We've MOVED!!!
In more than one sense.
We are in a new rig, a 37' 1990 Eurocoach ( hereafter referred to as "The Bus", even though it is technically a motorhome built on a bus chassis), one that is comfortable, and mobile under its own power.
We are in a new city, one about 60 miles from the old one. It's bigger. It's colder. There is more to do. It's close to where my man works, cutting out about 2 hrs worth of commuting for him, and allowing me to actually come home after work. I took votes on colors for new drapes. dark purple was the choice made. this should be interesting.
Speaking of work, I've moved there, too. Still the same company, but a different department (yet again) and a desk. I had a work bench before. I have- dare I say it, even admit to it? - room dividers around my new desk. The space within measures 4' x 8'. I checked. I measured it. With a laser. It can't really be a cubicle if it isn't cube shaped. Right? RIGHT? Please, for the love of all that grows and flourishes within the human heart, agree with me.
I wonder if I could get away with disguising the walls with fabric applique? I need to get my angry bird from the ceiling of my previous location and install him, too. I've been considering adorning the walls with a calendar that counts down the days to the return of The Walking Dead - yes, the TV show - but then I'd have to make a section for Dexter, as well. I plan to bring in my "working" library this week. Also, Marcus will be accompanying me. My man suggests I should leave him home, due to the possibility of theft, but I figure a gargoyle can do his job just as well in a... cubicle... as he can in a house. (Marcus has been mentioned in this blog before, he is a 2" tall gargoyle with pointy ears, one of which has been damaged, and he is my writing muse. Why do I want a writing muse in a engineering atmosphere? I don't know why, just that I want him there.) Besides, I need to add something of interest to my desk or the guys will start wondering if I am a serial killer ( I have already been accused of possessing the handwriting of one, and mentioned 101 ways to kill someone with a plastic spoon in casual conversation, I don't think that comment was received as intended), devoid of the standard range of human interest. I suppose I should find pics of Mike and the dogs for it, as well. I think I want shelves on my desk. I have a big flat area that needs to be broken up with something.
I wish I could learn stuff by osmosis, that I could simply use a textbook for a pillow and the knowledge would just float over, perfectly synchronized to my needs as they arise. It would be worth the crick in the neck. I have so many hours of studying ahead of me, it would be funny if I didn't want to cry. The number of hours I will be dedicating to study for the necessary skills of my new position are only surmounted by the dedication of Tibetan Monks and... well, serial killers. They LOVE what they do. They need it, as a foundational fundamental need. Except for the monks, who are trying not to need anything, but you get what I am trying to say. I suppose I need, too. Why else would I have chosen the path I have? Why do I ALWAYS have to pick the fucking hard road? The road that makes no sense at all? Why can't I just let go and do the things normal people do, in the order they are normally done, and be happy with it?
Having mentioned libraries, I feel I must confess a recent sin of paramount evil. I culled 90% of my library. I have as many books in the house as I will be bringing for my one shelf in my... cubicle. Is it really so much truth stretching if I call it an office instead? My entire personally owned library (the portion not relocating to my workplace, that is) fits in a milk crate and stacks on my night stand. ALL of it.
Most titles I previously owned had either been read multiple times, so many, in fact, that if I opened the cover, I could recite from memory the opening lines. If I hadn't read it by now, I wasn't going to. I kept a few for sentimental reasons, mostly gifts of significance, like "How Things Work" and "Why Things Are" both received from my mother in my tweens. I suppose I had been asking so many questions she felt a preemptive strike was necessary. I still love both of them. The rest are either reference material not easily memorized or those few books I possessed and hadn't read yet, but wished to.
I have new self proclaimed commandments, excepting only useful (and it has to be genuinely useful!) references and sentimentally held books, but that is for another post, in which I can give the logic more concisely. In any case, this has led to me reading more material, better material, and the material changing more often. It's been a good thing. Support your local library!
We have a new puppy, too. His name is Dargo. (Yes, after the Farscape character.) He is a Pit Bull, Bull Mastiff mix. He is trying very hard to grow into his paws. Our dog food bill has tripled. he and jager are in a mostly friendly battle for dominance. Siouxsie watches in a state of near boredom, being "above" the petty squables of mere dogs. Dargo such a wonderful bundle of fur and cuteness that the chaos he causes is almost - almost- acceptable. He has been nicknamed the Destroyer of Worlds. They may be small worlds, but are worlds nonetheless.
As a side note to the dog thing, Nylabones are the awesomest! they are capable of distracting him even when other temptations are placed in his path. My boots are now safe (I think) for a while longer.
Speaking of boots, I am saving for these : http://www.dmusastore.com/p-3251-1460-for-life.aspx
Work boots with a lifetime guarantee! In red! Yay! I don't think that covers doggy destruction though.
In other news, I am researching biofuels to find out if it is possible to build a mobile platform to grow and process biofuels with a small enough form factor to fit comfortably into the outside storage compartment of the bus. It doesn't have to work quickly, just effectively. I am thinking of an algae based system, rather than traditional plants like camelina or canola or soybeans or corn. I will have to research hydroponics, stabilization, and of course, biofuels manufacture. it should be interesting.
The plan is to switch out the generator for a diesel one, and eventually get a diesel car, as well. Production, by that time, will have been switched to a building on the land we have yet to purchase, that will have the earthbag dome on it, but I digress.
We finally had a tree this year! It was an 8" rosemary plant trimmed into christmas tree shape, but its more than we had last year. Anyway, rosemary is tasty and smells good, so I have an excuse for actually spending cash on it.
So yeah, I've covered home, work, boots, new dog, library, education and biofuels. I think that's quite enough for one post, but hope to provide updates more frequently in this year.
Toodles!
