And then there's these.....

 This is the prize for the Quilt Tour/Run.  If you visit all the stores int he run, you can enter.
There are stores from Ventura to Paso Robles, so there's a lot of driving involved.  More than we were willing to do this year at $4.00 a gallon.  And it's a long drive too.  Ventura is about 100 mile south and Paso Robles is 45 miles north.  About 300 miles total.  But it's a nice drive.  Lots to look at, if you aren't driving.

Yes, the red and black sewing machines are both for sale and just over $1100 and worth every penny.  These are really good, if old, machines and can bring in quite a bit of money for the seller.  I've seen one lady with all the original boxes and accessories, even the box for the oil can.

This is a long arm sewing machine for quilting.  I support it can do other things too.  These can run about $12,000.  A professional quilter can make it pay for itself by quilting for other people.  Some of them are really good at it. 

Dinosaurs

 I really liked the colors in this dinosaur themed quilt.

 I even saw an old friend.  Howdy, T-Rex!

 And his buddy.

And the back is just as nice.

More of What I Saw Today

 Also saw a little birdie.  He told me today would be a nice day, except for driving in San Luis Obispo.  Which is always bad.

 I liked this pattern.  Very traditional.

 Rainbow patterns are always a good thing.  Liked the zig-zag of the pieces.

 Patriotic quilts are a staple of quilt designs.

 Another bird, but with some strength.

 Stores keep their fabric very organized.  By color, by type, and by theme.

Something a bit nautical at The Cotton Ball in Morro Bay.  Sailboats, crabs, whales, and ocean.

What I Saw Today

Drove around on the first day of the Central Coast Quilt Run, or whatever they are calling it this year.  Went to Quilting Cousins in Pismo Beach first.

They had setup a table for making funny hats to go with their "Alice in Wonderland"  (Alice in Quilterland?) theme.  I didn't make a funny hat.

They also had this rather cute little tray of rolled up fabrics.  And they did have taffy for people to grab on the table.  My nephew likes them so I grabbed a few for him.  The bottles that say "Drink Me" are just water.  Sorry to disappoint.

Evil Plan Generator

If you want to create an Evil Plan, here you go.  Just fill in the blanks, and the hit button.  Not sure what the button does.  Probably blows up the Earth or something.

Evil Plan Generator

Have fun!

Plan to Take Over the World - Do Not Share with World

Congratulations on being the creator of a new Evil Plan (tm)!

Your objective is simple: Destroy the EarthYour motive is a little bit more complex: Hatred for all mankind

Stage One:
To begin your plan, you must first Assassinate a Chosen One. This will cause the world to sit up and take notice, stunned by your arrival. Who is this Demented Madman? Where did they come from? And why do they look so good in a Corporate Suit?

Stage Two:
Next, you will Destroy that Opera House in Sydney. This will cause countless hordes of Computer Programmers to flock to you, begging to do your every bidding. Your name will become synonymous with Sheer dementedness, as lesser men whisper your name in terror.

Stage Three:
Finally, you will Unleash your Needlessly Big Weather Machine, bringing about the End of All Things. This will all be done from a Space Station, an excellent choice if we might say. These three deeds will herald the end, and the citizens of this planet will have no choice but to elect you their new god.

Trust us, it'll all come together in the end.

Computer America show lineup for the week of May 27, 2012

Monday ---------- It's Memorial Day and there is no live show!  Please enjoy a "Best of" Computer America Show, one that YOU asked to hear again!  See you tomorrow night! Tuesday ---------- Hour one:  Bob "Dr. Mac" LeVitus joins us.  Bob is just back from his Mid-Atlantic tour!  Bob and the guys talk about all things Apple.  Please join us! Visit Bob's website Tuesday ---------- Hour two: Craig and Ben do Computer and Technology News and answer your computer questions! Wednesday ---------- Hour one: CHAMISA. Pctechmate is a computer repair solution designed to automate the sequence of tasks that a technician would have to perform when repairing a malware ridden machine. Some of those tasks include running diagnostic tools such as rkill, combofix, TDSS Killer and Malwarebytes. Their solution automates the core functions that all of these tools perform. They have also added a pot full of special sauce that ensures even the sickest of PCs get back to running as they should. It debuts in June!  Check it out! Visit the PCTechMate website Wednesday ---------- Hour two:  Dick DeBartolo.  Dick joins us every last Wednesday of the month.  Dick is Mad Magazine's maddest writer and one of our favorite correspondents!  Dick is known as "The Giz Wiz" and he certainly lives up to the name's reputation!  Dick finds some of the most unusual items on the Internet and shares the with up!  Click on the Link below to see the items Dick will be talking about! See Dick's website Thursday ---------- Hour one: Pixorial is the video service that lets users transform shared experiences into their own personal stories, today introduced worldwide availability of Krowds Video for Android. Available now on Google Play , the free app lets people quickly discover, contribute and join in the shared video experience with full quality videos of any length. Krowds harnesses the power of video crowdsourcing by making it easy, convenient and nearly limitless. The new app completely changes the way consumers experience video by providing access to many different perspectives contributed by others at a shared event. Visit the Krowds Website Thursday ---------- Hour two: Craig and Ben do Computer and Technology News and answer your computer questions! Friday ---------- Hours one and two: Michael Miller.  Mike is one of Computer America's Special Correspondents. Michael Miller is a proven and successful non-fiction writer on a variety of technical, business, and lifestyle-related topics. He has written more than 100 books in the last two decades that have collectively sold more than one million copies. His best-selling books include The Ultimate Web Marketing Guide, YouTube for Business, and Facebook for Grown-Ups for Que Publishing. He has established a reputation for being able to explain difficult concepts to everyday readers in easy-to-understand language. Visit Mike's website Saturday ---------- Both hours: On BlogTalkRadio this Saturday, it's time for Bond...  Ralph Bond joins Craig and Ben with computer news and special topics.  For many years, Ralph was Intel's Consumer Education Director and he continues to be the voice of Intel for Computer America's Intel Digital Minute.  Ralph is now with Autodesk and he is an official Computer America correspondent.  Every second Friday of the month, Ralph joins Craig and Ben to talk about the special Technology News stories he selects.  Join us! Visit Ralph's Website

The Coast Range

 It was a really nice day. 

Before and After

 Loads of good food from some really good people.

But not a whole lot of leftovers.....

Quilt Guild Luncheon

The other reason to join your local quilt guild, these people know how to COOK!

Salad end of the table.

 Someone made cornbread with bacon and grilled onions and cheese.

 We had lots of ham.  I took a pineapple ring and a cherry.  Tasty!

 Macaroni salad with hard boiled eggs is always welcome.

 We Want Chocolate Cake!

Pumpkin Dump Cake was delish (and I don't like pumpkin). and the cobble was very popular, I didn;t get to try any.

Quilt Guild Luncheon

 

Some of the wonderful quilts that were up on stage for show and tell.  (None of these are mine.  All are copyright to the quilters and the  pattern makers.)

Old Cars

 

Saw these in town today, so I had to pull over and take a couple of pictures.

 This reminds me of a friend's mother who had a 1940 Ford.  This was fun to go to school in instead of the bus.

Long, low and wide.  Nice purple paint.  Good to them all on the road still

Sven and Ole

Two Minnesota engineers were standing at the base of a flagpole, looking up.

A woman walks by asks what they were doing.

"Ve're supposed to find da height of dis flagpole, “said Sven, "but ve
don't haff a ladder."

The woman took a wrench from her purse, loosened a couple bolts, and laid
the pole down on the ground.

Then she took a tape measure from her pocketbook, took a measurement,
announced, "Twenty-one feet, six inches," and walked away.

Ole shook his head and laughed. "Ain't dat just like a voman!   Ve ask fer
da height and she gives us da length!"

Sven and Ole have since quit their engineering jobs and are currently
serving in the United States Senate.

From the Office of Poor Predictions:

2011 - According to evangelist Harold Camping today was supposed to be the beginning of the end of the world.  His followers raised money to purchase billboards across America to warn people of the impending doom, and many of them quit their jobs and withdrew their children from school.  To the best of our knowledge, this prediction turned out to be false.

via the KVEC 920AM daily newsletter

Computer America Show lineup for the week of May 20, 2013

Monday
----------
Hour one: MyPod Studios, launched in October, 2010, was built to provide an alternative to the standard issue video networks that litter the Web, and take a slightly more unique approach to presenting online video.

Visit the MyPod Studios website

Monday ---------- Hour two: Craig and Ben do Computer and Technology News and answer your computer questions!

Tuesday ---------- Both Hours:  Linux Show.  Every third Tuesday of the month, we have an all Linux show!  Joining Craig and Ben once again is Larry Bushey, the Creator and host of the "Going Linux Podcast."  Please join us! Visit the Going Linux website

Wednesday ---------- Hour one: ReviverSoft. This is a company that develops products to help you repair, optimize and maintain your computer for best performance.Customers do not want to buy new PCs if they don't have the traditional start menu to navigate their computer. But that's set to change with a brand new FREE Windows 8 Start Menu application that ReviverSoft just released! Visit the ReviverSoft website

Wednesday ---------- Hour two: Craig and Ben do Computer and Technology News and answer your computer questions!

Thursday ---------- Hour one: Zimri.  This company makes wireless sensors for your vechile's tires that constantly monitor your tire pressure!  They even have a new set that works with your Smart Phone too!  Plus them make Bluetooth and portable speakers as well.  Tune in to hear about ALL of their products. Visit the Zimri Website

Thursday ---------- Hour two: Craig and Ben do Computer and Technology News and answer your computer questions!

Friday ---------- Hours one and two: Gene Steinberg.  Gene is an Apple Expert and is here to report on the latest from Apple, rumors about them, related products and more.  Also we may touch on the Supernatural as he hosts the Paracast that talks about everything from ghosts to aliens! Visit Gene's website

Saturday ---------- Both hours: On BlogTalkRadio this Saturday, it's our Gamer show with Computer America Correspondent Grayson Hamilton.  Today we talk about the new Xbox (fact or fiction), Nintendo not showing up for this year's E3, EA Announces Exclusive Deal for New Star Wars Games, You're Doing it Wrong: In Response to Katie Couric's Report on Violent Video Games and more! Join us! Visit Grayson's Blog

Thought For the Day

Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: and a people who mean to be their own governours, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.
- James Madison

Computer America show lineup for the week of May 13, 2013

Lineup for the week:

Monday ---------- Hour one: RoboForm Password Manager and Form Filler has been saving time and making life easier for millions of internet users worldwide. A leader in password management since 1999, RoboForm is amazingly fast and easy to use. Visit the RoboForm website

Monday ---------- Hour two: Craig and Ben do Computer and Technology News and answer your computer questions!

Tuesday ---------- Both Hours:  It's Gamer Tuesday!  Joining us is Computer America's Gamer Correspondent - Grayson Hamilton.  Grayson is pursuing a career in video game journalism.  Tonight we talk about computer games and the latest news regarding gaming software and hardware!  Please join us! Visit Grayson's website

Wednesday ---------- Hour one: Pocket allows you to save content to view later, even when you don't have an internet connection. It has been compared to being like a "DVR for the web and apps." It is extremely popular (almost 10 million users) and has been at or near the top of the news apps charts since launch.  If it's in Pocket, it's on your phone, tablet or computer. You don't even need an Internet connection! Visit the Pocket website

Wednesday ---------- Hour two: Craig and Ben do Computer and Technology News and answer your computer questions!

Thursday ---------- Both Hours: Charles Tendell.  Charles is a Certified Ethical Hacker and one of our Computer America Correspondents! Visit Charle's Website

Friday ---------- Hours one and two: David Perry.  David is one of Computer America's Special Correspondents and is an anti-malware expert.  Topics include email scams and Threats from Social Media!

Saturday ---------- Both hours: On BlogTalkRadio this Saturday, it's our all Linux Show! Joining Craig and Ben once again is Larry Bushey, the Creator and host of the "Going Linux Podcast."  Please join us!.  Join us! Visit the Going Linux website

Veg Oil Power!

 Sign says it all.  Good job Templeton High School!

 Merc turbo-diesel should last a long time.  And smell great!

Grill from when they were handsome cars.

The Arkeg

 These guys made this thing.  It does indeed play games.  I played Battle 1942 with my nephew.

 It's a gaming console with something a bit different about it.  Looks pretty normal, two players, trackball, big screen, lots and lots of buttons!

You can serve a refreshing beverage from the tap in the side.  Today was rootbeer.  I suppose you could serve anything you want.  And it's refrigerated!

Bartender of the Future

 This bunch of gizmos and wires and tubes looks like McCoy's office in sickbay, but it's really a drink mixer.

Use the tablet to pick your drink, and then the machine makes your drink.  Ain't technology wonderful!

RAV-4 electric

 It's a RAV-4, Jim, but not as we know it!  It's ELECTRIC!

 Battery packs in the hatch.  Not sure why Blogger turned the photo the wrong way....

 Some good things to know about these batteries.

Look ma, no ICE!

Looks like my parts bins in the Shed

 Hard drive motors.

 Case fans!

Wires and gizmos!

The Grover Beach Exploration Station was using the part to let the kids built stuff with them.  Maybe an idea for lawn sculpture.

Some things from the SLO Maker Fair

Fan in a Lego house with revolving room on top.

Quote Time

Sheridan: I wish I had your…faith in the universe. I just don't see it sometimes.

 

Delenn:  Then I will tell you a great secret, Captain. Perhaps the greatest of all time. The molecules of your body are the same molecules that make up this station, and the nebula outside, that burn inside the stars themselves. We are starstuff. We are the universe made manifest, trying to figure itself out. And as we have both learned, sometimes the universe requires a change of perspective.

Tri-tip sandwich

This is what we had for dinner at teh Allan Hancock College science fair last week.  It was as tasty as it looks.