Testing new firmware...

 

An update on the firmware for the Insta360 One X2 camera.  Out on Joan's Xmax on this gorgeous day in the Tropical Tip.  A few stills from that outing...

I considered each of these 4 images to use at the preview image for the video.  You can see here which one I picked...

When I got back from the ride, Joan and I went out for a late lunch on the island - it's been a while since we've been to Burger Fi, and I was feeling the need for a good burger.  We ate there, out on their patio area (the only ones - it pays to pick your time).  Well, there were some black birds hopping around giving us "stink eye" hoping it would result in them getting a french fry.  It didn't.  Rats with wings.  Next time, we may have to bring Rufus along to provide security for us.  ;-)

Worms...

 

 I like to start the morning with a laugh.

Chill...

 

Not talking about the weather, but it was 57º when I got up this morning.  The big furry boy had a full morning: breakfast, snuggle time with his Momma, playing with his toys, out for a walk, mid-morning snack, snuggle time with me; and then he was ready for some chill...

I wish I could relax like that.  :-)

Get Yer Motor Runnin'...

 

Head out on the highway... if you said, "Born To Be Wild, by Steppenwolf, 1968," you get 20 bonus points.  If you said, "It was featured in the movie Easy Rider, 1969, and is considered by some to be 'the first heavy metal song,' due to the words in the second verse: 'I like smoke and lightning, heavy metal thunder...', " you get no bonus points, but you are my people.

Last Thursday (yes, Thanksgiving Day), our weather turned crappy and has pretty much stayed that way since: overcast, occasional rain, north wind, and temps in the upper 50s to low 60s.  Needless to say, I have taken some time off the Vespa.  This morning, it was 56º when I got up, 58º when I went for a bicycle ride; still overcast.  This afternoon, the clouds broke, the sun came through, the wind was down to 15 mph out of the north still, and 63º... I put on my riding jeans and one of my motorcycle jackets with a liner and went out for some scooter time.  As usual, no particular place to go (also the title of a Chuck Berry song from 1964), but I enjoyed being out on the scoot.

Maybe it's the holiday season and people are being nicer - no one pulled out in front of me or cut me off in traffic.  One in a row!  :-)

It's beginning to look a lot like...

 

If you said, "Christmas!" you get one bonus point.  If you said, "The song was published in 1951, written by Meredith Willson, performed by Perry Como and a bunch of other artists," you get 50 bonus points.  If you asked, "Has winter come to the Tropical Tip?" you get no bonus points.  It's a gray day, the aftermath of the norther that came through yesterday, but at noon it is 65º out, and the north wind has dropped to 10 mph; I even got a bicycle ride in this morning.

On Thanksgiving, I did a bit of outdoor decorating; nothing major, some lights and a wreath on the railing on our deck, facing the canal.  I put them on a timer, so it doesn't take much attention once they're up.  Today, I decided it was time to put up the tree.

For a lot of years, it had been a tradition for us to put up the tree on our anniversary in early December.  Last year, knowing I was going into the hospital for prostate cancer surgery on Nov 30th, we put the tree up on Thanksgiving.  I kinda liked having it up early, considering that last year (with the pandemic) could use some cheering up.

One of us is like Buddy the Elf around this season.  I won't mention any names, but it's me.  I got the tree and decorations out of our underneath storage.  It's an artificial tree, but it looks great: tall and slender, it fits in our cottage home; it has pre-strung lights that can be multi-colored, just white, solid glowing, or blinking.  The most fun for me is getting out what I call the personal decorations; some were made by Steph when she was a kid, many were picked up in our travels, representing some special times.  Feel good stuff.  I supplement that with other more typical ornaments.  I like how it looks...

We had Alexa play some Christmas music; while I worked on the tree, Joan put up some other wall and table decorations.  We also have a "Sandy Claws" photo of each of the cats we've had in the family; the girls all looked like they were being punished, Rufus looks like, "I look good, huh!"

 

That is one of my favorite photos of him.

Speaking of Rufus, I took him outside after lunch.  He likes to get his face in the grass...

 While looking around, I saw this in the grass...

It looks like a green butterfly, it's a bit of clover that lost a leaf.  But, back to Rufus: I probably don't have to tell you he's a good boy, but he is.  A clean boy, too.  Sometimes he doesn't look too dignified in the process...

He said, "Dude, would you like me to post a photo of you washing your balls?"  The furry boy has a point.  But, even spread-eagle, he's still handsome.

Black Friday...

 

Well, more like dark Friday, with the norther that blew in yesterday.  Temps dropped into the 50s overnight, with gusty north winds (occasionally gusting over 30 mph) and 56º when I got up this morning.  No shopping for us; anticipating a quiet Christmas.  There were years when shopping was like a sport for us on this day; I don't miss that.

I went for a walk this morning instead of my usual bike ride.  Fleece under a wind jacket, stocking cap, and gloves.  I know some of you in the frozen northland will be laughing at my bundling up for 56º... we are acclimated to this sub-tropical climate.  Looking at weather this morning (yes, still a weather nerd), it was 25º in Forest City, Iowa, this morning, where I'll be heading with the motorhome in a couple weeks.  I don't think I can acclimate enough for that.

