over...a bit later for more information...and for some from me. 1409hrs...Back from Cila’s. 1957hrs...Back from Cila’s...dinner...chatted. Velence...January 3rd 2009. 0611hrs...Minus 5°C...Clear...stars are out...could be a sunny day...at last. A Cup. 1422hrs...Back for about 45 mins. I decided to photograph the old Tuba butcher shop building across the street from the old house...given the sunshine. So it was that I called over...and later went. Cila suggested that Istvan accompany me as guide...since I was to shot another old Tuba house...east on the High Street. WELL...it turned into a major safari...in that we made a huge loop...with a running commentary. Once we got back...Cila indicated...again...that there were some other scenes she wanted also. So it was that the three of us hit Kemping heading east. We eventually went down to the lakeshore and continued east. There must have easily over 200 hundred skaters on the ice. We took photographs of almost all of the old houses along the way. I had Cila taking her own photos with the D70...which I’m just now printing out as a contact sheet. She ended up taking over 50 frames...ending up 25 to the page. 1846hrs...Back for about 15 mins. Had been called over for dinner. Bela was there. After dinner I show/gave Cila the contact sheets. She wanted sheets of the frames I had taken...which I’ll do tomorrow. I’m tired and cold from today’s extended outing. Velence...January 4th 2009. 0735hrs...Mud. Minus 4°C...grey. 1550hrs...Spent all day working on the TREE. Looks good. Have just called over to Cila’s...and am going there soon with my photos...and two Franklin High School annuals. It would have been three except someone had stolen it...1960. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I've not been able to. Velence...January 5th 2009. 0613hrs...A cup of Java. A minus 2°C...calm...overcast. 0643hrs...I got back about 2030hrs...having gone over to Cila’s. Dinner was just great. They went through both annuals...1961 and 1962...and then the conversation turned to politics. Not my favorite subject...99% of which had to do with what was wrong with the system...but no solutions! I came back worn out. 0907hrs...Just out of the shower. Turns out that Bela is not yet retired...but will be on the 7th . I continue work on the Tree. It’s cold in here...don’t know why. I’m down to my last Lt. Magenta ink cartridge...as in it’s in the printer now. GADS! I need to hit a store sometime today. 1650hrs...Have been to the close store. Cat food mostly. Around noon I called and then went over to Cila’s to clear up some Magyar spellings...which are now incorporated into the Tree spreadsheet. It’s now basically ready to print...but I’ll do it perhaps tomorrow. Did not hear from Anci...which I thought would in fact happen. I hear that Judit needs a "winter" photo for her calendar. 1812hrs...TA in progress. Head ache. 2034hrs...Back for about 30 mins. Got the call for dinner...Langos. The TA continues. Pissed off! Velence...January 6th 2009. 0634hrs...Java...a minus 2°C...overcast. Phone...Cila...saw my light...I’d left my gloves there last night...duh. 1026hrs...Back for about 15 mins. It figures! I get all ready to hit the dentist...and sure as hell it’s closed...as in the dentist that I would normally see. So now it will be tomorrow...all over again. This morning around 0600hrs...phone...Cila...having seen my kitchen light...added that...I think it was...Istvan’s parent’s house was without heat...and was there here a space heater. I didn’t mention that I had been using it...as in at the moment. 1809hrs...Phone...Cila...dinner...A surprise. 2045hrs...I’m back. I took along the latest downloads. Cila went over them with me. Interesting. Velence...January 7th 2009. 0549hrs...A Cup. A minus 4°C...grey. It’s cold in here...lacking the space heater. I will buy one first chance I get. 0742hrs...Showered...and ready to hit dentist’s. Wish me luck! 0933hrs...It went about as well as it could. I now have an appointment for... STOP PRESS! 1016hrs...Had an email from Steve Swift...stating that Greg Schilling’s house burned down...as in completely! DAMN! More thoughts on this later. 1338hrs...Have called Cila for more information on a search she’d wanted me to do. 2038hrs...Just back from having gotten the call. Palacsinta! Anci was already there. Niki and Anita showed up later...and I left soon there after. Greg’s life was in his house...in a physical sense. All that he had was there...his life’s treasures. I feel empathy for him...given that in some sense I too have lost many of my things...these past years beginning in 1996...and then again in 1999...and yet again in 2004...and again in 2007...and even now in the last few months. Treasures...lost forever. Velence...January 8th 2009. 0720hrs...A hot Cup. A minus 5°C...tending to clear. In pain all night and now. Have plugged in a hair drier to heat the room...which is at 17°C. Rough night! Vladimir Putin has cut off gas to the Ukraine...hence other European countries...as in HU Land. The gas in use right now...here...is of inferior quality...hence less heat. I noticed yesterday that the water heater...was not able to produce really hot water. Today...Anci will be getting me clearance from the local dentist to get x-rays done...hopefully...as soon as Friday...in Fehervar. 1628hrs...I’m up...from having confined myself to bed...to make up for loss of sleep last night. It kinda worked. I have now been in continuous pain for 34hrs...without relief and no end in sight. Nothing I’ve tried seems to work...in the least. I plan to switch to pure alcohol for the duration. If I could just sleep...that would be a very good thing. What sleep I do get is fitful and depressing in nature. The same major problem keeps coming up...for which I devise various solutions...and while interesting...I soon discard it for yet another plan. It’s another case of total loss of control. At the virtual whim of yet another...spiteful and misguided person. The first one was my sister...and now this one! 2007hrs...Anci showed up about 45 mins ago...needing my cards. I should have known that they would be required. She’s now overdue...getting back. 2011hrs...She’s here. 2026hrs...WELL now...Anci has scored again. She had to go after something that will eventually kill the pain...for me. Thanks much. I have popped one already...300mgs of DALACIN. Hope to feel better in the morning. We are set to leave at 0730hrs. Velence...January 9th 2009. 0640hrs...A cup of Joe. It’s a minus 10°C...and looks to be clear. I have managed to leave my gloves at Cila’s again. I told her to put it out....that was yesterday...so I will need to go over this morning. OH...I feel much better. The pills seem to be working just fine. 0715hrs...I’m about dressed. Don’t know if Anci will be on time or not. 1129hrs...Well...it may have been a waste of time. Only one x-ray was taken...of one tooth. 1725hrs...It’s been a bummer day so far...without a prospect of it getting any better. Just finished a second cup...not sure if that was a good idea or not. I have a thing or two hanging over me...like getting these web pages published. When one is in pain...there is not much enthusiasm...for almost anything. I have the hair dryer plugged in as a space heater...and seems to work better than the one that I had been using. I expect to get a call from Cila. She had called over last night to say that she had been too tired to cook...which was ok by me...at the time. The overnight temperatures are running about a minus 10°C. The sun was out most the day...and hence warmer. This morning I went over to Cila’s to retrieve my gloves...only to learn that she was coming along also...as my facilitator...given that Anci had to attend to her own business. And so it was that Anci showed up there. I announced that we would again be taking the freeway...cutting our travel time to ten minutes. Anci drove at nearly 90mph! 1934hrs...Got the call at 1900hrs...went over. I should not have had any of the second course. I’m again in pain. Have popped a DALACIN tablet. It will take about 45mins to kick in. Doing Vodka also...which doesn’t really help. 1951hrs...Have cut one capsule in half...and taken it. Velence...January 10th 2009. 0659hrs...This computer came up with an inop mouse...this morning...and failed yesterday also. It’s working now but don’t know why it failed. Anyway... Have done a cup of Joe. It’s minus 9°C. I slept well last night. I popped a pill at 0400hrs. It looks like it will be clear and sunny...if the fog I see developing...stops. Nothing on for today that I know of. I hear that Anci has a new job...but I don’t have all the details. She had been available for my transportation needs. If she is working 6 days a week...don’t know the hours...then we will have problems. More on this later. 1557hrs...Just about ready to upload the revised blog pages. AOL became inop...so am rebooting the laptop. December 17th was the last date on the last page...so I will need to bring it up to date...but not right now. 1622hrs...Done deal...but not without drama. The three dot thing again...this time the code appeared in the text. I edited it in Notepad...which went quick enough. I had gone outside to think about the problem...and noticed skaters on the lake...right in the surface reflection of the setting sun. I knew that the D200 was mounted with the Nikkor 300 2 8...just inside the door. So...I blasted a half dozen frames...ultimately driven back in by the cold wind. 1803hrs...Have spent the last hour retouching a scanned print. It went well enough. The next time I’m online I should get the hit count for my website...just to see if there is an unusual amount of activity...given that it’s not possible to read all the way through a page...at once...hence the need to go back more that once or twice. I had looked at the count...but didn’t write it down...since I was adding to the count I think. Velence...January 11th 2009. 0743hrs...A Cup. It’s a minus 4°C...and grey. I slept well...and had a very good dream state this morning. The webpage count was 2835 as of yesterday. Yesterday Cila called to say that she was sending over some food. I asked that it only be soup. Soon enough...Istvan arrived with a pot...and headed for his parent’s house...saying that he was running late. I consumed said soup. 1642hrs...Have hit the close store. Ended up buying dog food. The poor cats nearly choked. Istvan has stoked the fire...so it’s hot in here. Said I’d be called for dinner. Reading most of the day...WWII aircraft stuff. Velence...January 12th 2009. 0551hrs...The usual cup. 2°C...grey. 0908hrs...Up again. Have done breakfast. I will need to hit the PO today...and call Sari to see if my internet bill is in her possession. Never called Sari but did in fact hit the PO and far store. This time my card worked at the PO so I took out cash. I had expected drama...leading me to hit the far CP...which I would not have been happy about. Doing my second cup of Java. Velence...January 13th 2009. 0629hrs...A Cup. Minus 3°C...grey. 0704hrs...Got the call yesterday...and had dinner. Was informed that Anci will be calling me before noon for a trip to Metro. This is good. Thinking that I should include the FamTree on my web site as a downloadable link. I should also upload the Sepia images. Have not heard from Bill. I assume the worst. 0755hrs...Working on an image that Cila is most interested in. It’s also the most difficult to fix...but I am making progress...slowly. 0914hrs...I now wait for the call. 1457hrs...Got back about 15 mins ago. Bought a space heater...and it’s plugged in as I write. Bought a book of Hungarian paintings...of the 19th and 20th century. I bought a warm coat. 1725hrs...It’s turning out to be a real slow day. I must have spent over an hour waiting for Anci and Cila to finish their shopping...and we started late...close to 1145hrs. Getting gas...and travel time added up. AND I didn’t find things that I’d wanted...in two store at that. The space heater is working just great...and hence it’s toasty in here...now. I have seen fires out on the lake...not sure what it was about though. Much earlier this morning I spotted a lone German Shepherd...heading east. 1817hrs...A late log. Call...Cila...Sari had been there...and brought over my mail...and some pastries...and that Istvan would be bringing it over. Just as I hang up...knock on door. Done deal. Oh...and...she didn’t cook...so hence there will not be another call later. NBD. 1839hrs...Just in from out. My new coat is working well. It’s a bit bulky...but I can not complain of it’s efficacy. Glad that tomorrows appointment is at 1200hrs. None of this getting up early stuff. Hell...I may sleep in. Saying that...it never ever happens. I just wake up whenever...and that’s it...knowing that I can always go back to bed. OH...what Sari did not bring was my internet bill. Strange. Another thing to worry about! Velence...January 14th 2009. 0817hrs...A cup of Joe in hand. It’s a minus 2°...grey. Last night I had called over to thank Istvan for bringing up my trash can from the street. I had forgotten to do so when he showed up with my mail earlier. Then a few minutes later...phone...Cila...warning me of pending ice storm...hence to watch my step...this morning. I replied that all I saw on the sat image was high fog. 0922hrs...And so it’s now said morning with no sign of ice. The BBC forecast for today was in fact lots of snow...but again...nothing so far. This computer crashed again. At one point...no mouse nor keyboard. 1015hrs...The temperature is now minus 1°C...and the cloud/fog...has risen...and sky has become brighter. I hope nothing happens until after my appointment at 1200hrs. I occurred to me that the reason Sari never brought my internet bill was because...not knowing...she paid it. I will rectify the situation as soon as possible. My research is at a standstill...for now. Can’t really think of a new search subject. 1103hrs...Just out of the shower...without drama. 1115hrs...It’s minus 1.8°C...with a very light drizzle...which is not a good thing...given that it creates ice on the road...methinks. On the other hand if the temperature continues to climb as it is...then it will melt...soon enough. 1130hrs...Well...Cila was right. Just in from out. Kwan appeared...and jumped up on the boat...and had to fight for footing. He indicated that some food was in order...by licking it mouth. I stepped out the side door...and felt the ice beneath my feet. This had been her warning...exactly. It’s going to be tricky with the bike a bit later...as in 10 mins. 1251hrs...Got back at close to 1230hrs. It was not without drama. I took the bike out onto the porch...and it was bloody slippery. It got only worse going down the stairs. The street finally got me. Fell right off the bike onto the icy road. I then walked the bike onto the grass and was able to make progress...having to get off to cross other roads...then back onto the grass. At one point I could see that I will not be able to go any farther...so I locked up the bike to a post. I walked the rest of the way...getting to the DO exactly at 1200hrs. I was the only one there...not counting the dentist. Back here...I stepped outside...and soon hear an approaching truck. It was going to turn into the compound across Kemping. I watched and noted that it was able to drive well on the street...but once on the dirt road...frozen I might add...it nearly lost control. A second later and it would have plowed into the gate. He recovered well enough...only to slip slide every 20 meters or so...nearly sliding off the road each time. 1800hrs...Earlier I called over...to show Cila the print of an image that I was working on. I printed a before and after. We talked details. Later Istvan came to spread sand onto the flag stones...and my porch. Well done! It was in fact treacherous going over to the old house. It’s now time to build some dinner. 1920hrs...Just off the phone...Jutka...from USA Land. Same old stuff. 1930hrs...Well damn...phone...Istvan...dinner! I had not expected the call based on Cila’s earlier statement. Anyway...I’m heading over now! Velence...January 15th 2009. 0912hrs...Yeah I know...A bit late this morning...getting up. It was good though. I had a dream. I must have been at a surplus place. I find this radio...a type I’d never seen before. I noticed that it came in two pieces. I noticed the tuning dial and scale. I thought it a bit unusual...but later I see that the bands are properly arranged after all. I turned a knob...and soon parts were falling out of the unit. I stopped to try and put it back together...when more parts fall out. I get frustrated by the prospect that I’m not making headway against the problem. The more I try the worse it gets. 0926hrs...There is a light dusting of snow. It’s a plus 1.5°C...and trying to show...lightly. I’m doing a cup of Java. 0947hrs...I keep forgetting to mention...that Kwan has figured out box-house Mk.II. 1114hrs...It’s now a plus 2°C. I have some additional work to do on the Three. 1559hrs...Have done lunch. Ricardo Montalban...dies at 88. Patrick McGoohan dies at 80...today! 1744hrs...The call. 2015hrs...Back for about 15 mins. Anci is to call tomorrow morning and she will be taking me in to the dentist’s. Need more pills to knock down the swelling...since yesterday appointment. Velence...January 16th 2009. 0726hrs...Cup. Minus 1°C...mostly clear...hence we will have sunshine this morning...for a change. 0840hrs...We have sunshine. Showered. 0923hrs...Phone...Sari...to say that she has my internet bill. I guess she had in fact not paid it after all...since she never got till today. And now the pay-by date is the 19th....and it seems to be higher! 09xxhrs...Phone...Anci... [The last two digits are missing because I had pre-typed the line...but forgot to type it in when the call came.] 1608hrs...I did not in fact note the time of Anci’s call but it may well have been past 1000hrs. She called from Cila’s. I took over my latest research printouts...and we left. It went very well with the dentist since she just wrote out prescriptions. One to knock down the swelling...and...one for pain...which I thought was just great. I’m now all set for the weekend and till my next appointment. Anci dropped me off at Cila’s...and we got down to her readings of my papers. In one...she drew an interesting conclusion...namely that a one...Lorince...son of Tuba...was with Arpad...at the time of the great migration prior to 1000AD. [This is based on nothing factual.] 1645hrs...Just in from out. I was out earlier and saw the setting sun. Came inside for the D200 and the 300 2 8 which was already mounted. Blasted a number of frames. I then notice that the reed harvesters had a fire going...and though the shot looked ok...it really needed longer lens. Back in...for the MTO 1000. The rest is history. I no sooner brought it all back in that I hear Istvan calling out. Chatted in the cold. 2004hrs...Just finished printing a copy of my HU [ID] cards for Anci to have with her when she’s taking care of business on my behalf. I now wait for the call from Cila. I hope it comes soon since I’d like to be back here by 2110hrs...given a choice in the matter. 2043hrs...I will now be surprised to get a call...so late. NBD. Velence...January 17th 2009. 0628hrs...A hot cup of Joe. A minus 4°C...clear. The call never came. I ended up taking one of both pills...last night. I feel ok this morning. I need to run some numbers today...just to see..."what if"...as it were. 1116hrs...Istvan is again burning stuff in the furnace...hence it's getting hotter in here. He said nothing about last night’s no call. It was he that told me what there was to be for dinner. I’m guessing that it did not go well. I popped one pill this morning...since the pain is back. I should take the pain killer too I guess. 1201hrs...I got the call about ten mins ago. I have as of now repaired the wireless mouse...and am using it on this machine. If the indications are correct...my problems with this computer has been the mouse...all along. Time will tell. I think though that I will get yet another mouse...since the W/L one does not feel quite right. 1443hrs..Back for some time. Have cleaned the original Compaq mouse...but will not try it right now. Velence...January 18th 2009. 0637hrs...A cup of hot Mud. Minus 1°C...grey. From the latest research...we have again a reference...though this time in Hungarian text...of Tuba=Pigeon....and interestingly...the Tuba Tree. In another there is attempt to connect Egyptian Thebes...the city name to be Tuba. The "s" at the end of the word Thebes, if dropped, leaves Thebe, which then phonetically...would become Theba, Thaba, Tuba...though there are other interpretations. 1124hrs...Just out of the shower. It’s turning into one slow day. I did manage to do more research...and made a new entry onto the Tree. No inspiration to work on images...at all...though I keep toying with the thought of printing the new Tree. That would take about 3 hours work. Having said that...there is the need for a general pickup of the area...which I could be doing while the printer takes it’s time printing. 1708hrs...Just back...after getting then call. Done deal with the Tree printout...and have started to assemble the 12 pages. But right now I go online for a quick look-see. 1808hrs...The glue-up is not going well at all...so I’ve stopped for now...and will hit it again tomorrow. Velence...January 19th 2009. 0236hrs...Yeah...I know! Anyway...a cup of hot Joe. It’s 1°C...stars are visible. I woke up thinking about the problem...which...sadly once gotten into...is hard to break...hence I’m up. 0456hrs...I’ve started TheLetter...but will now got back to bed. 0746hrs...Up again. 1909hrs...Have finished putting together the Tree pages. It went well enough...though I could have done a better job. Working on a round table that was smaller than the 12 pages combined...didn’t help the process. I eventually took it over to show Cila...along with some of my latest "finds". I came back here for further searches...and took those over again...and ended up getting dinner soon after Istvan arrived home from work...around 1630hrs. We then continued to read through the new pages. Very interesting it was. Shaman stuff. It turns out that the connection to Arpad was superficial. But...interestingly...the reference to Lorinc fia Tuba...(Lawrence son of Tuba) was one and the same...Tuba the Shaman as well as all the other six names...all shamans! So much for that. I offered to help Cila sort things out tomorrow. She is to call when she thinks I can be of assistance. Velence...January 20th 2009. 0617hrs...Joe. Plus 2°C...overcast. It got as high as 7°C yesterday. 1434hrs...Just back from the far store. Prior to that I was at Cila’s...checking out the compound...and talking. 1927hrs...Just back from dinner with Cila and Istvan. I took along the latest printouts...which she then read to me. Velence...January 21st 2009. 0627hrs...A Cup. Plus 1°C...overcast. 0759hrs...In the process of printing out the 235 pages dealing with the Hungarian Inquisition of 1227. Though I had pulled selected pages in the past...I now realize the need for the entire document. 0839hrs...Done breakfast...such drama...huh? 1347hrs...Just back from Cila’s. Anita showed up at the same time to do some cooking with Cila...pasta...from scratch. I ground poppy seeds. Velence...January 22nd 2009. 0629hrs...A hot Cup. A plus 3°C...raining. It rained all day yesterday also. 1454hrs...Doing lunch. I had gone over with the latest to Cila‘s...and we talked at length about yesterdays printouts. Very interesting. It was the history leading up to the Inquisition. I have an 1800hrs appointment with the dentist today. 1722hrs...Ready to go. It had been suggested that I should walk...and so it shall be. I leave at 30 past. 1927hrs...I have returned...and remembered to call Cila as she’d asked me to do. 2038hrs...Have fixed a long time problem with this machine...namely a stuck DVD/CD door that would not open...done deal. I shall now take a break. OH...when I went off to the dentists...Kwan followed me. I guess he thought it was playtime. I looked back a few times to see if he was still there...and for a good distance he was. I was not about to walk him back...nor did I talk to him. At one point he disappeared off the scope. I did not see him on the way back. I’ll go outside now to check. 2046hrs...He’s not in his MKII box-house. If he’s not here in the morning I’ll go looking for him then. Velence...January 23rd 2009. 0507hrs...Java. Plus 3°C...drizzle. 0523hrs...Just in from out. Kwan. Now fog. 1207hrs...Up again having gone back to bed. 1227hrs...I had a record five dreams. The sport field and Sole. The cell phone and Shu. The engineers with test gear. And two that I can’t right now remember. They were all quite good. 1332hrs...Phone...Sari...invitation for lunch...OK! 1650hrs...Made it back in one piece. Called Cila...asked for a clarification of the time for tomorrows program on NGC...1600hrs it is. I’m about finished writing TheLetter. Velence...January 24th 2009. 0444hrs...A cup of Hot. Plus 3°C...overcast. While with Sari yesterday...the conversation turned to old history...mine. At one point the subject of Janet McG. Came up...so I began to relate the long story. She asked if her image was included in the photos that I’d showed her...now months ago. These were the Sepias. I said no...and went on with my story. I did tell her that I did have a scanned negative of her. So...once back...I found it...cleaned it up...and tried to make a small print...twice...both failed. I used up the last two remaining pieces of paper...left over from when I was printing some frames for Judit. Something having to do with image size not matching the paper size. I tried in both PS and Cpic...but could not get either to work. Strange! 1846hrs...Back for about 39 mins. Velence...January 25th 2009. 0617hrs...Java. Plus 3°C...overcast. Yesterday had been sunny...and at one point in the early afternoon I helped Istvan retrieve some padding from the unfinished second floor...access to which is from the balcony. He needed it for some repair work on the roof of the chicken coop and part of the garage. Lajos was to assist him. I asked if Lajos was there...he said he was. I volunteered to take over the large sheet of padding...given that Istvan would be taking a heavy ladder. Once at the compound we began the work...and I also took photos. As time passed...I noted that there was no Lajos. I assumed that he had not heard us working...and was just inside talking with Cila. Thus was not the case...as it turned out. He was in fact not there at all. He was to have been called...but since I was there...the call was never made. Later we had lunch...and went back to work soon thereafter. Around 1545...Istvan had to leave...so...this left Cila and I. We talked until 1600hrs...which was the start of the NGC program on DNA that Cila was excited to see. Not long after it started...Anci and Niki showed up...which disrupted things...through no fault of theirs. I soon got the feeling that I’d seen this program before...as in well over two years ago. I was able to predict upcoming scenes...that then came to pass. So...it was a bummer in the end. 0758hrs...Well...I’ve sent out the first email...TheLetter. It had bounced when sent at 0730hrs. I could not find a working address for Melinda. The need for TheLetter: "A" had effectively cut me off from my own monies. She did this without notice of any kind. The"cut off" had two components. First she did not send me the replacement debit card against the one in my possession which had expired. I could not simply confront "A" since she could simply clam ignorance...which she in fact did regarding knowledge of the expiration of...and the possession of the replacement card. She lied! I needed whitnesses. Hence the need to send a copy of TheLetter to others. I also needed to write it as a short though factual history of events leading up to my predicament. It was not meant to be an attack on "A" personally. Just the facts. My naive expectation was that "cooler heads" would prevail. This would not be the case! 1609hrs...Just back. I no sooner fixed myself some lunch...and was halfway into consuming same when the phone rang. I had gone over to Cila’s to work on their TV set...at about 1000hrs. They were going to go to church...(1100hrs) and then to Istvan’s Mom’s house. I had just finished with the TV set when Bela and crew arrived. Bela came in...but soon left. Then a bit later Lajos arrived...and soon he left. I then packed up my tools and came back here. The phone was Anci...inviting me for lunch. I explained the situation about my just being half way into my own...but in the end I wrapped up the rest and headed out. 1615hrs...I will now go online...to see what happened...with my email. Should be interesting either way. Nothing! 1859hrs...Just back from Cila’s. I’d called over to Anci’s to see if they had in fact arrived there...they had...talked to Istvan as to what to do with the house key. Not long afterwards Cila calls to say that they are at home...and I volunteered to take back the key...and to drop off more printouts. In return I got three bills...gas, electricity and phone...31,382HUF, 13,578HUF and 1,938HUF respectively. That works out to $141.28, $61.13 and $8.73. Velence...January 26th 2009. 0248hrs...A cup. Plus 1°C...clear...with stars. 0323hrs...Dream time. 0656hrs...Breakfast. 0°C...with color to the east as sunrise approaches. 0809hrs...Sun’s up...still cold! Going online...firing off the laptop. At 1000hrs Cila will be going to the (her) Catholic church to look at old birth/marriage records on the Igari side of the family. She will be busy most of the day with other matters...though she said that she will call me once back from the church. 0816hrs...Two emails...both spam. Most interesting! 1338hrs...Just in from out. Spending QT with Kwan. I had heard noises...and went out to investigate. Istvan with a friend unloading a carload of wood. Then Istvan asked me if I had any of my photos at hand...which I did...naturally...and then I did a quick show and tell out on the bottom of the boat. Istvan claims not to have seen them...saying that I always seem to have new photos to show. I chuckled. Earlier I did lunch...egg sandwich. Yum Yum...with Coke Classic. 1355hrs...Online...no emails...this is good! 1706hrs...Have been transferring the sepia images onto a Pen Drive...and renamed them. I now go online... Velence...January 27th 2009. 0801hrs...A Hot one. Plus 2°C...high fog. I was just at the last line of yesterday when the phone rang. Cila...eat...ok. Turns out that this years pig dissection will take place here on the 31st in the compound...as opposed to Bela’s...given that their yard is now unsuitable...as in landscaped. There will be a large tent in the fore yard...with the main work taking place behind gate two. What Jimmy the Puli will think about all this only time will tell. There will be over 20 in attendance. So far...they will get off to a late start...and since it is to be two pigs...hell...we could be there till dawn the next day. I had an anomaly last night. 0827hrs...Going online...two emails...one of which will be redundant. So was the other. 1814hrs...Back from Cila’s. Earlier I went over to check out a 3 in 1 TV remote. I was unable to get it to function. I then asked Cila to please find the original unit...which she eventually did. I brought it back here...took it totally apart...cleaned all the parts...and then the contacts. The rest is history. She now has a fully functioning remote. 1836hrs...Firing off the laptop...and then online. 1916hrs...Zero...good. Velence...January 28th 2009. 0600hrs...Joe. Plus 5°C...and it has been raining since last night...having started when I returned from Cila’s. 1114hrs...Just out of the shower...getting ready for my 1200hrs appointment with the dentist. I will hit the far store afterwards. It’s still raining...but it’s not heavy...so I should be ok...as in no drama. 1144hrs...About ready to leave. 1646hrs...Just back...having gotten back some time after 1300hrs...but I went right over to Cila’s since I had a serious case of zipper malfunction! I had stepped out of the dentist’s office...and as one would think...I zipped up. Yeah right. The zipper got half way and snagged. Using my massive...though by then...cold brain...I deduced the source of said snag. Inside the coat...placed just such that one day it would snag for sure...was a label...about two inches long. It was neatly folded over and solidly entrenched inside the zipper’s workings. No up...no down. I went to the far store and tried to look as though there were no problems...thinking all the while that "everyone" just knew that I had case of ZM. I know...some people can get away with it...but I guess it just showed on my face...and how I was holding the coat together must have been a "give away". As I bicycled back...I envisioned sleeping in my coat. I was not about the call out the fire brigade...as yet....though it felt good knowing that there was always that option. The thought that in a matter of an hour or so...the entire village would have heard the "news" was not that comforting. I took with me another printout...and my 3 in 1 remote that I failed to make work yesterday. I had found and printed the exact pages dealing with that exact remote...but was unable to make it function as written. I thought about it for some time...and came to the conclusion that while the pages that I’d printed were correct...I felt that there must have been yet other pages with different instructions. So it was. Of the three web pages...the last one looked just like the ones I’d download...but when it came to the critical instruction...it was different. The rest is history...in that the new instructions worked as written. While Cila read the pages I’d brought for her...I played with the remote...and later returned to the kitchen. I then asked her to look at my ZM. She took hold of the zipper tab...and without so much as a word of warning...pulled it right up. Gads...done deal...you know it was. We cut off the stupid tag...needless to say. There were two other unrelated wardrobe malfunctions...that I thought we could deal with right then and there. One was a button replacement...BR for short. The other one was more of a challenge. In the "trade" it is known as FTH...Find the hole. Within the bottom seam of my coat I discovered the missing pencils and felt tip pen that I’d looked for more than once without success. Every time I needed a pencil to take along...I’d throw it into the same pocket...and over time I’d need to repeat the cycle. Cila and I looked through all the pockets more than once...made much easier by the fact that I was now able to remove said coat...but did not find it...until we did. Three number 4 pencils of various lengths and the felt tip. Such is the everyday drama...in the village. Csaba finally came across with some old photos of a young Pityu...Anci and Csaba. These were the photos that his mother had asked me to look at on the day of Pityu’s burial. There was a promise to look further for older photos in the "attic"...sometime soon. Velence...January 29th 2009. 0652hrs...A cup of Java...Plus 3°C...raining. In other parts of HU Land there has been snow of sufficient magnitude to be of a hazardous nature. I will be scanning prints today. 1355hrs...Heading over to Cila’s with some prints. 1859hrs...The call. Taking over two photos...one of brother John. 2104hrs...Just back. WELL HELL! When I got there...I expected to find only Cila and Istvan. BUT...no...Csaba, Sari and Bela were there...and soon Anci arrived. The hot topic became...don’t ask me why...OH...it was brother John’s photo...that then led to sister Eva’s eye color. Soon everyone expressed an opinion. Mostly it was thought to be on the green end of the spectrum...while I kept insisting that it was dark brown. Calls were made...and then from a photograph...it finally came back as a shade of brown! I won the 11 Forint bet...though no monies were ever exchanged...it was all in fun. OH...I actually came back here looking for images on the computer...but found none. Then just now I thought that I may have some 2 1/4 sq. color transparencies here...which I found amazingly fast. As I said...WELL DAMN! That will teach me! Velence...January 30th 2009. 0341hrs...A Hot one. Plus 2°C...overcast. 0442hrs...Just finished printing out ten business cards. These are the color ones...since I gave away the last one last night. Csaba had indicated that he wanted to send me photos via email...so he needed my email address. I pulled one out my wallet. Csaba...standing by then to the far side of Cila...was thinking that I was searching for a piece of paper to write on. I had two versions...one a full color photo...and one a blue monochrome. I handed up to him a monochrome version...bypassing Cila. Sari indicated interest as in not ever have gotten one...so I pulled out a full color one...and handed it across the length of the table. Csaba did a double take...seeing it...so I reached back in for another one...color...taking back the monochrome. Cila...to my immediate right...was left out of the loop...but somehow managed to end up with the one I’d given to Sari. A bit later...Sari notices that she is without the card...the original recipient of said full color card. I notice that Cila is clutching the card...Sari’s...with her body language indicating that possession is nine tenths of happiness...and was not about to give it up without a struggle...and though Sari had a weight advantage of 3 to 2...Cila should not be counted out for shear tenacity, cunning and speed. I thought that at one time or another I had handed out cards to everyone. I guess I had missed some...Sari and apparently Cila. So I reached back in my wallet for what turned out to be my last...full color card...hence the need to print more. 0914hrs...I need to hit the far store and PO today. A shower is next on the schedule. At last count 22 are expected for tomorrows event. It’s going to be a "mad house". AND...there is mud everywhere. Not Mud...as in Java or Joe...but just plain old mud...like on the ground. 1046hrs...Sunny...Plus 4°C. Out the door...I go. 1130hrs...Doing lunch. Fed Kwan. Velence...January 31st 2009. 0359hrs...A cup. Plus 2°C...overcast. So much for minus temperatures as forecast. BBC weather had it right. 0531hrs...Have just now sent TheLetter. Done deal. This should be interesting. 0600hrs...Going back to bed. I did see activity in the compound...Jimmy barking. 1327hrs...I’m here to warm up. I went over at 0810hrs...and noticed that the pigs were already here. As I predicted...a "mad house" prevails. 1944hrs...I’m back for the last time...having been here to make a few prints. I had hit the close store also...for milk. The event well enough. They will be up till midnight to finish the rest of the planned work. It also worked out well that it was so close. I was able to take back prints. Sari was surprised to the see them "so soon". I was called back to take group photos of the guys...but I then insisted that we take a few frames of the entire crew. There were 22 including myself. Velence...February 1st 2009. 0344hrs...Joe...hot. Plus 1°C...snowing. I forgot to mention the snow yesterday. There was not much quantity...but it was persistent. 0409hrs...Time to go online to see what happened. 0415hrs...Email..."A"! 0422hrs...I’ve printed it out. Right off the top...she didn’t follow my instructions to CC her email to all the rest. And her response to my first line was a snipe...about par. I hate to think what’s to come. 0448hrs...Most incredible! I should have known! 1524hrs...The call. 2030hrs...Back. Tired. Bela took ill and was taken home...and the medics were called. EKG etc. High BP. Possibly influenza. Plus he was drained from the last two day's work. It was close to midnight that they called it quits on Saturday. Velence...February 2nd 2009. 0543hrs...A cup of Joe. Plus 2°C...overcast. 1705hrs...Back for about 30 mins. Had hit the chemist's...Bela’s to check up on him...talked to Sari. He was not well...but had medications that were to take care of things as a first step. Then I went to Anci’s to look for a clock. Anci needed a clock at her work place...given that the owner of the previous clock...took it with her. Then I went to Cila’s via the High Street. Read parts of a book I’d found while searching for the clock. Fixing my dinner now...not having had lunch...and Cila did not cook dinner for tonight. The plan is for Anci to call sometime after 0800hrs tomorrow. Then it’s off to Fehervar. Unless she is needed to transport Bela to the doctors...in which case things would be delayed some. Velence...February 3rd 2009. 0417hrs...A Cup. Plus 2°C...raining. 0836hrs...Call...Anci...be at Cila’s by 0900hrs...ok. 1345hrs...Got back at 1335hrs...and have built lunch...and will consume same. 1408hrs...Today has not gone according to plan. Anci’s call was just fine...but she asked me to meet her at Cila’s. After I threw the bed together...I could not find my lighter. Today was trash day...and I planned to take it out when Anci arrived out front...hence I forgot all about it when I headed over to Cila’s...out the back. All went well at the dentist’s in Fehervar...and I have an appointment for the 19th at 0900hrs. Then at Metro...I forgot to buy milk. Yesterday I broke a tumbler. 2045hrs...Back for about ten mins. Lajos showed up with Niki. He arrived just as we had started eating dinner. The plan had been for he and Istvan to siphon off...steal... some wine at the cellar. But apparently we were running late with dinner...but Istvan got up and they went...leaving his dinner on the table. Velence...February 4th 2009. 0247hrs...Hot Joe. Plus 4°C...drizzling. 1912hrs...Back from having dinner with Cila and Istvan. I’d gone over early with new photos I’d printed. I worked on the kitchen heater also while Cila baked. Velence...February 5th 2009. 0418hrs...Java. Plus °C...foggy. Fed the Other. 0956hrs...Phone...Cila...(an other) Pityu coming at 1000hrs...can come if I want to be there...yes...ok. Taking the latest photos. 1336hrs...Have been back since 1300hrs. Just finished some photo scans. It’s how sunny...and 8°C. I took down Cila’s Xmas tree for her. I had an ulterior motive...since it now means that we have access to potentially more old photos. 1733hrs...Phone...Cila...no dinner...not cooking today...but will be viewing photos...of which I again have new ones to show. 2106hrs...I’m back. Velence...February 6th 2009. 0329hrs...Java. Plus 2°C...cloudy with some gaps. Up early again...lots of work to do. I did not count the number of photos I eventually came back with last night. But it is by far the most I will need to scan at one time. Well now! One of the photos was of the Catholic church. It’s almost a postcard...in that nothing else shows in the frame but the church itself. The lighting was good...and compositionally "close enough". There was one problem though. It did not "look right" in my minds eye. The statue...in the left foreground was somehow...wrong. I seem to remember that...it was to my right as I faced the front of the church. The church is inline with the High Street as I seem to recall...hence the building runs east west...making the front...face east. The photo...as printed makes it appear that it was taken from slightly to the north...placing the statue to the east...and slightly south. I indicated that I thought that the photo was printed wrong...as in reversed. Both Cila and later Istvan tried to convince me otherwise...meaning the photo was in fact correct. Istvan went so far as to state that the statue was on the centerline of the church. This I knew to be incorrect since photogrammetric analysis seemed to indicate otherwise and was obvious to me. I did not press my case any farther...saying that I will look into the matter later. It’s now later. I took a look at Dori’s wedding day photos. I thought that there might be a frame showing the statue...hence it’s location relative the church. The first time through the pertinent frames came back nil. Same with the second. But on the third...I found two frames. It did not show the entire statue...but it was enough. It was to the north...my right...as I faced the east façade. I had been right about that fact. Looking at the original photo again...I sought to find more clues. Then I spotted it. The shadows! They were on the wrong side. It made it appear as though the sun was to the north...not the south as you expect...given that the photo seems to have been taken at about midday! I will scan the photo and reverse it...and I envision taking a photo of the church...perhaps even today and prove my point. 0846hrs...I have just sent "A" an email authorizing my "liquidation". I have set a trap also. Bells should be going off in her brain if she senses my motive...though my question is valid. On the other hand...when have I ever asked her about a fundamentally simple financial matter...as the workings of the exchange rate. I now wait with bated breath for her reply. 