Gobble Gobble Gobble

Good Afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen,

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!!! Well, it's official. I'm a California resident. Well...not official official because I still have a Utah Driver's License...but I'm living here now...and working...and sleeping...and paying taxes...so yeah, it's official. Here's a quick rundown of the past week...because I know that you're really concerned with how I've been doing.

Friday night, we loaded up the remainder of the moving van...and by we, I mean me & my dad while my mom, stepdad and little nephew Vinny packed. I didn't have my camera handy...but the little guy who's not even two years old was carrying sleeping bags and rolled up blankets and stuff to help out his Uncle $teve. It was about the cutest thing you can imagine...then double it. He has the biggest blue eyes and the cutest smile & laugh...he's gonna be a heartbreaker someday very soon, ladies. Anyway, we were loading up the last thing, THE LAST THING...and what happens? My dad stumbles and catches his shin on the corner of the car tow...and it pokes through TO THE BONE. Now, it's deep...and it's bleeding...so we wrap him up as best we can & my stepmom drives him to Urgent Care...while I go to Red Rocks to meet up with JL Clyde & my friend K-Fish from work. That's right, my dad was bleeding profusely...and I was having a few beers and a trout club sandwich on pimpernickel. Why? He insisted that I do it. Wait, he becomes more God-like later in the trip. That night, I slept on a twin bed. The beer helped.

Saturday, we got ready and were on I-80 heading west by 10 AM. Oh yeah, 27 stitches...and a few painkillers. That was the remedy for the injury the night before. We drove through the scenic towns like Wendover, Wells, Elko, Battle Mountain, Golconda, Winnemucca, Reno and everything else that northern Nevada has to offer, stopping every so often to get gas & listening to the radio & Led Zeppelin CDs along the way. It was great male bonding. My dad's a real trooper...and a great navigator. "Just keeping heading that way." "Will do." Also, I got a great deal on the van & gas is what it is...and I calculated that just with those two things, it cost me about a dollar per mile to move my stuff from Slick City to Truckee. Awesome, right?

We made pretty good time & got there in about 9 hours...so 6 PM Cali time. It's dark of course...and the parking area of my apartment complex...is not the biggest...and we have a 16' moving van with car tow. We decide it'd be best to take my car Brandy off, then the car tow to make it a little easier / plausible. I go to start up Brandy...and nothing. Maybe it's the battery. We pop the hood, pop the trunk...and there's no tools. F my life. Remember "the Dude"? The manager's husband / maintenance guy? Well, he was home and he loaned us some tools (as did another guy we'll call D1 the next morning) and we did what we had to do to park it for the night...but it took a while...and gave us some unwanted chores for Sunday...like going to get a new battery. Oh well, now we were hungry...and couldn't really drive around in the truck...but luckily, right on queue, a taxi pulled up to my building (apparently to pick up a drunk party girl that lives upstairs' friend...but we'll meet them soon enough). We asked him if he knew of a good pizza place that delivered (since 411 & GPS suck) and he told us about Round Rock Pizza & gave us the number. Good guy. He gave me his card. The pizza was amazing...and we slept on air mattresses with full bellies.

Sunday, we unloaded the van in just over two hours...then headed to Reno to the closest Wal-Mart for a battery...and some groceries & stuff. We got back around sunset, got Brandy running, and I showed my dad the new job location. Then we noticed something, a fog coming from the defroster. F my life. Basically, the heater coil is ruptured or worse...so whenever it's heated, it's burning anti-freeze into the cab of the car & fogs up the windshield...and because it's located in the dash, it'd cost more to fix it than Brandy's worth (you know, being over 217,000 miles it's only a matter of time before EVERYTHING combusts). So I wasn't able to take my dad around town like I wanted...and I need a new mountain ready car. Perhaps it's a blessing in disguise...but we'll see how it goes. We went into downtown, showed him around...but everything was uberexpensive, so we got more Round Rock Pizza with some wings & watched "Demolition Man" while chatting about whatever. Again, my dad is AMAZING!!! That night, I slept on my luxurious bed...and yes, I did offer it to my dad...but he insisted on sleeping on the couch...and rather enjoyed it.

Monday was my first day at the new job...and it was only a half-day because I had to take my dad to the airport in the afternoon. I still met a lot of my coworkers...and they all seem great. It's going to be a fun experience. After work, I picked up my dad, drove him to the airport, thanked him profusely and made it back home to start unpacking everything. Basically, Tuesday & Wednesday was working all day then unpacking & arranging all night. Oh...and my niece Kairi was "kidnapped" again...but this time, I'm thinking that my crack whore ex-sister-in-law screwed herself over...but we'll see what the courts have to say about that in the next week hopefully.

Today being Thanksgiving, I'm here at a Starbucks enjoying a venti caramel apple spice & using the internet since I don't have the utilities set up quite yet. I'm making a pot roast as we speak...a pork roast actually with fresh ground peppercorn, chopped onions, carrots, green beans, potatoes, etc. and slowly marinated over several hours. I'll also be picking up a pumpkin pie before too long. Also, my roommate left yesterday from Florida...so he'll probably be here tomorrow or Saturday...with his sister helping. I'll be giving him a call later to make sure everything's okay.

What am I thankful for? EVERYTHING!!! First & foremost, my wonderful family & outstanding network of friends across the globe. My father who helped me move to this new adventure in a mountain paradise...despite fairly serious injury. My mother who always has my back & loves me with all of her heart. My brother who's a great father who would do anything for his kids. My stepparents who are there for me too. This new exciting job, my new home, my wonderful & helpful neighbors, and I can only assume that my roommate will be fantastic as well. My great health. The body of a woman. Laughter & smiles. Technology that keeps me in touch with my peeps. Pumpkin pie. EVERYTHING!!! It's all so amazing. I wish you could all come experience it with me.

What are you thankful for?

Well, I'd better get back to my roast. Also, my time's gonna expire here soon. Have a wonderful holiday weekend everybody!!! I'll get back to you when I can. Thank you!!! I love you all madly.

Off Like A Prom Dress

Good Afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen,

Well, I'm all packed up and ready to go. The best part was...I've come to the conclusion that I've been under the weather the past few days (thanks Barbie) but I've been too damn busy to realize it other than for the occasional cold sweats. Not fun...but hey, sh*t has to be done, right? On top of all the packing and what-have-you, I've also been thinking a lot. I typically think a lot...like all the time...but this past week it's been about...well, everything. Obviously I'm a little concerned about the move...and that's to be expected. Obviously help from my family & friends and a lot of research over the past four months or so has helped out immeasurably. However, this week, I was mostly thinking about WHY I was moving to Lake Tahoe.

As you may know from reading this blog for a few years (I'm sure there's one or two of you out there), my family is very important to me. My parents are amazing...but then again, what else would you expect from Batman & Wonder Woman? Even my stepparents are awesome...though one's a witch and the other's a sloth...but they're great parents and always there if I need somebody to talk to. My brother's really blossoming into a great guy...and you know that I have the most adorable nieces & nephew in all of the world. I have the most incredible network of friends & family that a man could ask for. What does this have to do with anything? They're all centered here in Slick City. The only person that I know within an 8-hour drive of Lake Tahoe...is my stepsister & her family who live in Carson and I really only see her on Christmas. Why in the hell would I want to leave all of them behind? What could possibly motivate me to just pack up and leave a perfect situation where I'm completely surrounded by family & friends? Not only that...but it took me about three seconds to accept that job in Lake Tahoe once it was offered. Even that seemed like a little longer than necessary...but why?

Is the job paying me more? Of course it is. Why would I even consider it otherwise? However, the cost of living is more there in Truckee as well...so really, I'd say it's pretty much even keel with what I'm making now (which mind you is substantially less than it was before I moved to Denver this time last year). So it's not the money that's motivating me. The job itself is exciting and the team I'll be working with seems like a great group...but it's basically just a return to what I was doing in Denver...or here in Slick City for years before that. So it's kinda the job...but then again, there are plenty of ways to make money for a hustler like me...especially one with flexible morals like myself.

Am I running away from something? Not at all. I don't have any crazy ex-girlfriends or ex-wives, baby mamas trying to get child support out of me, angry husbands looking for the man with the tattoo of a smiley face on his ass cheek, anything like that. Hell, if anything, I'm running TOWARDS responsibilities by basically being on my own...which thinking about it really isn't what I want to do...but hey, I'm a 28-year-old man now. It was bound to happen. Basically, I'm going into a new town, new job, new surroundings, alone and basically scared sh*tless because I'm leaving everything & everyone that I've ever known...and going live in the same place where the Donner Party was forced to eat each other during peak tourist season. So the question remains...

WHY AM I DOING THIS? Why does any man do anything? For the poon tang. Okay, obviously that's not the case. I was just checking to see if you were still reading. Honestly, looking at it in this logical sense so far, it really doesn't make any sense at all. And you know how I love my logical approach to most things. Listing out the Pros & Cons, countless comparisons, running over scenarios all day every day in my head to the point of tedium. That being said...I really do feel like this is the right move for me (obviously or I wouldn't be going suddenly into debt to pull this off). I don't know, maybe it's subconsciously me just going up against all my fears and proving to myself that I can be my own man...and overcome any obstacle or some crazy stuff like that. Maybe it's that I'll be living in an absolute mountain town paradise that's still very close to the ocean, casinos, my family, and everything else. Maybe it's just that I need something new & exciting to get me out of bed in the morning (though that really hasn't been much of a problem...and instead I'll be replacing it with cold lonely nights). Whatever it may be, I just have a feeling that this is the right move for me. I mean...it is paradise...as you have seen from the pictures of my limited experience...and yeah, I'll be alone to begin with...but I'm pretty good at making friends...and there'll be plenty of new people to town looking to make cool friends like me. Who knows? Maybe there's a sweet young thang out there just waiting to meet a great guy like me to try out her book that she got for Christmas last year, "The Joy of Sex...and Cooking." I don't know exactly why...but I just really feel like this can be an incredibly good thing for me.

