All For Not?

That is the question.

How many times have you sat down and devoted yourself to doing something very complicated and time consuming only to find out later that the original reasons you initiated the task may no longer exist? I understand when it is bad planning. I understand when it is just due to inexperience at achieving a goal. But when you sit around investing yourself because you just got bad information from another party- it just is a bummer.

I recently spent over a month fixing a computer that essentially is nearly obsolete, BECAUSE... the school through which I'm taking a distance class with told me I could not use Windows 7 with software they will be using. In fact I'm still tying up a couple loose ends with the repair, but it is essentially working again. It had some virus that would redirect any web browser, typically when you used Google and clicked on a link. And of course the sites it took you to (typically faux search engines) would also occasionally infect the computer with new viruses given the opportunity.

So imagine my surprise when the class administrators want us to use Windows 7- when before they were all "Oh no... don't upgrade to Windows 7 or get a new computer. Uh-uh-uhh!"

They do have a web based feature that would still allow me to use my old computer (now working well but not giving me confidence). A coworker who is taking the course with me is getting a more extensive version of the software- and I think I'd like to do the same, which of course now means I need to get a new PC.

I was going to get an imac, but I'm leaning towards just getting a cheaper- mid grade laptop with Microsoft office installed and an upgrade to Windows 7 Professional. I can still keep my old computer operating for the time being although I'm anticipating decommissioning it and putting the laptop on a stand and just hooking up the existing monitor and keyboard that I have. The laptop would give me a portability that the imac will not have, and I won't have to fool around with Parallels and invest in Dual software (specifically Microsoft office) to run on Windows. I'd still like to do that eventually, but I just can't see my self messing around with it now with the course starting.

So... do I risk the potential of my existing PC failing again mid-course and just use the web-interface "On-Demand" version of the software? or do I get a new laptop (or Mac). I'm kind of cheap so I'm already thinking of reasons why I should just roll the dice and stick with my current setup.

Was the extensive work fixing my existing computer all for not?

Anyway, I've got some grooming to do, phlegm coughing, and potentially even some sleeping to get done before I go to work tomorrow, so I guess I'll wrap this up.

Lost a Week of My Life?

Yeah so I just had (have) some sort of bacterial bronchitis, but truthfully it sort of feels like I lost a week of my life. Plans were made and derailed.

I actually felt it coming on the weekend before last but wasn't officially in the throws of the illness, thankfully. Kate and I had a great time biking around the cape with Tim. We spent some good time swimming at Bank St. beach in Harwich, and Nauset Beach. Bank St. had warm gentle water, while Nauset had 59°F water and fierce waves that knocked the wind out of you. Both were a great time, but Bank St. was a little easier to handle, and calm enough to throw a ball around in.

So I thought my tickle would simply disappear in a couple of days. I was incorrect. Every time I thought I was "turning the corner" so to speak, the following evening seemed worse. I took Wednesday of last week off, and ended up leaving work early on Friday. Aside from decommissioning one of my old computers and preparing it for recycling or the dump my accomplishments were next to nothing.

Tuesday I watched District 9 through Netflix, which is a fantastic sci-fi movie by Peter Jackson. It managed to be corny, have great special effects, and have layers of philosophy to it all at the same time. As I was coughing up phlegm days after seeing this movie I inevitably sat around thinking about my mortality. I ruminated on how one needs to make the best use of the time that lies ahead of you that you can manage. We are in a constant state of change, and we should never take present day for granted.

But then again, perhaps I should have made better use of my time between coughing, breaking blood vessels in my eyes, and popping cough drops.

Regretfully I went to the Doctor's office today and they supplied me with some antibiotics. Hopefully they will help me clear up. He didn't think anything I have was too serious, I suspect I'm on the mend (although I thought that before). I hate to imagine a "serious" respiratory condition.

My hope for the future, to have my voice back, and to perhaps bike into work before the week is over.

The worst part about this is I haven't seen Kate since the Cape Cod trip because I cancelled our last couple times together due to my current affliction. So that will be the highlight of my week going forward.

So no politics for today... I'm too tired. I think the unmade bed is beckoning to me.

New Pornographers, The Dodos, Rockport and The Karate Kid

Kate and I had a fun filled weekend beginning Friday with The New Pornographers concert at the House of Blues. The Duchess and the Duke and The Dodos opened for the New Pornographers and they were excellent opening acts. When the Dodos performed the venue was already filled to capacity. I had seen the Dodos a couple of years ago in Portland. They've since added a 3rd band member who contributes sound effects and the occasional xylophone playing. The Dodos alone made the show worth going to, and if possible they were even better than the first time I saw them. They play with an intensity and passion that is pretty much unmatched, and have a sound that is unique.

The New Pornographers were great, they had a bit of a rough start when a disgruntled fan chose to throw a copy of their new cd on stage, one can only assume it was some sort of protest. The band members were clearly a bit taken aback. They tried to make light of it, although Neko Case launched into an expletive ridden tirade about how she was a "white trash bitch" and would fight the person who threw it. This eventually turned into "I'll fight everyone in the audience" before she finally ended admitting she had taken it too far. I got the feeling the band may have had a little back stage drama before the show because they looked tired and stressed. By about the third or fourth song into the set it turned around and it was a stellar, high energy show.
Daniel Bejar might give Stephen Merritt of the Magnetic Fields a run for his money in terms of eccentricities. Bejar is definitely the band member who does not fit in, which is saying something considering the vocalist/ keyboardist Katherine Calder is about ten years younger than the rest of the group. Bejar tended to leave the stage on many songs, and when he was there, unless he was singing he would perform with his back to the audience. I had read about this but forgot about it. A.C. Newman joked that Bejar had wet himself at one point, which I'm sure is probably a reoccurring act at shows. He was probably one of my favorites of the group. Katherine seemed to get enjoyment from the audience appreciation of the couple of songs which she led. Their set list spanned their discography, and they performed a three song encore. A crowd favorite was probably "My slow descent" (into alcoholism).

The very first opener, The Duchess and the Duke were a pleasant surprise. I'd call them a cross between folk grunge and rockabilly, and yes they were from Seattle. They consisted of a woman vocalist on guitar, a dude with a bumping beard on guitar, and a guy who seemed to sort of be the unofficial lead, even though besides vocals he just played tambourine. They were all slightly overweight, and the tambourine man, may or may not have been drunk. Their songs were filled with emotion, and they harmonized excellent together.

Saturday afternoon Kate and I went to Rockport and walked around in the wonderful weather. On Sunday, the weather seemed a bit questionable and we decided to see a movie. We caught the new Karate Kid movie which was exactly what I expected it to be, entertaining summer fluff, it was a nice escape. We may try to see Toy Story on IMAX next week.

Well... time to get ready for another week at work.

We Walked Through Geese and Lived

As promised to Kate, I'm blogging about this. As Kate and I walked around the reservoir near Cleavland Circle we came upon dozens of geese which were essentially blocking our path. We were intimidated by the presence of these birds. Hey, geese are fierce creatures. Sure they straddle a line somewhere between sophisticated beauty and comical poise, regardless we waited to see what several walkers behind us would do before risking the breach of their territory. We quickly proceeded after these observations, all the while hoping that they would not smell our fear. Luckily we made it through unscathed.

I Tie Shoes Very Poorly....

I'm actually kind of impressed, I was expecting there to be many more pictures. To be fair, there was one time that Kate didn't snap the photo, however, not bad for 6 days of walking- I may be doing better.

Day 6- Marking the end of our San Francisco Getaway

Continuing where I left off. This is actually the tidal intake for the Sutro Baths.Kate posing in front of the Seal Rocks. Nice capture with the gulls swooping by.

Here I am, I don't look nearly as good as Kate does in her shot.

Kate with the Golden Gate bridge in the background. We were determined to see inspiration point (which I'm still not sure we did) and find a great spot for the sunset, which we certainly did.

I snapped quite a few different shots of the sun over the water, so forgive me because I've posted most of them as well. I have a tough time deciding which one is the best.

The flash caught the cedar in this one, otherwise very nice.

Kate chilling out as I wait for the perfect sunset.

Kate enjoying the sunset.

One last shot of the Golden Gate Bridge.

We ended up waiting for a bus back at the legion of honor to get into town. It is a great location, so absolutely no complains. On the way into town we picked out our last San Francisco meal which was a Thai/ Sushi establishment in the Inner Richmond. It was a Sunday night so it was slow, however this place was another in a long line of great meals in the city by the bay. Complete with a "King & I" themed name.

Afterwards we didn't want the trip to be over so we went into town and rode the cable cars some more before eventually going back to the hotel. At one point we had a car all to our selves.

As my life passes before my eyes in those moments before I die, I'm sure many memories from this fantastic trip will comfort me in those final minutes.

Sutro Baths Footage

After I put up yesterday's post I found these on youtube. Unbelievable how things change.

Day 6 continued...

Back in San Francisco we headed over to the Cable Car Museum. The museum is located on the edge of Nob Hill, close enough to Chinatown that the cable car sign above is in Chinese script.

The museum is the powerhouse that drives the cars. I didn't realize prior to going to San Francisco that these cars aren't simply old fashioned trolleys. They are called "cable cars" for a reason. I assumed it was because of an electric cable- I was wrong. The cable runs under the street and is constantly running. The cars essentially work like a gondola except the cables that pull them are under ground, and they have the ability to clamp onto or let go of the cables at will to stop and go. Cars are also aided by breaks, a necessity in San Francisco.

This engine is a modern electric replacement built by everyone's favorite conglomerate, General Electric.

Grace Cathedral is a couple blocks up Mason St. from the Cable Car Museum at the top of one of the city's many hills. This San Francisco landmark is surprising constructed of cement. A true American Cathedral. The cathedral boasts a signature labyrinth inside the church, as well as outside on the plaza in front of it. Navigating the labyrinth is supposed to be meditative, as long as David Bowie, goblins and a minotaur don't show up midway.

A modern looking stained glass window in one of the Cathedral's chapels.

After crossing these attractions off of our remaining must do list, Kate wanted to go to the ruins of the Sutro Baths back out towards Ocean Beach. I was skeptical about this particular attraction but I'm thrilled we went. On the surface, ruins of a couple of old swimming pools sounds pretty uninspired, but this was a spectacular site. The location is gorgeous, and going there and imagining what it must have been like is out of this world. In the site's hey day it was the largest indoor pool/ spa made of 7 pools. The crazy thing is that 6 of the pools were salt water, and a mechanism was built so that the tides would keep them filled with water. This still exists today. It really is a marvel of engineering. This first image is on approach to the ruins, a still filled pool can be seen in the lower left corner.

This picture below looks out across where the pools used to be with the modern incarnation of the Cliff House off on the upper left.

This is an entrance to a tunnel dug to access a natural cave that was modified to fill the baths.

Below is the view from the mouth of the tunnel back towards the ruins. You could hear water rushing through what remains of the tunnels.

The natural cave in the middle of the tunnel. Apparently there used to be a pump in here to aid in filling the pools.

If you follow the tunnel all the way through the cliff you are treated to this spectacle. I tried several times to get the perfect image of water crashing on the rocks.

I believe this is looking out towards Seal Rock.

I'll continue Day 6 in the next post where we watch a gorgeous sunset, which served as a perfect conclusion of a trip to remember.

S.F. Day 6 Begins

Sausalito, a small picturesque town across the bay was our destination on the morning of April 18th. We had originally planned on biking to Sausalito, but in retrospect we probably should have done it at the beginning of our trip. After climbing up and down hills for 5 days we were questioning whether we had it in us to make the journey. Additionally I had some personal concerns about leaving our rented bikes locked up so we could explore, however given the number of people who were making these bike trips, I suspect it would not have been a problem. Instead we took a ferry across the bay which I think headed out around 11:00 am. This photo was taken on the approach to Sausalito.

Below can be seen the main street along the Sausalito waterfront. It has that standard touristy seaside village feel, although Sausalito had more high end boutiques in place of the typical galleries and gift shops we are used to seeing in New England. The weather was spectacular, quite possibly the best weather of the trip. It was in the 80s this day and we were loving it.

Looking back towards San Francisco and Bay Bridge.

This is where Kate and I went for lunch. It is simply called "Hamburgers" and they grill hamburgers and chicken sandwiches on a large rotating grill. There was a huge line to get in
and we waited 15-20 minutes for our food. They were pretty good, although they could have been great and weren't. This was largely because they cook all of their burgers well done, and the juicyness was essentially gone from my cheeseburger, however you could tell it was good quality meat. The rolls and toppings were fresh and the fries were tasty. We found a park bench across the street to wolf down our food.

A few random shots of the waterfront. Unfortunately we did not make it to see the area with the houseboats which Sausalito is famous for. Apparently this town inspired the Otis Reading song "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" which had its origins from a stay in one of the house boats. The song ran through my head the whole time I was there, and it seemed to capture the atmosphere well.

Some people taking in the rays in the park.

A reminder of home.

After taking in the waterfront we hiked up the steep hills that make up most of this town. The placing of the buildings on cliff sides and hills reminded me a bit of some of the villages I saw in Spain and Portugal. One of the comments I had to someone in Spain is that I wasn't used to construction that was actually on the hill sides. In New England typically the larger hills are mostly untouched and the towns stand in the valleys. This certainly is not true of these communities in the San Francisco Bay area.

Kate wanted a picture next to the flowers, which were everywhere. This photo totally does not do them justice.

A typical street on a Sausalito hill side.

Exotic? Utopian? Spectacular, that is for sure.

We took a different pedestrian stairway back down. There are some of these in Brookline where Kate lives, but none quite like these that we saw on this trip.

The colors were incredibly vibrant. It was very therapeutic to take all of this in.

What better way to end our time in San Francisco? Ice Cream! We had spotted Lappert's Ice Cream on our first run through of the "downtown" and were determined to drop in before we left. I had mint chocolate chip, I can't recall what Kate had, but I'm betting it involved chocolate.

Next up: The cable car museum, Grace Cathedral and more of San Francisco.