As my next trip out West is approaching fast, I am preparing the list of things that I will need. This list is rather ambitious, as I may decide to stay out there indefinitely. But this decision hasn't been made until I gather enough info on the next trip in order to determine if I am ready to make the move. That's the basic objective of the trip.
Today could have been the day I bought an RV, but that fell through. It may still happen, but I kinda doubt it at this point. Yesterday, I went looking at some used RVs on consignment at a lot here in Houston. Way, way too expensive. Unless my source that I spoke to, who said he would try to locate one for me, unless he comes up with something pretty good and soon, I will decide to make my own RV.
That's where I am on all this. It's been rather quiet on the blogging front because of this. I'm preparing to prep, you might say.
Al Fin: "Cowboy Commentary", aka "Eat your veggies" The Flag banner is posted in order to defy those who would make patriotic symbols illegal or disreputable.
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Is a Murphy Bed feasible in the Quonset?
Prev Next
This is a post in the construction subseries of the off-the-grid main series of posts.
In order to have a useful structure on wheels, like the one that I am contemplating, the Murphy Bed arrangement is key. How to make this work? The Murphy Bed will take up almost all the space inside the little Quonset on Wheels. To get an answer to this question, I studied the Greenhouse video, and made several screenshots. These are useful for building it out on the exterior, but also to visualize what it will look like on the interior so that a question like this can be answered. If it can be, it will be possible to outfit it with just more than a bed, and make it much more useful.
Let's look at the Quonset as it is completed.
Note the lines I put in from about a third of the way up. This is a marker for how high I may want the Murphy Bed to be. When it is folded up from that height, it runs into the ceiling rather quickly. This is a problem.
To solve that problem, the Murphy bed can be lowered, but that interferes with the storage below. What if you pivot the bed so that the right side on this screenshot goes lower, then this allows the left side to go higher. In fact, the Murphy Bed could go all the way to the ceiling at its highest point. Yay!
The Pivot could run down the center, or slightly off center. There would be locking mechanisms that lock it into place so it won't fall down on your unlucky head.
So, when you enter the door for beddie by, lowering the Murphy Bed into position by removing the lock. Gravity will pull it down to the level of the pivot. The pivot needs to be high enough to allow storage underneath.
The easiest solution for putting up the Murphy may leave it rather high. If it gets too high for easy access, a ladder may be constructed.
Updates:
It may be hard to see from all of these lines, but I think Pythagorean Theorem will show that the Murphy Bed will definitely fit inside the Quonset. Consider a line drawn from the top of the door jam to the lower corner and you'll get the length of the bed or longer when you solve for the hypotenuse.
It will pivot around rebar that should fit into the axle of one of my old dolly wheels. The wheels have bearings, so it will be a smooth action. The rebar is 4 ft, and will just about fit the width of the trailer.
The rest of the hardware needed is trivial, no need to mention. I'm quite confident that it will work fine.
This is a post in the construction subseries of the off-the-grid main series of posts.
In order to have a useful structure on wheels, like the one that I am contemplating, the Murphy Bed arrangement is key. How to make this work? The Murphy Bed will take up almost all the space inside the little Quonset on Wheels. To get an answer to this question, I studied the Greenhouse video, and made several screenshots. These are useful for building it out on the exterior, but also to visualize what it will look like on the interior so that a question like this can be answered. If it can be, it will be possible to outfit it with just more than a bed, and make it much more useful.
Let's look at the Quonset as it is completed.
 |
| Pivoting the Murphy Bed allows access to the rest of the Quonset. Elegant solution if I say so meself. |
Note the lines I put in from about a third of the way up. This is a marker for how high I may want the Murphy Bed to be. When it is folded up from that height, it runs into the ceiling rather quickly. This is a problem.
To solve that problem, the Murphy bed can be lowered, but that interferes with the storage below. What if you pivot the bed so that the right side on this screenshot goes lower, then this allows the left side to go higher. In fact, the Murphy Bed could go all the way to the ceiling at its highest point. Yay!
