I've been a shift-worker for almost all of my 11+ years on active duty, which means my schedule doesn't account for holidays and special events. So like any other blue collar shift-worker, I've had to head in on New Year's Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Christmas Eve for a midnight shift. And Memorial Day.

It doesn't bother me in the least. I've never crossed the icy Delaware River on Christmas Day. I've never geared up for the Forth of July by spending three days in the swealtering heat in southern Pennsylvania. I've worked on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, and even on my birthday. Never under these conditions. I've worked a few Labor Day weekends before. This man spent seven of them in a POW camp. I've had it easy, so you'll hear no whining.

So while I'll be donning the uniform in a few minutes, I'll be thinking of the men and women who have sacrificed everything over our 230-year history.

Some Memorial Day links in the extended entry.

Continue reading "Memorial Day, 2006"

This is my buddy Dave, sharpening some lawn mower blades. He's probably most certainly the biggest Mets fan I've ever known.

Continue reading "Let's Go Mets"

That's a 1973 Seagrave tractor drawn ladder truck you're looking at. The truck reflected in the wheel is an old Sutphen tower ladder, since replaced by a new Sutphen tower ladder. For a shot of the new Sutphen, check out the second photo in this entry. I'll take a gleaming white tiller truck over an ordinary red engine any day of the week. Here's a neat site from Cincinnati that details that department's long history with tiller trucks.

I cannot add to what others have said. All you need to know is right here.

Continue reading "Contempt"

I've had my Alaskan fishing license for only 36 hours, and I've caught my limit of rainbow trout twice.

Continue reading "The trout are jumpin'"

I'd have more commentary, but I'll be running late for work if I'm not away from the computer in five minutes.

Continue reading "Guitar Dude"

Did you ever feel like you had too much on your plate?

Eventually the gull realized this piece of sushi wasn't going down the hatch.

Continue reading "the prodigal blogger returns"