Sunday, January 24, 2010

Rain Catchment - big berkey update

First, the big berkey filtration system is operational and like few things in life, it is meeting my expectations and exceeding them. Highly recommended!

Rain Catchment. In an earlier post I mentioned employing a rain catchment strategy in Montello to supplement my water supply or quite possibly be the sole water source. Rain catchment is basically funneling rain fall off of your structures roof and into a storage system....cistern, 55 gallon drums, etc. The long term plan is looking like a 1,000 gallon (minimum) cistern. The short term solution will be a couple 55 gallon drums that are connected to the rain gutters downspout. Youtube is full of people displaying their setup, so check it out if this peaks your interest. And, if you want to see a simple 55 gallon setup in action and possibly laugh very hard, then check out the mouth on this guy when his system begins to turn south during a down pour! Warning: this video has enough swearing in two minutes to earn 10 movies an "R" rating (no nudity). You've been warned! Now put on your big boy panties and enjoy.....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1g3X-yltDU&feature=related


Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Water Filtration - The Big Berkey


Two black Big Berkey water filters arrived on my doorstep yesterday. They'll be used to filter the chlorine out of our tap water at home and to purify the rain water catchment in Montello. They are the simplest system I have seen. Gravity fed...no pumps or pressure required. Add crappy water in the top (including nasty pond water) and watch pure water come out the bottom. I went the poor man route and only purchased the black filters ($99 for two). I'll be constructing a bucket system for the reservoirs instead of paying an extra $150 for the pretty setup. Check out this video on youtube if your interested.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LCk4lA7rmg

The night we set the shipping container in place Curt and Mike and I were inside the container getting warm by the fire and shooting the breeze. The conversation went to water and it turns out that I was the only guy there without a Big Berkey setup. I went over to Mike's house a couple days later to check out his system. He has the beautiful stainless steel setup and it is amazing. The water tastes fantastic, the system is really too simple to believe, and the aesthetics will please even the most selective. A couple days after that, Curt emailed me pics of his homemade bucket system. Effective, easy on the wallet, and simple to make. I've got my eye on a couple food grade buckets that will soon be enjoying a new life!

Mike and Curt, thank you guys for the excellent recommendation! I owe you each a kiss next time I see you. Or, perhaps you could talk me into buying a round at the Cowboy. You choose!

Last post. I don't plan on turning this blog into a music commentary, but I do plan on sharing what moves me in life and awakens me to the life I live now...especially if it's related to Montello. And, I don't want everyone to get the idea I'm a metal head (not that there's anything wrong with that). So, here's another selection I first enjoyed for the melody, rhythm, and voice. Turns out, the lyrics too are very meaningful to me.

http://www.playlist.com/searchbeta/tracks#five%20for%20fighting%20superman

lyrics
I can’t stand to fly
I’m not that naive
I’m just out to find
The better part of me

I’m more than a bird…I’m more than a plane
I'm more than some pretty face beside a train
It’s not easy to be me.

I wish that I could cry
Fall upon my knees
Find a way to lie
About a home I’ll never see

It may sound absurd…but don’t be naive
Even heroes have the right to bleed
I may be disturbed…but won’t you concede
Even heroes have the right to dream
And it’s not easy to be me.

Up, up and away…away from me
Well it’s all right…You can all sleep sound tonight
I’m not crazy…or anything…

I can’t stand to fly
I’m not that naive
Men weren’t meant to ride
With clouds between their knees

I’m only a man in a silly red sheet
Digging for kryptonite on this one way street
Only a man in a funny red sheet
Looking for special things inside of me
inside of me ...... inside of me ...ya inside of me... inside..of me

I’m only a man in a funny red sheet
I’m only a man looking for a dream

I’m only a man in a funny red sheet

It’s not easy ... wu.. hoo.. hoo..
It’s not easy to be.. me...



After reviewing Curt's pics, I realized that Mike has the black filters and Curt has the white ceramic filters. I thought both of them had black filters when I placed my order and didn't look into the differences between the two. The pricing is similar and the differences are subtle, but they are different. Here's some more info on their differences: http://tinyurl.com/dycs7a

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Van Halen in Montello, Nevada?

Admittedly, my last blog post was a bit more fringe than previous posts. Without any further boundary testing from my keyboard, I'll suggest you listen to an old favorite band of mine...Van Halen. Friday nights in high school meant Van Halen cranked up beyond loud in the back of Matt's Toyota Celica as we cruised around Tallahassee thinking we were cool....and I'm pretty sure we were....and Travis definitely was!

We would all sing every word of every song from every album, cassette, CD, MP3 (pick your decade) that was selected from the music case. A couple years ago I was reflecting on those times and decided to dust off OU812. I found myself once again singing songs word for word that I hadn't listened to in many, many years. Then, I came upon “mine all mine”. I knew every word of every line, but I never knew what they said. I found solace in this song that night and still do today and did once again after writing the last blog post. Everyday I make measurable progress towards the Montello dream of independence, it is another day that feels like “mine all mine.” Take a listen if you have a minute. I'll bet the lyrics will ring true on some level, even if you don't enjoy a screaming guitar!

Enjoy.

http://www.playlist.com/searchbeta/tracks#van%20halen%20mine%20all%20mine

lyrics

Ow! Forgive me father, for I have sinned
I've been through hell and back again
I shook hands with the devil
Looked 'im in the eye
Looked like a long lost friend

Ow-ah, anything you want, any dirty deeds
He's got everything 'cept what I really need
Keepin' me temporarily satisfied
But not one thing I've tried
Filled me up inside or felt like mine
Mine all mine

Yeah, the search goes on
The more I look, my world keeps gettin' smaller
Staring at the sun, searchin' for the light
Almost ended up blind Some only see what they wanna see
Claiming victory, oh but that's not me
Gimme truth, gimme somethin' real
I just wanna feel like it's mine all mine

(Ooh-ooo-ooh)
Ooh-oo-ooh, really mine
(Mine all mine)
Come on, 'n gimme somethin'
(Ooh-oo-ooh)
Somethin', that's mine all mine all mine

(Guitar Solo)

Mine all mine

All the words on the wall look the same in the mirror
Every riddle and every clue
Ow, you've got Allah in the east
You've got Jesus in the west
Christ, what's a man to do?

They'll find a cure for anything
Just kill the pain or numb my brain
We see a man speakin' the word of God
Provin' to be a fraud. his own church applauds
Stop lookin' out, start lookin' in
Be your own best friend
Stand up and say "Hey! This is mine!"

(Ooh-oo-ooh)
Ooh, all mine
(Mine all mine)
Yeah
'N baby you've got somethin'
(Ooh-oo-ooh)
Uh! An', and I got somethin'
(Mine all mine)
Hey, and it's mine all mine all mine

Uh!
(Mine all mine)
Ooooh!
(Mine all mine)
Yes, I'm searchin'
(Mine all mine)
Uh-I got to have it
(Mine all mine)
Oooh ow!
(Mine all mine)
Well
(Mine all mine)
Got ta, got ta, got to
(Mine all mine)
Got to have it. Ow!
(Mine all mine)
Uh! Uh! Uh!
(Mine all mine)
You got! You got! You got! You got!
Mine all mine


Makes me wonder how many of us (especially me) are so close to something and just don't see it. Am I still that high school kid who had a version of life sang to him and sang it for others so many times, but still didn't hear? In a lifetime or so, what will I look back on that I am doing or thinking today and find myself stunned at how available things were to me, but I was unable to grasp. As long as I can say it was “mine all mine”, then I'm good.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

WTF...


Funny how things are....or aren't! This week I've been thinking about my life and comparing it to the me of last year. I've never been a New Year's resolution kind of person and don't plan on changing that in the near future. So, it's not about that, rather the timing of a few other things in life have kicked off this introspection and resulted in a number of questions.

Why does the idea of re-shingling my roof in Logan pain me, while the thought of erecting retaining walls in Montello excites me? Why does waking before 8:30 in the morning on a regular day ruin me, when an unprovoked stirring around dawn in Montello results in a 30 minute taking in of the sunrise? A year ago I had proper motivation to work on an amazing business idea with my brother, which ended up being stalled by the State. Today, we have the go ahead and my motivation got up and went somewhere else. I can research off-grid solar power information all day long for Montello, but my interest quickly fades when I start grid-tie research for a setup in Logan. I revel in the idea of riding my bike a few miles to the Montello Gas and Groc(ery) for an ice cream with the kids. I can't recall the last time I rode my bike around town here in Logan.

A few times a week (likely more) I am swept up in thought and analysis surrounding religion. Today, I think about the excess my former religion displays with granite slabs and waterfalls covering the roof of an enormous granite adorned conference center and it makes me wonder what Christ's church looked like in comparison during his day? And then, I wonder why I care how they spend their money and in the same thought I wonder who I talk to for a refund of my misguided granite palace contributions. My last three days in Montello I lived entirely in peace, in the moment, and religion never crossed my mind.

Why does my mind run to the solace of Montello shortly after I open the registration notice for my 1982 Jeep and learn the fee has gone up 47% in one year. Why don't I raise hell when the Division of Motor Vehicle representative is able to quickly verify the legitimacy of the rate increase as an across the board hike, but can't begin to tell me how the increased tax revenue will be spent in my, her, or somebody else's benefit. Why doesn't the marble tile, granite counter tops, and knotty alder pine cabinetry all throughout my newly remodeled local county building make me feel anywhere near as comfortable as sage brush and dirt? (I wonder how plush the Elko county buildings are?) Why don't those plush county buildings help the employees look more happy with their jobs or aid them in processing my paper work more efficiently.

How does a politician get away with admitting something is not the same as it once was and in the same breath proceed to argue that it hasn't changed at all. Sorry, that last one was a continuation on religion, not a dive into politics, but who can tell the difference anymore?

Right now I question why you are still reading, when you likely think I'm full of shit and you certainly have better things to do? Sorry, maybe not...continue reading. Perhaps my words strike a chord when the topic is something agreeable, and perhaps they uncomfortably tickle you when the same line of reasoning is applied to something you hold dear and unquestionable. Perhaps I am full of bullshit. I certainly have been before, will be again, and am open to the idea of it being my current and perpetual state. Perhaps the sudden year over year changes in my personal life are the result of blindness or deception. Perhaps they are the result of truth setting aside blindness. Maybe the sudden changes aren't sudden at all and are accounted for by the acquisition of a few more pieces of life's puzzle being plugged into the overall view, thereby delivering a different view into a world that hasn't changed, but somehow isn't the same!

Perhaps someday I'll see you in Montello in front of the Montello Gas and Groc. I'll be the guy with a large rimmed straw hat sitting on the bench out front watching the drivers by race through town at the speed of life on their way to somewhere more important than here and now. If you'd like to turn around and join me on that bench, I'm certain there will be room for one more and the first cold one is on me! Until then, get the hell out of the way, I've got somewhere to be and only the speed of life seems to get me there.....but never on time.


special thanks to the guys at the Montello Gas and Groc for the kitchen sized garbage bags you pulled out of your personal inventory to sell me. you helped make our trip more pleasant than you'll ever know! and, the ice cream bars are always a nice treat.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Shipping Container: maiden voyage


Last weekend we (the family) spent a few days in Montello to kick off the New Year. The nights were cold, but the days were amazingly warm for January. And, the scenery was amazing, but I'll let the pictures do the talking for that. This was a half work and half play trip. On the work side, a toilet, sink, and retaining wall were added to the new infrastructure list. The toilet was built around the bucket composting ideas discussed on this website: http://www.omick.net/. I picked the sink up used from a friend for $20 and have it temporarily plumbed to drain into a bucket under the sink. The retaining wall was started (much more to go) with four tires and was an absolute joy to build. I'm using the "earth rammed tire" concept popularized by Mike Reynolds in his earthship construction techniques...http://www.earthship.net/

Although ramming the tires with earth was extremely labor intensive with all the sledge hammer swinging, I kid you not when I say I thoroughly enjoyed it. I love the idea of going to the tire store and having the owner light up when you ask to haul off old tires from his inventory that he would otherwise have to pay to discard. Then, you beat the crap out of these tires in an effort to totally fill all of the voided inside area with dirt. Finally, you end up with a three hundred pound brick that functions excellently as a retaining wall. When the wall is complete, I'll likely coat the exposed tires with asphalt emulsion (extremely sticky tar like roofing compound) and then throw dirt into the stickiness to help them blend into the landscape and provide a UV barrier. Three hundred pounds in weight is just a guess, but these 32" earth rammed tires didn't budge when I tried to lift them!!!

The fireplace literally cooked us out of the space many times. When you combine eagle scout training with a touch of OCD and high “R” values, you get one hot living space! The sliding glass door was often opened to help remove the excessive heat....I consider that to be a good problem! As Curt said, this is all just one big experiment!!!

Almost forgot, the replacement sliding glass door arrived just in time to make the trip to Montello and installed flawlessly. Again, many thanks to Pella! The door was shipped on a pallet, which worked nicely as a front door kicking post to remove dirt and snow from our shoes. I'm not sure if this would be classified as being resourceful or white trash. Luckily, I'm comfortable with either label!

The play side of things began instantly for the girls. They loved playing on the bunks and watching movies as the generator hummed in the background. Shooting the rifle and going on hikes in search of animal tracks were also favorites. We followed day old antelope tracks long enough to realize we should turn around before we ran out of light.

Curt, Geoff, Ellen, and Grace all came out to visit and check things out. We enjoyed their company and look forward to getting to know them better on subsequent visits. And, what trip would be complete without a burger from the Cowboy Bar? The girls enjoyed chicken strips and fries while Jeremi and I chowed on their world famous cheese burgers. Good trip. Good trip!



enjoying the adventure from the upper deck


lounging quarters by day, adult sleeping area by night


one fantastically fab'd wood burning stove....the welds could look better, but it works very well, the price was right, and the satisfaction of building it myself lives on!


freshly rammed tires...planning to go all the way up and backfill along the way




closest neighbor building his house in the background...behind that a view that only a picture speaks for


sharpening our skills....rabbits (dinner) beware!



perhaps the best addition yet when you really, really need to take a load off



sure beats washing your hands outside in zero degree weather


helping Dad move some earth



left the truck in two wheel drive and had zero problems accessing the property


andy (and i) loves his freedom in the country...no ropes, no chains, no limits



jeep trail to the property