Monday, December 31, 2007
Uncle J helps out the Armorer
Uncle Jimbo likes the Armorer stuff, but he thought it needed to be tarted up a little. And Uncle J is just the tart to do it!
Blackfive TV- FM 3-0 Doctrine for Dummies
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Pre-2008 Mission
So the current mission is to try and indulge in everything I will miss once I initiate the Princess Crabby Self Improvement Plan. Jen is my favorite mission buddy. We have had pizza, chinese food, fried chicken and today/tonight was devoted exclusively to the mission. As Jen pointed out, we are veterans of many such missions! LOL
When we were at my brother's house before Christmas, his father-in-law invited us to his upcoming Malasada party. Grace asked for details, and it turns out Malasada is fried dough. Grace is a fried dough fan....not that Jen & I aren't, but Grace is serious.
So off we go to Henry & Rita's place where they have about 40 people over to enjoy 7 pounds of fried malasada dough!!! LOL There were dessert/snack tables set up in four different rooms. My brother's nieces were fetching drinks. I was yelled at for over tipping - $1 for a seven year old to fetch me a Pepsi? I thought it was worth it since it meant I didn't have to leave the malasadas!
This morning I was psyched about fitting into an outfit I bought a little while ago. After a couple of malasadas I was a tad worried that I'd have to ask to borrow some sweat pants for the ride home.
On the way back to drop Grace off, we decided that we needed some actual food and popped into Beachmont Roast Beef. I know people will tell you that Kelly's has the best roast beef. They are mistaken. Beachmont is the best. We took it back to Grace's which unfortunately meant that we had to heat it back up once we got to her place. You see, Jen keeps the car set at 64 degrees. It's better than her house though. So, anyway, it lost something in the reheating, but still it was a fun and full day.
I still want something with bananas before Wednesday.
When we were at my brother's house before Christmas, his father-in-law invited us to his upcoming Malasada party. Grace asked for details, and it turns out Malasada is fried dough. Grace is a fried dough fan....not that Jen & I aren't, but Grace is serious.
So off we go to Henry & Rita's place where they have about 40 people over to enjoy 7 pounds of fried malasada dough!!! LOL There were dessert/snack tables set up in four different rooms. My brother's nieces were fetching drinks. I was yelled at for over tipping - $1 for a seven year old to fetch me a Pepsi? I thought it was worth it since it meant I didn't have to leave the malasadas!
This morning I was psyched about fitting into an outfit I bought a little while ago. After a couple of malasadas I was a tad worried that I'd have to ask to borrow some sweat pants for the ride home.
On the way back to drop Grace off, we decided that we needed some actual food and popped into Beachmont Roast Beef. I know people will tell you that Kelly's has the best roast beef. They are mistaken. Beachmont is the best. We took it back to Grace's which unfortunately meant that we had to heat it back up once we got to her place. You see, Jen keeps the car set at 64 degrees. It's better than her house though. So, anyway, it lost something in the reheating, but still it was a fun and full day.
I still want something with bananas before Wednesday.
Interpreting Dreams
So, anyone want to take a crack at this?
Last night, early this morning, I dreamt that I was riding/driving in a car with a man. He wasn't anyone I knew and he was too young for the Rotation. He was the passenger, sometimes I was driving and sometimes I wasn't. Anyway, I was wearing a blue sundress and I was much thinner than I am now. Pretty much how I hope to look once the Princess Crabby self improvement plan gets rolling, lol. So, anyway, I am very conscious of how happy I am with how I look in this sundress as I ride/drive this young man around. At the end of the ride, I kiss him goodbye and get out at my family cottage and my parents are there. I am standing in the yard talking to them on the porch. They are very upset with me because I haven't gone to the dentist. Suddenly there is a mirror and I see that my front tooth is all decayed and my upper arms and cleavage are all covered with bruises. There is a cut or scratch on my arm that is trickling blood. I look like a cheap streetwalker or heroin addict.
I was so upset when I woke up, I went to the mirror and checked my teeth! I ran my hands over my arms.
I think it was the part of my brain that enjoys sugar and carbs running PsychOps on me. Trying to scare me off of my P.C.S.I.P. "Hey, smartie-pants, you might get thinner, but you're pretty now.....what if that changed?" LOL
Last night, early this morning, I dreamt that I was riding/driving in a car with a man. He wasn't anyone I knew and he was too young for the Rotation. He was the passenger, sometimes I was driving and sometimes I wasn't. Anyway, I was wearing a blue sundress and I was much thinner than I am now. Pretty much how I hope to look once the Princess Crabby self improvement plan gets rolling, lol. So, anyway, I am very conscious of how happy I am with how I look in this sundress as I ride/drive this young man around. At the end of the ride, I kiss him goodbye and get out at my family cottage and my parents are there. I am standing in the yard talking to them on the porch. They are very upset with me because I haven't gone to the dentist. Suddenly there is a mirror and I see that my front tooth is all decayed and my upper arms and cleavage are all covered with bruises. There is a cut or scratch on my arm that is trickling blood. I look like a cheap streetwalker or heroin addict.
I was so upset when I woke up, I went to the mirror and checked my teeth! I ran my hands over my arms.
I think it was the part of my brain that enjoys sugar and carbs running PsychOps on me. Trying to scare me off of my P.C.S.I.P. "Hey, smartie-pants, you might get thinner, but you're pretty now.....what if that changed?" LOL
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Circumventing The Austerity Program
So you know I have been soooooooo good on the austerity program. I have not purchased any new body scrubs/butters/creams/lotions/gels. I have been really making an effort to use up every last thing I have already. It is the only part of the Princess Crabby self-improvement plan that is currently in operation (Atkins has been on hiatus for weeks! LOL).
However, this is not my fault.
My evil ex-husband (if you read this with any frequency you know I'm teasing.) and his wife and their kids sent me a Bath & Body Works giftcard.
Which I turned into this -
So, clearly, this is NOT my fault.
However, this is not my fault.
My evil ex-husband (if you read this with any frequency you know I'm teasing.) and his wife and their kids sent me a Bath & Body Works giftcard.
Which I turned into this -
So, clearly, this is NOT my fault. *Thanks J, M, K & K!*
Friday, December 28, 2007
Maybe The Papers In Karachi......
....should start carrying a horoscope near the comics (do they have comics?). Cause I'm wicked sure yesterday's entry for Gemini would have been "Pinkie, stay in bed!"
Benazir Bhutto was traveling to Rawalpindi, a former capital. It wouldn't have been lost on her that this was the city where her father was hanged in 1979. The park where Bhutto made her last speech is the same one where the country's first prime minister, Liaquat Ali Khan, was shot to death in 1951. It's named after him.
Would that have been enough for you to stay home? It would have been for me.
But, not for nothing, let's throw in one more creepy thing.
After the rally Ms. Bhutto was headed home to entertain guests for dinner........
That's right, she was having dinner with Patches and Arlen. Not seeing the connection? Patches is Rep. Patrick Kennedy, nephew of JFK & RFK. Arlen is Senator Arlen Specter, who worked for the Warren Commission (not too many of those people left!).
Just thinking about it raises the hair on the back of my neck.
That's right BadBob, I'm dragging Camelot into it! LOL
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Benazir Bhutto 1953-2007
I have been glued to the BBC for the last few hours. I can't figure out why I am shocked. There have been attempts on her life since 1979, the odds were against her. She was killed in the city where her father was hanged.
On another note, the BBC never disappoints.....they managed to take a swipe at the Bush Administration. They pointed out that we shoulder some blame since we were "hot to have Bhutto there working with Musharraf. The Bush administration saw Bhutto as a liberal, democratic, anti-extremist voice." After all "many questioned why she left the comfort of London and Dubai". So, if you follow that logic, Bhutto would be safe and happy in Dubai if it wasn't for "W" making her put herself in harms way.
It is a tragic and strange end to an extraordinary life.
On another note, the BBC never disappoints.....they managed to take a swipe at the Bush Administration. They pointed out that we shoulder some blame since we were "hot to have Bhutto there working with Musharraf. The Bush administration saw Bhutto as a liberal, democratic, anti-extremist voice." After all "many questioned why she left the comfort of London and Dubai". So, if you follow that logic, Bhutto would be safe and happy in Dubai if it wasn't for "W" making her put herself in harms way.
It is a tragic and strange end to an extraordinary life.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
The Tunafish Bowl
Before I was born my mother used to go to a movie theater in Thomspon Square under the "El". It was the "Thompson Square E.M. Loews" theater, but everyone called it the "Hippy". There were *give aways* & one of the items given away was carnival glass. We had a bowl in our house that was used primarily to make tuna fish. It was from the Hippy and it was a peachy-orange color and iridescent. Tuna was only made in the tuna bowl although sometimes, meatballs were served from the tuna bowl. But the important part was making tuna in the tuna bowl.Sometimes we would call each other and plan to meet at my mother's house. I would tell Grace to bring chips,
I would bring rolls....we would advise my parents we were coming. Sometimes we went just because we wanted to, sometimes because we needed to. But it was always something that connected us. Jen hates mayo, but we include her anyway. Sometimes we would go "whole hog" and get ice cream and make ice cream sodas too.
I would bring rolls....we would advise my parents we were coming. Sometimes we went just because we wanted to, sometimes because we needed to. But it was always something that connected us. Jen hates mayo, but we include her anyway. Sometimes we would go "whole hog" and get ice cream and make ice cream sodas too. More than twenty years ago, we went through a morbid little stage of "claiming" things in the house. Death is something freely discussed with us & very irreverently, I might add. There are discussions of inheritences and funeral arrangements, etc. I said that I wanted to inherit the tuna bowl. Grace objected, saying she wanted it. I told her I was oldest & besdies I had called it first. This has gone back and forth over the years. First Jennifer tried to broker some kind of custody arrangement, a year at Grace's, a year with me. No, I want it. Then Jennifer became heartless and bitter (ROFLMAO) because the item she had claimed was destroyed. Jennifer wanted the button box. The button box is another story, suffice to say, it wasn't a box and it had way more than buttons. Anyway, after it was clear Jen would not get what she wanted....... She came up with her own solution for the tuna bowl. The next time we were discussing it with Grace and I going through the usual nonsense of who would get the bowl.........Jen said that the first thing she would do was to race us to the house and smash the bowl. What a brat. We were shocked. LOL We killed ourselves laughing.
So, Christmas Eve we are all at Grace's and she announces that Debbie has made something for me. It was right after I objected to having the stuffed mushrooms so close to me. I assumed it was something to make up for that. So Grace put a bowl of tunafish in front of me.
It was circus glass.
It was a bowl.
It had tuna fish in it.
I loudly objected to the tuna bowl being at Grace's house. At first I assumed that my parents had brought something to Grace's in the bowl or Grace had brought home a leftover from my parent's house in it. That never happens. My parents are very orderly. There is tupperware! Then I realized most of them were watching me with funny smiles. So I looked for the chip. 
There wasn't any. And I realized that Grace had found another! Finally! Whenever we go poking around the antique places in our travels, that's what we are looking for. I know some people love this kind of treasure hunting but the only time I do it is to find circus glass. Over the years we have found plates and other bowls, but never the exact tuna bowl. Graces's doesn't appear to have been used much. No chip. And the color is richer.
There wasn't any. And I realized that Grace had found another! Finally! Whenever we go poking around the antique places in our travels, that's what we are looking for. I know some people love this kind of treasure hunting but the only time I do it is to find circus glass. Over the years we have found plates and other bowls, but never the exact tuna bowl. Graces's doesn't appear to have been used much. No chip. And the color is richer. Now the tuna bowl is ALLLLLLL mine! LOL Our search for another hasn't ended because now my mother wants a nicer one. That's fine with me. I want the *real* one.
St. Stephen's Day
I irritated SB as I do every year by wishing him a happy Boxing Day. He yells at me for being a pagan! A heathen! LOL
Shhhhhhh......I do it on purpose.
The wren, the wren,
the king of all birds,
On St. Stephen's Day was caught in the furze,
Although he is little,
his family is great,
I pray you, good landlady,
give us a treat.
My box would speak,
if it had but a tongue,
And two or three shillings,
would do it not wrong,
Sing holly, sing ivy--sing ivy, sing holly,
A drop just to drink, it would drown melancholy.
And if you draw it of the best,
I hope in heaven your soul will rest;
But if you draw it of the small,
It won't agree with these wren boys at all
Read more here and here.
Shhhhhhh......I do it on purpose.
The wren, the wren,
the king of all birds,
On St. Stephen's Day was caught in the furze,
Although he is little,
his family is great,
I pray you, good landlady,
give us a treat.
My box would speak,
if it had but a tongue,
And two or three shillings,
would do it not wrong,
Sing holly, sing ivy--sing ivy, sing holly,
A drop just to drink, it would drown melancholy.
And if you draw it of the best,
I hope in heaven your soul will rest;
But if you draw it of the small,
It won't agree with these wren boys at all
Read more here and here.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
How I Started Blogging
Back in the day.........I lurked. I didn't comment, I just read. I lurked at the Castle. Then Christmas Day 2005, I sent an email to say Merry Christmas and that I loved them all. So the Chief sent back an email wishing me Merry Christmas. There were some emails back and forth. The upshot being that he told me I should comment more. He also teased me about my blog being so empty. I explained that I got a Blogger identity just so I could comment. The Chief harangued me some more and well......this is where I am now.
So when you come here and think "OMG, not another stupid post about her hair or her nonsense"....blame the Chief.
But before you harrass him about that, go read his post "Why Uniforms Go Where Uniforms Go... "
I'll be doing a cut and paste of it for SB. There isn't a lot of time for him to surf, so I forward him the best parts.
So when you come here and think "OMG, not another stupid post about her hair or her nonsense"....blame the Chief.
But before you harrass him about that, go read his post "Why Uniforms Go Where Uniforms Go... "
I'll be doing a cut and paste of it for SB. There isn't a lot of time for him to surf, so I forward him the best parts.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Merry Christmas
I'm off to a family gathering and I wish the same for all of you.
I told SB that he's not where he wants to be this Christmas, but he is where he is meant to be.
My wish for him and everyone else who is serving far from their loved ones, is a safe and uneventful Christmas. Know that we here in the States love and miss and appreciate you.
To everyone else who visits this place on purpose or by accident, thank you and Merry Christmas.
Princess Crabby's signature Christmas song........
I told SB that he's not where he wants to be this Christmas, but he is where he is meant to be.
My wish for him and everyone else who is serving far from their loved ones, is a safe and uneventful Christmas. Know that we here in the States love and miss and appreciate you.
To everyone else who visits this place on purpose or by accident, thank you and Merry Christmas.
Princess Crabby's signature Christmas song........
Dean Does Us All A Favor
Dean over at "Beers with Demo" does a great public service by pulling together all the political ads of the Christmas season.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
"Ship of Ghosts"
"Ship of Ghosts" is the latest book by James Hornfischer. Every Navy guy who comes here knows Mr. Hornfischer is the author of "Last Stand of the TinCan Sailors". Like all SWO, SB loves that book. He cites it when mentoring junior officers. When I saw that there was a new Hornfischer book, I scoured the web to find info on a book tour. There was nothing out there. I read the author's website and decided.......What the heck? Let's ask. So I emailed him.
Hi,
A friend of mine is a surface warfare officer currently stationed in the Gulf. I am looking for the perfect Christmas present. Your book fits the bill since he was a huge fan of "Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors" (but what SWO isn't?). Anyway, I would like to send him an autographed copy of the book. If I send you a copy of the book (along with the means to return it to me) would you autograph it to him? He has a growing collection of personalized books and this would be a fabulous addition. The last one I was able to obtain for him was "No Higher Honor" by Brad Peniston.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Maggie
Mr. Hornfischer graciously answered and very promptly, I might add.
Dear Maggie,
Most certainly. My address is below. Many thanks for the kind words.
Jim
I was so excited. I opened the email and gave myself the "V". I was off and running. I emailed my sisters, called my father and told the girls in work. Then when the opportunity came, I taunted SB "I know what your Christmas present is....it's great...I am so pleased....you have to wait to find out!" Yes, I am very immature. I was bummed that couldn't blog about it, but he reads the blog and I couldn't have him finding out.
So the book went to Texas
The book came back.
The book was wrapped in Christmas paper.
The book is mailed last Saturday.
I discuss it in IMs "Try to guess what I got you! You'll never guess! It's so great!" He laughs at me and says if he'll never guess, there's no point in trying. What a party pooper!
I told him the day it was mailed that they were Christmas presents, so, you know.....don't open them.
You'd think someone in the military would be better at following orders.
So Wednesday, he pops out online and we are furiously IMing back and forth. We have a million things to say to each other. Our instant messaging is always confused and jumbled as our minds work faster than our fingers type.
In this midst of making and reading several points, this happens:
SB: Thank you for my gifts. Guess what book I'm currently reading?
Maggie:?
SB: Yep...the very same
Maggie: Book?
SB: Ship of Ghosts
Maggie: Wait.
Maggie: Are you saying you already have "Ship of Ghosts"?
SB: No. What are you talking about?
Maggie: What are you talking about?
Maggie: You got a box recently from me? and it had two wrapped packages inside, right?
Maggie: and they were in Christmas wrapping paper, right?
SB: You mailed me a Sports Illustrated and a soft cover edition (autographed) of Ship of Ghosts, yes. Got it today
Maggie: and you had instructions not to open them until christmas, right?
SB: Well red wrapping
Maggie: AND YOU OPENED IT!!!!!!!!!!
Maggie: BASTID!
SB: No instuctions included
Maggie: IT SAID MERRY CHRISTMAS
SB: Well for security reasons we have to be sure what has been received
Maggie: WHAT OTHER INSTRUCTIONS DO YOU NEED
Maggie: SAYS WHO?
SB: I was playing Christmas music when I opened them
Maggie: Open this, bastid
SB: And I was in my pj's and slippers
Maggie: I told you that I was sending them and I told you not to open them. Are you 6? LOL, what a brat
SB: Who wants to know? My BFF would understand.
Maggie: No, she will just say so because it's you. She has your back, but she isn't rational about it.
SB: Your package holds the speed record for getting to me
SB: So?
Maggie: The other night I was relaying some conversation between us to your BFF & she said it was awful how I made you pander to me. I said if someone else pandered, you would be disgusted with the panderer....not me. You would think less of them for putting up with me.
SB: She knows I don't pander to you or anyone else.
Maggie: I got the same answer from her that you just gave me....."So?"....."So?" It's what I get from both of you.....it is the unspoken acknowledgement that I am right!
SB: I do love my BFF
SB: Not!
Maggie: Whatever.......LALALLALALALALALLALAA!
Maggie: You want me
Maggie: You miss me
SB: LOL
Very immature. Him, not me. Right?
Hi,
A friend of mine is a surface warfare officer currently stationed in the Gulf. I am looking for the perfect Christmas present. Your book fits the bill since he was a huge fan of "Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors" (but what SWO isn't?). Anyway, I would like to send him an autographed copy of the book. If I send you a copy of the book (along with the means to return it to me) would you autograph it to him? He has a growing collection of personalized books and this would be a fabulous addition. The last one I was able to obtain for him was "No Higher Honor" by Brad Peniston.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Maggie
Mr. Hornfischer graciously answered and very promptly, I might add.
Dear Maggie,
Most certainly. My address is below. Many thanks for the kind words.
Jim
I was so excited. I opened the email and gave myself the "V". I was off and running. I emailed my sisters, called my father and told the girls in work. Then when the opportunity came, I taunted SB "I know what your Christmas present is....it's great...I am so pleased....you have to wait to find out!" Yes, I am very immature. I was bummed that couldn't blog about it, but he reads the blog and I couldn't have him finding out.
