Any thoughts about it so far? Who are you going to see? Who do you think we should see? Almost every act has been announced by now, so I won’t list them all. It’s all on the web site. Here are some helpful links:

Main web site:
http://www.bumbershoot.org

Printable PDF artist lineup, schedules, and map, which includes the new venue that is replacing “the pit” (aka the Exhibition Hall)
http://bumbershoot.org/info/pdf/

Online lineup and scheduling tool:
http://sched.bumbershoot.org/

Miscellaneous info:
http://bumbershoot.org/info/about-bumbershoot/

Info about the free 40-years-of-Bumbershoot poster show (thru Sept. 7):
http://bumbershoot.org/40/umbrella-for-the-arts-40-years-of-bumbershoot-artwork/

Downloadable icons, wallpaper, and cellphone stuff:
http://bumbershoot.org/bumberfan/downloads.htm

Platinum/Gold Pass info:
http://bumbershoot.org/tickets/platinum-gold/

Buy tickets and ticket info:
http://bumbershoot.org/tickets/

That’s all for now…

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A couple days in Santa Cruz, a couple days working in the garden, dog training, more time (and activities) with the grandkids, visited with friends, a Rivercats game, Spamalot (twice), Brandi Carlile concert, Twilight: Eclipse at the Imax, Second Saturday, watching the Fab Four at the fair, catching up on some things, hanging some album covers for art (a couple different times), a walk to the grocery store, some reading, a little work on Obsessed With Music and SacMusicBlog, food at Curry Corner, Capitol Dawg, A Taste Of Thai, 524 Mexican, La Fiesta Taqueria, etc.

And other stuff that my aging brain doesn’t remember off hand. Does any of that sound interesting? Feel free to comment.

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This one starts right off. No, really. A few pages into it the whole premise happens. And the rest of the book is just what happens after. But King develops the characters reasonably well and there is enough subsequent action and suspense to keep the reader reading. It might have drug a little a couple times but not much and it made for a few late nights reading when I didn’t want to stop.  If you like Stephen King then I would recommend it. My favorite of his is still Salem’s Lot, although I read it many, many years ago. Hope I am remembering it right! 

Anyway, here’s what Publisher’s Weekly had to say about Cell:

What if a pulse sent out through cell phones turned every person using one of them into a zombie-like killing machine? That’s what happens on page six of King’s latest, a glib, technophobic but compelling look at the end of civilization—or at what may turn into a new, extreme, telepathically enforced fascism. Those who are not on a call at the time of the pulse (and who don’t reach for their phones to find out what is going on) remain “normies.” One such is Clayton Riddell, an illustrator from Kent Pond, Maine, who has just sold some work in Boston when the pulse hits. Clay’s single-minded attempt to get back to Maine, where his estranged wife, Sharon, and young son, Johnny-Gee, may or may not have been turned into “phoners” (as those who have had their brains wiped by the pulse come to be called) comprises the rest of the plot. King’s imagining of what is more or less post-Armageddon Boston is rich, and the sociological asides made by his characters along the way—Clay travels at first with two other refugees—are jaunty and witty. The novel’s three long set pieces are all pretty gory, but not gratuitously so, and the book holds together in signature King style.

Have you read this book? If so (or if not), what do you think?

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This one covers ground that is a bit close (or could have been), a woman dying from cancer and in terrible pain, so she asks her husband to help end her life. And in this case, he does it for her. So, how far is too far if the act is out of love? And then there’s the police chief, in a comfortable marriage. That is, until a newcomer threatens to change everything. It’s a good story and a compelling read. As with the other two of her books, I enjoyed it.

Here’s what Library Journal had to say about it:

Cameron MacDonald is both the chief of police in the Massachusetts village of Wheelock and the reluctant figurehead chieftain of the MacDonald clan, which immigrated there in the late 1700s. Thus it is to Cam that his cousin Jamie turns after he accedes to his suffering wife’s wish and helps her to die. Cam, who longs to travel and free himself from his family obligation, arrests Jamie for first-degree murder but then hires a lawyer for him. On that same day, exotic young Mia wanders into the village and is hired by Cam’s wife, Allie, to help out in her florist shop. Cam and Allie have reached a comfortable plateau in their marriage, but both sense that something is missing. Mia and Cam are irresistibly drawn to each other, she to his established place in local society and he to her itinerant lifestyle. The story explores love and the intricate balance of give and take that marriage demands. Picoult offers a well-written novel with touches of spirituality that are reminiscent of Alice Hoffman’s stories. Highly recommended for most collections.

Have you read it or maybe other books by her? Leave me a comment below!

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But anyway, I have more things I will miss and may even think of more down the road, but here are some:

My RDO – I used to get every other Friday off, because I worked an extra hour on each of the other days. It works out to the same number of hours but a better schedule makes a happier and more productive employee. Of course, now every day is a day off.

The stairs – Huh? Well, I used to work on the 11th floor and took the stairs whenever possible. Good exercise, right? Hmmm, but now that I am retired I can go to the gym whenever I want, especially when it’s not crowded (like the day before yesterday). Bye bye stairs.

Teleworking – I used to be able to work from home most Wednesdays. And most of the time I was more productive because I had very few interruptions and phone calls. Now, I get to be home but don’t have too worry about that annoying “work” part.

Restaurants – When I was working downtown there were hundreds of restaurants that I could go to for lunch if I wanted. The ironic thing, I rarely did it. It’s much cheaper to bring some food from home. But every once in a while…

Being downtown – Sometimes on my break or lunch I would take a walk. Maybe down the K Street mall or (even better) over to Capitol Park and around the capitol building, that was really nice. Or just a little bit of midtown. I loved walking around down there and seeing things. You know, when you drive you miss so much. But hey, I can still go there! And without that “gotta get back to work” thing hanging over my head.

The big library of computer books in our unit – Yeah it was nice, but I can always use “the Google”. ‘;-)

And I will miss some of the people, but I already said that one a few posts ago…

Other things I will miss

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And so it goes. Today is the first day of my retirement and I shall go to work no more. As you can see from the picture, my loving  wife Petra decorated the most important places of the house (at least on first getting up). She did the coffee maker and also the spot where I tend to sit and drink the coffee (and read the paper). Awww, is she the sweetest ever or what?!!

And we had a nice lunch today with friends Jared and Ashleigh at Pooja, an Indian food buffet. And if that was not enough, we have an art class with one of the grandkids later today. So you can see I’m keeping busy, at least on the first day. But sharp-eyed readers will notice that I did NOT go to work.

Feel free to comment below…

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As I get to the final days, I realize another thing I will miss. And that is: cubicles. Really? Are you kidding me? Well, I’m pretty sure that I will adapt to not having one. After all, soon the whole world will be my cubicle, hahaha!

Well, maybe that’s not the best way to look at it. But cubicles are so organized. And orderly. And functional. A place for everyone and everyone in their place. Yeah, both me and Dilbert have been in a cubicle for a long, long time. Yikes!

Well, ok. I’m crazy and I admit it. Hey, maybe I need to retire

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One more thing I will miss from work is having two monitors. Both are hooked up to the same computer. If you haven’t had this setup, you might think “why would you want it?”. But once you have it, you realize it is very cool. You can make code changes in one monitor and then view the changes in the other. And no more switching back and worth between programs. You can multi-task with any two things you want to do. Seriously, it is a good thing. Of course, I could have this at home if I really wanted it, but remember, I’ll be on a “fixed income”. 

Hey, wait a minute. What’s that on the right monitor? Yes! It is! It’s www.stevenology.com. Readers who click on the picture may also notice the Sgt Peppers mouse pad and the peace magnet and the Beat record store magnet. Not to mention the general messiness of the cubicle. What can I say, I’m half-packed and getting out of here!

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But here is another thing I will miss. You may scoff, but I will miss the ATM machine that is in the cafeteria at work. It is SO convenient to have it in the same building. Need cash, no problem (well, if you have it that is). But it is so easy to get a little spending money.

Not for long, though. Once I retire, my bank’s closest ATM to my house is about four miles!  Sheesh! C’mon, Golden One Credit Union, how about an ATM near my house? Ok, enough of that. I’m still retiring!!

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And so someone, or even everyone, brings in some food. It could be one thing, or it could be a conference room full. Just look at this stuff from the other day: cookies and chocolate covered strawberries. Yow! And what you see in the picture is about a third of what there was to start with. Most of this stuff I never buy. But when it’s in front of me? Well, what’s a guy to do…? 

I’m sure my body will be better off without all the food that people bring in. But it’s so good, you know I will miss it!

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