Tonight's Gubernatorial Debate and A Visit At The Flying J

Above, our visit at Denny's tonight. 

Tonight I had a nice visit with fellow Hawthorne High School alumnus Larry Bach and his wife at Denny's at the Flying J Travel Center here in Jamestown, New Mexico.

They were en route home to Prescott, Arizona from Colorado Springs. 

The visit came during the debate tonight between Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Mark Ronchetti on KOB 4.

I wasn't worried as the debate is available on YouTube. I have it posted below.

I think Ronchetti did very well in the debate. 

The Sordid 2-Year Record of Joe Biden

This is a must-see video. Pass it on to your family and friends.

Kamala Harris Doubled Down On Stupid

 The other day, Kamala Harris said the following:

KAMALA HARRIS: "The United States shares a very important relationship, which is an alliance with the Republic of North Korea."

Harris gets a pass from the mainstream media, yet they hounded Dan Quayle over misspelling potato.

Tokyo: 15 Amazing Reasons To Visit Now

Above, a view of the Sumida River and Asakusa from the Tokyo Skytree. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

At long last, Japan is fully reopening to foreign tourism on October 11. 

With this announcement, a huge surge in reservations for flights and hotel rooms took place around the world.

In view of the reopening, Time Out has a list of 15 "amazing reasons" for visiting Tokyo now.

The begin with:

At long last, Japan is finally reopening to the world on October 11, and we couldn’t be more excited. With travel resuming just in time for the autumn and winter seasons, there’s a lot to look forward to in the coming months. Besides Tokyo's many seasonal events, the city has welcomed a host of exciting new attractions which the world has yet to see or experience – you know, because of Covid border closures. 

So if you need more reasons to come visit Tokyo besides Japan’s grand reopening (no PCR tests, no quarantine and no travel agency) after being closed off for the past two-plus years, here are 15 irrefutable reasons you should travel to Tokyo right now. Even if you’re no stranger to our beloved city, there’s still plenty of new things waiting for you right here.

We can’t wait to welcome you back. Let the countdown begin.

To see what they are, go here. 

Visiting Next Door

After having a can of Sadie's Classic Margarita, I took a walk next door to visit my neighbor's animals. I also took a shot of Barking Spider Acre from the pen.

I took some pictures while there:

 

The Best Time To Book A Flight

When I bought my plane tickets (Delta Airlines) to fly from Albuquerque to Los Angeles for our high school reunion, it was in April when gasoline prices were fast rising to sky-high levels. Before taxes and fees, the price for the round-trip was $221.40. 

That would have been roughly the same price for one fill-up of gasoline for my motorhome. I would have needed at least three fill-ups for the trip had I drove. The choice was obvious.

Since then, airline ticket prices have risen, so it was a good thing that I booked my flights when I did.

Condé Nast Traveler has posted an article on the best times to book a flight according to travel experts.

They begin it with:

Every traveler has a theory on the best time to book a flight. We’ve heard it all: The lowest fares are on Tuesdays at 3 p.m. Eastern. (No, Saturday at 6 a.m. is the best time to buy!) You need to book at least two months before you fly. (No, you should fly at the last minute to score a deal!) But even with all these recommendations, there’s still no guarantee that you’ll find cheap flights.

“The notion that there’s a single best day and time to buy tickets to get a good deal is a myth that simply refuses to die,” says Willis Orlando, senior product operations specialist at Scott’s Cheap Flights. The reason it’s so persistent, Orlando explains, is that this concept used to be true decades ago when airline employees would update prices every week, meaning that savvy passengers could snag deals by booking right after those updates. But “the fact of the matter is this is just not how things work anymore, and it hasn’t been for a long time,” Orlando says. “Airfare these days is highly complex, and constantly changing, sometimes by the hour.”

Considering that the pandemic has caused shifts in passengers’ buying patterns (flexibility is king) and how airlines have responded (no more cancellation fees), the best time to book a flight formula becomes even trickier.

