Vol 1, Issue 2

No changes in lattitude, but good changes with attitude.

Despite what the meteorologists tell me, it is a proven fact that winter is over at least in the Midwest United States.  How do I know this?  Back on Tuesday the 2013 Spring Edition of the Quadratec Jeep parts catalog arrived in my mailbox.  As usual this brings to mind many questions.  Such as: do I want a new soft top this year?  If so, do I do a classic style or one with the a flip-back front option?  Would upgrading to LED head/tail lights be a good investment?  New door retainer straps?  Tubular bumpers?  New feul hatch from Drake Offroad?  How about the new Roughrider Spare Tire Organizer from Bestop?  Maybe some of the GEAR storage from Smittybilt?  And just how old is the gal on the cover of the catalog?

Granted the majority of the stuff I can/will probably do without...but it would be nice to have at least one new addition to the TJ this year.  As in previous years I am also torn between going with a rugged/almost military style look vs. a cleaner/sleek styling.  On the one hand the rugged style is something I'm very familiar and comfortable with.  Yet on the other hand the cleaner/sleeker look does seem to work best when the top is down/off.  The VDP Overhead Storage Console also pulls me towards it in a way, yet I've never really had the feeling I need more storage up front.  Decisions, decisions...

Another sure sign of Spring, Tax returns are on their way.  Granted they won't be as large this year as previous ones, but I will be able to pay off my remaining debt and be back "in the black" financially.  I think that will help with new Jeep parts and possibly a vacation later this year.

Finally the ultimate sing of Spring, my son's birthday is only a few weeks away.  Not sure what to get the little guy this year.  He has been asking for a good number of Doctor Who Lego-style building sets.  More than likely I will be ordering him some as they would combine two of his favorite things: Legos and Doctor Who.  Altho I am a bit envious that the internet wasn't around when I was his age therefore preventing me from seeing if any such toys were available way back then.  Perhaps if I ask nicely he will let me check out the Dalek mini-figures.

Its been cloudy this week, but I find myself opening my curtains (its been almost six months with them closed) and letting what sunshine is out there find its way in.  I know that probably doesn't sound like much to most people, but between the PTSD and the possible seasonal disorder I am taking it as a good sign.  I'm also cooking much more than I have in a while.  Actual recipes, not just box meals.  My dSLR is also charged and ready to go on an outing.  I haven't been able to even look at my Nikon in a very long time, so its definitely a good sign I'm showing interest in it again.  Oh, and I've starting playing Rally Sport Challenge 2 again.  Definite sign of Spring when the racing/off-road bug hits me.

Purchased an issue of a beach house style magazine over the weekend.  If the prices listed are any indication of what the average cost is, I am beginning to understand why average people don't have beach houses.  It did give me plenty of ideas though.  Thinking the picture frame style that resembles unfinished wood with rope going through is kind of cool. May have to try that if I can ever find any prints I like for around the house.

There you go, my thoughts and ramblings for this week.  See ya' around and until next time:

Aloha

Vol 1, Issue 1

Sometimes its tough being a parrot head in the Midwest, but I make do.  For those who haven't read any of my previous works, let me introduce myself.  My name's Trenton, I live in small town Iowa (small towns being about all we have compared to the rest of the nation) in an older home with my two kids entering their teen years.  I love the entire idea behind sailing, island life, and living like a Jimmy Buffet song when I can.  I'm also a veteran, which is part of the reason for the whole beach/tropics/island life style inspiration. Not quite sure what a "real" beach house looks like, but I try my best when it comes to decor around my place.  About a year ago I converted my front porch into a small, slightly tiki themed room.  Yes, unlike a certain bar in a neighboring lakeside town, I do have an authentic tiki from Hawaii in my tiki porch/hut.  I also have the apparently pre-resequite faux palm tree, complete with gecko lawn decoration trying to crawl into flower pot with it.

Life is good overall.  Someday I hope to find a tiki gal, but until then I'm not fretting over it.  I like to road trip in my tiki-decaled Jeep TJ (preferably top down in the summer).  I also like biking and kayaking.  If all goes well this year I will get to start sailing too.  A co-worker of mine has a small Hobe catamaran that he likes to take out on weekends.  Schedule conflcts prevented us from sailing together last summer, but I'm determined to get on the water with him this year.

I can't say I blog about exciting things all the time, but my goal is to blog at least once a week about things going on in life.  You never know when what seems mundane to a person might seem interesting to someone else.  For example, I'm typing this out on a Logitech bluetooth keyboard for Android with my Nexus 7 tablet from Ausus while watching Hawaii Five-O (current series, not the classics unfortunately) and having a spiced Chai latte from one of the local coffee shops a few blocks from my place.  Not the most high tech setup, but it works for me.

I also tend to insert random thoughts into things at odd moments.  For example, its currently quite sunny outside even though its only in the lower 20's F and the feel like temperature is around 7 with high winds.  Don't you hate it when the whether looks misleading?  I'd give anything for my Kuwaiti 90 degrees F at 6am right now.  Don't get me wrong though, I'm happier than a witch in a broom factory I don't have to put up all the sand from over there though.

So that's part of my life and about me in a nutshell.  If you'e read this far, thank you.  Hope to see you around soon next "issue".

Aloha