[Atmob-discuss] A Void in the Universe

[Tal Mentall]

Summon a gun!

I had no idea that my missing the December meeting, and not giving my 
recitals of The Night Before Christmas, and The Cremation of Sam 
McGee, would provoke an uprising among certain members of the ATMoB. 
John Reed was the first to fire a shot across my bow, and as I was 
about to capitulate to him, a small fusillade arrived from the likes 
of Messieurs Valleli, Motta, and Bealo. Since I am ever fearful in 
battle, speedy in retreat, and craven when cornered, I surrender, and 
will be at the January meeting to repair the rip in the ATMoB's 
Fabric of Time, and turn the clock back one month to fill in that 
Void in the Universe.

I used to never, ever miss a meeting, but the last meeting that I 
have attended was in January, 2009. The reason is because of my 
progressively deteriorating hearing. Even sitting in my accustomed 
place in the 2nd or 3rd row and wearing my hearing aids, I find it 
difficult to hear and understand the talk, especially if the PA 
system is not used. The clubhouse reports given from the back of the 
room, and responses from the floor, are completely inaudible. So, I 
leave early. Equally frustrating is when a speaker takes a question 
from someone in the first row, and then answers it just loud enough 
for that person to hear. In effect, it's a private conversation. Any 
questions from the floor should be repeated by the speaker for all to 
hear, and then answered.

After the January meeting I'll probably disappear again for a while. 
My 82nd birthday was nine days ago, and I don't relish the 80-mile 
roundtrip on dark roads way after my bedtime. Gravity seems to have 
gotten stronger, or my telescopes have gained weight over the years. 
It's no longer fun to do the heavy lifting to get the scopes into the 
car for an observing session. The arthritis in my left knee makes 
carrying anything heavy after dark an adventure to be avoided.

I'll see you in January, and then again, in December.

Thy pal,

Tal 
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