Mike Holovak, PT Boat Skipper

SouthieBoy says
"Rest easy LCDR Holovak, we have the watch!"
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COMMENTARY
We were blessed to know him
By RICHARD JUSTICE
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
He was a coal miner's son, the youngest of five born to Czechoslovakian immigrants. From those humble beginnings, Mike Holovak went on to live out a uniquely American story.
He skippered a PT boat, survived malaria and lost a brother in World War II. He once counted President Kennedy among his many friends.
He played for Frank Leahy and George Halas, drafted Hall of Famers Mike Munchak and Bruce Matthews and was the architect of Oilers teams that made seven consecutive playoff appearances.
He once played in a high school game in which Vince Lombardi was the opposing coach.
Mike Holovak died at 88 on Sunday, leaving behind hundreds of friends that admired him for his decency and loyalty and humor. His was a wonderful life in every sense of the word.
He was a few months from his 70th birthday and preparing for retirement in 1989 when Bud Adams asked him to become general manager of the Oilers. Adams didn't make many better decisions.
Holovak was a scout at heart and was never happier than those days he would spend in a darkened room attempting to evaluate who could play and who couldn't. He once joked that he hoped to die while watching film.
"He worked most of his NFL career in obscurity, and that's the way he liked it," said Titans CEO Steve Underwood, who worked in the organization 19 years with Holovak. "He had no desire to have his ego massaged."
Now a word about those catnaps. He took them frequently. When he was general manager of the Oilers, some assumed it meant the old man was starting to slip.
He wasn't. He'd become so accustomed to sleeping two or three hours at a time while on that PT boat that his sleep patterns were ruined forever.
That's why he might have watched more hours of tape between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. than anyone in NFL history.
Respect around the NFLTo understand how he was viewed by his peers, one had only to see the reception he got at NFL meetings. Al Davis admired him in a way he didn't admire many people in football.
Lamar Hunt and Ralph Wilson loved him, too. Holovak was on the ground floor of building the AFL, and those guys never forgot his contributions as coach and general manager of the Patriots.
According to the College Football Hall of Fame, Leahy found Holovak almost by accident. He had gone to watch Lombardi coach a high school team and came upon a player that would be one of the best in Boston College history.
It was during his Boston years that he met the young senator. They forged a friendship that lasted until the end of JFK's life.
Adams never had a more loyal employee. Holovak once confided that he never had asked for a raise, and he took every bullet for the organization's mistakes, deserved or not.
He had a toughness about him that endured until late in life. He was a devoted runner and would be seen at the practice facility pounding out the miles in the heat of the day.
Not one to criticizeOn his KTRH talk show, he would defer to his host on questions that might mean criticizing someone. That simply was a game he was unwilling to play.
He retired to Florida in 1999, to play poker and take his daily power walks. Teams never stopped sending him video and asking him to evaluate a player.
He had tough times along the way. A high school-aged daughter died in a car accident. Holovak suffered for years after that, once telling a reporter that he owed the Raiders and 49ers apologies for being so smothered by grief he was unable to work.
His real legacy won't be that he was the greatest executive or the most successful coach or any of that stuff. He was inducted into so many halls of fame over the years that the names and places begin to blur.
That's small stuff compared to what Mike Holovak was to the people who knew him best. They remembered him as a good friend, relentless worker and for having a heart bigger than almost anyone.
Those people are mourning his passing, but celebrating the fact they were lucky enough to know him. They know they were blessed.

Michael J. Holovak, legendary football coach for BC, Pats; was also ace PT skipper in WWII

Michael J. “Mike” Holovak of Wimauma, Fla., legendary football coach for Boston College and the Boston Patriots [team stats], died yesterday from complications of pneumonia at Life Path Hospice in Ruskin, Fla. He was 88.
Mr. Holovak was born and raised in Lansford, Pa.
During high school he won an athletic scholarship to Seton Hall Prep School in New Jersey. He went on to play football for Boston College, where he became starting fullback on the Eagles’ undefeated 1941 Sugar Bowl champion team.
As a senior in 1942, Mr. Holovak was an All-America selection. In that season’s Orange Bowl game against Alabama, Mr. Holovak scored three touchdowns and averaged 15.8 yards every time he touched the ball - a rushing record that has stood for more than six decades.
Following graduation from Boston College in 1943, Mr. Holovak enlisted in the Navy and served as skipper of a PT boat operating in the South Pacific war zone.
“He rarely spoke of it, but he was so proud of that service to his country,” said his widow, Pauline Scudder Holovak. His boat was credited with sinking nine Japanese ships and Mr. Holovak retired from the Navy as a lieutenant commander.
After the war, he played professional football for the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams before beginning his coaching career as freshman football coach at Boston College in 1949. In the two years that he held that post, his teams didn’t lose a single game.
He was named head coach at Boston College in 1951 where he remained for nine seasons. In 1960, he was appointed the first director of player personnel for the newly founded Boston Patriots and was named the team’s second head coach during the 1961 season. In 1964, under his coaching, the Patriots reached the American Football League championship game where they lost to the San Diego Chargers.
“Mike was a mentor, a coach, and above all, a consummate gentleman,” said Gino Cappelletti, one of the Patriots’ all-time leading pass receivers and scorers. “ . . . His contributions as coach and general manager in the critical early years of the Patriots’ franchise were monumental.”
Mr. Holovak also coached and held administrative positions with the San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders and New York Jets [team stats]. Later in his career, he served as vice president for player personnel and general manager of the NFL’s Houston Oilers and worked for the Oilers, now the Tennessee Titans [team stats], in various front office positions until his retirement from football in 1998. He remained a consultant and scout for the Titans until shortly before his death.
“Mike was the quintessential ‘football guy,’ ” said K.S. “Bud” Adams Jr., founder, owner and president of the Tennessee Titans franchise and a long-time friend of Mr. Holovak. “He had such a passion and knowledge of the game. It is rare when you see a person excel in all three areas of the sport: a great player in college, a successful coach and great talent evaluator, but Mike was one of the special people.”
Mr. Holovak was a member of the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame, the Boston College Varsity Club Hall of Fame, the Tennesse Titans Hall of Fame and the Seton Hall Prep Hall of Fame.
Mr. Holovak is survived by his wife, Pauline Scudder; two daughters, Michele Harrison of Gloucester and Cindy Oatess of South Tampa, Fla.; and three grandchildren.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Feb. 9 at St. Ignatius Church, Boston College.

