Las Vegas Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas limes, Las Vegas Medical Care, Las Vegas Real Estate.

Click on images to enlarge if you desire. Larger than life well describes Las Vegas as it does Louie.
L.E.'s Las Vegas cactus flowers, the first in four years or more.

L.E.'s lime tree looks like it may provide limes,
the first fruit ever from this four year old tree.

Airport pickup made without incident:

L.E. took a friend’s advice and when arriving at the airport to pick up his wife he parked in the short term area rather than make a curbside pickup.
L.E. ponders whether this constitutes an act of cowardice or is an accepted convenience of the world in which we choose to live. L.E. has long concluded that if no person tells obvious wrong doers that they are wrongdoers then the wrong doing perpetuates into accepted behavior (yet still wrong behavior by normally accepted behavioral standards).
Where this involves government employees an even greater danger becomes us. Remember “Watergate?” Remember “Waterboarding?” Remember “Weapons of Mass Destruction?”L.E. believes that we should be ever vigilant that we do not unduly lean towards fascism. [Webster: “…A system of government characterized by dictatorship, belligerent nationalism and racism, militarism, etc.”] in our allowance/tolerance of overly zealous seemingly wrongful government actions when waging our crusade known as “The War on Terror”

L.E. Fant's Prescription Eyeglasses, possibly a huge bargain, are en-route.

L.E.’s new prescription eyeglasses are on their way priority mail! He is exited and will provide his review as soon as he is able.

Gasoline prices in Las Vegas Plummet!!

L.E. Fant was surprised to find gas cost two pennies less per gallon on Sunday when he filled the behemoth yet again.

Move On to Possibly Greener Pastures?

The weekend’s F.T pointed out a remarkable real property find for L.E.’s perusal. A new two bedroom apartment on St Lucia (apparently far less developed, and all the better for it, than neighboring Barbados) yet priced at a mere $450,000, and up. L.E. imagines that one will need to catch and sell many fish, or sell many, many coconuts to keep up with payment on such a mortgage. Is there oil on St. Lucia? How do the locals manage? Maybe they unfortunately rely upon tourism and avaricious development to create wealth for some as does Las Vegas?
Should you desire to make further enquiries: Doubloon Real Estate (Really that is the name) may be called on +1 758-458-0790.

Da Bears go to Australia-Free Recipe ! gas prices in Las Vegas

Click on image to enlarge The twin bears, Eric and Ralph, on their way to stay with L.E.'s twin Granddaughters in Australia.

Today the Blog will change tone somewhat but do not fear it will revert to pillorying and other Las Vegas commentary very soon.

For example, L.E. is told that the current gas price hike may be designed to take our attention away from the avaricious mortgage companies and traders who have destroyed our Las Vegas (and other places) real estate market and caused our values to diminish regardless of type of mortgage (if any).

GAS PRICES:
First here is a site which provides the prices of gas in your neighborhood:www.automotive.com/gas-prices. Hope it helps you save a little. Here in Las Vegas, City of, we are at around $3.41 for Super.

GOOD FOOD and DRINK in Las Vegas:
Yesterday L.E. and wife met with good friends for a lunch at The Crown and Anchor pub on Tropicana. It serves an English style Sunday lunch for less than $11.00. The meal is roast lamb (or cow) with Yorkshire pudding (a popover), peas, carrots, roasted potatoes and gravy, mint sauce and is a generous serving. Consumed with a Black and Tan or other beverage while gossipping about friends and relatives, such as George, is a delightfully spent hour or so. As it was such a pleasant day we sat outside rather than in, which inside some may consider a little gloomy. http://www.crownandanchorlv.com/

Free Recipe for all, Las Vegas residents, international readers and national readers, including George (come on George fish isn't only for Fridays any more!)

L.E. has severely reduced his consumption of cow meat for reasons previously explained. Wild caught fish is now his preferred protein. Last evening when attempting to produce a tasty fish based dish, using the least possible pots and pans (to reduce the ugly cleanup), he created a decent dish which he now shares with you.

EASY, YET TASTY, LAS VEGAS FISH DISH
(in around one hour or less)

Ingredients for two persons:
Two fillets of firm fleshed wild caught fish such as Mahi-Mahi, Cod, Orange Roughy.
Two medium to large potatoes;
One onion;
One bell pepper (any color-the red and yellow apparently have more vitamin C than the green);
One good handful of cherry tomatoes;
One half cup of chopped Cilantro (or flakes if fresh not available);
Juice of one lime;
Salt, pepper;
Two tablespoons of Olive oil.
Method:
Cut the potatoes into one half inch cubes, gently boil in salted water until tender, yet not soft. Drain and set aside.
Heat the Olive oil in a 10-12 inch skillet (to which you have a lid).
Chop the onion into approximately one half inch pieces and chop the pepper similar size (remove seeds and membrane), add to the skillet at medium /low heat. Lightly season with salt and pepper Stir occasionally and cook until the onion begins to soften.
Add the diced potatoes and gently stir in.
Cook for approximately 15 minutes or until the potatoes are lightly browned and the onion and peppers are tender, yet not soft. Now add the tomatoes and gently stir in.

Season the fish fillets, both sides, with salt and pepper. Lay the fish on top of the vegetables and pour the lime juice over. Immediately put the lid on. Do not lift the lid. After 4-5 minutes remove the lid and check that the fish is just steam cooked through (carryover will complete the cooking leaving the fish perfectly moist).

Serve by placing the vegetables on individual plates then laying the fish on them, garnish with Cilantro if desired.

One has only two pots to wash which makes the meal even more enjoyable.
Also the left over vegetables (if any) are great fried up and served with an egg or two for breakfast or do a "Theresa box" for lunch.

L.E. shall conduct a poll to determine whether you all enjoyed this recipe.

SOLAR LAMP UPDATE:
Today's (vague as usual) channel 8 so-called news had a piece regarding Southwest Gas (our local natural gas provider monopoly). As communities change to solar street lighting a major obstacle is SWGas's cost of capping the existing service to the lamps. They apparently charge approximately $250 or so for each lamp capped (though apparently provided lamps and service lines free to developers who as the project completed passed the gas company charges on to the residents. As mentioned before the gas lamps burn continuously wasting energy and adding unnecessary greenhouse gases to our environment.
The news piece suggested that after some prodding by the PUC and politicians, SWGas may change its policy and not charge for the removal of service. L.E. applied to SWGas some months ago for an estimate to remove service to the existing lamps in his community but has yet to receive any response whatsoever.

LAS VEGAS CABLE PROVIDER POLL:
The Las Vegas cable provider poll indicated that an overwhelming majority of respondents believe we are not best served by such a monopoly.

Digital Max a Master of Deception?

click on image to enlarge

First L.E. will provide a fact pattern from which one may draw conclusions:

On or about February 22, 2008 an agent of Cox Communications called and offered L.E. cable internet service for six months at the cost of $19.95 per month, thereafter the cost would rise to $29.95 per month (still less than the Embarq DSL which runs $24.95 plus $10.00 "access fee"). The agent stated that a refurbished cable modem is included in the deal for $0.01.

L.E. stated that he needed to find how to provide a cable outlet for his home office and would accept if an outlet could be placed in a convenient location. The agent said that she would have L.E. called back "in a couple of days."

On or about February 25, 2008 L.E. received that call back. That agent reiterated the offer (including the modem for "one penny.") L.E.
accepted and was told that the conversation confirming the offer and acceptance will be recorded. He agreed and he believed that the deal was concluded.

Subsequently, L.E. received a monthly bill, dated February 28, 2008 from Cox. He noted that the bill included cable internet service from February 27 through March 1, 2008 and a charge of $25.00 for a refurbished cable modem.

L.E. immediately emailed Cox and suggested that a mistake had occurred as the cable modem should be $0.01 not $25.00. He received an email reply which stated "...Cox is committed to providing the best customer service possible. According to our records the pricing for the modem is correct. The penny modem refurbished program ended on January 13, 2008..."[sic]

L.E. responded that indeed he was offered the penny modem on dates in February by a Cox agent and that Cox has the opportunity to review the recorded conversation which confirms the offer and acceptance and should do so.

Cox replied that "we have issued a credit to your account as a one-time courtesy although the promotion had expired."

L.E. believes that Cox's attitude is condescending and again emailed Cox stating that he desired no "one-time courtesy," he merely requests that Cox abide by its side of the bargain. In this case apologize for the error and remove the incorrect charge because Cox is wrong. No one-time courtesy need be expended.

The Cox representative responded "we apologize that you feel you were misinformed by the original representative. As there is no way we can verify the information..."

L.E. found that response unsatisfactory, emailed to that effect and the next day returned the modem and asked that his account be returned to the status it was before the acceptance of the cable internet service.

L.E's actions may appear pedantic as the amount is relatively inconsequential. However, where a monopoly such as Cox treats consumers with such disregard and disdain, one should make a stand for principle as did L.E. If no one does so it is likely that they will become even more overbearing.

As Cox states "Cox is committed to providing the best customer service possible" it should encourage its employees to attempt to do so. It should be a simple matter for Cox to review the record of the offer and acceptance to either agree that it erred or find evidence that L.E. mis-heard. While to do so may be not cost effective as compared with issuing a sordid "one-time courtesy" it is ethically and morally correct. L.E. believes that while a monopoly such as Cox, Las Vegas exists it has no need to perform to its motto.

The attitude of the Cox employee throughout this interaction (a member of the so-called "customer service" department), L.E. believes is condescending and shows little, if any, regard for providing the best customer service possible.

Therefore, L.E. believes that Cox should modify its motto as he cannot find that is is seriously committed to "providing the best customer service possible."

When is the last time that your Cox bill reflected a credit for cable outage?