Luckily, there are still some reliable strategies passengers can use to score the best deals. One rule of thumb: Aim to buy tickets during what’s known in industry terms as the “prime booking window” or “optimal booking window.” This is the sweet spot several weeks—or even months—ahead of departure when deals are most likely to be had, prices aren’t as likely to fluctuate, and passengers have plenty of choice.

To read more, go here.

Meanwhile, In Martha's Vineyard...

 Thanks to Bo Snerdley for posting this:

Hurricane Ian Flooding Key West

Above, the Key West marina during more tranquil times. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Hurricane Ian is flooding the hell out of Key West, Florida.

From the Miami Herald:

In some spots in Key West, it’s hard to tell where the street ends and the ocean begins. 

As Hurricane Ian approached Florida, waves rolled into the Southernmost City Tuesday and Wednesday and winds picked up, with gusts as high as 70 mph. 

Power outages also are reported, with crews resuming repairs at sunrise.

Ian on Wednesday morning turned into a dangerous Cat 4 hurricane, and the Keys remain under a tropical storm warning.

To read more and see videos of the flooding, go here.

Cognitive Decline Is Dangerous In A President

His Fraudulency Joe Biden's senility is being displayed more and more.

From a New York Times Twitter tweet:

President Biden looked in the audience on Wednesday for Representative Jackie Walorski, Republican of Indiana, during a White House conference, apparently forgetting that Walorski had died in August.

"Jackie, are you here? Where’s Jackie?" he asked. https://nyti.ms/3fvtciZ

 From Laura Ingraham:

Shocked that the @nytimes actually reported on this.  Cognitive decline is hard to watch—and in a president it’s dangerous.

From Peter J. Hasson:

Just a reminder that the president - who turns 80 in two months - was looking around the room today for a congresswoman whose death he mourned just last month. And the White House repeatedly insisted there was nothing abnormal about the entire thing.

From Clay Travis:

The White House attempts to explain how Joe Biden asked where a dead congresswoman was in the crowd today. It doesn’t go well. This just keeps getting more embarrassing. Joe Biden has awful dementia and it just keeps getting worse every day:

Whatever Became of...The Boys Markets?

Above, the Hawthorne, California Boys Market store in the 1950s.

Back when I was a kid, my family used to shop at a supermarket on Vermont Avenue near 120th Street called The Boys in Los Angeles.

What I remember the most about it was that I was able to buy Aurora Plastics' Universal Pictures monster models (Frankenstein, Dracula, Wolf Man, The Mummy, etc.) in the store's toy department and saw Bozo the Clown (Vance Colvig) there.

Above, The Boys Market logo.

When we moved to Hawthorne, we shopped at Thriftimart or Ralphs, even though a Boys Market was there.

Then, in the late 1980, The Boys began to disappear.

According to LAist:

The Boys

Shortly after his father died, teenage Joe Goldstein and two of his brothers began selling fruit door-to-door to support their Boyle Heights family. Soon, they set up a produce stand along Telegraph Road in East Los Angeles. Folks would say they were going to visit "the boys'" stand. The name stuck. By the time the brothers opened their first market on the site in 1924, they were joined by another brother. By 1931, they'd opened what was billed as their first full-service market at Monte Vista St. and Avenue 55 in Highland Park. That market later served as the company's headquarters through the 1980s. The Boys turned their focus from suburban to urban locations, growing to 54 stores. The business stayed in the Goldstein family until 1988, when American Breco Company bought it. A year later, some suburban store names were changed to Market Basket, evoking a prior SoCal chain with the same name, that had only departed a few years earlier. Just 18 days later, American Breco merged into the Yucaipa Company (sound familiar?). A few stores still operated as The Boys as late as 1993. Then, the name faded into history.

To read more about bygone L.A. stores, go here. 

Leftist Lunacy: Boycott Olive Garden

There is no end to liberal/leftist lunacy.

Here's a new one:

 

Propane Price: Not As Bad As I Expected

Above, The Beast at the clampout two weeks ago. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Before heading off to the fall clampout in Arizona with the Lost Dutchman Chapter of E Clampus Vitus two weeks ago, I went to Gallup Propane Service to have The Beast's propane tank filled.

The motorhome needed five gallons. The price was lower than I expected : $2.40/gallon. It was $1.54/gallon in 2019.

It was still less than what I was used to when I lived in Tarzana, California. The price was usually around $3.60/gallon at the Northridge U-Haul.

Generally, our autumn weather tends to be brief and we get our first snowfall in October, which is only days away. The last fill-up of the house propane tank was at the end of August and I haven't used much propane while home or while off camping.

Memphis Places Elvis Fans Should Visit

Above, Graceland mansion is no.1 on the list. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If you happen to be a hardcore Elvis Presley fan or just have a casual interest, TheTravel has posted a list of ten places in Memphis, Tennessee they should visit.

I was last in Memphis six years ago (it hardly seems possible) and visited Graceland and Sun Studio. I also visited Beale Street on a prior visit.

Above, Sun Studio, where rock 'n roll history was made. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

According to TheTravel:

Whether you’re a lifelong Elvis fan or a new convert, thanks to the Baz Luhrmann movie starring Austin Butler and Tom Hanks, one thing is certain: Elvis fever is back. The King of Rock and Roll famously grew up in Memphis. Each year, an estimated 500,000 people flock to Graceland to tour the iconic home he purchased when he became rich and famous. While touring Graceland is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Memphis, there are lesser-known sites in Memphis that shed light on Elvis’s early years and musical development. Some of them are such unassuming visitors might even pass them by without understanding their significance or connection to music history.

If you’re looking for things to do in Memphis, this guide will take you to the recording studio where Elvis was discovered, the low-income housing project where he grew up, his favorite restaurant, clubs, and more.

To see what they are, go here. 

Teamsters Upset Over Ronchetti UPS Visit

One has to give the Mark Ronchetti credit for entering into "enemy territory" when he paid a visit to a UPS warehouse in Rio Rancho yesterday. 

Their union has endorsed Gov. "Malevolent Michelle" Lujan Grisham in this year's gubernatorial campaign. This is not surprising or unusual, for the union bosses are nothing more than Democrat operatives. The rank-in-file workers welcomed Ronchetti.

Now they're pissed off over Ronchetti's morning visit to the workers.

According to the Santa Fe New Mexican:

A Teamsters union that represents UPS drivers delivered a sharp rebuke to Mark Ronchetti on Tuesday after the Republican gubernatorial candidate promoted a visit to a UPS warehouse in Rio Rancho.

Just before 9:30 a.m., Ronchetti took to Twitter to thank UPS for opening its warehouse doors to send off their drivers before their shifts.

“Working New Mexicans are ready for a government that listens and cares about its constituents,” he tweeted along with photos of him speaking to what appeared to be dozens of UPS drivers and shaking hands with one of them. “On November 8, we will give them that!”

Tuesday afternoon, Teamsters Local 492 took to Facebook to decry the visit, writing it was “management” who invited Ronchetti to speak to a room of union members.

“Ronchetti does not represent our Teamster values and we despise his use of UPS teamsters as a prop this morning, to advance his anti-worker agenda,” the union wrote.

The union cited the governor’s “strong record delivering for New Mexico workers and their families.”

People need to be reminded that Lujan Grisham's "strong record" for delivering for New Mexico workers includes using the State Police as her personal Gestapo to harass, terrorize and shut down businesses during the past two years.  About 40% of New Mexico businesses have been permanently shuttered due to Lujan Grisham's edicts, killing off thousands of jobs in the process.

Her record stinks, to put it mildly.

To read more, go here.

Departing LAX September 27, 2022

A few minutes ago, I uploaded a video of my departure take-off from Los Angeles International Airport two days ago, following our Hawthorne High School 50ish Class Reunion of the classes of 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1973.