0932hrs...Nothing back from "A’...but that means nothing as yet. The sun angle is getting close to where it might have been the day that the photo was taken...so I’m out the door...to take a shot or two. 1006hrs...Done deal. I was early as far as the sun goes...could take another hour or so to make it the same as in the original. I also have hazy clouds covering the sun...so I may end up doing it again some other day. I think I got the angle right...but I could not improve it because of bushes. Istvan had been right about one thing...the statue is inline with church axis as best as I can tell without measuring it. One the other hand I was in fact right about the original photo being reversed. [I was wrong!] 1013hrs...Bingo! The reply! AND guess what...she fell for it? The first word in her reply is...wait for it..."Precisely"! Precisely...she rounded .35 to .33 as in one third and I would have even more money given the then current rate of $1.465 to the Pound...and the rest went down hill from there. [Naturally...she didn't know what she was talking about. She was desperately trying to make it seem as though "things" were NOT that bad after all...supposedly because of the exchange rate being what it was. In her response she states that I will end up with a third MORE money as a result. This meant it her mind that if I had $10,000 then after the exchange I'd have $13,333 abeit in Pounds! Had she known what she was talking about...though wrong...she could have made it seem even BETTER...as in MORE money yet...had she stated the supposed gain as a percentage. She rounded down the .35 to .33. That .33 being the "third" stated. As a percentile it would therefore be 33.33%. She could/should have left the .35 alone...making it a gain of 35%! BUT of COURSE she didn't know. She was laboring under the misconception that as she stated the exchange rate...it meant that in effect the Dollar and Pound are nornaly equal. Which is of course wrong. I was converting Dollars to Pounds! She was taking an exchange rate of 1.00 Pound equaling $1.35...or that it takes $1.35 in exchange FOR 1.00 Pound...and turning around. I have to assume that none of the "Chior" pointed out this little fact to her. Stated correctly...I would be getting .74 Pounds for every Dollar converted. But she missed the most important issue of all...which is that there would be NO gain or LOSS at all...on the first excahnge...only on subsequent exchanges. However...had she transfered my momies when the rate was $1.35 (.74)...(when the Pound was "cheap" ) and not when it became $1.465 (.68)...(expensive) I would would have been 8% better off...but only compared to the Dollar...which was not inportant at all since I was not speculating in currencies! It was a onetime deal.] More to follow...rest assured! She goes on to say that she confirmed the current rate...big deal...it’s changed since then...AND that she has no control over the exchange rate...no shit. Fails to say though that she has full control over when to actually transfer the monies...hence some control over "how much more money" I’ll have. Laughable if it were not so pathetically wrong. I can imagine her relating the story of my email and the question. I wonder if anyone will pick up on the fact as suspiciously strange that I would be asking her about the rate...as in what it meant!. 1446hrs...Back for about 15 mins. I needed to hit the far store so I went to check up on Bela also. They're getting ready to go to the doctors. I then went to see Anci at her place of work as we’d talked about my doing so. Then the store. 1836hrs...The call...SPINICH! 2005hrs...Back. Velence...February 7th 2009. 0254hrs...Joe. 1136hrs...I was up and did more work on TheLetter. Getting close to finishing it. [? It must be my rebuttle.] Then it was back to bed. 1239hrs...I’m thinking about going to the church again for a closer look. Velence...February 8th 2009. 0341krs...A hot cup of Mud. A plus 7°C...mostly cloudy...and hence a few stars. I’m also looking to see comet Lulin. Yesterday I did in fact go to the church. 1548hrs...I had gotten the call about 1230hrs...for an 1300hrs lunch...but it was agreed that she would call back when ready. It was 1345hrs when I went over. Came back with a new photo to scan. Velence...February 9th 2009. 0508hrs...Java...Plus 1°C...High gusty winds. I woke to a loud "bang-clank" sound around 0130hrs...and heard the wind. Don’t know what it was for sure...but it has to do with the heating system...since more sounds emanated from the radiators...there after. [The boiler blew up!] 1226hrs...Have shower and shaved. Spent all morning on TheLetter. [?] Nothing planed for today. This morning the temperature dropped and we had snow flurries. BBC weather had it wrong for last night. 1300hrs...Went online...and off...and then remembered that I want to see exactly what the context was for a statement I’d made that "A" brought up in her response to TheLetter. Sure as shit...she got it wrong...but I already knew that...and out of context in that my statement was "stand alone"...and had nothing at all to do with what would then turn into her feigned indignation...ending in drivel analysis. In fact...my statement is not exactly clear and should have led to a head scratch. 1545hrs...Have just finish the last of three prints for Cila. And it was of Pityu as a young boy...which turned out rather well. Have called Cila to ask if I could go over now...yes. 1843hrs...Been back...but forgot to log in. Cila will call when dinner's ready. 1843hrs...The call. 2108hrs...Back...and with three new photos to scan. Full moon. Velence...February 10th 2009. 0454hrs...Java...0°C...clear. 2049hrs...Had gotten the call...and am back for about 20 mins. Safir R/B was a bust...overcast. [A satellite.] My bad feeling about the $3k continues! If it’s true...then all told...I’ve lost $3000+$5000+$6000! Velence...February 11th 2009. 0322hrs...Mud. 1°C...overcast. Had an email yesterday..."A"...PSD merger at $30 a share....and a Schwab form that needs to be filled out. Not sure if she’s doing it or what. PSD as such is no longer listed on the DOW so I can’t track it. 1620hrs...Have gone online...email..."A"...with a response from Janice. It’s very negative in tone. Though of course she was only getting "A’s" version. Getting such a negative responses is actually a good thing for now...since the impact will be that much greater later on. And since the emails are not being CCed as I had asked...there is no way to know how much prompting and discussion had taken place prior to the email...but wait a sec...SOB..."J’s" email is dated the ninth...two days ago. Just an excerpt..."Good for you with your comments..." There we have it...responding to only one side of the story. AND none of it sounded the least bit strange I must ask? [This was an email to "A".] I will drop the hammer when the time is right. I have asked for any additional responses. And copies of the Schwab statements. And to confirm that my Barclays statements are not still going there. 2038hrs...Back. The phone rang...and it was Jutka calling from the states....talked...hung up. Then just a few mins later...phone...Cila...dinner...ok...done deal. Velence...February 12th 2009. 1137hrs...Have been up since 0400hrs. I need to hit the far store and the PO to pay two bills. I shall now hit the shower...shave. 1201hrs...Done deal. 1253hrs...Heading for the store...soon. 1522hrs...Back. I stopped by to look in on Bela. He seems fine. They had just gotten back from Fehervar...to check the condition of the cyst that was removed yesterday. Chatted. I ask about the workings of gas heaters as in Cila’s. Came back with parts. 2008hrs...Back after the call. Niki showed up...ate some. The other morning...around 0130hrs...this was the night of the high wind...I hear an explosion...followed by weird noises...emanating from the radiators and pipes. Turns out that I will...GADS...am without heat! The space heater has been running...but now it’s all the heat there is. Should be bloody cold by morning. Had started the short version of The Letter...and it’s going ok. I was online earlier...no emails. [?] This is a reference to my response to "A's" response...in effect my rebuttal. 2029hrs...It’s 0°C and 21°C...right now...the space heater seems to be gaining on it. Velence...February 13th 2009. 0445hrs...Mud...-0° and 20°! I’m not warm. Overcast. 0737hrs...-1.2°C and 20.5°C...No warmer. 1313hrs...Just back. Had the call earlier than I had expect from Cila. The PO was calling everyone about what would amount to a 10,000HUF shortage. I thought that I was good for 500HUF...but they indicated the actual amount...hence I was not involved...and that what I thought was their 500HUF was in fact change from the far store. They were right. I told her that I wanted to go over to fix the heater. Dealt with the PO problem and then set about fixing the heater. The heat is in fact now fully operational. Istvan then arrived...and he showed me parts that were to be used to fix the heat problem here. The explosion I heard the other morning was the wood fired boiler blowing up. Lost all the water in the system hence. His parts will seal the line. He said a half hour to fix. We shall see. It’s now plus 1.3°C and 20.6°C...outside inside respectively. My space heater has been running full time. 1324hrs...I hear clanking noises...and assume it’s Istvan. Velence...14th February 2009. 0755hrs...Have been up since about 0500hrs. The other computer has a problem hence I’m writing this entry on the laptop. It’s -1.3C° and 22.6°C. There is a dusting of snow on the ground. I need to hit the far store...to buy meat and cat food. More on the meat later. 0933hrs...Time to go. 1130hrs...Back...and back from Cila’s where I ground the meat. I now have heat again...Istvan just finishing up. 1329hrs...I had volunteered to help...and now the call. Velence...15th February 2009. 0743hrs...A Cup...-1.5°C and 21.3°C...hazy. 1204hrs...The call...lunch in 45mins. Velence 16th February 2009 1449hrs...Back from Cila’s since about 1415hrs. I had gone over to call Sari from there and took the latest printout. Cila read pages to me. I thought it was very interesting...and I liked the style. I had misplaced the damn internet bill...so Sari...she’d just call...will take care of it for me while in Fehervar tomorrow since she and Bela will be going in. Velence...17th February 2009. 0616hrs...Coffee. 1.7°C and 21.4°C. Snowing lightly now and all night. It’s white out there. 1005hrs...The snow continues. The lake has re-frozen. I saw the snow plow heading east on Kemping. 1510hrs...Phone...Cila...lots to happen soon. Photos to scan and FamTrees coming before 1700hrs. Dinner. Bills. I continue working on the ShortVersionLetter. Going well enough. I sent an email to "A" asking for clarification of her email regarding a needed form. The snow has stopped falling. And in fact now melting since it’s a plus 4.6°C. I wait for Cila to call. 1749hrs...And no call. The person with the photos and FamTree was supposed to be here by now. 1750hrs...The call. Person there and gone...but left photos etc. I’m going over now. Velence...18th February 2009. 0655hrs...Hot Java. Minus 1.8°C and 22.3°C...overcast. Not snowing now but it had throughout the night. Not heavy snow but enough to increase the depth visibly. Velence...19th February 2009. 0500hrs...Coffee. Minus bloody 4.4°C and 23.2°C. Up to get ready for a trip to Fehervar for a Dentist appointment at 0900hrs. I need to be at Cila’s by 0700hrs...because Anci needs to go in early to take a test. Today will not be a particularly great day. The cold temps won’t help. The new cat...Stranger...was waiting for a handout. I don’t have enough cat food on hand for all (4) of them at once and will not get any utill after I return. So it will be "short rations" for them this morning. Yesterday I tore down my main computer. 0628hrs...More or less ready to go. 0641hrs...I’m gone. 1329hrs...Back for about 20 mins. We ended up taking the bus back. The op went as expected. Bought a book about maps...NGS in Magyar...naturally. I look at the pictures. 1601hrs...Back from the far store. Bought meat too. Have fed ALL cats. Kwan snuck in...but then eventually went out. I had tried my trick of simply sitting down in my chair here at computer central and waiting till he came out from under the table...at which time I’d grab him. This had worked just fine until today. He didn’t come out...just started his self cleaning cat bath, having just eaten. So I went about feeding the other cats out on the porch. Soon enough...he showed up. 2017hrs...Have not had a word from Bill. Velence...20th February 2009. 0233hrs...Coffee. Looking for comet Lulin. 0319hrs...Minus 5.1°C and 24.3°C. No luck with Lulin...but I’m getting closer to finding it. My skymap is dated the 24th so it’s a bit out of alignment. 0726hrs...2.9°C...overcast. Fed Stranger. 1259hrs...I just had lunch. Gads. 1941hrs...Just back after the call. Csaba came to the gate...talked with Istvan. Velence...21st February 2009. 0813hrs...Just had breakfast. 1.7°C and 23.9°C. The sun is breaking through a bit. Not sure what kind of day it will be. Work continues on the two Letter rebuttals. I keep finding new materials to use. In the last email from "A" she claimed that the reason she included the bit about the Schwab forms was that she didn‘t want me to think that she was "procrastinating". Well it’s now been two week since I told her to go ahead with the liquidation. Does she plan to now drag it out to the 28th? Given that I could have waited till the 28th to give word and that would have taken the whole thing into March. [It was Freudian. She WILL drag it out...not procrastinating...but spitefully dragging it out as long as possible.] Velence...22nd February 2009. 0748hrs...Minus 6.2°C and 24°C. Hazy. I was up around 0400hrs. I wrote an email to "A" regarding Exchange Rates explaining how it really woks as guidance as to when to make the exchange. As of now...no response. I also asked for clarification on the matter of margins and overdrafts...another trap. Yesterday I had a call...Cila...to inform me that she would be gone for about 20 mins if I should be looking for her. Turns out she would be going to the next village over for cash...and that Anci was taking her there. Then she added that Anci would bring her back and go home for something to eat. Then...with Anita...pick her up for a trip to Fehervar...shopping...and asking if I want to go along...yes. I went over to Cila’s early to wait. Cila had not known about the trip to Fehervar at the time I talked to her. Given the fact...she never went for cash since she could do that in town. Hence it saved 20 mins. I bought a new HU keyboard...a wireless Logitech keyboard and mouse. I also bought a box of Betty Crocker Brownie mix...which I took over to Cila...given that her oven there is a known...as opposed to this one here. So some time after noon...she is to call...and we will make some brownies. They’ve never had some so it should be interesting. I also introduced her to Kellogg’s Cornflakes. I found PB at Tesco so I bought two jars...and now see that I should have bought more had I know that it was ok stuff...as in not some oily sticky mess. Next time. 1004hrs...Just offline...no response as yet! 1158hrs...No response. 1316hrs...Just back...having gotten a call...Cila...asking me to come over because Bela wants to talk to me. He had the armature from Jutka’s vacuum cleaner motor in hand. I came back for my Fluke and then we proceeded to measure the windings. There were shorts and opens. No go in the end. 1326hrs...No response. 1946hrs...Back from Cila’s. Istvan led me to believe that Cila had started the brownies but in fact she had not. We had dinner. Lajos was there planning with Istvan for the up coming Palinka distillation. After dinner Cila and I attacked the brownies. The mixing went well enough as one would think. Getting the oven to temperature was another matter all together. It must have take over an hour and even then it was not right. In the end we fudged the time in 10 minute increases having started with 25 mins...Cila‘s Idea. The oven only reached the desired temp of 180 degrees just a few seconds before the timer rang. Had some! As of 1955hrs...No response. Velence...23rd February 2009. 0812hrs...Have just responded to an email from Art Jones regarding the Dale E. Petite mystery. Was up a 0500hrs...did the usual coffee. Snowing lightly...0.7C° and 23.2°C. No response! 1048hrs...No response. 1345hrs...Going online for a peek. 1401hrs...No response. 1632hrs...A response...but not what you think. "A" just sending a response to my Letter from Janet. Hence still no response. The email was sent just 10 mins ago. And unlike Janice’s there is not time/date on this one from Janet. So I didn’t know when it was in fact written. Could well have been prompted. I wrote back thanking her...for sending it to me. Janet refers to my Letter as "pathetic" and "vindictive". The only reference to something actually in the Letter was an objection to not being named as the originator of the phrase "How dare you!" which I knew full well but the rest of my sentence makes clear that it was not who said it but that the phrase should be applied to the matter at hand with equal vigour and indignation. Interesting to think that out of 38 pages she could not find any other sentence to comment on. OH...there was one other point she tries to make. That I should have in a "CIVIL MANNER" contacted "A" asking what’s happening about the account...xxxxx quote the line... So let me understand this Janet...do you mean to say that... Unilaterally and without warning...cutting me off from my own money...was done in a "civil manner"? I have just re-read the Letter top to bottom. There is not one word of vindictiveness in it. It’s all just facts. I now wait to hear from Melinda. There must be one clear thinking mind out there somewhere. So far it’s 3 out of 5..."A" comments, Janice’s " Barking mad" and "good comments", and now Janet with "pathetic" and "vindictive". Love it! It’s as though they have not actually read the Letter but are responding to "A‘s" comments only...which are in fact pathetic and vindictive. "Barking mad."? 1953hrs...I think I’ve fed all the cats. Nothing back from Art. Velence...24th February 2009. 0445hrs...Java. 0.9°C and 23.3°C...snowing lightly. 1501hrs...2.6°C and 23.7°C...Stopped snowing and there are signs of melting. Had a response from Art...the DEP case. Interesting. 2008hrs...Had gotten the call earlier. Did the deed and came back. We will be doing pancakes tomorrow. OH! Mail...Barclays...Account at zero. Dated the 17th...and just now got it! Incomplete address. No statements since I changed the address to no avail. Will call them tomorrow. Velence...25th February 2009. 0247hrs...A cup of Java. 0302hrs...Completed transfers of files, laptop to here and back. This document is now up to date on this machine. I will put this machine back in place later this morning...like when the sun’s up. Events overtaking reality. I never thought that I would find myself the lead character in a Dickensian like story. I remember thinking many times over my life that I had been a "lucky" person. No serious illnesses, no major problems to speak of. On the other hand I experienced and did many dumb and stupid things. I would now claim that it was youthful exuberance and just plain ignorance. Behind the curve as it were. Even now, I feel that I am not really in control of my own life. Well...ok...not feel...but as a fact. If life is in fact a fifty-fifty deal...and no better...then the first half of my life was the good fifty...and now...the back half the other. The turning point was at 50 years of age...exactly! I made a number of major decisions. Or at least certain events led to me to make them. The veritable "fork in the road" as it were. I knew it at the time. Things were going to change in majors ways. It felt good. I was not afraid. It was the right time. The steps I took were almost preordained. Written before the fact. Looking back on it now...I can say that there were some missing elements...but knowing them would not have changed the plan. The plan was larger than the individual parts. Where it would take me was an unknown. It is the "journey" that matters after all...not the summit. So the question is...what of the journey? Like most...it had it’s "moments"...both good and bad...the 50-50 deal...ever there. The final chapter is being played out now. I believe it to be inevitable in outcome. It will just takes its course. [I tell the story below in greater detail on my "Stories XXII" page which was written a year after (2010) I wrote this page.] The story starts in 1994 but the "insanities" were already playing out well before. It was to be the end of seven years with Sound Elevator. I had been hired to replace the Head of Engineering should he succumb to "terminal death" which seemed to be eminent. Not only did he not "succumb to terminal death" but as a group...Engineering grew in size and stature within the company. I did not know what the company was prepared to pay me...and frankly I was happy to get the position...so I asked for the same pay as I had while working for (6yrs) Otis Elevator...the latter of which was as an Adjuster...while still only a Elevator Union Helper! Otis was paying me Journeyman’s (Mechanic) scale. I asked that my pay be tied to that pay scale...meaning the as it went up...so would mine automatically...without review. This pay was most likely less than the others in the group not counting "Lab" personnel...and our secretary Kasey. It was fine with me. I was placed out in the Lab so as to get my hands dirty learning from the ground up what it was that we in Engineering did. This was fine by me also. Quit soon I noticed a number of defects in the system and took measures to rectify them. This process went on for a few months and leaving just one more. It was also clear to me that there needed to be someone "in charge" of the Lab. There was just too much randomness as to when and who would do what and how. I approached the Head of Engineering with my case and no sooner had I finished...I was declared the new "Head of Lab". I knew as I went in...that the choice could not have been otherwise. When word was passed down...it was to the surprise and chagrin of the entrenched lab personnel...whom I never informed of the reason why I was there in the first place. That ended phase one. Gotcha! Phase two went on for years. The Engineering Group grew. More lab personnel...more inventory...more new products and more sales out the door. . Lab inventory eventually reached over $500K. The Lab was running smoothly. The insane part had to do with the personality of the Head of Engineering. He was a small man in a small body and this caused numerous problems with everyone he encountered. I made the best of it as did the others but it was not a "good thing". It could have been so much better. I liked my job and did it well. Phase three was heralded by moving the three of us up stairs into new offices. Eventually we got things sorted out...getting a printer each instead of the dumb idea of one shared laser printer sitting on Kasey’s desk down on the main floor. It was a ridiculous proposition. My cad work increased greatly but I was the best there was at it. The "drafting babe" Jennifer and I shared our knowledge many times...saving each other time and again when Generic Cad decided to play games with us. Some problems were just amazing. It seems that through some slip of the mouse a line was created that was hundreds of miles long. This line was attached to the drawing in progress...with the result that said drawing disappeared form the monitor screen as GC scaled the now long line to fit the screen. It was really funny once it was figured out...and it all made sense. Imagine having worked for hours...to then just "lose it" without a clue! And even then it was interesting in that though you saw a line...it was impossible to just click on it. There was not enough resolution to permit it. One had to zoom in multiple times to finally get close enough to zap it. (25 Feb 09) 0802hrs...2.1°C and 23.9°C...overcast. Lulin was a bust last night because of clouds. Looks no better for tonight. All major document are now on a Pen Drive...that I shuttle back and forth as needed. 1220hrs...Have called Barclays and took care of business. Have printed a number of images. Three for Sari, Dori and Judit. One for Istvan. Two for Cila. One show and tell. And two from old photos for research. Have called over twice to Cila’s but no answer. Left to do is an email to "A" asking what’s the delay? It’s a good thing I have 27,000HUF in my pocket! Gads! [Which lasts about a week!] 1938hrs...Back for 30 mins. I had called and Cila had just then returned. We did the pancakes but things got out of hand with the recipe and I can not say with any certainty what the ultimate cause was...but I was not happy with the results. After dinner Csaba showed up...chatted. Just offline and I did not sent the email to "A" as planned. I think that the WWoTW is going to hold out till the 28th ...an incredible "piece of work"! "May the fleas of a thousand camels infest your armpits." Velence...26th February 2009. 0447hrs...A Cup. 1.7°C and 23.6°C...overcast. 1921hrs...Had gotten the call. I took over a print to show the effect of Cila’s help earlier in the day. I asked her to compare a standard gray scale to a test print and used her evaluations to make changes in the way my Epson 2100 printed in B&W. The correction is spot on for all practical purposes. Done deal. The other day Cila indicated that there was another photograph that she wanted me to scan and print. It was of her mother in a pre-school group photo. The problem was that it was in a hand made frame between two pieces of glass. After dinner I suggested that we just "go for it"...and take it apart. I came back for tools. I only had to pull six of the nails...and the glass and photo came out just fine. A new problem appeared...in that the photo was stuck to glass...bad news...but only in places that didn’t really matter...good news...which in the end we managed to get unstuck with an application of hot water. I then brought the photo back here...scanned and printed an A3...which I then took back. Later, with the glass panes cleaned we put the photo back in the frame. The nails went back into the original holes no problem...done deal. If things went according to plan...I should have all the monies in my Barclays account as I write. I won’t look tonight. Velence...27th February 2009. 0446hrs...Gads...Need to make a Cup. 0452hrs...A hot cup of Mud. It’s 4.4°C and 23.6°C...overcast. 0525hrs...Well why did I just know? Sold two out of three stocks...why not the third? 0532hrs...SAD...Wendy Richards...dies...age 65! Miss Brahms... 0903hrs...Have just showered. Killing time thinking about the damn laptop. All of a sudden it switched to vertical screen and have been fighting it for the last two hours. It didn’t help that the mouse movements are turned round. DAMN...did a system restore only to be back where I was. 1021hrs...Turned the laptop...that took care of mouse movements...logged on...and soon found the solution. Damn! I need to hit the store...far...close? Close will do...I’m gone. 1850hrs...Had the call...going now. Velence...28th February 2009. 0505hrs...Mud. It’s 4.5°C and 23.3°C...overcast. Ah...the 28th ! We shall see! Yesterday I scanned a number of old family photos. I had found them and many negatives of various types. I then reconfigured the scanner to accommodate. I was unable to find the negative holder for the scanner but managed without it...though I could have used it for some of the film sizes. 0609hrs...Just offline. Email..."A"..."For instance??????" in answer to my asking if there was yet another problem I should know about...given that she only indicated two of three stocks sold...and no mention of having transferred the money. This is not a good thing! Why is she dragging this out? 0744hrs...Dressed. Cats all fed. 0747hrs...Online...nothing. (Post dated: I had hit the far store. Scanned more negatives with the flatbed scanner. Cut an index card to make alignment easier. Looked for the insert...didn’t find it.) Velence...1st March 2009. 0513hrs...Hot Joe. 3.4°C and 23.3°C...overcast and had rained. Fed Stranger. Tossed and turned all night. Yesterday...email..."A"...in which (in part) the line..."Please stop wasting my time!" I must ask...How can I be wasting her time when in fact she is the one wasting mine by holding things up? I have a BAD FELLING about this! (The matter of the mysterious reference to $3K.) The day before yesterday, Cila had been asked to work on the 28th ...yesterday. She called me after 1900hrs to say that she was not feeling well. I had called over...but her line was busy. Turns out it had been Jutka...talking for over an hour. Anyway we passed on dinner...which was ok by me...and the reason I had tried to reach her. Thinking about going over to Anci’s and do some digging in the garage. Some books and glass plates to flatten curled negatives which I can’t scan. 0826hrs...Paul Harvey dead at 90! No email. Velence...2nd March 2009. 0257hrs...A cup of Java. It’s 4.1°C and 23.3°C...overcast. Stranger was out on the balcony...stroked same. Stranger and the Other are related I think. I have seen them sharing the same small matt. Well...Today better be the bloody BIG DAY. This has gone on for way too long. The insanity is of course that I have no control over events. 0832hrs...A hot cup of Joe. Have spent time looking for papers from which I’d gathered critical data...since I didn’t just pull it out of thin air. 0839hrs...Online...nothing. Csaba with an invitaion to join some group. Not happy about it. 0921hrs...Can’t for the life of me figure out/remember where I got the data from. I wrote it here...as in the last month...so where is it? 0950hrs...One mystery solved. Three credit card entries in Seattle...dated 2002. Just the three. I looked at photos to confirm that I was in fact in Seattle in 2002...March 7-31. 1058hrs...Gads...While looking for the papers...in a place that I had just skimmed through...was the damn scanner insert! BUT...it’s worthless to my needs. 1128hrs...Nothing online! 1423hrs...Nothing online! Yesterday...about 1330hrs...call...Cila..."Yurt" Janos/John and his mother would be coming over at 1500hrs. I got there at 1500hrs...but they had not shown up...but would about half an hour later. This was to be a FamTree work session...with John’s mother providing information based on the photos that she had provided which I had scanned and printed out on A3 paper. This went well as faces were identified...leaving only two unaccounted for...both minor. Bela showed up. It was interesting to watch the interactions. Istvan asking a question...and before an answer could be given...would answer it himself. A case of consuming self importance. 1432hrs...Think I should hit the garage at Anci’s. HP-97 #1 in inop due to a failed 1000MF/10 volt capacitor. I want to find more data sheets also. I’m gone. 1759hrs...Back for about an hour. Online...nothing. I sent an email...asking "WHEN"? 1801hrs..."JUST NOW"! And she's pissed off at ME(?). Incredible! She’s now asking me for bank codes that I don’t have and can not get until tomorrow! She’s transferred monies before... 1827hrs...The call. Back when! 1944hrs...Back. Where were we...She’s transferred monies before into my account and I’ve asked if there were any problems I should know about...and she’d said twice...now three times that "she’s dealing with it"...only to find out that had I not asked...I'd be no closer the end! DAMN! AND what is there to "deal" with after all? Well...the "hammer" will drop once this part is over with. Today I came across a large stack of chat pages...and some emails...dated 1998. I read a few lines. Interesting stuff. SO...another day lost. The WWoTW strikes again. Postdated 12 Nov. 2009. As I edit this page something occured to me. Could it be...that once "A" had effectively cut me off from my monies...no card nor access to the account...that she fully expect to teminate me...then and there...BUT could not...lacking the nessesary codes. If that was the case...then it must be asked...Janet...why she didn't just conact me in a "CIVIL MANNER"...asking for the codes. Further...she then chose not to contact me but just wait. It would also be true then that she could not carry out her threat to terminate me...lacking codes...AND she knew that all along. See down the page as she stalls...and stalls...all the while claiming that she's "working on it"...or not as in she doesn't have time! Yeah right. Got to remember to take out the trash. Out of cat food...so that will mean a trip tomorrow. Velence...3rd March 2009. 0203hrs...Yeah!...I know! Can’t sleep. I haven’t slept properly in weeks. A Cup. It’s 6.0°C and 23.5°C...overcast. Lulin has been a total bust. Think Tuba think...you’re a clever fellow. You can come up with something...no? The drama continues. This is the real thing. 0802hrs...Up again. Had gone back to bed around 0517hrs. Took out the trash. I now need to copy over onto the laptop a few paragraphs to finish off an email to "A". 0853hrs...Done deal. I now need to hit the far store...cat food and smokes. 0947hrs...Back...Started to drizzle. 1011hrs...I’m ready to pull the trigger on my email. 1034hrs...Done deal! 1103hrs...Jimmy is in the compound...and the chickens have not been let out hence not fed. Have just called Bela to find out what’s happening...Sari answered. He’s had car trouble...hence delayed getting here...but coming soon. 1111hrs...Email..."A"..."Haven’t got time for this now...". "Will read it later!" 1812hrs...About 1250hrs...email..."A"...asking for IBAN and Swift codes. Went so far as to tell me to call them and gave me the street address for my branch. And that she had shredded my statements. Gads...the statements [At the time.] do not have either of the two codes on them as she’d implied earlier. Hell...I have the phone number at hand and in a matter of minutes had them. Emailed them there and then. Have not heard back since! 1914hrs...The call... 2031hrs...Well now...Lintel soup and potato pancakes! 2055hrs...Have looked online...nothing! Damn! Velence...4th March 2009. 0319hrs...Mud. Email..."A"...one line..."Hahahhahahahh you are sad shitted." This in answer to my last one wherein I timelined her statements...delays...and my rebuttal to the "nerve to say" comment. Since I don’t know what that means exactly...I have to assume that she liked it. Naturally nothing about the non transfer! It’s insane! 0922hrs...Have just finished a draft of my side of a phone conversation I plan to have in a few minutes with "A". It’s to be my ultimatum to her. Without the transfer of my monies I’m "a goner" as it were. All the emails back and forth have not brought this matter to an end. Well damn. Called...she claims to have made the transfer...yesterday(!) if you can believe. Then why the hell had she not emailed that information? Bitch! "The game’s not over till it’s over." Revenge is best served cold...as they say. 1443hrs...I’ve made multiple bloody calls to UK Land...getting my bloody account straightened out. There are now papers in the pipeline. It’s still not a DONE DEAL...until I see monies in my account. At 200,000HUF/Mo...it should last 4 years plus. I have a major cleanup to do. The place is a disaster area. I wanted to get some much needed sleep. But then "American Graffiti" came on...so I watched it. Not a single primary actor was even close to high school age. MP...was 14 but she doesn’t count. CW was 26! Oh...sorry RH was 19. HF was 31! 0610hrs...Had called over to Cila’s...Istvan answered...I needed confirmation of what I thought I heard yesterday about a photo I was asked to print...and he was able to tell me. Cila had not arrived home yet....though I think she has now. Istvan is sick now too. Got it from poor Cila...who’d been asked back to work for the last few days. I’m fixing rice. If she calls...I’ll ask if I should make more. 1852hrs...Call about 10 mins ago...Cila...hardly able to speak...Istvan with influenza...so it worked out well since I ate my rice and sausage. I was just too hungry to wait. Look forward to a good nights sleep...hence I should stay up later tonight...HOUSE...and after. I was asked to help out on Saturday...but with Istvan, Cila and Anci down...it will leave only Bela and myself...ok fine...Jimmy the Puli too. This will load Bela again. Not a good thing. Velence...5th March 2009. 0608hrs...Yeah! That’s more like it! A hot cup of coffee. It’s 5.7°C and 23.6°C...overcast. I need to go to the garage at Anci’s today...to find a box containg papers. I had taken photos of boxes and their contents long ago and came across them yesterday. One of the photos show the file folder I had been looking for but couldn’t find. Right side...three boxes down! I’m also thinking about hitting the far cash point to see if it has a "balance" option. 0859hrs...Out the door. 0946hrs...Back for about 10 mins. Halfway to the far cash point I realized that I should have tried the PO first. I went the rest of the way...too late...and I may well end up there anyway. It’s about a mile to the FCP...not my idea of fun...and it had started to rain lightly. NO GO. At the PO...same thing. Then the store for cat food. Fed three of four. 1841hrs...Have had some long lost inspiration to make a new web page. The Sepia Days stuff. Going well enough. It’s just a matter of doing it. Resizing frames...and I plan to rename them also...to include "Steve Tuba" so that a web search will find me. I will also add a title to each one in the gallery. 1915hrs...Gads...47 frames. Adding my name to them now. Slow work. [It will be 8 months when I finally publish.] Velence...6th March 2009. 0617hrs...A cup. It’s 8.5°C and 23.8°C...overcast and drizzling. This morning I will call Barclays. If no money...then I call Schwab. Did not talk to Cila yesterday...I didn’t want to disturb her and Istvan...so I don’t know how they are doing. I need to talk to Bela...about sharpening the meat grinder blades. Not sure about the amount of work involved tomorrow...but I will not be a happy camper grinding meat with an un-sharp grinder...as I did just a few weeks ago. That was just one kilo...and I hear talk of ten times that amount! 1012hrs...Have called Barclays...nothing! This is not a good thing! Back to the Sepia’s...and more writing. 1247hrs...I saw Istvan out in the compound. I should probably go over to check up on things. The cats are hungry...but they seem to be that way all the time. I only bought four cans yesterday...so that’s now gone. It’s getting critical...HELL...it IS CRITICAL! I plan to call Barclays again last thing this afternoon. I should ask when the lines close down or what hours they keep. Money will run out this weekend for sure if not before. 1731hrs...Back for about 20 mins. I came back at 1645hrs and called UK. Found out that the system works 24/7. So I can call anytime this weekend. Not showing yet! I had walked over to the compound to find Bela cutting up meat in the kitchen. I volunteered to help. I came back for my knives and sharpener...and the 200. Took a few frames. Found out that Gyorgy would be bringing an industrial meat grinder. He eventually showed up. I have left them to continue the cutting up task. Tomorrow the plan will be to take the cut up meat over to Bela’s because the grinder takes three phase power. Velence...7th March 2009. 0635hrs...A hot Cup. It’s 5.5°C and 23.8°C...overcast. Fed Stranger and Mom. 0747hrs...Dressed...ready to head over to the compound. 1128hrs...Back for about 30 mins. Bela drove up just as I arrived. There had been a change of plan. He brought a length of four conductor cable. The idea was to extend the power cable that runs from here into the compound ending at the table saw just inside the gate. I spliced the cables together while Gyorgy went for a connector that would then match the meat grinder. It still left the problem of phasing the wires. After a false start we eventually got the motor to turn in the right direction. We started grinding at 0912hrs...and finished inside an hour...just. By hand it would have taken days! Another hour later the seasoned meat was mixed thoroughly. Bela went off to a funeral...I came back here and had lunch. 1729hrs...I’m back again. When I got there Sari, Saci and Agnes were their making Kalbas (Sausage). I took a few frames. I then thought about the moss. Yes the moss I’d seen about half way to the close store along the High Street. The moss covered the top stones of a long wall. About three days ago with the sun shining I came across a small patch of moss with an exquisitely charming little scene. I immediately thought about photographing it. Lacking a camera I made note that I would return sometime later. The next day I was there again...and found the scene still intact. So it was that I came back here for the Sigma Marco lens and an extension cord for the flash. I would have preferred to have shot the scene in sunlight but that was not about to happen today and it would have meant bringing a tripod also. With the wind blowing like mad...I headed for the spot on the wall. I went past the point where I thought it should have been. I backtracked a few times until I found it...BUT the scene was gone! Damn! The little plants that looked like palm trees had wilted away. No palms no scene no photo. I did take a few frame all the way down to f/32 as a test. When I got back the girls were all gone. I went in to visit with bedridden Cila. We then sat down at the table to taste the Kalbas that Sari had put in the oven an hour before. It was good. I had also taken over two sets of two prints...for Bela and Gyorgy. Velence...8th March 2009. 0553hrs...Java. Windy as hell...kept waking up throughout the night. 0716hrs...Nothing planned for today that I know of. Don’t know how far they got with the Kalbas...whether they finished or not. Out of cat food again. Gads! Last night I brought in the remote temperature sensor thinking that it was in danger of falling off the window ledge. Time to take a shower. 0743hrs...Done deal. Going online. My Pet Rock has a sad countenance this morning. 0906hrs...Sunshine. Still gusty. Whitecaps on the lake. Winds out of the west. 106.7=235.23! This is good. 1059hrs...Boiling eggs. Yeah I know...really exiting stuff. It’s too bright to work on images. 1511hrs...Back from the far store via the lakeshore. They had cut all the reeds along the boat moorage. I had gathered together all the loose change and 900HUF in bills. I bought six cans of cat food and paid for then in coin...leaving a few left over. This is the last of it. The next day or two will be most interesting! There is a worse case scenario. 1541hrs...Gads! 60 seconds...12,313 points. Didn’t see it coming...it was just there at the end. Photo...D70. 1548hrs...The call...Istvan. 1806hrs...Back. Potatoes and fasirozott...one of my favorites. Cila also gave me a length of sausage. I plan to strip it and make fasirozott with it. 1810hrs...The call...photo needed. 1824hrs...The smoke house sausages were taken indoors and I took photos thereof. Velence...9th March 2009. 0617hrs...Mud...hot. I’m waiting for the remote sensor to settle down...now that I’ve put it back outside. Mostly cloudy. 0651htr...Call it 8.8°C and 23.8°C. I will call Barclays this morning though the time and date have no bearing on the outcome since I don’t know the procedures taking place...IF ANY. Calling Schwab may get me no closer either! Two-blocked! Well... 1225hrs...Right down to the wire...BUT it’s there! At bloody last! [What should have taken no more than two day was streached out to 30 days! Sounds "civil" to me! And Janet says I'm vindictive?] 1242hrs...Time to hit the far store and PO. 1332hrs...Back for 20 mins. 1334hrs...Called over...heading there now with a bottle of red wine for Cila and some photos. 1947hrs...Off the phone with Jutka...about ten mins ago. I was still outside unlocking the door when I heard the phone ringing. I had three cats to feed...and did. Talked the rest of the time. Same old stuff mostly. I had gotten the call...Sari with a letter for me. She and Bela had to leave right away...and did. I had taken over more photos...one a doctored photo of all the hanging Kalbas. I added another row...and extended it on both sides. Cila loved it. Great fun. The letter was from Barclays...codes. Velence...10th March 2009. 0557hrs...Hot Joe. It’s 4.1°C and 23.4°C Mostly clear. 0717hrs...Last night Jutka asked if my sister could/would see my blog pages. I said she could. Jutka logically concluded that if she had been to my web site...and read my blog pages...she’d know that I was now living in HU Land. True enough! 1214hrs...Have started a general cleanup of the area. 1307hrs...Printed three images for show and tell...and a five up of ISS images. 2023hrs...Just back...having gotten the call. Took the photos plus some others. Have just called Anci about tomorrows appointment. Will call me in the morning after 0800hrs...closer to 0900hrs...since she has to go into work at 0800hrs. As of now...don’t know if Cila will come along or not. Velence...11th March 2009. 0635hrs...A hot Cup. It’s 3.7°C and 23.4°C...Mostly cloudy. 0758hrs...Showered, shaved. Right on schedule. 