When I got back from my walk, Joan had the electric fireplace turned on.  While it does have heat, I appreciate the ambiance.  Doesn't hurt to have a big furry cat on your lap, as well.  :-)

I have a different recollection of what the term "black Friday" means... in my younger years, I managed a store (well, 2 stores) for a now defunct retail chain (Salkin & Linoff).  Black Friday was an indicator of how we were doing; not in terms of sales for that day, though.  If you were "in the black" by the Friday after Thanksgiving, you would typically be showing a profit for the year.  Sales during that month between Thanksgiving and Christmas would typically be how much the store would make (the profit) for the year.  Some folks are under the impression that retail stores generally make 50% "profit" on each sale.  While the mark-up on most goods is 50%, by the time all the costs of doing business are figured in, a typical retail store is hopefully breaking even by this date.  The sales during this next month are critical for a store to show any profit.  And you thought it was only farmers who work all year for that one pay-off?

That 50% mark-up on most good is known as a keystone mark-up.  By the end of the year, when sales and costs are figured, a typical retail store will hopefully have a net profit of 5 to 7%.  All things considered, that small profit margin seems like a lot of work.  Think that's not much - a typical grocery store would be happy to show a 2% profit.  Yes, for every dollar you spend at the grocery store, the store makes 2¢.

And that's my 2¢ worth for the day.

Happy Thanksgiving...

 

Hope this day finds you with those you care about and food for your belly.  A house full of good smells.  If you're really fortunate, a four-legged family member to warm your lap.j

I put up some outdoor Christmas lights this morning.  Not a lot this year; I thought I'd get done before the predicted rain came.  I thought wrong.  I'm thankful it was rain (and 75º) and not snow.

Joan just gave me a "5 minute warning" for dinner.  Happy Thanksgiving.

 

Prepping...

 

No, we are not getting supplied up for the zombie apocalypse.  A trek out to the storage unit to put the pink stuff in the water lines and make sure the tires are all still at the right pressure.  Winterizing the water lines turned out to be more of a pain than I anticipated.  The water heater bypass didn't bypass... that means the water heater swallowed up all the pink stuff before it could get in the lines.  We "re-captured" pink stuff from the water heater and sent it through a second... and third... time.

The air chuck on the compressor took a dump, so I had to use our car compressor which has to work real hard on motorhome (truck)... which makes it heat up... which makes it crap out.  So, that's fun.  Joan was helping me with both of those tasks as well as getting things done inside the coach.  Somehow, it doesn't seem so much like work when we're gearing up for a fun trip.

There will be one more trip to the storage unit before the long haul to the frozen northland... get food onboard, bottled water, and my flannel-lined jeans.  Glad I didn't give those away.

Somewhere Beyond the Sea...

 

If you said, "Bobby Darin, 1958," you are no spring chicken, and you get 50 bonus points.  If you said, "Also covered by Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby," you get an additional 20 bonus points.  If you asked, "Jim, did you get out on the water today?"  that's a big 10-4, good buddy.

After having that delicious BBQ lupper, I took the little electric scooter to drop of trash and pick up mail.  When I was putting away the scooter, two young ladies went by in a kayak in our canal.  It got me thinking.  I know, that is something I don't do that often.  I went back into the house, Joan looked at me and said, "You're thinking about something, aren't you?"

See, I told you it is out of character for me.  It was about 3:30 in the afternoon, and I told her, "I am giving some consideration to checking into maybe thinking about getting the kayak out.  I know it will be a lot of work for a short outing, but it is absolutely gorgeous out there right now."  I didn't have to tell her that last part - she spent some time out on the deck this afternoon while I was out on the scoot.

She said, "You're going to need some help, so let's go do it now."

I haven't used the Hobie kayak since before my hip surgery.  The movement to pedal that goes against the movements I was told to avoid to protect the hip.  On the bright side, I have lubed and adjusted the mechanism on the kayak during that hiatus.  It took the two of us to get it out of the storage area under the house.  I checked the pedal assembly, the rudder up/down, and the steering - all seems good.

We put it in the water, and from the dock I put the Mirage Drive (the pedals) in place and strapped on the paddle.  Then, tenderly lowered myself into it... yep, that is a position I haven't been in for years.  Some equate it to pedaling a bicycle... they would be wrong.  I assured Joan that I would only go to the end of the canal and back (less than a half mile) and take it easy while doing that.

You are right down on the water in this kayak...

I did a few circles in the canal right in front of our dock; if I was going to hurt myself, I didn't want to get too far away.  I could tell that I'd be feeling it later, but it felt like muscles working rather than joints coming apart.  So, that's a good thing.

I pedaled off down the canal.  Slowly.  But, steady.  At the end of our canal, I did a U-turn and headed for home, with the slight breeze at my back.  Joan took some photos as I headed for home...

