Most liked posts in thread: A Big Thanks

Dude...THANK YOU!, and your family, for the dedication of serving for 30 years! I think if you ask everyone that was there, it was OUR honor to be there yesterday! "The Watch" I have to admit, made me tear-up :blush2: Just wish more of our kids could see the dedication that was shown yesterday




The Watch


For thirty years
This sailor has stood the watch
While some of us were in our bunks at night
This sailor stood the watch

While some of us were in school learning our trade
This shipmate stood the watch

Yes.. even before some of us were born into this world
This shipmate stood the watch

In those years when the storm clouds of war were seen brewing on the horizon of history
This shipmate stood the watch

Many times he would cast an eye ashore and see his family standing there
Needing his guidance and help
Needing that hand to hold during those hard times
But he still stood the watch

He stood the watch for thirty years
He stood the watch so that we, our families and
Our fellow countrymen could sleep soundly in safety, Each and every night
Knowing that a sailor stood the watch

Today we are here to say
'Shipmate... the watch stands relieved
Relieved by those You have trained ,Guided, and Lead
Shipmate you stand relieved.. we have the watch..."

"Boatswain..Standby to pipe the side...Shipmate's going Ashore.."

 

Last night my daughter pulled out a little red box, worn from being carried around and asked if I remembered the box. I did not until she opened it up and inside was a MINI key chain that I had purchased for her overseas on my last ship board deployment almost three years ago. The plastic inside was breaking down from age but the key chain was in perfect condition. She looks back at the key chain and then starts crying telling me that she was not going to use it until her car was paid for. Now that it's totaled she never will have the chance. So I had to explain to her what the two kinds of MINI owners were. Two kinds of MINI owners; The first group got the car because it gets good gas milage or it's "cute" they drive the shortest route between two places and are the ones that never wave to another MINI owner on the road. Also can be observed in parking lots usually parked as close to the store as possible not caring about door dings or shopping carts. The second group got their MINI because its "FUN" to drive, takes the long way home especially if they can get any kind of turns involved while maintaining their speed. Waves at every MINI that they see on the road even members of the first group and parks as far out in the parking lot as possible. Gets extremely upset at the sight of a 4X4 parked next to their MINI when they walk out of the store not understanding why the 4X4 had to park next to them in the first place. I guess I know what her next car will be :smilewinkgrin:

 

Lincoln= AARP.

 

Says the guy who's never gone. ut:

 

Chief, this is **so** you!!! "Coffee is not a matter of life & death. It is much more important than that."

I saw this picture & my jaw hit the ground --- winner!!!!

 

Sorry but the trip might be a little more then I can handle. Steps 42 and 53 look like a little bit of a challenge :confused5:
Driving directions to 1413 San Simeon Dr, Lemoore, CA 93245
Driving direction according to Google Earth
35 days 11 hours 13,228 km

This route has tolls.- more info »

Iwakuni, Yamaguchi PrefectureJapan

1. Head northeast 62 m
2. Turn right toward 国道188号線 350 m
3. Turn left at 三笠橋（交差点） onto 国道188号線 Go through 1 traffic circle 1.0 km
4. Turn right at 立石（交差点） onto 国道2号線 8.1 km
5. Turn left onto the ramp to 広島岩国道路Toll road 550 m
6. Keep right at the fork, follow signs for 広島・岡山 and merge onto 広島岩国道路Toll road 12.6 km
7. Take the ramp on the right to 山陽道・広島・大阪 Toll road 1.2 km
8. Merge onto 山陽自動車道 Toll road 309 km
9. Take exit 神戸ＪＣＴ on the right toward 中国道・西宮北・大阪 Toll road 1.2 km
10. Merge onto 中国自動車道 Toll road 30.1 km
11. Take exit 吹田ＪＣＴ on the right toward 名神・京都 Toll road 1.2 km
12. Merge onto 名神高速道路 Toll road 49.0 km
13. Take exit 草津ＪＣＴ toward 草津田上・新名神・信楽・亀山・東名阪・伊勢道 Toll road 1.3 km
14. Merge onto 新名神高速道路 Toll road 49.7 km
15. Take exit 亀山ＪＣＴ toward 東名阪道・伊勢湾岸道・鈴鹿・名古屋・豊田 Toll road 1.1 km
16. Merge onto 東名阪自動車道 Toll road 22.0 km
17. Take exit 四日市ＪＣＴ toward 伊勢湾岸道・豊田 Toll road 1.2 km
18. Merge onto 伊勢湾岸自動車道 Toll road 17.6 km
19. Take exit 高速飛島ＩＣ on the right to merge onto 伊勢湾岸自動車道/名港トリトン Continue to follow 伊勢湾岸自動車道 Toll road 32.1 km
20. Take exit 豊田ＪＣＴ toward 東名・名古屋・静岡 Toll road 450 m
21. Keep right at the fork, follow signs for 東名・岡崎・静岡 and merge onto 東名高速道路 Toll road 303 km
22. Continue onto 首都高速3号渋谷線 (signs for 首都高速) Toll road 12.1 km
23. Take exit 谷町ＪＣＴ toward 北池袋・霞が関 Toll road 450 m
24. Merge onto 首都高速都心環状線 Toll road 6.0 km
25. Take exit 江戸橋ＪＣＴ toward 向島・湾岸線・箱崎 Toll road 700 m
26. Merge onto 首都高速6号向島線 Toll road 8.7 km
27. Take exit 堀切ＪＣＴ toward 大宮・東北道・三郷 Toll road 450 m
28. Merge onto 首都高速中央環状線 Toll road 650 m
29. Take exit 小菅ＪＣＴ on the right toward 常磐道・三郷 Toll road 600 m
30. Merge onto 首都高速6号三郷線 Toll road 9.4 km
31. Take exit 三郷ＪＣＴ on the right toward 常磐道・水戸 Toll road 1.1 km
32. Merge onto 常磐自動車道 Toll road 37.7 km
33. Take exit 高速桜土浦ＩＣ toward 国道354号線 Toll road 900 m
34. Keep right at the fork, follow signs for 土浦・霞ヶ浦 and merge onto 国道354号線 Partial toll road 2.1 km
35. Turn left at 中村陸橋下（交差点） to stay on 国道354号線 3.3 km
36. Keep right at the fork 600 m
37. Turn right at 亀城公園北（交差点）onto 国道125号線 650 m
38. Turn left onto 県道263号線 450 m
39. Turn right to stay on 県道263号線 500 m
40. Turn left 190 m
41. Turn right 350 m
42. Kayak across the Pacific Ocean Entering United States (Hawaii) 6,243 km
43. Turn right onto Kalakaua Ave 500 m
44. Turn left onto Kapahulu Ave 2.5 km
45. Slight left onto Waialae Ave 500 m
46. Take the ramp onto I-H-1 W 25.3 km
47. Slight right onto I-H-2 N 12.6 km
48. Take exit 8 toward Wahiawa 350 m
49. Merge onto HI-99 N/Kamehameha Hwy Continue to follow Kamehameha Hwy 13.7 km
50. Continue onto HI-83 E/Joseph P. Leong Hwy Continue to follow HI-83 E 19.9 km
51. Turn left onto Kuilima Dr 800 m
52. Turn right 170 m
53. Kayak across the Pacific Ocean Entering Washington 4,436 km
54. Slight left onto N Northlake Way 350 m
55. Slight right onto Stone Way N 1.5 km
56. Turn right onto N 45th St 1.4 km
57. Turn right onto 5th Ave NE 110 m
58. Take the ramp on the left onto I-5 S Passing through Oregon Entering California 1,216 km
59. Slight right onto CA-99 S (signs for US-50/I-80 BUS/San Francisco/Fresno/South Lake Tahoe) 2.1 km
60. Merge onto I-80 BUS E 1.9 km
61. Take exit 6B for I-80 BUS/CA-99 S toward Reno/Fresno 500 m
62. Keep right at the fork, follow signs for CA-99 S and merge onto CA-99 S km
63. Take exit 131 to merge onto CA-41 S toward Lemoore/Paso Robles 47.0 km
64. Take the Bush St exit 450 m
65. Turn left onto Bush St 400 m
66. Turn right onto S 19 1/2 Ave 1.0 km
67. Take the 1st right onto San Simeon Dr Destination will be on the right 750 m

1413 San Simeon DrLemoore, CA 93245

 

Getting my car back tomorrow :biggrin5: :cornut: :drool :lol:

 

Well, now that the eve of the 4th is upon us all, I thought I'd take a minute to offer some professional advice for all you amatuer pyrotechnicians out there...

These are but a few simple rules for a "Safe and Sane Celebration."

1. Be sure when hammering Piccolo Peets that they are struck with one harsh blow so as to properly explode as desired. Multiple blows to the Pete may cause detonation immediately upon contact with open spark or flame. (This, however, may be the desired effect)

2. Be sure all open toed shoes are of a non-flammable material. Flammable footwear may cause a multiple-set vegetation fire when the affected party flees the scene of the burn injury.

3. When lighting pyrotechnic devices, in an attempt to launch them skyward, be sure you have identified the type of devices your neighbor is utilizing so as to create confusion for the local fire authorities when they confront you with the cursory citation. Buying like kinds of devices, in bulk, from your corner pyro specialist will typically save you a few extra bucks.

4. When utilizing pyrotechnic devices in areas designated "NO FIREWORKS PERMITTED", be sure that your vehicle has a full tank of fuel and you are completely familiar with the local road system and the location(s) of the nearest fire station.

5. Consider partying at your friend's house so as to divert the attention for your illegal activities to another neighborhood. This will allow for at least one more year of the same behavior. (depending on friend count)

Lastly; Remember that if you're drinking beer while lighting your favorite pyrotechnic device, particularly while attempting to hold said device and the beer simultaneously, it's advisable to set the beer aside in a safe location so as not to spill it!

All in good fun.... Have a good one!

 

Safely on deck in the Land of the Rising Sun.

 

Crickets....

 

Merry Christmas Tron Chief and to all of the rest of my MINI family. You are all my friends "Be Claus" being friends with you makes it easy to believe in Christmas. The best present you can receive is true friendship and I have been blessed. Take care and see you all next year.

 

Nice to see you last night John That means I have seen you more in the last 7 months than I have seen Fracky in the same time period :arf:

 

yeah i will be there. i am looking forward to learning a thing or two about my car.

 

But I do. :devil:

 

Prove it

 

Hi all, just kicking the tyres so to speak. Checking to make sure that MINI and I made the leap through the clouds with fenders all in one piece. A bit more work to do in the garage, but all is looking good.

 

I like I do not have to hide here to talk to the MidCal Minis! :wink2 :lol:

 

Yep your one of the guys now :cornut: Just think....you could actually be here every Friday night for our impromptu meetings at the Casa

 

I'm passing 115,000 and still going strong:beeropcorn: