Wyld's Q & A

Pride

2011-06-26T21:04:00.000-04:00

Pride can be deadly. We (my wife and I) have a Eagle Globe and Anchor door knocker on my steel reinforced door to our home on a hill that has clear envelopes of fire on both laterals. We have yellow footprints entering our home and we still have our magnetic "Parent's Pride" Emblem on our truck with Marine Corps personalized plates. We wear red on Fridays and we donate the time we can to those you need it. The pride we have, if you could contain it in a jar, would be enough to shine bright until everyone came home.

A Version of Genesis

2011-06-13T21:25:00.001-04:00

In the beginning was the word, and the word was God.

In the beginning was God, and all else was darkness and void, and without form. So God created the heavens and the Earth. He created the sun, and the moon, and the stars, so that light might pierce the darkness. The Earth, God divided between the land and the sea, and these he filled with many assorted creatures.
And the dark, salty, slimy creatures that inhabited the murky depths of the oceans, God called sailors. And He dressed them accordingly. They had little trousers that looked like bells at the bottom. And their shirts had cute little flaps on them to hide the hickeys on their necks. He also gave them long sideburns and shabby looking beards. God nicknamed them "squids" and banished them to a lifetime at sea, so that normal folks would not have to associate with them. To further identify these unloved creatures, He called them "petty" and "commodore" instead of titles worthy of red-blooded men.

And the flaky creatures of the land, God called soldiers. And with a twinkle in His eye, and a sense of humor that only He could have, God made their trousers too short and their covers too large. He also made their pockets oversized, so that they may warm their hands. And to adorn their uniforms, God gave them badges in quantities that only a dime store owner could appreciate. And He gave them emblems and crests... and all sorts of shiny things that glittered... and devices that dangled. (When you are God you tend to get carried away.)

On the 6th day, He thought about creating some air creatures for which he designed a Greyhound bus driver's uniform, especially for Air Force flyboys. But He discarded the idea during the first week, and it was not until years later that some apostles resurrected this theme and established what we now know as the "Wild-Blue-Yonder Wonders."

And on the 7th day, as you know, God rested.

But on the 8th day, at 0730, God looked down upon the earth and was not happy. No, God was not happy! So He thought about His labors, and in His divine wisdom God created a divine creature. And this He called Marine. And these Marines, who God had created in His own image, were to be of the air, and of the land, and of the sea. And these He gave many wonderful uniforms. Some were green; some were blue with red trim. And in the early days, some were even a beautiful tan. He gave them practical fighting uniforms, so that they could wage war against the forces of Satan and evil. He gave them service uniforms for their daily work and training. And He gave them evening and dress uniforms...sharp and stylish, handsome things…so that they might promenade with their ladies on Saturday night and impress the hell out of everybody! He even gave them swords, so that people who were not impressed could be dealt with accordingly.

And at the end of the 8th day, God looked down upon the Earth and saw that it was good. But was God happy? No! God was still not happy! Because in the course of His labors, He had forgotten one thing: He did not have a Marine uniform for Himself. He thought about it, and thought about it, and finally God satisfied Himself in knowing that, well....

Not everybody can be a Marine!

A Fan of WSJ's Mackubin Thomas Owens

2011-05-03T19:49:00.000-04:00

The Wall Street Journal's Mackubin Thomas Owens has been inpressing me for quite some time now. He is a professor of national security affairs at the Naval War College, editor of Orbis, the quarterly journal of the Foreign Policy Research Institute, and author of "US Civil-Military Relations After 9/11: Renegotiating the Civil-Military Bargain" (Continuum, 2011).

He writes quite fluently with his military topics and is "top on" with his audience. Here is a copy of what he worte on May 2, 2011:

Why We Still Need the Marines

Their unique combination of sea, land and air capabilities makes them an indispensable rapid response force.

In Washington these days, the Defense Department is looking to cut its budget and the Marine Corps especially is reviewing its future role. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has spoken of "anxiety" that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have turned the Corps into a "second land army," and he has cancelled major Marine weapons systems, such as the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle. No institution is sacrosanct, so it's worth asking: Why should we maintain the Marine Corps in the future?

The utility of any institution must be balanced against the opportunity cost of maintaining it. In arguing against maintaining a Marine Corps in the future, one must prove either that what the Marines do isn't necessary, or that it is necessary but that another organization can do it more efficiently and effectively.

In 1954, the political scientist Samuel Huntington argued that each service was built around a "strategic concept"-"the fundamental element of [a] service . . . its role or purpose in implementing national policy." A service's strategic concept answers the "ultimate question: What function do you perform which obligates society to assume responsibility for your maintenance?"

