Guard Dog

I know what you mean. Earlier this year I was on the way to work when I heard on the radio it was the 20th anniversary of the beginning of Desert Storm/Gulf War. I almost wrecked. How could that be so long ago when I remember all that so clearly?

I did not say it was good or bad (although in my opinion it is every bad). I just stated it was a fact. And it is. Since he has been in office he has been nothing but discourteous and even antangonistic at time to the Brits. Obama's father was a British subject and he hated the British. I believe that has colored Obama's world view.

Thank you Gents! @Calax: You bring up an excellent point. It's easy to properly characterize actual historical characters in historical fiction because so much is known about them. It's even easier to mischaracterize the fictional characters, making them "men out of time" with modern values and reactions. It is what seperates good historical fiction and crap. Definitely something to watch for. I guess it's impossible to craft a Civil War story that does not touch on slavery in some way but I'd prefer to keep it to a minimum and focus just on the events of the Border War. @Wals, it does ring a little close to Heart of Darkness/Apocalypse Now doesn't it? There is some historical backing however. After the Lawrence Massacre Quantrill and his raiders were becoming a real embarrasment to the Confederates. And a real liability since he was not responding to orders and was even raiding Confederate towns as far as Texas by war's end. He lost control of his own men before the end and fled east where he was captured in Kentucky. Some of his men would not make peace and fled to Mexico, others became outlaws, most notably the James Brothers and the Youngers. Anyway, I'm still tweaking the concept and all of your feed back and ideas is most appreciated! If you guys think of anything else please do not hesitate.

Correct me if I'm wrong here but isn't the All Blacks in the World Cup Final a little like the Yankees in the World Series, it's sort of where everyone expects them to be? I love the Maori war dance they do before every match. Very cool. Speaking of rude gestures and angry faces, how come the Yankees don't do this before matches? They don't need to, there are enough "rude gestures" coming from the fans in the stands.

Correct me if I'm wrong here but isn't the All Blacks in the World Cup Final a little like the Yankees in the World Series, it's sort of where everyone expects them to be? I love the Maori war dance they do before every match. Very cool.

I'm just outlining an idea for a writing project and I would like opinions on the concept. The story is set in the summer of 1863 and begins in Vicksburg MS during the American Civil War, just after the battle of Gettsyburg. Vicksburg is the HQ of the Army of the Trans Misssissippi commanded by Gen Kirby Smith CSA. Understanding the implication of the loss at Gettysburg Smith is anticipating an order to begin a move north (a historical fact). However with Grant beginning to move down the Mississippi Smith feels compelled to "take in hand" the quasi-independent forces such as Quantrill's raiders and ascertain the truth about that "unfortunate business" on the Kansas-Missouri border. He orders a young cavalry second lieutenant (the protaganist) to travel to Missouri, find Quantrill and join his raiders and report on their movements and evaluate their potential effectiveness as a fighting force if Quantrill were to be removed. And if ordered to do so, assasinate Captain William Quantrill. The protaganist, as yet unnamed, will be of Irish descent and educated at the Citidel in South Carolina. The story will follow some of the bloodiest events of the "western war" including the Lawence raid. It is a charachter study on Quantrill as much as anything because I've always found him to be an interesting and complex character. A little like Conrad's Mr. Kurtz, a leader whose refinied charisma conceals a very dark nature. The kind of man whom even good men will follow in doing despicable things. These are just the ideas rolling around in my head. Any opinions or feedback are greatly appreciated.

I started a new writing project today. I was so in to it I did not even realize what time it was until the first round of NFL games was almost over. Now I'm sitting down with a big glass of grapefruit juce (Kurt Vonnegut did this) and I'm diving back in. Hopefully I'll have a rough outline tonight.

Maybe he didn't want to go down in history as the first defence secretary to lose a war to Argentina over the Falklands? You guys sold off your navy and such at some point in time, didn't you? Well, as I said before that really depends on the USA. I don't think anyone can say for sure who Obama/Clinton would back if the Argentine _government_ invaded. I stress government because I fidn it hard to believe that the normal people of Argentina woudl want t ogo to war over a scrap of land where the inhabitants freely vote to be British. I've noticed the Obama admin has a definite anti-British bias. But don't worry, we'll solve that problem for you guys next year.

Nobody deserves what he is going through. Especially Tarna. I know we're all praying for/thinking of him.

My house has Pergo flooring over concrete substrate. Pergo is an artificial laminate that looks like wood but cost less, is less durable, not much less expensive, absorb liquids (like dog piss), and really should not be used by anyone. Next year I'm tearing it out and maybe going with cork or a real wood flooring. @Gorth, you have definitely been around the block.

Jumping back to Sci-Fi for the first time in a long while, now reading Joe Haldeman's Forever War.

I actually skimread a copy of that a while back. I know what you mean. Is it not also massively outdated? It's not that old, just has very little substance. I imagine Rosen thought he was writing a latter day Walden (he even quoted Thoreau a few times) but it was a huge miss.

I know 19th century houses in the US isnt' necessarily common, but I thought homes built from wooden materials was? Just curious, being Scandinavian I couldn't imagine living in something that wasn't made out of stone. I thought you were an Aussie?

I remember a show on this a short time ago. A guy did a one month fast food only for three meals a day, gained no weight and his cholesterol & triglycerides remained the same. Obviously he was smart about what he ate but all the fast food joints serve menu selections that are not too terrible. Salads, grilled chicken, etc.

Apparently Canadians are poor marksmen! http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2011/10/12/v...ng-standing-up/

Two spaces is still the rule in a some environments. I'm thinking specifically of court filings in many jurisdictions-- judges have a lot in common Old-school Professors. To thoroughly change the subject, the personal issue I had mentioned a couple weeks ago in this space is resolved, and not in a particularly happy manner. By the time we got to the follow-up/second opinion last Monday, the little guy's heart had stopped beating. We had a good amount of warning that this was a likely outcome, and we take some solace in that unhappy resolution now is greatly preferable over an unhappy resolution 3 months from now. The associated medical stuff (induced labor, delivery, recovery from such) has also all gone well so far. But, of course, we're still sad about the whole thing. We've had a lot of family around, which has helped. And my admiration for Mrs. E has only increased with how well she has handled all of this (her immediate family too-- those folks rock). So sorry to hear this Enoch. Prayers to you and Mrs. E.

Barbarians! @Guard Dog: Different lines of work, yet parts of it sounds strikingly familiar. High risk interesting projects versus the less glamorous ones that ensures you can pay rent in any foreseeable future. I like the first ones better, my employer the latter High risk sounds awesome until it doesn't pay off. Thats part of the fun. If you screw up, you're royally screwed (been there, done that) and if you succeed, you feel so very much alive (been there, done that too) I hear you. I've had a lot of the former and a little of the latter, just enough to make you believe it's possible. But, I've got until the end of the year to decide. I can't make a move before then for a few reasons. Anyway, I'm on the road to the Big Easy at 0500 tomorrow so good night all.

Looks like Romney is pulling ahead again. BTW have you all heard the absolutely vile and slightly racisist attacks on Herman Cain coming from left wing pundits such as Oberman, Matthews & Shaprton. If they hate him that much he must be good! And a big THANK YOU to Sarah Palin for doing the right thing and not imposing her presence on this election. Edit: Sorry, here is the link: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/la...olls/elections/

Not entirely on topic but I thought this was worth discussing. California has banned the use of tanning beds by people under the age of 18. There are a number of harmful activites that minors are not allowed to do like smoking, drinking, etc because the idea is their judgement is not developed enough to appreciate the risks. I guess this could be considered on par with smoking and drinking because excesses of each is indisputably dangerous. Opinions? http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/09/...E7982DJ20111009

Now reading Off the Grid: Inside the Movement for More Space, Less Government, and True Independence in Modern America about people forming sulf sufficient communities with no outside electricity, utilities, government etc. It might be a better book if the author (Nick Rosen) was not such a self-rightous, pretentions, condescending, jerk.

Especially since it the entire third book re-hashed. It was obvious Scalzi signed a four book deal but only had enough ideas to write three.

I've watched it a little on Youtube & News coverage. It seems like it's made up of a handful of Campus Communists and a few hundred useful idiots. Most of the folks there when asked are unable to fomulate a coherent sentence about why they are there. The few that can are obviously left wing nut jobs/commies. The irony is that ten years from now the ones that actually do graduate will be working for the companies they are protesting against and probably doing well in them.

Going to New Orleans tomorrow for work. This trip will wrap up a huge project that has been a big priority of ours for the last few months. Should make for a nice little bonus at years end. Unfortunately this will be the last design project we do. Going forward the company is returning the lower cost, higher stability job of network management For me it will mean a return to the more mundane work (FCC license management & FAA tower compliance) I originally hired on for. I am seriously thinking about striking out on my own with a design/consulting business. If anyone out there has a BSEE or equivalent experience in RF Network and Microwave design/maintenance and a FCC GROL/1st Class and don't mind working long hours for low pay send me your resume.

I built a row of rabbit cages with a small fenced in enclosure. Sometime next week I'll see about buying a herd and give rabbit farming a try. The trick will be to keep the coyotes out but I think I've got it figured out.

Isn't that supposed to be a delicacy? Anyway, you're a good son doing that for her!