Ever Lust After A Muscle Car?

Ripley Race will Auction a 1970 Dodge Super Bee

November 2, 2011
Attention car enthusiasts. Due to a generous donation from Mr. Jeff Kimbell, Ripley Race will be auctioning a 1970 Dodge SuperBee! The SuperBee has plenty of modifications and an investment by the owner of more than $45,000. The reserve limit has been set for $25,000, and 100% of the proceeds go to the RipleyRace! You get a classic muscle car that has been restored, and 100% of your purchase goes to support wounded veterans. The car will be on display in the parking lot at Fleet Feet Sports Annapolis from 10:00-4:00pm during Saturday packet pick up and also at the race and post-party held at Fado's.
About the 1970 Dodge Super Bee
Originally, the Super Bee series was a more powerful version of its close cousin - the Dodge Coronet. However, this particular Super Bee boasts a few angry additions worthy of mention. "King Bee" has a 440 block that has been stroked to 451 cubic inches, dual quads (Holley’s), 4 speed pistol grip transmission, 391 gear, custom exhaust/headers and high performance tires. It is street legal and runs on regular/pump gas, however, quarter mile track times in the 12 second range are certainly possible with slicks. Bottom line - this is not a car for children or the timid.

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Good Again Today....My Reward....

Eclectic meets Eccentric: Harvest's Taste
In France, South West means good food! Harvest Café, Bacon's Wine and Spirits have joined forces with Wine Traditions and Hangtime Wines to bring you a sampling of wines from the South West of France paired with Harvest's legendary small plates. The South West of France is one of the oldest and most diverse wine regions in France. We love food and wine diversity at Harvest Café and will share these regionally influenced small plates and traditional wines. The one thing that most French wines have in common, it is that most styles have developed as wines meant to accompany food. At Harvest we have always felt that Good Food and Good Wine make the best experiences.So Join us: Tuesday, November 1st at 7pm. Harvest Cafe, 40 Washington Street, Hudson. Six Wines, Six Plates $50 including tax (not including gratuity). Seating is limited. Reservations required by Friday, October 28th. (call Harvest with credit card) Tel: 978-567-0948. s and Wines from Southwest France ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So I went to the gym for an hour, walked 2.3 miles.....snuck in the Starbucks Vanilla Chai.....

Even though I don't drink wine, I'm up for regionally influenced small plates!

Now let's see "Eclectic"....."Eccentric"....of these two elements, which do you suppose I bring to the table?

Check Marks On The WHOLE List!

Every day is a list. I do some. I do none. But today - I did all!!!! Dry cleaning; gym membership; drug store; library; UPS store; supermarket. Venti vanilla chai tea latte was my reward. I walked around the North End and not through it.....so no pastries were consumed during this adventure. A mile and half is pretty good for me.

Happy Halloween, so far we have had just a single Trick-or-Treater. It's not like the Nook.

Oh well, I've taken the Nyquil and I am going to pass out now.

Reprinted With Much Love

Red Journalism: Michael Yon’s Medevac of Righteousness Failure; the Golden Hour of Truth.

An Open letter to Micheal Yon.

Somewhere near FOB Gabe, Iraq in 2005 there was an action, which resulted in two casualties, Truth and Justice. Immediately a 9-line was called in as Truth and Justice were quickly bleeding out. There is a “Golden Hour of Truth”, which, as defined by Don Freed, is a period of time immediately following an incident when events should be put to paper, as they are freshest in the mind and will give the greatest most accurate accounting of an event. Everyone with a background in reporting information, from policemen to journalists know this, that’s why the Medevac of Righteousness is always on stand-by.This particular Medevac of Righteousness mission was given to the pilot, Michael Yon, who received it with great enthusiasm. But something went horribly wrong. Somewhere between his bunk and the pilot’s seat, he forgot about the mission. Truth and Justice kept calling for evacuation, but something more important seemed to be afoot.

Countless deployments and 6 ½ years later, while gabbing with some old friends in the DFAC, an old faded memory began nagging at the fringes of Michael’s memory. My God! It was the call from Truth and Justice! He grabbed his gear, and headed to the bird.

After flying to the site posthaste, he landed and began a frantic search. He found the remains of truth, he thought. Maybe. He couldn’t really tell because Truth was so badly decomposed. All that were left were some bones. But maybe they weren’t even bones…maybe petrified wood. Who knows. A search of the area for Justice met with negative results. It seemed person(s) unknown had taken him away. Justice is officially listed as MIA.

How could this happen? A person that makes a living as a professional reporter of information gets a scoop on a war atrocity, does not follow-up on reporting the crime to authorities, and does not write a dispatch about this huge gross criminal act and the following cover-up? Can one professional reporter be so inept? Or could it be something else? One could look at said reporter as having participated in the cover-up because he wanted to protect his “Brothers”, a group which up until recently he did not seem to have a problem with publicly associating himself.

