Movable Book Lady

Movie Night

2012-01-27T09:17:00.002-05:00

Red Sun

Stars: Charles Bronson, Toshiro Mifune, Alain Delon, Ursula Andress, Capucine

Wild West meets Samurai Bushido. Bronson's gang stops and robs a train, which just happens to be carrying the Japanese ambassador to Washington to present a fabulous sword to the U.S. president (U.S. Grant). During the robbery, the gang's second-in-command betrays Bronson, leaving him for dead and taking the sword. The ambassador gives Mifune the sacred mission of retrieving the sword in one week and sends him off with Bronson. A fair amount of hilarity ensues as Bronson attempts to overpower or thwart the "man in a skirt" but, of course, Mifune outwits him easily.

During a fight, after Bronson challenges Mifune to put down his "hardware," TM throws CB all over the landscape. Eventually, the exhausted CB rolls over, looks at TM, and says, "You look like you're getting tired. Why don't we call it a draw?"

Anyhow, CB eventually forces TM to give his word he won't kill Delon ("Gauche") asap because CB needs to know the location of the stolen gold from the train. They kidnap Andress (Delon's girlfriend) and force her to take them to Delon's hideout but wind up in an ruined church instead, where they are surprised by Delon's gang. Unfortunately, some Comanches are also pissed at all these foreigners wandering around in their territory. So there's a battle in the church, and then the remaining four (CB, TM, AD, UA) get out into the canebrake and pick off the Indians from cover.

When it's over, CB, TM, and AD face off. AD shoots TM and CB decides that the samurai's honor is worth not knowing where the gold is. Beside, AD is just too bad to live. In the last scene, the ambassador's train returns to the depot and the sword is hanging from the telegraph wires, waiting to finish its journey.

One of my favorite westerns. Mifune as a samurai? Of course. Bronson at his stalwart best, and funny to boot? Yes. Alain Delon (in his U.S. debut) for pretty? What's not to like. And of course, the horses. Filming was in different parts of Spain and the horses all have that Spanish action; UA's horses was very obviously Andalucian. Gorgeous.

Neither Bruce nor Amy had seen this one, so it was a big hit.

Next week: Circle of Iron, a martial artist's journey, original story by Bruce Lee.

RIP Etta James

2012-01-20T15:14:00.000-05:00

I'd Rather Be Blind, with Dr. John

Movie Night

2012-01-20T08:39:00.004-05:00

So, continuing Bruce's education in the classics of cinema, we watched "The Raven," directed by Roger Corman, screenplay by Richard Matheson, starring Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre, a very young Jack Nicholson, two unknown women, and three very small parts by unknowns.

True to Corman's efficient methods, the entire cast is nine people and there are no costume changes at all. The whole thing was probably done in a month. And like many others of his films, it's a classic (B genre).

And it's quite funny, too. Amy thought the plume on Jack's hat was distracting and we were both amazed that it stayed on through all the derring-do.

Next week: a double bill with a dance documentary and a HK kung-fu movie with Bruce Lee.

Reading while Coughing

2012-01-12T19:58:00.002-05:00

Am sort of under the weather with sore throat and cough and mild headache. Not sure if it's trying to work up to being something more concrete, like a cold, or if it's some kind of allergy, or if it's just being a "thing." Meanwhile, I've been on a small Star Trek (original series) binge. I have about 10 of the books and re-read them occasionally. So far, I've read

Uhura's Song
The Vulcan Academy Murders
The IDIC Epidemic (sequel to VAM)
and just started
Doctor's Orders

Not sure whether I'll go on and read the others or maybe switch over to Dick Francis favorites. I do have some new stuff to read but I'm in the mood for "comfort food for the mind."

Grammar Nazi

2012-01-06T23:34:00.002-05:00

is me. Aaarrrgh. I read a lot of "academic" type blogs by professional linguists, physicists, biologists, etc etc yada yada. And I am astonished and appalled at the quality of their grammar (and spelling, too). Most of them don't seem to know the difference between/among;

its / it's
your / you're
there / they're / their
important / importantly (a particular peeve of mine)

and on and on. Not only that, someone will make a snide remark about an OP's grammar/spelling and make his/her/its own mistake in their snideness. Of course, it's getting really bad in books, too -- proofreading seems to be a totally omitted stage of production.

Gnash.

Dispatcher job

2011-12-28T13:03:00.002-05:00

Got a nice letter today saying they'd taken the top applicants for interview but sadly I wasn't one of them. Thanks but no thanks.

Damn damn damn.

So much for starting off the new year with good news, at least for me. Hope everybody else's goes well.

Teaching Myself

2011-12-22T21:18:00.001-05:00

With a little help, I've just learned how to embed a video. That's why you got these two. Enjoy.

Happy holidays etc

2011-12-22T20:24:00.001-05:00

Re test

2011-12-22T17:12:00.002-05:00

I hadn't ever embedded a video before, so I was trying it out. I had tried to do one in a forum I frequent and it didn't work, so I had to get some help and try it again and, of course, it worked fine.

Hope y'all liked the test video. Paco de Lucia is the best!

test

2011-12-22T16:58:00.000-05:00

Job Test

2011-12-17T00:56:00.002-05:00

Today I went to the Buncombe Co. Communications Center to test for the position of Dispatcher. This is to winnow out those they want to interview later. After a short tour of the comm. center itself, which also includes the Asheville PD and the Fire/ER as well as Bunc. Co., we went into the testing room. First we had a typing test which included typing the same thing three times. The first time, I went so fast I ran out of text so they reset the time to 2 minutes instead of 3 minutes. My wpm was pretty good (65), considering I haven't typed anything sustained in some while.

Then we put on headphones and listened to two fake phone calls, one for a missing child and one armed robbery. We were to type as we listened and try to get all the necessary info. I think I did okay.

They have another test session on Monday and then will decide who they want to interview. They'll call later in the week to set appointments but they won't start until after New Year's. There is one part-time position open, which I told them I'd be interested in (nobody else was). The money's good (about $12/hr) and the center is about 5mi from here, out near Erwin H.S. Wish me luck.

Sad news: Etta James is near death from leukemia. A great lady and a great blues/jazz singer. She'll be missed.

Hope everyone has as nice a holiday/new year as possible.

RIP

2011-12-16T10:52:00.000-05:00

Christopher Hitchens

ferociously intelligent, ferociously atheist, ferociously sane.

RIP

2011-12-07T15:14:00.002-05:00

Harry Morgan

Probably best known for "Dragnet" and "M.A.S.H." I found a long obit for him (died today at age 96) but it didn't mention my favorite movie role for him in "What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?"

A great guy.

And off-topic: You heard about the Mythbusters testing a cannon on a military firing range? A ball went over the barriers and through two houses etc. before coming to rest a few miles away. Surprise!

ULC

2011-12-05T21:38:00.002-05:00

And what is that? you say. I forgot to mention that I got ordained by the Universal Life Church.

Heh.

WM Romney

2011-12-02T11:38:00.001-05:00

Ever since I found out that Mitt Romney's full name is

Willard Mittens Romney

I can't resist calling him

Rat Cat Romney

Not that I was going to vote for him or anything silly like that.

Tale of Two Kitteh

2011-12-01T16:53:00.002-05:00

There's Sprout, tabby, owner of Amy.
There's Yoshi, calico, owner of Nicole.
Amy and Nicole are friends, so Jesse Ray, dog, and Yoshi came to stay with Amy for a while (about six months). Jesse Ray has gone home but Yoshi's still here.

Sprout and Yoshi are frenemies. Often, there's superb ignoring going on. Sometimes, there's hiss hiss snarl snarl.

Right now, Yoshi's inside getting some food and a nap.
Sprout is sitting outside staring at me, wanting to go in.

If I let him in, there'll be hissing and snarling in the house, so he'll have to wait.

Cats. Gotta love 'em.

No dinner out this eve. Mary-Anne's got a sinus infection so Blair and I decided to wait till next week.
Also, there was no CSI last night because of the idiot Grammy awards. Boo.

Cool Book Titles

2011-11-29T16:41:00.002-05:00

Just ran across a list of the 50 most entertaining book titles. It includes such titles as:

Fancy Coffins You Can Make Yourself.
The Big Book of Lesbian Horse Stories.
and
The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse.

http://www.stylist.co.uk/life/books/50-most-entertaining-book-titles#content-60

Winter has arrived (mostly)

2011-11-29T15:25:00.002-05:00

It's doing its best to snow -- big fat furry flakes swirling about, but the ground is way too wet for any of it to stick (till it drops low tonight and the roads freeze over). But we'll be back up to the high 50s in a couple of days, so winter hasn't come to stay all together -- yet.

Still no job. Faint,I say faint, possibility of online editing/proofreading work, through friends who are just setting this up. So we'll see.

Having a good time on Bullshido.net. Some of those guys are really funny. I've graduated to Junior Member (from Noob), have acquired a friend, and have gotten two positive feedbacks. So far, so good. Now if I could only get myself in shape. Pretty sure I can't do any martial arts anymore, so my options are walking, dancing, swimming. And, of course, the self-discipline.

Un huh. Right.

TTFN

Happy Turkey?

2011-11-24T00:17:00.002-05:00

I don't care if the turkey is happy or not, I had a very nice dinner today with Amy and her friends out in Swannanoa. I took along a Malbec (red) for dinner and a Loupiac dessert wine for after.

Tomorrow, I get to repeat it all at Mary-Anne's. No eating for the next several days.

