Mon Oct 27 09:39 EST 1997
Weekend Update: October 25-26

The autumn rain kept us inside at the Manor on Saturday chipping away at
some of the chores.  Some yard sale signs were posted here and there, but
if it wasn't the rain, the cool temperatures would be signalling the end
of yard sale season in New England.  The auctions will now get a bit more
populated; another one coming this Tuesday night in Pepperell.  We'll be
there.

On Sunday, we had a very special guest all the way from Sydney, Australia.
His name is Harry Woodward-Clarke, formerly known as Hazza (pronounced,
Haz-ah, not Hah-zah) which is a nickname like Jim is to James.

I introduced him to one of my friends explaining that he just put on an
Australian accent to make people think he was Australian.  He protested
offering to show his passport.  I said he probably got one from a local
7-11.  Perhaps I should have checked his passport.  For all I know, it
could have been anybody with an Australian accent; I'd never seen Harry
before - only met him through email and Digital Notes conferences.
Harry or no Harry, it was especially delightful to have this gent in
my home.  I'd probably teased him too much.  Sorry, Harry.

Over the weekend, we also added a material luxury to the Manor that
measures 50 inches diagonally.  This was made possible because of
generous referral bonuses that Cadence provides.  It's a continuing plot
on my part to ensure that boys who come calling on my daughters will
be distracted from my daughters to pinball machines and remote controls.
I had brief twinges of guilt because I really don't watch that much TV,
playing on the TV as much as I watch it.  But in the spirit of possessing
things and not being possessed by them, I've indulged myself and those
who will also enjoy it with the free money that made its way to me.

Later this week, Joy and I will head southwest to New Jersey - one last
time to Butler - to move my father-in-law to his retirement estate in
Greentown, Pennsylvania.  Faith and Hope will be there, too, with their
husbands, so it is time to see if I have any leaks in the air mattress.
(Hey, Pop, people who move usually provide pizza for those who are moving
them.  And don't forget the Coke Classic!)

Mark
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     \
      \      /\      Mark Metcalfe, Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
____;-)-----<__L____ 270 Billerica Road, MS04
     \/      \       Chelmsford, Massachusetts 01824
              \_     Phone: (978) 446-6451  Fax: (978) 446-6351