Keith - Whip It Up

If you don't like this, then you don't like Rock and Roll!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e7PoAvUmVA

Kiplinger - Top Ten Of The Last Decade

Kiplinger has included the Lexus LS460 as one of the ten best cars of the last decade. I have to concur, based on my ownership experience. The LS430 I previously owned was an excellent vehicle, but the new model, the LS460, introduced in 2007, is even more impressive. It will be interesting to see what the next LS??? will offer. That's still a year or more away. I imagine the technology will be out of sight!


http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/1644/10-best-cars-of-the-past-decade/

Out Of Control - Stones

I'm currently reading Keith Richards' memoir, titled "Life", on my Kindle. I've also been watching some You Tube videos that accentuate his prowess as one of the finest guitar players in recent history. The music from the album, "Bridges to Babylon", makes for a great live performance. Click on the link to watch the Stones get - out of control.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kNnMrzs5AI

2011 Hyundai Elantra

The below link provides a thorough look at Hyundai's newly designed Elantra sedan. What I find interesting about this vehicle is the numerous features that are offered for a compact class car. Hyundai has provided the buyer with a plethora of upgrades that are not common in this price segment. The Elantra will likely require other manufacturers of compact vehicles to up their game if they hope to compete.

I have yet to read a review of the 2011 Elantra, but I plan to do a Google search right after I make this blog post (see second link). If the drive train is as nice as the new exterior and interior the Elantra should do quite well in the marketplace. An interesting note regarding Elantra pricing. If past practice is any indication, as to pricing of Hyundai products, then MSRP isn't a very good measure of what the dealers will actually take for the Elantra. After the typical Hyundai rebates and dealer incentives, the consumer should be able to purchase the car for considerably less than MSRP. The current 2010 Elantra models are discounted as much as five thousand dollars, according to various advertised prices that I've checked.

It will be interesting to see what the new compact models from Honda, Mazda and Toyota will look like. Hyundai has set the bar a notch higher than might be expected in the compact class. Compact cars may soon have accessories that are typically available only on luxury cars. Game on Hyundai!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNzXhsY-qZc


Update: Road Test (Car and Driver)

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/10q4/2011_hyundai_elantra_limited-short_take_road_test

Craving Some White Castle Hamburgers

When I think of Louisville, I tend to think of food - burgers in particular - the White Castle kind. Unfortunately, we have no White Castle restaurants in Sacramento. It's a shame! And don't get me going about the frozen ones that are sold in some of our grocery stores. They're not the same as when you eat them hot off the grill!

A White Castle burger is a unique product that may never make it to California. I don't know if the natives could actually appreciate them anyway. Many would probably think the burgers are too expensive for their size. Maybe so; but a few bites should convince any doubts one might have.

All we Californians can do is dream about the next time we can travel to the vicinity of a castle shaped restaurant. When that does happen, it's almost certain that one of the first stops will be to savor a bag full of "slyders". That's what I always do!

The below link provides a short history regarding the White Castle business. As you will see, they have been making them for a very long time and fortunately there appears to be no end in sight for a devotee, like myself, who just has to have a White Castle now and then. Guess I better plan a trip to Louisville sooner than later!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKq5IoARMSg&feature=related

T-Bar-V Ranch

My friend, Tim, sent me a link about Louisville, KY TV shows from the early days of television. It jogged my memory regarding a children's show that I had long forgotten about. T-Bar-V Ranch was a favorite daily show for many young kids growing up in Louisville during the fifties and sixties. Children would come on the show - to celebrate their birthday. I can't say for certain, my memory is foggy on the details, but I believe I was on the show once. I think I was seven or eight years old when I got to meet the host of T-Bar-V Ranch, Randy Atcher. Randy passed a few years ago. He once mentioned in an interview that surprisingly there are no tapes of T-Bar-V Ranch from all those years that it was broadcast. I'm amazed that we have no shows to view of Randy and Cactus (Tom Brooks) and all the children that appeared on T-Bar-V Ranch. It would have been a great tribute to Randy and also a valuable historical document to depict the era.

The below link provides additional information about Randy Atcher and the show T-Bar-V Ranch. I did get to know Randy's son, Mark, when I attended Western Kentucky State University, way back in 1963. Neat guy, Mark. It's been forty-six years since I last talked to him. I plan to do some "Googling" to find out if Mark still lives in Louisville.

http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/IL-COOK-SCHAUMBURG/2003-03/1047568168

Michelle Rhee - Strategies For School Reform

Michelle Rhee has decided to tackle school reform throughout America. Her track record as chancellor of the D.C. public-school system was, and still is, polarizing. Her role as a spokesperson and advocate for a national movement, which she calls StudentsFirst and which was created to change education in ways that puts the emphasis, in her words, on students - rather than on teacher tenure and the unions that support teachers jobs at any cost. Rehee's movement is growing as fast as she can garner support from concerned parents, philanthropists and political leaders who are anxious to get on board with her concepts for the creation of a new paradigm for education in America.

If you are interested in finding out more about her background as an educator, and the movement StudentsFirst, you will probably want to read the December 13 issue of Newsweek. She has already created enough media attention over the last few months for Newsweek to make her this week's cover story. There is also lots of information about Michelle Rhee online, via You Tube and through various educational forums. Below is a link describing what happened in D.C. when she proposed a new teacher contract.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pii96AoTPw&feature=channel

Thanksgiving Meal At McCormick & Schmick's

This year we decided to have our Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant in downtown Sacramento. There were many to choose from, but we wanted to dine at a restaurant that we had never visited. We had walked past McCormick & Schmick's a few times, but somehow we never stopped in for a meal. Thanksgiving seemed like a good time to enjoy their cooking. We were not disappointed. The atmosphere was very much like what you find in San Francisco establishments and the meal was on par with top notch City By The Bay restaurants. Our server, Herman, was very attentive and the dining experience was enhanced by the sounds of smooth jazz playing throughout the dining room.

Our Thanksgiving meal will be but a prelude to what we hope are many more enjoyable meals at this fine restaurant. McCormick & Schmick's specializes in sea food, which I favor, so a future meal of steak and lobster is a must for our next outing to downtown Sacramento.

Undertones - Teanage Kicks - 1978

Another great video featuring Feargal Sharkey, this one is from the period when he was the lead singer for the "Undertones". My friend, Bob, sent me a video of Feargal, which reminded me of just how much I liked him "back-in-the-day". I still do!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oskM5XD_Yc4&NR=1

80's Music - Feargal Sharkey (You Little Thief)

For a blast from the past, have a listen to the below You Tube video. Feargal Sharkey sings his hit song, "You Little Thief". Now that's what I'm talking about!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS4ALgm6Rsc

Sacramento Auto Show 2011

I spent several hours at the Sacramento Auto Show yesterday. It's an annual event that provides visitors an opportunity to sit in the various new models offered for the coming year - and to even drive a few. This year I drove the Chevrolet Cruze. The Cruze should do well in the marketplace as GM appears to be on track to make a full recovery. GM has redesigned most of their vehicles and the change is particularly noted in the interior quality of their entire line of cars. The exterior styling, for most models, has also improved as well.

As you will see from the attached photo link (Shutterfly), Hyundai is on a roll with their Sonata and Genesis models and the new Equus is a head turner meant to compete with the likes of Lexus, Mercedes and BMW. Both interior and exterior pictures of the Equus are posted below, on my Shuterfly site. The Equus is a very upscale vehicle and it will be interesting to see if consumers will be willing to pay sixty thousand dollars for a luxury vehicle manufactured by Hyundai.

You can view the photos, as a slide show, by clicking on the link :

http://www.shutterfly.com/lightbox/view.sfly?fid=f3a304ee23989b9a3315f89dbf2f35f7

Bearen's Birthday Party - Alex Sings "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"

Happy Birthday Bearon - one year old! Everyone had a fun time at Bearon's party. The gathering, held in Suisuin, at the lodge where Kelly and Larry live, is well suited for birthday parties. There is plenty of room and the lodge decorates nicely. The event offered a special bonus for my wife, Nancy, as Kelly arranged for Alex, an accomplished musician, to perform at the birthday party. Nancy loves listening to IZ, a famous Hawaiian singer (now deceased). IZ does a wonderful rendition of the song, "Somewhere Over The Rainbow". On the attached You Tube video you will hear Alex sing an equally beautiful version of the song. "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" was dedicated to Nancy, and to say the least, she was very surprised. Thank you, Alex and Danny (Alex's father, Danny, accompanies him on the song), for taking time to sing at Bearon's first birthday party. It was much appreciated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BqOM7lbF6g

Halloween At The Davis Home

Cast Of Characters - Halloween 2010

Bearon - Exceptional Bear Costume Wearer

Brandon - Excellent Bag Twister

Kelly - Outstanding Candy Bagger

Kenneth - Seasoned Installer of Halloween Lights

Kristi - Terrific Halloween Photographer

Nancy - Amazing Creator of Scary Guy and Master Halloween Decorator

Richard - AKA (The Axeman) - Devoted Caretaker of Chili Dog

Together, we created a meaningful Halloween experience for over three hundred children this year. Each of the cast members happily contributed their time and energy to this annual event. To all the courteous and considerate trick-or-treaters that visited our home this Halloween, we want to say... thanks, for showing us all of those wonderful costumes. The costumes get better each year (check out the posted Wolf costume picture). We hope you enjoy your candy treats and we look forward to seeing you again next year. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Out With The Old - In With The New

After twenty three years, our faithful GE refrigerator decided it had been in service long enough and sent us a cryptic diagnostic message - indicating the end was near. So... we immediately started a world-wide search for a new refrigerator that we could live with for many years to come (it is not unlikely that the new machine could outlive it's consumers). We always favored the rather unique "snack tray" that our GE model featured (see pictures), this was a real innovation back in the day, but GE doesn't build them like that any more. Alas, the new one would have to have some other unique feature to meet our purchase criteria. In my opinion, refrigerators are basically rather boring appliances. Even though they typically last for double digit years, the after purchase is rather routine and uneventful (sort of like rotating a car's tires, only at considerably more cost). You usually buy one and forget about it, so long as it functions properly.

After web searching and looking at newspaper advertisements for refrigerators, we zoned in on a Samsung model and a LG model. The LG won out, I liked the posted reviews better, but the kicker was a unique feature regarding the freezer drawers ( we decided on a French door layout with split freezer doors). The LG freezer drawers are motorized and open with the push of a button. Very cool! Yeah, we get it, the drawers will stop working the day after the warranty expires, but we'll have fun with it until that happens.

It was quite a process for the delivery people to maneuver the new refrigerator into the kitchen, but they managed with maybe a millimeter to spare. The LG is working well, nice and quite, and the ice maker is great. The motorized drawers are a real conversation piece. We get lots of comments, both pro and con. I'll update you as to it's reliability, if I'm still around in twenty three years.

Halloween With Elvira!

Yes, Elvira (Mistress of the Dark) is around for another Halloween. Check out her site, if you are an Elvira fan. Her website is a little beyond a PG13 rating, so be forewarned. Elvira is nearly sixty years old and still looks... well, like Elvira! Only three days left before the trick-or-treaters arrive! Happy Halloween!!

http://elvira.com/

DOG DAY AFTERNOON

Today, I had some time to post a few pictures of my friends' dogs to the blog site. Actually, I was trying to rest my aching back while on the computer. My back has been bothering me for several days now... yes, in case you're wondering, old age has definitely started to take it's toll on my ailing bones.

Anyway, I've posted a small sample of what I consider to be some of the most beautiful dogs in the world. Just look at those facial expressions! I don't think one could even begin to count all the beauty contests these pets have won over the years! If you doubt that summation, just ask their caretakers - they'll set you straight!

Halloween Decorations - Camden Lake

Homes in our neighborhood are already showing their Halloween decorations, a good three weeks before the big event. Today, Chili and I came across a nicely decorated home while on our morning walk. Take a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pK-6A5TOlms

Terrafugia Transition - Flying Car

I haven't seen what the price will be for this unique vehicle, but it may eventually change the way we transport ourselves from point "A" to point "B". Fascinating air/car.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iE2Ij7Rfw1Q&feature=channel

Keyboard Cat - Way Cool!

Check out the Keyboard Cat at the link below - very talented!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J---aiyznGQ

Lexus LS460 vs Mercedes S550

The below video clip provides a review of the Lexus LS460L. The review compares the LS460L with it's counterpart - the Mercedes S550. The driver made some interesting comments.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkTu54YG7Ew&NR=1

I agree that the two cars are similar in their specifications and features. The dealership experience and, for a used vehicle, the certification program, can tilt the scale in favor of one over the other. Having owned a Lexus LS430, for six years, I gravitated toward the LS460 when I was comparing the two cars.

After owning my LS460 for a few months, my preference is still with the Lexus brand. Hopefully, that will continue to be the case as the vehicle ages. I'll provide an update in the months to come.

Recumbent In Camden Park

I rarely see a recumbent trike in the Camden area. I'm sure that I have seen no more than five or six recumbents during the six years that I've been doing my daily walk through Camden park. Unlike other fair weather states, such as Florida and Hawaii, riders in California (at least the northern portion) still prefer the more traditional form of cycling.

So... when I saw a cyclist pedaling her recumbent bike along the Camden bike trail a couple mornings ago, I quickly reached for my iPhone and caught a quick shot of this rare sight. Even our dog, Chili, sensed it was something unusual and watched as the reclining rider maneuvered her trike swiftly along the pathway through the park.

You can see the few seconds of my video by clicking on the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQXrndgukh0

Mark Wears Clogs

Click on the link to hear the band "Mark Wears Clogs". David Sofia, son of my good friends Dan and Bita, is a guitarist in the band. Interesting melodic/indie/alternative genre music. They write their own songs.

http://www.myspace.com/markwearsclogs

California State Fair Video

See a tortoise eating corn at the California State Fair. This clip was taken with my iPhone 4 video camera.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VpBNuxBL2Q

Trip To Fremont

My friend Dan and I took a hundred mile trek to the city of Fremont today. The mission: to test drive a 2005 Nissan 350 Z and determine whether it is worthy of ownership, by Dan, as my garage is already looking like a mini Car Max. If the Nissan was to measure up to the rather lengthy laundry list of criteria that we considered essential prior to making a purchase decision, than the odds were that we would be returning back to Sacramento in separate cars. When we left my house around eleven o'clock this morning, I would say the odds were fifty/fifty that the decision could go either way. Dan had done his due diligence, as much as you can do online through web sites such as Cars.com and Auto Trader and by communicating via email and phone calls to the fleet manager of Fremont Ford where the car was being offered for sale. Now, it was time to get down to the nitty gritty and see the car up close and personal. Pictures and words can only tell you so much, such as whether it's even worth driving a hundred miles to continue your research - after some discussion, we decided that this particular car was worth the time and effort necessary to make the trip to Fremont. Remember, Dan and I are both retired, so on occasion we do have a little bit of free time to do these kind of things. So off we go into the abyss of car buying, making sure that we had curbed any unnecessary enthusiasm about the mission so that we didn't bias the decision before we even arrived at the dealership. Dan was determined to have the right mindset upon arrival.

Dan and I both liked the looks of the car the moment the fleet manager, named Tomaze, drove the car to the front of the dealership's entryway. The exterior was very much blemish free, particularly for a 2005 vehicle, but we both agreed that some more detailing was needed on the interior. The interior wasn't bad, but it definitely needed some further cleaning. That aside, if the test drive went well, this 350 Z might well be a keeper.

The manager let Dan and I go together in this two-seat sports car, which is to say that there was no salesperson with us on our thirty minute, or so, test drive. Of course, not knowing the city of Fremont, we got lost for a short time, but when we finally made it back to the car lot we both had a good feel for the car. Our overall impression was that it was a good car and worth buying, if the price was right.

The negotiating to a final price was about what one might expect. Dan had already did most of the bargaining with the fleet manager prior to our actual visit to the dealership, and although I had headed home by this point, Dan said the back and forth with the finance manager, the final cog in the process, was somewhat intense, but nothing much out of the ordinary. Another words, the finance manager kept trying to get Dan to buy add on's to the sale and Dan just had to consistently explain the meaning of the word "no" to him. That is how Dan characterized the interaction to me, but it's not surprising, as that is typical of what fiance managers do for a living - they try to sell things while they complete the financing. It can be irritating, but it comes with the territory. I can't recall ever closing a sale at a dealership where this didn't happen.

All and all, the purchase process went about as well as you could expect, especially when it comes to buying a used vehicle, and I think Dan would agree, that for the most part, the people associated with the dealership were professional in their demeanor.

The pictures you see posted above this text are of Dan's new "toy". It's a cool looking set of wheels and at some point I'll have to take a photo, for the blog, showing my Crossfire next to Dan's 350 Z. Dan and I both intend to drive our vehicles for years to come and to let the wind blow in our hair for as long as we have hair to blow, or until we grow up and find better ways to spend money on things other than "toy" cars. Don't really know if that will ever happen, but I guess our wife's can only hope.

Peggy Sue Revisited

I remember the first time I heard Buddy Holly singing his hit song, "Peggy Sue". The record was a 45 and the player was a cheap off brand machine, but to me, it sounded fantastic. I was hooked on the Buddy Holly sound right from the get-go. The distinctive phrasing of the words and his hiccup vocalization was a style that I could really appreciate. I even liked some of the imitators who tried to be like Buddy, even though that was ultimately an impossibility, as there was really only one singer, Buddy, who could perfectly capture all the nuances of the style.

That said, Bobby Vee did a good job of mimicking the Buddy Holly sound. In fact, one song that he penned is right up there with Buddy's "Peggy Sue' and "It's So Easy". The song... "Suzy Baby". It's got the unique sound needed to be included in the Buddy Holly genre and Bobby put just the right words together to make it his own. You can hear it on the You Tube link below. Hats off to Bobby Vee for capturing the essence of the great Buddy Holly.

Classic Car Show

Every Tuesday, at the Raley's Shopping Center in Elk Grove, the owners of classic, custom and other unique automobiles file into the Raley's parking lot to display their pride and joy well preserved vehicles. Although there are numerous cars that appear on a regular basis, the likelihood of seeing a "new" classic, for the first time, is also very possible. The drivers have dinner at Mike's Diner and afterwards sit around their prize possession, in lawn chairs or some other form of patio furniture, and listen to a band playing old-school music. It's also a great time to reminisce about the "good-old-days" and share insider information about your favorite brand of car. I've posted a couple of pics from this week's show. Both photos were taken with my Apple iPhone 4. The iPhone 4 has a five mega pixel camera.

The below link will take you to the video that I took of tonight's event. The cars being shown are rather sparse, but that is only because the hour was still early. By twilight the lot is usually full of vehicles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMNyrqj7D-w

Dancing at the Marriott in Monterey, California

Check out the Flip video posted to You Tube, showing Nancy, Kelly, Gloria and Robert dancing to the Village People and the song "YMCA".


http://www.youtube.com/my_videos_edit

Shi Ra Soni Japanese Restaurant - Stockton, California

Tonight, my friend Dave Beales and I had a delicious meal at the Shi Ra Soni Japanese Restaurant in Stockton. Watch Chef Phillip prepare our meal, "Bennie" style. Delicious!!!

Video shot using iPhone 4 -



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkY_Odtr9-M

California State Fair

They changed the dates for the fair this year, in order to mesh better with the kids back to school schedules, and to hopefully make for cooler fair going days - well, there were plenty of children at the fair, but it was as hot as ever. Still, I had a good time and I ate a lot of fair type food. You know, pulled pork sandwich, pizza, hamburger, ice cream - no corn dog, though. I took several pictures and some videos. Some of the pics are already on the blog site and I'll post more later in the week.

Monterey - Lover's Point Beach

Click on the link to see the video of Lover's Point Beach. This clip was made using my iPhone 4G.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fdbzfvzw6cA

Pics and Video From Wedding in Monterey, California

Be sure to scroll down further to see some more pictures from our trip to Monterey. The below link will send you to a video taken at the wedding reception. We had a great meal with lots of socializing with relatives. Oh, and lets not forget... the dance contest! Check it out!

http://s178.photobucket.com/albums/w275/jimdaviselkgrove/?action=view&current=MVI_1151.mp4

Another View of the Lexus LS460

Well, you're not going to be able to please everyone when you design a vehicle. Makes you just want to run out and buy a Merc S550. Right! Check out the below link -


http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-ls-460/

New Wheels

I wanted a car with a lot of tech and a comfortable ride. The LS460 meets that requirement exceptionally well. It's taken about six months to find a used one that met my criteria for purchasing and the Smokey Gray Mica 2007 LS460 L that you see in the driveway is the outcome of all my research. It is loaded!

The laundry list of features is too lengthy to list, so here are a few highlights: self parking package (I don't need it yet, but you never know), laser cruise control, adjustable air suspension including height adjustment, rear comfort package which includes reclining seats and a separate air conditioning unit with separate controls for rear passengers, blue tooth, heated steering wheel, an eight gig hard drive, power open and close trunk button and power door closure for all doors, XM with Nav traffic updates, push button start, adaptive swivel headlamps, Lexus Link, Mark Levinson surround sound, rear view camera, DVD player, chrome rims with new tires, etc, etc.. This car is a certified Lexus with a three year hundred thousand mile bumper to bumper warranty (you need that with all the tech stuff).

A non smoking lawyer leased this vehicle for three years and bought another one just like it a few days ago. His new 2010 is the same as his 2007 except with seats that massage the back. This is the third leased Lexus that the sales consultant has sold to this customer, so he knew every nuance regarding the particulars of the vehicle. Compared with many other ones that I looked at, this one was the best - by far.

Lexus has some damage control to deal with in regards to recent recalls on the LS460, so dealers are dealing on this model, especially before the media does an Apple 4G like media blitz on their luxury car. However, the cloud over the 460, as to quality issues, did help on the price. Lexus will probably get bashed by Consumer Reports for these quality control issues in the near future. Since I'm a die hard Lexus, (and Apple) fan - I'm not really affected as to how I feel about the brand and the recent news. The recall info has been on the Lexus forums and blogs for weeks now, but it hasn't had much affect on sales. My last one (Lexus LS430) was the best vehicle that I've ever owned and the best dealership experience that I've yet to encounter.

I kept my last Lexus for six plus years and I may keep this one longer, if the tech stuff holds up that long. Tech-wise it's already dated somewhat, since it is an 07 model. I really get a kick our of playing with the tech stuff. Having just turned sixty-five, what else is there to get excited about? Incidentally, my Apple 4G paired perfectly with the car, via blue tooth, the first time around and with no glitches. Hallelujah! I wasn't expecting that to happen!

We're headed to Monterey this weekend for our first road trip in the new Lexus and I'm anxious to see how it does. I'll fill you in after we return.

Blogger Update

The Blogger web site has recently been having problems with the posting of pictures to their blogs. Hopefully, this has now been fixed. I plan to add some new photos soon. So stayed tuned, as I'll have some pics of the LS460 in a few days.

Video of Fontaine Ferry Park - A Racial Powderkeg

I must forewarn those who view this YouTube posted video, regarding Fontaine Ferry Park, that the title for the video is racist, ignorant as to it's intent and demeaning to Blacks. However, it does reflect the polarity that exist when discussing various views regarding the closure of Fontaine Ferry Park. I am appalled by the wording, but it serves to demonstrates the deep seeded prejudice that still exist in our country. A disgusting reality, I fear.

The video is well balanced in its content and provides a historical record of Fontain Ferry Park.

"Westenders", at least us senior types, will recognize a lot of scenes from the below clip featuring Louisville's Fontaine Ferry Park. Most of us become rather nostalgic when discussing the park and we often express difficulty in understanding all the issues behind the park's closure. Nevertheless.. it was great fun for those who had the opportunity to experience Fontaine Ferry and especially for those who lived in the West End. Fontaine Ferry contributed significantly to our upbringing, for better or worse, I suppose.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqV7ios9eqI&feature=geosearch

Spring Time!

The weather in Sacramento is finally looking more like spring. Our May weather was unseasonably cool and the rainfall was significantly more than normal. With temperatures on the rise and lots of sun forthcoming, I plan to take several photos during the outings Nancy and I have planned over the next couple of months. Monterey is definitely one of our summer destinations. We're also considering a couple more cities to visit this summer, particularly ones that we have never visited.

My most recent pics show Brandon helping out at a Big Breakfast Sunday get-together and one of Chili Dog letting everyone know just who is in charge of his favorite chew toy - a rawhide shoe.

You can see a video of a recent Big Breakfast Sunday on our Flip channel. As an added bonus - I've also posted a video of Chili Dog digging around in her blanket while attempting to find a morsel from her Chief Michaels (Purina Brand) dog treats. If you look closely, you'll see a piece hidden in her blue blanket. Hey, there is always some form of entertainment happening at the Davis household. Never a dull moment. Enjoy!!!

To see the videos, click on the link and fill in:

http://www.flipshare.com/view.aspx?nRecipient=ZWY3Y2EyYjYtNDZmNi00YTUwLTgwN2UtNDI3Y2M0ZGJkZTdi

email address - jrdmobile@yahoo.com
password - opentheflip

Correction to Derby Pick

I may have slipped up a little in regards to my choice for the winner of last week's Kentucky Derby. I probably should have suggested that everyone back up their win bet on Sidney's Candy, with a place and show bet on Ice Box - silly me. Whatever... anyway, I guess we can all just LOL about that minor oversight and start to focus on the next leg of the Triple Crown - the Preakness on May 15th.

If you have concerns about the farm you may have lost from making that partial Derby bet - rest assured - you will easily recoup the lost with my surefire pick for the Preakness. Now hang in there and keep your chin up. My "insider" info will provide us with the right stuff to make a bundle on the next race. Joy to the world!

Derby Pick - Sidney's Candy

Starting from the twentieth post position shouldn't hurt my horse in this race. It's better than being on the rail. However, if the track is real sloppy, he may have a problem. I've been going back and forth between Ice Box and Sidney.... but it's time to pick a horse - and even though Ice Box should have way better odds - I'll put my money on Sidney's Candy. This should be a very good race, especially if the favorite (Lookin at Lucky) runs out of the money. Hope everyone has a fun Derby Day! Don't forget, bet the farm on Sidney's Candy.

I'm Amazed

The Louisville band, "My Morning Jacket", with Jim James and the boys, has a unique sound that you probably either love, or hate. Myself, I give the band a big "thumbs up" - and not just because they started in my home town of Louisville, Kentucky... well, maybe I am a little biased, because I grew up in Louisville, but you might become a fan as well, after you hear the band on You Tube - performing their hit song, "I'm Amazed".

You'll notice that Jim James likes to move around a lot on stage, with his head down, even with the rather dim lighting that the band favors. That may have been the reason he fell and injured himself while performing on stage a while back. Of course, there may have been other reasons as well, I don't know for sure.

The concert footage of the band performing, "I'm Amazed", is handheld and raw, but it gives you a good feel of the band playing live, rather than in a studio. Check it out and let me know how you like Jim James and My Morning Jacket.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEslfjy9HCQ&feature=PlayList&p=1BA6609BA8E709DC&playnext_from=PL&index=3

Easter At The Duck Lodge In Suisuin

Lots going on at the Duck Lodge over Easter weekend. The kids had a great time hunting Easter eggs. You can see some pics of the Easter Egg Hunt at the top and bottom of the blog site.

Chili Dog Cleans The Jar!

Our Chili Dog likes to have an evening snack. One of her favorites is Gerber's Turkey and Gravy baby food. Of course... she also prefers to be spoon fed (more accurately, finger fed), so I perform this task on a regular basis. Why not, she is such a good little dog. she deserves to be pampered - right!!!

You can see a clip of her chowing down at the below FLIP web channel. Be sure to enter the correct email address and password.

http://www.flipshare.com/view.aspx?nRecipient=ZWY3Y2EyYjYtNDZmNi00YTUwLTgwN2UtNDI3Y2M0ZGJkZTdi



email address - jrdmobile@yahoo.com

password - opentheflip

Purchasing A New Car?

No, I'm not actually in the market for a new car right now - wait... perhaps I should clarify that statement, just a tad. Although I'm constantly researching and checking out a multitude of web sites which feature so called "insider" information regarding automobiles, I'm not seriously contemplating the purchase of a new vehicle at this time. However, if I were, I would definitely use the link shown below. Truecar.com is a good source for collecting the data needed to establish a "fair" (both for the dealer and the consumer) selling price when purchasing a new car. It's not the be-all, end-all source for determining the value for all new vehicles, but it is very useful when calculating the dealers invoice for a specifically equipped automobile. It's also useful as a guide for negotiating the price you are willing to pay for the car you have chosen. Don't forget, it's worth doing some thorough research when embarking on what will likely be the second most expensive purchase, aside from your home, that you will make in your lifetime.

