Note:<888>12/14/99 Tuesday 3:35 P.M. EDT: Well I went out at 7:30 A.M. this morning and I parked over at Putnam Trust Bank of New York and observed the early morning routine. I got tired of sitting in my car, so I did a little exercise walking around the parking lot. I chatted with a couple of morning employees. I checked out the repair work that Exxon did on my car, and it looks like a very professional job and the brakes are working great. While I was walking around the parking lot, I found an interesting black type rock object and I noticed some sort of scratching on it. I was so tired, I did not realize what it was immediately. I then went into the bank when they opened at 8:30 A.M. and greeted the morning staff. After doing my business I present the rock to one of the staff whom did not know what it was. I explained to them that I found it on bank property and legally it was theirs. He did not seem to understand what it was. When I exited the bank I told the knowlegable bank guard that it might a volcanic tiki left by a messanger at the bank since I mentioned it so much a traveler from another part of the world might have left is as a calling card. It was heavier than normal rocks like nickle and black about a six ounces and about 2.5 inch in length and 1.3 inches in diameter about medium to dark black with a sort of plum shape. I then went over to the Hospital Thrift shop and I saw an old fishing buddy and I told him about it and he seemed to know what it was. I looked for the spot flash light for sale, and it had been sold already. I told a couple of staff about the rock. I then went down the Post Road looking for the old fire extinquisher place in Cos Cob, and I stopped by Fiord Fisheries asking them if they knew where it was. I then stopped by Gene's bicycle shop, and I asked them where it was. I then stopped by the Cos Cob Fire Department and they were away on a call. I then then stopped by the Cos Cob hardware store, and they said to go back to the hardware store. I then observed the fire department returning, and they told me the Fire Extinguisher Place, I believe called First Interstate was over by the Byram Fire Department. I then went downtown, and I stopped by Saks Fifth Avenue, and I told them about a former employee in their Stamford store. I then went by Greenwich Hardware store and at their 70 percent off section at the store entrance I found a three foot by five foot holland dutch flag for $10.60 made of Nylon down a lot. I explained to a Gallic visitor that a lot of people think I speak Gaelic when they don't understand me. I then went downstairs and decided that I did not need upholstery tack since the ones I already have would do. I then went over by the Mews thrift shop, and I found a cheerful pink gingham pillow bolster to put on my pineapple day bed for $10.60. I chatted with the regular staff and said hello to a long time resident I had not seen in a while. I then went over to Byram looking for the fire extinquisher place. I stopped by the Byram Fire Department and they told me it was over near the lumber yard. I chatted with a state policeman and he did not know where it was. I then went to First Interstate Lumber and they did not know where it was. I then kept circling around the Byram neighborhood which I had not done in a while until I found it. They said they would service the heavier fire extinguisher, but the old Kidde one with the plastic tip was not any good. Thus I had them disgard the Kidde one, and I will pick up the serviced one tomorrow. I then stopped by Town and Country fabrics, and I picked up 30 yards of the blue nylon webbing they keep on hand for $50 which I will use to repair the webbing on my old family cow tail couch some time soon. I guess when I get around to it, I will also was the slip covers on the couch in woollite and tumber dry for a short spell, and then hang out to dry a bit, and a family member suggested to me, it is smarter to put them on, while they're still damp, so they can regain their shape. I guess that will be my project when I wake up tomorrow. I returned home after chatting a bit. I then came home, and I chatted with a few neighbors and showed them what I had purchased. I put the bolster on the day bed along with spreading the Dutch Flag over it for display. I put the webbing folded up on the back of the couch for now. I relaxed a bit, and I thought that possibly the rock I found in the bank parking lot might be a meterorite that landed there. It would be rather amusing if that were the case, but I don't think a metiorite would have scratching on it, unless some youngster found it and scratched their marking on it. It is all rather peculiar. I then went noticed the NOAA weather winter warning light is on, so I guess we might get winter storm conditions. Well I need a bite to eat, and I need to get some rest since I have been awake for almost 24 hours. Well have a good evening. CIO

Note:<888>12/14/99 Tuesday 4:45 A.M. EDT: I went to bed after the last message and Greenwich Exxon called up at 1 P.M. and said the car would be ready at 5 P.M.. I chatted in the morning with a family member to let them know the news. I was up at about 5 P.M., and I had breakfast of three fried eggs, five strips of bacon, toast, coffee, orange juice, and vitamins. I relaxed a bit, and I walked up town at about 7 P.M., and I found a Mitsubishi plastic hub cab by the old West Putnam Avenue post office which was replaced by the Valley Road off Putnam Avenue post office. I left the Mitsubishi hub cab there in case a Mitsubishi owner walked by. continue on walking in the drissle. I stopped by the Food Emporium and they are still remodeling the new store. They have Lays potatoe chips prominently displayed at the store entrance. I was advised the underremodeling Food Emporium store now has 48 undercover surveillance cameras to monitor store activity, so be sure to dress properly and with camera apperence if you shop at the Food Emporium. I then walked on over to Exxon and the ever faithful staff at Greenwich Exxon had the Volvo ready. I was charged:

$35.70 for a pair of brake pads

$161.16 for a master brake cylander

$61 for a pair of rear brake rotors

$3.76 for Wagner brake fluid

$6.18 for brake cleaning fluid

$4.95 Oil Filter

and 5 quarts of Exxon motor oil for $1.99 a quart or $9.95 total

plus oil and filter change labor $15.08

20 Point Maintenance Check: No Charge

Winter Antifreeze and condition check $12.50

Replace and Repair Master Brake Cylander $89.70 includes bleeding system

Replace Rear Brake Pads and Rotors $138

for

$282.70 parts

$255.28 labor

$32.28 tax

for $570.26

I thanked the service station representative for the fast and curtious attention and paid the bill. I was told that Chevrolet is opening a new sales room at the construction site currently going on at the old West Putnam Avenue Post Office.

I then drove the car over to the new library and the brakes work great.

I stopped by to read the local paper, but it was not available. I chatted with a regular patron whom I had not seen in a while. I heard all the fire trucks in Greenwich respondig to a massive fire running by the library.

I then went over to CVS and I did little price comparison and checked out their inventory supply, so I remember where everything is. I stayed there until closing at 9 P.M.. I noticed Listerine is $2 off this week. I noticed they have quite a few other sale items. I noticed the green plastic Christmas Tree stands they have are probably good for only about a 5 foot tree since they are six sided which makes them easier to fall over. I personally don't approve of live Christmas trees in the house unless they are constantly monitored since they pose a significant fire threat. I chatted with a few staff. I noticed quite a few familiar family friends and one long time family friend has developed a mole underneath her eye which is generally taken car of by putting a dab of Clearsill on it. Having had large moles on my back all my life, I know it is best to leave them alone and not have them removed since it is a sign of a certain family heritage. I gave a few people household tips. I was advised by one EMT that the fire station had responded to the fire in backcountry to a house on Riversville Road which had the fire burning through the roof. I guess we will have to read the paper this morning to see what happened. It reminds me I have to get my Fire Extinquishers recharged in Byram this morning after I go to the bank early. I then went down to the lower section of Greenwich Avenue and I chatted with a few Senior Center staff. The fire department was not there, so I guess they were still working on the fire relief project. I then walked the lower section of Greenwich Avenue, and I chatted with some local businessmen, and one told me that there is large Danish community in Pella, Iowa whom are concerned about the Danish hurricane. I told him what I knew. He was a substancial gentleman, and I would judge that he would ample expertise in handling the situation if not capable personnel. I then walked the rest of the lower Avenue, and I returned back to the car. It was a nice rain and not raining too much. I did not bother using an umbrella for the time out in the rain since after all the years living in Nantucket without a car, umbrella, or rain coat; the rain does not bother me too much with the arthritis supplements, and the British claim it is good for the compexion providing one does not catch the flue or peumonia. I then returned home, and I had a couple of my hot cheese slices with ice tea and relaxed for the rest of the evening and the morning. Well have a good morning. Below is a copy of a newspaper exerpt that was sent to me about the Danish hurricane:

Germany:

Strong windstorm kills at least 14

Hamburg - A strong storm blasted across northern Europe, killing at least 14 people, injuring dozens more, and leaving thousands Saturday to clean up debris-strewn streets, felled trees and flooded homes.

Packing gale-force winds that toppled trees and construction cranes with ease, the storm swept Friday across Britain and continuing eastward over Denmark, northern Germany, southern Sweden and Poland.

Experts in several countries called it one of the strongest storms of the century, and damage was estimated in the tens of millions of dollars across the area.

By Saturday, the skies were sunny and bright blue in much of the region. Weather officials said the storm passed over the Baltics and was in western Russia by the evening, but with significantly weaker winds of only about 56 mph.

Six people died in Denmark, which was hit hardest by the storm. Three of the victims died in seperate locations when they crashed their carsin to fallen trees. At least three people died in Poland, three more died in Britain and two mre in Germany.

Well I might relax a bit more before going to the bank at about 8:30 A.M.. Have a good morning. CIO

Note:<888>12/13/99 Monday 8:55 A.M. EDT: Well I went out at about 5:30 A.M. this morning and the Exxon Station was open to drop of the Volvo. I dropped it off to have the brake line fixed, the oil and filter and lube done, and the antifreeze checked. I then walked back to Byram. It was an enjoyable walk in the early morning hours. I found a Chevrolet hubcab next along the sidewalk across from the Mobil station which I retrieved. By the Alamo rent a car place or whatever it is called, I found three little items that sort of looked like shirt studs that had been run over, the damaged package said "niko". I chatted with a neighbor about the weather. I noticed the laundry man retrieving the change from the laundrymat. I sat up for a while relaxing. I guess I will get up about 1 P.M. and check to see if the car is ready. Ah yeh, I cleaned off the hub cab and hung it on the wall on the entrance to the kitchen. I also moved the large pathos plant from underneath the plant light to the center of the dining table and moved the one that was not doing well underneath the plant light. I also moved one candle to a different position, so it does interfer with viewing television from the Queen Anne chair. Well I am a bit tired and have to have enough energy to make it back to Exxon this afternoon, so I think I will rest for a while. Have a good morning. CIO

Note:<888>12/13/99 Monday 3:40 A.M. EDT: I relaxed a bit. I then decided to clean out my main kitchen drawer next to the sink. I put about 80 corks in a bag and put them on the top shelf in the right closet. I save my corks in hoping I might save up enough to make a cork raft and get out of here, but I guess at the price of clearence wine at Var Max liquor pantry, it will take a while. I also put in another bag lots of rubber bands and put them in about the third from the bottom bureau drawer in the kitchen. I bound up all the garbage bag ties and put them in the far left kitchen drawer. I then took out all the utensils and steel plate ware and put them in a sink full of hot water, dishwashing detergent and bleach and soaked them for about an hour with most of my frequently used plates and cups. This took off some of the coffee stains also. I dumped the lose buildup in the drawer in the garbage. I found my pliers in there, and put them in my yellow plastic took box at the bottom of the sweater closet. I washed the drawer out with the same sink mixture. I then rinsed everything off in the sink with hot water, and towel tried all the items and put them away orderly. Thus the main drawer where I keep all my cooking and eating utensils is a lot cleaner for a change. I am not taking a walk this evening because I figured I would take my car over to Exxon next to the library at 6:30 A.M. in the morning when they open to drop it off to have the brake line repaired which is just a minor repair and should be ready by noon or shortly thereafter. I will then walk back home here to Byram and rest until I here from them or wake up and call them. I might take a short nap before I run the car over there this morning. Well one seems to spend so much time on the internet anymore, one loses track of all ones ordinary maintenance routines that are part of everyday life. Well have a good morning. CIO

Note:<888>12/13/99 Monday 1:05 A.M. EDT:I decided not to go and instead to have a relaxing morning at home. I took half the loaf of fresh French bread and cut off the heel o a diagonal, then I cut six more slices at a diagonal about 3/4 inch in thickness. I then set them on a cooking sheet. I covered each of the six pieces with about a half inch of my speghetti sauce. I then shredded about a third of a pound of moserella cheese with a cheese crater. I put about a 1.5 inch high portion on each slice. I then put a few dashes of garlic powder, celery salt, and Italian spices on each slice. I then sprinkled parmesian cheese on each slice. I then gournd up my bread crumps and heel of the bread into fine ground crumbs. I then sifted out the fine bread crumbs with a collander and sprinkled them over the six slices. I then put few drips of olive oil on each slice. Then I transfered them to a clean cooking trade without the overflow from preparation on the tray. I then put them in a convection oven at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. When they were done I removed them with a spattula from the cooking sheet and put them on a plate and let them cool for fifteen minutes. I then put them in a rubbermaid flat sealed container and put them in the refrigerator to chill until read to eat. Thus I have home made cold French Bread pizza to snack on when I feel like it. I then boiled a box of speghetti noodles for ten minutes and reheated the rest of the speghetti sauce and had a speghetti dinner with the sauce and parmesian cheese and ice tea. I put sirran wrap over the end of the other half of the French bread so it does not dry out. I don't think I will have coffee instead I will just relax a bit and possibly sift through my email. Well have a good morning. CIO

Note:<888>12/12/99 Sunday 11:25 P.M. EDT:Well I printed out a second copy of another telephone list. The French Bread came out fine for the both loaves I did them in the convection oven with two cups of water in a cake pan at the bottom at 400 Degrees F. for 15 minutes and 350 degrees for 25 minutes. I then let them cool removed from their pans on a wire rack. I think I should have done the CuisineArt Tube loaf five minutes less or 20 minutes on the second cycle, so it would be less dry. When I sliced the tube loaf after it cooled, half came out in wafer thin slices, and the rest came out as large crumbs which I ground into regular slice crumbs. I then set them aside to dry for a day in sealed rubbermaid containers. I have the finished loaf of bread sitting on my cutting board for when I get hungy and feel like munching on it. Well have a good evening, I think I will go out shortly for some fresh air. CIO

Note:<888>12/12/99 Sunday 10:00 P.M. EDT: I decided to make some French bread, so I got out the Welbilt Bread machine from the left living room closet where all sorts of items are stored for myself and an occassional visitor. I got out the Welbilt recipie booklet which I kept in the upper left kitchen bureau. I set the machine on French Bread. I then added one package Fleishman's regular yeast, 3 cups bread flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, one teaspoon low sodium salt, 2 tablespoons "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter", one cup hot water. I then started the Welbilt bread machine and let it run its first cycle about 20 minutes mixing and kneeding the dough. When it quit, I turned it off and unplugged it, and I removed the dough and turned it out on a floured wood cutting boards. I kneeded it a bit by hand to form a uniform loaf. I then cut off one third, and rolled it out in a long narrow cylander snake like shape to fit in the CuisineArt small bread baker. I oiled the CuisineArt device with a small bit of olive oil. I then put in the snake roll of dough, and I closed it up. I then rolled out the remaining loaf of French bread dough into a uniform long French loaf about 20 inches, and put it in an oiled french bread loaf pan. I then put both loaves on an upper rack in the conventional GE oven, and it turned it on at 250 degree F. for a couple of minutes to warm it up a bit. I then turned off the oven and am now letting the dough rise for an hour. I then made my bed and shaved and cleaned my teeth and showered. I am now brushing my teeth regular then using the Braun plague remover with whitening toothpaste then I use the WaterPik with a small amount of Listerine yellow in it with the water and then I floss. After showering and washing and conditioning my hair and drying off I gargle with Listerine. I then chatted with a family member. The bread finished rising and I put two cups of water in a cake pan at the bottom of the Convection oven and put in both loaves of bread in the oven at 400 degrees F. for fifteen minutes and then 350 degrees F. for a half hour according to the Joy of cooking cook book. I might have to do it five to ten minutes less on the 350 degree session since the Convection oven cooks faster, and also possibly remove the small CuisineArt loaf baker ten minutes sooner since it is only about a 1 1/2 inch diameter loaf. I have set up the CuinineArt to slice the small diameter loaf into Croutons once it has cooled about a half hour. Thus I should be done overall in about an hour. I will keep you all posted. Have a good evening. CIO

Note:<888>12/12/99 Sunday 7:50 P.M. EDT: I was up at 3 P.M., and I had a family call at 10 A.M. this morning. I had breakfast of three fried eggs, toast, vitamins, orange juice, and coffee. I chatted with a family member. I printed out a list of frequently called telephone number in large type. I also printed out a list of of 12 frequently called telephone numbers in small type on a label that I put on each telephone number and covered with Scotch tape. I also covered a few with scotch tape and cut the edges off, and they make a business card like list of frequently called telephone numbers. I guess I will relax a little bit since I have done my chores. Have a good evening. CIO

Note:<888>12/12/99 Sunday 5:50 A.M. EDT: Well I finished my apartment cleaning and watering the plants. I did a better job of cleaning the kitchen. I also did three loads of laundry, so the household is about as good as it gets. I am a bit tired, it was a long day. I guess I will go to sleep now. Well have a good morning, and be sure to try to relax and enjoy Sunday your day of rest. Not much else to report. CIO

Note:<888>12/11/99 Saturday 11:15 P.M. EDT: Well I went out after the last message, and I stopped by CVS and bought a container of BAN deoderant bonus size for .99 plus .06 Ct. tax for $1.05 with CVS coupon over today. I bought two Reach toothbrushes for $3 both plus .18 Ct. tax for $3.18. I noticed CVS carries heavy plastic Christmas stands, and it looks like they might have Listerine on sale starting Sunday since it is in the center aisle on display. I then went and parked down by Starbucks. I stopped by Zyns and played a Crazy Eights lottery ticket for a dollar and lost. I bought two packs of Bugler tabacco with cigarette papers for $2.98 both plus .18 Ct. tax for $3.16. I then walked down Greenwich Avenue, and there was a fire reponse to the apartments above Thataways but they left right away. I noticed the Firemen were wearing Scott breathing apparatus. I then stopped by Planet Pizza and chatted with a regular customer about the weather, and he told me there was a Planet Pizza in Stamford and White Plains now. I then walked up the Avenue, and I stopped by the new Katzenbach delicatecian, and they are open until 10 P.M. I think he said. I suggest they try delivering. He said an Elsie's type Roast Beef sandwich I believe is $5.95 there. I then chatted with an Australian about Croccodiles and he said that he knew of a deer being hit in the area, and something dragged off the carcas. I chatted with Starbucks employees about all the visitors. I noticed people from Finland in the Hospital thrift shop today. I found a metal book clip by the senior center. I also found a blue felt tip pen in the library parking lot today. I sat out for a while. I then went to the Grand Union, and I bought a dozen large eggs for $1.49, a half Gallon of GU whole milk for $1.59, and a 96 oz. container of GU not from concentrate orange juice for $3.69 for $6.77 total. I noticed that they have Del Monte carribean pineapples for $4.99 . I chatted with a young fellow from North Carolina about various products from North Carolina. I next went to the new post office off West Putnam Avenue and bought 15 skateboat stamps for $4.95 total from the vending machine there. I returned home, and put away my purchases. I had reheated speghetti sauce and noodles with ice tea for dinner. I turned the heat up a bit since it is a cold evening outside. My thermometer says 38 degrees F., which is not that cold except for the blustery 30 to 50 miles and hour winds the last day. Well I have slowed down a bit, so I will try to do my house cleaning and watering the plants now. Have a good evening or morning. CIO

Note:<888>12/11/99 Saturday 5:50 P.M. EDT: I went to bed after the last message. I was up at 10:30 A.M., and I went directly out to do some banking at Putnam Trust Bank of New York. I stopped by the Hospital Thrift shop, and I bought a Stainless Steel Thermos for $5 and I bought a three sets of four plastic Currier and Ives Christmas placemats for .50 a set. I then went by the Mews thrift shop and I bought a nice 18 inch by 24 inch wood frame mirror for $10.60. I noticed that Chinese rug made in India is still available for $600. I also noticed they have a fairly recently dictaphone machine there for $25. I then drove down by the waterfront and no one was there on a clear cool day. I then drove by ELDC thrift shop and browsed the merchandise. I next went by Radio Shack in Cos Cob and they have the $70 900 mhz phone on sale for $40, but I think the 2.2 gigahertz phone by Siemens at Staples in Port Chester is more bang for the buck. I then went by CVS at the Riverside shopping plaza and bought a carton of Phillie Sweet cigar cigarettes for $14.20. I then went by Staples next door and I bought a black Swingline stapler set with staples and staple remover for $3.98 a two box pack of staples for $1.77, and from the Clearence section a box of CVS air mail envelopes for .50 plus .38 CT. tax for $6.63. I then drove by the Old Greenwich Thrift shop, but they were closed by 1 P.M.. I drove out to Tod's Point, and no one is at the gate anymore, so I guess you can walk your dogs there on a cold winters day. I think you have to clean up after them. I returned to town, and I stopped by the Greenwich Library and read the local paper. I gave a briefing on the weather to the information desk. I then stopped by Exxon and bought $13.25 in Premium. I told them I would bring my car in on Tuesday to have I believe what is a leaky brake line repaired like I did about four months ago, so the brakes are more responsive. The Volvo had dual brakes lines, so if one starts to go, one still has braking power. I returned home, and I put the mirror in the hallway outside the bathroom. I put the Ducks picture underneath the mirror at the bedroom entrance. I recieved my ValueClick check for $43.44. I finally had breakfast of cheerios, toast, coffee, orange juice, vitamins, and coffee. I washed out the stainless steel thermos. I printed out another set of Christmas Card labels and relabeled a returned Christmas Card. I will mail them shortly. I need to buy more stamps. I noticed in the Microsoft Word 97 program when one has the address entered in the word processor the label printer part of the program automatically imports the address everytime you start it. I have a special label set up, to use my pin sheet bulk labels in strips of five which I feed into the sheet feeder on the top of the laser printer. Well I will straighted up a couple of areas of the apartment and go out shortly. Have a good evening. CIO

Note:<888>12/11/99 Saturday 4:15 A.M. EDT: I found a back of Phillie cigar cigarettes in the kitchen bureau drawer, so I did not have to go out. I recieved a Christmas card today from a family member with a photograph, thank you. I noticed it was raining about 6 P.M. last evening, so I did not bother going out in the damp weather. I relaxed and watched a bit of television about the German invading Scotland with a Zeplin. I looked at the Joy of Cooking recipie book on cookies, but they all have too much sugar. I noticed the Biltmore guide has a very good recipie for corn bread stuffing for turkey. I slept from about 11 P.M. to 2 A.M.. I heard lots of high wind until about 3 A.M.. When I hear the wind in this quiet location, it usually means it is a lot of wind. I had reheated speghetti noodles with the speghetti sauce I made two days ago. I rested a bit more. I guess it is a sleepless night this morning. I had some Nestle's Quick hot chocolate and three Clementines. Well I guess I will reboot the server. I might try to rest some more. Have a good morning. CIO

Note:<888>12/10/99 Friday 6:30 P.M. EDT: I went out and mailed my Christmas Cards this morning at 7:30 A.M. at the West Putnam Avenue new post office. I went to bed at 8 A.M., and I was up at 1 P.M.. I posted my Christmas Message on my internet site xmas99h.htm . I had breakfast around 4 P.M. of three fried eggs, toast, orange juice, vitamins, and coffee. It took a while to reedit the Christmas Message in Microsoft Home Publishing 99, so it displayed in large fonts on the internet. I also emailed it to recipients on my email address list. I am out of cigar cigarettes, so I will have to smoke my pipe until I get my ValueClick advertising check probably tomorrow. Well time to clean up. I also recieved the Promotional brochure from Biltmore House and Gardens down in Ashville, North Carolina, http://www.biltmore.com . They run a classy operation down there. Well have a good evening and a enjoyable weekend. CIO

Note:<888>12/10/99 Friday 7:10 A.M. EDT: I made it to my 3 P.M. appointment yesterday. I stopped by the Hospital Thrift shop. I drove down by the waterfront. I dropped by the library and returned videotapes, I did not have time to watch and I read the local paper. I returned home, and I had some walnut and ice tea. I made up a batch of my usual speghetti sauce with the addition of frozen cream spinich for the vegtable and I had it for dinner with spehetti noodles, ice tea, and coffee. I froze part of the sauce and refrigerated the rest. I made up a copy of a Christmas letter with Microsoft Word, and then I designed it in an ornate format with Microsoft Home Publishing 99 which took a considerable amount of time to print out a number of copies on the laser printer, since it has to download the file for each page it prints and does not do multiple copies at a time. I guess it is either because I have an older HP LaserJet Series II laser printers, or because the Microsoft Home Publisher 99 does not incorporate all the printer driver features. I finished printing out the three page Christmas letter about 2 A.M.. I will post it sometime today after I rest on the internet. I then printed out a series of labels for each of my intended Christmas Card recipients, and I signed the letters and Christmas cards, and stuffed the envolopes with the letters and affixed the proper postage. This all took time, particularly since I could not import my Outlook 98 address book, but have to copy and paste my label information into Microsoft Word 97 labels program. I also made up a batch of ice tea while doing all this. I am bushed, and I will have a peanut butter sandwich and ice tea before going out to mail the Christmas cards and notes. Then I will return home for a well diserved sleep. Have a good morning. CIO

Note:<888>12/09/99 Thursday 2:30 P.M. EDT: Last night I installed Internet Explorer 5.5 and Outlook Express 5.5. I also moved some files around and uninstalled Alta Vista Search. I ran Norton Disk Doctor and WinDoctor. I deleted the C: to E:, and D: to E:, and E: to C: backups, and then I ran Norton Speedisk on all three drives. I went to bed about 5:30 A.M. after starting a full tape backup. I was up at noon today, and the tape backup was complete. I did a C: drive to E: drive backup, and a D: drive to E: drive backup, and a E: drive to C: drive backup. The system is running fine and better with the new version of Intenet Explorer 5.5. I had breakfast of Cheerios, toast, orange juice, vitamins, and coffee. I have a 3 P.M. appointment so I am going out now. Have a good afternoon. CIO

Note:<888>12/08/99 Wednesday 11:25 P.M. EDT: I went out after the last message. I stopped by the Fashion Light Center and bought a 15 watt canderlabra bulb frosted with small base for $1.35 plus .08 Ct. tax for $1.43. I mentioned that for doing chandellier wiring repair or other oranate ornaments, one can draw a thread of a piece of yarn through the fixture arm which more than likely curves with a vacuum hose suction, and use the piece of thread or yard to draw the new wire through when rewiring a fixture. I next stopped by the Hospital Thrift shop and bought two blue pillows with Clarence House type fabric with flower patterns which type fabric is available at Brunswick Fils up I believe on the Connecticut boarder with Rhode Island around Warwick, Rhode Island at their factory outlet for less price than Clarence House on East 57th Street in Manhattan. I got both pillows for $10 both. I next drove down by the waterfront and chatted with some of the regular wharf rats. One mentioned that a Russian trawler was spotted cruising Long Island Sound recently. Another said he was thinking of learning C++ programming language. I then headed over to the Greenwich Library and read the local paper. We had two high school Red Cross voloteers died in an automobile accident on Monday which was very sad. I noticed quite a few people were listed in the obituary section. I read the three computer newsweeklies also. I stopped by the Grand Union and bought a 2 pound bag of onions for $1.99, a half gallon of whole milk $1.65, a 96 oz. container of GU orange juice $3.69, 80% GU ground beef at $2.29 a pound for $3.37, a bulb of Garlic at $2.99 a pound for .12, GU raisin bran $2.19, a pound of Early Morning bacon $1.79, a box of Wheat Chex $2.50 for $17.30 total. I returned home and put away my purchases. I had some ice tea and peanuts. I then had the rest of the Chinese pepper steak and rice along with ice tea. I got a tired spell, and I rested until about 10 P.M.. I got up and had coffee, and I restarted my server which was acting up from about 6:30 P.M.. In Brian Livingston's article in www.infoworld.com, I found this command, RUN, "hwinfo.exe /ui" for system information. Well I also put the new blue pillows on the blue couch. I moved the green gingham pillows to the end of the pineapple day bed. I with two green ones on them. I moved the small green ones onto the bed in the bedroom. Well I guess it is time for more computer work. Have a good morning. CIO

Note:<888>12/08/99 Wednesday 2:25 P.M. EDT: I was up at 11:10 A.M. when NOAA weather radio went off on its weekly test. I moved the Danish end table from in front of the sterio system to between the Queen Anne chair and the blue love seat. In doing that I broke a Jack Daniels bar glass that I cleaned up. I put the small mahogany table in front of the Danish end table next to the Queen Anne chair. I put a golden pathos plant on the Danish end table. I moved a couple other plants around. I moved the Delongi oil filled radiator next to the restored brown leather arm chair in front of the left closet. Last night I glued with Elmers glue the broken tail bits together on the stuffed marlin, and this morning I touched it up with Cobal blue paint. I moved some various bric a brac around also. I moved the iodine thermomter onto the hallway wall. I plugged in the two parsons lamps on the fall wall, so they come on with the main light switch. The right is 60 watts and the left is 40 watts. One might want to turn off the left if watching television. I had breakfast of three fried eggs, toast, orange juice, vitamins, and coffee. I guess I will now clean up and go out. Have a good afternoon. I also moved all the small USA, French, British, and Norwegian flags to the bar. I put the answering machine in the bedroom next to the NEC laser printer and I put the Dictaphone with the Sony tape on the left night stand in the bedroom. Well the agony is in the details. CIO

Note:<888>12/08/99 Wednesday 2:15 A.M. EDT: I stayed inside this evening. I had dinner after the last message of the Chinese pepper steak I made last night with herbal rice, ice tea, and coffee. I decided instead of going out for fresh air, since I had a two hour walk at CompUSA to rearrage my furniture a bit. I put the eight foot long green sofa underneath the mirror on the far bedroom walk. I put the antique pineapple day bed where the green sofa was underneath the window. I put the television cabinet in the far window corner with speakers on it with the television on them. I put the Danish end table in front of the sterio system. I put the bar in the same corner in front of the sterio and television setup. I left the rest pretty much the same. As usual the apartment is a bit crowded, but it seems to work once one get use to it. I guess it is ideal for a near sighted computer person. Well I might rest a bit, have a good morning. CIO