starshadow_rivaulx (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
starshadow_rivaulx) wrote2008-08-31 11:39 pm
starshadow_rivaulx) wrote2008-08-31 11:39 pm
While I was lazy...
According to my LiveJournal calendar, it's been all of ten days since I last blogged, not counting the auto-posts from LoudTwitter. Lazy, much? ::smile::
There hasn't been anything earthshaking to report, in any case. I was still in the throes of my cold the last time I wrote a post; it's only within the past four days or so that I've been able to sleep through the night, even with the relief afforded by cider vinegar and honey.
Looked over that last post, and I mentioned that Ramon was scheduled to go in for his monthly check-up. His test results - for fasting blood sugar and cholesterols - came up a point or two above normal, but nothing to worry about, as long as he keeps watching his diet and his urine output. So far, so good.
It was then that I managed to get in a chat with my kumare and her daughter. Goddaughter had had an appointment with the ultrasound labs, and they were waiting for the results up at Floating (aka hospital high-end restaurant). There was talk about kumare's workplace and its recent visitation from the Optical Media Board; said visit may make it necessary for workplace to shift platforms from Windows to Ubuntu Linux. However, it's still all up in the air, as the parents expect their kids to learn Windows.
Goddaughter and I exchanged views on Twilight and the making moan over the last volume. It's highly possible, nay, probable, that the wankery exceeds the Potterdammerung by leaps and bounds. I, for one, knowing what the latest volume contains, cannot fathom how it could ever be translated into the big screen. Into a cable TV miniseries, possibly - given how folks seem to be investing in kick-butt LCD home theater systems these days, almost like being at the movies - but as a theatrical release?
OMG. I have just been "blessed" with an image of sparkly RPattz on an IMAX screen. ::wails:: WAAAH! (On the other hand, I would love to see The Dark Knight on IMAX, in this, or any other, lifetime.)
- - -
Hubby and I have been scrutinizing the prices of LCD TVs. Not that we're in the immediate market for such a thing, since I spent a decent amount to have our faithful Sony 21-inch repaired, and the screen shines with all the sparkle of its youth. The 7-inch Lilliput LCD TV tuner works just fine in the office corner, where space is at a premium, and it, too, also sparkles just fine. But since there are all these new techno developments sprouting like mushrooms, I think it pays to be an informed consumer. Besides, we have a penchant for getting models that are close to being superseded by the latest thing on the block - and therefore can get it for cheaper and just as good.
- - -
I am now the owner of two Palms and two Nokias. One is the Palm Tungsten/W, which time has probably forgotten. But it's still good for basic calendar and calculator functions. Stick a SIM card in there, and it can do for a phone. Second, my everyday unit is the Palm 680, equipped with what passes for the basics in life: phone, camera, office suite, web connectivity, Bejeweled...::chuckle::
Dad bought a new cellphone, ostensibly because he didn't like his old phone and didn't want to get it fixed. I bought a battery and a prepaid SIM for his old phone, and he took it back. Originally he wanted to return the phone he'd just bought, but I told him I was going to keep it. ::grin:: So now I have the pretty new phone as my backup unit.
Then there's Ramon's old cellphone, twin to the one I lost to some pickpocket or whatever, three days before the 2006 Switzerland trip. Oy. Ramon retired it when I gave him my N70 to use when I bought the Palm 680. Rediscovered it in the storage bin, bought a charger for it, and now I keep it charged, although it doesn't have a SIM card yet. Again, it makes a good backup unit.
- - -
On the knitting front - have finished a placemat/ottoman cover, worked in purple Carmencita yarn using Roman Stitch. It's been washed and dried, and it blocked rather nicely, and hubby is happy. That is to say, it blocked as well as the nature of acrylic yarn will let it; as it's said that you can't block acrylic.
Have started a new project called "Vine Lace Scarf", in which the directions say it is a perfect beginner's lacework project. Uh-huh. I had to frog the first two rows twice, and even then managed to screw up several stitches at the end of one row - I think I knitted rather than purled. However, no one will notice unless they're actively looking for flaws in the work.
I started the project as a way to use up this ball of lavander crochet thread, which is a bit thin for a scarf project. So I bought two balls of Cannon crochet thread, one in solid pink and the other in a pink/purple/blue/white colorway. I hold the three strands and get a working "yarn" that's about worsted/DK in feel. The pattern is starting to show itself, and I do like the color combination! Pictures to follow when I have some length to the project, or maybe when I've done with it.
- - -
Spending more time on the Linux partition of my iBook than on the OSX partition. Have got Firefox tweaked just the way I like it, and it runs pretty much like a charm on Linux (specifically, Xubuntu, which is the flavor of Ubuntu that uses the xfce desktop manager). Thank heaven that working with Linux is not the PITA that it used to be...though it does help if you master some of the basics of working with terminal commands and know about permissions and...stuff. ::grin::
- - -
Oh, and Dad finally finished his business at the Bureau of Immigration. I cannot fathom them making my 85-year old, war veteran father, walk up THREE FLIGHTS OF STAIRS just so he could finish some minor paperwork to pick up what he needed. For the love of God, people! And no, there are no plans to install so much as a dumb waiter in that building, let alone a three person elevator. ::headdesk:: Here's the kicker...the (insert expletive of choice here) immigration folk at the 3rd floor tried to extort extra fees out of Dad.
::seriously considers taking sawed-off shotgun to Philippine bureaucracy::
Not that I think that these cretins parting other folk from their money to "expedite" matters is any better...but really. Make a senior citizen walk up three flights of stairs and then try to take his money? So not on.
In any case, we have done with them. ::knocks wood:: Tomorrow I review Dad's papers and we start a whole new round of bureaucracy with the Armed Forces Retirement Office. Fortunately, Dad will be spared the mulcting and the walking, as veterans are still treated with a modicum of respect inside AFP HQ.
Not looking forward to all the driving around, though. But we'll make the best of it, we will. ::grin::
- - -
The cat population has increased by two. Our little Pica-cat has given the world two kittens, whom she is hiding from curious eyes. They are in the sleep-eat-grow stage, and we don't expect to see much of them until another week or two.
That is, if Pica doesn't try moving them around first. Oye!
- - -
May as well stop here. Sleepy now, in spite of long naps. Must remember to take vitamins!
There hasn't been anything earthshaking to report, in any case. I was still in the throes of my cold the last time I wrote a post; it's only within the past four days or so that I've been able to sleep through the night, even with the relief afforded by cider vinegar and honey.
Looked over that last post, and I mentioned that Ramon was scheduled to go in for his monthly check-up. His test results - for fasting blood sugar and cholesterols - came up a point or two above normal, but nothing to worry about, as long as he keeps watching his diet and his urine output. So far, so good.
It was then that I managed to get in a chat with my kumare and her daughter. Goddaughter had had an appointment with the ultrasound labs, and they were waiting for the results up at Floating (aka hospital high-end restaurant). There was talk about kumare's workplace and its recent visitation from the Optical Media Board; said visit may make it necessary for workplace to shift platforms from Windows to Ubuntu Linux. However, it's still all up in the air, as the parents expect their kids to learn Windows.
Goddaughter and I exchanged views on Twilight and the making moan over the last volume. It's highly possible, nay, probable, that the wankery exceeds the Potterdammerung by leaps and bounds. I, for one, knowing what the latest volume contains, cannot fathom how it could ever be translated into the big screen. Into a cable TV miniseries, possibly - given how folks seem to be investing in kick-butt LCD home theater systems these days, almost like being at the movies - but as a theatrical release?
OMG. I have just been "blessed" with an image of sparkly RPattz on an IMAX screen. ::wails:: WAAAH! (On the other hand, I would love to see The Dark Knight on IMAX, in this, or any other, lifetime.)
- - -
Hubby and I have been scrutinizing the prices of LCD TVs. Not that we're in the immediate market for such a thing, since I spent a decent amount to have our faithful Sony 21-inch repaired, and the screen shines with all the sparkle of its youth. The 7-inch Lilliput LCD TV tuner works just fine in the office corner, where space is at a premium, and it, too, also sparkles just fine. But since there are all these new techno developments sprouting like mushrooms, I think it pays to be an informed consumer. Besides, we have a penchant for getting models that are close to being superseded by the latest thing on the block - and therefore can get it for cheaper and just as good.
