Wednesday, November 26, 2014

For What It’s Worth                                                                                     - 35 Days and Counting

Online Shopping

Online shopping has many advantages over going to the actual store or mall to shop.  For instance, I ordered a sports wrist watch from this website that gets their supply from China I believe, and when it arrived I noticed that it was a different color than what I had ordered.  So I got on their website and let them know that I was not happy with their sending me a product of a different color.  They responded apologetically and told me I would get a full refund and they told me I cold keep the watch.  This is not the first time this has happened either.  I guess the amount of the purchase and shipping was not worth them having me ship it back to them.  So I guess someone I know will be getting a new sports watch for Christmas.  It could be you?  :)

Zip Lining

I saw an advertisement on Groupon for a 3-hour zip line adventure up in the mountains in the Big Bear area, so I bought a couple of tickets for a future mountain outing.  The only time I did zip lining was in the military out in the field way before it became a recreational activity.  It looks like a lot of fun. so it will be a new adventure instead of a necessity to get across a ravine during military manuevers. I am looking forward to it!

Auto Body Work on My Porsche

I recent came out of a shopping center and realized that someone had dented my rear wheelwell on he driver’s side.  Needless to say I was not very happy at all so I called AAA, my auto insurance company, to file a claim.  They sent me a list of their preferred auto body shops but they told me I could take it anywhere I really wanted.  Jim & Jack’s Auto Body, a local auto body shop, was on their list and my friend also recommended I take it there.  So I did, and they did some awesome work, making me quite happy.  When I looked at the long repair list, I noticed they said they repaired and refurbished my driver’s side external mirror.  When I asked the service representative what was that on the list, he said it was nothing.  I asked them did they repair my mirror and refurbish it as it apparently was stated, and he said no, they did not.  Later on I got an email with an electronic survey they asked me to fill in.  I mentioned these two issues as well as the interior lights did not seem to go on when the door was open like they did before I came there.  A few days I get a call from their customer service representative, Zack, and he wanted to get together with me to discuss my responses on their customer satisfactory survey.  So yesterday during lunch time I dropped off my car with Zack and told him to take his time to get it all right as was annotated on the repair sheet.  So hopefully next week I will get my car back with all the issues taken cared of.  I call that very good customer service.  We will keep you all posted on how it all turns out.

Famous Quotes and Words of Wisdom

I don’t care 

how attractive 

you think you look, 

if you have an ugly heart, 

you’re ugly.

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 Snoopy says… Bark Less and Wag More!

Until next time… Be Good!

- cb

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

For What It’s Worth                                                                                     - 36 Days and Counting

Blog Publishing

After we retire, the frequency of our blog postings will decline to maybe once a week or so, with hopefully better content and better writing.  Publishing our blog on a daily basis was basically training for the purpose of refining our blog writing and better choosing content and subject matter, and of course to keep all you peeps informed on our adventures when we are out on the road.  It seems like after a while we end up repeating ourselves in our blog posts.  We do anticipate much more new and exciting adventures to write about and share one we get out there on the road.  That is our dream, to be out there in the system trying to get lost from society and all the weights that try to pul os down on a daily basis.  We are counting the days, literally.  :)

Living out of a Van

Most people would cringe at the thought of trying to live out of a van type vehicle for several months at a time, but not us.  We revel in it.  We long for it.  We look forward to it. We can only wait to get out there to explore this great continent, meet different people, and expand our horizons.  Snoopy is well adapted to traveling in the bus as well as being content in sleeping in her bed on the passenger floor of Linus.  e three make up a good team, both Snoopy & Linus being conversation pieces and me the caretaker, Bus Pilot and part-time butler for them both.  It will also be a good opportunity to save up some $$$ to build a small nest egg for emergencies and for the future.  Our expenses will be minimal and our biggest expense will probably be fuel and maintenance for Linus.  As we have mentioned many times before, we plan to avoid campgrounds and the fees they charge and try to live off of the grid as much as possible.  We plan to have a generator as backup just in case we need it, but we mostly plan to use as little electrical energy as we can.  Conservation and planning ahead is a smart practice when you are boondocking out in the middle of nowhere in some remote or austere location.  

Buses By the Bridge

The Buses By the Bridge is an annual event where VW enthusiasts drive their VW Buses out to London Bridge (yes, that London Bridge) and meet and hang out for the weekend in January each year.  Since it has been quite some time we have taken Linus out on an adventure, this looks like a golden opportunity to do so and to meet some new VW enthusiasts that enjoy the same passion that we do.  There are all kinds of peeps enthusiastic about VW Buses, even those who have never owned one before. It is also a good opportunity to network with other VW Nuts like us.  My camping friend Kathy said she might go as well, so that could be fun too.

Famous Quotes and Words of Wisdom

“A life filled with silly social drama 

and gossip indicates that a person is 

disconnected from purpose and 

lacking meaningful goals.

People on a path of purpose 

don’t have time for Drama.”

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 Snoopy says… Bark Less and Wag More!

Until next time… Be Good!

- cb

Monday, November 24, 2014

For What It’s Worth                                                                            - 37 Days and Counting

Formula One

The exciting 2014 F-1 Championship season came to close yesterday as Britain’s own Lewis Hamilton became a 2 time World Champion winning the final race in the Middle Eastern country of Bahrain.  The season was a closely fought one between the two Mercedes teammates coming down to the final race, especially since the points for this final race were doubled. Unfortunately, Hamilton’s teammate Nico Rosberg’s car developed mechanical problems relatively early in the race causing him to nurse it to the end of the race.  Otherwise, it was a closely fought season that came down to the wire with Hamilton winning the Championship title over Rosberg.  Next season brings many changes with drivers moving to different teams.  My favorite driver, Fernando Alonzo is leaving my favorite F-1 Team, Ferrari, and is being replaced by former 4 time World Champion Sebastian Vettel, who has spent his entire career driving for Team Red Bull.  It will be another interesting season to say the least.

Thanksgiving

Last year I had a friend in town who made a very nice Thanksgiving meal.  The leftovers I also milked for another week or so, which was very nice.  I was fat and happy for quite a while afterwards.  This year my buddy said he was going to cook a Thanksgiving meal, but I am not sure I will attend.  I tend to over eat and right now that is not such a good thing.  Who knows, I might change my mind and go over to his place for the feast.  How can I turn down a feast like that?  I wonder of Snoopy would want to go too?

Black Friday

It seems that the build up to Black Friday has overshadowed the Thanksgiving holiday this year.  All I see over the internet is Black Friday specials being advertised and very little about the Thanksgiving holiday.  Unfortunately, it seems to have been surpassed by the opportunity to save some dollars on gifts instead.  It is such a shame.  I loved the Thanksgiving feasts, watching football and of course the obligatory nap during the day.  And of course, the parade. Who could forget the all the parades?  We should all stop worrying about the Black Friday shopping deals and get back to the Thanksgiving celebrations.  I would be thankful for that! 

Famous Quotes and Words of Wisdom

“We either make ourselves 

miserable or we make 

ourselves strong.  

The amount of work is the same.”

                                                  - Carlos Castenada

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Snoopy asks that you… Bark Less and Wag More!

Until next time… Be Good

- cb

Friday, November 21, 2014

                                                           Happy Birthday Bruce, my brother!

For What It’s Worth                                                                                     - 40 days and counting

LA Auto Show

Well, another weekend is upon us and my buddy wants to go to the car show here in downtown LA tomorrow.  I thought that it sounded like fun but now my back is aching a bit, which sucks.  Almost every activity I plan to participate in depends on how my back is feeling at the moment or the possibility of hurting it.  Back pain can limit the amount or variety of activities I want to do severely, so I must tread lightly.

Naps

I have learned to enjoy naps once again.  Every day @ 1-3 PM it seems like I am ready for a power nap.  Catching one, for not too long, has shown to benefit me immensely for the remained of the day.  Maybe it is because I get up so early each and every day that I feel I need one in the early afternoon.  They do help me make it through the day that sometimes seems to be so long at times.  I usually catch a short one on Saturday afternoons, when possible and feasible.  It really does make a big difference some days.

Holiday Season

Next week the Holiday Season begins with the traditional Thanksgiving on Thursday.  Last year I had a friend in town who cooked up an awesome holiday feast and I think my buddy is planning on cooking a Thanksgiving meal himself.  We will see what pans out and if I am up to attending myself or if I am just too lazy to do anything.

Christmas

I usually don’t get a Christmas tree because I am either out of town during the holiday season or I don’t have the room to display one.  The latter is my excuse for the past few Christmas’ and this year is pretty much the same… Limited space is an issue.  I might just get a real wreath and hang it on our door so we can experience the wonderful Christmas Tree aroma throughout our place.  It does bring me back to being a kid before we moved up to the Chicagoland area in 1967 when we lived in Southern Illinois and got real trees each year.  I still remember the excitement of coming down the stairway from our bedrooms and turning and looking into our living room and seeing the wonderful gifts Santa brought us.  Santa never wrapped our gifts because he was so busy and he never had the time to do so.  It was a magical time, as it should be for everyone!  :)

Famous Quotes and Words of Wisdom

Choices, Chances and Changes…

You must make a Choice

to take a Chance 

or your life 

will never Change

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Snoopy preaches that you… Bark Less and Wag More!

Until next time… Be Good!

- cb

Thursday, November 20, 2014

For What It’s Worth                    - 41 Days and Counting Down

Camping

The whole idea of free camping is to avoid paying rent and to have those unspent funds available for gasoline, food and unforeseen adventures.  Free camping is also a good way of avoiding annoying tourists types when all you really want is to be alone and enjoy the solitude mother nature has to offer.  Unfortunately I have been camping in campgrounds with inconsiderate campers before who played loud music and were up partying until 4 AM or so with absolutely no consideration for other campers.  When this happens all you can really do is complain to the camp management as you depart to go find a decent spot for camping without asshats like the aforementioned campers.  I myself would rather be totally isolated from these types of inconsiderate people, however that can be obtained.

Steve McQueen once said, “I would rather wake up in the middle of nowhere than to wake up in the middle of any city any day.”  I totally agree with his point of view and I plan to emulate that type of thinking as much as possible on our road trip.  If we did not see another human being in 2 weeks, I would be perfectly fine with that.  It’s not like we want to be all alone, but we prefer to be isolated from society and from any noise not made by Mother Nature.  Isn’t that what being outdoors and camping is really all about?  I wish I was out there at this exact moment instead of being here right now, that is for sure.  I can hardly wait to get out there once again and be doing my own thing.  I need to get out of this place, if it’s the last thing I ever do.  There has to be a better life out there.

Famous Quotes and Words of Wisdom

“It’s a terrible thing, I think, in life to wait until you’re ready.  I have this feeling now that actually no one is ever ready to do anything.  There is almost no such thing as ready.  There is only now.  And you may as well do it now.  Generally speaking, now is as good a time as any.”

                   - Hugh Laurie  (aka Dr Gregory House)

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Snoopy says, Bark Less and Wag More!

Until next time… Be Good!

- cb

Monday, November 17, 2014

                                                         

   Me and my buddy Will up at Lake Arrowhead in the San Bernardino Mountains this past weekend!

For What It’s Worth                                                                          - 44 Days and Counting Down

Auto Body Repairs

I received a phone call Friday from the auto body shop doing the repairs on my Porsche.  They said I would have to pick the car up on Monday (Today) due to them having to paint the entire driver’s door so they could blend the paint of the repair with the rest of the car.  So today after work I get to go pick it up.  I would wait for months if it took them that long to get it just perfect.  I am pretty picky when it comes to that kind of thing.  So, I guess we will see how it goes tonight when I go pick it up and inspect it.

Retirement Luncheon

My Retirement Luncheon is scheduled for Thursday, Dec 18, at around 11AM at Rock & Brews located at 143 Main St (Southwest corner of Main and Franklin) here in El Segundo.  I hope you can attend to help us all celebrate my 37 year career working in Aviation and Aerospace.  It has been a long road and I am glad to step away and move on to the next chapter of my life.  Please come out and join us if at all possible. Thanks!

Mountain Adventure

This past Saturday, my buddy Will and I went out to the Inland Empire to visit the area we both lived at for several years and also went up into the mountains to Lake Arrowhead and also Big Bear Lake.  We basically wanted to get out of the city to clear our mins and lungs with some beautiful scenery as well as enjoy some fresh, crisp air.  It was a beautiful day up there, but after we grabbed some lunch (and slightly over ate), we both were ready for a nap. I guess we are getting old.  Anyways, we never really got to go to any of the places I wanted to visit, so we will be making another journey out that way soon and we will drive Linus out there.  That will give us an opportunity to grab a nap when the mood hit us.  Linus needs to get some more mountain climbing experience since I have only driven him up Mt Baldy once.  Maybe just before Christmas we will venture out there once again.

Famous Quotes and Words of Wisdom

Snoopy’s 8 Steps to Happiness

Think Less, Feel More

Frown Less, Smile More

Talk Less, Listen More

Judge Less, Accept More

Watch Less, Do More

Complain Less, Appreciate More

Fear Less, Love More

Bark Less, Wag More

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Snoopy always says, Bark Less, Wag more!

Until Next Time… Be Good!

- cb

Friday, November 14, 2014

For What It’s Worth                                                                   - 47 Days and Counting Down

Auto Body Repairs

Recently I came out of a shopping mall and discovered a dent in my right rear wheelwell on my Porsche 911 Carrera.  My baby that I keep in tip top shape had taken a direct hit which was estimated to be about $2000 worth of damage repairs.  Unfortunately it is a unibody type of vehicle and it was not an option to get a new fender, so needless to say I was not a very happy camper about the entire situation.  It is scheduled to be completed today, so I can go inspect it and pick it up and take it back home to be bedded down in it’s garage. I hope they did some good work because I am pretty picky when it comes to these kind of things and I will be doing a thorough Quality Assurance inspection prior to me taking it home.  Let’s keep our fingers crossed that it all comes out okay and I am happy with the work completed.

Weather and the Autumn Season

It rained again here last night, but not as heavy as the other night.  I believe we have only had two days of rain for as long as I can remember this year.  That has been really good for me since I have been riding my bicycle most everyday to and from work for my daily exercise.  The outside temperature has also dropped from the high 80’s down to the comfortable lower 70s and below, which is nice.  We don’t get much of an autumn season here in Southern California, so the cooler weather is a welcomed change for us.  We usually go up to the base of the mountains to the Oak Glen area, which is full of apple orchards and deciduous trees, so we can enjoy the beauty of all of the autumn colors.  We hope to be in the New England area next year to enjoy the color palette there since I have heard so much about it all my life.  I have also heard that the automobile traffic there is quite heavy at that time, so maybe we need to find a way of avoiding all of the traffic.  Anyone who has any good suggestions, we definitely welcome your input.

Famous Quotes and Words of Wisdom

Always hold the door open for a lady.  

Not because she is a lady, but because you are a gentleman.

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As Snoopy always says, Bark Less and Wag More!

Until next time… Be Good!

- cb