Recent Material Acquisitions
Mar. 3rd, 2009 05:18 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
snousleFebruary saw a little shopping.
A 3/4 ton cargo van:
Verdict: A necessary business investment that doesn't quite provide that satisfying retail glow. We did get a good deal, though - $14.4K out the door, with 20K miles and still under factory warranty. In truth, I don't even like driving it, and backing up is terrifying, although I LOVE packing and unpacking for events now - so easy! I can't believe how long we held out, cramming stuff on the roof rack of the CRV. What a drag. Mostly, when I look at it, I am reminded of the pressing need to make it pay.
A travel knife kit:
I was looking at knife rolls at Castino when I saw that there was also a number that came complete with knives. I realized I actually needed a couple of them, they felt good, and looked like a decent buy. I've been unhappy about having to pack up the kitchen knives, and it occurred to me that I really ought to have a separate travel set. Verdict: WAY HAPPY. A much overdue purchase. These things have super-grippy handles that are are a pleasure to hold, and they just rip through the prep work. I feel like a samurai in the kitchen.
Snowboard:
Pure financial recklessness. When I was a teenager, I lusted after hot snowboards like others lusted after hot cars. The sport was in its infancy - I actually owned a Burton with a swallowtail and a little metal fin on the bottom, a design that has since completely disappeared - so it was kind of exciting. A beautiful board still seems like an unattainable dream, yet since that time they have become much more affordable. This whole rig was mine for $600 (not including boots) but emotionally I feel like I just bought a private jet.
(BTW, I'm planning a snowboard odyssey, heading up the coast range and ending in Vancouver, starting about April 1. If any of you readers up there want to offer a place to stay, ride together, or just hang, let me know and I'll see if it can work. Some of you I've already chatted with and will be getting more specific about dates soon, I promise!)
A 3/4 ton cargo van:
Verdict: A necessary business investment that doesn't quite provide that satisfying retail glow. We did get a good deal, though - $14.4K out the door, with 20K miles and still under factory warranty. In truth, I don't even like driving it, and backing up is terrifying, although I LOVE packing and unpacking for events now - so easy! I can't believe how long we held out, cramming stuff on the roof rack of the CRV. What a drag. Mostly, when I look at it, I am reminded of the pressing need to make it pay.
A travel knife kit:
I was looking at knife rolls at Castino when I saw that there was also a number that came complete with knives. I realized I actually needed a couple of them, they felt good, and looked like a decent buy. I've been unhappy about having to pack up the kitchen knives, and it occurred to me that I really ought to have a separate travel set. Verdict: WAY HAPPY. A much overdue purchase. These things have super-grippy handles that are are a pleasure to hold, and they just rip through the prep work. I feel like a samurai in the kitchen.
Snowboard:
Pure financial recklessness. When I was a teenager, I lusted after hot snowboards like others lusted after hot cars. The sport was in its infancy - I actually owned a Burton with a swallowtail and a little metal fin on the bottom, a design that has since completely disappeared - so it was kind of exciting. A beautiful board still seems like an unattainable dream, yet since that time they have become much more affordable. This whole rig was mine for $600 (not including boots) but emotionally I feel like I just bought a private jet.
(BTW, I'm planning a snowboard odyssey, heading up the coast range and ending in Vancouver, starting about April 1. If any of you readers up there want to offer a place to stay, ride together, or just hang, let me know and I'll see if it can work. Some of you I've already chatted with and will be getting more specific about dates soon, I promise!)
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Backing Up
Date: 2009-03-04 01:58 am (UTC)Does it have a back window? Go to an RV store and buy an Fresnel Lens.
Something like this:
http://www.topoftheline-travel.com/auto-back-up-mirror.html
It helps a lot.
If the side door has a window Put one there as well.
Re: Backing Up
Date: 2009-03-04 06:46 pm (UTC)Re: Backing Up
Date: 2009-03-04 07:40 pm (UTC)I've threatened to get a Miata as a spare. I'd just slip it under the back seat.
I have driven full sized Chevy Vans for over 30 years. You get used to putting them is tight spaces.
It's better now that the spare tire isn't hanging off the back.
Re: Backing Up
Date: 2009-03-04 08:11 pm (UTC)Our spare hangs off the back, because the kitchenware is under the futon. :)
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