The Bar 2014 Edition

[MyDearFriend]

I am definitely in the mood to burn shit & blow stuff up.

Making progress here finally!!! Switching from coffee to gin has done the trick.

[^Rhino!]

My Dad was in the Aleutian islands for several years of the war. They were building the highway and waiting for the enemy attacks that never happened. He was very proud of his time in the Army and continued to keep in touch with his buddies. I'm not overly patriotic but I'm VERY grateful to those who serve or served in the military. And I tell them so at every chance. So....Thank You Vets!!

Thanks to ALL of them from all of us, to be sure.

As to you, Ratty, yes, they did build quite a bit in Alaska - the Alcan highway was built through TOUGH terrain because of them. The enemy attacks DID happen in the Aleutian Islands, but in out-of-the-way places like Attu and Kiska. The Japanese bombed Dutch Harbor on June 4, 1942, but the whole Alaskan operation was largely a feint by the Japanese Navy away from their primary objective: Midway. Bases were built in the Aleutians, including on islands like Amchitka, later to become famous as the site of a below-ground nuclear test in the '70s. A complete history of United States involvement in the Aleutian Campaign of World War II is contained in the book by Brian Garfield, "The Thousand-Mile War".

[magicmarty]

I was in the Navy during the Korean War. Spent all my time on a Destroyer out of Newport RI and an LSD out of San Diego. Got to Cuba when it was "free" under Batista. Guns everywhere and 11 and 12 year old girls hooking on the waterfront. Not a pretty sight. The Rum and cigars were heavenly however.. Got a couple of trips to Alaska on the LSD. They were affectionately know as "floating bedpans" due to a round bottom shallow draft. Great fun rolling around when the swells were athwartship. (I seem to remember that was the term ... probably Rhino can correct me ... it was a long time ago) I recall hitting some ice fields that were pretty scary. Never knew if you got in too far, if you'd be able to get out. Haven't thought about it until now. Brings back memories of a time when I really didn't know when I was well off. Didn't like being in the Navy until I got out and then realized what a great experience it was. Of course, I was lucky. I never went through what some of my older cousins did in the infantry in the battles in North Africa and Italy during WWII. They all came back in one piece and for that we were all thankful. So many today are so badly scared both physically and emotionally. Yeah, the guys who served and gave up so much deserve our respect and care. Salutes

[Patsh]

Just back from a 140+mile run on my trike, with 40 other bikes and trikes from the American Legion Riders. This is another run for our veterans, and we were expecting maybe twice as many riders. Buncha wusses... "too hot"... "too sunny"...
*harrrummphhhh*

What a fun day it's been!! Of course, I'm burned to a crisp (again), but it was so worth it. Arizona is awesome! Even with so few riders, it was good for the cause. Glad to be home, though.

*Grinning*

[MyDearFriend]

(((Patsh)))

*pours a cold one*

[Patsh]

MMarty... I do crosswords, and have come across the LST often, as a ship of the wartime, but the only LSD I know was from the '60s and '70s and '80s and '90s.....

[Patsh]

(((Patsh)))

*pours a cold one*

Cheers, MyDearFriend!!
Yup, I've earned a tall cold one today! Thanks.
Most of our stops are bars and Legion posts, and quite a few riders have a beer or a drink here and there on the way, especially on such hot days as this. Not I. So, ya, I'm READY!

[magicmarty]

Gotsha Patsh. This LSD was a Landing Ship Dock. A supremely unromantic and ungainly vessel, indeed. It was a mobile dry dock that could submerge its stern to allow a smaller vessel to float into the open bay and then raise its stern so that the smaller vessel could be blocked up and be serviced or repaired while out at sea. Pretty clever and totally utilitarian. I was a newbie Ensign in the Supply Corps and so was the Paymaster and the ship's Supply Officer

(((Patsh)))) (((((MDF))))

[Patsh]

Well, I learned something new today. Thanks, MMarty!!
Sounds like an ingenious design for the purpose! (I'll have to Google it now, and see if there's one out there to look at.)

[graidawg]

Good morning my lovelies, i have been away a while going to look though whats around any suggestions on good places to look?

[MyDearFriend]

Good morning and welcome back (((Graidawg)))

I am going to consider your question while drinking

But hey why don't you Ask Eric? He knows everything.

[AntiM]

MyLarry was a gator freighter sailor, so I know about the amphibs and floating docks. He was Desert Shield era though. Dad was with a squadron in Iwakuni during Korea, and on the Essex. I'm always a little envious that I never got to serve on a ship.

[magicmarty]

Morning Grai, MDF. Should have known that you would be up on the amphibs, AntiM. Sunny Sunday here. with lots to do. But first some tennis this morning.

[chuckularone]

AntiM, I spent some time in Iwakuni back in 1988. It was (fortunately) between wars, I was stationed with VMFA-122 a Marine F-18 Squadron. Fun times! Though there was a little tension from time to time especially when the Russians flew out over the Sea of Japan.

I can still remember hiking up to Iwakuni castle. Iwakuni bridge was amazing as well. Hard to believe all that stuff was built over 400 years ago.

[unjonharley]

Set he sprinklers .. Bath robe .. feed the cats.. Take my pulse..

Damn, I'm still here.. More

[Joeln]

loafing in bed ha! maybe I should get some coffee

[AntiM]

AntiM, I spent some time in Iwakuni back in 1988. It was (fortunately) between wars, I was stationed with VMFA-122 a Marine F-18 Squadron. Fun times! Though there was a little tension from time to time especially when the Russians flew out over the Sea of Japan.

I can still remember hiking up to Iwakuni castle. Iwakuni bridge was amazing as well. Hard to believe all that stuff was built over 400 years ago.

I was in Yokosuka at the time. I spent a total of 12 years there, twice on my own orders (early 80s, late 80s) and a couple long stretches after that as a dependent spouse.

When they Russians shot down KAL 007 .... yikes.

[unjonharley]

Any one remember Jack Paar

[ygmir]

*wanders in, makes CCC*
HI gang!

gonna be over 100 here today.......dang, I think I move slower when it's hot, than when it's cold.

*strokes TV, heads for IBBOD*

[media]

[theCryptofishist]

Schlepping today. Possibly looking at a craigslist desk.

*sigh* I'd love to stay here all day...

[^Rhino!]

Any one remember Jack Paar

Yep, the FIRST 'Tonight Show' host before Johnny Carson.

A good talk show host, good presence, but not much for comedic overtone except as a straight man.

[Captain Goddammit]

Schlepping today. Possibly looking at a craigslist desk.

*sigh* I'd love to stay here all day...

I wish we lived closer, I've got a beautiful one in the garage taking up space that a few tool cabinets need to occupy.
It's too nice to give away but I'm probably gonna do just that because there's nowhere in the house to put it.
You haven't got a friend from the NW that drives a van or pickup that happens to be coming to visit you, do you?

[Elorrum]

Any one remember Jack Paar

Yep, the FIRST 'Tonight Show' host before Johnny Carson.

A good talk show host, good presence, but not much for comedic overtone except as a straight man.

Steve Allen came before Jack.

[Captain Goddammit]

And I think unjonharley came before Allen! Way, way before.

[unjonharley]

Edie Adams

[Elorrum]

Edie Adams

Married to Ernie Kovacs . Singer... Did a Murial cigars comercial. With Kovacs and Jack Lemmon, made up the Nairobi trio.

[FIGJAM]

Oriental blues!!!

[media]

[magicmarty]

And before Jack Parr was Alexander King. An amazing guy who also wrote some really good books. Hi son Bill King was an announcer for the Giants at one tie here in the Bay Area.

[MikeGyver]

Who needs a Drink?

[Patsh]

Cheers, MikeGyver!!
I'm about ready for one