Let's Say Thanks

If you have ever thought about what you could do to actually say 'Thank You' to our men and Women in the military, now is the perfect time to do so. Its not Christmas or any big holiday season, so they probably dont get to hear much from us 'back in the States' this time of year. Xerox has set up a site that allows you to pick a postcard design and personally write a note to a soldier overseas. Xerox will send it there for free. You can't designate who it goes to, but it will get to someone who deserves it, for sure.
Let's Say Thanks

Ryan Frederick - A Wiki Called Reason - a Wikia wiki

The ongoing story of Ryan is a riveting one. He is claiming self-defense in the killing of a police officer. The story is not over yet.

Ryan Frederick -

Iraq, Commanders, and Voiceover Work

The parade has marched out of town, but it was probably one of the best times I have had there. I volunteered at the Armed Forces Day Parade last Saturday as part of the 'crew' that made sure the attendees were marching in the order they set forth in the program. It was the annual effort of the local Amateur Radio Club which I belong to that brought it to my attention.

I was working a section in the middle of the parade that had everything from drill teams to drill sergeants. Standing out in the middle of a major boulevard flagging down buses and convoys that really had no way of knowing which way they were supposed to go felt odd to say the least. When a group that belonged in my section arrived, I would have them try to line up in order and make space for missing groups.

It was hot. How hot? My tennis shoes were making impressions in the tar they used to fill the cracks in the sidewalk. And I chose to wear jeans. But I'm glad I did. No stinkin' sunscreen for my legs, thank you very much. Thats a whole subject for another time. The sun was out in force and there was actually a nice breeze, not too windy, that made for a very nice day. Talking with some of the Troups that came from Edward AFB made me glad I lived in a coastal town and passed the time nicely. They drove down in a Hummer with no air from the desert in full fatigues no less.

So while talking to these guys (and one girl), I find out they are actually MP's; the 'police' who guard stuff on base. They take no bull from anybody. And enjoy it. Even 'higher-ups' have to listen to them. It was a nice conversation. One guy had been to Iraq and (of course) was glad to be home. The others were basically on this little outing just as volunteer duty, something to do, I guess.

A Colonel arrives and is in a convertible. He gets to sit on the back of the Lexus he's in and wave to the crowd with his wife next to him. So he makes his way over and introduced himself. I'm pretty good at the greeting stuff, but the first thing he asks is if I work in radio. I mention that I've thought about it, but L.A. is just a bit too far. OK, I thought, I've heard this too many times... but heck, I've taken classes a couple of times down in Los Angeles, and I just can't see myself driving 20 miles, IN L.A. TRAFFIC, to just trying to break in to the business. I've got a job, thank you. ... so he continues talking about the radio business and tells about a guy he knew etc., etc. He leaves and probably has no clue about the spark he lit by mentioning my voice.

So now I'm on a little quest now to find out how I might be able to get my voice out there through some of the job boards that cater to voiceover work and the like. I'm sure I'll be posting on it from time to time, but there no time like now to act on it.

Armed Forces Day - May 17

Armed Forces Day is tomorrow. A day to honor those who serve our Country and help preserve our Freedoms. A lot of those freedoms we take for granted.

A lot of people argue that we have lost a lot of freedoms. And I suppose it all comes down to what side of the fence you are experiencing it from. I would never have thought that 20 or 30 years ago, we would be releasing so much information which was previously classified that it it would take days or weeks to peruse. So too, there are technologies out there today that will actually listen in on radio transmissions for specific words or phrases and warn of threats being made against our Land. Thirty years ago it was the stuff science fiction was made of. But no more.

It doesn't matter that you are anti-this or pro-that, if you have a voice and are using it to get your opinion heard by the public, then your Men and Women in the United States Military have sacrificed their time and their lives to give you the soap-box to scream from.

As for me, I'm going to volunteer at an Armed Forced Day parade tomorrow. Its my way of saying 'Thanks' to our Troops. Oh, and remember to fly that Grand 'Ole Flag.

Go There and Read - Amnesty International USA

This Thursday, May 15, is the day chosen by Amnesty International and Bloggers to highlight the struggle for Human Rights. The press release reports this is a world-wide effort.

From the press release;

"BlogCatalog.com partners with Amnesty International for Bloggers Unite For Human Rights

...The campaign, Bloggers Unite For Human Rights, asks bloggers from all over the world to post about human rights on the same day, May 15. Collectively, their posts will reach millions of people all over the world at the same time, even in those countries where freedom of expression is regularly suppressed."

The efforts cover everything from China to children. Stories that should not have to be headlined. Abuses of basic human dignities that most of us take for granted. Children forced to join militia forces in Congo are jailed in deplorable conditions because they ran away to join a demobilization program. People in China are being ruled by a repressive government that supports the suppression of online speech. Stuff that we barely give thought to on a daily basis.

Read the stories. Roam the site. Take action where you can.

Amnesty International USA - Action for Human Rights

Mother's Day Rebellion

Mother's Day has become the dreaded Hallmark card of Holidays, so to speak. The meaningless noise of the vacuum left by money leaving your pocket is all that it has become. As the old song goes "where is the Love?" We have chosen not to participate in the hyped up commercialism that has become Mother's Day. But don't get me wrong. We are still honoring Moms and the kids still made breakfast for mom and we had moms over for dinner even. But to blindly follow some advertising that tries to make you feel like you are obliged to get your mom the latest and greatest what-cha-ma-call-it, well I'm glad to let those days be bygone.

Do you still suck up the ads and spend for Mom? Lets hear it.

To the Moon..!

Space flight intrigues me. Of all the places to ponder, leaving the grasp of this planet has got to be at the top of the list. Outer Space. Well... OK, maybe not so much 'outer', but still way the heck up there. But the list of names who have been there is not exactly going to fill a book. So maybe the next best thing is sending something that will carry your name. Yes, you can have your name leave this earth and be bound for the Moon. It goes up with a spacecraft called the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter on a mission to map the moon's surface. Check it out here.

Hoping to Find My River of Gold - Kinda

Lately, I have been pulling up sites that will lead me towards a more profitable future. Financial sites, and some of the ‘Get paid to blog’ sites seem to be a bit more realistic than the “Make $5,000 this month… let me show you how” type of site. My instincts are to veer from the quick buck type, so without much effort, I pass on them. Most of the good information out there seems pretty practical; don’t put all your eggs in the same basket, and remember that it could take time for the economy in general to get back to an up-swing. But I’m pretty much set insofar as investments go, so I’m now edging towards the sentiment that I too could be making at least a little bit of money by putting in a little bit of effort into a web site… or something along those lines. I’m a technical kind of personality, not a writer, per se. (I suppose this blog is yelling that from the rooftops, but I’m giving it a go.) Something tells me I’ll run across something that will be worthy of a deeper look. If I runn into something worth writing about, it will show up in my blog. If you happen to have any experience with this stuff, believe me, I’m all ears.

Operation Chaos?

OK - whats up with this "Operation Chaos" I hear about. Rush Limbaugh is supposedly driving a few Republican to vote for Hillary, just so she doesn't get blown away by Obama. I guess its supposed to create a real mess when Convention time comes. I can't tell if its working as planned, but there doesn't seem to be much harmony in the Democrat party. Hillary seems to be riding this thing to the end. That will surely stir the pot if it gets to the DNC.

Ride for Kids - cont.

I gave my son a thumbs-up as he adjusted his white knuckled grip on his Uncle's belt. He knows how to hang on; he's been doing it on my bike since he was about 7. He's 10 now and still loves to hear the throaty growl of a Harley... or any motorcycle that makes some noise.
I realized that the bikes were starting up and the noise was fading into the row I was in. I rushed up to my bike and hopped on. The bike I have is an Aprilia Atlantic 500. Technically its a big scooter - no clutch to deal with, but plenty of power to spare. The passenger seat is 'cushy' and has a support across the back of the seat. And this is what my son has been used to since day 1. So today he gets to break out of his box and experience the soft-tail ride. I was probably more nervous then he was, watching him going bare-back on that Triumph. The excitement on his face was priceless; he was having the time of his life.
I had to quickly get my gloves on and juggle my glasses (since they wont accommodate the full-face helmet coming down over them). Time seemed to move in slow-mo as my fumbling continued. I looked over and the row to my right had just started rolling. I finally got settled and got the bike started. I just had to wait for about 20 bikes to pass me up so I could scoot in behind my son.
The weather was ideal for the ride. Overcast with a few breaks of sunshine. The temperature was showing 65 on my dash. There was no 'misting' or fog or dew to deal with so the roads were very dry; low humidity for sure. That's a beautiful thing when you live near the coast and ride.
They pulled us out onto the city streets and into an industrial complex. We stopped about half a mile outside of the parking lot and actually shut our engines down. Two rows of bikes that must have been about 3/4 of a mile long were just rumbling with the anticipation of the ride. Hundreds of cycles were lined up both in front of me and behind. The lead bikes started up and we began to roll again.
This was a line that probably stretched for over a mile when moving and was being escorted the whole way. Police officers from 20 miles away were on hand to help out. The vast majority of the officers rode motorcycles and at times it seemed we were in a huge funeral procession. Looking back on it now, the event really is a solemn one and the vision of a funeral procession is not too far fetched. We were all riding for those who have or have survived or succumbed to a childhood brain tumor.
Needless to say, having no red lights or stop signs or traffic left a lot more time to enjoy the ride. A lot of time to think, too, and realize what all this means to the families of those kids.
Throughout the ride, the rolling never stopped, but some spots allowed us to open the throttle a little bit. Watching kids and adults alike standing on the side of the road or sitting in their cars, eyes full of amazement and the stream of motorcycles, it probably seemed endless. Cars were stuck at intersections and pedestrians unable to cross streets, all in the name of PBTF. The ride made its way around the Palos Verdes Peninsula, hugging the Pacific Ocean for most of the way. Pathways that you take for granted take on a new meaning when driven on without the worry of having to stop. I've lived here all my life and although the path taken is just a few miles from home, it seemed like a vacation for that 90 minute ride. And watching my son enjoy it was the icing on the cake.
I mentioned earlier that there is a connection to my son in all this. My family found out last week that one of my son's classmates... one he has had in his class for 5 out of 6 years... was diagnosed with a brain tumor on the Friday before the ride. As ironic as it is, she was undergoing surgery while we were on the road Sunday morning. I think it all made sense to him, somehow, and only time will tell. Everyone in his class made a get-well card for her on Monday. We can only hope that those well wishes come through, because that same afternoon the word got out that the tumor was inoperable; they will need to treat it with chemo. And so it goes. It was heard that her prognosis is good.
Maybe she'll be there for the Ride for Kids next year.

Ride for Kids

TORRANCE, CA - Sunday, May 4th - American Honda was the site for the annual Ride for Kids. This event was started as a fund-raising effort for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. It provides an opportunity to highlight the survivors and families of children who have suffered from this disease.
It all started with a call from my Sister. She invited my son to go on a motorcycle ride on Sunday. I thought it would just be toting my son on the back of my bike and following my Brother-in-law around town. She then mentioned that it was the Honda Ride for Kids event. This has to be the biggest motorcycle event around. So I let my son choose what he wanted to do. Ride with Dad or 'hang on for the ride' with his Uncle. He chose to 'hang on'. But that's OK... Cause once I got there, and was directed to my 'spot in line' (at the front of a row of bikes) I sorta figured I was in this for good. I had to sign in and register (which was very easy to do) and get my son registered as a passenger. I had no qualms putting the $35 down for participating in the event at all. You could tell this would be a great time and I could feel the anticipation everywhere.
After grabbing a bagel for my son and going back outside, it really sank in. The parking lot was a sea of motorcycles. Hundreds of bikes of all sorts were parked and waiting to go.
On the way back to the parked bikes, a Harley Davidson motorcycle demonstration team was showing off their stuff. We found a spot on the side of the road and watched as they maneuvered their bikes and bodies into formations no sane person would attempt. Hanging off the front of a Harley is a position I would rather not experience. They stood in pyramid formation 4 Harley's wide while turning in a tight circle and made it look easy to boot. It was quite a show.
With my Son on his Uncle's Triumph they started to roll the first motorcycles off the line. The bikes in front were 'escorted' by the local police. Their passengers were either Survivors or a family member riding in memory of one. Some of the kids were riding in sidecars and others were on large 'trikes'. Then the rest of the field got to follow. Sounds of motorcycles filled the air. Some were quite noisy. But when the wave of engine noise hit our row it sent shivers down my spine. It was one of those things you'll never forget. Bikes of all makes and models rumbling all at once. Like a swarm of bees waiting to take flight. A very cool experience.

Tomorrow - the ride... and how all this relates to my son.