This may be my last post for 2012. :) Tomorrow, I will be busy going to my brother's for New Year's eve.
Today has been a good day again.
Got lots of game board work finished. I am getting really close to publishing the product online. Excited!
Today also marks the final time I cooked outside.
It's a bit cold but whatever! I took out the electric griddle and seared up some elk burgers. Ummm-mmm!
That stuff was good! Throw in some homemade salsa on top with slices on onion and some bread and mayo... over the top spectacular treat on a cold day. :)
Happy with that. I still got 2 grilled patties left so excited about having them for lunch tomorrow.
As I cooked them burgers out in the open, I can only imagine what it would be like when I finally fulltime it... you mean I get to do this everyday? Man! That'll be exciting and awesome!
But that's for next year... late next year.
For now, hope everyone had a good year.
Happy New Year and may 2013 bring new and better things for you!
Good Night, America and 2012!
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Chilly outside... comfy inside
Christmas day!
You'd think I'd take today easy. :)
Well, spent the day working on my game board idea. Yeah, always thinking about new products to make a little money on... that's us industrious mice... always looking for cheese.
What else is there to do? Everything's closed. I went to Jack in the Box but the service was nonexistent. I stood there waiting for 10 minutes so I went out again. Oh well... Only 2 guys manning the place... I suppose it's a skeleton shift.
I just got done resizing my board game pieces to fit a new publishing template. Hopefully, this will make some good sales come next year.
Went over to my brother's for dinner and bought them some pecan pie and fresh broccoli to boil for veggies. Good meal with leftover ham, boiled eggs and some potato chips.
Nice and comfy here in my little home.
Good night to all and have a safe and wonderful holiday!
You'd think I'd take today easy. :)
Well, spent the day working on my game board idea. Yeah, always thinking about new products to make a little money on... that's us industrious mice... always looking for cheese.
What else is there to do? Everything's closed. I went to Jack in the Box but the service was nonexistent. I stood there waiting for 10 minutes so I went out again. Oh well... Only 2 guys manning the place... I suppose it's a skeleton shift.
I just got done resizing my board game pieces to fit a new publishing template. Hopefully, this will make some good sales come next year.
Went over to my brother's for dinner and bought them some pecan pie and fresh broccoli to boil for veggies. Good meal with leftover ham, boiled eggs and some potato chips.
Nice and comfy here in my little home.
Good night to all and have a safe and wonderful holiday!
Monday, December 24, 2012
Merry Christmas from Great White!
A merry Christmas to all who sleep in their homes on wheels tonight! Stay warm and cozy!
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Motel Life!
I'm in a motel for the night.
I reckon this happens every now and then to everyone who lives in a wheeled home.
A bit under the weather... Nose clogged... eh... I might as well pony up the cash can bunk in for the night.
It's also not a coincidence I am doing this at the coldest night of the week. Kinda worked out.
Would have been bad for my cold to be out there...
But as I am here already, I might as well get my buzz clippers out and cut my hair... get lots of facial maintenance done since I got a sink and restroom to myself.
And to complete my motel experience, I ordered in some pizza. Did not know I was that hungry as I finished all but 2 slices of a large 14 incher. :)
So with the AC cranked to a balmy 72... a runny nose and a heavy head... I bid you...
Good Night, America!
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Hot Wednesday
It was warm today. Very warm. In December.
Boy, it'll be one hot summer next year. I think I do want to stay around and customize my home for travel north. I do not want to be caught suffering the heat here.
Perhaps all the events of the past few days is a sign I should stay put and pursue my van living dream to the fullest.
I need the solar getup and the batteries.
And I do want to have a full kitchen in here.
2 things which I want to accomplish before next year's wintertime.
Yeah... it's time I pursued my own path.
Boy, it'll be one hot summer next year. I think I do want to stay around and customize my home for travel north. I do not want to be caught suffering the heat here.
Perhaps all the events of the past few days is a sign I should stay put and pursue my van living dream to the fullest.
I need the solar getup and the batteries.
And I do want to have a full kitchen in here.
2 things which I want to accomplish before next year's wintertime.
Yeah... it's time I pursued my own path.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
ADVENTURE FINDERS MASTER LIST FOR BOOK ONE
Friday, December 14, 2012
The day today
It's been a good day, overall.
I had an early lunch of elk stew heated with rice. Watched "the Hobbit" with friends. And then had a lovely early dinner of seafood pho from my favorite Vietnamese restaurant.
The morning's events in CT caught up with me as I got back to work later in the evening. I would have ranted more online if I wasn't so cheered up by my seeing "the Hobbit".
One is upset as with all events like this. I suppose nothing will happen. We are forever playing a deadly game of chicken poker with the men who love the gun lobby. They keep upping the ante. Eventually, we all know they will fold and admit that yeah, we do need stricter rules. Until that time happens, I suppose they are content to let the deaths mount.
I am perfectly fine with keeping an arsenal as long as you are in the sticks without any civilization to help you.
But living in a large city with rules for everybody has its responsibilities.
Just like we cannot just build anything in our backyards, there are rules so that we can all get along and these are to prevent nutters from doing the unthinkable.
Well, not as cold tonight as the other nights. For that, I am thankful.
The temp is just right and I have only one of my 3 blankets on me right now.
My thoughts are with those kids who will never be tucked in at night in their beds. Instead, they will be spending the night at a refrigerated morgue... their bodies cold, lifeless and alone.
WE are blessed to have life in us... a beating heart and a body that can see nature, breathe the air... enjoy the grass on our feet.
To all who sleep fitfully tonight, unburdened by sorrows... we are the lucky ones.
It is incumbent upon us to make sure this doesn't happen to more folks.
Take care of each other... and ourselves.
Good night, America.
SATURDAY THE NEXT DAY \ It's nice and cool tonight.
Just relaxing here in my little cubby hole.
I have enclosed my bed head area with a tent made from a spare blanket.
It helps keep the warm air around my face and it also hides the computer glow from the outside even more. I have curtains, but if you really look closely, you will see the computer monitor glow at night. Of course, anyone just passing by will just think the little light seeping out may be just the ambient lights of the buildings around me. I am parked in a well lit area under a yellow street lamp.
Anyway...
Man, I am gonna miss my little home! I am gonna miss this wonderful white van.
It's been really fun. :)
NEW EDIT!
I was planning on going overseas next year... However, the funding may not even come through with that. Therefore, I will not be selling my white van.
Gosh, how plans change on the turn of a dime.
Maybe I ought to not announce things this early. Ah well...
More times with my van lie ahead.
I think if I don't make it overseas next year, I will try and go for full customization... and probably look around for a taller van to convert in the meantime.
New plans include trying to make it out West in February or March. We'll see...
Good night, America!
I had an early lunch of elk stew heated with rice. Watched "the Hobbit" with friends. And then had a lovely early dinner of seafood pho from my favorite Vietnamese restaurant.
The morning's events in CT caught up with me as I got back to work later in the evening. I would have ranted more online if I wasn't so cheered up by my seeing "the Hobbit".
One is upset as with all events like this. I suppose nothing will happen. We are forever playing a deadly game of chicken poker with the men who love the gun lobby. They keep upping the ante. Eventually, we all know they will fold and admit that yeah, we do need stricter rules. Until that time happens, I suppose they are content to let the deaths mount.
I am perfectly fine with keeping an arsenal as long as you are in the sticks without any civilization to help you.
But living in a large city with rules for everybody has its responsibilities.
Just like we cannot just build anything in our backyards, there are rules so that we can all get along and these are to prevent nutters from doing the unthinkable.
Well, not as cold tonight as the other nights. For that, I am thankful.
The temp is just right and I have only one of my 3 blankets on me right now.
My thoughts are with those kids who will never be tucked in at night in their beds. Instead, they will be spending the night at a refrigerated morgue... their bodies cold, lifeless and alone.
WE are blessed to have life in us... a beating heart and a body that can see nature, breathe the air... enjoy the grass on our feet.
To all who sleep fitfully tonight, unburdened by sorrows... we are the lucky ones.
It is incumbent upon us to make sure this doesn't happen to more folks.
Take care of each other... and ourselves.
Good night, America.
SATURDAY THE NEXT DAY \ It's nice and cool tonight.
Just relaxing here in my little cubby hole.
I have enclosed my bed head area with a tent made from a spare blanket.
It helps keep the warm air around my face and it also hides the computer glow from the outside even more. I have curtains, but if you really look closely, you will see the computer monitor glow at night. Of course, anyone just passing by will just think the little light seeping out may be just the ambient lights of the buildings around me. I am parked in a well lit area under a yellow street lamp.
Anyway...
Man, I am gonna miss my little home! I am gonna miss this wonderful white van.
It's been really fun. :)
NEW EDIT!
I was planning on going overseas next year... However, the funding may not even come through with that. Therefore, I will not be selling my white van.
Gosh, how plans change on the turn of a dime.
Maybe I ought to not announce things this early. Ah well...
More times with my van lie ahead.
I think if I don't make it overseas next year, I will try and go for full customization... and probably look around for a taller van to convert in the meantime.
New plans include trying to make it out West in February or March. We'll see...
Good night, America!
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
A tent within a tent...
I am typing this in my van where it is 35 degrees outside, buried deep in 3 layers of comforters and with a small woven blanket tent over my head.
Earlier, I had a good lunch of elk meat with 4 eggs, rice, carrots and potatoes. Boy that was a good lunch! I finished it off with a frozen margarita.
So back to the tent in my van.
I first had this idea a few nights ago but the past 2 days have been really chilly so I thought I'd rig a small tent over my head to preserve the warm air around me.
I know I can just pull the sheet over my head, but I feel like I am suffocating when I do that.
It's just a woven blanket strung over a bungee line I ran above my bed. Luckily, there are attachment points where I need them to be.
It works nicely although it does get messed up towards the morning.
But it's ok. An added bonus is I can tuck the laptop into it as well.
The effect is not unlike a child reading a book under covers.
It feels really cool. Being that I never read books using a flashlight as a kid, I sort of am reliving the images I see on film of this. It's really neat and glad I did this.
So that's my adventure for the day.
Good night, America!
Saturday, December 8, 2012
A Day Out in nature finally!
After being land locked for a while (my last trip being Corpus Christi), it is great to be out in Enchanted Rock for a change. Great vista and landscape and one of the treasures of Texas for sure. Pair that off with dinner at the German town of Fredericksburg and you got yourself a neat little day trip.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Thursday good day
Today was another good day. Began a new project. Got paid half for the last one. Good money... good stuff coming in...
Celebrated today by having a couple of lobster tails (boiled in the hot water heating pot), microwaved rice and broccoli with some lemon butter sauce for dipping. :) Happy times...
Always ending the day here in my little hideaway.
Good night, America!
Celebrated today by having a couple of lobster tails (boiled in the hot water heating pot), microwaved rice and broccoli with some lemon butter sauce for dipping. :) Happy times...
Always ending the day here in my little hideaway.
Good night, America!
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Tacos!
Elk meat with beans, taco seasoning, corn, onions and rotel.
Top that with red onions, cheese (I used mozarella), tomatoes and lettuce.
But what made today extra wonderful is I found a way to prop up my tacos... using an egg box! I am so tickled by this discovery that I am sure others already made before I did, but excited nonetheless...