Hope everyone had a nice holiday.

RIP

2011-11-22T20:35:00.003-05:00

Anne McCaffrey

creator of the Pern books and the brainships. Influential with strong or interesting female leads.

Of course, she also wrote some slightly hinky romance novels way way back, the kind that left a slightly bad taste in my mouth (i.e. I don't think raping her his way is the best method to get her over the trauma of having been raped before). But I understand she was going through a turbulent relationship of her own, so maybe this was her way of working through it. And she did get over it.

General Natter

2011-11-13T14:09:00.002-05:00

No job yet. November birthdays celebrated this past Sat. were John R, Mary-Anne, and Mary Jo. Gabi was doing her b'day thing downtown but I couldn't make it. Signed up on Bullshido.net, a martial arts site, just to lurk. Am doing a mss. read for CQY. Planning on two Thanksgiving dinners, one on Wed, one on Thur (note to self: no eating for two days before and after). A remodel plan is coming together (in my head) for the rig interior -- delete couch, make countertop, make dinette area into seating/lounge, stack book bins under countertop -- all this will widen the aisle and make things look more open and airy, a good thing. Amy's cat, Sprout, has decided to accompany me to the bathroom (why? who knows -- it's a cat thing).

TTFN

RV Friends Visit

2011-11-03T11:00:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, my RV friends Linda & Linda came through Asheville on their way to wherever. They picked the Bear Creek Campground off Brevard Rd. to stay in, came and picked me up and we went off to have a meal (at the Stone Ridge Restaurant on Brevard Rd.).

They travel the country for a company that creates advertising brochures for campgrounds. It's a perfect job for them. Right now they're waiting for their next assignment so they've been visiting family etc in Pennsylvania and are now wandering around seeing other folk and areas.

They just got a new rig, so we went there after dinner so I could see it. Very nice. They had a large 5th wheel when I first met them in Kansas (we all worked for Amazon), but now they have a mid-sized Class A (the one that looks like a bus) and tow a car. They also have a garage in the rig for their new trike. Very nice setup.

Last time I saw them was August 2010 so it was great to have some face time together. Of course, we forgot our cameras and didn't take any pictures, but we know what we look like.

Good to see y'all! Keep in touch. Stay safe out there. See you down the road.

Hanging around

2011-10-19T17:45:00.002-04:00

Applying for jobs. Putting plastic on the windows. Starting to sort out stuff in the storage bins. Helping Amy sort out books and move bookcases around in her library, now that the renters are gone. Then we went to Mr. K's to trade books in, both of us. The back is much better though I'm still being very careful.

I'm going to a halloween party with Amy at Tracy's house, and have been informed that if I don't wear a costume, they'll see to it that I have one on, like it or not. So we've come up with something I can wear and not feel stupid (and it has a veil so I can conceal myself if necessary).

TTFN

Movie Nights

2011-10-15T23:36:00.002-04:00

The last two weeks we watched The Magnificent Seven and The Professionals, both of which were well received by our newbie Bruce. Amy and I are educating him in classic films from the 1960s and 70s. He's gone back home for a few months so it'll just be me and Amy for a while.

As foreseen, no call from Rug & Home, so no job. Ah well.

Update

2011-10-11T11:19:00.002-04:00

Pinched a nerve in my right kidney area so have been writhing in pain, applying bengay, popping pain pills, and snarling since last Thursday. It's better now -- just a dull ache instead of fiery darts. Doing tentative stretches and so far, so good.

Had an interview on Friday for a sales clerk at Rug & Home. They started interviewing that day and had people coming in every hour. Decision to be made by next Friday. Don't think I'll get it with that kind of competition. And standing on my feet for 8 hours probably wouldn't do my knees/hips any good. But I'm tired of not having a job, even though I'm still applying to lots of places. I did one through careerbuilder which lets you see how much competition there is for that position -- it was a part-time office person and there were 446 applicants, half of which already had jobs. Needless to say, I didn't get it.

Jean and Brenda have moved out of Amy's house to their own apartment. Yay! I got to put my bathing supplies back in the bathroom instead of carrying them with me from the rig. They are nice people but Brenda especially was messy and loud. So we're all breathing sighs of relief.

Got a box of books from Diana and I haven't read a single one. Exciting!

TTFN

Hell is for Heroes

2011-09-30T16:44:00.003-04:00

Amy and Bruce and I have decided to have a movie night every Wednesday. The impetus for this was me unearthing the VHS tapes I left in storage when I went on the road. The other impetus is that Bruce needs to get his movie education (he's never seen the Magnificent Seven!!).

So we started off with Hell is for Heroes (1962), one of my favorite WW II movies. It's not a big splashy "war" movie with lots of tanks and battles and a cast of thousands. It's the story of a platoon left to man a gap on the front lines, a gap that should be assigned a regiment, not just a platoon. There's a German pillbox just across the valley, the valley with landmines. Taking out the pillbox and its guns becomes the objective.

We get to know the six guys left on the line: the hardcase who's been busted from master sergeant to private (Steve McQueen), the good soldier who knows his limitations (Harry Guardino), the gutsy scrounger (Bobby Darin), the placid romantic (Bill Mullikin), the mechanical genius (James Coburn), and the follower (Mike Kellin). Added to these are the Sergeant in charge of several platoons (Fess Parker) who had to leave these guys on their own, a Polish refugees who hates Nazis and who shows up on the line to help (Nick Adams), and the typist who loses his way and gets dragooned into service with the platoon (Bob Newhart).

A hermetic little movie that really makes you feel the immediacy of both camaraderie and death.

Turns out this is only McQueen's third movie; he'd done some TV (incl. Wanted Dead or Alive series) and a couple of cameos, but for full movie roles, this was the third (Magnificent Seven was the second). And Bobby Darin was a real surprise as he turned out to be a very good actor (see Captain Newman M.D. sometime). Bob Newhart was the comic relief and did well enough. The others were veteran character actors. I do love the way McQueen moves, yum yum.

Livorno Reunion is Over

2011-09-19T11:24:00.002-04:00

Yah! Actually, it wasn't as bad as I had feared it would be. I got out to the Quality Inn on Long Shoals Rd at 2pm on Thursday. I understood that Karel and Butch and I would go to Sam's Club and get snacks and drinks. However, they didn't show up until about 5pm, having been out being tourists. Fortunately, Richard Callihan showed up, having ridden his Honda motorcycle here from Phoenix AZ in 3 days.

A few people tricked in on Thursday. Eventually Karen and Butch got back with some snacks etc which I got to set out on the tables. Carolyn Jones and her husband showed up. He's a Wilmington NC native and that's where they live now. Franklyn and his wife live in Calabash NC. Pete Cumbie and wife live in Troy SC. So there's quite a few in the area. Pat Spencer came from Jackson Mississippi. Derwood Biles and wife live in Arkansas. John Sager and wife came from Portland OR. Pat Spencer, Pat Bowles (Bowman), Derwood and Kathleen Biles, Richard Callihan, and I went over to Biltmore Park to the restaurant 131 Main for dinner. It was all excellent, though pricy.

We wound up with about 37-38 people, a few short of our tally. Peter Hobiger has a last-minute medical emergency. Barbara Beekler(?) was about to get on the plane when her oxygen apparatus failed. And there two others who canceled at the last minute.

Most of the group showed up on Friday and a lot of them went to the Biltmore House. I had strongly suggested they go on Friday instead of Saturday because of traffic and people. Those who went loved it. Pat, Carolyn, and I went on the Parkway to the Folk Art Center and then bopped down and had lunch at the East Village Grille in Oteen. Came back on I-240 so they could see downtown. Friday evening we ordered in pizzas and salad from Angelo's.

Saturday most everybody went out exploring until 4pm when we had our "business" meeting and the 50th Anniversary cake for the Class of 1961 (my class). I got the cake from West End Bakery and it was a big hit. At 6:30 we met in the lobby and were shuttled over to the Hilton Hotel in Biltmore Park (across Long Shoals) for our banquet. We had a lovely room with a buffet and cash bar. Very professional staff. Very good food. Everybody was impressed with the quality of the food. Shuttled or walked or drove back by 9pm (we're all getting older, you know). Hung out in the Hospitality Room and then wandered off to bed.

Lots of people left early Sunday morning (by 9am or so) as they were on their way somewhere else, some to Gatlinburg, some to D.C., some to Raleigh, etc. Richard left about 3am on his way back to Phoenix and hoped to make Okla. City by evening and Phoenix the next day. Better him than me. A few people (about 8) weren't leaving until Monday so they'd go to dinner and hang out. The hospitality room would be closed at 8pm and all leftovers got distributed among us. I had brought my rig (to sleep in) so I fired it up about 3pm, stowed the goodies I was taking, and trundled down Brevard Road to home.

I still have the leak somewhere under the kitchen sink so I don't have a water hookup, just my gallon jugs. As soon as my money gets here, I'll get that fixed. But I'm glad to be back in Amy's backyard with electricity and TV. I did take my computer into the hotel and use their wifi but it's nice to have it available and be comfortable at the same time. I ache from sitting in upright chairs for days.

I have invites from New England people and Nebraska people and Portland people and some others to stay at their places whenever I'm in the area. All in all, I had a much better time than I expected to. Now it's back to the job search.

RIP & Etc.

2011-09-08T21:19:00.001-04:00

RIP Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg.

Livorno H.S. reunion coming up next week. I'll be glad when it's over.

Got latest Modesty Blaise. Yah!

