Binge Watching

Six Feet Under "family"

Lately I've gotten into the habit of bing watching.  I bing watch TV series from Netflix.

Breaking Bad "family" - only watched a few episodes but will immerse myself fully soon

About a year ago I watched all the episodes of "Six Feet Under."  Sure, I was about ten years behind the times but oh how I enjoyed watching that series.

Six Feet Under - brothers

Next up was "The Mad Men."  I particularly liked this series because it was about an era, the Sixties, of which I was well acquainted.  Whoever writes that series know of the time they write about.  How well I remember all the smoking, misogyny, and office politics.  And I love seeing the Sixties period furniture.

The Mad Men "family

Now I'm watching "The Good Wife."  I never got into "Perry Mason" or "Law and Order" but I have to say I am riveted by "TGW."  It's not so much about the legalese, although that is interesting, but I think my interest is that I feel part of "the family."  Yes, when I turn the lights out in my bedroom, which my friend Pat calls "The Tipton Cinema", and my 60" in Samsung TV screen comes to life with visual images of the Diane, Will, Alicia, Kerry and Kalinda; I feel like I'm reunited with the ongoing saga of my family or any family in this world.  

The Good Wife "family"

Much of my attraction for "TGW" is how well written it is.  Also, the producers of this show have the brilliance to bring in actors who are past their prime (Gary Coe, Judd Hirsch, Michael J. Fox) and give them a whole new lease on their acting life.  In this age when movie and TV producers limit their choice of actors to a few market tested actors, it is refreshing to enjoy the many varied acting talents of old faces as well as new faces.

New face on "TGW" - I don't know who this actor is but he's good as Kalinda's violent hubby

Last night I finished watching season four of "TGW" and now am going into withdrawal.  Next up is a series that I've heard much about, the "House of Cards." I love Kevin Spacey.  

Kevin Spacey - love you man!

So today I'll return my Netflix dvd for "TGW" and   (hopefully) have my new dvd's in time for this weekend when I can again enter the private and very comfortable world of the "Tipton Cinema" that is my bedroom.  I'll leave my worldly woes behind and join my new "family."  

Oh my, we've come a long way haven't we folks?

Random Musings on a Spring Evening

Ironing shirts last night

Earlier today I posted a rather detailed report of why I thought one of my brothers unfriended me on Facebook.  Today is his birthday and I went on Facebook to send him a birthday message and he was GONE.  I did some checking and it seems that indeed I was unfriended.  Oh well, someone else who doesn't like me because I don't bend to his will.  So be it.  

Briefly, the reason is because I refuse to live a "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" personal life.  Yes, it is as simple as that.  Both of my brothers and their families are very conservative, Faux News conservative.  I'm all right as long as I don't throw "it" (the fact that I'm gay) "in their face".  

But if I chose to live my life openly, well, that makes them uncomfortable.  My previous post, which I took down listed the whole history that led up to this situation today.  I decided to take it down lest I throw more gasoline onto the fire.  Enough said of this sad situation.

I'm very pleased with my spring flower show this year.  So many daffodils and other spring glories.  I took a video (see my previous blog posting) which I will use as reference to fill in the empty spots for next year.  Each year, better and better.

Bill checking out the new plantings

I think that wound on my leg where a biopsy was taken last January is healing.  I said "I think" because while I was transplanting some pansies this afternoon I accidentally hit it and the pain shot right through my like an electric shock.  I'll give it another week and if it isn't better then I'll go back to my doctor.  Hey folks, this has been gone on since January.  We may be getting into territory that I'm not comfortable with but I may have to confront.  

Bill and I just got back from a ride around the neighborhood and our adjoining neighborhoods.  After a five to six year hiatus, building has taken off.  It's interesting to see all the new houses going up.  I hope soon to see my friend Pat start to build his house.  I know it will be stylish, unique and like no other in this area.  He has some details to work out about his dual citizenship though first.  May take a while. It's easy for us to go to Canada but not so easy the other way around.  

I'm enjoying watching the Republicans tie themselves into a knot over their frustration that the Affordable Care Act (aka "Obama Care") is successful.  Now their next goal is to suppress the vote in the next election so they can take over the Senate and repeal the Affordable Care Act.

Of course they still have that one itsy bitsy teeny weeny problem that Obama is still president and will veto any asinine repeal they pass.  Always interesting that the Republicans are agains anything that helps the common man like Social Security, Medicare, minimum wage, equal pay for women, et al.  They used to scare their base with the threat of The Gays.  They can't use that as a wedge issue anymore because so many of them ARE GAY or have gay family members.  So on to the next BIG LIE.  Sorry for the political rant but sometimes I have to vent.

It's back to work tomorrow for my regular shift.  Occupancy is picking up at the Inn.  Not so bad now because the kiddies are still in school but wait until summer, then the hotel fills up…..fast.  

Riding around this evening it was refreshing to feel that we're finally out of this long, long winter.  Even though things are going to get crazy around here, I still prefer the next six months over the past six months.  Don't you?

And by the way, why do I need these many shirts?

Just some of my many shirts - what's the matter with me anyway?  

Daffodils

We moved into Casa Tipton-Kelly in November of 2006.  When the Spring of 2007 rolled around and I was very disappointed to notice that I had neglected to plant any spring bulbs, especially daffodils.  How could I have forgotten that cheerful harbinger of Spring, the bright yellow daffodil to puncture the monotone drabness of the end of the previous winter?

I immediately made a vow that Spring day in 2007 to correct that oversight and plant plenty of spring bulbs the following fall.  I thought I had planted a lot of spring bulbs in the fall of 2007, but when Spring of 2008 rolled around, there was only a smattering of yellow. MORE BULBS!  

In the ensuing years I've been planting more and more bulbs and I think now, the Spring of 2014 (oh how the years do roll by) I'm getting there.  I still have a long way to go but surveying and recording my Riot of Yellow this morning, I'm getting there.  

Next up, the tulips!

Working Weekend

For those of you who follow this blog regularly, you'll notice there's been a blip in my usual daily posting.  That's because I worked the day shift at the hotel this weekend.  My regular hours are Wednesdays and Thursdays, 3 pm to 11 pm.  Occasionally I am asked to work for one (or two) of the regular full time front desk agents (we don't call them "hotel front desk CLERKS these days don't you know).  This weekend was one of those weekends.  

Wasn't so bad although I do have to get up before the birds (5 am) in order to get to work in time to set out the breakfast by 7:30 am.  Usually I like to sleep in until about 7 am or later.  But as I said, working this weekend wasn't so bad, helped a lot I'm sure by a hotel almost full of very pleasant guests.  

Our guests are usually retirees for a weekend getaway, or soon to be retirees looking to move to Delaware and the occasional newlyweds (which we had this weekend).  These folks are almost always pleasant, non-demanding and a pleasure to be of service to.  Plus, it helped that this weekend we had almost perfect weather.  Clear blue skies and a brisk bite in the air.  We could've used maybe ten degrees warmer but brisk air felt good.

My daffodils in full bloom today!

Bill misses me terribly when I'm gone from the house all day, even though when I am at our house I'm either on my computer, eating or taking a nap. At least I'm in the house which seems to give him some comfort.  I have to admit it is nice to be wanted and cared for and to care for someone.  

The only problem I have with working these irregular hours is that it throws off my digestive system (I get constipated because I can't go to the bathroom at work - yeah, I said it).  Other than that, and missing my daily blog entries, not a bad weekend of work at all.

Now I do it all over again in two weeks.  Then I work the night shift (3 pm to 11 pm) for my other full time co-worker.  Don't cry for me (Argentina) though, I'm taking off two weeks at the end of August to visit…….guess where?  Yep, Canada (read prior blog post for context).  

Time to watch more episodes of "The Good Wife" now (oh I am addicted to this show, it is SOOO GOOD).

Have a good night!

OUCH!

OUCH!  That hurt!

About a hour ago I returned from my 8:15 am visit to my dermatologist.  Last January 24th, he had taken a biopsy of a discolored patch of skin from my right knee.  From that time until today, that wound has never properly healed.  There were times when my pants would rub against the scab and a pain would shoot through my leg like a thorn in the wound.

Last week I made an appointment to see him to take a look at this slow healing wound.  The day before I cancelled it, thinking it had gotten better it hadn't.

On Tuesday this week I made another appointment for this morning.  I arrived bright and early at his office with my wound, still inflamed.  His assistant took a look at it and began poking at the wound.  OUCH!  WOW!  Know how it feels when the dentist drills for a cavity and hits a nerve?  That's the way it felt when she was poking around that inflamed wound.  Hey, I think I can tolerate pain as good or better than most but this morning I was a major pussy.  I  yelled out loud "OH GOD!"  Yes I did.  I really did.  

Two other assistants came into the room.  More poking around and more screaming (yes, SCREAMING) by me.  One of the assistants thought that part of the "dissolvable" stitch was still in the wound.  SOMETHING was in there.  Know how it feels when you have a thorn in your toe or finger?  SOMETHING WAS THERE and it hurt like HELL when they poked.  

The doctor came in.  He took a look with his instrument.  Wouldn't you know he tried to pull something out.  This time I almost kicked him (involuntarily) and yelled "OH GOD!" again.  What is it with me with the "Oh God" exclamation?  I'm not even religious?  Well, anyway, I asked him "Don't you have a pain killer?"  Be careful what you wish (ask) for.  He motions to one of the assistants.  She brings in a MAJOR needle and hands it to him. He said "This is going to pick a little bit."  Uh huh.  I thought the poking around hurt, well ladies and gentlemen, I experienced a new kind of pain.  OUCH!  WOW!  

Folks, this year (and last year) I've been through whole new levels of pain.  From the biopsy and volume check for my prostate cancer to that LONG Labor Day Weekend when my urologist decided to let my stuck kidney stone in me for four days hoping it would pass on it's own.  Yes folks, that was pain but today was a whole new level.  I'm telling you, the medical establishment really should get in touch with those war criminals former vice president Cheney and Defense Secretary Rumsfeld

"The known unknowns, we don't know anything"

and immediately let them know that we have doctors down here in Lower Slower that could put any of your professional torturers to shame.  

War criminal and former vice president Dick Cheney - still on the loose

My good doctor did some digging around on the now numbed area of my knee and removed the offending stitch that had infected my knee these past three months.  

I left his office with a copy of my medical report to meet Bill (who drove me) down in the lobby.  My knee wasn't hurting now because it was numbed up but I knew it would be hurting as soon as the pain killer wore off and as it is now sore.  But I don't have the shooting pain that was happening before when my pain let would rub the wrong way.  

Bill stopped at Loew's on the way home but I couldn't even get out of the car.  Not only because it is windy and cold this April morning (will this winter ever end?) but because I was feeling woozy (don't go there).  

As soon as I got home I took this picture of my sore knee and an aspirin and hit my bed for about an hour of gathering myself together (and feeling sorry for myself - I do love me a Pity Party).  

After about an hour of slumber I just got up and now I'm ready to take on the rest of the day and get myself prepared for a weekend of work at the hotel.  I'm filling in for a co-worker who is taking off a few days.  

And the beat goes on.  

Random Thoughts

September 1, 1974 - recently discovered photo I haven't seen in YEARS!

Next week was the original week for the Bloggerpalooza.  I sort of wish I hadn't changed the date back a month.  I did it because the hotel rates were lower.  Last year I scheduled the Bloggerpalooza for this time of year because of the wonderful spring weather and the lower hotel rates (before Easter).  However, this year the rates were raised a few weeks earlier so in my zeal to accommodate potential Bloggerpalooza attendees and keep their expenses down, I backed up the date of the Bloggerpalooza event.  In retrospect I wish I hadn't done it because it really didn't save anyone, including myself, that much money.  But it did cause some disruption in other's plans.  Well, that's all water over the dam now because this was the last blogger event I'll ever hold.  For a myriad of reasons but the main one is the expense.  I just can no longer afford it.  Time for someone else to take up the Cause.

I am so happy that spring has finally arrived.  Yesterday and today I hit Pepper's Greenhouse and stocked up on spring flowers like asylum, pansies (wouldn't you know?  Mr. Pepper actually called me "The King of the Pansies" last year - only realizing what he said after those charged words flew out of his mouth).  I've planted everything and doesn't my backyard look FINE? 

Our backyard Oval planter - the birds love it!

Tomorrow I have yet another appointment with a doctor, this time my dermatologist.  Seems the biopsy he took off of my right knee about six weeks ago still hasn't healed.  I know I'm not near as bad off as some of my contemporaries but man, my seemingly regular routine of doctors' visits is starting to get me down.  That plus I'm in for two extra shifts of work at the hotel this month.  I can always use the extra money but work all those shifts really does throw my digestive balance off.  When working at a hotel there is no lunch break.  You work straight through.  I try to grab a couple of crackers during the normal "lunchtime" just to stave off hunger.  Of course going to the bathroom is very difficult (one is expected NOT to go to the bathroom but to ALWAYS be available at the front desk - the guests haven't figured out that front desk "agents" actually go to the bathroom. We don't call people like me "clerks" now - not politically correct.  

Lunch (and dinner) at the hotel

I'll try to keep up my daily blog postings but don't be surprised if I skip a day or two.  I'm a little bit off the rails now because of an incident a couple of weeks ago that I'm having difficulty putting behind me.  Sorry to be so cryptic but there are those who read my blog who were responsible.  I know I shouldn't let little things like this bother me but sometimes they do.  I try to do what I think is best for everyone, almost always at a personal sacrifice but sometimes it's just not appreciated. It's what I call "a kick in the face" by an unthinking person who doesn't realize the harm he has done by his myopic and hurtful actions.  I need to put it behind me and I will.  Been here before.

Yes, that is the Philadelphia Art Museum behind me - photo taken 2 Sept. 1974

Enjoy the fine spring weather everyone!  

Scorpio

The "Other" Ron - 1980

This morning I was cleaning out some of the clutter around my computer desk and I came across a card describing the astrological sign Scorpio.  As regular followers of this blog know, I am one of those fearsome Scorpios.

Bram Stoker - author of Dracula and a Scorpio

Your worst nightmare

Now I don't follow the daily advice in newspapers for astrological signs but I do put some credence in the characteristics of the Scorpio astrological sign.  Why do I do this?  Because they are dead on, at least as they apply to me.  

Check it out:

Favorite number?  Yep, nine.  In fact it's the date of my birth.  My street address? Yep, it adds up to nine.  

Hedy Lamarr - actress and Scorpio - we both have the same birthday November 9th

PERSONALITY PROFILE

Scorpio, the eight house of the Zodiac and the fixed water sign, is the most intense of all the signs. Dominated by powerful emotions, you take life seriously. You posses a magnetic power, critical perception and the ability to judge keenly, but you can also be exacting, obstinate, secretive and jealous. Scorpio has a hierarchy of symbols, starting with the traditional scorpion and ascending to higher levels of consciousness as symbolized by the eagle and, finally the mythical Phoenix. This progression symbolizes the Scorpio's need to regenerate through suffering and, often, self-destructive behavior. But, you also posses an indomitable will and self-control, and your presence has great healing power. You are fascinated by sex and death, and can become quite the monster of lust. Intensely loyal to your friends, you never forget a kindness or a slight. Your day is Tuesday, your metal is steel.

Pablo Picasso - artist and Scorpio

LOVE AND SEX

Often known as the sexiest sign in the Zodiac, Scorpios love and hate with equal fervor. You require a great deal of fidelity to feel certain of the value of a relationship and you can be madly possessive. Often the victim of passion, you sometimes feel burden by your desires. You are most attracted to Cancer, Pisces, Virgo and Capricorn. You have difficulty with Aquarius and Leo.

Christopher Columbus - explorer and a Scorpio

CAREER & MONEY

Money is power and you know it. Of no importance in itself, money is a means to an end, a challenge to your strength You have the most patience to sacrifice present indulgences for future rewards. You are driven, shrewd and highly focused.

Grace Kelly - actress and princess - a Scorpio

BODY & HEALTH

Scorpio rules the genitals (tell me about it) . Though you generally have a strong and robust body you are particularly susceptible to epidemics, dunkenness, venereal diseases, hernias, syphilis, prostate diseases, colitis, bladder disorders, nose disorders and piles.  

Richard Burton - actor and drunkard - a Scorpio

Guilty as charged folks.  

Charles Manson - cult leader and convicted murderer and a Scorpio