Just Words - Hardly

I am something of a bibliophile - okay, not something - I AM a bibliophile. Books and words are an obsession that goes back to when, I'm not sure but I've always been a reader. At my peak I was reading 6 - 7 books a week. Some of them were for editing work, some were pre-reads for author friends but most were just for my sheer enjoyment. I can sit down with a book and lose 5 hours without even realizing time has passed.

Whatever happened to me last June sucked the reader out of me. I don't know if it was depression or my insane inability to concentrate on anything but I stopped reading. I would pick up books in the store and nothing seemed interesting, I would browse Amazon's Kindle book choices with an upturned nose. Nothing could grab or hold my attention. I've missed books terribly.

When previews for The Hunger Games started showing, they interested me. It looked like a movie I would enjoy so I did a bit of digging and found out it was a book first - not just one book but a trilogy. I've never been one for watching a movie over a book. My head produces better imagery than any producer or director so I looked them up for Kindle and sure enough I found all three books and purchased them yesterday afternoon.

After waiting impatiently for my Kindle to charge since it hasn't been turned on in nearly a year I started reading the first book - The Hunger Games. 4 hours later I finished the book. Not only is it an engaging story but I can identify with the characters.

Book 2 - Catching Fire is no different. I woke up this morning and had the Kindle up and going. I can see the relevance of the story to what is happening around the world right now with Occupy. These are relevant stories and my brain is gobbling them up. I'm half through the second book and have made myself stop reading. I need to digest what I've taken in and I have stuff I need to be doing that doesn't include being in my PJ's at noon on a Thursday.

When I finish the series I'll no doubt see the movie but it won't be better than what I've already seen in my head.

Shamrocks, Bunnies and Green Tutus

Just a few notes before I head to bed.

ShamrockFest tomorrow! I'm stoked. I'll be out there dressed in neon green from head to toe or the glittered girl in the green tutu wearing boy shorts that say "I kissed a leprechaun and I liked it"

LET'S GO MURPHYS!

Here's to hoping the rain gives us a break tomorrow.

In other news rabbit sales in Second Life are picking up. I sold over $L 12,000 worth just today. That's 50 US dollars so my land tier is paid for next month already. This is fabulous news since SL is going to become my main source of income I hope.

The Flooring is Here

So the "molded vinyl" flooring for the passenger part of the van showed up today. I'm a bit on the disappointed side that it's not what I expected - at all. First of all, there is nothing molded about it. It's a piece of flat black vinyl that I could have picked up in any Home Depot for a fuck of a lot cheaper. Second, it;s not cut to even remotely the same shape as my floor with the exception of a sloppily cut "U" shape hole for the doghouse that I am still going to have to cut about 4 inches off of. Third, it came with an underflooring that I have no idea where it's supposed to go. Fourth, the box it came in was badly damaged.

What a waste of $200. Friends, don't ever purchase anything from roadworksauto.com - they suck.

Anything about this look molded to anyone . . . anyone? Didn't think so.

Pick A Project

I finally sat down and made a list of all the things that need work or I would like to work on about the van. It's a daunting list so I thought I would share it. Right now I have three projects that are on my I-NEED-IT-NOW shortlist. The rest will come as I go I suppose . . .

• Install fuel sending units - in hopes of returning function to my fuel gauge.
• Install some sort of rubber flooring.
• Fix my exhaust (it's loud and driving me nuts)

Now for the extended list:

• Check propane system
• Check plumbing
• Install new waste tank
• Get thermostat
• Fix AC if possible
• Install exhaust fan for kitty litter box
• Fix vent fan (new blades)
• Fix side window screen
• Find/ build screen doors for side/ rear barn doors
• Get window screens for driver/ passenger windows
• Install TV mount after removing old TV and cabinet
• Build attic caging
• Body work
• New outer paint
• Build in second battery bank
• Solar panels

So yeah - exhaustive list.

New Flooring Part 1

Who knows how many parts this will be in. I've decided to undertake ripping out all of the carpet in the van to put in something easier to clean.

I managed to get the front third done and my arms crapped out from all of the tugging. It does looking like installing new flooring won't be too difficult. The front will be a big of a nightmare since the carpeting was glued directly to the metal body of the van but from the dinette back there's carpet, padding and some sort of foam looking stuff that isn't glued down. I may be able to get away with putting new flooring right on that foam layer.

I haven't decided what to put in. I'm not leaning towards anything wood or anything wood-looking because it's too dark in the van now. Carpet is out because of the cats. I need something I can sweep clean. I also need something easy to install.

Let the search begin.