0827hrs...Dressed...you know I am. We now wait for the call. 0831hrs...Phone...Cila wanting to know about Anci. Told her. I wait for Anci’s call...send her to Cila’s...I go there. 0854hrs...The call...Anci...already at Cila’s. I’m gone. 1443hrs...Back for 20 mins. Unpacked. Bought a bunch of stuff. 1836hrs...Got the call at 1830hrs...to say that dinner would be delayed indefinitely...given that Bela/Sari and Csaba/Mom were there...and Istvan was late getting home...etc. Cila said that she’d call me later but I opted out for dinner tonight. 1929hrs...Well now...I had bought some Tesco pancake mix...just add water. SO...in frustration I mixed up a batch and was able to try my new pancake pan also in one fell swoop. I ate half of what I’d eventually made. Not bad at all. So at least I know that the mix works as advertised...though I did add a bit more water. Velence...12th March 2009. 0644hrs...A Cup. 3.8°C and 23.1°C...Mostly cloudy. I had a CVI last night. Actually about an hour after I crashed. I was not able to stay awake for HOUSE. I need to hit the DO this morning...for a prescription. At 2130hrs last night...phone...Cila to tell me that the guests had gone and that she was about to have dinner. I thanked her but again declined the offer...adding that I eaten twice by that time. I really did over do it. OH...damn...I see that I have a bill to pay also...hence the PO too. 0844hrs...Dressed...ready to hit the road...Jack. 0945hrs...Back...The DO was closed till 1330hrs. Did hit the PO and paid the bill. Took a spin by the lakeshore. Cold and windy. 1850hrs...Have been printing frames. Got the call at 1100hrs for a 1200hrs lunch. I got there on the dot...but lunch was delayed...still in the process of being prepared. It was 1230hrs plus when we eventually got into it. Palacsinta was the main feature. I consumed three. It was by then 1330hrs plus...so I headed for the DO. The place was filled. I waited and waited only to hear that their computer was down...so I left. I’ll hit it again tomorrow morning. Not sure if there will be call for dinner. Earlier I policed the kitchen...and a mighty fine job of it I did. I think I’m hungry...therefore I must be. What to eat...that is the question. 2025hrs...Have called Cila to tell her that the fridge is inop. Upper section only. Velence...13th March 2009. 0642hrs...A not so hot Cup. 5.5°C and 23.1°C...overcast and rain. 0758hrs...Showered...shaved. It went without drama. 1026hrs...Back for 20mins. Have been a fridge repairman for the last 20 mins. I’d called Cila as soon as I got back. There is talk of a new fridge. But if it’s just the bloody switch? I’ve taken out the switch...and the motor is running...and the temperature is dropping...so the fridge is cooling ok. It’s the switch...as I now see it...plain and simple. 1314hrs...Was supposed to have heard from Istvan regarding said switch availability...as in junked. 2022hrs...Back since 2000hrs...Lajos scored two switches. I brought back one...and have installed it. The temperature is falling...and I now wait to see where it stops...having set it at 2. I had taken over more photos...and left them for the album that Cila had started. 2026hrs...6.2°C...should stop around 4°C ish. 2054hrs...The switch is not working properly...hence I’ve pulled a lead off...and will leave it that way until morning. Damn! Too bad. I will try the other switch tomorrow. Velence...14th March 2009. 0600hrs...Cup. 3.3°C and 23.3°C...clear with some low clouds on the horizon. 0934hrs...Have been policing the general area. Waiting for NOAA-17...and then the new NOAA-19. 1038hrs...Have retrieved the other switch. 1930hrs...Swapped out the C8 for the Nikkor 300 2 8 on the equatorial mount. And have been attempting polar alignment. I thought I was real close...but when I moved over to the Orion Nebula...things went down hill from there. AND now my spare battery has gone flat. Cila had called when they returned from church...but I opted not to go over for some pastry. Then while outside...Istvan showed up with some of same. Velence...15th March 2009. 0611hrs...Mud. 5.3°C and 22.8°C...mostly cloudy. It was too hot in here yesterday so I unplugged the furnace. Hence I’m now without heat...since it would need to be re-lit...but it’s ok. Just put the other D200 battery on the charger. Thinking about hitting the garage at Anci’s...sometime today. 0809hrs...Call five mins ago...Cila asking if I would come to help with pruning the grape vines...ok...0900hrs...there. 0829hrs...Dressed...rubber boots and all. 0846hrs...About ready to leave. Have I got everything? Both Nikons...gloves...etc...OUT the DOOR. 1721hrs...Just back. We got out there by 1000hrs...and stopped by 1230hrs. Then it was to the Tuba/Fuller Wine Cellar...ostensibly to get wine. It then turned into an emergency. One of the casks... 1736hrs...GADS! Just back...out of breath! Knock on door. Istvan. Come now! Birds. Bela. Hanging from trees...excitement. I got the drift at last and swapped out the Sigma 10-20 for the Nikkor 300 4. The 2 8 was still mounted on the equatorial mount. Istvan took the camera while I found a coat. We trucked east on Kemping. Bela had called Istvan to tell him that there were thousands of Starling in trees across from his house. So Istvan then came here. It was too dark for anything serious...but I went along for the ride. But it was stupid nonetheless. Anyway...one of the casks had two broken steel bands...and was leaking wine. Lajos called Bela. He showed up and Cila, Anci and I head for Anci’s...for some food. I was starving by then. Did dinner and then talked for hours. Velence...16th March 2009. 0532hrs...A Cup. 6.7°C and 23.1°C...mostly clear. Should be a nice day. My hand and wrist hurts. Vine trimming! 0942hrs...Have just finished scanning a number of color slides. Sidney mostly. Have also called Sari to ask about my internet bill...she has it. Then she called back to invite me for lunch...1200hrs...ok. Yesterday while at Anci’s I went down into the garage and brought back a toolbox. I did not find the box that I was hoping to find...though I did not dig very deep. 1141hrs...Getting ready to go...with one photo of the Starlings in a tree. 1458hrs...Back as of 1450hrs. Fed three. Talked with Bela about the cleanup of the compound. He seemed agreeable to my plan of action. I will now reiterate it to Cila and Istvan. We will be working toward a May 8 deadline. 1726hrs...The call. Took four photos. 2022hrs...In for 15 mins. Have managed a fairly successful polar alignment. Frames of the Orion Nebula. Not perfect...but close enough for now. It took down one battery...plus some of the spare. Velence...17th March 2009. 0555hrs...A cup of Java. 5.6°C and 23.5°C...cloudy. Will need to hit the far store today. 1507hrs...Did in fact do the far store. Cila called at 1400hrs to say the they were all back...Anci, Bela and herself. Cila had called last night to ask if I wanted to go along...to Budapest. Gads...I’d misunderstood...I thought they were going to Fehervar. I opted not to go. 1611hrs...It’s been a bummer few days. The music is still not back. Oh...I did take out the equatorial mount tripod and leveled it. It was way off. I also put marks down so that I can relocate it the next time...ensuring the at least it will be level. I will need to do a polar alignment again...but I should be closer than before. It’s overcast right now...so I may not get a chance until another day. I plan to shoot geosats...but this time the camera will track the stars...hence the sats will trail. 1919hrs...Back...after having gotten the call...about an hour ago. I took only one photo...the Orion shot. Velence...18th March 2009. 0559hrs...A hot Cup. 4.9°C and 23.3°C. Clear...very gusty. 0719hrs...Just printing the last of brother John’s artwork photos. These are the only images in existence. Some of the work was in the attic of the old Dose house...the last time I saw them. Can not say what happened to them after I left. 0814hrs...Great pass tonight for ISS/STS-119. Weather permitting...I’ll be out there with the MTO 1000 at 19:02:46 local time. Will need to make sure that I’m not at the old house for dinner just then. Interestingly...the "tool bag" will be there at the same time. Lost in space. 1103HRS...General pickup in progress. Have mounted the MTO. Have taken a few frames of IR with the D70 and Sigma 10-20. Have moved major components into the other room...and consolidated stuff. Have scanned my four SPS certificates. And the Feb. 15th 1971 issue of Time magazine...with map of Laos/Thailand. Came across my Basic Training group photo. 1113hrs...The Sun is shining and it’s trying to snow...as in perhaps ice...as in hail. Wait and see. 1840hrs...Back for 20 mins. Had gotten a call...that Bela was there and that we would talk about the compound clean up. Sari was there too. Later I came back for the latest photos. They left and we had dinner. Talked. Lajos showed up. I left. The sky situation did not look good...BUT now it's a GO for ISS/STS-119. Just called over...Istvan answered...and passed the word...for 1902hrs. He may come out. 1852hrs...Ten mins to go. 1910hrs...Done deal. 1919hrs...41 frames...I trashed them all...as not good enough. Velence...19th March 2009. 0542hrs...Hot Joe. 3.8°C and 23.3°C...cloudy. 0600hrs...Clearing nicely. 0630hrs...Clouding up again. Getting ready to head over to the compound...for an early start. 0657hrs...Decided to have breakfast. And am NOW heading out. 1728hrs...Back for over an hour. Tired. Velence...20th March 2009. 0444hrs...Hot Mud. 1.1°C and 22.9°C...Clear...stars...moon. 0731hrs...1.7°C...Heading over to the compound. 1231hrs...Back for a break. Things went well enough. More time-lapse photos. I will need to hit the far store later this afternoon. It’s now 8.2°C partly sunny. 1424hrs...Back from the F/S and fed four. Thinking about heading over to the compound again. 1708hrs...Just back. Cila was fixing dinner when I arrived...and she called me in about 30 mins later. Istvan had in fact gotten home...but was out at the Tuba/Fuller Wine Cellar. I went back outside...and with some WD-40...managed to break loose a massive old vise. It can now be turned with one finger! It looks like I will be doing the vineyards again tomorrow around 0900hrs...and back by noon because of a funeral. Three hours...that’s not bad. 1731hrs...Rain mixed with snow. 1754hrs...Have created TheCompoundDayTwo folder...and transferred today’s images. Printed two...before/after...with Cila in the "after" frame. 1810hrs...GADS! ISS/STS-119 in 5 mins! Not all that dark...but am going out anyway! About as close to directly overhead as it gets! Focus is my main concern. 1906hrs...I setup out front thinking that I’d just have time to set the focus. But...a car drove by...and the occupants looked my way...but drove off...only to then stop and backup. I hailed them...but they stayed in their car. I think they were Gypsies. Anyway...I waited to catch sight of the ISS/STS-119...while I talked...out at the car. I eventually spotted it...and retired to the MTO1000/D200. The driver was right behind me and I pointed nearly straight up. I never achieved focus...but took frames nonetheless. It was a good pass with good orientation...but not sharp. It was not dark enough...and there were clouds...to use a star. DAMN! It’s now clear...so I really should go out to test focus. 1944hrs...I did...but finally clouds prevented further tests. Velence...21st March 2009. 0603hrs...A hot cup of Java. 0.9°C and 22.6°C...clear. 0832hrs...4.9°C. About ready to head over. I plan to take a photo matching a day one frame one... 1458hrs...We were on our way back by 1200hrs. We had lunch...I left. Cila and Istvan got ready for the funeral at 1400hrs. There had been a change of personnel...Bela instead of Niki’s boyfriend. 1523hrs...I’ll put some shoes on and head over to the compound. 1833hrs...Ten mins to ISS/STS-119. Not a great pass but will shoot it anyway...just to check the focus situation. Just for the hell of it...I’ll also use a 1.4X extender...making the MTO 1400mm. Oh...I came back from the compound at 1700hrs. I just called over...and Cila had just arrived back. I told her that I’d eaten. 1838hrs...5 mins to my radio horizon. 1905hrs...Well...that was a waste of energy. Velence...22nd March 2009. 0515hrs...A hot Cup. 1.7°C and 22.6°C...clear. It’s to be 1300hrs for another trip to the vineyards. 1211hrs...Got back about ten mins ago. Got a few things done at the compound. Cila and Istvan had gone to 1100hrs church. Cila had baked some Pogacsa...and when they left...I had some...hot out of the oven. They were quite good. I now wait till 1245hrs...to head back over...and then out to the vineyards. 1826hrs...Just back from the close store...for cat food...but they didn’t have any cans...at ALL! Bought a box of dry...and some sliced meat. The trimming went well...even considering a late start. Got there at 1400hrs...and finished before 1600hrs! There were seven of us. My innovation made a great difference. Bela even commented on the fact that I had cut every vine...which they would then collectively trim. Each row is one half kilometer long...500 meters. There are two rows. In the end the wind was strong and cold. Velence...23rd March 2009. 0540hrs...Joe. 7.5°C and 22.9°C...cloudy...though clearing. Will hit the far store this morning...after they open...0830hrs. [At that time I some how kept thinking that that was when they openned. But the fact was that they openned around 0630hrs!] 0720hrs...Showered. 0731hrs...Will get dressed and head over to the compound. Have been studying the progress photos...and have found some solutions to problems. 0738hrs...8.4°C...Gusty...as in strong. The Sun is slowly breaking through. Cila is planning to go to Fehervar this morning. Anyway...I’m dressed and ready to go. 1037hrs...I have returned! Blown back by strong gusty winds. I did move the old trailer so that it can now be filled with scrap iron. 1304hrs...Tired! But I will now go to the far store and PO for cash. The gusty winds continue with great vigor. Three cats out on the balcony sunning themselves...but hungry. Jimmy spent part of this morning chasing Kwan. Crazy Puli...had climbed up to unimaginable heights in the garage attempting to get at him. 1406hrs...Back. I now notice that the AA batteries I’d bought are defective! Damn! 1437hrs... 1442hrs...Heading over to the compound. 1745hrs...Back for about ten mins...fed the little devils. Velence...24th March 2009. 0720hrs...A Cup. Fed two. 7.9°C and 23.8°C...raining. 1034hrs...Thought about going over...so I stepped out onto the front porch only to see Cila. I yelled to say that I would call her...and did. And am going there now. 1144hrs...Have returned. 1516hrs...Have made corrections to the TubaFamTree...and provided room for more entries...which Cila had indicated. It’s now at all full pages. Any more...and I will need to add pages. I have to re-number 52 entries as a result of the above changes. Not fun. Yesterday I asked Cila to ask Istvan to dig out Pityu’s chainsaw. As of this morning he‘d not. So now I wait. I could have used it today. And there is the need to get it working properly too. Had I the model number...I could have looked it up on the web. 1610hrs...The winds are picking up. Whitecaps on the lake. Stranger curled up in a corner of the balcony...on his mat. 1708...The call...I go in ten mins. 2010hrs...We had soup and American Pancakes. I brought the syrup and a pan...which I gave to Cila. At the end I’d brought Cila a bar of chocolate to replace the last of which Istvan had eaten...to her chagrin. Velence...25th March 2009. 0645hrs...Java. 1.3°C and 23.3°C...clear...sunny...windy...and it snowed last night. Not a lot...but there. The nightmares continue. 1021hrs...Just offline. Did research on Mucha. Found some printable images. 1053hrs...Time to hit the shower...and a needed shave! 1622hrs...Called over to say that I was heading to the far store. Istvan is balking with the chainsaw...don’t know why. He’s holding me up. Postdated 12 Nov 2009: He has managed without any difficulty at all...to get himself onto my "Stit List" with the exhalted rating of PERMANENT! 1714hrs...Cila has just left. She’d called just as I had gotten back from the far store. She came to find a book for Anita. No luck. There will be the possibility of seeing the ISS and STS-119 separately this evening...should be outside waiting by 1900hrs. 1906hrs...The combination was a bust. I nearly missed seeing anything...but did catch a few glimpses through gaps in the cloud cover of the ISS. Should have taken the binocs. Velence...26th March 2009. 0622hrs...Corrected ahead 4 mins. Java. 2.7°C and 22.9°C...partly cloudy...though it may burn off. 0628hrs...Gads...phone...Cila...she’s fed up with Istvan and Bela. They had occasion to look into the compound...but nothing terribly helpful came of it. Granted...it was dark at the time. She’s going to Fehervar this morning...by bus. Back around 1300hrs. Then more to do. She also forgot a bill...so she will need more money from me. Will call when back. 1346hrs...Just back...having been called at 1235hrs by Cila. We had some fried eggs for a quick lunch. It was good. She’s about to hit the PO etc...and will call me when she returns. I brought back an old compass...Pityu’s...to repair...if possible. 1400hrs...Cila has in fact left. 1551hrs...Doing a second cup of Java. One Eyed Blackie was out there consuming some of the dry cat food. I even gave it some more. I’ve taken apart the compass...only to determine that it’s un-repairable. 1512hrs...Just looked out and I see that Cila is back...talking with two guys. 1523hrs...The call. 2009hrs...Just back...fed three. Tried ISS and STS-119...clouds. Finally got many thing started in the compound. Istvan helped...and Bela arrived after we’d called him. It went very well. I will have lots to do tomorrow...weather permitting. I ended up taking photos in the dark...as I came back. Velence...26th March 2009. 0352hrs...A hot Cup. It’s dark...4.8°C and 22.6°C...some stars are visible. Woke up thinking about the compound work. Can hardly wait to get at it later this morning. 0716hrs...Have done breakfast. 5.1°C and 22.9°C...overcast...but bright. 0805hrs...Dressed...ready to go. 1831hrs...Just back from the compound. I passed on dinner. Got a few things done just fine. Anci arrived and we’ve set a time for going to Metro and Tesco for some shopping tomorrow...after 1300hrs I guess. Velence...27th March 2009. 0517hrs...Coffee. 8.3°C and 23.1°C...clear. 1303hrs...Well DAMN! I’d left a window ajar for the cable leading to my discone antenna. The wind had blown it open as soon as I opened the front door. Papers went flying. Then here at the consol I tried to clear the drapes and in so doing managed to knock off and break a class thermometer...the type with the little floating balls. NEVER FAILS. Just had a call...Cila...Anci says at least an hour till we leave...which was fine with Cila. I got the call at 0805hrs...Cila...Bela already there. We got a lot done. Cut down two major trees. Istvan was in his usual form(!) when work was involved. More later...I have to get over to the old house. 1854hrs...Back for 30 mins...fed four...unpacked. This morning...105.3! Goal...90.72. Velence...29th March 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0712hrs...Started a Cup out on the balcony...after feeding three. Kwan will show up later I’m sure. Overcast...11.8°C and 24.3°C. 1018hrs...Just back. I went over to the compound around 0800hrs. I took a few frames...and then surprisingly Cila appeared at the kitchen door...and asked if I would re-install the water heater. I came back for tools. The first thing I noticed was the now missing O-ring. I had put in on a small table we used the day before while cleaning out the heater core. This morning the table was on its side and about three meters from where it had been. The O-ring was nowhere in sight. I told Cila the situation. She told Istvan...and later he appeared...while I was searching the ground. I removed a number of pine tree branches...knowing full well that the missing O-ring could be hung up in them. It looked hopeless. Istvan...never admitting culpability...gave up in a matter of seconds...as if it were no big deal. Anyway...I continued to look. Never believing that the O-ring could have gotten that far away...I removed another large branch...and there it was. The rest was history...though it was not without drama. I packed up my tools and came back for some breakfast. Hence I’m here now. I had a strange dream earlier this morning. It was virtual. I plan to head back to the compound soon. 1848hrs...Well...I never did. Call at 1730hrs...Cila...to say that she was not cooking dinner tonight. No problem. It’s been raining on and off all day...and looks to be the same for tomorrow. 2058hrs...Slow do-nothing-day today. Velence...30th March 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0817hrs...A cup of Joe. 10.1°C and 25°C...overcast. Another virtual dream this morning. There was a young woman that I’d never met before. I say "never met" as opposed to "never seen" because she looked like the actress...XXX XXX...or at least I thought she did after re-playing the dream a few times. But it’s fair to say that I don’t recognize her from my past. She is someone new. I am at this place...reason unknown...but I seem to think it’s some sort of party. There are many people milling about...in a garden. I’m sitting...when this lovely creature comes to my side...and gets very close. She then asks me I if fantasize...or dream about women...as in sexy...erotic...etc...ways...in general...but then asks if I think about her...that way! This seems to imply that in the dream I "know" her...as in we have some history of acquaintanceship. I answer that I defiantly have had such thoughts of her. She purrs. She kisses me. I feel a bit strange...given the public nature of the setting. Next scene...I’m standing in a place where I notice that there are animals about. Some are in small depressions in the ground...with nesting birds. Then I feel something touching my leg...only to see that it’s a large turtle...green...standing on it’s hind legs...begging for attention and I presume food. I see some black and white monkeys. They smile at me. Then I see an incredible two headed dog. One head above the other. The upper head smiles at me. The location is of course a reference to the "compound"...and the turtle refers to my cats. I don’t know what the dog was about. The next scene...I’m back with Miss Lovely...where she’s sitting very close...and we seen to be getting ready to pose for a photograph. I’m trying to touch her. There are a great many people milling about behind where a camera should have been set up...which though...I can not see. I do see an individual that I assumed was her boyfriend...whom I’d noticed about the same time she first kissed me. I don’t know who he is to her. And it bothers me...but not greatly. Then I see an older man...I presume it’s her father. I see a younger man...that looks like the father...and assume it’s her brother. Miss Lovely leads me to believe that we are now an "Item". I seem to think that this is just great. Her behavior had been very sexy toward me...and I guess I must have liked it...greatly. The scenes were very vivid...in color. There was a line of dialog that had an interesting paradox. The action and dialog was obviously generated in my mind...but then I remember thinking...in the dream...that it was a strange thing...to have "said". It’s as though there was two minds at work...at once. 1043hrs...Just showered...shaved...even. 1129hrs...Getting ready to hit the far store and DO. 1303hrs...The DO went well...as in fast. Then the chemist’s...again fast. Then the store...quick...you know it was. Then as I passed Anci’s place of work...I decided to stop in. She was alone so we chatted at length. Now I’m thinking about going over to the compound. But first I’ll look at the last photos. 1801hrs...Back. I made American Walnut Brownies. Yum Yum. It was not without drama though! The damn oven temperature again. I bought both Cila and Anci oven thermometers and we used Cila’s today...but the oven setting is cantankerous to say the least. In the end...the brownies were more than eatable. Velence...31st March 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0729hrs...Hot Mud. 9.1°C and 24.2°C...cloudy...but will clear later. Not sure if Mom is somewhere in the house. I couldn’t tell at the time if it was Mom or Kwan that snuck in while the front door was open...but Kwan is in fact outside...so? 1002hrs...Mom was in fact outside after all. Playing Mr. Domestic this morning. Gads what fun. 1058hrs...Getting ready to head over to the compound. Later... 1603hrs...Have been back for at least two hour...perhaps more. Lajos showed up and took his ladder. He’d been drinking...which was not a surprise. Talk with Cila...and came away depressed. The magnitude of my task is falling in on me. So many vectors. So many limitations. So many bottlenecks. So little real interest. [On the part of the others.] 2049hrs...My first Betty Crocker Brownies here in this house are out of the oven. This oven is as bad as Cila’s at the other house. Should look into the problem. Velence...1st April 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0656hrs...A hot Cup. 10.7°C and 24.5°C...overcast...signs of having rained. There is in fact so much to do in the compound that it has had a petrifying effect on all concerned. Yes...this needs to be done...but...no one has had the time or energy to actually do it. Pityu was going to do many things...but was harangued by Jutka and Istvan to the point that nothing ever got done. [Plus he was ill.] A pile of rocks can not be used to fill in the root-cellar because it’s slated to be used up in the hills for another purpose. Ok fine...but the pile of rocks has been there for years...never getting even close to said hills. So...what...it will just stay there as is for another ten years? There is fencing material...but not enough for a complete fence...hence...what? The are at least three...now antique...motorcycles...that are just rusting away...uncared for...but kept for nostalgic reasons...until when I ask? There is a tractor in the garage...unused for many years...condition unknown...though assumed workable...which Bela will one day look at. Well...not until I dig it out. [The tractor was NEVER used...it arrived needing work...hence just sitting there...ever since.] There are numerous bicycles...in need of repair. There are repairs to be made to various buildings. Some need to be torn down. 1010hrs...Have showered...and dressed. Still cloudy. 1043hrs...Getting ready to head over to the compound. This will be the 12th day. 1628hrs...I came back around 1300hrs. And am just in from out...having mounted the Nikkor 80-200 2 8 to the D200. I went over to the compound for a few frame that I knew I wanted. And on the way back all the cats eventually showed up. I have some good frames of Stranger. 1941hrs...Just back...having gotten a call to say that dinner was an hour out...but that Bela was there. So I went over early. I took one print. Velence...2nd April 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0611hrs...Java. 9.5°C and 24.9°C...haze...that will burn off later. 1003hrs...Dressed...ready to head over to the compound. It’s 14.9°C...sunny...bright. I’m wearing shorts. Cila will say it’s too cold...but I don’t want to be too hot. I have three photo to take over. 1535hrs...Came back around 1300hrs. Cila went off to take care of some business. I got a few things done in the compound. It’s 18.4°C...though a bit windy. 1629hrs...Call...Cila...has returned. I’m heading over...soon. 1921hrs...Eating dinner. Velence...3rd April 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0558hrs...Hot Java. 9.6°C and 24.8°C...Hazy...and the usual observation about it burning off later as it tends to do this time of year. 1943hrs...Back. Did dinner...and got more done in the compound today. Kwan and Stranger have become great friends. Other has lost weight...but this has been for some time now. There is now another black cat coming around also. Not One Eye Blackie. I went over to Anci’s first thing this morning to bring back the Milwaukee Sawsall. Had to bring a US power strip and the step-down transformer. Had to change out the UK plug...but that went without drama. Today was day 14 in the compound. Tired. First mosquito...at Cila’s! Velence...4th April 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0529hrs...Hot Mud. 10°C and 21.6°C...clear. I pulled the plug on the furnace yesterday...hence the second temperature reading being what it is. 0606hrs...The five Almond trees are in full bloom. The first one as long as a week ago. I’m thinking about hitting the lakeshore for some wildlife photography. There was some interesting activity yesterday morning. I will need to hit the far store today. Cila and Istvan will be going to the cemetery before noon today. I have lost time because of the tree cutting. 0920hrs...Back for just over 20 mins...from the lakeshore. Took 64 frames. Istvan was already cutting up tree limbs. Early I thought. 1716hrs...Phone...Cila...JUST BACK! Gads! She’d said one hour...and that was around 1100hrs. Velence...5th April 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0609hrs...Java...out on the balcony. 10.9°C and 21°C...clear. Thinking that I’ll hit the lakeshore again this morning. I’d mounted the 300 2 8 to the Slik Monopod...and it seemed to work well. The first thing I came across yesterday was a Crane...which I photographed from the bike. Most everything else was not that close. Then at sunset I tried again to photograph bats...no luck. 0851hrs...Back...driven by hunger. Should have some good frames...out of 185! 1405hrs...Back from having been called over...and then going. Took over a half dozen photos. Show and tell. Saci and Judit were there plus boyfriend. Istvan’s watch had a dead battery...and it just so happened that I had a replacement. Replaced same. 1855hrs...Just back from the lakeshore. I went down by the "Holland" houses. The light was not great. I ran into Ildiko with her two dogs. I asked whether she knew about her shed leaning against Jutka’s shed. She said she did...but that she was not able to do anything about the problem. Velence...6th April 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0621hrs...A Cup...out on the balcony. Three cats present. 11.6°C and 20.7°C...hazy...but will clear. Thinking that I should check out Jutka’s shed...sometime today. 0854hrs...Getting ready to head over to the compound. Decided not to hit the lakeshore this morning. The shots that I’m getting are not much different than those taken the last two years...with the same limitations. I need to find better locations to shoot from. 2026hrs...Got back at 2000hrs. It’s been a long day...but made good progress in the compound. I did hit the far store for cat food. Today was "fire" day. I burned all day long. Tired. I did go to Jutka’s for a look-see...but was thwarted by the gate. I thought it was locked. I was told later that it was in fact not locked. Well damn! [Later on I will fix the gate.] Velence...7th April 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0707hrs...Hot Joe...on the balcony...Other and Mom...Kwan below. 11.4°C and 20.6°C...clear...as in hazy. Reading further into More’s "Utopia". 0823hrs...Heading for the compound. More burning to do. 1610hrs...Got back at 1530hrs...from Fehervar! I no sooner got the fire started when I heard the phone ring. Cila did not answer it. Then a bit later again it rang again...and soon thereafter Cila appeared and informed me that Anci was set to go into Fehervar. Gads! She had two business errands...on the wrong side of the lake hence we took the scenic route. I had two opportunities for taking photographs...ended up with 80 frames. Have printed one so far. 1806hrs...Blueberry muffins are out of the oven...not without drama! They look quite good though. Velence...8th April 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0632hrs...Up since 0600hrs. Started my cup of Mud out on the balcony. Other and Stranger were there. 10.2°C and 20.4°C...clear. 0828hrs...Heading for the compound. 1605hrs...Getting ready to head back over. I came back just before 1400hrs. 1649hrs...Now thinking that I should go over to Anci’s to see about my car. Sounds like a plan to me. I’m gone. 2051hrs...Back for about 20 mins. The charge took just fine...blew up the back tires. Blew up Anci’s tires also. Then we took the Bat Mobile for a spin. I let Anci drive. I wanted her to experience an automatic transmission. She got the hang of in no time. We took a nice long trip...over hill and dale. She took me to new places. And it was good for the car to be out and about...as it were. Velence...9th April 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0606hrs...Mud outside. 10.5°C and 20.3°C...clear. 0758hrs...Have repaired the battery charger. Sticking ammeter needle. Fixed both balcony and front door locks. The inside front door is a mystery...since it now...for some time...does not even come close to reaching the jam. 1714hrs...Got through yet another funeral. This was my first Reformed (Presbyterian) Church. All the other were Catholic. The deceased was the husband of the Chemist...and she is a distant cousin. Velence...10th April 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0531hrs...Java outside...with drama...10.6°C and 20.3°C°...clear...full Moon setting. The nightmares continues. 0555hrs...Fed three. 1944hrs...Just back from Anci’s. I jet washed three cars...including the Bat Mobile. Two patio tables...and eight chairs...what fun it was. I had been in the compound earlier...but came back around 1200hrs...after Cila and I had brunch. 1957hrs...Tired! Velence...11th April 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0633hrs...The usual...Cup and venue. 11.2°C and 20.2°C...clear. 0723hrs...Istvan (Pisti)...headed over to help launch Bela’s boat. 2109hrs...Got back at 2030hrs...long day...lots done. I finally broke into the crypt. The door did not open fully...so I took the door off completely! Was not able to reach the second door...the one leading to the sarcophagus. That will take at least another day’s digging. Tomorrow is lost since it’s Easter. Tired. Velence...12th April 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0644hrs...Same as yesterday. 10.9°C and 20.2°C...clear. 0823hrs...Heading for the compound. 1046hrs...Back for some glue to fix some ping-pong paddles. I also made one print for Cila. I also called over to Anci’s for the girls to bring some tweezers for tick removal. Mom has two I think. 2026hrs...Back...tired. The operation went well. I’m happy with the results. Did manage to get to the inner door and beyond. While taking photos I heard a sound...and thought I was about to be buried alive...or fall through the floor. Velence...13th April 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0726hrs...Java out with four of four...fed same. 11.1°C and 20.2°C...clear. 0854hrs...Heading for the compound...with three prints. Need to hit the far store some time today. 1059hrs...Back...Change of plans. Will be going over to Anci’s...to man the fire etc. Plan to take the laptop. [A cookout.[ 1904hrs...Back since 1800hrs. Velence...14th April 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0639hrs...Java with The Other...on the balcony. 9.3°C and 19.7°C...clear. Strange dream...the OM and book marks. 0704hrs...Well damn...it seems that it rained a bit last night. There is rain in the forecast also. I will need to make adjustments out in the compound accordingly. 0750hrs...I stepped out onto the balcony and saw a dog...a Puli...just out front on Kemping. I didn’t think much about it...except that it’s owner must be out of sight to the east. The dog sniffed around and continued west. I then thought that the Puli looked an awful lot like Jimmy! So I called out. The dog hesitated for just the tiniest fraction of a second. I then thought that I must have been mistaken. BUT...I called out again...just to make sure...and damned if the dog didn’t stop...and looked for the source of the sound of his name. Once he saw me he turned round and came into the yard. I went out the front door where he was by them waiting below. He led the way toward the compound...and once through the gate...barked at ME! Wait until I tell Cila about the breach of security! 0825hrs...Heading for the compound. 1749hrs...Back for about a 45 mins. I salvaged a 1967 vintage variable DC power supply. I spent most of the day cleaning it up...playing as it were. 2022hrs...In the middle of a minor thunderstorm. Mom, Other and Stranger on the balcony...Kwan under Pityu’s old boat. It’s cold in here...20.3°C...but not sure I want to fire off the house heat. 2051...Fired off the space heater instead. Velence...15th April 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0657hrs...The usual Coffee scene with four. Fed same. 10.1°C and 23.0°C...clear. 1409hrs...Back for a noon break. Got a few things done...or at least some progress. 1955hrs...Yesterday I found a long rusty file...that otherwise looked to be in good functional shape. So I set about cleaning it with an old rusty wire brush that I’d found earlier. I got about a third of the way and then quit...save for applying a good coat of WD-40. This morning the file had disappeared...along with the contents of a steel box...tools...mostly. I knew that it was Istvan’s handiwork! I mention the situation to Cila. We both knew the plight we were in. It pisses me off nonetheless. I plan to ask him where Pityu’s tools might be. I have yet to find them. 2004hrs...I hear the sound of a Weed Whacker. Istvan cutting the now tall grass...in the dark as it were. Velence...16th April 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0553hrs...Coffee...with two cats. 11.1°C and 20.6°C...clear. 1437hrs...Back from the compound. Repaired the front door lock. 1928hrs...Back from the compound...having gone there with a few prints for Cila’s collection. Bela showed up at just the right time...and a number of things got resolved for the better good. Oh...the long file showed up out of nowhere. Velence...17th April 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0538hrs...Coffee...with Mom. 14.8°C and 23.8°C...I let the space heater run all night. Delineated overcast. I need to hit the far store and Sari’s to payback a paid bill. I took measurements the other day of the front half of the compound. I would cost about a quarter million to lay stone over that area. I forgot to ask Bela yesterday what it cost to do his place. 2034hrs...I went to the far store and Sari’s as planned. Talked with Bela about my problem with the cleanup...and in the end he came to help. I was asked to comeback for lunch. Bela and I did the deed in no time...and went out to the Skeleton Field. Then it was up the hill for what would be my first visit to his plot of land. Very nice indeed. The view was great...but I had not taken a camera since it was overcast...and threatened rain. I would like to go back a another time...later in the season. We returned to the compound...and from there I headed over for lunch. Bean soup and Langos! I had two...very good they were. Cila had started to make Pogascas when we left and I planned to be back for the baking thereof. I was late but not by much. The back ones burned a bit on the bottoms. Velence...18th April 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0622hrs...Coffee with three. 8.5°C and 21.4°C...clear...bright after the rain. Thinking about hitting the lakeshore. The light is good. 1642hrs...Back long enough to have brewed some tea...take a shower...off loaded today’s images...etc. Velence...19th April 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0552hrs...Java with three. 10.0°C and 20.3°C...clear. I did in fact hit the lakeshore yesterday morning. Took 90 some odd frames. In the compound...I reduced the hearth to rubble. The smaller pieces ended up in the trailer...to be disposed of later. I plan to use some of the whole bricks to fill the hole as a platform for the old gas stove that everyone think will be of some use later...yeah right. Cila and I did more work with grapevines on and about the smoke house and other pruning. Istvan was gone most of the day...but at the end of the day did manage to start cutting the grass on this property. 0802hrs...I was out on the balcony...Kwan indicated that he was hungry. I went to the front door to feed same...but who should be there? Jimmy the Puli...out again. He asked to be let back into the compound. I ushered him to the gate. 1107hrs...Just as I was heading out for the far store...two of Agnes’ granddaughters were coming out through their gate. It was to hand over a Pen Drive...onto which I was to put Easter days photos. I came back in and did so...after which I took it over. Istvan was again repairing a flat tire on his bike. I then went to the far store. Fed four. Then back over to the compound...out the front gate...but Agnes and crew had already left for Budapest. Cila and Istvan were going to church...so I won’t see them till after 1200hrs. 1926hrs...Back. Having gotten the call at 1650hrs. I had just enough time to make one print. It took over an hour to copy images from the laptop to the 400GB external drive...one of which I printed for Cila‘s collection.. Velence...20th April 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0613hrs...Mud with two. 14.4°C and 23.7°C...delineated overcast...signs of light rain. 1004hrs...Heading for the compound. Jimmy was out and about again this morning! I see that Cila is up. 1858hrs...Back. Made good progress in the outer chamber. The rubble is cleared out. I reused two layers of brick upon which I placed the old gas stove. I also cleared out the two lower shelves of the cabinet. The resulting trash remains for tomorrow. Speaking of which...I need to take the trash bin out onto Kemping...as I right now...you know I will. A neighbor wanted to buy some corn...we eventually measured out the quantity. 8032hrs...Tired. I hit the close store for cat food but had to settle for dog. Also...just finished two packs! Damn! Velence...21st April 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0706hrs...Java with one. 13.5°C and 24.5°C...partly cloudy...clearing. 0832hrs...Heading for the compound. 1914hrs...Back. Anci was supposed to return at 1400hrs...but it was in fact 1810hrs. We went up to the Tuba-Fuller Wine Cellar so that Istvan could "steal" some wine. From there it was to Anci’s to pick up the tools that I need...that I’d already gathered close to the door of the garage. I also managed to hit the close store for cat food. Seems as though I’m feeding six now. Velence...22nd April 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0353hrs...The Moon will eclipse Venus today. It’s clear as of now...stars and all that. Coffee with Mom...Other asleep in the corner. It’s 12.5°C and 22.8°C. 0455hrs...Just in from out. The Moon and Venus are visible. It will be at about 1400hrs...local time. 0818hrs...About ready to hit the compound. 1840hrs...Back. And back from the far store. Added two more shelves and took over more jars. I have yet more here...and will take them tomorrow. [The jars are for small items like nails and screws etc.] Velence...23rd April 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0612hrs...Mud...alone...as in no cats this morning. Must be the cold. It’s 13.6°C and 23.9°C...partly cloudy. 1216hrs...Still here...housework! Got lots done...a good thing. 1933hrs...Back from dinner. I’d stepped out earlier...and there was Bela. We went back to the compound where Sari was waiting. Istvan and Cila had gone to the cemetery. We eventually called them. Cila said ten minutes...but it was 25 minutes before the arrived. There was no work in the compound today. Sari and Bela both commented on the work I’d done in the outer crypt so far. Bela talked about the attic to the main house...as in the fact there may be some interesting treasures up there. Will need to mount an expedition...perhaps as soon as tomorrow. Cila will be going into Fehervar tomorrow morning. Velence...24th April 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0358hrs...Joe with the Other. 11.3°C and 23.3°C...stars are visible. 0757hrs...Getting ready to head for the compound...and the mysterious attic. The only consideration has to do with the state of the ladder...as in decrepit...and the roof for that matter. I’m thinking that I should take the 200 with me to record the scene within. I can then also image the end wall...which is in really bad condition. There will be no one there to help...should there be a mishap. 1014hrs...Back for at least 45 mins. All went well without drama. More later...since I need to hit the far store now! 1104hrs...Back for 30 mins. As I arrive...Mom came out of the tall grass with a lizard in her mouth! Fed four. I made it up the rickety ladder...but it was dangerous! I can see going up again...hence will need to fix it in some way. The roof is a very good location for astronomy! I would like to climb up at night to check it out...and from the look of it...there should be no street lights visible from there. Thinking about an observatory! If the whole roof were planked...it would make for a grand affair for almost any astronomical event. There are two minor annoyances...in the form of two trees. One of which could be pruned down. The other one would have Cila all over me to even suggest cutting down...since it’s a Walnut tree. 2033hrs...Have been back since...when... Velence...25th April 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0630hrs...Java with Stranger. 