• electrical: done
• roofing: done
• heating: done
• arborist: hired and in progress
• carpentry: install attic stairs
• painting: in progress
• decorating: decided to do it myself

Last night, around midnight, this happened… it sounded like an explosion out back.

I had just called the dogs in 5 second earlier, they were going nuts, guess they knew the tree was giving way.

Tree guy came out this morning, then pointed at the tree out front and asked me when I was going to stop fooling myself and remove the zombie oak next to the driveway. He’s right.

Drove up to SF to talk to the tree guys up there that I was scheduled to meet. Removing a blighted Willow in the back yard and dealing with the Sycamore up front and the neighbor’s tree that is trying to kill it.

The tree guy said, “Wow, what a beautiful Acacia!” (it’s 70 years old and at least 70 feet tall)… stares at it a second and says… “oh fuck. pardon my french… take a look at that.” I look and notice that about 30 feet up, there’s an 18 inch crack where one of the main branches is about to break.  If it goes, it will take out the back yard in 4 neighborhood houses.  We can’t cut just one limb, it looks like the tree won’t really be salvageable (horribly off balance), so it is probably going to get murdered too.

In case you weren’t aware, I happen to love trees, that was a main deciding factor for both houses, and both of them are getting denuded.

If you are a tree, for your own sake, stay away from me today.

Todo:

• electrical: ground/replace parlor outlet, add office outlet, add tv wall outlet (tomorrow)
• roofing: new tar roof, eyebrow vents, fix flashing (next week)
• carpenter: finish patching walls, attic ladder, bracing for tv, finish attic insulation (next week)
• flooring: refinish hardwood floors (still need to pick stain color)
• heating: final inspection
• painting: color selection, paint and seal exterior, paint interior, stain deck
• select a hot tub under deck, investigate moisture damage possibility for deck
• electrical part 2: service upgrade, Tesla charger (220/70a), power for hot tub
• get an arborist out to look at trees up front
• webcam and water cannon to shoot neighbor when he throws shit in my driveway

Unfortunately, most of the users seem to be from Oregon, so if you’re a Californian, get busy!  I’ve posted my favorites/recent trips.

• throttle lock (poor man’s cruise control so I can rest my right hand)
• sheepskin seat cover (mexico was hard on my ass, this weekend wasn’t so bad…)
• tail tidy (make the bike look clean when all the bags aren’t on)
• sw-motech bracket and a Givi E52 topcase (some real storage on the bike)
• a new tankbag (even more storage)
• ram mount for my old garmin gps for navigation

I just ordered a butt pad for the seat, throttle locks, and a new rack for a top-case, all things I could have used for the Mexico trip… but they won’t be here in time for this next trip. 800 miles on the bike for a couple of days in the dust… why am I even considering this?

proposed packing list:

• water, 2gal/day (Jezz & Jess bringing up)
• dehydrated food in a bag / MREs
• energy bars
• trail mix
• tent + footprint
• sleeping bag
• tiny sleeping bag pad
• 1 pair army pants
• 2-3 t-shirts
• 3-4 shorts
• 4-6 pair socks
• dust mask
• goggles
• hat
• sarong
• sweatshirt
• sandles
• riding pants (no liners)
• riding jacket (no liners)
• sunglasses
• phone
• ipod + headphones, book?
• toiletries bag & drugs
• solar charger
• headlamp
• suntan lotion
• chapstick
• flat fixer
• tool kit
• camelback? (ugh)
• garbage bag
• ziplock bags
• camping silverware & plate
• naglene bottle or other mug for drinks
• first aid kit (tiny)
• small baby wipes
• hand/foot lotion
• vinegar

Nice to have if taking something bigger than bike…

• rebar tent stakes, and hammer, and puller
• camp chair
• coffee
• booze & lots of beer
• camp stove & mess kit
• ice chest & ice
• duct tape
• solar shower
• more shade
• gps
• ham & frs radios

Entry update post-trip:

We are now the proud owners of a 125 year old Victorian near Duboce Park.

This time, I really want to do things right, so if you can personally reccomend an outstanding interior designer, please let me know. I’m looking for an eclectic theme, somewhat minimalist, with elements of both modern and contemporary style, but not something that’s going to look horribly dated. Probably impossible, but I can wish…

However, she has yet to learn that wise and crafty adults prey upon the talent of the young, so I have stolen her insight before she could get around to getting a copyright on her sacred doctrine. fnord. xenu.

What can you say about chocolate covered manhole covers?