Turpitude

SLANapa

July 2006

Mike Horvat

A lot of my time has been taken up with amateur radio. There have been two international contests in recent months. I had a great time participating in them! Unfortunately, it takes about a year for the results to be posted, so I have a bit of a time to wait until I learn where I finished. Last year I had the top score in my class in the State of Oregon. It was a big deal to me, I even got a certificate. Most contests involve contacting as many stations around the world as possible, and the din on the airwaves is unbelievable! That is where the skill comes in: stalking a rare country and getting him to respond to your call instead of the other hundred and twenty that are calling at the same time/place.

I was one of the founding members of our local radio club, back in 1988. People die or move or lose interest and the club has foundered. It got so only four people would show up, never bother to start a real meeting, and quickly adjourn to the local A&W for root beer and a ‘burger. I even stopped going because I want a club that does something and don’t have time to waste at the A&W. A month ago a ham-friend talked to me about revitalizing the club. I’m for that! So, we went to the next monthly meeting, had elections (which the club hadn’t bothered with for four years) and he is now president and I am secretary. We are having some trouble with the now ex-president as he refuses to relinquish his office and club papers(!); what a tempest in a teapot. I am terrible with politics so it is fascinating to watch this all happen.

Dale sits quietly, doesn’t say much, then suddenly will pop up with a gem. This week’s comment of much value was that Google has an image search feature. This may be old hat to most of you, but I hadn’t noticed that option and was thrilled to see what it does. My first search for images was for “redheads.” The drawing you see here was one of the fabulous pictures that turned up. Among the others was a good bit of good-girl art, classic pin-ups, and a photograph of a stunning redhead with green eyes that makes this old codger just sit and sigh.

I also did a search on “Nha Trang,” where I spent most of my Viet Nam tour. It gave me back quite a few photos and led me to websites that were of much interest. Half of them were sites of fellows who’d been in Nha Trang during the conflict and half were of the “new” resort town of Nha Trang, Viet Nam’s tourist trap.

I especially enjoyed the two or three sites that combined the two: details of ex-servicemen’s nostalgic trips back to Viet Nam. I got one photo that is a gem: a paunchy, balding middle-aged American, grinning from ear to ear, in front of the building that housed our headquarters (IFFV). That could be ME. So I went to Orbitz and found out that it would cost $3000 per person for airfare to Viet Nam; guess that rules out RVN as a vacation spot for me! [Although I have wanted to go to Japan, which is on the way – only six hours flight to RVN after Tokyo.]

I put some of the better photos I found on my website, if you are interested in more details (www.wvi.com/~jfiske).

The notion of going back to Viet Nam is a strange one. I had a friend who was Public Works Director of Stayton; he paid all his own expenses to go back to RVN for six months to help with developing the sewer systems in Khanh Hoa. When he returned he told me what a wonderful experience it was. My stomach knots at the thought of returning. I have often wondered if it would be good for me to go back. I theoretically have nothing against the Viet Namese, in the same sense that I have nothing against the Japanese (who after all did such extravaganzas as the Rape of Nanking). But I don’t trust them and I think I would always be afraid of getting a round in the back. This is an interesting psychological problem.

I have been watching some high-budget Westerns on AMC lately. It is hard to remember when Westerns were “the” thing to watch. Movies like “Man Without a Star,” “Bend in the River,” and “The Commancheros;” and shows like “The Rifleman,” “Have Gun Will Travel,” and “Cheyenne.” We were all so worried that the violence of a gunfight would ruin our children – and now look at what tremendous violence is in the media. And what do you know, it has ruined our children.

Summer TanKon was great! The usual gang of five were there: Frank, Dale, Bob, Dan, and I. I was hoping that Jeff Frane would show up; I had invited him and he indicated that he might make it for a day. I am sorry it did not turn out. This one was a communicative one; seems like everyone had firm opinions about something. Occasionally we will have a tankon where the theme turns out to be reading, and everyone reads, naps, and sits in companionable silence. This one was full of mini book reviews, tales of what movies were watched and why, and even stories about how our kids are doing.

Bob didn’t nap as much as usual. Dan did. Dale was ‘way too pleasant. Frank was a little on edge. And I was struck dumb as I realized for the umpteenth time that these fellows know more about books, movies, and life than I ever will.

The repairs on the outhouse were again appreciated. Since Frank fixed the rotting floor I have been able to sit in relative ease.

The days there were absolutely perfect. It was a joy to relax on the front porch and feel the warm wind blow in thoughts of peace and contentment. Food was abundant, including a never-ending supply of Susie-Qs and potato chips. Dale’s casseroles were splendid. Normally there is very little in the way of alchohol at the cabin…this year I took a case of Mike’s Hard Lemonade and drank it thoughout; it took the edge off and made things quite mellow.