kyburg | Wiped

Yesterday, Armed Forces Day provided an opportunity for Torrance to turn out it's patriotic best. Tanks drove down Torrance Blvd., aircraft did flyovers and it was rah rah time for us good guys.

They stood for the WWII veterans. You could help but notice how quiet it got when the Iraqi War veteran went by. There were people holding signs with Kerry's military record on them. There were people holding signs that said "We support our troops."

I got to hear some of the finest the military had to offer - in marching band music.

I spent the time watching the parade from the front yard of one of my coworkers, who had some of his fellowship over. From the Jain Center. Jim and I were the Americans in a pack of Hindu Indians. A large pack, and I'm here to say it was an interesting experience.

Jains won't crack an egg - let alone consume anything that walked on legs. In addition, they also don't eat anything that grew below ground, and specifically avoid onions and garlic. I have to do some more research, but I was allowed to see the shrine they keep in their home, and it closely resembles most of the butsudo I've seen in Buddhist homes. Some of the sweetest folks I've ever known.

Sitting in the front yard watching the Amercians shows just how big their weapons are.

And with a distinct sense of unreality, we watching every kind of veteran come down the street - from the WWII vets to the Civil War (both sides) and the Revoluntionary War re-enacters firing muskets as they went by. We had tanks - ask Jim about them - we had fire trucks and material transports. This, that, the other - all in the name of armed forces day.

Our elected officials also came down the street. Rep. Jane Harmon, who did not use it as any kind of political push. She's a Democrat. I know this because I've exchanged emails with her. She wore red, white and blue and had her name and title on her car. Not her political party. I think the lady has class.

The last party down the street was the Navy's band - and the saved the best for last. They did some really nice razzle-dazzle, settled in and played for twenty minutes in front of the stands. And the street, still closed, filled up with people as they got closer to see and hear better. Played well. You were sorry to see them leave.

Slightly toasted, we go home to await

ceolyn,

silverkun and troops. They had spent the previous two days at Disneyland, and were bunking in at my house before going home today to the bay area.

My house was cleaned, the beds made and ready - and I made Japanese breakfast this morning - they got in this morning about 12:30 AM, breakfast was at 8:30 and they were on the road by 1:00 in the afternoon.

I'm whipped. I make no bones about it - and I've completely given up on the food logs for this weekend - between the potluck Saturday and trying to keep things moving for Sunday, I haven't a clue what anything was worth. The overwhelming sense I have is exhaustion, and as soon as I finish here, Calgon is going to take me away and I'll get some sleep to get ready for tomorrow.

But everything came together the way it was planned - and for that, I'm smug and grateful at the same time.

Armed Forces Day in the current climate is just whack. I love F-14s and they flew over many times yesterday. They also flew the replacement plane (ask Jim what it's called, I remembered how to make Waldorf salad to Jain spec) over head - fast, and LOUD, it was. Way ahead of its sound, too. You just wish they were a ride at the park, yanno?

Tired now. Hope you all had a good weekend too.