A Good Experience

Yesterday, the A.C. just conked out. It wouldn't work. I heard a sound (which I later learned was the compressor circulating the refrigerant through the lines), but there was no air blowing and thus, no cooling. It was a hot, humid day. Not the best time for not having 'air'. I was dreading what lay ahead.

I now have air. And I can look back at the experience with a smile. It had a positive outcome. I learned a lot and verified things I learned. I also established a better relationship with the companies involved (there are two).

Here's an informal list of the benefits of this experience:

1. I responded well. I didn't panic. I didn't freeze. I took charge and took action. I did all I could to make sure the problem was taken care of as quickly and as smoothly as possible.
2. I was assertive as a squeaky wheel. Things moved faster because I followed up my calls to make sure things were being taken care of expeditiously. The property manager told me she'd call right away in the morning. Turns out, she didn't. It was only because of my morning call that she took action.
3. I was thorough in my action. I made sure all the bases were covered. I lingered in the conversations to allow the thought process to develop. Some things just don't come up in split-second thought; they grow as the conversation develops. This brought about the offer by the property manager to stay at a motel for the night. I didn't take it up nor did I want to, but it was comforting to have the option available.
4. I was observant. I watched all the work being done and learned a lot. I asked a lot of questions, too. This led to having the drain piped flushed out, which is good yearly maintenance recommended in the tips I read about. Also, I learned that it's not good to use the fan only if the air handler is in the garage because you are just blowing hot, humid air through the ducts and into the house. I also asked about the second filter slot. I didn't need it, so he sealed it up. This made the handler more air tight and thus, more efficient. Money saved and more cool air for less.
5. Socially, I learned the dynamics between parties. I found out that the second repairman was not on good terms with the property manager. He feels she doesn't like him. He was about to say, but cut himself off. I think if was because he realized it would be an impropriety to say any more. I handled the interactions with the various parties well. It was a boost to feel like I did a good job all around.
6. I was very good at finding the positive side of the situation. Yes, it was hot and humid inside. It was uncomfortable. I had a fan, though. And I had electric power. I thought of how this is what it would be like if a hurricane plowed through, except I would be in the dark with no refrigerator. One reason I didn't accept the motel offer was that I didn't want to leave all that I did have here. I'm glad I stayed because being in the subtropic heat reminded me of the visits to the Philippines. I actually had a pleasant feeling of nostalgia during the evening. It brought back a lot of memories and, even more appealing, a lot of sensations I had while on those trips.
7. I used the incident to jump start the organizing process. I already had some momentum going, but this really got me moving. I got so much done in short order and the momentum is still driving me forward. Lots of small victories to celebrate all chunked together. This is probably the greatest outcome of all.
8. I feel better prepared. I recently heard interviews with Amanda Riply, who wrote "The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes - And Why". She spoke of the importance of drills and practice runs where you gain familiarity of what it's like to experience situations that are uncommon. This familiarity makes it easier to go through the unfamiliar when it actually happens.
9. Sparking interaction. The relationship has been mended a bit with The Fussy One. We had a good reason to talk and had a common problem to work through together. It brought out some of ill feelings she's had that are pent up. I felt the release in allowing her to express them. We were able to find humor in the situation. It was great to laugh with her.
10. I found where the grain bugs were feeding. It was Bing's kitty litter that I was keeping in the garage. They found it all the way from the kitchen. Originally, they came from the bulk grains I got from the natural food stores. I read that all produce and grains are likely to contain the eggs of buts. I remember wondering where the fruit flies were coming from and later learned that they were probably eggs laid in the banana bunches. It's something that it is difficult to avoid.
11. I did well with this juggling act. I handled the situation well. I handled the various people involved well. I handled the physical challenges well. I still got my flaxseed crackers finished! I continued the dehydrating even though it generated more heat. It was one of those moments where there are pros and cons, and you just have to choose what you are willing to sacrifice for the gains you desire.
    

I think I got everything. It's striking to see it listed out. I see just how much I got from this experience. Socially, it was fun. Relationships were tightened. I that much more knowledgeable as a handyman around the house. I feel more prepared and confident in dealing with a disaster situation. I got a big push in my big goal of organizing everything thoroughly. I am more confident in handling all the various things involved in this situation. I am proud of how I handled everything. I got some practice in seeing the other side of difficulty. I told myself that this too shall pass. I observed with dramatic suspense how things would unfold to the end. I managed to laugh through this and have some fun.

