I will be doing something today I've never before done in this blog.  Since my very first posting on 29April2008,   almost 16 years   ago, I have always attempted to only send out completed articles.  Today, I will do something different.  I will provide an information dump, sort of like a storyboard, and perhaps next Tuesday, or some other Tuesday in the future, post the officially finished version.  I will add more graphics, songs and videos.  It could be longer, or maybe shorter.  I at this point am not sure what this will look like.  After all, this is my life, and it has to be special.  Why am I doing this?  Well, I have a doctor's appointment coming up, followed by picking up a hearing aid at Costco, where I will be taught how to use it.  I mistakenly last month ordered two audio books, so now will be able to hear them, although I guess I could have done so with just bluetooth earbuds. Before I proceed, here is something impressive: You know how long  almost   16 years  i

These long travel itineraries generally draw the most readers.  Many will not get to Dubai or take a cruise on Regent Seven Seas.  Living vicariously provides sufficient satisfaction for some, as they've now been to the top of the Burj Khalifa and visited the largest mall in the world.  On the other hand, it's still best to live vicariously through your own life. After an up and down Dubai stop, which included highlights like the tallest building in the world and low lights like food poisoning, we headed off to the port in seven buses, first passing the Queen Elizabeth II.  If you keep up with these things, the city of Long Beach in 1967 bought the  Queen Mary,  which was converted into a museum, restaurants and hotel.  It was closed in 2020 and might never be again re-used.  The Queen Elizabeth II entered service in 1969, was retired in 2008, and acquired by Dubai World, which had plans for a 500-room hotel.  It was opened to visitors in 2018 as the new QEII Heritage Exhibitio

96-year old Queen Elizabeth II is dead, long live 73-year old King Charles III.  She reigned for 70 years. An   accession council   of over 700 citizens, including Prime Minister Lizz Truss, voted to proclaim him king.  Did you see Charles shaking hands and getting kissed by some lady?  No one was wearing a mask.  The actual coronation will not take place for months.  Queen Elizabeth II was so honored 16 months after King George VI went.   Longest reigning monarch today is now Hassanal Bolkiah of  Brunei .  He is 76-years old and is soon to reach 55 years in his leadership.  How many of you have been to Brunei?   It is located on the north coast of Borneo in Southeast Asia.  Has a population of just under half a million.  Gained independence from Britain in 1984.  Has vast oil and gas fields, and is next to Singapore in the Human Development Index.  Government has zero public debt. Whether at the national or international level, I long wondered who was the greatest diplomat to engender