Weekend Open Thread
The Battle of Thermopylae took place along a narrow path; mountainous terrain took on one side while a body of water took up the other side. This left a narrow path that contributed to the ability of the Spartans to take on a numerically larger Persian force. Today, the area where the battle took place shows dryland where the body of water was. Many argue that this was because of erosion from the mountains. However, the ruins of ancient ports in this area as well as in other areas are far away from the current shorelines. The dryland in the top panel resembles underwater topography. Enjoy your weekend!
Category: Open thread
First
Second…early drop. WOOT!!
Good on ya LC!
Lord nicely….
BTW Admins…what the flying MONKEY FUCK!!! ????
I’ve been creeping for about 45 minutes. Honestly, I’m a bit sad that KoB didn’t swoop in and snatch it up. Prayers, as always…
I was thinking about him today. Hope he’s alright.
Hot damn, my first First in a while! Ribs and pork roasts are smoking, burgers and various sausages will be on the grill, and the bar is open!
And, to whomever did *that* on the bottom of the throne… Ew.
Yep, you are correct in that it has been a while since you scored the first “First”. Based on the entries posted to the TAH Coveted Book of Firsts, your most recent claim (prior to today) to the title was made on 02 April 2021.
Don’t look at me. I’m about as surprised as you.
How about tossing Hack Stone a bone and appoint him a position in your cabinet? May Hack suggest Secretary of Outdated Software?
You got it! Not sure it will stand in a week when my reign is done tho.
I want to be in charge of the bar. Will tabs be allowed or is this a pay as you go.
I thought TAH was BYOB.
Lurker Curt said the bar was open, so that’s what I based my comment on. I’ve been wrong before, and I’ll be wrong again at some point going forward.
BYOS, Bring Your Own Spandex
Don’t want to know.
.
Just picked up some Shiner Oktoberfest brew for the GB Compound.
I’m in a jealous rage! You had a heart attack and still made a beer run? You badass!
Nope, wrong guy. I’m delirious from the heat.
BYOB, or just drink what is offered- full disclosure, it’s mostly gin… Plenty of beer, mostly IPA’s.
Cabinet??? I thought the WOT First was a week long Absolute Monarchy.
A benevolent dictatorship.
Sure you don’t mean soft “wear”?
Badabing.
Well, crap. The timing of the WOT drop is well and truly random. I was prepping my posts when it dropped. Congratulations to you, Lurker Curt. I yield graciously my throne.
Rats o’the Cong atcha LC.
Cong-Rats Lurker C.
Late again. Hack’s own fault for taking that call from Emily of the Home Improvement Services. Whenever they call, Hack Stone asks to speak to Tim Allen.
Maybe ask for Imo Philips next time?
What do you call vodka mixed with orange juice and milk of magnesium?
A Philips Screwdriver!
Early drop!
Aw, well, once again, late to the starting gate.
And KoB nowhere to be seen.
(hope he’s ok)
(and I think….I’m fourth?)
Not first….
9 minutes late…
Happy Friday, you gents! Hope all of you had a great week! So, I have finished another term and I graduate my class with an A-. Not bad. I will be starting the new term in diesel next Monday, so wish me luck. Celebrated my dad’s birthday with extended family last weekend. It was pretty fun, but my sister made a scene with my mom, so I’m angry about that. But otherwise, I did enjoy myself.
