Texas Times

A welcome cool front blew in yesterday, so the temperature probably didn't go much over 90 today. I was privileged to spend much of the day with good friends.

And I got to meet and hang out with some dogs. I like dogs. These seemed to like me, too.

Tick, tick, tick

State sovereignty movements are exploding across the U.S. While I understand the fear of a runaway Federal government that drives these, the movement should be examined in detail, so expect a much larger post here later. Hell, I might as well go the distance. Expect a general post here, a military-oriented post on Seek Cover, and a purely historical post on The History of US.

http://law.jrank.org/pages/10621/Supremacy-Clause.html

Transformers II

The previews made this movie look cool. I guess that would be the point of previews, instead of telling you the plot of the movie in two minutes (don't you hate that?). Transformers II: Revenge of the Fallen, has explosions, giant fighting robots, and Megan Fox. It also has a bloated, meandering storyline, gratuitous, over-the-top attempts at humor-including idiotic racial dialog, and the inability to hold focus for more than a second during any given action sequence. I like beautiful things as much or more than the next guy, but it's annoying when a director is willing to substitute pure eye-candy for a more developed (and therefore, potentially exponentially more attractive) character. It's clear that Megan Fox's main mission in this movie is to look HAWT while running from evil bad robots. Yawn. 2/5 stars for flashy lights and pretty colors.

Ask Me

Children start out as essentially guileless. They cry, but, when very young, have limited ways to express their needs. As they become a little older, deception first starts.

Deception is based on fear: fear of pain, rejection, or of not gaining something desired. Deceiving is a habit acquired early, and it becomes a way of life for some. I think none of us truly want to know everything about anybody. We've all made mistakes, or less than optimal decisions, and it's rare to find anyone who hasn't done at least a few things that are deeply regretted.

A few people have swung to the opposite pole: they brag about their mistakes and indiscretions, as though daring the reader or listener to judge them. In either case, an emotional connection to any issue discussed still exists, whether it's concealment or exhibitionism. How rare and refreshing, then is a quiet "You can ask me anything."

Salute

Forwarded to me by Snigs. Level 5 tissue alert.

RIP SSG John C. Beale.

Some of us Want

Deep in the Heart

They threatened us with 15-hour work days. The training schedule we were given at the 42A10 class I'm currently taking in Texas was grueling (at least, as grueling as classroom instruction can be- somehow still never as bad as shoveling in the summer). I have been often frustrated with the slow pace of instruction, and my feeling that the instructors aren't teaching very efficiently. Despite that, we were told that our class was ahead of schedule, and so, we were released at lunch Friday. Matt was kind enough to pick me up. I got to meet the family, and I think a good time was had by all.

A proud grandmother



A proud father




Matt and moi.