If I go (chances are I will) to this year's multi-class reunion for those of us from Hawthorne High School in September, there's definitely one thing on the agenda: have a Tommy Burger from Original Tommy's.
I last ate at Tommy's last December as I was driving my ex-roommate Jessica to California from Iowa. We stayed one night in Needles, but we stopped at Tommy's in Barstow before proceeding on to Orange County.
There, we had breakfast sandwiches. This was the first time Jessica had anything from Tommy's. She liked it.
I'll have to arrange with friends to go to Tommy's (somewhere) while I am in L.A.
The last time I was in L.A. was four years ago when several classes of Hawthorne High School held a 50-year reunion at the Embassy Suites in El Segundo.
I just received the following notice on Facebook that we're to do it again this coming September. It will be held at the same place. The last one was a lot of fun. While in town, some of us roamed around old haunts like the Redondo Beach pier and Pancho's Mexican Restaurant in Manhattan Beach. It will be interesting to see what the gasoline prices are in the South Bay.
In case some class members aren't on Facebook, here's the notice.
Above, a gasoline station near LAX last year. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
People are continuing to flee radical liberal states like New York and California.
The exodus is due to leftist policies, oppressive taxes, over regulation, crime, high cost of living, outrageous gasoline prices and anti-business policies.
From Fox News:
Americans are continuing to flee liberal states like New York and California for better home prices and taxes, but business experts warn the Biden economy is creating new problems for happy movers.
VonFinch Capital founder and real estate investor Steven Pesavento said that during the pandemic, employees realized they no longer needed to live in the cities where they worked, which created new opportunities for a flexible lifestyle.
"It opened up an opportunity for them to get away from, you know, the high cost of living, the kind of oppressive civil policies and business policies, the high taxes, all of those things that they were willing to stay put over because it was what they needed for their job," Pesavento said.
California saw its first-ever population decline in 2020 when the state imposed rigid lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. From January 2020 to July 2022, the state lost well over half a million people, with the number of residents leaving surpassing those moving in by almost 700,000.
I knew what would happen to California when Gavin Newsom was elected governor. So I decided to get out and move to New Mexico five (almost six) years ago. I am glad I did and never looked back. New Mexico isn't perfect, but I am still happy I moved to where I did.
I've only been to Los Angeles once since I moved. It was for our high school 50th reunion a year ago. The visit reinforced my decision to leave in spades.
Last September, while we were in L.A. for our Hawthorne High School 50ish Reunion in El Segundo, we took a drive around and at one point were in the Ballona Wetlands near Westchester.
We saw many RVs of "homeless" people parked along the roads in the wetlands. It was a disgusting mess.
Finally, the powers-that-be are doing something about it. The RVs and tent camps are starting to be cleared out.
Above, last year's reunion with Bo (foreground, at left).
The usual Jamestown coffee group met this afternoon at Denny's in the Flying J Travel Center for a reunion with one of our former group members, Bo Woodfill, who moved to Florida a couple of years ago. He used to live across the road from me.
He'll be in New Mexico for a few months at his Lindrith ranch. We had good time chatting and catching up.
Instead of coffee, we all had chocolate and vanilla milk shakes. That was a nice change of pace, beverage-wise. I am still full from the chocolate shake I had. If I get hungry later, I can always pop in the microwave a pot pie.
Above, at Redondo Beach's King Harbor fish market last September. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.
Last September, I visited L.A. for the first time in the five years since I moved to New Mexico. I was there for a high school class reunion in El Segundo.
While I had a good time seeing many classmates at the reunion and elsewhere, I noticed how things have deteriorated in the five years since I moved. Crime is rampant, freeways and streets are clogged and gasoline is sky-high.
The drive from the San Fernando Valley to El Segundo took almost two hours in bumper-to-bumper traffic. My anxiety level went up. I found that I can no longer tolerate such driving conditions. It used to be a "piece of cake", only because I was used to it back when I lived there. Living in New Mexico, the joy to take a ride returned.
By the time my visit was over, I couldn't wait to get back to Jamestown, New Mexico.
I first saw the following video, "Do I Regret Leaving California?" at Gary Julian's The People's Republicblog. The girl speaking in the video visited L.A. for the first time since moving to Prescott, Arizona and her experience echoed mine.
If one is contemplating moving the hell out of Commiefornia, a viewing of this video can be useful.
Above, at the HHS 50ish Multi-Class Reunion with Debbie and Karen.
As a year, 2022 wasn't too bad of a year for me.
The main problem with the year was the high gasoline prices that swept the nation. This forced me to skip the spring clampout of the Lost Dutchman Chapter of E Clampus Vitus. It would have cost me over $500 in fuel costs for the round trip.
Above, at the fall clampout of the Lost Dutchman Chapter, ECV.
However, prices did moderate enough for me to go to the fall clampout near Williams, Arizona. The prices moderated enough for more trips, albeit nearer to home.
My ex-roommate, Jessica, came over for a visit and we took a camping trip up to Durango, Colorado to ride the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad train to Silverton and Bar D Chuckwagon show & dinner and do some boating at Navajo Lake State Park.
Above, Jessica and I at the Bar D Chuckwagon dinner and show in Durango.
I then took another trip to Colorado to attend the John Wayne Cancer Foundation's half marathon near Ridgway, where scenes of True Grit (1969) were filmed. There, I met Patrick and Ethan Wayne, the two living sons of John Wayne.
Above, yours truly with Patrick Wayne near Ridgway, Colorado.
After that, I headed up to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park for a few days and took the Goulding's Lodge morning tour of Monument Valley. The route of the tour was different than the afternoon tour I took in 2016, which made the trip more enjoyable as I was able to see the park's features from different perspectives.
Above, yours truly at Artist's Point in Monument Valley.
In September, I made the first trip to L.A. since I moved to New Mexico for the Hawthorne High School 50ish Multi-Class Reunion in El Segundo. I had a nice time and during the trip I visited with Dawn Brown in the San Fernando Valley for a bit after arriving.
Above, at Pancho's with Mark Holloway, Mitch Geriminsky and Dwight Kuntz.
I was able to go to Manhattan Beach for dinner at Pancho's and King Harbor in Redondo Beach. It still looked the same and the food was good. Mark Holloway joined Mitch, Dwight and I there. Mark was another Hawthorne High classmate.
It was sad to see how deteriorated California had become under Democrat and Gov. Gavin Newsom's rule. I really couldn't wait to get back home to New Mexico. Gas prices were over $5.00/gallon. Some stations charged over $6.00/gallon. Pitiful.
At home, I attended all of the rodeos during the summer, including the Wild Thing Bullriding at Red Rock Park. They were all entertaining.
Above, Mitch and I at King Harbor in Redondo Beach. Photo by Dwight Kuntz.
The vehicles (Mustang, Jeep and Minnie Winnie) behaved themselves for most of the year with the only mechanical need was for fix the Mustang's starting issue earlier this month. It turned out that the problem was the distributor cable to the coil was badly corroded.
Above, with cousin Maria and her husband Fred at the El Rancho Hotel.
Other visitors this year included Larry Bach, Mitch Geriminsky and Dwight Kuntz and my cousin Maria and her husband Fred. It was especially nice to have family members over for the first time since I moved to New Mexico.
Hopefully, next year will be just as good or even better than this year.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Above, good thing I had some cash on me when I went to BJ's Kountry Store. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
The Internet was down for most of yesterday in Gallup area of McKinley County in New Mexico. I don't know what the problem was, but I first learned of it around noon while doing some grocery shopping at BJ's Kountry Store in Thoreau.
ATMs, card purchase machines and other things that rely on the Internet were not working. Luckily, I had some cash on me and bought what I needed to get by.
It briefly came back on last evening, but blinked out again. I went to bed early. I woke up to find it up and running and with over 120 emails waiting in my In Box. Most of them were junk emails.
Later today, I will be headed to Albuquerque to catch my early morning flight to Los Angeles on Friday for the 50ish Hawthorne High School Reunion. I will be meeting up with Mitch Geriminsky and Dwight Kuntz at the hotel near LAX. The reunion will be held in next-door El Segundo. This will be the first time I'll be stepping foot in L.A. since I moved to New Mexico four and a half years ago.
I spent yesterday, since there was no Internet to use, doing laundry and packing. It was just as well for it rained in the late afternoon and evening.
Above, (from left) yours truly, Dwight Kuntz and Mitch Geriminsky. Photo by Holly Geriminsky.
Following the Lost Dutchman Chapter's clampout in Quartzsite, Arizona, I headed north 73 miles to Lake Havasu City to visit Mitch Geriminsky and his wife Holly.
I got an early start and headed on the highway after filling The Beast's gas tank. The cheapest price for gasoline I saw in Arizona was $3.19/gallon.
The route took me along the Colorado River once I hit Parker, Arizona. There's plenty of boat marinas, some with RV parks and campgrounds. It is a nice scenic drive. Along the way, I stopped at Walmart in Parker to pick up a few provisions.
Above, The Beast at Crazy Horse Campgrounds. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Once I reached Lake Havasu City, I headed to my usual campground, Crazy Horse Campgrounds, that's on an island on Lake Havasu. To reach it, one has to drive across the London Bridge.
After checking in and setting up camp, I took a much-needed shower. After I was done, Mitch came by and picked me up and we headed out for some breakfast.
Above, the Crazy Horse Campgrounds beach at Lake Havasu. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
After breakfast, we went to his house and waiting there was an old junior high and high school friend, Dwight Kuntz, and his wife. I last saw Dwight in the 1980s at Dodger Stadium and prior to that, at the 10 year reunion of the Class of 1972 of Hawthorne High School. We had an enjoyable time visiting. Dwight also lives in Lake Havasu City.
Above, Mitch's Polaris Slingshot. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Later, I had to get my medications at the campground and take care of other things and Mitch drove me in his Slingshot. A Slingshot® is a three-wheeled motorcycle by Polaris. On the way back, we drove by his new home that he just bought. He will be moving to there next month. It was a fun ride.
Above, a view from the Slingshot's passenger seat. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
We returned to Mitch's house and had a very good dinner (taco salad).
On Monday morning, I got up early and headed back home in Jamestown, New Mexico. It was about a 350-mile drive, but I made it home around 2:000.
Above, Yoshikazu Ishii and the poster to his new movie,
Attack of the Giant Teacher. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
G-FEST XXVI is now in the history books. This was the first G-FEST I've attended since 2009. There's been a lot of changes and, generally, all for the better.
It is still a fan-run convention and very family-friendly, just bigger.
I managed to see a number of people who I haven't seen in years (some, for many years) and the reunions have been enjoyable as we'd catch up on life's twists and turns.
Friends include Steve Ryfle, Archie Waugh (who created the cover to The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan), Lenell Bridges, Jeff Horne, Stan Hyde, Jessica Tseang, Sonoe Nakajima, Gary Guinn, Carol McCants (who, as I found out, lives in New Mexico), the Martin Arlts, Dave Nunes, Roger Wyatt, Yoshikazu Ishii (I last saw him four years ago in Tokyo at the dinner party I held) and many others.
Some I met for the first time, even though some are friends on Facebook, including Tony Isabella and Tetsuya Takarada.
Some remembered me, but I am perplexed when I try to remember some names (that's always been a curse of mine). One fellow, Melvin and I had a long and enjoyable discussion about the Silver Age Legion of Super-Heroes. I think his last name is Moore. (If it isn't, sorry, Melvin!)
Robert Scott Field was unable to attend due to a schedule conflict and his presence was missed.
Some photos:
Above, Stan Hyde. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Above, Diane Dougherty of Clawmark Toys. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Above, Steve Ryfle and Jessica Tseang. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Above, "Prince Archie" Waugh. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Above, Lenell Bridges and Armand.
Above, Jessica Tseang and Armand. Photo by Steve Ryfle.
