A New Way To Open Champagn

Here's one traditional way to open a bottle of Champagn: Sabrage. This basically involves using the edge or back of a saber to knock the top of the bottle off (basically you're cracking the top of the bottle and the extreme bottle pressure does the rest). This "method" was supposedly developed by some of the Napoleon's cavalrymen. For a full description, click HERE. For an instructional "how-to-do-it" video:

VideoJug: How To Open A Bottle Of Champagne With A Sword

Time Off

With work being slow due to the holidays, I decided to take some time off after Christmas and naturally that meant hanging out at the stables! So, for the past couple of days, I've been working with Max and even took an additional lesson. Max wasn't so keen on having to work, especiall since I'd show up at 8 AM when it was good and cold. However, after a 20-minute warm-up period, Max got into the spirit of things and it got better.

Besides training, I even managed to go on a couple of nice trail rides, nothing major. Also, I managed to put in some saddle time riding three other Standardbreds- Kisses, Blondie and Sue. Kisses and Blondie I know pretty well, but Sue was a new experience.

On different days I took Blondie and Kisses out on the trail (my wife was riding Max) and it was an interesting experience, to say the least. Kisses is usually pretty good on the trail although she sometimes gets a bit excited and twitchy. Also, sometimes she gets excited if she sees other horses, whether walking or riding, she wants to run. Maybe it's memories of her racing days. I'll be working with her more to try and resolve some of her trail issues- she doesn't get out a lot so it's understandable that she's going to have some issues.

With Blondie, I've ridden her mostly in the ring on the track but not on the trail. I decided to first ride her solo, taking a short loop down the wash, under the bridge and around the Equestrian Center. Unfortunately, that was not to be.

I'd been assured that she'd be OK and everything went fine until we began to go under the freeway bridge- then she didn't want to go. Then she wanted to go home, I kept spinning her in circles and smacking her with the crop but it just seemed to get her more pissed off. I ultimately rode her back to the stables and made her run and trot- no free ride for being a jerk.

I then rode her out again only this time accompanied by my wife who was riding Max. For some reason, Blondie didn't mind this and she followed Max with little problem. I did, however, trade in my short crop for a dressage whip and every so often used it to urge her along when she'd slow down. At sevaral points she tried to turn around and head back to the stable but I stopped that pretty quickly.

Sue, on the other hand, is a lot younger and didn't have a lot of trail experience so I restricted my work with her to the arena and track at the stables. She was a bit fresh and you had to be very light on the bit- she was convinced that I was goind to take her face off (I later found out that I should have used a snaffle bit on rather than a curb bit.

Overall, it's been a busy couple of days.

Feartured Horse: The Friesian

Today's featured horse is the Friesian, a large draft horse-like breed that originally was developed in Freisia, a province of the Netherlands. Here's a brief description in Wikipedia:

The Friesian (also Frisian) horse is a breed of horse from Friesland, a province of the Netherlands. Although the breed's conformation resembles that of a light draft horse, Friesians are graceful and nimble for their size. During the Middle Ages, the ancestors of Friesian horses were in great demand as war horses throughout continental Europe. Through the Early Middle Ages and High Middle Ages, their size enabled them to carry a knight in armor. In the Late Middle Ages, heavier, draft type animals were needed. Though the breed nearly became extinct on more than one occasion, the modern day Friesian horse is growing in numbers and popularity, used both in harness and under saddle. Most recently, the breed is being introduced to the field of dressage.

I haven't had occassion to ride these yet so and all I can say is that from the ground, they're quite imposing, even the smaller-sized ones. The thing about them is that they tend to keep their heads more straight towards the vertical as opposed to forward and this tends to make them seem larger (sort of an optical illusion). With the full mane, tail, and hair about the fetlocks, they're a real pain to groom and people I know who own them tend to keep the tails and manes in special bags so they don't have to groom them as much. Nothing worse that getting mud all up on there and then having to clean it out.

Hopefully, I'll have a change to try one out in the near future.

It's Royal Netherlands Airforce Day!!

OK, the Christmas rush is over (thank god) so what to do? Well, in updating my blog here, I decided that in honor of one of my wargaming blog partners (who is from the Netherlands), by declaring today "Royal Netherlands Airforce Day" and posting some public domain pictures from Wikipedia! Enjoy!

The Netherlands- not just for Gouda anymore!

Dutch F-16- the F-16 has been utilized by the RNAF for some 25 years.

Merry Christmas!!!!!

It's Christmas Day so here's something to commemorate the season:

The above image is "Scrooge's Third Visitor", a colorized version of the original illustration by John Leech made for Charles Dickens's novel A Christmas Carol (1843).

More In The Christmas Spirit

Here's something more for the Christmas spirit on a humerous note:


No doubt that could be Max checking to see if he's getting some Christmas Alfalfa!

P.S. The above image was obtained here.

Merry Christmas!! It's the Christmas Season...

In the spirit of the season, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas (or fill in the holiday of your choice)!!

This is an 1881 illustration by Thomas Nast who, with Clement Clarke Moore helped to create the modern image of Santa Claus.

I Am Legend

Last Friday night I finally went and saw "I am Legend" and I got to say I was impressed and suitably creeped out. In contrast to the zoned-out, slow-moving retarded zombies in "The Omega Man", these are the uber pumped-up, fast-moving vicious, nasty zombies ("Darkseekers") who actually lay traps and screw with Neville; the whole scene with the snare is something to watch. Of course it doesn't help that Neville is slowly losing his mind, making him more vulnerable.

Also, it seems that once the Darkseekers zero in on Neville's lair, they make short work of the defenses- it's pretty scary. Even after he touches off the fougasse mines (he should have backed the side facing his lair so they blow out forward). The other thing is that it takes A LOT of firepower to bring the average Darkseeker down (I think it's because they're hyped up on some sort of perpetual adreniline rush). Personally, I'd upped the firepower quotient at least 100%- there should have been plenty of mil-spec firepower lying around for the taking (better take it before the Darksskers start figuring it out).

Naturally, if I were him, I'd stocked up on a lot of grenades and especially the thermite variety (as pictured below). Also, a lot of white phosporous would have helped in cleaning out the nests or in defending his lair. It also would have helped using one of those APCs left lying around- I don't think the Darkseekers could have dealt with that. But hey, I like second-guessing the movie.

Just the thing for dealing with Darkseekers.

What I find really unsettling is the realization that clearly the infected zombies/Darkseekers helped speed the demise of the normal humans by slaughtering them until there was only their kind left.

The CGI work is excellent, especially of the deer and the lions (bet the Darkseekers don't screw with the lions too much) and it's awesome to see an empty, quiet Manhattan- it's positively weird! Apparently, a lot of CGI work went into removing pedestrians and any other sign of life (you can't kick out the population while filming!). Finally, all the Darkseekers were rendered with CGI and they're a fierce, bloodthirsty lot.

It's also very thought-provoking on the whole idea of genetic manipulation and viruses. At least I thought so...

I recommend this one but don't bring the kids!

Here's a link to what supposedly is the script that was to be used in the re-make of "I Am Legend" that was supposed to have been made in the early 1990s with Arnold Schwarnegger but was ultimately cancelled. It's a lot more creepy that the recent movie version but I think it was ultimately unfilmable- too many scenes and it would have been too long. I can see why they cancelled it.

The Season

The weather has been acting pretty crappy this week with rain and all so I haven't done much at the stables with Max. Wednesday seemed to dry up a little so I went out to check up on Max. The footing was still pretty muddy around the track and in the arena so I decided to work Max on lunge line.

Lunging Max was allright but it was a real pain getting Max warmed up and then to get him trotting and cantering. It's as if he'd forgetten everything. The weather wasn't too cold but maybe the footing wasn't the best. After a lot of yelling and snapping the whip, I finally got Max to start working and it went better after that. At least he didn't get the idea that it was Winter Vacation and he could do whatever he feels like. But I have to say, it was a lot like trying to move a sack of concrete- all resistence and grudging cooperation.

Supposedly it will be clear this weekend so hopefully things will dry out and I can give Max a good workout. And maybe I'll get some trail time in...