Alright. For this WOT I’ll be sharing more philosophy videos, but before I go over today’s topic, I want comment on my previous WOT post on Socrates because I kinda forgot to do that. If there is one thing that he said that I will cling to, it’s this: “Human wisdom is worthless. Only God is wise.” He said this at his trial. To me, it is statement of truth. No matter how old and wise we are, that doesn’t even get close to what God knows. It also doesn’t mean that pursuing truth and knowledge isn’t a useless endeavor, either. But that we are all perpetual scholars in life. Another thing I cling to is a paraphrase on something Socrates said: “I am gifted in the art of knowing nothing. In knowing nothing, I hope to learn something.” In addition to what I described above, I think this saying is also a guard against intellectual arrogance. Imagine you’re back in high school. Now imagine a really annoying guy who thinks he’s better than you because he thinks he’s smarter than you. That’s intellectual arrogance. This is probably something the dims are guilty of. The truth is that two men’s educations, experiences, and wisdom are never exactly identical. You may accumulate a vast archive of knowledge or experience, but another man may have knowledge that is completely foreign to you. And he can probably be much more skilled at it too. The bottom line with this is that going through life thinking you’re the smartest one alive is definitely the mark of a fool.
Without further ado, here’s today’s topic: Pythagoras. Greek mathematician, scholar, “philosopher,” and death cult leader. If I heard a surprised gasp when I said that last one from some of you, don’t worry. That was my reaction too. And Plato: Socrates student and the only source on who Socrates was and his teachings. But his trustworthiness is dubious at best and the philosophy he espoused is not something I would recommend society adopt. Not everything he did was bad though (Plato’s Allegory of the Cave for instance), but he’s definitely not the greatest Greek philosopher. Anyway. Enjoy:
Here’s a more detailed video on Pythagoras if you’re interested:
Plato:
Plato’s Cave:
Philosophy will not be all I talk about today. I also do want to share a little bit of history today. Well, by that I mean a historical TV series that many of you are likely familiar with: Band of Brothers, which chronicles the story of Easy Company through WWII in Europe. This excellent series is one that I’ve probably seen dozens of times in my life and for those who haven’t seen it I highly recommend. Fyrefighter even said it should be required viewing for high school and I do agree with him. So, the video I’ll be sharing takes a look at the historical accuracy of BoB (which it gets high marks) and goes over some of the history surrounding the show. If you are not familiar with the creator of the video, Nick Hodges, I really recommend you go over to his YT channel, HistoryBuffs, where he does analysis on other movies and TV shows on their historical veracity:
‘so the discussion was, “What was the stupidest thing you ever saw a phony veteran do?” Once upon a once I would frequent a local restaurant where I encountered a few phonies trying to score a free lunch. I challenged the phonies’ bona-fides and they left the restaurant. I imagine I got a reputation for not tolerating phonies. What caused that conclusion was one day I walked in and saw someone sitting in my favorite seat; no big deal I thought, I’ll sit somewhere else. The person sitting in my seat was not just someone, he had more Army bling than the Christmas tree at HQ. He noticed me and ran out of the place. Cool, I thought, I get my seat. As I walked over to it, I discovered the presumed phony had pissed all over himself and my seat as he fled. I sat somewhere else.
Hack Stone’s first, and so far only, personal encounter with a poser was in October 1981. Hack Stone was as newbie as it gets, literally not even 96 hours out of boot camp. Went to a local watering hole in South Jersey when he was cornered by a guy telling Hack that he had seven Purple Hearts. Hack was amazed.
Hack Stone: Seven Purple Hearts? How many tours did you do in Vietnam? (This was before Hack learned that “real veterans” call it Viet of The Nam)
Poser: Oh, I’ve never been to Vietnam. I was a Drill Instructor. Whenever a Recruit dropped a hand grenade, I would pick it up and throw it. If I was hit by shrapnel, they would give me a Purple Heart.
Hack Stone: That’s not how it works.
Looking back, Hack wonders if that was Ronald Mailahn, AKA Ginny Highway. Kind of looked like him, and it was within drunk driving distance of where Mailahn lived, but he was probably in the remedial classes of the Camden school system at that time.
You probably met a future All-Points Logistics employee.
The only phony I ever called out was my former 1SG. He posted a resume on Linkedin that looked very familiar. In fact, the accomplishments he listed in Iraq from 2008-2009 were 95% mine and my platoon’s. So I started a public discussion with him on Linkedin, other folks joined in, and once I had a good crowd, I hit him with the truth. Looked like a feeding frenzy. I enjoyed it a hell of a lot more than I should’ve. Not enough to feel guilty though.
He sounds like the former boss of a VSO (not one I’d join) who was speaking at a gathering of veterans. He told the Viet Nam vets gathered at the event he wished he had been on the ground with them. He went on to say he was in the Navy cruising through the territorial waters of the PRVN. I got to thinking how he looked the same age as me. I further thought how I’m too young to have served in Viet Nam. Turned out he was still in high school when I was in basic training. Funny thing was, one day he accused me of being a phony vet; I shoved my retired military ID card in his face so hard I think I dented it. I haven’t seen him since, I wonder why.
Thanks for reminding Hack about the SNCOIC of the recruiting office Hack was assigned to in the late 1980’s. Stereotypical slimy recruiter, hated by the kids, parents, school staffs, 8411’s and 8412’s. Eventually fate caught up with him and the Colonel told him that he should seek employment elsewhere, because he was no longer a recruiter nor allowed in the Corps. That didn’t stop from claiming to be a retired Marine on Linked In. That was a real nice mugshot that Hack found of him online after being arrested for violating a restraining order.
“dryland where the body of water was”
See, historical evidence of global warming.
And those Thermopile people were way ahead of solar.
Beautiful summer weather in New England.
I’m not First but first rymes with thirst if ya know what I mean.
The Battle of Thermopylae. Not to be confused with the Battle of Thermopolis, which was fought in the parking lot of Shorty’s Bar and Grill in the summer of 1985. I admit nothing. Call my lawer.
First one probably made a bettter movie later:
Yep! Exactly!!! They had a well!
I wonder how many phonies claimed to be the lone survivor of Thermopylae in the years after the battle.
I sometimes claim to be a witness to the assassination of one Gaius Julius Caesar. Does that count?
Joking aside, you’d probably get more than a few posers in Athens. In Sparta? Not likely. They have a well.
How many posers of that day falsely claimed to having been part of the Praetorian Guard?
Proly not as often as the regular Legionaries. They were an elite group and it would be difficult for a poser to pull off a Praetorian. Plus, the Romans had more severe laws when it came to stolen valor:
Continued 2:
Continued 3:
Off the top of my head, the best way for posers back then would be to pretend to be a Legionary who was wounded on campaign and too injured to continue military service. And only do it in provincial backwaters, far from actual Legionary garrisons. Though they’d still likely get caught if an actual Legionary or former Legionary crossed paths with them.
How many claimed to have served under Biggus Dikkus?
Phildosocus and Paulmero (of the ballsack).
No Trivia This Week …
As your trivia editor, the Commissioner, deals with the heart attack he suffered last weekend. Prayers, please, frie ds.
Hey, are you ok?
I will be. Widowmakercwas blocked 100%.
OK that’s good. Get well soon and my prayers and these Bible verses are sent:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Book of Matthew, Chapter 11, Verses 28 to 30
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Psalms, Chapter 147, Verse 3
Yeeeooowwwww!
Have a safe and thorough recovery CW, I have a dear friend that had the same about 5 yrs ago. I will be having some preventative maintenance done in about a month (bypass x4), stuff my Docs found early.
Stay well.
Fervent, heartfelt prayers sent. Reach out if you need anything, you have a very large brotherhood and family here.
What OAM said.
You have my prayers. Best of health to you.
Remind me never to play poker with you. A heart attack LAST WEEK, and you never batted an eye until now.
Be well my friend.
Prayers sent for you, prayers sent for KoB, you two are not allowed to leave. Understood?
Prayers for you CW, and a full & complete recovery.
I go in for a heart ablation this next humpday to forestall, hopefully, a similar event.
Take your time recovering and do it right the first time. God bless, comfort, heal, and keep you.
🙏🙏🙏
Prayers, Commish, as others have said.
Prayer offered up for you, KoB, and all who frequent these semi hallowed pages ailing or not. And yeah, even Lars.
