Summer Starts

Another normal week and Natalia is in summer break so we don't have to rush up so fast for school. However she still wants to come home early. Another BBQ spread on Saturday and this time tri-tip, my specialty was on the smoker. This past week I watched all of the Planet of the Apes movies and clearly the first one was the best followed by the sequel. Sunday I got to meet up with my mountain bike group for a pleasurable ride out to the citrus park and back, and as always a nice Sunday morning. 4th of July celebrations this weekend and no idea what to do as last year around Lake Arrowhead was a bit of a nightmare finding parking.

Finished reading The Forge Of God and found it entertaining but not great. I will however read another Greg Bear novel in the future. My current read is a historical revolutionary war novel following George Washington. I am hoping it catches me quick and I move through it at a rather fast pace. So far I am on track with my reading goal for the year.

"Perhaps we Americans need a good thrashing now and again to wake us up"

- Benjamin Rush, 1776

I read many children's books and among the many a few stick out as good stories. One of those is a book called My First by Eva Montanari. A nice story where the ending was the best part. I highly recommend this book to any parent.

Rant: Again we are seeing more and more racism being spread by the media and administration. I feel years back we were clear in our way to overlook race but seems that is far too profitable and advantageous to politicians to create and keep alive. However I am seeing very few realize this and point it out.

Also pushing more and more banning of items. Now banning historic flags and even historic events. I am amazed people can even think of this. Let's ban history, books, events and facts.Apple has even gone as far as removing many civil war theme games from the app store. Come on Apple, remove all civil war items such as books and games and any civil rights items. This administration should also destroy all civil war battle grounds and monuments as it represents hate. Now I have better bu all the civil war books and games I can before they are banned.

Fire On The Mountain!

Fire on the mountain as summer is here along with fire season. This one far away from me in the area of Jenks Lake. Friday morning Running Springs woke up to some haze and the smell of smoke in town. Nature doing its thing thinning out for new growth. Saturday morning I get an email asking for CERT members to help in the logistics area. Sadly I have Natalia and my BBQ was going.

A great week as Natalia has been with me all week. She has been wanting to stay in town and not go anywhere. I was hoping to take her to a big comic book store, but maybe next week. Natalia and my parents got me a big popcorn machine for fathers day and I am guessing it is more for Natalia. I no longer have the huge house to store such items. Also this week I decided to change my flags around.

"It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority" 

- Benjamin Franklin

Still slowly reading Forge of God and an entertaining read. This week I saw news on a new Ghostbusters movie and quickly lost hopes just seeing the cast. This week also received two more games. Got Just Desserts and Forbidden Island. Both good games but Natalia preferred Just Desserts. I am guessing for the them and a little more simplicity.

Meanwhile at work another new manager and she is bringing in her friends and I can already see changes again. The new upper echelon doesn't seem friendly to employees and doesn't surprise me. Already seeing changes that are screwing with some employees causing them to not spend their days off with family for no reason. I can already see work hours being cut to save on overhead and increase bonuses.

Last week I received the Sons of Liberty series and found it very entertaining. I did wish there was another episode showing after the summer of 1776 with scenes such as Valley Forge and after the summer of 1776.

Graduation!

Another normal work week and Natalia's last days of pre-school. Her graduation ceremony was today and it was very nice and special. I feel sad that she will not be attending the school up here as it is much smaller, cleaner and she already has many friends she has been growing up with. Natalia will be with me the whole week and fun everyday as usual. Planning doing some ribs this weekend and see how they turn out again.

Drill weekend done and as usual not without its nonsense. However  a little limited to Saturday as I spoke my peace. Again lack of workers but we did have a few missing. However it would have been the same. Amazing still the laziness and worse yet, the lack caring by the LPOs. One good note about drill is the PT being done early. I am glad to see almost the whole unit participating and I am a believer of PT as it creates cohesion and brings us all closer.

Got a nice stack of games from a fellow in a board game group on and so far all the titles have been decent to good. So far this week Natalia and I have been playing a bit of Order's Up! and Enchanted Forest. Also slowly introducing Natalia to Indiana Jones, The Temple of Doom is not really the best movie.

We got some thunderstorms a few days back, but not as heavy rain as I would have wanted. But we did get our thunder. All the windows quickly were opened for the sounds and smell of rain.

My current read is The Forge of God by Greg Bear and I believe this is the first book I have read from him. So far a page turner and your typical alien on earth story. My last trip to the book store didn't catch my eye on any new titles.

Field Trip!

