Tired From Over Two Hours of Waiting

Aha, it's the last day of April! And it's the birthday of one of my sisters whom I haven't seen for 30 years? Anyway, I already greeted her Happy Birthday on Facebook.

Sooooo tired! God knows how I felt today, while at the office of Pass and ID/Decal Building at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, standing so patiently, but turned uncomfortably, in line with other people, waiting for my turn to be called at the next available window/counter. (Prior to going there, I've just been to First Team Toyota earlier this morning to drop by those signed paperwork for Shawn, one of the business managers there who prepared the paperwork in my  purchasing the new car for our daughter who's graduating college the third week of May, this year. Thanks to God.)
Yes, I was there this morning ten minutes before eleven to get or obtain a new DOD (Department of Defense) decal for our new 2012 ride (our daughter's actually, as our graduation gift for her). When I arrived on base, there was already a long queue in that office, almost all males, in blue jeans, to the point that the main door of the office (on the second floor) was open because the long line of people extended all the way down to the concrete stairs. Like me, they were there probably to renew or secure a new ID card,  get a new or renew DOD/military decal for their vehicle/s.

In the not-so-spacious office, there are five customer service windows on the counter. WINDOW #1 is designated for active duty service personnel in uniform. They have that privilege, to be head of the line. Naturally, when an active military in uniform arrives there, he goes to that line. So that you, (as a retired serviceman or a civilian contract personnel working on base or any military installation), standing in line, get bumped for service or help you need. Actually, there are only four windows available for non-active duty personnel. Now, with the exception of window #1 which is always manned by someone to take care of the needs of active duty Service personnel, the windows aren't all manned especially when it's lunch hour/break for those all civilian personnel working there in the counter. And people keep on arriving, making the office so packed or overcrowded. Ridiculously unbelievable!
Having been standing in line for an hour, I saw one middle age male, not in line but sitting on a chair by the corner of the office lobby. I was feeling some spasms on my lower back but I tried to manage the pain by bending my knees, stretching my legs. When that man in a chair rose up and proceeded to window #5 with a female companion, probably his wife who was in line then, I didn't think twice but to go sit where the chair was. I notified the man behind me to save my spot, after explaining briefly about my situation.
(Prolong standing, sitting, exerting efforts/carrying heavy loads (over ten pounds)---these are a no, no for me for they aggravate my chronic lower back pain/spasms. Friends, I admit, this is one of my so-called physical "disabilities." That's undeniably the truth about me. My lower back has been damaged already. All the seven invasive procedures done for my lower back failed me. With fibromyalgia, pain and agony, and depression, at times, you tell me? I've been living with/in them, after all those procedures and physical therapy, pain relievers a plenty, including acupuncture which, to me, are just temporary relief. The reality is that I have no choice but to live with/in pain. No, folks, I didn't open up to you to gain sympathy. I just want your understanding. That's all. Thank you.)
I got relief while sitting down, for another hour, waiting for my turn. Of course, I kept watch at my spot such that I won't miss it. Then finally, I stood up, vacated my chair when it was almost my turn. There was just another man in front of me. I had to engage in terse conversation to the man behind me who's becoming impatient, too, after two hours plus of standing in line. I thanked him for saving my spot. To window #4, I went when my turn came up. I greeted "Good afternoon" to the old man in the counter, facing the computer monitor. Then, I presented him all the documents (valid driver's license, valid military ID card, vehicle registration form/card, proof of car insurance, pink slip or certificate of State vehicle inspection) required to secure/obtain a new DoD decal for our new 2012 car. Man, it took me another ten-fifteen minutes standing up in front of him answering his questions intermittently while his eyes were fixed on the monitor! Finally, thanks to God! I got what I needed. Time check: 1:20 P.M.
Walking out of the office and downstairs, I saw the longer line of people all the way to the parking lot! Whew! This is likened to a scenario at one DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) office on a Saturday! Thank you, God, for having that chair available for me at the office! (That office is not disabled-friendly, I observed!)
Down there at the parking lot, I placed the newly-obtained DoD decal on the bottom left corner of the windshield, driver side. From there, I drove slowly but safely to the nearest NEX (Navy Exchange). I know, the Commissary is closed on Mondays. My plan is to just have lunch at a Subway restaurant there.
Well, after lunch, using the restroom, walking through the entrance of NEX, I left the base a little heavy and tired. Yes, I just wanted to go home and rest my back. That's what I did. (I saved half of my sandwich for dinner. I also bought two foot-long sandwiches for my wife and my sister-in-law for their dinner, too.)

