"A" is for Amal

When trying to start on the Challenge, I noted that many bloggers are using an overall theme for the month.  For example, my friend Dana Martin, the one who tricked me into this thing, has the wonderful theme of gratitude.  At first I dismissed the theme idea out of hand; I didn't see myself coming up with twenty six blog entries on one theme.  But then I started on my first post, A is for Amal.  As in carburetor.  As in carburetors found on old Triumphs and other vintage motorcycles. That need to be “tickled” (primed, that is - the British have always had an inimitable way with words.) before operation.  That sometimes leak.  And have to be tuned properly to run their best.  Or, if you prefer, A can be for antique.  Old, imperfect, charming things.
  

Yeah, I like old stuff, for a variety of reasons.  And those reasons involve things like craftsmanship,  materials, engineering and making things.  I’m an engineer by trade, a Civil engineer to be specific, and I just love stuff.  I like materials, like metal and wood and soil, and I like the things that people make them into; machines and tools and gadgets and art and edifices.  And I quickly realized I’m not going to have a problem blogging on a topic for a month. Now, a theme isn’t going to make the challenge more difficult; it’s probably going to make it possible for me to do get through it at all.

I realized that I have thoughts on engineering and materials and machines and mechanics and processes that are not only fascinating to me, but might even be of some interest to the average person who sees these things mentioned here and there but probably doesn’t know much about them.  So, for the next month, if I pull this off, you’ll see everything from educational posts to fevered reveries on the virtues of forging.  And I'm going to learn some things too, maybe even about myself.

So, yeah, the sort-of topic that I'll sort-of stick to is Things.  What about A for Amal?  Yeah, I sort-of cheated there, but it wasn't on purpose.  You can see how one thing leads to another and how sometimes things end up going in a direction other than that intended, and that's okay.

If you're envisioning drying paint at this point, give it a try.  If you’ll stick with me, you might be surprised.  Or not; either way, please comment - I'd love to know what you think, good or bad.

Best Regards,

Jer

 http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/

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2013 Blogging from A to Z Challenge

Yes, I'm a participant this year.  The President of our writing club (Writers of Kern) asked for participants and I said yes before even figuring out what it all meant.  Typical for me.  I wanted to back out, also typical for me, but I decided to be atypical for once, and I'm going make an actual commitment.  Signing on the dotted line adds the accountability factor needed to ensure I don't punk out on this like I do with most other things.  Honestly I'm a little worried.  At this point I'm hoping simply to rise to the level of mediocrity.  We'll see.  Bear with me as I get going on this on decidedly shaky legs, and good luck to my fellow bloggers!

Now, let's see, A...

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I Wonder

At this beginning of 2013 I'm curious whether anyone living more-or-less paycheck to paycheck still believes what our parents taught us, that if we work hard and save we'll eventually get ahead.  I wonder if any of my fellow class of '87 mates thinks they'll be retired at age 65 or carries on our parents' expectation that their children will be better off than they were.  Does anyone think we'll ever balance our national budget or pay off the debt?  Does anyone think we'll ever have a system in which the tax code isn't a 71,000 page monstrosity designed as a means for those in Congress to wield and retain power and reward their patrons?  Does anyone believe we're moving as a society toward more liberty and self-determination?  I can't answer yes to any of those questions and I wonder if anyone out there can.  And if you can't, are you going to do anything about it?

I think here's the problem with the book I'm writing.  I think I'm trying to control the story instead of just writing the characters and letting them live the story.  It's like I'm in a big parking lot pushing a line of thirty shopping carts.  I'm trying to steer them and they're not cooperating.  I need to quit trying to steer.  After all, I'm not working for Wal Mart where the manager expects to have all his carts in the proper place; I'm writing a book, where I won't get fired if they end up on the other end of the parking lot, and if I run them into a Corvette, it's OK, it's my Corvette because it's in my head.  Maybe I'll end up at the taco truck in front of the Home Depot and get some carne asada, or maybe I'll end up in the middle of Rosedale Highway and get run over.  Whatever; I need to just push the carts and just see where they go.  If I don't like it, I don't have to use it, but I may end up someplace unexpected and better than what I was planning.

Quickie Book Recommendation - Haslam's Valley by Gerald Haslam

I'm only 60 pages into Haslam's Valley, the short story collection by California fiction and nonfiction author Gerald Haslaam, but it's more than enough to declare it essential reading for anyone who lives or grew up in or around Oildale, CA and is proud or fond of that fact, or anyone who wants to discover the "Other California" between the two big cities.  Haslam has been writing and winning awards for decades, so I'm somewhat abashed that I'm just now discovering him, but better late than never.  I'll make this a full-blown review when I'm finished, but didn't want to waste any time in recommending it.  Bakersfieldians can find it at Russo's Bookstore in the Marketplace.

This Rat's Not Deserting a Sinking Ship. Just Yet.

I hear from various sources the clarion call to join other, sensible people in their exodus from the most insane state in the Union.  Every day, with every knuckleheaded politician elected and every nonsensical law passed, California seems more and more hell bent on driving business and ordinary people who would govern themselves with common sense out of the state.

And while I'd love to live closer to my parents and my brother's family, who several years ago fled to Texas, I'm resisting.  I'm heir to what was once a great state.  Arguably the most beautiful state, the most varied terrain and climate in the nation.  The rich identity and history of Bakersfield and Kern County are mine.  The mountains and lakes are mine.  Death Valley and the high deserts are mine.  The Central Coast, with its farms and forests and cool, cloudy beaches are mine.  Fresno, my home for twenty years, with it's vineyards and Nisei farmers and The ag, tech and aerospace industries are mine.  Disneyland is my kids' and Dodger Stadium (my "Happy Place," even when the Dodgers drop one) are mine.  It may be an insane asylum, but I'm not going to just hand it over to the inmates without a fight.

Why I Love the Vietnam Vet

I have the utmost respect, admiration and gratitude for all veterans of all our armed services.  But I've always had a special affinity for the Vietnam-era veteran.  And not just because I'm the proud son of the one pictured above.  I feel a special duty to try to make up for the honor and recognition they deserve but were denied for so long, to make sure as many Vietnam vets as possible know they are appreciated.

Vietnam-era veterans, following the example of their fathers and grandfathers, stepped up when their nation called, and wrote a blank check for an amount up to and including their very lives.  They fought with every bit as much determination, valor and love for their brothers as did their fathers in the Greatest Generation, even as they were maligned and mistreated by a nation that lost its way.  Don't believe me?  Read the citations of Medals of Honor awarded for gallantry in Vietnam.

While so many others their age at home turned to chemically fueled self-indulgence, exhibitionism and apathy, our Vietnam warriors looked outward in dedication and sacrifice.  While many of the ones who were fortunate enough to return came home broken in body and spirit, and were spit on and abused, in years to come a conscience-stricken nation vowed to never again let its warriors be so mistreated.  Our current fighters reap the benefit of this and of the example of honor set by their fathers and grandfathers of the Vietnam generation.  And unlike their tormentors, Vietnam veterans can now walk with their heads held high, knowing that whatever was lost by the press and politicians, they won their war, outfighting a skilled and determined enemy, and did so with consummate skill, courage and honor. 

Thank you, Vietnam veterans.