Book Reviews . . . Not

2011-08-06T13:03:00.003-04:00

In July I read about 27 books and re-read a few from my permanent library. That's about one a day. I can barely keep up with updating my Goodreads list and don't always put any comment on a book. Besides, I'm a rotten reviewer -- got all that critical mumbo-jumbo out of my system as an English Lit major in college.

Now, I give it a 1-5 stars rating and mostly let it go at that. If pressed, I can talk plot, themes, characterizations, world-building, yadda-yadda, but that's all mostly under the surface. So it's mostly Good, Really Good, Not Good, Terrible.

You can always join Goodreads and check out my lists there, if you're really interested.

Okay, I'm currently reading The Bird of the River by Kage Baker (and enjoying it). I started it this morning and I'm on page 119 of 268, so I'll be finished in a couple of hours and starting another book. Just so's you know.

Family Memories

2011-07-31T21:20:00.005-04:00

Thanks to all who sent birthday wishes; I appreciate them.

I've been going through all the old family photos and have spent a lot of today scanning them into my computer. Here's one of me at age three with my father -- only known photo of us together (he died later that year).

And I finally found a picture of the travel trailer my great-grandfather built back in the 1920s for camping trips. All you RVers will get a kick out of this. That's my mother in the plaid with her first cousin George. Does anybody recognize the car make/model?

Happy Birthday

2011-07-31T01:53:00.000-04:00

to me.

RIP Finally

2011-07-23T23:20:00.001-04:00

Amy Winehouse finally managed to do herself in at age 27. Sad sad. She wasn't a musical genius or anything, but she was definitely more interesting than a lot of singers. I enjoyed her.

I've got a job interview on Monday -- we'll see how it goes.

Ho Hum

2011-07-15T13:14:00.002-04:00

Yet again, nothing new. I have applied to be a Crew Facilitator (not exact title but close) for Norfolk Southern Railroad. It's a clerical position in Atlanta, which means I'd be moving, but for what they pay, I'm gone. I'd like to get it, not only for the pay but also because I love trains.

Also applied to a business aviation company in customer service -- would be working at the Airport.

Didn't get the inside sales job at the hippie supplies place (All For Fun Gifts) -- not sure why but at least they let me know right away.

Out to dinner with Blair and Mary-Anne every week. Amy and Bruce have gone off to Virginia for the weekend for an RPG event (may be SCA).

Idiot roomie here put some bad fish in the trashcan but didn't seal it up, just dumped it in loose, so the smell is really strong -- have moved the can twice so I can't smell it in my rig. The trash guys are going to love it on Monday. And then the can will have to be washed and baking soda put in it so the smell doesn't live in the plastic forever. Some people!

Party etc

2011-07-10T19:35:00.002-04:00

Amy's sister, Heather, flew in from Dallas for a few days, so we had a party last night on the newly complete flagstone patio with large firepit. About 20 people. Because Heather's plane was to leave at 7am this morning, she went to bed early, and so did I as I was the designated driver. We left at 4am for Charlotte, got there at 6am, and I was back home and in my bed by 8.30 am. I'd only gotten about 3 hours of sleep, and then 3 more after I got back, so I've been napping off and on all day. Amy finally got to bed herself about 3am (one of the reasons she wasn't driving).

Just for Pretty

2011-07-03T20:19:00.006-04:00

All from Amy's backyard.

I know I know

2011-07-03T12:11:00.002-04:00

it's been a long time since I last posted, but there's really no news. I'm still looking for a job. The inside sales job for the hippie headshop wares wholesaler went to someone else, as did the call center job for a biotech outfit in Candler. I applied at Mtn. Mobility to be a van driver, and I've sent in resumes for several other jobs. Just keepin' on.

Went to Solace Restaurant with Blair and Mary-Anne last Thurs. It's where the Flying Frog was and the French Bar before that, on the corner of the hotel on Haywood. Very good food though a little pricy. The dessert was to die for -- Chinese 5-spice Chocolate Panna Cotta. Yum and yum.

TTFN

RIPs

2011-06-24T20:47:00.000-04:00

Clarence Clemons, fabulous saxist
Peter Falk, fabulous actor

General

2011-06-19T07:52:00.002-04:00

No news on the job front, though I did have an interview on Friday for phone sales at a wholesale "head shop" stuff place.

RIP Clarence Clemons

Chuck went back to Eagar yesterday but I haven't heard what condition his place is in. I expect it's covered in ash and nastiness but at least it isn't burned down. The fire was stopped 1/4 mile away so you know stuff was blowing over.

I woke up at 6.30 this am. It's now 8am and has gotten steadily darker and is raining with thunder rumbling in the distance. Unusual pattern as it's normally late afternoon thunderstorm. I may go back to bed soon to enjoy this great sleeping weather.

My friend Phyllis (from my first workamping job in PA 2008) called yesterday to say she'd quit the campground, sold her Class A, and moved home. Seems that the owners have put the place up for sale and are being a little crazed in their management. So Phyllis decided she didn't have to put up with that shit anymore, and that 13 seasons was enough.

Here at Amy's, there's a nice basement so I've unloaded the toolboxes and other stuff from the storage bin on the back. Makes driving the rig feel really light and even a little squirrely.

TTFN

Fire & RIP

2011-06-11T11:31:00.002-04:00

RIP for Crumpet, the gorgeous black cat who was a mainstay at Reader's Corner Bookstore. He had a long and good life.

The Wallow wildfire in Arizona is now over 400,000 acres. It came within 1/4 mile of Chuck's house but has been stopped there; it's now 6% contained though they're worried about high winds forecast for today and tomorrow. Chuck's in Texas with family. The smoke is so heavy over Eagar and Springerville that everybody is still advised not to come home. The town of Greer took the brunt of structure loss (57) and, of course, the Apache-Sitgreaves Natl. Forest is a mess. The fire has now moved east into New Mexico near the town of Luna, not far from Alpine AZ.

Wallow Wildfire in Arizona

2011-06-09T09:06:00.002-04:00

This is now the biggest ever wildfire in Arizona, over 400,000 acres, much of the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest. Also, Eager and Springerville have been evacuated as the fire is headed in their direction.

Chuck left Eagar yesterday afternoon to go to Texas, where he has family. No telling what he'll come back to.

All is being done to keep the fire out of the towns but there's been zero containment so far and really high winds (up to 35mph gusts).

I hope the Casa Malpais RV Park, where I stayed last Sept., doesn't get damaged.

RIP

2011-06-03T18:52:00.001-04:00

Joel Rosenberg, sf/fantasy author
James Arness, actor
Dr. Kevorkian, medical activist

All you can eat

2011-06-02T09:17:00.002-04:00

mussels night at Avenue M. Mary-Anne love 'em and I do, too, so we met there last night. I wound up eating three dozen. The sauce was a jalapeno, honey, and cream concoction that was good but not nearly spicy enough -- you couldn't taste the jalapeno at all.

Still no job. Feh.

RIP

2011-05-20T14:56:00.001-04:00

Randy Savage, a guilty pleasure from way back. The flamboyant wrestler died in a car crash.

No job yet.

Mother's Day

2011-05-04T23:37:00.001-04:00

Mom at a Corps of Engineers party in Livorno, Italy 1958. Party down!

RIP

2011-05-01T00:48:00.000-04:00

Joanna Russ, feminist science fiction writer, best known for The Female Man.

As usual

2011-04-29T17:08:00.004-04:00

not much is happening. Lines and applications are out everywhere. It's a waiting game.

Here's a picture of the rig in Amy's backyard, nestled in the trees. There's a flagstone patio with a firepit in front (still being worked on; should be finished soon) and Amy's house is to the right. The little road is Cowan St., basically a glorified alley, that runs off Virginia Ave.

And here is a gorgeous poppy, one of many in a bed alongside the house

Possibilities

2011-04-21T01:33:00.003-04:00

I told my accountant that I wanted to do basic bookkeeping for small businesses and he said he would recommend me to his clients. The person he was recommending isn't taking any new clients. I'm hopeful that something will come of this soon as I could work part-time at a good rate.

Ho Hum

2011-04-18T10:29:00.002-04:00

There's just not much to say. I'm going to various temp agencies and going through the tedious sign-up procedures. I've been to the ESC. I'm sending out applications from on-line jobs found.

Other than that, nothing exciting.

Job Hunt

2011-04-13T10:52:00.003-04:00

is ongoing. I've sent many applications/resumes out for jobs found online. Yesterday, I was going to hit four different agencies in person. Things got a little squirrelly, though.

I first drove across town to Walmart as they have a couple of things I prefer. Parked and then realized I'd forgotten my wallet. Drove all the way back and got it, then drove all the way back to WM only because I was going on Tunnel Rd to an agency.

Did my shopping (though one thing I wanted couldn't be found). Up on to Tunnel Rd. with streetwork being done. Had a hard time finding the address. Finally did only to find out that the agency had moved over a year ago and the phone book still has the old address. Most annoying.

So I went downtown to the Employment Security Commission and got all signed up. Used their bathroom and while enthroned decided to check the time. Guess I hadn't latched it securely because when I touched it, it slid quietly and neatly off my wrist and into the toilet. Well, shit (pun intended).

By this time, it's afternoon and I had to get the car back to Amy could go to work, so I just gave it up and came home to lick my wounds. I did get some referrals from the ESC. One was to Snelling, which only accepts online applications, so I got that done yesterday afternoon. One was an Admin Asst job to call, which I did this morning. And the third is a temp agency which wants in-person applications.

