More Hassle

Just found out today that everybody in my row (eight rigs) has to move into the new part of the park on Monday. This is so the City can put in a sewer line for these sites (they've already done the row across from us). They were supposed to have the new part done months ago and are just now getting it ready. They're putting down gravel now. Let's hope it's well packed by the time we move in. Supposedly, we'll be in those sites for a week. Un huh.

Long Good Day

The Lindas routed me out at 9am this morning for a long day of sightseeing and errands. We began by heading down through South Coffeyville, which is actually in Oklahoma. On the outskirts of Bartlesville OK, we found Yocham Saddlery. Here's a pic of the sign and the building. We're in the West, y'all. They have a large area set aside for finished goods, and an equally large area where they make things, including upholstery for chairs, beds, etc. One small couch was going to Luchese Boot Co. the man said. Oooh, high dollar outfit, I said. Well, he said, that's what he said about me. We were free to wander around watching the guys work and they were very nice about answering all sorts of questions. They had a bunch of stingray material, really tough and scratchy.

Then it was off to the Tom Mix Museum, where we actually saw the Suitcase of Death (the metal one that hit his head during the car crash and broke his neck). Lots of neat costumes and leather work. Here's a pic of the mural on the building.




Then we hit Walmart. I had my list so it took me awhile. I got back to the truck to discover that we were eating a bit there and then they had gotten a Boston Cream Pie to celebrate Linda S.'s birthday. She of course is a mere child.

The highlight of the day was in Dewey OK. Frank Lloyd Wright's only skyscraper is there, built for Mr. Price back in the 1950s. It's 17 or so stories, lots of copper (Price had a chemical company that worked with pipes). It now houses a restaurant, a hotel, an architectural research area, and some offices. There's a small gift shop. Trademarks include lots of odd angles, custom furniture (not always comfortable), fabulous detailing. Here's a couple of pics that don't really do it justice.

We got taken into the penthouse with enormous two-story windows with automatic drapes, loft bedroom; and the owner's office. Halls are very small and the elevators hold three max (okay, five close friends). Great building.


The Lindas went to the Phillips Petroleum Museum while I sat in the car and read. Then we started out homeward trek. Got back about 5.30. A full and pleasant day. Have now had some dinner, put the groceries away, and am ready to kick back. What cabin fever?!

Plans? What Plans?

So I'm going a little stir-crazy. Remember, I arrived here on 16 Oct. and haven't had anything to do since them. I thought I would take myself off today and wander the countryside a little. I would drop in at Dave's Pizza in Coldwater, who gives free pizza to Toyhome owners. And there are a couple of offbeat attractions I was going to check out. However, yesterday the wind really kicked up to about 50mph and I came down with a resounding allergy attack, the remnants of which are still with me (sinuses full etc). Also, it's supposed to be a high in the 50s today.

I'm now planning to wander off on Thursday, when it'll be in the 70s and I will have newly emptied tanks. Much easier driving. By then the eyes will have stopped watering, I hope. I just have to keep myself amused till then. It's hard even to go walking because of the wind. I hate wind. Well, wind over 20mph anyhow. I'm pleased that I ponied up the money to get internet access for two months as it means I can play on the web all I want. It's not cheap but it certainly has paid off in keeping me from climbing the walls (which I can do in my rig without my feet leaving the floor).

TTFN

D&D Detritus

Stumbled across my sheets from one of the early times (maybe the earliest) that I played D&D. Now, this was way back in the Dark Ages of 1st edition so everything had to be written down and the DM had to consult the book every roll of the dice. Speaking of which, I had my dice set up to about a year ago. Anyhow, character name was Llanwyr. Fighter/magic user. Male. Half-elf. Neutral--chaotic. List of goodies: +1 armor plate, flail, heavy crossbow, dagger, hand axe, ten +1 arrows, ten regular arrows, quiver, belladonna, medium warhorse w/armor, torches w/oil and tinder box, saddlebags, watered wine and food, cross, staff of command. Then there's a whole bunch of items acquired and then some were used (crossed off list). Lots of the notations no longer make any sense to me. Fun to read over. Now I can throw them away.

