So right, daffodils and beer, what's that all about Sarge?
This post was written on St. Patrick's Day, as I'm part Irish I only celebrated part of the day. That part which had beer in it. The photo of the daffodils (that fine lad photo bombing the garden shot is Hercules, the neighbor's dog) was taken on the non-beer drinking portion of St. Patrick's Day, which, as you might know, was the 17th of March.
Here's what things looked like at Chez Sarge ten days before St. Patrick's Day -
Yeah, the white stuff made a call to Little Rhody. It's been scarce this year, not that I mind all that much. An inch or so and it looks all pretty and is mostly gone by the afternoon. No shoveling involved. I did sweep off the deck, knowing that if I didn't that it wouldn't all melt but would then freeze at night. Giving me the chance to practice falling the next morning on my way out the door.
All that being said, this was written on Day Two of the great Stay At Home And Pretend You're Working adventure. Great fun was had by all, didn't even shave and took a shower just before lunch. Didn't really put on nice clothes either...
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When you consider that they are always wearing tuxedos, I kinda see their point. So I put on a pair of jeans after lunch.
Many places are discovering that their VPNs1 aren't really designed to handle the load they're experiencing now. F'rinstance, an acquaintance of mine who works for the Federal government tells me that their system is designed to handle 10,000 users. Guess what happens when you have 40,000 stay-at-homes all trying to use that network. Nah, it ain't pretty.
I find that my employer's VPN is fine first thing in the morning, and again around 1400. So why am I up early enough to know this? Well, it's the military thing, getting up at a certain time is an ingrained habit, even after twenty years of retirement. Weekends are a different thing though, I can easily sleep in until 0900-0930. (I long for the days when I could stay up until 0300, sleep until noon, then hit the ground running. That was a long, long time ago.)
Oh yes, the feline staff expects their victuals at a certain time as well. If I don't get up and feed them, they go harass Mama. We all know what happens next, don't we? (She doesn't mind on the weekends, but during the week The Missus Herself wants to sleep in a bit, like until 0800. If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. I may be stupid, but I'm not that stupid.)
As to other activities I amuse myself with during this period of forced absence from the place of gainful employment. Let's just say that my books, my drums, my music, and my video games are all close friends. Netflix and Amazon Prime fill whatever gaps are left. I would go out walking but then I might encounter the GenPop. That ain't all that healthy at the moment. (It ain't the zombie apocalypse, not yet. That might happen come November.)
I do find the odd moment, here and there, to blog as well. Gotta keep y'all happy don't I?
Therefore the day goes by and...
Hhmm, I'm thirsty, I hear a stout calling.
Gotta run, see you mañana.
Oh yeah, I am working on the book. Writing about fire fights, and shot clanging off steel is all well and good, but folks these days expect plot and character development (so I've been told). Otherwise it's just tank porn.
Not that there's anything wrong with that...
Ciao!
1 Virtual Private Network
St. Patrick's Day was celebrated with more of a whimper than a roar this year. But we're around to celebrate - and where does it say that you can't wear sweats around the house all day? We have a snow day, barricaded inside along with a good piece of the world, and there isn't anyone to impress.
ReplyDeleteA fellow in time just had to go 'round the pub last night (Aidan's, my favorite place) and take a photo of the place. Stools on the bar, lights down low, no sign of human activity. It was a sad sight, I felt very Irish when I saw that. Wanted to get drunk and get in a punch-up then cry about it. Sad times we live in, but this too shall pass.
DeleteLike you say, we're still on the ground, not under it.
I paid homage to my Irish ancestors with corn beef and potatoes. Stayed true to my Texas home by smoking the corn beef over mesquite and making potato salad. I did indulge myself with a Guinness (or two). Smoking a brisket is hard, hot work. I needed it....for stregth!
DeleteGotta have strength to cook that brisket!
DeleteIt is known.
The newly freed are used to network access behind the firewall, so they leave their connections on all day. Those of us that are long-term free range, log in and out a few times a day, so others can have their chance. It was tough to find a spot yesterday.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to spoiling the mood again today. A little snarky political commentary to spark actual thoughts are more fun than I figured. It's the confusion, then the dawning understanding that is so..... precious to behold.
Enjoy your confinement to quarters while you can.
Our network boots you off after a certain period of inactivity, so unless you want to play clicky-clicky all day, others will get in. I just need to check my email periodically, if anything comes up, there's always my cell.
DeleteHeh, confined to quarters, I like it.
Confined to quarters always reminds me of this--
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rsZfcz3h1s
And I am always struck by the contrast--Two Canadians, one a classic pretty boy, the other took six rounds of friendly fire at Juno beach on June 6, recovered, and went on to fly these--
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylorcraft_Auster
Well, this does give me a chance to catch up on reading my, er, "technical" journals.
DeleteI've been working from home for quite a long time - but that's only when I'm not travelling. Of course, the latter has gotten a lot less frequent since I 'retired' - but have always had a dress code allowing for sweats and shorts and t-shirts, depending on the season, given that when I was seeing customers I was in a suit and tie. I have probably only worn the latter about four times in the last 14 months, as opposed to 4-5 times per week before that for many years. Dry cleaning bill is non existent now! One of the biggest things I had to come to grips with early on in my work at home career was to tell myself I wasn't really at home - that way I didn't look out the window, see the grass needed cutting, and spend time in my workday doing chores.
ReplyDeleteIf your book is about tanks, make sure to include AAR's from various units in your research - really get into the details of what our fathers/grandfathers endured. Like this one, for example - http://cgsc.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p4013coll8/id/3739
The only time I've worn a coat and tie to work was when I interviewed before I actually started working there. For engineers dressing up is a pair of khakis, a nice dress shirt, and (maybe) a suit coat. Very few times have I ever worn a tie, and that was just to freak people out. "Why are you wearing a tie? What's going on?"
DeleteThanks for that link, I've visited there before, didn't know about the AARs specifically, but very nice.
I'm quite surprised we haven't been sent home to do teleworking, or at least act like we're teleworking. Here in San Diego the largest cluster of covet is in a group of sailors. At least the traffic has been light! If I do get sent home, I might have some time to contribute.
ReplyDeleteThat is kind of odd, some folks in DC I know (DoN) are already working from home.
DeleteWhenever 'stay-at-home, work-at-home' privileges are issued, it is usually those with power (as in political/social power) who get it first, and it filters down to the little people depending on how low one is on the chain-of-stupidity or one's distance from the-source-of-stupidity.
DeleteAt least, that's how it tends to work in the business-business world. Since the Pentagon seems to be full of the military version of the MBA (hisssssss, hatessss the masters/mistressessssss of businesssss administrationsssss, hatesss with a passsionnnsssssss....) it would make sense that the Pentagon, being the military source-of-stupidity, would tele-work first, then it would filter out and about and finally reach some poor slob at Diego Garcia about a year from now.
It ain't the Pentagon working from home that I was talking about. There are lots of desk jobs these days which can be done remotely. Yay, Internet!
DeleteNot sure why the disparity in going home/staying at work. I think the goal is supposed to be keeping people away from others, but the command seems more interested in having as many people work as possible. Every exercise has been cancelled so it's not like there's a lot of work to do anyway. I work for SWOs so I guess that's why. Worldwide pandemic, cancel everything, and a SWO will find a way to work weekends.
DeleteHeh, SWOs.
DeleteCovid-19, not covet.
ReplyDeleteBrave new world, spell check isn't in the loop yet. 😉
DeleteSweats and tees in cooler months, gym shorts when warms ...soon I Hope.
ReplyDeleteDenim and flannel, when I finally get suited up, or shorts and tees.
Then there are church clothes.
Maybe I should turn this into a blog post of my own?
Might do that when we get back from the Northstate.
The tax preparer has ours finished.
Ah yes, thanks for reminding me, I can do my taxes whilst idled by the pandemic. Death and taxes wait for no man!
DeleteEveryone gets an automatic 90 day extension on paying Uncle Sam.
DeleteMight help, might hurt.
If you need it, go for it.
DeleteI'm good, I can pay my way. (It ain't taxes I object to, it's the way they spend my money I have problems with!)
Hey AFSarge;
ReplyDeleteAs an Army guy, I like the header and the video clip. I still am working like normal, kinda hard for my employer to drop a Boeing in my yard, the neighbors will get grumpy and it will cause traffic issues. That being said, if I ain't working I'm planning on chilling at home in sweats, and doing some minor stuff that needs to be done.
Tanks have always been my second love...
DeleteAfter machines that fly of course.
I toyed with the idea of changing my allegiance from the Navy Reserve, to an Army Reserve tank unit. But there weren't ever any openings because they loved their big clanking machines.
DeleteNotice the box next to the right rear tail light? That's the 'hardwired phone so the little people can talk directly to the tank commander' device.
DeleteUS forces first introduced it in the Pacific during WWII, at about the same time it self-appeared in the European campaign, just in time for use in Italy and at Normandy. Then it disappeared and reappeared in Korea, to disappear and reappear during Vietnam. I think it disappeared again after the drawdown of Vietnam only to reappear and pretty much stay appeared around Gulf War times. Angus McThag should know, being a DAT instead of a crunchy.
Pretty neat idea. No need to search for unit frequencies, get caught in a chatter-war with all the other users. Just sidle, crawl, fly, burrow, leap, run or walk up to the rear of the tank, lift the handset, and politely ask the track commander to put a 120mm silver bullet (fin-stabilized depleted uranium round) through the sniper at 2 o'clock, 4th floor, 2nd windo (boooooooom) yeah, that did it. Now, there's a goat loaded with explosives about 2k at your 11:30, just below the ridgelin (booooooom (ka-frigin-boooooom)) yeah, that did it, thanks.
And, of course, notice all the battle-rattle and stuffs and junks that collect on a non-parade ground ready vehicle that is actually in the field.
John - Trying to separate a tanker from his machine? Good luck with that. 😉
DeleteBeans - Amazing how the simple things are forgotten.
DeleteI was released from active duty in 1963 as a BM3. fifteen years later, needing some khaki trousers I joined a National Guard Field Artillery unit (C-2 103FA 155mm [TOWED]). I made my way up to SSG Chief of Section. After one RE-FORGER at the age of 42 I realized I probably would not live to enjoy a pension playing in the woods. I arranged a transfer to the Navy Reserve as a GMG1. I talked my way onto a FF (USS VALDEZ FF-1096) which sported a 5"54-Mk42 automatic gun mount firing 34 rounds a minute. I don't think we field a tank yet with that capability. That was a very happy 7 years. Old Guns.
DeleteNavy to Army to Navy. Knowing you I'll bet you root for the Navy on Army-Navy game day, but still feel a little sad if Army loses.
DeleteI know I do.
(Don McCollor)...Also in WW2 France, the 9th AAF would keep flights of P47s over tank columns from dawn to dusk, and put pilots in one of the lead tanks with a radio (on the fighter frequencies) to talk to them in pilot language...
DeletePilot language is important. Ask juvat!
DeleteOld Guns -- those 1052's were tits machines.
DeleteNice looking ships.
DeleteI was wondering specifically who "The Empty Throne" was referring to, thinking it might be Edward the Confessor (see? Haley's Comet really did portend bad things happening to people, unless it's just a coincidence. Though seeing the giant Hand of God did portend good things (wait... what Giant Hand of God? Well, the Bayeaux Tapestry (really an embroidery) shows a Giant Hand of God (GHoG) telling William the Bastard to go become William the Conqueror, so since the BT showed Haley's Comet, Edward becoming Dead Ed, Harold God(s)winson taking the throne, and then losing it to The Bastard, who gets crowned at the end of the BT, all of which happened, well, the GHoG must be true, right?)
ReplyDeleteOr maybe the period after the White Ship disaster (which... occurred at Barfleur, ancestral home of one of my ancestors) and after Henry I died, during the reigns of King Stephan or Queen Matilda/Empress Maud(e) when nobody really knew who was ruling.
But... no. It's (The Empty Throne) is about Aethelred's passing (the second one, not the first one who was monkish and called back to rule to stand up to Vikings.) Aethelred, who basically sold himself to the King of Wessex, then dying without a male heir, in 911. Hmmm.
The year 911. Important because that's when Rollo (also Rolf the Granger, because he was tall and his legs could drag the ground when riding short Norwegian horses (thus granger = walker because his feet, well, he could pedal-car his horse) and his merry men (no, not the ones from Nottingham, different bunch of merry men) went to Paris on a rowed trip (see what I did there?) and made Charles the Simple (or Stupid, if you are Norman) give up the land that became... Normandy (land of the Northmen) and made Rollo a duke (of Normandy, simple, isn't it) and thus a... survey says... vassal of the French King. 155 years later and the Norman duke at the time is tired of dealing with Frog Princes and Kings and decides to head west because he saw a GHOG telling him to do so.
History is fun, isn't it?
History is freaking awesome!
DeleteNot to put too fine a point on it. 😁
I was watching the tank gun video and wondered how hard it would be to remix it have the tank guns fire in time with Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. Way beyond my skill set, but I found a video of US Army howitzers and the music track is the 1812 Overture.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP0UGKohDa0
The beer looks interesting and my wife and I have nicknamed that sort of beer as a dessert beer.
Add "and" after "remix it" I was also supposed to mention that the howitzers have tracks even though they aren't tanks.
DeleteJohn #1 - Awesome video, loves me some artillery!
DeleteIt is very much a dessert beer. It's very tasty!
John #2 - Not all tracked vehicles are tanks, or more properly, Armored Fighting Vehicles. Oder Panzerkampfwagen, natürlich.
DeleteI'll bet you knew that I knew that... 😁
How come Beans wasn't my History teacher when I was in High School?? He would make an awesome History teacher!!
ReplyDeleteYes, Snow here yesterday morn, which melted PDQ. Hates snow this time of year!! You are not the only one who is grounded in quarters--or that is my guess based on the total lack of traffic during rush hour compared to the norm. Amazing who all stays home when the kids are not in school, and the State workers have been grounded to their homes.
And yes, internet connectivity is a tad bit slow at certain times a day, although few are up at 6AM when I cache my folks for the day, then if needed, I can work off-line. The miracle of technology. Yea!! Personally, I would be very happy to be told to stay home for a bit. I think it really would be smart, however, it's tough to do dressing changes without actually being there. Will have to put some bright engineer type to work on that!!
Work clothes are denim pants--not often in a blue color--with polo top and fleece sweater and sneakers. After work is jeans and t-shirt. With slippers--LL Bean Wicked good slipper boots!! Until it gets warmer, then it will be moccasins.
Enjoy the off time, and if ya need help with plot ideas, I am sure there are a bunch here who could help out. :)
I am rather counting on that last bit Suz!
DeleteThanks, Suz. History has always been my passion, just never got to play with it in real life for money, more's the shame.
DeleteI was blessed with 3 good history teachers.
One said he was going to piss off every white person in the room during his class. But he'd also piss off every Asian, Amerind, Hispanic and black. He did. Repeatedly. And he was brutal about talking about the failures of the losing side.
One was this mild-mannered guy, who looked past just the dates and names to make sure we understood the context of the events. The class period on the Boston Massacre was enlightening. He didn't cut any corners in putting a lot of the blame straight on the shoulders of the... colonists. "So, you have a bunch of farmers and failed tradesmen standing in the King's uniform 2,000 miles away from home, told to stay and guard, but not overtly provoke the colonists. Then you get a bunch of rabble rousing colonists throwing all sorts of easily found projectiles. And the taunting, and shouting and then suddenly a gunshot, and there you go. Okay, class, due next week, 500 or more words on the similarities and differences between the Boston Massacre and the Kent State Massacre." My analysis? Same damned thing. Some outside agitating force roused the rabble, an unknown person fires a shot, and the armed people respond in kind. Armed people being made up of farmers, tradesmen, all drawn from far-away corners and put in the uniform of the Authority at the time.
Still the question at both incidents is who fired? My feeling, and backed up by some circumstantial evidence, was that it was some outside group at both incidents that stirred up the crowds, and also fired a shot in order to provoke a bad response from the armed forces.
The third history teacher? My 8th grade math teacher. Who was a photographer in the US Army who was tasked with taking photos of concentration, work and prison camps in Europe. His hatred of socialism and communism and his constant talking about those styles of government vs others, like ours, really was a major eye opening experience in comparative political systems (which was a class, in High School, required by the State of Florida. That teacher was the wimpiest and most useless example of a warehoused teacher that I have ever seen. I mean, a class that is supposed to show us the differences between socialism/communism and capitalism should have been a root-snorting fun time of have-nots vs haves, and a death count comparison between them and us. But, noooooo. I don't think three out of four classes were actually full of all the people who were supposed to be there.)
Sounds like you had some good history teachers. Worth their weight in gold those are.
DeleteDamned too few of 'em.
As always, I'm loving working at home on the range and having no trouble connecting to the ARN. Shorts and shirtsleeves on the 17th!
ReplyDeleteIt was beautiful here yesterday, today's a drizzly mess. But rain is good, without it we all die!
Delete