Finally Getting Things Done

Its been an interesting week so far. Last Wednesday, I took an exam for school; visited the mall, saw a movie and updated/played on my archos. My laptop now is strictly used for school and major typing assignments. I use the archos 101 for games, entertainment, ebooks, general web searches, news and movies. My Sony mp3 player is pretty nifty.

I forgot how much I missed FM radio until I started playing this one. It's nice listening to NPR and public radio programs as well as modern Christian music (Tucson the Air and in Toledo there is KLOVE and 89.3) and old bluegrass shows on country channels. And on occasion I enjoy some songs in Spanish which has taught me a few words in Spanish besides the residents of Tucson in general conversation (things like going to the laundry mat or going out to eat for a green chile burrito).

When you live in a van in the desert parked in someones yard, having background noise and listening to the news makes life a little more normal. That's one thing in house dwelling I missed was reading the paper and not having a second battery made the little life in my laptop very limited. But now that I have the archos, I can enjoy a big colorful touch screen to see the news and play games or read an ebook before bed. Some say its a complete waste of money for the technological goodies, but the battery life and thus portability of these objects makes them like mini communication devices to the world I left behind. There are days I really miss that world, a normal job, an apt AND a van to choose from and my pets.

But I am getting a degree that will hopefully allow me to get a better paying job and allow some personal growth time. It's kind of crazy really, sleeping in a van every night, communing with like minds, and playing with everyone elses pets in an attempt to deal with the hole that my cats belong in.

So I am looking at both rental options that are affordable and campgrounds that are reasonably priced which is next weeks little quest after finals on Tuesday. My plan is on the 15th to have a rental room and by Christmas to have my cats here. I had planned on an RV but the funds just aren't there. The trip here was expensive in gas alone and that's going to take some time to build back up. Plus I ventured to Phoenix but car troubles will take some time to deal with.

And so now its a slightly awkward situation but not a bad one. Today we had dinner with my hosts neighbor, I played with the dogs and engaged in study for exams. Tomorrow is pretty much the same. And Monday is pay day for the month so the fun begins.

Anyways, the battery on my laptop is going to die and after many hours of studying, its time to get to a game of jewels on the archos.

whats happening now

So things have been pretty quiet around here. I am getting ready to move my parking spot to a place closer to school. Right now I am 45 miles from city limits so I drive toward the city and take the bus. There is only a 15 minute difference and I don't have to drive at night this way which is good because I don't like driving at night in the mountains. I found one potential spot and if not I may have to get a room because gas is to expensive this way and for 37 dollars I would be able to do my errands. I prefer the van as my bedroom. It keeps the clutter to a mimimum and now that the weather is cooling off, Ajah is a possibility. I am still working out the dynamics. But thats a bit out as its to hot to ship her and I have to go home to get her because she needs a health certificate and specific crate. In my absence my other girl has gone more feral and will be rehomed so I just have one cat. Two just won't work in my small van and towing isn't an option right now. I dont want to put anymore strain on my van than it has and finances dictate staying as is for right now. So far I have been vandwelling for almost 2 months. Its crazy really but its been fun. Time wiill tell if the van or a room win out considering proximity to school and the cat.
In other news I am in a coffee shop charging my tablet and cell phone, checking email and typing this. Then its back on the bus to school for my first exam. Then 2 more on monday and tuesday. Its been a slightly stressful week with trying to find living space for now, dealing with drama and general life. Next semester I am taking 2 classes online and 2 in person. Not being particularly thrilled with the one I just took online, I have high hopes this semester will be better. There are two classes I need for my major and 2 general required classes so I will feel more balanced. I took regular classes this semester which was the final of being a freshmen so effective august I will be a sophomore and then 3 more a junior and you get the idea.

religious differences explained for those who asked

I am not going to get into my own personal details here. Instead Iam going to gice a clear guide on the differences between those who practice monotheism vs polytheism. Monotheism is the Jewish based faiths. Those are Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Monotheism teaches in one all powerful suoreme being that requires people to be happy to suffer. It is a very personalized relatioship with rules, regulations and without room for compromise. Those historically who disagree with their way of thinking do not fare well.
polytheism is the belief in more than one God creating complex family units that form nuclear family structures. There has been a revitalism in the poly faiths ranging from Kimetic worship of the ancient Egyptian Gods, to hellenistic reconstructionism, to the Roman traditions dubbed the Cultorum Deorum Romanorum or the Religio Romana. There is also Wicca, witchcraft, shamenism faiths and the totem worship. The reconstruction faiths are dubbed subsets of Neo Paganism. There has been some debate within the communities on what to call paganism as it was created with a negative connotation for those that follow the poly faiths. Also, polytheism does not deny other nations and their gods. Somany follow more than one tradition. For example, Druids worship the earth and Roman faith is based on virtue so following a Celt Roman tradition is nkr entirely unheard of. I practice interfaith dialog and beleive the anger over crazy cults has put a bad spin on polytheism so hopefully this blurb will make the world a little more enlightened over this subject and help stop the dangerous stereotypes that come from one group being misinformed about another.

It is important to understand that grown adults are practicing traditions over 2000 years old and raising their children this way. The traditions of old are well and good. So before someone judges another please make sure you are acting out fully informed. If we allknow the basics of our neighbor, then we will likely be able to make informed decisions on things like national national security.

its been a while apparently

I have written several updates from my phone but apparently my phone has decided otherwise. So I will attempt to do a brief update here. I am still in the Tucson area for another semester so it looks like. My van has water mixing with the oil and the engine is knocking again. I went to phoenix last weekend and it went well. I met some friends, and explored the area. The van was awesome on my five day excursion. Then I got an interview, the van overheated and didn't do well with the steep grades. I drove back slowly and the brake max in Catalina AZ gace me the bad news. I am now staying in this van for now and will be looking for a b or c in the near future.

I was going to move to phoenix but it just wasn't in the fates at this point. That will be forthcoming and then nm but that has to wait until the timing is right. I met some fellow citizens of NovaRoma in Phoenix, attended a cat show, did some hiking and all was good. Also, I graduate Dec 2013 and time is really flyong. There are just more resources pyhsically and spiritually in phoenix but this isn't a bad situation either.

I am almost through lost the series with my housemate and we started dirty sexy money as well. Before the van pulled its latest number I ordered an archos 101 tablet from ebay and downloaded the marketplace which is what I am typing to you from now. Its been wonderful so far for the two days I have had it. It won't replace my netbook as I had hoped but it does do a lot so i get to enjoy the battery life and portability of this device. I also bought a sony walkman media player that is 8 gig. So now in addition to the netbook and cell, i have more entertainment options. Battery life was my biggest issue now solved.
So there is update and the two cats are still doing well at dads.