Sunday, July 30, 2006
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Geeks of the world, unite!
I've built plastic models off and on since I was a little boy. It all started with a snap together helicopter when I was 7, along with some small glue together ships that my father brought home for me. B the time I was 8, Star Wars and such became more important, and I couldn't care less about models. When I was 11, we moved to North Carolina. I met a boy the same age who built model airplanes, and he did a really good job with them, and I wanted to build models like him. I built the occaisional airplane until my mid teens, when cars and girls became more important. I was a junior in college and a big fan of Star Trek: The Next Generation when my parents bought me a model of the USS Enterprise. I spent over six months building that kit, using a toothpick to paint several hundred individual windows.
I continued building the Star Trek series of models, along with an airplane here and there, through my early 20's. I then met my first wife, who felt that building models was no different than playing with toys. Again, I got out of the hobby, but kept all of my supplies (airbrush, paints, brushes, spare parts box, etc). My life with my first wife was fortunately short, and when she left I started building WW2 airplanes. I started dating my eventual current wife, and she thought that my ability to take a box of plastic pieces and build and paint it into a replica of the real thing was neat, and she supported my hobby.
I have become semi-serious about building my airplane models. I have well over 100 unbuilt model kits in my closet, and I have a goal of building one of each aircraft flown during the Second World War. I have thousands spent on books, kits, and supplies. I have a gas mask that I wear when airbrushing. I have run out of room in our small house to display, and already have plans on how I'm going to set up my new hobby room when we get our new house at the end of the year.
About two years ago, several model builders who frequented a local hobby shop decided to get together twice a month and form a hobby club. Building plastic models is a small niche hobby. The quality of kits and supplies now are better than ever, but less and less people are getting into the hobby. Think about it: Model building is competing against video games and the Internet. I see it in my stepson: He goes for the immediate gratification of blasting away at something on the computer than the enduring, self-satisfaction of patiently building a kit.
Yesterday I attended my first model convention. A convention is where model builders display their kits and compete for prizes while vendors display and sell their wares. I bought six kits at great rates, along with four more for my son. Looking around, you could see and smell the geek factor. Not many athletic, outdoorsy types there. Instead, there were a lot of fat, brainy geeks and really skinny, pasty-skinned geeks around, plus an above-average number of handicapped individuals (model building is a great hobby for those who are mobility impaired).
Why do I build? For me, it is the satisfaction of creating something with my own hands. I love all things dealing with WW2 aviation, and whenever you build a kit, you tend to read about your subject, and the researching you do is almost as much fun as the build. Because of my hobby, I would definitely have to say that I have an above average knowledge about World War 2, along with WW1, Korea, and Vietnam.
My five-year-old sees me build, and he wants to build. I don't hesitate to purchase easy kits for him, because I want him to learn to build, to research, to follow directions, and to do something other than play video games. Plus, he is the future of the hobby, and so far it looks like the hobby will be in good hands. Last night, he surprised me and the wife when we heard him messing around at the kitchen table for almost an hour, and when he came out he produced a snap together F-22 fighter that he had cut, sanded, and put together completely on his own!
Yes, I'm a geek. I even make airplane noises as I build and admire my models :-)
I continued building the Star Trek series of models, along with an airplane here and there, through my early 20's. I then met my first wife, who felt that building models was no different than playing with toys. Again, I got out of the hobby, but kept all of my supplies (airbrush, paints, brushes, spare parts box, etc). My life with my first wife was fortunately short, and when she left I started building WW2 airplanes. I started dating my eventual current wife, and she thought that my ability to take a box of plastic pieces and build and paint it into a replica of the real thing was neat, and she supported my hobby.
I have become semi-serious about building my airplane models. I have well over 100 unbuilt model kits in my closet, and I have a goal of building one of each aircraft flown during the Second World War. I have thousands spent on books, kits, and supplies. I have a gas mask that I wear when airbrushing. I have run out of room in our small house to display, and already have plans on how I'm going to set up my new hobby room when we get our new house at the end of the year.
About two years ago, several model builders who frequented a local hobby shop decided to get together twice a month and form a hobby club. Building plastic models is a small niche hobby. The quality of kits and supplies now are better than ever, but less and less people are getting into the hobby. Think about it: Model building is competing against video games and the Internet. I see it in my stepson: He goes for the immediate gratification of blasting away at something on the computer than the enduring, self-satisfaction of patiently building a kit.
