LG Smart Phones

LG Smartphones.
There is a lot to be said for every brand of phones.  Our first phone was an I-phone... Didn't live up to our personal expectations.  Next we got our first LG smartphones and were completely happy with its performance.  Two years later we upgraded to new LG smart phones with increased capabilities. We have completely happy with all its functions and capabilities.  They both are heavily used.  At 19 months old my phone has some over heating issues while in use (not charging), and it basically licked up and would not restart.  It came with a one year limited warranty. Contacted LG and sent them my phone for repair.  To my surprise,  LG fixed my phone free of charge, even though it was out of warranty.  And they only had the phone for 2 days and shipped out back to me.  At 22 months my wife had the same issue,  and again LG repaired her phone at no charge.  I don't know what other companies do for their customers,  but LG has certainly taken care of us.  Something to think about when planning to buy a new phone... Great customer service.  Our next phones?  When we need them... They will certainly be LG phones again.

The cure

The cure... try a little...
Not working?
Try a little more!

My home town

My home town... For a while...
I knew it was nice!

Walking the trails

Mountain trails... Shenandoah National Park... Dark Hallows Trail and Falls. One of the most visited waterfalls in the park.  It's the shortest trail  to any of the waterfalls and is just off of Skyline Drive ( 1.4 miles round trip) near Big Meadows... Map 50.7. It's well worth the walk... but the trail is steep. Going down is the easy part,  getting back up takes a bit longer. As with any trail,  good walking / hiking shoes is a real plus... And it's a good idea to carry some water.  A hiking staff might also be helpful. Enjoy the view... nature at its best.

AOL

Saturday was a great day relaxing with family. Chicken on the grill,  homemade Mac & cheese, and desserts. Lots of taking and laughter.  Then after the evening came to a close,  and we went home to finish up the evening, we decided to watch a movie before going to bed.  I gave the remote to Shelly to make a selection.  We started watching an old favorite... "You've Got Mail". Funny how she unknowingly picked this particular movie.  19 years ago on July 1999 we had our first date.  About a week after that first date,  around July 27-28th, we watched our first movie together at home.... "You've Got Mail". Now... 19 years later,  on the anniversary of our first date plus 7-8 days later... Here we were watching that same movie... completely by accident. Funny how that just worked out.  The movie centered around two people that met on the internet via AOL ( just like we did). For those that don't remember... AOL... American Online was the must have premium service to connect you to the internet and the world.  Simply amazing... The world was at your fingertips,  right on your own computer,  right in your own home,  at the blazing speed of dial up ( via telephone lines)... Wow up to 54  megabytes per second.  That wonderful AOL screen,  the sound of the dial up modem connecting, and those wonderful words that immediately brightened up your day... "You've got mail". Funny how things just work out and fall right into place where they should be... 19 yards later.  Must be Kismet, or fate, or perhaps  simply just blind chance. Still kinda nice and memorable.

There you go!

Question.... Would it make me a Devil or Saint? Could have used one of these perhaps 100 times during my life.  Okay... Probably a thousand times...
ten times over.
Devil or Saint? But then again... Who would know besides me... right.
Or if someone else had one... No one would ever remember... "flash-zap".
So... You don't know what this is?  Don't remember? Guess you have been "flashly-zapped" already. And you thought those brief little flashes of light was a reflection of the sun off something shiny... right (wink).
Do you have an overwhelming sense of wellbeing or happiness?
There you go!
Don't know me?
There you go... Again! 

The lighter side...

On the lighter side... I need to do another campfire... Relax... Enjoy... Do some marshmallows... Maybe even make a chocolate snowball. Watch the flames, see the sparks,  hear the cracks of the fire,  warm my sore knees,  and enjoy the smell of the wood burning.  Ahhh... priceless.

Religion

Religion... now there's a hot topic.
FIRST LET'S SAY... religion does comfort many believers and gives them a sense of well-being both in this life and after death. Believers find great emotional comfort especially during traumatic events or tragedy. So there is a great benefit to humans and their emotional well being.
Remember that key word emotional.... not to be confused with rational.
Why is religion hot topic? Because of all the religions, to all different people, to all different beliefs... to all the different interpretations, and all the way beliefs are applied, there is always going to be controversy. Why controversy? The biggest reason... Some can not accept some one elses religion and leave them alone... and there are always those trying to force their beliefs upon others. In essence... every... yes every religion has tried to force their beliefs upon others in some way or another.  Be it out right violence,  prejudice, persecution, or simply influencing government to make laws, based on their religious beliefs, to be imposed on society as a whole.  It's history... It's a fact. And basically religious philosophy is that the end justified the means... or at least that's how religion justifies judgement of others, prejudice towards others, persecution of others, the need to exert power and control on others. Religion is based on beliefs, not facts, and is governed by emotions. Emotions that make you feel good about yourself and your life, but emotions that make you judge others, and emotions that make followers believe that there's is the one true religion, and all others should be condemned. Now that's controversy at its most prevalent.
FACT: There will always be an element in all religions that seeks to force it's beliefs and will upon all that don't believe as they do. And there will always be those that are passive,  don't force their religion anyone,  but  passively watch as their religion,  enacted by others, seek to force their beliefs upon others... without voicing opposition. And there enlies the greatest controversy in history. Contradictory beliefs within each religion.  No one religion can accept any other religion... or lack there of.
The fringe of religions... Their are those that lead very religious lives,  yet do many things that are against their religion. There are those that lead extremely non religious lives,  yet faced with tragedy, ruin to religion for comfort.  Thus creating numerous inconsistencies both inside and outside of the religious concept.
Even religious text is not only contradictory in itself, but buy modern social standards many aspects are not acceptable in today's society. So exactly what is acceptable and what is not? Well, depending on the degree of religious conviction, its a pick and choose in varying degrees of what is acceptable verses what is written in religious text. Now there's a recipe for questioning, misunderstandings, and even more controversy. So where's the line? Virtually any where you wish to draw it. Of course there are always explanations to justify and rationalize this pick and choose mentality of what should be believed,  and what applies to the written word in today's society.  Confused... you bet.
So what does the average person do with all these issues and inconsistences in all the numerous religions? You either diluted yourself to rationally explain and deal with all the inconsistences and controversy clinging to your beliefs... or walk away from all of it. 
In any event... the concept of live and let live is lost on religions. And there enlies the biggest controversy ruled by emotional beliefs ... coupled with countless inconsistences both in interpretation and what of the written text applies.
History is full of facts, and of all the controversy over numerous countless religions that have led to war and millions of deaths... who have to question... has religion been the savoir of humanity, of the root of all evil?
But that's for you to decide for yourself.  Believe as you will, that's your right & freedom. Hopefully with the conviction to live & let live.
No wonder so many simply walk away. 
There is a great part,  a greater attraction to religious beliefs on a personal level... But there is the crux of the problems... it never remains a personal thing.  Religions don't even abide by their own teachings.  Not to judge others, condemn others,  persecute others and throughout history, as well as evident today... if you do not share their beliefs you will face all the condemnation and persecution as if they were advocates of God. Everyone has the right to religious freedom... not the right to deny others their religious freedom... or for that matter, freedom from religion.

All the positive attributes that make people moral, caring, sympathetic, and loving are falsely claimed by religion. Therefore,  If you are not religious,  than you can not have morals....and therefore should be condemned.  There's is something seriously wrong with this thinking. To me this is completely backwards.... You do not have to be religious to have morals,  be a good person,  be kind to others... despite what religion would have you believe.  In fact,  what religion would shout the loudest at the top of their voice,  is exactly the opposite of what they exhibit by their actions. Growing up I was taught that atheist would burn in hell for not being religious, and not believing in god. Why? Simply because they were outside the accepted doctrine of the church... and they did not believe in the church teachings. What a world of hate and division has been created by religions.  
How is all this justified by the church? There's always an explanation under the banner of gods will, beyond our comprehension... you simply blindly must believe... and question nothing.  
Today's issues on the forefront of persecution by religions... abortion... gay rights... capital punishment as well as many other issues that despite the constitutional concept of separation of church & state. Religion uses the utmost influence that they can bring to bear to influence government policy and laws... forcing religious beliefs upon everyone. 

I'm always amazed how many people run to religion in times if tradgey. They will lead their entire life outside religion, but run to in to find comfort and consolation in times if tragedy.

To each his own beliefs and personal convictions... they should remain personal. 

Want to condemn someone? Condemn the religious leaders that advocate everything that you claim your religion is not about... but you let do the clandesant work to further undermine and divide society, cause social unrest, promote prejudice in the name of religion.

Live & let live... a simple concept... lost on religion. So why do people not get involved with religion? Because the negative side of religions is its own worse enemy. 

