back from band camp.

Aug. 12th, 2025 03:37 pm
jennlk: (Default)
[personal profile] jennlk
Still tired. But it was back on the horse today at work (to be fair, BC did payroll and the journal entry last week, *and* the voter files) -- we have a full election coming up in the fall, with various arrangements of issues on the ballot depending on where a voter lives in the township. (You'd think that with less than 2500 voters, we wouldn't have these issues. You'd be wrong.) Tomorrow is some "security training" seminar in Howell. I am thrilled (not). I suspect that there will be very little at this seminar that will be applicable to such a small jurisdiction, but I am prepared to be wrong. At least it's only Howell. The one that BC+DC went to last year was in Jackson.

Band camp was a blast, as usual. I was (almost) wrong, however. The section coach had made up the quartets before we arrived, and "we" had a new person in our quartet (the three of us have all played together at least twice). She was a bit concerned about the ensemble performance, and TS said "we will not be the best ensemble in the recital. We will not be the worst. At that point, why worry?" And then we almost nailed "best performance". We took a simple piece (which does not mean "easy") and wrung all the music we could out of it. There weren't a lot of notes in the piece, but that meant that we had to *mean* the ones we played. J came up on Friday -- to tourist around and come to the recital and Sunday's concert -- and he said that he could "hear us listening" to each other. (we got "beat" by the brass ensemble that played Lauridsen's O Magnum Mysterium.)

It was hot and sticky at camp, and smoky at the start of the week. The AC in the room mostly worked. :) I have experience with the AC at the Stone Hotel, so I brought a small fan to help with air movement in the room. It made a big difference. If I hadn't brought one along, I probably would have wound up buying one.... The biggest issue I had this year was that there were shows at Kresge nearly every night, and when there's a show at Kresge the waterfront is closed off. I like taking my dorm food down to the patio and eating there, rather than eating in the cafeteria full of high school students....

The Mousetrap (Now in Paperback!)

Aug. 12th, 2025 08:00 pm
[syndicated profile] notalwaysworking_feed

Posted by Not Always Right

Read The Mousetrap (Now in Paperback!)

Me: "Oh no. What's wrong with it?"
Coworker: "I'm not entirely certain, but it stinks."
Me: "Stinks as in is something's rough about it, or stinks as in actually smells bad?"
Coworker: "The smell. There's a.... miasma."

Read The Mousetrap (Now in Paperback!)

No Accounting for Confidence

Aug. 12th, 2025 05:55 pm
[syndicated profile] notalwaysworking_feed

Posted by Not Always Right

Read No Accounting for Confidence

Coworker: "Why did you give that money? I would've offered less."
Me: "I didn't offer it. It's what the judge told us to pay."
Coworker: "Ah, yes, but that's the thing with judges. If you pay less, most people just accept it anyway. And you know our clients? They barely have a cent! If you paid half, they would still feel like a millionaire!"
Me: "That's... not how things work."

Read No Accounting for Confidence

Saying ‘Pasta La Vista’ To Logic

Aug. 12th, 2025 04:00 pm
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Posted by Not Always Right

Read Saying ‘Pasta La Vista’ To Logic

Coworker: "I ate so much pasta, but I actually ended up losing a little weight! They must be using special pasta! Everyone there was eating pasta and drinking wine, and they were all so skinny!"
Me: "Okay, but how much walking did you do?"

Read Saying ‘Pasta La Vista’ To Logic

Sometimes, Kids Can Be A Gas

Aug. 12th, 2025 02:30 pm
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Posted by Not Always Right

Read Sometimes, Kids Can Be A Gas

Adorable Children

A few weeks ago, mum and dad took us (my two younger brothers and me) to visit our grandparents in Kent. The highlight was when Granddad let us explore the attic and learn some family history. Among all the dusty boxes was Great-Grandpa’s old gas mask from the war.

Read Sometimes, Kids Can Be A Gas

New Short Story: Escapee

Aug. 12th, 2025 10:13 am
selenite0: (mad science)
[personal profile] selenite0
Scientists who've seen those movies will avoid those mistakes. They'll make their own mistakes.

New story on Substack.
Escapee Promo Image
lydamorehouse: (ichigo irritated)
[personal profile] lydamorehouse
Bee on purple flower
Bee at the Minnesota Historical Society's pollenator garden, yesterday

My whole household was up this morning at 3:30 am to see Jas off to the airport. Even my notorious late-sleeper, Mason, got up to come along on the ride to the airport.

We are all going to miss Jas. Jas won my heart over not only because Mason is so clearly in love with them, but also because they cooked at least two evening meals for us! And, convinced Mason to do the dishes afterwards! Independent of each other both Shawn and I very much implied to Jas that not only were they welcome back any time, they were welcome to STAY!!

We did manage to pack them back with some gifts so hopefully we aren't failing this whole gift-giving ritual thing.

They will be missed! But, Mason is already making plans to go to them next (Oklahoma City in Oklahoma--a place he's been once already, but about which I know almost nothing.) We joked that we'd have to try to host Jas in the winter, so they could see Minnesota at its worst.

The news continues to be horrific. I guess I knew that the National Guard being called out on citizens for being Black was probably not that far behind the concentration camps for Brown folks, but JFC. I'm supposed to be traveling to the DC area in mid-September for Capclave and I have no idea what will be waiting for me there. Like, WTF. To be crystal clear--not that I fear for myself, because the last time I was in DC I walked through the area that the tour guide book suggested was unsafe with my then twelve year old son and we had a great time, the only thing I exposed him to was some poverty not unlike the neighborhood we live in back here in the Twin Cities. People were super friendly and helpful when we were lost. DC is very Black? This is, last time I checked, not a crime or indicative of criminal behavior. Maybe a person might feel safer in DC if, I dunno, they weren't racist.

So, yeah, here's a cool picture of a grasshopper (under the cut for the bugphobic)...

WARNING: Bugs! )

Woke Bloke – DORK TOWER 11.08.25

Aug. 11th, 2025 05:00 am
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Posted by John Kovalic

This or any DORK TOWER strip is now available as a signed, high-quality print, from just $25!  CLICK HERE to find out more!

HEY! Want to help keep DORK TOWER going? Then consider joining the DORK TOWER Patreon and ENLIST IN THE ARMY OF DORKNESS TODAY! (We have COOKIES!) (And SWAG!) (And GRATITUDE!)

Don’t Sit On Calling It Babysitting

Aug. 12th, 2025 01:30 pm
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Posted by Not Always Right

Read Don’t Sit On Calling It Babysitting

Older Woman: "I love to see a man doing the babysitting... are you giving his mum a break?"
To which he replies:
Parent: "I am HER MUM. I just haven't had a chance to look after myself much with a newborn."

Read Don’t Sit On Calling It Babysitting

[syndicated profile] sharonlee_feed

Posted by Sharon

Tuesday. ‘nother hot one, so say the weatherbeans. The AQI isn’t perilous, but it’s not pleasant, either.

Second good night of sleep in a row. I could get used to this, though I’m still a bit groggy, which I suppose indicates that the sleep debt has not yet been paid off.

Breakfast was a bialy with the last of the cream cheese and grapes. Second cup of tea to hand. Lunch — who knows. I have frozen dinners, or I could DoorDash — can’t skip, though. The late adventures have dropped me to slightly below my preferred lower weight limit of 160, so — no cheating.

My Big Plans for the day are!

1 Get the trash and recycling to the curb
2 Dispatch one’s duty to the cats
3 Call for a haircut
4 Work on the WIP

There’s needlework, which I missed last week. I’d really like to go this evening. I suppose I’ll see what the day has made of itself, after lunch before I make a decision.

All that said! What are your plans for the day?

Today’s blog post title brought to you by ee cummings, [i carry your heart with me(i carry it in]

Firefly and Rookie planning last night’s entertainment:

Total Hogwash!

Aug. 12th, 2025 12:30 pm
[syndicated profile] notalwayslearning_feed

Posted by Not Always Right

Read Total Hogwash!

Teacher: "Tell your father what you said."
Son: "I didn't say anything!"
Teacher: "Tell the truth!"
Son: "I am!

Read Total Hogwash!

rolanni: (Default)
[personal profile] rolanni

Tuesday. 'nother hot one, so say the weatherbeans. The AQI isn't perilous, but it's not pleasant, either.

Second good night of sleep in a row. I could get used to this, though I'm still a bit groggy, which I suppose indicates that the sleep debt has not yet been paid off.

Breakfast was a bialy with the last of the cream cheese and grapes. Second cup of tea to hand. Lunch -- who knows. I have frozen dinners, or I could DoorDash -- can't skip, though. The late adventures have dropped me to slightly below my preferred lower weight limit of 160, so -- no cheating.

My Big Plans for the day are!

1 Get the trash and recycling to the curb
2 Dispatch one's duty to the cats
3 Call for a haircut
4 Work on the WIP

There's needlework, which I missed last week. I'd really like to go this evening. I suppose I'll see what the day has made of itself, after lunch before I make a decision.

All that said! What are your plans for the day?

Today's blog post title brought to you by ee cummings, [i carry your heart with me(i carry it in]

Firefly and Rookie planning last night's entertainment:


james_davis_nicoll: (Default)
[personal profile] james_davis_nicoll


War crime survivor turned expert swordswoman and student sorcerer Cheon resolves to obliterate the nation responsible, make herself queen, and find a like-minded woman to court.

The Four Wishes (Cheon of Weltanland, volume 1) by Charlotte Stone

Books read in 2025

Aug. 12th, 2025 11:50 am
[syndicated profile] sharonlee_feed

Posted by Sharon

42  Regency Buck, Georgette Heyer (re-re-re-&c-read)
41  I Dare, Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (Liaden Universe #7) (page proofs)
40  To Hive and to Hold, Amy Crook (The Future of Magic #1) (e)
39  These Old Shades, Georgette Heyer, narrated by Sarah Nichols (re-re-re-&c-read, 1st time audio)
38  Faking it (Dempsey Family #2), Jennifer Crusie, narrated by Aasne Vigesaa (re-re-re-&c-read, 1st time audio)
37  Copper Script, K.J. Charles (e)
36  The Masqueraders, Georgette Heyer, narrated by Eleanor Yates (re-re-re-&c-read; 1st time audio)
35  Everyone Here Spoke Sign Language: Hereditary Deafness on Martha’s Vineyard, Nora Ellen Groce (e)
34  Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, Winifred Watson, narrated by Frances McDormand (re-re-re-&c-read; 1st time audio)
33  The Wings upon Her Back, Samantha Mills (e)
32  Death on the Green (Dublin Driver #2), Catie Murphy (e)
31  The Elusive Earl (Bad Heir Days #3), Grace Burrowes (e)
30  The Mysterious Marquess (Bad Heir Days #2), Grace Burrowes (e)
29  Who Will Remember (Sebastian St. Cyr #20), C.S. Harris (e)
28  The Teller of Small Fortunes, Julie Leong (e)
27  Check and Mate, Ali Hazelwood (e)
26  The Dangerous Duke (Bad Heir Days #1), Grace Burrowes (e)
25  Night’s Master (Flat Earth #1) (re-read), Tanith Lee (e)
24  The Honey Pot Plot (Rocky Start #3), Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer (e)
23  Very Nice Funerals (Rocky Start #2), Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer (e)
22  The Orb of Cairado, Katherine Addison (e)
21  The Tomb of Dragons, (The Cemeteries of Amalo Trilogy, Book 3), Katherine Addison (e)
20  A Gentleman of Sinister Schemes (Lord Julian #8), Grace Burrowes (e)
19  The Thirteen Clocks (re-re-re-&c read), James Thurber (e)
18  A Gentleman Under the Mistletoe (Lord Julian #7), Grace Burrowes (e)
17  All Conditions Red (Murderbot Diaries #1) (re-re-re-&c read) (audio 1st time)
16  Destiny’s Way (Doomed Earth #2), Jack Campbell (e)
15  The Sign of the Dragon, Mary Soon Lee
14  A Gentleman of Unreliable Honor (Lord Julian #6), Grace Burrowes (e)
13  Market Forces in Gretna Green (#7 Midlife Recorder), Linzi Day (e)
12  Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent, Judi Dench with Brendan O’Hea (e)
11  Code Yellow in Gretna Green (#6 Midlife Recorder), Linzi Day (e)
10  Seeing Red in Gretna Green (#5 Midlife Recorder), Linzi Day (e)
9    House Party in Gretna Green (#4 Midlife Recorder), Linzi Day (e)*
8    Ties that Bond in Gretna Green (#3 Midlife Recorder), Linzi Day (e)
7    Painting the Blues in Gretna Green (#2 Midlife Recorder), Linzi Day (e)
6    Midlife in Gretna Green (#1 Midlife Recorder), Linzi Day (e)
5    The Goblin Emperor, Katherine Addison (Author), Kyle McCarley (Narrator) re-re-re&c-read (audio)
4    The House in the Cerulean Sea,  TJ Klune (e)
3    A Gentleman in Search of a Wife (Lord Julian #5) Grace Burrowes (e)
2    A Gentleman in Pursuit of the Truth (Lord Julian #4) Grace Burrowes (e)
1    A Gentleman in Challenging Circumstances (Lord Julian #3) Grace Burrowes (e)

_____
*Note: The list has been corrected. I did not realize that the Gretna Green novella was part of the main path, rather than a pleasant discursion, and my numbering was off. All fixed now.

Books read in 2025

Aug. 12th, 2025 07:51 am
rolanni: (lit'rary moon)
[personal profile] rolanni

42  Regency Buck, Georgette Heyer (re-re-re-&c-read)
41  I Dare, Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (Liaden Universe #7) (page proofs)
40  To Hive and to Hold, Amy Crook (The Future of Magic #1) (e)
39  These Old Shades, Georgette Heyer, narrated by Sarah Nichols (re-re-re-&c-read, 1st time audio)
38  Faking it (Dempsey Family #2), Jennifer Crusie, narrated by Aasne Vigesaa (re-re-re-&c-read, 1st time audio)
37  Copper Script, K.J. Charles (e)
36  The Masqueraders, Georgette Heyer, narrated by Eleanor Yates (re-re-re-&c-read; 1st time audio)
35  Everyone Here Spoke Sign Language: Hereditary Deafness on Martha's Vineyard, Nora Ellen Groce (e)
34  Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, Winifred Watson, narrated by Frances McDormand (re-re-re-&c-read; 1st time audio)
33  The Wings upon Her Back, Samantha Mills (e)
32  Death on the Green (Dublin Driver #2), Catie Murphy (e)
31  The Elusive Earl (Bad Heir Days #3), Grace Burrowes (e)
30  The Mysterious Marquess (Bad Heir Days #2), Grace Burrowes (e)
29  Who Will Remember (Sebastian St. Cyr #20), C.S. Harris (e)
28  The Teller of Small Fortunes, Julie Leong (e)
27  Check and Mate, Ali Hazelwood (e)
26  The Dangerous Duke (Bad Heir Days #1), Grace Burrowes (e)
25  Night's Master (Flat Earth #1) (re-read), Tanith Lee (e)
24  The Honey Pot Plot (Rocky Start #3), Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer (e)
23  Very Nice Funerals (Rocky Start #2), Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer (e)
22  The Orb of Cairado, Katherine Addison (e)
21  The Tomb of Dragons, (The Cemeteries of Amalo Trilogy, Book 3), Katherine Addison (e)
20  A Gentleman of Sinister Schemes (Lord Julian #8), Grace Burrowes (e)
19  The Thirteen Clocks (re-re-re-&c read), James Thurber (e)
18  A Gentleman Under the Mistletoe (Lord Julian #7), Grace Burrowes (e)
17  All Conditions Red (Murderbot Diaries #1) (re-re-re-&c read) (audio 1st time)
16  Destiny's Way (Doomed Earth #2), Jack Campbell (e)
15  The Sign of the Dragon, Mary Soon Lee
14  A Gentleman of Unreliable Honor (Lord Julian #6), Grace Burrowes (e)
13  Market Forces in Gretna Green (#7 Midlife Recorder), Linzi Day (e)
12  Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent, Judi Dench with Brendan O'Hea (e)
11  Code Yellow in Gretna Green (#6 Midlife Recorder), Linzi Day (e)
10  Seeing Red in Gretna Green (#5 Midlife Recorder), Linzi Day (e)
9    House Party in Gretna Green (#4 Midlife Recorder), Linzi Day (e)*
8    Ties that Bond in Gretna Green (#3 Midlife Recorder), Linzi Day (e)
7    Painting the Blues in Gretna Green (#2 Midlife Recorder), Linzi Day (e)
6    Midlife in Gretna Green (#1 Midlife Recorder), Linzi Day (e)
5    The Goblin Emperor, Katherine Addison (Author), Kyle McCarley (Narrator) re-re-re&c-read (audio)
4    The House in the Cerulean Sea,  TJ Klune (e)
3    A Gentleman in Search of a Wife (Lord Julian #5) Grace Burrowes (e)
2    A Gentleman in Pursuit of the Truth (Lord Julian #4) Grace Burrowes (e)
1    A Gentleman in Challenging Circumstances (Lord Julian #3) Grace Burrowes (e)

_____
*Note: The list has been corrected. I did not realize that the Gretna Green novella was part of the main path, rather than a pleasant discursion, and my numbering was off. All fixed now.


Appointment Week

Aug. 12th, 2025 02:36 am
azurelunatic: Goes on land sometimes! A loon, struggling to walk on land, saying UGH. (Goes on land sometimes)
[personal profile] azurelunatic
I have:

* 3 appointments tomorrow, all remote (for later today versions of "tomorrow", because I rarely get to sleep before midnight)
* 2 appointments Wednesday
* Only one appointment Thursday, but it looks like a doozy
* The morning primary care adjacent appointment on Wednesday got scheduled today (Monday) by using the magic combination of phrases "my oncologist said" and "new lump"
* (it's probably a ganglion cyst, since I have a history of those going back to the 1980s)

And then I managed to drive myself to Pained Noises & a complete lack of energy today by:
* Read more... )
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Alessandro Marcello - Oboe Concerto: Adagio


Jozef Cejka, oboe


Capella Istropolitana


Richard Edlinger, conductor


More info about today’s track: Naxos 8.556603


Courtesy of Naxos of America Inc.



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