Pilgrimage: Finding Lodging

The good news is, I have reserved a place to use as my base of operations while on my pilgrimage. That is how I see it, rather than as a home or place to live. It is where I will lay my head, cook a meal or three, and have as a secure base as I go and explore.

When the idea of a pilgrimage first came up, I was considering doing a tour of every working monastery in Bulgaria. Take a train or fly into the east coast of Bulgaria, then work my way west staying at various monasteries along the way. That actually could be quite fun and educational; but, it would not be ideal for spiritual development and discernment. Didn’t take much to get me to reconsider that.

Basing in Sofia has a number of advantages. The Patriarchal Cathedral is there, and there have been some suggestions it would be good for me to spend some time there. There are also a number of other churches and sites to visit, and perhaps spend some time in contemplation. It is also a transportation hub with rail, bus, and air options for me to get around. Frankly, I’m looking at using the train as much as I can as fares are usually fairly inexpensive and the trips will let me see a lot more of the countryside as I go. More on that at some point later.

To be honest, I didn’t want much. My absolute requirements were a bed (pref. decent, but have slept on plywood and been grateful for it), a private bathroom, and a kitchen even if minimal. Being able to cook has a lot of advantages, and I want to make the most of them. I found a number of apartments and similar for short-term rental, and found a very good selection in the $25-$35 a day range. My ideal goal was $30 or less a day, in not too bad a neighborhood.

In my searching, I used Booking.com, RentHolidayHome.com, and a new one for me: CozyCozy.com. CozyCozy searches Booking, Air B&B, and several other sites and it ended up being very useful.

One of the things I appreciated about Booking.com is that on it’s listing, there is — way down the page — a detailed listing of what is available in a given apartment, etc. Several of the places that said they had a kitchen really had more of a kitchenette as it turned out. They might have a real oven, a toaster oven, or something else; but, quite often they did not have any form of cooktop. That detailed listing, along with the reviews from people who stayed at the property, turned into one of the most useful tools I had for comparing and evaluating properties.

When you are looking at such, do read as many of the reviews from the last 2-3 years as you can. I recommend all in the last 2 years at least. If there are trending issues, you can spot them. If appliances regularly are not working, there are leaks or other issues, it lets you know to keep looking. Not always, but quite often it’s the middle-of-the-road reviews that give you the most, or the most important, details. Caveat Emptor.

RentHolidayHomes.com was a good source as well. Different information set, but you could often find the same property on other sites and get a very good picture of things as a result. Can’t speak to booking through them, but at least for Europe they seem a very good choice for searching.

CozyCozy was one that I almost didn’t touch as the design and typography didn’t appeal to me all that much. However, I decided to give it a try given that it pulled from so many proven sources. As it worked out, I did find the apartment I’ve reserved through them.

Their search function is good, you get good info, and the ads are hosted on known/proven sites. I will be using them again if I get the chance to do more travel.

The listing I finally settled on was on Air B&B. I’ve never used them before, and have heard good and bad things about Air B&B. However, some of the bad comes from some sources who I suspect were more involved in creating the problem than admitted. So, I decided on a clean start and began reaching out to people I know for info. Net result was that all of them recommended using Air B&B, and given that some of them had used it for rentals in Europe, I decided to give it a try.

Not going to share too much information, yet, on the location but will share the following. The location is very close to ideal, in that I can easily walk to the Patriarchal Cathedral and a host of other sites in ten minutes or less (I think). There is a subway stop not very far away, and there is also bus and/or tram (looking into that) routes nearby. Going to be looking into a pass if I can, just to be safe.

I haven’t worked out the final cost per night yet (I got insurance and some optional extras), but it shouldn’t be too much above my target range if not in the upper range. Key things for me are that it has a real kitchen with cooktop, oven, hood, etc. Found out after I booked it even has an espresso machine, which I am looking forward to using. The bathroom looks very nice, and rather than being a studio it actually does have a bedroom.

Even better, the hosts are rated as superhosts and have excellent reviews, as does the property. My correspondence with them has been quite good and helpful. They seem genuinely happy to have me, and a little intrigued that I am on a pilgrimage. I’ve also been assured that their wifi is up to handling my online course, which will finish up while I’m on pilgrimage.

Oh, when I mentioned good location earlier, there are a number of markets, stores, restaurants, and the like all within easy walking distance. In fact, one of the largest markets in Sofia, with a lot of food/farm vendors, is one of them. Right now, I’m figuring that my first couple of days will be spent exploring the area and nailing down various transportation options. Should be a lot of fun.

