Date: 2009-11-24 08:09 Subject: Chaos! Security: Public Music: ROD-TV: Nagare Yowa ga Namida

Last night we had a very nice dinner at King and I and then hit GPs for dessert. And went home, where we watched Year One (ah, the romance) and went to bed.

Tonight is D&D. Or at least, that's the plan. Tomorrow I have a follow-up appointment at the eye doctor, following which ... I'm not sure. I think we're playing this holiday by ear. Maybe dinner with friends, maybe dinner with each other. Possibly a trip to Chicago to see a museum. I just don't know. (I'm really tempted to hit Georgie Porgies for their Friday morning pancake breakfast, though.)

And, I might be sick. Judging by the coughing and congestion. Bleah.

And so, like that.

Date: 2009-11-23 09:52 Subject: Weekend... Security: Public Music: Joe Jackson: The Uptown Train

On Friday after work we drove to a highschool in a not-great part of town, where we drove in circles for a little while and eventually parked. And then made our way in and navigated the maze of people desperate not to get sick, and finally received H1N1 vaccinations. Then we went home for dinner, called Ben and chatted with him, and watched some tv.

Saturday was a relaxing day around the house, in which I got done almost everything on my short list of things to do. (The long list still remains, including a new tabard, fixing my armor, and the like.) Neither of us left the house, as we both felt a little sick ... though nothing that drugs couldn't handle. Sunday was a bit more pro-active - I did a few runs for groceries and other errands, and otherwise we relaxed. I did, at some point, manage to play the Left 4 Dead 2 demo (finally!), which was pretty darned cool. (I like the guitar as a melee weapon.) And overall, except for being sick, it was a nice weekend at home.

Tonight Laura and I are either going to have a nice dinner out or go home and rest, depending on how we feel, as we celebrate an anniversary. Tomorrow night we are scheduled to play D&D. We are not - currently - planning to go to Cincinatti for Thanksgiving, though the thought comes up from time to time; we have local invitations as well, and would probably benefit more from a local holiday than an extended one. We might even make it as far as Chicago. But we'll see.

Date: 2009-11-20 07:48 Subject: Whuff! Security: Public Music: Sting: Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot

Last night we went home, changed, and ran out to Red Robin to meet Glenn and Rachel for dinner. We had a nice time at the restaurant and then popped next door to Ben and Jerry's (I had some "Coffee,Coffee,BuzzBuzzBuzz" ice cream, which was really, really tasty.) And then home, where we watched some tv and went to bed.

Tonight - and for the rest of the weekend - we have no plans, though I've been looking at some things around the house which could stand being done. I still need to finish unpacking the car from last weekend, for instance, and the basement is looking dingy, and the kitchen and bathroom floors are due for a washing, and ... well, there's stuff to do.

So, right. Buzzbuzzbuzz.

Date: 2009-11-19 07:42 Subject: Feeling better... Security: Public Music: Sex Pistols: You Need Hands

Last night I went home, then Laura and I had dinner and watched some tv. Turns out I forgot to tape V, so we need to acquire that somewhere. (They post on the website on Saturdays.)

Laura's feeling better, by the way, and so am I - though I'm tired.

Tonight we're having dinner with Glenn and Rachel, probably somewhere Milwaukee-ish. And we have no plans for tomorrow or the weekend. Other than the various chores and things around the house.

And now, coffee.

Date: 2009-11-18 07:46 Subject: Sick! Security: Public Music: Seelie Court: Fhir An Bhata

Monday night I started to feel a little stuffy. I changed into my fighting togs and prepared to head out, and realized that I had a burgeoning headache and that I was really, really congested. Which isn't a good condition for fighting. Instead I stayed home and watched some tv, and went to bed early. (I was asleep before Castle started, even.) Tuesday I still felt rotten, and took the day off from work - though I was on a nice long conference call from my computer in the basement. While I was down there conversing very snottily I diagnosed the reason that I haven't been able to play the Left 4 Dead 2 demo - that computer's network card fizzled and died. After the meeting I went back to bed.

