Lindsey Graham's Terrible Anti-Privacy 'EARN IT' Act Is Back

Above, Lindsey Graham by Pulitzer Prize Winning Political Cartoonist Paul Szep. 

Once a RINO (Republican In Name Only), always a RINO.

That best describes Sen. Lindsey Graham, who has co-sponsored a re-introduced bill to allow the federal government to have access to your private messages.

The Gateway Pundit reported:

 The Electronic Frontier Foundation reported, via Citizen Free Press.

People don’t want outsiders reading their private messages —not their physical mail, not their texts, not their DMs, nothing. It’s a clear and obvious point, but one place it doesn’t seem to have reached is the U.S. Senate.

A group of lawmakers led by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) have re-introduced the EARN IT Act, an incredibly unpopular bill from 2020 that was dropped in the face of overwhelming opposition. Let’s be clear: the new EARN IT Act would pave the way for a massive new surveillance system, run by private companies, that would roll back some of the most important privacy and security features in technology used by people around the globe. It’s a framework for private actors to scan every message sent online and report violations to law enforcement. And it might not stop there. The EARN IT Act could ensure that anything hosted online—backups, websites, cloud photos, and more—is scanned.

What people write in their private messages is none of their damned business, but RINO Graham wants to make it their business.

To read more, go here.

Campground Rates Going Up In 2022

Above, The Beast at Route 66 RV Resort. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When everyone (well, almost everyone) got their "free money" from the federal government during the pandemic and when the Democrats and His Fraudulency Joe Biden passed massive spending bills last year, the resulting tab everyone has to pay has come at a high price: inflation.

Food and other necessities are costing us more along with luxuries, including vacations. According to RV Travel, the cost of campground rates will be going up in 2022. 

I noticed this already as Route 66 RV Resort near Albuqurque, New Mexico has increased their rates $5.00.

They posted:

If you’ve already started making your 2022 summer camping plans, this isn’t going to come as a surprise. The rates you’ll pay at many private campgrounds are going up.

While our current cycle of inflation holds much of the blame for higher campground pricing, it isn’t the whole story. Sure, the costs to campground owners for everything from electricity to garbage disposal to lumber are all up substantially. Campgrounds are just like the rest of the nation when it comes to the inflationary abyss. 

But another overriding factor is that bedrock of the capitalist system … supply and demand.

To read more, go here.

Carriers Killing Off Some Cell Service

Above, The Beast between Wolf Creek Pass and Pagosa Springs in Colorado. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If you happen to own an older model cell phone, it is probably a 3G model. 

It has been reliable for you at home or while on the road. But all that is going to change in the months ahead when cell carriers kill off many features as they switch to 5G.

RV Travel reported:

As the quest for faster and faster cellular-based services continues, some changes may affect you. The three major wireless carriers, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, are shutting down certain cell service features some have counted on for years. Are you—or someone you know—going to be affected?

Blame it on 5G

The switch to 5G networks is on the top of the list for carriers. To free up bandspace, older generation 3G is being turned off. For some, the 3G cellular shutdown may come as early as this month.

• AT&T is pulling the plug on its 3G network this month. 

• T-Mobile users will see an end to 3G cell service in phases. Equipment issued originally by Sprint will stop working March 31. T-Mobile originated 3G UMTS stuff will “stop talking” July 1. And T-Mobile supported Sprint LTE network equipment will croak on June 30. 

• Verizon says it’s 3G CDMA network will “decommission” no later than December 31, 2022. While the “Can you hear me now” folks have said they were going to pull the plug on their 3G network cell service on two earlier dates—then recanted—they say they’re sticking to this deadline.

To read more, go here. 

Democrats Pushing Gun Registry as Precursor to Gun Ban

Registration of firearms with the government will lead to gun confiscation. This has been the crux of the fight against gun control and confiscation. It is no conspiracy theory, it is fact.

John R. Lott Jr. at Real Clear Politics lays it all out in a new commentary posted yesterday.

Here's some snippets:

Federal law explicitly prohibits the creation of a federal firearm registry, but the Biden administration is making one anyway. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) has collected nearly one billion firearm purchase records. The government has now created a searchable digital database containing 866 million of these transactions, including some 54 million made in 2021 alone.

This massive data collection effort encompasses information on all guns sold by licensed gun dealers, and on all legal gun transfers in states with so-called universal background checks. So, federal officials will have the name of everyone who legally obtained a gun. Now, President Biden wants to make universal background checks nationwide so he can have an even more complete registration list.

According to a Rasmussen Reports survey, Democrats support the idea by a 2-1 ratio, while Republicans oppose it by a similar margin. Two-thirds of Republicans believe the policy will lead to gun confiscation, and even 40% of Democrats believe the same. Confiscating legally owned firearms, it seems, is not merely a right-wing conspiracy theory.

Conducting background checks to see if someone can legally buy a gun is different from the government keeping a searchable record of those who own guns. Indeed, federal law has always required that the National Instant Criminal Background Check System erase background check information within 24 hours of its completion.

Why do Democrats keep pushing a policy that costs so much and has no crime-reducing benefits? With so many Democrat voters supporting complete gun bans, many Republicans and Democrats believe that the registry is designed to pave the way for a ban on guns.

This one of many reasons that we must oust every Democrat as we can this election year.

To read the full article, go here.

When Your RV Microwave Oven Doesn't Work

Above, the microwave oven in The Beast. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the nicest things about today's recreational vehicles, they come with a microwave oven.

In years past, all we could rely upon for cooking meals were propane stoves and ovens as well as the charcoal barbecue.

Microwave ovens can be operated when the RV is plugged into the shore power at a full-hookup RV park or running the RV's generator while dry camping.

What if the microwave oven stops working?

Do It Yourself RV has some troubleshooting tips if this should happen.

They begin with:

Traveling with an RV is awesome because it allows you to cook wherever you go. The propane stove and oven are great, but let’s be honest, the most convenient kitchen appliance in an RV is definitely a microwave. Because of this, most campers notice pretty quickly when they have a problem with their RV microwave not working. 

If you’re currently dealing with an RV microwave not working, you might be wondering what your next steps should be. Fortunately, you can troubleshoot this issue pretty easily on your own, and you will likely be able to fix the problem without the help of a professional. 

Of course, you will need to know where to start. That’s why we’re here. In this article, we will discuss common problems people have with their microwaves along with what you should do in each case. 

To read the article, go here. 