The current Marine Corps strategic concept envisions an expeditionary force in readiness capable of responding rapidly to the full range of crises and contingencies, primarily but not exclusively from the sea, with integrated and balanced air, ground and logistics teams. To this end, the Marines provide a responsive and scalable "middleweight" force that is light enough to get to where it is needed quickly but heavy enough-and with sufficient logistics support-to prevail against an adversary upon arrival.

Due to the proliferation of high-tech defensive weapons, the most controversial element of the Marines' strategic concept are amphibious assaults against defended littorals. What most people envision when they think of an amphibious assault is a World War II scenario with landing craft churning toward a defended beach. But today's amphibious assaults seek to avoid the strength of the enemy's defenses, exploiting seams and gaps in those defenses in order to achieve surprise.

For example, in October 2001, Naval Task Force 58-commanded by then-Brig. Gen. James Mattis, who is now commander of U.S. Central Command-conducted an amphibious assault to seize the airfield at Kandahar, Afghanistan. Gen. Mattis's force of two infantry battalions, along with fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and logistics support, thrust 450 nautical miles from ships off the coast of Pakistan to Kandahar in only 48 hours.

In addition to conducting amphibious operations and providing forces for two wars, over the past decade the Marines have also been engaged in the Caucasus, Africa, the Pacific and Latin America. They have provided training and support for friends and allies and have responded to numerous crises: noncombatant evacuation operations in Liberia (2005) and Lebanon (2006), as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in Indonesia, the U.S. Gulf region (2005), Haiti (2008 and 2009), Pakistan (2010) and Japan (2011).

Marines routinely split amphibious ready groups into smaller packages to provide a variety of capabilities over a wider geographic area, reassembling to conduct larger operations. Marine assets are currently involved in aircraft-recovery operations in support of NATO forces in Libya.

So it would seem that what the Marines do is of value to the United States. But could another service do what the Marines do? The answer, of course, is yes. But the opportunity cost would be very high.

All of the U.S. military services are carrying out missions in support of their own strategic concepts. Asking another service to do what the Marines do risks crowding out what they already do. Each of the other services operates primarily in one "domain": the Army on land, the Navy on water, and the Air Force in air and space. The Marines operate in a "lane" that intersects all three domains. In that lane, the Marines possess what economists would call comparative advantage.

What about the charge that the Marines have become a second land army in Iraq and Afghanistan? As the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Joseph Dunford, recently remarked, the Marines have no reason to apologize for sustained operations ashore.

Such operations, he observed, are part of the basic "sticker price" of the Marines: the requirement to carry out missions as directed by the president, an obligation Marines have met in Korea and Vietnam as well as in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition, an important part of Marine Corps tradition has been to prepare to fight the kind of small-unit wars we have confronted over the past decade.

The Marines are an expeditionary force with a maritime soul. Of course, the current security environment requires all services to become more expeditionary than was the case during the Cold War. But as former Marine Commandant Gen. Carl Mundy was fond of saying, "'Expeditionary' is not a mission. It's a mindset." The Marines have developed this expeditionary mindset over decades, and it is something that will serve the nation well in the future.

Comments

2011-05-01T20:11:00.000-04:00

I had used Haloscan for years for my commenting on this blog. As the times have changed, Haloscan is no more. And with that, I have lost all of those years worth of comments. I never downloaded them to keep them and my attempts to get them back from the company (Echo) seems futile.

So I am starting a leaf by using the blogger's version and I hope that this will still be an enjoyable website with comments.

Things I am Going to Miss

2011-04-17T19:56:00.002-04:00

This is some of the cadences that I will miss saying and hearing in return 20 fold.
(The authors are unknown, these have been passed by word of mouth for many generations.)

1775

BACK IN 1775,

MY MARINE CORPS CAME ALIVE.

1^ST THERE CAME THE COLOR GOLD,

SHOWED THE WORLD THAT WE ARE BOLD.

NEXT THERE CAME THE COLOR BLUE,

SHOWED THE WORLD THAT WE ARE TRUE.

THEN THERE CAME THE COLOR GREEN,

SHOWED THE WORLD THAT WE ARE MEAN.

THEN THERE CAME THE COLOR RED,

SHOWED THE WORLD THE BLOOD WE’VE SHED.

(CAN BE SUNG AS A ROUND OR BY THE LEADER WITH THE PLATOON SINGING “MARINE CORPS” IN BETWEEN LINES.)

HORSE MARINE

MY GRAND DADDY WAS A HORSE MARINE

EVERYTHING HE WORE WAS MARINE CORPS GREEN

HE ATE STEAKS 8 INCHES THICK

HE PICKED HIS TEETH WITH A GUIDON STICK

HE LIVED EVERYDAY OF HIS LIFE IN THE CORPS

TILL THEY SENT HIM OFF TO WAR

THEY SENT HIM TO A PLACE CALLED VIETNAM

TO FIGHT PEOPLE CALLED THE VIETCONG

TILL ONE DAY IN A FIRE FIGHT

HE COME HOME ON A MEDIVAC FLIGHT

NOW HE SITS ON THE PORCH AND STARES

MARKING TIME IN HIS ROCKING CHAIR

EVERYWHERE WE GO

EVERYWHERE WE GO

PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW

WHO WE ARE

SO WE TELL THEM

WE’RE THE BOY’S FROM * (INSERT YOUR PLATOON #) YOU’VE HEARD SO MUCH ABOUT

THE MOTHERS TAKE THEIR DAUGHTERS IN WHEN EVER WE GO OUT!

PEOPLE SAY WE’RE CRAZY FOR THE CRAZY THINGS WE DO

WE’RE THE BOYS FROM *, WHO THE HECK ARE YOU!

MOMMA MOMMA

MOMMA MOMMA CAN’T YOU SEE

WHAT THE MARINE CORPS HAS DONE TO ME?

PUT ME IN A BARBER’S CHAIR,

I TURNED AROUND AND HAD NO HAIR

THEY PUT ME IN SOME CAMMIE GREEN

THEY TRAINED ME HARD THEY MADE ME MEAN

THEN THEY SHIPPED ME OFF TO WAR

PUT ME ON A FOREIGN SHORE

THEY PUT A RIFLE IN MY HAND

TOLD ME TO DEFEND OUR LAND

BUT IF I DIE IN A COMBAT ZONE

BOX ME UP AND SHIP ME HOME

PUT ME IN A SET OF DRESS BLUES

COMB MY HAIR AND SHINE MY SHOES

PIN THE MEDALS UPON MY CHEST

AND TELL MOMMA I DID MY BEST

BUT MOMMA MOMMA DON’T YOU CRY

MARINE CORPS MOTTO IS TO DO OR DIE

SAYING, “LEFT RIGHT A LOW RIGHT LEFT”

“LEFT RIGHT A LEFTY RIGHT LEFT”

IF I DIE, BURY ME DEEP

2 M16’S, BENEATH MY FEET

AND BY MY SIDE, PLACE MY 9MM THERE

BUT DON’T FORGET TO PACK MY PT GEAR,

BECAUSE EARLY ONE MORNING, AROUND ZERO-FIVE

THE EARTH’S GONNA SHAKE, THERE WILL BE LIGHTNING IN THE SKY

BUT DON’T YOU WORRY, DON’T COME UNDONE

IT’S JUST ME AND CHESTY PULLER ON A PT RUN.

Physical Evaluation Board

2011-03-20T18:43:00.002-04:00

Time has come that my Fun with Navy Medicine will come to a close. I have been on a PEB since January and according to the Magic timeline that was given to me by December I could be on the way out of the Marine Corps. I wrote briefly about the Worst Case Scenarios once before but now that it seems to be reality I have been pinching myself on a regular basis.

The following is what I have learned so far:

During the VA appointment process each member will be assigned a code that is part of the VASRD and the reference for that is 38 CFR part 4. The codes will later translate into the VA's disability rating and has nothing to do with the military's rating. The military rating comes from the unfit condition that is preventing the member from doing his/her job. There can be multiple issues but after the initial is submitted, an addendum for each other unfit condition must be submitted otherwise it doesn't count. Of course the magic number for permanently disability retirement listing (PDRL) is 30 percent or higher. Anything less than that and the member is under 20 years will get a severance package. The math for that is 2 x base pay x # years, if combat related the number of years is 6. Obviously that doesn't help the more senior Marines.
(The unfit condition is anything that stops the Marine from performing ITSS/MOS/PFT/CFT.)

Before a package is sent to MEB the Marine is going to sign it and receive a copy. It was reiterated that the Marine must pay attention for any discrepancies since this will delay the process or give an undesired result from the board.

Right now, I am about halfway through the VA appointment process and have not seen my doctor for my unfitting condition as of yet.

I am going to have to find another theme to right about. Maybe I will write about the squirrels that make my clothes for me and the birds that make my bed.

Blogs and the Tools That They Are

2010-08-29T15:54:00.002-04:00

My original idea was to use this blog as a communication tool with my family. At one time, it grew into a stress reliever. After the many rants and raves, time came when I thought I didn't need this outside opinion anymore. Since my absence, I have mulled over the point of posting more regularly again.

Whether or not anyone being outside my opinion headquarters, my wife and I, gives me an opinion I really do not care.

After saying that and you are still here reading. Then to me you are either very thick in the head or you know me better than you know yourself.

My wife is trying this thing we call a blog. It would do me well if you have poor opinions to either leave it in your head or write them here on my blog. ( Yes, the armor is still shiny.) Her blog address is: http://inconceivably40.wordpress.com/.
(Those that know me know that it took me 5 times to figure out how it was spelled.)

