Busy Days

I've been busy, which is good because I like to be busy. I have been disassembling my train layout for one thing. I am amazed by how much work this involves. I guess I shouldn't be surprised when I think about how long it took to get it together. Did I really put all those wires under there? Did I really wire all those control units under the layout? How did I manage to crawl around under there? Well, I guess it was me because I don't remember seeing anyone else under there. So, I now have all the trains, cars, people, vehicles, buildings, track, switches and landscaping packed away. I have pulled out all of the wiring and need to decide what to do with the control boxes attached to a panel under the layout. I was thinking of leaving them attached and just removing the panel, but it would save a lot of space to pack the controls separately. Besides, I don't know where they might go on an entirely new layout. I have to figure that out.

While I'm doing all of this demolition I am multi-tasking. I am listening to old LPs (phonograph records). The idea is to decide on which ones to keep and record onto my computer with the idea of discarding the LP once it is digitized. I am finding that the discard pile is growing bigger than I thought it would. It seems that my tastes have changed over the years. I hope that they haven't just changed for the day that I'm listening. I would hate to make a mistake and throw out music that I want to listen to again someday. Some of these records are old, but not as old as the 78 rpm records I still have somewhere. This is what it says on the back of one LP. The tile is "The Fabulous Four Hands of Frankie Carle." Frankie Carle was a piano player and the album features some blues on a grand piano and some old time songs on an upright honky-tonk piano, hence the album title. This is what it says:

This is a "New Orthophonic" High Fidelity recording,
designed for the phonograph of today or tomorrow. Played
on your present machine, it gives you the finest quality of
reproduction. Played on a "Stereophonic" machine, it gives
even more brilliant true-to-life fidelity. You can buy today
without fear of obsolescence in the future.

The LP is copyrighted by Radio Corporation of America in 1961. I wonder if any of the engineers of that time had any idea of how we would listen to music fifty years later. And I'm thinking, "WHAT, I remember this record. I used to listen to it, but IT'S FIFTY YEARS OLD!!! You can see how this is traumatizing me.

So, I am choosing the records that I enjoy listening to and that have superior sound quality for processing. There is so much music available to us today. Back in 1961, I'm told (it's a little before my time), you had records, tapes and radio. Radio was very local, except at night when you could pick up signals from all across the country. Now we have Internet radio, satellite and the ability to download any kind of music from anywhere, anytime. With cable TV, we also have music of any type available 24 hours a day. How much time do I want to spend recording old LPs when it takes about 45 minutes, give or take a few, to get each record digitized including typing in the names of all the tracks?

In the meantime, I am still trying to get my iPod Touch to sync photos from my computer. I called in my neighbor who knows almost anything to do with computers. He spent over a half hour here yesterday and about an hour or more today and he is baffled by it. He has been searching the Internet for some kind of answer and while some folks have similar problems, none of them has found a solution. We will eventually figure it out, but at least I don't feel so bad that I couldn't figure it out myself. By the way, speaking of music, my neighbor lent me a hard drive with 100 GB of music on it and told me to copy whatever I want. The hard drive has all kinds of music, the kind a DJ would use for a wedding or party.

When I get done with all of this multi-tasking I will have to post some new pictures on this blog. Also, I have not forgotten about my novel that I am writing. I'll get to these things. I should probably listen to some music, but there is so much to choose from. Decisions, decisions.

Crossing Over

I bet you think I'm going to write something about dying and going to the Great Train Layout in the sky, but that's not what I mean with the title. I'll explain.

