I Am A ChicoBilly :)

Just as red states usually have blue areas, blue states usually have red areas, and purple areas. Last time I checked, geographically, Massachusetts is at least half and maybe more than half red. Unfortunately, several major population centers are deep blue, and they always vote. Hence, Massachusetts as we know it. Anyway, my home town … Continue reading I Am A ChicoBilly ðŸ™‚

Winning the Peace #1 (readers’ advisory: esoteric military stuff)

[First published on L!, January 28, 2013] I’ve had opportunity to work overseas with many of Uncle Sam’s alphabet soup agencies (DEA, CIA, DOS, USAID, etc.) and have generally been underwhelmed by their lack of foreign language skills and understanding of the local culture. On the other hand they are filled with lot of really … Continue reading Winning the Peace #1 (readers’ advisory: esoteric military stuff)

Driving to Costa Rica on the Road Less Traveled

Although this isn’t exactly where it all began, before I was dodging and/or killing some of the most deadly snakes in the Western Hemisphere, I decided to drive rather than fly to Costa Rica. I mark the beginning of this adventure in the epicenter of the Redneck Riviera: Panama City, Florida, where I purchased a four-wheel-drive Nissan … Continue reading Driving to Costa Rica on the Road Less Traveled