Seems to me though that there was another time and another character who was a thief/assassin but don't seem to have data left on that experience. I remember playing some at UNC-Avl and got made a Paladin in the Azure Blue game (Forgotten Realms) by the DM, who was also the police chief in Marion NC at the time. I found being the Paladin pretty boring and I'm not a particularly good actor either, so no fun was had by any.

Nasty Blast

Yesterday it rained all day with some thunder and lightning. Now, it's mostly clear and blowing hard and much cooler (high in the 50s instead of the 70s). However, it's supposed to be warm again by tomorrow. My rig is protected from east and west by the monster rigs next to me, but the north end is open to weather all the way to Canada. Can you see me? Look just past the pickup. Yes, that little teeny backend is me (I mean, it's my rig).

Am going through books at a rapid rate. Must resist the temptation to trundle off to Tulsa (75 miles) or Wichita (350 miles) just to resupply. Will be hitting the permanent library hard. May even get out the decoupage stuff and attempt to be crafty.

Am really enjoying playing with iPhoto and learning all it can do. It, however, is really tedious to upload to the web with. I tried Picasa but it doesn't have a program to upload many at a time for my mac's level (10.3). Rats. Am trying some arty stuff and wish to share but need feedback (and you know who I mean). Did get some feedback from B & MA on the ones I sent them -- thanks.

First Excursion

The Lindas kindly took me along today for an outing. They toured me through historic Coffeyville to see the bank the Dalton Gang tried to rob and into Death Alley where they died, along with four townpeople in the shootout. The plaque on the side of the building tells about the shootout and has a mural on the sidewalk of the four dead Dalton Gang members. Major claim to fame of the town.

Then we were off to Independence which has a Wal-mart Supercenter. I didn't need much but it's always a challenge in a new store to find things. There's going to be a carnival in town soon for Neewollah (halloween backwards, so clever). Saw "caramel apples" and "bbq" trailers being pulled into the WM parking lot.

Really annoyed at Amazon right now. Not only have I lost two weeks wages, but when you start work there they ease you into the work in what they call a "hardening" process whereby you only work 3 hrs the first day and 5 hrs the next three days. So instead of working 40 hrs you only work 18. More lost wages. Not only that but the mininum regular workers start at is $13 an hour and we workampers only get paid $11/hr. Is that fair? So my mood is steadily darkening about this "opportunity" but I'm here now and need the money to support me for the rest of the winter and into spring. May make a difference about coming back next year, though. We'll see.

Rain forecast and then chilly weather. Got myself a new pair of velour booties to keep my feet warm. May put up the plastic today or tomorrow.

TTFN

Claims to Fame

Well, it turns out Coffeyville does have some claims to fame:

The infamous Dalton Gang tried to rob two banks at once in this town and were killed in a big gunfight (1892). There's a museum called the Dalton Defenders Museum. In "Death Alley" you can still see bullet holes in the brick wall.

It's also the hometown of Wendell Wilkie and Walter "Big Train" Johnson (baseball). And the Funk aircraft was built here 1941-48.

Population in the city is 11,060, and the whole county has 36,252 people. There are 39 churches and one bookstore. Independence, the "big town" nearby has two bookstore, one new books and one used. But there's both a regular Walmart and a supercenter WM. Ah, priorities.

Blowing Kansas

No, not leaving, just looking out the window at 40mph winds blowing through the trees and rocking my little RV some. It's sunny and warm, though.

I have successfully figured out how to transfer pix from my new digital camera to my computer and have been cropping and adjusting brightness/contrast and having great fun. I have just now added a photo to my profile. Yah! I'm feeling very clever so don't anybody spoil it by telling me how easy this all really is.

Yesterday was a social hour potluck of all the workampers. There's about 100 of us. Mark, owner of the employment agency that we're actually employees of, was on hand to talk about the delayed start for some of us and the shortened hours for some. Reassurance that we do have jobs with (gasp!) the possibility of overtime (yes!); it's just starting later than normal. Next year, there will be a new RV park right across the road from Amazon itself so there'll be no need for carpooling. Am thinking now that this makes a good winter job so will probably plan on coming back next year.

Linda S & Linda B, friends of Cindy & Wendy whom I met at RVW, have been very nice and helpful. If I'm on the same shift, I can carpool with them, and they'll let me know whenever they're going out to shop or do laundry or whatever so I can go along. Hooray! I could unhook each time but what a pain it would be.

