The Annual Windmill Tilt, or, Thanksgiving Comes FIRST

Some might say I'm late to the party this year (and some would be correct, in nearly ALL cases of parties NOT involving alcohol) but I wanted to wait until some clue-free merchant fired a Christmas shot across my bow.  Well, that happened last evening while I was watching the hockey game and it disgusted me, as it always does.  Thanksgiving is still two weeks away and already the fat old man in the red suit and his many clones are urging me to buy, buy, buy.  That's just wrong and the premature launch of the shopping orgy rubs a lot o' people the wrong way.  Blog-Bud Jim takes this situation personally and he's fostered a Thanksgiving Comes First movement, leading the charge against corporate greed for several years now.  We support Jim's efforts, so herewith our annual post: Thanksgiving Comes FIRST.

Thanksgiving Comes FIRST

We here at EIP join Sisyphus every year in his rock-rolling exercise, mainly coz (a) we believe and (b) because we ARE curmudgeonly in our old age.  So herewith the UCR post in this space:

The Annual Tilting At Windmills Post

We've run this post every year for three four years, mainly because it's sumthin' we REALLY DO believe in:  Thanksgiving comes first.  Without further ado...

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

No Cause Is Truly Lost

It's that time o' year.  The time when we ring up Mr. Panza and beseech him to help us in our annual tilt against the windmills of commercialism.  Well, it's more like me being ol' Sancho to Jim's Don Q (ed: link updated for 2013).  But... lost or not... I'm all FOR what Jim is selling. Here's what I said last year and the year before: 

Blog-Bud Jim, aka Suldog, has launched his second annual “Thanksgiving Comes First!” campaign… and has asked those of us who agree with him… and who are the proprietors of blogs… to join the campaign. Well, I can’t think of anyone who actually approves of seeing Christmas sales, Christmas advertising, Christmas-this, or Christmas-that, before Thanksgiving has come and gone. NO ONE… period, end of report, full-stop (ed:  It has since come to my attention that I'm wrong here.  There IS one person I'm aware of, and only ONE.). I’m quite sure even the employees and management of those businesses who launch Christmas before Thanksgiving is even here have a distaste for the project at hand. I mean… how could you NOT?

So. I’m on board with this. I hope you are, too. Jim has great narrative reasons and not a few rants on the subject at the link above and here, as well. Do go read.

The links in the quoted bits above are older.  Jim has updated his original post and added thoughts at my link in the first graf.  Won't you help us?

As noted in my parenthetical comment in the first graf of my repost, Jim has updated his post for 2011.  And there is progress in this space... companies DO respond when their customers tell them things.  See?

I stole that from Jim, of course.  Thank you, Nordstrom's!  Now if we could just get EVERY retailer to go along...

Most o' Jim's readers join him in this effort... won't YOU join, too?

My last sentence still applies.

P-Shop

From one of our usual sources...

I have no ideer about how many photos o' sunsets I've taken in my life but I'm certain they number in the hundreds, if not more.  There have been times when folks have asked me if one of my sunset pics was absolutely original or if it had been P-Shopped.  I hardly ever modify a pic but there are times when I will... like the stuff that comes out of the mePhone.  But if I DO massage a photo I'll always mention that I have done so.  We're weird like that.

Here's one such unmodified sunset from back in 2010...

We DO have great skies here on The High Plains o' New Mexico.

In other news... I think we'll break the seal on the furnace today.  It's but 39 degrees outside and the indoor temp is hovering around 67 degrees, which isn't bad.  But we're gonna dip down into the high 20s or the low, low 30s tonight after a high of only 48.  Yup... time to turn on the heat.

Veterans Day 2013

Presidential Proclamation -- Veterans Day, 2013

VETERANS DAY, 2013

- - - - - - -

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

On Veterans Day, America pauses to honor every service member who has ever worn one of our Nation's uniforms. Each time our country has come under attack, they have risen in her defense. Each time our freedoms have come under assault, they have responded with resolve. Through the generations, their courage and sacrifice have allowed our Republic to flourish. And today, a Nation acknowledges its profound debt of gratitude to the patriots who have kept it whole. 

As we pay tribute to our veterans, we are mindful that no ceremony or parade can fully repay that debt. We remember that our obligations endure long after the battle ends, and we make it our mission to give them the respect and care they have earned. When America's veterans return home, they continue to serve our country in new ways, bringing tremendous skills to their communities and to the workforce -- leadership honed while guiding platoons through unbelievable danger, the talent to master cutting-edge technologies, the ability to adapt to unpredictable situations. These men and women should have the chance to power our economic engine, both because their talents demand it and because no one who fights for our country should ever have to fight for a job. 

This year, in marking the 60th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice, we resolved that in the United States of America, no war should be forgotten, and no veteran should be overlooked. Let us always remember our wounded, our missing, our fallen, and their families. And as we continue our responsible drawdown from the war in Afghanistan, let us welcome our returning heroes with the support and opportunities they deserve. 

Under the most demanding of circumstances and in the most dangerous corners of the earth, America's veterans have served with distinction. With courage, self-sacrifice, and devotion to our Nation and to one another, they represent the American character at its best. On Veterans Day and every day, we celebrate their immeasurable contributions, draw inspiration from their example, and renew our commitment to showing them the fullest support of a grateful Nation.

With respect for and in recognition of the contributions our service members have made to the cause of peace and freedom around the world, the Congress has provided (5 U.S.C. 6103(a)) that November 11 of each year shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to honor our Nation's veterans.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2013, as Veterans Day. I encourage all Americans to recognize the valor and sacrifice of our veterans through appropriate public ceremonies and private prayers. I call upon Federal, State, and local officials to display the flag of the United States and to participate in patriotic activities in their communities. I call on all Americans, including civic and fraternal organizations, places of worship, schools, and communities to support this day with commemorative expressions and programs. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-eighth. 

BARACK OBAMA

In the rest of the Anglosphere, which is to say the British Commonwealth, today is Remembrance Day.  This is the poster the Australian Department of Veterans' Affairs uses to publicize Remembrance Day:

I shall observe two minutes of silence at 1100 hrs MST today in honor of the troops in the services of our allies that gave their all.

And to all those who wore the uniform of our country and its allies, in times of peace or times of war: thank you.

Today's Happy Hour Soundtrack: Distance

Richard Thompson... an under-sung guitar hero and lyricist:

It's a desperate game we play,
Throw our souls, our lives, away
Wounds that can't be mended
And debts that can't be paid
Oh I played and I got stung
Now I'm biting back my tongue
I'm sweeping out
The footprints where I strayed

Keep your distance, keep your distance
When I feel you close to me what can I do but fall
Keep your distance, oh keep your distance
With us it must be all or none at all

Aye.  Truer words were never spoken.

In other news... it's yet another brilliant day here on The High Plains o' New Mexico and we're doin' the usual, customary, and quite reasonable thing: takin' Happy Hour on the verandah.  All that will come to an end the day after tomorrow, unfortunately.  Witness:

Note Tuesday's forecast... SNOW?  Aiiieee!  Methinks we might be indoors on Wednesday and Thursday, too.  Ah, well.  T'is the season, eh?  In the meantime we shall continue as we've begun.

Semper Fi, Marines!

Today is the 238th birthday of the United States Marine Corps.

Happy Birthday, Marines.
 
Speaking of... there's this from my favorite alternate military news source:

THE PEARLY GATES OF HEAVEN — In response to an investigation initiated by the Marine Corps Times, a spokesman for God has confirmed that because of a paperwork error Marines have actually been guarding the streets of Hell for the past 200 years.

“Don’t get me wrong, we briefly did have Marines on guard up here,” St. Peter told The Duffel Blog, “but they kept making all the new angels stand at parade rest and conduct police calls for cigarette butts at four in the morning.”

“Seriously, anyone who thinks having Marines guarding your streets is bliss has never been knife-handed by some random Gunnery Sergeant for not calling him by his proper rank.  They even insisted we refer to everything in nautical terminology.”

According to St. Peter, God was eventually forced to replace the Marines: first with the Coast Guard, so they would have at least one legitimate mission, but eventually with the Air Force, although Heaven lacks the typical amenities found on most airbases and is considered a hardship tour by most Airmen.

Marines seemed like a better fit for Hell anyways, St. Peter explained. “In the several hundred years since we’ve had this arrangement, we’ve never had a single complaint from down there,” he said.

Go on... RTWT.  You know ya wanna.  ("Hardship tour."  Heh.)

Tonight's After Dinner Whiskey Hour: T'is the Season

I LOVE it when Thanksgiving rolls around, in part be'coz o' this:

We bought a gallon o' egg nog a couple few days ago, most o' which will be consumed in the manner you see above.  Our principal objective, aside from the "tastes great" aspect, is to put a couple o' few pounds on our thin frame.  I can't think of a BETTER way to do that, Gentle Reader.  Can you?

And now it's back to the hockey game... Tampa Bay and Dee-troit, for first place in the Atlantic Division.

Saturday: A Puzzlement

I don't know if this is real or a send-up of sumthin', anything.

Very slim pickins at the usual source o' these things today.  This was the first runner-up but since I saw it sometime last week and it has over 24 million views... well, who am **I** to add to overkill?

And now... football!

Cheesy Videos XXX (That Would Be 30, Not Some Kinda Pr0n Clip)

Wherein we ask Siri a question...



Who'd a thunk it?

You Can't Play the "Get Out o' Jail Free" Card Here

Well, now.  Don't THAT just beat all.  I dunno about you, Gentle Reader, but I'll take a Courtyard over an exercise yard, any ol' time.  (From a piece in the WSJ)

And aren't we the Early Bird today?  Why, yes... yes we ARE.  This is what happens when you turn out the lights at 2200 hrs: your eyes pop open at 0400 hrs and refuse to shut again.  I think there might be an early afternoon nap in my future.

And then there's this... 

Today's Google doodle; it's Hermann Rorschach's 129th birthday.  And if ya click the arrows on either side o' the blot often enough you get sumthin' like this:

I never really could see anything in those ink blots until today. 

Happy Birthday(s)!

The First Mrs. Pennington turns 70 today, a fact I find rather amazing.  "Amazing" in the sense the both of us have managed to live this long and I'm thinkin' more about me than she, given as how she's a saint in both habits and behavior as compared to YrHmblScrb.  Then again, she's also 18 months older than me, too.  I may or may not make it to 70 while she already has, and good on her for that.  I think a few pics are in order.

TFMP & Friend, c. 1969

SN2, (L), TFMP, SN1 (R), and Grandson Sean - SN1's commissioning, May 2000

TFMP and SN1, at SN2's house in Maine, June 2006

So.  Happy Birthday, Ramona.  Many happy returns!

Wait.  I said birthdays, plural.  It just so happens Joni Mitchell also turns 70 today... so Happy Birthday to you too, Joni!

There's a "ya hadda be there" sorta story involved here, as well.  It came to pass that Rolling Stone had Joni on the cover sometime in November of 1973 as part of a story that, if memory serves (BIG-ass caveat, that), was titled sumthin' along the lines of "On Turning 30."  Keep in mind that this was a point in time when us young'uns were constantly exhorting each other to "NEVER trust anyone over 30."  And then time caught up with some of us.  But not ME... not yet, anyway.  I was still a youngish 28... and I spent the next few months telling TFMP that I simply couldn't trust her any longer.  Or at least until such time as she threatened to beat the Hell outta me, at which time I ceased and desisted.  The woman did NOT make idle threats.

Uninspired

I dunno why but we are singularly uninspired o' late.  I have a few theories but none of 'em hold up very well under close examination.  It's certainly not the weather, which has been about as good as it gets for this time o' year (read as: we're still takin' Happy Hour on the verandah).  It might could be the time change, which throws me off balance for about a week... both coming and going... or should I say "springing and falling?"  It also might could be that fewer and fewer of my blogging friends are actually... you know... BLOGGING.  FuckingObama (<=== all one word) would blame Boosh for that but me?  I blame FuckingFacebook (<=== all one word).  OTOH, this may be a classic case of my Muse decamping, as she's been known to do in the past.  I suppose even Muses need a break sometimes.

As long as we're pissing and moaning about things... I've quit reading the political cartoons at Townhall.com because there's a rogue script on their page that locks up Firefox after viewing three cartoons.  It happens EVERY damned time I go there... forcing me to kill Firefox and reload... so we're doing the obvious thing and not going there any longer.  I kinda miss the 'toons.

So.  We've unburdened ourselves just a wee bit and I thank you for your attention.  Now I suppose you're expecting me to entertain you, eh?  Well, thankfully I have rather extensive archives to fall back on when we are less than inspired and here's a lil sumthin' I came across yesterday while searching for that post about the 883.  Are the posts related?  No.  But who knows what evil lurks in the Blogger search function?  Not I.

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

A Few Odds and Ends... as Usual

Government medical care that works (from today's AFA Daily Report):

 

(Photo as captioned here) Three Air Force aircraft, together with multiple aircrew, aeromedical evacuation teams, and agencies from around the world, came together in late July 2009 to transfer a seriously wounded British soldier from Afghanistan to Germany so that he could receive upgraded medical care. The soldier arrived at Ramstein Air Base on Aug. 2, 2009, and as of Aug. 4, 2009, was listed in critical condition in a university hospital. Here, in another scenario, airmen prepare to offload patients from a bus onto a C-17 at Ramstein for transfer to the US for further medical treatment, April 21, 2009. Air Force photo by A1C Grovert Fuentes-Contreras

Just Another Day at the Office: Two Air Force C-17s and one C-130, along with multiple aircrews, aeromedical evacuation teams, and agencies from around the world, came together in late July to help save the life of a British soldier who was seriously wounded in Afghanistan. This soldier had sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the abdomen and chest. Medical personnel determined that he had to be taken to Germany for upgraded care. Immediately, Air Mobility Command officials sprang into action to coordinate the complex task of the patient's move. "Not only did we have to find a plane and crew to fly the patient out of theater, but also we had to find another plane and aircrew to get the right medical personnel and equipment into Afghanistan because we needed specialized medical teams to care for the patient in-flight," said Col. John Martins, director of operations of the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center at Scott AFB, Ill. Despite the Herculean challenge, the patient was on a C-17 heading to Ramstein Air Base within 22 hours of the first call for help. He arrived at Ramstein on Aug. 2, and as of Aug. 4 was at a university hospital in Germany in critical condition—but alive. "When you look at the requirements we had, its awe inspiring to see how many people will come together to save one life," said MSgt. Keyser Voigt, an aeromedical evacuation mission controller in the TACC. (Scott report by Capt. Justin Brockhoff)

That's one helluva story, innit? And very typical… God Bless our medics.

―:☺:―

Late to the party… (from yesterday's AFA Daily Report)

New Reaper Unit: Air Force Special Operations Command activated the 33rd Special Operations Squadron last Friday at Cannon AFB, N.M. The Clovis News Journal reported that day that the new unit will operate the MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle, which is already playing an important role in countering the Taliban in Afghanistan and insurgents in Iraq. "This unit is more than ready to answer our nation's call to duty," said Lt. Col. Michael Bruzzini, the squadron commander, at the activation ceremony. He added, "The MQ-9 is an awesome platform, but it is these individuals that will make our enemies truly fear the Reaper." Bruzzini said the squadron's members spent six months getting ready for the activation, operating out of no less than five locations to learn Reaper tactics, techniques, and procedures and mold themselves into a cohesive fighting force. AFSOC already operates the 3rd SOS, an MQ-1 Predator UAV unit, out of Cannon.

I never made it to the party, actually. That's one of the problems with being retarded retired… The Cool Kids never ask you to their parties anymore. But occasionally you get to shoot the breeze with one of 'em.

Apropos of nothing… I've yet to see either a Reaper or a Pred in the skies over P-Ville or on the ramp out at Cannon Airplane Patch. They must be stealthy lil buggers.

Really apropos of nothing… There was a C-130 droning around overhead just before I shot "The Birds" last evening, and I thought ever-so-briefly about beginning the video then (you know: there are birds and then there are BIRDS). There was just one lil problem: the groundsfolks were also droning around on their spiffy John Deere, one lot over from me. I use the term "droning" in reference to the Deere loosely… "roaring around" would be more like it. Dunno what it is about guys and riding mowers… but I used to be the same way with mine. On the straights, of course. One always slows down in the turns and around the trees. If one has half a brain.

―:☺:―

So… I was looking at a Site Meter record and the google search that drove him to EIP… some guy googled "Nica Libre cigar reviews"… and I stumbled upon Teresa, aka The Smoking Hot Cigar Chick: 

Whaddaya think? Hot? Or not? I'm of the opinion that women who smoke cigars ARE hot. Before you jump to conclusions… remember what Freud said: "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar."

