Left my sweetie for two weeks...

[akdiver 3]

Hi!

I'm bored, so I thought I would have some chit chat here today (:

Long story - but I ended up buying my new Jeep (Wrangler 4-door) from a dealer in Virginia, and had to drive it back to Alaska. I ended up being gone a total of two weeks (one week in VA, one week to drive back). It was kind of strange for us because this is the only time we have been apart since my wife came to the U.S (she didn't go with me because she needed to be at work). As unpleasant as that aspect of things was, my wife did fine staying in AK by herself for the two weeks and there was no major drama in terms of freezing pipes, getting into a car accident, missing work, or any other such things. When I got home, I got quite the welcome too. As it stands today (I've been back for a couple of days), it's almost like when she first got here, except that this time, I am the one who has arrived from afar (:

In related news, I left Virginia in the early morning on January 16th and arrived in Alaska late last night on January 22rd. During this 7-day ride on the Roller Coaster of Icy Death, I covered 4,839 miles - an average of 691 miles per day. That's not bad considering the time of year. I had no encounters with the police, no crashes/wrecks, or other high-drama. I saw lots of cars that did get wrecked though, plus some overturned tractor-trailers. I got some good pictures of scenery too. Coming back through customers at the Alaska/Yukon border, they really did an inspection on me. They didn't make me empty the car, but they did ask me lots of questions, and poke around in the back, asking what was in some boxes and such, and also wanted to see my vehicle registration (which I have never been asked for before, and I've drive across the border many, many times). I thought it was interesting.

In somewhat related news - we got a loan for the Jeep as a joint loan. We have a joint credit card, but this is different. It's a much larger sum of money, and marks the Jeep as being joint property. So, it is a step in the right direction for us. We consider the Jeep "my" car because I'm the one who wanted it and the one who drives it. My wife also just bought a car (Chevy Aveo 5). She bought it using a loan only in her name, to help her build credit. We consider it "her" car because she is the one who wanted it and the one who drives it - although I am on the title. So, now we have some joint property, and finally have two cars rather than one.

In unrelated news - I quit my job just before going to get the Jeep, and now I am now self-employed and working from home. This is significant because now I am completely dependent on my wife and her job for health insurance. Also a strange feeling, but I think it reflects our strategy - working together to achieve common desires. Always a good thing in marriage. (: This is also the reason why we really decided to get a second car. When we both had real jobs, she would drop me off in the morning at work and pick me up on the way home. It was easy and convenient and reasonable. But with me working at home now, my choices were to be at home with no car all day, or to drive her to work and then go back to pick her up at the end of the day, costing me two hours of time that I could be at home working. That would have been a real drag.

In other news - we're still waiting for conditions on residence to be removed. They are working on apps received in July, and they have us down as being received in November (although they really received it in October). So, quite some wait to go on that one.

Cheers!

AKDiver

[slim 1,525]

So you got a new car because you quit your job? Wait a minute.....

Sounds like things are going great for you guys. Glad to hear it.

Customs is really cracking down now, so easy border crossings are becoming more and more scarce. The "sanctions" and worries of the past are now gone. They don't need to fear lawsuits and reports of misconduct and the like anymore, after all, there are terrorists out there. And who knows, maybe one of those terrorists would devise a plan to buy a Jeep in Virginia, fill it full of box bombs, then drive it to Alaska to blow up, uh, um, well, to blow up something in Alaska!

(I bought a Wrangler X about two weeks ago.... It's a Jeep thing, you wouldn't understand.)

[BradLuvsMaria 0]

Now I Think I understand why you are Bitchin about my spending extra money to have my girl fly Business and 1st class to USA!!!!! Sorry to hear your down but keep ya Shat attitude to yourself!! I'm not rich and never said I was. Yes I have a life that I worked hard for, but your poor unemployed attitude should not be directed at me.

[Mary Lou 681]

[akdiver 3]

Now I Think I understand why you are Bitchin about my spending extra money to have my girl fly Business and 1st class to USA!!!!! Sorry to hear your down but keep ya Shat attitude to yourself!! I'm not rich and never said I was. Yes I have a life that I worked hard for, but your poor unemployed attitude should not be directed at me.

Poor unemployed attitude? How do you figure I am poor and/or unemployed? Guess again, Hostile Boy!! Incidentially, the reason why I ragged on your post in the other thread is because you threw the 1st class stuff in there, but it had nothing to do with the rest of your post. It was just extraneous information that looked like it was thrown in for "la-di-da" value. I could care less how how you spend your money. Spend it all for all I care. I hope you spend at least some of it on condoms though.

So you got a new car because you quit your job? Wait a minute.....

Well, it's a long story. But I ordered the Jeep way back in July. Well, I gave up on it and ended up buying off a lot in VA. Quitting my job to work for myself just sort of came along - it was coincidental. However, my WIFE got a car because I quit my job. She had been dropping me off at work on her way to work and picking me up on her way home. However, now that I am working at home, with only one car, I would either be stuck at home all day with no car, or have to take her to work, come home, and then go pick her up in the evening. That would cost me two hours of time and be a real drag. So we got her a car too. Of course, it's not a Saab or a Ferarri, or whatever - just a cheap, cheap Chevy. (:

Customs is really cracking down now, so easy border crossings are becoming more and more scarce. The "sanctions" and worries of the past are now gone. They don't need to fear lawsuits and reports of misconduct and the like anymore, after all, there are terrorists out there. And who knows, maybe one of those terrorists would devise a plan to buy a Jeep in Virginia, fill it full of box bombs, then drive it to Alaska to blow up, uh, um, well, to blow up something in Alaska!

I just thought it was funny that I got into Canada much easier than I got into the US. (:

(I bought a Wrangler X about two weeks ago.... It's a Jeep thing, you wouldn't understand.)

Why not? I'm a Jeep guy!! (:

Cheers!

AKDiver

[John and Anna 0]

Now I Think I understand why you are Bitchin about my spending extra money to have my girl fly Business and 1st class to USA!!!!! Sorry to hear your down but keep ya Shat attitude to yourself!! I'm not rich and never said I was. Yes I have a life that I worked hard for, but your poor unemployed attitude should not be directed at me.

Brad, as far as anyone is conserned you could have used frequent flyer miles for the biz class tickets. I guess there was blood in the water from the other poster (wish my community adored my wife so much ((just kidding))) Any way we all enjoy lifes little joys - no matter what they are.

Edited January 27, 2007 by John and Anna

[slim 1,525]

The "Jeep thing" was for the non-Jeep owners out there.

Buy a Jeep!

And yes, I too thought the "first class" thing was a little like, "I'm the man because I'm flying my girl here FIRST CLASS" when the post was about something else. No biggy though, I'm glad to see first class was affordable enough for you guys to get. I would do it if I could, just can't.

My Jeep is first class though. There's plenty of leg room and the seats recline fully.

[akdiver 3]

And yes, I too thought the "first class" thing was a little like, "I'm the man because I'm flying my girl here FIRST CLASS" when the post was about something else. No biggy though, I'm glad to see first class was affordable enough for you guys to get. I would do it if I could, just can't.

Well, to me the issue is not affordability, it's an issue of common sense. If one has that extra money to just piss away, it makes much more sense to throw it into a retirement fund, make an extra house payment, put it toward a vacation fund, or whatever. Otherwise, at the end of your first class airplane ride, it's like, "Boy, that gourmet chicken sure was good" and that's the end of it. I guess I just don't see the appeal. You can get plenty of leg room in an exit row or bulk head seat, for a fraction of the money it costs to fly first class. (:

Cheers!

AKDiver

[Turboguy 6]

I have to agree with you AK. For the 10 hours or so of chewing on your kneecaps and a savings of a thousand or two I can do it and consider it money well saved. Sure, If I can use frequent flier miles for an upgrade which I have never done, that might be worth it but I don't mind being a little cramped and using plastic silverware. I am more than willing to spend an extra hundred or so to avoid Aeroflot or to cut a layover off the trip but to me when you add 4 figures to the price I will take the money even if they have to have me travel in the baggage compartment.

[slim 1,525]

I have to agree with you AK. For the 10 hours or so of chewing on your kneecaps and a savings of a thousand or two I can do it and consider it money well saved. Sure, If I can use frequent flier miles for an upgrade which I have never done, that might be worth it but I don't mind being a little cramped and using plastic silverware. I am more than willing to spend an extra hundred or so to avoid Aeroflot or to cut a layover off the trip but to me when you add 4 figures to the price I will take the money even if they have to have me travel in the baggage compartment.

On my trip to Moscow, I flew Aeroflot, and got a FREE upgrade to business class!

They subsequently kicked me in the junk by losing my bag. I was so happy about the upgrade that I didn't really care though. Well, not until about 10:00 that night when my friend and I met up with some girls and they were like "uh, you guys are still wearing the same stanky clothes you were wearing 8 hours ago.... we were gonna go out with you guys, but we've already got plans, but hey, good luck to you guys. Have fun in Moscow!"

I'm with you on the flying in the baggage compartment though. If it'll get me somewhere for 4 figures less, I'm a knee-bitin, cat-piss-smellin, no-meal-eatin, SOB... except I've got 4 figures more in my pocket. That way, even if they do lose my bag (which they shouldn't, cause I'm probably sleeping on top of it!) I'll have enough money to buy new (FRESH!!!) underwear.

- In a side note-

One thing I learned from Meet the Parents (And my girl Samantha Brown...I LOVE HER!!!) is to pack light. If you can avoid checking bags, DO IT!!! If you wear some comfortable, casual shoes, and a sweater/sweatshirt, you can get away with packing a few pairs of underwear and socks, a couple of t-shirts, and one pair of jeans or khaki pants, etc., and one pair of shorts. All that will fit in a carry-on bag. You'll never lose your luggage again! Granted, that's not going to work for Moscow in February. However, you can pack an extra $50, and you'll be plenty warm when you get there, then check whatever clothes you acquire for the trip home. Who cares if they lose your luggage on the way back?