Please don't think for a minute that this hasn't been a really tough choice for me. I really do care about each and every one of you...and that's why I pray for you every night. Oh yeah, I pray...hard. I'm going to miss you guys...but it's not like I'm going to the island of Vanuatu to be completely cut off from society (though you wouldn't know it based on how dramatic I'm making this whole thing). I'll just be in a resort town in California...and I'm sure my friends & family will come visit...as I'll visit them when time permits. In this age of technology, we can always get a hold of each other too. Facebook, telephones, text messages, web-based journals, carrier pigeons, the postal system, television, radio waves, telepathy, smoke signals, you all know how to reach me...and vice versa. And I'm still going to pray for you every night...and be there when you need somebody to talk to...because that's what friends are for.

Anyway, my dad & I leave in the morning...and it may be a few days before you hear back from me...but don't worry, I'll drive safely and I'll be sure to send a text message or something letting you all know that I made it. Just know that I'm going to miss you guys until we meet again...and don't be afraid to drop me a line & tell me about your day...and I'll tell you about my wacky, beautiful and/or sexy adventures with a backdrop as Mark Twain said, "The Fairest Picture The Whole Earth Can Afford!" Have a great weekend everybody!!!

Flying Ninja Elvi

Good Afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen,

The weekend in Vegas was a lot of fun. Many thanks to Bubbles for making it so. Basically, Friday & Saturday nights we went to various bars including PT's and the Yardhouse with some of her friends from work and had a great old time...and then recovered during the day. I even helped out by babysitting Keanna for her roommate. Not a big deal because she can be a lot of fun (until she gets bratty, probably needing a nap) but we had a good time. Bubbles was also an amazing friend as always telling me how excited she was about me starting at Lake Tahoe & how I'm going to be wonderful & have nothing to worry about because I make friends everywhere I go & everybody's going to visit because it's such an amazing place...which logically I knew...but I guess when I had a few drinks my mind kind of shut down and my worries rose to the top. That's what friends are there for...and that's why I'm always there for her when she has had similar concerns about Vegas when she moved down there. Thanks Bubbles!!! You're more amazing than you even know...and I hope that you realize that one day.

So yeah...now I'm back & getting everything packed for the big move this weekend...but I did take time last night to go to BIRTHDAY dinner with JL Clyde & her family (since it was a free meal at the Bayou with good people, was I gonna say no?) at the Bayou. Hadn't been there since my birthday party just before I moved back here. Good eats, good beers, good times. Sorry I don't have a whole lot of stories and stuff to share with you about the Vegas trip but I'll be sure to catch you up one day. For example, the story about how the f**k this gaping wound to my pants came to happen while eating a meal at the Yardhouse...



By the way, it may or may not involve ninja assassins and catlike reflexes on my part. You gotta love those wacky Vegas nights. Have a great day everybody!!!

Beautiful Day

Good Afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen,

Tomorrow night I'm heading to Vegas for the weekend...then after that, I'm basically just packing & working until I end up living in Lake Tahoe. Being the last few days of work at my current job is a little hard to stay focused...but hey, I do okay. I'm a little anxious about my new move...but it'll be fantastic. I just have to be me and do what I do. So until you hear from me again, here's an update on this beautiful world...

Dollhouse Cancelled - Well, it appears once again that Joss Whedon & Eliza Dushku are both ahead of their time...and keep getting screwed over by Fox and their famous Friday night timeslot of Death. "Dollhouse" will soon be going out of business. The Joss Whedon fantasy drama ends after its current 13-episode order, with the series finale scheduled to air January 22nd, according to a person familiar with the show who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to discuss it. Off the Fox schedule during November, it returns December 4th. "Dollhouse" is about a high-tech prostitution service (I love simplification by the media) with Eliza Dushku starring as an escort who can be implanted with different personalities to accommodate each client. Created by Whedon, best known for "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," the series arrived last February with great fanfare, but struggled to find an audience. Its cancellation was first reported Wednesday by the Hollywood Reporter. Sigh...so no more Eliza Dushku in dominatrix outfits and trying to save the future from human nature & technological advancements that sap away our humanity. I'm sure they'll fill it up the timeslot with yet another failed vehicle for a mediocre stand-up comedian...or maybe a "reality" show which boils down to a whore-off over a multi-millionaire jackass. Hmm, I wonder if they'd bring Temptation Island back... Anyway, I'm sure they have great plans for a show that are far better than "Dollhouse" or "Firefly" or anything like that. Good luck Fox. Honestly, I think the only chance you have for something better...is if Megan Fox is in it...and then you'd better have some great writers...because it's going to be REALLY hard to top Eliza & Joss. Period.

Brazilian Schoolgirl - Since we're talking about sexy people, I think I'll continue with the theme. A female Brazilian student who was expelled from a Sao Paulo university after her short dress sparked student protests has been allowed back after federal prosecutors opened an investigation into the case. The Universidade Bandeirante made the reversal after taking out advertisement space in Sunday newspapers to explain that it had expelled Geysi Villa Nova Arruda, 20, for her "incompatible posture with the atmosphere" at the school. That decision, and video showing Arruda being hounded out by hundreds of students at the university, prompted a heated debate in the Latin American country known for its racy Carnival festivities and tiny bikinis but which also has a strong conservative streak. The university, which had described the protests against Arruda in October as an act of "defense" by the student body, changed its stance on Monday after a federal investigation was launched. Bandeirantes university had said that Arruda's expulsion was due to her behavior, saying she had acted provocatively by raising her dress (oooh, I like where this is going), something she denied. She said she would return to the school to complete the academic year. "In fact, I was very scared. I was the victim," O Globo newspaper on Tuesday quoted Arruda as saying. "I don't plan to change the way I am or the way I dress." Don't you dare change a thing. In fact, I'll go one step further, if the Brazilian student body doesn't appreciate your student body, then come on out to the United States, where we appreciate the female form. Also, bring a lot of your friends too. If you'd like, I can hook you up with my friend Lilie's number...seeing as her apartment complex is like an international melting pot of collegiate hotties (or at least that's what she tells me...probably to toy with me). Either way, keep standing proud...and fighting the good fight.

Miss England Barfight - Maybe that fighting the good fight wasn't the best choice of words. Across the Pond, beauty pageant winner Miss England gave up her title on Friday after reports she had been involved in a nightclub brawl with another beauty queen (ultimate catfight). Rachel Christie (hot niece of former British Olympic gold medal sprinter Linford Christie) was arrested earlier this week after allegedly getting into a fight with Miss Manchester, Sara Jones, at a club in the northern English city. Christie, who had become the first black winner of the title in July, was accused of punching Jones in a row over her boyfriend who appears on the TV show "Gladiators," the papers said. "Due to the media attention following the allegations against her, Rachel Christie has now decided to withdraw from the Miss World competition and relinquish her Miss England crown," the pageant organizers said in a statement on the Miss England website. "Rachel will concentrate on clearing her name and focus on training for the 2012 Olympics until this case is resolved." Christie says she wants to emulate her uncle and win gold at the 2012 Olympics in London in the heptathlon. I can see this starting not over a boyfriend...but over soccer or futbol or whatever you wanna call it. Just enjoying a game on the tellie when somebody says something like "COME ON YOU REDS!!! Hey missy with the sash, you fancy the Manchester United?" "(Unintelligible English colloquialisms) Liverpool." "LIVERPOOL? F**K LIVERPOOL!!!" "Excuse me sir, I'll have you know that I'm not only a beauty queen...but a heptathlete...and I will surely kick your arse." "I'm not going to hit a woman." Then a fist flies in from the side, "But I will, b**ch!!!" "Sara Jones? You dizzy c**t!!!" Then an epic battle royale of dress tearing and sash strangling ensues...and not one person in the bar is doing ANYTHING to stop it. "Damn my cell battery's dead. Is anybody getting video of this?" Oh what an age we live in...

Where the Ugly People Are - Have you ever wondered where the ugly people of the world live? Me neither...but apparently somebody out there did...and their findings say that Britons are among the ugliest people in the world, according to a dating website that says it only allows "beautiful people" to join. Fewer than one in eight British men and just three in 20 women who have applied to BeautifulPeople.com have been accepted, an emailed statement from the website showed. Existing members of the "elite dating site" rate how attractive potential members are over a 48 hour period, after applicants upload a recent photo and personal profile. Swedish men have proved the most successful, with 65% being accepted, while Norwegian women are considered the most beautiful with 76% accepted, the website said. The way that BeautifulPeople.com accepts new members is simple. A potential member applies with a photo and a brief profile. Over 48 hours, existing members of the opposite sex vote whether or not to admit them, the site said. Options are: "Yes definitely," "Hmm yes, O.K," "Hmm no, not really" and "No definitely not." The site was founded in 2002 in Denmark and went live across the globe last month. Since then, the site has rejected nearly 1.8 million people from 190 countries, admitting just 360,000 new members. "I would say Britain is stumbling because they don't spend as much time polishing up their appearance and they are letting themselves down on physical fitness," Beautiful People managing director Greg Hodge said. "Next to Brazilian and Scandinavian beauties, British people just aren't as toned or glamorous." Only the male Russian and Polish applicants fared worse than British men, although Russian women had a 44 % acceptance rate (blame Bond movies & mail order brides). Polish women did not appear in the table. German applicants were slated for offering up unflattering photographs, which may have hindered their acceptance rates at 15% for men and 13% for women, the lowest rate in their category. "German men and women aren't faring well, but they are submitting stern images, they need to soften up," Hodge said. So are you incredibly good-looking and want the world to judge you? Then give it a shot. See if you have what it takes to join BeautifulPeople.com.

Megan Fox Update - Megan Fox is already eyeing a career out of the spotlight - she wants to devote her life to helping the less fortunate. The sexy actress has skyrocketed to fame starring in hit blockbusters including the Transformers franchise, but insists she won't feel fulfilled until she uses her high-profile to better the lives of others. She says, "Overall, in terms of this business, I hope to gain the status that will enable me to be truly and legitimately helpful to people. I feel like that's my purpose in life, to do charity work and help people around the world on a global level. Being part of this business, you have so much influence and you can really make a difference. I'm drawn towards the idea of somehow helping children." Remember last year when she played a character playing Mother Teresa in "How to Lose Friends & Alienate People"? No? You didn't see that movie? Okay, well I did...and now, I'm kind of hoping that movie really does happen...where Megan Fox plays Mother Teresa. So what if it's like Jason Statham playing Gandhi (which I would also see) but hey, if she wants to make a difference...then I say that she brings the heartwarming story of self-sacrifice to the big screen...and let's face it, there are dozen, baker's dozens of people who would go to see it. Seriously, if Hillary Swank can play Amelia Earhart & Winona Ryder can play in a period piece...then why can't Miss Fox play a nun. Make it happen Hollywood. I know that you're stealing ideas from my blog anyway.

Anyway, that should hold you over for a while...and if not, check the old stuff. It's not just there for my entertainment. Hope to talk to y'all soon. In the meantime, have a great day!!!

Boobies Must Be Warm At All Times

Good Afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen,

I HAVE A PLACE TO STAY IN LAKE TAHOE!!! Long story short, after checking out over a dozen places, and finding out a few others were for ski leases only, and after finding out others were already rented out, and calling on a bunch of roommates opportunities, and finding out that some apartment places have waiting lists more than a year in advance, the place that I ended up going for was found just driving around a neighborhood that I was interested in that was convenient to my new job. Basically, it's as close as I can get to my new job without being independently wealthy. First though, do you want me to go over some of the other options? Maybe teach ya a little bit about the area that I'll be living? No? Well, I'm gonna show you a few pictures anyway, just because I'm really excited about this...and I feel like I should share the majesty of the North Lake Tahoe, Truckee, King's Beach, Northstar area with you...so that maybe you'll come visit...especially you ladies during those long, cold winter nights. By the way, did I mention that I have a fireplace? And the starlight is almost blinding there?

Saturday, I flew into Reno (biggest little city in the world), picked up my G6 rental car and made way to hotel where I would spend the first night, the Hampton Inn Truckee. Nice place...and the staff was more than accommodating (and I'm pretty sure that the cutie at the front desk was checking me out a few times...and that may have played into it). When their business center computer was on the fritz, they let me use there's in the back-of-house office area to check on locations in the area. Also, the breakfast was pretty good too. I highly recommend them...especially since they don't have a whole lot of competition right there in the immediate Truckee area. Now, for a little background on the city of Truckee, California, located just off I-80 about thirty minutes west of Reno, directly north of Lake Tahoe. It's basically a small quiet mountain town with a Historic Downtown with a few restaurants, bars, art galleries located along the Truckee River...and train tracks run right along the main street, Donner Pass Road. There are also neighborhoods that range from trailer parks to low income housing to condos to luxurious log cabins to million dollar homes. The best part is though, you can hardly tell from how beautiful the surroundings are. I think there's only like 15,000 people in the city. Pretty small town feel and everything. This is my new home, or rather center of operations. I spent the day driving around town to get familiar with the streets (before the walls of snow come into play) and setting up appointments to check out places. Even saw one later in the day...but it would require me to have roommates...and was a bit out of the way. Here are some pictures...

First place, not bad...but needed roommates to afford

Oh yeah, that's diamond plated cabinets

The hot tub would've been nice...

Outhouses? Nope. Storage.

Sunday, I woke up nice & early, had a hearty breakfast and set out to find a home. My first few stops were in the King's Beach area. Now, King's Beach...is pretty cool. It's located on the northern shore of Lake Tahoe with, as the name would imply, plenty of beached recreation areas. The housing is...a little lower scale. It's not horrible by any means...but it's the more affordable area of town. It kind of looks like where there was once a campground with little individual cabins...that were converted into homes. A lot of small motels, A-frame homes, pretty basic homes...but like I said, it's affordable and located right on the northern shore. The one drawback really...was the steep drive up Northstar Mountain that I would have to do everyday (ala Parley's Canyon to get to Park City) whereas Truckee has a more horizontal approach. Here are some pictures...

Best thing about this area

The Beach is a few blocks away

This was a close one, favorite in King's Beach

Met neighbor Patty & her dog too

Then I was shown a few VERY small places

Later in the day, I met up with new Boss Lady B for the first time...and she's just AWESOME!!! She's a spunky, funny Kiwi who was really excited to get to know me, help me find a place, cooked me dinner TWICE, made sure that I had a clean bed to sleep in and...just AWESOME!!! She also had a black lab mix named Sadie...and she really liked me too. What can I say? B**ches love me. After meeting her & Sadie for the first time, I looked at a few more properties...and here are those pictures...

Saw two of the exact same layout but different prices

This one was on Northstar Mountain but

was furnished...apparently for an elderly couple

Monday, I woke up with a good feeling. I hadn't really found anything that was a sureshot for a new home...but I had more to see...and I just had a good feeling. You know how it is, right? Anyway, I continued my search...and stumbled upon a For Rent sign by a place on the list...and it proved to be intriguing. Anyway, here are the pictures...

Love that this sign was up at my new job

Now you know about the entry title

Sawmill Heights - Very small accommodations

Typically for temporary workers in the area

Affordable though...so it was high on the list

These next two pictures...are the entire studio

This one had an open layout...but a major 70's feel to it

Also, I'm not sure if this was supposed to be

storage or a loft for a twin bed...but it's the only window

Ready to see my new apartment?

Pretty standard kitchen

Nice, big living room...with a fireplace...

...and a BIG DECK!!!

The bedrooms aren't big...but big enough...and deck access

So basically, after all that research & investigation, I ended up going with a place that I just kind of stumbled upon driving around the neighborhood I was interested in. It just goes to show, it all happens for a reason. So I'm really excited to get over there and get started with my new job and my new surroundings. I'm absolutely going to miss Slick City...and my current job...and my family & friends who all live here...but I'll be visiting when I get the chance. I want to see my niece & nephew grow up. I want to see my mom, my dad, my brother, my friends, all of them...but I'm just needing to progress in this career of mine and, times being what they are, apparently I have to move to ski resort towns and hang out with snow bunnies. It's a rough life but somebody has to live it. Besides, now you all have a hookup in Lake Tahoe. Have a great day everybody!!!

Roaming Gnome Looks For Home

Good Afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen,

Well...holy crap, I've been busy since this whole Lake Tahoe thing came to happen. Let's see, ugh...there was telling everybody about it on Wednesday. Yesterday, I walked about five miles for the kids with the CMN Torch Relay, which was a lot of fun...and for a good cause...but yeah, it was a lot of walking...but we got a hot dog for lunch so it wasn't bad. Big thanks to all who donated (and the rest of you are just evil). After that, I worked...by which I mean I multitasked trying to get things squared away for my impending move while still telling everybody about it and doing the job that I was being paid for splendidly. It's what I do so well. After work, I went to my dad's to talk about the move (of course) and arrange a pseudo-schedule. Then we were flipping through the channels and saw that the hometown Jazz were playing my favorite team, the San Antonio Spurs not two miles away. "Gee, wouldn't that be cool to go watch?" Well, after the first quarter, I decided that I had some work to do with packing, so I went back to my apartment. Upon walking in the door, I get a call from my Wingman...and apparently Wingman Jr was at the game with his high school checking out colleges in the area...and they had an extra ticket. Weird, right? So I walk over there (just two blocks from my apartment) and enjoy the rest of the game from the absolute top row behind Pistol Pete's number...but hey, a free seat is a free seat.

Today was even better. I've decided that this weekend, I needed to go see Lake Tahoe and find out where I'm going to live, otherwise whatever I do the next few days with packing may be meaningless. Luckily, Delta was having a last minute deal from SLC to Reno (45 minutes from Tahoe) so I booked that, scheduled a rental car, arranged to stay in my new boss' spare bedroom for a few nights and another at a motel in Truckee, made a list of places to check out in the area, mapped it out to a certain extent, oh...and all while I picked up my mom from the airport because she showed up three hours earlier than she told us she was, got my shifts covered on a moment's notice, informed more people about the plans and STILL did my job splendidly. I think I even worked meals into that. Pretty good day...and now I get to have a four-day "vacation" in my new home, meet my new boss & maybe a few other coworkers, find a wonderful apartment or townhouse, and enjoy the beautiful scenery that I will soon grow accustomed to. It should be fairly relaxing...but we shall see...and I'll be sure to keep you posted. I'd love to post pictures of the apartments for you to lend your advice ahead of time...but yeah, we'll see if that gets done before I sign something. It's kind of a short turnover...and if I know, I'll know.

So there's a quick wrap-up of the past few days. Now I'm off to Tahoe in the morning, find a place to live, back to Slick City on Tuesday, work & pack a few days, off to Vegas for next weekend (trip planned about a month ago when I pretty much brushed Tahoe off my shoulder), then back for more work & packing, maybe fit a Going Away Again Party in there, load up the moving van, drive across Northern Nevada, unload the moving fan into my new accommodations, start my new job, probably unpack during Thanksgiving Break...and all while hoping that there isn't a major snowstorm along the way. By the way, did you know that there are a lot of things in the Truckee / Lake Tahoe area named Donner. Wanna know why? Because that's where the Donner Party was on their magical journey west. THAT'S another reason I don't want it to snow horribly before I get assituated. Wish me luck!!! Have a great day everybody!!!

On To The Next One...

Good Afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen,

First & foremost, a very happy birthday to Lilie as she joins the prestigous Quarter Century Club. Congratulations!!! Secondly, well...yesterday was the big 700th post...and this one is even bigger. Why? Because I WAS OFFERED THE JOB IN LAKE TAHOE!!! Now, it's not official until the paperwork is signed (fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, I ain't gonna get fooled again) and I haven't decided on a start date yet...but probably around Thanksgiving at the latest, I'll be a resident of Lake Tahoe in a new position (though eerily similar to my position in Denver). It's opening a new office for the company...and it's just going to be awesome. Obviously I aced the 2nd interview, new Boss Lady B checked three of my references including my current manager who all had nothing but flowery things to say...and do you remember A-Beer? From the Nuggets game & former coworker in Denver? Well, she used to work with my new Boss Lady B...and apparently she had great things to say about me...and allegedly A-Beer's not one to freely hand out praise, so that's really cool. Anyway, long story short, after the calls to my referrals, Boss Lady B called, offered me the job, we chatted a bit about the moving process & any suggestions...and basically we look forward to working together. Awesome, right? So yeah, the next few weeks are gonna be a little hectic trying to get everything squared away. Luckily I'm kinda prepared because I've been working at this for almost four months...but it's still just a bit of a surprise how fast it happened after the lengthy wait of nothingness. Also, can't wait until tax time. Three states of residence in the last calendar year. Awesome. So Dr Love is going to Cali...but just not Hollywood...yet. Any starlets interested need only take a vacation to Lake Tahoe and ask around. I'll be there. Anyway, here's some news...I'll talk to you when I know a little more...and I'm a little more clearheaded. I typed this stuff up first.

Robo Roadtripper - MIT researchers and designers are developing the Affective Intelligent Driving Agent (AIDA) - a new in-car personal robot that aims to change the way we interact with our car. AIDA communicates with the driver through a small robot embedded in the dashboard. "AIDA builds on our long experience in building sociable robots,” explains professor Cynthia Breazeal, director of the Personal Robots Group at the MIT Media Lab. “We are developing AIDA to read the driver's mood from facial expression and other cues and respond in a socially appropriate and informative way." AIDA communicates in a very immediate way: with the seamlessness of a smile or the blink of an eye. Over time, the project envisions that a kind of symbiotic relationship develops between the driver and AIDA, whereby both parties learn from each other and establish an affective bond. To identify the set of goals the driver would like to achieve, AIDA analyses the driver’s mobility patterns, keeping track of common routes and destinations. AIDA draws on an understanding of the city beyond what can be seen through the windshield, incorporating real-time event information and knowledge of environmental conditions, as well as commercial activity, tourist attractions, and residential areas. “When it merges knowledge about the city with an understanding of the driver’s priorities and needs, AIDA can make important inferences,” explains Assaf Biderman, associate director of the SENSEable City Lab. “Within a week AIDA will have figured out your home and work location. Soon afterwards the system will be able to direct you to your preferred grocery store, suggesting a route that avoids a street fair-induced traffic jam. On the way AIDA might recommend a stop to fill up your tank, upon noticing that you are getting low on gas. AIDA can also give you feedback on your driving, helping you achieve more energy efficiency and safer behavior.” So now you have a robot that can accompany you on road trips...or be a nagging pain in the arse. There had better be a few voice functions though. I get irritated with my GPS voice on my cell phone rather quickly...especially when she has no idea where I am. "I'm not in Sunnyvale, California. Why do you insist on giving me directions as such? I'm in Park City, b**ch!!!" Maybe it would help if it wasn't such a shrill monotonic voice. I'm thinking a sultry sexy female voice might work...especially if I'm an enterprising entrepreneur trying to sell something through directions (patent pending). "Turn left at the next light. I feel like Tex-Mex, let's go to Chili's." "What? You're a robot. You don't eat." "But aren't you hungry?" "No, not really." "Are you sure? Pleeeease, $teve. I'm soooo hoooooongry." "What are you doing to my zipper?" "Mmm, I want a beefy chimichanga." "STOP THAT! I'm trying to drive here. FINE!!! I'm pulling over into Chili's. I like their fajitas anyway. Damn you're persuasive." Maybe you could switch it up to a Johnny 5 voice...or you could be going on a road trip with Elvis. Who wouldn't want that? Anyway, great potential here for lonely individuals and people that get lost easily...but I wouldn't be surprised if a few of the early models got thrown out of moving cars. CRUNCH!!! "I TOLD YOU!!! I KNOW WHERE I'M GOING!!!" A mute button would be nice too.

Space Hotel - Where would be better to travel to with your robot navigator buddy than outer space? Please forget that it's like combining two of Kubrick's creepiest movies, "The Shining" & "2001:Space Odyssey" into one...but a company behind plans to open the first hotel in space says it is on target to accept its first paying guests in 2012 despite critics questioning the investment and time frame for the multi-billion dollar project. The Barcelona-based architects of The Galactic Suite Space Resort say it will cost 3 million euro ($4.4 million) for a three-night stay at the hotel, with this price including an eight-week training course on a tropical island (Haiti?). During their stay, guests would see the sun rise 15 times a day and travel around the world every 80 minutes (sounds awesome to me). They would wear Velcro suits so they can crawl around their pod rooms by sticking themselves to the walls like Spiderman (mmm, I'm thinking of an oddly stimulating honeymoon in space). Galactic Suite Ltd's CEO Xavier Claramunt, a former aerospace engineer, said the project will put his company Galactic Suite at the forefront of an infant industry with a huge future ahead of it, and forecast space travel will become common in the future. "It's very normal to think that your children, possibly within 15 years, could spend a weekend in space," he told Reuters Television. A nascent space tourism industry is beginning to take shape with construction underway in New Mexico of Spaceport America, the world's first facility built specifically for space-bound commercial customers and fee-paying passengers. British tycoon Richard Branson's space tours firm, Virgin Galactic, will use the facility to propel tourists into suborbital space at a cost of $200,000 a ride. Galactic Suite Ltd, set up in 2007, hopes to start its project with a single pod in orbit 450 km (280 miles) above the earth, traveling at 30,000 km per hour, with the capacity to hold four guests and two astronaut-pilots. It will take a day and a half to reach the pod - which Claramunt compared to a mountain retreat, with no staff to greet the traveler. "When the passengers arrive in the rocket, they will join it for 3 days, rocket and capsule. With this we create in the tourist a confidence that he hasn't been abandoned. After 3 days the passenger returns to the transport rocket and returns to earth." What could possibly go wrong? More than 200 people have expressed an interest in traveling to the space hotel and at least 43 people have already reserved. The numbers are similar for Virgin Galactic with 300 people already paid or signed up for the trip but unlike Branson, Galactic Suite say they will use Russian rockets to transport their guests into space from a spaceport to be built on an island in the Caribbean. But critics have questioned the project, saying the time frame is unreasonable and also where the money is coming from to finance the project. Claramunt said an anonymous billionaire space enthusiast (Darth Vader?) has granted $3 billion to finance the project. That sounds awesome. Not a million dollars a day awesome (hmm, maybe with the eight weeks on an island) but still, pretty damn cool. Just something to keep an eye on in the future. Also, are you afraid of flights into outer space? Well, there may be a more traditional alternative to get to your space hotel room in the near future as well.

Space Elevator - A laser-powered robot failed to complete its climb up a long cable dangling from a helicopter Wednesday in a $2 million competition to test the potential reality of the science fiction concept of space elevators. The highly technical contest brought teams from Missouri, Alaska and Seattle to Rogers Dry Lake in the Mojave Desert, most familiar to the public as a space shuttle landing site. The contest requires their machines to climb 2,953 feet (nearly 1 kilometer) up a cable slung beneath a helicopter hovering nearly a mile high. The Kansas City, Mo., Space Pirates team was first off the ground after hours of testing the cable system, refueling the helicopter and waiting to fire up the laser so it doesn't interfere with satellites. Its climber, a flat machine several feet square, initially failed to respond to laser power and was lowered, examined and sent back up. On the second try it began moving and then stopped. On the third try it began moving steadily, but then trouble developed as the laser could not stay locked on the machine. It failed to climb all the way up before the laser had to be shut off to protect satellites, said Ted Semons of the sponsoring Spaceward Foundation. The team was expected to try again Friday. Funded by a NASA program to explore bold technology, the contest is intended to encourage development of a theory that originated in the 1960s and was popularized by Arthur C. Clarke's 1979 novel "The Fountains of Paradise." Space elevators are envisioned as a way to reach space without the risk and expense of rockets. Instead, electrically powered vehicles would run up and down a cable anchored to a ground structure and extending thousands of miles up to a mass in geosynchronous orbit — the kind of orbit communications satellites are placed in to stay over a fixed spot on the Earth. Electricity would be supplied through a concept known as "power beaming," ground-based lasers pointing up to photo voltaic cells on the bottom of the climbing vehicle — something like an upside-down solar power system. The space elevator competition has not produced a winner in its previous three years, but has become increasingly difficult. Semons said the competing machines all use wheels to grip the cable. Two use modified inline-skate wheels and one uses steel wheels. The vehicles must climb at an average speed of 16.4 feet (5 meters) per second, or about 11 miles (18 kilometers) per hour, to qualify for the top prize. A lesser prize is available for vehicles that climb at 2 meters per second. The rules allow one team to collect all $2 million or for sums to be shared among all three teams depending on their achievements. Pretty cool huh? I know you like it when I talk nerdy to you.

Anyway, that'll do it for today. I'm super stoked about my new adventure...but I'll post with more information when more is known. Right now, I'm just trying to keep everything in perspective with my excitement. Thanks again to all of you for reading...and supporting me over the years. You guys rock!!! If you ever need a place to stay in Lake Tahoe, just let me know. Have a great day everybody!!!