Democrats And Bombs

Above, Batman trying to dispose of a bomb. But since there's no Batman, there's one thing we all can do.

Rush Limbaugh:

But clearly America has become a very dangerous place for Democrats. What can we do to protect our Democrats? What can we do to help ensure the safety of our Democrat friends? It seems to me the best way to ensure their safety is to get them removed as often as possible from public life. And the most available way to offer this assistance, the most immediate opportunity we have to offer this assistance will occur in just under two weeks, the midterm elections.

Yes, help protect our Democrats! Vote them out of office! 

(To be honest, this bomb business smells fake. There's something very fishy about it.)

"Elvis" 1968 Comeback Special Box Set

In many respects, it hardly seems possible that the turbulent year of 1968 was fifty years ago. I remember much of it well. The year was marked by the Tet Offensive, the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy and the violent Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

The year did manage to end on two high notes: the moon orbit of Apollo 8 in December and, also in the same month, the NBC Special, Elvis.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Elvis (now known as the "Comeback Special") a box set is set for release next month.

According to Rolling Stone:

For much of the Sixties, Elvis Presley’s most visible presence was on the big screen, in a seemingly endless series of films that ranged from fun (Viva Las Vegas) to forgettable (Easy Come, Easy Go). For that reason alone, the King’s December 3rd, 1968, “comeback” special for NBC was a welcome return to form. Yet, entirely on its own it remains simply one of Presley’s finest moments as an electrifying entertainer, and a landmark event that revolutionized the presentation of live music via television. 

On November 30th, a comprehensive, deluxe box set featuring a dizzying array of audio and video components will celebrate the special’s 50th anniversary. The five-CD and two-Blu-ray disc set will mark the first time ever that all previously-released audio and newly-restored video from the taping of the special will be available in one package. Spotlighting unused performances and studio outtakes of Presley in his element, the collection also features an entire disc of the legendary sessions for the NBC special, which Presley recorded with the studio musicians collectively known as the Wrecking Crew.

The box set comes with a price: $149.98 at Amazon.

To read more, go here.

Kamala Harris Says We Should Be "Welcoming" To Migrant Invader Caravans

The Looney Left Report

California Senator Kamala Harris never passes up opportunities to put her foot into her mouth. (Or maybe I should say "both feet").

She's done it again!

Breitbart reported:

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) — who is eyeing a 2020 presidential bid against President Trump — says the United States should be “welcoming” migrant caravans that arrive at the nation’s southern border. 

While campaigning for Democrats in Iowa, Harris told a CNN reporter that the U.S. response to the 7,000-strong migrant caravan of job-seekers and previously deported illegal aliens should be “welcoming” and “tolerant.” 

“We are a country that … our strength has always been that we are a tolerant country, that we are welcoming, in particular, those who have fled harm,” Harris said of the caravan. “And the idea that we’re vilifying any one group and the fear-mongering, that’s not in the best interest of our country.”

Incredible!

To read more, go here. 

I-40 New Mexico Exit 39 Roadwork

Above, the approach to the bridge that's been reduced to one lane and temporary signal. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A major bone of contention for the community of Jamestown is the current road and bridge work at Exit 39 on Interstate 40. It has fermented a "road rage" of a different kind.

This week, temporary traffic signals have been placed at the on-ramps and off-ramps and the bridge going across the highway has been reduced to one lane.

The wait time for getting across the bridge has been nearly five minutes. That is a big irritant to the locals.

Above, the refinery and Flying J across Interstate 40. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When this project was first contemplated, no public hearings took place (I've been told) for residents can voice their opinions. I find this to be very odd.

Another source of irritation is that the bridge it so be repaired, not replaced. This is even more irritating as the next exits, westbound (Iyanbito) and eastbound (Coolidge), got new bridges. Those exits have nowhere near the traffic that ours has.

Since work on the bridge and highway began, the potholes in the road on the approaches to the bridge on both sides have gotten worse.

So, I guess we're going to just tough this out.

National Geographic National Parks Road Trip In Utah

Above, a natural arch at Bryce Canyon National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Utah is one state that has several national parks (five of them) within its boundaries and to see them all is to take a multi-day road trip.

National Geographic has an article on such a road trip as they visit each national park in Utah.

They begin it with:

This multiday adventure on remote byways is a journey through the slickrock heart of the American West, linking Utah’s "Mighty Five" national parks—Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands—with the diverse state parks and nameless vistas of Southern Utah. Each park showcases the iconic landscape of the Colorado Plateau, much of it an ancient Sahara now turned to stone. The surreal tableau of arches, alcoves, hoodoos, and epic canyons is so otherworldly, you may wonder what planet you’re on.

To read more (and see photos of each), go here. 

Kyoto: Next Victim of Overtourism?

Above, the three-story pagoda of Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The news about visitors with bad manners or behavior in Kyoto and other places in Japan is beginning to circulate the media around the world.

The latest is from the United Kingdom's The Independent.

They wrote:

Kyoto, Japan’s crown jewel of tourism, could be the next destination to become a victim of its own success. 

Residents and business owners in the city’s Gion-Shinbashi district have joined together to form a “scenery preservation” committee to combat issues brought on by overtourism, including “half-naked hikers, trespassing travellers and prolonged photo shoots”, according to Japanese newspaper The Asahi Shimbun. 

The group has signed a memorandum demanding better behaviour from tourists. “If no countermeasures are taken, the elegant view of Gion will be spoiled,” said Kanji Tomita, vice representative of the group. 

Their campaign specifically targets enthusiastic selfie-takers, suggesting they spend less time posing, and people who strip off in public.

People have to realize that any time they are visiting a foreign country, they are guests and should be on their best behavior.

To read more, go here. 

RVs and Winter

Above, The Beast in the GOCO Beast Barn. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since my Mustang is in the body shop for the foreseeable time being, I've been using The Beast as my second or spare vehicle.

Whenever it gets down to around 34° or below, I flip on the holding tank heaters and run a ceramic space heater inside the coach.

Once the car is done, the RV will be moved into the GOCO Beast Barn (for those who are wondering, GOCO means Garage of Comparative Ovations). I will run a power line from the house garage to the GOCO Beast Barn so, if necessary, I can run the heaters.

But there are other things people do to prepare their RVs for winter. It is in an article from Do It Yourself RV.

They begin with:

For most RVers, this is the time of year to lay up the rig for the winter season. 

In some areas “winter” means severe weather and below-zero temperatures, while in others it may be just the occasional hard freeze at night. 

In either case, there are a number of chores to attend to so as to protect our RVs while not in regular use. For most folks that means more than the traditional RV winterizing of the water lines.

To read more, go here. 

Ginza After Dark

Above, Ginza Crossing at night. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Ginza shopping district in Tokyo has always been alluring. Godzilla, in 1954, took a stroll though Ginza one night. Instead of enjoying the district's nightlife, the beast decided to trash it.

However, Ginza is a place for some nightlife for visitors and Time Out Tokyo has an article on the best things to do there after dark.

They begin with:

With its procession of fancy designer stores and luxury kimono dealers, Ginza has always upheld its reputation as the ritzy shopping district of Tokyo. But look beyond the gilded shops and you’ll also find some of the city’s best restaurants and cocktail bars (though many of them feature prices as high as the neighbourhood’s skyscrapers). While most people visit the area during the day, there’s certainly a lot you can do in Ginza at night, when the shops have closed and the tour bus crowds have left. 

To read more, go here. 

Some Barking Spiders

Above, the sign. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Putting up the "Barking Spider Road" sign yesterday was an exercise in some fun humor. But I was not the first to come up with it and it was inspired by the first example below.

In Agua Dulce, California (or Acton, California, depending on the source), there is a Barking Spider Road on the books.

And, there are some businesses who have taken on the Barking Spider moniker.

In Cleveland, Ohio, there was once a Barking Spider Tavern. Unfortunately, it is no longer in business.

From Clevescene.com:

For 30 years, the Barking Spider Tavern drew scores of music lovers to a charming carriage house on the campus of Case Western Reserve University. Opened in 1986 by the late Martin Juredine and Bruce Medorsky, the legendary watering hole closed for good in September of 2016. 

In Williams Lake, British Columbia, there is a bike shop called the Barking Spider Mountain Bike store.

There's another bar called the Barking Spider. This one is in North Creek, New York. See http://adirondackbars.com/.

And, there's a Barking Spider Pub and Grub in South Africa on the coast in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape.

Quikrete 60# Concrete

Above, this evening. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While outside this evening to feed the local stray cats, I decided to check on how well the concrete that anchors the signpost had set.

I am happy to report that the concrete set very well and the signpost is very strongly held in. One can't even budge it. The signpost just bends a little and that's it. The concrete will only get stronger as time goes on.

What I used is 60# Quikrete Concrete Mix ($3.70 a bag at Home Depot) that all one needs to do is simply add water. It sets very fast, about 20 to 30 minutes. It is ideal for pouring concrete slabs and setting posts.

It worked great. Recommended.

20 Interesting Things About New Mexico

Above, Zuni-Ohaha Indian dancing. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Quora sent me a link to a Q & A on the state of New Mexico which I found interesting.

It is "20 Interesting Things About New Mexico" by Rick Cormier, author of "American Baapu: India Through My Eyes".

Here's the first five:

1.) Santa Fe has more artists per capita than any other American city. 

2.) New Mexico is the state with the most PhD.s per capita. Los Alamos, NM has more PhDs than any American city. Santa Fe, NM ranks #2. 

3.) New Mexico is the 5th largest state in the U.S., but only has about 2 million people. This works out to 17 people per square mile. At first, this reminded me of Maine... big state with only 1.3 million people... until I did some research and discovered that Maine has 43 people per square mile! ...Big difference! 

4.) More than 1/4 of the total population of New Mexico lives in Albuquerque. 

5.) New Mexico was NOT named after Mexico. Spaniards named New Mexico after the Mexica (Aztec) Empire in 1563 because they hoped the Indians there would have the same riches as the Aztecs did. At the time, Mexico was called "New Spain." In 1821 (two and a half centuries later) it was named Mexico.

To see the remaining 15, go here. 

Too Bad Roswell Is 300 Miles Away

Above, you know you're in Roswell when you see this sign. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I received the following email message from the gubernatorial campaign of Steve Pearce:

Armand, 

Big news: Vice President Mike Pence is coming to New Mexico to support our campaign - and you're invited! 

VP Pence will be in Roswell THIS Friday for a FREE get out the vote event at the Stewart Industries Hanger at the Roswell Airport. Doors open at 1 PM and the event kicks off at 3 PM.

Too bad Roswell is 300 miles away. I doubt aliens, illegal or otherwise, will be attending. 

Fall Colors Have Started

While relaxing on the deck after putting up the sign, I noticed that some of the trees on the property are changing into autumn color mode.

So I went inside and grabbed the camera.

Some of the pictures I took:

Above the oak trees have turned. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the crabapple tree in front of the house. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the driveway and house. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the oaks from inside the front yard. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Barking Spider Road

Above, the sign and signpost. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Under sunny, but cloudy skies, I put up the "Barking Spider Road" sign at the other acre. We're supposed to have thunderstorms come through later. We had them last night all around us, but we didn't get a single drop of rain.

It wasn't as difficult a task as I originally thought. I dug the hole a little deeper and poured in the quick-setting concrete into the hole, mixed it and put the signpost in.

Above, the sign and the GOCO Beast Barn. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In no time (it takes about 20-30 minutes for the concrete to set) the signpost was firmly in the ground. I bought an 60# bag of cement. It was more than enough.

Above, proudly standing. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It will be interesting to see the reactions of people driving by.

1988 Dodgers World Series Beer Stein

The Los Angeles Dodgers are the National League Champions and they defeated the Milwaukee Brewers, so they are now going to the World Series. Game 1 is tomorrow evening.

30 years ago, the Dodgers were also in the World Series. They were against the American League Champions, the Oakland Athletics.

It just so happens that I have a commemorative beer stein from 1988. One one side is the 1988 World Series logo. On the reverse is the Los Angeles Dodgers logo. I saw one for sale (Etsy, I believe) for $35.00.

Dollar Firms Above ¥112.70 In Tokyo

The U.S. dollar seems to have retaken some lost ground in Tokyo trading today.

According to the Japan Times:

The dollar was firmer above ¥112.70 in Tokyo trading late Monday amid a growing risk-on mood generated by higher Japanese and Chinese stock prices. 

Some receding of excessive concerns over Italy’s fiscal condition also pushed up the dollar in late trading. 

At 5 p.m., the dollar stood at ¥112.75-75, up from ¥112.43-43 at the same time Friday The euro was at $1.1531-1532, up from $1.1446-1446, and at ¥130.02-03, up from ¥128.70-70. 

After falling below ¥112.40 following a weak start of the Nikkei 225 stock average, the dollar picked up and regained some lost ground as the Nikkei trimmed early losses, traders said.

To read more, go here. 

Cold Weather Camping

Above, The Beast at Goulding's Lodge Campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last February, I lived in the RV for 12 days while waiting for the movers to bring my furnishings. During that time, a few snow storms hit the area. But I was nice and warm in the motorhome as I had a good ceramic space heater to keep the inside warm. I bought it in Topeka, Kansas two years ago so I can save on propane (the motorhome has a built-in propane heater).

The heater came in handy while camping in Monument Valley in November 2016, where night temperatures hit the 20s. I stayed at Goulding's Lodge Campground. One night, I forgot to unhook the water hose and the water inside froze overnight. It was like a snake with rigor mortis. I had to thaw it out over a barbecue fire.

During the tour I took around Monument Valley, it was a very cold day. Thankfully, I had a wool coat.

Above, yours truly was kept warm in this wool coat in Monument Valley.

There are other ways to keeping warm whether one is waiting for movers to arrive or traveling around in the autumn.

RV Life has 8 ways to stay warm while autumn camping.

They begin their article with:

Don’t let the cool temperatures of the fall season keep you from getting out and camping.  There are great advantages to “cold season” camping, including fewer people, fall colors, and seeing areas in different seasons, to name a few. 

With some preparation, most people can stay comfortable in cooler temperatures and keep on adventuring!

To read more, go here.

Putting Up The Sign Tomorrow

Above, the sign on the signpost in the garage. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After dropping off the Mustang to the body shop in Gallup for door repairs and our usual morning gathering of neighbors at Denny's in the Flying J (three of our group went elk hunting over the weekend, so the rest of us are dying to hear how it went), I will be putting up the sign near the GOCO Beast Barn.

After drilling holes in the sign to mount it on the signpost, I mounted the sign and it looks good. Both the sign and the signpost are green, so they compliment each other.

Above, the sign. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I went to Home Depot in Gallup today and got 80 lbs. of cement to anchor it into the ground. I did dig a hole for it, but since the signpost is 8' tall, I will probably dig a little bit more. It is fast-setting cement. All I have to do is add water and mix it.

All this is weather permitting. Thunderstorms are forecast to be rolling in this evening and tonight.

It will be interesting to see the reactions of people as they drive by and spot it. This whole sign project has cost me under $60 in total (sign, signpost, cement and bucket). Not too shabby!

We all can use a little humor these days, right?

Mustang Is Ready To Go

Above, the Mustang is ready to go. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tomorrow's the day that I will be bringing in the Mustang to the body shop to get the driver's door replaced.

I haven't been able to use the car since July, so I have been driving The Beast. I put in a couple of gallons of gasoline this morning, so it's good to go.

I will have to crawl through the passenger's side as I can't securely close the other door from the inside. I can close it securely from the outside with some effort.

Above, the Mustang's problem door. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It will be nice to be able to drive the car (much easier on gas at 29 mpg) instead of The Beast. Once the car's done, The Beast will be put into it's GOCO Beast Barn.

It's All About The Music

My DVD Limited Collector's Edition of Elvis Presley: The Searcher arrived in yesterday's mail and I watched it last night after returning home from the Gallup UFO Film Festival. It was due to arrive tomorrow, so it arrived two days early. I bought it through Amazon.

It was as enjoyable as when I first saw it last April when I checked into the Gallup Red Roof Inn (since I don't have HBO here).

The Limited Collector's Edition includes a 20-page book of rare photos and an extra consisting of a "conversation" with Priscilla Presley, Thom Zimny, Jerry Schilling and Scott Goldman. One interesting tidbit from the conversation was that because members of Elvis's entourage (the "Memphis Mafia") are dying off, especially the passing of Joe Esposito, it spurred Priscilla Presley and Jerry Schilling to get the documentary started.

There's a few things I missed during my April viewing, including the audio of Gladys Presley (Elvis's mother) singing "Home Sweet Home". The audio is in the special edition CD, but I didn't remember hearing it in the video. But there it was.

If one happens to be an Elvis fan, a fan of rock 'n roll or just a music fan in general, there's much in this documentary that will please and enlighten. The whole documentary is outstanding, particularly the first part involving Sam Phillips, Sun Studio and Beale Street in Memphis.

The running time is about 205 minutes.

Gallup UFO Film Festival - Day 2

Above, Jonathan Dover of the Paranormal Rangers giving his presentation. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday, I spent most of the afternoon at the final day of this year's Gallup UFO Film Festival.

Before the program started, I chatted for a while with Chuck Wade, the founder of the film festival. I recommended to him the book, Witness To Roswell. He said he has the book but hasn't yet gotten around to reading it. I told him that the authors presented the Roswell Incident story as a prosecutor would in a trial with plenty of eyewitness testimony. He said he will immediately do so once the festival is over.

Above, Chuck Wade's map of New Mexico UFO crash sites. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The program was with Jonathan Dover of the Navajo Paranormal Rangers. He spoke of paranormal incidents in and around the Navajo Nation. He was a police officer in the Winslow, Arizona area. The Paranormal Rangers investigate unexplainable incidents in the Navajo Nation.

Incidents included Skinwalkers, mysterious orbs, Satan's Butte, Bigfoot, hauntings, Parallel Dimensions, Ouija Boards and others.

Above, a vintage theater snack bar sign. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The program lasted about three hours and by the time it ended, I was dog-tired and left.

Oh, Great!

Above, the pagoda pet water drinking fountain.

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. In this case it took three years.

Just before I brought Sierra home from the SPCA after adopting her, I bought a pet drinking fountain pagoda. She (and Lola, Jes's chihuahua, when she's here) loved it.

The water pump to Sierra's water pagoda fountain went out. I noticed it wasn't working about a half hour ago. At first, I thought I'd have to buy a whole new pagoda. They cost around $80.

However, fortunately for me, I found that replacement pumps are available and they are under $20.

So I ordered one. Whew!

Gallup UFO Film Festival - Today's Schedule

Last night's program of the 15th Gallup UFO Film Festival was interesting, and today's program should also prove to be just as interesting.

Normally, the UFO Film Festival is held at the El Morro Theater, but it is currently being renovated, so it is being held at the Gallup Down Town Conference Center.

Today's program:

SATURDAY OCTOBER 20, 2018
 1:00p Doors Open
 1:30p to 3:30p Jonathan Dover
 3:30p to 4:00p Q & A
 4:00p to 4:45p Break
 5:00p to 6:00p Dr Christopher Dyer
 6:00p to 6:15p Q & A
 6:15 to 7:45p  Movie: Profiling The  Alien
 7:45p to 9:25p  Movie:  The Day Before Disclosure

For more information, go here. 

15th Annual Gallup UFO Film Festival

Above, an inflatable alien greeted guests. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tonight, I attended the 15th Annual Gallup UFO Film Festival at the Gallup Down Town Conference Center. It was a good way to spend a Friday evening.

Above, there were plenty of munchies (at reasonable prices) at the film festival. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was an interesting and enjoyable event as I have never heard of the secret underground military base in Dolce, New Mexico until tonight. Supposedly, there is some sort of "treaty" between aliens and the U.S. which includes abductions and mutual research. A video on the facility was shown which included footage of an alleged UFO landing at the facility and the mysterious death of Phil Schneider, a government geologist. This was the second video shown this evening.

Above, Chuck Wade gives his presentation on seven
UFO crash sites in New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The first video was a documentary on crop circles in England. This was also very interesting, which also included footage of an actual crop circle being formed by balls of light (the size of soccer balls, they said).

I stayed for the presentation by Chuck Wade, the founder of the Gallup UFO Film Festival 15 years ago. He spoke on the seven UFO crash sites in New Mexico. One of them is controversial as some claimed that the crash site at Hart Canyon near Aztec, New Mexico was a hoax. But tonight, it as treated as a real crash site as the ones near Roswell.

Above, Chuck Wade begins his presentation. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Wade also brought along a display box of what he claims are crash debris from some of the crash sites that he and others dug up. After Wade's presentation, I decided to head on home as I was getting drowsy (I've been up since 4:00 in the morning).

Above, UFO crash debris artifacts brought to the film festival by Chuck Wade. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Gallup UFO Film Festival continues tomorrow evening. I will most likely go to it.

Now, I am listening to the Game 6 of the National League Championship Series.

Yellowstone Sees Increase In Visits In September

Above, bison grazing in a Yellowstone meadow. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yellowstone National Park is one place where those who have never been there should put on their travel bucket list.

Many people have checked off visiting Yellowstone and more visitors went there last month than the same time last year.

The Washington Times reported:

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) - The number of people visiting Yellowstone National Park in September increased 13 percent from a year ago. 

The National Park Service says it recorded 724,454 visits last month.

To read more, go here. 

Print Edition of "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan"

Above, the print edition. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Life (and business) is funny sometimes. For some time, aside from purchases of the ebook edition of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan, there has been a lull (at least since last year) in sales of the print edition.

Suddenly, I am getting orders in for the print edition.

So, if anyone would like a copy of the print edition, I have plenty of copies available at the discounted price of $9.95 plus $2.00 shipping and handing.

For details on ordering, go here.

Gallup UFO Film Festival Opens Tonight

Tonight, the Gallup UFO Film Festival opens.

The schedule for tonight is:

FRIDAY OCTOBER 19, 2018

 4:00p  Doors Open
 5:00p  Movie:  Aztec 1948 UFO Crash
 6:00p  Movie:  Open Minds-Investigates
 7:00p to 7:45p Chuck Wade
 7:45p to 8:00p Q & A
 8:00p to 9:00p  Clifford Mahooty
 9:00p to 9:15p Q & A
 9:15p to 10:15p  Movie:  The Naked Truth About the 1947 UFO Crash at Roswell

To find out more, go here. 

Red Sox Going To The World Series

Above, you'd never guess who my team is.

This year's World Series will not be a repeat of last year's whether or not the Los Angeles Dodgers defeat the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Boston Red Sox defeated the Houston Astros last night.

From CBS Sports:

The Boston Red Sox defeated the Houston Astros in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Thursday night, thus winning the best-of-seven series by a 4-1 margin. The Red Sox as a result are the 2018 AL champions and will advance to play either the Los Angeles Dodgers or Milwaukee Brewers in the World Series. The Dodgers currently lead the Brewers by a 3-2 margin in the NLCS, with Game 6 going down on Friday.

To read more, go here.

Go Dodgers!