Don't Tell My Cats

I hope no one lets my cats know I have this picture. They'd probably claw me to death in my sleep. I'm not sure they'd even wait for me to be asleep. They'd definitely protest...

A Special Treat

Sometimes, Life throws you a special treat. Today was one of those special moments. While waiting to start a mission, I caught a VC-25 taking off from KPHF on one of their many practice flights. Could clearly see the Seal of the President of the United States on her pretty belly.

Was a tail-wagging, toe-tapping moment. Wish the pics were better, but... alas.

"Khmcrzx"

Khmcrzx

Dark brown, or is it
Chestnut? Little matter. It sings,
It flows - as if woven with
Music.

The gentle strands seam together
In beauty pure, as if composed
By God. And certainly, it
Must be so.

For only God can create eyes
That twinkle, like the heavenly stars
Themselves.... and a smile with radiance
Like the sun.

As surely as if gazing into the
Sun, to gaze at her smile will
Blind. And it's a blindness
I'll welcome.

And if inside, in her
Heart, her Mind, her Soul,
She's as much as she is out,
Then all the world is blessed.

She is the essence of beauty
Beauty is the essence of her.
And somewhere, a heart is happy
This world's, this one, already is.

Reid Stanley
October, 1992

"Dad?"

Dad?

Hello lil' baby,
Welcome to this world!
Breathe in deeply, and
Fly your flags of dreams unfurled!

Who's your Daddy,
Lil' one?
Where is he Tonight?
He wishes he were here, with
All his soul and might.

You're growing up, my child.
And taking on the world. Your
Mommy loves you greatly and
Your Daddy even more.

Who's your Daddy,
Lil' one?
Where is he Tonight?
He wishes he were here, with
All his soul and might.

I know you feel alone,
Being only thirteen.
Your father's out there somewhere,
As someone you've never seen.

Who's your Daddy,
Lil' one?
Where is he Tonight?
He wishes he were here, with
All his soul and might.

Happy Wedding Day, oh child!
This is your day to shine.
So while you make your party most wild,
Remember you'll always be mine...

Who's your Daddy,
Lil' one?
Where is he Tonight?
He wishes he were here, with
All his soul and might.

And the cycle is complete,
I'm a Grandfather today.
I only wish I knew, so
You wouldn't have to say:

Who's your Daddy,
Lil' one?
Where is he Tonight?
He wishes he were here, with
All his soul and might.


Reid Stanley
April, 1992

"Haze"

Haze

I live in a world
Unique in its own way,
With its clear
Truths and beautiful
Clarity, life goes on.
But, there are times
When I must leave
This world; for
What I search, I
Cannot find here.

The world I live in
Is unique, but not
Alone. There is another,
Where there are no clear
Pictures, no black or
White; only the gray
Haze.

Ah, the haze. It's all
Encompassing, obscuring
Most things from view.
Yet, still I come, searching,
Hoping... hoping to see
Her.

It is here that she walks,
In this world of haze.
It is here, this world to
Which I must come, for
I cannot see her in
My world.

As I stand in my world,
The time comes, of its own
Accord. I relax, close my
Eyes, and slowly, so very slowly,
The haze comes. It washes over
Everything -- I can see it
Swirling at my feet, but I
Do not mind. I welcome the
Haze, for with it she comes.

Finally, after a time
I cannot define, I arrive
Completely and wholly into
This other world. I have no time
To waste, none to spare.
I open my eyes.

At first, I see nothing,
Not in this world of haze.
I move on, walking, running,
I know not which. Looking,
Searching, I know she's here;
But where?

There she is!
A figure,
Out there, gliding in the
Never-ending haze. She
Does not yet know I'm
Here. I must reach her, I
Must! I increase my
Speed, but I'm not
Tired. I never tire,
In the world of
Haze.

I catch up to her. With
But a glance, I soak
Up her beauty, and
Looking again, I drown in
It. Her sparkling, knowing
Eyes; her straightly, crooked
Back; the knowledge she holds,
and the knowledge she
Does not yet hold.

Slowly, she stops. Anxiously,
I wait as she slowly turns
Toward me. She smiles, oh
That smile of hers. I reach out,
And though my lips do not
Move, I urge her to return,
To return to my
World.

She steps forward, but
Hesitates. She smiles again,
And slowly shakes her
Head. I lose contact with
Her as she she starts to walk, again.
I blink, quite naturally of
Course, but I know it's a mistake.
When I look back, the haze
Is already clearing.

I scream out! But only
A whisper escapes. I
Know she's lost back to the
Haze.

I look about... the colors
Have returned. I know without
Checking that she is not here.
A tear trace its way down
My cheek, ever so slowly.

I know I will return
To my world of haze.
Yet, for now, I am stuck,
Here, without her, in my world:
Reality.

Reid Stanley
January, 1992

"The Bear"

The Bear

The room is
Dark
Save for soft glows
From my lamps.
Quiet pervades -
I can hear
Wind
Whisper by.
I lie there,
Eyes closed,
Wanting to make it
Real.
Lyrics flow,
Taking me away on
Clouds of dreams.
But she's not
Here
And I'm still
Alone
Tonight.
So I hold it
Close
Yet still
No substitute.

Reid Stanley
14 February 1994

Love Is

I still remember this one. It surprised me, as my writing sometimes does, when I finished. It wasn't by conscious design. See if you see why.

Love Is

It's a funny thing,
Love is,
Yet there's little
Humorous about it.

It's our most powerful
Emotion.
The way it can lift us up,
And can destroy us.

It drives us to do
Things
We'd rarely do. It
Consumes us, completely.

It leaves us in a state
Uncontrolled,
Yet we rarely mind
'Cause Love doesn't care.

With it comes complete
Peace --
And unbelieveable torment.
But it's all worth it...

For with Love, we get
Life's greatest rewards.

Reid Stanley
January 1992

"Together At Last?"

Together at Last?

Silence.
It's one of the most
Disquieting noise around.
No phone rings,
No mail to rip open.

You're so nice,
That's right, Nice.
Sweet, Caring, Gentle,
Handsome.

Alone. A great friend,
But alone. Why are you alone?
You're a Dream come true,
Or so they say.

Like art people admire,
But few desire.
Is something wrong?
With you?
With them?
Or, not at all?

Time will prove true,
They say.
How long can time
Tick on, alone?
We are social animals,
Not good alone.

People pass by, and that's
All -- pass by.
The silence is back.
You're alone,
Not again,
Just a mere continuation.

Do not fear, though, as you should not.
You are alone,
And not alone.
There is, they say,
Someone in the five
Billion for you.
Wait.

You are not alone;
You have patience to keep you
Company, for no one else
Will. Indeed, perhaps, you
Are...

Alone.


Reid Stanley
January, 1992

"Answers"

I recently unburied an unexpected treasure trove. Well, it's a treasure trove to me. Poetry I'd written, and which I suspected was long lost in the multitude of moves I've made.

It's fascinating (to me) and certainly a flashback to hold these original printouts (I type everything, always have, always will), complete with editing mark-ups.

And the subject matters which inspired the writing... brought back from the dusty archives of my mind (in some cases, where it should stay).

The first is "Answers". This was written after my first, and only, brief incarceration. It was a learning experience, and the point I define as "rock-bottom".

How long does it take
For a life to shatter?
Is it important how long?
Does it really matter?
Of course not.
Whether in two seconds
Or two days, the life
Is still shattered.

The more important questions
Are the How,
the Why...
It's in the answers,
Or at least, the attempts to
Answer, that a life can be
Rebuilt.
And rebuild one must,
For if a life stays shattered Long,
It dies,
Like a goldfish out of its bowl.

For me, one weekend
Cracked, and then shattered,
my life.
It's not hard to do;
All people have fragile lives --
All one must do is find the weak spot.
Mine was found.

