Well, this season’s pledge drive is over at neo-neocon (although donations are accepted at any time!), and I want to give a huge and heartfelt thank-you to everyone who donated. You really can’t imagine how grateful and touched I am by your generosity, which helps keep this blog going.
I’m not trying to suck up. You’ll never meet me. But you’ve schooled me about ballet in ways that I never thought anyone could. It never crossed my imagination.
Sincerely, yours truly, old broken down rugby player.
Steve57:
You’re welcome!
Maybe someday you’ll school me about rugby. One thing I do know about the sport is that it’s very rough and tough.
Meiji vs. Waseda
To my discredit, playing Rugby in Japan lengthened my career. Relativity speaking I was a big guy.
But they still beat the snot out of me.
This is how I want to be sent off.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWs5O0os0eg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xdufnhs3H40
If you understand the Haka, you maybe understand Rugby.
There is art here. I hope you see it, neo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI6TRTBZUMM
My friends, the Kiwis.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qy4iftwk5JM/S1i0VKLKm-I/AAAAAAAAIDg/V8SbLqRhLGM/s400/3252962.jpg
Just so you know, a while back You did something about Georgia.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujo65bBRQ4I
Thank you.
Steve57:
The Georgian dances/dancers are among my absolute favorites.
But I’ve never even heard of haka before. Intimidating and powerful. You can really see its warrior origins.
All
Don’t forget cyber Monday and ordering from AMZN via the neo portal.
Neo, I am just trying to return the favor.
I am now going to study Swan Lake and the Black Swan. Or, the Gada.
Perhaps Zurkhaneh.
Maybe, all of the above. Yes, all of the above.
Sreve57, I love the haka. Appeals to the warrior spirit and undoubtedly increases testosterone levels. The Maoris were on to something very basic in summoning the inner warrior. First saw it done in New Zealand and was mightily impressed.
Nobody does it better than the New Zealand All Blacks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTwbKryrhks
If you’re going to intend to be fearsome to the Diggers, you have some work cut out for you.
neo,
Thank you. Thank you for well researched, unbiased essays; thank you for the more lighthearted posts to provide a brief respte from the tumult of our times. You may not realize how much we appreciate your blog, but many of us appreciate your efforts very, very much.
Mrs parker reads your blog, but never comments, she trusts me to blather both of our sentiments. We ar fortunate. Sons, daughter in laws, 5 grandchildren sleep soundly. Under our roof a;; is quiet and safe.
I have to indulge one more time.
Breakaway music is a naval tradition. It stems from the fact that centuries back it was rare that two friendies would meet at sea. That called for breaking out the ship’s band. Now some ships, not all, still play music when they’re done replenishing.
Aussie breakaway song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx1zYCYQu6w
Good luck trying to be fearsome to the Aussies.
Also, in addition to paying respect to the cooks, I suppose I should pay respect to the aircrew and ship’s company that conducts underway replenishment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=7&v=yVgXPHE63wM
You see the guy running away every time the helo lifts off? He just hooked the cargo net to the helo.
Anyone who appreciates ballet should appreciate this bit of choreography. Professionals make it look easy, but it’s not. I hope they got a good feed tonight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=7&v=yVgXPHE63wM
It’s dangerous business. Make of it what you will.
“VERTREP”
Oooh, you wrote us a thank you on the *good* e-stationery!