I wasn't planning on doing a Monday Melody. (Even though I had two good excuses to - my wife's birthday and 9/11).
Then I saw the terrible news about Troy Gentry, who died in a helicopter crash on Friday.
I already did MM#83 - My Town, and re-highlighted it about a year ago...
And...well, I might write more on Saturday.
So...MM#97
Something To Be Proud Of
Montgomery Gentry
There's a story that my daddy tells religiously
Like clockwork every time he sees an opening
In a conversation about the way things used to be
Well I'd just roll my eyes and make a bee-line for the door
But I'd always wind up starry-eyed, cross-legged on the floor
Hanging on to every word
Man, the things I heard
It was harder times and longer days
Five miles to school, uphill both ways
We were cane switch raised, and dirt floor poor
'Course that was back before the war
Yeah, your uncle and I made quite a pair
Flying F-15's through hostile air
He went down but they missed me by a hair
He'd always stop right there and say...
That's something to be proud of
That's a life you can hang your hat on
That's a chin held high as the tears fall down
A gut sucked in, a chest stuck out
Like a small town flag a-flyin'
Or a newborn baby cryin'
In the arms of the woman that you love
That's something to be proud of
So I'm graduatin' college, that was mama's dream
But I was on my way to anywhere else when I turned 18
'cause when you gotta fast car you think you've got everything
I learned quick those gto's don't run on faith
I ended up broken down in some town north of L. A.
Working maximum hours for minimum wage
Well, I fell in love, next thing I know
The babies came, the car got slow
I sure do miss that old hot rod
But you sure save gas in them foreign jobs
Dad, I wonder if I ever let you down
If you're ashamed how I turned out
Well, he lowered his voice, then he raised his brow
Said, lemme tell ya right now
That's something to be proud of
That's a life you can hang your hat on
You don't need to make a million
Just be thankful to be workin'
If you're doing what you're able
And putting food there on the table
And providing for the family that you love
That's something to be proud of
And if all you ever really do is the best you can
Well, you did it man
That's something to be proud of
That's a life you can hang your hat on
That's a chin held high as the tears fall down
A gut sucked in, a chest stuck out
Like a small town flag a-flyin'
Or a newborn baby cryin'
In the arms of the woman that you love
That's something to be proud of
That's something to be proud of
Yeah, that's something to be proud of
That's something to be proud of
Now that's something to be proud of
Monday, September 11, 2017
Saturday, September 9, 2017
Streaking to the World Cup
4 years ago, I posted a blog talking about the 8 teams who've made each of the last 5 World Cups (94 98 02 06 10) and how they were doing. All 8 of them would advance to Brazil '14, although Mexico needed San Zusi and a trip to New Zealand to get there.
So, how are they now?
Sorted by length of streak
Brazil and Mexico took care of business, getting their tickets to Russia with at least three games left to play.
Defending World Cup Champion Germany leads their group and should qualify.
Italy and Spain are top two in the same European group. The winner qualifies, the 2nd place team in the group goes to a playoff.
Argentina is in a 7 team traffic jam of close teams holding places 2-8. 5th place overall in South America (where Argentina is) means a playoff against the Oceania Team, now known to be New Zealand.
South Korea survived a close scare, and would've been forced to win two playoff pairings if Syria had won their final match. But, since Syria got a draw and didn't overtake South Korea, South Korea has extended their streak to 9 straight World Cups.
The USA is in 4th place by a thread (goal difference), and is still in this position after getting a critical draw in a road match against the 4th place team, Honduras. We got leapfrogged by Panama, sitting in temporary possession of the last automatic ticket to Russia.
In CONCACAF (region with USA, rest of North & Central America & Caribbean...
So, how are they now?
Sorted by length of streak
| Brazil | Since 1930 | IN, Clinched 1st Continent |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Since 1954 | 2 matches left in round; On pace to Qualify |
| Italy | Since 1962 | 2 matches left in round; On pace to Reach Playoff |
| Argentina | Since 1974 | 2 matches left in round; On pace to Reach Playoff |
| Spain | Since 1978 | 2 matches left in round; On pace to Qualify |
| South Korea | Since 1986 | IN, Clinched 2nd Group A Asia |
| USA | Since 1990 | 2 matches left in round; On pace to Reach Playoff |
| Mexico | Since 1994 | IN, Clinched Top 3 Continent |
Brazil and Mexico took care of business, getting their tickets to Russia with at least three games left to play.
Defending World Cup Champion Germany leads their group and should qualify.
