05 July 2007

Buy it, use it, break it, fix it, Trash it, change it, melt-upgrade it

I purchased a new computer this week and since it's 113°F outside I've been spending the days with it in Panera under the a/c. My old computer had become so unreliable I didn't want to do any work on it. At least that was my, I think justifiable, excuse. Everything was broken on it. I'll try not to spill coffee on this one. It feels good to have a dvd burner that I can back up my data on. Also, half the weight and a smaller size mean fewer bruised thumbs from picking up the computer with one hand.

It's been sometime since my last post. I'm still in Las Vegas, still working in the Mojave. One of my life goals since high school has always been to become an itinerant biologist and it's something I've spent 10 years in college to become. It's still a goal for me but the allure of a dependable income is hard to resist. Being out of school and with no serious notions of returning I am now faced with the necessity of creating an enjoyable career and lifestyle for myself in an economically sustainable way. So I've decided to stay on at USGS until the end of September to make a bit more money in a position I enjoy. Unfortunately, I seem to be increasing my spending lately so I'm going to have to get serious about my budget and stick to it to get my credit cards paid off. Once those cards are taken care of and I have some money cashed away I will feel at liberty to quit my job and move on to the next place.

Small living.

One big expense I am anticipating soon is an apartment. During the week I have and expansive desert floor and infinite ceilings but on the weekends I've been living in a mobile 32 square feet with 4 foot ceilings. Since I spend most of my time in the field sleeping under the stars, I felt it was unnecessary to depart with $500/month for a weekend shower. But with the extreme heat advisories lasting until midnight recently, I am beginning to seriously reconsider this position. I feel like a vampire here sometimes as I watch the sun creeping into my shade and I inch back to avoid frying alive. Hard plastics melt, fruit rots in a matter of hours, and trim is falling off of my truck.

It's been almost a year now since I had a permanent residence of my own. I've learned a lot from the experience. For example, I can shower with between two and three gallons of water. I've also learned that there are lots of other people that live in their cars. I'm still sleeping on the same full sized bed I was when I had an apartment and even when I had an apartment I didn't like spending time there so my life isn't that much different. My most missed conveniences are a private bathroom and kitchen.

Gandhi said "Live simply so that others may simply live." I try. I've been wondering if I would leave less of a footprint by not living in an apartment or by not driving. I think it's a toss up economically as well. Certain things just cost more if you can't purchase them in bulk. I'm considering joining the Small House Society. I believe I have an "unconventional spirit coupled with down-to-earth practicality". In contrast, the scale of things here in Vegas is ridiculous.

Other thoughts.

I had lost 25 pounds since moving to Nevada and reached an acceptable 159#, that was until Fourth of July BBQ and mild beverage consumption. The fireworks on the strip were disappointing but the Bellagio had an impressive water show with patriotic music. Work is still good. We've complete perennial surveys for burned habitat. Plant identification is sometimes frustrating. Soon we will be working on tortoises. Vegas will effect me much more than California did. I may need to wander.


Favorites of the moment;
casino: Mandala Bay
internet access point: Panera
internet tool: del.ic.ious
books: The Sun Also Rises, Religions of the World series by Chelsea House publishers
word: ridiculous
bands: Sexy Champions; Project Jenny, Project Jan; The Broken Remotes; Apes and Androids
Unexpected favorite drug of the moment: jäger and coke
plant: YUSH - Yucca shadigera
technical advancement: a/c
experience: Unexpectedly running into someone I know in town. Even better because I only know three people here.


P.S. -- Personal notes to distant friends:
  • Thanks to Mandy for posting the picture of us at graduation.
  • Sorry to Jeff, I am no longer planning to be in Colorado in August, maybe October.
  • Thanks for the comment Melinda. I'm not sure I'll ever have an affection for the desert the way a native would.
  • Chels, We will talk again someday, I promise.

10 comments:

Daniel said...

Welcome back. I'm planning on a trip to a winery/microbrewery outside Pawnee City, NE. Tortoises sounds fun, maybe you'll be able to make a soup at some point.

Ellen said...

Wow, I'm glad you posted, I really enjoyed reading it. My favorite tree of all time is Maclura pomifera. I also like your idea of living small and lately I've been trying to downsize my collections. It's hard to part with some of my stuff, but essential to small space living.

Enjoy Nevada until September.

Daniel said...

Ellen, that trip to the winery/microbrewery will be preceded by a trip to the Homestead National Monument, where I will see a big ol' hedge of Maclura pomifera.

Bryant, I tried Jagermeister for the first time at the beginning of June, and I surprisingly liked it. I normally don't like licorice flavored things.

Melinda said...

Oh I wish I could get rid of enough things to live in one of those small houses. Every time I talk to one of my friends in Kenya and he asks me if I'm done packing yet, I sheepishly have to admit I'm not. I'm sure by now he thinks I live in a mansion and not a converted garage.

CëRïSë said...

As... you... wish...

Daniel said...

So how was your birthday? Call me sometime.

Amy said...

hi bryant, and happy belated birthday.

i think you need a fieldhut. it's my dad's latest thing. considering your itinerant goals and the fact that you are a low-impact, minimalist type person you might find it appealing. you can see one at www.fieldhut.com.

Karen said...

Bryant, it was so great seeing you a couple of weeks ago. I didn't realize how much I miss having you around until we spent an evening together over fine tapas, fine company and conversation. Hope you are well. Feel free to move back to Lincoln anytime--My basement is your basement, friend. Oh, heck you can have the spare bedroom.

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