It's a small world...

 

If you said, "The most annoying song until Baby Shark, and a ride at Disney World," you get 20 bonus points.  If you said, "Doesn't that 360 camera of yours shoot that small world thing?" you are absolutely correct and get 100 bonus points.  It is called "Tiny Planet"... essentially it is a view that is wider than a fish eye.  So, yeah, everything is distorted, but it isn't supposed to be a realistic image, just a fun thing.

It is easy to overdo these Tiny Planet images, and they do tend to look pretty similar, unless you can find interesting scenes where tall things like buildings and trees stand out.  And that brings us to today's post: I went out with the intent of shooting a Tiny Planet image with my favorite Wyland Whaling Wall in it.

Heading towards the South Padre Island Convention Center...

 That isn't a Tiny Planet shot - it looks like it was taken with a drone flying in front of me, but it was done with the 360 camera on a mount extended above and in front of the bike.

You'd think it would be easy to get some Tiny Planet shots: put the camera on the bike, drive by the Whaling Wall, and you're done - edit the video/stills when you get back home.  I drive by this Whaling Wall frequently - there is never anyone around it.  Today, with hardly any cars in the parking lot, it was Grand Central Station in front of that mural.  It took me 4 passed by it to get a shot where there weren't people standing or walking down the middle of the street.  No doubt I am on a security camera there: "Um, you better take a look at this - some biker guy keeps riding loops past the Whaling Wall.  Should I call the Police?"

It didn't come to that, and I got my shots.  Lots of 'em.

If three seems like overkill, imagine editing through about 20 of those.  On my multiple passes, I took an interesting (well, to me) couple of images with the front of the Convention Center overhang...

And, on the divided road on the way in, with the palm trees...

I carried that theme back home, across the swing bridge and onto our island...

It looks like some kind of contraption that Marvin the Martian would have used, especially with that big head helmet guy in there.

And, a couple of video "shorts"...

And the best part: no annoying music!

Sunbreaks...

 

We heard that term a lot when we were in the Pacific Northwest - it's that 30 seconds or so of sun peaking through the clouds in an otherwise gray day.  I haven't heard that used here in the Tropical Tip.  This morning, though, it was an actual "sunbreak"...

 And during the stop on my bicycle ride to get the photo above, I took this...

Someone provide a bench "for my walking friends."

About 30 seconds later, that sunbreak was gone.  Looks like it will be mostly cloudy today, with a chance of rain tonight and tomorrow.  The days aren't all sunny in the Tropical Tip.

When I got back from my ride, Rufus got to go for a walk.  Two nights ago, while out for a walk, he picked up a bunch of sand burrs.  A couple of them required scissors and bit of fur trimming to get out.  Our walks since then have been very careful, and avoiding the grassy areas (his favorite).  I thought that might mean he'd want to cut the walks short, but last night was one of his longest walks since we've been home... I figured we covered about a half mile; that's a big walk for him.  For full disclosure, about 2/3 of the way along, he stopped and laid down.  In the street.  Getting dark.  I figured he was tuckered out, so I carried him for a while; he seemed good with that, just looking around while my feet did the walking.  100 yards or so from home, I put him down so he could finish the walk home on his own four feet.

He's a good boy.  ;-)

National Cat Day...

 

 

Yes, that is a thing, and today, October 29th, is National Cat Day in the US.  It was created by Colleen Paige to bring awareness to the number of cats that need to be rescued each year.

In our house, it is a day to adore and dote on Rufus.  So, yeah, like every day of the year.

 

Sleeves...

 

Joke: Where does a general keep his armies?

Answer: In his sleevies.

Yeah, it's a kid joke.  I like kid jokes.  What does that tell you about my maturity level?

Out for a ride on the CTX this morning, it was already warm and humid.  I chose to skip the armored mesh shirt and just go with my shirt sleeves.  To keep from frying my arms (that sound Texas sun can be intense), I have a couple pair of sleeves - you pull these on like long gloves, but they just cover you from upper arm to wrist.  I have a blue set that I use most often because I prefer the fabric on that over the ones I wore today...

 These are a stretchy knit that feels like old timey nylon stockings.  Yes, I am old enough to remember how those feel when you run your hand up... well, nevermind.  These are supposed to look like a tattoo sleeve.  They don't.  Well, maybe if you go by someone at 80 mph and the sun is in their eyes.  But, they have flames and an old Electrovoice vintage mic... so, my style.  Except the background of the sleeve looks a bit jaundice.  But, it keeps me from getting more of a farmer tan.

But, the important part: out for a ride.  The weasels were calling for rain for most of the day.  Looks like that frontal passage will happen later.  In the meantime: riding!

Diving in...

 

The water?  No.  I know what fish do in that water.  ;-)

Last night, Mark sent me some video that he and Cindy shot so I could start working on another music video.  It has been a while.  Mark and I completed the music and vocals on a song before we left for the summer... it has been on the back burner since then.

A few days ago, Mark and I visited about that song and the prospect of making another music video.  This one is "all Mark" - he wrote it, sang the lead vocal, and played lead guitar.  Bass and keyboard, too.  I did the background vocals, guitar, and drums.  We had kicked around some video ideas and decided to step away from a "story" video, and go for more of a performance video.

I started in on editing the video last night, and syncing it with a mixed music track.  These are always more detail work than you might think.  I worked on it last night until bed time, got up about 5:30 this morning (you know how it is when you get ideas) and started on it again.

Mark and Cindy are traveling for a family wedding right now, so it will be at least a week or so before he can get me some "B-roll" clips to add the finishing touches to the video.  I'll post it here and all the usual places when it's done.

What is this?

 

 A real life version of the video game Tetris?  Bags of treats for Halloween trick or treaters?  Bag bowling on steps?  Bags for playing beanbag (some people call it "cornhole")?  Red Light/Green Light for bags?

If you said, "Those are charcoal bags - you use them for keeping closets and drawers fresh; and you put them out in the sun to refresh them," you get 25 bonus points.

Joan puts these all around the house - in the closets, in drawers, on top of cabinets.  All out of sight, unless you know where to look.  She was up on a ladder this afternoon, retrieving some from the top of our kitchen cabinets.

I got my electric scooter out to go to the mailboxes this afternoon, and saw the above bags on our steps.  I thought it was "photo worthy."  If I hadn't asked what she was doing up on a ladder, I would not remember what those things are... oh, I see 'em once in a while, but they don't register enough to make me say, "Hey, look - a charcoal bag!"

Morning walk...

 

Yes, Rufus and I take a morning walk, and another one around dusk.  He likes those times because it is generally quiet.  This morning, he got to spend some time with Tessa.  She is a long-legged blonde.  I guess he and I have a type.

While I visited with Tessa's Dad, Rufus and Tessa enjoyed the sun on their faces...

 Yes, she was nuzzling his neck; another enjoyment that he and I share.  TMI?  Yeah, probably.  

I don't know how much more I can take...

 

"Tired of being a trophy-husband, Jim?" you ask.  Thanks for asking, but no.

I will publicly admit: I like TV.  The networks, the streaming services, sit-coms, action shows, movies.  I find I watch the news less than I used to... because it is more about sensationalism than just presenting the facts.  I watch the Today Show in the morning.

But, the mid-term political season has been on-going, never-ending with the political ads.  And down here on the edge of the country, they are pure negative and intentionally misleading.  We have candidates saying, "I will not let my opponent stop me from lowering gas and grocery prices..."  Wait, what?  Someone running for the House of Representatives can single-handedly lower prices?  How is she going to do that?

Another saying, "My opponent accepts 'dirty money' from drug smugglers, human traffickers, and sexual predators..."  Her opponent is a defense attorney.  That's his job - defending bad guys.

Another saying, "Crime will rise if my opponent is elected.  Vote for me to defend you..."  What is she: Batgirl?

Another saying, "My opponent wants to eliminate the border wall and let everyone in who wants to come across the border..." One person can do that?

These are some of the outrageous accusations and promises, but certainly not the most vile.  "My opponent wants to have sexual relations with your dog, and if elected, will force everyone to have relations with dogs..."  Yes, I'm kidding.  I don't have a dog.  Yes, I have taken this to the absurd.  But, the onslaught of ads is daunting.  Although I am sure it is good for the advertising sales business.