So, deposit down and things seem off to a good start. If you are traveling somewhere and going to stay more than a couple of days, a short-term rental is a good way to go. Had some friends years back who did something similar each year in Paris. They used the apartment as a base, and got to go exploring all over. The links above will give you some good sites, and hopefully my experiences will help you along. I will be sharing more as things happen, and will let you know how things go.

Please check out my Winter 26 Bleg!

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, and to start a truly new life, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Overton, Windows, Lists

X is a fun thing to watch some days. Not read, watch. There are patterns in the data flow, and it is an odd combination of annoying and amusing to watch when the word — and payments for same — goes out. And, yes, it is clear that quite a few of the influencer-types are bought and paid for.

Now, I’m not one of them. Not enough followers and such to get the status that gets the sweet, sweet engagement bucks, much less the under-the-table payments that go to those of easily negotiable virtue. While one is tempted to call them a five-letter name (six if you go plural) for participants in the second-oldest profession (politics truly is the oldest), such would be a serious slander of those (by comparison) relatively honest and reliable providers of various services involving passions of the flesh. Such people are by comparison honorable and possessed of an integrity far beyond the grifter/groyper/influencer class. Me, I’d rather be poor and dependent upon your kindness and generosity than to sell myself in such a way. Besides, even though it would be in service to the oldest profession, I look horrible in a miniskirt and crop top.

But, there are apparently plenty willing to do so. It is indeed fun some days to see how many left and allegedly-far-right are posting almost identical posts. Sometimes it is literally the same post, though one could not be faulted for suspecting most of those accounts are bots. What’s fun though is to see something strikingly similar in wording in the ‘big-name’ accounts left and allegedly far-right.

It’s happened twice recently in terms of the war with Iran. The sinking of the Iranian frigate was the first such incident, with the progressive left and the allegedly-right-wing decrying in very similar terms (and even wording) claiming that it was a violation of the rules of war. That is, of course, complete and utter hooey. But, the truth rarely matters (and is even a hindrance) when a particular narrative is being pushed by interesting people. Go see the work by Data Republican and others for detailed information on the people and funding behind it. It is a large amount of money, and what is scary is how much of it appears to be coming from defrauding the U.S. taxpayer.

The most recent version is “Lobstergate” wherein Pete Hegseth was once again targeted by the progressive left and the allegedly-right-wing group of grifters, groypers, and ‘influencers.’ Funny thing is, the attacks on Pete have convinced me of two things: he is indeed the right man for the job, and he scares the everliving out of some interesting and powerful people.

In the latest attempt to get him removed, the campaign went after the fact that the DoW (though it was phrased as if Pete himself had done the purchasing) bought lobster, crab, and steak in large and expensive amounts. Extravagant amounts with careful implication that it was for him and other senior officials. Note the implied, and how it was (and is) utilized in the campaign of lies.

Fact is, it is a long-standing tradition (here’s a hint, it happened under Clinton and Obama and was fine then) to give deployed troops and others a good ‘surf-and-turf’ meal once a week. It is also a tradition to give such a meal to those about to go into harms way. I’ve very much appreciated those putting up photos showing what civilians think is being served versus what the military actually provides (not even close to the same).

Have to admit, the first time I hit a military steak that had to be served well-done (food safety don’t you know) it was a bit of a shock. Under the circumstances, however, it was delicious even with fat and gristle. Since I can’t be charged, when I was with Cooking with the Troops I refused to cook the steaks we did well-done, and was grateful an Army cook backed me up in my lie about residual cooking one time. Story for another day.

What is most interesting about ‘Lobstergate” is the number of people who know very good and well about the tradition and are lying anyway, including some who served. Then again, I was not surprised one of them was a former Congresscritter who got his one term via running as a veteran (and is a huge Blue Falcon). The narrative is getting pushback online, but not nearly enough on broadcast outlets with CNN once again pushing a lie.

Nor is that CNNs only bit of propaganda this week. Look at their framing of the terrorist attack in NYC. Two jihadis throw explosive devices at people who are ‘far right’ according to CNN and the Associated Propaganda (AP)(love that name, stealing it) news, and almost all media frames it as an attack by the people that the terrorists attempted to murder on NYCs new mayor. CNN was roasted for one of the worst, ham-handed, attempts at such, and is still getting justifiably dragged over it.