The Pivot could run down the center, or slightly off center. There would be locking mechanisms that lock it into place so it won't fall down on your unlucky head.
So, when you enter the door for beddie by, lowering the Murphy Bed into position by removing the lock. Gravity will pull it down to the level of the pivot. The pivot needs to be high enough to allow storage underneath.
The easiest solution for putting up the Murphy may leave it rather high. If it gets too high for easy access, a ladder may be constructed.
Updates:
It may be hard to see from all of these lines, but I think Pythagorean Theorem will show that the Murphy Bed will definitely fit inside the Quonset. Consider a line drawn from the top of the door jam to the lower corner and you'll get the length of the bed or longer when you solve for the hypotenuse.
 |
| Pythagorean Theorem: A square plus B squared equal C squared. Take sqrt(C) and it will be greater than length of the bed. The ellipse will show the travel of the bed around the pivot point. |
It will pivot around rebar that should fit into the axle of one of my old dolly wheels. The wheels have bearings, so it will be a smooth action. The rebar is 4 ft, and will just about fit the width of the trailer.
The rest of the hardware needed is trivial, no need to mention. I'm quite confident that it will work fine.
Friday, March 13, 2015
Trailer concept F.1 Murphy beds with Quonset roof!
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Classified under construction subseries, off the grid posts.
This concept combines many other ideas into a tight little package that can be built for about 4k bucks.
Starting with the concept of a Murphy Bed ( concept F.0 ), the roof is replaced by the cattle panels that I intend to use for the Greenhouses. They will be bent lengthwise along the trailer giving about 7 feet of floor space, with only about 4 feet between the walls. This tightens things up, but with a smaller freezer, it should still work.
The Murphy bed will fold up allowing access to the freezer, shower, and toilet, as before.
Update:
Exterior diagrams
Update:
Careful spending could get the cost down below $4000, or even $3500.
Classified under construction subseries, off the grid posts.
This concept combines many other ideas into a tight little package that can be built for about 4k bucks.
Starting with the concept of a Murphy Bed ( concept F.0 ), the roof is replaced by the cattle panels that I intend to use for the Greenhouses. They will be bent lengthwise along the trailer giving about 7 feet of floor space, with only about 4 feet between the walls. This tightens things up, but with a smaller freezer, it should still work.
The Murphy bed will fold up allowing access to the freezer, shower, and toilet, as before.
 |
| Prefabbed walls obtained from coffin ideas |
Exterior diagrams
 |
| Tractor Supply Co. "feedlot panel" 50"x16' |
Careful spending could get the cost down below $4000, or even $3500.
Post about news
It's a bit of an effort to think up a title for this post. I don't want to go back and insert links. No time. Spent the small amount of time I have reading the news this am. There's talk of the following:
Still saying that people don't realize what they brought on themselves by making Obama the president.
A crash may or may not happen, but if one does, it's bound to be caused by interest rates. Also has been in the past.
Overall, we may be seeing the calm before the storm.
- Putin is missing. Either sick or dead, the rumors say.
- Stock market may crash.
- Troubles in Ferguson. There are those who say it's professional agitators.
- China may take over the gold trade. Deepest pockets and largest gold stash.
- Talk of Euro collapsing to 85 on the dollar.
- Obama may take Iran deal to UN, wants to make it hard for the next president to change it.
- Over half of Los Angeles' youth do not speak English at home.
Still saying that people don't realize what they brought on themselves by making Obama the president.
A crash may or may not happen, but if one does, it's bound to be caused by interest rates. Also has been in the past.
Overall, we may be seeing the calm before the storm.
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Home again, 3/12/15
Another busy day. Also, another rainy day.
With what little free time I had, a couple conversations I had may prove to be most helpful. A lady at work says that growing tomatoes isn't hard. Good, I like stuff that ain't hard to do.
Also, I was advised not to buy the RV that I had in mind. The advice is given strong, strong consideration. I was about to spend a bundle on it, now that probably won't happen.
It may be possible to get an RV that would be better than this one, so I am told. I'll wait and see what he comes up with.
