Mellow August... not any more!

Hello again from San Diego, where the high at our little mobile home is supposed to be around 90 degrees today. It's well on its way already. We're about 5 miles from the water; go inland another 10 miles and it's going to be around 106! But so far, up till a couple days ago, August has been really pleasant, with temps below average for this time of year. So, no complaints. Not that anybody would listen, anyway :)
It's been SLOW at work, my hours are WAY down. Thank God Jacque's hours and bonuses are up, that's pretty much offsetting the difference. September still looks pretty slow, but hopefully will pick up a bit. October looks more promising. That's as far as our work forecast goes, but November and December are traditionally slow, so I expect to limp through the remainder of this year. Hopefully 2010 will be better!

Mid-Summer Heat Wave

Wow, it's HOT! At least for us, here in SoCal. Temps are breaking the century mark in inland valleys, in the upper 80's and low 90's here where we live, with the Pacific Ocean in sight. Add to that the fact that it's rather humid too, and you understand why we're a bit uncomfortable here. Jacque and I are jumping on the company bus for a Las Vegas trip this weekend, it's supposed to be 113 on Friday! That'll keep the air conditioners humming. Well, it is July, after all, so I guess it shouldn't be a surprise. I just came back from my Independence Day trip to Yosemite. A great trip, blissfully uneventful! I stayed in Oakhurst, a small California mountain town nestled in at around 2300' elevation, so it gets plenty warm there, too. As a result, days were mostly spent inside, with walks in the morning and evening. There's a quaint 1880's-era cemetery close by, I took a few pictures of it, including one of a beautiful old chapel and one of (I think) an eerie headstone. Tell me if you agree... (click on it to enlarge it... it's even scarier!)

Bored in Ventura

Well, actually Camarillo. I'm here on my annual Memorial Day out-of-town trip. Which, for the past few years, has been here. A really easy trip, it involves bringing my passengers up to Camarillo on Thursday, late, after all the traffic. Then, Friday morning I take them to the boat landing where they board a boat for Channel Islands National Park. I go take care of my business (dump the head, get diesel fuel), and I'm basically done and on my own until 1800 or so on Monday. Pick up the hikers, stop immediately for dinner, and head back to San Diego after the worst of the returning holiday traffic is over. What's not to like? Well, just gets a bit boring. I do have the laptop, and a semi-decent Internet connection, and a TV, and a book, and walking shoes, and a Fry's Electronics about 5 miles from here. I can drive the bus there, and did yesterday. But, otherwise, the bus stays parked. One thing I did do that was kind of fun; I set up Jacque with a Skype account before I left San Diego, so we could teleconference. Skype software is especially easy to use that way. It worked great! But, still, there's hours of "not much to do". I guess that's why they pay me to sit here, I'm not home with my wife. Doesn't happen all that often, so no big deal. Next trip (AFAIK) is 4th of July, also a 5-day trip. Only, quite a bit more work on that one....

Busy, busy.....

It's that time of year; it's busy at the bus company. I just returned from a Fresno/Merced trip last night, and I leave for a 5-day Ventura trip this afternoon. The Fresno trip did not go off without a hitch; one of our newest coaches developed an issue, twice, inconveniencing my group and maddening me. Oh well, even new machines screw up sometimes.....

Burning Time in Oakhurst

Starbucks is my location this afternoon.... Starbucks in Oakhurst, CA. My group is busy doing their thing in Yosemite, while I hang out here, to return early Sunday morning to pick them up and go home to San Diego. My motel has the strangest Internet issue I've run across in a while. Attempting to sign on via their web-based authentication resulted in a Certificate error... their Security Certificate was self-signed. I worked around that, but they have some strange DNS (Domain Name Server) issues. Sometimes the server, DNS Advantage, finds the address, some times it doesn't. We're talking basic stuff here, like www.google.com. The best one was when they couldn't find their OWN address, www.dnsadvantage.com! That I found humorous. Anyhow, I finally packed up the laptop and walked the 3 blocks or so to Starbucks, where my Gold Card allows me 2 hours of free Wi-Fi daily. It's working great.
Otherwise, it's a cool day here, kind of a pleasant change from the usual. Guess I'll get in a walk later this afternoon.....

Yosemite 2009, 2nd Visit, 3rd Visit Soon.....

Wow, it's been a while! I returned from an annual Yosemite trip a few days ago... on the way back, while driving the bus down CA99 in the San Joaquin Valley, dispatch is asking me if I want to do another Yosemite trip. Sure, I say, why not? It leaves tomorrow morning, I'll be heading to bed soon. The bags are packed (actually, they never got un-packed), and I'm headed north once again. It's funny, really, in a way; for years, I was the "Mammoth Lakes guy", the one dispatch called for any Mammoth trip, regardless of the season. Those trips have dried up, but now I go to the other side of the Sierras! Anyhow, I just posted pix from my previous trip to Yosemite, available by clicking here. Off to bed I go.............

