28 January 2006

Watchin' the snow fall

I'm currently in June Lake, CA, a small town nestled against the eastern Sierras, north of Mammoth Lakes. The 21st Century hasn't arrived here yet... 8 TV channels, no outgoing phone calls, cellphone coverage non-existent, but, amazingly, the motel I'm staying at JUST installed wi-fi. Sounds good, hey? Well, it sucks, can't get a decent signal anywhere, I finally found a spot in my room where I could get a half-decent signal. It's on top of the dresser/TV console, about 6 feet off the ground! So, I'm currently standing on a chair, typing this out *grin*. The weather outside is deteriorating, a winter storm's moving in, and I'm having some bus troubles. Nothing major (I think...), but the "Battery" idiot light is on, although my charge rate on the guage appears fine, and the charging system appears to be working normally. Cold weather does strange things to these vehicles. Anhow, we're supposed to leave tomorrow morning, so hopefully it won't cause problems on the way home. Guess I'll be keeping my fingers crossed......

15 January 2006

Not too bad a week

Everything is relative, right? This week was looking ugly, with a big shuttle looming large, promising long hours and the usual "no life" scenario. It didn't really turn out that way, however, partially because of the way I was dispatched, and partially because we weren't the "primary" transportation provider. Soooo, it wasn't too bad. I'm watching the AFC playoffs right now, a barn-burner game between the Steelers and the Colts. Steelers were the unfortunate recipients of an incredibly bad call (IMHO), otherwise the game would be all but over. Instead, there's an incredible game in progress. The Steelers had the game won again, but "the bus" fumbled at the 1-yard line, and gave the Colts another chance. Incredible 4th quarter, the Colts are about to try a 46-yard FG to tie the game. My heart rate is about 150!! Oooooh, my, the Colts missed it, looks like Pittsburgh is headed to the AFC finals.

07 January 2006

Woo-hoo, weekend off!

Jacque and I have the weekend off together, somewhat unexpectedly, so we're planning a busy day today. Maybe go hiking at Mission Trails Regional Park this morning, followed by lunch at Red Lobster (thanks, Donn & Chuleen), then I'm thinking about us going to see Syriana, with George Clooney. We haven't been to a ovie in a long time. Tomorrow's still being planned.....

05 January 2006

Back in San Diego

Here I am, back in San Diego. The trip home turned out to be WAY less of a marathon than I'd feared, although still a long day. I had a day off (hurrah!), then worked a day, then off today (Thu). Tomorrow I have a relatively easy day, just local stuff. Jacqueline and I got out on the motorcycle today, one of the advantages to living in San Diego in January. It was a beautiful day here today, temps well into the 70's.

01 January 2006

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow


Here I am, up at Bear Valley, CA. Driving the bus, with a group of skiers, to 7000' up in the Sierras. The nasty weather we were supposed to get arrived shortly after our arrival (thank God) and I was able to drive up without chaining up. However, the trade-off was that, when the precipitation *did* start, it was rain, not snow! UGGGHH! Not fun at all. Yesterday, it finally changed over to snow, and we're supposed to get 14" tonight, 16" tomorrow. The chains will be happy............ Here's a view out the front window of my bus this evening.............