With your (wild) imagination, folks, here are videos from YouTube that somewhat depicted or described what I felt and did today. I couldn't find a video on YouTube that shows a long line of people standing in an office, but I found this one video, above, in an airport. (The videos are not mine. No copyright infringement intended.) As always, thanks YouTube and the uploaders of the videos I embedded with this blog post. Thanks Google and Blogger, too.
This is all for now, my friends. Until next time around. Thank you for your time. Take care and have a good day, Monday, everyone! Hope and pray you're doing well. Ciao!-chris a. quilpa, 30April2012

On Yesterday's Visit to C-ville, Today's Mass and Lunch, and Private (Catholic) Education

Hello there, everyone! A spectacular Sunday to you all! Today is the 4th Sunday of Easter, as far as the Catholic Church is concerned. Hope and pray you have participated in today's church service/s. And that you have had the opportunity to reflect on the Word of God today and do good deeds for others. Thanks be to God our Almighty Father. Thank you, Jesus, for your resurrection.

Yesterday afternoon, my wife and I traveled to C-ville to a) visit our daughter in her college dorm, b) pick up important papers (from First Team car dealership) that requires her signature, and c) show her new 2012 car, which we just purchased last week, as our graduation gift for her  (same thing we did for her brother when he graduated college two years ago this May from the same University she's attending now). As usual, for long distance trip, my wife did the driving. Yes, she drove, with gusto, our daughter's new car.

Arriving at C-ville, after two and a half hours on the road, we were delighted to see our daughter again and then proudly showed her new car, a four-door mid-size sedan. No doubt, she likes it. And the color, too. My wife took a couple of pictures of our daughter posing before her car. Imagine just like someone who just won or was awarded a prized car. No, we didn't spend the night over there in C-ville because we don't want to interfere with our daughter's studies, especially nowadays that she's getting ready for her Finals next week. It's good that we're able to do a little grocery shopping for her which she appreciated it, prior to going back home to Hampton Roads.

Today, my sis-in-law, my wife and I participated in the second Mass at St. Paul's. Like last Sunday, a U.S. Navy chaplain (retired), Monsignor Fred, officiated the Mass. The first reading is from the Acts (4:8-12) of the Apostles. In summary, it tells about Peter explaining the cure of the cripple. It was a miracle performed in the name of Jesus, whom the people had rejected and crucified. there is no salvation except in Jesus. The second reading is from the First letter of Saint John (3:1-2). In summary, it speaks about the Father showing his love for human beings by calling them his children. The world does not recognize the followers of Christ because it did not recognize Christ himself. On the other hand, today's Gospel is from St. John (10:11-18). It tells about Jesus comparing himself to the "Good Shepherd." A shepherd cares for his sheep, lives and dies fro them if necessary. There is to be one flock and one shepherd. (Note: Below is a video from YouTube that I just found today while looking for a video about Sunday Mass. Surprisingly, the Mass video is just taken today, April 29, and the venue of the Mass is in Davao City, Philippines. There's slight difference or modifications of the Mass in this video, i.e., the singing, and especially the response of the parishioners when the priest says "The Lord be with you". They still use the "And also with you" response. In the Revised Roman Missal, the response that we've been using in the United Sates for months now is "And with your spirit". Anyway, thanks to the uploader of this video. No copyright infringement intended. )

Now back to our parish at St. Paul's. In his homily, Msgr. Fred spoke about the different vocations we're all called by God, despite the many voices and distractions we have in life. He mentions about Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and we are his flock. He expressed his thanks to the congregation for celebrating the Mass with him and reminded us to discern on what God wants us to be, our callings, varied though they may be---to serve Him and be religious, i.e. priests, nuns; to be good fathers and mothers, etc. He also talked about how he became a priest after serving in the U.S. Marines.

 After the Sunday Mass, my sister-in-law, my wife and I ate lunch at an American Buffet Restaurant in a neighboring city of Chesapeake. You see, folks, we reside in the northern city of Suffolk. We go to our parish Catholic church in one of the clustered parishes in Portsmouth. We shop, eat or dine out in another city. How strange is that, you wonder huh? That's what we mean by having freedom; we have the choice to go anywhere we want. Thank you, God, for this gift of freedom that we cherish and enjoy in a country such as America. I hope and pray that you're enjoying the freedom to live in a free society such as ours.

