Target Centermass

Category: General

  • Nothing Tonight but Thanksgiving Wishes

    The shoes are shined. I’m ready for Thanksgiving with the fiancee’s family.

    I just got a good workout in, and I’m already looking forward to turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce (from a can!), pumpkin and pecan pie. And then seconds. And then leftovers.

    I have a lot to be thankful for this year.

    First, thank you to my fiancee. Love ya, Doll. By the way, she and I have set a May wedding date and decided on Hawaii for the honeymoon. Any feedback on the Maui-or-Oahu decision would be appreciated.

    I’m thankful that my close friend and former tank crewmate Bill is wrapping up his tour in Iraq (more here and here).

    I’m thankful for those that stop by here and read Target Centermass, and I want to thank the members of my blogroll who have brought the world to me, its news and their views, along with a healthy dose of laughter.

    Here’s wishing y’all a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

  • Remembering November 18, 1999

    2:42 AM

    Here.

  • Smoke ’em if You’ve Got ’em

    I worried, but the Cigar Factory New Orleans is most assuredly still around and in business, thanks to the following update on its website:

    WE SURVIVED KATRINA AND ARE ACCEPTING PHONE ORDERS. PLEASE CALL 1-800-550-0775

    100% Hand Rolled

    Personnally, I’m fond of the Churchills.

    Also, since I’m discussing N’Awlins businesses that survived Katrina and are worth your hard-earned buck, the pralines at Aunt Sally’s are amazing. Hey, I don’t get a single shiny penny for these endorsements — they’re from the heart. Enjoy.

  • Blogging

    Visually explained.

  • Quiz: Which Middle Earth Race are You?

    Yeah, it’s another quiz, but I’m a sucker for Tolkien-related silliness. Hat tip to Captain’s Quarters for this one. I scored as follows:

    Numenorean
    Numenorean

    To which race of Middle Earth do you belong?
    brought to you by Quizilla

    Numenorean. I’m cool with that. Meanwhile, the fiancee scored as elvish. Maybe that explains the torch she’s carried for Legolas since I first introduced her to Middle Earth by taking her to see The Fellowship of the Ring. I don’t know that it actually explains the drooling, though.

  • Quiz: Which Type of Soldier are You?

    Hat tip to Mind of Mog, another veteran, for the following quiz.

    You scored as Officer. Officer, you’re the brass. The leader of the bunch. You have leadership qualities, or you have a really big ego. Most likely both. You know how to get things done, and don’t care who you have to kill to get them done. Your a man with a mission and to stand in your way means pain. You have gumption and intelligence to back it up.

    Hold the line!!! AND SOMEONE GET ME COFFEE!!!

    Officer
    		81%

    Combat Infantry
    		63%

    Artillery
    		56%

    Special Ops
    		56%

    Support Gunner
    		56%

    Engineer
    		44%

    Medic
    		38%

    Civilian
    		0%

    Which soldier type are you?
    created with QuizFarm.com

    Well, actually I was an enlisted tanker. It got the coffee part right, though.

  • A Veterans Day Message

    [Reposted from 2004, with links updated as needed. More Veterans Day posting to follow later in the day.]

    In Flanders fields the poppies blow...I was asked today and have often wondered something about Veterans Day — who is it truly meant to honor? Memorial Day is easy — that is a day to remember and pay homage to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the uniform (though everyday we wake up free should be such a day). I knew the origins of today’s holiday, with Nov. 11 (the anniversary of the end of World War I in 1918) formerly being set aside as Armistice Day to honor those who served in that great conflict. In 1954, the name of the holiday was changed to include the veterans of WWII and Korea. Obviously, Veterans Day is a tribute to veterans, but my question was if it was truly meant for combat veterans or those like myself who only served in peacetime?

    Well, according to the FAQ on the government’s official Veterans Day site, the answer is as follows:

    Q. What is the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day?

    A. Many people confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle.
    While those who died are also remembered on Veterans Day, Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor ALL those who served honorably in the military – in wartime or peacetime. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served – not only those who died – have sacrificed and done their duty.

    In light of this confirmation, I would like to thank all who served before me, all who served with me, all who served after me and all who currently serve and sacrifice.

    Why the picture of the flowers on my posts about Veterans Day? That’s a pic of poppies from Flanders Field in Belgium, and the significance of that particular flower and its relation to Veterans (formerly Armistice) Day stem from the poem “In Flanders Fields” by WWI Canadian army physician John McCrae. The poem and its history can be found here (hattip to Damian Brooks at Babbling Brooks).

  • Anti-Spam Update

    I hate comment spam!

    I have just updated my anti-spam software, Bad Bahavior, to v1.2.3. Y’all feel free to drop me an email if you have any problem commenting.

    I highly recommend Bad Behavior, though I think I may have held onto an old version too long. When I first installed it, literally hundreds of spam comments per day were reduced to single digits on bad days. Those numbers began trending back up over the last week or two, so it was time to play a little catch-up. I hate comment spam!

  • Rock This Vote

    Just a little light-hearted survey before I go work out, pager willing.


    For a more serious poll, I’d like to suggest Signaleer’s.

  • Happy Halloween, Y’all

    Required viewing — check.

    Required food — check.

    The trick-or-treaters have passed the century mark and there’s still candy aplenty.

    Here’s hoping y’all are having a fun one, too.