13.0°C and 21.9°C...Partly cloudy...will clear. Getting ready to hit the compound. While the chickens are still cooped...I can move through the two gates without a hassle...except for Jimmy. Sometime after 1300hrs we will be going into Fehervar...shopping. 1232hrs...Have just showered. Istvan came back from the doctors with news of a sale going on up the street. He told me...and then inside told Cila. Cila then came out suggesting that we take a look. We did...and I spent 8,000HUF. The work went very well this morning in the compound. Even Cila said it looked nice. 1915hrs...Just back from the compound to retrieve the Slik Master which I’d left there this morning...and back from shopping. There was five of us! Slogged all over the place...girly stuff! Velence...26th April 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0651hrs...Mud...alone. 8.8°C and 21.6°C...clear...good light. 0820hrs...Heading for the compound. 1414hrs...Back. Had lunch. Bela, Saci, Judit, Dori and Andras showed up after church as has been the custom. I made good progress in the compound. 2014hrs...Back...dinner...three photo show and tell. I took over some chocolate chip cookies that I baked earlier. Velence...27th April 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0544hrs...Up since 0500hrs. A Cup with the Other. Fed three...one a Black and White. 8.9°C and 22.7°C...partly cloudy...color to the east. 0616hrs...Today will be day 38 in the compound. Yesterday I printed a number of "before" frames. I plan to re-shoot them as "afters" as time goes. Thinking about hitting the lakeshore for some photography. Right now the light is not the best...and there are clouds on the horizon...blocking the sunrise light...which may improve though. 0655hrs...I’m going now. The light is still not good. 0822hrs...Muffins in the oven. Got back at 0737hrs. The light eventually failed. And it was cold. Got one good frame...and have printed it for Cila’s album. Ran into the same gal with her two dogs. She’d been to my web site...said she liked my photos. 1759hrs...Back from the compound...and dinner. My plan for today went well. I will be able to finish easily tomorrow...and will jump to the next phase...the garage! Today’s work was to negate the potential loss of two month because of supposed low scrap iron prices at this time. I can’t afford to wait two month! There is so much to be done for which I need lots of space. The result...today...makes the compound "look" much better also. Tomorrow it will look better yet. I had taken over one print this morning...and when Cila indicated the she missed having my photos in the kitchen window...we were unable to find them...given that there were out on Sunday for show and tell in another part of the house. Istvan had gathered the up. When he returned from work...over dinner...we found out that he had taken them to work...for his own show and tell! 1825hrs...Istvan is out there whacking the tall grass. Today they mowed the field across Kemping. Velence...28th April 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0345hrs...An ISS pass later this morning. It’s clear...and all the stars are in place. The "Tool Bag" is minutes away. Other is out there with a large bird...as in eating it. Mom is in heat. 0411hrs...Just in from out. Took my coffee out under the stars. ISS is 40 minutes away. 0501hrs...Just in from out. ISS was OK. Visual only...the pass was not good enough for photos. 0758hrs...About ready to hit the compound. 0801hrs...12.4°C and 22.2°C...clear. 1605hrs...Came back at 14??hrs...and I need to hit the far store...but will hit the shower first. I think it must have been Jimmy that brought home the duck...and then Stranger brought it up onto the balcony. 1628hrs...103.6...228.40! Cool! 1801hrs...It’s been a very windy day. I made fair progress in the compound...though I did not get to the garage as I had hoped. Cila announced that Sari was coming...and they would be going together...but when I asked about Bela...she indicated that he may be going also. She was right and after some time they arrived. I snagged Bela for some input...and then they all left...heading for the cemetery. Once back...Bela was hungry and though I indicated that I would come back here for my own lunch...eggs sounded too good to pass up. It was by then about 1400hrs...so I eventually came back here. The winds kept me from going back. So it’s tomorrow for the start of the garage phase of operations. Velence...29th April 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0353hrs...ISS was a bust...overcast...14.1°C and 21.7°C. I’m thinking that it may be a better plan to empty Shed 1...so that I can immediately use it to store major tools and equipment that I find in the garage. The shed contains mostly usable lumber of various woods...which should eventually end up in the attic...but since the ladder is dangerous to use...that will have to wait. 0552hrs...About ready to hit the compound...an early start! It’s mostly cloudy...13.5°C...no wind. 1221hrs...Back for about ten mins...for a break. Have made tea. I went with plan "B"...Shed one...as it were. Some surprises...none major. Found a single roll of 35mm b&w film. Showed it to Cila...she say’s that she took the frames...at one of Anci’s birthday parties. 1447hrs...Heading back to the compound. 1926hrs...I’m back. Long day. Tired! Velence...30th April 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0554hrs...Coffee with Mom and Stranger...Kwan waiting below. 12.8°C and 23.4°C...hazy. I need to hit the far store this morning for sure. 0934hrs...Back from the PO and far store...without drama. Fed five! I mentioned finding an old duel 12.5 volt power supply...in the antechamber. Once opened...I searched for and found code dates as to component manufacturing dates...1967. I tell my story to Cila. Time passes. Bela brings up the fact that I had located the unit...etc. I then ask as to a date...as in when it was that he acquired it. But instead I get a date of 1967! He goes on to tell me that dates are inside the unit! Obviously...my original story got back to him...and I was now hearing it from him as though it was from his knowledge. The 1967 date meant that the unit was no older. And mostly likely not the date that he acquired it because it would not have been new. 1913hrs...Back from the lakeshore. Velence...1st May 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0508hrs...Java with Mom. 15.2°C and 23.4°C...clear. Rough night...TA. 0720hrs...Heading for the compound! 2055hrs...Back for about 30 mins. Lots done. Anci, Lajos and Istvan helped today. Velence...2nd May 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0652hrs...Mud with Mom...Kwan and Stranger below. 12.0°C and 21.1°C...clear...bright. Will be hitting Jutka’s to help with cleaning up her yard...hate it. I have so much more to do in the compound and only so much energy. Yesterday went surprisingly well. Got one set of shelves built...but could not build another for lack of sufficient parts...as it would turn out. Istvan and Lajos managed to burn all the remaining branches and twigs left from when we cut down some trees a month ago. 0756hrs...I’m about ready. Istvan is to call...I presume. I want to take a camera to record the scene...but not sure of... 0758hrs...The call. Istvan in hip pain...hence will not be whacking today...but we will go over anyway. If so...I plan to dig out the weed whacker that I’d bought for Jutka and at least take a whack at it. All this after 0900hrs! 0805hrs...I’m heading for the compound to survey the scene. I should hit the close store for cat food while I’m there also. I’m gone. 1843hrs...Back. We did a "black op" today. It went well enough...though somewhat later than I had expected it to go down. Cila, Istvan, Anci, Lajos and myself. We stopped at the cellar on the way back...and I took photos all along "cellar row"...while the wine was being siphoned. They have all gone to the cemetery with flowers. Nothing planned for tomorrow. Velence...3rd May 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0539hrs...A Cup with Mom, Stranger and Other. 13.9°C and 23.4°C...high overcast...as in cloudy. Gads...Happy Birthday to me. If things went as Anci planned yesterday...all the bottles are now gone...as in taken care of. [Recycling] I plan to clear the other workbench today. I should have taken a look at a supply of plywood sheets at the cellar...that Bela said I could use to make tops for said bench. 0740hrs...About ready to hit the compound...taking three photos for Cila’s album...make that four. 1443hrs...Back for 15 mins. Watered Cila’s plants on this side of the compound...and left one full bottle as a spare. They have bailed-up the grass that was cut a week ago...in the field across Kemping. We now wait for the man with the horse and wagon...and his Puli. Velence...4th May 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0447hrs...Java...Stranger asleep in the corner. Mom appears...and Kwan below. 11.0 °C and 22.1°C...clear...Jupiter visible...to the south east. Last night...I got an unexpected call...Istvan/Cila...for cake...at 2030hrs. Anci, Niki and friend were there. Back here...email...from Master Richard...stating that we have not "spoken" in a long time...and wishing me a happy birthday...and asking how I am doing? This is not a good thing. [While I appreciate the sentiment I can not be sure of the consiquences if I should answer back...given that I don't know if Richard was acting on his own...or with "A" approval.][Having said that...it could also be a "set up". "A" says that he can write to me...but that I'm such a bastard that I probably won't answer. Then she can say..."see!".] 0800hrs...Have been reviewing the now historical photos of the compound. The garage mainly. Can hardly wait to dig it apart! Damn...what a bloody mess! Years of neglect. And as I’ve said before...not a single real "treasure"! 1129hrs...Back from the far store and chemist’s...via first having gotten a call...Cila...Bela there etc. Took care of some distribution matters with him. [?] 1144hrs...Heading for the compound...NOW! 1443hrs...Back...frustrated! 1925hrs...One major thundering event...and now some much needed rain. Velence...5th May 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0523hrs...Coffee with the whole crew...Kwan below. 10.8°C and 23.7°C...overcast...windy. Yesterday Lajos showed up with more screws...and two packets of wedges. I need one right off for an ax. It rained yesterday late afternoon...and I guess I should have gone to the compound to check things out...but didn’t. This morning...Jimmy was "out and about" again...and I had to walk him back. The second gate was closed so I had to let him through it also. I took a look...and saw that no one had covered up my work bench had they given a damn! There is a real pathetic state of mind here within the group. There are some workers...granted...but also a great deal of lethargy. Lots of talk...little action. Lots of motion...little done. No master plans. 1018hrs...Heading for the far store...very soon. 1428hrs...Back for about 20 mins...via Sari’s and lunch. She’d spotted me as I was leaving the store...hence the rest. Fed three. This morning I found and printed a few pages dealing with the TZ-4K-14 B garden tractor! Gads. In talking with Sari a few interesting...though suspected...revelations came to light. [Anci] 1559hrs...Heading for the compound...now! 1639hrs...Back. Velence...6th May 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0552hrs...Mud with Mom...Kwan and Panther below...Stranger across Kemping hunting mice. 12.2 °C and 20.6°C...overcast. 0612hrs...GADS! Other is on the front porch with two black and white kittens...for a total of seven! 0735hrs...Heading for the compound...now! 1122hrs...Back for about 30 mins. Baking now. I expect some drama! 1208hrs...Got a call...Cila...eggs...ok...20 mins...ok. Gone now. 1609hrs...Got back at 1530hrs. While just about to start cooking the eggs...phone...Bela/Sari...heading for Jutka’s...Cila coming or not...me? I said I will be going...Cila no...busy with other matters. Sari, Bela and myself...did the deed...finished at 1500hrs...except for watering a few plants. [With Jutka out of the country...others have to take care of things on her property.] Velence...7th May 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0523hrs...Java with Other. 13.5°C and 21.6°C...Clouds...some color...windy. 0938hrs...Heading for the far store...now. 1010hrs...Back...talked to Bela as he watered his grass...said he’d be coming over later...a good thing. Fed three...some milk too. They were thirsty! 1015hrs...About ready to hit the compound. Taking one photo...of Bela in a doctored image...of now...very tall grass at Jutka’s. 1041hrs...I’ve just reprinted the image...X2...after redoing the deed. It looks much better now. [I'd Photo Shopped the image...incresing the height of the already tall grass to just below Bela's head...a veritable jungle.] Velence...8th May 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0629hrs...Coffee with Mom. 11.9°C and 20.3°C...clear...good light. Bela and I did the garage yesterday! This is a big deal. There is now a major mess as a result...but I knew that it would be this way. This morning I will start picking it all up. Bela is supposed to be here also. We did another "black op" late yesterday. The TZ-4K-14B Tractor is in the clear now. 0652hrs...I need to get going. 0719hrs...I’m gone! Velence...9th May 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0544hrs...Just in from walking Jimmy back to the compound. Istvan is already up...surprisingly. Coffee with Other in his corner. 14.0°C and 20.8°C...clear. We did another "black op" last night. Earlier...Sari and Agnes dropped Bela off. Agnes says that she can see a great difference in the compound. Then Anci arrived. After the "Op"...I gave Bela a jar of peanut butter for the girls. 102.2...225.31 empty. Good! 0844hrs...About ready to hit the far store... 1253hrs...NOT! About 0830hrs I went back to bed. Woke up close to 1200hrs! Leaving now for the far store. 1329hrs...Back...fed six...and Mom with a private bowl on the balcony. It’s 23.9°C. Velence...10th May 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0415hrs...Coffee with Stranger. 15.9°C and 21.2°C...clear...just past a full moon. Yesterday was a day of rest. This morning I will hit the compound early...as in 0600hrs...taking advantage of cool temperatures. I can not work in the coming heat. 0622hrs...Heading over...now! 1340hrs...Back for about twenty mins. Agnes, Saci, Bernadette...and others showed up after church and commented on the state of the compound....all very positive. It made my 50th day a good one. I have been driven in by high temperatures in the sun. Jutka will fly in at 1730hrs...and they should be back here by 1900hrs. 1633hrs...Heading for the compound...will come back after 1730hrs. It’s 25.5°C...in the shade. 1825hrs...Just out of the shower. I wait for a call from Anci as to whether Jutka is up for guests...or not...given the flight. 1827hrs...How is that for timing? The call...they have just left the airport...45 mins to get here...they will call then again. 1916hrs...I wait for the call. 1948hrs...The call...at bloody last...I’m gone. 2020hrs! Well...hell's bells! By bike I head for Jutka’s thinking that I’d stop at the far store. Closed at 1800hrs! There are no cars at Bela’s...Ok fine...continue on to Jutka’s. Not a car in sight...and no lights visible. Shit! Ok fine...they must have changed the venue...and not told me. Ok fine...I’ll hit the close store! As I drive past..there is Pityu’s car in the drive...the car they used to pick up said Jutka. I’m getting pissed off. I continue to the close store...cat food...in and out...and there is Lajos two ahead of me inline...and since I now want to rid myself of the bike...I go around...as in not wanting to take it eventually through the compound. Feed Other and a stray...and head for the compound. I note that the car is now gone...and the place is locked up! That was the last straw. I expect to get a call...but will decline to now go...thank you very much! Velence...11th May 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0718hrs...Java with Mom and Stranger. 16.7°C and 21.9°C...clear enough. 0800hrs...Dressed...101.9...224.69...GOOD. 0805hrs...Heading over to the compound...now. 1150hrs...Back...driven by the heat in the sun. Cila asked that I not "propagate" my "before" photos. She got emotional. Gads! As in what...they don’t know? I guess that there is a heavy guilt trip in effect. Well...yeah there is...everyone was taking advantage of Pityu. He just never had the free time nor energy to get on with it. 1548hrs...Compound...now! It’s 26.6°C. 1828hrs...Have returned in one piece. Jimmy found yet another bag of feathers...and did his usual bit. Feathers everywhere. Velence...12th May 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0445hrs...Mud with Mom. 19.0°C and 22.6°C...cloudy. I need to take a look at historical photos of the inner chamber to see if a bag of feathers is visible. I don’t remember handling such a bag. Well that was quick...Day47 photo showing said bag...and I was right...I never did handle the bag because of it’s location. Gads...what a coincidence...the photo number was 4700...as in 54,700. [The frame counter in the camera turns over after 9999...to then start over again.] 0939hrs...Had gone back to bed...since it looked to be a cooler cloudy day...not requiring an early start...and I needed to hit the far store. Now it’s partly sunny. I’m heading for the store...now. 1216hrs...Have returned and fed seven! Bela hailed me over as I arrived at the store...and did so after shopping. Mail...A birthday greeting from the Mayor. Talked at length. 1436hrs...Have returned from the PO....having found that I needed to pay a bill as of today...done deal. 1932hrs...Have returned from the compound. I went there to repair my bike...and since that went well enough...I did an alignment on a bike found in the garage...as a result of digging it out...the garage that is...a few day ago. Istvan went up to the cellar...and when Cila arrived back from Anci’s...she discovered that she was locked out! 2012hrs...WELL NOW! A miracle! Earlier today I took apart the refrigerator thermostat assembly with the intent of fixing...or at least determining the "fault" as to the light that is supposed to come when the door is open. Sometimes it works...sometimes it does not. No apparent rhyme or reason. At that time...it worked and I felt that the issue was resolved. NOT! Just a few mins ago...I opened the door...NO LIGHT! Damn I thought. JUST then the pump started...and guess what...the light came ON! The rest will be history when I get round to it...like tomorrow. Velence...13th May 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0628hrs...Java with Other, Mom, Stranger...Kwan and friend below. 13.8 °C and 22.3°C...Partly cloudy. I rained a little yesterday. 0724hrs...About ready to hit the compound. 0740hrs...It’s on the cool side...and I’m in shorts and a light shirt. Should take a coat. 0926hrs...Driven back by rain...though light. I dug out an old...weighing machine. It is inop...and will need to be rebuilt...someday. A labor of love as it were. It’s rusty and most of the wood is in sad shape. I need to do some research on the design. 1413hrs...Drinking a second cup of Coffee...and while I boiled a liter of water for tea...I "fixed: the fridge light...wait while I go and see if it is in fact so...since the pump was running at the time. Damn...still running. I’ve started to draw out the main parts of the weighing machine. I need to take better photos with a tape measure showing to get actual readings of the various dimensions. In the first round...I did not find what I was hoping find on the internet. Will try again later. I want to understand the mathematics of it. I now need to hit the far store...and a chance to try out the bike. It’s drizzling a bit. 1453hrs...Back...fed an untold number. 1540hrs...Oh...the compound is "working" already. It took no time at all to rig up a stand to hold the bikes at a convenient high for adjustments and allowing the pedal to be turned. I’m now using the second table for the weighing machine. 1605hrs...Phone...Cila...SOS...heading over...now. 1732hrs...Got back in less than 15 mins. Took photos that I then accidentally deleted...no big deal. I did get some conformation from Istvan that our unit was of English design. My research shows it to be a John Wyatt...Compound Lever...in as much as I guessed that the fulcrums and pivots were measured out in inches. Velence...14th May 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0253hrs...A Cup...alone for a change. High overcast. 10.8°C and 21.9°C. 0922hrs...A second Cup. I went back to bed at 0508hrs. It’s overcast...and drizzling...on and off. 1638hrs...Just back from the compound. I went over to take photos and make a few measurements. The platform is 22 inches square...one inch thick...made of two planks...strapped with iron bands. Some of the other wood stock is one inch thick...2-1/4...3-5/8 and 11 inches were other "round" dimensions. One of the things I tried was to move the rusted...and stuck...retaining bar. It broke free with a little effort...thanks to a soaking of WD-40 that I’d applied days before. This was a particularly good thing because it then allowed the entire mechanism to operate. Operate is too fine a description though. Things did move more or less as they were supposed to...but not without drama. The block of cork used to hold the lower rear fulcrums in place was broken and hence not able to hold the fulcrums in their proper position. The two fulcrums were free to float...hence not good. The unit seems to be out of balance also...not sure why...yet. Wyatt! 2005hrs...Back after having gotten the call at 1900hrs for dinner. I went even though I’d eaten 30 mins before. Velence...15th May 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0410hrs...Java with Other and Groucho. 10.9°C and 22.2°C...seems clear...Moon...and Jupiter visible. 0801hrs...Have fed numerous. Starting to clear...sunnier now...could blow away...12.6°C. 0901hrs...Heading over to the compound...taking two cameras...and flash. 1600hrs...Came back at about 1400hrs. I now have many more measurements and photos. I’ve managed to virtually dismantle the unit. I still have two long wood screws that won’t budge...but at this time it’s no big deal. 1710hrs...Running the numbers on the unit. Getting no where fast since the ratios don’t seem to work out right. I need to think about this. Heading for the far store...very soon. 1747hrs...Returned...fed. Back to the mathematics of compound levers. 1954hrs...I think I’ve nailed it. It’s a 1 to 5...not 1 to 10 as I originally thought. The numbers work out to .06% error...based on one last measurement uncertainty. I will need to break loose two more bolts that did not budge. [I was wrong about this...but will figure it over time.] Velence...16th May 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0555hrs...Java with Stranger and Mom...Kwan below. 15.3°C and 20.5°C...hazy clouds that will burn off. 0800hrs...About ready to hit the compound. Velence...17th May 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0601hrs...Mud with Stranger and eventually Mom and Kwan below. 15.6°C and 20.8°C...clear. Got back at 2100hrs last night. I started the day getting the unit to function as it was supposed to...with the bar oscillating to final balance. I did this in two stages...and it was gratifying to see that with just the bar and the two load rods it was in fact possible to do so. I then loaded the main one...and then both with success. I then simulated the weight of the platform...balanced it out...and then 5kg as the weight to be measured. 50dgs brought it to balance...meaning that the unit was in fact a 1 to 10! I took more measurement of the fulcrum points. I now need to rework my math to account for my 2X error. Dori showed up at 1300hrs and announced that she was there to help me...just when I was about head back here...and after she spent an hour talking with Cila we attacked the last of the junk in the outer chamber...which would then facilitate further work in the inner chamber. 0726hrs...Found my mistake...but now the system error is larger...though there is one critical dimension still not known with any accuracy. About ready to head for the compound. 1038hrs...Back. 1657hrs...Got back at 1635hrs...having gotten all call from Niki after church...from Cila’s...inviting me for lunch at Anci’s. I went and had time to do some scrounging in the garage. Found some books...and more tools. Velence...18th May 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0703hrs...Hit the shower...now. 0921hrs...Running late today! Coffee with Stranger. One of the books I dug out yesterday was an old favorite..."Deathworld 2"...and I’m now reading it for what must surly be the sixth time. 20.6°C and 22.3°C...hazy. I wanted to hit the compound early...but it just didn’t work out that way. I need to hit the far store. I ponder the unit! Yesterday I managed to dig out two iron frames from which I plan to build a work tables. I also dug out...literally...about ten glass bottle that were half buried in the ground. Also an old thrashing machine...mostly of rotten wood. I found angle iron sufficient for table legs that will eventually be welded to said frames. 1349hrs...Well...that was a quick read! I have been over to compound two to take a look at the previous days work...and what to do next. On the way back a watered the lettuce that Cila had planted and looked around. I saw an overturned table that I’d seen many times before without really noting the details. Gads...it has the makings of a fine work table...with a little effort. All I need to know is who it belongs to. I have yet to go to the store...damn! I read my book out on the balcony after constructing a solar blast shield. It was still hot out there. 1404hrs...Phone...Anci...store...ok...ten mins...ok. 1802hrs...Got back about 1515hrs...dropped off that which I’d bought...and met up with Anci on the High Street side. We hoped to find Cila at home but was not the case. Headed for the wine cellar. I wanted to check out the availability of boards that Bela had told me about. Anci assured me that they had long ago brought many such board down into the compound. We returned and she went right to the stash...in of all places...the chicken coop. Then Istvan arrived home. I came back here. Velence...19th May 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0406hrs...Java. I hope to get an early start at the compound today. 20.2°C and 22.6°C...some clouds...though I can see stars also...and the Moon through holes. Some wind. 0458hrs...Just offline. 0540hrs...About ready to hit the compound. Fed many. 0547hrs...Gone. 1018hrs...Back for a bite. 1351hrs...Back again. I got there and about 1230hrs Cila appeared to announce that she was rushing to catch the bus for Fehervar. I hit the close store soon after she left. Took some photos for the scrapbook. 1416hrs...It’s a scorcher out there in the sun! It’s now disconcerting to see a light inside the fridge when I open the door! Analysis of the unit continues. 2039hrs...I left the compound at just after 2000hrs...leaving Cila, Istvan and Bela chatting. It was Bela that came down to find me out on the balcony reading. I walked back to the compound with him to discuss matters. He said that there was no one at the house...at that time. Velence...20th May 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0715hrs...Mud with Mom. 19.1°C and 23.6°C...partly cloudy...hazy though. Running late! 0723hrs...Heading over...now. 0917hrs...Back for breakfast. Dug out three stoves...a large vise mounted to a tree trunk...and a strange iron structure...the frame for what must have been an aquarium at one time. A large roll of chain lick fencing defies me moving it...since it’s tangled with vines and young trees. 0939hrs...I have reached my goal of penetration up to the pile of roof tiles. I will then one day move from the main compound a pile of bricks and wall tiles to allow access to the second door to the garage...but will need to move a stack of iron pipes first. Oh...the table is Istvan’s! I have been thinking that I will offer him money for it. I need to get much more Machiavellian...though there is no Prince as such. Oh...Jutka called yesterday and we talked for an hour. She will in some way be of help saying what needs to be said. And I will feed my thoughts to her. She has yet to see the compound given that she is without car...since she needed to get her license renewed...which requires a doctors signature...which she will get today. [Though giving lip service...she never came through.] 1638hrs...A bit of music has returned...once I found it. "Notturna la musica delle strada di Madrid" (No. 6)...and the tears...as I play it over and over. The great continuum. The adventure of life...life. Death. The final sunset. An unknowable ending. A life of happenstance...no more. Past. Gone forever in time and space. 1709hrs...Still playing. I have just looked at my "Master Sepia" photographs. My "Avignon" as it were. 1854hrs...I had moved the laptop onto the Brother Laser printer so that I could hook it up to the external speaker for more volume. Since that meant running off the battery...it eventually ran out of juice. Anyway...I’m playing it again...as I go through more of my images. Incredible journey. I see more now that ever. They ALL knew what they were doing. There was very little if anything I "needed" to do. It just "went down". I am re-living that time and space...as though it were yesterday...now. The scenes are very clear in my mind. Katy in San Francisco...Meloney in the old studio...GADS...Debbie! She KNEW! Damn...I could have done so much better. Why didn’t I? Don’t know. I should have slowed down. Not that I was in any hurry. Should have talked more. Said more. Understood better. The raw material was there. The old Pymalion curse...here again. In love with my images! The moment. The sequence. Some knew...other were not sure. Some never mattered. Some did. Christine on the beach...she knew...Carol in the Phinney studio...she knew...and wanted something to "happen"...desperately...Christine was just "good" at what she did...but was not really looking for anything to happen. Debbie would not have minded had something happened. Glenda...something toward the end...anyway. Delores...at one time only. Divinity...yes...then and there. The "KP Girl" was doing something...but I was not sure what it was. The "KP Instructor" did the gig for a kick...nothing more...! LauraG was cute...and we could have done some really "hot" stuff...but she was young...I knew of no way to get there with her...safely. LauraMc...was another story altogether. Could have done anything with her at all...yes it’s true...but I didn’t know it at the time...in real time...another missed opportunity. No big deal. Laura R. Gibson...Well...she really was very cute in a very special way that I only now see. Not sure what I could/would have done differently. Everyone has a limit beyond which it’s not possible to go without special weapons and tactics...and or TIME...as in a history. I had that with Debbie, Glenda, Perk, Laura R., Sidney M...no others...not really. There had just not been enough time to do so. Velence...21st May 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0448hrs... 0502hrs...It’s gotten out of hand! Java with...wait for it...Mom, Other, Groucho and a small black...Kwan below! And I’m down to one can of cat food...no dry. Music playing. I should be able to hit the compound at 0600hrs...easy. I had a "nitro" incident last night. Have had worse. 17.4°C and 24.0°C...clear. Could it have been the alcohol? About ready to leave...compound. 0554hrs...I’m gone. 1014hrs...Back for some breakfast. A shower...then sometime there the far store. Made good progress this morning...just some rubble left to move...and I’m done with the second compound for now. 1412hrs...Heading for the far store and chemist’s. 1500hrs...I have returned in one piece...just! It’s 27.2°C...that’s 81°F. 1637hrs...Just as I was about to eat...the phone...Cila...come eat...ok. Gads! 1900hrs...I got back at 1730hrs. Afterwards...Cila went off somewhere...and Istvan headed for the wine cellar via the cemetery. Velence...22nd May 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0659hrs...Coffee with Stranger...Kwan below. 18.7°C and 24.3°C...damn...it’s hotter in here than outside. Have opened a window...Stranger jumped up on the ledge. 0914hrs...Ready to hit the compound...yeah I know...running late. 2002hrs...Got back about ten mins ago. Fed the crew. Long day today. 100.9...GOOD! Bela showed up about the time I was wondering if he would. He announced that he’d brought material to build a work bench. So we did. Lots of cutting and welding. It was bloody hot in the bloody sun. [Since we'd cut down the blooy tree.] Velence...23rd May 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0623hrs...Up since 0530hrs...Java with Other...and the rest below. Last night’s storm has cleaned the air...and I’m heading for the lakeshore for some photography. The compound can wait. 18.2°C and 23.6°C...clear and bright. 0809hrs...Back...fed a multitude. I need to hit the far store this morning. 1259hrs...Heading for the store. 1422hrs...Have just built some American Hamburgers...and about ready to consume one. Wish me well. Damn!...HOT! Velence...24th May 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0641hrs...Mud with Mom...the rest below. 14.6°C and 22.2°C...cloudy with a few drops of rain. Fed a countless number! The front porch was seething with then. 0806hrs...Have showered. Velence...25th May 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0539hrs...A Cup with Mom and Other...the rest below in numbers. 16.7°C and 22.5°C...partly cloudy. 0648hrs...Fed a bunch. The compound...as in heading for. 1051hrs...Back for some lunch. I hit the close store also. 1628hrs...Back...after hearing what I thought to be a grinder on metal...thinking that it was Bela...only to find out that it was not...as in no one at all...the sound coming from farther away...but I stayed to work on a pair of calipers...as in rusty. I paid Cila this months bills and she went to the PO. 2016hrs...WELL! A first! Kwan managed jump up onto the balcony! I looked down at who I thought was Mom...but that was not the case! 2031hrs...And yet another first! ISS...visible...just a few minutes past sunset! I took out the trash...and wondered how Kwan would get down. NOT a problem. He seems pleased with himself. I made a big deal of it when he came up. I guess that there will no longer be..."and Kwan below"...huh? Velence...26th May 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0519hrs...Up since 0500hrs. A Cup with Stranger. 0817hrs...Lackadaisical this morning. I did a bit of reconnoitering in this yard. Sad! 0819hrs...Heading for the compound. I plan to take a flash and remote trigger cord to photograph the loft in the garage through openings here and there...just to see what’s up there. 1328hrs...Have been back for some time...had lunch etc. I will now hit the far store. 1413hrs...Back from the far store...fed two before I left. 2009hrs...It turned out that I need to hit the far store a second time. So I grabbed the 200 with the 80 200 2 8 mounted and headed for the lakeshore. I took a number of frames of the board skiers and then to the store. I just got onto the High Street when I spotted a relative. Stopped to chat. Turns out there were more...for dinner at the eatery. John suggested a photo...done deal...and off again for the store. On the way back I thought that I should be able to turn a print...AND...take it back while they were still there. I did in fact! They were surprised. Velence...27th May 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0621hrs...Up for an hour...Coffee with the crew. Kwan was sleeping in the corner. 20.0°C and 24.0°C...cloudy. I woke up around 0100hrs to the sound of strong gusts moving the patio furniture. I went outside to stack them. I knew that the storm was coming based on the 1800hrs sat shot. There are now sounds of distant thunder. It also rained a bit. 1408hrs...Phone...Cila...Jutka there...store...ok...5 mins. 1632hrs...Back for 20 mins. Bought a bicycle pump with gauge! Velence...28th May 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0523hrs...Up since 0500hrs. Mud with four...minus Other. 16.1°C and 23.3°C...mostly cloudy. Back in UK Land I’d bought an IR filter for the Sigma 10 20. I used it with the D70 to take landscapes. [The D200 has an IR blocking filter...hence the 70.] This was just swell...but there were times I’d like to have used other lenses. THEN...yesterday I got to thinking that since it was such a large filter...perhaps I could just hold in front of some other lens. THEN...I thought that the one lens that was close in size was the Nikkor 80-200 2 8 which just happened to be out on the table. Damn! It was the exact size. How could I have missed that fact? Anyway...I took the setup for spin. Getting the focus right was a problem but solvable. 1533hrs...Back from the far store. Going online for the first time today. 1803hrs...Back for about twenty minutes...call...Cila...pastry...ok. 1916hrs...Back for about twenty minutes...call...Cila...Bela there...ok. Did some planning...about the compound. Fed a veritable multitude. Velence...29th May 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0417hrs...Up at 0400hrs! 13.5°C and 22.4°C...cloudy...windy. Java with Kwan...who has taken up nightly residence in the corner with the mats. 0456hrs...The clouds are receding...still windy...and cold. 0643hrs...About ready to hit the compound. It’s 13.1°C! I’ll be taking a coat! 1058hrs...Back for about twenty minutes. Fed four. Doing a second cup. Made progress in compound 2. 1425hrs...Back from the far store...doing lunch. 1659hrs...Phone...Jutka...to be at Cila’s in ten with mail...ok. Velence...30th May 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0627hrs...Up since 0600hrs. Joe with the crew. 11.0°C and 21.2°C...scattered clouds. 0807hrs...Heading for the compound. 0828hrs...Back. The shit’s finally hit the proverbial fan! Istvan was already out when I arrived. I took note of the fact that some of the work I’d done...was undone! He then came into view and...in a loud, accusatory and selfrighteous tone...asked what I was doing...in compound two...as in over all. And made an issue of the fact that I’d taken apart an old thrashing machine...since as he put it...it was NOW needed for drying out the rotting corn...and that he was NOW unable to even use it for a pattern. This ignores the fact that he is not competent nor talented enough to in fact build such a machine...period. And if as he would have it...the machine is needed...which is a lie...then why was it not repaired...rebuilt long before. It's been out there in the elements for twenty years! AND was never ever used to dry corn! I told him that it was with Bela’s approval. This led to other words. He alluded to the fact...unknown to me...that I could do anything in compound one...since I was to move into the old house at some time. To make a long story short...I packed up and came back. I told him...Oh...he also said in effect that I could go back whence I came...thank you very much...that I’d be back to collect my tools. I pointed out to him that he was not helping me...at all...to which he countered that he had other pressing work...ignoring the fact that the overall problem was...as usual not that simple. I did not state that he didn’t so much as discuss the overall scheme of things...with me. When I did ask for "advice"...he was unable make a decision. I also said that I knew that this confrontation would eventually arrive. This brings up the now main point as to what to do. I had been thinking that I wanted to say some things about the "dynamics" of the situation...and the "strange" thought processes in evidence. Everybody seems able to say whatever comes into their minds...whether if makes sense or not...or a lie for that matter. No matter that it’s plain stupid or illogical. Looking at the very same thing...you get as many counter opinions as there are people making the observation. That tree will stay as is...and even these others. That same tree will be cut down. That space will/should be used for some specific purpose...ignoring the fact as to who exactly will build it. 0908hrs...FUCK. Phone...Cila...Jutka had called her...for bread(?)...and if I’d take it over. Also I’d be going there to help her...thank you very much. So...I’m gone. I will be taking back what was supposed to be my internet bill which in fact was Jutka’s phone bill. 1724hrs...Back for about twenty minutes. Bela eventually showed and together we managed to cut up a bunch of logs etc. It was not without drama. Jutka had called Istvan for the chainsaw. He would not give it to her. Bela then instructed her to go back and get the damn thing...given that it was he that was asking for it. That went well enough...But it would not start. We spent over an hour taking it apart...changed gas...cleaned filters. We eventually got it operational...but by the end it was obvious that the chain needed sharpening...badly. This was about the same time that it started to rain...seriously. We took shelter inside...and then when it diminished enough...I suggested to Bela that we leave...since I wanted very much to tell him of the mornings incident. I’d told Jutka before he showed up. Jutka said not to worry about. Velence...31st May 2009. Daylight Savings Time. 0415hrs...Java with Stranger. 9.4°C and 20.9°C...clear. Yesterday...at one point I volunteered to go to Bela’s house to retrieve a (spark) plug wrench. He gave me instructions as to where I’d find it. I heard...but didn’t understand exactly. I had been inside Bela’s workshop before...but this time I went into an adjoining room also. The two rooms are about the same size. I remember thinking that the first room was a disaster area...and now I see that the second room is also...but more so. This leads us back to clearing out the garage so as to function as a usable work space. I need to hit the garage at Anci’s to look for a chainsaw sharpening file. I do not plan to hit the compound again until I hear from someone. When I was clearing the area in compound 2...I had to move a barrel containing rotting paper in water. I stank to high heaven. It was heavy...so I only got so far with it...leaving it in the middle of the path. I told Cila about it. As of this morning...it’s right where I’d left it. A week or so ago Lajos brought over a faucet to replace the defective one in compound 2. Yesterday I asked Cila if she’d seen it...which I’d have then used to make the repair. We were unable to find it. The faucet should have been replaced within a day or so of getting the new one...I would have thought. I did in fact got over to Anci’s garage. I found the file I was looking for and did a bit of perusing. Then...just as I was about to open the gate...who should appear but Istvan. He initiated the dialog. I was put off...but was forced to respond. I drove off....but soon found him alongside and again made a comment as he hurried past. I took the file over to Bela’s. I ended up giving it to Sari...and left. I forgot to give them some photos. Par! Oh...I found a book that I never got around to reading. Systemantics...by John Gall. Reading it now. 1336hrs...Back for 15 minutes. At 1230hrs...Phone...Cila...Bela to return...and then it’s off to the Skeleton Field. There was an incident of burnings. Turned out to be a trash dump and burn. Took photos. Then it was to the suspected source of said trash. We thought we’d found it...but based on Bela’s observation of the number of hinges (3) on the now new door...we went back out to the field. The door there had 4 per door. Gads! Back for a closer look at the new door...both Cila and I said at the very same time...FOUR! That was it! Back at the house...I left Bela and Cila discussing the requisite need to call the local constabulary to report the crime. Oh...As I approached the house...I heard load voices. I moved on past the windows...so that it would be known that I had in fact arrived...and so as not to make it seem that I was eavesdropping. None the less I recognized Bela’s voice...raised. As we got into his car...but before Cila arrived...he told me that he gave Istvan a good "going over"...regarding the load of BS that he said to me the other day. I thanked him. Cila of course heard all of it. She was in thought...as she approach the car. Though it may have been the first she’d heard about.
Continued: STBlog2009 Jun-Aug
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