Happy to report that Tigger made it to SF in one piece. Whether he and the teen make it back to Oregon. . .
Naturally, that simple plan had a few. . . Modifications. For one thing, it took them 12hours to get here. Then there was that little matter of "a few wreaths and a bunch of ornaments."
I showed up around one and by shortly after three we had everything jammed onto the rather inadequate-looking 19' trailer.
Strapping the tarps over it was. . . Interesting. You'd think a guy who camped under tarps all the time could. . . never mind. He may have said something inappropriate to me, but it might just have been about getting the hook on the tie-down into the grommet and pulling it tight.
Tigger is going to have the most amazingly decorated house in all of Oregon, since he now has enough decorations to bedeck Ghiridelli Square. He'll post a picture of the load when he gets home. . . Maybe after some sleep.
Send some good thoughts to him and the kid tonight. I tried to get them to stay the night and sleep before driving back, but no go. So root for no flats, no sleeping behind the wheel, and good judgment while the kid is driving and Tigger is asleep.
-------------- Bits of writerly thoughts and random short fiction found at The Ninja Librarian Blog
Unbalanced applies to more than the trailer load. While I like the guy well enough, he has some odd ideas about what is normal, or even good, thinking. I do wish him a safe journey, and and cannot wait until he posts pictures of what he does with all of that Xmas stuff.
-------------- Everything I know, I learned by doing it wrong at least twice.
The easiest way to ruin a Friday is to realize it is only Tuesday.
Tigger has the only pic. I forgot my camera, and we were working! He just took one shot of the rig when we finished. Look for it after he sleeps tomorrow.
-------------- Bits of writerly thoughts and random short fiction found at The Ninja Librarian Blog
Tigger has the only pic. I forgot my camera, and we were working! He just took one shot of the rig when we finished. Look for it after he sleeps tomorrow.
I know a guy.
-------------- Of all the ridiculous things to micromanage. Even for a lunatic megalomaniac.
Holy cow! Where was he? The load looks tight so far. Maybe they really will make it.
I missed the prep for this meeting. How did this thing come about? I take it that trailer is full of holiday decorations.
A young man with a dream of a Christmas "Bigger than life" and a heart to match transports San Francisco's famed Giradelli Square decorations in a tiny trailer back to his home town. Local author Rebecca was on hand to assist Daryl and his son with the loading of the ancient Giradelli Square Decorations onto a trailer upteen times larger than their vehicle, and reports that they were in such a hurry to return home, that they could not take the time for a lunch break on the famed Fisherman's Wharf,
Rumor has it that the proceeds from the guestimate closest to the December 2012 electricity bill at Tigger's house will be donated to the winners choice of Tigger's charitable endeavors. Please follow this thread for additional details!!!
JMHO, Judy ;-)
Thanks to anyone correcting my mis-spelled words and editing this text!
Over the years, Tigger has reduced the power consumed by his decorations by various means, including led lights. These new additions might push him over the limit, but I think many of them are headed to other locales. His house cannot fit many of these since his decorations already take up most of his home.
-------------- Everything I know, I learned by doing it wrong at least twice.
The easiest way to ruin a Friday is to realize it is only Tuesday.
Well, he was talking about needing to upgrade his power system. . .
These may actually be a bit of a problem, as the integral lights are not LED. Think that's why GS was getting rid of them. He will certainly have his whole house wrapped in evergreen garlands, and tied up with a mile of ribbon. That six-foot wreath is going to make it hard to open the door, though.
-------------- Bits of writerly thoughts and random short fiction found at The Ninja Librarian Blog
Made it back home about two hours ago (I did sleep twice - 1.5 hours and then another half hour later). Quite the adventure getting home. After trying to find a place to park in downtown SF with the 19 ft. trailer so I could get cash for the toll booth (didn't realize they don't take cards on the way in) was interesting. The stop we took was after we crossed the bay bridge. It was the first comfortable place I found to see if the load was still holding together. Rebecca's tarp tying skills were incredible. We barely had to snug the straps hardly at all even after things settled.
We did have a few excitements on the way home. Apparently on the way out, somehow the running lights were not functioning. We stopped at a Travel store and bought a couple flashlights with handles that glowed red and duct taped them to the bumper. We soon found out that they also "go to sleep" every hour so we had built-in break time for the rest of the trip. The police officer who also noticed my running lights turn off didn't write us a ticket but wanted to make sure we weren't taking a load of marijuana back with us to Oregon...
