A Toast!

One of the newer additions on the blog-roll is the "Beer and Whiskey Bros" blog, for reasons that should be immediately... if not sooner... apparent.  So... I was reading this post this weekend and put my suggestion in the comments, for what that's worth, and it ain't worth a whole helluva lot.  But their point is well-taken: we, as Americans, don't have a "national toast," and I think we should.  My suggestion:

Ahem. “F*ck Yeah!” should be the official toast, with or without the preceding “America!” Using “America” would depend on the circumstances, of course.

That said, I almost always use the British "Cheers" when clinking glasses with friends and fam'bly (coz I'm an Anglophile of the highest order).  I've NEVER used the Irish "Slainte," nor has "à votre santé" ever crossed my lips.  Same thang for "Prosit!", but I will admit to using "Kampai!" and "Salud!" on occasion, mostly depending on present company, especially in the way-back when we lived in Nippon.

And you, Gentle Reader?  How do you toast?  Further... do you have a suggestion for a typically AMERICAN toast?

(Illustration stolen from the Beer and Whiskey Bros.)

Serendipity

Serendipity, in the sense that Blog-Bud Jim has an amusing post today about this:

So... go read!

"Umm... No, Officer... How Fast WAS I Goin'?"

Book 'em, Danno.

From a Homestead ARB press release, via the Usual USAF Source...

Members of the Homestead Police Department and Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla. transport an F-4 static display to the base, Aug. 4. The process of moving the aircraft, which took more than five hours to complete, started at 5 a.m. and involved coordination between the base, local law enforcement, a crane company, and a truck company. The static display, which normally resides near the intersection of U.S. Highway 1 and Southwest 304th Street, will undergo a three-month process consisting of repairs and repainting. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jacob Jimenez)

This isn't the first time we've posted sumthin' like this. From three years ago:

Umm... No, Officer... How Fast WAS I Going?

The SR-71A Blackbird that is part of the Air Force Flight Test Center Museum at Edwards AFB, Calif., is towed over public roads to the base’s corrosion control facility for refurbishment, Aug, 8, 2009. This aircraft, serial number 17955, will have its sun-damaged paint redone in time for Edwards’ air show and open house in October 2009. Air Force photo by TSgt. Trisha Winters

Plus ça change, and all that.

Today's Happy Hour Soundtrack, In Which We Contradict Ourselves

I said this, in the post immediately below...

It’s a personal thing for me. I will not ever, ever spend my money to directly or indirectly support views I hold to be reprehensible. And that goes for Neil Young, too.

Well... in my defense... I haven't bought any of Neil's stuff in about ten years or so.  But that doesn't mean I've trashed all his stuff I bought in the wayback.. Oh, Hell no!  Further... there was once a time when Neil and I were on the same page, politically.  And therein lies the difference: I grew up, he didn't.  So, with all that in mind... there's this, which still has a place in my heart o' hearts:

One more thang and then we'll go.  Churchill supposedly said sumthin' to this effect:

Show me a young Conservative and I'll show you someone with no heart. Show me an old Liberal and I'll show you someone with no brains. - Winston Churchill

Just a brief, brief comment in this space.  The Second Mrs. Pennington had a lot o' influence in my conversion from moonbat to sensible conservative.  That's sorta interesting, in that the girl was but 19 years of age when we met and of a sort that used to be described as a "good Catholic girl," with ALL that term implies.  She remained so for as long as we were together, which was about 23 years or so.  And then the strangest thang happened, as exemplified by this exchange:

She: I'm VERY liberal.
Me: I know.  What I don't understand is how a good conservative girl like you could go so wrong, so quickly.
She:  I used to follow directions well; I don't any longer.
Me:  What does that mean?
She: (Standing up abruptly... and departing, leaving me with my mouth hanging open)  I shared too much and I don't want or need YOU to tell ME about me.

Well, now.  What was that Winston said about "no brains?"  If the shoe fits...

