horses made of gold.

o.k.  so here it is – the long anticipated update on my life in california.  all and all, life is very good right now.  the following things have happened:

• it has stopped raining for days at a time and thus, my nights in the tent are much more comfortable.
• i have recently be offered (and have accepted) a new job as the intern coordinator for the solar living institute.  very awesome – i’m amped.  this means that i’ll be making money, having full benefits – all while still being able to learn a lot and have the option to go to antarctica if i get a job offer (and i still want to go).  if the ice falls through, i have to option to sign on full time at an organization in which i see a lot of potential.
• i have had two job interviews for antarctica over the phone and two more solid possibilities online.  i think that i’ll most likely get offers for an alternate.  this means that i have to go through the whole hiring process and be “on-deck” if someone cancels at the last minute.  the chef from food services told me that he went through nine alternates last year and that the chances are strong that i’d go if i got that offer.
• the wildflowers are in bloom in hopland, california.

so yes, life has been very excellent recently.  i officially start my new job on monday, so i’ve been passing the days between by working on various things.  mostly, i’ve been helping build the showerhouse, which is natural building made of cob (combination of clay, sand, and straw that is very easily shaped and very hard when it dries.  i read a lot, cook alot, and just got really tired all of the sudden.  i’ll fill you in on details later.  here’s a question:

back in the day, i bought a tripod to take with me to seattle and san fran.  this tripod broke only a week after i bought it and i returned to the store where i bought it to exchange for a new version.  the new one was broken right out of the package (same trouble with the locking mechanism on the leg).  so i contact the company that makes the tripod and call bullshit.  they agree to exchange the broken one for any tripod that i want.  so i have to choose.  i am planning to buy a gorillapod to keep in my bag for the rare occasion when i need a tripod.  i could get their small tripod in exchange so that i can pack it along with me (not really necessary considering the gorillapod) or i could get their largest and fanciest one just because i can.  it’s heavier/longer, so i can’t pack it as easily, but it would be good to have it for the really rare times that i need a tripod bigger than a little gorillapod.  so what should i do?  get the big one because i can?  or stick to the small one because it is more easily travelled with?  please comment.

i’m going to bed.