Cox's monopoly allows it to increase charges to consumers annually (which it apparently never fails to do). Check your next bill as it will be up by two Dollars or more.

Angry man L.E.Fant will pillory the monopoly Cox Cable, Las Vegas.

click to enlarge

n. pl. pil·lo·ries
A wooden framework on a post, with holes for the head and hands, in which offenders were formerly locked to be exposed to public scorn as punishment.
tr.v. pil·lo·ried, pil·lo·ry·ing, pil·lo·ries
1. To expose to ridicule and abuse.
2. To put in a pillory as punishment.

Angry man L.E. Fant will discuss/pillory Cox Cable Las Vegas later this day, or tomorrow--keep checking. New poll will be included for your participation.

Today L.E. paid $3.37 for each gallon of gas he put in his vehicle's tank.

100% of respondents to the poll regarding whether our community should investigate the viability of us creating a community owned electric supply utility to replace the bloated, for profit Nevada Power responded that we should do so.

Solar and Pulled Pork

This is one of our existing gas lamps, photo taken same time as that of solar lamp from yesterday's post.
Last night's (or more correctly early this morning's) review by a friend suggests that the level of illumination provided by the solar lamp was less than that of the gas lamp (or at least insufficient) after it was run for 7 or 10 hours.
Perhaps an adjustment will correct that perception or we may consider additional lamps to compensate. Additional lamps may still be cost effective yet will require a longer amortization period. We shall investigate and report.
NOW TO PULLED PORK
http://lasvegasidiot.com/ provides us with a sign which depicts an advertisement for "pulled pork sandwich..." One usually associates "pulled" with ropes, rail freight cars, horse drawn buggies and similar. Why "pulled pork?" L.E. is not aware of the existence of "pulled cow" (again, other than by rope and definitely not a sandwich). Also L.E. is unaware of"pulled fish," or "pulled chicken," other than a pullet. Why are these animals being discriminated against? Why can only pigs be "pulled."

Solar lamp with gas lamp in background

Here is a pic of the solar lamp with a gas lamp in the background for comparison (taken around 7:00 p.m.). First impression is that the solar lamp is brighter than the gas lamp. L.E. will attempt to make comparison by viewing the lamp early morning.
As noted the potential savings by using solar street lamps is enormous both in nonrenewable energy and nasty emissions (of course saving approximately $1,600 per month (at current pricing) also makes great justification).

A dead fish-perhaps analogous to us Las Vegas residents.

This fish jumped out of its pond, perhaps believing it could live on grass. Its choices were, in L.E.'s opinion, wider than your choices when voting for Obama, Hillary, McCain or Huckabee. While corporations effectively own our government it matters not one jot which party has so-called power. Two parties with one group (multi national corporations)at their head.

Ralph Nader has, L.E. believes, done more for the general population than many past (and likely future) Presidents.

WHY NO DECENT MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM TO OUR AIRPORT?

Here we are in 2008, many older folk expecting that by now we would be using Jetson's like transportation devices. However, there is still no decent mass transit to our airport from downtown or the Strip. Our expensive to buy and expensive to operate monorail glides along its lone rail without driver, and in many cases without passengers. One wonders which lobby group controls this situation.

COW MEAT MAY KILL AFTER THE ANIMAL PROVIDING IT HAS BEEN CRUELLY KILLED (RETRIBUTION?).

We are told that we have a safe food supply yet frequently we are advised of food recalls because of tainted food, mostly cow meat.

The latest recall (apparently the largest ever) with its accompanying video of sick cows being treated in very cruel ways (such as driving forklift tines into them and poking them in their eyes) in order to get the poor creatures into "the killing box" is likely not an isolated incident. Research indicates that 3 or 4 major corporations effectively control the supply of cow meat. One wonders whether their power influences the USDA and its inspection process.

WE ARE BEING CHARGED MORE FOR OUR WATER BECAUSE? / HOSPITAL MISMANAGEMENT

Clark County Commissioners (with only one gallantly and rightfully voicing opposition) recently decided to raise the cost to consumers of our water. They did this under the guise of encouraging us to use less. We let them do it. One wonders whether the Commissioners' oversight of our water supply monopoly is of a similar standard as their oversight of our county hospital, U.M.C., where many millions of our (taxpayers') Dollars are shown to have been wasted (apparently by criminal fraudulent activity).

NEVADA POWER (ANOTHER MONOPOLY) AGAIN ATTEMPTS TO DUPE.

One may also note that Nevada Power (yet another monopoly) is intending to build a number of coal fired power stations in our neighborhood. This is despite almost universal opinion that such stations are the leading cause of destruction of our environment. They also want us (taxpayers) to fund a new improved power grid so they may share power supplies with their parent company in Northern Nevada under the guise of improving service for us. Apparently the only oversight involved is our three member P.U.C.

We need to become involved, at least discuss these matters with friends which may lead to greater things and us having actual say in how our community evolves.

NEW YEAR WISHES

L.E. Fant takes this opportunity to wish all the very best for 2008 and beyond.