The Daily ACK 11/29/2011 Footprints in the snow.

1 Dec, 1984. I stood outside my parents house saying goodbye to my family.  I was setting off on a trip with my young family.  My 1980 Honda Accord was packed to the gills with the few thing my young life had given me at age 23.  I don't remember what I said to my Mom and Dad that day but I do remember driving my car on to Interstate 40 to head west.  Go West young man, Go West.... Fairbanks AK was where my trip ended, Via Seattle WA. We decided to drive down I-40 rather than go through the Rocky Mountains to miss any bad weather. A great lot of good it did for us to try and miss the weather.

We saw a lot of things on that drive across the USA. It was an interesting trip. We hit bad weather in Tucumcari New Mexico and the next morning greeted us with two inches of ICE on the ground! We he had a plane to catch in Seattle WA on 12 Dec, 1984. We couldn't tarry in one spot for to long.  If I had missed my flight to Fairbanks, it would have been considered missing troop moment. I had only been in the Air Force 6 or 7 months and I couldn't mess this up.

12 Dec, 1984 SEA-TAC Airport

  The next morning in Tucumcari, we drove from one exit to the next exit on I-40. It was still very icy on the interstate. We crossed a bridge and the car went around 720 degrees. I had no control of the car at all. We were all just along for the ride at that point. We might have gotten up to a speed of 15mph on that icy bridge. It was the good Lord watching over us that day. The first time the car swapped ends happened so suddenly .....*gulp* I was sawing the steering wheel back and forth for all it was worth.....It scared me SO bad, I looked at my first wife and said "I Love you, I'll see you on the other side" I fully well expected to die that day in New Mexico.  The car finally started heading the right way again and down the exit ramp we went. We stayed one extra night in Tucumcari and woke up the next morning and drove on like the weather had never been bad.

I saw the western end of I-40 turn into I-5 in California.  I was a long way from my East Tennessee home. I missed home but I enjoyed being in the Air Force.  I did make it to Seattle WA on 12 Dec 1984 and I got on an Alaskan Airlines Boeing 727 with my family. A few hours later I got off the aircraft in Fairbanks International Airport. I remember walking down the steps to a mounted Polar Bear with his paw up in the air. His paw made three of my hand wide. In life, I would bet that Polar Bear was even bigger because a mounted animal shrinks a bit. I was in awe. I walked outside the doors of the terminal. There I stood in my new wool uniform. I could see my breath. It was 25 below zero Fahrenheit.  It was cold but dry. It wasn't East Tennessee cold. It was truly different from home.

Fast Forward to this morning 29 Nov, 2011. (27 odd years after my trip to AK) I watched my son, Christopher, his wife Lindsey and his young daughter Alisen get ready to go out the door for their trip to Fairbanks Alaska.  They got to fly out of Columbia SC and to Fairbanks,AK after a few stops.  It was a bitter sweet moment. I had just gotten used to having them and their dogs around the house.  I also got mighty used to making my granddaughter laugh.  One day in the future I'll do all of that again. The house is almost too quiet now.

I hugged my son this morning and told him how very proud I was of him and his family. I felt the tears well up in my eyes as I kissed his cheek.  I told him how sorry I was to stand there and cry but I really don't think he minded much. Thanks Son!

Alisen, Lindsey, Christopher, Me, and Randi

As a young man I wanted to follow in my father's footsteps and I did. I lived my dream.  Parts of it didn't play out as I wished sometimes, but no one is perfect.  It was hard to see my son follow a similar path to mine. I knew the pitfalls he would face but he had to face them to be molded into the man he would become. He and his wife have done a bang up job from where I sit. 

Where does that leave me at this moment? Well, I guess you could say I'm sad but proud...as any father would be during this time of reflection.

J.

The Daily ACK 11/23/2011 My thoughts on Christmas

ACK! Christmas is a hard thing for me. It is a rough time of the year for me, at least.  Daylight saving time has just changed, and now the sun goes down on my drive home from work and it is just a depressing time of year.

For as much as I'm Southern, from East Tennessee, I've never lived in a trailer, I've never smoked, dipped or chewed tobacco until it was a habit. I don't fish or hunt. I don't eat grits or cornbread. I own a gun but I have no idea where the parts of it are at right at this moment.  My wife even tells me I drive better than the average "redneck". I assume that a turn signal means the car in front of me is GOING to turn at SOME point!  I did marry kind of young, but I didn't marry my 16 year old cousin cuz it was the only date I could find at the family reunion.

I have seen my mother "pitch" an, honest to God, conniption fit a time or two and I knew not to hang around if said fit wasn't being "pitched" toward me....  ( I did hear mom tell the next door neighbor she was "fixing to come across that fence and whip your ass!") You didn't mess with mom when her "button" was pushed just right, it didn't matter if it was you who made her mad or NOT!

For as much as I'm Southern, I'm also different from the average southerner. Oh well, can't everybody be perfect!

The song by Robert Earl Keen entitled "Merry Christmas from the Family" is a parody of all the goofy stuff you hear about southerners. I heard it a few years ago driving to Francis Marion while going to college. I almost had to pull over to the side of the road and cry. It made me miss home some kind of bad.  It is a crude song with every possible slant toward southern people contained in its lyrics BUT it touched a nerve in me in a big way. It is most likely my favorite Christmas song. I can relate to it in a very primal way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P37xPiRz1sg  Robert Earl Keen's "Merry Christmas from the Family"

I might not have ever lived in a trailer but I was raised in the manufactured housing capital of the world. Knoxville, where I grew up, is home to Clayton Homes, on the Clinton highway.

Don't get me wrong, I know and understand the true and valid meaning of Christmas. CHRIST. (I'm not an X-mas fan, if you know what I mean) but I have no problem with poking a bit of fun at my southern self. If you can't laugh at yourself, who CAN you laugh at?

The point to all of this? Even if your family is goofy, they are the only family you will have.

Remember, folks, RED ain't dead....it's all over the place...some places you just have to look for it harder than other places, but its there, trust me on this.

J.

The Daily ACK 11/19/2011 3rd Party Politics

A recent quote from NPR I've read states:

"Dissatisfaction with both parties is at an all-time high, and trust in Washington is at an all-time low — exactly the kind of environment that is welcoming for an alternative to the Democrats and the Republicans. "There's too much opportunity, too much anger with politics," says one pollster."

If "we the people" wanted to elect a 3rd party President, we would have to deal with different state laws dealing with having a 3rd Political Party.  Ballot access would be dealt with on a state by state basis

"Each state has its own ballot access laws to determine who may appear on ballots and who may not. According to Article I, Section 4, of the United States Constitution, the authority to regulate the time, place, and manner of federal elections is up to each State, unless Congress legislates otherwise."  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballot_access)

I find it interesting if "we the people" do want a choice OTHER than democrat or republican, we would have to get Congress, that is FULL of democrats and republicans to legislate a 3rd party into existence!
Hmmmm! Kind of like letting the fox watch the hen house if you ask me.

I understand States rights and I understand sometimes Federal law trumps State law depending on what the issue is related to the law in question. (The interstate commerce law is a prime example of Federal law trumping State law) but in this case, I think the American people are truly READY for a 3rd political party and current Federal law prevents this from happening in an easy manner at this time.

I believe the founding fathers of this country are rolling over in their graves when they look at the gravy train current politicians are on. This country was founded to prevent a ruling class and a King that didn't listen to the will of the people.  It would seem we are at a similar place with the current two party system of Government.

Something to think about......
J.

The Daily ACK 11/12/2011 Veterans day thoughts.

ACK! Veterans day was a great time. Randi and I went to eat at Olive Garden and I got a free meal! WHOO HOO!  Being a Veteran does bring some blessings that I have enjoyed. One of my good friends, Sandy Johnson Bolus, wrote a beautiful statement on my Facebook page. "

I want to thank you Johnny for all you did & still do for our country. Most people don't think about the fact that even though your home you still carry around the scars, aches, pains, smells, terror & much more you deal with everyday. I thank God for you Johnny not only because you served but because in a lot of ways you still serve.Thank you!"

I was very touched by her words and humbled because Sandy hit the nail on the head about life after the military.  I deal with a lot of things that most people don't realize because I look pretty good for an old fart! It is the old situation of " You don't look sick..." Because I'm 40% disabled according to the Veterans Administration, I attended college for darn near free and I graduated in 2005 from Francis Marion University with a BBA in MIS. Buying a house using my VA benefits makes buying a house MUCH easier.  I realize that my 15 years 9 months in the U.S.A.F. has giving me a leg up on some things in life. Does this make me better or worse than any other citizens in the USA? No...100% NO. 

