Having an office 10 miles from a wildfire is tough on the eyes and Throat!
http://www.sgvtribune.com/ci_13204462
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Having an office 10 miles from a wildfire is tough on the eyes and Throat!
http://www.sgvtribune.com/ci_13204462
Ouch! Wildfire that close? Have you got your evacuation kit packed? I remember living ready to evacuate one fire season in CA. We had boxes of photos and paintings stacked near the door + one suitcase each and the small instruments (violin, flute) -- i.e. some practical stuff and the kind of things that are irreplaceable no matter how well they're insured. That would also apply to my grandfather's Steinway concert grand, but there was no way we could get that into the car if the fire marshalls gave us evacuation orders. Luckily for us, the wind turned and the fire never crossed the hill behind us.
It's burning the other way(north). which is good
and it's about 20 miles from home. I remember the smoke wasn't that bad there.
Hi all,
Just wanted to pop in and introduce my new username (formerly jocelynlf). Have been thinking for some time that it wasn't the best idea to have a username resembling my real name.
Life has been keeping me busy, between taking care of a new puppydog, starting up my consulting business, and otherwise just a lot of normal stuff all happening at once.
The big news, and the inspiration for the new name, is that we are moving North. As in, Canada. DH got a fantastic job offer in Edmonton, and while it breaks our hearts to leave Seattle, we can't pass up the opportunity.
Target move time is end of September. Those of you in the Seattle area: I'm still planning to ride Cycle the Wave on Sept. 20. Hope to see you there!
ah, sorry you're leaving us, Yes, we'll see you at the WAVE. My son might be going to Edmonton too (PhD)
NbyNW - Happy trails. You'll love Edmonton as a city. I lived there for 15 years. Fantastic bike trail system, low crime rate and very multicultural. I have been down here for 3 years now and things have changed but I'm happy to pass along info if you're looking for it. Remember to get a block heater installed in your car before winter hits.
So for a gal from the south living in Florida...what is a block heater?;)
it's something you plug into the wall that keeps the engine block from freezing in the winter. Or just makes it easier to start, since OIL gets thick at low temperature too.
Figured something like that. I really don't want to live somewhere where I have to worry about that! I don't even own an ice scraper!:D
Now, don't get me wrong...it is HOT still here. I do get weary this time of year. But I LOVE biking and wearing shorts most all "winter" long. Hey, I have often gone to the beach on X-mas eve!
ice scrapers are a lot cheaper than air conditioners.
Now that is funny! :pQuote:
Originally Posted by Biciclista
Quote:
Originally Posted by NbyNW
Hey Jocelyn,
Thanks for sharing your news with us and, while I am happy for your DH and you, I'm also sorry that you're heading away from us. It'll be a great adventure and I'm sure that you'll happily settle into Edmonton.
Re: your target move date and the cycle the wave ride - would you hang out a bit after? I am leaving for my AIDS ride from NYC - DC next week and return home on the evening of the 19th.
So, while I won't be riding that day, I'd like to stop by (late morning/early afternoon/when?), maybe have an adult beverage with you and wish you lotsa tailwinds in person!
Mary
I think that flute might be sitting here in my living room!Quote:
Originally Posted by Duck on Wheels
Jocelyn - this chickie is in the cold Canadadaanian north, and she rides year 'round regardless. http://girlsandbicycles.blogspot.com/ I love her blog.
We will miss you!
(ETA: The blogger - Sarah- is in Edmonton. She lists good bike shops on her blog, and other important bikey stuff!)
Jocelyn, I'll miss you. Glad you're heading off to another adventure! And that I'll see you at the Wave.
Wahine - I'll keep you in mind as a resource!
MM_QFC: Yes, I'll hang out after the ride. A few of us are doing the Middle Sisters route, which starts rolling ~ 8am. It's 40 miles, but I'm not terribly familiar with the route so I have no idea how quickly it will go. I'm thinking a leisurely avg. 10-15 mph + snack break gets us to the finish by 1pm. Adult beverages should be excellent motivation!
Knot: thanks for the blog! I am SO coveting those euro-cruisers.
Salsa: see you soon!
Was that the year that the fire came so close to the Hagel's that someone unknown to them rumbled up their unpaved dusty rural drive in a pick up truck and helped evacuate all their art and paintings?Quote:
Originally Posted by Duck on Wheels
Maybe it was after he left they reflected "we just gave all our life's work to a stranger" :eek: :confused:
The stranger came back with everything after the fire died down. :p
Or ...... was that the fire when our mutual brother volunteered on the fire crew, was clearing brush and got a facefull of poison oak. He swelled up so badly he could not see and stayed in his room for days and days, Mom took care of him. When he finally came out of the room his eyes were so swollen shut I did not recognize him and screamed.
Then he stumbled back to his room, could not find the door and kicked it. We always had a dent on that door. :rolleyes:
Better check my quake supplies and yes, Knott the flute's at your place. Probably not the same flute though, the one you have is the better one I got sometime about in HS.
four hours to get home tonight:(
http://www.sgvtribune.com/ci_13210969
not only , but somebody thought it would "neato" to pull the emergency brake lever. wrong!
