Mr. Smooth

Latest report is that as of 0600 Wednesday EDT, authorities will begin a recovery operation for what is presumed to be any missing bodies. With the lack of vision, the ebb and flow of the water via the tides, plus the broken structural parts of the bridge itself, this is going to represent a tremendous challenge for the divers and rescue operations to conduct. What an absolute tragic event and as was posted earlier, it would have been catastrophic had this happened in daylight hours, or especially during commute hours.

Booked earlier this week, SFO-BKK, on Eva. Depart June 17th at 0100 and arrive next morning on the 18th. So, as of now about 84 days and a wake up. But plenty of good times between now and then.

And as an additional factor in avoiding the bs that some people while traveling seem to generate, I also have the pre-check TSA to get through security without taking off the shoes, removing your belt, etc....and as of 2 days ago, just received my Global Entry approval so that when returning from an international trip, I can now glide through the passport control line with the pilots and flight crews in a couple minutes and not have to stand in those Gawd-awful long ass lines anymore. For both, I'm good for 5 years. Again, it's worth the cost to save time and avoid all the a-holes and idiots. Plus, it gives you more time at some terminal bar while waiting for your connection. A win-win!

After spending all winter at home, mostly recovering from a blood clot in my right leg, which is now behind me thank goodness, I'll be taking off for the Caribbean...Dominican Republic...next week for 3 weeks. As a younger guy, I was just willing to deal with whatever rude and obnoxious behavior that some people brought forth in airports and in the boarding process, while just concentrating on getting to my destination to help get me through the hassle. But no more. I took the liberty to separate myself from the unwashed masses by buying a 1st/business class ticket and removing as much as possible, the potential for rude, idiotic behavior that others here have described in their own travel experiences. Now, instead of having to wait in long lines I'll check in separately in the shorter, quicker first/business class line for my boarding pass, I'll be among the first to board (Group 1 baby!!!) and depart upon arrival, sit comfortably in my wider and infinitely more leg room seat, while the unwashed masses shuffle on past me down the aisle to their seats in cattle class. Once retired, one of the small allowances I was going to reward myself with was never having to book economy again, especially on a foreign trip, so I can experience just a bit more creature comforts and service while on my way to my destination and on the way back home. It's worth paying the extra freight.

As a die hard Raider fan, so do I. And they are playing in the Raiders house on their field! I live here in Vegas, the stadium is about 8 miles from my house and the tourists, celebrities and tv people are all over the place. I went to a few bars in the downtown Fremont Street area last Saturday and at one, a pint of Dos Equis draft was $14 USD! Needless to say, I don't go out much to drink in this particular Sin City. I much prefer Sin City Far East for such activities.

On American television, the 70's were a goldmine for classic comedies. A few of my favorites, still on tv today, were "All in the Family", "MASH", "Barney Miller", "The Jeffersons", "Happy Days" and the greatest comedy/variety show ever, "The Carol Burnett Show".

I was shocked to hear about Carl Weathers' passing away. Stallone posted a very heartfelt message on how much he meant to the "Rocky" franchise and what a great guy he was in real life. Though the "Apollo Creed" character was an invention of Stallone's when he wrote that original script for the movie, it was Weathers' acting ability, his personality, confidence, bigger than life aura and not too mention his physical size, that brought that character to life. As an audience, we went from cheering for Rocky to beat him to cheering for the both of them combined to defeat Clubber Lang in "Rocky III", to crying at him dying in the ring to Ivan Drago in "Rocky IV". A movie character that we could almost see as real. An amazing accomplishment for an actor. Carl Weathers in life most certainly went the distance.

Have you ever heard of ASMR? These are videos from people who role play and act as if they are speaking to you while looking directly into the camera, such as playing a doctor and you are the patient being checked for an ear exam for example, or a scalp exam. These ASMR "artists" speak in very calm, often whispering tones, the idea being that you will begin to have a feeling of relaxation come over you, which eventually will lead you to fall asleep. I've been using them for years and they work for me. Just click on You Tube on your phone and type in ASMR. A few of the people I've fallen asleep to while listening to their videos include, "Articulate Design", "Lloyd's ASMR", "Ting Ting ASMR"....a lovely Asian woman, "Massage ASMR", and "Dr. T ASMR". They might create a 40 minute cranial nerve exam video....those seem to be very popular.....and there is a good chance you'll fall asleep well before the video is finished. Type in any of those in the YT search bar and give it a try. You just might be out like a light in a matter of minutes, no medication necessary.

I just read the article as well and learned a great deal about this fascinating, heroic man. What a life he lived in service to his country. The Greatest Generation encompassed great men and sacrifice from both sides of the Atlantic. RIP Major Sadler.

Looks like the dollar is making another push back up to 35. TBH, the price of a beer, hasn't really changed in 30 years in real terms. My first time in Patts back in '94, the exchange rate to the USD was 25/1 and a beer was commonly priced at a beer bar on Beach Rd, 2nd Rd or even WS at roughly 45 to 50 baht for a bottle, with a few bars inland, such as Micky's, selling beer at HH for as little as 35 baht. Now, plenty of places offering happy hour bottled beer at 55-60 baht, or 70 at night, so purchasing power for Yanks pretty much the same. For you other vets using the pound, euro, Aussie dollar, etc...who first came to Patts in the mid-90s or so, has the beer prices basically been the same for you guys as well? No need to talk about the inflation with the girls. That ship sailed away many years ago.

Yes, I agree with Ritchson, much more true to the book. While Cruise is a good actor, his physical size just wasn't right to play the character in the movie. Since each season is based upon one of the books (this current season just happens to be from one of the books I read), I'm guessing that there is enough material for this series to continue for several more years if Ritchson wants to keep playing the role. Since each season is only 8 episodes, it still gives him plenty of time to tackle other acting projects. I figure this guy will eventually supplant somebody like Dwayne Johnson, The Rock, as the next big time action star in movies.

I just signed up for Prime Video in December and the first series I decided to watch was "Reacher". About a decade ago, my stepmom, who was a voracious reader, got me hooked on the "Reacher" novels by Lee Child. I've read about 6 of them, and watched both "Reacher" movies with Tom Cruise. But this series, with Alan Ritchson, playing the title character, is exactly how the guy was described in Child's books. Imposing, no nonsense and sprinkled with a wonderful sarcastic sense of humor, it's a very entertaining series with an ensemble cast that is top notch. I watched the 1st season in a few days, only 8 episodes, I highly recommend it. So if you have the time, sit back and watch Reacher get after the bad guys and watch him teach them a lesson. Will leave you with a smile on your face.

I did ask her about that, as it wouldn't be much of a problem seeing as I take a Vit B, C and D each day plus a 50 mg Zinc. She said I could do that although the data was inconclusive, to use her words. I'll see how it goes. Is St. Joseph's Baby Aspirin even produced anymore? I'll have to check next time I'm in a Walgreens or CVS. She did say the major thing was diet and exercise as a precaution to preventing another clot from forming. Of course, those two factors seem to be the pathway to improving one's health for just about any concern or malady, so I'm taking vigorous walks about 6 days a week for 37-40 minutes and including more fruits, fish and chicken in my diet, although a good steak or cheeseburger will be on tap from time to time. My main thing was to be able to resume my travels. It was the biggest reason for my retiring when I did, and missing out during this time of the year is tough, but there will be future opportunities to scratch that travel itch soon enough.

An update from this.... It's now just passed the 2 month period since I was diagnosed with a blood clot. Have been following the doctor's recommendations as well as taking the blood thinning pills as directed. Since I last wrote, I did extend my daily walks to 2 laps and from the week of Thanksgiving, I've been doing 3 laps, about 2.2 miles or I guess about 3.5 km, each day. I completed the vial with the 20 mg pills on Dec 15th, and continued with a second vial 30 day amount that will take me to mid-January. I had a video consultation with a blood specialist at the VA Medical Center HQ up in Redwood City, Calif, between SF and San Jose, and we had a nice 45 minute chat. According to her, with looking at my health records and answering her questions, I was happy to hear that she thinks I'll be pretty much recovered and as close to 100% as I'm able to be. To be on the safe side, she said she'll recommend to my primary doctor to extend my medication for a final 30 days, through Feb 15th, and I'll be done. I've continued with the near daily walks, have changed my diet somewhat as I'm not drinking as much alcohol, generally eat my big meal, usually dinner, a bit earlier in the day, and maybe a light snack in the evening, which is often a sliced apple or those seedless red grapes which I love. As far as travel goes, which was one of the questions I had for her, she said that from basically February onward, it will be up to me to decide where and when, depending on how I feel. I did ask her if it would be ok to have a small prescription of low dosage blood thinning pills, maybe 10 mg, to take for travel, and she agreed. She said to take one the day before, and one the day of, travel, and be sure to get up every couple of hours to stretch and do a few light leg exercises, as a preventable measure. Today, the 23rd, I would have been on the road to visit family on the Central California coast, about a 700 km distance, for the Christmas holiday and then on Dec 28th, fly from San Francisco to Bangkok, and spend a couple weeks in Pattaya, followed by 3 more weeks in Kenya. Alas, all canceled. But, about as nice of a present I could receive for Christmas, was the optimistic prognosis on my leg, and a hopeful and healthy 2024 filled with more traveling adventures and memories to be made. Thanks to all of you who had responded to my initial post detailing this a couple months back for your positive sentiments and best wishes for a quick recovery. I was told it would be a 3-6 month recovery process and am fortunate that in my case, it will be in the 3 month range. In this season of gift giving with family and friends, regaining your health and the freedom that comes along with it, is without a doubt, the best gift a guy can get. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, guys.

As did I, I think it was around August or so. Yeah, can't figure that out either, just a sick joke on some A-holes part. His vocal on "I Can't Tell You Why", is sublime.