Natal day

The work parts of it weren’t so hot. (Those of you who know where to look...)
But, the evening was nice.
Holly and I tried a new restaurant. We won’t be in a hurry to go back, but we’ve been to far worse. (No boogers on the table of this one.) And, it’s good to try something new. They had good inari and green tea. The beef seems to have made Holly sick in the night. So, it will be back to our usuals for other events. But, it was nice to try something new.
I got some good presents and well wishes from a bunch of people.
I really needed the new briefcase Holly got me, and it is a very nice one. Lots and lots of pockets. And, strengthened for laptops too.
The calendar, hat and USB hub are all very nice too. (The tardis sound the USB hub makes when a device is plugged in is funny now. But, I expect the off switch to be used in the not too distant future.)
So, once I got home, a nice birthday.
My thanks to all of you who wished me a good one!

The Ride

It was cold this morning. So, I put on the black armor, the black hat, made sure to wear gloves and went for a ride.
Despite all that, the folks I ran into seemed friendly. Everyone I encountered smiled, said hi, and wished me a good morning.
Not bad for a bike riding man in a black gambeson wearing a Russian army surplus hat pedaling around when it’s freezing.
Dodging the emergency training session in the junior high school parking lot was difficult as I also had to avoid riding through the football game.
But, dodging the birdwatchers near the electric company was more difficult. That made me go off the path.
I only stopped for the sad man walking his laundry around the parking lot. I did explain to him that in my building there was a laundry machine on the first floor, and I didn’t have to bring it to any “central point” as he had been told.
This did not seem to change his being sad.
Even with the cold, I’m still glad I bought the bike.
And, I am smart enough to start our going up hill so the trip back is easier.