Happy Batman Birthday

Happy Birthday to me. This year, I’m in Los Angeles, the city of lost angels. We are both in town doing work so the day was fairly routine. I decided the Shake Shack was a treat for lunch and then after much deliberation about dinner, we ended up ordering room service and enjoyed a quiet night. I feel like my birthday has spanned 3 days given the time differences with Australia, DC and here so birthday wishes were flowing for the past 3 days. So another year to chalk up and my hair is getting grey by the day.

The highlight for my birthday, albeit the day before, was visiting the Batman Exhibit at the Hollywood Museum. It opened on Jan 12 - the same date as the 52nd anniversary of the 1966 premiere of the ABC TV series, “Batman.”  The exhibit had four sections, Wayne Manor, The Batcave, Gallery of Guest Super Villains, and The Collectibles of Batman ’66. There were original costumes and props from the show, which have not been seen since it originally broadcast from 1966-68. It would be an understatement to say I was a kid in a candy shop, or like a pig in shit or grinning like a Cheshire cat. I proudly wore my batshirt and had my cape and mask on hand. There were other bat fans wandering in awe and everyone wore a bat shirt or hat or more stuff to show their pride in caped crusader. Everyone was very excited to see me don the mask and cape for my photos and it was nice to be among friends.

 

I absolutely loved seeing the Batmobile. It is not the original from the 60’s. This was a replica fiberglass body that’s been in collection for 20 years and used in recent Batman appearances in their Return to the Batcave action-comedy film, a variety of TV shows and major events and has toured the US to promote the BAtmobile documentary. The orginial Batmobile was built from a $250,000 Ford Lincoln Future Concept Car and was built within 3 weeks. It was sold at auction in 2013 for $4.62 million and is the most expensive Batman memorabilia item to ever be sold. I looked at every angle of the Batmobile and took it all in – front, back, sides, wheels, inside with all the buttons and gadgets – it was so cool. I never knew the front of the car is shaped like the bat symbol.

The costumes were incredible. They were old fabric and technology but they looked every bit as good as they did on TV all those years ago. My next favourite thing were the batpoles and the statue bust with the button to reveal the batpoles. I always wanted to ride those poles – I still do !!

 

There were cabinets full of replica gadgets, toys and other memorabilia, photos, scripts and just about anything that had Batman on it. There was the original prop off the batcopter, signed by the cast. And of course the Batcycle and sidecar – amazing. There were several TV screens playing the TV show and I found myself watching the screens and remembering the good old days after school when I’d sit down and watch my favorite superhero take on the villains of Gotham.

It was sad to think that Adam West died only last year. I would have loved to have met him but this would have to be the second best thing. The only other thing I ever want to do is ride in the Batmobile but I doubt that will happen. I went out onto Hollywood Blvd and found Adam West’s star. This was super fabulous to do and I was so lucky to be in LA when this exhibit was on. It really was Batman Heaven and I caught myself smiling a lot as I was staring at all the stuff. Just loved it.

I’ve got my approval from TSA to stary flying lessons. I had to get my fingerprints taken as the last step in my application to take flying lessons. The lady had her little grandson who was very cute. It took a little while to get the prints done so I found myself being entertained with the little rascal. Gotta laugh. 

 My flying kit arrived with my training DVDs, books, bag and other little gadgets. I’ve started watching the training DVDs and am enjoying the mental stimulation. I have to pass a theory exam (called a Knowledge Test) later down the track so there is no hurry. It will be better to do the theory as I progress with the practical flying lessons to help reinforce things.

Cricket gashed his ear tip on a walk before I left for LA. Got home, blood dripping and he's shaking his head leaving good CSI blood spatter on the walls, the floor, me and him. It stopped and started a few times with more crime scenes made but inspection reveals like a small chunk missing and his hair shave away. Must have been a mean squirrel that put up some biff?? And oh yeah, day before holidays so always a drama in our house. Poor Cricky.


And here's a few extra pics to finish off with.

 

Do it for Dolly

Do it for Dolly  #STOPBULLYING

I want to take a moment to remember Dolly Everett, a Northern Territory teenager who took her own life after suffering cyberbullying. Amy “Dolly” Everett embodied the spirit of the outback when she appeared in joyful photos of life around her cattle station home and as the face of Akubra Hats in a recent Christmas campaign. But the teenager passed away last week, aged just 14 years, after suffering severe cyber harassment and bullying, according to her father. “Before Dolly died, she completed a drawing and wrote the words ‘stand up, speak even if your voice shakes.’ This powerful message tells the dark, scary place our beautiful angel had travelled to,” the family statement said. Watch the family's message from this link.......Stop Bullying - watch this

I have read an outpouring of grief and support on social media. I don't believe I have been bullied but I have seen the impact and results to friends, family and colleagues from bullying. This bullying came from friends, bosses, workmates...all people who should know better, people who should stop bullying, people who are in positions that facilitate them to bully. It angers me more than my words can express. So I can only ask that you call it out, anywhere, anytime and all the time. The link below is to a nightly Australian TV show called The Project which features a story about an Aussie farmer who spoke some very thoughtful words..........The Project - Aussie Farmer's Words

A very sad opening to follow but here we go.

Welcome to 2018, our third and final year in DC has arrived. Time has certainly raced along and this year will be jam packed with interesting things for us. The new year was quiet for us opting to stay at home where it was relaxing and warm. 

The weather has been absolutely well below zero freezing. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced such cold. We had some snow also but it was sitting around -7 to -12 C most days !! We could not leave the dogs outside at all so they would stay inside out of the weather. The didn’t care about the weather and still loved going walking but it was a physical challenge to survive a half hour walk for me.

I have scored myself a dreadful cold, it’s a bloody shocker complete with a foul chesty cough. A lot of people are sick so it’s inevitable that I caught it. I have now taken some strong cold/flu tablets the past few days and that has helped a lot to keep it at bay. I’m not popular in the house for all my coughing, hacking and spluttering and even Cricket has taken to dropping his ears flat, staring at me and then running off to hide somewhere else. Actions speak louder than words.

Speaking of the dogs, they had their annual vet checks and did well. We have started the discussion for their trip home as they have to complete and pass a number of tests and paperwork to enter Australia. We’ve also engaged our transport person and they are ready to roll. The vet report card read as follows:

Thank you for bringing Macey and Cricket in to see us this morning! Despite what the scale says, I happen to think that their body condition scores have improved since last time so don't fret. We noted that Macey has a bit more dental tartar than Cricket and mildly decreased range of motion in her hips. Other than that everyone looks great! Please consider starting a fish oil / omega-3 supplement which can be helpful for joint, coat, heart, and kidney health. For Macey's adventurous palate, I recommend trying For-Bid Coprophagia Deterrent (for- bid.com).

So, the scales were not kind again and while Cricket has a little extra snug about him, I don’t think the scales were right for either of them as the vet noted thankfully. I had to ask for help with Macey as she has had a long term habit of eating poo – not hers – but the cat’s, Cricket’s and anything that drops a nugget. I like how the vet calls it her ‘adventurous palate’. It’s not uncommon for some dogs but still a disgusting habit for a pretty lady. I can deal with repeating Grade 1 at obedience class but eating poo is a whole new level for Macey Moo Moo. I ordered the powder and they BOTH have to eat it in their dinner. Poor Cricket, he has to eat it too so his poo tastes horrible so Macey won’t eat it anymore, hopefully. Let’s see how successful all this is. And the fish oil tablets are to help with her arthritis which is starting to show. She’s in great shape but we have noticed she is a little stiff at night which sadly, means she’s showing her age. People can never believe she is 9 given her energy and madness. Anyway, all ticked for another year but there will be more vet work to come as they prepare for the long journey home.

I went with my friend AH to see Star Wars The Last Jedi. Despite the varying views, I enjoyed it and more so than the last movie. We went to the IMAX at the Air Space Smithsonian which makes a movie like that even more amazing. I always look in wonder at the different creatures in the movie – the imagination people have to create these things. The actual costumes for Luke and Rey were on display which is pretty special so I took a photo for good times sake.

As I write this I’m enjoying a lovely coffee – I’ve been here before and the coffee never disappoints. The car is being serviced so I cross the road to the shopping centre and wander around while the car gets done.  The car is totally filthy after the rain and snow from the road which dirtied the car beyond belief. It needs a good wash. I think they might give it a quick wash today else it’s time to go the local scrubbers and let them do magic with the car for a an hour.

So the BIG news is, and I cannot say enough how excited I am (singing the ba na na na na na na na na na theme)….is that there is a Batman Exhibt at the Hollywood Musuem starting today (Los Angeles). It’s to celebrate the 52^nd anniversary of the 1966 Batman series first showing. I saw it on TV this morning. The best bit is that we are going to Los Angeles soon for work so I’m sure the exhibit will be showing for a while and I am definitely going to check this out. The pictures look incredible and this will be a fabulous birthday present for me. I cannot wait !! Imagine Deb’s eyes rolling around as I announced the news.

My friend and I went to the flying school to kick start our flying aspirations – after a good discussion with lots of questions and answers we walked away excited to get things going. First of all we have to get approved by TSA (US Transport Security) as we are foreigners. So we’ve filled out our forms and waiting for that approval to happen – should be only a week or so. We can then start flying lessons which should be early Feb. We have to get a medical done also but we have until we start going solo before doing that. We will also start our theory/knowledge training which can do in our own time as there is an online or DVD to take. So the final exam for that will be ‘fun’ in a few months. Anyway, I should be posting some great flying pics soon as I start my journey to get my pilot license.

I’ve been reading lately and finished two books by the same author. They both involve treasure hunts to a certain degree. The first book talked about the Knights of the Golden Circle who protected and hid the silver/gold/jewels for the Confederates during the US Civil War. It had a lot of Civil War history and the plot was around a lot of Washington DC and the Smithsonsians. I loved it as I could understand the places having been to many of them. The second book was about the Knights Templar and their protection of gold and valuables and other artifacts from Jesus Christ. This was largely based in France. While both books are fiction, they are based on a lot of fact which makes them very interesting to read. For those interested, Steve Berry is the author and the two books were The Lost Order and The Templar Legacy. They are very much like a Dan Brown and Davinci Code story so check them out if that appeals to you. I have another of his books to read now called The Charlemagne Pursuit. He uses the same character in about a dozen books, bit like Jack Ryan in Tom Clancy’s books. Charlemagne has always been an interest to me. I actually have a replica of his sword from many years ago. The original is in the Louvre and seeing that was a special moment for me.

So the mechanic just rang, the car needs a new battery. Of course it does. It couldn’t just be a problem free service. It will cost $190 – SHIT!!  I’m sure it’s cheaper to go elsewhere but finding that elsewhere place and making the time is probably more than it’s worth. It’s always frustrating when I’m not familiar with where to go for things as I am at home.

 

The weather has risen to above zero which is great. However, the creeks where we walk have frozen over. Cricket taps across like a little dancer as he is light and nimble but Macey is very awkward. She knows something’s not quite right here and is very hesitant to touch it. They will never experience such weather or beauty ever again – it’s just not like this at home.

Well, I’ve run out of gossip. I have flights, hotels, cars to book and research for the many travels that lie ahead. We will be saving our pennys as travel is not cheap and I need to keep doing my little part time job to help pay for our adventures.

Check out the car parked at the car dealership. And it had rego plates on it !!