The Perfect Storm?

Author's Note: I kind of wrote this one in a piecemeal fashion....not feeling the patience today.

The Perfect Storm?

The "Fujiwhara Effect"

When two tropical systems come close enough to one another, they will circle around each other at a common point, doing a sort of "dance" (1)

Eventually, the two storms may merge

If one system is larger than the other, the smaller storm will be absorbed by the bigger one

In the case of storms "Iselle" and "Hernan", both systems are about the same size (2) (3)

If the two storms get close enough to each other, there is a scientific possibility that they could come together to form a larger storm or "mega-storm" (4)

Quotes From Music

Just a few that I like, listed in random order.  Bear with me, there are a lot of them.  

• "I've lost everything I had, but I'm not dead, at least not yet" -- Lynyrd Skynyrd, "Still Unbroken" (2009)

• "Just like a boxer in a title fight, you got to walk in that ring all alone...don't forget your second wind" -- Billy Joel, "You're Only Human (Second Wind)" (1985)

• "When you gonna learn, sucker? You just don't (bleep) with (me)" -- Kid Rock, "American Bad A**" (2000)

• "Is that all you got? I'll take your best shot" -- P.O.D., "Boom" (2001)

• "Love me or hate me, that is the question.  If you love me, then thank you...if you hate me, then (bleep) you" -- Lady Sovereign, "Love Me Or Hate Me" (2006)

• "Sometimes, you just want to lay down and die.  That emotion can be so strong, but hold on...'til that ol' second wind comes along" --  Billy Joel, "You're Only Human (Second Wind)" (1985)

• "When the one you love's in love with someone else, don't you know it's torture? I mean, it's a living hell" -- Rod Stewart, "My Heart Can't Tell You No" (1988)

• "If you don't like me, just leave me alone" -- Unknown Irish folk song

• "There are people in your life who've come and gone; they let you down, you know they hurt your pride.  You better put it all behind you baby, 'cause life goes on.  You keep carrying that anger, it'll eat you up inside" -- Don Henley, "The Heart of the Matter" (1989)

• "You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you might find you get what you need" -- The Rolling Stones, "You Can't Always Get What You Want" (1969) (thank you Mr. Daley)

• "It's amazing; in the blink of an eye, you finally see the light" -- Aerosmith, "Amazing" (1993)

• "You have to learn to crawl before you learn to walk" -- Aerosmith, "Amazing"

• "You know it's true, all things come back to you" -- Aerosmith, "Dream On" (1973)

• "In a New York Minute, everything can change" -- Don Henley, "New York Minute" (1990)

• "I can't make you love me if you don't" -- Bonnie Raitt, "I Can't Make You Love Me" (1991)

• "I'm heavenly blessed, and worldly wise" -- Timbuk 3, "The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades" (1986)

• "I refuse to give in to my blues; that's not how it's gonna be" -- Go West, "King of Wishful Thinking" (1990)

• "I can feel St. Elmo's Fire burning in me" -- John Parr, "St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion)" (1985)

Open Letter to Gov. John Kasich

August 18, 2020

Mr. Governor,

On Monday night, you made some interesting remarks as part of the 2020 Democratic National Convention.  Allow me to offer a response to your comments.  

Like you, I too am a lifelong Republican, having registered as such in 1997.  As a matter of fact, I both voted and enthusiastically volunteered for you during the 2016 GOP presidential primary for Connecticut.  Perhaps you remember making a stop in Fairfield, at Sacred Heart University.  

To continue, my late father was an independent Democrat.  More specifically, he was a man that worked for the betterment of the entire community (having served it in many ways during his life).  My father would be horrified to see the party he was a member of encouraging looting, violence, and destruction.  Sadly, this is exactly what the Democratic Party currently supports, all in an attempt to seize power "by any means necessary; the ballot, or the bullet" (Malcolm X)

Mr. Governor, you speak of "a real choice" that this country has.  In 2016, Americans made their choice, electing Donald Trump from a field of numerous contenders on both sides, including you.  As previously explained, I voted for you in the primaries, thinking that you were the best choice to lead this nation forward.  I now see that I was wrong in this assessment.  

With somewhat of an apology for my tone, I say that you have sold out to the liberal mob, a group that wants nothing more than to destroy everything that America stands for.  You have done this because you are bitter at having been defeated four years ago, and are being paid to do so (seriously, how much money did the Democrats give you for speaking at their convention? It's probably a lot more than I see in even a month).  It's not the most glamorous position in the world, but at least it pays the bills, right? 

Mr. Governor, do you really believe that Joe Biden is "reasonable", or even in his right mind? The man can't string two coherent sentences together, let alone govern wisely.  He and his cohorts would take away what remains of my constitutional freedoms as easily as "a kid in a candy store", so to speak.  Yet, you have endorsed the Democrats, and will most likely campaign for them.  

Sir, I respect you, but am greatly disappointed in the choice that you have, apparently, made.  As the late journalist Andrew Breitbart once observed, "there are two paths.  One is America, the other is socialism.  If you're unwilling (to support this candidate), more than shame on you, you're on the other side".  Take from that what you will.  

Sincerely,

Mr. Matt Boland

Fairfield, CT

A Modern "Declaration"

Author's Note: You may call this a modern reading of the Declaration of Independence.  The "certain groups" that I refer to are, more or less, Democratic politicians and the Democratic Party.

Random Thoughts About Women

No real subject today, just wanted to write down some random thoughts on women I know.

• Beth Jastroch - Creative, funny, beautiful.  There is something in my soul that desperately wants to be with this woman.  In any event, it's tough to be friends with someone who wants nothing to do with you.  

• Julie Sherwood - Where do I start? I fell for her a long time ago.  She's caring, generous, intelligent, and athletic...with simply the most beautiful blue eyes that I've ever seen.  I gave her my heart, only to have it broken.  Still, I love her with all my heart.  

• Kim Maresca - The sister of a good friend of mine...and the woman can act! Never had a chance to see her act in person, but she's obviously very talented, and very creative.  I like these types of women!

• Jacqueline Honulik - Let's put it this way....I never used to like Chris Isaak's song "Wicked Game", but these days, I'm feeling it.  I'm trying not to fall for her....alas, I think I have (1).  

            "What a wicked thing to do, to make me dream of you" -- Chris Isaak, "Wicked Game"

A Word About Complacency

After months of speculation, we now know that Joe Biden's running mate in the November presidential election will be Kamala Harris, a US Senator from California.  So far, Republicans don't seem to be impressed by this choice; it is being widely panned.  It seems that many of my fellow "Grand Old Party" members believe that the race is "in the bag", so to speak.  To this, I caution my colleagues not to get complacent. 

If I might, I'd like to go on a tangent for a moment.  Those who know me well are aware that I have been an enthusiastic volunteer for Fairfield Warde High School girls' basketball (Mustangs represent!). 

Traditionally, our program has been very successful.  I attribute this to not only great talent and coaching, but a dedicated work ethic as well.  One of the things I remember from a past season is a certain motivational line from the Warde head coach.  He said, "talk is cheap.  Get it done".  This must be the Republican mantra for this election. 

The Democratic Party will be out in force this time around; perhaps more so than in any other presidential race.  For lack of a better term (and figuratively speaking), their media talking heads and party spinsters will be "out for blood". 

The Democrats' goal is obvious; it is to (again, figuratively speaking) kick President Trump's butt, and finish off the "American Dream".  As Republicans and patriotic Americans, we CANNOT LET THIS HAPPEN.  If we want to win, we must get out and do the work that is necessary.  That means knocking on more doors, talking to more people, and "pounding the pavement" harder than ever before. 

There is still quite a long way to go until Election Day.  Don't make the mistake of thinking that this race is over; indeed, that's just what the Democrats want you to do.  Instead, commit yourself to doing more for the GOP, and America, than you have ever done.  Complacency is, perhaps more than anything else, something that could very well be the death of us.  DON'T LET IT HAPPEN. 

"Talk is cheap.  GET IT DONE"