Raincharm’s Weblog

I am getting ready to go home.
Blogging now will be one less thing to do when my mind goes completely numb.

I was well on my way to going numb as I tried, and somewhat succeeded in understanding some accounting mumbo-jumbo that is part of my big report. I was just going to sit down and put my newfound knowledge into words to share with the people who need to use it, and fellow worker walks in to my office.

It is closing time – that is why this employee had been leaving, and decided to stop into the loo before getting into traffic. (I often do this myself.) However, instead of the normal bathroom ambience, she found a sauna. That’s right, 94 degrees in the stall. So what to do? Ask Jay, she’ll take care of it.

Of course, the mechanically adept folks had all left at 4:00.
I gamely got onto our HVAC program, which informed me of the temperature, and that the heater was off. Well – I could tell that was an untruth. From my sleuthing I determined the temperature had started climbing about 11 AM. It reached the 90’s around 1 PM and stayed there. Apparently somebody else had noticed, but the mechanically adept person she approached was busy at that moment, and so it was not addressed.

45 minutes later, having basically accomplished nothing more than verifying electronically what I already knew to be true, I decided to bag trying to figure out how to tell the computer to shut off the heater – which it already thought was off. (It did note that the temperature was way out of range – ALARM – ALARM) I called our electrician, and he suggested I open the door and share the warmth with the lobby. I had already taken this step and reduced the temperature to 85 degrees. Mind is warm, but still a bit numb.

So, about an hour after I was planning to start writing about money and budgets and capital versus operating costs, I decided to wait until the morning. That will be the true test of whether I really learned any financial stuff today.

Traffic – well let’s just say that BLACK is not my favorite color to see on the highway maps.

While we were gone to the cold, snowy (NOT) midwest, Seattle had the SnOMG storm. (according to the newspaper reports).

And it is predicted to be a La-Nina year with higher than average snow, and colder than average temperatures.

So we thought it wise to check our chains for usability.
One of our cars is new – with different tire sizes than before, and the other car has new tires.
So we sat out in the driveway and attempted to put the chains on. No snow, no rain.

We were unsuccessful on the first car. We knew the tire size was not exactly what the chains called for, but thought we would try.

The second (older – but with new tires) car worked with existing chains – even though the tire size was not specifically listed (no P).

So off to the car store for new chains. It is one of those things I buy and then try not to use. But in Seattle chains can be a lifesaver. We do not have 4-wheel or all-wheel drive, just front wheel. My plan for a bigger event is to telecommute. But you never know when you will be away when the snow falls. And yes, I never used chains when I lived in Michigan, or in Colorado. But it is different here – warmer and icier and especially hillier.

I am glad we missed this latest storm. It sounded miserable. Up to 7 hour commutes to get home. If they get that long I will opt to stay at work. We do have cots.

Wow – what a whirlwhind, at less than supersonic speed.

T-day shopping (not the power kind) – to get out of the house several of us set out for coffee. I was surprised at the number of places that were open on Thanksgiving. In addition to the Starbucks and grocery stores there was a Panera store that we passed.

The last time we were in Michigan there was a power outage near my parents house, and while we could see people in Panera’s they would not let us in. This time nephew David stopped in while we traipsed on to Starbucks. On our way back we were going to stop in and get a sandwich to hold us until the big meal. But they would not let us in. I think they had “closed” a minute or two earlier. We could see people inside, but they would not let us in. Again.

Thanksgiving (power eating – within reason)

Chief Cook Harry

On the menu – shrimp, chips, salad with walnuts and pomegranate seeds, turkey, stuffing with apricots and sausage, yams and mincemeat pie for dessert.

The young and older table

The middle generation

The people count was 12 total. Ages 23 – 83. It was good to have many together. As the kids get older and have their own lives to lead it is less frequent that we can find times to gather. This gathering came from Seattle, St. Louis, Jefferson City  (TN), and Washington D.C.. And Michigan.

Power Outage – really. Started at about 11 PM T-Day.

7 AM

What 7 AM really looked like (sans flash)

Breakfast – more power eating (and warmth). We had planned to gather and continue eating in the morning. Just one more chance to chat and hear of each other’s real lives.

Power Outage reality – back home at the ranch. Only a small area of the city appeared to be impacted by the power outage. But the outside temperature was only 22 degrees. With a brisk wind behind it. The temperature in the greenhouse (attached to the house) was 41 degrees. That is why there was a mass plant migration. This was the picture around noon.

Plants enjoying the space heater. Empty greenhouse beyond.

And they laughed when we gave them all blankets

The initial power company prediction on the power was 10 AM – noon. At noon it had been moved to 1:30-3:30 for restoration. We left at 12:30, so didn’t get to feel the warmth return.

Flight – powerful planes. Friday after Thanksgiving is not a heavy day for air travel. Easy time getting through all of the checkpoints.

Small world: While waiting for the plane to load Carl noticed a woman in the seats across from us. She nodded to him and he said, “56th St.” Turns out she was a neighbor about 15 years ago. Carl took care of her son on occasion – and then they moved away. Her four year old is now nineteen. We chatted so intently we all missed the boarding call and were literally the last people on the plane. She was about 10 rows behind us and we read and snoozed the trip west. Then – while we were picking up our luggage she found us and asked if we were doing the train/bus trip back home – which we were. And then offered us a ride home (her husband was there to pick us up). What a nice offer, especially since we did not have to walk the last 5 blocks in the rather steady rain that was falling.

And so we are home. The Seattle snow has all melted (by the rain) and the A2 snow was just starting as we left.

To all that we shared this with – Thank you. It was great. Safe travels to all come Sunday.

Two games have been played at my parent’s house. Ping pong and scrabble. And that is the way it usually is.  The primary players are Carl & Rey. Carl started out with a winning streak of double digits. Rey finally got his game on and beat Carl two games in a row. Wanting to keep his streak alive, he challenged me. Although I gave him a scare by starting out in the lead, he was able to beat me two games in a row. I believe Pooh bested Rey at Scrabble, but I am not sure of the final score.

There are now six of us visiting my parents, and one more sibling that comes and goes. Later today there will be twelve for dinner. If my dad survives we will call this trip a success. He is the kitchen master, and you don’t want to intrude without an invitation.

The weather has been warmer than Seattle. Actually much like Seattle should be. Rain, cool, and yesterday even below freezing. But no snow yet. So we are out on a walk, again, to find an open grocery for the few bits that we need to replenish. And coffee. Seattle is never far from our hearts.

Today Carl, Rey & I did some touristing in the Great Lake State.
We went to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.
I have been here at least a few times when I was younger. It was a school field trip at least once, and probably some other trips as well. [Greenfield Village was not open today, so only the museum.]

We will start with some car pics

Cars - not all Fords

More Cars

Kennedy's Last Ride

Carl's 1st ride, sort of (this is a 1965)

Carl & Rey - on an outing

A favorite of Carl's (he is still a kid)

A shout out to the town where Carl & Jay met

Now there are a lot of cars in the Henry Ford Museum, and as shown above, a trolley or too. There are also trains (big ones, old ones, steam ones and diesel), planes, farm implements and ……  Furniture.

As it turns out, my parents’ house is a bit like a museum.
From the Henry Ford

The rocking chair (my parents' is grey)

The two solid blue - armless = our yellow dining room chairs, the one on wheels we have in black at a desk

Without the stool, in the living room we have one yellow and one green

Yellow - no wheels

The Museum's Eames Exhibit

Our living/dining room

Museum - classic Eames

This is our second day in A2, but it is in many ways the first day of full consciousness.

Yesterday we took turns snoozing, or trying not to snooze, with pauses to walk (hard to sleep when walking) or eat (not as hard to sleep as with walking, but not easy either). Today we just slept in.

Very much like Seattle weather here today, and Seattle is having Michigan like weather.
I think we are having the easier time of it.

As for the vacation part – it is. Sitting and chatting, or just hanging together.
Tonight we may go to a movie – which is a rarity at home.
Then tomorrow we are hoping to get out of the house earlier and over to the Henry Ford Museum.

Also plan to get the camera out and take a few pictures.

And – I am working with Mom on a family tree. Actually we are adding the younger additions to a tree that had been put together several years ago. I am creating it in a software program that I have at work. Hopefully it will work out – if not – it is not that big a tree to create elsewhere. And it is kind of a fun exercise to experiment with the new software and learn where its (not mine) limitations lie.

Jetted out at 11:35 PM. Arrived around 6:30 AM
By all definitions this was a red-eye.

I had great expectations of dozing through the flight, and started off well on my plan.
However, I had eaten a sandwich just prior to the flight that decided it did not agree with me.
So after an hour I had to disturb the nice lady dozing next to us.
And since the seat-belt sign was on, and I am a rule follower, so I also asked the flight attendant.

We finally landed, and after recovering our luggage, we called the Boy, who was with the Dad.
And they picked us up and whisked us home. Well to the Dad’s home.

Breakfast, and now Carl is power napping. He really did not sleep and truly had red eyes.
I am teetering on staying awake, but need to find a coffee cup with my name on it soon.

Especially when it means you are not working.

One last late night at work, and it is time to switch gears.
Of course not completely, I have some review work to do – but it is different.

We were both in the house, at the same time, on a weekend, with only a few errands to run. And, the temperature has dropped rather precipitously. We may have snow tomorrow. Ashlan reported 2″ in Vancouver, and the cold air is moving south.

So we decided it was time to go through the pile of various cold weather stuff that is piled in our staircase entry (really). Several years ago we bought an open cage metal drawer thing with four levels – one level for each person. Everybody was supposed to put their mittens, gloves, hats, etc in their drawer so they could be retrieved as needed. It worked, more or less. But in recent years it has become rather full, and not so organized.

I was trying to find gloves for Carl and decided it was time to just empty it out, pick through things and put back in things that were actually still in use. Or at least reasonably likely to be used.

We found lots of odd mittens and gloves, many with holes or other issues that had relegated them to the unusable status. Now, why they were not thrown away a long time ago? Who can say. So we ended up with 1 bag of trash, a bag that went down to the winter storage area (for pulling out if we actually get that cold, or need to share with others), a few items to the give-away box, and an organized amount of scarves, gloves and hats that got returned to the drawers.

We also found two ski-passes. Ashlan’s from 2002-03, and Rey’s from 2000. Cute pictures.

So our stair area is getting cleaner. We went through the jackets that were hung on the pegs as well. I don’t know that any got thrown out, but some were relegated to give-away and all but a few to the closet.

Next step up is full of odds and ends kind of papers. That may meet scrutiny this afternoon.

So this is the cleaning that really makes a difference – even in a small area. But it sure feels good, and makes you wonder what took you so long to get to it.

Oh yeah, 60 hour work weeks.

Dave Niehaus, Seattle Mariner broadcast announcer from their first game in 1977 died last week.
He was 75. There have been pages of memories provided through the newspaper, an open house at the stadium, and countless TV bits and pieces. They even replayed one famous 1995 game on TV and radio.

Yesterday, Mr. Niehaus’ family held their private service to bid him farewell.
From a friend who works at the funeral home I was provided a copy of a poem read.
It is based on a poem attributed to Mary Elizabeth Frye

In Loving Memory of:
Dave Niehaus

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there, I do not sleep
I am an echo in home run calls.
I am the flash of white on a well struck ball.
I am the sunlight on the outfield grass.
I am the powerful autumn home run blast.
When you jump up to a called steeerike three
I am there, yes you know me.
I am the sound of the broom after a three game sweep
Swung on and belted; I am the tears on your cheek.
Rye bread and mustard, salami abound
I am high above looking down.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. “My O My!”

Flintoft’s Issaquah Funeral Home

This may only resonate with the Seattle faithful, but next year is going to be very different.
Two of the 1995 calls.

Now the left hander ready, branding iron hot, the 1-2 pitch….”K” inserted! It’s over! Right over the heart of the plate! Randy looks to the skies that is covered by the dome and bedlam! As the Mariners now erupt! 19 long years of frustration is over!

—Calling the final out against the California Angels in the one-game AL West playoff in 1995.

Right now, the Mariners looking for the tie. They would take a fly ball, they would love a base hit into the gap and they could win it with Junior’s speed. The stretch… and the 0-1 pitch on the way to Edgar Martínez swung on and LINED DOWN THE LEFT FIELD LINE FOR A BASE HIT! HERE COMES JOEY, HERE IS JUNIOR TO THIRD BASE, THEY’RE GOING TO WAVE HIM IN! THE THROW TO THE PLATE WILL BE … LATE! THE MARINERS ARE GOING TO PLAY FOR THE AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP! I DON’T BELIEVE IT! IT JUST CONTINUES! MY, OH MY!

—Calling the winning hit by Edgar Martínez, which scored Joey Cora and Ken Griffey, Jr. to win the 1995 American League Division Series in the 5th and final game. (Over the Yankees)

Off of the blog that is.

The days have been split into Work – More or Less

• Thursday November 11th – Veterans Day
  But at work we had a Retreat with our Board
  Presented one of my large, but not big-big projects.
  It went fairly well. I got my flow charts to look reasonably good, but not animated.
• Friday November 12th
  Regular work, and should have accomplished more than I did.
  I was in the, “recovery from presentation low period”
  Left work within an hour of my actual work hours
• Saturday November 13th
  Intended to work.
  Did not give myself “permission” to not work, but did not work.
  This meant that I had a guilty feeling as I read the last week of newspapers, took care of filing (home), and watched a little TV (Harry Potter)
  Also had a soccer game, in the rain.
  Went out after the game to socialize.
• Sunday November 14th
  Read the Sunday paper (same day as it arrived, a recent record)
  Finally got to some of that work – reviewing the Big Big Project in its current format
  We are presenting to the Board tomorrow, so I really should give it a look.
  Found some little things and maybe some bigger things in the final financial chapter.
  Not my strong suit, so will need to chat with the financial folks tomorrow.

Carl was gone for the weekend to celebrate a 50th of a friend in Eugene.
I would post a picture or two, but he did not take any.
But he is back safely and soundly, so now I must spend some time with him.