Hey Everybody! :)

I just wanted to let y'all know that we're now blogging over at www.vantramps.com.. and I won't be maintaining this blog any longer.  I'll be moving a few post... and deleting the rest.  Thanks for reading and I hope you will join us at Vantramps. :)

Imagine...

Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

State Department Travel Alerts

When considering travel outside of the country, the State Department has a site for travel alerts. These warnings are controversial among Vandwellers. There are many arguments such as:

The crime here is just as bad as it is there.
That country has a crime alert for traveling to this country.
I've been there and nothing happened to me.
Nothing ever happens to the masses that go there every day.

I am not a crime analyst, nor do I want to spend my time trying to be one. I could gather statistics, compare data, and try to make an informed decision...I don't want to. I don't know the answers to these questions. Unless you're a crime analyst with all of the available data and the understanding to interpret current risks and trends, you don't either.

But hey, there's good news... that is what the State Department does! They have analysts that are responsible for delivering safety information (alerts) to the general public. If you'd like to inform yourself of any current alerts in countries you may be thinking of traveling to, here is one place you'll find such information:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1766.html

At the time of this post, there is a State Department alert for seven countries (including Mexico).

Besides posting the link, I just wanted to say that it only takes once: one carjacking, one kidnapping, one beheading. Only one guy with a gun and you could be stranded in Mexico without your rig.  In the case of a Vandweller, without ... well, everything.  Now, everything you own is gone and you can't get back into this country because they have your passport. Where do you stay?  What do you do for money?  This just happened to someone from one of my internet groups, so I can tell you that in his case it will take two weeks for him to get a passport.

This post isn't meant to create fear, rather the opposite.  This post is meant to create thought.  This post is not meant for debate; this post is meant to provide information.

My New Video Store

Ever since Blockbuster took over Movielink, I've been looking for a new "Movie's on Demand" source. I wanted one without a membership and with the features I had before.

For being on the road, when you're around civilization at all, I'm not sure you can beat Redbox. $1 per movie. If you need to keep it another day, it's just another buck. You can pick your movie up at McDonald's in Port Angeles, WA and drop it off when you get to the Walmart in Carlsbad, CA. The selection of the Redbox locations is great! At Redbox online, you can find out where the movie is that you want to see, or check a particular location for available movies. You can then reserve your movie right online. If you can't tell already, I love Redbox! For a "Vandweller", Redbox is almost "movies on demand", because chances are you're next to a Redbox location. Now, let's say you're not... or you can't get back to civilization anytime soon.

I think I've found a true movies on demand source. If I want to buy a video or rent one I don't have to take back, I'd use Amazon's Movies On Demand. However, I wouldn't use this if I had to use my 3g bandwidth. Here's why I think it's great:

Let's say we're just about to leave for an extended back country boondocking trip. I want to take along a few movies. I would go to my favorite coffee shop, download the movies I want to buy (or rent), and off I go. I would watch the rented movies first, as they expire.

Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Redbox: http://www.redbox.com/

or

Amazon's Movies On Demand: http://tinyurl.com/ye67qfp


Here's a preview:

Twiggy No More and We Are "Expecting"

My netbook (Twiggy) has had some issues and will be replaced with a new netbook like Dexter.  Dexter is Michael's Samsung N110.  The "Starving Student" also got one for Christmas.  Dexter has been really great (although extremely smarmy about his 9.5 hours of battery life).

Here's a peek at the expected new member of the family:
Netbook

Cream Chip Beef (over toast) for the starving college student - on the cheap!

1 jar of Hormel Dried Beef (found near tuna fish and other canned meats in the grocery store)*the large size is 5oz.. you can use either the small or large jar depending on how much meat you want.

*you may also use ground beef in a pinch

1/2 sq. butter (4 Tablespoons)

1 heaping tablespoon flour

3 cups of milk

--------------

Cut the dried beef into strips.

Melt ½ square of butter in skillet. Add 1 heaping tablespoon of flour. With a spatula, blend the melted butter and flour.

Stir in 3 cups of milk. On medium heat stir the gravy until it thickens, then add dried beef and cook another 5 minutes. Yes Jay, you need to stir it *continuously* until done .

Serve over toast. Usually served with peas.

I would say this will feed two people (depends on your people) ;)

Bocephus VanMonkey M.D.

I was going to post some pictures we took yesterday. The autumn colors are so pretty!

But it turns out we're going to have to go with Daddy to the emergency room later and I have to get ready to go. Bocephus is running around all crazy, looking for his doctor outfit! He likes to go to the hospital. Not me! I'm worried about Daddy. :(

So instead of Fall photos, here's a picture of my brother in his doctor suit.

Daddy, we love you!

States Visited Maps

My family is going on a long trip. By next year my "states visited map" will look like this!

A webfriend posted this link on a mutual web group:
http://www.epgsoft.com/VisitedStatesMap/index.html

You can make a "states visited map" for your blog too!

Family Pictures

Mom and Dad got us together for family pictures.

Mimi, Tiberious, and Bocephus.

Later my brothers were caught in the act of pulling my tail!

Mimi Makes Pie

Today I made a cherry pie with my mom! If you have a 12v oven, toaster oven, or any other type in your van (or RV), you can make pie too. Now I have to help with the dishes and eat *Pie*! I'll post our easy pie crust recipe next time. Laters!

The Official Unofficial Slab City Map

As it gets cold in many parts of the country, many may be on their way to The Slabs for the winter.

There has been enough written about the area known as "Slab City" or just "The Slabs" that I won't repeat it here. Here is one link that describes some of the going ons there:
http://www.desertdutch.org/slabcity.htm

.

What may be helpful to the new "slabber" is a map. You can't get this kind of map from Google maps, so I wanted to pass it on here. This is a map that some of the "locals" give out, if one can be found.

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Note: If the map is blurry when you blow it up, you may email me at mimionthemove@ymail.com and I'll send you a full size copy.

My Swiss Steak Crock-ette Recipe

I use top round beef steaks (they were labeled "London Broil Steaks").

Cut steak into desired size or you can cut it into strips.
Add 2 tablespoons of flour, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper in your crock-ette. Add the steak pieces to the pot to coat them with the flour mixture.
Melt about 2 tablespoons of butter in a frying pan and saute the steak pieces until brown.
Add the steak back into the crock-ette with a can of stewed tomatoes (the small can, about 15 ounces). I use the type of stewed tomatoes that has onions and peppers in it. Otherwise, you could saute the onions and peppers with the steak. I do not use the type with italian seasonings. Add a little water to the frying pan to loosen any cooked on seasonings and add to the crockpot. Wipe out the pan and use it to make mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice (about 10 minutes before the swiss steak is done). I like swiss steak over mashed potatoes, but you may prefer noodles or rice.
Cook the swiss steak on high for about 4 hours or low for about 6 hours. The steak should be very tender, but still hold together when done.
A very easy recipee for the road.

Crock-ette Cooking

One of the ways to cook on the move is a crock-ette (a small crock pot). I purchased one at Walgreens for $10. I can use it with an inverter or when I have electricity (many public places such as parks have electric outlets).

You can also find a crock-ette at truck stops or online that plug into the cig lighter (12V). You can cook wonderful meals in it and even make enough for two. There are so many recipees for crockettes online, you will never be bored. I'm making swiss steak today.

Police Encounters

A post from Mimi's mom:

We have a list of subjects we've been planning to blog about. However, now that this blog is being read we've suddenly become quite shy. In lieu of the planned post, we'll just post a few comments with some links. We'll come back to this subject later.

.

Living in a vehicle can subject you to unwanted attention. Police scrutiny is a concern for many. Anyone that lives outside the norm is often considered suspect. You might say "I have nothing to worry about; I obey the law." Did you know that, in some areas, you might be breaking the law just by parking a vehicle used for camping on the street?

My advice for dealing with law enforcement is to be polite. Beyond that, it is helpful to know your rights.

The following link will take you to a video where a former criminal defense attorney and a police officer advise that you *never* talk to the police. It is possible to remain polite and still exercise your right to remain silent.

http://community.livejournal.com/anarchists/2367337.html

This link will take you to a site where you can copy the ACLU's reference card on handling various police encounters.

http://www.aclu.org/police/gen/14527res20020304.html

Remember to always get the officer's enforcement agency, name, and badge number. Also, write down the time, date, and other facts as soon as possible.

Lastly, if you do have an encounter with law enforcement please rate the officer at http://ratemycop.com/ . Keeping law enforcement accountable and being able to acknowledge those that treat you fairly and with dignity is just a great idea!

Mimi

The name Mimi comes from the opera La Boheme, a favorite of my mother.

*****An english translation of Mi Chiamano Mimì*****
Yes, they call me Mimi, But my real name is Lucia.
My story is short. I embroider on cloth or silk.
I live a quiet and happy life. My hobby is making flowers.
Gentle things please me. Things that speak of love and spring.
Things that speak of dreams. These things that have poetic names.
Do you understand me?
They call me Mimi, but I don't know why.
I live alone. I don't often go to church, but I pray a lot.
I live alone in my little attic and look over the roofs to the sky.
When the spring is here again...the sun's first rays are mine.
The first kiss of April is mine!
I watch a rose in a vase unfold, petal by petal.Its scent is so sweet.
The flowers I make have no perfume.
**********************************

You can listen here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybTAgvnco0w

I like almost all types of music. My love of opera comes from my mother, as hers came from her father.

If you're still with me...
And because of my origins in opera, I'll start my first blog with my favorite:

Here is one interpretation:
***********************
Ave Maria! Maiden mild!
Listen to a maiden's pleading from these rocks, stark and wild,
my prayer shall be wafted to thee. We shall sleep safely till morning,
though men be ever so cruel.
O Maiden, see a maiden's distress, O Mother, hear a suppliant child.
Ave Maria, undefiled!
When we upon this rock lie downto slumber, and they protection covers us,
The hard stone will seem soft to us. If Though smilest, the scent of roses will float
Through this murky cavern,
O Mother, hear a child's petition, O maiden, 'tis a maid that calls!
Ave Maria, Maiden pure,
the demons of the earth and air, drien forth by thy gracious glance
cannot stay here with us. We will camly bow to fate since thy holy comfort hovers over us; Mayest though be favourably inclined to the maiden,
To the child that pleads for her father!
**********************************
You can listen here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bosouX_d8Y

________________________________________

Welcome to my blog. I'll write about my life and travels here. .. about the things that speak of love, of spring, and dreams.