Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in Skylos the Doggie's LiveJournal:

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Monday, October 5th, 2009
11:51 pm	Too much information So a week or two ago I said something casual on text chat to my mate about coming home. I don't think I actually said I was - just something about that I should go home or something. I had put my phone on a stack of paper, so it wasn't rattling. I had my headphones on, music playing, and was concentrating very hard for about two and a half hours. Upon getting done what I was trying to, I snatched up my phone and started heading home. "new text message" it said. I hit stopstopstop and popped upthe message. Dhugal wanted to know where I was. I texted "coming home" as I usually do. The response was "Fuck you". Hm. I guess he's upset about something. I hopped on the motorcycle and rode home. Turned out he thought I was coming home because of my casual comment, then couldn't get ahold of me - no response to calls or texts - was convinced I'd crashed on the freeway or something. In response to that whole drama, we decided to get the chaperone service that Verizon offers for our fancy cell phones - it can send him messages when I leave or arrive or get near programmed places, and he can find out where I am whenever he likes. So yesterday my glasses broke - the little nylon string across the bottom of the right lense snapped. A dog may have had something to do with that, but I couldn't say for sure. I had decided to get them fixed today - its a simple replacement of the fishing line. But it got late - 4:30 and I said, I definitely need to find myself an optometrist. I hopped on my motorcycle and rode downtown, looking for the eyeglass shop I had seen advertised online. Couldn't find it. I pulled my phone out and found another. It was up on the hill. So I went up the hill and the phone mis-guided me - misplaced me by about 6 blocks. I finally got to the right place, parked in the parking garage, and went up to the optometrist's office. It was five o'clock. They were closed. Even though their hours said for another half hour they'd be open. sonofa. Gotta find another. I went back into the parking garage and got on my motorcycle, heading to a place not terribly far away. They were closed, but there was somebody there, and I got the little string and ribbon part I needed! Hooray! I headed back to work and got some more done, then came home. "where were you going this evening?" my mate demanded, "I get a message that you left work at four thirty eight then you didn't show up for 40 minutes! I asked the computer where you were and it said it couldn't locate you! It suggested I have you check your phone! "I was getting my glasses fixed. 5? Oh, i was in a parking garage about then." "I kept trying and your phone finally told me where you were. AT THE SWEDISH MEDICAL CENTER HOSPITAL!" It goes to show the evils of too much information. Without the chaperone, he never would have known I left work early - never known I was out of cell coverage for a few minutes - and never would have known that the garage I was in was that of the big hospital - exactly the place they'd take a wrecked motorcyclist. Fortunately, rather than commit suicide directly, he continued to probe my phone and saw me moving at a traffic-like speed through seattle. Current Mood: amused (1 Comment |Comment on this)
11:29 pm	so far behind The rundown. Moved into the RV, moved into Black Bart's RV park in Flagstaff. Kept the freezer outside. 2 weeks later we released the product. 1 week after that they let me go. "Not a fit with the team" they said. After all my contributions, oye. Oh well. So I got in touch with my man in Seattle that had gotten me two jobs up there before. He had been in touch a week or two before saying he had stuff going on. Thanks to recommendations from my previous coworkers I was hired in short order. They wanted me to start monday, but it was already tuesday. I said i could start on the next tuesday, and on a tight schedule I got new tires for my trailer, registered all my vehicles with the help of my friend Steve. We put the motorcycle in the rv, he took my Tacoma down to Snowflake and I headed north in the big red truck with dogs and dhugal and followed closely by the trailer. We did a night in las vegas at my friend Seyruuen's house, then we continued up to Stagecoach, Nevada at Dhugal's Mom's house. I was thinking of visiting my dad in salt lake city, but decided to take a break from all that driving and spent a day there. With the start deadline approaching, we headed north into idaho, staying the night by the river at a little park, then continuing up past spokane. About that time I got a phone call from my man in seattle. I hadn't been replying to email, did I know I was supposed to start next monday? No. I didn't. I knew I should have gotten my email at some poitn,but never got around to it. So we cruised towards the closest RV park. It was closed for a private party. We dry camped instead. Well, if I'd known of the delay I would have taken a more leisurely trip and visited my father in salt lake. Oh well. I ensconced myself at Trailer Inns RV park in Bellevue for a few weeks, but it was rather expensive. And it was just a parking lot with hookups, that wasn't big enough for my trailer and truck. After three weeks I moved to Issaquah Village RV Park - 5 miles further from Seattle - but much nicer. And for the last couple months I've been working this job in Seattle. Long hours lately, trying to justify the way I'm doing things... what fun. (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
