Below are my remarks (not long enough to be a speech really) from my Navy retirement ceremony.
They were given on Saturday, April 12th 2010.
Good afternoon
I want to thank everyone here, Commander Lund, Capt Whitman and Petty Officer Ward and everybody here, who took time from their cherished Saturday to see some old salt, wax on. I promise to keep my remarks short; for there is cake.
The philosopher Jean Paul Sartre said that “For an occurrence to become an adventure, it is necessary and sufficient for one to recount it”
But to call the last 20 years of Navy service an adventure is a comical understatement. To call it a challenge daunts the very word, as I was. And yet in all of that, it was also a complete and unmitigated blast. Made so by my brothers and sisters in arms. Thanks to all of you for your trust in me. It humbles me to think that such a high caliber of sailors, would on any day, even consider me a contemporary, but even more so, a friend.
Of course none of it would have been possible without the help and support of my family, my wife Bonnie, my boys Matthew and William, Mom and Dad, and my brother Chris. Your love patience and sacrifice mean everything to me, I am deeply indebted for it.
I wish to leave you with the words of George Washington. At his retirement dinner '...With a heart full of love and gratitude I now take leave of you. I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable.'
Thank-you
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Star Trek
Before beginning, let me explain why Star Trek is of such importance to me.
When I was very young, my Grandmother would live her life around Star Trek (TOS). She would lock the doors, take the phone off the hook, and sit me down with her in the living room. Kirk, Spock, Grandma and I would share an uninterrupted hour of exploring the stars. Campy and cheesy as it was, it’s at the core of who I am.
Having said that, it would seem that the new Star Trek movie would be fighting an impossible battle for approval from me and more of my ilk. That’s fair to claim, and it’s something I was mindful of when I walked into the pre-screening on Saturday.
Star Trek is the eleventh movie in the epic franchise’s history. It sets about to ‘reboot’ the continuity, and provide a fresh pallet from which to tell stories. After over almost 50 years, four spins-offs and nearly countless novels, writing a compelling story that doesn’t violate some measure of canon must seem pretty daunting.
This movie accomplishes that, while still managing some measure of respect to all those that came before.
The threat is provided by a Romulan Miner named Nero, who far in the future, witnessed the death of his world at the hands of a star gone supernova. Blaming the Federation for not helping he sets about to gain his revenge in the past. Kirk, Spock, Uhura and all the rest must stop Nero, before the Federation is destroyed.
The plot however, centers around Kirk as he struggles to calm his rebellious side, and gain Spock’s trust all the while convincing his commander that he’s not some unfocused rebel.
The score is fresh and isn’t derivative of anything we’ve heard in Star Trek before. But it’s a bit over the top. It actually reminded me of the musical hyperbole we heard at the closing of the Next Generation episode “Best of Both Worlds Part I”.
The acting is solid (with kudos to Zachary Quinto for his spot on portrayal of Spock) and the much anticipated Simon Pegg as Scotty, was funny, while still managing to convey a sense of competence. But it’s Zoe Saldana as Lt. Uhura, that took just about every scene she was in. Uhura, was well written as a fierce, headstrong woman, and conveyed the no nonsense toughness that Nichelle Nichols had.
Overall it was a fun movie with plenty of action and a few surprises. But the plot holes and the sometimes forced use of the catch-phrases were equally annoying. If your a younger member of the audience I suspect that this is going to be right up your alley. For those of us that remember the days when Star Trek was full of allegory and character development, I’m afraid that those days are gone. But the optimism, and the wonder of it all is timeless.
When I was very young, my Grandmother would live her life around Star Trek (TOS). She would lock the doors, take the phone off the hook, and sit me down with her in the living room. Kirk, Spock, Grandma and I would share an uninterrupted hour of exploring the stars. Campy and cheesy as it was, it’s at the core of who I am.
Having said that, it would seem that the new Star Trek movie would be fighting an impossible battle for approval from me and more of my ilk. That’s fair to claim, and it’s something I was mindful of when I walked into the pre-screening on Saturday.
Star Trek is the eleventh movie in the epic franchise’s history. It sets about to ‘reboot’ the continuity, and provide a fresh pallet from which to tell stories. After over almost 50 years, four spins-offs and nearly countless novels, writing a compelling story that doesn’t violate some measure of canon must seem pretty daunting.
This movie accomplishes that, while still managing some measure of respect to all those that came before.
The threat is provided by a Romulan Miner named Nero, who far in the future, witnessed the death of his world at the hands of a star gone supernova. Blaming the Federation for not helping he sets about to gain his revenge in the past. Kirk, Spock, Uhura and all the rest must stop Nero, before the Federation is destroyed.
The plot however, centers around Kirk as he struggles to calm his rebellious side, and gain Spock’s trust all the while convincing his commander that he’s not some unfocused rebel.
The score is fresh and isn’t derivative of anything we’ve heard in Star Trek before. But it’s a bit over the top. It actually reminded me of the musical hyperbole we heard at the closing of the Next Generation episode “Best of Both Worlds Part I”.
The acting is solid (with kudos to Zachary Quinto for his spot on portrayal of Spock) and the much anticipated Simon Pegg as Scotty, was funny, while still managing to convey a sense of competence. But it’s Zoe Saldana as Lt. Uhura, that took just about every scene she was in. Uhura, was well written as a fierce, headstrong woman, and conveyed the no nonsense toughness that Nichelle Nichols had.
