Notes From The War Room - 2023

Opinions are like assholes; everybody has one.

Auburn, We Have a Problem

We have a problem on The Plains.  We have a team with the talent to play with Georgia and Alabama but get destroyed by LSU and New Mexico State.

Maryland is Good!  They lost to OSU and Penn State but played Michigan close at the end of the season.  They beat Nebraska, Rutgers, Indiana, and Michigan State.  Tonight should have been no surprise, but it was to the team, the coaches, and many Auburn fans.

Given everything I have seen this year, the problem is a lack of Pride.  We in the service call it Esprit de Corps.  A First Sergeant once told me that he could destroy my confidence, motivation, and enthusiasm but that he could never take away my Unit Pride.

Coach Freeze must teach and instill pride in his players - The Pride of an Auburn Tiger.  In this mercenary NIL/Portal environment, teaching school pride will be a tough challenge.

War damn Eagle! All In!  Dye Hard!  I believe in Auburn and Love It.

After The Game, Saturday, 30 December 2023

Free Simona

Since 2014, Simona Halep has been my tennis player.

I don't usually watch tennis; that's Kady's thing.  I began looking for someone to follow so I could share the long months of back-to-back tennis tournaments with her.  In a photo from the WTA Singapore Open was an adorable little girl in a blue floral dress.

Great Legs!

I asked Kady, "Who is THIS cute little number?"

John, Seriously? That's Simona Halep, the World #2.

I have watched her since that day.  She helped me become a tennis fan.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has suspended her for four years for doping.  She says she didn't.  I believe her.

She has an appeal with the Court of Arbitration in Sports set for 7-9 February.  I hope they fix this errant and abhorrent punishment, which will end the career of one of the best athletes and most beloved people on the planet.

I'm boycotting all tennis until they sort this out.

Saturday, 30 December 2023

Math?

I don't do math.  I wish I did.  Now that I'm older, more focused, and more practical, I want to know more about it.  My interests have changed.  Where I once spent hours studying the bible, I now invest time in science.  I easily understand concepts and applications but don't have the training to read the proof.  I sometimes wonder what I would be doing if I had studied harder in school.

What to do?

I thought about starting over.  I would have to buy flash cards because I never learned basic math.  I can do it, but I do it the John Way.  I'd have to retrain my brain.  I could buy books on Algebra, Geometry, and Calculus, but learning that would be a huge investment in time that I don't have.  But, is dwindling time a good excuse?  My dad taught himself to read, speak, and write German before he died.

I'll wonder at the beauty of the Universe, enjoy it for what I understand, and marvel at the discoveries being made.  I'll work harder on my other hobbies.  I still need to write my novel.  I could work on my Spanish.

The Fates Have Set My Course

Friday, 29 January 2023

Double Spacing!

I didn't take Typing in school.  Mistake!  I wrote my papers in longhand at the Sergeants Major Academy, and Kady typed them.  The internet has forced me to type - texting, emails, and my website are typing intensive.  I type with two fingers, but I'm pretty fast.  Not long ago, someone pointed out that nowadays, the standard is one space at the end of a period.

What nonsense!  Why?  Is someone trying to save trees one space at a time?  I looked it up.  Sure enough, it has been a Standard since 1950.  I don't know where I got the double-spacing rule.  I'm guessing at the Academy, but I'm not alone.  Google it.

Double space makes reading a lot easier and, at seventy, it has proved an impossible habit to break.  I've tried and failed.  Grammarly hates it, costing me time editing out each extra space.  They will accept either, but if just one is wrong, you get a brown line between all sentences.  It drives me crazy!  Storyworth fixes it for me.  Sadly, I've given up, so you'll likely see a mixture across my site.

Now you know.

Wednesday, 27 December 2023

 These are Grits

Photo from bakeitwithlove.com

A Case for Shrimp and GRITS

Once again, I tried Shrimp and Grits made by a chef who either had forgotten or never knew how grits are supposed to taste.

Perhaps Maryland is too far above the Mason-Dixon Line.

