Stats...

 

An abbreviation for "statistics."  Just the numbers.  Another milestone this morning: the number of views on this blog topped a half million for the month so far.  Last month was a record, with over 400,000 views.

"I'll take 'Sounds like bullshit to me' for 1000, Alex."  Yeah, it does.  No, I don't know why.

 Last night, Joan said to me, "Do you have any interest in another pair of Meta glasses?"

"Tell me more.  Is it on Vine?"  I had read that Meta was releasing a couple new models of glasses that aren't Ray-Ban or Oakley.  Yep - they had both the Adventurer and the Fury (sounds like motorcycle model names).  I knew that wouldn't last long, so I looked over her shoulder.  "Oh, go for that one!"

She clicked on it, and... the order came up.  Frequently, on something popular on Vine, actually getting it is a bit like being the 350th caller to a radio station for concert tickets.  In this case, 30 seconds later, they were no longer available.  So, we'll see if the delivery actually comes through.  In the past, there have been things she ordered on Vine (a program for reviewers on Amazon) that "get lost" before delivery.

We have gotten a lot of interesting things on Vine.  And a lot of "less than as advertised"... either way, Amazon (and the maker of the product) is looking for a review of the product.  At one time, there were over 120,000 items on Vine; once the tariffs were instituted, that number dwindled to less than 40,000.  Things have improved lately.

I have explained the premise of Vine before, but a short recap: as a Vine reviewer, you don't pay for the product... but, the retail value of the product becomes taxable income to you.  If the product is good and it is something that you might have otherwise bought, it is a good deal.  If the product is crap, you are still responsible for the tax impact.  We have become more selective about what Joan orders.

So, we'll see. 

More Riding...

 

Out on the Lectric e-bike this morning.  That's 3 bike outings in 4 mornings - I took yesterday off, 'cause I had music with the guys.

The bike...

 All photos today taken with the Oakley Vanguard Meta glasses.  Another hot one.  Well, to be fair, from now until October, they're all going to be hot ones here in the desert.

Getting 5 cats fed prevented me from getting out too early.  It was 95º at 7:45 when I rolled the bike out of the garage.  Through the neighborhood and towards the park.  The walking/jogging/biking path...

 There were sprinklers going in a good portion of the park...

 The sprinklers drop the temperature by a couple degrees as you ride through the mist spray.  A couple photo on the walkway around the pond...

 Very few people out, but I did have to take care riding by the ducks and geese...

 It was a good ride.  I grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge on my way out the door - 45 minutes into the ride, it was luke warm.  Not as refreshing as riding by the sprinklers.

From the park, I rode through a couple neighborhoods.  I could feel the heat wearing on me.  Joan had cautioned me, "Don't push it - it's been a while since you've ridden."  Yes, stating the obvious.  I was good tired by the time I got home.  A different kinda riding from the motorcycle or scoot.

For the record, I don't use the ebike as an "electric motorcycle."  While it has a throttle on it, I rarely use it.  Yes, on the pedal-assist.  Mesa (a suburb of Phoenix) just enacted new rules for those riding ebikes: age restrictions, no riding on the sidewalk, helmet required depending on age, and more.  The problem isn't the ebike - it is people using them in stupid ways... parents buying an ebike for a 10 year old who rides it on the street with no traffic training... and groups of kids riding them, "terrorizing" pedestrians... and dumbshits riding them at 30 miles per hour on the sidewalks.  All of those issues can happen with a non-e-bike, but local legislation gets put into place as a way of deal with the problem.

 

Hot Town, Summer In The City...

 

If you said, "The Lovin' Spoonful, 1966," you get 10 bonus points.  "Only 10?"  Oh, come on, this one was easy.

What's not so easy: living with summer in the city.  Today, the high in Phoenix is going to be 112º - the hottest day of the year, so far.  Yeah, that's hot.  If you said, "The signature line from Paris Hilton," you were probably a child of the 90s and don't get any bonus points for that.

Murphy and I went out at 6:30 this morning; it was already 93º...

 If you look close, you will Murphy sitting by the steps to the hot tub (near the center of the image).  The boy instinctively knows to stay in the shade.  It was his choice to come back inside.  But, I was right there with him.

I have music today with Mark and the guys.  I think it has been a month or so since I've been able to participate.  This is not with the Hip Replacements; it would be with the "big group," but there will only be 4 of us there today... summer travel schedules.  

We won't be traveling for the next 5 or 6 days, for sure: Steph and Dan are going back to Wisconsin for a family gathering, and Joan and I will be doing kitty care for their cats.  I do the feeding and Alfie's meds, Joan does the litter, and we work together to give Tasha her meds (it is a two-person task).  I am reminded that "that's why you moved here: so we can support each other."  And, 5 cats to take care of.

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Oh, the four of us making music today worked up "Summer In The City."  Coincidence?  I think not.  ;-)

 

 

Not Quite As Refreshing...

 

Yesterday, it was 76º when I got up at 5:30.  It didn't hit 90º until 9:00.  Today, it was 84º when I got up at 5:30, and 90º at 8:05.  You feel the difference.

That said, I got out on the CTX this morning.  Like the Burgman, it is "two wheels and a motor."  They are very different from each other.  I enjoy them both, but the CTX is a motorcycle; the visceral feel of it is different from the Burgman.  The Burgman is fun and easy - think about going through a twisty road curve and this bike does it.  The CTX is heavier and more planted.  More muscle... in the torque of the motor and the effort it takes to ride it on the same twisty road.  Both are a lot of fun to ride.  The best thing about the Burgman on a twisty road is the ease.  The best thing about the CTX on a twisty road is that Dual Clutch Transmission, and the ability to downshift at the push of a button.

Today, it was the CTX's turn.  I did take a couple photos of the road...

 Early in the day, so a bit of sun flare looking east.  A shot of some desert mountain scenery...

 And, a stop to get a photo of the bike...

 I may be a party of one, but I think the CTX (fairing model) is a good looking bike.  It reminds me a little of the Harley FXRT I had in 1983.  For the record, that model wasn't a big seller for Harley, either.  The CTX isn't a sportbike, though it has 17" wheels.  It isn't a cruiser, though it has a feet-forward riding position and a long wheelbase.  It isn't a sport touring bike, even though it has a fairing and matching saddlebags were an option.  I consider it a sport-cruiser... but, that's a category I made up... and a bit of an oxymoron.

The riding was good today.  Definitely warmer than yesterday.  Light traffic once again.  And another good start to the day.

 

Refreshing!

 

Mother Nature cut you a break?  No, highs this week are supposed to be in the 100-and-teens.

That said, at 5:30 this morning, it was 76º.  I was feeling the need to take advantage of that.  It will be in the 80s for overnight lows the rest of the week.

I took care of my morning routine, including getting Murphy some outdoor time.  I had to chuckle at the local morning news: the NBC affiliate is at Buc-ee's - they were counting down to the 6:00 am "doors open" time.  Yep, a big crowd.  Some people camped out in line to be one of the first ones in the door.  I like Buc-ee's, but not enough to stand in line to get in the door.  But, I don't stand in line (anymore) for concert tickets, Black Friday sales, or the latest iPhone.  It's OK, people, they will make more Beaver Nuggets, brisket, and jerkey.

My refreshing time: out on the scoot.  I put the trickle charger on the battery last night - it has been sitting for a while.  I checked oil and tires, and fired it up.  I was a bit concerned when the fuel gauge was still showing two bars; that's where it was when I last rode it.  And, it stayed on two bars through the ride.  I was concerned that maybe the fuel sender was stuck.  I "shook it down" pretty good.

There was almost no traffic on the mountain.  Nothing in my lane and only 5 or 6 vehicles going the other way.  That was refreshing.  And the relatively cool air in the shade of the mountain on some stretches.  I stopped to take a couple photos of the valley...

 Pretty desert scenery (those photos were from less than half way up the mountain), and decent visibility.  I stopped to rehydrate at the top, then back at it.  The fuel gauge was still showing 2 bars.  Same when I got off the mountain.  When I did stop at a gas station on the way home, I discovered why the gauge wasn't moving: 91.5 miles per gallon.  This scoot is entertaining and economical.

I needed to get out for a ride.  Summers are brutal here in the desert.  Early morning is the only time - it isn't safe to ride when the heat is above 110º.

Great start to the day!

 

Happy Father's Day...

 

And happy Summer Solstice!  And, in spite of what you might read or hear, this is not the "longest day of the year."  The days all have the same 24 hours.  This is the day of the year with the most daylight; from today on (until the Winter Solstice) the daylight hours will get less each day.

And Father's Day?  It doesn't get any less - it is still the best.  I would say it is my "favorite job," but it isn't a job, it's an adventure... if you said, "That is the recruiting slogan from the US Navy from 1976 to 1986," you get 30 bonus points.

I'm having a good Father's Day.  We were all up early for breakfast out at Black Bear Diner; yes, the second of my Father's Day meals, but this one actually on the day.  We got to Black Bear a few minutes after 7:00 this morning - obviously not the only ones with that plan and timing.  Within a few minutes of getting seated, the place was full.

Once back home, it was time to be adored.  While I am always pretty adorable, this is also a day to get cards and gifts.  Murphy and Stella got in on the action, with traced paw prints as the signature on the card from them.  Yes, it was very cute.

But, the best part of Father's Day here in Arizona: I get to see our kid.  And that is an almost every day occurrence. While I am not a fan of living in the desert, being next door to Steph and Dan (and the critters) makes it all good.  It is a very nice Father's Day.

 

Clean It Up...

 

The RoadTrek smashed a lot of bugs in this last trip.  This morning, at 5:30, it was 76º... yep, that's as good as it's gonna get until around November or so - time to get that van cleaned up.  We brought it in from storage last night, so I was ready for it.  Well, as ready as you can be at 5:30 in the morning.

I got out the ladder (gotta clean those solar panels on top), the hose, the car cleaning soap, the brush, the cleaning cloths.

 Notice something besides the van in the driveway?

 That is Steph's new car - a Buick Envista Avenir.  They went yesterday morning "just to look."  And came home with that.  She traded her Lexus for it.  It is a good-looking car; rides nice... they took us to lunch yesterday; a "joint decision," to avoid the Father's Day crowds.

 Did I mention: cool new car?

OK, back to the cleaning... a bit over 2 hours later, my part was winding down.  6 rounds of soap/scrub/rinse on the front of the van (all those bugs, remember?).  Wiping it all down.  Joan came out to do the windows (a lot of windows) and the interior.  Looking good!

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And, back to the feline portion of our program:

The little one can be a bit of a goof-ball... 

 Yeah, that's off the side of the cat tower.  And, here she is swatting her brother...

 A bit of drama on Murphy's part.  They're cute together.