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There is much in the world to get bent out of shape over. I don't know how long it's been since I watched a news broadcast from any of the major networks. Yup, that includes Fox. I don't trust any of them.
Why?
They're there to make money, that's the bottom line. We are not the customers, the advertisers are the customers. Get enough viewers, no matter how, then you can sell advertising time. Sensationalize the news, more people watch.
Bread and circuses, folks, that's all we get these days.
I don't know about you, but I'm tired of this shite.
In other news, the story I had in mind to take place during the samurai period in Japan isn't going to happen any time soon. Sorry, TB. I've just got too much on my plate right now to give it the attention it deserves. Gotta finish my WWII epic first, dontcha know?
I can tell that it's been a while since I posted regularly, it is now, officially, irksome to do so. Might be all that freedom I had for a month.
Did I miss posting regularly?
Yes, a little.
Might the blog eventually just fade away?
Yes, without a doubt. Someday I will shuffle off this mortal coil and will, by definition, become an ex-blogger. Hopefully that day won't happen real soon, but ya never know.
So after posting my semi-anti-travel rant yesterday, a dear friend of mine posted some pictures she took of her trip to Niagara Falls, the USA side. I did mention that I'd like to see that someday. After looking at her pictures, I would really like to visit.
Of course, I do have a thing for large bodies of water.
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Once that's done though, it's probably back in the car and head home. Perhaps a stop at the Saratoga battlefield could be worked in, somehow. I mean, it's on the way, innit?
But knowing how The Missus Herself feels about battlefields, I don't know. Truth be told, she did tolerate Antietam and Gettysburg rather well. Of course, we did have the grandkids along.
That always helps.
Anyhoo.
Be back tomorrow.
With something.
Sigh ...
It's almost like a job now.
Niagara Falls does look intriguing, this coming from someone who grew up within spitting distance of Lake Superior, talk about COLD swimming there even in August. Watching network news? Nope, nope, nope.....local news is bad enough with all the urban violence.
ReplyDeleteIt looks impressive, I may pull the trigger on that trip. No earlier than next year though. I'm about all traveled out now!
DeleteThat urban violence? News out of Minneapolis is a shooting at a church/attached school, mass casualties, shooter down, parents frantic........(sigh)
DeleteI'll give you two guesses as to who is behind it.
DeleteIt had changed it's name from one sex to another so...
DeleteBingo. The mentally ill doing mentally ill things.
DeleteAnd what are the odds that it was on the FBI's radar? I put the odds as 'very high.'
DeleteProblem with radar is that you actually have to look at it to see what it's trying to tell you.
DeleteRemember the two people who were going to shoot up the 'Draw Mohammad' art show in Texas? After some Texan waxed them outside the venue, two people in a car drove away. They were the FBI handlers who were following the two shooters. The FBI was going to do nothing until after the shootings.
DeleteDon't miss the statue tribute to Benedict Arnold at Saratoga, Sarge.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, the "Boot Monument."
DeleteThough Arnold is remembered mostly for his betrayal of the Revolution, he served brilliantly at Saratoga. One of the reasons I despise Congress so much goes all the back to that time. Congress screwed him, there can be no doubt of that. Just like they're screwing us now.
Yet people see Gen. Milley as a 'hero' and Arnold as a traitor. Sigh.
DeleteYes, Arnold was a traitor but those were weird times.
Milley, on the other hand, is most definitely a traitor and yet he's still not punished, yet.
Milley is definitely scum and should be recalled to active duty and court-martialed.
DeleteArnold was treated appallingly by Congress.
DeleteMilley was treated lavishly by Congress. Hmmm... quite a difference.
DeleteYes, he was.
DeleteSarge. No need to run a marathon on your first day back. Baby steps are fine. Slow and steady wins the race!
ReplyDeleteThat’s enough old sayings for today! Have a good one.
juvat
Very wise, juvat. The task before me seems daunting with so many other interests I am pursuing. But I shall endeavor to persevere. (With a tip of the hat to Lone Watie.)
DeleteWe drove to Niagra Falls from Kentucky, and it wasn't a bad drive. We spent a few days there, on the American side because I wasn't allowed into Canada, being a unvaxxed heathen. In hindsight, that was prophetic as I do not wish to give Canada one thin American dime. We did the Maid of the Mist boat trip and stayed at a little bed and breakfast that was within walking distance to the falls. We watched the fireworks a few times and made a side trip to the Erie Canal and to the surrounding forts. You'll enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI believe that to be true, probably next year.
DeleteRemember, if you tour the Erie Canal, you need to get a mule named Sal.
DeleteThat one is not on the list.
DeleteNever seen Niagara Falls from the ground. We did see it from a single engine airplane on a clear day. We circled it several times from about 500' AGL while violating Canadian airspace. I would like to see it from the ground but would skip the boat ride.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm not sure about the boat ride.
DeleteAh Sarge....I understand. Editing and all, first things first (Deep "SIGH....").
ReplyDeleteThe amount of informational intake I have compared to 10 years ago would shock the Me of that time. Everyone seems angry and the news is filled with rage and agenda, with maybe a sprinkling of facts dusted in. And not having the daily intake of "information" has not seemed to impact my life at all. After all, 99% of it is about events that I can never impact anyway.
It seems that most of the "news" is designed to rile people up. Joseph Goebbels would be so proud.
DeleteCompletely off subject, but apparently there is a movie coming out this year about a WW II German Tiger crew: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnBtoyqcgek
DeleteYes, yes! Can't wait to see it, I am annoyed at the TC's cap, looks very Russian. Never saw a German smash his cap down like that. Not that it's impossible but come on, don't screw things up like that.
DeleteI posted a pick from the foreign side of the falls last year: https://oldafsarge.blogspot.com/2024/08/working-traveling-and-other-such-musings.html and can send others if requested. We also went up in one of the giant modern ferris wheels and saw the entire landscape.
ReplyDeleteGiant Ferris wheel? Um, yeah, no thanks. As to which side, not sure if I want to visit Canada these days.
DeleteYou can cross over, see it, and head right back. It was no big deal.
DeleteStill ...
DeleteFrom what I've seen (on the interwebs, of course) East Canada may not be the most friendly place for 'Muricans these days.
DeleteA good point, but it depends on where exactly you're at.
DeleteT'ain't a "job", Sarge; but it IS work! Work that you have a gift for, and work that many people already appreciate; and that !any more will come to appreciate.
ReplyDeleteI'll not presume to speak for anyone else, but my offer of assistance still stands. I do have a new endeavor that is occupying some of my time, but I'd be happy to help when and as I can.
Boat Guy
Thanks, BG!
DeleteStanding and staring, that’s what guys do at large waterfalls. We’ve done it at Yellowstone and Multnomah and find the experience really memorable.
ReplyDeleteYou’ve contributed enough on this blog over the years Sarge. It’s a job well done. Please don’t ruin your retirement. Don’t worry about us please.
Fuzz, D4
I will take things as they come.
DeleteStanding and staring, I'm pretty good at that.
To see it from the ground and watch the flow and listen to the roar from snow ncredible experience. Can highly recommend the boat ride or go down to the overlook sight
ReplyDeleteI'm starting to get excited about Niagara Falls.
Delete'Tis a good thing I think.
Buy a stock 10/22 Ruger, upgrade and accessorize it with aftermarket parts.
ReplyDeleteGOAL: Make it half minute of angle accurate, light weight, high speed, low drag and look cool. If you do it right, you can get well over a grand into a $250 rifle. A fun new career, uh, I mean, hobby, forever chasing the dragon. THAT'LL give ya sumptin to do.
No really, it'll be fun. Ammo's cheap.
I have enough guns. Yes, I said that.
DeleteSarge, you're retired after half a century of being at the beck and call (i need to look up the origin of that phrase sometime) of others. That you seem to have enjoyed most of it is beside the point. Now you're free to be yourself and devote yourself to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteIf dealing with this blog feels like a burden, a подвиг (podvig - struggle. Usually, not always, in a religious context of spiritual struggle), then let it go. Or cut back to just a couple of days a week.
Relax, enjoy. Make your wife happy. Make yourself happy.
Sound wisdom, Joe.
DeleteOne year, soon-to-be Mrs. Andrew and I (and two jerkwad brothers, sigh) went to the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. The Townsend side (west side) which includes Cade's Cove. We were camping, so... Was very nice until the jerkwad brothers left the roof vent open and it rained inside the tent. Grrr.
ReplyDeleteAnyhoo, we did the trek in Cade's Cove to go see a supposedly stupendous waterfall. After a deathmarch, we finally got there. Some kind lady promptly said, "I could'a (urinated) more." Yeah, not so stupendous. Future-Mrs. Andrew said she could take us on a 15 minute drive and go see a much more spectacular waterfall.
Which we did, the next day, by taking the NW road around the top of the park and, et voila, there it was. You could easily park and watch beautiful water fall from great height and literally go whoosing by right next to you. Absolutely beautiful.
Niagara Falls looks very nice. Especially if you go off-season and stay away from most of the tourist-trappy stuff.
Your last sentence is a key point in my plan.
DeleteSaratoga Battlefield is VERY NICE. Lots of easy walking, lots of benches, lots of plaques to read, and if you don't want, you don't have to hike all over. You can drive around most of it.
ReplyDeleteAnd if ya come to Saratoga, I would certainly like to take you and Mrs out to a meal...lunch, dinner, coffee, ice cream at Stewarts, whatever you both are in the mood for.
And if you go to the Battlefield, you are three quarters the way to Fort Ticonderoga...they are doing ALL SORTS of fun activities there in the Fall.
Also the General Philip Schuyler House is right on the edge of the Battlefield and is also a very nice tour as well.
Seriously, I would love to meet both of you in person if you ever got this way.
Suz
I'll keep that in mind, Suz. Thanks for the offer.
DeleteCrusty Old TV Tech here. Given where you is, and where Niagara Falls is, you will most likely take the Governor Thomas E. Dewey New York State Thruway (AKA I-90) through Central NY. My old stomping grounds in my USAF days, now the Airstrip Formerly Known as Griffiss AFB. Recommend a stop at Fort Stanwyx National Monument, in Rome, 15 minutes off the Thruway. It's a late 18th century fort, well at least a 1976 recreation of the original, complete with furnishings, and a neat historical reenactment show, if they're still doing it. And there's no finer lake in the US in Crusty's opinion than Lake George, north of Albany. It's like an alpine lake in the Adirondacks. A ride on the Minnehaha around the lake is very nice. And there's Fort William Henry in Lake George village. A bit pricey when last I was there, but I see vets now get in free...grrr, wish that was true 25 years ago when we took the kids!
ReplyDeleteSpent a long weekend on Lake George as a kid. My best memory? We made ice cream!
DeleteCrusty Old TV Tech here. I have that same memory! Except, it was in hot, humid NW Louisiana in July, and I was doing the cranking. Remember the rock salt, and licking the dasher? Wonderful times.
DeleteRemember it well, I also remember that it was a LOT of work!
DeleteCrusty Old TV Tech again. Forgot the Battle of Oriskany Monument down in Oriskany (well, duh!). Looks like they've got more battlefield markers and interpretive stuff there than last time I went 40 years ago. Named a USN ship after the battle, CVA-34.
ReplyDeleteI watched ex-USS Oriskany being sunk. There's a video on the Tube of You.
DeleteHad a Co-worker who served on the Oriskany, I think he was onboard for the fire.
DeleteDang!
DeleteDon't miss Fort Niagara if you go. Built by the French, militarily and historically insignificant, it's an impressive structure.
ReplyDeleteGood to know!
Delete