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Car maintenance
Aug. 20th, 2025 03:43 pmI took my car in today because it had started smelling bad. Actually, it has been smelling bad for a few months, but I didn't want to spend money on maintenance until I had a job lined up.
It turns out there was something nesting inside the ventilation system.
The service people recommend peppermint oil to prevent a recurrence.
It turns out there was something nesting inside the ventilation system.
The service people recommend peppermint oil to prevent a recurrence.
This coming weekend is ReaderCon. I'm planning on going. I bought a membership for it before I lost my job and then completely forgot about it until it came up on my calendar. If anyone reading this is planning on going and wants to make plans together, let me know!
I went to Boskone yesterday. I had a blast. I'm glad I prepared ahead and looked at the schedule and decided what I wanted to go to. Once actually there, that went out the window though. I missed panels I had intended to go to to view the art show, talk with friends, go out to get real food, and then because I left early because of the snow.
The panels I did get to were a mixed bag. One of them was amazing and gave me lots of ideas for writing. One of them was seriously underwhelming and not at all what I expected or hoped for from the description. The rest were in the middle, i.e. they were good but did not blow me away.
Driving home was terrible, but I made it. Unfortunately, I have to go back today because I bought some art from the art show. In my defense, I didn't realize there was a snow storm coming before I did that. I'm not sure how I'm even getting out of my driveway, but I have a few hours to figure that out.
Nearly everyone I talked to at Boskone mentioned ReaderCon... so now I'm thinking I may have to check that out.
The panels I did get to were a mixed bag. One of them was amazing and gave me lots of ideas for writing. One of them was seriously underwhelming and not at all what I expected or hoped for from the description. The rest were in the middle, i.e. they were good but did not blow me away.
Driving home was terrible, but I made it. Unfortunately, I have to go back today because I bought some art from the art show. In my defense, I didn't realize there was a snow storm coming before I did that. I'm not sure how I'm even getting out of my driveway, but I have a few hours to figure that out.
Nearly everyone I talked to at Boskone mentioned ReaderCon... so now I'm thinking I may have to check that out.
I just got a text from the ACLU (and why do they have my phone number? Did I give it to them at some point?) talking about how they're suing to support gender affirming care for minors. So...
I used to think the ACLU was incompetent, but now I am convinced they have been wholly bought by the project 2025 people and are using it to distract from the shit currently going down in the government.
I used to think the ACLU was incompetent, but now I am convinced they have been wholly bought by the project 2025 people and are using it to distract from the shit currently going down in the government.
Hooray for holiday Mondays
Jan. 20th, 2025 06:09 pmNick and I both had off work today, so I spent some time today on the continuing quest to clean up the cruft in the house. I have made some progress. I have to remind myself of that, because it really doesn't feel like I'm getting anywhere. That's because there are still the same number of boxes sitting in my office waiting to be unpacked. It's just that several of the boxes are noticeably less full.
As part of regular maintenance, I went and tried to run the portable generator today (it's supposed to be run every ~6 weeks for a few minutes). I failed to start it and injured my wrist in the process. Ooops. Now I don't know what to do. I'm so glad we're planning on moving to a whole-home generator that starts itself. Now if only our electrical upgrade permit would come through, so we could actually do that....
I thought I had to go up to Maine on Wednesday to meet a contractor. Hooray, it turns out I don't, I just have to tell him where the spare key is hidden so he can get in and he's willing to do it over the phone. Of course, I put in for the day off work on Wednesday, so now the question becomes do I tell work I don't actually need the day off, or do I take the extra day and spend it cleaning house? Decisions, decisions....
I think I am going to plan to go to the Saturday of Boskone. That lets me participate with minimal planning and commitment, and a full day of recovery before I have to go back to work.
As part of regular maintenance, I went and tried to run the portable generator today (it's supposed to be run every ~6 weeks for a few minutes). I failed to start it and injured my wrist in the process. Ooops. Now I don't know what to do. I'm so glad we're planning on moving to a whole-home generator that starts itself. Now if only our electrical upgrade permit would come through, so we could actually do that....
I thought I had to go up to Maine on Wednesday to meet a contractor. Hooray, it turns out I don't, I just have to tell him where the spare key is hidden so he can get in and he's willing to do it over the phone. Of course, I put in for the day off work on Wednesday, so now the question becomes do I tell work I don't actually need the day off, or do I take the extra day and spend it cleaning house? Decisions, decisions....
I think I am going to plan to go to the Saturday of Boskone. That lets me participate with minimal planning and commitment, and a full day of recovery before I have to go back to work.
cons? maybe?
Jan. 18th, 2025 05:48 pmI have decided I do not care about Arisia. But thinking about it reminded me that a while ago I was talking to a friend and mentioning that I really wanted a SF&F con that was inclusive and welcoming and had actual SF programming, neither of which Arisia did well. Said friend recommended I check out Boskone. So... now I'm contemplating whether or not I want to plan to go to Boskone. It's in... less than a month. These days I feel like I need at least a month's preparation just to leave the house and go to the grocery store. But, well... I'd like to change that.
New Year, new stuff
Jan. 16th, 2025 05:00 pmI never did post an update on how my goals for time off went. But basically, I got all the financial stuff accomplished, I got rid of a bunch of stuff, and I got my bedroom re-arranged (and a new wardrobe for it ordered). I did not succeed in getting rid of my nemesis, the couch.
Saturday was my chorus' concert. It went fabulously. I was worried turnout would be light because of the snow, but it was packed. Afterwards, I slept for 2 days.
I just realized that this weekend is Arisia. I'm trying to decide if I should care or not. And if I do care, whether or not I have the energy to do anything about it....
Saturday was my chorus' concert. It went fabulously. I was worried turnout would be light because of the snow, but it was packed. Afterwards, I slept for 2 days.
I just realized that this weekend is Arisia. I'm trying to decide if I should care or not. And if I do care, whether or not I have the energy to do anything about it....
(no subject)
Dec. 29th, 2024 06:43 pmI'm taking 2 whole weeks off work for the holidays. I started vacation by going down to CT to visit with family. It was a really good visit. Played apples to apples and uno with the girls, had movie night, hung out with Scott and Maria, talked with Mom some, even got to see Trish and Sara and Jesse for a short while.
Saturday we spent with Nick's mom and had a good visit there.
The rest of vacation, I'm going to try to get the house in better shape. This means cleaning, hopefully unpacking some boxes that still need it, getting rid of some old furniture and maybe buying some new stuff. I had some other stuff I wanted to do with this time, but this has really bubbled to the top of the priority list.
Know anyone who wants a couch?
Saturday we spent with Nick's mom and had a good visit there.
The rest of vacation, I'm going to try to get the house in better shape. This means cleaning, hopefully unpacking some boxes that still need it, getting rid of some old furniture and maybe buying some new stuff. I had some other stuff I wanted to do with this time, but this has really bubbled to the top of the priority list.
Know anyone who wants a couch?
(no subject)
Dec. 24th, 2024 12:17 pmHaving foolishly not checked the weather forecast last night and moved my car to the top of the driveway, today I had to shovel. But my boots are too worn to safely walk on Scott’s very steep driveway in the snow. So this morning I found out I can wear Emma’s boots. She’s 9. 🤣
Today I got to try using a potters' wheel for the first time! I made 3 bowls of different sizes (not that they were supposed to be different sizes, but stuff happens) and had a lot of fun as a guest at the Indigo Fire studio in Watertown.
After that I went and saw the Deadpool and Wolverine movie. I really loved the first Deadpool movie, but I have to say, the follow-ons have not lived up to it. Still, it was a fun and funny movie. But if there is a fourth Deadpool I will probably elect to skip it.
After that I went and saw the Deadpool and Wolverine movie. I really loved the first Deadpool movie, but I have to say, the follow-ons have not lived up to it. Still, it was a fun and funny movie. But if there is a fourth Deadpool I will probably elect to skip it.
I have been trying to write some every day. I have noticed that I am happier when I write regularly. OTOH, I have reached a place where I need to re-work the plot of the story and I have no idea how to do so. It turns out, I am often also more frustrated. But in a fun way.
I got a nice surprise this morning when I got in my car to go to the dentist and discovered it had charged to 100%
(The backstory here is that Chevy's response to the battery fire recall on the Chevy Bolt was to install software on all the potentially affected Bolts which monitors battery performance to determine whether the battery is at risk of fire. The software prevented charging above 80% until it determined the battery was "safe" or that the battery needed to be replaced. But it's been well over a year since that software was installed and I was really sick of not being able to charge fully)
In other news, I have to go back and get a cavity filled.
(The backstory here is that Chevy's response to the battery fire recall on the Chevy Bolt was to install software on all the potentially affected Bolts which monitors battery performance to determine whether the battery is at risk of fire. The software prevented charging above 80% until it determined the battery was "safe" or that the battery needed to be replaced. But it's been well over a year since that software was installed and I was really sick of not being able to charge fully)
In other news, I have to go back and get a cavity filled.
Ahhh, vacation!
I have 2 weeks off work and my plan is to go up to Maine from Monday until Friday the week following. I am looking forward to sitting on the beach and listening to the waves. And smelling the waves. Sea air is one of the best parts of the beach.
I also want to work on my hobbies, so I decided to pack up the Ultra-Tec and some rocks and set up to cut rocks while up in Maine. We'll see how that goes... I have a fear I've forgotten something important.
I have packed a truly ridiculous amount of stuff for this vacation. Very different from my usual one suitcase and maybe a backpack. We'll see if it makes for a better vacation or not. (It certainly makes for more work).
I have 2 weeks off work and my plan is to go up to Maine from Monday until Friday the week following. I am looking forward to sitting on the beach and listening to the waves. And smelling the waves. Sea air is one of the best parts of the beach.
I also want to work on my hobbies, so I decided to pack up the Ultra-Tec and some rocks and set up to cut rocks while up in Maine. We'll see how that goes... I have a fear I've forgotten something important.
I have packed a truly ridiculous amount of stuff for this vacation. Very different from my usual one suitcase and maybe a backpack. We'll see if it makes for a better vacation or not. (It certainly makes for more work).
