Why We Gather - by Michael Norman

"I now know why men who have been to war yearn to reunite. Not to tell stories or look at old pictures. Not to laugh or weep. Comrades gather because they long to be with men who once acted their best, men who suffered and sacrificed, who were stripped raw, right down to their humanity. I did not pick these men. They were delivered by fate and the U.S. Marine Corps. But I know them in a way I know no other men. I have never given anyone such trust. They were willing to guard something more precious than my life. They would have carried my reputation, the memory of me. It was part of the bargain we all made, the reason we were so willing to die for one another.

I cannot say where we are headed. Ours are not perfect friendships; those are the province of legend and myth. A few of my comrades drift far from me now, sending back only occasional word. I know that one day even these could fall to silence. Some of the men will stay close, a couple perhaps, always at hand.

As long as I have memory, I will think of them all, every day. I am sure that when I leave this world, my last thought will be of my family and my comrades - such good men. Semper Fi!

from These Good Men by Michael Norman

THE THING

For those of you who never had the pleasure to serve in the infantry, I won't even try to explain what this thing is. But a lot of us remember them well, and wished to hell we could've ridden them instead of having to walk along-side them. This one showed up at the 2010 Memorial Day Program at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. They're now collectors' items and probably paved the way for the modern-day ATV.

(We called them "Mules.")

Thinking about Halloween? Then this is the group for you. Seems like witches and druids and wood nymphs are alive and well out in the Bay Area (where else?). I picked up this brochure last year at the First Unitarian/Universalist Church in San Francisco, which by the way is one of the oldest and finest church structures in the city and should be visited if you're into architecture.

Vienna Oktoberfest - 2010

One of the prettiest weekends on record and thousands turned out for the 3rd Annual Oktoberfest in Vienna, Virginia. From Bratwursts and Beer to Goat Kabobs. This event just keeps getting bigger (and better!) each year.

Another Lovely Day in Hell at Tysons Corner

Looking west toward Vienna from one of the shopping mall parking garages.

Railroad track pylons marching across the Beltway at Rt. 123

Rt. 123 and the Beltway

Tysons Boulevard and Rt. 123, where the new rail line will interface with the shopping mall.

1:30 pm traffic at a stand-still on the outer loop of the Beltway, Sept. 14, 2010.

 

For those of us who remember that this area was nothing but a cow pasture and a lone gas station and ice cream store back in the 60's, welcome to the new 'Edison New Jersey South.' I wanted to get pictures of it before we're totally imprisoned in concrete and re-bar. Pity those poor suckers stuck on the Outer Loop. Pity the people who work here and have to deal with the daily sign-changes and nightly shut-downs. I only wish I would have gotten photos of this mess during the Big Blizzards of the past winter season - but who could move? Who in their right mind wanted to go near Tysons Corner? Abandon all hope, ye who enter . . . .

First Day of Kindergarten, September 2010

That's My Girl!

Grasstowne in Myrtle Beach

Happening upon the Unexpected is always a treat. I took this picture on either the 22nd or 23rd of May, 2010 in Myrtle Beach. It was hot as hell, and my brother and I stopped off at this plaza after hearing the sound of some good bluegrass music drifting over the concrete and asphalt. It was Grasstowne playing at the annual "wine festival." Nobody was drinking wine in the heat of the afternoon. Hardly anybody was there at all except a bunch of Grasstowne fans and a contingent of fans from the local bluegrass community in and around Myrtle Beach. The promoters of the wine festival ended up giving away tickets for some of the afternoon's events. Talk about paying your dues to be heard. That afternoon I heard some really great music. Just goes to show you that the Hardcore will show up anywhere, any time for good bluegrass music.