Bring me the head of Diego Garcia...and the Mayor of Addu Atoll too!

[Cap Mandrake]

Right, so I have pondering this for a least a half hour. Imagine that you don't drink. Do you still go to "Happy Hour"? If so, do you get happy just from the cocktail weiners? Are you happy all the time? Are you never happy?


Really blows your mind, huh?

[witpqs]

...maybe from the cocktail waitress! [;)]

[Itdepends]

Which part did you get stuck on? My money's on the first bit.
Imagine that you don't drink. Do you still go to "Happy Hour"? If so, do you get happy just from the cocktail weiners? Are you happy all the time? Are you never happy?

[jeffk3510]

If I don't drink, I can still hear my wife nag..

[Crackaces]

If so, do you get happy just from the cocktail [wieners]?

You might be going to the wrong Happy Hours...here in Arizona I am doing Tenderloin, brie cheese, fried ravioli ... 1/2 price wine .. $3 call martinis ... I live on Happy Hours ....[8D]

[zuluhour]

Happy hour lost it's meaning when I hit fifty. Now I look forward to cocktail hour.[:D]

[Lecivius]

My relationship to Happy Hour is proportional to the Japanese in WWII. At the begining I tore it up, took all I wanted.


Now it's kamikaze time [:(] [:-]

[erstad]

Maybe the updates should be restricted to 3 items.

A little late, but I'm always glad to be of assistance. I have consolidated the patch notes such that even someone who refuses to read a manual can catch up:

Patch notes for version... Ah heck, it doesn't matter
1) Some things were added
2) Some things were deleted
3) Some things were changed

Hope this helps.

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: Crackaces

If so, do you get happy just from the cocktail [wieners]?

You might be going to the wrong Happy Hours...here in Arizona I am doing Tenderloin, brie cheese, fried ravioli ... 1/2 price wine .. $3 call martinis ... I live on Happy Hours ....[8D]

Well, yeah, I was kidding about the cocktail wienies...but $3 call Martinis? What, in a Dixie cup? How can they do that?

[Cap Mandrake]

ORIGINAL: erstad

Maybe the updates should be restricted to 3 items.

A little late, but I'm always glad to be of assistance. I have consolidated the patch notes such that even someone who refuses to read a manual can catch up:

Patch notes for version... Ah heck, it doesn't matter
1) Some things were added
2) Some things were deleted
3) Some things were changed

Hope this helps.

Ah, yes. Thank you sir. You are a gentleman and a patch scholar. [:'(]

[Cap Mandrake]

So SG's niece, who is about her age, is in very bad shape with metastatic cervical cancer. Blind, can't eat, really bad.

So SG decided to pick up her niece's daughters (7&8)to get them out of the house for the weekend. The older one isn't here more than a half hour and she crashes on a razor scooter and breaks her arm. [:-] So we all drive into the office on a Saturday and I have to put the splint on myself because...wait for it...no insurance. We decide to take them to an big outdoor mall in Irvine so we can get them something to eat (and so we can get some martinis). They ask for a special treat, Jack in the Box. We lie and say there aren't any. SG's adopted 12 year old daughter interrupts earnestly, "Yes there are, right down the street." [:@] The adults win the debate. We go to a Chinese place. The older one doesn't like the food at P F Changs except the batter fried green beans. Mind you, she doesn't actually eat the beans, just nibbles the batter off. Oh well, the martinis were good.

We go for a walk and come to a fountain. She asks for a coin to make a wish. A quarter if proffered. Plunk.

"I wished my Mommy could see again." [:(]

[moore4807]

That hit home, what a tough life those girls have to look forward to...

I salute you and SG for your sacrifice for them and the neice's family. Very nice gesture and from the mouths of babes... (the innocents)


Wish there was something we could do to help. maybe they have a trust fund for the kids set up?

[Cap Mandrake]

Yes, it kicked my behind too. Fortunately, even though there is long history of bad decision-making by all the adults in their lives, the mother actually owns the home where they live free and clear. It's no palace but I think the will specifies some kind of trust to hold the home.