Up around 3:30 for some lunch, and managed to blow my nose. Which helped. In a little while I was feeling better, and able to shower and run out for some errands and Curia. I hit DK Systems - conveniently across from Walgreens - and got a network card, and even had time to hit Half Price Books before the meeting. And afterwards I went home.

Laura's had a headache since Monday night as well, which seems to be more related to her back and neck - though I noticed that she was pretty stuffy too. She stayed home yesterday and again today. I did find the 'thumper' power cord, yesterday, though, so at least she can theoretically attack the problem points in her back...

Tonight, and for the rest of the week, no plans. I still have armor to repair, though, and things to sew.

And now, coffee.

Date: 2009-11-16 08:11 Subject: Sore! Security: Public Music: Nerf Herder: Crocodile

Friday night we watched some tv, then went to bed relatively early. We woke up Saturday bright - I mean, dark - and early, packed, and ran off to Tomah.

The event was good. Lots of people to see and hit, and I learned some things which I may or may not remember at practice tonight. F'r instance, Sir Dirk showed me a way to conserve a little bit of energy during a fight which might help me last a little longer, and also taught me a cross-body shot which uses different mechanics than I had been using. Sir Roisin taught me an off-side body shot which works really well on *me* - so we'll see if it translates to hitting other people. And I've got some lovely bruises as a result. When we reached the end of the day we managed to pack His Majesty out on time; we waited with Her Majesty for her ride to return from dinner while the clean-up crew collapsed the site around us. (We called them to tell them to come back to site to get Her, but they were in a cellphone dead zone. And even tempted Murphy's Law by rearranging the car so that we had space for Her and Her Stuff.) Once She was packed away, we had dinner at Burnstad's European Restaurant (recommended for their pie), which was tasty and warm and good. And then we drove home.

Sunday was a day of rest, indeed. Sloth, even. I only left the house once, to pick up groceries so that we could have creamer with our coffee. Oh, I did repair my registry so I was able to get my computer running - downloaded almost all of the Left 4 Dead 2 demo before Steam's servers got overloaded. Maybe I can finish that this week so I can hit zombies with a frying pan.

Tonight is fighter's practice. (Which reminds me - Ginger, if you're still reading this, I need a voop.) Tomorrow is Curia. We have no other plans for the week. However, I want to build new leg armor and a new tabard. At some point.

Also, Sunday I did the last exercise in the EA Sports Active 30 Day Challenge, a birthday present from my mother. (I've been getting up at 5ish every day to do it before work.) I found it to be not terribly difficult, though the lunges (almost every day) have not been great for my knees. Now that I'm done, I need to chose my next morning routine - I had planned to do Wii Fit for a few weeks (which I did), then this for a month (which I did) and then go to the gym in the mornings (which I haven't done yet). And I see also that the 'More Workouts' package is going to be available soon, which includes abdominal workouts (which were mostly absent in the first one). And I can go to the local Cardinal Fitness, which is a no-frills kind of gym, though I'm also aware of this Fit For Life health club which one of my co-workers tells me I can join for $10 a month and get access to their whole place. Which includes a pool. (And a boxing ring!) And a boot camp program which is apparently pretty effective. Which would be really cool. Though she's not sure how long the $10 deal lasts, and it's south of home (whereas work is north of home). And ... I dunno. I expect I'll go to Cardinal tomorrow, though I've discovered - through the EA Personal Trainer function - that having someone tell me what to do is pretty helpful...

Right. I've got work to do, and there's coffee to drink, and...

Date: 2009-11-13 08:14 Subject: Manos! The hands of fate! Security: Public Music: Chaos

Last night we went home and relaxed, then I ran out to get food. While Laura ate and watched some tv, I tried to fix the registry error on my computer and failed. (I think I know what to do next, it's just time-consuming and a little stupid - I got most of the way through the fix, and then it bombed on me.) I retreated upstairs to dinner and we watched some tv, eventually putting in Mystery Science Theater 3000: "Manos" The Hands Of Fate. Laura's never seen any MST3K, so it was new for her; I've never seen Manos but have seen a number of other episodes. We got a little ways in, then went to bed.

Tonight we're going to try to go to bed early. Tomorrow is the Tournament of Chivalry, which wants a nice, early start. And Sunday we'll rest.

And now I get coffee.

Date: 2009-11-12 08:41 Subject: Black Box! Security: Public Music: Serenity Soundtrack: Jayne and Zoe: Final Battle

Last night we watched some tv while we ate dinner and generally relaxed. I spent some time trying to fix my computer, which seems to have lost an important file or two and doesn't want to boot. And then I did some work, late at night, and went to bed.

Tonight, more of the same. And tomorrow. And Saturday is the TOC.

And so, like that.

Date: 2009-11-11 08:25 Subject: Earth! Security: Public Music: My Scarlet Life: Other Worlds

Last night we went home, vacuumed, and generally prepared for our guests. Who arrived around 6:30, and we began.

( Augury! )

Tonight, tomorrow, and Friday night we have no plans. Saturday is the TOC. Sunday will be a day of rest.

And so it shall be.

Date: 2009-11-10 07:38 Subject: Slough! Security: Public Music: Sarah MacLachlan: Fear

Last night we went home and I did a few things around the house. Then on to practice, where we had a few fighters - Leif, Murdoch, Daffyd, Valerius, me, Jean, and Geoffrey. Siri, Adeliz, and Albrecht were also there, though not in armor, and we had a student who wanted to work on the pell. I got to fight some and got to chat some, and learned some things which I need to post on the CAM website. And then went home.

Tonight is D&D. We have no weekday plans for the rest of the week.

Whoop!

Date: 2009-11-09 09:01 Subject: Prime Rib! Security: Public Music: My Scarlet Life: A Curiousity

Friday night we rested. Saturday morning we woke up to go to SUN, and Laura revealed that in fact she hadn't gotten much sleep the night before, and could I maybe do SUN without her? And I could, so I did. (Though it was a rocky start - I had picked up some Destroyer audio books at the used bookstore for just such an occurence, and cracked them open to find that they were on audio cassette. And I don't have a cassette player in the car. And I had left my iPod at the house. So I listened to the radio on the drive.)

The event was good. Not terribly high-stress (from my side of the throne, anyway), with about the average amount of running and fetching and accompanying. Sig complimented me on my coffee-making, so that was a plus. And after the event we went to Fitzgerald's for a prime rib buffet which just rocked. (The salad was crisp. The prime rib was succulent and I could cut it with a butter knife. The shrimp was fabulous. And there were 15 other food dishes on the buffet I didn't even look at.) And then home.

Sunday was a day of rest. I was going to help tear out old carpet at St Ed's, but they rescheduled. Instead, I shuffled some books around on the shelves, then finished Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. (It's taken me months. Jane Austen - even with a zombie or two thrown in - just tires me out, and I can't usually get through more than one chapter in a single sitting. Sorry, Guuny.) But it was on Laura's Kindle, and she loaned me the thing until I finished it, and I felt pretty bad about hoarding it, so I *had* to wrap it up. We also watched Transformers 2, which I felt was disjointed and random and not as good as the first one, and Family Guy, and went to bed.

Tonight is fighter's practice. Tomorrow is D&D. And that's our plans for the weeknights. This coming weekend is the Tournament of Chivalry in Tomah, which I believe we'll be day-tripping.

Date: 2009-11-06 08:24 Subject: SSssssss! Security: Public Music: NIN: Ripe (With Decay)

Last night I picked up the second half of our weekly Sutton's order, got some gas, and went home. There we watched the first two parts of V: The Final Battle (that is, we watched two of the three two-hour episodes which make up the miniseries). And went to bed. Not a thrilling night, I'm afraid. And I don't know why I was so freaked out so many years ago by the babies.

Tonight I believe we're staying home. Tomorrow we'll go to SUN, and Sunday we'll be back at home. Whee!

And now, coffee.

Date: 2009-11-05 08:25 Subject: Remember, Remember, the 5th of November Security: Public

Happy Guy Fawkes Day.

Date: 2009-11-05 07:57 Subject: Eyes! Security: Public Music: Marillion: Cinderella Search

Last night we went to the eye doctor, where they tried to convince me that I ought to try soft contacts for a little while. I said I would rather stick with my RGP (rigid gas permeable) lenses for now, but that I'd keep it in mind. So they ordered me more, and I wore my glasses home. Where we had dinner and watched the episode of Monk in which Sharona returns. Which was nice and wrapped up her storyline well. And it was gratifying to see that the writers understood that Sharona was pushy (with Adrian) and tried to keep him a little off-balance so that he could grow and learn, and that not-Sharona pandered to him. After Monk, we wrapped up the original V mini-series.

Tonight we're going to pick up the next few days of Seattle Sutton's food, and we don't have any plans after that. Tomorrow night we might go to Madison a little early, or might stick around the house to sleep in our own bed. Saturday is SUN. And Sunday is a day of rest.

Date: 2009-11-04 10:55 Subject: Lizards! Security: Public Music: Tori Amos: Cruel

Last night we went home and had dinner while we watched Monday night's Castle. And finished just in time to tune in to V, which was not everything I'd hoped it would be but which I still enjoyed. And then I watched about an hour and a half of the original V pilot (up to the point where Marc Singer sneaks on board the alien ship, records some stuff, gets into a fight, and escapes from the alien ship). And went to bed.

Tonight I have an eye doctor's appointment and I haven't heard back about Admirals tickets, so I guess we don't have a game to go to. Tomorrow we have no plans, and Friday we might go to Madison to visit Eithni. Saturday is SUN, after which is a meat thing for which I will get more information.

Right. Meeting now.

Date: 2009-11-03 08:41 Subject: Chapter 8 Security: Public Music: Juno Reactor: Mona Lisa Overdrive

Last night we stopped on the way home at the local Seattle Sutton's to pick up food for a few days. Brought it home, then I changed and ran out to fighter's practice. It was pretty light - Murdoch, Jean and I were the only ones in armor. We fought for a couple hours, switching partners here and there, and I think I did pretty well. From there I went home, and on to bed.

Tonight we have no plans, though we have tv (Castle, and the episode of Monk from a couple weeks ago in which Sharona returns, and V) and chores. Tomorrow afternoon I have an eye doctor's appointment, and that's the extent of our engagements until Saturday when we'll be attending <a href='http://northshield.org/Events/EventAd.aspx?ID=551">SUN</a>. And now, on to work.

Date: 2009-11-02 09:25 Subject: November already? Security: Public Music: The Saw Doctors: Me Without You

On Friday night we revised our weekend schedule and drove up to the Spin In. It was pretty interesting - lots of rovings (wool, suitable for spinning), looms, spinning wheels, spindles, yarn, and things I didn't recognize or couldn't figure out. A number of finished items, too - wool scarves and blankets, felt bags, woven baskets. Laura gathered the things she needed (a different kind of spindle and a winder) and we headed out to grab dinner. And then went home.

Saturday was a relatively relaxing day. We bopped around the house, and I went to Todd's around 2. There I helped him set up his Hallowe'en stuff and hung around in a gas mask to lurch around the driveway. He had another friend doing what I thought of as Ben's job - that is, hanging from the tree in the front yard next to a hanged dummy - and his girlfriend and a couple other friends handing out candy. At about 7:30 we packed everything up and I went home, where I joined Laura in watching some tv. And went to bed.

Sunday was another quiet day. I ran some errands, and rearranged some books, and spent a couple of hours at the theater watching GI Joe. (And I really enjoyed it - the story was stronger than I had anticipated, and lots of things blew up. I mean, LOTS of things.) Home again, where we had dinner and watched a DVR'd copy of Club Dread. Which was better as a DVD than a broadcast movie.

Tonight we're going to pick up food at Seattle Sutton's, and then I'm going to fighter's practice. Wednesday afternoon I have an eye doctor's appointment. And the rest of the week is up in the air.

Date: 2009-10-30 08:54 Subject: Captain Hammer, Corporate Tool Security: Public Music: Dr Horrible: Everyone's A Hero (In Their Own Way)

Last night we went home and called Seattle Sutton's. We set ourselves up to begin receiving food next week. We'll see how it goes for a week or two and decide if we want to commit to a potentially expensive food alternative, which ought to result in our losing weight. They don't use pork in their recipes and the food is healthy, so we're looking forward to the experiment. Having secured healthy food for next week we ordered pizza for dinner, and then watched Robot Chicken: Star Wars II and then Robot Chicken: Star Wars I. And went to bed early. (And stayed up reading.)

Tonight, no plans. Tomorrow Laura and Liz and possibly Jean are discussing the possibility of going to the Spin In. I'm tentatively scheduled to help Todd with his Halloween extravaganza. And I have some sewing I'd like to do during the day.

Today I am wearing the Dr Horrible Groupie T-Shirt, and as such am dressed for Halloween. As a backup plan I also brought my Captain Hammer t-shirt. (I have no goggles to complete the Groupie costume, no gauntlets and the wrong pants for Captain Hammer. But I'll milk it for all it's worth.) Only one co-worker has recognized the shirt so far, but one other has asked me to show her the video. I expect I'll leave that up on one computer while I work on the others. Muahahaha. I'll try to get photos, too.

Date: 2009-10-29 07:55 Subject: Admirals Scorched By Heat Security: Public Music: Jethro Tull: Jack-A-Lynn

Last night after work we went to King and I and had a lovely dinner. We changed our clothes there and drove a few blocks to park at the Bradley Center, and were the first people into our box. (The place I work has a box, and from time to time I get tickets.) We watched the teams warm up and were joined by a few people, and then the game started.

It wasn't fabulous hockey. It was better than anything I can do, but it wasn't the NHL. Lots of problems with both teams' passing games - not just that passes were intercepted, but that the passes were just wild. The Admirals made something like 26 shots on goal, none of which went through, but many of those shots didn't require the goalie to do anything. Still, it was fun to watch and even a losing hockey game is a hockey game. (Final score 2-0, Heat.) It's possible that I'll get seats to Friday night's game vs the Rockford Icehogs - we'll see. And I'm still hoping for tickets to see the Wolves on Wednesday.

Tonight we have no plans. Tomorrow night we also have no plans. Laura suggested that she might go to the Spin-In thing at some point this weekend, which might mean the Friday night early shopping (5-8) or sometime on Saturday. Me, I've got things to do on the weekend too.

Right. Speaking of things to do...

Date: 2009-10-28 11:48 Subject: A Monday Security: Public Music: A New Found Glory: My Heart Will Go On

Last night I went home, got cleaned up, and set up for the game. And we were ready well in advance of people arriving, so we called Kat and got her set up on Skype. (And on the wireless network, and...)

( The game! )

At the end of the day yesterday there was a ticket offer for tonight's Admirals game against the Abbotsford Heat (feeder team for the Calgary Flames). A couple of free box seats? Sure. So, tonight after work we'll have dinner and go see some hockey. We'll probably make an effort to see the Admirals as often as possible this season, hoping to catch them vs the Chicago Wolves because Chris Chelios is playing there. And that's got to be worth watching, right? Those games, for my later reference, are November 4, January 22, February 27, March 16, and April 9. Whee!

No plans tomorrow or Friday. This weekend is Halloween, of course. (Which reminds me that I have a phone call to return.) It's also the Wisconsin Spin In, which Laura has suggested that she might want to attend. So, we'll see what-all happens...