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Praetorium Honoris

Sunday, December 31, 2023

And That's a Wrap ...

OAFS Photo
Or perhaps it was the Postmaster General (Wilfred Brimley) from an old Seinfeld episode who was seen wandering about the West Wing on the evening of the 27th of December in the year of our Lord Two Thousand and Twenty Three.


At any rate, two things: Yes, I have grown a mustache (at the behest of grandson Roberto) and yes, I was afforded the opportunity to visit the Eisenhower Executive Office Building and the West Wing of the White House. Pretty nice Christmas gift from The Nuke to her humble parental units.

As to the first thing ...

What is that on your face, Grandpa?
That's Finnegan, by the way.
OAFS Photo
Back at Thanksgiving, The Nuke's oldest (Roberto) had learned a new word, "moustache." In jest I asked him if he'd like to see Grandpa with one of those things, to which he answered, "Yes."

So I began that project in early December, arriving in Maryland on the 22nd of December with that growth issuing from below my nose. At first Roberto found it somewhat off-putting, but gradually he learned to like it. I asked him if I should shave it off, he said, "No, I like it."

So for the time being, I shall be sporting that Bismarck/Wilford Brimley thing on my face. For the record, Finnegan, The Nuke's youngest, is still not used to it. He pulled away from me, closed his eyes and shook his head "No" when he first encountered it. Now he seems to like pulling on it, though his facial expressions do express some misgivings about his grandfather looking like he belongs in an 1860s daguerreotype.

Speaking of Otto von Bismarck ...

(Source)
Who wore it better? (I like my hat better ...)

As to the second thing, as The Nuke's new job puts her in the EEOB, she was able to show us the building where she works and the building she occasionally gets to perform duties in, yup, the West Wing.

Okay, I'm kinda smiling in this photo.
OAFS Photo

Apparently, I've just been asked to field a really dumb question from the White House Press Corps.
OAFS Photo

Wow, I'm actually smiling.
(Though my hair, or what's left of it, is a fright - 'twas a wet windy night in DC on the 27th.)
OAFS Photo
It was interesting to walk in a place where history is made every day. Got to see the Oval  Office and the Cabinet meeting room. (On an earlier tour Roberto was told by his Mom that he couldn't go inside the office. So he promptly slid one foot under the barrier and grinned. That's my boy.)

Seeing the old offices of the Secretary of War in the EEOB was also interesting. The EEOB is a pretty cool example of French Second Empire architecture, though y'all know I prefer the First Empire ...

DC was very quiet on the 27th, the wind and rain kept most of the whack jobs off the streets, for which I was grateful.

Walking the places where history was made, it's my thing.


Well, 2023 is nearly in the books. Speaking personally it was a mix of mostly good things and a cuppla "rather wish that had gone differently" things, but all in all it was a good year. After all, Finnegan came into the world in January and he is a charmer, he's also, as we say in New England, wicked smaaht¹. No doubt we'll be heading down Maryland-way again for his first birthday.

The staff in the Situation Room.
(Actually The Nuke's living room - 
L to R, Kodi, Finnegan, Roberto, and Bear.)
OAFS Photo
Best wishes for a Happy, Prosperous, and Peaceful New Year.

And here's a little something from our own John Blackshoe ...

A message to all:

A U.S. Navy recruiting poster used circa 1966-1974
(Source)
Amen.




¹ Phonetic spelling, obviously.

36 comments:

  1. I can see why you're smiling in the that last White House photo.......you're OUTSIDE the fence....... :) Yah, the 'stache adds character Sarge and where did the year go? A Happy and Healthy New Year to you and yours Sarge and to all who visit here!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Those pictures where you're not smiling look photoshopped.. :-)
      Humor aside, those are some great photos! I hope the rest of 2023 goes well for you!

      Delete
    2. Nylon12 - I remember those who graced the mansion back in the day, not those who have haunted the place lately.

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    3. I don't smile much, too busy laughing.

