Gadget’s Airstream Chronicles

Yes, it happens.  Sometimes blogs don’t get updated for a day or two.  Apologies, but really, you don’t want boring reports, right?

My new “hero”, Scott Kelby, has declared Wednesdays to be, “No Blog Wednesdays.”  So, even super famous bloggers take time away.  That makes me feel better about being silent for a few days.

What’s been up?  Well, I spent the majority of yesterday in Phoenix, AZ at a managers’ meeting.  Long day for sure given the ride down takes about 1.5 hours.  I didn’t get home until 8:45.  Super long day!

The remainder of the week will remain dull.  I’m busy all week.  Hopefully I can get some photography in at some point.  I’ve been thinking about a specific shot to try HDR with, and maybe I’ll get to shoot it some evening this week.

Little to really blog on today.  It happens sometimes.  A day of little chores, minor activity, and a whole lot of couch time.

This morning I got up not feeling my best.  Several days ago I went to refill my Protonix and found that I had refilled my last.  Whoops.  But I thought to myself, “Let’s see if you don’t need this any longer.”  It’s a medication that keeps a gut from being super nuclear & acidy.  Since I’ve felt better about my allergies I thought maybe my gut would be calmer.

Nope!

For the past few months I’ve been flying along with no insurance.  My job now provides it, but I had to wait until April for it to kick in.  By the seat of my pants! I was supposed to get Cobra information a few months ago, tried to track it down, but no luck.  So I decided just to deal in cash for prescriptions as I knew my new insurance would soon kick in.

Now I’m back in the ranks of the insured.  Good to be back here.  The next step is finding a local physician who is taking new patients.  Good luck!  I’ve been told that the doctors here are booked up, and through my initial salvo of calls I’ve found it’s true.  Tomorrow morning I’ll continue the calls.

Any local Prescott folks who know of a local physician that has openings…..leave a comment.  Thanks! 

So, my morning was spent hanging out in the trailer, washing windows, straightening up, and sorting through my photos.  More deletions, more ranking of favorite shots, etc.  I’m still not done with my full sorting.  I only covered the past few months, and I spent nearly two hours.  Sometimes I import, pick a few I like, and leave the big sorting until later.  This morning was “later.”

Terry and Gregg headed out this morning as well.  Sadira stopped over to say good bye to them as well.  She’s been under the weather all week, so visiting with our new friends was limited.  Sorry that was the case.  They seem pretty cool, and they enjoy Airstream travel and new spots as well.  I’m sure we’ll meet up again, and really get to visit longer.

After Terry and Greg headed out we returned to the Airstream and had a light lunch.  Sorry to say the food didn’t help with the tummy issues.  Ah well, worth a shot.  While I clenched my teeth, Sadira continued with coughing fits.  She’s really had a bad cold or sinus infection.  But she sounds a whole lot better than earlier in the week.

We enjoyed a quiet afternoon.  Sadira was kind enough to bring her Dyson vacuum over, and I went on a cleaning spree in the trailer.  I miss my Dyson, but I don’t know where I’d store it in the trailer.  Still, using hers today made me want mine shipped out here soon…..hmmm…..

You wouldn’t believe the amount of “dust” that it pulled out of the trailer.  Sure, it’s normally sealed up and has a HEPA running, but this is the high desert.  And currently we’re having the super strong winds to boot.  So, a lot of stuff gets in the air right now, and clearly into the trailer.  Ah well.

Little else to report on.

All of the photos posted today have been shot in the past few months.  You might have seen similar shots, but the 3 in today’s post haven’t been posted here until now.  I figured that I’d post a few I flagged today as I was sorting away.

Ah, something very different.  A photo of me on the blog.  It’s a rare occasion, but it does happen from time to time.

The other night out on the rocks Terry snapped a photo of me.  We were just heading up into the Dells toward “Thor’s Marbles” on a favorite wall.  It’s also the place where “the tree” stands.  After our little outing Terry was kind enough to send along a few photos.  I figured it was time to let everyone know I still looked like me.

Terry also shot a photo of me lying on a rock to get the shot of “the tree”.  I figured we could post the photo of me upright, not all squished up making sure I didn’t slide to the left, take a fall, and drop my camera….so the upright photo made it up here.  Oh, and I toyed with his other photo with Photoshop and had a ton of fun.  Maybe down the road I’ll do a before and after.  Li

You’ll note the photo on this page has a copyright of TB Rich.  Not my shot, Terry’s.  :)  Thanks for letting me post it Terry, much appreciated! 

So….on to today.

Wow, I don’t have much fun stuff to report….sorry to say.

Today was supposed to be a day off.  Instead I had to attend a morning meeting.  Totally cutting into laundry time.  Ah well, it happens, no major gripes.  Laundry started 2.5 hours late.  That cut into my “give Terry & Greg a tour of somewhere fun” time.

By the time I completed my laundry I needed some lunch.  Boca Burgers & some tater tots.  Exciting stuff there gang.  Immediately after lunch it was time to head to the doctor.  Ah yes, the fun and joy of a day off.

The other week I noted that a cute little freckle / mole on my neck had suddenly puffed up, and the area around it got super itchy.  I mean 200 mosquito bites simultaneously kind of itchy. People noticed it.  I noticed it.  I think my neighbor’s cat noticed it.

Given all the attention I felt it only prudent to have a dermatologist take a look.  She found another spot while I was in the office, so I got cut twice for the price of only one cut.  The numbing shots they gave me worked well.  I’m wishing now that the shots would have worked longer (ouch!).

Finally after meetings, Wal-Mart stops, food, doctor visits, band aids and stitches I headed home (only stitches on one).  And I returned exhausted.  I can’t remember my last “non-activity” day.  Really, I can’t.  Been hopping here.

So, after a little thought I decided to cancel tonight’s dinner plans.  Popped up to Terry & Greg’s and let them know.  They were fine with that.  Hopefully tomorrow we can head out before they return to Phoenix.

Ah, being “Dull Rich” this week.  Sorry, it happens.  You hit that tired point and you just need to reel yourself in.  I know I’m not the only one.  Speaking with Sadira tonight I can attest to the fact that she needs a HEPA, her lungs cleared out, and a vacation…..she’s under the weather!  Hang in there!

Well, that’s all tonight.  I took a short nap, providing just enough energy to create this post.

Ah yes, some more tree photos.  Oh please, can we have some more?  What is this, the “Sunset Tree Blog”?

Alright, I know….enough with the tree.  Seriously, I came away with what I was looking for tonight….so I’ll spare you the tree…..for a month or so.  :)  Then all bets are off gang.

So, out of work early, an early dinner, a little rest on the couch and some bad anime.  Bad anime?  No such thing, right?  Wrong, I bought an “on sale” series I found recently and I know why it’s on sale.  My first bad anime experience.  But I’ll watch the whole series since I paid for it.  Glad Hastings will buy it back from me!

After dinner Sadira came over for a few.  She’s a little under the weather, fighting a sinus infection.  No fun.

We headed up for a short walk with Terry & Gregg again tonight.  I wanted to try another round of photos with “the tree”.  This would be the tree that Bert took a wonderful photo of first pass.  It’s taken 3 for me to be happy with my results!  Glad to have satisfied the “tree photo urge.”

By the way….did you notice the haze through the light beams?  Yeah, the haze is still here.  And it’s still in force.  Terry noted something in the air today, Sadira’s sinus issues are due to the air…..

Wasn’t the air quality good here last year?  Yes, it was.  What’s the deal?  No idea.  I’ve heard there’s a controlled burn going on.  That will aggravate anyone!  Hopefully it stops soon and we can all get back to being happy! 

With the air quality being weird for a week I haven’t felt my best. I’m glad to know this stuff only lasts a few week here, and that shortly we’ll be back to the standard (wonderful) days here in Prescott.

In the meantime, the HEPA is cranking away in the trailer. And last night it provided a good night’s sleep. The night before it didn’t……somebody left a window cracked open to cool the trailer. One of those mess ups that happens here and there.

That mistake left me clogged and exhausted yesterday. Ugh. All I wanted to do was go back to bed. This morning was a different story. Wide awake before 6.

Did I mention that my bedroom window is lined up perfectly with the eastern horizon? Yeah, the sun shines in a little early, and I’m a person who seems to wake up with the sun. Hmmmmm…..going to need to darken that window.

Adding to the Post after Posting…..Breaking News, It’s FOX DAY!

What’s Fox Day?  It’s a special “holiday” at my old undergraduate school, Rollins College.  Click the link above to see what I posted about it last year.

I just received an e-mail telling me that today is Fox Day.

By the way, this means you get the day off.  Go have some fun.  Relax.  Fly a kite already…..!

That’s right.  Prescott is quickly becoming the destination of choice for Airstreamers “in the know.”  Since I’ve arrived, we’ve hosted some of the “well knowns” in Airstream circles.

• Rich, Eleanor, & Emma of Airstream Life stayed longer than planned….2 days….yeah right.
• Gunny has rolled through several times.
• Bert & Janie Gildart stopped in for well over a week.
• Brent (ah, I’ll make you use the search feature on my blog) spent a good while here.
• And now, Terry & Greg have popped in.

A slew of well known Airstream bloggers and plain old Airstreamers have paid a visit to Point of Rocks RV Park.  Beyond blogging and being tech savvy travelers they have another item in common.  They’ve all stayed longer than planned.  Hmmmm…. I once said Prescott had its own vortex, and I stand by it!

Terry (a.k.a TB Rich) and Greg have stopped into Prescott for a while.  They just spent several days down at Dead Horse State Park (Janie & Bert spent some time there), and now they’re revisiting Prescott for the first time in years.  Both commented that the area has changed a lot.  Wait until they take a drive around tomorrow!  Not that I know how much it’s changed.  My friends who’ve lived here for years have told me…..but I’ve seen change in only one year, so I get it.

I’ll include a link to their site tomorrow….I seem to have lost track of it (Terry, send it in e-mail and I’ll link it). 

I returned from work tonight and hit my mailbox to see what’s what.  Waiting on a few documents….ah, the exciting parts of live.  One of the park managers, Rick, let me know friends had arrived.  Ah yes, I knew they were coming this morning, but by the end of the work day I forget everything!

I took a ride up to site 65 (a great site….I’d like to move to that one) and met up with Terry & Greg.  They’d just unhitched their 19 ft. Bambi.  Pretty slick.  An 06′ model if I remember correctly.  And it’s a limited edition.  Better interior by far!

We chatted for a bit, I headed home, did the dinner thing, and we met up once more.  I took them out for the standard walk through the Dells (nothing standard about it), and their pups loved it.  Sadie & Annie….two cocker spaniels.  Cute dogs, and they enjoyed the walk.  I kept it mild as I didn’t want the dogs jumping big crevasses.  We still found a view of the surrounding area that was stunning (all the views here are), and I think my new friends enjoyed their initial tour.

Well, that’s it from the Dells.  Long day, and bed rest is necessary.  :)  More tomorrow.  Friday is a day off, but I have an outpatient surgery so we’ll see what I do and don’t do.  :)   Cross your fingers! 

While you might think that I’ve been operating in a strange haze, think again.  I’m not talking about myself.  I’m talking about the air here the past few days.

I just rechecked pollen.com.  Prescott is looking pretty good according to that site.  Yet over the past week we’ve seen a strange haze floating over the mountains and hanging in the sky.  It’s noticeable.  The mountains in the distance are muted, almost blotted out at points.

I’ve heard a range of reasons for this odd phenomena…..

• Pollen
• Water vapor
• Dust due to the high winds
• A controlled burn in the distance (I can’t confirm that one).

Whatever it is, it is bothering me a bit.  And other people are having some allergy issues too.  Hmmmm….who knows what it is.

Yesterday I complained about the haze to my friend Josh.  He agreed, it’s been annoying. He hasn’t taken outdoor photos in a while because the sky and horizon is too muted for anything good.  Ah yes, that’s where the pictures have been.  :)  Hidden behind a haze!

Once things clear I’ll get some more fun photos up.  In the meantime….well, go take a look at Burt’s blog, he always has cool photos. 

Once again, my account with IXWebhosting is being hacked.  I can’t count the number of times in the past few months this has gone on.  I’m worried these guys are “wide open”.

I’m sitting up now trying to fight new folders being added to my domains.  All numbered folders (I name mine) being added on 4/21/08.  One after another.

After my recent hacks I contacted IX to help me remove several suspect folders & directories.  They responded with a lame e-mail on resetting my FTP server, which I did to no avail.  The new folders created by hackers were not removable, and IX’s staff of folks in India (you can’t understand them at all when you call) have been totally useless, and will not assist me in removing the directories created by hackers.

Wow guys, thanks a whole bunch.  You’re inaction exposes you further to these creepy hackers.  Why won’t you remove the directories I asked you to remove.  I’m the paying customer, and you won’t remove them.

In two days my site expires with IXWebhosting.  I’m looking into alternate providers as I’ve been paying for a service with little support.  2 years ago I was impressed.  Today, with a customer care center moved to India, non-existent English support (I’ve gotten used to talking to India), no help when I’m being hacked, threats of terminating my account due to hackers using my site, etc, I find myself asking, “Why do you pay these guys?”  Oh, they claim to be “hacker safe.”  Ummmm, 5 new directories added to my account tonight, not by me……yup, pretty darned safe.

Don’t use IXWebhosting.  Even if they correct this issue tomorrow, don’t use them.

So, I’m warning readers….the site may go dark for a few days.  It will be back.  I own the domain outside of IX, and I can redirect it.  I’m backing everything up now.  If the site disappears, it will be back.

Oh, and if you know a great hosting company, let me know.  I’m moving!

Ah, in writing about the day I forgot to mention Sadira’s new camera bag. It is so cool. Beyond cool. I really like it.

Not long ago I’d asked on a forum about other photo packs beyond the normal few companies making good bags for cameras. I’ve been using Lowe Pro bags for many, many years. And I like them a lot. No huge complaints (although I’d like a spot for my water on the bags). One person wrote back to me and suggested I check out an Australian company that was now making photo bags. Crumpler was the name.

Today as Sadira looked at packs she was drawn to the Crumpler packs (now available in the U.S.). She picked up the “4 million dollar home” (hey, I didn’t name the pack). It’s a slick little pack, and looks much smaller than it is. I’m surprised by the slim design that can still fit an SLR and extras.

Personally, I’m really interested in the “6 million dollar home”. Check it out, and be sure to check out the interactive photos of the product, and the product model. Gave me a chuckle!

By the way, the photo of Sadira’s new pack is from the Crumpler web site, and links back to the information on her pack. Give it a click!  Go to the main site, play with all the buttons, hit refresh to see the different intro screens, and watch out for the nards button…..just saying.

This morning Sadira and I took a ride up to Sedona. The trip had several goals……

• Hike around Sedona and take a few more fun photos.
• Stop by Rollies Camera.
• New neck strap for me.
• New neck strap and camera bag for Sadira.
• Pop by Dead Horse and meet T.B. Rich.

Sorry to say, but the goals and objectives for the day didn’t quite work out. Sure, we made it to Sedona. And yes, we made it to Rollies Camera. We each picked up our items…..and that was about it. Oh, and a side trip to New Frontiers for a few goodies.  Included in the goodies…..1 lb of the baked / seared tofu I’d written about the other day.  That explains the photo of the tofu brick on the web site!

So, what went wrong? In a word….. Cottonwoods.

Apparently the cottonwoods are in full force over in Sedona now. I’ve suspected I have a problem with them based on prior experience, but I’ve never fully settled on, “Yeah, they’re a real problem.” I made the decision today, they are a problem!

In a matter of minutes walking the streets of Sedona I felt the need for my inhaler (in the truck of course). I kept track of how I was doing, and figured I could “go on” for a bit. By the time we returned to the truck I had pressure behind my eyes, I was coughing / choking a good bit, a whopping headache had set in, and I was pretty dizzy.

Ok, no hugging cottonwoods this week. Oh, soon they’ll be doing their thing here.

Fortunately the truck’s super duty air filter helped out pretty quick. Driving along we made the decision to skip Jerome and head right back to Prescott. Just being in the truck with the filter helped within 15 minutes. Hoorah! I am however slightly concerned about the cottonwoods popping up here soon.

It’s at this time I must say somebody only had 1 Zyrtec today instead of 2, no Flonaze, etc. If I had thought ahead I could have made the experience more tolerable. That’ll be addressed going forward for the next few weeks here. I’m happy to say, the major pollen season here is pretty quick. Also, I experienced the same thing here last year, but with an Airstream and Hepa, staying indoors for a bit, etc., things worked out well. Hey, if you find a place where you can tolerate the outdoor conditions 80% of the time you’ve done good.

By the time we returned to Prescott we both felt a lot better. Very telling for sure. Interesting how quickly I react when in the wrong environment.

I made the decision to keep it close to the Airstream for the rest of the day.  We took a short walk into the Dells, and then Sadira headed back home to play with her Dyson vacuum cleaner.  I stuck around the trailer, cranked up the Hepa, and decided to take a few more photos with my portable studio setup.  When you think you should stay in, find something fun to do.  Oh, and I cleaned the trailer prior to shooting of course.

One thing I wanted to photograph was my new “Life Is Good” hat.  If you look at it you might say, “Hey, that looks like Sedona on the hat!”  You would be correct, it is Sedona.  You want to know the really interesting thing?  You can only buy the Life Is Good Sedona hat at the Sedona store.  Pop in anywhere else in the world, you won’t find it.  Neat, right? 

And no, I didn’t set up my portable studio for shots of the hat alone.  I wanted to share photos of my tofu find (up above), and create some new product shots for an upcoming article, and use in another book I’m working on.  Ah, the busy life of a guy hiding from Cottonwoods……

I also thought I’d share a shot of today’s studio setup.  Bert got a kick out of my portable Airstream photo studio, and I get a kick out of it too.  No real space is lost to the equipment, and when I need to setup product shots or macros I sure have something slick to work with.

For all of today’s shots I used my 580 Speedlight, went to a fully manual setup, and actually under-exposed everything.  The strobe made up the difference, and in all honestly I could have under-exposed further in order to darken the background more.  The tofu shot shows too much reflection from my background, and I should have narrowed the aperture, lowered the flash power, and set the shutter speed higher.  Ah well, a learning process for sure.

Well, off to take Zyrtec # 2 for the day.  Still not at 100%, but much better here.  It’s a shame, the cottonwoods make it look like snow in the Spring, and I sure wouldn’t mind hiking in Sedona right now.  Ah well, they’ll finish up soon!