The Laughing Wolf

Happy Birthday Chesty

T1G reminds me of a special birthday. Go read, and then read some more.

Happy Birthday Chesty, wherever you are. Say hi to Dad for me.

LW

If Anyone Likes Old China

Or crystal, let me know. One of the things I am doing is unpacking the china and other things from Mom and Dad's place. I loved my Mom, but there are areas where our tastes differed strongly, including her Spode pattern. I had meant to go through this a while back and sell some of it, but never did, so...

There may also be some other stuff that goes up for sale, as her taste in kitsch is very different from mine as well. Who knows, maybe another online yard sale for some of it...

LW
of much more classical bent on china and such

Rain

Last night was a great show. We are really in a drought here, and the farmers are feeling it. Yards are turning brown and grass dying. Last week, when it looked like we might get rain one night, I ran around like a madman putting out weed and feed on the yard -- only to see the skies clear. Could have sworn I heard a "Ha Ha Fooled You" from on high...

I wasn't expecting anything last night, but a front clearly came through with rain and one heck of a lightning show. Power went out for an hour or two, but I just lay in bed and watched the light show. Some hit close, others didn't. Didn't matter -- it was still beautiful to watch. Can't wait to do that in the new lair...

LW
who hopes for enough rain to nurture lawn and finally activate the weed and feed...

A Word From R

I had to laugh this morning at a memory of my friend R. I did my elbow a few weeks ago working on the lair, which has not helped things other than to slow them down. Things are such that I am now in elbow bondage, and that brought back a good laugh remembering what he said when I first injured it. He had caught me drinking my coffee and doing things left handed, looked at me and said "You know what, I'm older than you. But, you are still old." Yes my friend, I am, and I feel it today. Thanks for the laugh.

LW

Lite Week

I am betwixt and between right now, on several levels. Work is intense and will be for a while longer. At home, I am both unpacking at the new lair and packing at the apartment, with the goal of moving the large stuff from the apartment this Friday and actually living in the new lair full time from then on. So, not a lot of time, but will do what I can when I can. Stay tuned. Who knows ... may run some pictures to make up for the lack of substance...

LW

Frustration

Got the last of the current major painting done this weekend, and a lot of trim. Alas, some trim did not turn out as planned when the gold leaf paint did not do right. In fact, it did rather badly so will have to re-prime and re-paint those sections. I may have to live with it for a while though...

More soon, as work and lair permit.

LW

Blog Sabbath

Go enjoy the day.

LW

Welcome To Food For Thought Saturday

Saturday at the Laughing Wolf is a day for good news and food for thought. This got started because of my Blogfather, Joe Katzman, and his good-news-only posts on Saturday. While we will post other news if it is needed, our hope is to keep Saturday’s a fun day, a philosophical day as much as we can. So, enjoy the food for thought, and while you are at it, go check out Sufi Wisdom and more at Winds of Change, food for thought at Who Tends The Fires (Ironbear apparently still in Snowbear's freezer pigging out on frozen custard), and the Saturday question of the day at Tammi's World. Enjoy your day.

Just Some Quick Thoughts

1. Why should you care what those whom you don't respect think of you? I mean other than those in your chain of command? Are they worth getting upset over? FWIIW, laughing at them is the best thing for you, and about the worst thing you can do to them...

2. It is going to be hot in a lot of North America today. Be careful.

3. Isn't it a great world in it that has so many kind people like Craig at mtpolitics!

LW
off to work on the new lair while it is still semi-cool...

Back, I Think

Sorry for the outage; I did something I should not have and it put the site down for a while. The joys of learning the system and coding -- sometimes it almost makes me miss Fortran IV and punch cards. More later.

LW

Tech Question: Insight Cable and FTP

I have a cable modem at the lair and am on Insight broadband. When I go to FTP, I get in but can never get a file list. Any ideas or suggestions?

LW

The Decline And Fall Of The Republic

While I am not quite ready to pull a Pournelle and declare The Republic dead, evidence suggests it is going downhill fast and/or on life support.

First, this execrable ruling from the Supreme Court. It is clear that private property, individual rights, and basic liberty are not a concern to the majority. The state is supreme, to hell with the sheeple seems to be the motto. It is time for the Citizens of this nation to enact laws or clear and unambiguous amendments to the Constitution to prevent this type of high-handed power grab by the state.

Second is this disgusting proposed amendment to ban Flag "desecration." This is what I have come to expect out of Washington at its best: a token act against a visible manifstation of a deeper problem that creates far more problems and erodes the concepts of Citizens and liberty, while doing nothing at all to address the underlying issue(s). It is grandstanding, trying to create the illusion of concern and action, and it is an abrogation of the oaths of office and of the Constitution. No, I don't support desecration of the Flag, but doing yet more to kill freedom of speech is not the answer. The real answer is more freedom of speech, not less. The way of Congress (and the Supreme Court) is the way of Germany in the 20s/30s -- not revolution but a willingness to commit suicide by legal fiat. If this abomination does indeed get passed, we the Citizens need to reject it -- and those who support it -- utterly.

Feh.

LW

Congratulations Deb and Jay!

Go read the good news.

LW

A Semi-Final Note On The Floors

I've been ordered to quit beating myself up over messing up on the floors (that is not my job, but the job of the women in my life I am told, to which I respond "Promises, Promises" *VBEG*), so a quick post on a triumph. The edging was a bear, in a very bad way. $80 worth of sander belts, bought out Lowes, and it was not enough. So, I ended up getting creative with the big, heavy orbital sander. If you pick them up, angle them right, and do some other things not by or in the book, they can and will edge very nicely. Just be careful doing it...

LW

Whew

Things are still incredibly hectic at work, and at the new lair as well. After starting the day at 0430, I started working at the new lair around 1630 and: cleaned and got natural finish down on the sanded floors; whacked some weeds; nuked the ivy (I hope); and did a weed & feed on the lawn. Ivy is nasty to do to a house, so I am working to eliminate it. The lawn needs the help, though I am not looking forward to having to mow more than once a week. That said, if I don't start now on the weeds it will get ahead of me to the point where a pony fission bomb won't help. With luck, I may even get to weed the garden tomorrow... Maybe more soon.

LW

Happy Second Harvey!

Though he does not have a post up about it, several little birdies have told me that Harvey has just turned two. Go check it out and wish him well!

LW

Durbin: Too Little, Too Late

Well, they are calling it an apology but I call bullshit. It is a non-apology full of weasel words and no acceptance of responsibility. If my rear end. I agree with Teresa: When you blame the audience, it is time to resign.

LW

Thank You NZ Bear

If you have not already done so, go check out the newly revised and updated Ecosystem. Also, take a minute to thank NZ Bear for all he has done and is doing for blogging and bloggers.

LW

Boudicca's Poll

Boudicca has a poll up and would love to hear from males on it. I have put in my two cents worth there, but the short version is that age difference is not an issue with me -- it is the maturity levels involved. I would far rather have a relationship with someone with a large age difference who is mature, than with someone my own age who is immature. Short term, I am male and therefore lower than pond slime, so reserve the right to indulge in a short term/one night with someone strictly on looks basis, but for a real relationship it takes maturity on both parts.

I think part of the difficulty in the poll is that she is basing the poll off Hollyweird types, or at least that is from whence the question sprang. To my mind, that is a null set to start with, since most from there have the intellectual and emotional maturity of a jellyfish. And that may have just insulted any number of jellyfish and man-o-wars out there. Are there female actors that fall in the would-you-for-one-night category for me? Oh, yes. Are there female actors who fall in the serious relationship category for me? Not so many. The relationship that sparked the poll is one that I have been trying my best to ignore as it is pure Sept. 10, 2001 and pure dreck otherwise. All I will say on it is that they deserve each other, and leave it at that.

So, go on over and give an honest answer.