For me, it wasn't being arrested,
Though it played a part.
It wasn't my car,
Though, it, too, played a part.
It was the one thing which brings all men,
Be they great or unknown,
To their knees.

Why did she not come?
Even a small friend would come.
Why not her?
For eighteen hours, I could think.
I'd lost my car,
My future.
But I thought of Those least.
How is she?
Is she alright?
Those are what took up my mind.

But even the question did not Hurt,
So much as the answer.
It was, of course,
An answer I did not want;
But the mind is its own worst enemy.
I could not deny the answer.
It permeated everywhere.
I could not escape,
Not even to my Hazeworld,
For it was there, too.

The answer must be true,
For only the truth has the Powers
Like the answer.
To stay,
To envelop,
To surround,
To Hurt.
And it did not stop
At eighteen hours, no
It continued,
And still does.

I have fixed all disasters
Of that weekend,
My Life is no longer
Shattered;
Yet, there is still a hole:
Why did she not come?

Reid Stanley
January 1992

Godspeed!

Forty-six years ago today...

The United States launched Lieutenant Colonel John Glenn into orbit. His mission decidedly charted America's future exploration into space. We had previously dipped our toes into the water through the missions of Alan Shepherd and Gus Grissom. But, these were suborbital "lobs", enabling us to get a feel for this new arena.

And we've been exploring (sometimes fitfully, yes) ever since.

I Know Diddly

I know diddly-squat about horsemanship and horses.

Ok, that was being generous. I know less than diddly.

However, this video, sent to me by a friend, is quite impressive. Please, take a look, and enjoy.

And to all the little girls who would like nothing more than to have a pony... enjoy even more, because when you follow your dreams, happiness follows.

Random Number 3

234.5

Children and Fire Alarms

And now, a Public Service Announcement from A Storm in Afghanistan.



And just for starters... Click here for a Voice Alarm.

Some Perspective...

ANTARES IS THE 15TH BRIGHTEST STAR IN THE SKY.
IT IS MORE THAN 1000 LIGHT YEARS AWAY.

THIS IS A HUBBLE TELESCOPE ULTRA DEEP FIELD INFRARED VIEW OF COUNTLESS
'ENTIRE' GALAXIES BILLIONS OF LIGHT-YEARS AWAY.

BELOW IS A CLOSE UP OF ONE OF THE DARKEST REGIONS OF THE PHOTO ABOVE.

Random Number 2

236.0

Christmas in... May?

I was so excited about the new Star Trek film coming out...

It appears I'll have to wait until May 2009.

Alas.

Every Inch Counted

Recently seen on YouTube (h/t to M*A).

Language warning for those to whom it applies.

Watch the end of the runway very carefully.

Now, having seen the IL-76 in action, she is an impressive aircraft, and a fine demonstration of the Russian brute-force engineering technique.

I've always wanted to fly on her.

But, perhaps not quite this close to the edge.

New Uniform

Bought a new uniform today. Ok, not necessarily big news. But what made me grin from ear to ear is that it was one size smaller!

Starting to trim down and get my Life back in order. I cannot believe the complete disarray, the utter black hole I slipped into last year... but now, one step at a time...

Avon Breast Cancer Walk - Progress

My thanks to all the contributors so far. We've reached 31% of our goal of $1800.... a total of $565!!!

I am grateful for each dollar in contributions, as it goes to help detect this disease early enough for treatment to have a chance of succeeding.

Too many have died. While I walk in Ellicia's memory, in reality, the goal is for there to be no more deaths. For her daughters to not have to face this disease. For so many other mothers, sisters, daughters... so that Breast Cancer can be relegated to history.

Busing a Stray Thought from My Head...

Along the interstate, from time to time, there'll be a sign for the nearest Greyhound/Trailways bus station.

Presumably, if you're aboard one of their buses, the driver will know where the nex station is.

If you're otherwise traveling along the interstate, via motorcycle, car, or truck... You're not likely to be in need of a bus.

So, doe whom are these ubiquitous signs?

And strangely enough, it's been awhile since I've seen a BUS.

The Background of Our Lives

Today is John Williams' birthday. He is 76.

Understandably, many will ask, "Who is John Williams? And, why do I care?"

Good question. Mr. Williams is a film score composer and orchestra director. While many don't know him, few are unaware of his music.

Who hears those timeless slow bass notes from Jaws and don't have an immediate mental picture of a fin slicing through the water... Or vice versa, see a fin and think of the music?

Superman isn't Superman without that triumphant march.

And Star Wars is defined as much by lasers, robots, Darth Vader, and the Force... As by the music.

We hear his music at the Olympics. NBC News has a theme written by him (albeit, the full verson is usually only heard on the New Years' Eve broadcast, but it's iconic nevertheless.

Indy wouldn't BE Indiana Jones without the music. Our heart strings wouldn't be tugged dring Schindler's List or Saving Private Ryan quite the same were the music ordinary.

Close Encounters of the Third Kind... E.T.... Jurassic Park - our imagination crescendoed with the orchestra.

He captures the bravery, hope, and prologue of patriotism in The Patriot.

And, he's won FIVE Oscars for his efforts.


I had the enviable pleasure of savoring a performance of him leading the Boston Pops. It's a treasured memory.

And, I've had the joy of performing his compositions. Ok, sometimes, not joy as he works his instruments VERY hard. But, in return, normally "supportive" instruments (includng my beloved trombone) are often given the rare pleasure of a melody.

Truly, a man who's leaving an indelible mark on our culture and will ne'er be forgotten, and long missed when his baton and pen are put down for the final time... Hopefully, no time soon.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Williams. And, Thank You.

Random Number

241.5

She Flies!

Shuttle Atlantis is well on her way to the Space Station. What a beautiful launch. It is continually amazing the capabilities that we have, and the bravery of those who are willing to strap into the forward tip of a giant bomb and make a ride that the vast majority sense as routine, or worse, unnecessary.

But the beauty and grandeur of the adventure and exploration of the unknown is not abated.

What We Do Not See

The world slides unbeknownst beneath us.
We soar far above it
Isolating ourselves from others in the bus.
Unaware of those beside whom we sit!

Below, Time stands still -
A prologue yet to be read.
Above, our future is written in creations
Once merely a thought in one's Head.

How can we ignore the majesty
Nature has provided to those willing to see?
Instead closing the shades of our eyes
Our minds, if you'll just let us be.

We should be in awe
Stunned and amazed by what we can achieve;
Yet we are complacent and unaware
Refusing even to believe.

We wrap ourselves in imagined distraction
Interrupted angrily by splendor few can perceive.
How can our spirits soar?
If our Hearts will not believe?

There is Beauty and Splendor around us displayed
If only we slow to notice, during our hectic days.

Movies fade, music dims,
And books turn to dust
Yet Beauty of That around us
Behold! We must.

For there is a Timelessness that we seek
The Eternity we desire
Yet GROUNDED we are in the Temporal
Fleetingness so dire.

Soar amongst the Eagles
Life is Not merely a Ride
And then that smile it brings
Will stay when you've died.

The Little Things never matter
Problems seem like ants
Once your Soul takes flight
"By the seat of your pants!"

Breast Cancer Walk

So far, folks... we're at $465 or 26% of the $1800 goal!

Thank you SO MUCH, everyone... I know E would be pleased about the efforts we're making to help other cancer patients.

Please, donate... and donate often.

(Meanwhile, I'm practicing my walking... Left, Right, Left, Left... no, that's not it... still have to keep practicing, I guess.)

Passing Thought

What executives, programming, advertising, or otherwise, seem to think that what I would like to have on TV are commercials which include the phrase, "unbalanced feminine pH"?

Really.

I understand it's a product that is needed, but... really were women's magazines no longer accepting advertising?