Bacardi Rum is no better or worse than any other kind of rum. Rum like Gin is the rotgut of spirits. You can spend a lot of money on rum. Or you can spend ten bucks for a fifth of Bacardi at Safeway. Use your club card and you’ll save a buck.

Anyway, this Old Fart gave me his opinion of the Bacardi Dark.

“So what did you think?” I asked him.

“I’d say it’s at the threshold of acceptability.”

Okay.

I watched him breeze off.

So he’s not like overwhelmed.

Frankly, I don’t give a shit.

I’m just the Free Sample dude.

I wish I was something else. Like the Winner-Of-The-Lottery Dude. That aint in the cards for me. Mainly because I don’t buy Lottery Tickets.

Half an hour or so later? The Old Fart came back for a second shot.

He wants another shot. Like it’s just good enough rum for him to have another shot!

He’s Chisling free shots at Safeway is what he’s doing.

Mostly Old Farts Chisel free shots.

Like this Old Duffer.

He’s breathing easier after three free shots.

Now he’s my best friend. Talks my fucking head off. All about his trip with his VFW pals down to Disneyland.

JFC!

I gotta listen….I got nothing better to do but stand here and listen. This is what I get paid for. Actually, what I get paid for is SSHHHMUZZING these cheapskates. wait a minute. This Dude’s a regular. Didn’t recognize him without his hat. I’m sure he’s a regular. Let me check my photo files.

Aha! Here he is, from two weeks ago:

Like the Dwarfs occupying the shelf behind him, this Old Fart used to whistle while he worked. Now he’s just marking time. Trips to Safeway. Hanging with his Vet buddies. Hanging with me. Shit. I’m like his brand new Old Time Buddy. But I like the guy. He’s what they used to call GOOD PEOPLE.

In my world everybody is Good People.

The Threshold Of Acceptability.

Life sucks but I’m not quite ready to jump in the Volcano.

Think I’ll hold off until after I’m dead….

Shit’s still good.

Rum aint bad. I’m not swilling it but I remember when it was good.

Rum and Coke.

This lady is sold:

Wow! She’s buying two bottles!

Impressive set of nails.

I wonder if they’re real.

I dig this woman’s nails.

I applaud the dexterity she employs making them work!

In my book, she crosses the threshold of acceptability and well beyond. They oughta have a special award for ladies with the longest ass nails.

I’ll get the Old Duffer to present the award.

Which Old Duffer?

Doesn’t matter. Safeway’s full of them.

Including me.

We’ll call it, THE THRESHOLD OF ACCEPTABILITY MEDAL.

Model it after the Purple Heart…

Speaking of which

I wake up this morning, thinking my life could be a hell of a lot worse.

I’m trying to sell Scruffy. So far no takers.

Craigslist flakes.

But so what? Things could be worse down here on the dock.

The Dock I live on is practically deserted.

I Like the views:

At sunrise.

Midmorning with the mists rolling over the Sausalito hills.

Afternoons not so bad either.

What do I have to complain about?

I’m well beyond the threshold of acceptability.