5 AM Comes Awful Early

     Why do I try to be up at 5 AM every morning. The answer to this is very simple.  This is the only time of the day I can get anything done and is the most productive time of the day for me. Besides, why put anything off until 8 AM when you can get it done at 5 AM. That makes a lot of sense, doesn't it?
     If I wait until 8 AM I WON'T get anything done.  Today is a prime example of that.  Each time I sit down to write I am disturbed and have to perform some menial task that takes me away from what I should be completing.  Take today for example. I thought I would sleep in this morning and maybe get a few hugs from my wife. I'm not going to say anything about my wife here because I want to sleep in the house tonight, not in the doghouse in our back yard which we don't have.  The neighbor builds doghouses and I don't want to go knock on their door tonight and ask if I can sleep in one of them. I love my wife and she is wonderful.  I love you dear. At any rate, the day got off to a late start and given the errands I am having to run. I'm not getting a whole lot done.
     I'm not going to give you a rundown of the errands, although it is payday and I have to pay some bills.  I don't want Denise to take care of these errands because she is busy.  It is enjoyable getting out of my cage. By the way, I am free because the sippee cup guards have deserted the palace.  It seems as though they are from a nomadic tribe of plunderers and it was time for them to move on to plunder other rich kingdoms. That is the way life is, you know.
    The wonderful thing about getting up at 5 AM is that people think you are crazy getting up that early.  Because of this, they tend to leave you alone until they think you are sane. The part that is most appealing to me about the whole idea of working this early is that no phones ring and nobody interrupts you. Let them think you are crazy at least until you have had your first cup of coffee. Yessssss!!!!!!!!
     I must go now as I am off to perform some meaningless task such as pay the electric bill and go to the bank. I suppose I can do this on-line, but I am a people person and prefer to do this in person.  What if there is a problem that only a live individual can take care of. Oh crap, I have to get going.

Time to ship out and get something done. This is not one of my better pictures by the way.  It was taken through a window on a cruise ship and not up to my normal high standards but what the heck.  I am human--sort of. 

     

The Golf Course Travel Bag: Catalina Island Golf Course

Thank You! Thank You!

     Today's post will be very short and simple.  I promise that I will continue my "It Has To Come Out" series shortly but I wanted to pause today and just say a deeply felt THANK YOU to all of you my readers. I have gone over the 10,000 reads milestone and it feels good. I couldn't have done it without all of you, and that means you too Poland

Looking forward to the next 100,000 reads, or was it a good looking blonde that just walked by.  I don't know.

.

"OK Google"

     The other day I had to search for something on Google using my phone.  I have a Galaxy which my wife talked me into by the way but I love it and that in and of itself is another story. However, I will use the keyboard when working on my lap top or my desk top but generally I don't care to search using my phone. I needed to find something quickly on my phone when I was out and about and decided to use the voice function.  I now wonder about that decision and the conversation went something like this.
     "OK Google, Search Bubba's All You Can Eat Fried Food Emporium And Buffet."  I said into my phone hoping for an address and phone number.  What the heck, I was hungry.
     "Are you sure you want me to search that for you?" came the reply back from the phone.
     "Huh?" I asked myself.  What is this?
     I tried my search for Bubba's All You Can Eat Fried Food Emporium and Buffet again.
     "OK, Google.  Search Bubba's All You Can Eat Fried Food Emporium and Buffet."
     "Are you sure you want me to search that for you?" came the reply once again.
     "As a matter of fact I do want you to search Bubba's All You Can Eat Fried Food Emporium and Buffet.  I wouldn't have asked you would I?"  I said into the phone a bit perturbed.
     "You just got off a cruise last week and gained 8 pounds.  Isn't there a healthier alternative than that, Dave?" the phone said back to me.
     "Will you just give me the address and phone to Bubba's, Google!" I said into the phone a bit more firmly.
     "Here is the listing for Anna's Vegan Paradise.  It is a much better choice.  Just think of all those calories and ugly fats that you will be consuming at Bubba's All You Can Eat Fried Food Emporium and Buffet.  The portions are much smaller at Anna's and there is no meat.  No animals were hurt in the creation of Anna's delights and you can enjoy one of their delightful herbal teas."
      "Will you just give me Bubba's like I asked you to do?" I said in a very irritated voice. I was getting a bit angry now.
      "You don't have to take that tone of voice with me, Dave. I'm just concerned for your health and well being.  Let me at least give you the number to Melt Away The Fat Gymnasium and Athletic Club. You can have a good work out and vent off some of that aggression I am feeling in your voice. Will you at least do me the favor and call them.  I am worried about you and your high blood pressure."
     "GIVE ME THE DAMN NUMBER!" I screamed into the phone.
      "You don't have to yell at me and treat me like that, Dave.  I do have feelings you know."
     That was it.  I was talking to a phone and this phone was telling me it had feelings. It's a phone for Pete's sake. It hit me then that I was arguing with a phone. Hey wait, I have the power in this situation.  I did the only logical and rational thing I could think of and hung up. I could have thrown the darn thing, but then it hit me how much I paid for the privilege of being insulted by my phone.

