Finally!

For the past 20 years or so, I've always wanted to see B.B King at a live concert.  He's a great blues player, a great icon.  He's probably an action figure by now!  I remember years ago, when son Dan was waiting tables next door to the Newport Music Hall in Cowlumbus.  B.B. King had just given a concert and at the end came into that restaurant.  Dan waited on him and was thrilled to do so.  Said he was a great customer and very friendly.  B.B. King gave him a 'Lucille' lapel pin.  Dan gave it to me 'cause he knew how much I like his music.  I was so jealous.  For an instant, I wanted to be there waiting on him.  Years later, my good friend Andy showed me a video of U2's "Rattle and Hum" when B.B. King played with them.  In it, B.B. King says, "I'm horrible with chords, I don't play chords".  U2's Bono said, "We'll get 'The Edge' to play chords".  I never thought of B.B. King not playing chords, just never entered my mind but, yes, he don't do chords.  Anyway, a few years back, he was playing at the Ventura County Fair but it was one of those 'first come, first seated' kind of deals and I would have to have been sitting all day, keeping my seat in order to see him.  Not!  So, more years go by and then I realized that one of us, him or me, were gonna die before I see him if I don't do something soon.

Yesterday, I got two tickets for Charlene and Me to see him in Santa Barbara at the end of November.  Finally!

Paper, Plastic and Boxes

I've shared photos in the past of Cat laying on various papers, from copier paper to Christmas wrap.  She loves plastic equally well, especially grocery bags.  She loves to nuzzle her way inside them, curl up and go to sleep.  Then, wake up, do some things around the house and return to the bag, curl up on top of it and re-sleep.  Paper or plastic?  Hard choice for her.  Big paper bags, the kind with handles on it are a perfect trap for her.  We lay one down, she crawls in, curls up and we pick up the bag and carry her around - she doesn't care, it paper.  Ditto with the plastic grocery bags.  Again, she doesn't care if we pick it up by the handles with her inside and carry it around - it's plastic.  Paper or Plastic.

And then, there's boxes.  Cardboard boxes, large or small.  Carry one in and her eyes widen, fixed on the box.  Lay it down and she's inside in a flash.  Mmmmmm, boxes.....

Travis has been saving for months for a very special, very expensive skateboard and it finally came today, in a box.  After he opened it and removed the skateboard, he set the box on the living room floor and took his skateboard out to play.  The cat was inside the box instantly.  She nestled under the packing material and went to sleep, curled up.  Later, she's up, eating, pooping, running, cleaning and then back to the box, this time at the other end and on top of the packing material.  I've taken two photos.  The first is me calling out to her, she swivels her head towards me as she finished a yawn, tongue half out.  Click on the picture for the larger version, then use your 'back' button to return here.

The last picture is of the other end of the box where she first slept.  Notice the 'formed covered nest'.

Cat, lover of paper, plastic and cardboard boxes.  Oh, and food, drawing blood from my hands when we play rough, bouncing off walls and doors, waking us at 5 in the morning to see if we're ready to feed her, sleeping 42 hours a day, etc......

Where were you on.........?

Sitting here this Sunday morning, reading the Sunday paper and listening to practically every broadcast TV channel remembering 911.  Both newspaper and TV recounts the lives of most Americans and what they were doing when they first heard the news of the terrorist attacks.  In my lifetime, this is the third "Where were you when....." .

The first was in 1958 when Father John, our church Pastor retrieved me from 6th grade class at Cranbrook Elementary School on May 20th.  Under the pretense that my Mom was sick and needed me to help out, he took me home.  I remember riding in his 57 Chevy, blue and white in color and just doing small talk during the ride.  Upon arriving at home, Aunt Betty and Uncle Dean were there.  Aunt Betty was in the kitchen doing something and Uncle Dean was vacuuming the living room floor.  Mom appeared and took me into her bedroom and closed the door.  I was confused and inquisitive at the time, not expecting what was to come next. She hugged me and told me that Dad had been killed in a plane crash.  I remember most of the rest of that day.  Some parts I blanked out but Sister Pat filled me in on that.  Yea, over 53 years later I still remember where I was and what I was doing on that day.

The second time I experienced "Do you remember where you were when....?" was a little over 5 years later.  I was a senior at Whetstone High School.  The year was 1963 and it was early afternoon, November 22, and this particular class period I was in Audio Visual, being one of those guys that brings the film/slide projector or TV to a class and runs whatever the teacher wants to do.  There were two of us that period and we had no assignment so we were just watching TV, some soap opera when Walter Cronkite broke in with the news that the President of the United States had been shot and taken to the hospital in Dallas.  A few minutes later, he confirmed that the President had died.  I remember running at full speed to the school office and told the principal what had happened.  He followed me back to the AV room and the three of us watched in horror.  School let out early that afternoon, the mood extremely quiet and somber.  And I remember the next painful week in our history.  Joe Arthur, history teacher at the school (and soon to be my brother-in-law), said it was a horrible thing but if it had to happen, he was glad it happened in our lifetime so we could experience it.  Strange statement but I can appreciate it.  Yea, I still remember where I was and what I was doing over 48 years ago.

10 years ago today, being an early riser and a news junky, I was up early getting ready for work and turned on the TV.  There it was, the burning North Tower of the World Trade Center.  Shortly thereafter, the South Tower was hit by the 2nd plane.  Before I left for work, the South Tower had fallen before my eyes.  Terrorism had finally arrived inside our country on a massive scale.  Things would never again be the same.  Yea, I still remember where I was and what I was doing 10 years ago.

There is No Escape

About 15 years ago, I started receiving junk mail from AARP.  I don't know why as I had just turned 50.  I just threw it in the trash.  Next month, same thing, same action.  This continued for years, the only difference being the junk mail from AARP began coming sooner than every 30 days.  Special envelopes, colored envelopes, special offers, discounts, free gifts if I just replied.  I probably could have died and they'd still send the damned things (c/o the graveyard?). 

When I moved to California, it didn't take long for them to find me.  Faster than BMG and Capitol Records found their flaky paying customers in the 90's!  The monthly letters started coming again, only to my place in Ventura.  So I threw them away, just like in Ohio.  I haven't replied to them, contacted them or returned any of their return envelopes.  You know when you get junk e-mail and you click on the 'unsubscribe' at the bottom of the e-mail, hoping to stop them?  We all know that's a mistake ....  you have just validated your e-mail address.  Sure, they unsubscribe you but then turn around and sell it to dozens of other junk e-mailers to use.  That's always been my thought on notifying AARP to leave me alone.  They'd find a way and double or triple their attempts to lure me into their gingerbread house of seniors. 

When I turned 65, they doubled their efforts with twice as much junk mail.   Now I get pre-printed membership cards for myself and Charlene, gift offers (oh, a free flashlight - be still my beating heart...).  I opened the latest junk mail yesterday.  Another pre-printed membership card, offer of a free travel bag.  Travel bag, yea, right!  A cheap canvas bag with giant AARP letters on it.  I've always wanted to be the laughing stock of the senior set.  No thanks! 

I cannot imagine the number of trees they've killed trying to get me to join.  As I was starting to pitch the mail in the trash, I held back.  Let's see here, $16 a year, no more junk mail, dozens of trees saved.  Hmmmm.  What if....... Yes?  No?  What should I do?  Crap, I feel like I'm trapped between a Rock and a Woody Allen Movie.......

Fair time again...

Yesterday, Charlene and I went to the Ventura County Fair.  Charlene had read about a new event this year called "Mutton Bustin" and it sounded cute and interesting.  Of course, we intended to see all and experience all, as usual.  So, at 11 am, we were parked and through the gates.  Remember, click on the photos to see the large version, then click your browser's 'Back' button to return here and continue.

Why does she always get the adult ticket and I have to use a child's ticket?

First up, just the visual experience of the Sunday crowd on the midway past the gates.

Walking toward the Mutton Bustin' we passed a sideshow that reminded me of work....

We had some time to kill so I played with a cow....

 

We finally arrived at Mutton Bustin'.  They've done this at other fairs and will even do it at the Ohio State Fair.  Mutton Bustin' is a sheep riding contest.  Kids, ages 3-6 dress up in protective padding and helmet and ride a sheep bareback, trying to stay on for 6 seconds.  It's not really dangerous and we were assured that no child had ever been hurt.

Lots of Country music before it started.  Lordy!  Just before the official start, the mascot entered the ring to entertain us.  He was pretty cute.  Here's a short video of him taunting me as I was filming him.

Now, it was time for the 'Ride'.  There were about half a dozen kids vying for the Gold Medal and a chance to continue at the California State Fair and gobs of dollars. Some were grinning and ready, others acted reserved.

It was time.  First rider mounted and the gate opened.

So cute.  No bucking, just a scared sheep running to the other end of the arena with a scared kid holding on for dear life.  When the fall off, they only have a foot or two to fall and the dirt is raked up nice and soft.  Here's a short video that says it all:

At the end of the show, we were off again on the midway.  We checked out all the exhibits.  Special note to John in Florida, the animal pens were filled with ONLY sheep.  The fair is too small to house all the different animals at once so they rotate.  Today was sheep only.  Cows tomorrow.  Damn!  But there was one unusual sheep.  I think from the deep South.  I can't be sure but it looked like it was a member of the  Ku Klux Sheep Klan......

Then it was off to the other exhibits.  The Ag building with all it's decorative displays of flora and fauna.  Some beautiful exhibits.

Of course the Carny Barkers, games and a ton of crap for sale.  Especially T-shirts.

There was one exhibit I was really interested in:

the true letdown was the fair food.  We had read about the latest junk, deep fried Kool-Aid.  Couldn't find it.  Where's Pizza-in-a-cup when you need it?  There was the usual crap on a stick.  Stuff like hot dogs on a stick, corn dogs on a stick, spiral-cut potato chips on a stick.  Even......

Ug.  We were hungry and looking.  Luckily, our noses led us to the ultimate non-fair food.  Ooooo!  Smells sooo good.  Then we spotted smoke.

Yea, Baby!  No junk today.  Totally excellent BBQ along with a serving of Buckaroo beans.  So good instead of the usual stomach cramping deep fried stuff.  And a couple of Margaritas in a plastic cup.

Of course, we did serving of candied pecans, my favorite nut....

Now that our stomachs were full, it was off to the rides to see if we could keep it down.  My favorite, since I have a fear of heights is always the Ferris Wheel.  As long as Nathan is not in the same 'car' as me, I can get used to it.  Usually.......

We did the swings thing next.

The one that really tempted the 'losing your cookies' was the pirate ship that swings back and forth.  Fun but it plays with your stomach at the height of the arc.  Here's us giggling and screaming.....

After that, we decided we needed some fresh air so it was off to the Oxygen Bar for some flavored Oxygen.

We checked out the Gem and Mineral exhibit on the way out.  Geodes are always our favorite.  All-in-all, a good time.  Just wish we had found the deep fried Kool-Aid.  Maybe next year.

Vacation

In past years, I've gone to Ohio for vacation to see kids and old friends.  Last year, we all went to Florida for a week (in July) to visit with Charlene's Brothers and Sister.  No matter where I/we go, there's always a lot of driving, place to new place for a day or so and then more driving.  Near the end of last year's vacation, Nic, Trav and I agreed that on the next vacation, we were going to stay put most of the time.  That's what we did this July.  Well, we stayed put in Embassy Suites at Mandalay Bay in Oxnard.  Sounds kinda dumb but it's not your ordinary Embassy Suites.  This one is huge, exotic, on the ocean hotel kind of place.  Walk softly and carry lots of money place.  Remember, click on the photo to see the large size, use your Browser's "Back" button to return here and continue.

It all started when I picked up Sister Pat at the airport.

She flew in from Seattle on Friday and we jumped into Red and headed North on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH).  Beautiful drive along the ocean with the Channel Islands visable the entire way.  That is most unusual in the summer months due to the marine layer (fog bank that lives here).  Had a quick stop at Starbucks in Malibu and then finished the trip to our house.  Nice evening for all of us, big day tomorrow.




 In the morning, after I watered/fertilized the plants and yard, Pat decided she would make some of her famous Midwest Green Beans.  First she picked 'em.       

 










Then she 'cleaned' them.

Now, the difference here is that she 'cooks' them with lots of bacon grease in a giant skilled.  After that, she adds some water to 'steam cook' them.  Let me tell you, they were extremely yummy.  That's the way we're going to cook them from now on.









Cuz'n Kent drove down from Pismo Beach to spend the Vacation with us.  Today being Saturday, we were all just hangin' out until Sunday Check-in time at the 'Suites'.  We invited the puppy-dog Omar to mid-afternoon lunch and conversation.

I grilled my 'infamous' Chicken-Ka-Bobs to go with the green beans.  I cooked a ton of skewered chicken.  Along with chicken marinaded in Wishbone Italian Salad Dressing, I added Lemon Wedges, several kinds of Bell Peppers, Mushrooms and Onions.  Very de-lish.

Charlene picked fresh tomatoes and basil from our garden and whipped up some cheese-basil-tomato
hors d'oeuvres.  Totally excellent!

At mealtime, we started a fire in the fire bowl as it had become windy cool.

A really good day, great meal. 

                    The next day, we checked into the Embassy Suites at Mandalay Bay.

Our rooms are at the top right, 3rd floor, facing the ocean.  I just can't say enough about the 'Million Dollar' view from our Balcony Patios.  We had two suites, next to each other.  Pat and Kent in one, Nic, Trav, Charlene and I in the other.  Nice rooms/suites.  Big living room, sliding glass door to the patio, big bedroom with 2 queen size beds and another sliding glass door to the patio.  Two bathrooms to a suite and a fridge, microwave at the suite entrance.  Of course, the hit of the stay was that I brought my Keurig Coffee maker and a ton of various blends of K-Cup coffees.  There's a big window in the bedrooms that we left open at night to let the sound of the waves lull us to sleep.

Along with the suites, we get a free cooked-to-order breakfast in the morning, free 'Manager's Get-Together' with unlimited drinks in the late afternoon.  Yea, Baby!  Gimme Bacon, hot, crisp and plenty of it.  The first day, we just enjoyed discovering the place, swimming in the heated pool, relaxing in the giant hot tub pool, enjoying the ocean views, exploring all the waterfall grottoes with their expensive landscaping. 

The view from our balconies was just unbelievable.  It's like the best view ever - a million dollar view as I referred to it. Sunrise was behind us, sun all afternoon and stunning sunsets.  Here's a pic of Cuz'n Kent enjoying it.

The really strange thing is that the Marine Layer-that giant fog bank that lives over most of the coastal Pacific-had moved way offshore.  That is a rarity!  We could see most of the Channel Islands 20 miles out to sea.  So beautiful.  Here's a pic of Santa Cruz Island.  It's almost half a mile tall but it's 20 miles out.  Very cool, indeed.

The first afternoon I had just one drink, a Long Island Iced Tea.  Yea, that was my last drink for the day.  Lotsa fun, though.....

Our first night, Kent and Pat bought us dinner at the hotel.  Everyone had Seafood except the fish-challanged one (Me).  They were eating Canadian Ling Cod, Steamed Mussels and the like.  Me?  I stayed with the Sirloin Steak and wonderful fresh picked/cooked vegetables.  A really wonderful meal for all of us.  The restaurant itself was beautiful.

I'm an early riser (an annoying habit I've had for decades) and went down to breakfast alone while others slept.  One cook will prepare an omelet any style, any ingredients on the spot.  Nah, I went for the 'ton' of scrambled eggs and about 15 pieces of crisp bacon, gobs of toast and juice. Mmmmmm!  Animal Fat.....
 Here's my plate waiting for toast:

  And yes, I went back for more bacon and toast.  I'm like that commercial with the dog running through the house yelling, "Bacon, Bacon Bacooooonnnn!"









For snacks, we had Doritos (every flavor), Ruffles, salty big green olives, several bean dips.  Oh, and maybe a Rum Cocktail or Trav's non-alcohol Cocktail

  

For dinner Monday, I had wanted to cook everyone Rubin Sandwiches.  So, I had brought the camping stove, several skillets, Jewish Rye bread, excellent Corned Beef, Swiss cheese and all the fixin's.  Oddly enough, everyone LOVED them.  Of course, served with Dill Pickles and Ruffles.  Everyone said they were the best they've ever had.  Butter up the cook - he'll keep cooking.  Actually, they were very good.

By day two, Charlene and Nic were working out in the Exercise Room.

Kent, Pat and Charlene brought books to enjoy and enjoy they did.  If they weren't eating or snoring, they were reading.

Nic and Trav had a good time, too.  Playing in or with the facilities......

Everyone had figured out their 'Thing' to do throughout the days.  We all just had a hell-of-a-good-time.  For dinner Tuesday night, Charlene picked up half a dozen Chipoltle Store Burritos, those 2 pounders.  Yep, they're good for several meals.  Here's some pics for Tuesday/Wednesday:

By Day 2, I was wearing Swim trunks with few pockets so I graduated to a "Man-Bag" to carry my stuff in (wallet, camera, cell phone, etc).  Don't laugh, it works great.  Sunburned legs.

Dawn on Wednesday.  The pool awaits, as does breakfast.  Everyone had omelets except Kent and I.  We did the scrambled eggs, rye toast and BACON! 








We all did our own thing until Nic showed up..........  Sadly, our three days in Paradise came to an end.  Another year, perhaps.  Sure was great and great fun.