quote Originally posted by Boondawg: i'm trying to figure out how to buy a ripe piece of fruit.

Dawg, I hate to break this to you, your in the wrong town, you need to be in San Fransisco.

Joe

Woot, page two ownage!!!

[This message has been edited by motoracer838 (edited 07-03-2010).]

Went up the other side yesterday:

When you get to the Yoncalla Oregon exit--by Rice Hill, just past Drain, look out the right side and wave at my inlaws. He owns a gunshop near the freeway and has more goodies than Santa Claus. We're moving there when our house sells. Want to buy a house on five acres in the Colorado boonies, Boonie?

Edit: Never mind, I saw your coast route. Bring a camera and some warm clothes. It is cold there and the wind never seems to stop.

[This message has been edited by starlightcoupe (edited 07-06-2010).]

I've got in-laws just south of Salem, in Turner, OR, Boonie...you can honk and wave at them, too. In fact, you could probably stop by and chew the fat with my brother in law. He's lived up in Alaska several times.....you'd have something in common.

I see you are heading through Coos Bay.

Fond memories from a camping trip there.

My friends and I went on a trip all around the state but spent a lot of time near Coos Bay. Mostly camping and skiing at Ten Miles lakes.
We were a bunch of dumb krazy kids.

There is a bridge separating lakes about 60 feet tall. That was a great jumping point. If it is hot out I am sure you will see people on the rail waiting their turn to take the plunge.
Even the ducks were fun. We ran out of gas moving between lakes and had to paddle. About 8 or 9 ducks decided to swim next to us and have a race. They are serious about their swimming and we didn't want to get shown up by ducks so we paddled hard. We would have beat them if they hadn't cheated several times. They jumped on beach and would run to get ahead then jump back in the water out in front. Ducks have no sense of fair play.
Tons of really nice camp sites. Great coves for setting up camp and a number of bathrooms with hot showers.

There are a few places to rent a buggy and play on the dunes. I highly recommend this. Super fun stuff. Get a two seater.
In the evening we would drive out the coast and mess around wait for the sunset then have copious amounts of sex and alcohol (no booze for me) on the beach around bonfires.

SO many stories and good times had out there. The locals were great. The bars in town were a blast. There was a good presence of law enforcement but they didn't hassle you unless you were drunk and causing problems. Being drunk wasn't a problem though.

One evening we ran late and got to the beach but missed the sunset on the water. The goofy girl I was with said "no problem we can just wait for it to come back over the water in the morning" I had something else on my mind so I didn't bother to explain to her the sun doesn't come up and go down in the same spot. She had other attributes that didn't require her to be that bright.

So unless things have changed I suggest taking a minute and check out the area. Maybe go see a sunset on the beach.

So when are you going to make it down to the US?

I made it down the Oregon coast to Waldsport.
The view of the water from the hotel we reserved was distant and just so calm, that I thought I would go into a coma.

So I bailed & drove all the way back up the coast untill I seen some waves in Lincoln City, and I just felt SO connected to what I was seeing, hearing, & feeling, that I sweet-talked a woman at a really nice place called Cozy Cove to give me a 3rd floor deluxe suite with full kitchen, bedroom, & fireplace, right on the beach of some loud-crashing semi-rough water for 4 days for $500!
An elevator right outside my door takes me right to the beach.

Here is the view from my deck:


The bill WOULD have been $800, but my Alaskan charms seem to got some ways round these parts.
I got free Blackberry Cobbler a'la mode yesterday!

I'd stay right here if I could find work.......................

[This message has been edited by Boondawg (edited 07-08-2010).]

Welcome to Washington (albeit late) sorry I hadn't paid the heating bill yet so summer was delayed. I'm paid up now so the heat is turned back on, but you went further south :/

If you're lookin' for some good food and fun times, at the end of the month is the Seattle Highland Games down in Enumclaw: http://www.sshga.org/
Tasty tasty haggis...

Speaking of the games I need to hit up the utilikilt store in Seattle...

Anyway, glad you made it, it's only going to get hotter from here on out. For a couple weeks.

