Well, hell...
Tried to cast. The FIRST flask blew out when I turned on the pump. It blew out, and spewed 1100 degree investment into the vacuum hose, thereby sealing the hose and making the whole casting table shake, rattle, and roll.....
I don't think it ruined the vacuum pump. I hope it didn't ruin the vacuum pump, since there is no way I can afford another at this late date. It did, however, ruin the hoses in the vacuum table, rendering in inoperable. I will have to try and go by an air conditioning place tomorrow to see if they have some hose that will work. If not, well then, I will have to order them. I can hold the rest of the flasks overnight, they should be ok until I get home from work. No choice, really. But they wont hold too long past tomorrow night.
This puts me way behind. The Laurel belt is not going to happen (that was going to happen tomorrow night...). Hell, at this rate, the rose belt will probably not happen. And that will be disappointing. It took me the better part of a day to shoot all those waxes. I need a beer. And it is Sunday. And there is none in the house.....
In other news, redcaitlin called from Pennsic. It seems that one of the walls to the megalino spent the year in a tubby. Damp. Now it is rotted. And the megalino wont go up. Thank goodness she took her 20x20, at least we have a common area. Oh, yeah, I forgot. The 20x20 was the ladies' dorm, where I was staying. She says "Don't worry, we will find a place for you guys to sleep." Find a place. I should have had C+F take my tent up, too. They probably had room in the trailer.
I have decided the fates are conspiring against me. I am not supposed to be happy, or it seems. I should be on the downhill side of getting ready for vacation, and all these little blocks keep getting thrown up. I will probably go into work, and find myself in the program directors office, for a little chat. The last two Mondays they have gotten rid of a senior person, my turn is next if they keep up the trend.....
True enough, I can sleep under the 20x20, even if it is the entry way into camp (not like I have never slept out in the open before, or under a table for that matter). The birthday was last week, and the duchess tells me she has great patience for these types of things (but that is so not the point...), so the rose belt is not really an issue. I can always get it done in the two weeks between when I get home from Pennsic and I go to Trimarian 20th Year.
Trying to end the day on a positive note: I have put the word of my predicament out on a couple lists I read from here in the Bryn Madoc/South Downs/ Beau Fort co-prosperity sphere to see if there is anyone, or several anyones who might be able to carry an extra tent pole ot two, as well as some canvas. I suppose I could stuff a duffel bag with the canvas and then check it, and buy lumber and make poles up there.... I have been thinking about doing that, but haven't, until we have storage up there. That might be the last choice, but I think it might just be a viable one.....
See, a positive thought....