General Geekery

I admit that I am geeky. I'm okay with that and Ray actually loves that part of me. He tells folks that I am the geek of the family. Funny man. I like computers, all kinds of blogs, pictures, my own and others, reading all types of literature and comics, watching the National Geographic, History and Military channels, playing with and reading and talking about new tech, as well as all things in between. I have a soft spot for ankle biter dogs and most cats. I can't stand disorganization, but can't keep my house tidy…hmmm…I blame that on Ray.

So, I thought I'd share some of the sites I visit regularly so you are able to better understand the geeky side of Priscilla.

Ready? No? Well, it's too late. You can't turn back now!

Gizmodo: Gizmodo was kicked off in 2002. It's a blog about gadgets and tech, new and old, and everything a geek would want to read or complain about. It's my first stop when I get online…every time. New posts are up all throughout the day. Also, you will find much humor and debate in the comments for the article. Sometimes they're even better than the articles!

TmoNews: I am a loyal T-Mobile customer. They may not have the best phones, but the customer service is top notch. TmoNews covers all things T-Moblie: new plans, policies, phones on all platforms, coverage expansions and all the rumors you can stand! Obviously this site caters to the needs of a niche, but the folks running this blog run a few other sites you might be interested in: phonedog (information on all upcoming phones for all carriers), DroidDog (all Android all the time), BBerryDog (the BlackBerry channel), and Today's iPhone (everything iPhone).

Neatorama/NeatoGeek: All things neat and/or odd and all things geek, respectively.

EPBOT: Per the bloggers own description, "Geekery, Girliness, & General Goofing Off". She has an interesting sense of humor that appeals to me and has made me literally laugh out loud. She's a great story teller, designer and finder of all things geeky and girly.

Cake Wrecks: This is written by the same lady from EPBOT, plus her husband every once in a while. It's a blog entirely about cakes that have been mucked up in one way or another by professionals. It's well written and witty. On Sundays you get Sunday Sweets, a reprieve from the disastrous cakes and get a eyeful of what cakes are supposed to look like.

LikeCOOL: This features gadgets and other items new, old, retro, conceptual and odd. It'll also like you up to places to buy and/or read more about these items and the folks who made them.

FAIL Blog: If it's a failure, it's here. Sometimes off color, but always entertaining. A constant reminder of how thick we can really be as a species. This is just one of many funny websites hosted by the CHEEZburger Network.

Very Demotivational: Also hosted by the CHEEZburger Network, but most definitely stands out from the rest. Someone takes a picture or sign and makes it into a poster resembling the motivational posters you have in your office, except with a less inspiring message. Definitely my kind of humor.

Message With A Bottle: This random guy quit his job to be a stay home dad and free lance writer. He noticed he was utilizing post-its for reminders for his work and decided to start making observations about things concerning his son and post them. It sounds lame, but the guy's got a great sense of humor to which I believe most can relate. We've all thought the majority of the things he posts.

Well, if you didn't have anything to do, now you have plans. Make your way through these and I hope you find at least one that peaks your interest. If nothing else, then you know a bit more about my personality, good or bad.

Do you have any sites/blogs you visit regularly? Go ahead and share them. I'm sure I can squeeze a few more in! J

WWII & Alaska?

Really? Why didn't I learn about this in school? Or was it taught and I slept through it? It couldn't have been our top notch history books? Maybe I was sick that week? I did have the chickenpox twice. Or maybe it was taught the last week of my senior year. When I hadn't missed a single day the last semester I decided that I could use a few days off and didn't attend. Hmm, let's not rehash that week. 

Getting back on task, why is it that just yesterday I learned that part of World War II was fought on American soil, and not Hawaii? I mean, we all know about Pearl Harbor, but what about Alaska?

Ray was flipping through the channels when he paused on the History Channel. The title of the show was "bloody battles" or something to that effect. As he changed the channel I heard someone say WWII and Alaska in the same sentence. I looked at him and asked if I had heard it right and he shrugged and turned it back. They were indeed talking about the Aleutian Islands, which are part of Alaska.

It turns out that on June 3, 1942 a small force of Japanese bombers attacked Dutch Harbor, thus the beginning of the Aleutian Island Campaign. Kiska was invaded on June 6^th and Attu on June 7^th.

Right: Buildings burning after the first enemy attack on Dutch Harbor, June 3 1942                                                                   

Left: Anchorage Daily Times June 3, 1942

Due to weather, geography and location restraints, it wasn't until May 11^th 1943 that a counterattack, code-named COTTAGE, began. 

Hauling Supplies in Attu

Castner's Cutthroats, or the 1st Alaskan Combat Intelligence Platoon, was part of the over 34,000 Allied troops fighting the Japanese, The platoon was made up of men who were familiar to the rough Alaskan terrain and weather. They were responsible for reconnaissance missions and served as guides for the Army. There were also 5,300 who were part of the 1^st Special Service Force, or the Devil's Brigade. This was a joint US-Canadian commando unit originally designed to fight in winter conditions. 

Troops fighting the snow and ice in Attua

The official end date of the occupation was July 28^th 1943 and the official end of the campaign was August 24^th, 1943. This was the United States first theater-wide victory in WWII. There were just over 1,600 American and Canadian lives lost during this battle.

Again, with the loss of life on US soil,and not in Hawaii, I sincerely wonder why this is news to me. Maybe I really was asleep.

*More pictures can be found at the below sites:
Wikimedia
Attu WWII Photos