Tom runs into a typical fanatic simply by mentioning that he didn't think much of the movie Ishtar. From it's entry in IMDb, it doesn't look like he was alone. In fact, I think it's safe to say that people stayed away in droves given a $55 million-dollar film that only pulled $12.7 million at the box office. Before this, I had never heard of it (we went to see Beverly Hills Cop II). You can thank Google Alerts for this sort of thing. Now anyone in the world can log onto Google, enter any words or phrases (like Ishtar, Ishtar, Ishtar Ishtar...) that they want Google to watch for, and be instantly alerted via e-mail that someone, somewhere has mentioned a topic near and dear to their heart so they can swoop in and deface some poor soul's family blog.
Don't get me wrong; Google Alerts is a great thing, and if I were head of the PR division of an organization, I would have alerts on any and every word that was even tangently related to my business as well as the names of the company, its products, the CEO, CFO, CIO, trustees, directors, president, etc. Here at Arcosanti, our PR guy has alerts for "Arcosanti", "Paolo", "Soleri", "arcology", and numerous others (hey Stefan!). But setting an alert for a twenty-year-old box office turkey so you can run all over the internet hammering on anyone that isn't as much in love with it as you are? Get a life.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Friday, March 02, 2007
This is a Test
Watch how this story unfolds over the next six months or so. The outcome will determine whether we stay at least a nominal republic, or we continue to follow the example set by every republic in history.
"A republic, Ma'am, if you can keep it."
I'm not optimistic we can.
"A republic, Ma'am, if you can keep it."
I'm not optimistic we can.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Surprise Visitor
[Update: please see comments for a response from Mr. Roth and a bit of an apology from me.]
I received a note in our mailbox from the lady that runs Arcosanti's guest services (in English, she's my boss when I give tours). Seems a "journalist" (to be fair, this was her term; the writer as far as can tell makes no such claim) came visiting last week and got a few wrong impressions of us. As you might expect, I have a few thoughts on the matter:
First of all, Mr. Roth was given some bad, or at least misleading information on his tour. There have been several new tour guides (including yours truly) and the training is somewhat lacking. Mostly you follow around a few tours and read some printed material, then someone is supposed to follow you around to make sure you don't give out bad or misleading information. In my case, I was doing tours before I followed any because the person I was going to follow couldn't do the tour at the last minute, and I have yet to have anyone follow me. What can I say other than "We're working on it."
Mr. Roth's first two sentences about Arcosanti are: "For Arcosantians, Paolo Soleri is the sun. As if to prove it, our guide pronounced his Christian name much like Apollo." Uh, that might be because that's how his name is pronounced. Talk about reading way too much into nothing.
Anyone who calls Paolo's home luxurious has obviously never been to Cosanti. Paolo lives in a small ranch house that was on the property when it was purchased in the 1950's. Emphasis on the "small".
Most residents don't even bother to attend School of Thought, not alone "flock to hear him [Paolo]." And the ones that do attend are far from slack-jawed worshippers at the feet of the Master. Paolo is frequently challenged, argued with, shouted down, and even booed on occasion. There may be uncritical worshippers of Paolo somewhere, but you won't find them here.
Mr. Roth says, "The name [Arcosanti] is said to mean 'against material things' -anti-cosi - thought quite obviously it was meant to suggest a sacred ark as well." It was meant to suggest no such thing. First, Cosanti is a word Paolo made up by combining anti (Latin for "against") and cosa (Italian for "things") and is meant to convey the idea of 'against material things'. Arcology is a work Paolo made up by combining "architecture" and "ecology" and is stands for a style of architecture that is designed to fit into the local ecology instead of in opposition to it. Arcosanti is the combination of "arcology" and "cosanti". Mr. Roth links to the Wikipedia entry on Consanti which clearly explains all this. No suggestion of a "sacred ark" other than in the author's own imagination.
No one pays Paolo to have him sketch them in the nude. If Mrs. Roth could have checked her "horror" long enough to read the leaflets that were sitting directly in front of her while she was leafing through the portfolio, she would have known that.
I could go on and on (no, we don't all huddle around a ringing phone breathlessly hoping it's Paolo; no, our TV wasn't stolen; yes, the five school-age kids here ride a bus seven whole miles to school just like millions of other kids) but that probably amounts to beating a dead horse.
I received a note in our mailbox from the lady that runs Arcosanti's guest services (in English, she's my boss when I give tours). Seems a "journalist" (to be fair, this was her term; the writer as far as can tell makes no such claim) came visiting last week and got a few wrong impressions of us. As you might expect, I have a few thoughts on the matter:
First of all, Mr. Roth was given some bad, or at least misleading information on his tour. There have been several new tour guides (including yours truly) and the training is somewhat lacking. Mostly you follow around a few tours and read some printed material, then someone is supposed to follow you around to make sure you don't give out bad or misleading information. In my case, I was doing tours before I followed any because the person I was going to follow couldn't do the tour at the last minute, and I have yet to have anyone follow me. What can I say other than "We're working on it."
Mr. Roth's first two sentences about Arcosanti are: "For Arcosantians, Paolo Soleri is the sun. As if to prove it, our guide pronounced his Christian name much like Apollo." Uh, that might be because that's how his name is pronounced. Talk about reading way too much into nothing.
Anyone who calls Paolo's home luxurious has obviously never been to Cosanti. Paolo lives in a small ranch house that was on the property when it was purchased in the 1950's. Emphasis on the "small".
Most residents don't even bother to attend School of Thought, not alone "flock to hear him [Paolo]." And the ones that do attend are far from slack-jawed worshippers at the feet of the Master. Paolo is frequently challenged, argued with, shouted down, and even booed on occasion. There may be uncritical worshippers of Paolo somewhere, but you won't find them here.
Mr. Roth says, "The name [Arcosanti] is said to mean 'against material things' -anti-cosi - thought quite obviously it was meant to suggest a sacred ark as well." It was meant to suggest no such thing. First, Cosanti is a word Paolo made up by combining anti (Latin for "against") and cosa (Italian for "things") and is meant to convey the idea of 'against material things'. Arcology is a work Paolo made up by combining "architecture" and "ecology" and is stands for a style of architecture that is designed to fit into the local ecology instead of in opposition to it. Arcosanti is the combination of "arcology" and "cosanti". Mr. Roth links to the Wikipedia entry on Consanti which clearly explains all this. No suggestion of a "sacred ark" other than in the author's own imagination.
No one pays Paolo to have him sketch them in the nude. If Mrs. Roth could have checked her "horror" long enough to read the leaflets that were sitting directly in front of her while she was leafing through the portfolio, she would have known that.
I could go on and on (no, we don't all huddle around a ringing phone breathlessly hoping it's Paolo; no, our TV wasn't stolen; yes, the five school-age kids here ride a bus seven whole miles to school just like millions of other kids) but that probably amounts to beating a dead horse.
The Decline of Western Civilization
From Rome to Pennsylvania to South Carolina.
Liberals say the problem with our public schools is that we don't spend enough money on them.
I say liberals suffer from blunt force trauma to the head.
Liberalism is a philosophy of consolation for Western Civilization as it commits suicide.
Liberals say the problem with our public schools is that we don't spend enough money on them.
I say liberals suffer from blunt force trauma to the head.
Liberalism is a philosophy of consolation for Western Civilization as it commits suicide.
Bob Seger II
Well, Debbie beat me to the punch on the Seger thing, but I would just like to second her opinion of the show. It was fantastic!! It's obvious when someone is doing what they love to do. Just a few random thoughts about the night:
Listen, honey; the halter top may have made you look hot the last time Seger was in town twelve years ago, but I suggest that you buy a concert t-shirt and change into it. Quick. Please. For the sake of all humanity.
Who let in all the old people? Most of the people there looked like they were at least forty. Oh, wait.....
Thanks, Bob, for lowering all your songs about six half-steps. I'm sure it makes things easier on you, and those of us singing along in the audience really appreciate it as well. Er, I mean all those old people really appreciate it.
Whoever designed the US Airways Center should get some sort of medal. I have never seen a performance space empty so quickly and smoothly in twenty-plus years of attending concerts. The people literally drained out of the building and into the parking areas in a matter of minutes.
Whoever designed the traffic patterns in Phoenix should be violated then shot.
Whoever designed the stupid traffic circles on the Happy Valley Road exit should be forced to drive back and forth through them for all eternity. The seventh circle of Dante's Hell has nothing on them. (Note for our northern Michigan readers: the powers-that-be in Traverse City want to inflict these stupid and completely unnecessary hazards to life and limb on you. Whatever it takes, do not let them get away with it.)
Anyway, my lunch hour is almost over, so I'll just wrap this up by saying that we had a great time and it was worth every penny and every hassle (even Madam Sags-A-Lot and her infinitely stretchy halter top).
Keep rockin', Bob!!
Listen, honey; the halter top may have made you look hot the last time Seger was in town twelve years ago, but I suggest that you buy a concert t-shirt and change into it. Quick. Please. For the sake of all humanity.
Who let in all the old people? Most of the people there looked like they were at least forty. Oh, wait.....
Thanks, Bob, for lowering all your songs about six half-steps. I'm sure it makes things easier on you, and those of us singing along in the audience really appreciate it as well. Er, I mean all those old people really appreciate it.
Whoever designed the US Airways Center should get some sort of medal. I have never seen a performance space empty so quickly and smoothly in twenty-plus years of attending concerts. The people literally drained out of the building and into the parking areas in a matter of minutes.
Whoever designed the traffic patterns in Phoenix should be violated then shot.
Whoever designed the stupid traffic circles on the Happy Valley Road exit should be forced to drive back and forth through them for all eternity. The seventh circle of Dante's Hell has nothing on them. (Note for our northern Michigan readers: the powers-that-be in Traverse City want to inflict these stupid and completely unnecessary hazards to life and limb on you. Whatever it takes, do not let them get away with it.)
Anyway, my lunch hour is almost over, so I'll just wrap this up by saying that we had a great time and it was worth every penny and every hassle (even Madam Sags-A-Lot and her infinitely stretchy halter top).
Keep rockin', Bob!!
Time off
Tuesday, Ric and I both worked just the morning shift and took the rest of the day off. We headed down to Phoenix for the rest of the day. First we stopped at TGI Fridays to finally use my gift certificate from about 1999. I"m glad Ric drove here -- it had TWO ROUNDABOUTS! I probably would have never figured out how to get to where I wanted to go. Leaving Fridays we had to go out of our way to finally get going in the correct direction, but finally made it to the roundabouts and made it back to the expressway again.
Then south on I-17 towards the US Airways Center to see BOB SEGER! We got there early, so we got into a decent parking ramp right across from the center (only cost $8). We had to wander around for awhile since they weren't letting people in yet (and of course, the bathrooms were on the inside and not accessible).
Finally got in and went to find our seats. Section 104, row 24, seats 8 and 9 -- off center of the stage. Not too bad. We found out there was an opening act --- Steve Azar. He was on for about 40 minutes. Then after the stage rearrange -- the main course was ready to come out. Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band came on stage to a screaming crowd. It was great. He sang old songs mixed in with stuff from his new CD. The majority of the crowd sang right along with him (on the old songs, of course!) Bob was wearing a black t shirt and black jeans. He is still looking good (for his age) , hair is graying and his beard has gray in it -- but he can still belt out the songs! They played for about 1hr, then took about a 10 min intermission and came back out to play again. It was one of the longest concerts I've seen of his. He still has three members of the Silver Bullet Band with him ... the keyboard player, one guitar player and Alto Reed the sax player. Alto still has the moves and can make the sax just sing out! It was awesome to watch him.
Bob finished the regular sets with Katmandu. They came back for two encores. The first one he came out with Night Moves and Hollywood Nights. The second one was Against the Wind and Rock and Roll Never Forgets. I'm glad we splurged and bought the tickets.
We will NEVER forget BOB SEGER!!!!!
Then south on I-17 towards the US Airways Center to see BOB SEGER! We got there early, so we got into a decent parking ramp right across from the center (only cost $8). We had to wander around for awhile since they weren't letting people in yet (and of course, the bathrooms were on the inside and not accessible).
Finally got in and went to find our seats. Section 104, row 24, seats 8 and 9 -- off center of the stage. Not too bad. We found out there was an opening act --- Steve Azar. He was on for about 40 minutes. Then after the stage rearrange -- the main course was ready to come out. Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band came on stage to a screaming crowd. It was great. He sang old songs mixed in with stuff from his new CD. The majority of the crowd sang right along with him (on the old songs, of course!) Bob was wearing a black t shirt and black jeans. He is still looking good (for his age) , hair is graying and his beard has gray in it -- but he can still belt out the songs! They played for about 1hr, then took about a 10 min intermission and came back out to play again. It was one of the longest concerts I've seen of his. He still has three members of the Silver Bullet Band with him ... the keyboard player, one guitar player and Alto Reed the sax player. Alto still has the moves and can make the sax just sing out! It was awesome to watch him.
Bob finished the regular sets with Katmandu. They came back for two encores. The first one he came out with Night Moves and Hollywood Nights. The second one was Against the Wind and Rock and Roll Never Forgets. I'm glad we splurged and bought the tickets.
We will NEVER forget BOB SEGER!!!!!
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Universal Truth
I've learned since being here that this sort of thing doesn't just happen in a cubicle farm:
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Cough, Cough, Hack (snert)
I ran out of one of my asthma meds a couple weeks ago. I've been doing ok without it until Monday. It rained all day, and it has been cold and damp ever since. That triggered something that keeps me coughing continuously and sucking on Albuterol like it was water. I called my old doctor in Michigan to see if I could beg a phone-in here in Arizona. They never called back, so I'm not sure if that is good news or bad. I guess I'll find out later this morning when the pharmacy opens.
In any case, a little light reading from Fred Reed I stumbled across at 1am between coughing fits. We recently flew back to Michigan to take care of some paperwork. I can tell you first hand that the constant nattering not to leave your luggage unattended, not to leave your car unattended, to be on the lookout for suspicious behavior, that the president has elevated the threat level to mauve, is enough to make me want to blow up every airport in the country just to shut up the stupid announcer guy. And, as Fred and Jerry Pournelle both point out, none of it does anything to make air transport safer.
