The training began immediately, but it wasn’t real training. There were no calisthenics or any of what was so common to Marine training, but there was running, not in the outside, racing through the wondrous areas of conditioned and well-managed tropical paradise. No,...
I was running only on conjecture and suspicion as I walked up the angled cargo hatch of the Starlifter. Trying to accommodate such an abrupt change in my life and direction was proving more mentally taxing than I’d ever imagined. My wife had been surprisingly excited...
The Los Alamos mission was over. I stood in the high-altitude sunshine, not enough oxygen in the air, and no protection from the high-altitude beating sun’s rays as I reflected. Somehow, I felt let down. Nothing had happened. It was almost like being a house painter...
MANDARIN By James Strauss Chinatown speaks if you pay close attention In the heart of an island filled with contention The haoles are white but black by nickname, Tourists included but locals fair game. An island of flowers and music idyllic, English that’s spoken...
ERUPTION AT MAUNA LOA Newsreel By James Strauss There is quiet risk in geologic events, although such events are seldom able to be predicted ahead of time. There was little warning around the world when the earthquake that occurred along the seafloor just off of...