Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Winter seems to show the slow down of blogging

I just went through the list of blogs I follow, and I have only about four that have posted in the past month, and then others that have not posted in five months or more, and two that, while still being listed, no longer exist.

It got me thinking, someone posted anonymously something along the lines of, "Another blog bites the dust." a few weeks back, but only thought about looking into it now. My blog, gentle readers will not be biting the dust anytime soon, just slower posts because I am not in the van, but I do hope to get it upgraded soon... or buy a RoadTrek. Honestly, reading Glenn's Blog, and also seeing the RoadTrek vans really make me want to think everything over, and plan properly, and wait.

The van as it is now, is in use, but I kinda want it back so I can do a little winter camping with the family, and go out to the mountains. Eventually. My friend should (hopefully) be able to get into city housing December 1st, but as of right now, he is mobile.

Curiosity strikes me, those who read this that are blogging about similar things, do you slow down in the winter because you find a stick built for the winter, or do you slow down because you're out being a snowbird somewhere and don't have access to the Internet? Or are you giving up on the dream? Or maybe like me, and bideing your time to upgrade?

Monday, November 7, 2011

First report back from my friend

So, I mentioned earlier that a friend is currently living in the van. Just to give you an idea, it is currently -3°C / 27°F here in Calgary at 9am, and obviously cooler at night. It's not even winter yet. Due to living in the house, and all that, I just have not had the time or the money to do my updates to the van. Besides, I'm saving my pennies for a downpayment on a RoadTrek 210-Versatile, or whatever comes out that's better by the time I have the cash. While living vicariously through Glenn's blog over at To Simplify... So without further adeau.... (My friend never wrote this out, so I am giving you what he has told me, and writing it as he said it.)

Well, first off, thank you so much for letting me use the van Arathi! (No, he didn't call me Arathi, but that's how you know me.) I chaged out the starter battery for one I have that has 800 Cold Cranking Amps since the other was getting weak, and you can keep it as a thanks for letting me use the van. I got the furnace running, but it's annoying right now because there is something wrong with it, and the pilot light won't stay lit after it shuts off, but it'll run all night in this weather. I did find that the furnace will drain the house battery completely if running all night, so I might wire in a second one that I have in storage, just to get that extra power, and also find a place to park at night where I can plug in.

I'm learning that I need to pay more attention to how I drive in it, otherwise things fall off the counter. Everything except where that mesh is. (I had removed some to use in the house) It's like driving a limo, you turn to make sure you're not spilling the persons glass of wine. I'm liking that I basically have no rent, and I can cook a meal in the parking lot of Tim Horton's if I want. hahaha!

I hooked up a new stereo so I have tunes. (Mine burnt out last trip for some reason...) but I'm so busy, I don't spend more than travel and sleep in the van for the most part. You should get the van back soon, as I have a job lined up working on the railway up north, which should give me some good money, and being out in camp will keep me from spending it all as well.

And there you have it, he was short and sweet with what he told me, I did remove the more personal stuff that we had spoken about as well, it's person strife for him, and the reason he's living in my van right now. Unlike me, and many of us vehicle dwellers out there, he fell on very hard times, and is in the van because it's better than a shelter. I chose to be in the van, he had little choice. It's just a good thing I never chose to sell the van.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

I may not be in the van but a friend is

So, I've been super busy as of late with the new family, and new home. The van has sat patiently waiting for me to do the few things I need to it, and we have not been able to get out for some camping at all. I am currently working several diffeent contracts and it keeps me busy every day of the week.

A few days ago, a friend asked if he could borrow the van as he has recently come across hard times, and is homeless. He's in the van, and taking care of business so to speak. lol I'm going to try to get him to give me updates on how eveything is going so I can post here. It's November, and that means cold. Very cold. He got the furnace running I believe, but I am not too sure right now. Poor guy just found out that the stereo is broken, so no tunes while he's in there.

Hopefully I can get everything fixed, and running in there soon, it would be nice for him, but maybe I'll buy the reflectix and get him to install it.

Anyways, that's my short update on the van :)