Trent the Uncatchable

Prime Rib!

knappenp@jiffyscript.com — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:01:51 GMT

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.

SSssssss!

knappenp@jiffyscript.com — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:24:30 GMT

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.

Remember, Remember, the 5th of November

knappenp@jiffyscript.com — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:27:31 GMT

Happy Guy Fawkes Day.

Eyes!

knappenp@jiffyscript.com — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:57:43 GMT

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.

Lizards!

knappenp@jiffyscript.com — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:55:26 GMT

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.

Chapter 8

knappenp@jiffyscript.com — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:41:52 GMT

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.

November already?

knappenp@jiffyscript.com — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:25:38 GMT

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.

Captain Hammer, Corporate Tool

knappenp@jiffyscript.com — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:55:11 GMT

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.

Admirals Scorched By Heat

knappenp@jiffyscript.com — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:55:22 GMT

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...

A Monday

knappenp@jiffyscript.com — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:49:02 GMT

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 party began in the room in which they had ended the last adventure: faced with a multi-colored dais, a throne, an altar/cauldron, and a door with the face of a demon, all of which made Daisy feel sick, the party encouraged Daisy to consecrate the evil items. The dais, made up of sixteen 10-foot-square stones, was her first target and she concentrated on doing it correctly. She then moved on to the next stone, then took care of the throne, consecrated the altar, and finished the dais one stone at a time. Finally she addressed the door.

While she was doing this, a group of brigands entered the room from the descending stairs. Not looking for any trouble, they were quickly dispatched by the party who took almost no damage in the encounter. Once their threat was eliminated, Daisy continued to cleanse the dais of evil.

Exploring, the party discovered that the stairs (from which the brigands had emerged) ended in a large door similar to the ones they had been smashing open - made of bronze and chained shut, with sigils and seals decorating it, it appeared to be a good target for the rolling altar with which they had opened the last set of doors. They levered the oval-shaped block of stone up and moved it into position at the top of the stairs, then let go and watched it bounce. It smashed through the doors at the bottom, rolling a few more feet and falling to the ground.

The room revealed to the adventurers was huge and featured a hard-packed earth floor, pillars, and a pyramid in the center. At the foot of the pyramid a box gleamed. Daisy began sauntering towards the box, but stopped when four earth elementals rose from the floor and looked menacing. She returned to discuss the situation with the party - and with an unexpected visitor, Kord. He provided the group with important information, such as the knowledge that the elementals would only attack those who ventured with ten feet of them. (In the course of conversation, Chatrilon strode out, checked the box for traps, found none, opened it, and brought the contents back to the party.) Kord also sang the group a song which might have contained valuable information. (But really, who knows what's important to a god?)

Daisy cleansed the items from the chest, and the party decided to retreat upstairs to the altar room to rest, meditate, and recharge. And that's where we ended the game for the night. The next game was scheduled for November 10.

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...

Browncoats!

knappenp@jiffyscript.com — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:50:23 GMT

Last night I worked a little late, then got caught in traffic - two accidents before I left the downtown area, and I knew I was gearing up for a late night. I opted out of fighter's practice so that I could finish with the dresser - I had to remove all the drawers and their tracks, and put them back in configured so that the door hinges would fit properly. I wrapped that up in time to watch Castle, where we looked for the easter egg. But it was fantastic to see Nathan Fillion as Mal again. We watched the episode a second time (fast forwarding through various scenes this time) and called it a night.

Tonight we have D&D. What misfortune will our intrepid adventurers meet? Only the Shadow knows! Oh, and no other plans for the rest of the week.

Entertainment!

knappenp@jiffyscript.com — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:22:39 GMT

Another weekend of blur.

Ben's room is now approaching library status. All of the books are out of boxes and on shelves, though in no sort of order. And many of the shelves are piles of books. Still, they're unboxed.

We spent a fair amount of time Saturday rearranging our bedroom. We're going to try this configuration and see what we think of it. Laura now ought to have enough dresser space, which has been a problem for a couple years, and we need to come up with a solution for Ben's room (we stole his dresser), since he left behind three tubbies of clothes. Fortunately he'll be home for the holidays, so maybe he can winnow the pile down.

And we caught up on SGU, and I caught up on Dollhouse. A fair amount of time was spent killing zombies, and I think we both finished books. We decided not to go to the Kegslayers' party because we were too tired and it seemed very far away, and neither of us was up for a party, so instead we went out for dinner and I made Laura watch The Adventures of Ford Fairlaine, a horrible movie with lots of stars in it. On Sunday evening Laura made a trip to Ikea (leaving me at home to deal with trick-or-treaters - prompting me to hide in the basement to kill zombies) for a closet door. And much fun was had by all.

Tonight is fighter's practice. Tomorrow night is D&D, and we hear Jackie might be in town. And those are our only plans for the weekend.

And now, work continues.

Who names their daughter Milan anyway?

knappenp@jiffyscript.com — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:54:22 GMT

Last night was basically a repeat of Wednesday night, only with more rain and different tv. I started watching the "remake" of April Fools Day, which bore no resemblance to the original (which I really liked). I got about halfway through and decided to go to bed instead of finishing it; I'll probably wrap it up over the weekend. (Wow. I see absolutely no positive reviews for this movie on the intarwubs.)

