Dusty Chalk

Well today went a lot better. The little 400W battery pack still went from FL (full) to LO as soon as I connected it (which is inexplicable, because it's not measuring the car battery, it's measuring itself), so I called a local tow guy and told him I'm in the parking garage, so he can't bring his truck, and he actually seemed to brighten up at the prospect, and when he showed up, he showed up in a cab with his family, and he pulled out a battery pack that wasn't that much bigger than mine...alright, it "wasn't that much bigger" in the same way that a porn cock "isn't that much bigger" than mine (they are*), but it was rated at 1200 Watts and started her...er...I mean, my car right up. Hey, so now I had a way to warm the battery up and charge it! So I drove around for about an hour (including nervously stopping in the middle, briefly), and I will check on it again in the morning. *...or so I hear...blah blah blah...that's what she said...

I don't. Yeah, I think there's a short or something.

So yesterday was a real bummer. I walked to AutoZone to get one of those portable batteries, and then hoofed it to my car, and when I pressed the battery test button standalone, it said, "FL" (which means, "Full", not "Fail", I looked it up), but when I connected it to my car, it said, "LO". After doing a little bit of research, I think a confluence of events caused my battery to discharge and freeze (it said it only takes a 8/10 volts down to be considered "discharged", and therefore would freeze at water temperature rather than -74 or whatever it is really), so I don't think a jump is going to help, I think what I need to do is warm up the battery, which is impossible where my car is, and I'm not carrying the battery home. I also think that the portable battery got cold between where I bought it and the car, cause I was just carrying it, not trying to keep it warm, not realizing that that was a thing. (It said in the manual not to use it if it's frozen, but I don't know how to tell if it's frozen.) So...is it true that turning on the headlights for a couple minutes will put some current through the electrical system and warm it up? I was thinking of doing that, and then of course turning it off, and then trying to jump start my car with the portable battery (which I will try to keep under my coat or on a bus). Or should I just give up and have it towed to a shop? 'Cause it's not getting above freezing any time soon. Also, how long would I need to drive to charge up the battery, assuming it's charging? Is 20-30 minutes enough?

https://www.avclub.com/r-i-p-astronaut-john-young-the-first-man-to-get-yelle-1821845571?utm_medium=sharefromsite&utm_source=The_A.V._Club_facebook

I had Bobby on my lap (which is becoming a daily occurrence and lasting longer and longer as he gets comfortable with me playing on the iPad or reading while he’s there) and Skye on my chest earlier, which is a first! At least first time they’ve both stayed for longer than a couple seconds (Bobby usually notices and departs). And that’s actually the longest that Skye has stayed longer than a minute, so two firsts.

Thanks, yeah, I stopped at Subway and got a tuna melt to warm me up, and was fine the rest of the way -- I was dressed for the weather, just in a foul mood because it picked tonight to go. My car has been acting up all week. So the other night, I stopped and had my battery tested. It was fine. Last night, I stopped and thought I got one of those. A small one, but it turns out, it's an inverter, something like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Duracell-DRINV400-Black-Power-Inverter/dp/B00SRP55IW/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1515201575&sr=1-1&keywords=duracell+inverter+400w ...instead of this: https://www.amazon.com/Duracell-DR600PWR-Powerpack-Pro-1300/dp/B009YR00MI/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1515201662&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=duracell+jump+starter&psc=1 ...which are in similar packaging. And I have one of those battery packs, I just need to dig it out (and maybe charge it up), I just didn't feel like that last night. Well I do now. So yeah, considering what a loner I am (there were many people on the train leaving at the same time as me, but I couldn't even bring myself to ask anyone for a jump), that is definitely my thinking.

It is cold here. So cold, my car wouldn't start (battery/alternator/alternator belt/who knows?). I had to walk home. I'll take care of it tomorrow.

If I recall correctly, the Accuphase sounded really good at extremely low volumes.

I blame Colin.

We just got a light dusting in our area yesterday. Windy as very, but could've driven to work if I wanted to, traffic was very light and main roads were clear, and secondary roads were clear by the time I got to work, but I took the train since it was at full service, so my parking spot was clear by the time I got back. But it was so cold, it was all powder, so it was a delight to brush off my car...except when the wind blew it back in my face. Stoopy wind.

That sounds divine. Want.

Happy birthday, Illuminator! Thanks for introducing me to a lot of great music. (party favour noise)

I've been listening to a lot of Steve Moore/Majeure/Zombi, et al. lately.

Sorry to hear about your injury, yes, I remember the classically trained pianist, of course I do, welcome back, even if briefly. That is all -- hope the babying of your ears give them the chance to heal.

Unholy carp, this might be my favourite one yet: http://music.ilikealice.com/album/moonbeams (They've been calling these individual tracks, "moondrops".)

Fucking hell, they named it already? I don't want to be a victim of the Bomb Cyclone. I'm going to go out and get some chicken right now, just in case.

(arti)Fact.

I've been meaning to check out Scrubs and Brooklyn Nine Nine. Yes, definitely check out the UK version of The Office, far superior, IMHO. "Tired of it"? So you haven't even gotten to...uh...well...the gunfight on top of a train? So much hilarity. You must watch it further.

Yeah, I think that's the bigger problem. I think 2.5 men is filmed in front of a live audience, and I agree, the humor in it sucks.

Other than the ones filmed in front of a live audience, isn't that all of them? I hate sitcoms, most of them are crap. Parks and Rec is one of the few exceptions. Seinfeld doesn't count, because it has embedded itself in our public consciousness...or something... If you just want laughs, I have never laughed as hard as when I'm laughing while watching Archer.

Fax is on!

First episode of the current season of Black Mirror, "USS Callister". Feels kind of weird watching The Orville, now.