The DayBook – Page 500 – life in the old lane

May 27, 2009May 28, 2009

Nobody is Promised Tomorrow

I am finishing up the photographs from 2001. Came upon this snapshot of “MomIda”. She was looking happy and healthy. Thirteen months later she was dead. Which reminds us – Nobody is Promised Tomorrow.

So, Peg, keep deleting those photos. Keep simplifing your life. Keep stuff organized. Never know when you’ll be shipping out.

Carlton and I have reached the age where – as a friend’s father says – “Keep your blue suit pressed”. Well, I don’t have a blue suit. But, I do have a “Final Exit Play List” – suitable for listening to while on route to funeral/memorial service.

A Change Is Gonna Come – Neville Brothers
The Far Side Banks Of Jordan – June Carter and Johnny Cash
In This Life – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
Looking Forward – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Goodbye My Friend – Keali’i Reichel
Lullabye (Good Night, My Angel) – Billy Joel
Someday Soon – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Dress Sexy At My Funeral – Smog
St James Infirmary – Louis Armstrong
Tears In Heaven – Eric Clapton
Will The Circle Be Unbroken – Neville Brothers
See That My Grave Is Kept Clean – B.B. King
Only Good Times – Keola & Kapono Beamer
The End of the End – Paul McCartney

May 26, 2009May 26, 2009

Ever Thin Man

Dashill Hammett - Arlington Cemetery — Dashiel Hammett - Arlington Cemetery

Every time a go on a photo trip to Arlington Cemetery – I make it a point to seek out a specific grave. This time I went to find Dashiel Hammett – author of hardboiled detective stories – inventor of Sam Spade and Nick and Nora. He spent WW2 in Alaska and was blacklisted in the 1950’s. Thanks for all the good stories Sgt Hammett.

BTW – he is buried in an “ordinary” location – not in one of the VIP sections.

May 25, 2009May 26, 2009

Long Weekend Over

Got the 297 Rolling Thunder photographs from this week’s bike extravaganza down to 69. Think that is enough culling. And, I don’t think this character would look more biker-ly in black and white.

crazybiker2

Okay – I’ll stop playing with black and white. Enough fun already. Back to deleting and cataloging 2001.

May 24, 2009May 25, 2009

The Mall

After three days of snapping photos – I have 297 more to deal with. Maybe it will rain tomorrow and I’ll finish up this year’s Rolling Thunder images.

I have to report that the 3 pound $1000 camera takes better pictures than the 4 ounce $150 camera. Sigh.

May 23, 2009May 24, 2009

At Arlington Cemetery

p1040002

Neither today’s nor yesterday’s image work for me. And I do think bikers should be in black and white. Otherwise they look too festive or too much like the Village People.

I tweaked yesterday’s guy with dog….

May 22, 2009May 23, 2009

Sounds of Summer – Rolling Thunder

First day of Summer. Bikers rolled in about noon. They will rumble around until Sunday afternoon.

First day of pool season as well. The current Russian Life Guard Girl is from Siberia. She said the water was too cold for her. I lounged. I am real good at lounging.

I am not too shabby about ignoring the potential for homelessness come later this summer.

May 22, 2009

Funny how these things happen

This week has been devoted to “Looking at apartment options”. And Mr C was gleefully looking forward to haggling over the new lease. I was just going to hide until everything was settled.

Well, late yesterday afternoon – out landlord rings up and says that the co-owner of our unit is declaring bankruptcy and that the status of the unit is undetermined.

To be continued later …

May 20, 2009

iris quest – day 8

iris_p1030907 — from my walk from work today - L1 with Oly Macro Lens

Snagged a nice iris on the way home from the “office” this afternoon.

Looked at another apartment complex this afternoon. Kitchen is small with 20 year old appliances, no microwave and has a mini-washer&dryer. Mr C likes the place because it has a tennis court. Mr C doesn’t get appliances.

May 19, 2009May 19, 2009

OK, this is scarey

ipodapp Did you know that there is an iPod app for Jehovah’s Witnesses? It allows the faithful to keep track of all the folk they are pestering. Sorts them out by street, tells you when to go back and leave off another issue of the Watchtower.

I happened on this app when looking for an app to record what I am doing while I am volunteering. Decided that a scrap of paper and a pencil is all the app I need for that.

And, my iPod developed a problem connecting to my wifi network. This seemed to fix things:

Reset the network settings for your iPod touch or iPhone

In some cases you may need to reset the network settings for your device. To do this, choose Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

(From Apple Support on Web)

Looked at 3 apartment complexes this afternoon. One was rejected because the units are too small, the other as too old and musty, the last one costs as much as our current digs – but the kitchen isn’t as nice.

May 18, 2009

Iris quest – day 7

This might be the end of Iris Quest for this year. Because tomorrow, we might start on Apartment Quest. Our lease runs out this summer. And Carlton wants to be sure we don’t overpay when we Re-Up. Assuming re-up is an option. Anyhow, tomorrow afternoon, we may (or may not) hit the bricks looking for new digs. New digs have to be within walking distance of current digs. New digs have to be as nice as current digs.

May 17, 2009

Iris Quest – Day 6

Food. Got a couple of pork tenderloins off the distressed counter at the grocery this morning. The pork tenderloin is a hopeless cut of meat. Devoid of flavor. Much like the boneless, skinless chicken breast. Only porcine. But, the price was right and I needed something to anchor next week’s dinners.

Well, it wasn’t bad. This is what I did.

Oven – preheat to 500 degrees
Slather tenderloins in mustard and pepper with gusto
Oil the little iron skillet
Tenderloins go in the skillet – wedging a cut up apple into any empty spaces
(Onions would work, and if Carlton wasn’t eating – garlic would be great)
Cook 10 minutes in oven
Turn the tenderloins over
Cook another 10 minutes
Remove from skillet – tent with foil
Let stand 10 – 15 minutes.

Now, it was still light in the flavor catagory. But, it wasn’t completely dried out.

This is not a cookbook blog – I just want to save these cooking directions so I can cook pork tenderloins again – if they show up 1/2 price on the distressed meat counter again.

May 16, 2009May 17, 2009

iris quest continued

our lady of crate and barrow — our lady of crate and barrel

Took the FX01 on my forced march this morning. Weather and iris left much to be desired.

About a week ago I realized that I was a digital pack rat. An old woman with too much stuff. Digital Stuff. Well, after a week, my inbox is still empty, and the Hawaii photos from 2001 have been culled and cataloged. Next week, I plan to finish up 2001. Moving right along.

Carlton is watching horse racing. I was always sort of neutral about horse racing, but after last year – when they put Eight Belles down on the track after she came in second. And after Barbaro in 06. So, I am here in the living room, with Carlton watching horse racing on TV. And, I am listening to my “Final Exit” Play List – loud. I hope no horses have to die today so American white women can wear big hats. Black women can wear big hats every Sunday morning. And British woman can wear big hats when ever the Queen comes to visit. But, American white women sacrifice horses to justify wearing big hats.