Michael, open up and tell us what really happened. Who did you notify? Why did you not follow-up? Why did you not report this atrocity if the first officials did nothing? Do you feel you could have done more? Do you think this could be viewed as a lack of intestinal fortitude to do the right thing…or maybe things didn’t exactly happen the way you said? Being on the receiving end of line of questioning like this is uncomfortable, no?

I hope we do find out what happened so we can get Justice back, but maybe when we do, Justice will point to a villain no one is expecting.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am reposting this from the Professional Soldiers Forum with love and respect for exposing Michael Yon for the self-absorbed, narcissistic, bastard he is.

You see, Michael Yon talkks a lot of shite on his Facebook page. Then he deletes comments that don't agree with him. But don't worry about only getting one side of the disccussion. You can meander on over to the PS Forum and see where Yon was an asshat and got called on it. You can see all of it because Yon can't delete or manipulate that forum.

I am more proud than ever that I, Princess Crabby, the Empress of La Moata, she who has no equal, Princesa Malhumorada, Maggie has been "Banned By Michael Yon"

Just Finished Sunday Dinner

I didn't make it.

I had to fight to clean up some of it.

It was delish.

You people wish you lived with my parents.

Where Is the Damn Snow?

Last night, the French toast Alert was up and I made the decision to return the rental car early. It was due back today at noon. I thought "Why deal with this?"

So first, I forget to gas it up and pay more than top dollar to the car rental place.

Then, I open my eyes this morning to.......NOTHING! No snow, no storm, bright sunshine.

Argghhh!!!

Then at breakfast I was chastised for going outside last night and telling some party-goers under my window to pipe down.

I'm staying in my room.

I Just Paid $5.32 For A Gallon Of Gas

My head cold is killing me and the rain is scheduled to turn to snow. So I made a snap decision to return the rental car early. It's due Sunday at 11:00 am. But I wanted it done with.

The whole drive over to Eastie I had the feeling I was forgetting something.....

I was.....

I forgot to gas it up at one of the million places I passed selling gas for $3.69 or $3.79.

When you don't fill the tank, car rental companies charge you a higher price.

My own fault.

As Kathy would say "Repeatan usedes.......Ammadick...Ammadick....Ammadick"

Shhhh! It's Nearly 2 AM

Ok, today was a total "here-we-come-on-the-run-with-a-burger-on-a-bun" day.

Up early to hang with Griffin, we went to Zume's Coffee House for hot chocolate & cookies.

Saw Spankie Frankie for all of three minutes, but apparently I am "the best mom ever". Sounds good.

Home to do some actual real-life business.

Stopped at Cake in Milton on Eliot Street. I had a Group-on and it was about to expire. I needed something to bring when we went to Cara's....Voila! OMG! Loved them!

Down to hang with Jen at East Bay before we went to a Tupperware party. Yeah, that's right, Tupperware. We are diverse. Seriously it was a chance to hang with Cara, our friend Chris' wife who we never see. And the bonus was Kevin's wife was there too.

I just didn't get enough Rocky Nook time this summer.

Then I drove home, but had a serious hankering for Beachmont Roast Beef. While I was waiting for my order (they are open until 2 am, but cash only) I realized that it's not such a big deal to get there anymore. When I lived in Rocky Nook, it was a pain to go over the bridge or through the tunnel. But now that I am mostly on the T.....Beachmont is tucked under...Beachmont Station!!! LOL!

Then I came back through the Sumner tunnel so I could take a spin around Dewey Square and see the #OccupyBoston-cicles. It was 37 degrees when I drove by. I gave myself a giggle because I was paying such attention to them that I followed the pickup truck in front of me right up onto the plaza. Pay no attention to the woman banging the "Uey" on Dewey Square.

I'm Home....I'm Unpacked...

...my laundry is done.....

When's my next trip?

#OWS Comparisons That Irritate Me

First we have people who tell us that

"The Occupy Wall Street protests are explicitly inspired by, and modeled on, the Tahrir Square protests in Egypt"

Now Stacey Hessler says

"Military people leave their families all the time, so why should I feel bad?” a defiant Hessler said. “I’m fighting for a better world."

Get a grip! You are not fighting a war. you are not risking your life for a cause. You are not being shot at. The government is not suppressing your right to free speech.

As a matter of fact, mayors and government officials are bending over backwards for you. People are bringing you food and clothes.

You are not at war. You are at a Boy Scout Jamboree. You are staying up all night and eating marshmallows even though you know your mom would disapprove.

Get over yourself.

