Retirement

Currently on Terminal Leave from the State. Down in Dc back on Active Duty. In Case anyone cares, The e-mail for this site has been updated and you can ping me here. 6 years and I'll be able to cash in my retirement with the green machine as well with the change to the retirement rules. People ask me why I pulled the plug and I told them it was time and I needed to do it while I am still capable. Ran yesterday with the Battalion and while I didn't finish with blazing speed, I am happy I finished. Legs still hurt though and I need to work on my times. Working on it though.

Ben

I was in Alaska last week and flew back by way of Seattle. Sat next to Ben. Ben is 84, built ships in Newport News during the war, raised three kids and has had a good life. Ben is also one of those guys who would say "Excuse me" if he was Bleeding out on your foot. One of the things was things Ben did was cut and install Asbestos in ships. OK, We know now but then it was doing the job and it was what had to be done. Ben has asbestosis and a litaney of other things that happen when you get old. What Ben had at 35,000 Ft was shortness of Breath. Know I have been where Ben was at the moment and I gotta tell you it REALLY sucks. But Ok, He tells me he ain't felling very good and is a little short of breath. By the way, Ben's got a Pacemaker installed. Now when you are at 35,000 over the Canadian Rockies and the old buck in the seat next to you tells ya he ain't felling very good, you should pay attention. Ya know why, These guys didn't bitch, moan, Complain or run to the shop steward every time they suffered some slight insult to their fragle psych. They did their job, raised a family, put their kids through school and pretty much did what we all did or at least should do. And Ben tells me he ain't feeling good. The attendents are good, plugged in and started doing what what they needed to do. Before I went to the Dark side, I was a paramedic, Pretty good one I thought and it has stood me well over the years as when the stuff is hitting the fan I can do the cool thing pretty well. Ok, little O2 and a basic survey and away we go. Med Com plugs in and I give a patient report, Doc sounds cool and recommends continue to Destination as it does not sound like Ben is about to crater. Keep a eye on him and we get in to Sea-Tac with no further hiccups. Off the plane and into the loving arms of Sea-Tac Fire-Ems. Hand him over and give report. Shake his hand and walk away. God Bless you Ben. Thank you for what you have done and what you have accomplished. May He hold you in his hand on the last day.

Tech Support

Actual conversation


What would you do if the caller on the other end of the telephone line (with a indian accent) {and out of the blue} called and told you to go to your computer and that they were going to help you/me to fix my computer?

"Who are you?"
'Jay'
"What company do you work for?"
'Computer services'
"Why are you calling me?"
'I'm calling because I want to help you make you computer work faster'
"I don't need it to work faster, I want it to connect when I open my e-mail"
HANGUP-
ring-ring Hall low?
'XXXXXX XXXX?'
"yes - who are you?"
'Enreeka - from HP computer services- we want to fix your computer so that it will work faster'
"I don't want it to work faster, I want it to connect when I dial up on my e-mail - How did you get this number? " "This is a do not call number,"
'We want to fix the XP program on your computer'
"I don't have XP- I have Vista- home premium and all I know that my machine turns itself on at 3 a.m. and downloads the updates. After that I can't get into my computer"
'It's 3 a.m. over there?'
"Where are you calling from?"
Remember the accent?
'New York City'
"Right"
Hangup!

Yah no- if I was less of a ________(whatever- fill in the blank) had a buzz on and/or was more trusting I might have co-operated but and because I don't trust anyone and being true to form- I hung up.

True story. I am not computor literate but I am still a suspicious bastard.

Man down

A Member of the Service was shot and killed in the line of duty Sunday night in Monroe county, PA outside of Stroudsburg. It sucks when you go to a tie with a bad guy. Trooper left a wife and three small kids. Fallen Comrades


http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,525358,00.html

Overlord

Was the code word for the Allied Operation refered to as D-Day. The navel portion was referred to as Neptune. I jumped Normandy in 2000 and 2001 at the Merville Battery where the 9th Para Battalion operated. Had a chance to meet with the Vets and speak to the Battalion Commander Terrance Otway in 2001. Unit suffered over 50% Casualties over the course of the the Normandy Campaign. Good guys. Blessings on all those who went. Prayers for those who never came back.

Small steps

Two unrequited liberals asked me to teach them how to shoot. They are sisters, own a small business and voted for Hopey, Changey in the last election. Being the true knuckle draggin' neanderthal I am, I leaped at the chance to bring some one into the Light or Dark if you happen to swing for the other team. Trying to get the moons into alignment for them, my work schedule was an exercise in time management. One Sunday morning when it wasn't pouring down rain or some other climate changing event I took them out to the range. SIG 220 with a .22 conversion upper, Ruger Bearcat and a Inland M1 carbine dated 6/44. Subject A shot fair with the Sig but had issues with the M1 when we found out she is cross eye dominant. Subject B didn't do as well with the pistol so I switched her to the Bearcat and concentrated on sight picture and trigger control. She did hit fairly well with the M1 though so I'm thinking I might work her up on a 20 Guage 1100. My hope is to get them both to an IDPA match to start working them into a shooting mindset. Also have picked out their pistol rigs for when that happens. Subject B is also a south paw while her sister A is right handed. Makes for interesting range drill. 4 Rules with given and reinforced and they had to recite them after clean up and prior to leaving the range. Q and A was conducted post action and they were happy with the session and wanted to know when we could go again.


1. The firearm is always loaded.

2. Keep your finger out of/off the trigger until you are prepared to fire.

3. Never point the firearm at anything you don't want to shoot or are not willing to pay for.

4. Always be sure of your target and beyond.


Small steps

Ironic twist

Seems one of the coalation groups has their knickers in a bunch over the current Supreme Nom. Funny that the potential to challange this one would come from the Hopey Changey bunch.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30974345