―:☺:―

Speaking of hot — Here's another in a series of occasional conversations with Sweet Young Thangs. So, there I was… standing in a line of two at the Local Liquor Mart, me and this twenty-something chica who… from all appearances… must have been one helluva swimmer (based upon my casual observation of her obvious lung capacity). We were waiting for the clerk to ring me up. I'd run out of single-malt Monday evening and didn't feel like making the 28-mile roundtrip out to the Class VI Store, and an adolescent bottle of Glenfiddich (a sprightly 15-year old) is actually about a fin cheaper than what Balvenie of the same age costs out at Cannon. Ergo, laziness (and expedience) being the Mom of Invention… there I was. Still and even, Glenfiddich ain't cheap. The stage is set.

She: Is that whiskey?
Me: Yup.
She: Is it good?
Me: Yup… most definitely.
She: Well, it should be… for the price!
Me: (winking) Darlin, when you get to be my age you don't cut corners on what few pleasures remain.
She: (Big-Ass grin)

Two things in play here… (1) I'm afraid I'm turning into one of those irritating geezers who play the age card at every freakin' opportunity. I HATE that, but I can't seem to help myself. (2) One of these days I'm gonna follow up on these smiles I get. Read as (substituting the following for my last response above): "Would you like to come back to my place, sit on the verandah and sample a couple o' fingers of this most-excellent whiskey?" Or some such.

On the one hand, I'm probably just an approachable, kindly old grandfather type... the most-likely scenario. OTOH, "nothing ventured, nothing gained"... as it's said. On the other, other hand... I'm not in the habit of writing checks with my mouth that my ass can't cash. That girl could've HURT me, and I mean that in the best possible way.

Committed to the Inter-tubes by Buck on 8/05/2009 11:28:00 AM 21 comments:

You should read the comments to that post, Gentle Reader.  We actually had sumthin' of a commentariat four years ago... as opposed to the two or three folks that grace me with their thoughts these days.  Ah... Former Happy Days.

Want!

Big news today from that Milwaukee Mo'sickle Company... this:

At the cigar bar?  But of course!

Ooh!  And Ahhh!  I went on the record a while back about wanting one o' these and was terribly disappointed when I learned that Harley had discontinued that model... and its 1200cc Big Brother... this year.  But now we know why Harley cancelled the Nightsters... one doesn't want or need sumthin' from your own product line to cannibalize yer new models.  And those new models look pretty good at first blush.  Take a peek:



Well done on all counts, no?  To quote me: "I could see myself on one o' those."  

(If I could breathe properly and stand up straight, of course.)  (BIG-ass sigh)

A Couple o' Funnies

First... My Buddy Ed In Florida sends the following along:

Shopping

A wife asks her husband, a software engineer, "Could you please go shopping for me and buy one carton of milk, and if they have eggs, get six!"

A short time later the husband comes back with six cartons of milk.

The wife asks him, "Why the hell did you buy six cartons of milk?"

He replied, "They had eggs."

That's not as much funny as it is true, coz that's EXACTLY how code-writers think. Go ahead, ask me how I know.

And then there's this, from a recognizable source:

I really should have saved this for the day after tomorrow when someone in the extended fam'bly celebrates her 70th birthday.  Or mebbe I should just e-mail it to her.

I'm Thinkin' About It

I've never been much into coffee table books, what with The Album Cover Album bein' the last such book I purchased and that was back in '77 or perhaps '78.  But I'm thinkin' about buyin' this one...

As noted, the subject matter is basically a collection of re-runs from the end-matter of the past seven years of Air Force Magazine, with some sweeteners added.  This might could be a good gift for the aviation geek on your Christmas list, or as a birthday gift, or just for GP's.  The book ships in early December; go here for details.

Secret message to Virgil:  Do you EVER read your e-mail?  That would be yer Yahoo! RD account.

An SR-72

Old heads and other aviation buffs remember Lockheed's SR-71 with great fondness.  That aircraft was unequaled where pure, absolute speed was concerned and she was beautiful, on top of that.  So I read today that Lockheed-Martin's Skunk Works is working on a follow-on aircraft, the SR-72.

Lockheed Martin Discloses Work on SR-72 Mach 6 Aircraft

Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works is developing an unmanned hypersonic strike aircraft called the SR-72 that's designed to travel at six times the speed of sound—twice the speed of the company's famed SR-71 Blackbird surveillance airplane, announced the company. The SR-72 could be operational by 2030, states the company's Nov. 1 release. "Hypersonic aircraft, coupled with hypersonic missiles, could penetrate denied airspace and strike at nearly any location across a continent in less than an hour," said Brad Leland, Lockheed Martin's hypersonics program manager. "Speed is the next aviation advancement to counter emerging threats in the next several decades. The technology would be a game-changer in theater, similar to how stealth is changing the battlespace today," he said. For the past several years, Skunk Works and Aerojet Rocketdyne have been developing a method to integrate an off-the-shelf turbine engine with a supersonic combustion ramjet to power the SR-72 from standstill to Mach 6, states the release. The SR-72 design leverages the company's work on DARPA's Falcon program, which flight tested the rocket-launched Hypersonic Technology Vehicle 2, states the release.

I'm thinkin' Kelly Johnson would be proud.

Speaking of the SR-71... there are number of them on static display in aerospace museums all over the country, but none are displayed more artfully than the SR-71 at the (former) SAC Museum, just outside of Omaha.  I was there in May of 2000 and took the following first-generation digital pics.

It should be obvious the SR-71 is the centerpiece of the large atrium at the museum... and the display is simply breathtaking.

Today's Happy Hour Soundtrack: A meTunes Radio Update

I'm really liking me some meTunes Radio.  It's come to pass that we've defined 12 stations on meTunes Radio as of this writing, the latest o' which is Moody Blues Radio... like this:

Click to embiggen

In previous posts about meTunes Radio I said I always default to the "Discovery" option on all my meTunes stations but we deviated from that practice when we set up the Moody Blues station yesterday, opting to keep the default "Hits" setting.  I'm kinda glad I did, given today's playlist which you see above, in part.  The other thing I LOVE about meTunes Radio?  Unlimited "skips," a feature I put to good use on the playlist you see above, opting to skip over "Aqualung," "Light My Fire," and several other (unseen) chestnuts that I've heard once too often.  OTOH, it's been QUITE a while since I heard this:

Oh, I'm never gonna be the same again,
Now I've seen the way it's got to end,
Sweet dream, sweet dream.

Strange magic,
Oh, what a strange magic,
Oh, it's a strange magic.
Got a strange magic,
Got a strange magic.

It's magic, it's magic, it's magic.

Strange magic,
Oh, what a strange magic,
Oh, it's a strange magic.
Got a strange magic.
Got a strange magic
You know I got a strange magic

If you followed the song link above you know the tune was released on an ELO album in 1975, which was a very, VERY good year for YrHmblScrb.  Sometimes we indulge nostalgia in passing and at other times we positively wallow in it.  Today is an example of the latter such frame o' mind.  That's no complaint, Gentle Reader, just a simple statement o' fact.

Random Notes

Didja change yer clocks last night?  Well, I fell back this morning.  And kept falling, too... given the fact I didn't roll outta bed until noon, Standard Time.  There's a reason: that bein' my ongoing fight with my lower back and right now my lower back holds the upper hand, to kinda-sorta mix a metaphor.  Stayin' flat on my back on my warm, cozy, and very comfortable Tempurpedic mattress is much more desirable than rolling out to pain, at the moment.  

I thought the other shoe had well and truly dropped on Friday evening... I was bent over quite far attending to a matter of personal hygiene (trimming my toenails, if you must) and when I went to straighten up I found that I could not.  Well, I actually could straighten up but the excruciating pain made the effort a lil more trouble than it was worth.  After about five minutes or so we finally straightened up, hobbled off in search of aspirin (swallowing three), retrieved the heating pad from the bedroom, and ensconced our-self on the couch, where we remained for more than a few hours.

Yesterday was pretty much more of the same, except for the fact the combination of the heating pad and a regular dosing regimen of aspirin took the edge off enough to make life bearable.  And there's no change today, which means I just MIGHT get off my old sorry ass and seek medical attention tomorrow, if only for the muscle relaxants that would be in it.

To repeat the mantra: It's always sumthin'.

History... here's what we were on about five years ago on this date:

Monday, November 03, 2008

This and That

Flavia Nasini is an owner of A Tutta Birra, a shop in Milan that stocks many of Italy's great craft beers, as well as rare brews from around Europe. (Photo: Dave Yoder for The New York Times)

When you think of Europe and beer in the same space, most people think “Germany.” A few will think “England” (including YrHmblScrb), and the cognoscenti immediately think “Belgium!” But beer and Italy? You might think that’s a non-starter, as I did. If so, you need to read “Savoring Italy, One Beer at a Time.” Excerpts (Ed: the link is good, BTW):

We celebrated our arrival with a couple of the brewery’s pilsner-style beers, a ubiquitous, often-overlooked style that Birrificio Italiano’s brewmaster, Agostino Arioli, has attempted to redeem with hoppier, more flavorful versions, traveling to Germany to select his own hops.

As we sipped our lagers, commenting on their vibrant bitterness, a jazz band set up on the pub’s small stage, beginning to play just as our appetizers arrived: a plate of poppy-seed toast with rich toma cheese and a sticky, gooey beer jelly, accompanied by a glass of the brewery’s Scires, a wine-like strong ale flavored with local cherries. Our main courses quickly followed: a chunky, inch-and-a-half-thick pork chop, and scottata alla piastra, a plate of paper-thin grilled pork fillets, both of which were marinated in the brewery’s malty Bibock ale, which made an excellent accompaniment. The same flavors showed up in our shared dessert: a panna cotta made extra sweet and slightly bitter with a dose of Bibock, which combined perfectly with the light dusting of chocolate on the pudding’s top.

As I finished the meal, I found myself thinking: If this is what Italy’s craft beers are like, they can keep the wines.

I keep finding reasons to renew my passport, and this is one of the best I’ve seen lately. Some of the descriptions of the food and drink in this article literally made my mouth water. The article also made me wish I lived in a place with good liquor stores, as well. I’d like to sample a few of the beers named in the article but that’s not even remotely possible here on The High Plains of New Mexico, where Bud, Miller, and Coors rule the roost… such as it is. Well, with the possible exception of the Class VI store out at Cannon Airplane Patch. Thank God for small favors.

―:☺:―

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery… or however that saying goes. And in the hockey world, the Red Wings are drawing their share of flattery, beginning with the league-leading (at the moment) San Jose Sharks (“New-look Sharks out-Winging their opponents early on in season”). A few excerpts from the linked story:

The reverberations of the 2007 Stanley Cup victory of the Anaheim Ducks, it is fair to say, are still being felt.

The Ducks partially brawled their way to that title, and last season much of the Western Conference added muscle with which to confront Anaheim.

[…]

The Detroit Red Wings, needless to say, proved there was another way last season, riding skill, speed and Tre Kronor power to an impressive Stanley Cup title. The Wings hardly fought at all, didn't carry an enforcer and roared through the postseason.

That left the San Jose Sharks, to name one team, in a bit of a conundrum.

Follow the Ducks or follow the Wings?

Simply being the Sharks, after all, wouldn't do. That had become synonymous with strong regular seasons -- 418 points in four seasons -- and disappointing playoff pratfalls.

Well, for better or worse, the Sharks chose to imitate the Wings.

In fact, beating the Red Wings 4-2 in Silicon Valley on Thursday night boosted the Sharks to 9-2 on the season, the best start in San Jose franchise history. It was a game that came on the heels of an impressive win over the Eastern Conference defending champs from Pittsburgh, in which Sidney Crosby and Co. were held to just 11 shots by the stingy Sharks defense.

The Wings, it's fair to say, left town thinking they'd just played themselves.

[…]

"Not only are they the Stanley Cup champs," said San Jose winger Ryane Clowe. "But we stole their assistant coach."

That, of course, is the most concrete evidence that San Jose plotted to copy Detroit this season. Detroit assistant coach Todd McLellan was hired by the Sharks to replace the fired Ron Wilson, who was canned somewhat reluctantly by Doug Wilson and was immediately snapped up by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Well, hiring Detroit’s assistant coach certainly goes a long way towards implementing the Wings’ style, doesn’t it? The Sharks have been an impressive regular season team these past few years, yet have consistently failed to advance beyond the second round of the playoffs, come spring. This year might be a different story… and as noted above they’re certainly beginning the season with an impressive showing.

