Ashville Trip Day 2 and Day 3

Day two we took the upstairs downstairs tour at Biltmore and also saw the dressing downton exhibit.  Our tour guide was quite fun and we learned a lot about the servants quarters.  For being a 1%, George Vanderbelt seemed to be a pretty stand up guy. My grandmother is from around here, and if you pissed off the natives, believe me, you'd hear about it. The gardens were even more amazing than December though apparently it gets even better in a few weeks. Later, we went to a fantastic indie book store, a few clothing stores and then White Duck Taco.  It reminded me a  lot of Voodoo donoughts in Portland.  I got a huge reference tome on Symbology and a book on Bob Dylan.  Julia got the Quick by Lauren Owen and some earrings and a gorgeous fan.  Ice Cream at Marble Slab and Coffee at The Bomba.  There were also some AMAZING street performers here, some of the best I've seen anywhere.

Day three (Easter) we listened to Frenchy and the Punk as we desperately tried to get to our tour on time.  You do NOT rush in biltmore, you just don't...slow, windy roads make it impossible, but our tour guide had  waited a few extra minutes and it was awesome.  The rooftop of the estate is even more interesting with clay tiles  wrapped in copper wire.  There were lots of little hidden gargoyles like a bear with honey, a sword in a stone and an angry monkey.  Brunch at  the Inn on Biltmore estate was just...elegant and delicious. The concierge did an awesome job of helping us get back after their shuttle driver...was dumb.  Finally, the wine shop was wonderful when we got a local bottle of Champaign for Julia's folks. We also got a bottle of rasperry flavoring for...whatever miracles Julia intends to whip up later.  Then we drove to Hendersenson to meet w  Julia's folks at  the Melange Inn which is just this delightful and well hidden bed and breakfast in the  middle of the city.  They brought the Best Dog in the World, Sebastian.  Julia's father treated us to dinner at Square Root.   I had delightful pasta, Julia had a trout which turned out to be...a lot of food.  Delightful day.  We listened to Jesus Christ Superstar on the way back and I wrote an easter poem on my writing blog.

We are packing up to meet Julia's family at Chimney rock.  Happy birthday dear ;)

Ashville - Day 1 and More

On Friday, I worked from home and we drove to Ashville.  We listened to a CD and I read some of Death Masks from the Dresden Files out loud.   We tried to f ind the sushi place we ate at before and ended up at a place called Cambio instead which was Japanese Thai.   It was cheap and excellent.  The place we are staying is an Airbnb place run  by Rita, but she couldn't be there when we arrived, since often performs with her husband at Biltmore.   When we arrived a little black cat wanted in, but we were unsure if he belonged to her or not but he went right in.  I put him out gently  but it turned out that he  was her cat so all was well.

Meant to write but was playing MOO 2 until 2am.  Because I am dumb sometimes.

This morning we had a delightful breakfast with a teacher and her husband from Maryland, and another couple with their daughter in the third grade.   Rita is an excellent host and was quite laid back when I accidentally dropped  a plate.  Like most bed and breakfast we all chatted and it was very social.  The cats were very cute.  The house is gorgeous and quite victorian.

The trip to Miami gave us a chance to get a local po box and a phone with a Miami number.  We are looking exclusively in South Florida at this point.  Not a lot of hits so far.  Julia is doing well in school, though  she was stressed about a group assignment. I'm sure she did fine.  Work is ok for me, not as weird as wells fargo or  quite as awesome as qualcom, but it pays the bills and we get by.

Its been an interesting month

Job is OK.  Julia's search is OK. Definitely glad she dropped the tech class of death.  There were...problems...there, but she is wisely waiting until after she graduates to really complain about it.

January and Feb were austerity months, largely due to all the stuff that hit us, but March is a little bit better since there are three pay periods, which is nice. We're going to Miami in preparation for the eventual move. 

The car sat idle most of the month but we finally got it fixed.  Got a surprise from the dentist...AGAIN but both he and my insurance have actually gone above and beyond to work with me, and I am very pleased with that.  The world is a different place....and being nice, even when you REALLY don't want to pays off.

Wish I could say the same about everyone, but until we move I'm keeping that...low key for now.  Writing isn't going perfectly, but its going.  Podcast is still there.  A new mike is on the way.  Things will be tight with conferences, biltmore and Miami but in the long run everything but Miami is

Introspection Day

The idea behind Introspection Day is to consider what I believe,  why I believe  it, and what is worth fighting for and what is worth leaving behind.

It is also a great time for considering plans for goals and fleshing out how to do them.

Here are a few:

The trip to Miami is going to also be the focal point for going there.  We will get a cheap metropcs phone w a Miami number and a PO box for  our resumes which will go a lot farther w recruiters.  Julia will be searching for federal jobs in Feb and also attending some library conferences in San Fran and Boston to network.

For the three print books I want to have Spiders in the Sugar factory done for may, Forever West done in August (requiring a map and second cover) and Billy's First bolt gun in October.

Red Anvil Creative is looking pretty anemic but I will try one final time for some new customers/clients in Feb before declaring that one a total loss.

I have an arrangement with Margaret Logan (who did the first cover for Forever West) for Timmy Saves The Whales, which, if she  .  Signs the contract will be done in July.

I believe the Khan academy course I will take this year will be entrepreneurs  (warranted for a new business that will actually work)

I ashera isn't going well but in theory I am doing a single verse each week.  If more progress isn't made soon i may kill it

The writing efforts are going OK and covered here.

I hope to do a bonus goal a month.
1) Read a book on Chinese history
2) snail mail 100 letters
3) fix the code on human ignorance virus
4) type in the Irish poetry book for project Gutenberg
5) learn to speak w a Cajun accent
6) write 3 scripts (weekends)
7) Visit 4 cons
8) join a face to face gaming group
9) run a 20th anniversary mage virtual  game
10) do a 48 hour film festival film
11) Finish all payments on the earring
12) Obtain a mike and set up a dedicated vo rig.

I am going to have to reduce the computer classes to 3...they are MUCH more difficult than i thought but worth it

Nibbled to Death by Ducks

We're still OK, but the tooth operation, ticket, car battery, new tires, car insurance in a block of 6 months and car registration in two months plus a new company policy that doesn't let me make up at work...and it means things are tight.  Not impossible, but tight.  Fortunately, there is an extra pay cycle in March and early estimates of taxes looking hopeful...we should be able to repay the housing fund and rebuild the reserve.

Looking forward to spending Introspection Day with Julia.  I'm sick.  Which means this will be short.  Been traveling back and forth to visit Mom and Skip because they are moving.  It was nice seeing them before they do.  I helped them move a bit.  Was sick on the way back.  Kind of horrific, but I got here in one piece and lived.

All things told, life is still good. Nothing will ever be perfect, and at some point I'll have spare funds to advertise forever west a bit.  I also need to get a mike so I can resume the podcast.  Fortunately, thanks to Matt I have another few months in reserve.

Months on The Road

When you include Thankgiving, all the trips in December and the new trips we are making in Jan to visit Mom and Skip and Grandma before they move to San Francisco, the miles add up.  Julia and I are both tired but there are still three more weeks left.  Goals are slow bit steady and should be ready by Introspection day.  It was a little empty without the cat bit we did enjoy a quiet night at home w each other while we watched the last three episodes of Homeland.

Sleep is good.  They are keeping a closer eye on extra hours at work for a while which is less money but good timing since it will gice me more time to relax...still, in a limited duration contract I always keep a close eye on things amd there is less work than people.  If things increase in circumstances,, time to begin looking immediately.

[Goals] 2015

Tom - This year will kick things up.   Got enough goals last year that I will increase what I do this year.  All must be planned by Introspection day on the 31rst-5th of Feb.

Goal of the Year
Write and complete 50000 words in NANOWRMO

Primary Goals
1. Write one story a week til Nov.  After edit, submit at least one  in four for publication five times.
2. Get 35 points towards Scrum Professional.
3. Get Perm Job in Starter City.
4. Do 6 courses in self taught CS degree.
5. Create print books for at least 3 books.
6. Keep physically fit.  Increase Run time to 10 minutes.  100 push ups.  50% plus bench.

Secondary
1. Get three clients for RAC.  Have one be near or almost near successful.
2. Do another Not for Children's Book.
3. Pay no more than $10 in the political rant jar.
4. Do one Khan not related to CS.
5. Finish Exodus in I, Ashera.
6. Complete the Arrow.

Bonus Goals: Compile list of 12 by Introspection Day.

Julia Goals
1. Be nicer to myself.
2. Graduate w. 3.8 GPA.
3. Get a perm job I want.
4. Continue w Food Journal 80% of time.
5. Got to at least one, ideally both conferences.
6. Get a little help from my friends.
7. Continue improving relationship w Tom and communicate more.

Couples Goals
1. Move to Miami successfully.
2. Go to Europe
3. Go to Miami on scout trip.
4. Have 4 trips. (Currently likely Biltmore, Spiletto, San Fran and...???)
5. Communiticate.



Life Goals - "At some point"
1. See the Louvre.
**2016.
2. Travel around the world on a one way trip. Japan, Australia, India, Egypt, London, Italy and Hawaii.
** Goal to see all by 2019. Egypt pending political situation.
3. Learn a martial art.
**Done
5. Assemble a band for a tour based on music written by me.
6. Start a successful business.
Started in 2011. "Success" is determined in this case by an operating profit of 400% invested capital or $10000. 2011-2015. Otherwise 'failure' and goal removed from dock.
Not looking good on this one...
7. Learn a musical instrument.
Slated 2016
8. Sculpt something memorable.
9. Create or help create a graphic novel.
**Completed. [And also permanently dead :( ]
10. Own a plane, sailboat, taught or ultralight and learn to pilot/sail it.
11. Write seven novels.
**5 of 7 done.
13. Go on a cruise.
2016.
14. Organize a convention on SOMETHING. [Small chance of 2014]
16. Build a house (not necessarily my own.)
17. Own my own home (all own, no mortgage)
2019.
18. Have a room with a secret passage
2019.
23. Be in a flash mob dance number.
Do in 2015??
26. Live the fifth life (who knows what that is)
Doing.  Transforming.
27. Ditto the sixth.

Doing.
28. Ditto the seventh.
**Kept in reserve until 2027.
47. Finish 7 films. (3 out of 7 completed).
2016.
48. Enter a remote controlled airplane tournament and place in the upper half.
49. Enter a competitive Kite contest (the kind with the razors on the wings.)
50. Blow something up with Dynamite. (Legally)
51. Join the Masons.
2017. 
52. Hypnotize someone.
Completed 2013.

53. Firewalk.
54. Visit the Library of Congess
55. Complete 7 Projects of Significance. [1 of 7 done.]
1. Finding Joe screening.
29. Marry the Right Person.
Done.
30. Establish a business empire dedicated to a not for profit foundation.
31. Visit (but do not live in) Space.
32. Buy my own island.
35. Create a functional and profitable news network that actually produces what is independent.
36. Create an institution to focus on pure research.
38. "" Neurological regeneration.
39. Paid Angel agents to quietly and anonymously do good.
40. Create a series of libraries (10) dedicate to principles original to libraries. Secular sanctuaries and temples to knowledge.
43. Breed dogs to live twice as long

44. Create 3 patents.
45. Own and that is entirely self-sufficient w. energy, food and other items.
46. Become a Father.
Slated 2017.
Bucket List (the Bucket in the Bucket….IE, I no longer care about this but might change my mind.)
4. Competitively enter a fencing competition.