On The Funway

45 years ago today...

gfs@toad-hall.com — Fri, 24 May 2013 02:05:07 GMT

...my father turned 45 years old. I don't remember him ever commenting on his age before that birthday, and he didn't for decades after, either. But 45? For weeks before, as the day grew closer and closer, Daddy kept repeating "45? I'll be 45? That's half of 90!"

Thirteen-going-on-14-year-old me made a birthday card for him. On the cover: ~"You're 45?"~

On the inside, ~"That's half of 90!"~ and, after another fold, ~"That's a quarter of 180!"~ and, with one more fold to open, ~"That's an eighth of 360! Age...it's all a matter of perspective."~ Followed by happy birthday wishes and my love.

It's a happy memory for today. Daddy didn't make 90; he was confounded he made 80, let alone 85...86...87...and 88. He savored the joy in each of the days he was here, and always loved seeing a sparkle in my eyes and a smile on my face. That's what he told each of his kids he wanted for his birthday most every year. His birthday, Father's Day, and Christmas, too. He's not here to see them on Susie's and my faces today, but the sparkle and smiles are there. The sparkle, the smiles, and the joy of the day.

The film may be loosely based...

gfs@toad-hall.com — Fri, 17 May 2013 04:33:57 GMT

...on Dave Van Ronk, but the title and album cover bears rather more resemblance than that:

Inside Llewyn Davis

and

Inside Dave Van Ronk, complete with cat.

Sweet.

New Coen Brothers film coming to the US in December

gfs@toad-hall.com — Fri, 17 May 2013 04:16:31 GMT

Awhile back, I was ever so delighted to hear the Coen Brothers were working on a script of a movie based on Dave Van Ronk's memoir, The Mayor of MacDougal Street.

Inside Llewyn Davis is the result. It is said to be loosely based on Dave's book. It's "the story of a singer-songwriter who navigates New York's folk music scene in the 1960s." It only covers a week of Llewyn Davis' life, so I'm not expecting to find a Lee Hoffman equivalent in the cast, but that won't stop me from looking for her. I certainly enjoyed reading about her in Dave's book.

T Bone Burnett and Marcus Mumford (lead singer of the English band Mumford and Sons) were involved with the music; I'll be listening to that, too. Come December, that is. But only because I'll be in Massachusetts this weekend and not in France.

Why France? Because Insider Llewyn Davis is screening this Sunday at the Cannes Film Festival, where it was invited to compete for the Palme d'Or. So cool.

The Telegraph has a brief article and the movie trailer.

Huzzah, Minnesota Senate!

gfs@toad-hall.com — Mon, 13 May 2013 21:27:16 GMT

37 Yay votes; 30 Nay.

HF 1054 passes. The Governor had said he'll gladly sign it into law.

I registered my business in Massachusetts the day same sex marriage became legal here. I wish cakmpls the added joy of her birthday being the day the Minnesota Senate passed HF 1054 there.

Standing witness

gfs@toad-hall.com — Mon, 13 May 2013 19:16:45 GMT

I'm watching the live feed from the Minnesota State Senate Chamber as it moves from voting down several proposed amendments to the bill to allow same sex marriage to the third reading of the bill. It hasn't always been good for my blood pressure, but it's well worth listening to, so I continue.

Anticipating the vote....

I love the International Space Station...

gfs@toad-hall.com — Mon, 13 May 2013 03:58:28 GMT

...and Commander Chris Hadfield is the best:

FAAn awards

gfs@toad-hall.com — Sun, 05 May 2013 19:31:26 GMT

David Levine & Kate Yule, presenters.

More later; I'm going to video now.

past president, fwa

gfs@toad-hall.com — Sun, 05 May 2013 19:26:29 GMT

Leroy Kettle, by acclaim.

Lucy Huntzinger, Corflu XXX GoH

gfs@toad-hall.com — Sun, 05 May 2013 19:23:39 GMT

Lucy is giving her GoH speech in Old Norse, translated by Ulrika O'Brian and ably acted by Jeanne Bowman, Tami Vining, David Levine, and Pat Virzi.

5:17am

gfs@toad-hall.com — Sun, 05 May 2013 12:46:46 GMT

I've been back in the room for about 15 minutes. The 2:27am numbers are pretty much correct for the Corflu bheer tasting, hosted by yours truly, with fringefaan as the fabulous, genial bartender from start to finish, bheer tasting set-up and Saturday night consuite maintenance by carl juarez, Pat Virzi, Ruth Sachter. and vgqn, each a pleasure to work with. I knew that about Pat and KMS from decades of fun times together, and Ruth, too, though more like a dozen years and some. Bice to finally start getting to know carl after all this time. Had a great time shopping with John Lorenz and Ruth Sachter, followed by dinner at Podnah's Pit BBQ. I sent my leftover smoked prime rib home with John & Ruth; I made it through about two-thirds of it.

Party dropped from 9 to 6 Corfluvians sometime between 3 and 4am. Actually, we added 1 in there as Dan Steffan returned around 3 (or was it 4?) after spending the evening at home putting together FAAn Awards for tomorrow's presentation of them. Ah, fandom, it's so reassuring to see similar traditions of yore alive and doing so very well.

Anyway, 6 of us sat around the smaller of the two conference tables for a good long while stretching to 4:30, 4:45 or so, then Lynn, Dan, and I cleaned up for 15-20 minutes and talked a bit after that. Toddled downstairs to unwind a bit more, carrying the remains of the Klamath Basin's Vanilla Porter and Brouwerij Huyghe's Delirium Tremens. And here I thought I didn't like Belgian Ales....

Good times. Have many bheer photos and Post-Its. May even manage to publish at least some of them in some form, um, soon?

Corflu banquet starts at 11am. Must shower before then. Hmmm...how soon do I need to be back up? 'night, all.

Non-alcoholic PS

gfs@toad-hall.com — Sun, 05 May 2013 09:46:16 GMT

7 open bottles; 1 unopened, but it was an accidental dupe. 1 of the empties previously reported reported was N/A.

2:27am, 4 hours, 27 minutes in

gfs@toad-hall.com — Sun, 05 May 2013 09:36:41 GMT

15 empties, 14 open, 7 unopened. 6 fans around the bar, 3 others in the room. Age range: 47 (Victor Gonzales) to 96 (Art Widner).

2 hours in

gfs@toad-hall.com — Sun, 05 May 2013 07:14:26 GMT

6 empty bottles; 21 open bottles of 37 total. 1 empty n/a Ginger People lemon ginger beer; 5 open n/a. Good times.

55 minutes in

gfs@toad-hall.com — Sun, 05 May 2013 05:58:12 GMT

19 of 36 bheers open & being tasted at Corflu XXX. 2 of 9 non-alcoholic root bheers & ginger bheers open & being tasted. Yum, fun, etc.

Starbucks...

gfs@toad-hall.com — Thu, 02 May 2013 21:26:53 GMT

...when I was looking forward to Legal. Line there was too long. Bummer.

At least I have an internet connection for my laptop. Easier than typing on the phone.

Onward! Here's to good times ahead.

Dear Minneapolis:

gfs@toad-hall.com — Wed, 01 May 2013 18:14:45 GMT

I'm sorry. Oh, so very sorry. That goes for everyone from Omaha to the SinTwitties, too.

National Weather Service Alerts for Minneapolis, MN

WINTER STORM WARNING
Now - Thursday, May 2, 7:00pm
...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THURSDAY...
A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THURSDAY.
* TIMING: A RAIN SNOW MIX WILL TRANSITION TO ALL SNOW THIS AFTERNOON. HEAVY SNOW WILL DEVELOP LATER THIS EVENING AND LAST THROUGH THE EARLY MORNING HOURS.
* SNOW ACCUMULATION: 6 TO 9 INCHES.
* MAIN IMPACT: RAPID SNOW ACCUMULATION MAY QUICKLY MAKE TRAVEL HAZARDOUS.
* OTHER IMPACTS: THE HEAVY WET SNOW WILL STICK TO TREES AND COULD CAUSE ISOLATED POWER OUTAGES.

The Lusty Month of May

gfs@toad-hall.com — Wed, 01 May 2013 14:34:03 GMT

And, for fans of the movie...

Brilliant Design: Kudos to Boston Magazine

gfs@toad-hall.com — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 14:17:13 GMT

I am in awe of Brian Struble, design director at Boston Magazine; Liz Noftle, deputy design director; and the inspired photographer Mitch Feinberg. They created the cover of the May issue, and it's stunningly perfect and perfectly stunning in all good ways.

I caught a glimpse of a spread from "The Shoes We Wore" inside. Scott Lacey, Boston's photo editor shot each shoe individually and used the images from 15 pairs of shoes as graphics accompanying the owner's stories printed there. I love how the design ties in and reflects the cover, while also highlighting the individuals reflected in each pair of shoes. The rest of the individual shoe photos and the runner's stories that accompanied them will be online starting Tuesday, April 30th.

For a fascinating look at how Boston pulled it all together, visit Behind Our May Boston Marathon Cover. There are links to buy an individual copy of the magazine and to receive word when the planned poster is available.

Wow. Just look what design can do.

Friends in the Boston area...especially Watertown, Cambridge, Newton, etc....

gfs@toad-hall.com — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 10:14:21 GMT

...please check your local news before leaving home this morning. There's a massive manhunt for one of the suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing following the overnight killing of an MIT police officer. The other suspect is reported dead. There's a 20-block lockdown in the Watertown area, all MBTA service throughout is reported to be suspended, [edited] not just in Watertown; the whole system according to ABC and the Huffington Post. The Boston.com headline says "MBTA shuts down."

MIT, Harvard, and Emerson are all closed today.

In addition to the overnight shootings, there are reported to also be explosives involved.

This whole thing is utterly surreal. I hope it's resolved soon. From what I've seen on Reddit and Twitter, there are likely to be more WTF stories to follow, though how much of that is an artifact of life in the Internet Social Media Era is still TBD.

Dammit. Prayers to Boston.

gfs@toad-hall.com — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 19:40:43 GMT

CNN International headline: Explosions Rock Boston

For more local coverage: Several explosions reported near Copley Square

Two explosions being reported at/near the Boston Marathon finish line. Not yet determined whether it's an accident of some kind, or a deliberate action.

US TV networks are covering it live. We're still in the first hour: lots of different numbers about the injured are being reported.

Taxes the Fitzgerald Way (continued)

gfs@toad-hall.com — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 09:16:48 GMT

Progress. Now if I could only find the folder or whatever stack of paper has my Massachusetts 1099-HC and the other bits and bobs that seem to have gone walkabout.

Speaking of going walkabout, the adhesive on an entire box of 3M Nexcare Tattoo bandages appears to have done the same. To be fair, the box is old enough that I don't spot it in more than 350 images a Google image search turned up. So instead of a sporting a smiley face or peace symbol on the 4th finger tip of my right hand, I'm wearing one of those Band-Aid Advance Healing bandages. Boring to look at, mostly invisible, but still the most comfortable adhesive bandage I've ever worn. And no sign of the adhesive going walkabout even though they've been in the cupboard most of a couple years now.

Why, yes, manilla folder paper cuts pack quite a sting. Especially the deep ones. Hmmm...wonder if the bandage is deductible as a tax preparation fee. (S,AS) I'm glad to report that I don't come close to being able to include medical expenses on 1040 Schedule A. Long may it be so.

I'll follow in my sister's footsteps before the sun comes up. It's time get some sleep before slogging my way through the rest of the forms and instructions doing their best to confound me. But first, here's :

back to the basement
who ever heard
of a state form W
I think it's absurb

No W-2's
Can be sent to my state
They want a 8 1/2 X 11
for their scanning please

three sections to complete
to record taxes paid
but nothing about gas tax
or the roads I maintain

no property tax rebates
because I made too much
after all on 50,000
the state doesn't want to go dutch

so doesn't matter
that I pay on 2 houses
one that I live in
and one left by a loved one

one that has taken a year to
empty and get round
and put on a market
where no buyers were found

no tax breaks for me
by the dispassionate bunch
who recline in lifelong comfort
for "serving" us bunch

while we all go to work
for many more years
just to pay taxes
that we all hold so dear

tax on the food
and tax on the car
tax on each purchase
and tax on that jar

tax on the gas
that goes a few miles
tax to support war
and tax we don't ever get back

oh to be sure
tax pays for that light
that shines on my street
and gives off a moon-like glow light

as into my bedroom
window it shines
almost enough to do taxes
yes, I'm fine

back to the papers
and back to the grind
yes...there are missing papers
and things I can't find

doing my best
with what is at hand
share away my sister
I say that you can

whatever with credit
you more likely know best
while I toll away at more pages of taxes
and then head for some rest!

Love you....glad you enjoy my Tax "vent"

Sue

Onward!

Taxes the Fitzgerald Way

gfs@toad-hall.com — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 06:21:29 GMT

Those who know me won't be in the least bit surprised that I'm spending this weekend doing my taxes. Heck, 15 years ago, Dave Langford had the dubious pleasure of spending the days after Minicon wandering around Toad Hall as I sat on the sofa, tax forms spread the length of fredcritter's coffee table. Well, it was once Fred's coffee table in warm storage at Toad Hall. It's long since mine, and is in the Toy Room here in the Zeppelin Hangar. Great table, but these days I work at my desk, taking full advantage of the screen real estate offered by two computers.

Our Dad never waited until the last minute, but it turns out that both my sister Sue and I are doing the same thing, separated by 800+ miles this mid-April weekend. She gave me permission to share the email she sent a handful of hours ago.

Subject line: Taxes

'tis Saturday evening
of April 13
the time is upon me
to really attack the deed

the time to settle down
and to add up the facts
print out more forms
and get some writers cramps

for sure might be easier
to cave to the times
do them online
for many that is fine

but for me
there is a pattern more my norm
to the journey of decades
filling out all the forms

and so I assemble
the papers before the TV
the calculator
and as many clips as I can see

I start with the easiest
from bank statements and such
gosh... 'tis amazing
more in the banks and way less interest bucks

the journey continues
as itemizing is usually best
I gather the the donation receipts
oh drat...there's no donation form 8283 in this mess

so down to the basement
and as the printer supplies
I write to my sister
who is likely somehow sharing this exercise

American Citizens
comply with each year
The doing of Taxes...
the activity we all hold dear

The notion is futile
No refunds for me
I'll pay to the government
Who spends with great ease

And asks from my share
More tax dollars please
So the weathy can pay a lesser percent
And middle class and poor wonder where all their $$$$ went.

I piss and I moan
But the honor is great
To figure my taxes
Before it's too late

So I bid you adieu
The forms are all there in a pile
And I'll head back upstairs
Leaving you with a little smile.

Love you my sister....
love you, love you, love you.....
but ever so glad
I don't walk in your shoes

To have to pay taxes
Huge chunks at a time
and self-employed Social security
is more than I can hack

Just wanted you to know
I'm thinking of you
Now enough procrastination
I've got TAXES to do!

Later gater,
Sue

******

A couple of hours later, Sue sent a another email with her answer to my permission to post request, but right now it's back to entering the last of PROmote's 2012 expenses for me. When that's done, I'll another break and post it. Or before I head to sleep, at least.

Tuesday...

gfs@toad-hall.com — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:41:15 GMT

On Tuesday, I opened my office window for the first time this year. It's been warm enough to the sliding door to the deck for some fresh air a couple of times, but that's different from having a window open just a few feet from my desk and sitting there, working. Especially with the deck door open, too, as that's enough for a cross-breeze.

If that wasn't enough of a sign that spring may well be on its way at last, I also sat out on the back deck for a few minutes. Why don't I do that more? It's so very pleasant.

Rain started falling shortly after midnight, just like it did the moment This April showers month began. The forecast says to expect 3 days of the wet stuff, sometimes heavy. Maybe some thunder and lightning, too.

There better be lots of flowers come May.

(No, the skunk cabbage isn't up yet. But it's the earliest spring icon I have. Well, except for the ones with snow in them and what I hope is the last of that has finally melted.)

Onward.

Celebrating Ken Fletcher, the overlooked fan writer

gfs@toad-hall.com — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 05:27:56 GMT

Ken Fletcher is a fabulous fan artist, so you might be inclined to think this post little more than a fannish April Fool. But fredcritter has been scanning issues of RUNE that he edited, and I simply must commend to you Ken's "Whizzing and Pasting and Pooting" and its discussion of the native ceremonies of Crazy Mineapolis Fandom on pages 17–20 in RUNE 39. (Pages 19-22 of the pdf thanks to the cover and inside front cover at the beginning, but what's cool is that if you type in page 17, Acrobat takes you to the right page. In my browser, at least.)

The issue also features a good bit of Ken's artwork as well as art by Tom Foster, Jim Young, and others, a BYOBcon report by Dick Tatge (as Richard was known back then), Fred's first RUNE editorial, a lettercol with letters to the previous editors including one from Harry Warner, Jr. (of course).

Next, you can turn to Fred's fanzine page to read other issues of RUNE and related material he's posted. I just had a good revisit to Fred's last MINNEAPA zine, Beautiful Friend #104.

'Tis a trove, and it's filled with treasure...

The Sidebar of Making Light

gfs@toad-hall.com — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 23:27:33 GMT

skzbrust in my hero. One of 'em, anyway. For a multitude of reasons, over a multitude of years. Today it's for his newest filksong, "The Sidebar of Making Light."

You want to watch it on Steve's blog, where his fellow performers are credited and you'll find the lyrics and comments, too. There's also delight to be found on the sidebar of Making Light itself. Be sure to read the rollover.

But none of that is enough for me to resist embedding it here: