This is my first post from the new computer. Turns out that the whole problem Robert had was that the configuration for one of our routers, while perfectly good, is incompatible with the network card in my new computer. The support staff at Dell were kind and polite, but definitely reading from scripts, not thinking on their own. He'd tell them something and if they hadn't gotten to that part of the script yet, they ignored it and later asked the question he'd pre-answered. Still, after several tries, they did point to the router and that did the trick.
As I mentioned, the hardware setup was super easy. The setup for transferring files from old to new was super easy. And the stuff in between was just painful.
I still need to load a few programs onto the new computer and swap old for new physically, but we've now done the majority of the work and I'm back online again. Hooray.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Dell support update: progress, no quick fix
After about six (maybe more) hours of working on my pathetic new computer, Robert decided to engage in a "chat" with Dell support. Turns out (geek-speak-alert) that he can't even do an ipconfig release without getting a "file not found" error. Not good.
So the guy on the other end suggested that we essentially reload the operating system. Sounds like a good plan. They will even call us back in two days to see if we've made any progress (now *that's* service). I had been ready to blame the operating system itself, rather than Dell, but perhaps the OS was erroneously loaded onto the computer. In that case, there are probably thousands of computers out there with the same problem. Ugh.
We'll revisit this tomorrow, with probably another full day's worth of work. And that's just to get the network up and running so that we can actually set up the silly thing.
Hateful technology.
So the guy on the other end suggested that we essentially reload the operating system. Sounds like a good plan. They will even call us back in two days to see if we've made any progress (now *that's* service). I had been ready to blame the operating system itself, rather than Dell, but perhaps the OS was erroneously loaded onto the computer. In that case, there are probably thousands of computers out there with the same problem. Ugh.
We'll revisit this tomorrow, with probably another full day's worth of work. And that's just to get the network up and running so that we can actually set up the silly thing.
Hateful technology.
thises, thats, and hateful technology
Work has been consuming of late. We're getting close to a yearly deadline, so the work itself, along with the hours and energy devoted, have become more intense. On top of that, there have been some personnel rumblings, which I find quite distracting. I think the end result is for the good of all concerned, but getting through the part that just passed has also sapped some energy. Next week should be a little easier.
The good news is that we've just hired a contractor who's an old pal, someone of whom I'm very fond. It will be good to catch up with him and to work with him. And we've recently hired someone who has worked with my old pal twice now, likes and respects him a lot, and is in turn liked and respected by him. So they'll each have some company coming into our strange little world.
----
My brother is about to celebrate his 40th birthday (hooray!). There was just a party for him -- a huge party that was really fun and by the water and all sorts of people were there (hooray!). I found out about it from my mother, who was breathless with excitement about it (ok). I found out about it after it happened. (booooo). I'm composing an email birthday greeting to my brother. I think I know what I'm going to say. I will send it with much love.
----
My father's brother's family is organizing a family get-together to memorialize my grandmother. (This event is separate from the possible memorial service that my father may or may not be holding and which I may or may not hear about before or after it occurs, should it even happen.) Event number 1 is happening next weekend. I've been invited. So has my father (at least, that was the expressed intention, despite some hopefully temporary bad blood between dad and uncle.) Since December, Robert and I have been planning to go to the Berkshires next weekend. We have our reservations, we have our performance tickets. We're going to the Berkshires, not to Cleveland where the family is gathering. I'm working on composing something to be read at the dinner.
----
New tooth!!! My long journey with my extracted tooth is OVER. I have a new bionic tooth as of about 8:45 Wednesday morning. This all started in October after we returned from a very long and fun trip. About 20 dental visits, several thousand dollars, lots of dental insurance, and a new dentist later, I have two new crowns, an implant to replace the extracted tooth, and a third crown to take the place of the missing tooth. The technology is very cool. I've encountered and gotten to know some extraordinarily kind and caring people. And I'm very happy with the results. My next scheduled appointment is sometime next fall for a cleaning, and let's hope that's the next time I need to go in. Hooray.
----
My computer, which is all of two years old, has developed some highly annoying habits. One is that the keyboard disconnects regularly and I either have to wait a while and try again or reboot. I'm fairly good at discerning patterns but haven't figured out why the keyboard goes out or what causes it to start working again. It once even stopped working while I was in the middle of using it. Robert and I have both searched for answers to this problem but have come up empty-handed.