It seems as though most of the temp agencies have moved to the Arden area, so it looks like a foray to South Buncombe is coming.

East View

2011-04-10T21:10:00.002-04:00

This is the view this morning out my east window at Amy's. There was a big rainstorm last night and so it's foggy this morning.

Still job hunting. Going to temp agencies this coming week to sign up and see what they can come up with.

Last Thursday, Blair and Mary-Anne took me for a welcome home dinner. We went to Avenue M, which is the old Usual Suspects. Very good.

New Home

2011-04-03T21:58:00.002-04:00

Am nicely ensconced in Amy's backyard. Got the power set up right away. Needed both the main cord, the 30-amp extension, the 110v adaptor, and the heavy-duty extension to reach all the way across the yard and down the stairs into the basement. We ran it up the porch to the rafter and across to the other side and hung it on a hook, then down the inside stair wall.

Had to go buy new water hose (100 ft) to extend the water from the rig across the yard and then across the porch and up onto the outside stair wall and then down the inside wall to go through the window into the basement. Used my splitter to attach both the washing machine and my hose. Works fine. With Amy's permission, I just opened the valve to the gray tank and am letting it out onto the ground -- it's just the kitchen sink. The gray tank is about 1/3 smaller than the black tank so it fills up faster. This way, I'll only have to go dump about once a month because I'm using Amy's bathroom most of the time.

Fiddled with the antenna and am picking up ABC, PBS, Fox, CBS, and a few weird religious stations. That'll do me.

Had a great time at Hazel and John's last night. I walked in behind Blair and it was a big shock when they saw me (a pleasant shock). Mary Jo came in and said she would be starting chemo for recurring breast cancer -- this is after a previous bout and a mastectomy -- sad news. Hope it works this time. Mary Anne came in, moving creakily from doing drywall and sanding on their new house. Joe was there, too. Then Ken Kirby and Ernie showed up. So it was a pleasant evening.

Tonight I showed Amy and her roomer Bruce how to play Crazy Rummy -- I slaughtered them but they had a good time anyhow (and so did I).

Tomorrow, I'm off to the bank to get the non-corporate account set up. Will also get a haircut. Am sending out applications -- will see how hard it's going to be to find a job. If nothing comes of these apps, I'll go to temp agencies next week.

Weather is gorgeous, but is going to be cool in a couple of days. I'm glad to be home.

Arrival

2011-04-02T09:19:00.002-04:00

Rolled into Wilson's RV Park on Amboy Rd, Asheville, about 1pm yesterday. Nice little park, right on the river with trees and full hookups. It is right by I-240 but a lot of the noise goes by overhead so not too bad. Will be here about two more hours. Will do a dump/flush so as to arrive at Amy's with empty tanks -- expecting to go at least two weeks between dumps because I can use her bathroom a lot of the time. I can hop down the hill to this park to do a dump whenever I need to -- very convenient.

Plan to come to Hazel and John's tonight to see everybody.

Halflway

2011-03-29T18:18:00.002-04:00

Started out about 9.30 am Sunday from Springerville. Spent the night at the Flying J in Albuquerque. Nice day for driving. Monday also sunny but had a headwind for the latter half of the drive to Amarillo, and it got cold. Snuggled into my sleeping bag until about 7.30 this morning. Fortunately, the wind had died down quite a bit but the rain clouds had lowered in. It spit rain all day and was chilly. So I've treated myself to a motel room with wifi and tv for the night, and a hot shower and hair wash in the morning (along with the complimentary breakfast of belgian waffles).

Oh yeah, I'm near Checotah, Oklahoma, about 150 miles east of Okla. City. I stopped at the Firelake Casino, on the Citizen Potawatomie reservation for lunch about 2pm.

And just before this exit is Lotawater Road next to Lake Eufala, largest manmade lake in the US (learned that on Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader last week).

Should cross Arkansas tomorrow and then two days to cross Tenn. Looks like I will spend Friday night at the Amboy Road RV park and do a dump and flush on Sat. morning, then up the hill to Amy's. Should be able to come to Hazel & John's that evening (with presents).

TTFN

Ciao for niao

2011-03-26T12:12:00.002-04:00

Today is to get the rig ready to roll -- do a dump/flush, air up the tires and rear airbags, stow things, wash cab windows, reset rear mirrors, etc.

Tomorrow morning, take a shower, crank up, roll out. Am planning to run I-40 until Arkansas and then run surface highway (much more interesting). Depending on speed, may get to Asheville late Friday, in which case I'll spend the night at the RV park on Amboy Road and do a dump/flush on Sat. morning so as to arrive with empty tank.

Plan to be in Asheville at Amy's next Saturday.

Chuck got back late yesterday from Tucson. We may do a farewell dinner this evening -- maybe out, maybe in.

RIPs

2011-03-24T20:33:00.002-04:00

Pinetop Perkins -- fabulous blues pianist, originally with Muddy Waters. I got to see him live in a dive bar in Tucson many years ago, and he was old then, but still pounding it out.

Liz Taylor -- icon.

Michael Gough -- character actor.

Quick Update

2011-03-23T13:50:00.002-04:00

No wifi at home for the last several days -- I'm now at the library. Leaving here next Sunday, arriving at Amy's house in West Asheville on 2 April.

Chuck's eyes are fine, but it turned out he had some sort of bacterial infection that started in the eyelashes (!) and went into the eyes. The cataract surgery stuff was fine. He left yesterday to go to Tucson to help a friend. Should be back Fri. or Sat.

So I got to stay up till 1.30 and watch the Craig Ferguson show -- it was a rerun but hey, better than most.

See y'all soon.

Emergency

2011-03-18T10:57:00.002-04:00

About 4pm yesterday Chuck yelled for me "Help! I've gone blind!"

Race over to the house where he's holding a pad to his eyes, says he has lots of pain and can't see. I get him inside and sat down, race back to the rig, get dressed, snatch a book, lock the rig. Back to the house, get car keys, and guide Chuck out to the car (which I've turned so the door is near the stairs off the porch. Off we go to the hospital.

They take him in right away, lay a wet cloth on his eyes. Doc arrives and puts some drops in his eyes which immediately helps the pain (but no prescription for this as it will dissolve the eyeball if used too much). He's not really blind, of course, but swollen and irritated etc. After about an hour, while they consult and do things, he's released with two prescriptions and directions to call his eye doctor in Show Low immediately.

So it looks like we're going to Show Low today. We were supposed to do the bank, post office, and grocery shopping (for me), but that will all have to wait. By the time we'd been back about an hour, his eyes were starting to hurt again. They gave him Percocet to take for pain and I hope he did (but he can't drink alcohol with it and he does like to drink).

He's also supposed to be taking a travel trailer down to Kearney AZ for somebody. It's all hooked up and ready to go, but we'll see after the doc appnt. I suppose I could go along, but i don't want to -- I was looking forward to being alone here and staying up late watching TV (I don't have TV in my rig -- cable/satellite only in this area).

I'll let you know the outcome later.

Airport install & Misc

2011-03-15T15:50:00.002-04:00

I'm feeling proud -- I successfully opened the iMac and installed an Airport card and fixed the settings and IT WORKED. Chuck can now pick up on wifi in the area and check his email.

He's installing new running lights on the rig. There are 5 front orange ones and 5 rear red ones. Some were working and some not but he decided he wanted to replace them all. There's some kind of regulation that requires actual lights, not just reflectors, even though I have a bunch of those as well.

I'm working on cleaning the ceiling inside. Tedious job. Need to vacuum, too. Exciting stuff. Weather is gorgeous, though -- nearly 70 deg and sunny with strong breezes from time to time. Supposed to cool off about 10 deg by the weekend and then slowly climb back up. Phoenix is already in the low 90s -- shudder.

2011-03-13T20:01:00.003-04:00

This is A-1 Lake still frozen over as of today. Remember the beautiful fall picture I took of it last November? And below is a picture of a bird flitting on ice-bound wood at the edge of the lake.

We went to Hon-dah Casino for the Sunday buffet -- too much food! Had prime rib (pretty good), champagne (pretty bad), cherries jubilee (pretty). Then drove another 20 miles to Show Low to the Home Depot and Wal-mart. Got back home about 4pm, both of us yawning.

Update

2011-03-11T11:03:00.003-05:00

Nothing exciting at all to report. It's going to be 67 and sunny today. Did laundry yesterday. We're going to check out the rig's running lights today and replace burned out ones.

Have calculated how much gas and $ it's going to cost to travel the 1800 miles home at the new $4 per gallon price. Yowie!

Will arrive in Asheville on 2 April (Saturday) as it's Amy's day off and I'll be shoehorning the rig into her backyard.

See y'all then.

St. John's Lunch

2011-03-07T22:00:00.002-05:00

We went off to St. John's for lunch, about 25 miles toward the NM line. It's the county seat but it's otherwise a totally dead little town. There's a Mexican restaurant that Chuck likes. It was okay.

The weather has turned gusty (about 36mph) and there may be a touch of snow tonight but it's going to be 45 tomorrow so it won't last.

Chuck has checked the brakes and the U-joints and the wheel bearings -- all is well. He replaced the bad a/c belt so that's fine. He also said that the a/c pulley bearing is okay. So I don't have to do anything else for a while. Big sigh of relief.

He was given a G3 iMac but it didn't have an Airport card for wifi, so we've ordered one off ebay. I've downloaded instructions from a Mac Forum and will be installing it myself. Chuck is less than useful about computers. We'll see how this goes -- I've never cracked a case all by myself. Wish me luck.

