Can I Have Your Autograph?

 

You got recognized (as part of the Hip Replacements) by the choir group yesterday, and it's gone to your head?  No; I'm pretty grounded.  Joan and Steph keep me that way.

Today, I did have a neighbor ask for my autograph... she saw me on TV this morning.  It was on a news piece that was shot last week; just ran this morning.

An investigative reporter for the CBS affiliate here in Phoenix ran a piece a couple weeks ago regarding 3 homes near our development that were having flooding issues after the unprecedented rain last month.  They felt the issue was the development south of us that was changing how water flows off of South Mountain.  The result of that news piece: the City pointed at the County, and the County said the flood/water-flow plans that were in place were doing just what they were supposed to do.

I reached out to that reporter and let her know that debris that came down from the mountain clogged the wash built to handle water flow around our community.  She and her camera man came out, met with another board member and me, asked some questions on camera.  Shannon, the other board member, gave the reporter video that she shot when the water flooded one of the main streets in our community.  The reporter, Susan Campbell, said she would take this to the City and County and try to get more information.

Turns out, the City and County do have a plan, but apparently couldn't come up with that info when the reporter first asked about it.  There is a flood control project that is scheduled for 2028 (formulated in 2022) east of our community, and another for 2031 (just formulated) on the western side of the community.

Not the immediate resolution hoped for, but there is a plan.  I guess we can hope there isn't another one of those "once in a decade" rains in the next 6 years.

The reporter reached out to me yesterday to let me know the piece would run during the 7:00 news hour.  I thanked her for the heads-up.  About 15 minutes of shooting video, edited down to about 30 seconds of each of us talking about the situation, and other video and stills that we provided.  She got a response from the City/County, and it is good information for the 3 homeowners from her earlier piece, and for the 367 homeowners in our development.

Being human, I was relieved that I didn't look like a dufus on-camera.  And the end result: definitive information.  Just trying to do good for the community.

 

 

Second verse, same as the first...

 

If you said, "A line from the Herman's Hermits song I'm Henry the 8th (VIII),  1965," you get 15 bonus points.

You sang the second verse to a song, Jim?  Well, I sang a bunch of second verses today, but this was more about the gig we have coming up Saturday afternoon - The Hip Replacements are back at Banner Health for another show for the Dementia/Alzheimer's group.

If the weather allows (a 50% chance of rain on Saturday is predicted as of right now), they are planning for about 30 vendors on hand.  We are supposed to be playing outside, but the contingency plan is to move indoors for the band, but they will have to cancel the vendors.

One of the things we were asked to do: accompany a choir group of VIPs on a song; the song they picked: John Denver's Take Me Home Country Roads.  None of us have played it before, but we assured the organizer that, with over 200 years of musician experience between us, we'll be able to handle this coordinated effort.  Today, Mark, Ron, and I went to one of their rehearsals about a mile away from where we were rehearsing at Ron's house.

We walked into the room where they were rehearsing, and... "It's the Hip Replacements!"  I guess we are pretty well-known with this group.  We spoke with the young lady who was directing the choir about the layout of the song as they do it: verse, chorus, verse, bridge, verse, chorus, outro.  "OK, we got it," I told her... "Although, when we do this song, we like to put a kick-ass guitar solo in the middle and about a 5 minute drum solo."

"OMG - that would be awesome!"  I had to tell her it was a joke: a ripping guitar solo and a drum solo wouldn't really work well with this folk-pop John Denver song.

Instead, I said, "Let's run through it."

"You're ready?"

"Yep, that's why we brought a guitar.  On Saturday, we'll be backing you with two guitars, bass, and percussion."

With the chart on Mark's iPad, we played along with them like we've been doing it for years.  They were pleased - we thanked them, said, "We'll see you Saturday," and headed out to get a quick slice of pizza before going back to Ron's for rehearsal for the rest of the afternoon.  Podge joined us around 1:30 and we went right to work.

I really enjoy playing with these guys - everybody contributes, any suggested arrangements/songs are given consideration, and we decide together how we want any particular song to go.  With Mark on lead guitar, Podge on bass, Ron on percussion, guitar, and mandolin, and me on rhythm guitar, the sound is full, and we have 3 or 4 part harmony on most songs.

Here's a promo piece...

 

If the Rain Comes...

 

... they run and hide their heads.

If you said, "The first line from the song Rain by The Beatles, 1966; released as the B-side of Paperback Writer," you get 15 bonus points.

Of course, I'm talking about the rain gutters that were installed yesterday.  One of the young men doing the work said, "The sealant I'm putting in should have 24 hours to dry."

I said, "You know it's going to rain here before that."

He shrugged his shoulders and said, "Let's hope it holds off."  So, there's a plan.

I woke up at 4:25 this morning to the sound of rain outside.  "Well, almost 12 hours," I thought to myself.  I went back to bed for an hour, but didn't get back to sleep.  After getting Murphy his breakfast, I went out in the dark to see how things were working with the rain gutters... OK, with what I could see.

We have music rehearsal today for a gig on Saturday.  We'll be at Ron's house, which is in the downtown Phoenix area.  The hourly forecasts show the heaviest rain in that area over the noon hour.  Timing.  I am not a fan of loading-in in the rain.  We also will be going to where a women's choir is rehearsing, because we agreed to back them on one song this Saturday (they asked, we try to oblige).

For anyone keeping track, Saturday is the day for my Meet the President get-together at 9:00 am, then the gig for Banner Health in the afternoon.  Chance of rain on Saturday is 50%.  Yes, we're playing outside.  I'll bring a 10'x10' pop-up kiosk, but that won't help if it is windy.  I find myself saying, "We'll see how that plays out," a lot these days.

 

The predicted accumulation totals for now into Saturday...

Phoenix averages over 300 days of sunshine per year, which accounts for over 85% of daylight hours.  Alas, this is proving out to be a rainy week here in the Valley of the Sun.

 

Body Cam...

 

This is a test.  In an actual emergency, you would be instructed on where to tune for information.  How many of us remember that all-in-one emergency shelter: the school desk?  It could be used to protect you from a tornado, or even possible nuclear bombs.  Well, that's what we used to believe.

We know better now.  A tornado could be filled with sharks (10 bonus points if you said: "Sharknado"), and a shark can obviously get at you under your desk.

I may have digressed again.  Joan suggested that I might want to wear a body camera for this Meet the President get-together on Saturday - some way to keep track of what questions are being asked and a record of my answers to the questions.  Probably a good idea.

Since I have several cameras that I shoot video of motorcycle and scooter rides, or van outings, or music videos, I have options.  The Insta360 Go3s I have has a pendant that you wear around your neck that the camera sticks to magnetically.  It is really designed to be used with the small camera portion of the Go3s, but that will only record for about 30 minutes.  With that camera in the action pod, it will record up to 2 hours.

I put that camera on the pendant and gave it a shot.  Here's Joan looking at me from across the kitchen counter...

 It does a decent job of the video and audio.  I walked around outside with it on for further testing...

 

That is Murphy checking me out through the door.  This camera will certainly work for this purpose.  I have two other DJI cameras that will allow me to attach a wireless microphone, which will provide much better audio.  So, more options.  I will narrow it down to the best tool for the job.

"Do you really think you need a body cam for this meeting, Jim?"  Well, not for the same purpose as a police body cam.  But, having video during a board meeting has been important to determine what was really being said on more than one occasion.  With this being just little ol' me fielding homeowner questions, I won't have time to take notes; a video will allow accurate follow-up on anything I might not have the answer to on the spot.

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We had two appointments at the house today: the first one was with the pest control company; we were told "between 8 and 10am.  The guy was there at 9:00 and was right on it.  Friendly and professional.  The second was with the rain gutter installation folks; we were told "between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm"... they showed up at 3:22.

Oh, you're probably going to say, "Hey, that was pretty close."  It has been a stormy day in much of the Phoenix Valley today - as in: rain, hail, and wind warnings in the Goodyear and Avondale area (less than 14 miles from us.  The weather here at the house has been: a bit of rain between 6:30 and 7:00 am, and no precip the rest of the day.  Mostly sunny, a bit of breeze.  Not the 60mph winds they were getting in Avondale.

Why the weather report, Jim?  Thanks for asking.  This company is located in the middle of where it is storming.  IF they were waiting to see if the weather was going to break, they were burning daylight here at our house.  By 1:00, I suggested we give them a call to "exchange information."  That was vetoed.  At 3:05, the party doing the veto gave the company a call... "Yes, they are still coming.  Let me check their location... the crew is about 8 minutes away from you."  Good that they keep track.

So, time counts.  It is sunny here right now.  Looking at the clouds over the mountains, that could change at any time.  Sure would be nice if they could get this done before the rain hits again.  But, they're here now.  One of us really wanted these rain gutters, so I just want these guys to do a good job to keep that person happy.

The follow-up: the guys doing the install were young, 23 and 25.  They seemed plenty efficient, although I did have to get up on the ladder and point out an issue.  They understood, did what was asked, and everyone was happy.  That was the goal.

The work got completed without being rained on.  Some of the sealant they use is supposed to dry for 24 hours... that may not play out.  Joan is happy with the look, I am happy with the install.

 

Up On The Roof...

 

If you said, "Up on the Roof most commonly refers to the hit 1962 song by The Drifters, written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, which became a major hit in 1963," you get 20 bonus points.

If you said, "Jim, you do know that falls are the most common cause of injuries for people over 70, don't you?  You weren't up on the roof, were you?" you get 50 bonus points for your concern.  And, no - I wasn't up on the roof... I was up on a ladder, near the roof...

 But, there is nothing bonus point worthy for up near the roof.  ;-)  There was a security light/camera in that location, and it needed to be taken down.

