We're moving the blog...

I'm trying to figure out what works best for our needs, so for the time being, let's all get on the same page. The oshmanlaxague.blogspot.com will now be gart2011.wordpress.com. Please check there for all updates, photos, etc.

Thank you!

The camera has been purchased!

Sure, it took hours of weighing the pros and cons of the many choices available; however, when it all came down to it, we ended up with the Nikon S9100. It pained me to spend so much money, so of course, I left the decision up to the pros (hehe): Kenny and Abe. Yes, they also chose the camera color: red.

We had to consider speed, video and charging capability, as well as size. Then, of course, we had to purchase the cute flexible tripod (with magnets, no less), a memory card (which we've never used), and a case. It's amazing how quickly the initial price doubles once you begin accessorizing.

Yes, this camera is a tad larger and heavier than I'd prefer, but as Kenny points out, I probably won't be the one carrying it around anyway. Sherpa Kenny to the rescue!

Yes, a red camera of all things...oy.

Lists, lists, and more lists

As I was driving in the car with my daughter Pearl, she remarked that I needed to begin making lists of things I needed to get accomplished. Of course, she meant for the day. She pulled a small, green notebook from my pocketbook and dug around until she found a pen. Then, she proceeded to ask me what should be on the list. After a minute of taking notes, she turned the page and remarked that this was more than she had expected. Pearl also recommended that I split the list up: one list for home/school "must dos" and another list for the road trip. So, here's what we've got so far. If any of you would like to make contributions to the list (or have items on the list you can contribute) by all means, let us know.

1. Get car chargers for iPods, iTouches, iPad, and our various and sundry cell phones. (Already scoped this out. I believe I have solutions.)
2. Get the roof rack installed.
3. Purchase sleep sacks for four people.
4. Figure out the easiest (most waterproof) way for each of us to pack our minimal belongings.
5. Purchase a mobile hotspot (but don't establish an account until we're ready to leave). (We know what we'll get; we just need to do it.)
6. Get a good digital camera that is small and mobile and one that takes video and doesn't take a long time in between shots. (We're taking suggestions.)
7. Figure out a way to mount our iTouch in order to Skype with the outside world while driving.
8. Purchase a new car stereo that can adapt to MP3 players. (We know what we want; we just have to get it.)
9. Figure out pillow solutions for the trip (don't want pillows that take up too much space).
10. TBD

My technology overrunneth

I went to the library to check out a book. That's pretty straight-forward, right? At least, that's what I thought. As I was scrolling through my choices on the library database, I found that my book wasn't available in what I consider book-form (you know...actual paper pages with numbers and a cover), but it was immediately available as an e-resource. Interesting. If I only knew what an e-resource was.

I headed over to the reference librarian for a complete and mind-puzzling lesson on the various and sundry ways in which books are available today. I could download a book to my e-reader (such as a Nook or iPad) or even to an iPhone, Blackberry or other types of smart phones. Now, if I had such a device, I'd be psyched...but I don't...yet. When I informed the librarian of our pending trip and the usefulness of free, downloadable books, her eyes widened and a smile spread across her face. She began thinking out loud of all the ways we could access books for the trip and play them through any of our devices (which we don't own).

As I sat there thinking about all of these devices and their usefulness, I did my own thinking aloud and said that I didn't think my 2004 Honda Civic even had a plug for such devices. "Of course you do," the librarian said. I assured her that I didn't. "But you must," she added. Again, I noted that my car was not technologically equipped unless, of course, you consider a CD player advanced media. She did not, but felt that adding a player to the car that could plug into our non-existent e-reader, etc. would be cheap and helpful. I agreed.

I am now adding up the costs of listening to assorted materials while on this road trip: an e-reader of some sort, new audio equipment for the car, a mobile modem, and anything else that is a "must".

Can't we just get do things the old fashioned way? Get some used books and share the responsibility of reading them aloud to one another? At this point, creating CDs of our favorite tunes is considered out-of-date, but a whole lot cheaper than what I see coming.

All of a sudden, my trip to the free, public library isn't so free afterall.

Music to Our Ears

I recently came upon a CD that was made up of music for road trips. Now, I'll be honest. I was in a hurry and didn't take time to read the selections, but it gave me an idea. What if we created our own road trip play list? (This is where we'll need lots of input.) We should have different categories depending on where we'll be traveling, time of day, mood, etc., but since you all have your own tastes, and we'll need tons of music to keep us busy (and perhaps singing), we'd love for you to provide us with tunes, songs, possible categories that you think would add to our experience.

There are the obvious selections: King of the Road, I Can't Drive, Running on Empty, Highway to Hell, Drive My Car, On the Road Again, Hit the Road, Low Rider, Paradise By the Dashboard Light, Life is a Highway, Roam... But we realize that not all songs should be about cars, driving, or the highway. We're going to want songs that get us up and singing, songs that get us in the mood for being in the car, and even songs for long driving stretches or mellow times such as driving in bad weather.

Please: begin sending us your suggestions! We'd love to compile a huge list and get it ready by early June when we'll have lots of other things to be worrying about. Should you have time, we'd also love for you to put your tunes on CDs and send them to us. We'll take pictures of where we are when we play your music and post it to the blog.

Thanks so much for helping us out with this one!