very good at it. I had to use stuff from my toybox.
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I still don't know if I did it right but will continue to post as if I had something to say. So, onward and offward. I have followed PG&E's bewildering rationale regarding their whole-California electrical (the E part of PG&E) outage. I was doing pretty well until I figured out what the "G" might really stand for: "G"ravity!
In response to numerous complaints that things, especially round things, roll off tables, shelves and fall down, and other things, like hairbrushes, ballpoint pens and my briar pipe, hit the floor benignly enough but pick up energy as they clatter toward the door and have to be chased down the road.
This has got PG&E threatening to shut off California's gravity (a vital utility) unless the Legislature repeals the laws of physics.
There may be no central theme to this post but it gives me an opportunity to quote one of my favorite newscasters, who brightened my lunch breaks at work for many years. I refer to Paul Harvey, who invented up-speak: "Good day?".
Hmmm. I'm wondering how full that wine glass was when you started this post.
ReplyDeleteDear perceptive Bruce, you're right! My powers were somewhat under a cloud by the time I got the webcam reinstalled and running. Even without the magic upside-down glass, the word "APPEARANCES" kept winking in and out of existence.
DeleteThe video worked. PG&E is another matter. Wasn't there any other way to keep from sparking a fire?
ReplyDeleteDear Emma, Even when it's not PG&E's fault, California has burnt down spectacularly every summer for hundreds of years. What the "utility" is trying to do is intimidate people and government into reducing punitive lawsuits regarding culpability in several huge fires over the past 3 years. These suits currently stand at multi-billion dollar figures comprehensible only to astronomers and college registrars. Efficient powerline maintenance and mindful camping habits are still the most reliable fire-preventatives.
DeleteLoved the video and the demonstration of an adage. I expanded to full screen and saw indeed the appearing and disappearing appearances.
ReplyDeleteAs for PG&E, that's above my pay grade.
Thanks Tom! What with Norma busy with family stuff and my computer skills fraught with creative incompetence, I am once again reminded that when it comes to video production I am at least a fair gardener.
DeleteLove, love, love seeing your face and hearing your voice.
ReplyDeleteThere comes a time when we finally realize that anything (and maybe everybody ) is not really stable in this world. We are all just rocking and rolling along and falling off or over things. California earthquakes and fires worry me, and I think it is time for my daughter and her family to come home and suffer the cold and anxiety of the East coast. PECO is always turning off with a slight wind or a snowflake and then we bring in the Canadians to fix things. They know what they are doing.
Lovely Arleen, Glad to show my face, even though it is not usually so brightly lit up --public service message: If you want things on white paper to show up properly on webcam, turn down the screen brightness like I didn't. As for "...rocking and rolling along and falling...", I believe you have just described my dancing skills. And yes, I too believe this country could do with more Canadians.
DeleteGeo - your venture into the enigma of making videos was a success. And you look and sound great (which is more than I can say about myself).
ReplyDeleteAll I'll add is that I miss Paul Harvey....
and I could use that million dollar bill.
Dear Jon, Thanks. Your own expertise in making excellent videos --music, photo-montages, everything-- has me beaming from your compliment. I too miss Paul Harvey. He knew how to stimulate friendly discussions among his listeners; there was no toxicity in him. Don't know if you'd have much luck with the million dollar bill. Guy at the liquor store won't give me change for it.
DeleteWhere is The Rest of the Story? He was a little conservative for my tastes, in retrospect he was perhaps the first newscaster that blended news with concocted stories and commercials...it was never clear which was which.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your video, your voice was what I'd imagined it would be. Nice post, Geo.
Dear Mike. Good question! I found Mr. Harvey a lot conservative, but his distinctive delivery and features, like Rest Of The Story, made good lunchtime listening for everybody. He doubtless knew his audience was largely composed of workers whose safety, whose lives, depended on each other no matter what their politics. Glad you enjoyed my attempt at a video. Usually, Norma's here to photo my table-tricks but I hoped I got the message (whatever it was) thru despite imperfections.
DeleteHi, Geo! I got a kick out of your video, and it was great to see and hear you! I noticed the wine glass you set aside had very little wine left. I like a good sturdy wine glass without a stem. I'm prone to getting excited and knocking those high, flimsy wine glasses over. Gravity wins every time, and it's such a waste of wine.
ReplyDeleteI used to have fun with my kiddos each year teaching them the concept of gravity. I'd, outside of science time, have them stand up. Then I'd tell them to jump up in the air and stay there. I'd pretend to get frustrated and upset when they wouldn't follow my directions and stay up in the air. I'd have them keep jumping until some brave soul told me that it was impossible to stay up in the air. We usually all ended up on the floor in a heap laughing. Anything to get them up and moving!
I haven't heard Paul Harvey in forever, but I just went to YouTube and there he is. It was a treat to listen to him again. He used to come on the radio at lunchtime during the three years or so that I managed to survive working in an office. I don't know how people do it!
It was distressing to hear from you that some places in California still don't have power. The PG&E story disappeared from our news days and days ago. Those poor people! It's a travesty.
I'm looking forward to more videos from you! Take care!
Wonderful Louise, I sure wish I'd had a teacher like you when I was a kid. What great way to learn about gravity! When my friend Roger would come over in the mid-'50s, we'd walk down to the riparian and grab two handsfull of sand each, spread our arms and run while letting sand-contrails out of our fists. We were jets!
DeleteNorma's family adjustments will take a few more weeks, but during that time I shall do my best to improve my relationship with video technology. Main triumph so far is I got the webcam back online after years without it.
As for office workers, I encountered many such stalwarts communing with my gardens on their breaks. I would ask them what sorts of plants they liked and go attack my budget for them. High school students were very fond of fanciful topiary, so I trimmed lots of juniper and Italian cypress into turtles, squirrels, candlesticks and corkscrews. Corkscrews are among humanity's greatest inventions.
You made my night! Good luck with your webcam!
DeleteYour video turned out beauutifully. PG&E....what does it stand for exactly Pretty Goofy Elecricity? Never mind, the Canadians are standing ready whenever you need us.
ReplyDeleteThanks Delores! I think "Pretty Goofy" describes that utility very well. Not sure California needs Canadian help just yet, well, maybe a little: Does your country have a really long extension cord?
DeleteI laughed at your video and even more about the "G" in your power company. I would suggest since your state is notorious with referendums, that you bypass the legislature and repeal the law of physics during the 2020 election. Since it appears common sense was repealed in 2016, you might stand a good chance of becoming the state hero who stands up to the mighty utility.
ReplyDeleteDear dear Sage, there are enough Californians who will stand up to PG&E without my interference. When I attended Chico State College, I was told by an abrasive prof. that there was no such thing as common sense. That was 1970. 30 years later I read of his retirement, of which I heartily approved.
DeleteI remember Paul Harvey and "the rest of the story" - I think his segments must have been distributed over a large part of North America. It was a nice little break in the early morning rush for us.
ReplyDeleteYou have a wonderful speaking voice, Geo. Did you ever think of going into broadcasting? I'm sure the birds and others of nature's children enjoyed it while you gardened, though :)
0_Jenny, I too enjoyed Mr. Harvey's broadcasts --despite my life-long liberal leanings. He opened with "Hello America, stand by for NEWS!" and meant it. I always wished other sane conservative commentators stayed on radio instead of flocking to tv. Wm. F. Buckley was a handsome fellow but his embouchure went unnervingly from sphincter to rictus and back again.
DeleteThanks for complimenting my voice but, although long ago, I've been interviewed on local tv --and had to concentrate very hard-- I've never been able to speak extemporaneously without saying "uh..." uh lot.
… anyway … nice to meet you, friend Geo:) Love, cat.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, dear Cat. If my videographer had been available it would all have gone more smoothly.
DeleteLike Arlene, I LOVED your video. It was awesome to see you in action and to hear your voice. (You sound delightfully professorial.)
ReplyDeleteAs for gravity, I wouldn't mind if it were cut back just a wee bit. It'd be a lot easier than shedding a few pounds the old-fashioned way. :)
Kind Susan, Earth spins (at equator) roughly 1,000 miles per hour. If we had no gravity we'd all get flung off every sidereal period. This would complicate commuting and stuff --maybe we shouldn't fiddle with it.
Deletelol Loved Paul Harvey!
ReplyDeleteI think he would have enjoyed your blog!
Thank you, Lori! Mr. Harvey's conservatism was balanced by respect for differing opinions and a delight in the absurd, so I'd like to think he would enjoy this blog.
Delete