Summer Solstice camp-n-ride

We rode the Summer Solstice ride in Quincy, CA again this year; one cool feature of the ride is that they have camping available at the county fairgrounds where the ride starts and finishes. Nimue and Grandma Linda camp with us, and get to play around in Quincy while Anna and Chad go for their ride.

Chickens

Nimue met these young chickens during a gathering at a friend's house... Nimue followed the chicks around the yard very patiently and quietly, getting closer and closer with the intent of touching them. Pretty soon, she had accomplished her goal (although the darker-colored bird was pretty skittish.) Meanwhile, the rest of the folks had sat around the patio to eat dinner. Nimue came over to join us, and in five minutes all the birds followed her! This was not part of their normal routine -- everyone was most surprised. The birds entertained us for a long time as they scrabbled around the patio looking for crumbs, and being experimentally fed with all manner of tasty leftover tidbits. The birds seemed satisfied and wandered off while we chatted.

Then, quite unexpectedly, they snuck up from behind and one after another jumped right up in Nimue's lap, made themselves comfortable, and got ready for bed!

nimue's 7 mile bike ride

i will ride my bike said nimue
and she did then she said i want taco bell for lunch


THE
END

Nimue's reading medal

This week marked the culmination of the Family Reading Program at Nimue's school; she has read 157 books since the program started in February! She was recognized for her achievement with a certificate, coupons for free burgers and ice cream, and a medal that she is very proud of.

A longish bike ride

Got out for a nice mountain-bike ride last weekend; the weather was unseasonably cool and cloudy, but I was happy just to be outside riding. This ride was on my single-speed; with only one, you're always in the wrong gear!



View Larger Map

Fun with AT&T billing!

Trying to make sure my old phone service is actually disconnected, I had to go through 4 entities (the first one was a computer) and provide my phone number each time... was told I would receive my "Final Initial" bill shortly. Now, just what the heck is *that*? Final means last, initial means first, presumably of several... "I'm just reading it off the screen, sir" says the polite fellow on the line.

They can't tell me whether my close-out bill will be sent electronically or in the mail... and I get two different amounts from two different people.

How much inefficiency can one (mega-corporate-behemoth) company withstand? The very first person I spoke with should have been able to answer my pretty simple question.

I really wasn't on hold all that long, and the call still took 27 minutes.

Solar in SF

This site shows a map of all the solar installations in the city of San Francisco -- pretty neat!
http://sf.solarmap.org/

Mars Landing

The Phoenix lander arrives on Mars on Sunday the 25th... The mission website is http://phoenix.lpl.arizona.edu/


NASA TV coverage begins at 3:30 pm Pacific time.

The area I lead at work has teams providing the tools for mission planning, data viewing, and work-area visualization.

Visit to Cantor museum

We went to the Cantor art museum with Frosty and Grandma Linda / Mom last weekend, but this post didn't make it onto the blog...

Click on the photo below to see the album (4 pictures).

Visit to Cantor museum of art