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- Nov 18. Two very interesting talks at the Princeton
PL today. In the morning heard Glorious Freebies by ..., a discussion of free programs in Google Docs and Yahoo. This
includes free word processors (compatible with Microsoft Office), spreadsheets, presentation programs (like Power point).
Of course, you don't have all the bells and whistles of the Microsoft programs, but they are much easier to understand and
use. In the evening we heard Michael Strauss, chairman of the Astronomy Dept in Princeton, talk about the latest pictures
of the center of the galaxy, taken by the Hubble space telescope. The lecture was followed up with an hour's discussion with
the astronomer. A perfect delight.
- Dec 2. Problems
with electronics over the past weeks. First, my HP notebook computer in P stopped working. It opened to the Bios level, but
would not continue to Windows XP. Tried to open with CD-Rom and floppy. No dice. Then went into diagnosis in the Bios. Result:
message Error Stuck Key. Keyboard worked OK in the Bios. Considered discarding the 8 or 9 year old notebook. Kept experimenting.
Finally discovered the source of the problem. The Lan PC card for my ethernet input to computer had failed. Inserting a new
card completely solved the problem.
- Dec 5.
Snacks at Patricia's. Met Walter, Louise, James, and Margaret, our resident composer at 127 West. Walter and Louise were very
interesting architects; James, extremely articulate non-stop talker. Went on at 8 to the Poisson Rouge on Bleeker Street,
where we heard the Trio Hayden sing and play ultra sad Armenian songs, accompanied by a piano, violo, and timpanist. Made
you cry in your beer.
- Dec 11. Annual Christmas party
at our apartment house in NY. The party is financed and organized by the men who work About a dozen menus offered; all tasty.
The place was full of kids, who screamed at high decibels. After about an hour I got a screaming headache, and retreated upstairs
to our apartment. Marian remained below, taking the opportunity to meet more interesting people in the house, including a
singer at the Met.
- Dec 17. Evening with the
Pischikova's, Luda and Elena. Fascinating talks about their dig in South Asasif, Egypt. They have surmounted seemingly
impossible problems of financing, relations with the Egyptian government, soaring temperatures in the summer (sometimes in
excess of 110 deg F) to discover hidden tombs, beautiful images of Karakhamun, for whom the tomb was built.
- Dec 29. Marian lectures on Diagalev at the Met. Last lecture?
- Dec 31. Dinner with the Brailovsky's and their bright young grandson,
Charles. John Burkhalter entertained with stories and his flute.
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