Sunday, July 31, 2011

Unity before Diversity Gerald Butts

Facebook friend. This is good. Copied in it's entirety.

The following is a copy of the letter I sent to another member of my local Tea Party group in response to the question, "Can Muslims Be Good Americans?"   My Friend,   The following credo applies not only to Muslims, but to all minorities in this country. I have been ridiculed and laughed at all of my life for my beliefs. The Tea Party is a Godsend for me at the age of 53. I will try to state my life long beliefs as clearly as possible.   This country was founded by WASP's. White Anglo-Saxon Protestants. They are NOT superior to anyone. They just happen to be the founders of our society. They gave us a common culture; language, rule of law, faith in God. English, the Constitution and the Bible. This is the cornerstone of our society.   No matter how you arrived in this country you MUST adhere to its culture if you wish to be part of it. You are free to leave. Slavery was wrong. It is over. Forget about it. If you are still upset. Just leave.   The founding fathers lived under the tyranny of the British Empire and I believe they TRULY comprehended the evils of slavery and genocide. I TRULY believe they wanted to build a new nation where "all men are created equal".   The final conclusion is that every individual citizen must swear sole allegiance to the United State of America. This excludes people who have loyalties to any other culture. America is its own culture. When you come here and swear allegiance to it you leave behind any ethnicity you had. You are no longer British. You are no longer African. You are American. FIRST and ONLY.   If muslims, blacks, hispanics or any other group refuses to give up their previous ethnicity, they cannot be Americans. If they continue to live in our society as separate cultures then they are traitors guilty of treason and subject to any punishment the rightful citizens of the United States impose upon them. The time has come for Americans to declare their distinct ethnicity on the pages of history. So help me God.   your friend, Gerri    

Blog: Hard Hearts and Honor from American Thinker

Blog: Hard Hearts and Honor

Courtesy of Ann Kane.
Is the Muslim father who killed his six daughters out of "honor" representative of Islam? Does the political ideology of Islam give the dad of the family the right to kill his daughters because they go against custom and have boyfriends?
The rest is at the link above.

Truth- In short form...

From Old NFO. Good blogging friend to me and the one and only Snigs!
This is short and to the point.
So do yourself a favour and head on over and check it out.
Six short sentences that say it all:
http://oldnfo.blogspot.com/2011/07/truth-in-short-form.html

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Pulp Fiction (1994): John Travolta & Samuel L. Jackson

Pulp Fiction is a 1994 American crime film directed by Quentin Tarantino, who cowrote its screenplay with Roger Avary. The film is known for its rich, eclectic dialogue, ironic mix of humor and violence, nonlinear storyline, and host of cinematic allusions and pop culture references.

The film was nominated for seven Oscars, including Best Picture; Tarantino and Avary won for Best Original Screenplay. It was also awarded the Palme d'Or at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival. A major critical and commercial success, it revitalized the career of its leading man, John Travolta, who received an Academy Award nomination, as did costars Samuel L. Jackson and Uma Thurman.

Directed in a highly stylized manner, Pulp Fiction joins the intersecting storylines of Los Angeles mobsters, fringe players, small-time criminals, and a mysterious briefcase. Considerable screen time is devoted to conversations and monologues that reveal the characters' senses of humor and perspectives on life. The film's title refers to the pulp magazines and hardboiled crime novels popular during the mid-20th century, known for their graphic violence and punchy dialogue. Pulp Fiction is self-referential from its opening moments, beginning with a title card that gives two dictionary definitions of "pulp". The plot, as in many of Tarantino's other works, is presented out of chronological sequence.

The picture's self-reflexivity, unconventional structure, and extensive use of homage and pastiche have led critics to describe it as a prime example of postmodern film. Considered by some critics a black comedy, the film is also frequently labeled a "neo-noir". Critic Geoffrey O'Brien argues otherwise: "The old-time noir passions, the brooding melancholy and operatic death scenes, would be altogether out of place in the crisp and brightly lit wonderland that Tarantino conjures up. [It is] neither neo-noir nor a parody of noir".