Grits are ground Corn, boiled with a little salt, and, when served, should look like oatmeal.  Some folks (not me) like them with a little butter.  Grits should be white or slightly yellow.

Shrimp-and-Grits is a Thing because the two foods go together, like Ham and Eggs,  Peanut Butter and Jelly.  Cook your shrimp how you want, do your Chef Thing, but serve them with traditional Grits.

I should have known I was making a mistake.  This restaurant's S&G was called Shrimp and Gouda Grits.  The shrimp were delicious, jumbo, and plentiful.  Their sauce, which our waitress suggested I have on the side, was also tasty.  Their "grits" were a sticky Gouda paste, decent, but not Grits.

Grits!  Leave them alone!  Add Shrimp.  Enjoy.  You're Welcome!

OH, Yeah!  Please take off the tails and dice up the shrimp so we don't have to eat a dish that should be eaten with a spoon with our fingers.  Thanks!

Saturday, 24 December 2023

A Woodlawn Legend Dies

Former Woodlawn High and Jacksonville State head football coach, Bill Burgess, died Wednesday, 13 December at the Age of 82.

He was a fine man.  How was he only 12 years older than me?  When I was 18, he was only 30.  He seemed "really old" back then.

Your Mortality is Calling

Are you brave?  Go Here - waitbutwhy.com.  Fill out one of the charts.  I did the Ninety Years in Weeks.  I made a little spreadsheet to save time. 


Prepare to get in touch with your mortality.


I discovered this by listening to Radiolab, one of my favorite podcasts.  In their October 6th Episode, The Secret to a Long Life, a young 30-something experiments with ways to make her days pass more slowly, hoping to make her life seem longer.  She's a mess.


When you fill yours out, I think it may do one of two things - It may scare the hell out of you, making you realize how little time you have left and how much time you've wasted, or it may illustrate what a wonderful life you have had and how much time you have to do MORE fun shit.


I fell in the latter category.  The way I see it, if I live to be 90, I've only lived 77% of my life, leaving me 23% of my life left - 993 Weeks.  That's a lot of living to do.

Thursday, 14 December 2023

A New Swiftie

When Taylor first hit the country stations in 2006, I thought, "This is not Country, but the little girl has talent.  She could make great music when she grows up a little."

Kady and I watched Taylor Swift's Eras Tour today.  She's grown up.  I enjoyed the show and the songs.  For a guy who cut his teeth on the music of the 1960s and 1970s, that is a big statement.

What's funniest about a seventy-year-old man enjoying her show is that I was disappointed she didn't sing "Tim McGraw."

Watch it.  It's less than $20 for a three-hour show.

Wednesday, 13 December 2023

Take your Camera . . . Everywhere . . . Every Time!

I want to begin taking photos of interesting people and send them the images.  I've printed some business cards to give them my website and email address.  If they tell me no, I'll understand.  The world is dangerous.  The business cards are so they can check me out to see that I'm legitimate.  Permission is the key.  I'll shoot adults only and no ladies out alone.

I didn't take my camera or business cards today.  I saw the cutest elderly couple in the whole world sitting on a bench overlooking the lake.  I did take my little Nikon S9100, but without the business cards, I had to photograph them at a distance.

It was a missed opportunity and one I won't make again.

What a Bobo!

Wednesday, 13 December 2023

What I'm Watching

I should become a movie reviewer; I watch enough movies and shows.  Then I think, "Nobody cares what you think, Neely."  Inside the family, though, we recommend shows, music, music, and books.

I watched Leave The World Behind on Netflix today.  It was not great.  It was "pretty good."  It made me want to build a bunker and stock up on food and ammo.

Last night I watched Mob Land on Hulu.  That was a great story, totally worth a watch.

 Sunday, 10 December 2023

Bird York - music you should try


Everyone who knows me knows about my love for the 1993 Fox series Key West, starring Jennifer Tilly, Fisher Stevens, Brian Thompson, Denise Crosby, Leland Crooke, Ivory Ocean, Kim Myers, Jennifer Barlow, Geno Silva, and TC Carson. It was a crazy Comedy/Drama that pushed boundaries with wacky but lovable characters.