Yesterday I attended my first model convention. A convention is where model builders display their kits and compete for prizes while vendors display and sell their wares. I bought six kits at great rates, along with four more for my son. Looking around, you could see and smell the geek factor. Not many athletic, outdoorsy types there. Instead, there were a lot of fat, brainy geeks and really skinny, pasty-skinned geeks around, plus an above-average number of handicapped individuals (model building is a great hobby for those who are mobility impaired).
Why do I build? For me, it is the satisfaction of creating something with my own hands. I love all things dealing with WW2 aviation, and whenever you build a kit, you tend to read about your subject, and the researching you do is almost as much fun as the build. Because of my hobby, I would definitely have to say that I have an above average knowledge about World War 2, along with WW1, Korea, and Vietnam.
My five-year-old sees me build, and he wants to build. I don't hesitate to purchase easy kits for him, because I want him to learn to build, to research, to follow directions, and to do something other than play video games. Plus, he is the future of the hobby, and so far it looks like the hobby will be in good hands. Last night, he surprised me and the wife when we heard him messing around at the kitchen table for almost an hour, and when he came out he produced a snap together F-22 fighter that he had cut, sanded, and put together completely on his own!
Yes, I'm a geek. I even make airplane noises as I build and admire my models :-)
Monday, July 03, 2006
So, what are you going to prove?
I was listening to BBC World News on the radio this morning, and they did a story of some bitches here in the US who are going to protest the Iraq war by going on a hunger strike. Are you shitting me? What's that going to prove?
Actually, that sounds like a good idea. I hope these cows are successful and starve themselves to death.
Actually, that sounds like a good idea. I hope these cows are successful and starve themselves to death.
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Weeding out the gene pool
Every once in a while, I become reinvigorated that the theory of natural selection actually works.
Read:
A 23-year-old Anderson man died Thursday night after he was injured attempting a wheelie on his motorcycle at Anderson Mall, the coroner said.
Michael Neil Ray, of 2020 Cardinal Park, died of spinal and chest trauma at 7:31 p.m., according to Coroner Greg Shore. Shore said witnesses said Ray, who wore a helmet, was attempting the wheelie on a Honda and ran into a building at the mall on North Main Street.
Ray worked at Nutra Plant, which manufactures health food, on Liberty Highway in Anderson, said his father, John Ray.
He is a graduate of T.L. Hanna and attended Greenville Technical College, his father said.
"He was active in his church and was a typical fun-loving 23-year-old," Ray said. "He made a bad mistake today and it cost him his life."
He is also survived by his mother, Linda Chapman, two brothers and two sisters, Ray said.
Dumbass.
Read:
A 23-year-old Anderson man died Thursday night after he was injured attempting a wheelie on his motorcycle at Anderson Mall, the coroner said.
Michael Neil Ray, of 2020 Cardinal Park, died of spinal and chest trauma at 7:31 p.m., according to Coroner Greg Shore. Shore said witnesses said Ray, who wore a helmet, was attempting the wheelie on a Honda and ran into a building at the mall on North Main Street.
Ray worked at Nutra Plant, which manufactures health food, on Liberty Highway in Anderson, said his father, John Ray.
He is a graduate of T.L. Hanna and attended Greenville Technical College, his father said.
"He was active in his church and was a typical fun-loving 23-year-old," Ray said. "He made a bad mistake today and it cost him his life."
He is also survived by his mother, Linda Chapman, two brothers and two sisters, Ray said.
Dumbass.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Islam sucks
Let's see. Sing a song about "Hadji Girl," and the Muslims raise hell.
Kidnap, torture, and mutilate two American soldiers? Nope, not much in the way of rhetoric there. Where are the Muslims speaking out against such barbaric actions?
Nazism and Communism are nothing compared to Islam. I keep my fingers crossed for a true "crusade."
Kidnap, torture, and mutilate two American soldiers? Nope, not much in the way of rhetoric there. Where are the Muslims speaking out against such barbaric actions?
Nazism and Communism are nothing compared to Islam. I keep my fingers crossed for a true "crusade."
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Back from the dead (almost)
About two weeks ago, I started to develop a pain on the left side of my rib cage. I figured it was caused by a heavy bout of coughing the night before, and that I possibly pulled a muscle. It actually started as a dull ache while at work, but by that night the pain was so bad I couldn't lay on my left side. I figured that I might have cracked a rib, since there seemed to be a central spot on my left ribs that hurt when prodded. I endured the pain all week. Some days the pain was worse than others. I was taking 600-800 milligrams of Ibuprofen at a time. Then 9th rolled around, and I left work early because I was starting to hurt. This time, Ibuprofen wasn't helping as I sat on my couch. The pain began to radiate up into my shoulder and around the front to where I felt pain when my heart beat. I went to an urgent care facility, and the doc tells me that I have pneumonia in my lower left lobe! He gives me two shots, one for pain and the other an antibiotic. Well, my wife was working, so my mother wants me and my son to stay overnight with her, so I agree. As the night progressed, the pain on my left side got worse, and I realized that I was having some difficulty breathing. Early Saturday afternoon, my wife arrives to pick us up. I get up off the couch to take a leak and I collapse in the bathroom because I can't breathe. It was the most frightening experience of my life, and it made me very aware of my own mortality. I was taken to the hospital by ambulance and admitted for four days. I had developed double pneumonia, and I had fluid building up in my left lung. I was scared!!!
