Blog techie note #1

I am sorry to bring technology into the blog posts.  I, the technologist, want to get away from technology as much as I can. Hmm.  Hypocritical? Using this blog technology to discuss my escape from technology? Anyway...!

Scroll to the bottom of this page. You will see a couple contact options. #1 Keeper's Journal -> RRS and #2 Follow by email.  These are two ways to read new posts soon after they are published. While I don't expect anyone to be waiting with baited breath for my next post, there might be someone other than my mother who wants to know what is going on. I hope you will find time to go to the actual blog also. After all, it is prettier.

#1 Keeper's Journal to RRS (or ATOM).  For those of you who are into news readers, this is the tool to link the blog entries to your news reading applications. Two options are available. The first is to link to my posts only.   The second will link to comments.  I am testing Feedly news reader at the moment.   I think I like it.

#2 Follow by email.  This system will send you an email with the contents of my recent post. This is managed through a third party but seems quite well done. You will have to sign up for a free account (It is an automatic process) at FeedBurner to get the post forwarded to your email.  I have not seen a downside to this approach yet.

Of course you can always just browse back to the website anytime you want to see the latest posts or search for other entries. I hope you get something out of this blog in the long run. I think it will be fun from my end...

cz, 11:17 6/30/14

Another box checked off

I got word today that the current keeper has submitted his resignation. Another step toward my getting an offer from UM. I am starting to think it is going to happen.

I have been doing things for weeks as if I were going to the island.  Like today I took Inja (my dog, 9a will dispute that statement - our dog :-)  ) to the vet.  She got a clean bill of health (Inja, not 9a) and a lot of lovin'. Seth has been harassed about helping me move. While the help will be appreciated, my real goal is to get him down there and into that environment.  He needs to experience what I am doing first hand - and to drive the boat...

I also had a long talk with my dentist and friend about moving to the island.  She adamantly votes no. She thinks I will suffer from lack of social contact.  She is also concerned about the lack of quick response to emergencies.  (I have tried to get Inja and Qat interested in an EMT course or at least first aid training but so far no go.)  I realize the problems but am willing to take the risks.  You can not have an adventure in a cushy, always safe environment.  BUT I appreciate her and everyone's input.  It will help me to better prepare for my island life. 

As I said early on - your thoughts, ideas and concerns are very welcome.

cz, 17:48 6/27/2014

Emotions #1

As I prepare to head to BK, both physically and mentally, I run across parts of my current life that I realize I really like. Today is one of those times. Over the years I have collected tools. I can do many things and have collected the tools to do them. I always rationalized that it is okay to spend that money because I am not paying someone else to do things for me. I have been lucky; Nina (9a) has generally bought into that idea.

At the river, I am/was equipped to do many many things. I had supplies and tools on hand that allowed me to have an idea and take it to reality. And working with my pseudo-brother, Nigel, there was nothing we could not do. With dental picks to backhoes, we could do anything.

But my move into town has really restricted me. I have so few tools with me. I can only do basic repair tasks. NOT the same thing...

How does this relate to Broad Key? I will have even fewer tools. (I have seen the tools there. I'll be polite and comment no more) I can take some tools to Florida but not everything can go out to the island. I see a storage unit in my future. So what do I take? Harder yet, what gets left behind? Who ever thought that tools would be such an emotional issue. Hmm. Underlying issues?

I have made the statement that EVERY aspect of my life is changing. So true.

cz, 10:50 6/21/14

Getting close to being a reality

I had a long phone call with Evan of UM last night. Things are progressing on that front. There is no question about my being offered the position. I'm quite sure I'm going to be the next keeper of Broad Key. Conversations have progressed to what boats to use and how to manage them. Evan is also trying to arrange simple housing on the mainland so I have a place to park my flips when I get away from the island for a few days. I expressed an interest in being more involved with research and hosting. Evan seems very open to this; he needs help in these areas.

All in all it was a good conversation. We are still waiting for Gale to officially announce his departure so HR can start my paperwork.

cz, 17:42 6/15/14

Sleepless night

As an indicator of my anxiety caused by yesterday's news, I did not have a quiet night. Do I use my own boat? Should I be working on my 6 Pac (basic boat captain license)? Can I handle the solitude? What to take? What to do with what I don't take. Where to keep the boat when I am on the mainland? On and on.  And Nina...

cz, 16:24 6/10/14

News from the current keeper.

As of this afternoon, Gale, the current keeper, informed me that his last day is Aug. 31. He indicated that there was little chance of his staying more than a couple minutes longer...

Sooo....     That part of the equation is finally known to me.   The UM side?  I haven't heard anything yet.   I am sending emails with questions to both the keeper and the project overseer (I am going to have to learn his position.)

I just wanted to let you know the news.

cz 16:16 6/9/14

Update...

I have not been making entries because little is going on at this time. I still need to communicate with the current keeper. He needs to fill me in on the real life there.  I have a list of questions to ask him.  Any suggestions for information to request would be welcome. I have made some additions to the static pages. Throughout this blog I will try to provide links to points of interest for those of you who might like to see or learn things beyond my bloggish ramblings. You might find them interesting. Otherwise, I am just planning and trying to guess at what I need to be prepared for the move. I have a list started. With it I hope to minimize the items that are forgotten.

I took a short creative writing class recently. For that class I wrote a paragraph that I thought I would use as the description of this blog. It was not used for that purpose but it reflects my thoughts at this time and I decided to include it here:

"Broad Key, at the same time is paradise and scary. To those with whom I discuss the island and the forthcoming opportunities, paradise seems to be the common thought. All of the things that seem titillating and desirable are there; sun, warmth and water. Aren't these things we have all paid to access: vacations, travels beyond our daily grind or even just the dreams of what if...? But are we just desirous of things beyond our normal, perceived as boring, lives? Is this a "grass is greener..." scenario? Are we really ready change everything to make this paradise a possibility? When faced with the reality of making the necessary lifestyle alterations the view changes. Suddenly the comfort of knowing the neighbor is there for you or the smiles of friends as you enter the diner or even knowing the aisles in your grocery store become more important. Is giving up these comforts for a chance at a perceived paradise lifestyle really worth it? To take the giant step into the unknown is scary. Am I ready? Who knows. But let the adventure begin."

Note that there are more questions asked than answered. That is where my head is these days. The opportunity may be there. I would hate to admit I am not up to the challenge.

cz, 12:50 6/8/14