On the Train to Providence and Jack

The South Station in Boston is close to our. Hotel. Both of them are
on Summer Street - not a good name because it is 15 degrees and winter
here - real winter.

After a nice breakfast in the station I boarded my waiting Amtrak
train. The conductor said take any seat - the train car I took was
maybe 35% full.

The train is clean - nice wide reclining seats - and a power outlet
for each seat. There is no excuse for a drained phone or computer
battery.

No body patted me down. No security tunnels - no one even asked for an
ID nor took my hot chocolate.

Travel time is 40 minutes. It is suppoed to leave in 3 minutes at 8:15.

The station reminds me of all out jaunts in London and the rest Europe.

I did not check to see if we have wifi.

I brought along Lulu's Kindle - willrun it through it's paces.

There - we pulled out exactly as the iPhone flipped over to 8:15. All
aboard "Casey Junior."

iPhone has an App for this.

Diggin the Boston Trains - Reminds Me of London

Pictures - Some of the trains look more like buses - this is the view of our hotel and convention center from the train station.

Today - I took the trains from our hotel to Harvard. Our hotel is on the silver line - Harvard is on the red line. All lines meet downtown.

It started out cold and sunny - then around lunch it turned to just cold and dreary - and at 4 PM it is cold dark and snowy.

The train line from our hotel looks more like a bus or trolley. It has rubber tires - no rails - and wires overhead to carry the electricity. They do go through tunnels to avoid any traffic.

The South Station is nearby. While I was there I bought a round trip ticket to go visit Jack in Providence. It will take 40 minutes and is $12 each way. I took Amtrak because it has few stops. At prime times in the day the price goes up to $30 each way. I will leave here at 8 AM and leave there at 7 PM. There was a commuter trains for $8 each way but it took longer. Big spender took the express.

At 6 PM I meet Lulu at the Goethe Institute on Beacon Street. They are the folks that sent Lulu to Germany last March for a week and gave her a VIP tour. They have an office here and Nancy is impressed by their organization. She also would like to go back to Germany.

Boston "T" Train - $15 a Week - Unlimited Use

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The best $15 bargain in Boston.

8 Days in Boston

Last night we made it safely to our Westin Hotel on the Boston Waterfront just in time to watch FSU basketball get beaten by North Carolina State. The hotel is top drawer with a beautiful view of downtown and the docks. The Boston Convention Center is hooked to our hotel by a covered walkway.

By 8 AM - Lulu was dressed and long gone doing what librarians do at their national mid-winter convention - I almost said vacation. Because to me - it is 8 days to explore the city and also travel to Providence to see grandson Jack.

At 9 AM - it is 18 degrees here not much colder than what we left in Florida. The highest temperature this week is expected to be 43 degrees. At least the chimney smoke is going straight up indicating not much wind out there. We only spent a few seconds outside - from the airport to the taxi - and from the taxi to the hotel door.

As you can see by the video above - there is snow on the convention center's roof - but the sky is a clear blue.

When I retired at 55 almost 7 years ago - I never imagined getting opportunities like this to visit one of the major settings of learning in the world. I read where there are 177 colleges in the area - I plan to visit a few.

If anyone has some good suggestions of places to visit and eat - let me know. I am looking forward to reporting back to you.

Trailing Spouse Leaves Freezing Tallahassee for Even Colder Boston

After 10 freezing nights in Tallahassee - the Trailing Spouse has a chance to get out of town. The American Library Association convention is in Boston - and Lulu invited me along to share in the festivities. So with camera - computer and iphone in hand - we took a cab to the airport this morning at 10 AM for a flight to an even colder place. We will spend the next 8 days in Beantown with a couple of excursions to Providence to see grandson Jack.
Tallahassee Airport was dead - no one was in line to go through the security tunnel. I was looking forward to being patted down but no luck - the agents were to busy gabbing. I did forget to take my shoes off though and they sent me through again. They also enjoy grabbing my CPAP machine and swabbing it for bomb dander. It reminds me of the time I took a large wet cell battery on board the plane to London to power my machine on the all night flight. The guy said he never saw one before - but let is go through.
The plane taxied out to take-off - only to be called back because the radar was down in Atlanta. All incoming flights were sent back to the gate. In Tallahassee they means our one and only plane. Looks like we would miss our Atlanta connection. After a half hour later - the radar was back on. We were "number 1" in line for takeoff - the pilot did not even stop at the end of the runway - a U turn would do.
In Atlanta - we missed our plane to Boston by 5 minutes - luckily there was another flight in one hour and they already booked us onto it. After a quick lunch - we were called to the ticket counter to find out that we were being upgraded to first class - well at least one of us. The lady said, "Which one?" Since I think first class is a silly snobby thing to have - I gave it to Lulu. I would happily ride in the back. For a $50 discount - I would ride with the luggage. Since the plane was full - I offered my seat up for a "bump." No luck - I was going to be in row 29 and Lulu would be in Row 2. Finally - when they called up zones - as I passed the scanner - it gave me a first class seats too - Row 1! So we were both in first class and I would get to Boston 3 feet before Lulu.
Lulu couldn't let me out of her sight - because in the plane she arranged the seat next to her for me. We could spoon our way to Boston. It would have been a neat story to tell - Lulu being upgraded to first class and me getting bumped off the flight for cash - but that turned out to be half right.
I have no set agenda in Boston. I plan to visit museums - historic spots - and enjoy the people. Maybe I will sneak into a class at Harvard and I can add that to my resume. My main objective is to get to see Jack. Jack goes to a local school - and we tease Drew and Robin that he has a New England accent. I'll get to compare Jack's accent to the locals.
We're staying at the Weston Hotel in downtown next to the convention center. According to their web page - Boston offers a $15 pass that works on the trains - subways - and buses. I plan to get my money's worth. Also - Drew's condo in Providence is close to the train station downtown. With a little luck the trip will be an hour - door to door.
Lulu has been busy. She just got back from 5 days in Washington on Sunday - and after two nights in her own bed - it is 8 days on New England. But this time it will be different - I am trailing along to carry her bags.

Our Old IPhone Sold In Less Than Two Hours on Craigslist

People still are in a frenzy to buy iphones - if my craigslist sale is any indication. My family replaced our old iphone 2G's with new iphone 3GS's for Christmas. Today - I decided to sell on on Craigslist.

Above is a picture of the ad I placed on Craigslist.org.

To my surprise - my phone started ringing and texting off the hook. It seems everyone and their mother wanted the old iphone - even though it had a chip on the corner.

I got over 30 calls and text messages - some folks even offering me more money if I held the phone for them.

But here was the best one from Jeff - "hello i was just curious to know if you would be interested in a possible trade, tattoo work for the iphone."


I was relieved when a nice looking young man with a Toyota showed up with the cash. While he was standing here - two more calls came in. Some of the calls and texts were pretty rough - scaring me to hide the silverware.


The phone is gone - $99 cash.


I did hit the reset button to erase all the personal data.

Lulu is at a Conference in Leesburg VA near Washington DC

Lulu is at a National Board Certification Conference at a resort near Washington DC. From her hotel resort window you can see the Blue Ridge Mountains. The resort is so big - that she does not have to go outside for 4 days. Lulu is the chairman of a committee that is writing the federal standards of the National Board Certification Test for school library media specialists.

In December - I went along - but this time I chose to avoid the cold northern weather to sit through cold Florida weather.

Lulu flies home Tuesday - then we both fly to Boston for a week - to attend the American Library Association Convention. We will have a chance to visit grandson Jack on that trip.

Noles Versus Virginia Girls

Very old crowd - must be the prices

PS - We were losing at halftime - came storming out after halftime - won the game 68-50 - after holding UVA to 16 points in the second half.

Tallahassee Set Record Electricity Use

Tallahassee has its own power company - Talquin Electric. Talquin stands for Tallahassee/Quincy - the towns on each side of the power plant.


Supplies Adequate to Meet Increased Demand - The City of Tallahassee's Electric Utility set a record winter peak load of 596 megawatts (mw) this morning between 7 and 8 a.m. The prior record winter peak load was set on January 24, 2003, at 590 mw. City Electric Utility officials attribute this morning's peak load record to the sustained cold temperatures during the week and the return of students to classes in Tallahassee after the holiday break. Weather forecasts indicate continued low temperatures through the weekend.


Most of Tallahassee's power comes from burning natural gas. Three years ago - the city voted on building a power plant 50 miles away that would have burned coal. Coal won the election but town council overruled that vote - go figure. Also last year - another company wanted to set up a power plant in town that would have burned wood waste. the waste would have come into town by train right to the site. Council voted that down. Meanwhile - we are setting records for electric use - go figure.

Florida State's New Football - Jimbo Fisher

The Seminoles have a new head coach - Jimbo Fisher. He was introduced to the public yesterday. Here is a picture of his young family taken in his new office.

Fisher was never a head coach - he bounced around as an assistant at many schools. After being the offensive coordinator for the national champion LSU Tigers - he was hired by FSU as a coach-in-waiting. His contract stated - if he were not made head coach by January 2011 - the school had to pay him $5 million. The board of trustees decided not to wait that long - they forced Bobby Bowden into retirement a year early.

My personal opinion for the reason FSU "fired" Bobby now - is that I believe they were afraid he was going to have a banner year next season with most of his team returning. Then they would have and even harder time firing him. So after 33 straight winning seasons FSU fired the goose that laid the golden eggs.

As a true Seminole fan - one must give Fisher the benefit of any doubt. Fans must be reminded that they are fans of the school - not just the coach. If Fisher winds the first 5 games next season - the fans will forget about Bobby's firing. they have been spoiled here by Bobby - winning is all that matter now.

Installing a TV Wall Mount

I installed the bedroom TV wall mount this morning. It took about 2 hours start to finish. It was pretty straight forward. The most time was spent fishing the wires through the wall so that they are hidden. It was not necessary - but it made for a nice professional clean looking installation.

The wall mount allows for a low profile - the TV is only one inch from the wall. The TV can be tilted out to install more cables. The kit is basically three fitted metal pieces - and tons of nuts and bolts for a variety of TV's. I used 4 lag bolts to go into the studs - then 4 bolts that go into the TV. Next you just hang one on the other. Then you slide a rod to lock them together in case of earthquake.

This is before - the TV on a stand about one foot from the wall - taking up the entire bureau top.

The wall bracket is held by four 3 inch lag bolts. It is very important to get this bracket level. Also it is important to get the bolts into the wall studs. I did this with a stud finder and laser level.

Next you bolt the two vertical brackets to the TV. The kit included some very nice stainless steel bolts for this step.

The most difficult part of the job was feeding the wires through the wall. This particular wall was full of tightly packed insulation. I used a fish wire to pull the cables through.

Finally - the TV is mounted and wired. The DVR is placed on the bureau. The TV hangs within one inch of the wall. The chest of drawers can be easily moved and have a bare top now.

Next job - installing the articulating wall mount in the living room.

Got Two Tickets Outside For Free

Playing Texas A & M Corpus Christi.

PS - FSU won 94-54. The rest of the games are ACC games. No more cupcakes. FSU is ranked Number 20 in the polls.

We Will Always Have Gator Bowl 2010

 

PHOTO - Keith - Lulu - Drew - Harry - Still Crazy After All These Years

It is Monday morning - 9 AM - everyone is back at work. Keith flew back to DC. Drew flew back to Providence. Nancy is in her office working for FSU. I am sitting in front of the fire - 34 degrees outside - thinking about the past two weeks.

The Gator Bowl was fantastic - of course it could have been absolutely miserable if FSU lost Bobby's last game. But they didn't - so an era ends on a high note. Make no mistake - it is absolutely terrible the way FSU fired Bobby Bowden after 33 winning seasons. They are trying to spin it as a mutual thing - but it wasn't and Bobby Bowden told us several times he wanted one more year with this excellent returning team. But as Drew said - we are loyal to Florida State - not one man. It is not the fault of FSU - the decision was made by a board of trustees and a retiring president. It is all over. Bitterness won't help. Go Noles!

Thanksgiving and Christmas are two great family holidays. Too bad they fall just one month apart. It would be nice if we celebrated them about 6 months apart. Our next big event is June 20th - Jack' second birthday. This year the party will be at Dr. Bob's house in South Carolina - that is good for us - just a 5 hour drive away. Between now and then - we will be making a few trips north to see everyone.

Wednesday - Lulu flies to DC for a few days to work on a federal project. Then a week later - Lulu and I fly to Boston. She will be at the ALA Convention and I will take a train down to Providence to see Jack.

This year has a few highlights coming up. We spend a month in London this summer. Lulu was also invited as a keynote speaker at an Australian Convention. Lulu's grand tour of the American School Libraries will begin. Drew and Robin will be making their next move after Robin finishes her doctorate. Keith continues his job in DC - new apartment and relationship with Liz in Washington. Everyone is healthy and we have so much to look forward to.

The more I look at the Gator Bowl on Jan 1st 2010 - it is a beginning rather than an end of an era.

FSU Wins - Bobby Ends Career On High Note

The pouring rain stopped at kickoff and the sun shone brightly on Bobby Bowden's last game.
At the end the score read 33-21 and most of the crowd stayed to see Bobby throw his hat to the band.
It will not be the same on the Nole sidelines next year. They are no longer the world power of yore. But worst of all - Bobby will be gone.
My family is enjoying the afterglow at the airport - trying to squeeze every second out of this wonderful day. Everyone made it safely. Keith's flight was canned. He is trying to get another. With a little luck - he will get a bump and we can hang on trying to keep "the amigos" together a few more hours.
Posted from iPhone.

Post Script - Keith caught the next flight out - was home in DC before we got back to Tallahassee. Drew also drove back safely to Bob's house in South Carolina. Lulu drove the last 100 miles and she had us safely in bed by 10 PM. What a wonderful start to the new year.

Rain Stopped

All four of us made it safely. Picture from our seats.

Sitting in Parking Lot. For Gator Bowl

It is 10:30 AM. Raining. I am sitting in the van with Lulu and Drew
hoping for the weather to break.

2.5 hours to kickoff. We do not have to hawk tickets - it was rare -
but we bought tickets in advance.

iPhone has an App for this.

All Roads Lead to Jacksonville - Everhart's Gather for Bobby's Final Game

Temperature in the 60's. Partly sunny skies. The rains held back for the Gator Bowl Parade yesterday. Bobby's arrival in town in a garnet corvette reminded me a bit of Jesus's ride into town on Palm Sunday. You know something is wrong when the fans of both teams are roaring in appreciation of one man - Bobby Bowden.

The blue and gold garbed of West Virginia fans outnumbered Noles easily 3 to 1. Heck  most of the Seminole fans were still at home watching other games on TV - but Jacksonville was jumping yesterday - hoping to set a crowd record that may stand in this town forever.

Lulu and I arrived in town from Hilton Head SC just in time for the parade. We bought seats along the parade route - we didn't want to miss Bobby's last hurrah. The parade lasted 90 minutes - Bobby and Ann's corvette let the way and new FSU President Eric Barron put an exclamation point on the end.

It is 7 AM game day now - Drew emailed to say he is on the road from Dr. Bob's house in South Carolina. Keith is on the way to the airport in DC to catch his flight. Lulu is primping here with me in our Marriot in Jacksonville. Each of us have a game ticket safely folded up in our wallets. We all plan to meet at "Woodstock."

FSU is a 3 point underdog today. It seems a bit generous for a 6-6 team playing a strong 9-3 West Virginia team. We have already heard that sweet tune "Country Road" a few too many times. I am sure the Mountaineers are just as tired hearing our "War Chant." By game time - both tunes will be unbearable to opposing fans.

Bittersweet is an overused word - but regardless the outcome of the game today - that is my feeling. Bobby has not had a losing campaign in 33 years - and today he has a very good chance of retiring with a 6-7 season record - his total frozen at 388 victories forever. Bobby's hero - George Patton died unceremoniously from a car wreck in Bavaria instead of on the battlefield. In the movie about his life - the last line he mutters is, "All glory is fleeting."


PICTURES -
Keith and his blowoff shirt on Christmas.
Drew showing Jack's great grandparent Charlotte and Jack some videos.
Dr. Bob's new house and guest house near Hilton Head where we stayed.
Bobby Bowden leading the Gator Bowl Parade.