Camping Day One

We got in yesterday around 2:30 after a pretty easy drive. We unpacked the trucks and the boat, got the campsite all set up, went and got ice and wood and a bite to eat. For the most part it was pretty uneventful.

In the evening we sat around the fire and watched the stars and listened to the crickets and I think bats. It got very cold, so we all headed off to our little beds and went to sleep.

Sometime in the wee hours of the morning, the raccoons invaded, although they couldn't get to much...they did try, though.

This morning, got up and started breakfast of fresh ground/brewed coffee, hash browns, eggs, and sausage.

The next adventure will be launching the boat.

Trek to Texas

I am a week away from heading back to Texas and am very excited about my trip. (Even though I did wake up at 4:30 this morning having a panic attack because I still have so much to do and will be gone the rest of this week camping.)

My movers arrive on September 21st and I have already reserved the street parking for the moving truck (just one more way for the city of San Francisco to take money from me). They will load up and head out with my worldly belongings and some time in the following 30 days I'll actually get to see my stuff again... even if it is to go straight into storage.

Once the movers leave, I will wrap up stuff around my place and then head down to spend the night at my friend's house. On the 22nd I head out for Yosemite. I am staying at the Tenaya Lodge for two days (it is a bit of a splurge, but I deserve it). On the 23rd I am taking a day long bus trip through Yosemite. This way I'll be able to see all of the great spots and not have to worry about driving myself.

On the 24th, I'm planning on getting up and heading out east over the mountains and into Nevada. I am then going to take the Extraterrestrial Highway down into Las Vegas/Henderson where I'll be spending the night. My initial plan was to crash there and then head out to Albuquerque and then on in to my folks place on the 26th. However, I spoke to my Dad this morning and he is going to fly out to Vegas and then drive back the rest of the way with me... which I'm very excited about.

On the 25th, Dad and I are going to get up and go across the Hoover Dam and with any luck we are going to do the tour. Then we'll head out across the desert and end up in Albuquerque, as per my initial plan.

On the 26th, we'll get up early, if I know Dad and it'll be a long drive, and take out across the rest of New Mexico and into Texas. We'll be getting in to their place, hopefully, by early evening so that Dad can sleep in his own bed and I can visit with Mom.

On the 27th, I will get up and around at some point and head out to McKinney and pull into my new home with the King and Queen and Puppies. The 28th, exactly one week after the movers take off with my belongings, I will sleep in, settle in, and drive to my friend Angie's to see my Godson and pick up my wine.

Sadly, it'll be back to work on the 29th....

Camping Prep 2009

I'm preparing for my second annual camp trip and went to Target this morning. I did this last year as well (See Target - Love/Hate Relationship). I didn't get into quite as much trouble this year but did acquire the following in preparation for facing the great outdoors:

1. Starbucks Frappucinos (nor really a requirement for camping, but while everybody else is having fresh brewed coffee Bailey's; I'll be drinking my Fraps)
2. 2 Repel Citronella Candles (one of which I will carry around with me at all times)
3. Repel Sun & Bug Insect Repellent with Sunscreen
4. Twin pack of Coppertone Sport SPF 30 sunscreen (will be applied liberally in hopes of not getting any horrific burns this year)
5. Aveeno SPF 30 Facial sunscreen (also to be slathered well on the ears and the hair part... learned lessons in the past)
6. Energizer Weather Ready 3 in 1 flashlight
7. Energizer LED Headlight

So, I'll be well slathered down with sunscreen and bug spray and while I may look like a giant geek with a headlight, I'll be able to find my way in the dark and keep my hands free to catch myself when I fall, which I'm certain I'll do at least once during the upcoming week.

We head out on Wednesday and I'm really looking forward to just spending some quality time sitting by the lake or on the boat and relaxing.... lots and lots of relaxing...

It's Not When You Start, It's How You Finish

Surprise, here is your September Procrastination Post...

1. Leonardo da Vinci, one of the Italian Renaissance's greatest geniuses, labored over the Mona Lisa for over a decade. 
   
2. J.R.R. Tolkien, the English writer, took 14 years to complete Lord of the Rings. 
   
3. Al Jarreau, the popular singer, didn't have a hit record until he was 41. 
   
4. Saint Augustine, one of the foremost philosopher-theologians of early Christianity, didn't pursue his faith seriously until he was almost 40. 
   
5. Rodney Dangerfield, the actor and comedian, didn't get rolling until he was 42 years old.
   
6. Colonel Sanders, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), began his franchise in his sixties. 
   
7. Raymond Chandler, the author of crime stories, published his first short story at 45, and his first novel at 50. 
   

Here's your challenge: Make a list of household goods you don't need. Then estimate what your net gain would be if you sold them on eBay.