When i lived in my apartment, the laundry room was in the basement and the machines took quarters. I saved a lot on quarters by hanging up my clothes to dry on the deck, though hanging my underthings outside was a bit awkward. I only went to the laundromat to wash and dry bulk things like comforters and sheets. I'd like to start doing that again, but dang midwest cold air!
Our balcony has a wall rather than a fence or rail, and there's a pipe to hang laundry on that's below the level of the wall so the laundry is hidden from view. Takes a while to dry in the winter though, that's true.
It's the winter solstice—the sun begins its return journey tomorrow. And it was almost 70 f'in' degrees today!!!
It works a little backwards: Closer to the sun in the winter, and further in the summer. Solar radiation is weird in how it works when it comes to how we orbit the freaking giant ball of nuclear plasma.
Upgraded my own elitebook and my mum's lenovo by disassembling an old heap of junk laptop and using the overpowered components in that. Not that she'll appreciate/understand a 2tb HDD or doubled ram but I've never really felt confident working with hardware etc. A new skill learned.
It's Summer solstice tomorrow. I can't wait for things to cool down, although things are likely to cook until at least February. Still, it's a sign that the heat and oppressive humidity may eventually break.
That's no shit. Bears nearly clawed through my tool shed in New Hampshire. And tried to climb a nearby tree to get to grill on my deck.
Earthquakes, typhoons, Godzilla... At least I don't have to worry about bears. Or tigers. My taxes at work!
There's an SF short story called Bears Discover Fire by Terry Bisson that's available free and legal. Quick google, I'm not going to link as I got in trouble for that once before when it turned out to be not so legal as I'd thought.
I got to spend the entire weekend with my family. My brother and I had a really solid conversation about so many things, my sister got to be absolutely adored by our niece (they're best friends. It is precious). My dad got to hear her say, "Hi, Papi!" And then she gave him a big squeeze (her way of hugging). My mom gave her a piano keyboard she can play with by walking on it and she spent about twenty minutes with me this evening playing. It makes animal sounds, too, so she'd point to one with her entire hand and say, "Ca! Gotta ga ga ga ga get the seepie." Or "Ca! Gotta ga ga ga getta onfon!" (Her way of saying elephant) She is my favorite person.
Ate shit coming down the stairs in my buddy's basement last night. Can't count steps apparently; forgot there was one more. Full force, full-speed, fell to the floor with a pie in my hand. Saved the pie except one corner that got smushed. My right elbow and kneecap took 99% of the impact. I couldn't have been more lucky than to have had the two toughest, numbest, smallest points of my body take the entire wipeout for me. It took me a moment to get up though, since I was so surprised and it still hurt like a you-know-what. Shook myself off, and for at least an hour was constantly checking to make sure I could move fine, etc. Now all I can think about is that I'd literally be dead on the floor if I were 72 instead of 22. Well, unless I had Life Alert maybe. So I am happy that's not the case, and thus it goes in this thread. Also happy that I didn't take the full force of the fall with my head and/or neck. It would be my luck, to die like that. Knock on wood. Speaking of wood: also happy the floor was bamboo. But to suggest that that makes for a "soft wood floor" and therefore a "soft landing" would be a joke. Trust me, I'd know.
UK approves use of AstraZeneca "Oxford" vaccine Can be stored in a standard medical fridge so should be available for "drive through" Covid vaccinations 1.8 million attributed deaths globally. To see a glimmer of hope; this makes me happy. Very happy.
My favourite part is at approx. 0:35 when the wolf pup gives up and leaves, and the Border Collie runs after him with the toy.
Took this picture of the Maquoketa River near my home of Cascade, Iowa this morning. EDIT: File too large. I'll try again in the morning. Have a good Tuesday. Night, everyone.
