Monday's Christmas Pun(s) !!! 

Some Christmas themed puns for your edification...


What do you call a bunch of grandmasters of chess bragging about their games in a hotel lobby? Chess nuts boasting in an open foyer!

What was so good about the neurotic doll the girl was given for Christmas? It was wound up already.

and...........

Why is Christmas just like a day at the office? You do all the work and the fat guy with the suit gets all the credit.

12/07/1941...What It Means To Me...

December 7, 1941:  The date meant little to me as a young man growing up in Michigan.  Sure, I knew the history of the sneak attack by the Japanese, but it was …history. 

In 1979 a cornucopia of good luck brought me to Oahu. As a 23 year old, I was living in house overlooking Kaneohe Bay, teaching SCUBA diving on the weekends and flying Cessna’s thru the week.  I finished my private pilot’s license at Honolulu International on May 30, 1979. While I had started this quest for a pilots license years before in Pontiac, Michigan, I finished it in Hawaii.  As any pilot will tell you, part of the license requires many landings and take offs. (i.e. Touch & Go’s) In the islands, the main airport is Honolulu International.  Suffice it to say that the control tower has little patience for some guy in a Cessna.  Thus, you were shunted off to the ancillary airports. Oh, I did my turns on short final with a long haul 747 next to me for the parallel runway however, for students at that time, Ford Island was the destination.  My log book document numerous hours spent performing touch & go’s on Ford Island in April and May of 1979.  History, was before my eyes.  Given the prevailing wind, the Arizona Memorial was on my left on many days.  On the off days the Memorial was on my right with the hospital on the island just to left of the runway.  History. It happened here.  I flew all around the islands in my training, but the places I remember relate to 1941. Dillingham Airfield on the North Shore, Schofield Barracks in the island interior, and Pearl Harbor. History, was right here.  It all came home in my mind.  I studied and relearned facts that were once foreign to me.  What a place. What a history. What a link to what it means to be an American. Humbled, I was.

If you have the chance, go to Oahu. See the sights and learn about those brave souls that paid the ultimate price on December 7, 1941. It is a unique experience. These soldier and sailors gave all for you, and me. Remember them.

No "L"

While living on the impoverished south end of Sausalito for a decade or so I used to see a lighted sign every year around Christmas.  Walking the mean streets of Southern Marin County from the ferry landing to my tiny home, I would marvel at a white lighted capital "L" surrounded by a circle and slash of red lights, as in the international symbol for "No". Right there on the south end of Bridgeway for all to see.

 

The "L" looking familiar, left me for years wondering what this neighbor had against the Lottery. Maybe he lost some money….maybe he hates funding education.  Who knew?


Then, one evening while traveling home from the latest suare at Sausalito Yacht Club, Mrs. Rumbear commented on how clever the lighted "L" was.  Being an erudite bear about town, I responded, "Huh?"  She glanced at me and said "Noel", get it?  Well, I did.  Right at that moment. (Doh!)

Noel.

I now proudly display a similar sign atop Rumbear Manor.  Many still don't get it.  My wife, that's what makes me smarter than the average bear. Joyeaux Noel.

The Little Angel .....

on the Top of the Christmas Tree.

Sensitive folks that we are, all of us here at the Chronicles embrace the Holidaze. Thus, each year a Christmas (Yes, Christmas) Story is in order. Here's one of the Rumbear's favorites.

One particular Christmas season a long time ago, Santa was getting ready for his annual trip but there were problems everywhere. Four of his elves got sick, and the trainee elves did not produce the toys as fast as the regular ones so Santa was beginning to feel the pressure of being behind schedule. Then Mrs. Claus told Santa that her Mom was coming to visit; this stressed Santa even more.

When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two had jumped the fence and were out at heaven knows where. More stress.

Then when he began to load the sleigh one of the boards cracked and the toy bag fell to the ground and scattered the toys. So, frustrated, Santa went into the house for a cup of coffee and a shot of whiskey.

When he went to the cupboard, he discovered that the elves had hid the liquor and there was nothing to drink. In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the coffeepot and it broke into hundreds of little pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found that mice had eaten the straw it was made of. More stress and frustration.

Just then the doorbell rang and Santa cussed on his way to the door. He opened the door and there was a little angel with a great big Christmas tree.The angel said, very cheerfully, "Merry Christmas Santa. Isn't it just a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Isn't it just a lovely tree? Where would you like me to stick it?

Thus began the tradition of the little angel on top of the tree. 

 

 

December 7, 1941

Dawn.....350 planes, attacking in two waves. The Japanese were determined to destroy America’s resolve, along with her fleet, the envy of the world. When the smoke finally settled 2,333 of America’s finest lay dead and 1,139 lay wounded in agony and disbelief. 

 

A sucker punch had been delivered. Yet, a giant had been awakened....

Remember them today.

 

 

Holy Jumping! 

48 degrees just after sunset in Sandy Eggo!!  I feel like I am in an Ice Station Zebra remake! 

Purty sure I just saw Rock Hudson checking the perimeter at Rumbear Manor.

 

Wait For It.....

Seems Aboot Right....

Minimum Wage... 



Both of my long time readers have queried, Rumbear what is the deal on this sustainable minimum wage?  Well, I always defer to the Master on things of financial import. So I will utilize some illustrations to hopefully show the idiocy of raising the prevailing wage for a job a robot could do. In Detroit the auto industry found out the hard way that the cost of labor impacts the price of good sold. Whoa....head spinning yet? Duh....here's a hint....it is an "entry level position"....not a fricking career.

It's Aloha Friday....
.....no work till Monday !!!


Doo de doo, de doo, de doo ....

Christmas decorations going up, Christmas tree bought. Christmas spirit trickling in to Rumbear Manor. Red Wing Hockey, LGRW !!!!! Lions Football GO LIONS!...... Y'all have a great weekend!!!


Doo de doo, de doo, de doo ....


"Get your island fix on the Internet with KPOA!"

Listen live to the island sounds from Maui!

Concealed Carry

 

Sure...did ya even notice the shoulder holsters?  I did not think so.

Sound of Music??

Love that movie.....

I Have Friends....

I get Christmas greetings....

Uh...then again....

If Obama Built Roads.......

Just asking......

Cheers!

In case you needed a reason to hoist an adult beverage or two tonight, you can celebrate the repeal of the 21st Amendment.  Yes, on this day in 1933 the country sobered up, for a moment, and ended Prohibition.  

Now get out there and party like it's 1933!

Star Sailors League

A promo video for the Nassau regatta this week.  Got a couple friends down there splashing around the buoys. Sail fast boys....sail fast.

Jackknife

Fins to the left. Fins to the right....

Nice vid.

Exsqueeze Me While I Go Workout.....

Bo Derek.....

just because.....

Monday's Pun(s) !!! 

I tried to look up impotence on the Internet but nothing came up.

Guerrilla warfare is more than just throwing a banana.

Some doting parents are son worshipers.

Public Service Announcement.....