Gas Prices: $4 By April

Above, today's gas prices at the local Flying J.

Rising gas prices is being blamed on "mild weather" (sure as heck not here) and higher demand.

But there are other reasons and prices could go even higher by April. That's just lovely, since I have a clampout in Tombstone, Arizona in April.

Here's what Yahoo! Finance is saying:

Get ready for gas prices to rise again going into spring. A gallon of driving fuel could go back above $4, according to GasBuddy petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan.

"It's a question of when, not if. I think something like that could happen by potentially April, maybe sooner," said De Haan.

"I think motorists are going to start getting squeezed more so in late February. The next three weeks could be a bit of a mixed bag," he said.

De Haan points to planned breaks in production at refineries as part of the reason for a rise in prices. 

One good thing about the recent snowstorms, I haven't been out driving much, thereby saving gasoline.

To read more, go here. 

The Sudden Death "Mystery"

Above, Lionel Atwill and Basil Rathbone in Son of Frankenstein. Universal Pictures.

Recent sudden deaths of athletes of different ages, celebrities, politicians and others have become news fodder. This is beginning to bother people to an extent that news organizations are looking into it with some degree of hysteria.

Some people are trying to link these sudden deaths to COVID vaccines.

Recently, some physicians were asked recently on what they see in all of this.

From CNA Lifestyle:

Over the years, you might recall reading about active individuals – age notwithstanding – dying suddenly for seemingly no apparent reason.

The passing of Creative Technology founder and CEO Sim Wong Hoo at the age of 67 would be the most recent incident that comes to mind. While no cause of death has been revealed officially, friends who attended the tech pioneer’s wake said they were “shocked” as he ran marathons and had appeared to be in good health. The family has declined to speak to the media.

What is the likely cause (or causes) of a sudden death that afflict fitness-conscious individuals? Are there warning signs that could save lives if these had been heeded? CNA Lifestyle asked some doctors for their views.

To read more, go here. 

NRA Sues To Have Illinois Semi-Auto Gun Ban Tossed

Above, the Illinois state capitol (center, background) in Springfield, Illinois. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The National Rifle Associated has filed a federal lawsuit against the state of Illinois seeking to overturn a newly-passed law banning some semi-automatic firearms.

The state of New Mexico is asking for a similar lawsuit if it should pass a bill banning semi-automatics now under legislative consideration.

From CBS News:

Springfield, Ill. — Illinois' two-week-old ban on semiautomatic weapons outlaws "ubiquitous" firearms in "radical" defiance of the Constitution's Second Amendment, a federal lawsuit filed by the National Rifle Association Tuesday claims.

The powerful NRA joined a parade of gun-rights activists seeking to toss out the newly minted prohibition on dozens of rapid-fire pistols and long guns, as well as large-capacity magazines or attachments.

Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the law Jan. 10 in response to the shooting deaths of seven at the Fourth of July parade in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park, where 30 were also injured.

Two individual gun owners from Benton, nine miles northeast of St. Louis, are lead plaintiffs in the NRA lawsuit, the second to be filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. They are joined by two southern Illinois gun dealers and shooting range operators, as well as a Connecticut-based shooting sports trade association.

The NRA pleading notes that the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark 2008 Heller decision refuses to let stand any restriction on "weapons that are in common use" today unless - another ruling last summer found - there is evidence of an "enduring American tradition" of restriction.

The Illinois law "takes the radical step of banning nearly every modern semiautomatic rifle - the single-most popular type of rifle in the country, possessed by Americans in the tens of millions," the document says.

To read more, go here. 

High Capacity Magazine Ban Unconstitutional

Audrey Trujillo, moderator of Gun Owners of New Mexico on Facebook, posted the following:

fyi: to whom this may concern

FYI: Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Club v. BRUCK is a 2020 case banning large capacity.magazine in NJ. SCOTUS over turned a 3rd Circuit where 3rd Circuit upheld ban. SCOTUS ruled the ban was unconstitutional. Similar case/s remanded to 9th circuit over California's ban/restrictions. New Mexico's Legislature has several gun control measures they are poised to pass regardless of the constitutional prohibition already issued by SCOTUS. This is harassment of NM citizens.

If a statute is facially unconstitutional, the courts have stated that it cannot be enforced and the legislature may choose to repeal an unconstitutional statute to avoid confusion or to replace that statute with a new version that seeks to reach similar policy goals.

Pass this on! 

10 Unique Key West Tours

Above, an example of Key West architecture. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During our April 2019 Royal Caribbean cruise to Havana, Cuba, we made a stop in Key West, Florida for a few hours. 

We had enough time to explore Key West with a trolley that stopped at major points of interest. I stopped at the Hemingway House and took a tour of Ernest Hemingway's home, office and grounds. I also stopped at the Key West Shipwreck Treasures Museum.

There are other ways of exploring Key West and TheTravel has ten recommended tours for consideration.

They begin with:

Key West is closer to Cuba than the rest of Florida, so visiting there makes the rest of the country seem a million miles away. The island's boisterous history, colorful culture, and laid-back attitude give it a Caribbean feel. With a vibrant nightlife, tasty seafood, and plenty of outdoor activities, Key West offers all the trappings of an island paradise while still being conveniently located on American soil. With a plethora of activities to enjoy, such as kayaking, snorkeling, exploring nearby coral reefs, and going on a boat tour, it's easy to see why Key West is so appealing. Here are 10 tours worth doing in Key West.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Hit By Heavy Snowstorm

Above, Tokyo after a snowstorm in February 2014. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A "once in a decade" snowstorm has hit Japan this week. This reminds me of a similar weather event back in February 2014 when I arrived in Japan at the same time as a big snowstorm. It was another "once in a decade" snowstorm. I ended up being stranded between Narita Airport and Tokyo in a Keisei Line train in Chiba Prefecture for about 22 hours.

It didn't stop there, later in the week another strong snowstorm hit Japan. 

From Kyodo News:

A wide area of Japan is bracing for more heavy snow and strong winds Wednesday as the coldest air of this winter stays over the archipelago, with authorities warning of traffic disruptions due to frozen roads and high waves.

The weather agency forecast subzero temperatures in many locations from the northernmost island of Hokkaido to the Kyushu region in the southwest on Wednesday morning, with the mercury expected to drop to minus 3 C in Tokyo and minus 2 C in Osaka.

Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways plan to cancel more than 200 flights Wednesday and JR East will suspend bullet train service between Fukushima and Shinjo on the Yamagata Shinkansen Line in the northeastern Tohoku region throughout the day.

As for Tokyo this week, Kyodo News wrote:

On Tuesday, snowfall was observed in central Tokyo for the first time this season, while Fukuoka and Kagoshima, both in the Kyushu region, also saw snowfall as temperatures dipped below zero.

To read the full story, go here. 

New Mexico Shooting Sports Association Newsletter

 

One week into the 2023 legislative session, and it's in full swing already. Today in the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee, HB9 passed on a party-line vote of 4-2.The next stop for the bill is the House Judiciary Committee. We will let you know when the bill is scheduled for that committee. We have two more bills that we are watching. SB171 from Senator Soules would make it a felony to own certain semiautomatic handguns, certain types of ammunition, NFA firearms, and suppressors in New Mexico. While we are used to dealing with a large number of bad bills each session, the severity of the bills introduced has far surpassed anything we have seen before. A Constitutional Carry bill, HB164, was introduced today by Representatives Block, Moya, Duncan, Mason, and Lord. The bill would allow you to carry a concealed firearm without a permit in New Mexico. It has long been our position to support Constitutional Carry, and we thank the sponsors for brining the bill forward. We will send an update whenever the bills we are watching come up for a vote in a committee or the floor. We need everyone to get involved if we are going to stop this deluge of bad legislation.

Watched "Invaders From Mars" (1953)

Above, this shot of Bob Shayne was taken from my television screen with my camera. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This evening, I watched the restored Invaders From Mars (1953) from Ignite Films on Blu-ray.

The movie scared the bejeezus out of me when I was a kid. Now I just laugh at how cheesy it is. Still, it was entertaining.

I can look past the mutants's back zippers on their costumes (there was even a fat one) and the stock footage of tanks to pad the running time.

The movie looked great. They did a great job in its restoration. The extras also made buying the Blu-ray worthwhile. They include observatory scenes shot about a year later for European audiences and an alternate ending. Also included is an interview with actor Jimmy Hunt. There were other extras. 

Although low budget, the movie had a German expressionism look by director William Cameron Menzies.

I spotted three actors of the Adventures of Superman television show. Robert Shayne, John Eldridge and Janine Perreau. Barbara Billingsley of Leave It To Beaver was also in it as a secretary.

Interestingly, in the underground passageways, there are round balloon-like things on the walls. Those turned out to be hundreds of condoms bought at a drug store,. It was said that the druggist mused that "someone is going to have a great night" or something to that effect.

The Blu-ray was a bit pricey at $45, but it was worth the cost. If you like 1950s flying saucer science-fiction movies, you'll have fun watching this one.

Icy Drive

It will be nice when the roads in our subdivision thaw out. Despite several days since the last snow, it has been too cold for the roads to thaw out.

I had to go a mile up the hill to the Lucier's to drop off some items to Larry Lucier. The roads up there were more icy than the ones in my vicinity. They are about 200 feet higher than I am.

On the way back, I cut across from Birch Road to Whispering Cedars Road on Hemlock Road. I took the photo below that shows how ice the roads here are. It is a good thing the Mustang has a manual transmission, I was able to drive in low gear with ease.

We were lucky that the storm that came into the state last evening by-passed us.

Above, eastbound on Hemlock Road. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

"Invaders From Mars" (1953) Blu-Ray Home At Last

Above, after opening the package. 

Finally, I was able to get my Blue-ray of Invaders From Mars (1953) from the post office.

Either it snowed too much to risk the drive to the post office or the post office clerk didn't show up for work. 

The clerk has been terminated for too many "no shows".

Today, I was able to pick up the package and will watch the movie tonight during dinnertime. I think the last time I saw the movie was back in the early 1990s while I was working the graveyard shift at Indian Springs (formerly where the Iverson Movie Ranch was located). 

The movie scared the bejeezus me when I was a kid. When I saw it 30-something years ago, I laughed as the Martian costumes had visible back zippers showing. Now, with this Blu-ray and the new restoration, we can see the zippers a lot better.

President Nixon's 1978 Speech To The Oxford Union

Here is a fascinating address by former President Richard Nixon to students at the Oxford Union in November 1978. Following his address, he takes questions from the students.

The video synopsis from the Richard Nixon Foundation:

November 1978: President Nixon takes questions from British and American students and talks about foreign affairs at the Oxford Union.

Markets Insider Guide To Buying Precious Metals

Above, Franklin and Kennedy silver half dollars. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With inflation still eating away at the purchasing power of the U.S. dollar, people are looking for something a lot more stable.

That is where investing in precious metals comes in. 

Both gold and silver have their strengths and weaknesses, but overall, they are much more stable than paper currency in the long run.

Markets Insider just posted a "quick guide" to buying precious metals.

They begin with: 

At first glance, gold and silver seem pretty fungible. They’re both hypnotically pretty. Their prices tend to rise and fall according to the same financial/political forces. They’re both seen as real money by a tiny (very wise) fraction of the population and as atavistic relics by the vast, ignorant majority. And – most important – they will both preserve their owners’ purchasing power when today’s fiat currencies evaporate like the fever dreams they always were.