Well, speaking of choice, I just came across an article shared by one of our Facebook friends today. Private School Education: Worth the Cost?  That's the topic of the said article. I read the informative article and didn't hesitate to "Like" it and share it to Facebook, too. Now, what can I say about it? My take or comment is this: It's a matter of choice for us parents, especially, to send our children to private school. Talking through experience, private school education is worth it. From it, we learn something that strengthen our Christian and family values. I know, it's a financial sacrifice for us but we did it for our two children. It's just a matter of budgeting and sacrifice. It's also a matter of where lies our priorities for our children: the best education that we can possibly afford, material things that can easily wear out or be stolen? What is our main priority for our children? Of course, the basic necessities they need: food, clothing, shelter. Other than that, what's the next important thing that matters for them/us? Isn't it a good, or the best, education that will help them through in life?

As I've said, my wife and I know how important good education is for our children. That's why we did try our best to send them to private schools. Since my wife and I were both products of private Catholic education, we want them to experience what we have had. And, again, it was our choice to give them what we think/believe is best for our two children. After all, good/excellent education is the best inheritance we could give them. No one can take it away from them, wherever they may go. Material things and possessions are stolen or can be taken away, but not their education. They will always use it (good /excellent education) wherever they go. Any regrets for sending them to private schools, elementary and secondary? Not at all! It's worth our money. And they, our children, deserve the best education they can possibly have. personally, my wish for them is that they be productive, useful, helpful members of society and that they help in nation-building. I believe, our young adult son has been doing that since he graduated college two years ago. Being employed with the AmeriCorp, he's doing his best to teach, educate and reach out the underprivileged or underserved in our midst, in that portion or part of The Capital. Hope and pray for his safety and good health always.

As always, thanks YouTube and to the uploaders of the videos I embedded with this blog post. No, I don't own the videos. No copyright infringement intended. Thank you Google, Blogger, and Facebook, and to all of you people of goodwill.

Well, this is all for now, folks. Until next time around. Take care and have a nice day, everyone!-chris a. quilpa, 29April2012

Jessica Sanchez and Her Performances in American Idol 2012

TGIF (Thanks to God, It's Friday), everyone! And, definitely, we're looking forward to a beautiful, wonderful weekend, and the next!

I'm sure, many of you, friends, have watched American Idol last night. And that you were entertained. And you have had expectations, too. Well, I, for one, am glad and thankful that, so far, the 16-year-old California-native Jessica Sanchez made it to the Top 5 of the American Idol, Season 11, after last night's show! I wish her all the best. I hope and pray she'll eventually emerge the overall winner and that she'll be a successful recording star/artist someday. Way to go, Jessica! Always sing with your heart out and give your best. God bless you and your family!

Reviewing her previous performances on the AI show, via videos on YouTube, all I can say is that she has been so consistent. She's got a sweet, melodious voice. As far as I'm concerned, she's like a professional singer/performer already. I don't know about you, folks, but I believe she'll be a rising pop star on the music and entertainment world someday. Again, let's see and listen to her, via some of the videos from YouTube. (No, I don't own the videos. No copyright infringement intended.)

As usual, I thank YouTube, American Idol, FOX, and other uploader/s of the videos I embedded with this blog post. (I don't own the videos. No copyright infringement intended.) Thanks also to Google, Blogger, and Wikipedia and Facebook, and to all people of goodwill.

Well, until next time around, my friends. Take care and have a wonderful weekend, everyone! May God bless us all!-chris a. quilpa, 27April2012

Of Nora Aunor as National Artist, Jonalyn Viray, Social Issues

OMG! Wow, good news? Guess what I found out just for today, a cool but sunny, gorgeous, and wonderful Wednesday! Lots of stuff to talk and think about. But, let me just tackle a couple of things. First things first. Thank you, God and Jesus Christ! Thank you for my life, my family, friends, and relatives all over the world.

Nora Aunor as National Artist! Man, that recognition has long been overdue for her! She deserves it! Just imagine the number of films she has made (300 plus movies, per "Balitang Tapat"), of record singles she has released (more than 360), of songs she recorded (over 200), of albums made (over 50), and her longest running TV show, Superstar (20 years plus), and the prestigious awards and notable citations she has received and continues to receive. (Go to Wikipedia for more info about her.) She has been in the Philippine entertainment (music and movie) industry for over four decades, and counting, with all the body of works she has done or accomplished (as a phenomenal singer-performer and an acclaimed movie/TV/theater actor or artist), the awards (national and international) she earned or garnered, etc. She's the one and only Superstar in the Philippines! I, myself, am proud of her and the cultural impact she has made or contributed to the Philippine entertainment industry. She's a legend, no doubt. Mr. President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III of the Philippines, do the right thing by conferring Superstar Nora Aunor the honor and recognition as Philippines' National Artist! Now is the right time! Thank you very much.
As I've been saying over and over, the power of the Internet continues to amaze me. This morning, while surfing the 'net, I stumbled upon a couple of online Philippine entertainment news articles, and videos that are worth-sharing and thought-provoking. Actually, one of them ( that pertains this move or initiative by a member of Philippine Congress, Representative Anthony Golez, Jr.) to recognize the Superstar, Nora Aunor as a National Artist), I just shared it to Facebook hours ago today.

There's the other one video that profiled the vocal range and lung power of this female pop singer, Jonalyn Viray, one of the members of the singing trio La Diva. She's amazing, isn't she? What a powerful voice she has! Well, see and listen for yourself, folks, with the video embedded here. (No, I don't own the video/s. No copyright infringement intended.).

Now, here are two videos above that may demand debate, discussion and/or further scrutiny. Why? The social issue may, or may not, deal with racism or ignorance or something else? Let's find out and seewhat you, friends, think. The topic has something to do with English language usage/proficiency, and  outsourcing of jobs overseas, i.e., in the Philippines. Again, I don't own the videos. No copyright infringement intended.

Social issues are very much present and alive in our life. They're everywhere where there's a group of people or a community living together. Corruption, injustice, poverty, inequality, illiteracy, ignorance, racism, human trafficking, etc. Our world, like life, is so complex that we have to have a common thread that bind us all together. After all, we're one big human family, imperfect, independent yet interdependent, wandering and wondering on the Planet Earth. We're supposed to live with (and love) one another harmoniously and peacefully. That's the ideal, isn't it, folks? That's what God, our Heavenly Father and Creator, wants us to be. Though we're all unique and different, we're the same and equal in the eyes of God! Agree or disagree with me, folks? What's your view/s?

Well, this is all for now. Until next time around, my friends.  As always, thanks YouTube and the uploaders of the videos I embedded with this blog post. (Again, I'd like to specifically mention that the videos used here are not mine. No copyright infringement intended.)Thank you, Google, Blogger, Wikipedia, and Facebook. And, to all of you people of goodwill, thank you all for the good things you do. Take care and have a good day, everyone! Peace to all of you!-chris a. quilpa, 25April2012

On Earth Day, Wet Weather Today, and Music in the 60s and 70s

Good day, Sunday, everyone! How  are you, folks, doing? How's the weather in your area? Hope you/re having a restful and relaxing day. By the way, Happy Earth Day, everyone!

Well, it's a rainy day today, the 3rd Sunday of Easter, over here in 757, a.k.a. Hampton Roads. Grey skies, a little windy, with no sign or sliver of sunshine, while the ground is soaking wet, everywhere..! What a Spring storm or nasty Nor'easter we have in the East Coast! But, happy are the shrubs and bushes and trees, and flowers for they needed raindrops to grow and feel refreshed. They all look lovely and pleasing to the eyes. Green leaves, green grass, verdant valleys, hills and mountains...what a healthy living we have envisioned! Thanks to God!

And it's Earth Day, today! But because of the wet weather, I learned that, in Hampton Roads and elsewhere, there were cancelled scheduled activities today supposedly to celebrate/observe this worldwide event (more than 175 countries observing it, per Wikipedia) that aims to increase awareness and appreciation of the Earth's natural environment. As for me, everyday is, and should be, Earth Day! It's everyday that we do, or should do, something benevolent or positive to save/protect Mother Earth from numerous environmental issues, such as oil spill, air/land/sea/space pollution, deforestation, soil erosion, global warming, climate change, etc. Yes, we all can do something to make a difference for Mother Earth, i.e., minimizing consumption/consumerism, reusing/recycling things, observing environmental protection laws such as no littering, proper disposal and management of wastes; wise utilization and conservation of natural resources, especially water; planting trees; reporting environmental violators to proper authorities, etc. This time, I remember participating in Clean the Bay Day program, when I was still active duty in the U.S. Navy. Tons and tons of debris and other things polluting the waters were removed each year. There was also this workshop that my wife and I participated in years ago. It focuses on Keeping America Beautiful. That was very educational and informative activity. Anyway, friends, all of us can do something for Planet Earth, as I've said. We can be environmental activists or plain law-abiding citizens who care about the Earth we live in. Let's all step up and do our part to save and protect Mother Earth. Thank you all.

All right, despite the wet, but mild, weather, my sis-in-law, my wife and I managed to participate in today's Mass at our parish. With our parochial vicar, Reverend Fr. Jarek, celebrating the Mass with us, parishioners, we graciously welcomed newly-baptized children as new members of the Catholic Church. We prayed and sang to, and praised and worshiped God, our Heavenly Father, and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, together as one family of faith. Once again, we received Jesus, through the Holy Eucharist. Thank you, gracious God. Thank you, Jesus, for coming into our lives. We'll forever believe and trust in you, and acknowledge you, our Savior and Redeemer  for all the sins we've committed. We'll always praise and glorify your name. Amen.

Now, after Mass, as usual we ate lunch at a Seafood Restaurant in a neighboring city. But, of course, we did pray for God's grace before and after meals. As usual, I enjoyed the fish-and-fry food with coleslaw, and a glass of sweet iced tea, with a slice of lemon, while listening to the overhead music played in the 60s  and/or 70s, the likes of Diana Ross of The Supremes, Michael Jackson's Ben, etc. We were the very first diners today, having just gone to church service today. Eventually, older, or elderly, couples, in pairs of two, kept arriving to dine, like us, with their best (formal) church attire, too. I, personally, found that restaurant a wholesome, cozy place to dine and relax, even for thirty minutes to an hour, while outside it keeps on pouring down! Not cats and dogs, though. Just a consistent downpour, that's all. But the variety of music played in the 60s and 70s made the day, for me, a relaxing, "feel good" day. You see, appropriate (and upbeat) music that lifts the spirit and soul, like those church songs, is such a powerful panacea, for me. And a comforting, relieving one, too. But, of course, there are music out there that serves different purpose/s. (I, for one, love to listen to classical music when in bed, getting ready to retire for a long day, you know.) But when dining out, upbeat, "oldie but goodie" songs, like the ones in the video below, always make me feel good. Thanks to God to/for those artist-singers and musicians who shared their talents and were able to produce good music for humanity. For those who have gone to another life-world, like legendary pop star Michael Jackson, may they rest in peace. Amen. (Now, let's enjoy the music, shall we, folks? Thanks for listening.)

Back home, here we are writing this blog post. This is all for now. Until next time around, folks. Thank you for your time. Take care and have a wonderful, Earth-friendly day, everyone!-chris a. quilpa, 22April2012

P.S. As always, thanks YouTube and the uploaders of the above videos I embedded with this blog post. Thanks Google, Blogger, and Wikipedia, and all people of goodwill. May God bless us always!-caq

Of My New (Boot Camp) Haircut and Celebrities, Jessica Sanchez, Charice

A pleasant Saturday  to all of you, friends! Hope and pray you're doing well, if not great, this springtime.

This morning, I came across a couple of videos on YouTube while contemplating on what to write or talk about here in my blog. I was about to start with that initial reaction of or comment made by my wife when she arrived yesterday afternoon from her school-work and saw me with my clean-shaven head. "Wow, Bembol Roco!" That's what she said when she was surprised to see me with my new military or "Boot Camp" haircut. She asked me what in the world I was thinking that I have had to "revisit" my early U.S. Navy days back in San Diego, CA, with my "Navy-induction" haircut? I just smiled and said, "Yes, I did it, finally! I've long wanted to have this haircut, again!" Well, does she like it? She doesn't have any choice but to accept my "new" look, haircut. I think I look good. Thanks to God.

(By the way, Bembol Roco is an award-winning Filipino actor who has played the role of Kumar in the Australian-U.S film "The Year of Living Dangerously" (1982), with Mel Gibson, Sigiourney Weaver, Linda Hunt, and Kuh Ledesma (another Filipino actor-singer/pop diva).

