Author: Vic Socotra

Paper Ballot

I saw Kristen again yesterday. She is day-shift bartender at The Copper Fish, one of four fine dining facilities opposite the legendary Frost Diner at the core of the historic downtown of Culpeper, Virginia. I am not a regular, but approaching a “frequent” status there. If you have not had a day-drink there (I like […]

Life & Island Times: Red Death Chapter Thirteen

“Captain,” he began to the EA, “We’ve got to recast this piece completely.” Aenid sat nearly catatonic in the background. “I’m glad you realize that. A wise decision, Lt. But at this late date, let’s go with what you’ve got and append a single line at the end that reveals this breaking news. To make […]

Japan’s “Galapagos” Super-GPS System

Japan-Gazer Comment: A GPS system which can geo-locate things to within “several centimeters” … are you kidding me? I will let you all speculate on how such a system might be used for various business & defense purposes. My Japanese flip-phone (yes I still have one) is called: “GARA-KEH” ( ガラケ ) ….. (GARA comes […]

Life & Island Times: Red Death Chapter Twelve

Marlow slowly read the second bilateral ROK Navy to US Navy analyst exchange message in two days, alternately choking and gasping at each word. The underlying info was several months old, but was very relevant: 1. The following orders are issued to the Commanding Officer of the Kimpo shipyard. 2. Construction is to begin construction […]

Arrias on Politics: Morning Coffee and Healthcare

Do you enjoy a hot cup of coffee at dawn? So, how’d that Sumatran coffee get to your grocer? How did the farmer arrange for the beans to be picked up and moved to a warehouse? Who made those big bags he used? Where did they come from? Who figured out how to recognize blight […]

Life & Island Times: Red Death Chapter Ten

Marlow couldn’t believe how quickly he had been swept along by the currents of events. Just twenty four hours ago he had been begging to write a single sentence — now he was drafting with someone very senior to him a one page high level brief to be given to the top brass of Naval […]

Life & Island Times: Red Death: Chapter Nine

It wasn’t difficult to construct a single slide brief and script. Aenid and he used the language they originally had in their separate pieces. After several electronic exchanges of edits. Aenid and Marlow agreed on the final-final and sent it off to the CO with emailed carbon copies to the intervening layers of bosses. While […]

Life & Island Times: Red Death Chapter Eleven

As minutes ticked by, coworkers dropped by his screen to congratulate him on his rise to the top of the day’s VTC briefing schedule. Normally those slots were occupied by senior uniformed and civilian analysts, not mere JOs. He managed to avoid making too much eye contact with his two bosses but was gratified when […]

Japan-gazer Update

平成29年10月8日 = (08 OCT 2017) Japan-gazer Update – – – – – This week’s poem: 御彼岸 Autumn skies Bell crickets And dragon flies Harvest Moon As summer dies… https://carllafong.blogspot.jp/ – – – – – Things Going On Lately (1) Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday (07 OCT) proposed adding a new clause to the Constitution […]

Life & Island Times: Red Death Chapter Eight

Marlow was searching his files for the finishing touch graphics for his Brazilian destroyer piece, when the Commanding Officer’s secretary appeared on his screen. She told him that the boss wanted to go over the piece. He alerted Aenid and they headed for CO’s office. When they entered, they found the CO slumped over their […]