The truck saga continues...

So, I am now the owner of two Isuzu Troopers! I bought me another one today in hope that I will sell the old one soon and make back the money I put into it. Today I bought an 89 Trooper that actually runs well and is pretty nice. I'm definitely happy with it!

So, here's a list of the positive attributes of this new one over the other one I own:

• an engine with all working cylinders
• no funky smells (mixture of old cigarettes and apple air fresheners in the old one)
• no really annoying whistle from the cracks in the passenger wing-window
• a working radio with speakers
• non-bald tires
• a glove compartment door
• working seatbelts with no duct tape holding them together
• no wires hanging all over
• working gauges, including a speedometer
• a normal paint job
• more than one windshield wiper (though I did love the mono-wiper move on the old one)
• not having the fear that it will break down every time I drive it.
• and working 4-wheel drive

I have a new-to-me car now! I bought an 87 Isuzu Trooper last week. Don't get too excited though, because I might be getting rid of it and buying another one; as soon as possibly tomorrow. I got it really cheap from an individual just trying to unload it. My brother-in-law and I did some work on it a few days ago and it looks like it will need a new engine to run well again and pass the emission control for Portland. So, that is the bad news. I just don't really want to spend anymore than is absolutely necessary and you never know when it is bad now.

So here's the story for buying this one:

I saw it on Craig's list for sale for $350. Yeah, I know $350 for a "running" car! Pretty ridiculous! I guess I got what I paid for. But back to it. In appearance, the truck looks great and there was no major concerns at the time. In our opinion it needed new tires and a major tune-up to get running pretty good. So, with these concerns in mind, I thought that $350 is just too much for this trooper (I was in Morocco for a week and just needed to use all that bartering practice here and it is hard to barter for groceries). So, I went up to her and offered to give her $300 cash right there. She said it needed to be a little more and dropped to $325. Sold! Done deal!

Since it is turning out to be more than I wanted to spend for what I am getting, I am probably going to sell it on Craig's list after I get another one and hopefully get a little more to cover the muffler and tune-up parts I bought for it. I'll be sure to keep you all updated on what happens next!

Check out the picture of the back. I decided to make this trooper really hard by just adding a sticker to it. It is the one on the very top on the paint. I like to support the ghetto kiddies!

The Mysteries of Signs - part 4

I think that this sign is definitely one-of-a-kind. It is from the edge of Lake Bohinj in Slovenia. There are some interesting things about it that I feel I must point out to the casual observer. When I took this picture, multiple things jumped out at me that were just odd. Please observe with me.


- Top middle - why would it be a problem throwing acorns at flowers? And that hand looks like it might also be doing some sign language. Why is sign language not allowed at that lake?
- Top right - they are really after those sign languagers. And why are snail races not allowed? Snails like to have fun, so why punish them?
- Middle middle - ok, I see that this one does have validity. It is never safe to assemble a tepee on top of a camper. That is just common sense though. It was unnecessary to make a sign prohibiting it. People know that!
- Middle right - they have gone too far when they have banned the eating out of cans. Cans are necessary for camping. I can't have my chili and baked beans going stale in tupperware. The gas just isn't potent enough for farting into the fire when they're stale.
- Bottom left - that is just a weird dog. It kinda scares me.
- Bottom middle - this is clearly banning people from playing God at this lake. You don't follow? Well there are rain drops falling on that car from the person's hand. So, no black magic or sorcery at this lake.
- Bottom right - And finally the most disturbing ban. That is a picture of a motorcycle rider doing a wheelie, and not just any motorcycle rider, but one with a detached head. That is just disgusting! I have never seen this to be a problem, but it is Slovenia, they might have different problems over there.

I know, I am just a confused as all of you by this unnecessary use of signage.

So, I got a new phone number now. It's 503-432-1363. Anyone is free to call me. Hope to hear from some of you soon! (and others never!!)

I wanted to let everyone know that I am back home in Oregon City again. My mom went into the hospital earlier in the week with more complications from her liver disease. She got much worse and my dad and sisters decided that I should return from Croatia again. I am home for an undetermined amount of time.

I'll give a quick summary of what is happening with her. She has sclerosis of her liver that has progressed into Hepa-Renal Syndrome, which is leading to problems with the operation of her kidneys. This progression is typical of the disease she has. The scary part is that this new syndrome will continue to get worse unless she can get a liver transplant. A working transplant should correct things.

We are all praying that she will get on the liver transplant list soon and that God will sustain her until she can get a new liver. It is hard thinking that she might not make it to that point. I trust God and His will for her life. Please pray for her and my family.