Best five dollars I've ever spent

Before he was jumping on couches or knocking-up women who are young enough to be his daughter, Tom Cruise was changing the world in a little movie called Top Gun.

Under the masterful direction of Tony Scott, Cruise portrayed Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, a cocky, smart-assed Navy flyboy. Cruise's portrayal of Maverick -- which can be described as no less than heroic -- lent to the character the depth and complexity of modern man in a confusing, yet primitive, world.

Maverick was so many things: In addition to being a showboating "mig insulter," Maverick was a tortured boy dealing with the loss of an absent father. At the same time, he was Oedipus, courting a woman who resembled a scolding mother. And through it all, Maverick was a true patriot -- conquering the death of a friend to stand tall against the faceless, nameless enemies who threaten the Indian Ocean.

So what does this all have to do with the carpool? Well, as the seven people who follow this blog will doubtless remember, Sparky and I (Fidget) rarely go a day without quoting Top Gun. Madd Dogg hates that. I think that Mumbles is pretty neutral about the whole thing.

That's why (1) I'm pleased to report to Sparky, (2) I regret to inform Madd Dogg, and (3) I mention in passing to Mumbles that, while perusing the crap at one of my neighbor's garage sales today, I found a DVD copy of the greatest movie ever to hit the screens in 1986: Top Gun. At just five dollars, I would have been an idiot not to purchase it.

Let the quoting begin.

"Top Gun rules of engagement are written for your safety and for that of your team. They are not flexible, nor am I. Is that clear?"
-- Viper

[Photo by Fidget]