• Archives

  • Topics

  • Meta

  • The Boogeyman - Working Vacation
  • Coming Home
  • Via Serica

Today’s Earworm

Movie Quotes – Day 78

Well, some people without brains do an awful lot of talking don’t they?  — The Wizard of Oz

Usually, I fit in this category, and I’m not alone.  I’ve quit watching TV news except for the weather, and even then I’m just there to gather data.  I can’t remember the last time I read the editorial section of a newspaper.  To be honest, I find it painful to listen to just about any political speech, even when they’re given by people with whom I agree.  The world is starting to sound a lot like the monkey house at the zoo, and I’ve gotten to the point that a lot of people are becoming repetitive.

Strangely, though, if someone is honest and says something like “This is my personal opinion…” or “I’m not an expert, but this is how I understand this…”, then I’m more likely to listen to them.  At least they’re being honest about their motivation and level of competence.

Today’s Earworm

Movie Quotes – Day 77

Just smile and wave, boys. Smile and wave. — Madagascar

The art of the impassive face is one that I learned very early in life, and it’s one that has served me well.  Being able to look happy when I’m furious, or to laugh when I want to scream gives me time to think before I speak or act.  It keeps others from knowing when they’ve pushed my buttons.  I know it’s petty and passive aggressive, but not letting on when others have gotten on my nerves makes me feel better.

Attention to Orders

Today, President Obama will be presenting the Medal of Honor to 24 men, all but 3 of them posthumously.  A review of military records, mandated by Congress, has found that they were denied this honor due to prejudice.

Here are the names of the honorees:

Specialist Leonard L. Alvarado, Vietnam
Corporal Joe R. Baldonado, Korea
Private Pedro Cano, World War II
Staff Sergeant Felix M. Conde-Falcon, Vietnam
Specialist Ardie R. Copas, Vietnam
Specialist Jesus S. Duran, Vietnam
Specialist Santiago J. Erevia, Vietnam.  Mr. Erevia is one of three awardees who is still alive.
Corporal Victor H. Espinoza, Korea
Private Joe Gandara, World War II
Sergeant Candelario Garcia, Vietnam
Sergeant Eduardo C. Gomez, Korea
Private First Class Leonard M. Kravitz, Korea
Private First Class Salvador J. Lara, World War II
Sergeant William F. Leonard, World War II
Staff Sergeant Manuel V. Mendoza, World War II
Staff Sergeant Melvin Morris, Vietnam.  Mr. Morris is one of the three awardees who is still alive.
Master Sergeant Juan E. Negron, Korea
Sergeant Alfred B. Nietzel, World War II
Master Sergeant Mike C. Pena, Korea
Private Demensio Rivera, Korea
Sergeant 1st Class Jose Rodela, Vietnam.  Mr. Rodela is one of the three awardees who is still alive
First Lieutenant Donald K. Schwab, World War II
Private Miguel A. Vera, Korea
Sergeant Jack Weinstein, Korea

Like Colonel Schwartz said yesterday, where do we find such men?

Thoughts on the Day

  • 60 degrees and sunny on Saturday.  25 degrees, raining ice and snow on Sunday.  60 degrees and sunny today.
    • I’m not the type to complain, but I wish the weather gods would get off the meth.
  • I attended a meeting at work today where the mayor of Louisville spoke.
    • He kept it light, but he also kept it very middle-of-the-road politically, which was nice.
    • Not saying I agree with him on a lot of things, because I don’t, but he did an excellent job in explaining why he re-instituted the Veteran’s Day parade.  He also convinced me to participate in his “Give a Day” program.
  • The other speaker was retired Colonel Eric Schwartz, who led the unit that carried out the “Thunder Run” attacks on Baghdad in 2003.
    • The gist of his speech was “Where do we get such men?”, and he talked about the extraordinary, ordinary men he led during that mission.
    • He made an interesting assertion:  that only 3 in 10 American males, age 18 to 23, are physically, educationally, and socially qualified to serve.  The things he said cause the disqualifications are physical impairments, criminal records, and lack of a high school diploma.  According to Colonel Schwartz, the lack of a basic education is the cause of disqualification in the majority of cases.
    • He also pointed out that the military is becoming a family business.  By that he means that the children of soldiers tend to become soldiers, and the children of non-soldiers tend to not become soldiers.  I’ve thought about this a lot over the past couple of years, and it troubles me.  I come from a long line of people who served, and I expect that at least one of my kids will also serve.  But if the same families keep enlisting generation after generation, and the same families don’t enlist generation after generation, what will that do to the relationship between the military and the civilian leadership over time?
  • Apparently we’ve gone from tongue clucking to finger waving in reaction to the situation in Ukraine.  I’m still torn between “Is this really our fight?” and “If we’re going to do something, then we need to DO SOMETHING.”.
    • Know what’s worse than doing nothing?  Try doing something that demonstrates just how impotent you really are.
  • You know, I go months without having a creative thought in my head, then I get three ideas for short stories while I’m taking a shower and driving into work.
    • One of these days I might even try doing more than jotting down the idea in a notebook.
  • I finally broke down and bought a power paint sprayer tonight, along with five gallons of stain for the sundry wooden objects in the yard.
    • Apparently I’m a Philistine because I refuse to acknowledge a difference between opaque stain and paint.
    • If the weather holds, we’ll be cleaning and staining this weekend.
    • If I go into work looking jaundiced on Monday, it’s because I messed up the first couple times I tried to spray something with the new gadget.
  • Girlie Bear had the ick today, and apparently Moonshine rarely left her side.  I’m tempted to send him with her when she goes to college.
  • Speaking of rotten animals, chasing Crash the Combat Kitten around the yard at 4 in the morning when it’s cold and wet out was not a good way to start my Sunday.  Next time, he gets to find his own way home, preferably back in Siam.

Movie Quotes – Day 76

Darling… you know how God invented liquor so the Irish wouldn’t rule the world. Well, I think he may have invented being stubborn so we can be the best at something. — The Ghost and the Darkness

One of the most poignant moments of our honeymoon in Ireland was when someone found out that we were both descendants of Irish immigrants. The gentleman looked at us, smiled, and said “Welcome home.” The funny thing is that, even though we were only there for a few days, it did indeed feel like we were leaving home when we flew back to Kentucky.

Today’s Earworm

Today’s Earworm

Movie Quotes – Day 75

Great storms announce themselves with a single breeze, and a single random spark can ignite the fires of rebellion. — Ladyhawke

I’m not that concerned with the blowhards in the world. With few exceptions, they yell a lot and do little. It’s the quiet, thoughtful people that I watch. While others hurl insults and accusations, they find out what is really going on, see where others are failing, and find ways to succeed. Want to know when to either pitch in for best effect or to prepare to repel boarders? Watch for when the quietest person in a situation starts moving.