So, the two years having elapsed, I bought a new computer. I wasn't thrilled about getting Vista, but that's the Model Ford option I was offered (you can have any Windows operating system you want as long as it's Vista). On KAH's recommendation, I bought a Dell, not for the hardware, but for the support offered.
We fired it up this morning so that it could download the usual thousand patches before I start transferring data from old to new machine. I set up the hardware (always easy and fun) and powered it on.
And... the network isn't working. Robert has been trying to figure it out for hours. He's already called Dell support and got a few levels up, only to be told very politely and in fairly light Indian accents to upgrade the driver for our router. At that point, with callback and reference numbers in hand, he thanked them and hung up.
He had, of course, already tried this and about a hundred other fixes. Apparently, firing up Vista on a new computer and discovering a nonworking network is a common occurrence. The intertubes are filled with old-geeks-tales of how the situation was resolved. Somehow, the solutions haven't helped us. At least not yet.
----
And before you tell me the obvious solution, Bad Idea. When I first started buying computers for personal use, everyone said "Buy Apple. They're wonderful. I LOOOVVVE my Apple." So I did. With Windows at work, and a bachelor's degree in computer science, I understood how operating systems and computers worked. I knew exactly what I wanted to do, but my little Apple machines made it nearly impossible for me. Everything was processed into such baby food that you couldn't actually DO anything on the computer. For example, I spent months being unable to print documents. Don't ask me why; don't ask me how. I finally gave up and became a Windows person at home as well as at work.
Firing up the Vista has proven to be a similar experience. It took Robert a good five minutes just to find the stupid command prompt, only to discover that nearly everything he knows about actually getting a Windows machine to work has been changed, even at the command level. Thank you, Gerber, for creating our new operating sytem. I want to start writing a series of books called NOT FOR DUMMIES: How to accomplish real work with baby-food operating systems.
At this point, we're tired and frustrated. Even the cats are napping. Well, they'd be doing that anyways in the middle of the day, but you get my general point. As one of my friends would say, HATEFUL TECHNOLOGY. HATEFUL TECHNOLOGY. psshh and feh.
The good news is that we've just hired a contractor who's an old pal, someone of whom I'm very fond. It will be good to catch up with him and to work with him. And we've recently hired someone who has worked with my old pal twice now, likes and respects him a lot, and is in turn liked and respected by him. So they'll each have some company coming into our strange little world.
----
My brother is about to celebrate his 40th birthday (hooray!). There was just a party for him -- a huge party that was really fun and by the water and all sorts of people were there (hooray!). I found out about it from my mother, who was breathless with excitement about it (ok). I found out about it after it happened. (booooo). I'm composing an email birthday greeting to my brother. I think I know what I'm going to say. I will send it with much love.
----
My father's brother's family is organizing a family get-together to memorialize my grandmother. (This event is separate from the possible memorial service that my father may or may not be holding and which I may or may not hear about before or after it occurs, should it even happen.) Event number 1 is happening next weekend. I've been invited. So has my father (at least, that was the expressed intention, despite some hopefully temporary bad blood between dad and uncle.) Since December, Robert and I have been planning to go to the Berkshires next weekend. We have our reservations, we have our performance tickets. We're going to the Berkshires, not to Cleveland where the family is gathering. I'm working on composing something to be read at the dinner.
----
New tooth!!! My long journey with my extracted tooth is OVER. I have a new bionic tooth as of about 8:45 Wednesday morning. This all started in October after we returned from a very long and fun trip. About 20 dental visits, several thousand dollars, lots of dental insurance, and a new dentist later, I have two new crowns, an implant to replace the extracted tooth, and a third crown to take the place of the missing tooth. The technology is very cool. I've encountered and gotten to know some extraordinarily kind and caring people. And I'm very happy with the results. My next scheduled appointment is sometime next fall for a cleaning, and let's hope that's the next time I need to go in. Hooray.
----
My computer, which is all of two years old, has developed some highly annoying habits. One is that the keyboard disconnects regularly and I either have to wait a while and try again or reboot. I'm fairly good at discerning patterns but haven't figured out why the keyboard goes out or what causes it to start working again. It once even stopped working while I was in the middle of using it. Robert and I have both searched for answers to this problem but have come up empty-handed.