Interesting thing is, all these efforts are being done for multiple reasons including shifting the Overton Windows in regards public perception. In the case of the sinking, the attempted shift is to change the laws and perceptions of war such that we can’t sink our enemies. In the case of ‘Lobstergate’ is yet another effort to shift the window to limit the scope and power of the SecWar in the future, even as it attempts to smear Pete as incompetent. In the third case, it is to shift the window towards attacks in the U.S. being both legitimate and the result of right-wing-extremism. While thinking about this, note that every politician or group outside of the far-left progressives is now identified as ‘right-wing’ or more likely ‘extreme-right-wing’ by corporate media such as AP, Reuters, CNN, etc.

Over on X, John Konrad has a very good post up on what is going on and the need to shift the window(s) back to the right. There is some very good food for thought in there, and worth the read to get to.

While it is clear that Journ-O-List ver. XX? is in play, it is also clear that a lot of money is being spent to push not just these narratives to the public, but the Overton Windows associated with them as far to the left as possible. All the more reason I don’t trust corporate media on any reporting, and a reminder of why I want to see the Save Act passed even if it means gutting Congressional alleged-leadership. I also want to see a speaking filibuster back and the end of the illegal, un-Constitutional, and cowardly blue slip practice. Probably a pipe dream, but one can hope.

Oh, and for the record, I think overall the Air Force has the best chow; Navy can come in a close second (depends on the mess); and, the Army is third. I will also say that when I was doing embeds in Iraq, I loved when the people working the chow halls (DFAC, whatever) were allowed to do their native dishes as a special event/treat. Given how many were Malay, Indonesian, etc. you got some amazingly good food though some could take the top of your head off with the heat. Beat the heck out of some of the regular, okay-at-best, chow.

Please check out my Winter 26 Bleg!

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, and to start a truly new life, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Winter 26 Bleg Update

Well, it’s not quite like that, nor that bad, but I really do hate to ask for the help even though I still need to.

Before going any further, I want to thank everyone who has donated to the Bleg. Your support has been amazing, overwhelming, and — like each of you — very much appreciated. I have been able to pay off everything spent on the blog, pilgrimage, and the seminary course so far (sadly more expenses to come), and even paid this morning for most of the cost of the short-term apartment rental in Bulgaria (longer post on that soon).

Some of you have hit the Amazon Wish List and I thank each of you as well. For the former denizen of Indianapolis, got the note and Thank You! I do wish Amazon gave the the means to e-mail a thank you to all of you. As I noted before, I’ve listed the things for the pilgrimage as highest priority so if you search that way those will show up. Yes, there are a lot of supplements on there, and I hope to ship them over ahead of time. Have taken one or two things off as they are no longer needed or you’ve shown me some better options.

Again and again, I can’t thank you enough for your generosity, your encouragement, and your prayers. It truly is amazing and humbling.

That said, we still have a ways to go. The pilgrimage is likely to be a little over the estimated $7,250; I still need to upgrade the cell phone and service for the trip and get the prescription sunglasses and such at $2,435.00; plus remaining expenses for the seminary courses. I’ve got more detailed breakdowns in the original post.

So, the Bleg continues and I truly do thank you from the bottom of my heart for the support. It truly does make a huge difference, and is making it possible for me to continue to grow, recover, and pursue this new life. God Bless you all.

UPDATE I: A couple more items from the wish list arrived just after this post went up. I want to thank you for both of the items, and for your kind words on my writing. Thank you!

Musings On Yellowstone

The other day, the talented Leslie Eastman posted about the return of an acid geyser at Yellowstone and some of the subsurface activity going on. It’s a good article over there at Legal Insurrection, and touches on the fact that Yellowstone was and still is a supervolcano site. Go read the article, it is time well spent.

I will just add this, given that the activity seems to have some of the doomsayer guild members hyperventilating.

First up, from what has been determined of past activity, IF Yellowstone does anything it will likely to be volcanic rather than supervolcanic (if I am understanding things correctly). Volcanic will not be fun (especially if you are in the region) but survivable for most. It could be like Mount St. Helens, or it could be more towards a Krakatoa with worldwide weather and other effects. Key is, not pleasant, not fun. but survivable for most species including humanity.

Second up, if it does build and go off as a supervolcano, your best bet is to be south of the equator. Given that we should have some warning, I plan to suck up to Milei on X, flee to Argentina, and then bunker up. A supervolcanic eruption can be a true Extinction Level Event (ELE) for the world, and in particular for the northern hemisphere. Not much you can do in terms of individual preparation other than prayer (highly recommended) and maybe having travel options to get as far into the southern hemisphere as possible.

