jim

Hi, there. I'm Jim. Welcome to my phlog!

This site was written for Las Vegas, then LouisVille. Now, it seems to be about anywhere. In these phlogs, you'll see a lot of my personal notes and pictures. I like to post my observations here to remember life and celebrate it. I'm not religious. I don't pray for good fortune. I'm ecstatically grateful for the gift of life and I think our time should be remembered and not taken for granted. I'm not a writer. I think pictures tell stories so much better than words. I love just about everything in this life, and, I guess that would have to include you. So, if you've seen me, don't be surprised if your picture is in here somewhere. Of all the critters, people are absolutely the most interesting.

<< 07/2006 < 06/2007 Calendar 08/2007 > 07/2008 >>

Sun

07/08/2007 20:17:35

Jim Moving/Kentucky Derby/River Front Park

Friday, we signed papers for the apartment, but we couldn't move in yet.
So, we just hung out at Suburban.
We ate pizza at Old Chicago's, and I've gotta say, it was the best pizza I'd ever had!
Saturday, we moved into our apartment.
It took two trips to move out of the Suburban.
Then we bought a TON of Walmart furniture (airbed, chairs...)
We moved all of that in and passed out around midnight.
Sunday, we had to exchange another VCR (without a tuner in it, which we need)
Our GPS went strange on us, and we ended up at a Walmart in New Albany.
On our way back, we had to go down Albany's back streets.
We actually got stopped at a railroad crossing for 20 minutes (I hopped out and picked flowers...lol).
Albany's a beautiful, small town with very old Buildings.
I64 was out to Louisville, so once again, we had to take a detour and I blew a flat!
Finally, about noonish, we got back to Louisville.
Churchill Downs with Rod and Jessica.
Rod and Jessica met us at the apartments and gave us a lift. They are such great company!
Becky picked the horses and won!!! Yippee!!!
Ending the day, we went to The River Front Park
Cool place. There's a Joes Crab Shack high on stilts over the river.
The park has a water jet show, and lots of grassy areas.
Kids were playing frisbee football and soccer. It looked like a blast.

Sun

07/08/2007 13:43:42

jim Louisville,KY-Kentucky Derby-Rod,Jessica,Jim,Becky

Sat

07/07/2007 16:22:21

Jim See ya’ll Tuesday

We're going off line until we get our new internet service
Have a GREAT WEEKEND!

Sat

07/07/2007 07:26:34

Jim Living downtown...how to adapt?

I'm really excited about this change.
Entertainment is in walking distance. A CVS is just a block away.
I noticed that most of the Kentucky Towers dwellers don't have a car.
To get from the street to our apartment
- we have to park in a garage
- go to the 3rd floor
- walk up a ricketty stair/bridge to our apartment building
- go down and around a hallway
- take the elevator to the fifth floor
- then go down the hall to our apartment #503.
There is no convenient way to get from the parking garage to the apartment at ground level.
However, if we take the bus
- We can enter the apartments directly from the front
- take the elevator to the fifth floor
- then go down the hall to our apartment #503.
So, either we find a place to park at ground level, or we take the bus.
This is going to be so much FUN! And I am going to lose weight!

Fri

07/06/2007 21:52:26

Jim Sea shells in the desert? Global Warming?

When driving across the country, its obvious that almost all of this country has been under water at some time or other.
After all, we pulled out of the ice age only 18,000 years ago.
We know the ocean level has risen 400 feet since then.
Ever wonder what happened to all of that ice?
I do. We've seen, from a distance, that Las Vegas looks like a glacier slid through it at one time.
What would happen to the continents if all of the ice melted on the polar caps?
Is the Earth's water supply constant? Does it evaporate into outer space then collapse? Is it a gift from passing comets?
Where does the Earth's water come's from?
I can't find an answer. Some say it came from comets, (see a taste of water). Others say its been here since the beginning. At either rate, it seems the Earth is neither losing or gaining water. That would mean, if the continents were under water at some time, both the water and the land masses had to shift. Toss in the polar caps melting, and you might get fossils on mountain tops.

So here's my thoughts on global warming.
It's natural. The chart above is from studies of the polar caps. They have recorded the Earth's global temperatures through out almost all of the Earth's existance. In the chart above, can you see the beat?