NMSSA Legislative Update February 4, 2022

After going through two committee substitutions, 2022 HB9, the proposed firearm storage bill, passed the House Judiciary Committee today on a 7-5 vote. One Democrat joined the Republicans on the committee in opposition to the bill. In the bill's latest iteration, it has effectively become a proposed extension of New Mexico's child endangerment statutes - but one targeted solely at gun owners. As of the writing of this report, the version of the bill that passed the House Judiciary Committee has not been made available on the legislature's website, but it is supposed to be posted this weekend. The next scheduled stop for the bill is the House Appropriations and Finance Committee, the contact info for the committee members is at the bottom of this email. If New Mexico's Child Endangerment Statutes need to be amended, the changes should be made with regard to all the dangers a child faces, not just targeted at gun owners. Ignoring the causes of most accidental child deaths to focus only on firearm related ones is an attempt to stigmatize guns and make someone afraid to own one. There is nothing in the bill about education or training to prevent an incident from happening, it only brings charges after an incident has occurred. We commend Representative Nibert from Roswell for his defense of our rights during the committee debate on the bill. He correctly observed that just because federal law prohibits a minor from purchasing a firearm and owning a handgun, it does not prohibit a minor from owning a long gun. Likewise New Mexico law only prohibits a minor from owning a handgun, the statute also does not mention long guns. Even several of the committee members who voted to pass the bill noted this could be a problem for the bill going forward. If you are a gun owner with children in your home, we encourage you seek out education and training specific to your needs. The NRA Eddie Eagle Program has resources for both parents and children. If you do not own a gun lock, but would like one, NSSF Project ChildSafe gives them out for free through partnerships with police departments in many communities. Their website has a list of New Mexico partners. House Appropriations and Finance Committee - this is the next stop for HB9, we are OPPOSED to the bill. Patricia A. Lundstrom - (D) (505) 986-4316 patricia.lundstrom@nmlegis.gov Nathan P. Small - (D) - (505) 986-4319 nathan.small@nmlegis.gov Anthony Allison - (D) (505) 986-4436 anthony.allison@nmlegis.gov Phelps Anderson - (DTS) (505) 986-4709 phelps.anderson@nmlegis.gov Gail Armstrong - (R) (505) 986-4227 gail@gailfornewmexico.com Cathrynn N. Brown - (R) (505) 986-4227 c.brown.nm55@gmail.com Ambrose Castellano - (D) (505) 986-4236 ambrose.castellano@nmlegis.gov Jack Chatfield - (R) (505) 986-4467 jack.chatfield@nmlegis.gov Randal S. Crowder - (R) (505) 986-4215 randal.crowder@nmlegis.gov Meredith A. Dixon - (D) (505) 986-4210 meredith.dixon@nmlegis.gov Candy Spence Ezzell - (R) (505) 986-4454 csecows@aol.com Harry Garcia - (D) (505) 986-4233 hgarciad69@gmail.com Dayan Hochman-Vigil - (D) (505) 986-4432 dayan.hochman-vigil@nmlegis.gov T. Ryan Lane - (R) (505) 986-4221 RYAN@LANEFORLIBERTY.COM Raymundo Lara - (D) (505) 986-4233 raymundo.lara@nmlegis.gov Debra M. Sariñana - (D) (505) 986-4436 debbie.sarinana@nmlegis.gov Candie G. Sweetser - (D) (505) 986-4255 candie.sweetser@nmlegis.gov Christine Trujillo - (D) (505) 986-4435 christine.trujillo@nmlegis.gov

Is Your RV Stove Harming You and The Environment?

Above, the galley area of my motorhome. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

First, they were going after cows for methane emissions. Now they're going after your RV stove.

Some wacko at Popular Science wrote an article saying that your RV's stove is harming the environment by emitting methane. 

According to an article in RV Travel:

“Your gas stove could be hurting everyone around you,” shouts the headline from a recent issue of Popular Science. The subtitle, “A new report has found that stoves are constantly emitting fumes—warming the planet and endangering your health.” Is your RV stove a guilty party?

The Popular Science article trots out information from a recent report from Stanford University. The research says kitchen stoves are “constantly emitting methane” that has “a climate impact comparable to adding a half a million gas-powered cars to the roads.” It doesn’t matter, say researchers, whether the stove is actively cooking something, or not. “We found that over three-quarters of the methane emissions from stoves are emitted while the stove is off,” said Eric Lebel, the lead author of the study. “So these little tiny leaks from the stoves, they really do add up.”

Is your RV stove, while looking shiny and innocent, really adding to global warming? In a word, “No.” While there are concerns that RVers need to address in terms of safety, your RV kitchen appliance is not contributing in any great way to global warming. Does this fly in the face of the Stanford study?

To read the full article, go here. 

'Astonishing Bit of Fake News' Exposed In Canada

 If you thought our woke fake news media was bad, check out this story coming from our neighbor to the north. Even the prime minister fell for it.

RV Overnighting For Free At This Major U.S. Restaurant Chain

Above, hot-air balloon from an Albuquerque Cracker Barrel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the years, I have stayed overnight at a rest stop and have boondocked at an Indian casino. But I have not as yet stayed overnight at a restaurant's RV parking area.

Travel + Leisure has posted an article on overnight parking (for free) at a U.S. restaurant chain.

They start it with:

Freedom to go where you want, when you want, is what makes RV travel so appealing. You can head south when snow is in the forecast, or stay a couple of extra days when you stumble upon somewhere amazing.

But with all that freedom comes unpredictability, and sometimes, you may find yourself cruising down the highway at dusk wondering where you're going to park for the night. Enter: Cracker Barrel, an unlikely, but welcoming host to weary travelers in need of a place to park for the night (and a hearty breakfast to get them back on the road in the morning).

To read more, go here. 

A Little Warmer Today

Above, the front driveway with animal tracks. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday was bitter cold out, but at least Whispering Cedars Road was apparently plowed and clear of snow and ice enough for me to go to the post office at the Flying J.

I did do some snow shoveling and the thin layer of ice on the walkways melted to clear them.

The Associated Press reported:

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A major storm was leaving New Mexico on Thursday but leaving bitterly cold temperatures and roads slick from ice and packed with snow, prompting closures of schools in several cities and nonessential government services in Albuquerque.

The National Weather Service office in Albuquerque canceled winter storm warnings as conditions improved but urged drivers to be cautious as subfreezing temperatures across most of the state made travel hazardous.

State police said the weather and road conditions appeared to be contributing factors in a deadly pileup along Interstate 40 near Santa Rosa on Wednesday that involved 13 semi trucks and three passenger vehicles. One woman was killed and five other people were taken to a hospital with unknown injuries.

It seems that most accidents on Interstate 40 involves a semi truck. I am not surprised, considering the way I see semi truck drivers speed on the highway.

At least today will be warmer than yesterday. The forecast high today is 34°.

To read more, go here.

After Today's Shoveling

Finally, with some sunlight and a nice tropical 9° outside, I went out to shovel the walkways and the driveway immediately in front of the garage.

The snow wasn't that deep, maybe about 2" in some areas, but since it is so cold out, much of it turned icy. That made shoveling harder to do. But it is still better to something than to do nothing. The walkways and driveway still has a layer of ice. I have to be careful to not slip on it.

The forecast has today's high at about 27°. Still below freezing. 

One nice thing, a few months ago I received some gloves made of some synthetic material from some charity group. Those actually kept my fingers warmer than the leather gloves I normally use.

It's funny, there's not a cloud in the sky, but it is still cold out. It would be a nice day if it were warmer.

Some photos I took while outside:

Bone-Chillin' Cold!

Above, yesterday's snow. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The snow is over. But the temperatures in Jamestown, New Mexico will be very cold.

Right now, it is 0° outside, according to the National Weather Service. From what I could see, the snow is staying. It will likely not melt today since the high is expected to go to 27°.

We got about 2-3" of snow yesterday. So that will last a while.

I will probably stay indoors today, like I did yesterday. The roads will likely be icy.

The forecast:

Overnight

Partly cloudy, with a low around 4. West wind around 5 mph.

Thursday

Sunny, with a high near 27. Wind chill values as low as -4. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the morning.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 3. Wind chill values as low as -4. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

I-10 Morongo Travel Center Opens In Cabazon

Above, the new Morongo travel center joins the Cabazon dinosaurs off Interstate 10. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whenever I think of Cabazon, California off Interstate 10, I think first of the two dinosaurs that were built in the 1960s and Hadley Fruit Orchards (and their date shakes).

Now, the Morongo tribe has opened a new travel center in Cabazon.

MSN posted:

CABAZON, CA — The Morongo Band of Mission Indians has opened its Interstate 10 Morongo Travel Center in Cabazon that includes a 32-pump gas station, dog park, car wash, slot machines, a convenience store and other offerings.

Located behind Morongo’s existing gas station at Morongo Trail and Thunder Road, the new 6.7-acre Travel Center also has a bank of electric vehicle charging stations, eight Tesla superchargers, RV dumping, propane fills, six high-speed diesel truck pumps and diesel exhaust fluid.

To read more, go here. 

What To Know Before Taking A Cross-Country Train Ride

Above, inside an Amtrak Southwest Chief train car. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I've been on many trains over the years. I have ridden on bullet trains, steam locomotives, subways, Japanese commuter trains and Amtrak.

Travel + Leisure has an article on what to know before going on a cross-country train trip with Amtrak. I took the Amtrak Southwest Chief train from Gallup, New Mexico to Riverside, California two years ago. That was the first time I rode on an Amtrak train. It was enjoyable and relaxing.

