September 2005 - Posts
Is this community great or what – Rod posted THIS the other day.
I have to say it’s not only and impressive success rate but it says something about the folks in this community. Not only do they think of one another when opportunities come along – but they also know where to get the best and quickest results.
Way to go myITforum community!
The U.S. tells the U.N. to GO GET YOUR OWN INTERNET.
http://tinyurl.com/ex2uw
AL Gore was quoted as saying “I made it and if you don't like it I'll turn it off - then what will you do?“
I am one of those people that nit pick the “little” things in movies and TV – but my biggest area to “nit pick” are the movies and shows involving a military theme.
One of my biggest pet peeves in this area is seeing people using a radio and speaking in a way that they never would. An examples
First Blood – when COL Trautman calls Rambo for the Sherriff and he begins with “Company leader calling Raven – come in Raven” - - -Standard procedure when initiating a call over the radio is always opened in the same manner which is to say “Hello YOU this is ME” meaning he should be saying “Raven this is Company Leader, come in Raven” - - This is (literally) BASIC TRAINING stuff - - a full BIRD Colonel would know this. But, I digress
The thing that really set me off on this jag was when I was watching OVER THERE last night. I like this show – and I am ( and have been) willing to look past most of the stuff they “get wrong” because it’s a TV show and (for the most part) they get the little stuff right ( the way soldiers actually hold weapons, the way soldiers move when there are 4 or 5 guys in a fire team sweeping an area – ala – weapon pointed DOWN when they cross paths etc – rather than swinging them wildly all over the place like some goofy John Wayne movie) but last night they committed one of the BIGGEST faux pas (in my book) in regards to proper radio speak.
The scene had the Fire Team’s NCO speaking to the new Platoon Leader discussing options and the Platoon Leader was on the radio with the Company Commander - -when he finished his conversation on the radio he said “Over and Out” - - there is NO radio command Over and Out - - you see it all the time in movies and TV - - Over and Out.
Let me break down WHY this bugs me so much
When speaking on the radio there are a TON of proper words and phrases you use in order to maintain a clear conversation and not lose any of the transmission due to cross talk and the like.
Some of these words and phrases are:
OVER - - which you say when you are done speaking a particular sentence – this tells the other party you are still on the line and waiting for a response
BREAK - - you say this if you are speaking a particularly long portion (like the BLOG entry for instanceJ)
I SPELL – you say this when you are going to spell out a word do to the fact that if you just say it – someone may not understand due to noise on the wire
SAY AGAIN - - you say this (obviously) if you missed part of the other party’s transmission
OUT – you say this when you are telling the other party you are ENDING the transmission and you are not waiting for a reply.
These things being said - - -you would NEVER say Over AND Out - -- - -- - that would be like saying to someone (in a normal face to face conversation) “What do you think? See you later.”
Anyway - -- I still like the show - -but it bothered me enough to ramble this morning - - OVER and OUT!
So, for those of you that don’t know – I have two children. My son, Santino, is 5 and my daughter, Hannah, is 3.
I consider myself a good Dad. I am involved in my kids’ lives, I ache when they ache; I laugh when they laugh and I am sad when they are sad. I am also not one of these Dads that just sits around and has his wife/girlfriend (whomever) do everything with and for the kids.
That being said. I would like to take a minute to recognize ALL the single parents out there. You see, my wife hurt herself on Thursday (at work) she mangled her foot pretty good (long story - but let's just say it was a good impression of the attic scene in Christmas Vacation). So good in fact that there were a good amount of stitches involved and she was ordered by the doctor to (essentially) do nothing until Monday. So, I have had to ratchet up my parenting duties to the enth degree since Thursday.
We are a good team my wife and I. We pretty much split the household duties down the middle. She does however pull a good deal more of the load where the kids are concerned as she is (for the most part) a stay at home parent. She does work 2 days a week but, again, for the most part she is a stay at home parent.
Since she was injured though I have has to pick up the slack and carry the ball on my own. The recognition of how tired I am from head to toe is where my desire to recognize single parents comes in. I say this because while my wife’s injuries are temporary and I know she will be back in the game in a little while there really is (for the most part) no end in site or 2nd team or break for the single parent.
They do it all and they do it mainly for two reasons:
- Love for their kids
- It has to be done.
So to all the single parents out there (and to the ones I know personally – Ace and Jocelyn) please let me take this opportunity to say – you are doing a fantastic job and, whether the people that helped you bring your children into the world acknowledge that fact or not) I say THANK YOU for the job you do.
In closing, I just realized something – I am sitting here typing this while I am wearing on of my favorite t-shirts. It says, simply, FATHERHOOD – the toughest job you’ll ever love.
It’s official – I am HOOKED on satelite. First I made the jump from cable to DIRECTV and this weeknd I installed my SIRIUS Sportster in my car.
Not only is there a huge menu of channels (with varying content) avaiable – but the reception is fantastic. In addition, when I DO listen to terrstrial radio – the FM antenna on my Sportster brings the FM signal in stronger.
Some of my favorite channels right now are :
23 – Hair Nation (80’s Metal)
124 – NFL Radio ( with all the games broadcast on various channel – with a choice of both the home team’s local broadcast and the visiting team’s local broadcast)
14 – Classic Vinyl ( mostly classic rock – with a ton of stuff you never hear on terrestrial radio)
20 – Octane ( harder alternative stuff)
70 – Planet Jazz
114 – BBC News
.
September 29 – Channel 100 goes live - - The Howard Stern Channel. Granted, this will not be a live broadcast of his show (until he leaves terrestrial radio) but I am interested to hear what they will be broadcasting until then. After he makes the switch – I am sure the broadcasting will be 10 times as entertaining.
So – every year the town I live in (Derry, NH) has a festival called DERRYFEST.
For 24 hours before the festival begins the Local VFW Post holds a POW/MIA Vigil at the all wars memorial.
I just got back from standing my first post in almost 10 years.
Last night I went out to the memorial to see how the people standing post in the rain were making out – to see if they needed anything etc.
As I stood there in front of the memorial it hit me how incredibly patriotic the town I live in really is. The memorial is an ALL WARS memorial - -a stone wall (one seperate wall and deidication for each war) with the names of people from Derry, NH. That have served in the military during every war the United States has been officially involved in (Including Panama, Grenada and the Persian Gulf).
What really brought home how patriotic this town is was when I was standing in front of the World War I wall. Consider this. The last census of the town of Derry, NH tallied a little over 33,000 people. The World War I memorial has a date range of 1917 – 1918. The closest numbers (estimates) I can find in regards to population of the Town of Derry in 1917 are 1200 people. Essentially this was a VERY small farming community back then.
Anyway there are 309 names of men who served in WWI from the Town of Derry, NH between 1917 and 1918. By my calculations that’s around 25% of the town that left to go to war in defense of this great country.
Can you imagine if (today) 25% of the people in your town just left – disappeared to go fight a war? Would your town survive? Would businesses still be up and running? If you live in a farm town/community – would the farms still be able to operate?
Now turn the clock back almost 100 years – how dependant were communities on the men that lived amongst them – especially the farms?
That is an incredible statement of dedication and patriotism of the people who built this town.
And the names (amounts) increase as the wars went on.
The way I figure it, even though I am no longer wearing a uniform of The United States Army, the LEAST I can do to honor the men and women from this town that have served and ESEPCIALLY the ones (all over the country) that were taken POW or went MIA, is to stand in the rain for a 1/2 hour an honor their memory.
I am VERY proud to live in Derry, NH>
NSFW for Language and um well you'll see. NO Nudity
You go through life doing your best, trying your best.
Trying to be the best person you can be both for yourself and those around you. I suppose for the world as well.
You try to be the best friend to those that are important to you – because they are important to you and true friends are in fact NOT a dime a dozen – they are few and far between.
You try to be best employee you can be to your boss – go ahead and laugh but if you really do enjoy your job and like the people you work for (and with) you absolutely do try to be the best team member you can be – at least I know I do and I love my job.
You try to be the best husband/wife you can be to your wife/husband - after all, when you got married, whether there was 4 or 400 people there, you told everyone you wanted to spend the rest of your life with that woman/man - only makes sense that you’d want to have it be a harmonious existence and be the best partner to that person you can be.
Most importantly (to me anyway) you try to be the best possible parent you can be. Children are a gift – they do not ask to be brought into this world – so – in turn – they do not ask to be neglected or ignored. It doesn’t matter if the arrival of your children was planned or a surprise – we OWE it to them to be the best parents to them we can possibly be. (Note – I did not say accident. Accidents are something you normally do not want to have happen. Surprises are something you didn’t realize you wanted until you have them)
Sure, being a parent is tough. It’s a LOT of work. From the day they are born you lose sleep, they get sick, they need things that you may have to figure a way to be able to provide to them. Even though that is part of being a parent ( and not that bad anyway) there are countless joys you get from being a parent too. Two of my favorite t-shirts are both novelty shirts about being a parent. One is just a stick figure of a dad that has a bunch of comemnts pertaining what dad’s are good for (climing on, tickiling, wrestilng etc) and the othe is just a picture of a big pair of shoes and a little pair next to them and it says “Fatherhood, the TOUGHEST job you’ll ever LOVE.” Not only do I truly beilive the later but I pretty much LIVE by that.
Anyway – I am getting off track ( I could talk about my children and how much I love them all day)
The point of this ramble is – we try to do the best because we want to – not because we have to – we don’t look for validation or ata boys – but it’s nice to get them unsolicitated once in a while.
Today – that happened with me – a person told me how much my involvement in something that is actually pretty important to me (so in turn very easy for me to be invovled) meant to them.
So, to that person (you know who you are) – THANKS – and in the words of Dirk Diggler – “I‘m just gonna keep on rockin n rollin.”
Say what you want about T.O. and his antics – Say what you want about the need for him to shut up and play (I rambled on about that very topic in here a few weeks ago) but here is one man The Eagles CAN NOT afford to loose.
The Front Office needs to do whatever they can to retain Brian Westbrook. In my opinion – he is the best Running Back the Eagles have ever had. That includes Wilbur Montgomery. Westbrook is a consistently producing, dependable workhorse of a Running Back that NEVER lets his teammates down. He runs, he catches, he blocks very well. He does it all from the backfield.
The worst part about this situation is – The Font Office knows this better than anyone (including Westbrook himself) I don’t know what the problem is or what’s holding up the works, but they need to put pen to paper QUICKLY before they loose a HUGE asset to the team – an asset JUST as important as T.O. in my opinion.
Think about it – The Eagles have tried to build a team around running backs for years and failed (Herschel Walker, Ricky Watters, Duce Staley, Timmy Brown). The closest they have come would be either Timmy Brown or Wilbur Montgomery.
While they don’t need to build the team around Westbrook – they can certainly solidify there’s Offensive threat for the future by singing him to either a long term extension or a franchise deal.
Westbrook cut off contract talks with the Eagles because he and Management are too far apart on a long-term extension. He's been quoted (pertaiing to managemnet) as saying they haven't ``stepped up to the plate.'' . Well, STEP THE HELL UP.
In his three-year career, Westbrook has rushed for 1,618 yards and 10 touchdowns and caught 119 passes for 1,121 yards and 10 TDs.
Just get it done. Don’t hand the Eagles fans ANOTHER heart ache.
. . . . . . . .for some FOOTBALL
At 9:00 PM tonight the wait is over.
That’s right FOOTBALL SEASON officially starts tonight.
That means – no matter what else is on TV for the next 4 months – there will be QUALITY broadcasting on each and every Sunday, every Monday and a few Saturdays and Thursdays sprinkled in there.
The smell of fireplaces in the air - the sound of a game on as you’re in the kitchen fixing yourself a snack or grabbing a drink – the smack being talked between you and the opposing teams in your Fantasy Football League - - - - it’s all good I tell you.
For those of you that believe in a God - PLEASE pray for the safety of The Trent children.
They now have a WILD ANIMAL in their home
CHECK IT OUT
So, besides the fact that he may be the world's WORST actor, it is now official - Pierce Brosnan may now get in line IN FRONT of Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson (both) to kiss my entire arse in Macy's window.
Actor Brosnan says Bush 'has a lot to answer for'
Tue Sep 6, 2005 8:47 AM ET
DEAUVILLE, France (Hollywood Reporter) - Pierce Brosnan was the only big star on hand as the Deauville Festival of American Cinema got off to a quiet start over the weekend, and he took advantage of the spotlight to blast the Bush administration's handling of the carnage caused by Hurricane Katrina.
"This man called President Bush has a lot to answer for," the former James Bond actor told reporters Saturday. "I don't know if this man is really taking care of America. This government has been shameful." . . . . . .
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
© Reuters 2005. All Rights Reserved.
entire story is here
In the midst of chaos and all this tragedy - a little boy proves to be the personification of humanity and bravery and selfless courage we can all only hope to one day know.
I am rendered speechless of this little guy.
AP
Deamonte Love, 6, right, clings to Big Buddy program volunteer Derrick Robertson outside a local shelter in Baton Rouge, La., on Sunday, while volunteers say goodbye to seven children who were separated from their parents during Hurricane Katrina rescues.
6-year-old becomes a hero to band of toddlers, rescuers
Tense days lead to reunion of kids and their moms
By ELLEN BARRY
Los Angeles Times
BATON ROUGE, LA. - In the chaos that was Causeway Boulevard, this group of evacuees stood out: a 6-year-old boy walking down the road, holding a 5-month-old,surrounded by five toddlers who followed him around as if he were their leader.
They were holding hands. Three of the children were about 2 years old, and one was wearing only diapers. A 3-year-old girl had her 14-month-old brother in tow. The 6-year-old spoke for all of them, and he said his name was Deamonte Love.
After their rescue Thursday, paramedics in the Baton Rouge rescue operations headquarters tried to coax their names out of them.
Transporting the children alone was "the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, knowing that their parents are either dead" or that they had been abandoned, said Pat Coveney, a Houston emergency medical technician who put them into the back of his ambulance and drove them out of New Orleans.
"It goes back to the same thing," he said. "How did a 6-year-old end up being in charge of six babies?"
So, Saturday night my wife and I went out to the movies. Being the parents of a 5 and 3 year old – we don’t get to go out to the movies too frequently.
We have a young woman that we trust (and our children love) to watch our kids – but you can’t go to the well too often - and living at least 195 mills away from the closest relative doesn’t exactly help either.
ANYWAY – we finally saw Wedding Crashers. This movie, up until about 9:50 PM Sunday night, was the funniest comedy I have seen in the theatres in at least 10 years. Not only did Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson do an excellent job but the movie also had, the master of Cowbells himself, Christopher Walken in it which always ups a movie’s cool points no matter how good or bad it is. There was also a piss your pants funny relationship between Vince Vaughn’s character (Jeremy) and Isla Fisher’s character (Gloria).
Until 9:50 PM Sunday night I hadn’t laughed out loud so much and so frequently at a movie since I can not tell you when.
Why do I keep saying “until 9:50 PM Sunday night? Because that was the showtime of The 40 Year Old Virgin. When I tell you there were a few times that I was waiting for this movie to not be funny so I could give my cheeks and my abdominal muscles a rest I tell you no lie.
Not only was it a smart move (and well deserved) to cast Steve Carell as the lead in this movie – but the entire comedic ensemble of this movie did a great job. Right down to the cameo of David Koechner (Champ from Anchorman).
For the first time in a long time the trailers (both in the movies and on TV) for this movie not only do not do it justice in regards to just how funny it is, but they are also not the only funny parts in what appears to be a silly movie.
Do yourself a favor – SEE The 40 year Old Virgin. It’s friggin hysterical.
I remember sitting in a friend’s living room at the end of the summer in 1986 and watching this guy with frosted and streaked long hair on the courts at Flushing Meadows.
I also remember hearing quotes from this young guy saying things like Wimbledon is not the pinnacle of tennis for me – I am an American and The U.S. Open is the pinnacle of tennis for me.
I also remember people talking about the loud colors and flashy image this guy was bringing to the courts of the Gentlemen’s game of tennis.
He was young – he already had a booming game from the baseline and great foot speed (although we didn't know JUST how booming that baseline game was nor how fasthis foot speed really was) - he was gathering a female following the like the tennis scene hadn’t seen since Bjorn Borg. His name was Andre Agassi.
Well, 20 years later – he's STILL playing at the U.S. Open. While guys from his freshman class (and years after him) have long since retired (Pete Sampras, Michael Change, Jim Courier et al) Andre Agassi is still playing and STILL ranked by the ATP in the Top 10.
Hell, he was playing The Open in 86 when the kid he beat yesterday was turning a year old.
I really enjoy watching this guy play tennis, I always have. Even in the years when there was talk that he was just a flash in the pan and he didn’t have what it took to be a long main stay player in the ranks of professional tennis.
So, with a more mature outlook on life, a wife ( former women’s great Steffi Graf) a couple of kids, fire in his eye and still a BIG game from the baseline and surely a totally different look and respect for the game ( including Wimbledon) than he had 20 years ago - Agassi is still in the hunt at The U.S. Open.
I would love to see him take Flushing Meadows one more time before he retires.
So, to the greatest returner the game of tennis has ever seen (IMHO) I say GOOD LUCK ANDRE! - There are a lot of us still rooting for you.
Andre Agassi blows a kiss to fans after defeating Tomas Berdych, of the Czech Republic, at the US Open tennis tournament in New York, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2005.
(AP Photo/Greg Bull)
Chief Justice William Rehnquist died last night.
While it’s sad that a person that has served their country for so long has died (regardless of the fact if he was a Conservative or a Liberal). The Civics geek in me is very excited to see what happens next. Once again we have found ourselves fortunate enough to be living through history.
Curiously, the Senate was about start hearings on Bush’s first nominee, John Roberts.
I am not sure a sitting President has ever had two open slots on the United States Supreme Court up for nomination. In addition one of those slots is also a Chief Justice slot.
The upcoming whirlwind that will be the battle in the Senate will be a civics geek’s dream come true. TWO senate hearings for two (undoubtedly) conservative nominee’s for The Untied States Supreme Court.
I am curious if Bush will wait until Robert’s hearing are under way to make hi next nomination or if he will (rather his advisors will have him) make a move to chaos in the house and make his second nomination soon after the hearings begin for Roberts.
All I do know is it’s going to be fun and interesting to watch unfold and I am sure I will be blogging more about it.
Rest in Peace Chief Justice William Rehnquist – thank you for your service.
One of my favorite blogs is shutting down, well, sort of anyway.
The owner of BOOTS IN BAGHDAD is coming home – so his entries (from Baghdad) will be stopping until sometime in October.
I can’t tell you how much respect I have for this young man. The clip below is a good indication of exactly why I have so much respect for him though.
I can’t even begin to describe to you what it feels like to be on the verge of going home and returning to life. This journey began a year ago… an eternity ago. And, for the world I wouldn’t trade the last twelve months of my life.
This soldier is FAR older and far more mature than his years. If more of the youth in this country felt the way this soldier does, we’d all be better off.
As a citizen of The United States and a former soldier – I stand proudly and salute Specialist Mark Miner. National Guard or Regular Army – STAY ARMY Specialist it serves YOU well and you serve IT well, brother. Hooah!
So, here I sit – like the rest of the country watching the devastation and (half assed) rescue operations taking place in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
And, again like the rest of the country, I am filled with compassion for these people while simultaneously filled with rage that it is taking SO long to do SO little.
We are not talking about Port-au_prince, Haiti circa 1994 here. We are talking the Unites States of America. . . . .and not some remote territtory or protected spec island - -- or even the Hawaiian Island chian out in the middle of the Pacific that we can’t reach - --we are talking about MAINLAND Unites States.
There is NO (said NO) reason why the efforts to remove the remaining (stranded) people, admisinter health services to the people that need it, feed the hungry and house the homeless.
There are PLENTY of mobile bridgin systems in the Army Corps of Engineer’s arsenal (for lack of a better term) to get people out and supplies in across the delapitated brige areas.
The Hospital ships that are anchored of the Virginia coast that aren’t moving out until Sunday - - should be three quarters of the way there already. There are plenty of ships in the Navy that could be used as off shore housing for temporary shelter.
I say again – we are not talking about some third world impoverished nation (or set of small nations) that got hit here. We are talking about the most socially wealthy, developed nation in the WORLD.
For the love of Pete, we have people still stranded on their rooftops - -- how about one of the chuckleheads flying around in a news chopper forgets about getting that “good shot” and swoops down and helps out.
And the looters? If you have no power and NO HOUSE - - where the HELL are you gonna plug in that 42” plasma panel you just stole numbnuts? Stop contributing to the problems and preying on the fears of the weaker people around you. If I believed in hell – I’d say you’re gonna burn there.
Don’t get me wrong – if I were stuck in that situation and could not get my wife and children North and out of that mess - - bet your last nickel I’d be stealing or whatever I had to do to feed them - -- but there is NO reason to take the once “luxury” items when all you should be concerned about is staying alive and keeping your family alive.
When you start seeing boots on the ground and some poor soldier is faced with the horror of training his weapon on one of his own countrymen - -- --- things are going to get really ugly. Don’t put some 20 year old kid wearing a US Army uniform through hell for the rest of his life because he had to shoot one of his countrymen for stealing and generally terrorizing their neighbors.
I’m going to stop this rant now – as if I allow myself – I could go on forever.