Bicentennial Commission Visits Naval Academy Museum - Video - WBAL Baltimore

This is video from part of our tour/conference yesterday. I am in the crowd at the bottom of the steps as the piece begins.

My Marine viewed it and said "You look so......civilized" LOL!Bicentennial Commission Visits Naval Academy Museum - Video - WBAL Baltimore

Well! That Hasn't Happened In A Bit.

I just slept 14 hours...through breakfast.....through lunch plans.....through wandering around Annapolis.

Just this past spring that was an every day occurrence.

Then every other day.

Then just a few times a week.

You get the drift. But I think it's been two weeks since that happened. Mind you, I'm not saying the rest of the time I'm getting along with 6 or 8 hours, lol.

Anyway, I am still at Mary's house. which is awesome by the way. It's this mix of Mary and her parents and family. My house was a little like this, but Mary's is pulled together like a designer did it. But like mine, you know most of these object have a story attached. I don't need to know the stories - although I do know some - to be comfortable and comforted.

So now, I am packed and can leave at my leisure, it's time to blog about yesterday and revise plans and see if I can't move lunch to dinner.

I'll be back here in less than two weeks for The Ripley Race - don't even by silly enough to ask if I am running. I'd be thrilled if you came - to run or cheer on the runners - and donated.

I'll be posing for pics and autographing body parts! How can you resist?

USS Constitution Turn Around

Last Friday Old Ironsides took a spin around the Harbor to celebrate the anniversary of her launching. J. Michael Rodriguez took these pics and tweeted them

This one above is my favorite.

You can follow him on Twitter @JMR_Boston

I Am the 2%

Mary showed me this and I howled laughing. I got this from Reddit. Go over there and give it a thumbs up.

Apologies For Being A Day Late - 23 OCT 1983

Beirut: In Memoriam
Posted By Laughing_Wolf • [October 24, 2011]

*******
23 October 1983; A Blast that Still Echoes

*****************
October 23, 1983

I'm Off!

I am hitting the road to Annapolis.

No blogging.

No Facebooking.

Minimal tweeting from the phone and even then, unless you DM me, I can't see what anyone else writes.

It's a #WarOf1812 road trip - yea for me.

In the meanwhile be entertained by my friends B5; Sal & the guys (& DeltaBravo) on the porch; my fellow Denizennes at the Castle; and everyone at USNI.

Miss me!

Lack Of Passion?????

Whiskey
Tango
Foxtrot

As Kevin from Heaven used to opine "MuthraGawd!"

If there is one thing I have never heard from a man in my life - it's that I lacked passion.

I think someone should call the doctor - My Marine must have bumped his head.

"Welcome Back!"

We're at Grace's watching the Bruins game. She made us a fabulous dinner of fish & asparagus. Debbie made snacks; brownies.......cookies.....salsa....nachos.....nuts...

Boone's Farm Wine???? Seriously Deb? She claims it's good. I don't drink wine, but I know this is wrong. She wanted neon blue, but she had to settle for wild cherry and some berry thing.

Grace, Jen and I were working on the ornaments for the Kelley Family Christmas Party. Deb came over with her glass of wild cherry. It smelled just like cough syrup. I took a sip, guess what it tasted like? Yup, cough syrup. So now we are relaxing, watching the Bruins, talking during the commercials. The conversation meandered about and touched on a family we know where the two children were not good to their father. Jen said she didn't like them. I started to defend them. Jen was yelling at me. Then I said that it was harder for me because I knew them and liked them before.

Jen yelled at me, "You are looking at this through rose colored glasses!"

I started to remember the actual circumstances - how I had tried to intervene. How I couldn't understand how they didn't see how poorly things were going to go if they continued with their plan.

I looked at Jen and said "I remember how I offered to help. I begged them not to do it. I forgot that. Guess I was blocking."

Jen says "Welcome back!"

I Am Beside Myself

I just watched Channel 7 WHDH in Boston. They were interviewing Mary Rizzo. She was crying. I started crying.

The Rizzo are genuinely nice people that I have had interactions with for years. Eliot played soccer with Frankie; Nick played with my bosses' son Mark; Mike coached Frankie in soccer; and I would hang with Mary on the soccer field sidelines.. I didn't know Jonathan, but everyone who did loved him.

The Rizzo's lives were irreparably harmed when serial killer Gary Lee Sampson murdered their eldest son Jonathan. Sampson confessed to Jonathan's killing and the killing of others. He received the death penalty. Jonathan's parents set up a successful Memorial Foundation in his memory and tried to live their lives.

Now ten years later Judge Mark Wolf has thrown out his death penalty.

Three jurors gave "incorrect answers" on their questionnaires. There is no question of guilt. There is no exculpatory evidence. There is no crucial DNA. Sampson confessed.

Now ten years later, Judge Wolf hits the family with this?

What. The. Fuck.

If there is a new trial, it will begin in December. Merry Christmas.

Hey MBTA Badge Number 69999!

Correction - Today, November 8th, the MBTA called to say Operator #69999 was scheduled to drive this bus, but someone else substituted at last minute. So Operator #69999 was not the person who was rude and uncaring in this incident.
I apologize.
That's right jackass, I got the number despite the fact that when asked, you gave a different four digit number. You ticked me off enough that I took the bus back to Sullivan Square and asked the starter. I also called in to the T and filed phone complaint with Carlos.

And now, it's time for your lesson in Social Media 101: "You never know who is sitting on your bus."

A late start on errands today - is anyone surprised? I left the house around 4:30 pm. When I got to the Route 93 bus stop aka "The Bunka Bus", I checked the schedule. A bus had left Sullivan Square at 4:30pm and would be cresting the top of Bunker Hill in a moment. Lucky for me.

I got on and sat in the first forward facing seat on the door side. There was a woman in the middle of the side facing seats in front of me. She was two seats from the door. She had a cane. I didn't notice anything past the that. I sent my Frankie a text message at 4:37 pm and then just gazed out the window.

Someone rang the buzzer for the next stop. The bus stopped at Medford Street and North Washington, the first stop after the North Washington Street Bridge. the woman in front of me slid forward in her seat like she was going to get up but she didn't. She was facing the driver and she was getting agitated. A different woman walked up the aisle, got off the bus and the doors closed.

As the driver pulled away from the curb, the woman with the cane asked "Was that Medford? Where is Medford?" The driver replied "I told you before I didn't know where Medford was"

I was just listening because I was confused, there is a Medford Street in Charlestown, but the 93 bus doesn't connect with that at all. Besides, now we were in the North End.

The woman with the cane, who I would come to find out was named Andrea, said "I told you it was the first stop after the bridge."

Operator who was substituting for #69999 replied "Well I stopped and you didn't get off."

Andrea "You didn't tell me"

Operator who was substituting for #69999 "Was I supposed to pick you up and carry you off?"

Now let's pause for a moment - I am know for hyperbole, exaggeration, etc. But I promise you, the above is a direct quote.

Another woman began speaking to the driver as well, telling him he shouldn't be talking to her that way. Andrea meanwhile is getting very agitated because it turns out she has two canes and one is WHITE. I, with my lack of situational awareness, just then realize, Andrea has one cane because of physical disabilities and a white one because she has a 90% vision loss.

I told the driver "You might not have known where Medford St was, but you certainly knew which was the first stop after the bridge."

The bus driver replied with some nonsense about how he had to pay attention to driving the bus.

An important note here - at no time was the bus driver upset, remorseful or angry. He was dismissive. He smirked the entire time.

I hit the button for the next stop which would leave us off in front of City Hall. I leaned forward and put my hand on Andrea's arm and told her "Don't worry, we will get off at the next stop and I will take you back."

The other woman said she was going to call and complain, I said I was too but I was waiting for his number to scroll by on the bus marquee. The driver called out a number over his shoulder - and it wasn't "69999". So on top of everything else.....he lied. This paragraph is wrong, on November 8th, the MBTA called and said it was not Operator #69999, but a last minute substitute.

Surprise!

After we got off the bus, Andrea and I crossed Congress Street to the Haymarket T Station and got on the 93 heading back toward the bridge. I asked her where on Medford Street she was going and she replied that she was headed to Endicott Street, Medford Street was just the closest T stop. So I took her down Thatcher to Endicott and escorted her right to her front door.

After I ran my errands, I was back on the 93 to go home. Different driver. But I was kicking myself that I couldn't remember the other driver's number. I was so peeved, it just slipped my mind. After all, the important part was getting this woman where she needed to go, not getting out paper and pencil to take notes.

But, it was a warm night and it wasn't late, the buses were still running fairly frequently..........so I stayed on the bus all the way to Sullivan Square and spoke to the starter.

I told him that I had been on the 4:30 pm Route 93 bus and I wanted the driver's number. He joked "Operator number, right?" I smiled and said yes. I told him I needed to be sure it was the right guy. I said he was Caucasian, young, good looking, facial hair and wearing a knit cap. The Starter said "So in other words, he looked like me?" We laughed and I said "Yes, except for the knit cap, he was good looking, just like you."

So that's how I know who you are T bus operator #69999. correction - it wasn't #69999, but a substitute driver.

I told the starter my story.

I called into the T's main line and told Carlos my story.

I really hope some of my fellow passengers call in. I think that woman who said she was going to cal will follow through, she was really steamed.

But for now Operator #69999 welcome to Blogger..........and Facebook..........and Twitter.