The DEB Log

Train Trip

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I took a few pictures of a string of train cars that's been parked near my workplace. The cars are identical except for the numbers on them, and I like their uniformity.

Several dozen cars wind their way down and around the corner.

I love the blue axle hubs. An unusually colorful touch for a train.

Winter Pictures

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The photographer isn't in this picture, but the rest of the family is.

My backyard leading into my neighbor's.

Frost on the car in January looks like clouds.

K shows his backhand form at a recent lesson.

Rigby, doing what she does best. Not much. In fact, the effort she's making to pose here is well above her average.

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Merry Christmas to all!

Rigby is waiting patiently for Santa. Unfortunately, the fire is
probably going to keep him away.

Recent Pictures

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Here are some new pictures. Click on them to see larger versions.

Downy woodpecker at the suet feeder

The Pioneer High School Symphony Band

Band members who don't sit in regular chairs: percussionists,
string bass players, and contrabass clarinetists.(M can be seen playing
sax in this picture as well.)

Some of the Symphony band's low brass.

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Back to Back Concerts
On Wednesday, all three Pioneer orchestras played in a concert. On Thursday, M and the rest of the Pioneer Jazz Band played a combined concert ("Tonight We Swing") with three other local jazz bands/combos and the MSU BeBop Spartans.

Click on the pictures to see larger versions.

Cellos await the start of the concert.

This is K's orchestra posing for a yearbook photo.

The violins in K's orchestra stood for their first piece. I was a little disappointed the cellos didn't stand, I really wanted to see how that worked out.

Here is a close-up of M and some of his fellow jazz band players. M is in the aqua tie.

This is the full jazz band, including their singer. The song here was Duke Ellington's "Do Nothing 'Til You Hear From Me".

This is the MSU BeBop Spartans, with the famous Rufus Reid on bass.

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On a side note, I just bought a new camera at CameraMall in Ann Arbor. I used it to take all the pictures above. I have a lot to learn to get the most out of it, but so far I'm very happy with it.

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Whole Lotta Nothin'

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There is not much going on these days - we used up all the exciting things in October. The kids are entrenched in school work, I continue to work for The Man, J continues to volunteer at the high school for various things, and I'm helping get things organized for Solo and Ensemble 2017, which is going to be at Pioneer again this year.

Planning and school registration for Science Olympiad is in full swing as well, and there's always lots to do there.

Here are a few links to keep you occupied until I can find something relevant to post.

Just sit back and relax and watch some expert guitar makers in action. Everything about building a guitar takes forever when you're doing it right.

Tesla makes cars, and they're also getting into the solar power business. Here's a solar power-generating roof. If we hadn't just had the shingles replaced a few years ago, I'd definitely be doing this.

These knives are really pretty. I can't afford to buy one, but I can stare at their web page all day for free.

Need to buy some mother of pearl? Look no further than the Duke of Pearl.

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Post 351: The Sequel to the 350th Post

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SpongeBob celebrates more than seven years and 350 posts of mostly family stuff, a lot of links, and boatloads of related words, pictures, letters, and numbers taking up space on a Google server somewhere.

This Is My 351st Post
I know almost none of you are counting at home, but my last post was the 350th time I've posted something for public consumption on The DEB Log. We'll celebrate this momentous occasion by moving on to post #351. Keep reading.

Men In Black
J and I went to a costume party a few weeks ago dressed as agents from the movie "Men In Black". The Men In Black protect the universe from aliens, who (as far as the movie is concerned) live among us in relative anonymity. In the movie, the agents have devices called neuralizers that flash like a camera, causing nearby people to lose their memory of any alien activity they might have witnessed.

As part of our costumes, I made two neuralizers out of toilet paper holders, a light, a battery, and a switch. Here is the finished product, followed by some of the parts.

Fun Links
This guy is off the charts of skill and creativity. This video is a must-watch for anyone who works with wood.

This is a changing measuring spoon. And it's a snap to clean.

If assembly is required, check out Assembly Magazine.

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