Half-time

Posted on by September 16, 2017  

Since George is such a good sport about attending As games with me I just couldn’t turn him down when he said he had tickets to the Cal Football game this evening. Since my dental appointment (actually periodontal appointment) at the SFVA this morning went well I didn’t even have pain or discomfort as an excuse.

It was a lovely walk into town. Silly me, I though he said the game started at 1900. It turned out to be 1930 which still doesn’t explain why it took almost 2 hours to get to half-time. Meanwhile the temperature had dropped significantly. I started to get cold even though there really wasn’t any wind. The stadium is well designed that way.

Never mind I was wearing tights, jeans, a turtleneck, a fleece AND a leather jacket – sitting still means the cold started to seep into my bones. By 2130 I was shaking and elected to walk home rather than tough out another couple of hours. I was sorry to miss the Cal Marching band. Ole Miss was leading (non-conference game) and I will spare you my thoughts on their nickname.

It was a long uphill walk, of which I am sure you have heard me complaining about before. I am thinking about a nice warm cup of green tea and a book….

Construction update

Posted on by September 14, 2017 1

It has been a while since I have bored everyone else, much less myself with the current status of the ongoing renovation/construction.

There was progress while we were gone. Most of it isn’t visible to the eye involving foundation, heating coils, more concrete, and wooden uprights. And then there is the wiring and plumbing. Where before there were wires hanging and occasional circuits in the house not functioning there are now two breaker boxes on the wall of what will become my utility room. There are pipes with valves where there will be plumbing fixtures and sinks There are the beginnings of walls.

The front entry revision has been started.

The windows have been delivered, we have counter tops, tiles and flooring on order along with kitchen appliances. I think we still have to get the majority of the bathroom fixtures and fittings ordered.

Perhaps I need a check list?

In any case, I think there is an end in sight. In fact, I think an end is actually going to happen…

Pictures? Oh, yes. Just have to get them off my phone….

ugly lounge chair

Posted on by September 13, 2017  

It is Wednesday, with Friday the 13th arriving in the middle of the week. I am sitting in the infusion room at the SFVA. My break is over and I am back to hanging out with other vets and the infusion nurses.

I’ve finished the main run of chemo and am now shifting over to maintenance therapy. No promises but the best guess is that returning for regular infusions (immunotherapy) will prolong remission and I am all for that. Never any promises, but we will see.

So it was up at a really early time this morning, dropping Dani off at work before parking at BART and heading to SF. In a long, round about way, I managed to make my way to the SFVA via the #38 Bus on Geary.  I arrived about 10 seconds too late to catch the usual MetroLink bus. This particular driver is overly prompt and doesn’t stop or wait for anyone (unlike the drivers on the previous Bauer Contract). Just after I was leaning disgustedly on the wall, preparing to wait 40 minutes for the next bus another person bound for the VA. In a flash of really dumb thoughts, we decided to head over to Geary and catch the 38R. Said bus, of course, didn’t come along. After waiting a while we grabbed the second 38 and wound up dropped in front of the VA just about the same time as if we had waited for the free shuttle.

None the less, the ride was fun as it was just about only VA staff + a couple of vets by the time that we arrived at 42nd street.

The clinic hasn’t changed but there has been considerable nursing staff turnover since I was here 90 days ago. I was able to give away the bag of lemons I brought and get a latte even before I started my appointments.

It is going to be a long day – I have dental after I finish at the infusion center. But I should be done in time to catch the Metrolink home. By that time, George ought to be home!

back to the ordinary

Posted on by September 13, 2017  

other than the fact that we have no power today, it feels like I am falling right back into the routine. And no power? Well, this is a construction zone…

What has changed while I was gone?

The foundation is finished, the outer walls are up and the sunporch is framed. There are wires and plumbing and the actual outline of rooms. There is no longer a front entry way to the house, at least during the day as there is now a gaping hole between the front steps and the top of the stairs. A temporary ramp takes its place in the evening so we have access instead of having to go out through the living room and down the deck stairs (which also involves transversing the construction zone and prepositioned supplies. Eventually we will have a new entry in the front complete with a set of stairs goign down to the lower level.

Imagine that! I won’t have to go outside to get to the laundry room! ‘

Meanwhile, it is errands, drop offs, and all the usual things that fall to the only person in the house currently with both a valid driver’s license and an ability to drive a standard transmission.

While I still have power

Posted on by September 13, 2017 1

House renovations are still going gangbusters. What that translates is that there are large amounts of each day this week where we will have neither power nor water. Given that – thought I would just drop a quick note.

The cement pouring is complete as is most of the framing. The temperatures will continue to be elevated today which won’t be fun for either the dogs or the human beings working in and around the house. My plans are relatively simple – try to get some work done, run errands and not to fry.

George is still in Germany and won’t be flying home till Wednesday.

We were also in Heidelberg 16 years ago. I was at work, 1500 in the afternoon. The kids were finishing up in school.

Please, stop and think. Observe a minute or more of silence and reflection today both for all of those who died. More importantly also have that moment for the survivors who had to struggle through a world which had irrevocably changed for them personally as well as their surroundings in a new world order that seems to have lead to even more death and destruction.

 

 

Freaking hot

Posted on by September 13, 2017  

and a day of no guilt.

Upfront – I am at the ballpark. George is in Germany. Today marks our 39th anniversary.

There were many years in our marriage where deployments and/or jobs interfered with celebration of our anniversary or either of our birthdays. Seven years in fact where we missed all three and not a broken mirror to blame. This year I was a bit concerned.  His birthday, which falls in July was hampered a bit by the house construction. I haven’t yet come up with an excuse to duck out on my birthday in October. Which leaves our anniversary today; a day which just happens to have an A’s home game.

It isn’t that I don’t want to be in the same place with my husband. It is rather that a good friend of ours, perhaps George’s closest friend in Germany died unexpectedly last week. It is why he rerouted to Heidelberg while I came home. Anniversaries roll around every year; not so with funerals.

Meanwhile, the As managed to win the fourth of four games in the series with 41 runs scored over the four games.

 

 

Doubleheader

Posted on by September 13, 2017  

When I was a kid and listening to the Minnesota Twins games on the radio, I remember doubleheaders. Two games on one day and the batteries on my transistor radio running down by the time the eighth inning of the second game rolled around.

This was before 100 mile/hour fastballs. Before every single pitch was clocked, much less the exit speed of balls blasted out of the park. Before there seemed to be a limit on how many pitches one could expect from a starter, back when it wasn’t uncommon for a starter to pitch the whole game. Nor was it considered unreasonable for a team (well all but the pitcher) to manage two games in a day. One was normally in the afternoon with the second following a couple of hours later in the evening. After all, when you think about it – a tie game that runs 14-18 innings is just about the same thing.

Rather than give all the details here – I will just refer you to the excellent article in Wiki which is obviously labeled – DoubleHeader – Baseball. I hadn’t been aware that there were so many varieties. This particular pair of games was occurring because of a game rained out earlier this spring. That is right – rained out in Oakland. Two games – one ticket. The only down side that any of us could see was that the Food Trucks were going to have to clear out by 1730 due to a later scheduled concert at the Oracle Arena.

It was a great day for baseball – sun, friends (many of whom unfortunately indulged in a little too much beer) and a pair of wins by the A’s. Part of it was excellent defense and hitting on the part of the As. Part of it, frankly, is that I think the Astro’s would have much rather been home in Houston.

Last night I was in Copenhagen

Posted on by September 8, 2017  

That is my planned tag line tonight at the A’s game when I am so tired that I can hardly see straight. Helps that it is the total and complete truth.  It will also be the first time showing up to a game this year with only a hat rather than a head scarf as well.

Other truths: I am flying SAS back to SFO. Reindeer Hides at the airport come complete with export papers and carrying case for 1/4th the cost of what they were in either Greenland or Iceland. If I didn’t have enough to carry… and George is headed to Heidelberg and won’t be back in the US till next Wednesday.

It helps that I am flying a decent class of both airline and ticket. The expedited line was not jammed at all. Turned out to be excellent as I managed to drop my boarding pass along the line and it took us a few minutes to locate it (on the floor next to me under another passenger’s foot). All of which probably explains why – when I went out of the lounge to get this photo:

The Lego Tourist

I came back to the lounge with my Lufthansa Senator card in my back pocket and a boarding pass from yesterday. The Danish woman running the lounge was kind, knew exactly the Lego Store and manually clicked the gate so I could return to obviously much needed coffee, my possessions and my husband who had to go through the regular security lane.

The combination of passengers in this lounge is rather interesting. Rather international in scope, it is easy to see who are the regular “Gold” card passengers and those who have wangled status through United Airlines. I will just leave it at that (and try not to sound either embarrassed or like a snob)  Otherwise, I am amazed always at the number of people traveling for business. And the number of businesses which spring for higher end tickets.  Now if I could teach them all about “indoor voice” it would be really nice.

I’ve about 45 minutes to go to boarding. Probably time to make sure that I have all things that I will need once on the light easily accessibly.

Attempting to Disembark

Posted on by September 7, 2017  

This is one of those times when I admit to having experienced travel on a number of different cruise lines (Royal, Norwegian, Celebrity, MSC, Costa, Crystal, Princess, P&O, Voyages of Discovery, Windstar just to hit the highpoints). Each line is unique in how it does certain things.

Phoenix is more unique than the others. It is not just that it is a German speaking line. It is more than the ship arrival time was scheduled for 0900. Yes, that is right – 0900 in the morning. Not 0430-0700 for which there is plenty of time to get home the same day. Once docked, the immigration personnel have to look at the non-EU/EEA passports. That, in simple terms meant all of the non-EU crew and the three Americans and one Canadian on board. Ok, that can take a few minutes. Next – rather than letting one member of the couple pick up both passports – each of the four of us had to head to Guest Services and rescue our individual Pass.

Next was the challenge of getting off the ship which turned out not to be as problematic as the scrum at the gangway first indicated. The ship’s personnel were prompt and had the walk-off passengers to the front of the line. That meant us since we had booked a van for Bremen (two with train connections at 1115 or 1325 and us with a flight at 1315). Given the drive was going to be at least 80 minutes in best traffic, I figured that waiting for baggage off load at 1000-1015 was not a good idea.

Did I mention that they sling-load the luggage off with a crane? No conveyor belt or rolling baggage cart here!

The terminal was more than a bit of a zoo. The two other Phoenix Ships – Amadeus and Albatros were also in port with earlier arrivals than us. And then there was the Costa Magica cluttering up the largest docking space and hogging all the taxis in town.

We made it to Bremen in enough time for Ron & Amy to catch their train. George and I are now taking a break in the Lufthansa Lounge prior to our flight to Munich. That is right – Munich on the way to Copenhagen.

I obviously have a sense of humor and an ability to find the most inconvenient flights (which have a tendency to save me money).

more than enough food

Posted on by September 6, 2017  

Up front – it was overcast, so no chance for star viewing, much less Northern Lights.

Otherwise, this was the sea day before Reykjavik. Once again I studiously ignored avoided dealing with my hard drive as well as most sources of food. This, as you might well have guessed is a typical ship. Wait an hour or two and there will be another opportunity to be served food. Should you not be able to wait – there is room service.

The food list – early risers coffee and pastries, breakfast, late risers breakfast, bullion, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, late night snack. Does that sound like enough food or what?

Please note – the bar staff makes regular rounds so that passengers don’t have to leave their comfortable lounge seats to obtain beverages. The fruit basket in the cabin is refreshed regularly and mini-Ritter Sports appear on the pillow nightly.

I am hearing the usual complaints about weight gain from my fellow passengers which may make sense when you remember that this is a 23 day cruise (or is it 24? I forget). I haven’t gained anything and it doesn’t appear that George has either. The food is good fare, with solid German spices, herbs and flavoring. That is right – the big four! Salt, pepper, parsley and onion. If you are really lucky, the occasional garlic clove may pass over a dish. The crew does have chill sauce available for one of the stir frys; I was the only one all day who asked for any plus went back to have more added.

I spent most of the day working on a fairly large size cross stitch and skipped all of the shows.

Northern Lights

Posted on by September 1, 2017  

In theory, seeing the Northern Lights shouldn’t be all that hard. After all, here I am on a ship quite far north and it is the start of the usual sights from fall on. The practical reason that the lights aren’t reported all summer is that the sky has to be dark… and if you are far enough north that a day lasts from 20-24 hours, there simply isn’t enough darkness to have a clue as to what is going on in the heavens, much less see starts or the aura.

So here it is, the end of August. For the last several nights we have been treated to the sights of clouds appearing on the horizon right around sunset and lasting into the morning (repeat comment above about being able to see….). Around an island, because of the difference between land and water temperatures, overcast skies are the norm. Tonight was different. It was a beautiful clear sunset complete with a couple of icebergs.

About 2300 the first of the northern lights started dancing in the sky. One of our friends on the ship gave me a call right around midnight.

For the next hour, I watched the show. I had my camera with, but hadn’t brought either the tripod or remote out. Without them, it really wasn’t worth making the photo attempt but I will try to grab a few examples from Amy who was a bit better prepared. What I wasn’t willing to do was go back to the cabin and disturb George who managed to sleep through the whole thing in spite of my best attempts.

We are at sea again tomorrow, so we will see if I can manage to catch photos the next time.

Ilulissat, Greenland – Day 1

Posted on by August 29, 2017  

Photos will follow

One of the larger cities in Greenland (population hovering around 5k) this particular Danish outpost is on the Kangia Fjord and home to one of the most active glaciers in the world. The Sermon Kujalleq calves off 10-15 mega-sized icebergs a month. It provided the iceberg which sunk the Titanic among others. Moving at a rate of about 20 meters a day (which is faster than some of us move)

To our bad luck, the Fjord is full of rather significant icebergs at the present. End result is that we can’t get those last 4 km up the 50 km long fjord. There are enough small and large floaters that the local authorities have determined that it is not safe to allow inexperienced tender boat drivers out on the water for that distance. As much as I would really, really, really loved to have hiked on land today, our experience on the return journey yesterday only servers to confirm the decision. The planned harbor excursions by local boat will still run. The ship is making every effort to obtain more water transport from local sources. As could be expected (sorry German readers) there are a few on board who are taking the change in plans and the cancelling of their planned private explorations as a personal insult. The tour desk personnel have been absolutely amazing in their ability to withstand the hurled insults and complaints from those who are taking the change in plans as a personal insult. Neither weather nor icebergs are under the control of the ship’s captain who, while an extremely annoying Norwegian who adores rolling his “R’s” past all sensibility, and safety trumps temper tantrums in my book. I was thinking that a few of these passengers could give the other trump a run for his money in completely inappropriate public behavior.

Back to the irregularly scheduled commentary.

There are two water taxis here. As it turns out, they are running a brisk business taking those who are doing the flight seeing to the airport connection and back.

The end result of sitting here looking out the window is that I see a lot of icebergs – oh, let us say more than 30 between us and the town all of which are bigger than our ship. I think going out on a local boat makes a lot of sense. Playing Titanic doesn’t….

Three sheets to the

Posted on by August 29, 2017  

canvas. See! You were looking for the word “wind” even tho you know with absolute certainty that I don’t drink alcohol. I was going to say “drink” but that would be a stupid declaration since everyone drinks something – whether it is coffee, tea, soda, milk, water or one of the thousands of other choices found across this globe.

Rather, I was referring to the 12 pages of cross stitch (hey, I might yet do a filk off the traditional “12 Days of Christmas” if those Christians among you could avoid being insulted… If you do have a sense of humor – I would advise going to BandCamp and looking up PDX Broadsides who have authored and recorded an alternate and thought provoking Christmas Carol annually for the last several. “Santa has a Tardis” is just plain fun while “Sorry, Wrong Star” is quite pointed.

Where was I? On finishing up a third sheet of cross stitch. This particular project has, as I mentioned above – 12 total pages. Of those sheets – 3 cover a full page and the other 9 are partial pages, some much fuller than others. This is occurring because this particular design has an irregular edge rather than the normal squared off corners. A full page is 5 x 7.5 squares, each square is 10×10 stitches. The odd pages range from the smallest of 2×3 to the largest of 5×4. The overall design is four pages wide and three tall. The cross stitch itself is going to be a present which is why you haven’t seen any photos of it (which I will post after the relevant birthday.

Did I mention that I forgot two of the critical floss colors resulting in one of the pages appearing as if it has a bad case of the measles given all the empty spaces?

We are at sea today in case you hadn’t guessed.

Akureyri

Posted on by August 19, 2017

Somewhere between our cabin and the gangway I managed to misplace George. Thinking he was right behind me, I had grabbed my bag and camera. I even remembered to take my room key. Once on the pier, I realized that he was nowhere to be seen. Since his phone went straight to voice mail….. amazing how dependent all of us have become on our electronics.

Ah, well. I didnt think he was all that thrilled about my planned hunt for knitting needles.

My first choice – Flora – was closed for the week. Fold-Anna didn’t have hours posted and was closed at 1030. So I did what any self-respecting local would do. I went to the main shopping center. Located less than a km from the pedestrian zone it was easy to find. Just take the sidewalk past the Rathuis, continue past the soccer fields then make a left into a good size parking lot.

Nice normal shops and not a souvenirr or other cheesy thing in sight. Nettó was a treasure trove of goodies. Not just snack foods, but good food and produce, school supplies and a whole wall of yarn as well as knitting needles. The priced turned out to be lower than those at the shop in town with great choices.

I obviously spent time wandering around town. There are a lot of galleries; there are murals and bits of whimsy tucked here and there. Again, photos will be addef when I am not trying to post from my phone.

In front of the Art Museum

Seyðisfjörður

Posted on by August 18, 2017  

Even the overcast sky and intermittent rain coulnt slow my enthusiasm this morning. And it had nothing to do with docking after two sea days or free wifi in the terminal. I really enjoy port calls in Iceland. After all, how many countries can you think of where yarn is routinely found in the grocery stores.

I love looking at the mountainsides

 

With horizontal strata and low lying clouds

We hiked through the town (population 650) and along one of the main roads out of town.

Afternoon George headed off on a ships tour and hike. A lovely woman from Vienna and I joined a couple “local” professiosl photographers for a drive and perspective on the area. There are fabulous shorelines, old buildings from the herring industry and base structures left from the US military presence in WWII.

The fjord itself is 25 km long

Looking out to sea

We sail back out ~2000 tonight. I havent downloaded today’s photos yet. Will try and add them tomorrow if WiFi is available

SeaDay 2

Posted on by August 18, 2017  

And now there are only 8 hours of time zone change since we are headed to Iceland (GMT-1) today and another hour of fall back tomorrow.

I have now recovered, maybe, enough to discuss the flight, followed by a flight, another flight, a hotel overnight, a tram, a taxi and a five hour wait to board the ship.

On second thought, not.  It could have been much worse like that experienced by friends returning to the US through CDG. Shall we leave it at – late plane, immigration, running through the airport, getting to the gate only to be refused boarding because their seats had been given away? And, just to increase the pain, since most of the delays were due to CDG and not the plane’s lateness, they were refused compensation.

Any who – I am hanging out in the lounge and relaxing.  George is hitting the gym and going to lectures.  I am thinking about taking a nap and watching my hair grow…

 

Phoenix

Posted on by August 18, 2017  

Traveling on this line feels much different than the standard, mid-range US/North American focused lines.

There is one announcement per day, at around 1000 by the cruise director followed by the captain with the whole thing taking less than five minutes.  With less than 900 passengers the ship feel comfortable but not crowded.  There is a more than reasonable amount of lounge space and tea served in the afternoon. On the downside, the lounge that would be the most comfortable also has a smoking section. Inside, so that is off my list of places to hang out.

Considering the travel to get here, I am impressed that I only forgot one small container which I am sure is still sitting on my bed.  End result? I have yarn but no knitting needles. OTOH, I will be going through Iceland  where knitting is common and yarn can normally be found with notions in the grocery store.

So I will be working on a cross-stitch and, if my afternoon I see like the morning, spending a lot of time explaining what I am doing to a lot of people.

Out to Sea

Posted on by August 14, 2017  

And yes, I realize this is 2017, rather than 2018, but I waited too long to pull the information from the website – so just bear with me –

the route

 

and the general information on the trip  I don’t know how much I will actually be on line over the next three weeks. Depends on how often I can make off with George’s phone…..

Hafen an ab Ausflugsangebot
.

Bremerhaven – Einschiffung
von ca. 15 Uhr bis 17 Uhr e)

 – 18:00

Urlaub auf See

 – –

Urlaub auf See

 – –

Kreuzen im Seydisfjord

 – –

Seyðisfjörður / Island ®

 09:00 16:00 Wanderung im Vesturdalur-Tal, Der malerische Osten, Skálanes Naturreservat
.

Husavik / Island ®

 07:00 09:00 Überlandfahrt Mývatn und Godafoss

Kreuzen im Eyjafjord

 – –

Akureyri / Island

 14:00 22:00 Godafoss und Laufás, Mývatn und Godafoss, Baden in Mývatn, Flug zur Insel Grimsey am Polarkreis
.

Kreuzen in der Dänemarkstraße

 – –
.

Grönland – Geplantes Programm *)

 – –

Ammassalik / Grönland/Dänemark ®**)

 -vormittags- Spaziergänge
S.

Prins Christan Sund

 -Durchfahrt-
.

Alluitsup Paa / Sydprøven / Grönland/Dänemark®**)

 -vormittags- Spaziergänge
.

Kreuzen in der Davisstraße

 – –

Überqueren des Polarkreises

 – –

Sisimiut / (Holsteinborg) / Grönland/Dänemark ®

 -ganztags- Besuch bei den Schlittenhunden, Kultur und Geschichte der Inuit, Panoramarundfahrt
.

Ilulissat (Jacobshavn) / Grönland/Dänemark ®

 -ganztags- Sermermiut-Wanderung, Bootsfahrt zum Eisfjord, Rundflug
.

Ilulissat (Jacobshavn) / Grönland/Dänemark ®

 -vormittags- Sermermiut-Wanderung, Bootsfahrt zum Eisfjord, Rundflug

Kreuzen in der Diskobucht

 – –
.

Kreuzen im Søndre Strømfjord

 – –

Kangerlussuaq / Søndre Strømfjord / Grönland/Dänemark ®

 -nachmittags- Landschaftsfahrt, Transfer zur Inlandeiskappe, Rundflug
.

Kreuzen im Nûk-Fjord

 – –

Nûk (Godthåb) / Grönland/Dänemark

 -nachmittags- Nûk Panoramarundfahrt
.

Paamiut / Frederikshåb / Grönland/Dänemark ®

 -vormittags- Spaziergänge
.

Kap Farvel / Grönland/Dänemark

 -Passage-
.

Urlaub auf See

 – –
.

Hafnarfjörður / Reykjavik / Island

 07:00 19:00 Panoramafahrt Reykjavík, Baden in der Blauen Lagune, Gullfoss-Wasserfall und Geysir
.

Heimaey / Westmänner Inseln / Island

 07:00 12:00 Spaziergänge
.

Urlaub auf See

 – –
.

Urlaub auf See

 – –
.

Bremerhaven – Ausschiffung
ab ca. 9 Uhr, Dauer 2-3 Std. a)

 09:00 –

A 33 hour day

Posted on by August 14, 2017  

You know all those times when you wish you had a few more hours in the day. Hours that you fantasied as being productive? A day in which you would amaze everyone and finish your to-do list!

Well, I will suggest that getting effectively a 33 hour day (nine hours of time zone change + 10 1/2 hours of flight + four hours of layover + two more flights – none of this includes getting up on Sunday to pack, go to the airport, hangout in the United Lounge) – is not all it is cracked up to be.

SAS is a lovely airline with great food and firm seats. If there had been a plethora of extra blankets I might have wanted 4-5 for padding. George slept for a few hours on the plane. I gave up and read. He also dozed in the Copenhagen SAS Lounge and on both of our connecting flights.

Did I mention that we were traveling on two unrelated reservations? I had that fare on SAS from last January that I couldn’t use, so converted it for this trip. But SAS doesn’t fly to Bremen meaning we had to get out luggage, then go check in with Lufthansa for the last two flights (one hour, ~ 45 minutes).

The hotel is right across the street from the airport and there are tram lines in front, so figuring out the connections to Bremerhaven tomorrow shouldn’t be that hard.

And – on my pillow

Gummi Bears!

SK 936

Posted on by August 13, 2017 1

And if you think that sounds like a flight number, you are absolutely correct.

George and I are sitting in the United Lounge at SFO. He has a backpack full of stuff (no clue) while mine has the usual camera and computer equipment. Plus knitting since cross-stitch on an airplane is absolutely insane.

We are leaving Dani and Alex to watch the house –

along with the two girls watching us go down the driveway this noon.

Noah is home in about a week, just in time for school to start.

Oh, the flight? Here to Copenhagen. Then tomorrow (since of course it is an overnight flight) we catch Lufthansa and fly to Bremen. A night there and Tuesday we board a ship. More to follow – obviously.