The Facebook “American Challenge”

1 Comment

American_challenge_09302014

Seems there’s a new “Challenge” thing going around Facebook, called the “American Challenge”. You’re supposed to show the world how ‘murican you are by taking a picture with the flag, a gun, and the Bible. Never one to want to miss out on the latest trend, here’s my contribution.
The Flag, of course. This one flew over the United States Capitol on September 5, 2004. The gun? A BB gun I bought at KMart 25 years ago, for $12. Don’t mess with me, I’m pack’n! The Bible was given to me by my maternal grandparents as a Christmas gift in 1968. I was 11 years old. In less than 2 years, I was a confirmed atheist. I don’t think that was my grandparent’s intentions, but there you go. The whole gay thing came later.
Just remember, “American Challenge” takers, this land is my land, too.

I think his name was Murphy

3 Comments

murphys_law

Sometimes the universe conspires to bring together a multiplicity of situations, each of which would be a minor problem on it’s own, but when combined create potential for deadly mayhem.  Last night I experienced that perfect storm, and it could end badly. Here’s a list of the things that could go wrong, and did:  He didn’t call on a 9-1-1 line, and he didn’t speak English. Once a translator was on the line, he didn’t mention the single most important fact of the situation, or the translator failed to properly understand the emergency.  He started off asking to speak to a particular officer, but mangled the name so badly that I had no clue who he was referring to, and wasted precious time trying to figure out who he might have meant.  After much too much time was wasted on what would turn out to be unimportant details, he got around to explaining the problem. I about fell out of my chair once I understood what he was trying to convey.  I was yelling for an ambulance to start, getting deputies responding code 3, and basically cursing him and the translator (to myself, never out loud) for beating around the bush when speed was of the essence.

More

Throwback Thursday

3 Comments

jim_2009_hog_wallows_woodlake

2009, at the Hog Wallows, south of Woodlake, California

Downtown #Visalia, Saturday evening

Leave a comment

Screen Shot 2014-09-14 at 2.44.28 PM

More

Throwback Thursday

Leave a comment

jim_richards_circa_1990

Refilling the ice, at Richard’s Liquors, circa 1988 or so.  Visalia, California

#Mars Geek: Sept. 3, 1976 #Viking2 lands on Red Planet

1 Comment

viking_09031976

Two days before my 19th birthday. Incredible images to follow the successful Viking 1 lander in July.  What a summer!