October is good

October
October included a visit with Barbara and Sacha, a Prius, the Indians beat the Yankees, Hard Rock cafe, Halloween chocolate and Natural History Museum party, Ken Burns, mockThanksgiving, temps in the 70s.

September

September was good also with anniversary trip to visit Bad Godesberg and Komen race.

What a good year it has been so far. I hope I don't jinx it by saying this. As November and Thanksgiving approach, again, I have a lot to be thankful for. April, 2003 to October, 2007 makes it over 4 years. Oct. 22 was my follow up visit.

Pics from Russia

These are truly amazing!

http://picasaweb.google.com/sacha.sachaevans/StPetersbug

Barb's Cats

Night at museum

Prius here

Rick wonders what the plural is of Prius.

I like the post on http://priusonline.com/ that Toyota indicates that Prius is both singular and plural, like deer or sheep. " We asked the Toyota executive in charge of the initial Prius rollout how his people refer to more than one Prius. His response was "Prius". They use the same word for both. And since they named the vehicle, they are the ones that get the official say... I prefer "Prius" for plural. It has a stealth-like quality."

I also ask myself what does Prius mean? My search shows me that "Toyota reminds us that Prius means “ahead of its time” in Latin."

I like two Prius cars but don't mind Prius as both singular and plural.

PriusOnline.com :: View topic - What's the plural of Prius

Depending on who you ask, the Latin plural is either "prius" and you change the noun which is being modified to a plural, or the Latin plural is "priores". ... priusonline.com/viewtopic.php?t=1891&sid=d7ffe3888118845ecc92277232fbad43 - 71k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this

The plurals of 'Prius' - The Boston Globe

This morning John heard a WBUR reporter jokingly refer to the plural of the Toyota Prius as "Prii," and he wondered: Could that Latin plural be right, ... www.boston.com/news/globe/ideas/brainiac/2007/03/the_plurals_of.html - Similar pages - Note this

Russian Rumours

Rumour has it that Sac is now in St. Petersburg with Wei Wei and finding it very INTERESNO!

" Today I went tothe Peter Paul fortress and on a river boat ride along the Neva River. .. The Russians are all VERY RUSSIAN!"

There may be a video of Sacha presenting an open letter to a statue of Papa Joe (as in Stalin). I can hardly wait!

Troykas

Get Smart

Steve Correll to star in this. Just learned that on Fresh Air.

HH News Crostadas

Our council person Cathy Murphy provided this update.

I am urging a yes vote on issue 61- rezoning gas station near Alpha drive to Business.
Osborne is buying Alpha Plaza and plans to develop the abandoned Sunoco Station into the project.
New retail businesses---R.E.I. ? maybe a bank too--- say goodbye to "Halloween World' Now occupying the old Syms space.

They may put in another driveway along Wilson Mills. - I think it makes sense to rezone- it is compatible use in the area and will jumpstart the Plaza.

Also- since newsletter came out-- Arrabica property has been sold and it will be "Crostadas Pizzeria" beer and wine brick oven pizza- the owner comes from several other restaurants incl Giovanis.
His name is Quagliana? I think. Well known to many. They are turning the old building into an italian style villa.

Looking to start project very soon.

BTW no new discussions with city building dept on the "subdivision" - So far they are off the radar screen.Thanks

War, peace, oil

I heard on All Things Considered about the war over War and Peace.
There are two new translations. One is 400 pages shorter than the other.Which to read?
http://www.observer.com/2007/war-over-war-and-peace

STEVE LEVINE on Lanigan and Malone mentioned this book, which sounds interesting - "The Oil and the Glory: The Pursuit of Empire and Fortune on the Caspian Sea." He mentioned the stans. There are many of them - Kazakstan, Pakistan, Turmenistan, etc. They are in the Caspian Sea area. (Borat, of course, from the one of these.)

tree stuff

Forest City 216 381 1700 S. Euclid
5.71 per diameter est. $115

Dr. Lander

Giselle A. Lander, O.D. .4568 Mayfield Rd., (216) 291-2020 ...

11/6 election, itinerary

More unrelated stuff

1A - Hawthorne
1B - Bishop

H.H. Community Center
Congressional District 14
State Senate District 18
House District 98
630 to 730 election

itinerary

Mi 19 Dezember 07, 2 Stopp(s)Leave18:15 Mi Terminal A, Johannesburg International" (JNB),Johannesburg, SüdafrikaArrive 06:00 Do

Washington, USADurationFlugdauer: 22:34 United Airlines (UA 4591) Flugzeugtyp - 346Ausgeführt von South African Airways Economy (Sondertarife) 06:00, Do - 08:30, Do -Dauer des Zwischenstopps: 2h30Leave 08:30Do

Washington, USAArrive 09:49 Do Cleveland, USA Flugdauer: 22:34 United Airlines (UA 7159) Flugzeugtyp - CRJ Economy(Sondertarife)

Oct. 21, Musicophilia

Westbrook and Matsusaka at 8pm on Sunday.
When watching the game on Saturday, Barbara and Sacha call the Red Sox (with Ortiz, Ramiriz, and Youklis) a team of mutants.

Read this story passed on by NC. Wow! I'm really happy that NPR did the transcript. NPR : Excerpt: > Musicophilia> http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15382899&sc=emaf>

Colbert on Meet the Press was escpecially good as Tim Russert brought out the Bert doll and asked Colbert about how to pronounce the doll's name, as well as Russert's last name.

Cavs Wed 31 Oct 8PM, Fri 02 Nov 7:30, Sunday Nov 04 8PM

Rossini, Tschikovsky - That "cwazy wabbitt" takes center stage at Severance Hall accompanied by his Looney Tunes friends Elmer Fudd, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig. The show features Warner Bros. cartoon programs projected on the big screen and live music by Rossini, Tchaikovsky and others, synchronized with The Cleveland Orchestra.

Raven tresses n more

Rockies, misc.

Saturday at 8:20 maybe we can win it then.

Falling asleep while the Indians were behind, not ahead, must have lost the last game for us. I promise to improve with the next game. :-) I liked it when Manny hit the ball right near the line making the umps get together to decide that it was not a home run.

(Note to self - if falling asleep before the game is over, do it while the Indians are ahead only - not behind.)

I really liked winning the previous game despite all the bad calls by the umps, not in our favor. It was good to see that right after one of the bad calls on a pitch, the Boston batter hit the ball which then hit Ortiz as he was running from second to third, getting him out.

Unrelated stuff -

Couldn't believe (but really enjoyed it) that ABC nightly news with Charlie Gibson had a report about Colbert entering the democratic and republican presidential primaries in South Carolina, his home state. John McCain said in an interview that he thought this should liven things up.

Finally saw Dennis on Colbert's show. As challenged, Dennis, who looked very relaxed and amused during the whole thing, emptied his pockets. The contents included his pocket constitution as well as a pocket sized magna carta and some Indians memorabilia. I didn't see it coming when Colbert gave Dennis a gift. It was a pocket sized version of Colbert's new book.

2-1, 4-2

Indians win it again. Sacha may be the only one reading who may not have heard the latest. Kenny Lofton's home run helped.

Tuesday is next game. After that it's two more in Cleveland. Paul Byrd is the pitcher I saw when I was last at Jacob's field. Let's hope he can help to win it tonight.

Prius

includes cruise control, heated outside mirrors, AM/FM CD with six speakers, auxiliary audio jack and MP3/WMA playback capability, Smart Key System , backup camera and Vehicle Stability Control
http://www.automotive.com/2007/101/toyota/prius/touring-hatchback/1610/packages/index.htm

On Oct. 18, PD, the Consumer Reports' Reliability Rating article had this (between our Prius and Barb's Accord I am hoping the odds are in our favor) -

Family car

Best: Toyota Prius, Honda Accord

Worst: Chevrolet Impala, Volkswagen Passat

Upscale/luxury car

Best: Lexus GS450h (hybrid), Acura TSX

Worst: Cadillac STS, Mercedes-Benz CL

Small car

Best: Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit

Worst: Dodge Caliber, Volkswagen Jetta

Small SUV

Best: Honda Element, Mitsubishi Outlander

Worst: Dodge Nitro, Jeep Wrangler (four-door)

Midsize SUV

Best: Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot

Worst: Land Rover Range Rover, Land Rover Range Rover Sport

Large SUV

Best: Toyota Land Cruiser (no second pick)

Worst: Chevrolet Suburban 2500, GMC Yukon XL 2500

Pickup truck

Best: Toyota Tundra (V8, two-wheel drive), Toyota Tacoma (four-cylinder)

Worst: Cadillac Escalade EXT, Toyota Tundra (V8, four-wheel drive)

Should have probably linked to the site instead of copying it. I apologize for use of excess pixels, Web space, etc.

1-1, etc.

I fell asleep during the last half of the second Cleveland-Boston game, but then, woke up toward the end of the game, during extra innings that went past midnight, and finished in a good way, for sure. Will be interesting to see if they can win it all in Cleveland. I don't mind winning in Fenway Park, but Cleveland would be nice also.

Monday should be Westerbrook pitching (7pm start) and Wednesday Byrd pitching. Tuesday I have to remember to watch Dennis on Colbert and Thursday The Office. In the last episode, Dunder Mifflin launched (not lunched) its new Web site, making buying paper fun. Didn't get the Jerry Seinfeld parts. Maybe they will grow on me? The Web launch episode was good and as usual provided some surprises. I'm finding it hard to predict what will happen in that show. The Office needs episodes on take your child to work and PLE training.

Tosca, Mast, etc.

Tosca (Puccini) - Oct. 27 (Saturday) - operacleveland.org
I've never heard or seen Tosca before. Brenda Harris is singing. Rosenberg suggests "she thrives best when portraying strong, conflicted women."

Here's the Forest City Singers link -
http://rjsprafka.com/fcs/calendar.html#REP2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at 7:30 PM
Breckenridge, 36855 Ridge Road, Willoughby, Ohio
"Canticum Bonum"

What: The Annual Sunbeam Boutique to benefit Vocational Guidance
(Fundraisers, Holiday, Volunteer activities)
Where: The Country Club
(2825 Lander Road, Pepper Pike, OH 44124, 216-831-9200, Map)
When/$: Tuesday, Oct 23, 2007, 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm, $10

Over 30 spectacular vendors from across the country are coming to The Sunbeam Holiday Boutique at The Country Club in Pepper Pike being held Tuesday, October 23 through Friday, October 26, 2007. Come do your holiday shopping and benefit an important local nonprofit - Vocational Guidance Services.

Mario's

Mario's International
Spa Sanctuary

35A N. Chillicothe Road
Aurora, OH 44202
330-995-5397
M - Sat 9 - 6, Th 9 - 9, Closed Sun/ We

http://www.marios-spa.com/spa_sanctuary.html

Mario's International Spa Sanctuary offers original spa signature therapies incorporating ancient healing, wellness modalities and is the only spa in Ohio that offers Thai Ytsara holistic spa treatments. Our Spa Sanctuary offers a feng shui inspired environment for your personal rejuvenation. Sample a yoga class, tai chi, or attend one of our many educational seminars and retreats to encounter the mind, body and spirit connection. Our sanctuary offers private spa facilities for couples and small groups as well as a meditation loft for enlightenment.

Dennis/Colbert 10/16

I got this notice in my email. Can you imagine what a meeting of the minds this will be? I wonder if it will be as riveting (not to mention entertaining) as John Stewart's recent interviews with former President Fox or Bolivia's president.

Dennis will be appearing on Comedy Central's 'The Colbert Report' this Tuesday, October 16th at 8:30pm ET. Throughout this presidential campaign, Dennis has talked about serious issues affecting this country, such as the war in Iraq, the eradication of our civil liberties, the healthcare crisis and other important problems. This Tuesday, we will have the opportunity to see the comical side of Dennis, as he accepts Stephen Colbert's challenge to Empty his Pockets!

http://blog.cleveland.com/openers/2007/10/kucinich_to_appear_on_colbert.html

Hard Rock, etc.

Dinner at the Hard Rock was about what I expected. (This dinner was after the reception at the Hilton Garden.) Our $25 at the Hard Rock let us choose from several entrees (including chicken, ribs, and a veggie burger) and chocolate cake or cheesecake and a soft drink or coffee/tea. The veggie burger was acceptable and served with a side salad. The chocolate cake came with vanilla ice cream which was a great complement to an ample serving of rich cake that was just delicious. (The restaurant itself is clean and in line with what I saw at the Hard Rock Cafes in NY and Miami. )

At the conference I'm planning on going to one session from Thea Teich and another on DITA (Darwin Information Type Architecture). Alan Houser is to do the DITA session (on what he calls one of the hottest topics in our field). He is president of a Pittsburgh-based company that provides content management services. He is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon and voting member of the OASIS DITA Technical Committee.

Someone mentioned that they were having good success with Author-it, sharing through a database content with training, the Web, and user manuals.

Halloween

The Nature League to Host "Bones, Bugs and Dead Animals"
at The Cleveland Museum of Natural History

Cleveland … Come celebrate Halloween with The Nature League of The Cleveland Museum of Natural History. The 11th annual party "Bones, Bugs and Dead Animals" will take place at the Museum Saturday, Oct. 27 from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Featuring a costume contest with prizes, the party will also include live music by funk rock band Abby Normal, plus DJ Ay and tango dancers K.B. and Carmen.

"This is one of the best costume parties in Cleveland," said Mary Hromyko, director of Membership and Visitor Services at the Museum. "People go all out. It’s a cool atmosphere and a unique venue. And, because it’s such a great deal, it’s one of the best ways for us to grow our Nature League membership."

The costume contest will include four categories: Best of Show, Best Ensemble, Scariest and People’s Choice Award. Prizes include an original skull cast from the Museum’s Hamann-Todd Osteological Collection, Museum membership and other natural history related items.

Food and dessert buffets and two drink tickets are included in the ticket price. Costs are: $25 for Nature League members; $30 for nonmembers; and $35 at the door. The party is open to those ages 21 and over.

Byrd&Co win

Indians now go on to the ALCS (I thought I read this is the first time since 1998). It was Wang then Musenta for the Yankees. Now it is on to the Red Sox. I should make a habit of falling asleep while the Indians are ahead. It has worked a couple of times now.

Friday, Saturday - Fenway Park
Monday - Jacob's Field

I wonder if the Indians could, after winning the first two, could come back to Jacob's field and win the third at home. One can always hope. It should be CC, then Cabrera, then Westerbook or Byrd.

Sac says hi from Europe, obviously unrelated. How American are you? Probably not enough, says TV host Stephen Colbert.


Barbie tried to get tickets for a game and understand she is guaranteed a ticket if there is a World Series game in Cleveland.

Here was what I wrote before the winning game today. I have my fingers and toes crossed, hoping for an Indians win. I don't require that the Indians come back to Jacob's Field to win. I don't mind a win in Cleveland, but would be just as happy with a win tonight in NY. Indians and Yankees are now Indians 2 games and Yankees 1 game, due to the loss on Sunday.

Some of the signs in the seats were - Don't bug me. Cleveland, buzz off.

To this I say - Don't bug ME and YOU buzz off! :-)

6:30 game, conf. etc.

More unrelated stuff.

TBS and TN at, of course, Yankee Stadium. Westerbrook and Clemens.

My high expectations for Helvetica are what caused me, I think, to be slightly disappointed. One designer said that Helvetica (representing the establishment) was related to the wars in Vietnam and Iraq. Another designer said Helvetica represents socialism. Another said it represents the corporate world. So, it means different things to different people, radically different things. I like the order and beautify of the type. But, in contract, there is a place in the world for a less orderly type what one designer called grunge type. We need both kinds of type or should I saw all kinds of type.

Mi Puebla versus El Grand Rodeo. Oy! They are both so good. Chille rellenos at both are excellent. The chips and salsa at Mi Puebla are slightly better and there is a green salsa as well as a red salsa. The first batch of red salsa we got was hotter than the second batch, which I found interesting. The atmosphere at the two places is quite different, to say the least.

Whole Foods seems to have an endless variety of salads, all excellent. The mediterranean one with feta, artichokes, and olives was especially good.

"Sacha on a Mac with her immediate family in the corner" looks better than the last time I tried.

Maybe Sacha should try for a white background (but no light fixture) next time.

Write reception

Hillton Garden Inn, 5 to 7
1100 Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, USA 44115

Hard Rock Cafe dinner, 7 to 10

http://hiltongardeninn.hilton.com/en/gi/hotels/maps_directions.jhtml;jsessionid=03LRHN2Y3ZW1CCSGBIYM22Q?ctyhocn=CLEGWGI

From I-71 and I-90 East -Exit East 9th street.
Right on Carnegie street.
The hotel is on the right.

8pm 10/20

Itinerary
Continental Airlines
New York (LGA)
Depart 6:00 pm   to  Cleveland (CLE)
Arrive 8:05 pm 
416 mi
(669 km)
Duration: 2hr 5mn  
Flight: 1651

I leave 3:15pm Sunday
on Northwest airlines flight 5814

Bernstein, etc.

More unrelated stuff.

First about book I'm reading (which I got off the NEW shelf from Mayfield library - it's getting to be a habit), it almost felt like an invasion of privacy. I have to say I learned a lot about the Clintons' history in political life and otherwise. Then, again, I ask myself how much Bernstein got right.

Here is the bio being used. Jeanette Evans holds an MS degree in technical communications management from Mercer University, where she studied with the late David Leonard. Since getting her first job in technical writing, she joined STC and stayed a member, the longest standing member in the NEO STC community.

When first joining STC, she became an officer in the NEO STC chapter and organized the first local technical communication conference, working with the Cleveland Engineering Society, featuring speakers such as Ken Cook. She remained active in local activities, involved for many years as a judge and later organizer of NEO STC sponsored publications competitions. She has been a frequent contributor to the NEO STC newsletter for about the last 10 years and recently became a co-editor.

She has been active on the international level for many years as well. She presented at several conferences, judged in international competitions, and published in Intercom, including an article that was featured as one of the three most requested in the last 10 years.

Before becoming a technical writer, Jeanette worked as a technical translator (Russian), where she got a background in programmable controllers and mainframe computers, acting as interpreter and translator for several groups who were training in the United States (primarily for Cleveland Crane and Engineering and Combustion Engineering). During this period, Jeanette was a member of the American Translator's Association (ATA). She gave a presentation about how the skills of a translator can transfer to those required as a technical writer.

Cincinnati

• "Quality and Information Product Development," Proceedings, Annual Conference of the Society for Technical Communication, Arlington VA, 1999.
  

Cincinnati

• "The Virtual Classroom: Real-life Experiences of Distance Learners," Proceedings, Annual Conference of the Society for Technical Communication, Arlington VA, 1999. (with S. Gonzalez, B. Roberts, R. Roberts).
  

Cincinnati

• "Web Delivery of Corporate Policies and Procedures," Proceedings, Annual Conference of the Society for Technical Communication, Arlington VA, 2001. ( Also presented as "Moving Documents to a Corporate Intranet" at Technicom conference, Northeast Ohio STC, Cleveland, Ohio, 1999.)
  

Presented as a paper in Washington DC

• "Seven Steps to Successful Online Help," Intercom (feature article), Society for Technical Communications, Arlington VA, November 1996. (with R. Caldanaro and M. Nichols).
  

Dallas

• "Using Visual Techniques to Enhance Usability," Proceedings, Annual Conference of the Society for Technical Communication, Arlington VA, 1993.
  

Dallas

• "Issues in Designing, Implementing, and Developing Online Help," Proceedings, Annual Conference of the Society for Technical Communication, Arlington VA, 1993.
  

