Thursday, December 27, 2007

What would you?

Seems that people are always ready to die for something. Dying for something is easy, all you have to do is give up. I think the real question is....

What would you Live for?

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Christmas

Well it's Christmas time again, time for peace on earth and good will towards men. I hope that the holidays finds everyone doing well.
To all my brothers and sisters serving in the Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines, and Cost Guard be safe and you are in our hearts. Thank you for your sacrifice.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

(or A Visit from St. Nicholas)
by Clement Clarke Moore

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads.
And Mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap.

When out on the roof there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
tore open the shutter, and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
gave the lustre of midday to objects below,
when, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles, his coursers they came,
and he whistled and shouted and called them by name:

"Now Dasher! Now Dancer!
Now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid!
On, Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch!
To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away!
Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky
so up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
with the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
the prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head and was turning around,
down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes--how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
and the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
that shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
and filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Out comes the evil...

It starts off as it usually does, in a smoky bar. Conversations battle with each other and "Weezer" for dominance. The soft warmness brought on by rum has put me in mellow mood as I make my way to the bar. So far the evening has been good, dinner with a friend then down town for a few libations.
"There is a sad sight, a sailor with a empty glass."
I turn as a small glass of clear liquid is pressed into my empty hand. The smell of liquorice assails my nostrils, Sambuca. Nothing good can come of this.
"Dunno love, trying to keep it easy tonight. Besides you've never seen me when I drink this stuff."
She moves close, her breath hot against my ear.
"I heard it makes you evil, I wanna see..."

Monday, December 17, 2007

Korean Politics



This actually happened in the South Korean Parliament. It's scary when American politicians look mature by comparison.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Bit of the ol' randomness

They say it's a bad thing to hit someone with a closed fist, but at times it can be hilarious. -Mal Renolds- Firefly

In the two and a half years I've been in Korea, I have found out they care more about whose fault something is more than the actual problem.

It never ceases to amaze me how a person can be smart, but a group can be hands down stupid.

I have the firm belief that stupidity should be painful if not outright deadly.

Korean elections are coming up, it's refreshing to see that politicians here are just as corrupt as they are back home.

One of the those questions I never wanted to hear from another man. "So do you know where I can buy some leather chaps?" Why can't it be the gorgeous women that ask this of me? Would be more than happy to go as a consultant.

Flame throwers, while fun, can be as dangerous to the user are they are to the target. Grenades and rocket launchers fall under this heading as well. (Don't worry I discovered this in a video game, not in real life).

I miss my Wee Scottish Lass, funny that Korea seems more drab without a Scot.

On the upside, Korea seems devoid of mimes.

If a modern day Tom Sawyer has a mean mean stride, what does a modern day Huck Fin have?