But it does make a lot of low IQ people feel powerful and important. I guess there is always that.
Ordnung!
In any case, a little light reading from Fred Reed I stumbled across at 1am between coughing fits. We recently flew back to Michigan to take care of some paperwork. I can tell you first hand that the constant nattering not to leave your luggage unattended, not to leave your car unattended, to be on the lookout for suspicious behavior, that the president has elevated the threat level to mauve, is enough to make me want to blow up every airport in the country just to shut up the stupid announcer guy. And, as Fred and Jerry Pournelle both point out, none of it does anything to make air transport safer.
But it does make a lot of low IQ people feel powerful and important. I guess there is always that.
Ordnung!
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Cameron Curtis Hurd
Some brighter news from Michigan. I received the following e-mail and pictures from my nephew yesterday:
I'm sure you've already heard, but Cameron Curtis Hurd was born on Sunday Feb 11 at 11:09AM (9 minutes after I pulled up to the door at the hospital) He weighed 8 lbs and was 21 inches long. I've attached a few pictures. Enjoy!
Bad Day
Right this minute, I could easily pack our crap into the Durango, drive off, and die happy having never seen Arcosanti again. The fun started last night when Debbie checked the schedule for working the cafe register and found her name crossed off the shifts she signed up for. Today I was stopped by the manager in charge and told that Debbie was basically fired from working the register. Debbie can only work Saturday lunch or dinner, or Sunday lunch. (We reserve Sunday afternoon for us; I figure working six and a half days a week for Arcosanti is more than adequate.) Someone else that has been here longer wants those same shifts. So far, no big deal. But here is the twist: Debbie is trying to get in her required volunteer time, and the other person is paid. There are other shifts during the week that the other person could easily work. So basically, a volunteer was fired to make room for someone getting paid. This from an organization that complains about how much it costs the foundation for the residents keeping their rooms above 50 degrees.
The next surprise was when I went down to check on the pool and found the bottom covered with rocks. This is the third time someone has thrown rocks into the pool. The other two times, it wasn't a big deal; just a couple rocks that I was able to dig out with the skimmer. This time, it was dozens of rocks along with handfuls of gravel. The only way to clean it out is to actually get into the pool, which I have no intention of doing (the water was 45 degrees this morning). I'm assuming it was one or more of the minor residents who had the day off school yesterday and spent the day running around unsupervised. In the real world, when kids have a day off school, the parents have to either stay home themselves, or arrange for someone else to care for them. At Arcosanti, they just run loose interfering with people trying to work and being destructive.
My third happy event was an almost-shocking experience. I had been doing some electrical work in the bakery, then was dragged off on other projects for the last three or four weeks. Today, I was finally able to get back to it. Luckily for me, I'm paranoid and never touch anything until I've confirmed the lines are dead. Some Arco retard had turned the breaker back on. There is absolutely no reason for it to be on. Anything running off that circuit has been plugged into other places because we knew from the beginning that the renovation was going to take some time. So either someone knows that I'm working on that line and turned the breaker on anyway, or someone that doesn't know a damn thing is messing around in random breaker boxes.
What a great place.
The next surprise was when I went down to check on the pool and found the bottom covered with rocks. This is the third time someone has thrown rocks into the pool. The other two times, it wasn't a big deal; just a couple rocks that I was able to dig out with the skimmer. This time, it was dozens of rocks along with handfuls of gravel. The only way to clean it out is to actually get into the pool, which I have no intention of doing (the water was 45 degrees this morning). I'm assuming it was one or more of the minor residents who had the day off school yesterday and spent the day running around unsupervised. In the real world, when kids have a day off school, the parents have to either stay home themselves, or arrange for someone else to care for them. At Arcosanti, they just run loose interfering with people trying to work and being destructive.
My third happy event was an almost-shocking experience. I had been doing some electrical work in the bakery, then was dragged off on other projects for the last three or four weeks. Today, I was finally able to get back to it. Luckily for me, I'm paranoid and never touch anything until I've confirmed the lines are dead. Some Arco retard had turned the breaker back on. There is absolutely no reason for it to be on. Anything running off that circuit has been plugged into other places because we knew from the beginning that the renovation was going to take some time. So either someone knows that I'm working on that line and turned the breaker on anyway, or someone that doesn't know a damn thing is messing around in random breaker boxes.
What a great place.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Backups
Now I'm going to bore everyone to death by talking about backing up your data on your PC's hard drive. Almost no one does it for the simple reason that the amount of information you can store on a typical hard drive is many times the capacity of any standard media installed on a typical PC. For example, I have about 30 GB of data between photos, MP3's, and other random data files. That translates to a half dozen DVD's. Worse, without spending significant cash, the process of splitting up the files and tracking what is on what DVD and when it was last backed up is a manual process. I use the internet for some backup by, for example, storing a copy of all my digital photos on Flickr, but there really isn't a way to have a consistent, up-to-date backup in one place.
I've heard rumors of companies that sold space on their servers for you to back up local files to over the internet. But it wasn't cheap or easy. This appears to be both. The cost is less that what you would pay for media to back up to DVD's once a week (bare minimum), and the software is fully automated. I'll be digging into this a little more over the next few weeks.
But right now, I have to get to bed.
I've heard rumors of companies that sold space on their servers for you to back up local files to over the internet. But it wasn't cheap or easy. This appears to be both. The cost is less that what you would pay for media to back up to DVD's once a week (bare minimum), and the software is fully automated. I'll be digging into this a little more over the next few weeks.
But right now, I have to get to bed.
Learning from Founders
Arcosanti management needs to read this. Maybe I'll get a dozen copies of Founders at Work and leave them at strategic locations around the site. I've spent the last two days on a job I could have done by myself, even taking my time, on a Saturday afternoon. And it still isn't done.
At least I'm paid by the hour.
At least I'm paid by the hour.
Well, It Finally Happened
Blogger has been nagging me for months to upgrade to the new version. Today, they made it mandatory. If you want to post or leave comments under your blogger ID, you must update your Blogger ID to a Google ID (this does not have anything to do with reading the blog). I expected this would happen sooner or later, but I figured I would have some warning. Sorry if this causes anyone a bunch of hassle.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Brrrrrrrrr!
We made a fast dash back to Michigan to rid ourselves of the last of our assets that we left there. We couldn't have picked a better week, at least if the goal was to remind ourselves, in as forceful a way as possible, why we left. The high temperatures were in the single digits with blizzard conditions the entire time we were there. It was -7 when we flew out of Saginaw on Sunday morning, and -13 in Minneapolis when we arrived for our connecting flight. We are now back in Arizona, loving our sun, the 60-degree temperatures, and having feeling in our feet.
Debbie is in Phoenix this week, so we won't be doing much in the way of decorating our new space. We do have a window that is a bit of a problem. It gives people out on the deck an unobstructed view of my white, hairy butt every morning when I get dressed. A typical curtain isn't an option as the window is triangular (yes, as I've mentioned before, living in a building designed by a bunch of artsy types is a real hoot...). I'm seriously considering getting some small jars of paint in the same colors as the silt-casting on our ceiling and giving it a faux stain glass treatment. Cheap, easy, and if anyone doesn't like it, five minutes with a razor blade makes it go away. We also have a round window that is about twelve feet off the floor that may get a similar treatment. Not that anyone can really see into it, but if the other window works out, I may just do it for effect. I think the artsy thing may be rubbing off on me.
Well, I have to check e-mail, then get my sorry (white, hairy) butt into bed.
Debbie is in Phoenix this week, so we won't be doing much in the way of decorating our new space. We do have a window that is a bit of a problem. It gives people out on the deck an unobstructed view of my white, hairy butt every morning when I get dressed. A typical curtain isn't an option as the window is triangular (yes, as I've mentioned before, living in a building designed by a bunch of artsy types is a real hoot...). I'm seriously considering getting some small jars of paint in the same colors as the silt-casting on our ceiling and giving it a faux stain glass treatment. Cheap, easy, and if anyone doesn't like it, five minutes with a razor blade makes it go away. We also have a round window that is about twelve feet off the floor that may get a similar treatment. Not that anyone can really see into it, but if the other window works out, I may just do it for effect. I think the artsy thing may be rubbing off on me.
Well, I have to check e-mail, then get my sorry (white, hairy) butt into bed.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Watch and Weep
Hundreds of billions for "education," and all we get is this.
(sigh)
I just finished reading John Brunner's The Sheep Look Up, so my faith in Western Civilization has been dealt a pretty serious blow. This ain't helping.
Mammals survived the calamity that wiped out the dinosaurs by being fast, small, and adaptable. You may want to think about which of those you should be emulating.
(sigh)
I just finished reading John Brunner's The Sheep Look Up, so my faith in Western Civilization has been dealt a pretty serious blow. This ain't helping.
Mammals survived the calamity that wiped out the dinosaurs by being fast, small, and adaptable. You may want to think about which of those you should be emulating.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Who's got snow?
Not us! But parts of Michigan look like it is getting snow each day for the 10day forecast. I guess you can blame Ric and I. Because, of course, we are flying home for a real quick weekend to take care of a few things. I'm thinking our snow boots are packed up at Mom's house.
Things are going well with the new job. I'm still in training -- one more week (next week) and a day and I'm done with their official new agent training. I have a client coming in tomorrow afternoon to book a Mexican Riviera cruise. Yeah! I did an air/car/hotel reservation on Monday and some car reservations in Hawaii for somebody today. Other than that, I haven't been able to take any calls or walk ins before this. It is nice to finally start working again. The training is nice. I'm picking up a lot of new things that I never learned while at North Village Travel. AAA really knows how to train. I give them an A in the travel agent training department.
Remember I can book your trip -- even with me here in Arizona -- and you there in Michigan or Massachusetts or where ever you are! AAA does charge a service fee for airline tickets -- non members $50!, but members only pay $20. They do NOT charge a service fee for tours/cruises unless extensive research is needed. That is nice.
We are slowly getting things ready to move to our new housing before we fly to Michigan this weekend. Ric is working on painting a bedbox/shelving unit he made from scratch. (Great idea and design .. I"m sure we will have pictures of it next month) Most of the things are packed and moved over or waiting til the last minute to go over. Next month we plan on hitting a big thrift store in Prescott Valley and a few other places looking for some decent (and cheap) furniture. We really need a new mattress. The air mattress we are using gets too many holes in it. This last one I can't find yet. It is really frustrating to wake up after a couple hours and be on an almost flat air mattress!
Things are going well with the new job. I'm still in training -- one more week (next week) and a day and I'm done with their official new agent training. I have a client coming in tomorrow afternoon to book a Mexican Riviera cruise. Yeah! I did an air/car/hotel reservation on Monday and some car reservations in Hawaii for somebody today. Other than that, I haven't been able to take any calls or walk ins before this. It is nice to finally start working again. The training is nice. I'm picking up a lot of new things that I never learned while at North Village Travel. AAA really knows how to train. I give them an A in the travel agent training department.
Remember I can book your trip -- even with me here in Arizona -- and you there in Michigan or Massachusetts or where ever you are! AAA does charge a service fee for airline tickets -- non members $50!, but members only pay $20. They do NOT charge a service fee for tours/cruises unless extensive research is needed. That is nice.
We are slowly getting things ready to move to our new housing before we fly to Michigan this weekend. Ric is working on painting a bedbox/shelving unit he made from scratch. (Great idea and design .. I"m sure we will have pictures of it next month) Most of the things are packed and moved over or waiting til the last minute to go over. Next month we plan on hitting a big thrift store in Prescott Valley and a few other places looking for some decent (and cheap) furniture. We really need a new mattress. The air mattress we are using gets too many holes in it. This last one I can't find yet. It is really frustrating to wake up after a couple hours and be on an almost flat air mattress!
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
When Sharing Isn't Nice
We share a lot of things here at Arcosanti: books, videos, a pool table, and so on. We also seem to enjoy sharing our diseases. Some form of flu has been circulating around for the last week or so. Today was my turn. Last night, after (a shared) dinner in the cafe, I started feeling light-headed. Within a couple of hours, I was in full-blown flu mode with fever, chills, nausea, muscle aches, headache, the whole enchilada. I haven't left my room all day, and tomorrow isn't looking too good at this point. We'll see how it goes in the morning.
Otherwise, not much going on. We are in a holding pattern of sorts until our new place is available Friday morning.
Otherwise, not much going on. We are in a holding pattern of sorts until our new place is available Friday morning.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Still Cold
We are still living with below-average temperatures, and woke up to snow this morning. It melted by lunch, but it is still a long way from warm. All or part of the day has been cloudy most of the week, which really sucks when the only heat you have is the sun. I've spent the last week fixing leaky pipes, leaky toilets, and leaky sewer lines. Some of the problems are in areas still under construction. Some problems are with "temporary" lines (like most non-profits, "temporary" at Arcosanti can cover decades) that will be improved during future construction. Some were just poorly thought out right from the start. But it's job security. At the current rate that we are crossing things off vs. the rate things are being added on, we will have to expand the Lab Building just to have a place to store the maintenance department's to-do list.
Well, we have to run down to camp and get our stuff out of the cube we were going to be moving into before we got our cool new super-scoop apartment. We can't really take any pictures until the current resident leaves for Brazil on January 26th, so be sure to check back next weekend.
Well, we have to run down to camp and get our stuff out of the cube we were going to be moving into before we got our cool new super-scoop apartment. We can't really take any pictures until the current resident leaves for Brazil on January 26th, so be sure to check back next weekend.
Anarcho-Tyranny Rules in Michigan
One reason we selected Arizona is that the state government and courts tend to be slightly more libertarian than the rest of the country. Not perfect, by any means, and they seem to be learning some bad habits from places like California. I expect that Arizona is just "behind" the rest of the nation and will eventually catch up. And yes, despair is still a sin. In any case, two news items indicate that we made the right choice:
Michigan's Court of Appeals finds that adultery is criminal sexual conduct, even if both partners are consenting.
Michigan's Court of Appeals finds that a teacher found innocent on child porn charges must still be listed in the public sex offender registry.
Huh. Good luck with that, Michigan. You get more like California every day. The Land of Fruits and Nuts Part II. Lucky for us, the world is a big place.
Michigan's Court of Appeals finds that adultery is criminal sexual conduct, even if both partners are consenting.
