The Rule I'm Glad I Broke

i'm not your prototype anarchist, but i never really liked rules much. Sure... We need rules of one form or another to maintain order in society. i just prefer to think of them as guidelines. Particularly when it comes to social rules. There are two underlying reasons for this perspective.

First, the word "Rules" has an oppressive air about it, to me. It's mildly harsh. It implies there will be some kind of punishment if the "Rule is broken". In my mind, it makes it sound like a reasonable person can't figure it out themselves. They need some rule to follow in order to conduct themselves appropriately. And i'm all about individuals being able to feel their way through life... Touching and exploring all the things that their universe offers. Learning thru the process. Evolving their own boundaries to fit their life. People that live this way will bend and break many "Rules" over time.

The second main reason is that there are precious few always-es and nevers in the social universe. Rules are rigid. Generally speaking, most don't allow for the amount of flexibility that is needed to navigate freely when a situation doesn't exactly fit the rule. Which results in one or both of the following: Break the rule or don't get the most out of life.

The combination of these reasons means that, in order to fully live life, breaking rules is necessary. The vast majority of times, this results in a fuller life. Without any serious downsides. So, why was it a Rule in the first place? Shouldn't it just be called a guideline instead?

But there are times for rules.

One of my personal rules has been to not socialize with people i work with. i treat it more as a Rule than just a guideline. Personal life is personal and professional life is professional. Don't know where i got this, but it has served me well over the years. Separating professional from personal doesn't mean you can't be personable... Or friendly... Or care about your customers and co-workers in the work environment. No. You can be and do all of those.

In my life, this rule has been a good one. It takes a lot of complexity out of work life... It provides a framework of respect in the workplace. It prevents you from hitting on customers and co-workers you might be attracted to. (There have been plenty of both over the years.) Which builds trust. And prevents all sorts of complications. i am particularly grateful and proud of my track record here.

Having and following this rule also means i'm less of a candidate for blackmail. Colleagues can't hold something against you that they don't know about. When you are the guy most likely to do something absolutely outrageous at a party, this is particularly important. Keeping this separation minimizes gossip in the workplace. Which i never had time for, anyway. By maintaining this line, you get to tell as much of the story as you think is appropriate. You control the information that's out there. You are less susceptible to misunderstandings later. There are many good reasons for having and following this rule.

i have broken it in very few cases over the years. And i'm totally grateful i have. i haven't counted them, but there are certainly less than twenty, of my two hundred-seven contacts, that i originally met thru work. You may remember that i recently deleted over thirteen hundred work related contacts... If you're into statistics, that means i broke my rule less than once out of every sixty-five. Just to keep it in perspective.

One of the best examples of breaking this rule is Missus Noe's Dad. i don't remember if it was 2002 or 2003 when we first met. But it was definitely business related. And we hit it off right away.

He's a special man. Thoughtful, considerate, caring, sincere, generous, funny-as-hell, and smart. Light of spirit. He can be trusted NOT to go blab to the professional world about my personal goings-on. He's a good neighbor, good community member, and good family man. Our friendship has developed over the years. We have stayed at each other's homes. i've gotten to know his family and they are wonderful blessings in my life. Really special people. If i told you about Missus Noe's Mom, you'd probably think i had a crush on her. But only because the list of her fabulousness is so long. There is definitely a reason that Missus Noe's Dad is such a good and happy guy...

Missus Noe's Mom and Dad were in San Francisco last night. Hadn't seen them in at least a year and a half. Too long, in any case. When Gilligan's Island North first became apparent, i didn't know exactly when i would be departing this fair city. MND & MNM were planning to come to SF on this date, but we didn't know if i would still be here when they did.

i'm so glad i was still here! Mister and Missus Noe, Missus Noe's parents, and i got to spend the evening visiting, catching up, sharing some laughs, and eating. Us guy-types even went and had a couple manly beers at a manly bar in the neighborhood before dinner. i use the word "manly" loosely when describing the bar... But the bar isn't the topic here...

i can't tell you how wonderful it was to see everybody together. To be part of this warm and caring family. Thanks for having me!

Sometimes you just gotta break a rule... It won't always work out this good, but when it does, you'll be glad you did!

