The things he'll do....

the image wasn't the only thing he got...

say hello to poison oak... awwwwwwww

One more clue to the psyche of the typical SFer...

I came across this article today while eating my lunch. In a nutshell, recent studies at the London Business School have "concluded that luxury seems intrinsically linked to self-interest." Perhaps luxury is indeed a factor in the self-interested disposition of most inhabitants of this place. As one of the only SFers that I have actually enjoyed so enlighteningly told me, "It's the perfect weather that makes people in San Francisco feel so self-entitled all the time. If they had to deal with bad weather, they'd likely be more willing to suck it up and deal with other inconveniences of society more often." E and I complain frequently about our fellow citizens of this "great" metropolis...and despite the denials of so many around us that make claims to its superiority, we are still waiting to find the virtues of a place with perfect weather (most of the time) and despicable people. And, to leave with something very insightful from the article:

luxury does not necessarily induce "nasty" behavior toward others, but more indifference toward them.

Back to the grind...structured grind that is...

Today is the first day I have class in the last semester of Grad School. By having class- I am a teaching assistant for one of my mentors. The funny thing is- the school has a teaching practicum but it happens to be the same time as a grad level landscape class. This class is an art history based class but if I have learned anything from 3 semesters at SFAI- art history classes have little to do with history. Dates? Nope! Time lines? HELL no! This class promises to be the most applicable to what I do so I couldn't not take it.
So, that being said- I am enrolled in an intro to photography class. I'll be the TA, learning from one of the best photo teachers this or any school has to offer. I'm really excited. Linda has opened a number of ideas and associations in my work so far and it should be great to watch her with intro level students.
The only down side to this? The first day is bring your work and a camera to class. Not bad- I have lots of cameras and most of them quite small. The hitch is Linda asked me to bring the big one. Still- so what? I have a bike trailer and should be fine. Things would be no issue aside from our being in the midst of the rainy season. That's right- winter is replaced with "the rainy season". It has been dumping for days and I really hate driving in this city. What ever.
Looks like I will be moving the truck once every two hours. Oh- the class is 6 hours long. NOthing like a marathon class to get things rolling.
What ever. Better in school than looking for work these thin days.
Hope all of you are well.
I have been sick and am feeling better.
Lego Batman is a huge waste of my days...mmmm...Lego video games!
Pepper is grey as ever and sleeping like no other...
Gretta is looking at the future and doing well!
later
e

our home

just a short video of our apartment...and gretta and pepper...
enjoy



feel free to comment...have a good one...call if you get the time

e,g,&p

video posting (thanks to Gretta!!!)

So Gretta finally showed me how to post videos onto the blog so I will just put some up for you to enjoy (or not) and then post comments.

This one is our hike in Marin County on Christmas day...warm, quiet, and our fine family being what we are- simple in our pleasures...

One sweet deal at a time

As I sit here listening to new SF Public Library music acquisitions and feeling quite proud of myself, it occurred to me that this is a time to share.
Why am I feeling so proud? Yet another repair on the truck is done and all that I have to show for it is some (actually a ton) scratches on my arms and pesky "dirt"  under my nails. Today's adventure was all about the broken headlamp and our power steering. Upon evaluating our new truck we found that the passenger side light was hanging on by the wires. This is no exageration! The mounting bolts had been damaged, the light socket was broken and the bulb hung in the light keeping it from falling backwards toward the engine. Thanks to the battery there was something solid to keep things in their places (kinda).
So, first thing I started out on the light. Just as I was making headway (the light was a pain to get out thanks to the broke-ass grill in the front) the parking lady that haunts us drives up and has no time for my story about not being there for more than the hour you are allowed. What ever- she rolled on and I got out of a ticket for the moment. An hour later (really- those things are not meant to be changed- that is why they have replaceable bulbs) I was done!
After hearing that Gretta didn't need the truck today I figured it was time to deal with the leaking high pressure return hose and housing for our power steering. If you have the money I would only recommend letting someone else do this!!! I had to buy a 24mm socket and adapter to even get going on this. Next- remove the cool front skid plate. This thing really is ready for Centre County!!! Just like the old "Canyonero" (R.I.P.). One nicety has to be the lack of corrosion. Bolts just come off when you try! After removing the battery (second time today) and the radiator overflow tank, it was time to hit the big old pressure bolts. OK, I am not built for strength in my upper body- these things barely came loose before I gave up!!! Honestly- this was the hardest I have worked in years (physically). The housing gushed out fluid and took an old mountain bike race t-shirt with it. The housing had to cup the engine and work it's way up on both sides. By housing I mean steel piping. The removal and replacement took 2 hours. 1 hour was wasted on just one end of the housing and the bolt being put back. You see, just cause you can look at a bolt don't necessarily mean you can get to it. If you can get to it, you probably won't be able to get any force to it. Long story short- I cut the hell out of my arms and twisted my wrists and fingers in ways I hadn't previously though I could just to get a single mounting bolt in place! The other side went quickly and I bled the system in no time!
Looking back- there are things worth paying for. The labor on this job is in that category. The joy of overcoming a challenge never gets old. The torn up arms- that is getting old.
I'll keep you updated with the next repair (I can't imagine there aren't more to come!)
Later.
E
PS

You can't see the scratches or the dried brake fluid...damn photographs

This one is better person as well...you can see the scratches more now...

One for the ladies....sorry fellas!!! Suck it! Sweet beard and Disco Patch!

Just for you kids back east- my arms got scratched up cause I was working on the truck in short sleeves!!!!! Nothing like non-seasonal temperatures at New Years.

Went out to find our Christmas tree...but leave it in the ground...

Since it never really gets cold here...you might say all the trees here could serve as a Christmas tree. So we celebrated Christmas under all 4? / 5? of them along the Pine Ridge Trail yesterday. Although there may not have been many trees out, there were tons of people who had the same idea as us... to spend the holiday afternoon outside with their dog and family. It was a really pleasant hike, and thankfully I was up for it finally! The past two weeks haven't been so much fun (for me or E), and having to stay inside and drive to work has not been so great either. So yesterday, getting out, was awesome! E got to wear his new digs (a new shirt and some new pants), Pep got to meet a lot of new dogs, and I got a new hole in my pants (because I am that smooth...)

I have to say... Christmas in California is a bit strange...ok a lot strange. It's weird enough that the weather rarely changes but then decorations hung everywhere and no sign of wintery weather... it all just makes things like large pots of apple cider on the stove seem so moot. Still, E and I found ways to make this holiday season our own.

Wednesday night E worked hard on making some fish chowder that we dug into on Thursday. He's only made it once before for me, and I'll give it to him... it was delicious both times!! We still have some that I'm dying to get more of this afternoon. I can see this becoming a recurring request every year.

No big plans for the new year celebrations... not yet. I'm working on E to go to Big Sur... We'll see how that turns out. In the meantime, here's some images from our hike. Now that E has a new G11... we both get to post on the blog. Double the fun!

Ready to go... all packed up in our new truck...

Pep's not so psyched with the no-window-to-roll-down backseat...but she's coping

Saw some deer on our way up to the trail... thought it was only one until we looked at the picture...Dad, Kevin, and even Shannon would be so disappointed in our sighting abilities... 

Gotta give credit to E for these... and the following

 

 

 

and begins my images from the day...can't say i'm as prolific... but I do love playing with the G9!

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Holidays everyone from E & G & P!!