Carmichael's Position

Red Bull Air Races in San Diego!

While in San Diego this past weekend we had the opportunity to watch some of the Red Bull Air Races... actually they were taking place right outside our hotel room on Coronado! 

Words cannot do it justice, so here's a bit of a photo montage to capture the moments!  If only I had the sound of those props!  Wow!   Enjoy...

    

 

 

Cool Planes and Cool Dudes!

As most of you who read Carmichael's Position know I also serve as the Editor (and writer mostly) of the Tailhook Daily Briefing... cool work if you can get it!

This weekend I wrote a brief article about the 'Saints' of US Navy Adversary Squadron VFC-13 paying a visit to Grand Junction.  While there they also stopped in to visit with a young man Jordan Jones, age 14 fighting testicular cancer.  The Colorado Chapter of Tailhook (of which I am a proud member) has taken Jordan and his family somewhat under our wing, and want to make sure Jordan knows he has tremendous support from a number of folks.

Back to the Saints...  Squadron Commanding Officer, Cdr. Rob "Thumper" Modderman stopped by GJT bringing 9 others of his Squadron, and many saw fit to swing by Jordan's house to wish him all the best and to encourage him in his continued fight!  Who better than those who train Naval Aviators "How to Fight and WIN!" 

Jordan was too ill to greet the aviators as they landed at Grand Junction, but he was feeling much better the next day and his father took him out to the airfield to bid farewell and watch the departures of his new found friends, The Saints of VFC-13!

The men of VFC-13 and the Men and Women of the Colorado Tailhook Ready Room, led by Hans and Kathy Schmoldt deserve our highest gratitude for their dedication to others.  Efforts like these are what help to make all of us Tailhookers proud!

It turns out that the article I wrote has taken on a bit of life as a place where well wishers for Jordan's recovery can leave an encouraging comment.  If you feel so inclined, even though you may not know Jordan, please swing by the Tailhook Daily Briefing and add your wishes... it certainly couldn't hurt, and I bet it would definitely help! [LINK]

   

All the pictures on this post are courtesy of Kathy Schmoldt... and I thank her for sharing!

Where have I been?

This was the question posed by a friend of mine this morning, as he saw my IM show up on his computer.

In answer... Here... On Business.

 

 

The Good News is You've Been Transferred to the USS Ohio... Bad News is, She's Currently At Sea... Here's Your Travel Orders...

Yeah... That's gotta suck!  The special "Dope on a Rope" delivery method, to a deployed submarine.

From Navy NewsStand:

An SH-60H assigned to the "Indians" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 6 lowers a member of the aircew onto the guided-missile submarine USS Ohio (SSGN 726) for a personnel transfer. Ohio is on a one-year deployment to the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Barry Hirayama (Released)

Pudge Update

I was reminded by our good friend Karyn this afternoon, when she asked how our cat Pudge was faring, that I really needed to post an update on the health of our 9 year old cat.  First, I want to thank the number of you who have shared your concern about Pudge and sent your warm wishes for her improved health.

I am happy to report that Pudge appears, by all accounts, to be doing very well.  Ginger took her into the Veterinarian last week for a complete exam and work-ups of blood tests and the likes.  ALL Tests, for pretty much any of the most common feline maladies, came back negative.  This is great news as far as I am concerned.  However it remains a mystery as to what the hell happened on that Saturday morning. 

The Doc said "It could have been as simple as she got into something that she shouldn't have..."  Wow imagine that!  Who would ever suspect something like that happening with a curious cat?

Well, once again I want to thank you all for sharing your warm wishes for Pudge we are glad she is doing better.

Photos That Convey a Feeling

I play racquetball twice a week, at Green Mountain Rec. Center here in Denver.  The reason I play there and not closer to my house is that it is almost but not-quite-equidistant between me and my playing partner.  I usually play immediately after work which often is right around sunset.

Anyway, along my route (the ridge of Green Mountain) I am entertained by a magnificent vista of the entire Denver crescent  laid out before me, from Boulder to the north all the way to Pikes Peak to the south and all of the Denver Metro in-between, an impressive view to say the least. 

However even with that distraction as my eastern view, I keep finding my eyes drawn to the simple contrast of a lone Cattle Chute in a meadow to my west.

For me, there has always been something about the simple wood structure at sunset that conveyed "The West."  And I've always wanted to take a crack at capturing that feeling in a photo.  I had the opportunity the other day to make just such an  effort.  Here are the results, and I'm curious to know if you think I managed to capture more than just a "Cattle Chute."

Full sized versions of these images can be found on my SmugMug page here. 

Photos from my latest trip to San Diego

As most of you know, I pretty much consider San Diego my 'Home Town" for as much as a Navy Brat with 37 different addresses to his credit can claim one...

This last trip was to attend a Tailhook reception and then give the Managing Director of Tailhook a Briefing on the first year's performance of The "Tailhook Daily Briefing."  The Association's blog of which I am the editor.

I needed the break, and I got one.  It was a great trip.  The weather was perfect...Severe Clear in the mid 60's!  Hertz once again provided me with a Mustang, this time without the 11 inches of snow to navigate through!  And my "Travelocity" discounted hotel room was not to be believed for below $200.00 price I paid!  Here's the view out my room window!

I took the opportunity to recapture some of my 500 photos (that got lost thanks to a somewhat unsuccessful hard drive recovery... performed by a somewhat accomplished nincompoop!)... as well as take a few other new ones.  The latest collection is posted here if you would like to check out the full batch, but as I like to do here's some to tease you a bit.

Some planes... of course!  with a little Photoshop fun at Lindbergh Field.

The Beach at Coronado, to make all my snow covered friends in Colorado a bit envious.

Some of the downtown touristy stuff... Star of India and the recreation of the famous end of World War II  photo in a 30 foot statue down by the Midway.

 

And finally a panoramic of San Diego, looking a full 360 degrees from the end of the pier in the photo above.

  Like I said... A perfect couple of days in San Diego... Well, almost... If Ginger had been with me, it would have been perfect!

Again, more photos here: http://jcas.smugmug.com/gallery/4305021_nCL3k#252358952

Blue Angels Coming Back To Colorado This Year!

I know it is only January, but I definitely have reason to look forward to September now!

The Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron will be once again performing at Grand Junction's Walker Field.  I know what I'll be doing the weekend of September 27-28!  I'll probably be part of the Colorado Tailhook Association contingent expected to be there in force.  And certainly partaking in the already planned 7th annual Cattle Barons BBQ at Hans and Kathy's!

Looks like some good old regular stops have also returned to the flight schedule for this season; MCAS Miramar for one, the aforementioned Grand Junction (which if you haven't been there is a great venue to watch the Blues!) and for many, probably one of the biggest surprises is the return of the Blue Angels to San Francisco (Oct. 11-12), where every year the opposition to the annual performance gains a louder and louder voice.  However, by most factual accounting that voice is of an extremely vocal Anti-Military borderline Anti-American minority.  Damn Commies!

Anyway, as always the Blue Angles demonstrate some of the highest quality flying one will ever have the opportunity to experience.  I say "experience" because you feel as much as see the flight demo!  Six F/A-18C's in "Full Blower" flying 18 inches (THAT'S RIGHT NOT A TYPO 18 INCHES) apart is awe inspiring and heart pounding!

So if you have never been, I cannot recommend enough to find a show nearest you and bring the friends and family!  I do recommend that your kids be a minimum of 8 or 9 for their attention span.  Also, is is commonly HOT! out on the apron with little to no shade, so bring sunscreen, dress cool and wear a hat (wide brims recommended)!

 

Here's the show schedule:

MARCH

08          NAF El Centro, California
15 - 16   Sacramento, California
29 - 30   NAS Meridian, Mississippi

APRIL

05 - 06   NAS Kingsville, Texas
12 - 13   Smyrna, Tennessee
19 - 20   Peoria, Illinois
26 - 27   Vidalia, Georgia

MAY

10 - 11   Barksdale AFB, Bossier City, Louisiana
16 - 18   Andrews AFB, Maryland
21          USNA, Annapolis, Maryland
23          USNA Fly-By, Annapolis, Maryland
24-25     Jones Beach, New York

JUNE

07 - 08   MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina
14 - 15   Quebec City
21 - 22   Davenport, Iowa
28 - 29   Huntsville, Alabama

JULY

05 - 06   Traverse City, Michigan
12          Pensacola Beach, Florida
19 - 20   Duluth, Minnesota
26 - 27   Twin Falls, Idaho

AUGUST

02 - 03   Seattle, Washington
08 - 10   Fairchild AFB, Spokane, Washington
16 - 17   Chicago, Illinois
30          Cleveland, Ohio

SEPTEMBER

01          Cleveland, Ohio
06 - 07   NAS Brunswick, Maine
13 - 14   Eau Claire, Wisconsin
20 - 21   NAS Oceana, Virginia
27 - 28   Grand Junction, Colorado

OCTOBER

04 - 05   MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California
11 - 12   San Francisco, California
18 - 19   Little Rock, AFB, Arkansas
25 - 26   NAS Jacksonville, Florida

NOVEMBER

01 - 02   Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas
08 - 09   Kennedy Space Center, Florida
15          NAS Pensacola, Florida

Schedule is subject to change without notice and is
weather permitting, for everyone's safety.