Overall it was a fun movie with plenty of action and a few surprises. But the plot holes and the sometimes forced use of the catch-phrases were equally annoying. If your a younger member of the audience I suspect that this is going to be right up your alley. For those of us that remember the days when Star Trek was full of allegory and character development, I’m afraid that those days are gone. But the optimism, and the wonder of it all is timeless.
Friday, May 1, 2009
The New Star Trek
Cross your fingers, I may have a slot to see a sneak preview of the new Star Trek tomorrow.
Hopefully there isn't an NDA or anything, and I can write a big review tomorrow.
More as it happens.
Hopefully there isn't an NDA or anything, and I can write a big review tomorrow.
More as it happens.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
The Digital Divide
Every single day I work here I become more and more psychotic to my users.
I mean violently psychotic.
Every single day I come to work and bust my ass to create new and interesting ways to keep them productive. I ask them for input, and when I provide output, they consistently ignore it.
I used to think that my output was bad. I'd talk with them for hours about how I could improve my work here. Only to be met with hostility. "It works fine the way it is" is the battle cry of the user.
What users fail to see is that "the way it is" is mired in mediocrity. Do you really enjoy the thought of weeks of reading spreadsheets, when just a little bit of filtering could do the work for you? Do you really enjoy printing a document, then standing in line for a fax machine, when all you have to do is merely click "print"?
Such time savers aren't just for you. They benefit our responsiveness to the customer as well. And if you can't get on board with that notion, why are you here?
For that matter, why am I here!?
I mean violently psychotic.
Every single day I come to work and bust my ass to create new and interesting ways to keep them productive. I ask them for input, and when I provide output, they consistently ignore it.
I used to think that my output was bad. I'd talk with them for hours about how I could improve my work here. Only to be met with hostility. "It works fine the way it is" is the battle cry of the user.
What users fail to see is that "the way it is" is mired in mediocrity. Do you really enjoy the thought of weeks of reading spreadsheets, when just a little bit of filtering could do the work for you? Do you really enjoy printing a document, then standing in line for a fax machine, when all you have to do is merely click "print"?
Such time savers aren't just for you. They benefit our responsiveness to the customer as well. And if you can't get on board with that notion, why are you here?
For that matter, why am I here!?
Thursday, August 21, 2008
I Had a Thought
But now it's gone. Swear to god I was gonna post something.
New rule. Write shit down WHEN you think of it.
New rule. Write shit down WHEN you think of it.
Friday, July 4, 2008
The website is down.
This better not be a viral ad. for Monster.com
In any event enjoy.
And for the record, this is somewhat close to how my worklife goes. But I don't play games at work. Much.
In any event enjoy.
And for the record, this is somewhat close to how my worklife goes. But I don't play games at work. Much.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Wall*E
I saw Wall*E today and I still can't stop thinking about it.
In a good way.
Wall*E, as I'm sure you know, is the latest movie from Disney's Pixar studio. It's the story of a lonely robot left on Earth after humans departed her after rendering the atmosphere completely toxic (I'll give you three guesses how we did that).
For over 700 years, Wall*E goes about dutifully cleaning up after us and discovering artifacts of our "throw-away society". Then, one day, a huge spaceship lands on top of him and the and adventure ensues.
This movie should be required viewing for anybody espousing to be even remotely interested in either movies, science-fiction or science-fiction movies.
Wall*E contains several messages. Obviously the "Green" message is front and center. But so much more is going on here. And to it's credit, the none of the messages are being pounded into you.
Of particular interest to me were the story elements about machine sentience. Many of the machines throughout the movie seem to be divided into two distinct types. Awake and asleep. Awake machines (like our protagonist) exhibit curiosity, affection, and reasoning. Asleep machines, of course, show themselves to be adept automatons, going about their business as they were programmed. They make a perfect analog of human beings.
Overall this is a grand addition to the Pixar hat full of feathers. Even in the nonpareil collection of films that Pixar has produced, this one stands out.
Do yourself a favor. Go to the movie theater, get in out of the heat, and watch this film. Then find people around you and go see it again.
In a good way.
Wall*E, as I'm sure you know, is the latest movie from Disney's Pixar studio. It's the story of a lonely robot left on Earth after humans departed her after rendering the atmosphere completely toxic (I'll give you three guesses how we did that).
For over 700 years, Wall*E goes about dutifully cleaning up after us and discovering artifacts of our "throw-away society". Then, one day, a huge spaceship lands on top of him and the and adventure ensues.
This movie should be required viewing for anybody espousing to be even remotely interested in either movies, science-fiction or science-fiction movies.
Wall*E contains several messages. Obviously the "Green" message is front and center. But so much more is going on here. And to it's credit, the none of the messages are being pounded into you.
Of particular interest to me were the story elements about machine sentience. Many of the machines throughout the movie seem to be divided into two distinct types. Awake and asleep. Awake machines (like our protagonist) exhibit curiosity, affection, and reasoning. Asleep machines, of course, show themselves to be adept automatons, going about their business as they were programmed. They make a perfect analog of human beings.
Overall this is a grand addition to the Pixar hat full of feathers. Even in the nonpareil collection of films that Pixar has produced, this one stands out.
Do yourself a favor. Go to the movie theater, get in out of the heat, and watch this film. Then find people around you and go see it again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