Despite living in a van...
I still am part of the fortunate ones. I don't even need food stamps.
http://www.upworthy.com/how-do-1-in-every-8-americans-pay-for-dinner?c=upw1
http://www.upworthy.com/how-do-1-in-every-8-americans-pay-for-dinner?c=upw1
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Cajun Elk
How lucky am I to be feasting on elk meat for lunch?
I helped a friend out and in return, he gave me something like 70 pounds of elk meat.
I popped one package of ground elk into the slow cooker with potatoes, carrots and cajun spices. Boiled some rice around noon and here I am having a good meal.
It's little things like this that make life wonderful.
I helped a friend out and in return, he gave me something like 70 pounds of elk meat.
I popped one package of ground elk into the slow cooker with potatoes, carrots and cajun spices. Boiled some rice around noon and here I am having a good meal.
It's little things like this that make life wonderful.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Just here... Snug and dry
Oftentimes my nights are spent here blogging just before I sleep. It's become a daily routine now. After a long day of work, I settle in for the night and look around the 'net for ideas and inspiration.
Just another animal snuggling into its burrow for the night.
No matter how busy the day's been, I welcome being in my small oasis.
It's peaceful and dark in here. Perfect for sleeping even though it's bright outside.
I've seen a lot of articles today and other people's blogs which now give me plenty of ideas on how to improve my little home.
Soon, I will get to do that.
After I get my work projects done.
Good night, America!
Just another animal snuggling into its burrow for the night.
No matter how busy the day's been, I welcome being in my small oasis.
It's peaceful and dark in here. Perfect for sleeping even though it's bright outside.
I've seen a lot of articles today and other people's blogs which now give me plenty of ideas on how to improve my little home.
Soon, I will get to do that.
After I get my work projects done.
Good night, America!
Friday, November 30, 2012
Incident
My body's a bit achy today so I decided to turn in early.
After a while, sleeping in my little home feels natural.
I did have a slight alarm yesterday, though.
I saw some cop lights flashing!
I thought I was sunk for sure.
I turned off the laptop to be in complete darkness and risked a peek out the curtains.
OK, it turns out, the cop just stopped a motorist nearby.
Whew... I spied on them for a bit. Got nothing else to do.
I did not feel like turning on my laptop again until I was totally alone.
So I just sat in the dark interior of my van listening... looking out my curtain.
They took forever to ticket the guy.
I thought they'd never go away.
Finally, they did.
Whew... It's not the equivalent of being rousted, but it was a close brush.
It brings me to my second thought as I sat there peeking out of my van...
It seems to happen to every van dweller that it's only a matter of time, I guess.
And it is beginning to feel like when I read about someone announcing they were rousted for the very first time, do I sense a feeling of subdued pride there? :)
It's like "street cred" or something to be rousted it seems. heheh.
I could be wrong, though or just misreading it.
But I mean that in the best way.
I don't wanna be rousted. One day, when I can get a battery and a roof rack and all that good stuff... and the time to set it all up! :)
I still work long hours and barely have time for anything else.
Well, I am signing off for now.
Good night, America!
After a while, sleeping in my little home feels natural.
I did have a slight alarm yesterday, though.
I saw some cop lights flashing!
I thought I was sunk for sure.
I turned off the laptop to be in complete darkness and risked a peek out the curtains.
OK, it turns out, the cop just stopped a motorist nearby.
Whew... I spied on them for a bit. Got nothing else to do.
I did not feel like turning on my laptop again until I was totally alone.
So I just sat in the dark interior of my van listening... looking out my curtain.
They took forever to ticket the guy.
I thought they'd never go away.
Finally, they did.
Whew... It's not the equivalent of being rousted, but it was a close brush.
It brings me to my second thought as I sat there peeking out of my van...
It seems to happen to every van dweller that it's only a matter of time, I guess.
And it is beginning to feel like when I read about someone announcing they were rousted for the very first time, do I sense a feeling of subdued pride there? :)
It's like "street cred" or something to be rousted it seems. heheh.
I could be wrong, though or just misreading it.
But I mean that in the best way.
I don't wanna be rousted. One day, when I can get a battery and a roof rack and all that good stuff... and the time to set it all up! :)
I still work long hours and barely have time for anything else.
Well, I am signing off for now.
Good night, America!
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Bibimbap! bibimbap!
After a while of not having any, I prepared my favorite Bibimbap dish. Very easy to prepare for someone who has few facilities. It's a bit of a juggle with counter space, but manageable.
I was able to use up some bean sprouts I saved from when I went to a Vietnamese Pho place and that's a treat... additional veggies.
The rest of that is 2 fried eggs, white rice, shredded fresh lettuce, red onions, rehydrated seaweed tossed with sesame seeds and a bit of olive oil, crab sticks, avocado and some chopped nori. Sauce is made of soy sauce with a spoonful of brown sugar and sesame oil.
Good for a fast dinner and economical. :)
When I get my future kitchen, I'll be able to make more of this and more food types.
I was able to use up some bean sprouts I saved from when I went to a Vietnamese Pho place and that's a treat... additional veggies.
Good for a fast dinner and economical. :)
When I get my future kitchen, I'll be able to make more of this and more food types.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
In a strange way, I do qualify as one of the lucky 8% and all the rest apply to me as well.
Very lucky to have found this life and am glad I do have savings in the bank and money in my wallet.
Blessed with good health and a live thinking brain that is in good shape.
My part in the Thanksgiving dinner was to make gravy and mashed potatoes. Bought a whole sack of potatoes 3 days ago in preparation for today. It's been wonderful... My brother did the turkey and ham... our sister came in with cookies... their mother in law came in with apple pie and green bean casserole.
Perfect day to spend with family and good food.
Good night America and happy Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
contentment
As Thanksgiving rolls around, I am reminded of the blessings I do have in abundance.
I have friends and family.
I have good health and working limbs... all my body parts are all fine. (which is a huge thing)
I have my sleeping capsule in my van.
I have a bunch of electronics which allow me to connect with you and everyone on the internet.
It is a good life.
About the only thing that may make it better is if I find someone special that can share this with me.
But even without that, I feel I am lucky enough as it is.
To be free from disease, debt and any other affliction is a huge thing.
I type this tonight half asleep as I digest a good meal and good times had at a steak house.
Safe and snug in my little nest...
Just another animal on this good earth preparing to sleep in his burrow for the night.
Good night, America!
I have friends and family.
I have good health and working limbs... all my body parts are all fine. (which is a huge thing)
I have my sleeping capsule in my van.
I have a bunch of electronics which allow me to connect with you and everyone on the internet.
It is a good life.
About the only thing that may make it better is if I find someone special that can share this with me.
But even without that, I feel I am lucky enough as it is.
To be free from disease, debt and any other affliction is a huge thing.
I type this tonight half asleep as I digest a good meal and good times had at a steak house.
Safe and snug in my little nest...
Just another animal on this good earth preparing to sleep in his burrow for the night.
Good night, America!
Thanksgiving Week
Thanksgiving comes early to this van dweller.
First it was yesterday's office TG party. Beef and chicken fajitas with all the trimmings. Mexican food galore.
Then today, I was invited with 2 other artists in our company to a private dinner with our Editor in Chief at a swank steak house. I had me a 16 ounce rib eye medium well. Texas Roadhouse does their steaks really well. It was an awesome treat. I haven't even begun Thanksgiving itself!
So as I digest this sumptuous meal tonight, I am thankful for all the blessings of the year.
Each time I go to a buffet, it IS Thanksgiving all the time. :) Just last week, I went to one which featured all the Thanksgiving treats minus the turkey. It was fine because I had me some fried catfish.
It's certainly been a challenging time but here I am still up and working away hard.
I just got a couple of checks this week and last which make me thankful that I worked hard and hung in there.
Finances are again stable and a savings is once again building up. Thanks to my really frugal living, it's beginning to pay off again.
Good night America!
First it was yesterday's office TG party. Beef and chicken fajitas with all the trimmings. Mexican food galore.
Then today, I was invited with 2 other artists in our company to a private dinner with our Editor in Chief at a swank steak house. I had me a 16 ounce rib eye medium well. Texas Roadhouse does their steaks really well. It was an awesome treat. I haven't even begun Thanksgiving itself!
So as I digest this sumptuous meal tonight, I am thankful for all the blessings of the year.
Each time I go to a buffet, it IS Thanksgiving all the time. :) Just last week, I went to one which featured all the Thanksgiving treats minus the turkey. It was fine because I had me some fried catfish.
It's certainly been a challenging time but here I am still up and working away hard.
I just got a couple of checks this week and last which make me thankful that I worked hard and hung in there.
Finances are again stable and a savings is once again building up. Thanks to my really frugal living, it's beginning to pay off again.
Good night America!
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Happy Tonight
Today was a very good day.
Went out on a date.
It was good. She doesn't mind me living in a van. She's very cool about it.
I am glad.
As we left the Vietnamese place where we had dinner, we came upon a beggar on the street. Even living in my van, I am so blessed. More than that fellow on the street who has nowhere to go. I gave him a bottle of water and we went on our way.
It is amazing how very happy it makes me to have these few possessions. And how lucky I am to have shelter tonight... a warm comfortable bed... a small house to call my own. I am truly happy and content. Even when we measure me and my meager belongings to the world, I still come out part of the 1%.
I have a full tank of gasoline.
Savings in the bank (I can go 3-4 months without earning anything).
A space to call my own.
Clothes to keep me warm.
Food to keep me fed and healthy.
We need so little to keep us happy. This I am discovering each and every day.
I sleep tonight in my little nest warm and cozy from the night air.
At one with the world.
At one with nature.
Good night, America. Sweet dreams to you.
Went out on a date.
It was good. She doesn't mind me living in a van. She's very cool about it.
I am glad.
As we left the Vietnamese place where we had dinner, we came upon a beggar on the street. Even living in my van, I am so blessed. More than that fellow on the street who has nowhere to go. I gave him a bottle of water and we went on our way.
It is amazing how very happy it makes me to have these few possessions. And how lucky I am to have shelter tonight... a warm comfortable bed... a small house to call my own. I am truly happy and content. Even when we measure me and my meager belongings to the world, I still come out part of the 1%.
I have a full tank of gasoline.
Savings in the bank (I can go 3-4 months without earning anything).
A space to call my own.
Clothes to keep me warm.
Food to keep me fed and healthy.
We need so little to keep us happy. This I am discovering each and every day.
I sleep tonight in my little nest warm and cozy from the night air.
At one with the world.
At one with nature.
Good night, America. Sweet dreams to you.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Corpus Christi
I almost forgot about my trip down to Corpus Christi!
It was one restaurant stop after another. Was down there for a show.
First stop was Choke Canyon BBQ. Checked out their fried alligator, of course!
After that, it was Crawdaddy's in CC itself.
Great gumbo and tasty crawfish etouffee. It's cajun all the way for me!
It was a fun weekend and I'd go back in a heartbeat. Corpus Christi is a hoot.
Final trip out was a stop at Van's BBQ where they give you seconds if you ask for it.
Fabulous place and great people!
It was one restaurant stop after another. Was down there for a show.
First stop was Choke Canyon BBQ. Checked out their fried alligator, of course!
After that, it was Crawdaddy's in CC itself.
Great gumbo and tasty crawfish etouffee. It's cajun all the way for me!
It was a fun weekend and I'd go back in a heartbeat. Corpus Christi is a hoot.
Final trip out was a stop at Van's BBQ where they give you seconds if you ask for it.
Fabulous place and great people!
Back in my little nest
Yep, spending the nights now back in my little cave.
It's good to be in my own small home. Summer took forever to leave. I will have to do something about living up north for next year or something. I cannot do another summer like that.
The cars whizzing by are a comfort, actually. And the curtains make my home dark and conducive to sleep.
Well, it's been a good weekend.
Here I rest after a long day's work... in my little house on wheels...
I dream of upgrades.
Soon, I hope to get one.
Soon.
Good night, America!
Sweet dreams and see you in the morning.
It's good to be in my own small home. Summer took forever to leave. I will have to do something about living up north for next year or something. I cannot do another summer like that.
The cars whizzing by are a comfort, actually. And the curtains make my home dark and conducive to sleep.
Well, it's been a good weekend.
Here I rest after a long day's work... in my little house on wheels...
I dream of upgrades.
Soon, I hope to get one.
Soon.
Good night, America!
Sweet dreams and see you in the morning.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Financial setbacks
Yeah, it happens. Today, I was stuck with a monstrous repair bill of 800 for an air filter and my radiator replacement.
That puts a dent into my savings. This really blows.
This on top of my insurance doubling just because I rolled over a stop sign at 2 AM in the morning in the middle of nowhere and got caught by a cop hiding in the bushes.
So all these financial setbacks really gouged me lately.
More than that, it really tested my resolve to keep doing art for a living.
I like what I do but man... it's tough as all hell.
Tomorrow is another day.
That puts a dent into my savings. This really blows.
This on top of my insurance doubling just because I rolled over a stop sign at 2 AM in the morning in the middle of nowhere and got caught by a cop hiding in the bushes.
So all these financial setbacks really gouged me lately.
More than that, it really tested my resolve to keep doing art for a living.
I like what I do but man... it's tough as all hell.
Tomorrow is another day.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Artist Relocation Programs
So I got interested for a while in Artist Relocation Programs.
It seemed exciting for a while until you find out they want you to outrightly buy a dilapidated house in their neighborhood. They will help you renovate, but still... at the end of the day, you're essentially stuck with a mortgage. Wow... that really sent the red flags up in my mind.
Um... yeah, no way.
I was hoping for a small studio space or something... just to try it out for a bit.
But a mortgage?
Why they heck will I move there, then? Why don't I just keep on pursuing my earthship dream out in NM?
Well, back to my original plan, then... get a larger vehicle and get more comfy.
It seemed exciting for a while until you find out they want you to outrightly buy a dilapidated house in their neighborhood. They will help you renovate, but still... at the end of the day, you're essentially stuck with a mortgage. Wow... that really sent the red flags up in my mind.
Um... yeah, no way.
I was hoping for a small studio space or something... just to try it out for a bit.
But a mortgage?
Why they heck will I move there, then? Why don't I just keep on pursuing my earthship dream out in NM?
Well, back to my original plan, then... get a larger vehicle and get more comfy.
Monday, October 8, 2012
I'm a Nutty Van Man!
Here I am house watching. Yet yesterday, I spent the night in my van in the driveway!
Now I truly know I like this... when I trade in an actual house for my own little house on wheels!
Unbelievable. I would not believe it if I was told 2 years ago that this is what I would do.
Yet there I was having fun in my little van forsaking the house I was watching!
Weather is sooo nice out. I cannot resist! I have better ventilation, better air, etc.
Well, for one, my own bed is in the van. And it's not just any bed. It's been my favorite bed now for 6 some odd years. So we got history. And it's dang comfy! Which leaves very little room for anything else except clothes, really. Maybe tonight I might choose my bed again. It's home and I sleep best when I am home... I cannot believe I consider the van outside my house but it is. :)
--A miniature version of my usual setup whenever I get an apartment.
My closet, my bed... all my stuff. :)
Cheers.
Now I truly know I like this... when I trade in an actual house for my own little house on wheels!
Unbelievable. I would not believe it if I was told 2 years ago that this is what I would do.
Yet there I was having fun in my little van forsaking the house I was watching!
Weather is sooo nice out. I cannot resist! I have better ventilation, better air, etc.
Well, for one, my own bed is in the van. And it's not just any bed. It's been my favorite bed now for 6 some odd years. So we got history. And it's dang comfy! Which leaves very little room for anything else except clothes, really. Maybe tonight I might choose my bed again. It's home and I sleep best when I am home... I cannot believe I consider the van outside my house but it is. :)
--A miniature version of my usual setup whenever I get an apartment.
My closet, my bed... all my stuff. :)
Cheers.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Finally Summer relents
I am lying in my little home tonight.
It's become routine now... like a bird about to enter its nest. I look around, finding nobody in sight, duck into the open back door of the van and shut it and the curtains to seal any light in. Surrounded by my black curtains, I ready myself for sleep.
It's a cool Sunday night. The last of the September days is here.
October awaits tomorrow.
Today, I came back from a weekend in Houston seeing family.
They are all well. We had a great time and I had a pleasant conversation with my loved ones about religion and my new outlook in life. I assured them I was the same person as I always was.
On the way back, we stopped by Jerry Mikeska's BBQ just outside of Houston past Katy. Best barbecue in town. Catch their buffet every sunday. You will be in for a treat. Best Brisket, best sides.
Great service and very friendly staff. Mr. Jerry himself comes out and greets customers when he is making his rounds.
On his restaurant walls are heads of various wild game including tons of deer and antelope. Once you see the audience of taxidermied animals watching you from all sides, you know you're in the right place. Sit back and enjoy!
As I came back into SA, I found a couple of friends waiting for me at my office parking lot.
What perfect timing as I went from one vehicle to another and gallivanted off to a national park to hike some moderately challenging trails. This lasted until near sun down. Then it was off to a Chinese restaurant for some ceviche, tres leches and baked mussels.
Well, it's been a great time.
Good night, America.
It's become routine now... like a bird about to enter its nest. I look around, finding nobody in sight, duck into the open back door of the van and shut it and the curtains to seal any light in. Surrounded by my black curtains, I ready myself for sleep.
It's a cool Sunday night. The last of the September days is here.
October awaits tomorrow.
Today, I came back from a weekend in Houston seeing family.
They are all well. We had a great time and I had a pleasant conversation with my loved ones about religion and my new outlook in life. I assured them I was the same person as I always was.
On the way back, we stopped by Jerry Mikeska's BBQ just outside of Houston past Katy. Best barbecue in town. Catch their buffet every sunday. You will be in for a treat. Best Brisket, best sides.
Great service and very friendly staff. Mr. Jerry himself comes out and greets customers when he is making his rounds.
On his restaurant walls are heads of various wild game including tons of deer and antelope. Once you see the audience of taxidermied animals watching you from all sides, you know you're in the right place. Sit back and enjoy!
As I came back into SA, I found a couple of friends waiting for me at my office parking lot.
What perfect timing as I went from one vehicle to another and gallivanted off to a national park to hike some moderately challenging trails. This lasted until near sun down. Then it was off to a Chinese restaurant for some ceviche, tres leches and baked mussels.
Well, it's been a great time.
Good night, America.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
The heat resurges
I have retreated back into my airconditioned office cubie one more time . Last night was dang uncomfortable in the vehicle. It's partially my fault for procrastinating on buying a rechargable fan at least.
Now I have to wait till the weather actually cools again... hrrrmmm....
Summer just won't go away easily.
Now I have to wait till the weather actually cools again... hrrrmmm....
Summer just won't go away easily.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
The Unexpected
Unexpected turns are sometimes very upsetting.
My folks were looking for someone to bankroll upgrades to their house (2 new rooms and a second floor).
Me being the only one still unmarried (and viewed as this available pool of money), I am of course a natural choice to ask for funding.
It's not that I don't want to do it. Of course most of us will eventually agree to help out.
But it's very upsetting in that your personal plans may have to be put on hold... The life I want of vagabonding and total freedom are hampered by other folks in my life that are rooted in a lifestyle I am trying to shun.
Very few folks understand this need to get away from the life of sticks and bricks.
Except maybe you, my fellow wanderers. Which is why I am writing this here. I removed my Facebook already because I am finding that world and its inhabitants have fewer and fewer relevance for me.
I suppose many of you too, get drawn back into the world you want to vacate badly through people you know or love.
They do keep us connected to the world, but sometimes that connection can reach out and draw you backwards from your progress. I feel like it's that way with me at the moment.
Just feeling like that lately. There's always something the system does to keep me from realizing total freedom.
It sucks and I'll have to yet again put up with it for now...
Or maybe I should just tell my folks I don't have the money.
After all, if I spent the money on a vehicle I could rightly say it's already spoken for. So what if it is just waiting to be spent? In my mind, it's going to my future home... And it will be spent enabling me to go live my life for a change...
At the end of the day, it's only a house upgrade. It's not like a medical emergency...
we'll see...
My folks were looking for someone to bankroll upgrades to their house (2 new rooms and a second floor).
Me being the only one still unmarried (and viewed as this available pool of money), I am of course a natural choice to ask for funding.
It's not that I don't want to do it. Of course most of us will eventually agree to help out.
But it's very upsetting in that your personal plans may have to be put on hold... The life I want of vagabonding and total freedom are hampered by other folks in my life that are rooted in a lifestyle I am trying to shun.
Very few folks understand this need to get away from the life of sticks and bricks.
Except maybe you, my fellow wanderers. Which is why I am writing this here. I removed my Facebook already because I am finding that world and its inhabitants have fewer and fewer relevance for me.
I suppose many of you too, get drawn back into the world you want to vacate badly through people you know or love.
They do keep us connected to the world, but sometimes that connection can reach out and draw you backwards from your progress. I feel like it's that way with me at the moment.
Just feeling like that lately. There's always something the system does to keep me from realizing total freedom.
It sucks and I'll have to yet again put up with it for now...
Or maybe I should just tell my folks I don't have the money.
After all, if I spent the money on a vehicle I could rightly say it's already spoken for. So what if it is just waiting to be spent? In my mind, it's going to my future home... And it will be spent enabling me to go live my life for a change...
At the end of the day, it's only a house upgrade. It's not like a medical emergency...
we'll see...
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Back Home sweet Home!
I am typing this in my first night of cooler weather in my little home.
Everything just came back to me of my winters here last year. Wow... how time flies. It's been a busy year.
So I am back in my own original bed... It rained hard all day today and I left one window open (which let some water in.) It got a spot wet on my bed but it's ok. A towel over the affected area took care of that before I put the cover sheet on.
Great White is back and open for habitation once again!
Let the little cabin living begin! :)
Good night, America!
Everything just came back to me of my winters here last year. Wow... how time flies. It's been a busy year.
So I am back in my own original bed... It rained hard all day today and I left one window open (which let some water in.) It got a spot wet on my bed but it's ok. A towel over the affected area took care of that before I put the cover sheet on.
Great White is back and open for habitation once again!
Let the little cabin living begin! :)
Good night, America!
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Winter almost here!
Hope y'all are doing well.
Winter is almost here! Today, I shook out my gear... got my van ready for sleeping.
