Blog Change

No Music Track this week as I'm making a slight change in the blog format.  I get a lot of comments in my email box about the Right Track and Trevor's Tirade each week.  All of them are from like-minded people, as the others don't seem to like to expose themselves.  But until now each week's post in these two categories disappear as I wipe them out and replace them.  So from tomorrow, I'll be posting them in the normal format so they will always be available in the archives.  Also each page now will hold 14 posts instead of seven, so it's easier to locate an item if you want.  If you have other suggestions please let me know at trevorsummons@hotmail.com

Birthday

Frankie

Johnny

Tomorrow is Frankie and Johnny's birthday.
They will be eight years old - 56 in human years.

We collected them when they were four months, and they have been a constant joy in our lives.  Frankly I don't know how people can live without dogs as they are so special - especially these two.

When we went to the breeder, there was a little girl there - their sister.  She was promised to some people down the hill, and she was very nice - quite smaller than the boys.  We named the boys because Hurricane Juan had just come through the South East and one of the boys was decidedly naughty, so he was called Juan.  We anglicised it and he became Johnny - Frankie was a natural follow on.  Now let's say that we had gone really soft and taken the little girl too.  I wonder what we would have called her.  Two little puppies in the house in deep mid-winter was a strain; can you imagine what three would have been like?  So what would have been a good name for the little girl.  Email me at trevorsummons@hotmail.com with your suggestions.

Frankie and Johnny - the Official Birthday Portrait!

Pubs - 1

Most of you know that I'm very fond of pubs.  Since I was able to get into them in my teens - often using a CCF (ROTC) uniform to build an extra year or two onto my age - I've been enjoying them.  They are after all "Public Houses," which is how they got the shortened name "pubs."  I find there is an interest in the subject out here but many of the rules have altered in this outpost of what was once a colony.  So for the next few weeks, I'll try and give some reason for these institutions of warmth and comfort.  Oh yes, they also sell adult beverages; however, drinking is not really the main reason for using pubs, it's a lot more social than that, as we shall see.  As they say, stay tuned!

Steller's Jay

This is a Steller's Jay - one of the most common birds we have up here.  Instantly recognisable by his special crew cut, and iridescent blue body.  They hop about and make their presence known from all the fir trees we have here, as they are not afraid to shout at you if they feel like it.  They are named for the German naturalist who discovered them.
Their voice is not very nice and it's often loud with a shreeka shreeka noise.  They also seem to have no idea how to build nests.  They simply stuff branches together where they can, and often these fall down.    Strangely they are not often found at the east end of the valley, but there are not so many trees out there.
Nonetheless, they are very cheerful little fellows and enrich our lives throughout the seasons. 

Video - Olympics

Just before the Olympics disappear into the rear view mirror forever, here is a one-minute video sent to me by my friend Stan in England of a tribute to the Brits who did so well, and ran it well too!
http://www.youtube.com/embed/ik9AtJQXaHQ?rel=0

Sunday's Column - Del Mar

Sunday's column was about the small seaside town of Del Mar, in northern San Diego County.  It's a great place with small shops and wonderful beaches.

Regularly the Amtrak train to and from Los Angeles cuts through the west of the town which effectively divides it into two.  But the interruptions are quick, although disruptive.

The beaches are among the best in all of Southern California and the grass bluffs above give plenty of room for strolling and relaxing.

On the occasion of the visit, I took She Who Must Be Obeyed (S.W.M.B.O.) along and it was a masterly stroke as she thought it was a tremendous day out too.

Next time I drive down the 5 Freeway, I shall be tempted to make the short diversion west of the highway.  You can read the entire column at http://www.sbsun.com/trevorstravels/ci_21399555/del-mar-jewel-californias-coastline

Gadgets - coaster

I ran into this the other day.

My grandson and I were out on an assignment and we needed some lunch.  With no females around we naturally sought out a junk food establishment, and found one called Fudruckers -  it started in the 80's I think.  We went in and ordered and were given this little device.  They would buzz us when the food was ready.  There is room on the top for a sponsor to put a advertizing coaster,  but so far no-one had taken up the offer.  We waited quite a long time for the food to come, and when it did it wasn't all that hot.  It occurred to me that this device and the waiting involved was really just a marketing plan.  Let's face it when you go to MacDonald's or Burgerking, there's hardly any wait at all.  And a burger is just a burger!

Music Track - Schubert

This was a great favorite of my father's.  He used to play it regularly.  It takes 5:53 to listen to and well worth the time out of your day.  Poor Schubert died when he was only 32.  Imagine what music he would have written if he had lived to a decent age!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkX4MyDeIqI

Favorite Cars - Corsair

When you drive one of a fleet of cars as a salesman, there is always great competition for one that is a little bit better than the rest.  Having won a big sales competition, I was also in need of replacing the company Ford Cortina, and I pushed my luck all the way and argued for a Ford Cosair, which was quite a sporty and interesting car. 

The only other one in the company was driven by one of the managers, but his had all the extras on it.  I argued that with the mileage I did and the type of accounts I visited, it would benefit the company for me to have a better than normal vehicle.  They bought it, hence I drove this one.  I was a pretty good salesman after all, and not just outside the firm!

It was 1970, and I must say I did feel pretty flash!

Bucket List - final tally

My bucket list - the things you want to do before you kick the bucket - are as follows. Take the cruise that leaves Rio de Janeiro and calls in to Montevideo, Buenas Aries, The Falklands, Ushuaia, and ends in Santiago.  I don't know S. America and it would be a wonderful experience.
Sail around the Greek Islands.  No time limit - just island hop.
Take another skydive to add to the five I already did twenty years ago.
Go down a coalmine - I've always wondered what it's like down there.
Go to a Raiders game - not necessarily with the face make-up though.
Motorcycle across the south of the country to Florida
Take a long weekend in Alaska in the winter and hope to see the Northern Lights.
Visit Berlin and then take the train to Moscow.

Hummingbirds

I have the greatest respect for nature photographers.  Their patience must be staggering.  I don't do a lot of this type of stuff because I lack the equipment (and the patience!)  However the other evening I was sitting on the deck and thought I really must try and capture one of the little hummingbirds that come to our feeder.

They are about two and a half inches long including their long beaks.  They are also extremely aggressive and won't allow another around them.  They click their beaks angrily and drive them off.  The angle of this shot doesn't show the scarlet flash of color under the throat which is dazzling.  We'll have them around until the first hard frosts, when they will disappear south.

Video - Heart Attack

I just watched this video and I was so impressed, I'm sending it to all of the people on my mailing list......With the sincere hope that it'll save lives (maybe mine, yours, or someone you love!). 

Please show it to all of your family members and pass it on to all of your friends, the life they save may be yours! http://www.heartrescuenow.com/

Sunday's Column - Claremont Music

So you wake up one morning and decide that what you want most in the world is to head up an Australian rock band playing the didgeridoo!  Well, first find the didgeridoo!  Then learn to play it.

Didgeridoos on sale.

As it happens not too far away from here there is just the place.  It's the Claremont Folk Music Center, and it's been around since 1958.  The couple who founded it passed away and now the place is being run by their daughter.  It sells only acoustic instruments, which means ones that don't use electricity to power them.
There is also a large selection of antique instruments around the walls which makes it a museum, recognised by the state of California. You can read the entire column at www.sbsun.com/trevorstravels

Chik-fil-A

Now those of you not living in America are possibly unaware of the recent furore regarding the food chain Chik-fil-a.  The CEO recently went public with his rather fundamental Christian views that allowing gay marriage would bring down the force of God on the USA.  Now I'm always a little suspicious of businesmen's tactics, and the effect of this statement drove everyone crazy with boycotts and support groups.  The mayors of Boston and Chicago virtually banned the chain from their cities and the fellow in San Francisco also went crazy.  The fact remains though that we are supposed to be able to speak our minds out here through the first amendment.  It seems however that such speech is only allowed provided it doesn't upset anyone.  Now as to gay marriage I have to say I really don't care as I think they have the same rights to be unhappy and fork over big wads of cash to divorce lawyers as anyone else.

I've never been to a Chik-fil-a in my life, but the other day there was one in the area and I thought I'd go along and support the good old first amendment.  I have to say the place was packed!  Not only that but it was crawling with children who seemed to have been produced by the usual method rather than a specialised adoption agency.  I stood in a very long line and then checked my watch.  Now I'm all for the old first A, but not when I"m hungry.  So I left and went to the Magic Wok next door which was half empty.  Memo to CEO of Magic Wok:  How about a statement that all gays are going straight to hell!  That should beef up sales a lot.