Existing In BFE

This is from Greg Dewar of the Oregon Daily Emerald: Memorial Day weekend is never a good weekend. An old Army buddy said that to me years ago. It resulted in an hour of quiet contemplation between us. It needed no introduction and it needed no explanation. For most, it’s a day that involves barbecuing, family, friends and a much-needed reprieve from work and school. I cannot be cross with people for enjoying the day like any day off. I know that they can enjoy this day, and that’s all any of us should want. For some of us, however, Memorial Day weekend is a dour and heart-wrenching affair. Most never think of the actual point of Memorial Day. It was created after the Civil War to honor the Union’s war dead and is celebrated near Unification Day. It was expanded after WWI to honor all war dead. To honor those brave souls who paid the ultimate price for America’s freedom, that small echelon of society who placed their friends, family and the American Dream (hollowed and forboding as it ...

Nice to know Florida doesn't own the market for old people and old people parking. At the Mall last week spotted this car halfway in the drive lane. Geez.

http://www.bp.com/liveassets/bp_internet/globalbp/globalbp_uk_english/homepage/STAGING/local_assets/bp_homepage/html/rov_stream.html This is the on site camera monitoring the gushing pipe in the gulf. Let's hope BP has a reason to turn it off soon.

Sights around BFE and Mercer County on May 13, after the heavy rain.

REASONS FOR RETURNING TO BFE: 1. Find a renter or buyer for my rental house. (True) 2. Win the Illinois lottery. (True) 3. I enjoy cold wet rainy weather. (False) 4. I want to find out why Christopher and my wife sent me information on buying Canadian viagra. (False) 5. I want to ride the cycle with my buddies. (True) 6. Got to have me a Jerry's pizza. (True) 7. Want to help bro Mark wet/dry vac his basement. (True) 8. I wanted my family to miss me. (True) 9. I miss mowing a yard. (False) 10. I missed turning on the heater part of my thermostat. (False) 11. I missed dodging Mercer County potholes. (False) 12. I got tired of lounging at the beach. A flooded dirty field sure beats the sand and surf. (False) 13. Fine dining got boring in St. Pete. Now all I want is frozen Wal-Mart burgers. (False)

If you are tired of the same old forensic TV show, or bored with the same formulaic laugh-track sitcom, then watch Friday Night Lights this Friday and get hooked on quality TV. Did you just read that correctly? Quality and TV in the same sentence? Yes, this series is starting its 4th season and it has been clinging on the cliff of cancellation since year one. That proves its quality. Lets face it, if its in the top 10 in ratings its dumbed-down TV. Dancing With the Stars, American Idol, CSI and NCIS dominate the ratings. Pablum for the masses. Watch a show that doesn't always end easy, or safe. Damn good adult drama that you'll want to get the previous episodes on Netflix. Or you can sit safely in that easy chair and watch lousy people dance, mediocre people sing or solve-a-murder-in-an-hour.

Brendan and his friend Rachel invited us to the Tradwinds Hotel to see the sunset. It was a windy evening

1. Spotted this on Craigslist last week. Dis is an example of why you should stay in skool with riting like dat . Hit him up if you want to buy it: 1966 chrysler imperial - $3500 ( springfield / ohio ) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 2010-04-09, 6:38PM EDT Reply to: sale-wk3ee-1684657197@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- this is a 1966 chrysler imperial rare car to find like dis one there really werent dat many made back then only like 500 i herd but this is clean on the inside and out for its yr not much really wrong wit it jus needs a little tender love and car i jus need the money right now for a smaller vehicle but this ca runs and drives great i love it drives like cadilac they say lol but hit me up at 937-926- xxxx or at home 937-284- xxxx 2. Noticed the more aggressive commercials on TV? Burger King plastic head guy is ac...

This is 12 year old Greyson Chance. Pretty impressive voice. He is a 13 year old 6th grader, and has just signed a record deal based on this rendition of Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi". He has been playing the piano for three years but never had singing lessons. Coincidentally, I do a similar, if more mature version, in the shower. Some of you may know that I was destined for a singing career myself but decided to work with juvenile delinquents instead. Mrs. Free, my high school chorus teacher thought it best to change the world one kid at a time rather than pursue a life of fame and riches. PS. This was a talent show. I feel sorry for the poor soul that had to follow this.

A half naked woman (1) riding a motorcycle (2).

OK guys, a Quiz. What is with you when you go to the bathroom, get a tooth pulled, do your taxes or go to the beach? It goes with you inside the dressing room at your favorite clothes store and when you run down 4 blocks to get McDonald's. What is with you at the doctor's office and the all-day motorcycle ride? I can't speak for all guys but for me, my wallet is more of a constant companion than any family member or pet. I haven't had more than 3 or 4 my whole life. It becomes real tough to give up an old one. Like a favorite pair of jeans, a wallet is a part of me, conforms to me, gives me solace and makes me feel safe. My first one marked me as a adult. It is sad to say goodbye to a an old constant companion but my old one was wearing out. The stitching was fraying, the photo pockets unhinged, and new plastic inserts about impossible to replace. The leather parts were still good and I think I'll keep it just in case my new one doesn't work out. I will miss it....

These guys were having a field day with the high surf. Married couple walking identically with arms behind their backs. But why is she 30 paces behind? This lady was of a "certain age". Concensus of the group was she was wearing a swimsuit perhaps a little bit skimpy. Some people should NEVER EVER wear speedos.

From left to right: Carrie, Tim, nancy, Mackenzie, Drew and me. Mackenzie about to eat a squid or octopus or some such thing. Tim and Carrie from BFE arrived in the Tampa-St.Pete area for a cruise and took some time to meet us at 3 Birds. Tim and Carrie are my neighbors in North Henderson and proprieters of the North Henderson Civic Center and owners of Big Blue, a shiny (usually) Harley. Brendan was also here but we had him back in the kitchen supervising our food. Tim and Carrie (see the big rock on her finger?) had a great time on their cruise and were able to escape some wet and cold Illinois weather for a week. Thanks for taking the time to join the family. (For NH residents: Tim behaves himself a bit more in the city.)

Rained pretty good yesterday (April 25th) and you can tell my buddy Spencer was wanting to get inside. This was followed by more thunderboomers later around midnight. I love "weather", especially down here where it tends to be an endless and boring warm and sunny every day.

Show your kids, spouses and friend this video. Beats all the realistic car crashes you could throw into this minute and some second spot. After they roll their eyes, then show them this.

I remember the Exxon Valdez disaster in Alaska. Living in the Midwest at the time, it was a headline and an ecological tragedy that happened far away. We all saw the oil encased birds and black coastal rocks and we were, naturally, upset with Exxon and the drunk captain of the ship. All disasters are relative to your own backyard, I guess. Now, our backyard is threatened. Many of the entries of this blog have revolved around the beach, the beach-goers and all the things that relate to the beach. We even had a close encounter with a gentle manatee last summer. The morning stingrays that come close to the water's edge for some reason, the sea shells, and the dolphins that we see out by the buoys. The tourist businesses, the fishing and commercial companies, the lives and jobs that depend on a healthy Gulf; the price to families, the environment and fishlife alike is beyond an arbitrary dollar estimate. Yesterday, officials began the preparations to battle the gulf oil slic...

Cinco de Mayo is today. Besides the fact that I am heading to BFE, there are other reasons to celebrate. Because the origins of Cinco de Mayo are in Mexico, many Americans are fairly misinformed about what Cinco de Mayo actually is and why it is celebrated. Here, then, are 13 fun facts about Cinco de Mayo. File these away and see how many margaritas you can win in trivia contests this May 5th. This is from The Presurfer website. 1. Cinco de Mayo is NOT Mexican Independence Day. In America, we say “The 4th of July” when talking about our Independence Day. It would seems natural, then, that “The 5th of May” would be the Mexican equivalent. Not so. Actually, Cinco de Mayo is the anniversary of an 1862 battle between an under-armed, under-manned Mexican army against a well-armed French Army led by Napoleon III. Clearly, the Mexican army won, hence the celebration every 5th of May. 2. So What Is Mexico’s Independence Day? Mexico celebrates its Independence Day – the day it declared its ind...

This little guy was curious about us, but also seemed to have an issue with the windy conditions. Watch him wobble just a wee bit in the wind.