Yeah, it’s early days and a LOT can happen between now and the playoffs. And a lot can happen DURING the playoffs, as well. As Damien Cox says in his closing sentences: “It looks great now. When it comes to the spring, however, it will be a lot tougher to out-Wing the Wings.”

Word.

Note the post title... a variation on random notes.  As far as that last bit on the Sharks goes... it's a classic case o' plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.  The Sharks are off to another great start this year but have continued to fall apart in the playoffs, what with losing to the Kings in the second round of last year's playoffs (to continue the trend).  To be a Sharks fan is not QUITE as bad as bein' a Cubbies fan (who are the very definition of "long-suffering" in the sports world), but it's CLOSE.  Mebbe this year.  I wouldn't mind seein' a Wings - Sharks Stanley Cup Final... not at ALL.

Today's Happy Hour Soundtrack: Hippie Music

Yup.  They listen to this kinda stuff*:



Guys like this:

Berserkeley, c. 2001

 *Heard on XM while out and about today.

Saturday: Who'd a Thunk It?

Saudi social commentary?  Hunh?



There are over nine million views, too.  I'll be damned.

Today's Happy Hour Soundtrack: Just Be'coz

And that would be just be'coz the tune* makes me grin... a LOT.

( Iris Dement )
She don't like her eggs all runny
She thinks crossin' her legs is funny
She looks down her nose at money
She gets it on like the Easter Bunny
She's my baby I'm her honey
I'm never gonna let her go

He ain't got laid in a month of Sundays
I caught him once and he was sniffin' my undies
He ain't too sharp but he gets things done
Drinks his beer like it's oxygen
He's my baby
And I'm his honey
Never gonna let him go

In spite of ourselves
We'll end up a'sittin' on a rainbow
Against all odds
Honey, we're the big door prize
We're gonna spite our noses
Right off of our faces
There won't be nothin' but big old hearts
Dancin' in our eyes.

She thinks all my jokes are corny
Convict movies make her horny
She likes ketchup on her scrambled eggs
Swears like a sailor when shaves her legs
She takes a lickin'
And keeps on tickin'
I'm never gonna let her go.

He's got more balls than a big brass monkey
He's a wacked out werido and a lovebug junkie
Sly as a fox and crazy as a loon
Payday comes and he's howlin' at the moon
He's my baby I don't mean maybe
Never gonna let him go

In spite of ourselves
We'll end up a'sittin' on a rainbow
Against all odds
Honey, we're the big door prize
We're gonna spite our noses
Right off of our faces
There won't be nothin' but big old hearts
Dancin' in our eyes.
There won't be nothin' but big old hearts
Dancin' in our eyes.

I don't usually post the entire lyrics to any given song but this one's an exception, mainly coz the grin-factor is right off the charts.  The secret to True Love is embedded herein, as well.

And now it's back out to the verandah for to enjoy yet another brilliant Fall day... about 68 degrees, full sun, cloudless skies, and dead still.  We ain't gonna have too many more o' these so we gots to get 'em while the gettin's good.

* Heard on meTunes Radio, on the Lucinda Williams station.

I Don't Think So

Owning a mePhone means Apple spams me at least once a day, sometimes more.  I woke up this morning to find this in my in-box:

Which is obviously a product announcement for the new mePad.  I've seen the ads for the new mePad Air on teevee (they're quite good, as one would expect) and I was curious enough about the product to go look... in several places, actually.  So I clicked the "learn more" link in the e-mail before I summarily deleted it.  Once I got to the Apple store I immediately, without delay, clicked on the "buy now" link so I could see just how proud Apple is of their new baby.  The answer?

Very.  Too proud for this ol' geezer's liking (and his budget).  I'll admit I've been thinkin' lately about getting a tablet.  I've not been thinkin' too very much on the subject, but enough to be curious and read some reviews (like this one on the mePad Air, which is quite comprehensive).  And why am I thinkin' about a tablet?  My recent vay-kay taught me a tablet would be a nice thing to have on the road, versus lugging around my old laptop.  That said, the price of admission is considerable... enough to justify hangin' on to the laptop until it dies (or until I die, whichever comes first).