"Return With Us Now to Those Thrilling Days o' Yesteryear," Or, the Sunday Re-Run

I'm taking a lil different approach today, to wit: instead of choosing an entire post from our back pages I'm gonna post some excerpts.  Coz there WAS a time when my daily post covered a lot o' ground... oftentimes two or three or four topics.  First, from 09/21/2006:

Time for a lil culture commentary in the form of “commercials I hate.” The last ad I ranted about was that supremely irritating “Head On” ad, with its obnoxious, thrice-repeated female voice over. But…it’s only irritating. This ad from Ford, however, hits me where I live and goes beyond irritating into the realm of cultural impact. Have you seen it?

I’m not the only one that’s upset. The Family Scholars Blog (dead link) has this to say:

‘Course the whole thing is “good divorce” fantasy. Mom and dad split up but still take the kids to the beach and the farmer’s stand. The only note from the child’s point of view is the telling (and surprisingly accurate) look of apprehension on the son’s face right before they drop off dad. I wonder, is Ford trying to reach divorced moms with this ad? Perhaps. But I think the viewers even more susceptible to it might be moms who imagine themselves unhappily married and fantasize that a “good divorce” will make it all better. And Ford understands!

Well, that and the “mainstreaming” of divorce. It’s acceptable these days…Hell, it might even be better than staying married, ya know? That woman driving doesn’t look all that unhappy, and Dad? Well, he’s just grateful Mom “invited him this weekend.” So, damn the impact on the kids. Damn the impact on either Mom or Dad, whichever one didn’t want the divorce, and I submit that most divorces involve one party that is less than thrilled at the thought of the emotional and/or financial devastation divorce brings.

I understand reality. I understand 50% of American marriages end in divorce. I understand “when love goes missing,” and I know not every marriage can be saved. I don’t understand why a frickin’ car company would use an all-too-common modern-day tragedy to flog their products. I can’t imagine the focus group that nodded appreciatively when shown this ad, and I can’t imagine any executive with just the normal amount of common sense approving the ad for broadcast. If this ad, with its “sensitive” depiction of a divorced couple, tips just one family into divorce court then Ford has done the country a major disservice.

“See you next week, Dad.” Damn.

And there's this from 06/17/2006:

Natalie Maines, quoted in The Telegraph (UK) (another dead link):

"The entire country may disagree with me, but I don't understand the necessity for patriotism," Maines resumes, through gritted teeth. "Why do you have to be a patriot? About what? This land is our land? Why? You can like where you live and like your life, but as for loving the whole country… I don't see why people care about patriotism."

You’re free to express yourself as you please, Darling Natalie, and I, in turn, am free to not buy your frickin’ music. Ever. 

 

Insulting the President of the United States before an audience on foreign soil is, in my eyes, relatively small potatoes compared to questioning the very concept of patriotism. By making that statement above, Natalie Dear revealed a shocking lack of understanding of one of the most basic American moral values, to wit: personal responsibility to, and respect for, the nation. In a time of war, patriotism may also be defined as the personal obligation to support and defend the country. In other words, patriotism is the deep-seated feeling that what we have…our traditions, our history, our values, our laws, our society…is not only worth defending, it’s something we must defend. And Natalie apparently doesn’t believe that is true.

 

I suppose our collective memory as a nation is short, because the Chicks new album was number one on the Billboard charts the week after its release. On the other hand, I have read that dates on the Chicks’ current tour are being cancelled due to poor ticket sales, one of those cancelled dates was supposedly in Houston. The fact concerts are being cancelled due to poor sales is good news. 

 

The three Dixie Chicks are still popular, highly visible entertainers. And, like it or not, entertainers are powerful role models in our culture. Entertainers achieve power through sales. Less sales, less power. Poor sales, little or no power. Recording contract cancellations follow, as do interview opportunities, appearances on late night talk shows, and other publicity, thereby denying these people a platform for spreading their views. Patriotism has been under assault for a while; the three Chicks are just part of a small, albeit very vocal group of folks assailing patriotism. I don’t care to support people who denigrate the core values of our country, and I damned sure don’t believe the Chicks’ values in this one specific but important area are worthy of respect or emulation. In this regard the Chicks are not suitable role models, period.

 

It’s a personal thing for me. I will not ever, ever spend my money to directly or indirectly support views I hold to be reprehensible. And that goes for Neil Young, too.

The Wiki has a pretty good recap of the whole Dixie Chicks brouhaha just in case yer memory needs refreshing.

Back in the day when I first started blogging I posted a "Pic of the Day" which was usually found at the bottom of the day's post.  That was if I posted a photo at all... my posts for the first year or so are strangely devoid of photos.  But then again: we were learning, weren't we?  Here's one of those photos of the day, from 07/26/2007:

Today’s Pic: For the Children! This is perhaps my absolute favorite pic of SN3 and I. I may have posted this before, but whatever…everyone goes into re-runs occasionally.

Key West, FL. March, 1998. And my our (? - The Second Mrs. Pennington took the pic) 52^nd digital photo…ever.

Dang... aren't they (BOTH!) just the cutest lil buggers?  This might be the 52nd time I've posted this photo, too.

Saturday

Today we make an exception to our rule about hip-hop, which is to say "We DON'T do none.  Ever."  Except for this:

From the Usual Source o' such thangs.  Apropos o' everything... I want the machine head in the stars and stripes bikini.  She's right smack dab in the middle of my envelope.  Please... seven minutes o' terror.  Just once.

Well, OK Then

Sumthin' else from The Shoebox Blog... "Why Are Americans So..."  in which the blogger lets Google auto-complete a statement about each of the 50 states.  Fascinating stuff, this, and you should go... coz there are all sorts o' fun facts and graphics.  And you KNOW what my favorite excerpt had to be, eh?

The single most common result of all was “boring,” which appeared for 18 states with no particular regional concentration. Other popular terms (returned for >10 states) were “humid”, “windy”, “expensive”, and “liberal”. Strangely, Connecticut and Pennsylvania both returned “haunted”; apparently there are a lot of ghost sightings (and related walking tours). My favorite result of all was “enchanting”: New Mexico is beautiful.

Well, PARTS o' New Mexico are beautiful.  Less so in my particular neck o' the woods, where there are no woods to speak of... just lots and lots o' empty spaces, which have a beauty all their own once you learn to appreciate it.  And have I ever mentioned our sunsets and the night sky?  Why, yes... I do believe I have.

This Is the Kinda Day I'm Havin'...

Yup.  All I wanna do is break stuff and just be generally disagreeable.

Tonight's ADWH Soundtrack... In Two Parts

First... The Lovin' Spoonful:

You and me underneath the roof of tin
Pretty comfy feelin' how the rain ain't leakin' in
We can sit and dry just as long as it can pour
'Cause the way it makes you look makes me hope it rains some more

Yeah, well... it ain't QUITE like that, more like this:

This makes the third day in a row we've had "cow (doin' sumthin') on a flat rock" rain in the afternoon/evening.  And I ain't complainin'... not one lil bit.

Today's Happy Hour Soundtrack and Broadening XLVIII

The music, first.  Anders Osborne with a brilliant suggestion...

Well, yeah... why dontcha meet me in New Mexico?  Hell, I'll even drive up to Santa Fe if'n ya don't wanna hang in P-Ville.

On the broadening front... I'm looking forward to tonight's after dinner whiskey hour, because o' this:

Yup.  We scored our bottle o' Bulleit Rye this afternoon when we went out to Cannon Airplane Patch for to do the UCR bi-monthly commissary run and likker-locker re-supply.  And yeah, that would be our second bottle o' Bulleit bourbon.  I kinda like this stuff.

I asked the manageress at the Class VI about the possibility of stocking Bulleit Rye as a "normal" offering and got a "I'll ask our manager" in reply.  I also expressed my displeasure at the recent price increases on all their scotch and told her in no uncertain terms that I was NOT willing to pay those inflated prices.  I got a nod and sympathetic look in response, along with another "I'll try and find out why those increases happened."  Well, OK... I suppose that's better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.

And now we must consider what's for dinner.

Good Stuff, Maynard

So we chased the links in this lil blurb from The Shoebox blog's "Newsdroppings..."

In an uplifting story, a blind horse is helping disabled riders. Meanwhile, wild horses keep trying to drag people away.

The blind horse bit is good, but the "Wild Horses" performance is the BEST I've ever seen of my second-favorite-ever Stones song (plus the fact I'd never seen this particular performance) (my fave?  This.).  The singin' and playin' is simply brilliant... particularly Keef and Ronnie Wood.

OK, I'll give ya the fact that Jagger emotes a lil too much.  But that's a nit, Gentle Reader.

Asshats and Aardvarks

From the Usual Source o' these thangs...

Cute concept for the 'toon, but the reality the image represents is NOT cute.  Holbert has it right, too: both parties share blame for this mess we're in.

―:☺:―

More for me than thee: 

Baghdad Express Debuts at Shaw: An F-111 Aardvark that once served with the 20th Fighter Wing proudly took its place this week on display at Shaw AFB, S.C., after a lengthy refurbishment by wing technicians. Airmen painstakingly restored the F-111E, nicknamed the Baghdad Express, in the authentic markings it wore during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, according to an Aug. 14 Shaw release. On the previous day, the Aardvark joined the four other 20th FW heritage jets on display at the base. Wing officials plan to formally dedicate the F-111 in a special ceremony next month. The aircraft, serial number 68-0039, flew with the 20th FW from 1970 to 1993 before the unit moved from RAF Upper Heyford, England, to Shaw in 1994, states the release. It had been in storage at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., prior to its transport to Shaw in February. (Shaw report by A1C Krystal Jeffers)

There's a pretty good chance I've seen that ol' Aardvark fly.  The 20th TFW at Heyford was my support base during the three years I spent in Ol' Blighty and I made the run from Uxbridge to Heyford quite often.  From an old post:

Here's a semi-interesting aside.  You'll note Big Ben in the mural above and that's a hat-tip to the 20th's history.  Back in the 1980s the 20th Tac Fighter Wing flew F-111s and were based at RAF Upper Heyford in England.  I know this because my squadron... the 2119th Communications Squadron, RAF Uxbridge... was attached to the 20th TFW for logistics and administrative purposes.  I made weekly trips up to Heyford from Uxbridge back in the day, so I'm well acquainted with the 20th TFW.  I find it interesting that SN1 and I share a small bit of USAF history.

The old post in question was a bit o' touristy USAF stuff while I visited Shaw AFB back in 2010.  

(Article from the Usual USAF Source)

Today's Happy Hour Soundtrack

My commentary sez it all.  Loverly, simply freakin' loverly.

More Politics and It's Always Sumthin'

Ramirez is on-point today, as always.

If you've been following the Left's narrative this week you get his point.

―:☺:―

I went to see my dentist yesterday for what I thought was going to be a normal, routine root canal procedure.  I left shell-shocked.  It seems like the tooth in question can't be saved and the long pole in this particular tent is that the tooth is also one of the anchor points for a three-tooth bridge that constitutes my lower front teeth.  Oh, and the other anchor point ain't long for this world, either, which makes for a total of five teeth that gotta go.  But wait... as they say on teevee... there's more.  I've known for some time that one of my upper front teeth is also in a bad way and its time is drawing near as well.

The good doctor laid out my options for me yesterday and I agreed to four new implants and a new bridge.  After sleeping on it... or rather tossing and turning because of it... I'm having second thoughts.  It's the expense, Gentle Reader, like $21,500.00 Yankee Dollars, and that's one whole helluva lot o' money... I don't care who you are.

So.  We placed a call to our dentist this morning to find out what my other option... a partial plate, which is much less desirable but prolly much cheaper... would cost.  I prolly won't know until this coming Monday as the good doctor is out until then.

It's always sumthin'.  Always.

By Request

In comments to the Queen Elizabeth post below Dano said:

I like the queen, Buck, but it has been a while since we have seen the weather girls... are they going to make a comeback? 

Well, there's a reason the Weather Girls went missing: they quit posting.  And there's a reason for THAT, too:

Remember back when when we told you the Weather Girls were off to a secret lab in a secret land conducting a secret mission? And we promised we would tell you all the exciting details when the secret project is... well, no longer a secret? Ladies and gents, the day has come. Today, we're announcing that Next Media's own Weather Girls are getting ready for their superstar debut in Japan.

Featuring Yumi, Mini, Hijon, Esse, Dara, Mia and Nue Nue, the seven ladies made their first apparence as a superstar group today at the annual "a-nation 2012" summer festival in Tokyo. Their first single, "Love's Weather Report", will be released in October.

We bet you miss the Weather Girls as much as we do. Share this vid and share the love!

Well, OK... we'll share.

Coz we're ALL about public service.

Brilliant

Occasional Correspondent Lin sends this along...

That's a brilliant piece of work with an equally brilliant woman as the subject.

2012's Outstanding Airmen and the New Chief of Staff Speaks

From the Usual USAF Source; first the new CoS:

Welsh Introduces Himself: Gen. Mark Welsh introduced himself to airmen in his first official letter to them since becoming the Air Force's 20th Chief of Staff. "My story starts with my family. My dad, who was the greatest patriot, officer, and leader I've ever known, taught me no rank or title would ever be as important as the unit patch I wore," said Welsh, whom Air Force Secretary Michael Donley swore in as Chief of Staff on Aug. 10. He added, "Today, I wear the Air Force patch, and my family has grown to 690,000 Active, [Air National] Guard, [Air Force] Reserve, and civilian airmen, all serving as part of an unbeatable joint team." Welsh went on to thank airmen for their dedicated service and promised to outline his priorities shortly. "In the meantime, you take care of the 'Fly, Fight, and Win' part . . . and I'll ensure that 'Integrity, Service, and Excellence' aren't just buzz words I use in speeches," he wrote in the missive, dated Aug. 10.

I like his first words, especially the "Fly, Fight, and Win" bits.  His first letter is brief and to the point (which is exactly what a leader should be) and he says the right things.  My initial take is we got a good guy for the job.

Speaking of good ones:

2012 Outstanding Airmen: The Air Force has selected its top enlisted members for 2012, naming them the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year. They are:

• SMSgt. Laura A. Callaway, Air Mobility Command;
• SMSgt. Emilio Hernandez, US Air Forces in Europe;
• SMSgt. Luke W. Thompson, Air National Guard;
• MSgt. Alan M. Braden, Air Force Materiel Command;
• MSgt. Sandra L. Plentzas, Air Force Reserve Command;
• TSgt. Brandon C. Bruner, Air Force Special Operations Command;
• TSgt. Matthew G. Stark, Pacific Air Forces;
• SSgt. Angelo C. Banks, Air Education and Training Command;
• SSgt. Cory T. Branham, Air Combat Command;
• SrA. Bryenna L. Brooks, Air Force Global Strike Command;
• SrA. Matthew J. Butler, Air Force District of Washington; and
• SrA. Nicholas A. Hurt, Air Force Space Command.

The Air Force Association will honor these 12 airmen during its Air & Space Conference in September in National Harbor, Md. (AFA release) (Aug. 10 Randolph report by Gloria Kwizera)

There are bios of the 12 Airmen at the AFA release link and they make for impressive reading.  Here's one such:

SrA Brooks is but one reason why I still have a tremendous amount of faith in the younger generation.  Congratulations to this year's Outstanding Airmen.  Well Done!

Yup.

That's basically true, from the Left's POV.  Memeorandum has been All Ryan, All the Time since Saturday and I've been reading a lot of Lefty blogs and columnists over the past few.  Ya know what that's been like?  Like this:

Mostly stupid, though.  With a touch o' panic.

Good Ol' Days

"There's a lil bit o' witch in ALL us girls" sez Gretel.  True, dat.  More Fractured Fairy Tales here. 

Tonight's After Dinner Whiskey Hour Soundtrack...

A blast from the distant past...

I normally post a few lyrics from our soundtracks but there's no need tonight, coz the lyrics are in the vid.  This tune reminds me of my childhood and my Mom, who would take me in her arms and waltz me around the room to this tune all those many years ago.  I loved those times but I'd have been loath to admit it to anyone, had they known.  It's just one of those thangs, yanno?

So.  We're in for our first refill, after having taken dinner at one of our favorite watering holes this evening.  I'd have lingered in the bar after dinner, had not the air conditioning been set at a frosty 68 degrees (my best guess).  It was freakin' COLD in there, Gentle Reader, and I felt relieved when I emerged into the 90 degree temps after that chilling experience.  Our temps have moderated to a comfortable 86 degrees as we speak, which feels wonderful.  It's a balmy night and we shall make the most of it.

La Vie en Rose, indeed.

The Sunday Re-Run

(Sigh)  I have a classic case o' The Blahs today and don't feel like doin' much o' anythang, which includes writing a new and riveting blog post.  Or even goin' shopping, which is sumthin' I MUST do later on today, assuming the Motivation Fairy flits in and dusts me with the appropriate stuff.  Or hits me with her wand, or however that works.  There are mysteries in life and this is one of 'em.

So... it's a re-run fer you, and a recent one, at that.  Yesterday's snark-fest about ridiculous uniforms is not without precedent, yanno?  And the Air Force provides sufficient fodder every so often to keep the snark machine well-oiled and fully serviceable.  Here's another one of those, in which we start off in non-snark mode until we hit the inevitable ridiculousness.

Not Your Father's Air Force XII

I found out today that the Air Force Personnel Center has a spiffy web site devoted to what used to be known as AFR 35-10... the bane of my military existence and a perpetual thorn in my non-conformist side... but is now AFI 36-2903.  (Minor digression: Today's Modern Air Force doesn't have regulations; it has "instructions."  This irritates me slightly, an unusual position for a non-conformist to take.  Whatevah.)  I found out about the web site through the (other) usual source, of course.

Eye on Style: The Air Force's dress and appearance standards website is now fully operational and ready to help airmen with their uniform questions. The site is accessible via Air Force Personnel Center's public website (left column under "featured programs"). It's designed for ease of use. "It has both pictures and word descriptions of everything," said Capt. Meghan Liemburg-Archer, Air Combat Command force management officer at Langley AFB, Va. She continued, "So you can click if you have a question specifically on [physical training] wear, or you can type in 'PT uniform,' and it will show you a picture for both genders." The website also has a frequently asked questions page. Personnel officials will keep the site up to date. "The website is going to be your most accurate resource," said Liemburg-Archer. The website debuted last July. (Langley report by SrA. Jason Shamberger)

"Well, cool!" sez I while promptly trotting off to check out all the different unis.  I was suitably (heh) impressed with the site's ease of use, the clarity and brevity of the writing, and the sheer diversity of all things 35-10 36-2903.  A couple o' screen shots:

There sure are a LOT of unis these days!  One wonders how many of these uniforms are part of an airman's original issue, how many are "optional" (by that I mean authorized for wear but bought at one's own expense), and how many are organizational issue.  As an example, the parka used to be "organizational issue" back in my day: you drew one from supply at your cold weather base upon arrival and turned it in when you left.  Those things were expensive, Gentle Reader... and warm, too.  The Air Force gave me the absolute best cold weather gear I've ever worn... period, end of report.

Long time readers know my "Not Your Father's Air Force" series tends to run heavily on snark and/or "Get Off My Lawn!" sorts of comments.  I was thinkin' "Good on the AF" as I scrolled down and clicked on the various uniform combos, read the verbiage, and all that happy stuff.  No snark potential here!  Well, check THAT, coz there's THIS:

O my aching ass... It's the Mr. Rogers uniform!

I've always wanted to have a neighbor just like you.
I've always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you.

Way t'go, Air Force.

The comments to the original post are pretty good.

Today's Happy Hour Soundtrack...

Lyle...

One year later I left Houston
With an old friend by my side
Well it did not say much
But it was a beauty
Of a coal black .45

[...]

And as she stood there at the altar
All dressed in her gown of white
Her face was bright as stars a'shining
Like I'd dreamed of all my life

And they kissed each other
And they turned around
And they saw me standing in the aisle
Well I did not say much
I just stood there watching
As that .45 told them goodbye

I've always loved this song, for the sentimentality that's in it.

We kicked off Happy Hour early today, mainly coz it's gonna be a hot one (forecast: 104), so it's best to get the beer drinkin' done while the temps are fairly reasonable.  Apropos o' weddings... there's a big one at the little church next door today... "big" as in a completely full parking lot, with overspill out on the street.  It's the first time I've seen that many people at this church.  With no .45s, hopefully.

Update, 1455 hrs:   It was a funeral next door, and a big one.  RIP, whomever.  You got a great send-off.

Not Your Father's Air Force XX

I came across this last night, via a USAF tweet...

Another view...

I was gonna post this without comment, but...  A ceremonial uniform that's only worn by two individuals?  We're beginning to look a lot like this, and that's just wrong. 

Saturday

The Guardian is all Olympics this week which doesn't interest YrHmblScrb, for some reason.  So we go to a back-up Viral Vid list again for some Nipponese strangeness...

What was that he said at the end?  "Woah-HOah!  Baaah!  Bitchez!" or sumthin'?

Update, 1014 hrs:  Still makin' my way thru the viral vid list and I HAVE to add this:



Simply amazing.  It all had to work flawlessly, and it did.  Murphy obviously took the day off.

You Can Buy 'Em Books...

... send 'em to school, and all they do is eat the covers.  That musta been me when basic science was being taught, coz I scored rather dismally on this quiz.

I think 62% is a fail in most classes.  In my defense... I think the quiz was pretty danged hard but YMMV, of course.  In which case you must be a rocket surgeon, or sumthin' like it.

Not Your Father's Air Force XIX

From the Usual USAF Source:

Members from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., and Russian Federation air force personnel pose for a group photo as a Tu-95 “Bear” bomber prepares to land at Engels Air Base, Russia, July 25, 2012. Col. Andrew Gebara, 2nd Bomb Wing commander, and a team of experts visited the Russian base to determine the suitability of the airfield for B-52H Stratofortress operations. (Courtesy photo)

US, Russia Create Bomber Exchange Program: A delegation from Barksdale AFB, La., visited Engels Air Base in Saratov, Russia, establishing the foundation for a US-Russia long-range aviation bomber exchange program, announced Air Force Global Strike Command officials. "We're going to fly B-52s to Russia and they're going to fly Tu-95 Bears to Barksdale," said 2nd Bomb Wing Commander Col. Andrew Gebara, who led the Barksdale group, in an Aug. 8 release. He added, "It's a tremendous opportunity for our two nations to learn from each other to improve aviation technology and skills in our respective air forces." During the July visit, the seven-member US delegation evaluated Engels airfield to see if it was suitable for B-52H operations. "One of the big takeaways from our trip is that while we fly different aircraft and are from opposite ends of the globe, our objective is the same," said Lt. Col. Michael Thompson, 2nd BW director of staff, who was with the delegation. "We all want to have a safe and credible deterrent force." (Barksdale report by A1C Samuel O'Brien)

Oh, my aching ASS.  First it was the rumor that the Rooshians were gonna fly at Red Flag, now this... which is no rumor at all.  It also looks like those (former) commies are gettin' the better end o' the deal, too, what with goin' to Barksdale.  Our guys, OTOH, are gonna be stuck out in the middle o' freakin' NOwhere.  

See?

Well, at least blog-bud Loosy-Anna Andy will get to see some Bears up close and personal (sorta).

Heh

...or, "Why I Rarely Turn My Teevee On Anymore:"

This isn't too very damned far from the truth.  There was a point in time when TLC, Discovery, and The History Channel were the staples of my nightly viewing.  Now?  It's all pawn-shop owners, Alaskan truck drivers, toothless alligator hunters, and loggers.  WTF happened?  Thank The Deity At Hand we still have Mike Rowe, is all.

Via a tweet from blog-bud Morgan, who may or may not blog this as well.