 

Christmas at the Carmichael's

Heheh... Sounds a little odd but thanks to October 6th this year, Ginger and I combined (and of course her name change) now makes us the "Carmichaels"...

Cool...

We're here in Colorado this year enjoying this festive occasion with some very close friends.  Unfortunately family is spread all around the nation this day.  But they are certainly with us in spirit.

This Christmas day is just beginning, the promise of a "WHITE CHRISTMAS" has already been delivered... boy has it been delivered!  Here's a taste... What was forecast for 1-2" of light snow is now 7-9" and still snowing!

We're fortunate enough to be the ones hosting the dinner this year in our new house, so I do not have to experience the white knuckle adventures of the roads today.

We certainly wish you all could enjoy the holiday with us too... There is always an open invite!  And as cold as it is outside today... inside is quite warm and toasty.  Here's what Christmas looks like this year at Casa De Carmichael.

 

And of course... Your lovely Hostess... And my Beautiful Bride, Ginger...

      MERRY CHRISTMAS!

May all of your Christmas dreams come true...  And a special thanks to all of the Men and Women in Uniform who cannot be here with us this day, please know you are all in our hearts, and prayers!  We certainly hope you are all finding ways to bring a little Christmas cheer to wherever you are...  Knowing our Military, I'm sure it is being achieved... God Bless!

Recognized for CUTTING DOWN the US FLAG?!!!

Damn Right!

Somewhere I missed this story when it happened back in October... Of course I could have been doing something else at the time... like "getting married."

But here's the poop for those others of you who missed the story.   Evidently an establishment in the Reno NV area was flying a Mexican flag OVER the US flag!  Supposedly the shop owner was flying the flags in this manner as a form of solidarity in the wake of raids on 11 area McDonald's restaurant leading to the arrest of more than 50 undocumented workers.

The flag flying garnered the attention of the local media and a news crew was dispatched to "get to the bottom" of things (and probably provide an excellent soapbox for the shop owner's protest).  Well what the News Crew captured that day was certainly unexpected... but in YHS view heart warming!  Here's the video: [link]

That's Army Veteran Jim Brossard taking ACTION!  That flag and what it represents deserves respect!  And men like Brossard recognize this, they've fought for our honor and still do!  There is NOTHING wrong with being an AMERICAN!  We do not have to apologize and constant Kowtow to every slap in the face we receive.  Yes the store owner has every right to mount a protest, but flying the American Flag in the United States in this fashion is Illegal!... for a reason! 

"If I hadn't done that, then I'm afraid it wouldn't have gotten done," he said. "I was ready and fully willing to accept any consequences, legally or any other, that might have come in my direction."

And I'm with Jim in that I think if you are willing to treat Old Glory without respect, you've lost your privilege to have her!

And it looks like the members of the USS Intrepid Association feel the same way... Because in a small ceremony Jim Brossard was presented with another US Flag, one that has flown proudly over the USS Intrepid.

GERALDA MILLER
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
Posted: 11/21/2007

Veterans who served on the U.S.S. Intrepid aircraft carrier presented Jim Brossard with a certificate and flag for cutting down a U.S. flag that was flying beneath a Mexican flag at a Reno bar.

"To fly the American flag underneath the Mexican flag, it just defies everything," said Wayne Erven, West Coast representative of the U.S.S. Intrepid Association Inc. "Our flag goes on top. That's the honor we give our flag."

Erven of Pleasanton, Calif., gave Brossard the appreciation Tuesday at the James D. Hoff Peace Officer Memorial in Idlewild Park.  (Photo Caption:  Wayne Erven, center, prepares to give a flag that flew over the U.S.S. Intrepid in New York earlier this year to Jim Brossard, left. Looking on at right is Daryl Saldausky of Reno. Erven and Saldausky are members of the U.S.S. Intrepid Association Inc. Photo Credit: David B. Parker/RGJ)

"To go and pull that down, you've got more guts than brains maybe," Erven told Brossard.

And I find it also disturbing that...

Bob Fulkerson, state director for the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, said Brossard does not deserve to be rewarded for stealing property.

Uh... Try the word "Rescuing" or "Protecting the Honor of..." there Bob!

"I think what they're doing is rewarding criminal behavior, and they're rewarding violent behavior," Fulkerson said. "To me, that goes against our Constitution. That goes against the values of our country."

Uh... Yeah.... Well I guess I should consider the source...

Bravo Zulu Mr. Brossard!

Haven't Posted Too Many Photos Lately... Here's a Dose

Been awhile since I've posted some pics... So here's a few random selections from fall here in Colorado.

Above... 2 views from my "Guest Bedroom" window.  Below... a view of the National League Colorado Rockies Rally in Downtown Denver from my former offices.

And a few of Sunsets...

 

Seriously!... Everyone who is owned by a cat goes through this!

This is an EVERY morning ritual! [LINK TO VIDEO]

The culprits at Casa De Carmichael are Pudge (pictured left) and her 22lb brother Scrunch (right)... AKA the "Cats Darwin Forgot" coined by my buddy Ken!

Oh sure... they look so innocent now!

A Few Really Nice Photos From my Buddy Scott

One of my Best Men, Scott sent me a few pics he and his wife Kristi took while out here for our wedding.  These are really nice ones and are also contained in the same Smugmug gallery [page 15] I pointed you all to in my previous post.

http://jcas.smugmug.com/gallery/3632821/#206979701 

Here's their pics: 

This first one is a panoramic of Golden CO, our chapel is to the right of center in this image.

Then there are a couple of nice photos of Ginger and me (well... of Ginger anyway!)

And finally a good close up of the Star Gazer Lilies on the cake.

Thank you Scott and Kristi!  These are awesome, and will absolutely serve the purpose of helping Ginger and I remember fondly that great day in October!

Wedding Pics are now Posted

Well, many of them anyway...

I could still use more if you took any.  Just send to my comcast e-mail.  If you don't know my comcast e-mail leave me a comment here and I get it to you.

Full Gallery is here: http://jcas.smugmug.com/gallery/3632821/#206979701

The series includes:

1. Tour into the Mountains with Mom, Dad, and Kelly
2. Golf day with the family at “The Ridge” at Castle Pines
3. Beginning Page 5 = Golf w/ friends and Family at the Meadows the Egyptian wear was for who ever shot the highest on any hole (painful skins game!) I’m proud to say I never earned the honor that day!
4. End of page five = Rehearsal (bad focus but I wanted to put the images up for historical reference)
5. Rehearsal Dinner
6. Then completing decorations at Stu and Linda’s house
7. The moon and Star picture signifies 6:00am on Wedding day (I was up early)
8. Early morning prep… then wedding
9. Not many pics of the wedding (left that for the real photographer) Linda has some good ones but we are having trouble uploading from her computer (we will have them up sometime soon I hope).
10. Then the Reception some fun group pics there of Ginger’s Co-workers, Our Pool team, the San Diego / San Diego State group of guys (that could not be a serious picture no way no how!)
11. Finally some from our trip to Vegas (NO! None of THOSE!)

Here's a taste:

 

 

   

 

 

John and Ginger Carmichael

Yep, Its Official!  I done gone off and got myself hitched to the girl of my dreams!  Ginger and I were joined in marriage on Saturday, Oct. 6th in front of God, our Family and our Friends in a lovely ceremony at Foothills Chapel in Golden CO.

We were joined on this special occasion by our wonderful families, and countless numbers of our closest friends. (Countless cuz, damn it, they wouldn't stand still long enough for me to get an accurate count!)

We partied until well into dark, it was heartwarming to be in the company of such great friends!

I'll post more soon, but I wanted to get the official announcement out.  One of the traditions of getting married is making a "Public" proclamation in the paper or such media... Well hell this is the new millennium, and we're going to do it this way!  In a few weeks, I'll bet a web search on "John and Ginger Marriage" or "John and Ginger Carmichael " will hit this post for all the world to see!

Oh... and by the way, the picture above is not any of our formal photos, those won't be ready for a week or so, this was just a crop/Photoshop I slapped together from one of the many candid photo's taken at the reception... I'll post a better one when I have it.

And on the topic of photos, I know many of you took some great photos while at the reception, and I would love to see them (as I'm sure other's in our family would too!) I will be setting up a public gallery of the images soon, and will try to enable a public download of the pics as well... for now, if you would like to send me some of your images in an e-mail please feel free to do so.  Click here and attach whichever images you have that are nice.

Thank you again for all you love and support, we wouldn't have it any other way, you are all so special to our lives!

-John & Ginger  

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! 

 

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!

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.