Why?  We have rain gutters scheduled to be installed tomorrow, and that light would have been in the way.  There is a 55% chance of thunderstorms tomorrow.  Will they install rain gutters in the rain?  Probably not.  Will they install rain gutters in a thunderstorm?  Not if they have any functioning brain cells.  So, it may not happen as scheduled.  We can be flexible.

We'll see how that plays out, but we are ready for them if/when they show up.

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More HOA stuff to deal with during the late morning and afternoon.  People don't know that some of what gets done has nothing to do with CC&Rs and financial stuff.  This would be considered more potentially giving a homeowner some help when they are having a tough situation.

Joan also quizzed me on questions that people might ask at Saturday's Meet the President get-together... to see if I am up on all the different topics.  I appreciate her time; I think she learned that I do have a handle on what's going on.  She helped me organize paperwork, so I can have info easily at hand for any specific budget and financial questions.  I am hoping Steph will have time in the next few days for another Q&A session.

And, yes, Murphy got several walks in today.  He did not have to go up on a ladder.  But, he could.

 

 

(Sigh)...

 

Just when things are starting to settle down, the handyman for the management company put up a sign in our park.  That's not the issue: he was supposed to put up a sign.  He put up the wrong sign; with wrong park hours.

Some people in the community believe that the board can't do anything right.  Last thing I needed was this.  I found out about the sign last night (after some of the angry ones saw the sign and posted about it on Facebook); I drove to the park and took it down.  No, that isn't in my job description.  Something had to be done.  Now.  People love to point out a mistake; some consider it deliberate.

For the record, I am serving in good faith.  The board actions are voted on in open business meetings.  And still, there will be someone who will get on the Homeowners' Portal, copy something on the financials, post it on Facebook, and write "That is transparency!"

So, posting something that every homeowner has access to is transparency?  These financials are presented at every board meeting.  This is transparency.  I wish I had some way to make the homeowners care enough to participate.  I wish people wouldn't get on Facebook, posting half-truths and outright lies, with the sole intention of stirring things up and not offering a solution.

Yes, I understand that this is the world today: that some people have miserable lives and their only way to make themselves feel better is to try to tear others down.

That doesn't mean I won't try my best for the community.  For as long as I can take it.

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 With rain in the forecast for the next several days (it rained this morning), Joan covered our patio furniture.  The good thing: it protects the cushions on the furniture and keeps them dry.  The bad thing: Murphy runs under the cover, and it is like playing Whack a Mole trying to get him to come out.

The solution: he has to be in his catio or on a leash until the covers come off the furniture.  I took him out for a while this morning, in the catio.  He is fine with the catio.  This afternoon, I put his harness on him, clipped on the leash, and... he walked like a champ...

I wondered how he would do, since the last time he had his leash on was when we were in California last month, and he didn't really want to get too far away from the van (lots of activity there - people walking and riding bikes).  As you can see on the video above, he did fine - walking with his tail up, not pulling on the leash, and staying right with me as we walked.

 

Organ Stop...

 

Oh, no - it wasn't a vital organ, was it??

No, but thanks for asking.  Last night, we met Joan's sister Beth and her husband Rob in Mesa for an interesting dining experience.  They are from Silver City, New Mexico, but they do come this way from time to time.  We saw them just a couple weeks ago.  Rob got hearing aids, and his audiologist is in Phoenix.

Beth picked Organ Stop as a meet-up place.  I was not familiar with it, but Steph and Dan have been there, and they said it was a lot of fun.  It is a pizza place, but the big draw is a giant Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ that rises up out of the floor.  Organ pipes all around - 23 ranks of pipes.  The organ is powered by three Spencer turbine blowers (with a fourth as a standby), spinning at 1800 RPM with a combined 60HP, moving 10,000 cubic feet of air.  The Wurlitzer has more than 6,000 pipes.  The largest pipes are 32 feet long and could fit four people inside.  Yeah, it's big...

 The organ and organist rise up out of the floor.  The organist plays all types of music, not just what you'd expect from this amazing and interesting giant instrument.

But, what about the pizza?  Crispy crust - just the way Joan likes it.  We got a table on the upper level so we could get an overall view.

The restaurant opens at 4:00, the music starts at 4:30.  I'm glad we were there when the place opened... not to get a table, there were plenty available; but so we had a chance to visit for that first half hour before the music fired up.  The volume fills the room; with those giant pipes, it sometimes rattles your innards.  But, the organist was very talented and it was a fun experience.

Beth and Rob...

 Us...

 And, the part Stephanie would have enjoyed the most: "dancing cats" marionettes...

 After a couple hours (the organist took a break every 45 minutes or so), we took things outside so we could continue to visit.

By the time we left, the seating had increased to a good crowd.  This giant organ, the music (they encourage requests), and the atmosphere are an attraction.  This place has been in business since 1972.  They moved to this location, a larger building (seats 700), in 1995 to accommodate the continuously expanding organ, which is now considered the largest Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ in the world.

 Worth a visit?  Absolutely.  But, after a couple hours there, I was ready for some quiet time.  ;-)  And, another piece of pizza after we got home.

A short video...