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Mike Humfreville
Super Nomad
Posts: 1148
Registered: 8-26-2003
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Too Much News...
Well, I'm stuck here in L.A. for another few weeks before I head south. In a few days I'll sign my retirement paperwork and remain friends with so
many wonderful folks I've had the pleasure to work with for pushing 40 years at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. I'll miss them all but see them
from time to time I hope at our homes in Ventura or Bahia de Los Angeles. It's been a fine run.
As I sat tonight and read Newsweek here in So Cal, I realized though that there are a few things I won?t miss during the times we spend in Baja. I
can't be certain, but I'll offer up a guess anyway, just to fill the time between planning to and being there.
Even with the advances in communication technology, e.g., satellite telephone, Internet, television and radio, I don't think I'll miss all the
overwhelming information we are bombarded with stateside. Some folks I know here won't allow the TV or radio news in their homes. I'm beginning to
understand.
I look forward to a time in my life with a focus different than what I've always had. I look forward to a time when I think on a "smaller" scale,
about simpler things, things more in my control. Things like "when to fish," "how do I fix that solar panel," "How's the spring water supply," and
"shouldn't I be trying harder to drink less booze."
I'm worn down by reading about how our two-party political system can't get anything done, about the war we shouldn't be in in Iraq is going badly,
about gang shootings on freeways and assassinations and schoolyard killings and small children ballbatting each other to death.
It's been a while since I've settled into a small town. I'm not certain how I'll fit. Will I be a considerate neighbor? Will I fit into the
community? I can't answer those questions but I do know that I'll give it a conscientious shot.
And I know I'll be more entertained considering issues about "how Marielena's tortillas were on Monday compared to Tuesday," "when will the highest
tide be this month," "are the best clams from La Mona or La Gringa?" and "what meat is available in town this week?" I just sense that life in a
small village in Baja will offer far greater peace in my aging years.
Beats the hell out of bombs, WMD, and multiple deaths on the playground of an elementary school. It's not like I could ever leave my country of
origin on a full time basis. I am an American and always will be. But it might just come to pass that I will find complete relaxation in Baja.
Perhaps before I die, somewhere down the road, the tension in my shoulders will ease and I'll find fulltime peace.
I look forward to that.
[Edited on 4-15-2005 by Mike Humfreville]
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65249
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Really well put Mike!
You will settle into what Ben Hunter called 'The Baja Feeling' quite quickly!
Another concern will be knowing if TWO yellowtail will be enough for the evening meal, when all your Nomad friends show up for a visit!! 
July, '03 Camp Gecko: Mike Humfreville's morning workout!
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jeans
Super Nomad
Posts: 1059
Registered: 9-16-2002
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Mood: Encantada
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Very touching....you are right, we are bombarded entirely too much with bad news.
Happy retirement...you've earned it! (and so has MA!)
Mom always told me to be different - Now she says...Not THAT different
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
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Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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you will do fine Mike .
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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bajajudy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6886
Registered: 10-4-2004
Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
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I have only been here 5 years but I firmly believe I have added double that to my life span. We still do not have sat tv. If I want the news, I go
on line(we do have dsl) and I really prefer to look at the headlines and decide if I want to know more about that topic rather than having some
airhead on the boob tube tell me whether I want to know or not. I have found that over the years I look less and less at .....(full story)'s
My husband and I really relaxed for the first 2 years....we called it looking for the manana spirit. Now we have started a business and are working
stiffs again. My husband found that he needed something to do and the money helps. Me, I could have continued in search of the manana spirit for a
while longer.
I love the Bahia and would like to spend some more time there. Nice community.
Suerte
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Osprey
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3694
Registered: 5-23-2004
Location: Baja Ca. Sur
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Mike, you're gonna need TV. Get as many channels as you can afford. Otherwise you would miss the upcoming season which will feature Libertarian
Lesbian Dwarfs Survival Mudwrestling World Poker Tour and the neat new realitity show where a whole town in Kansas changes families, homes, jobs, with
each other, every other day.
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El Jefe
Super Nomad
Posts: 1027
Registered: 10-27-2003
Location: South East Cape
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"It's been a while since I've settled into a small town. I'm not certain how I'll fit. Will I be a considerate neighbor? Will I fit into the
community? I can't answer those questions but I do know that I'll give it a conscientious shot."
Of course you'll fit in Mike! You already have the temperment and experience to settle right in; no suprises there. More folks could do with neighbors
of your character. Good luck to you both!
Mrs. Jefe and I start our own adventure down in bajajudy's neck of the woods the end of this month. Exciting times indeed!
No b-tchin\' in the Baja.
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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News Is a business, big business for all involved. Our appetite for more and more is often like a drug. Some if not many reach a point where we say
enough is enough. For years I noticed that when I went to Baja I hardly ever listened to radio or watched TV. I was busy exploring, camping, fishing,
site seeing etc. There were those moments when in a bar or hotel something caught my eye like the earthquake in SF in 89 and during the election of
2000 I tuned in every once in a while to hear if it had been settled.
When I would get back home nothing really seemed to have changed that much. It was more of the same, just the names were changed. I hardly ever watch
a TV newscast. I usually will listen to the radio news on top of the hour a couple of times a day and I do like reading the paper, every page. Over
the years I have found that if you want the most up to date news in a short version, listen to radio. If you want the longer version with 10 expert
advisors get cable. If you want the details read the paper. If you want short visuals of what happened watch local TV. If you want everybodies
opinion, right, wrong and everything in between, surf the internet.
It's good to stay in touch but know where the overload button is and use it.
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Bob H
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5867
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Mike Humfreville
I look forward to a time in my life with a focus different than what I've always had. I look forward to a time when I think on a "smaller" scale,
about simpler things, things more in my control.
I look forward to that.
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Mike, what you write is very touching. This is a dream come true for you and Maryann. Audrey and I are happy for you and hopefully, some day, we can
come and visit you in the beautiful Bahia!
[Edited on 4-15-2005 by Bob H]
The SAME boiling water that softens the potato hardens the egg. It's about what you are made of NOT the circumstance.
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surfer jim
Super Nomad
Posts: 1891
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: high desert
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Mike....I just signed up for a JUNE 1 retirement date....so I liked your story....
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Mike Humfreville
Super Nomad
Posts: 1148
Registered: 8-26-2003
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Once we're settled...
It's OPEN HOUSE time! We're only a few hours from both ends of the peninsula.
Regarding Pompano's comments, I have always held that colder climates require more serious folks...it just takes more to survive in the cold. Now I'm
looking forward to a pair of shorts and sandals as my daily attire.
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El Jefe
Super Nomad
Posts: 1027
Registered: 10-27-2003
Location: South East Cape
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Quote Surfer Jim "Mike....I just signed up for a JUNE 1 retirement date....so I liked your story.... "
Jim! I was just filling out my retirement papers. Last day on the job...June 30. Ain't it great!!!!
Tom
No b-tchin\' in the Baja.
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Eli
Super Nomad
Posts: 1471
Registered: 8-26-2003
Location: L.B. Baja Sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: Some times Observing, sometimes Oblivious.
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The news, now there is something I seldom miss.
As far as T.V., Alas, I have addiciton issues there, better off with out it, have been since last July, miss it once and awhile, but it is like
ciggerettes for me, totaly out of control, can't have just one.
Enjoyed reading your stuff as always Mike, feliz dia amigo, Sara
[Edited on 4-16-2005 by Eli]
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Mike Humfreville
Super Nomad
Posts: 1148
Registered: 8-26-2003
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Sara
I've been waiting for a story fix. You must have suffered a depression on return to Baja or some such. I know I'm not alone in missing your warm and
gentle reflections and I hope you're doing well back on the peninsula. Let us know how everything's going for you.
Amigo Miguel
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Paulina
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3810
Registered: 8-31-2002
Location: BCN
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"Now I'm looking forward to a pair of shorts and sandals as my daily attire. "
Mike,
Remember what we talked about over spring break, the dress code of the previous owner of your new casa? Ja Ja Ja! You might have to trade in your
sandals for "thongs"....
Just kidding, congrats to you and M.A. !!
As always,
Your neighbor,
P.<*)))><
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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Mike Humfreville
Super Nomad
Posts: 1148
Registered: 8-26-2003
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Thongs do not become me...
unless they're on my feet!
One of the secrets of my life, I have found, is to live long enough to accept myself as I am rather than as I would like to be.
I'm now in the midst of trying to show Miguelito and Kevin that they should reject jobs that require only two weeks vacation a year for ones that
allow time without pay (like school teaching, remember?)
We'll be looking forward to seeing friends at many places along the way.
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Bedman
Senior Nomad
Posts: 523
Registered: 9-4-2002
Location: Orange County, CA.
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Things to do.......
Mike and Mary Ann,
You'll have time "to do" all sorts of things. In fact, I've contemplated several of them.
1. Pour a level concrete slab about 15' X 40'.
2. Build a 13' tall palapa next to the New, Casa Grande. Hmm? what could we put under it?
3. Design and build a Desalinator complete w/ spigot near the New 15' X 40' slab.
4. Install a Sewage hook up near the New 15' X 40' slab.
5. Find and map all the under water reefs and holes that hold fish.
6. Dig and plaster that New Jacuzzi.
7. Install a big Sat dish for the Mother of All Superbowl parties (or news?)
8. Install a gate at the South end of town, complete w/guard to weed out the riff raff.
9. Remove all "Pointy" rocks from town to Las Animas.
10. Stock pile copious amounts of Mesquite for the weekly BBQ.
11. Stock pile copious amounts of Tequilla and Pacifico for those long term guests.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
I'm still working on the remainder of your "To Do" list.
The Best to you and MA on your retirement!
See you South soon!
Steve, Emma and Daisy
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Mike Humfreville
Super Nomad
Posts: 1148
Registered: 8-26-2003
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Items 1 through x...
are under consideration. Actually, we are missing a major palapa next to YOUR septic tank. Consider it done! Until then, there's major space both
up and down stairs. SOOO looking forward.
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Paulina
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3810
Registered: 8-31-2002
Location: BCN
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Bedman....
You and Emma should pick up the Airstream lot and we'll all be neighbors!!
I like the 'honey do' list you made for Mike. That should keep him out of trouble for a while....
P.<*)))><
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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Mike Humfreville
Super Nomad
Posts: 1148
Registered: 8-26-2003
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Floren's place...
just north of Beach Bob's is up for $30K. He's a very honest fellow who really doesn't want to sell but must and his house is SOLID and WELL BUILT
like a rock. It's right on the beach, with a great room, a bedroom and bath. He has it rigged for an upstairs palapa.
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