So... if any of my blog readers are in the market for a new vehicle, check out the link below - and let me know if you find it useful as a tool for negotiating the best price from a new car dealer.

http://www.truecar.com/index.html

Happy Valentine's Day!

As you can see from the Valentine's Day picture to the right, Nancy and I decided to fore-go exchanging any fancy jewelry this year. Instead, we both bought stuffed animals to exchange and we also gave one another meaningful greeting cards. Come to think of it, we don't usually purchase jewelry on Valentine's Day anyway. Besides, we both happen to like receiving stuffed animals, so it just seemed like the better choice. I've posted a Flip video showing our Valentine's Day gifts at the below site. Our dog, Chili, was suppose to be in the film with the lion and the bear, but she got bored with the demonstration rather quickly and decided to take a nap instead. Smart dog!

http://www.flipshare.com/view.aspx?nRecipient=ZWY3Y2EyYjYtNDZmNi00YTUwLTgwN2UtNDI3Y2M0ZGJkZTdi

To open my Flip videos:

email address - jrdmobile@yahoo.com

password - opentheflip



The other recent posted pics are from Christmas and from our Super Bowl gathering.

Change In The Weather

Cabin fever has been curtailed, at least for the moment. We've had rain for so many days in a row that I've lost count. I decided to run a few errands today, so I'll be getting the Crossfire out of the garage, albeit with the top in the up position. Still, it's good to see some sunshine and warmer temperatures. It appears to be only a short respite from the rain that will be returning in a day or two, but it should satisfy my itch to get behind the wheel of the Crossfire and do some manual shifting for a change. I might just put the top down, if it doesn't get any colder during the next hour or two. I may need to keep the heater on, but what the heck...

Toshiba Cell TV

From CES Las Vegas 2010, a very interesting product. Cell TV is due to arrive this fall.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSwYF0C3N9k

Baby Bearen - Flip Video

To see a video of our great grandson, Baby Bearen, go to our Flip Channel, at the link below, and enter the email address - jrdmobile@yahoo.com - with the password - opentheflip.

http://www.flipshare.com/view.aspx?nRecipient=ZWY3Y2EyYjYtNDZmNi00YTUwLTgwN2UtNDI3Y2M0ZGJkZTdi

Chili Dog Is On the Mend

Several blog readers have asked about our Chili Dog's recent surgery (she was spayed), particularly in regards to her recuperation and overall health. Nancy and I are pleased to let everyone know that Chili is making great progress on her road to a full recovery. She is a very sturdy little dog and has exceeded our expectations, and her vet's, by reaching her wellness goals way ahead of schedule. She is currently about eighty per cent back to normal and I imagine she will be eating normally, and be able to do her exercise routine as normal, by early next week - at the latest. She will be off all her medications within a couple of days. Finishing her meds should help matters, as she doesn't look forward to that part of her treatment. We'll both be glad when we can give her a bath, but there is still a week to go before that can happen. It's not really a big deal, since she is such a sweet smelling dog anyway.

So... Chili says "woof" (translation - thanks for thinking of me). We hope everyone is in the best of health for all of 2010 - and far beyond. Again, we would like to thank everyone for their concern regarding our little Chili. We do appreciate it.

Way Cool - Flip Ultra Camcorder

Nancy and I really like our most recent electronic gadget, a Christmas gift, the Flip Ultra Camcorder. We've been collecting all kinds of spur-of-the-moment footage using this mini camcorder. The software that comes with it is user friendly and you even get your own personal web channel to store your videos - what a neat device. Check out our web channel below. To gain access, just type in my email address jrdmobile@yahoo.com and the password - opentheflip.

http://www.flipshare.com/view.aspx?nRecipient=ZWY3Y2EyYjYtNDZmNi00YTUwLTgwN2UtNDI3Y2M0ZGJkZTdi