Old dog trying to learn new tricks… This is going to take a while… Please bear with my stupidity while Barron tries to beat this into my thick skull…
Due to all the spam issues, and the hack last month, I’m shutting thus blog down and moving it WordPress.
The new address is oldnfo.org
If you’re reading this on RSS you’ll need to move your feed.
Many thanks to Barron Barnett for the help and advice to get it set up…
The new address is oldnfo.org
If you’re reading this on RSS you’ll need to move your feed.
Many thanks to Barron Barnett for the help and advice to get it set up…
It’s been an interesting week and I’m playing catch up…
And as I was reminded, Happy St. Patty’s Day!!! Green beer and all… LOL
From American Perspective– Happy St. Patty’s
From Peter– Bad news from the economic arena… Sigh…
From Borepatch– A heartwarming story…
From Brigid– Memories of Ireland!
From Guffaw– While not a ‘win’ at least one judge doesn’t like secret letters from the FBI to providers.
From Heels and Handguns– Something we can actually USE, a sight pusher to fit multiple guns!
From LL– Dealing with pensions in California, and the results of the Orange County lawsuits…
From Mule Dung and Ash– Sunday funnies, good ones as always!
From RobertaX– An interesting proposal…
Good folks, interesting discussions, and lots of things worth reading!
And as I was reminded, Happy St. Patty’s Day!!! Green beer and all… LOL
From American Perspective– Happy St. Patty’s
From Peter– Bad news from the economic arena… Sigh…
From Borepatch– A heartwarming story…
From Brigid– Memories of Ireland!
From Guffaw– While not a ‘win’ at least one judge doesn’t like secret letters from the FBI to providers.
From Heels and Handguns– Something we can actually USE, a sight pusher to fit multiple guns!
From LL– Dealing with pensions in California, and the results of the Orange County lawsuits…
From Mule Dung and Ash– Sunday funnies, good ones as always!
From RobertaX– An interesting proposal…
Good folks, interesting discussions, and lots of things worth reading!
Q: Why do men’s clothes have buttons on the right while women’s clothes have buttons on the left?
A: When buttons were invented, they were very expensive and worn primarily by the rich. Since most people are right-handed, it is easier to push buttons on the right through holes on the left. Because wealthy women were dressed by maids, dressmakers put the buttons on the maid’s right! And that’s where women’s buttons have remained since.
Q: Why do ships and aircraft use ‘mayday’ as their call for help?
A: This comes from the French word m’aidez -meaning ‘help me’ — and is pronounced, approximately, ‘mayday.’
Q: Why are zero scores in tennis called ‘love’?
A: In France , where tennis became popular, round zero on the scoreboard looked like an egg and was called ‘l’oeuf,’ which is French for ‘egg.’ When tennis was introduced in the US, Americans mispronounced it ‘love.’
Q. Why do X’s at the end of a letter signify kisses?
A: In the Middle Ages, when many people were unable to read or write, documents were often signed using an X. Kissing the X represented an oath to fulfill obligations specified in the document. The X and the kiss eventually became synonymous.
Q: Why is shifting responsibility to someone else called ‘passing the buck’?
A: In card games, it was once customary to pass an item, called a buck, from player to player to indicate whose turn it was to deal. If a player did not wish to assume the responsibility of dealing, he would ‘pass the buck’ to the next player.
Q: Why do people clink their glasses before drinking a toast?
A: It used to be common for someone to try to kill an enemy by offering him a poisoned drink. To prove to a guest that a drink was safe, it became customary for a guest to pour a small amount of his drink into the glass of the host. Both men would drink it simultaneously. When a guest trusted his host, he would only touch or clink the host’s glass with his own.
Q: Why are people in the public eye said to be ‘in the limelight’?
A: Invented in 1825, limelight was used in lighthouses and theatres by burning a cylinder of lime which produced a brilliant light. In the theatre, a performer ‘in the limelight’ was the centre of attention.
Q: Why is someone who is feeling great ‘on cloud nine’?
A: Types of clouds are numbered according to the altitudes they attain, with nine being the highest cloud. If someone is said to be on cloud nine, that person is floating well above worldly cares.
Q: In golf, where did the term ‘Caddie’ come from?
A. When Mary Queen of Scots went to France as a young girl, Louis, King of France, learned that she loved the Scots game ‘golf.’ So he had the first course outside of Scotland built for her enjoyment. To make sure she was properly chaperoned (and guarded) while she played, Louis hired cadets from a military school to accompany her. Mary liked this a lot and when returned to Scotland (not a very good idea in the long run), she took the practice with her. In French, the word cadet is pronounced ‘ca-day’ and the Scots changed it into ‘caddie.
Q: Why are many coin banks shaped like pigs?
A: Long ago, dishes and cookware in Europe were made of a dense orange clay called ‘pygg’. When people saved coins in jars made of this clay, the jars became known as ‘pygg banks.’ When an English potter misunderstood the word, he made a container that resembled a pig. And it caught on.
Q: Did you ever wonder why dimes, quarters and half dollars have notches (milling), while pennies and nickels do not?
A: The US Mint began putting notches on the edges of coins containing gold and silver to discourage holders from shaving off small quantities of the precious metals. Dimes, quarters and half dollars are notched because they used to contain silver. Pennies and nickels aren’t notched because the metals they contain are not valuable enough to shave.
So there! Now you know.
h/t JP
Linoge over at Walls of the City is running a fund raiser for HAVA, and he’s asked for some help in getting the word out.
He’s not up to the amount raised for Soldier’s Angels last year, but he’s getting there.
The original request is HERE, and the update is HERE…
Honored American Veterans Afield IS an outstanding charity, and is primarily sponsored by USA Shooting and the NRA.
As the number of injured men and women returning from the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan grew, members of the firearms industry initiated a non-profit partnership called HAVA to aid disabled soldiers as they transition to their lives back in the United States. The ultimate goal is to increase their confidence and hope for the future by reconnecting with their love of the outdoors and the American traditions of hunting and firearms.
If you can spare a few bucks, please help Linoge get his $1500 goal. I threw some bucks in last night… It IS for a good cause!!!
He’s not up to the amount raised for Soldier’s Angels last year, but he’s getting there.
The original request is HERE, and the update is HERE…
Honored American Veterans Afield IS an outstanding charity, and is primarily sponsored by USA Shooting and the NRA.
As the number of injured men and women returning from the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan grew, members of the firearms industry initiated a non-profit partnership called HAVA to aid disabled soldiers as they transition to their lives back in the United States. The ultimate goal is to increase their confidence and hope for the future by reconnecting with their love of the outdoors and the American traditions of hunting and firearms.
If you can spare a few bucks, please help Linoge get his $1500 goal. I threw some bucks in last night… It IS for a good cause!!!
Another day, another trip, and I ‘finally’ get to sleep in my own bed… Yea!!!
Cruz got a chunk of Feinstein the other day, and Midwest Chick has a good post up on it HERE.
Since I’ve been stuck in hotels the last few nights, I was flipping through channels and ran across the Fox, CNN, PMSNBC and CBS reporting on the kerfuffle…
Fox was the ONLY channel that played the whole sequence, all the others played a little of Cruz, and all of Feinstein’s vitriol in response, and took Feinstein’s side in ALL cases…
I’ve come to the realization that Feinstein, like Pelosi is totally out of touch with reality… SHE has a damn permit, but ‘we’ shouldn’t be allowed to protect ourselves…
Where does this crap end??? When the shooting starts??? Sigh…
Cruz got a chunk of Feinstein the other day, and Midwest Chick has a good post up on it HERE.
Since I’ve been stuck in hotels the last few nights, I was flipping through channels and ran across the Fox, CNN, PMSNBC and CBS reporting on the kerfuffle…
Fox was the ONLY channel that played the whole sequence, all the others played a little of Cruz, and all of Feinstein’s vitriol in response, and took Feinstein’s side in ALL cases…
I’ve come to the realization that Feinstein, like Pelosi is totally out of touch with reality… SHE has a damn permit, but ‘we’ shouldn’t be allowed to protect ourselves…
Where does this crap end??? When the shooting starts??? Sigh…
An interesting 8 minute clip of the actual battle of Midway in color. Directed by a young John Ford…
In the late 70’s we were able to get over to Eastern Island and it had not been touched since 1946… UXB, vehicles sitting where they were left, wrecks of airplanes and hangars etc. A very ‘chilling’ up close view of WWII that got all our attention. Sadly we were not allowed to take pictures (still don’t know why)…
It’s the smaller island on the lower right with three runways visible. and is literally a time capsule, sadly being destroyed by the weather and salt water… I don’t know if they let folks other than on official business over there since both the islands are bird (Gooney bird) sanctuary…
Okay, I need help from you old WESTPAC hands…
Discussion at dinner was about Hong Kong and Jimmy’s American Grill. There was a Tailor in Kowloon that was a “cousin” that Jimmy sent us to for uniforms/clothes…
Problem is NONE of us can remember the name of the damn tailor… And we also had an argument over the beer he served, “I” thought it was Tiger, so does anybody remember that???
What if…
Nelson was at Trafalgar in 2012???
Nelson: “Order the signal, Hardy.”
Hardy: “Aye, aye sir.”
Nelson: “Hold on, this isn’t what I dictated to Flags. What’s the meaning of this?”
Hardy: “Sorry sir?”
Nelson (reading aloud): England expects every person to do his or her duty, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religious persuasion or disability.’ What gobbledygook is this for God’s sake?”
Hardy: “Admiralty policy, I’m afraid, sir. We’re an equal opportunities employer now. We had the devil’s own job getting ‘England’ past the censors, lest it be considered racist.”
Nelson: “Gadzooks, Hardy. Hand me my pipe and tobacco.”
Hardy: “Sorry sir. All naval vessels have now been designated smoke-free working environments.”
Nelson: “In that case, break open the rum ration. Let us splice the main brace to steel the men before battle.”
Hardy: “The rum ration has been abolished, Admiral. It’s part of the Government’s policy on binge drinking.”
Nelson: “Good heavens, Hardy. I suppose we’d better get on with it full speed ahead.”
Hardy: “I think you’ll find that there’s a 4 knot speed limit in this stretch of water.”
Nelson: “Damn it man! We are on the eve of the greatest sea battle in history. We must advance with all dispatch. Report from the crow’s nest, please.”
Hardy: “That won’t be possible, sir.”
Nelson: “What?”
Hardy: “Health and Safety have closed the crow’s nest, sir. No harness; and they said that rope ladders don’t meet regulations. They won’t let anyone up there until proper scaffolding can be erected.”
Nelson: “Then get me the ship’s carpenter without delay, Hardy.”
Hardy: “He’s busy knocking up a wheelchair access to the foredeck Admiral.”
Nelson: “Wheelchair access? I’ve never heard anything so absurd.”
Hardy: “Health and safety again, sir. We have to provide a barrier- free environment for the differently abled.”
Nelson: “Differently abled? I’ve only one arm and one eye and I refuse even to hear mention of the word. I didn’t rise to the rank of admiral by playing the disability card.”
Hardy: “Actually, sir, you did. The Royal Navy is under- represented in the areas of visual impairment and limb deficiency.”
Nelson: “Whatever next? Give me full sail. The salt spray beckons.”
Hardy: “A couple of problems there too, sir. Health and safety won’t let the crew up the rigging without hard hats. And they don’t want anyone breathing in too much salt – haven’t you seen the adverts?”
Nelson: “I’ve never heard such infamy. Break out the cannon and tell the men to stand by to engage the enemy.”
Hardy: “The men are a bit worried about shooting at anyone, Admiral.”
Nelson: “What? This is mutiny!”
Hardy: “It’s not that, sir. It’s just that they’re afraid of being charged with murder if they actually kill anyone. There are a couple of legal-aid lawyers on board watching everyone like hawks.”
Nelson: “Then how are we to sink the Frenchies and the Spanish?”
Hardy: “Actually, sir, we’re not.”
Nelson: “We’re not?”
Hardy: “No, sir! The French and the Spanish are our European partners now. According to the Common Fisheries Policy we shouldn’t even be in this stretch of water. We could get hit with a claim for compensation.”
Nelson: “But you must hate a Frenchman as you hate the devil.”
Hardy: “I wouldn’t let the ship’s diversity coordinator hear you saying that sir. You’ll be up on disciplinary report.”
Nelson: “You must consider every man an enemy who speaks ill of your King.”
Hardy: “Not any more, sir. We must be inclusive in this multicultural age. Now put on your Kevlar vest; it’s the rules. It could save your life”
Nelson: “Don’t tell me – Health and Safety. Whatever happened to rum, sodomy and the lash?”
Hardy: As I explained, sir, rum is off the menu! And there’s a ban on corporal punishment.”
Nelson: “What about sodomy?”
Hardy: “I believe that is now legal, sir.”
Nelson: “In that case………………. Kiss me, Hardy.”
h/t CP
Nelson was at Trafalgar in 2012???
Nelson: “Order the signal, Hardy.”
Hardy: “Aye, aye sir.”
Nelson: “Hold on, this isn’t what I dictated to Flags. What’s the meaning of this?”
Hardy: “Sorry sir?”
Nelson (reading aloud): England expects every person to do his or her duty, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religious persuasion or disability.’ What gobbledygook is this for God’s sake?”
Hardy: “Admiralty policy, I’m afraid, sir. We’re an equal opportunities employer now. We had the devil’s own job getting ‘England’ past the censors, lest it be considered racist.”
Nelson: “Gadzooks, Hardy. Hand me my pipe and tobacco.”
Hardy: “Sorry sir. All naval vessels have now been designated smoke-free working environments.”
Nelson: “In that case, break open the rum ration. Let us splice the main brace to steel the men before battle.”
Hardy: “The rum ration has been abolished, Admiral. It’s part of the Government’s policy on binge drinking.”
Nelson: “Good heavens, Hardy. I suppose we’d better get on with it full speed ahead.”
Hardy: “I think you’ll find that there’s a 4 knot speed limit in this stretch of water.”
Nelson: “Damn it man! We are on the eve of the greatest sea battle in history. We must advance with all dispatch. Report from the crow’s nest, please.”
Hardy: “That won’t be possible, sir.”
Nelson: “What?”
Hardy: “Health and Safety have closed the crow’s nest, sir. No harness; and they said that rope ladders don’t meet regulations. They won’t let anyone up there until proper scaffolding can be erected.”
Nelson: “Then get me the ship’s carpenter without delay, Hardy.”
Hardy: “He’s busy knocking up a wheelchair access to the foredeck Admiral.”
Nelson: “Wheelchair access? I’ve never heard anything so absurd.”
Hardy: “Health and safety again, sir. We have to provide a barrier- free environment for the differently abled.”
Nelson: “Differently abled? I’ve only one arm and one eye and I refuse even to hear mention of the word. I didn’t rise to the rank of admiral by playing the disability card.”
Hardy: “Actually, sir, you did. The Royal Navy is under- represented in the areas of visual impairment and limb deficiency.”
Nelson: “Whatever next? Give me full sail. The salt spray beckons.”
Hardy: “A couple of problems there too, sir. Health and safety won’t let the crew up the rigging without hard hats. And they don’t want anyone breathing in too much salt – haven’t you seen the adverts?”
Nelson: “I’ve never heard such infamy. Break out the cannon and tell the men to stand by to engage the enemy.”
Hardy: “The men are a bit worried about shooting at anyone, Admiral.”
Nelson: “What? This is mutiny!”
Hardy: “It’s not that, sir. It’s just that they’re afraid of being charged with murder if they actually kill anyone. There are a couple of legal-aid lawyers on board watching everyone like hawks.”
Nelson: “Then how are we to sink the Frenchies and the Spanish?”
Hardy: “Actually, sir, we’re not.”
Nelson: “We’re not?”
Hardy: “No, sir! The French and the Spanish are our European partners now. According to the Common Fisheries Policy we shouldn’t even be in this stretch of water. We could get hit with a claim for compensation.”
Nelson: “But you must hate a Frenchman as you hate the devil.”
Hardy: “I wouldn’t let the ship’s diversity coordinator hear you saying that sir. You’ll be up on disciplinary report.”
Nelson: “You must consider every man an enemy who speaks ill of your King.”
Hardy: “Not any more, sir. We must be inclusive in this multicultural age. Now put on your Kevlar vest; it’s the rules. It could save your life”
Nelson: “Don’t tell me – Health and Safety. Whatever happened to rum, sodomy and the lash?”
Hardy: As I explained, sir, rum is off the menu! And there’s a ban on corporal punishment.”
Nelson: “What about sodomy?”
Hardy: “I believe that is now legal, sir.”
Nelson: “In that case………………. Kiss me, Hardy.”
h/t CP
On a quick pop up trip… Light posting/commenting till I get back Friday night.