We just left Hawaii, which has been getting the worst floods in two decades .  We came to Las Vegas, where Google AI reports: As of March 23, 2026, Las Vegas is experiencing a historic heatwave, with temperatures reaching up to   97°F (36°C)   at Harry Reid Airport. This marks the  highest temperature ever recorded in March , breaking the previous record of 94°F set just days earlier in the same week, and far exceeding the previous all-time March high of 93°F from 2022.   Interestingly enough, it all depends on exactly where you live and go.  No problem about the rain in Nuuanu.  During the two-week period, we never lost electricity at all.  Went out to dinner in Las Vegas yesterday, and while the peak high in this city is at 4PM, around 5PM there was a slight breeze and I actually felt quite comfortable walking around.  Of course, it's still March, and the temperature goes up in the Summer. Okay, first, Las Vegas does not rank up there with ...

My intention today was to provide the great Russia story.  However, Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoevsky have already accomplished this feat, so was inspired at lunch to instead introduce you to the Aleutian Islands.  How was I so influenced?  Let me start by going back to yesterday when Adam Tanner lectured on Russia. Nice talk, but nothing new.  So I thought anything I could add about this country would be prosaic.  Anyway, dinner was at the Polo Grill, a steakhouse. Started with a Caesar Salad, and then into a ribeye steak with baked potato, cream of spinach, etc. I'll skip the steak photo and go into the petit fours.  Saw the dessert menu.  But passed.  Some enticing delectables, but I'm eating too much. Went on the the Riviera Lounge for a Broadway Show spectacle. Then went dancing in Horizons and closed the place down. Which leads to today, lunch and why my topic of the day will focus on the Aleutian Islands. Started with soup and salad, but th...