Above, the Amtrak Southwest Chief arriving at Gallup Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Travel + Leisure article begins with:

If you're an avid traveler, you've probably read stories about people taking trains across the United States, passing some of the nation's famous cities and national parks along the way. Maybe you've even thought about embarking on the same journey to take in America's great landscapes from the car of an Amtrak train.

Although planes are speedier and cars offer independence, there's something special about a slow-paced train ride that you just can't find on other types of transportation. A cross-country Amtrak train ride is a leisurely, scenic way to explore the United States, but before you embark on your multiday adventure, there are a few things you should know.

From picking the best seats to packing everything you'll need, there's a lot to consider before booking your trip. We asked the experts at Amtrak for their best tips for cross-country train rides — here's what you should keep in mind.

To read more, go here. 

What's New In Montana and Yellowstone In 2022

Above, Lower Yellowstone Falls. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Thinking about going to Montana and Yellowstone National Park this year? Well, you're in luck!

A webinar is being held by Zephyr United Travel Collection's president and owner Allan Wright on traveling there.

According to their website:

Montana is an extraordinary state full of breathtaking views, majestic mountains, cascading rivers, impressive wildlife — and on top of all that, two awe-inspiring National Parks. Last year, Montana was the number #1 travel destination in the United States.  

Join Travel Montana's webinar to learn why and how you can sell travel to Montana and Yellowstone National Park. 

Thursday, February 10, 2022

10:00 AM PT / 11:00 AM MT / 12:00 PM CT / 1:00 PM ET 

Webinar highlights:

• What's new in 2022 for travel to Montana and Yellowstone 

• How to plan a Montana vacation 

• How to plan a Yellowstone vacation 

• How you can maximize your revenue planning Montana vacations 

• Travel agents' perspective: why work with Travel Montana (interview with Allie Willits of Off To Neverland Travel and Rita Allen of World Wide Travel)

 For more information and to register for the Webinar, go here.

Covid Robbed Kyoto of Foreign Tourists

Above, our 2015 Kyoto tour group at Kiyomizu-dera. 

Back before the pandemic struck, people of Kyoto, Japan were complaining about the hordes of foreign visitors clogging up the streets and temples, many of them ill-mannered. It was called overtourism.

Today, many vendors in Kyoto are missing those hordes from different countries, especially their spending money.

The Guardian has posted an article on how some in Kyoto are missing the free-spending foreigners, while others are enjoying the more quieter times of today.

They begin with:

Until a couple of years ago, negotiating the hill leading to one of Kyoto’s most popular temples would have tested the patience of a Buddhist saint. The arrival of yet another coachload of sightseers would send pedestrians fleeing to narrow paths already clogged with meandering visitors on their way to Kiyomizu-dera.

That was before Covid-19. Today, the cacophony of English and Chinese, and a smattering of other European and Asian languages, has been replaced by the chatter of Japanese children on school excursions. Shops selling souvenirs and wagashi sweets are almost empty, their unoccupied staff perhaps reminiscing about more lucrative times.

Two years into the pandemic, some of the ancient capital’s residents admit that they have learned to embrace life without foreign visitors, who were once welcomed for the money they ploughed into the local economy and resented for their cultural faux pas and, in some cases, staggering bad manners.

Above, Kyoto before the pandemic. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

A Light Dusting (So Far)

Now that it's daylight out, I took a look outside and found that we've only a light dusting of snow.

So far.

It'll probably get a little bit heavier during the later part of the morning (about a 30% chance).  

It is about 30° outside.

Here's what we got:

ATF Reveals It Has a National Gun Registry Already in Place

The Firearm Owners' Protection Act of 1986 (FOPA):

As such, FOPA makes it illegal for the national government or any state in the country to keep any database or registry that ties firearms directly to their owner.

 

Having a national gun registry is forbidden by acts of congress.

However, the Biden regime has created one anyway at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This is the first step towards gun confiscation.

According to the New American:

When the Washington Free Beacon obtained documents last November revealing that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) had more than 54 million records of Americans who purchased firearms from local gun dealers, Representative Michael Cloud (R-Texas) and 51 other members of Congress demanded answers. In November he expressed his “concern”:

We are concerned that this Administration is leveraging its power in a way to establish a federal gun registry….