The father of one of the girls is going to parent the girls. The man taking care of the mother for the last 2 years is not the father. The guy is pretty much a saint as far as I can tell and the girls identify him as their father but the mom's will specifies the bio-dad (missing one leg from a traffic accident involving alcohol but now swears off the stuff) will be the guardian. The mom's mom is a troll. The mom's dad, SG's adoptive brother is alive but in no position to take care of the kids.

The whole thing makes my head hurt...and heart too.

The older one asked SG if she could tell her what her mom was like as a kid...she has been ill their entire remembered lives. [:(]

Smart kids too. I gave them a Sponge Bob trivia quiz. The got every answer so I decided to step it up a notch.

Me: What do you think is the allegorical meaning of Sandy's (the squirrel) dome?

7 year old: Duh! It means she has to breathe air dummy.[:)]

[Cap Mandrake]

What do you think is the allegorical meaning of Sandy's (the squirrel) dome?

Anyone want to take a crack at that?

[moore4807]

7 year old: "Duh! It means she has to breathe air dummy."

I have limited exposure to Sponge Bob (except for the grandkids making me watch it) I admit ignorance and don't remember a squirrel in the show, so I agree with the 7 yr old. Its her answer and I'm stickin to it! LOL!

[Cap Mandrake]

Sponge Bob is like a Joyce novel, except more fun.


In retrospect, Sponge Bob should have been commanding the Aparri landing. It would have gone better. 175 AV ashore but quite a bit of disablement. I think we will need to bring up 8th Aus once Vigan is secure.

Long Island was actually firing at shore targets [:)] and one of the DD's got dinged up pretty good. Long Island will retire to the SE and meet up with the fleet carriers.

The transports will finish unloading at Laoag and Vigan. We are starting to meet serious resistance. No more freebies, it seems. Time to button down for a bit and start breaking things with the heavy bombers.

[Cap Mandrake]

**************May 2, 1943(c)**************

Manira: Wichita and one DD start Manira on fire. [:)] I'm sure we are going to hear about this.

Night Naval bombardment of Manila at 79,77

Japanese aircraft
no flights

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 13 damaged
Ki-49-IIa Helen: 2 damaged
Ki-61-Ia Tony: 14 damaged
Ki-61-Ia Tony: 1 destroyed on ground
Ki-36 Ida: 6 damaged

Allied Ships
CA Wichita
DD Cony

Japanese ground losses:
49 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 2 destroyed, 15 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 1 disabled

Manpower hits 1
Fires 185
Airbase hits 12
Airbase supply hits 2
Runway hits 28


Vigan/Laoag: The shortening of the LRCAP flights from Aparri to Laoag, along with some return of fatigued fighters squadrons and a fresh squadron from Boela is very successful in terms of air cover. These are the big amphibious group and SCTF at Laoag under attack.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Laoag at 81,72

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 7
G4M1 Betty x 3
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 7

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 9
F4U-1 Corsair x 11
F6F-3 Hellcat x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 3 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 2 destroyed
Ki-43-Ia Oscar: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

A bigger raid with 15 Bettys.

Morning Air attack on TF, near Laoag at 81,72

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 79 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 27 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 8
A6M3a Zero x 1
G4M1 Betty x 15
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 2

Allied aircraft
P-40K Warhawk x 7
F4U-1 Corsair x 10
F6F-3 Hellcat x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 2 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 4 destroyed, 4 damaged
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
DD Strong
CL Montpelier

A big raid of 29 Vals and 39 fighters targets a French-sounding TF at Vigan. Bigger CAP, though with mostly Louis XiV aircraft. McCalla takes one 250 kg bomb.


Morning Air attack on TF, near Vigan at 80,73

Weather in hex: Heavy cloud

Raid detected at 108 NM, estimated altitude 13,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 40 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 21
D3A2 Val x 8
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 39

Allied aircraft
Hurricane XIIb x 6
P-38G Lightning x 6
P-39D Airacobra x 20
P-40K Warhawk x 12
F6F-3 Hellcat x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 6 destroyed, 7 damaged
D3A1 Val: 2 destroyed by flak
D3A2 Val: 1 destroyed, 6 damaged
D3A2 Val: 1 destroyed by flak
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 9 destroyed

Allied aircraft losses
F6F-3 Hellcat: 1 destroyed

Allied Ships
CL St. Louis
DD LaVallette
DD McCalla, Bomb hits 1

And the afternoon. Now THEY are running out of fighters. [:)]

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Laoag at 81,72

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 72 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 25 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 5
Ki-43-Ia Oscar x 4

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 6
P-39D Airacobra x 10
P-40K Warhawk x 7
F4U-1 Corsair x 8
F6F-3 Hellcat x 5

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 3 destroyed
Ki-43-Ia Oscar: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

Happy days are here again....the skies are free of Zeroes again...