We don't have any plans tonight, though I predict an evening of listening to the sump pumps churn. We've been invited to the Kegslayers' party tomorrow night, and we might go - though we also might not. And we have nothing planned for Sunday, either.

We are *so* much a bundle of energy. :)

Consignment

knappenp@jiffyscript.com — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:36:05 GMT

Last night I picked up food on the way home, and there we ate and watched the pilot episode of Warehouse 13, and I think we decided that we liked it. We *had* been taping them all to watch later, but when the DVR broke a couple months ago we lost them all. This one was rebroadcast, but we didn't grab the others. I guess we'll wait for DVD and start then. And after that, an early bedtime for me 'cause I was tired.

Tonight, no plans. Tomorrow also no plans. And this weekend we're going to play by ear.

XM channel 151 has been playing Monty Python (and only Monty Python) all week, and it's all I've had on in the car. It might be affecting my brain. Nudge nudge, know what I mean?

We sure are exciting...

Four Down, Eighteen To Go

knappenp@jiffyscript.com — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:48:17 GMT

Last night I went home, sat with my wife for a few minutes, then turned around and drove out to the Curia meeting. Which was about like normal, really. (You can read my notes from the meeting at that link, if you wish.) And then home, where we watched a little bit of tv and discussed Monty Python and went to bed.

Tonight we have no plans. Nor tomorrow, nor Friday. I hope to spend time on the couch with my wife, because too many evening meetings makes for no fun.

Ditch!

knappenp@jiffyscript.com — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:08:19 GMT

Laura's working from home for a couple days (it's her Intersession Break), so she was there yesterday when the contractor arrived and dug the ditch. Yay ditch! He used a small skid (I learned to call them 'cats', but I recognize that that's probably a brand name (CAT), and this one wasn't that brand) with a chainsaw on the front to dig the ditch, then put pipe in it and installed some drains. He also routed the sump pump hose and gutter drain into the pipe. End result ought to be better drainage from the side of the house and from the sump pump. And I get to plant some new grass. Whee! Pictures are forthcoming.

When I got home from work we watched him finish up and then paid him and discussed stone options for the garden. Then he left, and shortly afterwards I went to fighter's practice. It was very populated there: Me, Albrecht, Alberic, Gilchrist, Murdoch, Corydon, Siri, and Gwyneth put on armor while Magnus, Valerius, Adeliz, Tristram didn't. We also had a special guest appearance from Norman, who was visiting from Colorado, and Dahrien, his ride. With all those people in armor, I somehow wound up fighting Murdoch almost exclusively all night. (Though I did get to fight Gwyneth and Albrecht for a little while.) And after practice, home and to bed.

Tonight is Curia, and that's all our plans for the week.

And now, I want coffee.

Zippity

knappenp@jiffyscript.com — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:22:16 GMT

I don't remember many details of the weekend, so here's a summary. ("Let me 'splain. No, that take-a too long. Lemme sum up.")

We watched the rest of the Stargate DVD, and have now finished season two. (Which reminds me that I need to get to Matt and Kymm's to borrow the rest of the series.) We watched all of the Stargate: Universe episodes that we had on DVR. And we watched a couple other things which escape me. We did laundry and general householdesque chores.

I brought in a couple of the bookcases, salvaged from the flood last spring, which I've cleaned up and made functional again. I put those in Ben's room and unpacked some books into them. At Menards I found some inexpensive 3-foot shelves and assembled them, then stacked them to make another tall unit. And unpacked books into those, thus ensuring that all the books are either in Ben's room on shelves or in plastic tubbies. With another six-foot bookcase I think I could shelve the rest of them. But I could be wrong. (I'm not sure I trust the cheap ones from Menards, though - I think the shelves are already bowing a little.)

I put down the rest of the weedblocker garden cover stuff. We are now ready for decorative stone to cover the garden, which excavator guy can provide. (Rather, we'll pay for it and he can deliver it.) On the topic of him, we don't have a ditch yet. (It rained Friday morning and probably put him off. Today should be nicer, though cold, so maybe he'll be by.) While I was outside I also cleared one side of the garage so we can park a car in there. I need a better bike rack solution, though. (Really, I think, we have too many bikes.)

We talked to Ben last night, and he's having a good time. Getting his homework done, going to improv, and generally enjoying school. He's looking for feedback on <a href="http://pinary.com/>his website</a>, so if you have any feel free to provide some. Tonight is fighter's practice. Tomorrow night is Curia. I believe that's all we have planned for this week. And so like that.

Still no ditch

knappenp@jiffyscript.com — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:37:25 GMT

We still have no ditch. My guess is that the weather precluded digging it. I suspect that today will be a repeat of yesterday. We do have a pile of pipe sitting in the drainage ditch in front of the house, though, so at least someone was *at* the house.

Last night we went home and had leftovers while we watched Stargate. And wound some thread (Laura spun some thread, and it's been hanging up for some time, and we started rolling it into a ball). And relaxed. Tonight I expect more of the same. Tomorrow we might make it to Griffin's Needle for a couple hours ... though we might decide to stay home. It depends on how the day goes and what people ask of us, and what else we get done. And so on.

Hope we get a ditch soon.

Frenetic Whizzbangery

knappenp@jiffyscript.com — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:25:30 GMT

Yesterday we picked up Thai on the way home, and watched an episode of Stargate while we ate. Then we read our respective books - I finished Three Days To Never and Laura finished <http://www.jimchines.com/novels/goblins/">Goblin Hero</a>. Then she went to bed and I caught up on some tv, then I did some late-night work.

The excavator guy didn't make it yesterday, but promised to be at the house today. I hope he got over his cold from a couple days ago, because it's kind of wet and miserable out. And will be until Sunday, apparently.

Tonight we have no plans - though I might hit the garage (it's getting close to time to park the car in there) and maybe even the gym. Tomorrow night I think we're planning to stay home, and on Saturday we might drop in on the Griffin's Needle Challenge. Whee!

Shwoop

knappenp@jiffyscript.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:32:29 GMT

Last night was a relaxing evening at home. Dinner and tv, just like it ought to be.

Tonight, no plans. But I might go to the gym. Same thing tomorrow.

In theory, the excavator guy is coming today to dig our drain/trench/something or other. We won't be home for it, so I hope he does it correctly. Then, once he's done, we'll get the plumber out to swap some hoses and pipes around. And then maybe we'll have a neater-looking exterior that we can mow, and better drainage around the house.

Happy Day After Thanksgiving!

knappenp@jiffyscript.com — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:58:37 GMT

Last night I went to fighter's practice. A good turnout - me, Albrecht, Corydon, Murdoch, Valerius, Randall, and Gilchrist in armor, with Tristram, Gwyneth, Geoffroi, and Siri on the pell. I fought until everybody else switched to greatswords, then dropped out because I didn't have mine with me. And I've learned that if I fight with someone else's I'm going to get my hands destroyed. (My gauntlets aren't really padded right.) I should talk to Bogdan about getting my big gauntlets back from him...

After practice, home to watch my wife embroider. (She's working on the trim for the tunic I wore this past weekend.)

Tonight and for the rest of the week we have no evening plans ... though plenty of things to *do*, they're just things that we'll do around the house. And some after-hours work for me, hopefully without going in to the office like I had to do last week.

And now, on to work. Hmm. Maybe coffee first.

And then...

knappenp@jiffyscript.com — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:04:43 GMT

On Friday night Laura did some craft-y things (I believe she re-made a string of beads), and we packed up and drove to Fond du Lac. Went to the event site to drop things off, then to the hotel, then to bed.

Saturday was Crown. It was a good day - some really good fighting, good food, good friends. And we got to sit down for a few minutes, and experienced Tris's new furniture. Which is pretty cool. And congratulations to Tom and Siri, who won the tournament! We went out with Matt and Kymm (and a couple of their daughters) for dinner, then returned to site to clean up; we drove Kymm home and went home ourselves. The cats, mercilessly, didn't throw up or use our bed as a litterbox while we were away. And our bed was nice and comfy.

Sunday was a day of relaxing around the house and running a few errands. And like that.

Tonight is fighter's practice. And that's our only planned event for the week.

So say we all.

Running

knappenp@jiffyscript.com — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:41:05 GMT

Last night, home. I helped Laura sort some files, then ran out to pick up chinese for dinner. I kept sorting while she sewed, then ran out to replace the iron (which fell off the ironing board a couple days ago, I'm told). Then home, where I sorted some more files and went to do some work ... and wound up going in to the office to finish it. (I won't go into details, but it was a late night.)

Tonight we'll go home and pack, then drive up to Fond du Lac. We'll set some things up and hit the hotel. And tomorrow is Crown. Whee!

All Crazy In Chicago

knappenp@jiffyscript.com — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:41:14 GMT

Last night we went home, then I hit the pharmacy and zipped off to fighter's practice. I got there and put my gear on, then hung around to ask Zig some questions. That process took a bit longer than expected, and when I had my answers everybody else was getting out of armor (except Roisin and Stephen, who were clearly done). So I took off my gear and chatted with Stephen for a little while, then drove home.

Tonight we have no plans (except to rest and prep for the weekend). Tomorrow night we'll drive up to Fond du Lac (home of Jonathan Brandmeier!) and do last-minute things for Crown. And Saturday is Crown. And Sunday we will rest.

Zut...

knappenp@jiffyscript.com — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:45:19 GMT

Last night we went home, then I ran out to get gas and pick up pizza. Home, where we watched a little tv while Laura sewed. We talked to Ben on the phone, and then both dove into books for the bulk of the evening. I'm plowing my way through Wicked Game, which I'm enjoying (and I see that there's a sequel).

Tonight I need to pick up some prescriptions and then head out to Madison for fighter's practice and a quick planning meeting for Crown. Tomorrow night nothing is planned, and Friday we're headed up to Fond du Lac.

Ah, it was pointed out to me that yesterday was my 12 year anniversary. Looking back I see that last year I declared it to be 11 years...

Back to work...