20030719

What does it take?
Go read Publicola's post on what constitutes the last straw. What would yours be?

20030715

Fuz's books:
Just finished for the third time:


Getting Firstborn excited about this one, which I will begin to read to her this summer:


Just added this to my Amazon wish list (sorry, this feature will not be shared with blog readers):

20030714

Rumor mill
. . . has it that USAF, envious of the Marines' waycool camouflage pattern, is pursuing its own unique camouflage uniform. The pattern was described as the Vietnam-era tiger stripe, weaving the "urban" colors blue, gray, and tan, mimicking the concrete, dirt, and buildings of airbases.

Sounds cool, but, uh, guys? Can you angle the chest pockets on the jacket, like on the MARPATs? And attach the cuffs inside out like theirs too---the cuff buttons hang up on camouflage netting.

And for Pete's sake, let's convert to a pin-on subdued enlisted chevron---just one, on the flap of the jacket covering the placket buttons, at the level of the chest pocket flaps. Or provide a flap to carry the subdued cloth chevron from the GoreTex parka, like on the CADPATs. Officers would continue to wear rank insignia as on the current uniform.

Speaking of the jacket front button flap, since we all carry pens tucked in there anyway, why not just widen it a bit and put a pen pocket inside there?

One last thing: leave oversize pen slots or big buttonholes in the pocket flaps for the big bellows pockets on the trouser legs. When you put an LMR in the pocket, you need a handy way for the antenna to stick out. Better yet, put a sturdy belt loop in the pocket, attached to the leg sideways, to clip the LMR on to. Otherwise, the LMR flops around in the pocket.

Another last thing: attach the seat pockets on the outside of the trousers. Ask why, if you must.

Yet one more last thing: follow the Marines and convert to a single, quality, brown suede safety-toed boot. Single, as in, the same boot for temperate or desert climates.
Greatest hits
This blog continues to get hits from Erosblog's mention of a post that discussed the romantic possibilities of a weekend away from the kids.
Second, searches for St. Pauli Girl costumes. Close third for the same post, but searching for girls on trampolines.
Note, these are the most frequently recurring search terms, not the biggest-hitting referrals. We can claim only two Instalanches, one kicked my way by James Rummel after he read my comments at Scott Chaffin's, and the other shamelessly self-promoted.

20030713

Don't forget your harpoon
So says a tornado safety sign at Fort Leonard Wood's TDY quarters:
Post Siren will sound continuously when danger is imminent! Siren is long whaling sound.