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The Major’s Weekend Blast-Off

WEEKEND GRAB BAG O’ THOUGHT:
The 2ND weekend of the month of August of 2010 is here, and I’ve been anxiously awaiting its inevitable arrival since I awoke last Monday morning. This afternoon I conveniently extended this weekend by exactly 24 hours. I’ve decided to take the day off from work on Monday. I’ve scheduled myself for a long-overdue comprehensive eye exam with my Optometry Doctor at The Falls. My last exam was over 14 months ago on my 42ND birthday. It’s usually a birthday tradition for me to get a complete eye exam, but I put it off this year for no particular reason of great importance. I have been experiencing occasional vision problems at times – particularly reading with poor lighting. The eye exam will determine if my eyesight has indeed worsened over the past 14 months, or if it’s just my imagination. The dilation of my pupils and 3-hour recovery time thereafter will no doubt cause me to eat a MASSIVE Lunch in the dark here, and then see a hit movie in the dark here. It’ll be a rough day for me.

BEST LUNCH OF THE WEEK AWARD:
Longhorn Steakhouse – Parmesan Crusted Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Brandied Cinnamon Apples, Bread, Coke. This was a week in which I ate Lunch at Red Lobster (Monday), Portofino (Wednesday), and Longhorn (Thursday). I also picked-up Lunch from Publix (Tuesday) and Broadway Subs (Friday). Every single Lunch this week was definitely satisfying and downright scrumptious, but I can’t pick any other than Longhorn as my ‘Best Lunch Of The Week’ since one of my regular waittresses actually opened the front door for me at the joint, welcomed me back, and knew exactly what I wanted before I even sat myself down at my regular table. I feel like I’m a part-owner there. I belong.

15 WEEKEND MINI THOUGHTS:
– After about 48 hours of dark skies and persistent rains it’s been non-stop sun.
– I forecasted up to 6 inches of rain, and much of Homestead got 4-5 inches.
– I then forecasted 5-7 days of dry weather, and that’s happening now.
– My amateur weather forecasting this year has been truly impeccable.
– It’s one of my few talents, so please don’t hate on me.
– Don’t let the lack of tropical storms and hurricanes thus far deceive you.
– In just a couple of weeks I’m forecasting the oceanic action to heat up.
– Get to know Danielle, Earl, Fiona, Gaston, Hermine, Igor, Julia, and Karl.
– I don’t know about you, but Hurricane Igor frightens me already.
– I’m so excited on seeing my 2010 Redskins play in a preseason game tonight.
– They play LIVE at home against the Bills on NFL Network in HD.
– New coaches, new players, new schemes, new attitude, new era !
– This season could / should be the start of something SUPER !
– I’ve recently made some cool enhancements to my blog here.
– Please tell me what you like and don’t like via the comments or privately.

THOSE CRAZY CRAZY CATS:

BLATANT PROMOTION:
During the Spring of 1988 I was a young 20-year-old USAF Airman First Class (two stripes) on the verge of becoming 21 and a Senior Airman (three stripes) at bustling Homestead Air Force Base Florida. My total annual salary was about $11,000, but I had no car, lived on-base in a dormitory, and all of the food was free. I rode my bike to and from work on-base through the heat, the wind, and the rain. I dreamed of someday owning a car and driving it all around South Florida … Be sure to check out this weekend’s hot new edition of my ‘Saturday Night Retro’ to see how this story ends. You won’t regret it pal.

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History Life Music News Television

Saturday Night Retro

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE STARS

TODAY – the 07TH of August of 2010 – is the 29TH anniversary of the end of my very first job. On this date back in 1981 one of the two major daily newspapers in our nation’s capital – ‘The Washington Star’ – published its final edition after over 128 years. It went bankrupt, and most of its equipment was bought out by its longtime rival ‘The Washington Post’. I was a newspaper carrier for The Star (and The Post). As a rare afternoon big city newspaper I delivered The Star to the homes around my McLean Virginia  neighbourhood every day after Junior High School. That final edition of The Star was a collector’s item, and many of those newspapers that were delivered on that final afternoon by carriers just like me all around the Washington D.C. area were stolen. It was also sold out at all of the stores. An institution had ended.

Back in the Summer of 1981 a Dutch studio ensemble group was very popular in stringing along a medley of previously-popular TOP 40 tracks of the 1960s and 1970s. Known as ‘Stars On 45’ – their biggest “Medley” was their very first one that shot straight to the top of the American pop charts. Check out this 2008 television reimagining of the 1981 ‘Stars On 45’ “Medley”. Now THAT’S what I call a ‘Saturday Night Retro’ !

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Animals Blogging Food History Home Life Music People Philosophy Shopping

The Major’s Weekend Blast-Off

WEEKEND GRAB BAG O’ THOUGHT:
It’s the start of another relaxing weekend here at home, and I’m truly looking forward to this one. It’s been a crazy and hectic week at work and at home. Once upon a time I was rightly accused (often) of being too predictable and ordinary. In this new Life of mine I’ve learned how to be less boring and more spontaneous. The old me would have been shocked and embarrassed by the doings of the new me. Thankfully the old me died 4 years ago this month. The new me is more fun and exciting than ever before. That’s what keeps my fantastic journey moving forward. I have no idea what to expect around the corner, but I can’t wait to experience it !

BEST LUNCH OF THE WEEK AWARD:
Longhorn Steakhouse – Renegade Top Sirloin (12-ounce / Medium-Well), Mashed Potatoes, Bread, Coke. I hate to be predictable here, but this Lunch was even more special than it usually is. That’s because I got to spend a couple of hours with my good friend Pastor Paul.

THE FORTUNE COOKIE MESSAGE OF THE WEEK CLUB:
– Vacation can wait. Stick to the project till the end.

MY FAVOURITE SONG RIGHT NOW:
“Center Of Attention” – Write This Down

15 WEEKEND MINI THOUGHTS:
– If you don’t follow me on Twitter then this is news to you.
– This past Wednesday afternoon I walked in to Mattress Giant to ‘look around’.
– Famous Last Words – I didn’t walk out empty-handed.
– I had made no immediate plans to do this, but I was in the area at the time.
– I ended up trying out a bunch of different mattresses.
– I could have taken a short nap right there in the store.
– I found a really comfortable pillow-top plush that wanted to go home with me.
– Then I picked out a nice modern bed to complete the package.
– They promised delivery of my merchandise between 1 and 3 on Thursday.
– They arrived at 2, put my new bed together, and hauled away the old one.
– My old bed was 16-years-old, so that’s about 5,500 nights together.
– Last night was my very first night with my fresh new modern bed.
– I slept good !
– I can’t wait to do it all over again tonight – with no wake-up alarm.
– Sleep well my friends !

THOSE CRAZY CRAZY CATS:

BLATANT PROMOTION:
’The Awesome ’80s In August International Dance Party’ continues this weekend on the 94TH edition of the ‘Saturday Night Retro’. I’ll share my British life with you from 23 years ago in August of 1987. Then on Sunday ‘My Fantastic Journey’ moves forward. Be sure to check back in with this blog later this weekend. In the meantime enjoy your days and nights and make them memorable. Change the world !

Categories
God History Life Music

My Fantastic Journey: It’s In The Lyrics

As we begin this 8TH month of 2010 today I move a little closer to the remarkable 4-year / 48-month anniversary of my fantastic journey. It was the 3RD week of August of 2006 when my life as I knew it ended, and a new Life began. God rescued and saved me from evil and darkness. He told me to follow Him. He said that He would lead me towards the light of The Truth. He asked me to believe in Him. After more than 39 years of life on His Earth I finally did. I surrendered to Him. When the world around me rejected me God accepted me.

That’s exactly what He will do for you as well – if you would just let Him. When your friends abandon you. When the world rejects you. When you’re lonely. There’s a Kingdom all around you that’s more powerful than you can ever imagine. God will wait for you. When you’re ready –  He’s ready to lead you.

Give me Your eyes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity

Give me Your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach ?
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see

It’s in the lyrics: