Carmichael's Position

USS Normandy practices for a Clinton-Obama Admin

The USS Normandy in an overabundance of "Preparing for the Worst" begins "Less than Lethal Force" drills in the Indian Ocean (Not Native American Ocean!). 

The US Navy posted a Training Ops Memo about a week ago mandating that all Surface Combatants begin planning and training operations in preparation for a Clinton-Obama win in November of '08.  Noting that it takes time to transition "Well trained fighting men and women with the best WarFighting Equipment on the Seas... into United Nations Wait Staff and catering service"  Also recommends, that all efforts must be made to modify the US Navy's current focus on Dominating the Battle Space to now offering to "Clean the Windshield with fill-up!" 

Real story here:  [link] however, your captions are welcomed!  Add in the "Comments" section below.

Update on My Sister's Forthcoming Breast Cancer 3-day Walk for the Cure!

You remember my sister...Kelly.

Well, a few months ago I mentioned that she was participating in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day walk for the cure in Atlanta on October 12-14th.  I am super proud of my sister's dedication to this more than worthy cause.  I asked in that post a few months ago (and followed up again with this one) that you, my readers, if you felt so compelled, to please help my sister surpass her donation goal of $3,000.00 initially.  I thought at the time this was an understated goal.  Kelly soon realized that I was right as donations began to come in.  She raised her requested goal to a more reasonable $5,000.00. 

Well... Thanks to your gracious donations Kelly's fund raising efforts are now at $7,500.00!!!!  And she could not be more thrilled!  You have to understand... My sister is not one to ask for much, she is a pretty self sufficient person on God's Green Earth, and this request, albeit for a worthy cause did not come easy for her...  But SHE DID IT!  And I couldn't be prouder! 

But more importantly I am proud of you my readers for answering the call!  Especially Clay and Cari, and Scott and Kristi.  And Kathy for your "Sister in Survival" moral support.  It means a lot to me and to Kelly.  But more importantly your donations will mean a lot to thousands who thanks to your efforts and contributions may one day overcome that Bastard, Cancer!

Thank You all!!!  You are tremendous!

Also, it is not to late to donate if you would like.  Once again simply click the image below and follow the instructions.

Thank you again for all of your support in Kelly's pursuit to help!

Went Mosquito Feeding Tonight

So, Ginger had to work late tonight, her current employer is understaffed with nurses, and overstocked with patients (yeah that's rare in the medical profession)... anyway after I cleaned the cat box (Pudge and Scrunch were beginning to build "Poo-Henge" again)  I thought I'd head out, grab a bite to eat and kill some time getting a little exercise and take some photos while I walked around one of our local lakes.

Wouldn't you just know it, I arrived at Johnson Reservoir just as the sun was setting and the Mosquitos (that happen to resemble small birds here in Colorado!) were rising!  And me with carbon dioxide to spare and an all to apparent dearth of deet! 

Damn it!  I wasn't going to let these little bastards ruin my walk!  Of course then again... I'm blessed with an IQ resembling a hockey score!  I proceeded to get my exercise, feed the little blood suckers, and take my pictures.  Below are a sampling of the fruits of my trip to the Blood Bank!  Hope they're worth it.

 

Muskrat... I think... Captain and Tenille  couldn't be found for verification!

Yep, (in the above image) those are but a mere modicum of the mosquito flock!

Autumn is neigh here in the foothills of the Rockies.  Lots of GOLD in our future! 

 

Sometimes "Small" is Impressive!

As many of you know I'm an amateur model builder, specializing in aircraft and some ships.  I've been complimented a few times on some of the intricate detail I can master in extremely small scale 1/700 (of an inch) and 1/48th (ejection seat below) for example.  

However, this blew my mind in terms of the scale this artist works in!  I introduce you to:

Willard Wigan who's work has been described by many as ‘the eighth wonder of the world’.

Willard is a resident of Birmingham, England.  The show is in Manchester.  He has a learning disability (Dyslexia), but has talented hands.  He makes the sculptures out of dust particles, sugar crystals, etc.  Works only around midnight, & can only do some of the work between heartbeats.

Here are some examples, (That's Mr. Wigan in frame #1 holding the needle that has the Statue of Liberty in the eye).

  

In the above photos that is Elvis on the head of a pin and a girl with a balloon on the end of an EYELASH glued to the eye of a needle!

Above is a Boxing ring complete with referee compared to a match head.

Anyone notice the witch on top of the needle's eye?

 

That's the Titanic on the tip of a needle! 

Just WOW!  (and if you don't believe it... Snopes verified it.)

Creativity Around the Office

Working at NewsGator, I am surrounded by creative people... Being in a Web 2.0 Software company will promote that type of person.

However, I have to say that I was caught off guard by one of our employees' creativity in the break room.  You see we're one of those cool companies that provides free fattening agents  snacks for our folks.  These nutritional goodies include M&M's (peanut doncha know!) Bowls of Snickers bars, Red Vines, Pop-tarts etc... you know good wholesome food to help creative minds bloom!

Well a few months back one of our employees came up with a brilliant idea to have dispensers replace the "free-for-all" bowls.  You know the bowls, the ones where no-one uses the "provided spoon" for scooping the contents into their "I have no idea where those have been... ahhh chooooo!.... hands!"  The cool new dispensers are kind of a "No charge" gumball machine.  Place your hand under the dispenser, twist the knob, and voila', goodies in hand!  Looks like this:

Great Idea!  We've got a bank of these things dispensing all manner of goodies:

 

Like Assorted nuts... Chex mix... The aforementioned M&M's...  And of course

  Cheese and Crackers... or if you're lucky Peanut Butter and Crackers!

Aaaahhh NewsGator... breaking the daily monotony with a sledge hammer!

God luv'em!

Oh the Places One Can Go...

But it turns out... I don't have to.  The British Media pretty much... uh... ehm.... er.... a.... "Handles" the commentary in their "quote" selection.

See if you can identify the topic of discussion based on the quotes selected for the article.

1. "I have to say [it] smacks of a government out of touch."
2. "We do consider the broader needs of our people, both physical and psychological,"
3. Brigadier Andrew Nikolic said the "holistic needs" of service personnel were considered under defence policy.
4. An armed forces spokesman defended the operations, saying they were carried out for psychological reasons, not to make sailors "look sexy".

Yep... the subject at hand of the article is:

Australia navy in breast op row

Australia's opposition Labor Party has questioned the need for female sailors to be given breast enlargements paid for with public money.

And it was the opinion of Labor defense spokesman Joel Fitzgibbon

"On the face of it, taxpayer-funded breast enhancement is a questionable practice," ... "I have to say [it] smacks of a government out of touch."

TOO.... MANY.... JOKES!...MUST..... NOT..... COMMENT!!!!!!

HT: Lex

I Bet our Boots on the Ground in Iraq Sure Wish there were more Terrorists using Volkswagens in Their Quest to Meet 27 Virgins (or however many are left up there)

Hehehe...  Unfortunately because of our squeamish PC - cushy armchair and a Latte' on demand...  "oooh we certainly don't want to offend the sensibilities of fanatic Islamics"-  society... we'd never see this on our local cable broadcast of American Idol (is that an oxymoron today?). 

But what a great Advertisement for VW!  Enjoy! [link]  HT-Steve H. for this one!

Bucky is a Genius

I was rolling on the floor laughing my ass off after reading this!!!!  (HT to Grouchy Old Cripple for this one).  Reminded me of "The Greatest Movie Line Ever!"

Hehehe... I'm sure all 8 of my Liberal Friends (who read Carmichael's Position because their blood pressure levels are obviously WAY to low!) will find this offensive...  And I did take their feelings into consideration prior to clicking the "Publish" button...  Yep!  DON'T CARE!... Especially after the deplorable and highly unprofessional behavior of YOUR! Elected representatives on the Hill this week!

Maybe I like this one because Bucky Reminds me so much of my cat "Scrunch" and I'd like to think he too thinks this way.

Recommend Putting Your Wedding Checklist on a Roll of Toilet Paper, So you Have ENOUGH Room for All! ... But at least there is Still Baseball!

Yeah... I know... Huh?

I haven't been blogging much this week, due to work load, baseball, and the increasing urgency to "GET CRAP DONE BEFORE THE WEDDING!"

Believe me I'd rather be in Reno right now! At the Tailhook National Symposium and Reunion.

But no... I'm here knocking out the "Wedding Checklist" and I guess I'm making headway, I know my bank account is rapidly depleting, so I guess I'm progressing.

It is not to say I haven't had time to enjoy myself a little this week, I have.  Wednesday night, a buddy of mine, Clay, invited me to go to the Rockies-Giants game over at Coors Field.  It was a nice respite... despite the rain.  I even managed to get a few good pics of the cheater Barry Bonds at the plate... hitting a home run to boot!

 

 

 

Awww... Was that too inside for your liking? 

But on the bright side, the Rockies were also on the field of play so I had the opportunity to watch a quality individual play ball too, Todd Helton.

But the rains... they did 'a come!

But the Baseball continued on...