Realized I needed to take advantage of this amazing weather and work outside for the afternoon. Ozzie appreciates it.
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My happy place. On the couch with soccer on the TV, a book in hand, and a sleeping dog next to me.
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A Birthday Taskmaster
So yesterday my family departed for the next leg of their journey, then after a nap Katie and I went to a friend's birthday party. They put together a Taskmaster event and had attendees compete in various tasks. I placed third overall, but Katie did manage to win a task which sent us home with a massive vase filled with M&Ms and Skittles.
We had a great time and definitely something I'll be considering for future birthdays of my own. So, happy birthday Sarah, thanks for the amazing evening.
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My Amsterdam Tradition
I always go to the Rijksmuseum and see Rembrandt's The Nightwatch when I'm in Amsterdam. It's a quasi tradition that I do it on the day I arrive, when I'm adjusting to the time change and needing to stay awake. I go to the museum and bask in the amazing art and talent on display in the museum.
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A Day of Content Harvesting
A snap from my day yesterday, out with coworkers harvesting content.
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A hard goodbye
Today Katie and I sent Elwood across the rainbow bridge.
He was 9 and a half years old, which was a good age for a dane. His health had been in continual gradual decline for the last several years and last weekend we both agreed the time had come. The meds weren't helping as much and his mobility was only worsening.
This past week has been rough with a lot of tears. We'll miss the big guy forever. But we were there with him, holding and loving him as he drifted off to sleep.
We're okay. Emotional, of course. But we know he was suffering and now he's not.
Keanu Reeves' comment about what happens to us after we die rings in my ears, "I know the ones who love us will miss us." And we will miss that big lovable oaf for the rest of our days.
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Sunday Baking
Pineapple Banana Bread, fresh from the oven. Letting them cool some before removing from the pans.
PS - I discovered this morning that Good Eats is streaming on Max.
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A photo from a few months ago, capturing a rainbow from the new office. Using this as a test for a tweak to the uploading system for glowbug.
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Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
I continue my efforts of homemade ice cream. This batch is mint chocolate chip with chopped Andes mints. Pretty good, though I could use a bit more peppermint extract next time.
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Eight years
Eight years ago today we adopted Elwood, oh how time flies. We're both getting progressively more gray, I dare say he makes it look better than I do.
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Did some shopping at the used bookstore tonight
Disclaimer: I work for Wizards of the Coast, makers of Dungeons & Dragons.
We met some friends for dinner, and while we waited for our table to be ready we went next door to Half Price Books. Found some gems. They had more 2nd edition adventures but I only grabbed these two. The handbooks are a little beat up, but I'm thrilled to pick them up. I'm still looking for Player Handbooks from 2nd edition.
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Four Biplanes
Working outside when I look up at the sound of approaching planes, only to see four biplanes in formation. Not something you see everday.
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Volo as my DMing Aid
(Reminder, I work for Wizards of the Coast, maker of Dungeons & Dragons.)
Tonight I used my Surface Duo 2 as my primary device for DMing. I ended up having my laptop open because I needed to call a remote friend into the game via Discord and I ended up using it for ease of following dice rolls by the group on D&D Beyond, but I didn't strictly need it. I have the D&D Beyond app and could alternate it on screen with notes to follow the rolls.
I am really happy with it and it is definitely going to be my default setup moving forward for DMing.
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A Look Back at my Week Off
I took the last week of work off. Primarily for my wife's birthday, but also just for mental health and using my vacation time over the course of the year. Today, I head back to work...ing from home. Well, today will be work from home, then I'll go back to the office for most of this week.
Over last week I coded on personal projects a fair bit, including starting something new to play with. I read a great deal, finishing two books. I caught up on some TV and movies. And largely just enjoyed a relaxing staycation week. K and I went to a local "castle" for two nights, just to change scenery and explore some, but it was also fairly low key.
This is the castle we stayed at, "Thornewood Castle" which was a "Bed & Breakfast" though there was no breakfast.
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