We've made a step towards 21st century technology in our house...we have a set top box..I'll let Ian put it together...:o
I blew the vacuum cleaner the other day..:o
Yep. Same fire. Actually that was two simultaneous fires, one either side of Sonoma Valley. The more westerly one was on the east side of Mt. Taylor, so only a few miles from our place as the wind blows, but the wind was blowing first south, then north. Blew the fires back across their own tracks. The easternmost one first burned one side of the Millers' farm, then the other on its way back, burned all the empty chicken houses down but left their lovely home with nary a smudge. They'd sold the chickens but not cancelled the fire insurance yet, whereas we'd sold our chickens and PAID the local volunteer fire dept to come burn the houses down as training. Lucky Millers :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by Trek420
But was the dent in the door from that poison oak round, or from the one he got on a summer job clearing trails at the back end of the lake where we took sailing lessons? I thought he washed with strong soap after work every day, but didn't think to wash his glasses, thus the poison oak all around his eyes.
Getting back to current events ... does the new contract cover what you needed to transfer to Seattle? Will I have to include Seattle stops on my flights from Norway to and from CA from now on?
The Brisbane bike paths/jogging paths are just a bit safer today..http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574...43-421,00.html
Set top box????
Supposedly in order to get HD TV you need a set top box. No clue how to explain it but apparently in order to watch tv in the near future...you need one??
The explanation in the US is -Quote:
Originally Posted by crazycanuck
Most older, non-digital tv's have tuners that tuned to old tv stations. If you didn't have cable and wanted to get over the air tv, you had to buy a digital tuner. The antenna plugs into the tuner, which plugs into the tv. The tv sees the tuner as an input device (so I change channels on the tuner, not the tv now).
CA
OK, great...I'll drag my jet-lagged body over there by Noon-ish...and look for you et al...will that work?Quote:
Originally Posted by NbyNW
Happy trails to me and happy packing to you!
Mary
Yes, I'm sure everyone riding would love to see you as well!Quote:
Originally Posted by MM_QFC!
Hope the AIDS ride is successful!
OK, got it. Just different terminology. We have cable, so the switch over didn't affect us... but we have 2 TVs that are not digital; so we bought the boxes for those 2, because Comcast is going all digital in 2010. Well, except now, you won't be able to get the over the air HD broadcasts in HD with these boxes, once the change occurs. We unplugged the box on our TV in the bedroom (that we actually do watch) for now, since the change hasn't happened yet, and my DH is going to try to figure out a way to get the digital signal and the HD on a TV that doesn't have a cable box or card.
I never got around to getting one of those boxes, so I haven't watched TV since the switch. Never really watched much TV anyway. The box costs as much as my TV did. Still works fine for watching the DVD player, but my computer has a bigger screen...
So, my TV is kind of neglected. Guess I need to take it to the recycler. I dunno. Can't see myself buying a new TV nor buying a converter box. What do people do with these archaic TVs?
Make planters? :pQuote:
Originally Posted by KnottedYet
We have an old tv & are not buying a newbie flashy type any time soon. DOn't need a newbie tv. With an old tv, can you not give it to a charity or something?
We don't need a new tv. Another mtn bike that fits (patiently waiting for next year..) & tuition are first.
SEt top box was cheaper than the new set of nicks we just purchased.
Unfortunately, in the US these old TVs no longer work; they are analog and all signals in the US switched to digital. I don't think any charities would be interested in them. There's probably a glut on the market anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by crazycanuck
I like the idea of making a planter out of it! :p
Hopefully soon you'll have access to mine which is bigger, nicer and already digital compatible.
Meanwhile check earth911.org for a list of locations that e-cycle.
Some e-cycle drives benefit charities. :)
It's too d@mn hot down here today.
I thought all bogans would be asleep at 5am..apparently not today :rolleyes: On my ride this morning, the sole car that passed me had a dude in it swear at me :confused: I thought it was quite funny. Nothing else to do at 5am???
I had a great zippy ride this morning :)
I've been apartment hunting and found 3 good choices. Do I want the nice duplex with 1.5 baths, a dining room, and some garage space? Or the 1-floor duplex with small living space but huge basement (with outdoor-only access)? Or the rustic house on the old farm (with a dirt-floor basement) from which I could probably ski 6 miles to work? The farm house doesn't have much room for bike repair unless I work in the musty basement, but the setting is wonderful.
I think you'd be really happy to have the garage space if you could set up a shop in it. Even though it sounds romantic, I'm guessing the farmhouse will be freezing cold and not very comfortable unless it's been insulated and has a good wood stove. Also, I'd be really reluctant to store anything in that farmhouse basement after my New England basement experiences. Your tools will rust in the blink of an eye.Quote:
Originally Posted by DebW
I'd think you would want a happy medium; the farmhouse might not be ah, energy efficient. If you want the space to work, then get the smaller duplex with the basement. I guess it depends how much stuff you have to put inside the house, and if the neighborhoods/towns are comparable in terms of commuting by car and bike, and other amenities, like how close to coffee houses, etc.
Almost 20 days since the last post here....I guess we need to get conversations going!
So how is everyone's weather?
We are still reaching 90 in the afternoon. Makes for a HOT evening. This is the time of year I get tired of the heat. Our mornings are only in the mid 70's--but very muggy. I won't be complaining in a few months...but just a wee bit hot.
Expected to be up to 90 all this weekend. Planning on biking a bit north of my house...usually about 5 degree's cooler so maybe it will be a cool 70 when we start.
Anyone else w/ Indian Summer?
yes, it's been gorgeous here; the best weather ever.
It's been beautiful all summer, a bit too dry but not a bad drought, and now it's going to rain and turn cooler just in time for my tough long ride this weekend. :rolleyes: