Yes I know it sounds repetitious but today was warm and sunny. After the paper and coffee at the Kava House, I got on my retro and pedalled to the office. Today was the last day for one of our summer interns. Pizza and cake was served. I also got caught up on all the engineering gossip.
After lunch I picked up the shears and drapes from Master Cleaners. Nancy and I spent the next hour hanging said drapes and shears. We had one section that had to be returned to the cleaners because of a spot they missed.
I packed my bagged for my trip to Tasha's house tomorrow. I will leave about 0900.
Tonight Nancy and I attended a meeting of the Ottawa Hills Neighborhood Association. A movie company run by Samuel Jackson wants to use the middle school for a movie. The filming would take about 3 to 4 months. All in attendance were in favor of allowing the movie people.
It looks like the middle school will be sold to the Christian School people for use as an elementary school. All the neighbors think this is a good use for the building.
Today I made a big decision. Since I am retired why do I need an alarm clock. I have informed Nancy that I will get up when my body tells me. I don't know how long this will last.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Wednesday August 13, 2008
I lost my blog for today so I am starting over. Boy do we need rain. Another warm, partly sunny day. I have been watching so much swimming in the Olympics that I want to spend more time in the pool. Today I swam 1000 yards. The new chemicals in the pool are great. My nose and skin appreciate the MAC's investment in new chemical equipment.
After swimming I had my Wednesday oatmeal at the Omelette Shop. Today is chore day. I took shirts to the laundry, tried to get glass in the screen doors in Stephen's old room, and purchased dog bones and skin lotion at Meijers. The glass for the screen doors was a bust. I now have to figure out how to keep the room warm in the winter.
I did have time to throw my kayak in the Grand River. I spent 1.5 hours in the river between Riverside Park and the 6th Street dam. The lack of rain has resulted in very low water levels in the river.
Tonight is Nancy's book club so of course the boys had pizza at Fred's. Tonight we spent most of our time talking about the Olympics.
After swimming I had my Wednesday oatmeal at the Omelette Shop. Today is chore day. I took shirts to the laundry, tried to get glass in the screen doors in Stephen's old room, and purchased dog bones and skin lotion at Meijers. The glass for the screen doors was a bust. I now have to figure out how to keep the room warm in the winter.
I did have time to throw my kayak in the Grand River. I spent 1.5 hours in the river between Riverside Park and the 6th Street dam. The lack of rain has resulted in very low water levels in the river.
Tonight is Nancy's book club so of course the boys had pizza at Fred's. Tonight we spent most of our time talking about the Olympics.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Tuesday August 12, 2008
Out of the rack at 0530, preform a modified exercise routine and head downtown to be at the City Attorney's office by 0815. Today was my day as a member of the Grand Rapids Building Authority (GRBA) to attend a "Facilitative Mediation Hearing". The GRBA is suing the architect and contractor over a leaking roof at the museum. The court asked to City to try the facilitative mediation process (FM) before resorting to a trial.
The Facilitator is an attorney hired by GR to try and resolve the dispute. It is not arbitration. The facilitator puts the 3 parties in separate rooms and moves between the 3 rooms to see if an agreement can be reached. After 6 hours the facilitator stated that we were at an impasse.
It was an interesting day. 12 people attended the hearing. 5 of the participants were attorneys. My immediate observation was that all lawyers wore either a gray or blue suit. All men (11) except for yours truly had a full head of hair. 4 people were left handed. My opinion is that the architect made a design detail error and should pay the most. We were asking for $270,000. The architect was out of St. Louis and was not interested in paying anything.
All in all it was an interesting day. A nice diversion from biking and kayaking. Tonight we are watching the Olympics. I still have not seen any rowing or kayaking.
The Facilitator is an attorney hired by GR to try and resolve the dispute. It is not arbitration. The facilitator puts the 3 parties in separate rooms and moves between the 3 rooms to see if an agreement can be reached. After 6 hours the facilitator stated that we were at an impasse.
It was an interesting day. 12 people attended the hearing. 5 of the participants were attorneys. My immediate observation was that all lawyers wore either a gray or blue suit. All men (11) except for yours truly had a full head of hair. 4 people were left handed. My opinion is that the architect made a design detail error and should pay the most. We were asking for $270,000. The architect was out of St. Louis and was not interested in paying anything.
All in all it was an interesting day. A nice diversion from biking and kayaking. Tonight we are watching the Olympics. I still have not seen any rowing or kayaking.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Monday August 11, 2008
Yes folks it was sunny and cool. However, it was also a typical Monday. We had a bulb burn out in our new backroom ceiling light. I have never changed this light so I did not know how to get the globe off. After much searching I decided that the connection was hinged. I was wrong and thus I broke one of the three connections. I also did not have a halogen bulb.
My next job was to hang the curtain brackets. After a close inspection I found that the existing brackets would not work with the new windows. Another trip to the store.
I did wash the outside surface of five new windows. Then I decided to cut the grass. Cutting grass like shoveling snow are two thing I can do satisfactorily.
Nancy and Karen H drove to Lansing to have lunch with my sister and Mary Ellen. A good time was had by all.
Tonight is an Olympic watching night. I would like to see some rowing and weight lifting.
My next job was to hang the curtain brackets. After a close inspection I found that the existing brackets would not work with the new windows. Another trip to the store.
I did wash the outside surface of five new windows. Then I decided to cut the grass. Cutting grass like shoveling snow are two thing I can do satisfactorily.
Nancy and Karen H drove to Lansing to have lunch with my sister and Mary Ellen. A good time was had by all.
Tonight is an Olympic watching night. I would like to see some rowing and weight lifting.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Sunday August 10, 2008
Surprise today was sunny and cool. Highs in the low 70s. Nancy and I started the day with a 45 minute swim. I practised my Michael Phelps stroke. Not much success.
We have been watching the Olympics all day. I took my Sunday nap and then went for a 2.5 mile walk. This evening we continue watching the Olympics.
Goggle has photos of all the streets in GR. I am going to see what our house looks like. To get to the web site you go to "maps.google.com". Type in GR, the street name and click on Street View. It looks easy. I will let you know tomorrow.
We have been watching the Olympics all day. I took my Sunday nap and then went for a 2.5 mile walk. This evening we continue watching the Olympics.
Goggle has photos of all the streets in GR. I am going to see what our house looks like. To get to the web site you go to "maps.google.com". Type in GR, the street name and click on Street View. It looks easy. I will let you know tomorrow.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Saturday August 9, 2008
Saturday dawned as a warm sunny day. Isn't every August day in GR warm and sunny.
After breakfast at the Brandywine I loaded up the road bike and headed to Montcalm County. My goal today is to ride the Fred Meijer Heartland Trail. Most of the construction work on the trail was designed by our office. I started in Sidney and headed northeast for Edmore a distance of 12 miles. It was a pleasant trip as was the return trip. I also traveled southwest about 5 miles. Total travel today = 34 miles. The nice thing about the old RR grades is that they are flat and have no autos.
The Detroit Free Press on Friday had nine full pages on the trials and tribulations of the Detroit mayor. Today the paper had all the details on John Edwards. The GOP does not have a lock on bad boys.
The Olympics are very interesting. I am having trouble getting my computer to give me the streaming reports. I will have to play with it some more. I hope Mike Phelps does not experience the SI curse.
After breakfast at the Brandywine I loaded up the road bike and headed to Montcalm County. My goal today is to ride the Fred Meijer Heartland Trail. Most of the construction work on the trail was designed by our office. I started in Sidney and headed northeast for Edmore a distance of 12 miles. It was a pleasant trip as was the return trip. I also traveled southwest about 5 miles. Total travel today = 34 miles. The nice thing about the old RR grades is that they are flat and have no autos.
The Detroit Free Press on Friday had nine full pages on the trials and tribulations of the Detroit mayor. Today the paper had all the details on John Edwards. The GOP does not have a lock on bad boys.
The Olympics are very interesting. I am having trouble getting my computer to give me the streaming reports. I will have to play with it some more. I hope Mike Phelps does not experience the SI curse.
Friday August 8, 2008
08/08/08 that is all everyone talks about. How about 07/07/07 or 05/05/05? Today is Mary Helen's birthday. I called and we talked about her advanced age. Helen says it has been cold and wet in Gaylord. In GR it has been warm and sunny.
The painter for the new windows arrived at 0800 and he finished all work. The windows look great. Monday I will pick up the drapes and curtains from Master Cleaners and then we can put all the furniture back.
Friday afternoon I took my 15' kayak and put in the Grand River at Johnson Park. I paddled upstream to the Plaster Creek outlet. Total time on the water = 2.5 hours.
Last night Nancy and I met the Nameys at the Green Well for dinner. The food was good but when I gave them my $50 gift card with $18 remaining they said no money remained. I have not yet figured out how to get my full use of the card. Perhaps I will have to start writing letters?
We left the Green Well and had dessert at the Nameys. It was good.
When we got home the opening ceremonies for the Olympic games were still on. China put on a great show.
The painter for the new windows arrived at 0800 and he finished all work. The windows look great. Monday I will pick up the drapes and curtains from Master Cleaners and then we can put all the furniture back.
Friday afternoon I took my 15' kayak and put in the Grand River at Johnson Park. I paddled upstream to the Plaster Creek outlet. Total time on the water = 2.5 hours.
Last night Nancy and I met the Nameys at the Green Well for dinner. The food was good but when I gave them my $50 gift card with $18 remaining they said no money remained. I have not yet figured out how to get my full use of the card. Perhaps I will have to start writing letters?
We left the Green Well and had dessert at the Nameys. It was good.
When we got home the opening ceremonies for the Olympic games were still on. China put on a great show.
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