Well It WAS Unseasonably Warm...

...until today.

The day after my boiler decided that it no longer wanted to heat my home and no longer wanted to provide me warm water in which to shower. Yesterday it was in the mid-50's (warm for these parts at this time of year), today I believe it may have reached the low 30's. So yes, it's cold. Last night the house felt pretty chilly. This morning it just felt downright cold.

I'm not saying that we're living at Ice Station Zebra, none of these guys were present when I woke up...

...but I swear I saw Patrick McGoohan slip around the corner of the house. Apparently in somewhat of a hurry.

So a new boiler for Chez Sarge is gonna set us back about 9000 simoleans, 9K, 9 grand, all in authentic US of A currency. Small bills, unmarked. (Actually no, they will take a check.)

Unfortunately they (and you know who I mean) will be unable to install the new boiler until Friday. So I will be another day (and night) sans the mansions organic heating capability and sans hot water. But as the Missus is Korean and I did live in Korea, where the winters can freeze the you-know-whats on a brass monkey, we are prepared.

We have this awesome ceramic Korean heating device which warms a room nicely yet does not feel hot to the touch. That will keep the designated shelter nice and warm. And we still have the capability of boiling water with which to clean ourselves.

So while we'll be roughing it for a couple of days, we're prepared. Although I did almost not shave this morning. Then realized that just because we were lacking some amenities, there was no need to go all uncivilized. So I boiled water, shaved and went forth to work. Clean shaven and civilized. Mustn't let the troops see me all disheveled.

Before I forget, I have a reading assignment for you. I've been following this chap for a while and his writing is simply top drawer. Today's post is particularly inspiring. Packed with action, gun play, guerrillas and Marines. So go thee thither and enjoy. This is an Old AF Sarge "Must Read".

Run along, we're done here. (Now where is my batman, I need another shave.)

Moving Right Along

Hermie and Rudolph

Let me be up front about this, I am most definitely a sentimental old fool. I'll make no apologies for this because it's part of what makes me tick. I like to think it's my French blood that makes me this way, but who knows? And really, who cares? I am what I am (not to steal Popeye's thunder but I will).

So anyhoo, after all of the bitching and moaning I've done over the last two posts, I felt it was time to move along, get back to doing what I do best. Which is to be funny and goofy. And perhaps overly sentimental. (Hhhmm, I think I mentioned that already.)

So last night I watched Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer for the umpteenth time. Before going further, I did a little research (as I went to Wikipedia, that's very damn little research). Here is what I found:

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a Christmas television special produced in stop motion animation by Rankin/Bass. It first aired Sunday, December 6, 1964, on the NBC television network in the United States, and was sponsored by General Electric under the umbrella title of The General Electric Fantasy Hour. The copyright year in Roman numerals was mismarked as MCLXIV (1164) instead of the correct MCMLXIV.

The special was based on the Johnny Marks song by the same name; the song taken from the 1939 poem of the same title written by Marks' brother-in-law, Robert L. May. Since 1972, the special has aired on CBS affiliate television stations, with the network unveiling a high-definition, digitally remastered version of the program in 2005. As with A Charlie Brown Christmas and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Rudolph no longer airs just once annually, but several times during the Christmas and holiday season. It has been telecast every year since 1964, making it the longest running Christmas TV special in history, and one of only four 1960s Christmas specials still being telecast—the others being A Charlie Brown Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Frosty the Snowman.

So that's the "tale of the tape", so to speak. Now I have been watching this since the very first time it aired in 1964. I have missed a few years while I was on active duty, primarily while stationed in Asia, but for the most part I try to catch it every year. In the Wikipedia article there is mention of a great many changes made to the show over the years. Most of the later ones seem to be directed towards making more room for commercials.

<WARNING - RANT> If any of you TV commercial types out there read this blog, here's a clue for you. Most TV commercials annoy the heck out of me. There are a number of products I absolutely refuse to try primarily because of some TV commercial that set me off. Just in case any of you TV ad-types are paying attention, which I doubt. <END RANT>

So for me the Christmas season is "officially" underway with the airing of this holiday classic. I've also decorated the old blog mast head with some festive stuff. (Kind of a lame effort but better than naught.) Now I'm looking forward to A Christmas Carol, I like seeing this closer to Christmas Day rather than in early December, but that's just me. As to my favorite version? It's this one:

YMMV. I know some who prefer the 50's version. I really don't much care for anything from the 50's. I was born in the 50's and spent my pre-school years therein, not sure why I don't care for 50's era stuff, but there it is. This is MY favorite version.

May have something to do with my being a big George C. Scott fan. Who knows?

I'll be back...

Until then, a little Christmas cheer to tide you over. This one's for Buck's Dad and the boys of the Mighty Eighth.

Now What?

I read some rather "disturbing crap" over at This Ain't Hell which I just had to share, and discuss. Or perhaps "share my disgust" would be more appropriate. I ranted quite freely over there. Go read and come back here (feeling free to vomit if you're Air Force, laugh if you're not).

Political correctness, sensitivity, let's all hold freakin' hands and sing Kumbaya. After Costas' idiocy and this, it's shaping up to be a crappy week.

OMG. What's next?

Public Service Announcement

For those of you who perhaps didn't know, here is what a pompous, self-righteous, self-important, ill-informed a$$hole looks like.

If you have the stomach for it, you can read more here.

Entertainment types generally pi$$ me off. Why anyone would think that the opinion of some idiot on television has any more weight than anyone else's is beyond me.

Of course, it does go a long way towards explaining how we got our current government.

Disgruntled in New England sends...

December

December is upon us. Like they say, "Tis the Season". But the season for what? I humbly ask.

Inundated with car commercials and other products hijacking the month of December, I am OUTRAGED. Outraged I tell you. Here is what the season is for me:

I keep Christmas in my heart the year 'round, but especially now. It's not about sales, it's not about conspicuous consumption. It's about the Birth of the Messiah, the coming of Our Lord, Jesus the Christ. Just wanted you all to know where this Old Air Force Sergeant stands. I stand with that wee bairn in the manger and the Man he grew to be. I stand with Jesus.

May your lives be blessed by God, may you know love and happiness!

History, Departing

Tomorrow she sails into history.

USS Enterprise is being decommissioned on 1 December 2012, you can read more over at Steeljaw Scribe.

I don't really have the heart to comment on this other than to say that The Nuke served on her with 1st Deck Division as a midshipman, Big Time was there for her last two deployments - flying off her flight deck into the wilds of Afghanistan.

If any ship can be family, it's this one.

Farewell Big "E"...

Day 26

So it's been, let me see now, Saturday would have been 21, so today is...

Ah yes. It's been 26 days since I've had a cigarette. Twenty-six long days of being nearly-out-of-my-head-insane-at-times-from-nicotine withdrawal. TWENTY SIX TIMES HAS THE EARTH ROTATED... (Okay, okay, I'm good. Just get a little testy at times.)

I have cooked off a couple of times. What I mean is that no big explosions have occurred, just a couple of minor *POPS*, like random shots heard in the dark. Not so close as to be looking for cover, but close enough that you want to stay alert.

One night I was in the kitchen, fumbled something, grumbled a bit. Might have mentioned fudge, or something similar mind you. The Missus sang out from the other room "What is all that mumbling and complaining?"

Pausing, ever so briefly, "Ah yes dear, SEEMS I QUIT SMOKING AND AM NOT COPING WITH IT VERY WELL! I GUESS YOU DID NOT GET THAT MEMO!!!!!"

Crap, I'm doomed. Dead man walking. Surprisingly enough, she let me off with a warning. She used to smoke (a long, long time ago), she remembers.

But there have been days like this:

And visions of other motorists on the road suffering this fate:

And every so often, I have one of these days.

But as the Beatles sang, "It's getting better all the time..."

One day at a time. I AM feeling better. My children, siblings, nieces, nephews, friends and my wife and my Mom are all very pleased. I can do this. Dammit, I AM doing this.

Oh, one more thing. Tuna, if you're reading this, thanks. Thank You Sir! <Said while sitting rigidly at attention.>

You see, during my military career I was, early on, no angel. It was a Chief who got me to pull my head out of my you-know-where and propel me on to become a useful Non-Commissioned Officer.

I should have known that one day, it would be an Officer who would verbally slap some sense into me. Kinda surprised me though that it was a Naval Officer, a retired one at that. Again Tuna, thanks.