Three years in Manteca

fireworks stand!

It’s getting close to Independence Day (also known as the 4th of July) and all the fireworks stands are up. At night I can hear the booms and cracks of both legal and illegal rockets and fountains. I’m getting excited for the city’s annual spectacular show. I may even go to the parade this year.

Fireworks!

I love living in Manteca. It’s been three years since we moved here. Strategically located for a tumbleweed like me, close to work and outdoor activities. Less than 100 miles from Yosemite. Close to Lake Tahoe. Ten minutes from my apartment I’m in the middle of corn, cow, and almond country. We even have a Bass Pro Shop right here in town!

Country!

Every holiday weekend, Manteca puts out flags on the sidewalks. I dunno, I really like this. It gives the place a nice hometown feel. I’ve never lived in a place that did anything like this.

flag day

It’s not the best place in the world to live, but it’s home.

The view of the golf course, from my balcony

iPad love

My iPad has replaced my laptop. I used to sneer and laugh at others when I heard them say it. But now I’m saying it. So it’s true what they say–this thing *is* that good.

The iPad experience couldn’t be better. Screens scroll and transition buttery smooth. There is no shortage of awesome apps. Watching video is perfect.

Why did I resist for so long?

more thoughts about graveyard shift

So I have this new job in Pittsburg. I live in Manteca. My commute is 100 miles per day round trip. I’m not unhappy about this, for several reasons:

    My car gets 36-ish miles per gallon and is fun to drive
    I get extra money for working graveyard and it’s more than enough to cover my gasoline expenses
    I’m traveling at times of day when there is no traffic, so my commute is about an hour each way
    My weekend begins on Tuesday morning at 7:30am and I don’t have to go back to work until Thursday night at 11:00pm, so the way I’m looking at it I get three days off
    Most of my commute is through the countryside, in the shadow of Mt Diablo, and is quite nice
    In the morning when I’m driving home I’m heading East, with the sun in my face, and it’s glorious

So I’m really liking my new shift. I’m a night owl by nature, so it didn’t take long for me to get used to staying up all night.

Feels good, man.