I don’t really get all the hoopla about the Chinese New Year.  Frankly, I don’t care much about our own New Year’s celebrations either.

I don’t stay UP to watch the ball drop any more, and watching Dick Clark breaks my heart.

Plus, the music sucks, and the ubiquitous Ryan Seacrest is wearing a tad thin on me.

But, the other day, a friend of mine said, “Happy Tet!” on the way out the door.

Really, Happy Tet.

I’ll pass.

When I hear Tet, which is the Vietnamese celebration of the new year, I think of one thing:

The Tet Offensive.

The US was caught with their pants down on this one.

Tet Nguyen Dan is the celebration of the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, and usually coincides with the Chinese New Year.

On January 30, 1968, after a mutually agreed cease-fire, the forces of the People’s Army of Viet Nam launched a surprise attack against the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) and the United States.

Its purpose was to use the element of surprise to attack civilian and military commands in South Viet Nam.

We, the allied forces of the United States of America and South Viet Nam, were not ready.  The National Liberation Front, aka Viet Cong, launched an attack of 80,000 communist soldiers, striking more than 100 towns and cities.  It was well planned, well thought out, and well executed.

In the city of Hue alone, more than 2,000 civilians are still listed as missing.  Thousands – THOUSANDS – were killed there by the Viet Cong and the National Liberation Front.

The initial attacks stunned the Allied forces of the South and did major damage to command, life, and the South’s cause. The world and most importantly, America realized that North Viet Nam could launch a devastating attack, and could possibly…and eventually…win the war.

Technically, it ended in a defeat for the Viet Cong, but it changed the American Psyche, turned the tide of public opinion of the war in the United States.

In the offensive, there were 45,850 casualties:  9,078 killed, 35,212 wounded, and 1,530 missing.

Some of those are still missing.

Today, the Tet Offensive is barely mentioned in the US.  Oh, they study it in school, there’s a paragraph or two about it in the US History books, and it’s mentioned in passing.

Frankly, we should remember it more often.

So, forgive me if I pass on the Happy Tet thing.  I don’t remember it as happy at all.

Yeah, I’ll pass.

One of the neat things about blogging is the people you meet in the cyber world.

I have tons of friends on Facebook, nearly 500 followers on Bloggers.com, and have heard from people I’ve never met in lands on six continents.

Recently, Kajal, a blogger from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates nominated me for a Versatile Blogger Award.

I don’t really know what that is, am assuming there is no money, nor a plaque, nor a certificate.

But, it’s nice to be recognized for my versatility.

Kajal has asked that I share the love with other bloggers, and so, I will.

I am to post a picture of the award on my blog.

See below.

Thank the award giver:  Thanks!!

Share seven random facts about myself:

1. I eat the same lunch ever day – well, not the SAME lunch, but I have a salad with Vermont White Cheddar Cheese and Blackened Turkey each day at lunch.
2. I eat the same breakfast every day – again, not the SAME – one egg, scrambled with cheese, one piece of wheat toast, grape jelly and about a gallon of coffee Redneck Latte.
3. I am totally addicted to Downton Abbey.
4. I do not have a nook, kindle, nor ipad.
5. My cell phone is still a flip phone…it works, don’t judge me.
6. I was bald by the time I was 20.
7. I often ruin friendships by working too hard to maintain them.

Now, as to nominating others for this award, that’s a little difficult.  I don’t want anyone to think this chain letter award must go on, but I read other bloggers each day/week/month, and there are many, many that I really like.

So, here goes:

Check out my blog roll on Redneck Latte Ravings.

I”m a no pressure guy, and don’t want anyone to think they HAVE to pass this on.  I mean, it’s not like the world’s gonna end if you don’t.  Well, not counting for the Mayans and all.

…and check out Rajal’s posts at The Purple Chronicles.

Tommy Ramone turns Sixty on Sunday!

He was the drummer for the Punk Rock Band the Ramones, and is the last surviving member of the group!

The Hungarian born rocker was resented by other band members for having “it all together”.  Dee Dee Ramone said in his book (oh please!!!), ” ..being able to cook himself dinner, and organize his life in a much more functional manner, without the psychosis or addictions problems…” that Dee Dee had.  Dee Dee went on to say that “…compared to the rest of the band, he was normal…”.

Could be why he’s the only one left.

Rock on, Dude, and Happy Birthday!

Billy “White Shoes” Johnson turns 60 today.

He’s most remembered as the American Footballer who started elaborate end zone celebrations.

He got the nickname in High School, when he dyed his shoes white on a dare.  His height kept him from Division I schools, but he played at Widener College, a Division III school in PA.

He played for the Houston Oilers, The Canadian Fooball League, and the Atlanta Falcons!

Johnson started with the Oilers as a kickoff returner, his speed helped the offense.  He celebrated his touchdowns by doing “the Funky Chicken”, a dance stemming from the song by Rufus Thomas.  It is considered the fist touchdown celebration in the NFL.

Oddly enough, his funky chicken was more well received than Tebowing!!

So, dance on, White Shoes Johnson, dance on!

And Happy 60th Birthday from another Dragon.