A Couple of Things…

artwork showing an A.I. logo

1. More and more I’m seeing AI pop up where I don’t want AI help. Specifically, when building websites. I know a lot of people are worried about AI and its potentially devastating consequences of handing over the human thought process to an automated autonomous entity.
Honestly for me, I enjoy using my brain and doing the research. But I can’t disagree with the gal behind the counter at my chiropractor’s office when she exclaimed, “Did no one see the Terminator?!!”


2. Because I really wanted to know if he thought the Republican Party is doing alright, I decided to see what former Vice President, Mike Pence, had to say about the Republican party when he was a guest speaker at the Reagan Library this past week. My take away: he would like civility back in the White House.
I do stay away from politics on this blog, but come on…both parties have to admit some of those late night tweets are embarrassing!
So while he didn’t really comment on the Republican party (except backhandedly at the current President), his latest book he’s touting is called, “What Conservatives Believe.”

Also, Pence stands by his actions on January 6, 2020 when he certified the election results. #GotThatRight

Photo of Pam and Mike Pence
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Sept 9, 2026

3. A few days later on Saturday, September 12, I attended a fundraising dinner for the Ojai Raptor Center. They’re the organization where the famous bald eagle, Jackie was taken care of. This is the same place where I was gifted an owl release as a birthday gift from my friend Linda a few years ago.
Well the dinner was going well, and they had an owl release (see video at end of this blog), and then towards the end of the evening someone mention Martin Sheen was in attendance.

Okay, something I need to confess. I’m a huge West Wing fan. I’ve watch the series beginning to end at least a half dozen times. So when I heard he was there. I had to meet him. I don’t get star struck too often, but when I do, I try my best to appear like a normal human being. I feel I succeeded. I told him about my love of the West Wing, and I told him about my visit to the Reagan Library to hear Mike Pence speak. He was impressed by what the former Vice President said. Well at least those two points I mentioned above.

photo of me and Martin Sheen
Linda, Brian, Martin Sheen, me, Carlos
Linda, Brian, Martin Sheen, me, Carlos

4. Alfred Hitchcock: Cheeky bastard, or seriously evil?

On a recent podcast, former child star, Billy Mumy (Lost in Space), shared a story working with Alfred Hitchcock and what the director told him when he was fidgeting while the crew worked on the lighting. Keep in mind, Mumy is now in his 70s, Hitchcock long dead. This occurred during a filming of an Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode. Mummy recounts this during the podcast of Pop Culture Retro Podcast

โ€œSo Alfred Hitchcock, who was a very physically imposing presenceโ€”Iโ€™m a little guyโ€”Alfred Hitchcock was a big guy. He was always sweating. He gets up out of his chair, and he lumbers over to me on my mark, fidgeting around, and he bends down. And this is exactly what he said to me: โ€˜If you donโ€™t stop moving about, Iโ€™m going to get a nail, and Iโ€™m going to nail your feet to your mark, and the blood will come pouring out of your feet like milk. So, stop moving.โ€™ Thatโ€™s exactly what he says to me.โ€

photo of Mumy on Hitchcock presents

As a child, I was a huge fan of Lost in Space, and to this day I can still hear and sometimes quote, “Warning Will Robinson, Warning!”

And by the way, I go with seriously evil.

photo of mumy on Lost in Space

5. When you talk to yourself out loud and give affirmations such as:
Pam, you’re a strong, healthy woman.
Pam, you have such a great memory.
Pam, you’re a delight to others.
Can you just say it, or do you also have to mean it? Seriously, doesn’t your brain know the difference???
Also, if you’re doing affirmations, you already believe you aren’t those things. Am I wrong?
But it is safe to say, we all want to improve and what better way to manifest what we want by stating it out loud to ourselves. #CarryOn


artwork stating: Today I'll be a freaking ray of sunshine.

6. Giving credit where credit is due, I found a page with unique positive affirmations.
Here are a few of my favorites:

  • I am the boss of my own awkwardness.
  • Iโ€™m so witty, I could confuse a dictionary.
  • Iโ€™m proof that laughter is the best ab workout.
  • Iโ€™m a limited edition, not available in stores.
  • I am a burst of energy that even caffeine envies.
  • I attract good luck like a kid with a sticky hand.
  • Iโ€™m so charismatic, I could sell sand in a desert.
  • Iโ€™m so bright, I make the sun look like a flashlight.
  • Iโ€™m not clumsy; Iโ€™m just practicing interpretive dance.
  • Iโ€™m like a rare Pokรฉmonโ€”hard to find and absolutely legendary.
  • Iโ€™m a masterpiece in progress, a little messy, and utterly magnificent.
  • I attract good vibes like a magnet to a fridge.
  • Iโ€™m so fabulous, even my coffee has an attitude.
  • I am the CEO of my day, and business is booming.
  • I am a walking masterpiece of chaos and caffeine.
  • Iโ€™m so ready to adult today; pajamas are optional.
  • I am a pro at life, even when I donโ€™t have my act together.
  • Today, Iโ€™ll be the superhero of my own story, cape or no cape.
  • I am a pro-multitasker, juggling tasks like a circus performer.
  • Today, Iโ€™ll handle situations like a proโ€”or at least like an adult.
  • I am the architect of my day, building it with laughter and smiles.
  • Today, Iโ€™ll be productive like a squirrel storing snacks for winter.

Lt. Frank
Lt. Frank

7. I attended the Los Angeles Chargers season opening on Sunday, September 13, at SoFi Stadium. The second half was quite embarrassing as the Chargers lost to the Cards, 14 – 26. But the tailgate party beforehand was super fun and we had an unexpected entertainment moment from the dude above who sneaked up behind me and said, “Ma’am, you’re need on the set.” He was hilarious. He kept pushing the button on the baby monitor and yelling, “COPY THAT.” #ShortShorts

photo of Chargers taking entering arena
View from our seats. Not bad!

8. The 25th anniversary of the attacks on 9/11 just passed. I found one of my posts on social media from 10 years ago in remembrance. It holds up today as well:

“The days and weeks following 9/11 I noticed people were looking each other in the eye; not in fear, but with kindness. I’d like to think of it as an automatic response to an outside attack on our survival, we were banning together as a community.

I truly believe man is basically good and the best response to anyone trying to undermine one’s survival (whether on a personal, national or even mankind level) is to flourish and prosper.”

No need to post a photo to remember what happened. If you were alive, it’s already ingrained your mind.


9. From my favorite quotes file: “Loyalty to country always. Loyalty to government, when it deserves it.” – Mark Twain

Thanks for listening!


A Couple of Things…

1. I took in a matinee to see Toy Story 5. As expected, it was delightful, and I had a chuckle or two hearing little kids talk back to the big screen. Sydney did that when she was a wee tot when I took her to see Barney’s Great Adventure in 1998. Barney is a purple dinosaur and about as geeky and sweet as you can get when it comes to children’s programming. On the big screen Barney is searching for an something (off to the side of the set) as he put his hand above his eyes and the kids in the audience (including Sydney) were screaming, “It’s over there, Barney!!!”
In any case, Toy Story 5 was sweet, but for adults without kids, you might want to wait for it to come out on a streaming platform.
I do admit how sweet it was that everyone stayed to listen to the Taylor Swift song at the end. I did not.
Next up, The Odyssey.


Fake sign at Taco Bell
Relax, I’m sure this is a joke ๐Ÿ˜‰

2. After hearing for weeks about the Cyclospora outbreak causing explosive diarrhea, it was finally tracked back to lettuce which Taco Bell used from Taylor Farms. The outbreak to date was traced back to nine states: Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania.
Of course, the supplier could have shipped said contaminated lettuce to other restaurants. To be honest, I’ve always thought Taco Bell’s lettuce tasted odd.

I’m a fan of their Crunchwrap Supreme made with black beans. I will order without lettuce moving forward. I hear the enchirito is back. By the way, did you know you can ask for such add ons such as pico de gallo, purple cabbage, rice, onion and cilantro blend? Check out their on-line menu:
https://www.tacobell.com/food/specialties/enchirito


3. I was recently doing research for https://venturarocks.com/ calendar of events when I saw that Stanley Simmons is playing the Ventura Music Hall next month. The name sound familiar? Turns out it the sons of Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons. I figure I saw their pops play several times in the 70s, I might as check them out and see they’re chips off the old blocks. But alas…two days later, the show was cancelled/postponed. #Standby


4. Things took a horrible turn with the Big Bear Valley Eagles when one of the parents, Jackie, was seen on video being attacked by other eagles (out of towners). Shortly after, an eagle was filmed being scooped out of the lake, clearly in distress. Eventually taken to the Ojai Raptor Center (I love these guys, same organization where I was gifted an owl release), Jackie is good hands. The bad news, she is on the critical list as she is experiencing severe anemia and inflammation affecting the kidneys. The good news, she had the condition before the eagle attack which proved she was strong enough to fend off the attack. She is alert and eating, but only time will tell. #FingersCrossed #PrayForJackie #SendPositveVibes


5. Sending congratulations to Spain for winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup beating Argentina 1-0 after extra-time. The World Cup happens every four years. The Women’s will be next year and from what I understand in 2023, Spain beat England 1-0 in the final game.
https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/womens/womensworldcup/australia-new-zealand2023


6. Am I the only one who has trouble getting a doctor appointment, and then once I get it (typically weeks if not months out), I get a call to reschedule it? WTF????


Photo of a dog named Mouse on my lap

7. Okay, looks like I’ll be getting my hair done more often now! This is Mouse, and he enjoys sitting on your lap while you get your hair cut.

He and his sister had a run of the place which is to say they make their rounds apparently monitoring to make sure everyone behaves themselves.

Brilliant!


8. Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is the name of the show, and if you ask me, the title needs “Spoil Alert” ahead of it. It’s streaming on HBO Max, spinoff of The Big Bang Theory. I saw the first episode and I’m not quite sold on it, but will give it a few more episodes.


hammock at airport

9. KTLA Saturday morning news, reported that the TSA reminds us that to help the stress of layovers, hammocks are allowed in the terminals. The reporters quipped it sounded like an April Fool’s joke. I couldn’t agree more so I search online and it’s certainly a story circulating. I found this article, but just google TSA & Hammock and a whole bunch of stories can be found: https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/tsa-reminds-travelers-that-this-item-used-for-naps-is-allowed/ar-AA28xN5Y


10. From my favorite quotes file: “Every man dies, not every man really lives.” – William Wallace

(William Wallace was a Scottish knight and national hero who led the resistance against English rule during the First War of Scottish Independence)

Thanks for listening!