Just 11 more working days until I take some time off work. It may not be possible to do everything that I want to do. So, what else is new?
With what little free time I had, a couple conversations I had may prove to be most helpful. A lady at work says that growing tomatoes isn't hard. Good, I like stuff that ain't hard to do.
Also, I was advised not to buy the RV that I had in mind. The advice is given strong, strong consideration. I was about to spend a bundle on it, now that probably won't happen.
It may be possible to get an RV that would be better than this one, so I am told. I'll wait and see what he comes up with.
Just 11 more working days until I take some time off work. It may not be possible to do everything that I want to do. So, what else is new?
Farmer market
You've may have seen these before. We had one in Houston when I was growing up, and Dad liked to go there and get stuff. I suppose because it was cheaper than supermarket food. Once you consider a few expenses that the supermarkets must pay, a Farmer's market may well be the cheapest way to buy food. The Farmer would bring his food to the market and sell it directly to the public.
Well, the money problem led me to this idea. Since there probably aren't too many farmers out there, I may have the market to myself. That's why I left off the plural ending "s". ( That's kind of a joke, ya'll)
Seriously, I'd have to produce a lot more food than I am contemplating right now in order to generate a modest income. I'd also have to compete with what's already out there. It seems that food is really cheap, so you have to produce one hell of a lot of food to make any money.
The gardening book I mentioned said that 11 of his garden beds can produce enough food for four people. Now, if I were to do that much and only that much, I may be able to generate a modest income.
Just another idea to think over.
Well, the money problem led me to this idea. Since there probably aren't too many farmers out there, I may have the market to myself. That's why I left off the plural ending "s". ( That's kind of a joke, ya'll)
Seriously, I'd have to produce a lot more food than I am contemplating right now in order to generate a modest income. I'd also have to compete with what's already out there. It seems that food is really cheap, so you have to produce one hell of a lot of food to make any money.
The gardening book I mentioned said that 11 of his garden beds can produce enough food for four people. Now, if I were to do that much and only that much, I may be able to generate a modest income.
Just another idea to think over.
Rise and shine, 3/12/15
Been awhile since I did one of these types of posts. Stuff happens, what can I say?
Yesterday, I had a conversation with somebody as I was waiting at a place to do a delivery. I didn't know the person I was talking to, so that was a bit unusual for me. Anyway, the person was about my age and was talking about retirement stuff.
It seems to be always about money, doesn't it? That was the nature of the conversation. It was really about money. It so happens that that is what I'm thinking of just now. Money, money, money. You just can't get away from it.
At the risk of repeating myself, I'd really like to buy the RV. I'd really like to outfit it the way I want to. I'd really like to do all this other stuff I've been writing about. But what about the money? All of this stuff takes money.
It's almost like being a kid again. When I was a kid, there wasn't any money. Money is something I didn't worry about much when I became an adult. As long as you worked, there was enough. When you stop working, that's when the money gets tight.
If retirement means not working anymore, it also means not having money anymore. That's unless you've got a lot of it, which I don't.
This could be a problem.
Yesterday, I had a conversation with somebody as I was waiting at a place to do a delivery. I didn't know the person I was talking to, so that was a bit unusual for me. Anyway, the person was about my age and was talking about retirement stuff.
It seems to be always about money, doesn't it? That was the nature of the conversation. It was really about money. It so happens that that is what I'm thinking of just now. Money, money, money. You just can't get away from it.
At the risk of repeating myself, I'd really like to buy the RV. I'd really like to outfit it the way I want to. I'd really like to do all this other stuff I've been writing about. But what about the money? All of this stuff takes money.
It's almost like being a kid again. When I was a kid, there wasn't any money. Money is something I didn't worry about much when I became an adult. As long as you worked, there was enough. When you stop working, that's when the money gets tight.
If retirement means not working anymore, it also means not having money anymore. That's unless you've got a lot of it, which I don't.
This could be a problem.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Where The White Women At? - Blazing Saddles
From Ace, I got this bit of humorous dreg from: Barron's AP Test Prep Guide: Clarence Thomas Is A Fascist In League With KKK
It's humorous because it reminds me of the scene from Blazing Saddles
And to think that Clarence Thomas only got on the Supreme Court by a ( pubic ) hair!
It's humorous because it reminds me of the scene from Blazing Saddles
And to think that Clarence Thomas only got on the Supreme Court by a ( pubic ) hair!
Who's the good guys and who's the bad guys?
There has been some reports out there that the Feds, or even the police have been seizing property under the forfeiture rules.
Clearly, there's something wrong with this.
The government is prohibited under the Constitution from taking property without just compensation. Not only that, you have a right to a jury trial, and a speedy trial. It seems to me that taking your property and then having to go through a big hassle to get it back isn't exactly American.
I got to thinking about this with respect to carrying around a lot of cash. Let's say some officer sees you go into a bank and take out a bunch of cash. Would that be enough for the officer to seize your cash under the pretenses that it must be suspicious? I've heard stories about this happening, but that doesn't sound right. You could have a legitimate reason for carrying around that amount of cash, and besides, unless the officer has probable cause, he has no reason to search you anyway.
Funny that you would be worrying about the law stealing your cash as much as you would a thief.
Strange times we are living in.
Clearly, there's something wrong with this.
The government is prohibited under the Constitution from taking property without just compensation. Not only that, you have a right to a jury trial, and a speedy trial. It seems to me that taking your property and then having to go through a big hassle to get it back isn't exactly American.
I got to thinking about this with respect to carrying around a lot of cash. Let's say some officer sees you go into a bank and take out a bunch of cash. Would that be enough for the officer to seize your cash under the pretenses that it must be suspicious? I've heard stories about this happening, but that doesn't sound right. You could have a legitimate reason for carrying around that amount of cash, and besides, unless the officer has probable cause, he has no reason to search you anyway.
Funny that you would be worrying about the law stealing your cash as much as you would a thief.
Strange times we are living in.
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Home again, 3/10/15
Business has been picking up lately. Well, that's certainly good news. Busier days mean more deliveries and more money. I need it cuz I'm spending a lot of it lately, and looks like a lot more soon. All the while, I won't be making any, if I decide to stay out West for good.
As for not making any money in the near future, has the stock market finally reached a top? It made a new high after the early year selloff, but it didn't make much progress after that before selling off again. This could be an indication of something is coming soon, and it may not be good news for some people.
I haven't followed the news closely lately. No further comment.
I think that catches up for today. Nothing much going on here, just working until it's time to go West, old man.
As for not making any money in the near future, has the stock market finally reached a top? It made a new high after the early year selloff, but it didn't make much progress after that before selling off again. This could be an indication of something is coming soon, and it may not be good news for some people.
I haven't followed the news closely lately. No further comment.
I think that catches up for today. Nothing much going on here, just working until it's time to go West, old man.
Wagan 2207 Elite 5000 Watt Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter /w Warranty
Yes, back to this again. I was thinking that if I can get this thing to power my freezer, I would be in great shape with what I want to do.
The freezer figures into a lot of ideas, that's why. I figured it to be a mistake to have purchased it, but if this could work, it would be a real feather in my cap.
Update:
Looks like the inverter is out. Quite an expensive purchase without the assurance of success rules this one out. Looks like the Edgestar fridge/freezer is the better option.
What do I do with this freezer that I've already got? It might be an expensive Igloo ice chest.
The freezer figures into a lot of ideas, that's why. I figured it to be a mistake to have purchased it, but if this could work, it would be a real feather in my cap.
Update:
Looks like the inverter is out. Quite an expensive purchase without the assurance of success rules this one out. Looks like the Edgestar fridge/freezer is the better option.
What do I do with this freezer that I've already got? It might be an expensive Igloo ice chest.
Off Grid Fridge by SolarCabin
Small fridges available that can run on little power. He provides link, but that link isn't specific enough. All I could find was this. It may be what he's talking about here on this video, but if it is, it seems rather small.