I pulled up to our dock; Joan was waiting there to take lines.  I handed her up the pedals, the paddle, my hat and PFD.  Now, to figure out how I'd get myself up onto the dock without messing up any body parts.  I had her run a dock line we had on there around one of the vertical posts and I used that to balance myself until I could flop my upper body onto the dock; it wasn't elegant, but it was relatively pain-free.  We hauled the kayak up onto our dock where I could rinse it all off with fresh water.  I put the pedals and paddle away and attached a locking cable through the kayak and the dock railing.

We'll see how achy I am tomorrow.  For now, some ibuprofen and an ice pack are enough.  If I decide to give this another go, I'll have to work up to getting out on the ICW.

Are you famous?

 

If you ask kids what they want to do when they grow up, it seems like a fair percentage of them "want to be famous."

"Famous for doing what?"

"You know, like an internet influencer."

You don't hear "doctor, lawyer, cowboy, engineer"... no, they want to be famous for being famous.  Like a Kardashian.

I was out on the scoot today; Joan asked if I wanted to pick up some BBQ for lupper.  "What's lupper?" you ask.  Thanks for asking.  We will frequently do a late lunch/early supper... lupper.  I stopped at the Porky's food truck (well, a food trailer to be more accurate) to get some pulled pork, beef brisket, and a couple sides.

Porky's used to be a sit-down restaurant in PI, but they lost their lease on the building they were in.  They opted to do business out of a food trailer instead of finding another fixed location.  The BBQ tastes the same, so it doesn't matter much to me.  Their trailer is in the parking lot of a bar on SPI.  When I went up to the window to order, there was a guy sitting in one of the camp-type chairs they have so you can sit while you wait for your order.  The guy looked like he had spent a bit too much time in the bar - he was sitting up, head flopped to one side, sound asleep.  I was having the "It isn't a moped" discussion with one of the guys in the food trailer ("It's a scooter not a moped."  What's the difference?"  "What do you drive?"  "An SUV."  "What kind?"  "A Nissan 4-Runner."  "Oh, like a Versa?"  "Man, that's harsh."  "Yeah, like the difference between a moped and a scooter."  But, I digress.)

When it was my turn to order, the guy who had been asleep in the chair came up to me and asked, "Are you somebody famous?"

"Me?" I asked.

"Yeah, you look like somebody famous," he said.

I said, "You mean like Lassie?"

"Um... no, like a person.  You look famous."

"It might be the plastic 'muscles' in my riding shirt," I offered (jokingly).

"No, just everything about you."  And then he wandered off.  We're past the full moon.

I need to find some of whatever he was taking/smoking/drinking.  ;-)

 

A Parade...

 

No, not a holiday parade.  Joan asked if I'd bring a guitar out to the living room and play this morning.

"Sure."  She and Rufus are a good audience.  A slight change of pace, I brought my Taylor 814ce out.  It's a lovely guitar, plays and sounds great.  Isn't as comfortable as any of my Emeralds.

 

The parade?  Thanks for asking.  I started with the Taylor, then swapped for the Emerald X20.  Close in size to the 814, but it feels smaller thanks to those bevels and curves.  Then, down another size with the X10; it feels significantly smaller than X20.  And finally, the X7; much smaller still.  Emerald's version of a parlor guitar.

A cool, rainy morning here.  I didn't get a bicycle ride in, so it was indoor exercises.  Joan decided Rufus needed some exercise, too, so she got his "fish on a stick" toy out.  Maybe it isn't a fish - it has feathers.  Whatever it is, it's at the end of a stretchy string connected to a stick.  IF Rufus plays with it, it is a short-lived session.  Joan said, "Get your camera ready - he's going to jump."  Sorta...

More swinging the squeeky toy around; Rufus lost interest pretty quick.  "I'm outta here..."

After lunch, he is now sound asleep in his big chair.  That was an exhausting 30 seconds of exercise.  ;-)

The highlight...

 

I went out for a ride on the Vespa today.  After a norther came through yesterday, it was a cool, but clear start to the day.  I wore a jacket on my bicycle ride this morning.  By the time I was ready to take the Vespa out, it was 73º and gorgeous; the north wind had eased off, making for one of those "Chamber of Commerce" days.

I didn't strap on a video or a camera.  It probably wouldn't have helped capture what I considered the highlight of today's ride: looking out toward the eastern shore of the Laguna Madre from the causeway, I saw three dolphins playing "leap frog."  (Leap dolphin?)  Four consecutive jumps, with the dolphins "in formation."  It would have been spectacular viewing up close in a boat, but it was darn fine to see from slightly above on the causeway.  There were no boats anywhere near these playing cetaceans.  They weren't looking for attention, they were just having fun!

The rest of the ride was good: light traffic and Mother Nature smiling down.

The Full Beaver Moon...

 

It's been quite a while since I posted a full moon photo.  This month, according to the Farmers' Almanac, it is the Beaver Full Moon: this is the time of the year that beavers are building their winter dams.  This photo is from late last night...

 

It is also sometimes called the Frost Moon, signaling the hard frosts that signal winter is coming.

The exact timing of the full moon will happen overnight tonight, but it is very unlikely we will be able to see it - we woke up to thunder this morning, solid overcast, a chance of heavy rain throughout the day and into the night.  The moon will appear full through tomorrow night.

This will also be a "blood moon" since there will be a partial lunar eclipse, occurring in the middle of the night... yeah, even if it isn't solid overcast, odds are pretty good I won't be up to see it.  Unlike a total lunar eclipse, this will look more like a "dimming" of the moon, giving it that red cast.

Expect the usual "full moon craziness" that comes over some people during the full moon.

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I got out for an abbreviated bike ride this morning, keeping an eye on the sky and listening to the rumble of thunder.  A short break in the clouds, looking down our canal...

 

Who controls the remote?

 

The true decider of who rules the house: the one who controls the TV remote.

In case there is any question...

Kidding.  Just another installment of Rufus doing his Al Bundy impression.  ;-)

Chips...

 

Potato or chocolate?  Well, in a cookie, the choice is obvious, but I'm talking about computer chips in this post.  They are in so many things we take for granted: of course in all our devices like computers, iPads, and phones, but also smart devices like TVs, microwaves, and coffee makers.  Cars are full of computer chips to handle all the features we've come to appreciate.  And now, who hasn't heard of the "chip shortage" car manufacturers are dealing with?

It is a real issue in these unusual times; to the point where some car manufacturers are making vehicles to the 95% completion point, then putting them in huge lots to be finished when they can get their hands on more computer chips.  The number of vehicles being manufactured in 2021 is down dramatically - not because of less consumer demand, but because the car makers can't buy enough computer chips.  If anything, the demand for new and late model used vehicles is up significantly... meaning dealers can tack on "Added Dealer Profit" fees on cars, increasing the price by thousands of dollars.  A price increase that gets the buyer no added value, just a higher price.

The problem is part pandemic related, part supply chain.  In 2020, when the need to "drive to work" dropped off with people working from home, car manufacturers cut back production.  Chip manufacturers switched over production to things like phones, tablets, smart home devices... and when the car manufacturers ramped up production again, the chip manufacturers had "moved on", making even smarter chips for all the devices we use... chips that are more profitable than the relatively dated chips used in most vehicles.  Depending on the vehicle, there may be hundreds of chips in your car.

Reading some articles yesterday, car manufacturers are adapting by eliminating things that buyers have come to consider "basic necessities" on their vehicles: things like heated seats and touch screens.  General Motors announced that they are eliminating heated seats and steering wheels on all but their most premium vehicles.  BMW is eliminating touch screens on most models.  If you have a new vehicle on order, they may be giving you a credit for those items eliminated.  This seems like a big step backwards.  We may once again see "roll up" windows; yes, there's are chips in the mechanism for that one-touch up and down feature.

Meanwhile the price for new and late model used vehicles continues to climb.  This is still on my mind, of course, due to being "pushed" into needing to buy a car recently.  No regrets, so far, as we are really enjoying the Equinox... but, there are a lot of electronic features for safety and comfort... and that is a lot of chips.

Stylish...

 

Me?  Hardly.  Although, one of the participants on the scooter forum thought I looked "matchy-matchy" with the new riding pants (black and light gray) and Joan's Xmax.  Of course, I'm talking about Rufus - the boy is a looker.  He has that luxurious mane... the last couple days, he has been getting food in his mane.  (I think he gets that from me.)  This morning, Joan fashioned a scarf for him (we knew he wouldn't wear it if we called it "a bib")...

 He didn't seem to mind it, especially after we told him "how handsome he looks in his 'scarf'."  I'm guessing Joan will be making him a real scarf with a snap on it.

After running some errands, I took the Vespa out for some breeze.  It was a little breezy, but sunny and around 80º for a high.  Another fine day here in the Tropical Tip.  I rode around on SPI; took it north of the populated part of the island; the road runs for another 5 miles or so; pretty much two lanes through the sand dunes...

No, I didn't ride the scoot through the sand - it's a Vespa, not a dirt bike.  ;-)  In places, you can see over the dunes to either side of the island (it's only a couple blocks wide in this stretch).  The island goes north for another 20 miles or so; if you were so inclined, you can drive on the beach all that way.  Well, inclined and have a vehicle that's good in the sand.  There's a cut through the island at Port Mansfield, then the northern end of the island (called Padre Island, no "South") runs all the way to the Corpus Christi area.  For those who want to know, the four miles or so of developed properties at the south end of the island is the town of South Padre Island.  And now you know a bit about the geography here.

What a day for a run...

 

Out on Joan's scoot this morning, to test out the new riding gear.  Across the causeway, onto SPI, and turning onto Gulf Blvd, I saw a Police vehicle with lights flashing.  No, they weren't pulling me over, they were provide escort service for a run/walk sponsored by Whataburger.  The bicycle lane along Gulf Blvd was steady with participants; there were water stations every so often, to keep the runners/walkers hydrated.  And what a perfect morning for this: it was 73º as I rolled onto SPI.

I was inspired by all those folks out there, making miles.  No, not enough to peel off my riding gear and participate... while I admired their endeavor, I was more than happy to making my miles this morning on Joan's Xmax.  :-)

I rode the up island, past the Convention Center, past my favorite Wyland Whaling Wall featuring Orcas, then stopped to get a photo in the new gear...

