The Busy Bee

Vol. 2, Issue 8========================================================February 24, 2013 ---------------- On The Home Front ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Much Ado About Nothing Vandenberg AFB, Calif. The Wife was awarded the Joint Functional Component Command Company Grade Officer of the Year for Space and nominated for the Vandenberg Air Force Base Company Grade Officer of the Year. Great news? Not really. Because of these nominations, and because she works on an Air Force Base, The Busy Bee was required to attend an official Air Force Awards Function, not to be confused with a Navy Function. In the Navy, similar awards would have been handed out during the working day; but the Air Force prefers to spend a little more time and money making people feel better about themselves. This particular ceremony was scheduled for a Thursday evening. Loathing the night ahead, a pint of Magners Irish Cider was quickly appreciated in anticipation of a dry ceremony. While standing in line at the preceremony photography session, a Long Island Iced Tea was also appreciated; as was half of a Vodka and Soda. The Busy Bee was quite glad that there was alcohol involved, although it was only after he began drinking did he realize, or was told, that the Pacific Coast Club does not maintain a proper stock of liquors required to make a proper Long Island Iced Tea. The evening only got worse. An Air Force Captain made a striking comment regarding the greater number of medals that he saw on Air Force Personnel as opposed to the Army and Naval personnel; it didnt seem appropriate that people who actually put their lives on the line, like Army and Marine Corp Majors, would have fewer medals than an Air Force Captain. And so it was that all of the awardees finished their photography session to be bustled away to another queue so that they could enter the banquet area under a sword arch. It was an odd sort of thing because in the queue, the scabbards for each of the swords could be seen strewn about on chairs. Wouldnt it have been more appropriate for the guards to have their shiny scabbards on their left hip where theyre supposed to be... if for no other reason than for more Bling? Toasting was improperly performed. As required at all military feasts, a moment of silence and a toast is provided to the men and women lost and unable to join in the festivities. It is odd that we assume that these same men and women would not rather be toasted using wine and liquor than with water. (Continued on Page 2 About Nothing)

Vol. 2, Issue 8========================================================February 24, 2012 ---- On the Home Front (cont.) --------------------About Nothing The Busy Bee and the Wife, for two, refused to pick up our water glasses in memory; rather, we raised our wine glasses in true Naval fashion, and as etiquette required. This was perhaps the low point of the evening, as they felt the awkward stares from their compatriots for the use of alcohol instead of water. Dinner was also lacking. In the Naval services, the Beef is Paraded and declared fit or not fit for human consumption as the case may be. How was The Busy Bee to know if the food was good or not? Thankfully, a Marine Corp Major was on hand to try the beef before The Busy Bee had to sacrifice himself. The Army General at the same table found the exchange amusing. He was also aware of the need to parade the beef. The after meal entertainment was also lacking, but not so lacking as the toast or the parades. An Air Force Colonel made a longwinded comment about the Portraits of Success that were on the programs. All The Busy Bee can say about this is: Wheres my reflection? Am I a vampire now? In the 40 or 50 years that the United States Air Force has been in existence, they have done many good things. This awards banquet was not one of them. The Busy Bee wants his money back.

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-------- Bite-Sized Morsels ---------------------------2013 Rally America Round 2: Rally in the 100 Acre Wood Salem, Mo. Dave Higgins clinches the victory in a 2013 Subaru Impreza WRX STI as Antione LEstage and Ken Block have mechanical failures. 2013 BFO Belgian Rally Championship Round 1: Rally van Haspengouw Salem, Belgium Freddy Loix secures his first victory towards the national title with a 2 minute 14 second lead in a Ford Focus WRC. Mazda and FIAT group Reveal Next Gen Roadsters Some internet site Sources indicate that the Alfa Romeo Spider will share the quality and chassis design of the next generation Mazda MX5 Miata, but with its own Italian flair. Expect the Alfa to be substantially heavier and more beautiful than her Japanese counterpart.

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