This Looks Like Fun

That's the new Cadillac ATS, billed by GM as a 3-series killer.  There's a full review (and more video) here... and this is the bottom line:

Overall, then, the plusses outweigh the minuses. The 2013 Cadillac ATS looks great, is tightly constructed inside and out, rides brilliantly and does so at a price that’s highly competitive with the high-flyers in its segment. That it’s from a US brand and doesn’t spare the toys are factors that will undoubtedly appeal to many as well. BMW’s “ultimate driving machine” reputation was an ambitious target for Cadillac to choose, and that the 2013 ATS comes so close in many ways should be a huge wake-up call for rivals and buyers alike.

Hmm.  Mebbe I shoulda waited a couple o' months.  OTOH... Nah.  I like my car The Tart and I may even love it her after a bit.

Tonight's ADWH Soundtrack...

Delbert...

Like a macho man, I said I'll fix it myself
I can tell already I'm gonna need some help
Now I gotta get it worked on
I gotta get it worked on
Yeah, I'm gon' have to get me some professional help

[...]

I went down to New Orleans to see Miss Laroux
She said You're too far gone there ain't a thing I can do
But you better get it worked on
Better get it worked on
I can give you a number of someone to call

D'ya still have that number, Del?  I have a friend that might could use it.

Apropos o' nuthin'... I've discovered the best way to drink this Bulleit stuff is on the rocks.  I never took my scotch with ice, bein' sumthin' of a traditionalist in this space, I only took it neat or with a splash o' water.  But ice and bourbon seem made for each other, in that the ice mellows out the burn and makes bourbon a rather pleasant drink.  Last evening I took my first dose neat and the second with a splash, the results of which were less than impressive.  Tonight's a different story and I think this stuff will grow on me.  I can't wait for the rye to arrive...

What? Already?

Yeah, summer ain't over and we're already getting the seasonal Fall beers.  Like this:

We're ten days ahead of where we were last year at this time, or mebbe I was ten days behind last year.  I dunno about you, Gentle Reader, but I'm ready for Fall.  I've had enough of this triple-digit temps thang for a while.

Yup!

No doubt... and Curiosity began sending back hi-res color pictures yesterday.  Let's hope Curisosity's pics are as stunning as Opportunity's... who's still on the job and doing GREAT work.

Tonight's ADWH Soundtrack...

Pat Travers, covering Johnny Winter...

Apropos o' not much... it's HARD switchin' over to corn after 30 years of drinkin' single-malts and better blends (of late).  I'm beginning to wonder about the wisdom... if any... behind today's fit o' pique.  But, Hey!  It's all good.

Today's Happy Hour Soundtrack

James McMurtry...

Beer cans to the ceiling
ashtray on the floor
laundry on the sofa
need I say more
I walked out with my hair wet
I caught one awful cold
should have been more careful
should have done like I was told
I can't believe it
how could it be
just like you said could happen
so it did to me
Just when I might have seen the light of day
I crossed my eyes 'til they stayed that way

(chorus)
I keep my distance
as best I can
living out my time here in Never Never land
I can't grow up
'cause I'm too old now
I guess I really did it this time, Mom

Mom would understand... she never did grow up, either.  

Those Manhattans are goin' down easy this afternoon.  We shoulda took pictures, but we were more concerned with gettin' down to it than doin' that artsy-fartsy thang.  But wait!... there's this from the interregnum:

That would be just before we set out on Round II, which is comin' up as soon as we put this post to bed.

Prosit!

Update, 15 minutes later:  Well, OK... if you insist.

Once again: Prosit!

Resistance

I'm just in from a run out to the Class VI store on Cannon Airplane Patch and was shocked at the price increases on Scotch... so much so that I refuse to resupply at those prices.  Johnnie Walker Green sold at $44.00 last week and is now $54 and change; you can find it at Amazon for $47.10.  JW Gold is worse... it's up to $84 freakin' Yankee Dollars a bottle now.  Aiiieee.

Which makes me wonder... what's up with the Class VI?  They're supposed to be cheaper than the civilian market and they are, if I shop locally.  But not on the net.

So.  We're gonna be bourbon drinkers... and that would be Bulleit bourbon... for a while, at least until I sort out my options.  I see a Manhattan in my very near future.