Saturday, March 27, 2010

Moving Out

The exodus has begun. The first of our friends, Russ and Beth Jackson left this morning. We had a large gang of helpful well wishers assembled and watching for any mistakes in their preparations to leave. That's the job of the seasoned camper. When people are coming or going, a large number of eyes are watching and critiquing your every move. This is at least 50% of the daily excitement. Pretty sad isn't it?

Actually we've had a busy week of partying. TC's front porch followed by more drinks and dinner at Helen Back. There were twelve of us and lots of laughs as usual. Friday Diane organized a gathering on the deck at the pavilion. There were sixteen of us, only a couple we could have done without. I won't mention names, but they left at 2:30 a.m. yesterday! Last night after watching the Butler victory, a gaggle of remaining friends went to Johnny Hustons for dinner and the WVU/KY game. West Virginia pulled the upset this time (way to go Big East Conference). Our group consisted of Diane & Jeff, Dave & Janet and Ron & Julie. There were soooo many memorable comments and one liners that I could fill an entire Blog with them. Most of these witticisms came from Dave and therefore didn't pass the PG rating of my "family friendly" Blog. Dave's witty repartee is without peer. His badinage and comedic banter far exceeds most mortals. Dave retired and sold his photography business a few years ago. His specialty was weddings of course. No doubt all of his clients were photographed "sans cheese". The problem most likely was having them compose themselves for the ceremony. Janet, Dave's wife, claims she's only responsible for herself. She takes no responsibility for Dave. They are truly a unique and delightful couple that we'll just have to wait for ours and their return next winter. They are leaving tomorrow.

I forgot to mention the census taker who came by last week. I told him our son had filled out the form in Indiana. He wasn't sure if he could believe me. Perhaps the fact I told him our neighbors (Diane & Jeff) were illegal aliens didn't help my credibility! There are a number of full timers at the campground. Full timers live in their RV's and of course must be counted somewhere unless they stay one campground ahead of the census taker.

Even though the weather this year has many of us saying, 'maybe we'll go to Florida next year', we've nonetheless had a good time and made a number of new friends. Mary Ellen and I were considering someplace new next year, but decided we'd miss too many of the "creatures" we've come to know here in Navarre. I meant 'creatures' in a good way.

Jeff informed me this morning that he has replaced the use of the vulgar expression BS with a less vulgar sounding word. So now anytime you come across an untruth, and you are tempted to use a derogatory and vulgar expression to let people know how you feel about it, simply substitute the word 'pelosi'; as in "I think I just stepped in some 'pelosi'", or "that's just a bunch of 'pelosi'". Simple enough, right. This is probably where I should stop. If I wrote anymore, it would just be so much 'pelosi'.

One important fact I failed to mention. Before Dave got into photography, he actually sold 'pelosi' to farmers!! What a guy!

jim

Friday, March 19, 2010

SAINT PATRICK'S DAY

Ten days have gone by since I last put fingers to keyboard. Even though little has happened since last time, I felt compelled to write something today.

Carol left a week ago. Mary Ellen has lost her casino & wine drinking buddy. That didn't stop us from visiting Beloxi again. We took an overnight bus trip which included three casinos. The bus took us to the Hardrock where we both won a small amount. The Grand was next, and that's where we spent the night. We got $15 slot money at each of the three casinos as well as three buffets. Before noon on our second day the bus took us to our final stop, the Isle. This is the first time that Mary Ellen and I both came back with more money than we took. Total winnings were about $80! I swore I would never eat again after two days during which four buffets were consumed! I have since broken my promise.

Yesterday was the start of the NCAA championship. After one day, my bracket is a mess. ND really disappointed again. They lost to Old Dominion by one point. They were pathetic. I don't know what happened to Luke Harongody. He only managed two points! Not very good for the Big East player of the year. The Big East is playing like they read too many press releases lauding the Big East as the top conference in the world. So far they are one for four. Doesn't sound like the toughest conference in the Nation to me.

Eight of us from the campground decided to go to Macguire's Pub for St. Paddy's day. Big mistake, huge! There were several thousand (slight exaggeration) people trying to get into a bar that probably holds 300. Not good odds. We ended up going across the street to a place called AJ's. When I say across the street, I actually mean one mile away. With a temp of 48 and a wind with the same two digits, I almost froze to death crossing the highway and trying to avoid two school buses that had me in their sites. After coming close to death while trying to avoid frostbite we finally arrived at AJ's. We pretty much decided we should have stayed in Navarre. Maybe if I was thirty years younger this might have been a fun experience. As it was, it was a "near death" experience".

Sunday, those clowns in Washington will finally vote on "Obamacare". I encourage all of you to vote against every incumbent regardless of party. A bunch of new jokers can't do any worse than the slime bags we have in Washington now. If you get the idea I'm disgusted, you're on the right track.

Don't forget to fill out your ten question census form. I've decided to put zero for the number of people living at our Indiana home. I figure the higher the number you report, they'll find a way to put a "per-person tax" on each. After all, it's only fair. Think of the amount of oxygen your using per-person, not to mention the 'deadly CO2' your releasing into the ENVIRONMENT. Global warming and all that crap! Your killing the planet you simpletons!

Back to the brackets for a moment. To show you how bad it gets for this BB expert, one of the teams I had in the final four was knocked out on day one. If ND was bad, Georgetown flat out didn't show up. Ohio U. was in control the entire game. G Town had no defense whatever. I'd love to know where the boys in gray hung out the night before the game. And what's with CBS's crack coverage staying with the KY v E. TN State game. I'd say there were at least four other close games they could have gone to. Did they actually believe the 30 plus lead that KY had in the first half was going to develop into a competitive contest. I say let ESPN handle ALL sporting events! If ND and G Town were bad, CBS was and is pathetic!

Till next time, "there's nothing wrong with California that a rise in the ocean level
wouldn't cure"

JIM

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

IT'S A BLOG, LIKE

I'm batching it today. The ladies have taken another trip to Biloxi and the SLOTS. I'm sure they'll come home with a bundle of cash...ha, ha, ha!

Another Broken Egg for Breakfast this morning. It's my favorite restaurant in Destin for breakfast. A little pricey though. My omelet and coffee cost me $17! It did include the tip however. I had the distinct honor of sitting at a table next to three young female spring breakers. They provided my entertainment. As I listened to their conversation, I learned a completely new vernacular. 'It was like really like interesting. Their discussion centered around guys, like. There were these guys, like, at a party they went to like last night. Talk about hot, like 100%. They were like studly like, and one of them thought like she might be in love, like. It went on like from there.'

Last year I learned Canadian, eh. This year I've learned like 'girl-talk' 2010! Without the word, "like" those young ladies would have almost zero vocabulary. And to think they were college seniors, like almost ready to graduate. They'll probably graduate "magna cum like"!!

My birthday was a smashing success. In other words I lived to be there. Our friends Diane and Jeff came over for cake and ice cream after dinner at TC's Front Porch. They came with a six pack of St. Pauli NA with a birthday balloon attached. My present from Mary Ellen was The Nook e book reader. It was purchased early so that I could read some books on our way to Navarre. I love it. You can download books to your e book library and read them anytime. I've read about six books on it since we left home. I can lend a book to anyone who has the Nook. After two weeks the book automatically returns to my library. I haven't done that yet, but plan to do it soon. If any of you have a Nook, let me know and I'll send you a list of the books in my library. I'll be glad to let you borrow whatever you want.

Out protest regarding activities did some good. They will continue with donuts and coffee on Wednesdays and exercise every morning. We didn't actually have to block the campground entrance with our bodies. I was kinda like looking forward to a major protest.

That catches you up on all the excitement from here. When you reach 70, almost everthing is exciting. Tomorrow is another trip to Pensacola airport. Carol is leaving for home. Things will be rather quiet around here until Dan and family arrive in April. We look forward to their visit.

Talk with you soon. Till then, "health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in a hospital dying of nothing".

jim

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

FRIENDS

Our friends Jeanne & Sara left this morning. They were here for three nights. They picked a lousy time to be here since it was two days of rain, wind and cold. We did manage to have them to our place for dinner on Sunday and took them to Pensacola Beach for lunch yesterday. We did have a nice visit in spite of the weather. Of course we were planning to sit outside drinking wine, but that was not to be. Jeanne needs to be at the KOA in Hagerstown, MD by the 15th of March. That's when they open. Sara will drop Jeanne there and head to Charlestown, SC where she will operate as an independent contractor in the training and development arena. Sara is going to be a full time RVer. She got her Florida residency requirements completed while they were here. A lot of RVers use FL as their residence. It saves a great deal on taxes.

Yesterday our friends from Quincy, IL arrived. Jeff and Diane Bloss will be here till the end of March. This morning was coffee and donuts at the Pavilion. Everyone who is anyone at the campground was on hand. Beth and Russ Jackson returned from a week further south. I don't know if it was any warmer down there. We're supposed to have a few days of sunshine starting with today, although the temperatures aren't all that great.

Mary Ellen and Carol skipped exercise class this morning to go shopping in Gulf Breeze. They're checking out the "bargains" at Bells and the Bell's outlet. I'm sure there will be a few items purchased...can you say winter clothes. Speaking of Mary Ellen and her sister, they've made plans to return to a Casino in Biloxi on Monday. I guess they feel they haven't met their 'contributory obligations'. Mary Ellen and I are planning an overnite to Biloxi on the 14th and 15th. A little gambling and a much overdue "bath" for Mary Ellen. She really misses not having a bathtub at the campground. Using the bathtub in our RV requires 'contortionistic flexibility' to enter and exit. Best you just take a shower.

As I write this the sun is shining and the temperature is struggling to reach 50. The only downside is the 20 mph wind that is blowing on a continuous basis. Mary Ellen would say "at least we don't have snow", but personally I'm getting fed up with what's supposed to be FL. We're thinking we may not return to the Panhandle next year; at least not in February. Perhaps we'll head back to Crystal River???

I forgot to mention that Jeff Bloss is such a showoff. He backed their trailer in on the first try. It did my heart good that he had to readjust it since he was too close to the electric box to accommodate their slideout. Of course he didn't follow my example and detach their truck before finding out. Oh no, he couldn't give me the satisfaction of making the foolish blunder that I did. I think I've gone almost three days without doing anything stupid. Mary Ellen may argue this point, but trust me it's true. I'm shooting for an entire week 'sans stupidity'.

We're on the verge of an organized protest and perhaps picketing Emerald Beach RV Park. The reason for our protest is the cancellation of all activities beginning the 15th of the month. Normally activities go through the end of March. The reason for the cancellation is the managers (Wayne & Marge) are going on vacation the last two weeks of March. I'm sorry, but for what we're paying this is a lame excuse. There are other people who work here. I'm thinking we may lie on the concrete at the entrance, thus preventing any RV's from entering. What's the worst that could happen? How about an 85 year old driving a 42 foot RV shortly after taking his numerous medications. I can see the headline now..."Twelve 'former campers' mangled by an enraged octogenarian. Dementia and blindness may have been contributing factors. Protesters were simply impeding progress and should have known better. The RV driver was quoted as saying that when he attempted to stop, his wheelchair came down the aisle and knocked his blind wife off her feet and onto the gas pedal. Police said he did attempt to stop. No charges are pending. Activities are canceled until next season. Flags will be flown at half mast for 15 minutes this morning. It's the least we could do said one of the managers. Electric bills will be sent to next of kin!

Perhaps I went a bit overboard with my protest plan. We may have to call another planning meeting. I'll keep you posted. Till next time, "Psychiatry is the care of the id by the odd."

jim