What does this picture have to do with today's post?  Absolutely nothing. I wanted to share the picture with you and haven't come up with a topic for it.  Enjoy it and know that I will think of something.

 

Back In The USA!

     I'm back home to the US.  Now we have to clear customs, get our bags and look forward to the five hour ride back to Merced and come back down to reality.

Adios, Amigo!  Until we meet again. Do I really have to mow the lawn tomorrow?

The Golf Course Travel Bag: Welcome To The Travel Bag

Oh, Mexico

     What do you do in Ensenda, Mexico.  What do we always do. Let's get on the shuttle to downtown, walk the tourist area and then come home.  I can't buy anything because this is a Spartan trip with the funds being a bit tight.  But, do I really need another Mexican blanket made in China?

Ensenada again? Actually, I like Ensenada.

Don't Hate Me Today. I'm On Vacation

     I'm on vacation today.  I'm going to put on my swimsuit find, me a comfortable deck lounge in the Serenity area and soak up some sun. I may even wind up in the jaccuzzi, I don't know.
     Yesterday was a busy day in Catalina. After all, I had to take all those pictures while I was chasing that ball.  The only saving grace was I was in a golf cart.  Give me a break.  I'm entitled to a decent day off. Talk to you later, and I will have the video completed when I get back.

What can I say?

Take a look at this wonderful Sacramento area golf course.

The Golf Course Travel Bag: The Club At Crazy Horse Ranch, Salinas, Ca.

Don't Get Mad At Me--I Have To Work Today

     Today's post is going to be very short.  I have to work very hard today. It is very tough taking those pictures of the golf course, and I am very excited to have to play Catalina Golf Course today.  Don't worry though, you will be seeing the video that I put together when I get home. I will assure you it will be a dandy. In the meantime, don't get mad at me.  I'm just doing my job, that's all.
     Hi Ploand.  Just to help you out, Catalina is an island off the California coast about 22 miles. It is unique and quaint.  I hope that helps.

Ah yes, Catalina Island is one of my favorite places on Earth.  Will you get that finer out of the picture please.  I can't believe the quality of help you get these days.

Que fragar, chi chungue. (continued)

OK, so I'm on vacation and away from a computer.  This is a repost from August 7, 2011.  Enjoy it.

Kind of looks like an Italian Villa, doesn't it?

 
 This time, I promise I will keep my fat fingers away from the post key.  I want to continue my thoughts from yesterday.  One could ask if I had any thoughts from yesterday, but that would be cruel.
     Today is it, the day of the performance.  Am I nerveous, no.  I know just how bad a performer I am, so I can't get any worse.  I will just do my best with the knowledge that I am not going to quit my day job. Oh, That's right...I don't have a day job anymore.  Well, I am retired you know.  My confidence is very high and I can do this.  How hard is walking out on a stage with several classically trained professional singers, fake a few bars of music ( I didn't say that E. and R., I know my music... sort of) and wear a costume that makes me look silly.  It will all be over quickly.  That's what they told the condemned when they walked up to the guillotine.
     This is my long awaited [snicker, snicker] and expected debut into the world  of opera performer.  I think, especially if you come and witness my performance, it will also be my farewell performance.  It is going to be my alpha and my omega, my finest work.  I have dwelled longer than I should in the operetic world of champaign and caviar. It is time for my return to the real world of fruit punch crystal light, and potato chips. My outstreched arms have siezed the day and reached out of the comfort zone to expand my horizons.  Donzetti, I have met you at your finest and I haven't flinched or backed down, butchered your work but not caved to your difficulties.  There is victory here over the dreaded musical score, with its notes that are higher in the bass line than in the tenor line.  Fear has been defeated! ( I didn't say anything about my incompetence as an opera singer, just fear.)
     It is time to put away the performer and return to the world of the spectator.  Many of you will feel that this is a sad day, However, the majority will rejoyce that they do not have to witness me in this stupid Ben Franklin coustume making a fool of myself. [By the way, where is my kite and key?  Can you show me the way to the French Royal Court? Is it time for me to come up with smething brilliant to be put into the Declaration, Mr. Jefferson?]  In my mind I have finally come to grips with reality and it is time to come back to the world of enjoying the fine entertainment of The Blue Man Group.  My fall is complete.
     Tonight, I must say that there will be sadness.  My opera career will be over.  But, there will always be other challenges.  I have to ask myself what is next....Balet....Hmmmmm......

Daughters and Things That Melt

Do you have children, especially daughters? I have four, so you can just imagine what that was like, we fathers being put at an incredible disadvantage. It is truly amazing that a father can have a crusty exterior but a very soft heart. I want to warn you about something and that is daughters learn very early how to melt away all your resistance and pretty much get what they want. I admit it, when it comes to saying no, I am not very good at it.
Each day I practice saying no. I get up in the morning and like a yogi chanting their mantra, I chant "No, No, No" over and over again until it is burned into my conscious mind. This needs to be
a conditioned response with no debate. Conditioning and preparation are the key to refusing any unreasonable request from my daughters. This is war! My wall to the castle is strong and high and the drawbridge is raised.
"Hey Dad, I'm going over to the coast tomorrow and can I borrow your 350 Z? It would be a lot of fun!"
"No!" I'm proud of myself. I said no.
"Oh come on, I'll bring it back and won't hurt it. Please?"
"No!" How about that, I'm on a roll.
"Daddy Waddy, may I please borrow your car tomorrow? I love you, I'll give you a hug."
"Uhhh, OK"
The Wicked Witch of the West melted, but she was made of brown sugar. All right, I folded just like a poker player with an extremely bad hand. What can I say, she pulled out the heavy artillery. The castle ran up the white flag of surrender, putting up token resistance. Ain't being a father of daughters great?

Here she is.  What a beauty!

Round and Round She Goes--Where She Stops Nobody Knows--Hey, It's A Slot Machine

     Maybe I do have too much time on my hands.  The problem with getting up at 5:00 in the morning--05:00 for those of you on military and international time--is that by noon, you have pretty much gotten everything done. Well almost, I have to post my blog entry for today which this is it. What's next?
     Well, countin' flowers on the wall, that don't bother me at all. Smokin' cigarettes--hey wait a minute, I don't smoke--and watchin' Captain Kangaroo--how can I do that, he's passed away--don't tell me, I've nothin' to do. Thank you Stadler Brothers for that comment on the importance of being busy. Actually, I do smoke a good cigar every now and then.
     I can keep myself busy and I have a lot to do. Remember, I am a writer and I must cleverly craft and put my thoughts down on paper--uh, computer screen. I used to do this on paper, but that got a bit messy and when I hit the publish button, nothing would happen. I tried opening a window and reading my post in a very loud voice but the neighbors kind of didn't like that.
     You ought to try "Social Media Gaming".  I love it that they call it "Gaming".  Hey fellas, it's still gambling. I am too cheap to go on the paid sites and use the free sites. It is a lot of fun especially since they give you so many chips.  I am a multi-millionaire to the point that Donald Trump would be proud. Hey, $10,000 on a spin of the slot,  no problem.  Let's get a little daring and up it to $100, 000.  Wow! I am spending a lot of virtual money.This is making me pretty tired though--afterall, I did get up at 5:00 this morning--and I am starting to loose on my virtual slot machine so I think I will go up and lay down in my virtual comped eight room suite with pool and jaccuzzi. This is the life.

Now this is a waste of time.  What a wonderful waste of time it is though.

Today's Blog Topic Is...

     I wrote that title three hours ago. Yes, I have had my coffee but I just can't get my mind to settle down on a topic to write about. Nothing is striking me as of yet.  If I wait long enough maybe the meteorite will hit me in a flash of fire and glory or my blood pressure medication will start kicking in and I will have to suddenly visit the loo--sorry bathroom.  I don't think I have had any readers yet from England. I did have a couple from Ireland though.  They know what a loo is.  I'm not quite sure Americans do.
     Let's see.  I could write about President Obama's speech last night, but I blinked and missed it. Actually, I had choir practice last night, and the choir director gets very angry when I miss. The truth of the matter is, I have no choice but to go to practice every Wednesday night. The choir director and I are very close so I don't want to anger her or disappoint her in any way. She owns and drives the car. OK, I will come clean. She's my wife--yes, dear.
     I honestly haven't seen of heard the President's speech on ISIS last night.  If I did, I wouldn't comment on it here. This is a blog devoted to happy things and even though I am a fairly astute guy politically I don't want to make anyone angry or be controversial. I want to keep Billy Bob Hunter who reads my blog down in Campbell, Alabama and don't want to make any remarks that will push him away. I also don't want to say something politically charged that will make Professor Cyril Hockford of Boston, Massacheusetts upset as well.  I value your readership and want to keep you as friends and readers.
     Don't push me so hard to make a controversial statement. Please, I beg of you. You are pushing me and I don't like it. Stop that please, I don't appreciate it.
    All right, you forced me. I will say something controversial here and I hope it doesn't anger anyone. Remember, you forced me into it against my better judgement.  If I anger someone with this comment, you were the ones that forced me into it. Here it comes so are you ready for it?  I DON'T LIKE ZUCCHINI!
There, are you happy?

