Comfort Zone

I was feeling rather chilled while watching the TV weather report this morning. At that particular time, I wrote it off as (a) after-effects from my recent cold, and (b) the fact I wasn't wearing a stitch of clothing. When I began losing sensation in my toes and fingers, however, I decided to look more deeply into the issue.

Sure enough, our digital thermostat suffered a stroke overnight. At first, it seemed it was merely misinformed about the date and, believing it was Monday, was true to its programming to lower the temperature setting while we're at work. After it resisted all our efforts to fix the date, override the default program and reset the device, we realized it was something more serious.

Ultimately, by disconnecting it from the wall panel and removing the batteries for a period of time, we were able to clear the memory and reset the beast. Now fully reprogrammed, it seems to be behaving itself again. For now.

Comfort Zone

I was feeling rather chilled while watching the TV weather report this morning. At that particular time, I wrote it off as (a) after-effects from my recent cold, and (b) the fact I wasn't wearing a stitch of clothing. When I began losing sensation in my toes and fingers, however, I decided to look more deeply into the issue.

Sure enough, our digital thermostat suffered a stroke overnight. At first, it seemed it was merely misinformed about the date and, believing it was Monday, was true to its programming to lower the temperature setting while we're at work. After it resisted all our efforts to fix the date, override the default program and reset the device, we realized it was something more serious.

Ultimately, by disconnecting it from the wall panel and removing the batteries for a period of time, we were able to clear the memory and reset the beast. Now fully reprogrammed, it seems to be behaving itself again. For now.

DC Lambda Squares' 25th Anniversary Banquet

Last night, we attended DCLS' banquet celebrating our 25th anniversary. Seating capacity was limited to nine tables of seven people and we sold every seat at $25/person as a fundraiser for the 2009 convention committee.

The festivities began around 6 PM with beverages and finger foods. Most of the photos I took were in this time leading up to the dinner at 7 PM. Once we were seated, past president Steve Johnson MC'ed as the appetizer course was distributed to all tables. Some of our earliest members, current club callers and board officers made very short speeches (60-90 seconds or so) while we dined.

The dinner itself was delicious. Our treasurer, Nick Mattera, makes some of the best lasagna I've ever had, all the more remarkable that he was doing it all on an industrial scale. Dessert (tiramisu) was also very well done but I should have eaten only half of the very large serving!

Warren Jaquith and Dayle Hodge called alternating Mainstream & Plus tips with two-stepping interspersed until 10 PM, although kent4str, our carpooling friends from Baltimore and I wussed out shortly after 9:30 PM. Photos coming soon.

Photos are now up on my web site.

DC Lambda Squares' 25th Anniversary Banquet

Last night, we attended DCLS' banquet celebrating our 25th anniversary. Seating capacity was limited to nine tables of seven people and we sold every seat at $25/person as a fundraiser for the 2009 convention committee.

The festivities began around 6 PM with beverages and finger foods. Most of the photos I took were in this time leading up to the dinner at 7 PM. Once we were seated, past president Steve Johnson MC'ed as the appetizer course was distributed to all tables. Some of our earliest members, current club callers and board officers made very short speeches (60-90 seconds or so) while we dined.

The dinner itself was delicious. Our treasurer, Nick Mattera, makes some of the best lasagna I've ever had, all the more remarkable that he was doing it all on an industrial scale. Dessert (tiramisu) was also very well done but I should have eaten only half of the very large serving!

Warren Jaquith and Dayle Hodge called alternating Mainstream & Plus tips with two-stepping interspersed until 10 PM, although kent4str, our carpooling friends from Baltimore and I wussed out shortly after 9:30 PM. Photos coming soon.

Photos are now up on my web site.

Winter, at last.

Finally, we have snow. The snow began at a slow but steady pace early this afternoon and it continues as I write this. We have about two inches accumulated so far but little more is expected and I have no illusions about being able to claim being snowed in tomorrow morning --that fantasy waits for another day.

OK, I'm ready for Christmas now.

Winter, at last.

Finally, we have snow. The snow began at a slow but steady pace early this afternoon and it continues as I write this. We have about two inches accumulated so far but little more is expected and I have no illusions about being able to claim being snowed in tomorrow morning --that fantasy waits for another day.

OK, I'm ready for Christmas now.

Pan's Labyrinth

A group of six of us went to see "Pan's Labyrinth" at the AFI Silver Theater here in Silver Spring, MD.

My friends were a little surprised by the degree of graphic violence --the movie is set in the summer of 1944, in the late stages of the Spanish civil war-- although it was less violent than I was expecting based on reviews I've read. The movie is indeed very well done: the special effects are effectively presented, the transitions between Ofelia's fantasy world and the real world are seamless and cleverly performed, and all performances were superb.

No spoilers, just a comment that this movie was worth paying full ticket price for, unlike most dreck these days which are barely worth a matinee rate.

Pan's Labyrinth

A group of six of us went to see "Pan's Labyrinth" at the AFI Silver Theater here in Silver Spring, MD.

My friends were a little surprised by the degree of graphic violence --the movie is set in the summer of 1944, in the late stages of the Spanish civil war-- although it was less violent than I was expecting based on reviews I've read. The movie is indeed very well done: the special effects are effectively presented, the transitions between Ofelia's fantasy world and the real world are seamless and cleverly performed, and all performances were superb.

No spoilers, just a comment that this movie was worth paying full ticket price for, unlike most dreck these days which are barely worth a matinee rate.