Just Like Old Times

Just Like Old Times was Originally Posted on July 18, 2006 by lavarock

It has been awhile and here is what has been happening.

I kept trying to sell my Camaro back in Atlanta but problems kept cropping up. To ensure it finally got listed, I decided to use some of my Delta Frequent Flier miles to go back and take care of things. After many hours looking online I found the only opportunity I had to go anytime soom was the niext night. I called Delta and worked with them. Although I wanted to just stay 2 weeks, my only two options to return were 1 week or 3 weeks from my departure date. I opted for the 3 week and started packing. I closed the online store, then worked out a watering system for my keiki (small coffee plants in the nursery/greenhouse).

Some friends kept my truck and I was off.

I tried to get bumped no no avail. The trip was familiarly long and thankfully, uneventful. I had a rental car waiting for me in Atlanta and at this point, only had one issue. I was unsure where I was going to be staying. My car was being stored at a friends house, but his wife was ill and did not want visitors. I started making calls, yet knowing that I would either have to sleep in the car overnight, or find a nearby inexpensive motel. I was not sure how long his wife would be “not taking visitors” so I prepared for the worst.

Luckily, while talking to a an old co-worker he offered that I could stay with him and his girlfriend. Although they were on the opposite side of town, this was the best offer I had (actually, the ONLY offer I had, and it was getting dark) so I jumped at it. It took an hour to get there but I was made welcome and comfortable. I helped out with some cleaning, shopping and even helped them move one apartment into the other.

While in Marietta I was able to visit my old office building (just like old times, but mostly empty of employees) and the new office building (still empty as people were transitioning from working at home to coming back into an office). As I passed one cubicle I saw people working to correct security errors. Since I used to send out these reports, I suggested a way to have them fixed. They made a genuine attempt to bribe me into sitting down and helping them fix them, but I declined. It was dinner time and I was not still on the clock!

Just like old times, I remembered the problem of living in the south. One day some friends and I went to lunch at an all-you-can-eat buffet, only to end up at another one the next night.

After a week at this one friends house, I was able to go stay where my car was; my friends wife having gotten better. I replaced the tailgate lift struts, checked the brakes and cleaned various parts of the car to take a few more photos. I called Safelite to replace the windshield which has had a crack in it for quite some time. I chatted with the repairman and I mentioned that I used to live nearby and had worked for Hewlett Packard. He said that he just hired an ex-HPer and told me his name. Turns out that “Elliot” and I had worked together for quite a while. I got his number and surprised him with a call. Just like old times!

I drove past my old house and stopped by to talk with my neighbors across the street. Not much has changed. The people who bought my house had cut down most of the trees in the front yard. While the pines could be a problem in the many storms Marietta gets, the trees also kept out the sun. It never ceases to amaze me that houses in the South seem not to have awnings or large overhangs to stop the brunt of the sun. Here in hawaii the houses are aligned along the path of the wind (harder to do on the mainland), but still, we take advantage of overhangs. A large overhanging part of the roof shades the house and keeps all but a sideways wind from blowing rain into the house. Many is the time I had to close all of the windows in the house (even on the second floor) before I went to work, just to be sure that there would not be a wet wall with event he lightest storm.

I was able to get the car listed in Froogle (a Google site), a few other free sites and in the Atlanta paper (the AJC) and on their website. So far, no sale, but I am hopeful. My asking price of $8800 seems reasonable based upon other cars being sold on collector sites for much more. A peek at the website http://OwnThisCamaro.Com should show you how nice my car looks. Note that the buyer will also get free coffee! What a deal!

I could have stayed on the mainland a lot longer, visiting and traveling, but I needed to get back to Paradise. Besides, Atlanta’s weather had cooled while I was there, but still, 95 degrees with 90% humidity is too much for this newly relocated “island boy”.

I bought a MP3 player (Iriver 5 gb) and stuffed it with music for the return trip. It has the ability to play Mps’3 and other formats, can store and show some photos, it can be used for dictation and has a built-in FM tuner. The tuner also can record to the internal disk so you can tune into a FM station, press record and set down the unit and go to sleep. In the morning you have another 8 hours of music to listen to. I think you can even set the timer to start recording on its own, but you would have to ensure the unit was in the right place to pick up the station clearly.

Arriving back in Kona I got my truck, made a few calls and headed home. I enjoyed the difference in the pace on the island and just like old times, fell into the island rhythm. All was as I left it and the plants did OK while I was gone. I need tons more, but at least I have a start. My canopies are destroyed because of the direct sun. Maybe the tarps are made from the same material as the awning in the south are made of, and thus don’t stand up to bright sun?

A quick check of the refrigerator reminded me that I needed to head into town the next day and do some serious shopping.

I have touched base with a number of neighbors and am continuing to work on their websites. I seem to be doing more website shopping cart installs than I am doing growing. That could be a problem!

I am helping organize an event at a local shopping center where we will explain to visitors how we grow and process coffee. We will have some nice products to sell there too. There will be demos of coffee cherry, parchment, green and roasted coffee, plus roasting demonstrations.

I have a number of friends visiting the islands over the next few months, the weather is great and I am home.

Just like old times!