BRAS TO BIGFOOT

This past week in Hope, AZ has been pretty much the same - perfect weather in the 70’s - 80’s and just taking retired life easy.  So, rather than go over the details of doing nothing for a living, I thought I'd mention a few news stories of the week. 

SORRY GUYS

A Japanese lingerie company claims their new bra will unlock only when it detects “true love.”

Ravijour’s “True Love Tester Bra” is a high-tech chastity belt for women’s chests that supposedly senses when a woman’s emotional state becomes “truly amorous.”

The bra contains a hidden sensor that syncs up via Bluetooth to an app on the owner’s phone. The app analyzes the wearer’s heart rate, and when the wearer’s heart rate hits a certain point, the bra unhooks on its own.

The bra is designed to “save women” from certain types of guys, such as the touchy-feely “animal,” “the flashy guy” who uses money to pick up women, and “the technician,” who tries to pick up on multiple women at once.

No word yet on how, or if at all, women can unclasp the bra if they don’t find “true love.”  (Buzzfeed)

This is certainly a loaded (no pun intended) story.  I imagine something like that back in the 60’s would have put a damper on the lover’s lane teen petting.  Isn’t technology amazing?

BEAUTY VS. SENSUALITY

Itinerant preacher Paul Washer warned followers in a YouTube clip about the dangers of women wearing form-fitting clothing,

Washer samples from 1 Timothy 2 in his sermon titled “How a Christian Woman Should Adorn Herself,” emphasizing that there is some clothing that is “improper” for Christian women because it tempts men to thoughts of sensuality.

Washer pointed out the difference between “beauty” and “sensuality,” suggesting that certain women may not be beautiful but can inspire less-than-holy thoughts from the male contingent.

Female gospel singers have been subject to criticism for selling themselves with images that are too sexy. Recently singer Erica Campbell of "Mary Mary” took heat from the Christian establishment for wearing a tight white dress to promote a Grammy nomination on her social media accounts.

Campbell had her own ideas for critics in an interview with ESSENCE.com titled “I Felt Beautiful.”

"This is about confidence and realizing that God made you and that you are beautiful just the way you are," Campbell said in her defense.  (Essence)

Well Erica, I think I have to agree with you on this one.  I don’t put much stock in the Jim Bakkers,  Jimmie Swigerts, et al. who preach how to live, but it doesn’t apply to them.  I say you look good.

FINALLY, THE WACKO

A self-described professional Bigfoot hunter claims he shot and killed one of the creatures in San Antonio in 2012, and says he is now preparing to take the corpse on an international tour starting Feb. 6 in Flagstaff, Ariz.

Rick Dyer, 36, who calls himself the “best Bigfoot tracker in the world,” has released new photos that allegedly show the dead Bigfoot.

"I've heard people say it's fake. They haven't seen the body. They haven't studied it," Dyer told the New York Daily News. "They're just guessing. They're not an expert in what they're talking about."

But it is hard to believe the credibility of the photos because Dyer was previously involved in what turned out to be a Bigfoot hoax in 2008, when a “corpse” was exposed as a rubber ape suit, according to Snopes.com.

Dyer says he lured the 8-foot-tall creature by nailing ribs he purchased from Walmart to a tree in San Antonio in September 2012.

"I nailed ... pork ribs from the Walmart down the street to the side of the tree, and low and behold, he came and started eating the pork ribs off the tree," Dyer told KSAT.

Dyer supposedly filmed the animal as he was eating the ribs before getting his gun and “with tears in my eyes” shooting it dead.

“From DNA tests to 3D optical scans to body scans. It is the real deal,” he said. “It’s Bigfoot and Bigfoot’s here, and I shot it and now I’m proving it to the world.”

Dyer says he will hold a press conference soon to unveil the full Bigfoot body and test results.  (N.Y. Daily News)

Finally, someone got one of those smelly buggers.  Or, at least he claims he did.  I’ve never laid awake at night worrying about Bigfoot or if one would ever be captured.  It’s just too bad this guy had to shoot Bigfoot as he was enjoying a slab of ribs.  That is if it is a Bigfoot.  Probably some poor sap dressed as Bigfoot going after the ribs.

And that’s some of the news that got my attention this week.

