Coming up on the end of an era...

 

"Oh, no, Jim - now what are you giving up?"

Nothing.  This is not a big deal.  Really.  For the last 30 years or so, I have been wearing Maui Jim sunglasses.  The style that I really like was discontinued about 7 or 8 years ago; it's a Maui Jim Sport frame that doesn't have any frame around the bottom of the lenses.  Oh, they still have some kinda similar, but not exactly the same.  And what they have doesn't fit me as well.  I have tried (and bought) other Maui Jim styles, but I always come back to this Sport model... for light weight, comfort, and the fact that it fits comfortably under a motorcycle helmet.

My last three motorcycle helmets have had flip-down sunscreens - easy to flip down or up.  So, I have kinda quit wearing sunglasses on my motorcycle and scooter.

 So, yeah, I can live without that exact style of Maui Jim's.  That said, I have stayed "one pair ahead" for the last 25 years or so.  As soon as I opened a new pair, I would order another to have it in reserve.  They were great glasses to wear on the boats (our own and the commercial boats I drove) - polarized lenses to cut down on the glare on the water.  That worked for me until I couldn't get that model any more.  And Maui Jim's would repair my old glasses... until they no longer had parts for that model.

About 10 days ago, I came across a sunglass maker on the internet called Shady Ray's.  I looked into the brand: they got great reviews and had a replacement program if you broke or lost your glasses.  Lost?  How would they know?  Looking into the brand, I found they have a store in Scottsdale and apparently sold them in other outlets... Dick's Sporting Goods was shown as handling some models.

Last Monday, we went to the closest Dick's Sporting Goods to see if they had any Shady Ray's.  They did not.  But, they had a Nike model that was pretty close - I tried it on and it was comfortable.  Much less $$ than the Maui Jim's.  I didn't buy them.  On the way home, Joan did a search and found that same model online for about half the price as at Dick's.  At that price, it wasn't much of a risk; she ordered them.  We talked about going to Scottsdale (about an hour away)... sometime.

Today was that time.  Absolutely nothing on the schedule today - one in a row!  I have to say I was quite impressed with Shady Ray's...

 It was a LOT bigger than I expected for a place that sells only their own sunglasses.  And they had plenty of styles with multiple lens options.  I narrowed it down to 3 styles that I really liked.  Oh, and we had received an email this morning for 35% off; and, yes, they honored that.  I picked out a style that is frameless - not what I had in mind when I went in there.  But, they felt weightless on my face...

 

My new friend Jonathon there was helpful, but savvy enough to let us wander around on our own, trying on different styles.  When I told him what I picked, he said, "Good choice - keep us in mind instead of your MJs (Maui Jim's) when you don't want to overpay for sunglasses anymore."  He made a point, with a bit of humor.  I could buy 4 pair of these Shady Ray's for what one pair of Maui Jim's cost.

This has been a sunglasses-centric kinda week.  The ones Joan ordered online will be in tomorrow.  And, another glasses kinda thing should show up.  Joan looked through my "sunglasses stash" and came up with 4 pair of Maui Jim's (with solid all-around frames)... in like-new condition.  I would buy them when we were out and about and broke my "favorites" - with no replacements available, I would try these... until the repaired glasses came back.  No more repairs or refurbishing on that discontinued model, so I am moving on.

On the bright side, I am probably covered for sunglasses for the rest of my life. "Well, that and cameras," Joan said.  No more cameras??  We may have to talk.

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Everything old is new again!

More sunglasses talk, Jim?  No, this is about cat stuff.  Joan was remembering a cat toy/enclosure that is round and hollow - kinda donut shaped, with an opening and a tunnel kinda situation.  Murphy didn't like it so she gave it to Steph.  Steph's cats were crazy about it for almost a whole day... then, they ignored it.  Steph couldn't remember if she still had it; she looked in their garage storage and their huge walk-in closet.  Nope.  Today, Joan looked around their place and found it in the closet in Dan's office.  Then brought it back to our place...

 Murphy was somewhat curious; Stella settled in that middle part and took a nap.  That "racetrack" with the scratcher in the middle has been a favorite for both of them.  Joan moved it from the tile to the area rug in the living room - "OMG - this is the best toy ever!"  Yep, it is a whole new thing.

We'll see how long this "new stuff" lasts.  ;-)

 

Video and a Board Meeting...

