tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55148322011-04-21T20:36:09.597-04:00Thoughts from Steve Locke, aka TeeBee. <br><br> Be sure to hit Refresh to get the latest! Please remember - you now have to sign into Yahoo, and be a group member, before you can see Yahoo files and photos! <br><br>Note - if the page seems incomplete (missing entries), try maximizing (or normal-sizing) your browser window. Am working on this problem, but the resize seems to fix it.Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comBlogger2681100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1128288501169948332005-10-02T17:19:00.000-04:002005-10-02T17:28:21.226-04:00

Friday was Big E day. Me and a friend both took the day off, and went with our families. All of us went; just my friend and his daughter went. Usual mix of rides, big cows, hucksters, deep-fried anything and really good chocolate milk. Coupla pics for ya.teebee

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1128195167688556762005-10-01T15:30:00.000-04:002005-10-01T15:32:47.696-04:00

Finished the table a few nights ago. 3 coats of gloss poly, one of semi-gloss. Am pleased with results.teebee

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1127920658298875172005-09-28T11:16:00.000-04:002005-09-28T11:17:38.303-04:00

Eye exam + dilated pupils + go back to work afterwards = lots of double-takes from co-workers. Plus a great whanging headache.teebee

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1127607072720798592005-09-24T19:55:00.000-04:002005-09-24T20:11:12.746-04:00

I currently am holding more cash than I think I've ever held in my life.Don't get me wrong - I'm a successfull software engineer making a good salary.It's just that I rarely see any of it in cash form.My checks are auto-deposited. Gina manages most of the bills. The most I tend to see is what I take out for bi-weekly day-to-day monies.Now I've got 5 100's and 5 50's in front of me.I show the

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1127605983525933502005-09-24T19:44:00.000-04:002005-09-24T19:53:03.526-04:00

I am extremely proud to be a member of the Locke family. Each and every member is extraordinary in his/her own right.Current case in point - my oldest brother Ed. He bought a Porsche 914 sometime after college, and held onto it for years. He just completed an amazing engineering feat of removing the anemic flat-four and replacing it with a small-block Chevy V8. Bye-bye, 110 hp; hello 300 hp!

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1127605401169379192005-09-24T19:41:00.000-04:002005-09-24T19:43:21.180-04:00

Quick preview of the cherry version of my Copycat project. 2 coats of gloss poly; need to sand down and put on 2 coats of semi-gloss.teebee

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1126094735860551112005-09-07T08:04:00.000-04:002005-09-07T08:05:35.866-04:00

Got an email from Miata parts guy - he sold the parts.Crap.Oh well - I'll have free time this winter. Maybe I'll buy some skis.teebee

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1125929854830602252005-09-05T10:06:00.000-04:002005-09-05T10:17:34.836-04:00

I had bought Gina a small end-table at our local used furniture store, for her birthday. My spies at the store told me that she had been eyeing it for awhile, so I grabbed it. She was pleased.The more I looked at the table, the more I came to like it. Simple, elegent, light. I decided to try and see if I could make one like it. The original is dark-stained oak. Mine would be cherry.I didn't

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1125495712112458272005-08-31T09:35:00.000-04:002005-09-01T11:51:33.456-04:00

I bought a Miata from my sister-in-law 3 years ago. Thoroughly enjoyable car, except it has an automatic transmission. That's like going to a Red Sox game, but being told you have to cheer for the Yankees. So I've been plotting ways to convert it to a 5-speed.At the beginning of summer, I thought I had it sussed. A guy in RI had all the parts I needed, plus a bigger motor (1.8 vs 1.6), all

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1124664135069184092005-08-21T18:23:00.000-04:002005-08-21T19:53:07.083-04:00

Vacation Report from TeeBeeWe went out to Rockport last Sunday to spend a week with my folks. A wonderful week ensued.Sunday - arrived around 3:00 pm to a warm welcome from M&D. Unpack, set up base camp in the west wing of the house. Kids immediately ask if we can go downtown to get slush/taffy/etc. Mom makes a great dinner. All go downtown for ice cream afterwards.Monday - weather no good

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1122140515481041472005-07-23T13:37:00.000-04:002005-07-23T21:04:53.576-04:00

Our company outing was yesterday (have these become a relic of the past? I hope not!). Like last year, the outing was at Six Flags New England. This year, I took a 1/2 day vacation so we could get there early and enjoy the park before it got crowded.Well, getting out the door is never as easy as it sounds, so we weren't exactly early. Plus there was major traffic on Springfield's South End

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1121949375165055502005-07-21T08:34:00.000-04:002005-07-21T08:36:15.170-04:00

Pool, showing the stone I spread and the timbers to keep it into place. Also shows "new" lawn (is now dirt with straw on top - grass is just beginning to grow).Am liking this new ability of Blogger to post pics - works better than Geocities.teebee

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1121949250885169092005-07-21T08:28:00.000-04:002005-07-21T08:34:10.893-04:00

Coupla pics of the patio I built last week. Our yard was a mess after the pool was installed, so we called in a landscaper to straighten things out. One of the things he did was prep a site for a patio. We had all these 2' x 3' pavers from a neighbor, and this was the perfect place to use them. Man, were they heavy! I used a handtruck to cart them around, then lowered them into place by

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1121827330926209742005-07-19T22:31:00.000-04:002005-07-19T22:42:10.933-04:00

Both kids attended Judy Dixon Tennis Camp last week. 5 days, from 8:30 to noon, at the UMass tennis courts (the ones right next to Tobin Hall).It was a really hot week, but the kids stuck with it. I had the week off (vacation), so either Gina, me, or both would drop them off at 8:30 (each had best buds that were also taking the class), then pick them up at noon. They both did great. Emma and

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1121776862577746812005-07-19T22:23:00.000-04:002005-07-19T22:30:47.740-04:00

As a kid, I was simultaneously thrilled and totally creeped out by Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. In college, I read the original Roald Dahl "Charlie and the Chocolate factory", and was surprised at how dark a book it was.Now I'm a parent, taking my kid (just one - the youngest thought it looked "creepy in a bad way") to see the new Charlie and the Chocolate

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1121732746687319212005-07-18T20:23:00.000-04:002005-07-18T20:25:46.693-04:00

Many things to write about:- finally broke down and got high-speed Internet service- took a week off, didn't go anywhere, had great time- continuing pool saga- kids took tennis camp- new Harry Potter book- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory- Emma getting bracesStay Tuned!teebee

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1119874835401855852005-06-27T08:17:00.000-04:002005-06-27T08:20:35.410-04:00

As in sunburnt. I spent the weekend working on and around the new pool, installing the ladder (damn bolts they gave us were too long; ones I had in the shop were just a tetch too short), getting the filter up and running and starting on the massive job of fixing the mess the installers made. Needless to say, I forgot to put on sunscreen.Ouch. Got lit up good this time.teebee

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1119618369390913472005-06-24T08:26:00.000-04:002005-06-24T12:45:09.173-04:00

Our new pool, that's what.2 years ago, we had the perfect setup. Gina's sister Lisa lived right across town, and had a beautiful in-ground pool. Gina and the kids practically lived there in the summer, and I'd join them after work. It was very, very nice.Until Lisa moved last summer.Whups - no pool. And it it hot here in the summer.That's when our pool plans began.We have a nice big back yard

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1119615956180491212005-06-24T07:24:00.000-04:002005-06-24T08:25:56.190-04:00

Found out one of my neighbors is biking across the country this summer. He did it once - 20 years ago - and is doing it again, with the same guy. I told his wife, "Man, he's gonna owe you big-time". She agreed.BikeAcrossAmerica.Netteebee

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1119012190573725432005-06-17T08:27:00.000-04:002005-06-17T09:52:42.206-04:00

Finally went to see Revenge of the Sith last night with a few friends. I had been putting it off until things calmed down. I also knew deep-down that it was going to be another Lucas-gone-to-the-dark-side stink fest, like the last 2.Both kids had been caught up in the whole Star Wars mania thingie, so we borrowed the first 2 movies (I stubbornly refuse to refer to them as Episodes 4 and 5) and

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1118846572321371622005-06-15T07:26:00.000-04:002005-06-15T10:42:52.330-04:00

I spent yesterday being a parent escort/chaperone to Emma and her friends for their 5th grade end-of-year trip. Last year it was to Plimoth Plantation. This year, it's Look Park.If truth be told, I wasn't exactly looking forward to this. It has been really really hot and humid for the past week, and spending 6 hours running after 8 5th graders in this weather was not appealing. Plus I had

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1118667190420629882005-06-13T08:28:00.000-04:002005-06-13T08:53:10.436-04:00

Had some good ones this weekend. Saturday afternoon - I'm working on finishing up the railing for the deck. I've got all my tools out, scattered in a 20' square area. 2 extension cords too. Sky begins to darken. A few mutters of thunder. I begin to alternate between working and cleaning up. More dark. More muttering. I switch to full cleanup mode. Get everything into the garage. Tarp

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1116246365727682602005-05-16T07:51:00.000-04:002005-05-16T08:26:05.773-04:00

I took Friday off and Gina and I went to The Brimfield Fair. 3 times a year, the town of Brimfield transforms into an enormous tag sale/flea market/antique show. This things stretches for a few miles right down the middle of the town.Gina had been a few times before, but this was my first time. We got the kids on the bus, hooked up with our friends Julie and Marty (who were going to follow us)

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1115037348625185072005-05-02T08:22:00.000-04:002005-05-02T08:35:48.626-04:00

My brother Ben is building a deck off of his house. He hasn't done it before, and I've built a few, so he asked if I'd come out and help with the first big step - getting the ledger attached to the foundation. After a series of intense negotiation sessions with wife and family, I agreed.Sunday morning, 7:00 am and it is really really foggy. I had planned to take the Miata and take the scenic

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1112387904799466942005-04-01T15:35:00.000-05:002005-04-01T15:38:24.800-05:00

Get the Drunk Home (my best - 84)orFly the Chopper (my best - 810)teebee

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1111496931233083682005-03-22T08:00:00.000-05:002005-03-22T08:08:51.236-05:00

Over the course of my youth, I had a series of beater cars (or helped people that had beaters) that needed lots of work every year to pass inspection. As such, I got pretty good with sheet metal, pop rivets, fiberglass and Bondo. Well, this weekend I got to resurrect those skills.The front bumper/fascia on our minivan got caught on a heavy planter, and cracked/tore. A new one, unpainted, cost

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1111496384612139882005-03-22T07:48:00.000-05:002005-03-22T07:59:44.613-05:00

While I was pleased with the edge I achieved on my plane blades with my stones, I was a bit unsatisfied. The edges were nice, but not mirror-like.I had heard of this system of using sandpaper, called ScarySharp, and had always wanted to try it. Since I had already ground my bevels, I figured I could skip most of the grits and go right to the fine stuff.I had some plate glass shelves lying

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1111070739877415192005-03-17T09:17:00.000-05:002005-03-17T09:52:46.816-05:00

I have finished all the rough work on the 3 cherry end tables I am making, and was ready to start preparing the wood for finishing. It is at this point where I need to decide whether I want to sand or plane the wood. Sanding is predictable - the wood always comes out the same no matter how gnarly, twisted or stubbern the grain is. Sanding is easy and brainless - just move up through the grits

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1110977277527691362005-03-16T07:44:00.000-05:002005-03-16T07:48:35.206-05:00

- Maple sap is running hard. I gathered 3 gallons yesterday, and 3 the day before. Days are in the low 40's, nights in the high 20's - perfect for sap production- Going into the office this morning, I heard the first red-winged blackbirds of the season. They like to hang out on the lightposts in our parking lot, challenging all comers.- Snowpack is disappearing rapidly. It was probably 8"

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1110201683109023602005-03-07T08:12:00.000-05:002005-03-07T08:21:23.110-05:00

Skiing: Instead of going for 1/2 day on Sunday, we split up on Saturday. Emma and I went up early and skiied all day, while Gina and Alex rode up at noon with our friends the Taylors and met us for the rest of the day. An absolutely gorgeous day for skiing - not a cloud in the sky and temps around 33 or so. Snow nice and soft - a bit slow for skiing but very comfy. Emma's progress continues

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1110200939271840632005-03-07T08:03:00.000-05:002005-03-07T08:08:59.273-05:00

My friend Henry (of Blogads fame) writes a very nice post here about our church and the UCC as a whole. In reading more on this site, I was unaware of the controversy the UCC advertising campaign was stirring up. Upon seeing the ad, I can see why, especially in this post-Janet-Jackson, media-bending-over-backwards-to-avoid-stirring-up-the-right era. Too bad shrill, pompous and obstinately

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1109945520621503402005-03-04T09:07:00.000-05:002005-03-04T09:12:00.623-05:00

Did our taxes last night. Am still doing fed taxes the paper way - don't have enought confidence in the security of the free e-filing methods, althought they seem to be getting better. I know the feds want everyone e-filing 'cuz it saves them money, but not at the expense of my e-privacy. State taxes done via tele-file which is a bit monotonous but is efficient. Had everything wrapped up by 9

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1109434860748222452005-02-26T10:57:00.000-05:002005-02-26T11:21:00.750-05:00

I found that our local library (the excellent Jones Library) has the complete DVD collection of the Prisoner. I've been taking them out by ones and twos for some late-night 60's style spy surrealism. My new car-to-get-should-money-fall-from-the-sky - a Lotus 7.Volume 2- Free For All: Number 2 convinces Number 6 to run for office in a "democratic" election. Of course it's all a trick to get

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1108996127384055542005-02-21T09:21:00.000-05:002005-02-21T09:28:47.386-05:00

Hunter S. Thompson has apparently taken his own life. I guess I'm only surprised that someone else didn't do it, or that the drugs and booze didn't do him in.In college I devoured all his works - the psychedelic and graphic "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas", the fascinating "Hell's Angels", even the textbook-sized "Fear and Loathing on the campaign Trail '72". I didn't want to emulate him, but I

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1108502095730943402005-02-15T16:05:00.000-05:002005-02-15T16:14:55.733-05:00

Emma and I spent Saturday skiing at Berkshire East, a great ski mountain about 50 minutes away from us. We were out the door at 8:00 AM, and pulled in the parking lot at 8:50. Stow our stuff, buy tix, rent equipment and we were skiing by 9:30 or so.We did 2 trial runs down the bunny slope so I could check on Emma's control. It was good, so we headed up the quad chair to ski Roundabout - a

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1108128931982277612005-02-11T08:28:00.000-05:002005-02-11T08:35:31.983-05:00

Wednesday afternoon, all the weather outlooks were saying Big Storm Coming! 10 to 20 inches of snow! Northeaster! Loook Ooouuut! Wooooooooooo!By Wednesday suppertime, that had slipped to 8 to 12 inches of snow, and no exclamation points.Wednesday bedtime - mostly rain, followed by 1-3" of rain. Which is pretty much what happened ('tho we got closer to 5" of the white stuff). Messy, heavy,

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1107959290652676152005-02-09T09:18:00.000-05:002005-02-09T09:28:10.653-05:00

Last night was the annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper at our church. On the menu was pancakes, sausages, apple sauce and sour pickles. Not sure of the reason for all these menu items, but it has become the traditional menu. Gina was part of the team organizing the event so she spent most of the supper in the kitchen. I'm on the Trustees so I manned the dishwasher (a wonderful

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1107868330222247722005-02-08T07:53:00.000-05:002005-02-08T08:12:10.223-05:00

I've been renting movies every Friday for us to watch with the kids. I've been trying to focus on movies that the kids would like, but probably wouldn't encounter through the normal cultural outlets. This week - Godzilla! Not the original - we'll save that for later. I'm talking about the cheezy, knock-down-cardboard-buildings, big-monsters-in-bad-rubber-suits-duking-it-out-in-Tokyo Godzilla.

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1107781904297561602005-02-07T07:53:00.000-05:002005-02-07T08:11:44.296-05:00

We all went skiing last Monday. Gina and I had been talking about trying it with the kids, and with Monday being a teacher workshop day it worked out nicely. Being close to the Berkshires is a plus, as there are several good ski mountains close by. We decided on Butternut Basin, for a couple of reasons: - it's close - it's small, and small generally means friendly - it advertises itself as a

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1106572175634784822005-01-24T07:58:00.000-05:002005-01-24T08:09:35.633-05:00

This weekend alternated between intense cold and snowy outdoor activity and safe-and-warm inside fun. The snow started at around 3:00, and it was like a switch was turned on. One minute - nothing. Next minute - coming down an inch an hour. 5 inches by bedtime, 14" total by Sunday, and all of it the finest, fluffiest powder I've ever been in. You could walk through it with almost no sense of

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1106139380527423192005-01-19T07:50:00.000-05:002005-01-19T07:56:20.526-05:00

Yes, I've been neglecting my blog. Life got in the way for awhile - work, holidays, etc. Let's try restarting things. Well, I have one word for today - cold. 1 degree on the bank's clock/thermometer as I drove in this morning. That means it was probably -3 when I got up. Thank goodness it warmed up (cough, cough). Had the unique sensation of sitting in the hot tub last night, with frozen

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1102516526650503492004-12-08T09:26:00.000-05:002004-12-08T09:35:26.650-05:00

I like to browse EbayMotors and check out the old cars. Found a clone of the first car I ever bought - a 1970 AMC Rebel: I bought this off of a little old lady for in Springfield. It looked good from the outside, but when I got it home I found the windshield was leaking, which let water into the car, which rusted out the floorpans from the inside. I had to tear our practically the whole

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1101992050402667582004-12-02T07:41:00.000-05:002004-12-02T07:54:10.403-05:00

We all sat down last night and watched "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer". A holiday classic, at least for me, right up there with "How the Grinch Stole Christmas", "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and ,to a lesser extent ('cuz it's "modern"), "Frosty the Snowman". Previous generations had "It's a Wonderful Life". My generation has the above 4. Wonder what this new generation will have - "It's a

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1101906567543342132004-12-01T07:48:00.000-05:002004-12-01T08:09:27.543-05:00

This week, TeeBee reviews 1 theater release and 2 DVD rentals. *The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie* We all went to the Spongebob Squarepants movie on Saturday. I enjoyed it, but thought it was stretching things a bit to take a 15-minute format and elongate it to 88 minutes - there was too much downtime between laughs for me. Still, it had all the trademark Spongebob elements you've come to

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1101822419662416582004-11-30T08:43:00.000-05:002004-11-30T08:46:59.663-05:00

Our church's Christian Education team organizes an Advent Workshop every year. A small service, followed by potluck sandwiches and soup, then lots and lots of Advent crafts. Emma brought her friend Madeleine; Alex brought his friend Matthew. Gina manned the wooden snowman station (I cut out and painted 30 snowmen). I roamed around taking pictures and helping out. Lots of fun for all who

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1101301593585771382004-11-24T07:48:00.000-05:002004-11-24T08:07:09.270-05:00

Last night, around 9:15 - kids are in bed, Gina's around doing something or another, and I have the living room to myself. I decide to put on a record and do some reading. Open the cabinet and there's my album collection - some 5 feet of vinyl chronicling my musical history. I select one (Take 5/Dave Brubeck) and am halfway through putting it on when I realize: I miss this. Not the sound -

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1100782267033567592004-11-18T07:50:00.000-05:002004-11-18T07:51:07.033-05:00

Warmest birthday wishes go out to my big brother Ed! teebee

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1100696660142648092004-11-17T08:01:00.000-05:002004-11-17T08:04:20.143-05:00

I had been looking for a gear reduction motor for awhile - something that could be used to animate Halloween props, or make a cool indoor mini-golf hole, or something. I found what looks like one at the local surplus place, but can't figure out how to get it to work. Pics here. Looking at the wiring diagram on the side, it looks like this is a single-speed, reversible motor. If you put 110v

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1100266474420260342004-11-12T08:28:00.000-05:002004-11-12T08:34:34.420-05:00

Poker last night, snow this morning. Poker: A full house (pun intended) as everyone shows, even Ghost Dave. We're playing on our new porch, and it's a bit tight but not too bad. Jim brought wasabi something-or-others, and all our sinuses are cleared out by wasabi fumes. I deal a round of 2-out-of-three that just won't end - no one can get 2 out of 3. Finally resolve it after 3 go-rounds

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1100179397759205342004-11-11T07:40:00.000-05:002004-11-11T08:37:53.046-05:00

So far I've been talking about cars that I rode in (mostly in the back, fighting with either my oldest brother or youngest brother). However, in December of 1979 a frightening thing occured - I turned 16-1/2 and promptly got my license. From then on, cars took on a whole new significance. Now, I was the driver. And the first car I drove on a regular basis was:.... No, not the van - Ed and

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1099919022892739092004-11-08T07:47:00.000-05:002004-11-08T08:03:42.893-05:00

Ol' Red is a 20-something-year-old Snapper riding mower my dad gave me when he and Mom moved from the big house (with a big lawn) to the smaller house (with a little lawn). Dad had survived for years on a steady diet of no-name push mowers so when he bought Ol' Red it was a bit of a shock. "Dad - bought a rider?". He explained it was more efficient; took less time. He would prove it by

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1099918043231571022004-11-08T07:46:00.000-05:002004-11-08T07:47:23.230-05:00

I had typed up a good fiery rant about the Bush victory, but Blogger seems to have lost it. Don't have the energy to re-type it. Suffice to say I am not happy. teebee

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1099487680200903902004-11-03T07:59:00.000-05:002004-11-03T08:14:40.200-05:00

Our office has had trick-or-treat for employee children for the past 3 years. Each year we've decorated the office to some degree or another, depending on the motivation of each individual cube dweller. A group of die-hard Halloween fans have been setting up a "spook house" in some of the less densly-populated cube areas, and this year they recruited me and my friend James as the lone R&D

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1098967551549944692004-10-28T08:22:00.000-04:002004-10-28T08:45:51.550-04:00

Well technically, they won and we watched. But it felt like we won. Heck, we did win. We won the right to go to bed before midnight. Sox 3, Cards 0 World Series Champs. Un-freakin-believable. Next up - Opening Day, April 11th, vs the Yankees, at Fenway. Maybe there'll be an eclipse that night, too. teebee

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1098793657159538802004-10-26T08:21:00.000-04:002004-10-26T08:27:37.160-04:00

Fall-related activities this past weekend: - We painted windows downtown for Halloween. Each fall, local businesses allow children to decorate storefront window with Halloween paintings. We got a slightly off-the-beaten-track bank window, but were sheltered from the wind and cold (always cold on window-painting day). See the results here: Window Pics - Went for a hike in the woods with dogs

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1098359603839544422004-10-21T07:52:00.000-04:002004-10-21T07:59:18.740-04:00

Red Sox 10, Yankees 3. 'Nuff said. Goodnight. teebee

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1098274956689434682004-10-20T07:54:00.000-04:002004-10-20T08:25:44.000-04:00

The 70's saw my mom going back to work, back to school (eventually getting bachelors and masters degrees to add to her resume, along with RN), and getting her own cars. With her own money, thank you very much. There was always a certain aura/mystique/car-on-a-pedestal aspect about Mom's cars. First and foremost, she was fiercly protective of them. You did not mess around on, in, or near Mom's

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1098189206070294382004-10-19T08:07:00.000-04:002004-10-19T08:34:52.296-04:00

My dad's cars didn't make as big an impression on me as our family vehicles, at least in the 70's. I was too young to drive them, and really only rode in them on the odd weekend errand. Still, they were around and a part of my life, so worth mentioning. 1971(?) Mercury Capri, white (or was it beige?) This was the first car I remember my dad having, aside from the old Mercedes. This was one of

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1098101993904821252004-10-18T07:47:00.000-04:002004-10-18T08:19:53.903-04:00

Last week I talked about our first adventure-mobile. Today we discuss our family's ultimate traveling vehicle. 1973(ish) Chevrolet SportVan 30, white This was it. The big mamma-jamma. The ne-plus-ultra of Locke transportation. Never had the likes been seen, nor have they ever been close since. Start with a 1973 Chevrolet SportVan 30. Note those last numbers - "30". In Chevrolet truck

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1097497847570274452004-10-11T08:10:00.000-04:002004-10-11T12:52:51.210-04:00

In the 70's, the cars in my life diverged into 2 lines - the family vehicle (usually piloted by Mom), and whatever car my Dad used. Different experiences in each line. Let's start with the family vehicles, starting with: 1970(?) Ford Econoline, tan This was our first serious road warrior vehicle, set up for some major traveling. Dad took out the 3rd row seat and built a pair of bunkbeds, one

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1097241172348312902004-10-08T08:52:00.000-04:002004-10-08T09:12:52.346-04:00

Poker night last night, at James' Pondview Poker Palace, Porch Edition. Started out cool, ended the night cold. By then we all had our beer blankets on so we didn't mind so much. In attendence - me, James, Jim, Norm, Jonathan, Dave T. It's Jonathan's 40th birthday and his wife baked a cake so we have cake and beer at around 10:30. We're listening to a ballgame fade in and out on some NY AM

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1097151046313731802004-10-07T08:00:00.000-04:002004-10-07T08:10:46.313-04:00

I'm a big re-reader. Partially because I read so fast I sometimes miss things that I catch the second time around. Partially because re-reading an old favorite is like catching up with an old friend. My favorite re-read: "The Lord of the Rings". Here's a few recent re-reads: - Ian Fleming's "You Only Live Twice". Yes, a James Bond novel. If you've never read any of these, you should -

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1097064036467188572004-10-06T07:57:00.000-04:002004-10-06T08:00:36.466-04:00

First frost last night. And some ice. Is 29 degrees now. Cold, but doesn't feel like it is that cold. Must be the subcutaneous fat layer creeping back in - the one that has you taking off your jacket in February and saying "Man - it's warm!" teebee

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1096893449557536022004-10-04T08:25:00.000-04:002004-10-04T08:37:29.556-04:00

Yikes - a whole month and not a post. Wassup, TeeBee? Well, life got in the way for awhile. Work got busy, home got busy, church got busy. Etc, etc - you know the routine. Anyhoo, blah, blah blah. Here's what's been going on for the past month: - We went to the Big E with our friend Sarah and her kids Madeline (10) and Olivia (1+). Lots of fun as usual. Indelible memory for me - watching

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1094049140722004532004-09-01T10:29:00.000-04:002004-09-01T10:32:20.723-04:00

First day of school for Emma and Alex today. No real fussing from either of them - I think they're sick of us and are ready for a change. Alex insisted we both come to school to meet him when he got off the bus. Emma insisted that we do not say hello to her or any of her friends. Whatevuh. They both have good teachers and good friends, so I think it'll be another great year for the both of

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1093870182576818652004-08-30T08:33:00.000-04:002004-09-01T10:40:44.986-04:00

More of the cars in my life. Today we finish up the cars of my early youth (1960's) >>195? Mercedes 190SL, cream w/red (or maybe tan) interior This was my Dad's baby and, I think, his daily driver for several years. If you've never seen one of these, go over to EbayMotors and check one out - they are wonderful-looking vehicles. Dad used to take us out for what he called "pep tests". We'd

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1093611395688281562004-08-27T08:34:00.000-04:002004-08-30T08:33:26.723-04:00

Part of living in America means that you spend a significant part of you life in a car. You probably made the first trip of your life in a car, coming home from the hospital. You have strong childhood memories of your family car, your grandparent's car, your friend's older brother's car, etc. You buy your first car and create a whole new set of memories, both fond and forgettable. You may

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1093287125874627432004-08-23T14:44:00.000-04:002004-08-23T14:52:05.876-04:00

...this car: A 1976 Toyota Celica. 20R Engine. Clean. A blast from my past - both my mom and my brother had Celicas like this one, and they are a lot of fun. My mom's was the first car she bought after she went back to work, and it was her baby. She drove it with a personal sense of invincibility that, er, "endeared" her to the local constabulatory. My brother's was his first car - he

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1093270865303544932004-08-23T10:17:00.000-04:002004-08-23T10:21:05.303-04:00

Inspector signed off on deck. More importantly, he also signed off on addition. We had been having, er, "issues" with the other inspector. We were able to convince the guy that inspected the deck that we were honest and upstanding citizens, so he signed off on the addition permit. Hoo-freakin-ray. No more permits staring me in the face every time I come in the door! Side note - this is my

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1093264425994132152004-08-23T08:31:00.000-04:002004-08-23T08:33:45.996-04:00

Got all the balusters installed this weekend. Am holding off on painting them - some of them felt distinctly damp. However this was the last constuction aspect of the deck to be completed. Am meeting the building inspector at 9:00 this morning so he can sign off on it. Am also hoping he will sign off on addition permit. Wish me luck! New deck pics, in usual place. teebee

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1092921735772653902004-08-19T09:11:00.000-04:002004-08-19T09:22:15.773-04:00

Am growing my beard back for the winter (got a headstart when I took a week off - spared everyone that scraggly look). Have noticed that the patch of white on my chin is spreading. I hear Grecian sells a formula for beards. Nah - too vain for me. I'll tough it out. I watched the men's overall gymnastics last night. Was dismayed enough by Hamm's blunder on the vault (plus the ceaseless

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1092862816904307032004-08-18T16:47:00.000-04:002004-08-18T17:00:16.903-04:00

We're all having fun watching the Olympics. Coverage is virtually nonstop. In the morning you have USA and Bravo. Afternoons is Telemundo and CNBC. Evenings is NBC. I come home and ask what kids have been watching: - Water Polo - Volleyball - Synchronized Diving - Badmitten - Equestrian At night we all crowd the couch and watch the "big ticket" events - swimming + gymnastics so far. Kids

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1092861896824051822004-08-18T16:43:00.000-04:002004-08-18T16:44:56.833-04:00

Almost done! All I have left to do is install the stair treads (all painted and waiting down in my shop) and railing balusters (unpainted - I'll paint'em when they're in place). Pics in the usual place. Also some pics of the porch, which I was painting when I wasn't working on the deck.