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Eviscerate 'Em

Gun owners who prefer a hollow point design to a full metal jacket might have found a new favorite.

G2 Research (G2R) released it’s new Radically Invasive Projectile (R.I.P.) this month, hoping to “take the civilian and law enforcement markets by storm, and truly become the last round you’ll ever need.”

G2R, based in Winder, Ga., highlights that the bullet points are manufactured with trocar angles — or simply put, edges with three angles reaching one point — to “penetrate the dermis layer more efficiently.”

The G2R website explains the R.I.P. acts like a full metal jacket when it impacts solid objects: “It is capable of going through barriers such as sheet rock, plywood, sheet metal or glass and still performs its original intent. The bullet shreds through solid objects and only then, expands its energy.”

Cliff Brown, G2 Research President, told The Blaze that excitement for the new round “went viral” after they visited the Las Vegas Shot Show in January, and published their research videos online.

“This bullet is designed to take out all your vital organs…inferior bullets won’t be a problem anymore,” Brown said. 

The company’s site adds that G2R has tested the new round with numerous fully automatic and semi automatic firearms, as well as rifles. They claim to have zero failures when testing most well known firearms on the market including Sig, Glock, Beretta, Springfield, FN, Taurus, Walther, Khar, S&W and many others.  (The Blaze)

Every so often another invention comes along on a better way to kill people.  Now comes a Georgia company that has invented a bullet that not only kills, it eviscerates in the process.  The company president proudly says, “This bullet is designed to take out all your vital organs…inferior bullets won’t be a problem anymore.”

Seriously, there is such a thing as an “inferior” bullet?  I can’t think of any other way to describe this other than macabre.  

And, by the way Congress... how’s it going on the post-Sandy Hook gun regulations?  Still stalled you say?  Do-nothing weasels.

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Pete Seeger (May 3, 1919 – January 27, 2014) 

Arlo Guthrie, folk singer and son of the late Woody Guthrie (and longtime friend of Pete Seeger), posted a note about Seeger to his Facebook this morning.

Seeger died Monday at age 94. Here's Guthrie's note:

"I usually do a little meditation and prayer every night before I go to sleep - Just part of the routine. Last night, I decided to go visit Pete Seeger for a while, just to spend a little time together, it was around 9 PM. So I was sitting in my home in Florida, having a lovely chat with Pete, who was in a hospital in New York City. That's the great thing about thoughts and prayers- You can go or be anywhere.

"I simply wanted him to know that I loved him dearly, like a father in some ways, a mentor in others and just as a dear friend a lot of the time. I'd grown up that way - loving the Seegers - Pete & Toshi and all their family.

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DaVinci

Yesterday we took a road trip to Parker to the Blue Water Casino to see the DaVinci display of replica art and inventions.  The cost for the show was $20 ($15 with a player's card).

Since we had to get a "player's card" to get the discount for the DaVinci display we thought we'd use up the $10 credit that came with the card.

We don't gamble, so we couldn't figure out how to use the card or the machines.  Just as well, since we didn't "donate" to the casino that way.

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Left Some $$$ At The Q

We contributed to the economy at Quartzsite and made a couple of purchases to allow us to go "off the grid."  For several years I have been researching solar and have been learning from other RV'ers. Since Quartzsite offers one stop shopping we decided it was the right time to purchase.

One company that has a good reputation for quality product is Off the Grid Solar from Surprise, AZ.  In addition to fixed solar, they manufacture a portable 130W system with integrated controller. I had thought about ordering one for a while and since they were offering a show discount it worked out to buy now.  We have two deep cell batteries connected parallel, so hopefully 130W will be enough.  If not, their system is adaptable to add more panels.  Here are some stock photos.  I'll take some pics once we get it set up.

The other purchase was a Go Power Pure Sine 1000W inverter (made in British Columbia, Canada!).  Some dealers did the sales pitch for modified sine, which probably works fine in most cases, however we opted for Pure Sine so we can run sensitive electronics and for possible expansion later. Today I wired it into the camper.

Next month we are planning to stay a while at a federal park that has available water and dump station only, so we'll see how this new venture into solar works out.  The other benefit is that we will now be able to stay at small lakes back home where there are no hookups.  This retirement RVing is turning into a real adventure.

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The Market

Blogger Rick Doyle commented today about other bloggers who include the weather in their blogs, so I'll pile on and say we are enjoying great weather here in Hope, AZ.

We went to the Q yesterday and even though the big tent isn't open yet, we checked out the other vendors.  We'll go back once the big tent opens and see what else is new.

This afternoon we drove the six miles to Salome to pick up some fruit and veggies at the Mexican market.  A Mexican family brings up fresh fruit and veggies 3 days a week.  

Some customers whine about the price, but we don't mind paying a little extra for good product.  We have no plans for tomorrow, but that's all part of the job being retired.  We'll take what comes.

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Commonplace?

ROSWELL, N.M.

The 12-year-old boy suspected of shooting two students at Berrendo Middle School in Roswell smuggled a .20-gauge shotgun into the school, State Police Chief Pete Kassetas said at a news conference Tuesday night.  He said the wood stock had been sawed-off.  He also said officers had preliminary information that suspected shooter Mason Campbell, a seventh-grader at the school, had warned several students not to attend school today.

State Police said Campbell pointed the gun at social studies teacher John Masterson after the boy and girl were wounded. Masterson talked him into putting the gun down, according to police.

An 11-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl were both seriously injured in the shooting.  Both were airlifted to UMC Health System in Lubbock, Texas, according to a hospital spokesperson.  As of 12:45 p.m., the boy remained in critical condition. The girl’s condition was initially listed at critical, but it has been updated to satisfactory, according to the hospital.  (Albuquerque Journal)

Those who follow this blog know that my wife recently retired as a sixth grade teacher and our daughter is a kindergarten teacher.  These school shootings always get our attention.  I fear that they are now becoming so commonplace that this country is becoming accustomed to them.  That is the collateral result of these tragedies. 

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Wikieup

Today we took a road trip to Wikieup to check out the local RV parks.  We traveled on the screamin' highway 93.  Traffic on that stretch really flies and 77 mph - 80 mph seemed to be the norm.

While there we had lunch at Joe's BBQ, based on good reviews.

Joe's appeared to be a former converted gas station.  There wasn't much curb appeal that a bit of sprucing up would help.  The inside was also in need of fixing up.  Maybe it was because we were there after the regular lunch time, because the BBQ was average at best.  It was still an enjoyable time.

On the way home we stopped at the Burro Creek Recreation Area (BLM) in the Burro Creek valley. The campground has water available and a dump station, otherwise campers must be self contained. The campground has a great view of the Burro Creek bridge and valley.

Because of the altitude, it is cooler in the Wikieup area and we were told there have been instances of snow up there in February.  This day trip convinced us that we probably won't head up there next month.  We haven't decide where we'll go, but being retired means you can be flexible in plans.

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Weekend

It's been another enjoyable weekend here in the desert and the temps continue to please.  Here at Hope it seems to be higher than the chart and even the nights range from 45-50.

Today we took a drive to Parker to have the oil changed in the pickup and do a little shopping.  We had lunch at the Crossroads Cafe, which has a reputation for good food.  The place was packed and we guessed most of the crowd were RV'ers out for an afternoon lunch.  

We made it back to Hope in time to sit outside for happy hour and watch the desert birds and sunset.

Life is good.

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Milestone

It’s official — Congress is a millionaires’ club. For the first time ever, most members of Congress are worth at least a cool million.

Lawmakers’ average net worth in 2012 nosed above the seven-figure mark to $1,008,767, according to a new analysis by the Center for Responsive Politics, up from the none-too-shabby  $966,000 the year before.  (The Washington Post)

How's that for being in touch with the rest of us?

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Way To Go Gabby

Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords will celebrate her miraculous recovery from the Tucson, Ariz. shooting that nearly took her life three years ago by jumping out of an airplane Wednesday.

On January 8, 2011, gunman Jared Loughner entered a Giffords campaign event and began shooting, murdering six people and wounding 13 others. Giffords was shot in the head and had to undergo intensive physical therapy. On the third anniversary of that shooting, Giffords is going skydiving in Arizona to celebrate her survival.

Way to go Gabby!

By the way Congress... how's it going on gun reform?  Dead in the water?  Thanks for nothing you worthless weasels and for not listening to Gabby Giffords.

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Tap, Tap, Tap

This little bird comes around every morning and tap, tap, tap, taps on the same window of our camper. 

It works and works tapping the window for several hours.  Can't figure out what it wants. 

Looked it up on internet and it is a Verdin bird. 

If he keeps coming around we are going to have to give him a name.  I'm thinking Vernon the Verdin.

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Nice Days

We continue to enjoy nice weather here in Hope, AZ.  The evenings are a bit chilly, but we don't have to disconnect the water like we did when staying in the Tombstone area.

Looks like we made the right decision on our first retirement trip by coming to the Southwest.

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The Big Flea Market

Today we drove the 20 miles to Quartzsite.  The main "show" is supposed to start on the 18th, but there are a number of vendors already there, including rock sellers.

Since this is our first trip since retirement, it is also the first time we have been to Quartzsite.  On the whole it seemed a bit cluttered.  It was apparent that the town relies on winter RV'ers for economic survival.  There also didn't seem to be zoning codes in the town, contributing to the cluttered appearance.

Maybe we'll go back to Quartzsite on the 18th to see if more RV related vendors are there.  For now, we are content with the decision to stay in Hope at Ramblin' Roads.

It was nice get back home.  Just one day more...

Remembering Phil Everly

Phillip "Phil" Everly (January 19, 1939 – January 3, 2014)

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Deep Pockets

Sheriff Joe Arpaio Racial Profiling Costs Taxpayers $21M

Taxpayers in metropolitan Phoenix are expected to pay out an estimated $21 million over the next year and a half for changes ordered in response to a court ruling that found an Arizona sheriff's office racially profiled Latinos in its regular traffic and immigration patrols.

Maricopa County also would have to pick up an additional $10 million in staff and other costs each year beginning in mid-2015 to comply with the judge's order against Sheriff Joe Arpaio's office.

Seven months ago, U.S. District Judge Murray Snow ruled Arpaio's office systematically singled out Latinos in its trademark immigration patrols and that sheriff's deputies unreasonably prolonged the detentions of people who were pulled over.

According to the estimates, the county would pay $7.6 million for the remainder of the current fiscal year that ends June 30 and another $14.2 million in the following fiscal year. After that, it's expected to cost $10 million annually as long as the sheriff's office remains under the judge's order. The county has already spent $1.6 million defending the sheriff's office in the case.  (Associated Press)

The sheriff should trim his budget to pick up most of the tab, instead of expecting the rest of the county to bail him out. The County Board of Supervisors should not take at face value his assurances he has done all he can. Audit the department’s accounts, if necessary, to make sure he is not merely using this court ruling to bloat his budget.

Every extra dollar the county appropriates to comply with the court’s ruling is a dollar unavailable for other county services. That is one affront Arpaio should not be allowed. To date, he has had to pay nothing for his abuses.

Arpaio is a burden on the taxpayer, needlessly costing this county tens of millions of dollars. This is money that would be put to much better uses if he just stuck to what other Arizona sheriffs do: patrol their counties and enforce the law.  It doesn’t sell books, but it keeps communities safe.  (Editorial Board; The Republic) 

They certainly must have deep pockets in Maricopa County to afford to pay for Arpaio’s grandstanding.  One county we will avoid while in Arizona. 

It was a perfect day Saturday in Hope (the unincorporated town where the RV park is located) with temps in the mid 70’s and clear skies.  We drove the six miles into Salome to look around and pick up a few items at the local dollar store.  Didn't do much else since we have a retirement image to maintain.

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Moved

We moved a few days ago from Tombstone Territories RV Park and are now near Salome at Ramblin' Roads RV Park, which is about 30 miles from Quartzsite.

While the temperatures aren't as warm as the Yuma area, they are certainly in the comfortable range.

We have noticed that it gets warmer than the forecast.  Yesterday the forecast was for 72º and the actual temperature was 76º.   It sure beats the single digits back on the farm and other parts of the country. 

I've begun researching ghost towns in the area for day trips.  We will also take in the upcoming Quartzsite show on the 18th.  For now we are just relaxing and will do a bit of local touring this week.  In the words of Croft... life is good.

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