After deciding to take the long route home (was NOT going to drive five hours straight on the ice again) so that we could shorten the "strenuous" section of the trip, My Service Engine Soon light went on. The last five hours were spent praying that the truck would make it home in one piece and feeling guilty for overworking it.
Thank you SO MUCH Rebecca for all the help. My brain was mush after the long drive and your expertise and strength were a prayer answered in a time of need.
I feel very overwhelmed with the amount of decorations we got. I have already signed up several non-profits for decoration and am giving some to family and friends. Pictures to follow....after a nap.
-------------- If I'm going to be lost, in the woods is where I want to be...
Tigger! Glad you made it home safely. I'm sorry I didn't think about the bridge toll--been using the auto-pay thing too long. I'd have sworn they took credit cards, though.
Not sure I deserve al, the credit you give me, but glad I could help, and glad to have met the Crazy Holiday Man of Oregon
-------------- Bits of writerly thoughts and random short fiction found at The Ninja Librarian Blog
First day of decorating with the new stuff. This is so over the top! I have ornaments that are literally the size of basketballs. I am having so much fun. I got the two largest wreaths mounted on the house and lit up after I filled them full of ornaments. The lighting that was on them was a bit intimidating (Looked like they would suck up a circuit each) so I decided to use my own lights instead. I haven't had to tap any new circuits yet but I'll be spending the day tomorrow adding some new plugs from my indoor circuits just to help balance the power. I am shooting for being done decorating in two weeks but I might pull something out of my hat and have it done earlier depending on how many free evenings I get.
Edit: Nevermind about the circuit thing. I just tripped my first circuit. I'll change out the existing ones up to 20 amps...
-------------- If I'm going to be lost, in the woods is where I want to be...
Bend has an electrical rate of nearly 10c a KW hour, and each 20 amp circuit uses about 2 KW without tripping the breaker. That would say that each circuit would cost him about 20c an hour, and Winter solstice would give him about 6 hours a day between onset of dusk and 10 PM when most folks would shut down their decorations, or $1.20 per circuit, per day. If his bill has a 30 day time period for that month, we are talking about $36.00 a month per circuit. Now all we have to do is figure out how many circuits he uses for his decorations and we can calculate how much his power bill will go up.
-------------- Everything I know, I learned by doing it wrong at least twice.
The easiest way to ruin a Friday is to realize it is only Tuesday.
Bend has an electrical rate of nearly 10c a KW hour, and each 20 amp circuit uses about 2 KW without tripping the breaker. That would say that each circuit would cost him about 20c an hour, and Winter solstice would give him about 6 hours a day between onset of dusk and 10 PM when most folks would shut down their decorations, or $1.20 per circuit, per day. If his bill has a 30 day time period for that month, we are talking about $36.00 a month per circuit. Now all we have to do is figure out how many circuits he uses for his decorations and we can calculate how much his power bill will go up.
When I get done getting it setup, I'll let you know how many circuits I am using and how many amps along with the timing of how long I keep them on. I won't be keeping them on past 9:00 pm till December.
One cool thing about Bend is we have a competition that I will enter this year. The "best" decorated house gets their electric bill paid for the month of December. I normally don't enter contests but this year...I am going to give it a shot. I assume based upon the house so far, I have a solid shot at winning it.
-------------- If I'm going to be lost, in the woods is where I want to be...
Bend has an electrical rate of nearly 10c a KW hour, and each 20 amp circuit uses about 2 KW without tripping the breaker. That would say that each circuit would cost him about 20c an hour, and Winter solstice would give him about 6 hours a day between onset of dusk and 10 PM when most folks would shut down their decorations, or $1.20 per circuit, per day. If his bill has a 30 day time period for that month, we are talking about $36.00 a month per circuit. Now all we have to do is figure out how many circuits he uses for his decorations and we can calculate how much his power bill will go up.
When I get done getting it setup, I'll let you know how many circuits I am using and how many amps along with the timing of how long I keep them on. I won't be keeping them on past 9:00 pm till December.
One cool thing about Bend is we have a competition that I will enter this year. The "best" decorated house gets their electric bill paid for the month of December. I normally don't enter contests but this year...I am going to give it a shot. I assume based upon the house so far, I have a solid shot at winning it.
From what I have heard it sounds like everyone else is entering for second place. Good luck in the contest. I would tell you to enjoy, but I think that you have that covered.
While I like the guy well enough, he has some odd ideas about what is normal, or even good, thinking. I do wish him a safe journey, and and cannot wait until he posts pictures of what he does with all of that Xmas stuff. 
Survival Skills 101 • Eat Better
