Author: alohawild

I rose at 7:45 and rushed to get coffee, breakfast, showered, etc. I had my six-month teeth cleaning and check at 8:30 at the nearby Aloha Dental. Archana called me, but the sound broke up, so I called her back. I pay for everything every month on my iPhone so I can call even India without a second thought. When I travel, it automatically shifts if I’m going International. This provides Internet access and emergency services when I travel, as needed. Returning to the story, Archana was upset; it was another layoff day at Nike, and the India office had been decimated, resulting in her job loss. Compensation was limited. As I am retired, I can provide recommendations as a former colleague, and I offered that. I tried to be supportive.

Later, I would call Brad Jones, my old boss at Nike, and learned he was retiring and taking the American-based package with compensation. He told me that my old department was being eliminated and that a consulting company was taking over. It was a 90% layoff. I felt terrible for all my friends who had moved to Oregon to take jobs and those with H1V and incomplete Green Card processes. It was one year and three weeks from my retirement day, April 20, 2024.

The dental experience always involves me trying not to panic, as I think I can’t breathe. It is my new panic thing and not real. I should have taken my emergency inhaler before they started. I was able to keep it together and was fine. Previously, some decay was cleaned up on my back teeth (drilling and fillings), and there were no new issues.

I returned home with a new toothbrush and the next appointment in December. I started on the blog and chatted with Deborah while writing. She was working today and we connected between work items. The blog was published in the late morning. I had written a card for Mom Wild the night before to make sure it got in today’s mail. I published the blog in time to head to lunch.

I was only a few minutes late at McMenamins at Cedar Hills. Scott was sitting at an inside table. It was cool outside and damp, so it was best to be inside. We had a few beers and talked about AI, family issues, Nike layoffs, and travel. Scott is enjoying Charles Stross’s future predicting SciFi novels, which I recommended, like Accelerando, with its statement: “Widespread intelligence amplification doesn’t lead to widespread rational behavior.” My favorite is the Space Lobster stories.

I talked about the surprising things I had just learned about AI uses for RISC-V and something called Foundational Models for AI. I have more to learn. Also, Scott pointed out that my 3D printer was old, outdated, and I should update my technology. Later, I ordered about $600 3D stuff from Amazon, as they have a better return policy than the vendor. Though I gave up my membership, I got a reasonable price and free shipping on Tuesday. I also ordered Tuesday delivery and free shipping, some extra scrapers and cleaners from a generic kit they offer, and then added a resin funnel to more easily pour resin back in bottles.

Aside: The resin is toxic, and gloves, masks, and careful cleanup are needed. Exposure to UV locks the resin to a manageable solid that can be tossed. Alcohol 96 %+ is required to dissolve the resin and to clean prints and the equipment. You then put the used alcohol in the sun to evaporate, and the resin dissolved hardens from the UV exposure. I have learned that the UV is so high in Australia that you can just wash and put out your prints outside, and the sun will harden them.

To prevent cracks, priming paint is essential to use on prints. I paint mine. I often print a small bust as a test printing and give away a painted one in bronze color.

I continued working on my figure for Dungeons and Dragons, locking in the power tendrils with jeweler’s cement. Yet another toxic but very effective product. I mixed purple and white and used the lighter color to dry brush the too-dark purple speed paint, which worked well. I touched up the over-painting and added some leather paint to the too-thin sections of the leather speed paint. I used the Insane Army Painter brush to put blue dots for eyes. Next, I mixed darker blue with water and washed the skin, face, and blue hair. I find that blue makes a good color for a mysterious power color. I added color to the power tendrils from the cards. When the paint dries, I hit the figure with just a misting of flat spray to level out the shine. Done!

(This is a magnified view, only 28mm from the eyes to the base)

The new printer has a heated tank and other features that should make it more successful. As Scott reminded me, technology has moved on from five years ago. Expected updates next week.

I talked to Deborah as her day ended, and I cooked Jambalaya for dinner. I chopped for quite some time as I made the Trinity and added The Pope (peppers, celery, onion, chopped, adding chopped garlic). I had sausage that was not spicy or smoked, and it let me down a bit. I will have to stick to something with more kick and smoky. The rice was the cheaper kind, and there were some chalky bits. I will stick to better choices next time. The longish frying of the meat (I added ham) added some flavor, but the Jambalaya was tame. This is not bad, as one can always add more heat.

I had a few bowls, trying to taste what I missed. It was almost too salty for me (meaning it was salted correctly). The smoky flavor I tasted in New Orleans (NOLA) was not there, but I think that is a function of the meat selection. I watched Elsbeth and put that on hold while Deborah and I chatted for a while as her day ended and she finally slept.

I finished the next episode and still enjoy the show. The actors have assumed their roles now, and the writers are hitting their strengths. I recommend the show, and also recommend starting with season one.

I read more and rested, but rose again and used a King Arthur Flour Company mix to make another bundt cake using my new pan. I had a warm piece of the pecan maple cake while reading more Dungeons and Dragons 2024 rules. While the new rules resemble the previous version and are strongly connected to 3.0, when the game becomes popular again, the 2024 rules are pretty different. This is not a minor update, but a subtle rewrite fixing many stacking issues and super builds and combinations in what we call 5.0.

With all these numbers, rules, and Elric stories jumbling in my mind, I nodded off, turned off the light, and slept. I woke at 3ish to prove hydration and again at 6ish. I was well hydrated.

(Front flowers)

(A pale pink rose given to me from The Smiths (+Kramers) to remember Susie).

Thanks for reading!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I did not need lunch on Wednesday; you won’t find it in my story of Wednesday. But the story does start with me waking at 3AM and texting Deborah a good morning for the beginning of her day. I then went back to sleep, barely waking and texting. Deborah was happy to be surprised by an early text. I visit her Time Zone occasionally, and when I can’t sleep. Running on her schedule is always a pleasure; it seems to shorten the distance between us. I can always get a nap if I become sleepy.

I rose later, after 8, and was happy that freshly brewed coffee awaited me; I had assembled the locally roasted and ground coffee the night before. While a $99.99 KitchenAid coffee maker seemed an extravagance, and I only bought it at Best Buy as I had a $100 gift card from buying The Machine (the combo washer and dryer from LG), I am happy with the timer, the much needed auto shut off, and the taste of the brewed product.

Z’s Willy Wonka play (she is playing Wonka) has moved to Saturday (there has been some illness in the cast, I understand), and the result is that I now have no plans for Wednesday. This is one of the pleasures (and fears for some) of retirement. I also received news that my “Chat Holmes and Watson” was accepted by 2600 The Hacker’s Quarterly and would appear in one of the following issues (from my previous experience, this is two quarters out). It takes them about two months to respond.

I wrote and finished the blog. I headed out to the gaming store, found a figure that matched what I was looking for, and purchased it (it came in a two-pack, and I would combine the two figures to make what I wanted). My colon was presenting me with the cork and bubbly issue. I rushed home and let things happen. I had not experienced this in a while, but was relieved (literally) that it was a known issue. Things are more normal now.

With the risk of a bad moment over, I drove to a local Great Clips and learned that 4ish on Wednesday is not a bad time to show up without an appointment, as there was no line and they were not busy. Soon, I had less on top. I was given the senior discount without asking (I look the part), but paid a good tip. The woman who cut my hair was bored and polite until I paid, and I got a genuine smile. I paid her the senior discount with my tip, which is the money that goes to her (she had a pronoun pin that directed me to these uses).

The 649 was full, so I drove home. I put on another episode of Elsbeth on Paramount+ while the potatoes boiled, the steak warmed up, and the salt soaked in a bit. I tried one of freshly made frig pickles. The taste was mostly just vinegar, but with hints of garlic and dill. I used English cucumbers from Costco, which were a bit industrial for my taste.

I fried a 1/2-inch boneless ribeye steak in butter and tried to brown it on both sides. However, I did not get the pan hot enough for a good sear, and the steak was mainly baked when I finished it in the oven. Alas, I need to use more heat at first and less time in the oven. I steamed asparagus and made mashed potatoes to go with it. I got the veggie good. I enjoyed the show with the corrupt investment family while enjoying my dinner. One must enjoy the mistakes as they make us better (we hope), and I got the salt right on the steak. Next time!

Next, I headed to Wildwood Taphouse and saw JR there, and we chatted for a while. I had a heavy, dark-as-my-soul beer, and the place was busy. I sat outside with JR. It was warm enough with the sun and no wind (the building breaking the wind), and then I read more Elric by Michael Moorcock. Young folks asked about the book I was reading while enjoying a beer and some chips; they like SciFi, but were unfamiliar with the author. “Someone old-school,” I said, and recommended him, and a few others, books from The Iron Druid Chronicles and The Old Man’s War by John Scalzi. I finished another story (the book is a collection of Elric and Elric-related stories).

I stopped by Barnes & Noble and picked up two hardware magazines from Europe (the American-based one is no longer available). I was surprised to see RISC-V on the cover of Elecktor. I thought it was forgotten.

I returned home, did the dishes, read more Elric, and worked on my new figure for my new character. I removed the transparent flames from the hands and attached small rectangles to the figure. I then did a basic paint to get the colors on the figure. I printed tiny cards from public images from Wikipedia for tarot cards. I attached these to the hands of the figure. I then painted the small cards with a transparent anti-shine to lock in the ink.

The figure needs fine work, including some metallics added to fine detail for buttons, belts, and clips. I thought the purple speed paint was a fail, and will dry brush on some lighter purple for the coat. I need to reattach some transparent, electrical-like material I harvested from the other figure to put around the cards I added. I will use jeweler’s cement as I need it to stay on, and the glue to hold well and not burn the material (CA glue will be a poor choice). I will try to finish it on Thursday night.

I read the zines, and the focus was on AI, both hardware and software-based AI options. I am jaded to AI claims being a practitioner (even retired), but the reasons for RISC-V resurfacing reminded me of why Python resurfaced. Like earlier forms of Python, RISC-V is open-source, has a strong community, and is strongly supported by academics. I also learned that foundation models are available for AI to allow the developer to call in a pre-made and well-understood (and open-source) AI solution. My attention is raised, and the RISC-V boards listed in detail have caused me to drool a little. While I can resist the latest Kickstarter for a board game and a new 3D printer, I might not resist a RISC-V Linux-based computer that looks delicious. Oh my! I could build a small footprint machine, call in a foundation model, even on a tiny processor, and consume images and make decisions. My little submarine might be possible! Dreams. Wonder. And not expensive (less by 1/2 than a new printer).

We will see. I nodded off when I returned to reading Elric stories, stopped, turned off the light, and soon slept the night. I do not remember the dreams, but I imagine the night phantoms included mixed AI and Elric swinging his cursed sword.

Thanks for reading!

 

 

 

It is hard to write the story of Tuesday, as I just got a notification from 2600 Hacker Quarterly that they have accepted my Holmes and Watson story. It is hard to focus on writing now; I am delighted. Dear reader, I will let you know when it appears. It is usually two quarters away when I get a notification.

I tried to rise at 6:30 but managed to get going at 7. This time, I found the coffee waiting for me. For breakfast, I had a few slices of pound cake and a banana. I returned to my office and wrote the blog until 8:15. I was time-boxed as I had to get to Portland and play at Richard’s house. I showered, shaved, dressed, and got in Air VW the Gray at 8:45.

Traffic was heavy on Highway 26, the Sunset Highway, more like a parking lot than three lanes inbound, but it was more stop-and-go once inside Portland. Surprisingly, I arrived on time. There were no racing cars this time, and while there were the usual sudden lane changes, it was an uneventful trek.

We tried Tainted Grail today, another horror-based dark rewrite of the Arthurian legend. James brought the game, which he bought painted on the secondary game market. This is another dudes-on-board, all 32 mm-sized figure game. It is cooperative and complex. It has the mandatory unique iconography, which can be copyrighted. This protects the game creator, as rules and game mechanics are not protected, but art and iconography are. The art and materials unique to the game are part of the game and easily defended.

Here are the words:

“Copyright does not protect the idea for a game, its name or title, or the method or methods for playing it. Nor does copyright protect any idea, system, method, device, or trademark material involved in developing, merchandising, or playing a game.”

I played a druid who had trouble with nightmares. We wandered the map, and soon, I was almost wounded and approaching my end. I also went insane. It was slow going because I did not understand the game, and Richard, who was concerned about our chances, became a bit intense. I was frustrated because I could not understand how combat worked. While interesting, I was unhappy with the game, its dark story, and the play style. I thought it was fiddly and dragged. This is also an endless game, so we had to record everything. I took pictures. We will try it again. James has a significant investment and multiple add-ons. He is a self-declared ‘completist’ who often gets everything.

At 2ish, I was headed home with my feelings mixed. I can’t recommend this game, but I know it is highly rated. I also see lots of it for sale. More to come.

Deborah and I talked once I was home and had made lunch. I had reheated and frozen some ham and pea soup I made last week, and added more ham. I finished the blog after I rang off. Later, I would talk to Deborah before she fell asleep. It is good to start and finish our days together.

I watched another episode of “Elsbeth.” It was good and reminded me of the Columbo guest star versions, where each show focused on another area, cooking, magic, music, etc. This was the murder of a tennis star.

I decided that I had had enough of my own cooking (though the pound cake was good) and headed to Eric, my usual waiter, at BJ’s Brewhouse. There, I had a perfect ribeye steak for too much money. I added a salad. I skipped dessert but had coffee. It was a bit late, which meant little sleep until near 1 Wednesday morning. I finally took some ibuprofen, and that counteracted the caffeine. Not a good solution, but it is better than staying up until 4 and then sleeping until noon!

My 3D printer is highly temperature sensitive and will print only on warm days and nights. F**k. That explains why it works and then stops working. Richard suggests building a printing area with heat in the garage–there are many examples online. I also found a new Egloo 3D resin tank printer model with a built-in heater. Being now retired and spending most of my money on travel, having a new printer at the house seems wasteful for the price of a round-trip ticket to Detroit with some upgrades. But that FOMO takes over, and I want it (“my precious”). Instead, I will continue to buy printed items and, for the figure I want for my new character, I will buy and alter them to fit. But the FOMO rises…resist.

I did not order a printer. I am thinking of recycling mine.

I was reading Elric at BJ’s and then at home in a larger paperback.  I got this book and another (volume 2 and 3) at Curious Books for my birthday when I was in East Lansing. I was enjoying the story, though Elric does not appear in the first one.

I went to bed after doing the dishes (meaning I put them in the dishwasher and washed the large pans and knives). I also reviewed my character in the new Dungeons and Dragons 2024 rules when I could not sleep. I also searched my unpainted figures, a box of the “Vampire” pledge from years ago, filled with plastic figures. I found nothing that matched close to what I was looking for. I was amazed at how many repeats I had. I wonder how many “Vampires” and repeated add-ons were in the box!

I finally settled and slept.

Thanks for reading!

 

 

 

Monday is like my Saturday, as I seldom have plans, and the weekend is over. While I don’t work, others do, and I rush on the weekend to be included. On Monday, the rush ends. I rose around after 8 and found I forgot to put the timer on and had to wait for coffee. I entered the office—the corner bedroom is now my office—and started my online morning.

I write this blog most mornings. I am more of a morning person, and the task seems easier than late at night. I used to write a blog late while working for a living. Now I can afford to invest the morning in the blog. I use WordPress for the blog, and Grammarly checks my text and makes suggestions, many of which are useless, while I type. I prefer it to spot missing plurals and insert commas. It corrects my spelling, but most tools do that now. Quicken is updated with the transactions from most of my accounts. Only the IRA and my Treasury account were not updated–both are too complex and provide only limited or no Quicken transactions.

I am done at about 10, and then return to the 3D printer. It is cool today, and I suspect this is the real reason it won’t print, but instead puddles on the tank film. The operating temperature for the resin is 25-30°C (72-80°F). I cleaned up the Egloo Mars 3D resin printer and started a new print. I changed the model to be at an angle with supports and a base the night before. I also changed the run parameters to be the recommended values. It will fail as a puddle again.

Deborah is back to work, but working from home, and I get a few texts and a call. She is doing chores all day. I woke up to her text, and we talked as I started the blog.

It is nearing noon, and I reheat the Chinese-style food. I watch Elsbeth and enjoy the quirky show while I eat. The show reminds me of The Rockford Files and Colombo. This episode’s guest murderer is a modern matchmaker from The Hamptons, and the viewer is treated to a view of the winter version of The Hamptons. I liked it.

After that show, I looked at replacement printers and various options. The highest-tech one would cost about $600, and I was not ready to spend that much (the latest Saturn Ultra 16K with a heated tank, with the extra wash and hardening solutions). But we will see. I have always dreamed of printing my stuff for gaming, and I am still tempted.

Time was slipping by, and soon it was time to head out again. I changed to a dress shirt, Pride tie, and green sweater vest and boarded Air VW the Gray for the short trip to the MAX station. The trip into Portland was faster, and I was enjoying my Canadian murder crime novel on my Kindle and missed my stop. It was just a few blocks’ difference. But I walked to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, and the Heathman Hotel Bar was on the way. I decided to try the remodeled location next to the Schmitzer.

I ordered a Sazerac, which was perfectly mixed without ice (better). I had the chips with the salmon dip. The chips were house-made potato chips with a hint of vinegar and salt. The dip had roe on it and was not overly fishy flavored, and it went well with the chips. I had the mushroom soup, which, while good, was a bit cooler than I liked. Oddly, there were noodle bits sprinkled on the top that I thought did not work. I saw that other symphony goers were sharing the cheese and meat plate. It looked excellent. Next time!

I reached the Schnitzer next door while the talk was still happening and heard a few words from the conductor, Jun Märki, and the principal guest conductor. Conductor Märki described Debussy’s La mer like waves and storms. He shared his excitement, and when conducting later, I could witness his love and enjoyment of the piece.

The most memorable piece was unexpected: Korngold’s Concerto in D Major for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 35 had me laughing and tapping my feet. Koldgold was a movie composer who combined those bits to make this concerto. It was enjoyable, and Paul Huang, the soloist, seemed to create his own movie with sweeping arm movements as he played the dramatic notes. He really leaned into that music. Medelssohn’s Calm Sea and Properios Voyage, Op. 27, mixed well with Debussy, but I remember Haung’s music more. He played an encore solo that was lovely, too.

I stumbled when the concert was done. It is a long fall. I barely caught myself. My knees had frozen up. Something new. I will be more careful!

I arrived, safe, home via MAX and the EV. I stayed up late and made a pound cake from the Cake Bible Cookbook. I had a slice of the cake, excellent, and went to bed.

Thanks for reading!

 

I nearly forgot to finish the blog on Sunday. Finally, I finished it after 6 and published it. Deborah asked me where the blog was. Oops!

I had just watched another episode of the bright and fun murder show, Colombo-like, “Elsbeth,” when Deborah reminded me to write the blog. The second episode was excellent and gave me a more NYC feel; the murder involved real estate. Often, these shows, well done, do not connect as well to the location, but “Elsbeth” connects to NYC. I was catching up on the next Doctor Who when Deborah called. It was also good and was about a god of storytelling.

After the blog, I started another 3D print run. I got a half-melted 28mm figure and two puddles. Ugh! I cleaned up the mess. Remembering to use a mask this time, I collected the unused resin, put it back in the bottle, heated it to 32°C in a bucket of warm water, and tried again with warmed resin. Another three hours of printing and my second try on Sunday. It would fail again with the same results, precisely the same.

Dinner was reheated: a breaded chicken thigh and pasta I made a few days ago. I covered it in Costco’s Rao’s overpriced sauce. My colon and tummy had been bothering me, and I was dizzy and had moments of feeling hot. I decided to take it slow on Sunday.

I loaded the dishes into the dishwasher and ran it. Then, I washed the larger pans by hand, cleaned the knives, and put them back. I hold them on a magnetic board, which I recommend.

I finished the night reading until I started to nod off. I put on my PJs and soon fell asleep.

Sunday, Mother’s Day, started with me rising around 8 and finding coffee made. A pot of liberal Fair Trade coffee to start my day; perfect! I spent most of the morning writing the blog, doom-scrolling the news, and updating my Quicken summary. I use Quicken to download all the transactions and categorize them. I know what is transpiring in all my accounts.

I talked to Deborah with her ‘Good morning’ greeting me when I woke up around 7. I had to ring off at 9:15 to shower and dress. Air VW the Gray carried me across Beaverton in light traffic and arrived at 10:30, for the 11 worship service. The steps to the side door were sprinkled with rice and other food items. I said good morning, got a broom, and cleared the steps. I ushered and had to admit I could not follow the service that well. Ken had two people talk about their experiences at the church, and then tried to connect that to living a righteous and full life. His point was that little things and community matter. Dondrea and Z supplied tulips for Mother’s Day. There was also a cake, and I had one small piece.

I returned home in the EV and reheated the wonton soup. I always order the large to have another meal later. I also wanted the container, as it is perfect for pouring out the resin from the tank. I reheated the soup twice in the microwave and let it sit to let the heat spread through the soup. It was good.

I poured the unused resin into the previous soup container, cleaned up the Egloo Mars 3D printer, reset it, and poured it back into the bottle. I then reheated the resin in the bottle with warm water to 33°C and repeated the print–it would fail again.

Aside: I learned that the resin’s optimal temperature is 25-30°C.

I looked at new models and discovered that the new Egloo printer has a built-in heater for the resin, a fan to kill the fumes, and works much faster. The tariffs are not yet worked into the prices, so I am tempted. I have an expensive, large Egloo 3D resin printer that seldom worked for me, and I am not tempted to try it again. The reviews of this Kickstarter printer are poor, and the amount of resin in the tank makes it hard to work with. For the moment, I will try to make my old original and often successful printer work. I did see that Egloo sells a little heater to put in the printer, which is very tempting.

Deborah spent most of Mother’s Day with her boys, and we talked for a long time after she was in bed. We like to start and end our days together.

And that closes the loop on Sunday’s story!

Thanks for reading!