Am doing household chores to keep myself occupied. Washed the windows outside yesterday. Cleaned the floor. Plan to take out all the vent screens and clean them (one needs replacing). Then I'll wash all the inside windows and install plastic (for the Kansas winter). Also plan to put plastic on the screen door but haven't figured out how to accommodate the outside door handle; maybe just make a slit in the plastic. But would reduce its effectiveness, wouldn't it. Hmmm. Maybe I'll see if I can acquire a piece of acrylic cut to fit the top of the screendoor; it already has a piece in the bottom section; that would help a lot.

Maybe I'll venture out a little later, when it gets even warmer, and take some more pics. Just don't want to get (a) grit in my eyes, or (b) blown away.

Best Laid Plans etc etc

I'm so annoyed and irritated and irked and fuming, and all those other red states of mind. Today I got to the employment office that handles Amazon hiring, only to have them say, Oh Didn't we call you to say the start date has been put off for two weeks???? So here I am twiddling my thumbs (and other things) in beautiful Coffeyville Kansas for two whole weeks. Which means, you understand, two weeks less in wages. They are paying for the park site, which has trees, water, and electricity, but only pay-for internet and no cable TV. What shall I do, what shall I do.

Fortunately, I happened on a couple on the way into the park who said, Come park by us, we've been waiting for a small class C to arrive. And on the other side is the Linda-Linda couple I was told to watch for by the couple I met at the RVW convention. One of the Lindas walked up and said, are you Lindig? I said, are you Linda? Laughing and hugging all round.

So life could be worse, I suppose. It's just that if I have to lollygag somewhere, SE Kansas wouldn't be my first choice. Amazon is also cutting the hours back some. Y'all need to get out there and buy buy buy.

Going to Kansas

Will be heading out tomorrow morning. Planning on about 300 miles a day to arrive in Independence Kansas on Friday.

Have done most of the errands and chores I planned to do and others will just have to get done along the way. Did a dump and grocery shopped yesterday. Got hairs cut and did laundry today. A couple of social things to do yet and then I'll be done. Need to put away a few loose things.

Tomorrow do the routine of turning off, unplugging, detaching, etc. and then I'll be off.

It's been a great two weeks (well, except for the cold which I'm still shaking off). Looking forward to being back in Asheville for March 09.

Coo coo a choo

is what I think I should have put.

I Am the Lustee

Boop boop a doop. And yum yum, too.

Never mind. Private joke.

Had a fabulous dinner yestereve with Gillian and Amy at Kanpai downtown. Thai and Japanese cuisine, elegant spot. Had Beef Negimaki appetizer (best I've ever had) and Tuna Tataki, also excellent. Gillian had a chicken dish and Amy had a shrimp dish and I had the seafood combo that came in a clay pot with shrimp, scallops, squid, mussels, glass noodles, peppers, etc etc. It was excellent. Finished off with green tea ice cream and mango ice cream. Fine time had by all.

Got signed up for an absentee ballot. If you don't vote, you don't get to complain.

Got my Modesty/Buffy fix -- two issues of Modesty!! and five of Buffy!! Sigh of satisfaction. Other satisfactions will have to wait, though there was one special moment of satisfaction.

Tonight I'm being taken to Vincenzo's, one of my favorite places, by Blair and Mary-Anne. We will gorge on great food and then gorge on the season opener of CSI.

Ghibli's checkup

Took him in for a checkup today. Very odd being without a home for a day. Hung out on Mary-Anne's porch mostly, drinking tea and reading. The only thing found wrong was a leaky windshield washer pump, otherwise it was basic maintenance and pumping up the airbags in the rear. I don't know who was driving it at the garage but they must have been practicing their drag race starts and stops. Everything in the house was tossed around and the air conditioner filter and cover had been knocked out of the AC. Also, the water pitcher (which rides in the sink) was totally knocked over and drained of water. None of this happens when I drive it. Humph.

Also got the admin password on this computer reset. You remember, I mentioned that I had set up a clever password which I was sure I would never forget and promptly forgot. So for the last six months or so I haven't been able to update any applications etc. It cost $25 and took about 30 minutes at Charlotte St. Computers. So far I've installed two updates. I feel much better now.