Royal Netherlands Navy Day

After further looking around, here's a picture of the HNLMS Van Nes, a Karel Doorman class frigate:

This is an older class of vessels and the Royal Netherlands Navy has sold these to other nations. The Van Nes was sold to Portugal in 2006. For more information, go HERE.

HNLMS De Ruyter (F804)

In another in a series of occassional pictures of modern naval vessels, today's is the Royal Netherlands Naval vessel HNLMS De Ruyter which is one of the De Zeven Provinciën class frigates. This ship has the distinction of being one of the naval vessels to be commanded by a female. For more information, go HERE.

Here's another picture of the ship class, the HNLS Tromp:

The Christmas Season...

Well, it seems that the Christmas/Holiday season is getting underway. We finally got the tree up and decorated. It's kind of interesting putting up an artificial tree- kind of like a puzzle. About three years ago, we decided to go with an artificial (aka fake) tree after looking at the prices of cut trees- they're easily at $80 to $100 for a six-footer (and it gets worse, the taller you go). My wife and I finally decided at those prices, it just didn't make any sense and it seemed like a big waste of money.

I'm not being a Scrooge here- trust me, I'm a traditionalist when it comes to Christmas (at least the form that we celebrated when I was growing up) but it just doesn't make sense to spend money on something that you're going to discard in a few weeks. Worse, they always dry out and that presents a serious fire hazard (trust me, they're like torches when they burn, they burn and leave nothing behind but greasy ashes). As an experiment, we once cut up a used Christmas and tried to use it as firewood. When lit, the tree went up on a fireball. Not good! So you don't even get the benefit of using them for firewood.

Live Christmas trees aren't really an option where I live (too many trees to being with and Pine doesn't do well) so we decided that the whole exercise had gotten way too absurd. Hence the fake Christmas tree.

I suppose it would also be good for the environment and all that (even though I tend not be a tree-hugger) so for now, my vote is leave them alone. It's crazy to cut down trees just to use them for a few weeks and then throw them away (not that you can do much once they're cut anyway).

Christmas- even the tree aspect is commercialized (no surprise there). Oh well, it's the spirit of the season that counts, not the trapppings, although they can make every better.

The Weekend

Sunday was nice and clear so after our lesson, Max and I went for a leisurely ride around the lake in the Hansen Dam Basin. It actually warmed up quite a bit and Max was pretty much asleep on the trail.

Later, my wife showed up at the stable and we went on another trail ride only this time she was riding Max and I rode a horse named "Blue" who belongs to one of the people that board at the stables.

Blue is an interesting horse- for a Standardbred ex-racehorse, he's the laziest horse I've ever come accross, even lazier than Max (if that's possible). The funny thing also is that while he's a Standardbred, he really doesn't ride like on (too much)- it's more like riding a giant couch. Blue stands about 16-1 hands and he's mostly black with some brown around the muzzle.

He's not the easiest to get to trot or canter but once you do, it's a nice smooth ride. He even paces a little. He's quite a powerhouse once you get him going.

Between riding Max, Blue and Kisses (I worked her a little), I'd been in the saddle for about seven hours and am I sore!

A Cold Day

Well, as they say, be careful what you wish for because you just might get it! Saturday was cool, somewhat breezy and just a touch cloudy- in short, an excellent day to go riding! Max and I did our usual circuit abound Hansen Dam followed up by some practive drills in the Orcas Arena.

Later, I was joined by my wife and we went out again only this time she was on Max and I was riding Kisses. We rode down the wash, just past up to the river before turning back, Kisses was all buzzed up because of the wind and cool temperatures (even after lunging her) and she was a real case on the way back- she just wanted to take off running for the stable. I was able to keep things under control but it was a real trial.

Well, as luck would have it, I was then able to ride Blue, a 16-hand Standardbred (although you'd never know it from his disposition) with a good disposition and laid-back attitude. Sometimes a bit TOO laid back but he's a good boy even if he's lazy. I rode him around the track before leaving the stable and once I got him into a canter, it was very smooth and powerful. My wife and I then headed out again for a much longer, and calmer trail ride. Max was definately ready for his bucket when we were done- it was quite a workout for him that day.

