Random picture thread for Friday

And for good measure some views of a newly erected fence fronting a piece of property:

It's not Hawaii, but I get to see this every day.

For a final Friday posting: A Shout Out of appreciation to Librarians and others who unselfishly share their expertise.

How Cool is That?

This past week I went to renew my library card and ask if the library had any how to books on making YouTube videos and promoting a YouTube channel.

All the books were checked out but the Resource Librarian told me about a new resource the library was offering that might be related to my inquiry. After disappearing for a short period of time she came back with a large plastic box. She ended up loaning me something even better than a book - a "Library in a Box." The one she provided was a "Library in a Box for Video Casting."

It came with five books with titles such as "The Smartphone Filmmaking Handbook," and "Social Media Marketing Creation Essentials." In addition there were items of equipment to include a Smartphone Video Mount Stabilizer and a 10" Ring Light.

I was told the library has assembled a number of such "Library in a Box" kits with topics ranging from knitting to baking.

Then when I went to Barnes & Noble their resource customer service person was equally helpful. She first asked what type of content I would be posting to which I responded, "Travel." She then gave me all kinds of tips on how to direct people to my site which at present has less than 200 views. (By comparison a YouTuber I am personally acquainted with here in my community has over 3 million subscribers to his posted once a week YouTube Videos and has had such a measure of success that he has deferred practicing law to devote time to creating content for the channel [Outdoor Boys].)

At this point I am toying with an early episode being a comparison of the differences in cruising on the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship before and after COVID based upon photos and videos I took from both the last "Spring Flowers Cruise" before COVID and then on the first public Diamond Princess cruise from Japan after COVID which just happened to again be its "Spring Flowers Cruise." In the interim the world first learned about COVID's threat from hearing about the passengers being quarantined on the Diamond Princess Cruise ship as it lay moored in a harbor off Yokohama, Japan and then the ship remained out of service until late last year.

I recognize that I face a challenging learning curve, but having available the above reference resources has the potential to at least get me off to a good start. Kudos to the librarians and others who so unselfishly share their expertise.

Two hours earlier

Having Fun at a Father's Day Weekend Car Show

The sun came out, the skies were blue and temperatures hit a new summer high in the mid 70s. Definitely a great day for an outdoor car show. The descendants of a local merchant who loved and collected old cars have honored him by opening up their parking lot for an annual Father's Day weekend "Custom and Classic" Car Show complete with complimentary hot dogs and soft drinks.

For me it was especially fun to see on display a model of a car I once owned - the 1992 Mitsubishi 3000 GT VR4. It was a vehicle ahead of its time with 4-wheel steering and active aero. Other specs included all wheel drive, a twin-turbo 6 cylinder with 300 horse power, and the flip-up headlights of its day. Originally priced at $34,150 in 1992 which was its first year in the U.S. , the current owner picked it up at an East Coast auction for $21,000 this past year with less than 40,000 original miles on it. It is apparent that he has customized it by putting in a killer sound system that sacrifices use of the rear seats.

Pictured, my 1992 Mitsubishi 3000 GT VR4 in 1992 followed by the 1992 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 on display at this weekend's car show:

Another Japanese sports car rival of its day was this 1991 Nissan R32 Skyline GTP with the RB26 engine providing 276 horsepower with its in-line 6 twin-turbo allowing it to reach a comparable 0-60 in 5.6 seconds and a maximum speed of 156 mph, just 3 miles per hour less than the Mitsubishi 3000 GT VR4. The Skyline of that era never made it to the United States though and could only be imported after the 25 years required for an exemption. Pictured is the one on display at this weekend's car show:

Other vehicles that caught my camera's eye from the car show are pictured further:

And then there was this 1957 Nash Metropolitan that replicated the one my across the street neighbor had when I was a child. (He was a local car dealer and was always bringing home new cars.)

Wildflowers (including Wild Roses and Forget-me-nots) pictured this week on the homefront:

Yay, it is Friday!

Stepping out of the office captured these near the building entrance. Especially of note were the petals blanketing the ground in the first photo: