Gadget’s Airstream Chronicles

Yesterday I had my first appointment with my new dentist.  Not the same as the old dentist.

I really liked my old dentist back in Reading, MA.  Great guy.  Always friendly, and I was always at ease with his staff.  But since the start of 2005 I’ve been concerned about dentists.  See, it was back then, after a month of anti-biotics and a serious abscessed tooth that my health fell apart big time.

So, I’m a little nervous about dental visits now.  And let’s face it, going to a new dentist you just never know what you’ll get.  You worry that you’ll see things like a set of rusty pliers hanging off his tool belt.

Fortunately the office I entered was a nice one.  Patients weren’t falling out of the chairs, and I saw no pliers anywhere in the building.  Without pliers I wonder what they do when assembling new furniture…..

I explained my concerns to the hygienist, and she was extra nice.  No abusive cleaning tactics (she didn’t sit on my chest while scraping my teeth).  She did however do a thorough cleaning.  Let me ask you, the scraping sound at the dentist……do you hate it too?

After X-Rays, my cleaning, and a chat with the dentist I was off.  No thorough abuse, no cavities, no fillings, no root canals.  Nice.

Immediately after the dentist I had to run off to meet a tech client.  A local business woman contacted me regarding working with Garage Band.  Her goal….a series of Podcasts for the work she does.  What a fun contract, and short one too.

It’s really fun when you walk into a client’s place of business, they’re all geared up to spend hours with you, and instead the work required takes about 15 minutes.  Yes, I know, contracting I’ve got to learn to drag my feet.  My clients appreciate it, my wallet doesn’t.

We looked at a large list of questions she had regarding Garage Band.  I ticked off each answer, and quickly demonstrated how to deal with the issue on the program.  I also threw in some extra ideas in addition to her list.  And I gave her some ideas about nice background music provided by several sites that allow for usage of music in your podcast.

So, my client is now off and running.  My teeth are happily clean, and cavity free.  And I’m still glad to have found the town of Prescott.  Also, thrilled that local dentists don’t in fact carry rusty pliers (to my knowledge).

Take a nap! So that’s what I did today.

Oh yes, there were other little errands and such to do, but mostly today was about relaxing, catching up with myself, and reading through a back log of e-mail. I still have many to return, but no pressure today.

Oh, and I still have a few books to read. The pile grows……

Early afternoon I kicked back on the couch and watched “Meet the Robinsons”. A friend sent me a gift download of it for my birthday last week. Nice hint that I had to see the movie. And it’s a good movie (today was the second viewing).

Mid-way through I fell asleep. No reflection on the movie, just being extra restful.

Shortly after the nap Bob popped by. We were going to climb this morning, but I never heard from him. Turns out he popped by while I was at New Frontiers and assumed I was out for the day. Whoops! That’s what I get for rounding up rice chips in the morning!

After the big nap I felt more rested. So a short walk into the Dells was in order. I haven’t been out there in almost a week. Terrible, I know.

It’s a slightly overcast day, so I didn’t get any “great” shots, but did take some random ones. I’ve included them in the latest gallery at the bottom of this post. I’ve also peppered in a few photos from my last trip to Perkinsville. I really need to spend a few days out there. So much to see, and such an interesting area.

Tomorrow won’t be as quiet. A dentist visit (cleanings are so much fun), and then a client who wants to learn more about Garage Band (a great program on my Mac). Looks like they’re looking to do some style of podcast, so that should be interesting!

There’s everything I’ve got to update today. Keep scrolling down and check out the latest little random gallery. No big favorites in it, but the blog has been lacking photos for a few days now, and I needed to address that!

Just so you know, the last photo is of my neighbor Ed in the laundry room.  Nice guy, and he always wants to talk economics with me…..so much for my 12 step program to leave economics behind!

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For those who’ve followed along for a while, you already know who Gunny is.  For those who haven’t……why haven’t you read the archives?

Monday afternoon Gunny pulled into Point of Rocks.  I got in after 6 and we got to catch up for a few.  Good to see him again.  Our last visit was a quick one back in Austin (last February).

I’d met Gunny through Rich L. last year.  He was at the Airstream International rally (along with hundreds and hundreds of other Airstreamers).  Quite the character too!

Yesterday we visited for a while.  His dog Nana was glad to see me, and his new puppy reminded me how crazy young dogs can be.  While we visited I did a little maintenance on his Macbook.  Gunny picked one up last year after reading my book…..hmmmm….Mac owes me big time. 

This morning Gunny hitched up and headed out.  Winter in Austin, summer in Salem, OR.  Pretty nice way to live.

For well over a week my furnace hasn’t kicked on.  I wrote about that yesterday.  You probably recall that.

Well, after writing I tinkered with the thermostat some more.  No results.  But I did leave it set to the on position.  And when I returned last night I found the heater running.  That’s right, running well at that!  Hmmmm.

What fixed it?  I don’t know.  Maybe it was the fact I wrote about it, and the need to fix it.  Or maybe it’s just a flaky themrostat.

We’re having a cold snap here in Prescott.  Well, it’s more than a snap.  After all, we are at elevation you know, so it’s no surprise.  It reminds me of when I first arrived here last spring.  Cold nights, warm days.  The past few days haven’t been as warm, but still, it’s familiar.

The cold has caused me to do a little shopping.  No, not the latest ski bunny suit.  No skiing here yet, and I really question how I’d look in a ski bunny suit.  Instead I’ve gotten some heat tape for the hose that feeds my Airstream water.  The heat tape has been wrapped up in a weird fiber glass insulator wrap.  Hey, it keeps my water flowing.

This week’s chill has raised another issue.  I need to get my thermostat fixed.  It’s not working, and hasn’t been for about 2 weeks.  It’s been an issue for years.  Turn the thermostat on, and nothing happens.  Give it a tap on the side and it’s off and running, regulating the furnace.  Well, not any longer.

I’ve suspected a loose wire behind the device.  You press it just a bit and the heat kicks on.  But sometimes it doesn’t come back on.  And now, it just doesn’t come on.

Fortunately I’ve got a cute little electric heater, and it’s doing ok.  Just ok.  The current temperature outside is 22.  The current temperature in the trailer is 57.  The heater is set to 60, but just not making it there.  So it’s happy with 57, and I’ll try to be too.

Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday I’ll get a local RV fix it guy to come out and check the thermostat.  Oh, and I’m capable too, but for some reason I can disconnect the thermostat from the wall.  Tried the other day.  Unscrewed it, and it felt as if it were glued to the wall or something.  So I need another set of eyes on this project.  Ah well, some more money will be spent……but I’d like it about 62 in here. 

Yesterday was a busy one.  And yes, I was out for most of the day, Black Friday.  Only I think it was more of a Gray Friday.

I think this year’s winter spending boom isn’t going to be what people expected.  I spent a good part of the day watching folks, and the shopping frenzy wasn’t really there.  Sure, folks were out, but were they buying as expected?  I didn’t see it.

For those who know me well you’re already aware, I dabble into the realm of economics (looks like that 12 step program didn’t help).  And I’ve been watching over the past few months with extra interest.  I think we’re at an inflection point.  In other words, transition.  It’s not surprising.

For well over a decade we’ve borrowed and spent our way through life.  Interest rates go down, the value of your house goes up, take more money out of your house (by the way, when rates go up, prices usually go down….that a proven as well).  That’s been the track record for a while now, and it’s catching up.  You can only borrow so much.  Can I be sure about that?

Take Japan for an example.  After their market bust in the 90’s the banks lowered rates like mad.  And no growth occurred.  The real interest rate in Japan, when taking their inflation rate into consideration, was 0%.  No cost to borrow money in reality.  And they had a painful 12 year slump.

So, watching the shopping action yesterday I’ve come away with a strong feeling that the economic slowdown nobody wants to believe in has already started up in force.  High gas prices, staple food prices spiking, etc.  Anyone remember the 70’s?

Sorry gang, a totally different type of post today.  But there’s a ton going on that begs many questions right now, and I couldn’t help but post a short bit on what I’m seeing!

Yes, this is the morning everyone gears up for.  Some camp out in front of stores the night before.  Hot chocolate, coffee, blankets, and the rest……all for a cheaper computer or other fun toy.

And for once, I think I understand the door buster experience.  See, I’m waiting to do my own.  At 8:00 a.m. the doors open here….and I need to be the first in line.  I’ll be standing there with my needed gear.  Laundry basket, detergent, and drier sheets.  I really need to get some laundry done!

Will there be pushing and shoving in line?  I’ve got no idea.  We’ll see.  Usually if I get there late there’s only one washer.  When my wash is done I wait for a drier FOREVER!

So wish me luck.  Let’s hope I come away unscathed!

Yesterday was an odd, and somewhat disappointing day.  Nothing quite fit for the day.  My mood, the folks I interacted with, etc.  Just off.

Mid-day a few folks popped into my part time job looking for help.  The part time job is of course somewhat techie.  Not techie enough of course.

The people in search of help popped in with a computer and a video recorder.  The video recorder wasn’t working with their Macintosh.  Ah, I knew exactly what was wrong.  They had a Sony camcorder, a hard drive model.  The same one I have.

I let them know the camera was fine, their computer was fine.  They were missing one small piece of software.  A converter so they could deal with the files on the Sony.

In total I only had about 5 minutes with them.  A quick explanation, a quick demo, and the name of the software they needed.  I hope they got it all (they did write it down).

After dealing with them I felt bad.  The type of trouble they were having was easy to deal with, but I’d like to take 30 minutes to really teach them about it.  I enjoy showing people how to leverage the technology they own, and their situation would have been a great opportunity to really show them how to get the most out of their system.  But I didn’t have time given demands of others around me.

It’s disappointing when you can’t do your best due to the restrictions of where you work.  Especially if you have the internal drive to be a teacher.  So, that led to some disappointment with what I’ve been doing.

And on a tangent to this thought……

It’s also trying when you feel you don’t have the time to be patient.  Yesterday I witnessed a total melt down.  Not a minor one.  A guy seeking out help with his system became completely and totally unhinged.  A hard drive failure that needed to be fixed NOW!

You’d expected a wounded person or frightened person to start screaming and yelling.  It’s expected.  But how about if your hard drive fails?  All your data is potentially lost.  How do you deal with it?  How about a 5 minute shrieking rant?  Yup.  Every curse imaginable, screaming, yelling about people around him needing therapy, and a bunch of other strange stuff.

Bottom line, he didn’t have time and needed it fixed now, and wanted everyone within shouting (really loud shouting) distance to know.  Wow.

I must say to all readers the following……a tech note.  You need to backup your systems on a regular basis.  Systems may fail.  And if they do, a backup will make you feel happier.  Your data will be safe.  And as I point out in my book, backup hard drives (portable USB drives) are pretty darned cheap now.  See, tech folks can’t always restore or fix everything.  And you need to do your part.

Simply put, if you never take your car in for oil changes and tune ups it will fail.  Preventative maintenance.  You need to do the same with your computer.  Disk scans, defrags, and backups.  If you don’t do it, don’t be angry when you hit a failure.

Have you ever been so tired, on your feet so long, that when you sit down for a moment to catch up you feel as if your whole body is buzzing? Yes?

Well, that’s where I am right now. I’ve been straight out the past few days, on my feet the whole time, and I feel as tired as when I climb. Oh, well, my arms aren’t super tired!

Tonight I’ve got to go back into the “part time job” for some preparations for this week. More time in. I’ll be buzzing even more.

………..pretend some time passed……only because it did…….

I’d started writing this post at 4:45 on Sunday.  Then lots of phone calls from family and friends.  Birthday wishes and all.  Thanks guys.  Sorry to everyone I didn’t answer, the phone is off at work.

After the calls, quick updates, etc., I headed back in.  It’s now 11 p.m.  And yes, I’m all a buzz even more, yet wound up and awake.  Hopefully that won’t last long.  I need some rest.  I’m older you know, so I need to rest more…..  

Updates will come when they can.  Tomorrow is a catchup day, a few errands.  The rest of the week will be off the wall.

With yesterday’s calendar experiment well in hand I decided to take a look at the latest offerings from LuLu. And I’m delighted to find that LuLu will now print and frame art prints.

I’d been wanting to offer larger format prints to folks, but I don’t really have the means to do it. Sure, I own wide format printers. They’re stored at my dad’s right now. Remember, living in a 25 ft Airstream. Not much room for large printers you know.

So, now that LuLu offers framed art prints, posters, etc., I have a way to produce larger high quality prints of my photography. And I’ve had many requests for larger format prints. Now I can respond to those requests!

This morning I’ve uploaded two favorites to the site and listed them for sale as prints.  We’ll see how that goes.  I’m only going to keep them up through the end of this year, and afterward I won’t offer them again as prints (ah, limited edition). 

The shot above was taken last week, and it’s already a favorite.   To see the print options simply click here.  If you want to see what the other mystery print is, follow this link. 

I’ll be uploading a few more favorites over the next few days.  Like the two prints currently listed, I’ll only keep them available as prints through the end of the year.  After that I think I’ll do 4 favorites per month, and take them down at the end of each month.