LW

Not A Lot Today

Tired, and things are very busy at work. Spent the weekend sanding floors, and getting very annoyed with myself as I managed to mess up the floors a bit in a previous effort. In short, I frelled them up. The good news is that I do have them to the point that someone who knows what they are doing can come in and fix things and refinish them -- without it costing an arm and a leg. Carpet gone. Nails (mostly) gone. Staples gone. Super staples gone. Still mad at myself, but have to admit I tried to do too much, too fast, with too little. It can and will be fixed, meantime I can live with it and furniture and such can hide the worst. Maybe more later.

LW

Congratulations Blackfive!

Blackfive is now two. And what an outstanding two years it has been. All I can say is keep up the good work! That, and thanks for all the good work and the resource you provide.

LW
who is curious if when he turns four, if Blackfive will wear Thomas engine underwear, drop trou, and sing the Kookabura song... Read his blog to find out where that came from *G*

Blog Sabbath

Picture coming, I hope.

Finally.

Go enjoy the day.

LW

Welcome To Food For Thought Saturday

Saturday at the Laughing Wolf is a day for good news and food for thought. This got started because of my Blogfather, Joe Katzman, and his good-news-only posts on Saturday. While we will post other news if it is needed, our hope is to keep Saturday’s a fun day, a philosophical day as much as we can. So, enjoy the food for thought, and while you are at it, go check out Sufi Wisdom and more at Winds of Change, food for thought at Who Tends The Fires (Ironbear apparently still in Snowbear's freezer pigging out on frozen custard), and the Saturday question of the day at Tammi's World. Enjoy your day.

Enjoy The Small Pleasures And Triumphs

It has been one heck of a week. Loss, pain, loss again, rotten politics at work, and behind -- waaaay behind -- on work at the lair because of a change in the schedule. Enough to put one off one's feed if you let it.

Yet, that change in schedule means that I spent my first night in the new lair, camped on an air mattress in the basement. Other than some spider issues, actually kind of fun. Even have the broadband up and the router sort of working. The loss(es) have caused me to appreciate what I have and what good people have brought into my life. Politics are never fun, but it is making me think and actually giving me some additional freedom to maneuver.

You can spend your time focused on the negative, or you can look at the rest of the picture -- and the rest is usually a lot larger than the bad.

Which perspective do you choose?

LW

Friday Wolf Blogging

This one struck me as funny, simply because be it wolf, child, or teenager, the look is the same...

Enjoy your day and your weekend!

LW

A Funeral For A Friend

The funeral for R was on Wednesday and our office drove over and up to it. The preacher made a good point about taking responsibility for yourself and your actions being the first step in changing your life for the better. He should have stopped there. The best part, to my mind, was a release of butterflies graveside. There was a poem on a card attached to the box with the butterfly I was given:

The one I let go took a minute or three to recover, then circled several times and began to spiral up into the sky. I lost sight of it as it climbed higher and higher, and went on its new journey. Fitting. Thanks for being a part of my life R.

LW

Weird

In a dream last night, my mother called me on my cell phone. When she called, I did not get to it in time, but was able to call her back. When she answered, all I heard was her sobbing. Gut-wrenching heart-breaking sobbing. I do hope that this was not an omen...

When I could finally get her to talk, it seems that she had made an old-fashioned Christmas tree ornament for me. This ornament was representative of me, my life, and my career. Somehow it had gotten broken -- and thus my life was broken as well. I assured her that we could make a new one, a better one. But those sobs haunted my night last night.

LW

A Sad Day

MommaBear of On The Third Hand has lost her beloved PoppaBear. Please send your thoughts and prayers for both of them, and for the family.

LW

More Soon

Busy, hectic, and more. Back soon.

LW

The Latest Care Package

Mr. C, KiltBaby, and Clara the very spoiled cat outdid themselves this time, though I may have to sue. There was a huge jar of good looking orange marmalade, a whole bunch of great looking recipes, and a chocolate bar featuring wolves. Where the litigation arises is from the bottle of Hot & Mild Flip-Flop Sauce which has upon it takes on several politicians including Teddy Kennedy in what appears to be a Speedo-type bathing suit. AHHHHHHHHH! My Eyes!!!!!!

