07.20.06
Posted in Rural at 8:44 pm by Randy
So, the deed, as they say, is done. I am now a resident of Sonoma County. I now live in a house that is off the grid (powered by a propane generator), water comes from a spring, and sits 2 miles up a gravel road. Also useful to note is the fact that the living room that I sit in is stacked to the ceiling (and roughly 50% of the square footage) with boxes and furniture.
Worst of all, no broadband yet. Yup, this is being sent via dialup.
I will advise as the situation changes. However, I will be on vacation for two weeks starting Sunday, so I am not guaranteed to be in touch all that much. After that, we’ll see how long it takes for things like solar electricity and wireless broadband to be installed.
Wish me luck, I’m going to turn off the generator and go to sleep.
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07.10.06
Posted in Generic at 10:20 pm by Randy
So, Ellie got to tear up the sidewalk on her tricycle for basically the first time ever. We took her on a trip around the block, and got to see all kinds of interesting things. About 5 minutes into the walk, I realized that I should be taking video of the proceedings (such as I could with a RAZR and it’s stunning 176×144 pixel video capture).
Enjoy.
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07.01.06
Posted in Rural Tech, Rural at 10:00 am by Randy
There comes a time in every man’s life where he must learn to operate heavy machinery, if only to say that he’s done it. The smell of diesel exhaust, the sound of the engine straining as it works the hydraulic pump, the smell of the earth yielding to steel as shovels dig, as loaders load, as augurs… um… augh…
Anyway, have you ever wondered (as I have come to wonder in recent days) exactly how to operate a backhoe? I know, it’s muy macho. Just the thought of wielding the ultimate union of man and machinery against earth and stone sends me reeling. So, what better way to find out more than using the Internets!
I find it interesting that there appears to be consistent layout for the backhoe controls. I suppose I was thinking that each manufacturer would want to “lock you in” to their products’ controls by “pulling a Microsoft”. That’s really just the computer geek in me talking.
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