stephbg | A listy kind of day

I do so like days that require a list report :-)

Woke up (always a nice surprise), went to the office, caffeinated and managed a few hours of wrestling with buggy software trying to get screen captures in various states of undress. I may have to mock them up and hope that the functionality catches up with the docs. More science fiction for me.

When the brains gave out I went to see the folks and got to watch Dad and his eldest grandchild working together to create an electric motor for a physics project. A touch of domestic Nerdvana :-) I was very well behaved and restricted my comments to a query re the advisability of kinks in wire, and the pronouncement that the design *must* feature gaffer tape. Actually, that restraint wasn't hard, for I couldn't construct a working electric motor to save my life.

I admired the bare cement of the bathroom currently under construction. On my recommendation the folks are using the same bathroom company I employed a couple of years ago, so fingers crossed they do a good job or it's my fault. Seems to be going well so far.

Did some minor bits of shopping on the way home, including a replacement gas stove lighter. We used the same lighter for maybe 5 years until it finally failed. Its successor lasted a couple of weeks before becoming unacceptably unreliable (how do you make Steph go Woof?). I *really* don't like lighting the stove with matches, even the really long ones. Latest lighter has no safety features at all, so it is hopefully mechanically reliable.

Home to chuck some brown sugar and vanilla into a jar for slow infusion. I'll get back to you on that in a few weeks.

Called Alinta to investigate why my direct debit failed as per a threatening letter received on Friday. Their systems don't talk to one another, that's why. All is now well, although it apparently took a few goes to convince the accounting system that I was a Visa girl and not a Mastercard holder. Lovely customer service person.

Tried to call the dentist to book a long-deferred service and safety inspection (polish/fluoride/poke+prod) but got a strangely automated message. I'm in no rush there; the beige diet is chemically very kind to my teeth, and I haven't given myself a fresh chip for ages. No more massive teeth-shattering muscle spasms, yay!

Called the plumber to come and rescue a few more hydraulic quirks about the place. The water here eats things far more successfully than my own digestive system. Booked for tomorrow.

Called the doctor to arrange a CT scan referral sooner rather than later.

Worked on a few ideas for my next conference presentation. I have now invented the perfect excuse for telling jokes that aren't funny. My public speaking career is assured.

Continued the house-resurrection process which in the end involved shoving furniture around with enthusiastic Birman assistance. The spare room now looks even worse, but it's got a working layout now for the first time since we shoved everything around to fit the bed, fix the ceilings, and then again to chase termites. It's been a while since that room last saw its own toes; I hear a rumour that there might be carpet in there. Stay tuned.

About this point I stopped quite suddenly, secure in the knowledge that I'd overdone it. Still, had fun getting there.