The weather is finally getting to a good temp to where I can probably start doing that in the next couple weeks. Excited as all get out!
I am nutty about this life now! A couple of the peeps here at my workplace finally scraped together enough cash to get an apartment... yeesh... I now view that as an albatross around one's neck.
I would not trade my little home for that anymore.
I once pointed out my Great White to a friend and said:
That van is a luxury where I come from... and a whole family would usually live in a space that big... with far fewer clothes and definitely eating just a few rice balls each day.
I already feel so blessed to have a well functioning vehicle, money in my pocket and in 3 bank accounts, a stash of Canadian dollars in an undisclosed location (earned while I was up there last year)... hey, it doesn't get any better than this.
Excited to get on with my little home! I cannot wait!
I got a lot of work coming in and life is very good.
All I need now is to find a partner in crime...
Winter is almost here! Today, I shook out my gear... got my van ready for sleeping.
The weather is finally getting to a good temp to where I can probably start doing that in the next couple weeks. Excited as all get out!
I am nutty about this life now! A couple of the peeps here at my workplace finally scraped together enough cash to get an apartment... yeesh... I now view that as an albatross around one's neck.
I would not trade my little home for that anymore.
I once pointed out my Great White to a friend and said:
That van is a luxury where I come from... and a whole family would usually live in a space that big... with far fewer clothes and definitely eating just a few rice balls each day.
I already feel so blessed to have a well functioning vehicle, money in my pocket and in 3 bank accounts, a stash of Canadian dollars in an undisclosed location (earned while I was up there last year)... hey, it doesn't get any better than this.
Excited to get on with my little home! I cannot wait!
I got a lot of work coming in and life is very good.
All I need now is to find a partner in crime...
Friday, July 13, 2012
Sheltering from the heat
I am right now in my office cubie camped out here. This is near the Mexican border and it is very very hot outside so I'd rather not roast in my mini home. It feels like cheating but hey... the airconditioning is on whether I am here or not here. So why not make use of it? Now, I am open about this and I did let my boss know. He's pretty cool and easygoing guy so he doesn't mind.
I am really getting used to living like this. It is easy and once one gets the hang of it, not a problem at all. I know this is mostly guys doing this. I think many of us men are happy sleeping in the woods if society lets us.
I suppose it's when we get a partner in life and she wants the comforts of civilization that we do have to give up a bit of this wild life and settle down into normal city life.
but hey.... as long as I'm single... yo-ho-ho, the vagabond's life for me.
It doesn't even feel like I am homeless anymore.
I suppose it is because I am secure in my finances, no longer worried... and I can eat out more because of the savings. You can't beat living like this IMHO. I see deer walking in the bushes below me... it's awesome.
Today, I had Indian curry from a bottle with some leftover rotisserie chicken --great combo with frozen carrots and a slab of butter --melt that in there and you got heaven in a bowl. Whip out the roti bread and you got yourself a meal. Not contented with that, I even had some Korean rice porridge on the side (the last of a batch I made a while back) . Then some friends and I go to this Japanese restaurant where I have even more curry... It just turned out that way. I had a choice between the curry and some ramen noodles. My curiosity about the Japanese curry won out.
It's been great so far. I cannot wait till winter comes so I can move back into my little home on wheels... or finally get to install my purchased solar panel. We'll see... lots of work to be done in the meantime.
Good night, America!
I am really getting used to living like this. It is easy and once one gets the hang of it, not a problem at all. I know this is mostly guys doing this. I think many of us men are happy sleeping in the woods if society lets us.
I suppose it's when we get a partner in life and she wants the comforts of civilization that we do have to give up a bit of this wild life and settle down into normal city life.
but hey.... as long as I'm single... yo-ho-ho, the vagabond's life for me.
It doesn't even feel like I am homeless anymore.
I suppose it is because I am secure in my finances, no longer worried... and I can eat out more because of the savings. You can't beat living like this IMHO. I see deer walking in the bushes below me... it's awesome.
Today, I had Indian curry from a bottle with some leftover rotisserie chicken --great combo with frozen carrots and a slab of butter --melt that in there and you got heaven in a bowl. Whip out the roti bread and you got yourself a meal. Not contented with that, I even had some Korean rice porridge on the side (the last of a batch I made a while back) . Then some friends and I go to this Japanese restaurant where I have even more curry... It just turned out that way. I had a choice between the curry and some ramen noodles. My curiosity about the Japanese curry won out.
It's been great so far. I cannot wait till winter comes so I can move back into my little home on wheels... or finally get to install my purchased solar panel. We'll see... lots of work to be done in the meantime.
Good night, America!
Sunday, June 24, 2012
House Watching almost done
It was fun in Houston, but now that my sister is back from her vacation, it is time to go back to San Antonio.
I'll make the last few preparations for the trip west by tomorrow.
I learned a lot about alternative housing and my goal of having a solar home is stronger than ever.
I found this earthship community out in Taos New Mexico. Lots of things to learn!
Got all excited and probably would end up volunteering if they will have me and if I have the time.
I'll make the last few preparations for the trip west by tomorrow.
I learned a lot about alternative housing and my goal of having a solar home is stronger than ever.
I found this earthship community out in Taos New Mexico. Lots of things to learn!
Got all excited and probably would end up volunteering if they will have me and if I have the time.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Further food blogs
Having shrimp fettucini today at lunch. From scratch. First time. I went out of the house and checked if they had parsley growing in the back yard. There was some mint leaves, squash and a stunted tomato plant. That's about it. Then I remembered to run back and found out I burned the garlic simmering in butter. had to repeat, but it was worth it. Yummy shrimp fetuccini... what's next for tonight? Maybe I'll just eat up what's left of the tuna salad mix that I did... make that into a croissant sandwich... we'll see.
Have a good day, everyone!
Have a good day, everyone!
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
A good little feast
I treated myself to a little lobster feast tonight. Of course, when are my mealtimes never a feast? This one is extra special, though.
Got steamed broccoli and carrots paired with creamed spinach and of course the lobster tails with melted lemon butter sauce.
A nice break from my usual turkey, vegetable croissant sandwiches and chicken tortilla soups...
Got steamed broccoli and carrots paired with creamed spinach and of course the lobster tails with melted lemon butter sauce.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Back in the US of A!
Well! I have been back in the US of A for a while now! 2 weeks and counting. :)
It's been a frenetic time so I did not have any moment to update this.
I attended a show in Dallas and then quickly drove down to SA to pick up Great White. Then, it was off to Houston to house sit for my sister. It's kinda nice to have a stick and brick for a short time, but even as I walk around this neighborhood, I cannot help but feel alienated by the strangeness of it all.
It just reinforces my belief that I won't be getting one of these things in my future. Too much upkeep and work to be done all the time on it! Cut grass, water lawns... some people enjoy that, but not me.
I've about had it after a week of doing this.
Luckily, it's been raining a bit so I am saved doing the lawn hosing... Still, gotta do it tomorrow to keep my sister's plants healthy.
The only plants I mean to grow in the future are plants that are actually useful (vegetables and stuff). All this maintaining for appearance just irks me... such a waste of my time.
Anyway, that aside, it's been great.
Have the place to myself which is always a plus. Running around town checking out the grocery items and meeting folks in coffee shops (my cousin just drove through).
Doing work while hiding out here. It's nice but I will be ready to ship out fairly soon.
this gives me plenty of ideas for my future home.
Will drive back to SA in about 2 weeks' time.
Good night, America!
It's been a frenetic time so I did not have any moment to update this.
I attended a show in Dallas and then quickly drove down to SA to pick up Great White. Then, it was off to Houston to house sit for my sister. It's kinda nice to have a stick and brick for a short time, but even as I walk around this neighborhood, I cannot help but feel alienated by the strangeness of it all.
It just reinforces my belief that I won't be getting one of these things in my future. Too much upkeep and work to be done all the time on it! Cut grass, water lawns... some people enjoy that, but not me.
I've about had it after a week of doing this.
Luckily, it's been raining a bit so I am saved doing the lawn hosing... Still, gotta do it tomorrow to keep my sister's plants healthy.
The only plants I mean to grow in the future are plants that are actually useful (vegetables and stuff). All this maintaining for appearance just irks me... such a waste of my time.
Anyway, that aside, it's been great.
Have the place to myself which is always a plus. Running around town checking out the grocery items and meeting folks in coffee shops (my cousin just drove through).
Doing work while hiding out here. It's nice but I will be ready to ship out fairly soon.
this gives me plenty of ideas for my future home.
Will drive back to SA in about 2 weeks' time.
Good night, America!
Thursday, May 31, 2012
The coolest airport in the world... well, one of them, anyway.
So I'm back in the US of A, my home.
But in my travels, I do get to see a lot. this is why we go around and explore... to experience new and unique things in life.
The best airport to be spending some layover time in is now in my book Incheon International there in South Korea.
My God, they sure know how to build things!
The architecture is superb and it reminds me of Bush International in Houston. Very sleek and modern and love all that steel and glass panels.
Koreans love their country and it shows in how much they spend on infrastructure. (that's a topic for another time)
But what takes Incheon over the top is the amenities.
Free massage chairs... sloped lounge chairs you can sleep in... small hotel rooms you can rent... good awesome food... there's even small chapels for whatever denomination you happen to believe in. There's a small museum, children's play area... the place is just chock full of things to do, it's like a small traveler's theme park.
The business lounge is another world altogether. there was a 24 hour buffet with more massage chairs and free showers.
The free showers... oh... never was there a better stocked bathroom than what I saw in that place. It's even got free toothbrushes and razors along with small toothpaste kits and aftershave tonics. It really is a slice of home... well, if you lived in a home and garden magazine.
Of course, these amenities are available because people don't abuse them and take like say, 10 bars of soap from the free soap rack. We can learn from that. If only everyone takes what they need, then there is plenty for everyone. It's really simple but many people just don't get this concept.
There really isn't a reason to hoard things when there is so much in abundance.
So in societies where this is practiced, people only take what they need... one bar of soap per user.
This dovetails into a discussion about things held in common.
The showers and bathroom aren't really free, of course. Every airport user pays for them through airline tickets. Some of the funding also comes from Korean taxpayers who want visitors to their country to feel right at home. Imagine that... they care enough about it so that foreigners have a good stay --even if it's just for a layover. And see what we get when we pool our resources like that...
Which is why I am a firm believer in sharer societies.
This system we're used to in our own country... where each man is out for his own or each little social group only takes care of its own inner circle is a medieval concept whose time is now past. It's time we really accepted the idea that we all want to be treated well no matter where we go. It's a universal concept to be sure.
Here, it is common to see our airports stocked with those small torture chairs (so nobody sleeps on them, I am sure). Probably an anti-hobo tactic, but hobos are gone now with the added security measures. We really should emulate other countries when it comes to these things.
It has been proven that collectively, we can do so much more than we can all by ourselves. No man is an island. This is what I always come to learn in my travels meeting with people.
We all collectively share in many things.
And societies that actively use that principle are some of the most advanced and most peaceful countries in the world.
But in my travels, I do get to see a lot. this is why we go around and explore... to experience new and unique things in life.
The best airport to be spending some layover time in is now in my book Incheon International there in South Korea.
My God, they sure know how to build things!
The architecture is superb and it reminds me of Bush International in Houston. Very sleek and modern and love all that steel and glass panels.
Koreans love their country and it shows in how much they spend on infrastructure. (that's a topic for another time)
But what takes Incheon over the top is the amenities.
Free massage chairs... sloped lounge chairs you can sleep in... small hotel rooms you can rent... good awesome food... there's even small chapels for whatever denomination you happen to believe in. There's a small museum, children's play area... the place is just chock full of things to do, it's like a small traveler's theme park.
The business lounge is another world altogether. there was a 24 hour buffet with more massage chairs and free showers.
The free showers... oh... never was there a better stocked bathroom than what I saw in that place. It's even got free toothbrushes and razors along with small toothpaste kits and aftershave tonics. It really is a slice of home... well, if you lived in a home and garden magazine.
Of course, these amenities are available because people don't abuse them and take like say, 10 bars of soap from the free soap rack. We can learn from that. If only everyone takes what they need, then there is plenty for everyone. It's really simple but many people just don't get this concept.
There really isn't a reason to hoard things when there is so much in abundance.
So in societies where this is practiced, people only take what they need... one bar of soap per user.
This dovetails into a discussion about things held in common.
The showers and bathroom aren't really free, of course. Every airport user pays for them through airline tickets. Some of the funding also comes from Korean taxpayers who want visitors to their country to feel right at home. Imagine that... they care enough about it so that foreigners have a good stay --even if it's just for a layover. And see what we get when we pool our resources like that...
Which is why I am a firm believer in sharer societies.
This system we're used to in our own country... where each man is out for his own or each little social group only takes care of its own inner circle is a medieval concept whose time is now past. It's time we really accepted the idea that we all want to be treated well no matter where we go. It's a universal concept to be sure.
Here, it is common to see our airports stocked with those small torture chairs (so nobody sleeps on them, I am sure). Probably an anti-hobo tactic, but hobos are gone now with the added security measures. We really should emulate other countries when it comes to these things.
It has been proven that collectively, we can do so much more than we can all by ourselves. No man is an island. This is what I always come to learn in my travels meeting with people.
We all collectively share in many things.
And societies that actively use that principle are some of the most advanced and most peaceful countries in the world.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Preflight jitters
Getting ready to leave after a 4 month sojourn is getting a bit hard this time around.
Each time I go, there always seems to be a loved one I no longer see next time I come back. We are all getting old and the old folks are departing us one by one.
But I am thankful that I was able to bond with my relatives these past months. Time spent with some wonderful folks is a life well lived.
this whole trip was a happy one.
Now, it is hard to leave once again. But have to.
Gotta make money of course. And I did leave some family members Stateside so I gotta see them as well.
in 2 days I fly.
Got jitters but it'll settle down once it's go time.
Good night and good luck!
See you soon, America!
Each time I go, there always seems to be a loved one I no longer see next time I come back. We are all getting old and the old folks are departing us one by one.
But I am thankful that I was able to bond with my relatives these past months. Time spent with some wonderful folks is a life well lived.
this whole trip was a happy one.
Now, it is hard to leave once again. But have to.
Gotta make money of course. And I did leave some family members Stateside so I gotta see them as well.
in 2 days I fly.
Got jitters but it'll settle down once it's go time.
Good night and good luck!
See you soon, America!
coming back
I'm coming back Stateside soon.
Got my medicals and dental done as best I can. I need to lose weight and eat right according to the Doc. Well, it's the same advice and I really need to stick to it now.
There is a bittersweet moment here knowing that the stay in a new place is over. I guess it's back to the road for me now. I am going to watch my sister's house while she takes a vacation. In the meantime, I can use that stay to further finish a book I failed to finish during my stay here.
Good night and good luck.
Got my medicals and dental done as best I can. I need to lose weight and eat right according to the Doc. Well, it's the same advice and I really need to stick to it now.
There is a bittersweet moment here knowing that the stay in a new place is over. I guess it's back to the road for me now. I am going to watch my sister's house while she takes a vacation. In the meantime, I can use that stay to further finish a book I failed to finish during my stay here.
Good night and good luck.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
TooToo Much of a good thing!
Too Much of a good thing!
Yeah, I suppose there can be too much of a good thing.
Each time I come back to the land of my birth here in the Philippines, I am not far from a wedding, a funeral and many birthdays and anniversaries. I guess it's the huge family network that is present here.
Because of that, one is not far from many of life's events.
Each time I blog on here, it's one banquet after another.
Even at funeral wakes, they serve a good spread. It's a tradition and it's a 24 hour marathon that can last a week with relatives and friends coming and going. It's a somber occasion to be sure, but it is a tradition to serve guests some good food even while visiting a dead loved one. (Perhaps we got this tradition from the Chinese --at least we no longer leave a plate of food for the deceased.)
The truth is, the parties I or my own household hosts are only few --maybe once or twice a month at best.
But if you know 20 other households who also host parties at least once a month, you do end up going to a party 3 times a week, every week. It can be dizzying and it can lead to a lot of overeating (especially in my case).
Yesterday and today are back to back occasions. Yesterday is a wedding feast and today is a grand aunt's birthday (she is 87). A busload of relatives came in force. There was a huge roasted pig. It's a common dish during parties here. The way it is roasted is soft on the inside, crispy on the outside. I got a plateload of tenderloin as soon as people began carving into it. The crispy skin always goes first.
A good pair of days.
Soon, I'll be back in Texas with my beloved home on wheels.
Tomorrow, I'll go to the clinic to have a blood checkup. Hopefully, the damage won't be so bad. :)
Yeah, I suppose there can be too much of a good thing.
Each time I come back to the land of my birth here in the Philippines, I am not far from a wedding, a funeral and many birthdays and anniversaries. I guess it's the huge family network that is present here.
Because of that, one is not far from many of life's events.
Each time I blog on here, it's one banquet after another.
Even at funeral wakes, they serve a good spread. It's a tradition and it's a 24 hour marathon that can last a week with relatives and friends coming and going. It's a somber occasion to be sure, but it is a tradition to serve guests some good food even while visiting a dead loved one. (Perhaps we got this tradition from the Chinese --at least we no longer leave a plate of food for the deceased.)
The truth is, the parties I or my own household hosts are only few --maybe once or twice a month at best.
But if you know 20 other households who also host parties at least once a month, you do end up going to a party 3 times a week, every week. It can be dizzying and it can lead to a lot of overeating (especially in my case).
Yesterday and today are back to back occasions. Yesterday is a wedding feast and today is a grand aunt's birthday (she is 87). A busload of relatives came in force. There was a huge roasted pig. It's a common dish during parties here. The way it is roasted is soft on the inside, crispy on the outside. I got a plateload of tenderloin as soon as people began carving into it. The crispy skin always goes first.
A good pair of days.
Soon, I'll be back in Texas with my beloved home on wheels.
Tomorrow, I'll go to the clinic to have a blood checkup. Hopefully, the damage won't be so bad. :)
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Our Animal Friends
Last night I was driving in the rain. I drove slow because I see a lot of frogs hopping in the road.
I slow down or even grind to a halt if I see one hop to the middle.
They will avoid you as long as they are given time to do so.
A lot of other drivers don't care. They just run over animals like they were worthless trash.
I have come to view this as a very insensitive attitude of many drivers.
A lot have a callous disregard for life. It doesn't even matter if the driver was pulling out from church. It also afflicts drivers of all types; young, old, men, women... soccer moms, executives, professionals...
People have become so arrogant in their belief that the only lives that matter is their own.
These animals... whether a frog or a cat always take a risk when crossing the road. And they always have to look out for us. But a lot of us never look out for then. It is completely one sided and we expect them to know the dangers of a huge automobile like they were people.
It is grossly unfair to expect that of them. It is already unfair that they don't even have their own crosswalks.
I dunno... I always take care never to run over anything.
The majority doesn't care. Even educated people will think nothing of running over a squirrel. I saw a middle aged lady do this without even slowing down. For God's sake! What's the hurry when the light at the end of the road is red, anyway?
Well, that's my rant for today.
I just wish more people cared. These creatures deserve to live as much as anyone else.
When they are all gone, we will miss them.
I slow down or even grind to a halt if I see one hop to the middle.
They will avoid you as long as they are given time to do so.
A lot of other drivers don't care. They just run over animals like they were worthless trash.
I have come to view this as a very insensitive attitude of many drivers.
A lot have a callous disregard for life. It doesn't even matter if the driver was pulling out from church. It also afflicts drivers of all types; young, old, men, women... soccer moms, executives, professionals...
People have become so arrogant in their belief that the only lives that matter is their own.
These animals... whether a frog or a cat always take a risk when crossing the road. And they always have to look out for us. But a lot of us never look out for then. It is completely one sided and we expect them to know the dangers of a huge automobile like they were people.
It is grossly unfair to expect that of them. It is already unfair that they don't even have their own crosswalks.
I dunno... I always take care never to run over anything.
The majority doesn't care. Even educated people will think nothing of running over a squirrel. I saw a middle aged lady do this without even slowing down. For God's sake! What's the hurry when the light at the end of the road is red, anyway?
Well, that's my rant for today.
I just wish more people cared. These creatures deserve to live as much as anyone else.
When they are all gone, we will miss them.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Back in Business!
So I am back in full health once again!
Happy once more to be blogging.
Hope y'all are doing well and are in good health. Being sick just reminds us of what a treasure it is to have good health. It really cannot be traded for money. When we are at our worst, we'd do anything, pay any amount to relieve our suffering.
Luckily, what struck me was far from deadly serious. An ear infection isn't like a damaged kidney so I am rejoicing that my health challenges have been very minor.
Today, I went to a children's party. I'm not really overfond of clowns but it seems this is sort of a tradition here, I am finding.
As a blogger and an opinionated person, I can cite the many things I found to be objectionable about the many children's parties I have already gone to here.
If ever I had a child, I won't:
1) hold a party with Lady Gaga blaring at full volume. This isn't a teenage rave. I find it quite bizarre that otherwise educated people (my dear friends are lawyers, engineers and doctors) would subject their kids to
this. The base is pretty much socking your gut with each beat of the drum. doom, dooom, doooom, dooom...
this is a kid's party! Does anyone know the Wiggles?
2) the clowns and their "kiddie contests" feels like they are training the kids to be future crass talent show contestants. Maybe the clowns grew up watching those things as kids and so it is absorbed like osmosis or something...
Having said that, everything else was really good.
Food was great. It's one of those spreads that make you throw out your diet for just one day.
Take a hiatus for a while.
Beef with thick creamy mushroom sauce, ox tongue (a different kind of beef), quails eggs with mixed vegetables, fried dory fish with sweet and sour sauce, spaghetti with meatballs and fried chicken.
On the side they hired an ice cream stand and a flavored french fries stand. sort of like what you see in the malls or state fairs except they just give you all the fries you want.
I am typing this with a full belly. don't do what I just did. It's rare that I overeat but you get carried away with just chatting, going back to the buffet and then chatting some more... Pretty soon, you're just stuffing more and more fries in your mouth absent mindedly (like when you are watching a movie) then you realize... hey, wait, I'm already full!
Well, a good time was had by all.
Good night, America!
Sleep well and may the night be cool and breezy.
(It's boiling humid here)
Happy once more to be blogging.
Hope y'all are doing well and are in good health. Being sick just reminds us of what a treasure it is to have good health. It really cannot be traded for money. When we are at our worst, we'd do anything, pay any amount to relieve our suffering.
Luckily, what struck me was far from deadly serious. An ear infection isn't like a damaged kidney so I am rejoicing that my health challenges have been very minor.
Today, I went to a children's party. I'm not really overfond of clowns but it seems this is sort of a tradition here, I am finding.
As a blogger and an opinionated person, I can cite the many things I found to be objectionable about the many children's parties I have already gone to here.
If ever I had a child, I won't:
1) hold a party with Lady Gaga blaring at full volume. This isn't a teenage rave. I find it quite bizarre that otherwise educated people (my dear friends are lawyers, engineers and doctors) would subject their kids to
this. The base is pretty much socking your gut with each beat of the drum. doom, dooom, doooom, dooom...
this is a kid's party! Does anyone know the Wiggles?
2) the clowns and their "kiddie contests" feels like they are training the kids to be future crass talent show contestants. Maybe the clowns grew up watching those things as kids and so it is absorbed like osmosis or something...
Having said that, everything else was really good.
Food was great. It's one of those spreads that make you throw out your diet for just one day.
Take a hiatus for a while.
Beef with thick creamy mushroom sauce, ox tongue (a different kind of beef), quails eggs with mixed vegetables, fried dory fish with sweet and sour sauce, spaghetti with meatballs and fried chicken.
On the side they hired an ice cream stand and a flavored french fries stand. sort of like what you see in the malls or state fairs except they just give you all the fries you want.
I am typing this with a full belly. don't do what I just did. It's rare that I overeat but you get carried away with just chatting, going back to the buffet and then chatting some more... Pretty soon, you're just stuffing more and more fries in your mouth absent mindedly (like when you are watching a movie) then you realize... hey, wait, I'm already full!
Well, a good time was had by all.
Good night, America!
Sleep well and may the night be cool and breezy.
(It's boiling humid here)
Monday, May 7, 2012
Been sick lately
Been down with an ear infection. iOtitis Externa and it does hurt on one whole side of my face and ear. No fun at all.
It's a time of recuperation and a lot of reflection.
First off, I got lucky again that this struck me as I am spending time here overseas where healthcare is cheaper.
I guess it's on a 50-50 chance since half the time I am always here, anyways.
The Philippines has sort of a public healthcare system but it is only for the very poor.
Here's the breakdown so far:
Ear Nose and Throat specialist: (ear canal draining) $70 (yes, I waited 2 and a half hours, so what? I wasn't dying.)
Antihistamines (14 tablets): $2.50
Nasal spray: $10
Ear medication drops: $5 (don't tell me countries like the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia --not even mentioning Canada---have the balls to collectively negotiate for lower prices while America, the base of most of Pharma doesn't?)
Before this, I was also able to have:
2 dental fillings: Php: 3,000 divide that by 40 (actual exchange rate is 42, but for simpler math) =$75
Mom's dental implants --3 teeth: Php: 30,000 which comes out to $750--$250 per tooth. (yes, I shouldered that since their benefits were reduced this year.)
I still feel lucky I haven't been struck with anything more serious. I have made paypal donations to another artist who is waiting for a kidney transplant. This is what we are reduced to: fund raisers for people we know who get sick. I did not contribute to another one that I was messaged for because he already has a lot of backers in his medical fundraiser so I can afford to rest my paypal (which is getting rather thin lately).
In the end, it really is only a matter of time before I am struck by something far more lethal and therefore more expensive... and when that happens, I guess I'll just go into the wilderness, go as far north as I can, wrestle a bear and die with dignity. Someone else will have to beg money for me.
It's a time of recuperation and a lot of reflection.
First off, I got lucky again that this struck me as I am spending time here overseas where healthcare is cheaper.
I guess it's on a 50-50 chance since half the time I am always here, anyways.
The Philippines has sort of a public healthcare system but it is only for the very poor.
Here's the breakdown so far:
Ear Nose and Throat specialist: (ear canal draining) $70 (yes, I waited 2 and a half hours, so what? I wasn't dying.)
Antihistamines (14 tablets): $2.50
Nasal spray: $10
Ear medication drops: $5 (don't tell me countries like the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia --not even mentioning Canada---have the balls to collectively negotiate for lower prices while America, the base of most of Pharma doesn't?)
Before this, I was also able to have:
2 dental fillings: Php: 3,000 divide that by 40 (actual exchange rate is 42, but for simpler math) =$75
Mom's dental implants --3 teeth: Php: 30,000 which comes out to $750--$250 per tooth. (yes, I shouldered that since their benefits were reduced this year.)
In the end, it really is only a matter of time before I am struck by something far more lethal and therefore more expensive... and when that happens, I guess I'll just go into the wilderness, go as far north as I can, wrestle a bear and die with dignity. Someone else will have to beg money for me.
Friday, April 27, 2012
The gift of pain
Anyone read the book "the gift of pain"? I don't agree with some of its principles, but one thing I agree with it is that we need pain in our body to tell us something is wrong.
That is the principle applied by the dentist I saw.
Apparently, having pain in your tooth during the drilling process is a sign that the dentist is hitting near your tooth's root. Now, nobody's ever explained this to me in all my years of going to Dentists. All I knew is that you drill my tooth and it will hurt.
Hence a lot of dentists use painkillers to dull the pain for patient's comfort.
It turns out, according to the Dentist I recently saw, that is a shortcut that can do a lot of damage to your teeth later on. If the Dentist doesn't know he's drilling down into the root of the tooth, it is possible he may damage the root and kill the tooth. I never knew that teeth were alive in that way.
But apparently, you can heal a tooth if you don't damage the root of it. And that's what my dentist did.
He explained that a lot of dentists just treat cavities like a road pothole; you just drill down and fill the hole. according to modern dental science, that's a pretty sloppy way of healing your tooth. When dentists drill willy nilly and patients feel nothing, they may already be damaging you more than you know... thus necessitating the need for a root canal later on or a complete extraction and implant.
So he really encouraged me not to rely on the pain meds. You know, it turns out, the pain wasn't that bad when the dentist knows what he's doing. When you feel the pain coming, just tell him and he backs off knowing that if he drills further, he could be damaging the root of the tooth.
It's all fascinating new knowledge for me and I love it when I learn something new each day.
That is the principle applied by the dentist I saw.
Apparently, having pain in your tooth during the drilling process is a sign that the dentist is hitting near your tooth's root. Now, nobody's ever explained this to me in all my years of going to Dentists. All I knew is that you drill my tooth and it will hurt.
Hence a lot of dentists use painkillers to dull the pain for patient's comfort.
It turns out, according to the Dentist I recently saw, that is a shortcut that can do a lot of damage to your teeth later on. If the Dentist doesn't know he's drilling down into the root of the tooth, it is possible he may damage the root and kill the tooth. I never knew that teeth were alive in that way.
But apparently, you can heal a tooth if you don't damage the root of it. And that's what my dentist did.
He explained that a lot of dentists just treat cavities like a road pothole; you just drill down and fill the hole. according to modern dental science, that's a pretty sloppy way of healing your tooth. When dentists drill willy nilly and patients feel nothing, they may already be damaging you more than you know... thus necessitating the need for a root canal later on or a complete extraction and implant.
So he really encouraged me not to rely on the pain meds. You know, it turns out, the pain wasn't that bad when the dentist knows what he's doing. When you feel the pain coming, just tell him and he backs off knowing that if he drills further, he could be damaging the root of the tooth.
It's all fascinating new knowledge for me and I love it when I learn something new each day.
The week
The best part of this week was the finishing of my dental work. Two teeth patched up nicely at the cheap cost of $30 per tooth. That's something you can pay for out of pocket. And the Dentist has standard imported equipment... the works. No Dentist from hell. It's an airconditoned room with 2 assistants helping him and two dental chairs. It's a pretty good bargain.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
A Sweet Life
It's times like this I really love my life. :)
Today is one of those perfect days.
One of the best things about being able to bring my livelihood wherever I am, I get to enjoy low prices wherever they can be found.
Being in the Philippines is fab, fab, fab... Especially when it comes to going to massage parlors, getting medical or dental work done.
Got a full body today and with accompanying body scrub for the great price of $10. You get a private room with a shower, professional masseur or masseuse... ahhh... this IS life!
My full body work over is coming along at a great pace. I got one tooth fixed and I have a filling to go by end of next month. Dentist is totally pro. He's got 2 assistants, tools get sterilized after every session, top of the line titanium alloy posts if you want a dental implant. (from Japan) Fillings are $70 per tooth. Another sweet bargain. Like!
This time around, I won't need wart removal although those services are also a bargain. And there is no electrolysis involved... just a cream that melts them away. I often wonder why this isn't more popular around the world. It's a best kept secret...
Tonight, I'll be frying up my signature extra crispy spicy chicken tenders to go with some homemade cole slaw.
A perfect end to a fab day!
Good night, America!
Today is one of those perfect days.
One of the best things about being able to bring my livelihood wherever I am, I get to enjoy low prices wherever they can be found.
Being in the Philippines is fab, fab, fab... Especially when it comes to going to massage parlors, getting medical or dental work done.
Got a full body today and with accompanying body scrub for the great price of $10. You get a private room with a shower, professional masseur or masseuse... ahhh... this IS life!
My full body work over is coming along at a great pace. I got one tooth fixed and I have a filling to go by end of next month. Dentist is totally pro. He's got 2 assistants, tools get sterilized after every session, top of the line titanium alloy posts if you want a dental implant. (from Japan) Fillings are $70 per tooth. Another sweet bargain. Like!
This time around, I won't need wart removal although those services are also a bargain. And there is no electrolysis involved... just a cream that melts them away. I often wonder why this isn't more popular around the world. It's a best kept secret...
Tonight, I'll be frying up my signature extra crispy spicy chicken tenders to go with some homemade cole slaw.
A perfect end to a fab day!
Good night, America!
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Under the weather...
I am right now very unproductive and just laid up in bed.
Nice thing about being sick and feverish is no matter how hot the weather is, you still feel slightly chilly.
Last time I fell ill was 10 months ago when I first purchased old Great White.
I was driving around in the Texas heat but I sweated not a drop since I was having a bit of a fever on.
Well, good things will come tomorrow.
My hands are numb right now from all the lying down.
Good night, America!
Nice thing about being sick and feverish is no matter how hot the weather is, you still feel slightly chilly.
Last time I fell ill was 10 months ago when I first purchased old Great White.
I was driving around in the Texas heat but I sweated not a drop since I was having a bit of a fever on.
Well, good things will come tomorrow.
My hands are numb right now from all the lying down.
Good night, America!
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
My aunt's birthday
Well, it's all sunny news again where I am. Comfortably esconced in a country where the exchange rate for the diminishing US dollar is still somewhat decent...
Treated my aunt today to an awesome Chinese restaurant. It was her birthday and she is my fave auntie (almost a second Mum).
Began with an appetizer platter of marinated seaweed, Chinese leg ham, century egg, Chinese sausage and roast pork cutlets.
That was followed by bird's nest soup.
Main dishes were the vegetable chow mein, Red Rickshaw fried noodle (their signature dish) and fried tofu balls in soy sauce with ground shrimp.
To help it all digest well, we had floral green tea. Smooth as silk... It can really put one to sleep especially after such a heavy meal...
Ahh... heaven!
Dinner was simple but awesome. half a homemade white pizza with mushrooms and turkey bacon toppings.
Perfect way to end the day.
Treated my aunt today to an awesome Chinese restaurant. It was her birthday and she is my fave auntie (almost a second Mum).
Began with an appetizer platter of marinated seaweed, Chinese leg ham, century egg, Chinese sausage and roast pork cutlets.
That was followed by bird's nest soup.
Main dishes were the vegetable chow mein, Red Rickshaw fried noodle (their signature dish) and fried tofu balls in soy sauce with ground shrimp.
To help it all digest well, we had floral green tea. Smooth as silk... It can really put one to sleep especially after such a heavy meal...
Ahh... heaven!
Dinner was simple but awesome. half a homemade white pizza with mushrooms and turkey bacon toppings.
Perfect way to end the day.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Kindness with everyone
I always try to remind myself to be good to everyone I come across.
One can tell a lot about a person when you see them deal with people in everyday life.
It always intrigues me how someone who professes to be a good person would then treat waiters, cab drivers or salespeople with disdain and uncouthness.
Even some people I used to go to church with would be so mean to waitresses during the after service luncheon. And you see some parishioners lose all driver civility just as they are leaving the parking lot in their airconditioned massive cars.
We were at a market today.
Normally, where I am, it is customary to haggle over prices.
I don't bother. I think having worked retail (and occasionally still do), I have a soft spot for people peddling their wares. When you already know you are getting a good bargain, let the other person make a little cash.
One time, I even bought a bunch of keepsakes and pendants from peddlers outside the church. I don't believe in their magical properties, but I know some people who do and I just gave them away as gifts. My former girlfriend and her parents who are supposedly more devout than I am, would not even look at the vendors.
I bought something from everyone that day. You would think I gave them a million bucks they were so happy. I guess they haven't made the day's profit as of yet. I can leave my own personal argument against myself over being an enabler on another day, I suppose.
I am reminded each and everyday that the world is filled with people who mostly just want a fair shake in life... and to be able to make ends meet. To those who show effort, it will be rewarded.
Today was a good day.
Went to the market and bought a pile of vegetables just as the vendors were closing for the night.
A last minute sale is always welcome and there it was on their faces; Happiness.
P.S.,
Lunch today was absolute perfection;
Filet mignon grilled with salt and pepper, corn chowder with shrimp and steamed carrots with butter and salt. Fried chicken wings on the side.
One can tell a lot about a person when you see them deal with people in everyday life.
It always intrigues me how someone who professes to be a good person would then treat waiters, cab drivers or salespeople with disdain and uncouthness.
Even some people I used to go to church with would be so mean to waitresses during the after service luncheon. And you see some parishioners lose all driver civility just as they are leaving the parking lot in their airconditioned massive cars.
We were at a market today.
Normally, where I am, it is customary to haggle over prices.
I don't bother. I think having worked retail (and occasionally still do), I have a soft spot for people peddling their wares. When you already know you are getting a good bargain, let the other person make a little cash.
One time, I even bought a bunch of keepsakes and pendants from peddlers outside the church. I don't believe in their magical properties, but I know some people who do and I just gave them away as gifts. My former girlfriend and her parents who are supposedly more devout than I am, would not even look at the vendors.
I bought something from everyone that day. You would think I gave them a million bucks they were so happy. I guess they haven't made the day's profit as of yet. I can leave my own personal argument against myself over being an enabler on another day, I suppose.
I am reminded each and everyday that the world is filled with people who mostly just want a fair shake in life... and to be able to make ends meet. To those who show effort, it will be rewarded.
Today was a good day.
Went to the market and bought a pile of vegetables just as the vendors were closing for the night.
A last minute sale is always welcome and there it was on their faces; Happiness.
P.S.,
Lunch today was absolute perfection;
Filet mignon grilled with salt and pepper, corn chowder with shrimp and steamed carrots with butter and salt. Fried chicken wings on the side.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Food pictures
This is the PHO soup I made for myself there using scratch made beef stock from the leg bones. Very tasty!
The giant shrimp I get to enjoy whenever there are some available in the market. Perhaps once a week or so. They are like small lobsters as you can see... the spoon is dwarfed! The head is one of the best and tastiest parts... I keep saying it in all my posts. Can't get enough of the meat inside!
Sunday, March 25, 2012
More food!
Yep, it's all I do over here. Work, eat, sleep, love and pray. :)
So last night was a veritable banquet.
It was my folk's wedding anniversary coupled with a young cousin's graduation celebration.
We had Japanese Kani salad (with shrimp roe), panko breaded fish fillets, pancit palabok (which is rice noodles in a heavy shrimp based sauce with egg), sans rival cream pastries, rice cakes, roast whole chicken and the main star: a whole roast pig with crackling crispy skin. It's a vegetarian's nightmare for sure. :)
But on occasions like this, I don't mind. It's one of the rare instances I eat pork.
(aside from when there is bacon)
For drinks we had the ubiquitous Pepsi and a punch bowl drink fountain overflowing with pineapple/fruit medley blend. Oh, and we had chocolate ice cream (but I was too full last night to partake of that last one).
I think I ate myself into a coma last night. So this time around, instead of me traveling to another place, we got to stay home and have people over. It was a fantastic celebration. Perfect in every way.
Good night, America!
So last night was a veritable banquet.
It was my folk's wedding anniversary coupled with a young cousin's graduation celebration.
We had Japanese Kani salad (with shrimp roe), panko breaded fish fillets, pancit palabok (which is rice noodles in a heavy shrimp based sauce with egg), sans rival cream pastries, rice cakes, roast whole chicken and the main star: a whole roast pig with crackling crispy skin. It's a vegetarian's nightmare for sure. :)
But on occasions like this, I don't mind. It's one of the rare instances I eat pork.
(aside from when there is bacon)
For drinks we had the ubiquitous Pepsi and a punch bowl drink fountain overflowing with pineapple/fruit medley blend. Oh, and we had chocolate ice cream (but I was too full last night to partake of that last one).
I think I ate myself into a coma last night. So this time around, instead of me traveling to another place, we got to stay home and have people over. It was a fantastic celebration. Perfect in every way.
Good night, America!
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Food, what else?
Being a bit immobile at present, how can I get my adventure on except with food?
A new Costco like place opened up nearby and we checked out the pizza. Very good stuff! The cheese is plenty and running down every slice. New York style and very tasty.
Lately, I've been hankering after some beef. So a trip to the market was in order.
Markets here are different. This is where you traditionally see whole slabs up on hooks and the butchers with cleavers busily chopping away at the meat. If you're sqeamish about blood or the overpowering smell of raw meat, this won't be fun for you.
But it's all part of being a meat eater, IMHO. Just like when I eat whole fish, I can stare at the eye and even pick it out and chew on it (fried eyeball is tasty).
But back to more palatable topics.
I had the best filet mignon today.
I prepared the sauce myself. It's just canola oil (would have rocked to have olive oil just then) with shredded onion, salt and pepper. I sliced the filets thin and marinated them in that oil. Then put them on the burner top grill and presto. Instant grilled meat to perfection. Nothing like smelling the chopped onion sizzle too... adds a bit of bite and flavor to it. You can add garlic, red pepper flakes and paprika to the oil marinade. I just chose not to, but usually, when I have garlic powder, it goes in there as well.
Pair that off with a homemade tomato salsa and it is steak perfection.... mmmm!
WEll, that's been the week so far. Just eating and working.
Good night, America!
A new Costco like place opened up nearby and we checked out the pizza. Very good stuff! The cheese is plenty and running down every slice. New York style and very tasty.
Lately, I've been hankering after some beef. So a trip to the market was in order.
Markets here are different. This is where you traditionally see whole slabs up on hooks and the butchers with cleavers busily chopping away at the meat. If you're sqeamish about blood or the overpowering smell of raw meat, this won't be fun for you.
But it's all part of being a meat eater, IMHO. Just like when I eat whole fish, I can stare at the eye and even pick it out and chew on it (fried eyeball is tasty).
But back to more palatable topics.
I had the best filet mignon today.
I prepared the sauce myself. It's just canola oil (would have rocked to have olive oil just then) with shredded onion, salt and pepper. I sliced the filets thin and marinated them in that oil. Then put them on the burner top grill and presto. Instant grilled meat to perfection. Nothing like smelling the chopped onion sizzle too... adds a bit of bite and flavor to it. You can add garlic, red pepper flakes and paprika to the oil marinade. I just chose not to, but usually, when I have garlic powder, it goes in there as well.
Pair that off with a homemade tomato salsa and it is steak perfection.... mmmm!
WEll, that's been the week so far. Just eating and working.
Good night, America!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
The Gypseh Life for Me!
(On a stopover in Seoul, South Korea.)And so it is for me.
Wherever the living is good, we move there. It just makes sense, no?
And at times of tight budgets, some of us even move offshore for a while. (or in my case, why wait for bad times? Just go ahead and make the move early.)
That's been me now for the last few weeks.
Offshore also means moving to a country where the US dollar goes further, can buy more, etc...
I still get questions of where I am based. So I just say, wherever I am, there is my home. Which is a true statement when we are comfy with wherever we are.
Right now, I live in my original offshore home. Very lucky to have this abode, I must say.
The power of the nomad is the ability to move even countries. Many more seasoned travelers than I are all probably out here as well... making best use of a devalued US dollar and living like kings and queens on Social Security or retirement or just earning an income through some internet business that can be accessed through any laptop in any of the world's coffee shops.
Eat shrimp the size of large sausages... Everyday is party time. :) In a world of international commerce, we now have all the signature brand restaurants all over the world. And of course, the ubiquitous McD's, if that is your thing.
I am still reveling in my decision to leave the fixed life and go nomadic. I haven't regretted a single day. It's a wonderful life to be had. Sure, there has been times of sacrifice and a bit of hardship. Nobody said this would be easy. But the rewards of being able to make money on the road... to earn some silver on the run... that is priceless...
Even more priceless is the happiness of those people whom I visit on my travels. We are given so short a time on this Earth to spend... I'd rather spend it with people close to my heart. To them, I am fast becoming not a visitor... but almost a regular neighbor who travels around.
As long as I can sustain this... yohoho... the Gypsy's life for me.
Good night and happy travels.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Home of the Brave
So the other day, an airline pilot wanted announced his mom had a birthday that day on the plane... But the PA system might have been weak, and some people heard "bomb" instead of "mom".
And of course, pandemonium ensues.
I am freaking embarrassed for my own countrymen, I have to say.
Dammit, people should stop being so scared all the time. Ever since that fateful day, this country seems to have stopped being the "home of the brave". Well, my near indifference to terrorism is my way of saying I believe in living the "land of the brave". If the rest of the sheep want to cower, so be it. I have never and will never be afraid. I will fly when I want, where I want. yellow, orange, purple alerts... I never listened nor made plans according to those things. If just hearing the word "bomb" makes them twitch, then I am sorry for them. When you sing that anthem so lustily with that flag waving and fireworks going off, do you believe in those words, or do you just pay empty homage? Your choice, right?But that said, I can understand, I guess.
This country was brought up insulated from all the terrible things that happen in the world. Which is probably why apocalyptic movies are prime entertainment here. I never understood that appeal, to be frank. I have seen and witnessed true poverty and misery. I have no wish to see it in my entertainment because I am not entertained. It doesn't amuse me to see people being smashed, drowned or killed in great numbers.
Perhaps a lot of people here have been insulated for a long time from the terrible things in the world. No longer, I suppose.
And we should learn from that. And open our eyes to the truth instead of just burying our heads in the sand and pretending nothing is happening.
I always said we should have acted like the Israelis. Bomb? We grieve but, life goes on. We are not terrified or panicked.
And when you think about it... really think about it... Americans kill more Americans every year through crime and violent acts than any foreign terrorist. Yet we still come out of our homes and drive down freeways..
I guess I'm just tired of hearing this pathetic bleating all the time about terrorism.
I hate to say it, but we all need to grow up a little hardened with experience. If that means exposing ourselves at a young age to suffering of others, maybe that'll instill a solid foundation for a good, moral citizen later on.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Healthcare
Healthcare
Yeah, still a very hot topic in the States right now.
Last year, I visited my own boss who had an accident. His insurance put him in a room with 4 other people. (he's better now) He checked himself out a day later preferring to heal up at home. I thought: "This is my boss! Why did they stick him into this public ward???"
This year, I visited an uncle in LA who had a stroke. He's in a room with one other dude who can't stop coughing. You feel like you're getting sicker as you stand there, unwilling to breathe.
The nurses are too few and are always tired (understandably). There is a smell of feces in the air as you go through certain parts of the place. The hospital chlorine smell is overpowering.
My grand aunt in the Philippines is in the hospital. I visited her recently.
The room is air conditioned, private, has its own toilet and shower stall. How much is something like this, I asked. It cost 1,300 pesos per night --$30. Place is well ventilated and there are enough nurses that each visit, I see 4 of them come in and out of the place (not to mention they're all young and pretty).
Staff's all pro. They are after all, the same nurses that staff US hospitals.
It's really bad when you compare it like that.
Even if you pay the doctor out of pocket, a stay like that is cost effective and affordable.
Not to mention the medicines are cheaper as well. Same company. Pfizer provides cheap meds in the Philippines while US consumers has its dick in their ass.
I lived in Australia for close to a year. My former girlfriend is an Australian doctor who does the roving medical service (if you are too sick to go to the hospital or prefer to be treated at home, you can call the medical people over). We drive about the place treating rich and poor alike. The service is standard and the same for all. For those paying more into the system, they get extra frills. The car we drive about in is like a cop car but with different decals. It was quite an experience. This just tells me those who say universal healthcare is like the Soviet Union 1960 have never left the country and have never gone anywhere else in the world.
I get to compare our supposedly best medical system against another first world country and a third world country. From the standpoint of a working man like me, both of them have better amenities and more timely and adequate staffing. One gets paid through people's taxes and the other is out of pocket (the US model) but is cheaper and better.
Sure, there's first class amenities in the US no doubt. But what does it cost?
When people say we have the best healthcare, they are talking about the healthcare that only the rich can afford.
I post this here because as travelers and those who live nomadically, this is our issue.
Luckily, because we travel far and wide, we can compare and contrast.
The cheapest way I heard for most is to go up to Canada and marry a Canadian.
But currently for me, this is my best healthcare model.
I go to the Philippines to get my annual medical and dental needs taken care of.
It is cheaper and with less hassles. It is out of pocket, but neither will it destroy your finances.
And because it's the Philippines, let's admit it... Just like any other tourist destination like Thailand or Vietnam, there's tons of cool places to go to as long as you have money.
For the price of a plane flight, you get to take care of your pressing needs... and get a little vacation in while you're at it. Of course, it helps if you know people so you can just couch surf on over.
Yeah, still a very hot topic in the States right now.
Last year, I visited my own boss who had an accident. His insurance put him in a room with 4 other people. (he's better now) He checked himself out a day later preferring to heal up at home. I thought: "This is my boss! Why did they stick him into this public ward???"
This year, I visited an uncle in LA who had a stroke. He's in a room with one other dude who can't stop coughing. You feel like you're getting sicker as you stand there, unwilling to breathe.
The nurses are too few and are always tired (understandably). There is a smell of feces in the air as you go through certain parts of the place. The hospital chlorine smell is overpowering.
My grand aunt in the Philippines is in the hospital. I visited her recently.
The room is air conditioned, private, has its own toilet and shower stall. How much is something like this, I asked. It cost 1,300 pesos per night --$30. Place is well ventilated and there are enough nurses that each visit, I see 4 of them come in and out of the place (not to mention they're all young and pretty).
Staff's all pro. They are after all, the same nurses that staff US hospitals.
It's really bad when you compare it like that.
Even if you pay the doctor out of pocket, a stay like that is cost effective and affordable.
Not to mention the medicines are cheaper as well. Same company. Pfizer provides cheap meds in the Philippines while US consumers has its dick in their ass.
I lived in Australia for close to a year. My former girlfriend is an Australian doctor who does the roving medical service (if you are too sick to go to the hospital or prefer to be treated at home, you can call the medical people over). We drive about the place treating rich and poor alike. The service is standard and the same for all. For those paying more into the system, they get extra frills. The car we drive about in is like a cop car but with different decals. It was quite an experience. This just tells me those who say universal healthcare is like the Soviet Union 1960 have never left the country and have never gone anywhere else in the world.
I get to compare our supposedly best medical system against another first world country and a third world country. From the standpoint of a working man like me, both of them have better amenities and more timely and adequate staffing. One gets paid through people's taxes and the other is out of pocket (the US model) but is cheaper and better.
Sure, there's first class amenities in the US no doubt. But what does it cost?
When people say we have the best healthcare, they are talking about the healthcare that only the rich can afford.
I post this here because as travelers and those who live nomadically, this is our issue.
Luckily, because we travel far and wide, we can compare and contrast.
The cheapest way I heard for most is to go up to Canada and marry a Canadian.
But currently for me, this is my best healthcare model.
I go to the Philippines to get my annual medical and dental needs taken care of.
It is cheaper and with less hassles. It is out of pocket, but neither will it destroy your finances.
And because it's the Philippines, let's admit it... Just like any other tourist destination like Thailand or Vietnam, there's tons of cool places to go to as long as you have money.
For the price of a plane flight, you get to take care of your pressing needs... and get a little vacation in while you're at it. Of course, it helps if you know people so you can just couch surf on over.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Money on the road
Ah, the sweet vision of a Paypal confirmation!
The beauty of my chosen profession as a graphic artist is I can now do my work from anywhere.
When I began this trip, I really had no inkling I'd get a new job while in transit.
I just trusted to serendipity, the openness of the world and a dose of my own industry to see me through. Not everyone would go trundling off into the great yonder not knowing how they will make their way in the world. But I guess this is something I now share with my fellow wanderers.
Little by little I am becoming as fearless as they are when it comes to tomorrow.
We trust that all will be well and the world will provide.
As my recent experience proved, the world did respond as long as we take the initiative and grab the bull by the horns. I took off not knowing where my next contract will come from. But opportunity comes and thankfully, my eyes were open enough to see it and grab it.
A good hunk of cheese now sits in my account.
I will savor it and look for more tomorrow as always.
Good night, America!
The beauty of my chosen profession as a graphic artist is I can now do my work from anywhere.
When I began this trip, I really had no inkling I'd get a new job while in transit.
I just trusted to serendipity, the openness of the world and a dose of my own industry to see me through. Not everyone would go trundling off into the great yonder not knowing how they will make their way in the world. But I guess this is something I now share with my fellow wanderers.
Little by little I am becoming as fearless as they are when it comes to tomorrow.
We trust that all will be well and the world will provide.
As my recent experience proved, the world did respond as long as we take the initiative and grab the bull by the horns. I took off not knowing where my next contract will come from. But opportunity comes and thankfully, my eyes were open enough to see it and grab it.
A good hunk of cheese now sits in my account.
I will savor it and look for more tomorrow as always.
Good night, America!
Friday, January 20, 2012
IN praise of the stick and brick
Well, I can say this for having a permanent house... It is admittedly very comforting knowing you are under a solid roof when you are laid up in bed sick.
I am home... here in my own solid stone house.
I stagger around but the walls and the solid ground are comforting to someone ailing... It's not a bad thing that got me... It's just a nuisance, however, having the gout flare up on you is never fun.
I can imagine what a comfort it is when one is stricken with an even more debilitating illness.
Stay warm everyone, and stay healthy. (I'm on a light diet to remove the gout on my leg)
Cheers!
I am home... here in my own solid stone house.
I stagger around but the walls and the solid ground are comforting to someone ailing... It's not a bad thing that got me... It's just a nuisance, however, having the gout flare up on you is never fun.
I can imagine what a comfort it is when one is stricken with an even more debilitating illness.
Stay warm everyone, and stay healthy. (I'm on a light diet to remove the gout on my leg)
Cheers!
Monday, January 16, 2012
A time for Family
Greetings from the teeming streets of Los Angeles!
Boy it is good to be here again, I have to say.
For a week now, I have been visiting with relatives, sharing meals and stories with all... Nothing fancy. Just hanging out, telling tales and sharing fine meals... Simple but wonderful moments.
This is what I want out of my life. To have time for people that I love and cherish.
These are good times... good times.
Boy it is good to be here again, I have to say.
For a week now, I have been visiting with relatives, sharing meals and stories with all... Nothing fancy. Just hanging out, telling tales and sharing fine meals... Simple but wonderful moments.
This is what I want out of my life. To have time for people that I love and cherish.
These are good times... good times.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Member for only one hour
I was a member of Linkedin for only one hour.
I am a very private person and I just hated how this service just spammed me relentlessly. I signed up earlier today and man... the e-mail spams just came in torrents. I shut it down real quick and apologized to everyone whom I unsuspectingly spammed along the way... This is too much networking for me.
I'll use good old fashioned e-mail and handshakes, thank you.
At some point, there's just too much social networking sites you can get on before it overwhelms your life. That one hour with Linkedin was the limit. I am done with these things!
I removed myself and enjoyed peace once again.
Twitter and Facebook are enough, man...
That's my limit.
Too bad for the newer ones. they're just way too aggressive in their "recruiting techniques" now... Bleh. It turns me off... Made me look like a relentless spammer in front of my friends.
I regret it and I publicly apologize for anyone affected by this.
So now... back to normal for me... hopefully.
I am a very private person and I just hated how this service just spammed me relentlessly. I signed up earlier today and man... the e-mail spams just came in torrents. I shut it down real quick and apologized to everyone whom I unsuspectingly spammed along the way... This is too much networking for me.
I'll use good old fashioned e-mail and handshakes, thank you.
At some point, there's just too much social networking sites you can get on before it overwhelms your life. That one hour with Linkedin was the limit. I am done with these things!
I removed myself and enjoyed peace once again.
Twitter and Facebook are enough, man...
That's my limit.
Too bad for the newer ones. they're just way too aggressive in their "recruiting techniques" now... Bleh. It turns me off... Made me look like a relentless spammer in front of my friends.
I regret it and I publicly apologize for anyone affected by this.
So now... back to normal for me... hopefully.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)