Weekend Thus Far

Friday night was unextraordinary: kent4str was calling A2 for the Zig Zaggers in Northern Virginia. We didn't have quiet enough for two full squares which was unfortunate because it was probably some of his best calling to date. I called a guest tip for fun.

We joined Jim & Joseph for their annual birthday bash & chilifest on Saturday afternoon. Lots of guys we've known and a few we hadn't met yet. We had a lovely time, even though I never did try the chili as I somewhat overdid lunch and wasn't hungry. After a short shopping break at Whole Paycheck, we curled up at home with DVDs of "Babylon 5" (early 4th season).

Sunday began with a meeting of the IASGDC 2009 convention committee. While this sounds like a horrible way of spending a weekend, I would point out that the meeting space was above a Kripy Kreme donut store: two dozen fresh donuts greatly helped the meeting. cuyahogarvr spent billions of dollars on books while we were in the meeting so he's happy for a couple of days.

In the afternoon, we collected Jeff M from his home in Arlington and headed out to see "Cloverfield." It was a fun flick although my head was still a little wobbly from the camera work hours later. OK, there were lots of loose plot threads but that was point of the entire method of presentation: the little people on the ground never get all the answers. I'm not sure how well this movie will translate to a smaller screen though.

Today, I'm UNIX primary point-of-contact for my Dear Employer. Fortunately, I don't have to go to the office unless there's a catastrophic emergency but I do have to stay within range of my laptop. It's a kind of house arrest... better than prison but not freedom either. Ah, well... I had no plans for the day anyway.

Weekend Thus Far

Friday night was unextraordinary: kent4str was calling A2 for the Zig Zaggers in Northern Virginia. We didn't have quiet enough for two full squares which was unfortunate because it was probably some of his best calling to date. I called a guest tip for fun.

We joined Jim & Joseph for their annual birthday bash & chilifest on Saturday afternoon. Lots of guys we've known and a few we hadn't met yet. We had a lovely time, even though I never did try the chili as I somewhat overdid lunch and wasn't hungry. After a short shopping break at Whole Paycheck, we curled up at home with DVDs of "Babylon 5" (early 4th season).

Sunday began with a meeting of the IASGDC 2009 convention committee. While this sounds like a horrible way of spending a weekend, I would point out that the meeting space was above a Kripy Kreme donut store: two dozen fresh donuts greatly helped the meeting. cuyahogarvr spent billions of dollars on books while we were in the meeting so he's happy for a couple of days.

In the afternoon, we collected Jeff M from his home in Arlington and headed out to see "Cloverfield." It was a fun flick although my head was still a little wobbly from the camera work hours later. OK, there were lots of loose plot threads but that was point of the entire method of presentation: the little people on the ground never get all the answers. I'm not sure how well this movie will translate to a smaller screen though.

Today, I'm UNIX primary point-of-contact for my Dear Employer. Fortunately, I don't have to go to the office unless there's a catastrophic emergency but I do have to stay within range of my laptop. It's a kind of house arrest... better than prison but not freedom either. Ah, well... I had no plans for the day anyway.

Square Dance Records

A while ago, Dayle H. bought a load of 400+ square dance 45 rpm records on eBay. He's passed the box to us so we can take our pick of the lot.

Oh. My. God. They're horrid.

Well, more accurately, they're horribly dated. Few have dates marked on them but of those, none are newer than 1982 and some go back to the early 1960s. And 90% are my most hated labels: Lore, Windsor, Grenn, MacGregor, Jewel, Kalox. So many banjos, fiddles and accordions.

I'm sure they were all high quality stuff in their day. Of the 200+ I've listened to so far, only three would not get me laughed off the stage in shame.

And the subject material... oy! What bright light thought of "Hertz Rent-a-Chick" (Blue Star 1853)? "Wouldn't it be slick if they had a Hertz Rent-a-Chick? They'd sure get the business out of me!" WTF?!

I'm going to listen to the remaining records, just in case there's a gem buried somewhere in this steaming pile of records. My soul is taking major hit points today but I might be able to salvage something from it all.

Edit: I just located a record from 1957: "Marianne" by Folkraft Records.

Edit: *Six* copies of "Square Dancin' Man," MacGregor 1062? One is bad enough.

Square Dance Records

A while ago, Dayle H. bought a load of 400+ square dance 45 rpm records on eBay. He's passed the box to us so we can take our pick of the lot.

Oh. My. God. They're horrid.

Well, more accurately, they're horribly dated. Few have dates marked on them but of those, none are newer than 1982 and some go back to the early 1960s. And 90% are my most hated labels: Lore, Windsor, Grenn, MacGregor, Jewel, Kalox. So many banjos, fiddles and accordions.

I'm sure they were all high quality stuff in their day. Of the 200+ I've listened to so far, only three would not get me laughed off the stage in shame.

And the subject material... oy! What bright light thought of "Hertz Rent-a-Chick" (Blue Star 1853)? "Wouldn't it be slick if they had a Hertz Rent-a-Chick? They'd sure get the business out of me!" WTF?!

I'm going to listen to the remaining records, just in case there's a gem buried somewhere in this steaming pile of records. My soul is taking major hit points today but I might be able to salvage something from it all.

Edit: I just located a record from 1957: "Marianne" by Folkraft Records.

Edit: *Six* copies of "Square Dancin' Man," MacGregor 1062? One is bad enough.

Half-Price Burgers

We're just back from half-price burger night at Mr Henry's, joining Jim & Joseph and friends. I ate a little bit too much but who could resist such great prices?

*burp*

Half-Price Burgers

We're just back from half-price burger night at Mr Henry's, joining Jim & Joseph and friends. I ate a little bit too much but who could resist such great prices?

*burp*

Coming to New York City!

cuyahogarvr, kent4str and I are coming to New York City this Friday thru Sunday. For the most part, our visit is unscheduled & unstructured... who wants to get together for dinner Friday, lunch Saturday and/or dinner Saturday? We're open to suggestions on where to meet & dine.

Coming to New York City!

cuyahogarvr, kent4str and I are coming to New York City this Friday thru Sunday. For the most part, our visit is unscheduled & unstructured... who wants to get together for dinner Friday, lunch Saturday and/or dinner Saturday? We're open to suggestions on where to meet & dine.