Michael's Meanderings

J returned from her holiday in Japan, though she is still having issues with her knee, so limited dancing options.
Line dancing continues to be fun if hard work, I'm really glad I had a chance at a beginners class last year.
I was allow to take my old work PC home, but only after it's hard drive was removed. I therefore had to order a replacement (1TB) which I was able to fit easily and then install Ubuntu 17.04 on.
I now have a fully functioning Linux PC, with twin screens, a videocam and wifi access.
My annual defrosting of my freezer took place, I really need to find a faster method of getting it to de-ice (using bowls of hot water in each compartment)
I got my eyes tested with a free test voucher and ordered new glasses for the first time in 3 years. I also got a pair of prescription sunglasses via buy one get one free!
On Sunday 13th I saw Avengers: Infinity War at my local cinema then went to The Dome in Brighton to see Amanda Palmer (in person), the show started 7:30 with half hour support from Andrew O’Neill followed by two and a half hours from Amanda
Finished at 11:00 and managed to catch the last train home. I was really tired on Monday which did affect the Book Club discussion of The Forever War (i didn't finish this one), and I left early.
I booked a hostel room in Dublin for Worldcon, but unable to book a flight until nearer the date. Later in the week I saw Deadpool 2 at a different cinema.
This was a very busy week as I was out every night! (Amanda Palmer, bookclub, ballroom class, line dancing, cinema, ballroom practice!)
I ordered and received a new Raspberry Pi 3 Model B, with case and SD Card - which I was able to get up and running very quickly
Last weekend in the month was a Bank Holiday & I visited my family on Sunday as it was my Mum's birthday, saw Despicable Me 3, went to my Niece's place for a BBQ on the Monday, finished just before thunderstorm.

OK so this was a very busy and important month. The first thing being the wedding of my niece L to her fiance S
This was at least 2 years in the planning and went off without a hitch, to the very great happiness of my sister.
The wedding was in an old barn! and the reception was in another building on the same site.
The sun was shining all afternoon and we had perfect weather, I was even social with friends and relatives.
After eating pizza later in the afternoon - J (dance partner) arrived for the evening and we danced and conversed until she took me home.

There are some perks to working for the NHS and one of them occurred this month. A 8 week class for beginners in yoga was to be held after work - for free!
I signed up, as yoga is something I have been wanting to try for a while, as it has a beneficial effect on back issues, and it might allow me to be able to touch my toes!
We are now halfway through and it is much more exhausting than expected, given you don't move from your mat during the hour class.
I was asked if I might be interested in a permanent position if one came up. I then got a number of forms to fill out, but no one actually told me about the job in question, so I been waiting to find out what next!

I had my eyes checked a couple of months back - as this was a work related requirement I got a voucher from the agency for free test and free standard lenses
(I normally have varifocals) I decided to get a pair of glasses with a focal length at arms length - free VDU glasses.
I've been wearing them 2 months now and it's much easier to view the screens, but long distance is fuzzy (still clearer than no glasses)
I'm still using varifocals for normal use though.

Been dancing on my own as J is on a 6 week trip across Canada. Meant I only got a few dances at the social, and dancing with the teacher in class
I have also started reading the LMB mailing list again (after a hiatus of a number of years) on my iPhone during my train commute

I got Terry Pratchett's, last books and it was a perfect swan song, not his best book ever but perfect for a last remembrance.
I've also started back listening to audible books, not least because of the low priced Deal of the Day! Got and listed to The Martian" sad wasn't nominated for the Hugo, looking forward to the movie.
Have now listened to all of Pat Wrede's Frontier Magic series, well worth the time needed to listen (even though I have read them all)

I also went to Earth & Stars on first Monday expecting the SF Reading Group meeting only realise that the meets had moved to the 2nd Monday of the month! (My diary had the correct date!)
However three of us turned up to chat generally about SF and had a pleasant evening.
The following Monday I returned after finishing "We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves: A Novel", a number of new readers turned up and a lively discussion occurred.

Discovered that it is now impossible to download the epub files for the Nook, the Windows readers are no longer supported (in the UK) so there is no way of downloading the files.
Now only readable on my hardware Nook or phone apps. Will be buying from kobo, google or amazon in future (as all allow download to PC).
Also on the Amazon front discovered that amazon has installed a locker in The Martlets in town, near the library, next to Lidl - which is more convenient than trying to get deliveries to my house while I'm working.
The first book I collected from "Dimple" was a Modesty Blaise Graphic novel.

Watched the Hugo Awards (after the fact - I didn't want to stay up past 3am) and bought membership to Worldcon75 in Helsinki. I've been to all the European worldcons since 1979 and don't want to miss this milestone.

I reinstalled the current version of Ubuntu LTS to my multi boot USB drive (boot loader corrupted) which meant the creation of a bootable ubuntu USB drive. This doesn't work on my Windows 8 laptop!

Bought a small portable drive to backup my videos and ebooks, needed 2 usb sockets so will try a pen drive for my ebooks and install Calibre portable to manage them.

Visited the dentist for a checkup and x-ray, haven't heard anything so all should be well. Also visited chiropractor, who agreed that yoga was a very good thing (TM) for back issues!

Marvel's Agent Carter did finally get broadcast on Sky (in UK) hurrah!