Breaking Bad

Folks, I have a confession to make.

I'm am addict.

I am addicted to the TV series "Breaking Bad."  

Yes, I admit it.  I am ADDICTED . . . to this TV series.  

I am presently binge watching via my Netflix DVD queue.  No, I don't do streaming, I wait for the DVD's to arrive my mail.  

Tonight at the Tipton Cinema I begin Season 3 of the adventures of Walter White and Jesse Pinkham, meth makers.

I know I'm late to the game here.  I've heard a lot about "Breaking Bad" in the past few years.  But I'm one of those people that resist falling for whatever the current flavor of the month.  All too often I've subscribed only to be disappointed, re "House of Cards" (which I didn't like at all even though I like Kevin Spacey). 

Last year, while Pat and I were visiting Philadelphia he talked me into watching an episode of "Breaking Bad" at the hotel where we were staying in Philadelphia.  I resisted but I relented to Pat's pleadings and watched.  I.WAS.HOOKED.

I'm not going to go into all the details of the series and the character development (which is all excellent) but what I will say is:

THIS IS THE BEST TV OR MOVIE I HAVE EVER SEEN!

There, is that a definitive statement or what?  

You know me, I do like a good movie or a good TV series.  All too often I've been disappointed but not this time.

Everything is good here.  The writing, the acting, the production values . . . . . . . .

The "Breaking Bad" cast receiving one of their many well deserved awards - BEST SHOW EVER!

EVERYTHING!

Why I like this show so much other than the superb acting, writing and productions values is that the story is one that all of can identify with.  All of us have a little "Walter White" in us.  Oh yes, we all have a "Walter White" weakness.  

There are so many facets to the Walter White character.  The good and . . . the bad.  And just how far are we willing to go to protect our family and our sanity and our self-respect.

Oh yes folks, we are all Walter White.  I've had my "Walter White" moments as I'm sure most of you have too.  If you haven't, then you haven't lived. 

Saturday Morning Random Thoughts

As usual, lots of "stuff" swirling through my noggin this summer Saturday morning.  Let's take them as they waft in and out of my mind.

I sent an e-mail yesterday to the local Democratic neighborhood coordinator informing him that I'm opting out of being my neighborhood volunteer.  Folks, I just don't have the energy to go looking for addresses and knocking on people's doors, bothering them with political "stuff."  Besides, I just don't have the time.  Working two days a week, taking care of Casa Tipton-Kelly, keeping up with my blog and friends, taking care of the backyard, and just resting.  I'm going to fall back on the "I'm an old man now and I get tired."  I tried folks but volunteering just isn't me.  

Less than a month to go until my first big trip in decades. August 15th my co-worker Monica will stop by at Casa Tipton-Kelly in the wee morning hours of 3:30 AM or 4:00 AM to take the two plus hour trip to Philly International Airport for me to catch the 7:29 AM big bird to

"Where's my carry on bag?"

Buffalo, New York.  Pat, my host from Toronto will pick me up in Buffalo.  Why Buffalo?  I save $498 in plane fare. I'm comfortable folks, I can pay my bills but I'm not rich.  Lots of very well off gay folks down here in Gayberry (from Washington D.C.) but I'm not one of them.  I worked for private (banks) industry, not the government.  My pension checks don't even come close to their inflation adjusted pension checks.  Yes, I'm ranting.  They're the only ones who can afford those overpriced Rehoboth la de day restaurants.

The Cultured Pearl, Rehoboth Beach, DE - out of my price range and besides…..Seafood….UGH!

I'm about as ready for this trip as I can be.  This week I will make a practice "stuff the luggage" drill. Pat's telling me I don't need to bring a lot of "stuff" with me.  Me thinks he is right but a lifetime habit of bringing most of my clothes closet with me on vacation is hard to break.  We.Will.See. I'm almost there Pat.

Bill's fine with me absent from the premises for two weeks.  Just between you and me I think this will be a "vacation" for him too…..from me.  I am high maintenance folks.  Even I know that.

Our local summer veggie and fruit stand is open.  This is the best time of year folks, fresh fruit and veggies!  I love it!  Corn on the cob, fresh zucchini and peaches that taste like real peaches, not those faux peaches that are for sole in Food Lion.

My local no name veggie market yesterday - all I know it's "the one on Route 16 outside Milton" - low overhead

I note with distress and frustration that many in this world continue to kill each other thinking this is the way to "solve" their problems.  Hamas in Gaza thinks lobbing a few missiles into Israel is going to get Israel to withdraw from Gaza.  Ain't happening Muslim extremists.

The Ukraine Russian backed rebels shoot down a civilian airline killing all 298 souls aboard and now their main objective is covering up their horrible mistake.  By the way, this country shouldn't be acting all holier than thou, remember when OUR Navy shot down an Iranian Airbus A300

The Navy ship that shot down the Iranian Airbus A300
Mistakes happen but when we do it, it's an "oops!" and promote the commander who ordered the kill

over the Persian Gulf on July 3, 1988 killing all 290 people aboard including 66 children?  Didn't hear too much about this incident did you?  Of course you didn't because it was the United States that made this horrible mistake this time and our all too often complicent news media succeeding in downplaying our trigger happy Navy.  In fact, the commander of the ship that shot down the Iranian Airbus got a promotion.  That's how we here in the U.S. handle mistakes, we promote and reward in order to coverup.  Oh now, we're no angels either.  Mistakes happen folks, own up to them.  Of course the Russians aren't going to own up to this mistake either.  That's the way of governments.  First they lie then they coverup.  Fact of life.  Always has been that way, always will.  All in the name of "national security." Just try to stay out of their way or else they'll destroy you. Again, all in the name of "national security."

What I will never understand to my dying day is why so many civilized people think the answer to any disagreement is violence?  The only answer I can think of is evil exists in this world.  

Man's favorite pastime? Killing each other?

I may have more than my share of shortcomings and deficiencies but one thing I am not is violent or evil.  I'm not religious but I do thank whoever or whatever made me the person that I am that I am not one of those people who think killing is the answer…..to anything.  Well, maybe a mosquito or a bothersome fly.  

You know folks, I can walk out my door now and get into my car and drive into Lewes.  What will I see?  All manner of people, walking around, shopping, eating and restaurants, enjoying the fine weather of this summer day and the company of other folks. Why can't all the world be like this?  I don't have an answer folks.  All I an think of is evil. The desire of one tribe to eliminate another tribe because they don't think like they do.  Evil.

So that's my Saturday morning rant folks.  It's been stewing for awhile ever since I heard that Malaysian airline was shot down causing the death of 298 innocent souls including 88 children and three babies.  This is the world we live in folks.  Some things never change.  Grab the happiness whenever and wherever you can because you never know when some testosterone ladened cretin with firepower will end your life because he (and it's almost always a "he") has decided you do not deserve to live any more.  Life is a roll of the dice folks. Enjoy it while you can.  I am.

May Day

Today is the first day of May folks.  

Every year when the First of May rolls around what it reminds me of is a May Pole.  Why?  I think May Day triggers a long ago childhood buried memory of a May Pole.  I don't think I ever danced around a May Pole, at least in this childhood.  Maybe I did in a previous life.  




 These days I appreciate just being able to get up in the morning and put my two feet on the floor.

At this time of my life when I finally realized much of what I was brought up to believe in, the propaganda that our religious and governmental institutions brainwash us with is a fraud.  When I realized that if we get through this life relatively unscathed and not taken advantage of is almost purely a matter of chance.  

I try to so hard each day to concentrate on the positive and try and push the evil that exists in the world into the background.  There is a lot of good in this world but there sometimes seems to be an equal amount of evil.  No wonder some people are nuts, bipolar or whatever the current fad word is for unbalanced people.

I have my little routine every day.  I try to stay out of people's way.  My mission in this world is not to look for angels angles, to take advantage of people but to live my live in relative happiness in my little corner of the world.  And pay my bills.  

May 1st signifies the beginning of a new season, perhaps the best time of the year.  For me, living in the tourist Mecca that I do, it means avoiding Rehoboth Beach as much as I can until the Horde tourists return to their little suburban hovels.

I have my very own Garden of Eden here, which I worked my whole life for folks and I'm ready to enjoy it.  Now bar the door Katie so I can keep out those who seek to take it away from me.


Kiss the sky today folks and spread the love you have for tomorrow we'll all be dead.

More Bloggerpalooza Videos

After yesterday's horrific incident at the Boston Marathon yesterday I feel it is appropriate that I post these two short videos of our recent Bloggerpalooza event in Lewes, DE.  

Why do I make the connection between such a evil event like the bombing at the Boston Marathon and the over abundance of goodwill and camaraderie that was on display at the Bloggerpalooza?  To me these two events demonstrates the constant ying and yang of our life, the struggle between good and evil.

To my dying day I will never understand what possesses some people (and cultures) to promote and practice evil when life is so much better to promote and practice good.  I'm not a religious person (don't believe in "man-made religion") but I do thank God (or whoever is "up there" or wherever) that their appears to be more good in this life than there is evil.  

Some people make fun and dismiss me for taking so many pictures and videos of my life events.  I pay them no mind because I know that by recording these events by photo and video I am memorializing forever those times when good people got together and did good.  When good people practice love instead of hate.   That's the way I roll.

Jay of VA and Spo heading the blogger contingent up Rehoboth Avenue to Dos Locos and "The Cajun"

Nate, Cubby and "The Cajun" at Dos Locos

Someone and Cubby at Dos Locos perusing the lunch menu

Dos Locos menus aloft!  Doug of Gossamer Tapestry awaits to be waited

Our genial host "The Cajun"

Our unflappable host - "The Cajun"

Sassy Bear awaits to give his order

Sassy still deciding

How did HE get here?

Superman and Java Jones

Sassy Bear (Hot)

Sassy's Significant Other

Both of these videos were taken at the Dos Locos restaurant in Rehoboth Beach.  Our little fun group of bloggers just had our photo taken at the Old Time photo store.  Now it was time for lunch so we walked up Rehoboth Avenue and "dropped in" on another fellow blogger "The Cajun" who is the host (with the most) at the restaurant.  Of course I didn't give my friend "The Cajun" advance notice (I wouldn't want to ruin my reputation) so all thirteen of us landed on him unannounced.  I wasn't surprised at all that he handled our "drop in" with the aplomb and professionalism for which he is known for throughout the Rehoboth Beach area.  And....we all had a WONDERFUL lunch at Dos Locos.  So if any of you are in town this season, do "drop in" on "The Cajun" at Dos Locos.  The more the better!

Something Good

This is in memory of those who died this weekend in Aurora, Colorado.  There is evil in this world but there is also goodness.  With so much sadness and anger over the senseless tragedy this weekend, this should help to show that goodness will always be there in the end.