Fay Turns Away

This was the first hurricane to a be threat this season. But it took a turn and seems like it will blow by The Trigger without any effect. There was no rain, even. We did have a nice breezy overcast day that continues still. In these conditions, it was nice to make it out to the owls' perches to arc ambidextrous and keep the tether tight.

The leap of progress seems locked in for this plateau. That feels great. Another 300 completed with many consecutive completions. I'm also getting further out with greater ease. It's all coming to me. When I stopped chasing after it, it became so easy. It feels effortless and flowing. This is a boost that I can savor concretely. Meaning, without any doubt; with absolute sureness.

No longer in the danger zone

Hurricane Fay took a turn to the east just as I hoped and figured. This is usually what happens when a storm comes hugging up close from Cuba. You can see the tracking forecast progression. It goes more and more east as it heads north. In the end, there no way of really knowing where a storm will go, but this has been the general trend. I'm glad the trend continues. And that it remains a tropical storm instead of growing to hurricane status.

Lots of wind and rain. The drenching was good. It passed right over Lake Okeechobee and dropped several inches. That lake was reported to be around three inches low in level, so Fay helped to fill it back up. The balance of nature in action.

Giant Grass as Ideal Biofuel

Here's another story I liked hearing. It's about giant grass (scientific name being Miscanthus Giganteus). I thought it was about bamboo, but this grass is more like grass as I think of it except the blades are much bigger. It is similar to bamboo in that it is from China, too. The full nonscientific name is Giant Chinese Silver Grass.

Here is a solution that has yet to be utilized. This fast-growing plant can be used to replace food crops like corn and soy for bio-fuel. I like that it takes it carbon as it grows which offsets the carbon emissions it creates when burned as fuel. Also, the story mentions that it's a crop that only needs planting only once, unlike the other bio-fuel sources.

Giant Chinese Silver Grass

Cottonwood Treehouse

Here's another recent mention of the cottonwood tree. I came across it by accident while doing a crossword puzzle. The clue for 32 Across was 'Cottonwood tree.' The answer was 'ALAMOS'. Didn't know this was the Spanish name for this poplar tree before. I'm glad to think of the cottonwood tree now instead of having it connote war or rentals. Much better to think of cottonwood which is a poplar tree (another great word attached to a great image). It appears to be sturdy wood judging by the use of dead cottonwood tree trunks used to support the treehouse in this story. I like that the interior walls are made of old doors, one serving as a fold down table that seats six.

Cottonwood Treehouse

Tail of Discovery

The oldest of the Space Shuttles launched yesterday at around 5pm. I saw the trail of Discovery's rockets from the backyard. I was hoping to see more (I've seen the shadow of the shuttle and the glow of its engines ahead of the trail both during day and evening launches), but the sky was hazy. There were thick clouds just above the horizon nearby and a layer of stratus further away, so I didn't see the trail till the shuttle cleared the nearby cumulus clouds and soon lost it when it entered the stratus layer. The result? An unimpressive live sighting of the launch. I stared at the dissipating trail feeling robbed by the present weather conditions. It was a beautiful day just the same.

Can't see it, but the trail is there above the puffiest cloud.

I did follow the launch on NASA TV. So I caught the countdown live and the takeoff from the launchpad. I saw replays of the flight through the atmosphere into near space orbit. All this really intrigues me. It captures my imagination. The unity of nations gives me hope for the world. This launch was the heaviest load to break from the bonds of gravity. It is because it carrried "a giant Japanese lab addition to the international space station."

Yikes! Wonder what the carbon footprint of a launch is.

Reuters

Honeycomb Table

Here's a cardboard table using the thick honeycomb variety. Sturdy with a nice look.


It looks even better in use and with some decoupage on the surfaces.

This Table Looks Even Better In Use


Here's An Eating Nook With More Cardboard Furniture

Images came from this press release from PRWeb.

These Are The Makers

They have a company simply called CardboardDesign. They're based in New York City. This is their online home.