Thursday, August 31, 2006
Dawn’s Big Day
Dawn had her laser surgery today. She's fine but relaxing. They numbed her in preperation for the procedure and it kind of disconnected her brain for the day. She should be up and around tomorrow. Lou and I are taking the day off as well.
Carried Away
My "planned" projects got deferred again because the neighbor across the street is going to demolish the house they just bought and build a much bigger house, a very common thing around here? They asked if we wanted anything. They had some brick walkways , a 10x15 shed and a new heat pump. We thought we'd take these. Then reality set in and we realized our age and decided against trying to move the building (even if broken into 6 pieces, each would weigh about 1000 lbs, its real redwood timbers and siding and 10 feet tall), and the heat pump (it would be difficult to duct to our house). Boy I'm glad we had second thoughts. However, the bricks were "easy" to get and can always be used. The easy part changed when there were three times as many as i originally estimated. There was a lot of plant litter on the ground hiding 2/3s of the bricks. Couldn't pass them up so it took a little longer to move the 770 bricks. Every day is exciting. I had planned on pouring some of the sidewalk today.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Live And Learn
Lou spent the night at Dawn's place, more organizing to be done.
I went out to Cubberly Community Center to do the morning flying. While I was setting up the big plane for its flight, a nice gentleman and his dog came over. He said I might not want to fly there because it was prohibited. His friend got an $87 ticket for doing it a while back. He pointed to a sign down the fence on which the rules of use were posted. One bullet said "Portable barbecues and flying model planes is prohibited. We weren't barbecuing so never read on. We've enjoyed the place about five times previously. Lucky us. There aren't any parks with large open areas where it is allowed in Palo Alto. Too bad! I'll have to contact the city to try and get the prohibition changed. Seems like we arrive in the wake of some inconsiderate users. Electric RC planes aren't noisy , so that shouldn't be a problem. The field is empty during the week every morning , so that shouldn't be a problem. I wonder if there are reasonable people on the Parks Department staff?
I went over to the San Antonio Regional Park and open space in Cupertino. There is a designated flying area there but it's 12 miles away. It's also on a hill top, not good for my underpowered plane when the breeze picks up. There were a lot of very experienced pilots there with some very nice toys. They were fun to watch. I probably won't be able to go there very often because the temptation to get new toys might be too great. I did try to fly mine but the wind just blew it down. Still looking for a good place. When we hit the road, there's no problems in the desert, anywhere.
I stopped by the hardware store for some stuff to relocate the sump pump discharge pipe. It needed to be moved in anticipation of installing the sidewalk on the side yard. Little by little, the project does move on. It's hard to concentrate on work when there's so much nothing to be done.
I went out to Cubberly Community Center to do the morning flying. While I was setting up the big plane for its flight, a nice gentleman and his dog came over. He said I might not want to fly there because it was prohibited. His friend got an $87 ticket for doing it a while back. He pointed to a sign down the fence on which the rules of use were posted. One bullet said "Portable barbecues and flying model planes is prohibited. We weren't barbecuing so never read on. We've enjoyed the place about five times previously. Lucky us. There aren't any parks with large open areas where it is allowed in Palo Alto. Too bad! I'll have to contact the city to try and get the prohibition changed. Seems like we arrive in the wake of some inconsiderate users. Electric RC planes aren't noisy , so that shouldn't be a problem. The field is empty during the week every morning , so that shouldn't be a problem. I wonder if there are reasonable people on the Parks Department staff?
I went over to the San Antonio Regional Park and open space in Cupertino. There is a designated flying area there but it's 12 miles away. It's also on a hill top, not good for my underpowered plane when the breeze picks up. There were a lot of very experienced pilots there with some very nice toys. They were fun to watch. I probably won't be able to go there very often because the temptation to get new toys might be too great. I did try to fly mine but the wind just blew it down. Still looking for a good place. When we hit the road, there's no problems in the desert, anywhere.
I stopped by the hardware store for some stuff to relocate the sump pump discharge pipe. It needed to be moved in anticipation of installing the sidewalk on the side yard. Little by little, the project does move on. It's hard to concentrate on work when there's so much nothing to be done.
Monday, August 28, 2006
The Big Picture
This morning we went to the park, as usual, to fly the planes, almost. I forgot the batteries for the big plane. Lou and Dawn enjoyed flying their AeroAces. Dawn is really good with her bi-plane.
The door lock on the RV hasn't been working right. I replaced the return springs cleared some burrs and lubed it and it works like new now.
I had a dentist appointment this afternoon. That's one of the hardest things to arrange around traveling.
I stopped by Fry's electronics and got a good wall mount for Dawn's new TV. I then met Lou and Dawn at Costco to get the TV, a VisIO 32 inch HD TV. Nice and only $799, almost half the cost of most of the others we've looked at. The mount at Fry's cost 25% of that at $199, ouch! It's now hanging from the wall of Dawn's apartment. Still some hookup and arranging to be done. A hanging TV needs a hanging shelf for the VCR/DVD etc. It really gives her more room now.
The door lock on the RV hasn't been working right. I replaced the return springs cleared some burrs and lubed it and it works like new now.
I had a dentist appointment this afternoon. That's one of the hardest things to arrange around traveling.
I stopped by Fry's electronics and got a good wall mount for Dawn's new TV. I then met Lou and Dawn at Costco to get the TV, a VisIO 32 inch HD TV. Nice and only $799, almost half the cost of most of the others we've looked at. The mount at Fry's cost 25% of that at $199, ouch! It's now hanging from the wall of Dawn's apartment. Still some hookup and arranging to be done. A hanging TV needs a hanging shelf for the VCR/DVD etc. It really gives her more room now.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Palo Alto Festival
Yesterday was a working day. Lou and Dawn making copies of her text books, 11x17 copies. I did some more dig out for the sidewalk.
On the way to our adventure for the day, today, we were witness to a person adding graffiti to the Whole Foods Market wall. It was nice to attempt to do the right thing but futile. Too bad. More information here.
We went over to the Palo Alto Wine and Art Festival. This is one of the nicest such festivals in the bay area. It was even better this year because there were actually a lot of new creative artists showing their stuff this year. It had been stagnating.
Lots of things to see at the festival
Above left, some of the art was rather large. Above right, Al Fabrizio (mandolin), Hugo Wainzinger (guitar and arrangements) played romantic Italian favorites near the sidewalk painting area. I could have listened to their music all day. Click here to listen to the group. The music groups were numerous and very good. It was hard to decide who to listen to. All of this on a perfect day, weather just right.
We then went shopping for a new TV for Dawn. We seem to have found it at Costco.
The evening was a cooking evening. We were all in the kitchen working. Dawn preparing some peaches for blintzes, Lou cooking the blintzes, and me preparing dough for a nice rhubarb pie and tarts and some meat pies for tomorrow. What fun!
On the way to our adventure for the day, today, we were witness to a person adding graffiti to the Whole Foods Market wall. It was nice to attempt to do the right thing but futile. Too bad. More information here.
We went over to the Palo Alto Wine and Art Festival. This is one of the nicest such festivals in the bay area. It was even better this year because there were actually a lot of new creative artists showing their stuff this year. It had been stagnating.
Lots of things to see at the festival
Above left, some of the art was rather large. Above right, Al Fabrizio (mandolin), Hugo Wainzinger (guitar and arrangements) played romantic Italian favorites near the sidewalk painting area. I could have listened to their music all day. Click here to listen to the group. The music groups were numerous and very good. It was hard to decide who to listen to. All of this on a perfect day, weather just right.
We then went shopping for a new TV for Dawn. We seem to have found it at Costco.
The evening was a cooking evening. We were all in the kitchen working. Dawn preparing some peaches for blintzes, Lou cooking the blintzes, and me preparing dough for a nice rhubarb pie and tarts and some meat pies for tomorrow. What fun!
Saturday, August 26, 2006
The Whole Family
Yesterday I got the replacement receiver for the SloV plane. This morning, we took the whole family out for a flight. Lou and Dawn enjoyed flying the Jet and Bi-plane respectively.
I tried to fly the SloV. It flew nice and straight with a little adjustment for balance. Unfortunately, this being the weekend, we only had a small portion of the playing field due to soccer games starting up. So, there really wasn't enough space to have a nice flight. I was staying low as well to make sure the motor didn't stop as it had been doing with the old receiver/speed controller. All went well except that the motor does seem to be under powered so I may have to spring for another bigger battery? Anyway, the soccer field s filled up so we had to leave. We'll have better access during the week next week.
The bike bus took a trip in front of our house in the afternoon. They passed so quickly, all I got to see was the tail end. It remainds me of some of the Kenitic Art Race vehicles. Seems like a good idea with the high fuel prices of late.
Friday, August 25, 2006
Morning At The “Airport”
We all got up early and went over to Cubberly community Center to fly the planes. They have a large playing field that is often empty and it's ideal for us poor pilots. The bi-plane flies well. It likes to be lower and is easier for Dawn to see with its three colors and having red on it. the jet kind of blends in to the background and flies too fast as well. They are a thrill to fly.
While we waited for the planes to recharge, we went next door to Piazzo's Market and got breakfast. We'll have to plan better and bring picnic breakfasts with us next time. Looks like another plane will be needed!
While we waited for the planes to recharge, we went next door to Piazzo's Market and got breakfast. We'll have to plan better and bring picnic breakfasts with us next time. Looks like another plane will be needed!
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