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Laoag at 81,72

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 63 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 22 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 12

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 4
P-39D Airacobra x 8
P-40K Warhawk x 5
F4U-1 Corsair x 6
F6F-3 Hellcat x 4

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 6 destroyed

No Allied losses

More Bettys coming in on the deck. I will be happy to see the plane loss summaries.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Laoag at 81,72

Weather in hex: Overcast

Raid detected at 80 NM, estimated altitude 11,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 28 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 9

Allied aircraft
P-38G Lightning x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 8
P-40K Warhawk x 5
F4U-1 Corsair x 4
F6F-3 Hellcat x 2

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 5 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
DD O'Bannon

More at Vigan. Where did they get all these?

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Vigan at 80,73

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 99 NM, estimated altitude 10,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 34 minutes

Japanese aircraft
G4M1 Betty x 12

Allied aircraft
Hurricane XIIb x 4
P-39D Airacobra x 5
P-40K Warhawk x 8

Japanese aircraft losses
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed by flak

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
AMC Kanimbla
DMS Boggs

Now two Val raids over Vigan

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Vigan at 80,73

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 55 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 20 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 3
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 15

Allied aircraft
Hurricane XIIb x 3
P-39D Airacobra x 5
P-40K Warhawk x 7

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 2 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 5 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CL St. Louis

Good thing they are getting tired because our CAP is too.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Vigan at 80,73

Weather in hex: Light rain

Raid detected at 65 NM, estimated altitude 14,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 24 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A2 Val x 12

Allied aircraft
Hurricane XIIb x 1
P-40K Warhawk x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A2 Val: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CL St. Louis

[Cap Mandrake]

Iba: Iba is the most lightly guarded Northern Luzon base (in terms of fighters). Definitely Louis XIV fighters here. Dozens of troop transports unloading here. Fortunately, it is a weak raid.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Iba at 78,75

Weather in hex: Partial cloud

Raid detected at 58 NM, estimated altitude 12,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 21 minutes

Japanese aircraft
D3A1 Val x 5

Allied aircraft
Boomerang C-12 x 2
P-40K Warhawk x 11

Japanese aircraft losses
D3A1 Val: 3 destroyed

No Allied losses

[Cap Mandrake]

Batangas: Most likely this raid came from Leyte or Cagayan. Some recon F4F's fly over from Altimonan to help.

Afternoon Air attack on TF, near Batangas at 79,78

Weather in hex: Moderate rain

Raid detected at 78 NM, estimated altitude 9,000 feet.
Estimated time to target is 33 minutes

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 3
A6M3a Zero x 2
B5N2 Kate x 3
G4M1 Betty x 3
Ki-44-IIa Tojo x 19
Ki-45 KAIa Nick x 1

Allied aircraft
Boomerang C-12 x 6
P-40B Warhawk x 2
P-40E Warhawk x 1
P-40K Warhawk x 25
F4F-3P Wildcat x 3

Japanese aircraft losses
A6M2 Zero: 1 destroyed
A6M3a Zero: 1 destroyed
B5N2 Kate: 1 destroyed
G4M1 Betty: 1 destroyed, 1 damaged
Ki-44-IIa Tojo: 2 destroyed
Ki-45 KAIa Nick: 1 destroyed

No Allied losses

Allied Ships
CA Wichita

[Cap Mandrake]

So, after all that noise, we suffer one 250kg bomb hit on McCalla and down dozens of LYB bombers and many fighters. The carriers and Long Island are safe for today. No surface interceptions of our sheep. No port attacks on damaged ships. Much better day.