Another Winter in Denver

It looks like I am making quarterly posts now. I have been mainstreamed for the past little while and it doesn't feel natural to blog about it.  I have been involved with a friend remodeling a couple of houses.  It has been very satisfying and has kept me pretty busy.  I have done an assortment of projects ranging from tiling backsplashes to refinishing hardwoods to installing drywall to painting and a various collection of smaller projects.  (Pics and vids to come soon)

I want to address Colorado weather to clear up any misconceptions out there. Colorado (specifically Denver) has the best weather of anywhere I have visited. There are four distinct seasons. Living on the bus I really enjoy the fall and spring due to the mild temperatures. Winter is cold, but not brutally so.  Yes there are days that the temps have dropped to single digits and there was snow around Halloween.  But for the most part temps have been around 60 during the day and a low around 30 at night.  Lately it has been a high of 50, with lows in the mid 20's. Not surprisingly, one easily gets acclimated to cooler temps fairly quickly. Perhaps it is the gradual shift in temps or the fact that we get a couple of really cold days (highs in the teens) that make barely freezing nights so tolerable.
I have made the bus as comfortable as I need.  I have become a seasoned veteran of cold weather living.  I know how to best optimize my heating sources and running my generator.  I have a steady income that allows me to eat out and purchase nice-to-haves. I have a car to get around town easily (although it is constantly on life support, it has been fairly reliable since I bought it in March.)  I have a smart phone again that simplifies life, with easy access to the web.  My internet card gives my laptop access to the internet anywhere I am.
Basically, life is good. Almost too good.  I fear I have become complacent and gone back to being mainstream. My pets keep me grounded and make traveling overnight without the bus an ordeal.  I love them without question, but they do hamper certain freedoms. Finding a reliable pet sitter would really free me to explore more frequently.
I miss having unusual stories to write about and challenges to post.  I vow to remedy this soon.  This blog isn't dead...just hibernating temporarily.

Getting back in the Groove

The past week and a half have been busy for me.  I celebrated the last hurrah of summer over Labor day weekend by going to Water World and playing copious amounts of volleyball.  

The group who made it so fun at Water World

Jen Sasser, the birthday girl

As soon as the 3 day weekend was over, my mom came into town for a week long visit.  I was able to show her the Denver that I have come to know over the past year. 

Up on Mount Evans

 Although she stayed in pet friendly hotels, we only felt comfortable walking Nala dog in.  Cat had to be smuggled in via duffel bag.

A few friends met us at the rooftop pool at the hotel to socialize.

Now it is time for me to get back into the groove of normal life.  Working and getting ready for cooler weather.  

Today, it is a high of 58, which is cold in comparison to the past week.  I broke out my space heater for the first time in 4 months.  And there is an unusual steady rain coming down that started last night and is expected to continue through tonight.  It seems this year we got more snow in the winter than rain in the Spring and Summer.  

I am catching up on neglected projects (editing Water World video, etc) while my pets are curled up sleeping on my bed.

Sick Pup

I have been having a busy summer. This week has been a little more low key. Nala, my 11 year old black lab, is sick. She has had the runs since Monday. It is now Friday and I am really concerned. Living on a bus is a tough environment for a dog with bathroom issues. Several times this week she has had 'accidents', always by the front door. Like she was trying to get as close to outside as possible.

Now I have to go work the weekend and I don't like having to worry about her well being. A few months ago, she had the opposite problem. She was all stopped up. Seems my little girl has some tummy issues. Right now, based on online advice, I'm putting her on a 24 hour fast and then fixing her a rice and boiled chicken dinner. If that doesn't work a visit to the vet will be my next step.

Pedicabbing Pics and video

I really am enjoying my alternative job riding a pedicab in Denver. There is always something going on and each night is unique. I have so many stories that it becomes difficult to recall them on demand. It can be strenuous on a busy night but that just means I am doing well. The Tim McGraw/Kenny Chesnee Stadium concert was particularly profitable for me. There are always interesting things happen all the time, Here is a clip showing me at Larimer square. Then I am peddling to the firworks show, finally, I find myself enjoying the grand finale, Here is a picture of 3 girls in my cab at 2:55am. There were 5 girls in there but we are waiting on the other 2 to get taco bell, since it is the only place open. The girl in the middle is the one who got me then added 4 other girls. They make the job fun.

Here are a line of pedicab drivers waiting outside Rockies baseball game.

Tubing in Colorado

I have much catching up to do.  Here is a start.  This is a video of a recent tubing trip friends and I took a month ago.

Guiding Principles

These are a few of the principles I live my life by.

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. You don’t have to win every argument.  Agree to disagree.
4. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
5. Don’t compare your life to others.  You have no idea what their journey is all about.
6.  Everything can change in the blink of an eye.  But don’t worry; God never blinks.
7. Take a deep breath.  It calms the mind.
8. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
9. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
10. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood.  But the second one is up to you and no one else.
11.  When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
12. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
13. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
14. Forgive everyone everything.
15. Time heals almost everything.  Give time.
16. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
17. Believe in miracles.
18. Don’t audit life.  Show up and make the most of it now.
19. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
20. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
21. The best is yet to come.

My Summer Job - Pedicabbing

I started working at a different job about a month and a half ago.  I have been giving rides around downtown Denver in a pedicab (bike rickshaw).  It was daunting at first.  Although, I have been in the area a year, I almost never went downtown.  Not the best place to drive the bus.  So I never learned the streets or landmarks.  This is crucial when it comes to offering cab services to people.  They expect that you know everything about downtown.  After much coaxing from a friend who was already doing it, I bit the bullet and applied.  My first day I was overwhelmed by my lack of knowledge of the roads but pep-talked my way through it.  My first ride was the biggest hurdle that got my confidence back on track.  Since then I have learned downtown pretty well.  I still can't give restaurant or bar reviews because I don't ever go in those places.
It is far and away the best job that I have had since I hit the road.  I am learning intimate details about the city I live in, every night is different, always interesting people to ride around, I am essentially paid to exercise and the money is stellar.  It may not be a typical resume building job but it is giving me exactly the experiences that I am looking for.  I make as much money in two nights as I did in a week at a salaried job.  I make my own hours, so I can enjoy life how I want.  The only two foreseeable downsides: it is kind of seasonal work and I usually work weekend nights (aka more profitable nights).
This past weekend there were two events in town, Pridefest (Gay and Lesbian festival) and Comic Con (Big conference for comic book fans).  That made for an interesting, fun weekend. For those who want to be in the know about the pedicab biz allow me to give you an insider's point of view.
Pedicabs are rented on a nightly basis- $25/weekday and $50/weekend, unless you get on a monthly basis, which is $330/mth and you get your own cab for the month.
To take a ride with me it will cost you $2 per block.  I am free to charge less if I want.  If you are a friend of mine I will be happy to take you for a free ride, especially if you are going downhill. :)
I have found that the hours that I make the most money are from 10pm til 2am (No bars can stay open beyond 2am, no private clubs, no exceptions).  There is a direct correlation between alcohol and how much I make an hour.  During those 4 hours, I probably average $50/hr, while actually peddling a fare 20 minutes of each hour.
Women who have been drinking are bold.  They freely give compliments on my calves and are not inhibited about encouraging me to go faster by smacking my butt.
People who give you a $100 or more for a ride are called Unicorns.  I had a guy a couple of weeks ago who would be classified as a double Unicorn.  He gave me $100 for 15 blocks (normally a $30 fare).  Then he had me take him around to a couple of bars and he had me come in and eat with him and offered me drinks, then gave me another $100.  The generosity of this guy wasn't limited to me.  He had me drive him around while he gave street performers and homeless people anywhere from $5-$20 each.
Karma exists...or the Golden Rule...pick your flavor.  Whatever you sacrifice (free rides, discounted rides, etc) will be repaid with more, usually the same night.
I probably pedal 30 miles or more on a given night.  I am giving rides for less than 5 miles of that.
I have carried up to 6 people, uphill in my cab.
There is one nightmare hill, called Cap Hill (short for Capitol Hill).  It causes my quads to spasm and twitch in a disconcerting rhythmic cadence.  Fortunately, the requests to go there are few.
I am privy to all the workings of late night life.  Rarely does a weekend go by that I don't witness at least one street fight and all sorts of random drama.
I am working on a picture/video montage to showcase this interesting side of life.  So until then, know that I am doing well.  I am left wanting for nothing.  I am perfectly content.

Pictorial and video update

I have to post because I vowed someone tonight that I would.  A pretty cool random meeting of someone keeps me accountable.  This will be a photo/video update.  I will write about the very interesting job activity that earns me money that I started about a month ago in my next post.
For now, check out the recap of some of the phone things I have gotten myself into.

At the summit of my Mt Elbert.  My 1st 14er.  Highest peak in Colorado, 2nd in continental US.  5/28/12

The following video was distorted by YouTube's 'fix shaky video' feature.  I plan on updated original again soon.  For now...

Fixing the bus tire that came off the rim.

I found myself...on Youtube

A while back I mentioned that I occasionally have people photograph the bus wherever it is parked.  I found this video on youtube from a guy who was interested in the bus.  I had forgotten about this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CELgMjzayOs 
As you can see, my interview skills weren't at my best.  Still pretty cool that someone thought the bus starting up was interesting enough to post.

Best Spring yet

Life has been grand.  Spring weather is fully here.  Heading out is no longer an exercise in layering multiple layers of clothes.  Shorts, T-shirts and flip flops have been moved to the front of the bus closet.  Volleyball games beckon.  Days are getting longer.  I enjoy the Denver weather.  The sometimes brutal cold of winter makes it a more profound change into the blissful days of Spring.  

The Trooper still likes to keep me on my toes.  I can't get complacent into taking it for granted.  At any given moment it may or may not decide to start.  Most of the times it does and most other times I have learned what tricks to pull out to get it running.  The other day it decided to challenge me further (I suspect it was onto my little work arounds).  It threw the power steering pump belt off the pulley after a particularly difficult starting session.  It did so while I was driving down the interstate.  Changing lanes required gripping the steering wheel firmly with both hands just to change lanes.  Making a right hard turn limbered up my arm and shoulder muscles for the volleyball game I was going to.  Parallel parking was turned into a 15 minute game of tug of war with the steering wheel.  After volleyball I returned to the crippled car and saw it was just a belt had been thrown and not my worst fear that the power steering pump had given up the ghost.  After a 45 minute street side repair, the steering was a one finger affair.  I love my Trooper but I don't trust it.  I travel with two toolboxes...just in case.  I'm glad I do.

Last night, we resumed our weekly poker game after 3 weeks of dormancy.  I celebrated by winning the tournament style game.  That $40 dollars will get me a half tank of gas in my car.  

I have not been as diligent with my camera lately.  I blame it on my somewhat normal, domestic lifestyle.  It isn't normal and I will be snapping more shots to add to my commentary.  

There is a group camping trip planned for Memorial day.  I am really looking forward to that.  I live for all the major summer holidays, and spending them outdoors in the majestic Rockies with good people is a slice of heaven for me.  

A comparison I can live with

Recently, someone told me I looked like the actor, Harrison Ford.  In fact, since being in Colorado, I have been told that several times.  All by people younger than 30.  I wasn't  flattered since the actor is 70 years old.  But when they clarified by showing me a picture of the actor from his 1981 starring role in Raiders of the Lost Ark, I was comforted to the point of cancelling my botox appointment.  Now to start shopping for a fedora.