El Capitan is a chunk of the limestone reef that rose during the mountain building of the Guadalupe Mountains 10 to 12 million years ago. Weather has eroded much of the surrounding sandstone. Because of the limestone's greater resistance to erosion, the towering cliff remains, revealing its trove of seashells. We've found seashells from shore to shore, on mountaintops and places in between. Chances are, you have seashell fossils in geologic formations in your home state.
What all of this means to me is
Global warming is going to happen. Global cooling is going to happen too.
If we nudge it along with pollution, it will happen sooner. Either way, it will happen.
If we don't adapt, we will become extinct.
And no, we're not going to destroy all life on this planet by our foolishness (like the doom sayer say).
Just like six foot tall Penguins vanished from the equator to the Arctic regions to become the two foot tall ones we see in the movies, life will adapt.

Fri

07/06/2007 15:32:10

jim Louisville,KY-Kentucky Towers-Apt

Fri

07/06/2007 00:15:38

Jim Our new apartment

We move in 3pm tommorrow...yahoo!!!
Kentucky Towers: 513 S 5th #504, Louisville, KY 40202, (502) 585-6300
Our apartment is on the 5th floor of this 1920's high rise.
In its hay day, was a ritzy hotel. The Hilton is across the street from it.
They are refurbishing it, along with the rest of the downtown area.
I'm curious, and paranoid, about moving into a high rise.
But this one looks REALLY COOL!!!
It has 100 washer dryers, a swimming pool on the 5th floor, an excercise room and shops on the first floor.
A Hilton Hotel and a coffee shop are across the street.
Fourth Street Live, Louisvilles ritzy party area, is one block away.
Best of all, its only 10 minutes to work,
the drive is simple,
so its unlikely that I'll be blasting the stereo,
then miss a turn at 70 mph,
and end up headed towards Nashville,
like I did the other day.

The people are very friendly and mostly attractive.

- A security guard showed us the route from the parking lot to our apartment and was nice enough to walk us through the route. He said its a quiet building.
- I talked to a front desk clerk from the Hilton who was smoking outside. She said we were going to love it. She had a lease 4 blocks down the road.
- There was a crazy lady sitting at a bus stop yelling things, probably talking to god.
- A fellow hit me up for a dime. Another hit me up for a cigarette.
- Three girls walked in alone at different times.
Each dressed like they just came from a company party.
One said she was involved in politics, and just got back from Washington DC.
So the people are going to be quite varied, but not threatening.
Our next challenge will be finding furniture on a shoe string budget.
We won't have an internet connection until Wednesday.

Thu

07/05/2007 01:15:48

Jim 4th of July at Rods

- Spent the day checking out webcaming with Sonny, Jennifer and Joy.
- Chatted with Gma.
It was great!
We were actually on our way to downtown Louisville to watch the fireworks over the Ohio, but decided to swing by and say Happy 4th!!!
Rod spent about $300 on fireworks, which sounds familiar to me.

We hung, drank a couple of beers, at beer brats.
Jessica, Rod and Reese's daughter plays the clarinett...and she had it sitting out. I picked it up, and guess what? I could still play, AND read sheet music. Its been 30 years since I was 1st chair in the high school band. There was a thunderstorm with lots of lightening on 15 mile drive home.
Altogether, it was quite a night.
We'll be going to the Kentucky Derby's last race on Sunday.

Wed

07/04/2007 09:50:00

Jim Apartment follow up is important

We saw an adorable apartment.
It was in an old brick four plex, right off the street, with parking in the back. There were trees in the front.
The owner/manager was outside fixing a window. I asked him why it was broken. He said he didn't know.
He showed us the apartment. It was nice, $500 a month, and we filled out an application.
I felt ready to take it.
HOWEVER...
When I was leaving, a guy at the bottom of the stairs gave me an evil look.
Then the manager said, "Hey Jose, how are you doing?".
Jose dropped his look and smiled.
We drove by an hour later.
There were three 15/16 year olds hanging out in the hallway.
They were sitting on the stairs and they were dressed in gang attire.
When the sun goes down, the bad guys come out.
I realized why the manager was replacing broken windows.
At least I learned that 4 plexes like that sell for $240,000 here.

