First Of December 2024 Update

 Here we are, the Second day of December. Overnight low of 16℉,  might make 30℉ today if we're lucky. Thank goodness we have a decent boiler for the steam heat.

So, Window$ 10 Home was evicted from my main computer that now runs Linux Mint 22 Cinnamon desktop. No more having Micro$oft badger me to upgrade or doing things like installing Copilot without asking. I understand that was a one-time mistake by the Redmond gang, so You may not get that "upgrade" on your Win10 box.

My writing has come to an impasse that I just can't seem to break through. I'm not sure what the issue is, I just don't feel motivated to do any writing of any form at the moment. I also have the same problem with my guitar building. There are six guitars that are basically not started and a seventh that was torn down for repairs that has been sitting for months. I guess it's a general malaise that I'm suffering from. Who knows.

The coming new year; The missus and I would like to do more than we have in the past. Camping, traveling, things like that. To do that, we need a good vehicle to get around in. That means I need to get my butt in gear and start collecting parts to put our low mileage Ford Explorer back on the road. I also need to work on the house, get some things squared away in the domicile.

That's all for now, I'll be back later in the month with some more ramblings.

Kel

It's Been A While

 It's been a while. Really. The last post was over two years ago, and I was still working out the finger affected by surgery for Dupuytren's Contracture. Well, things have gone pretty good, I would say. I have about 90% of full mobility of that finger, which is fine by me. At least I can type again without much trouble.

My future plans are to dump Window$ fully in the next month or so. Anyone still using Window$ 10 will know how they are being nagged by M$ to upgrade to Window$ 11. Well I ain't going there. I'm moving to Linux Mint for my OS of choice. I am through with Micro$oft wanting to spy on me, selling my data to the highest bidder. Linux Mint 22, or even Mint 21.3 is a more than adequate replacement for any Window$ variant. No spyware. No nagging to upgrade. No need to restart after updates. Most gaming supported on Steam. Yeah.

I'll type some more as I have time in the coming week. Until then, stay safe.

Kel

Hand Surgery and Follow-Up

 I did not post here at the time but I had hand surgery on my right little finger August 4th of this year. It was needed since I could not open that finger more than half-way. Made for interesting typing, for sure.

Surgery went good, according to my doctor and ehab by a therapist went as well as could be expected. It's been over two months since I went to my first rehab appointment and I would put recovery at maybe 80% or so. Now the rehab is on me to make headway on recovering that last 20% of motion range. Final report from the doctor was it was a tumor, scar tissue from past surgeries and yes, Dupuytren's Contracture. It may come back but hopefully that is long after I quit writing.

I will be trying to post Chapter 7 of "Rift" soon.

Kel

Chapter 6 of "Rift"

 It would seem that I have been remiss in keeping my blog current. As such, I apologize. If you go to the page for the tome "Rift," you will see we're up to chapter 6. Please emjoy.

The Tome "Rift"

Kel

Here's The Sequel "Rift"

 Well, here it is, "Rift," the sequel to the tome "Scribe." I hope you all enjoy the ride!

Kel

(Rant) My Dealings With California Department Of Motor Vehicles, Long Distance

 California Department Of Motor Vehicles, otherwise known as a Portal To Hell on the mortal plane-

When I moved from Kalifornistan, I thought we had the title to all of our cars. Well, that wasn't so. Apparently, the lien holders of our Ford Explorer never sent it to us before they were bought up by another company back in 2012. Had to go get a release from said new company (huge pain), then a "Same As" statement that said the old company and new company were one and the same (another huge pain). Needed to get a second photo ID card to satisfy CA DMV requirements of two photo ID's, so that meant getting a passport (pain in the ass #3). Finally get all the paperwork together, notarized which was a pain (#4) due to Covid-19, sent said paperwork to those Minions of Satan in Cali. Two months later (July 7th), they send the paperwork back, "Hey, you didn't fill out part G of form 256." Bastards. Fukkin Bastards.

So, filled out forms to their satisfaction, sent them off again today. That's now $47 for Cali and $9.90 X 2 for the USPS to send it off priority second day just for a fukkin title. I just can't express how angry and depressed getting that stupid piece of paperwork has made me. Here in Indiana, you can forget about registering a vehicle if you don't have the title. And of course, dealing with California DMV through the mail, over the phone or through a chat room is just shy of a lost cause. It took two days to get to talk to a live being this last time. Whoever programmed their "Virtual Assistant" needs to be forced to walk the length of California dragging a fifty foot heavy duty tow chain for his penance.

It was last year when we started this and this whole thing has literally sucked the life out of me. I have no more fucks to give. Considering scrapping the vehicle but I would have to cut it in half first since I have no title.

Not having a good day,

Kel, the Old Warhorse

Chapters 45 and 46 of "Scribe"

 Well, it would seem that I have brought "Scribe" to a close.

Chapter 45 - "Out In The Darkness"

Chapter 46 - "Epilogue"

And that brings us to a close. Don't worry, though. Keep an eye open for "Rift" - coming late Spring 2021

Kel