DocWard

Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and safe travels.

And yer point?

Thank you for sharing, I enjoyed reading that this morning. Count me as another who enjoys his music still. Merry Christmas

I was thinking "Back in Time" by Huey Lewis and the News, but that works.

I stopped asking people how dumb they can get. Seems too many were taking it as a challenge.

I want them!

Then there is this: http://aviationhumor.net/when-you-synchronize-cameras-frame-rate-with-a-helicopters-blade-frequency/#

I know not all systems or dojos use stripes, but it is a good way to give positive reinforcement.

The "every three months" doesn't bother me quite as much as the $50, depending on the circumstances. First, I have seen a number of reputable instructors do testing at set intervals. Not everyone tests, only those who have planned to test ahead of time. The instructor lets someone know if they are ready to test or not. Second, those testing (and their parent/guardian) have a clear understanding of what the material to be covered in the test is, the purpose and how it fits into the curriculum. Third, much testing at that level is done to give positive reinforcement, and to instill confidence and a sense of progress, that basics are being accomplished. Techniques are generally correct and knowledge grasped. As Henry T. Harrison mentioned, testing for more advanced levels takes more and more time. Finally, the cost definitely seems high to me, and I would want to understand what it goes toward. Association fees? Something else? I am assuming the fee is only paid if the student passes and progresses.

Of course, on a '66 Galaxie 500 with the289, you could climb into the engine compartment, and pull the hood partially down to keep rain off while working on the engine. Not that I have any experience in that.

My favorite version. I hope I get the chance to sit down and watch this year.

I will keep PWB in my thoughts and meditations

Just remember to get the RC cars with different operating frequencies.

Let me stress I am allergic to dogs. And cats. And the timothy grass which is in hay. As in I took shots for years, and do a twice daily inhaler, an as needed inhaler and an antihistamine. It was adult onset, and I missed one deployment due to needing a Medical Review to see if I would be medically discharged. When I deployed to Kuwait, I pretty much stopped all of my medications. I kept an inhaler handy, but don't recall using it after a month or so there. I even sat through a Methacholine Challenge (a type of asthma test) while in Kuwait and passed. In essence, I am allergic to my lifestyle. All three (!) of our dogs are horse show dogs. That is, all three were purchased at horse shows from what I would call "hobby breeders." People who take good care of their dogs but happen to have an enjoyment of a particular breed. They also didn't cost an arm and a leg. Our oldest, Rowan, is an Australian Shepherd, we picked up because my kids wanted to go through the "puppy tent" at the Quarter Horse Congress. We had another Aussie, that was an excellent dog for us, protective, friendly and patient. Her herding instinct was on display early on, with cats and kids. Rowan has been all of that, although a little more willing to challenge for alpha status on occasion. Second is Olive, a Jack Russell. I almost feel she is a rescue because she was a runt, and all of the people that looked at the puppies kind of ignored her. My wife was instantly attracted to her, and we got her for much less than they wanted for the others. She is the most "one person" dog I have ever seen, being completely devoted to Mrs. Doc. She is happy to be with me or one of my daughters, until Mrs. Doc comes around, then she is right over to her. The reason we got her was because my wife wanted more of a "lap dog" while I was deployed. By all accounts, with all that went on during my deployment, Olive helped her keep her sanity. Finally, Piper, a Border Collie, was picked up while I wasn't around. I got a call from Mrs. Doc while I was on my way to my my first ever match, at Miami Valley Cowboys, asking what my thoughts were on getting another dog. She insisted if I said "no" it wouldn't happen, but I was pretty sure by the tone of her voice that wasn't the case. I told her I thought it was "a horrifically bad idea, but if she did bring one home, I would treat it as well as the others." It seems the "horrifically bad idea" part got lost somewhere along the way. My daughter claims another lady wanted the dog, but her husband seemed the abusive kind and insisted the dog would stay in the basement. Again, we didn't pay an arm and a leg. My wife's horse trainer got Piper's full sister, and she is amazingly intelligent. Piper, not so much. She is as sweet as can be though, and very loving, so that makes up for it. My youngest daughter suffers from severe anxiety, so it was suggested she get a "support dog." She picked up a true rescue dog from a "no kill" shelter. Part Dachshund and part Beagle, and all attitude and rottenness. He is a handful. Fun and loving, but a handful. Thankfully, she is living in an apartment off campus, so he only comes by on occasion. Oh, did I mention we have three cats, that like to sleep around me at night? I love dogs, tolerate cats, but I want my own apartment, with wooden floors, multiple HEPA filters, and an aquarium. I bet I could breathe easy then. Literally.

I recall singing the following in high school as part of our show ensemble my junior and senior years. Some very fond memories, sadly made melancholy, but ones I cherish:

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.