git your groove on!
Welcome to iceplant radio by DJ dBug
I'd like to express my gratitude to my readers
2005.11.24 . .
Hello iceplant radio readers and listeners. It's been a long time since I've actively posted to this site. After five years of posts and a relationship train wreck, I needed a change. Well, I got it. Time to start posting on iceplant radio again!
I'd especially like to say thanks for reading my crazy ass weblog, y'all. I am grateful for the opportunity to be heard and read. Let's see what happens on iceplant radio in 2006. - donovan.
Donovan's Brain. Take a bite!
2005.11.24 . .
Originally posted: 2005-08-20
Psssst! If you liked iceplant radio, you might be interested in a slice of Donovan's Brain.
Hiatus
2005.11.24 . .
Originally posted: 2005-07-03
In case you hadn't noticed by the lack of posts here, I'm off doing other things. I suppose I'll return to post here someday. If you are really dying to read something from me, tune in to my sole active weblog, Radio UserLand: The Missing Manual.
Thanks for reading iceplant radio. It's been fun.
Congrats to Jason Henninger
2005.11.24 . .
Originally posted: 2005-05-22
Autodidactic Miscellany: "I've held off on mentioning this until it was officially announced at work, but I have been promoted. As of June 2nd, I'll be an Associate Book Editor for World Tribune Press (and imprints Middleway and Treasure Tower Books)."
Workin' on the Grumman
2005.11.24 . .
Originally posted: Wednesday, May 11, 2005
This past weekend I spent in Hesperia with my folks and LOTS of cousins and second cousins, most of whom I haven't seen in 15 or 20 years. It was a good time and my helpful family pitched in to work on the Grumman, especially my Mom and Pop. We cleaned it up since it's been sitting in the desert for the past six months and was quite dirty inside. I think one of the windows was left a crack open and plenty of dirt blew in.
We checked out all the systems and discovered a number of things, like the shower doesn't work. The generator works great. We topped off the oil. Discovered the front brakes are totally kaput, nothing left. Gotta figure out how to get the water pump working properly and a few other things. For the most part though, this thing is tough as nails and ready to roll. It starts right up and is totally comfortable inside.
Well, after popping off the front tires and adjusting the front brakes, or lack thereof, I jumped behind the wheel and drove it 100 miles to Simi Valley. Kinda scary when your brakes don't exactly work. I made it though. Slow and steady.
So today, the Grumman is at Mike's auto shop getting new front drums, cylinders, springs, studs, and lug nuts. I expect my braking power to be much better now. While they were working on the brakes, my Pop and I took off two storage pods on the roof as well as a canoe loading apparatus since I don't own a canoe. Now it looks much cleaner and should also be a good bit lighter.
I'm off to the Bay area for a few days on bizness. I hope that when I return the brakes will be finished, getting me one step closer to my next destination, Washington.
Where did the Arvee come from? My most generous Pops! Thanks, Pops... You da best! I shall make the most of this vessel.
Mexico was good for me.
2005.11.24 . .
Originally posted: 2005-05-09
Over the past month, I was able to spend some time in the Yucatan, Belize and Guatemala. (View my Photo Gallery) Joining my friends in the jungle to work the land turned into a feast consisting of memory building delights such as camping in Paradise (aka Federico's Laguna Azul); swimming in the laguna multiple times a day, every day; building things like a composting toilet; traveling to Belize to do some diving in the deep blue ocean along a reef wall off of Turneffe Island; climbing high atop the mystical ruins of Tikal; making wonderful new friends and cementing old friendships.
I was most impressed by the good nature of most people I interacted with. Though my Spanish is unfortunately limited, I was able to draw upon those few years in junior high when I learned enough to get the gist of many conversations that went on around me. For the most part, I camped right on the lake, waking up to the most beautiful sunrises, hoping to catch just one more glimpse of the otter who patrolled the lakeside during the early morning. In bed soon after dark. And in between those hours, I would sometimes read, sometimes write, and sometimes work, and sometimes sleep and dream and be.
It certainly felt good to unplug from things for a while. I didn't bring my computer but I did check email every week or so when we went into town. It was a real pleasure waking up to the sounds of birds instead of traffic. The morning sun greeted us with it's big, round, red boldness and set the tone for the day in such a positive way. And thanks to those crazy folks in Mahahual for throwing their all night full moon beach parties and for welcoming us to the last one.
This trip for me was a time of healing, reflecting, helping, discovering, and just being. I got the break I needed. Now I'm back in the US and it's time to switch up my scene. Thanks to my Pop, I'm now going to be residing in..... drumroll please.... a 1970 Gruman RV. That's right. It even says 'Arvee' on the side. If things work out I just might take this bad boy to Black Rock City this year. I'll be heading back up to Washington since I liked it so much and then who knows?
Of course, I can't wait to return to Mexico.
Updated: 3/6/06; 12:38:12 AM.
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