Agua Donkeys (2020)

I gave this a shot. Was slow to like it but after awhile I really enjoyed the stupidity of the characters. They’re short. About 7 minutes each so they aren’t really television episodes. They are probably internet shorts presented as tv. They aren’t bad. They’re sick.

Most of the episodes revolve around two guys, working as pool cleaners, trying to impress the girl who works at the office.

Give it a shot. It was on Quibi which is no more.

Also the ex-con, Leonard, at the pool store is awesome.

Go watch and pull some chunky gainers and some chill seshes.

Partiot (2015)

One of the best series I have ever seen. Go watch it.

Damn, I love this show. Interesting characters, well written, lots of unexpected twists and turns. A great dark comedy episodic. Should not have been canceled.

30 Coins (30 Monedas) (2020)

Worth watching just for the actress that played Elena. Great actress very expressive and gorgeous.

Interesting plot, good effects, keeps moving. Worth a watch.

Note: I wrote the above a few months ago. I vaguely remember watching this but now can’t remember a thing about it.

National Treasure: Edge of History (2022)

Mushy, Bland and predictable plot. Full of the politically correct themes you would expect from Disney. Nothing special here. Things seem to fall conveniently in line when needed to push the plot forward. The actors are all young, attractive and apparently wealthy with lots of free time on their hands with YouTube paying their bills for the most part.

There’s nothing here worth sinking your teeth into which, since it is geared for teens, might be enough. In a world where reality bites harder this trivial drivel suits no other purpose than to eat up time.

I watched this as background noise. Was disappointed to see Harvey Keitel and Catherine Zeta Jones in this. Man, you can make better choices. Hope you got paid well.

The movies were full of history and the characters had an in-depth knowledge and love of country. This series makes you dislike being American. The main character is fearful of being deported and it’s a bad thing that she can’t land her dream job of working for the FBI because she isn’t a citizen.

The characters are diverse and DIsney checked all the boxes but they run around and are brilliant while everyone else is idiotic. Like the main characters boss who doesn’t know what Latin is.

Fire the writers. Get out of your safe spaces and get a dose of reality and try again.

Gen V (2023)

I’m not feelin it. From the opening scene where the girl discovers her superpower via her period to the bulimic shrinking girl the show has all the creativity of a bologna sandwich. Forcing current teen issues into storylines to make it seem relevant and topical. The same as “The Boys” and “Supergirl” went. Television writers who force pablum on viewers like this should have been left on the Picket lines and Studios should have hired more intelligent and less sensitive, less emotional and less fragile writers. It’s a wonder they can get any writing done at all since I would imagine they rarely leave their apartments and spend most of the time crying over “mean” people. I think that not every form of entertainment needs to be a lesson to society and should not be a form of social justice. They are just perpetuating the stereotypes of the depressed, anxiety ridden teen and the cruel, cruel world they think they live in.

Shameless U.S. (2011)

I suppose, not for the faint of heart, but this show has a lot to offer for the thicker skin. Great characters and intriguing plot lines. Lots of sleaziness that never seems to have reached it’s peak. Great acting on the parts (especially) of William H. Macy and Emmy Rossum whose expressions are amazingly effective in the situations she is put in. Makes you really feel for her.

While she has gone onto other roles (hubby’s Mr. Robot – an excellent but short-lived show and “Angelyne” (ugh) she really was a perfect casting choice for Fiona in Shameless.

William H. Macy is excellent as the alcoholic, addicted and depraved Frank. While he spends most of the time drunk he isn’t stupid. He’s sneaky and shrewd. Respect!

Created by Paul Abbott and adapted for American audiences, this irreverent comedy-drama series takes us into the lives of the Gallagher family as they navigate the rough and tumble streets of Chicago’s South Side. Strap in, folks, because things are about to get shamelessly hilarious!

Fiona Gallagher: The Heart and Soul of Dysfunction Let’s start with Fiona Gallagher, the glue holding this ragtag family together. Played with equal parts sass and vulnerability by Emmy Rossum, Fiona is the epitome of resilience in the face of absurdity. Whether she’s juggling multiple jobs to put food on the table or dealing with the latest catastrophe courtesy of her deadbeat father, Fiona always manages to keep her wits about her (well, most of the time).

One of the most talked-about scenarios involving Fiona has to be her tumultuous love life. From steamy trysts with bad boys to ill-fated romances with seemingly decent guys, Fiona’s romantic escapades are a rollercoaster ride of epic proportions. Who could forget her ill-fated marriage to the seemingly perfect Sean, only to have it crumble faster than a stale cookie? Or her steamy affair with the enigmatic Jimmy/Steve/Jack/Whatever-His-Name-Is-This-Season? Fiona’s love life is a hot mess, and we can’t help but root for her to find happiness amidst the chaos.

Frank Gallagher: The Master of Shenanigans And then there’s Frank Gallagher, the lovable(ish) patriarch of the Gallagher clan. Played with devilish charm by William H. Macy, Frank is a walking disaster zone with a penchant for trouble and a liver of steel. Whether he’s scheming his way into a free meal or causing mayhem with his latest get-rich-quick scheme, Frank is always up to no good – and we can’t get enough of it.