I am currently recovering at home. Each day I get a little better. I've had a whole shitload of antibiotics pumped through my body. I was prescribed a schedule II pain medication and a schedule II cough syrup. Woohoo! Take both of them and you are in La-La Land for hours.
What I remember the most about the experience was the fear I saw in my wife. She was definitely worried, and I have no doubts about the limits of my wife's love. That first night, she wouldn't leave my side. I had to make her leave the next day to clean up and get some rest. I don't know how I got lucky enough to get such a caring wife, but I hope everybody who reads this knows how much I love her.
Anyway, I can't wait to go back to work. I'll probably be out for at least another week. Fortunately, I have over 900 hours of sick time saved up.
I am currently recovering at home. Each day I get a little better. I've had a whole shitload of antibiotics pumped through my body. I was prescribed a schedule II pain medication and a schedule II cough syrup. Woohoo! Take both of them and you are in La-La Land for hours.
What I remember the most about the experience was the fear I saw in my wife. She was definitely worried, and I have no doubts about the limits of my wife's love. That first night, she wouldn't leave my side. I had to make her leave the next day to clean up and get some rest. I don't know how I got lucky enough to get such a caring wife, but I hope everybody who reads this knows how much I love her.
Anyway, I can't wait to go back to work. I'll probably be out for at least another week. Fortunately, I have over 900 hours of sick time saved up.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
AIDS awareness
My second rant of the day:
I just saw a queer on TV who was lamenting over the issues of AIDS. He brought up the topic of more money for research into curing AIDS and AIDS awareness.
Let's address the first issue. Money going into AIDS research should be rerouted for cancer research. AIDS is essentially a lifestyle disease, and as such we know how to avoid contracting it. We still don't know what causes cancer, or how to cure it. AIDS (or, more specifically, HIV) is a virus, and man has never been able to cure a virus. With the exception of a very, very small minority, those who have AIDS got it based on their own life choices. It takes two to tango...but many totally unexpecting, healthy people contract cancer every day.
Issue two. People are screaming for more money for AIDS awareness. Is there anybody here who is not aware of AIDS? I thought so. I don't give a shit about AIDS awareness in Thailand or Africa: That is an internal problem that the respective countries should deal with. I don't want any of my tax money going to Nigeria because a bunch of breeders are having unprotected sex. I view it as nature's way of controlling the population.
Cancer research? Absolutely! AIDS research? Keep your dick zipped!
I just saw a queer on TV who was lamenting over the issues of AIDS. He brought up the topic of more money for research into curing AIDS and AIDS awareness.
Let's address the first issue. Money going into AIDS research should be rerouted for cancer research. AIDS is essentially a lifestyle disease, and as such we know how to avoid contracting it. We still don't know what causes cancer, or how to cure it. AIDS (or, more specifically, HIV) is a virus, and man has never been able to cure a virus. With the exception of a very, very small minority, those who have AIDS got it based on their own life choices. It takes two to tango...but many totally unexpecting, healthy people contract cancer every day.
Issue two. People are screaming for more money for AIDS awareness. Is there anybody here who is not aware of AIDS? I thought so. I don't give a shit about AIDS awareness in Thailand or Africa: That is an internal problem that the respective countries should deal with. I don't want any of my tax money going to Nigeria because a bunch of breeders are having unprotected sex. I view it as nature's way of controlling the population.
Cancer research? Absolutely! AIDS research? Keep your dick zipped!
Mail in rebates
Time for another rant, and this time it is about the mail in rebate.
Last week, I got a catalog from Hewlett-Packard. This was a mail order catalog. That means that I received this catalog in the mail, and if I were to find something that I wanted to order, then I fill out the order form and mail it back with my payment, and the company then mails back the product that I ordered. Simple, right?
