One major baddie down

 I didn't list the 15 things I had ready but then, I have to stand up for having a weekend. I did photo the things, so I can list them anytime today. 

I did octave exercises on the flute headjoint, which are seeming easier again now. The thing is, really having a handle on this tricky exercise requires gaining some control over small muscles that there was no need for fine control of, before. 

I've decided to return the bamboo shinobue, as it really does not play as well as the cheapie plastic one and it's a lot of money tied up in something I'm really not going to spend much time on. The plastic one, with real bindings and texturing the outside to look like bamboo is the best of both worlds - plays reliably and in tune, no worries about cracking etc. and could actually play it in a rainstorm etc. 

I have it all packaged up and would take it downtown with me but I'm waiting for Mejiro, the company I bought it from, to send me a mailing label. Fortunately, even in a fairly big box, the package will come out to just under a pound so even if I have to pay for the mailing it should be OK. 

In the news, a major baddie, the daughter of "Putin's Rasputin", got killed in a car bomb explosion. She was as rabid as her father is, and while I think they wanted to get him, I think this is actually better. Like France had Le Pen, and while Le Pen dying in some unfortunate accident would have been great, his daughter's been carrying on for him. So the next generation being nipped off is actually better. 

I left here a bit before 4, for downtown. After dropping off a bag of trash at my favorite trashy bus stop's can, I put a can of mackerel I'm not sure how long I had (still good until 2024) and a big box of microwave popcorn with 21 bags in there, into the little free library in Japantown. The popcorn *was* out of date which is why I didn't just save it for Ken and family. 

In return, checking one of the other little free libraries, I got a neat little book titled "Why Socialism?" by G.A. Cohen, a real gem. I'll read that very carefully before passing it on. 

I dropped off 4 packages at the post office, then rode over to Whole Foods where I got a bag of dried coconut. Then I rode all the way down to Wal-Mart for diet soda, a can of boiled peanuts, and something rubbing alcohol. 

I had enough to go to Lee's Sandwiches to get a treat which ended up being chicken wings, 5 for $4 with tax of course so it was $4.50. I ate at the college and it was crawling with new students. After eating I rode around a little thinking I might find a pile of stuff like I did on Sunday, but did not - I finally reasoned that they'd not want a bunch of stuff out with random students tromping around everywhere. 

The wind was nuts coming back but I solved that problem by simply not being in a hurry, then it didn't bother me a bit. I got back here and unloaded and hitched up the trailer and went over to check the bountiful dumpster which was bountiful this time, with some interesting stuff. There was a bum car or in this case a bum SUV I've seen around my complex late at night, watching me, so I made sure they saw me picking out lots of lovely pieces of packing foam, and empty boxes. Eventually it sped off. 

I got back here with my trailer load of goodies just as a gaggle of student types were helping load the large desk into a minivan. When that was done they congratulated each other all around and left in the minivan and a few other vehicles. I got on Craig's List and took the listing down and told one guy who's been emailing me that it's gone now.