Present & unaccountable.
On my knees for CW and KoB.
I do have a heart ablation coming next week, but the prognosis is very good. I should be teaching guitar again the next day.
God bless you all. Visit your doctors, hug your loved ones, and try to stay out of hospitals and bars.
…and out of jail.
Good point OAM. I forgot that in my safety brief.
Oh damn, I forgot the safety brief! Yay for me, y’all got it covered
That’s what good subordinates do, cover for their
COWOT First King.Late on TAH. Took roughly 2 hours to give Verizon my new credit card number over my cell phone.
Hope nobody else got it in that amount of time.
Well 60-sump’n, present and unaccountable as I award myself yet another Honorary First.
((((OVER))))
Mmmm, Nachos with the works, grilled Bratwurst with the trimmings as I watch the D-rat party and the left self-destruct, who else is enjoying the show?
I WOULD-A been here sooner, but there were a couple of things here at A Proud Infidel® Manor™ that were bugging me, so now they’re taken care of, ahh, some of the joys of being the Man of the House, but hey, it’s part of bein’ a man!
The weekend is here
So here are some critter photos
From around my house
The world famous Gila monster
Is first
The western diamond back rattlesnake
The Yarrows Spiny Lizard
Desert Blond Tranchula
I haven’t seen tarantulas around the casa much the last few years but my lizard buddies help keep the bug population down. ‘Zilla eats mealworms from my hand.
Leaf curling spider
Far out!
Colorado River Toad
A party favorite in Arizona
Cool critters!
Yesterday, August 7, was Purple Heart Day.
As much as we can and should honor recipients,
living and dead,
the conmen and grifters also come out to play.
Giant Mesquite Bug
About 3 inches long
With a painful bite
Say hello to my little friend
The plot thickens.
Air Force makes arrest in airman’s shooting death involving M18 pistol
Hmmmmmmmmmm
Blaming the rape victim for her short skirt?
From what I could gather, an airman thought it was unloaded, and it wasn’t, accidentally shot the victim and then blamed it on the pistol.
Another death caused by an unloaded gun. Happens wayyyyy too often.
I had an uncle that was serving in Austria just after WWII. He accidentally shot himself with his war souvenir Luger. It seems the Luger can fire when being disassembled if there is a round in the chamber. German police had such a problem with this situation in the 1920’s that most police Lugers were modified with a device that prevented this. I have one with this modification. There is a discussion of that modification in the Wiki article on Lugers.
I should add I never met that uncle as the gunshot from that “unloaded gun” killed him.
Anyone hear from KoB lately.
The question on all our minds.
Weighing very heavily.
Whelp, closing in NH was yesterday.
Casa de Sparky is no more, the Western Annex having taken over that designation. I rather like the place, state politics notwithstanding.
I’ve few neighbors, half Amish, the other half locals who have been here the better part of a century. Isolated? I’m 3 miles from the nearest paved road, 15 minutes from the nearest Family Dollar, and 45 minutes from the nearest Walmart. The closest gas station is in another state.
But the race is on at the Glen this weekend, maybe I’ll drop by. On second thought, maybe not. Next time I’m up in Penn Yan, I’ll get a pic of the sign announcing Lilyea Farms. Very nice place.
However, I’m not going to be NYSparky. Not yet, anyways. I’ve got too many boxes to unpack still.
“3 miles from the nearest paved road”
You got me beat by 1.5 miles but I’m at the end of a dead end.
Not here. I know of at least 4 separate routes to get to nearest town.
Always leave yourself an out in case you need it.
I’m also on a dead end, but on a hill. There are three routes out unless we have a hurricane – in which case all 3 can be under water.
I grew up 2 mi from the Glen circuit, just got back from a week visiting family there.
Wakey, wakey. Bakey, bakey. Fakey, fakey. Takey, takey.
The False Commander “Phony” Phil Monkress’ (CEO of All-Points Logistics) favorite children’s parable.
Forgot to share this on Friday: