California drought

[PAUL161]

How are you guys in California doing with the drought situation? Just read it's a pretty bad situation. Geese, Forrest fires, then rain and mudslides, now no rain and the lakes are drying up! On top of that, you pay some of the highest prices for goods across the country! don't know how you contend with it. PJ

 

[Sarastro]

Here's how I contend with it.

I came to California in 1978 figuring that I'd stay two or three years, get some professional experience, and go somewhere else. It seemed like a rich person's paradise to me, and that really didn't describe me at 29 years of age.

I got a series of good jobs in the aerospace industry, one of which arranged things so I could go back to school at UCLA, one of the best engineering schools in the US (at that time only MIT was rated higher), and finished a PhD in electrical engineering. With no debt. Between what I learned at UCLA and working in the highest of high-tech environments, I was able to go out on my own as a consultant and do other entrepreneurial things. I've traveled extensively through Europe and Asia for business and scientific reasons. I've accumulated an enviable professional reputation, and a net worth that allows me to make substantial charitable contributions to organizations I like (biggies are the Carter Center, Center for Inquiry, and an Indian organization for mentally ill women called The Banyan [long story]).

Now I'm 71, still here. Living in California has provided me with a richer, more rewarding life than I think I could have had anywhere else in the world. It's an environment that encourages and rewards knowledge, rationality, and genuine accomplishment. You can benefit from that.

 

[DrEntropy]

Admirable, Steve! Hard to instill the desire for achievement in a lot of folks.

Meant to mention your 912 and what a great wiring upgrade you've given it. I've serviced a lot of those period Porsches with electrical problems, many with the fuses & fuse holders as the root cause.

 

[PC]

...! don't know how you contend with it. ...

Keep in mind that the media is in the business of cheap sensationalism and fear mongering. The stuff they show you is typically a small cross section of the very worst situations. Yes, some folks are having a very hard time. But there's another 30 million of us who are doing better.

Caught this on PBS recently. I think this does a pretty good job conveying the spirit of California. > Craft in America | Season 10 | CALIFORNIA episode <

 

[Sarastro]

That Craft in America segment is great.

I didn't make my previous post to brag, but to make the point that California just isn't understood by many people elsewhere in the US. It's the land of "fruits and nuts" to them, but in fact it's a great, experimental society, that fosters creativity in all its forms. That happens only when a place is open to new ideas, even (esepecially?) strange ones.

 

[John Turney]

Most people from elsewhere have no idea how big and diverse California is. How come I'm still here? To start with, I was born here. I've been to 47 of the States and like it here best.

 

[mikephillips]

It is an interesting place. I lived in the LA area for a while when I first got out of school in the early 80s. Met some nice folks out there, and some definitely "different" types. But could never see what I made catching up to allowing home ownership and not seeing family for holidays and as my last grandparent faded away made me move back. Not sorry I moved out for that time, not sorry I moved back. Great adventure for the young 20s I was then.

Funny thing, I looked it up at one point, the apartment complex I lived in has gone condo, $500k to $1m for the units, which were as I remember 300sq ft efficiency to 600sq ft 2 bedroom. And when I was there, used to be this young lady opposite me that would sit in the window doing her lines of cocaine. Here I'd always thought that was a "behind closed drapes" sort of activity...

 

[DrEntropy]

But could never see what I made catching up to allowing home ownership

LA traffic in the mid '70's convinced me I'd not want to live there. I suspect it hasn't improved. San Francisco OTOH was navigable and charming back then. Made a visit to Long Beach, Jim Proffit's shop, he'd made me a job offer because a client had brought him a T/C Europa for a thorough resto, he said he knew nothing about them. As with Mike, cost of living would have been a down side. Pleased we decided on Gulf Coast Florida instead.

 

[Madflyer]

I guess we Californian's have a story or two. Mine goes like this. Born in Sacramento CA. in 46. raised, worked, drafted and married all in CA. I have lived in other states and other country's. always came home. Did 40 years working in a good Union job. I always owned a home my first was $12,000.00 when I got married ( of now 50 years ) lived in Sacramento, South San Francisco , San Jose, Fresno, each house did cost a bit more. but made money each sale. So most are a million by now. and what is not said was Prop 13 that fix property taxes. When I retired family all moved or died is when I left for good to Nevada no state income tax on my pension. Reno is like a Mexican border town Californian's come play do their thing like Gamble and leave. As in the Threads above it is open to most anything new well made and you can snow ski in the AM and be at the coast for a few good waves to surf. Can't say that in OHIO. As a last word. It is a good place to be from. MF

 

[pdplot]

Always enjoyed our trips to CA. Our son went to college out there in LA. Laid back atmosphere. We've driven the length of the Pacific Coast Highway from San Diego up to the Oregon Line and beyond, all the way to Vancouver, BC. Spectacular scenery and saw many new birds to add to my life list.

 

[Grantura_MKI]

I will simply say the this forum is not for politics!!!