tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6568091996048915629.post4450850335084813266..comments2023-10-17T09:47:59.837-06:00Comments on Essays by Sean: Abstractions, Trickling DownSean Crawfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13724844971087639706noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6568091996048915629.post-90867635300337176192014-09-23T00:02:09.262-06:002014-09-23T00:02:09.262-06:00I always find it interesting to chat to people on ...I always find it interesting to chat to people on a plane (sometimes I like my peace and quiet though). When I learn about people's careers or experiences, I sometimes think "Why didn't I think of doing that? Did someone ever mention that career in school? Was I sleeping that day? Did the teacher lose me at hello?". The last time I travelled, I sat beside a woman around my age (an Oil and Gas Engineer in Calgary) who had travelled to Tibet and done some hiking in the Himalayas. Her stories were fascinating. That was a good plane ride. Cheers!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6568091996048915629.post-36507063210056448202014-09-20T05:15:18.120-06:002014-09-20T05:15:18.120-06:00Anonymous, thank you for sharing.
When I was in c...Anonymous, thank you for sharing.<br /><br />When I was in central London there were various military statues for various wars. <br /><br />I was reminded of how in Argentina, during the military Junta rule, when the upper class all wanted to have law degrees, not be engineers to help develop their country, they regarded Britain as a place where the upper class, even royalty, get involved in the armed forces. When Argentine soldiers in the Falklands heard that Britain had entered the Falklands War, they knew right away they had lost… So much for democracies being weak and decadent.<br /><br />I am struck by how your grandfather's generation (My father's) were cheery, optimistic and willing to train hard. Practically all my aunts and uncles served—some were too young. Dad wouldn't let my mother serve in the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps but her younger sister did.<br /><br />As a young man I tried to lead a romantic life—blame the poet in me—but now I feel the guy beside me on the jet: He ran a cryogenics company and the three other guys in his lab had all done things like be on history-making climbs, set a record for jumping out of a balloon, and—I forget what the third man did. My seat mate told me with a laugh he felt very plain by comparison. …Today I lead a plain life too.Sean Crawfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13724844971087639706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6568091996048915629.post-24306578547044078032014-09-19T12:59:22.579-06:002014-09-19T12:59:22.579-06:00You enlisted at age 17? Wow! It sounds like you&...You enlisted at age 17? Wow! It sounds like you've had an interesting career......an interesting path. <br /><br />This topic (thinking about soldier/war) made me think of my Grandfather today. He was awarded his RAF wings in 1936. He piloted a Bristol Blenheim Bomber Mark V1 and he commanded a squadron. One of the other leaders in the same squadron (a best friend to my Grandfather) was awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery and courage.<br /><br />Hats off to you for enlisting/serving and thank you for making me think about and appreciate my dear Grandfather.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com