Fact is, odds of anything happening right now, or even anytime soon, seem to be pretty low. That said, this is 2026 and given how things are going, who knows. Me, I’m going to ignore the doomsayers guild members and enjoy the many blessings that are present in 2026. There are a lot of them, may even go over some of them in the days ahead. That’s a far better use of time than worrying about something over which you really can’t prepare for and is not likely to happen.

Just some thoughts. Before I go, some more thoughts on Iran and other things from The Scuttlebutt. Well worth the read.

Please check out my Winter 26 Bleg!

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, and to start a truly new life, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Surprise, Response

The previous post reminded me of one I’ve needed to do for a while. Some of the posts I do are to share knowledge and experience, some to share humor or joy, and some to provoke some thought. Especially if I’m not sure that things are being done and I want to push things while I am here to push them. On the latter, my concerns about the ability of humans to reproduce in space and microgravity are a good example, as I want to be sure it is something being looked at as we urgently need permanent settlements off this glorious mudball ASAP.

Right now, I want to talk a bit about command and control in the face of surprise. It is something I really hope is being looked at by Pete and company as they are taking care of a lot of things; and by the administration from a higher level. In particular, I want to look at nuclear command and control in the current environment.

A lot of our current system traces back to the pre-SAC days when Nightwatch was in Maryland and it was estimated we could have hours of notice. Even as that shrunk down, we’ve kept a lot of the basic premises past what I consider the best-buy date. As a result, I think we really, really, need to look at things and try to come up with something new.

Without going into too much detail (much less things that should not be talked about openly) our current system presumes something on the order of 30-minutes to an hour of warning of a surprise attack on the U.S. SecWar is the second man to the President for all intents and purposes, and is either with POTUS or in touch with him. POTUS is briefed on what is going on, confidence in the intel, etc. and uses the current iteration of the Single (Strategic) Integrated Operations Plan (SIOP) to order a response to the situation.

As we’ve discussed on here before in the “shall we play the game” category, the response is boiled down to a short (less than 200 characters) message that is then sent to the National Military Communications Center (NMCC) at the Pentagon who then re-codes it after confirmation, and sends it out to SAC (new version) and some other interested parties such as the Navy TACOMO planes. SAC then re-codes the order (after confirmation) and sends it out to it’s audience.

All well and good, and the two-man rule applies throughout. Well, all well and good if there is time. Are there alternatives if POTUS isn’t available or such? I’m told yes, though I have no details. Nor do I want them.

The thirty-minute window was predicated on detecting Soviet missiles being launched. Flight time from there to here is roughly thirty minutes. If we saw them fueling (Soviets/Russians use a lot of liquid-fueled ICBMs), longer period for response. That was sufficient: thirty or forty years ago.

Even twenty years ago, depressed trajectory shots from subs not too far off the coast cut that time from detection to impact to about fifteen minutes. The assurances the subs couldn’t get that close, and would be detected if they did, were deafening, though reminding me a bit of toddlers drumming their feet and yelling while having their fingers in their ears.

Today, we have massive container ships plying the waters of our country. If I can figure how to put one or more land-attack cruise missiles into a container for launch, I guarantee you others have as well. When you look at more modern drones, boy howdy are you talking the ability to get things in the air and to target with little or no detection. Iran has the capability (or did) and China has been openly experimenting with it. For all the open, think iceberg and know others have as well, a lot of others.

Thing is, if you launch like that from say a bay (and major trade route) near a capital city, you are potentially talking as little as five minutes from launch to impact. By the time the launch alert (if launch is even detected by anyone other than direct observers) gets to the right people in the military, you already have impact.

One also needs to factor in surface attack. Our borders were incredibly porous for way too long, and it is suspected that a lot more than people and drugs could have made it through. Small delivery van making the rounds in DC, passing in front of the White House, Congress, Pentagon…

I really, really do hope someone is looking at this, and looking to update the system. What we have now was good enough maybe ten years ago. Now, however… Think we need to rethink a number of things including designated survivors. I hope the world is about to get a lot more peaceful; but, you never plan for best case/most optimistic case. I will even go so far as to say we need some new designated survival centers as Camp David, Mount Weather, etc. are too well known.

Just a thought.

Please check out my Winter 26 Bleg!

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, and to start a truly new life, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Sinking, Surpises

If it weren’t for the fact most of it is coming from people (and bots) who hate the U.S. and/or are active supporters of the mad mullah’s terrorist regime, I would be surprised at all the accounts on X holding forth that it is wrong to engage in surprise attacks on your enemies, and that sinking the Iranian warship was a violation of international law. The fact that most of the latter couldn’t tell you the difference between the Hague and Geneva Conventions, or which Geneva convention is applicable, pretty much sums it up. Let me expand a bit on what I posted in response to a odious bit of drivel.

First, we are in a de facto war as Congress has not formally declared a state of war. Then again, Congress has not formally declared a state of war since WWII. It has approved actions under the War Powers Act, and under UN obligations (Korea) but the old forms of formal declarations hasn’t be used or honored in decades and is not likely to be any time soon. That’s a topic for another day, but most modern conflicts are likely to start with a surprise and end only when one party (if just two parties) isn’t standing.

Second, one can argue that Iran has been in a state of de jure war with us since 1979. They’ve been quite open about it, sacked our embassy, killed a thousand or so troops and civilians (some of whom were kidnapped), etc., etc., etc., as Yul used to say. They have funded quite a few terrorist organizations around the world as well, including some in our own hemisphere. Good odds they have sleeper cells in the U.S. right now as previously discussed here. There de jure state of war also applies to Israel.

Now, the U.S. and Israel looked at the board, saw Iran was not going to stop working to get nuclear weapons, was ramping up funding and supplies to various terrorist groups, and building up huge stockpiles of conventional drones and ballistic missiles, and were a major threat and not just a PITA. They constituted an existential threat to both countries, to Western Civilization and its concepts, and thus to the world. Game on as in a year or less they would be in a position to start the version of Armageddon that would bring out the hidden imam and delight their savage little hearts even if it didn’t bring him back. So, game on.

Iran chose to receive in this game of FAFO, and they have not enjoyed the FO. Their military, IRGC, and basij (sorry, not sorry, not capitalizing those jerks) and general leadership are in the process of being hunted and eliminated. While regime change may not be the formal goal, it will be an end result provided no one chicken’s out. Lot of people who’s rice bowls are being upset, and/or who just hate the U.S. including far too many American politicians, are pushing openly and covertly for the latter. Check out Data Republican on X for a LOT of good intel.

Somehow, both in the attack on Iran and the sinking of the cruiser, a number of useful idiots are out there screaming about how surprise isn’t fair. Personal take: if you are in a fair fight, your tactics sucketh more than a 10 to the -16th tor vacuum and so do you. Hate to break it to the defeatist chorus (who I suspect know very good and well and are just lying to foment problems) but from individual to squad, squad to senior leadership, achieving surprise is taught as a good thing to do, because the people doing the teaching are not idiots. Want a good primer on surprise at the strategic level? Read David Weber’s Honor Harrington series as it is discussed in detail (it is David after all) in a number of the books. Seriously, good reads anyway but a lot there for leadership.

Now, I can’t truly wrap my head around some of the arguments about the sinking of the Iranian military vessel. So, let’s have some fun.

It was a surprise attack! No Excrement! (My Godmother reads and has not been happy when I cuss). That’s classic submarine warfare be it against military vessels (a very good idea as they can and often do shoot back) or civilian merchant vessels of those with whom you are at war. Both are valid and fair targets per the laws and customs of war. You don’t give warning so you can be sure to sink them and not have them get away.

They were in international waters! Ah, take a look at where the majority of military and civilian ships sunk were sunk in previous wars. Go ahead, I’ll wait. <eye roll> In case you are wondering, I’m aware of no treaty and am prepared to say there is no treaty which we have ratified forbidding such.

The sub didn’t render aid to/pick-up survivors! They pretty much never have in the history of submarine warfare. Subs have a very limited space, limited supplies, no spare space, and a relatively small crew. As such, while it may be that a single person or a couple of people have been picked up by a sub, no sub is going to try to pick up a group of survivors that can easily outnumber its crew and for which they have no room to put them. Rescue has always been on surface ships and during WWII there were even ships designated for such in some convoys. Surface ships have larger crews, some free (if not very comfortable) space for housing survivors, etc. Even when subs picked up downed pilots in the Pacific in WWII, they were transferred to surface ships or land bases ASAP. Again, also, no treaty of which I am aware or to which we are a signatory obligates submarines to do so.

They were sailing from India/an exercise! So flipping what? They were an enemy combatant from a Navy that we had said from the start we were going to destroy in toto. They were sailing for a combat zone, even if it was home, with no signal of intent of non-belligerence. The captain could have initiated communications with neutral parties or the U.S. to say if he was just trying to get his crew home and would not attempt to take part in combat. He could have sought neutral port (see Graf Spee for limited example) for a time or allowed his crew and ship to be interned for the duration. He had options, did not take them, and as such was fair game by the laws and customs of war both.

