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MiddleFingerMom

(25,163 posts)
13. You've arrived at the WORST time of the year possible, but if you can make it through...
Sun Jul 1, 2012, 04:48 PM
Jul 2012

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... the next 2-1/2-3 months, you'll be living in a kind of paradise (70 degrees and sunny during the day... 30-45 degrees
and clear at night -- even Jan-Feb). ALWAYS think about your water supply -- it's not just "optional"... dehydratation is
serious (a good sunblock, too -- dangerous levels in a short time if unprepared).
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You haven't said whether you have a car (and whether it's 100% reliable). The bus system may be one of the cheapest
in the country ($1.50 from one end to the other), but one of the least convenient, also. Go to suntran.com for their
schedule and routes (notice how EARLY all but the major arteries stop running). It's a good fallback system IF you
plan in advance WHERE you live and work.
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Bookman's. Bookman's. Bookman's. Three local chain incredible used-book/software/CD stores -- the most central and
extremely convenient is at Campbell & Grant (the #9, 20, and 15 busses all stop within a block of it or less.)
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The Loft Theatre is a fair indy movie house at Speedway near Alvernon (occasional Rocky Horror showings and other
fun movie interactive events.) There are two really nice multi-screen "cheap-seat" movie theatres in town (one near
Grant & Swan, the other near Oracle & Wetmore).
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Best Mexican food is in South Tucson, though I recommend highly Guadalajara's at Prince & Mountain -- a little pricier
than normal but at night little, middle-aged Mexican women in peasant dresses come to your table and make your
salsa to order (price included in your meal) and they have a small band of wandering mariachi players roaming
among the tables. The food is EXCELLENT!!!
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Most hot dog wagons do a good job with Sonoran hot dogs (do a Google search). There are two Guero Canelo
restaurants that do the best job with them cheaply -- one is near Grant & Oracle.
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Eegee's. Kind of a Subway whose sandwiches SUCK (fair meatball sandwiches) but have some of the BEST Slurpee-type
drinks anywhere (local chain -- as are all the places I've mentioned so far).
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Community theatre still thrives here -- as does a small amount of indy film work for actors, etc. I have a good
contact for you if that's your thing (he's disabled and may have been the first zombie in a wheelchair on film ever!!!)
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I've had good luck with Craigslist at finding living accomodations (agencies can be expensive -- as are the
places they tend to list).
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91.3 is the community radio station. It COULD be so, SO much better... but it's still a much better experience
than 95% of the country has access to. VERY liberal... even progressive (streams at kxci.com ).
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The Desert Museum (more of a local flora and fauna zoo) and Sabino Canyon are high points (though, once you're
AT Sabino, I say bypass it and take the easy hike up Bear Canyon to Seven Falls (though not during the summer --
it tends to dry up and be less spectacular).
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Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate.
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Tucson is a Liberal oasis in a dry Red State -- GLBT and arts-friendly. Your discovery of Fourth Avenue is a GREAT
start (Drinking Liberally in Tucson seems to have a number of events in bars there).
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PM me or post here if you have any questions at all.
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Look up and out when you think of it. We're pretty much surrounded by mountains and it's easy to forget how
beautiful a setting we live in. At times looking up and out can be a breathtaking reminder.
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I'm rarely naked in public (look down and in) during monsoon season -- I can't afford THAT much sunblock.
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S-h-h-h. That's our secret. I have a reputation to live down to.
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