Now, going back to the videos I mentioned above. One of them is about this vlogger/video uploader Australian? guy who, I presume, is an avid fan of Filipino YouTube sensation and pop singer Charice Pempengco. I watched and listened to him discussing about, and comparing American Idol finalist Jessica Sanchez (a U.S. citizen whose Mom is originally from the Philippines, and her Dad, a U.S. Navy veteran, of Mexican ancestry) and Charice (a Philippine-born singer). I believe that what he (pjwhyte75) was saying has some truth in it about becoming a famous or successful singer in the U.S. See and hear for yourself, folks. Any comment/s? Raction/s? Feedbacks?

Anyway, from this video, I became more interested in knowing and listening more about AI (American Idol) finalist Jessica Sanchez (although I've seen and heard her perform and compete in a couple of editions of American Idol via Fox channel. I'm mesmerized at her singing performances on some videos on YouTube. Man, she has a powerful and beautiful voice! Indeed, she's one of the finest young pop singers to date. I like her renditions of the late Whitney Houston's songs. I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say that she'll definitely be a successful recording star, like Charice! Kudos, Jessica, and more success and power to you! I wish you all the best and hopefully you'll be the next American Idol, Season 11 winner. hang in there, Jessica and give your best every time you perform. God bless you always!)

Like Charice, who competed and won in various singing competitions in the Philippines, Jessica did compete in America Got Talent when she was eleven years old. Although she didn't win, she continued pursuing her dream to be a professional singer. That's why she's in the current American Idol, Season 11 competition . Here are a couple of videos from YouTube that I'd like to share with you, friends. I don't know if you've seen them but I'm just as delighted as you are, I'm sure, to listen to her. (No, I don't own the videos. No copyright infringement intended.) I thank the uploaders of the videos, and, as usual, thanks YouTube, American Idol, Google, and Blogger, and Wikipedia for all the information afforded to us all. Again, Good luck and I wish you, Jessica, all the best! May God bless you and your family!

Well, folks, this is all for now and until next time around. Thanks for your time, my friends. Take care and have a blessed and fantastic weekend, everyone! God bless us all!-chris a. quilpa, 21April2012

What A Clean-Shaven Head on Friday! Or, Navy-Induction Haircut Revisited

A fun-filled and fantastic Friday, everyone! TGIF! Thanks to God, It's Friday! I'm sure, most, if not all of us, are looking forward to a wonderful weekend! With bright, sunny day today, Spring is certainly in full bloom! Enjoy the wonderful weather, folks! Thanks to God for Nature at its best!

Well, today, I have had the stamina and will to go out and have, first of all, a haircut at a barber shop at NEX in a neighboring city. I've long wanted to have a a haircut but, whenever I attempt to go, there's always something that comes up. Yes, this time, I was successful. I now have a clean-shaven head! Almost completely bald, as I've wanted it to be! My barber, who did prepare and signed my Navy retirement papers in June 2005 when he was still working at PSD (Personnel Support Detachment), said that now I don't need to worry about what shampoo to use. Indeed, that's true! Well, on my part, I was telling myself that I just need a low-maintenance haircut. Same as when I was in Boot Camp (1985). That's all. what matters is I got what I wanted. And I'm happy for it, irrespective of what others say about my new haircut. I think, I look good. Thanks to God.

After my haircut, I went to the Commissary and bought some grocery supplies, i.e. fruits and vegetables, bags of vegetable salad, salad dressing, a bag of rice, organic milk, orange juice, sausage, pork scalopini, Danish cake, toilet paper, two cases of bottled water. No, I didn't have my lunch there because we have left-over food (that I cooked yesterday) at home. Driving our van, I dropped by at our bank to just find about our accounts balances, using the ATM. Since I passed by a gas station, on my way home, I dropped by and filled up our car. Man, gas prices are soaring! I wonder how much more when it's summer.

Back home, I felt a little tired, sore on my lower back. But, I'm okay. I'm glad and thankful I'm home, chilling out now. After putting out the grocery stuff in, with the exception of those two cases of bottled water that are still in the trunk of our van (sorry, wife, I can't do heavy lifting!), I had lunch, with TV on, but alone, as usual, on weekdays! I've gotten used to it already, folks! That's the way it is---life of a retired person, with sort of physical disability.

As always, thanks YouTube and the uploader of the video I embedded with this blog post. Thank you, Google and Blogger. From one of the videos above, imagine how I look now with my new haircut---recalling my early Navy days, folks! Hahaha...Just luv it!

Until next time around. Thanks for your time, folks. Take care and have a wonderful weekend, everyone! May our Dear God bless us all!-chris a. quilpa, 20April2012