12:29 pm	Donations, Lowell Observatory I don't know about you, but I from time to time have had occasion to donate money and objects to various charities and organizations. Take the library, for instance. I brought three boxes of books there, and I get a friendly enough smile "Thank you!" from the boy who took them into the back room. But its business as usual, nothing out of the ordinary. (even if I do think the books I gave them are *frickin awesome*) If I donate to the public radio station, they say thank you too. But it doesn't feel like they are... completely sincere? Not that they aren't polite and thankful, more like they don't personally feel that I've done them a significant favor through my donation, it is once again, business as usual. Which is okay, I suppose. Its not like I have to be wined and dined. But it feels, in a way I can't quite put my finger on, as if they feel that they are entitled to the donations, or that they're doing me a favor by accepting them. Dropping something off at the good will trailer feels like "Yeah, thanks for using us to get rid of your trash." - and is by far the worst case. It probably comes from the jaded-experienced feeling of getting donation after donation of mostly worthless shit every day from the public. But still, it just doesn't feel that good when its received that way. But today I visited the Lowell Observatory above Flagstaff, Arizona, to donate a telescope that had been given to me by a friend. (as part of my global downsizing into the RV and at the suggestion a fellow I met at the tweetup yesterday) The staff there seemed genuinely curious, surprised, and thankful that I was donating my 4" Meade Reflector telescope to the public viewing program they have there. And so I left with a smile on my face, and I say, that was really nice. They must really need and use this kind of equipment here - or know how to make somebody feel good at the very least. I wish every donation experience was as positive. Current Mood: good (Comment on this)
Tuesday, May 12th, 2009
10:02 pm	IRS Form 1040X sucks So I unexpectedly received a W-2 for a 3 month job that I had not previously filed... I forgot about it amidst the big pile of other ones I already received. So I filled out the 1040X and delta on taxes I owe is... 1357 MORE than before. ...insert swearing blue streak here... Dang government and their tax brackets... Current Mood: annoyed (Comment on this)
Saturday, May 9th, 2009
12:12 am	Trailer Trash, here I come! So I've made a big decision in my life...I'm going to downsize. I'm going to get rid of my excess possessions and live in an RV. With my BF and my two dogs. The opportunity was brought on by the sale of my house - and the availability of a friend with a truck and RV who is willing to sell it for a more than fair price. Its all part of my ongoing desire to live a cheaper, less demanding lifestyle. I spend too much money on stupid stuff. Like a new truck. And a big house that I don't need. To house furniture I don't use. I've been working on fixing my Isuzu Rodeo SUV, which is significantly more practical than my Tacoma pickup for people and dogs. In a few weeks I expect to have it fully repaired and operational. This will replace my Tacoma for around town driving. Today I bought a powerful tow truck (94 F250 5.7L F Diesel 5spd) This will be used mostly to just tow the RV when necessary. Its good to be able to move your own RV. And it comes with the RV. And its a big sturdy truck for when that is needed. I also made the down payment on the RV (92 Commander 36' With slide) I will pay 7 more payments of $1000, basically the rest of the year. Then It'll be mine free and clear. I am trying to trade off the $2000 a month lifestyle of this house and truck for the sub-$1000/month lifestyle of the RV. This should be a good thing in the long term. This evening I went around and made a list of things weighing me down that I think that I'm going to try and sell. If any of ya'll reading this want to make an offer or comment, please do! ( Read more... ) Current Mood: anticipating (7 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, April 13th, 2009
5:19 pm	House closed! Success! I have sold my house in Pahrump Nevada. I am now an official resident of Flagstaff Arizona. Once the check clears the bank, I shall decimate my credit card bills. Muahahaha! In other news, I'm also working at fixing my 2000 Isuzu Rodeo which has been non-op with a thrown #1 rod-crank bearing for a few years now. Its in the garage of a mechanic friend in Las Vegas and I'll be going up there to work on it this coming weekend again. Now to resist spending too much money on hard luggage for my motorcycle and an XD45 tactical in olive drab... Current Mood: happy (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, March 2nd, 2009
2:57 pm	Good News I just accepted an offer on my house. If everything goes through smoothly, by april 10th I should have some 20K+ in pocket out of the deal. 10K goes into savings for security and the rest will pay off family and credit cards. Woo-hoo! I am one jubilant dog! Current Mood: jubilant Current Music: Tag's mix (4 Comments |Comment on this)
Friday, February 27th, 2009
