JMR32/FarmerBob

Welcome home, Robert.

I trust all went well? Be sure to tell us about your trip before jumping back into my lessons.
Good to have you back. I was forced to argue politics in your absence which always gets me into trouble.lol

Take your time getting settled in and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Bob.

lmao, considering I have not seen this thread bumped in a while, I just wanted to look to see what you two were up to.

I was trying to humor farmerbob a bit sine you did not seem to be a round for a while, jmr.

I thought maybe he would get a bit lonely.

The newer war movies, with all the new graphics, and the great acting kind of gives me an idea of what real battles are like.

The old black and white war movies don't really seem to do much justice compared to flicks such as Saving Private Ryan, Letters from Iwo Jimma, and Band of Brothers.

After watching Letters, it kind of struck me how people...ordinary people I mean, who happen to be born in a different country ends up shooting eachother. When in fact, those very same people could be real close friends instead. The one scene where the American was captured by the Japs, and the Japanese commander translated a letter from his mother that was in the dead Americans' hand for the rest of his unit.

Watching the Olympics you see the same thing. Whenever you see a someone win gold, it is the mothers the cameras focus on. The athletes try to greet their mothers before anyone else. It happened with Phelps. And it happened with Usain Bolt after he beat the world record in the 100m sprint. Bolt's mother was very entertaining to watch. She completely flipped out. lol.

But yeah, the point is is that no mothers' sons should have to be killed in war. It is a horrible thing that happens. Sometimes necessary, but still no less horrible.

Which truth, Michael, you have identified the reason I participate in this little game. The fundamental connection between idividuals from all over the world via the internet is one of my greatest hopes for the progress of mankind.

PS the politics comment was about the ones going on in the General section. not here.lol

LOL no worries. I enjoy a good argument sometimes. I am 1/2 Sicilian and 1/2 Roman blooded....with a Scottish last name. That is kind of a long story, don't really feel like getting into it right now, LOL.

Like I was saying, even if that comment WAS directed towards this thread, there would not have been any offense taken by any means.

Anyway, I think your right about the internet. I think I have more foreign "friends" through the use of the internet than I do American "friends" through the net. In fact, there are more foreigners than Americans that I always seem to come across, which goes to show me that America really is not as dominant as we, here, tend to think.

The whole internet thing is also one of the largest driving forces behind China's reformation that has been on-going for about a decade now. As large, powerful, and dominating as their government is over peoples' everyday lives, it is extremely difficult for them to control EVERYTHING that comes through.

I think if China actually did come to an about face and eventually becomes a democratic society with a free and open market, and the new government apologizes for its past mistakes, and teaches their children about those mistakes the way Germany does about the Holocaust, I could come to love that nation nearly as much as I love most of the Western Powers. I have always been a bit fascinated with the Chinese culture (as well as Japanese), and I sincerely do believe China has great potential in instituting tons of reforms in the near future.

Another short one folks, RL is beginning to turn into a real trip.

Visit in Tucson was quite a bit of fun, learned some things, ate some decent food, did a Fred Flintstone and drank some cactus juice, did one night on the town (REALLY getting too old to be dancing, one of the problems with a girlfriend 10 years younger!), and took a day trip to Mexico. Would NOT want to be there after dark though. And in spite of all that I got some work accomplished.

Will send both of you a PM with a message I don't want to go public with at the moment. Nothing mysterious, just want to keep it "in the family", so to speak.

Until next time, Bob.

Good for you Robert! I spent some time in San Diego for 3 months at my brother's place. I wandered into Tijuana by myself just to say I stepped foot in Mexico. I told my bro about it and he laid into me! Not to worry, I stuck in all the touristy type places though. I was not stupid enough to wander outside of those places, and kept my wallet in the front of my jeans at all times.

I also know how to defend myself if need be. I have no desire to cross back into that country. There are plenty of great places and things to see and do here in the US anyway.

I would like to go to Arizona sometime, but is kind of low down on my list of places to go right now.

San Diego is a neat city, although the illegals problem is pretty severe.

Believe it or not, keeping your wallet in your front pocket is not any safer than your back pocket. The best way(s) are to either use a chain or a money belt. What say you Farmer, you spent some time in Rome, one of the "pickpocket capitals" of the world? Would you say the front pocket is a safe place for the wallet?

MM, you're right, there's a lot of things to see and do here in the US. I've been in all 50, it's hard to say which is my favorite, although Alaska ranks in the top 3.

I'm glad you spent some time outside the state. You'd be amazed how many people from Pennsylvania never go west of the Mississippi River. The Jersey shore, the states around PA, and for a major trip they might go to Florida, but they just don't want to cross the "Big Muddy" for some reason.

Farmer, didn't get to do any rattlesnake hunting while I was out there, but did put on a pair of cowboy boots and take a trek out to an abandoned silver mine (on horseback no less) as part of my research. Too bad it wasn't the "Lost Dutchman's" mine!

Saw my one cousin and his family one day. Makes me realize how "tempus fugit" when his YOUNGEST daughter talked about graduating college this year coming up. Had to laugh, his hair is completely gray, and he doesn't have all that much of it left. Told him that's what kids will do to you!

MM, as the Duke would have said in the movies "Smile when you say that" about Arizona being low on your list. You HAVE heard of John Wayne I hope? I was born in Mesa, Arizona. The hospital I was born in is now a strip mall. Progress.

As the saying goes "it's been fun, but I've gotta run", will make another effort tomorrow.

The socks for your cash, gentlemen. But to be on the safe side, keep a browning hi-power in the wasteband. It discourages thievery.

lol I'm the kind of guy that keeps my hands in my pockets. Especially if I am in an unfamiliar place outside of my hometown. That is why I keep the wallet in the front pockets. It is kind of tiresome, but hell of a lot better than losing a bunch of travelers' checks, my ID, and all that good stuff.

BTW, other than all the eastern states, I have only been to Baja, Nevada, and California in the US. I been up to Niagra Falls when I was a kid.

I have also been to Europe twice (Sicily, Italy, Southern France, Germany - Bergen -Belsen, Buchenwald, Dachau.)

The second time we spent most of our time in Rome, and Venice.

My next big journey is either to China, Japan, Australia, of Brazil, hence, the reason 'Zona is low down on my list....

And yes, I have heard of John Wayne. For an old, frozen guy, he's pretty famous.