 

I took a video camera to rehearsal yesterday so Cindy (Mark's wife) could try her hand at shooting some video.  I may post some video (there were 32 clips), but here are a few stills from those videos...

 

For her first effort with something besides a phone, Cindy did a good job.  I'm hoping in the future I can spend a little time with her, give her a few pointers, and turn her loose to shoot more video.

It was a good rehearsal - we ran through the set list for this Sunday's gig, plus more.  After rehearsal, Mark, Podge, and I went to the restaurant where we'll be playing, to check out where we'll be setting up.  Nice place.  I'm looking forward to this one.

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I got home in time to get the kitties fed, then get my computer ready for an HOA board Zoom meeting.  The good news: I didn't have to be involved!  The bad news: there is still one board member (husband of the woman who was on the board last year who created much of the chaos) who is trying to show that he is in charge.  He isn't.  And a new board member was appointed.  This guy argued against the appointee.  He got outvoted.  Still homeowners complaining.  Attendees talking when their mics aren't muted.  And the beat goes on.

This board has hired a new management company.  Not sure who was in charge of that, but the management company they picked has a 1.7 rating (out of 5).

Not my circus, not my monkeys.

 

Rehearsal...

 

I have music with the Hips today.  We didn't get together last week (I felt the need for some "time off"), and we have a gig this weekend: two hours at an Italian restaurant.  The proposed set list for this one has changed a bunch of times already.  I have gone with the flow with the changes, but I think we'll need to have a discussion today about this gig.

It isn't a Hips Replacement concert, it is something the restaurant owner is trying to see if it generates more customers on a weekend afternoon.  I'm thinking we'll need to be at a lower than usual volume so those dining can still talk.  I may be a party of one on that consideration.  On the bright side, I don't think we'll need "heavy" front of house sound.  I'll see what the other guys have to say about that.  Mark and Podge have been to this place; I am supposed to check out the venue after practice today.

When I get home from that, there is an HOA board meeting, starting at 6:00 pm.  I am pleased that I don't have to plan my day around that.  If I'm a little late in getting to the Zoom meeting, it's all good. 

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Synchronized Dining...

Nothing to do with the gig this weekend.  Of course, I'm talking about the reason we're all here: the kitties...

 Breakfast a bit earlier than usual, because I was up at 5:30.  These two know the routine: it takes me a while to get their food ready; 3 different kinds of hard food (the bowl on the left), water in the middle, soft food on the right.  A bigger water dish between them.  If you look at those dishes above, they had each eaten some of their hard; then moved to their soft.  Pretty much in unison.  When they've each had their fill of their own, they switch places to see if the other had anything tasty.  Stella is still getting kitten food for the most part.  Every once in a while, I will put the same soft food in each of their dishes... and, yes, they will still do that switching thing.

After Murphy and I come back inside from his morning outing, they both know it is treat time: Churu, that they get together.  Then some grooming.  And then, nap time.  I think we all appreciate the routine.

 

Doctor, Doctor, Give Me the News...

 

If you said, "Robert Palmer, 1979," you get 15 bonus points.

I had a doctor appointment today.  I had a couple specific things I wanted to visit about with him.  But, the main thrust of the visit: he is leaving this office.  He couldn't tell me any details (contractual agreement).  I am good with the Google.  I can find him.

He and I have a good relationship and very open communications.  He does not recommend unnecessary tests (an issue I had with my last doctor in Texas).  I was happy to find him.

The appointment came about because a friend (not mentioning any names here) felt I was having cognitive issues.  I listened.  I considered.  He was basing this "medical diagnosis" (practicing medicine without a license) on his own flawed perceptions.  I'm not saying he was "projecting," but he changed the story and details on a project we were working on, not filling me in on those changes.  Turns out, I had things in writing from him that corroborated my side of the story.

Still, I kept the appointment.  As I (and my family) expected, my memory and cognitive function is all just fine.  I not only recalled the words they gave me, then discussed other things before asking me to state the words (I understand why they do that) - I also told them the words they gave me 2 1/2 years ago on my first visit to this medical office; they do a cognitive test with all new patients since this is a "senior" medical facility.  (They know how to take care of seniors here in Phoenix.)  Hopefully, this "friend" will visit his doctor to find out how his cognitive function rates.