My Trooper plays hard to get...running

Sorry I haven't written much lately.  I have been going non-stop.  The Trooper was a known project car but it has been more challenging that I expected.  I think, this time, I have it fixed and reliable.

The biggest problem from the start has been the cooling system.  In the beginning, it was because the accident (that happened prior to my ownership) had pushed the front end in causing the lower radiator hose to rub against a belt and get sawed almost in half.  I fixed that. A buddy of mine, Nathan, helped me pull the front end out of the motor by attaching a tow strap to my bumper and then to his truck.  At first he gently eased the tension.  When that didn't work, he put slack in the line and gunned his truck forward, essentially jerking my bumper out a half inch at a time.  It was funny to watch because it caused the whole Trooper to skid forward an inch with the tires giving out a little screech each time.  (it was in park and parking brake was on).  We put on a new hose and life was good again.  For awhile.
The repaired hose, unbeknowst to me, expanded when the engine heated up and rubbed against a pulley nut, grinding a hole into the new hose.  I had to replace the hose again.  It is a PITA job because the lower half of the hose is attached in a space that required me to sacrifice substantial amounts of knuckle skin and irrigated my eyes with dripping power steering fluid (from a leaky power steering pump) as I laid underneath the engine compartment. Also I had to twist my elbows and wrists in unnatural positions to move the ratchet just one click at a time.  Once I installed the hose I secured it with a tie strap to keep it from flexing into trouble areas.

I had a new muffler and tailpipe installed, by a professional, to treat myself.  It is the male equivelant to getting a mani/pedi.

I added a thermostat, because it didn't have one.  I later learned there was a reason for this. It seems when driven at normal operating temperatures for longer than 15 minutes that the Trooper would develop a moody disposition.  Meaning that if I stopped it briefly, to say, run in the store, it might or might not crank when I came back.  It left me stranded 3 times due to this disorder.  I had no idea why.  I put in new spark plugs, a fuel filter and cleaned the EGR valve. I read online all kinds of similar problems and theories why but no credible solutions.  Most starting problems are vaguely described as "no fire or no fuel" issues.
It was at this time that I deduced that, for whatever reason, the Trooper did not like normal operating temperatures so I popped the thermostat out.  I haven't had a starting problem since.
I did however develop a new problem.  My engine would mysteriously start overheating.  The cause was low coolant levels.  I would top off the radiator with as much as a quart of fluid a day.  There were no drips, leaks or evidence of steam.  I did notice that I had a great deal of white smoke coming out of my tailpipe, especially when at it idled.  (Fortunately I had already gotten it through emissions testing before this incident).  The coolant started disappearing even faster, with it overheating in as little as a half hour after filling it up.
A little online research told me that white smoke is one of the sure signs of a head gasket problem.  The other signs, missing coolant and overheating.  I did not like this because a head gasket replacement runs about $1000-$1500.  I had to find an alternative fix.  I instantly decided this would be a great time to find out if those Head Gasket sealers in the auto parts stores worked or not.  I bought the $10 bottle, not the $100.  I also picked up stuff for a radiator flush, just to make sure I didn't have a clog in the system.

This turned out to be a very messy and very labor intensive project.  Mainly because the petcock (aka drain plug) was in a position that forced me to be directly beneath it while I directed a wrench, that I used as an extension of my fingers, into a dark crevice to grasp and turn the petcock.  When I succeeded, I was rewarded by being baptized in dirty radiator fluid.  From there, I cut a hose, inserted a t-attachment that I attached to a garden hose and proceeded to flush out the radiator with fresh clean water.  I replaced the petcock with all the same joy as removing it, minus the baptism.  Then I put in a Chemical Radiator Flush, filled the radiator up with water and ran the engine for 15 minutes to circulate the solution. Let the engine cool down.  Then, oh yes, remove the petcock again...remembered to keep mouth closed this time.  Hooked up a garden hose to flush out the chemical solution.  Ran clean water for 10 minutes to be thorough.  Replaced petcock again.  Now I was to the really important part, (cue heaven music) adding the Head Gasket Sealer.  I had to mix it with 3 quarts of hot water prior to pouring it into the radiator.  Fill the rest of the radiator with hot water and run the car for 30 minutes (white smoke stopped coming out of the tailpipe after only 10 minutes).  Let car cool down.  Drain the radiator and let it sit empty for 24 hours without the petcock or radiator cap.  Flush the next day, fill with radiator fluid and water and go.
It is a very time consuming project but I am happy to report that the fix appears to be holding.  Online testimonials have reported varied success stories.  Ranging from no help to worked for a few months to worked for several years.  I am hopeful.  It has been a week since I did this repair and the Trooper has been running great since.

I know there are many out there that have read this and wonder why I subject myself to such misery.  Truth be told, I don't consider it miserable.  It is challenging and satisfying.  The tough parts make the success so much better.  And it is almost always funny in hindsight.  The Trooper is a wonderful get around vehicle, with tons of cargo space.  It has a boxy look with plenty of large window space.  The gas efficiency leaves something to be desired but that comes with buying an older SUV.
I am very fond of not having a car payment.
 

Surprise April snow

I knew the beautiful 70-80 degree days we had been having would be broken up by a cold front, but I didn't believe the chance for snow.  It has snowed 3 inches so far and still going.

I survived a long, tough Colorado winter.  Then had a few weeks of nice Spring weather and at the first touch of snow I am shivering like a baby again.  Acclimatization is a funny thing.

I've been mighty busy

I have been getting settled in to the Denver area over the past couple of months.  I found a property I could rent space to park the bus.  This happened in early February.  This is what it looked like when I moved in...snow is long gone now.

I also got my Colorado Driver's license to make it easier to get a job.  Getting the license was an ordeal...seeing as I didn't have an official firm address at the time.  I found a local homeless shelter provided services to assist people without permanent residency in getting identification.  I had to take a city bus downtown on a specific day to be a the homeless shelter by 7:30am.  From there they shuttled a small group of us to the DMV and walked us through the process.   It was a cold morning, always a joy waking up and getting dressed at 5am when the temperature on the bus is 15 degrees.   But the sacrifice was definitely worth it.  Here is a video of me after getting off a mile too early from my destination.

And I purchased a wrecked 1992 Isuzu Trooper. I got a great deal on it.  It has 240,000 miles on it, still runs strong.  I can now get around much easier.   A few local friends have been helping/advising me on fixing it up.  We pulled the front end out.  I went to a local pull and pay (junkyard).  I got a new bumper and some other parts to fix the front end.  Now the hood closes properly.  I had a new muffler installed.  Going to install front brakes this weekend.    Here are some pics (pre-repairs).

Big Snow in Denver

It has been over a month since I last made a post.  I have been busy looking for full-time work in Denver.  I have decided to stay here awhile. 

I am including a video I made from clips from this past weekend.  Denver was covered in 2 feet of snow.  I was blown away by the beautiful and immense snowfall.  My pets and I stayed over at a friend’s house during this time.  It is amazing how fast the city had the roads cleared.  Even when the snow covered the interstate, it was only for a few hours before road crews had everything safe to drive on.  My friend’s son and I hit the road on the first day and got some footage of the conditions.   I really enjoyed this snow.   Even when I have been on ski trips in the past to Colorado resorts I never had the privilege to see so much snow fall in one continous period.   Snow has a way of transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. 

Enjoy all the different aspects of my crazy hair.  The clips are in chronological order, starting with waking up to a white, beautiful morning and ending with a ride on the light rail the day the snow ended.  Thanks to Leanne, Jackson and Amy Caroline for helping me with this project and entertaining me and my pets this past weekend.  Also for access to vehicles to go out and see Denver as a winter wonderland.  


Are you a glass half full or half empty kind of person?  Do you see the beauty I see or do you see a big mess?