 

Stocks Lost $7.6 Trillion In Value Since Biden Took Office

From RNC Research: 

In January, Joe Biden: “the stock market…has hit record after record after record on my watch."

Today: Stocks have lost $7.6 trillion in value since Biden took office.

Autumn Weather

Above, at about noon today. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We had some rain late this afternoon. That was a bit of a surprise. Now it is just cloudy and about 71° outside.

The autumn weather pattern is taking hold of the Jamestown, New Mexico area. It is a little warm during the day and cooler at night (in the 40s).

The National Weather Service forecast the following for the week ahead:

Tonight

Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the evening.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 75. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph.

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 75.

Friday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.

Saturday

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.

Saturday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.

Sunday

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.

Monday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.

Monday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.

Lujan Grisham and Ronchetti Debates Set

Above, Mark Ronchetti will debate Gov.Michelle Lujan Grisham in person in two debates.

New Mexico voters will be able to see the differences in public policy between Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Mark Ronchetti in two televised debates.

They will face each other on September 30 (three days away from today) and October 12.

From the Albuquerque Journal:

SANTA FE – Democrat Michelle Lujan Grisham and Republican Mark Ronchetti have agreed to participate in two televised debates in the run-up to Election Day. 

Unlike some recent New Mexico political debates that were pre-recorded and conducted remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both gubernatorial debates will take place in-person and be broadcast live.

The first debate will take place Sept. 30 and will be hosted by KOB-TV. The second hourlong debate is being hosted by KOAT-TV, along with the Journal and KKOB Radio, and is set for Oct. 12.

To read more, go here. 

New Mexico Utilities Forced To Buy Out-Of-State Power

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and her toadies on the Public Regulation Commission are trying to decimate New Mexico's utility companies, forcing them to buy out-of-state power. This is all under New Mexico's "Green New Deal" (Energy Transition Act).

This will turn into the same debacle as California's energy problems under Gov. Gavin Newsom. Citizens of New Mexico will have to endure brownouts and higher energy costs if they succeed.

The Piñon Post reported:

New Mexico’s Green New Deal (Energy Transition Act) is continuing to harm New Mexico by creating a vast power shortage. Utilities are buckling for a full-blown power catastrophe next summer as they are forced to “transition” to solar and other “renewable” energy sources. 

During a special Public Regulation Commission meeting Thursday, Public Service Co. of New Mexico (PNM) said it is being forced to PNM executives said the utility will fill “quite a hole” next summer due to “green” replacements taking longer to materialize as the San Juan Generating Station is set to close next week.

According to PNM spokesman Ray Sandoval, PNM “generally has a 2,000-megawatt system with about 500 megawatts provided by the San Juan Generating Station.” 

With the closure of the San Juan Generating Station, it has purged countless jobs, with only around 80 employees able to retire. “For the rest of the employees, though, they’re going to have to go find some other form of employment,” said plant manager Omni Warner. 

If Lujan Grisham is re-elected, she will be able to appoint more leftists to the Public Regulation Commission. 

To read more, go here.

Motorhome Accessories

Above, this bathroom cabinet rack has come in handy. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I first bought my motorhome new back in 2015, I had to get a few essentials. Some I already had from prior RVs.

Over the years, when a need arose, I bought more gadgets and gizmos to make life on the road easier Most recently, I bought an electric can opener. I had gone through two hand crank can openers. One broke and the other is just too hard to use. I can use it while plugged into shore power or, while dry camping, after firing up the motorhome's generator. 

Do It Yourself RV has posted a list of accessories to make life easier. Some I agree with, some I don't.

The begin with:

Motorhomes come with most of the essential items you need when you purchase them, but these vehicles are often lacking some of the comforts of home. That’s where motorhome accessories can come in handy! There are countless products, appliances, and gadgets on the market for RV owners to consider, but not all of them are high-quality.

To help you refine your search and find items that will actually be useful additions to your motorhome, we’ve compiled a list of 15 great accessories to consider. All of these items can be bought online, so you won’t have to worry about finding something that’s in stock in your town.

Maybe not everyone needs all of these products, but we hope that at least a few of these will help solve problems or inconveniences that pop up in your RV setup. Let’s get into the list of our top 15 motorhome accessories.

To read more, go here. 

Martha's Vineyard Liberals

 Rush Limbaugh's former right-hand man Bo Snerdley posted this on Twitter:

How To Get The Best Deal On An RV

Above, a Winnebago Revel on display at the California RV Show. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In the market for a new or used RV? Are you a good or lousy negotiator?

An article and video in RV Travel by Dr. David Madow ("The RV Dummy") will be a great aid on getting the best deal on an RV, new or used. And, there are ten things one should never say to any seller.

The article begins with:

Thinking of buying a new or new-to-you RV? Regardless if you plan to buy new or used, from a dealer or from a private party, the 10 tips in this video can help you get the best deal on an RV.

Dr. David Madow aka “The RV Dummy” says there are 10 things you should never ever say to anyone who is trying to sell you an RV.

Perhaps if you are already a master negotiator you don’t need this video. I, for one, am a terrible negotiator, so the tips came in handy and gave me some things to think about.

Dave advises to always speak and deal in a manner that retains your power in the negotiation. This includes the importance of a poker face. In the video below he also covers 10 remarks to avoid making that might give away that power.

To read more and view the video, go here.

About The Silver Canadian Maple Leaf

For those of you who are interested in investing in silver bullion coins, here is what Bullion Exchanges says about the Canadian five dollar maple leaf silver coin:

SILVER CANADIAN MAPLE LEAF

The Canadian Silver Maple Leaf Coin is the most famous Canadian Silver coin minted by Royal Canadian Mint. The silver maple leaf design has been used since the first coin was produced in 1988. This design hasn’t changed much over time, even though there have been several distinct designs released for its commemorative editions. The Canadian Silver Maple Leaf is the second most popular silver coin after the American Silver Eagles. Moreover, since their silver content is much higher, being made of 99.99% pure silver, the Canadian silver maple leaf is considered to be one of the most desired coins on the precious metal market. The 2022 Silver Canadian Maple Leafs offer good liquidity and value. It is widely one of the most preferred choices for Precious Metals IRA savings. Mostly due to its innovative bullion security features: the radial lines light-diffracting background pattern, Bullion DNA, and the micro-engraved leaf privy mark with the last two digits of the mintage year.

To see more, go here. 

Two More Canadian Maple Leaf Silver Coins Arrived

The other two 2022 Canadian Maple Leaf five dollar silver coins I ordered arrived today.

As I mentioned before, on one side is the maple leaf and on the other side is a profile of Queen Elizabeth II. As they were minted in the year of her passing, it should increase their value in future years. 

Here's the coins and where I bought them from:

Since inflation is eating away paper currency's value, buying precious metals such as gold and silver is a great investment.

Food In L.A. Last Weekend

Above, my Tommy's breakfast sandwich. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I went to Los Angeles last Friday to attend the 50ish Hawthorne High School Reunion, I made it a point to go have a breakfast sandwich at Tommy's in North Hills. This I accomplished. I was craving Tommy's chili.

As for other food outside of the reunion, the gang of us headed to Pancho's Mexican restaurant in Manhattan Beach. While planning the trip, I had my eye on either Pancho's or Cozymel's Mexican Grill.

Above, Pancho's looked the same. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Well, Cozymel's was closed down several years ago as their rent was increased and the plaza was being remodeled. My late mother and I used to go there for dinner quite often. Therefore, as Pancho's was still operating, we went there.

The place still looked the same and the food was still good. I used to bring Young Republicans there in the 1970s and 1980s whenever we had a convention in Los Angeles. Pancho's didn't disappoint. I had a cheese enchilada and chile relleno combination plate.

Above, the gang at Pancho's last Saturday evening. 

A friend here asked me how did the food at Pancho's compare to the Mexican food in New Mexico. I said that although the food at Pancho's was good, the Mexican food in New Mexico is better and hotter. (It must be the Hatch Valley chile peppers in the sauce.)

The only favorite place I missed was In-N-Out Burger while in L.A. Oh, well. Next time.

Liz Cheney Will Support Democrats If Trump Wins Presidential Nomination In 2024

Above, Rep. Liz Cheney.

The true colors of Rep. Liz Cheney are out in their full "glory". 

The woman was never trustworthy and her latest statements only confirms that she's just a RINO (Republican In Name Only). And, a traitor to the Republican Party. She deserved to be booted out in her primary.

Yahoo! News reported:

Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., says she will leave the Republican party if former President Donald Trump is the 2024 GOP presidential nominee.

“If he is the nominee, I won’t be a Republican,” Cheney said in an appearance at the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin on Saturday.

Cheney, who lost her bid for reelection in the August primary against Trump-backed challenger Harriet Hageman, also said she would be willing to campaign for Democrats in 2022 and 2024.

Well, all I can say is if Trump becomes the 2024 GOP nominee, Don't let the door hit you in the ass, Lizzie Baby! 

To read more, go here.

Japan Reopening For Normal Tourism October 11

Above, Senso-ji temple in Asakusa, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan is going to scrap all entry requirements and allow foreign tourists next month as it did before the pandemic, it has been announced.

Yes, it is for real this time.

According to Travel Off Path:

Beginning October 11, Japan will scrap nearly all its remaining entry requirements and allow for normal tourism after over 2.5 years of stringent restrictions. During a news conference in New York on Thursday, September 22, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced that Japan will be getting rid of its cap on daily arrivals. Further, the country will allow individual tourists to enter visa-free, allowing Americans to enter the country without having to go through the cumbersome process of obtaining a tourist visa.

To read more, go here. 

Reunion Photos

Before heading to L.A. for the 50ish Hawthorne High Reunion, I decided not to bring my camera. I decided to concentrate on the festivities rather than shutter-bugging.

My phone's camera was sufficient enough if I wanted to take a photo or two. Which I did. Some are posted below. For the ladies, I am just using their maiden names.

Above, Mitch Geriminsky, left, and Debbie Cogan behind the check-in desk.

Above, Lili Dana chatting with Larry Bach.

Above, Debbie Cogan, Karen Masters and yours truly.

Above, Coach Bill Featherston addressing the gathering. I heard he's 88. He looked good.

Above, Lili Dana and Dwight Kuntz.

Above, Mitch Geriminsky on the dance floor.

Group photo by Tim O'Mally

Above, at one point we all gathered for this group collage photo. Dwight Kuntz and I were kneeling
 in front. After the photo, our main concern was being able to stand back up. Photo by Tim O'Mally.

Italy's New Prime Minister Has It Right

Above, Italy's new Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Italy's new Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, is a person to watch.

She explains what we're all up against and why this is a battle we must not lose.

The Left is already attacking her, calling her a "neo-fascist". 

A quote:

"They want to call us parent 1, parent 2, gender LGBT, citizen X, with code numbers.  

But we are not code numbers… and we’ll defend our identity. 

I am Giorgia. I am a woman. I am a mother. I am Italian, I am Christian. You will not take that away from me!"

- Giorgia Meloni,

Check out this video, 

Classic Rock Music Monday

The stuff that now passes as "music", particularly rock 'n roll, leaves me cold. So, to start off the week, here's a video of a classic rock artist.

It is funny when a song is played, it takes one back to either a time or place (or both). Such is the case of the band Boston and their song, "More Than A Feeling" that came out in the summer of 1976. It was the time of the Bicentennial and the Republican presidential campaign battle between President Gerald Ford and former Gov. Ronald Reagan culminating in a raucous Republican National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri.  This is the song that will start off this week.