One of the most iconic scenarios involving Frank has to be his infamous “Frank Gallagher Special” – a concoction of cheap beer, leftover booze, and whatever else he can scrounge up from the back of the fridge. Watching Frank stumble around in a drunken stupor is a sight to behold, and William H. Macy plays the role with such gusto that you can’t help but laugh (and cringe) at his antics.

Recommend you give it a shot. May not be your cup of tea but give it 5 episodes to see if it gets under your skin.

Personal Update on My Collection

I have not uploaded many products to the online store portion of this website as of late. I am “downgrading” my collection, so to speak. I was collecting world of all dates. Now I am limiting it to 1960. So I am gathering together all post-1960 material to put up online to sell.

I am also going through other material to sell. It is taking awhile.

There has been no traffic on the website. I thought the blog posts would help drive traffic to the website and there would be “like minded” collectors who would be interested in starting a store to sell their inherited collections or duplicates but so far there have been no traffic on the site or registrations. The forum is also empty and there are no comments on the blog posts

I haven’t promoted it in any way either. I was waiting until I had more content and more items to sell (including non-stamp related material) before doing so.

It will be much cheaper than ebay or Hipstamp (10% of sales) to sell on here with no sign up fee. The first people to register to sell will have to be patient and trust me while I work out the logistics and inevitable kinks in the process. All that is down the road, however. I will cross that bridge when I come to it.

I am still missing pages from Scott International for the 1950’s up to and including 1960 so those parts of my collection are scattered for now. I will look for a Part IV (?) in the future.

I am noticing that many stamps are left out of the Scott International albums. I am debating if I should add missing stamps to the margins of pages or save seperately in vario pages. I could also use Steiner pages but I don’t want to remove them again if I get a new album.

Reviving the Passion: A New Dawn for Stamp Collecting in the Digital Age

Once considered a fading hobby, stamp collecting is experiencing a vibrant renaissance in the digital age. While some may have speculated about the death of stamp collecting, the reality is quite the opposite. The convergence of technology, online platforms, and a renewed interest in tangible artifacts has breathed new life into this timeless pastime. In this article, we explore the positive trends and SEO-friendly aspects that are steering stamp collecting toward a dynamic and promising future.

  1. Digital Connectivity Boosts Engagement: Stamp collectors are embracing digital platforms to connect, share, and engage with a global community of enthusiasts. Online forums, social media groups, and virtual exhibitions have become the focal points for discussions, knowledge exchange, and showcasing impressive collections. This digital connectivity has given rise to a sense of camaraderie, breathing fresh energy into the hobby.
  2. E-commerce Fuels Market Accessibility: The rise of e-commerce has made stamp acquisition more accessible than ever before. Online marketplaces cater to collectors of all levels, offering a vast array of stamps, supplies, and specialized materials. This increased accessibility has democratized the hobby, attracting new enthusiasts who can now easily explore and expand their collections.
  3. Educational Initiatives Spark Curiosity: Educational content surrounding philately has become more accessible through blogs, videos, and online courses. These resources cater to beginners and seasoned collectors alike, fostering a deeper understanding of the historical, cultural, and artistic aspects of stamp collecting. Search engine optimization has played a pivotal role in making these educational materials easily discoverable.
  4. Virtual Exhibitions Garner Global Attention: Digital exhibitions have emerged as a powerful tool for showcasing exquisite collections to a global audience. Philatelic organizations and museums now curate virtual exhibits, allowing collectors to present their stamps in a visually appealing and interactive format. This trend not only preserves the essence of traditional exhibitions but also opens the door for greater participation and recognition.
  5. NFTs and Digital Collectibles Create Buzz: The advent of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) has introduced a digital dimension to stamp collecting. Philatelists are exploring opportunities to tokenize unique stamps, creating digital collectibles that can be owned and traded on blockchain platforms. This innovative intersection of tradition and technology has generated buzz, attracting a tech-savvy audience.

Contrary to the notion of its demise, stamp collecting is experiencing a resurgence, fueled by digital connectivity, e-commerce accessibility, educational initiatives, virtual exhibitions, and innovative ventures like NFTs. The death knell for stamp collecting has been replaced by an optimistic narrative of adaptation and evolution. As philatelists continue to embrace the digital age, the timeless charm of collecting stamps finds itself seamlessly woven into the fabric of contemporary hobbies, promising a bright and enduring future.


Some YouTube Channels devoted to Stamp Collecting:

Exploring Stamps

Royal Mail

The Postal Map

Sandafayre

Mark Bloxham Stamps

Stamp & Coin Mart Magazine

American Philatelic Society

Kyle Stamps

CatStamps Stamps

Grading Nomenclature Used in the Scotts Catalogue

The Scott Catalogs, widely used in philately, utilize a specific grading nomenclature to assess the condition of stamps. This grading system helps collectors and enthusiasts understand the overall quality and state of preservation of a stamp. Here is a detailed description of the grading nomenclature commonly used in Scott Catalogs:

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