Another system is coming into the area.  Of course I’m off today.  Go figure.

The weather is so nice here normally, so I can’t really complain.  But I was hoping to get out and climb with Bob, Brooke, & Andy.  We haven’t been out in a few weeks……..

Photos have been missing here for a while.  Not for lack of interest, but lack of time.  The part time deal has been full time for sure.  The end result, inside tons, outside little.  Last night I was very disappointed with the situation.  Out the windows I could see an amazing sunset.  Clouds coming in, a vivid pink sky, and it looked completely unreal.  I should have been in the Dells with my tripod and camera.  Maybe next time.

Interacting with the general public is trying at times. There are also times where it’s just downright weird. And I mean weird.

I’ve been talking with friends about recent experiences at my new part time role, and they’ve had some good giggles. Several have suggested it might be the area, Prescott. I don’t think so. I think it’s just more common across our nation that people are getting pretty strange.  I’ve got some theories on it too…..

In the past few weeks I’ve interacted with all sorts of people.  I’ve even interacted with their dogs (and wondered what the dog was doing in a business).

So, what have I seen?  I’ll give you a short list:

• The guy who wants a real cell phone.  He’s used a pre-pay plan, and now wants to get a family plan (2 phones).  Once the price is seen he says never mind, one phone will be enough.  Plans are examined, one is selected.  Paper work is filled out, and right at the end he admits the address he gave is an old one.  Everything gets canceled, we re-do the entire thing, and right at the end he decides he doesn’t want that plan.  We re-examine plans, start a new one….and right at the end he says he’d prefer the first.  Finally we get everything done, phone in hand after 3 failed attempts due to a lie about an address, changing his mind, and changing again…….and he asks how much time he has to cancel the plan because he thinks it might be a bad idea…..
• So many lonely people who just want to talk.  They’re so lonely they’re willing to talk about tech, listen, learn, etc.  They don’t want the tech.  They just want someone to hear them and interact.
• Recently I encountered a clearly drugged out guy who brought his dog into the business.   He started working with another employee discussing something, and he just let the dog go roaming through the store.  Very interesting indeed.  Fortunately it was a lab, so I thought it was cute.
• My all time topper…..the wealthy 40 something who grabbed my butt like it’s never been grabbed before.  Glad her husband didn’t see that one!  I’ve never been called “honey, sweetie, dear, darling, & cutie” so much in a 15 minute period.  I’m wondering if my butt is bruised.
• A Japanese tourist who didn’t speak any English trying to get a cell phone.  When I popped the box onto the counter of the phone he was interested in he tried to grab it and pull it away from me (he successfully pulled me several feet…..strong fella).  Ah, if only I understood Japanese, then I’d know what the flurry of angry words meant.

There’s so many more.  I’m writing them all down.  There’s probably a book, maybe two in all of it.  And no, I didn’t hit all of the stories in great detail above.  Just giving you the flavor.

I will tell you, the number one thing I’m seeing in all these folks is loneliness.   They want to talk.  And they’re happy to have someone explain technical gadgetry, wireless, plans, cell phone covers, etc.  All to get to have a conversation with someone.

I’ve felt for a while that we seem to becoming more disconnected.  And the interactions I’ve been having the last 3 weeks really drive it home for me.  All this tech has the capacity to connect us further, but it’s doing the opposite.  People on the cell phone ignoring those they are with.  Groups of people walking together, all of them on phones, not interacting with those right in front of them.  My all time favorite, the SIMS.  People simulating life for weeks at a time while they ignore those in their own house…..(experienced that one first hand).

So, it seems I get to be the guy these folks talk to for the time being.  Hmmmm.

Yup, the past few weeks have been quite the experience!

Ah, finally, a functional furnace again.  My suspicions were incorrect.  The thermostat was not the culprit.  Instead, a small switch in the furnace was shorting out.  Hmmmm.

This morning I gave a call to Larry.  He owns “Mobile RV Specialists” out of Dewey, Arizona.  Larry came out, checked out the thermostat, and found nothing wrong.  Further investigation was required.

After about 45 minutes of checking connections Larry finally found my issue.  Hoorah!!!

So, tonight I have heat again, and it makes me happy!  Big thanks to Larry of Mobile RV Specialists!  Great job, reasonable rates.

That’s right.  Winter happens here in Prescott too!

This morning I woke up to ICE on the windshield.  Yesterday’s rain brought some sleet, a cooler temperature, and finally a freeze!

Wouldn’t you know, the furnace (make that the thermostat) has decided to go on the fritz again.  Fortunately the little portable electric heater has hung in there.  But it just can’t do the job with a big freeze (in the 20’s), so I woke up to 58 degrees this morning.

This time I won’t depend on the power of a post (read last week’s entry) to get the thermostat working again.  I’ll be calling a local RV repair guy to see if we can get the real heat cranking again.

The days here warm up into the 50’s, and the Airstream warms up.  It’s just the nights that have brought freezing temperatures so far.  And that’s when I’m in the Airstream!

Think warm thoughts………

Today will be a challenge.  Very little sleep last night.  Now I’m dragging.

Somewhere close to 4:00 a.m. I woke up, and wasn’t sure why.  It didn’t take long for me to discover what woke me.  Another wind gust hit, and the Airstream rocked once more.  And it ROCKED!

Now I’ve been in some wind with this little trailer.  When I first arrived in Prescott it was super windy.  And I had moments where I worried the trailer would blow away!  Last night I experienced it once more, and the gusts must have been super strong!

Each time I started to doze back off another gust would come rumbling through.  So from 4 to 7 I’ve been half awake, or half asleep depending on how you look at it.

So, today might be difficult.  Work in a few hours.  Let’s hope I can wake up.

Speaking of rude…..

Since the title of today’s post includes the word rude I thought I’d mention one more thing……

I popped into Fry’s last night to pick up a few things.  Out of grape juice, running low on Sierra Mist, and a few more tofu patties.  You know, I did a big shopping day not long ago.  Sometimes you only have so much storage space in an Airstream.

Before I started shopping I raced to the public restroom.   Not the biggest fan of public restrooms, but ah well.

As I approached the door to the restroom it sounded like a big conversation was going on inside.  I pushed the door open, and headed in expecting a few folks in there.  Not the case.  Just one guy on his hands free cell phone talking to someone……from the bathroom…..from a public restroom.

Over the course of the past month I have been in 3 different stores, and encountered 3 different people on the phone while in a restroom.  I wonder if the folks on the other end mind the flushing sound in the background?  Really, can’t you curb the conversation and call back in 15 minutes?

So, is it just me who thinks that’s a little rude?  Maybe I’m too sensitive, but I don’t want to bring a caller into the bathroom with me……just seems too strange!