It’s Science …
last update: 11/17 @ 13:26

This year Robert is tracking what’s the most efficient angle for your windmill blade.

The anemometer is new for this test, but the VOM is one I built probably 40 years ago. So, on average, we’re just using things we’ve had around for awhile. (The motor / generator was from last year’s fan powered car classroom experiment.)

It’s a lot faster to get data from this experiment compared to last year’s argon soaked wetsuit.

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Cloudy day
last update: 11/10 @ 22:49

Kind of a cloudy day on the river today. Yesterday was pretty cold so I shouldn’t have been as surprised as I was to see so many folks at Angler’s Inn today (when it was a bit warmer).

It was cool, but not too bad.

Then again, I did decide to try to stay mostly dry.

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Beautiful Weather in West VA
last update: 11/03 @ 14:06

And extra bonus, after hours of raking and some digging, Sarah and I played hooky to head to the bald on a spectacular day.

Now we just need to help Robert settle into homework since the trip was distracting.

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Group Muse
last update: 11/01 @ 23:07

It’s like this, see…

Sarah arranged another Group Muse for us. And we invited Will and Anna (and parents).

Before the musicians started to play, the teenagers had a contest to see who could make the best Nationals logo. I think Will won (but John thinks Anna won).

However, I give Robert props for most creative — baby shark (with pacifier and baseball cap).

Which is pretty cool.

But not as cool as the musicians: we had duet to start with.

And then a quartet.

It was great!!!

About a quarter of the audience were musician friends. About a quarter found the concert on group muse and came by.
About half were our friends.

It was great mix. We all liked the music; the musicians seemed to enjoy the audience.

It was a lovely way to wind down from a long week and celebrate Dia de los Muertos — Martha would be proud.

And we managed to get some of the excess Halloween candy eaten :)

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The Haul…
last update: 11/01 @ 18:06

Much of this is courtesy of the cross the street neighbors who saw the writing on the wall: not too many kids trick or treat on our street and the tornado warning was signaling an early end to the evening.

9.7 pounds should keep Robert in candy for another year…

(Photo by Sarah — I was early to bed last night.)

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Halloween!!!
last update: 10/31 @ 20:12

It was crazy warm for Halloween.

Robert’s Walter White tyvek suit just about melted him.

Sarah was a ping pong game — she added the net after we took to the photo.

Again, not many folks on our street but they had a good time walking the neighborhood before getting too hot to keep going.

Now we’re waiting to see what the powerful storms do on their way through to lower the temps.

Oh, and the haul? That’s a whole ‘nother story. The new neighbors across the street saw the low interest and storm coming and dumped a huge load of candy into Robert’s bag…

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ID Theft
last update: 10/29 @ 19:22

I guess I should not be surprised that I’ve become another victim of Identity Theft. So far it seems pretty contained; If I learn more or there seems more to add here, I’ll do so.

Yesterday’s mail brought a bank statement for a checking account I never opened. I sent a quick disputing email via the bank’s contact us webpage and then called them this morning. The nice representative I spoke with this morning noted that it was flagged for looking fraudulent on what I believe to be the day after it was opened. (The statement period was 10/16 - 10/24 and she said it was flagged 10/17.) She noted that they would close the account and all the related access and said it looked like I was a victim of ID Theft. I did express a bit of surprise that they would open an account without a credit report, but she confirmed that is the case: They don’t require a credit report to open an account, at least not for a checking account.

I hope the $306 the statement said was in the account is a net loss for the thief.

I’ve spent about 3 hours between the email last night, the call this morning and many of the steps outlined on the FTC website to report ID Theft. And so far, it looks to be only that one checking account opened with my name and address. I’m cautiously optimistic that following the advice years ago from Brian Krebs and freezing my credit report will help to keep the impact contained — though I have now filed for a fraud alert to be added to my credit report as well.

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Volleyball Season Finale
last update: 10/22 @ 19:05

There were three rounds of Volleyball over the last few days: Friday, Saturday and Monday. But Monday’s matches finished out the season.

Both matches last night were tough as both opposing teams were full of travel volleyball players. But the Titans held their own.

There are championship games scheduled Saturday; I’m sure the Titans will do well. Saturday’s matches will be fun to watch

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Busy Day: Volleyball Victories
last update: 10/19 @ 19:31

The Titans won both matches today. We think one more game day Monday for the season.

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Busy Day: Burgundy Fall Fair
last update: 10/19 @ 19:28

Robert gathered with the rest of the alums for the annual photo. He ended up in the front, with many of his classmates by the time all the organizing and shuffling was done (after my phone battery died).

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