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.

Well, I returned the serpenntine belt today and they credited back to my account but I can't find my debit card. Let me tell you, that's bad. Tomorrow will be another rip the van apart. The only blessing of not owning much is that there isn't many places to look. I remember taking it out of the usual spot and can't remember for the life of me where it went.
Its still another week until I get paid. This is painful and we shall see what plans work out. I am blooming broke without many options. I am now ahead on my homework, some moreso than others. We shall see how that works out as well.

A pic of Texas Canyon, AZ outside of Benson AZ and the above pic is a field in CO. I took some more and thank you to my readers for patience. My internet signal is normally weak and my phone says it sends pics to my blog but it hasn't worked yet. I have also spent a good deal of time on schoolwork and studying.

I have been staying northeast of Tucson between Tucson and Globe. Apparently Oracle (which I am staying near) is the 2nd most dangerous drive according to my host who has been awesome. Still waiting on my VA to come through, they say July it starts coming in and I can't wait. And of course I can't find my debit card at the moment.

Anyways, there is an awesome bagel shop in Oro Valley AZ called Einstein Brothers. If you get a chance to eat here, enjoy. They have great customer service, are part of the Starbucks drive through and the place in a great environment with 1 dollar bagels. I added honey to my wheat today and had some pb crackers this morning. The numbers are in, since becoming veg, I have lost 13 lbs so far that have stayed off. Keep in mind the numbers vary, but that's without much other effort. I am hoping to start training for a marathon after a working gig in MT and then start school again in Jan.

So I drive in to the outer north edge of Oro Valley to get on the bus (one of the best in the nation) and ride to school from there. A day pass is 3 dollars and I do it one to two times a week. With traffic and gas and wear and tear plus no AC in my van and the sensor telling the radiator fan being non functional, its nice to not have to worry about overheating. Once I get my money, the van gets fixed and then I am debating between getting a trailer now or waiting until after I get done in MT so I have more money and the MT drive won't have the gas mileage loss.

I think the trailer so its not tied to mechanical repairs wins, I can keep my current van and have a nice home for me and the cats that can be parked but I like front to back access so a bigger conversion van is also a consideration. Whatever I choose must have AC, heat and room for me and the cats whom I miss.

After being homeless for a week and dealing with the constant stress of parking, I am now good to go staying an hour north of tucson. I attempted to go to school but the traffic was too much for my van, she started to overheat so I found a park and ride that is much closer. And for a three dollar day pass is easier on the wallet. The time takes about the same either way but I can do my errands all day.
Last night I went to class and got some work done but before I drive back north, I wanted another day to actually get ahead and focus. So I parked close to my ride park spot and got another day pass.
Hopefully today I can get a full day in and get caught up with my homework. I got last weeks done and it took me 2 hours. 4 hours today and I will have next weeks done.
Vandwelling has its benefits. I was able to park, ride the bus, sleep, wake up and get on the bus today. I didn't have to drive back to the Boondocks and waste my gas.
I also love sprouts and got some tofurkey and vegan ice cream which has lasted me today and yesterday thankfully. One lesson, don't drink diet coke before bed. It makes for an mp3 late night lol