New Year's Eve

 

Gov. Grisham Continues To Waste Taxpayer Funds

Above, Navajo Lake Marina, where the governor spent taxpayer funds. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It's the old liberal Democrat elitist mantra: Rules for thee, but not for me.

It appears that New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has been busted (again!) over living lavishly on the taxpayers' dime during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.

If that the Stop MLG press release says its true, it looks like she partied and lived high on the hog while people suffered and lost jobs and businesses. She's done this before and was exposed.

They begin with:

While New Mexicans were ordered to stay home and state recreational areas were under strict lockdown during the COVID-19 Health Emergency, Governor Grisham may have enjoyed her time on the lake, boating.

Santa Fe, NM – Thursday, September 15, 2022 – Inspection of Public Records obtained through the Department of Finance reveals Governor Grisham may have been defying her emergency health orders to enjoy boating, parties, and travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brett Kokinadis, Director of Stop MLG and the First Vice-Chair of the Republican Party of Santa Fe county, requested contingency fund and purchasing card “p-card” reports from January 1, 2020, from the Department of Finance. Forty-nine documents contained nearly 1,000 pages of expenditures that were responsive detailing expenses of Governor Grisham, the Governor’s Staff, and the Governor’s State police security details “p-card” reports.

Reports included certificates for boating safety courses, VRBO lodging, Navajo Lake Marina fees, and boating packages.

“There are nearly 1,000 pages of receipts containing lavish catered items and alcohol for large parties, excessive daily shopping, travel, and even perhaps activities in Taos, Vail, and boating on a Navajo lake. All this while the Governor scolded New Mexicans and ordered them to stay indoors, away from loved ones, and left to stand in the cold for groceries.”, Kokinadis continued.

To read the full press release and go to the link to the documents, go here. 

And, more details posted by Piñon Post, go here.

New Mexico Governor's Mansion Used State Funds For Party

There she goes again.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's campaign had to reimburse the state for a political event held last year in the Governor's Mansion in Santa Fe.

According to the Santa Fe New Mexican:

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office tapped into a taxpayer-funded expense account to pay for a political event at the governor’s mansion in October, prompting her reelection campaign to quietly reimburse the state two months later.

Documents obtained under a public records request show New Mexicans for Michelle, the governor’s campaign committee, issued the state a $1,837 check in December to pay for expenses stemming from a Democratic Governors Association party hosted by Lujan Grisham in Santa Fe.

At the time, Lujan Grisham was serving as chairwoman of the association, a Washington, D.C.-based political organization dedicated to electing Democratic governors and other candidates.

Lujan Grisham’s contingency fund spending has been a source of controversy in the past, and it’s given the governor’s critics, particularly Republicans hoping to win back control of the Governor’s Office in November, ammunition to use against her as she runs for a second term.

To read more, go here. 

Gov. Lujan Grisham's Lavish Dinner Party

Above, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

People who find their wives, girlfriends or "significant others" are lying to them, the best course of action is to give them the boot, for they belong to the streets. The same goes for lying politicians, male or female, and those who live lavishly at taxpayers' expense while people are suffering the pandemic. In either case, you can never trust them again.

Well, Gov. "Malevolent Michelle" Lujan Grisham has been caught living "high on the hog" at the taxpayers' expense. Piñon Post has the full story.

It begins with:

While New Mexicans suffered one of the nation’s highest unemployment rates, record-high inflation, and soaring gas prices Michelle Lujan Grisham traveled to Scotland for a “climate change” summit called “COP26,” which focused on funding climate change extremism through cooperation between global stakeholders.

At the Scotland event, scandal-ridden alleged serial groper Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced radical job-killing proposals she aims to ram through the 2022 Legislative Session that will not only cripple New Mexico’s energy economy but will harm the poor in significant ways. Many of her cabinet secretaries and staff joined her.

At the time, the Governor’s spokeswoman Nora Sackett bragged about how the taxpayers would not be funding the trip, claiming a climate change dark money group would be footing the bill instead.

However, once Lujan Grisham arrived back in New Mexico, Inspection of Public Records Act requests revealed that in early November, right after she got back from the vacation-style “climate” excursion, the taxpayers footed the bill for a swanky seven-person dinner party at the Governor’s Mansion. 

According to the documents obtained in the IPRA, the taxpayers paid Abobo Catering $1,057.27 for the party, totaling over $150 for each person’s expensive meal. 

To read more, including the party's bill, go here.

She belongs on the streets. Voters can send her there next November!

Tokyo's Elusive Cheesecake

Above, at the Imperial Hotel's Imperial Viking Sal restaurant in October 2015.

An article in Time Out Tokyo brought back memories.

Four years ago, I threw a small dinner party at the Imperial Viking Sal restaurant in Tokyo's Imperial Hotel (if the Imperial Hotel was good enough for Steve Martin in Godzilla in 1954, it was good enough for a dinner party). It was a buffet-style restaurant.

After dinner, I went over to the dessert table and found no cheesecake. When I mentioned this when I returned to our table, former Toho Pictures President Shogo Tomiyama got up and spoke to someone and managed to get me a slice of cheesecake. We've chuckled about that since.

After reading the Time Out Tokyo article, it seems that I was lucky to enjoy an apparently somewhat elusive item in Japan, at least one from a particular chef.

Time Out Tokyo begins with:

The city’s most popular gourmand hotspots are usually characterised by queues long enough to make you feel faint. People will wait for untold hours for a bowl of their favourite ramen or arrive at a store long before it opens to snatch a specialty item. Ironically, there are no queues for one of the city’s most sought-after cheesecakes – because it doesn’t have a physical store. 

Instead, the baked specialities at Mr. Cheesecake can only be purchased online two days a week (Sunday and Monday) and they sell out within minutes. In fact, it disappears so quickly that serious foodies who have tried to get their hands on the delicacy have dubbed it the ‘phantom cheesecake’. Should you be one of the lucky few to snag a cake, it will be delivered to you within five days – no, you can't choose the date and time of delivery. You can then eat it immediately or store it in the freezer for up to three months and save it for a special occasion. 

To read more, go here.

Last Year At The Odyssey

Above, Asya and I after the unveiling. Photo by Lori Thornhill.

As one gets older, it seems that time zips by a lot faster.

Such is the case of today as it was one year ago that the portrait painting unveiling party took place at the Odyssey Restaurant in Granada Hills.

It was a fun gathering of friends and business associates of Asya, who painted the portrait on commission. It was something that I've always wanted to do.

Since then, some changes had been made and some not. I am still retired, but at least I am stress-free these days. I am looking into the possibility of moving out of California. I was born in Los Angeles and lived here all my life. The current state government is making a mess out of the state and other people and businesses are leaving.

Asya is now an hour outside of Shanghai, China. She recently took a teaching position there and is now in training. She will be teaching English (an interesting concept, a Russian national teaching English in China). Prior to this, she was working in New York promoting art shows. We are in regular contact.

One Year Ago and Clampout-Bound

Above, at The Odyessey on September 24 when we went for dinner
there and to show Asya the party room. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is hard to imagine that it has been already a year since the final arrangements were made at The Odyssey restaurant for the portrait unveiling party.

Here's what I said about it at the time.

Asya said this morning:

[It] was a great idea of you to decide to do that!!

As for the rest of today, I am heading off to Camp Okihi on the Kern River for the Peter Lebeck Chapter's clampout. 

Weekend In Wildomar

This weekend was spent at my cousin Maria's home in Wildomar where she held her annual Fourth of July party.

I headed down in The Beast Saturday morning. As usual, I stayed overnight in the RV and drove home the next day.

There was lots of food, drink and conversation with family and friends. A good time was had by all.

On the way, I stopped in Norco for breakfast and to wash The Beast's roof. While stitting at the off-ramp, I saw a pro-Trump banner. It appears that the business that put it up is a bar.

Above, in case you can't read the lower portion, it says"Get over it
 Hollywood & Liberals. Flights are still leaving America. Take one."

Above, The Beast in front of Maria and Fred's home. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Maria leading the way. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, yours truly and Maria.

Above, kids were in the pool all day. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Fred's Tiki Bar at night. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Asya Is Off To Russia

Above, Asya with the portrait of you-know-who. Photo by Lori Thornhill.

Today, Asya is heading off to St. Petersburg, Russia to visit her family. She will be gone until sometime next month.

We exchanged emails with our goodbyes and all. Also, I gave her an idea on selling her artwork once she gets back. She very much liked that idea. (I, however, am keeping mum for now.)

One nice thing about her trip home, she is still in the "afterglow" about the unveiling party.

She said:

P.S. After the party at Odyssey, [it] feels like my artistic career officially started here :)))

That's a very sweet thing to say!

A friend is currently vacationing in St. Petersburg and he has posted many photographs. From his photos, St. Petersburg is one beautiful city.

On St. Petersburg (then known as Leningrad), President Richard Nixon said:

If you really want to know Russia, its exciting variety and history, you must go to Leningrad.

She said she'll let me know via email when she arrives.

More Portrait Unveiling Party Photos

Photos by Lori Thornhill and Armand Vaquer

As I've mentioned before, in the beginning of the portrait commission, I told Asya at the start to "have fun with it" and go with what she felt comfortable in doing. She went with a 19th Century French impressionist style. She did so without any pressure or deadlines by me.

Here's some more photos taken at the portrait unveiling party last Sunday:

Above, the start of the unveiling.

Above, after the unveiling.

Above, observing the guests' reactions.

Above, cigar gifts and Asyas business cards.

Above, a group shot.

Above, the painting nicely framed by pretty ladies.

Above, out on the patio which came with the room.

Above, Asya clowning with cigars.

Above, Armand and Dawn.

For the write-up and photos of the party, go here.

Paintings For The Cigar Aficionado

Above, Asya with one of her cigar-themed paintings. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If you happen to be a cigar aficionado and/or have a special cigar smoking room (or even a bar) or are looking for that special gift for the cigar-lover in your life (after all, Christmas is just around the corner), artist Asya has three cigar-themed paintings for sale.

We had them on display yesterday at three locations where we had cigars provided for party guests.

