Just in case you were wondering if you would really like to go for a spin with Lex on his weekend job. This should help you decide.  Don’t be shy. Check it out.

So, Lex, think you can free up an afternoon for me sometime next summer?

There was a time when I’d be nuts enough to try to hike El Caminito del Rey, a concrete walkway along a vertical walled gorge in Malaga Spain. The walkway looks like an accessway for workers of a defunct hydro project. The walkway might be said to be in disrepair.

The geology is spectacular, and the decaying strata no doubt have contributed to some of the damage.

Behold, and tread lightly.

Updated with POSIT INFO.
View Larger Map

The downsizing of the Navy continues. The Captain’s gig is going the way of teak plank flight decks and AvGas.

Carrier skippers are losing a traditional status symbol under a Navy directive issued in January. The captain’s gig, the motorboat set aside to ferry commanding officers to shore when their ships are anchored away from land, is being phased out of the fleet.

Under a directive issued by Naval Air Forces, all 11 carriers will be required to turn in their captain’s gigs before June 30, 2009. “Removal of the captain’s gig will reduce maintenance costs and free up valuable hangar bay space,” the message reads.

Despite never having ridden one I’ll miss them. Another long standing tradition becomes “Old Navy”.

Not that that will necessarily make you feel any better about what else may or may not be happening in your hotel room.

The delicacy of the young frail lass mentioned in Lex’s post is too much to behold. Think of the joys this young couple shared on their first magic night together.

This despite “significant progress in certain areas” and the fact that in 2006, officers turned away 200,000 travelers ineligible to enter the country, with ”574 noncitizens and 63 criminal aliens” said to be refused daily.

The Report cited instances of officers’ waving vehicles and pedestrians into the country without stopping them or even looking up from a computer screen. Officers did not interview passengers in back seats or board recreational vehicles to see who was inside.

Seven of the ports were so short-staffed that managers had to cancel training sessions to keep operations running, the report said. Some officers balked at searching for drugs because they had not been properly trained.

Officers exhausted from double shifts called in sick to avoid overtime duty, the report said, and poor morale had driven officers out of the agency.

Two of the Congressional investigators who tested the inspection system at one land port of entry were simply asked by an officer at a desk if they were American citizens. They said “yes” and were passed through.

It doesn’t surpise me much.

Read More

Update: Yeah, just my semi-pathetic way of sharing that I started another blog. Cuz I’m a sucker for punishment. You would think I would learn from Lex about the dangers of blogging and obsessiveness. But as much as I love my ‘blawg’, I found I really wanted another place that was less formal, where I could relax, chat with my friends and discuss some political stuff that I likely wouldn’t bring to TFD. So at the moment, its kind of ‘Michelle Light” … as in substance. But I know I will pick up some heavier stuff eventually. So check it out, if you’re interested. Or not. Either way, it’s cool.

Just a note to let y’all know I’m doing OK. I have been in Indoc/training since the 7th. It is somewhat on the warm side over here, with daytime temp’s @ 125-130. I have been drinking copious amounts of water and gatoraid. The chow is excellent! All you can eat, and much better than when I was in the service.

I was told when we got here that I would be transferred to another base, that decision is still up in the air.

Due to my status as a “rehire” with expereince in country, I have been assisting the instructor with the hands on portion of our training. He seems to like my methods and style of instruction, so I might have a spot with the Cadre. I’ll just have to wait and see. We have 28 in my group, and expect alot more in the coming months, so there is a need for my services and knowledge, other than just driving.

Thats all for now, I have to get up at 0500 which is about 5 hours from now.

Unka out.

UPDATE:

I have “Graduated” and should find out tomorrow, what the” Fariy God Mother Department” has in store for me!

On the other hand, I have been awarded a “Call Sign” by my Instructors and “Peers”.

Said handle is “Bookworm” for what it’s worth.

On the more personal side: a beginning summary of things I may never have the words for.

I’m headed to San Antonio, Texas next this weekend (Thursday-Sunday, August 2-5) on Soldiers’ Angels/Valour-IT business. I also have flight layovers in Las Vegas late Wednesday night (2.5 hours. Ugh!) and in Phoenix on Sunday afternoon.

Any fellow readers/bloggers/friends out that way who think they could survive an encounter with a Fuzzybear Lioness?

*Just in case it’s not widely known, FbL=Fuzzybear Lioness