Archive for the ‘Personal’ Category

Modello Player Piano – Arrived!

Tuesday, April 11th, 2017

Look what made it to my house!

Modello Player Piano

My Great-Grandmother bought this piano.  If I understand correctly, she bought it in the late 1930’s or early 1940’s.  It’s a Modello brand piano, with a pneumatic player that plays the paper rolls.  It was at my Grandparents’ house until the early 1980’s, when it moved to Mom and Dad’s, so my sister and I could have piano lessons.  In 2017 it moved to my house, so Mom and Dad could have the end of their rec room back.  My sister, who got way more out of those lessons than I did, lives in a tiny apartment she rents, and has no place to put a piano so it came here.  When she gets settled into a more permanent place, she and I will talk about where it goes. (more…)

Writing A Story

Tuesday, February 25th, 2014

I’ve been writing a story.  I thought it was a short story, but it’s getting longer than that. (more…)

Road Trip Wrap Up

Wednesday, July 25th, 2012

I got home last night from my long trip, safe and sound. The end of the trip had an extra hassle or two, but they are overcome and will only cost a little to fix…

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Quick review: The Dark Knight Rises

Saturday, July 21st, 2012

Saw The Dark Knight Rises with Mom and Dad. In short, very well done movie. I enjoyed the ending, which had a twist that caught me and then was satisfying. It left enough hooks for a sequel but doesn’t require one.  A satisfying Big Summer Action movie and conclusion to this Batman series. (more…)

Road Trip 7 Addendum – Moonrise Kingdom

Friday, July 13th, 2012

Went out this evening with Mom and Dad and saw Wes Anderson’s “Moonrise Kingdom”. It was a charming little film with all sorts of characters in odd situations. I enjoyed it very much, but I like Mr. Anderson’s movies.

The cast was full of excellent people, and the plot was sweet and odd at the same time.  A pair of misfit kids falls for one another and won’t be kept apart.  Love conquers all.

Road Trip 6 – Sunday at Westercon

Sunday, July 8th, 2012

Got up early this morning to get everything packed up.  Did so, ate food, packed a lunch, loaded everything into the car, checked out of the room and then went to an 11am panel.  The panel, on converting text to e-books, was well attended and I took some notes.  Four panelists with entirely different toolsets and goals. (more…)

Road Trip 5 – Saturday at Westercon

Saturday, July 7th, 2012

Got moving earlier in the day.  Went to a few panels, and picked up lunch from Hospitality.  Talked to a couple of random fen there, mostly about Westercons past.  Lots of people recall Westercon 44, in Vancouver. (more…)

Road Trip 4 – Friday at Westercon

Saturday, July 7th, 2012

Woke up earlier than I expected after being up till 3am.  Got ready to go out, slowly.  Ate breakfast, took a shower, etc.

Went to an 11:00am panel, but decided the next couple were dumb, and wandered a bit.  Looked at the art show – cool stuff, bigger than last Westercon, bigger than Baycon, but everyone says smaller than Norwescon – and am glad nothing demands I take it home.  Dealers room was similar.  Picked up some unusual comic books (which are small, so I can get them home) and didn’t buy the deliciously steampunk cane.  May try and find some books tomorrow. (more…)

Road Trip 3 – Thursday at Westercon

Thursday, July 5th, 2012

Got to the con a little late.  Made it to the “Closing Ceremonies” a little late.  The con is apparently caught in a time warp and scheduled backwards.  Several people tried to explain that to me and I didn’t get it till I got there.

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Road Trip Part 2

Thursday, July 5th, 2012

Tuesday, I left Roseburg, OR, and drove to my  Aunt’s new house in Ocean Shores..  I got the tire pressure light to go off – the Internet knew the correct inflation for the tires – and I got a speeding ticket in Salem.  Made me grumpy, but I was speeding so it really isn’t as if I can complain.

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