My head knocks against the stars. My feet are on the hilltops. My finger-tips are in the valleys and shores of universal life. Down in the sounding foam of primal things I reach my hands and play with pebbles of destiny. I have been to hell and back many times. I know all about heaven, for I have talked with God. I dabble in the blood and guts of the terrible. I know the passionate seizure of beauty And the marvelous rebellion of man at all signs reading “Keep Off.”
My name is Truth and I am the most elusive captive in the universe.
I recently took a trip up north and visited the Tuzigoot Monument near Cottonwood, Arizona.
The Tuzigoot Monument was a Pueblo ruin that was about 2 to 3 stories at the time of its construction. Believed to have been built between 1125 and 1400 CE by the Sinagua people. This building had few doors and relied heavily on ladders as a means of movement for people. The ladders were attached to trapdoor-like openings in the roofs to enter the rooms.
Discovered during an excavation in 1933-35 by Louis Caywood and Edward of the University of Arizona. It would take another year before the site would be available for public display.
On July 2h 1939, Pres. Franklin Roosevelt designated it as a US National Monument. It would be officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15,1966.
Just history on the place. Beautiful views all around the valley. Below I posted some pictures as I am an amateur Photographer. Enjoy the view and leave a like or comment below.
Sorry I haven’t posted in a while but I was busy trying to get some things done, and I was also traveling. I had been wanting to start posting again but kept putting it off until this past week.
Watching the mess in Afghanistan this last week made me reflect back on all that has happened during my time of service.
You see, I retired a year ago from the Air Force after 20 years of service. With the only exception of the first 12 months of my career, we were at war with Iraq and Afghanistan or both at the same time for my entire service. I remember deploying in support of both operations. Operation Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. While I never really considered if they were right or wrong until years later when I finally grew to understand why things are what they are.
When I was younger I wholeheartedly supported Afghanistan, but was skeptical of Iraq. Afghanistan was clear and to the point, overthrow the Taliban and get Bin Laden (The mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks). Iraq was kind of complicated to me. Though Saddam was violating several of the UN Resolutions, there was no clear reason as to why he should be removed and there was no plan as to what should be done once removed. However, being a young Airman, I realized that I was paid to offer any foreign analysis.
As time went on, I realized that one War was enough and the other was unnecessary.
Image above is Saudi 2019
Images below are from Kyrgyzstan 2002
Kyrgyzstan was my first deployment and it was an essential area at the time of the invasion. The base was named Peter J Ganci Air base (Named after a heroic Firefighter who lost his life trying to save others on 9/11). This base was most memorable to me because it was the first time I had ever been outside the country. That was where I realized just how different things were outside the comfort of the US. It was after this trip I made it a point to learn about the countries I visited. I wanted to see how things are. It was an eye opener. I would end up doing 9 trips to the other side of the world and I spent a year in South Korea.
It made me appreciate how easy we really have it back home. Yeah, we have our issues. Politicians trying to change laws for their benefits. Voters posting misinformation online because they are either too lazy or stupid to do the legwork for facts. However, these small items pale in comparison to the real problems that are going on out there.
Countries literally putting people into camps, cultures who won’t let women vote or even dress to their comfort. Govt’s being overthrown by people who believe that they can create a religious utopia but end up becoming 3rd world totalitarianisms.
With that said I am sure someone is sitting here and trying to process what I am writing and asking, “What’s your point Dingus?” I will sum that up now.
Do I believe that we should pull out of Afghanistan? Yes, I do wholeheartedly support it. I have seen people I know that would be killed or come home and not be the same. One of my jobs was Mortuary affairs. I did 22 cases in 3 years and I still remember the faces of the member who passed and the families that I had to sit in front of and explain if they wanted their child/husband/wife/sibling buried or cremated. They will always be with me until the day I die. However, with that said, I do not agree with how the withdrawal was being conducted. In fact that’s why a lot of Vets are upset with the President about this.
While the President deserves the blame for the poor withdrawal, that doesn’t mean his predecessors get a pass either. From President Bush taking his eye off the ball to focus on Iraq. To President Obama plunging us deeper, even after we got Bin Laden (who was in Pakistan by the way). Finally, to President Trump’s inept and naïve negotiations with the Taliban (Yeah, because we should totally rely on an enemy who was just trying to kill us for the last several years to suddenly want to cooperate)
President Biden could have not followed the agreement set by the Trump administration, but guess what? It happened and nothing can change that. Sadly, for the Vets who were in this war, we now have much clearer understanding what the Vietnam generation must’ve felt when their war came to a horrible end. To see a situation spiral out of control and no longer have a goal or an endgame. It does give the feeling of “Was this in vein?” “Was it a waste?” Unfortunately, I can’t answer that question but I can say this. If this war was lost, it wasn’t because of the men and women who bravely served. It was the inept and arrogant politicians who thought they would win this war with words, or that we could try to build nations in our image. They lost the war, not the troops.
To each of them I will add this. I am proud to have served with all of you through these conflicts. You are the best that this country has to offer the word. Even with our internal issues and flaws, you all made me proud to serve.
My only political post hopefully. I will focus more on my other hobbies, travels, and interests. Have a good week. Below I posted some more images for memories
Image on the left was Al Jaber Kuwait 2015 during a Sand storm. Image on the right was UAE in the city of ABU DAHBI in 2005.
These 3 were from Qatar back in April of 2003. This was when Baghdad fell. A little bit of celebration and an opportunity to see some planes.
Well, Baylor won and congrats to them. However, to anyone who made a bracket, I am sorry you wasted your time. In fact only a small percentage had them winning at all. Also, no one picked them to win by 15, much less by one.
I picked Gonzaga and was stunned at last night’s outcome, In fact it was my only shock in tournament. With so many upsets and ass whippings coming out of left field, I was essentially numb when the championship game came around. I didn’t even watch the game between Baylor and Gonzaga. So to wake up the next morning and see this was my shock.
Regardless of the outcomes, it was nice to have College Basketball back. Even if it was a half ass tournament with so many upsets that had to Google just to know where these schools were coming from.
With that said, I will offer my congrats to Baylor. The college had fielded several quality teams over the years. To see them finally win it, even if it was one of the weakest tournaments ever (COVID could be used as an excuse but I won’t go there) you deserved the win and title.
After the successful debut of their 1992 hit album Core, what where could STP go?
While most bands hit a Sophomore slump, the guys were hitting their stride with their follow up Purple.
This album is by far their best effort out of all of their work, and that’s my opinion of course. I mean it is one of those albums that you can listen to and not even want to skip a track. I mean how many albums do we own or know that you can safely say that (besides The Beatles).
Purple hit the airwaves on June 7th 1994. Going straight to number 1 on the Billboard 200 where it stay for 3 weeks. The reviews were overwhelmingly positive. Definitely a step up from their Core debut 2 years earlier. The album’s primary single, “Interstate Love songs” made it to number 22 on the Billboard 100, and spent a then record 15 weeks on the Billboard Modern Rock charts. Other singles released included “Big Empty” (which was used on the hit movie The Crow), “Vasoline”, “Unglued”, and “Pretty Penny”.
Sales were a little lower than Core but still sold 6 million copies in the US, but as previously mentioned still had much better reviews than its predecessor.
Purple still holds up after all these years and I was lucky enough to get the record itself to listen for memories.
Two weeks ago we got tested and cleared to go to Hawaii. It was only a 4 day trip but it was certainly a tripped needed after this last year of one of the worst pandemic in recent memory.
We decided to take trip and see how difficult it would be able to fly into Hawaii. We did the standard COVID test, were negative but also quarantined as well to be safe. After a quick check in at the airport, we were off. A 5 in half hour flight and some reading we arrived in Honolulu.
We checked into a nice hotel called the Hale Koa resort which is in the middle of Waikiki. What amazed me was the lack people around. Now granted we are in a pandemic but to see the streets and beach with so much less people than when we came out here in 2019 was surprising. With that said it was still a fun time. Hawaii, which does have some strict social distancing is still a relatively safe spot for travel. The businesses require masks (I am sure I wore a mask more in the 4 days there than I did at all in 2020). The beach isn’t a huge issue. The lack of people help the social distancing out greatly, which was good for us because that’s why we came out there in the first place
Our Room at the Hale Koa
Our view from the room during the evening
We did cruise down to a couple of restaurants but we mostly stayed at our room. Figured it would be better to mitigate some of our exposure. Most of the time was spent on the beach. I tell you, I would never get tired sitting on the beach. Whether it be morning, noon, or night. I just can’t get over the views that are here.
Did make a nice recording sitting at the beach. I could play this video in a loop and fall asleep to it.
It’s too bad that you cant find a good house to live in out there, I would never leave Hawaii again.
Well, that’s pretty much the sum of our trip. While I have no issues traveling in a pandemic, I am still going to practice with the masking and social distancing. Regardless, I will have respect for this virus. Hopefully, we will be able to get out of this by July 4th as President Biden established as a pledge but one can only hope.
Every one have a goodnight and if I don’t post tomorrow, then have a good weekend.
I figured I would make Friday a short one and do a review of this classic album that I own. Carole King’s 1971 hit album “Tapestry”.
Released in 1971 Tapestry became a hit album in the US. Selling over 13 million copies since. It was number 1 on the billboard for 15 consecutive weeks (longest ever by a female artist until Adele’s 21 in 2017), and literally stayed on the billboard 200 for 318 weeks (it remained on the charts for 302 consecutively 1971-77). Carole co-wrote all the songs. She wrote with writing partner and husband at the time Gerry Goffin, and Toni Stern for “It’s too late’ and “Where you lead”.
While some tracks tend to drag a little like “I feel the earth move’ or “Way over Yonder” the album is really solid for its time. Besides the hit single “It’s too Late”, which was on the Billboard 100 #1 spot for weeks and went Gold on its own, there are other excellent gems on this legendary album. The sweet “You’ve got a Friend” is a good listen, it was also a hit for James Taylor at the same time this album was released. Other notable tracks such as “Where You Lead”, “Smackwater Jack”, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow?”, and of course the title song of the album.
The album spawned those hits which are still in rotation today. Even more so on Spotify when her page is pulled up with the stream count. Amazing how an album can still be so popular. With that said I forgot to mention that it was a multiple winner at the 1972 Grammy’s for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Record of the Year (“It’s Too Late”), Song of the Year (“You’ve Got a Friend”), and Album of the Year ( a historical for a female artist).
Here is a snippet of that hit Album, Have a good weekend. May add another post this weekend.
One thing I have developed, is a hobby of vinyl. Yes, I know some people are asking. Why would I collect them when we have all these capabilities to listen to them through apps such as Spotify, Pandora, iTunes, or Amazon? Well, to be honest its more nostalgia and reminiscing memories.
The Hobby began in 2018 through a good friend was talking about a record/Vinyl he bought. I thought they had been out of style and was surprised that they even existed. He showed me what he bought that they are still circulating. We listened to one and just took me back to my childhood. Watching my mom clean house while listening to Billy Joel, Blondie, Joey Scarbury, or even the Bee Gees. It was at that moment that I wanted to start a collection of my own. I don’t know what drove me but I went online and bought nice little record player from Amazon. From there I just began to build my collection.
I purchased Albums that I know my mom and older sister had and then I found myself wanting to hear other albums that I had heard on Spotify. I don’t know that sound was just so clean to me, and I would find myself just sitting in my man cave just listening to Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Van Morrison. It made me appreciate those times so much more growing up. Even now when I listen to some vinyl, I always think about my childhood, sitting there with my sister or watching my mom do something around the house. I literally could sit for hours and listen to music.
As I continue this blog, I am sure I will be posting some of those Vinyl I own and ones that I may purchase. I don’t know why but I just love the original sound, and it appears a lot of Americans agree with me. According sales, last year and for first since 1986 Vinyl sales overtook CD sales by a wide margin, Source https://www.techradar.com/news/record-players-vinyl-sales-overtake-cds-for-the-first-time-since-1986
Here are a few samples of my collection. If anyone is interested in wanting to learn more about my collection or just shoot the shit about records, leave a comment below. Have a goodnight.
Some Billy Joel, Van Morrison, Peter Gabriel, Rolling Stones, and Wings to name a few
Couple of videos from Huey Lewis, The Beatles, and The Doors
Went on a nice little hike this morning. My better half was out getting her first Covid Vaccine which was great to know. I am still waiting on when I am eligible.
I take these hikes because of the view but also to clear my mind. I always have something running in my head. From the irrelevant to relevant. Most of the time irrelevant. However, I use this time to enjoy to air, the views, and remind myself of how lucky I am.
Normally I would only hike certain parts the area but today I had this urge to go to the top of the hill. It took about 30 min some stops because I would try my best at avoiding other hikers. I am not fond of crowds or being too close to people. A little PTSD from my past military experience and this pandemic isn’t doing me any favors as well.
While I was at the top, It was nice to see such beautiful views of the area. You could see the city of Phoenix, and the Cardinals’ Stadium from Westgate. Just amazes me how all this is right near me. You see, I grew up in Virginia. In the rural areas, kinda like what you would see from The Andy Griffith show. So to be out here and see these kinds of views will always be so inspiring and amazing.
Below, I added some pictures for some viewing enjoyment. In the future as learn how to navigate this I will providre more content and better quality to the blogs. I thank you for following.
My name is Michael and I am recently retired. I am here because I am looking for new creative outlets and I figured I would try a blog.
I will do my best to stay on top of this. I will cover events in my life, my interests, thoughts, and things going in my life. I hope that everyone will enjoy and please bear in mind. I am new with this so patience is always appreciated
Throughtful Reader 