Steam Train Fun

Back to school night

I feel old.

I am older than ALL of my daughters teachers.

--Some don't seem old enough to vote!!

War and Peace

I don't normally blog about politics because it is a divider. I have strong opinions on very contentious issues. My opinions vary far and wide and hold something to piss off pretty much everyone.

This week I have found myself thinking about Iraq. I have come to some harsh conclusions.

Let me detail a series of events:

The House and Senate didn't declare war.

They simply voted that the President "Could Act" if he saw fit.

Cowards all

The President "Acts"

Troops roll in, kicking ass and talking names.

Politicians say on Day One that it will be another Vietnam and the War won't be over until Iraq surrenders

Saddam declares Iraq will never surrender.

The Media has a field day broadcasting from tanks

Iraq Surrenders in 17 days

Iraq soldiers surpass the French in the "Quick to Surrender" department

Entire units begin to surrender to recon patrols

Saddam flees on foot having never made any evacuation plans in his hubris

Even though Iraq has surrendered politicians state the War isn't over until Saddam is brought to justice

Saddam is found hiding in a hole

He was tried, convicted and hung by his own people

Politicians say the War isn't over until elections take place

Elections take place (twice now)

Turnout is 3 times better that the last US election

Politicians say the War isn't over until the Iraq leader of al-Qaeda, al-Zarqawi is killed

None of the predicted waves of terror attacks happen in the US

al-Zarqawi is killed

Some are saying the War won't be won until Osama bin Ladin is dead (Reminder: OBL is Saudi Arabian)

Now the War (that wasn't a war) won't be won until ALL our troops are home...

While our politicians are dicking around our generals have had a good time testing all their new weapon systems. As far as they are concerned it's the safest war ever. 700 dead soldiers a year is nothing to them. It will take 78 years to reach the American soldier body count of Vietnam.

--Face it people. This War was won long ago. We are losing the Peace... Because or leaders can't work together.

Robert Jordan died

His real name was James Oliver Rigby, jr., suffered from a rare blood disease and died at the medical university of South Carolina.

‘The Eye of the World’ was Jordan's first fantasy novel, and it proved to be a hit. The book was published in 1990 and sold millions of copies. It began the hit series, ‘Wheel of Time.’ He published 11 more books and was working on The last in the series at the time he died.

--Jordan is survived by Harriet McDougal Rigby, his wife.

8 Years Ago Today

On this day, eight years ago, a magnetic anomaly due to a nuclear waste buildup on the Moon hurtled our only natural satellite out of Earth orbit. All hands on Moonbase Alpha were presumed lost.

--I remember that future...

It's September 11th again...

It's odd when 9-11 comes around every year. The events of that dark day changed so many things in my life. Some of those changes led to my meeting Brenda. This is the true definition of bitter sweet.

At 8:46AM I found myself looking at the clock.

-- sigh.

It's magic... Movie magic!

The Home Theater 1.3 upgrade was installed today: DVD library shelves.

The alcove where the shelves are installed is eight feet wide (96 inches) and has nine shelves. I have over 500 DVDs and it fills just over three shelves. My collection looks pitiful! At least they are all in one place and in order!

Plus, plenty of room to grow!!

--Making my Christmas list now!

Summer is Over

So the summer is over already.

Time for the kids to head back to school. Time for the new fall TV seasons to begin. Time to put away my white shoes and belt...

We just got back from an excellent visit to Western NY to see Brenda's parents. We had a great time. We saw old friends, ate way too much and we had a very nice time with the parents. Last night we were just hanging out with them on the porch talking, laughing playing with the dog and making comments on how hot the divorced woman is across the street (her daughter too). Richards eyes are not going bad!!

Brenda didn't know I was watching her.

She catches me sometimes, but not last night. She didn't know how bright she was glowing as she laughed. I am sure her parents could see how happy she was. How beautiful she was as the sun went down behind her.

--I am also sure they have no idea what Mikes Hard Lemonade is!