Wed

07/04/2007 05:24:07

Jim They should have built Las Vegas in Louisville

They should have built Las Vegas here, instead of in the middle of a desert!
Its beautiful out here. The days are hot and muggy, however, the nights are cool and very pleasant.
And my breathing problems have all but gone away, so its actually therapeutic out here.
It would be hard to come back to Vegas to live now.
I'd forgotten how beautiful this country, and its people can be.
I've heard one horn honk out here, and it was for a good reason.
I put my blinkers on to switch lanes, and people let me in. Wow!
One of my test to see how people are in different areas of the country
has been to ask strangers for directions.
People here, actually stop, look you in the eyes and try to give you their best answer.
They seem less self absorbed than Vegans.
This would be a great place to chant a mantra! Lol.
Speaking of spirituality….
Wouldn't you know, my Be Quick notary/courier business took off like a rocket, right after I agreed to this consulting contract. I also had problems with my tenants and my condo's association too right before I moved. The logical solution was to sell my condo.
I felt like something was pushing me into coming out here, for some reason.
Ever feel like that? Like you are being controlled?
For years now, I've felt that I couldn't retire yet…
that there was something else I had to do first.
I felt that I'd be led to a task. I believe that's whats happenng.
Lately, its a voice has been SCREAMING at me, telling me what to do.
(Move to Louisville and sell your property)
Its like 'the voice' that hits us all when we reach puberty.
It comes to us in dreams. It tells us what to do and how to do it, and it requests action.
For some reason, I'm blessed by being able to remember almost all of my dreams.
For a long time, I have had no doubt that 'that voice' in my dreams has been telling me what to do, and how to do it.
I wish that voice would become even louder.
I hope in death, 'that voice' will show me its face.
If it does, I know it will be beautiful.
Well, that voice is telling me to eat now.
It's 5am, I'm hungry, and all I have to eat is some old shoes.
I wonder how long I'll have to boil them before they can become breakfast.

Tue

07/03/2007 06:40:50

Jim Apartment Quandary

Barrington's Place
Pro's: Downtown. $540, all utilities. We have a 14th floor apartment reserved that looks out over Louisville. Its walking distance from the waterfront, 4th Street Live, Slugger Stadium. Its 10 minutes from work.
Con's: Management is flaky. They told us we could move in the 6th. Now, they're saying the 18th. They just told us it was a year lease, not a 6 month, and the buy out was 2 month. We haven't seen a model, or the apartment, only pictures. Parking is across the street for $50 a month.
Crescent Center
Pro's: Downtown. $750, no utilities. Great looking place. Its walking distance from the waterfront, 4th Street Live, Slugger Stadium. Its 10 minutes from work. Parking is free.
Con's: Expensive.
Intown Suites
Pro's: Next to work. $800, all utilities. A little larger than Suburban. Decent looking place.
Con's: Questionable area.
Imperial Suites
Pro's: 5 minutes from work. $549, no utilities, 6 month lease. Large 1 bedroom on 11th floor. Decent looking place. Very secure. Has a pool (closes in August).
Con's: View faces South and kind of sucks. If a North view opened up, it would be great!
Breckenridge Square
Pro's: 10 minutes to work. $589, 800 sq ft, internet, pool, spa. Nice looking area.
Con's: Unknown.
Breckenridge Pointe
Pro's: 10 minutes from work. $450, $50 utilities, internet, 675 sq ft. A little larger than Suburban. Easy parking. Only 60 units. Great looking place.
Con's: 1 year lease.

Sun

07/01/2007 00:17:42

jim Louisville,KY-4thSt Party-Jim,Becky

Sat

06/30/2007 16:28:20

jim Louisville,KY-Mtel InTown Suites

Sat

06/30/2007 06:26:13

Jim The IPhone, my next splurge!

I checked one out today and I've gotta have one.
- They hold 4 to 8 gigs.
- The operating system is smooth.
- Its quick and extremely easy to use.
- It can import Outlook files.
- The camera is great.
- It has maps.
- The interface to the internet is excellent.
They'll be coming out with units that have GPS built in.

Sat

06/30/2007 06:14:49

Jim Louisville - Friday Night

Fri

06/29/2007 21:36:46

jim Louisville,KY-4th St Downtown Bldgs

Fri

06/29/2007 19:47:50

jim Shelbyville,KY-Mall,SpencerGifts,Becky

Thu

06/28/2007 22:29:44

Jim I love these lightning bugs.

If Las Vegas had cockroaches with neon glowing butts, they'd be feeding them!
I could envision people using cock roaches to light up their kitchen cabinets.
You could even put sugar down along walkways for the glowing critters.

Thu

06/28/2007 21:23:14

jim Louisville,KY-Apt

Thu

06/28/2007 18:49:16

jim Louisville,KY-Hote lRoom

Thu

06/28/2007 04:30:54

Jim Kentucky rain keeps pouring down

The rain is amazing in river land.
It rains sporatically, and when it does, it's
BOLD about it.

The thunder is the loudest I've heard.
Lightning knocked out a few stop lights, and the Five Star on the corner.
That reminds me, I've got to get surge protectors for these laptops.

Wed

06/27/2007 23:26:36

Jim Frankfort - Kentucky’s Capital

Tonight, we went to Lexington, Ky,
Its only 70 miles away. Nice town. I think it has more charm than Louisville, but it may have a
darker side to it. It turns from nice, to not nice very quickly.

The Capital Building

Its HUGE! It is, by far, the largest capital building I've seen. The buildings around it are huge too. We got to it by driving
down a narrow street.

The Floral Clock

At night, lightning bugs fly all around it. We called GMa, and told her about the Floral Clock. Just like magic, when we talked to her, the lightning bugs started flashing.

Capital Annex

Its hard to grasp just how large this is.
We polished up the night by eating at Big Boys.
The food was excellent. They're burgers are unique, and you can't miss with a country fried steak with mashed potatos.

Wed

06/27/2007 21:04:04

jim Frankfort,KY-Capitol Dome

Wed

06/27/2007 21:04:04

jim (Reply)Frankfort, Ky

Wed

06/27/2007 21:04:04

jim (Reply)Frankfort,KY-Capitol Dome

Wed

06/27/2007 21:04:04

jim (Reply)Frankfort,KY-Capitol Dome

Wed

06/27/2007 20:12:24

jim Lexington, Ky

Wed

06/27/2007 07:10:14

Jim Inflatable furniture for the high-rise apartment?

Check out: http://www.inflateus.com/original_style_sofas.htm

This furniture is designed mainly for use in dorms.
But I think they would look great in our 14th floor apartment.
AND, we can take our furniture to the lake..haha

Tue

06/26/2007 23:21:27

Jim Love my new job! It doesn’t get any better.

Its nice to know Kevin McD works remotely there from Las Vegas. Maybe I could do that someday too!
I think he's responsible for the ATM's on the west coast. I hear his name everywhere now.
I'm in development (my forte).
I don't have a PC set up, so I'm using someone's elses while their on vacation.
My first rogram was a report/update program today, and I had to write it from scratchhhhhhhhh!
The program they gave me as a starter was dated 1998, and it wouldn't compile.
My first project was fix a database table.
The challenge was, to make it look like another table, and to fix its a column to point to existing files on a different system.
The files were all moved around to different subvolumes, so I had to search the system for each of the 300 files.
These files are used to load some devices with tables and code (I think).
So, without them being right, nothing works.
They gave me the lattitude to do the project anyway I wished.
I guess the project had been passed around.
So, my first project involved writing a fix it report/update program using Cobol, Sql, Enscribe, and lots of Tacl.
I already have the best macros around there.
But...I had to write them from memory, so they could be much better.
I put my old macros are on the internet in my blog, but I don't have internet access yet.
Everybody at work is great!
Their attitudes are excellent. They're eager to see anything I produce.
And I'm their guinee pig, I'm told. I'll be leading the way for others to follow.
The system I'll be reviving has been dead for a year, and they really want too see it work.
So, I'll pretty much have free reign, with project nudges here and there.
Most say its a mess. Its not documented, and nobody there knows it.
There's going to be a lot of recognition in what I'm doing, and its going to be very visible.
So, this job is a perfect fit for me.
Its what I do best. I do systems.
Its hard to explain to people who haven't had sole responsibility for every program in an entire system.
Most programmers work on one or two programs at a time. I've worked whole systems for most of my career.
I tend to do whatever is needed to make a system work.
This is quite a break for me. I love this kind of work. Its a perfect match!
I should go far in this place.

