Off Topic

I wish you all a safe and Merry Christmas. I hope you find some joy this season.

Patch Tuesday is tomorrow so back it up or lock it out. I’ve got a busy day ahead tomorrow so I won’t be able to post at my usual Patch Tuesday time (just after 1300 hrs EST).

Stuff I bookmarked recently. Some off topic, some not (mostly off topic today).

Personal note – I got my tix for Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe, Poison, and Joan Jett and the ♥’s!

A Charlie Brown Christmas first aired on this day in 1965.
see also: 14 Festive Facts About A Charlie Brown Christmas

AC/DC’s ‘Back in Black’ Certified 25 Times Platinum In U.S.
“On December 6, AC/DC’s 1980 breakthrough album “Back in Black” was certified by the Recording Industry Association Of America for U.S. shipments of 25 million copies.
“Back in Black” first went platinum in October 1980 and had previously been certified 22 times platinum in December 2007. The RIAA lists “Back In Black” as the fourth biggest-selling album of all time.”
and the bell rang 13 times…
Rumors are that they will tour next year. Some of those say Brian Johnson will be back out front.
related: Dee Snider: New AC/DC album will feature tracks recorded by Malcolm Young

NFL Network Reporter Jane Slater Reports How She Used Her Ex-Boyfriend’s Christmas Gift To Bag Him Cheating
“An Ex Boyfriend once got me a Fitbit for Christmas. I loved it. We synched up, motivated each other… didn’t hate it until he was unaccounted for at 4am and his physical activity levels were spiking on the app ? wish the story wasn’t real.”
Aw man, so much karma…

Confidential documents reveal U.S. officials failed to tell the truth about the war in Afghanistan
“A confidential trove of government documents obtained by The Washington Post reveals that senior U.S. officials failed to tell the truth about the war in Afghanistan throughout the 18-year campaign, making rosy pronouncements they knew to be false and hiding unmistakable evidence the war had become unwinnable.
The documents were generated by a federal project examining the root failures of the longest armed conflict in U.S. history. They include more than 2,000 pages of previously unpublished notes of interviews with people who played a direct role in the war, from generals and diplomats to aid workers and Afghan officials.”
Long read and worth every second.

The US, like China, has about one surveillance camera for every four people, says report
“One billion cameras will be installed globally by 2021…There is a difference in how the cameras are implemented, though. In China, most cameras are installed for the purposes of widespread video surveillance of cities, whereas cameras installed in the US are primarily for the purposes of retail and commercial usage.”
Well, I’ve got 12 at my house so…

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine actor René Auberjonois dies at 79
“Fellow actors George Takei, William Shatner and more pay tribute online to the actor who played Changeling Odo.”

Caroll Spinney, Who Played Big Bird And Oscar On ‘Sesame Street,’ Dies At 85
“The Sesame Workshop said Spinney had died at home in Connecticut, and that he had long lived with dystonia, a disorder that causes involuntary muscle contractions.“

I wish you all a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Lots of deer come through here daily. The max I’ve had in the back yard was 8. We had four back here this morning. They usually don’t get too close to the house but this morning the smallest of them did. I thought I would share. Resized but still large. Hollar if you want a full-sized pic.
[Read more…] about Little Deer This Morning

This Veterans Day I wanted to say thanks to some of the people I crossed paths with in the Army way back when. These are folks that weren’t in my unit. They are just little memories that stuck with me. I know I’m leaving stuff out. It was along time ago. Faded memories…
[Read more…] about Happy Veterans Day

Brothers and Sisters, thank you for your service.
This is not an exhaustive list and does not include “local” restaurants and stores. Wanna add something? Please post in comments section.
Everyone, please remember to thank these restaurants and staff.
If you can and where appropriate, remember to tip on what the price would have been before the discount or freebie.

Rules for this list.
– Must apply to ALL U.S. Military Veterans. (It’s Veteran’s Day not Armed Forces Day and not just “retired” vets.)
– Must be 20% off or better or free item (Step up to the plate people.)
– Not require the use of an app or “membership” card. (You only honor Vets if you can track and pester them?)
[Read more…] about Veterans Day Discounts 2019

Battle of Midway Veterans React To MIDWAY Feature Film
“In the wake of Japan’s 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, Sgt. 1st Class Edgar Fox, USMC (Ret.), FE, Jack Holder, USN (Ret.), PO3, Robert Taylor USN (Ret.), CPO, Henry Kudzick, USN (Ret.) fought in the World War II Battle of Midway, the greatest naval battle of all time.
With no promise of survival, they confronted the physical and mental cost of warfare to fight for our freedom. These four surviving veterans were among the first to watch the film MIDWAY.
Based on the real-life events at the Battle of Midway, starring Ed Skrein, Patrick Wilson, Luke Evans, Aaron Eckhart and Nick Jonas, with Mandy Moore, Dennis Quiad and Woody Harrelson, MIDWAY is in theaters on Friday.”
***UPDATE / “REVIEW” 13NOV2019
I went to see the movie today. Here’s what I told my buddy Ed:
“Save your money. Not good. Feels like they tried too hard not to be like the original and left too much on the cutting room floor.”

Thank you for serving, protecting, and rescuing us all.
[Read more…] about Happy First Responder’s Day

I’m a Detroit Tigers fan. Ex-Tiger and future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander grew up a few miles from here so his new team became a favorite of mine too. He hasn’t been sharp this playoff season but his boys got it done.
Last nights game was absolutely fantastic and the Astros won with heroic defense and the fantastic bat of the smallest player in the majors. Jose Altuve was clutch all night and he ended the Yankees with a 9th inning walk-off. Bye, Bye Yankees.
I’m looking forward to the World Series against The Nats. Even though they play 100+ miles away they are considered to be the “local” team here. 2 years ago, my wife and I went to Nats Stadium to watch ex-Tiger, Max “Crazy Eyes” Scherzer pitch.
[Read more…] about Astros vs. Nats