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  2. Sarge, Glad you had a good time and got to spend it with your kids and Grandkids. Nothing quite like that in life for rejuvination. As to visiting the White House, hopefully you brought a Crucifix to ward off demons and other bad actors that might have tried to get close. Just sayin’.
    Happy last day of ‘23, may ‘24 be better.
    juvat

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    Replies
    1. The spirits of those who made America great are very present. In force I might add.

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  3. We now share two items, Sarge: The inability to "smile for a picture" and a moustache. I envy your lack of smile. Need to up my game.

    My moustache, which I have had for most of life, was set in stone about 6 years ago (the last time I shaved it off) when The Ravishing Mrs. TB looked at me and said "You do not look right without it".

    Glad you had a grand time and got to see (and enjoy) family. I have been by the Eisenhower Building, but never in it.

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  4. Never trust a clean shaven man, he's hiding something. Looks good on you, sir. My wife of almost 34 years has never seen me sans beard and moustache (Joe has a long moustache, répéter, Joe has a long moustache). Nor does she want to.

    Fake grins in photos. I loathe that habit. Almost always too wide, too toothy, and fake as a .....lookers vocalizations. The smiles in that one photo look natural.

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    Replies
    1. I either think of something which makes me smile or I don't bother. Hate the toothy fake smiles.

      Delete
    2. Let's see if this works. Me, myself, in all my bearded glory. I did do a slight trim two days later. https://photos.app.goo.gl/GBbR2MEkfG4T9BuE8

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    3. You look rather like one of the old Viking kings.

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  5. Oh, and to all who read these words, May you be blessed with heath, safety, prosperity, and success & satisfaction in all your works this coming year.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I had the beard and 'stash when I met SWMBO and when I suggest removing either, there's a very firm "NO!" So it's not going away. As short as I can keep it, while still being a beard.

    Blessings, and a Happy New Year to each of you, and yours!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Missus Herself is NOT a fan of the mustache.

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    2. And yet you continue to wear one. Brave man. Walking dead man, but brave man.

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  7. A great chance to visit historic sites with family. It doesn't get any better than that, except time with family regardless of location.
    As the poster says "Peace on Earth" all y'all!
    John Blackshoe

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Seeing where history is made...

      Doing so with family...

      Priceless.

      Delete
  8. Well, you've got his look down. Maybe you could get his endorsements for oatmeal and catheters! Happy New Year to you and Song

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Heh. I assume you mean Brimley as I don't recall Bismarck's views on oatmeal and catheters. 😉

      Happy New Year to you and yours!

      Delete
  9. There's only one reason I wear a half-Selleck (even with the edges of the mouth) and that's to stop ingrown hairs above the lips and below the nose. Else I shave to keep a good gas-fit for The MASK of DOOOOOM (CPAP variety, wish I had one growing up, along with a nebulizer.)

    As to top of head, why, yes, it is sparse and because my side of the bed is right under the AC vent I tend to wear a knitted hat even during the summer. Brrrr.

    The Missus looks very beautiful in those photos. She seems to have an inner shine to her. Good job on her letting you catch her.

    And Bismark for the stache. But not the hat. Looks ridiculous. Silly man, should have worn the helmet instead, then he would have beat you on both accounts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do have the helmet. (Enlisted version, of course. )

      Delete
  10. How very, very good!
    ~BarbaCat

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  11. I started a long winded comment that developed into a rambling mess, kinda like my mustavhe.
    I’ve been growing it most of the time since 1970.
    Even when I am smiling, which is often, it’s difficult to tell.

    When I visited DC, Ike was President, we got to tour the White House. I would like to visit DC again, but there are a lot of other places I have yet to see.

    Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  12. You both look happy!!
    Have a very Happy New Year!

    Suz

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  13. I like your moustache. Sort of a Fighter Command moustache!

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    Replies
    1. As it gets older, and fuller, it will attain the proper disreputable RAF Fighter Command look!

      Delete

Just be polite... that's all I ask. (For Buck)
Can't be nice, go somewhere else...

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