So you definitely want some (and maybe a lot) of each. But gold and silver are not identical. They have different strengths and weaknesses in various “monetary reset” scenarios. And their prices don’t move in lockstep. Sometimes one is cheap relative to the other.

So how much of each should we own now, and how quickly should we plan to load up the truck? The answer is different for each person, but a few things are generally true.

To read more, go here. 

Silver Price Down About $.70

Above, the 2023 King Charles III Silver Britannja,

A little while ago, I noticed that the spot price for silver is down about $.65 (give or take). It is a good time to buy some.

I checked with one dealer and due to the drop of the spot price, their prices were lowered accordingly. I had bought a silver King Charles III Brittania about a week ago (pre-order) and it was a couple of dollars more than today's price. So, I pre-ordered another at today's price.

Once one orders, the price is locked in for about 10 minutes (they have an online timer), so even if the spot price rises, it's locked in once the purchase is completed. 

Ann Coulter Nails Adam Schiff On Monterey Park Shooting

Rep. Adam Schiff got himself nailed by a surprising source, Ann Coulter. I have had little use for Ann Coulter for the past few years, but she hit the nail on "Pencil Neck's" head.

 That's what happens when you play politics with a tragedy before the facts are established.

Kinkakuji Admission Fees To Be Raised In April

Above, Kinkakuji "Golden Pavilion" in Kyoto, Japan. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The last time admission fees were raised for the Kinkakuji "Golden Pavilion" in Kyoto, Japan was in 1993. The first time I visited it was in 2004 with G-TOUR. I was last there in 2015.

This coming April, admission fees will be raised.

According to The Japan News (Yomiuri Shimbun): 

KYOTO (Jiji Press) — Kinkakuji, an iconic temple in the western Japan city of Kyoto, will raise admission fees for the first time in 30 years in April, as it is struggling with higher maintenance costs and a drop in the number of visitors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The temple, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, will raise the admission fee for adults and high school students to ¥500 from ¥400 on April 1.

“It was a tough decision made to protect (the temple) forever,” a Kinkakuji official said of the fee increase. “We have a mission to keep Kinkakuji beautiful for good and want visitors to view (the temple) in good condition,” the official said.

Ryoanji, another Kyoto temple on the UNESCO heritage list, will increase the admission fee for adults by ¥100 to ¥600 on April 1. The temple, known for its rock garden, has been visited by a number of dignitaries including the late British Queen Elizabeth II.

To read more, go here. 

50 Years Since Vietnam Peace Agreement

50 years ago yesterday, I was at Chaffee Motors (Ford dealer) in Hawthorne, California after taking my dad there so he could pick up his car that had some mechanical work done.

While there, I heard on the radio that former President Lyndon Johnson died. The next evening, January 23, 1973, President Richard Nixon announced the Vietnam Peace Agreement that ended the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.

What caused this memory was a Twitter post by the Richard Nixon Foundation of yesterday.

They posted:

Lyndon Baines Johnson died 50 years ago today. The following night on January 23, President Nixon would go on live television to announce the end of the Vietnam War. After the announcement he wrote this letter to Lady Bird Johnson.

It is hard to believe that 50 years has passed. 

Unfortunately, the peace agreement only held for two years. 

Classic Rock Music Monday

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

To start off this week, we have 1977's "Give A Little Bit" from Supertramp. "Give A Little Bit" made it's way into Superman (1978).

From Wikipedia:

Supertramp were an English rock band that formed in London in 1969. Marked by the individual songwriting of founders Roger Hodgson and Rick Davies, they are distinguished for blending progressive rock and pop styles as well as for a sound that relied heavily on Wurlitzer electric piano. The group's lineup changed numerous times throughout their career, with Davies being the only consistent member throughout the decades. Other longtime members included bassist Dougie Thomson, drummer Bob Siebenberg, and saxophonist John Helliwell.

In 1983, Hodgson left the group to pursue a solo career. Davies took over as the band's sole leader until 1988, after which they disbanded and periodically reformed in various configurations.

Snow Tomorrow

Well, here we go again!

Snow is expected tonight and will last through Monday. The rest of the week will be sunny, but cold.

As of now, the roads in our community are still icy with a layer of snow from the last storm. Since this is the case, I have refrained from going anywhere

According to the National Weather Service:

 Tonight

Isolated snow showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Monday

Scattered snow showers after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 33. Southeast wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Monday Night

A 20 percent chance of snow before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14. East wind 5 to 15 mph becoming northeast after midnight.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 32. West wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon.

1953 Hidalgo Silver Commemorative

Above, the reverse of the Hildago Silver Commemorative. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While going through the coins I found in the strong box I had a locksmith open, I found a Mexican five peso coin from 1953.

It is called the Hidalgo Silver Commemorative.

It is the size of a U.S. silver dollar. As I knew nothing about the coin, I took a look online to learn about it.

It turns out that the coin is a circulating commemorative silver coin celebrating the bicentennial of Hidalgo's birth. 

Above, the obverse of the Hildago Silver Commemorative. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

According to Numista:

The Reverse:

Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla facing with the church Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Dolores to the left in the background.

The Obvserse:

National coat of arms with the legend above and weight, purity, denomination and date below.

 These coins were minted from 1951 to 1954. The silver Fineness: 0.7200 (72%).

Prince Harry: From Prince To Ass

A couple of minutes ago, I spotted this tweet on Twitter by Michael Reagan:

Prince Harry has already pissed off the United Kingdom, now he seems to be trying to piss off Americans. Reagan just said it best.

Prince Harry made his comments in his book, "Spare".

Above, Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Flying J - Jamestown, NM Unleaded Regular Is $3.299

The local Flying J gas prices are still over $3.00 per gallon. It had been forecast by some that this would be happening. 

Prices had gone below $3.00 prior to this month.

The current gas prices at the Flying J: 

At least I'm not in Commiefornia, where the current average for unleaded regular is $4.441.

NM House Committee To Hear Anti-Gun Bill Tuesday

Above, the New Mexico State Capitol in Santa Fe. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The first of several anti-Second Amendment bills introduced by left-wing Democrats during this legislative session in Santa Fe will be heard on Tuesday.

According to the Piñon Post:

On Tuesday, the New Mexico House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee (HCPAC) will meet to consider an extreme anti-gun bill, H.B. 9, sponsored by state Rep. Pamelya Herndon (D-Bernalillo).  It is also co-sponsored by the chairwoman of HCPAC, Rep. Joanne Ferrary (D-Doña Ana).  

Herndon’s bill will force New Mexicans to lock up their firearms in “a gun safe or a device that prevents a firearm from being discharged or from being used to expel a projectile by the action of an explosion or a device other than a gun safe that locks a firearm and is designed to prevent children and unauthorized users from firing a firearm, which device may be installed on a firearm, be incorporated into the design of the firearm or prevent access to the firearm.”

If the gun owner does not lock up any and all firearms and their gun is somehow used in an offense by a minor causing “great bodily harm” or death, the parent of that child could be made a felon if the victim of the crime is killed or permanently disabled.

As noted by even some Democrats in the chamber during a July 2022 preview of the bill, it would be the first crime proposal to base a defendant’s sentence not on their own actions but that of someone else (a minor) who got ahold of a firearm. 

 To read more, go here.

Best National Parks To Visit During Winter

Above, the Great White Throne at Zion National Park in Utah. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

People generally visit national parks during the peak summer season, but there are some national parks that are welcoming to visitors during the winter.

Deseret News has posted a list of the best national parks for winter visitation. I have been to about half of them on the list.

They begin with:

You don’t have stay to holed up inside all winter. This is the best time of year to get some hikes and nature in at some of the nation’s most iconic national parks.

Here’s a list of some of the best national parks to visit during winter.

To read more, go here. 

Navajo Nation Rescinds Mask Mandate

Above, the Hubbell Trading Post clerks (at left) wearing masks in October. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I took my little trip to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park within the Navajo Nation in October, I had to wear a mask whenever I was indoors in places like the Hubbell Trading Post. It was a good thing I had some in my motorhome.

That was understandable as the Navajo Nation was hit very hard with coronavirus.

All that has come to an end as the new Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren has rescinded their mask mandate.

From Breitbart:

The Navajo Nation has rescinded a mask mandate that’s been in effect since the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, officials announced Friday, fulfilling a pledge that new tribal President Buu Nygren made while campaigning for the office.

The mandate was one of the longest-standing anywhere in the U.S. and applied broadly to businesses, government offices and tourist destinations on the vast reservation, which extends into New Mexico, Utah and Arizona. The tribe at one point had one of the highest coronavirus infection rates in the country and among the strictest measures to help prevent the spread of the virus.

Nygren and Navajo Nation Council Delegate Otto Tso, who temporarily is overseeing the tribe’s legislative branch, jointly announced the lifting of the mask mandate on social media Friday evening.

 To read more, go here.

Took A Little Walk

Above, GOCO Beast Barn and Barking Spider Acre. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now that we have clear skies and a (little bit) warmer temperature, I took a little walk over to Barking Spider Acre. 

The snow cover was smooth with only a few animal tracks in places. I liked the lighting and took a few photos.

The general consensus of our group at coffee this morning was that this last storm dumped about five inches of snow. That, on top of what was dumped earlier in the week, left us with about seven or eight inches on the ground. 

Here's the photos:

10 Most Affordable Japan Hotels

Above, the Shiba Park Hotel in Tokyo in 2004. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now that Japan is open to foreign tourists, if one is planning a trip to Japan, a look-see at the following article will be useful for finding affordable hotel accommodations.

TheTravel has posted a list of the ten most affordable Japan hotels. Of the ten, I have stayed at one of them. That was the Shiba Park Hotel in Tokyo with G-TOUR in 2004.

The list begins with:

Japan is a country that never fails to satisfy the adventurous spirits of travelers from around the world. The country is full of wonders, and there's so much to explore. It's definitely one of those countries that should be on everyone's travel bucket list. Japan has luxury resorts and hotels with unparalleled elegance, and it also has affordable hostels that are suitable for budget travelers.

There really is something for everyone here. Solo travelers who are looking for unique hotels will find great options, and others who prefer capsule hotels will be spoiled for choice. This article focuses on the top 10 most affordable and comfortable hotels to book in Japan.

To read more, go here. 

Chinese Counterfeit Coin Charges Credited

Above, the two counterfeit coins involved. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Good news arrived in my mailbox.

My bank completed their investigation on the counterfeit coins and they credited my credit card $55.96 for the purchase. They also credited any related fees and adjuster interest. The claim is now closed.

However, should law enforcement investigators need any assistance from me, they will receive it. 

I am also having Anti-Counterfeit Educational Foundation (ACEF) investigate the Chinese counterfeiters and their flunkies in the U.S. 

As I have mentioned previously, the counterfeit coins are in the custody of the McKinley County Sheriff's office. 

ACEF Doug Davis Counterfeit Video

Occasionally, even coin dealers can get fooled into buying counterfeit coins.

The Anti-Counterfeit Educational Foundation posted an alert last November on some counterfeit 2021 American Silver Eagles. The counterfeiter had an interesting way to bamboozle the dealer into thinking that a roll of coins were all genuine.

The ACEF posted:

Counterfeit 2021 Silver Eagle

Listen to Doug Davis, Director of Anti-Counterfeiting, explain what the ACEF Task Force found when they evaluated the 2021 Silver Eagle coins a dealer purchased. Doug walks you through some of the steps the task force took to determine which coins were counterfeit.

The ACEF can be accessed by going here.