I Forgot...

... to post these cheesy cell-phone pics yesterday:

Absinthe, long banned in the US for bizarre reasons but available at the Cannon AFB Class VI store.  From The Wiki:

Absinthe has often been portrayed as a dangerously addictive psychoactive drug.^[7] The chemical compound thujone, although present in the spirit in only trace amounts, was blamed for its alleged harmful effects. By 1915, absinthe had been banned in the United States and in much of Europe, including France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Although absinthe was vilified, it has not been demonstrated to be any more dangerous than ordinary spirits. Any psychoactive properties attributed to absinthe, apart from that of the alcohol, have been much exaggerated.^[7] A revival of absinthe began in the 1990s, following the adoption of modern European Union food and beverage laws that removed longstanding barriers to its production and sale. By the early 21st century, nearly 200 brands of absinthe were being produced in a dozen countries, most notably in France, Switzerland, USA, Spain, and the Czech Republic.

I've had absinthe before, succumbing to the lure of the forbidden, and have to say I wasn't particularly impressed.  I much prefer ouzo and/or raki, which taste about the same and cost far, far less.  I'm damned sure not about to pay 71 Yankee Dollars for the stuff... not when I can buy the BEST single-malt in the Class VI store for about the same price, give or take a few bucks.

―:☺:―

In other alcoholic news (that's a modifier on the noun "news," not a personality descriptor)... it's back to beer for today's Happy Hour.  We did two martinis yesterday afternoon, the downside bein' each one was a double in order to properly fill my glass.  Which means we consumed FOUR rations of gin and got seriously toasty by the time we were done.  We might have reached Stage Five had we been drinking later in the day, but the only effect was an immediate two hour nap after the second glass was emptied.  We got up around 1830 hours, fixed dinner, and watched the hockey game... none the worse for wear.  But I'm thinkin' the martini thang will be a once or twice a month occasion, not an everyday ritual.

Maybe I haven't become my father after all. 

―:☺:―

Speakin o' hockey... no sweep.  Those Debbils salvaged their pride and beat El-Eh rather convincingly last night.  I don't think that's gonna change the inevitability of the whole thang, though.  El-Eh could win in five, or they could win in six.  But they WILL win.

Truly Epic...

... in 1080p, full-screen:

Details here.  The long and the short of it is this is supposedly a single image of earth... not a composite... taken by a Russian weather satellite.  At a resolution of 121 megapixels!

Today's Happy Hour Soundtrack...

... is gonna be all Ol' Blue Eyes, all the time.  Like this:

And, Gentle Reader, you might ask why is that?  Because we will be drinkin' home-built martinis this Happy Hour for the first time in years and years.  Like this:

We went and purchased stemware today, obtaining appropriate glasses for the occasion at hand and finally replacing what we discarded 12 years ago when we moved into El Casa Móvil De Pennington.  And a new cocktail shaker, while we were at it.  As for the Sinatra... well, that's a hat-tip to Mom and Dad, seein' as how Ol' Blue Eyes was usually the soundtrack to their Happy Hours in the way-back.

I have become my father.  But that ain't half-bad and I imagine the Ol' Man is smilin' from wherever he might be at the moment.  Cheers, Dad!

One more thing... I'm thinkin' we're running a BIG risk of hitting Stage Five* before this afternoon is over.  So be it, if that happens.  I ain't got anywhere to go and no one to answer to except me.

* Stage Five = "Fuck Dinner" and dinner MIGHT could be four or six gin-soaked olives.  The other nine stages o' drunkenness are here.

D-Day

Sixty-eight years ago today.  My annual D-Day post, first published in 2009...

D-Day

Sixty-five years ago today. All images as captioned in the Life Magazine photo archives.

Tracer fire from many different ships lighting up the night sky over the English Channel during opening phase of D-Day, the Allied invasion of France. (no credit)

American B-26 Marauders with special D-Day markings make a bombing run over Cherbourg around the time of the Allied D-Day invasion of France. (Frank Scherschel)

Aerial view of American troops and tanks coming ashore as landing craft continue to unload on the first day of Operation Overlord, the invasion of France, aka on D-Day. (no credit)

Massive landing and deployment of US troops, supplies and equipment in the days following victorious D-Day action on Omaha Beach; barrage balloons guard against German aircraft while scores of ships unload men & material. (no credit)

Bodies of 8 American paratroopers lie outside the wreckage of their glider near Hiesville, France on the day of the invasion of Normandy, aka D-Day. (no credit)

Chaplin saying mass aboard HMS Scylla, laying at anchor off the Normandy coast shortly after the D-Day invasion of France. (no credit)

As always... click for larger. And spare a thought and a prayer today for those who made the ultimate sacrifice 65 68 years ago. There were many thousands who gave their lives for freedom on this day...

Never forget.

Just In Time

From the Usual USAF Source...

Airmen Restore D-Day Aircraft: Airmen with the 19th Air Support Operations Squadron at Fort Campbell, Ky., are helping to restore a C-47 Skytrain on static display that dropped paratroopers into France during the Normandy D-Day operation in June 1944, according to a June 3 unit release. Douglas Aircraft Company built this C-47, tail no. 42-100828, in 1942; the airplane deployed to Europe in 1944, said squadron officials. The restoration involves repainting the D-Day invasion stripes, stars, and bars, and other historical markings, they said. "Restoring this C-47 has been a huge success story, thanks to a team effort from the 19th ASOS and the 101st Airborne Division," said Col. Scott Kindsvater, 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing commander, parent unit of the squadron. He added, "They have preserved this World War II icon, an important piece of our common aviation history, to its full glory and at a very low cost compared to other aircraft restoration projects." (Fort Campbell release by Nondice Thurman)

Tomorrow is the 68th anniversary of The Longest Day.  We'll prolly put up the same post and linkage we've posted for the last three years.  Coz we're like that. 

Apropos o' nuthin'... I'm old enough to have flown in a USAF C-47.  Not the one above, of course, which is technically a US Army Air Corps C-47, but a real, gen-u-wine C-47 in active service... not a warbird... none the less.  I also flew in DC-3s in commercial service, too.  And Orville Wright was a neighbor o' mine.

―:☺:―

Hockey season could be over tomorrow night, what with those Kings leading Joisey by a 3-0 margin.  Debbils fans were all "it coulda gone either way!" about the first two games but I'm pretty sure they're singin' a different tune today... mainly coz El-Eh beat Joisey like a red-headed stepchild last evening.  A sweep is not out of the question... not at all.

And then the long, hot summer of "what the f*ck do I need a teevee for?" sets in.  Aiiieee.

Today's Happy Hour Soundtrack...

... is, in part, the supremely overplayed signature tune from Boston...

I was listening to Pandora's Roxy Music station today, which makes me wonder how Boston figures into that equation.  I say that coz I see very little, if any, relation between the stuff that Bryan Ferry did with Roxy Music and the stuff Boston put out.  But who knows what evil or goodness lurks in the heart of Pandora?  Not I...

"More Than a Feeling" is one of those tunes I love to hate, simply because it's been well and truly overplayed.  I normally dive for the "change station," skip, or mute buttons when this song comes on, mainly coz I've heard MORE than enough of it since the tune hit the airwaves in 1976.  But I didn't skip it today... I listened.  And it sounded GOOD, recalling as it did memories of 1976, a period of time during which I was young and in love and I was hearing this tune every day, at every party, all the time, during that time.  Sometimes it's GOOD to go back... within reason.

And... while we're on about our soundtrack... I also heard this today, which is the MAIN reason we listen to that Roxy Music station.  But I've posted THAT video waaay too many times in the past to do it yet again.

―:☺:―

In other news... We went and met with our new primary care physician today... Dr. Erika Garcia... which came about because our former doctor flew the coop that is P-Ville and took a new job at a medical institution in Lubbock.  I found this out quite by accident when I made a routine stop into Roosevelt General Hospital last Tuesday for a routine prescription renewal, at which time I was told by the receptionist "Ummm... this could be a problem."  Not being a total and complete idiot I responded with "Why?" and got the unwelcome news.  Unwelcome in the sense I really liked Dr. Rosales, and further unwelcome in the sense I had to wait almost a week before I could get my meds renewed. 

But... not to worry.  The meds weren't in a critical condition (I had enough to last me until the end of this week), and stuff happens... people move on.  On first blush I have to say I like Dr. Garcia... she's personable, laughs easily, and has a good bedside manner.  I think this will be a long and rewarding relationship.  Or until she moves on... or until **I** move on.

―:☺:―

About my last, above...  I've begun having second and third thoughts about this relocation thang.  I suppose this is a normal state of affairs, seein' as how one normally doesn't make life-changing decisions on a whim.  Today I began itemizing all the hassle involved with moving... address changes, contracting for services at the new location, finding suitable accommodations at the new location, packing, MOVING (as in the physical activity), shutting down the old apartment, yadda, yadda... and wondering if it's REALLY worth it.  There's the positive side of the ledger to consider as well, part of which is the fact I've already found apartment listings in Rio Rancho that are cheaper than what we're payin' now... who'd a thunk it?  And then there's social opportunities, and all that.

This ain't gonna be EASY.

Not Your Father's Air Force XVI

From the Usual USAF Source...

Air Force Gets First Female Fighter Wing Commander: Col. Jeannie Leavitt last week took her place in history as the Air Force's first-ever female fighter wing commander, announced service officials. Leavitt, an F-15E pilot with more than 2,500 flight hours in the Strike Eagle, took charge of the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C., during a June 1 ceremony. She succeeded Col. Patrick Doherty, who led the wing since April 2010. "Colonel Leavitt has an innovative spirit, a talent for teamwork, and this will be essential to lead the 4th FW to new heights," said Maj. Gen. Lawrence Wells, 9th Air Force commander, who presided over the change-of-command ceremony. Leavitt previously served at the CIA as an Air Force Chief of Staff fellow. "If you've ever dreamed of being a part of something bigger than yourself, then realize that you have that opportunity now," Leavitt told the wing's airmen upon assuming command. According to Seymour Johnson officials, Leavitt was also the Air Force's first-ever female airman to enter combat training as a fighter pilot and the first female fighter pilot to graduate weapons school. (Seymour Johnson release by SSgt. Chuck Broadway)

Congratulations, Colonel Leavitt.  There's prolly a star in your future, too.

Now... would all you hairy-legged "feminists" just shut-the-hell-up about equal pay and glass ceilings, please?  I know, I know... fat (no pun) chance.

Today's Happy Hour Soundtrack

Steely Dan...

I know this super highway
This bright familiar sun
I guess that I'm the lucky one
Who wrote that tired sea song
Set on this peaceful shore
You think you've heard this one before

Well the danger on the rocks is surely past
Still I remain tied to the mast
Could it be that I have found my home at last
Home at last

Yeah, yet another exercise in self-absorption.  But... doesn't this tune fit our current situation?  We are "tied to the mast," so to speak, yet I have this feeling that we've found our home at last.  There will be much gnashing and thrashing over the course of the next few weeks or months on the subject at hand, said subject bein' relocate?  Or not?

On another note... we called Happy Hour early today for it is warm.  Quite warm... and some might call it "hot," present company excepted.  Is this hot in your world, Gentle Reader, or merely warm?

We did G&T's for Happy Hour today, which is where I like to go on warm summer days.  That said, I think After Dinner Whiskey Hour will be quite pleasant this evening.  It's looking to get downright balmy once the sun goes down.

While I Was Out...

There's this for the Usual Saturday Post, said post having gone missing yesterday:

OK, Bud... cut the clowning and make me a f*ckin' martini, Mmm-Kay?  And... haven't we seen this movie before, anyway?

And then there's this, because we must leave no snark behind...

One hopes the lil girl wasn't disqualified.

―:☺:―

So... we're home, having arrived in the late afternoon yesterday.  And we're enjoying the bennies of fast in-home inter-tubes, our own cheap bottomless cup(s) o' coffee, and the fact we can surf these inter-tubes in a state of dishabille... meanin' we don't have to get all spiffed up just to check our mail.

We dropped in on blog-bud Lin on our way home (yeah, her blog hasn't been updated in quite some time, but the writing and the stories are wonderful).  Lin succeeded in getting me half in the bag after a superb steak dinner... we wound up fixing the world over tumblers of JW Green until nearly 0500 hrs yesterday morning.  We had an understandably late start for the final leg of the journey home as a result.  And a big-ass nap when we got home, too.

I told Lin I was seriously considerin' gettin' out o' P-Ville and she raised a good point: what about EIP, as in how can one be "exiled in Portales" if one actually lives in Rio Rancho or someplace like it?  Well, now... that's a very good point and makes one wonder what it is we'll do?  I told her my move would prolly mean the end of the blog as we know it and I'd start another one.  That's one option... another would be to just change the masthead and keep on keepin' on under some other name.  But WHAT to name it, this sterling piece of fluff and nonsense?  That's an issue.

First things first, though... we have to sell the RV, find suitable accommodations in the ABQ area, and actually MOVE before we worry about blog non sequiturs.  We have a lil bit o' time for all this and we may not pull that trigger at all, coz you KNOW inertia is the most powerful force in a geezer's life.

A Couple o' Thangs...

First: last evening we checked the "healthy eating" box for about the next 90 days.

That's YrHmblScrb enjoying a double-order of grilled ahi tuna at Outback Steakhouse, along with a Big-Ass Patron Silver margarita.  The ahi at Outback is first cousin to sushi and I dearly love that stuff.  It was ALL I could do to finish the 20 pieces I ordered; SN1 provided assistance by eating two of the slices.  That's a LOT of semi-cooked fish!  Apropos o' nuthin... You may file "dinner at Outback" in the Big City Amenities category, along with all the other stuff I mentioned yesterday.

―:☺:―

SN1 dropped a bomb on me last night at dinner: Number Five retired yesterday.  I had NO idea; SN1 assumed I knew but I didn't, all because we kept our inner-nets experience yesterday to the bare minimum required to do the usual, customary, and reasonable bid'niz... and that did NOT include reading the hockey blogs.  So I was gobsmacked, and much hand-wringing and angst ensued, on both sides of the table.  This is a decision all Wings fans knew was coming in the future, but we were all hoping for that proverbial "one more season."  How important is Lidstrom?  Here's Mitch Albom, writing in The Freep:

To that end, here are a few. Professional. Exceptional. Graceful. Deft. Nimble. Clutch. Prepared. Admired. Disciplined. Determined. Courageous. Enduring. Humble.

And respected.

Hugely respected.

That's why so many former Wings and teammates were there for him, why Wings owner Mike Ilitch called him "our Rock of Gibraltar," why even hard-bitten media members gave him a thick round of applause.

We will not see his likes again. Twenty seasons with one team? A 12-time All-Star? A guy who missed just 44 regular season games his entire career -- some of which he was being rested? A guy who came in great and retired while still excellent?

His standard of play was so high, that in the end, only Nick Lidstrom was able to be critical of Nick Lidstrom.

"Sadly, this year it's painfully obvious to me that my strength and energy level are not rebounding enough for me to continue to play. My drive and motivation are not where it needs to be to play at this level. That's why I feel that it's time to retire."

I suppose I'll fall back on that ol' military sayin': No one is irreplaceable.  But Number Five comes as close as it gets in the hockey world.  We're ALL gonna miss him.

It Happens EVERY Time...

"It" being the feeling I get when I go to the Big City... any Big City.  That feeling is best described as "WHY am I still here," as applies to me living in P-Ville.  Today's... or more accurately, yesterday's... feeling came over me while I was in Monte's Cigar Shop here in ABQ.  Why is that, you ask?  Just look...

Nirvana, for us stogie fans.  Those are two crappy cell-phone pics of Monte's walk-in humidor, which has more floor space than my apartment.  Literally.  I spent at least a half-hour in the humidor, just walking around... slack-jawed and drooling... until I could bring myself to choose a handful (two handfuls, actually) of really great cigars.  And take pictures, of course.

So, there's that.  Add to that feeling that I'm blogging from Starbucks and you get more fuel for the fire.  I'm beginning to think there MIGHT be a move in my future.

For the Record

I mentioned in comments to yesterday's post that I'm visiting with SN1 in ABQ, principally to do my paternal duties of oohing and ah-ing over the new house, which is VERY ooh-able.  The visit has been good, even though I'm old and in the way as the family goes about moving in, which process (the moving) is one huge PITA. 

So, as the post title indicates here are three "new house" pics, coz we need to do such things.

Buck and Erma out front

Buck, Erma, and some old guy

On the staircase, one of the few areas NOT overwhelmed with boxes

Don't we look good?

A Rose By Any Other Name...

... might be called Marika.

My neighbor.  Yesterday was her birthday.

Today's Happy Hour Soundtrack

My Darling Kate...

But every time it rains
You're here in my head
Like the sun coming out

Which is why I live in an arid climate.

Feelin' Old

From the Usual USAF Source...

End of an Era: The official retirement of Lt. Gen. Craig Koziol on June 1 marks the end of an era for the Air Force, as the service will bid adieu to the last uniformed airman who was once a part of the US Air Force Security Service, the original iteration of today's Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Agency, according to agency officials. "I'm very proud to have been a member of USAFSS," said Koziol, who is stepping down after 36 years in uniform as an intelligence officer. Since February 2009, he's been deputy undersecretary of defense for intelligence for joint and coalition warfighter support. The Air Force established USAFSS in October 1948, according to the AFISRA's May 23 release. Then-2nd Lt. Koziol joined its ranks as a signals intelligence officer in March 1977, states the release. Among his many assignments, Koziol led AFISRA, headquartered at JBSA-Lackland, Tex., from May 2007 to February 2009. He said he will miss "the professional camaraderie and focus on wanting to do whatever is necessary to support our country." (San Antonio-Lackland report by Wayne Amann)

I did two tours and a lil bit of a third with USAF Security Service... once at Wakkanai AS, Japan (from '68 - '70, and a 90-day reprise in '71) and in Beautiful Sinop By the Sea, Turkey ('71 - '72).  Those two tours were arguably among the best assignments I ever had.  "Best" covers a lot o' ground, of course, and neither location were what one would call "garden spots" or even desirable locations, geographically speaking.  Wakkanai had waaaay too damned much snow and was as far north in Japan as one can go without getting one's feet wet or learning to speak Russki... it was literally at the end of the earth.  And Sinop?  Kinda sorta the same, except much less snow and a VERY different and closed culture, as seen by these Yankee eyes.  Both places had two things in common, though: close proximity to the Ol' Evil Empire and some of the BEST troops I ever had the pleasure o' serving with.  And now all those old troops are gone.  Kinda makes me feel sad... and old.

―:☺:―

And then there's this...

I didn't want you to think I was holdin' out on ya, Gentle Reader.

Memorial Day

From af.mil:

Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz send the following Memorial Day message to the Airmen of the U.S. Air Force and their families:

On May 30, 1868, the first official Memorial Day observance was held at Arlington National Cemetery to honor over 20,000 soldiers of the Civil War. Today, Memorial Day serves as an opportunity to pause and remember the sacrifices of more than one million Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen who have given their lives to secure our freedoms.

As we remember our fallen, captured, or missing service men and women, we also express our deep gratitude to those who are currently defending our Nation. Today, more than 33,000 Airmen are deployed around the world, while over 134,000 provide global support from their home station. Among our all-volunteer force, 68 percent of Airmen joined the Air Force after 9/11, and have never known a peacetime military. The men and women who answered the call by saying, "Send me," truly exemplify Service before Self.

In addition to recognizing the service of our fellow Airmen, we also pay tribute to the families of those who have fallen or who have been wounded while serving our country. For these families--the husbands and wives, sons and daughters, mothers and fathers--every day is Memorial Day. We will not forget those whom our fallen, captured, or missing service men and women left behind, and to whom our debt of gratitude can never be repaid.

On this day of remembrance, as we honor those who have given "their last full measure of devotion" in service to our Nation, let us renew our commitment to military family survivors, as well as to our wounded warriors and their families. To all Airmen, whether serving at home or abroad, please know your sacrifices do not go unnoticed. We are grateful for your service and are privileged to stand with you, by you, and for you.

"Day of Remembrance"... that means we honor the fallen on this day.  It doesn't mean that we can't honor those who still serve, because one never knows when they might be asked to give "their last full measure of devotion."  God bless and thank you all.

Today's Happy Hour Soundtrack

Susan Tedeschi...

How many times must I learn to live 
How many times must I learn to love to give 
How many times must I get down on my knees to pray 
How many times must I pray for you to stay

I sure do love this tune... we've had it on repeat for the last hour or so.  Amazon gifted me with an extra copy of Ms. Tedeschi's "Greatest Hits" CD and I, in turn, gifted it to grandson Sean.  Yesterday.  I'm waiting to hear from him on the album, what with Sean bein' an aspiring blues guitarist.  He could do worse than emulating Ms. Tedeschi.

I'll report back, but now we must get ready for a Sunday evening on the town... dinner and drinks... with a few o' my nearest and dearest.

Thievery: It's Becoming a Way o' Life

Stolen from blog-bud Kris:

Pretty danged cool, that.

Today's Happy Hour Soundtrack

Wherein Keef does his best Al Green...

It's not we don't have the time
Make no mistake
Not in the right place
make no mistake, make no mistake
Ooh come on baby, make no mistake
No mistake
I'm talking to ya baby
Make no mistake

Oooooh.  Sarah Dash.  BAY-bee!  And then there's this...

You're everywhere I go
Even though you're miles away
But I see, see your face everyday
Ooh and I love, I love it
It's a hard game you play
Hate it when you leave, hate it when you leave
Hate it when you're leaving me 

Damn... I love both these tunes, for the vocals, the backup singers, the horn charts, everythang.  Including and mebbe especially the lyrics.

―:☺:―

In other news... I got off the phone with SN1 about a half-hour ago and he was about two hours out of P-Ville at that point in time.  So, we're doin' Happy Hour in two segments today, the first of which we just finished.  We shall continue as we've begun around 1730 hrs or so, and it looks like it's shaping up to be a GREAT evening here on The High Plains o' New Mexico.

Miscellanea

We're just in from a round-robin errand run, which included a trip over to The Big(ger) City™ for our annual eye exam... the first since my cataract surgery last Spring... and running The Green Hornet through the car wash.  Then it was out to Cannon Airplane Patch for to re-supply the likker locker and the beer section of my fridge.  Then on to the BX, the barber shop, and finally the commissary to pick up a few odds and ends, one of which was a delicious-looking flank steak.

In relative order... my eyes are healthy.  No changes in status, no correction required, good pressure, no signs of glaucoma or any other debilitating eye disease.  All in all a good experience, except for the time o' day I had to be there: 1030 hrs.  We don't DO mornings as a general rule but we were on time for this exercise, and fully-caffeinated, at that.

So... we have a fresh bottle of JW Green.  Now that the weather has warmed up I find my whiskey consumption has increased by an order of magnitude... at the very least.  We were out on the verandah until nearly 2200 hrs last evening and enjoyed three rounds of Green along with some excellent company.

I got my quarterly haircut today and I FINALLY found a lady at the base barbershop who cuts my hair exactly like I want it cut.  Her name is Renee and she's only been at the chop-shop for two weeks now but I already love her.  Yes I do.  Here's the result:

I thought... seriously... about reverting back to full-blown hippie mode, seein' as how it's been more than three months since my last haircut.  My hair (before the barbering) was longer than it's been in quite some time, so why not go all the way?  But then I thought... even MORE seriously... about what a hassle long hair can be, especially if one has a convertible and one is given to driving with the top down more often than not.  I can still remember trying to untangle/unknot my hair the first time I went for an extended drive without putting it in to a pony tail or up under a hat.  I did THAT stoopid-human trick exactly once.  Never again.  

And then there's the washing, the drying, and all that other krep.  Click on the photo at the right to see what I looked like about ten years ago, give or take a month.

So... no full-blown-hippie look for me.  Just a half-assed hippie look, and that works.  Sorta.  Renee likes it, anyway.