Random Bits

So many things are going on lately. Last weekend Gwen and I spent Saturday at the International Steampunk City Festival here in Waltham, MA - it was a heck of a lot of fun, and if I'd had my shit together I would have gone all-out costume wise. My shit was not together enough for that, but I have big ideas for next time (hopefully there will be a next time!).

It started to pour half-way through the day and we took refuge in the Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation where they had a huge Steampunk exhibit. I am completely enamoured of the huge cast iron stoves that have been retro-fitted with modern cooktops and such. So so pretty.

And the Steampunked guitars were incredibly cool. And if they hadn't been over a hundred dollars, one of the Steampunk flash drive might have come home with me.

I also really liked the girl who was upcycling silver plated items - old tea services and such, by stripping off the ugly tarnished silverplate and kiln-firing shiny single-colored enamel. Very very pretty stuff. Old shapes in modern shiny colors. And while that old ugly silverplated stuff handed down might not be so serviceable anymore as tarnished and looking a little sketchy, this girl is making it useable again.

Things they did right: the event "program" was in the style of a newspaper - so damned cool. Using the entirety of downtown Waltham. Choosing a good weekend - even if it did rain. Getting all the entertainment they were able to - from the Steampunked guitars to the Morris dancers to the guy who made his own small organ and "Magestic Bellowphone" to the hurdy-gurty players - it was a lot of fun.

Things they did wrong: Having one of their vendor/performance spaces hard to find and get to. A limited access building was not conducive to what they were trying to do. Because of the rain, having some of their vendors outside was a bit of a gamble. They could have used more signage. And their pre-event Web site was difficult to navigate.

On the whole I'd go back next year.

Oh! and I got the new computer last Friday - thank goodness! I am still getting used to the more spread out keyboard, and the trackpad/button combo. And well, having things slightly different. Like, I have the most up-to-date version of Word. Which has far more bells and whistles and everything is in different spots - and I've had to use the help menu several times when I'm trying to do the simplest of things. The problem is Word is just NOT that SIMPLE anymore. I'll get used to it.

In other things - plans for Ascendio move apace. Look for some thrilling announcements very very soon.

And I think my mom and I are going to take a little trip into Boston tomorrow for some Mom-Daughter time. We'll likely be home in time for lunch, but the morning should be very enjoyable.

How the heck is is the middle of May already?

Today, I rose at 4am (eastern time) and after my normal ablutions, picked up my already packed suitcase, backpack and shipping tube and drove the the bus station. I boarded the 5am bus to Boston's Logan airport and we arrived at the airport at about 5:36am. I then checked in for my 7:30am flight to Denver (with my end destination being San Jose, CA). Through security with no troubles, I stopped at the Dunkin Donuts kiosk for a couple of bottles of water and a bagel with cream cheese. At 7am - just before they started to board my flight the gate attendant was looking for folks to volunteer to give up their seats as the flight was overbooked.

You guessed it. I volunteered. So instead of having an hour layover in Denver, I got on an 8am non-stop flight to San Francisco. Yep. I was going to SFO - not San Jose. My checked baggage was still going to San Jose. The gate agent said No Problem! We'll issue you a voucher for a shuttle bus to San Jose airport where you can reunite with your bags! Here's a free ticket for use in the next year! Let me upgrade you to an aisle seat in Economy Plus!

So I boarded a plane to SFO with instruction for how to get my shuttle voucher. I had a great seat! It was so roomy, my seatmates did not need to disturb me to get up to use the restroom.

The inflight entertainment? Was The Office, Ugly Betty, Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium, and Dan in Real Life. I only watched one. Guesses as to which one (hate Steve Carrel, and I don't watch Ugly Betty)?

I got off the plane and went to two different gate agents before I found one who could authorise the voucher. Mini problem! The gate agent in Boston did not add this to my online profile, so she had to go up the chain of command. Finally got my voucher and I had about an hour to the next shuttle.

Spent some time outside basking in the sunshine while coughing at the taxi fumes. Picked up the shuttle to San Jose airport - hoping my baggage made the connection in Denver, and was even now winging its way to meet me. All this before 1pm (west coast time).

Finding the proper terminal took a bit, but I got to baggage claim and lo! we were reunited! With my baggage clutched in my hands, I followed the instructions to the rental car shuttle to pick up the rental car - modes of transportation! (are you keeping count? Car, bus, airplane, shuttle van, shuttle bus, another shuttle bus, rental car).

With sktchy instructions I made my way to 880 north, and finally checked into my hotel. It is just about 4pm local time, and I am a. famished, and b. exhausted!

But I have a shiny free ticket that maybe I can use to get to Portus this summer!

I only wish the rental car wasn't red...

So what did you all do today?