Happy Holi-daze...

No typo..this is the season that most of us go through in a Daze...As for myself it has always been a mixed bag of emotions...I won't go into detail.. but unlike most of you...I can't wait for January 2nd...then I know it's officially over....As you can see I spent my Christmas Day where I am most at peace and that was fine by me...I know the good lord understands...My friend (Pete) sitting on the rail was rewarded for his company with a fish dinner provided by yours truly...I do miss my family but I don't miss the rush and fever that grabs everybody and turns the season inside out...my opinion only....I do wish each and every one of you all the best for the new year.....

Travis has got the spirit..he decked out his office and gave his troops a little office party...I had sent him some little things to open on Christmas day and he shared his goodies with the troops...I know he sorely misses his family and we miss him but soon he will be back with his wife and child and all will be right in his and my world....





Travis got a chance to do a training exercise with some officers....this will probably be the only time he gets to order Half and Full "Birds" around...It looks like he's enjoying himself....I hope he doesn't live to regret it.....

He also got a chance to go to Dubai again...he was one of 50 people on the whole base chosen to go to the horse races...They were treated to a once in a lifetime experience and a fantastic dinner...That plate looks spectacular..I do hope that isn't one of the losers..even if it was, I hear it's not bad at all..................Those sheiks really know how to build something right..horse tracks..ski lodges and Golf courses in the desert (see previous blog)...hotels that look like sailing ships (ditto on blog)...and even a mall with a Chinese motif...sailing craft and all...it's amazing what almost $100 per barrel oil will buy...

Here's a group shot of his section...I'm glad he got the right hat...he's easy to pick out that way...looks like a great bunch of people...I think most of them will come back in early March together...that will be a real Holiday for us all.........

Till Next Time...

Semper Fi

Monk

A Little of This...A Little of That....

This blog posting will be mostly about PICTURES...lots of Pictures..I have them...I want to share them and I think you will enjoy them....Specially the ones of the world's cutest grandchild...If it needs an explanation I will provide it...if not.. just enjoy....To my family....I CAN'T PRINT WHAT I DON'T HAVE...SEND ME PICTURES AND STOP COMPLAINING ABOUT NOT BEING IN MY BLOG...other than that....MAY ALL OF YOU HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR....I LOVE YOU ALL...

I play poker every Thursday at the Moose...if you win the Texas Hold-em Tournament..you have to wear the hat next time...This guy... Boggie...has won or been in the money 11 out of 14 tournaments...I'm thinking about backing him in the big Vegas tournaments....If I had the money I would...he obviously knows something we don't....I can't be mad at him he has purchased 12 books for himself and his family.....

Went to local homeowners picnic they have every year...I don't own a home but I get invited...had a great time and found out that someone who is very shy and quiet can sing blue grass and yodel like a professional....way to go Shirley...

This dolphin and his entire family hang out at the pier where I spend a lot of time trying to catch fish....If they are around...they will go after the fish even if it's on your line...talk about a fight....they never grab the hook end just the tail...and then they run like hell and hope to pull it off the hook...the bad part is that most times the line breaks and the end result is neither of us get the fish....they know better than to swallow a fish with a hook in its mouth...so they just drop it....

Here's one that the dolphin didn't get a nice 17" Pompano....21 bucks a pound at the market...I filleted it and gave it to the drawbridge attendant...

A one man band that was the best I've heard....Kenny Smith....he can sing it all.....

Travis went into Dubai and the only thing he can say is WOW...everything is top of the line...spare no expense...he heard that the Sheiks demand that no building be over 20 years old...when they reach that age they are torn down and newer and better built....he went to the Dubai indoor ski area in the middle of the desert....it's a constant 29 degrees and has a ski slope...tubing slope...ice skating and lots more winter activities...not to mention a bar carved completely out of ice.....

Remember this is in the middle of the desert.....

Travis has his room decorated for Christmas...hey you make the best out of what you got....

Some additional shots of his trip to Dubai....

OK I just have to add these pics of baby's first visit to Santa...I just got them this very minute from my daughter-in-law...when you see this...you just gotta believe.....

And last but not least some shots that you know must be wrong but your eyes are telling you different...it's all in the angle........

And of course....My personal favorite....

Merry Christmas...Happy New Year....

Til Next Time...

Monk

Having A Great Time...Wish You Were Here...

Englewood is hopping today...the bi-annual art fest is on full swing and we've got plenty of sun and warmth to enjoy all the displays of some very talented people....The owner of the dog in the picture didn't want his "baby" to catch cold on the cool marble of the outdoor furniture...it your going to have a dog's life this is the guy you want to be with....









I do go fishing almost every day I haven't talked about it much but I have been fishing on the local pier here and have met some great people...more photos to come of friends and fish and a few stories to tell...of course fishermen never lie..so the stories will be very accurate....One story that is the honest truth is the fact that the dolphin down here are very friendly and in the bay they often come right up to the side of a boat looking for a hand out....it is illegal to feed them but lots of people still feel the need to throw them a fish now and again and that keeps them coming back for more....The other day I lost several fish and a couple of complete rigs because the dolphin like to grab the tail of a hooked fish and run off with it and your line...it's like fighting a submarine at full throttle and the best you can hope for is that the dolphin lets go before your line snaps...most times they don't and you lose a hook and leader...thankfully it's not often that they get much line because the knot at the leader will break first...I know they don't eat the fish when that happens because the hook is still in the fish's mouth...they are smart enough to know that and spit it out...they are amazing animals and I can't get to mad at them they are just being themselves...


I read that a pod of dolphins on the west coast saved a man's life a couple of weeks ago after he was bitten by sharks while surfing...they surrounded him and kept the shark at bay til his partner could get him to shore....Hey...I'll let them steal a fish or two...I might need their help someday...I hope they remember me...I think the ones at the pier do...they know my hat and follow me up and down the pier as I move from one spot to another....I swear that's what happens...I've talked to several of them over the railing as they lifted their heads out of the water to hear me and beg for fish.....of course they haven't talked back yet...not even the squeals you hear on some of those shows you see on animal planet...but I know they hear me and I know they know that hat.....

Kyle went to Mount Rushmore over the holiday and even though the picture is a little off...I think he would make a great looking President...look at that mug perfectly framed and proportioned to the famous men beside him....and he's the only one smiling....







At breakfast the other morning an Egret decided that my car..out of all the other ones in the parking lot was the best place for a lookout...my car wasn't even the tallest....maybe he just likes Mustangs....


Well that's all for now...Buy the Books....You will like them...I promise...money back guarantee.....add an opinion to this blog and let me know what you think...or go online at Amazon or Barnes and Noble and give a review...it's safe and would really help....


Have a great day...

Semper Fi

Monk