Top 5ive Photo Ops

     During the recent broadcast of the 12-12-12 Concert for Sandy Relief Paul McCartney stood on stage for the finale with a large group of first responders.  As Alicia Keys sang "Empire State of Mind" many of the fireman, paramedics and police officers managed to snap quick photos with Sir Paul.  As I watched the scene unfold it got me to wondering, "With what iconic figures would I most like to take a photograph?"  I decided to make a list of five, because, well, I have that kind of time on my hands.
     McCartney quickly made my list, as did Muhammad Ali.  Arguably the most famous rock star and athlete on earth, respectively.  
     I knew that the next slot would be one of the five surviving U.S. Presidents, but which one? This almost becomes a topic unto itself.  After much consideration, I decided to go with George H. W. Bush just narrowly edging out Barack Obama. Bush was the youngest Navy pilot in history (18 yrs), shot down over the Pacific, head of the CIA and eight years as Vice President. (FYI: the rest of my POTUS list goes Carter, Clinton and Bush the younger)  That left me two slots and SO many deserving candidates.
     Number 4 on my list is Stan Lee.  The Marvel Comics giant created nearly every superhero whose exploits I grew up reading. Spider-Man, The Hulk, The X-Men, Thor, Iron Man and the Fantastic Four.  A true literary legend.
     The final photo was my toughest decision.  I considered Bruce Springsteen and Brian Wilson (but already had a music icon), Robert DeNiro, Jack Nicholson and Lauren Bacall ( all Hollywood royalty, and the latter was also Mrs. Humphrey Bogart).  And as a baseball fan I had to give serious thought to Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and Reggie Jackson.
     But after much internal debate the last place on my list goes to Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin.  Only 12 people on Earth have ever stepped foot on the moon,  and of those, only eight are still alive.  Possibly the most exclusive fraternity in history.

     Hopefully my list has sparks a conversation or at least a thought about your own Top 5 Photo Ops.  If you're comfortable, post it here as a comment so everyone can read and debate.  You could also Tweet it or simply send me a private email.  No need for explanations (although they add to the interest).  A simple list of five will suffice. 
     Remember, the only rule is that the potential for these dream photographs must actually exist, so all members of your list must be alive.  Say Cheese!

Dave's Top 5ive Photo Ops
1. Paul McCartney
2. Muhammad Ali
3. George H. W. Bush
4. Stan Lee
5. Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin

Ding Dong, The End is Near

Today, January 10th 2012 the Hostess Company filed for bankruptcy. Also today, January 10th 2012 scientists moved the "Doomsday Clock" one minute closer to midnight...signifying that we are that much closer to the end of the world. Coincidence? Maybe. Or maybe the greatest minds in the world realized what I have known for years, the planet can't survive without Twinkies. The Earth has no reason to continue without Suzi-Q's. How can we go on without Honey Buns? And most of all, do we really want to bother with a world where Ding Dongs don't exist?
My advice; RUN! RUN to your local grocery store! Buy all the tasty, tasty Hostess snacks that your cart can hold. Because apparently, Nobel prize winners, Mayans AND the Hostess Company are all trying to tell us the same thing...the end is nigh.