Small DIY remodel

While waiting for the next 'Casting Call' I have to keep my wife happy. She has been looking at the same bathroom mirror for about 33 years. Finally she mentioned the fact she was beginning to dislike it. I also dislike it for what it has done to my reflection. We made a couple of trips to the local home improvement stores. After looking at the various models, we settled on one from Lowe's we both approved of. It was of the type with three fully mirrored doors and four internal shelves for storing the items kept on hand (but seldom used). After removing four mirror screws and the old light fixture, it was time to lift the heavy new unit into place. Failure at that caused me to screw two support screws in the lower part of the wall to rest the unit on, while my wife drilled in one top mounting screw. Yep, that held it in place enough to fasten the rest of the screws. Then after using double sided sticky tape, I fastened beveled mirror tiles, to cover the ugly, holed and unpainted wall, that was exposed after the old fixture was removed. I picked out a modern, free flowing rod, track light fixture with four little high intensity, focusable track lights. While attempting to adjust one of them, I touched my finger to the bulb...bad touch, burned a blister on my thumb. Now I touch anything and the blister puts a ball on it. Luckily I recalled a trick from some 'tip' journal, about immediatly holding ice against it for an hour or so. That was a good tip, no pain today or last night. I still look no better in the new mirror than the old one but my wife is happier.

Wildfire @NMST. Fairgrounds

While motorhoming through Abilene, returning from the Texas Gulf Coast, driven out by the Red Tide, I got a 'Call' from Anthony for a background job at the set of the popular, made for TV series 'Wildfire', now in it's third season. I have not worked on the 'Wildfire' set since the 'Auction' scene in Algodones. On this day I arrived before 5 am, call time was 5:30 am. After a nice breakfast buffet, then being walked to the set, we were watching the racing horses we bought, from the grandstand. I was in the area of 'The Davis Racing Farm', Box. It was a great position right behind "Pablo", one of the stars. At least we were inside and watched the sun rise over the mountains through the huge glass enclosed grandstand. My first 'Wife' of the day was "Lynda". She mentioned that, "The entire scene we were part of, in the pre-dawn minutes, were a 'Memory' to be savored for all time". How poetic... The 'Davis Racing Farm' is 'well off' financially, so we were part of the wealthly crowd. I liked that concept.
After working that scene for a few hours, a select group of us were chosen to take part in the 'Winners Circle' scene. That is where I met two very beautiful 'Patrons'. Heather, a beautiful brunette and Jill a stunning platinum blonde from Wisconsin and of Norway ancestry. My 1st wife of the morning was nowhere to be found. I suspect she was having an 'Affair' with our 'Trainer'. While standing in position at the rail I happened to strike up an aquaintance with the talented 'Alicia Williams'. 'Alicia' does the 'Website' for "Wagon Train', starring "Robert Horton", as well as 'his' website. She is one busy lady, and fun to work with as well. Alicia said Robert Horton is physically fit and working out at 82 years of age. Wagon Train was a classic TV Western of the 50's and 60's. Now those were super prime time family shows, that took on many issues for the day. Alicia made it through our scenes without losing one of her nice leather gloves. That alone is remarkable talent.
After a nice lunch break we were called upon to gather around the horse arena. For this deep background scene I had another 'Wife'. The tall attractive "PJ" (Paula Jean) who actually used to work at this track as a groom and workout rider. We had another very attractive friend 'Gena' (Regina). Her husband greeted us warmly and we parted company to walk a couple of stalls to see a horse. It took us an hour or so to get it just right with the timing of the horses being walked around the arena.
While waiting for set changes, the time was spent inside the betting ticket area. There and in 'Extras Holding', We renewed old friendships. The ever-vibrant "Elvira" was there with her friend "Petra" from Germany. Petra has worked in our little industry for a couple of years while only being in The USA for 5 years. She worked in many films such as 'Employee of the Month', 'Wild Hogs' and many others.
The last scenes of the day, were in the arena parking area. Those of us with later model cars were paid ten dollars to park our cars in the scene. At last my first wife of the day and I, were together again. Walking happily hand in hand toward the arena as "Micah" one of the stars came toward us. That took about 4 'resets' to perfect. Lynda was in great form after just returning from her affair. She had a certain 'spring' in her step...We were finishing the pass and final shoot, Micah was returning to his old Mustang to discover a flat tire which enraged him to no end. The tire iron was to be thrown but our cars were in the path so it didn't play out in that fashion. After several takes of that scene it was time to end our fun at the NM State Fairground Race Track. Driving home at dusk, was a time to think over the long days fun...What a great career to have in retirement. What a fun country to live in. Every day is a Gift. Enjoy each and every one.

Baloon launch day

The Albuquerque Baloon Fiesta went as imagined for our little family group. The grandaughters three, seemed to enjoy the entire time. It seemingIy does not take much to keep them happy at the 8 to 10 year old stage. they are content to improvise the time to suit themselves. A game of 'throw the tennis ball', lasted for over an hour, well past dark. The original ball got lost when one of the girls threw it high into the night air. The next MH over, 'lady' gave them a replacement from her collection of 50 for her dog. When they tried to return it, she kindly told them to keep it.
The pizza was from 'Dions' (my wifes favorite) along with a large salad to share. The very impressive fireworks display started a little later than scheduled. The 'Sandia Mountain Luminaria display was different in it was a series of lights that covered the entire mountain ridge. They were about a half mile apart, all along the crest. After that interesting delay the main fireworks show began and we watched in awe...In other words we all said 'AWE'... The place we were parked was a perfect view of both the fireworks and Luminarias. The heavy sounding, explosive, Grand Finale with all of it's high launched, complex, flashing patterns, indicated the glorious finish.. Afterwards we retired into the Motor Home, where we set up our beds, crawled into them, and watched the evening film. The DVD was 'RV'(of course) starring Robin Williams. The hilarious DVD lasted until 12:00 pm, after which the three girls all fell sound asleep.
The next thing My wife and I recall, was the sound of a Hellicopter endlessly circling the Fiesta site. Thinking it was time to arise, I checked the clock...4:30 am. What did that accomplish anyway, other than to annoy the sleeping masses. That never happened before. Somone has got the wrong sense of how to make people want to come back next year. I will mention this to the proper channels and of course they will respond with utmost apology....Right...The breakfast was 'cinnamon rolls', juice and milk. I had coffee which the girls do not appreciate...Yet. After a brief walk, we rode the shuttle to the launch site. The walk around the area is nice due to the new grass.
The mass accension took place with fewer than 500 baloons as far as I could tell. The weather had been predicted to be bad. Didn't happen...Was very acceptable weather for the morning. A small breeze for most hardy pilots. While walking around the inflating baloons, the girls were given baloon trading cards by each team. This kept them busy running from team to team. The huge orange 'Turtle' with sneakers and big floppy shoe laces was impressive to watch. They did not lift off. Only if, not a bit of breeze, would they go up. It is 'One HUGE turtle'.
As the 'US Marine Corp Bulldog' ('Chesty' in memory of Chesty Puller) was being inflated, a crowd gathered aroud it untill there were several hundred onlookers. As it lifted off, a great cheer arose from the crowd. We rarely saw that happen with other baloons. As usual the 'Media' totally missed that display of overwhelming Patriotism. I felt a sense of immense pride for our great nation, Now that is the real United States of America. The TV coverage could have been of those types of events showing the baloons inflating, the four individual feet of the huge turtle, each being inflated seperately with a gasoline powered fan, the crews struggling with the control lines, lifting the very big piece of protective ground cloth to dry it in the breeze before folding it, and many other scenes around the beautiful grassy field. Instead the cameras were focused on the comentators sitting at their desk and showing their faces while they described some of their recolectons. I don't care about their faces as much as they obviosly do, show me the ACTION! The Camping World tent had a following of people all needing something for their Campers and Motorhomes. They did the same dollar business as the main store on friday alone. They ran inventory from the main store to keep supplied, and stock asked for items, as the people ordered them. The other various vending booths strecthed for a mile it seemed. There was of course, a 'Honey Wagon' (YUM-YUM) to take away the waste tanks load, as needed by the camping units. Electrical and water hookups were supplied to those who desired them. The campers are numbering more and more each year. The field is immense so no problem accomodating them. The City of Albuquerque built a water system extending to the Rio Grande river, that supplies the water to keep the massive launch field green with lush grass. Years ago that was not the case. We walked around baloons in the dirt with big 'Jack Rabbits' running around in all of the action. The thousand baloons overshadowed each other, bumping into one another as they inflated and lifted off. Mass 'chaos' was exciting to everyone of course. The organizers deemed it neccesary to instill order. ....Boring...but orderly and consisting of all sorts of competition in every aspect of flying a baloon.
The first International Baloon club group assembled in Albuquerque NM around 1970 or so. Sid Cutter, a local aerofanatic, was given one by his wife as a gift. I recall watching as the thing floated over the fairground, with 'Sid' waving, drawing awe from us earthlings. The total number of the things was in the 'less than a dozen' catagory. The Coronado event was watched by hundreds. Each year it grew untill it is, 'The Happening' each year in Albuquerque, and attended by many thousands of travelers and vacationers as a 'Destination'. Back then it was normal to see them land all over the city, in backyards, on rooftops, dogs barking, kids yelling and chasing the baloons as they descended before going into 'Restricted Airspace' over the 'Kirtland' Airforce Base. The site moved several times until it found a permanent home with modern facilities, and a museum with gathering halls for public use year around. It shows what initiative, creativity, and public support can do, when a fun attraction is enjoyed by all. Make it a family 'Destination', enjoy our great nation, The United States of America. Thousands seem to like it. Ya'll Come Back Now...

ABQ Baloon Fiesta

Not that the background acting career is to take a backseat, but the grandaughters are in the forefront at this time. On Friday, 06 oct 06, I will drive the MH to Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Park. If all goes as the plan is imagined, from previous years, we will be bringing our 3 young grandaughters to spend the evening with us and getting up at '0 dark 30' to watch the many hundreds of Balloons rise into the pre-dawn sky the morning of 07 oct 06. The area we hope to park, is positioned to be in line with the first landing zone. Of course the morning breeze has to be favorable and drifting the Balloons in the right direction. That area is where the passengers that lifted off, are exchanged for another load. We run around in the LZ trying to stay out of the way, while getting as close as possible to the action. For some Meteorlogical phenomenon, this entire cycle is known as 'The Albuquerque Box' and is repeated several times during each mornings mass accension. It has to be seen to believed. If you have never been to see this spectacle, you are missing one of the 'most photographed' events ever. Kodak sponsored it for years untill the 'Digital' age came in. Times past, the total liftoff was at 'One Thousand' balloons. It has been slightly downsized over the years. The International entrees were fantastic to see. Sadly, they are fewer in the last years due to security concerns. The young'uns enjoy the show and the sleepover as an adventure. They like the staying up late, eating a pizza, the party surroundings, pancakes and hot chocolate. The 'Cinnamon Roll' is looked forward to as a special tradition. Several booths sell them, as well as every other concievable item. The wide variety of food in general is special due to the 'Fiesta' atmosphere. This year is slightly warmer than 'some' past years. The balloons fly better when the weather is cooler due to the differential in heated air in them, compared to the cool ambient air surrounding them, therefore they rise very well. The 'special shapes' are the most fun for the girls as well as all people watching. As most youngsters, they are about 'ballooned out' around noon. Their parents usually bring them back to see the final affairs at the end of the week. Their parents grew up with this spectacle every year. We plan to make this as memorable as possible. Youth does not last long. These images are not to be wasted. Come visit us this time next year. time's a wastin'.