Last night I dreamed that ranjtheobscure came here to tell me that he wasn't dead. It was all some huge mistake and to not be sad anymore. We had a great conversation and the topics ranged all over the place. Such a nice dream, but then I woke up and realized that was all it was. A dream...

hollyqueen asked me if he was the first friend of mine to die. Ranj was more than a friend. And yes, he was the first one of mine to pass on.

I was reading Solder Smoke and I found a post about Near Space Exploration. I know some of you are interested in spaceflight and others are interested in building electronics projects. I like both of the above and have an amateur radio license. So I was wondering if there was enough interest to form a group and send something into near space.

There should be room for anyone who's interested and right now I'm trying to gauge interest. If enough people want to do this I'll arrange an introductory meeting to firm up the details and goals.

Here's a random question that came up in conversation yesterday. What's the difference between a motor and an engine? Is there one or are they interchangeable words for the same thing?

Discuss...

In the 80's there was a fun movie called Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985). It was stupid, but fun. For example, Joel Grey plays Chiun, an 80 year old Korean. As hollyqueen said, "were there no asian actors in Hollywood?"

I just read that there is a remake in the works. I bet they'll try to be serious.

hollyqueen and I have hosted generic game day events before. However, this time we have a few board games that I would like to play. So instead of a generic invitation we'll be playing three specific games. The games are: Hacker, RoboRally and Arkham Horror. As you can see that gives us a wide variety to play.

This Sunday, July 12th, I'll open the doors at 2pm. (Being a lazy Sunday who wants to get up earlier than that?) Come play games, socialize and have fun.

Also, note that the next Crafty night is the day after. Monday July 13th at 7pm. I'll be varnishing a boat. What will you do? :)

There was good in my trip back to Kansas City. I spent quality time with ragnorokt, who sent me home with beer and mead. I reconnected with some dear friends who I haven't seen in far too long. Was able to share some good memories of ranjtheobscure.

For all that there was the constant reminder of why I might be from Missouri but Washington, around the Puget Sound, is home. Beyond the humidity, which I remembered but as I said there's knowledge and then there's experience, there is the fact that I've seen mountains and the sound this morning. Driving back from Dim Sum the characters walking around Capitol Hill. I love them all.

It was fun trying to convince Kacey to move here and her trying to convince me to move back. I think we've settled on a friendly truce where we'll come visit the other. It's her turn next so I can't wait to show her my home.

My paycheck! Lindsay's Technical Books has a lot of things I want!

ranjtheobscure's memorial is on Friday July 3rd. I'm flying to Kansas City on July 2nd (arrive at 7:55pm) and returning to Seattle on July 4th (leaving at 6:30pm). I'll be staying with ragnorokt and coderigger has offered to give me a ride to the memorial. That covers all of the critical stuff.

Seattle People: I would like a ride to the airport at 9:20am on Thursday July 2nd and ride home on July 4th at 11:28pm. I can park in the long-term lot if no one is available, but I'd rather not drive after the flight back or pay for the parking. I'll bake you something or buy you a pint for a ride. :)

Kansas City People: I would like to see you. I know it's a holiday weekend and you all probably have plans but if we can work something out it would lighten the reason for making this trip. Right now I'm available Thursday evening and Saturday morning and afternoon. There is also some Friday before the memorial but coderigger has already claimed me for some of the day. bountifulpots and theslice are you going to be available? verminiusrex, it might be a long shot but it would be great to meet you in person while I'm in the area too. I hope I didn't miss anyone, but if I did accept my humble apologies and thwap me so I remember you.

hollyqueen and I have discussed it and crunched the numbers. I will do my damnedest to fly back to attend ranjtheobscure's memorial. ragnorokt has offered me his couch and some transportation, but I'm hoping I can get some assistance from other people so he doesn't have to give up all of his time to help me. I won't need much. The big things are getting to and from the airport and the memorial.

More details as I learn them...

I told myself to spend more time doing stuff instead of reading about doing stuff on the internet. I also decided to complete a couple of long term goals I've had. Namely, to learn CW and to upgrade my amateur radio license to the highest class available, Amateur Extra.

Tonight's practice session with K and W led to a 99.4% accuracy rate. So it's time to add R to the mix and work at it until I get more than 98% correct.