Bob Cerasoli Takes NOLA

This was interesting. This is the back story from July.

When Bob gets it all straightened out, I'll pop back down and congratulate him. The Ogre's waiting to take me out for a drink anyway.
**********UPDATE - I LOVE BLOGGING!***************
Look what turned up in my comments!
1 Comments:
rcerasoli said...
I look forward to being congratulated, but this will not be an easy task for me to complete. Thank you for taking time to notice.Robert A. Cerasoli
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Mr. Cerasoli - You are welcome! Boston loves you, NOLA will too! You have a problem, this Townie's gotcha back!
Maggie

I'm Sorry, Caroline

But I am terribly disappointed with your Op-Ed in The NYT . I can not agree with your premise that you back Obama because of your father. I am the first to agree that your father inspired many. I will also concur with the same wistful longing that your father lights our path today, 45 years after his assassination. But Obama is an empty vessel. He has no substance.

I was speaking with a young man the other day who commented on Obama's speeches. I agreed that he was moving speaker. But what about a record to stand on? I asked the young man, "What is he telling you in that eloquent voice that you agree with?" Yes, we can! Yes we can what?"

Follow this link to Obama's voting record. Do his votes reflect your values? How about scrolling through the catagories to "Budget, Spending and Taxes". How do you feel about all the NV (not voting) entries?

"Yes we can!" is a catchy slogan. So was "I Like Ike", so was "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too!" So what? What does this tell us? It tells us that Obama can whip up and inspire a crowd with his passion and his words. Great! Pull together a congregation and put him at the pulpit. But don't put him in the White House.

I'm sorry Caroline, but I think your father and your Uncle Bobby would be laughing. Your father was a more than slogans, more than speeches. Your father was substance. Your father was a leader of men in WWII (a small boat Sailor - my favorite!). Your father had principles to go with his ideals and a record to stand on. Your father walked through Charlestown to begin his political career and served as a Congressman and Senator from 1946 to 1960. In the Congress he voted his own way and didn't always follow the party line. Your father was about more than feeling good.

I know there's a certain amount of luck involved in these things. You have to be in the right place at the right time. But for pity's sake! If Jack Ryan hadn't wanted his wife to try a little something different on night in Paris, you wouldn't even know Obama's name!

Gotta go with Senator Bentsen on this one........

Grace Has Some Advice For SouthieBoy

Grace, my sister who is prepared for everything. She of the carefully filled out calendar and polite and helpful children. Grace who can not fly by the seat of her pants unless dragged. Grace with bird flu supplies in the attic. Grace who has an answer for everything and she will tell you whether you want to hear it or not..............

I saw something briefly about a satellite which will fall to earth at some point. So on my way home from work, I called Grace.................."Are you building a shield?" She knew immediately what I was taking about and replied in an awestruck tone, "Did you see that? It weighs 20,000 lbs. (How the hell does she know that?). But I'm not worried, it's going to land in the Persian Gulf." I hadn't heard that and I said "Hey, that's where Tom is!"

Grace said

"Tell him, he better duck."

Who Doesn't Love Uncle Jimbo?

It was a rough day.....thanks for the laugh, baby!

My Mother is Right!

Isn't she always? She often describes Jen & I as "my twins born nine and a half years apart".

Last night Jen got her package from her BFF. Which, of course, means that I can now talk about mine. They were flags that flew on Navy boats in the Gulf, complete with certificates from the commanding officer.

Jen found it at her front door when she got home from dinner with friends last night. She said she was exhausted, but when she saw the return address she knew it had to be opened immediately. I was home and Jen couldn't be sure I was awake, so she sent me a text message saying " I got my package. I am honored and never loved my BFF more." I called her and we discussed how we felt opening these packages. Over and above the fact that he thinks of us and sends them.......these two flags and their accompanying certificates......made us both feel a rush of emotion. We are patriots and these things matter to us.

So even though I am not a country music fan (to say the very least) we will put up one of SB's favorite songs.

This Day In History 1981

Try Again!

If that's you, try again. the voice mail that came through is just the sound of an outgoing ring.

I tried your cell, really bad static.

Are you still here?

Ok, I guess you are gone. I was being greedy anyway!

Have a great day. I gave your BFF the message and she said........"Back atcha!"

I See You Peeking

I have to go to bed right now, I am exhausted.

I went to see "I Am Legend". Very good. Then dinner with Jen, I can't move.

I have to be up early for Frankie.

Good Morning!

I am in a great mood! I got a phone call from that "mad man in the desert"......what a great way to start the day! It reminded me of Dubai and this song.

My Left Foot

Hurts........lol.

About a month ago I noticed that when I was in lunge pose, my right heel felt like something was being ripped off. So I stopped. LOL Different people had different ideas.
Heat.
Ice it.
Stretch it before the gym.
Ibuprofen.
But it just seemed to slowly be getting worse. As a result I stopped going to the gym. I haven't been since the 13th because the concensus was that I was doing damage on the treadmill. Saturday I was ready to fork over money at the emergency room because it hurt when I ran across the parking lot at Walmart. That gave me a little scare. Up to that point it only hurt when I was flexing my toes toward my shin.
Jen thinks it was because the night before the chiropracter asked if I could walk on my heels and that sent a real pain shooting through my foot. Anyway, I decided to try heel cups, which made Jen call me "Nana". Wonder what she'd say if she knew her BFF, SB was using them because he also had a problem with his heel? Yeah, it would be okay for her hero to wear them! Whatever!

So I went to the gym tonight with my new sneakers (Christmas present from Mum & Dad) and my fancy visco gel heel cups. I get on the treadmill and guess what? AMC was showing "Rio Bravo"! Mmmmmmmm Oh, right, sorry, the heel. Well the right heel felt good.....but the insert bothered the left foot just where the heel meets the arch.

I can't win.

But did I mention John Wayne? mmmmmmmmm

Sometimes It's Not Worth Fighting

Yesterday wasn't good and I tried my best to turn it around. But, sometimes it's just going to end badly and you can't win. Sometimes you should just stand back and let it crash and burn.

It wasn't all the bad in the beginning. I was just a little harried. Late (that's no big deal), trying to settle in at work before SB came on line. Then I heard someone in the office talking in those malicious gossipy tones that told me I wanted to turn my bad ear toward that conversation. But then I heard the name. I was startled and turned around demanding to know what she was talking about. I heard the story and my heart was broken. Someone I have known for more than a quarter century, someone whose wife I had known since childhood was dead. And worse, we were assured in hushed lurid words....by his own hand.

I could barely grasp this. SB came on line and even through IM felt something wrong. He demanded to be told. He did his best to cheer and distract me, but I was adrift.

I reached out and made some phone calls, left some messages and waited. Alternating between grief and anger.

Finally Paul called. Yes, he was dead, but God! No! Not by his own hand. How strange to be relieved, happy in my state of grief.

The afternoon passed in stops and starts. I would work, but then I would remember and almost cry.

Jen and I discussed it all afternoon in email, the tragedy itself, his children, his family and my anger at the gossip that had me thinking poorly of him. It was decided we would go to see something weepy at the movies. That is what we do when something sad happens. We watch a sad movie and get it all out.

We picked "Atonement". Ugh! Don't bother. It was tragic all right, tragically stupid. I felt cheated. I would rather sit through Spiderman again.

Synchronization

When the Red Sox play and I am at work, I leave Yahoo game channel up on the computer. I cheer quietly. My boss listens to MLB game day audio. When it is just the two of us in the office (Saturday and Sunday afternoons) it is very noticable that I am getting information several seconds before it is broadcast on her computer. She yells at me. I laugh, but I try to keep it down.

My father has always preferred radio announcers to TV commentators. There is the same gap. Jen and I stayed there to watch the game. He was upstairs with his big TV, comfy recliner and radio. We were downstairs with our mother and the smaller TV. If we were upstairs, Jen & I would have ended up on the floor. Which would have been fine with me. Anyway, six seconds ahead of everything we got the reaction from upstairs. Just as the ball is snapped on the TV, a cheer or a clap or a "damnit!" told us what was going to happen. I laughed everytime it happened, picturing my boss and her frustration with me during the summer and fall. Jen was not so accepting. He came down and half-time and she beefed. He laughed.

Second half he's upstairs again and there is a big play that went well for the Pats, but there was no sound. Jen said "Hey! He didn't say anything!"

Then you could hear him laughing upstairs....kinda like Dick Dastardly's dog Muttley.

Happy Birthday Frankie!

Tomorrow my baby turns 20. This year was something off the wall, as per usual, but nothing like last year.

Today was supposed to be Frankie's family party. He chose the day, he chose the time. The plan was to get to my parent's house at 1300. Party for an hour. Leave at 1400. But settled in front of the TV for the Pat's kickoff at 1500.

Well you know what they say about plans.........Frankie partied a little too hearty last night with his friends. So guess who was *not* at the party? LOL No matter. We ate and had fun and cake!

How To Honor Two Great Men

Maj Andrew Olmsted and Captain Casey. Major Olmsted was a blogger. Go read, I'll wait.

Now Laughing Wolf at Blackfive directed me to this post at Sgt. Hook's place which in turn sends you here. Won't hurt you to read them all, it's good stuff. But it boils down to this:

A member of Andy Olmsted's family has just written me to say that if people want to do something in honor of him, they can send donations to a fund that has been set up for the four children of CPT Thomas Casey, who served under Andy and was killed while trying to help him. The address is here:
Capt. Thomas Casey Children's Fund
P.O. Box 1306
Chester, CA 96020

What a great idea.

Congratulations To My Bad Boyfriend!

McCain wins South Carolina primary
By DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent
Sen. John McCain won a hard-fought South Carolina primary Saturday night, avenging a bitter personal defeat in a bastion of conservatism and gaining ground in an unpredictable race for the Republican presidential nomination.

I Think I Have To Dash Off A Memo To The CNO

Certain Sailors are trying to cheat certain Swabbie Doxies out of *points*. I'm thinking my friend Gary needs to put someone in hack. Certain Sailors need to learn there are CONSEQUENCES for their actions!

If you read this blog. You know I operate on a point system. I am not always good, so I try to make up for it on the back side. Remember the whole "Sins/Virtues" thing? I'm a little weak on the Virtues, so I teach CCD. A few good points to balance things out.

So when SB asked me to obtain a piece of information a few days ago, I jumped right on it. I Googled and Yahoo searched. I sent out emails. I made phone calls. I told Jen and she thought she might have a lead. In the end, I got it. I send off the email "Success!" and pass along what I have learned.

Today, in IM with SB he writes: "Hey tell my BFF I really appreciate her help getting that *redacted for security purposes* for me and that I love her and miss her."
I reply: "She didn't get it!!!! I did. I got it and I get the credit. My points."
SB: "Well tell her anyway. I'm sure she was thinking about getting it."
Maggie: "No. My points. Are you keeping track of my points? I expect to receive credit and the proper reward for all my points. I am not sharing any."
SB: "What points? You have no points! You don't need no stinkin points!"
Maggie: "I have points, I have lots of points. I will not be cheated. I will take this matter to the CNO if I must."
SB: "So says you!"
Maggie: "I will explain that the Pirate King is an indian giver!"
SB: "Just pass my message to my BFF."
Maggie says: "That he is trying to renege on commitments. That he OWES me.
SB: "I never, ever committed to anything regarding points for you!"
Maggie: "He will place you in hack until my points are all credited and rewarded. They are my points, earned fair and square whether you acknowledge them or not."
SB: "Be tough to do if I'm in hack! Won't be my first time in hack!"
Maggie: "Well the CNO is very wise and he is very grateful for all my assistance in making sure he became CNO. He honors his committments, so I am sure he will make it so that you are placed in hack behind a locked door with me. He is not as scurrilous as the Pirate King."
SB: "That's not hack! That's fun! Don't use words I have to look up!
Maggie: "What's a matta CM boy?
SB: *taunting comment redacted for security purposes*
Maggie: FU
SB: "Are you shouting at me?"
Maggie: "YES"
SB: "Are you talkin to me?
Maggie: "FUFUFUFUFUFUFUFUFUFUFU! Cheater! What can on expect of someone from *redacted* anyway?"
SB: "Tisk tisk, temper temper. I'll decide who collects what when where and how."
Maggie: "Humph. I have no say in this?"
SB: "Of course not. I'm runnin this train. I do have to go."
Maggie: "Then what is the point of trying to acquire points? Go. Be gone."
SB: LOL
Maggie: "Princess Crabby is tired of you."
SB: "Because I may someday acknowledge them."
Maggie: Humph. Go work. You might as well do something useful for the taxpayers. You are of no use to me!"
SB: "The Pirate King has left the building!"

Scarlett Johansson

Sometimes movie stars and celebrities go on the USO tour for a little PR. Sometimes they go the extra mile because it means something to them. Anyone can hit the big bases.....but there are some places that you have to make the effort to get to.

Scarlett: What a Trooper
By: Gina Serpe
Thu, 17 Jan 2008 12:48:56 PM PST
Scarlett Johansson has been playing muse to Woody Allen. Now, she's attempting to take her motivational skills to an all new, slightly less neurotic, demographic.
The 23-year-old actress has announced plans to pay a five-day visit to the Persian Gulf as part of an upcoming USO/Army Moral Welfare Recreation tour, something the increasingly politically active star has paid increasing lip service toward doing.
"This USO tour to the Gulf region truly means a lot," Johansson said. "I've wanted to go over and visit for some time, and now my moment has arrived."

You can read the rest here.

Ms. Johansson went the extra mile and she gets a Bravo Zulu from Princess Crabby.

The Armorer's Snipe Hunt

Over at The Castle, The Armorer has called "An Internet Snipe Hunt". Go over and take a look if you know what this pic is. I want the answer to come from a Sailor.

My Report Card

It was bad............

Atkins - Non-existent

Gym - twice

Work - 47 hours

Organizing - This was the only bright spot. I threw away a lot of useless stuff, made a lot of room, cleaned some stuff. I was pretty happy.

Spending - Let's not talk about that.

I Exhausted and Aggravated

Last night I was cleaning and trying my best to comply with the organizational component of the PCSIPtm. But there was a lot of yelling at the TV. This story about the New York Times was giving me an Excedrin headache "this BIG"! Then the Suckabee stunt of smearing John McCain sent me into spasms!

Plus, I stayed up toooooooo late. I look every minute of 46 today.

Tonight will be an early night!

My Exciting Thursday Night

I'm home cleaning.

Miss Me?

Life's been a little chaotic.

I Got a Package

*****UPDATE-Jen got her package, so now I can spill!*******
I can't say what it is just yet.
I was happy just from seeing the box.

Today turned out to be just great.

How does a guy from Southie get this Townie so spooled up?

Funny thing is, I was out shopping tonight for something I want to send him. My package goes out tomorrow. I'll tell you what it is in five days.

Go Visit My Friend, Beer Girl

My friend Maryann of Soldier's Angels Germany has this great post up. Don't just read it, watch the attached YouTube Video.

Today Stinks!

I have spilled three different things on my slacks.

Our computers have been up and down all day......right now I am in the server room so I have the Internet.

I missed talking to SB by four minutes.......I can't be in the server room all the time.

People keep calling me with problems and I DON'T CARE.......but I have to pretend I do. I don't mean Jen, I care about that one. I mean the other people. I don't care about the other people.

I have tried three times to upload the longer version of the Hopper video and I have been unsuccessful because of the roller coaster computer access.

And that Chuck Simmins from America's North Shore Journal.....who I USED to like.....sent me an email this morning. He was taunting me about being in on a Milblogger Roundtable with MG Rick Lynch. Hello?

It's 2315 Your Time

I'm in your email. Come out and play with me!

"W" Visits Camp Arifjan

Earlier today "W" was over in Kuwait visiting Camp Arifjan.
In his opening remarks he called out to the individual branches. Even though he was there to talk to and about the 3rd Army, "Patton's Own"...(and you know who's over there currently assigned for operational control to 3rd Army...Hi, Rick! That's right, the 3rd ID.)......the loudest shout back was from the Sailors! How come? Maybe because Sailors just know how to have more fun!
Sailors attached to Naval Coastal Warfare Squadron Forward 21 conduct boat maneuvers off the coast of Camp Patriot, Kuwait, on Jan. 9, 2008. The squadron is providing anti-terrorism/force protection for the camp and seaport at Ash Shu'aybah, Kuwait. DoD photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sandra M. Palumbo, U.S. Navy. (Released)

A Painfully Stupid Statement

When someone mispeaks, even if you don't like the person, sometimes you wince in sympathy. I am no fan of Hilary's. You can skim this blog in the most superficial way and know that I am far from in sync with either Clinton. However, after reading about her January 8th interview on NBC's today show..........

“Sen. Obama used President John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to criticize me,” she said. “Basically compared himself to two of our greatest heroes. He basically said that President Kennedy and Dr. King had made great speeches and that speeches were important. Well, no one denies that. But if all there is (is) a speech, then it doesn’t change anything.”

I realize that she is not saying that all Dr. King did was make speeches, but that *is* how it comes across.

I am not any kind of minority. As I have said many times in the past, there is NOTHING easier than growing up Irish Catholic in Charlestown in the 60s and early 70s. Even with the forced busing! My closet brush with that sort of thing was during the busing, people outside of Charlestown assumed we were racist. Comparatively speaking, that is a drop in the bucket as far what blacks in Boston suffered.

So, if reading her statement makes me cringe.......I can't imagine how I'd feel if I were black.

My Report Card

My work week runs Thursday to Friday. So that's kind of how I think of my life. How did the PCSIP(tm) do this week 01/03/08 to 01/10/08?

Gym - 3 times - that's just ok.....

Atkins - stuck to 20 carbs per day or less all week except for Sunday breakfast with Jen. I ate the toast......I think I'll blame Jen. Yeah, that's it. It was Jen's fault. Jen will just say "Whatever, Crazy!"

Spending - A)No frivolous purchases.
....................B) Eating out, 2 meals, take out 1 - not good.

Work - 43 hours - not great. I didn't work Wednesday because I took the morning for personal errands which were for the good.....but the bulk of the afternoon went to instant messaging SB and blogging. Bad Maggie! So if the extra carbs are Jen's fault.....the lost work time will be SB's fault? Yeah, that's it! It's SB's fault. SHHHHHH! Don't tell him, he'll threaten to talk to me less for my own good. He's a bastid that way.

Personal Organization - Now this was good. Got some things hemmed and dry cleaned. Cleaned out clothes for the boys and I. Several big bags to the PlanetAid clothing bin. Lot's of crazy stuff to the dump. My bedroom seems to be getting bigger, lol!

Overall - C

I Have Powerful Imaginary Friends

That's how Jen refers to my fellow bloggers.

In the post below I wrote about Galrahn's suggestion (from his blog) that each Presidential candidate should answer this question:

"The CO of the USS Hopper was about to open fire right before the Iranians turned away. The Pentagon was reported to use the phrase "at the last second" in terms of how close it came to a shooting incident. Would the CO of the USS Hopper been right to open fire?"

Fast forward to tonight. I'm home from "Girl's Night" and my duties as designated driver. I sit down to blog and pop on the repeat of tonight's debate. Imagine my surprise when Brit Hume, who clearly got the memo asks Galrahn's question. I mean, sure, he changed it up a tiny bit to avoid paying Galrahn a royalty or crediting him........but we know!

"A recent incident in the Strait of Hormuz between a U.S. Navy ship and five Iranian speed boats launched a vigorous debate Thursday night among Republican candidates about America’s role in the world.

Five of the six candidates on stage at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center in South Carolina applauded the commanding officers for responding with restraint when they did not fire on the speed boats even though a radio call claimed the U.S. ship was going to explode in minutes."

Read the rest here.
***************UPDATE - Galrahn popped in to the comments to be modest & tell me he loves me..............I love him too! He is one of a group of Navy bloggers that I read so I can seem wicked smahhhht to SB. Galrahn is also gracious to be part of a group of Navy guys who let me email them my questions. My regular readers know.......here in my world..........it's all about Maggie!

Galrahn Has A Question For The Candidates

"The CO of the USS Hopper was about to open fire right before the Iranians turned away. The Pentagon was reported to use the phrase "at the last second" in terms of how close it came to a shooting incident. Would the CO of the USS Hopper been right to open fire?"

You know my answer.

Read his whole post.

USS Hopper Video

From DVIDS on YouTube.

She Just Won't Go Away

That was the line of the night for Jen and I.

FoxNews switched over over to Hannity & Colmes at 11. Sean looked very unhappy. The polar opposite of last night when Hilary was projected to be overwhelmed by the "WAVE". He speaks for a few minutes and then, one of their political analysts comes on, Frank Luntz. He looks stunned and ready to cry. "She just won't go away."

Jen and I burst out laughing. I looked at Jen "It's like he's talking about the 'undead'! I had a silver bullet. A wooden stake. Holy water. And..." Jen & I in a chorus "SHE JUST WON'T GO AWAY!"

We shouldn't be laughing. I won't be funny if that's who we face in the general election.

Jen Is Ready To Beat Me Within An Inch Of My Life!

You would think I was singlehandedly responsible for every vote McCain is getting. But in truth, I am simply the closest target. For Jen, immigration is Number #1. She is telling me that I will have to answer when my bad boyfriend doesn't secure the border. It will be my fault when all of America is like certain sections of southern California.

The Bill O'Reilly Shove Thing

I'm ok with Bill, Jen's the big fan. But I went out and voted in his poll question today. I think he was right to move the guy.

You can read his side of the story here and there is video.

This is Mike Francesa's post on it. It has the greatest photo.

Somebody get the Secret Service guy a Tums.

I Have Been Remiss

Bravo Zulu to the Sailors and Officers of the -

USS Port Royal

CG-73 "The Will To Win"

USS Hopper

DDG-70 "Amazing Grace"

USS Ingraham

FFG-61 "The Last and The Finest"

Gentlemen and Ladies, thank you for your service, your restraint, and your professionalism.

McCain By 5

****UPDATE****It is being pointed out to me that right now, SJS is exactly, precisely right*****That's my prediction for tonight in New Hampshire.

SJS says by 8, but you know I'm not much of a gambler.

Jen say's Romney's gonna pull it out. That I should brace myself. It's going to hurt. Like a bandaid being ripped off.

Whatever! I can't wipe the grin off of my face. I know it's one state. One race. One win. But I intend to enjoy it.

How The MSM Influences Voting

Even when they are not trying..............

As I noted in a post below, there has been precious little coverage of the Iranians idiocy in the Gulf. Most people don't know about it. Most people don't realize how close we came to 5 dollar a gallon gas. One of the blogs I go to (I'm sorry I don't remember which) pointed out the if we had fired, oil would have shot up over $150.00 a barrel.

If that story had received the prominent coverage it deserved........

Giggle

I was listening to Michael Graham on WTKK and he had on a guy from National Review Online. I didn't catch the name, but he said the funniest thing. He & Michael were discussing John Edwards and his comments on Hillary's emotional state yesterday. The guy from NRO said that things like this reminded him that John Edwards was a "John Grisham hero in a Tom Clancy world" (or words to that effect).

Love it.

Stuff To Read

The Phibian

Galrahn - I had to wait for the link to be sent. When I heard this on FoxNews this morning, I went to his site and just kept refreshing til I was feeling a little Rainman-ish. So I made myself shut it off until I got an email telling me to go look, lol! The Princess drives herself crazy.

BullNav - He has the best title on his post, SB is going to get a chuckle out of it.

Thank you gentlemen, it's not like I can get this stuff anywhere else. Regular news has been infuriating! I was stuck in the pedicure chair watching WHDH evening news and then a little NBC Nightly news. In the whole sixty minutes the only mention was one minute from Brian Williams. This should have led both newscasts!

Bloomberg's Tony Capaccio = ASSHAT

The Question:
Q Sir, Tony Capaccio with Bloomberg News. A lot of people are going to wonder why was the U.S. Navy afraid of five small speed boats when the vessels encountered were fairly large and well- equipped. Can you give the public a sense of the potential damage these vessels, these even small vessels could have caused. Did they have any anti-ship missiles on them, for instance, or torpedoes?

The Answer if I were running the press conference:
Maggie: Hey! Jackass! The United States Navy isn't afraid of anyone. Missiles? Torpedoes? Yeah, everyone knows you need those to cause damage. Otherwise you're completely harmless. OK. Anyone not on the short bus want to ask a question?

Fortunately for those involved, VADM Cosgriff was handling things. he was very firm, but far more professional:
ADM. COSGRIFF: Neither anti-ship missiles nor torpedoes, and I wouldn't characterize the posture of the U.S. 5th Fleet as afraid of these ships or these three U.S. ships afraid of these small boats. Our ships were making a normal transit of the Strait of Hormuz. They followed the procedures they've been trained to follow to increase their own readiness in the face of events like this, and as the Iranian behavior continued during this interaction, our ships stepped through there, increased readiness, the pace. And I didn't get the sense from the reports I was receiving that there was a sense of being afraid of these five boats. That said, we take the potential for a small craft to inflict damage against a larger ship seriously, and we would be irresponsible if we didn't.

Hey Capaccio, STFU!

Pentagon Briefing 07 January 2008

Not A Great Day In The Gulf

Navy Fighter Jets Crash in Persian Gulf
Monday January 7, 2008 7:16 PM
By LOLITA C. BALDOR
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - Two U.S. Navy fighter jets plunged into the Persian Gulf Monday, after what initial reports suggest was a mid-air collision, a defense official said.
All three pilots ejected safely from the planes and were headed back to the USS Harry Truman, the aircraft carrier they were operating from, according to the official, who requested anonymity because the information was preliminary and not yet released publicly. No other details or the crash were released.
One of the F-18 jets that crashed held two pilots, the other held just one.
The crash occurred at about 1 p.m. EST.

Let me reiterate - All three pilots ejected safely.

Check Your Tinfoil Lined Beanie At The Door

I don't want to hear any crap about Turner Joy, Part II.

We don't know how this will shake out, but it is way too early to trot out consripacy theories. Until I hear differently, I am going with the theory that the SOPA took the most appropriate COA based on the circumstances at the time.

Period

What Is The Point Of Consorting With The Navy....

******UPDATE***** SB is fine. I knew that from the get-go this morning, thanks for asking
.......if a girl can't a heads up on this.....

Iran boats 'threatened US ships'

Five Iranian speedboats harassed three US navy ships at the weekend, approaching them and radioing a threat to blow them up, US officials say.

The incident happened as the US vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz, which separates the Arabian peninsula and Iran, Pentagon officials said.

US sailors came close to opening fire, unnamed officials told CNN.

The White House on Monday warned Iran against "provocative actions that could lead to a dangerous incident".

The speedboats came within about 200m of the US vessels, a Pentagon official told the French news agency AFP.

"I am coming at you. You will explode in a couple of minutes," the Iranians said in a radio transmission, according to the officials.

The Iranian craft turned away "literally at the very moment that US forces were preparing to open fire", the Associated Press reported, also citing an unnamed Pentagon official.

He said that it was "the most serious provocation of this sort" that had occurred to date.

The incident took place between Saturday evening and Sunday morning, reports said, although it was not clear exactly when.

Some officials identified the Iranian boats as belonging to Iran's Revolutionary Guards.

At the time, the US navy cruiser, destroyer and frigate were entering the Gulf on what is a major oil shipping route, AP reported.

Pentagon officials insist the US ships were in international waters.

The incident comes as US President George Bush is due to begin a tour of the Middle East on Wednesday.

Long-standing US-Iranian tensions remain over Iran's nuclear programme, although these have been somewhat reduced since a report made public in late 2007 said the US intelligence community believed Iran had stopped its nuclear weapons programme in 2003.

The incident also follows a row last March after Iranian Revolutionary Guards captured 15 British sailors and held them for nearly two weeks.

Iran says the crew had strayed into Iranian waters, a claim which Britain disputes.

The BBC's Paul Reynolds says the key question is whether this is a one-off incident or whether it heralds a more aggressive stance by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards.

The latter policy would be unexpected given the lowering of tension over the nuclear issue, he says, but as the incident of the captured British naval personnel showed, tensions are always high.

There is no doubt that the US is ready to respond, our correspondent adds.

Humph!

The Armorer refers to it in a less hysterical fashion than the Princess.

Campaign Song

**Update** Jen & SB don't see the humor. I think it's funny**
Every good campaign has a song. Jen & I battle constantly about my support of my bad boyfriend. On my way to work I was listening to him on Meet The Press.
I love him.
I know, immigration amnesty.
I know, pics with Ted Kennedy.
I know, there have been times he has disappointed me, too. Hell, why do you think he's my *bad* boyfriend? If he never let me down......
But still.......

I Almost Made It!!!!

Into work by noon like I promised myself. First I stayed a little too long at my parents house. I left at 1245 and even my aggressive driving can't get my to work in fifteen minutes. Then just as I got off the exit in the industrial park, Jen called. Her conference call (yes, we are both crazy work-a-holics) for California was moved to noon PST. Do I want to go grab breakfast?

Yes, I do!!!!

She has to drive past my work to get to the breakfast place (yeah, I know it's past noon, but it's Sunday), so I am here fooling around while I wait.

See ya!

Maj. Andrew J. Olmsted

*****UPDATE - Go read this. H/T to Sgt. Hook & Laughing Wolf @ Blackfive**********JP at Milblogging sent us a sad email this morning.
This is very tragic news I have to report to you today. Milblogger Andrew Olmsted, was killed in Iraq. Our hearts and prayers are with his family, friends, and everyone that got to know him, as they face this enormous loss and tragedy in their lives.
I didn't read Major Olmstead's blog, but I popped over real quick and I really liked what I read. You should check it out.
Read JP's post.
Read the Armorer's post.
If you go and read Huffington, skip the asshats in the comments.
There is also a very heartfelt story up at the Rocky Mountain News which left enough clues (along with what the Major is wearing in the pic below) to tell me that he was a member of Red Sox Nation.

Olmsted spends his time off with his wife, Amanda Wilson, as they take advantage of the June weather to hike near their home in Colorado Springs. Olmsted, 38, was killed Thursday.

Major Olmstead requested this: "So if you're up for that, put on a little 80s music (preferably vintage 1980-1984), grab a Coke and have a drink with me. If you have it, throw 'Freedom Isn't Free' from the Team America soundtrack in; if you can't laugh at that song, I think you need to lighten up a little. I'm dead, but if you're reading this, you're not, so take a moment to enjoy that happy fact."
Yes sir.

This Day In Boston History

From MassMoments

...in 1885, Hugh O'Brien, the first Irish immigrant elected mayor of Boston, took the oath of office. A new era was beginning. For several decades, the Roman Catholic Irish had outnumbered the native-born Protestants, who were now forced to give up their long domination of Boston politics. As a well-spoken, mild mannered, successful businessman, O'Brien defied all the Yankee stereotypes of Irishmen. During four terms as Mayor, he widened streets, planned the Emerald Necklace park system, and built the new Boston Public Library in Copley Square, all the while cutting taxes. Popular among both native- and Irish-born Bostonians, Hugh O'Brien paved the way for the better known Irish mayors who would follow him— "HoneyFitz" Fitzgerald and James Michael Curley.

From The Political Graveyard

O'Brien, Hugh (1827-1895) — of Boston, Suffolk County, Mass. Born in 1827. Mayor of Boston, Mass., 1885-88. Catholic. Irish ancestry. First Irish Catholic mayor of Boston. Died in 1895. Interment at Holyhood Cemetery, Brookline, Mass.

From the Irish Heritage Trail - As Boston's first Catholic Irish-born mayor, Hugh O'Brien (1827-95) helped usher in a new era of Irish participation in the city's government. He and his family immigrated to Boston when he was five years old. He left school at age 12 to work in the newspaper business, and had a successful career as a publisher, launching the widely read Shipping and Commercial List. A member of Boston's Board of Aldermen (1875-83), O'Brien challenged Republican mayor Augustus Martin in 1884 and beat him by a margin of 3,124 votes. His victory represented the city's passage from a Yankee plutocracy to a more democratic and accessible political environment that quickly inspired other Irish to run for office. He served four consecutive terms (1885-1888) as mayor and quickly allayed Yankee fears by demonstrating strong leadership, fiscal responsibility and vision for Boston's future. He was a strong advocate of public parks: during his administration Frederick Law Olmsted developed the city's famed Emerald Necklace park system. O'Brien laid the cornerstone of the new Boston Public Library in 1888, and was viewed as a champion of workers. He was an active member of the Saint Vincent's Orphan Asylum, the Charitable Irish Society and the Catholic Union of Boston. His funeral mass at Holy Cross Cathedral was attended by the city's leading citizens. According to the Republic Newspaper, "The largest and most conspicuous delegation was that from the St. Vincent's Orphan Asylum, 200 little children all dressed alike, who sat immediately behind the family." American sculptor John Donoghue (1853-1903) created the bust of Hugh O'Brien in 1888.

And, finally, the Mayor's obit in the NYT.

I Feel Good!

I made it back on Atkins Wednesday.
I went to the gym Wednesday and Thursday.
I threw away some clothes that I still had only because I am a pack rat.
I finished off the "Decadent Walnut Whip" body cream....less clutter on the bureau. Wasn't that crazy about it, I wouldn't get it again.
The boys are going to do the heavy lifting on a project in the kitchen and I will finish tonight.
While I was at the gym last night watching Fox, Jen was trying to taunt me via texts about my bad boyfriend finishing 4th in Iowa. I know it's a "rice crispies treat"(inside, inside joke - email if you need to know), but I'm voting for him anyway!
It didn't work. LOL

Yeah Baby!!

Jen is listening to Ralph Peters.....I am presuming he is on FoxNews. She can't stand any other news channel for long. She sent me this text

"Ralph Peters just called you bad boyfriend President McCain"

"Yeah Baby!"

Followed by

"He has a new book we might want to put on the list."

My answer? "Yes. I think I saw something about it at The Castle. We'll get to that around May.....2010!"

I Hurt

****UPDATE******

I apologize to everyone who can't read my mind. I am fine. I went to the gym last night and when I got home.....the title was all I was capable of typing.

My arms hurt.
My bum hurt.
My legs hurt.

But in a good way, lol. Besides, it was my own fault. I hadn't been to the gym since December 20th. As it was, last night, I ditched early after only 75 minutes.

Ok, It's Time

The Princess Crabby Self Improvement Plan

Get the hell back on Atkins. It's not just about losing weight or not gaining weight. I simply function better on Atkins. I sleep less and the sleep I get is more restful. I am more on an even keel. I admit it. When it comes to chocolate.....I have a problem. I am an addict. And, like any other addict, I'm better when I'm clean.

More gym time - this one is easy enough, I like being there.

More time at work - there are projects that I think of for work and I never get to them because I am not there enough.

An expansion of the Austerity Program. There are things I want to do this year. I want to go to Vegas with my family in March. You know I don't gamble, but my cousin is getting married there, so we are going. There is the Milblog Conference in late April/early May. The Ogre wants my back in NOLA for Mardi Gras. I told him that just wasn't possible. It's too expensive, but I wouldn't mind going at some other point. Who knows, maybe he'll leave the shipyard for a few hours and take me to dinner. Plus, at some point, that mad-man-in-the-desert will come stateside and I would like to show up where ever my friend Gary sees fit to billet him.

So, all of the those "wants" cost money. Frivilous spending needs to stop.

Personal organization - I have every check I have ever written...... since 1979. I have a lot of paper, a lot of crap. I have manuals and warranty info on appliances that went to the dump ten years ago. I have pictures that need info written on the back. Some that need to be uploaded. I have books and papers. My attic is full of stuff that I don't want to think about. It's a small house. There might be some elbow room if I could bring myself to to sort and organize and make a few trips to the dump.

Then, if it's possible......the garden. Years ago, when Tommy was young, I gardened. Now....it's brown and barren and bleak.

I'm off to bed now, so I can get a good foot under me.

The Last Hurrah!

ColdStone Creamery "Banana Split Decision". An obscene amount of money....but I wanted a banana with my ice cream.

The Princess Misbehaves

Last night we popped up to my brother's house for my nephew's birthday. He rarely gets a party on his actual birthday and his mother decided for once it would be. Grace brought her two girls (the boys had plans); I showed up with Tom (Frank had plans) and Jen brought my parents. After the party (where all I did was talk about malasadas!) we shuffled people and cars and I ended up driving our goddaughters, and Jen in Jen's car.

Jen has a nice car.

Jen has a fast car.

The roads weren't crowded and I was cruising at 80 and yes, your honor, passing people on the right.

Got pulled over. Got pulled over by an irate Massachusetts State Trooper. They are my favorite flavor and he was cute. Did I know what an unsafe lane change was? I said I used my directional. Sound of exasperation! He held his hands two feet apart "It doesn't matter if you only leave that much room!" He gestured in frustration with my license (which he didn't even look at) and told me that the way I was driving he thought the driver was drinking. "No sir, not at all." another sound of frustration and his voice got louder "I know that! I knew that when I looked at you!" I tried to pass him the registration. I started to say that sometimes the car gets away from me, I forget how powerful it is, I am used to a pokey ten year old Saturn, but all I get out is "I'm sorry, you see it's not my car...." "I know that! It's a leased car! I know it's not yours!" He still hasn't looked at the license and he didn't take the registration.

That's when I realized I wasn't getting a ticket. I wasn't getting a warning.

LOL, baby if you read this, drop me a line and I'll buy you a drink. I understand. I am very frustrating.

He finished off my lecture with "There are a lot of people out here who shouldn't be driving. If you drive aggressively, you could get one of them mad at you...and it wouldn't be good."

Yes, sir.

We did 70 or less the whole way home.
****SB reads this and emails me "70 or less the rest of the way? He has no clue."

Oh, if you are from the Castle, I am sure you expected the "misbehaves" to refer to this.....but that was just fun, hardly misbehaving.

Bhutto Assasination Video

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

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.

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

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.

*Thanks J, M, K & K!*

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

CPT Travis Patriquin

Watch this vid -

Go read the story at BlackFive

Have I ever told you how much I love Uncle Jimbo?

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.

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........

A Christmas Story

Chris at Military Motivators points us to Cassandra at Villainous Company.

Home For Christmas

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.

The Armorer's Message Traffic

Ya better watch out - Brass coming to visit!

Blogger Christmas Cards

Got this one from the Dissident Frogman
He has Santa's back!

"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?

Kelly's a boys name too

Jen and I loved this commercial. This kid's face is priceless!

Asshattery

Skippy reminds me of this nonsense. My response will be the same as last year.

Rules remain the same.
Your mission is to cause and/or share an orgasm with a member of the military or a veteran. Make it explosive. If you need help, email your cell phone number to me and I'll talk you through it!

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.