Go Army! Beat Navy!

This week keeps getting worse for the Mets.

Shane Bowen must have coached the Eagles defense in the second half.

One of the less visible but rather expensive costs of a long partial government shutdown are the late fees which must be paid for office utilities, phone lines, water, and sanitation services since late September. I spent several months processing those past due invoices in 2013 and 2018-19.

Acadia NP open to visitors, but not collecting entrance fees due to the partial government shutdown. A tremendous amount of lost revenue during the last big holiday weekend of the season.

I arrived in Germany one week after reunification and witnessed the end of The Cold War as an American Army officer. Returned to Germany this year and observed an economic powerhouse, bastion of democracy, and linchpin of the NATO alliance.

The Mets will play Taps instead of Take Me Out To The Ballgame during the 7th Inning Stretch at Citifield tonight. My team has lost six or more games in a row three times this season (11 out of 12 once). They do not deserve a wild card spot.

Thirty five years ago today the servants of a sociopathic autocrat invaded a nation the dictator referred to as his 19th province. Before the end of the year I was deployed to Saudi Arabia. This historical event changed the trajectories of my life and my nation.

Happy 250th Birthday to the United States Army! Proudly served in that institution for ten years.

New York City hosted the last American military victory parade thirty four years ago today. I attended with my parents one month after returning from the combat zone. That celebration kept our nation's tradition since The Civil War.

Tyrese Halliburton is reminding me of Big Shot Robert Horry!

The ability to work a rotating shift schedule (days, evenings, mids) gets much harder after the age of 50. Eliminating the FERS Retirement Annuity Supplement will force many National Weather Service shift workers to work until 62 rather than 57. It will also increase health risks for them.

Witnessed some lousy things in combat, but it pales in comparison to what I saw at the world's most notorious death camp last week. The National Socialists murdered over one million Jews there in three years. That number encompassed countless individual tragedies. Never forget!

The Mets and Marlins are playing a series in chilly weather at Citifield this week. I remember pitching during such weather in high school on Long Island and throwing mostly fastballs. Making contact with aluminum bats off of a high 80s fastball at 40F is so much fun!

My favorite Val Kilmer movie is "The Saint" in which he co-starred with Elizabeth Shue. He did a great remake of the Roger Moore 1960s TV series. May he is rest in peace.

This weekend's severe weather outbreaks made me think about the Top 5 weather and water events I worked in my career: 1. 2011 Super Outbreak 2. 2024 Hurricane Helene 3. 2008 Super Tuesday Outbreak 4. 1995 Pacific NW Superstorm 5. 2020 Carolinas Outbreak

A sad but wise commentary on individual human nature and the evolution of nation-state level terror on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.

Jayden Daniels has that Joe Montana cool air about him. Montana led the 49ers to a Super Bowl during his first year as a starter.

All hail the new Commander in Chief after leading his team to an upset of the top seeded Lions and one game away from the Super Bowl.

I listened to a Brewers game on XM Radio this past Labor Day weekend while driving home from Long Island. Bob Uecker did not sound like a 90 year old while calling an astute play by play. RIP Mr. Baseball!

My thoughts and prayers are with the Capitol and DC Metro police officers on the eve of Jan 6. They upheld their oaths, defended their nation, and are the heroes of that terrible day four years ago.

RIP Jimmy Carter. My middle son and I had the privilege of visiting his Presidential Library last summer. A remarkable servant leader and human being.

"Prizes" at a Dave and Buster's arcade on Long Island. Not many takers among the store visitors.

Broadway's Dungeons and Dragons show is a two and half hour improv class. Quite impressive!

A timeless message on Christmas Day.

My family enjoys the challenge of escape rooms. Yesterday we aired our grievances, disappointed each other, and performed mental feats of strength for sixty minutes. We managed to pin the escape room as time expired. Merry Christmas to all!

The Army football team wore uniforms to honor the 101st Airborne Division during the Battle of the Bulge. They played like it was Operation Market Garden. Kudos to Navy for playing a great game.

Go Army! Beat Navy!

Listened to National Public Radio and CBC One all of the time when I lived in Northern Maine for five years. Renewing a great habit to listen to current events and special interest stories via XM Radio.

Watching "White Christmas" this evening on the 70th anniversary of its debut. The film's positive message, holiday cheer, and terrific music/choreography never grow old!

It's a Juanderful time to be a Mets fan! The chintzy Wilpon era is long gone 😊

Today is Saint Nicholas Day for most of Northern Europe when good children receive gifts from him. Last night the naughty children encountered Krampus. Be on the right list!

I have asthma from inhaling oil well fire smoke at close range for three weeks in combat. A VA toxic smoke respiratory specialist recommended I resume playing a brass instrument for fun and therapy. I was an all state caliber tuba player in high school. Bought this beautiful euphonium today.

Thirty five years of leading American soldiers and scientists taught me they are the envy of the world in their competence, character, and courage. From The First Gulf War to Hurricane Helene, their dedication to duty and selfless service safeguarded their nation.

The Cowboys-Redskins this afternoon is the absolutely worst special teams game I've seen in fifty years of watching the NFL.

Military service often leads to lifetime friendships. My friend just received his Army Commendation Medal for outstanding Desert Storm Performance. I'm the officer wearing glasses in the background. The other pic is of us at a reunion in 2022.