Another great end of the week with another unique and great field trip. This time was a local visit to the Helipad and the Arboretum trail for a nice short walk and great views. Last time Natalia walked the trail she was 3 and seemed much longer as I had to carry her part of the way. This time it was a fast walk as I realized it is a short loop.

Another quiet few days at home and even though the temperatures were a little cooler it didn't stop Natalia from playing with water balloons every day. In the end 100 water balloons were exploded. Saturday ended with some BBQ, some time at the park and some board games with Natalia. Sunday I opted to not ride and go for some one on one suffering on my 10km run. It warmed up a little and again 10km seems to be my limit thus far. I wish I can break this and move up to 15kms. I am sure more running would help.

"I was not designated to be forced. I will breathe after my own fashion. Let us see who is the strongest."

- Henry David Thoreau, On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience

Finished reading Old Twentieth and found it entertaining with a nice ending. I feel this book would make a nice movie. Joe Haldeman has not failed yet. I look forward to Seveneves by Neal Stephenson and The End of All Things (Conclusion to Old Man's War) by John Scalzi. Currently decided to re read A Wrinkle in Time and hope to finish that rather quick and search for a new read.

Two pumpkin plants planted on some big tubs and now we will see if they survive and better yet, produce some pumpkins. Also slowly I am seeing the hummingbirds find the new feeder I put up.

Rant: Lately we are seeing more and more the resistance to drive minimum wage up. So many negative propaganda claiming it will destroy businesses as they won't be able to bear the burden. Please find out where such views are coming from and you will see it is from the elites and those very wealthy that keep getting richer from the work of so many. Sit an analyze that the minimum wage has not increased to keep up with inflation. That figure you will never see. Or if you do t will be fake and full of false reports and analysis. Much like the figures for "global warming". The charts showing how the livable wage should be over $20/hour to keep up with inflation. Funny how the elites get to pick what goes up and who stays down. How such firms pay millions in advertising to tell us that the working class can't make any more or the system will collapse. Really?

On another rant, seems the state of Pennsylvania is trying to pass a 40% increase of taxes on tobacco at the wholesale level. This clearly will drive out many of the wholesalers there as stores would buy from out of state. Maybe being so greedy to increase revenue they should cut on their own government programs and outrageous salaries. It wont be long until they go after the retailers themselves. Amazing how so many do know remember history. The tax on a leaf that caused the tea parties is here again. Hmmmm.

Tiresome Week

Normal week at work and feeling tired. Changes again at work with personnel moving to other stores and a new store manager. Now to see what climate is set. This time means schedules don't get made as departing managers tend to not care. Seems to usually be the trend. For some, if it doesn't affect them they do not care. I have been amazed that the store took on a huge loss as compared to prior years and our store manager was moved down but I have yet to see the person in charge of asset protection be held responsible.

Today is a much cooler and overcast day as opposed to the previous days. Natalia has a local field trip tomorrow and that should be pretty good. Other than that it will be another few days of us hanging out and entertaining ourselves.  Maybe introduce her to Indiana Jones as she as mentioned him a few times in the past and asked about the ride at Disney.

Still reading Old Twentieth by Joe Haldeman, and so far a page turner and hope to have it finished by this weekend. Also picked up 2 John Wayne releases in Cahill and Train Robbers.

Finished reading In The Garden Of The Beast and found it educational and another book everyone should read to see how this event in our history took its roots and made its change. Call me crazy and a conspiracy nut but some of these changes made by Hitler and his group are happening now and being implemented by our government. Goes to show so many do not know their history. June 30, 1934 marks the day WWII started. On that very early morning Hitler took over Germany in a fast and brutal way. However the United States refused to see it as they were too busy trying to be friendly and having their debt re paid, but many warnings were made.

I've noticed on my rides around Riverside the amount of homes with grass and flying the American flag. I though both items were illegal. Very glad to see such displays. Also up here some streets have installed flags on utility poles which is also good to see.

Rant: I receive no government aid but it seems I always get screwed by it. Even worse is I serve and sacrifice for this country and nothing. But that has always been the case here. Lots of talk and fake shows of appreciation but nothing fundamentally done to thank, help and honor. I do it because inside I am one of the few built to do it. To help those that do be safe and help in any possible way for them to be safe and be with those they love. Anyways, I already know I pay for the food and more for many welfare recipients with my tiny check but recently I went to cash in my recycled bottles and seems some bottles are not accepted as they belong to the WIC program and are free. Well, I didn't get my juice for free, I paid for it. Either way no 5 cents for me. Thanks California!

Fallout 4 has a trailer posted and I can't wait. However only for current Gen systems which I do not have. Damn!