A quick video of the winter winds here.

Wasn't joking about how hard the winds were blowing!

Winter Storm 2009

Wild and windy weekend

It's been crazy with the weather around here. High winds have had the very tall gum tree swaying like a Bali dancer! Didn't go to Tai Chi as my lower back was making it difficult to balance. Even a deep breath was a bit troublesome. Managed to get pillaging done. Even with sticking to a careful grocery list, the tally was high. Prices keep going up. Found some nifty heat packs that are good for 8 hrs. Made life much easier for both Aikidomayland and I. Oh, did I forget to mention, he pulled a muscle under the left side of his ribs during aikido?

We didn't go to archery today because of the weather. But Aikidomayland did go to a martial arts sword demonstration. When he came back, we went to Foo Gwai, made proper pork bun sacrifice to Akire-yta .

My two extra batteries for my Lumix have taken a hike. Checked every camera bag, every laptop carry case, table drawer, and camera item storage cabinet, and nothing. Nada. Bupkiss. I have done something that will guarantee they resurface. I ordered two more. *sigh*

End of a cold day

Alan helped me reassemble parts of my scooter. Had to put the cargo pod back on. I was seriously considering getting a milk crate but there would be no way to keep things secure inside of it. That meant the cargo pod had to go back on. It was a fun exercise trying to get everything put together with three nosy cats. Ziggy was funny, leaning to one side while standing in the basket of the clothing rack, peeking past a length of silk fabric. Loki and Keito had no problem just getting underfoot.

Have a lot to do tomorrow. Post office to mail something to the US (No ShadoutCarver, I'll not tell you, you will have to wait). Then Tai Chi, then pillaging. Or maybe in reverse. With the weather forecast, it's highly unlikely we will go to archery on Sunday.

Tweet to help Iranian protesters

If you use Twitter, set your location to Tehran & your time zone to GMT +3.30. Iranian security forces are hunting for bloggers using location/timezone searches. The more people at this location, the more of a logjam it creates for forces trying to shut down Iranians' access to the internet. Cut & paste & pass it on.

via ginmar

'King of Pop' Michael Jackson is dead

Michael Jackson, the show-stopping singer whose best-selling albums -- including "Off the Wall," "Thriller" and "Bad" -- and electrifying stage presence made him one of the most popular artists of all time, died Thursday, CNN has confirmed.

He was 50.

He collapsed at his residence in the Holmby Hills section of Los Angeles, California, about noon Pacific time, suffering cardiac arrest, according to brother Randy Jackson. He died at UCLA Medical Center

It is fixed!

And Aikidomayland picked it up before heading to Aikido. He agrees that the bill to fix it beats almost 10x the bill to replace it!

I has my ride again! Whee!

Just as I was typing this out, I noticed something from the corner of my eye. Loki is dreaming. His back feet are 'running'. I don't believe that only humans dream.

As the Scooter Turns aka The Saga of the Subiaco Sulker!

Ok, the scooter is fixed. The guy loves making up shit on the spot.

"Yeah, your scooter is fixed. Now, I told you before we don't store them here (point of order, no he didn't) and we are out of here at 5:30. That doesn't mean we are closed at 5:30, it means we are gone *insert vamoose noise here*, so ya better get here by 5."

While he was chewing me out, I remained pleasant, even chirpy, while his tone of voice was just rude, and sent Aikidomayland a text message about it. "Scooter fixed, he just told me they don't store them there, you HAVE to be there by 5 to pick up, they will help load it in car."

I told the man on the phone I would call him right back, and he said "Listen, I told you we don't store them, and that's it. Ya just get here in time."

What an asshole.

Aikidomayland messaged back that the pick up time ok by him.