I know the wiki is down. Will work on a solution after business hours tonight. I may move the wiki to something co-hosted as part of WordPress.
I miss Fred Meyer..
It’s times like this I’m going to miss Fred Meyer. I need a “jeweler’s” screwdriver set, a box of shelf-stable half-and-half, and deodorant. Where am I supposed to go that isn’t Walmart?
Sad day for Eugene…
Yesterday Eugene’s Civic Stadium burned to the ground and appears (as of this writing) to be a total loss.
It’s rare that I don’t have any words to say. And I really don’t. I saw one game in Civic a long time ago on a road trip from Portland, and I was full of joy the day citizens of Eugene rescued it from redevelopment. I feel the loss of such a noble grandstand and the history of a place I called home for a few months.
Goodbye, Civic.
Denver Farmer’s Market..
So I went to a Farmer’s Market here in Denver. It isn’t quite what I’m used to, but it seems to have the staples. There is a German sausage vendor with some good looking meats, so I can get my wurst fix.
People in Denver have a different concept of personal space. It will take a little getting readjusted to.. it’s an almost New York level of intrusion.
The quantity of dogs at the Farmer’s Markets is odd as well. Oregon’s food venue laws don’t allow dogs in venues like this. Now while people often bring their dogs anyway there’s at least an effort to police it in PDX. Nope, in Denver it seems you ain’t anyone at the Market if you left your dog at home.
I wonder if Raven would take to leash training like Summertime eventually did..
How to upgrade your phone without upgrading..
So one of the nice things about the Otterbox cases is even the “less rugged” ones like the Commuter still do a fantastic job of keeping the phone encased in a protective blanket of rubber and plastic. I picked up a new Otterbox Defender for my Galaxy Note II, put in a new battery and it’s like I have a new phone, without having to go through the process of moving apps and login credentials.
Downside: FINDING a new Otterbox was a pain. My number one complaint about Otterbox is they are quick to discontinue product, often times before the lifetime of the phone they design them for has ended. Prepaid providers are especially victims of this: Sprint (as a prime example) uses their various MVNOs to dump previous generation devices at bargain prices, and that means NO OTTERBOX FOR YOU if you have a couple of generations behind.
Thank the gods Micro Center is like Frys and they hold on to inventory probably longer than the manufacturer would intend..
Coffee time..
Now if I could only find a Stumptown..
First day..
Today is my first day. I’m excited, and I can’t sleep, so I guess it’s pour a little coffee down, take a shower, and get to work..
Well, ALMOST there, anyway.
I got to Loveland, CO, and proceeded to pretty much run out of personal energy for driving. I’m literally exhausted from arguing with a cranky old van for five tiring days and having to struggle to get a 30-year-old beast up and over the Continental Divide (technically, twice!).
But I’m here. I can rest. I can take the good pain meds and not worry that tomorrow I need to wake up early and bust out hundreds of miles. It’s a leisurely 50-ish miles to the area I’ll be staying in, and I’ll have friends to help me this last bit of the way should I get sick at that last minute.
Tomorrow is for planning to move things from Oregon, and adding friends (both furry and flesh-colored) who are coming along. I left a few loose ends, and I’m tying them up as we speak, so hopefully I’ll be able to get stuff here in Denver within a month, if all goes well.. maybe 2-3 if I have any difficulties finding a place.
Is there anyone who can help take Susan out to either Kings Valley or Veneta to pack up the last of my left-behind belongings in those towns? I can compensate for gas and buy you guys lunch. Somebody with access to a truck would be nice. Stuff will need to go in a temporary storage space in Eugene, which I have already arranged and paid for, so that will be taken care of, and then shipped to me in Denver automatically when the time comes.
For the curious, I’ll have final mileage and fuel consumption stats in a few hours. Right now I need to sleep for a little bit and see if I can make this headache disappear…
oh, hi, prescription pain medication. So glad to finally meet you after five days.
Departing Rawlins..
220 miles to go..
In Rawlins WY.
I’ve popped off the entire exhaust assembly and have tossed it into the back of the van. I’m going to spend the night here and get some rest even though I’m way shy of where I wanted to be this evening. But now that I’ve completely removed the sagging tailpipe I should be able to limp to Denver tomorrow.
