What’s the one movie is the go to movie when need a lift me up or just that one you just always watch?
Sylum Update: Blogs & Things
Well I’m back! Ish.
I’ve been working on a few behind the scenes updates. There was a lot more behind the scenes updates that needed to be done, than I realized.
Wiki Blog: After WordPress did their last update a few things broke! The main problem was the tab function which is on every post, didn’t work anymore. I waited a bit to see if the theme would get updated and it just hasn’t been, so we’ve uploaded a new theme. The Wiki has a whole new look check it out!
Sylum Blog: After WordPress did their last update a few things broke! (Hmmm I think there’s a running theme here) Well on the bright side most of the issues were fixed, mainly the read more cut. The one thing that hasn’t been fixed is the inability to read comments that have been made. You can make a comment, reply to a comment, but can’t see said comments. At the moment I’m looking into updating the theme for the blog – it could use a fresh look.
Sylum Security Yahoo Group: Oh what can I say about this … many many things. We’ll start with Yahoo Sucks! As of December 15th Yahoo Group will no longer exists – why they couldn’t just do this last year I do not know. So yes, we had to find a new group. Which hey we did! Go us.
We made a new Sylum Security Group at Groups.io (fingers crossed this will stick along longer than a year). The password at the moment isn’t changing, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t join the group. As we’re going to be changing the password on a yearly bases for security reasons, so you still need to sign up.
New Group: https://groups.io/g/SylumSecurity
A few things about the new group: It’s easier to use! There are a few ways to sign in, you don’t have to have a yahoo or google account to do it. It sends out automatic welcome and monthly reminders (I may have teared up a bit with this one). And well if at some point we decided to have a ‘discussion board/email’ type thing again – it’s set up for it.
Sylum Archive: For once with all the updates, continued to work in pristine condition *eyes it – this doesn’t mean you can screw up now!* So that one is staying the same 🙂
Sylum Inspiration: Peter Mitchell
Sylum: Member
Peter Mitchell grew up wanting to be a fighter pilot. Take after his father Duke Mitchell, who served with the VF-51 squadron aboard the USS Oriskany (CV-34) during the Vietnam War, and was killed in action when his Phantom was shot down.
Peter graduated high school in the top ten of the class, then promptly signed up for the US Navy.
He moved up the ranks, got into flight school, and can still remember the first moment he lifted off the deck of an Aircraft Carrier. He will be the first to tell you he was a cocky son of a bitch and arrogant on the fact he really was that good.
Though despite his attitude, he’s recommended for the Navy’s Fighter Weapons School, known as “Top Gun”, at NAS Miramar. He ends up going with his friend Goose, now his top crew.
It’s during training he meets Timothy Quinn, who is a civilian hired to train at Top Gun. Speed though impressed with Maverick’s skills, thinks hes a moron and calls him on it daily.
Near the end of the program, Maverick and Iceman both chase Jester. Under intense pressure from Maverick, Iceman breaks off. Maverick’s F-14 flies through the jet wash of Iceman’s aircraft and suffers a flameout of both engines, entering a flat spin from which he cannot recover, forcing both Maverick and Goose to eject. Goose ejects but his parachute fails to open.
Although the board of inquiry clears Maverick of responsibility, he feels guilty for Goose’s death, losing his aggressiveness when flying. Speed slaps him when Maverick considers leaving the Navy.
It was Speed who finally told him his responsibility was now taking care of Goose’s wife and child. That he was a born pilot and stop mopping around. He had known his father, flew brilliantly in Vietnam, died a hero.
Three days later Maverick showed up asking how Speed knew his father. Once the whole story of Vampires got out, Maverick wanted it. He wanted to be able to watch over his ‘family’ make sure Goose’s kid grows up, lives a long life.
Afternoon Fic: The Dragon General (Part Twelve)
Note: I missed my Thursday posting – it’s been a rough week between house and work stuff!
For those who have read the previous Dragon Interest stories – there’s a hidden gem in this part as an ode to the stories.
Sylum Advent 2020: Check In
I’m not ready! Not even close to it!
Calms down. So how is everyone else doing?
Coffee House Friday
Favorite story – could be either general fiction or fan fiction – that you go back, time and time again to reread when feeling down or just want that happy moment.
Sylum Charity: Monuments Men Foundation
The Monuments Men Foundation is a not-for-profit organization created to raise worldwide awareness about the service of the Monuments Men and Women, honor them for their achievements, and complete their unfinished mission of returning missing art to the rightful owners.
The Monuments Men were a group of American and British men and women—museum curators, art historians, librarians, architects, even artists—responsible for preserving the artistic and cultural achievements of western civilization from the destruction of war and theft by the Nazis.
The Foundation created 345 individual biographies of the Monuments Men and Women, detailing their lives, military service, and achievements. In time the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives Section, known as The Monuments Men, would include volunteers from fourteen nations.
For More Information: Monuments Men Foundation
Sylum Inspiration: Templeton Peck
Sylum: Member
Left on the doorstep of Sacred Heart Orphanage in Los Angeles at the age of three, he didn’t even remember his true name. He took the name Templeton Peck because it sounded important and respectful. He learned from an early age that he had a beautiful smile and used it to get what he needed and wanted. There were very few people in the world he respected; the one man he looked to as a father figure was Father O’Malley at the Orphanage.
Father O’Malley pushed for Templeton to enter collage afraid he would be drafted into the War. Templeton enrolled at USC for the fall. During that summer, he worked his craft to earn enough to buy a ring for his high school sweetheart. When he showed up at her parents’ home to pick her up, he was informed that she had left, leaving him only a letter.
He joined the Army the next day.
His test results had the Army putting him in Officer Candidate School (OCS). The skills he showed during training led to his recruitment into Special Forces. It wasn’t long before he was shipped over to Vietnam holding the rank of Lieutenant, where he was recruited into a SOG Unit. After a failed mission, his unit was dismantled and he was placed under the command of Major Hannibal King. He became fast friends with the small unit, especially their pilot Humphrey Marrion Murdock.
On a routine mission they were ambushed and captured by the Vietcong and sent to a POW Camp. For reasons Templeton couldn’t explain, he was singled out of the unit to be interrogated. Each day it got worse and harder for him to hold on. After another grueling session he was thrown back into the cell. He knew he wasn’t going to live to see the morning. All he wanted was to say goodbye to Murdock and tell him he was sorry for leaving him again.
When Hannibal gave him another option, Templeton Peck took it and never looked back.