78º when I stopped for that photo.  Cool as a cucumber.  Not sure how cool that is, but the mesh armored gear allows some nice airflow.

Out for a Sunday ride.

Oops, I did it again...

 

Nothing whatsoever to do with the Britney Spears saga that is in the news right now.  I really like that latest mesh motorcycle shirt with the armor.  So much so, that I ordered some riding pants from the same company.  These don't look anything like the riding jeans I wear most of the time, but they do have armor in the knees and the hips, mesh is some areas, and denier fabric in all the places you'd likely "slide" if you get off the bike unintentionally...

They are a bit more "ADV" looking than the riding jeans, but they should be even more comfortable in warm weather.  I do believe I am now covered (pun intended).

I did get out for a ride on Joan's bike today, but these pants didn't show up until after that.  So, I'll give 'em a try out on the scoot tomorrow, maybe.

 

Nature abhors a vacuum...

 

I'm not crazy about one, either.

Joan is "the cleaner" in our family.  That's not "cleaner" as in: the person who makes all evidence of a crime scene disappear.  I'm talking about housekeeping.  This is not a "woman's work" post in any way.  I am a guy.  Thanks for noticing.  When I clean, I "guy clean."  It probably wouldn't pass inspection for an operating room, but no one will need a tetanus shot just from passing through.  Joan, on the other hand, cleans to pass a "white glove inspection.

Her shoulder has been hurting, so I offered to do the vacuuming.  Our house is small, tiled throughout, with a few rugs "for accents."  The rug in the living room is about 5'x8'; long pile (I'd call it "shag," but that sounds a bit too 70s).  The Dyson vacuum does a fine job with it.

Joan felt it was necessary to give me a 10-minute detailed instruction on "How to Vacuum."  I could have had it done in that time, but I listened intently, trying to project my best "taking it all in face."  I didn't get this much instruction the last time I flew a twin engine aircraft.  Much like that experience, I assumed there'd be a written and oral test for me to qualify.

I was pretty confident in a job well-done, but I did hold my breath while she inspected my work.  I didn't get a "you passed" nod, but she didn't re-do it, so it must have been OK.

Later, we mounted up the last of the security cameras...

Didn't really need a doorbell for the door off the deck, but we had it, so...

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While out for our early evening walk, Rufus fancied himself as a jungle cat...

Fortunately, there were no herds of gazelle grazing nearby.  Pretty stealthy, huh?  ;-)

 

Update...

 

Remember the "crap in a box" post a while back?  Yeah, me neither.  I got a call from the doctor's office today... the nurse wanted to let me know that the results of that were "all clear."  Good news, but I'm surprised that someone didn't turn me in for deviant behavior... for crapping in a box.  Then, mailing it off.  Seems like something I would have done in my misspent youth.

In more medical news: Joan is making some kind of good smelling chocolate desert thing.  It has taken a lot of time and work, but did I mention: good smelling?  She put it out to cool while waiting for the next step...

 Near as I can tell, they are "socially distancing."

New Gear Day...

 

"You got your front fender finally?" you ask. No. It has been "moved back" three times now from the "expected delivery." But, I digress. This came today...

A mesh shirt with armor. It is still in the 80s here most days, so this will get plenty of use. Plus, Joan says I look "muscular" while wearing it. Chicks; go figure. It isn't easy being pretty. Or, vice versa. I get tired of being a boy toy. I want to be appreciated for my mind. What was the question?

It didn't show up until about 5:30 today, so I put it on and hopped on the Vespa for a run across the causeway - nice ventilation. The back armor is a bit thick, but I have some thinner armor that I took out of an old coat; I may try that in there. I'd post an image of me looking all muscular, but as soon as I got home, Joan insisted that I get out of it so she could wash it... before I even "think about wearing it again." Yeah, I think she was just trying to get me out of my shirt.

I took the armor out, she hand washed it. The wash water was a bit dark, likely from the black dye in the fabric... I told her that would have given my pasty white torso a more tan look if it had run onto my skin. Apparently, I am the only one who thinks I am funny.

This will in no way give one protection from road rash, other than the areas where the armor is (shoulders, elbows, forearm, back). With the heat and humidity here, there are days where I just can't bear to wear a mesh jacket. Put a thin white shirt over this, and it will be more protection than just a shirt.

 It isn't all about riding.  Sometimes you just have to kick back and relax...

No Time...

 

If you said, "The Guess Who, 1969," you get 50 bonus points.  If you asked, "Is this the song you started working on this past weekend?"... you are right on.

I recorded the tracks on Sunday; did the mix on Monday morning.  I talked Joan into shooting the video late Monday afternoon, then started working on the editing.

I played this song when I was 16.  Yes, it's an old song.  I'm an old guy.  This recording is another mostly electric guitar project for me, although I did put in an acoustic track.  I played all the instruments (electric and acoustic guitars, bass, and drums) and sang the 3 part vocals.  No, I won't be quitting my day job, but I had fun working on this.  I have to admit I was a bit rusty on the recording stuff - last time I recorded anything was before we left for the summer.

