RULES NEVER HURT

Over the past 60 years or so, I have listened to good advice, learned from my own mistakes and developed my own philosophy that serves me pretty well in the navigation of this strange planet we inhabit. The important aspects, high points and sometimes obvious danger signs are sometimes hard to remember or apply when necessary. So, I have delineated these principals into a list of rules for surviving, mostly to make them easier to remember, but also so I can pull them out easily when I feel my friends and acquaintances need a little help getting their shit together.

This list is by no means complete and I reserve the right to add, subtract or edit as I see fit. I do own the copyright, after all.  

DESERT MADNESS RULES FOR SURVIVAL

1. You can't get in trouble for keeping your mouth shut.
2. A convincing lie always sounds better than the truth.
3. A full glass is always preferable to one half full or half empty
4. Never make a promise you can't keep.
5. Anybody that lies to you will steal from you.
6. Do the objectionable tasks first, your day will go easier.
7. Always trust your instincts.
8. Do it right the first time, you may not get a second chance.
9. Never go anyplace without a knife.
10. Always have a friend you can share dark secrets with.
11. Mistakes made out of enthusiasm are forgivable, mistakes made out of indifference aren't.
12. Be prepared for anything, philosophically and logistically.
13. Always try to anticipate what will happen next.
14. Keep your vehicles fuel tank above 1/2.
15. A witch hunt usually turns up a witch.
16. Keep a week’s worth of food and water safe and accessible.
17. Always have a $100 bill hide out in your wallet.
18. Your conscience is the smart part of your brain trying to protect you from yourself.
19. If you need something, ask for it.
20. Keep your life in order and your tools clean and sharp.
21. Always play 2 moves ahead.
22. Whatever happens, let them think you planned it that way.
23. Always do your best. Demand the best from others.
24. If you expect to be disappointed, you probably will be.
25. Surprises are good for your birthday but not for much else.
26. At some point preparation can't be improved. It's time for action.
27. Fear must be a motivator, not a hindrance.
28. Honesty is the best policy, but if you must lie, make it very specific and memorable..

Seldom seen at the Blog site...

But here I am anyway. Its been just a year since my second knee replacement. The second one didn't go quite as easily as the first one and in spite of the fact that I was back to work after 6 months after the first one, I'm not anxious to go back to work on a regular basis. Maybe because I'm older, a little fatter, but mostly I think its because the old body is wearing out here and there. I guess that's why they have retirement.

Anyone that knows me will have a hard time getting used to the idea of me being retired. Now, they might not have a problem imagining me sitting on my ass, drinking imported beer and smoking nice cigars, but I can do that under any circumstances. Last time I visited here I wrote about my excitement over building a boat and finishing the conversion on my bus. Screw that. Too hot in the summer, too cold in the winter...too much painful effort. I'll get a 5th wheel trailer to pull behind my Ford F350 dually and find a nice marina to keep a pocket cruiser in. "But how will I pay for this?" you may ask.

I've always had guns, and back in my muzzle loader/mountain man days I built a few nice rifles. I've actually been gunsmithing all my life. When my stepdad was going deer hunting when I was 8, I learned how to strip his K98 Mauser, check for wear, clean and put back together. Same deal after the hunt.
So I invested in gunsmithing school. Painfully expensive but it will give me a career for my retirement and I can do just about all of it sitting down! I already had a job offer in case I don't feel like going to the trouble of an FFL and starting a business. Jury still out on that motion. There are 300 million guns in the US. Not that many gunsmiths. Get the idea?

So, we're in the middle of a sickening political season, but life remains good so far and we press onward.
Summer is about to come to a screeching halt. I've ordered my firewood (which 10 years ago I would have cut myself) and making room in the shop for large machine tools. I have acquired a 1931 South Bend lathe which I hope to be making shavings with very soon. Is that Desert Madness? Most assuredly.

Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him to fish and he will sit in a boat smoking cigars all day.