According to Wikipedia:

Boston is an American rock band from namesake Boston, Massachusetts, that had its most commercial successes during the 1970s and '80s.

Wikipedia says the band is still active although it has gone through some personnel changes over the years. Lead vocalist Brad Delp passed away in 2007 from suicide.

Reunion In China?

At our 50ish Hawthorne High School Class Reunion, a photographer was there to take photos with a machine that made photo strips.

It dawned on me earlier today that the design of the photos makes it look like they were shot in Communist China. 

I wonder if anyone else is thinking the same?

Reflections On My L.A. Visit

Above, Dawn and I on Friday. (Yes, Maria, she was dressed.)

Following a fun weekend at our 50ish Hawthorne High School Reunion, I am now back home in Jamestown, New Mexico. This was my first visit to L.A. since I moved out of California.

The reunion was enjoyed by all who attended. I got to see many classmates there, most of which I hadn't seen since either graduation in 1972 or at some of the other reunions over the years. The dinner (I had chicken) was very good, so I have to give kudos to Embassy Suites in El Segundo.

Above, Dwight and Mitch at King Harbor in Redondo Beach. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The next day, Mitch Geriminsky, Dwight Kuntz and I went to the Redondo Beach Pier and cruised around the South Bay area of Los Angeles. Much of it looked the same and much changed a lot. Unfortunately, it was more congested with traffic than I remembered since I moved to New Mexico four years ago. The quality of life has gone into the toilet.

Above, Mitch and I at King Harbor. Photo by Dwight Kuntz.

We saw first-hand how liberal crime policies have been detrimental for businesses. At CVS in Hawthorne, a woman shoplifted in plain view and the employees were powerless to do anything about it. The perp was a female repeat offender. There was no security guard there. Very sad.

Above, dinner at Pancho's in Manhattan Beach. From left, Mark Holloway, yours truly, Dwight Kuntz and Mitch Geriminsky.

We met with Mark Holloway at Pancho's Mexican Restaurant in Manhattan Beach Saturday evening an had a great time catching up over great food. The place hadn't changed since I used to bring Young Republican friends there when we had a convention in L.A.

On Friday, before the reunion, I went to the San Fernando Valley and went to Tommy's for a breakfast sandwich and then checked on the Superman plaque and met with Dawn for a few hours. I hadn't seen her since I moved. We had a good time catching up. She looked great. I thought I sent her a picture of the "Three Mesas" painting Asya did, but she said I didn't. I sent it to her later and said it was beautiful.

Above, Asya in Albania in a photo she sent while I was in L.A.

During my time in L.A., Asya sent some photos of her trip to Albania. It is a prettier place than I would ever have expected. It's a beautiful Mediterranean nation that was once part of the Soviet bloc. 

Above, typical high L.A. gas prices. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The gas prices, on average, were two dollars more than in New Mexico. All were over $5.00/gallon, with many over $6.00/gallon. That's another result of liberal Democrat policies. They've ruined California.

Sadly, many decrepit RVs of homeless people in the Ballona Wetlands north of Westchester. It was such a beautiful area, now ruined. Pretty much everywhere one goes in L.A. there's homeless encampments. Such a tragedy. The Democrats refuse to fix the problem. They just encourage more of it.

Still, despite all that, I had a great time. I enjoyed going down to the beach. That's the one thing about the state I do miss. But the visit drove home to me why I left California. The place is now a pigsty.

"Adventures of Superman" Plaque

While in the San Fernando Valley on Friday, I paid a visit to the Adventures of Superman plaque in Tarzana. In was in L.A, for our Hawthorne High School 50ish Reunion.

It could use some cleaning, but I had no cleaning supplies with me. 

Here's a couple of pictures of the plaque:

At The Beach

Yesterday, we spent part of the day in Redondo Beach at the pier and later at Pancho's for dinner in Manhattan Beach. 

Joining us was fellow alumnus Mark Holloway. 

Some photos: