Darwin Comes to Chevy Chase

I received word from K that Harvey's chicks were found dead this AM. Sad. As a side note, it turns out that Harvey is a Turtledove (according to Steve, Kristi's brother-in-law). He also found the dead bodies yesterday AM. It looks like they were attacked. Dried blood still outlines the one of the chicks body on the porch. K thinks she saw a cat in the backyard about the moment she realized that neither the chicks or Harvey were home. From the right side Anna dominated emotionally driven portion of my brain I am saddened. From the left, this sequence of most unfortunate events is Darwinism being played out before our naive eyes. A bird that nests in the on a chair on an easily accessible porch vice a tree runs the inherent risk of losing its offspring to predators. Viola.

Bottles or Cans?

Amstel Light in a can...sux. A great tasting light beer, as a matter of fact fewer calories than Miller Lite (another great tasting light beer, as light beers go). I was at the proverbial crossroads at the local wine and spirits store (you can't buy beer or wine outside of one in MD), 6 pack of Amstel Light in bottle or cans.(both the same price) I'm TDY therefore wanted keep the logistical tail small i.e. whatever I don't finish would have to be transported back to the rear and I wouldn't have to bust out the Gerber multi-tool everytime I was thirsty. Besides I hadn't tried it in a can. So what the hey. Who would of thunk?

Dos Heuvos

In an attempt to feed our new feather friend (actually put the lid of bird seed closer), the bird freaked. The seed went everywhere, my heart fluttered, and I screamed like a girl. However to my amazement, there are now TWO eggs in the nest. I'm not sure if my attempt to feed mama caused her to squirt out another hatchling. Regardless we have doubled our fun. Nature never ceases to amaze me.

It's Good to be King

The following analysis reference Duke in the NCAA came from a friend from Duke, Chris Riffer:

To elaborate on Joel's (Joel Janney, another compadre from Duke, his follow up below) point, from 1986-2004, in 15 of 19 tournaments Duke won it all (91, 92, 01), lost to the champs (86, 87, 88, 90, 94, 98, 99, 04), or the runner-up (89, 2000, 02, 03). Exceptions are 93, 95, 96, 97. Wow, is it good to be a Duke fan.

Joel's follow up analysis:

So in K's previous 18 tourneys, we've either won or lost to a team that played on Monday night 15 times.

I'm trying to figure out just how awesome that is - figure those two teams knock off 10 other teams. As long as you make the final 32, then you have a 1-4 chance of losing to a Monday night team. Of K's 15 losses, 12 have been to a Monday night team. So yes, it is awesome.

One on the Porch is Worth What?

Coming Home to Roost. We have a new tenant on Ross Rd. Neither she or her unhatched egg have a name as of yet. But mother and child seem to be quite comfortable on the stoop. I sat with her this afternooon smoking a stoggie and catching up on the latest in Armed Forces Journal. In order to reduce any unexpected trauma to Jr. we have now elected to utilize the other backdoor. Mama needs her rest.

No Mas....no mas.

COL HOLT: Mike were you made aware that BG GIBSON wasn't going to promote you until after Brightstar?

ME: (Thinking, "Is this a rhetorical question?" Did I just hear him say promote me after Brightstar? What?) No sir. We all agreed that I would be promoted per your recommendation after a short stint here. LTC BROTHERTON told LTC O'NEAL and myself at the JAN USR in Morrisville that BG GIBSON was just waiting on my OER. It was a good OER.

COL HOLT: I talked with him yesterday and told him you were one of the best staff officers I have and that you are doing a great job. He's just not willing to promote you until after Brightstar. I'll put a good word in with COL DEAL when he takes command in MAY. (Note: COL HOLT retires in MAY and COL DEAL with be the next 30th CSG CDR. Hence his recommendation = passing the buck.)

ME: (I become listless and empty. I feel as if I'm having an out of body experience. I was so excited about the upcoming WED when they publish the Career Management Board minutes where I was anticipating my promotion to be announced. I don't feel anything anymore.) This is fucked up. This is not what we agreed upon. I'm in an O4 position. I'm promotable! What does it take to get promoted? (SILENCE. The situation is so bizaarra I don't think either one us knows what to say or comment on.) (I get up out of chair, walk to the door and exit stage left.) This is fucked up.