(Big Jim the phlegmatic Willow bartender whipped these fish tacos up personally. Photo Socotra.) My associate was beaten up from proposal work. The crazy gyrations of the Government this year- continuing resolutions, course changes and policy uncertainty- have made this a weird season. There are supposed to be Task Orders coming out this week, first […]

(Image courtesy the American Laundry News) “Hard day in Afghanistan yesterday. We lost a special forces helicopter carrying our amazing Navy SEALS. They are the best of us all. Everyone’s thoughts and prayers go to their families.”  –  Admiral James Stavridis on his Facebook page Sunday morning I was deeply saddened about the loss of […]

The news of the Chinook crash in Afghanistan is depressing. 25 Americans- SEALS, apparently- and a half-dozen Afghan soldiers perished in the single most deadly event of a long war filled with them. Crap. That was unexpected. The other crap, well, I don’t think this is surprising. IN fact, it fills me with a certain […]

(Masters of Industry, with Tiara. Photo Socotra.) I needed to take a break from the merriment, but it just wasn’t in the cards, even though everyone was dragging a bit at the office yesterday due to the team-building cum birthday celebration at the bar Wednesday night. A good time was had by all, from what […]

Kurt’s father Bob, an old shipmate, edited and approved these words. I can add no more. Vic 28 July 2011 CAPT (S) Kurt William JUENGLING, 46. Ashburn, VA Kurt was born to a Navy family on July 9th, 1965. His parents, Bob and Anita Juengling, were a model Navy couple, and they raised a Great […]

There is a traditional toast to those departing a seafaring command. It is akin to the Irish landsman’s blessing: “May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet […]

(Tracy “O’Grady and Husband Brian. Photo Socotra.) I ordered flowers for Raven’s birthday as I waited for the factory whistle to blow at the office high above North Glebe Road. I want there to be something delivered to him on his 89th birthday. I scheduled the delivery for Saturday, two days before the actual day, […]

(USS Drum at Mare Island, 1944. US Navy Photo.) I feel a little giddy this morning, as I am sure you do as well. According to radio and press accounts, we stand on the verge of doing something about the continuing Constitutional crisis. Of course, we are not quite sure what it is, any more […]

(Soviet film director Sergie Eisenstein.) My Russian Natasha told me to order a copy of Sergie Eisenstein’s film “October” from NetFlix. I complied, and it has been sitting on in the pile on the media center for months- maybe since last October, I don’t know. I got energized, though, since I am in a minor […]

(Late Chanteuse Amy “Wineglass.”  Photo UPI) Europe has begun to question the sanity of the debate in Washington, which ought to come as no particular surprise. A pal send me a note that quoted Vince Cable, a Conservative member of Prime Minister David Cameron’s cabinet (and Hillary Clinton’s opposite number) as saying a deal on […]