How is everyone's summer going?
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It's the beginning of August and I start to sense a subtle move towards autumn. Of course the days have been shortening since late June, but I don't really pick up on that till late July/early Aug. The angle of the sun in the sky is what I notice start to take note of.
We've been plotzing along here. The garden keeps me busy and we continue our Swedish death cleaning initiative. Mr wtg is still going to physical therapy a couple of times a week. Otherwise, pretty quiet except for contractors digging up gas lines and an occasional water main break. Nothing compared to the fires, heat, and/or flooding that we see on the news just about every day.
How about you? What have you been up to this summer? Festivals? Vacations?
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Summer for me is mostly a break from travel. My foundation role has me really busy from September to early December, and again from February to early June.
I am doing one trip this summer - late August to Lake Garda, Italy (midway between Brescia and Verona) with Klaus and his girlfriend.
But to give you an example of how busy my busy season is:
Sept 4-10 - Barcelona for the European Respiratory Society (ERS) international conference
September 14-16 - Washington for Congessional visits
September 24-27 - Cape Cod for a three day bike ride fundraiser
September 28-29 - back to Washington for more hill visits
October 1-4 - Miami for scientific conferences and two board meetings
October 10-11 - Rochester for my 40th high school reunion
October 18-17 - Tampa for another bike fundraiser
October 22-24 - Back to Barcelona for an ERS-sponsored symposium in AATD
November 6-10 - American Association for the study of Liver Disease international conference
December 4-5 - Nashville for a patient education day
After that I get 6-8 weeks off and then a similarly busy spring. So you can see why summer for me is to relax.
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I learned a new word.
I was describing my typical week this summer to my friend on the phone, and she taught me the word “estivation”…
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It feels like it's been quite tumultuous. Lot's of things breaking this year. The hot water heater, the washing machine, the kitchen faucet. Still don't have a new washing machine but expect to go shopping soon. The hot water heater is fixed. Turned out to be a relatively easy fix, but I tripped myself up by breaking a cardinal rule of troubleshooting: Never change more than one thing at a time when trying to get to the bottom of a problem! I know only too well from years of programming. Anyway, we had a power surge (I believe) after which the heater only produced luke warm water. I decided, after a week or so, to open it up myself, remove the insulation cover and press the reset button. Unfortunately, I also messed around with the temp dial at the same time, thinking maybe it just needed a bit of coercing. But the problem wasn't fixed, still nothing but luke. A few weeks later I was down doing laundry, saw the temp dial and thought I might as well try turning it in the other direction. The hot water came back after that! All it originally needed was a reset and if I hadn't bothered with the temp dial (I had turned it down), it would have worked.
The washing machine--only 3 years old--is dead. Never getting a washing machine with electronics ever again.
I have one of those long neck kitchen faucets and it sprung a leak right in the crook of the thing last week. I think the metal was weakened by my calcium heavy water. Dunno. I tried to install a new one myself, but the old one was installed by a professional and he tightened those plastic flanges so tight that nothing I do can budge them. So plumber is coming Thursday to install new faucet, fix a leaking pipe downstairs, and advise me what to do about all the plumbing that surrounds the defunct oil burner. Maybe I can get rid of it. Lot's of copper piping through this house.
I didn't do anything with the garden this year. That's OK, maybe I needed a break.
The positive news is that lots of things are getting fixed!
Finally, I had a contractor here is morning. I've been trying all summer to get someone to tackle some exterior issues on the house. He had some a good ideas, has called me with a quote that is less than I expected, and he can probably start end-of-week.
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Wow, @jon-nyc that's a lot! Also, @bernard that's a lot too, albeit a different "a lot."
Unlike last summer, I have not traveled this summer (I have a conference trip coming up but it's short), so this summer has felt very relaxed. I really, really needed that! I've done a fair amount of work, mostly on research projects (and very little admin, yay!). But unlike during the academic year, I'm not working on weekends, I don't go in super early and I don't stay late. Wow, it's almost like having work/life balance!
And I have filled all that extra time with piano, which makes me very happy! I've worked on a ton of new music, and just today, my cellist friend and his (professional) violinist girlfriend came over and we did some music together.
And it was amazing. There is nothing like playing with a highly experienced musician by your side. It makes me feel so relaxed and is a huge confidence boost! It's like standing on the absolute most rock solid foundation and knowing that, because of the foundation, you will be able to jump so high you'll touch the stars.
It was absolutely glorious.
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Idyllic, thank you.
Been dragging the trailer all over Ohio, seeking out all of the weird and wonderful roadside attractions tucked in amongst the corn.
Last weekend was Ohio caverns - the largest in Ohio. Stunning!
Also prowled a couple of antique malls and visited the highest point in Ohio!
Right now I’m sitting on the shore of a nice lake in North Lawrence, admiring the view and looking up the birds I see.
Two weeks until my two week road trip to Mt. Rushmore with my oldest friend. Should be epic!
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