Similarly, Nicholas Christopher calls it "more gangland camp than neo-noir", and Foster Hirsch suggests that its "trippy fantasy landscape" characterizes it more definitively than any genre label. Pulp Fiction is viewed as the inspiration for many later movies that adopted various elements of its style. The nature of its development, marketing, and distribution and its consequent profitability had a sweeping effect on the field of independent cinema (although it is not an independent film itself). Considered a cultural watershed, Pulp Fiction's influence has been felt in several other media.
John Travolta as Vincent Vega: Tarantino cast Travolta in Pulp Fiction only because Michael Madsen, who had a major role—Vic Vega—in Reservoir Dogs, chose to appear in Kevin Costner's Wyatt Earp instead. Madsen was still rueing his choice over a decade later. Harvey Weinstein pushed for Daniel Day-Lewis in the part. Travolta accepted a bargain rate for his services—sources claim either $100,000 or $140,000—but the film's success and his Oscar nomination as Best Actor revitalized his career. Travolta was subsequently cast in several hits including Get Shorty, in which he played a similar character, and the John Woo blockbuster Face/Off. In 2004, Tarantino discussed an idea for a movie starring Travolta and Madsen as the Vega brothers; the concept remains unrealized.

Samuel L. Jackson as Jules Winnfield: Tarantino had written the part with Jackson in mind, but the actor nearly lost it after his first audition was overshadowed by Paul Calderón's. Jackson assumed the audition was merely a reading. Harvey Weinstein convinced Jackson to audition a second time, and his performance of the final diner scene won over Tarantino. Jules was originally scripted with a giant afro, but Tarantino and Jackson agreed on the Jheri-curled wig seen in the film. (One reviewer took it as a "tacit comic statement about the ghettoization of blacks in movies".) Jackson received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Calderon appears in the movie as Paul, a bartender at Marsellus's social club.

Uma Thurman as Mia Wallace: Miramax favored Holly Hunter or Meg Ryan for the role. Alfre Woodard and Meg Tilly were also considered, but Tarantino wanted Thurman after their first meeting. She dominated most of the film's promotional material, appearing on a bed with cigarette in hand. She was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar and was launched into the celebrity A-list. She took little advantage of her newfound fame, choosing not to do any big-budget films for the next three years. Thurman would later star in Tarantino's two Kill Bill movies.
Bruce Willis as Butch Coolidge: Willis was a major star, but most of his recent films had been box-office disappointments. As described by Peter Bart, taking a role in the modestly budgeted film "meant lowering his salary and risking his star status, but the strategy...paid off royally: Pulp Fiction not only brought Willis new respect as an actor, but also earned him several million dollars as a result of his gross participation." Willis's appearance and physical presence were crucial to Tarantino's interest in casting him: "Bruce has the look of a 50s actor. I can't think of any other star that has that look."
Harvey Keitel as Winston Wolf or simply "The Wolf": The part was written specifically for Keitel, who had starred in Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs and was instrumental in getting it produced. In the filmmaker's words, "Harvey had been my favorite actor since I was 16 years old."[47] Keitel had played a character similarly employed as a "cleaner" in Point of No Return, released a year earlier.

Tim Roth as "Pumpkin" or "Ringo": Roth had starred in Reservoir Dogs alongside Keitel and was brought on board again. He had used an American accent in the earlier film, but uses his natural, London one in Pulp Fiction. Though Tarantino had written the part specifically with Roth in mind, TriStar head Mike Medavoy preferred Johnny Depp or Christian Slater.

Amanda Plummer as Yolanda or "Honey Bunny": Tarantino wrote the role for Plummer, specifically to partner Roth onscreen. Roth had introduced the actress and director, telling Tarantino, "I want to work with Amanda in one of your films, but she has to have a really big gun." Plummer followed up with director Michael Winterbottom's Butterfly Kiss, in which she plays a serial killer.

Maria de Medeiros as Fabienne: Butch's girlfriend. Tarantino met the Portuguese actress while traveling with Reservoir Dogs around the European film festival circuit. She had previously costarred with Thurman in Henry & June (1990), playing Anaïs Nin.