Tomorrow is a day off during which I get to drag out all the sewer hoses and inspect them, remove everything from the storage rack bins in back and inspect and rearrange, and do other basic things necessary before I leave on the 14th.

Sept. Books Read & Past Week

So I've spent most of the past week being semi-sick and finally today feel much better. Mary-Anne and I went over to Hazel and John's for cards etc. Gave John a pen from Fallingwater, and Hazel a "bookwyrm with dragon" bookbag. Next week is shaping up to be packed with stuff to do and folk to see. Tomorrow is brunch with Mary Jo, dump the black and gray tanks, and dinner at Amy's with an episode of "True Blood," the new series based on the Charlaine Harris "Sookie Stackhouse" books. So a pretty full day. Monday the RV goes in the shop for minor maintenance. Wednesday and Thursday are filling up, as is Saturday. I still have to fit in some must dos, like getting my Modesty Blaise and Buffy fix (and more).

Not as many books as usual in a month, but remember that I spent a week on the road and a week at the convention, so didn't have as much time for reading.

Author (*=perm.lib.),Title,Genre,When,Rating,Finish,Comments
*Brockmann, Suzanne, Forever Blue, thriller/romance, good, yes.
---, Frisco's Kids, thriller/romance, good, yes.
---,Harvard's Education, thriller/romance, good, yes.
*Child, Lee, Hard Way, thriller, good, no, Jack Reacher series; read it before!
*Gilman, Laura Anne, Bring It On, fantasy, good, no, Retrievers series; well done urban fantasy (had read before)
---, Freefall, fantasy, good, no, Retrievers series
*Graham, Caroline, Death in Disguise, mystery, good, no, a little too satiric/parodic and "British" humor"
*Harris Butcher et al, Many Bloody Returns, paranormal, good, yes.
*Harris, Charlaine, Shakespeare's Christmas, mystery, good, yes. Lily Bard. Want my own copy for perm.lib.
*Harrison Sands et al, Dates From Hell, pararomance, medium, yes.
*Huff, Tanya, Confederation of Valor, sf, good, yes, Confederation series; excellent military sf w/female lead
---, Heart of Valor, sf, good, yes, Confederation series
---, Long Hot Summoning, fantasy, good, no, Keeper Chronicles 3; too much of a muchness
---, Second Summoning, fantasy, good, no, Keeper Chronicles 2; getting just a trifle "chick-lit-y"
---, Summon the Keeeper, fantasy, good, yes, Keeper Chronicles 1. Clever, and funny, too.
*Jackson, Lisa, Left to Die, thriller, medium, no, serial killer, women victims, love conquers all, yadda yadda.
*Liu, Marjorie, Iron Hunt, fantasy, good, yes, Excellent, dense, not an easy read, helps to know classical mythology.
*Murphy, C.E. House of Cards, fantasy, good, no, main character ""Grit"" in love w/gargoyle -- how cute; well-written, densely plotted, but somehow all are "archetypal" and thus not quite 3-D.
*Richardson, Kat, Greywalker, paranormal, good, yes, Harper Blaine 1. Had read it before.
---, Poltergeist, paranormal, good, yes. Harper Blaine 2
---, Underground, paranormal, good, yes. Harper Blaine 3
*Vaughn, Carrie, Kitty Goes to Washington, paranormal, good, no, female werewolf.
---, Kitty & the Silver Bullet, paranormal, good, no.
---, Kitty Takes a Holiday, paranormal, good, no.

Some Welcome Home

I'm having a massive sinus attack, as is Mary-Anne and Joe. Seems Daniel brought something home from school (of course, he's not sick). Cough cough, sneeze sneeze, drip drip. Boring.

I did rearrange all the bins in the cabover and culled a few more items. I now have a real bed set up in the cabover section, with high density foam and memory foam. There's reading lights set in the wall and I got one of those cushions with arms to read in bed. No fear of falling off the 20 inch sofa any more, and my feet don't hang out into space. I'm pleased.

Tomorrow, I think I'll go through all my tools and supplies and neaten and cull and arrange them. Just for the fun of it, you know. I hope this nasal nastiness will start passing off soon.