Michigan's Court of Appeals finds that a teacher found innocent on child porn charges must still be listed in the public sex offender registry.
Huh. Good luck with that, Michigan. You get more like California every day. The Land of Fruits and Nuts Part II. Lucky for us, the world is a big place.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Good News
Two pieces of good news this week.
First, we FINALLY got word about permanent housing here at Arcosanti. Next weekend we will be moving one door over into the new (but, still unfinished) super lightscoop. Watch the blog for mention of more pics on Flickr after we move in. The disappointing news to go along with this was they told us finally after we had spent about $150 in things to make the cube inhabitable for us. (No, nothing we can take back. Shelves and clothing rods already cut and put up and wood cut up for a "bed box")
Second, BOB SEGER is coming to Arizona in February. A radio station here was giving away tickets before they went on sale. I was SO CLOSE one night on the way home. I was caller six----the winner was caller seven. So I had to get online this morning when tickets finally went on sale to try to get two seats. I didn't do too bad, just off center section first level. It will be great to see him in concert again.
First, we FINALLY got word about permanent housing here at Arcosanti. Next weekend we will be moving one door over into the new (but, still unfinished) super lightscoop. Watch the blog for mention of more pics on Flickr after we move in. The disappointing news to go along with this was they told us finally after we had spent about $150 in things to make the cube inhabitable for us. (No, nothing we can take back. Shelves and clothing rods already cut and put up and wood cut up for a "bed box")
Second, BOB SEGER is coming to Arizona in February. A radio station here was giving away tickets before they went on sale. I was SO CLOSE one night on the way home. I was caller six----the winner was caller seven. So I had to get online this morning when tickets finally went on sale to try to get two seats. I didn't do too bad, just off center section first level. It will be great to see him in concert again.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Cold and Colder
We've had a couple cold and dreary days here at Arcosanti. It has driven something home that I've always realized, but has obviously escaped the designers of this place. Passive solar is a wonderful thing, but you need some backup. Understand that most of the resident spaces do have some form of backup heat. The older spaces have wood stoves, the newer completed spaces have either propane wall furnaces or in-floor hot water heat. The dorm spaces and incomplete residences must rely on small, inefficient, and not too effective portable electric heaters. But many of the public spaces have no backup heat source whatsoever. Today as we sat in the cafe eating lunch while seeing our own breath, we all decided that this was an oversight bordering on gross stupidity. Even Arizona can have a couple cloudy days in a row.
The clouds started to blow out late in the day, so it looks like we will get some relief tomorrow, but it came to late to save us tonight. We are all burrowed in like rock squirrels for a long, cold night. I can't help but question the wisdom of this. Many of the long-time residents scoff at the newbies with comments like "At least when you're cold, you know you are alive." However, my personal comfort isn't the only consideration. First, what impression does coming to visit the "City of the Future" only to find yourself bundled up in hat, coat, and mittens trying to eat your lunch while indoors, give to those visiting Arcosanti? Second, as a member of the maintenance crew, I can tell you that the cost to the Cosanti Foundation of one burst water line is much greater than the cost of providing adequate backup heating.
But that's just me being logical surrounded by a bunch of right-brain touchy-feeling artist types.
At least the presence of some clouds gave us a good sunset. Debbie happened to be looking out the window and noticed the color in the sky and ran outside with the camera. The full set is on Flickr.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Mom Boris Update
Well, she did/may have/didn't have a stroke/seizure/blood clot/sprained ankle. She can/maybe/can't have a heart cath/stent/EEG/3D heart imaging/ace bandage. And she can/can't drive for the next six months.
There. Now you know exactly what I know.
Oh yea. She's home. That I'm almost certain of.
Ain't modern medicine grand? Almost make you nostalgic for a diagnosis of "the vapors" and a few leaches.
There. Now you know exactly what I know.
Oh yea. She's home. That I'm almost certain of.
Ain't modern medicine grand? Almost make you nostalgic for a diagnosis of "the vapors" and a few leaches.
Lots of Beach-Front Property for Sale
It's a bit of a commute, but the price is definitely right. Titan has lakes. Lots of them. Woo hoo!! Go Cassini!!
Monday, January 08, 2007
Lotsa Photos
Blogging has been sporadic mainly because I've been kicking out photos into our Flickr account. We now have over 3,500 pictures uploaded from the very latest of our adventures at Arcosanti to the first digital pictures we took back in January of 2003.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Outlaw High Heels!
I got this from a rather strange book that Debbie was reading by Tamar Myers titled Grape Expectations:
Sexy shoes, indeed. Don't even get me started - oops, too late. Take high heels, for instance. The make your feet hurt, so you take them off, and then, since you're already half-undressed, you take everything off, and that leads to the horizontal hootchy-kootchy, which leads to unmarried mothers, which leads to undisciplined children, which leads to crime. If you boil all that down you're left with the simple equation: high heels lead to murder. If you ask me, any shoe with a heel higher than an inch should be outlawed. Now where was I?As I said, strange book.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Starting the New Year Right?
Twelve and a half hours into the new year, we get a phone call that Debbie's mom had been taken to the hospital with a possible stroke. We still don't know much other that if it was indeed a stroke, it was a very mild one and she seems to have spontaneously recovered from the effects already today. She is still in the hospital for now enduring the usual battery of testing combined with a complete lack of test results. We should know something by tomorrow, so we will keep you updated.
Family Resemblance
Both of these photos were taken on July 5, 2003. Can't tell we're related or anything...
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Creationism vs. Science at the Grand Canyon
This is disgusting:
Bush is on track to make himself the worst president in American history. His actions are almost enough to convince me to vote for Hillary.
Grand Canyon National Park is not permitted to give an official estimate of the geologic age of its principal feature, due to pressure from Bush administration appointees. Despite promising a prompt review of its approval for a book claiming the Grand Canyon was created by Noah's flood rather than by geologic forces, more than three years later no review has ever been done and the book remains on sale at the park, according to documents released today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER).Anyone is free to believe whatever they want, but using the federal government to publish and sell provable lies, as well as muzzle federal employees charged with educating the public is nothing short of utterly despicable.
"In order to avoid offending religious fundamentalists, our National Park Service is under orders to suspend its belief in geology," stated PEER Executive Director Jeff Ruch. "It is disconcerting that the official position of a national park as to the geologic age of the Grand Canyon is 'no comment.'"
Bush is on track to make himself the worst president in American history. His actions are almost enough to convince me to vote for Hillary.
Friday, December 29, 2006
Three Years Later and Still Going Strong
The Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity are still rolling around on the surface after nearly three years and a combined driving distance of nearly 10.5 miles. The original mission was for 90 martian days.
No one is a bigger critic of NASA than I am, especially the space station and shuttle divisions. (An example of the pointless being enabled by the absurd if there ever was.) But there are still smart people being properly managed and accomplishing incredible things buried in the NASA bureaucracy.
No one is a bigger critic of NASA than I am, especially the space station and shuttle divisions. (An example of the pointless being enabled by the absurd if there ever was.) But there are still smart people being properly managed and accomplishing incredible things buried in the NASA bureaucracy.
Happenings and such
Hi Cyberworld --- we've missed you. Our server was completely dead since last Friday. It made my life kinda interesting for this week since I"m still working for my Michigan travel agency. I couldn't find a working WIFI anyplace to be able to connect remotely to the Michigan server. So, my Mom took pity on me and checked my emails for me on her computer. Plus, once a day I drove into Mayer to the public library to check things for my one hour time limit. Luckily I didn't have anything too important to do at work. I had one final called in this morning that I had to ask my inside gal to take care of the invoice for me since I couldn't sign on yet. Then after my cafe register duty for lunch, I came back to check things before heading to town again. It is finally working!!!! YEAH!!!!
Other happenings: Christmas time
We weren't able to make it home for Christmas this year. :-( I really missed the family time. Our big time out for Christmas Eve was going to dinner at a nice steak place and going to the theatre to see Happy Feet and Santa Claus 3. We had time to kill between the movies and walked around the complex some. We did finally find a REAL grocery store, it is called Fry's. Arcosanti was closed down from 1pm Christmas Eve until December 26th. This means nothing open to buy food (ie the cafe or bakery). We were able to take advantage of a couple things that happen here. First, Ron (landscaping manager) made breakfast in the cafe Christmas morning. Made to order -- omelets or burritos, french toast and bacon. It was a nice change to cereal, poptarts or bagels. Then Gin (bakery manager) had a potluck Christmas dinner at her place around 5pm. She likes turkey, so that was our main course. I really missed having ham and polish sausage!
I've been pulling more shifts in the cafe running the register since most of the help is gone. Nice pocket money. Ric is having a time in the maintenance department. The ?fun? they had yesterday was trying to unplug some toilets! One of the public men's toilet had a cell phone flushed down it!!! Ha! He still has his pool duties, even though him and another person are trying to talk the manager into draining it for awhile. (who wants to swim in 40-50 degree weather? the polar bear club is gone!)
The other big news I have is: I got a new job!!!! Beginning in January I will be working for AAA Arizona as a travel agent. I have 3 weeks of training (some in Phoenix) then go to part time until April. In April, I hope to be offered a full time position. It was interesting how this job came about. Ric and I were getting car insurance quotes one day and stopped into their office. As we were walking out, I asked the receptionist is they were hiring for travel agents. She said, they just hired somebody that was starting the next week. We walked out and I said "damn, my timing" I had picked up an application and the manager's name/number. I left her a message the next week -- about just moving in the area and my experience. I said I would drop off my resume later unless she wanted it right away. I then got a call two days after our workshop was done. She just had a part time person quit on Friday and wanted me to come in for an interview right away! WOW! I went in for the interview on a Friday and the job was offered to me on Tuesday. (pending my drug screening, reference check and criminal background check!) I was officially okayed this week --- everything checked out okay. God's timing is perfect. (Now, if I would trust Him to get the house sold.....)
Other happenings: Christmas time
We weren't able to make it home for Christmas this year. :-( I really missed the family time. Our big time out for Christmas Eve was going to dinner at a nice steak place and going to the theatre to see Happy Feet and Santa Claus 3. We had time to kill between the movies and walked around the complex some. We did finally find a REAL grocery store, it is called Fry's. Arcosanti was closed down from 1pm Christmas Eve until December 26th. This means nothing open to buy food (ie the cafe or bakery). We were able to take advantage of a couple things that happen here. First, Ron (landscaping manager) made breakfast in the cafe Christmas morning. Made to order -- omelets or burritos, french toast and bacon. It was a nice change to cereal, poptarts or bagels. Then Gin (bakery manager) had a potluck Christmas dinner at her place around 5pm. She likes turkey, so that was our main course. I really missed having ham and polish sausage!
I've been pulling more shifts in the cafe running the register since most of the help is gone. Nice pocket money. Ric is having a time in the maintenance department. The ?fun? they had yesterday was trying to unplug some toilets! One of the public men's toilet had a cell phone flushed down it!!! Ha! He still has his pool duties, even though him and another person are trying to talk the manager into draining it for awhile. (who wants to swim in 40-50 degree weather? the polar bear club is gone!)
The other big news I have is: I got a new job!!!! Beginning in January I will be working for AAA Arizona as a travel agent. I have 3 weeks of training (some in Phoenix) then go to part time until April. In April, I hope to be offered a full time position. It was interesting how this job came about. Ric and I were getting car insurance quotes one day and stopped into their office. As we were walking out, I asked the receptionist is they were hiring for travel agents. She said, they just hired somebody that was starting the next week. We walked out and I said "damn, my timing" I had picked up an application and the manager's name/number. I left her a message the next week -- about just moving in the area and my experience. I said I would drop off my resume later unless she wanted it right away. I then got a call two days after our workshop was done. She just had a part time person quit on Friday and wanted me to come in for an interview right away! WOW! I went in for the interview on a Friday and the job was offered to me on Tuesday. (pending my drug screening, reference check and criminal background check!) I was officially okayed this week --- everything checked out okay. God's timing is perfect. (Now, if I would trust Him to get the house sold.....)
Monday, December 18, 2006
You Suck!
There is nothing quite so affirming as being told you suck in four languages. Written on toilet paper no less. Needles to say, my teemmate and I formed a very firm foundation for today's ping pong tournament. At least I assume that is what everyone meant when they kept telling us we were the basement.
Or was that "in the basement?"
Or was that "in the basement?"
Sunday, December 17, 2006
The Religion of Peace. Again.
Would someone please explain to me why I should have any respect for these "people"? Furthermore, can anyone explain why we let these animals into our country? Eating a pork chop should be mandatory for entering the U.S.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Some Free Time At Last
We are finally coming up for air, but only because we got out of making dinner tonight. We probably won't be working in the cafe anymore because Debbie has started working the register and I will start doing tours next week. The pay is a lot better and it is something I enjoy doing. It's sort of like teaching a class, which I love doing and really miss since losing my teaching job at the church.
We are done with our workshops. I am now a paid Arcosanti employee working 40 hours a week in maintenance. It's pretty brainless work, but that's what I really want at this point. There are several other jobs open that are a closer match to what I used to do, but I'm just not interested in sitting at a desk. At least not yet. I'm sure that at some point, assuming we stick around much past our one-year commitment, that I won't be able to crawl around under buildings and climb up and down ladders, but I'm no where near that point yet. Debbie is now working full-time as an outside travel agent for North Village Travel, plus working the odd shift cooking with me or running the cash register in the cafe. We have moved to our third temporary residence since being here. This one will be available until the next workshop comes in the first of February. It's not a bad place, but there is no heat as this part of the building is not finished. We didn't have heat in our last room either, but the difference there was that we got a lot of sun every day to heat up all the concrete. This room gets exactly no direct sunlight this time of year. Worse, because we are on the second story, the concrete floor is over a storage area that is unheated and not really all that wind-proof. That means that no matter what the temperature of the air in our room is, we are standing on a 40-degree concrete slab. We've got a couple small area rugs, which help a little, but not if you are in one place for any length of time. The worse place is the shower; bare feet in direct contact with wet, ice cold tile. Brrrrr.
It could be worse, of course. We could be stuck in Michigan plowing snow.
One side benefit of being on my feet all day is that I'm actually losing weight. I'm down to 233 pounds; lower than I've been in a decade. For the first time in a long, long time, the idea of being south of 200 seems realistic. I've been able to back off on my insulin a touch, but I haven't managed to get rid of any of my meds completely. That may not be possible even if I do get back down to 185 pounds, but I can certainly reduce what I'm taking. That will certainly help us out financially now that we have no health insurance. As things currently stand, every dime I make will go straight to Walgreen pharmacy.
On a completely different subject, I've sorted and cleaned up all our photos from 2005 and will start dumping them onto our Flickr account sometime soon. It may be as soon as tonight, if nothing else is going on. I don't think there is anything that we need to leave the room for other than dinner, so it's looking good that I can get several hundred photos on-line. One nice thing about our new room is that we have hard-wired network connections instead of wireless, meaning that our connections are more reliable, and that I can have both laptops connected to the internet at the same time. That way, one machine can just be dumping photos onto the internet, and the other one can be used for other stuff (like blogging). I was never able to get that working in our last room because of issues with my laptop, the shaky wireless connection, and the limited number of "slots" being shared by everyone else in the guest house.
Our Christmas cards and letters are out, so everyone should start getting those in the next couple days. They have our address here at Arcosanti, so everyone can send us lots of loot in the mail. Just joking; our space is so limited that anything we are sent would have to be stored in the back of the Durango anyway. But we have a nice, wide windowsill to set Christmas cards on, so please put us on your list. It's really the only Christmas we are having this year as we won't be able to get back to Michigan. This will be the first Christmas for both of us that we won't be with family. It's going to be a little strange. It is already strange as this place starts emptying out knowing that we will be one of the dozen or so people "stuck" here for Christmas day. One of the ladies here has everyone over for Christmas dinner, so we won't just be sitting in our room by ourselves, but it is going to be a very different Christmas for us.
Anyway, I need to try to get caught up with all the stuff I normally read on the internet. I haven't had much time to read blogs, news, or even Dilbert comics. More later if I find anything blog-able.
We are done with our workshops. I am now a paid Arcosanti employee working 40 hours a week in maintenance. It's pretty brainless work, but that's what I really want at this point. There are several other jobs open that are a closer match to what I used to do, but I'm just not interested in sitting at a desk. At least not yet. I'm sure that at some point, assuming we stick around much past our one-year commitment, that I won't be able to crawl around under buildings and climb up and down ladders, but I'm no where near that point yet. Debbie is now working full-time as an outside travel agent for North Village Travel, plus working the odd shift cooking with me or running the cash register in the cafe. We have moved to our third temporary residence since being here. This one will be available until the next workshop comes in the first of February. It's not a bad place, but there is no heat as this part of the building is not finished. We didn't have heat in our last room either, but the difference there was that we got a lot of sun every day to heat up all the concrete. This room gets exactly no direct sunlight this time of year. Worse, because we are on the second story, the concrete floor is over a storage area that is unheated and not really all that wind-proof. That means that no matter what the temperature of the air in our room is, we are standing on a 40-degree concrete slab. We've got a couple small area rugs, which help a little, but not if you are in one place for any length of time. The worse place is the shower; bare feet in direct contact with wet, ice cold tile. Brrrrr.
It could be worse, of course. We could be stuck in Michigan plowing snow.
One side benefit of being on my feet all day is that I'm actually losing weight. I'm down to 233 pounds; lower than I've been in a decade. For the first time in a long, long time, the idea of being south of 200 seems realistic. I've been able to back off on my insulin a touch, but I haven't managed to get rid of any of my meds completely. That may not be possible even if I do get back down to 185 pounds, but I can certainly reduce what I'm taking. That will certainly help us out financially now that we have no health insurance. As things currently stand, every dime I make will go straight to Walgreen pharmacy.
On a completely different subject, I've sorted and cleaned up all our photos from 2005 and will start dumping them onto our Flickr account sometime soon. It may be as soon as tonight, if nothing else is going on. I don't think there is anything that we need to leave the room for other than dinner, so it's looking good that I can get several hundred photos on-line. One nice thing about our new room is that we have hard-wired network connections instead of wireless, meaning that our connections are more reliable, and that I can have both laptops connected to the internet at the same time. That way, one machine can just be dumping photos onto the internet, and the other one can be used for other stuff (like blogging). I was never able to get that working in our last room because of issues with my laptop, the shaky wireless connection, and the limited number of "slots" being shared by everyone else in the guest house.
Our Christmas cards and letters are out, so everyone should start getting those in the next couple days. They have our address here at Arcosanti, so everyone can send us lots of loot in the mail. Just joking; our space is so limited that anything we are sent would have to be stored in the back of the Durango anyway. But we have a nice, wide windowsill to set Christmas cards on, so please put us on your list. It's really the only Christmas we are having this year as we won't be able to get back to Michigan. This will be the first Christmas for both of us that we won't be with family. It's going to be a little strange. It is already strange as this place starts emptying out knowing that we will be one of the dozen or so people "stuck" here for Christmas day. One of the ladies here has everyone over for Christmas dinner, so we won't just be sitting in our room by ourselves, but it is going to be a very different Christmas for us.
Anyway, I need to try to get caught up with all the stuff I normally read on the internet. I haven't had much time to read blogs, news, or even Dilbert comics. More later if I find anything blog-able.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
And Even More Photos
More when it isn't 2am, but there are Grand Canyon photos and some pics from our workshop so far on Flickr.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
More Photos
Been busy cleaning up all the digital photos that have accumulated in the last few years. I have all of 2006 on Flickr except our photos of Arcosanti and our trip to the Grand Canyon last week for my birthday. I'll get those sorted out and uploaded tomorrow. There is only around 400 images to sift through, so it should be no problem to get them squared away.
Still busy down here in America's Southwest. Thanksgiving was an all-day thing starting with food at 2:30pm and ending with soccer under the vaults around midnight. Yesterday, we spent most of the day after Thanksgiving doing administrivia. We stopped at the Mayer post office to mail off a couple things, got an oil change and an Arizona license plate for the Durango, Arizona driver's licenses for both of us, car insurance quotes, and opened a bank account. That pretty much ate up the entire day.
Other than that, we've both been working hard here at Arcosanti, both at our regular workshop jobs and some other odd jobs which we don't get paid for, and doing shifts in the cafe, which we do get paid for. I could start making pretty decent money if I would get off my lazy butt and read through the tour guide information and started giving tours, but I can't seem to get motivated to do it. I'll probably push on it next week and get that in place.
We've also been looking into housing options at Arcosanti, and I'll probably get more serious about that tomorrow. At this point, we have yet to get a straight answer as to just where we will be staying, so I'm going to set up a contingency plan down in the area called The Camp. Its a little run-down, so there will be work that I'll need to do before the end of our five-week workshop on December 8th.
That's pretty much all I have for now.
Still busy down here in America's Southwest. Thanksgiving was an all-day thing starting with food at 2:30pm and ending with soccer under the vaults around midnight. Yesterday, we spent most of the day after Thanksgiving doing administrivia. We stopped at the Mayer post office to mail off a couple things, got an oil change and an Arizona license plate for the Durango, Arizona driver's licenses for both of us, car insurance quotes, and opened a bank account. That pretty much ate up the entire day.
Other than that, we've both been working hard here at Arcosanti, both at our regular workshop jobs and some other odd jobs which we don't get paid for, and doing shifts in the cafe, which we do get paid for. I could start making pretty decent money if I would get off my lazy butt and read through the tour guide information and started giving tours, but I can't seem to get motivated to do it. I'll probably push on it next week and get that in place.
We've also been looking into housing options at Arcosanti, and I'll probably get more serious about that tomorrow. At this point, we have yet to get a straight answer as to just where we will be staying, so I'm going to set up a contingency plan down in the area called The Camp. Its a little run-down, so there will be work that I'll need to do before the end of our five-week workshop on December 8th.
That's pretty much all I have for now.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Photos At Last!!
It took several months, but I finally got some new photos on our Flickr account. Just click on Flickr in the Quick Links section over on the right side of this page to see our stuff. The new photos are in the groups "Disney World 2006", "Carnival Elation Cruise 2006", and "USS Alabama". In addition, I finally got more pictures into the "Wiklanksi Reunion 2006" group (thanks Aunt Mary!!).
Anyway, it's past my bedtime, but I just wanted to leave a quick note that I'm starting to make some progress. Or maybe not. We spent Saturday at the Grand Canyon, so now I have another 300 or so pictures on the digital cameras to sort through....
Anyway, it's past my bedtime, but I just wanted to leave a quick note that I'm starting to make some progress. Or maybe not. We spent Saturday at the Grand Canyon, so now I have another 300 or so pictures on the digital cameras to sort through....
Friday, November 17, 2006
I got to play with cement today!
Today the landscaping department (all 3 of us!) got to help the construction crew do a cement pour today of two wall forms. I was down on the bottom (where the form is) and got to help get the cement into all the little places in the forms. Had one plastic glove to work with -- stick my hand in the cement to push down and around the rebar and wall plates and into the corners. Once when the guys were shoveling the cement in -- they got a little too enthusiastic about throwing it and covered my ungloved hand/arm with cement. Hmmmm....trying to make me part of the new Arcosanti visitor wall?! Learned today that vinegar water is helpful to get cement off you. After helping with both sections of the wall this morning -- I had cement spatters up/down my arms and on my face. I think I got most of it off me. My hands/nails are a disaster now. Mega lotion time.
Today the high is suppose to be 74 and tomorrow 78! Still cool in the mornings when we start work. They moved most departments starting time from 7a to 730a this week. Makes most sense in landscaping because the first thing the manager does is begin watering everything.
Tomorrow we are taking a short road trip -- maybe to the Grand Canyon -- for Ric's birthday. Sounds like it will be a great day to be outside.
Today the high is suppose to be 74 and tomorrow 78! Still cool in the mornings when we start work. They moved most departments starting time from 7a to 730a this week. Makes most sense in landscaping because the first thing the manager does is begin watering everything.
Tomorrow we are taking a short road trip -- maybe to the Grand Canyon -- for Ric's birthday. Sounds like it will be a great day to be outside.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Oh, my achey back and feet
I know it has been awhile since either of us has posted. Will kept you all up later, this will be a quick post.
Monday we started our new "workshop jobs" here at Arcosanti. Ric is in maintanence and got to start with painting the gallery. I got into landscaping. (Not my choice, I told coordinator to put me where they needed me, I didn't care) Monday, got to sweep/pick up leaves and dig rocks/stones/gravel/dirt to sift. First sore back and feet. Today got to rake/sweep/bag leaves and walk to compost bins, dig up mint and transplant and then start to clean out/organize landscaping shed. What a mess! And another sore back and feet. I lost track of counting the stairs I had to do while dealing with the mint transplanting. Hopefully all this manual labor helps to take off the weight. I have to watch how much I eat here -- buffet style for all meals -- easy to overeat.
Check out Arcosanti's website and look at Friday, Nov 10th for our group's mug shot.
Monday we started our new "workshop jobs" here at Arcosanti. Ric is in maintanence and got to start with painting the gallery. I got into landscaping. (Not my choice, I told coordinator to put me where they needed me, I didn't care) Monday, got to sweep/pick up leaves and dig rocks/stones/gravel/dirt to sift. First sore back and feet. Today got to rake/sweep/bag leaves and walk to compost bins, dig up mint and transplant and then start to clean out/organize landscaping shed. What a mess! And another sore back and feet. I lost track of counting the stairs I had to do while dealing with the mint transplanting. Hopefully all this manual labor helps to take off the weight. I have to watch how much I eat here -- buffet style for all meals -- easy to overeat.
Check out Arcosanti's website and look at Friday, Nov 10th for our group's mug shot.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Packing Again
We will be moving into our "permanent" room this afternoon, so we are packing up everything and loading it into the car. The guest rooms are only a hundred feet away from the room we are staying in, but it's also about 70 feet of vertical cliff. The only way to get our stuff down there is to carry it armload at a time down a switch-back goat path that goes down the face of the cliff, or to load it into the car and work our way down the service road. Being fat, lazy, and not a goat, I chose the second option.
We wandered into town yesterday. Mayer ain't much and most of the other towns along 69 are even less. But we knew we would be OK when we got to Prescott Valley and Prescott: Walmart Superstore, Olive Garden, Chilies, Taco Bell, Burger King, and last but certainly not least, Dairy Queen. We're saved!!!! There isn't an Applebees or a Ruby Tuesday's, so we may not be completely out of the woods yet.
We've spent the last couple days mostly eating, sleeping, and wandering around the grounds. The place is a real maze and we are still trying to figure out how to get to a couple places. By building up the face of the cliff and continuing on up vertically from there, they have managed to cram a lot of usable square footage into a very small space. The disadvantage is that there isn't always a clear path from one place to another. The ongoing construction makes it worse by blocking the obvious path, forcing you to detour around through the complex.
We continue to be surprised by some of the general clutter and carelessness of at least some of the residents. Some of it is because everything is in temporary space and constantly being shuffled around. For example, the library is mostly a pile of cement dust-covered books because it just got kicked out of its previous temporary home into a new temporary home. But some of it there is just no excuse. Litter is hardly as bad as a normal city, but there is still enough of it around to be annoying to anal retentives. It wouldn't be quite so annoying except all the lecturing in printed materials about respecting the environment, then we have to drive through a literal junk yard of abandoned vehicles and equipment to get to our room. Whatever. I have a feeling we will be ruffling some feathers during Seminar Week. That seems to be my job in life.
Anyway, today we will kick off the actual work shop, so we'll probably have more interesting things to blog about soon. And pictures. I swear I'm working on it. Honest.
We wandered into town yesterday. Mayer ain't much and most of the other towns along 69 are even less. But we knew we would be OK when we got to Prescott Valley and Prescott: Walmart Superstore, Olive Garden, Chilies, Taco Bell, Burger King, and last but certainly not least, Dairy Queen. We're saved!!!! There isn't an Applebees or a Ruby Tuesday's, so we may not be completely out of the woods yet.
We've spent the last couple days mostly eating, sleeping, and wandering around the grounds. The place is a real maze and we are still trying to figure out how to get to a couple places. By building up the face of the cliff and continuing on up vertically from there, they have managed to cram a lot of usable square footage into a very small space. The disadvantage is that there isn't always a clear path from one place to another. The ongoing construction makes it worse by blocking the obvious path, forcing you to detour around through the complex.
We continue to be surprised by some of the general clutter and carelessness of at least some of the residents. Some of it is because everything is in temporary space and constantly being shuffled around. For example, the library is mostly a pile of cement dust-covered books because it just got kicked out of its previous temporary home into a new temporary home. But some of it there is just no excuse. Litter is hardly as bad as a normal city, but there is still enough of it around to be annoying to anal retentives. It wouldn't be quite so annoying except all the lecturing in printed materials about respecting the environment, then we have to drive through a literal junk yard of abandoned vehicles and equipment to get to our room. Whatever. I have a feeling we will be ruffling some feathers during Seminar Week. That seems to be my job in life.
Anyway, today we will kick off the actual work shop, so we'll probably have more interesting things to blog about soon. And pictures. I swear I'm working on it. Honest.
Friday, November 03, 2006
We're Here! We're Here! We're Here!
(I just hope no one is trying to boil our dust speck.)
Anyway, we are at Arcosanti. They stuck us in a spare room until our regular room is ready sometime Sunday. We really pushed the driving the last couple days so we could just get out of the car for at least a day or two. At some point, we will have to drive into town to buy some stuff to have in our room for the workshop, but it isn't anything urgent.
First impressions of Arcosanti:
It's a lot smaller place than it looks on the website. When we drove up, we both had the same thought: where is the rest of it?
Don't bother coming here if you have a problem with stairs. Everything is up or down a set of stairs. Having everything on different levels is how they cram so much stuff in so small of a space, but wheelchair-friendly it ain't.
A lot of clutter. Some of that is because it is a construction site. A lot of it is just people not paying attention to where they drop and/or throw things. It seems odd that a group of people that are so environmentally conscious think nothing of leaving stuff where ever it happens to drop.
Very quiet. All the construction at this point is focused on finishing the interior of the East crescent apartments, so during the day, the place looks like it is uninhabited.
The climate here allows Arco to "get away" with things that would never fly in Michigan. For example, the windows are single pane. Other areas just open out to the outside with no discernible way to close it off. Very disconcerting to someone that lives in a climate that tries to kill you for nine months out of the year.
The desert is just how I remember it. I love it out here.
We are taking lots of pictures that I will put up on Flickr at some point. We have taken almost 3 gig of pictures and videos since we left Michigan, so it will take me some time to sort through all of them.
More later.
Anyway, we are at Arcosanti. They stuck us in a spare room until our regular room is ready sometime Sunday. We really pushed the driving the last couple days so we could just get out of the car for at least a day or two. At some point, we will have to drive into town to buy some stuff to have in our room for the workshop, but it isn't anything urgent.
First impressions of Arcosanti:
It's a lot smaller place than it looks on the website. When we drove up, we both had the same thought: where is the rest of it?
Don't bother coming here if you have a problem with stairs. Everything is up or down a set of stairs. Having everything on different levels is how they cram so much stuff in so small of a space, but wheelchair-friendly it ain't.
A lot of clutter. Some of that is because it is a construction site. A lot of it is just people not paying attention to where they drop and/or throw things. It seems odd that a group of people that are so environmentally conscious think nothing of leaving stuff where ever it happens to drop.
Very quiet. All the construction at this point is focused on finishing the interior of the East crescent apartments, so during the day, the place looks like it is uninhabited.
The climate here allows Arco to "get away" with things that would never fly in Michigan. For example, the windows are single pane. Other areas just open out to the outside with no discernible way to close it off. Very disconcerting to someone that lives in a climate that tries to kill you for nine months out of the year.
The desert is just how I remember it. I love it out here.
We are taking lots of pictures that I will put up on Flickr at some point. We have taken almost 3 gig of pictures and videos since we left Michigan, so it will take me some time to sort through all of them.
More later.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Getting Close
We made it as far as Flagstaff, Arizona today. Obviously, that means we survived four days at Mickey's house and our cruise. We were roasted at Disney. Orlando set two temperature records while we were there. We were both exhausted from all the walking in the heat and humidity for four days straight. But that just made it easier to stick to our plan for the cruise: sit in the sun, read books, and eat. It was glorious. We even managed to get a little tan and only a few pink spots.
We expect to be at Arcosanti tomorrow morning or early afternoon. Once we are there and get settled in, expect normal blogging to resume. I will also start working on the 3 gigs of pictures we've taken over the last couple weeks and getting them up on Flickr.
Well, it's late and I need to sleep.
We expect to be at Arcosanti tomorrow morning or early afternoon. Once we are there and get settled in, expect normal blogging to resume. I will also start working on the 3 gigs of pictures we've taken over the last couple weeks and getting them up on Flickr.
Well, it's late and I need to sleep.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
On the Road
We are sitting in a Super 8 in Perry, Georgia and enjoying seats that don't move and high-speed internet access. I have, for the first time, managed to get a connection running with my D-Link wireless router. I've had nothing but endless frustration until tonight. I plugged it in and it just worked. Heck if I know what I was doing wrong before or what I did right this time, but I ain't arguing. Anyway, just to catch everyone up with all the fun we've been having so far:
Thursday we tried to do some packing, but we had to knock off early for dinner at Pastor and Kim's. We were there late, which was fun, but not good because...
Friday, we were up at 5:30am to go get a 24-foot moving van, using it to move heavy stuff from the house to the cabin (and it was heavy; thanks Dad and Richard), then loading it up, driving it to Birch Run, and unloading it (thanks Dave, Jerrica, Tevra, Timothy, and Mom). We were going to drive back, but it was 11pm and we just couldn't do it.
Saturday, we finally rolled out of the sack around 7am, and headed back north. By the time we dropped off the truck, grabbed something to eat, and got home, it was already noon. We worked for a while, then cleaned up and headed over to my parents for dinner.
Sunday, we were supposed to be in Birch Run by noon, but we still had all our packing and the entire house to clean. Obviously, we were late. We finally got everything crammed into both vehicles and headed for Birch Run singing the theme song from The Beverly Hillbillies. We spent some time with Debbie's family and just bummed around the rest of the day.
Monday was D Day. I had hopped to eat my last meal in Michigan around 8am, but we had to fit two vehicles worth of crap into one. We chucked a lot of stuff and by filling every single crevice in the Durango, we got the rest ready to go. We started south at 4pm and almost got to Lexington, Kentucky.
Tuesday, we were on the road by 11am. We didn't make very good time; we came to a complete stop several times, and once we sat completely stationary for 20 minutes. We also had a hard time staying on the road. We were stopping every hundred miles or so for some reason. We finally stopped in Perry, Georgia, just south of Macon. We should be at Mickey's House tomorrow.
When the county name our road Swamp Road, there was some residence who wanted to petition for a name change because they felt that their property would be devalued by that name. Well, I wonder what they would have thought of the name we ran across today: Stinking Creek Road. Only in Kentucky.
Anyway, time for bed. We've got a lot more driving so I should hit the sack.
Thursday we tried to do some packing, but we had to knock off early for dinner at Pastor and Kim's. We were there late, which was fun, but not good because...
Friday, we were up at 5:30am to go get a 24-foot moving van, using it to move heavy stuff from the house to the cabin (and it was heavy; thanks Dad and Richard), then loading it up, driving it to Birch Run, and unloading it (thanks Dave, Jerrica, Tevra, Timothy, and Mom). We were going to drive back, but it was 11pm and we just couldn't do it.
Saturday, we finally rolled out of the sack around 7am, and headed back north. By the time we dropped off the truck, grabbed something to eat, and got home, it was already noon. We worked for a while, then cleaned up and headed over to my parents for dinner.
Sunday, we were supposed to be in Birch Run by noon, but we still had all our packing and the entire house to clean. Obviously, we were late. We finally got everything crammed into both vehicles and headed for Birch Run singing the theme song from The Beverly Hillbillies. We spent some time with Debbie's family and just bummed around the rest of the day.
Monday was D Day. I had hopped to eat my last meal in Michigan around 8am, but we had to fit two vehicles worth of crap into one. We chucked a lot of stuff and by filling every single crevice in the Durango, we got the rest ready to go. We started south at 4pm and almost got to Lexington, Kentucky.
Tuesday, we were on the road by 11am. We didn't make very good time; we came to a complete stop several times, and once we sat completely stationary for 20 minutes. We also had a hard time staying on the road. We were stopping every hundred miles or so for some reason. We finally stopped in Perry, Georgia, just south of Macon. We should be at Mickey's House tomorrow.
When the county name our road Swamp Road, there was some residence who wanted to petition for a name change because they felt that their property would be devalued by that name. Well, I wonder what they would have thought of the name we ran across today: Stinking Creek Road. Only in Kentucky.
Anyway, time for bed. We've got a lot more driving so I should hit the sack.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Short news
Hey All! Well, our newest addition to the family seems to be fitting in so far. The whole family is sitting at HOrizon Book Store in TC checking that everything works okay. The newest addition is what I'm on and works fine ... found the wireless network and surfing the web just fine. Ric old lap top and new D-Link doesn't seem to like each other. We will have to see if it can be fixed or if we will be using only mine until he gets a new laptop or figures out how to make his old laptop like the D-Link.
We are almost all packed up. Get the moving truck Friday to take a huge load to my Mom's. Then we will be heading out of Michigan on MOnday morning.
More later...........
We are almost all packed up. Get the moving truck Friday to take a huge load to my Mom's. Then we will be heading out of Michigan on MOnday morning.
More later...........
Monday, October 09, 2006
Shoulda Killed Him
It certainly would have improved the human race marginally. I have no use for these assholes. Go ahead and sue; prove to the world what you are. It's not like we don't already know or anything.
Yea, They Disgust Me Too
I can only wish that I could come up with stuff this funny. "Statistically speaking, you'’re probably an inbred spawn of illiterate, unhygienic, penis-worshipping child molesters." I have got to remember that one the next time someone cops a bit too much attitude.
ROTFLMAO
ROTFLMAO
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Newest Member of the Family
No, no. Nothing like that. Today we bought a Toshiba Satellite for Debbie to use as an outside travel consultant for the company she has been working for. Tomorrow, we will be driving down to Grand Rapids to hammer out the final details and have the laptop configured by their "computer guy" for accessing the company network, e-mail, reservation system, etc. It's basic, but it should last for a while. We really don't beat up our hardware too badly. I am, after all, writing this on a laptop that classifies as a museum piece (Dell Inspiron 8000 I bought in 2000 or 2001), so I would expect the Toshiba to hold up for quite a while. My only regret is that I swore I was not buying another Microsoft product, but Windows XP is the only OS Debbie's employer will support. So off we went to Best Buy like good little lemmings and bought an off-the-shelf laptop. Ah well. As soon as the house sells, the trusty Dell will find itself replaced by a sweet little Mac Mini.
Anyway, not much else to report. Rooms continue to empty, bins continue to pile up. We are renting a moving truck on Friday the 13th (which falls on Friday this month) to drive everything that we won't be taking with us in the Durango to Florida and Arizona, down to Debbie's mom's basement. We will be back that night, stay here at the house Friday night, pack the Durango on Saturday, then start heading south. We currently plan to spend Saturday night and Sunday at Debbie's mom's, then head for Florida very early Monday morning to go romp with a giant mouse and hang out on a cruise ship. On the 29th, we are heading west and hope to make Mobile, Alabama the same day to hang for a bit with my sister and brother-in-law. Then sometime on the 30th, our trek west begins in earnest. We hope to be at Arcosonti on the 3rd or 4th of November to give us a couple days to recover from the drive, explore the area a bit, and get ready for our five-week workshop.
Anyway, not much else to report. Rooms continue to empty, bins continue to pile up. We are renting a moving truck on Friday the 13th (which falls on Friday this month) to drive everything that we won't be taking with us in the Durango to Florida and Arizona, down to Debbie's mom's basement. We will be back that night, stay here at the house Friday night, pack the Durango on Saturday, then start heading south. We currently plan to spend Saturday night and Sunday at Debbie's mom's, then head for Florida very early Monday morning to go romp with a giant mouse and hang out on a cruise ship. On the 29th, we are heading west and hope to make Mobile, Alabama the same day to hang for a bit with my sister and brother-in-law. Then sometime on the 30th, our trek west begins in earnest. We hope to be at Arcosonti on the 3rd or 4th of November to give us a couple days to recover from the drive, explore the area a bit, and get ready for our five-week workshop.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!!
Happy Birthday to the Best Mom!
She is in Vegas (no -- Tom Jones is not there this time!) Maybe she will hit it BIG and be able to retire. I'll have to figure out how long a drive it is from Arco to Vegas and meet up with her when she flys in to see Tom.
We finally sat down yesterday to figure out when we should leave Michigan to get to Florida in time for our vacation. We will be leaving northern Michigan either 14Oct eve or 15Oct am. Then plan on staying at my Mom's (please and thanks?!) until we leave Michigan Monday October 16th. If we don't get to see you all before that, BYE for now. You can keep up with our life here on the blog and also email either of us.
She is in Vegas (no -- Tom Jones is not there this time!) Maybe she will hit it BIG and be able to retire. I'll have to figure out how long a drive it is from Arco to Vegas and meet up with her when she flys in to see Tom.
We finally sat down yesterday to figure out when we should leave Michigan to get to Florida in time for our vacation. We will be leaving northern Michigan either 14Oct eve or 15Oct am. Then plan on staying at my Mom's (please and thanks?!) until we leave Michigan Monday October 16th. If we don't get to see you all before that, BYE for now. You can keep up with our life here on the blog and also email either of us.
Brain Dump
I know I promised more routine updates once things calmed down, and you would think that eliminating the 60 hours or so spent every week working and driving back and forth to work would qualify as "calming down." Well, you be the judge.
Friday, September 22 - The Anniversary Date of our New Life.
Short day at work because a) I needed to get my butt over to the American Legion hall for the showing at 3pm prior to our auction at 5pm, and b) what are they going to do; fire me? Anyway, we were both pretty nervous about the auction. Even though we filled a 24-foot moving truck with stuff, it just didn't look like that much once it was at the hall. We were also a little nervous about what things were going to auction for. Auctions are unpredictable; if you get the right people there, you can make a mint. The wrong people, you give a lot of stuff away or take it back home. Given that we had no way to haul much of anything home, that meant giving away anything that didn't sell. Now personally, I wasn't doing this to make money. I was only interested in reducing volume. But we fronted the auctioneer $1,000, rented a truck for $85, purchased trigger locks for all the guns I was selling, etc., and it would be nice to at least make that back so we weren't effectively paying people to take our crap.
I've always had the attitude that if you expect the worst, you will live your life being constantly and pleasantly surprised. I went into the auction figuring we could consider ourselves lucky to break even and everything over that would be gravy. To make a long story short, we went home with a lot of gravy. Like, $3,600 worth of gravy. All for a truck-load of junk, most of which hadn't seen the light of day in years.
We were happy, to put it mildly, but we also didn't get out of the hall until after 10pm, which meant we didn't fall into bed until sometime around midnight.
Saturday, September 23 - Our First Day of Freedom
So of course we were up by 7am to get to one of Debbie's nephew's last football game of the season. They won (way to go, Ashton!!), which, if I heard right, made them undefeated for the season. Debbie's mom bought everyone lunch at a local diner, then we headed for home. We were planning on working on the packing, but we decided we had eaten too much and watched Fantastic Four instead.
Sunday, September 24
I was up early again, for no apparent reason. Debbie was still in bed, so I figured it would be a good time to catch up on all my internet stuff. Yea. Right. Not even close. Not only was I way behind on everything, I was working from the lowest circle of dial-up hell. So once Debbie was up, we decided to do something more constructive than stare at a computer screen upon which nothing was happening, and go into Traverse City and shop for "Arco Supplies" (everything from rain gear to finger condoms). We came home from TC, unloaded, re-loaded with other stuff and headed into Kalkaska for my youngest grand-niece's 1st Birthday Party. My sister and her husband were up from Alabama, so that was pretty much the day. We did get home in time to start watching Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring, but we both fell asleep about and hour or so into it. And yes, we realize we live a very exciting life.
Monday, September 25
I'm not sure what good it does to quit your job, then get up every morning at the same time anyway. Today we had doctor's appointments and car maintenance. After my flu shot, tetanus booster, and blood draw, I felt like a pin cushion. Once we were back at the house, we made good progress on turning the piles of debris into somewhat better organized piles of debris. We now have four piles going in the living room: The first is a pile of things we want to take with us on our first trip down to Florida, then out to Arcosanti for the five-week workshop. This pile must be very small as it all has to fit into the Durango. The second pile is stuff we will most likely take back with us when we come back to Michigan around Christmas when we hope to be in our permanent apartment at Arcosanti. The third pile is stuff we will send for once we are better situated. The fourth pile is stuff I suspect may never make it out to Arizona. We worked steady until dinner, then ran into town for a few more errands, then back home for dinner and the rest of Fellowship of the Ring.
Tuesday, September 26
Yep. You guessed it. Up at the butt-crack of dawn. We spent the entire day sorting, cleaning, packing, labeling, and stacking. We ended the day with dinner and a movie (Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers).
Wednesday, September 27
Up early and packing, but for a different reason. Debbie was scheduled for some cruise classes in Chicago on Thursday and Friday, so I figured I would drive her down there, then spend a couple days bumming around Chicago while she was in class. We were mostly packed and were just starting to load the car when I got a call from our auctioneer asking if we would come into Traverse City to pick up our check and sign some final paperwork. Of course. I can change plans pretty quickly when serious money is involved. So we finished loading the Durango, then headed for Chicago via Traverse City. We arrived at our hotel around 6pm, and spent the rest of the evening walking around the area, grabbing some BBQ for dinner, then going to bed.
Thursday, September 28 - Chicago
Up at 5am for our commute into Downtown Chicago. We didn't have any real problems other than figuring out how to get into the building where Debbie's classes were being held. We eventually found the parking area and ditched the car. Debbie headed to her class, and I hiked to the nearest bus station and grabbed a ride to the Shedd Aquarium. It's been 20 years since my last visit and much had changed and a lot of new stuff added. I enjoyed it, but I guess I'm just not one of those people that can do this sort of thing alone. I kept catching myself turning to point out something to whoever was with me only to find no one there.
I was done at the aquarium around 3pm, and the weather was absolutely beautiful, so I decided to hoof it instead of messing with the bus. It took me five minutes less time to walk than to ride the bus. Score one for the Arcosanti concept. I hung around the lobby until Debbie was done, then we were back out in Chicago commuter traffic and heading back to our hotel. Dinner at the Olive Garden near our hotel finished up the day.
Friday, September 29 - One Week Anniversary of Our New Life
And I was up at 5am for a repeat performance of annoying Chicago commuters. Instead of spending the day wandering around by myself, I just hung out on a comfy couch and caught up on some reading and making some notes for this entry. As soon as Debbie was done with her last class, we headed straight for Michigan and arrived home (at least for a couple more weeks) around 1:30am. The power was off when we got here, so we knew that the sun didn't shine much (if at all) the entire time we were gone. Is there no sun in this cursed land? And whose dumb-ass idea was it to run a house on solar power in a place that can go weeks without seeing any direct sunlight? Oh. Right.
Saturday, September 30
I actually managed to sleep in until 7am today. We took our time getting around in the morning, then headed into town to make several bank deposits, and buy some groceries and the last of our Arco supplies. We came back to the house with the intention of doing some more packing, but after looking at the half dozen piles of stuff we were planning on giving to people, we decided to spend the rest of the day playing Santa Claus. We didn't make it back to the house until after 10pm. Debbie went straight to bed, but I wasn't really tired, so I decided to do this instead.
See what I mean about "calming down?" Next week for sure....
Some random notes:
I want to know in what universe that honking your horn at someone that is sitting at a red light has ever aided in moving traffic. Every cab driver in Chicago does this. Whenever you see a street scene on TV or in a movie and there is this background noise of random honking, that's cab drivers just making random noise. The really funny part is that when they have a reason to honk, they don't. Cut off a cab and nearly run him into a parked car (which I did) and they won't touch the horn. They will loudly curse you in Arabic, but never the horn. But if you are sitting in front of one in a line of stationary cars at a red light, expect to get honked at two or three times before the light turns green. Maybe the major cities should follow the example of the town in Georgia that made punching someone for burning a flag a $50 ticket, and make punching a cabbie for superfluous horn usage a $25 or $50 fine.
While living in Flint and working in Detroit, I only wanted to get out of the city. Now that I've spent a couple days in Chicago after living in a rural area for seven-plus years, I can say without a doubt that I still have no desire to live in a city. That isn't meant as some generic city-bashing comment. I understand enough about economics to know that without the cities, the rural life I've been living would be impossible. I can also appreciate the role cities play as reservoirs of culture and science that just cannot be supported in a place like Traverse City. All I'm saying is that it just isn't for me.
Will Chicago ever finish building that damn expressway? They were working on in when I was there twenty years ago, they were still working on it when I was there ten years ago, and they are still working on it with no end in sight. This has to be some sort of all-time record for the biggest waste of taxpayer money and commuters' time in history.
Best line I heard the entire time I was in Chicago, spoken in the Shedd Aquarium by a woman my age while looking at an enclosure containing bright yellow poison dart frogs: "Look at those! They almost look real!"
A thought occurred to me watching preschool kids operating the computers used in the various displays at the Shedd Aquarium: If you think computers have radically changed things, just wait. You ain't seen nothin' yet.
OK; it's now very AM on Sunday.
Friday, September 22 - The Anniversary Date of our New Life.
Short day at work because a) I needed to get my butt over to the American Legion hall for the showing at 3pm prior to our auction at 5pm, and b) what are they going to do; fire me? Anyway, we were both pretty nervous about the auction. Even though we filled a 24-foot moving truck with stuff, it just didn't look like that much once it was at the hall. We were also a little nervous about what things were going to auction for. Auctions are unpredictable; if you get the right people there, you can make a mint. The wrong people, you give a lot of stuff away or take it back home. Given that we had no way to haul much of anything home, that meant giving away anything that didn't sell. Now personally, I wasn't doing this to make money. I was only interested in reducing volume. But we fronted the auctioneer $1,000, rented a truck for $85, purchased trigger locks for all the guns I was selling, etc., and it would be nice to at least make that back so we weren't effectively paying people to take our crap.
I've always had the attitude that if you expect the worst, you will live your life being constantly and pleasantly surprised. I went into the auction figuring we could consider ourselves lucky to break even and everything over that would be gravy. To make a long story short, we went home with a lot of gravy. Like, $3,600 worth of gravy. All for a truck-load of junk, most of which hadn't seen the light of day in years.
We were happy, to put it mildly, but we also didn't get out of the hall until after 10pm, which meant we didn't fall into bed until sometime around midnight.
Saturday, September 23 - Our First Day of Freedom
So of course we were up by 7am to get to one of Debbie's nephew's last football game of the season. They won (way to go, Ashton!!), which, if I heard right, made them undefeated for the season. Debbie's mom bought everyone lunch at a local diner, then we headed for home. We were planning on working on the packing, but we decided we had eaten too much and watched Fantastic Four instead.
Sunday, September 24
I was up early again, for no apparent reason. Debbie was still in bed, so I figured it would be a good time to catch up on all my internet stuff. Yea. Right. Not even close. Not only was I way behind on everything, I was working from the lowest circle of dial-up hell. So once Debbie was up, we decided to do something more constructive than stare at a computer screen upon which nothing was happening, and go into Traverse City and shop for "Arco Supplies" (everything from rain gear to finger condoms). We came home from TC, unloaded, re-loaded with other stuff and headed into Kalkaska for my youngest grand-niece's 1st Birthday Party. My sister and her husband were up from Alabama, so that was pretty much the day. We did get home in time to start watching Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring, but we both fell asleep about and hour or so into it. And yes, we realize we live a very exciting life.
Monday, September 25
I'm not sure what good it does to quit your job, then get up every morning at the same time anyway. Today we had doctor's appointments and car maintenance. After my flu shot, tetanus booster, and blood draw, I felt like a pin cushion. Once we were back at the house, we made good progress on turning the piles of debris into somewhat better organized piles of debris. We now have four piles going in the living room: The first is a pile of things we want to take with us on our first trip down to Florida, then out to Arcosanti for the five-week workshop. This pile must be very small as it all has to fit into the Durango. The second pile is stuff we will most likely take back with us when we come back to Michigan around Christmas when we hope to be in our permanent apartment at Arcosanti. The third pile is stuff we will send for once we are better situated. The fourth pile is stuff I suspect may never make it out to Arizona. We worked steady until dinner, then ran into town for a few more errands, then back home for dinner and the rest of Fellowship of the Ring.
Tuesday, September 26
Yep. You guessed it. Up at the butt-crack of dawn. We spent the entire day sorting, cleaning, packing, labeling, and stacking. We ended the day with dinner and a movie (Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers).
Wednesday, September 27
Up early and packing, but for a different reason. Debbie was scheduled for some cruise classes in Chicago on Thursday and Friday, so I figured I would drive her down there, then spend a couple days bumming around Chicago while she was in class. We were mostly packed and were just starting to load the car when I got a call from our auctioneer asking if we would come into Traverse City to pick up our check and sign some final paperwork. Of course. I can change plans pretty quickly when serious money is involved. So we finished loading the Durango, then headed for Chicago via Traverse City. We arrived at our hotel around 6pm, and spent the rest of the evening walking around the area, grabbing some BBQ for dinner, then going to bed.
Thursday, September 28 - Chicago
Up at 5am for our commute into Downtown Chicago. We didn't have any real problems other than figuring out how to get into the building where Debbie's classes were being held. We eventually found the parking area and ditched the car. Debbie headed to her class, and I hiked to the nearest bus station and grabbed a ride to the Shedd Aquarium. It's been 20 years since my last visit and much had changed and a lot of new stuff added. I enjoyed it, but I guess I'm just not one of those people that can do this sort of thing alone. I kept catching myself turning to point out something to whoever was with me only to find no one there.
I was done at the aquarium around 3pm, and the weather was absolutely beautiful, so I decided to hoof it instead of messing with the bus. It took me five minutes less time to walk than to ride the bus. Score one for the Arcosanti concept. I hung around the lobby until Debbie was done, then we were back out in Chicago commuter traffic and heading back to our hotel. Dinner at the Olive Garden near our hotel finished up the day.
Friday, September 29 - One Week Anniversary of Our New Life
And I was up at 5am for a repeat performance of annoying Chicago commuters. Instead of spending the day wandering around by myself, I just hung out on a comfy couch and caught up on some reading and making some notes for this entry. As soon as Debbie was done with her last class, we headed straight for Michigan and arrived home (at least for a couple more weeks) around 1:30am. The power was off when we got here, so we knew that the sun didn't shine much (if at all) the entire time we were gone. Is there no sun in this cursed land? And whose dumb-ass idea was it to run a house on solar power in a place that can go weeks without seeing any direct sunlight? Oh. Right.
Saturday, September 30
I actually managed to sleep in until 7am today. We took our time getting around in the morning, then headed into town to make several bank deposits, and buy some groceries and the last of our Arco supplies. We came back to the house with the intention of doing some more packing, but after looking at the half dozen piles of stuff we were planning on giving to people, we decided to spend the rest of the day playing Santa Claus. We didn't make it back to the house until after 10pm. Debbie went straight to bed, but I wasn't really tired, so I decided to do this instead.
See what I mean about "calming down?" Next week for sure....
Some random notes:
I want to know in what universe that honking your horn at someone that is sitting at a red light has ever aided in moving traffic. Every cab driver in Chicago does this. Whenever you see a street scene on TV or in a movie and there is this background noise of random honking, that's cab drivers just making random noise. The really funny part is that when they have a reason to honk, they don't. Cut off a cab and nearly run him into a parked car (which I did) and they won't touch the horn. They will loudly curse you in Arabic, but never the horn. But if you are sitting in front of one in a line of stationary cars at a red light, expect to get honked at two or three times before the light turns green. Maybe the major cities should follow the example of the town in Georgia that made punching someone for burning a flag a $50 ticket, and make punching a cabbie for superfluous horn usage a $25 or $50 fine.
While living in Flint and working in Detroit, I only wanted to get out of the city. Now that I've spent a couple days in Chicago after living in a rural area for seven-plus years, I can say without a doubt that I still have no desire to live in a city. That isn't meant as some generic city-bashing comment. I understand enough about economics to know that without the cities, the rural life I've been living would be impossible. I can also appreciate the role cities play as reservoirs of culture and science that just cannot be supported in a place like Traverse City. All I'm saying is that it just isn't for me.
Will Chicago ever finish building that damn expressway? They were working on in when I was there twenty years ago, they were still working on it when I was there ten years ago, and they are still working on it with no end in sight. This has to be some sort of all-time record for the biggest waste of taxpayer money and commuters' time in history.
Best line I heard the entire time I was in Chicago, spoken in the Shedd Aquarium by a woman my age while looking at an enclosure containing bright yellow poison dart frogs: "Look at those! They almost look real!"
A thought occurred to me watching preschool kids operating the computers used in the various displays at the Shedd Aquarium: If you think computers have radically changed things, just wait. You ain't seen nothin' yet.
OK; it's now very AM on Sunday.
Friday, September 22, 2006
LAST DAY!!! WOO HOOO!!!
This is it! I'm outa here! One more day of doing a lot of nothing and I Am Done!!!
For a little while. It's not like we hit the lottery or anything....
It says something when the your last day is the only time you can remember in several years that you actually looked forward to getting to work.
And to make life even sweeter, tonight is The Auction. Wednesday night, we almost killed ourselves loading a 24 foot truck with more crap than we had when we moved up here. Yesterday morning, our auctioneer and I unloaded it all at the American Legion hall. And that is it. I never have to touch any of it ever again. And now that the auction is out of the way, our attention can be completely focused on getting the house completely cleaned out and everything sorted into two piles: goes with us in the Durango on October 15th, or gets packed in plastic bins and stored in Debbie's mom's garage until we send for it or come back for it.
It also looks like we will be driving down to Chicago next week for some cruise training for Debbie. I'll just be wandering around downtown Chicago Thursday and Friday. I have a couple contacts there, so maybe I'll look them up.
Anyway, I need to take care of all the "last day" crap, so more later!
For a little while. It's not like we hit the lottery or anything....
It says something when the your last day is the only time you can remember in several years that you actually looked forward to getting to work.
And to make life even sweeter, tonight is The Auction. Wednesday night, we almost killed ourselves loading a 24 foot truck with more crap than we had when we moved up here. Yesterday morning, our auctioneer and I unloaded it all at the American Legion hall. And that is it. I never have to touch any of it ever again. And now that the auction is out of the way, our attention can be completely focused on getting the house completely cleaned out and everything sorted into two piles: goes with us in the Durango on October 15th, or gets packed in plastic bins and stored in Debbie's mom's garage until we send for it or come back for it.
It also looks like we will be driving down to Chicago next week for some cruise training for Debbie. I'll just be wandering around downtown Chicago Thursday and Friday. I have a couple contacts there, so maybe I'll look them up.
Anyway, I need to take care of all the "last day" crap, so more later!
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
About Time!
Finally, rational thought wins out over BS. The only news that could be better would be that Carson and Ruckleshaus are being charged at the Hague for mass genocide.
As you can tell from the sadly neglected blog, we are still somewhat preoccupied with the upcoming auction and relocating to Arizona. After the last week, I'm feeling better about where we are at. It will be tight, but we'll make it. Getting the auction stuff out of the house and garage will help a great deal with clearing some space we can use to unpack, sort, and re-pack what we have left after multiple garage sales, a week-long freecycle give-a-way, dump day, and just showing up at people's homes with bags of stuff that we "think they need." We started out with a volume of stuff that was simply amazing. I have no clue where it all came from, but I'm certainly glad that it's gone (or going very shortly). We are still a long way from being lean-and-mean, but we are a great deal closer than we were two months ago.
If you are in the Traverse City area on Friday, come check out the Frost Liquidation Auction at the American Legion Hall at 5pm!
As you can tell from the sadly neglected blog, we are still somewhat preoccupied with the upcoming auction and relocating to Arizona. After the last week, I'm feeling better about where we are at. It will be tight, but we'll make it. Getting the auction stuff out of the house and garage will help a great deal with clearing some space we can use to unpack, sort, and re-pack what we have left after multiple garage sales, a week-long freecycle give-a-way, dump day, and just showing up at people's homes with bags of stuff that we "think they need." We started out with a volume of stuff that was simply amazing. I have no clue where it all came from, but I'm certainly glad that it's gone (or going very shortly). We are still a long way from being lean-and-mean, but we are a great deal closer than we were two months ago.
If you are in the Traverse City area on Friday, come check out the Frost Liquidation Auction at the American Legion Hall at 5pm!
Monday, September 11, 2006
FREE STUFF!!!
We have over 30 linear feet of random stuff we are tossing into the landfill. If you think you may be interested in any of it, contact me or Debbie and we can set up a time for you to come and grab whatever you want. Anything left as of 9am on Saturday, September 16th goes to the semi-annual township dump day. I'd rather have my Saturday to do something other than making multiple trips to the township hall, so get your butts over to the house and get this stuff out of our garage!!
9 days, 4 hours, 38 minutes to go....
9 days, 4 hours, 38 minutes to go....
Friday, September 08, 2006
TWO WEEKS!!!!!!!!!
These will probably be the longest two weeks at work ever! It has been pretty quiet this week. I've already went through my old files and put info into our database (and created ALOT of stuff to shred!)
We got some more boxes to repack things up last night. Hopefully will get some more egg boxes tonite and more work done this weekend. We have the Frost reunion to go to Sat -- so not much work to be done that day.
Other than counting the days down, getting ready for the auction, and getting ready to move, not much else going on. Sorry for the boring blog for awhile.
We got some more boxes to repack things up last night. Hopefully will get some more egg boxes tonite and more work done this weekend. We have the Frost reunion to go to Sat -- so not much work to be done that day.
Other than counting the days down, getting ready for the auction, and getting ready to move, not much else going on. Sorry for the boring blog for awhile.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Mutiny
This article takes the recent refusal of a plane-load of Brits to board until two Muslim-looking men were removed from the plane, as a jumping-off point to look at the larger question: Just how much crap are we willing to take from our so-called superiors? The author's answer seems to be "not much more." I have my doubts, at least here in the U.S. We sit around and piss and moan, but the bottom line is that we are just too comfortable, too distracted, and too lazy to do anything about it.
This is one of those times that I hope to be very wrong. Unfortunately, we look more like Rome in decline every day.
This is one of those times that I hope to be very wrong. Unfortunately, we look more like Rome in decline every day.
Very Long Weekend
Last weekend was long and not just because of the Monday holiday. We worked our butts clean off all day Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. We are making good progress, but we are still not where I would like us to be. I'm sure we'll be OK, but I was hoping the last couple weeks in town would be somewhat relaxing instead of a flurry of last-minute activity. We may still achieve that, but it's a long way from certain at this point. We still have a lot of piles of stuff as well as some dark corners that have not been cleaned out yet. It may not be as bad as I think it will be, but there is always the chance. We do have a backup plan of sorts: we can always dump stuff in the cabin to get the house cleaned out, then worry about how to get everything out to Arizona at some future point. Who knows? We may discover a whole 'nother pile of stuff we really don't need.
Anyway, expect posting to be thin on the ground, and not too thought-provoking when they do appear. Crunch mode is upon us.
Anyway, expect posting to be thin on the ground, and not too thought-provoking when they do appear. Crunch mode is upon us.
Friday, September 01, 2006
Repetition
How many times do people need to be told a basic truth? He who pays the piper calls the tune. If you don't want government bureaucrats telling you what to do, then don't give them leverage by taking money they control. Knowing the sort of people who work for the government, they will still try to tell you what to do, but if you refuse their money, at least you're not volunteering to be nannied.
THREE WEEKS TO GO
Until we are done at our current jobs! YEAH!!!!!
Until the auction -- hopefully yeah -- lots of money!
What's new in our busy life?
Ric just got some RXs filled and we saw the "normal cost" -- ouch! I wonder how many we can go into Mexico and buy? If we both get jobs only at Arcosanti, they don't get health benefits until after A YEAR! That might be the deciding factor for me to find something else as a travel agent to get medical benefits sooner. Plus, I still like what I do (except for those people who don't know what they want!)
Still sorting/cleaning/packing things up. We found out we should repack the books and auction things in boxes we don't want back. (or make it well known our totes are not included) I stopped at two stores today and got some egg boxes. Now time to repack and label a few boxes of books. At least we have 3 weeks until the auction. It will go too fast, I know. We hope to get alot accomplished this long weekend. (Anybody want to volunteer to come help?! Stop at the grocery stores on your way here and ask for boxes!)
Had fun with strawberries and strawberry whip cream! ;-)
Thanks to Ric's Dad, I have been well supplied with fresh tomatoes. I love summer and tomatoes. I wonder how well they will taste in Arizona? I know I will miss having Koegel bologna/pickled bologna/hotdogs etc in Arizona. (At least I think they don't sell Koegel's down there)
Somebody is at it again --- drinking and cutting. Apparantely this time she cut too deep and "almost bled to death" She told Ric the reason she didn't go to the hospital was because they would probably commit her. Yeah---they would think she was trying to commit suicide and have her in the psych ward faster than you could blink an eye. She is still probably good at blaming others for what she does and trying to make them (and the person/people she tells about it) guilty.
Well---back to repacking those books. I had to come in to get a list of what was in each big tote before I started sorting down to small boxes. Tonite is the last regular Friday nite Beach Bums game and FIREWORKS!!! We will be there again. They won last night against the team that is in first currently. We play them again tonite. It should be a good game. Good teams and nice sunny weather -- grab me a brat or burger and I'll be all set!
Until the auction -- hopefully yeah -- lots of money!
What's new in our busy life?
Ric just got some RXs filled and we saw the "normal cost" -- ouch! I wonder how many we can go into Mexico and buy? If we both get jobs only at Arcosanti, they don't get health benefits until after A YEAR! That might be the deciding factor for me to find something else as a travel agent to get medical benefits sooner. Plus, I still like what I do (except for those people who don't know what they want!)
Still sorting/cleaning/packing things up. We found out we should repack the books and auction things in boxes we don't want back. (or make it well known our totes are not included) I stopped at two stores today and got some egg boxes. Now time to repack and label a few boxes of books. At least we have 3 weeks until the auction. It will go too fast, I know. We hope to get alot accomplished this long weekend. (Anybody want to volunteer to come help?! Stop at the grocery stores on your way here and ask for boxes!)
Had fun with strawberries and strawberry whip cream! ;-)
Thanks to Ric's Dad, I have been well supplied with fresh tomatoes. I love summer and tomatoes. I wonder how well they will taste in Arizona? I know I will miss having Koegel bologna/pickled bologna/hotdogs etc in Arizona. (At least I think they don't sell Koegel's down there)
Somebody is at it again --- drinking and cutting. Apparantely this time she cut too deep and "almost bled to death" She told Ric the reason she didn't go to the hospital was because they would probably commit her. Yeah---they would think she was trying to commit suicide and have her in the psych ward faster than you could blink an eye. She is still probably good at blaming others for what she does and trying to make them (and the person/people she tells about it) guilty.
Well---back to repacking those books. I had to come in to get a list of what was in each big tote before I started sorting down to small boxes. Tonite is the last regular Friday nite Beach Bums game and FIREWORKS!!! We will be there again. They won last night against the team that is in first currently. We play them again tonite. It should be a good game. Good teams and nice sunny weather -- grab me a brat or burger and I'll be all set!
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Been Busy, busy, busy
Hello Everyone!
No, we haven't dropped off the map yet! We've been busy sorting out all of our worldly possesions to decide what to sell at the auction next month, what to pack and store at my Mom's, what to take with us and what to give away or throw away. With at least 3 moves, who would have thunk we would have so much stuff left?!
Anyways...if you are in TC area, the auction will be Friday, September 22nd. Guns, computers, Partylite stuff, Pampered Chef stuff, oil paintings, reloading stuff, old electric stove, LOTS of books, and much more.
We still have a big pile of "free stuff" people can go through -- what doesn't get taken will be thrown away during the free fall clean up day. Contact us if you want to come have a look/see!
We went to the Friday nite Beach Bums game last week. The rain held off during the game, thankfully. It was a great game. The Beach Bums finally won it by one run. We had 5 new people with us this time. Our nephew Matt was the BEST! His sister Courtney said he embarrassed her, but she apparantely didn't mind too much, because she really wanted him to come to another game with us. Both Matt and Ric had to sing along (at the TOP OF THEIR LUNGS!) to the Sponge Bob Squarepants ditty. I think both Courtney and I shrunk down in our seats and pretended to not know the guys sitting next to us! :-) Matt brought his glove to the game, but didn't get a chance to catch a foul ball. :-( His sister did appreciate the "protection" so she wouldn't have to dive under the seat each time a ball came towards our section. Everyone comments on the GREAT FIREWORKS after the game. The fireworks are the reason we ONLY go on FRIDAYS. This Friday (Sept 1st) is the Beach Bum's last regular home game. Come join us to cheer them on, enjoy the mascots and happenings between innings and see some great FIREWORKS.
Our great-niece (Zoey) turns the big 1 on Sept 1st. I believe Ric put some pics of her on Flickr if you want to see what she looks like with cake all over her face! We have another great-niece/nephew on its way. It will arrive sometime in February. We won't be able to run up to the hospital to see Mom and baby :-( It might be summer before we come back to Michigan and be able to see and hold the newest addition to the Hurd family.
OBTW --- we will be heading out of Michigan around 15October. If you want to visit with us before we go, let us know. We are both done with our respective jobs on Sept 22nd. We will still be busy packing/sorting/etc, but would love to see you before we leave if it can be squeezed in. If you know anybody that wants to buy our house and some acreage, let us know! We will have to winterize it before we leave and hope it sells before all of our emergency fund runs out. Our emergency fund would be bigger if some people would pay us back. Sorry -- couldn't resist that zinger! I know some plan on it -- just later not sooner. One person (whose name begins with a N) hasn't begun paying back her LARGE amount. She "refuses" to pay me, but has said she will pay Ric. But, of course, he hasn't seen a red cent yet! With the move we will get better about not loaning money to everyone. Since we won't have any money coming in for at least 3-4 months it will be really easy to say NO!
