September
1 September
American RV Park
Albuquerquee, NM
Today was a very long day. It was not the miles at 325, which is more than I like to do, but the hours. Not all of the hours were driving but for me to be up and doing 'stuff' for 11 hours makes for a long day. I left in the dark but arrived in Ouray a little after sunup and only 10-15 minutes early for my meeting with Boonie (that is his blogger name). He publishes a very well written blog, much better than this effort of mine, at Occupation of Independence.
He found me in the parking lot where I should be at 7:00 am. From there we walked 3-4 blocks into 'downtown' Ouray, CO to eat and talk at Backstreet Bistro. The breakfast was very good but the 1 ½ hour conversation was even better. I hope our paths cross again and we can pick up where we left off – there was a lot yet to be said.
The route today was rather simple, get on US550 in Montrose, CO and follow it south. The hard parts were the passes and the slow speeds from Ouray, CO to Durango, CO.
First came Red Mountain Pass at 11,008'; the first time I have gone over 11,000' on a road. Then there were Molas Pass at 10,910' and Coal Bank pass at 10,640'. Desperado handled them all just like the champ that she is. I was pleased with my mountain driving also; gearing down correctly and breaking infrequently.
The more I do it the more comfortable I am becoming, the new tires also gave me more confidence than I had with the old rubber.
From Durango south it is high canyon and butte country, lots of oil wells for 100 miles and four lane road all the way. I crossed the Continental Divide once more and am back on the east side again.
North of Albuquerque I turned south on NM528 and then NM448 which took me through a scenic horse property home area. The Interstate 25 would have been much faster but that is not what my travel is about.
Where 448 crosses 528 again it becomes Coors Blvd and the urban city begins. At Coors and Central I stopped at Smith's for groceries which took twice as long as it should have. It is that new shopping place adventure one more time.
I then crossed the street to Albertson's where I bought a $12 one month bus pass for an old guy. Last but not least I drove to the western edge of the city to my new 'home' for the month.
I'll be able to say more after I have walked it a few times but the Park is up a pretty good hill. That should give me a nice view if I'm still able to enjoy it after the climb.
2 September
American RV Park
Albuquerquee, NM
Read Will Rogers column 88 years ago: September 2, 1923It was adventurous last night and this morning.
I think monsoon season is still here in northern NM as it was in Montrose the last few days I was there. Clouds build up throughout the afternoon and then a nice cooling rain comes at sundown.
I was late getting here yesterday and late earing my 'linner' When I did eat it was some soup and then ice cream for dinner. Soon after that when I finished my blog posting I got very dizzy and was sweating far more that the temperature called for. Just felt bad.
Went to bed and woke up with a painful cramp in the muscle on the outside of my thigh. I think this was all a result of my disrupted eating and being dehydrated; I never drink enough when I am driving.
The cramp area was still sore this morning but I thought a walk would be good for it. That thinking appears to have been correct, it is still sore but didn't give me any problems while walking.
I think my daily route will be down 'the hill' to 98th St. & Central where I'll catch the bus. That is what I did this morning. Caught #198 which became #66 and took me all the way across town from the west side to the east.
I saw a lot of RV dealers along Central on the east side. Central is also the old Route 66 with some historic buildings, and some not so historic, and a strong commercialization of the Route. Central is also on the southern edge of the University of NM so there were a lot of students on board.
For my return trip I caught #777, an Express, back to 'downtown' where I then got on #66 to a transfer station at Central & Unser. There was a bit of a wait there for #198 to take me back to 98th St.
Had breakfast at El Mezquite Market, cafeteria style, a Mexican market that looks like it came from Mexico. They have a far better butcher selection than any Mexican Market that I saw while there and better than any 'chain' supermarket that I use here in the USA.
Then the real adventure began; I had to walk back up 'the hill'. The elevation gain is 100' in the first mile, then 300' in the next 1 ½ mile with another 100' in the last mile. Putting it very bluntly, 'the hill' kicked my ass!
I stopped many times to rest; mostly because of a very painful back but also to recover. After one of those recovery periods I knew that my blood pressure had plummeted because of PEH (Post Exercise Hypotension).
I think it is partially the altitude in combination with my effort and overall physical condition. Total distance walked today was 7.14 miles which is 15-20% more than normal which may have also added to the physical stress. I hope my next climb goes better!
3 September
American RV Park
Albuquerquee, NM
The hill took advantage of me yesterday.I must have still been experiencing some of the same physical issues that caused me grief the evening of September 1st. The hypotension continued through the late afternoon with my blood pressure remaining lower than usual and pulse rate higher.
This morning my pulse rate was elevated enough that I would have taken the day as a rest day but I felt good.
I evened the score with 'the hill'. Did the entire 520' climb in 3.25 miles without a stop. The breathing was heavy at times but no back pain (it was very bad yesterday) and no reason to stop.
No symptoms of hypotension during the climb or the remainder of the day. I do have sore muscles that usually are not but that is because I don't usually use them.
All in all I feel much better about 'the hill' and climbing it every day as part of my routine while I'm here.
Caught the #198 bus which again became a #66 at Central & Unser then got off at Central & Coors. A long block walk from there to Western View restaurant.
Had one of their Huevos Rancheros which was excellent with a price to match, much cheaper than CO or WY. They are going to see me again during this month.
The Balloon Fiesta does not start until October 1st but there were six flying this morning. It is not a close viewing site but I would enjoy watching them from 'the hill' during that time. I'll be gone when the Fiesta begins but I'm sure that I'll enjoy more flights before then.
I'm having my usual big salad and salmon with brussel sprouts for 'linner' today. Yesterday I made up a batch of chili in the Cooker and had some over a tamal. I picked up a dozen at Smith's the other day but when they are gone I'll replace them with some from El Mezquite Market.
It is so good to be back in Mexican Food Country!
The Budget battle rages on and will continue through the 2012 election cycle for sure. The latest skirmish is over funding FEMA and now that Irene has struck the Administration see an opportunity to save one of their 'green' crony capitalism 'investments'.
The article that this excerpt was taken from goes on to say that the House has proposed a Bill that gives FEMA even more funding than President Obama asked for but requires that it be paid for with cuts from other areas of the Budget. The lame stream media is publishing the Administrations propaganda as usual.
This week the left-wing press has been attacking House Majority Leader Eric Cantor for holding disaster relief funding "hostage." A more accurate way to put this is that Senate Democrats won't approve new funding for disasters unless they get the funding they want for corporations that make electric cars.
Here's the story: In June, House Republicans passed the 2012 Homeland Security appropriations bill, which included an amendment adding $1 billion to the Disaster Relief Fund of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In a sensible move for taxpayers, the amendment offsets this new disaster funding by cutting spending on the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program. This may ring a bell with readers as the funding conduit for one of Washington's adventures in crony capitalism.
In 2009, the Department of Energy announced that it would loan more than half a billion dollars through this program to a California-based company, Fisker Automotive, to make luxury electric cars. About a month after the loan package was conditionally approved, CEO Henrik Fisker and Joseph Biden appeared in the Vice President's hometown of Wilmington, Delaware to announce that Fisker would now be making some of its cars at the city's old General Motors factory.
4 September
American RV Park
Albuquerquee, NM
A Holiday Sunday, perfect kind of a day for doing nothing. It has been a long time since I followed the manifesto of the International Institute of Not Doing Much (IINDM).I did walk down to 98th St. and had breakfast at El Mezquite Market. It has all the appearance of a Market in Mexico and also has the culture. The hours, posted on the door, say that they open at 7:00 am every day. This means nothing, as it would in Mexico, they open when the Manager gets there, if he is late they open late.
That isn't really a problem because the cafeteria line does not have more than a third of the items ready for the day. Then when they are able to get my breakfast put together the Cashier is not ready nor is there any coffee. I felt like I was back in Mexico at the start of this Fulltimer adventure.
Then came back up 'the hill' to settle into my do nothing state of mind that the recall of Mexico had brought forth. This down-n-back that I did today is the shortest route, 6.6 miles, that I will be doing. Any day that I catch the bus and go anywhere will add to my daily distance walked – unless I simply ride the bus all day.
I'll have my big salad around 'linner' time today but then will go to a Pizza Social at 6:00 pm. I'll have a chance to get out of my hermitage, socialize a little and eat Free Pizza. It is the latter more than the former that has enticed me to participate. HA HA
President Obama loves to see the CBO's projections. They almost always confirm the line that he offers up in his Campaign speeches.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 143,338,000 were Employed at the beginning of 2009 when Obama was sworn in as President. Those unemployed were 11,108,000 and those Not in the Labor Force were at 80,588,000. That is what he 'inherited' from the Bush Administration.
Now after the Recovery Act, and with the OMB's stamp of approval, the June 2011 real numbers, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics are: Employed 139,334,000, Unemployed 14,087,000 and Not in the Labor Force 86,069,000.
Is it ALL Bush's Fault? Did he inherit a mess? Maybe so but it looks to me like the Obama Administration has made it worse. Then they claim that what they have done is a success, the OMB confirms the lie and the lame stream media reports the lie.
The Congressional Budget Office "this week released a new economic projection and, in so doing, confirmed its earlier finding that the Recovery Act succeed [sic]. .. As of June, the agency says, between 1.0 and 2.9 million more people are working because of the Recovery Act."
"The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) based its estimates of the economic effects of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) on information from various sources: macroeconometric forecasting models, general-equilibrium models, and direct extrapolations of past data."
Can we have that in English, please? Yes we can, courtesy of Reason's Peter Suderman:
The reports aren't based on a detailed measurement of real-world output. Instead, they're based on measuring the input (how much money was spent), and then using models to project how big the multiplier effect has been. Measuring spending and modeling output means that you can believe the CBO when it says that the stimulus turned out to be more costly than expected, but you should remain wary about any claims made using the "real-world effects" side.
Indeed, CBO director Doug Elmendorf has explicitly made this point, agreeing at a speech earlier this year that that [sic] "if the stimulus bill did not do what it was originally forecast to do, then that would not have been detected by the subsequent analysis."
So if in reality no jobs had been created, or only 10 jobs had been created, then the CBO's reports would not reflect those numbers. It's using the models that projected the stimulus would create lots of jobs to report that the stimulus did create lots of jobs.
5 September
American RV Park
Albuquerquee, NM
The Free Pizza social last night was a success, at least from my point of view.There was a ½ hour of music by Van Varlon, a country and western singer, that started at 6:00. He is Workamping here at the Park and will be playing on 25 dates this winter in Mesa, AZ area Parks.
He sings a lot of Dwight Yoakam songs (has that Dwight twang), as well as others, and does a very good job. He also acted as the host/announcer for the evening. Introduced Late Arrival, a very loud Rock-n-Roll band, for their ½ hour set and most importantly said the Pizza was ready.
The Pizza was provided by Late Arrival! The two guys in the band drive trucks that transport compressed industrial gases to Texas during the week. They plus the one female in the group have lived here in the Park for the past three years. Pick up a local band gig from time to time and have cut three albums but certainly have not broken into the Big Time.
I went to Denny's at Flying J Truck stop at 98th & I-40 for breakfast. This was a round trip of 7.6 miles and is only the second restaurant available to me without a bus ride or a very long walk.
No problems with 'the hill' this morning. I re-measured the steepest mile this morning, which is the middle mile of the 3.25 total climb, and found it to be 250'. Within that mile the steepest part is probably a 6% grade.
I can't refrain from commenting on the Employment Situation that has been the Big News since the Bureau of Labor Statistics news release of last Friday. Their report claimed that there were zero jobs added or lost during the month of August and this was then reported as terrible News by the lame stream media.
The numbers that the Bureau release are always non-farm, the basic assumption behind this I presume is that farm workers are not important to the US economy. This non-farm number is also always seasonally adjusted, manipulated by the infamous "Birth Death Adjustment," and mucked up in other ways.
The non-farm jobs is the headline number that is focused on by the politicos and the media every month but then is 'adjusted' by the Bureau annually. The adjusted numbers never receive the attention that the original report did, I guess the justification for this is that 'it is old news'.
So be it, the Bureau reported June adding 20,000 jobs, then July added 85,000 and August was -0-. However, if you look at the Bureau's historical data, by month, for Total Employed (which includes farm workers and has not been manipulated quite as badly) you find that June LOST 445,000 jobs, July LOST 38,000 jobs and August ADDED 331,000 jobs.
I can't help but think that the Bureau derives the numbers that they report each month out of thin air. They are as bad, perhaps even worse, that the Congressional Budget Office.
6 September
American RV Park
Albuquerquee, NM
The big item on my agenda today was to make an appointment for oil change and lube. I probably could have telephoned but do not like phones. Also wanted to see where the place was and how I would get to it.Caught #198 which became #66 to the 'downtown' Alverado Transportation Center. There I changed to #10, which took a bit of searching to find where it stopped within this big 'bus hub'.
I had looked up route #10 on the bus web site and knew that I wanted to get off at Aspen. The buses have a 'canned' voice announcement for approaching cross streets – NOT all cross streets and NOT all streets announced are stops.
This is of limited value if you don't already know where you are going and the street you want is NOT announced. If you do know where you are going then the announcements are probably an irritation. All this to say I went past Aspen, not announced, by .5-.6 miles before getting off and walking back.
Then had breakfast of Huevos Divorciados at La familiar restaurant near 4th @ Aspen where I wanted to get off the bus. The meal was OK but I was disappointed and will not get it again. I'll try something different when I take Desperado in for her service next week.
After eating I walked four blocks to Stathus Engine Performance and made the appointment for September 15th then back to catch #10. Changed to #766 at 2nd St. but missed the stop and had to walk about four more blocks. Took that to Central @ Unser where I then got #198 back to 98th St. at the base of 'the hill'.
Total walk for the day was almost 8.1 miles. That is the longest one that I have done in some time. Felt good and I had rest between the longer segments. A good day and accomplished my mission!
Maureen Dowd wrote an Op-Ed for The New York Times entitled One and Done?. I have copied only one paragraph from it. She tells it like it is and like it always has been, President Obama's answer to all problems – give a speech! This is coming from a one time very strong Obama supporter that within the last month has written critical Op-Eds about him and his policies. The New Your Times has declared it open season on what Maureen once called “The One”.
Obama is still suffering from the Speech Illusion, the idea that he can come down from the mountain, read from a Teleprompter, cast a magic spell with his words and climb back up the mountain, while we scurry around and do what he proclaimed.
7 September
American RV Park
Albuquerquee, NM
This was written yesterday by Chuck Butler in his blog Daily Pfennig.There’s a fly in the ointment folks… the ointment being the bailouts of Greece, Ireland, & Portugal … A German court is going to rule on the constitutionality or legality of Germany’s participation in the bailouts, and this ruling is expected tomorrow, Sept. 7th!The court said Germany's agreement last year to take part in the financial bailout of Greece and to set up a eurozone rescue fund was legal... But it also said parliament had the right to decide how taxpayer money is spent and that the government could not commit to more emergency expenses without asking the budget committee of the Bundestag lower house first.
This like here in the U.S. where we just circumvent the Constitution, and it takes a ruling by the Supreme Court to overrule something that should never have started… Well… apparently, Germany’s participation in the bailouts is considered to be against the law of the land… Germany’s Chancellor, Angela Merkel, has tried to sneak the sun past the rooster here, and now, we’ll see if the German Court will look the other way or not…
If they declare the actions illegal, you can only imagine the problems for Greece, Ireland and Portugal… And if they declare the actions illegal you can only imagine the euro getting taken to the woodshed for sure! … But, the euro has problems… the currency is only worth more than the dollar because the dollar’s problems are worse… But, they will get to a more even playing field should the German Court declare the actions illegal… The ruling can always be appealed, and daisy chain this thing out for months…
This was probably the best ruling I could have hoped for. If the court had ruled that setting up the rescue fund was illegal, which I did NOT expect, that would have helped my June investment very quickly. This ruling will probably do the same thing, it will just take longer. Then again it may work out that I made a poor investment.
Had another nice evening rain last night. Only .1” but it cooled the evening down and certainly added to the humidity today. It was in the 75-80% range when I walked down 'the hill'. Then it was in the 65-70% range when I climbed back up.
The sweat was dripping off of me and my shirt was sopping wet by the time I got home. Once I cooled down the overcast day, the humidity and a breeze made it a perfect day for some quality couch time. It became even more perfect around 'linner' time when a good old fashioned thunderstorm hit with some high winds, lighting, thunder, some pea size hail and heavy rain. Didn't last long but a great show while it was going on.
I didn't feel up to doing much of anything this morning so just went to Central @ Coors by bus and then walked 1/3 mile. That got me to Mac's La Sierra Coffee Shop where I found a Feta Cheese Omelet.
I don't find them very often so took advantage. It was GREAT, packed with Feta Cheese. Mac's will see me again before I leave here.
The rest of the day was spent surfing web News, reading blogs and crashed on the couch with my novel.
William McGurn wrote an Opinion entitled The President's Speech Impediment for The Wall Street Journal. I have copied only part of it, the part about the President getting greedy. That is exactly what I wrote when he did it.
In my opinion he is making the same kind of a 'bonehead' move by NOT condemning Maxine Waters, Jimmie Hoffa and VP Biden for their un-civil language directed toward the Republican Party and the Tea Party Movement.
He got a boost in popularity with his 'civility' speech in Tucson, almost as much as killing Osama. But he is loosing it now with his hypocritical position on the 'left-wing' un-civility. Substance tells – truer words were never written!
Back in July when he was negotiating with Speaker Boehner, the two had agreed on a grand bargain that would include real cuts in entitlements. The "give" on the Republican side was that the deal would address "revenues," which to the president means raising taxes and to the speaker means relying on growth to bring in more money to the Treasury's coffers.
For the president, that deal would have allowed him to do something serious about spending—in a highly public and bipartisan way. Even better for him, it might have split the opposition. For such a deal would likely have left Republicans bickering, with some arguing we should wait for a Republican president and others screaming "sellout."
The president, however, got greedy, and killed the deal when he asked for more. That's been his problem all along. Notwithstanding incessant calls to rise above politics, on issue after issue the president has proved himself incapable of matching his large rhetoric with equally large actions.
In music there's a saying about a performance that was "too small for the house." That's becoming true of the president. There was a day when Mr. Obama's taste for the marvelous—a campaign address in Berlin, the faux presidential seal, the Greek columns that surrounded him during his speech accepting the Democratic nomination—all seemed to herald something exciting and historic.
Even inside the Beltway, however, substance ultimately tells. Three years into his presidency, the grander the stage the smaller Mr. Obama comes across.
8 September
American RV Park
Albuquerquee, NM
Went for a bus ride to reach a breakfast spot this morning. From 98th St. it was the usual #198/#66 to Central @ Coors. Transferred there to #155 north on Coors to La Orilla and walked back to Weck's (only went past one closer bus stop, I'm getting better).Weck's is an Albuquerque restaurant chain, I think, with a '50s movie décor in one big open ceiling room, formica tables with chrome trim and chromed chairs. I had their Huevos Rancheros with green chili, very good and much like what the Daily Bread prepared in Montrose, CO.
Then it was catch the #155 south, transfer to #766 at Central and #198 at Unser. It was almost four hours from 'home' to 'home' with about 1.3 miles of walking while on the bus trip. Every transfer, other than at a Transit Center, requires a 2, 3, 4 block walk even if you don't screw up.
I had a nice cool morning for going up 'the hill'; partial shade from scattered clouds and a nice breeze from the east or east by southeast. I also noted that it took me exactly one hour to go down 'the hill' and only three minutes longer to climb up it. Pretty proud of myself.
The thunderstorm yesterday dumped .08” of rain on me in a very short time. It also stayed nice and cool all day then was almost cold this morning at 59°. No A/C running at all yesterday and I might not need it again today. Great weather!
Michael J Boskin wrote an Opinion for The Wall Street Journal that was published today that says the following in part:
President Obama constantly reminds us, with some justification, that he was dealt a difficult hand. But the evidence is overwhelming that he played it poorly. His big government spending, debt and regulation fix has clearly failed. Relative to previous recoveries from deep recessions, the results are disastrous. A considerable fraction of current joblessness, lower living standards, dependency on government and destroyed savings is the result. Worse, his debt explosion will be a drag on economic growth for years to come.I believe the answers to Mr. Boskin's questions are: NO, NO, NO and Yes, he will propose the same failed policies. More spending, more social engineering, and taxing the 'rich' more is his mantra, it is all he knows.
Can Mr. Obama change course, given the evidence that the economy responded poorly to top-down direction from Washington rather than the bottom-up individual initiative that is the key to strong growth? Is he willing to rein in the entitlement state erected under radically different economic and demographic conditions? And will he reform the corporate and personal income taxes with much lower rates on a broader base? Or is he going to propose the same failed policies—more spending, social engineering, temporary tax cuts and permanent tax hikes?
9 September
American RV Park
Albuquerquee, NM
Read Will Rogers column 88 years ago: September 9, 1923The President's speech was about as advertised; more spending, more social engineering, more temporary tax cuts (but those are cutting payments made INTO Social Security thereby putting it more in the red and requiring more future borrowing). I think The Speech should be called his 'Wimpy Speech' - "I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today".
George W. Bush proposed that: “we’ll allow younger workers at their choice to invest some of their own money in the private markets to get a better rate of return so that the Social Security promise will be kept.” He was saying that the Social Security Tax would be reduced and 'younger workers' would have more of their own money in their pocket but they would have to invest it. This was condemned by virtually every Democrat, every liberal and every media outlet in the land.
Now, a decade later, President Obama wants to reduce the Social Security Tax for ALL workers for an additional year. Put more money in the pockets of ALL workers to generate jobs through additional consumption (not investment). Now, those same Democrats, liberals and media are all for reduced SS taxes. This reduction in SS tax started last December and has not created jobs during the first 8 months of 2011 why should such a policy work any better in 2012?
Tioga George wrote this in his blog a day or two ago: An email arrived this afternoon from a reader which contained a curious question. This reader wondered why I posted in my blog every day? "Sometimes nothing of interest happens to you.", she wrote. "Why don't you just not write in your blog on days like this?"
I have very few readers but I'm sure that more than one has had that same question in mind. I don't remember George's reply but I write everyday because I want to. I also write everyday because it keeps some discipline in my life which I would lack if I quite writing. So, when I say I have done nothing that is only partially true, I have written about doing nothing and have troubled to post it – I have displayed some discipline.
Today was grocery shopping day. I drove to Smith's at Central and Coors where I parked and then started my walk.
Went east on Central which was downhill about 150' off of West Mesa. Turned north on Atrisco, a major street paralleling the Rio Grande on the west side, that climbed 120' up onto the Mesa again through Riverview Heights.
Atrisco then turns west when it meets the sound walls of I-40; changes names a couple of times but led me to Iliff Rd at 57th St. That was a block from the Village Inn that I had targeted as my morning stop.
After eating a nondescript breakfast I finished the circle walk by continuing south on Coors. Got my larder stocked for another week and headed 'home' where I did a fair job of getting into my back-in space.
Was hooked up to electric once again by 9:30. The shorter walk, 5.45 miles, and not quite as much grocery searching time made for a quick trip.
10 September
American RV Park
Albuquerquee, NM
I thought I would have breakfast at El Mezquite again but the server on the cafeteria line that spoke the best English said they only have egg dishes on Monday and Friday. I'll try them again on Monday and see what they have.Went to Flying J/Denny's as my second choice. The best thing about my visit this morning was I got a coupon for a Free Grand Slam with my next visit.
Took some 4x4/ATV trails from there back home. It was a longer walk and harder but was different. Thrash has been dumped all over the area, it is a mess.
Came across two old RVs that were camped in the bottom of a wash. They are well out of sight from either Central or from I-40 but it is a bad place to be if we get a real hard rain.
It did rain yesterday, near sundown again, after staying cool and overcast all day. Today looks like it will be the same and the forecast is for the same as yesterday. Some early Fall weather here in northern NM. The way it feels here I would not be surprised to hear that there has been snow in the high mountains.
Ordered another wall lamp to match the one that I have on the right 'living room' wall. I'll have it installed on the left side by the RV Service guys in Sierra Vista, AZ that did the other one. Need to prep and paint the upper wall on that side before I have them do that but have until November to get it done.
11 September
American RV Park
Albuquerquee, NM
Another wonderful day to do nothing. Not as overcast as the previous two days but still some scattered clouds. A cooling breeze and perfect temperature.Went to Western View for Huevos con Chorizo this morning. It was very good and this little restaurant has to be my favorite so far. I noticed another building on Central not far from 98th St. this morning that I did not realize was a Café. It is within walking distance from 'home' so I'll have to check it out this week.
On the way 'home' I could see that a lot of balloons were up over the area of the Fiesta. That is a long ways from Central and Coors so they were just specks in the sky. Much closer were six others that were flying not more than a mile north and east of the intersection.
A really nice lazy day for me, got in some quality time on the couch. Reading my latest novel and had a nap sneak up on me also.
12 September
American RV Park
Albuquerquee, NM
Another great weather day with a forecast for more of the same through the end of the week. I wish I could dial up these kind of days whenever I wanted them.There was thunder and lightning last night but I went back to sleep without hearing any rain. The official report was that there was a Trace but I saw some wet streets this morning so it was a heavy Trace.
Gave the cafateria at El Mezquite another try this morning. Was able to get scrambled eggs with onion and jalapaño. That came with some rice, beans and a couple of flour tortilla.
The price is right but they are never ready at 7:00 when the store opens and the choices are very limited. It is my shortest walk to get breakfast so I'll go back again but I have low expectations so I shouldn't be disappointed.
Speaking of disappointed, does anyone other than myself remember what President Obama said last Thursday: “And here's the other thing I want the American people to know: the American Jobs Act will not add to the deficit. It will be paid for. And here's how:
The agreement we passed in July will cut government spending by about $1 trillion over the next 10 years. It also charges this Congress to come up with an additional $1.5 trillion in savings by Christmas. Tonight, I'm asking you to increase that amount so that it covers the full cost of the American Jobs Act.”
There has not even been a week pass and he is now back with the 'tax the rich' again. This is an absolute MUST for him and the Democrats. They know that it will be impossible to get taxes raised on the middle class, where most of the money can be raised, unless they can 'soak the rich' first. Then, and ONLY then, can they say we made the rich 'pay their fair share' and now it is your patriotic duty to pay a little more.
Please note that this is a Wimpy tax increase “I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today”. The stimulus would be spent NOW, the taxes would be raised over the next 10 years so the deficit increases NOW, the Debt increases NOW. Did he lie in his speech when he said the Jobs Act would be paid for with SPENDING cuts or he is lying now when he says that the proposed tax increase is to pay for the Act with no increase in the Deficit – maybe he lied both times?
President Barack Obama is proposing a series of tax increases, mainly on the wealthy, to help cover the cost of a $447 billion economic stimulus proposal, budget chief Jack Lew said on Monday.
Lew said Obama's plan would raise $400 billion over 10 years by placing new limits on itemized deductions for individuals making more than $200,000 a year and families earning more than $250,000.
13 September
American RV Park
Albuquerquee, NM
This morning was very overcast. Had a bit of a headwind as I climbed 'the hill', it was almost cold and looked like it would rain at any moment. By noon it had cleared off except for the puffy white clouds on the horizons. Wind settled down to a very nice breeze and made for another great day.Went to Café 66 New Mexican Restaurant this morning. They said that they have been open for three months now but I just noticed that a few days ago.
I checked Google Maps for nearby restaurants when I first got here and it identified the building as Grandpa's Grill on Route 66. I looked that up and found that it had closed and moved locations. Google Maps still shows it as Grandpa's but it is now Café 66.
They serve up a Huevos Rancheros at an exceptional price Mon – Fri so that is what I had. It was very good so I will be back. It is a little over ½ mile farther round trip than El Mezquite but worth the extra walk.
A few domestic duties were taken care of yesterday and today. I got laundry taken care of, dumped the holding tanks and now have a batch of chili in the Cooker. I have been eating chili over tamales so a batch last about twice as long.
In his blog of September 12, 2011 James Howard Kunstler comes down on President Obama once more. Leading up to his being elected Obama could do no wrong by Mr Kunstler but unfortunately the President has fallen out of favor. You can be assured however that will not keep Mr Kunstler from supporting him in the 2012 election. As bad as President Obama has performed he is Liberal and therefor superior to ANY Republican in Mr Kunstler's opinion.
I'll yield to the obvious, then, and turn to President Obama's jobs speech. I don't believe for a minute that it added up to much beyond more political game-playing - although there is more than one game being played judging by the knuckleballs and downfield juke-moves displayed by Mr. O. You can throw in some rope-a-dope, too, since the main objective was to make a virtue out of weakness...
As to Mr. Obama's delivery, I wish he would give up that little vocal trick he employs of constricting his windpipe so as to sound extra-special sincere. In fact, every time he puts that phony voice on, I discount what he is saying, such as you would if listening to a speech by Pinocchio and seeing his nose grow at every utterance.
14 September
American RV Park
Albuquerquee, NM
The weather was a repeat of yesterday except some rain did come. Lat night I was awakened to the sound of it on the roof but went back to sleep. That was recorded as .02” by the officials. This morning as I was walking down 'the hill' I got damp with a few sprinkels that was also officially measured as .02”.I'm glad it didn't rain that much on me or I would have been pretty wet rather than damp.
Caught #198/#66, changed to #155 to Coors and Fortuna where I saw a couple of restaurants last Thursday while on my walk. Gave Federico's Mexican Restaurant a try. Had their Huevos con Chorizo which was good but not worth going back for.
I'll try the other place first then maybe go back to Federico's for something different.
I certainly do not envy Jay Carney, White House Press Secretary, his job. He had to make a statement on behalf of the President about the special election in NY for the House seat of Anthony Weiner.
Here was the situation going into the vote. 1) Weiner was a Democrat from a district where Democrats have a 3-1 registration edge 2) Weprin, the Democrat candidate, is Jewish in the district that is 40% Jewish. Turner, the Republican candidate, is Catholic. 3) Weprin, is a Democratic assemblyman from a prominent political family. Turner, is a television executive with no political experience.
Turner, the Republican won the election.
This is what Jay Carney had to say: The White House said Wednesday it does not view the defeat as a referendum on the president. White House spokesman Jay Carney says special elections are unique and don't reveal much about the outcome of future regularly scheduled votes.
Yeah, Right. If it were not for President Obama, Weprin would have won in a landslide.
The special election in NV to fill the House seat of Dean Heller, appointed to complete John Ensign's Senate term, was no surprise but also sent a message.
Republicans have represented Nevada's 2nd congressional district -- which covers almost the entire state, except the southern tip and the Las Vegas metropolitan area -- since it was created in 1983.
When Marshall was named as the Democratic candidate, there was some hope that the party could make the race competitive, but Amodei ended up winning the election by 22 points. That could spell trouble next year for the president. Obama won the battleground state in the 2008 election by 12 points, losing the second congressional district by only 89 votes out of more than 330,000 votes cast.
15 September
American RV Park
Albuquerquee, NM
A busy day for me today with almost no walking; a rest day without 'the hill'. I was up at my usual time, un-hooked from electric and on the road soon after 6:00. I wanted to get to my RV Service location before the morning rush hours. The city streets really fill up here as people go to work.Then sat in front of Statkus Engines and read my Daily blogs plus some web surfing until my 8:00 appointment.
Then walked about four blocks to La Familiar restaurant. There I had the Huevos ala Mexicana, a better choice than when I was there last week. I then had around an hour wait before Desperado was ready after her oil and lube, oil, air, gas filters plus a general looking over.
While I was out and about, I stopped at a nearby Wells Fargo branch to check out a notice I received about change of service on my Checking Account. The way I had read it I thought I would no longer get the waived fee (i e FREE) checking. I was wrong – this was a good thing in this case.
I was also very lucky that a Post Office was right across the street. Had to wait, four windows with one open, but did get the oil sample taken from Desperado today mailed off for analysis.
Last stop on the way 'home' was at Smith's to fill the pantry again for another week. Made quick work of that today, I almost know were my usual purchases are now – must be time to move again.
Very cool today with a high chance of rain. The high mountains of CO had a forecast for snow last night. Some of the high passes to receive up to 6” of snow. Red Mountain Pass, which I drove over, was among those named.
16 September
American RV Park
Albuquerquee, NM
Read Will Rogers column 88 years ago: September 16, 1923I went down and then up 'the hill' after having breakfast. That describes what I did today, not much else.
Went to Café 66 again, it was still closed at 7:00. They have no hours of operation posted anyplace but they told me that they opened at 7:00. The cook/owner came to the window to tell me they were not open. I couldn't hear his explanation so he opened the door and let me in to tell me that his waitress would be late – 7:30.
I said that I'd wait if he had coffee ready, it was and that is what happened. I didn't suggest to him that HE might cook and serve me; just drank my coffee, which he re-filled, and waited for the waitress.
I didn't have anything I needed to do nor anyplace I needed to be so reading my novel, drinking coffee and waiting was the thing to do.
Perhaps the major accomplishment for the day was becoming current with three blogs I started on at their beginning. I have selected three more but need to read those that are on my Monthly List first.
I don't happen to read them every month, it is more like every two, but that is what I call the List. It is also growing in length as I finish catching up to current with those that I select to start from their beginning.
The (TIC) net foreign purchases of long-term securities were $9.5 Billion in July versus a Trade Deficit of $44.8 Billion. In June (TIC) net foreign purchases of long-term securities were $3.7 Billion (adjusted) versus a Trade Deficit of $51.6 Billion (adjusted). In May (TIC) net foreign purchases of long-term securities were $24.2 billion and the Trade Deficit was $50.8 Billion.
The July numbers show some improvement, the trend has been reversed, during the time of the Debt Drama. I am still most interested in the August numbers when Europe was undergoing its own Debt Drama. My June trade has already moved in the right direction so these TIC and Trade Deficit numbers are probably lagging indicators but the trend reversal is good news.
This news item by Reuters today gives me even more hope that I'm on the right side of the trade. Geithner has the arrogance of President Obama to go to Europe and tell them how to 'fix' their Debt and Deficit problems within the Euro zone. The news report seems to indicate that his arrogance was not that well received.
It was an unprecedented visit designed to spur the Euro zone into action. But Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner's high-profile trip to Europe left some European officials more dumbstruck than starstruck.
Geithner's decision to travel to the small city of Wroclaw to discuss the sovereign debt problems of Greece, Ireland, Italy and the wider Euro zone was the clearest indication yet of the severity of the near two-year-old crisis, which now threatens the global economy not just the single currency bloc.
Officials said Geithner was coming to propose how the region might try leveraging its emergency bailout fund -- the 440 billion euro European Financial Stability Facility -- to better tackle the crisis, much as the United States used leverage to handle the fallout from the sub prime collapse.
But however good Geithner's intentions, the indications were that the meeting did not go as smoothly as he might have hoped.
Held in a concert hall, the gathering lasted for about 30 minutes. The Euro zone ministers arrived together by bus. Geithner was sped to the doors in a private car.
There was no word on whether voices were raised or what the temperature of the exchanges was, but Austria's finance minister, for one, was less than warm to Geithner's message.
"I found it peculiar that even though the Americans have significantly worse fundamental data than the Euro zone that they tell us what we should do and when we make a suggestion ... that they say no straight away," Maria Fekter told reporters afterwards, recalling a difference of opinion between Geithner and German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble on how to reinvigorate the Euro zone and tax financial deals.
Although some dropped hints of disagreement behind the meeting's closed doors, few were prepared to disclose Geithner's full prescription to heal the Euro zone crisis.
"He was very succinct. He was kind of headlining, that is the way he deals with things," said Irish Finance Minister Michael Noonan, adding that the leverage plan was the main thrust of what Geithner had delivered.
But his language was perhaps too blunt for European ministers, fatigued by the crisis and the countless disagreements it has prompted amongst them.
"We can always discuss with our American colleagues. I'd like to hear how the United States will reduce its deficits ... and its debts," Belgian Finance Minister Didier Reynders said somewhat tartly.
17 September
American RV Park
Albuquerquee, NM
With so little to do you would think I could remember to set up the links for the Will Rogers Weekly Article. Forgot it again, I have added it to yesterday's posting today.I did even less today than yesterday, but did remember that I had not added the link. I did go to Flying J/Denny's to use my coupon for a FREE Grand Slam breakfast. That required a hike down and the up 'the hill' which was all I did.
It has been mostly cloudy during the morning which made the climb cooler. The dark clouds started to build in the west early this afternoon and I could see what appeared to be heavy rain in the northwest. Could hear some thunder coming from that direction also.
It didn't take that storm very long to arrive at the Park. There were strong winds bringing it to me and soon had Desperado rockin-n-rolling. Then the lightning and thunder had their brief turn on stage. The rain finale however was a big disappointment, almost none fell.
There appears to still be storm activity to the north so I may get a repeat performance, with rain, before the day is done.
I did spend some time researching a route to the south when I leave here. The shortest way would be to use the Interstates that Google Maps always offers up. I don't DO Interstates unless forced so a more indirect route will be found if possible.
18 September
American RV Park
Albuquerquee, NM
I had intended to make this an active day but plans do change. I was going to go to Weck's again then to REI but after waiting for bus #155 for 5-10 minutes I thought to look at the schedule.That told me that the first bus on Sunday, today DUH, would be by after 10:00 am. Since it was only about 7:30 I decided that another Feta Cheese omelet at Mac's La Sierra was a better idea.
My bus riding experience here in Albuquerque is about the same as it was while I lived in Reno. Here they do maintain their schedules better than in Reno.
In either city if you are going from point 'A' to point 'B' and can stay on the same bus the service is good. It is when you need to change buses that both cities 'service' goes into decline.
In those situations you are almost always going to spend more time waiting for a bus than you will riding on one. Or as I found today, you can not get there from here at the time that you wish.
Totally clear sky early this morning with a nice breeze that made the climb 'home' easier. A few clouds on the horizon this afternoon but not storm clouds like yesterday. The breeze has continued which has made for a great day.
19 September
American RV Park
Albuquerquee, NM
Today was a long day. The activities that were planned for yesterday I did today.The walking was the same down and then up 'the hill'. However, I added about 3 miles in the middle making for a total day of 9.62 miles.
The time involved was long as well. I was gone 7 ½ hours to have breakfast at Weck's, get socks at REI and return home.
I did arrive at REI 45 minutes early and could have cut that time with better planning or better luck – maybe. The #157 bus that I transferred to from the #155 on Coors runs on a 45 minute schedule. I know this because that is how long I waited for it when I returned from REI. So, with some really good luck I might have cut 1 ½ hours from my 'outside' day.
This 'outside' time was not planned to be so long but I certainly don't have anything important to do at 'home'. I saw some more of Albuquerque (a Rio Grande Trail looked interesting), saw some more balloon flying (up close) and got some sun on another great day.
I also got lucky at REI with my SmartWool sock purchase. I wanted 3 pair and it happened that they had a 10% off Sale if you bought 3 pair. That reduced the price to less than anyplace I could find when I was Internet shopping for them.
I tried the Pollo Enchilada con Huevos at Weck's this morning. I like this dish which you don't see on the menu very often in the United States. I wasn't impressed with Weck's offering. It may have been their using green chili sauce rather than red that put me off – not sure.
20 September
American RV Park
Albuquerquee, NM
Another beautiful day! Very sunny with a few clouds on the horizon and a wonderful breeze.After yesterday I needed an easy day today. The easiest with a good cheap breakfast is Café 66. They were actually open when I got there a few minutes after 7:00. I noticed that they were still closed as I went by in the bus yesterday at about 7:07.
Had the Huevos Rancheros Special, the special part is that they are $2 cheaper Mon – Fri. Then it was back up 'the hill' once again.
I have had a blister on the ring toe of my left foot for the past 4-5 days. It has bothered me somewhat but has not kept me from walking, today was better so maybe it is healing up. Had some back pains that I think came from the extra efforts of yesterday.
After I got home I did my bedding and some towel laundry. This made for a good laundry load which is too much if added to my usual clothing laundry day.
I even got the bed re-made without any noticeable bruises. The mattress and I wrestle around in the confined space an I usually come out the loser.
I have received confirmation that I have a space in Huachuca City, AZ for the month of November. I may stay there for December also. The major project while there is the left side re-model of Desperado's living room to match the right side.
This is a great summary of President Obama's much touted rhetorical powers. The only audiences that he seems to sway are on college campuses or at Democrat Fund Raisers. I think this will hold true with his Jobs/Deficit Plans also; the more speeches he gives the less support the Plans will get.
"His default position is give a speech. He has astonishing faith in his persuasive powers. It's refuted by evidence. He went to Massachusetts to campaign against Scott Brown. Brown is now senator. He went to New Jersey to campaign against Chris Christie, who is now governor. He went to Virginia to campaign against Bob McDonnell, who is now governor. He campaigned for the health care plan extensively. It became less popular. He campaigned in 2010 for the Democrats. They were shellacked. He began, in a sense, his presidency flying to Copenhagen to get Chicago the Olympics. Chicago was the first city eliminated. There is no evidence that the man has rhetorical powers that he is relying on," George Will told "This Week."
21 September
American RV Park
Albuquerquee, NM
Just another great weather day. There are some storm clouds building but I don't expect anything from them before sundown and maybe nothing then.It was perfect this morning for my breakfast walk to Flying J/Denny's. More importantly it was cool, there was a breeze and I had cloud shade for most of the climb 'home'.
It is a lazy day for me. Reading my novel while on the couch and enjoying the breeze. Or catching up on my Monthly List of blogs on the Internet while enjoying the great weather.
I know that I have been rather harsh regarding President Obama and many of his policies but I want to give credit where credit is due. He has kept one of his important campaign promises made back in 2008. It is interesting to note that it wasn't his rhetorical powers that made it happen but rather just his being elected seems to have been enough.
Remember that famous speech from then-Senator Obama -- the one from 2008, in which he declared that his election would cause the oceans to stop rising and the planet to heal?
Of course, this immediately became the butt of many conservatives' jokes.
But who's laughing now?
As it turns out, this is one of the few promises Obama has kept. Or at least, the oceans have kept it for him. Over at Climate Depot, Marc Morano has the details:
Earlier this month, the European Space Agency's Envisat monitoring, global sea level revealed a “two year long decline [in sea level] was continuing, at a rate of 5mm per year.”
In August 2011, NASA announced that global sea level was dropping and was “a quarter of an inch lower than last summer.” The global drop in sea level followed NASA's announcement that sea level around the U.S. was declining in February 2011.
Most surprising, despite the fact that Obama only said he would only “slow” the rise of the oceans, his presidency has presided over what some scientists are terming an “historic decline" in global sea levels. Obama appears to have underestimated his own powers to alter sea level.
22 September
American RV Park
Albuquerquee, NM
I didn't walk today. I was going to park at Smith's and walk from there again but just felt like I needed a day off.Drove to The Breakfast Club restaurant to have breakfast. They had Queso Enchiladas con Huevos on their menu but with no substitutions. I inquired about either chicken or beef but was told it was cheese only with the typical NM choice of red or green.
I chose red and enjoyed this dish much more that the one at Weck's. I'm convinced it is the red chili sauce rather than the green that makes it for me.
Then went to Smith's to stock up on groceries for my last week here. That also gave me enough Bonus Points that I was able to get a 30¢ per gallon discount on my first 35 gallons. I needed almost 6 more gallons to fill the tank but even at full price it was 10¢ per gallon cheaper that It was when I arrived here on September 1st.
There should be some more reduction in the price within a week or two since the price of oil has been dropping this week. The 'Market' has been taking a beating this last week also with most of my portfolio right along with it.
The June trade is doing well, too bad I only have a small investment. However, the way most of my trades go if I had a large position then the “Market' would be against me.
I have not been following the most recent media efforts to overturn the death penalty very closely. I did hear a report on the radio this morning that former President Carter has issued a statement in favor of no death penalty anywhere in the world – that seems Soooo Carteresque.
The cause célèbre for this most recent push to ban the death penalty is the Troy Davis case in Georgia. A black man convicted of killing a white police officer. He proclaimed his innocence until the very last and the Liberals rushed to save him from execution.
Troy Davis was not the only one executed last night. There was also the Lawrence Brewer case in Texas. A white man convicted of killing a black man, this case was also very instrumental in the passage of state and federal 'hate crime laws'. Brewer also proclaimed his innocence until the very last and the Liberals rushed to dance on his grave.
These two executions have not changed my opinion, I remain in favor of the death penalty. What they have done is brought forth the hypocrisy of the Liberals position regarding the death penalty. This will not be brought to the publics attention by the lame stream media however because they are a party to the hypocrisy.
23 September
American RV Park
Albuquerquee, NM
Read Will Rogers column 88 years ago: September 23, 1923I decided to come to, and stay in, Albuquerque, NM for a month for the following reasons (the order has no importance).
- I have never been here before.
- I needed to get Desperado serviced and Statkus Engines has received very good on-line reviews.
- There is a Madonna of the Trail here that I have not seen.
However, since I have been Fulltiming I like to stay in a place for a month at a time (it is a much cheaper cost of living). Therefore I made Albuquerque my 'home' and that gave me a chance to cover items two and three.
I got Desperado serviced on September 15th. Then today I went to see the Madonna of the Trail that is here.
I will not repeat what you can read in Wikepedia about the Madonnas. However, this visit to the one in Albuquerque marks my completion of visiting all of them west of the Mississippi River. If you have seen one of them you have seen them all – they are identical but I wanted to see them in situ.
The unique thing about the one here is that she has been treated somewhat like a 'red-headed stepchild'.
The Daughters of the American Revolution wanted to place a Madonna in Santa Fe, NM. However, Santa Fe didn't want her because she 'did not blend well with the Spanish-style art and architecture' of that city. Albuquerque did want her and came up with the money for shipment.
She was first placed in McClellan Park facing Route 66 (now 4th St.) until the highway was moved away from her in the realignment to Central Ave in 1937. She then stood there in a deteriorating park in a deteriorating part of town for almost 60 years until in 1996 McClellan Park was bulldozed and the Pete V. Domenici U.S. Courthouse was built on the block.
Madonna got refurbished and moved to the northwest corner of the block (4th St and Marble) at the rear of the courthouse but still facing the original Route 66. I went past her twice on the bus and then drove past once without seeing her. A line of trees block the view from 4th St when going north. She also blends into the courthouse background so you need to know where she is to spot her if just passing by.
After my brief visit with Madonna I walked over to Slate Street Café for breakfast. It was a bit more upscale than most of the places that I frequent, real cloth napkins and tablecloths. The prices were also a bit more upscale than what I have been paying in Albuquerque but about the same as in Montrose, CO (nothing upscale there).
I had their Green Egg and Ham Omelet. This was diced roasted green chili and diced ham which was excellent. Their coffee is FIRST-CLASS!
24 September
American RV Park
Albuquerquee, NM
Another lazy day. The only thing that I did that required any physical effort was walk to breakfast and then up 'the hill'.Went to Western View again, probably for the last time, and had Huevos ala Mexicana with red sauce. I think the Western has had the best Mexican breakfast dishes overall. Everything that I have had there has been good.
The weather is just perfect once more. Another of those days that calls for laying on the couch and reading. Perhaps even a nap.
Does anyone, other than myself, remember the criticism meted out to President George W Bush for his golfing? He only played 24 times in all eight years of his presidency, but was cast as the country club plutocrat for his love of the game. Michael Moore mocked him in his documentary, Fahrenheit 9/11, for condemning "terrorist killers" on the golf course in 2002, before adding, "Thank you. Now watch this drive."
Does anyone, other than myself, wonder why that same criticism has not been directed toward President Obama now that he has played 82 times and his first four years not completed? Why is Michael Moore not mocking President Obama for playing the 66th round of his presidency as US special forces prepared to move in on bin Laden?
25 September
American RV Park
Albuquerquee, NM
The only thing different about today compared to yesterday is the restaurant I went to. OH, I did my load of cloths laundry today, something I didn't do yesterday.Went to Flying J/Denny's for a sizzling platter breakfast. That will be my last Denny's visit while I'm here and perhaps for a long time to come. I don't go to Denny's much but when I'm looking for restaurants that I can walk to it is all about location, location, location.
There was one more difference between yesterday and today. Yesterday, on my way down 'the hill' I saw a bright light in the sky that I had not seen before. This morning it was not there, only yesterday morning.
I'm now reasonably sure that I was looking at the satallite that crashed back to Earth yesterday. It was very bright, much larger than the stars and also at a place in the sky that I would have noticed it before.
Then this morning it was gone. The only other explanation has to be that I saw a UFO that no one else has reported.
26 September
American RV Park
Albuquerquee, NM
Another day of lazing and lounging after my breakfast walk.I went to Café 66 again where the cook/owner was having the same waitress problems that he had last Monday. It was a different waitress but the same problem, she had not shown up nor called.
This time he did cook up my order and serve me when I assured him I was in no hurry, just keep the coffee coming. I also asked him to make me some Pollo Enchiladas con Huevos with red sauce.
This he did, although he does not have it on the menu. He also went heavy with the chicken and added Sopapillas for the accompanying bread rather than the tortilla that I was expecting.
After I got 'home' it was couch time with more novel reading. I'm nearing the end of this one that I have been working on for some time now, I'll tell you about it soon. Broke up that effort with some Daily/Monthly blogs and some web News reading.
27 September
American RV Park
Albuquerquee, NM
Finished the novel Whirlwind by James Clavell. In paperback it is 1,270 pages so I have been reading it for some time now. Remember how I select my book trades by volume, this was a real find.I remember reading Shōgun many years ago but did not remember the author, it was also by Clavell. They both are excellent and I highly recommend them. I am also going to be on the look out for three other of his novels written between Shogun and Whirlwind.
This is what he wrote as a Preface which explains the setting for this novel.
This adventure story is set in revolutionary Iran, between February 9 and March 4, 1979, long before the hostage crisis began. I've tried to make it seem as real as possible – but it is fiction, with imaginary characters and many imaginary places... I have tried to present an accurate but fictional picture of those times, of the different kinds of people who endured them, but nothing herein is meant by me in disrespect. This is a story, not as things really happened, but as I imagined they came to pass within those twenty-four days.I looked for restaurants in Old Town Albuquerque using Google Search and selected Church Street Café for my breakfast stop this morning. I wanted to see the square and church in Old Town and this was the only restaurant I could find that opened early(?) @ 8:00.
The bus connections got me to the square by 7:30 and after looking around I was at the Café by 7:45. By 8:03 I was ready to leave when the door opened but the guy opening it said “We are not ready yet".
He had opened the door only to take delivery from a truck that had pulled up. I tend to shun restaurants that have their menu posted on the wall by the door. It is not a hard and fast rule but I usually avoid them. I would have saved myself the wait this morning if I had obeyed that loosely held rule.
I left there and walked a couple of blocks to Old Town Diner where I had a jack cheese, roasted red pepper and tomato omelet. It was good, the French Roast (local roast and grind) coffee was GREAT and they were open when they said they would be.
All I can say about Old Town is if you have been to Tombstone, AZ and enjoyed it then you will enjoy Old Town. Both of them are VERY commercialized. I have been there, done that and did NOT buy the t-shirt.
If you want to see an Old New Mexico Town then I would recommend Mesilla, NM (near Las Cruces). If you want to see an Old Silver Mining Town with a Spanish influence then I would recommend Alamos, Sonora, Mexico.
28 September
American RV Park
Albuquerquee, NM
This morning was my last bus trip, last breakfast at Mac's and last Feta Cheese Omelet in Albuquerque. It will probably be the last Feta Cheese Omelet that I'll have anyplace for some time. They are rather scarce where I travel.Saw four flying balloons up close and personal when I came out of the restaurant. By the time the bus arrived and I got to the transfer station at Central and Unser (about 1.5 miles) two of them were landing near Coors south of Central. The other two were still high in the sky and west of Unser.
The Fiesta starts on Saturday so there will be balloons aplenty next week. I'm getting more neighbors this afternoon that I'm sure have come to see them.
I have not paid much attention to the more distant rows of spaces but the one directly in front of me is filling up. I got three big Class 'As' and a 5th wheel this afternoon. This is the first time that these spaces have had anyone in them since I have been here.
When I checked in I talked to the Park Office about staying the full month thru the 30th but have decided I'll be leaving that day even if they say I can stay. They said the Park would fill up and it looks like that will be so. I don't need to be here when that happens.
Peter Orszag, former Director of the Office of Management and Budget wrote an article entitled Too Much of a Good Thing in which he explains “Why we need less democracy”. He says the following in part:
So what to do? To solve the serious problems facing our country, we need to minimize the harm from legislative inertia by relying more on automatic policies and depoliticized commissions for certain policy decisions. In other words, radical as it sounds, we need to counter the gridlock of our political institutions by making them a bit less democratic.I find it more than a coincidence that the Dem. Gov. of North Carolina, Bev Perdue, in a speech to a Rotary Club then makes the following comment and then tried to water it down by saying “just joking” when called on what she had said.
Are these 'trial balloons' for President Obama in 2012? If there is the social unrest that I am anticipating next year will he declare martial law and suspend the elections? It is a possibility that I'm not ruling out.
"I think we ought to suspend, perhaps, elections for Congress for two years and just tell them we won't hold it against them, whatever decisions they make, to just let them help this country recover. I really hope that someone can agree with me on that," Perdue said. "You want people who don't worry about the next election."
29 September
American RV Park
Albuquerquee, NM
This morning was my last breakfast walk to Café 66 where the waitress finally showed up at 7:30. The cook/owner had already served me. Considering the employment situation in this country if I were the owner she would be among the unemployed and I would be creating a job.This morning was also my last time to go down and then up 'the hill'. I have referred to it as 'the hill' but the historical name is Nine Mile Hill on Route 66. That is the Route 66 of 1937 which was realigned along Central.
I walked the western end to the hill summit and a few miles closer to town. I assume that the nine miles were measured from the Crossroads of US66 & US85. There is a clock tower near that location today at Crossroads Mall in what was then the center of town.
After getting 'home' this morning I dumped my holding tanks. I had filled the fresh water last week and have ¾ of a tank which is more than enough to travel with. Paid for my electric usage this afternoon so need only to unplug tomorrow and drive.
I may not be posting everyday for the next few days. I need to get my Lap Top in for some 'service'. It has been getting very hot and I think one of the fans has quit. We will see.
The U.S. Department of Energy said on Wednesday it will provide a Texas clean coal plant with $450 million in funding months after a power company shelved plans for a similar plant in West Virginia.The total cost of this Texas clean coal plant is $1.7 Billion for 400 megawatts or about $4.25 Million/megawatt. The Government is funding a little over 25% of the cost. This may actually be a good loan guarantee for a viable project.
The DOE said in a document filed with the Federal Register on Wednesday it will provide Summit Texas Clean Energy LLC with $450 million through a cooperative agreement, up from its original plan to provide $350 million.
Summit plans to design, build and operate the coal-burning power plant which will capture about 90 percent of its greenhouse gas emissions and keep them from reaching the atmosphere.
The Department of Energy also approved two solar projects. I can not find a total cost for Tonopah but I would not be surprised that the loan guarantee is for the total cost ie we the taxpayer are the sole 'investor'. The total cost of Mesquite is $600 Million so we are the majority 'investor' in that one.
There are two big issues for me with these solar projects 1) The Tonopah project cost will be at least $6.7 Million/megawatt, Mesquite will be $4.0 Million/megawatt. 2) The Tonopah project is using 'new' first time technology at a very high cost per megawatt. Both of these loan guarantees smack of Solyndra crony capitalism , I will not be the least surprised if one or both of them do not end in bankruptcy.
Energy Secretary Steven Chu said the department has completed a $737 million loan guarantee to Tonopah Solar Energy for a 110 megawatt solar tower on federal land near Tonopah, Nev., and a $337 million guarantee for Mesquite Solar 1 to develop a 150 megawatt solar plant near Phoenix.
30 September
Wal*Mart Parking Lot
Silver City, NM
Read Will Rogers column 88 years ago: September 30, 1923Today was longer (331 miles) than my plan called for on paper. I usually go where I originally plan but do route changes en route sometimes. Today was one of those times.
My route: Central Ave, Old Coors Rd/NM45/NM314, NM6, Old US Hwy 66, I-40, State Rd 124, NM117, NM36, US60, NM32, NM12 & US180.
The route getting to NM117 is generally the original (or pre-1937) Route 66 until Mesita where the pre and post-1937 become the same. I followed this old US66 until it turned to washboard dirt/gravel, I whimped out (the road to Hidden Valley near Deming last year has soured me on washboard). I turned around and went back to NM6 then took I-40 to Mesita where I got on Old US Hwy 66 once again. From there it is like a Frontage Road which becomes State Rd 124, also Frontage, that is well marked as Historic Route 66.
Stopped at the Acoma Sky Casino, between State Rd 124 and I-40, for their breakfast buffet. It was alright for the price but is nothing special; I don't know how their lunch or dinner might be but breakfast is not worth a stop. Took a quick look around the Casino; quite large with lots of slots and a full set of ALL the table games which, in my experience, is surprising for an Indian Casino.
I changed my planned route at Quemado where I stopped for some gas. I was going to stay overnight at Pie Town or Datil and then take NM12 tomorrow. It was still early in the day so I changed my overnight stop and took NM32.
I will have a short day tomorrow. This is good because it will give me plenty of time to get groceries, find a computer repair shop and find a new 'home'. I'll be in Deming, NM tomorrow and will stay for 3-4 weeks. Maybe not posting for a few days but will catch up.
Bank of America, the biggest U.S. lender by assets, has joined JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo and SunTrust Banks in rolling out new fees for debit-card users. A $5 monthly charge for some debit-card users will begin in January 2012 to recoup revenue lost after new federal rules capped so-called swipe fees.
The cap, mandated by the Dodd-Frank Act, on debit-card fees were sold to lawmakers last year as a pro-consumer move. But as the deadline neared to finalize the rules, there was concern that the caps could push poorer people out of the banking system.
Those concerns have now come to pass. However, poorer people can not opt out of the banking system, not poorer people of Social security anyway, it is mandated that they have Direct Deposit.