Humpday Happenings...

Now, THAT was some serious RAIN last evening, wasn't it?
The local tally had Fort Wayne at about 2.5 INCHES of precipitation. And, there were those "flash flood" warnings going out.
At least last night's weather event kept the loudass boomcars off my streets for a time...that was SO refreshing to NOT hear them for a change.
Our Hoosierland weather for today will see us with some fog early on, maybe a leftover shower and mostly cloudy skies. Temps will reach into the mid-70s today and yes, it will feel a bit on the muggy side.
We're expecting more rain for the next couple days, so I wouldn't stow that umbrella JUST yet.
Now, what say we get ourselves a nice soothing morning drink, as we take in all the other things that have been going on elsewhere, hmm?
*** First out of the rain barrel is our WHO SAID THAT? quote of the week:
"Seek freedom and become a captive of your desires, seek discipline and find your liberty."

It would seem that more folks would be better served by desiring liberty, rather than rampant freedom, and I can see why. Still, liberty is something that produces freedom, and not the other way around.
So who said that? The answer at the top of tomorrow's post.
Meanwhile, back in Tacoma Washington...
*** Next up,  is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
May 11 -
---Today is NATIONAL FOAM ROLLING DAY

(think of this as a poor man's massage)
---It's also NATIONAL TWILIGHT ZONE DAY

(A good way to observe this is to visit the SE side of Fort Wayne...or watch some classic reruns)
---It's also NATIONAL SCHOOL NURSE DAY

They were NEVER this cute when I was in school!!!

(unsung heroes of our educational system)
---It's NATIONAL RECEPTIONISTS DAY

(those who run interference for "the boss")
---And, it's NATIONAL THIRD SHIFT WORKERS DAY

(for all those running the "graveyard" and screwing up their circadian rhythm)
*** Next up, a pretty big deal went down last evening at the city council meeting.
Here's the story link:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local/Council-thwarts-city-s-annexation-plan-by-a-party-line-7-2-vote

The peasants are revolting.

Our "king", Mayor Henry was dealt a losing hand last night as the city council voted DOWN the North IV Annexation deal. Sorry...no land grab this week,  your highness.
It was interesting to hear all the questions posed to the city reps and how the answers were not exactly clear and forthcoming (typical).
The kicker for me was when council president, Russ Jehl asked the reps "Why is this a case of we need to pass the plan to see what's in it?" to which he got a rousing round of applause from the audience, which was comprised of many of the affected residents in the proposed annexation area.

The "Magnificent Seven" RIDE AGAIN...LOL.

Guess you really CAN'T fool all the people all the time, especially when dealing with democrats.
And speaking of which, the council vote went 7-2 AGAINST annexation (and their reasons were SOUND ones), with the ONLY TWO "yay" votes being Geoff Paddock and Glynn Hines (democrats both).

Sorry, guys, but...YOU LOSE!!!

That's pretty sad when you don't have enough backbone to go against your "king" (or even see the logic and reason behind not voting for the annexation) when you KNOW he's wrong, unless you've been SO duped for SO long. Apparently, the people DO NOT MATTER to these two councilmen.
(well Hines only cares about "his" people - Paddock just follows like an obedient pet). Good to see the dems get a kick in the teeth in this city, for once.
Like to see (much) more of that downtown.
*** Next up, I noticed one of those days where this blog's page views went damn near off the chart. Just over 400 views...kinda odd, really, as I typically get under 200 (on a good cay) AND, this is the "best blog about the goings on in Fort Wayne (and beyond) that's hardly read"...lol.

The extent of MY social media.

(yeah, I got my own "tag-line" now...HA!)
But, I also noticed ALL the media sources parroting what I had posted yesterday morning about the latest homicide victim.
I did some digging around and found that story from Lawrence, Indiana (the huge pot bust from last year), and I think I had my stuff up before the other local media outlets. Sure seemed that way.
Guess they like seeing facts. Can't blame 'em for that, can I?
Anyone wanna put me on their payroll for reporting? Just asking.
*** Next, Looks like even MORE fallout from the flawed Obummercare "mandate".
Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/business/Most-long-term-care-costing-more-12995168

Thanks for NOTHING, douche-bag.

OUCH! The cost of a private nursing home room is up to a whopping $92K annually!
Cripes, who (beside the independently wealthy and socially-secure) can afford THAT kind of scratch from a loved one's care when they can no longer care for themselves?
Coverage costs are ALSO rising. Really?
Even the National Council on Aging is seeing the system fail it's people.

"It's getting more and more difficult for the average family", they say. And they're correct.
Guess Obama DID want the old people to just die off. Thing is, HE will get old sooner than he thinks. Maybe then, he can just check out and save the American people some money. We can "hope" for that "change".
*** Next,  seems that Fort Wayne is becoming one of "those" cities that just HAS to have some sort of PUBLIC MURAL. Here's the story link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/entertainment/Amplify-Art--Artlink--North-Anthony-Corridor-mural-12883716

Now, I was an art major in high school (talk about pissing way an opportunity - yeah, I never followed up on THAT one), so I can appreciate real art, in damn near any medium it's presented.
But, in the last few decades, I've seen cities embrace all this "modern" crap, which (in many cases) looks like an aftermath of an auto accident. Then there's that crucifix in a jar of urine posing as "art"...well some people need to lay off the drugs and put down the anti-Christianity, liberal agenda, don't they?

What in the hell...? Am I having a stroke?

I've seen murals on buildings many times. The one that comes to mind for me,was a SPIDERMAN one back in Philly (this was the late 80s) out in West Philly. Was well done, and to this day, have no idea who painted it. Probably no longer there (maybe the building was torn down).

Sinatra mural - Philadelphia

My old stompin' grounds of Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly love (not any longer, sad to say) has become the "unofficial" street mural capital over the years. Thought that used to be Los Angeles?
Then, there are these "social" murals - onse that depict some "ongoing struggle" of one ethnicity against the system (everyone), or some celebratory mural about being black or Latino.
Funny, never see anything about white folks? Another "prohibited" form of expression here?
Maybe THEY prefer their art in a MUSEUM or at an EXHIBITION? I know I do.
Plus, even artists have to EAT and survive. Better to sell some of that art, right?
Some of these murals are done well. Others look like a Peter Max acid trip (I'm dating myself).

Whole building "mural" - Philadelphia

Some cover ONE wall. Others cover the whole damn building.
Let's hope Fort Wayne doesn't get carried away along the North Anthony corridor and winds up turning it into a real estate freakshow.
*** Last back to the rain gutters...there are those who believe that art imitates life.

There are still others that believe the converse to that - life imitates art.
I think it's a two-way street,  It has to be.
To many people who pursue artistic ventures, it's a way to express oneself, just as a writer would, or a musician.
And along those lines, such things can be quite lucrative if the opportunity presents itself, and you're willing to WORK at it and chase that dream to make it your reality.
Now, those who "tag" buildings (or other property) - the graffiti "artists" are there just to be a pain in some city's ass.

I've seen the rise of THAT as well back in Philly. Railroad and inner city elevated trains covered with some tagger's "name". Philly had to start coating things with anti-graffiti paint...just to make it easier to clean stuff off.
Like anything in life, TOO MUCH is never a good thing, and Benjamin Franklin told us as much.
EVERYTHING in moderation - NOTHING to excess.
Well, today, it's all ABOUT excess, isn't it?
Excessiveness sells, whether it's on the news, in our stores, or along the lines of every form of social media.
I like to use the word "sensationalism" as an adjunct to excessive behaviors, because THAT gets the attention.

Can any of us be happy or content chasing after such things as those? Not really.
It's another way of putting WANTS (or desires) before NEEDS, I think.
And the eerie part to all of this...we have no idea where it will all end, do we?
Meet your needs first, and much of the rest will take care of itself in it's own good time.

Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.

Tuesday Tidbits...

Welcome to a nice, rainy day...again.
If you wanted some sunshine, you can wait until tomorrow, when we're "supposed" to see a little...OR, you can move to the Bahamas (I think the former is still cheaper and safer).
Our Hoosierland weather today will see us with (as could be expected)...RAIN throughout most all of the day, with maybe a thunderstorm tossed in for good measure. Any heavy rain will be this afternoon, so get your errands done early.
Our temps today will top out around 65 degrees, and no gusty winds to speak of around here.
Now, let's all get that morning drink parked nearby as we see what's been transpiring elsewhere...
*** First out of the birdbath is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
May 10 -
---Today is NATIONAL LIPID DAY

(where would we be without THOSE? Just make sure you don't have TOO many)
---It's also NATIONAL SHRIMP DAY

(As long as it's not RAW, I am so there.)
*** Next up, and because it's TUESDAY, here are ALL the shots fired and armed robbery calls that went out over the past week that the media never tells us about.

SHOTS FIRED / ARMED ROBBERY CALLS - 5/2 - 5/8
=============================================
MAY 2 -
16F056731 13:00:50 113 SHOTS FIRED 8800 LIMA RD & WALLEN RD W
((NO armed robberies))
MAY 3 -
16F057483 23:09:42 113 SHOTS FIRED 1300 BETTY AVE
16F057477 22:45:00 53 ARMED ROB 300 WILLIAMS ST W
16F057194 13:38:51 58 SHOOTING 3700 MAYWOOD AVE
MAY 4 -
16F057824 17:58:28 113 SHOTS FIRED 1400 GREENE ST
((NO armed robberies))
MAY 5 -
16F058007 01:19:26 113 SHOTS FIRED 300 ESMOND ST
16F058450 22:06:21 113 SHOTS FIRED 5200 LILLIE ST
((NO armed robberies))
MAY 6 -
16F058610 10:39:33 113 SHOTS FIRED 4000 WARSAW ST
16F058986 22:52:09 113 SHOTS FIRED 1400 OXFORD ST & HOLTON AVE
16F059015 23:59:42 113 SHOTS FIRED 2700 PAULDING RD E
16F058896 19:23:20 58 SHOOTING 2700 PAULDING RD E
16F058897 19:26:43 58 SHOOTING 2800 BARR ST S
((NO armed robberies))
MAY 7 -
16F059031 00:46:14 113 SHOTS FIRED 600 LEWIS ST E
16F059059 02:56:06 113 SHOTS FIRED 4200 AVONDALE DR
16F059365 18:33:36 113 SHOTS FIRED 3000 BARR ST S
16F059364 18:34:17 113 SHOTS FIRED 100 LEITH ST E
16F059390 19:34:44 113 SHOTS FIRED 2000 PAULDING RD E
16F059405 20:10:00 113 SHOTS FIRED 2000 PAULINE ST
16F059416 20:29:13 113 SHOTS FIRED 5600 ZUBER DR & ALBERTA DR
16F059437 21:18:20 113 SHOTS FIRED 5800 TURTLE CREEK DR & PAULDING RD
16F059467 22:21:23 113 SHOTS FIRED 2700 PAULDING RD E
16F059470 22:24:23 113 SHOTS FIRED 5300 COOK RD W & FRITZ RD
16F059481 22:46:49 113 SHOTS FIRED 5200 WINTER ST
16F059490 23:00:20 113 SHOTS FIRED 8200 BRIDGEWAY DR
16F059339 17:35:18 53 ARMED ROB 4600 WASHINGTON BLVD E
16F059497 23:11:10 58 SHOOTING 3700 WASHINGTON BLVD E
MAY 8 - 
16F059558 01:42:09 113 SHOTS FIRED 2000 SENIOR DR
16F059560 01:46:40 113 SHOTS FIRED 200 PETTIT AVE E
16F059561 01:47:50 113 SHOTS FIRED 2000 PAULINE ST
16F059572 02:08:39 113 SHOTS FIRED 1900 FOREST DOWNS DR
16F059629 04:38:38 113 SHOTS FIRED 4200 CENTRAL DR
16F059628 04:38:42 113 SHOTS FIRED 3900 HESSEN CASSEL RD
16F059866 18:57:58 113 SHOTS FIRED 2400 CALIFORNIA AVE
16F059968 23:56:55 113 SHOTS FIRED 1700 WASHINGTON CTR RD W
16F059562 01:48:44 58 SHOOTING 700 BROADWAY
((NO armed robberies))
===========================
Ever notice it's on the weekends that the "natives get restless"?
It's like the FWPD can't figure that one out.
---And we can't leave out those idiots shooting off fireworks, can we?
(someone get them a damn calendar and show them WHEN it's allowed)
===========================
FIREWORKS CALLS 5/2 - 5/8
============================
MAY 7 -
16F059372 18:45:00 44FW 1800 WALLEN RD W
16F059403 20:06:28 44FW 8200 ROANOKE DR
Yep, and the "moron show" begins around the city...expect an increase each week from now on.
*** Next up, some more information on the last "reported" homicide in Fort Wayne (which currently is listed as NUMBER TEN).