Sadly, it only lasted for thirteen episodes but still has a cult following, and you can watch all of it on YouTube.


In the third episode, The Great Unknown, a mysterious young woman, played by Kathleen York, comes to the End of The World. Her character was an instant hit with me. "Let's put it on the table - I hunt, smoke, eat junk food, listen to Andrew Dice Clay, believe in nuclear power, and voted for Ronald Reagan. Still want to take me to bed?"


While on Amazon Music, I heard a song I liked. The artist looked familiar. A quick Google search told me that Bird York is the musical stage name of actress Kathleen York.


Sold! I gave her music a try, and I love it. It reminds me a little of Sarah McLachlan's stuff, though less pop and more soulful. I find myself listening to it all the time.

Friday, 8 December 2023

Coffee

KS and I have a new coffee spot, the First Free Coffee Bar.  It's open, quiet, friendly, and a large is called a . . . "Large."  It's a new place.  We've been there twice and liked it a lot.  The coffee is good, the atmosphere is friendly, and the open space is inviting.

I've had a Cappuccino and a Dark Roast Hot Brew.  Both were yummy.  Sadly, a few people on the web are complaining about the owner's politics.  How about we leave coffee out of the political arena?  Some have also complained that he built too close to The Daily Grind and Starbucks.  I get that and plan to go to the Daily Grind next week, but his business seems to be doing quite well.

We're on a hunt for the best coffee spot in Charlottesville.  Recommendations for our next stop are welcome.

I should print this photo for our next visit.  KS should be their Brand Model.  Then again, I don't want her to become a target for the political loonies.

Wednesday, 6 December 2023

A Note to Florida State

I see you, FSU, you're undefeated in a pretty good conference.  You beat two SEC Teams.

Right now, no one is sure how good you are.  Why was Alabama selected over you?  Strength of Schedule.  You had a chance to come to the SEC years ago, but you chose the ACC.  You made your bed . . .

Here is how you fix it - Beat Georgia.  Yeah.  Beat the hell out of Georgia.  Then you can show everyone what a badass team you are.

Good Luck.

Later Note: Georgia beat FSU 63 - 3.

Sunday, 3 December 2023

Kady's Tree

Each year Kady, my wife, decorates our tree. My job is to set the tree up, put on the lights, and get out of her way. There is magic about to happen and I never want to spoil that.

She collects ornaments, so we get a different-looking tree each year. They are always beautiful. When she did the seven and eight-foot trees, I'm guessing each held over one hundred pounds of breakable things. Her process took about three days.

I had to anchor the tree to the wall each year.

She gets this from her mom who kept a tree up year round. Sylvia had an entirely different style but decorated a beautiful tree.  Now, Kady's daughters are decorating beautiful trees in their styles.

This year, she offered up a lot of her ornaments to her daughters and gave away many to charity. We went through them piece by piece keeping only those to which we are emotionally tied. We switched to a small tree last year which made us happy. I had fewer lights to wrestle but still got a lovely tree. She didn't have to work as hard.

There have been years when we didn't put up a tree and those Christmases weren't the same. Our Tree is my signal to putter around the house singing or listening to holiday music and to begin watching the movies.

Kady's tree is up. I'm ready. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Y'all.

The Enemy

La Guillotine

505 Advice on Mice

If you have mice, don't try to trap them to release in the wild; the little bastards are too smart.  Don't use sticky traps; those are cruel beyond measure.  Don't be taken in by their adorable appearance; they are just small rats out to take over your home so they can eat your stash of leftover Halloween candy. 

Get your mind straight - This is War!  It is time to get Mad Dog Mean

Don't listen to your friends who tell you you should deal with them humanely; these little Hannibal Lecter creatures will crawl over the body of their dead friend to eat the chocolate.  True Story.  They don't care!  Kill them quickly and be done with it.

Monday, 4 December 2023

Suggestion

You need to watch the series Station Eleven on MAX, a post-apocalyptic tale with Shakespeare's Hamlet woven loosely through the story.  Smart, emotional, heroic, and uplifting.  You can thank me later.

War Eagle

Yeah, I'm an Auburn Fan.  I have been since I was a little guy, choosing Auburn over that other team, probably to piss off the other members of my family.  Middle Kid.

I call it, "Doing the hard right thing rather than the easy wrong."  Cheering for a team that always wins is easy.  It is always HARD to be an Auburn Fan but the last few years have been particularly tough.

We never know what team we'll get on Saturday - a team that plays Georgia and Alabama tough or one that loses a $1.8 million "get-right game," and embarrasses us all.

Auburn's athletic program is a big mess - only about 50% of the team are Alabamians.  What are the other half?  I'm going with Paid Mercenaries.  This is what NIL and the Transfer Portal have brought to NCAA Sports.

I'm not sure about this Freeze guy, either.   I'm still giving him the benefit of the doubt because he inherited a shit show.   I see some brilliance from the coaching staff but we often get junk like the last play of the 2023 Alabama game.  What The Ever-loving FUCK was THAT?!?!

Would you like me to design a defense for that situation, Coach Freeze?  I can!

I still Believe in Auburn and Love It. All-In! War damn Eagle!

Happy Thanksgiving

Most of my family closed in on Maryland yesterday. This morning, we began the day with a family Thanksgiving Day Parade made of my grandaughter's tricycle and other wheeled vehicles. I wanted to take it on the road around the neighborhood, but everyone looked at me as if I had lost my mind. 

After breakfast, my daughter and I were the only ones up for a walk, which was fine with me.    Time alone with her is rare these days. We did a quick three miles.

Now we're watching Macy's Thanksgiving Day unending Parade while the cooks in the family prepare the food. The house smells spectacular. After seeing Snoopy, I retired to the dining room to type.

I'm sure we'll have all the traditional things, but I want the Spiral-cut, Double-glazed, Brown Sugar Ham. We may get to take what is left home. I see future ham sandwiches, ham in my salads, and ham in my omelets. I need to discourage others from eating it while we're here.

Oh, hang on, my son-in-law just put an Apple Pie on the table. I want that, too.  Peanut butter chocolate bars?  Candied Picans?

I wish you a day filled with all your loved ones, as joyous as mine.

Thursday, 23 November 2023

Playing Cards

Yeah, I know.  I suck at Cards.  

I've never been a card player, but I get caught up in games since my daughter married a Yankee.  I assume card games are all they have to do up North.

Every night, we play Wizards.  I "get" this game, but it's so fucking frustrating.  Some nights, I'll play brilliantly, but mostly I lose.  I hate losing at anything.

My problem is that I don't know what I'm doing differently between the nights when I blow everyone away and those when I am last.  There is a lot of chance in the game.  You can drive the game where you want if you have the right cards.  You must keep track of what cards have been played.  Your bidding is all about probabilities.

It is easier to bid zero and dump your cards, but you can't win the game that way.

When my plan is working, one of the others will trump a Trick or drop a Wizard.  This happens more often to me because everyone loves to pick on me.

That's IT!  Everyone is picking on me!

Or . . . I suck at cards.

Thanksgiving Week Coffee

I'm in Maryland and I decided to leave my Travel Keurig at home.  Big Mistake.

My daughter and son-in-law have a Nespresso.  I've tried Stormio, Odacio, and, this morning, Melozio - fancy Italian names for not-very-good coffee.  Yawn.

My son has pointed out that I am not a Coffee Snob.  Maybe Not.  However, I know what I like.  I prefer the ease of the Keurig and the taste of Lavazza but make French Press, Cuban, and a perfect Turkish Kahve.

I am a Coffee Aficionado.

I never drank coffee as a young soldier but while visiting a family in Istanbul, I drank my first cup of Turk Kahve.  It was wonderful.  It began my love affair with coffee.

Many of my favorite memories are built around coffee but not here in Maryland.  Not here.

Coffee on the Bosphorus

Burcin at Matisse

Sule Reading my Coffee

My Kahve with Lokum

Tuesday, 21 November 2023

A Plea to Auburn

Please, Auburn, let's not go to a bowl game this year. It will be too embarrassing to bear.

Tonight was pure torture for the faithful.  What is wrong on the plains?

Please.  Just Don't!

Saturday, 18 August 2023

Site Work

I've been doing a lot of work on the site.  Today, I worked on my Family Tree Page.  It is about 50% there.  Needs work.  The research pages are next.

Saturday, 18 August 2023

Join Us

Think about this - If you are not willing to serve your nation, who can you depend upon to protect our country and our way of life?

If you live in the United States of America, you are responsible for defending it. All of you.

We Neels have done our part.  It is your turn.

There are many ways to serve, but your first step should be joining the military. Sure, it is tough and sometimes dangerous, but each generation has had to fight and the day is coming, soon, for you.  After your military service, you will be highly recruited for all manner of jobs.

Military service is a great way of life. There, you will meet the most honorable people. It prepares you for life, teaching strong work ethics, leadership, and followership. You will become a member of a team with shared goals and values. You will gain skill sets you can get nowhere else.

If you are going to go, set your sights on being the best. Go Infantry, attend Airborne and Ranger School, and serve in the best units. Special Forces.  Be a Marine or a Navy Seal.

Don't take the easy way out.  Right now, you can get a $20K signing bonus if you sign for six years, another $10K if you're willing to ship immediately, and another $10K if you go into one of the toughest fields. Put that dough in the bank and let it grow.  Don't blow it.

Join us. Become a veteran.  Be one of the 6% of Americans who have stood up and done the right thing.

Saturday, 11 November 2023

The Neel505 Weight Loss Plan

In May, I weighed 245 pounds.  Holy SHIT!  I needed and wanted to do something about that, so I talked to my wife.  My wife is smart.  I knew it all came down to diet and exercise, but how, I asked, should I modify my diet?  She told me to count calories.

I learned that there is a formula for this: Take your target weight multiplied by 12 for your Maximum Daily Caloric Intake.  Choosing a target weight of 200 pounds, I'm allowed 2400 Calories a day.  I tried that for a few days but it seemed like a lot, so I cut it to 1500.  

I built a spreadsheet, of course.

I was religious about logging in my calories, staying in my zone, and going out for my walks.

Boom.  My weight began dropping. I've been sleeping better, my hips stopped aching on my walks, and my acid reflux is gone.

I'm down to 230, but I've hit a plateau.  I've been here for three weeks.  Why?  Because I've been cheating.

Beginning today, I'm back on it.

Thursday, 9 November 2023

Good Luck

It has come to my attention that you young people want a different America than I do.  That's Cool.  My time here is growing short, so I don't have to worry about that.  As a "Boomer," my worldview is like my music - stuck in the 1970s and 1980s.  No amount of nudging from my people will move me past the Reagan Years.

We tried our best.  We did our worst.  Let's see what you got.

I will just shut my mouth and let you build the society you wish to live in.  Cut those apron strings.  Leave the nest.  Go out there and figure it out on your own.

Good Luck to you and your children.

Wednesday, 8 November 2023

Voting Day Chips

Yes, I voted.  I hope you did, too.  Kady and I walked down to our polling place, just before noon.  You might think that that is what I would write about today.  No.

Today, I would like to tell you about the best chips on the shelf - Late July.  If you haven't tried them, you must.  Let me highly suggest their Mexican Street Corn and Jalapeno & Lime chips.  Holy Cow, they are good!  And, only 140 calories for 12 chips.  Yes Please!  I'm going to try them all.  We get them at Kroger, Harris-Teeter, and Thrive Market.  Normally, I'm a big Doritos fan, but Late July kicks their ass.

Tuesday, 7 November 2023

Brain Exercise

My old site has been down for over a week due to operator headspace and timing issues.  Frustrated, I gave up, built this little site, published it, and, poof, it came right up.  My wife, Kady, said, "Maybe the Universe is trying to tell you something."  Give up? 

"No . . . Build Something New."

But, Where to Begin?

This is going to take a lot of Time (which I have), Work (not scared of work), and Imagination (uh oh).  Yeah, it'll probably look a lot like the old one; I Have No Imagination.

Monday, 6 November 2023