Update

2011-03-02T10:22:00.002-05:00

Life is quiet and boring. Chuck's still fighting the cold. Yesterday, I took the car and went to the post office to mail off a couple of boxes to Diana, and then went to Safeway for Chuck's groceries. The weather's been great -- open door temps, sunshine. He's going to go to southern AZ next week so I'll have the house to myself and can stay up late watching Craig Ferguson.

Hooray for Hulu in the meantime as I get to see excerpts so I get a little fix. Last night I wound up watching some episodes of America's Best Dance Crew. Highly entertaining.

TTFN

Lovely Eagar

2011-02-26T11:33:00.004-05:00

Got here about 4pm yesterday and Chuck was outside to direct me up on the leveling blocks he had ready. He's been fighting what he calls "a cold" for two weeks now. It's accompanied by muscle aches but he poo-poos the notion that it might be the flu. I'll be here until 23-24 March and then head for Asheville.

Weather today is sunny but very windy. Possibly rain or snow later today and tomorrow, but then Monday should be much warmer and nice. I'm being a slug today.

Off to Arizona

2011-02-22T23:47:00.001-05:00

Leaving Wed. am for Chuck's place in Eagar, Arizona. 1000 miles. Should take about 3-4 days. Talk to y'all later.

Persian Feast

2011-02-17T13:48:00.002-05:00

Forgot to tell you about the dinner on Tues. eve. Bro is friends with Manocheer (sp?), an Iranian refugee who came here after the Shah's downfall. Classic story: no money etc but lots of drive and ambition and is now quite well-off. Lives in the Walnut Creek area about an hour east of SF, in a mcmansion makeover of a traditional ranch house. There's him, wife Roshana, daughter Shayda (17), son Arian (16), and family friend Paymon (28) (all spellings approximate).

When we got there, Manocheer was making kabobs on special flat sword-looking skewers, so Deborah got a lesson. About 30 skewers were made and then grilled outside. Wine and tequila were poured, many toasts were drunk; nuts, cheese (goat), crackers, yogurt, olives, etc, placed around for munchies. Eventually, meat was ready, big platters of salad and rice with saffron put on table, and we all settled down to serious eating. Later, there were Persian pastries and tea.

Arian is quite a musician. H and I went out to the garage where he has a complete drum set and he played a solo. Right after dinner, he got out a cello and played a Bach piece. Then he got out a tombok, a traditional Iranian drum and played a fabulous concert on it. Very high level. Shayda's boyfriend had shown up around dessert-time so they disappeared.

Everybody was very nice and a good time was had by all. We got back to the city around 11.pm. A nice end to Diana's visit.

Back to Antioch

2011-02-17T04:06:00.002-05:00

Nasty weather today but I slogged across the Bay Bridge and went to Aamco so they could do a couple of final tweaks on the new transmission. Then off to Hercules to visit Peggy and Charlie Lucke and look at each other's photographs (me and Charlie). Then off to the fairgrounds to get settled in for the week. Nice flat land. Still being nasty weather (lots of snow up higher) for the rest of the week.

Buddhist Day

2011-02-14T10:55:00.002-05:00

This is Diana, my friend from NC, and her friend Mina, at the Japanese Buddhist Temple south of San Francisco in or near Ca~nada. Mina drove into the city to get us (she actually doesn't live too far away) and then drove south about 30 minutes to the temple. She guided us through the service, with beads and chanting etc. Then off to the rec room to eat bento lunches. About 2pm we drove back to her house, met her husband, and settled in for an afternoon of snacks and sake. About 6 she insisted we stay for a home-cooked real Japanese dinner, so we did. I can't tell you what we ate but it was all good. Lots of tofu things, bean paste, salad, soup with special mushrooms, and so forth. Finally got home about 9pm. Whew.

Lazy Day for Me

2011-02-12T11:14:00.002-05:00

Diana went off about 11.30 to meet a friend down in Chinatown, and I took the day off. Just walking up and down the block to the rig and back is a stress so I decided to baby them. About 9pm I called D to find out whether she was still alive (she had thought she'd be back about 6pm) but it went to voicemail. She came in about 9.30 having had a splendid day wandering around with her friend (who was supposed to meet her at 1pm but didn't show up till 3.30) and eating lots of wonderful things.

She's going off again today to meet a different friend. Tomorrow, another friend will pick us up and take us to the East Bay to a Buddhist temple ceremony and then we'll have lunch, possibly in Japantown. And she'll bring us home, too. Looking forward to that.

Trip to Alice-land

2011-02-11T11:29:00.002-05:00

Got up at 7am yesterday (Thurs) and Deb deposited me and Diana at the Bart station at 8am. We caught a train to Richmond, Quinn picked us up, and we immediately repaired to her house to use the bathroom. Then we set off to a retirement community called Lincoln, near Roseville, about 20 miles north and east of Sacramento, at least a 2-hour drive. Got there about 11.30.

Over the years, Quinn has talked a lot about Alice as both of them were horse people and stabled their horses at the same place etc. She's as short as Quinn (5 ft) but one of those thin energetic types. Big smile. Funny. Loves to talk. We went off to have lunch at "Mimi's Cafe," a widely scattered chain. Diana says there are a few in the South and she likes them. Everybody else got some sort of salad (steak, spinach, asian); I had the grilled fish with steamed veggies and tiny roasted potatoes. The waitress very kindly made me some sweet tea.

Back to the house and all of a sudden we're all heading for the car again. I had no idea where we were going but we wound up at Kohl's Dept. Store. A couple of hours there and then back to the house, where wines and snacks starting appearing, winding up with three kinds of ice cream.

A neighbor came over (female, 71, artist) and we walked over to see her new painting and admire her new landscaping. Back to the house, more wine, snacks, conversation. Very pleasant.

Eventually, we started back at 7pm, at the Richmond Bart at 9pm, called my bro after we'd crossed under the bay so he could meet us. Got back by 10pm. Long day, nice day.

Back in the City

2011-02-09T00:20:00.000-05:00

Such an exciting time I've had, here in the Aamco lot. Yesterday, I took myself on a half-mile walk to the closest Starbucks, got an over-priced cup of coffee, found a plug and got online for the first time since last Sunday (when I left the fairgrounds). Also bought a newspaper to amuse myself with after I got back (I like to read a Sunday newspaper thoroughly).

My brother came by Sat. night about 10pm. He was on his way back to Napa with supplies for his daughter's new house. He's tiling two bathrooms as well as doing other stuff. Anyhow, he wanted to check on me and make sure I'm locking my door etc.

I posted to the Toyota group about my woes. About 5pm there's a knock on the door and a guy named Kim had come by. He's in the group and had just read my post. He lives in Berkeley about two miles from Aamco. Too bad, he said, this all happened so suddenly because I know a really good mechanic not far from here and this Aamco doesn't have the greatest reputation. He himself bought a Sunrader model and is fixing it himself (he's a mechanic). Nice of him to drop by.

If all goes well, the tranny will be done tomorrow, just in time for me to drive into the city. We'll see.

And it was ready by 5pm so I started in. Bumper to bumper traffic. Finally got here about 6.15pm (it's 15 miles). Deb off to a meeting. H and I out to a Japanese dinner. Went and got Diana, who was a little late coming in. We're now all at the Mouse House (9:30 pm).

Bad Week

2011-02-06T11:54:00.000-05:00

Well, it's been a very expensive week. Last Sunday, I started into Richmond from Antioch to visit Quinn for a few days. About 2 miles from her exit, the charge light came on and the temp started going up quickly. I dived off the next exit and found the closest place to stop (a business park). Popped the hood and waited for it cool off -- all the coolant had spewed out the overflow. I looked underneath and saw the busted fan belt hanging down. Called the ERS who sent out a mobile mechanic, who fixed it and replaced the coolant. $200

Went on to Quinn's and stayed until yesterday afternoon, when I was going to go back to Antioch for a few days until time to head into the city. Wouldn't start, not even turn over, just heard a click. So a tow truck finally came about 7:30 and towed me about 5 miles to a Midas shop (this was all arranged by the ERS), where I boondocked for the night. This morning they replaced the starter motor. $300

All ready to go, I got in and started the engine. Started down the street and realized it wasn't shifting out of first. Back to Midas, who tried it out and tried to knock it loose or whatever. No luck. They don't do transmissions so sent me down the road about 2 miles (in first gear) to Aamco. And they've discovered a lot of problems and are preparing to put in a new transmission. $4000

And I'll be sitting in their lot until sometime Tuesday. Diane arrives from NC Tues. evening.

AAARRRGGGHH

Fog and fog creeps in ...

2011-01-28T18:25:00.002-05:00

This is about 11am. Went out about 11pm last night to put trash in (barrels are pretty close to where I'm taking this pic from) and could barely see across the lot. We had nice sunshine up until about 2 days ago.

On Wednesday (foggy until about 2pm), I took myself to the grocery store and I indulged myself at the Barnes & Noble with a strictly limited supply of new books. Such a luxury.

Fierce competition for jobs out here and I haven't had any responses to apps I've sent. This means that I may not do this again. At this point, the plan is to spend Feb in the city and then head for eastern Arizona (Chuck's) for March, and then Asheville in April.

Very very quiet

2011-01-24T11:00:00.002-05:00

here in Antioch fairgrounds. When I pulled in last Thursday, I was the only one in the place. Since then, there have been two rigs that came in for the weekend, and a couple that came in just to dump. And the flea market sprang to life Sat. morning.