They didn’t pose a threat! By who’s standards? They were a warship, and equipped with both anti-submarine sensor and weapons. They had surface capabilities as well. Even if every weapon was unloaded and every magazine empty or locked up tight, they were a threat as they could become armed at any time, including after returning home. Again, by the laws and customs of war, a fair and valid target.

I could go on, but that hits the high points. The defeatist chorus is extremely opposed to: winning any war where any credit can go to Trump; winning any war against a terrorist regime they’ve protected since 1979; winning any war that helps the survival of Israel; and, winning any war that saves or advances the tenets of Western Civilization which they hate almost as much as they hate themselves. That a lot of them are the so-called ‘credentialed elites’ that have been screwing things up by the numbers for several decades now should be a surprise to no one.

Please check out my Winter 26 Bleg!

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, and to start a truly new life, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Winter Bleg 26 5 March

First and foremost: THANK YOU to everyone who has donated to my Winter 26 Bleg! Particular thanks go out to Vodka Pundit for his post at Instapundit that brought most or all of you here. In addition to the automated thank you, I’ve hopefully sent a quick thank you to everyone I could. To all of you who donated anonymously, please accept my thanks! I also very much appreciate all the comments of support, prayers, and more that have been given. I also want to thank JC and LB for sending me something off my Amazon Wish List. I’ve made all the items needed for the pilgrimage highest priority, so they should show up first.

All the gifts, all the prayers and thoughts, and all of YOU are very much appreciated. Please help spread the word, as there is still a ways to go. THANK YOU!

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, and to start a truly new life, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Winter Bleg 26 Continues

Please check out my Winter 26 Bleg!

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, and to start a truly new life, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Congratulations Silent Service

While it may not be a declared war via Congress, we are in a war none-the-less. So, no one — most particularly the mad mullahs of Iran — should be surprised that we are engaging in unconditional warfare against their navy. After all, Pete and company have been adamant from the start that the Iranian Navy was going to be completely destroyed.

So, it seems one of our attack subs (most likely, not formally identified yet) became the first U.S. submarine officially to sink an enemy surface ship since WWII. The footage is rather spectacular BTW.

Given how long it has been since the Silent Service has done anything more than drills and practice shots, you know they are pumped. I also imagine all the other subs are wishing they were in position to do the same. This is also triggering some thoughts as we have not fought against anyone with a full-spectrum military (army, navy, etc.) in a while and we need to be thinking, re-thinking, and adapting to a rapidly changing environment.

Please check out my Winter 26 Bleg!

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, and to start a truly new life, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Sinking Down

The other morning, Sarah posted a link to this post by Sgt. Mom over at Instapundit. It made me laugh as I think that is the one question I never got when giving or assisting with base tours. We got asked a lot of other things (no, there are no missile silos on this base, only one vertical test cell thank you) and I was the smartass who, answering someone else’s phone, I told someone that no, the alien bodies were not at our base they were all at Wright Pat (and helpfully gave them the PAO number there).

You do get some interesting questions when giving base tours, but what made me laugh was not the question in question. Rather, it reminded me of a base tour I had been on that nearly ended badly.

Many years ago, when dinosaurs still ruled the Earth and the ground still hot, I and a group of other Boy Scouts (back when it was still a real organization) got to go out to Philmont and hike. Now, the journey out there was long, so our council rented a bus and arranged for us to stay at military bases along the way. Let me just say that the Air Force had the best facilities and chow, and the Navy was not far behind. Sorry Green Machine, but they trounced you.

Now, one of those Air Force bases at which we lodged decided to give us a pretty good dog-and-pony on our visit, including having our bus go on a tour of said base. In fact, we were cleared to go along a very special flight line as part of that. Problem was, as always, someone didn’t get the word.

All of a sudden, we were surrounded. A truck whipped in front of our bus and stopped, tarp went up, and machine gun trained out. Men and trucks to either side did the same. Anyone looking in from outside would have seen most of the scouts (except “Carl” and a couple of friends) sliding down in their seats below the windows, like the thin metal of the bus sides were going to stop anything…

It got sorted, but about three minutes later we got hit like that again. After than, an appropriate officer stood in the front of the bus to handle things as we continued our tour. I don’t remember much from that dog-and-pony, but I sure do remember that.

Thanks for the memory, and a good laugh, Sgt. Mom.

Please check out my Winter 26 Bleg!

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, and to start a truly new life, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.