Doctor Who Ups and Downs

Tech 1 Response »
May 312007

On a good side, there is a rumor that the Sci Fi channel will air season 3 of Doctor Who in July.

On a spit-nails-or-cry, The Sun has an article claiminng that Doctor Who would be axed after season 4 due to a mass exodus of the executive producer and writer, Russell T. Davies, and other senior staff. This article has since been disputed by an article on The Guardian (registration required), summarized on Outpost Gallifrey. Apparently, the rumours are false. There was some consolation: even if Davies left, the BBC would probably bring in a new executive producer.

Posted by Ceffyl Aedui at 12:06

Jobs and Gates: Together Again

Tech No Responses »
May 312007

Fascinating interview with Steve J. and Bill G. on stage from the D conference. These guys have history — and deep respect for each ohter. Interesting to read the blow-by-blow description of the interviews.

Steve Jobs and Bill Gates: Historic Discussion

Posted by Ceffyl Aedui at 10:50

Sewing Patterns

Belly Dance No Responses »
May 312007

I love the Internet. When I am clueless, someone has posted a page that has instructions. Here are the ones I used tonight:

Sewing darts

General tips and trick for sewing belly dance patterns

Reference site that has just about anything and everything

What is really stumping me is that the shoulder seams are “eased in”. I’ve read a few pages on easing in seams. What I was told was to basically pin the two seams to match the ends and the notches as close as possible. Sew them evening across so the one side is effectively evenly gathered. Man, I don’t want to start something like this when my brain isn’t functioning.

And the best reference of all? My Mom. I called her about all kinds of things this week. She has been great — and patient about helping me with sewing.

I’m going to bed. Things are not finished, but it’s about as much as I can do. I’m too tired to continue. Good progress tonight, though– finished the shirt, have the darts sewn for the vest (liner and outside pieces). The vest pieces are pinned together. Hopefully someone at dance class can help me with what needs to be finished. Or maybe I’ll be lucky and someone will be willing to just finish the vest. Maybe.

Posted by Ceffyl Aedui at 01:39

Not a Seamstress.

Belly Dance No Responses »
May 312007

Okay, so our first performance for June is June 2 in Knoxville. I’m behind on trying to make the costume. I’ve been really trying hard to get things situated together. I’ve failed miserably. Well I haven’t when you consider the last thing I sewed was a t-tunic–up one side an down another.

So here it is, 2:30 in the morning. I’m supposed to have the costume ready for a dress rehearsal tomorrow. I have the fabric cut out and pinned together. I’m really hoping that I have this correct. I’m about to sew the silly thing together… Who knows if I’ll have it correct? I have no idea. I’m tempted to just pin it and then let some of the other dancers (who have sewn these vests) look at what I have pinned before I sew it. That would probably save me a lot of time.

Any way… I’ve finished the shirt (although I think I’ll need to tighten the elastic in it). I have the skirt finished — just have to tie-off the elastic. No big deal (yeah for friends who are real seamstresses!).

I’m still kinda stymied by the belt. There are places with information on doing the belt, but I’m a little confused as tho how to get it to work out okay. Maybe I’m secretly hoping that if I have the silly thing pinned one of the other ladies can quickly stitch it–or at least offer advice. Sigh.

I had set aside Monday and most of Sunday to sew. I got side-tracked on Sunday by going out to the barn. I met the chiropractor and gave both of the girls baths. Monday was a recouperation day… I’ll write about that after a bit. Some stuff happened at the barn on Saturday. I’m still in shock.

Posted by Ceffyl Aedui at 01:31

The Girls

Horses No Responses »
May 302007

I worked both of the girls today. Ah, sanity! I drove up and Isis knickered at me. Walking into the barn, both girls whinneyed for me. That was a treat: first time they have both called for me.

I should have been sewing. Had to see the girls and play with them for a little while. Some times you just have to have sanity time… All of the troubles of the world fade away when I touch Isis. Something about being out there with her is just intensely peaceful.

Rajiyyah was awesome. We’ve learned a new trick when we’re working together: let her get all of the kinks out first. For the last two times we’ve worked, I’ve let her run around the ring while I’ve set up jumps or ground poles. She usually takes off and gallops for about five minutes. When she is finished playing, she starts trotting near me or around me. Once she even stopped right in front of me. (Such a good girl.) We worked on voice commands for a little while — walk, trot, canter, and gait transitions. She did very well.

OH! I also lead Rajiyyah over a jump for the first time. She actually went over it and jumped. She would only go over it if I went first.

The neatest thing? When we were done free lunging, she walked up to me and followed me around for a little while. This was the first time she had done this. It’s important because it means that she is seeing me not only as part of her herd but as a lead mare (and someone she can trust). Great progress. =)

It’s amazing how focused she is when she is huffing and panting from playing. We were able to accomplish a lot of progress after letting her play. Mom said that she always let Rajiyyah play before working — and now I know why.

I’ve often let Isis play in the same way. She ripped around the ring for a little while and then started trotting. I set up a ground pole between the jump standard and the fence. Every time Isis went over the ground pole, she would either jump it at a trot or she would do this amazing four-footed-lift and skip over it at a canter. Amazing. She did very well. We did transitions and also worked on some in-hand exercises for a sport horse in-hand class. She would be great in that.

Enough about the girls. I need to go to bed. Happy day.

Posted by Ceffyl Aedui at 01:44 Tagged with: , , ,

Package Update

General No Responses »
May 302007

Still hasn’t arrived. Damn, where is that thing? Why would it take so long to get to Canada and then so long to get back here? If the thing has not arrived by Friday, I’m going to put in a claim for the insurance.

This is ridiculous. Snail mail indeed. If this is priority mail, then what is “first class”?

Posted by Ceffyl Aedui at 01:39

Rest Well, Grey Mare

Horses No Responses »
May 262007

Brendie

Rest well, Brendie. One more mare taken from us because of colic.

Posted by Ceffyl Aedui at 20:45

Quality Control at Q-Tip

Just Silly No Responses »
May 232007

From a forwarded joke email:

When you have an “I hate my job” day try this:

On your way home from work, stop at your pharmacy and go to the thermometer section. You will need to purchase a rectal thermometer made by “Q-tip.” Be very sure that you get this brand.

When you get home, lock your doors, draw the drapes and disconnect the phone so you will not be disturbed during your therapy.

Change into very comfortable clothing, such as a sweat suit and lie down on your bed. Open the package and remove the thermometer. Carefully place it on the bedside table so that it will not become chipped or broken.

Take out the written material that accompanies the thermometer and read it. You will notice that in small print there is a statement: “Every rectal thermometer made by Q-tip is personally tested.”

Now, close your eyes and repeat out loud five times, “I am so glad I do not work in the quality control at the Q-tip Company.”

See? Your job isn’t really that bad after all.

Posted by Ceffyl Aedui at 19:24

"Express" Delivery Takes Two Weeks?

General No Responses »
May 222007

I finally called the hotel in Banff to see if the package had arrived and if they had returned it to sender as requested. They had, so theoretically I’ll have it back in a few days. With the way the current system is going, it appears that it will arrive at my house approximately one month after having been sent. If this is the service for “Priority” mail, I’d hate to see waht regular airmail would have done.

Buying the tracking option doesn’t keep you informed of jack. The USPS Web site claims that the tracking information is updated every evening. If a package with tracking is returned to sender, apparently the tracking option is voided. The “updated” information today from the USPS Web site said the following information:
Attempted Delivery Abroad, May 18, 2007, 1:37 pm, CANADA
Attempted Delivery Abroad, May 14, 2007, 9:35 am, CANADA
Out of Foreign Customs, May 11, 2007, 11:20 am, CANADA
Into Foreign Customs, May 09, 2007, 5:14 pm, CANADA
Arrived Abroad, May 09, 2007, 5:14 pm, CANADA
International Dispatch, May 07, 2007, 1:41 pm, MIAMI AMC
Enroute, May 07, 2007, 2:39 am, MIAMI, FL 33112
Enroute, May 05, 2007, 2:02 pm, KNOXVILLE, TN 37950
Acceptance, May 05, 2007, 12:10 pm, KNOXVILLE, TN 37920

Too bad you can’t get the US Government for truth in advertising complaints.

Posted by Ceffyl Aedui at 20:42

Wanna watch Doctor Who?

General No Responses »
May 202007

I was searching on YouTube for the latest episode of Doctor Who, called “42.” I have been anxiously awaiting this new episode. Sometime this season Captain Jack Harkness apparently comes back. It’s been two weeks since the last episode aired on BBC. Withdrawl! (Yes, I have been a Doctor Who fan all of my life. I admit it freely. I’ve attended conventions to hear Tom Baker and Colin Baker speak (Doctors #4 and #6 respectively). I’ve even been knitting a Doctor Who scarf.

The episode prior to the one that aired on Saturday was availble a few days later on YouTube. So when I cam home from the barn tonight I was excited: maybe I could find “42″ on YouTube. No luck. However, the searching around on YouTube provided a link to a UK site that lists low resolution versions of most of the season 1, 2, and 3 episodes:

TV Links: Doctor Who

Posted by Ceffyl Aedui at 21:25
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