Friday, September 12, 2008
Summer is about to enter the memory phase. And what a summer it has been!
In June, I drove the Jeep Cherokee to St. Joseph, MO and back; had a nice visit with my niece Kappy and her family, Dr. Tim and Baker. Saw the Pony Express on that end, and Jessie James' stuff, the river, the town and barbeque features. Got RP's piano loaded and strapped onto my trailer; then, drove through some of the scairest and most terrible weather I have ever seen coming back. (Weather was a major feature this summer.)
Then, a few days after, my brother Terry came in his big RV. We drove down the see the Grand Canyon. And it was both a Canyon and very Grand. It was, in fact, awesome. Best time I have had with Terry ever (probably). And I only nearly-wrecked his "big toy" RV once.
Then, a day after returning, I went to a nifty SketchUp Base Camp'08 learning conference at Google headquarters in Mountain View, CA. It was one of those situations that let you know how much you don't know. But I have been using the app and learning from online videos. (This is a great and developing situation. And its fun!)
However, in an attempt to save a few dollars, I got in a major hassel with the California STate Park Service and their booking agent. Long story. Suffice that I am still waiting for a refund or my $54 for two nights stay. Don't book campspace online.
A week or so after that adventure, I got a notion to go to Burning Man this year. I live under 150 miles from where this gathering of lost tribes occurs and have not attended; scaired by the hefty ticket prices. But, I was losing my inheritance to the whims of the stock market anyway, so I blew the $300. It was worth it.
But...
I managed to badly burn my left leg early Wednesday morning, tipping a pan nearly full of boiling water off the single burner stove I brought to cook with; second degree burns over maybe a square foot of skin at the ankle. Hurt like hell; happend far too early in the week. It put a damper on my touring around, as did the lack of powered transportation. I will know better if and when I plan a return visit.
And...
A serious dust storm on Saturday delayed and nearly canceled the infamous 'Burn' itself, but it didn't. It did convince me that the only way to do that scene is off the ground; tent camping is just too difficult; especially if injured and constantly having to watch that the injury keeps clean. So, if I do go back, it will be in the RV or one of my campers.
Saw some pot smoking and a lot of alchohol. Nothing else of a serious drug manner. This was a bit suprising, as every other block seemeed to have either a full tilt rock stage with all the rock concert attachments, or some major theme camp cluster of a variety unimagineable but for those who participate in the event.
About a week to go until the season changes officially. Anniversary of 9-11 was yesterday; seven years have passed already. No Osama. (I think he is already dead.) The election proposes two equally unqualified and naturally ungifted men seeking an office that only an ego-maniac would could should hold. And the stock market is as manic-depressive as ever. (I think that large hedge funds are in control. Really.)
I am kicking back today after moving a pile of wood; that were the planks of a railroad flat car which is being made into a bridge. Been through a hassel with the Board of the corporation that runs this place over my cars and trailers; I have too many to fit into the "acceptable" area the old women around here would have this gulag. I have use now for the umbrella I bought for the playa and never used. At least, it is clean; unlike anything else I took out to Burning Man. (Yes, RV or a trailer/camper next time!)