No, we haven't dropped off the map yet! We've been busy sorting out all of our worldly possesions to decide what to sell at the auction next month, what to pack and store at my Mom's, what to take with us and what to give away or throw away. With at least 3 moves, who would have thunk we would have so much stuff left?!
Anyways...if you are in TC area, the auction will be Friday, September 22nd. Guns, computers, Partylite stuff, Pampered Chef stuff, oil paintings, reloading stuff, old electric stove, LOTS of books, and much more.
We still have a big pile of "free stuff" people can go through -- what doesn't get taken will be thrown away during the free fall clean up day. Contact us if you want to come have a look/see!
We went to the Friday nite Beach Bums game last week. The rain held off during the game, thankfully. It was a great game. The Beach Bums finally won it by one run. We had 5 new people with us this time. Our nephew Matt was the BEST! His sister Courtney said he embarrassed her, but she apparantely didn't mind too much, because she really wanted him to come to another game with us. Both Matt and Ric had to sing along (at the TOP OF THEIR LUNGS!) to the Sponge Bob Squarepants ditty. I think both Courtney and I shrunk down in our seats and pretended to not know the guys sitting next to us! :-) Matt brought his glove to the game, but didn't get a chance to catch a foul ball. :-( His sister did appreciate the "protection" so she wouldn't have to dive under the seat each time a ball came towards our section. Everyone comments on the GREAT FIREWORKS after the game. The fireworks are the reason we ONLY go on FRIDAYS. This Friday (Sept 1st) is the Beach Bum's last regular home game. Come join us to cheer them on, enjoy the mascots and happenings between innings and see some great FIREWORKS.
Our great-niece (Zoey) turns the big 1 on Sept 1st. I believe Ric put some pics of her on Flickr if you want to see what she looks like with cake all over her face! We have another great-niece/nephew on its way. It will arrive sometime in February. We won't be able to run up to the hospital to see Mom and baby :-( It might be summer before we come back to Michigan and be able to see and hold the newest addition to the Hurd family.
OBTW --- we will be heading out of Michigan around 15October. If you want to visit with us before we go, let us know. We are both done with our respective jobs on Sept 22nd. We will still be busy packing/sorting/etc, but would love to see you before we leave if it can be squeezed in. If you know anybody that wants to buy our house and some acreage, let us know! We will have to winterize it before we leave and hope it sells before all of our emergency fund runs out. Our emergency fund would be bigger if some people would pay us back. Sorry -- couldn't resist that zinger! I know some plan on it -- just later not sooner. One person (whose name begins with a N) hasn't begun paying back her LARGE amount. She "refuses" to pay me, but has said she will pay Ric. But, of course, he hasn't seen a red cent yet! With the move we will get better about not loaning money to everyone. Since we won't have any money coming in for at least 3-4 months it will be really easy to say NO!
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Life In Our Nation's Capital
As reported in the Northern Express "News of the Weird" column (Volume 16, Number 34):
P.S. Blogging may be light this week as we cram to get ready for our auction on September 22. I know that sounds like a long way away, but we basically have to have everything ready this week so the auctioneer can start running ads and distributing flyers.
The prime suspects (and their addresses) in a July murder-robbery in Washington, D.C., were actually known to police a month earlier (thanks to a tip from a previous robbery victim), but police didn't pick them up until after the murder, according to a July Washington Post report.Keep in mind, Washington D.C. is run by the same fine individuals that think they are qualified to tell you how to raise your children, how to build your house, how to drive, what to consume, who you can marry, and how your body is buried when you die. I seem to recall some verses in the Bible that discuss eyes and lumber that may apply here.
In June, the D.C. inspector general reported that the mugging death of a former New York Times reporter involved "complacency and indifference" by almost all police and rescue personnel involved, from ambulance crew to investigating officers to hospital doctors, resulting in the victim, who was severely beaten, being treated merely as a street drunk.
In June, the D.C. police's crime-solving average went down as investigators found 119 more unsolved crimes that had been originally written up only as "injuries."
P.S. Blogging may be light this week as we cram to get ready for our auction on September 22. I know that sounds like a long way away, but we basically have to have everything ready this week so the auctioneer can start running ads and distributing flyers.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Pastafarianism
I'm currently reading through The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster written by Bobby Henderson. I have to be careful reading it at work; people tend to think you're looney when you set in your cube laughing for an hour straight.
Anyway, if you would like to know more about Pastafarianism, please visit the site for the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
RAmen.
Anyway, if you would like to know more about Pastafarianism, please visit the site for the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
RAmen.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
The Former Airline Industry
I seems the British airline industry is doing a SCO.
Investment tip: buy Greyhound.
Personally, I'm driving. The risk to my personal safety while driving vs. flying is much lower once you consider the likelihood that I will sucker-punch some dumb-ass TSA agent. I understand they don't appreciate that sort of thing.
Investment tip: buy Greyhound.
Personally, I'm driving. The risk to my personal safety while driving vs. flying is much lower once you consider the likelihood that I will sucker-punch some dumb-ass TSA agent. I understand they don't appreciate that sort of thing.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Teens and Sex
Funniest thing I've heard in years: "Saying condoms will cause more teens to have sex is like saying my car having headlights makes the sun set."
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Defeat
I see Israel lost the war with Lebanon/Hizbollah. I should start a pool on how many days before the first rocket is fired from south Lebanon into Israel. I wouldn't bother to take bets out past thirty days.
EXCUSES
EXCUSES for when you are caught NAPPING
1. They told me at the blood bank this might happen
2. This is just a 15 minute power nap like they raved about in my MBA course
3. I was working smarter --- not harder
4. I wasn't sleeping! I was meditating on the mission statement and envisioning a new paradigm!
5. This is one of the seven habits of highly effective people!
6. I'm actually doing a Stress Level Elimination Exercise Plan
7. This is in exchange for the six hours last night when I dreamed about work
8. The coffee machine is broken....
9. A man flipped out and pulled a gun so I was playing dead to avoid getting shot
10. Why did you interrupt me? I had almost figured out a solution to our strategic dilemma.
1. They told me at the blood bank this might happen
2. This is just a 15 minute power nap like they raved about in my MBA course
3. I was working smarter --- not harder
4. I wasn't sleeping! I was meditating on the mission statement and envisioning a new paradigm!
5. This is one of the seven habits of highly effective people!
6. I'm actually doing a Stress Level Elimination Exercise Plan
7. This is in exchange for the six hours last night when I dreamed about work
8. The coffee machine is broken....
9. A man flipped out and pulled a gun so I was playing dead to avoid getting shot
10. Why did you interrupt me? I had almost figured out a solution to our strategic dilemma.
Monday, August 14, 2006
Cha-Ching!!
The Yard Sale, Part II went off without a hitch (other than one price-tag switcher that Debbie busted on one item, but got away with it on a second) and netted us another 6 bills or so towards the big move to Arcosonti. There was also significant volume reduction, which is at least as important as the cash. We are having one more sale on Labor Day weekend, then whatever is left will be thrown away or given away. The only exceptions will be some larger items (like some oil paintings) that will be auctioned or taken to a consignment shop. I'm still shooting to fit my personal stuff in two suitcases and a tote. If I keep throwing out clothes, that may be one suitcase and a tote. Once we get rid of the rest of the furniture we don't want, we will be down to about five pieces of furniture that we will eventually have to drive out to Arizona. I'm thinking we may even be able to cut that down further once we figure the cost of transporting some items 2,000 miles vs. just buying new once we get there.
My new goal: getting rid of stuff. I've spent 40 years as a typical American consumer seeing how big of a pile of crap I can accumulate; now I'll be shedding most of it over the next couple months. The funny thing is that once you shift from "accumulating mode" to "shedding mode," stuff just loses its appeal. I used to walk through a store thinking, "Wow, that would be cool to have!" Now, it's just something else I have to a) figure out how to pay for, b) figure out how to get to Arizona, and c) once it's there, find a place for in a 400-600 square foot apartment. Why bother? If I can't eat it, I'm not going to die without it. Let the next person spend their cash on it.
My new goal: getting rid of stuff. I've spent 40 years as a typical American consumer seeing how big of a pile of crap I can accumulate; now I'll be shedding most of it over the next couple months. The funny thing is that once you shift from "accumulating mode" to "shedding mode," stuff just loses its appeal. I used to walk through a store thinking, "Wow, that would be cool to have!" Now, it's just something else I have to a) figure out how to pay for, b) figure out how to get to Arizona, and c) once it's there, find a place for in a 400-600 square foot apartment. Why bother? If I can't eat it, I'm not going to die without it. Let the next person spend their cash on it.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Best and Worst
Here is a description of some else's best job ever. I've had jobs that were close, but not that good. One had lots of food and alcohol, another let you wear jeans, one even doubled my pay in a single raise (of course I was making minimum wage, but still...). But I've never experienced anything like what Trix describes. You could get a close approximation of my current job by taking the exact opposite of each of the 12 points.
And Scott Adams describes the worst job ever here. I love his solutions for the middle east. My only disagreement is that he pulls his punches by saying his solutions aren't "THAT much worse than the current method." Actually, they are no worse, and probably better than what we are doing now.
And Scott Adams describes the worst job ever here. I love his solutions for the middle east. My only disagreement is that he pulls his punches by saying his solutions aren't "THAT much worse than the current method." Actually, they are no worse, and probably better than what we are doing now.
Monday, August 07, 2006
Follow-up on Homeschooling
We are constantly being lectured how the public schools are the first line of defense against physical and sexual abuse at home. It looks to me like they just don't like the competition.
Friday, August 04, 2006
Christians vs. the Lions
OK, so it really isn't lions, just Michael Moore. If you are not from the Traverse City area, you are probably not aware that this week is the Second Annual Traverse City Film Festival. Michael Moore is a big part of putting the event together, and sort of hangs around town. I blogged about bumping into him last year. Last year, the religious right staged a counter-festival during the first ever TC Film Fest. I don't know anyone that went; I heard reports of fewer than a dozen people showing up to see their one film, Top Gun. That's right, folks. The religious right's answer to Michael Moore was to show a profanity- and nudity-laced, homo-erotic, soft-core porn flick.
Anyway, this year it seems Michael Moore arranged to show a documentary about a Christian summer camp. Afterwards, Magnolia Films, a Christian movie distributor, acquired the North American distribution rights and wants Michael Moore to yank it from the film festival a week before it was scheduled to start. Understand that pretty much all the movies were sold out a month ago. So the Film Festival organizers are supposed to somehow contact hundreds of ticket-holders, many from out of town, to tell them the film has been canceled and how to obtain refunds because, according to the president of Magnolia Films, "...if Michael Moore endorses it, tens of millions will automatically reject it." Well, first of all, you should have thought of that before you purchased distribution rights. Secondly, tough titty. It's not the fault of hundreds of ticket-holders for this film, not alone Michael Moore, that your major market consists of a bunch of semi-retarded pouters.
So tell me; do Christians ever turn up an opportunity to make themselves look stupid? Ever?
Anyway, this year it seems Michael Moore arranged to show a documentary about a Christian summer camp. Afterwards, Magnolia Films, a Christian movie distributor, acquired the North American distribution rights and wants Michael Moore to yank it from the film festival a week before it was scheduled to start. Understand that pretty much all the movies were sold out a month ago. So the Film Festival organizers are supposed to somehow contact hundreds of ticket-holders, many from out of town, to tell them the film has been canceled and how to obtain refunds because, according to the president of Magnolia Films, "...if Michael Moore endorses it, tens of millions will automatically reject it." Well, first of all, you should have thought of that before you purchased distribution rights. Secondly, tough titty. It's not the fault of hundreds of ticket-holders for this film, not alone Michael Moore, that your major market consists of a bunch of semi-retarded pouters.
So tell me; do Christians ever turn up an opportunity to make themselves look stupid? Ever?
Thursday, August 03, 2006
War in the Middle East
If you want to know why any cease fire is a waste of time, read this. It's pretty simple, folks. This has nothing to do with right-wing vs. left-wing politics in the U.S. Israel's back is literally against the wall. They obviously understand this even if the nutters we elect to "lead" us are willfully ignorant of it.
I'll make it very simple so even the mental defects that occasionally wander through here can understand:
A man is standing in your living room pointing a gun at your wife. Both of your children are lying on the floor in pools of their own blood with half their faces missing. Do you a) call the police and request a negotiator, or b) grab the .44 Mag out of the nightstand and blow the son of a bitch away?
I'll make it very simple so even the mental defects that occasionally wander through here can understand:
A man is standing in your living room pointing a gun at your wife. Both of your children are lying on the floor in pools of their own blood with half their faces missing. Do you a) call the police and request a negotiator, or b) grab the .44 Mag out of the nightstand and blow the son of a bitch away?
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Home Schooling
I haven't touched on this in a while probably because I don't have that much contact with kids who are being home schooled anymore. One of the constant criticisms against home schooling parents is that they are not "qualified" to teach. This is certainly anecdotal, and everyone knows a single data point does not make a trend, but I ask again, just how hard is it to educate kids? How "qualified" does one need to be to teach basic math, reading, cursive and/or print handwriting? (Personally, I think cursive should go on the dung heap along with quill pens; if you want to write "pretty" buy a calligraphy set.) If that is all you ever teach your kid, combined with a library card and internet access, and restricted access to mindless entertainment like movies and the vast wasteland of cable TV, they will know more at 18 than 80% of the graduates from your local high school. Throw in algebra, geometry, and hard-core writing classes (which can be had cheaply or free through dozens of internet sites or your local community college, if you yourself don't know those subjects) and they will know more at 18 than 80% of the college graduates from your state university system.
Don't turn your kids over to the brain-suckers. Home schooling is hardly ideal, but given what our public schools have become and the outrageous cost of private schools, it's the only answer for most families.
Don't turn your kids over to the brain-suckers. Home schooling is hardly ideal, but given what our public schools have become and the outrageous cost of private schools, it's the only answer for most families.
Hotter in Michigan
Just a tidbit of info ... it is hotter today here in TC area than it is by Arcosanti (Arizona)
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