Here are the paintings:

No. 1

No. 2

No. 3

When I first met Asya, she showed me these and other artworks she did, which convinced me that she would be a good choice to commission a portrait painting.

She is an up-and-coming young artist who has a bright future. She recently discovered that a set of her paintings recently were sold in Mexico for over $300,000!

If you are interested in any or all of these, you can contact Asya at her email address.

Unveiling At The Odyssey

Above, enjoying the view from the Odyssey Restaurant.

The portrait unveiling party is now in the history books.

We had a nice little group (about 20) at the party at the Odyssey Restaurant. It was a mix of old friends, new friends and art industry people as well as friends of artist Asya. The party included tunes from Frank Sinatra and James Bond themes (both were Asya's picks).

Since a picture is worth a thousand words (besides, I am a little worn out), here's a few:

Above, Dawn Brown and Asya.

Above, Armand and Dawn.

Above, Asya with one of her cigar painting and cigars.

Above, the group gathers for the unveiling.

Above, Armand and Asya unveil the painting.

Above, Asya and Armand after the unveiling.

Above, cell phone picture-taking.

Above, Asya, Armand and Dawn.

Above, a little silliness.

Above, yours truly.

Ready!

In two more hours, the portrait unveiling party will begin at the Odyssey Restaurant.

I am about to head out the door. First, I have to head into the Mar Vista area of Los Angeles to pick up Asya. From there, we'll be heading to the Odyssey to begin setting up.

Here's a parting shot:

To see the unveiling, go here.

Last Night At The Odyssey

Above, Asya in the Atlantis Room with the city lights in the background. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last night, Asya and I headed off to The Odyssey Restaurant for dinner and to check out the Atlantis Room that the portrait unveiling party will take place one week from today. Also, we celebrated my receiving the appearance fee check from Hot Bench.

I thought it would be a good idea for Asya to see the layout of the room and The Odyssey Restaurant in general.

Although the lights were off in the room, we discussed where to display the portrait and other paintings she will be bringing along.

Above, at dinner at The Odyssey Restaurant. 

Asya enjoyed the spectacular view of the San Fernando Valley from the room's huge windows. From the room, the stream of headlights flowed down from the Sepulveda Pass and into the Valley like a glowing river.

After discussing details on where to arrange things next week, we headed upstairs to the main dining room for dinner. She had a Caesar salad with chicken and shrimp while I settled on prime rib. She had wanted to have cheesecake and ice cream, but was so full from the meal that we ended up sharing the cheesecake that came with my dinner.

Asya had a "jaw-dropping" moment when during the course of conversation when I mentioned that I like to add pepper to a dish of cottage cheese. She had never heard of that before. She thought I was putting her on. That led to a discussion of foods she enjoyed in Russia.

All in all, an enjoyable evening.

Odyssey Business Completed

The Odyssey Restaurant was taken care of today. The portrait unveiling party is all paid for and number of guests submitted.

However, if you still want to attend, I do have some flexibility on getting you in. Just email me!

Our guest of honor, artist Asya, sent the photo below earlier today:

Portrait Unveiling Party: Room For 4 More

Above, Asya in Little Osaka in L.A. during the photo shoot
for the portrait project back in July. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today's the day that I will be heading to the Odyssey Restaurant to give them the final count and payment for the October 2 portrait unveiling party.

I spent part of last night tabulating the R.S.V.P.s (and watched Godzilla vs. Biollante) and I found that we do have room for 4 more people. So, if you wish to attend, email me within the next 3 hours.

If you have received an invite already and haven't yet indicated that you're coming, now's the time to do so!

Labor Day Evening At City Walk

Above, Universal City Walk tonight. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For Labor Day, the crowds at Universal City Walk in Studio City weren't too bad tonight.

For something to do, Asya and I went to City Walk to wander around. This was Asya's first time visiting there and she enjoyed it very much.

Above, Asya "rides" a broom at the Harry Potter store. I face off against the real
"Wicked Witch of the West" in a couple of days on Hot Bench. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We wandered around different stores after we arrived. Of particular interest to her were the Lush, Zen Zone and a Universal Studios souvenir stores that had Harry Potter goods.

Above, before getting into the aqua massage chamber, Asya gets
a back and shoulder massage at Zen Zone. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

At Zen Zone, she had a ten-minute aqua massage. She had done some hiking this weekend (and managed to come almost face-to-face with a rattlesnake that was rattling two feet away from her) and she was still sore. The aqua massage felt great, she said, although it left her dizzy for a few minutes.

Above, Asya in the aqua massage chamber before the cover is lowered. Photo by Armand Vaquer

Following our store browsing, we headed to the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant. We had an enjoyable meal there (I had jambalaya for the first time in ages). We talked about the upcoming October 2 party at the Odyssey Restaurant.

Above, while Asya is getting her aqua massage, I get a  shoulder heat treatment.

Asya said that there are Cinnabon stores in Russia when we passed one. She also said there are Lush stores in Russia.

After dinner, we wandered around some more before heading back to L.A.

We had a good time and Asya is looking forward to visiting City Walk again.