Buy Backs Entertainment

Aloha Everyone,

Honu is equipped with a TV set and DVD player. J.J. uses his laptop and I use my iPhone to stay on top of the news. For our "in house" entertainment, we prefer to watch documentaries and movies on DVD.

Buy Backs Entertainment is a retail company whose business is in buying & selling pre-owned video games, Blu-ray discs, DVDs & CDs. Everything they sell is used, but their written claim is in 'like new' condition at amazing low prices! They also buy back your used items for cash.  

Limited space is one of the biggest challenges of our RV lifestyle. To save space, J.J. has been discarding the DVD jackets and storing them in a folder with sleeves. Unfortunately, after nearly 3 years, we have accumulated quite a collection. We have donated some to libraries, given away others and also dumped them in trash cans.  

Based on my initial research, Buy Backs have stores in Nevada, Washington, Ohio and Texas. This means after one or two viewings of film or program, we have the option on selling them back. Though it probably would be a fraction of what we originally paid, this retail store system is a good way to dispose old DVDs. With verbal permission from Lauren, Assistant Manager of Decatur store in Las Vegas, I took an interior photo.  

Today's purchase, buy 3 and get 1 free came out to $12.50.

Aloha -- Cathi

Back in Las Vegas Day 1

Aloha Everyone,

The two of us are happy to be back at KOA Las Vegas. There have been some visible upgrades to the facility including free WiFi.

This morning we engaged the service of Red Rock RV Wash. The request was on site professional wash and wax. It took 2 & 1/2 hours to complete the task.  We were charged $207, based on the length, and JJ gave a $20 tip.

While Honu was getting cleaned, J.J. and I took the free shuttle to downtown. Here are some scenes.  

We also had J.J.'s 'must have' Saimin and potstickers at the Main Street Café in California Hotel. I think the best Saimin is served at Shiro Saimin in Hawaii, but J.J. was satisfied. Saimin is a plantation era modified food common in Hawaii. It includes elements from Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Hawaiian and Portuguese cultures. (Source: Wikipedia).

Watching people of all ethnicity, young and old rubbing the stomach of The Laughing Buddha made me realize how both serious and casual gamblers believe in superstition. The Laughing Buddha symbolizes wealth, abundance, prosperity and happiness.

Honu is once again shiny and beautiful :-)

Aloha -- Cathi

Back On The Road: Driving in Extreme Weather

Aloha Everyone,

It began as a beautiful driving day with sightings of occasional blooms of wildflowers.

Just as we crossed into Nevada, Honu was driving in extreme weather conditions. The sky suddenly darkened with ominous rain clouds sending lightening, foreshadowing more events to follow. Turbulence caused by merciless dust storm buffeted Honu activating the internal warning systems. After a little over 6 minutes of dust storm (timed using my iPhone), Honu's dust covered body was washed by a torrential downpour.

Today's events are a small part of a new pattern of more extreme weather across the globe, shaped in part by human-induced climate change.

Tonight we comfortably settled at KOA Las Vegas. J.J. and I are grateful that today's drive in extreme weather ended safely.

Aloha -- Cathi

How To Talk So Your Doctor Will Listen

Aloha Everyone,

J.J. and I are preparing for our next appointment with Dr. C, our Primary Care Physician based in St George, Utah. According to the article, doctors let patients speak for only about 23 seconds on the average before cutting them off.

On the contrary, my usual appointment time last between 30 minutes to an hour. At the end of my consultation, I usually get a hug from my doctor.

However, I learned that this is not the norm for most people. Many, especially seniors feel that their doctors did not take sufficient time to get to know them. They feel that their conditions and complaints were quickly dismissed saying that they are inevitable and age related.

The article I am referring to has 10 helpful points. Here is a list and the website.

http://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2016/talk-to-doctor-patient-relationship.html

1.  Make a human connection

2.  Stay on message

3.  Tell the whole truth

4.  Rehearse before you go

5.  Don't accept "It's just aging"

6.  Don't save questions for the end

7.  Explain what you can afford

8.  Have that end-of-life discussion

9.  Don't go it alone

10.  Don't be afraid to make a switch

Good luck!

Aloha -- Cathi

In-N-Out Burger

Aloha Everyone,

We often hear from Californians that In-N-Out Burgers are the best in terms of quality, taste and value. Today, J.J. and I stopped by one of their outlets. Service is excellent and their employees seem happy and well-trained. So putting on my investigative reporter's cap, here is what I discovered:

1. In-N-Out Burger has about 35,000 employees and 89 restaurants. Most of them are located in Southern California. There are four locations in Las Vegas. 

2. In-N-Out was founded in 1947 by Harry Snyder and his wife, Ester in Baldwin Park. Snyder did not have enough money to purchase a lot large enough for parking. Their solution was to build the business equipped with a two way speaker system so customers can order and drive-thru, thus In-N-Out.

3. In-N-Out is a family-owned business. Current CEO and President is the 32 year-old granddaughter of the original founders. The heiress is estimated to be worth more than $500 million.

4. You can order your burger medium rare and order your fries well-done.

5. Some of the items you can also order include: side of pre-packaged yellow chilies and root beer float.  None of the In-N-Out food are prepackaged.

6. Iconic arrow logo stands for "the arrow points to pride and we all work under the same arrow."

7. In 1972, Harry Snyder introduced the crossed palm trees that stand outside most In-N-Out locations. The idea came from the 1963 movie It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, where the characters hunt for a buried treasure hidden beneath four crossed palms.

8. In-N-Out employees earn higher than other fast food restaurants. According to their press release, a store manager can earn $109,000 to $120,000 a year. This is far above average for fast food chains.

So the next time you pass by at one of the In-N-Out burgers where famous chef, late Julia Child used to love to "dine", you now know why employees are happy, service is excellent and the quality is far above other fast foods. Ah lucky Southern Californians and those who can visit one of the four sites in Las Vegas!

Aloha -- Cathi