So, the two years having elapsed, I bought a new computer. I wasn't thrilled about getting Vista, but that's the Model Ford option I was offered (you can have any Windows operating system you want as long as it's Vista). On KAH's recommendation, I bought a Dell, not for the hardware, but for the support offered.
We fired it up this morning so that it could download the usual thousand patches before I start transferring data from old to new machine. I set up the hardware (always easy and fun) and powered it on.
And... the network isn't working. Robert has been trying to figure it out for hours. He's already called Dell support and got a few levels up, only to be told very politely and in fairly light Indian accents to upgrade the driver for our router. At that point, with callback and reference numbers in hand, he thanked them and hung up.
He had, of course, already tried this and about a hundred other fixes. Apparently, firing up Vista on a new computer and discovering a nonworking network is a common occurrence. The intertubes are filled with old-geeks-tales of how the situation was resolved. Somehow, the solutions haven't helped us. At least not yet.
----
And before you tell me the obvious solution, Bad Idea. When I first started buying computers for personal use, everyone said "Buy Apple. They're wonderful. I LOOOVVVE my Apple." So I did. With Windows at work, and a bachelor's degree in computer science, I understood how operating systems and computers worked. I knew exactly what I wanted to do, but my little Apple machines made it nearly impossible for me. Everything was processed into such baby food that you couldn't actually DO anything on the computer. For example, I spent months being unable to print documents. Don't ask me why; don't ask me how. I finally gave up and became a Windows person at home as well as at work.
Firing up the Vista has proven to be a similar experience. It took Robert a good five minutes just to find the stupid command prompt, only to discover that nearly everything he knows about actually getting a Windows machine to work has been changed, even at the command level. Thank you, Gerber, for creating our new operating sytem. I want to start writing a series of books called NOT FOR DUMMIES: How to accomplish real work with baby-food operating systems.
At this point, we're tired and frustrated. Even the cats are napping. Well, they'd be doing that anyways in the middle of the day, but you get my general point. As one of my friends would say, HATEFUL TECHNOLOGY. HATEFUL TECHNOLOGY. psshh and feh.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Berkshires weekend 1
Before the delight of last weekend fades away, I wanted to record a few thoughts about it. We went to the Berkshires for the first of two weekends there this summer.
We stayed at one of our favorite inns, deep in the country. Over the years, we've gotten to know the inn family a little and I enjoy catching up with them. The inn is so very peaceful. It's not fancy but it's warm and comfortable and the people -- both who run it and who stay there -- are nice. The breakfasts are real weekend breakfasts -- the kind that make you want just a nosh at lunchtime to hold you over til dinner. The website, while charming, gives only a glimpse of the actual charm of the place. So just being there is like a little vacation.
On Friday, we went shopping. There's a small outlet mall nearby where we like to pick up supplies for the year. Robert bought a bunch of shirts, a pair of shoes, and a belt, for example.
That evening, we went to one of our favorite Indian restaurants, then to Tanglewood for an all Beethoven concert. There was a thrilling triple concerto with three incredibly young soloists. They looked like they were in high school, but then again, I am aging and young people are looking very young these days. In any case, they did a bang up job, and then not in keeping with most soloists, ran around the stage hugging each other and the conductor (Bernard Haitink), and merely shook hands with the first violinist who is a crusty Eastern European woman who probably is Not Hugged often.
On Saturday, we went up to the Clark museum in Williamstown, one of our favorite museums. They have stellar summer exhibits, so we were looking forward to "Like breath on glass," which is a collection of "soft" paintings (Whistler, Ennis, Steichen - yes, the photographer) from all over the world. We went through and then talked about it. Turned out we were both left cold. How disappointing.
So we drowned our sorrows by walking through the woods to their brand new conservation building, the Stone Center. It's a very exciting building, modern, but integrating indoors and out in a playful and unusual way. It's really fun both being outside it and inside it. A lot of attention was paid also to the landscaping around the building, so much so that I had to look carefully at how naturally it all fit together. The landscaping leads up to the woods and seems to draw the woods closer somehow. The Center also has an exhibit space and they're now showing just twelve paintings by Homer and Sargent from their permanent collection. But oh, these are *paintings*, delightful satisfying moving paintings.
Sorrows not sufficently drowned, we went back to the main museum and perused some of their permanent collection, sticking mostly with the impressionists. I usually end up in the rather impressive center room, but this time headed for the back hall to visit with less familiar works.
We went back to the inn for a quick lie-down, then had dinner at a Malaysian restaurant which is tucked into an old lounge in an Econo-Lodge. The restaurant is run by a family and we had conversations with several of them, including Mom-head chef. and a son who went to Boston College. The food was outstanding. Darn. Another restaurant we like out there. We'll have to go back.
In the evening, we saw our last unseen William Finn play, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. What's it about? A spelling bee. It's a musical. There's audience participation. There really is a spelling bee -- that's all there is. It sounds like a recipe for disaster. And it's poignant, laugh-out-loud funny, and now I think everyone should see it. We both loved it.
The next day, after yet another wonderful breakfast (pancakes with homemade maple syrup and muffins the first morning, eggs benedict the second), we headed out to the Norman Rockwell museum. I used to dismiss NR when I bothered to think of him but after visiting his museum once, we've gone back several times. It turns out that the Saturday Evening Post represented just one dimension of his work and that he was a really good artist whose work doesn't always reproduce well. NR was alive not too long ago, so there are many locals who remember him, some of whom work at the museum.
In any case, the museum had a huge exhibit of political cartoons by Steve Brodner -- great commentary on current life, with a nice political twist for this election year. A companion exhibit is a collection of presidential portraits by none other than NR himself. There was a little video playing. I just remember the snippet "I took out his wattles [I think he was referring to Nixon's jowly face]. Nobody wants to be told by his portraitist that they have wattles, so I took them out." Oh, and there was a very fun outdoor exhibit of garden gates by local artists.
Then on to our favorite picnic store, Guido's and back to Tanglewood. The conductor, James Levine, has recently taken ill, so the assistant conductor stepped in at the last minute. Talk about big break mixed with immense pressure! He's young (31?), but apparently up for the task. He handled the concert beautifully, smiling throughout. We heard delightful fond chestnuts from Haydn, Bach, Mozart, and and there was a Shubert symphony at the end. Peter Serkin soloed in the two middle pieces and I liked him, though the Globe reviewer was not very complimentary.
Then home, a quick dinner (er, takeout pizza -- we almost never do that), and I was beat for some reason. Early morning wakeup calls from the kitties didn't help. But I'm finally catching up.
Oh, and for the first time, we didn't have anyone stay at the house when we went away. I asked my neighbor if he'd mind coming over twice. He ended up coming four times and played with the kitties and gave them treats. He even got within a few inches of Koa and said that he probably could have pet her had he done it one more day. I had no idea he was such a cat person. And if he asks me to look after his kitty next time he goes away, I'll ask him to do this again. He did such a nice job that the cats were totally fine when we got back -- not even the tiniest reaction out of the ordinary. That was a huge relief.
So we have a quiet weekend lined up this time around and I'm hoping to do some catch up and maybe even a little sleeping. And then back to the Berkshires in another couple of weeks. Hooray.
We stayed at one of our favorite inns, deep in the country. Over the years, we've gotten to know the inn family a little and I enjoy catching up with them. The inn is so very peaceful. It's not fancy but it's warm and comfortable and the people -- both who run it and who stay there -- are nice. The breakfasts are real weekend breakfasts -- the kind that make you want just a nosh at lunchtime to hold you over til dinner. The website, while charming, gives only a glimpse of the actual charm of the place. So just being there is like a little vacation.
On Friday, we went shopping. There's a small outlet mall nearby where we like to pick up supplies for the year. Robert bought a bunch of shirts, a pair of shoes, and a belt, for example.
That evening, we went to one of our favorite Indian restaurants, then to Tanglewood for an all Beethoven concert. There was a thrilling triple concerto with three incredibly young soloists. They looked like they were in high school, but then again, I am aging and young people are looking very young these days. In any case, they did a bang up job, and then not in keeping with most soloists, ran around the stage hugging each other and the conductor (Bernard Haitink), and merely shook hands with the first violinist who is a crusty Eastern European woman who probably is Not Hugged often.
On Saturday, we went up to the Clark museum in Williamstown, one of our favorite museums. They have stellar summer exhibits, so we were looking forward to "Like breath on glass," which is a collection of "soft" paintings (Whistler, Ennis, Steichen - yes, the photographer) from all over the world. We went through and then talked about it. Turned out we were both left cold. How disappointing.
