DocWard

Serious? Me?

This one kind of confuses me. It is a matter of record that John Wayne sought to get into Annapolis and failed. When WWII broke out, Wayne was 34 years old, with four kids and was exempted from the draft. He would have also needed a medical waiver to enlist, due to a shoulder injury. My understanding is those were somewhat uncommon until later in the war, and kept one out of combat arms units. Even then, the National Archives have his application to join the OSS. dated from 1943. Not to take anything away from Jimmy Stewart, who was only a year or so younger than Wayne. Other than being underweight, Stewart was physically able to be drafted into the military. After being rejected due to his weight, he sought to put on weight until he was accepted. Stewart also had two other advantages over Wayne, a commercial pilot's license and a college degree. Plenty served in combat. Plenty more served on the home front. To denigrate the latter is an insult to those who couldn't do the former, or had jobs and reasons for not.

I can think of few reasons as good to celebrate, and i agree!

I'm still trying to figure out on what basis I am supposed to be choosing. As an actor, Clint Eastwood. John Wayne played John Wayne better than anybody else could ever try. Doesn't mean I don't love his movies, but I think Clint gets the nod for better acting chops. Although, it must be noted John Wayne had good comedic timing and did plenty (not all) of his own stunts, even after surviving cancer. As a patriotic American, I think I have to call a tie. Clint Eastwood served, after being drafted, but John Wayne was without a doubt a patriotic American who did what he could for American morale. As the person I would most like to sit down and share a beer with, I think I would have to give a very slight edge to John Wayne, as I've heard that he was quite funny and a practical joker. The person I would most like to have my six in any kind of an altercation... Either one.

Darn near choked on my drink when I read that! He means it!!!

I'm thinking I'm as important as said phone yap person. We are living in a time when people feel entitled, regardless of the comfort of those around them. Even on public transportation, there ought to be a notion of civility and respect for others that is sadly lacking. It is one thing for a person to be absorbed in texting for hours at a time, but to be forced to sit next to one half of a conversation, often loud and animated intrudes upon my personal space. Now add to that the possibility of safety issues involved as Joe Yapper doesn't hear and keeps me from hearing information imparted by the flight crew, and the issue becomes even more important. Think it won't happen? Tell that to the people who talk and drive, text and drive and what have you. They could not care a wit less about what is going on around them. That won't change on aircraft. Heck, even missing which gate my connecting aircraft is going to be located can cause me to miss a connection. I can see far more downsides than advantages.

Thank you, again. I feel fortunate to have so many here I consider friends, despite having met so few. Merry Christmas, everyone!

I was referring to your first post on the thread. I just wanted to be sure you knew that a wish of "Merry Christmas" is not something to avoid in my case. I agree with you wholeheartedly, and believe that whatever greetings and well-wishing is done, if it comes from the heart, that is all that matters. It didn't occur to acknowledge Bodhi Day here on December 8th, now I wish I had! Maybe next year. You have, and I am continually humbled. I thank you.

And Ditka still receives grief for not giving the ball to Walter.

I spotted the posting as I was looking for continuing education courses. I keep my eye out, but I am not "actively" looking. I have considered being more aggressive in searching for a job I would enjoy that pays better, but as of yet, I have not done so. I typically don't discuss the reasons I left the prosecutors office, particularly in a public forum, in large part because it is a rather long story that is somewhat involved and personal. I believe a couple of people here know most of the story, but it is something I'm still not comfortable putting out to the "community at large." Based on my own experiences, I believe I would find the job fulfilling, if it is the same position I interviewed for previously. It is also one in which I believe I can have empathy for those I would work with, again, based on my experiences. I did not enjoy the majority of my time in private practice. I enjoyed working as a Guardian ad Litem, and still work in that capacity on a limited basis, but that is not something one can build a practice around. I also appreciate the stability of a regular paycheck. Starting out a private practice, our credit took a hit because I was trying to juggle bills, not quite sure when I would receive payment I was owed for work. As for my faith, I am a Buddhist. So, while I have no "higher power" to look to, I have attempted to contemplate the matter as best I can. Oh, as an aside, my faith has come up a couple of times the past couple of years (About this time of year, in fact). I mention this so it is clear I am appreciative, even humbled, by those here whom I respect who choose to include me in their prayers, despite our different faiths, as they have in previous posts. And Del Rio Pete, if you see this, I do celebrate Christmas, for reasons I've explained (see that explanation here: http://www.sassnet.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=244972&page=2&hl=docward#entry3202224 at #44 if interested), so let me take the time to return your greeting! Quite a post! I need to be going!

Wait... You bought the farm? Oh, you mean literally... Whew!

My daughter was with her boyfriend up in Mentor, near Cleveland, for a funeral. Wasn't sure they were going to make it back. In other news, I might have an inch or two in my driveway to clear. Time to pull out the snow shovel. My snow blower croaked a couple of years back, and I haven't been able to afford a new one.

Thanks again for the well wishes and prayers. Since posting, I've realized that the hardest part may be waiting for a call to ask if I'm interested in an interview! If I don't hear from them at all I will be disappointed, to say the least.

Whenever someone at the shop tells me "I don't need another gun," I tell them there becomes a point, usually early on, when it is no longer about "need."

Pretty sure I'm on safe ground there, but thanks for adding to my list of worries! They know I like my job there. I enjoy what I do and the people. I think they would also understand me saying "it pays twice what I make here, when I am constantly juggling funds and barely keeping my debts at bay." Thanks for the advice and well wishes everyone. I read it and take it to heart. I will probably re-read it a few times at that.

If I am so lucky as to get an interview and an offer, I will have to take it. Financially, I can't not take it. I think I would enjoy the work, just not the commute, but that is only about 15-20 minutes more than I do now, so, not a big deal.

So, I stumbled across a job opening for an attorney, working for the State Medical Board. Lower end of the salary scale is about double what I make selling firearms, so, on a lark I applied. I had applied for a similar position with them not long after leaving the Prosecutor's Office, and was one of their final candidates, as in they took the time to call and let me know if the top candidate didn't pass the background check and drug test, they would be in touch. I can't really mention it at work, until I have an idea what is going on, because I don't want to panic management needlessly. I can't really discuss it at home, because Mrs. Doc has enough going on without me making her crazy. So, I thought I would at least mention things here. I am just a tad nervous thinking about it. Worried I won't get a call for an interview, and then worried I will... And possibly even get a job offer. Hoping I am up to the task if I do. At any rate, I felt the need to share a bit. Wish me luck.

We usually have them at 7.99 or so for a box of 100.

By all accounts I've heard, he was a good man, generous with his time, and didn't have the ego that he very well could have had, considering his accomplishments. Rest in honored peace, Sir.

Awesome idea!

I'm going to be rooting for the Buckeyes, but will be shocked if Alabama doesn't win it all. Having said that and acknowledged my bias, my understanding is that Ohio State made the cut above Penn State for multiple reasons. First and foremost among them was that Penn State had not one, but two losses, to Pitt and Michigan. It is hard to justify letting a team in with two losses over some others with only one, even if there was a head to head match up. Also, in looking at their win over Ohio State, Penn also had the advantage of a week off, while the Buckeyes had been in a brutal game against Wisconsin the Saturday prior. Did the committee get it right? I don't know, but the reasoning that I have heard makes sense to me.

Tacti-CAS?

And it has been an ongoing joke ever since! You can even get tee shirts. http://inkfidel.com/collections/vintage-style-military-veteran-t-shirts/products/military-t-shirts-rock-or-something?gclid=Cj0KEQjw9vi-BRCx1_GZgN7N4voBEiQAaACKVmO1xwIdPDqLMCNtktIMCHBnpktS2icbwXPIFxlIhbwaAlKk8P8HAQ

Not seeing how you're making a mess of things with thoughts of support and kindness from the heart. Best wishes for a very Merry Christmas to the two of you, also, and to everyone else as well!

Thank you, very much. I won't bore you and everyone else with details, but if you are interested, fire off a PM and I can give a bit of insight. You might call my household "different," "eclectic," or even "confusing." I've come to acknowledge myself as Buddhist over the past few years after a very long time of introspection and thought-meaning decades. Mrs. Doc is probably best described as non-theistic. Not atheistic necessarily-religion simply doesn't play a part in her life. My oldest daughter considers herself a "Philosophical Daoist," which takes a very long time to understand for such a simple concept, and my youngest daughter considers herself a Lutheran. However, we also celebrate Christmas in our household, and not just for the gifts. I will admit I like a Christmas tree, though. If I am able to make it home from work in time, I will probably take my youngest to the late Christmas Eve services. If everyone will bear with me (AND THE PC CROWD TAKE NOTE) this is part of what I posted last year as to why I celebrate Christmas: "Simply put, the answer is two-fold. First, Christmas to me is a cultural holiday. That is, it has, up until recently, been a holiday of commonality, where we Americans, coming from many and varied backgrounds, could find something that we could share, that could help us see similarities which bring us closer, rather than divide us, as a vocal few would have it do in this day and age. While we can all say "we are Americans," it is a tradition beyond that label that can help unite us if we so desire. I believe the importance of that is often overlooked. Second, and, yes, more importantly, is the message of the season. Divinity aside (and I mean no offense in saying that), the message of Jesus is an important one. His message on how we treat one another as people, as brothers, is immensely important. Certain Buddhist sects recognize what is called a "bodhisattva," a person who has reached a stage of enlightenment, but chooses to remain here on earth in order to help others. Some liken Jesus to a bodhisattva, and the reason why can be clearly seen. Jesus was concerned first and foremost with his fellow man. Regardless of our faith, we can learn a lot from him. In that light, I see additional reason to recognize him, his birth, and to contemplate his message for us, of peace on earth. So, with the above in mind, I sincerely wish all of you a very, Merry Christmas, and wish that you and yours find peace and happiness in the coming year."