So I'm looking at the some of the items HP is selling, and I notice that some of the products - Hewlett freakin' Packard products - being sold are offering a mail in rebate. Does anybody see the stupidity in this? I receive an HP catalog in the mail. I order a proprietary HP product through the mail. HP sends me the product I ordered through the mail. Now, upon receiving the HP product that I ordered directly from HP, I have to mail back to them a rebate form. HP will then send me my rebate.
Why, oh why, don't they just give me the damned rebate by discounting the price? I did some research, and I found that the reason why many stores/companies offer the mail in rebate instead of an immediate discount is because they count on a certain percentage of the clientele to NOT send in the rebate form. They know that some people will forget, and others just won't bother with filling out and mailing in the forms.
My choice, and what I tell the salespeople at the various brick and mortar stores, is that I will shop around for the lowest price, but if the discount can only be obtained by mail in rebate, and the store won't accomodate me by reducing the price at the register, then I will take my business elsewhere.
Last week, I got a catalog from Hewlett-Packard. This was a mail order catalog. That means that I received this catalog in the mail, and if I were to find something that I wanted to order, then I fill out the order form and mail it back with my payment, and the company then mails back the product that I ordered. Simple, right?
So I'm looking at the some of the items HP is selling, and I notice that some of the products - Hewlett freakin' Packard products - being sold are offering a mail in rebate. Does anybody see the stupidity in this? I receive an HP catalog in the mail. I order a proprietary HP product through the mail. HP sends me the product I ordered through the mail. Now, upon receiving the HP product that I ordered directly from HP, I have to mail back to them a rebate form. HP will then send me my rebate.
Why, oh why, don't they just give me the damned rebate by discounting the price? I did some research, and I found that the reason why many stores/companies offer the mail in rebate instead of an immediate discount is because they count on a certain percentage of the clientele to NOT send in the rebate form. They know that some people will forget, and others just won't bother with filling out and mailing in the forms.
My choice, and what I tell the salespeople at the various brick and mortar stores, is that I will shop around for the lowest price, but if the discount can only be obtained by mail in rebate, and the store won't accomodate me by reducing the price at the register, then I will take my business elsewhere.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Ahhh, religion...
Well, many Christian groups are in a furor over the release of the movie, The DaVinci Code." Calls are out for boycotting the movie, and many are screaming that the movie (and book) is blasphemous, yada, yada, etc...
Imagine if the movie was about Muslims....!!!!
Imagine if the movie was about Muslims....!!!!
Sunday, May 14, 2006
National Law Enforcement Memorial Week
Monday is National Law Enforcement Memorial Day, and is also the beginning of National Police Week.
If you haven't thanked a police officer for working shitty hours, for mediocre pay, and putting up with other peoples' bullshit, then this week would be a good time to do it. Honor those men and women who run towards danger when others run away. Honor those who unlock your cars, chase snakes out of your garage, arrest drunks, and die trying to serve their communities.
Of course, you are probably one of those people who don't even think about cops unless you need one. Or, you criticize the police for not stopping speeders in your neighborhood, and then you bitch when you get stopped and issued a ticket for speeding in somebody else's neighborhood.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Addictions aren't diseases
One of the things that really burns my ass today is when somebody does something wrong, and when they get caught they blame it on their "addiction," and call it a disease. I don't care what the government and doctors say, an addiction is not a disease.
Blaming an addiction/disease for your actions just reinforces my argument that people today do not want to take responsibility for their own actions.
People aren't forced to smoke their first cigarette. People aren't forced to take their first hit of illegal narcotics. People know that they shouldn't be abusing prescription narcotics, but they do it anyway. How is this a disease? These are life choices.
Then, one night, they drive like an ass and crash into a barricade. Oh, me, oh, my! It's not my fault, I have an addiction. I have a disease. Please take pity on me! I need rehab.
One of the things that going to rehab supposedly does is keep you from getting your addicting substance while giving you a lot of time to contemplate your addiction and your place in life.
Guess what? Jail provides the same benefits.
Blaming an addiction/disease for your actions just reinforces my argument that people today do not want to take responsibility for their own actions.
People aren't forced to smoke their first cigarette. People aren't forced to take their first hit of illegal narcotics. People know that they shouldn't be abusing prescription narcotics, but they do it anyway. How is this a disease? These are life choices.
Then, one night, they drive like an ass and crash into a barricade. Oh, me, oh, my! It's not my fault, I have an addiction. I have a disease. Please take pity on me! I need rehab.
One of the things that going to rehab supposedly does is keep you from getting your addicting substance while giving you a lot of time to contemplate your addiction and your place in life.
Guess what? Jail provides the same benefits.
Friday, May 05, 2006
Typical Kennedy
Patrick Kennedy, son of shithead Ted Kennedy, crashes his car into a police barricade, staggers out of his vehicle, and then gets a happy ride home because of his political standing. He denies being impaired by alcohol. Typical Kennedy. Being under the influence of any impairing substance, whether it is alcohol, OTC drugs, illicit drugs, or prescription drugs is all the same. I guess we should be happy he wasn't driving a female passenger across a bridge!
Why, why, why do you people up north keep electing these dumbshit Kennedy's?
Why, why, why do you people up north keep electing these dumbshit Kennedy's?
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
My boycott
I've decided to boycott the boycotters. No more Mexican food for me (at least at the places that closed for the boycott).
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
They aren't very smart, either.
So one of our local Mexican restaurants closed down on Monday to participate in the national one-day boycott being done by Mexicans. Whoa! They really showed me. They lost a day of work, a day of wages, and a day of profit by not opening. Hell, I didn't even feel like eating Mexican, anyway. For what it's worth, I didn't even know the damned store had closed until I read the paper this morning.
Yup, they really showed me!
Yup, they really showed me!
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Read this:
MIAMI BEACH, FL -- In an odd twist of fate, a sister caught her sister's last minutes alive - without even knowing.Maria Ramoutar and her sister were in separate cars on their way back from Miami Beach when Maria saw a fiery car crash. She decided to videotape it with her cell phone.Four people inside that burning car died, including Maria's sister.Maria didn't find out it was her sister till the next day. Now she says she wishes she would have done something to save her.
Typical lazy American. Another person who lives by the idea that she doesn't need to take responsibility for her own actions, and she won't do anything if it doesn't affect her. I hope she lives the rest of her life wondering if she could have saved her sister. This woman is another typical asshat who likes to slowly drive by wrecks, hoping to see something really gory. Suck it, bitch!
MIAMI BEACH, FL -- In an odd twist of fate, a sister caught her sister's last minutes alive - without even knowing.Maria Ramoutar and her sister were in separate cars on their way back from Miami Beach when Maria saw a fiery car crash. She decided to videotape it with her cell phone.Four people inside that burning car died, including Maria's sister.Maria didn't find out it was her sister till the next day. Now she says she wishes she would have done something to save her.
Typical lazy American. Another person who lives by the idea that she doesn't need to take responsibility for her own actions, and she won't do anything if it doesn't affect her. I hope she lives the rest of her life wondering if she could have saved her sister. This woman is another typical asshat who likes to slowly drive by wrecks, hoping to see something really gory. Suck it, bitch!
Immigration
How do I feel about the current uproar over the illegal immigrants? First of all, they are not "immigrants." They are illegal aliens. I know that Mexicans are hard workers, and I know that they will do jobs for minimum wage that the typical American feels are beneath him or her. I don't have a problem with Mexicans working here. The problem I have are when those same Mexicans are here illegally. If they are not here legally, then they need to have their asses thrown back across the border. I think we need to have a wall manned by armed guards and canines. I think that there should not be locations set out in the desert environments that have water and food for illegals. If a Mexican crosses our border and dies in the desert, well...too bad, so sad.
Furthermore, if your ass wants to live in this country, then learn the f*****g language!
Furthermore, if your ass wants to live in this country, then learn the f*****g language!
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Honor our heroes
Never forget the heroes who wore the medal shown below:
This is the Medal of Honor, the highest award for gallantry in action that the United States Armed Forces bestows upon the bravest of the brave. The design is slightly different between the naval forces (Navy and Marine Corps), Army, and Air Force.
Did you know that three recipients recently died? Desmond Doss, Sr., Michael Novosel, and David Bleak all recently passed away.
Desmond Doss, Sr. received his MOH for actions in World War II. Desmond was a conscientious objector, but he still had a sense of duty and patriotism. Don't confuse his being a CO with the current crop of CO's, who are mostly cowards with no sense of honor or duty or country. Desmond wanted to serve his country, but he just could not bring himself to carry a weapon and kill his fellow man. What did he do? Well, Desmond became a medic, and his calling happened during the battle for Okinawa. While under enemy fire on the island of Okinawa, Doss carried 75 wounded soldiers to the edge of a 400-foot cliff and lowered them to safety, according to his citation. During a later attack, he was seriously wounded in the legs by a grenade. According to the citation, as he was being carried to safety, he saw a more critically injured man and crawled off his stretcher, directing the medics to help the other wounded man.
Michael Novosel received his MOH for actions in Vietnam. For Michael, Vietnam was his third war. Michael flew 2543 missions. On Oct. 2, 1969, he commanded his Bell UH-1 Huey to a heavily guarded enemy training area to rescue wounded South Vietnamese soldiers. Without a U.S. gunship to cover him, he searched close to the tall elephant grass teaming with enemy snipers to find the wounded Allied soldiers. "Since all communications with the beleaguered troops had been lost, he repeatedly circled the battle area, flying at low level under continuous heavy fire, to attract the attention of the scattered friendly troops," his Medal of Honor citation said. "This display of courage visibly raised their morale, as they recognized this as a signal to assemble for evacuation." Compelled to leave the area because of the ferocity of the enemy fire, he returned many times to find the injured soldiers. He once maneuvered the helicopter backward to pick up a South Vietnamese casualty near an enemy bunker and, under intense automatic weapon fire, Mr. Novosel was wounded in the right leg and hand. Although he briefly lost control of the chopper, he was able to maneuver to safety. He was credited with saving 29 lives that day.
David Bleak received his MOH for actions in Korea. On June14, 1952, David volunteered to go on patrol. The patrol was ambushed. A soldier was injured. David went to tend to the injured soldier when three enemy soldiers appeared and engaged in hand-to-hand combat. David broke the neck of the first one, crushed the windpipe of the second one, and dispatched the third one with his trench knife. A grenade fell nearby. David used his body to shield the wounded soldier, sustaining injuries. David picked up the wounded man and began to carry him to safety when he was confronted by two enemy soldiers brandishing bayonets. David grabbed them and smashed their heads together, crushing their skulls. He then got the wounded man to safety. No Clive Cussler or Tom Clancy novel can match the true events of David Bleak that June day.
So, there you are. They are now marching proudly on God's parade field. Measure what you do to what they have done on a daily basis, and you will always aspire to be better. There is no greater glory than to be an American Hero. They stood head and shoulders above the rest.
This is the Medal of Honor, the highest award for gallantry in action that the United States Armed Forces bestows upon the bravest of the brave. The design is slightly different between the naval forces (Navy and Marine Corps), Army, and Air Force.
Did you know that three recipients recently died? Desmond Doss, Sr., Michael Novosel, and David Bleak all recently passed away.
Desmond Doss, Sr. received his MOH for actions in World War II. Desmond was a conscientious objector, but he still had a sense of duty and patriotism. Don't confuse his being a CO with the current crop of CO's, who are mostly cowards with no sense of honor or duty or country. Desmond wanted to serve his country, but he just could not bring himself to carry a weapon and kill his fellow man. What did he do? Well, Desmond became a medic, and his calling happened during the battle for Okinawa. While under enemy fire on the island of Okinawa, Doss carried 75 wounded soldiers to the edge of a 400-foot cliff and lowered them to safety, according to his citation. During a later attack, he was seriously wounded in the legs by a grenade. According to the citation, as he was being carried to safety, he saw a more critically injured man and crawled off his stretcher, directing the medics to help the other wounded man.
Michael Novosel received his MOH for actions in Vietnam. For Michael, Vietnam was his third war. Michael flew 2543 missions. On Oct. 2, 1969, he commanded his Bell UH-1 Huey to a heavily guarded enemy training area to rescue wounded South Vietnamese soldiers. Without a U.S. gunship to cover him, he searched close to the tall elephant grass teaming with enemy snipers to find the wounded Allied soldiers. "Since all communications with the beleaguered troops had been lost, he repeatedly circled the battle area, flying at low level under continuous heavy fire, to attract the attention of the scattered friendly troops," his Medal of Honor citation said. "This display of courage visibly raised their morale, as they recognized this as a signal to assemble for evacuation." Compelled to leave the area because of the ferocity of the enemy fire, he returned many times to find the injured soldiers. He once maneuvered the helicopter backward to pick up a South Vietnamese casualty near an enemy bunker and, under intense automatic weapon fire, Mr. Novosel was wounded in the right leg and hand. Although he briefly lost control of the chopper, he was able to maneuver to safety. He was credited with saving 29 lives that day.
David Bleak received his MOH for actions in Korea. On June14, 1952, David volunteered to go on patrol. The patrol was ambushed. A soldier was injured. David went to tend to the injured soldier when three enemy soldiers appeared and engaged in hand-to-hand combat. David broke the neck of the first one, crushed the windpipe of the second one, and dispatched the third one with his trench knife. A grenade fell nearby. David used his body to shield the wounded soldier, sustaining injuries. David picked up the wounded man and began to carry him to safety when he was confronted by two enemy soldiers brandishing bayonets. David grabbed them and smashed their heads together, crushing their skulls. He then got the wounded man to safety. No Clive Cussler or Tom Clancy novel can match the true events of David Bleak that June day.
So, there you are. They are now marching proudly on God's parade field. Measure what you do to what they have done on a daily basis, and you will always aspire to be better. There is no greater glory than to be an American Hero. They stood head and shoulders above the rest.
Sunday, April 02, 2006
Dude! Where's my car?
This is a real picture!
I took this picture in St. Louis on May 11, 1995. As you might remember, this was during a period of flooding that was happening in the midwest. Two days earlier I was at this same location and there were cars parked on the paved lot where you see the sign. The St. Louis Arch would be to the left, just off-camera. The paddle-wheel you see is a floating McDonald's. I don't know if it is still there, but a recent check on Google Earth would lead me to believe that it is. I can only imagine if somebody had left their car parked on this lot when the water came rushing in.
This isn't the first time this has happened. The above link shows the same location in 1993.
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I took this picture in St. Louis on May 11, 1995. As you might remember, this was during a period of flooding that was happening in the midwest. Two days earlier I was at this same location and there were cars parked on the paved lot where you see the sign. The St. Louis Arch would be to the left, just off-camera. The paddle-wheel you see is a floating McDonald's. I don't know if it is still there, but a recent check on Google Earth would lead me to believe that it is. I can only imagine if somebody had left their car parked on this lot when the water came rushing in.
This isn't the first time this has happened. The above link shows the same location in 1993.
Saturday, April 01, 2006
My honey
Hubba, hubba!
We just bought an HP printer/fax/scanner. I was tinkering around with the scanner and decided to try to scan a picture I keep at my computer desk. This sexy creature is my wife. We have been together since 1997, and she just keeps getting sexier and sexier. My wife really tickles my fancy. She is very giving of herself, and she has to be an angel to be able to live with me. I can be an absolute prick at times, but she endures me and complements me very well. I don't know how many people read this blog, but you should know that I LOVE MY WIFE.
We just bought an HP printer/fax/scanner. I was tinkering around with the scanner and decided to try to scan a picture I keep at my computer desk. This sexy creature is my wife. We have been together since 1997, and she just keeps getting sexier and sexier. My wife really tickles my fancy. She is very giving of herself, and she has to be an angel to be able to live with me. I can be an absolute prick at times, but she endures me and complements me very well. I don't know how many people read this blog, but you should know that I LOVE MY WIFE.
Monday, March 27, 2006
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Bush lied
If you believe Bush lied about WMD's in Iraq, then you must also believe:
Bill Clinton lied.
Hillary Clinton lied.
Al Gore lied.
John Kerry lied.
John Edwards lied.
Ted Kennedy lied (he was probably drunk, anyway).
Nancy Pelosi lied.
Madeline Albright lied.
Tom Daschle lied.
Joe Biden lied.
...and a bunch of others.
After all, they all had access to the same information.
Bill Clinton lied.
Hillary Clinton lied.
Al Gore lied.
John Kerry lied.
John Edwards lied.
Ted Kennedy lied (he was probably drunk, anyway).
Nancy Pelosi lied.
Madeline Albright lied.
Tom Daschle lied.
Joe Biden lied.
...and a bunch of others.
After all, they all had access to the same information.
Monday, March 20, 2006
Our lovely educational system
It was a fairly slow day, so I thought I'd have some fun with the cute blonde teenager behind the counter at a local fast food eatery. I placed my order, and in that order I requested a small drink. The girl responded with, "We don't have small. We just have medium, large, and super." Let the fun begin...
Me: "No small?"
Her: "No. Just medium, large, and super."
Me: "Well, isn't a medium drink really just a small drink, then?"
Her: "No, sir. A medium is a medium-sized drink."
Me: "If you have a medium, then by its very definition, medium means middle, meaning that there is a small and a large."
Her: "We don't have small..."
Me: "Not what I said. But, don't you agree that if you have just two sizes, then the larger size would be 'large,' and the smaller size would be 'small?'"
Her: "Yes." (Fortunately, nobody else was in line during this time).
Me: "So, if you have a large and a small, and something is sized between those two, then that size would be 'medium?'"
Her: "Umm, yeah...?"
Me: "So if you have a 'small, medium, and large,' and you remove the small, then the medium would then be the smaller size, so the medium would now be the small. Correct?"
Her: "Yes, but we don't have small-sized drinks."
Me: "Yes, you do. Your medium is a small. Your super should be the large."
Her: "But all we have is medium, large, and super."
Me: "What's the smallest sized drink you have?"
Her: "Medium."
Me: "Doesn't that make it the 'small?'"
Her: "Huh?"