Here's my version of No Time...

I don't put ads on my YouTube content, but you may see an ad on this one - the owner of the copyright on this song is allowing me to use it, but they retain the right to monetize it.  A fair trade-off to be able to make this cover.

ICU

 

Shorthand for "I see you," nothing whatsoever to do with that place in the hospital.

Task for today: mounting a few more cameras, lights, and a Blink doorbell on the house.  We discussed what areas we wanted to cover... I really like the idea of being able to see anyone in our driveway and the doorbell camera.  While I was up on the ladder mounting the one for the driveway, I asked Joan to try out the microphone so you can talk to whoever is skulking about in the driveway... she asked, "What do you want me to say?"

I said, "Get off my property, asshole," assuming that would be the likely use.

She said, "Get off my property, asshole."  Yep, clear as a bell.  I won't have to be like a Clint Eastwood character, telling kids to get off my lawn... we can keep track of this from anywhere, and control lighting at the same time.  Yes, we have other cameras that cover other areas... only had to rely on it once, when the neighbor allowed someone to use his boatlift, and their kids were crawling all over our dock, including hanging on the line we put across the part that opens to the water, and tying a boat off to our dock.

He put an immediate stop to that when I sent him video of the kids in action right after we got the alert.  Haven't had to deal with that again.

The cameras work.  Now, we have more coverage.  Rumor has it someone took down the line across our driveway to use it for their parking while we were gone this summer.  We could see the edge of their white pickup truck in one of our other cameras.  This camera with lights on either side will be more obvious.  Yep... ICU.

I could just sit around making music all day long...

 

If you said, "I Believe In Music by Mac Davis, 1970," you get 50 bonus points.  He was a prolific song-writer (In the Ghetto, Memories, Don't Cry Daddy, Baby Don't Get Hooked On Me, Watching Scottie Grow - Steph's favorite song that I played for her when she was a wee little thing) and singer.  If you asked, "Did you make some music today?"... yeah, I make some music most days.  But, today, I sat down to do some recording - first time in months.

The other evening, while surfing through YouTube, I came across some video clips from a few years ago featuring Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman.  Can you Guess Who they played for?  They made some good music, both together and separately over the years.  It inspired me to record one of their songs from back in 1969... yeah, I played it 50 years ago, but haven't played it since.

It took a few run-throughs to get get a feel for it, then I recorded a scratch track with just guitar and vocal (for the timing)... then: drums... bass... a couple electric guitar tracks... an acoustic guitar track... a main vocal track... and a couple background vocal tracks.

I finished recording the tracks today.  Just in time to watch the first episodes of the new season of Yellowstone.  I'll get around to mixing the tracks and maybe shoot some video in the next couple days.  Probably.  We'll see.  But, I had a good time messing around with the recording gear again.  Nothing for public consumption, yet.

 

That thing is faster than my golf cart...

 

Not talking about the Vespa (but, yes, it is faster than a golf cart)

I got out on 3 different 2-wheel conveyances today.  First thing this morning, I put on a stocking cap and gloves and got out for my morning exercise on the Trail Viper (e-bike).  Pretty quiet for a weekend; that may be due to the cool temperature: 62º, not much breeze, and sunshine.

A bit later, I took the Vespa out for some scooter therapy... not place to go.  I did take a moment to hook a 360 camera to the scoot.  I think that is the first I've done that since we've been home.  The preview image...

And, the video...

I had to see if I could remember how to edit a video.  ;-)

Later this afternoon, it was errand running: I took the little e-scoot to drop off garbage and pick up the mail.  At the parking lot by our mail boxes, a lady said to me: "That little bike of yours really goes - I couldn't keep up with you in my golf cart!"

She must have a really slow golf cart.  When I've checked speed on the e-scoot, it tops out at 17mph (according to the GPS in my phone).  Sure is handy for these short runs.

Nice enough this afternoon that we spent some time out on our deck... we battled to a tie with our Monopoly cards.  Joan handily won the first three games.  She asked if I was done after the third game.  Nope.  I won the next three games... "Now, I'm done."  I knew my luck wouldn't hold out; I'll take the tie.  ;-)

A very nice Saturday in the Tropical Tip.

That face...

 

We got out early to go to the store today... it's Friday and that generally means weekend crowds will be rolling in.  Our timing was good and the store was nicely unoccupied.  Swung by Whataburger for a breakfast burger (for me) and a taquito for Joan on the way home.  While we unloaded groceries, Rufus wanted to go out and munch some grass.

Back inside on this chilly morning (57º when I went for a bike ride), Rufus was ready for some play time.  Joan got one of his toys to play "grab" (catching the feathered critter on a cord) - the boy is fast.  Occasionally he will get some "air time" when he jumps to go for the toy.

Joan said, "Get your camera ready to capture this while he's in the air."

Nope, he was done with that game.  But, I had the phone out and pointing at him.  I can't resist that handsome face...

 Such a good-natured boy.

She likes me best...

 

"Not Rufus - he's not a she!"  Or, maybe you were thinking: "Joan likes me better than Rufus?"  Depends on the day.  I'm kidding... she is always telling Rufus how big and handsome he is.  Today, though, I'm talking the Equinox.

We've tried out most of the features.  It was a cold, rainy, blustery day here... when we went to pick up a pizza and some other goodies from Domino's, Joan tried out her heated seat.  It was 63º - she said, "It works great!"

I wanted to try out the Voice Command on the Navigation.  I know the way to Domino's - I wanted to see if she (the car) did.  I said, "Find Domino's Pizza."

She (the car) said, "Do you want audio, climate control, or navigation?"

I said, "I want Domino's Pizza."

She said, "Do you want Romano's Pizza?"  I think the nearest one is in Houston.

I said, "No - find point of interest."

She thought for a moment, then said, "Say what you are looking for."

"I'm looking for Domino's Pizza."

Joan said, "Just say 'pizza'."  

I said, "Pizza," and up popped a list of nearby pizza places.  Domino's was third on the list.  We're navigating!  It wanted to take me past Domino's, then around it, then back to it.

Now, to be fair, neither of us are new to voice command.  Joan has Alexa set up in several rooms in the house.  Siri and I are on a first name basis.  We've been using Voice Command on our portable GPS for years.  But, I have to figure out how the car likes to be talked to; or, switch to Apple CarPlay and go with what I'm used to.  We (well Joan went in) picked up the pizza and headed for home.  Joan said, "See if it will navigate home."

When I talked, the car responded.  Not always what I wanted, but she responded.  When Joan talked, the car ignored her.  When Joan talked again, the car said, "Joan, please butt out - Jim and I are having a conversation."

That may not have been exactly what she said, but it is what I heard.  Regardless, the car wouldn't answer Joan.  I think the Equinox likes me best.  Not that it's a contest.  But, if it was, I'm winning.

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After enjoying our meal, I bundled up for a walk...

62º, wind out of the north at 22 gusting higher; the wind has a bite to it.

Remember baby books?

 

I had an exchange with a friend on the C-Brats (C-Dory boating forum) last night and this morning regarding people copying images you post online.  Here are some excerpts...

I have to shake my head at what has happened with images, music, and other intellectual property these days. Some of you know that Joan and I were in the photography business for a good portion of our adult lives; not as a hobby, not "for the fun of it," but as our living. I also spent years on the Copyright Committee for the Professional Photographers of America; we fought to protect the ownership of images. (Our professional association sued and won settlements from the big offenders like Kmart, Walmart, and others who copied images without permission.) We retired from that in 2006, when it was apparent where the industry was going. Coincidentally, that was the year before the first iPhone was released. By that point, anyone with the slightest bit of skill could reproduce any image, regardless of the copyright ownership. Legal? No. Enforceable? Not without a financial loss. People stopped buying actual photographs when they could show, send, e-mail, text images on their phones.

Think that wasn't significant? Anyone remember Kodak? And film? Frankly, the image thieves won. Not because it was legal, but because it quickly became rampant. The professional photographic industry was decimated. You may see a watermark on some images these days - the owners of those images are hoping that will protect others from copying and using the image. It doesn't.

If you post it, someone can "grab" it. Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do about it. You can make a fuss, even hire a lawyer to go after the image thief. Unless you can show financial "harm," don't expect it to go anywhere. And, in the meantime, another 1,000 people have copied that image and use it as if they own it.

It's the times we live in. Like common sense and good manners, the consideration of "owning" an image you post is a thing of the past. Sometimes, I miss those "good ol' days."

His response:  Jim, You are Sooooo right. And you picked the right time to get out. Good to see you here, now, though.  

My response: Thanks, Harvey. I still check in here regularly, just don't post as much. Lest someone think I'm an old curmudgeon regarding digital imaging: we were early adopters of digital technology in our studio. We converted from film back when a digital camera cost about as much as our first house. We had a full digital lab, capable of making prints from wall-size to wallets. It was a real boom to our commercial work, being able to create digital files that bypassed clients having to have 4 color separations made for their catalog or magazine ads. (Whoa - remember catalogs and magazines? ) For our fine art clients, we frequently made digital files for reproduction that topped 100mb... back in the early 2000s... when phone cameras had at best an 80kb file.

I brought that ability with us when we bought Wild Blue and started cruising (in 2006) - we were one of the first ones on this forum to make posts with images in real time... look through the "Cruising Adventures of Wild Blue and Crew" thread on the Grand Adventures sub-forum here (and on the "What I did on my C-Dory" thread before that). At that time, I intentionally reduced the size of images posted to eliminate them being copied... well, copied so they would look decent.

These days, I am making 360 videos for the fun of it. Interesting perspectives and views when out on our scoots. But, I know when I post an edited, narrated, music added (royalty-free) video, that took me hours to produce, that anyone can copy it.

Joan and I were talking about archiving digital images last night. With so many people only using a phone to capture images, what happens to baby books? There is value in a photographic image you can hold, beyond "Hey, look at this photo on my phone!" Oh, sure, you can save photos from your phone on the cloud or a memory stick... will you pass that stick down to your grandkids? Will they have the antique technology to pull up those images?

