Travelling Without A Computer...
On Monday, Holly flew down to Arlington Texas to spend the week at the Martha Pullen show. She roomed with her friend Missy Billingsly and hung out with folks from BabyLock corp as well as Becky J McNeill, Ina Archer, SewDot, Mimi Deck, and a bunch of other folks who I can't think of right now.
I'm sorry if you're one of those other folks whose name I forgot to mention. I'm a guy and we have a hard time remembering names when we're young. Add in the CRS-thing and it get's really bad. :-)
Holly sat in on a couple serger classes and I took her serger in for service while she is gone since I suspect she'll want to use it when she gets home. Especially now that she has been playing with sergers for a few days.
This was a first for Holly. She went away for a week without her computer. It's still sitting here at home. She stayed in touch with her iPad and cell phone, but no computer. When she asked what I thought of her leaving the computer home, I encouraged her to do it. She can stay in touch and online using the other devices and elimate the need to carry the extra weight of computer, drawing tablet, power supplies, mouse, connectors, and so on. I'm sure it was really appreciated as she was going through the airports. :-)
Back when she had a corporate job, she travelled about 100,000 miles a year on United carrying a laptop with her and clothes for a week. Old habits are hard to break. :-)
ARRL Field Day...
This weekend was "Field Day". I set up my ham station and played radio operator for a few hours. Field Day is the last full weekend of June each year and was started back in 1933. (You can get more detailed info on the ARRL Field Day here.)
Field Day is an event each year where about 30,000 amatuer radio operators nationwide set up a portable ham raido station and make conact with each other for 24 hours running from Saturday noon to Sunday noon. They exchange location, power level, and type of installaction they have set up all in a special "shorthand" exchange that takes about 30 seconds, then move on to make another exchange as quickly as possible.
It's run as a "contest" but the only prize is the knowlege that you participated and did well. The purpose though is more than having fun. The experience gained by doing this exercise makes it possible for those same folks to be there when normal communications systems fail. Huricanes, tsunami's floods, tornados, and other natural as well as man-made disasters all benefit from the skilled ham operators who can and do step in to provide communications when needed.
So I set up my station temporarily, erected an antenna, and exchanged info with about 45 other hams in a few hours of operating. It was fun and it's the first time I've done this as a single operator instead of participating with a group. I now know I am ready and able to provide communications if needed.
Next Weekend Is A Holiday For America...
Next weekend is Independence Day or "Fourth Of July". For our non-USA readers, that's the day we celebrate our nation's founding when our forefathers signed the Declaration Of Independence on July 4th 1776.
I grew up in Delaware, one of the 13 original colonies. Our state's delegates were tied on the issue of separation from England and one of our local hero's by the name of Cesar Rodney made a midnight ride from the Delaware state capitol to the Continental Congress to break the tie. While not as famous as the Paul Revere ride, it is something taught to every kid in school in Delaware. At least it was when I went to school there. ;-) Follow the link to the Cesar Rodney wiki entry. You never know when you'll be playing Jeopardy or Millionaire and need that little tidbit of information. :-)
Hope you all have fun next weekend.
Make something patriotic this week!
-- Larry
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-- Larry
Larry@ATW
Posted by: Lidia Date Posted: Jun 07, 2011 Description: Doily design by Sue Box.
Posted by: cms4atw Date Posted: Jun 16, 2011 Description:Baby Colin was named after his grandfather who had a love for the muscle cars of the 50's through the 70's. I love the motion that the placement of the quilt blocks give this project. The cars embroidered on the top and bottom panel are from emblibrary.
