9/4/14 The Morning Coffee

Good Morning to you—

I'm exhausted, so this will be short.

The move went fine. There is now much more space in the old house and some furniture in the new one.

The movers were quite interesting guys—only one of them talked, but he talked enough for them both. He's a single parent too, like me, except he raised five kids alone, and on a moving guy's salary. I sure hope it wasn't five times as hard as raising one—that thought doesn't bear thinking.

And speaking of things that don't bear thinking, he lost one of his raised-by-dad brood—his engaged, pregnant 24-year-old daughter was killed by gunfire in a grocery store robbery in 2007. She was just shopping. Got caught in the crossfire. The guy who did it will spend a long time in jail, and then a much longer time in hell.

No pictures, unfortunately. I haven't been taking any pictures of this whole process—too much else to do. It brings up an interesting point, though—I like to take pictures when I'm an observer and don't have any responsibility for an event. When I have immediate responsibilities, picture-taking tends to go out the window.

If you've never done a local move, they're great. You hire the truck and the workers by the hour, and if you choose the beginning of the month it's easy to schedule. Today's move was actually just the first of two. I'll get the first load squared away at the new place while we continue to organize the rest of the stuff at the old place, and then hire a truck again. It's nice and relaxed compared to an interstate move. And the total cost will still be quite a bit less.

The computer moves on Friday, if all goes as planned. That's the same day the new orange couch arrives. For some reason I am inexplicably attached to the new orange couch already. I can't wait for it to come.

I'm about to head over, with the bedding in the front seat and the dogs in the back. It's a new day. Okay, night. I'm leaving the coffee here at the old house, though, where the computer still is, so I'll be back here first thing.  :-)

Oh, and speaking of first things: the first thing I unpacked and arranged at the new house? The photobook collection. You can see where my priorities are. (Here's an interesting list of photobooks from Abebooks. Nice of them to recommend Changing New York, like anybody mortal can afford that.)

Have a relaxing and slow-paced day wherever you are.

Mike

"Morning Coffee" is auto-published weekdays at 3:30 a.m. Central Time today to be in time for morning coffee breaks in the UK and Europe. For those who rise later, it will be there. The feature is a month-long experiment to give people something to check in with while I'm busy moving.

Want to suggest a topic or ask a question? Leave it as a comment.

Original contents copyright 2014 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site.

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(To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.)
Featured Comments from:

Jayson Merryfield: "What, no pithy thoughts on themes Miata?"

Mike replies: In the fullness of time. It's a 2016 model and we don't know anything about the drivetrain yet. I'm unlikely to be an early adopter. It must have a manual ragtop, a manual stick shift (5-speed is better than six), a naturally aspirated engine and rear-wheel drive to be a roadster to the manner born.

In my humble opinion, –220 lbs. is very very good; it still remains to be seen how well I'll fit in it; and engine options are going to be crucial. The pertaining axiom is that "all Mazdas are underpowered," and that includes all previous Miatas. I'm really hoping for two engine options, one for all the people who like underpowered Mazdas and don't think the Miata needs two engine options, and the other for those of us who are right.

Comments

[scott kirkpatrick]

On "Changing New York" it is fascinating to see the range of prices. From $17,000 for the museum grade copy, inscribed to a gallery-owner at the time of publication, down to $300 for a copy from a Paris bookseller, down further to $125 for a later printing, probably with better plates (but who knows?).

scott

[David]

You haven't mentioned the second-most important factor- how are the dogs taking to the new house?

[Neil Partridge]

Glad it is all under way, can't wait to see photos. Coffee, books, computer, couch... it doesn't take much to make a home.

[Thingo]

I hope the computer behaves itself: left behind at the old place.

Last time I moved house, well, really the contents, was just before Christmas. There were no removal firms available. Woops. I ended up calling in all sorts of favours, & had a procession of friends helping my move.

[Tim]

Of course I had to check out "Changing New York" based on your comment. After I picked my jaw off the floor, I realized that later editions appear to be more easily attainable (and I wish my signature was worth that much!).

[Ken Sky]

Orange couch, eh. (I'm Canadian) Sounds like you're a Sony fanboi.;)

[Jayson Merryfield]

What, no pithy thoughts on themes Miata?

[John Seidel]

Hi, Mike. Thanks for the b/w book list. Interesting and very much I want (but no money).
Slightly off topic – but in your posting – guns. I've been against gun restriction for a long while. But after all the years of killing, and reading how other countries handle this (Australia for example), I've come around. No one needs an assault weapon. And background checks should be mandatory everywhere. It's going to be a tough/impossible task, though, so long as police force armament across the US makes them look and behave like a branch of some third-world army. That's something else we don't need. Military weapons and vehicles in the hands of the police is not comforting.

And then there is the NRA. NRA: No Rational Assessment Possible. NRAP sounds better.

Maybe better to not post this. Guns drive many into an immediate state of Rights Whine. Sigh.
John

[Tom Burke]

'Naturally Aspirated': I used to loathe the thought of turbo-charging (or super-charging) an engine. In the UK and other parts of Europe, the 80s hot hatches left memories of very, very poor turbo-charging. (Worst of the worst? - the Renault 5 GT Turbo. Absolutely none of these cars have survived - they've all been wrecked.)

In recent years, however, modest turbocharging began to appear in ordinary cars, as part of the solution to ever-increasing demands for low fuel consumption and emissions. I currently drive a 1.4 petrol engine VW Golf. On a recent long run I averaged better than 50mpg (that's imperial gallons, of course) and got 540 miles from a tank of unleaded. Yet the performance is plenty good enough - I've never been near the top speed, and the 0-60 time is nearer 9 seconds than 10. That's quick enough for me, and is only a shave away from the performance of the Mk1 Golf GTI, which was a sensation in its day.

Today's turbocharging is a world away from the turbos of yore and can provide a host of benefits.

[Dale Villeponteaux]

In NC, intrastate moves are more expensive that interstate moves. A good moving company lobby, I guess.

[Herman]

An orange couch? Reminds me of a fellow who had Spanish furniture. It was made from orange crates.

[Dan]

"The guy who did it will spend a long time in jail, and then a much longer time in hell."

So you believe in the myths of religion?

[That one I'll believe in, situationally, in his case, sure. --Mike]

[Jim Witkowski]

In the autocross world, underpowered Miatas are sort of like Formula Fords. They're really easy to drive fast, but to be at the front of the pack, you have to be a virtrioso. It also helps to be a 3/4 sized human.

[Mike R]

completely OT:

Lumix GX7's price just dropped a bunch, now $300 under MSRP at $697.99
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/997464-REG/panasonic_dmc_gx7s_lumix_dmc_gx7_mirrorless_micro.html

B&H says until September 6. Panasonic o-l store says $699, and until October 4, IF AVAILABLE.

Photokina anticipation?

[Andreas]

The new Miata looks fabulous, but why the preference for a 5 speed box rather than the 6 speed, Mike? Having gone back to a 5 speed box from a 6 speeder, I miss having a very long top gear for relaxed high-speed cruising (high, but legal, speeds of course!).

[Roger Bradbury]

@ Mike: " I'm really hoping for two engine options, one for all the people who like underpowered Mazdas and don't think the Miata needs two engine options, and the other for those of us who are right"

I remember this phrase from a road test of something or other, years ago: "Much too fast enough" : ]

[Cliff R.]

Mike, I agree with you about the 5-speed. My Mazda3 is a 6-speed but the gear ratios are so close together it's just unnecessary. If Mazda won't give us a higher sixth gear for interstate cruising than why have it, except for marketing? (cough*camera company-style*cough)

[Paul De Zan]

There is no way under the sun or above it that the new Miata won't have a manual transmission available. Jeeze, Mike.

[Dave Stewart]

Miata? As if on cue, the car with 'your' UK registration plate, re-appeared today in Inverness. First time since reporting it last year. I note you've now changed the black hard-top for a silver soft-top.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-w4LxpqofOhY/VAjUEttxyqI/AAAAAAAA8UY/AKhzChYA_pw/s1440/DSCF0811.jpg

[Michael Perini]

Orange Couch,.. Ouch.
Will this be a signature color for the subterranean world headquarters?

[Michael Bearman]

I owned an original version Mx-5 (Miata) - which was the only care I've ever regretted selling (although it went to friends as their weekend car, and they still own it). I presently drive an Rx-8 and have to differ on the 6th gear - a nice tall overdrive for freeway cruising - otherwise Mazda's usual snick snick 5 speed stick shift. I don't know when the new Miata will arrive Down Under, but I'm a likely early adopter (even if financially, I really shouldn't).

[Steve Jacob]

Lucky that you have such a leisurely period of transition. In the UK, we do it on the day of completion. At which point, every item in one house has to be loaded by a pre-arranged time, at which point the new owners arrive in their truck.

I had no house to go to last time, so I had two moves - one to my brother's double garage, and six months later to my new home. In the meantime I lived in a rented room with an overstuffed suitcase.

This arose because the sale of my house went through but the person I was buying from pulled out before contracts were signed. I found a new place 4 months later, but it took 2 months to complete the legalities and complete the deal.

I think you had it easy.

[Michel]

re: Changing New York. You fail to mention that some of the copies on sale at Abebooks only have a $4 shipping fee. Practically free.

[Ernie Van Veen]

Why on earth would a Mazda need two engines? Oh... wait...

[Steve Smith]

If you've never done a local move, they're great. You hire the truck and the workers by the hour

I have done it a few times.

The difference is, I hire the truck and I drive it and get my friends to do the heavy lifting!

[Jere]

Apparently from what I have gathered the new MX5 will have a 1.5i and 2.0i naturally aspirated engines and manual gearbox. So Virva 130hp and 160hp.

[Joseph Brunjes]

I thought I would never get to see copies of those books due to their price and rarity but through the miracle of interlibrary loan, I have a bunch on the way. (including Changing New York) Can't wait to study them.

[Bill Frazer]

"I'm really hoping for two engine options, one for all the people who like underpowered Mazdas and don't think the Miata needs two engine options, and the other for those of us who are right."

Thanks for the hot coffee snort. I'm cleaning my keyboard & monitor now.