Watching from the sidelines is interesting:

As I have stated before, I didn't think the Ukrainian conflict to be particularly interesting or noteworthy when it started, but the longer it goes on, the more fascinating I find it to be. So far, I think there are some interesting lessons we have learned in Ukraine outside of the combat:

1. The Russian logistics system is a joke and cannot cope with the pace of operations or losses.

2. They are a joke because Russian corruption is rampant and is also a joke on an international level.

3. Ukrainian resolve and nationalism is no freaking joke and with good reason, as the aggression/instigation is purely one-sided.

4. For supposedly being the world's second largest military power, Russia is also having a really hard time with combating the world's 22nd largest military, and are now on pace to be losing a majority of the ground they took.

5. Win or lose, it will be interesting to see how quickly the US/western nations either abandon or turn on Ukraine when THIER corruption comes to light or the forefront of the news. 

As a small bit of evidence to prove Russian incompetence, I present a video from the Funker530 channel on youtube:

Russians Are Wearing Fake Ballistic Helmets Into Battle

the Paramount Mountain logo

Pic sourced from the wiki page.

A interesting little bit of Utah trivia that I'm surprised I haven't mentioned here before is the origin of the Paramount Pictures logo. Apparently, William W. Hodkinson, one of the co-founders of Paramount, is a native of the Ogden Utah area and drew the initial logo on a napkin in 1914. It's said that he used the Ben Lomond mountain to the north of Ogden as the inspiration for the original logo. However, this is just rumored and has no official documentation as such.

Also, if the Ben Lomond name sounds familiar, it is because it is named after another mountain range in Scotland that is said to be visually very similar. Anyways just a quick random thought for you.

Strangely neat

Pic from the original posts linked below

A couple of weeks ago I stumbled upon a really cool couple of posts in the r/abandoned subreddit of someone who came across the filming location for the Hawkins Lab in Stranger Things that actually is an abandoned mental asylum. There's not too much info on the facility itself, but they did put up an excellent array of very cool pictures of the place that I thought was fascinating. Feel free to check it out at the source:

https://www.reddit.com/r/abandoned/comments/w3eiuy/abandoned_insaine_asylum_where_stranger_things/

https://www.reddit.com/r/abandoned/comments/w3spba/more_pics_from_the_georgia_mental_health/

Anybody else nostalgic for the way PBS used to be?

This dipwad should know better.

Does anyone else remember a time when PBS was actually interested in teaching facts and how to be nice to other people? 

Remember when Bill Nye the science guy was actually teaching science and not make believe bullshit like the gender spectrum? 

Remember when Sesame Street was interested in teaching kids the alphabet and counting instead of shoving gay and AIDS ridden characters in their faces and tampons for no reason?

It's to the point that even Frank Oz says it is a shadow of it's former self, though I doubt for the same reasons I mentioned here. Though, when they think that cookie monster needs to be changed because his obsession over cookies is "problematic" you got bigger problems behind the scenes. Yeah, Disney isn't the only thing that needs to die, and if it won't, we need to kill it.

They even eff up cookie monster. Why?

I wonder if Fanta is popular in Ukraine?

For those not getting the joke here, Fanta only exists because the Coca Cola company factory in Nazi Germany was unable to make actual coke cola because of trade embargoes by the USA prevented the import of the needed syrup. Thus, the soda we know today was born in 1940 under the third reich (seriously, look it up). 

The original soda was quite different in flavor and texture from what we have now, but there has been a re-release of more true to the original flavor called Fanta Klassik (classic).  I just can't help but find it funny that they can just never live down their Nazi origins and that they always seem to be related to whatever conflict is happening, even in parodies:

Though, despite the joke here, I'm sure all their flavors are a much bigger hit in Russia as of late, since they are the ones ruled by a despot who loves to bomb holocaust memorials. Yum, tastes like dictatorship! 

Why should I?

For some reason the only thing that I have been seeing at all on any news or social media for the past few days is some drama that may or may not be staged at some worthless awards show.  To all that, I say: 

Browning's Utah headquarters

A google street view of the main gate.

For a long time I was wondering where in the world the Browning headquarters was at since all documentation seems to suggest it's in Morgan, UT.  Lo and behold, it's not actually located in the town of Morgan, UT but just in the county of Morgan. In reality, it's located in the town of Mountain Green, which is little unincorporated town that is about 6 mi north of Morgan just off I-84. 