It would seem some Veterans think Veteranism trumps being a Citizen of the USA.  I was once at the William Jennings Bryant Dorn V.A. Hospital, in Columbia SC, and I saw a truck with almost the whole rear tailgate and window covered with information that this person had survived a certain battle during the Koren war.  This truck made it 100% clear that his man was a Veteran and he was going to "wave the flag in your face" to let you know the fact.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A77KOkNbp9w  (CCR's Fortunate Son)

Does my being a Veteran define me? Well, maybe in one sense it does. Every step you took before today is the sum of what you are today and I can't deny for 15 years 9 months, my steps happened in the Air Force but I sure as hell don't put bumper stickers on my cars stating that I survived the First Gulf War in 1990 and 1991.  If is wasn't for the military I wouldn't be a Computer Network Technician today and I KNOW that fact.

I knew people while I was in the military that being in the military 100% defined them on a daily basis and after they retired from the military they had a hard time adjusting to life away from the military.  These people needed to get their stripes tattooed on their arm so they would always be "CMSgt or SMSgt SOINSO". I would guess you could say that seeing my father retire from the Air Force made me realize more than most that there is life after the military and I wouldn't always be in the military.   

Now, for me at least, I'm no longer SSgt Massengill, I'm Mr. Massengill and I wouldn't go back in the Air Force to save my life! It was good while it lasted but it is well and truly over for this old Veteran. The military can't take anyone back in that is more than 10% disabled SOOOOO that leaves me out of ever serving again. 

Yesterday while at dinner I saw a few people who wore a hat from a former unit they served with but most of the Veterans at the Olive Garden were just normal, everyday people, from what I saw.  I'm proud to have served with them. 

J.

The Daily ACK 11/11/2011 Veteran's Day

This is nothing to ACK about.  As you go through your day, remember that Veteran, who's blood, sweat and tears protected the freedom you now enjoy. Freedom isn't free.

Happy Veteran's Day!

J.

The Daily ACK 11/10/2011 Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Clause

ACK! I post on Facebook and The Daily ACK started on Facebook.  A friend posted a status stating "Got the question every parent dreads . . . Momma is Santa Claus real..." My comment to her post stated "The truth shall set you free....6 was about the age we had to deal with that....and we told our son the truth and he took it well and we explained that other kids might still believe so don't go blabbing that truth to just everyone..."...after my post everyone else that posted told her to tell her child that Santa was "real". One person said " If you don't believe, then you won't receive!" any gifts.

The real reason for the season is that Jesus Christ was born. No more, no less. 

ACK! In my mind this person just told her child that his instincts are not to be trusted and mom or dad knows better than anyone in the world.  I can only think of ONE time I wasn't straight truthful with my son when he was a kid and he ask a question and that question was whopper! It is the opinion of this blogger that kids know and notice more than we as adults give them credit for on a daily basis. 

The one time I remember NOT telling Christopher the straight truth, he was 8 years old. We had been to a public library book sale at the mall in Sumter. On the drive home, he ask a sudden question..."Daddy, what is V.D.?" I darn near wrecked the car in the nearest ditch! I ask him where he found out about V.D. and I thought the answer would be "at school" or "from a friend". The answer to my question was that he had seen a book at the book sale about V.D. WHEW! well..THAT wasn't as bad as it could be.

I was quiet for a few moments and I tried to think and think and think of a point of reference I could start from and I couldn't think of one bit of knowledge an 8 year old might have that I could build on to explain what V.D. is. I finally ask him "Christopher, have you kissed a girl?" his answer was "no" at that moment and I told him that V.D. concerned things that were MILES beyond a kiss and I didn't think, at that moment, that he had the knowledge basis for me to build an answer to his question. I told him I was sorry that I couldn't be straight with him. He took my lack of an answer well but it troubled me that I was anything less than 100% honest with my son concerning the larger world and the pitfalls in it.

People who see their kids always AS kids do their children a great disservice in the larger world and how that world around us effects them!.....

I can't fix the world but I did OK with the little part of it I raised. Was I a perfect parent? NO..not by a long shot, but we lived through my son growing up!

J.

The Daily ACK 11/9/2011 Debt, Europe, and China

ACK! The whole European debt crisis is really a bad thing for all of us. If Italy defaults on their debt, banks a plenty will be on shakey ground.  It will be like dominoes falling. It won't be pretty.

It made me think about the U.S. debt. China owns a HUGE amount of our debt and they buy more....daily.
China makes the yuan peg with the dollar on the world money market. 1 Chinese yuan is worth about 0.15 cents US.  With their strong economy, a cheap yuan makes their products look better on the U.S. market.  The U.S. Government tries to complain that China keeps their currency artificially low in comparison to the U.S. dollar but the Chinese Government turns a cold shoulder to us concerning this problem.  The weight we carry in the world is much less now that our manufacturing base has eroded and our economy is in the crapper. It makes me wonder if one day the Chinese will tell the U.S. Government that they OWN us and it would do for the USA to shut her mouth about human rights or military buildup or of hundreds of other things that we don't see eye to eye on with the Chinese Government.

Things that make you go HMMMMMM.

China is one of the five permanent state on the U.N. security council along with France, the UK, the US, and the Russian Federation. If they start flexing their debt owning muscle, the world is in serious trouble...

I'm concerned....very concerned.....

Who am I? Just the average concerned American.

This isn't a democratic or republican issue, it is a country issue.  Our elected officials got us into this mess about 80 years ago when it was decided that we, as a country, would run our country with unbalanced budgets (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_public_debt) and we would make laws so confusing that we hamstring our own industry to try and keep up with the rest of the world with a 50 pound weight tied around our ankle and make it where the average American has no understanding of the twist and turns of the law and the reasons for such laws other than to enrich the businesses of certain narrow areas of the populist. The rich have truly gotten richer and the poor are even more poor now.

We could reenact the W.P.A. (Works Progress Administration) ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Works_Progress_Administration) from the Great Depression and put our great country back to work rebuilding the infrastructure of this country.  If a student of history can think of this solution, why can't the elected congressmen and congresswomen think of this?  I have NO idea!
It would seem this country is TRULY going to hell in a hand basket and out elected officials have such a narrow focus that they can't seem to SEE this important fact.   Once again, I have to say they need a good SWIFT kick in the ass and the bums need to be shown the street with no chance for them to lobby their way into that big after Government service paycheck AND a Government retirement ("Members of Congress are eligible for a pension at age 62 if they have completed at least five years of service. Members are eligible
for a pension at age 50 if they have completed 20 years of service, or at any age after completing 25 years of service" see http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/RL30631.pdf for more information)

As we used to say in the military "A Good job, if you can get it".....Compared to the military retirement after 20 years of honorable service, Congressional retirement is positivity peachy! No wonder our elected officials have no IDEA what the average American faces from paycheck to paycheck! ACK! 

Rather than have a heart attack from reflecting further on our problems as a country, I'll leave this thought where it is......

J.

The Daily ACK 11/4/2011 Finally.....

ACK! this is nothing to ack about. My son, daughter in law and #1 granddaughter come back to the USA from Italy.
I am pretty happy about that.

They sure are a cute couple, and their little girl, Alisen, is very cute...(sorry to say I don't have a photo of her)
I might be off from work but I THINK it will be a busy day....
4 adults, a baby and 4 dogs in the house...I do think it will be interesting

J.

The Daily ACK 11/2/2011 Another YEAR of this??!!??

ACK!!!
We are ONE YEAR away from the presidential elections being OVER.
You mean we have another year of hearing about sexual harassment from a candidate.
Along with one candidate saying another candidate is full of CRAP about something or other. ACK!

I believe in voting and I vote every chance I get but hearing the "talking heads" talk
ENDLESSLY over and over and over about the same things just drives me NUTS.
We have another year that Michelle Bachman can sing Happy Birthday to Elvis on the anniversary of his death
(http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/16/michele-bachmanns-elvis-birthday_n_928454.html)
in South Carolina!!!

Look, South Carolina has an image problem as it is, we need no help from "political fruitcakes" coming to the state
doing something STUPID on our soil....we seem to be able to muck that up without any outside help!
(our ability to muck up our own state is neither a good thing or bad thing but it is the truth)
I could care less about all the SWIRL around the candidates. STICK TO THE FACTS! not the republican facts or the democratic facts
but the REAL TRUE FACTS.

A few words for the people currently in office:
I DON"T CARE ABOUT YOU BEING REELECTED
Do what is truly RIGHT for this country.
I CARE about you doing what is right for this COUNTRY! No more, No less
I almost feel that we need to vote ALL OF YOU OUT OF OFFICE
Ok....I have to step off my soapbox and get moving on to my day!

J.

The Daily ACK 11/1/2011 Where did the year go??!!??

I'm wondering where the year has gone? The year seems to have flown by according to this writer. I'm trying to decide if I want to continue writing notes on Facebook and move all my "daily ACK" writing to the blog OR leave the blog for the more gritty items and write the more positive items for Facebook??
AH..decisions, decisions......

More later as time permits
J.