This may be long and drawn out, but I want to write it and you can stop reading if it gets boring. I have a 3rd generation iPod Nano which I use for my music. It is only 8GB and it is just about filled . I mentioned this to Anne who has an iPod Nano and an iPod touch, the last generation. She said she doesn't really use it and that I could have it. I said, being generous and kind, that, if she wanted, I would get her a new iPod touch that has a camera in it and can wash the dishes and set the table. She thought that would be nice. Anyway, I took her iPod touch and proceeded to sync my music onto it. I thought that since it is an iPod touch, I would also sync some photos and my contacts and calendar. I did that on my old Nano before it got too crowded. Previously I had used a Mac computer to do that. We're getting to the "crossing over" part. Now I am using a PC (a Windows based machine). I cannot get it to sync my photos from Windows Live Photo Gallery to the iPod Touch, nor will it sync my contacts or calendar. It's supposed to be easy, but there is some funny language in the online instruction manual (they don't give you one with the product anymore) that seems to imply that you should use Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 or later, but it should work using folders on your computer, so it says. Once again, I have learned that, despite what they all tell you and how easy all the commercials make it seem, it is never easy crossing over from one platform (Mac) to another (Windows) or the other way around. Mac stuff all works very well if you stick to Mac stuff, but as soon as you start mucking around with Windows and Mac, things get sticky.

I have been using Steve Jobs' (CEO of Apple) philosophy of technology, or my version of it, which says that before long, everything will be internet based and we won't be using CDs or DVDs. All music, photos, video, etc. will be on a hard drive or on the internet. I believe that he is correct and that this is already happening in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. We are far behind, but we are going in that direction. But, if machines don't talk to each other, how can any of this be accomplished?

I did find a work around. I discovered that when on the iPod Touch, I could go to my pictures on Flickr, click on a picture and it would give me the option to save it. I found this out by accident. I didn't know where it would be saved or why I would want to since the picture is already on Flickr. I clicked save and didn't think anything else of it until I realized that the "saved" pictures were now on my iPod Touch without having to sync anything. You can view all of my Flickr photos by going to the clink (my word for a link that you click) on the right side of this blog. Somewhere there it says "Bill's pictures" or something. If you have any trouble with that, please let me know so I can spend another three or four hours trying to figure it out. I realized that I am almost a year behind in posting pictures to Flickr, so please forgive me. I am trying to get caught up. By the way, Windows makes it very easy to get pictures from Windows Live Photo Gallery to Flickr. I think it's easier than from Apple's iPhoto. I am also in the midst of disassembling and packing my train layout in anticipation of a move to somewhere, sometime in the future. There I am also far behind SOME people who have managed to make a move to a nice warm place just in time to avoid the thirty inches of snow at Christmas time. Sigh!

The Year 2011

As you all know by now the new year has come. I had nothing to do with it as I proved by sleeping through its birth. On New Years Day we had our traditional party with two other families of friends. I think we started this almost thirty years ago and now the number of attendees has increased substantially. We all (well, most of us) gathered and had a great time.

Roxana and the boys had to be at LaGuardia at 5:00 p.m. for their flight back to Florida. Had she known what was going to happen, she could have come to the party. They boarded their American Airlines flight and it took off on time, but after about one-half hour of flight the pilot announced that they were diverting to Kennedy Airport for an emergency landing because of engine problems. When they got on the ground they were directed to a nearby gate. After a while the were boarded on a second plane, but after being on there for about one-half hour they were told that they couldn't fly because the flight crew had exceeded its hours. They had to stand in line to get vouchers for a hotel where they stayed overnight.

They were told that the flight was at 8:00 a.m. the next morning, so they got up to get a 5:30 a.m. shuttle to the airport. It got to be 8:00 o'clock and no one was at the counter at the boarding gate. Finally someone showed up and Alex, yes Alex, went up and asked why their plane was delayed and when they were going to leave. The people were nice to him and they found out that the flight was at 10:00 a.m. and not 8:00.

When they boarded the plane, Anthony and Alex were invited into the cockpit and allowed to sit in the pilot's and copilot's seats. Roxana cautioned Alex not to touch anything fearing that he might decide that he had waited long enough and try to fly the plane.

Pete and his family had a nice hotel room and choice seats in Times Square for the ball drop on New Years Eve courtesy of NYPD. As they were escorted through the crowds, people cheered them and tried to give high fives. Pete said the people didn't have anything to do and probably thought they were celebrities. I guess they were in a way. Commissioner Kelly came over to talk to them and shook hands with Anthony and Alex. This was all the result of some courtesies Peter had extended to the Commissioner when he visited Haiti.

So, I started to dismantle my train layout today. I realize that this will take some time as I survey the mass of stuff that has been accumulated through the years. While I'm at it, I'm trying out some of the engines to make sure they still work and I'm trying to organize things because I know that the minute I put a cover on a box I will forget what's in it. I want to pack things carefully so that nothing gets damaged when we move. I'm not sure how I will transport these trains, but I can decide that once we have a place to move them to.

More Pain and Suffering or The Mail Must Go Through

Yesterday, Anne saw the mail lady on the street when we had finished our walk and she went over and got our mail. The mail lady said that she was glad she came over because she wasn't going to be able to deliver our mail since the sidewalk was blocked and the snow was too deep to walk across the front yards like she usually does. Never mind that all of the houses are also accessible through the alley which was plowed and people could get into their houses that way. I guess the mail has to be delivered to the front door. Anyway, after having said I wouldn't shovel today, I went out and cleared the sidewalk from our front walk to our neighbors house where he had cleared his walk. Our two neighbors to our left have young, strong men living there. We only have an old man who is getting stronger every day. I did that and made a path to the street where the plow had come by since the last path I made to the street. I came in and said "I am done shoveling for today."

I got out of my snow clothes and thought I deserved a drink which I was about to procure when the phone rang. Anne answered it to learn that another neighbor who lives behind us had been away during the storm and just returned home to find that her garage was blocked by snow and that her front walk was blocked by snow. I put on my boots, got into my coat, found my hat and gloves and went out to help shovel her front walk. Anne came out to help also. She was visiting relatives where they only had a dusting of snow. Where was she visiting, you ask? Why, Rochester, NY, of course.

I did finally get my drink.

Guilt and Pain and Suffering

They sound like serious topics and they are, especially when they happen to me. I think I am genetically incapable of sitting down and relaxing without feeling guilty about it. Two days ago we had a big snow storm from which we acquired about twenty four to thirty inches of snow plus drifting. Yesterday, I went out with my shovel and snow blower and cleared paths, our parking area and several neighbors driveways also. Then the plow came by and we did it again. When I was all done for the day I discovered muscle groups in my body that I had completely forgotten about. I said to Anne today, "Anne, today I will rest and not do physical labor." She agreed that it was a good idea. So I proceeded to not do anything physical and I sat down to read.

I enjoy reading and find it relaxing and informative, except, I also feel guilty because I am indulging myself when, surely, there must be some labor to do. In the past (pre-retirement) I would set about to do my chores and work and only then would I read. This usually had the effect of bringing on a state of unconsciousness as I sat in a comfortable chair with book in hand. Now, (post retirement) I can read anytime I like, except I feel guilty. So, today, Anne wanted to go for a walk around the neighborhood in the afternoon. We did and found that pedestrians are not provided for in snow removal efforts by the Borough, so we abbreviated our walk. When we got home I noticed that the end of our alley was full of uneven snow tracks and therefore got my shovel and cleaned some of it up lest it freeze and get even worse. Then we removed some more snow from the alley opposite our garage and then went after the snow on our porch. This is the part where the pain and suffering comes in. We were just about done when I said that I thought I should stop, because, in addition to the pain already exhibiting itself in my legs, arms and shoulders, my back was now beginning to complain about the workout.

I don't think I did any long lasting damage to myself, except that if my cardiologist ever reads this, I'm in deep doo-doo. I then came in and did some reading. Tomorrow, I think I should rest, but I may have to clear a path to the street in front where the plows piled a mountain of snow. See? It's not my fault.

A note about my novel. In case I didn't mention it, or in case some of you were moving or doing other things and weren't paying attention, my daughter and granddaughter got me signed up on a site that expected members to write a 50,000 word novel during the month of November. I got to about 10,000 words and then ran out of month. I haven't abandoned it, but am thoughtfully researching some points. I figure that if I'm going to spend the time to write something that long, or longer, I should try to do a credible job of it. Unless you're very, very good, I don't think you can write the great American novel in so short a time. At least, I can't. I'm sorry, please don't ask, but I can't reveal the story line, so you'll all just have to wait and wait and maybe wait some more.

Charlotte's Web / Bonnie

We saw Charlotte's Web last night at Two Rivers Theater in Red Bank. It is a childrens' story, but was well and cleverly done by mostly adult actors. It is a story of a runt pig that is headed for the chopping block, but is saved by the actions of a smart and talented spider. Speaking of talent, I am always amazed at how much of it there is out there. Of course, these were professional actors, but nevertheless, I think they have day jobs too. It just seems that you can encounter good entertainment in many venues, be it theater, music or whatever right in your own back yard.

Our friend, Bonnie, passed away yesterday. She was a lovely person, just turned 61, also talented and a well liked teacher. Lung cancer got her in the end. I don't want to preach at anyone, but if any reader smokes, I urge you to do whatever it takes to give it up.

Downsizing and My Own Phone Line

As I have mentioned before, we are trying to downsize in anticipation of buying a smaller house and moving. We set our criteria for bedrooms at three when looking for houses, but I am seduced by the houses that have a fourth bedroom. We don't need it, but... it would be nice, especially if we have family or friends come to visit. Plus it would be a good place to keep some of the furniture we have now. I did say we are trying to downsize, which means, in my mind, getting rid of stuff that we don't need. Today I spent almost the entire morning carrying boxes of Christmas decorations from our attic to the first floor in anticipation of decorating the tree and finding out what we no longer want. There are 31 steps between the first floor and the attic and I must have made 20 trips, at least. That's 620 steps and 620 steps down, which must be the equivalent of climbing some national monument or other. Of course, when you're coming down a national monument you don't have to carry boxes.

So now I have filled pretty much our whole parlor with boxes and bags and this is just Christmas decorations, a fraction of what is stored in the attic. It's a big attic.

I know that whatever house we buy probably won't have a walk up attic, if it has an attic at all, so we must seriously get rid of stuff. We have been offering stuff to anyone who comes into the house, but the piles are dwindling very slowly. Do you suppose that no one is interested in the treasures of a lifetime that we have been carefully storing for all these years and that none of it is really worth anything?

On reflection it may seem a sad commentary that I am now seduced by a room. None of the ladies of my acquaintance need have any fear. I have in recent years been seduced by tools, boats, toy trains, musical instruments and garden tractors, but I now have an assortment of all of them, except a garden tractor. I don't have a garden tractor. In my current state of affairs, I am down to drooling over the four walls of an extra room. Sad, but true. I don't even know if I will get the extra room, but it is looking more and more attractive with each flight of stairs I ascend or descend.

I also mentioned in the title an extra phone line for me. I rarely get phone calls. When I do it is usual some recorded message reminding me of a doctor appointment or telling me that my prescription is ready. Yesterday, however, I decided to use the phone to initiate a call. First I had to wait my turn while others completed their telephonic business and then wait some more while additional business was conducted. I then got my chance, but not without attempted interruptions and concerns that I was not listening for call waiting for a return call that others were expecting. Never was a phone call so fraught with anxiety. And, what was it that was so important for me to use a phone? I had to call to sign up for a new Medicare Part D drug plan for the coming year. My old plan had raised its rate from about $15. a month to over $41. Now, I don't use the plan to get any drugs. The plan has never paid a penny on my behalf. Anything I take is in the form of generics which I get directly from a drug store cheaper than I could with a plan. I have the plan only so the government doesn't charge me a penalty for not having one. The process is a daunting one. First you speak to a lady who has to read to you all sorts of disclosures and then you are connected with a robot lady that asks a series of questions to determine if you understand what you're doing. You are admonished to answer "yes" or "no" clearly and distinctly and not to make any extraneous sounds as that may cause the system to boot you out. Heaven help us all. While this is going on, I am cringing in fear that call waiting will produce a signal or someone will come into the room and make a sound that the robot lady finds offensive and that she will then punish me by kicking me out and making me go through the whole process all over. Well, I only have to go through this once a year (and you can't do it online), so maybe I won't get a separate phone line just yet. I don't need a phone to be seduced either. I can go online to Craftsman tools or go onto Homestead.net to look at that fourth bedroom.