Am I pissed about the reason I made the appointment?  Of course.  That said, knowing the doctor was leaving this practice, I did want to visit with him before he leaves.  It also gave me the opportunity to get some prescriptions refills added before we get away this summer.

And that's the extent of my medical discussion... HIPPA rules and all.  ;-) 

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A hot time in the old town tonight...

108º for a high temp today.  Yep, that's hot.  Murphy doesn't understand why he can't go outside right before his 5:00 meal... "Because it is hot and it will burn your paw pads."

 He is wistfully waiting to go outside... as soon as the sun gets behind the horizon and the pavers cool down.

 

Free Water and a Belly...

 

Joan orders from Amazon Fresh regularly.  Same day (or early the next day, if you order in the evening) delivery.  This time of year, anything that needs to stay cool is put in a foil lined bag, with one or more bottles of frozen water in there to keep your item cool...

 Two boxes of butter, with 5 bottles of frozen water to keep the butter cool.  We never have to buy bottled water... and here in Arizona, everybody carries a bottle of water this time of year.

"OK, I get the whole 'free water' thing, Jim - you aren't going to show us your Buddha belly are you?"  Buddha belly?  I'll have you know I am almost svelt these days.  No, this belly is attached to a cute baby kitty...

 To be fair, when we brought this little girl into our home, she was underweight.  Baby kitties should have some belly on them.  It has taken 5 months to get to this point.  Well, closer to 4 1/2 months, but I'm rounding up... just like little Stella.  This sweet kitty is thriving.

She is almost 10 months old; she has been with us about half of her life.  She is at that adolescent stage - Joan thinks her ears are a bit big for her head.  That's typical of adolescent cats.  Cool thing about the ears: I think the shape of them makes her look a bit like a small African wild cat... and, the tips of her ears now have black fur (sprouted in the last week or so)...

 Stella and I were talking this morning.  She said, "Murphy and I look like you and Mom, right."

"Yes, I see that," I told her.

"That girl that picks me up everytime she comes into our house - she calls you 'Mom & Dad'."

"Yes, that is Stephanie."

"She doesn't look like us," Stella said.

"Your point?"

"Is she adopted?"

"Your Momma birthed her, so: no.  Plus, everyone says she acts like her Father.  That's me.  It's nice that you treat her like family," I said.

"She seems nice."

Stella is pretty perceptive for her young age.   ;-)

 

Happy Mother's Day!

 

Steph came over this morning, bearing cards and gifts.  A lot of mushy stuff between them.  No recognition for the part I played in Joan becoming a Mother.  Not that it should be all about me, but, really, they could not have done this without me.  Well, not with the same results.

You're welcome.

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms out there, and to those we hold dear in our memories.

 

Shoot! Shoot!

 

No, we're not going hunting.  No target shooting, either.  This is about the feline babies.

Murphy and Stella were sharing a bar stool pulled up to the patio door - looking out into the courtyard.  Back in our studio days, I would call it a perfect double profile.  I reached for my phone to get the photo.  Joan said, "You aren't going to be fast enough."

Self-fulfilling prophesy.

Also back in our studio days, the mantra was: "Get the shot."  If you pause to make it perfect, you could lose the shot that was really good.  Especially when working with kids or animals.

Of course, Joan was right: by the time I got my phone turned on, switched to the camera, and rotated myself around to frame the shot, the two kitties were no longer in perfect position...

 They had both turned their heads (to see what I was doing), Murphy leaned back just enough to not be seen, and Stella had her tongue out.  Yeah, pretty much like photographing kids in the studio.  If "double teaming" the subjects, with one person doing the set up and the other on the camera, there was often the "Shoot!  Shoot!" being whispered.  Which would, of course, result in the subject looking at the person saying, Shoot!  Shoot!"  ;-)

That self-fulfilling prophesy was as expected.  Not only did the cats not look back out the window, but Murphy started licking Stella.  Joan said, "That's going to turn into a chomp..."

 Yep.  Which resulted in the latest episode of Saturday Morning Smackdown.  And now Stella is laying by Joan on the couch and Murphy has the chair to himself.  One of these days, I will get that perfect double profile.  They do it at least once a day... never when I have a camera ready to go.

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The Facebook Memory from 10 years ago today...

 That X7 was my first Emerald and changed how I consider guitars, both acoustic and electric.  That X7 is a keeper (they don't make that size/shape anymore).