Ving Rhames as Marsellus Wallace: Before Rhames was cast, the part was offered to Sid Haig, who had appeared in many classic exploitation movies of the 1970s. Haig passed on the role. According to Bender, Rhames gave "one of the best auditions I've ever seen." His acclaimed performance led to his being cast in big-budget features such as Mission Impossible, Con Air, and Out of Sight.

Eric Stoltz as Lance: Vincent's drug dealer. Courtney Love later reported that Kurt Cobain was originally offered the role of Lance; if he had taken it, Love would have played the role of his wife. Tarantino, however, denies that he ever even met Cobain, much less offered him a role in the movie.

Rosanna Arquette as Jody: Lance's wife. Pam Grier read for the role, but Tarantino did not believe audiences would find it plausible for Lance to yell at her.Grier was later cast as the lead of Tarantino's Jackie Brown. Ellen DeGeneres also read for Jody.

Christopher Walken as Captain Koons: Walken appears in a single scene, devoted to the Vietnam veteran's monologue about the gold watch. In 1993, Walken had appeared in another small but pivotal role in the "Sicilian scene" in the Tarantino-written True Romance.

playaroundwithme dots com says:



In about 3 hours, I am going to prepare to go out! Off to festive hotel, at Sentosa to stay in a, very last minute chalet. but apparently, my friends had already planned long ago for this, but just that they can't get a hotel, thus they had this last minute arrangement. Anyway, I'am free for it, so why not!

So lately I been practicing on my hairstyling skills on my dolly head, and also doing alot of research on Youtube and nets for references on styling.

Then, i also did a makeup look on, Black Swan, as i recently catch the movie. :D


Till then, take care!

~♥•´(¯`Photobucket´¯)`•♥•'`•♥•´
..~♥ღ`*.¸.*´ღ♥ Come Back Soon~!

Friday, July 29, 2011

Air Force Civilian Maintainers!

That being me.
This shot was by the CTF Photographer one day when he simply showed up on the line.
I was watching flight controls being run through as part of the launch process.
F-16 Falcon engines put out a lot of heat as you can see.
Doing what I do.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

How to Tie a Tie: Art of Manliness

Gotta go to the link!
It is a good post.
I see guys now in their thirties who cannot tie a tie even using the four-in-hand knot.
Sad commentary, indeed.
How to tie a tie

20 cute girls with freckles Rule Five

This was a link at theBrigade.
I have the link to Regretful Morning with the pics!
And of course, one to pique your interest!


Cute Girls With Freckles

First Shot for the F-35C

Saw this one at Lex's place.
To good for a link. Short and really cool.
The F-35C taking it's first Cat Shot at NAEC Lakehurst.

Succes 2011: Astronaut Jeremy Hansen


Jeremy Roger Hansen, CD (born January 27, 1976 in London, Ontario) is a Canadian astronaut with the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). He was selected to join the CSA in the 2009 CSA selection along with David Saint-Jacques. Prior to his selection as one of Canada's newest astronauts, Hansen held the rank of Captain in the Canadian Forces, piloting the CF-18 fighter plane from deployment at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta.

Born January 27, 1976 in London, Ontario, and raised on a farm near Ailsa Craig, Ontario, until moving to Ingersoll for his high school years. Captain Hansen is married with 3 children.

Captain Hansen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Space Science (First Class Honours) from Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario (1999). He earned a Master of Science in Physics from the same institution in 2000, with a research focus on Wide Field of View Satellite Tracking.

Warner Brothers Studio and Griffith Park Observatory

And yes, I do have the obligatory "Hollywood" sign!












Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Bucket List #79 CHECK.

I made me a Bucket List a little ways back. And last Saturday I was able to knock off #79. 
To shoot at, and hit a clay pigeon.

My family was all vacationing in Bear Lake, as we often do, and we all decided to go shooting, as we have never before done. Both my brothers and their wives came, as well as my younger sister and my wonderful father. We had 8 guns, hundreds of clay pigeons and thousands of bullets.