Also want to find something I KNOW I saw before, but can't find it on my blog. He reviewed an expensive 12 volt fridge/freezer that can work off the cigarette light socket in your car. Now that would be interesting. As I recall, it is an Aussie company.
Here's the video:
Update:
Here's one fridge/freezer that he didn't describe in the video, but does what I want to do at the same price range.
Update:
A review of the Edgestar fridge/freezer.
Update:
This will go into the off-the grid food subseries.
Update:
This little ARB freezer must be the one I was looking for, but couldn't find.
Prev Next
Also want to find something I KNOW I saw before, but can't find it on my blog. He reviewed an expensive 12 volt fridge/freezer that can work off the cigarette light socket in your car. Now that would be interesting. As I recall, it is an Aussie company.
Here's the video:
Update:
Here's one fridge/freezer that he didn't describe in the video, but does what I want to do at the same price range.
Update:
A review of the Edgestar fridge/freezer.
Update:
This will go into the off-the grid food subseries.
Update:
This little ARB freezer must be the one I was looking for, but couldn't find.
Prev Next
Mitch McConnell wants to reassure everyone that the debt limit will go up
Hot Air
Comment:
The article is about how the GOP is failing to rein in the growth of government, even though that is what they claim to be about.
Just to repeat some themes that I've picked up on while on my quest towards learning why things have gone wrong, and what to do about it:
Comment:
The article is about how the GOP is failing to rein in the growth of government, even though that is what they claim to be about.
Just to repeat some themes that I've picked up on while on my quest towards learning why things have gone wrong, and what to do about it:
- In the comments sections, there is discussion about a third party. No third party can succeed if there is no neutralization of the influence of money. Money is at the heart of the problem with the Establishment. The Establishment runs on money. An opposition must be able to run itself without the aid of money. That's a tall order, and maybe even an impossible one. Organizing a disparate bunch of people could be like herding cats.
- There has to be a way to insure accountability. The GOP Establishment can get away with what they are doing because the rank and file have no credibility with them. Somehow, the rank and file has to get organized and become a force that the Establishment has to respect.
- Whether or not you are Christian, you can profit from the lessons in the New Testament---specifically the Last Supper, where Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. This is revolutionary, even to this very day. It is the modern day leaders who seek to be served, not the other way around. If the modern day leaders truly followed what Jesus taught by the washing of feet of followers, they could be seen in true service of the people, as opposed to seeking to be served. The following of Jesus' example can insure that we keep our freedom. We are becoming enslaved because we have leaders who claim to serve the people, but they LIE. If they are not held accountable for their lying and betrayals, then why should they change? If you cannot change them, they must go.
- People must continue to vote, even if they have to do extraordinary things, like voting for the opposition, if that is what it takes. The current system works only because the divide and conquer tactics WORK. The tactics work because they can make you fear the bogey men that they create. But they are the bogey men themselves because they do not tell the truth.
Monday, March 9, 2015
Home again, 3/9/15
Rainy day. The first thing off the bat, my feetsies get wet. I hate it when my feetsies get wet. Better here, though, than Philadephia, or Chicago.
 |
| Nifty moves. Not recommended at home. |
Still here
Got a late start. Maybe because of the time change. I've always hated daylight savings time. Why don't they leave it the hell alone?
Wanted to put a post just to show that I'm not quitting on the blog. I didn't do many posts because I wanted to keep the focus on the move out West.
They are many options here. As a matter of fact, there are too many options. The thing could dissolve into confusion if I am not careful. Too many irons in the fire, so to speak.
Speaking of confusion, I started this post with one thought, which was about the international situation, and I am writing about something else.
Thoughts jumping hither and yon is probably not a good sign.
Nevertheless, it is what I'm thinking about, and what I write about can only reflect that.
One thing that struck me as I read the news is how the Russians have become so unfriendly. Frankly, I think that is something that has been stirred up. It has been stirred up both here and over there. The thing that struck me is how easily people are influenced into doing crazy things. Before it is all said and done, there may be a big war. People may wonder how it all got started. If it does get started, it will be because of the powers-that-be for some reason wanted it.