Congress has made it clear … that the federal government shall not create a federal gun registry and has prohibited ATF from creating any centralized databases.

The controversy gets even more concerning.

[ATF Assistant Director Daniel] Board then tried to explain that the ATF’s purposes in keeping such an immense database were benign:

The OBR [database does] not capture and store certain key information, such as firearms purchaser information in an automated file….

The ATF National Tracing Center … only traces crime guns … ATF is confident that it does not violate any laws.

Cloud didn’t buy it, telling the Free Beacon:

A federal firearm registry is explicitly banned by law. Yet, the Biden administration is again circumventing Congress and enabling the notably corrupt ATF to manage a database of nearly a billion gun transfer records.

Under the president’s watch, the ATF has increased surveillance of American gun owners at an abhorrent level. The Biden administration continues to empower criminals and foreign nationals while threatening the rights of law-abiding Americans.

To read more, go here. 

Travel Crimps From Coronavirus and Ukraine

Above, at the Santa Monica Promenade in January 2018.

With our government (i.e., His Fraudulency Joe Biden) and the Russian Federation government (i.e., Vladimir Putin) not playing nice these days over Ukraine, travel to and from Russia is dicey at best.

Asya and I have been discussing having her come for a visit here in New Mexico but the situation makes travel from Russia to here difficult, but not impossible. We last met up a few days before I moved to New Mexico. But we do stay in regular contact.

Last year, the Russian government ordered that U.S. embassies and consulates cut staff, which is causing tourist visa applications for Russians to grind to a total halt. That, plus coronavirus vaccination requirements (vaccines must be ones approved by the U.S. government) makes travel planning difficult. The Russian vaccine, Sputnik V, is not recognized in the U.S. It is still being processed by the World Health Organization.

The subject of the visas came up yesterday during a text exchange. I had forgotten about this. However, I found there are ways around it.

In other words, if Asya goes to a European country with a U.S. Embassy or consulate, she can get a visa there, but she has to apply in person. Also, she can get a vaccine (U.S. recognized) there as well. She has been able to travel to Italy and Cyprus during the past year, so it is possible to get both accomplished.

My friend Mitch suggested last year to go to St. Petersburg, Russia. But that is difficult (still not impossible) during ordinary times, but the tensions led to the following State Department advisory:

So, it is a "rock and a hard place" situation. At least for now, until the parties start playing nice again with each other.

Winter Weather Advisory Now In Effect

Above, snow around the GOCO Beast Barn in February 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The expected snowstorm that was supposed to arrive overnight in New Mexico has been delayed to about 8:00 this morning.

However, a Winter Weather Advisory has been called.

 

Winter Weather Advisory

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Albuquerque NM
351 AM MST Wed Feb 2 2022

NMZ206-220-021900-
/O.CON.KABQ.WW.Y.0004.220202T1200Z-220203T1900Z/
West Central Mountains-Lower Rio Grande Valley-
351 AM MST Wed Feb 2 2022

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON MST
THURSDAY...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 2 and 4
  inches.

* WHERE...Lower Rio Grande Valley and West Central Mountains.

* WHEN...Until Noon MST Thursday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Tire traction will be
  reduced. Extend the distance between your vehicle and the vehicle
  in front of you. This includes portions of I-40.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling. For the latest road
conditions, dial 511 or 1.800.432.4269, or visit http://nmroads.com.

NMSSA Legislative Update February 1, 2022

 

New Mexico gun owners came out in numbers against HB156, the proposed ban on firearm magazines that hold more than 15 rounds, tonight in the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee. A poll conducted by the committee found that 93% of the audience watching the meeting opposed the measure. Great public comment was offered by those opposed even though many of those who wanted to speak against the bill were unable to do so due to the time cap put in place by the committee chair. The committee voted 5-0 to table the measure. We will closely watch to see if they attempt to bring the bill back, but it is unlikely at this point. Thank you to everyone who spoke out against the bill. After being held back from its initial hearing date in the House Judiciary Committee, HB9, the mandatory storage and firearm owner liability bill, is scheduled to be heard tomorrow, February 2nd, in the House Judiciary Committee. Here is the link to testify before the committee meeting which is scheduled to start at 1:30pm; and below is the contact information for the committee members. NMSSA is OPPOSED to the bill. A new bill we are watching was introduced by Senator Pirtle of Roswell. SB188, Hunter Safety Training for Film Employees, would require filmmaking employees to undergo a firearms training class if they have firearms or ammunition on set in order to be eligible for New Mexico film tax credits. At this time, we are waiting to see if the bill is found to be germane to the session. House Judiciary Committee Members Representative Gail Chasey - (D) (505) 986-4411 gail@gailchasey.com Representative Micaela Lara Cadena - (D) (505) 986-4210 micaela.cadena@nmlegis.gov Representative Eliseo Lee Alcon - (D) (505) 986-4416 eliseo.alcon@nmlegis.gov Representative Christine Chandler - (D) (505) 986-4420 christine.chandler@nmlegis.gov Representative Zachary J. Cook - (R) (505) 986-4221 zachary.cook@nmlegis.gov Representative Brian Egolf - (D) (505) 986-4782 brian.egolf@nmlegis.gov Representative Daymon Ely - (D) (505) 986-4243 daymon.ely@nmlegis.gov Representative Georgene Louis - (D) (505) 986-4329 georgene.louis@nmlegis.gov Representative Matthew McQueen - (D) (505) 986-4423 matthew.mcqueen@nmlegis.gov Representative Greg Nibert - (R) (505) 986-4211 greg.nibert@nmlegis.gov Representative William "Bill" R. Rehm - (R) (505) 986-4214 bill.rehm@nmlegis.gov Representative James G. Townsend - (R) (505) 986-4758 townsend@pvtn.net

Sen. Ben Ray Lujan Suffers Stroke

Above, Sen. Ben Ray Lujan. Official portrait.

Karma being what it is, I am not one who would wish ill on anyone, not even a member of the opposite party.

The Associated Press reported:

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic Sen. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico suffers stroke, expected to make 'full recovery,' office says.

According to CBS News:

Senator Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico is recovering in a hospital after experiencing a stroke, according to his office. 

Luján, 49, underwent decompressive surgery to ease swelling after he was found to have suffered a stroke in his cerebellum that affected his balance, his chief of staff Carlos Sanchez said. Luján had checked himself into Christus St. Vincent Regional Hospital in Santa Fe after he felt dizzy and fatigued Thursday morning, and then was transferred to UNM Hospital in Albuquerque for further evaluation. 

At 49, that seems awfully young to have a stroke. Perhaps some lifestyle and diet changes are in order.

Best wishes to Sen. Lujan for a speedy recovery.

To read more, go here.

Four Years Ago

Above, The Beast at the Seligman, Arizona KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today marks four years since I ended my residency in California.

I spent the night before in Victorville since I got a late start in getting on the road as the Mustang was getting the clutch replaced. Ben Hur Moving & Storage were done before the Mustang was.

Above, the day after arriving in Jamestown. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Four years ago today, I drove into Arizona and made it as far as Seligman when fatigue set in from the move. I stayed the night at the Seligman KOA Kampground. It was a nice place for an overnight stay. 

I got a good night's rest at the KOA and headed off the next morning refreshed. I made it to Jamestown, New Mexico in the afternoon. Since my belongings were still in California with the movers, I lived in the motorhome for 12 days until my belongings were delivered. It was a good thing I had it.

Above, after the Mustang was delivered. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Mustang was delivered about five days after my arrival. Having it made things easier, like going shopping in Gallup.

During the time my cat Sierra and I were living in the motorhome, we had some snow storms come through. But we were comfortable and had the RV electric power cord plugged in the garage. 

Above, a snowstorm hit on February 10, the night before the movers arrived. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It had snowed the morning of when the movers delivered my belongings. But that didn't cause any problems. 

Above, the movers arrived on February 11. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The move was definitely an interesting adventure. It is hard to believe it has been four years. My friend Larry says that I am now an old-timer here.

Above, in the RV, Sierra was wondering what that white stuff was. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Do I regret moving out of California? Not one bit!

Problems, Problems

After about 45-50 minutes of a lack of Wi-fi signals to my computer and phone, the Internet came back on. 

It came on and immediately received the below alert:

My Message app came on with word from one of our Jamestown coffee group saying he is going under the knife this morning (about 20 min. from now). Some cancer has been found in his bladder. Our thoughts and prayers are going out to him. I'd rather deal with Internet problems than with that.

70% Snow Tomorrow

Above, the ol' homestead two years ago. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday, I posted about the Special Weather Statement about the incoming storm that's expected late tonight (officially, Wednesday morning) in the Jamestown, New Mexico area. 

I just checked the National Weather Service forecast for the area and we have a 70% chance of snow tomorrow. It doesn't look like we'll get as much as we did on New Year's Day (7 inches). We'll see.

They posted:

Today

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. West wind 5 to 15 mph.

Tonight

A 40 percent chance of snow. Cloudy, with a low around 26. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Wednesday

Snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 32. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Wednesday Night

A 30 percent chance of snow, mainly before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 5. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

"Bitterly Cold" Storm

Above, aftermath of a storm two years ago. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

New Mexico and, in this case, Albuquerque is bracing for a "bitterly cold" storm that's going to hit tomorrow (actually late tonight). That's provided the forecasts are correct. 

Will it dump as much snow, or more, than the storm of New Year's Day? 

According to the Albuquerque Journal:

Bundle up, Albuquerque: We’re about to weather the coldest temperatures and the most snow we’ve seen all season.

Monday’s above-average temperatures will give way to conditions 20-25 degrees below normal and some “bitterly cold wind chills” by the end of the week, National Weather Service meteorologist Brian Guyer said.

“It looks like winter weather is going to make an impact on the area as we get into Wednesday and Thursday,” Guyer said, adding that it is the result of a low-pressure system pulling cold air southward from Canada.

Snow could begin falling Wednesday morning and continue through the night, forecasts show. The West Side and Rio Rancho may see 3-5 inches, Guyer said, while other parts of the metro get less due to the Albuquerque snow-hole effect.

Well, we could still use the moisture.

To read the full article, go here. 

2022 The Year To Try RVing

Above, The Beast at the Ely, Nevada KOA Kampground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We're now in the third year of the pandemic and people have long gotten tired of being cooped up and want to get out and enjoy life...while it lasts. (A little nod to Bela Lugosi.)

Since air travel and cruises can and do expose people to the coronavirus, RVs are the best option for people to travel safer.

The Weekly Journal posted an article on 2022 being the year to try RVing. They give several reasons why.

They start it with:

(RVshare) — In 2021, more people than ever were hitting the road in motorhomes and travel trailers, and we loved every minute of it. After all, what could be bad about more people getting out there and exploring this beautiful country?

Some might think we would be sad to see such a great year of RVing go, and in some ways we are. However, we don’t think the end of 2021 means the end of this explosion of RVing at all. In fact, we believe we are going to see even more people hitting the road in 2022, and we can’t wait to see that play out.

Why do we think this? Well, because there are tons of reasons to travel in an RV right now. Below are the top reasons we believe 2022 will be the year to give RVing a go.

To read more, go here. 

Dollar Around ¥115.40 In Tokyo

We're now in a new month.

Japan is still closed off to foreign tourism. When it will reopen is anyone's guess but there are rumblings in the Japanese hinterlands and pressure is starting to mount on the government to reopen the country.

In the meantime, let's take a look at the dollar and yen exchange rate in Tokyo trading.

According to Jiji Press:

Tokyo, Jan. 31 (Jiji Press)--The dollar moved around 115.40 in Tokyo trading Monday, after dropping as low as around 115.20 yen in overseas trading late last week due to a fall in U.S. Treasury yields.

 At 5 p.m., the dollar stood at 115.42-42 yen, down from 115.65-65 yen at the same time Friday.

To read more, go here.