Ever since I was a kid growing up in Ogden Utah back in the early 80's, I've been fascinated by the Spanish bullfight. Back in the day I even searched out books on bullfighting at the Weber County library where I found and read "Death in the Afternoon" by Ernest Hemingway. I'm probably the only kid in Utah to have ever read that book. Now here we are 40 years later and I still enjoy learning about and keeping up with the bullfights, as well as learning about the history of the old West.

November 10, 2026

Peña taurina El Toreo


Cool logo. 

I'm guessing but I bet they have had that logo for decades. How would it be to live in a place where you can get together with friends and discuss bullfighting, go to the fairs, etc. ?

Like I've said before, it's not easy being a bullfight fan in the US. 

Un toro saliendo del callejon en Guadalajara Mexico


 

El Bandito


 

Castas


 

This isn't a real house, but ....


So I made the mistake of liking a photo of a house that was "for sale in Spain" on the "forsaleinspain" Instagram page. 

You have to be careful of what you like on Instagram because of course once you "like" something it changes the whole algorithm. 

Anyway, the above photo isn't a real house for sale in Sevilla, it is just an AI generated photo. But.... my wife has suggested for awhile now that we paint our house. She likes the color white even though our neighbors beat us to a new white paint job a couple of years ago. 

I wanted to go with something different, a Santa Fe look perhaps but she keeps talking about white. Perhaps if I can sneak in some yellowish trim like in this photo, obviously copied from the Plaza de Toros de Sevilla, I might just be able to pull off the coup of the century. 

A Maestranza inspired house and she wouldn't even know it. Hmmmmm......


Un toro en el campo de Castilla-La Mancha


 

November 8, 2026

Ugly Outlaw Hats


https://uglyoutlaw.com/

Ugly Outlaw Hats was founded in 2018 by actor and hat maker Travis Lee Eller, born from a lifelong love of the American West, it's history, characters and unmistakable style.

Travis's work as an actor - particularly in Western film and television - has given him a unique perspective on what makes a Western hat feel authentic. Over the years, Ugly Outlaw Hats have been made for actors, television and film productions, musicians, re-enactors, historians and Western enthusiasts looking for something with genuine character.

Every Ugly Outlaw Hat is individually handcrafted and distressed to create the appearance of a hat that has already lived a life, Rather than looking fresh off a factory line, each hat is shaped, aged, weathered and finished by hand, giving it it's own personality and story.

Drawing inspiration from the Old West, classic Western cinema, and the rugged men and women who wore these hats as part of everyday life, Travis approaches each piece with an actor's eye for character and a craftsman's attention to detail.

Since 2018, the philosophy behind Ugly Outlaw has remained simple:

A great Western hat shouldn't just look authentic, it should feel like it has a story to tell. Ugly Outlaw Hats - Made for characters. Built with character.

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So "Ugly Outlaw Hats" popped up randomly on my Facebook page for some reason but I'm glad it did, I've had fun today going to their website and browsing their hat selection. Talk about awesome hats.

I don't wear cowboy hats, the last time I wore one was when I was a kid and participated in the Little Buckaroo Rodeo at the Golden Spike Arena in Ogden. I did take first place one year in "bronc riding" so I guess I do have a little street cred if I want to wear a cowboy hat again some day.

I've often thought if I make it to Sevilla one year for the Feria de Abril, or to Jerez one year for the Feria de Caballo, I'm going to have to look the part and wear a cowboy hat. 

One of these from the Ugly Outlaw Hats store might just be what I will go with.