Basically, in my lack of shooting experience I thought that hitting a clay pigeon would be disastrously difficult. That morning I was anticipating that I would have to practice in vein the whole time and not hit a darn thing. 
To my surprise it was actually a lot easier than I imagined. I hit one on my very first try! 
Rick, my older brother. Bryce, my younger brother, and my Dad. 
I loved yelling PULL. 
I loved playing cleanup and even cleaned up my brother a time or two! 
I loved unloading the bullets to find a large gust of smoke. 
It was one of the more pleasurable activities I've been able to do with my family. 
I'm for sure a fan. 
And with an accuracy of about 75% I gave everyone a surprised run for their money.  


Now, shooting the handgun... well that was another story. A much more difficult one. I'm afraid that my accuracy on that one was about 1%.
Maybe after I start working on #73 I will get a better accuracy percentage. 

Succes 2011: Vladimir Remek, the first Czechoslovak in space. The first cosmonaut from a country other than the Soviet Union or the United States

Vladimír Remek (born 26 September 1948) is the first Czechoslovak in space and the first cosmonaut from a country other than the Soviet Union or the United States. As of 2004, with the entry of the Czech Republic into the European Union Vladimír Remek is considered to be the first astronaut from the EU. He flew aboard Soyuz 28 from March 2nd to March 10th 1978, for seven days, 22 hours, and 17 minutes. In 2004 he was elected into the European Parliament.

Vladimír Remek was born in České Budějovice to Czech mother and Slovak father. His father, Jozef Remek, was Lieutenant General of the Czechoslovak army (1973-75 deputy of the Minister of Defense responsible for air force and air defense, 1976-89 commander of the air force). In 1970 Vladimír Remek became military pilot. In 1976 he finished a military air force academy.

Remek joined the Intercosmos program in 1976; his backup was Oldřich Pelčák. After the flight, on March 16, 1978, he and Aleksei Gubarev, the other member of the crew, were awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union.
In 1990 he became director of the Military Museum for Aviation and Astronautics in Prague, since 1995 he worked as a sales representative for the company ČZ in Moscow, since 2002 he served at the Czech embassy in Russia.

During the 2004 European Parliament election Remek was an independent candidate for the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia and, being second on the list, was elected into the European Parliament. He was elected again into the European Parliament in 2009 European Parliament election.

The asteroid 2552 Remek is named after him.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Obama’s ineligibility: Prepare to defend America – Time to act

From Canada Free Press.
Seems that the Canucks with values and purpose get it. And I always ask the sixty three million or so of my supposed fellow countrymen the same thing. What in hell were you people thinking! For the love of all that is true and sacred, what happened to your values system?

Obama’s ineligibility: Prepare to defend America – Time to act

Monday, July 25, 2011

Canadian Voodoos!

I found this one at the Canadian Forces website. The Canucks flew some cool airplanes over the years. And since Buck has related to us his "Voodoo Moment", I figured what the heck.
Enjoy!

Buck's Voodoo Story

I do believe you all will get a kick out of this one.
It was sort of inspired by yours truly and the picture of the F-101 Voodoo at Century Circle at Edwards AFB Rosamond Gate.
And Buck is a masterful story teller!
Enjoy!
Blog Bud Buck, The Exile in Portales!

Sunday, July 24, 2011

New Sailor Blog

The Mellow Jihadi
Had to link this guy.
Especially after reading a post where in the AF confuses a Third Class Petty Officer for a Bird Colonel.
Funny one. Got to get the locals here at Edwards trained in what PO1 means on the blue ID. That is confusing enough.
http://themellowjihadi.com/
Go and check it out!!!!!!

Sunday with the Grand Daughter

Took Bailee to the Base and Red Rock Canyon State Park.
Got some pictures for ya'all.
B-52 used by NASA from 1976 to 2004

Very first F-4C

The only two seat A-10. Actually designated YA-10B

Blackbird

From The Skunk Works

T-33 Shooting Star

YA-7D

Aardvark!

CT-39

F-84F

Gloster NF.11

Another of the Gloster

C-45 Expiditer

An H-3 variant

F-100 Super Sabre prototype

F-101B Voodoo

TF-102

YC-15, precursor to the C-17

Republic F-105. Thud!

F-106.

Century Circle Tower






The park has some really neat scenery!