Tue

06/26/2007 23:18:43

Jim The condo is SOLD!

Yeppers! And it couldn't have happened at a better time.
It should be closed by the end of July.
Sonny's situation is improving.
He's got a new job at Circus Circus.
His daughter just turned 18 too. Hopefully he can save what he was paying in child support.
My situation is improving too.
The money is good, but I won't get paid until mid July.
So for now though, we're impoverished.
But we've got riches right around the corner.
We're having a better rollar coaster ride than any amusement park could offer!
Everything is changing fast for Sonny, Becky and I.

Tue

06/26/2007 17:05:10

jim Louisville,KY-InTown Suites-Becky,Jim

Tue

06/26/2007 06:39:03

Jim Is poverty child abuse?

Because, they are saying smoking is, on the billboards in Louisville.
Me, I can't think of anything more devastating to a child's development than poverty.
Imagine growing up without an IPod or a cell phone.

After the smoking war is won, what will be next?
Alcohol, obesity, poverty?
The No Smoking Ban is being replayed in Louisville
Its amazing! 31% of Kentucky's population are smokers. Its the highest in the nation.
Its a rerun of what happened in Las Vegas.
But this time, the people did not vote for it. The 25 member Metro Council for Louisville approved it.
The ordinance includes bars and restaurants, but not Churchill Downs (sound familiar).
Las Vegas didn't include Casinos.
It just goes to show ya, if you pick at something long enough, it will fester.
Its offensive because its illogical.
If things keep going this way, smoking parents may end up losing their children.
Don't get me wrong...I favor the abolishment of smoking tobacco.
Its a poison that was created by big business.
Its nowingly addictive, and its sold at the grocery store.
And it would be nice if history swept it under the rug.
Its the way its being done that I don't like.
Will rich people be able to adopt children from poor parents in the future? Can they now? hmmm
The world is such a mess. This is why I don't like to read the newspapers or watch the news.
These laws aren't fair because they favor entities with political power.
Its like passing a ban on guns for black people.
The law is not evenly applied.
Why doesn't the government just outlaw smoking instead of beating around the bush?
I know, abolition failed miserably. The drug war failed miserably.

Tue

06/26/2007 06:25:38

Jim Notes about the Condo offer

I can't say I like it. It's $6,000 short of what I expected to get.
Another hispanic guy (not that I'm prejudice, but I'm getting that way), has made a squirrely offer on the condo.
He basically, wants to buy the condo with no money down.
I guess his realtor has worked these kinds of things out for these guys. It looks like they'll buy anything.
Its like this fellow crossed the Rio Grand, and got a realtor.
They probably have a squirrelly deal worked out for a loan too.
The deal isn't as good as I'd like, but, since no one has made an offer, this is probably the best thing to do.
We need to get this money working for us, instead of against us.

Mon

06/25/2007 22:35:46

Jim First day at work went well!

My suspenders popped off from my pants faster than a speeding bullet, though.
They didn't have terminal for me, so we tried several different ways to get me in.
I eventually wrote a Cobol/Sql report from scratch (well, almost).
Slapped some macros together from memory. That was fun.
I took advantage of the slack time by running by Barringtons Place.
They needed the application fees. They're running a background check on me...sheesh.
I've got to get my mortgage company to fax them a statement saying I pay my bills on time.
Plus, they needed employer references.
I guess I should be greatful that they screen their tenants.
Later, Barrington's Place called and said they couldn't have our room until the 18th.
Thats a far cry from the 6th of July.
I told them we were still, kind of interested, but I'd need an actual date eventually.
I have to plan a move. I can't just wing it.
I came home, and Becky told me we no longer had our hotel room.
She said they said we could stay one night only, if we paid.
It turned out we still have our reservation, but they charge weekly...haha..
That Becky! Gosh I love her!
Meanwhile, we have an offer on the condo
My realtor called tonight at 1l pm. I had to print a document to fax back, and my printer is out of ink.
And, I can't yet get on the internet at work...youch!
This is a really good ride I'm having here.
I really am loving every minute of it.
I've found that at times things just work out all screwy, for what seems like, no reason at all.
I thinks its fun though.

Mon

06/25/2007 06:19:46

Jim 537 S 3rd, Barringtons Place

Hopefully, this will be our next home. This 17 story high rise is downtown, one block from 4th Street Live. We'll be on the 14th floor.
Our apartment faces the North.

We'll wake up to a view
of the Ohio River, and Downtown. The costs run $530 a month which includes all utilities except for cable and internet. Most people park on the street, but we'll get a month parking pass for $50.

Seinfeld is all I know about

high rise living. It may be the show about nothing, but hopefully the laundry etiquette works.
We talked to some Hi Rise Dwellers
They seem like a good looking crowd. Most are single, married with no kids, or are retired couples. They depend on the trolley system.
The roof is an observation deck
It looks like a great place to test my prototype paper airplanes. YAH!
Its got a small church there with seating for maybe 20 people. The organ's keys are mostly broken.
There's a basement laundry room
A girl was giving us her day-by-day, hour-by-hour, strategy for using it.
We still haven't checked out the exercise room yet.

Downtown Louisville is very clean.

This is an 1800's Police Station right next to our building. There's very little crime, day or night, but things can get a little scary four blocks to the South.

Sun

06/24/2007 14:39:48

jim Louisville,KY-Barringtons Roof Top

Sat

06/23/2007 13:43:00

Jim Its raining w/thunder again.

I not alone with my fondness of it.
I just came back from the Five Star Quickie Mart, where I go to get Sloppy Joes. Its in our parking lot.
It was pouring outside, and there was no way anyone could walk around out there without getting wet.
Some guy in a T-Shirt, was walking to the store. He was holding out his arms, smiling, and enjoying it.
Hey!!! I'm crazy and I'm not alone out here.

Fri

06/22/2007 18:36:50

jim Louisville,KY-Sluggers Ballgame Jim,Jessy,Rod

Fri

06/22/2007 18:36:50

jim (Reply)Sluggers Game Jim,Jessy,Rod,Becky

Fri

06/22/2007 14:25:02

jim Ohio River Road

Fri

06/22/2007 13:42:12

jim Paducah,KY-Painted Horse,Ohio River,Ark

Fri

06/22/2007 03:16:36

jim I am confused about Ruth (my ex)

Sonny said she called.
She was worried that something terrible was going to happen to me.
He said she sounded good, and that she wasn't going to die.
He said she said she just has heart palpitations.
How does one go from a diagnosis of Stage IV cancer to heart palpitations?
Someone is crazy. I'd bet her husband (Ricky) is going crazy...lol.
THAT IS SUCH A HUGE LEAP! Her husband said they are in irrecoverable debt.
She said she was going through chemo therapy, and they gave up on her.
I know prayer can do a lot of good when it comes to illnesses.
But isn't that like praying someone didn't lose their head and another one pops up!
Now that I think about it...its one heck of a tale!
Is it possible for someone with Stage IV to watch Benny Hinn on TV and get cured. Wowsers
I should buy one of his DVDs instead of a "Full Workout Video with Chuck Norris" to lose weight.

Sat

06/23/2007 13:58:56

Jim (Reply)..I am confused about Ruth (my ex)

I SURE DOES!!! That's hilarious, in a sad kind of way.
I was really hoping Sonny was right about the call coming from my ex.
I did asked him if he was sure.
It seemed like too much of a coincidence for the only two Ruths that I know to both have had heart palpitations.
I wish my ex did just have heart palpitations.
Then she'd get to grow old with the rest of us.

Thu

06/21/2007 08:17:29

jim Notes on Suburban Extended Stay

First, the bad things:
- The rooms are tiny and inadequate.
- There is no storage in the bathroom, not even a hook!
- They give you two (one drawer) night stands, and one (three drawer) chests.
- The kitchen has one cabinet and no drawers.
- The stove is a two burner, no oven, with a dorm size fridge under it. The 2" gap between the stove and the fridge is where we keep the silverware, LOL.
- They should advertise their kitchens as having "The Worlds Tiniest Microwave".
- The hotel doesn't provide ice trays and there is no ice machine on the property.
- The dining table is 2 foot wide, and its wobbly.
- We upgraded to a room with a sofa bed, but its not worth the $4 a day increase.
- There are no easy chairs.
The good things:
- A 24 hour convenience store shares the parking lot. We're on the first floor, and have the closest room to it. It takes 40 seconds to walk there. The stores warmed food is Excellent (first time I ever said YUM to a Sloppy Joe). The cops seem to love it too.
How we improvised:
- We brought a plastic 6 drawer chest of drawers. Its strong enough to hold the hotels 30" TV.
- We brought 2 smaller 6 drawer storages units. One is in the bathroom.
- We bought a 3' x 4' steel camp table from Sams Club fo $42.
It stores like a thick pole in a carrying bag, and folds out to full size and it has adjustable height and width (its amazing).
We put it in our kitchen.
- We brought a small hot/cold water dispenser. The kitchen table is JUST big enough to hold it.
I only booked this room for 2 weeks.
Extended Stay America has identical room rates, and probably 20% more area.
They offer
- A full size refrigerator
- A chest of drawers (six drawers), plus two night stands.
- A breakfast bar in the kitchen,
- two laptop stations,
- two easy chairs.
- AND, they have ice machines.
The down side is, you have to drive to a convenience store.

Thu

06/21/2007 03:08:09

jim Got my orientation. Discovered Indiana!

The freeways here take some getting used to.
Their off ramps split into other off ramps.
Picked up a camp table at Sam's Club
Its really cool. Its all metal, totally adjustable, and almost fits in your pocket. Its perfect for two laptops.
Went to Ajilon for my Orientation.
Those guys are pretty great. Actually, everybody in Louisville is great!
It took 2 hours, but I managed to get a T-Shirt from them. :0)
Ate at a buffet today.
$5.95 per person. They had shrimp, Chinese food, and deserts. What a great deal!
Went to Caesars Indiana tonight.
It took a while to find, since we just barely knew the directions to it.
It looks just like Caesars Palace in Las Vegas used to look 10 years ago.

The Forum Shops are similar to Vegas,
Much tinier. They have $22 lobster buffet.

Its amazing how many factories are around Louisville.
Across the river from Louisville is where our Crest comes from...wow.

Wed

06/20/2007 18:53:47

jim Colorado is so beautiful

Denver Downtown

Denver's buildings seem as tall as the Las Vegas Stratosphere

Its COLD in Denver, even in June!

Eastern Colorado...and lots of it!
We crossed about 200 miles of rolling grasslands on I70.

Wed

06/20/2007 12:52:39

jim Trip Notes: Las Vegas to Louisville

It took us 34 hours to drive from Las Vegas to Louisville.
Notes about the trip:
Its 1869 miles from Las Vegas to Louisville.
We took off at 2 pm Sunday, and got here at 3 am Tuesday.
Louisville is three hours ahead of Vegas. Its 800 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, but its in Atlantic Time Zone.
We took a total of 3.5 hours out for naps.
Nevada: Hot, shades of one primary color, lots of desert monotony, but its easy driving.
Utah: Cold, colorful, lots of desert, beautiful high desert, lots of forests and lakes. By far, the most beautiful state we saw.
Colorado: Cold, colorful, beautiful scenery from Grand Junction to Denver. Navigating through the mountain roads is challenging. We saw two mountians on fire, probably from the lightning storms. Avalanches seem to cause a lot of road damage. From Denver to Kansas, its all rolling wheat fields, and the driving is very easy.
Kansas: Warm, rolling wheat fields. The yellow and green wheat fields seem to glow when its cloudy. Kansas City has the worst drivers I've ever seen.
Missouri: Warm, lots of trees and hills. St Louis is beautiful at night.
Illinois, Indiana: It rained most of the way. It was straight driving, but we did it a night.
The last 80 miles of the trip seemed the longest. Usually, you can see the glow of a city 60 miles away. We were in the Indiana hills, so we couldn't see Louisville's glow until were 10 miles away.
Downtown Louisville.