A little trip last weekend

 So thanks to one of my work buddies, he, myself, and another friend from work went down to Cali and visited the Los Angeles County Fire Museum for their 50th anniversary celebration of the premier of the 1970's TV series Emergency!

This show has been credited by many as the catalyst for the expansion of emergency medical services (EMS) in the United States and throughout the world as well.  It laid the seeds in me to eventually start my career in EMS after nearly 18 years in the IT field.  Many other people, usually in my generation, also credited the show in inspiring them to work in EMS and/or go into medicine in general as nurses, doctors, and specialists.

Below are some of the photos I have taken at the museum, where the fire engine and rescue squad used in the series are on display, along with many other fire engines and historical pieces.  We also took a trip to LA County Fire Station 127, which was the setting for the fictional 'Station 51' in the series.

Was a very good trip overall, and a nice change of pace.

Meanwhile, keep your powder dry, and watch your 6...

Help to a fellow blogger

 I haven't kept up much with things in the blogosphere, but there has been chatter about an issue that BigCountyExpat needs help with.  Click here to read the details, but you better be ready to be pissed off.

That parents could do that to their own barely 2-year-old daughter is just sickening.  If you all can, please donate so that Adriana can be back where she will be loved and cared for.

Also, feel free to drop by his blog for updates/

China is turning things up a notch

 Heard on the news that China is lobbing missiles around Taiwan today.  What with the preparations that have been discussed in the media, along with the Chinese losing their shit over Pelosi's visit, and add in this post from DiveMedic, I expected things to get interesting by Labor Day.

Now had just heard from a live TV briefing from the White House, where some stuffed-shirt with the NSC is saying the government is postponing a planned Minuteman III missile test that had been planned this week 'as a demonstration of what a rational nuclear power should do', has made me think of that from two sides.

On one side, I do agree that postponing the test would lessen the likelihood of something even worse happening, as had almost occurred in 1993 when a Norwegian research rocket launch appeared to the Russian air defense as a ballistic missile attack against them, and they almost launched a nuclear attack.  Some calm and collective coolness can help to make those in charge think twice.

On the other side, the test delay looks like appeasement to our enemies, and the extreme right-wingers would cry out that we're bowing down to our enemies and adversaries. 

It's possible to argue both sides of this, but I'm not gonna try as it will just aggravate me.  I just want to lay low, focus on things close to home, and think of boobies 😊

Let the crap-throwing commence

 With the US Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade in their decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, there is going to be a crap-ton of excessive emotions coming out over the rest of this year.

I have largely believed that it should have always been the states to decide what restrictions abortion should have within their jurisdictions, and not a federal issue.  Just like with other issues in which the overbearence of the Feds has made things worse and not better.

Here in Nevada, they have already made a law to protect abortion rights back in 1990, via public referendum, so that was protected long before this current blow-up.  Planned Parenthood, in fact, is preparing for a tidal wave of women coming in from neighboring states where abortion restrictions or outright bans will either take effect immediately after the ruling, or soon after.

Combined with the other things happening so far this year, the run-up to the November elections should be far from boring.  I for one already got some popcorn ready...

Still deciding what is what in re: Russia-Ukraine conflict

 Popping around through various sources just makes me wonder who is the worst.

No doubt Tsar-to-be Vladimir Putin is not anyone's favorite, but there's been some tidbits am seeing that Ukraine's leaders are not as wholesome as they appear, which means there may be a very thin thread of proof that Russia feels justified in launching this conflict (or expanding it since it's been going on at a lower level since 2014 when Russia annexed the Crimea.)

With RT America getting shut down and the parent network pretty much black-listed on most media platforms, been looking at France 24 and Euronews for a different perspective.  Times like this is when I wish I still had my Ku-band dish setup so can see the feeds directly.

So when in doubt, keep an open mind.

And the insanity keeps on a-rollin'

 On the brighter side: no more mask mandates here in Nevada.

Even better on the bright side: was able to go visit my girl up in Canada for couple of weeks (cost me a bunch but it was worth it, considering it has been nearly 2 years since I hugged and kissed her last.

Now for the downers:

We're on the verge of hyper-inflation thanks to Sleepy Joe's energy policies and his lack of economic sense, plus add in the conflict in Ukraine courtesy of future Tsar Vladimir Putin, but from what I am gathering, the origins are not as clear-cut as the mainstream press makes it out to be.

Meanwhile, I just keep plugging away and hoping things get better.

There's a reason why I'm not a big fan of Kraft Mac and Cheese...

 ...and this latest from Peter explains why.

I'll stick with Velveeta for store-bought, or just make my own.