Here are a few random thoughts from a mind clouded over with moving fatigue…

• I think the 80/20 rule applies to moving and possessions. At least for me. I’m estimating that 80% of the weight I cart around from place to place represents just about 20% of the actual volume. I have been making good progress with the unpacking, and the things I have left to take out of their boxes are (mainly) the books and framed art…these items don’t take up that much room on the truck, but they sure are heavy. [For anyone keeping score: 34 boxes of books and journals (not counting the boxes in storage); 8 large mirror-pack boxes of art.]

• I stopped by the local AAA office yesterday (to pick up a couple small travel items for my upcoming trip to Wisconsin). While there, I took the time to switch my membership from the Oregon/Idaho region to the Utah/Nevada/Northern California club. The person I talked to also gave me an estimate on car and renter’s insurance (which just may be the way I go after I shop around a little more). While talking about auto rates, of course I disclosed that I drive a 2007 Subaru. At one point, when touting the good rates enjoyed by drivers in Marin County, he indicated that, here, “everyone drives a Subaru or above.” Now, I guess he meant no judgment with this statement, which, of course, is true (there are LOTS of Lexus, BMW and Mercedes drivers here)…it’s just that he accurately pegged me (as an educator) on the low end of the socio-economic scale in Marin…which Wikipedia lists as the “richest county in the U.S.”

• My kitchen is unpacked and functional as of this evening. I “cooked” my first meal in this new place: a take-and-bake pizza (medium veggie) from Papa Murphy’s.

• I found my towels. (A big “thank you” goes to those of you who have written and called with your concern.) They were creatively used as packing material by my moving crew. Not to worry. I’ve still been taking baths.

• I found a local source for white-noise machines. I desired/needed one because the neighbors below me have a TV in the bedroom, right below MY bedroom. And they keep different hours than me (the prototypical early-to-bed-early-to-rise person). They stay up, and play their TV, to the wee hours. I rarely am up past 10:00 p.m. In case you’re interested, I heartily recommend the Marpac SleepMate 980A model.

• I watched the MLB All-Star Game on TV last night…played about 15 miles from right here. The National League almost pulled it off. They kept me glued to the set right to the very last pitch. I considered tuning out after 8 innings, but I kept reminding myself that, like life, a baseball game ain’t over till it’s over.

• One last question: Is every resident of Marin County, by definition, a Mariner?