Another month gone. Where did the time go? Did I miss Spring Break?
It’s officially May, and I’m behind in everything. Just wait until you see my May Fashion Edition blog. There were a dozen other topics I was supposed to write about, but I got sidetracked.
We’re halfway to Halloween and almost halfway through the year. What’s in the news? Are we still dealing with Iran? Sources tell me yes.
There’s been a blockade or a deal to lift the blockade, or a deal to end all deals, or no deal whatsoever. Who knows. Let’s recap.
Operation Epic Fury
It’s been roughly 60 days since U.S. and Israeli forces carried out coordinated airstrikes targeting Iranian leadership and military infrastructure, resulting in the deaths of several senior officials.
Among those killed in the initial strikes was Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the ruling ayatollah. The attacks began on February 28, two weeks after Valentine’s Day. Many of us assumed (or hoped) for things to wrap up soon, but defeating a terrorist-sponsoring regime in place since 1979 isn’t going to happen overnight.
The U.S.–Israel attack occurred after a January crackdown by Iranian authorities, during which thousands of civilians were reportedly killed in response to protests against the ruling regime.
After the initial strikes, Iran launched drones and ballistic missiles at Israel and U.S. military bases in neighboring countries that included Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and others. The strikes resulted in the deaths of
In the ensuing fight, 13 U.S. service members were killed, and 381 were wounded. An Iranian drone struck a tactical operations center in Kuwait, killing 6 Army Reservists. Kuwait was the last place you’d think something like that would happen.
Two months later, the conflict has shifted to the Strait of Hormuz—a critical maritime chokepoint for global energy trade. And no, it’s not a restaurant.
Now gas is almost $5 a gallon or more in most places. Add that to the already outrageous cost of living and frustration abounds.
I guess all the electric car drivers can rub it in now.
Chuck Norris wouldn’t stand for any of this. He use fists of fury, martial arts expertise, and maybe a machine gun to solve all the world’s problems.
Things haven’t been quite the same since he left us. Without Chuck Norris protecting the universe, I’m not so sure about things anymore.
I don’t even feel safe leaving the house.
After 86 years, the man who gave us Missing in Action, Invasion U.S.A, The Delta Force, Silent Rage, Firewalker, the long-running television series, Walker, Texas Ranger, and so much more said farewell to all us mortals.
We never imagined the inevitable aging of action stars from our childhood. One minute we’re watching Die Hard, the next minute we’re hearing about Bruce Willis battling dementia. It’s too much.
Every moment is precious and fleeting. My generation (Gen X) is officially past the time of our youth when everyone was around and death was an anomaly.
Our mortality becomes more apparent with each doctor’s appointment, every relative passing, and all we know and love racing by at breakneck speed.
March/April Revisited
It’s been a crazy couple of months, filled with various ups and downs.
Forget politics, the Middle East, or continuous civil unrest. The real news is that our two pug siblings, Bubbles and Homer, recently celebrated their 7th birthday!
They’ve given us so much joy and love over the years. In exchange, we threw them a birthday bash worthy of pug royalty. All dogs promptly passed out afterwards.
My wife and I also recently celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary at our usual spot–a seedy downtown strip club on the wrong side of the tracks. We then classed things at the local cigar lounge, where we ran into Arsenio Hall. At least the guy said he was Arsenio Hall.
We celebrated St. Patrick’s Day and Easter. We marveled at NASA’s successful Artemis II mission around the moon. I attended MEGANCON Orlando, met action movie star Dolph Lundgren at a promotional event, and reluctantly filed and paid my taxes.
All this talk about tax cuts, and I still paid out the nose—just so the government can burn through it in a millisecond.
Despite personal challenges and unending chaos around the world, it’s clearer than ever that life is a gift.
I’ve had some disruptive health issues surface recently, too. It’s been a struggle, but I’m trying to take care of myself and push forward. I’m no longer in my 20s and seemingly invincible like Chuck Norris.
I’m just a normal guy with big dreams of owning my own rocket ship.
Stayed tuned for more adventures!
Shawn McKee 
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