12-3, 2-1 UPDATE

UPDATE on second game - WOW - Now it's 2-0

I fell asleep (it's been quite a week) in the 9th, hoping that when I woke up, a second miracle would have taken place. Looks like the miracle happened in the 11th inning.

This game was different than most because of the incredible bugs. I think they were muckleheads. They were all over the Yankee pitcher's face (Chamberlain) and especially his neck in the 8th inning. He threw a wild pitch. That's when Cleveland caught up to tie it at 1-1.

Looks like bug spray does not work with muckleheads. A bug flew into Kenny Lofton's eye. But, Kenny recovered.

FIRST GAME -

What a game! That 5th inning is something I'll never forget (well, of course, unless Alzheimer's really sets in). And, it's a young team. They are all so good. Rick and I both felt they are similar to the great Atlanta team a few years ago. Wow. We actually have some pitching now. Well, not to mention the hitting.

But, what's with LeBron? At least he turned the cap backwards. I do have to admit he was good on SNL, and I can't wait for the basketball season to start.

Too bad Karl didn't see the 12 to 3 victory over (gasp!) the Yankees (unless of course he was watching from heaven). He would probably say something like the Indians beat the Yankees and Socks is coming back to the White House.

Burns

Watching the last episode of Burns documentary reminded me so much of my mother. I remember her telling me how when the Americans came to Europes, the Americans were considered to be heroic liberators.

She also said she knows that it did happen (in Europe) and did not doubt it, as was said by several eyewitnesses in the Burns story. She also could not talk about what happened and just gave up trying, also true especially for the one young woman (Sascha W.) in the Burns story.

The documentary made me agree, possibly for the first time, that dropping the bomb statistically saved lives. I also did not know that in Japan, children and the elderly were fighting. It appeared that every single citizen would fight and not surrender, if it were not for the bomb.

As was also said by one of the people Burns interviewed, there will always be war, as it is part of human nature. My mother also agreed with that. I think we could redirect the impulse or at least try to.

Indians/orchestra

Can hardly believe it.

It's the Indians versus the Yankees at Jacob's Field for the first game of the play offs. After that, we can start watching LeBron and company.

Thursday. Oct. 4 - do we watch the Indians or The Office... which to record and which to watch... will probably alternate. Can hardly wait... UPDATE... game starts aroung 6:30... can probably watch both.

Cleveland Orchestra string quarter to perform the National Anthem before the game. This is an inspired choice for sure. Oy!

Helvetica

I can hardly wait to attend the movie made as part of the 50th birthday commemoration for the type face. The movie showing I plan to attend is on Sat. Oct. 6 at 7:30 http://www.cia.edu/academicResources/cinematheque/cinematheque.php

This is copying - The Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque, founded in 1986, presents movies in the CIA's 616-seat, 35mm and SR stereo-equipped Russell B. Aitken Auditorium. Videotapes and 16mm films are sometimes shown in the CIA's 100-seat Ohio Bell Auditorium. Both are located within the Institute's Gund Building at the corner of East Boulevard and Bellflower Road in University Circle. Free, lighted parking is available in the adjacent CIA lot, located on the north and east sides of the building off of East Blvd. . Entrance to the building is through the rear door, just off the parking lot and only steps from your car. Smoking is not permitted in the Institute. Our facilities are fully accessible to the physically challenged.

The Cleveland Institute of Art , 11141 East Boulevard, Phone: (216) 421-7450
Email: cinema@gate.cia.edu

Hmmm ... global visual culture should be a most interesting topic. Here I am copying - Helvetica is a feature-length independent film about typography, graphic design, and global visual culture. http://www.helveticafilm.com/

In response to my email the is what I got in response, to jog my memory - we have over 600 seats. Our first film that night is at 5:30 pm so you could purchase tickets as early as 5:00 pm. There is no family membership, just individual membership. You may purchase as many tickets as you like but you cannot purchase them at the member price, only a member holding a member's card may purchase a member price ticket. It costs $30 for the year for membership and you get in for only $6 rather than $8. Membership for students with current ID is only $15 and seniors 65 & older is $15 for the year. We show over 250 movies a year and most are Cleveland premieres, so it is a good deal.