Pax meets the Leap Year

Ahhhh.... the 29th of February.  Only occurring once every four years, it is the day when folk tradition has it that a woman may propose to a man.

Oooh.... so is Brendan Fraser single?
Do you think perhaps he would find it creepy to receive a "Hey! Let's get hitched" from an utter stranger?
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okay... yes... it WOULD be really creepy but something to shock and amuse the country relatives with :D

But seriously - I would be a *FANTASTIC* girlfriend.   I like geeks, and small children; reading books and sending treats to the Troops; can wash, cook and sew (and finds 2 out of 3 of those interesting enough to do regularly of my own free will); I keep my nagging and honey-do's to a minimum; happily pay for my own share of the bills and all of the mortgage; own a 32" LCD flat screen TV And now a coffee machine*. Who wouldn't love me?!

Oh about that coffee machine... I found out about it yesterday.  Phone call received at work to advise  that I had won it in a random "you bought stuff" draw. One of those "Nespresso" machines that take the fancy flavoured coffee capsules.

Pretty nifty huh?  Just a pity I'm more of a Hot Chocolate kind of person. Don't get me wrong - I Loooove the smell of freshly roasted coffee but I get quite twitchy quite fast if I drink any of it. (think Super Squirrel on Speed)

So yes...  please send all "Hey I'd love a laid-back, kind, coffee machine owning girlfriend in my life" applications care of this blog.  And remember IT COULD BE YOU!

*Small disclaimer: Fools, Idiots, Mamma's Boys and those hoping I'll  be foolish enough to support you through your final years of College should not apply.  Been there.. done that.... lost the t-shirt in the settlement.

Coffeypot at Sea

I first met Coffeypot online in 2009 - not long after I began my Milsupport/Milblogging (He was a good friend of a blogger I had been following and we began to chat via email).  Coffey mentioned early in the conversation that his ship - USS Frank E. Evans DD754 - had gone down in the  South China Sea just outside the designated combat zone in a collision with an Australian Naval ship.

And I thought "but surely he's too young to have been serving at the time of the second HMAS Melbourne disaster". (To Australians of a certain age, the two HMAS Melbourne naval disasters remains as something we have heard of growing up).  Turns out that Coffeypot is one of those "served young - remains looking young" types and joined up in the early 60's.

Coffeypot is an amazing man. A self-described "Old Salt" and a teller of funny tales (warning.. sometimes funny RUDE tales so read with caution :D).  And someone that I count as a very good friend.

Coffey shared with some of his friends the below youtube clip he found of his ship - filmed in 1963 (6 years prior to the disaster) and with his permission I would like to share it with you all.

He writes "I was on her (USS Frank E. Evans DD754) that day, though it is hard to see, I can see me. Though I was a RDSN at the time, my refueling station was sitting on my butt just past mid-ships holding on the netting with my left hand and my right arm sticking out so ET3 Roskie could run the small lines from me to the guy behind me and then lay out the rest on the deck. I was always wet after we broke away, and I always got a shot of Rum from Doc Wilson."

Ships shown in this clip are: the USS Frank E. Evans (DD754)

and The carrier is the USS Hornet CVS12

On the 3rd of June 1969 two Naval ships - the USS Frank E. Evans (DD754) and the HMAS Melbourne (R21) collided. 74 souls lost their lives (You can read more about the disaster here)

Cup of Joes... making everyone smile!

Lately I have been having a few bad days emotion-wise. Anniversary of the "Grand Departure of the Ex" has been causing some soul searching and still some anger (mostly at myself... you'd think I would eventually learn how to pick a decent, loving guy but noooo...) so I have been feeling a bit blue.

Anyway... I've just had the best "Pick me Up" ever.  Messages just in from the Cup of  Joe program from people who have received the coffee vouchers downrange.  All sending their thanks and happiness that they have not been forgotten.  Many hoping that they can one day visit Australia (Really! Come visit! We love your accent and lovely manners over here! :D)

So yes... my woes wither in comparison to those in harms way that are still managing to smile (and stay caffeinated!).

Thank you all my "Joes" (and "Joe-ettes") for giving me Joy in return for just a few dollars of donations.

And Stay SAFE!  (some of us worry! :D)

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usual disclaimer - the Cup of Joe team give me no shiny rocks or chocolate covered coffee beans for any words of praise. Although... I'm open to receiving Penguins (all sizes) if you happen to find any just "lying about"...  *wicked smile*

Musical interlude...

Marines + Kitty = Win

Have I mentioned that I find Marines (with or without kittens) rather adorable?

Full story HERE

Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin Australia

From an article in today's online News

Bombing of Darwin: 70 years on

On February 19, 1942, shortly before 10:00am, Japanese forces launched air raids on Darwin, the first on Australian soil.

More than 260 enemy planes, including land-based bombers and planes flying off aircraft carriers in the Timor Sea, attacked US and Australian shipping, the town's harbour, military and civil aerodromes and the local hospital.

The attacks, which came in two waves, were part of Japan's efforts to damage Australia's morale, hinder Darwin's use as a military base, and ultimately secure neighbouring Timor.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-17/bombing-of-darwin-anniversary-special-coverage/3834410

(the photo slide show at the very bottom of the article is rather good)

Pax has more penguins

I was expecting no items of joy to arrive for me this V-day - being, as I am, between relationships - however I discovered that an item I ordered for myself last month has finally arrived.

It's red and makes me smile - a lot - so I think I will share with you all

This is actually the replacement Penguin insanity shirt.  Shirt the First ended up being shipped to a (then) friend downrange - he was in need of a touch of 'home' - so it was shipped off (coated in my vanilla perfume) on a "he would return it some day in person to me" type situation.  Sadly that friendship tanked so badly that I am quite sure he ended up burning it as some Manly-act.

So this is now my replacement Happy Shirt.  And when I wear it I will occasionally remember him and wish him joy in his life.