It’s been a long time since I’ve built a computer, and an even longer time since I’ve had a new primary computer…. but here I am, posting from the new machine. Still need a name for it. Suggestions welcome.

Oh, and are you looking for a new case? Somewhere between spec’ing out the machine and ordering the parts, I ended up getting an mATX case and an ATX motherboard. I love the case, and it’s slightly larger sibling arrived today to complete the build. But shipping and restocking fees make it ridiculous to send the first one back, so if you’d like a smaller sibling to mine, let me know, we’ll talk shop.

To add a few details, you’d be getting this: http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=product&prod=58 , a lovely case with nice solid construction, near silent operation, great cable routing, plenty of room, and most importantly, doesn’t look like a reject from a B sci-fi alien spaceship.

You should check out Run For Your Lives! A zombie infested 5k obstacle course/race. They’re coming to Boston (well, Amesbury) on May 5th. Check it all out at http://runforyourlives.com/locations/boston-massachusetts/

I was recently contacted by organizers to help promote this at Intercon L, but I see no reason not to share it here. They could especially use volunteers of all stripes, so here’s a chance to break out your best undead makeup and shamble after people who will be running away from you as fast as they can….

Lesson #1295 - Perspectives on Pregnancy, Part II

Because, yeah, that’s pretty accurate right about now.  We finally got to tell the previous iteration (our parents) this weekend about the next iteration (our first), due at the beginning of August.  So, yeah.  Kinda cool and exciting and challenging all at the same time.  Lots of updates over the next months, but to answer some questions: No, we’re not going to find out the gender. Yes, we may ask for help with painting and configuring the lumber yard into a nursery. No we won’t tell you what names we pick until the ink is dry. Yes you can squee at us, just not right in our ears. No, we’re not going to Pennsic. Yes, we will be doing just about everything else. No, we don’t expect to do everything the same, but yes, we do expect to make things work as best we can. No, this isn’t a surprise. Yes, we’ve been planning this for a while.  Any other questions?

Amanda and I are going apple picking on October 8th, midday. Want to join us? We’re planning on going to Carver Hill Orchard in Stow, which is a traditional orchard with older trees, the kind where you use catch-poles to pick the apples, and a nice little orchard store. If we’re so moved, we’ll go from there to Honey Pot Hill Orchard down the road, which has a bigger variety, but they’re the dwarf trees. HPH also has things like a petting zoo, and we may end up going there for cider donuts alone….

Anyhow, you’re welcome to join us. You can either meet up with us at our place around 11am, or you can meet us around noon at Carver Hill (carverhill.org). Let us know either way, so we know to expect you, and can be sure to join up with you.

Amanda and I are planning on picking a fairly large quantity, so we can make tons of yummy foodstuffs, but even if you’re only thinking of picking a few for eating, we’d love to hang out with you.

Called aaa and they sent out a van that confirmed the battery was healthy, and with the use of a meter, watched the voltage drop under load, pronouncing the alternator to be the issue, so they called in the flatbed tower (I have all wheel drive). They dropped me off at home and towed the truck to the garage.

Today I am hanging out at the Library because it is a short walk from the garage and has wifi, so I can get some work done while I wait. Hopefully, by the end of the day, and 470 dollars later, I’ll have an operational vehicle again.

Sort of glad no one showed last night for game night (do you want to be added to the list for that?). Also, very glad for public libraries. Even when I’m not busy checking out books, they still provide a valuable third space. But of course, I ended up with a book too…