The Wife & I being in love:
P.S. Those are our 'HD Vision Glasses".
As Seen On TV!
They really work, kinda.........




Even though I couldn't afford it, and could be called totally irresponsable, I bought a really big 9 foot wingspan $100.00 kite. It is an intermediate skill-level kite called The Wilson Wing - Golden Eagle, with 6 different flight adjustments, and a real test of analytical thinking to get it adjusted just right for your current flight conditions. Once airborne, it is visually quite impressive.

[This message has been edited by Boondawg (edited 07-09-2010).]

Awesome! The OR coast is some of the most beautiful pristine coastline in America! I love Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock, Ecola State Park, and Tillamook (Mmmmm cheeeeeessseeee).

That kite looks like fun! What possessed you to pick it up?

You need to visit the Willamette valley... Eugene in particular. I think you'd love it.

I remember making the trips out to Florence every other week. Fun times. I miss the area, and the people.

quote Originally posted by Flamberge: That kite looks like fun! What possessed you to pick it up?

A question for the ages................what posseses me to do anything I do?

I have always been obsessed with flight, RC'ed most my life, and when you are on a beach faced with wind, thoughts of flight fill the mind again, I guess.
No way should I be spending my money that way, though.
As it is with others that are aware I exsist, I fear I'll never understand me.

[This message has been edited by Boondawg (edited 07-09-2010).]

Last night on Lincoln Beach.
Time to move inland & find a job.

Boonie--from a consumer standpoint--a suggestion.
When you pass thru a small town--one you like--look for little computer repair shops and see if they need any help. Our little town has 1--that's it, and the guy has waaay more work than he can handle. I suspect other little backwater towns are about the same. 90% of his work is just wiping the HD and reinstalling the OS due to spyware/malware infections and he still can't keep up.
If you can swing it, open your own little place.

quote Originally posted by maryjane: Boonie--from a consumer standpoint--a suggestion. When you pass thru a small town--one you like--look for little computer repair shops and see if they need any help. Our little town has 1--that's it, and the guy has waaay more work than he can handle. I suspect other little backwater towns are about the same. 90% of his work is just wiping the HD and reinstalling the OS due to spyware/malware infections and he still can't keep up. If you can swing it, open your own little place.

I hadn't thought about little-town computer work.
Thanx!

quote Originally posted by Boondawg: I hadn't thought about little-town computer work. Thanx!

I second ryanhess's recommendation to check out the Willamette Valley. You'd be close enough to the coast and be in beautiful country. Eugene, to me, is not the place to go and Don is totally right about computer work in small towns. You can put an ad on craigslist or run an ad in one of the little local weekly papers and probably get all the business you want or don't want. Rent is cheap and living is laid back. If you want a gun go to Ben's Gun Shop in Yoncalla but watch out for that old Korean War Marine father in law of mine. Great guy. He knows everyone from Roseburg to Portland. Don't tell him I sent yu. Just kidding.

quote Originally posted by maryjane: Boonie--from a consumer standpoint--a suggestion. When you pass thru a small town--one you like--look for little computer repair shops and see if they need any help. Our little town has 1--that's it, and the guy has waaay more work than he can handle. I suspect other little backwater towns are about the same. 90% of his work is just wiping the HD and reinstalling the OS due to spyware/malware infections and he still can't keep up. If you can swing it, open your own little place.

Hell, that's almost got me convinced to do that

I got my first employment rejection in 25 years:

Dear Don,

Thank you for your interest in the Maintenance Mechanic position. At this time you have not been selected as a finalist for the position. However, we would like to keep your information on file with Express Specialized Recruiting Group so that you may be considered for future searches.

Companies throughout the Pacific Northwest retain Express Specialized Recruiting Group to search for qualified candidates for their open positions. Often, these positions are highly specialized and require significant industry or position experience.

Express Specialized Recruiting Group keeps all information strictly confidential. Your information is not passed along to our clients without us first contacting you for your permission. Likewise, references and past employers are not contacted without your consent. Resumes and personal data are retained for three years. If during that time, we are retained to conduct a search for a candidate with your skill set, we will contact you.

Again, thank you for your interest in the position and Express Specialized Recruiting Group. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to give me a call. We wish you great success with your career.

Sincerely,
XXXX XXXXXXX
Contract & Search Specialist


Ahh, to forget the pleasure of being told you are not wanted.
There will be more, i'm sure.
You gotta' crack a lotta' eggs to.........................what the hell does that mean, anyway?

Oh well, I am, and always will be, still pushing forward.

quote Originally posted by Boondawg: I got my first employment rejection in 25 years:

Well they missed out.

If I am wrong about this, I will feel like a fool....didn't you say you worked at a bowling alley for 20-some years? If so, might I recommend this:
http://www.seabowl.com/

Of course you will have to like the California coast and the sun, beaches, occasional fog.....the alley is about 500ft from the ocean

quote Originally posted by Boondawg: You gotta' crack a lotta' eggs to.........................what the hell does that mean, anyway?

It means you better have a lot of chickens.

quote Originally posted by IMSA GT: If I am wrong about this, I will feel like a fool....didn't you say you worked at a bowling alley for 20-some years? If so, might I recommend this: http://www.seabowl.com/ Of course you will have to like the California coast and the sun, beaches, occasional fog.....the alley is about 500ft from the ocean

And they would need to be without a head mechanic and looking to hire a new one, have AMF machines, be full time, and pay a wage that could match the cost of living anywhere near there.............

I'm emailing them as we speak to find all that out.
Thanks for the lead!

quote Originally posted by DougC: Hell, that's almost got me convinced to do that

When I lived in San Angelo (1998-2006) it was the same way-1 computer repair shop, and San Angelo was not a smal town.
The guy here in Cleveland is self taught--has a little dinky shop on the corner of a conveinence store parking lot. Building is about 15X25--used to be a drive thru snowcone shop, and I've never been in there he didn't have 20-30 computers on the floor waiting to be fixed or picked up. Told me he makes about $400-$500-$600/day 5 days/wk and I believe it. No business accounts--no warranty work--no house calls. 1 work bench--a tiny bathroom. He doesn't sell software or new computers--just his labor and knowledge. A really nice guy too. I wish I knew enough to do it myself but that ain't gonna happen.

Ever thought about being a farrier? I know it's not easy to make such career changes but, here in KY farriers make a pretty good living if their good.

Ron

quote Originally posted by starlightcoupe: ..clip...Eugene, to me, is not the place to go ...clip

I'll second that after spending a year there. The University is there but the rest of the town is dying. There is the largest collection of homeless people I've seen in Oregon. Pot is everywhere if that's what you want but it's depressing to see the wasted humanity. Bums with signs on every corner. Streets are rutted and falling apart and no one cares. Next door is Springfield, a town which may actually have a future.

Compare Eugene to Corvalis (Oregon State) and it's like night and day.

Another tip about Oregon: Outside of Portland and Eugene, the State is very conservative but the majority of voters live in the Portland area which is very liberal.

quote Originally posted by blackrams: Ever thought about being a farrier? I know it's not easy to make such career changes but, here in KY farriers make a pretty good living if their good. Ron

Hmm. I've never met a farrier that didn't either limp, have sore ribs, or an obviously once-upon-a-time broken nose.

[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 07-11-2010).]

quote Originally posted by maryjane: Hmm. I've never met a farrier that didn't either limp, have sore ribs, or an obviously once-upon-a-time broken nose.

I've already GOT all that!
I guess i'm a "Farmer without a crop".........

[This message has been edited by Boondawg (edited 07-11-2010).]

quote Originally posted by maryjane: Hmm. I've never met a farrier that didn't either limp, have sore ribs, or an obviously once-upon-a-time broken nose.

Most of them were married I'll bet.

Ron

I was bored & thirsty in Springfield, Or.
I went to Chuckezcheeze next door to play the only videogames I could find near-by.
I was only allowed 1 beer an hour.
I then went next door to Sizzler (no such thing in Alaska).
I was allowed all the the beer I wanted to order.
Dinner ended up being a cube of steak and liquid sides for $98.00 all told.

Viva la' Contiguous United States!

quote Originally posted by Boondawg: I was bored & thirsty in Springfield, Or. I went to Chuckezcheeze next door to play the only videogames I could find near-by. I was only allowed 1 beer an hour. I then went next door to Sizzler (no such thing in Alaska). I was allowed all the the beer I wanted to order. Dinner ended up being a cube of steak and liquid sides for $98.00 all told. Viva la' Contiguous United States!

Could have spent 25% that in my back yard and I wouldn't care if you passed out on the lawn furniture.

quote Originally posted by Boondawg: I was bored & thirsty in Springfield, Or. I went to Chuckezcheeze next door to play the only videogames I could find near-by. I was only allowed 1 beer an hour. I then went next door to Sizzler (no such thing in Alaska). I was allowed all the the beer I wanted to order. Dinner ended up being a cube of steak and liquid sides for $98.00 all told. Viva la' Contiguous United States!

I spent many hours in that Chuck E Cheese (not by choice). After a few months of being there once or twice a week I never want to see the inside of one of those places again.

Be careful not to catch Duck fever while in Eugene/Springfield!

[This message has been edited by spark1 (edited 07-12-2010).]

quote Originally posted by blackrams: Ever thought about being a farrier? I know it's not easy to make such career changes but, here in KY farriers make a pretty good living if their good. Ron

I was talking to a lady who has horses and they get re shoed every five weeks to the tune of $130 and she gets a deal as the new rate is $150. Sounds like a good paying job albeit a hard one.

quote Originally posted by maryjane: Hmm. I've never met a farrier that didn't either limp, have sore ribs, or an obviously once-upon-a-time broken nose.

Our old farrier was like that, but he had some great stories. He has since retired and the new guy is injury free, but he's only been at this for a few years.

------------------
1986 SE 350 V8

I am on the final leg of my journey today, Portland, Oregon.
I will be there checking out the situation, then back to somewhere close-into Seattle, where I am fairly certain there is some level of work there for me.
May have to take whatever I can get (outside my field & paygrade), then climb up from there.
Gonna have to start bringing in some cash soon.........the wife is starting to reject my "advances".

That's like "Goose" refusing to let "Maverick" buzz the tower.
That sh!t will get you an "EJECT EJECT EJECT" when i'm feeling The Need, The Need For Speed!
Besides, I need to stop renting old Hotel movies.

In times like these, frugality is a virtue for sure. Take anything, but not a job so far below your paygrade/abilities that it bodes badly on any future job application. fer instance--don't take a job as a rainmaker in the Pac NW.

I saw a help wanted sign in the window of a pizza place in Wilsonville yesterday. Not much but it's the first sign like that I've seen in a long time.

Check the "CPOL" (Google Army jobs ) websie for DOD jobs--they may have pinsetter mechanic jobs at Ft Lewis?Mcchord JFB in Tacoma. It could be a new start but the pay may not be all that great.

Also dont forget "Express personnel services" and like temporary agencies. You can get temporary work, and the agency can and will keep you as busy with work as you can stand.

Boeing may have a hiring period soon also with the imminent ramp up of production for the 747-8i and the subject of my avatar, the 787-8 and 9.

Finally, if you havent done so already, file for unemployment asap. Remember the business went under, so its not like you quit work. its your benefit, use it.

[This message has been edited by htexans1 (edited 07-14-2010).]

Back to the fruit quality issue. I have been spoiled by great off the plant fruits and berries. Washington have apples, just maybe not yet, check for blackberries or blue berries. The CA central valley is really fruiting up now, pretty much past cherry season. On the I5, you can find signs, pick your own ***** fruit best prices. Stop by here, blackberries and a couple types of plums. Sister in law, apricots. Straight off the tree is so different. We had a pear one year that was so good, my wife and I were heading different directions, stopped and turned and said at the same time, "Oh my god!". It was that good.

I brought a tropical guava to work(picked from my yard), my co-worker turned off his phone and and stopped talking for about 5 minutes. He said he was sure that he died and went to heaven.
http://s6.photobucket.com/a...current=DSCN1666.jpg

There is work, you can find it. Is your group 4 people that you are traveling with?