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- October 20, 2018
- National Suspenders Day
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I used to wear suspenders a lot. The fashion trend in my life began about the end of the Bechtel era through the first half of the my final tenure as just another dumbass instructor at Midlands Technical College.
This notion occurred to me that suspenders were more attractive when they weren't ... however the comfort level was much higher than that I achieved with a belt.
My pal Bill Havey told me that I had made a fashion statement and started wearing them too.
It was my late sister in law, Peggy Childers Williamson who pointed out that wearing a belt with suspenders was a fashion faux pas. You know I was right out there wearing both up to that point. I told Charlie about it when I saw him doing the same thing and he said he could care less and went right on wearing both suspenders and a belt ... to work no less.
Anyway, I still have a couple pairs of those suspenders from the old days. The last pair I wore at Bechtel still hang in my closet because my dad gave them to me when he received them from Westinghouse. They continue to have sentimental value.
I hope that even though my suspender days appear to be over you might indulge yourself if you're so inclined. I did find them a refreshing change of fashion pace way back when I was someone altogether different.
I really don't see myself in them nowadays, but you can't ever tell — and I try never to say never regarding most things.
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- October 19, 2018
- Mother Teresa Day in Albania
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With the death of John Paul I at the hands of a cardinal in his own church and the all too timely death of John Paul II from natural causes, I have not been to keen on the Catholic Church.
It seems that since the takeover by the successor(s) of John Paul II there has been both a shirking of duty and the frank lack of scriptural knowledge which has given me nothing but cause to frown on those elected by the Church to see to it's spirituality and business.
One of those contemporaries of John Paul II was Mother Teresa.
Mother Teresa
Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu
August 26, 1910 - September 5, 1997
The Sisters of Charity
Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu was an Albanian Indian missionary adherent to the Catholic faith and practicing nun.
Her Sisters of Charity were responsible for the alleviation of immense sufferning by many of her people and she was beatified by John Paul II at Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City on this day in 2003.
This was comparatively soon after her ascension to heaven on September 5, 1997 compared to others on the path to sainthood in the Catholic Church.
Matthew 5 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Holy Bible King James Version - Comments (0)
- October 18, 2018
- Hummingbird feeders to come down
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It's been a full week since I saw my last hummingbird in the yard. I have been maintaining two 32 ounce feeders — each initially containing two cups of nectar and getting a thorough wash each week.
I have been reading how there are species of hummingbirds which remain in the area all winter.
While I am certainly unopposed to feeding these birds for the duration, their absence in my field of vision at various times has precluded any such heroics.
In accordance with my usual and customary behaviors; the two feeders will be coming down this weekend unless I see more birds; in which case I will wash and refill both for another week.
I keep them clean and fresh.
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- October 17, 2018
- Paul Allen has Passed
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I once saw Paul Allen from afar in Long Beach California at the Software Publisher's Association meeting I attended so long ago.
Paul Gardner Allen
January 21, 1953 – October 15, 2018
American business tycoon, investor and philanthropist
Co-founded Microsoft
He was an imposing figure under a mop of hair and a beard which wouldn't quit.
Over the years I have observed his more conservative appearance and must admit to being largely unaware of his technical proclivities til rather late in the game.
Paul Allen of Microsoft, scientific, and philanthropic fame has passed from complications of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma on October 15, 2018 leaving a legacy of technical and business success that will be hard to match in coming years.
Considered somewhat of a recluse, he was a bachelor who immersed himself into his various interests and shared his vast wealth with those who pursued those interests which piqued his motivation.
He held 43 patents.
He was the 46th richest human on Earth at the time of his death with a worth estimated at 20.3 billion dollars US largely in Microsoft stock.
Rest in peace.
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- October 16, 2018
- Boss's Day 2018
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Today is Boss's Day.
It's a time to honor the boss for his leadership, his direction, his kindness, fairness, and understanding.
I work in IT where I am afforded a lot of autonomy in the workday.
However, my chain of command still exists and there are about 4 individuals I answer to directly and a slew of others who can get me in hot water should the need arise ...
So though those bosses may ebb and flow with the progression of time I find that I still have to serve somebody.
The present regime will be taken to lunch tommorrow and I will be in attendence.
Not so much to be seen but for the grub, primarily.
The workaday world has it's little perks and Boss's Day is one of those for me personally.
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- October 15, 2018
- National Grouch Day 2018
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According to Sesame Street Magazine, October 15th is National Grouch Day -- that time set aside for all Grouches such as myself to celebrate our way of life.
A Grouch's mission in life is to be as miserable and grouchy as possible, and pass that feeling on to everyone else.
Only then will we feel in touch with our world and be happy.
Yet, even though a Grouch may show happiness at anyone's misfortune (including our own), we would never admit to being happy.
Such it is with our life: a study in contrasts ... balanced, and yet totally unbalanced.
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- October 14, 2018
- Bald and Free Day 2018
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Well it's another Bald and Free Day; time for dummies to celebrate the surface available on the top of heads ready for that rich wax shine.
Yeah, you might guess that male pattern baldness is something I'd just as soon not have.
The day is characterized as one to cherish that freedom which comes from saving money on hair cuts, shampoo, hairspray, combs, brushes, and so forth and so on.
I am bald. I will certainly celebrate Bald and Free Day ... but enjoy it ?
I don't think so.
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- October 13, 2018
- Navy 243rd Birthday
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My last celebration of the Navy's Birthday was on October 13, 1977.
We were aboard the USS MacDonough (DDG-39) on the missile deck underway immediately after quarters when Wayne Mead, one of the finest fellows anyone would ever want to meet took a moment to wish me "happy birthday" and said a few words about honor, duty, and the Navy.
We were at sea somewhere, but I don't remember the last port of call but I recall that moment as one of those kindred things — having been a Navy brat and all. It rather brought me full circle and helped me in coming to grips with the entirety of enlisting, "plan B", and completing my hitch honorably.
Wayne Mead was a very young Chief Petty Officer. He ran the 48A three dimensional radar mounted on the mast, forward and above the stack amidships. He was good company and someone you could talk to about anything.
I worked the AN/SPG 55-B Air Search Radar and Missile Guidance Set. I also did two tours of 'mess cooking' (their reward for doing such a good job on the first assignment) ... and I was also a compartment cleaner upon demand.
You see, my enlistment wasn't the "smooth sailing" I might have preferred; but everyone there knew I was the son of a Master Chief. — even the Captain ... and it made a difference in my interactions. So even if I was cleaning the compartment, workspace, or mess cooking I always threw myself into it lest I become known for the low quality work of some others who I encountered there like me, having a somewhat less than optimal attitude.
I wanted to be someone who could be counted upon despite my dismal combative behavior otherwise. Yes, I was trouble.
The first iteration of the US Navy was the formation of the Continental Navy on October 13, 1775. The Navy was reprovisioned by Congress in March of 1794. Though the Continental Navy was to be decommissioned and dismantled that original October 13, 1775 remains the official birthday and today is it's 240th anniversary.
Happy Birthday Navy. Thank you Chief Mead for everything.
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- October 12, 2018
- crowleymas
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Today is the feast for life of Aleister Crowley.
Edward Alexander Crowley aka Aleister Crowley was a pagan mystic and practitioner of majick who lived from October 12, 1875 through December 1, 1947.
He is a self ascribed 'prophet' of a religion he invented called Thelema.
Some of those religious sacraments are quite repulsive by mainstream interpretations of propriety, particularly — but certainly not limited to his interpretation of the eucharist.
He viewed magick as "the Science and Art of causing change to occur in conformity with Will".
A prolific writer born to wealth and privilege he rejected his parent's fundamentalist Christianity in favor of the his hermetic pursuits and those supernatural elements pertaining thereto.
Among his tomes are what he claimed were 'sacred' texts for his followers.
He traveled extensively practicing ceremonial majick and a wide range of sacred ceremonies embracing most all of the practices observed by the eastern religions of the world.
He was not one to adhere to contemporary norms of social interaction and was both promiscuous and defiant of most of the traditions and expectations of polite company. "Do What Thou Wilt" was his motto and he observed it to the hilt.
Some individuals view Aleister Crowley as a prophet and visionary. Others are rather unkind toward him at the other side of the spectrum of opinion.
I know not what others may see in him, only that if given the choice to "take him" or "leave him" I would most definitely leave him as my views on theology and magick are radically incongruent with his.
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- October 11, 2018
- National Coming Out Day 2018
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National Coming Out Day is an abomination just as are those who observe it.
The so called LGBT community consisting of those who prefer same sex coupling and body modifications to assume the phenotype of that sex they are not like to revel in their abnormality by holding formal fetes associated with the fact that they choose the dirt road untaken.
Take the word "phobia" as a suffix to various permutations of the LGBT lifestyle. This misnomer implies "fear" of gays as in 'homophobia' where the reality is more in the line of disdain ... someone who fears you is not an individual out to do their level best to kill you or maim you beyond all recognition because they think your lifestyle is deviant.
Anyway, my gay bashing days ended long ago. Somewhere around 1976 as I recall. I have a number of gay friends whose friendship I both enjoy and with whom I am happy to socialize. That realization that others are not going to live their lives in accordance with my personal wishes (sigh) leaves me only to accept what happens with others and their lives and I have learned to separate the lifestyle from the person.
However, I retain the right to my personal opinion because I don't force it on anyone nor hold anyone elses transgressions of it against them.
We have to get throught this thing called life and I have a few gay friends that I wish were still here to share all that they were with the rest of the world.
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- October 10, 2018
- World Mental Health Day 2018
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Today is World Mental Health Day.
It's a day to pursue mental health education as well as awareness of — and advocate against — those social stigmata which go hand in hand with even the slightest perception of mental illness.
To those I am known in those circles I frequent as a decided "nut" (thanks grandma !). Likewise, I am certainly attuned to 'polite behavior' viz a viz those variants I may pursue by choice and lo, I have been told by mental health associates that the spectrum called "normal" is extremely wide indeed and that I should not take too much stock in those 'psychology majors' with a psychological label for everything thinking they know all and are all. So ... regardless of what may be uttered to the contrary I am indeed comfortable with both myself and my grasp on reality ... now that I know the difference between the realms of fantasy and what is real.
I wasn't always at that state and the cultivation was long and difficult.
Be all of this as it may I hope you can enjoy the day and get out there and have those discussion that bring forth the essence of your being. One thing for sure is I'm not the lying evil violence inciting likes of both the mainstream media the democratic party.
I would love to tick someone else off from those spheres of existence for the glee it brings me to tear them apart.
Happy World Mental Health Day and I hope you don't get all global about it. These globalists need to take a hike and leave the sovereign nations who choose to command their own destiny to them and not some Belgian or Rothschild or God forbid crook Jesuit.
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- October 9, 2018
- National Nanotechnology Day 2018
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Nanotechnology involves mechanization devices on an an atomic, molecular, and supramolecular scale.
The concept subminiaturizes components for the manipulation of correspondingly small enviornments.
Often the components are molecules and atoms and these devices have a lot of "quantum realm" applications in the development of new materials and machines at the atomic scale.
This, like AI is a very up and coming bleeding edge technology even though it's been around for quite a while now.
So I like to mark the day and read up on the current state topics at least annually.
Like AI too there are various doomsday scenarios of implementations which do not have the best interests of human beings at their core.
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- October 8, 2018
- Columbus Day 2018
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Today we mark Columbus Day, which is a national holiday here among other places. It officially celebrates the anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492.
Though I'm sure there are significant observances elsewhere, it has been my experience that the day is primarily one for retail sales events more than anything else.
I suppose there is a precedent somewhere given the protesters of the day and their counter celebrations such as "Indigenous Peoples' Day" or "Native American Day". It would seem that more governors are of the Jerry Brown full of crap variety with their 'state holiday cancellations' of Columbus Day.
Anyway, Happy Columbus Day if you are of the persuasion. If you are opposed to the notion, I hope whatever substitute your feeble mind came up with as a replacement floats your boat.
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- October 7, 2018
- National Dark Poetry Day 2018
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As a young man I pursued poetry. So much so that stuff I thought was good really wasn't and the prevailing impression I derived from the experience was I did nothing for the language and it did little to nothing for me.
Therefore, I gave it all up early on ... right after my hitch in the Navy I recall.
October 7 is the day Edgar Allan Poe died in Baltimore Maryland at age 40 in 1849. The Horror Writers Association (HWA) has marked this day as National Dark Poetry Day in memory of him.
Now I have been known to pen a few very dark and horrible pieces of poetry in my day.
My only regret results from the fact that I lost interest so long ago and now rarely engage the poetic inklings at all aside from the occasional clever quip which resulted from the incessant nonsense of those days.
Suffice it to say that I'm beyond that stage pretty much forever.
However, back in the day ...
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