- - -
I am now the owner of two Palms and two Nokias. One is the Palm Tungsten/W, which time has probably forgotten. But it's still good for basic calendar and calculator functions. Stick a SIM card in there, and it can do for a phone. Second, my everyday unit is the Palm 680, equipped with what passes for the basics in life: phone, camera, office suite, web connectivity, Bejeweled...::chuckle::
Dad bought a new cellphone, ostensibly because he didn't like his old phone and didn't want to get it fixed. I bought a battery and a prepaid SIM for his old phone, and he took it back. Originally he wanted to return the phone he'd just bought, but I told him I was going to keep it. ::grin:: So now I have the pretty new phone as my backup unit.
Then there's Ramon's old cellphone, twin to the one I lost to some pickpocket or whatever, three days before the 2006 Switzerland trip. Oy. Ramon retired it when I gave him my N70 to use when I bought the Palm 680. Rediscovered it in the storage bin, bought a charger for it, and now I keep it charged, although it doesn't have a SIM card yet. Again, it makes a good backup unit.
- - -
On the knitting front - have finished a placemat/ottoman cover, worked in purple Carmencita yarn using Roman Stitch. It's been washed and dried, and it blocked rather nicely, and hubby is happy. That is to say, it blocked as well as the nature of acrylic yarn will let it; as it's said that you can't block acrylic.
Have started a new project called "Vine Lace Scarf", in which the directions say it is a perfect beginner's lacework project. Uh-huh. I had to frog the first two rows twice, and even then managed to screw up several stitches at the end of one row - I think I knitted rather than purled. However, no one will notice unless they're actively looking for flaws in the work.
I started the project as a way to use up this ball of lavander crochet thread, which is a bit thin for a scarf project. So I bought two balls of Cannon crochet thread, one in solid pink and the other in a pink/purple/blue/white colorway. I hold the three strands and get a working "yarn" that's about worsted/DK in feel. The pattern is starting to show itself, and I do like the color combination! Pictures to follow when I have some length to the project, or maybe when I've done with it.
- - -
Spending more time on the Linux partition of my iBook than on the OSX partition. Have got Firefox tweaked just the way I like it, and it runs pretty much like a charm on Linux (specifically, Xubuntu, which is the flavor of Ubuntu that uses the xfce desktop manager). Thank heaven that working with Linux is not the PITA that it used to be...though it does help if you master some of the basics of working with terminal commands and know about permissions and...stuff. ::grin::
- - -
Oh, and Dad finally finished his business at the Bureau of Immigration. I cannot fathom them making my 85-year old, war veteran father, walk up THREE FLIGHTS OF STAIRS just so he could finish some minor paperwork to pick up what he needed. For the love of God, people! And no, there are no plans to install so much as a dumb waiter in that building, let alone a three person elevator. ::headdesk:: Here's the kicker...the (insert expletive of choice here) immigration folk at the 3rd floor tried to extort extra fees out of Dad.
::seriously considers taking sawed-off shotgun to Philippine bureaucracy::
Not that I think that these cretins parting other folk from their money to "expedite" matters is any better...but really. Make a senior citizen walk up three flights of stairs and then try to take his money? So not on.
In any case, we have done with them. ::knocks wood:: Tomorrow I review Dad's papers and we start a whole new round of bureaucracy with the Armed Forces Retirement Office. Fortunately, Dad will be spared the mulcting and the walking, as veterans are still treated with a modicum of respect inside AFP HQ.
Not looking forward to all the driving around, though. But we'll make the best of it, we will. ::grin::
- - -
The cat population has increased by two. Our little Pica-cat has given the world two kittens, whom she is hiding from curious eyes. They are in the sleep-eat-grow stage, and we don't expect to see much of them until another week or two.
That is, if Pica doesn't try moving them around first. Oye!
- - -
May as well stop here. Sleepy now, in spite of long naps. Must remember to take vitamins!