Configuring web cam

I never understand why they build web cams with such piss poor stands. The one I have has a flimsy bending part with no swivel action so when it is set atop your monitor it has about a 15 degree tilt, with difficulty, and no side to side. I wanted it closer to eye level so I've repurposed this metal stand from a magnifier to hold it. The position is good but I have no place to put it to get it out of the way when I am not on camera. Small sacrifice. 

Borrowed table saw

Borrowed a small table saw from Geremy to cut my masonite panels to paint on. Great little saw will fit in the trunk of a car (not my car, but we wiggled it into William's deeper trunk). 

Planning art by phone

Margaret and I were talking with Sandee Moore about a little project with the AGR in the colours of the Saskatchewan flag. It's a little online display, uncurated and unpaid, but an interesting way to be involved with the gallery this month. She facetimed us around the work in progress in the space as it looks today. We have until Monday morning. I am inspired by the suggestion that Jess is going to include a green apple with hers....

Progess on 4 year old sidewalk

I've written about this before so I'll summarize. The sidewalk in front of my next door neighbour has been dug up for a long time. Last year when I saw other repairs being marked off, I wrote to the city to ask why this part wasn't being repaired. They replied that they got the message but did nothing. Months later, in the fall, I found a photo (below) from March 2016 of the original digging. I sent this to the city (to the person who relied to the first message) and Margaret got the phone call reply saying they found the order to destroy the sidewalk but the order to repair it was lost and that they won't have time in the fall. So anyway, they are finally here and digging and cutting again. Sad to see that we never move our furniture. 

Half Frame camera

With Wayne permission, I loaded up the Russian half-frame camera he lent me and ran around the park shooting photos. The wind was really high and relentless making it less fun. 

Storm prevents visit

Barb and Emma came by to visit and drop off cameras to paint but just before they came, a huge storm hit and the wind and rain were crazy. Unable to invite them in, we settled for a quick passing of cameras and a conversation on the sidewalk. 

creative work

What have I been doing creatively? I notice that my blog posts seem to be about other people, about the Cathedral Festival, and about jobs around the house. However this is a poor represtation of my day to day life thiese past two monts which have been dense with projects. Mostly I work on Sock-Vile, which I open the computer sessions for every single day (although longer some days than others). It is nearly at a picture cut. William and I watched the three 30 minute chapters in order for the first time and had a blast. It is seriously flawed in parts, and I'll do what I can to fix the problems, but to some extent this doesn't matter. It is a wild and funny ride and if it fails, it won't be because some plot points don't make sense. I'm really proud of what the sudents did and what I've been able to accomplish with it. 

Last week I made a six minute film that I launched for the Cathedral Fesitval in lieu of having a pop up gallery in YAAG. I collected about 100 shots (i'd hoped to collect 600) and it turned out pretty sweet. Here is the page for it (Spelling Lesson). 

I've been painting more cameras. Wayne Selby lent me four that I didn't have. My mom lent me hers. 

All in all, I work on stuff for 10 hours per day and could use twice that time. We don't turn on the tv until about 9 or even 10 at night, but there are many movies I want to watch. 

Break from digging

I was too sore to dig today so we mostly took the day to draw, paint, and hang out inside. William is slowly but surely progressing on his second chapter of his Pud novel. 

2/3 of soil moved

I didn't stroke out so I guess I successfully moved soil about the gazebo and along the side of the house. 

Soil delivered

I was working on the taxes when the three yards of topsoil I ordered through Carmen's husband (Gerri Ann's son in law) arrived. The rest of the day was spent digging. I feel like I'm getting old now. So much pain. 

Gin Rummy

William and Margaret has discovered gin rummy this week. It's a good summer game. I recall one year I played almost every day with my mom in her sun room. 

Plans for new taps

Had a plumber friend of Allan's in today to assess the sink. There is a leek and she gave us some good advice. I felt positive that she lives in an old house too and was not judgmental about the craziness that goes on with renovations. Anyway, we'll be getting a new faucet, something we've needed for quite a while. A completely different leak was also discovered, so it was a good session. 

As part of the Cathedral Festival, there was a video slide show of selected photographs outside of the Balkwill Centre. I had a few images from past festivals shown. 

Fixing back door from under deck

Our back screen door, as it does whenever the seasons change, doesn't close properly again. I crawled under the deck and lowered it a smidgen and now it works again. Feel like a hero. The old deck, which is partially below the rebuilt one, acts as a good surface to slide yourself under and not be in the mud. 

