I just can’t understand this – its an outright shame to be defacing/disassembling memorials in the first place – but WHAT is going on over there??

Is the nation THAT bl–dy impoverished that every last spec of metal has to be scrounged to pawn off for a few quid?… or are these the same sh**s that couldn’t care less about the (recyclable) beer tins they toss along the pavement?

JJ

Nice work Phil.

I can’t consciously remember ever seeing any of Pete’s colour work – it was his B/W (Letratone?) profiles in SAM that inspired and motivated my profile work.

James

Well, a lovely surprise from dear old St. Nick this morning… a 2 disk set of Santana… Supernatural and Shaman…. ahhh

I think Canadian F-18’s still have them?

Indeed… CF-188s (Hornets) still carry the false canopy… also seen on USAF A-10s, and some USMC Hornets and a couple Harriers

that’s a loaded question…

Perhaps I’m generalizing, but I feel safe in saying we’ve all (or a majority or us have) driven ‘impaired’ at some point in our lives. it is a horrendous thing to do, and by no means am I condoning it.

I’m currently supplementing my income by working at the local bar (I’m the night cook) and this bar is THE (as in ONLY) bar in town (barely a village by Euro standards, and the next bar is 15Km away). Our liquor laws and traffic laws are very clear (blood alcohol level of .08) and yet, due to our area’s particular geography and demography, there will be probably close to 3 out of every 5 drivers on the road with some degree of alcohol in their system (or ‘legally’ impaired).

I can state as a fact that regardless of any amount of assistance offered, there will always be drunk drivers on our roads…. we offered 4 rides home on Thursday night… only 1 accepted… I still don’t understand the mentality of drunk driving – and I have been guilty of it myself (never caught/charged – but some close calls). I spoke briefly with a neighbouring business manager on Thursday evening who’d only just received his license back (following a 1 year suspension for DUI – 1st offence) he now has to have his vehicle equipped with a breath-actuated ignition system (for 1 year) which will disable his vehicle if there is any alcohol in his system.

But, getting back to ‘arguments’… I don’t live in a ‘built-up’ area… public transport does not exist (no buses, no trains)… there are only 2 taxis (2 actual taxi cabs) within a 15 Km radius… These figures not only apply to where I live but also the 2 villages east and west of me (10 to 15 Km either direction)… and yet the local provincial police detachment is just as strict (if not predatory) in their enforcement as they would be in the larger population centres 30 to 40 Kms away.

JJ

I like to fill my bath with a twenty year old blonde!!

Now THAT’s a hot-tub! 😉

Lets see… Christmas dinner – which has no real meaning in this family – generally gets shuffled around the calendar. Way back when… we always sat down to dinner on the 25th – recently it has become the 26th and this year will be the 24th – with the whole fam-damily in the house all day. I will be found with my brother-in-law out on the deck with a cold beer and a pack of smokes, dodging snow-flakes and avoiding the rest of the clan – a highly disfunctional group of descendant Scots and Welsh. I’ll probably be surly and start an argument when the religious sibling wants to pray… short of leaving the country, I can’t avoid this occasion.

Dinner will consist of turkey and ham, herbed whipped potatoes, turnip (Swede), a very nice sweet potato concoction, baked squash, Brussels sprouts and a light cabbage slaw. My mother will insist on bringing a tourtiere because ‘its a family tradition’ – even though there isn’t a single French-Canadian in the entire family tree. And then a freshly baked apple pie for dessert with tea and or coffee – or more beer/wine/spirit of choice… ahhh aren’t the holidays wonderful?

oooohhh just added to the menu – I’m to do my special short ribs this year… (I really do hope I stay sober long enough this year) A nice selection of Australian Reds came into the house today, and the appetizers have already been started…. (cheeses, shrimp, Tequilla – one of my sister’s additions, more cheeses). Oh, and it looks like I won’t be dodging snow flakes – after the 2 feet (60cm) of snow last Sunday, we’re about to be rained on for 2 days – hooray!!!:rolleyes: )

Sorry Don, Santa’s busy flying CAP in Afghanistan this year… 😉

Yes, yes, jaded comment and all…. but it really is a great piece of PR by NORAD, and one which can still bring a smile to some faces at this time of year!

To everyone, I wish a happy ‘whateveryoumaycelebrate’ (just to be PC)… If you’re celebrating, you’ll know what I mean and, please, raise a glass to Hope.

Have a safe, happy holiday and I wish you all an equally happy, healthy and prosperous new year!

JJ