They not only have their headquarters there, but also the executive offices, research and development labs, along with sales and data processing offices at the location. Just a shame that most of Browning's manufacturing is located in various overseas locations, such as Belgium, Portugal, Italy, and Japan, as I would love to have that come back home to the U.S. of A.

Hey, guess what?

Turns out this marks my 1,001st post here on the blog since starting back in the day. Been through a lot since then both good and bad, but I like to think that thing overall have gone for the better both IRL and here on the blog. 

There are times I feel like I'm running out of creativity since starting back up a few months ago, but I still manage to have at least a single post every day since then, and it somehow keeps chugging. So to celebrate, here's a random aviation porn video just for the heck of it. 

Supply chain issues

It's been a hot topic in the news for quite some time, between inflation, quarantines, production issues, hoarding, and everything else going on in the world, it has resulted in some interesting shortages. Across the nations there are all sorts of people posting empty or near empty shelves in stores and supermarkets. 

One small thing that has been impacted that I find particularly odd, is that is darn near impossible to find a solid grape soda anymore. Soda companies in general have been affected, but it seems most of the companies, big or small can get their primary ones on shelves, except for anything grape flavored.  The only thing I can find is Crush and Sunkist grape, which isn't too tasty to me. As for the actually tasty brands, Welch's no longer makes a grape soda, Mountain Dew discontinued it's Pitch Black and it's grape Kick Start, Arizona stopped their grape lime rickey line, and Fanta is supposedly discontinuing their grape flavor as well.

I mean, it's totally a first-world problem, but why is it that all my favorite stuff always ends up going away?

Oasis Inn

Was just messing around on google maps and stumbled upon a little place inside the UTTR called Oasis Inn. Sitting in the middle of a large junkyard/target depot, it's pretty obvious that the place is there to support people visiting the place for short periods for various reasons. What isn't too obvious is if this place is operated by the Fed, State, or DoD, or is contracted out?

Finding any info about it is frustrating, as there doesn't seem to be much out there about it other than a disappointing one star google review. There is another place in Green River that is named the same that I initially confused it with, but there really isn't much to go on. Then again, that's probably because there isn't much to know. 

However, I would love to know if it's access is restricted and if the place is civilian operated. Just kinda interesting to think about. 

A google maps satellite shot of the site. Obviously there's no street view. 

More random funnies to calm the nerves

Just to break things up and lighten the mood, here's some random stuff from a variety of sources that made me laugh recently:

First, the Winter Olympics are metal:

Next, this is exactly what my school experience was like:

This was me the first time I played the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series of games:

My social life as a teenager:

And a picture of a Navy SEAL resting after training:

That no work!

I'm not a huge car guy, but I can appreciate the finer things in life, like nice cars, along with the fun and iconic movie car. My all time favorite still being the Black on Black Interceptor from Mad Max. 

Anyways, I saw this picture on the *name redacted* subreddit today, and figured I have to post while it's still fresh. The title of the post was "That's not right" and most of the comments insisted it was an intentional troll. See if you can find what's VERY wrong with this picture:

Trick question. There are TWO things wrong with this picture. One, the Ectomobile shown in the pic is from the 2016 movie, which is garbage that no one cares about. Two, is that they show the Spinner from the crappy Blade runner 2049 garbage movie, and not the iconic classic from the original 80's film. Original reddit post here.

But I got it because (insert convoluted story here)

Ah, Rooster Teeth. Back in the day they were pretty funny...not so much now. But that's not what I'm here to talk to you about today, I'm just posting a video on how to live your life. I realize that I'm likely the minority here, but it ain't no secret to anyone who knows me that I ain't a fan of tattoos at all. I ain't gonna make it my business if someone decides to get one, but I'm not gonna tell them it looks good at all. 

I still have yet to hear of a good excuse for a tattoo, with the sole exception of it being involuntary. You know, like Jews that lived through WWII in Europe. 

It's tin foil hat time!

If you allow for indulging me for just a post here, I have mentioned before that I do love the old Unsolved Mysteries show back in the day, and am greatly intrigued by most of the stories presented on it. Even though the show isn't quite the same today, my replacement has been the Unresolved Mysteries subreddit to fill the void. 

So, without getting into conspiracy theory territory, nowadays we do have some pretty crazy unsolved cases that can be pretty unsettling. So strap yourself in, put on the actually good metal cover of the UM theme in the background:

You listening to it? Okay, now you're ready to read/watch the following:

The 2001 Anthrax mail attacks are still officially unsolved and have never been taken to court.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PquqlX8wnT0&list=PLXWUFgw4Hytw-nivjzw46FHUR0kHK35-e&index=3

There is still no motive or details as to why the Las Vegas shooter attacked:
https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/pzlfhf/today_marks_4_years_since_the_deadliest_mass/

The results of the FBI's raid/search on Epstein's island has never been made public or accounted for:
https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/g9mau0/what_was_seized_from_epsteins_island/

Authorities still don't know why the 9/11 hijackers had numerous meetings in Las Vegas before the attack or what was discussed:
https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/pmgz6m/investigators_still_dont_know_why_all_four_911/

No one outside of the top levels of Scientology is 100% sure Shelly Miscavige is still alive or dead.

https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/rp2rqd/shelly_miscavige_prisoner_of_scientology_very_long/

https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/r4yn58/where_is_david_miscaviges_wife/

Freaked out yet? Okay then, you may resume your normal day-to-day activities.

Sunday Showdown Song

Since I was on the topic not too long ago, here's the Main theme/menu music for Hunt: Showdown as our weekly tunes:

Hunt Showdown: Rise Up, Dead Man

On a completely unrelated note, I've mentioned that I tend to only post once a day, as I have an issue with having various short bursts of creativity and far more lengthy droughts of ideas that can last ages. So when I do have the creative bursts of writing a couple weeks worth of posts all in a few hours, I tend to save them to post later. Though, I think all the energy and creativity this week is due to a massive infusion of caffeine from the new(ish) tasty flavors of Mountain Dew:

As much as I like them, I'd still huck 'em in the fire if they'd just give me back my damned Pitch Black or Supernova (not diet) flavors! You hear me Pepsi? Democracy is not a mistake, it won a national poll!

Why not a college degree?

Many people over the years (since I was a teenager) have told me something along the lines of, "Hey, Saint Grendel, if you love history so much, why don't you get a degree in it and get a job as a professor, teacher, or work in a museum?" then they would get upset with me when I tell them it's a worthless degree. Well, to argue my point for me, is someone with more qualifications than I:

I'm not a fan of the "adult entertainment" industry, but you can't accuse people that work in it as being anything other than hard working self-starters. Because I know I wouldn't want to deal with ANY of the crap they put up with when I clock into work. 

I mean, yeah it's funny, but in all seriousness, most museum workers don't make much, and most of them are actually volunteers. Even curators don't make that much money. Heck, I'm already making the same as the median income for the average museum curator in the US right now. All while having NO degree to speak of (not even high school). 

Other than that argument though, I sure as hell don't want to be a teacher, because I don't want to be a thinly veiled propagandist or babysitter (which is what most teachers are these days). That, and the easiest way to lose passion for something you love is to turn it into your job, especially when it's one you don't own. I'd rather develop a marketable skill that I don't mind, or one I mildly enjoy that makes me more money and just let my hobbies be my hobbies. 

I'm no nerd

All growing up, I considered myself a nerd. However the one thing that all my friends loved that I never did was the entire genre of high fantasy. Especially Tolkien and Lord of the Rings. Everyone I know was into both the books and the movies, but I just couldn't enjoy either. 

Now later on, I was recently watching the movies again with the family, and I can still say that I can appreciate the great technological accomplishment the films are, and the immense work that Tolkien did to complete his novels (like inventing the elvish language to say the least). I think they are both monumental works in their fields, but they still bore me to tears, and the only fantasy story that keeps my attention is Star Wars because it's in a sci-fi setting, even if it's not a sci-fi story. 

I dunno, I'm I just the weird one here? I'm not crapping on Tolkien or the movies, I'm just not entertained by them or most other fantasy stories. But as for something that is at least interesting if not entertaining is this:

Random trivia

I do like looking up random holidays/days of observance on a whim, and the site nationaltoday.com is indispensable for that kind of random crappy trivia. Today, it turns out, is National Mousse Day, one of my favorite forms of chocolate! Though, I have heard that there is strawberry mousse out there too, I'll have to give that a try. Can't think of a better way to mark the end of the month, so grab yourself some while you can. 

On a related note, it's also National Mason Jar Day.

Pepero Day

Lots of stuff going on in the world this week it seems. One thing I also neglected to mention was that yesterday was Pepero Day. Most people in the US, I would gather, have never heard of Pepero Day, and to be honest, the only reason I know about it is because of Jeannie on MXR. 

Basically, Wikipedia describes it as a South Korean holiday similar to Valentines day, but revolving around the sweet stick cookies called Pepero. Wikipedia gives an account of what started it, but I would throw that to the wind and say it was more likely to be a marketing ploy by the company itself that started it, since the tradition seemed to start the same year the product was introduced. Though, there's nothing wrong with that if people are having a great time with it. 

They came first, and I can't help but like 'em a bit better.

I like the standard chocolate and cookies and cream flavors from Pepero, but I hope no one from Korea takes offense to me preferring the original Pocky (especially the strawberry, yum-o!). I do know some Koreans who like Pocky better, so hopefully I won't be starting up more rooftop Koreans. 

Roof Korea is best Korea. Also found on a subreddit called r/roofkoreans.

On a sadder, related note, I only found out recently that two of the three men in the iconic pictures above, have likely passed away last year, some of them due to complications with the commie cough. The exception being Mr. Park (pictured at bottom).  I found out about it via the Reddit post on it and it's certainly worth a read. I especially love the comment below the post from the author about interviewing Mr. Park; when asked if he would do it again, he said “If I won’t, who will? Will you?” I love that guy already.

If you aren't familiar with the rooftop Koreans, it's an important part of recent American history, so here's a short (9 minute) documentary on it. 

Okay, I'll post about the latest drama llama

Well, everyone already knows that now that he's out of the closet. Seriously though, this guy is one pathetic case. I mean the entire narrative as long as I have been alive is that William Shatner is a complete dick, and has done nothing but insult and offend Takei somehow. Color me not shocked when I see this article recently Thanks to Kim:

I've met Shatner on a couple of occasions and watched his traveling show when it came here and also wrote a post about that here. I had while to digest it, and I can't help but gather that Shatner is vastly misunderstood. Yes he is someone who is very confident in himself, but I doubt it's to the point of being self absorbed or arrogant from what I see. Perhaps he was like that in his past, but I really don't see it now. He has a very self deprecating sense of humor and comes across as very down to earth when you talk to him. Even his traveling act that is all about his career and experience is often making cracks at his own expense. 

Every time I've seen or heard someone bring up the subject of Takei to him, he never gets upset or even raises his voice. In fact, I've never even heard of Bill crack so much as a joke about George other than he just doesn't get Takei's continued anger at him after tying to bury the hatchet multiple times.

On the other hand, Takei never misses an opportunity to get bent out of shape, angry, snarky, and insults Shatner at every turn. You'd think he had a messy divorce with the Shat and never got over it with the way he acts. Takei is also pretty high on his horse with an ego to match. I mean, he seriously refused more screen time in Star Trek VI just so he could 1) not work on the same set with Shatner and 2) be the captain of a fake starship on screen.  But, I can't put much faith in his intelligence anyways since he's been advocating for the same political party that LITERALLY put him in a concentration camp as a child. I'd say he's the one that's coming across like the jerk here. 

Will Shatner is still human. He's got his own controversies, and has made blatantly dumb choices. But hey, even if all the crap about Shatner is true, that he's a total jerk who is completely self absorbed, I'd still rather him be my child's role model. I mean, he's a hugely successful actor, author, equestrian, has tried his hand at music, directing, and has now been to mother effing space! Meanwhile, George had a couple joke bit parts in vidja games, had a mediocre TV career after trek, causes drama on twitter, and touched another guy's junk on tv. Whoop de freakin doo, George. 

George, just pack it in buddy. It doesn't make you look good to flare up an old beef with the Shat; It just makes you look desperate for attention. I know you still have talent in there, so why not rely on that instead?

Just let it go already, man. You ain't earning brownie points here.