Covid Parade

This is the holiday Monday and thus the beginning of the Cathedral Festival. Being online now, the opening parade consisted of clips that people involved shot of themselves and were cobbled together and screamed. I shot some footage of William and Margaret by the creek which was included. Difficult to feel like a celebration when I didn't get out of my chair. 

Visit with Lori

Lori dropped tax software off for me and we sat on the deck for a while (safely at a distance). No one ever seems to come over when it is hot out. Nice visit regardless. 

New wood to paint on

After coming up empty finding new masonite panels to paint on, I ordered two sheets from Windsor Ply and hired them to cut them up. I had them do strips the correct width so that I can fit them in the car and I'll cut the lengths (cost reasons). Saw this sink made out of petrified wood.

Fire visitors

Allan and Risa both came over to visit near the fire. By social distancing rules, this is about the fire limit. When it is warmer (soon) perhaps we can fit another one or two, but it does lead to a lot of shouting to be heard. Strange new conversations. 

new battery for William

 William's car battery died. Took it to Steve and admired his Beumount and the amazing sparkle paint job for a minute. Home again. No errands, even though we ran out of fresh roll wrappers (they've been a go to dinner when we have the ingredients).

Summer classes remote learning

I was in meetings this week and have had clarified some issues about what we keep calling "teaching on line". In fact, what will likely be happening this fall is that we will be teaching remotely, which is different than a course that is taught "online", which is something designed specifically for online learning using tools and techniques specific to the computer. Mostly we will be expected to do lectures with a camera pointing at us.
William is taking a math class this way. He was a couple minutes late today, even though he doesn't have to get dressed and the class is five paces from his bed.

Sir Reginald photo shoot

William dressed as Sir Reginald to get a photo shoot with Swampy today in preparation for the virtual Cathedral Festival starting in a few days. 

Mother's day

I made bacon-pancakes this morning (inspired by Geremy's shirt from a couple days ago). They are pretty good. Added strawberries, whipped cream, maple syrup, This afternoon we had a FB video chat with Gertrud and Fred.

Errands around town

I ran around town a bit, dropping things off to people like Geremy (above: had a camera in a bag for him), and stopped by the university to find animation notes and SockVile props. Only contact was minimally with mom, bringing her flowers. 

Digging next door

While painting today, heard trucks. I thought it was the city finally fixing the sidewalk, but it was the follow-through with Dave's sewer digger guys, smoothing out the broken ground.

Socially active day

I was up early editing today, thinking I would make a huge day of it, and it was lucky that I did as the day took many turns. William has an online class in the late morning so I left him to work in peace in the computer room as I took a break and assembled a shelf for the cold room (above). Richard and Gerda wrote and invited us to come by their back yard where we got to hear about their New Zealand trip (lots of great beaches, but also many strange events that made the vacation less than ideal). I returned cameras. 

We sparked up a fire after supper and Allan dropped in for our test run of over the fire popcorn (which was perfect). I'll need to devise a system for melting the butter on the fire, then we'll be set. 

Dentist

William and I had dentist appointments today. The system is rigid. We call from the parking lot and they tell us when we can enter. You put on a mask as you come in and also use hand sanitizer. Staff are masked as well as face-shielded. Procedures are limited and have removed any that cause any form of splashing (such as the water pick device for cleaning). 

Last new camera on hand

This very fun Polaroid camera from Geremy is the last new camera I have. I've got a few that I'll want to repeat but I'm also running out of panels to paint on. 

Crocus hunting

We waited a bit too long since our last venture, but were still somewhat successful finding crocuses growing in the valley this weekend. There was only one near the mini-barn, but on a different hillside we found other batches.

Getting stuff done

 Margaret picked up cinnamon buns from Green Spot this morning. So good when they are fresh. I did some work on Sock-Vile but then threw myself into the second camera Jack lent me. Headed out for some shopping, picked up hardware items from Canadian Tire including a new shelf for the basement. Returned a camera to Geremy and picked up another one.

 Everyone has TP now.

Zooming with Winnipeg

Terrific to catch up with Leslea and Leif over Zoom. Teagan was around but for long and not on her own screen. We were able to watch samples from their new documentary on some restoration of Mayan ruins. Some of the drone work was a completely new look for these structures.