8:13 pm	So its not looking likely. I asked on thursday and at the end of today still hadn't gotten an answer as to whether we could work out some kind of telecommuting arrangement so I wouldn't have to live here in town. I'm going to guess that's the usual answer of most employers. We'd rather not have you than have the inconvenience of not having you in the office most of the time. I just got an unexpected phone call that my monthly outgoing costs of $150 is finished. Thats kinda cool. I've been paying $150 a month on the loan for my first ninja 250 since I got it years ago. I got a call telling me that the account is complete, I don't need to pay any more. Anyway, so no matter where I live, It costs me... $1000 for bullshit (phones and food and entertainment and insurance, etc) $550 for my truck loan $650 to maintain my 24K of CC's $1000 for my house loan If I life in Pahrump, it costs $200 for utilities. Giving a total of $3400 per month. If I live in Flagstaff, $1200 for my rent $150 for my gas $150 for my internet electricity & stuff Giving a total of $4700 a month. But my income is only $3560 a month. Making it obviously possible to live in Pahrump but not so obviously possible to live in Flagstaff. I have to maintain $1000 + a month in extra money from somewheres. Which I'm doing. But its a drag. I guess I can make it. Especially if I can rent my house in Pahrump to a friend. And I owe $3000 to family I need to pay back. And it would be good to pay own those credit card bills... Hopefully, Skylos Current Mood: hopeful (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, February 26th, 2009
8:47 pm	Worries go on I asked for a raise from 70 to 90K. Given I need about 13000 more a year take home, that not unreasonable. taxes and all. They said no. Today I ask if we can work out a telecommute arrangement so I don't have to live here. No answer yet. The other options appear to be debt consolidation and bankruptcy. Hm. (Comment on this)
Saturday, February 14th, 2009
1:57 pm	Worried I'm swimming hard to stay above the waters financially. I've been able because of side jobs. That worries and stresses me. I get the feeling if I don't get a pretty significant raise (to increase my take-home 1000 a month at least) I'm going to have to find another way to do this. Sigh. In Flagstaff, Skylos Current Mood: anxious (Comment on this)
Sunday, January 11th, 2009
9:34 pm	Grand Canyon Ride Today I braved the ice of the mountains, and took a ride along the south rim of the grand canyon. ( Read more... ) Current Mood: jazzed Current Music: I can't drive 55 (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Monday, December 22nd, 2008
9:34 pm	How to tie a fundoshi, by Me! ( You are about to view content that may only be appropriate for adults. ) (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Wednesday, November 19th, 2008
11:06 am	Craiglist works So I posted a job listing on craigslist looking for property manager for my house in Pahrump. Wow. In less than 12 hours got 7 resumes, 4 additional inquiries, and somebody who is looking to rent a house in Pahrump! Today I'll decide on a property manager - I have to decide between the super-experienced las vegas management ladies (one work at home, the other a management company) and the two men already managing pahrump properties, which is a good bonus on having good care taken of my house. Wow. (4 Comments |Comment on this)
Tuesday, November 18th, 2008
11:37 am	Change full speed I've accepted a job in Flagstaff Arizona starting december second. I'm taking a steep pay cut but its a cool job at a solid company, probably a wise thing to take at this juncture. And so I leave seattle's environs and the peoples who live around here again. Alas. I really must figure out what to do with my house in Pahrump. I can less afford to keep it, I'll have to rent it or something... (9 Comments |Comment on this)
Tuesday, November 11th, 2008
10:54 am	change in the works, the trouble with foxes My current job is tentative because they're getting rid of as many contractors as they can, I just happen to be working on a critical project so I have a job for the moment. I'm interviewing next Monday at a company in Flagstaff who wants the likes of me to be a web 2.0 Perl developer. Right up my alley, and not far from my brother's house in prescott valley. It'd be nice to see them more often. My house fox went to a con (akicon?) on the weekend and overslept on Monday and apparently did not handle the crisis properly, ran round in a little circle and didn't show up at all. He says that he'll show up sometime today. What role am I supposed to take, Drill Sargent? Daddy? I dunno. (15 Comments |Comment on this)
Tuesday, October 28th, 2008
2:07 pm	Tusa Wouldn't it be lovely to take a vacation, say, a week in Tusa, Italy? Why not? It looks like an interesting little very dense town. (10 Comments |Comment on this)
Friday, October 17th, 2008
2:43 pm	Staying at amazon for the time being The company that was interviewing me for a position says they'd love to hire me but cannot right now because they don't have the budget, they're worried about the economy and their subscription rates and such. Go Obama, last thing we need is another stock market slump like right after shrub got elected... (Comment on this)
Saturday, September 27th, 2008
10:29 pm	Ranier Loop This is the illustrated report of the ride I took with ShyDruid around Mount Rainer, and the aftermath, on September 27th, 2008. ( photos and stuff below here ) Current Mood: sore (5 Comments |Comment on this)
Saturday, September 20th, 2008
12:25 pm	Melted my phone "What were you thinking" you might ask Well, that going a bit above boiling point would drive out the water without actually harming the plastics. Not so much. ( pics in cut ) (5 Comments |Comment on this)
Wednesday, September 17th, 2008
10:44 pm	Fun at the range So it doesn't seem I'm getting fired... least not presently. Had some fun at the range with a friend.  I shot this with a rented XD 45 compact. BANG BANG!  It was shot at a range of 23-25 yards. ( Big Scan Below ) (6 Comments |Comment on this)