Despite that image being seared, seared I say, into my mind, Thanks!

LW
who looks forward to his care packages and all the surprises inside

The World Trembles...

Upon its very foundations as I discover that Baldilocks is white, and Ith is really some actor. What's next, finding out that Eric is really a metrosexual? Oh, wait, he has the shoes...

LW

who says cheap laughs still work

Rain

When you take your hat off, it is only the rain on your face.

Loss is a hard thing, as it should be. Yet, it is harder on many levels than most may think, for it tests us in the sincerity of our beliefs. We oft claim to want the best for those we love, but all too often our thoughts are not of them, but of ourselves. How often have you prayed for someone to live, to get better, or for something similar, not for them but out of fear of loss for yourself?

Loss is hard, it hurts, and we do not want to lose those around us about whom we care. Selfish, but true. We do not want them to go, no matter how great that which awaits, because it leaves us hurt and cold. Bereft of their physical presence.

Loss is hard, and we cry not for their pain and suffering, but for our own. Tears so oft are selfish in that regard. We cry for ourselves, our loss, our pain.

Loss is hard, but it is far better than retreat into the cold. Been there, done that, closed my circle of friends. No emotion, just calculation and a loneliness that never ends.

Letting others in is hard, for you know it will end and that loss will come again. Yet hard as that loss is, the light the love brings in is so much more.

In the afternoon, I sat on a log in a field, and said goodbye. For this one, I had warning and knew time was short. Alyeska the wolf has been on each day a blessing for a few weeks now, with cancer moving fast. Now his time was nigh, and I came to say goodbye old friend. Tis it truly better to know the date and time? With Mom, the cancer ate her slow, and we had time for long goodbyes; and, for her to waste into something I could lift and hold like a child, as bedding and clothes were changed. With Dad, cancer and emphysema took him, but the end was rapid with but a short time for goodbyes. WIth R, as with too many others, there was no time, no warning, no goodbye.

The last few years have tested my ability to handle change, my refusal to go back out into the cold on many levels. Such fear is not rational, for I can never be that again. Yet, I fear going towards it for that way is the easy path of true death. Death of the soul. I really should not fear that I could go that way, but by my standards I have not been tracking well of late on some levels. Emotional levels. R knew it and helped, though we never put it into so many words. Loss, pain, hardship, like madness, take a toll; please have exact change. Emotions run more than they should, and where and in ways they should not.

So I found myself in a field with the cold rain coming down, sitting on a log thinking these things, facing them. I will to will thy will and let that which is right be. It is about them, all of them, yet it is also about me. Not all such feelings are selfish and wrong, just painful and hard. Goodbye old friends.

I took off my hat, looked out and up, and welcomed the tears coming down from the sky. After all, when you take off your hat, it is only the rain on your face.

LW

Take Time Today

The joy of any new job, trip, or visit is to meet new people. At my new job, one of the true delights was meeting R.

On the surface, you would think that it might have been anything but. To the left, R. To the right, wolf. An aging hippy who didn't trust companies, capitalism, or many other institutions to be honest about it. Yet, things clicked.

R was into discourse and was always willing to consider new things, and was widely read to boot. We might agree to disagree on things, but each considered what the other had to say and looked at facts. Besides, when it came to the things that really mattered, we agreed. You do right by your people, your word is your bond, and individuals have a right to choose -- even if they make a stupid choice. Thoughts on management, management issues, styles, and politicians were remarkably similar.

Some of his outlook and politics were shaped by his service in Vietnam. His was not a good one, yet he understood that there were times to fight and to kill. He didn't like it, but he knew it was necessary and he respected those who served.

A talented artist, his design work and portraits were good. We have been having fun the last few weeks teasing a younger, callow member of the office with talk of sex, drugs, and rock and roll from the 60s on. R knew exactly what he was doing, and though he never showed it, he took great delight in making this person's eyes get big and round. It was fun to help on this. Another fan of the Goofy Gophers, he was Tosh to my Mac, and our "Oh no, after you!" bemused those ignorant of such high art.

We briefly considered, before sanity returned, putting the new roof on the new lair. Hard work and labor did not scare him, as evidenced by his willingness to help unload the truck yesterday. Some of the fine trim painting was to be his, too.

Yesterday, I came home and got a call. Thursday evening, R had started feeling bad and had gone to his neighbors. While there, things got worse and he asked them to call a doctor. By the time the paramedics arrived, he was gone.

I am not one to make friends easily. I have a lot of acquaintances, a much smaller number of friends, and a group of what I call true friends that can pretty much be counted on one hand. True friends I trust with my life, and even my death. R had already gone into the friend category, and was headed, I think, for true friend.

Take the time today to appreciate those in your life. You know not how long you will have them.

LW

Hang tight, my friend. I will see you where the fields are green, the demons gone, and the party long.

Welcome To Food For Thought Saturday

Saturday at the Laughing Wolf is a day for good news and food for thought. This got started because of my Blogfather, Joe Katzman, and his good-news-only posts on Saturday. While we will post other news if it is needed, our hope is to keep Saturday’s a fun day, a philosophical day as much as we can. So, enjoy the food for thought, and while you are at it, go check out Sufi Wisdom and more at Winds of Change, food for thought at Who Tends The Fires (Ironbear apparently still in Snowbear's freezer pigging out on frozen custard), and the Saturday question of the day at Tammi's World. Enjoy your day.

Jobs And Being Thankful

Catfish recently sent me a goodie about a job to be thankful you don't have: personally testing each individual rectal thermometer made by a particular company (per that company's advertising). Last night, I think I saw something worse.

He was moving road block barrels at a construction site. To move them over so as to block a lane, he had to walk almost into the single lane left. The lane that was blocked on the other side by concrete barriers.

You know, I don't think I would want that job, under about any circumstances. I think I would rather test the thermometers than move barrels and get grazed by cars and trucks like that. Especially when there are drivers like me trying to horse a 26-foot truck between the lines...

LW

Turning Off Trackback Pings

Have had to do it because of the 600 plus spam pings that have gotten through in the last couple of days. Dealing with them takes the time I had for blogging, and more, so... Hope to do something soon to get things back on track, other than hunting down spammers and showing AI what true torture and such are...

LW

Friday Wolf Blogging

Just something very short and sweet as all my time is being spent deleting the 300 plus spams that managed to make it through security yesterday. I really do want to introduce the spammers to the Grumpy Old Men... Meantime, here is something cute for the day.

LW

Lighter Note: That Cop Better Watch Out...

Heh. This is great, and I loved it.. I say not only did she take the thief, I bet she can take the cop too -- and should for his asinine spewing. Thanks Teresa!

LW
glad for the grin

A Grave-Robbing Outrage

The Ground Zero Memorial has been hijacked. Go here, here, and here. Follow the links, then let everyone from the President on down know how you feel about the matter. The people doing this are, in my opinion, slightly lower than ghouls to corrupt what should be a memorial to those that were murdered that day. It is more than merely contemptible, and words fail me at describing this effort and those behind it.

LW

Lair Update: Master Bedroom

This will be it for a while, and as always the furniture in the before pictures is not mine. Today, the master bedroom:

Again, darker coloured walls and some rather hideous carpet. The seller inherited the carpet when they bought the house, not sure about the walls. Dark, not particularly warm either.

The original pine floors were under the carpet and I went with the same colour as in the living room. Again with multiple coats of primer, and have gotten the ceiling as well. This also includes the large walk-in closet for the room. Trim will be in gloss white, and will probably use a gold oak finish on the floor and poly instead of wax. Depends on how things look after I get the finish down. I had thought of going with natural, but am not sure how good that would look with the pine in question.

Things may be sporadic for a few days, but back soon.

LW

A Post You Need To Read

Go read this post on a real nuclear threat right now. Think on it a bit. Years ago I was introduced to Fractional Orbital Bombardment Systems (FOBS), Electro Magnetic Pulse (EMP), and other delights, and the problem has in many ways only gotten worse since then. Read the article, and think a bit. ABM systems and hardening can help, but eliminating the source of the threat is the only true defense.

LW

Good Luck Hiawatha!

Courtesy of Rand, I see that Hiawatha Bray is is running for office in the Newspaper Guild because of the slanderous remarks by Linda Foley and her subsequent actions. I have very strong doubts that the Old Media can be reformed or saved, but if it is to be done, the only hope for it are honorable people doing what Hiawatha has chosen to do.

Some other thoughts on journalism can be found here and here courtesy of Blogfather Joe Katzman at Winds of Change. These are well worth the read.

LW

Lair Update: Solarium

What I think used to be the front porch (that's what it would have been in the South) on the lair was converted a while back into a solarium:

The colour was a variant of avacado green, and there were problems in one area from what turned out to be a current roof leak.

The new look is much warmer, with the walls now a gold satin, the first stage of trim in rose of copper, and the remaining trim going gloss white. The problem area has been worked and should stay fixed if the new roof gets up on schedule. Only when the new roof is on will the ceiling be done in gloss white. This room has taken some time because of the need to fix a few things and because of the detail in the trim. It has also convinced me to never again do fancy trim in a colour that is a two-stage process...

LW

What Would You Use

If you knew someone starting a new blog, what software would you recommend they use? MT? EE? Other? Why do you recommend it?

LW

A Different Thought On Lt. Pantano

Blackfive links to a different take from the norm. I have not commented on this case because others were doing it well and because of insufficient data. It was clear that the murder charges should never have been filed, however, and I am glad he was cleared.

The murder charges are the basis for my own different take. To have them pushed as hard and as far makes me want to start a betting pool. What do you want to bet that one (or more) of the people involved use them as a basis for running for DA or a judicial seat? As in "see how tough I was and that is how tough I will be here" type thing. Wonder if we can start a pool in Vegas on this...

LW

Lair Update: Dining Room

To continue the process of showing that while I have not been blogging, I also have not been lazy. As before, the furniture in the first picture is not mine and is gone.

The dining room was not too bad, though the walls were a dark beige colour. The ceiling was a bit dingy, as was the trim. The floor was in pretty good shape.

This is the current status of the dining room:

The ceiling now has a coat of primer and a coat of paint. The walls are now an off white, a frost colour called "Moondance" that reminds me of the original light colored cambric frost paper. As of tonight, the window frames and door frames are a gloss white ("Snow Ballet"). Didn't get the baseboards, but they are next up. Replacing outlet covers and such with brass and plan to go with formal red drapes for this room.

BTW, the experiment I ran with using the cobalt blue for more than the archways and cove trim was a bust in terms of baseboards in the living room. Will be going gloss white on those. Got a good chunk of kitchen hit with first coat of primer tonight, along with repairing a good size hole in a wall. Not a bad bit of work for just a couple of hours time... Plan to use the Moondance in the kitchen as well.

LW

D-Day: Remembrance

It was 61 years ago today that the liberation of Europe from Nazi Germany truly began. Go check out Blackfive's D-Day Blogburst from last year for a number of truly outstanding posts. My own entry, with error noted, is here and includes links to many of the other posts. A lighter note is here.

Remember them all, and honor the sacrifice made this day.

LW

Lair Update: Living Room

To give an idea of what I have been up to, here is a shot of the old living room in the new lair. The furniture and stuff all belonged to the seller and is gone.

The flash hides it, but the ceiling was a dark, old, yellow. The walls were a dark brown, a shade I have referred to as colon brown, and the carpet was a dark beige. Dark sort of sums it up in one word.

This is the current status of the living room:

The ceiling has had two coats of primer and two coats of paint, along with some spot Kilz, and is now white. The walls took three or four coats of good primer, but now are a pearlescent gold. The window trim, fireplace, and bookcase will be a gloss white, with cobalt blue (seen in the archway) as bookcase, upper cove, and baseboard trim. The carpet is gone, along with the padding and several hundred staples. Every staple has to be hand pulled, and the last person to put in carpet also used pneumatically-driven staples on the tack strips along with nails -- apparently including roofing nails in spots. Both previous installations seem to have been paid by the staple... The oak floor is now down to bare wood and needs edging and finish sanding. That will be an all-day project to do right, and I want to do it right. Still lots to do, but the floor is now the main thing...

Don't have pictures of the back hallway and stairwell, but it was an extremely dark green with dark almond ceiling paint. It now is also minus carpet and down to bare wood; semi-gloss white walls (same white as gloss white used for trim in Living Room, Dining Room, and Solarium); and a white ceiling. Don't ask how many coats of primer...

Tomorrow, either the living room or the solarium before and current.

LW
who really does have a good reason for not blogging more lately...

Blog Sabbath

In honor of VW, who has been very patient, the first photos of the new lair.

From one of the flower beds:

From the front, where I took the time yesterday to plant Siberian Iris and a colorful border:

From the back, my house flag:

Go enjoy the beauty of the day.

LW

Welcome To Food For Thought Saturday

Saturday at the Laughing Wolf is a day for good news and food for thought. This got started because of my Blogfather, Joe Katzman, and his good-news-only posts on Saturday. While we will post other news if it is needed, our hope is to keep Saturday’s a fun day, a philosophical day as much as we can. So, enjoy the food for thought, and while you are at it, go check out Sufi Wisdom and more at Winds of Change, food for thought at Who Tends The Fires (Ironbear apparently still in Snowbear's freezer pigging out on frozen custard), and the Saturday question of the day at Tammi's World. Enjoy your day.

Drive, Impatience, And Responsibility

What drives you, and are those drives good for you?

This has been a subject brought home to me this week because of work and progress on the new lair. Or, rather, the lack of planned/hoped-for progress. I like to get things done and can be very focused and driven in completing projects or doing anything, sometimes more so than is healthy. In my case, I know that a lot of my drive comes from having been told that I would not reach 18 nor ever be as good as "normal" kids. Such can leave one with an overwhelming desire to experience as much as possible, and to finish things from projects to books because tomorrow may never come. It has also meant a tendency to push too hard, to rush such that things are simply done, rather than done right or to the best of one's ability. Such is also why I have a very strong and negative reaction to complacency and anyone who tells me that I have years to do something. To my mind, though I am long past 18, time is limited and always will be so.

The things that drive me have positive aspects too, but the negative are things to watch and change. So what drives you, or causes you to have a lack of drive? What parts are positive, and which are negative? Stop and think a bit, and then start working on ways to reduce the negative. It makes for a happier and healthier life.

LW

Friday Wolf Blogging

Sorry, but between work and work on the new lair, not much time. So, I will leave you with two pictures for the day.

Ah, yes, that's the spot...

A quiet moment in the sun...

Enjoy!

LW

A Loss For The Blogosphere

It was with dismay that I learned that Craig of mtpolitics has called it quits. Jim at Parkway Rest Stop calls it a Damned Shame and I agree. I further agree that he may very well be the nicest person in the blogosphere. He was an early visitor and commented frequently, encouraging me to keep going. He has helped many get started, deal with technical issues, and much more. The blogosphere needs many more like him, and his loss hurts.

All I can do is say is Good Luck to him and his family. We will miss you.

LW

Some Suggested Reading

Cicero has two good thought pieces here and here. Robin Burk has good pieces on the EU Constitution here and here, along with a very interesting report on an embed here. Good info on UAVs can be found here. Finally, Winds of War is up as well.

LW

Dawn Patrol: New Format

Go check out the new format for the Dawn Patrol over at Mudville Gazette. Instead of Old Media news, it now concentrates on information from those who are there. This post illustrates why such is needed, while reminding us all to help.

Side note, Citizen Smash asks a good question in regards the story in the Shady Lady detailing the now formerly secret air operations of captured terrrorist transport. Allow me to expand a bit: What public interest was served by revealing sensitive and/or secret information to the enemy in time of war?

LW