We could have done this all day. Interestingly, as I was walking out, chuckling, I saw and thought about introducing the kid-size. After all, wouldn't the kid size be small?
Me: "No small?"
Her: "No. Just medium, large, and super."
Me: "Well, isn't a medium drink really just a small drink, then?"
Her: "No, sir. A medium is a medium-sized drink."
Me: "If you have a medium, then by its very definition, medium means middle, meaning that there is a small and a large."
Her: "We don't have small..."
Me: "Not what I said. But, don't you agree that if you have just two sizes, then the larger size would be 'large,' and the smaller size would be 'small?'"
Her: "Yes." (Fortunately, nobody else was in line during this time).
Me: "So, if you have a large and a small, and something is sized between those two, then that size would be 'medium?'"
Her: "Umm, yeah...?"
Me: "So if you have a 'small, medium, and large,' and you remove the small, then the medium would then be the smaller size, so the medium would now be the small. Correct?"
Her: "Yes, but we don't have small-sized drinks."
Me: "Yes, you do. Your medium is a small. Your super should be the large."
Her: "But all we have is medium, large, and super."
Me: "What's the smallest sized drink you have?"
Her: "Medium."
Me: "Doesn't that make it the 'small?'"
Her: "Huh?"
We could have done this all day. Interestingly, as I was walking out, chuckling, I saw and thought about introducing the kid-size. After all, wouldn't the kid size be small?
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Friday, March 03, 2006
Engineering manners
Read the following article:
New paint blocks out cell phone signals
ROCHESTER, N.Y., March 1 (UPI) -- A Rochester, N.Y., company has developed paint that can switch between blocking cell phone signals and allowing them through.
"You could use this in a concert hall, allowing cell phones to work before the concert and during breaks, but shutting them down during the performance," said Michael Riedlinger, president of NaturalNano.
Using nanotechnology, particles of copper are inserted into nanotubes, which are ultra-tiny tubes that occur naturally in halloysite clay mined in Utah. Combined with a radio-filtering device that collects phone signals from outside a shielded space, certain transmissions can proceed while others are blocked, the Chicago Tribune reported.
However, the wireless phone industry is up in arms over the development.
"We oppose any kind of blocking technology," said Joe Farren, spokesman for The Wireless Association, the leading cell phone trade group. "What about the young parents whose baby-sitter is trying to call them, or the brain surgeon who needs notification of emergency surgery? These calls need to get through."
Hey, Joe Farren! What do the young parents and brain surgeon do? They do what everybody used to do before people became rude: You let people know where you will be at. The young parents should tell the babysitter where they are going, and the babysitter can call the establishment and asked that the parents be paged. The surgeon, who I guess is on call, should do likewise. If people would show a little respect and use vibrating pagers, then this would be a moot issue: Unfortunately, the wireless industry doesn't teach manners, so other people are having to develop measures to teach it to people. If I had a choice, I would install a cell phone jammer in my vehicle. Things are not much different from 15 years ago. What in the hell is so important that people have to carry on a phone conversation in their car while driving?
New paint blocks out cell phone signals
ROCHESTER, N.Y., March 1 (UPI) -- A Rochester, N.Y., company has developed paint that can switch between blocking cell phone signals and allowing them through.
"You could use this in a concert hall, allowing cell phones to work before the concert and during breaks, but shutting them down during the performance," said Michael Riedlinger, president of NaturalNano.
Using nanotechnology, particles of copper are inserted into nanotubes, which are ultra-tiny tubes that occur naturally in halloysite clay mined in Utah. Combined with a radio-filtering device that collects phone signals from outside a shielded space, certain transmissions can proceed while others are blocked, the Chicago Tribune reported.
However, the wireless phone industry is up in arms over the development.
"We oppose any kind of blocking technology," said Joe Farren, spokesman for The Wireless Association, the leading cell phone trade group. "What about the young parents whose baby-sitter is trying to call them, or the brain surgeon who needs notification of emergency surgery? These calls need to get through."
Hey, Joe Farren! What do the young parents and brain surgeon do? They do what everybody used to do before people became rude: You let people know where you will be at. The young parents should tell the babysitter where they are going, and the babysitter can call the establishment and asked that the parents be paged. The surgeon, who I guess is on call, should do likewise. If people would show a little respect and use vibrating pagers, then this would be a moot issue: Unfortunately, the wireless industry doesn't teach manners, so other people are having to develop measures to teach it to people. If I had a choice, I would install a cell phone jammer in my vehicle. Things are not much different from 15 years ago. What in the hell is so important that people have to carry on a phone conversation in their car while driving?
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