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What are you doing right now? Part 2
Greg wrote: "Esther wrote: "Greg wrote: "Esther wrote: "Greg wrote: "Well, here we go! Tomorrow I have tickets to ComicCon in San Diego. Since losing the yearly lottery a few years ago, Ron and I have been lo..."
That just sounds like bad organization and the conventions popularity out-running its organisation.
Israel has a small scifi/fantasy con. The bigger rooms where the more popular panels take place are cleared and cleaned between each session so nobody can 'camp out'.
I guess the lottery is a good idea to stop people lining-up for a 'first come, first served' but the tents are probably breaking some local ordinance especially if the residents are minors so law enforcement should be dealing with that.
And the lottery would be fairer if it was open to all. Maybe purchases from previous cons could buy you an extra entry to the lottery to give the vendors a boost.
I do wonder if they like the publicity created due to all the chaos. There are probably some people who want tickets just because it is so hard to get in.
Greg wrote: "Esther wrote: "Greg wrote: "Esther wrote: "Greg wrote: "Well, here we go! Tomorrow I have tickets to ComicCon in San Diego. Since losing the yearly lottery a few years ago, Ron and I have been lo..."
“Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.”
as Yogi Berra said
When You Come to a Fork in the Road, Take It!: Inspiration and Wisdom from One of Baseball's Greatest Heroes
The Yogi Book : I Really Didn't Say Everything I Said
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Tomorrow I have tickets to ComicCon in San Diego. Since losing the yearly lottery a few years ago, Ron and I..."
Haha, love it Joan :)
Esther wrote: "Greg wrote: "Esther wrote: "Greg wrote:
Mod
Tomorrow I have tickets to ComicCon in San Diego. Since losing the yearly lottery a few years ago, Ron and I..."
No I don't think it's deliberate Esther - the organization is non-profit. Comicon makes no money - the ticket cost just goes to cover the security, etc.
But yes, it has definitely outgrown itself - all of the publicity on night-time talk shows has not been good for it. Before it had the feel of a giant family of slightly weird people getting together and having a good time, but all the actors and major studios have definitely changed things. It's still fun but not the same. This year when I went I did find that several long-time exhibitors were no longer there.
Most of the years I was going it was crowded but I was able to purchase tickets easily if I did not wait until the last minute. There was no lottery. All of this is new the past eight years or so since the publicity got so big.
I do not understand why they don't clear the room between panels - that has always felt odd. And I have no idea why the police did not deal more with the camping out - I don't see tents anymore. I think those first years that the popularity went nuclear the police were possibly not prepared.
I used to have no trouble getting into any panel I wanted if I lined up an hour early. The years of the Twilight movies were the first years I couldn't get into the panels I wanted even if I lined up hours early.
Doing what I do most Saturday nights, depending on who is playing, going to a church coffeehouse for a concert. The concerts and the refreshments are free (donation based). It’s a great venue if you are not into the late night bar scene and having to go downtown. It’s usually folk, Americana, or bluegrass, sometimes Western or Jazz. I have a lot of musician friends in town so I go out to support them when they play. Tonight is a duo from Austin, TX. I have yet to hear a band from Austin that is not good! I hope everyone is enjoying their Saturday night!
Mod
That sounds really great Pam!
I love folk, Americana, & Bluegrass. Lucinda Williams used to play at a bar not too far from my house.
I am just about to leave the house to travel with my Dad down South to visit his sisters.Going to the desert on a day the temps are supposed to hit a high is not such a smart move, today will be 32c round here but 35-37 down there!, but he never seems to manage to organise a trip when my mother is here so I took the opportunity while my my daughter is still hanging around to volunteer her to look after their cats.
Dad and his sisters are only three left out of nine siblings so I like to ensure they keep in touch. They are a loving but not really a communicative family; never write letters and rarely make phone calls.
We are taking the train so I should get time to read and relax on the way.
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Going to the desert on a day the temps are supposed to hit a high is not such a smart move, today will be 3..."
Hope you have a great time Esther!
Have a good time, Esther! I hope the heat won't be totally unbearable.We had a couple of days at around 35°C here, but today it's raining hard so it's a bit less hot. I can't stand the heat, mainly because I have low blood pressure, which of course is nothing to worry about, but it can make the heat extremely uncomfortable.
