HollyKing's Journal

Dreams...

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 19:18:15 GMT

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.

WALTER L CRONKITE JR, KB2GSD SK

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 05:23:12 GMT

I liked watching him on the news. Goodbye Walter. ...And that's the way it is.

Near Space!

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 03:48:45 GMT

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.

Engine vs Motor

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:21:25 GMT

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...

Comcast HD DVR Outputs?

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:25:24 GMT

Thanks to a friend I have an HD TV now. It only has component inputs. According to the less than helpful customer service rep at Comcast I still don't know if their HD DVR boxes have component outputs. The CSR would say they only had HDMI, but didn't understand any question I asked him.

Does anyone have a Comcast HD DVR box? Does it truly only have HDMI output, or is there a component output on there too?

You move like a pregnant yak!

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 06:11:45 GMT

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.

Game On!

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:45:46 GMT

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? :)

Burnt Ends

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 01:16:16 GMT

Burnt Ends
Originally uploaded by hollyking

This was my lunch at Arthur Bryant's yesterday. It might not look like much in this crappy cell phone picture but it was pure heaven...

Home Again

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 19:40:32 GMT

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.

Lindsay's Technical Books

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:38:53 GMT

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

Can't Stop Rockin'

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:40:28 GMT

REO Speedwagon
Originally uploaded by hollyking

hollyqueen and I went to see .38 Special, REO Speedwagon and Styx. It was an awesome show! Here's a picture of us with the members of REO Speedwagon.

Aren't you glad it's not another picture of a postcard? ;)

Leaving on a jet plane...

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:45:58 GMT

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.

KC People Attention!

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:56:49 GMT

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...

Me and Ranj

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:11:25 GMT

Me and Ranj
Originally uploaded by hollyking

This is, I think, the only photo of me and ranjtheobscure. It is certainly the only one I have. My brother captured Ranj in his comment, "That is too bad, I always thought highly of him. He always was interested in having discussions about contentious topics, but was never contentious himself."

I viewed Ranj as an older brother and guide. I will miss him. A lot.

I found a post mentioning Ranj's passing. At this point this is all the information I have.

Ranj Niere

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:35:20 GMT

IMG04060
Originally uploaded by Ranj Niere

I've just been told that a very good friend of mine has passed away. ranjtheobscure was a very positive influence in my life during a very bad spell. We were chatting online the other night and making plans for him to come visit. I'm just stunned right now.

Being so far away and not part of his Kansas City circle of friends I have no details. Does anyone there know anything more? Can you ask?

I can't even express how sad this makes me.

NL-174788

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 19:11:09 GMT

NL-174788
Originally uploaded by hollyking

92nd postcard via Postcrossing. 4th from the Netherlands. Only 8 more until I hit 100 postcards! Woo!

LT-37608

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 05:46:17 GMT

LT-37608
Originally uploaded by hollyking

My lasted card via Postcrossing. This one is from Lithuania.

K and M

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 05:08:38 GMT

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.

CH-31391

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:14:24 GMT

CH-31391
Originally uploaded by hollyking

I received this Postcrossing card from Switzerland today. The 90th card I've received and only the 2nd from Switzerland. Do you think hollyqueen would let me get an alphorn?

Me, Jimi, My Brother

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 02:38:35 GMT

Me, Jimi, My Brother
Originally uploaded by hollyking

Somedays I feel very unattractive and like I shouldn't bother trying to lose weight as it never works. Then I find an old picture in a box and realize that I have made a huge improvement. Slow and steady might not be what the "gurus" tell you but it's worked for me and I haven't gone back up.

Damn, that trip was a long time ago. My brother, my first wife Linda, our friend Jimi and I all went to Chicago for the day. We flew out on the first plane in the morning and came back on the last red eye that day. It was a blast. Too bad I don't remember exactly when we went. I'm guessing it was between 1989 and 1991.

Home in the City

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 20:44:03 GMT

hollyqueen and I met with the owner of the condo we're renting. I wanted to dislike her because of the hassle of moving, but after meeting her she is a nice lady and I understand why she's selling it. They're slapping a $40K assessment on each unit to pay for improvements to the outside. That means the owner would be paying about $1100 in fees each month. That's almost what we pay in rent each month so she's losing money each month by renting to us. I still hate moving but I would sell in that position too.

The good news is that due to Seattle regulations the earliest we would have to move is August 31st and that's if she had a buyer lined up and ready to close tomorrow. So we know we have until the end of August and the owner agreed to give us 45 days from the sale to move. Also, the new owner might be looking for an investment property and would love to have solid renters in place and willing to stay.

So between now and August 31st I'm going to go through my stuff again and cull it out. That way I've got time and not making choices under last minute pressure.

Anyone want a love seat? How about an exercise bike? Free if you come take them away.

Automata

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:31:34 GMT

Penny Arcade has posted Automata is up now. It's good. Real good. Lookouts still has my heart and vote though.

We'll see what Monday brings...

May We Die In The Forest

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:53:19 GMT

Penny Arcade did it again! Lookouts, today's comic, is brilliant. I really hope this wins the vote so Gabe & Tycho will make more!

Expialidocious

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:56:40 GMT

1vs100

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:50:44 GMT

As everyone might know I've really been enjoying 1vs100 on my 360. I think it would be even more fun to play with friends and others during the live games. I thought that the problem with having others to play is that you need an Xbox LIVE Gold account to play. I just found out that I was mistaken. Three guests can play with someone who has a Gold account.

I have the Gold account. I have the 360. I have seating. What I don't have is four controllers. I only have two. So if you have a controller and want to come play trivia I invite you over to give the beta of 1vs100 a spin with me. The next live game is this Friday (June 12th) from 7-9pm PDT. After that the next one is on Saturday (June 13th) from 7-9pm.