Many Inspections This Week

Thinking about moving, and so the first step is inspections. There are many deficiencies at current location. Apparently I have termite problems - I did not know this before. The roof is on its last legs. The foundation people aren't pleased. There are some electrical deficiencies too, some of which I knew about, and a few I didn't. So, I'm making some efforts to correct things. On Wednesday, Joe the Plumber removed the toilet and replaced the wax seal there. Since he also had designed and built the back porch, he took the lead in fortifying the back steps - there were immediate hazards there that needed addressing, but probably inadequate for addressing problems noted on inspection. Still, the work needed to get done. I have some painting tasks ahead. Will be a busy few months ahead.

Nora Unkel's Movie Is At Walmart

Nora's movie production career is now at the point where her movies are getting distributed at Walmart! Not bad for a Davis YPT girl! (I wonder if Target is included too?):

Found A Nightmare Wakes at my local Walmart 😱 I hope everyone on the team is as proud as I am. What a crazy, surreal experience. Thank you to @wildobscurafilms @spittingimg @robmenzies @eggplantpictureandsound and @logicalpictures for making this film a reality. This film wouldn’t exist without you. To Eric, thank you for taking the chance on us and I hope wherever you are, you’re smiling. @shudder and @rljefilms thanks for making a bomb ass dvd and bringing this film to audiences all over the world. 🖤🖤🖤 And lastly, thanks to my girls for making this night one to remember.

Flooding in Belen

The premature Southwestern summer monsoon is tapering off right now - it'll revive again later - but it has caused some problems:

BELEN – A monsoon season storm ravaged Belen as between 2.95 and 3.2 inches of rain fell in a matter of two hours Tuesday night, causing extensive flooding.

The downpour caused a breach of the Highline Canal at Delgado Avenue, sending water into Belen, and damaging roads, homes and businesses.

No serious injuries were reported, but the flooding caused plenty of property damage and stranded motorists, according to city officials.

The deluge began around 8:40 p.m., and city crews were immediately out dealing with the emergency.

...At about 9:30 p.m., the city received reports that the Highline Canal at Delgado Avenue near Belen High School had been breached, sending tons of water into the city.

“It busted a huge hole on the east side of the Highline Canal and it took us about seven hours to repair (it),” Cordova said.

While the breach of the Highline Canal caused water to flow into and flood the streets of Belen, other areas were affected directly by the heavy rains.

A new breach was discovered Wednesday morning along the New Belen Ditch on Mesa Road, about a quarter mile from the city’s northern boundary in the county.

A Mountain Lion Named Squeak, and His Journey

A very-surprising Facebook post about a mountain lion born near Albuquerque that migrated up to Mesa Verde National Park:

For those of you interested in Squeaks, the sub-adult male mountain lion GPS-collared on Tamaya in early February 2020, we are happy to report that he appears to be doing quite well. He was born at the confluence of the Rio Grande and Rio Jemez on Tamaya in October 2018 and dispersed from his natal range in July 2020. His travels took him on a long-distance voyage across two states in search of a new home, and, as of today, his collar has collected 5,146 locations which span approximately 1,380 miles. Our good friends at Mesa Verde National Park recently picked him up on camera--his kitten spots have since faded, but we are glad to know that this nearly 3-year-old male has finally found his home in the beautiful Ute Mountain Ute-Mesa Verde National Park area. From one tribe's land to another, Squeaks' journey exemplifies the importance of maintaining wildlife connectivity across the West and beyond.

Rachel Has a Hospital Visit

Health problems can suddenly take preeminence. From Rachel's Facebook post:

Last night was coming out of anesthesia after emergency surgery finding out my surgeon decides to admit me overnight instead of letting me get the ride that had been waiting for me to go home. So glad to be home tonight.

Thankful for all of the support from my family and close friends, especially for Michael T Norton for giving me a ride to the ER and Marc Valdez being prepared to give me a ride home while Dave held down the fort at home, and to my mom for an early morning ride back home. Also thankful to the nurses, surgeon and anesthesiology team for their work and care 

And, again, so glad to be back at home tonight, and to tuck them in in person rather than singing lullabies from a gurney.

John Adams - Nixon in China - I am the Wife of Mao Tse-tung - Kathleen Kim

Gabe was watching "Nixon in China" again.

Kathleen Kim is so over-the-top as Chiang Ch'ing!

Vicky Chow performs Steve Reich - Piano Counterpoint (2011) (arr. Vincent Corver)

Gabe likes this - and I like it too!

 

Jasper Gets a Haircut

Jasper, after his visit to Anthony Gonzales and Azalia Gonzalez at Critter Cuts 4 Paws Pet Salon, near Fair Oaks and Fulton, in Sacramento:

"Gubernatorious" : A Different Way of Looking at California's 2003 Recall Election

Oh, look at this! In 2021, in light of current events, Jayson Haedrich is once-again promoting "Gubernatorious," his documentary about the 2003 California Recall Election candidates. Such an interesting group of people!

 

Free Britney! Not Quite....

Elsa Kicked My Forecasting Ass

Every hurricane season since Hurricane Ivan in 2004, I've been providing hurricane path forecasts to former coworkers Dwight and Linda Mitchell, who retired to a place north of Tampa, FL. 

Having my commentary was helpful to Dwight, since he was part of a management team for senior citizen housing, and would be a responsible party should it be necessary to evacuate people in advance of a hurricane. 

My advice was particularly valuable in the early days. There were once delays as important news bubbled through the Weather Service bureaucracy, so sometimes a forecasted hurricane jog would take up to sixteen hours before the National Hurricane Center (NHC) officially reported it. Dwight could not endure any delays in information. He had to KNOW, and KNOW NOW, if there was anything of importance coming his way. 

Over the last two decades, hurricane path forecasting has improved significantly. Delays are much reduced these days, and the official NHC path forecasts are much better than they once were. 

Tropical Storm Elsa was a NHC textbook case. It behaved exactly as forecast. I tried playing a contrarian role. My feeble contrarian forecasts failed at every turn. 

It's been a good couple of decades. All hail, the all-conquering NHC!