Unbelievably hot here in New Mexico, too. It has been triple digits for the last 3 days! Its supposed to "dip down" to the mid 90s next week. We have a big outdoor (covered) music festival next Saturday. It usually rains in the afternoon, during this festival, which brings the temps down. But, if no rain, ugh... I am praying for rain and bringing ice packs and lots of water!
We've been trying to get a new Internet & telephone connection done on the new apartment for 19 days today - with no luck. The technician has been there twice and we've had endless phone calls but it seems kind of difficult for some reason I cannot understand. The apartment is very near the city center so I thought there should be no issue at all. I'm sort of worried because I use the Internet for work and cannot work without it, but luckily we decided to go to the Telecom company two months in advance just in case - and it seems we were right to do so.
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How frustrating Marina! I hope they get the connection fixed soon!
Marina (Sonnenbarke) wrote: "We've been trying to get a new Internet & telephone connection done on the new apartment for 19 days today - with no luck. The technician has been there twice and we've had endless phone calls but ..."What a pain with those phone companies! I don't know if it is the same everywhere, but here in Italy you have to pray that everything will work fine.
I had a similar problem 7 years ago when I moved. I moved also phone and internet connection (you can do it to keep the same number and same company with the same contract). Well, I informed them two months earlier, and they were able to come and fix everything after a month or more when I already lived in the new house.
One or two years ago internet connection went away because of a thunderstorm, and they left me a month without internet and phone. Then they solved everything, but for a month it was a pain to call them instistenly before they sent someone to check what was wrong. Two different technicians came (one Fastweb, the other Telecom) and one said that the work had to be done by the other; the other said, no, that the job had to be done by the first one. At the end I don't know who did the job because I had nothing wrong in my wires, but those on the street cabin had problems.
I really hope you will solve everything before you move!
Btw, I can't believe we are already at the end of July. As I told the last time, I've been really very busy in these last months. Finally today I have a "free" afternoon so I had time to read all the new messages in discussions I hadn't time to follow as I usually do.I don't know if I told you, but my son is now in India for 6 weeks. He is there volunteering for an NGO. He has been away for the whole summer: first a month in Malaysia to see again his host family of three years ago, then he went to South India and he is still there.
Well, last week he told me to send some money to help this NGO because it's really very small and not very known. Yesterday he sent me a message telling me that thanks to the donation I've sent, they will be able to buy a sewing machine to a single mother with two small children. This way she can start working and earn some money. I was so happy! Usually I don't like to send money because you never know how they are used or if the organisation is trustworthy.
The site of the organisation is this one: http://www.weedsngo.org/index.html
I don't say you have to send money too (also because they don't have PayPal but only bank transfer and it isn't as cheap as PayPal), but think about it ;-)
It's a great feeling knowing that you did something to help another person. I felt so happy yesterday and of course I want you, dear friends, to feel so happy too for a good deed :D
Marina (Sonnenbarke) wrote: "Have a good time, Esther! I hope the heat won't be totally unbearable.We had a couple of days at around 35°C here, but today it's raining hard so it's a bit less hot. I can't stand the heat, main..."
Well it was hot but the humidity is low so we sat in the A/C and I used lots of lip balm.
We ate couscous because everyone knows that is my Dad's favourite and spent most of the time chatting about family history and recipes.
My 75 year old aunt also taught her older brother, my 80 year Dad, how to use his smartphone to search Youtube for recipes!
This morning we went to visit the older sister who is now 88. She speaks mostly in French (which I understand) with the occasional phrase in Hebrew (which I understand) and Arabic (which I don't) . That combined with her false teeth meant I had to concentrate to understand her! Fortunately despite illness and hearing loss she is still quite on the ball and recognised not just my father but me too.
My Dad is quite tired from the whole trip but enjoyed it. I did too and the break from my routine did me a power of good.
Marina (Sonnenbarke) wrote: "We've been trying to get a new Internet & telephone connection done on the new apartment for 19 days today - with no luck. The technician has been there twice and we've had endless phone calls but ..."That sounds like a complete nightmare. I would be pulling my hair out by now.
dely wrote: "Btw, I can't believe we are already at the end of July. As I told the last time, I've been really very busy in these last months. Finally today I have a "free" afternoon so I had time to read all t..."You must be very proud of your son, do such good work to help those less fortunate.
Esther wrote: "You must be very proud of your son, do such good work to help those less fortunate. "Yes, I'm above happy that he is helping women, abused or mistreated women, or those who aren't accepted by society because single mothers, divorced or widows. Things are changing also in those places, but in rural villages it is more difficult to change an old mentality. That NGO helps also poor parents to send their children at school, or helps people from a low cast or "untouchables"; they teach them English, teach them a job etc. and help in many ways.
Right now I am taking a break and looking at messages. One of the twins was with me this morning and I played with him, read and sang to him and listened to him talk although I don't quite know what he is saying. When our daughter came in and the twins saw each other, Gabby and Henry were hugging each other and dancing around. My husband came in from playing tennis and we all had lunch. Then our daughter left with the kids and I may continue watching The Handmaid's Tale. To tell the truth I am exhausted. Ha Ha
Mod
Yes, I'm above happy that he is helping women, abused or mistreated women, or those who aren't ..."
That sounds like a wonderful thing to be involved in dely - what a difference your son will be making!
Mod
It sounds wonderful Nancy, though also exhausting :)
It really is exhausting and I am a senior citizen. But when they smile, my heart melts.To add insult to injury I got an e mail informing me that I had bought a $2000 Mac book. Sorry nice I never ordered this and smelled like a scam by I had to call Apple and then my bank and repeat my name 100 times. But it was all straightened out except tha I needed a nap afterwards.
That does sound stressful, Nancy. Glad you managed to straighten it out.A few years back my daughter went to Ecuador on a mission trip. They helped for a few days in a preschool that has very little. The people are very poor and have little money for supplies. My daughter fell for two young girls from the same family who virtually live in s cardboard hut. Anyway twice s year I send them money for school supplies and clothing, again at xmas for whatever they need. They send me pictures back showing the happy girls. I really hope the money is being used for what I send it for, but I guess I have to take in on faith that it is.
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A few years back my daughter went to Ecuador on a mission trip. They helped for a few days in a preschool that has very lit..."
I think it's a wonderful thing Diane, to give them hopefully more opportunities. Life can make us cynical, but I prefer to have hope.
Marina (Sonnenbarke) wrote: "We've been trying to get a new Internet & telephone connection done on the new apartment for 19 days today - with no luck. The technician has been there twice and we've had endless phone calls but ..."Wow, 19 days! And here I was feeling miffed that my cell phone died Sunday and I am going to have to go sign up with a new provider this week. I only have to go a few days and have commandeered my son's flip phone.
I hope you get your phones fixed soon!
Mod
To add insult to injury I got an e mail informing me that I had bought a $2000 Mac book. Sorry nice I never ..."
What a nightmare with the Mac book Nancy! - hopefully at least now all is good.
dely wrote: "I don't know if I told you, but my son is now in India for 6 weeks. He is there volunteering for an NGO. He has been away for the whole summer: first a month in Malaysia to see again his host family of three years ago, then he went to South India and he is still there."That is very compassionate and caring of him. It's one thing to send money (and very important!), but to give 6 weeks is a lot.
Thanks everyone! Diane, glad that also your daughter is like my son. It's always nice to see people (above all young people) caring about others around the world (or also nearby) instead of staying only at home with the smartphone, watching tv or playing with videogames lazing all day long.
Greg wrote: "I think it's a wonderful thing Diane, to give them hopefully more opportunities. Life can make us cynical, but I prefer to have hope."
Yes, sadly it is as you said. Not a long time ago I heard bad things about two important NGOs that I helped sending money. So I decided to stop sending money, but now my son sees how they are used. Maybe it helps that the NGO my son helps is a small one.
Apparently Internet and telephone are now working, yay! The company sent me a message to confirm, and we tried both the connection and the phone and it seems all right. It was about time. By the way, dely, the woman at the company shop advised me not to move the line but to activate a new one instead, because she said there's always trouble in moving lines... and I guess what you say confirms it.dely, it's so nice about your son, he must have a big heart. I agree with you that working on site with a small NGO helps, so he has a way to check what they're actually doing with the money. I have to admit I prefer small NGOs and charities over big ones, although in the past I donated money to big ones as well.
Mod
So glad Marina! :)
dely, kudos to your son for giving so much of his time !
Marina (Sonnenbarke) wrote: "Apparently Internet and telephone are now working, yay! The company sent me a message to confirm, and we tried both the connection and the phone and it seems all right. It was about time. By the wa..."Hurray!
Thanks Marina and Angela.
Marina (Sonnenbarke) wrote: "Apparently Internet and telephone are now working, yay! The company sent me a message to confirm, and we tried both the connection and the phone and it seems all right. It was about time. By the wa..."Yay!
Diane S ☔ wrote: "That does sound stressful, Nancy. Glad you managed to straighten it out.A few years back my daughter went to Ecuador on a mission trip. They helped for a few days in a preschool that has very lit..."
I think it is so good when children help out in such places. It teaches them so much but also gives them so much.
Nancy from NJ wrote: "It really is exhausting and I am a senior citizen. But when they smile, my heart melts.To add insult to injury I got an e mail informing me that I had bought a $2000 Mac book. Sorry nice I never ..."
So glad you got the MACbook issue sorted.
I'm mostly staying inside today due to unhealthy air for the last few days (wildfire smoke). I'm working on completing a Certificate in Editing program from the American Copy Editors Society (online). I started in June. I'm almost finished.
Mod
I'm working on completing a Certificate in Editing program from the American Copy Editors Society (onl..."
Congratulations on finishing the program Beth, and I hope the air quality improves soon!
I’m enjoying a BEAUTIFUL day in Edgewood, NM at the Wildlife West Arts & Music Festival! Did my first time emceeing. If any of you like bluegrass music, I highly recommend the band Wood & Wire. This is my 2nd time seeing them this year and they are even better than the first time! Going to music (especially bluegrass) festivals is my favorite summer activity! Hope everyone else is enjoying their weekend and staying cool!
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How fun Pan and I'll check out the band!
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Sounds like fun times for both of you, Pam and Greg.Hubby went to a ballgame with a friend, so I have a rare evening alone. Enjoying the quiet.
Thanks for sharing the pics, Greg!You visit always interesting places! I'm sure you had a wonderful time there.
Universal and the beach sound awesome Greg! Those would be my next favorite things to do, if I lived anywhere near either one of them. I’m sure you all had a fabulous time! Lucky!Tomorrow I start playing the guitar again, after almost a year of not playing! I have about 6 weeks to develop some basic skills like chord changes, before our next festival in Red River, NM. I gotta get busy!
Greg wrote: "Harry Potter Land: "Wow. I'm jealous!
This Friday was Tu B'av (Love Day) so we were supposed to be going to a festive meal at synagogue.We did considering some more serious celebrating as on Thursday our daughter finished her military service but our son was staying on base and she had made beach plans with friends inc. The Boyfriend.
At midday Friday DH had just popped out for last minute shopping when I heard a knock on the door.
Our son had the weekend home, after 3 weeks, and decided to surprise us!! It was wonderful to see him - poor boy did get rather smothered in kisses!
So of course we changed all our plans and had to eat at home. The butchers was still open but almost empty and I had no fresh veg in the house but I managed to scrape a nice meal together.
Then on Saturday I tackled the piles of stinky laundry - somehow he seems to have twice as much as his sister did!
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How was the Comicon? I hope you'll be able to have your lazy day today, I guess you don't have much of these and you really deserve to relax from time to time!"
Thanks Marina! :)
It was good - I definitely enjoyed it!
Lots to see, and I picked up little unique gifts for Dylan, my other niece & nephew, and for Ron as well as some original art. One of the people I used to go talk to wasn't there anymore, but several others were. I got some free books as well.
One panel I didn't get into unfortunately was a panel on Holocaust propaganda art with a talk given by a Holocaust survivor. I was a little disappointed not to get in, but on the other hand, I was extremely heartened that such a huge number of people lined up - getting in line an hour early for the panel wasn't early enough! I didn't think so many people would choose it with so many other panels on popular tv shows, books, etc, to choose from at the same time.