My Tampa Environs

Here's a look at a Google Earth view of my Tampa existence. Click the photo to enlarge it. HF1

Computer Geeks & Humor

My Air Force Reserve Historian colleague SMSgt Rob Rosenberger writes commentary for a niche group of computer industry folks concentrating on anti-virus technology and hysteria. Rob uses humor to cut through topics that can put us laypeople to sleep. Air Force and computer savvy types among you will appreciate this site. Take a look here. The serious side of his website is called Vmyths, which you can view here. Go ahead Larry, John, Jim, Ray, etc. Go and laugh at the AF & CNN parodies. HF1

Farewell, General Ghormley

My friend Ray Cleveland will often send a fascinating bio or obituary from a newspaper that makes you consider that person's remarkable achievements. Take a look at the vita of retiring Central Command Chief of Staff Major General (Two Stars) Timothy Ghormley, USMC. This man went to Vietnam in 1967 as an E-4 (corporal equivalent) and fought alongside native villagers his unit was embedded with. He went on to a commission, piloting F-4s and F/A-18s all the way up to senior assignments in the Marine Corps and joint tasks like CENTCOM. Yet in person this man is very gracious and a lion in meetings that need a leader. His official bio is here. Here's to Gen. Ghormley and a Marine's unique life. HF1

The Michael Vick Thing

Some folks would like me to comment on the whole Michael Vick fiasco and its implications. But I'm not that interested. I don't have a dog in the fight... HF1

Funny Photo 4: Deviled Rays

The local free tabloid, "Tampa Bay Times" is a bit edgy and their sports page displayed a great bit of sarcasm today after the Yankees scored three touchdowns, rolled up 500 yards of offense, and held the D-Rays to two safeties in a 21-4 romp on Sunday. (click to enlarge) HF1

Power Lunch

Lt. Gen. Gary North, commander of "CENTAF" or simply put, the Air Forces under CENTCOM, needed to meet with some of the leadership here in Tampa. So, he and his executive officer did what any USAF general officer pilot might do: Take a couple of F-16s from Shaw AFB, SC to Tampa. Knock out some meetings and flight hour requirements. As part of their several hour visit, they invited some us AF cogs in the machine to dine at the O'Club. Sounds like a braggy message, but it's more of a message of great respect for the work the military and civilian folks are doing in service of their country every day. He asked us about our individual situations and then took some Q & A before taking off and enjoying the scenery over the eastern seaboard. He relayed the measured success we're having with this "surge" and acknowledged that we have some political hurdles to clear. He urged us to keep plugging away and keep our eyes on the job. It's when I turn the TV off and hang out with the folks here from O-9s to E-4s to Coalition partners that I get filled up for another day. Among many interesting subjects, the general expressed the huge appetite for more Intel troops. So tell those prospective people in your life that if they'd like to get schooled for free and do very interesting work with a lucrative post-mil-career, they should pursue what's commonly called "J2" in their service of choice. (of course AF is best..) Have a good week and I'll get some more posts with weekend photos up soon. HF1

Future Brewers, For Now: Manatees

Those familiar with the Brewers' radio broadcasts with Bob Uecker and Jim Powell often hear the nightly update of the Brewers' farm teams from Nashville to Huntsville to Brevard County. The Brevard County Manatees (Brewers' Class-A team) traveled to nearby Sarasota to play the Reds. I drove down to the game Saturday night and talked to some of the young guys before the game. They were happy to sign some autographs for Jack too.


Here's me with Ned Yost Jr. Yes, that's manager Ned's son. He had the night off. We'll see how he does.


Here's the game sheet. We'll see how many of these guys play at Miller Park in a couple of years. (Click to enlarge it.)


Ned warms up.


Catcher Angel Salome is tearing the Florida State League up this year at .297 and 48 RBIs. Maybe he'll be ready when Johnny Estrada's all done.


And here's Freddy Parejo. He's not that hot this year, but played a good game going 2 for 3 and a walk.

And for Veggie Tale fans, no one named Barbara plays for the Manatees. HF1

Like Music? Try Robert Clark

My friend Robert Clark (left) is another Air Force Historian who I met in April 2003. He's the workhorse of the 482nd Fighter Wing at Homestead ARB near Miami. Besides resembling Liam Neeson (right), doing great history work, and being a tremendous individual, Robert is an excellent musician. Please try his website, where he features downloads of his original and cover songs. Take care Robert and make sure to book some Tampa gigs really soon! Click here. HF1

Geocaching Video Clip

I came across a one-minute video clip that describes the world of geocaching. Take a look, especially if you've heard of, but haven't seen it. Click here. HF1

Brendan's Biscuit Pizza

Lori sent me some recipes so I can branch out from my food prep menu of tuna toast, mac & cheese, ramen, and the Chipotle Mexican grill across the street (oh their guacamole dip!!). I made "Brendan's Biscuit Pizza," offered by Jack's next-door buddy. It's an entry in the 2006 best seller, Pack 3091 Den 2 Favorite Recipes. And yes Mom, I actually made it myself! HF1

With Peace Like this...

Previous Nobel Peace Prize winner Betty Williams recently ranted about President Bush at a speech in Dallas. Check this out:

"Right now, I could kill George Bush," she said. "No, I don't mean that. How could you nonviolently kill somebody? I would love to be able to do that."

[Brady: Maybe she could get the Russian killer who poisoned Alexander Litvinenko last year.]

About half the crowd gave her a standing ovation after she called for Mr. Bush's removal from power.

"The Muslim world right now is suffering beyond belief," she said.

[Brady: I wonder if it's because of George Bush or maybe terrorism, adherance to 7th century philosophy, or a similar item? Naw, must be Bush...well, and Cheney and Halliburton]

"Unless the president of the United States is held responsible for what he's doing and what he has done, there's no one in the Muslim world who will forgive him."

[Don't worry. I wasn't holding my breath. Maybe Ms. Williams could go over and 'reason' with those nice people struggling against the evil Mr Bush whom they can't forgive...]

When an audience member told Ms. Williams that Vice President Dick Cheney would become president if George Bush were impeached, she said, "Can't you impeach them both?"

"It's twisted. It's all wrong," she said. "There are so many lies being told. It's hard to be an American and go out into the world right now."

[Yes Ms. Williams. Try going out on the streets of Islamabad, Kandahar, or Baghdad as a woman. Again, must be Bush's fault]

Wow, I can't even make up stuff like that. What's worse, her longing for a dead president or her ignorance of presidential succession? Well, she's from Ireland. Cut her some slack on that. I've never really given the Nobel Prize for "Peace" very much thought. Certainly not like the Very Serious People in sophisticated circles. An organization that rewards Jimmy Carter's getting fooled by North Korea and itself gets fooled by gangster Yassir Arafat doesn't deserve much attention.

Oh, wait. I get it now. She means "peace" just like the folks that say Islam means "peace." The peace of having chosen to submit, that is. HF1

Funny Photo 3: Jack's Envelope

My son Jack once tackled me hard in a wrestling match at home. While in my stunned state, he got in my face with the taunting quote from Darth Vader to Obi Wan Kenobi in the original Star Wars, "Your powers are weak old man!" The wrestling match was over because I couldn't keep from laughing hard the next 20 minutes. Perfect timing Jack. You've officially inherited your parents' disease of quoting everything from Star Wars to Mary Poppins. Take a look at the last letter Lori sent me. Jack took some liberties with a quote beside the Darth Vader stamp. Nice goin' Buddy! HF1

Live Earth

The NY Post's Roy Spencer made an interesting observation about the recent concert:

"When Al Gore told us that 2 billion people on seven continents might hear the concerts, he didn't mention that nearly 2 billion more lack electricity, let alone the Internet or TV. Where's the concert to campaign for electricity for all? Instead, folks in the developed world who feel guilty about pollution decide it's time to do something drastic - like throw a worldwide-rock concert."
HF1

Truly Chilling, Our Enemies

Reading the material for my work reports and reading the events in D.C. and on some blogs, it's truly a surreal world these days. As folks get worked up about carbon credits and organic produce, the pervasively evil nature of the world resurges. But of course, I, the American am completely to blame for the Islamist's foul cry.

I can't do proper justice to framing the topic of one particular Al Qaeda tactic the way Victor Davis Hanson does. There are no photos, but this link is not for kids. If you are an adult and doubt what's ahead in the new forms of warfare, read Hanson's brief comment here.

And then read an ironic blog entry by a fellow named Mark Snelling about the high-end pricey organic produce juxtaposed against the maddening starvation of a place like Mogadishu. It makes one wonder how fat and happy our society is to be able to worry oneself about organic or free range or the latest wonder product. Read Snelling here.

Oh well, you can tell I've had a bit much of the world situation, pols positioning for 2008, and to top it off I watched the futuristic "Children of Men" movie Sunday. Geez! I need some Dumb and Dumber really quick! HF1

One Year Ago in Georgia...

I had the high honor of accompanying two very talented media guys in the quest to provide 440th commander Colonel Merle Hart with a tribute video to present everyone in the wing. I decided to try my hand at this new Comic Life software. I had a great time guys. Here's to the memories! HF1

That's a BASEball Score...Really

Wow! I checked for the Brewers' score before diving into some homework and noticed that Minnesota beat Chicago 20-14. No, that's not the Vikings over the Bears. That's the Twins over the White Sox! Pretty amazing. Baseball fans check the box score here. HF1

U.S. Coalition Partners Here In Tampa

The U.S. works with more than 40 countries in the War on Terror. Most of these countries have representatives at the Tampa HQ. Take a look at the Coalition Page here: Coalition Page
The Coalition publishes a monthly newsletter about its activities (don't worry...LOTS of pictures). Check it out here: Coalition Newsletter HF1

How Am I Supposed To Explain That Here?

Oh boy, how am I going to explain this story to the folks who see me as a Cheeseheaded Yankee? Just when I've gotten into the local fabric, I'm shocked to see the guy in Little Chute carving the Mount Rushmore cheese statue! To be fair, it's a CBS News link so I, of course, questioned its validity. Then I remembered that Dan Rather moved on up to cable powerhouse HDnet. So, this story is legitimate. Even the Brits are on to this! Yikes! HF1

Reinforcements From Cheeseland!

I arrived at the MacDill post office to check my mail the other day. A large box from Green Bay greeted me. My mother's friend Sharon sent the first sortie of sweets to share with the Tampa VA vets at the next Operation: HELPING HAND dinner. Thanks Sharon and those who have offered their prayers for the servicepeople and their families recovering in Tampa. Review Operation: HELPING HAND here. HF1

Out And About

Geocachers among you, I got an opportunity to get out last Sunday and today to get some fresh air and hunt some caches. The Tampa area has quite a few and I've been doing about a 50% success rate. Neenah folks, go out and try to find my latest hide back home called "Neenah Riverwalk" beginning at Shattuck Park (Waypoint # GC13HT3). The photo shows me standing beneath the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway at the corner of MacDill and Bay to Bay (Just in case you want to plot it out). I had just found the "Free Parking??" cache.

Random Thoughts (The reader "Anonymous" should log off now. This will be boring):

People always on the lookout for good MP3 jogging tunes (Some of the audience just fainted at my having typed that statement), I have found a few more gems: the B-52s' Private Idaho, the Moody Blues' I'm Just A Singer In A Rock 'N Roll Band, and the Spencer Davis Group's (Stevie Winwood) or Chicago's I'm A Man. I'm always looking for new ones. Let me know if you have any suggestions.

Have you seen the Geico Caveman commercial where he's minding his own business going through the airport? Every time that airs, the background music intrigues me. I searched it successfully on Google's first hit. FYI, the song is titled "Remind Me" by the Norwegian pop group Royksopp. I'll have to hit iTunes. Eccentric, yes. But I know at least Ray and O-Ring will use the info to its full value. HF1