bigbumble

I learned something at my regular blood drive today. I signed up at the last local blood drive 8 weeks ago to donate today. The drive is conveniently planned this way so you should be eligible to donate at the next blood drive.

Today, I guessed something was up when I didn't get the usual email from Red Cross suggesting I get the Rapid Pass (Basically a questionaire full of health questions.). When I arrived at the drive I learned my noon appointment had mysteriously disappeared. It seems that instead of donating a pint on a regular basis, I was actually donating more. I had not known that the vampires now have scales on the blood bags so they can measure the blood drawn and take more from bigger people. (Anyone who knows me, is aware I am no Munchkin.) Over several regular donations of more blood drawn per donation, it seems I had paid to much to the blood bank and was not yet eligible.

So I signed up for the next drive and left.

At least I still got cookies.

I just got a happy post card from Canadian friend hissy papa, which I understand is happy fish spelled backwards. It marvelous ocean creatures and a lady in a Gym suit.

A light turnout for Halloween by my current standards. No more than 200 instead of the usual 400-800 I usually get.

I'm still launching rockets and doing my civic duty on the planning commission.

I have also learned that squirrels like to eat pawpaws.

I donated my 48th pint of O+ blood to hit the 6 gallon mark on Tuesday. In the evening I participated in my first debate as a Green Party candidate for state senate. Thursday I got my flu shot. I checked the apple place today and Northern Spy apples will be ready in two weeks.

You can tell when you've attained the age of 64 1/2. The telephone calls from Medicare supplement insurance companies are incessant.

NARAM as it is usually known as. I am going to be Contest Director (CD) next year. I have finished talking to the National Contest Chair and we have worked out a final list of ten contest events. It will run from July 29 to August 5 next year 2017. The hotel is in Grand Rapids, Michigan with the flying field just east of Muskegon, Michigan. Even if you don't fly rockets, you are welcome to come watch.

Well, my plastic model of a lunar lander survived its flight. In fact it had a most excellent flight and I moved up to second place. So my overall results at NARAM were two second places, in plastic model conversion and 1/2A-superroc altitude, and a first place in C-parachute duration multi-round. Combined they gave me a 3rd place overall in C division.

I've made it safely to the 100 degree heat of Springfield, MO for NARAM. I've learned that I won't be giving a talk for my R&D project. Oh well, at least I get valuable flight points. Tomorrow I have to rebuild a model for E-Scale Altitude. Any good hobby is spiced with a certain amount of masochism.

We have been fortunate to have the West Michigan Glass Arts Center in my area. The center has fallen on hard times and is asking for help. I personally have donated a substantial sum to the cause. Here is the kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/803304045/rebuilding-the-west-michigan-glass-art-center

Check out the nifty glass rewards for a donation.