Something I Am Going To Miss About San Francisco #1

There are a myriad of things i'm gonna miss about living in San Francisco. This is truly a city with many indulgences to, well, indulge in. We even have the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence here. One of my favorite indulgences is enjoying a puff of Green Goodness as i walk past the police station. Seriously.

i have come to enjoy doing this once in awhile. But not for the reasons i think most would. Sure, there's a little bit of an adolescent tingle... Like i'm getting away with something... "Tee hee. i'm smoking dope while i'm walking past the front door to the police station..." But that's not the part i'm gonna miss the most.

My primary joy in this experience comes from a satisfaction level... Satisfaction that SF is a relatively just and outrageously cool place to be. That it's actually OK to do this here. That this city and its police aren't gonna hassle somebody for harmlessly partaking of some Mother Nature. i truly think they get it. They get that somebody puffing a spleef ain't the one causing a lot of problems for society. How many places can you say that about?

But i don't push it. i'm not a big smoker, first of all. More of a one-hitter guy. i do it discreetly. It's not like i take a toke, then open the door and share the exhale with everybody in the lobby. And i don't go inside and offer to share a bud with the Duty Officer. Not even on holidays. It's just one of my personal tributes to living in San Francisco.

The cop shop is half a block from my house. i walk past it at least fifteen or twenty times a week. Sometimes a lot more than that. i probably average this indulgence once or twice a month. And only for the last year or so. i barely smoked at all for ten or eleven years before that.

i remember walking toward home one day awhile back... Ambling up the street by the mortuary. i put a piece of green in the tip of my one-hitter and started to light it. My eyes saw the police building and i had a rational thought... "What the hell are you doing?" But that passed. Up in smoke, as they say.

i thought about it some. And here's the conclusion i came to... 

Discrimination against individuals or groups based on race, sexual orientation, religion, gender, and type of work they do, is morally wrong. i'm an inclusive guy. i don't have any qualms about taking a toke when i walk past a church or a mortuary. (For the record: Out of respect for society, i do NOT partake when kids or groups of non-partying peeps are present.) Why should i discriminate against the cops? That would be morally wrong in my book. So i don't.

There are no police stations on Gilligan's Island North. In honor of the Hog Farmers, we will probably have Please Stations or the like. But that's not the same thing. Once i leave SF, i'm sincerely gonna miss the freedom of burning a leaf as i walk past the cop shop. But i'll try to make up for that in the next two weeks... :-))

This bud's for you, San Francisco... Thank you for being such a diverse and tolerant city!

Blue Collar Transition

Oh, i know when it happened, alright. But it's not like it was a single event or day or time... No. It happened over the last ten years. It started about a hundred and twenty-one months ago.

i lost my blue collar.

But i found it again! And it's wonderful! My hands are all cut up. i'm using my tools every day. My work clothes get dirty every day. Losing inches from all the places i needed to. Muscletone is coming back... i feel leaner and stronger and younger every day. Guess i wasn't so far over the hill, after all... ;-)

It hit me when i was hauling my tools to the van yesterday. In the middle of a downpour. Memories of doing the same thing so many times before... So long ago. And i was happy about it.

Not so much about being pissed on by God... No. It was the feeling of satisfaction that comes from working with my hands. Accomplishment. Tangible shit, man! Crafting something useful and beautiful has its rewards, let me tell you. And not just handburger, either.

Returning to grab another load of tools, getting wetter by the second, i thought about how great it has been to be doing projects for friends and family the last three months. (In my case, they are the same) i thought about how many types of things i have really done in that time... And they are many. 

Re-wiring significant portions of three old houses. Cabinetry. Super-custom framing. Plumbing. Deck repairs. Drywall. Plaster. Paint. Hardwood floors. Finish carpentry. And i've done them all with love and caring and precision.

i thought about how this period is a really awesome transition... From keyboard-banging and mouse-waving... To crawling into the dark and dusty corners of an attic. From staring at a computer screen for hours every day... To cutting holes in shit. Then putting it all back together. Only better than original. From wearing Uggs most of the day... To troweling on a finish coat. It has been quite reassuring to know that i "haven't lost it"... That i can still do all this with the best of them.

And, i'm overwhelmingly grateful that i have spent this transition time in this way. Preparing for life at Gilligan's Island North. Where my hands will be dirty with something every day. And my work clothes will be dirty most. The other days i may not be wearing any.

Thinking about all this confirmed that my destiny is - And always has been - A Blue Collar Retirement.

Too Far Gone

i don't remember which day it was. Sometime in the last three or four days i came to the realization that i'm not going to post those RE-Wrench drafts i've been sitting on.

i'm too far gone. My heart isn't in it anymore. The evolutionary process of disconnecting from my former life has crossed an invisible line. A mental-emotional threshold where the lingerings of the previous are left behind. And that's just where they're gonna stay. Everything is personal and nothing is professional now. i knew there would be a line somewhere. i just imagined it would be closer to my physical departure date.

When i realized that i had crossed this line, i gave it time. "Maybe i'll feel like doing it tomorrow..." But tomorrow has come several times now. Each arrival only confirms the line was truly crossed. So, after posting this, i'm unsubscribing from that wonderful list. Moving from that community on to a new community.

"Bon Voyage, Wrenches! Thank you for letting me be part of your community. Thank you for sharing so much knowledge and wisdom over the years. Thank you for all your passion about renewable energy. Thank you for the kind words and support of my postings. Carry on. Be smart. Be safe. Keep sharing. Do the right thing. Every time!"

You know, i would have imagined feeling some level of guilt about this. But i don't. Not a bit. It's not like the list is sitting there expecting these posts. Nobody is depending on them to get their jobs done. My postings have always been gifts to the community. At least that was always my motive. Even though there's no guilt, there is a little wistfulness... But i can deal with that.

Since crossing that threshold, my mind is lighter. There's more room in there. One less thing on the To Do List. Or three, in this case. i think the line was crossed when i got my iPod and started loading it up. iTunes is a big byte hog. It's not smart enough to just remember where everything is on your harddrive. It needs to create a copy on your harddrive of everything you want on your device. And i was loading up over 10GB.

Soon enough, there was the little notification on my computer... "Disk space low. Click Here to remove unnecessary files and clean up your shit." Well, i didn't "Click Here". Nope. i went big. You might remember that i was going to do a full backup of my harddrive, then delete everything non-personal. Well... There's no full backup. i have passed the proverbial point of no return. There are still a couple folders of non-personal things left, though. Just the stuff i need for doing taxes.

My computer feels lighter now. Just like my mind. We crossed that threshold together. In a way, we're both too far gone... My computer is too far gone to look up and process all kinds of non-personal information that i've accumulated and developed over the years. And i'm too far gone to post to the Wrench List.

i think there are only two things left for me to do as a solar insider... Wait for a check from C-Mac's company. And cash it.

Enchanted Week

The past week has been filled with micro-adventures and cosmic goodness. It has been one of those periods where there are so many positively cool little things that happen, the negative stuff just melts into non-existence.

My project with Mister and Missus Noe has been challenging (understatement of the month) and successful and... Fun as hell! Should be finished later this coming week. i've thoroughly enjoyed working at their place and hanging out with them. Sweet people. That was Street Cleaning Day thru Friday daytimes.

Wednesday evening, Kush and i were getting together for some guy-time. We were meeting in North Beach for dinner and a drink or two, so i invited Tres to join us. He was otherwise engaged, so it was gonna just be Kush and me. Figuring that driving home would be ill-advised, i took BART to Montgomery and walked to NB.

As i headed up the street, i caught Gnome out of the corner of my eye. i had just been thinking about him. This is the time of year he normally shows up from Alaska - And points between here and there - On his annual journey to different parts of Asia. And here he was with a couple friends. Kush was running late, so i hung out with them for a few. Turns out Falcon and Nemo are great spirits who just happen to be into stuff like Ecovillages and GIN. i figure our paths will cross in the future. After killing twenty minutes chatting on the sidewalk, i continued on my journey.

i had no sooner sat down at our pre-determined meeting place when Kush walked in. We caught up on our lives over some awesome seafood linguine and a couple drinks. We continued our conversation as we wandered the streets of North Beach... Hearing a great blues riff from inside The Saloon, i told the doorman that i just wanted to poke my head inside and check it out before deciding whether we would pay the Ten Buck cover. Tommy Castro was onstage and ROCKING! Yeah, we'll go in...

The place was absolutely packed. The crowd was, shall i say, not exactly your normal San Francisco crowd. For starters, it was all white folks. i really hate to say this, but i felt bad for the club, because if these people weren't so fat, they could have gotten another fifty people in there paying cover. Kush and i traded our coats with the bartender and each got a beer in return. As my eyes adjusted to the lighting, i looked around the room. At least half these people made me think i had just walked into a Jerry Springer Reunion. Now, i ain't anything special to look at, but there was no question that Kush and i were the two best looking guys in the room.

"Come on, Kush. Let's go dance." We squeezed onto the packed floor. Good, jamming blues always gets my hips shaking. And this was great, jamming blues. When i'm in a groove, i'm a spacemaker on the dance floor. This is always a mixed bag... Some people get pissed and others smile and enjoy being entertained by my enthusiasm. Yeah, i hear their comments. i see the look on their faces. And i just smile and keep grooving.

i danced my way over to a spot with a little more room to move. The best looking gal in the place took a turn dancing with me. Definitely NOT one of the Reunionites. She had some nice moves, but wore out after a couple songs. i wondered whatever happened to gals like Christine Fromengland or Wife #3? Gals you can groove WITH in synchronous rhythm... Ladies you can twirl and swing and never stop smiling. With sparkling eyes of joy and spirit. The ones who leave it all on the floor and don't stop until the band is safely home and tucked into bed. Whatever happened to them?

During the break, i wandered the streets, cooling off. Shared some Green Goodness with a couple who were celebrating thirty years of marriage. Then i did something completely out of character. i got my shoes shined. Yep. First time ever. Maybe it was the lure of the hottie in the seat before me. Yeah, that was probably it. Then i went inside to put my newly shined shoes back to work. Being a freak on the floor is always a wonderful feeling for me.

Kush and i retrieved our coats and headed to The Mission. We wandered into The Lex, put some tunes on the jukebox, and continued our conversation from earlier. Last call. Kush headed home. i went and closed Gestalt.

Gnome came to stay at our place on Friday. That evening, he and Miss E went to Lucky Devil's to record some of his songs. It was Christmas Eve. Since i'm leaving SF in three weeks, i have this little mission to check out as many different places, and connect with as many people, as possible. So i walked the neighborhood and sampled a few bars that i've passed hundreds of times, but never went in. Met and rapped with a dozen new peeps over the course of the evening. Brought some light and fun into their day. Nice!

Christmas Day started with a wonderful present. A letter from Christine Fromengland was in my inbox. Christine has been on my list of people to notify about GIN, but i missed her when i called a week or so ago. i prefer to connect with them on the phone, or in person, before sending an email. It's more personal for both of us that way. The time difference between here and there is always tricky. i sent her a brief note asking what the best time to call would be. Then i proceeded to finish deleting all the non-personal contacts in my Contacts. This was my Christmas present to myself.

The number is 207. Counting a couple of my alter egos. This is the new starting point for people in my life. Merry Christmas to me!

Christmas Day was Hardwood Floors Day. Miss E was going to spend Christmas with friends then up to Harbin. i was putting a new floor in the hallway. I spent time visiting with Miss E and Gnome before tackling the floor. Looking forward to getting a copy of Gnome's songs from the night before.

This morning i was double ecstatic to see, not one, but two letters from Christine. Including a time to call. Now, before anybody gets to thinking i have something "going on" with her, put that out of your mind. She's a kindred light spirit to mine. A total sweetheart. Half a world away. She brought some beautiful feelings to me when we met at Rooster. And i want to return the favor. i'm really looking forward to talking with her and catching up. Meanwhile, i'm back to the hardwood.

That, my friends, is the shortest version possible of my enchanted week. There are many, many details missing from this post, but i hope you get the idea. Now go have one of your own!

Caveman's Fault

Monday was a pretty good day. Got many things done. Some easy. Some trying. Some in preparation for departure to GIN. Some around the house. But, overall, it was a pretty good day.

Tuesday, on the other hand, started out with me waking up late... It was light outside by the time i opened my eyes at 7:20. It freaks me out whenever i wake up and see that it's light outside. My mind goes into some sort of automated Damage Control mode... Racing from point to point, checking to make sure i haven't completely fucked up and missed something important... 

"Fuck!" (It always starts with 'Fuck!') "What day is it? Tuesday. Street Cleaning! What time is it? Oh, thank god... i've still got a half hour."

Living in SF, with two vehicles you park on the street, puts terror in your heart if you wake up late on Street Cleaning Day. The tickets used to be thirty-five bucks. Now they're a first-born child. Since i have two cars that i'm responsible for moving, the fine would be two first-born children... As good as i am at some things, i don't think i can swing that one.

But there was more. i had planned to go pick up supplies early, for my project at Mister and Missus Noe's place. No time for that before 8 o'clock. Guess it would have to wait until after the weekly shuffle.

It was Caveman's fault. Clearly.

Monday night was the eclipse. Miss E left for Marin County about 10:30pm. She was going to view the eclipse from the top of Mount Tamalpais with Mister and Missus Stiltskin. It had been a long day, and i knew Tuesday was gonna be a long one. So i stayed home. After taking a shower, i looked outside and saw the sky clearing up. Thinking it just might be possible to view the eclipse from Dolores Park, i decided to walk up there.

When i left the house, the clouds were thinning. The air was brisk. The moon was bright. i could see the beginning shadow of the eclipse on the lower left corner of the moon. Mind you, this is a very late hour for me to be out walking around. As i walked toward the park, it became very apparent that the Universe didn't want me watching the eclipse.

Those clearing clouds? They were just making way for their big, fat, dark, rainy cousins to come in and block my view. By the time i got to the top of Dolores, it was clear. "It", in this case, did not include the weather. No, what was clear was the observation that, no matter how long i stayed there and pretended i was a sponge, i wasn't gonna see the light of the moon that night. The clouds were low and i wished i had gone with Miss E to Mount Tam.

i started walking home. i wasn't quite ready for bed, which is a crazy concept for me at 11:30 at night. So i took the long way home. A beer sounded good. i walked past the 500 Club. Crowded and noisy. i've never really bonded with the 500 Club, in all the years i've been in SF. i didn't go in. Instead, i walked over to Gestalt. More my speed. Besides, it was gonna be Ha-Ha-Na's birthday at midnight.

They were out of my usual $2 Tecate. Hamms or Olympia? Nah. Let's have a Guinness tonight. As i nursed the brown goodness, Caveman sat down at the bar next to me. You wouldn't know he's a Caveman by just looking at him.

We had met earlier... He and his co-workers were doing some team-building. Errrr... Drinking beer. One of them had come up behind me, thinking i was Steve, another co-worker of theirs. Caveman observed that i sort of looked like that guy from behind, then added, "But you're definitely not him, because he's loud and talks with his hands and waves his arms around."

Yeah. Nobody i know.

We struck up a conversation. Caveman is a pleasant, thoughtful guy. With a sparkle in his eye. He's milked a few cows... Which gives you instant cred with me. Not a lot of teat-squeezers in San Francisco these days.

We talked for quite awhile, about a lot of things. Over a beer and a half. Yes, really. Wished Ha-Ha-Na a Happy Birthday at quarter past midnight. And talked some more. Really enjoyed our conversations. Even if they did result in me waking up when it was light out.

Hope Caveman comes to GIN to visit sometime. Maybe i'll even arrange for him to milk a cow when he does...

Perfect Inspiration

Yesterday was a long day. A good long. Covered a lot of ground. There were many things that i thought about sharing here. But one takes the cake for the day.

i should preface this by saying that.... Only cakes made from good ingredients could even be considered for being taken in the first place.

Miss E and MyLMI and i went to see Saint Misbehavin' The Wavy Gravy Movie at the Roxie last night. Saint Misbehavin' is the movie about Wavy Gravy, his wife, and his life. You'll never see ads on this blog and i ain't gonna plug anything but goodness. This is goodness! And you need to see this movie! It will make you laugh. And it will seriously inspire you.

i first remember seeing Wavy in the spring of 1984 at a Dead show. i've seen him countless times since then at concerts and other events. He's memorialized on the SF Walk of Fame...

And i've known a little bit about some of the good he's into... Like Camp Winnarainbow. And keeping the hippie culture healthy. Something near and dear to my heart... :-)) But i didn't know about all the other stuff...

i have friends from the Hog Farm community, but i had no idea what it really is. i didn't know how they traveled around spreading acts of good and opening minds... Providing security at concerts. Feeding masses of people. And bringing the gift of sight to poor people all over the world through Seva. i'll have to make a point of asking them more about their experiences next time i see them.

Blessings unto the family and families of the Hog Farm community... For all of the good they cause to come into the lives of people all over this great planet. And for being that example of how a collective group of like-minded folks can really make a difference. Amen!

Thank you, Wavy and Jahanara, for your selfless sharing. Saint Misbehavin' really told a beautiful story about you and your community. i'm humbled to say, "i hope i honor each of your investments in facilitating goodness."

Oh... i know what you're thinking. And you're right... i have it, too. Acts of good toward and for my fellow man is very selfish on my part. It's better than drugs. It is a drug in and of itself. Doing good for my fellow humans stimulates the Whatever Protein in my metabolism that just makes all the Happy Neurons in my brain be their happiest. Can i patent that?

Skip Towne's Whatever Protein

If it was actually possible to sprinkle that substance on... Say, your breakfast cereal... Or put it in a smoothie. It would absolutely benefit humankind. You would get your jollies from it. No question about it. Random and intentional acts of goodness. Resulting in All-Way Happiness. Which, because that's the stimulant in the first place... Replicates and spreads like a disease in a horror film... Only everybody is smiling instead of terrified. You get the picture. Hopefully you were good at exponential calculations, at some point in your life, if you want to do the math. 'Cause this gets big! All over the planet!

Ladies and gentlemen... Seductresses and rogues... This hypothesis of self-replicating-regenerative-happiness, caused by benefiting humankind, needs to be proven!

Can i count on you to be part of the scientific study to prove whether this theory is valid?

If you are an unemployed scientist - Or group of scientists - Perhaps you could volunteer to participate in this study in some way. That's an interesting thought... Once the scientists figure out what the project is about... "Hey. I ain't gettin' paid much. I think it would be more fun to be the subject..." 

Hey everybody... Do something good every day! Find a way to see this movie!

A Surreal Experience

If you've known me professionally for any amount of time, you know that i've always been hardcore about keeping my Contacts up to date. i protect them. i back them up. i would never let anything bad happen to them.

Part of the process of moving to GIN is about lightening my load... Unsubscribing from all the things i've been subscribed to over the years. Giving away things that will be better used by others. Retiring stained old t-shirts to the rag bin. And deleting all Contacts that aren't personal.

When i started, i had about 1550 contacts. i'm at 1068 right now. My best guess, at this point, is that i'll end up with somewhere between 200 and 300 when i'm done. For some, this might seem like an easy thing to do. Others may think it's a little extreme. For me, it's been a completely surreal experience... After growing and guarding my Contacts for so many years, it is interesting to observe my feelings, and the thought processes i go thru, while doing it. Profound, to say the least.

i take a little time each day to delete some. My first thought was to sort by Company and do bulk deletions, but there are some friends who still have jobs. So that wasn't the way to do it. Now i just go thru by name... Pick a random place in the list and start editing...

"Is this person a friend? Do i want them to visit GIN some day? Do i give a shit if i (n)ever hear from them again?" 

My feelings range from, "this is awesome" to "this is how i always thought it would feel" to "wow i'm really doing it" to "fuck that asshole". It's also been a really good way to think about people i may not have seen or heard from in awhile. Some bring a smile to my face and get put on my list to touch base with again. Some bring a smile to my face because i really enjoyed working with them, but get deleted anyway.

Most decisions are easy. Simple. If they were only a professional acquaintance, DELETE. If it's a woman who i really only wanted to get all sweaty with at some point in the future, DELETE. (For the record: There are not many of those and none that i've thought about in a very long time)

But some are not so simple... Because they are on this line where, we've met thru work, socialized some, but haven't really made the jump to Friends. Yet. So it comes down to considering whether or not i think we ever will. Some make it over the line and some don't.

There are others who, though we've had a personal relationship, for one reason or many, i delete anyway. Generally speaking, it's because there's something about their energy that i want to leave in the past. i don't want to bring it with me to GIN. And i don't want them bringing it there, either.

At the end of this process, if you're still in my Contacts, it's because you're special to me. i want you in my life and want to be in yours. i want you to come visit GIN. And i want to stay on your couch when i'm at your place.

Only one rule: If you are in the Solar Industry, no work talk!

PS - C-Mac is in.

End Of An Era

Today i met with C-Mac. Haven't seen him in months and it's time to wrap up the contract. It was nice to see him... If not bittersweet on a couple levels. 

The first level is feeling like i'm leaving a friend. Or at least taking some of his bullets away. In either case, that's never a good feeling. 

The other level, which ain't nearly as bittersweet, is that this marks the next-to-last thing i'm doing for the solar industry as an insider. My NABCEP meeting on Friday will be the last... Or at least i hope it's the last. I don't give a fuck about the company C-Mac works for. Or any number of others out there. My work for them was way more about the cause than anything else. I do give a fuck about NABCEP, though.

The next thirty days should be interesting. Knowing that i've wrapped up my work with solar... And preparing to move on with an entirely new life. Not all that unrelated to the reasons behind my involvement with solar, actually. But entirely new anyway.

i think the thing i'm gonna miss the most about solar is RE-Wrenches. i guess that's actually gonna be the last thing in solar as an insider. Posting to the Wrench list. i have three nearly-finished posts that i've been sitting on for awhile, and i'm gonna finish them, post them, and unsubscribe. They are important posts from a technical psychovoltaic perspective. And they need to be posted. So i'll post them. Then quit. For good.

Yeah. The bittersweet reality of this era - which has meant so much in my life - coming to an end.

Hell Yeah!

For the first time in five years... My toolbags fit.

Hell Yeah!

A couple weeks ago Mister Solar New Mexico posted on Wrenches. Asking for advice on a new set of bags. i thought about offering to send mine to him, but thought otherwise... Knowing that i'm about to embark on a new life where growing young includes growing lean and strong again. 

So i kept them. Didn't send the email. And they're already fitting. :) Bet they fit even better in two months!

Hell Yeah!

Something I'm Not Gonna Miss #2

Warren Hellman is the world's most generous... Possibly most generally awesome... Man. Thank you, Warren, for all the wonderful HSBGs. From the heart, man. 

i'm moving away from SF, but i WILL NOT MISS Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. Because i'm gonna be there every year. Missing Hardly Strictly is NOT AN OPTION! HSBG 2010 was incredible. i so totally lucked out at Rooster on Saturday. Got onto the lawn at 10ish. Pretty full. Move up. "Excuse me. Pardon me. Sorry, man." And move up some more.

Landed at stage left front. Yes! All the way up to the stage. In the corner. With a 9'x12' laydown. Not blocking anybody's view. Like THE MOST AWESOME possible spot on the Rooster lawn. And i danced. All. Fucking. Day. Long. With some really beautiful people. Groovin' all day. Got to provide some happiness for a lot of people.

Keep that thought. 

So, after helping out the Catholic Guilt couple, i was on my way to Mister and Missus Stiltskin's house. Stopped for supplies at the dreaded HD San Rafael (Not nearly as dreaded as Lowes. Gotta mention that i have never been impressed by Lowes on any level.). Not that the San Rafael HD is any more or less dreaded than any other HD. But i got there at 7:57am and waited patiently to be allowed inside with twenty other, more or less patient, folks.

i get inside. Navigate to the heavy electrical aisle, peruse the tools, and come to the conclusion that Home Depot is actively covering up a recall on Murray breakers. Saw it plain as day at B&K Electrical yesterday. Big recall notice for Murray breakers with 06/10 & 07/10 mfg dates. Not a single thing about it at HD. Shame on you, Murray! Shame on you, HD!

After grabbing a new Wiggy... Actually a Sperry... Which is a piece of shit, by the way... Don't buy one. i headed for the next aisle. "Excuse me." Thinking i'm about to be asked for advice or directions - 'cause that's what happens to you when you are me at any hardware or home improvement store - i turn to the gentleman asking. "You look familiar. Have you ever been to Hardly Strictly Bluegrass?"

"Yes", i say, with a grin and a chuckle. i've been to the last seven Hardly Strictlys. There are many terrific free events in San Francisco throughout the year. i think of them as blessings and gifts. In my mind, Hardly Strictly is the greatest gift of all. SF Mime Troupe is a close second.

"I have a lot of good pictures of you dancing at Rooster." Which brought back all those wonderful memories of Saturday at Rooster 2010. Meeting and dancing with many people... Especially this super-sweetie, Christine Fromengland. She happened to be visiting SF from the UK and accidentally discovered Hardly Strictly. Her spirit and energy were right on. Inspirational. Thanks for sharing your vivacious zest, Christine!

This is how i met Ivo. So, this guy Ivo is a pretty cool dude. He's leaving for a month in Brazil tomorrow. Spending time at their place in his wife's homeland.


Here's to you, Ivo... Thanks for recognizing me. Thanks for saying hi. Thanks for letting me bring you some enjoyment and inspiration... And thanks for sharing and reminding me of that wonderful day. Hope your time in Brazil is pleasant and joyful.

i'll look forward to seeing some pictures of that magic day at Rooster. And maybe even posting one here...???

i expect many more beautiful memories from Hardly Strictly Bluegrass over the years. i will make sure that i'm cleared to visit SF the first weekend of October every year. I won't miss Hardly Strictly just because i leave San Francisco!

Thanks Warren!

PS - Mister and Missus Stiltskin have lights and plugs that work now!

Good Deed For The Day

i was out on my walk this morning, when i happened across a couple looking for directions to Mission Dolores. It was 5 o'clock. These were normal looking folks... He looked to be in his early thirties and she in her late twenties. Nicely dressed. They were out of place on the street for this hour.

Generally, the only people, other than me, who are walking around at this hour, are rousted homeless, bus drivers on their way to work, crack dealers, wannabe pimps, and an occasional hooker. But today, here was this couple. "Two blocks that way" i pointed. "On the other side of the street." They thanked me and went on their way. i headed up the street and continued on my walk. 

"Why were they looking for the Catholic Church at this hour?", i wondered. Then it dawned on me... Confession! They had this look of Catholic Guilt on their faces. And their body language. i hadn't recognized it in the moment, but after thinking about it some... They were obviously together, but they stood six feet apart. No wedding rings. There was something about their postures that told me they had sex last night, followed by Catholic Guilt. Hoping i wouldn't know, as long as they stood apart.

Which led them to the streets of San Francisco, looking for someone to absolve them of their guilt. At 5 o'clock in the morning. i hope they found what they were looking for.

God i'm glad i'm not Catholic!

Not Gonna Miss #1

i have been a morning person pretty much all my life. That asshole cheerfully singing and whistling when the sun isn't quite up yet? You guessed it... i'm that asshole.

Perhaps i should characterize that as "used to be me". SF took that away from me. San Fran don't wake up early. And Miss E really don't wake up early... And, a lot of people have told me throughout my life that the noise coming out of my mouth isn't really singing anyway...

So i learned how to be quiet in the morning, and that ain't so much fun... All that stops in a month. And i ain't gonna miss it!

Once i get to GIN, i'm definitely gonna sing and whistle in the morning and there ain't gonna be anybody to be bothered by it. Love it!

Brooklyn Ruby

Ke** came by with Mechanic Jon to run Ruby thru her paces and... Ruby's going to Brooklyn! Nuu Yourke Brooklyn. Ke**'s Mom is planning to make the trip with him sometime in January... Will be interesting to see if they end up on the road the same time i do...

Please join me in sending warm spirits and happy journey blessings with them (moment of silence) "Aaaaaahhhhhmmmmm..." Then blast them across the Bay Bridge and onto I-80 East with some noise!

"YAAAAYYYYY! HAVE A BLAST, RUBY! WE'LL MISS YOU! HAPPY JOURNEYS KE**!"

Back to the living room...

Countdown Begins

Life is grand!

i have been investing in Karma for many years. Karma sent me a check, and i'm gonna cash this one... i have found my Gilligan's Island and i'm moving there in a month. Dropping out of what has been my daily life for so many years. And dropping in to a whole new life.

i always envisioned GI as tropical... Somewhere within ten degrees of the Equator. A place with palm trees to hang my hammock. Who would have thought it would be forty-one degrees from the Equator? And snow there? i guess it's gonna be Two Pines and a Hammock instead of Two Palms. And i couldn't be happier.

We're going to be building an Ecovillage there. The families i'll be joining are awesome and this is an incredible vision and location... (More on that in future posts.) For now, i have a lot to do before leaving San Francisco... Projects on this home for Miss E. Projects for friends. Seems like i have never been busier with so many things to do.

In the last week, i've mostly rewired two rooms here, lowered the living room ceiling (wiring will be completed today), sheet-rocked and painted the living room ceiling (with help from Miss E), patched plaster in several rooms, gotten Ruby ready to sell. i also went to Sacramento for two days. While i was there, i got to help Dan fix his deck, rebuilt Rusty's Mom's shower valve & fixed her toilet, and went to Brick Oven Pizza to kill three hours. Feels great to help my friends with their projects. And i haven't been to The Brick for three years. The day i retired the first time. Before that it was two years. How great it was to see so many friends that i've known for up to twenty years!

Today i get to finish up the rewire of the living room and Miss E's bedroom. i also have to pick up electrical supplies to finish Mister and Missus Stiltskin's remodel starting on Sunday. And meet with a guy who wants to buy Ruby (and his mechanic). That's Ruby on the right. Bon Voyage, Ruby!

Tomorrow is caulk/putty/paint day for the woodwork and walls in the living room. Well, maybe not paint. We have a guest visitor and don't want to inconvenience her or subject her to the smell of paint if we don't have to.

i NEVER thought i would say this, but i have to get an MP3 player before going to Gilligan's Island North... That just dawned on me while i was driving home from Sacramento last night... Listening to rock and roll on the radio and realizing that there's not gonna be radio in/on/at GIN...

Off to the coffee store!