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1092689611099554752004-08-16T16:52:00.000-04:002004-08-16T16:53:31.120-04:00

Yes I'm still around. Yes I got a lot done last week. No I haven't had time to write it all down yet. Soon. teebee

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1092141639522450522004-08-10T08:20:00.000-04:002004-08-10T08:40:39.523-04:00

Gina and the kids are on Cape Cod with another family, and I'm here all by myself for 5 days. My plan is to finish the deck, paint the porch, fix the bathroom wall where the window used to be, and enjoy myself immensely. Sounds paradoxical? Not really - being able to work at a task in a steady, unrushed and uninterrupted pace is a luxury I haven't had in I don't know how long. Yesterday

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1091452928033669922004-08-02T08:59:00.000-04:002004-08-02T09:22:08.033-04:00

Our company outing was on Friday, at Six Flags (formerly known as Riverside). Kids were totally excited, fueled by the old dancing guy commercial (which I like a lot, as commercials go). I was looking forward to the water park, but had fears of long lines and, er, less than ideal examples of social behavior from the masses. Also, Emma opines she'd like to try one of the big coasters, and wants

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1091451200513917072004-08-02T08:50:00.000-04:002004-08-02T08:53:20.513-04:00

Its been awhile since the last deck update. I've been fussing with the railing design, going back and forth on whether to bolt the rail posts to the outside of the deck or the inside. Inside is stronger, but outside is easier and looks better. Finally went with outside. I also needed to have the posts in place before I could start on the decking, as I would need to notch the decking around

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1090853305428136282004-07-26T10:43:00.000-04:002004-07-26T10:48:25.426-04:00

this car.

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1090852999252463652004-07-26T10:32:00.000-04:002004-07-26T10:43:19.253-04:00

Spent a lovely week in my hometown of Rockport, MA.  Weather was great.  Water was cold.  My parents were overwhelming in their graciousness and hospitality (as always).  Spent 1 day at Museum of Science, 3 at the beach, one hiking Halibut Point State Park.  I spent an extremely peaceful hour quietly rowing around the harbor.  Quick stop at brother Ben's house on the way out of town. Lovely. 

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1089809931911716552004-07-14T08:44:00.000-04:002004-07-14T08:58:51.910-04:00

Ever slice open a golf ball as a kid? Of course you did - you can't graduate 6th grade without showing the scar on your thumb from where the utility knife/hacksaw blade/Swiss Army knife/screwdriver slipped and gashed you good while you were prying open that Slazenger 6. Remember what the inside looked like? One big long rubber band, wrapped around itself a zillion times. You make a small cut

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1089722409272437872004-07-13T08:13:00.000-04:002004-07-13T08:40:09.273-04:00

Alex and I went to the Family Golf Center last night to hit a bucket of balls or two at the driving range. Alex has never done this before, but the last time we went there to play mini-golf, we wandered over to the driving range afterwards to watch people hit. He opined that he'd like to try that sometime. Lo and behold, yesterday's paper had a 2-for-1 coupon, so we headed out after dinner.

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1089635643139894282004-07-12T08:31:00.000-04:002004-07-12T08:34:03.140-04:00

Not a lot of deck activity this weekend - weather was too nice so I did other stuff. However I did get the vinyl siding re-installed underneath the ledger. I also hoisted one of the 20' Trex boards up onto the joists to see how it would look. Man that stuff is heavy and floppy! Kinda like a 20' section of turkish taffy. teebee

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1089206389645112212004-07-07T09:03:00.000-04:002004-07-07T09:19:49.646-04:00

I was going to title this post "Auto Shop Merit Badge", to go along with my HVAC and Geek merit badge posts. Last night I changed the differential fluid in the truck, and was going to write about that. However, the thing worth writing about isn't the fact that I got this task done. Nor was that the point of the other 2 Merit Badge posts. The important thing for me, the thing worth writing

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1089146254639333482004-07-06T16:36:00.000-04:002004-07-06T16:37:34.640-04:00

Via email: "Wow. Is that BORING. Who reads this stuff?? Steve, you described the nail sizes you used!! You need help. I don't think I get blogs just yet..." I am unfazed. teebee

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1089132125784743752004-07-06T12:36:00.000-04:002004-07-06T12:42:05.786-04:00

I finally installed the ice maker in our fridge today. We got it when we bought the fridge - the delivery guys found that the first fridge was damaged so they gave us an ice maker for our troubles. This was maybe 6 years ago, and I finally got around to it. When we re-did the kitchen we had the plumbers run some 1/4" soft copper tubing up behind where the fridge would go, so I didn't have to

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1089118809265108492004-07-06T08:41:00.001-04:002004-07-06T12:36:05.683-04:00

Here's 3 days worth of deck updates, all in one easy-to-read format. Friday 7/2 ---------- They let us out from work at 3:00, so I scurry to Taylor Rental to borrow a hammer drill. Recall that I needed to fasten some sort of support system for the beam at the house foundation. Hammer drill is a massive tool, but is fabulous at drilling holes. 4 3/4"x4" holes are drilled in 15 minutes. I lag

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1088686578352817832004-07-01T08:36:00.000-04:002004-07-01T08:56:18.353-04:00

We have an ice cream truck in the neighborhood again. Last time we had one was maybe 6-7 years ago, when the kids were really little (and unaware of things like ice cream trucks). Now they are 10 and 7 and boy are they aware! I didn't have an ice cream truck in my neighborhood growing up. The only time I'd see one is when I went to my grandparents in Oakdale, LI. Oh how we'd whine and pester

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1088426442169808802004-06-28T08:22:00.000-04:002004-06-28T08:52:50.153-04:00

I earned my Geek Merit Badge this weekend. I had bought the 3rd Harry Potter computer game for the kids as an end-of-school treat. However my creaky old computer wasn't really up to playing it. Minimum system requirements: 600mhz processor 256 megs ram video card with ATI radeon chipset; 32 megs ram min My system: 500mhz processor 128 megs ram onboard video card, 11 megs shared ram The

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1088425341929979412004-06-28T08:19:00.000-04:002004-06-28T08:49:55.920-04:00

Not much activity this weekend. Got the posts in place, plumb, braced and cut to height. I assembled the main beam (2-2"x8"x20', nailed together with 8d galv nails) and temporarily in place on top of the posts. I need to go back to the plans and figure out exactly where the end joists will be before I place the beam for good and cut to final length. 2 new pics here. teebee

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1088109589883350672004-06-24T16:12:00.000-04:002004-06-24T16:39:49.883-04:00

Contrary to some people's belief (ahem!), lack of blog updates does not equal lack of deck progress :-). I was just too damn tired at the end of the day. So now, here ya go: Tuesday Day starts off overcast. Weather says 40% chance of rain. No choice but to press on. Go to Taylor Rental to pick up power auger. Guy tells me "Oops, we forgot to call you - both of ours are in the shop."

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1087875968987805622004-06-21T23:37:00.000-04:002004-06-21T23:46:08.986-04:00

Am on schedule - just barely. Got off to a late start. Decided to sleep in a bit. Then went into Alex's classroom to make paddleboats with his class (I put together ~20 paddleboat kits for the kids to assemble). Then spent an enjoyable 2 hours bringing the Miata to a high-gloss shine. Then finally got to work after lunch. Got old stairs down in about 1/2 hour. Took awhile to get the trick

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1087563125597211942004-06-18T08:40:00.000-04:002004-06-18T08:52:05.596-04:00

Building permit arrived yesterday. Permission! Going to lumberyard tomorrow to max out credit card. I'll be having most of the stuff delivered, but will take home the ledger boards, sonatubes, firring strips + fasteners. I'll be taking next Monday-Wednesday as vacation days to get this thing started. Here's my tentative plan: Monday - remove existing landing, stairs. Remove some siding.

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1087400271596118612004-06-16T11:31:00.000-04:002004-06-16T11:37:51.596-04:00

I bought a Makita 12-volt cordless drill 3-4 years ago. A really great tool. Recently the batteries have been fading. I looked up what replacement batteries cost and almost fell over - $65 per battery! I called up the local dealer and she opined that the drill packages (drill + charger + batteries) are sold at very slim margins, but the companies make up for it in replacement batteries. A

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1087325433998716482004-06-15T14:48:00.000-04:002004-06-15T14:50:34.000-04:00

You can, right here. Me - I'm holding out for Grampa's car - Dragula! teebee

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1086956963371698012004-06-11T08:14:00.000-04:002004-06-11T08:33:43.893-04:00

Was poker night last night, at James' house, on his new porch. I showed up a bit late - was in Northampton at a zoning board hearing for my sister-in-law Lisa, who is becoming the new owner of the Northampton Airport and needed a zoning variance in order to knock down some old buildings and put up some new ones. An interesting spectacle; she got the variance. I was there for moral support.

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1086784164376660202004-06-09T08:26:00.000-04:002004-06-09T08:30:05.263-04:00

We tore off our old deck when we put on our new addition. Time to build a new one. I'm reasonable handy and I built our old one, so I'll be building the new one. Plans can be found here if you're interested. I spent probably 3 weeks fussing with the plans. Basic structure is easy, but railings and stairs are a pain. I went to Town Hall yesterday and met with the building inspector. He

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1086486174618655732004-06-05T21:33:00.000-04:002004-06-05T21:42:54.620-04:00

Emma and I went to the new Harry Potter movie today - "Harry Potter and the Wizard of Azkaban". Went with her friend Madeline and Madeline's dad Joel. Sold-out show - showed up 40 minutes before showtime and line was already 100 deep. Still, we got good seats and settled in for the 2 hr, 20 min journey. Movie was very enjoyable. Focused much more in on Harry, Hermione and Ron. Old foils

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1086177528760591822004-06-02T07:57:00.000-04:002004-06-02T07:58:48.760-04:00

I wrote a javascript version of the old Atari Pong game awhile ago. Finally posted it on my Geocities site. Find it here. teebee

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1086124171972189312004-06-01T17:07:00.000-04:002004-06-01T17:09:31.973-04:00

My 25+ year old Norelco isn't cutting it anymore (pun intended). I'm looking for a new electric razor. Anybody have one they like? I don't want to spend a lot of $$ (under $50, if possible). I don't care about rotary vs foil vs whatever - as long as it does a good job. teebee

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5514832.post-1086092929020502882004-06-01T08:27:00.000-04:002004-06-01T08:30:10.170-04:00

Topsoil.

Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07296557357014438942noreply@blogger.com