September

 

[VIDEO] Happy Labor Day as I post this, and therefore this music video from Earth, Wind & Fire of the song September. Hopefully something for you to enjoy as we head in the last quarter of the year. It moved way too fast didn't it?

Grounded Life Travel - Amtrak sleeper rooms: which one should you book

 

[VIDEO] I have some experience with riding in Amtrak First Class/Sleeper especially on a Superliner train. As this lovely couple stated sleeping in the upper bunk will be a bit tight and claustrophobic, I've done it and didn't enjoy it.

If you're out east then a Viewliner sleeper bunk would be best although I have no issue with a bedroom upper bunk on a Superliner, that worked out nice. It was a bit roomy as you're perpendicular to the window as opposed to over the window and parallel with it.

They also suggest what to do if you have a family, especially if you can't afford a family bedroom which is available on a Superliner train.

So you want to know about costs. Roomettes are the cheapest accommodation on a long distance train. Bedrooms have more amenities such as a hand washing sink and toilet/shower and of course more space and in some cases you have more people in your party you can make a suite with another bedroom. There's a door that will allow you access to the other bedroom. However, as Ground Life Travel reports roomettes are half the cost of a bedroom.

There are accommodations for both family and the disabled, I don't know what the cost might be for that. Family bedrooms might be expensive, I can't speak on disabled bedrooms though. And in sleeper class if you want to take a show and don't want to pay for a bedroom, showers are available on a sleeper car. So Bedrooms aren't the only option for that.

Pee Wee Herman R.I.P.

 I considered myself a Pee Wee fan aka Paul Reubens. He played that role so good that I couldn't believe there was a man behind that "manchild". And sorry to point this out it was a sad day in my life when Paul Reubens grew his hair out and had facial hair and got caught publicly doing a very adult thing.

This sadly meant no more Pee Wee's Playhouse which I liked to watch on CBS Saturday mornings. Oh I really miss those children programming blocks on network TV Saturday mornings. Damn it progress.

I'm very sorry to know that he died of cancer a few days ago, however, he's made an impact on me as a child and of course as an entertainer he's impacted many. Perhaps it's time to find an episode of his Playhouse program and perhaps watch some of his movies especially Pee Wee's Big Adventure.

I love Timberland

In 2020, CNBC wrote about how Timberland was elevated to a billion-dollar company thanks to the popularity of hip-hop culture. It's very interesting how that company now owned by VF Corporation found itself embracing Black consumers and in it's own way helped Black fashion designers get more notice. Also the company also attempted to be a force of good in Black communities.

For me, I don't think I'll be throwing any Timbs away anytime soon. Perhaps for those that haven't been in someway damaged from use, make sure that someone else will be blessed with them for as long as they can be worn.

Chato discusses #StrangeNewWorlds

 

[VIDEO] This is where entertainment and real life political discourse seems to converge. Longtime Trekkies seem to complain about "Woke Trek". Chato who is a former network TV producer talks about some of the woke themes in Trek.

Such concepts as emasculation, dismissing white males, no recognition of ethnicity, though recognizing putting forward people of different races, even throwing in the idea of sexual orientation. While in my mind Nurse Chapel didn't explicitly say it in season 1 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds she seemed to insinuate that she has bisexual tendencies even as it seems she's very interested in Spock.

And I can't believe Chato is stating that the writers are choosing to emasculate him as his character is very iconic. And I dare as iconic as Uhura as the season premiere plays tribute to the departed Nichelle Nichols.

Of course what is Chato actually making an issue of? The writing. Perhaps it just hasn't been that great. Perhaps the writers are using lazy writing to make something people want to watch on streaming. And perhaps the writers are paying attention to ESG scores. UGH, really I have to be subject to that in watching my favorite entertainment franchise because they get more points for environment, social or governance. 

I could read that as adhere to this or life will be very difficult for you! 

Anyway, I'm glad to see these characters back again. I think I could live without the most recent episode. Uhura I will admire her ability to take control of her station though the other man had a job to do. It wasn't necessary. I'm still trying to figure out what a Lanthanite is and as comical as Carol Kane's performance is it felt a bit out of place.

As I wrote my comments on Twitter on Thursday I got some jokey responses, though surely as season two commences we will find out exactly what a Lanthanite is.

WWE is sold #WrestleMania

 And not to Saudi Arabia as was probably expected earlier this year when he returned to the company as WWE executive chairman. One primary reason he used to return to the company was he was the one able to actually sell the company and he held most of the controlling shares of WWE.

WWE will be under the same roof as the UFC:

Forbes:

WWE has officially been purchased by Endeavor in a blockbuster deal that will see WWE and UFC merge into a publicly traded company worth over $21 billion. Endeavor emerged as a favorite to purchase when the betting odds were released at the beginning of the year, with the Ari Emanuel led group listed at +900.

The possibility of WWE going private under Endeavor led many to believe it could be an attractive buyer for McMahon, who last year was ousted from WWE due to an investigation from its Board of Directors. Instead, WWE will remain a publicly traded company alongside UFC to form a sports entertainment powerhouse.

"Together, we will be a $21+ billion live sports and entertainment powerhouse with a collective fanbase of more than a billion people and an exciting growth opportunity," McMahon said. "I, along with the current WWE management team, look forward to working closely with Ari and the Endeavor and UFC teams to take the businesses to the next level."

This comes on the heels of WrestleMania weekend. This morning as I got the news I finally finished watching this Premium Live Event. It was an exciting show although I see online fans were scratching their head at the finish for the Undisputed WWE Title match between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes.

I want to ride the SF cable cars one day

 

[VIDEO] If I ever go to San Francisco I want to ride the cable cars and the antique street cars. I just wish that place didn't have many of the issues they seem to currently. I see one SF politico is a bit frustrated at police responses due to the fact that they also voted for defunding police.

Still I want to check out the transit infrastructure.

Meanwhile, I can live vicariously through Downie Live.