MY LATEST ADVENTURE

I am still trying to make the print smaller. It looks smaller, but then when I hit the "post" sign Yup you
guessed it same old big type that makes it look like I am yelling at everyone. Trust me I'm not.

Anyways, A while back my favorite change girl at the Emerald Island asked me if I liked Dr. Phil. I said
I did and she said good, we sent for tickets to see his show. Sounded like fun, and then promptly
forgot about it. Then a couple of weeks ago she e-mailed me all the information and it seemed like we
would be expected there on Tues. Aug 26 (yesterday)

Shelley (my friend) and her 25 yr old daughter Tiffany and I were going to see Dr. Phil. We decided
to take my car. Shelley has a truck and Tiff's car is being worked on. Tiff has two little girls 7 and 4.
Monday was the older girls first day of school, so we waited until school started and then would be
on our way to HOLLYWEIRD scuz me HOLLYWOOD. We were supposed to be at Paramount Studio
at 7 am on Tues. Shelley made the arrangements for our overnight stay. Seeing as both my traveling
companions smoke, I wanted my own personal room. No one smoked in the car, but I said I was
willing to stop anytime they needed a smoke break. Shelley did the driving. All went well. We
made it into LA in about 4 1/2 hrs, stopping in Barstow for lunch.

We would be staying at the Hollywood Downtowner motel, which Shelley said had high ratings for
a motel in that price range ($95 a night) We would be close to places to sight see. Grauman's
Chinese Theater, the Hollywood "walk of Fame" and not far from where they would be filming
Dr. Phil.

We arrived at the Opium Den, I mean the Downtowner, and I had this feeling I don't like this one
bit. The homeless people hanging around outside , the sleazy neighborhood and the 98cent store.
the bars on the windows of the surrounding buildings--well you get the picture. Anyhow the
"madam" who checked us in was Pakistanian or Indian or something with a ruby in the middle of
her forehead and incense burning in the office. She had only reserved one room for the three of
us, but needless to say she had another room available. The room I had was not bad. Seemed
clean enough. But I knew once I got in there, no way was I going out at night. Shelley and Tiff
said they would do some sightseeing, but would be home before dark. They walked some and
then took a bus to Graumans and walked back down the walk of fame. They called when they
were just a couple of blocks from the motel and picked me up a cheeseburger from Tommy's.
We had picked up beer earlier. There was a small frig in the room as well as a microwave and
a coffee pot.

the bathroom was brand new. The door wasn't even painted or varnished yet. they had nice
tile and a walk in shower. the only thing wrong was the toilet was on the north wall while the
tp was on the south wall. Makes sense to me. I watched the convention for a while and then
fell asleep. About 1 am I woke up, the damn smoke alarm was chirping--every 16 seconds--
until 2:30 am and then it stopped. Hard to get back to sleep after that. Got up at 4:30, showered
and was ready to go at 6 pm so we could grab some breakfast and off to see Dr. Phil.

Went back to Tommy's for brkfst and no one there spoke English. A truck full of Chollos (spelling)
were just leaving and they really gave me the creeps. We finally got our breakfast. Took forever
we were the only people in there and there were 3 people working there-you figure. Oops, forgot
to tell you the coffee pot in the room did not work. Finally arrived at Paramount and S & T dropped
me off to stand in line while they parked. Ended up parking in the Jewish Cemetary (I think it is
called "Hollywood, Forever) where they had you park along the curbs just like for a real funeral
and charged you $10 per car.

Stood and sat in line for almost two hours. If you don't read the rules they e mail you and bring
your camera and/or cell phone, they confiscate yours and you can retrieve them after the taping.
Takes forever to get thru that part, and then you walk thru this thing like at the airport and you
are finally allowed into the lot. They do have benches and everyonce in a while they let a bunch
of people in and everyone moves up. That's the upper level. Then they say "last call for the rest
room" and the Exodus begins., Thank God I didn't need to use it. Then it's down to the lower
level, more benches, but no restroom calls. Finally into the studio. Every seat is a good one
unless the cameraman decides to stand in front of you. I am sorry, but I was not impressed. The
subject for the day was its ok for and older man to date a younger woman but taboo for an older
woman to date a much younger man. Who would want to do that anyhow, man you'd have to
train him. Anyway this first womand who was 58 but said she was 48 dated over 300 men on
the internet and would have them send her an airline ticket and go to visit them She traveled
all over the world oveer 250 thousand miles and even dated the Prince of Monaco once. Her
daughter was concerned because she thought it was dangerous. Dr P said she should stop dating
for a while and look at her life. She was coming across as desperate. He never did convince her.
very boring and no free gifts for the audience.

they asked if we wanted to stay for the 2nd taping and Tiff and I said No. We went back to the
den of Iniquity, checked out and headed home. Lots of road construction but we got to my
place about 4:30 AND I was sure glad to get home. Tired and looking to sleep in my own bed,
no chain on the door and the smoke alarm has new batteries.

I did forget to mention that on the way down we ran into a horrendous thunder storm and
hard rain. Thru that I could see smoke (we were in the Cajon Pass heading into LA) and
when the sun came out the side of the mountain was on fire, on our left near the summit and
a borate bomber flew over dropping the borate on the fire. I think it was probably started by
Lightning. One the way home the next day we could see where it had burned right down to
the highway. There were still some emergency vehicles on the site checking it out. Alls
well that ends well.

Until my next adventure.....................

A TRIP TO THE RETIREMENT MANSION

OR DINING WITH THE RICH AND FAMOUS

Yesterday we had a board meeting and we were invited to have our meeting and lunch at the home of Sandy
and Bob Miller, the former governor of the state of Nevada. Sandy is one of our board members and a really
gracious lady. We had done this once before but I do believe I was so intimidated I barely noticed my
surroundings. Sandy takes great care to make you feel at home so I really got a chance to look around.

Sandy and Bob have a beautiful home in Sun City Anthem, the Country Club Estates. As you approach
you have to be cleared at the gate house and given a pass. We were expected so, no problems there.

As you approach their home, there is a beautiful driveway, creative design of different colored rocks and
pebbles tiled off leading to the steps to the front door, which. except for the frame is made entirely of
beveled glass (crystal?, who knows) On either side of the driveway. facing each other., are two, two
car garages. Upon entering the house we were greeted by the aroma of food cooking. We entered
the kitchen, which has two dishwashers, two fridges, all paneled so they just look like walls. A long
curved counter (bar) (granite in a speckled brown color) A container with a few potted miniature rose
bushes, and a vase of georgous summer flowers. (more about the flowers later) Drinks, you name it
and it was there., Copper buckets with ice and cold drinks. Pitchers of iced tea, lemonade, water,
and a bucket of exotic Lunch beers. I don't remember all the names but one was a peach beer. It
was not yet 11 am and I chose water. adjacent to the kitchen is the family room. One whole wall
is and aquarium (built in), a lounge chair big enough for two, great for cuddling and a sofa (giant)
Another wall has a large screen televison with two smaller sets above it. I guess so you can watch
all the channels for election results. The other wall is all glass facing out to the huge patio, high on a
hill overlooking the Las Vegas skyline. One section of this wall just out forming a glassed in breakfast
nook.

Going into the dining room, with another view of the skyline was a formal dining table, set for 14, would
have extended for possibly another 10 if needed, witha damask gold table cloth embossed with white.
Down the center were at least 12 small vases with fresh flowers interspursed with glass (crystal) containers
holding florist clay with small purple flowers surrounding off white roses. real napkins and glasses with
ice and lemon already in them. Lunch was served buffet style, we helped ourselves to a salad made
with spinach leaves, fresh as paragus and walnuts with an italian styled dressing a cold pasta salad,
hot vegetable dish, marinated shrimp and skewered beef, and chicken (tempura coated) with a sauce
for the beef and a sauce for the chicken. What a feast. 3 forks, ohmygosh everyone started with a
different one. I started with the one on the outside. The silverware was, of course real silver with pure
gold trimming) Did anyone drip on the tablecloth, Sandy did and when she served dessert, Strawberry
shortcake with real whipped cream, she dripped on the carpen and also on her skirt. Did she Care. NOPE

The dining room was adjacent to the living room, with another huge couch in it. The whole on wall from the
family room, breakfast nook, dining room and living room, and master bedroom, is glace overlooking the
patio, swimming pool and the city of Las Vegas in the distance. For those of you who do now know,
Sun City Anthem is in Henderson, near Eastern Avenue and lake Mead Parkway. It would be shortly
after you get off the I 15 at the Henderson turnoff.

I had occasion to use the bathroom. A simple room with only the potty and a sink. Beautiful fixtures,
good sized room and beautifully decorated BUT the only towels were personal ones, use it and then
throw it in the hamper. Wow the only time I ever did this was with PAPER towels, not real turkish one.
I looked in the hamper which stood open, very decorative, and sure enough those before me had discarded
the towels. OMG at home I use one towel and then when that corner gets ugly I refold it so a clean corner
showes up. You get the picture. I know I used the restroom the last time I was here, but I did not remember
this part. Maybe I just used my shirt tail, or waved my hands in the air til they dried. I'm not sure but
this time I felt, When in Rome do as the Romans do. So i dried my hands and put my nose up in the air
and tossed that dirty towel in the hamper with nary a backward look.

We had a DVD which we planned to watch, but ther tv in the family room wouldn't accept it, so Sandy said
oh, we can go down to the basement and use that tv, but please don't look at my dirty carpet in the
basement. Will I ever have a basement, probably not, Will I ever have a basement with a carpet, No
Will I ever say Pardon my dirty carpet in the basement. LOL

We did go down to the basement, which not only was carpeted, it too had an L shaped couch. One
section was probably 8 feet long and the second one was 6 feet long and that only took up half the room.
the other half was a built in bar, fridge, pin ball machines and games. the kind of room you could really
enjoy during a tornado. BUT, that tv would not accept the dvd either so on to the computer room.
Off the computer room was the laundry room and I could see three of the largest washer and dryers I have
ever seen. Not your ordinary run of the mill white enamel kind either, these were bronze with lots of
chrome. I guess if you can only dry your hands once on a towel, you would have a lot of laundry.

Did I mention Rosa? Rosa helped get the lunch ready and while Sandy cleared the table, Rosa silently
cleaned up the kitchen and did the dishes. Sandy introduced her to all of us. Sandy is truly a lady
with lots of class and a great sense of humor. She is very active in community efforts and sometimes
her efforts have an adverse affect on her husband. Not in a bad way but he is more straight laced and
sometimes gets roped into things. One time they participated in the opening of something and she
agreed that she and Bob would serve the people. SoBob was serving pastries, and some unsuspecting
customer came in and said "didn"t you used to be the governor and he said Yes" Sort of like "oh how
the mighty have falllen:

I did say I would tell you about the flowers. Sandy had bought all these flowers for our lunch and when
Bob saw them He figured he'd better send flowers too, just in case he forgot something.

It was a delightful day. thank you Sandy.