So I'm amusing myself and doing things like cleaning, always a laugh riot.

Will leave here on Thurs. am and go boondock somewhere for a day or two, then come back for 10 days until Feb 7 when I move into The City.

Recent Visits

2011-01-20T18:48:00.002-05:00

I left Antioch and drove into Richmond to park in front of Christine's house. She's a friend of Quinn's and I wanted to get to know her better. Well, the first thing I found out is that she has no heat in her house and no wifi/dsl so no computer. She did have three nice cats and was dog sitting an 18-yr-old pit bull mix, a nice dog.

After four days there, I moved about 10 blocks to park in front of Quinn's until today. I did get to use her shower but it didn't suit me too well, not least of because is the showerhead for short people, which means I have to wash my hair bending forward. And we watched some TV that she wanted to watch. So I got to the see the movie "Iron Man." Yay.

Am now back out at the fairgrounds, with wifi, heat, power, water, and level -- all the streets are crowned so I've been sleeping with my head either up or down.

Turns out H and D aren't going to New Zealand after all because D's mom is having more surgery and it's dicey, so she doesn't think she ought to be halfway around the globe. But I'm welcome to stay anyhow and so is Diana, who's coming from Charlotte for a week. It just means a slightly more crowded house and no car available. But we'll have a good time anyhow.

After that, I'm going to head back to Eager to hang out for free before I meander towards Asheville.

Castle TV

2011-01-11T02:03:00.002-05:00

I still enjoy this show but certain things have begun to bother me, and they have to do with Beckett's character. First is the change from a reasonably suitable haircut for a working detective to long flowing wavy locks. Second, I just this episode got a good look at the shoes she was wearing -- mile-high stilettos -- just what a working detective in homicide would wear.

Yeah yeah, it's just tv, I shouldn't take it so seriously, it's all fantasy. Well, if it's going to be some guy fantasy, then they shouldn't attempt to make it look real at all.

Humph.

Unfoggy Day

2011-01-10T09:30:00.005-05:00

We finally got a break in the fog so I dashed out to get some pics.

This thing (sculpture? viewing structure?) is at the far end of the riverwalk. You can see benches built in, and you can walk around and through. And there are guy wires above, perhaps to indicate a kinship with sailing? Not a place I would choose to sit and look, mostly because only one bench gives a view of the river. Odd.

This is a partial view of the public marina (you can see the white sculpture thingy in the center distance), but it gives a view of the area.

And this is an inlet at the western end of the marina looking across to the Dow Wetland Preserve. Pretty.

So now it's 6.30am and I opened the curtain to see . . . fog. Totally socked in again, and it got cold enough last night (because of no fog/clouds) to freeze the water, so no water until it warms up again. Supposed to be mid-50s today.

Went to a thrift shop yesterday and got a suit so I can go on interviews at spiffier places. That's assuming I ever get called for an interview. So far, nada.

RIP Vadim Bora

2011-01-06T22:41:00.002-05:00

Just heard that he dropped dead of a massive stroke. This is a blow. I knew and liked him. I remember when he first came to Asheville from Ossetia (I think). He quickly joined the arty scene on Lexington Ave and downtown Asheville. At a party once, he did pencil caricatures -- just tossed them off. I still have mine (makes me look like a stern Roman matron).

A loss.

Quiet quiet

2011-01-03T14:02:00.002-05:00

Have been holed up here at the CC Co. Fairgrounds since Thursday 12/30, under gray skies with lots of rain. Just a few rigs here and we're all nicely spaced out. Have watched a number of rigs come in to dump -- thought one guy was going to clip my nose. They all seem to want to stretch across several sites instead of backing into one site. Humph.

It's supposed to warm up a little (into the mid-50s) and clear up, too, so tomorrow should be a nice day. Think I'll get cleaned up and go off to do laundry and grocery shop. Am really broke so no messing around, just necessities.

There have been a few recall jobs in the area but they've been jumped on and taken before I get signed in. I'm trying to hook up with a national inventory company (did the application today) -- they've got a couple of jobs listed in the Gilroy and Modesto CA areas so maybe something will come of that. Am also applying for part-time jobs I find on craigslist, but there's a lot of competition around here. I may go later this week or early next to sign up at a temp agency, like Kelly Girls or some other.

Looks like I'll be house-sitting at Deb's place in the city while she and my brother go off to New Zealand. There's a guy nearby who's always on alert for "illegal" parkers (he called the city on my rig and I got a notice to move -- that's why I didn't spend new year's at my brother's). However, the day I was leaving, he came out and I got introduced and Deb mentioned that I'd be back in Feb. for their trip. She and I think we did good diplomatic work to prepare for my rig to be there for a few weeks. We'll see.

TTFN

RIP

2010-12-30T22:10:00.000-05:00

Steve Landesberg

City time

2010-12-28T13:17:00.002-05:00

It's been very quiet here at the Maus Haus. Of course, Deb and H both have their regular things to do. Xmas day we went over to a friend's house for dinner. Yesterday Deb and I did a foray to Costco -- yowie, crowds of people and carts, sample foods everywhere. We were ferried there in a neighbor's Cadillac because he wanted to go along.

Kim (something) and Lena live around the corner in a very nice house. He's a well-off businessman and something of an artist. She's Finnish, and that's all I know about her. He owns a 1929 Flageol (I think) House Car, which is tucked in his garage, and he gave me a tour. Fun. You know, that's what it calls RVs on N.C. titles.

Kim and Lena came over for dinner last night, and we'll be going to their house for dinner this evening. Tomorrow, Tinnee is coming to dinner here; it'll be nice to see her.

The product recall company has started to come through with jobs. One I'm going to accept will take me about 50 miles out into the countryside towards Sacramento -- it's a consumer complaint pickup. I like those. I'll be leaving the city on Thurs. morning to go do this -- that's assuming the customer can make an appnt for that day (it may be Fri). So I won't come back into the city; I'll go to the fairgrounds I was at before (which is out that way) and spend New Year's there. I was going to move from the city on Sun or Mon anyhow, and I don't want the hassle for just two days.

The 2nd job (just got notice about 10 mins. ago) is a mystery shop at SF tobacco-selling locations. However, there are 92 locations on their list and they're only allowing 7 days to do them all. That's 13 sites a day, with city driving and parking on top of it. I don't think it can be done, and certainly not in my RV. I have to email the project manager and find out whether they're all actually in the city itself or scattered around the Bay area. And I need to point out that the city's going to be a hindrance to doing that many per day. So even though the money would be good, I'm not sure I'll take that project.

Have a wonderful New Year!

Yarbro visit

2010-12-23T20:09:00.003-05:00

Moved to Quinn's street on Saturday. Her driveway isn't long enough to handle the rig, so that also meant no power to the rig, so no TV or heat or fridge. The weather has been really wet so there's lots of mud on the first step into the rig and on the rug at the kitchen. Even though Quinn has DSL, she didn't know how to connect my computer or have the phone cable to do it. So I haven't had any access since then.

Went through her back yard into her landlords' backyard and into their house on Sat. eve for a party. Half the party put on a truncated version of "Macbeth" to please one of the group, a tall, nice-looking man who has just discovered "drama!!" and has begun taking classes etc. Too bad he has absolutely no talent. After the play, we ate chili, beans, and salad, and schmoozed. Had a good time.

Sun. Quinn and I drove down to San Jose to visit Maureen, who's coping with cancer and is scheduled for tumor surgery next week. We also took her husband David out for lunch, which gives both of them a break from each other. Their marriage ceremony was the one I had to miss out on last May, so I finally got to meet him.

Mon. eve there was a gathering at Quinn's. I got to see the Lucke's, and Megan, and Christine, and meet in person a few people I know from online. I had helped Quinn with the grocery shopping and was pleased to help consume some of the wine and the hollowed-out bread with brie baked in and the pork tenderloin cooked with a port and chocolate sauce.

Tue was quiet. I expected my brother and Deb to be back on Wed but the weather turned so bad in SoCal that they stayed there until today. So I loitered around Quinn's for an extra day. Peggy Lucke came by last night just to chat, which was nice.

Fought my way into the city today, missed the proper exit, let the gps "recalculate," and wound up going over an exceedingly steep hill after having wound my way down a very steep and serpentine two blocks. Made it, however, about 15 min. after they'd gotten home. Found a pretty level place to park, though I think I'll be sleeping in the Maus Haus.

We'll be going out Xmas day to a friend's house for midday dinner. Hope all of y'all have a splendiferous weekend!

Guilty Pleasure

2010-12-17T03:58:00.002-05:00

Just been enjoying "Dead Ringer for Love" video on youtube -- with . . . wait for it . . . Meat Loaf and Cher!

Long before he got skinny and she had work done.

Loved it.

Heading North

2010-12-14T01:29:00.002-05:00

Fought my way through LA, I-10 west to the 405 N to the 101 N. Left the apartment at 10am and it was after noon before I saw any open land and the freeway narrowed down to two lanes. About 3pm I was in Santa Maria, just south of San Luis Obispo, and saw a "campers" sign. Followed it and found the only public RV park in town. Turns out there is parking at the Elks Lodge but didn't find that out till too late.

I'm in the Santa Maria Pines Camp. Seems there are new owners who are trying to upgrade the park and, I think, get rid of the long-term campers. Their rate is high ($35), which is full hookups but there's no cable TV and I can only pick up two English-language channels, both CBS; all the rest are Spanish. When I asked if they had wifi, she said yes, we have Tengo, and gave me the password. However, that just took me to the sign up site, so this 24-hr period is $5 (also high; most places Tengo only charges $2). So it's a $40 park (the Elks is $25 w/60 cable channels). I'm going to join the Elks when I get back to Asheville (I have a sponsor).

Anyhow, I got to do a dump/flush and I'll take a shower in the morning. And at least with CBS, I should get Letterman's show and then Craig Ferguson (yay).

I heard from my brother this morning and he and Deb are headed to Tustin tomorrow. We were going to try to meet somewhere on the road. But when I talked to him this evening and told him where I am, he said they were leaving early enough to be in LA by noon, so they'll be past Santa Maria before I'm out of bed. I'll see them when they get back.

TTFN

Ken & Caroline & Me

2010-12-13T20:22:00.008-05:00

What a nice visit I've just had with Ken and Caroline Robinson, who have a great apartment in a co-op in the Baldwin Village/Inglewood area of LA. It's a two bedroom, 2 bath, hardwood floors, built-in oven, great balcony. It was built in the 1960s and it looks it. The master bath is pale green tiles with black tile accents; the fixtures are black, the cabinet and drawer fronts are tiled, the shower door is etched -- all very dramatic. The other bathroom has a jacuzzi tub -- it and all the tile is dusty pink. I loved it.

Anyhow, Sat. matinee at the Disney Center (designed by Gehry) was the LA Masterworks Chorale (of which Caroline is a member) offered an xmasy concert and C had a solo! Then on Sunday I went sailing with Ken and his buddy Jack, who was his best man. Jack owns a J35 racing boat, named Privateer (which has an illustrious history) and which he is converting to a cruising sailer. It's always nice being on the water. Here's some pix.
This is Ken, the 1st mate of the Privateer.
And here we are out to sea.
Adult female sea lions hogging the buoy off Santa Monica pier, while young females collect in a little fins up pod, waiting their turn.
End of the day furling, folding, and packing of the sails.
Caroline out on the balcony, amusing us both.
And this is the view north from their balcony. Way off in the center distance you can see the white blob of the Hollywood sign.

Odd Pix

2010-12-08T19:41:00.004-05:00

This is an odd structure I saw and have no idea what it is

This is called the Wages of Greed. The pigeon pecked into and through the wrapper and is now wearing it as a necklace. Birds are coming from far and wide to marvel.

Tue 12/7

2010-12-08T19:41:00.001-05:00

12/7 Tues 10pm

So I put the antenna down as it wasn't even picking up the wierd ethnic stations. Gave it another programming try and derned if it didn't pick up NBC. So I watched Minute to Win It and now I'm watching (sort of) Biggest Loser. Sigh.

Went to the sales spiel at 9.30 this morning. The woman was surprised that I've been full-timing so long without having a membership of some kind. I did try Passport America, which is basically just a discount at lots of parks, but there's lots of restrictions, such as the discount isn't good on weekends or in particular months,so I never actually used it.

Anyhow, membership costs about $5000 plus $350 annual dues, and does include lots of other parks. I told the lady I'd think about it.

I've done a dump/flush and put the hose away. I'll be out of here around 9am and plan to go down the road a bit and get my hair cut at Walmart. Will arrive at Ken and Caroline's around 3pm when Ken gets home from work. He says his apartment is in a cul-de-sac so I won't have to contend with traffic there. It's just getting there that's going to be the hassle.

I'll be taking I-10 all the way in and exit on Crenshaw Blvd. This is west LA where I used to live back in the early 70s, so the street names are familiar, except the one they live on, of course. I'm only about 120 miles out so it's not going to be a hard day, except for fighting my way into the maelstrom.

Dancing Ripoff

2010-12-08T19:40:00.001-05:00

Ripoff Dancing (12/6)

As I mentioned, the only TV stations I'm picking up at Desert Pool RV Park are ethnic ones. Tonight I stumbled on a ripoff of So You Think You Can Dance, which is actually using a bit of the theme music. Now, the ethnic group is not Russian but some eastern Europe language, maybe Armenian or Ossetian or Ukrainian. The names on commercials are like Roman Budaghyan, Yeznik Kazandjian, Dr. Vartanian (all in Los Angeles area).

Anyhow, the dancing is pretty bad. All the girls are short and stocky in build. The guys are fairly stocky, too. They're all in good shape, though. Some of the dances are jazzy modern; some are russian-style folk; some are jive-like. The choreography is bad; the lifts are carefully set up and not smooth. At the moment, there's a girl in a red leotard on toe shoes doing ballet with her partner in red & black with a paunch does hip-hop floor work. Yowie.

The host has a half-beard (you know, the one that looks like he forgot to shave for 4-5 days) and he wears an ascot. The judges give a critiques and there are phone numbers to call to vote, but I haven't seen any scores from the judges.

Highly amusing, even if I can't understand a word.

Mon 12/6

2010-12-08T19:37:00.002-05:00

12/6 Mon 6pm

Nice quiet day. Took a shower -- low pressure, no mirror, no plug for hairdryer -- just a shower. But got clean, including hair.

Constance Wray (partner Doris) stopped by and invited me over for a chat. She's on the RVW board this term. Sat around for a couple of hours and discussed many things, including membership in park such as this one. Got lots of info in readiness for hearing the park spiel tomorrow (90 min. sales pitch).

They're both ex-teachers from Kansas. We all agreed that Kansas is terrible in the winter. And they said it's pretty bad in the summer, too.

Then I came back around 1pm, had some lunch, and took a 2-hour nap.

The few TV stations that I was picking up seem to have lost the NBC feed that i watched football on yesterday, so now there's really nothing to watch.

Will get ready to leave tomorrow evening so I don't have anything to do Wed. morning except unplug the elec. Will be out of here by 10am, I'm sure, heading for LA.

Sat-Sun 12/4-5

2010-12-08T19:36:00.000-05:00

Sat-Sun 12/4-5 8pm

So now, it's Sat about 12 or 1. I set off for Quartzsite. About 50 miles out, I called the RVW woman who'd said she was there for the winter. She lives in a deeded lot sort of place, not a regular park, but she called a few and the prices were high. So I said thanks anyhow and kept driving to the Flying J at Ehrenberg AZ / Blythe CA. They have a WEndy's inside, not a restaurant, so I would up with a half-Baja salad and a baked potato. Not too terrible. Once again, went to bed about 8pm and slept till about 7am (6am Calif. time).

I'm still traveling I-10 because there's not a lot of choice out here for crossing the desert. Route 66, for example, was subsumed by I-40 for the most part. Anyhow, I went inside to get some coffee and they had this wall of different coffees, like Sumatra and Ethiopia and French Roast, and cute little creamers with flavors like caramel and macchiato but also half & half. It was great.

So I started off for Thousand Palms CA (not too far from Palm Springs) for the Flying J there (about 120 miles). While I was gassing up, this older woman accosted me in a very genteel way and wanted to know if I was interested in a free weekend at one of the Western Horizon Resorts in return for considering buying a membership. I decided to do it, knowing full well I'm not buying anything.

Anyhow, she led me about 5 miles out of town into the desert, into an area which is pretty much all RV parks of one kind or another -- Desert Hot Springs, it's called. So I'm now cozily ensconced in a full hookup site until Wed. morning. And right off, I saw Flo Hurlburt and Cindy Williams of RVW, and they said there are several other RVW women here, nearly all of whom have done their free stays and are moving to other parks tomorrow.

It's an okay park, though it's a glorified parking lot like most of them are in snowbird and tourist areas. Fair amount of vegetation, though. There's a rec building with a pool, billiards room, card room, e-mail room (no wifi in the park so you have to haul your computer up to this room to get access), hot-tubs at three diff. temps that have water from the natural springs in the area (Cindy says the jets are pretty useless). And there's no cable tv, so if you don't have your own satellite, you don't get much. I'm watching football -- why, you ask? because all the other channels I'm pulling are in Vietnamese, Chinese, Spanish, or Italian.

But it's a deal for free.

Will arrive at Ken and Caroline Robinson's midday Wednesday 12/8.

Sun 12/5

2010-12-08T19:34:00.000-05:00

Sun 12/5 8pm pst

Started out from Eagar last Thursday at 9.30am. Good driving weather, about 58 and partly cloudy. Got to Phoenix intending to go to the Flying J at I-10 and 67th ave (on the west side). However, went the wrong way on the 202 loop and realized it when I saw I was almost to Apache Junction on the SE side.

So, got off and called Richard and Sandy to see if they were up for a visitor. Got their voicemail. Left message. Consulted map. Fought way back onto I-10 and out to the Flying J. Arrived about 5.30pm. Tired, Hungry.

Called Don Young and left message that I was on west side; got voicemail; left message. Found a message to me from Richard saying they'd love to see me. Called back and said I'd come out about 10 or 11 am tomorrow (Friday). Ate dinner in the restaurant and went to bed about 9pm; slept till 7am.

Had a little breakfast (coffee and toast) and set out back to the SE side of town. Got plugged in at Richard's, turned fridge on -- had stopped at walmart on the way and got a few staples (salad, juice, bread). Spent the day hanging with Richard as Sandy still works. I met Richard's mother, age 86 and profoundly deaf, who was an avid RV-er and envied my rig. Went inside to check it all out.

Somewhere that day, Don called and we decided to have lunch on Sat. I said I'll call you in the morning and we'll decided when and where.

That night went off with R&S to a birthday potluck for a friend. He's in some kind of motorcycle color guard outfit and the b'day group was from that outfit. Nice folk. Nearly all veterans (Richard was a career Marine Major). Pleasant evening.

Sat I called Don at 9.30am and got his voicemail. Left message that I'd be heading out at 10am for the Flying J as R&S had some biker stuff to do that morning and had to leave by 11. Didn't hear from Don. Left at 10 and headed for Flying J as I would definitely need gas by that point. Arrived at station and (1) peed and (2) called Don again and got voicemail. Sat in cab and age candy bar and drank coke for about half hour. Decided to go ahead and gas up. Had just finished and was pulling out of the lane when Don called.

Why hadn't he heard from me? He'd been home all morning. Didn't I get his message? I told him about calling and messages I'd left him, none of which he'd gotten. And now he had to, just had to, go buy dogfood and bring it home and feed his four dachshunds. And the Flying J is way west of his house, it would take 40 minutes for him to drive there. [which means, of course, that it would take me 40 min there and 40 min back to where I was].

So we agreed that the telephone gods had conspired against us. I said I'd see him next spring on my way back to NC. He said, let's all meet at Chuck's. I said, okay.

TTFN

2010-12-01T23:23:00.002-05:00

Heading out tomorrow about 9.30 am. First, going to Don Young's in NW Phoenix. On Friday, may go to Richard & Sandy's in SE Phoenix for overnight. Then off to Quartzsite, where at least one RVW woman is staying for the winter. Will spend the weekend there.

On Monday, will begin a 2-day dawdle to Los Angeles, where I'll visit Ken and Caroline Robinson until Sunday. I wouldn't stay so long but she's giving a concert on Sat. and I'd like to go to it.

Sunday, I'll wander up towards the Bay Area, and will visit another RVW woman staying at a park in San Leandro (east Bay). If their monthly price isn't terrible, I may pay it and stay there. I need an address to put in the recall company site so I can start getting jobs in the area. At some point, maybe before, maybe after, I'll go stay in Quinn Yarbro's driveway for a few days. Probably before settling in for a month.

That'll bring me to mid-January, and where I'll go then is undecided.

Meantime, I have to idea when or if I'll have wifi, so want to wish everyone a great holiday; I'm thinking about you.

Getting Antsy

2010-11-29T02:02:00.002-05:00

Am ready to be moving on down the road, not least because of the weather. Supposed to be fairly nice Wed & Thu (low to mid 50s, partly cloudy). I have a package on the way so need to wait for it to get here before heading out.

Will be going to Don Young's in Phoenix for an overnight. I've known him since the mid 1970s; he's Chuck's friend and used to live next door to us in Tucson. He's got 4 dachshunds so I'm glad I won't be sleeping inside.

After that, no firm plans except a general trending toward SF.

New lights all up. Stove cover rivet is fixed. Window channel missing piece has been jerry-rigged so window will open all the way. Etc etc. Maintenance done, except resealing roof because it's been too cold for it to cure; will take stuff along and do it somewhere warmer.

No idea when I'll have wifi again after I leave here, but I'll be thinking about all y'all.

T-Day Report

2010-11-25T22:26:00.003-05:00

Yep, that's the view this morning about 7:30. It was still snowing; you just can't see it. It finally quit about 11am and most of it melted off before dark (but not all). My water hose is frozen -- well, actually, the water in it is frozen. Chuck got it loose from the pipe (the tall thing in the middle of the photo). As of right now (8:30pm), it's 6 deg.

Went up to the house (about 50 feet) about noon and took a nice hot shower. Also refilled one of my water jugs. Chuck provided a nice dinner about 3pm -- turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, giblet gravy, jellied cranberry sauce, hot croissants. All good. About 7pm we had pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and that filled the last of the open space in the stomach.

We topped off the evening by watching a 2-hr competition called Punkin Chunkin. There were trebuchets, ballistas, air cannons, human-powered catapults, and more. The Mythbuster guys were there. It was actually great fun. I can't remember the category, but the first-ever all-woman team won it.

A nice day. Now to keep from freezing -- the heater is working full blast and we're at 58 deg inside the rig.

Lights & Roof & Wind, oh my

2010-11-24T02:11:00.002-05:00

Chuck got a coat of roof sealant on today before the clouds blew in with the stiff wind and the temps dropped. It'll need another 2-3 coats eventually. The winds are howling around outside right now.

UPS couldn't find this address so I had to get in touch with the seller who got in touch with UPS who got in touch with me so I could give them directions. They thought the address was the apartment complex across the street and were demanding an apt. number. We saw a UPS truck today on the street and talked to him -- he knows the apt. complex isn't the same as our address. Anyhow, the pkg of 4 fluorescents should be here tomorrow.

The window channel and the stove cover rivet still need fixing.

Chuck gave me my xmas present today as I won't be here in Dec. It's a 20-gauge shotgun. I had expressed a desire to have a 20-gauge pump someday so as to make that unmistakable sound, in hopes of deterring the bad guy and, if not, being ready to shoot. My present is not a pump model, but the cocking lever makes a special click all its own. Now I just have to figure out where to carry it. My girlish heart just swooned.

To Smoke?

2010-11-19T23:06:00.002-05:00

I got expressions of support for not smoking, which I appreciate.

Howsomever, what I actually said was that I'm not smoking cigarettes anymore.

I switched to an electronic "cigarette" which has no tobacco, no tar, no preservatives, no butts, no ashes. The only byproduct is water vapor, and it delivers atomized nicotine/glycol. So, I still get my drug but only that with no nasty byproducts. And I'm slowly decreasing the strength, too, so I may quit totally at some point in the future. It's been 3 months now, and I don't miss tobacco at all. I think what I really like is having something to chew on and also making smoke.

Just didn't want to mislead y'all.

Vents etc

2010-11-19T09:57:00.003-05:00

We were going to reseal the vents prior to resealing the roof. As it turned out, all three vents were busted -- the kind of busted that can't be fixed, like large cracks in the plastic lids, stripped screws, etc. So we went down the road and bought three new ones; got one installed yesterday and will do the other two today.

Got the range hood removed and, boy, does it make a wonderful difference in visual space and headroom and elbow room! Turns out, too, that the hood was an exhaust hood but it was installed without hooking up an external exhaust, so it just blew air around inside -- which is of no use whatsoever. We also took down the curtain track right by the cabover/bed -- another big difference in visual space and headroom. If anyone ever wants to put a curtain back up there (to close the bed off from the living space), they can buy a tension rod.

Now that I'm no longer smoking cigarettes, I may put the smoke detector back up.

The only things left to do (other than mentioned above) is the stove cover rivet, and the window channel.

I'm taking Chuck to lunch today at Los Dos Molinos. Next week is T Day -- hope everyone has a nice one, and I'll be thinking of you.

Restroom at Springerville

2010-11-17T16:41:00.003-05:00

I made a special trip to photograph this building. When I came to town last Sept. I saw this building but had no idea what it was. The signs are small brown signs with the man/woman icons and an arrow -- that's it. It sits on a rise about two miles north of town, just outside the town limits. It's so close to town I have no idea what possessed them to put it here, with large spots for RV and truck parking. I like the interesting combo of Art Deco and Southwestern design.

Frustration Exercises

2010-11-17T12:16:00.003-05:00

My online bank has set up some new "security" upgrades, without telling me, of course. So I can't log on anymore without going through a new setup, involving six(!) security questions. One choice is "what was your first job" -- that was 1961, for heaven's sake, retail clerk in a five-&-dime type store that I don't remember the name of. I managed to finally get through all that rigamarole, then there were the verified codes to my phone and my email, which I had to go get and type in.

I also did an upgrade on my operating system and am now having browser problems (it's really slow all of a sudden) and occasional error messages when I try to do something. Aaargh.

Yes yes, I suppose it's all good in the long run, but I started out at 7am and it's now 10am, so I'm tired and annoyed.

On the good side, the black tank has been 99% repaired with ABS cement; the guy suggests that I dump more frequently, just in case. I can do that, especially since he only charged me $25 because he couldn't do 100% repair.

The new fluorescent lights should arrive today, so I'll be taking out the range hood and the bad light fixture over the kitchen sink and replacing it with a 2ft fixture. And I'll have headroom over the stove.

Tomorrow I'm going to take Chuck to lunch at Los Dos Molinos and we're going to have the Mexican Pizza. Yum.

Welding Plastic

2010-11-16T10:03:00.002-05:00

A local guy does plastic "welding" and is repairing my blackwater tank in situ. Of course, first he has to get all the previous repair stuff off (silicone, fiberglass). The weather turned nasty yesterday and finally got too cold for him to continue, so he'll be back today, when the temp. should be above 50 deg. It even spit a couple of white flakes at us, promptly whirled away by the stiff wind.

Next thing is the roof. I've found two fancy roof coatings that not only seal but insulate and am gathering info to decide which to get. One is a NASA tech offshoot and the other won an award from its trade group. None of the Toyota Yahoo group folk have used either one, though one guy is considering them, so they'll be grateful for whatever I find.

Then, the only project left is replacing lights and removing the range hood. Lights are on the way. I'm excited to get rid of the blankety-blank range hood.

Then Turkey Day. Then hit the road!

Mixed up posts

2010-11-13T01:15:00.002-05:00

The last 3-4 posts are a little out of order. The one about taking out the black tank is the most recent. Got a little befuddled.