The morning started with Matt V and me rising at about 6:30 and heading to a wonderful breakfast at the Best Western. The breakfast included chorizo, which Matt declared as good as you can find. Matt also tried out the pancake machine and loved it. I have to reset carbohydrates and anything that might raise my sugar levels. The steroids are already hammering my sugar up.
First, Matt piloted Air Volvo to Stanford, and we saw a nice garden, their Arizona garden. However, there was no parking, so we just looked from Air Volvo. After that, Air Volvo delivered us to Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden, which is a couple of acres of flower and shade plants. We walked through it, and the hummingbirds enjoyed some morning lectures and were not scared of us. It was an excellent place to help center yourself. Recommended for a short visit.
Next, we headed to the Intel Museum only to learn that their website had not been updated and the place was open only during work days. We then drove the shore drive in Mountain View just to see it and found, without a plan, part of Google’s WHQ and a section open to visitors. Matt parked Air Volvo, and we walked up to a friendly person with a booth. They explained that the cafe, store, and art were open to visitors. There was a small crowd already, and enjoy the excellent baked goods for sale with coffee at a reduced price. The aesthetics were wonderful and seemed friendly, and you could buy real products at a good price and various tchotchkes, including a Google basketball. I managed to resist both.
We were there to open the Computer Museum, which I think could be best described as a Hardware Computer Museum. It focused on the creation of the computer and its development into what we have now. Less on software but a focus on transformation, including the creation of the modern web browser and the long-forgotten Web 2.0 drive (which now is just called the Internet). The SAGE military items from the Cold War have moved from the Smithsonian (the last place I saw them) to this place, and Matt was fascinated by the 32 mm scale clear model.
A lot of the guts of long-dead systems were presented, and I was excited to see the components and the incredible handwork involved in making these things. The old core memory frames were there, too. I saw an IBM 32 that I had forgotten about (and used). The IBM 1401 was running as a demo, and I once again got to smell that IBM mix of ions and oil in the cold, raised floor room. I had not been in a computer room with IBM equipment and had forgotten the smell, but I recognized it the minute I was in the demo room.
I found my original computer model, a Sinclair ZX-80, the assembled kit version. Dad thought I would find it interesting and maybe something I could get into, so he filled out the Popular Mechanic ad and bought it. We set it up when it showed up, and I wrote my first BASIS program from the book that came with the machine. After hours, we noticed our version did not have the ‘;’ on the line. When we added it, the program worked as expected. My first successful code and debugging adventure; I think I was 14. Dad had only worked in machine language, so this was all new to him. I spent much of my time learning and playing on the machine. I sold it and got a VIC-20 next. I was happy to see one again; it was in fine shape, but mine had cracks and heavy wear when I sold it.
We saw many things and went through the software area, too, which was a bit weak. I would recommend the place to any computer geek.
We returned to the hotel and walked over to the local Mexican place, where I tried the chili relleno, taco, and enchilada. They were not great, but they were good. I rested and then dressed for the wedding, my grey suit with a pocket watch, French blue button-down shirt, and a 1980s Structures tie (Structures, long gone, was one of The Gap company’s attempts to break into Men’s clothing) that seemed to fit the colors. Matt got his hiking stuff, and Air Volvo climbed into the local high hills and twisting roads. I was fifteen minutes early, and the wedding started forty-five minutes late. Jason, the groom, welcomed me. I found David, the father of the bride, and distracted him from talking about anything while we waited for the guests to arrive. Michelle, mother of the bride and David’s wife, also chatted until photos and other wedding items drew her away.
David with his camera.
The view was typical California-lovely, and the day was slightly cool, which was perfect. The pastor was from Canada, and Jason and their family (also present) had known him for years. Soon, a long, Christian-faith-based service started, intermixed with Bible passages and music. Jason and Natasha wrote their own vows, with Jason going on for a while and Natasha to the point and beautiful. Jason took some ribbing for his lengthy speaking habits and being a Harvard-educated lawyer.
Aside: I will not cover what was said as that is Natasha and Jason’s story to tell. They listed Susie Wild as one of the people they remembered on the wedding program.
We moved to drinks and finger food while pictures and other wedding business were being conducted by the wedding party. I tried the chardonnay from the winery, Thomas Fogarty Winery. It was not too sweet. I liked the red better, which I had after finding some cheese and crackers to not have a second glass of wine without some food! I talked to some folks I did not know, going with my usual checklist of subjects at a non-Nike party (an acquired skill after being promoted to mid-level manager while retaining single contributor status). The wine helped, and the steroids pushed me a bit, too. Also, weeks of being homebound made me very interested in talking and listening to people.
Michelle and Cat with a suspicious character.
After an hour, the wedding party joined us. Natasha was a knock-out in her wedding dress, and Cat (the first time I had seen her in make-up) was amazing, with her eyes darkened and now standing out. Michelle was also in a tight, short, colorful dress that made her stand out even with all the young gals in flowing dresses. Excellent.
Soon, dinner started, and I had a seat in front of Jason and Natasha, who were on a balcony one step above me. I had a filet mignon with a peppercorn sauce and grilled Brussels sprouts. I got my third glass of the other red, and it was the best. It was very drinkable, Lexington something. The traditional toasts and first dances were done. Natasha and Jason did a dance routine that included lifts and moves you would see in a dance show. The floor had a raised nail, and Jason fell with Natasha, landing on him. Nobody was hurt, and I was happy they fell inward, as it is a three-story fall over the railing! No more mishaps occurred except for a stopped song, to the embarrassment of the DJ. He told me that never happens, and he was mortified. I told him he was doing a great job.
The sunset and the heaters were lit, and men’s jackets covered most of the shoulders of the bridesmaids and the bride. With the cake cut, we all headed inside for the dancing and distribution of cake (and coffee!), I started to lose my balance and sat with Michelle, David, Barton (David’s brother), and David’s mother (her name was forgotten this morning). I had some cake (breaking the carbohydrate and sugar rule–wedding cake should not be refused). I said my goodbyes to Jason and Natasha. I connected with Matt and David. David, who was dancing through the dance floor with Cat, walked me out. Matt soon found me, and we were whisked back to the hotel without incident.
I was soon showered, and in bed, and even with the fresh steroid dose, I was soon asleep. I got more sleep tonight, and I am sure yesterday’s 6,500 steps helped.
Thank you for reading.
Alohawild (Michael Wild's) Website 