Spring Update

Well another 6 months has raced by since I last visited Desert Madness. Early this month my company terminated me, since our employee manual says they can if I've been off work for any reason for 6 months. While I did make a couple of efforts to return to work there was just too much damage to my knee and the pain was too distracting for me to continue test driving safely. My surgery was on Jan 14th and while I'm having good results with PT, my knee is basically too far gone for exercises to help much. My surgeon say when-not if, for a knee replacement. I'm wondering if Worker's Compensation will pick up the tab? Doubt it. I hope they make a fair settlement for dragging the process along so far that I lost my job as a result.

So, now I have some time on my hands. Desert Madness is sure to follow.

My objectives for the near term are:

Spring cleaning of the entire spread and reorganizing my workshop.

It has long been a dream of mine to build a wooden sailboat big enough to take out on the ocean for a little coastal cruising and to enjoy some of my favorite lakes in California. The first question is if I'm physically capable of pulling it off. So, I intend to build a less ambitious boat project. A 17 foot or so outboard using all the same techniques required for building the ideal boat will come into play. If I can build the smaller utility boat, I will at least then have a durable and usable boat for fishing and exploring (and later sale, perhaps). Then I'll start on my sailboat...If I live that long!

Ham radio projects:

I upgraded to General Class Amateur Radio operator last summer and am looking forward to making the final upgrade to Extra Class. So, my goal is to build a first class ham shack with DC to Daylight radio coverage and the ability to work all modes. Naturally, top shelf Ham gear is painfully expensive so judicious shopping, scrounging and home-brewing are all part of the mix. Of course then I'll be spending more time in the radio shack.

Bus conversion:

I bought a 40 foot transit bus (1975 Flxible Transit Coach) around the time my knees started failing, seems like so long ago, in 2004. I have much, much work to do on it. Next post we'll go over the bus in some detail. If you want Desert Madness I got your Desert Madness right here...

It's been a year...

Some blogger I turned out to be.
The end of September is looming, the days noticeably shorter, occasional glimpses of autumn which is officially here though summer is still in charge for a few more days. One of my greatest pleasures from living in the desert is Summer thunderstorms. There have been a couple visible across the landscape in the past few months but no actual rain here at the compound.
I hurt myself at work last June. Twisted an already somewhat compromised knee and had to take 3 months off of work. Thankfully, I had disability insurance to fall back on. Not enough to get rich on but sufficient to keep my habits supported (cell phone, internet, electricity, food, you know...).
I did manage to take my annual fishing trip to Lee Vining in the high Sierras in July. Fishing was pretty good but dragging around a banged up knee is no fun and no inducement to outdoor activities.
We took our annual September anniversary trip to Big Pine and spent a couple days around the Owen's valley prowling antique stores and yard sales. Relaxing but mostly boring...
Now I'm back at work. The knee is still sore but work has been tolerable so far. I'll go back to my surgeon in a couple weeks and see what is going to happen. The cortisone shot is still helping but it will soon wear off.
I am resolved to keep up on this blog more enthusiastically and so will be back with some more stories of Desert Madness.

Cure for desert madness?

People ask me this from time to time. What is the cure for desert madness?

I'm not sure there is actually a cure but there is an effective, if temporary antidote.

This is especially welcome when the normal temperature during daylight hours is well over 100° and seldom gets much below 80° even at night.

I confess that I lose patience for just about anything that causes any distraction from staying cool. I do have my method though...

Four days on trout water in the High Sierra. Yes, there is method to my madness.

Desert Madness.

No time to be a Doctor

While listening to the news about BHO's proposal to tax people who make a Million a year an extra 5.5% an ironic thought popped into my little mind.
Doctors are likely the largest group of working stiffs who regularly make a cool Mill (at least) every year (of course most are incorporated). So the extra tax on the doctors income will be the largest tax contribution to the health plan. If that ain't irony it is most certainly Desert Madness!

Blue Agave

This is what mescal and Tequila are made from. Desert Madness?
How could it not be?