What a country

From Instapundit:

" A Jewish blogger uses a Japanese camera (made in Thailand, I think) to bring us pictures of a Mexican Christmas. Now that's America! "

He is so right. This mismash is what makes America great. If we'd just all get along.

FedEX - A company worth supporting

Why? Because they are helping out Chief Wiggles and Operation Give. Winning the hearts and minds of the kids affected by war.

Remembering the Fallen

Major Dad has the right words

Only 15 days left

Till Syndey comes back! Combined with Lost there will finally be a night of TV worth watching!

Outta Control Christmas

On HGTV right now they are showing people who have gotten a little carried away with decorations. Stuff looks good but I have one question?

Where do they store this stuff from January till November?

Christmas with the Kranks

Yes - Critics have panned the movie. In my experience this means that the movie will probably be quite enjoyable.

All four of us went to see it yesterday. The combination of Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis was perfect. We laughed throughout the movie. It has become a Christmas classic for our family.

Jamie Lee deserves an award for bravery. While she doesn't have the same shape she showed off in True Lies she has aged well. She shows off her less than perfect shape in a couple of scenes.

Its not a perfect movie. If you like Christmas Vacation or Home Alone you'll like this movie.

Home for the holidays

Went to pick up Thing1 at school today as Christmas break started for him at 3:05pm. Traffic was much better than the last time. Since the roads were nice we got to talk like we used to. What a great time.

The house will be back to normal for a few weeks. The wife, Thing2, and Buffy the attack Cocker Spaniel will be happy.

 

A reason to send toys to Iraq

 They help save the lives of Marines.

Tis better to have a knife

and not need it then need one at not have it. Of course you don't expect it to happen at church.

The wife and I made it back to Bible study last night and when we got there nothing was set up. The other couples there said the door was jammed. Took a look and the knob wasn't moving the bolt more than 1/4 of an inch - just where the bevel starts for a normal door lock. Took out my handy SOG Blink, slipped it in the bevel and the door was open.

The wife sees me bringing out a table and asks how? I just smile and show her the (closed) knife.

Forget the AMEX card. Don't leave home without a(t least one) knife.

American Soldier

Matt at Blackfive had an entry about a soldier who as killed in Iraq and had a special last request. He wanted 'American Soldier' by Toby Keith played at the funeral. The video to that song never fails to bring tears to my eyes. That may be due to the end - the soldiers going on to the transport. Just like the end of Hair.

Matt posted an update today. Apparently there was an effort to get Toby to come play the song at the funeral. For personal reasons he can't but is sending a dedication on CD along with the song. Class act Toby!

Matt has an excellent blog - check it out.

To Specialist Mahlenbrock's family - I never met your son. From everything I've read about him, well, he was a better man than most of us, including myself, will ever be. He died bringing freedom to millions. May your God continue to comfort you in your time of need.

DareDevils better half

For those you have seen DareDevil and thought Elektra was more watchable - I have something for you

Another computer in the family

Well - at least one more to support. My father in law likes computers. Every time I build or buy one he has to get something a little better. A while back I came across a Toshiba Satellite 1115 for $499 at Best Buy. Ever since then the father in law has wanted one. I've always tried to get him to buy a Mac. Much harder for him to mess up. Less work for me to do <grin>

Well - he never wanted to spend the money. Last week Dell had one of their Inspiron 1000s for 599 after rebate. Spent some time looking at options and walked him through ordering one. And getting a wireless router that was on sale at Best Buy. Now I get to spend an hour Saturday getting him online.

I see more tech support in my future...

Technique is everything

The Smallest Minority has a great story about the proper way to play video games. Thing1 would likely agree...

I love it

When there is 10 people on each line at the grocery store and the do-it-yourself checkouts are empty. Full cart and I'm out of there in a couple of minutes. Same at Home Depot. I only had one item and I was out of there in 2 minutes. Not sure why people are afraid of these things.

Same with iPass. Here is Illinois we have tollways. Never used them much till Thing1 went to college. Now I'm on them every month. iPass puts a transponder on your car that gets activated by a radio transmitter as you approach the toll booth. Stay at a reasonable speed and just keep going. Probably saves 5 to 10 minutes per trip. And people still get in line to throw coins in the basket. I suppose there are privacy issues but with the number of cameras on the tollway that is gone anyways.

Something for you to do

A) First, recommend to me:

1. a movie.
2. a book.
3. a musical artist, song, or album.

B) Ask me three questions—no more, no less. Ask me anything you want.

C) Go to your blog (if you have one), copy and paste this, and allow everyone to ask you anything.

(idea - JimK at Right-Thoughts)

Red Hawk Down

There are a few of us that walk every day. A little of 2 miles. So much better than staring at the screen.

While out for our daily walk we were nearing the end, getting ready to cross the street and head back to the building we work in one of my co-workers said 'look out!'. A red tailed hawk had landed 3 feet from where I was walking. We watched him for a few minutes as it looked like he was searching for lunch. He didn't seem worried about us at all. After a couple of minutes he flew off to a tree across the street. So cool!

I need a lightweight digicam to keep with me all the time.

W Rocks

And Blackfive has the details

Christmas comes early

At least my present did!

The wife bought me a Glock 17. Well I had to buy it as the pit of a state we live in requires a Firearm Owners Identification Card and hers hasn't shown up yet.

After waiting three days I stopped by the store to pick it up. Since I had some time I decided to put a few rounds through it. 200 rounds later I was done. The Glock pistol is an interesting design: lightweight due to a plastic frame (with metal inserts for frame rails), no 'safety' in the usual sense, and an unusual trigger (where the safety is). It points well, suffered no jams in 200 rounds of 115gr FMJ, and was just plain fun to shoot. The stress of the day was gone. :-)

Field stripped it at home while listening to NYPD Blue. Took all of 15 seconds. About the same to put it back together.

Thing1 wants to go shooting after finals are over and he comes home. That may be an expensive trip...

A bit of shopping

I love Christmas. Celebrating the birth of Jesus. Getting to spend some time with family and friends. The crowds at the mall. Oh wait - that one kinda s**ks.

Most of our shopping was done online again this year. Amazon is my favorite place to go but Musicans Friend was necessary this year as well. Both had what we wanted in stock for reasonable prices and there is no hassle at the mall.

The wife kept her promise of a new gun for me. Guess I was really good this year. We went to the local firearms emporium and looked at a few. I had, in my mind, settled on a Glock pistol. I just wasn't sure if it would be a 17 or a 19. Settled on this.

The salesman was great. The wife had this notion of buying a gun and this experience changed it all. Nice place to do business. Now I just have to wait three days pick it up...

A Woman and a Gun

It's a beautiful thing. Watching CSI NY and Detective Stella Bonasera (the beautiful Melina Kanakeredes is assembling a AR-15. After she finishes she takes it into her bosses office with that look that gets to you. Jeans, tank top, and a AR-15 - wow!