6.25.2003
EAST COAST HOLIDAY
Been a while dear readers, but my absence has been for all the right reasons - rest relaxation, and family fun on the beach. Ann and I headed to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Avon on Hatteras Island to be exact. Much fun was had, and so now should you be willing, you can hear all the gory details of the journey.
Sat. June 14 - The traditional start to most flights from Gallup: a drive east to ABQ to hop a flight to Norfolk, VA, with a much appreciated stop over in St. Louis where I can still enjoy a smoke in the terminal (Little smoke filled fishbowls, but appreciated nonetheless), and then onward to ORF. Picked up the largest rental car I have had the pleasure of driving, a Buick LeSabre, which was required as we would be driving down to NC with my parents who were coming in later in the evening. Checked into a slightly run down, but acceptable Super 8, where we would all crash before heading down Sunday Morning. As a result of our flight schedules, Ann and I got to have dinner with Kathy & Kenny Yopp, who are full time Virginians. It's the first time we saw them since their wedding almost 2 years ago, so a little bonus fun to start off the trip was very cool. My parents showed up right on schedule, and in no time we were back at the motel, looking forward to a nice drive down to the shore.
Sunday we looaded up, and headed out, with an IHOP breakfast to fuel the journey. I trully appreciated my Cell phone (a device i was loathe to adopt not so long ago) as it made getting in touch with my sister, who was driving down with the fam from Pittsburgh a piece of cake. We made it into Avon with a bit of time to kill before getting the keys, so off to the Food Lion to stock up on goodies for the week.
We had planned this trip back when Ann and I were in the 'burgh over christmas, and had lined up an oceanfron beachhouse, with a hot tub. I was anxious to see how it stacked up in person. I was not dissapointed, and as a bonus, Ann and I got the "Crow's Nest" Bedroom, which was the lone room on the third story, with a spectacular view of the Atlantic. With all the other bedrooms on the first floor, and the kitchen/dining/living room on the second, it gave us a nice buffer from the rest of the family, and allowed for easier sleeping in with 3 nieces running about (well 2 actually, as Annie, my oldest niece was rather enthralled by the Disney Channel)
The weather was spotty, with rain and clouds off and on through the week, but I have to say it really didn't bother me in the least. Between hanging out with my mom and dad, catching up with my sister and brother-in-law, and just generally happy to not have an agenda. The Hot tub turned out to be a nice diversion too, though I can tell you that Gin+Hot Tub=Sleep. This is the closest thing to a mathematical absolute I have ever encountered.
After a week on the beach, I feel complely recharged, and longing for Beachfront property of my own. I have to remember to pick up a powerball ticket today.....
go and tell me all about it
Been a while dear readers, but my absence has been for all the right reasons - rest relaxation, and family fun on the beach. Ann and I headed to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Avon on Hatteras Island to be exact. Much fun was had, and so now should you be willing, you can hear all the gory details of the journey.
Sat. June 14 - The traditional start to most flights from Gallup: a drive east to ABQ to hop a flight to Norfolk, VA, with a much appreciated stop over in St. Louis where I can still enjoy a smoke in the terminal (Little smoke filled fishbowls, but appreciated nonetheless), and then onward to ORF. Picked up the largest rental car I have had the pleasure of driving, a Buick LeSabre, which was required as we would be driving down to NC with my parents who were coming in later in the evening. Checked into a slightly run down, but acceptable Super 8, where we would all crash before heading down Sunday Morning. As a result of our flight schedules, Ann and I got to have dinner with Kathy & Kenny Yopp, who are full time Virginians. It's the first time we saw them since their wedding almost 2 years ago, so a little bonus fun to start off the trip was very cool. My parents showed up right on schedule, and in no time we were back at the motel, looking forward to a nice drive down to the shore.
Sunday we looaded up, and headed out, with an IHOP breakfast to fuel the journey. I trully appreciated my Cell phone (a device i was loathe to adopt not so long ago) as it made getting in touch with my sister, who was driving down with the fam from Pittsburgh a piece of cake. We made it into Avon with a bit of time to kill before getting the keys, so off to the Food Lion to stock up on goodies for the week.
We had planned this trip back when Ann and I were in the 'burgh over christmas, and had lined up an oceanfron beachhouse, with a hot tub. I was anxious to see how it stacked up in person. I was not dissapointed, and as a bonus, Ann and I got the "Crow's Nest" Bedroom, which was the lone room on the third story, with a spectacular view of the Atlantic. With all the other bedrooms on the first floor, and the kitchen/dining/living room on the second, it gave us a nice buffer from the rest of the family, and allowed for easier sleeping in with 3 nieces running about (well 2 actually, as Annie, my oldest niece was rather enthralled by the Disney Channel)
The weather was spotty, with rain and clouds off and on through the week, but I have to say it really didn't bother me in the least. Between hanging out with my mom and dad, catching up with my sister and brother-in-law, and just generally happy to not have an agenda. The Hot tub turned out to be a nice diversion too, though I can tell you that Gin+Hot Tub=Sleep. This is the closest thing to a mathematical absolute I have ever encountered.
