out of touch

For the last 3+ weeks, I have been dealing with a few problems, but it looks like the sun is shining again, leading me back to socialization.

The things I have been dealing with include an oil furnace that decided to kill right before the cold snap in December. Not a real problem, just inconvenient. Being brought up by a survivalist and a coper, we have a gas furnace and two fireplaces to heat the house, though an investment in a space heater to put next to the water tank was a good investment. Bountyhunter will probably laugh, but the oil furnace is moderately old, and the flue hasn't been cleaned in a few years. Silly people, we all know things like that need maintenence, don't we? Um, yea, next season...
The other main problem was a Housemate and Business partner of mine. He had to go into the hospital, twice, for the flu (different kind!) and secondary infections. (secondary, my ass... the second time into the hospital, he admitted that he haddn't been taking his glyburide for at least 6 months...) Unfortunately, he was the only one who could order supplies from our main distributor, and our other partner is at a programming job for the next few months. We lost several clients because I couldn't get their computers fixed and back to them in a timely fashion. And my partner still refuses to put my name on the paperwork with the distributor.

Grumble.

Other than that, no sleep, keeping engagements for catering side business, absolutely no sleep, cleaning for relatives visiting from out of town, trying to get rid of cats(the reason for the cleaning), and general SAD conditions.

And how have others been?

Jobhunting here. The horse industry is in a slump and my attempts to get a home business going is behind schedule. I went to a local company's job fair and arrived 15 minutes early. The interviewer was late 15 minutes. I was first and he started ranting about employees needing to be prompt and did I have any forklift expertise? I leaned over and pointed to the application section that gave my certification # and asked if he was always late. Interview #2 asked if I was bilingual. I said yes. Bilingual in California is an euphemism for Spanish, a language I have some skill in but failed to take in high school and the service language school at Monterey taught me Russian, a bit more usefull in Alaska. #3 was a small business selling posters,candles and these sparkley charm things with a gossamer winged fairy motiff. The pink haired owner was playing a celtic harp during the 'interview' She asked if I knew ANYTHING about the product line. Oh yes, I got to handle the original graduate thesis of C. Evans- Wetz at University. Blank look <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />, who? C. Evans- Wentz, the first anthropology doctorate from the University of California, awarded for THE FAIRY FAITH IN CELTIC COUNTRIES. The blank look intensified. I have a signed 1st edition if you'd care to read it. she mumbled a thankyou for dropping in as the waves washed over Tir-na-nog in C flat. I got a frantic phone call about a horse a client took to another trainer. It was the big black one in SEABISCUIT and had dumped the trainer and was rearing on everyone. I arrived just in time to watch it drop dead from a massive cerebral hemmorhage. The owner asked me what was wrong with it. I said " nothing now, it's finally safe to ride" and left. I heard this load explode in my trunk and remembered the aluminum cans I arm wrestle street people for in my apt. dumpster. I took the cargo to the recycling station and made $19.97. I found a nickle on the ground and bought lottery tickets for Wednesday, gasoline and a grim looking burrito and coke <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> weatherman just announced 4 days of more rain coming in. I checked the wipers on my 15 y/o Mazda ( at least it doesn't need ductape like the old Volvo) and I need new blades <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> I came home and couldn't find my cat. Then I saw my Gill net eviscerated from my rucksack. When I picked it up something pulled back on it <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> My cat had dragged everything out ,hid it under my bed and crawled inside. At least he knows a safe place in the universe <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Survivalgene:

Was the dirty flue the problem as the only thing that affects is the exhaust draft and if you have a draft diverter on the exhaust flue, that should compensate unless you have dead critters or other obstructions in the chimney itself?

I don't know where you live, but usually there are no laws against eating cats.

Bountyhunter <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Getting colder in France. Snow coming along.

At the beginning of previous week, I didn't feel good at all, but too many computer's installations were planned with customers, co-workers also fully occupied so I didn't took time to go see my doc.
Until yesterday (and just because the material I was supposed to install monday, is missing in the warehouse (misplaced ? not received ? nobody knows ?!?).
And now I'm home, on sick leave, instead on being on a flight to Barcelona ....

So I'm a good boy and take my pills, all of them.... and cook a bit (catering for a christening's meal next month).
But reading the posts in this thread, I guess I will go take a nap with my cat....

Cheers.

P.S. : don't listen to Bounty ..... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Hmmm, well I have been going through the beginnings of what will probably (though hopefully not) turn out to be a very nasty divorce, law suit and custody battle. At least I know I'm not the only one that had a bad past couple of weeks! <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Sorry to hear the the job fair was not all that.. fair. Having been a manager, I find there is little excuse to rant about something that you do yourself. But then again, many people see in others what they dislike about themselves... BTW, been looking for a copy of Fairy Faith in Celtic Countries for a while and had given up - the local used shop has been searching for a copy for me for several months, and Shakti didn't even know about it. What good is a local wiccan shop if they don't even know about that? (and had no idea what dyanistic ceremonies were, either)

Sorry about the horse, though I had heard it had gone wild towards the end of the filming(almost said shooting). I hope that they call in a vet before the next horse keels over.

Lottery in California always reminds me of "I can totally buy all this cheese." Only saw the ad once, but it stuck with me.

Good to know that you are doing o.k., even if you are looking for employment. Hope the Lottery ticket pays off.

The draft is the reason it isn't going. It will light, start the 'pusher' motor(lack of real terms) and then rattle and clank and then stop. Took the furnace partially apert to clean it(needed it). There is something in the chimney, I am sure, as I cannot even hear wind up there when I hold the ductwork flap open. Something to do in my ample time...

And - with the cats, Madison does indeed have a code against exotic stock animals - but they have to catch me first!

Hehehe - I listen selectively to Bountyhunter...

Too bad about Barcelona. Getting better is more important than being sick on a plane. Though it would be warmer in Barcelona, wouldn't it...

Cat's make great warm pillows, though they move too much.

Get better!

Too bad the year and a day or the specified term marrage contract isn't an option right now. It would make some things easier.

Hope you get to keep all your toys!

My cat would rather say that I am the one who moves too much .....

Well if she takes all my money and all of survival gear then I suppose I will have to start focussing more on primitive skills. LOL <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Primitive...

My Father's idea of primitive was no power tools. My Mother's is no waterbed.

Primitive...

What is it with survivalists and animals? I have noticed that many of us on this board have at least one animal(usually dog or cat) and usually many more. Wouldn't it be sensible from a survival standpoint to not have animals that we have to keep track of and take care of when we ourselves need to deal with extraordinary circumstances?

Just a thought.

Following that sort of logic, you might as well leave your other half and your kids and start a new life as a hermit... <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Seriously, an animal companion is probably one of your best friends in an emergency - doesn't complain, a good early warning system, a bodyguard, will eat practically anything, and is never to shy to share your bed at night to keep you warm. - as long as its a dog and not a goldfish <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Survivalgene:

In a survival situation, a dog can be a great benefit as a guard, a game spotter, a water finder, and someone a lot more intelligent than a volley ball with a face painted on it to talk to.

Bountyhunter

(P.S. You can also teach them to hunt cats for a high protein lunch.) <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Survivalgene:

When you say "pusher motor" on the exhaust flue, I am guessing you have a newer high efficiency oil burner.

The way that works is the "pusher motor" should come on first to start the draft before the oil gun fires up. They have vacumn sensors on those types of furnaces that will not allow the oil gun to fire if there is not sufficient draft in the exhaust flue.

If the oil gun is firing, than the pusher motor is working and the exhaust draft is sufficient. If it starts, clanks and then shuts down, the oil pump , the electric motor, or the motor to oil pump coupling may be bad.

If the description you gave me is correct, the easiest "diy" method is to buy a rebuilt exchage complete gun assembly of the same size and change it out.

Be careful that the oil nozzle on the rebuilt is the same spray pattern and length of spray as the original, and that the gun barrel is the same length from the mounting flange to the end of the barrel. The design and dimensions of the gun that hang outside the furnace only affects the attachment of your oil supply line which is usually flexible copper that can be adjusted to a certain extent.

When disassembling the gun from the furnace, make sure you shut off the oil supply from the oil tank, and have a tin can handy to catch the oil that will drip out of the tubing at the oil connection to the gun.

Good luck!

Bountyhunter

True coolness! Thank you. That seems to be pointing me in the right direction for the furnace. Now to get out the gloves and goggles and hammer... um wrench... <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Dogs make good alarm systems, home defense partners, and body guards, not to mention, they're just good friends to have around. Cats are unsurpassed at keeping small, four legged scavengers at bay, and can be pretty entertaining to live with/around. As long as either one is doing a job of one sort or another, and not running off the game animals in the area, I'd say they're WELL worth having with you.

Troy

I have two cats. One thirty pounder and one that looks like a gut with all the goodies slung out of it. They're my food reserve if the going gets tough.




That's wrong, I know.

Had a wonderful day yesterday. Went for a long hike in backwoods Florida. Temp in the high 60’5, perfect. Did not see another person. Worked on my GPS skills. Had a satellite photo of the area. Created waypoints at two points I could recognize on the photo, then calculated a third. Punched my calculated waypoint into the GPS and walked to my destination. Off by 3 meters.. Good enough...

The spot was at the edge of a nice stream. I rested there for an hour or so watching the critters then began walking out. Used the GPS and the afore mentioned waypoints to track my progress. The bend in the trail is at the 265 radial from waypoint 127 sort of thing. Worked great and the practice has revived my rusty skills.

It is a great life...

Just had to cast a bit of a bright light on things, what with all the preceding gloom....

Good news !
Yesterday I finally received the picture of my money insvestments in Madagascar.

Here is Adrienne :


she is a female zebu and will hopefully help a small farmer to improve his farming and his live.

www.zob.mg

the last GPS I had fell into Lake Monona... I hope the fish can use it!

It sounds like fun!

She looks healthy. Helping people is usually worth the investment.

Though I have found lately that some people will take the opportunity to just get better aim before kicking your ass.

Not when it comes to raising Chickens, Fish, and such, -for Survival / Food Resources!

Well Wishes! [color:"black"] [/color] [email]survivalgene[/email]

I'm reminded of our Thread "Shackleton's Cat", -where a lot of us took some Exception to this! <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> [color:"black"] [/color] [email]bountyhunter[/email]

A Fondest, rather Special Memory of mine!, -is of a local Woods Experience of a decade plus ago. Walking up a nastily entangled, wooded embankment from the Creek, -toward a rather Good, parrellel Walking Trail, -I nevertheless got Snagged Good in the face, -near an eye, -by a 2 inch / 4 cm. or so, -Springing Back Branch. Ouch!, and etc!, -for a few minutes!

But Guess who Came Right Away to my side!? But a Dog! One of a Goodly Number, -that are typically on such a Trail, -on such a Nice Day as that was.

He was there to give me Moral, -as well as any other kind of Support, -there in my Moment of Need. Though of course his Support was essentially limited to the Moral Kind. But I was Glad to so Take that!

Again, -it was, -and Remains!, -such a Special, Fond, and Lasting Memory! He (or She), is one of Man's Best Friends Indeed! This Recollection and Experience shall of course Always so Stay With me! That Dog!, -There for me at that Moment and Day! In that Way! [color:"black"] [/color] [email]joblot[/email]