So the book went to Texas
The book came back.
The book was wrapped in Christmas paper.
The book is mailed last Saturday.
I discuss it in IMs "Try to guess what I got you! You'll never guess! It's so great!" He laughs at me and says if he'll never guess, there's no point in trying. What a party pooper!
I told him the day it was mailed that they were Christmas presents, so, you know.....don't open them.
You'd think someone in the military would be better at following orders.
So Wednesday, he pops out online and we are furiously IMing back and forth. We have a million things to say to each other. Our instant messaging is always confused and jumbled as our minds work faster than our fingers type.
In this midst of making and reading several points, this happens:
SB: Thank you for my gifts. Guess what book I'm currently reading?
Maggie:?
SB: Yep...the very same
Maggie: Book?
SB: Ship of Ghosts
Maggie: Wait.
Maggie: Are you saying you already have "Ship of Ghosts"?
SB: No. What are you talking about?
Maggie: What are you talking about?
Maggie: You got a box recently from me? and it had two wrapped packages inside, right?
Maggie: and they were in Christmas wrapping paper, right?
SB: You mailed me a Sports Illustrated and a soft cover edition (autographed) of Ship of Ghosts, yes. Got it today
Maggie: and you had instructions not to open them until christmas, right?
SB: Well red wrapping
Maggie: AND YOU OPENED IT!!!!!!!!!!
Maggie: BASTID!
SB: No instuctions included
Maggie: IT SAID MERRY CHRISTMAS
SB: Well for security reasons we have to be sure what has been received
Maggie: WHAT OTHER INSTRUCTIONS DO YOU NEED
Maggie: SAYS WHO?
SB: I was playing Christmas music when I opened them
Maggie: Open this, bastid
SB: And I was in my pj's and slippers
Maggie: I told you that I was sending them and I told you not to open them. Are you 6? LOL, what a brat
SB: Who wants to know? My BFF would understand.
Maggie: No, she will just say so because it's you. She has your back, but she isn't rational about it.
SB: Your package holds the speed record for getting to me
SB: So?
Maggie: The other night I was relaying some conversation between us to your BFF & she said it was awful how I made you pander to me. I said if someone else pandered, you would be disgusted with the panderer....not me. You would think less of them for putting up with me.
SB: She knows I don't pander to you or anyone else.
Maggie: I got the same answer from her that you just gave me....."So?"....."So?" It's what I get from both of you.....it is the unspoken acknowledgement that I am right!
SB: I do love my BFF
SB: Not!
Maggie: Whatever.......LALALLALALALALALLALAA!
Maggie: You want me
Maggie: You miss me
SB: LOL
Very immature. Him, not me. Right?
Asshattery
Lazy "This Day In History"
December 22, 1944...........the BEST comeback eva!
Flowers honor Brig. Gen. Anthony McAuliffe, who replied "Nuts!" when ordered by Adolph Hitler to surrender here 60 years ago. Photo by Donna Miles from this site, pop over for the story and a high res pic.
Christmas Shopping
I got stuff for SB a bit ago because I knew I had to mail it, yada, yada.
Anyway, so that means I started Christmas shopping last night. I was true to my procrastinating, fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants nature. I popped up to Fedele's to get my mother's favorite chocolate covered cherries. They are hand-dipped cherries with the stems. I hit 2 stores over the next hour, then got gas and tea. It wasn't too crazy, but I didn't go near any malls. Then right round 9, I was headed to the gym. I pulled in and got the best parking spot next to the door and there were very few cars there. Have I mentioned how much I love this gym? LOL Anyway, I had just shut off the car and was stuffing my sneakers in my gym bag when Jen called. I thought she was shopping, but it turns out her "pit stop" at home turned into some thing longer. She wanted me to dump the gym and go do more shopping and dinner. So, back in the car I got.........lol
We popped into Ulta, where I have the hardest time not buying things for myself.....but we have that austerity program going on. So I picked up a few more things for my goddaughter who I am so proud of. Deb called earlier today to tell me that she just got the results of her second of five teaching exams. She passed on the first try, just as she did on the first exam. I guess some people don't and she thinks this will help her with getting into the master's program. So, congrats to Deb.
After Ulta we went across to the Olive Garden for a so-so dinner. But I didn't have to cook it and I didn't have to clean up afterwards, so I was happy. Jen had me in stitches over her work's Yankee Swap. Jen hates them and she was ranting about this years. I've actually never participated in one. After dinner, Jen and I agreed to meet in the morning for more shopping and breakfast. I told her my plan was to be at Borders when they opened at 7 am.
She called me at 9:15 am and asked how it was going. "Failure to launch. I am still in my bathrobe cleaning the kitchen." She laughed and told me to get a move on, she wanted breakfast. So off we went. I called her on her cell during the ride to the pancake place. WTKK was talking about the Yankee Swap/lottery lawsuit. Jen said it proved her point. Nothing good comes of a Yankee Swap.
We finally arrived at the mall just before noon. There were some crowds, but nothing crazy. There were some deals. Two hours later we were done. We wanted to cap it off with manicures, but all our usual haunts were booked.
All thats left now is one last trip to Walmart for stocking stuffers and wrapping.
I'd plan on working tomorrow, but my brother Frank moved his birthday party. It's always around dinner time the Sunday before Christmas, but the Pat's are playing at 4:15, so the party has been moved to 1 pm.
So when I leave Walmart tonight, sometime after midnight (I'm at work and I'll go to the gym after work), I will have completed my shopping in about 29 hours.
Anyway, so that means I started Christmas shopping last night. I was true to my procrastinating, fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants nature. I popped up to Fedele's to get my mother's favorite chocolate covered cherries. They are hand-dipped cherries with the stems. I hit 2 stores over the next hour, then got gas and tea. It wasn't too crazy, but I didn't go near any malls. Then right round 9, I was headed to the gym. I pulled in and got the best parking spot next to the door and there were very few cars there. Have I mentioned how much I love this gym? LOL Anyway, I had just shut off the car and was stuffing my sneakers in my gym bag when Jen called. I thought she was shopping, but it turns out her "pit stop" at home turned into some thing longer. She wanted me to dump the gym and go do more shopping and dinner. So, back in the car I got.........lol
We popped into Ulta, where I have the hardest time not buying things for myself.....but we have that austerity program going on. So I picked up a few more things for my goddaughter who I am so proud of. Deb called earlier today to tell me that she just got the results of her second of five teaching exams. She passed on the first try, just as she did on the first exam. I guess some people don't and she thinks this will help her with getting into the master's program. So, congrats to Deb.
After Ulta we went across to the Olive Garden for a so-so dinner. But I didn't have to cook it and I didn't have to clean up afterwards, so I was happy. Jen had me in stitches over her work's Yankee Swap. Jen hates them and she was ranting about this years. I've actually never participated in one. After dinner, Jen and I agreed to meet in the morning for more shopping and breakfast. I told her my plan was to be at Borders when they opened at 7 am.
She called me at 9:15 am and asked how it was going. "Failure to launch. I am still in my bathrobe cleaning the kitchen." She laughed and told me to get a move on, she wanted breakfast. So off we went. I called her on her cell during the ride to the pancake place. WTKK was talking about the Yankee Swap/lottery lawsuit. Jen said it proved her point. Nothing good comes of a Yankee Swap.
We finally arrived at the mall just before noon. There were some crowds, but nothing crazy. There were some deals. Two hours later we were done. We wanted to cap it off with manicures, but all our usual haunts were booked.
All thats left now is one last trip to Walmart for stocking stuffers and wrapping.
I'd plan on working tomorrow, but my brother Frank moved his birthday party. It's always around dinner time the Sunday before Christmas, but the Pat's are playing at 4:15, so the party has been moved to 1 pm.
So when I leave Walmart tonight, sometime after midnight (I'm at work and I'll go to the gym after work), I will have completed my shopping in about 29 hours.
Ready to Lead
OK - This is just between you and me......no need to let Jen or SB know about this....right? Mums the word.
Two favs - McCain and the Dropkick Murphys.
My Bad Boyfriend Is Never Far From My Thoughts
I know......I know.....he sets me up and knocks me down. But I can't help it......I love him and I keep coming back. The Phibian had us take this quiz and sure enough......my top three were -
3. Rudi - I could live with it.
2. Duncan Hunter - Too bad he hasn't got a Chinaman's chance.
and
1. John McCain (don't tell SouthieBoy or Jen)
3. Rudi - I could live with it.
2. Duncan Hunter - Too bad he hasn't got a Chinaman's chance.
and
1. John McCain (don't tell SouthieBoy or Jen)
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Dapper O'Neil
A moment in Boston history passes with Dapper. What a character. You loved him or you hated him. There was no middle ground. Although, even if you disagreed with him, I think you had to respect his strength of character. There was nothing politically correct about him. He said whatever he thought. If you didn't like it......tough.
Lot's of comments online are very unkind about Dapper and I guess there's a whole article at the Phoenix that isn't very complimentary. But isn't that the way these things go? Dapper was very narrow. He had his ideas of who he represented and that's who he represented. Period. And he didn't care who knew.
A lot of politicians come to the table with an agenda and for most that agenda is masked or hidden or worse......compromised. Dapper was never compromised. If he was helping you, he was grand. If he was on the other side of your issue.......well, he was your enemy. Anyone who is talking smack about Dapper, well that's just sour grapes.
The Herald
The Globe
Universal Hub
Boston Magazine
WCVB
The Bostonist
Lot's of comments online are very unkind about Dapper and I guess there's a whole article at the Phoenix that isn't very complimentary. But isn't that the way these things go? Dapper was very narrow. He had his ideas of who he represented and that's who he represented. Period. And he didn't care who knew.
A lot of politicians come to the table with an agenda and for most that agenda is masked or hidden or worse......compromised. Dapper was never compromised. If he was helping you, he was grand. If he was on the other side of your issue.......well, he was your enemy. Anyone who is talking smack about Dapper, well that's just sour grapes.
The Herald
The Globe
Universal Hub
Boston Magazine
WCVB
The Bostonist
40,000 Hits
***UPDATE - Visitor 40,000 is here. It's someone from Boston. He or she searched Google for "david cahill charlestown job" & got my post about lights for Charlestown's Little League. This will give Jen & SB a laugh. 40,000 visits to my nonsense blog.******
I'm edging up there. I thought it would happen sometime over the weekend, but my little avalanche of from the USS Reagan story will send me over the top much sooner.
Watch the sitemeter and if it's you.............drop me a line.........please.
Right now, at 1828 here in Boston, sitemeter reads 39,947.
I'm edging up there. I thought it would happen sometime over the weekend, but my little avalanche of from the USS Reagan story will send me over the top much sooner.
Watch the sitemeter and if it's you.............drop me a line.........please.
Right now, at 1828 here in Boston, sitemeter reads 39,947.
Time's Person of the Year
Is Putin. That idiot Gore is a runner up, which means some people at Time are idiots. General Petraeus is also a runner up which means not everyone at Time is an idiot.
The choice is supposed to recognize
this statement "TIME's Person of the Year is a clear-eyed recognition of the world as it is and of the most powerful individuals and forces shaping that world—for better or for worse the person who had the greatest impact on the world" Again, Gore? I blame the stupid Nobel people for this!
Putin = great, if malevolent impact. He is definitely shaping the world.
Petraeus - positive and profound impact
Gore = irritation - not impact. If Al Gore is impacting your life....you aren't reading Time....you're reading some supermarket tabloid. If you think he is impacting the world what you're feeling is not impact, it's irritation.....I'm sure if you call your doctor he has a pill for that or at least some cream to rub on the chafed parts.
The choice is supposed to recognize
this statement "TIME's Person of the Year is a clear-eyed recognition of the world as it is and of the most powerful individuals and forces shaping that world—for better or for worse the person who had the greatest impact on the world" Again, Gore? I blame the stupid Nobel people for this!
Putin = great, if malevolent impact. He is definitely shaping the world.
Petraeus - positive and profound impact
Gore = irritation - not impact. If Al Gore is impacting your life....you aren't reading Time....you're reading some supermarket tabloid. If you think he is impacting the world what you're feeling is not impact, it's irritation.....I'm sure if you call your doctor he has a pill for that or at least some cream to rub on the chafed parts.
I'm In Trouble With Jen......
....but I'm not going down alone!
A couple of Saturday nights ago, I went to a blogger party and met some lovely people. Part of our conversation was about movies and Neo told us she saw "Enchanted". Neo said it was surprising and no trailer could do it justice. If I recall correctly, she said something about "getting through the first 15 or 20 minutes".
So Jen & I are trying to decide on a movie. Jen's qualifier was that it had to start late, because she is a workaholic. I wanted "I Am Legend". She was lukewarm. I read off the others....."No Country For Old Men" is out because we'd need subtitles. I head bad things about "The Golden Compass".
So............"Enchanted". Jen keeps looking over. I am covering my face. She throws popcorn. Then she tells me I'm on probabtion. I laugh.
But you know what? I liked it. It wasn't great...........but come on! Not every movie is "The Searchers" or "The Ghost & Mrs. Muir" or "Casablanca" or "Gone Baby Gone".
But hey, I love movies.
A couple of Saturday nights ago, I went to a blogger party and met some lovely people. Part of our conversation was about movies and Neo told us she saw "Enchanted". Neo said it was surprising and no trailer could do it justice. If I recall correctly, she said something about "getting through the first 15 or 20 minutes".
So Jen & I are trying to decide on a movie. Jen's qualifier was that it had to start late, because she is a workaholic. I wanted "I Am Legend". She was lukewarm. I read off the others....."No Country For Old Men" is out because we'd need subtitles. I head bad things about "The Golden Compass".
So............"Enchanted". Jen keeps looking over. I am covering my face. She throws popcorn. Then she tells me I'm on probabtion. I laugh.
But you know what? I liked it. It wasn't great...........but come on! Not every movie is "The Searchers" or "The Ghost & Mrs. Muir" or "Casablanca" or "Gone Baby Gone".
But hey, I love movies.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
And Now, A Few Words From......
....the CO of CVN 76
"It's a great example of the type of things we are called upon to do, and it's neat we were able to execute it as well as we did," said Capt. Terry B. Kraft, Ronald Reagan's commanding officer.
"I was most impressed with the teamwork on board the ship. Everybody rallied together," added Kraft. "It was a great coordinated effort between our helicopter squadron, HS-4, our medical folks and the Sailors here on the ship that enabled us to head down there very quickly. I'm also very proud of our ship's surgeon, who completed a successful operation."
The rest of this article here.
The story covered on Reagan's own website.
More pics and story here and here.
"It's a great example of the type of things we are called upon to do, and it's neat we were able to execute it as well as we did," said Capt. Terry B. Kraft, Ronald Reagan's commanding officer.
"I was most impressed with the teamwork on board the ship. Everybody rallied together," added Kraft. "It was a great coordinated effort between our helicopter squadron, HS-4, our medical folks and the Sailors here on the ship that enabled us to head down there very quickly. I'm also very proud of our ship's surgeon, who completed a successful operation."
The rest of this article here.
The story covered on Reagan's own website.
More pics and story here and here.
Welcome Sim-Outhouse Readers
I am having a little flood connected to the story below.....so I thought you might like a few more pics.
071215-N-3659B-234 PACIFIC (Dec. 15, 2007) U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joseph M. Buliavac (Released) 
071215-N-3659B-180 PACIFIC (Dec. 15, 2007) U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joseph M. Buliavac (Released) 
071215-N-3659B-234 PACIFIC (Dec. 15, 2007) U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joseph M. Buliavac (Released) 071215-N-3659B-180 PACIFIC (Dec. 15, 2007) U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joseph M. Buliavac (Released) 071215-N-3659B-065 PACIFIC (Dec. 15, 2007) Medical personnel aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) transfer a patient from an HH-60H Seahawk from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Warfare Squadron Four (HS) 4 following an emergency medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) at sea. The crew of Ronald Reagan and HS-4 helped MEDEVAC a 14-year old Illinois girl who had suffered from a ruptured appendix while vacationing aboard the Dawn Princess cruise ship off the coast of Baja, California. Upon arrival to the ship, the ship's surgeon conducted an emergency appendectomy and the patient is resting comfortably aboard Ronald Reagan. U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joseph M. Buliavac (Released)
Bravo Zulu USS Ronald Reagan!
***UPDATE*****Welcome SIM-OUTHOUSE readers, thanks Paul (PRB) for the link. Welcome USVNA.com readers *****More pics in this post and comments here*****
Remember, the military only cares about blowing things up and killing people.
Remember, the military just wastes your taxes on bombs and $40,0000 hammers.
Navy whisks girl from cruise ship for surgery
By Philip Ewing - Staff writer Posted : Tuesday Dec 18, 2007 18:46:48 EST
By Philip Ewing - Staff writer Posted : Tuesday Dec 18, 2007 18:46:48 EST
An ailing 14-year-old Illinois girl on a Pacific Ocean cruise took an unscheduled side trip Saturday — she was plucked by helicopter from the deck of her cruise ship and flown to the carrier Ronald Reagan for emergency appendix surgery.
The girl, who was vacationing with her family aboard Princess Cruise Lines’ 77,000-ton Dawn Princess, complained Friday of abdominal pain, the Navy said, as the ship sailed off the southern coast of Baja, Calif. Doctors realized they couldn’t treat her with the ship’s onboard medical facilities, so the Dawn Princess’ crew issued a distress call. The closest ship that could help was the Reagan, on a training mission some 550 miles away.
Two HH-60H Seahawk helicopters of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 4 took off from the Reagan early Saturday morning, the Navy said, and rendezvoused with the Dawn Princess. Because the ship doesn’t have a flight deck, air crews hovered over the deck and lowered a rescue swimmer in a basket, who brought up the girl into the helicopter. The helicopters returned to the Reagan, where Navy surgeons removed the girl’s appendix.
“She’s getting the best care and her prognosis for a full recovery is good,” said Cmdr. Theron Toole, the ship’s senior medical officer.
The Dawn Princess docked in San Diego on Sunday, and the Navy flew the girl’s mother out to the Reagan later that day aboard a C-2 Greyhound carrier onboard delivery flight, said Cmdr. Dora Lockwood, a spokeswoman for 3rd Fleet in San Diego.
The Reagan is due back in San Diego on Tuesday, so the sick girl and her mother will be able to move to a civilian hospital, Lockwood said.
The girl, who was vacationing with her family aboard Princess Cruise Lines’ 77,000-ton Dawn Princess, complained Friday of abdominal pain, the Navy said, as the ship sailed off the southern coast of Baja, Calif. Doctors realized they couldn’t treat her with the ship’s onboard medical facilities, so the Dawn Princess’ crew issued a distress call. The closest ship that could help was the Reagan, on a training mission some 550 miles away.
Two HH-60H Seahawk helicopters of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 4 took off from the Reagan early Saturday morning, the Navy said, and rendezvoused with the Dawn Princess. Because the ship doesn’t have a flight deck, air crews hovered over the deck and lowered a rescue swimmer in a basket, who brought up the girl into the helicopter. The helicopters returned to the Reagan, where Navy surgeons removed the girl’s appendix.
“She’s getting the best care and her prognosis for a full recovery is good,” said Cmdr. Theron Toole, the ship’s senior medical officer.
The Dawn Princess docked in San Diego on Sunday, and the Navy flew the girl’s mother out to the Reagan later that day aboard a C-2 Greyhound carrier onboard delivery flight, said Cmdr. Dora Lockwood, a spokeswoman for 3rd Fleet in San Diego.
The Reagan is due back in San Diego on Tuesday, so the sick girl and her mother will be able to move to a civilian hospital, Lockwood said.
Video here and it's also mentioned in today's "Around The Services" below.
SB Who?
I went to the gym last night.......treadmill.......nautilas......bike......hot shower...........
This morning I did all the laundry and the dishes.
I went above and beyond for something for work (I am the Dirty Harry of this office).
Now I am sitting at my desk enjoying a Delaviuda Bombone.......mmmmmmmm
No messages from the SandBox.
Whatever.
I'll have another Bombone.
SB who?
This morning I did all the laundry and the dishes.
I went above and beyond for something for work (I am the Dirty Harry of this office).
Now I am sitting at my desk enjoying a Delaviuda Bombone.......mmmmmmmm
No messages from the SandBox.
Whatever.
I'll have another Bombone.
SB who?
Monday, December 17, 2007
I Am Cranky
Last night I went to Jen's and not the gym and there is the tiniest bit of guilt......
The Ogre!!! is being a smartass in email......
Nic & Pat have a project going in the warehouse, so I am getting interrupted more than usual..........
After 72 hours of no communication, SB pops out looking for me and I am out front and miss him........
The message SB leaves has two parts.......first he tells me he's not pleased with something I did and then he tells me about the DL for his unit........
Where's that brownie?
The Ogre!!! is being a smartass in email......
Nic & Pat have a project going in the warehouse, so I am getting interrupted more than usual..........
After 72 hours of no communication, SB pops out looking for me and I am out front and miss him........
The message SB leaves has two parts.......first he tells me he's not pleased with something I did and then he tells me about the DL for his unit........
Where's that brownie?
Someone Who's Getting A Smack......
....if I ever see her again.....is "J".
"J" is someone I have met only once. I guess you'd call her a business associate of Jen's. Jen's company bought "J"'s company. There was some low level hostility. We wondered if "J" was malicious or stupid or conniving or what. Jen was pretty steamed with her. I found her innocuous and was leaning towards stupid when I met her a couple of months ago.
Fast forward to Jen's business trip to Van Nuys. Jen's coworker, Meghan wanted to see the Pacific. The subject came up at the end of one of their meetings and there was discussion. One of the people Jen was meeting with suggested a loop that would take them 17 miles south and west to Santa Monica
View Larger Map and around to Malibu and then back to their hotel. Jen had an overall idea of where these places were and that sounded like a good idea. Then, when the others left the room and it's just Jen, Meghan and "J"........"J" suggests they drive to Watts.
Yeah, that's right. Watts.
Watts, which would be 30 miles south and *east* away from the ocean - the point of the trip.
View Larger Map
Jen is telling me this story and I interupt to say "Watts? Like in 'Watts Riots'?" Jen laughs and says "Yeah, they had riots in the 70's. " I say "No, 1965. But whatever. What the eff is she sending you to Watts for?" And I must have that look on my face like I smell something bad (you know what a great poker face I have) because Jen laughs and says she had the same look and when "J" saw it, she said to Jen "Oh, you know about the riots in the 70's." I tell Jen I can't decide what's worse.....that "J" is malicious or stupid because the riots were in '65. Jen goes to check on Google. Why? I don't know. Why does anyone question when I know some stupid obscure fact? (Like my boss asking why I knew what a barista was when I don't drink coffee....I don't know, but I do). Anyway, Jen calls out from the computer that I'm right about 1965.....duh. Jen thought it must have happened in the 70s because she thought she remembered seeing it on TV. I told her she saw it in an episode of "Quantum Leap", lol. That was one of Tommy's favorite TV shows and if you were in my house you had to watch it. Also, our mother had all the Joseph Wambaugh books.
Can we get back to this bitch telling two (she thinks) unsuspecting Bostonians to get in their rental car and drive through to see some *tower* that some guy built. Jen asks her if it's a tower of trash and "J" says it's *recycled glass*. Whatever.
Then Jen says "Yeah, I was thinking how close "J" came to dying........if we had just gone and something happened to Meghan and I......you would have come to Van Nuys and found out about "J" sending us to Watts......Grace would have to be pulling you off of "J"!" I just started laughing, "Are you kidding? Grace wouldn't have been pulling me off! She might have shoved my down trying to get to "J" first, but she wouldn't be pulling me off!" People always think Grace is the nice one, the reasonable one.....even her own sister. Not me, I never underestimate Grace.
Bottom line, this person will be getting a smack if I ever see her again. If I can get to her before Grace.
"J" is someone I have met only once. I guess you'd call her a business associate of Jen's. Jen's company bought "J"'s company. There was some low level hostility. We wondered if "J" was malicious or stupid or conniving or what. Jen was pretty steamed with her. I found her innocuous and was leaning towards stupid when I met her a couple of months ago.
Fast forward to Jen's business trip to Van Nuys. Jen's coworker, Meghan wanted to see the Pacific. The subject came up at the end of one of their meetings and there was discussion. One of the people Jen was meeting with suggested a loop that would take them 17 miles south and west to Santa Monica
View Larger Map and around to Malibu and then back to their hotel. Jen had an overall idea of where these places were and that sounded like a good idea. Then, when the others left the room and it's just Jen, Meghan and "J"........"J" suggests they drive to Watts.
Yeah, that's right. Watts.
Watts, which would be 30 miles south and *east* away from the ocean - the point of the trip.
View Larger Map
Jen is telling me this story and I interupt to say "Watts? Like in 'Watts Riots'?" Jen laughs and says "Yeah, they had riots in the 70's. " I say "No, 1965. But whatever. What the eff is she sending you to Watts for?" And I must have that look on my face like I smell something bad (you know what a great poker face I have) because Jen laughs and says she had the same look and when "J" saw it, she said to Jen "Oh, you know about the riots in the 70's." I tell Jen I can't decide what's worse.....that "J" is malicious or stupid because the riots were in '65. Jen goes to check on Google. Why? I don't know. Why does anyone question when I know some stupid obscure fact? (Like my boss asking why I knew what a barista was when I don't drink coffee....I don't know, but I do). Anyway, Jen calls out from the computer that I'm right about 1965.....duh. Jen thought it must have happened in the 70s because she thought she remembered seeing it on TV. I told her she saw it in an episode of "Quantum Leap", lol. That was one of Tommy's favorite TV shows and if you were in my house you had to watch it. Also, our mother had all the Joseph Wambaugh books.
Can we get back to this bitch telling two (she thinks) unsuspecting Bostonians to get in their rental car and drive through to see some *tower* that some guy built. Jen asks her if it's a tower of trash and "J" says it's *recycled glass*. Whatever.
Then Jen says "Yeah, I was thinking how close "J" came to dying........if we had just gone and something happened to Meghan and I......you would have come to Van Nuys and found out about "J" sending us to Watts......Grace would have to be pulling you off of "J"!" I just started laughing, "Are you kidding? Grace wouldn't have been pulling me off! She might have shoved my down trying to get to "J" first, but she wouldn't be pulling me off!" People always think Grace is the nice one, the reasonable one.....even her own sister. Not me, I never underestimate Grace.
Bottom line, this person will be getting a smack if I ever see her again. If I can get to her before Grace.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Great White Fleet
Great White Fleet Commemorated in Norfolk
By Andrew Scutro - Staff writer
Posted : Sunday Dec 16, 2007 9:59:14 EST
NORFOLK, Va. — One hundred years ago on Dec. 16, an armada of 16 American battleships pushed away from Hampton Roads on a 14-month circumnavigation of the globe to show the world what the U.S. Navy could do.
The Great White Fleet, as it was known because of its bright paintjob, was dispatched by President Theodore Roosevelt, a larger than life American leader who had been in his career, among other things, Navy secretary.
To mark the anniversary, current Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter hosted some 500 guests aboard the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt — “America’s Big Stick” — pierside in its Norfolk homeport.
In a speech held in a hangar bay decorated with images and quotes of Roosevelt, Winter told the audience that “a maritime nation with maritime interests” needs a potent naval force always able to span the globe.
“The Navy today is providing a presence and a capability around the world that is unmatched by any other resource our nation has,” Winter said in remarks to reporters after his address. He said naval power remains crucial because 70 percent of the world is covered in water, 80 percent of its population lives near a coast and 90 percent of the world’s commerce moves by sea. “All of those show the critical aspects of what our Navy has to be now and in the future.”
Adm. Gary Roughead, chief of naval operations, added that it’s important to focus on all the elements that make up a navy, not only ships and aircraft but also recruiting and retention.
“Our Navy today is the guarantor of that free flow of commerce that moves in and of our country. And it’s kind of like air,” he said. “You take it for granted until you don’t have it.”
****UPDATE******THE PHIBIAN HAD THIS LINK AND YOU SHOULD SEE IT!****
By Andrew Scutro - Staff writer
Posted : Sunday Dec 16, 2007 9:59:14 EST
NORFOLK, Va. — One hundred years ago on Dec. 16, an armada of 16 American battleships pushed away from Hampton Roads on a 14-month circumnavigation of the globe to show the world what the U.S. Navy could do.The Great White Fleet, as it was known because of its bright paintjob, was dispatched by President Theodore Roosevelt, a larger than life American leader who had been in his career, among other things, Navy secretary.
To mark the anniversary, current Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter hosted some 500 guests aboard the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt — “America’s Big Stick” — pierside in its Norfolk homeport.
In a speech held in a hangar bay decorated with images and quotes of Roosevelt, Winter told the audience that “a maritime nation with maritime interests” needs a potent naval force always able to span the globe.
“The Navy today is providing a presence and a capability around the world that is unmatched by any other resource our nation has,” Winter said in remarks to reporters after his address. He said naval power remains crucial because 70 percent of the world is covered in water, 80 percent of its population lives near a coast and 90 percent of the world’s commerce moves by sea. “All of those show the critical aspects of what our Navy has to be now and in the future.”
Adm. Gary Roughead, chief of naval operations, added that it’s important to focus on all the elements that make up a navy, not only ships and aircraft but also recruiting and retention.
“Our Navy today is the guarantor of that free flow of commerce that moves in and of our country. And it’s kind of like air,” he said. “You take it for granted until you don’t have it.”
****UPDATE******THE PHIBIAN HAD THIS LINK AND YOU SHOULD SEE IT!****
Being Bad Continues.....
Jen's not helping
.
.
This is dinner..............>
I'm outside the village.
SB is busy (yeah, I know, I am not the focus for a reason......whatever!)
December 16, 1944 - Army Stuff
I've been waiting all day for the Armorer to put something up! I thought the Navy was gonna have to handle it.
The Battle of the Bulge
Last Year was good too.
The Battle of the Bulge
Last Year was good too.
This is Mama Kelley's brother, John. I never talked to him much (he used to pinch us, in a mean way), but his wife told us that he was in the Battle of the Bulge.
This is Papa Kelley's brother, Joe. I liked Joe. He lived across the street and talked to me a lot about the war. He was stuck down south during a great deal of WWII and found it very frustrating to be so far from home, yet still stateside. He finally made it over to France in 44.
Today In Music History
December 16, 1893 Antonin Dvorak premiered his "New World SYmphony" at New York's Carnegie Hall. It was his tribute to America.
I love Dvorak and the 2nd moveemnt is my favorite part of this symphony. There is no YouTube of it's premiere in New York, so I chose this version by the Dublin Philharmonic.
I find the 2nd movement very haunting. It reminds me of the ocean during a storm, much like today.
Boston Tea Party
Today is the 234th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. I was planning on going to the re-enactment at the Old South Meeting House this evening at 5. They really do it up. There are people playing the roles, but it's very interactive. They select people from the audience and give them cue cards.
It's Boston. It's history. It's fun. I want to go.
But the snow.
Don't get me wrong, I am a New Englander. The cold, the snow. Hey, baby, that's the deal. But I hate to drive in it.
It's Boston. It's history. It's fun. I want to go.
But the snow.
Don't get me wrong, I am a New Englander. The cold, the snow. Hey, baby, that's the deal. But I hate to drive in it.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
December 15, 1791
I'm incredibly lazy today! I am just going to send you to last year's post where I covered the whole thing more thoroughly.
The Answer Is Here
AWTM asked over at her place "The Best Christmas Present Ever?". In the post below I recounted my nonsense.
But here is the real BEST PRESENT EVER!
Local Girls Get Early Christmas Present.
Two students at North Todd Elementary received a big Christmas present a little early .
And it was an experience they'll never forget.
Mariah and Destiny Wilder weren't sure what they were about to open in front of the entire school early Dec. 13.
Their dad, Sergeant Matthew Wilder, was recently deployed to Iraq.
He sent a letter to the school saying how sorry he was that he had to miss their birthdays.
But to make up for it, the letter said he had sent them a present to open.
Mariah's mom says all Mariah wanted for Christmas was her daddy in a box.
So when Desire' Wilder found out her husband was coming home on Dec. 12, she decided to make Mariah's dream come true.
The school helped arrange the surprise.
Sergeant Wilder will be home for the holidays before heading to aviation school.
If you follow this link, there is a short video. It will touch the hardest heart. The younger daughter gets a stranglehold on her Dad that you couldn't break with dynamite.
Even Frankie said this was awesome.
Then "Good Morning America" featured their story. Sgt. Wilder said he enjoyed the chance to be on national television mainly so he could show the country a different side of military families in wartime. "Military families aren't always down all the time. You know we're supported 100% and I think that's really great." This was Sgt. Wilder's 4th deployment.
But here is the real BEST PRESENT EVER!
Local Girls Get Early Christmas Present.
Two students at North Todd Elementary received a big Christmas present a little early .
And it was an experience they'll never forget.
Mariah and Destiny Wilder weren't sure what they were about to open in front of the entire school early Dec. 13.
Their dad, Sergeant Matthew Wilder, was recently deployed to Iraq.
He sent a letter to the school saying how sorry he was that he had to miss their birthdays.
But to make up for it, the letter said he had sent them a present to open.
Mariah's mom says all Mariah wanted for Christmas was her daddy in a box.
So when Desire' Wilder found out her husband was coming home on Dec. 12, she decided to make Mariah's dream come true.
The school helped arrange the surprise.
Sergeant Wilder will be home for the holidays before heading to aviation school.
If you follow this link, there is a short video. It will touch the hardest heart. The younger daughter gets a stranglehold on her Dad that you couldn't break with dynamite.
Even Frankie said this was awesome.
Then "Good Morning America" featured their story. Sgt. Wilder said he enjoyed the chance to be on national television mainly so he could show the country a different side of military families in wartime. "Military families aren't always down all the time. You know we're supported 100% and I think that's really great." This was Sgt. Wilder's 4th deployment.
AWTM Asks............
The Best Christmas present?
Interesting post......some really touching comments......and then my nonsense!
Tammi - I love your story. Thanks for sharing.
My Dad grew up with lots of nothing, so Christmas for us was a huge deal for him. There were always a ridiculous amount of toys. I remember a vanity with a mirror (I was self obsessed even then), another year I got a ridiculous kitchen set that they (my parents and uncles) had to re-assemble a few days after Christmas because they were tanked on Christmas Eve when they put it together.
The funniest one was the year I got a nightgown in a box from "Santa" and a matching robe in a box from "Mummy & Daddy". I was 16, but my sister Jen was only 7. I teased my Dad about them matching and he looked at Jen and then me "Santa uses my Sears card. We're friends." Jen went wild to think Daddy knew Santa and did him favors.
This year the favorite Naval Consort is playing in the Gulf, XXXXXXXXXX(redacted for OPSEC)
SB reads me when time allows and I can't have him seeing this! So if you want to know, you have to read AWTM's comments.
Hehehe!
Interesting post......some really touching comments......and then my nonsense!
Tammi - I love your story. Thanks for sharing.
My Dad grew up with lots of nothing, so Christmas for us was a huge deal for him. There were always a ridiculous amount of toys. I remember a vanity with a mirror (I was self obsessed even then), another year I got a ridiculous kitchen set that they (my parents and uncles) had to re-assemble a few days after Christmas because they were tanked on Christmas Eve when they put it together.
The funniest one was the year I got a nightgown in a box from "Santa" and a matching robe in a box from "Mummy & Daddy". I was 16, but my sister Jen was only 7. I teased my Dad about them matching and he looked at Jen and then me "Santa uses my Sears card. We're friends." Jen went wild to think Daddy knew Santa and did him favors.
This year the favorite Naval Consort is playing in the Gulf, XXXXXXXXXX(redacted for OPSEC)
SB reads me when time allows and I can't have him seeing this! So if you want to know, you have to read AWTM's comments.
Hehehe!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
It's Been Snowing Since Noon
It's very pretty. I am all set here at work. We have food and flashlights. The gym is across the street. I have people to call if I decide I want to leave. Of course, why would I want to go home and be marooned with those stinky boys?
So, I am going to hang and listen to Howie Carr and keep an eye on the "French Toast Alert System" over at Universal Hub.
So, I am going to hang and listen to Howie Carr and keep an eye on the "French Toast Alert System" over at Universal Hub.
I Gotta Hustle.....
My friend Gary is due up on Capitol Hill at 1000. I have to be sitting at my desk.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
I Like Number Four
4. I carry a gun because a cop is too heavy.
Not that I carry a gun, or own a gun. The pic in the sidebar is the only time I've even held a gun. But the sentiment just made me laugh.
Check out the rest here.
Hotel Tango to Sherri who sends me funny stuff everyday.
This was also fun(again from Sherri). The link takes you to a cute little site that lets you type what you want for Christmas into the box. So, I typed in my Christmas wish and waited. Santa got a stern look on his face and said "Naughty, naughty! Only good little boys and girls get presents for Christmas!"
Yeah, yeah......I know. This was the last time I was on the nice list.
Not that I carry a gun, or own a gun. The pic in the sidebar is the only time I've even held a gun. But the sentiment just made me laugh.
Check out the rest here.
Hotel Tango to Sherri who sends me funny stuff everyday.
This was also fun(again from Sherri). The link takes you to a cute little site that lets you type what you want for Christmas into the box. So, I typed in my Christmas wish and waited. Santa got a stern look on his face and said "Naughty, naughty! Only good little boys and girls get presents for Christmas!"
Yeah, yeah......I know. This was the last time I was on the nice list.
Wallow
So, last night, I did not go to the gym. I told myself it would be a laundry/ironing night. I told myself that I would watch the FoxNews Sunday episode I had recorded. I told myself I would iron all my winter clothes that I pulled out last weekend and washed.
I lied.
First, there was.......
with chips.
Then there was........
While I sat on my rump for four episodes of......
I lied.
First, there was.......
with chips.Then there was........
While I sat on my rump for four episodes of......
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
The Mist
After the gym last night, I took myself to the movies. I tried to pick something Jen wouldn't want to see. It was a toss up between "No Country For Old Men" and "The Mist". Stephen King won out. I remembered the novella and was really in the mood for it. Confident that I had been good enough at the gym to let go and have the popcorn, I settled in for a good scare.
They changed the ending and I didn't like it....but I'm not one to spoil these things, so go see for yourself.
How scary was it? Well, I know I beef about those stinky boys in my house.....but last night I was glad I didn't live alone!
Monday, December 10, 2007
December 10, 1936
As with any fairy tale, it is best not to look too closely. When I was young, I knew none of the back story and I hadn't seen too much of Edward and Wallis. Fleshed out by my vivid imagination, this was quite the most romantic story.
In 1936, Britain's King Edward VIII abdicated to marry American divorcee Wallis Warfield Simpson. His brother succeeded to the throne as King George VI. This is the day he signed the abdication instrument. The next day he gave his famous farewell speech. You can listen to a snippet of his speech here.
At long last I am able to say a few words of my own. I have never wanted to withhold anything, but until now it has not been constitutionally possible for me to speak.
A few hours ago I discharged my last duty as King and Emperor, and now that I have been succeeded by my brother, the Duke of York, my first words must be to declare my allegiance to him. This I do with all my heart.
You all know the reasons which have impelled me to renounce the throne. But I want you to understand that in making up my mind I did not forget the country or the empire, which, as Prince of Wales and lately as King, I have for twenty-five years tried to serve.But you must believe me when I tell you that I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as King as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love.
*sigh*
The rest of the speech is here.
Now, here's the funny part. If SB took one moment away from Duty to give to me......if he even once put me before his men......LOL, I would not want him! He would not be SB, he would not be worth the effort. I wonder what Wallis thought? Honor. Duty. That's everything.
In 1936, Britain's King Edward VIII abdicated to marry American divorcee Wallis Warfield Simpson. His brother succeeded to the throne as King George VI. This is the day he signed the abdication instrument. The next day he gave his famous farewell speech. You can listen to a snippet of his speech here.
At long last I am able to say a few words of my own. I have never wanted to withhold anything, but until now it has not been constitutionally possible for me to speak.
A few hours ago I discharged my last duty as King and Emperor, and now that I have been succeeded by my brother, the Duke of York, my first words must be to declare my allegiance to him. This I do with all my heart.
You all know the reasons which have impelled me to renounce the throne. But I want you to understand that in making up my mind I did not forget the country or the empire, which, as Prince of Wales and lately as King, I have for twenty-five years tried to serve.But you must believe me when I tell you that I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as King as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love.
*sigh*
The rest of the speech is here.
Now, here's the funny part. If SB took one moment away from Duty to give to me......if he even once put me before his men......LOL, I would not want him! He would not be SB, he would not be worth the effort. I wonder what Wallis thought? Honor. Duty. That's everything.
My Saturday
I didn't go to work....at all! Not even a "pop in". Well, there were text messages and phone calls...you can't have everything.
Which bring me to my next point. I had decided to be *bad*. I know what you're thinking...."When aren't you bad, Maggie?" Yeah, yeah. I mean on Atkins. I had two parties to go to and I decided.....Why Fight?
Of course, I as late to the first one.....my mother's family Christmas party. Mama Kelley had 5 children and 16 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren, and there are oodles of the next level. So every year we rent a hall or something. Each of the five Fossil (my mother and her brothers) takes a year and their children run the party. So, as I mentioned, I was late and there was literally no food left! LOL Well, you can't be bad on Atkins when there is nothing to stuff in your gullett, can you? I still had a great time. We all took our traditional group pics.....Fossils.....Outlaws (my Dad and his sisters-in-law......Reapers (my generation) and so on. Then Santa comes. Would you be surprised to know who is in charge of Santa? Who Santa's friend is..........lol. That's right, Santa appears every year, decked out in full regalia at the behest of Maggie.............beat that!
So after that, I head for my next shindig, praying they will feed me, lol. I almost popped over to my sister Grace's to blackmail her into ordering pizza, but then I would have been late again.
The next party was a local blogger gathering at Jill's place. She has a lovely, warm, inviting home that she graciously opened to several of us. And yes...there was food! She made an appetizer that I was too busy eating to ask too many questions, and it kept me from falling over. Then there was lasagna and green beans....strangely one of my favorite combos, green beans and any Italian food. Later there was chocolate.....brownies.....cupcakes.....I brought an assortment of Hersheys...........
Oh, who was there? Sorry, I got lost for a minute.
In addition to Jill, there was Teresa of Technicalities who I really like. She brought along the husband who at one point I noticed was in the living room with the distaff side of three of the bloggers......the "other half" room, I guess. She is fun to talk to and we have met a couple of times before. Art of New Wineskins, who could only stay a short time as we were a pitstop to his night out with his daughter who was very pleasant and didn't look too horrified by her father's imaginary friends.....that's how my sister Jen refers to all my blogger connections. They popped off to see "Enchanted" and I hope they had a great time. Another blogger I have met before and I'm always happy to see was Miss Kelly. Miss Kelly and her spouse had hosted the last get together in May and it was fun to see them again.
On the new side of things, besides Art, there was Neo of Neo-Neocon who proved to be quite the cinephile....I love that! I love movies, I love talking about movies. She was interesting on other levels, but knowing movies is always a plus with me!
Next up was Sippican Cottage........a funny guy....didn't matter what you threw at him......he tossed it back with an understated, quick delivery. I enjoyed the give and take around that table quite a bit. Although, there was a little malarkey about some alledged accent.........I don't know what they were talking about. Athough Sisu's husband Tuck was quite charming about harrassing me.
There was a suggestion that I podcast...................lol, I can't even put up a stinking blogroll!
Which bring me to my next point. I had decided to be *bad*. I know what you're thinking...."When aren't you bad, Maggie?" Yeah, yeah. I mean on Atkins. I had two parties to go to and I decided.....Why Fight?
Of course, I as late to the first one.....my mother's family Christmas party. Mama Kelley had 5 children and 16 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren, and there are oodles of the next level. So every year we rent a hall or something. Each of the five Fossil (my mother and her brothers) takes a year and their children run the party. So, as I mentioned, I was late and there was literally no food left! LOL Well, you can't be bad on Atkins when there is nothing to stuff in your gullett, can you? I still had a great time. We all took our traditional group pics.....Fossils.....Outlaws (my Dad and his sisters-in-law......Reapers (my generation) and so on. Then Santa comes. Would you be surprised to know who is in charge of Santa? Who Santa's friend is..........lol. That's right, Santa appears every year, decked out in full regalia at the behest of Maggie.............beat that!
So after that, I head for my next shindig, praying they will feed me, lol. I almost popped over to my sister Grace's to blackmail her into ordering pizza, but then I would have been late again.
The next party was a local blogger gathering at Jill's place. She has a lovely, warm, inviting home that she graciously opened to several of us. And yes...there was food! She made an appetizer that I was too busy eating to ask too many questions, and it kept me from falling over. Then there was lasagna and green beans....strangely one of my favorite combos, green beans and any Italian food. Later there was chocolate.....brownies.....cupcakes.....I brought an assortment of Hersheys...........
Oh, who was there? Sorry, I got lost for a minute.
In addition to Jill, there was Teresa of Technicalities who I really like. She brought along the husband who at one point I noticed was in the living room with the distaff side of three of the bloggers......the "other half" room, I guess. She is fun to talk to and we have met a couple of times before. Art of New Wineskins, who could only stay a short time as we were a pitstop to his night out with his daughter who was very pleasant and didn't look too horrified by her father's imaginary friends.....that's how my sister Jen refers to all my blogger connections. They popped off to see "Enchanted" and I hope they had a great time. Another blogger I have met before and I'm always happy to see was Miss Kelly. Miss Kelly and her spouse had hosted the last get together in May and it was fun to see them again.
On the new side of things, besides Art, there was Neo of Neo-Neocon who proved to be quite the cinephile....I love that! I love movies, I love talking about movies. She was interesting on other levels, but knowing movies is always a plus with me!
Next up was Sippican Cottage........a funny guy....didn't matter what you threw at him......he tossed it back with an understated, quick delivery. I enjoyed the give and take around that table quite a bit. Although, there was a little malarkey about some alledged accent.........I don't know what they were talking about. Athough Sisu's husband Tuck was quite charming about harrassing me.
There was a suggestion that I podcast...................lol, I can't even put up a stinking blogroll!
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Iranian Students Study General John Stark
Iran students break campus gate in protestIranian students staged a new demonstration at Tehran University on Sunday, damaging the main gate to allow outsiders into the campus and denouncing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, news agencies reported.
The protesters chanted slogans against the president and carried banners calling for the release of three fellow students who have been held since May in a high-profile case, the Fars news agency and state-run IRNA reported.
More pictures here.
"Live free or die. Death is not the worst of evils."
Friday, December 07, 2007
Line of The Day
Let's see.............who had The Line of the DAY!!!
Was it SB?
The Ogre! sent me a text message full of technical stuff to taunt me. So I asked SB to translate. I explained "Thank you, you know how important it is for me to look smart. He is typing in this lingo just to taunt me. You know how childish and competative I am." SB answers "I do". I ask "How do you put up with me?" His response? "I get deployed."
Humph!
Or was it SB's BFF (aka my own flesh and blood, my sister, Jen) who has two entries?
First there is a news story about a pharmacutical company being sued. She is saying it's wrong to sue, sue, sue because then people who need those medications don't get them. She mentions a particular medication specific to her own diagnosis that never made it out of FDA testing. I look at her and say "But that one killed people!" Jen's reply? "Only a couple!"
What! I'm laughing too hard to respond.
And, finally -
When I was telling her the Orge!/SB story and I read her the crazy text message full of acronyms and technical lingo, she looked at me and said "Dacus dacum da fulla da cacook!".
Then we both crack up. I never knew Mama Kelley's mother. She died before I was born. But she was often cited for certain pearls of wisdom. This was one of them. My mother and Mama Kelley would trot this gem out once in a while. It's Latin, it's pig latin, it's nonsense, but the supposed translation is "You're full of coke". It's a nice way of saying "You're full of shit.", which apparently was a word that would never cross my great-grandmother's lips. I know Mama Kelley never said it and it would be a rare occasion for my own mother to swear. They would say it to poke teasing fun and disbelief at someone or something. It would pop out of their mouths at top speed and then they would laugh. Then we would all laugh. Of all the nonsensical things that I can spout on cue, I can't ever get that one straight, but Jen & Grace can.
Was it SB?
The Ogre! sent me a text message full of technical stuff to taunt me. So I asked SB to translate. I explained "Thank you, you know how important it is for me to look smart. He is typing in this lingo just to taunt me. You know how childish and competative I am." SB answers "I do". I ask "How do you put up with me?" His response? "I get deployed."
Humph!
Or was it SB's BFF (aka my own flesh and blood, my sister, Jen) who has two entries?
First there is a news story about a pharmacutical company being sued. She is saying it's wrong to sue, sue, sue because then people who need those medications don't get them. She mentions a particular medication specific to her own diagnosis that never made it out of FDA testing. I look at her and say "But that one killed people!" Jen's reply? "Only a couple!"
What! I'm laughing too hard to respond.
And, finally -
When I was telling her the Orge!/SB story and I read her the crazy text message full of acronyms and technical lingo, she looked at me and said "Dacus dacum da fulla da cacook!".
Then we both crack up. I never knew Mama Kelley's mother. She died before I was born. But she was often cited for certain pearls of wisdom. This was one of them. My mother and Mama Kelley would trot this gem out once in a while. It's Latin, it's pig latin, it's nonsense, but the supposed translation is "You're full of coke". It's a nice way of saying "You're full of shit.", which apparently was a word that would never cross my great-grandmother's lips. I know Mama Kelley never said it and it would be a rare occasion for my own mother to swear. They would say it to poke teasing fun and disbelief at someone or something. It would pop out of their mouths at top speed and then they would laugh. Then we would all laugh. Of all the nonsensical things that I can spout on cue, I can't ever get that one straight, but Jen & Grace can.
December 7th
071204-N-9758L-028 PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (Dec. 4, 2007) Pearl Harbor survivor Chief Cook Edward Gaulrapp (Ret.) views the USS Arizona Memorial during a visit to historic Ford Island. Assigned to the Pearl Harbor-based Perch-class submarine USS Pompano (SS 181), Gaulrapp was in his barracks when the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor began. He and several other Pearl Harbor survivors are currently in the Pearl Harbor area to observe the 66th anniversary of the attack. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael A. Lantron (Released)
071204-N-9758L-047 PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (Dec. 4, 2007) Pearl Harbor survivor Chief Cook Edward Gaulrapp (Ret.) uses an aerial floor photo of Pearl Harbor, located at the Pacific Aviation Museum on Ford Island, to pinpoint his location during the Dec. 7, 1941 attack. Assigned to the Pearl Harbor-based Perch-class submarine USS Pompano (SS 181), Gaulrapp was in his barracks when the attacks began. He and several other Pearl Harbor survivors are in the Pearl Harbor area to observe the 66th anniversary of the attack. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael A. Lantron (Released)
071127-N-7974M-002 PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (Nov. 27, 2007) Sailors aboard the guided-missile frigate USS Crommelin (FFG 37) man the rails as they depart Naval Station Pearl Harbor. Crommelin will transit the Panama Canal en route to the Caribbean to conduct counter narcotic mission. Crommelin is a multi-mission warship designed to execute a variety of war-fighting tasks. U.S. Navy photo by Blair Martin (RELEASED)
071203-N-0879R-008 PEARL HARBOR (Dec. 3, 2007) The names of all 429 Sailors killed aboard the battleship USS Oklahoma (BB 37) during the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor are represented at the newly built USS Oklahoma Memorial on Ford Island. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist David Rush (Released) Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Good God!!
My 5th grade CCD students did better with this line of thought when we discussed it Sunday.
Disclaimer - I don't watch "The View". I don't read "HuffPo". But sometimes that's where the fun is. I was over at the super secret site and this post at HuffPo was up for discussion.
Sherri Shepherd Doesn't Get That Whole BC Thing, Insists "Jesus Came First"
For whatever reason, the ladies on "The View" were discussing ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus this morning. Naturally, talk soon migrated to the topic of religion, and Sherri "I don't know if the world is flat"Shepherd came out to play. More specifically, to spew ignorance and a complete lack of understanding of basic world history! Discussing whether Christians were around during Epicurus' time (Epicurus lived from 341-270 B.C.), Sherri chimed in, "[The Greeks] had Christians 'cause they threw them to the lions."
Painful, just painful. If you follow the link, there's video. It's just as bad as the HuffPo people make it out to be. Not that the brain surgeons at HuffPo come out all that well.......one of their first commenters comes out with - "What scares me is that there are lots of people who are just as confused as she is about the most basic events in history, such as there was a period of time "Before Christ" and a continuing period of time that is "After (the) Death" of Christ."
LOL, someone corrects him pretty quickly.
Disclaimer - I don't watch "The View". I don't read "HuffPo". But sometimes that's where the fun is. I was over at the super secret site and this post at HuffPo was up for discussion.
Sherri Shepherd Doesn't Get That Whole BC Thing, Insists "Jesus Came First"
For whatever reason, the ladies on "The View" were discussing ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus this morning. Naturally, talk soon migrated to the topic of religion, and Sherri "I don't know if the world is flat"Shepherd came out to play. More specifically, to spew ignorance and a complete lack of understanding of basic world history! Discussing whether Christians were around during Epicurus' time (Epicurus lived from 341-270 B.C.), Sherri chimed in, "[The Greeks] had Christians 'cause they threw them to the lions."
Painful, just painful. If you follow the link, there's video. It's just as bad as the HuffPo people make it out to be. Not that the brain surgeons at HuffPo come out all that well.......one of their first commenters comes out with - "What scares me is that there are lots of people who are just as confused as she is about the most basic events in history, such as there was a period of time "Before Christ" and a continuing period of time that is "After (the) Death" of Christ."
LOL, someone corrects him pretty quickly.
December 5, 1933
In 1933, prohibition of liquor in the United States was repealed when Utah became the 36th state to ratify the 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Last year's post still covers it.
Last year's post still covers it.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Vice Admiral James B Stockdale Leadership Award
Navy News December 03, 2007
Washington D.C. -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead presented the Vice Adm. James B. Stockdale Leadership Award at a ceremony in the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes, Nov 28, to two officers for their achievements in leadership.
Roughead recognized Cmdrs. Frank J. Olmo and Craig A. Clapperton for displaying excellence while serving in positions of command. The officers were nominated by their peers within their assigned fleets.
As the ceremony opened, Roughead spoke of the unique nature of the award being recommended by the recipients' peers.
"One does not obtain the recognition or receive the recommendation of their peers if they truly do not love what they do," said Roughead.
Olmo was commanding officer of USS Mahan (DDG 72). During his tour, Mahan deployed as Flagship for Standing NATO Maritime Group 1, and won the 2006 Battle Efficiency Award, the Golden Anchor Award for retention excellence, and the Bloodhound Award for anti-submarine warfare excellence.
Both award winners credited their success to deckplate Sailors and the mentorship they received throughout their naval careers.
"It was really the chief's mess and triad (executive officer) that got me here today," said Olmo. "You rely on them to take your leadership philosophy and get it down to the deck plates. If you can get down and reach that level, then you're going to have a great command."
Clapperton was commanding officer of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141. His command successfully executed the Prowler community's first ever sustained dual site combat operations from an aircraft carrier and a remote expeditionary base while flying missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After an expedited turnaround cycle, Clapperton led the Shadowhawks on short notice deployment in Iwakuni, Japan in support of Marine Air Group 12 and the First Marine Air Wing.
"Every commanding officer you have along the way you learn something from," said Clapperton. "When I was in command, there were many times that I thought back to myself, 'what would those gentlemen do when they were in this situation?'"
The Vice Admiral Stockdale Leadership Award is given annually to officers below the rank of captain who have commanded a ship, submarine or an air squadron. The award is in honor of James B. Stockdale, whose distinguished naval career symbolized the highest standards of excellence in both personal example and leadership.
Both award winners said they could not have done it alone. Their families, mentors and Sailors gave them the inspiration, motivation and perseverance to get the job done.
Clapperton said that although he was the one receiving the award, it truly recognized the accomplishments of the 200 Sailors of VAQ-141 with whom he served.
"They certainly taught me more about leadership and about service than I could ever have taught them," said Clapperton.
What's Jen Best At?
Keeping my ego in check!
If you read the post below you know that I made a request for something and a certain someone answered promptly.
I sent an email thanking him and asked "So, how should such service be rewarded?"
His reply? "Let me build up sufficient credit so I can cash in, in a big way!"
So, I am recounting this for Jen as we settle in to watch "Combat Zone - The Battle of Hue" and Jen says (in that incredibly sarcastic voice of hers) "Credit? Like skee ball tickets? If he gets 10,000 can he turn them in for a flourescent super ball?"
So I just kill myself laughing and wait for her to fire up the DVR.........I have no defense.
If you read the post below you know that I made a request for something and a certain someone answered promptly.
I sent an email thanking him and asked "So, how should such service be rewarded?"
His reply? "Let me build up sufficient credit so I can cash in, in a big way!"
So, I am recounting this for Jen as we settle in to watch "Combat Zone - The Battle of Hue" and Jen says (in that incredibly sarcastic voice of hers) "Credit? Like skee ball tickets? If he gets 10,000 can he turn them in for a flourescent super ball?"
So I just kill myself laughing and wait for her to fire up the DVR.........I have no defense.
Monday, December 03, 2007
So What Happens.........
.....when the Princess sends out the message "My friend Gary needs a better publicist. I got a pic of Mullen at the game but I can't find any of the CNO."????
Why some secret squirrel sends me this!
Left to right: Marine Gen. James T. Conway, commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, Navy Adm. Gary Roughead, chief of naval operations, and Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, watch the U.S. Navy Leapfrogs parachute into M&T Bank Stadium before the108th Army-Navy football game in Baltimore, Md., Dec. 1, 2007. Defense Dept. photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeleyThank you, baby!
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Some People Are Getting A Jump.....
....on picking out Christmas presents for me. WK, et al.......it is always good to be focused on me.
Thanks!
Go Navy - Beat Army Shout-Out
From Task Force 134 Baghdad, Iraq.
And Forward Operating Base Camp Bucca Iraq.
With Navy Provisional Detainee Battalion 3.
For 364 days of the year Task Force 134 and the US Navy stand shoulder to should with our brothers and sisters in the US Army.
But not today!
Go NAVY! Beat Army!
Army Navy Game Spots
SB got to watch the first half and said that the Army spots were funnier. I listed on the Internet so I had to wait for YouTube. So far, he's right. Not that it helped Army, but their spots were better.
But, don't forget who had the best prank eva!
But, don't forget who had the best prank eva!
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