After a week on the beach, I feel complely recharged, and longing for Beachfront property of my own. I have to remember to pick up a powerball ticket today.....
go and tell me all about it
6.06.2003
THE DEATH OF THE DEVIL'S HIGHWAY
One of the coolest cultural icons in my backyard will soon be no more. Soon Route 666, which runs north from Gallup to Shiprock, will be renamed Route 491. I think it's sad really. I guess it's because I'm not one for numerology or biblical superstition, that I attach no real meaning to the number. I enjoy the designation, because I know that there are others all in a tizzy because it is there. It's just another way we are reminded that in the "Land of the Free", we are always working under the auspices of somone else's agenda. I'm gonna have to see If I can scoop up one of the signs on e-bay or something.
go and tell me all about it
One of the coolest cultural icons in my backyard will soon be no more. Soon Route 666, which runs north from Gallup to Shiprock, will be renamed Route 491. I think it's sad really. I guess it's because I'm not one for numerology or biblical superstition, that I attach no real meaning to the number. I enjoy the designation, because I know that there are others all in a tizzy because it is there. It's just another way we are reminded that in the "Land of the Free", we are always working under the auspices of somone else's agenda. I'm gonna have to see If I can scoop up one of the signs on e-bay or something.
go and tell me all about it
6.01.2003
I AM NOT A CONTRACTOR
Not that anyone has ever mistaken me for one, but I had a brillliantly orchestrated reminder of that fact on the final day of May. See we have this really kick ass stove. Truly I am excited about how swank this thing is. Problem one presented itself when the happy delivery man plugged the stove in only to find out that the happy 240v outlet was not so happy after all. Problem 2 presented after he left and I decided that whilst determining how to solve problem one, I might at least hook up the gas and be able to use the rangetop. Incompatible pipe dimentsions - ackkk. So after a fine trip to see the in-laws, and a busy week of catching up with work/being sick, I decided that I would run the damn wire for the outlet myself, since I had tested the breaker and discovered that it was running to a forgotten 240v outlet hiding behind my dryer.
I knew that this task was not completely out of my leauge but would surely hold a high level of difficulty. So I gathered my wits, my notes on the proper wire to purchase and my credit card and headed off to the hardware store. After more exposure to fiberglass insulation than i would have preferred I had everything wired up and ready to go!
No Go.
Tweaked a few things, tried a few others.
No Go.
I accept the fact that since the kitchen will probably be torn up in a month or so, and since we really dont HAVE to cook anything in the oven since it's getting hot outside and inside as well, I would do well to just hook up the damn gas and cook on my stovetop.
Back to the hardware store for the proper couplings.
I got the wrong couplings.
Thinking I will have better luck at Satan Sam's HellMart, I take of in another direction.
SOL
Back to the hardware store for the third time. More couplings.
Close but no cigar. I need one more piece to this freaking appliance puzzle and then I will cook I swear to you I will COOK!
That won't be till monday though.
Let them eat cake.
go and tell me all about it
Not that anyone has ever mistaken me for one, but I had a brillliantly orchestrated reminder of that fact on the final day of May. See we have this really kick ass stove. Truly I am excited about how swank this thing is. Problem one presented itself when the happy delivery man plugged the stove in only to find out that the happy 240v outlet was not so happy after all. Problem 2 presented after he left and I decided that whilst determining how to solve problem one, I might at least hook up the gas and be able to use the rangetop. Incompatible pipe dimentsions - ackkk. So after a fine trip to see the in-laws, and a busy week of catching up with work/being sick, I decided that I would run the damn wire for the outlet myself, since I had tested the breaker and discovered that it was running to a forgotten 240v outlet hiding behind my dryer.
I knew that this task was not completely out of my leauge but would surely hold a high level of difficulty. So I gathered my wits, my notes on the proper wire to purchase and my credit card and headed off to the hardware store. After more exposure to fiberglass insulation than i would have preferred I had everything wired up and ready to go!
No Go.
Tweaked a few things, tried a few others.
No Go.
I accept the fact that since the kitchen will probably be torn up in a month or so, and since we really dont HAVE to cook anything in the oven since it's getting hot outside and inside as well, I would do well to just hook up the damn gas and cook on my stovetop.
Back to the hardware store for the proper couplings.
I got the wrong couplings.
Thinking I will have better luck at Satan Sam's HellMart, I take of in another direction.
SOL
Back to the hardware store for the third time. More couplings.
Close but no cigar. I need one more piece to this freaking appliance puzzle and then I will cook I swear to you I will COOK!
That won't be till monday though.
Let them eat cake.
go and tell me all about it
