PG&E Smartmeter

A couple days ago PG&E came to my house and rang the doorbell, telling me to turn off any sensitive electronic equipment while they replace the electric meter outside.  Here are some pictures of the meters.

First is the RMS Voltage from the line coming into our house, second is the power the house is using in kilowatts, third is the amount of energy we've used so far in kilowatt hours, and fourth is a new gas meter (in cubic feet).

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Lake Tahoe Day 7 - Why do people come back to Heavenly?

While on a chairlift, the most common way to pass the time is to share some information about each other, especially people you don't know.  So therefore, I took notes on some people who were willing to share some information about themselves and why they come back to Heavenly.  These interviews are listed in chronological order.

Beverley
Where: North Buro, Massachusetts
Why: Has EPIC Pass, which includes free days at Heavenly

Debbie
Where: Sunnyvale, California
Why: Convenience, large size of the mountain
Other: Had pass to Heavenly for 5-6 years

Derek
Where: Zephyr Cove, Nevada
Why: Convenience, best view of Lake Tahoe
When: Comes here three times a week
Other: Mammoth Mountain is his favorite

Jan Allen
Where: South Lake Tahoe, California
Why: Convenience (very close to house), large size of mountain
When: Almost every day
Other: Has been coming for 26 years

Kevin
Where: South Lake Tahoe, California
Why: Convenience (close to house), beauty of the mountain
When: Two times a week

John
Where: Fairfield, California
Why: Heavenly pass, view, expansive mountain

Dirk
Where: Carson City, Nevada
Why: Convenience
Other: Has been coming for 35+ years, favorite run is Aries Woods

John Davis Fischer
Where: Visalia, California
Why: View
When: Yearly ski trip
Other: Tries to be on the mountain 30 days a year

Mike
Where: Fresno, California
Why: View
Other: Has been coming for 30 years, Improvements wanted include a lower price and different way to get to the Summit

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Lake Tahoe Day 5 - Snowboarding Lesson

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Last Run Snowboarding.wmv (10528 KB)

Here I am, with the vacation half over, taking snowboarding lessons.  This is pretty amusing since I have always looked at the differences in techniques of snowboarders and skiers, and always wished I could do both.  The lesson was great, and I managed to get two runs on Boulder Bowl, the nice easy green run where I first learned how to ski.  Right now my wrists and my bottom are sore from my falls, but it's all good.  I'm not going to learn anything until I fall...at least  a couple times.

So, the attached video is my last run going down hill.  I got my friend to record me after he went down first.  I obviously don't demonstrate any mastery of skill except for basic balance, so I'll see how I am tomorrow, using this video as a benchmark.

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Lake Tahoe Day 3 - Helicopter Airlift Video

Basically I have been a bit slow in getting my blog posts and other things uploaded for this week.  However, I am going to quickly comment on this video I uploaded yesterday.  This is my first time I have ever seen a helicopter so close, and I'm glad I was able to record this video.  Unfortunately, this is very sad that the person who was injured needed to be rushed for emergency treatment.  Let's just say I try very hard not to ski so aggressively, and I really hope I don't need something like this.

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I just ate lunch at Lakeview Lodge at #Heavenly. I am now headed to the terrain park.

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I am at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory for the Science Bowl competition

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