I cannot help but wonder if there is a connection between
Prince Harry's possibly being sent to Iraq, the very thought of which
doubtless gives his security people hives, and the British prime minister's announcement that UK forces are soon to be reduced in that war zone?

One certainly applauds Prince Harry's determination to go with his
troop or squadron or whatever it is, and do the job for which he's been
trained, but mercy Maud....! His presence would surely put everyone
around him in danger. Don't you know the insurgents would simply love
to either kill him outright or, even better, take him hostage and
threaten to behead him unless their demands are met?

ISTM Harry's participation over there would likely be more of a hindrance than a help.

I'm pleased as punch those stranded mountain climbers were rescued.

However, that said, I'm also tired to death of people's risk-intense hobbies/avocations requiring other people to risk their lives to save the hobbyists' sorry butts.  Not to mention the expense born by the taxpayers.

Call me a Scrooge of the mingiest sort, but since these mountains are publicly-owned property, it wouldn't be unreasonable to require climbing permits, including a mandatory insurance policy to cover the cost of hauling men and equipment up the mountain to haul the climber back down if he gets stuck up there.

If there's one thing I resent, it's movie ads and trailers that give a false impression of the film being promoted.

A recent example of this, of course, was the heavily hyped Happy Feet, which I'd been mildly anticipating for some time, seeing as how it was an animation featuring a happy, dancing penguins and I'm fond of both animation and happy, dancing penguins.  Fortunately reviewers clued me in once the flick hit the theaters that while it's certainly an animation, and there is - for the first half of the show - a happy, dancing penguin, the final half of the movie is much darker, with a heavy "political message" factor.

Crud.  No interest in that at all.

This morning I checked the blog of Dan Phillips, a pastor in California, and by golly, it turns out this sort of thing has happened again, except it's a movie of which I've not heard...The Bridge to Terabithia.  According to Dan, the trailers assembled and provided by Disney promote the show as an adventure-fantasy movie.

Nope.  Nothing of the sort.  It's actually a "coming-of-age drama and tragedy."

He warns that his blog post is heavy on the spoiler element, so if you're planning upon seeing this film and want to be surprised, stay away from it.  But if you want to know what it's REALLY about, click on the link up there.

What a take-in!  I just hate this type of movie-industry bait-and-switch.  Over the years I've been fooled by trailers promising one type of movie while the actual product is completely different.  Really burns my bacon. 

Alex sent this photo of him and another sailor, apparently riding in a van and saluting a stuffed duck.

Actually, Alex, is that a proper salute?  I'd have thought both eyes were supposed to be visible, but your hand's covering one of 'em. 

Of course, it IS a stuffed duck. 

Alex is getting a fair amount of "face time" (photos) at the Navy's coverage of the Blue Ridge's trip through the Pacific.

As well he should.  Hehehe!

Here's one of him playing the tuba for some kids at a school in General Santos City, Philippines:

If you've got IE, go here and click on The Sound of Cooperation....it's a short video and in it is a VERY brief bit of Alex swing dancing with one of the singers, Jessica.

Beth was telling me when they were here about Hannah's tendency to confuse trains and buses.  Over in Japan the shape of the trains bears a resemblance to the shape of the buses, you see.  Anyway, when Beth points to a bus, Hannah makes the sign signifying it and says "Bus!"  When Beth points to a train, Hannah makes the appropriate sign for it but then says "Bus!"

Beth says she's tried and tried to get Hannah to distinguish verbally between them, but to no avail.  Hannah is nothing if not persistent.

Not long ago Beth brought a train to Hannah's attention, urging her to call it what it is.

"Look, Hannah!  It's a TRAIN!  Can you say train?"

After a pause, Hannah replied:

"Yeah, but it's a bus."

Apparently it does, however, and the 7th Fleet band was there (Alex is on the far right):

The man playing the keyboard is with the Philippine Command band.

Are they insane?  What on earth is going on in Germany?  

I knew Germany dislikes homeschooling, but they've now officially taken leave of their senses:  German HomeSchool Teen Moved, Parents not Informed, Local Media Refuse Coverage

IMO America should break off diplomatic relations with Germany until that child is returned to her family, and take steps to find another European country for our military bases.

Hey, Alexander's published!  

Okay, fine, it's akin to my having written for the Junior League's magazine years ago, but hey....published's published, sez I. 

He wrote an article for the Navy Music's "Program Notes" about the 7th Fleet's participation in the jazz festival at Vladivostok; it's in .pdf format, BTW, so you'll need Adobe to read it.