Thanksgiving 11/22/2012

March 3, 1964 - By direction of the Secretary of the Army, under the provisions of paragraph 33, AR 672-5-1, the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious achievement is awarded to:
Yeoman Second Class George A. Barnum,  United States Coast Guard
Corporal Timothy F. Cheek,  United States Marine Corps
Seaman Apprentice Hubert A. Clark  United States Navy
Lance Corporal Jerry J. Diamond  United States Marine Corps
Staff Sergeant Richard E. Gaudreau  United States Air Force
Seaman Apprentice Larry B. Smith  United States Navy
For duties performed 22 November to 25 November 1963

49 years ago, this group of men, along with Sergeant James L. Fielder, United States Army, were commanded by First Lieutenant Samuel R. Bird, United States Army.

I am thankful for the service of these men during some of the darkest hours in our Nation's history, and the continuing sacrifices our men and women in uniform.

Note: I believe the only reason Sgt. Fielder did not receive the commendation was that he had already left the service by March of 1964.
Links:
JFK Library
Salisbury Post
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=11853037
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=69378224

Stoked

An English soccer team decided to stop by Kansas City for a friendly with the local 11.  The game is tomorrow night, but Stoke City opened their workout today to the public and then signed autographs after.  This Kansas boy couldn't pass up a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see his favorite soccer team in the world up close.

I was disappointed with how most of the photos turned out, but I think I was too busy being a fan to worry about my camera.  But that's OK with me.

My Aching Headline 2

Pro Angler to Disabled List With Torn Pole, Hopes to Avoid Tommy Johnboat Surgery.

A Voice From The Shadow

Today's subject is one that I have been considering addressing for some time, and did partly, in a previous post.  I have been reluctant because it is intensely personal for me, but a recent event convinced me it is time to speak up.

In the grip of the demon again

Far from joy

Close to the end

Examine and describe the ugly

The wretched

The walking dead

Smiles are memories

This now crushes

This now blinds

Even in the light I am but a blink away

The words are mine.
They seem a bit odd today.  Embarrassing. The really bad days are gone now, I hope for good. But the words are also a bit scary, because I know they came from deep inside of me.

Which me today

Shell or sunshine

Love or landmine

Do I choose or am I driven

How can they both be me

Which one reality

It's a cliche, but I know of no other way to describe it.
It's a shadow.
But I also know it's a shadow I cast on myself.

Standing at the edge

The top of the slide

Corkscrew down

If I drop my guard I go for the ride

Step over here

Look from the other side

I think my way there

When no exit can be seen

She reminds me I’m not really there

There's a hint at some of the solution there. At least for me.

If you love me like I think

You hide the suffering well

I must put you in purgatory

When I’m in my hell

Will you keep waiting for me to emerge

From the shadows I walk through

Can you breath for the both of us

Can you be sane for two

The right days are wonderful

But too few

From the darkness I can barely remember them

And the wonder that is you

Every situation is different, but professionals will tell you that interacting with others is key to our mental health.  I know it's not easy.  When I was down, the last thing I wanted to do was to be around anyone.  But I also found that interacting with people was exactly the thing that helped me most consistently.

But mainly, know this:
You are not alone. 
You are loved. 
You have no idea how many lives you touch and how many people would be devastated by your loss. Even people you have never met.
If I made it, you can too.


If you need help and don't know where to start, write to me.  I will help.  


If you feel like you need to talk to someone right now, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK(8255)

You are not alone. 

You are loved.

My Aching Headline

Spell check fails to save New Years Eve party goers from baboon drop.

The Passing Of A Giant

A giant left our world today.  Others more talented than myself will be better able to eulogize him.  But I wanted to pay tribute in my own small way.

  Ray Bradbury is best known for his novels, and in particular, science fiction.   However, I find myself most entertained, most enthralled, by his short stories.  And I think his most compelling work, the stories that reach inside of your heart to the place that tears and smiles are born, are the ones that have no scientific bent to them at all. What follows are excerpts from two of my favorites.  I would encourage you strongly to seek out and read these, and his other stories, in their entirety.

"The first light on the roof outside; very early morning.  The leaves on all the trees tremble with a soft awakening to any breeze the dawn may offer.  And then, far off, around a curve of silver track, comes the trolley, balanced on four small steel-blue wheels, and it is painted the color of tangerines.  Epaulets of shimmery brass cover it, and pipings of gold; and its chrome bell rings if the ancient motorman taps it with a wrinkled shoe.  The numerals on the trolley's front and sides are a bright as lemons.  Within, its seats prickle with cool green moss.  Something like a buggy whip flings up from its roof to brush the spider thread high in the passing trees from which it takes its juice.  From every window blows an incense, the all-pervasive blue and secret smell of summer storms and lightning."

The Trolley

"The grapes tasted of fresh, clear water and something that they had saved from the morning dews and the evening rains. They were the warmed-over flesh of April ready now, in August, to pass on their simple gain to any passing stranger.  And the lesson was this; sit in the sun, head down, within a prickly vine, in flickery light or open light, and the world will come to you. The sky will come in its time bringing rain, and the earth will rise through you, from beneath, and make you rich and make you full."

Hopscotch


"The Trolley" was originally published in GOOD HOUSEKEEPING, copyright 1955 by the Hearst Corporation.  It also appears in the book A Medicine For Melancholy And Other Stories


"Hopscotch" copyright 1996 by Ray Bradbury.  It appears in the book Quicker Than The Eye.

Shutterbuggin' 2

Shutterbuggin'

Self Portrait

Lens Cap

My first effort at selling my photographs has come to an end.  Vortac Photography no longer has a home at Smugmug on the web, but when I find another venue to display my work I will add a link to it.  Many thanks to those who did view my work, and an extra thank you to those who purchased.

Careful What You Wish For

There are those who believe that the best thing for our country would be a return to the time when businesses were free to pursue profits without government interference. The halcyon days when there was no minimum wage, no OSHA or any other government agency to hamstring businesses with regulations.  A return to, say, March 25, 1911.

The building was fireproof. It shows now hardly any signs of the disaster that overtook it. The walls are as good as ever so are the floors, nothing is the worse for the fire except the furniture and 141 of the 600 men and girls that were employed in its upper three stories.

... 

At 4:40 o'clock, nearly five hours after the employes in the rest of the building had gone home, the fire broke out. The one little fire escape in the interior was resorted to by many of the doomed victims. Some of them escaped by running down the stairs, but in a moment or two this avenue was cut off by flame. The girls rushed to the windows and looked down at Greene Street, 100 feet below them. Then one poor, little creature jumped. There was a plate glass protection over part of the sidewalk, but she crashed through it, wrecking it and breaking her body into a thousand pieces. 

Then they all began to drop. The crowd yelled "Don't jump!" but it was jump or be burned...

...

Five girls who stood together at a window close the Greene Street corner held their place while a fire ladder was worked toward them, but which stopped at its full length two stories lower down. They leaped together, clinging to each other, with fire streaming back from their hair and dresses. ... There was no time to aid them. With water pouring in upon them from a dozen hose nozzles the bodies lay for two hours where they struck, as did the many others who leaped to their deaths. 

        Excerpts from the account of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire by the New York Times.

The doors to the ninth floor work area were locked from the outside, trapping the victims. At trial, one of the owners

admitted to an almost obsessive concern with employee theft even though he conceded that the total value of goods taken over the years was under $25.

 

http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/triangle/trianglefire.html 

New Models, or Shut Up And Drive

No earth shattering revelations, deep thoughts or fine art here today. Just some images from my visit to the car show at Bartle Hall in Kansas City, MO.

Besides the restroom sign in the background, one of the reasons I like this photo is because when she saw me raise my camera, our spokesmodelperson quickly went into the spokesmodelperson pose you see here. I'd say she got her money's worth at spokesmodelperson school. 

A look at the soon to be re-born Dart, from Dodge. It may be too late, but I do have one suggestion for the designers: Change the "a" in the name plate. When I first looked at the car I thought it said "Dort". Also, I'm not sure what was more difficult for this spokesmodelperson, memorizing the load of marketing claptrap they had her spout or wearing those heels all day.

From Honda, an Accord concept car.  Pretty nice, but then almost anything would be an improvement over the stodgy looks of the current model.  Or maybe I just fell in love with the red paint, which would look great on any car. (No, it's not your eyes. The second shot looks that way on purpose.)

I dunno. I just like the shot.

Camrys on camera.

0 MPG, but it looks great in your rec room.

An electric vehicle some local high school students are building. In this shot you can easily see the metal framework that supports the clear outer skin. The suspension and chassis are constructed like an open wheel race car. In fact, they used a hollowed out transmission from an actual Indy racer to make the rear of the chassis. They plan to drive the car from California to Florida later this year. (Rumors that the students will be forced to subsist during the trip only on food from Cracker Barrel restaurants were emphatically denied.)

A Mercedes Benz gull wing Somethingorother completely exposed, leaving nothing to the imagination.

Volkswagon had a nice display again, but there were still a few bugs in it.

Another reflection shot I think turned out decently.

Cadillac also had a new model on display, the ATS, that I liked quite a bit. Unfortunately my shots of it kind of, well, sucked, so you'll have to catch a look at their web site.

Drive safely.

Sunday Aviation News

Instead of my pictures today, I want to direct you to one of my favorite blogs.
It's easy reading but has some very important information we all need to consider.  I'll have a few pictures up here later.

Well Said

"I love you."

I believe that our entire existence is in that statement.  If there is a phrase that carries more punch in every way imaginable, I can not conceive of it.    

I heard it again tonight. Yes, from those from whom I am accustomed to hearing it. But also...

Kenny has been my neighbor for 11 years. He is a man I like, admire and respect a great deal. He has been having some health challenges recently, so I suggested that my daughter come with me to deliver some special treats she made, and to say hello. As soon as the rest of my family heard where we were headed, they said they were coming along.

I phoned ahead to make sure we wouldn't be intruding, and Kenny was waiting at the door for us with a smile. I'm sure he sensed why we were all there, so it didn't take long for him to give us an update on his situation. And his situation is not good.  He faces some difficult days in the near future, and his days here may be quite limited.

The conversation was serious, but not somber. That wouldn't be Kenny.  He asked with genuine interest about how school was going for my kids young adults, and we enjoyed chatting about our dogs.

When it came time to leave, we all rose and embraced him, one by one. When I did, I told him, "I don't know what to say, but always remember we are just a few seconds away if you need anything."


The reality of it was, I did know what to say. But the conscious, careful, "grown-up" part of my mind just stopped me.  I didn't have the courage.  


But Kenny didn't let anything stop him.  He sent us all home with these words:


"I love you."


May God grant Kenny many more wonderful days, and the rest of us his wisdom and courage.

Sunday Photos 02/12/12

Visions of days ahead to help warm your winter Sunday.

Still working on my invention to have these emit small amounts of ultraviolet light to help treat Seasonal Affective Disorder, so you'll just have to think pleasant thoughts.

Thanks, Dennis

  If you live in or around Northeast Kansas you probably heard the sad news about the recent Alzheimer's diagnosis of our former Congressman and District Attorney, Dennis Moore.

  Dennis is one of those people that truly put public service ahead of any personal ambition.  He was a leader in genuine efforts to reach across the aisle to his political opponents, to try to bring people together to solve our common problems.

  If you are interested in sending a personal message of thanks or encouragement to Dennis, you can do so via this address:  thankyoudennis@yahoo.com

Here's what I wrote:

Congressman Moore,

  I am writing today to thank you for the way you have dedicated your life to your neighbors here in Kansas.  Your public service made a real difference in peoples lives.  I considered it a pleasure and a privilege to have volunteered in a small way on all of your congressional campaigns.

  I was saddened to read of your recent diagnosis, but at the same time I was heartened by your response to it.  Great days still lie ahead for you and Stephene.  

  My mother is also an Alzheimer's patient.  We find comfort in the following passage form 2 Corinthians. I hope that you do as well.

¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  

¹ For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.

Sincerely,

Tim L


Join the fight. http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp

Sunday Photos 02/05/12

West Bottoms, Kansas City, Mo

Local Charm (and a blast from my past)

Had some time to myself today, so I went wandering, camera in hand.  I ended up driving around the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport (MKC), a place where I spent many wonderful visits as a boy watching the planes come and go.  And I finally took the time to visit the National Airline History Museum there.

Despite the grand sounding name, it's a volunteer run organization that began 25 years ago when a group of guys decided to restore a Lockheed Constellation to flying condition.  They named their group "Save A Connie". The organization expanded and now also owns a Martin 404, DC 3, and an L-1011.  The Connie has been grounded for several years due to some engine issues, but they hope to have it and the DC3 back in the air before long.

The museum itself doesn't really live up to the name, but it's worth a visit anyway.  The volunteers are very friendly and knowledgeable, and hey, there are big airplanes to see up close!

L to R: Martin 404, DC3, Constellation

Martin 404. (SAC stands for Save A Connie)

Lockheed Constellation

This shot is of the tail of the L-1011 where the engine used to be. This aircraft is not available for up close viewing right now, as it is parked on the airfield side of the fence.

There are also a couple of interesting non-airplane items at the museum.

This "rocket ship" is a smaller version of the one that greeted visitors at the entrance to Tomorrowland at Disneyland in California.  This rocket sat atop TWA headquarters in downtown Kansas City for many years.

And finally, the most recent addition to their collection, one my old ATC buddies will recognize immediately.

Yes, that's a real radar scope (Plan Video Display, if you want to get technical) that was used at the Kansas City Air Route Traffic Control Center in Olathe.  Perhaps even by me.

More pictures form my day out in KC next time.  

Lost and Found

I hear plenty of things on the radio at my current job that are fairly depressing, but every now and then I get to laugh.

A couple days ago officers were dispatched to a store where a suspected shoplifter was being chased by store security.  Officers were still en-route to the store when this additional information was relayed to them:

"Loss prevention officers have stopped chasing the suspect, a white male, no shirt, tan shorts, last seen headed south behind (local business). They do however have the merchandise and his wallet."

I don't think it will take the detectives long to crack that case.

Fear of Creativity

"Why didn't I think of that?"

Because you're not crazy.

Well, that's a bit blunt and over the top, but it makes my point rather concisely.
Many truly gifted actors and other artists, I think, come up with the performances and ideas they do because they literally don't think quite like most of the rest of us.  Evidence of this is voluminous.  Several magazines and TV shows owe their existence to this phenomenon. Just think about how many times you've read about something someone famous has done or said outside of their professional lives and thought to yourself, "That's not normal. Why did they do that?"  I think it's for the same reason they are able to awe and amaze us in their work.  They are, well, not crazy exactly, but not exactly sane either.   I also wonder how many are self-aware in this regard, and if they are, does it matter?

All of this led me to reflect on my own bouts of creativity.  For me they frequently come at emotional high or low points. I don't think I'm at all unusual in that. There are probably a couple bazillion songs or poems that were written by someone madly in love or despair.  (Or both.)  It's just that in the past, my low days were far too deep in the shadows.  So recently when I've tried to write, my mind has had a tendency to drift toward those shadows.  Back towards a place where I must not allow myself to go.

And so the page sits empty.

But not forever. I've concluded that if I am strong enough to see the shadows and steer clear of them, I'm strong enough find a way to live and create without them.

Yes, that's means I'll be here more often.

Columbia

I was working traffic that day at the ARTCC.  It was chilling every time I glanced at the weather radar display in the control room and saw the large swath of green radar returns the falling debris created on that cloudless day.

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth 

And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; 

Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth 

Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things 

You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung 

High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there, 

I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung 

My eager craft through footless halls of air. . . . 

Up, up the long, delirious burning blue 

I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace 

Where never lark, or ever eagle flew — 

And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod 

The high untrespassed sanctity of space, 

Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

— John Gillespie Magee, Jr  

On Strike

On strike.