Minnesota Trip

A couple weeks ago, I flew back to MN to visit family. Yeah, the economy sucks, and my income is down, but there was this killer fare on Sun Country, $229 round-trip, after everything, and a direct flight to boot. My parents aren't getting any younger (who is??), my dad's 85 now, and my mom will be 80 soon. The visit was really the brainchild of Jacque, my wife. Oh, I'd been pondering flying back, but had been turned off by the fares I'd found. But Jacque said I should *REALLY* try to find a good fare. And there it was! I used Kayak , an agregator of a number of other sites. Anyhow, the trip's history now, but I'm really glad it worked out; I had some real quality time with my parents. After returning to San Diego, Jacque and I decided to get back on the South Beach Diet. We'd achieved ideal weights about 2 years ago, but the usual recidivism kicked in and it's been slowly creeping up. Neither one of us wants a serious weight problem, so we're focusing on this diet now. Afterward, I think we'll be monitoring our diet a bit closer, to avoid a repeat (I hope...). I love sweets! Chocolate, candy, cake, pastries, you name it. Toss that in with a couple glasses of wine in the evening, and some chips for the late-night munchies, and you have a looming weight issue once again!

24 Fan.... Seriously!

I just watched the latest episode of 24, with Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer. This show is 100% testosterone-fueled guy show! My wife couldn't care less, I leave the episode with my heart racing. Just watched the latest on Hulu.com, a great site for tons of network programming and much more. One almost doesn't need a DVR or DVD recorder any more.

Riders on the Storm.......

Whoa, there's a major winter storm brewing here tonight. I'm in Yosemite, on my annual February trip (also do one in April). I've had a group of cross-country skiers here for the past 3 days, after driving up to Oakhurst the first night. So, this is the end of day 4 right now, we head home tomorrow. At least, if Old Man Winter lets us! The NWS has posted a winter storm warning, and the satellite shot looks impressive. So does the radar. I was actually able to drop the chains for my afternoon run, the weather was deceptively nice in front of the storm. Every morning, I take skiers up to badger Pass, at 7000', on Glacier Point Road. Then return to the 4000' valley floor. Well, the snow level is supposed to drop to 3500'. Do I need to explain more? I debated chaining up anyway tonight, as I put the bus to bed, just so I wouldn't have to do it in the morning. But, weather forecasting is an imperfect science; if they're off just a little bit, it could be rain here in the valley floor. I'll have to put chains on sooner or later (sooner), but might as well wait till it was necessary. So, the weather will be diagnosed by yours truly in the morning. I have a sneaking suspicion the chains will be coming out! Might be a little tricky heading south tomorrow on CA Hwy 41, I'm crossing my fingers on that one.
In the meantime,my wonderful mate Jacqueline is in Colorado Springs, for a memorial service for her father, who passed away last Thursday. I would be with her except that I was committed to this trip and my father-in-law's demise came rather suddenly. My heart goes out to her, and our family impacted by Bob's death. She had planned originally to fly back to watch over her dad in his final days with her brother Mike, when her dad went downhill suddenly and passed before she arrived. So, the meaning of her visit has changed from the original, now it's a celebration of the life of her dad. The memorial service is tomorrow. I sure wish I was there............

Good morning! While most of the country is in the grips of Old Man Winter, it's supposed to be 79 degrees here at my house today, woo-hoo! That sounds a whole lot better than -25 wind chills. One of my brothers sent me a Weather Channel webpage snapshot the other day, -33 where he lives, actual temperature! DAMN! Now that's just plain cold! At least if I lose my job, I won't freeze to death. And the employment picture is actually looking a wee bit better. Business has picked up, and the next 45 days don't look so bleak as the last 45 days. I heard some pretty eye-opening stories from fellow employees who obviously are suffering a whole lot more than I am. One was telling me it was either milk or gasoline the other day. Another drove into work on empty, with no money for gas for the way home. So, I guess I shouldn't complain. Of course, there'll be pressure on Dispatch by these guys (and women) because they've fallen so far behind. Meaning, I need to keep reminding Dispatch that I have bills too. I'm pretty altruistic about not griping about getting "run around" on work... to a point.

Tough Times

The sad state of our economy has caught up to me... as well as all my fellow drivers at the bus company. Hours are WAY off. It's normally a slow time of year anyhow, but it's particularly dismal right now. As a result, and after numerous requests, I've started doing computer repairs for people in the mobile home complex I live in. I was apprehensive at first, it's a bit weird to enter someone's home and start working on a totally unfamiliar computer, but oh well, I need to make some $$$. Most of the work is the usual stuff.... software glitches, viruses, familiarization lessons. I haven't run into any hardware issues yet, but that's a certainty.
Ironically, the one embarrassing thing is my inability to type! Never learned! So, it's "hunt and peck". Somehow, "computer gurus" are expected to be able to type at blazing speed....

Oakhurst in December

OK, something a bit different this time. I utilized my little PC webcam to record my blog and spare myself the "hunting and pecking" (I never learned to type). So, I hope you're able to view it OK, and won't laugh too much :) . I'm already laughing, I just saw that the audio is out of synch with the video. Dunno why, it played fine on my laptop before I uploaded it. Oh well. Enjoy.....

System Restore Blues

Ah, Windows! Thy faults are legendary! Just another reason why I run a total of 4 computers, with a total of 7 Operating Systems! Each has Windows XP, but 2 also have Kubuntu Linux, and one also has Windows Vista as well. One of the PCs is purely a loaner, it stays out in the shed, ready to be loaned out to anyone who needs a computer for the short term, due to their PC dying, getting infested with malware, etc. Anyhow, I'm pretty religious about backups. I actually clone the OS to a separate drive, so I can restore absolutely everything if necessary. And trust me, it's been necessary, a number of times! But 99% of the populace is not so meticulous. I'm currently doing a total System Restore (off disks) of a neighbor's PC. It's a "commercial" PC, manufactured by a nationally-known company (starts with C, ends with Q...). As with most computers this day, it does not include a retail Windows disk with it. You're supposed to create a set of restore disks when you first get the computer. Of course, almost no one does. The neighbor didn't, either. That's alright, our good friends at C*****Q will be glad to send you a set, for a reasonable price (~$16). I ordered them, but the neighbor needed the computer NOW! So, I did the next-best thing while awaiting the disks... I ran Windows 2000, which of course doesn't have the damned "Activation" process, and has probably 90% of the capabilities of XP. Returned their PC, with the idea of updating to XP once the Restore CDs got here. Well, they got here really fast, and so, a couple days later, I went to install XP, as a complete "blast and reload". There's 10 CDs, no doubt because of all the bloatware included with commercial PCs. It got to Disk 4 and stopped. Just stopped. No reason given, no blue screen, no failure notice. Just stopped. I eventually had to abort, and retry. Well, now, the Restore CDs don't recognize the PC any more, and won't allow the restore process to commence!! GRRRR! I call HP (C****Q), and get tech support. He tells me that'll be $45 for the first hour. I tell him, I suspect all I have to do is FDISK the drive, right? He hesitates, says that'll cost me $45. But the hesitation said it all. I had my answer. I'm currently on Disk 4 (will it get past that point?), and so far, so good. 6 more to go.

Taft?

Hello again, this time from the small town of Taft, CA. Why Taft? I have a group here playing volleyball from the San Diego area. It's a quickie trip, we return tonight (arrived yesterday). Taft is a quaint place, tucked against the foothills on the western edge of the San Joaquin Valley. I'm sitting in a public library, using their computer, since they don't have Wi-fi or spare ethernet; just their own locked-down computers . It works pretty good, regardless.

Paso Robles?

Yes, that's right.... Paso Robles. That's where I currently reside, at Tom Bodett's favorite place; Motel 6. Not high on my list of preferred places, but this is where my company parked me for the weekend. They have this *thing* about Motel 6..... GRRRR! I can usually find much better accommodations for just a few dollars more, but oh well. Anyhow, it's a nice time of year here, the weather's cooling off, and the smell of autumn is in the air. I have a California National Guard unit (Camp Roberts is just north of here) that I'll be returning to San Diego on Sunday. So, it's time for a couple days of kickin' it here in Paso Robles! Hmmm, I wonder what "Robles" means in Spanish? That's one noun I don't know (I speak some Spanish). Oh, OK, Google Translate just informed me; it's Oaks. So, Paso Robles is "Oaks Way". Now I know *grin*. Personal opinion, there are lots of California Oaks around here, but nowhere near as much as grapevines! Man, there's vineyards everywhere. Why? California wines are shipped all over the world, to high acclaim. We're talking a serious cash crop here. It's strange, driving past miles of grapes growing on the vines is kind of calming. There's a real beauty to it.
Anyhow, as you can perhaps tell, I've had a bit of the product of those vines here tonight *grin*. It's somehow fitting, though, considering the "ambiance" of the area. Oh, and, of course, it was a California wine!! Hey, gotta help support the economy of my home state, right? In this case, I'm glad to be of assistance! Oh, and did I mention I'm getting paid to sit here and wait for my National Guardsmen? Of course! I'm not home, right? It's not all fun and games, there is an issue with my bus, although I don't think it's going to become a major issue. So, in the meantime, I'm making the best of my short-lived stay in "Oaks Way".

Weekend with Bella

Our youngest daughter was Maid of Honor in her best friend's wedding this weekend, and her husband was tasked with the photo and video recording. So, grand-daughter Bella spent the weekend with us! She really is a delight (usually), and not too much trouble at all. Still, we're reminded of the amount of work connected with small children. Yesterday, we took a walk around our mobile home complex, and started collecting flowers, each of which had to be examined and touched, of course. Her yellow shoes have slots in them, so grandpa (me...) started tucking the flowers into her shoes. She was delighted, of course, and we had a colorful collection going by the time we returned home. Here's some pictures:

Back in Mammoth Lakes

Labor Day 2008 is fast approaching, and as usual, I'm out-of-town. Mammoth Lakes is the destination this time, and it's been a great trip so far. The weather's unusually warm, but there's supposed to be a big cool-down starting tomorrow night. So much so, in fact, that they're talking snow at the highest elevations. Hmmm, there's an 11,000' mountain right next to town here. The high in town (elevation 7000') on Monday is 65 degrees, with a low in the upper 30's. Brrr, that's a bit frosty! Good thing I decided, at the last minute, to bring a sweater. Anyhow, this is "work", I'm driving the bus, but my chores are done for now. Next actual driving isn't until Monday, when we return to San Diego. So, where's Mammoth? Check below: (Click for larger picture)

Wah, wah, vacation's over....

Hey, now, August's been fun! We've been on vacation the entire month, that's why. Unfortunately, vacation has to end, mine ends in another day. The bus company is "welcoming me back" in typical fashion; I have a 16 hour day my first day. I'll be REALLY wishing I was back on vacation, after 1 day on the job. Oh well, there's bills to be paid, and the whole idea here is to keep working towards our retirement, so we can be "on vacation" for the rest of our lives. Boy, does that sound good! Anyhow, we had a great visit with our daughter and two grand-daughters in New Mexico, and I enjoyed day rides on the motorcycle (it came along in the bed of the pickup), as well as a 3-day drive in the truck to see relatives in Colorado Springs, Denver, and Fort Collins. Originally, that was supposed to be a "ride", on the bike, but inclement weather forced a change of plans. Jacqueline stayed with her daughter and grand-daughters, except she did get in one day ride with me, the day before we returned to San Diego.
The original vacation plans had me meeting my brothers Tim and Rob in Gunnison for a week of riding, but a medical emergency with Rob's son deep-6'd that plan. I had to scurry to improvise another plan, but it all worked out pretty well. Pictures and video are posted on my webpage.

Languished Log

Yeah, it's true.... it's been too long since I last posted. Sorry! It's not like nothing's happened..... I've done two trips to the Sierras; one to Yosemite and one to Kings Canyon. It's just that neither trip had me staying there, which was probably just as well, since the smoke from all the fires California has been battling obstructed the view just about everywhere, and with the air quality so bad, and summer temps hovering near 100 degrees, I pretty much laid low and hung out in my motel room during the day, venturing out at night for walks. I stayed in Oakhurst for the Yosemite trip, and in Fresno for the Kings Canyon trip. Oakhurst is an historic foothills town, located at about 2800' elevation. I stayed in Fresno on the Kings Canyon trip, not much positive to say about Fresno .
More recently, it's been mostly local stuff, ComicCon has been going full-blast all week here. Fortunately, I only got stuck with working the shuttles (boring, mundane...) one day. And now, vacation is just around the corner! Like, as of tomorrow afternoon, when my run is finished, I'm ON VACATION!!!! Woo-hoo!!!!

Java Joe's

Yup, that's right.... Java Joe's. That's where I am right now, burning off a few hours until the boat containing my passengers arrives from Channel Islands National Park. In case you haven't heard of that one, maybe it's because you can't drive there. Pull out the old atlas and look off the California coast, near Ventura. There they are, several islands with names like Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, and San Miguel. My hikers went to Santa Rosa, I dropped them off several days ago, today they return, tired, smelly, but content (I hope). The return to San Diego should be uneventful, and it's only a couple hundred miles, "local" for me *grin*. So, anyhow, I found this cozy little coffee shop called Java Joe's, and lo and behold, they have free wi-fi. Right now I'm enjoying some blues while working on my cup of java and posting to my blog. Gee, sounds like I'm a real Netizen, hey? Can't say I'm "20th century"! I just noticed the spellchecker did NOT prompt me on "Netizen", obviously the spellchecker's not "20th century" either.