Duke ⋅
Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.
Entries 624
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Wintersong in General
Well, this is the first thing I have done on this new computer. My old Dell abruptly stopped functioning, because of some Microsoft update. Then every time the computer tried to start it said th...
Sign of the Gypsy Queen in General
Sign of the Gypsy Queen I always loved the bass work in that tune. And the feelings of being who I was at the time… Well dear diary, It’s been a while. Life generally is good. I have a good job...
The War Was in Color in General
She does a great job explaining some of the feelings I felt about this song when I first heard it in the fall of 2006 – 17 years ago. Song Review: The War Was In Color by Carbon Leaf Posted on F...
He Went To Paris in General
Through 86 years of perpetual motion If he likes you he’ll smile then he’ll say “Jimmy, some of it’s magic, some of it’s tragic But I had a good life all the way” -He Went to Paris, Jimmy Buffe...
Sunday-Monday in General
Saturday I was up this gorgeous coastal Maine summer day before 6am. I had an appointment to get my annual extortion inspection sticker renewed at 8am. Darling Ford is less than a quarter mile f...
Trip Around the Sun in General
Trip Around the Sun “Yes I’ll make a resolution That I’ll never make another one.” Well, I’d say I can add cancer survivor to my list of accolades. But I don’t know if I survived. Friday my alm...
Star Me kitten in General
Star Me Kitten Work Remains a constant. Certainly not the most challenging job I’ve ever had, but remains a bit confusing and frustrating. If you peel back the layers you see how this system ha...
I hope all is well in your world. And happy birthday. Today the weather suits you, my angel. I’m doing well, if a little lonely. Pathetically I still pine for you. But as long as you are happ...
This will be quick. I signed all the documents so an “under contract” sign should go up in my front yard any day now. It took all freaking day, I kept “e-signing” documents only to have them s...
Cats and Dogs in General
Funny phrases that come to you. In all officers meetings and all aircrew meetings at the end of the meeting the skipper would call out “Cats and Dogs.” That was everyone’s opportunity to chime...
I’ve Been One poor Correspondent… in General
I don’t write here much. My brain is tired, and while I have a lot to talk about I rarely have the energy by the time I leave work. Work is interestingly exhausting… No two projects are the same...
Always Somewhere in General
Two months at work and I am finally doing something with someone hanging over my shoulder. Boss is trusting she trained me well enough to do some things on my own. No two days are the same. Wher...
Battle Rhythm in General
I first heard the term “Battle Rhythm” in ’94 when we were flying in Bosnia. It, in Naval Aviation parlance refers to the fitting of all the requirements of fighting a war into a 24 hour day and ...
Learn My lesson By Now in General
Week Two Into the second full week of actually “working.” Word I get is it will take me a few months to be able to work on my own. It doesn’t matter how smart or experienced you are. This is so...
Commence the Adventure in General
First Day of three of orientation. Half of tomorrow I have to find something else to do on the clock, because the briefs are all Union oriented, and I am not allowed to witness. Wednesday I go i...
The Show Must Go On in General
In 1991 I was in training at VAQ-129. It was a miserable time. I had absolutely no control over my life. I was a slave to the flight schedule. We lived in base housing. Three-bedroom two bat...
My love is in league with the freeway Its passion will rise as the cities fly by And the taillights dissolve in the coming of night And the questions of thousands take flight When I wore a young...
The Beat Goes On in General
Jumped out of bed at 0455. Took a nice hot shower. Drank three big cups of coffee and a 40oz bottle of water. And watched the clock. At 0630 I really needed to pee. Poured my fourth cup of cof...
Space Junk in General
The call finally came. I am scheduled for the second medical screening on Friday. Then salary orientation on the 27th. At which point I am on the clock again. The 10 year vacation that included...
Slowly, Incrementally in General
The employment guy (who, strangely I may be distantly related to by marriage) told me if I hadn’t heard from Medical by Friday to give him a call. After three days of checking my email every hour...
Back on the Docket in General
After 90 days in limbo, I finally talked with the guy in employment. The offer is still good, I should hear from medical by Friday. All goes well, I will be in orientation on the 27th. As I rec...
Swampfox 623, Delta High. in General
I occasionally throw out obscure references. Swampfox was the tactical call sign for the World Famous VAQ-132 Scorpions. 623 was my jet. I was always assigned to 623, and 623 wasn’t always the s...
Delta Dirty in General
I am again in a holding pattern. I went in for the medical screening on Monday. I prepped as if I was going in for a physical. I ate supper at 1900 the night before. Didn’t eat or drink anythin...
Don’t Go Away Mad in General
We could sail away Or catch a freight train Or a rocketship into outer space Nothin’ left to do Too many things were said To ever make it feel Like yesterday did Seasons must change Separate pat...
Contingency targeting Exercise. I have no idea if they do those these days. It has been a while since I retired, and a really long time since I was a junior officer. Crossing oceans to arrive in...