So we drowned our sorrows by walking through the woods to their brand new conservation building, the Stone Center. It's a very exciting building, modern, but integrating indoors and out in a playful and unusual way. It's really fun both being outside it and inside it. A lot of attention was paid also to the landscaping around the building, so much so that I had to look carefully at how naturally it all fit together. The landscaping leads up to the woods and seems to draw the woods closer somehow. The Center also has an exhibit space and they're now showing just twelve paintings by Homer and Sargent from their permanent collection. But oh, these are *paintings*, delightful satisfying moving paintings.
Sorrows not sufficently drowned, we went back to the main museum and perused some of their permanent collection, sticking mostly with the impressionists. I usually end up in the rather impressive center room, but this time headed for the back hall to visit with less familiar works.
We went back to the inn for a quick lie-down, then had dinner at a Malaysian restaurant which is tucked into an old lounge in an Econo-Lodge. The restaurant is run by a family and we had conversations with several of them, including Mom-head chef. and a son who went to Boston College. The food was outstanding. Darn. Another restaurant we like out there. We'll have to go back.
In the evening, we saw our last unseen William Finn play, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. What's it about? A spelling bee. It's a musical. There's audience participation. There really is a spelling bee -- that's all there is. It sounds like a recipe for disaster. And it's poignant, laugh-out-loud funny, and now I think everyone should see it. We both loved it.
The next day, after yet another wonderful breakfast (pancakes with homemade maple syrup and muffins the first morning, eggs benedict the second), we headed out to the Norman Rockwell museum. I used to dismiss NR when I bothered to think of him but after visiting his museum once, we've gone back several times. It turns out that the Saturday Evening Post represented just one dimension of his work and that he was a really good artist whose work doesn't always reproduce well. NR was alive not too long ago, so there are many locals who remember him, some of whom work at the museum.
In any case, the museum had a huge exhibit of political cartoons by Steve Brodner -- great commentary on current life, with a nice political twist for this election year. A companion exhibit is a collection of presidential portraits by none other than NR himself. There was a little video playing. I just remember the snippet "I took out his wattles [I think he was referring to Nixon's jowly face]. Nobody wants to be told by his portraitist that they have wattles, so I took them out." Oh, and there was a very fun outdoor exhibit of garden gates by local artists.
Then on to our favorite picnic store, Guido's and back to Tanglewood. The conductor, James Levine, has recently taken ill, so the assistant conductor stepped in at the last minute. Talk about big break mixed with immense pressure! He's young (31?), but apparently up for the task. He handled the concert beautifully, smiling throughout. We heard delightful fond chestnuts from Haydn, Bach, Mozart, and and there was a Shubert symphony at the end. Peter Serkin soloed in the two middle pieces and I liked him, though the Globe reviewer was not very complimentary.
Then home, a quick dinner (er, takeout pizza -- we almost never do that), and I was beat for some reason. Early morning wakeup calls from the kitties didn't help. But I'm finally catching up.
Oh, and for the first time, we didn't have anyone stay at the house when we went away. I asked my neighbor if he'd mind coming over twice. He ended up coming four times and played with the kitties and gave them treats. He even got within a few inches of Koa and said that he probably could have pet her had he done it one more day. I had no idea he was such a cat person. And if he asks me to look after his kitty next time he goes away, I'll ask him to do this again. He did such a nice job that the cats were totally fine when we got back -- not even the tiniest reaction out of the ordinary. That was a huge relief.
So we have a quiet weekend lined up this time around and I'm hoping to do some catch up and maybe even a little sleeping. And then back to the Berkshires in another couple of weeks. Hooray.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
a new day
The back side of a heat wave (or wavelet, in this case) is always such a pleasure.
For a few days, we walk around slightly sticky with red faces. We don't want to go near the stove. It's an effort to get from work to car and from car to house. We shower before bed to remove the layers of stuck-on grime and to cool down for a few seconds. The down comforter is set aside, the wool blanket is relegated to the end of the bed.
Last night, a storm rolled through, complete with its own sound-and-light show. Koa and I stayed up watching it, she excited and entertained, as if at her own personal drive-in. Theo, who hates storms, got low to the ground as the rain started, then hid under the bed at the first sign of thunder. I think he went under my recliner after a while -- his favorite hiding spot. He can stay there for hours after a storm has passed us by, and we occasionally find his most-loved toys under there. It's his little guy-den.
And this morning, the sky is blue, the ground is shiny wet, and everything is washed clean. Things have cooled off considerably. Even the birds sound happier. We're back to ourselves, for a few more days at least.
Tomorrow, we're off to the Berkshires for a couple of concerts, a museum visit, and a play. I'm looking forward to no internet connectivity, low cellphone reception, and some relaxing hours on the back porch of our B&B. Should be nice.
For a few days, we walk around slightly sticky with red faces. We don't want to go near the stove. It's an effort to get from work to car and from car to house. We shower before bed to remove the layers of stuck-on grime and to cool down for a few seconds. The down comforter is set aside, the wool blanket is relegated to the end of the bed.
Last night, a storm rolled through, complete with its own sound-and-light show. Koa and I stayed up watching it, she excited and entertained, as if at her own personal drive-in. Theo, who hates storms, got low to the ground as the rain started, then hid under the bed at the first sign of thunder. I think he went under my recliner after a while -- his favorite hiding spot. He can stay there for hours after a storm has passed us by, and we occasionally find his most-loved toys under there. It's his little guy-den.
And this morning, the sky is blue, the ground is shiny wet, and everything is washed clean. Things have cooled off considerably. Even the birds sound happier. We're back to ourselves, for a few more days at least.
Tomorrow, we're off to the Berkshires for a couple of concerts, a museum visit, and a play. I'm looking forward to no internet connectivity, low cellphone reception, and some relaxing hours on the back porch of our B&B. Should be nice.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
A little this, a little that
Last Thursday, we went to the theater to see a Cole Porter revue. It was basically four actors singing Porter songs, accompanied by a pianist. Now it happens that there were a lot of songs (some of which I knew and some of which were new to me), the actors were extraordinarily good, and the pianist had some chops about her. As two of the youngest audience members (ah well), we had a great evening.
The Boston Glob [yes, sic] had published a total pan of the revue that very day. So of course, I read the review, then thought "oh darn. we're going to a terrible show. I hate it when that happens." But when I thought back on it, what the reviewer hated most about the whole production was that she didn't get to see the show they did last year. I think she should have stayed home, myself. Instead, she found the most minute things to pick at and missed some of the most delightful moments.
For me, the worst part about the whole experience was that we were sitting cabaret style. We first sat down with two ladies who exuded charm and grace. Then one of their husbands came in and the whole energy changed. He was obnoxious and spoiled and unpleasant, a real entitled pig kind of a guy. I'm usually the person who kind of spits and complains, but Robert was right there with me. Funny.
We also went to a movie. Hohum, so what. I used to see loads of movies and loved them. Then about the time Mark died, I lost my taste for most of them. As of a few days ago, I hadn't seen a movie for several years. But it was a quiet weekend and I was actually interested in seeing Wall-E, the new Pixar flick. We walked to the theater, walked to dinner, and walked home -- very civilized. And the movie was very sweet. It has a little bit for everyone and it's appropriate for all ages. The audience was amazingly well behaved, and except for the constant munching of popcorn (kind of a giggle given some of the movie's themes) and a little kid laughing hysterically when no one else was laughing, things were fairly quiet. We could see, the theater was clean, and the seats, while not luxurious, were comfortable. I've also got to say that the technology was wicked cool, especially given that my company has a little bit of overlap with some of what I saw in the film. A good, non-traumatic movie experience. Phew.
Yesterday, I mentioned the farm to a woman at work. She got very interested and decided she wanted to come with me. She totally loved it. She's from China and was delighted to see the chickens running around and a bunny (she took a picture with her cell phone) and couldn't get over some of the vegetables, one squash in particular that she had only ever seen in China. So it was kind of fun to share it with her. I explained as we pulled into the driveway that after being at work all day and going there, you're forced to slow down (they ask you to drive very slowly, for one). And then you get out of the car and hear the birds and see this beautiful piece of land. She got to meet the farmers and had nice chats with them and talked to a few other members. She might sign up next year, too.
Unfortunately, the farm was sold some manure which was supposed to be organic. The original hay had been sprayed with an herbicide, which apparently passes right through the horse and out the other end. So when they spread it on about 1.5 of their acres, some of the plants started dying. I think they were able to rescue some of the plants, but some of the crops won't come out this year, alas. And I think they're wondering whether that part of the land will be decertified for a while. I'm sad, but I also feel that part of the deal is that we share the risk with the farmers. We'll still have plenty of tasty food, just not *that* tasty food, not this year. It's too bad.
And work is crazy busy. My work is divided up into small projects, some of which aren't so small. One that I just finished involved about 10% writing, 25% technology, and the rest was politics, at least that's how I feel right now. That's fine, but a little odd. I'm making progess and there's some hope that my finishing everything will coincide with the actual deadline. There are also some people who are ahead of me at this point; if I'm really swamped at the end, it's possible that some help will be forthcoming. So far, so good, though.
Oh, and one little vent. Does turning 50 make me an instant magnet for hearing about other peoples' hot flashes? I don't mind hearing how my friends are doing, but it seems like all of a sudden, strangers and people I'm just not that close to feel the need to share with me. It happened yesterday at the pool with a woman whom I'd barely spoken to once before. She's sweet and all, but can I just say this -- TMI TMI TMI!!! There. I feel better now. Back to our irregularly scheduled program.
The Boston Glob [yes, sic] had published a total pan of the revue that very day. So of course, I read the review, then thought "oh darn. we're going to a terrible show. I hate it when that happens." But when I thought back on it, what the reviewer hated most about the whole production was that she didn't get to see the show they did last year. I think she should have stayed home, myself. Instead, she found the most minute things to pick at and missed some of the most delightful moments.
For me, the worst part about the whole experience was that we were sitting cabaret style. We first sat down with two ladies who exuded charm and grace. Then one of their husbands came in and the whole energy changed. He was obnoxious and spoiled and unpleasant, a real entitled pig kind of a guy. I'm usually the person who kind of spits and complains, but Robert was right there with me. Funny.
We also went to a movie. Hohum, so what. I used to see loads of movies and loved them. Then about the time Mark died, I lost my taste for most of them. As of a few days ago, I hadn't seen a movie for several years. But it was a quiet weekend and I was actually interested in seeing Wall-E, the new Pixar flick. We walked to the theater, walked to dinner, and walked home -- very civilized. And the movie was very sweet. It has a little bit for everyone and it's appropriate for all ages. The audience was amazingly well behaved, and except for the constant munching of popcorn (kind of a giggle given some of the movie's themes) and a little kid laughing hysterically when no one else was laughing, things were fairly quiet. We could see, the theater was clean, and the seats, while not luxurious, were comfortable. I've also got to say that the technology was wicked cool, especially given that my company has a little bit of overlap with some of what I saw in the film. A good, non-traumatic movie experience. Phew.
Yesterday, I mentioned the farm to a woman at work. She got very interested and decided she wanted to come with me. She totally loved it. She's from China and was delighted to see the chickens running around and a bunny (she took a picture with her cell phone) and couldn't get over some of the vegetables, one squash in particular that she had only ever seen in China. So it was kind of fun to share it with her. I explained as we pulled into the driveway that after being at work all day and going there, you're forced to slow down (they ask you to drive very slowly, for one). And then you get out of the car and hear the birds and see this beautiful piece of land. She got to meet the farmers and had nice chats with them and talked to a few other members. She might sign up next year, too.
Unfortunately, the farm was sold some manure which was supposed to be organic. The original hay had been sprayed with an herbicide, which apparently passes right through the horse and out the other end. So when they spread it on about 1.5 of their acres, some of the plants started dying. I think they were able to rescue some of the plants, but some of the crops won't come out this year, alas. And I think they're wondering whether that part of the land will be decertified for a while. I'm sad, but I also feel that part of the deal is that we share the risk with the farmers. We'll still have plenty of tasty food, just not *that* tasty food, not this year. It's too bad.
And work is crazy busy. My work is divided up into small projects, some of which aren't so small. One that I just finished involved about 10% writing, 25% technology, and the rest was politics, at least that's how I feel right now. That's fine, but a little odd. I'm making progess and there's some hope that my finishing everything will coincide with the actual deadline. There are also some people who are ahead of me at this point; if I'm really swamped at the end, it's possible that some help will be forthcoming. So far, so good, though.
Oh, and one little vent. Does turning 50 make me an instant magnet for hearing about other peoples' hot flashes? I don't mind hearing how my friends are doing, but it seems like all of a sudden, strangers and people I'm just not that close to feel the need to share with me. It happened yesterday at the pool with a woman whom I'd barely spoken to once before. She's sweet and all, but can I just say this -- TMI TMI TMI!!! There. I feel better now. Back to our irregularly scheduled program.
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