We can easily copy images... how do we create "lasting value"? One of the participants here once called me "a fame whore" because of the images I posted. I look back at those being like a digital diary. I started our blog back in 2008 so I'd have ownership of those posts and images. Most are slices of daily life that no one else would have any interest in copying. And, if for some reason someone would copy any of it, it is no loss to me. You have to go into it with that understanding if you post anything online.

TLDR version: many of us like to look at fun/interesting images; just consider them "free for the taking" if you post them online.

 

To the coach...

 

Out to the motorhome today, for the start of the winterizing process.  I gave it an exterior bath while Joan worked inside.  We drained, flushed, and drained (again) all the holding tanks.  Removed interior water filters, put some pink stuff (RV antifreeze) in each of the drains (to fill the traps).  Joan removed stuff from the overhead storage compartments, as per instructions from Winnebago, in order for them to replace the roof.

Another time, we will decide between blowing out the lines and/or filling them with the pink stuff before I take it north.

Yesterday, I had a phone conversation with one of the Customer Service guys from Winnebago, outlining what needs to be done to the coach, what we need to do before I take it there, timing; including our big question: "Do you have everything in stock that needs to be replaced?"

"Yes, we do."

The timing will put this near or over Christmas.

Back to today: Rusty told me, "Just use the hose that's by the RV pad..."  I did.  When I turned the hose on and opened the sprayer, almost as much water came back at me as was going out the front of the sprayer... soaked in a flash.  I got my keyless remote for the car and my wallet out of my pockets before they were soaked.  Then, got to spend the rest of our time there with squishy shoes.  So, that's fun.

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When we got home, I had an email from friends Earl and Alice... their big furry feline boy Buddy (the Lawn Puma) crossed over that Rainbow Bridge.  I had leaky eyes as I sent our condolences.  Rufus will get some extra hugs this evening, while I tell him about Buddy.  

Another morning ride...

 

Another sunrise.  In a few days, when we "fall back," I'll have to start my ride earlier to get to see these kind of views...

 

Quiet - I could hear the low drone of a large diesel boat engine in the far distance.  Comfortable at 73º and calm... I make my own breeze as I ride.  The last week or so, I've had YouTube videos on, telling me about the Equinox's features.  Sometimes I have a motorcycle video playing or I listen to music.  If it is videos, they are in the background, not something I am intently watching.  Mostly, it is time to contemplate what I plan to do with the day ahead.  Or, just take in the changing light and scenery.

Aloha Monday...

 

It pays to advertise.  Last week, we started watching White Lotus on HBO.  It takes place in a tropical resort (filmed at the Four Seasons Resort in Wailea, Maui) called the White Lotus in the series.  It is a satirical comedy-drama, six episodes.  Of course, everyone in the show is wearing aloha-type resort wear.

When we were still working in the studio, I wore aloha shirts most days.  As it became "a thing" where you saw more guys wearing them, I switched to performance and fishing shirts (no, I still don't fish) after we retired.  Seeing the people in White Lotus in aloha wear, I said to Joan this morning, "I think I'll wear an aloha shirt today instead of a t-shirt."

She said, "You still have about 10 of them in the back of your closet."  I doubted that.  When I got out of the shower, she showed me exactly 10 aloha shirts... 3 of which are pricey, 7 that I would consider everyday wear.  I stopped wearing them when we were boat cruising... no room for an ironing board on Wild Blue.  ;-)  (Yes, sometimes even a very casual shirt needs a bit of ironing to look sharp.)

I already had black shorts laid out for today, so she suggested one with a black background with tan palm leaves design...

 

Joan took these photos out on our dock.  This shirt has tails, so I used to always wear it tucked it... Joan said, "No leave the tails out - that's the way guys wear them these days.  I've even seen guys wear a shirt untucked with a sportcoat."

"Not on me you haven't."  So, we compromised and I wore it untucked.  (Practical reason: it works better for concealed carry.)

I guess I looked grown-up enough that she asked if I'd chaffeur her around on a couple shopping stops.  I suggested that she drive the first leg so she could set the memory seat in the Equinox to her liking.  Done... and done.  I also drove the shopping cart around in Walmart.  It's what I do.

Besides the HBO series, I saw an ad on Facebook for Reyn Spooner - it was for face masks to match their aloha shirts.  Reyn Spooner was one of my favorites back in the day.  Today, I had to clash, with my black and tan aloha shirt and a blue camo mask.  I'm OK with not being matchy-matchy.  ;-)

It's been some years since we've gone to Hawaii; it used to be a regular thing for us to relax after a busy work season.  Not much need for that when you live in a sub-tropical climate.  Still, the landscape in Hawaii is spectacular: lush mountains that lead right down to the beach.  Only flat terrain here in the Tropical Tip.  I feel the call of the islands once in a while... but it isn't strong enough these days to make me want to deal with the flight to get there.  It was a different situation when we lived in the frozen northland.

Aloha!