Meanwhile, I'm trying to run my own little world, and tend to be struggling in it. Should I go into debt in order to buy an RV, which would be the quickest and fastest method of doing what I want to do, or do I go through all the trouble of making my own little RV? It can depend upon the outside situation. If the outside situation will remain stable, how does that affect my situation? Does it make any difference what goes out there in the world as to what I do in my own little world?
Wanted to put a post just to show that I'm not quitting on the blog. I didn't do many posts because I wanted to keep the focus on the move out West.
They are many options here. As a matter of fact, there are too many options. The thing could dissolve into confusion if I am not careful. Too many irons in the fire, so to speak.
Speaking of confusion, I started this post with one thought, which was about the international situation, and I am writing about something else.
Thoughts jumping hither and yon is probably not a good sign.
Nevertheless, it is what I'm thinking about, and what I write about can only reflect that.
One thing that struck me as I read the news is how the Russians have become so unfriendly. Frankly, I think that is something that has been stirred up. It has been stirred up both here and over there. The thing that struck me is how easily people are influenced into doing crazy things. Before it is all said and done, there may be a big war. People may wonder how it all got started. If it does get started, it will be because of the powers-that-be for some reason wanted it.
Meanwhile, I'm trying to run my own little world, and tend to be struggling in it. Should I go into debt in order to buy an RV, which would be the quickest and fastest method of doing what I want to do, or do I go through all the trouble of making my own little RV? It can depend upon the outside situation. If the outside situation will remain stable, how does that affect my situation? Does it make any difference what goes out there in the world as to what I do in my own little world?
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Tea Party threatens to oust Boner, Dems say not so fast
Ace
Comment:
Always do the unexpected. They should vote for a vulnerable Democrat. Why? Accountability. There's no accountability. How about trying to restore some accountability? If Boner won't do what he says he will do, get rid of him even if it means voting for a Democrat.
Let's see the Democrats try to explain why they are keeping a Speaker they criticize, and refusing to vote for a Democrat. And if a Democrat is elected Speaker? Let's see what happens and then act upon it later.
No way Boner stays, or this is just more posturing.
Comment:
Always do the unexpected. They should vote for a vulnerable Democrat. Why? Accountability. There's no accountability. How about trying to restore some accountability? If Boner won't do what he says he will do, get rid of him even if it means voting for a Democrat.
Let's see the Democrats try to explain why they are keeping a Speaker they criticize, and refusing to vote for a Democrat. And if a Democrat is elected Speaker? Let's see what happens and then act upon it later.
No way Boner stays, or this is just more posturing.
Coffin details
Prev Next
This one goes in the construction subseries, off-the-grid posts.
Groan. Make or buy, which do you choose? If I make everything, that's harder. Buying the RV is the easy way out.
It's a bit hard for me to visualize how to put this "coffin" together. If I am not careful, I'll end up with something that's no usable. I'm at the point with the design now that I can figure a build method, but I am getting stuck on how to handle the door and the ventilation.
Materials used include insulated wall prefabbed.
Update:
After studying the glass sliding door at my balcony, I figure that I can probably make one myself.
As far as the climate control is concerned, perhaps I will drill two holes, one will be an exhaust fan, the other a passive intake. Air going out will cause air to be sucked in. The air that is sucked in will be directed through a heat exchanger.
This one goes in the construction subseries, off-the-grid posts.
Groan. Make or buy, which do you choose? If I make everything, that's harder. Buying the RV is the easy way out.
It's a bit hard for me to visualize how to put this "coffin" together. If I am not careful, I'll end up with something that's no usable. I'm at the point with the design now that I can figure a build method, but I am getting stuck on how to handle the door and the ventilation.
Materials used include insulated wall prefabbed.
 |
| There are two options for sliding door hardware, and the first one won't work here. |
After studying the glass sliding door at my balcony, I figure that I can probably make one myself.
As far as the climate control is concerned, perhaps I will drill two holes, one will be an exhaust fan, the other a passive intake. Air going out will cause air to be sucked in. The air that is sucked in will be directed through a heat exchanger.
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