"Just turn off your TV, Jim," you say.  But, I like my TV.  At this point, I'd even take the attorney and car dealer ads... which seem to have slacked off to make room for the political ads.  We have one attorney ad where he shoots lightning out of his hands... OMG, he's a freakin' superhero!  Or, maybe a mutant.  But he will "get me the money I deserve."  And if the car dealer ads were honest, they'd be saying, "We don't have many cars in stock, but we're going to gouge you on the ones we do have.  So bring in your trade and bend over!"  OK, maybe I'm not ready to see the car dealer and attorney ads again.

And, you can't get away from the ads by watching YouTube videos - seriously, a political ad before I can watch a motorcycle video??  And if I step outside my house and off our island, it reminds me of a song from the 70s: "Signs, signs, everywhere the signs, clogging up the scenery, breakin' my mind..."  The political signs are everywhere.  You can't get away from this crap.

Other than outrageous claims about "fixing inflation" and "securing our borders", most of the ads are negative.  "My opponent is a giant douchebag.  Only a douchebag would vote for him.  He will force us all to be douchebags.  Only I can save you from forced douchebagdom..."

I often have the TV on in the background, even if I'm reading.  I set the timer on the TV when I go to bed.  I find it soothing.  Except for during the political ad season.  Which seems to start right after whatever election we just had.  They are all douchebags.  And by "they," I mean the politicians and the people who write the political ads.  Just under two weeks to go, and I fully expect the TV stations to take off programing and just run political ads 24/7... all the ads, all the time.

I think I will be still be voting for "None of the Above."  Douchebags.

Studying...

 

Is there going to be a test?

The guy at the Sleep Number Store told us about a "rewards" program they have.  While you are automatically in their "Inner Circle" if you have previously bought a mattress from them, you can earn reward points if you read some of their info or watch some videos.  Propaganda?  Somewhat, but also useful information.  You may get 10 points for reading an article, or 20 points for watching a couple videos.  The sales guy told us some people accumulate enough points overnight to get some "free" stuff.

Two things of importance: there is no such thing as a free lunch... or stuff.  Their mattresses and accessories are not inexpensive, so I'm sure there is some built-in allowance for this kind of program.  Also, don't think the bonus points rewarded in this blog are redeemable in any way.  They have absolutely zero value, but they don't expire.  But, I digress.

Since Joan and I are both on the same account, we can't "double dip" by both reading the same article or watching the same video.  So, she read some and so did I.  Was it worth the time investment?  Well, we both learned about the mattresses and how to get the best sleep.  Oh, and we earned enough for her to order a bedspread and shams... and have enough left over to get one of their fancy schmancy pillows.

A lot has changed since we bought the previous Select Comfort mattresses.  Apparently, you don't just lay on them and sleep anymore.  You can check the app in the morning to see what your "quality of sleep" was for the night.  You just know that is going to turn into a competition,

But, not for a while - it is going to be a few weeks before they ship ours.

Monetary Units...

 

US Dollars?  French Francs?  Mexican Peso?  Bitcoin?

There are different units of measurement depending on the situation.  Boat owners have "boat bucks" - a boat buck = $1,000.  The definition of BOAT: Break Out Another Thousand.  I once had a lovely Porsche that I called my "fifteen hundred dollar car"... oh, the car cost more than $1,500, but any repair or service to the car was... $1,500 dollars.

We did some running around today.  The main thrust of the day, from my perspective was: getting the headboard that Joan recovered back on the wall behind the bed in the motorhome.  Joan did a great job on it.  The OEM fabric was a vinyl that had a leather look to it.  It had begun to shred, looking ugly and making a mess.  We pick out some upholstery fabric when we were in Rapid City this summer.  It matches a color that is in the window valences, and shouldn't have the problem that the vinyl OEM fabric had.  Joan did the same tufted look - it looks better than the original.  It's hard to see in this photo (I'll get a better one some time when we pull the motorhome out of the storage unit and can get some good light back there), but Joan's phone was all I had...

"Did that cost a boat buck?" you ask.  No, it's a motorhome, not a boat; plus we picked out a nice fabric and Joan "had a coupon."  About $21, all in.  Excluding Joan's labor.

Lunch at Olive Garden.  The prices were a dollar per entree less than the Olive Garden in Rapid City.  As far as I know, there is no Olive Garden monetary unit; they use US dollars.

Joan wanted to go mattress shopping.  We have a Sleep Number bed that is old enough that it was a "Select Comfort"... I think we got it shortly after the Civil War.  We looked in a Mattress Firm; didn't see anything that was a good candidate.  Joan suggested we go from Harlingen to Brownsville to the Sleep Number Store there.  I could sense this wasn't going to be an inexpensive outing.

The guy in the Sleep Number Store was knowledgeable and helpful.  He put us on a bed and "mapped out" our sleep number.  It wasn't anywhere close to the number we use in our current mattress.  Also, it felt very nice.  We moved from one mattress to another, trying out the different features.  Mattresses (well, at least Sleep Number) have gotten "smarter" over the years.

On our current one, we put a number into the wireless remote, and it sets the bed at that number.  Then, you sleep on it.  No, you don't have to set the number in each night before bed - you set it once and don't change it... unless you want the bed to be firmer or softer.

These new ones keep track of your body movements, how much time you are in "deep sleep," how often you get up during the night (as in: nunya... nunya business), your heartbeat and respiration,  whether you are having a sex dream or just a regular dream (yes, I'm making that up), and a bunch of other stuff I don't remember.  I tried a couple different pillows (they aren't smart, like the bed).  You use your phone to control the Sleep Number; yeah, there's an app for that.  You no longer need a wireless remote (which I still thought was pretty high tech).  Instead of one large air bladder, there are a bunch of "air cells," that redistribute the air according to where a pressure point might be.

The salesman told us, "You already get the best price because you are members of "the Inner Circle."  It is similar to being in "the Circle of Trust" in the Focker movies.  I think.  Maybe because we bought two Select Comfort mattresses previously?  This best price was about twice what I thought it would be.  Joan has been studying up on these, so she didn't say something like, "What are they made of - panda?"... like may or may not have come out of my mouth.

In the grand scheme of things, considering that we bought our first Select Comfort just before World War I and the rate of inflation since then, the price wasn't out of line.  Well, that's the rationalization I used when Joan said, "This is the one we want."

In the car on the way home, I said, "Well, that was more than I thought it was going to be."

She came back with: "It was less expensive than your last guitar."

That is the new measure of monetary units.  I have nothing more to contribute to the conversation.  It will take a month or so to get the new Sleep Number mattress.

And the video...

 

The finished video from what I shot yesterday...

 

Yes, I miss the fun twisties we enjoyed all summer, but it is nice to be able to ride in shirt sleeves this time of year.

--------

After yesterday's ride, I took some time to add a couple more RAM mount 1" balls to the bike, giving me optional locations to mount a camera, the phone, and/or a drink holder.

Oh, shoot...

 

Video, that is.  Another beautiful day.  Out on the bicycle, breakfast, then out on the CTX.  I grabbed one of the 360 videos on the way out, just to keep my hand in the fun editing stuff.  Yeah, kidding - the editing isn't a lot of fun, but it can be interesting when you see what the camera captured after you get back home; certainly different from the "olden days" when you had to point the camera at what you wanted to see.  ;-)

I did my "loop": off our island, across the causeway, onto SPI, up Gulf Blvd, pass by the Wyland Whaling Wall, bop around a bit, then head home.  It gets me out and keeps me out of the pool halls.

I will probably do something with the video, but in the meantime, here are some stills...

 

Nice day for a ride.

Ride, Captain, Ride...

 

If you said, "Blues Image, 1970," you get 25 bonus points.  If you asked: "Out for a ride?", you are correct, but no bonus points.

Out for a ride with my Honey today; first time we've ridden together since we got home.  With the bleak fun factor on the local roads, it was riding to be riding.  We went out Ain'ta Mountain Road (a flat road with a decent road surface and two curves that are so gentle you'd have to be doing 90 mph to be able to lean even a few degrees).  No, we weren't doing 90 mph.  This is the antithesis of Iron Mountain Road (in the Black Hills, thus: Ain't a Mountain).  Still, it was a gorgeous day (sunny, high of 78º, light breeze, low humidity) and just nice to be out riding. 

We stopped at a parking area that is part of the Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge; not to view any wildlife (not gonna happen mid-day), but to take a couple photos.  I didn't bring a camera along, so it was my phone and my Pocket Tripod...

From there, we rode back through Port Isabel and across the causeway to have lunch at Mahi Nic's - a casual lunch right at Sea Ranch Marina (a view of the boats).  A bit of cruising around, then back across the causeway, across the swing bridge, and home.  It was good to get out on the bikes with the two of us.

I kinda like these photos, and made a new cover photo for Facebook...

It was time - we sold the boat last year.  ;-)

Say, "Ahhhhhhhhh."

 

Yeah, another doctor appointment today.  After never hearing anything from the surgeon who harvested my prostate,  I asked my internist to do a PSA test.  I would like to have some factual information, unlike hearing one thing, then another, then nothing from the surgeon's office.  So, a bit more "wait and see"... as my buddy Bud says, "Hoping for the best, preparing for the worst."

I like my internist.  So, of course, he is leaving.  His office is associated with the medical corporation that owns the hospital where I had less than good experiences with my hip and the prostate harvesting.  Obviously bound by some sort of non-disclosure, he couldn't say what his immediate plans are.  I told him, "Let me know where you are, and I will follow you there."  He isn't allowed to copy any information on patient files, so I will have to search to find him, assuming he decides to stay in practice.

On the bright side, he said my heart and lungs sound good.  Everything is fine with my ears, nose, and throat.  He said, "Looks like you are active - you have decent muscle tone.  I'd say you are in good shape."  He did not add "for a man your age."  That's a first.

 

I had been fasting for the blood test (no, I didn't study for it), so I was ready for "the stick"... the lady in his office who takes blood is like a sweet little grandma.  She is kind and gentle with the poke.  After that, I was ready to get a bite to eat.

Then, since we were in Harlingen, the obligatory stop at Sam's and out to our storage unit.  Joan wants to recover the headboard in the motorhome; we had investigated that ahead of going out there and got it out without (much) issue.  It is wide - covers wall to wall, across the bed and both nightstands...

We weren't sure how it was going to fit in the Equinox.  The answer: through the back gate, mostly upright, across the front passenger seat (reclined), and just touching the headliner at the windshield.  Literally, just fit.  We'll take it home so she can work on it with her fancy-schmancy sewing machine.  She had to ride in the back seat on the passenger side... I felt like I was "driving Miss Daisy."  She had to tell me when it was clear to the right, 'cause I couldn't see around it from the driver's position.  Not the first time she had told me where to go.

Back home early afternoon.  I may need a nap.

Preview...

 

No, not a trailer for a movie.  A "cold front" blew in overnight.  That's in quotes because "cold" is relative.  It is snowing in the frozen northland; it was 75º when I got up this morning.  The temperatures will be falling all day; wind is in the upper 20s, gusting into the 30s, out of the north.

The rain quit so I was able to get a bicycle ride in.  In the wind.  First time in a while I've had a long sleeve shirt on, and not for the sun protection.  Looks like the rain is going to come and go all day and into the night.

It is going to be an indoor kinda day.  A preview for what passes for winter here in the Tropical Tip.  Which won't happen for another month or two.

--------

Joan took Rufus out on our deck this morning - he went under the cover on the patio table, spent about 30 seconds out there, and wanted back in.  Instead of a walk on his leash late this afternoon, I opened the door to the patio to see if he wanted to go out... he stuck his head out, felt the chilly wind, and said, "Oh, hell no!"  Smart boy.

He is quite happy in the comfort of his "big chair."

56º at 6:30, wind is still gusty, but we didn't get the "3 inches or more" of rain the weasels predicted.

I did get some guitar time today, and Mark and I talked, planning another music video project.  It's been a while; I'm looking forward to it.

Delete...

 

No, I'm not trying to delete this post.

I got out on my bicycle this morning and got rained on by the time I was a block away... 80º, so it wasn't cold.  I finished my ride.  Back home, cleaned up, and we went grocery shopping.  Then, out to lunch - Russo's Italian Restaurant on SPI has great pizza.

Joan got a notice on her phone while we were at the restaurant that UPS made a delivery to the house.  It wasn't raining at that point, so the packages won't get wet.  Among the things in the boxes: new scissors for Joan and an SD card for me.  The card I have been using in my Insta360 One X2 camera was only 32 GB; I occasionally ran out of space on the card.  During the recent Prime Days (or whatever they were calling it), there was a 256 GB SD card at a great price.  I added it to the cart; she had other stuff in the cart already.

When we got home, Joan opened the boxes and gave me the new SD card.  Good thing she got some new industrial strength scissors, because that little package with the SD card wasn't going to open without extreme means.  After making only 4 cuts (in the package, not my finger), I freed the SD card from its little plastic prison.

I swapped out the cards, and formatted the new one in the camera - it warns you that it will delete everything on the card.  It's a new card, shouldn't be anything on there.  But, I did feel the need to test out the camera to make sure everything was working like it is supposed to.  And, while I'm at it, I connected the camera to a new 3 meter selfie stick that will allow me to get "drone type" shots without breaking out the drone.

 

Yep, it all worked like it is supposed to (first video I've shot in about a month, and this one wasn't as much fun as the riding videos from this summer)...

 It is supposed to rain tonight and all day tomorrow - I don't think I'll be out shooting any videos.

It's that day again...

 

Another year older, but she doesn't look it.  Maybe it's transferring to me each year?

I took Joan out for a nice brunch this morning.  She got a call from Steph.  Some snuggle-time with Rufus.  Some movies this afternoon.  Cake and ice cream.

Happy birthday, my love.

It's an abomindation!

 

An abomination, I tell ya!  "Religion and societal beliefs?" you ask.  I don't go there on this blog.  Besides, this is far worse.

Out for a motorcycle ride this morning, it is very apparent that this is "the slow time" of the year: pretty quiet on South Padre Island.  Especially for a Saturday, with some downright lovely weather.  Oh, the restaurants that are open for breakfast seem to have cars in their parking lots, but not many people out and about.  The typical morning walkers and joggers along the walking/bike lane on Gulf Blvd.  The beach access parking lots are more empty than full.

No, that's not the abomination - I like this mellow time of the year.  To me, it doesn't last long enough, but I know some of the businesses would like to see more traffic.  One "casualty" of this typical October lull: Burger Fi has a sign on their door that says, "Restaurant closed for maintenance until further notice."  Same with Senior Donkey.  And Captain Roy's Seafood Restaurant, but it looks like there may be a change of ownership happening there.  In a resort area that needs a constant turnover of visitors, October is tough.

"What about the abomination?" you ask.  I'm getting to it.  There are a lot of beach shops on the island, and almost all of them have a bunch of golf carts for rent.  These are not your typical golf cart - there are many 6, 8, or 10 passenger versions.  Personally, I don't see the attraction for people driving to the island, then renting a 10 passenger golf cart... to drive around the island.  It is not unusual to see kids not in car seats or even strapped in with these oversized golf carts.  Often, Mom up front driving, then the rest of the family scattered about the back seats.  No, that isn't the abomination, just an observation.  The rentals for these carts are advertised at $125 per day.  That may be for the 4 place carts - I have no need for one.  I see the use of a 2 or 4 place cart on our island, for going to and from the carbage or the mailboxes.  That is why I have a little $350 electric scooter... I have never had the desire to own a golf cart.  To me, it is like admitting that you are too old to walk the 6 blocks to the garbage.  And I truly don't get the fun of driving around this small island for "happy hour."  That's not to say that I don't think others should do it - recreate however you want, as long as it doesn't impact others.

"Um, the abomination?"  Geeze, keep your shirt on.  Well, you ladies do whatever you want with your shirt.  In the past year or so, the beach shops have started renting Slingshots.  No, not the thing Dennis the Menace carried in his back pocket.  A Slingshot is a 3-wheel conveyance made by Polaris (yes, the same company that makes Indian motorcycles, UTVs, and snowmobiles).  Some motorcyclists think these are an abomination...

I would not be in that group.  I think the Slingshot is quite interesting: recreational, like a motorcycle; a steering wheel, like a car.  In some states, they are licensed as a motorcycle, and if helmets are required in that state, you have to wear one when you drive (not ride) this.  Nothing particularly practical about them - no top, so you aren't going to use it as a commuter or for daily driving.  No doors.  It doesn't lean like a motorcycle.  Still, there is something kinda of hooligan about this conveyance to me.  We had talked about renting one in the Black Hills, but the motorcycle riding is just to good to give up any of that time.

The rentals on these things here on SPI has been higher than for a golf cart.  I don't seem them out on the road often, and the places renting them don't seem to have empty spots on their lot, where a Slingshot has been rented.  Just like with motorcycling, no "fun" roads here (I have to assume that the Slingshot would be more fun on a twisty road)... so instead of renting a 2-seat conveyance like this, most people go for an 8 or 10 seat golf cart.  To me, that would be about as much fun as renting a short school bus.  But, the "party crowd" that comes to the island seems to enjoy driving around, honking at other golf carts, raising a glass, and hooting at members of the opposite sex (or however one identifies oneself).  I can absolutely guarantee you that there is no golfing being done with these island rental golf carts.

And now (finally!) the abomination: it is less money to split a Slingshot rental 4 ways instead of two, so someone started making 4 seat Slingshots for the rental market.  And, if that wasn't abomination enough, now there are 6-seat Slingshots...

These are not made by (nor sanctioned by) Polaris.  Someone is doing a "chop job" on these.  I would question the integrity of the build, if you were using one of these the way the Polaris engineers imagined people would be using an actual Slingshot.

Looks like all the fun and practicality of a 6-seat Miata.  And this, my friends, is an abomination.  It is interesting to me what passes for vacation entertainment... when a large family or a group of friends goes on vacation together, a different kind of mentality takes over... you do things you wouldn't do at home... and the individual IQ drops 20 points (or more) as the crowd mentality comes out.

"Hey, that looks like fun..."

The Season...

 

Someone is having a birthday soon.  Not me or Rufus.  I suggested an outing to Brownsville for lunch at a place we haven't been to in several years and a stop at Nothing Bunt Cakes.  My potential lunch date accepted.

The meal was tasty.  The service was slow.  We've come to expect that these days.  We were seated in a booth across from the bar.  A guy came in to pick up a meal to go and sat down at the bar.  He was out of my line of sight, but Joan told me that he looked and acted totally shit-faced.  Or, perhaps a bit crazy?

Turns out, some of each.  He was rocking back and forth on his barstool and fell over flat on his back.  I got up and helped pick him up.  Pretty sure hitting his head caused no further issues.  Shaved head with tattoos all over his head; it's a look.

The restaurant manager came over to him, I think inviting him to move on.  I'm not a fan of being around crazy people, so I understand their position.

The big news: my music room is set up.  Guitars were brought out of their "undisclosed location" and put into their hangers on the wall.  The Emeralds were all still in tune; can't say the same for the wood guitars.  I set up the Boze PA and my harmonizer pedal.  It felt good to make some "plugged in" music.

The "house stuff" is pretty well done, so we can now turn our attention to a couple things on the motorhome.  Later.  When things cool off a bit.  

Guy Stuff...

 

If you're thinking "Cars, boats, motorcycles..." well, Joan likes those things, too.  "OK, then: gonads, testosterone..." no, not that kind of guy stuff.

Last night at dusk, I asked Rufus if he wanted to go for a walk.  Nope.  So, I took off for an evening walk on my own.  Imagine my surprise when, heading back for home, I saw this...

 Yep, that's Joan walking Rufus.  That almost never happens.  Apparently, after I left, Rufus meowed at the door, wanting to go out.  So, rather than wait for me to get back, those two went out.  Rufus was walking very nice for her.  I took over the leash and Joan went back to the house to make us some root beer floats.

This got me to thinking about the big furry boy.  I may have said this before, but... he really is a good boy.  There was some concern before we brought him home almost 5 years ago - we had always had female cats.  We weren't sure if he'd be as sweet and lovey as the girls.  He had a distinct odor about him when we got him... what if that smell is just part of being a male?

We needn't have worried... he is a big ol' snuggle-boy.  He likes to touch and be touched by his people; sweet as can be.  The smell went away after that first bath, and, if anything, he is cleaner than the girls.  He spends at least as much time grooming.

There are some ways he is "all boy": he is more rough and tumble.  He leads with his head; he likes head-bumps and they are often like getting punched in the jaw.  I love it.  He and I have a "guy bond"... sometimes when he's sitting on/beside me, I hear: "People let me tell you 'bout my best friend..."

;-)

Climate...

 

No, this isn't about how Al Gore discovered climate change.  We live in a sub-tropical climate (Latitude 26) - it is frequently warm and humid.  We were very fortunate with the timing last week: when we got home, it was cooler than usual and dryer (less humid) than usual.  A nice treat; it made the moving back in process more comfortable, as well as re-acclimating.

Well, that has moved on - warmer and more humid all this week.  When I stepped outside to do my morning bicycle ride, the humidity was like a slap upside the head.  Still, I got my miles in... without melting into a puddle.  Acclimating.

I put on some riding gear to take the motorcycle out.  A bit too warm/humid for even my armored mesh shirt.  Heading off our island, the bridge was out.  That isn't unusual.  But, how long the bridge was out was longer than normal: about 20 minutes.  And no shade along that street to the bridge.  The bridge was fully open when I got there (it doesn't have to open all the way for smaller boats), so I assumed a barge (push boat with several barges) was coming... but, the only boat I saw was one of the excursion boats, and they were moving really slow.  Painfully slow.  I was the third vehicle back from the arm that drops down to stop traffic, so I had a decent view.  Then, that excursion boat put it in reverse and gave it some throttle... it wasn't long before a tug pushing 4 barges came through the other direction.  I don't know if the excursion boat captain wasn't monitoring the radio or was so busy texting his girlfriend that he didn't notice those barges coming right at him.  AND, you can't stop or turn those barges on a dime - an excursion boat is going to lose that game of chicken.

When the tug/barges cleared the bridge, the excursion boat didn't dawdle getting through the bride opening.  The bridge started to close.  Then, about half way closed, it stopped and started opening again.  Another excursion boat approached the bridge slowly from the other direction.  I'm guessing they didn't call the bridge (that's how they know to open it or hold it open) on the marine radio... so, it was a stand-off.  The 2nd excursion boat stopped and started drifting sideways.  (There can be a bit of current in this narrow waterway.)  Then, the captain gunned the throttles and made a hard turn.  I had no idea what he was doing, pretty sure the bridge operator didn't have any idea what the excursion boat captain was doing, and quite likely that captain didn't know what he was doing.

Eventually, the bridge started closing again, after that excursion boat put out an anchor and the people onboard started fishing.  Yes, in the waterway.  No, that isn't smart or legal.  A bit of a shit show.

My vantage point...

A view of the tug/barges once past the bridge...

Getting to move once the bridge was open help with the swamp-ass that had set in.  There was a long line of traffic on either side of the bridge that had been waiting.  That's part of island living here.

My ride across the causeway was nice - beautifully flat water.  Then, movement caught my eye... it looked like a jet ski being closely followed by two boats.  As I got closer, I could see it was a runabout being closely followed by two Homeland Security boats.  It may have been a drill/exercise, but those boats were running fast and seriously close to each other.  I couldn't watch the action when I got to the mid-point of the causeway, because it is kinda important to keep an eye on the road on that 2 1/2 mile long bridge.

The rest of the ride was reasonably pleasant.  I took the time to do some slow speed practice maneuvers in the large parking lot at the SPI Convention Center.  Then back down Padre Blvd and back across the causeway.  I didn't see the Homeland Security boats on this pass.

It isn't the fun twisties we had all summer, but it is the riding I have while we're home.  The causeway...

Something besides the straight and flat roads around here.