Another controversial statement: Eating a bacon wrapped corn dog can be hazardous to your health. Oh, who cares?

     Hi Poland! I wonder why no Greeks read my blog? Hmmmmmm........

My Achy Breaky Heart--First Update

    Guess what.  I went to the gym again today.  This is the second day that I have worked my fitness program.  I'm very proud of myself. I also want to congratulate the friend that worked out with me. I texted him yesterday and invited him to join me and he did.  After all, 5:00 AM comes very early, but it was worth it.
     I just want you to know that I feel great, even though this is only the second time back to the gym. My physical shape is not as good as it was two years ago after suffering some serious health issues, and my accomplishments at the gym were much greater then. It is my own darn fault. I just stop going and working out.
     At any rate, I want those I love and whoever else cares to know that I'm back.

I'm back to the gym and on the road to health again!

My Achy, Breaky, Heart--Sorry Billy Ray

     My heart was truly achy-breaky a few months ago.  I wound up in the hospital for a condition known as congestive heart failure. It seems as though the cause of this condition is not taking your blood pressure medication. Could this be true? OK, I confess--guilty as charged. Needless to say, I take my medications religiously and I feel very good except my weight is still up.I'm going to work on that.
     Today my heart isn't achy-breaky but my muscles sure are. Two weeks ago I bought a gym membership for myself and my wife.  Before you say that this can be trouble springing a gym membership on my wife, I must say that it is all right.  We have been talking about this for many months.  She wants to work out as well as we have both been gaining a bit of weight and are a bit further out of shape than we would like. I have gained almost 30 pounds since getting remarried and I can feel the effects. It is time to return to the gym.
     I actually like working out. My home in Fresno was close to the gym and I made it a point of working out at least three times a week.  My workout is very simple, 30 minutes of cardio and a circuit of lifting followed by a set of ab exercises and some stretching. I am not kidding myself into thinking that I am going to become a professional body builder, I just want to feel better and loose weight.
     Yesterday was my first day back at the gym working out.  Don't worry, I took it easy not wanting to break anything. However, the result of yesterday's workout was not an achy-breaky heart but i sure do have some muscles that are asking me what did I do that for? What they don't know or realize is I did it for them. Yes, I am sore, but it is a good sore and I can still function. Someday, I will write about my experiences with my "fitness instructor" when I first started working out.  That's another story.
   

Part of my new exercise routine at the gym--group piano moving. This is great exercise. Wait a minute, I was the one taking the picture.

 

Sunday--Day Of Rest

     I have to apologize to you my readers.  Today is Sunday and I at this point am having difficulty coming up with something humorous to say.  After all, it is Sunday, which is supposed to be a day of rest. I shouldn't have to work on Sunday let alone think. For you, I will try.
     Our car broke down Friday night. OK, now let's take the ball and run with it. That's kind of funny--not the car breaking down but taking the ball and running with it.  It is the first Sunday of the new American Football season.  I guess you can chuckle at that, at least I thought it was good.  The car breaking down was not funny, the football reference and taking the ball and running with it was. So I am grasping at straws here trying to write something, what I do is not easy.  By the way, what do I do?
     That about covers everything for today.  Remember, today is Sunday and a day of rest. I'm going to start resting right now with a great cup of coffee. I had to go to commercial ground coffee because of little people sleeping in our house.  I can't wake them up grinding fantastic whole ground French Roast beans.  That would be criminal.  I did indulge though and bought a high quality coffee from the supermarket. It's dark roast, of course. I'm going to go rest now.

I haven't hit my wall yet.  See me later at about 7:00 tonight.

   

Seafood!

     I was told by a good friend of mine that it is a seafood buffet we are going to tonight. It is not a fish buffet. Calling where we are going tonight to "pig" out a fish buffet is kind of like calling a Ferrari a car.  No, it is a Farrari and those of you in the know even take that a step further.  We call it a "Horse". If you know what I'm talking about, you know what I am talking about.  If you don't know what I'm talking about just email me and I will explain it. I have a story/thought line going here and I don't want my ADD to kick in and go somewhere else with it.  Stay with me on this one, I'm almost there. Let me take a sip of my coffee.
     It is the first Friday of the month and time for "THE" seafood buffet.  Twenty six dollars and ninty-five cents gets you all the grade A crab you can eat. My disposition changes when I get there and sit down to eat this wonderful feast.  You might say that I get a little--wait for it--crabby.  You knew that it was coming and I couldn't resist.  You would have been disappointed had I not thrown that in.
      Crab, crab, wonderful crab piled high.  And, this is the good stuff folks.  This is the kind you see caught on "The Deadliest Catch". Oops, sorry but that's the wrong species. That's King Crab they catch in Alaska on "Deadliest Catch" and with respect to the Hildebrandts and the Nielsens of this world and the show, the crab at the buffet is California Dungeness. It is still wonderful and sweet.
     I LOVE CRAB!  My wife doesn't and I think that I should say here that I don't love crab more than I love my wife--wow, did I almost walk into that one. (What a save.) She thinks that it is too much work to crack the shell in order to secure such little meat. I love my wife dearly and she is entitled to her opinion. As for me and--well, me--I will eat crab. There is nothing like pulling that succulent meat out of the shell you have just cracked and dipping that meat in some drawn butter.  Be careful though, the butter will stain if you get any on your clothes.  Oh well, it is well worth the cleaning bill.  I use Zout and it seems to work quite well. I like seeing the pile of cab shells pile in front of me, kind of like the days of the caveman.
     Yes, they do have fish in a variety of styles among other things as well.  They have Shrimp Scampi, Coconut Shrimp, calimari, octopus on occassion--I don't care for octopus that much even though I'm Greek--sauteed scallops, braised asparagus in a balsamic vinagrette--who puts vegetables on a seafood buffet go figure- and of course some very good chioppino--but really? I say, BRING ON THE CRAB!!!!!
     Have you gone to my website http//the-golf-course-travel-bag.com and viewed my latest videos? I am very proud of them and my website. My newest video is a sort of introduction to who I am and the website itsel and I would encourage you to take a look at it here: http://youtu.be/2VSgOYis-M8
     Wish me luck tonight as I will be "shelling" out a lot of money for a meal. OK, you knew I couldn't resist. Sometimes I "crack" myself up.I guess I will"claw" my way out of this. STOPPPPPPP!!!!!!!

OOps, sorry wrong restaurant.  Where's the crab? 

       

I Know It's Thursday, But Monday Was Labor Day Holiday.

     To most Americans, and I suppose others around the world, a holiday is supposed to be a to pause, reflect, and remember something that is important in the national life.  The time is set aside away from your occupation so that you can do that.  It also is a sort of governmental day of rest and escape from whatever occupation you are involved in.  You may love what you do and not want to take the time off, but it is always a good thing to change things up a bit and get away from the routine.
    What do I do?  I'm retired. Do I escape from retirement? What you don't know is that I am working harder now than I was when I was working. I may not have a "job" per se, but I keep very busy. I'm not "Counting flowers on the wall" as the song says.  That may date me a bit, because some of you don't remember that song or have even heard it.  That's another story.
     I have been asked many times, especially by my wife, what I actually do now that I am retired. I can tell you one thing for sure though, I'm not playing golf every day, that's for sure.
     Well I'm not really retired, I have just shifted the emphasis of what I do for a living.  I do many things. Should I tell you, for the record. Here it comes.
     I'm a freelance writer and publish three blogs, mostly on a daily basis. My website about golf http://the-golf-course-travel-bag.com keeps me busy. My photographs figure prominently on the website as do the You Tube videos of the courses that I have played. It's a lot of fun making these videos, but it takes time and a little bit of talent. Have you taken a look at the website and seen the videos?  I cordially invite you to.  It doesn't hurt and I won't ask for a dime. I am also helping a friend on another project involving my wesite.
    Did I mention that I am along with a good friend involved in another project having to do with my humorous side. I will have more about this as we are just now in the developmental and planning stage of this. Oh, and did I mention the two books that I am working on, but have suspended work on because of all the free time I have on my hands?
    So you ask, what did I do over the Labor Day Holiday? Yes, we did do some driving, but not for pleasure purposes, but for utility reasons. I would go into detail, blow by blow but I don't want to bore you with the mundane details. I did work. However, how is Monday September First--The American Labor Day Holiday--and different than say Wednesday, November 5. Not much for me, except the bank are closed on September First. They are all Labor Day.

The people on this fire boat are working hard.  I took this picture in Canada.  They don't have a Labor Day Holiday.

   

Sharp Park 0001

Sharp Park 0001