I showed up late at Cal Tech last night for the JPL Von Karman lecture on the latest updates on the Insight and Rover missions to Mars, but I got there late, and it was "full up".

So, since I was already downtown, in the "City", I decided to swing by the Whistle Stop, it was closed. On another planet, far, far away.... this was once a part of the RR scene on a Friday night. We're just getting old, and there aren't as many railfans replacing us... It's the "circle of life" Simba....

I still do wake up every morning, though, and put on imported coffee of my own special blend, put on some Miles Davis, turn on my computer, and open Altamont. And then, I remember to thank the good lord, that I wasn't born a 12th century serf, and was born in a time of marvels and wonders of the modern world, like electricity and trains.....