Using the GPS and finding wonderland
(Not Michael One-Glove...)
Those of you who have been privy to my various humiliating wanderings getting lost everywhere will probably not want to be drinking liquids while you read this....
As you know, I got a GPS because I was tired of getting lost everywhere. I'm not sure I have ever managed to find greatsword, cvirtue, cnewsonsmith, or nitnorth and hyla_regilla's new house by directions, ever. So, now that I'm moving again, I needed boxes. I like the packages for packing that Home Depot sells, so I needed to find a Home Depot, preferably closer than Palo Alto. So I looked up HD's on line. There's one on De Anza Blvd. Well, I sort of know where that is, so I copied down the address.
After stopping to get something to eat, I programmed the Home Depot into the GPS and took off.
It was down 85 S. and off 280, which I'm sort of familiar with. I followed my faithful GPS, and after going down De Anza and seeing lots of cool potential places to eat and shop, found the Home Despot. Hoorah!
I found the Packing Stuff -- clearly it's moving season, as they were almost out of book boxes and completely out of packing tape. I picked up two of the Kits (8 book boxes, 5 med boxes, tape, bubble wrap, newsprint, permanent marker, and a dispenser. The box itself is a picture wrapper). the dish and glass kits have protective wraps for the plates and glasses and stuff, and fit in the small and medium boxes. I also picked up a spool of commercial shrink wrap (fabulous stuff-- wrap a flannel sheet or something padded around anything you don't want marred, then wrap all over with the shrink wrap. It self-seals and is what the moving companies use to wrap wooden furniture these days to prevent scratches. OK, I'm a little obsessive with boxes and those kinds of things.
I had to get a staff guy to get the packs down -- he was surprised when he lifted the 40 lb boxes down to me and I carried them to the cart. "Wow. You're a strong woman." I giggled inside, as would anyone who's ever watched me try to lift anything. "My son keeps nagging me about getting more upper body strength," I said.
At 8:15 at night they only have self-check-out stations available. Try putting a bunch of loose boxes through them -- the weight sensor can't cope. Finally a checker found me and used the scanner gun to get everything rung up. Sheesh. Amazingly, (Laugh, those who've seen my car recently) I got everything in the car without having to fill the front seat.
I went out of the parking lot to find a light to turn left on De Anza -- the direction I thought I needed to go. My GPS started telling me to re-calculate. It turned me left on Stevens Creek Parkway.
Well, I sort of knew where that was. I got lost a bunch of times getting to Cynthia and John's house off of it, and my battery died and I got it charged once somewhere along it.
So, I turned left. and there was -- a Panera! and a Mervyns! (a big one -- since that's the only place Duncan seems to be able to find pants that fit him, it's a blessing!) and a target! and... lots of other cool things! Wow! A shopping paradise. And a direct turn onto 85 North. I could find my way home (and my new apartment, too...)
what a neat evening! What great serendipitous discovery!
And I didn't get lost! Even tho I thought I was. And I have a car full of boxes. And friends to help pack.
Those of you who have been privy to my various humiliating wanderings getting lost everywhere will probably not want to be drinking liquids while you read this....
As you know, I got a GPS because I was tired of getting lost everywhere. I'm not sure I have ever managed to find greatsword, cvirtue, cnewsonsmith, or nitnorth and hyla_regilla's new house by directions, ever. So, now that I'm moving again, I needed boxes. I like the packages for packing that Home Depot sells, so I needed to find a Home Depot, preferably closer than Palo Alto. So I looked up HD's on line. There's one on De Anza Blvd. Well, I sort of know where that is, so I copied down the address.
After stopping to get something to eat, I programmed the Home Depot into the GPS and took off.
It was down 85 S. and off 280, which I'm sort of familiar with. I followed my faithful GPS, and after going down De Anza and seeing lots of cool potential places to eat and shop, found the Home Despot. Hoorah!
I found the Packing Stuff -- clearly it's moving season, as they were almost out of book boxes and completely out of packing tape. I picked up two of the Kits (8 book boxes, 5 med boxes, tape, bubble wrap, newsprint, permanent marker, and a dispenser. The box itself is a picture wrapper). the dish and glass kits have protective wraps for the plates and glasses and stuff, and fit in the small and medium boxes. I also picked up a spool of commercial shrink wrap (fabulous stuff-- wrap a flannel sheet or something padded around anything you don't want marred, then wrap all over with the shrink wrap. It self-seals and is what the moving companies use to wrap wooden furniture these days to prevent scratches. OK, I'm a little obsessive with boxes and those kinds of things.
I had to get a staff guy to get the packs down -- he was surprised when he lifted the 40 lb boxes down to me and I carried them to the cart. "Wow. You're a strong woman." I giggled inside, as would anyone who's ever watched me try to lift anything. "My son keeps nagging me about getting more upper body strength," I said.
At 8:15 at night they only have self-check-out stations available. Try putting a bunch of loose boxes through them -- the weight sensor can't cope. Finally a checker found me and used the scanner gun to get everything rung up. Sheesh. Amazingly, (Laugh, those who've seen my car recently) I got everything in the car without having to fill the front seat.
I went out of the parking lot to find a light to turn left on De Anza -- the direction I thought I needed to go. My GPS started telling me to re-calculate. It turned me left on Stevens Creek Parkway.
Well, I sort of knew where that was. I got lost a bunch of times getting to Cynthia and John's house off of it, and my battery died and I got it charged once somewhere along it.
So, I turned left. and there was -- a Panera! and a Mervyns! (a big one -- since that's the only place Duncan seems to be able to find pants that fit him, it's a blessing!) and a target! and... lots of other cool things! Wow! A shopping paradise. And a direct turn onto 85 North. I could find my way home (and my new apartment, too...)
what a neat evening! What great serendipitous discovery!
And I didn't get lost! Even tho I thought I was. And I have a car full of boxes. And friends to help pack.