Here's a picture of Max and I at the end of the day:

Pearl Harbor - USS Arizona

Well, today is the 66th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor so I thought I'd come up with something to commemorate the event. After searching, I decided that some pictures of the USS Arizona would be appropriate.

USS Arizona in better days:

USS Arizona after taking several bomb hits and her forward magazine exploding:

General view taken from a Japanese plane of the attack on Pearl Harbor:

Arizona Memorial today:

Scary Reenactment Time

Reenacting in Russia has always had an element of taking one's life in their hands but the above picture speaks volumes. It almost looks like they're using tac nukes! If nothing else, it certainly appears that the ground charges are a tad on the powerful side...

The above picture was taken at a reenactment of the Battle of Borodino somewhere in Russia in 1999 and I've heard from numerous sources that safety regulations are not always closely adhered to (more along the lines of suggestions rather than ironclad rules). One friend of mine related to me how at one Napoleonic even held in the Czech Republic a few years ago (I believe they were reenacting Austerlitz), the Russian cavalry were drunk and actually making full swinging blows with their sabers at the opposing cavalry and infantry- several people were injured. Also, it seems that there's no separation between alcohol and using weapons- stuff that would get you thrown out of any half-way reputable event in the US or Western Europe.

Here's a link to reenacting in Russia/Ukraine- I can't vouch for anything so take it with a lump of salt.

Herding Cats- Meowwww!!!

Here's something you don't see everday...

From One Extreme to Another...

It was rainy and cold last week, now the Santa Ana winds are back and the temperature is now back into the upper 70s/low 80s and feels like a blast furnace. What's up with that?

Last night I went up to the stable to ride Max and when I got there, I was greeted by a Santa Ana wind and it must have been at least 75 degrees. Max was definately not happy since he's got his winter coat.

I did my usual warm-up exercises and proceeded to do some exercises that are designed to keep the hands quiet on the reins and force one to use their legs to move the horse around. Basically, you hold the reins loosely, hands rotated so the thumbs are facing each other. You get real sore after doing this for a few minutes. Also, in my case I need to keep my left had from wandering accross the horse's back from left to right- this completely sends the wrong signal through the bit.

After making my hands and wrists sore, I then did then proceeded to make my calves and legs sore by practicing riding without stirrups and the two-point seat. The whole purpose of these exercises is to make for more quiet hands while encouraging more leg use. It's slowly coming to me...:-)

Even with the winds, Max was pretty cooperative (after I'd warmed him up. But it was not really optimal for either of us- it was just a bit too warm for night.

Hopefull the weather will turn cold again- it's been pretty strange this year with all the unseasonably warm weather and even major brush fires (in Malibu) this late in the year. Global warming? Who knows?

The Weekend - Cool At Last!!

This last weekend was sunny, cool, and somewhat breezy- in short, a perfect weekend for riding! Finally, after suffering through Santa Ana winds and extremely hot weather, it finally cooled down.

On Saturday I wound up riding by myself so I wandered down to the Orcas Arena and did some basic work- cantering, trotting, side-passes and the like. Max definately got a work-out and was then rewarded with a lazy walk home. There was a horse show going on at the Equestrian Center so Max got to watch various horses going through their paces jumping. Pretty cool but I doubt if Max would made a good jumper (not that I'm any expert).

Sunday, there was my lesson and I then hit the trail with a friend of mine. We rode at a leisurely pace towards the ponds and it was quite pleasant with no issues. We even stopped off at the arena and ran the horses out.

Overall, an excellent time and Max was especially happy after he got his bucket.

I also wound up riding another horse, a Standardbred named Kisses, on Saturday as a favor to a friend. Kisses is an ex-harness racing horse and she hasn't had a lot of traning for being ridden under saddle so things can get real interesting sometimes, especially if she sees another horse that she wants to race. Oh, and did I mention she's also a mare? Another interesting challenge. What's really interesting is that she doesn't canter but rather she paces- it's a weird feeling that takes some getting used to. More later on Kisses.

I'm going to be sore on Monday from all of this...