Italy and Spain are top two in the same European group. The winner qualifies, the 2nd place team in the group goes to a playoff.
Argentina is in a 7 team traffic jam of close teams holding places 2-8. 5th place overall in South America (where Argentina is) means a playoff against the Oceania Team, now known to be New Zealand.
South Korea survived a close scare, and would've been forced to win two playoff pairings if Syria had won their final match. But, since Syria got a draw and didn't overtake South Korea, South Korea has extended their streak to 9 straight World Cups.
The USA is in 4th place by a thread (goal difference), and is still in this position after getting a critical draw in a road match against the 4th place team, Honduras. We got leapfrogged by Panama, sitting in temporary possession of the last automatic ticket to Russia.
In CONCACAF (region with USA, rest of North & Central America & Caribbean...
- The 3rd place team gets in. (currently Panama)
- The 4th place team plays either Syria or Australia to advance. (currently USA)
- The 5th place team is OUT. (currently Honduras)
Saturday, September 2, 2017
Agents of Wrath
There is only one county in the United States in which there are two death chambers, that is, two places where a prisoner condemned to death may meet his fate. And since I'm blogging about it, my readers would correctly assume that I'm referring to the county I currently reside in, Leavenworth County, Kansas.
Surprisingly, USP Leavenworth (the famous one) isn't one of those places. The Federal Bureau of Prisons conducts executions in Indiana, most notably the Oklahoma City bomber. However, military executions and state executions would take place within 10 miles of my house.
Military executions take place at Fort Leavenworth's US Disciplinary Barracks. Although there hasn't been an execution at Fort Leavenworth since 1961, 6 men are on death row, including the soldier responsible for the Fort Hood attack.
If the state of Kansas chooses to actually execute any of the 9 or 10 men on death row, they'd be transported to Lansing - the prison that my father worked at for 25 years. The "new" death chamber has never been used. Also, it's been since the 1960s since Kansas carried out an execution.
Earlier this year, there was conversation that one of the military prisoners, convicted of rape and murder in the late 80s, might finally have his sentence carried out. It gave me a chance to contemplate the issue of capital punishment. Another pause for thought occurred when the Charleston shooter unsuccessfully tried to avoid a death sentence earlier this year.
Unfortunately, it can be agreed that the death penalty is not consistently applied in a fair, just, timely manner. And although I've used the phrase "Needle of Justice™" in regard to lethal injection...justice and the death penalty have a strained relationship in our country.
The problem of crime in our country, the value of human life (used in arguments for and against the death penalty), the inconsistencies, and the delay..,
Even if I remain in favor of the death penalty, I don't have to like it, and I don't have to be comfortable about it.
But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. - Rom 13:4
Surprisingly, USP Leavenworth (the famous one) isn't one of those places. The Federal Bureau of Prisons conducts executions in Indiana, most notably the Oklahoma City bomber. However, military executions and state executions would take place within 10 miles of my house.
Military executions take place at Fort Leavenworth's US Disciplinary Barracks. Although there hasn't been an execution at Fort Leavenworth since 1961, 6 men are on death row, including the soldier responsible for the Fort Hood attack.
If the state of Kansas chooses to actually execute any of the 9 or 10 men on death row, they'd be transported to Lansing - the prison that my father worked at for 25 years. The "new" death chamber has never been used. Also, it's been since the 1960s since Kansas carried out an execution.
Earlier this year, there was conversation that one of the military prisoners, convicted of rape and murder in the late 80s, might finally have his sentence carried out. It gave me a chance to contemplate the issue of capital punishment. Another pause for thought occurred when the Charleston shooter unsuccessfully tried to avoid a death sentence earlier this year.
Unfortunately, it can be agreed that the death penalty is not consistently applied in a fair, just, timely manner. And although I've used the phrase "Needle of Justice™" in regard to lethal injection...justice and the death penalty have a strained relationship in our country.
The problem of crime in our country, the value of human life (used in arguments for and against the death penalty), the inconsistencies, and the delay..,
Even if I remain in favor of the death penalty, I don't have to like it, and I don't have to be comfortable about it.
But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. - Rom 13:4
Saturday, August 26, 2017
Happy birthday Elijah
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Monday, August 21, 2017
Least Imaginative Post Ever.
MM#10
Total Eclipse of the Heart, Bonnie Tyler
Only appropriate, given the circumstances. :)
90 seconds of totality in Leavenworth, which doesn't even get you halfway through this song.
Turn around, every now and then I get a little bit lonely
And you're never coming round
Turn around, every now and then I get a little bit tired
Of listening to the sound of my tears
Turn around, every now and then I get a little bit nervous
That the best of all the years have gone by
Turn around, every now and then I get a little bit terrified
And then I see the look in your eyes
Turn around bright eyes, every now and then I fall apart
Turn around bright eyes, every now and then I fall apart
And I need you now tonight
And I need you more than ever
And if you only hold me tight
We'll be holding on forever
And we'll only be making it right
'Cause we'll never be wrong together
We can take it to the end of the line
Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time (all of the time)
I don't know what to do and I'm always in the dark
We're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks
I really need you tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight
Once upon a time I was falling in love
But now I'm only falling apart
And there's nothing I can do
A total eclipse of the heart
Once upon a time there was light in my life
But now there's only love in the dark
Nothing I can say
A total eclipse of the heart
Turn around bright eyes, every now and then I fall apart
Turn around bright eyes, every now and then I fall apart
And I need you now tonight (and I need you now)
And I need you more than ever
And if you only hold me tight (and if you only)
We'll be holding on forever
And we'll only be making it right ('cause we'll never be wrong)
'Cause we'll never be wrong together
We can take it to the end of the line
Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time (all of the time)
I don't know what to do and I'm always in the dark
We're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks
I really need you tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight
Once upon a time I was falling in love
But now I'm only falling apart
And there's nothing I can say
A total eclipse of the heart
A total eclipse of the heart
A total eclipse of the heart
Turn around bright eyes
Total Eclipse of the Heart, Bonnie Tyler
Only appropriate, given the circumstances. :)
90 seconds of totality in Leavenworth, which doesn't even get you halfway through this song.
Turn around, every now and then I get a little bit lonely
And you're never coming round
Turn around, every now and then I get a little bit tired
Of listening to the sound of my tears
Turn around, every now and then I get a little bit nervous
That the best of all the years have gone by
Turn around, every now and then I get a little bit terrified
And then I see the look in your eyes
Turn around bright eyes, every now and then I fall apart
Turn around bright eyes, every now and then I fall apart
And I need you now tonight
And I need you more than ever
And if you only hold me tight
We'll be holding on forever
And we'll only be making it right
'Cause we'll never be wrong together
We can take it to the end of the line
Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time (all of the time)
I don't know what to do and I'm always in the dark
We're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks
I really need you tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight
Once upon a time I was falling in love
But now I'm only falling apart
And there's nothing I can do
A total eclipse of the heart
Once upon a time there was light in my life
But now there's only love in the dark
Nothing I can say
A total eclipse of the heart
Turn around bright eyes, every now and then I fall apart
Turn around bright eyes, every now and then I fall apart
And I need you now tonight (and I need you now)
And I need you more than ever
And if you only hold me tight (and if you only)
We'll be holding on forever
And we'll only be making it right ('cause we'll never be wrong)
'Cause we'll never be wrong together
We can take it to the end of the line
Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time (all of the time)
I don't know what to do and I'm always in the dark
We're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks
I really need you tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight
Once upon a time I was falling in love
But now I'm only falling apart
And there's nothing I can say
A total eclipse of the heart
A total eclipse of the heart
A total eclipse of the heart
Turn around bright eyes
Saturday, August 19, 2017
Latin for Pratt Brothers.™
| ad astra per aspera -- To The Stars Through Difficulties ---- Kansas State Motto |  |
| auribus teneo lupum -- I hold a wolf by the ears ---- Best wolf-related Latin phrase I could find | |
| commitant ludi -- Let the Games Begin ---- Latin phrase found on the splash screen for the war game I worked on for eight years |  |
quid est veritas -- What is Truth ---- John 18:38 |  |
| sed in his omnibus superamus propter eum qui dilexit nos --Romans 8:37 in the Latin Vulgate ----My verse |  |
Random thoughts
I go from mega-blogging, to not blogging at all, back to mega-blogging, to just bits here and there. Such is my life.
Next Saturday is a very important day to me, and I'll post another blog then.
The last time I had "a full-time job that wasn't a temp job and didn't have announced layoffs in the future" was January 2015. And the last time I had the same job on the 4th of July in consecutive years...was 2009-2010. Growl.
Next Saturday is a very important day to me, and I'll post another blog then.
The last time I had "a full-time job that wasn't a temp job and didn't have announced layoffs in the future" was January 2015. And the last time I had the same job on the 4th of July in consecutive years...was 2009-2010. Growl.
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