(I call it eleven until the coroner releases the cause of death of the other woman found dead in her apartment.) Here's the story link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/Slain-man-was-set-to-stand-trial-12984413

He be dead!

Wow, now who could have imagined THAT...the slain man at 3702 Maywood Street, one Denyran D. Calvin, age 33, the latest victim of this year's dead-pool, was set to stand trial in July for felony dealing MORE THAN 10 POUNDS of marijuana (according to Marion County court records).
But, with people like THIS, there is ALWAYS more to the story.
His address is listed as Indianapolis (yet, here he is in OUR city...well not anymore, at least not in the living sense).
Here's a previous story from August 2015 in Lawrence, Indiana:
http://fox59.com/2015/08/27/400-lbs-of-marijuana-100k-3-cars-seized-in-lawrence-drug-bust-3-arrested/
Makes you wonder what ELSE is going on in OUR city (especially on the SE side) right UNDER the nose of the FWPD and it's chief, doesn't it? A shame no one wants to scratch the surface and look deeper, isn't it?

Scene of the homicide

And the way the story was first presented, it almost had people sympathetic and thinking it was a home invasion that went sideways.
Sorry, I didn't really think that.
Not in THIS part of town.
Had too many hairs on the back of my neck standing up.
In addition, even though we has possibly in hiding, "someone" found out where he was and saved taxpayers a lot of money from his trial. Maybe some thanks should be given out?
*** Next, another new program designed to help inner city youth "get their proverbial sh*t together" that will cost $1000 per teen entered in this program, gets off the ground.

Lose the whole "hood" crap.

Here's the story link:
http://www.wowo.com/churchs-im-hood-program-set-teach-teens-leadership/

Try THIS first.

This comes from the New Beginnings Church, pastored by Rev. Carlton Lynch.
The program is called "I'm HOOD", which the "hood" stands for Helping Others Obtain Destiny.
(and her "child" ? LOL)
Maybe we should help these teens get some DIGNITY first...and some RESPECT FOR OTHERS, and maybe a sense of ETHICAL BEHAVIOR...and yes, even some MORALITY before we send them off to their "destiny"?
I'm just sayin'. Things should follow a specific PATH of achievement.
Making a similarity to thug culture might not be the best way to proceed here.
*** Next up, a letter to the editor that caught my attention, because it succinctly addresses this whole "entitlement" aspect to our society with welfare "handouts"...and our churches:

(( Welfare functions obscure church’s purpose
The first meaning of bum is “one who sponges off others and avoids work.” Many bums tolerate an imperfect “welfare church” while they dream of the perfect “welfare state,” run for professional bums by self-righteous opportunists. Unfortunately, this syndrome adversely affects the charity they count on.
My main concern with all of them is the damage they are doing to the church on their way to the good life of government-backed handouts and guaranteed happiness. People are beginning to treat the church like a welfare agency, concerned not with feeding souls, but filling bellies, not with helping people out of a tough spot but enabling them to survive there indefinitely on faith-based charity and tax-based grants.
Forget the Son of God, the forgiveness of sins and the eternal home in Heaven. They want free hots daily, a cot when it’s cold, and enough money to buy smokes, alcohol and other “goodies.” Beyond these necessities, they want the church to butt out.
JOHN RIBAR
Fort Wayne))
Yeah, I think John gets it. And, he's got the definition of BUM down nicely.
*** Next, There are two other letters on the page that you might want to peruse (for your amusement, if for no other reason). Here's the link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/letters/Letters-12782770
Yeah, annexation and gas taxes...two great sources of feigned income for municipalities.
Maybe they should trim the pork?
Obviously, these two comments are from leftards, who always think that MORE is better (well, it IS costlier).
Sorry, but generations before did MORE with LESS...and did quite well enough.
*** Last back to the patio...it really pisses me off to no end when I hear the churches in American taking a beating from the minions of the anti-God cabal.

We've already seen that church membership is down, while the attacks on most every front to God (and His word) is on the increase. Where is that getting us, as a society anyway?

Bullies, bullies everywhere

For starters, it's making us into a nation of bullies. Not a good thing.
Just look at anything dealing with Christianity...or better yet, the election cycle.
Hardly anything mentioned about REAL policy changes, or addressing the issues of our day. it's all about who can best another at name-calling.

That makes two of us...

The candidates are too busy mocking or deriding one another to make ANY headway with telling us HOW the country will advance into the next four years (and beyond). This is meant (imho) to distract us from, among many other things,  the constant attack on the church (as a whole).
Every Christmas, the same morons drag out the same rhetoric about taking down nativity scenes.
Every graduation, we hear one person managing to prevent a PRAYER from being spoken for HUNDREDS of graduates at some school or university.

Whatever happened to "live and let live", anyway?
Seems in times past, we all used to get along a helluva lot better.
Why was that?
Maybe it was born of a mutual respect for one another. I mean, if there was something we didn't like, we could just change the TV channel, or not listen to something, or not attend whatever function bothered us. We just avoided it (and the angst included).
Not these days...people have to seek out that "15 minutes of (online) fame" someplace, don't they?
And the cost for that is what makes us uniquely AMERICANS, every single one of us. We are paying a high price here.
We're standing at a very important crossroads today, and no one wants to dare take the correct path.

They're content to sit their ass in the middle of that intersection, rather than choose a direction...ANY direction (gee that seems too familiar to me...wonder why?)
There are those of us that still wish to take the right road, path, trail, highway...whatever in order to preserve WHO we are in this country, and if we are to be damned, it will be for doing what was just for everyone.
I think there's a lesson for all in that, don't you?
Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.

Monday Musings...

Well, we did have a pretty nice weekend, generally-speaking - doing a lot better than those 80,000 souls in Alberta, Canada - gotta pray for those folks who have been wiped out due to that raging wildfire (larger than the city of Miami, I heard).
In the Midwest, we're well enough, and should take a moment to pass along our thanks to that higher authority.
Our Hoosierland weather for today will have us with mostly cloudy skies, and temps reaching to about 57 degrees. Oh, and keep the umbrella nearby, as those RAIN showers will make getting around today a bit soggier.
Now, let's get our morning drinks and see what's been going on elsewhere...
*** First out of the maelstrom is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
May 9 -
---Today is NATIONAL BUTTERSCOTCH BROWNIE DAY

Any brownie, damn near any flavor - that's me.)
---It's also NATIONAL LOST SOCK MEMORIAL DAY

(Our appliances don't eat them any longer, but our socks do develop holes in a more singular fashion)
---And, it's NATIONAL MOSCATO DAY

(one of the OLDEST varieties of grapes and wines around...cheers!)
   ---It's also NATIONAL WOMEN'S CHECKUP DAY

(Okay ladies...get crackin')
*** Next up, we could be staring at HOMICIDE NUMBER ELEVEN.

(as you recall, we still haven't heard the result from our coroner on the LAST person found dead in her apartment at Southbridge back on 2 May - could be number ten)
But THIS latest shooting death investigation comes to us from (where else?) the LOVELY crotch of Fort Wayne, known colloquially as the SOUTHEAST SIDE.
Here's the story link (so far):
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/Man-found-shot-to-death-in-home-12967664

The man was found dead (by a relative doing a well-being check up on him) in his house, located at 3702 Maywood (near Wayne Trace) Sunday around 0950 hrs. Not a way to spend any Sunday, that's for sure.
The man was said to have suffered gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Makes me wonder if we don't have some sort of "serial" person (killer) behind these recent shootings of residents who were AT HOME at the time. There seems to be too many for a coincidence.
Yeah, it wouldn't BE a weekend in our city without SOME form of death-related MAYHEM, would it now?
*** We also had a couple of other shootings over the weekend. (Big surprise, huh?).
Here's a link to the first shooting:
http://wane.com/2016/05/08/man-critically-hurt-in-shooting-at-motel/
This took place at the Hallmark Inn on E. Washington Blvd (near Coliseum S.) around 2300 hrs Saturday night.
Police did not find a man at the inn, but found a blood trail.
A local hospital alerted police to a man coming in with a gunshot wound. He is in critical condition.
NO other information was forthcoming.
Here's the link to the second shooting:
http://wane.com/2016/05/08/person-sent-to-hospital-after-shooting/
This took place in the 2000 block of Pauline St around 0130 hrs Sunday morning.
A man was found by police shot in the arm, and was taken to hospital, and is in good condition.
No other information is available (as usual)..
*** Next up, it's THIS sort of thing (above) that ties in nicely with some other articles that came to light over the weekend.
This whole annexation thing is getting some traction, and with good cause.

There seems to be more minuses than pluses attached to it, at least when you hear about how residents in the affected area are attempting to fight this.

But our reigning king, Mayor Tom Henry has his own (hackneyed) view as well, as seen in an editorial he placed in Sunday's paper. Here's the link to the column in question:
http://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/columns/Annexation--The-alternative-to-decline-12914566
Maybe the REAL title should be: Annexation--The Alternative to Ignoring the South Side?
On a somewhat opposing side, there was a counterpoint to the newest land-grab. Here's the link to the editorial:
http://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/editorials/Annexation-should-wait-for-answers-on-tax-issue-12884680
If you've been wondering what this is all about, both of these "opinions" or perspectives might sway you to one side of the fence or the other. I can only speak from how former annexations have affected us at the "Fortress", down in the city's Southeast side.
Whatever money was gleaned (taken) from those in Aboite during the last annexation (2006) hasn't helped OUR part of town one...damn...bit.
And yet, we (now) hear that King Henry states the money from this NEW annexation WILL, in fact, aid ALL sectors of the city.... Sorry.
 Not buying it.
Fool me ONCE, shame on you...fool me TWICE, shame on ME.
We're not done with this by a long shot, do not doubt me.
*** Next up, we had a decent weekend, as weekend's go. Could always be better.

Our grocery trip was relatively uneventful, until we got to the checkout and were erroneous "charged" an additional $50, because a label on lunch meat was incorrect.
Gotta love technology when it comes to the small stuff, right?
We had that resolved before we left the store.
And YES, Kroger still had TASTYKAKES...we naturally stocked up again...lol.
From there, Wifey and I drove over to Walmart and blew close to $50 on more plants (we're calling this PHASE TWO). But we weren't quite finished. We then went to Menards and got ourselves some "essentials" such as mulch, topsoil and manure (City Hall tends to give us too much of the WRONG kind of bullshit).

The Chrysler Imperial hybrid tea rose (mature)

And, we got a nice rose bush that I planted (Chrysler Imperial red variety - that's what was on the label). Should look nice when it matures (and if it survives)...here's hoping.
The really cool item was a Japanese Maple Tree we got at Walmart...for under $13.00. Already have a place in mind for this. Just waiting for the right day to plant it (in our "circle" just beyond our gate between the garage and house.

The "phase-two" assortment

Here's also hoping the kids don't take a shine to it and damage or destroy it. You always take a chance whenever you try to make something NICE around here...
(damn unintelligent, disrespectful aborigines)
Yeah, we got us some decent plants, in spite of the fact that we no longer have FRANKS NURSERY...OR K-MART to get such things at any longer.
*** Next up, Captain America - Civil War proved quite successful this weekend, topping the box office with a $181 MILLION bucks (and change) payday.

That makes it the FIFTH largest box office opening in the USA...EVER, surpassing Iron Man 3. Star Wars - The Force Awakens remains at the top,
Here's a link to the details:
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4183&p=.htm

Overall (that's globally) it's made $675 MILLION (so far).
Nothing to shake a shield at, that's for sure.
The Captain America film series shows the greatest film-over-film growth (91%) as a stand alone franchise.
Civil War may become only the 4th film to top $200 million in the first three days. It could well pass the $30 MIL mark by next weekend.
WTG, people.
*** Last back to the comic book store...This past Saturday was FCBD -  FREE COMIC BOOK DAY in the USA, and I MISSED it...again.

There were two issues I wanted, but I didn't see anything mentioned in the paper about it, nor on the news I watched. It's like someone wanted to keep me away...lol.
I've been a fan (and collector) of comics since I was in elementary school (wish I still had all those Sgt Rock and old DC comics...we wouldn't be living on the SE side, that's for sure...heh).

As a preteen and then a teenager, I developed a sense of appreciation for the "release" that comic books gave us kids in Philly. We had our own "cadre" as it were...comic book lovers all, and we kept abreast of every drugstore delivery date, as well as every twist and turn in plots (Marvel comics loved to have two and three part story-lines - that began back in the '60s).
We ate, slept and played superheroes, and LONG before ANY toys or costumes came along to help us with such activities. If you were lucky, you could get a MODEL of some superheroes (thanks to a model company named AURORA). But you had to PAINT them yourself, and unless you were good, didn't come out too well. That's where being an ART MAJOR came in...lol.
Today, and FINALLY, we, who grew up with all these fictional characters have ALL sorts of tie-in merchandise, and in many respects, that's a good thing, as long as it's kept in perspective.

Kids need positive role models today, that much is certain, and unfortunately, not enough kids are learning this.
For us (growing up) comics were a marvelous (no pun intended) diversion in the Cold War world. We also learned to hone our READING skills through comics (not a bad byproduct of such illustrated pulp fiction).
And, we learned the value of doing the right thing, as well as the consequence from doing the wrong thing, and that GOOD triumphs over EVIL.
Those notions (truthful as they are) smack back to ANOTHER book I often frequent - The Bible.

Such views these days seem an anachronism to many, and that's just wrong.
The vital messages we NEED in life are often overshadowed by the marketing gurus who feed our WANTS and desires.  Seems no one knows that our wants come AFTER our needs are met (or should be).
Why, the things we learned from those twelve-cent comics helped many of us in ways we're still discovering.
Just try getting a similar kickback from that same 12 cents TODAY. I dare you.

Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.