life in the old lane

Guess I wasn’t the only one interested in our local mortuary’s death. The Central Library, which is next door posted this little Obituary. Check it out.

As for me, I moped around the apartment. Ordered a pair of binoculars in preparation for the Great North American Train Trip. And put my rain jacket and went out for a walk in the rain.

Now, I am back from my walk and out of my mope and my top parts are still dry – so, I guess the ugly pink rain jacket leftover from 10 years ago and Alaska – is good to go on the GNATT.

Also, I am just now  finally starting on the Xmas Cookbook for the Hulihe’e Palace. The first one sold well enough to warrant  another volume. Fortunately it is going to look just like the first one. So, no fiddling with fonts, colors, styles etc.

Talk about gentrification. The local mortuary – one block from our apartment – will be replaced by an office/apartment building. They started knocking the old building down yesterday. Today, they hauled the crematory out. It got crunched. No mistaking the box that most of us might visit. But, none of us will actually see.

HOT day today.

I have had a chunk of frozen salmon in the freezer since last October. Lots of times, I would like a nice chunk of fish for dinner. But, when I am hungry – I have little patience with a chunk of frozen fish. So, this morning, before I got hungry, I prepared a nice teriyaki salmon dinner. Which we feasted on for a late lunch. I sure didn’t do my diet any favors today. But, it was onolicious.

Every June, since 1998,  there has been a fine little bike race in Clarendon. Every year I go. Every year I record lots of digital images. Every year I realize that I do not have a future as a photographer on the pro cycling tour.

Went to the Apple Store between races and looked at the Gen 4 iPods. They are thinner than the Gen 2. I didn’t have my glasses – so no comment about the Retina technology. I am not sure I can see well enough anymore to notice the difference.

Doing the blog with the iPod again. One of my IT consultants recommends getting a Gen 4 now. The other says consider waiting and get a better camera come fall.

There will be prepaid iPhones soon, too. Something else to consider. And what would I do with my dear old Gen 2? I could just add it to my iPod museum.

But mostly my typing has to get way faster. Time to teach my opposable thumbs a new trick or two.

Wonder if I can update the blog without a computer? No pictures. I am so ready for the Great North American Train Trip.

Test results: Well, I can at least type stuff anytime I have WiFi. I wonder, if I had a new iPod – could I put a picture up too? I do love my iPod Touch. Mine is Generation 2.

Research results: Seems like I could post an image, if I had a newer iPod Touch-one with a camera. Wonder what other goodies are in a newer Touch?  Looks pretty much like what I have – just with a camera. Let us wait and see what next week brings in AppleLand. Haven’t heard any rumors about a new iPod until later this year.

Cloudy here, so we are enjoying the Transit of Venus on the computer. Thank you internet.

Speaking of internet. I will be leaving the Airness at home during the Great North American Train Trip. I have three 12 hour periods of relative “homelessness”. The time between checkout time at the hotel and time to get the next train or bus. So, I would be toting the computer around all that time.

Also, I am not 100% sure how safe my “stuff” will be on the train will be. Like when I am asleep (hopefully, I’ll sleep). Or when I am in the potty or wandering around the train.  And, I really don’t want to have my computer stolen. Not the loss of computer – but the loss of security.  From time to time, WiFi will be available. There is always my vintage iPod Touch. This would be a “reason” to get an iPad. But, I still don’t see the point of an iPad – for me.

The Transit of Venus – tomorrow. Don’t miss it. Unless you are a vampire or a Buddhist – you will not be around to see it next time. So, dig out the #14 welder’s glass and look up. At least read about it. Transit of Venus.

Here in exciting downtown Arlington – the National Science Foundation HQ will setup a solar telescope at the correct time. As will our country planetarium.

Took the day off from trip planning. The only reservation that I need is a hotel in Chicago. No rush on that. The rest of the transportation and hotels have been reserved.

Working on a Access database for my nurses to use. May  have to go the  library and get a copy of Access for Dummies.

OK. The Great North American Train Trip is all planned and reserved.

• Subway to Alexandria Train Station
• Train-up  for Chicago Friday July 20
• Spend Saturday and Sunday in Chicago
• Train-up for East Glacier Park Village Monday July 23
• Arrive in East Glacier late Tuesday July 24
• Spend Wednesday, Thursday, Friday in the middle of nowhere Montana
• Train-up late Saturday July 28 heading to Seattle
• Arrive Seattle mid-morning Sunday July 29.
• Bus-up to Vancouver afternoon Sunday July 29.
• Spend Monday July 30 in Chinatown in Vancouver
• Train-up again – 11 PM Tuesday July 31 head to Jasper.
• Arrive Jasper late afternoon Wednesday August 1.
• Thrusday, Friday in Jasper.
• Train-up Saturday August 4 at 5:30 PM heading for Toronto.
• Sunday, Monday on the train.
• Arrive Toronto – 9AM Tuesday August 7.
• Megabus-up Leave Toronto – 11:30PM Tuesday  for DC.
• Arrive DC Union Station 11:30AM – Wednesday August 8.
• Subway home. Shower. Sleep in a bed.

For some reason, Carlton doesn’t want to come along. Now, this is when I start HAVING reservations.

The Great North American Train Adventure planning continues. This is what I have so far:

• Leave for Chicago Friday July 20
• Spend Saturday and Sunday in Chicago
• Leave for East Glacier Park Village Monday July 23
• Arrive in East Glacier late Tuesday July 24
• Spend Wednesday, Thursday, Friday in the middle of nowhere Montana
• Train-up late Saturday July 28 heading to Seattle
• Arrive Seattle mid-morning Sunday July 29.
• Now What? Seems pretty wimpy to just go the the airport and fly back.

All of these train rides are in coach. No cute little sleeping coffin for me. I figure 24 hours on a train can not be any worse, than 15 hours in coach on a plane. Also, the sleeping coffins were all full.

The building had a cookout today. Fine burgers, hot dogs, baked beans… I didn’t enjoy too much food  since I am still trying to wiggle back into my jeans. Have to wear them on the Great Train Trip.

Scratch Paris, decided on The Great North American Railroad Adventure. The key to the out bound side of the trip was securing 4 nights lodging in East Glacier Montana – a modest little village with much to be modest about. But, the train stops there at a civilized hour. Lodging is within walking distance of the station. And, it might be possible to connect with a couple of day bus tours of Glacier National Park from town.

Next I must nail down train passage from here to Chicago, Chicago to East Glacier, East Glacier to Seattle. And, figure out what to do next.

Oh, the hard to get motel room in East Glacier Montana – July 24 – 27. The Whistling Swan Motel.

Today’s big chore was washing the slipcover. My slipcovers are made of denim. So, like my Levi’s, my slipcovers shrink up in the wash. Getting them back on is a battle.

Whilst wrestling with the slipcovers, I pondered a potential holiday for Peg. I thought about renting an apartment in Paris. Also, considered knocking off an entry on my buck list – cross North America by train. Before, the Republicans take over and kill off Amtrak. This would involve a visit to Montana. It is a little late to get desirable lodging near Amtrak stations in in Montana. So, if it is Montana – I need to spring into action ASAP. Carlton is mildly interested in going to Montana by train. My idea would be DC to Chicago overnight on the train. Spend a day or two in Chicago – go the the Shedd Aquarium.  Then back on the train for another 24 hours and hop off in East Glacier for 4 or 5 days.  Take in Glacier National Park. Then back on the train – in another 24 I’d be in Seattle. And a plane ride away  from home.

The apartment in Paris would be easier. And, maybe more fun.