In the hot seat

Over the weekend I came down with a bad case of tooth pain. One of my teeth started to throb and then my jaw went numb. Today was the first day my dentist could get me in. So here I sit in the chair, looking at the tray of torture instruments awaiting the dentist. Oh joy.
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Sent from my T-Mobile Sidekick®

Oops

While driving back from a delivery in Mesa, I encountered a Commercial Vehicle Enforcement officer on the side of the road. Actually, I encountered him in traffic and we made our mutual acquaintances on the shoulder of the road.

A little over an hour later, I was on my way with nary a violation found. That was a blessing, since he checked everything on that truck, and my background and character and abilities.

The State of Arizona has to make revenue somewhere. Keep up the good work, Officer Stanley!

Oh, the picture is my view of his vehicle in my rear-view mirror.

Would ya look at that

While delivering a load of fuel to the Deer Valley Airport this morning, I was able to snap a couple of pictures of John Travolta's personal 707 business jet. Very nice.

He was here for about 2 weeks this trip. He flies during the night, to avoid the media circus and also to take advantage of lighter airborne traffic.

Lest we Forget

"As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen." (Matt 4:18)

God came down in the form of His son, Jesus, to walk among men and, by living as a man, free men from the eternal damnation justified by their sins and sin nature. 33 years after his birth, celebrated by Christianity at this time of year, he was sacrificed as a holy offering to atone for the sins of mankind. Because of this atonement, man can know their sins are forgiven and receive the grace of God and not have to look forward to eternal Hell and separation from the Creator of all things.

It is so easy to forget the real reason we celebrate Christmas. Cute little catch phrases try to remind us: "Jesus is the reason for the season," "Keep Christ in Christmas," etc.

For a country that identifies itself as predominately a Christian country, too many of us are "C&E" Christians. We only go to church for Christmas and Easter, in an attempt to get our "Religion Card" punched for the year. Those who attend church regularly see the pattern. The closer it gets to a "Holy holiday", the more the seats are filled at church. And then, after "the day" passes, they're gone for another year.

We who call ourselves American Christians have never had to suffer for our faith. Oh, I'm not talking about the occasional "Why does your God allow sickness, etc" question that's thrown at us. While that will make someone uncomfortable who is a armchair Christian, it is not a tribulation.

The average American household has 7-9 bibles. There are Christian believers in Africa, the Mid-East and Asia Minor who have never SEEN a bible. All they know is from memory and what they are taught. How many of us could recite more than 4-5 verses of scripture from memory? Maybe a Psalm or two, as long as they were the shorter catchy ones..."the Lord is my Shepherd," etc.

"The Cold War was horrible, as long as I didn't have to sacrifice." "The War on Terror is a major sacrifice for me. It's been 7 years now, when will it end?" "My crime TV show didn't wrap up in it's usual hour time slot. I have to wait till next week to find out the ending." We live in a sound-byte generation, as has been said numerous times before.

Here's a sound byte for you. We live in the end of times. Are you prepared to be driving to work tomorrow and suddenly end up standing before the throne of God, preparing to have sentence passed on you? Will the Ancient of Days look down upon you and say "Well done, my good and faithful servant," or will you hear "I never knew you."

The choice is in your hands, now.

There’s a date we will always remember—and they’ll never forget!

"Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives: yesterday, December 7th, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

"The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

"It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

"Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.

"Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

"Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.

"Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

"Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island.

"And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

"Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

"As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.

"But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

"I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

"Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.

"With confidence in our armed forces—with the unbounding determination of our people—we will gain the inevitable triumph—so help us God.

"I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire."

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This six and a half minute speech, given by President Roosevelt in the House of Representatives, galvanized a nation to fight and defend life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

35 minutes after the speech concluded, the Congress of the United States voted on a Declaration of War against Japan.

Now, 67 years later, we honor the 2,402 people killed in that attack, and reflect upon the events that were to unfold in the months to come. They truly were “the Greatest Generation.” Thank you for your service.

Just another day at the office

Here I am out staring down locomotives! I love my job!

I'm actually delivering 7,600 gallons of red-dye diesel fuel to a rail yard in Eastern Arizona. In order to get to the tank, the truck has to straddle 2 separate rail lines in the yard.

It makes it exciting when you have rail crews waiting to move copper around and you're in the way, pumping off fuel at 300 or so gallons per minute

Amazing

Today in MB
Originally uploaded by Greatest Obsession

As a member of the Flickr photo posting community, I am on the constant lookout for pictures that others post that I like (does that make sense?)

The photographer snapped this shot and I love it. Stark lines and character.

I wanted to share it.