Rving 101

Rving 101. There's lots of things that can go wrong when you have a 5th wheel RV rig.  Most frequently... Dropping the trailer on to the truck bed. Ouch! Generally when you are new to hooking up the trailer to the truck... or have done it so many times it's become second nature.... problems creep in. Careless mistakes are usually the issue.  Here's a couple of simple rules that has proven to be beneficial.
1. Develop a routine... a set sequence of hooking up the rv to the truck. NEVER change that sequence. Don't get side tracked to doing anything but that sequence.
2. Double check everything in your mind.  Verbally tell yourself that you have completed each step in the sequence when performing them. It's kinda like locking a door... It's so routine you do it without thinking... Then you sometimes wonder if you really locked the door. .. You think you did when you really didn't. Say it verbally to yourself,  check it off,  and you'll remember doing it ... and never ever change anything in the sequence. 
3. Separation of duties... My wife does the inside... I do the outside... Generally if one interferes with the others sequence, generally you will get out of sequence and miss something.
4. Before starting to move the truck with the 5th wheel hooked up... Physically double check one more time that everything has been done.  Hitch locked... trailer electrically hook up to truck connected... break away safety connection secure... Wheel chocks removed... tires okay... all hookups disconnected...  and do a final walk around to make sure everything is okay and nothing is left behind. 
Sequence... It's all about the sequence ... the verbal check off... The final walk check.
Simple mistakes can be costly. Ruin your day... ruin your trip.

Social media... really social?

So... It's social media really social?
Social media.... in a broader sense I get the meaning. BUT as it relates to kids and especially teenagers... social media certainty takes the "social" out of human interaction with others. We are raising an entire generation that is so deeply immersed in electronic media that they are NOT developing social skills to interact with other people. When they do have to,  or want to interact with others most of the time it's non productive or leads to misunderstandings or controversy, and even arguments and mild violence...  or at the minimum uncertainty. They are not developing basic skills to communicate with each other. Other times it's total avoidance of interaction with strangers. Particularly in stores when they are extremely reluctant to even ask for things. Don't believe me? Just try having an ongoing conversation with someone 10-16 years old. Evaluate their communication skills. Can they have a non emotional rational conversation? Most times the answer is no on varying degrees. So where will we all be in 10-20 years when they make up the bulk of the younger adult society? ... Filled with drama, controversy,  and argumentative interactions. Makes you wonder. Or at least... Makes me wonder.

Goal achieved

Life & best decisions...
1983... got the rving fever and bought my first rv. 1983 Class C motor home. I kept it ready to roll at a moments notice... Great for vacations,  weekend getaways, day trips, and a evening out to the local park with fried chicken.
1995... planned for an rving life after retiring in 2003.
1998-2003... the 5 year countdown... researched full time rving... Talked to rvers... read books... and planned and prepared.
2003... plans became a reality... Sold the old RV... Sold the house... Bought the RV of our dreams... and drove off into the sunset. Foot loose & fancy free.
The ability to go where ever we wanted,  stay as long we liked,  have new adventures and pile up the memories.
2003 - present... 15 years of full time rving... wow what a life full of adventures. New places, new friends, new experiences, and lots of great times filled with memories.
All made special by my wife Shelly.... along with family and lots of rving friends. Worked some jobs in campgrounds seasonally from the mountains to the beaches,   to Texas,  to Missouri,  to Pennsylvania, to Florida ... Disney world, Orlando,  Miami, the keys, and navarre beach... and everything in between. Worked at Disney world for 8 years ( seasonal cast members), was annual pass holders for 2 more years,  and had great memories at Disney with family,  friends, and simply by ourselves.  Every place we have been had special memories.  Every place had it's own special appeal.  Spent 3 1/2 years living at Navarre Beach Florida. Currently enjoying the quieter life in the countryside of Virginia close to the mountains and skyline drive... One of my all time places since childhood. Blessed to be with our daughter Brandi and the three Grand girls.  We've been to so many touristy places with crowds and busy areas all around us... It's nice to enjoy the peacefulness of country life where all you hear is the birds and the breeze.
Our home on wheels... It's an adventure that a lot of people dream of... Some get to live it.  Not a single regret. I have lived and loved more in the past 19 years with  Shelly, and 15 years of rving, than I have my entire adult life.  Who could ask for anything more.  My life long goal was simply to be happy... Goal achieved.
......................................................
Retired early at 49 years old. Why? Seen too many people work until they were 65... Some died before they got there... Some were physically used up... some chased the bigger retirement dollars to have more when they retired,  only to see that they were in poor health, and that with few exceptions,  they would live out the rest of their lives in the home that they spent their entire lives paying for.  I had the same choice at 49... Work another 16 years... Years that are going to be the best years of the rest of my life ( to me being a slave to the house & job)... Or start enjoying life... Take those next best years 49-65 and make the most of them... Which is what I did.  Some people would thrive with the house,  family, and jobs reaching the age of 65 ( if they make it that far) and then start their golden years not knowing how many years were left to them. At 49... I took the early retirement money (30 and out), and it was the best decision ever.  Not a single regret... Well... Maybe those two motor scooters. Now approaching 65, I simply can not imagine having worked the past 16 years at the same old,  same old... In place of all the adventures and experiences... all the joys & happiness... all the memories.  But to each their own. Life is full of choices. Dreams can and do come true if you are bold enough to embrace them,  plan for them,  and make the decision. The accepted norm of working until 65, the same job,  the same old thing for 45 years,  being physically used up, so I could retire in the 30 year mortgage... Well... That wasn't for me.
Yo, ho... yo, ho...  the RV life for me.

Older...happier

Older and happier...

An old favorite

An old favorite that never grows old.

Speaking of color

Speaking of color... Epcot at night is full of color. As the sun goes down, and the lights go up,  the atmosphere changes and blossoms to the full ambiance of the evening. It's our favorite park in the evening. 
But then again... All the parks are beautiful at night.

The wonderful world of color.

The wonderful world of color... It all started way back in the 1960s with Walt Disneys vision of how colorful the world is... And always should be.  That tradition is carried on today.  The Magic Kingdom Parades ... Very colorful.  But as always... Pictures can not do it justice.  The music, the fanfare, the celebration, the excitement, and all the wonderful vivid colors.

Phenomenal concept

It's a phenomenal concept, shame it's not put into practice today in society... what we have today is known as the career welfare state. The percentage of people that make a career of living off of welfare, never having paid into the system,  collecting all they can get, always wanting more and getting it, never attempting to work for what they get, never attempting to better their position in life. And in many cases live better, eat better, and drive better cars than those that work for everything they get. So why as a society do we put up with this? It's all in the hands of the politicians that provide them with their welfare in exchange for their vote... Keeping them in office.  Some say that welfare is a forum of oppression keeping recipients financially down in lower class stations in life. I'm personally open to freeing them from their oppression... Strict limits on welfare... collect for a time limit commencement with the time you paid into the system. Never paid into the system... You get extremely limited help to get on your feet... Then get nothing! 
Constantly see beggers on the street corners holding signs asking for money... While standing in front of several nearby businesses looking to hire workers. GET A JOB! 

Run away train...

Run away train ride. Always a favorite.
Just in case ya don't know... but I'm sure you do... Disney World,  Magic Kingdom,  Frontierland... Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Society...

Society... more accurately... inner city mentality.
So what's to understand. For those that don't live in,  or frequently visit inner city environments,  we only know what the media reports. Therein lies the first part of the problem.  We only get part of the story, one perspective,  and very often slanted to a hidden agenda of the reporting source.  News that is sensationalize for maximum effect... the desired effect to elicit the desired emotional reactions from those that listen to the news being reported. Emotionally controlled and manipulated responses, influencing the masses... or at least those that are driven by emotions,  rather than logic. Who is heard the most in the news? Those that are outspoken and advocate violence... Emotionally motivated violence that only adds to the problems both today and for years to come. Violence that perpetuates an ongoing hatred passed from generation to generation. Why? Those that shout the loudest advocating more prejudice & violence are given the podium of the news media... It's news... and their voices are sensationalized by the news media provoking emotional responses and more violence... because that creates even more news. Nothing changes... Except to get worse as time goes on.
Recently a 7 years old girl was shot dead by drug dealers on the streets of Baltimore. Black on Black crime... It's nothing new.  Someone posts a mixed message with some positive notes ... But also the call for riots & looting. So which do you think the emotionally charged inner city person will hear... taught and  feeling threat they are already persecuted and prejudiced... riot & violence will be their response. And when the stores are looted and destroyed, the aftermath will be the cries that their neighborhoods and stores are destroyed and their streets are not safe... and they have to live in the slums of the city. Most people hate crime in the city and the third world appearance of the inner city slams. Truly a sad situation that has no cure... and no hope of change... except to only get worse.
Here's a recent post that exemplifies how bad it is, and well continue to be. 

Adventures in food

Adventures in food... Disney style.
Food has always been one of the joys in life. Some things ya never grow tired of.  And as you get older looking for new things is sometimes a challenge, usually with mixed results... Mostly disappointing.  Disney is no exception to this rule. Add to this Disneys compulsion to make what I'd call "artsy fartsy" dishes prepared with exotic combinations and spices... well... this meat & potatoes man usually isn't impressed. But they say trying new things is the spice of life.  Not sure about that statement. Here's a fewer disappointing adventures in food,  Disney style.
Observations... most don't even look good and most don't taste good... Especially at the food festivals. So much for thing new things.

Southern Food...

Southern food... seafood... Specifically Crab Cakes.
There's lots of good food in the South...
Crab Cakes id not one of them...
But... you be the judge.

Guy shirt...

The perfect guy shirt...
Goes along with the concept of doing nothing...