Happy toolbox hunting.

Absence with Navy Medicine

2010-08-14T16:21:00.003-04:00

I have been home for about a month recovering from another surgery. My right shoulder has been decreasing in strength and agility for about a year or so. The surgeon discovered it as worse than predicted and had to sever and reattach my bicep tendon and fix some tears in two other muscles.

My left arm has increasingly been the strong arm. And life couldn't go on without my wife.

It will be back to work in a few days.

Fun With Navy Medicine, Continued...

2010-03-12T09:44:00.002-05:00

Not sure which part I am on, seems to have been going on for quite some time now. I have had my left ulna nerve moved to fix another problem that was unforeseen before. I believe I am on day 3 of recovery since the surgery. Hopefully, and God willing, this will be that last surgery on my left arm.
I reenlisted for the last time on Monday, this will bring me to 19 years and change. Which is enough to get me to retirement.( Application for retirement can happen 14 months out from the desired date.) It was noted that I had several officers at the ceremony, which I only formally invited two. I reenlisted at the Aviation Memorial at MCAS New River in front of the CH-46 Sea Knight.

What We Have Been Up To

2009-10-24T13:17:00.008-04:00

I know I have been MIA for a bit. Medical issues have been plaguing us for a little bit and I haven't been up to writing on the blog. My website is in disarray and I am aware of it, so no need to let me know that you are getting page errors. When I have some more time, I am planning a complete overhaul. We spent about 3 weeks in Arizona fixing our house there after a bad tenant and even worse property manager. Here is some finished pictures:

We laid the floor, painted the interior, replaced fixtures, and resurfaced the cabinetry.

We painted the outside, poured concrete steps, stained the concrete, landscaped 55 tons of rock, planted new vegetation, and Kim made a new house sign with the address.

Without listing everything we did, imagine a complete overhaul, so now our new tenants are basically moving into a new house.

1st P

2009-06-17T17:05:00.002-04:00

I received my first pass of a maximum of 2 as a Staff Sergeant. Basically, if I don't get gunny next year then I will retire as a Staff Sergeant.

All that stuff I wrote about when I as a sergeant trying to get staff still applies. At least my combat is out of the way.

House Remodel - The May Update

2009-05-06T09:32:00.003-04:00

Quit Smoking, The Sequel

2009-04-27T06:45:00.002-04:00

Kim and I have been nicotine free, each, for about a week now. She is doing a little better than I, time wise.

We also just returned from a trip to see my parents in Wisconsin. No one died so I count that as a successful trip. Kim and my parents got along very well, a lot better than I got along with my parents.

Since we went through that stressful situation while quitting and the 24 hour drive to and 19 hour drive back(detour for the better), we should not have to worry about a relapse.

I know I could not have quit without my wife.

Quit Smoking, The Sequel, Day Three

2009-04-09T21:37:00.002-04:00

So far so good. I haven't had a cigarette in about 68 hours and as far as I know Kim hasn't either. The coworkers are not helping at all, but I am doing what I said so far. Keep in mind I have a 21mg patch and Kim is using a 14mg.

The weekend is coming up that is usually the biggest test.

Quit Smoking, The Sequel, Day One

2009-04-07T19:48:00.002-04:00

If you have been following my bad habits then you know that I started smoking again last summer. Well, today is day one of Kim and I quitting.

If I remember correctly, I gained about twenty pounds last time around. I lost it all when I started again but there are 2 major factors that play into that. My injury and my recovery. Not that gaining weight is any priority for me.

They say the average person gains (or loses) a habit after 21 straight days. So May should be nicotine and smoke free for us.

During my shift the worst part is my Corporal asking if I want to smoke every thirty minutes or so. Or it could be that my truck smells of smoke. Yep, you guessed it. It is on the list for cleaning this weekend.

Last go around day three was the worst. We shall see.

Fun with Navy Medicine, Part XXIII

2009-03-31T23:56:00.002-04:00

My wrist is doing better and have a followup with the hand surgeon coming up in about a week. My career is holding on the facts that I have to have at least seventy-five percent mobility and strength in my left arm(compared to the right) before returning to full duty.

I have been having some problems in the lower abdominal area for the last month or so. I am fix'n to go to Duke to see the Endocrinology department. I have been diagnosed with orchitis and epididymitis. Plus, it seems that I have Staphylococcus aureus in an odd spot. The urologist says I have an unusual problem.

World News Report!!

2009-03-19T10:02:00.004-04:00

Kim and I will be getting hitched today. Nothing extravagant, but the important parts.

For curiosity sake this is what her ring looks like:

Sorry don't have a picture of what mine looks like, but it is something I wanted.

I do have pictures of her, but she would kill me if I posted them. And that would be bad.

See you all on the flip-side.

Closing Time

2009-03-18T20:11:00.001-04:00

I am in debate to end this blog.

Give me your vote:
yea or nay

Rev Gals Friday Five: Pets

2009-02-13T07:58:00.002-05:00

In honor of all the beloved animal companions who bless our lives: tell us about the five most memorable pets you have known.

1) Cuddles - an attack toy poodle with a heart condition, Everyone I knew was afraid of this ankle biter, put to sleep in late eighties.

2) Sturgis - Only dog on my street to open the frig and grab a can without breaking it and bringing it to you; died by way of UPS truck 13 years ago.

3) Knuckles - Tree frog, feared by many answered to a few. Lived in a drawer on the USS Nassau ('96), set free in Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico.

4) Lady - Farm dog of my uncle's, she hated cows. Played too hard and was rested after ten years.

5) Sammy - Farm dog of my uncle's, given to neighbor after my uncle's passing.

February Home Renovating

2009-02-10T20:34:00.000-05:00

People (and Other Non-Specific Ideas)

2009-02-08T19:10:00.004-05:00

Recently, I have received several items and monies to be " square" with those individuals that I lent said items to. Which is amazing. I am contemplating the idea that it may be because of the "recent" down turn of our economy and others are thinking twice about returning goods and coin. Or maybe humans can have morals too.

I have been working on the house with Kim and Alec. It is a good thing that Kim knows something about decor, because my idea of it is a pretty basic model for most young men. Not too many niceties, if you get my drift.

I will do a video as soon as I have more than fifteen minutes to kill. It is always nice to have the record of things changing, something to look back on.

I have many projects, the one I am dreading at the moment is my taxes. I started but I figure I have about 2 to 3 hours to go until I have everything to send to my accountant. Yes, I have an accountant. To me, it is worth the 284 buckaroos to have someone else do that crap.

I have been letting my cellphone run dead as of late. Not for any particular reason, other than it is nice not hearing it at 0230( in the morning).

I may have another update on medical soon and with that I may let you all know how my promotion probability situation is panning out.

So you see, I have things to pass...and to blog about.

Fun with Navy Medicine, Part XXII

2009-01-28T23:13:00.002-05:00

I started smoking again when I came back to the states around April or so. Since then, I have been trying to get the "Quit Smoking" class signed up for me. Not been real lucky on this one. I am guessing that MCCS isn't making enough money so that is why there seems to be no class to attend. So that everyone is with me, you need to go to the class to get the gum or patches or the pill.

I am supposed to be working with something called a gravitron. I thought the doc was joking when he said it, but it seems to be he was serious.

Still have thumb problems and the wrist is not fully healed from the last surgery.

Got a new splint today, I like the old one better.

PTSD

2009-01-20T07:03:00.002-05:00

I have that.

George Carlin made a joke about the renaming of it. The Shell Shock to Operation Fatigue to PTSD, I think it is funny.

I didn't get mine from Iraq. Nope. I got mine from Zaire. Do you know where Zaire is? Didn't think so. It is now called The Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Before my experience I became a Golden Shellback, I have both the official and unofficial badges for it. This means nothing to most of you, but it means something to many veterans.

Yesterday at my head doctor appointment, he told me that I am one of the few that can disassociate myself from my experience. Most of the time I can, sometimes not so much.

I hope as I start my life with a future wife and possible children that I can still be one of the few.

2008 Year in Review

2009-01-07T09:50:00.002-05:00

I am a little late this year with my review, no fault but mine on this one. So without further ado:

January we came back from Iraq. There was many delays and lots of cluster fucks but by the 31st we were on American soil. I had come back with a lime green cast on my left arm due to an injury I incurred while performing my duties. I was surprised to find my Mom waiting for me with all the other families as we stepped off the buses. This significant since this was a first in thirteen years.

February stated with a few days with my Mom, we had received pedicures and I took many showers. I also started renting a room from some people that I wish now that I hadn't. At the end of the month I went on leave and took a more scenic route to Wisconsin. I had visited three other bloggers in their homes on the way. Very exciting and very fun. Definitely a major highlight of my vacation.

The beginning of March I ended my leave by visiting a few more blogger friends and had a blast. Which came to the end by going back to work shortly there after. By the time April came around "we" found out my original diagnosis was wrong and my treatments and future surgeries would be taking a different turn. The problems in my wrist ended up being worse than original expected at this point.

May ended up being a pinnacle month since I settled on the home I was to buy and started vigorous negotiations. By the end on June, I purchased a home in the middle of Jacksonville, NC. It has a travel time equal to both Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River, so going to work and going to see the doctor is not an evil evolution. Plus the bennies is that everything else is no more than a fifteen minute drive away either. This wasn't the major factor in buying this home, but it was something I carefully considered.

When entering July it was crunch time since moving in and fixing the little things like the shower had to be done before I had surgery. This was my third major surgery since being hurt in Iraq and was going to be laid up for a few weeks afterward. I did okay, the shower did not get completely done until a few days after the surgery, but it did get done.

For the months of August and September I spent mostly in Occupational Therapy and spent a weekly sessions with a head doctor. I was also gearing up for the fourth surgery that everyone knew had to happen. Basically after the third, the doctor discovered that I had three ligaments that were completely destroyed and needed to be replaced.

October was the month that my forth (hopefully the last) surgery took place. I had several major complications after the ligament replacement surgery. One of the big ones was my tolerance to the drugs that I have been taking since the injury. So within the first days of my surgery I had a Pain pump and a needle two feet long sticking out of my chest. I used the pump for about a week and then started taking lesser drugs like morphine and percocet. All of November was spent in the house except for one Friday. I just decided I had to get out and interact with someone, so I went down to a Marine bar close to my home(fifteen minute walk). I was thinking that if nothing else I could get a cold glass of soda and a conversation in. That was the day I met Kim.

December I was back to work. I started seeing Pain Management. I had Kim and her son Alec move into my home. I should really say "we' moved them in since my lifting capacity is till sucking greatly at this point. We spent Christmas in Mississippi and Arkansas. I met her parents,her sibling, and a few other relatives and she met my brother and his family. Other than the driving, I would say the holidays was a complete success. After all I did receive her father's blessing.

Meeting the Parents

2008-12-23T10:23:00.003-05:00

The next few days we are embarking on the journey to meet the parents. Not mine but hers. My only hope is too not come off as a dumbass. We are spending about 2 and half days with them and some of her aunts and uncles too. We are getting a day or so with my brother and his family so she can probe him for stuff I didn't tell her or conveniently forgot.

Hope we make it back with cheers and jeers.

And, Everyone have a Merry Christmas!

Rev Gals Friday Five: Christmas Countdown

2008-12-19T07:01:00.002-05:00

Tell us five things you need to accomplish before Christmas Eve:

1) Wrap the surprise gift I bought for my lover
2) Drive to Mississippi
3) Budget gas for drive to Mississippi
4) Call brother to ensure stay in Arkansas is still good for the 26th
5) Make love at least five times

Life, Part II

2008-12-16T11:40:00.003-05:00

I realize my absence from the web world may have some of you worried, but have no fear. There are several reasons for this. One, since being back to work the government has set up new firewalls and anything relating to "social networking" is blocked, so I am unable to write posts at work anymore. And the next several reasons relate to one big change in my life, and that is I have found a significant other. A woman that makes everyday a new and exciting day. And while at one point the web was my escape from being alone in this world, I don't need that.

Now letting that sink in, I do not plan on ending my foray of comments and updates about the big stuff. I just might not be floating among you daily along the super highway. I will pull over and stop, from time to time, but I have found a new breeze and I am following it.

Fun with Navy Medicine, Part XXI

2008-12-08T19:31:00.002-05:00

Had my pins taken out today. It was considered minor surgery, it didn't feel minor to me. Pretty much got a script for some more "vitamin P" and some antibiotics. And guess what, I am back to work.

I couldn't drive my truck today, had to borrow an automatic one(from that special friend I talked about earlier). My boss is happy I am back to work, it relieves some personnel pressure for him. It makes me happy to help out my Corporal more than helping my boss.

Looks like I will be doing lots of Occupational Therapy for the next several months to get back in tip top form.

Rubber Ducky

2008-11-24T11:41:00.004-05:00

Some of you have noticed next to your comment their is a yellow duck. The icon is know as a Gravatar. The comment site I use has this option for people you leave comments. For those people that do not have one I have given you all one in its absence which looks like this:

If you decide to get yourself one, which this service is free, then it will replace the rubber ducky with yours.

Just something a little extra, a little flair if you will.

Rev Gals Friday Five: Mix and Stir

2008-11-21T16:52:00.003-05:00

1) Do you have a food processor? Can you recommend it? Which is to say, do you actually use it?
Is this like my belly?

2) And if so, do you use the fancy things on it?
Always

3) Do you use a standing mixer? Or one of the hand-held varieties?
I did have one, twice, both times the ex-wives felt they needed it more than I. Funny since I cook almost every day.

4) How about a blender? Do you have one? Use it much?
I have a blender, I use it on occasion for drinks.

5) Finally, what old-fashioned, non-electric kitchen tool do you enjoy using the most?
My carving knives. Or maybe my boning knives.

Bonus: Is there a kitchen appliance or utensil you ONLY use at Thanksgiving or some other holiday? If so, what is it?
Sorry to say, no. Why have something that is used less than one percent of the time?

Life

2008-11-18T08:21:00.002-05:00

As you may have seen recently, I haven't been around much. It isn't just because of my wrist, but more of life has been happening to me lately. It is far more worth my time than being here. Not saying I don't appreciate everything you have said in your comments and emails, but computers give no hugs.

I am hoping that the person I found will continue to discover me as I have been discovering her.

Possible New Ideas

2008-11-11T06:59:00.002-05:00

I was thinking about doing a new thread like "Six for Saturday" or Two for Tuesday's", similar to the Friday Fives I do with the Rev Gals. I would like some topics from you all to help get me started. Nothing to me is taboo.

I was thinking of topics like these:
Childhood toys
Particular years
Favorite accidents
Sensual fruits

Well, you get the idea. Please feel free to give me your suggestions.

Happy 233rd!

2008-11-10T00:06:00.001-05:00

ALMAR 042/

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY MESSAGE - 10 NOVEMBER 2008

1. DURING THE SUMMER OF 1982, IN THE WAKE OF A PRESIDENTIALDIRECTIVE, MARINES WENT ASHORE AT BEIRUT, LEBANON.FIFTEEN MONTHS LATER, ON 23 OCTOBER 1983, EXTREMISTS STRUCK THE FIRST MAJORBLOW AGAINST AMERICAN FORCES - STARTING THIS LONG WAR ON TERRORISM. ON THATSUNDAY MORNING, A SUICIDE BOMBER DROVE AN EXPLOSIVE-LADEN TRUCK INTO THEHEADQUARTERS OF BATTALION LANDING TEAM 1/8, DESTROYING THE BUILDING ANDKILLING 241 MARINES AND CORPSMEN.

2. EXTREMISTS HAVE ATTACKED OUR NATION, AT HOME AND ABROAD, NUMEROUS TIMESSINCE THAT FATEFUL DAY IN BEIRUT. THEIR AIM HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE SAME - TOKILL AS MANY INNOCENT AMERICANS AS POSSIBLE. THE ATTACKS OF 11 SEPTEMBER2001 CHANGED OUR NATION FOREVER, AND OUR PRESIDENT HAS RESOLVED THAT THISNATION WILL NOT STAND IDLE WHILE MURDEROUS TERRORISTS PLOT THEIR NEXTSTRIKE.MARINES WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE THE FIGHT TO THE ENEMY - HITTING THEM ON THEIROWN TURF, CRUSHING THEM WHEN THEY SHOW THEMSELVES, AND FINDING THEM WHERETHEY HIDE.

3. ONLY A FEW AMERICANS CHOOSE THE DANGEROUS, BUT NECESSARY, WORK OF FIGHTING OUR NATION'S ENEMIES. WHEN OUR CHAPTER OF HISTORY IS WRITTEN, IT WILL BE A SAGA OF A SELFLESS GENERATION OF MARINES WHO WERE WILLING TO STAND UP AND FIGHT FOR OUR NATION; TO DEFEND THOSE WHO COULD NOT DEFEND THEMSELVES; TO THRIVE ON THE HARDSHIP AND SACRIFICE EXPECTED OF AN ELITE WARRIOR CLASS; TO MARCH TO THE SOUND OF THE GUNS; AND TO ABLY SHOULDER THE LEGACY OF THOSE MARINES WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE.

4. ON OUR 233RD BIRTHDAY, FIRST REMEMBER THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED AND THOSE"ANGELS" WHO HAVE FALLEN - OUR REPUTATION WAS BUILT ON THEIR SACRIFICES.REMEMBER OUR FAMILIES; THEY ARE THE UNSUNG HEROES WHOSE SUPPORT AND DEDICATION ALLOW US TO ANSWER OUR NATION'S CALL.FINALLY, TO ALL MARINES AND SAILORS, KNOW THAT I AM PROUD OF YOU AND WHAT YOU DO. YOUR SUCCESSES ON THE BATTLEFIELD HAVE ONLY ADDED TO OUR ILLUSTRIOUS HISTORY. GENERAL VICTOR H. "BRUTE" KRULAK SAID IT BEST WHEN HE WROTE, "... THE UNITED STATES DOES NOT NEED A MARINE CORPS ... THE UNITED STATES WANTS A MARINE CORPS." YOUR ACTIONS, IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN, AND ACROSS THE GLOBE, ARE AT THE CORE OF WHY AMERICA LOVES HER MARINES.

5. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARINES AND SEMPER FIDELIS! JAMES T. CONWAY, GENERAL,U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS//

The One Armed Man, Part II

2008-10-27T11:43:00.002-04:00

Problems have persisted since my surgery, mostly pain induced ones. I have been on Morphine for about two weeks now and it doesn't help the way the doctors tell me it is supposed to help. Most people can't tell the difference, meaning I seem the same to them. When the pain comes back real strong, I know it is the pins in my wrist that are part of enigma. Since getting the Pain Pump off, I have been able to take showers regularly and make most meals. I did slip out for birthday and went out to a comedy show, which I enjoyed.

The hardest things for me to do are(not limited to):
Tying shoes
Putting underarm deodorant on
Washing the right side of my body
Buttons
Dispensing detergent for laundry
Folding laundry
Falling asleep
Pouring liquid into a glass
Opening bottles
Opening anything with a plastic seal
Socks
Hugging
Reading a book(turning pages)
Putting jeans on
Tucking in a shirt
Convincing people I am not helpless

Rev Gals Friday Five: Location, Location, Location!

2008-10-24T11:45:00.002-04:00

Tell us about the five favorite places you have lived in your lifetime. What did you like? What kind of place was it? Anything special happen there?

1) Millington, TN - The town itself wasn't exactly what I enjoyed but the area. Seasons without the extremes. Rural areas abound and are not far from a major city. I was there for about nine months for school and had a blast.

2) Futemna, Okinawa, Japan - I have written quite a bit about it before, so let's just say the good times far outweighed the bad.

3) Newport, NC - The first time I was here in the nineties, lived in nice area not too close to neighbors, so the streaking didn't bother them.

4) Milwaukee, WI - Never can you get enough of the culture (and beer.)

5) Yuma, AZ - While being stationed there wasn't what it was all cracked up to be, living there definitely had advantages.

SIDE NOTE: I wanted to type more but the day would be over with by the time I would have done so.

Fun with Navy Medicine, Part XX

2008-10-21T18:41:00.002-04:00

I am braving the typing it will take to do this today with one hand. According to my doctor the surgery was a success. But not all things went the way I foresaw them.

The night of surgery, after the local anesthesia wore off, the drugs(pills) were not taking care of the pain. So with help from a friend (and for the next few days) I was admitted to the ER. Long story short, I ended up going back to the hospital three times before receiving a pain pump and a needle sticking out of chest.

With this new edition, bathing for myself stopped. I pretty much have taken field showers since the surgery. For those of you who don't know, this is basically cleaning just the important parts with a sanitary wipe. Not the ideal thing to do, but it gets me by for now.

Yesterday, I was fitted for a cast. Unfortunately on two fronts, one I still have the pain pump attached but with nothing pumping into my body. Kind of a trial period to make sure oral medication will take. And two, the cast was not fitted correctly. Last night I went back to the ER because my fingers were turning blue. At the ER, the cast was split and an ace wrap put around it.

Tomorrow, hopefully, the pain pump will be taken off with the needle sticking out of my chest. Also, I am hoping for a refit for the cast.

Mums the Word

2008-10-13T18:56:00.003-04:00

I have no idea when it comes to plants. I could tell you a lot about mesquite trees though and its deadly sap and thorns. That is really about as far as my knowledge extends.

Today, I bought two pots of mums. I placed one on either side of my front door to my house. You could called a beautification project if you want. Each are about two adn half feet in diameter and I picked yellow flowers.

Since tomorrow is my surgery, do not be surprised to find even less of me on the web. I will try to update you all as soon as I can.

Politics for a Saturday

2008-10-11T10:04:00.002-04:00

I sent out my absentee ballot today.

So I am am done, my vote has been cast.

(I will tell you this, I voted for two Republicans, one Democrat and one Green Party.)

Rev Gals Friday Five: Business Trip

2008-10-10T09:30:00.002-04:00

1. Does your job ever call for travel? Is this a joy or a burden?
When the recruiter dropped his experience cards on the table, one was travel. I was to pick three, I didn't pick travel. Since being in the Corps I have stepped foot in six continents and have visited three countries that don't exist anymore by name. There have been joys but I would never call any of it a burden.

2. How about that of your spouse or partner?
Let me tell you a story, one of my deployments I knew of one hundred and fourteen married couples. After about six months of returning, of those couples, twelve were still married.

3. What was the best business trip you ever took?
Hard to say, I had more fun in Okinawa over a longer period of time, but if you at a single stop that highlights a fun and excitement it would have been Valencia, Malta.

4. ...and the worst, of course?
Zaire, Africa There wasn't any one particular city that sticks out. I saw and felt more destruction and pain in that 67 day period than any other.

5. What would make your next business trip perfect?
Use of both arms.

Politics for a Thursday

2008-10-09T14:00:00.002-04:00

Here is the problem:
Currently we have majorities in the House and Senate of Democrats. Plus, it is highly possible that after the November election that the Senate with have the "sweet 60". This means there is no possible way to filibuster a bill going through. Layman's terms mean everything goes through no matter what.

Now if we, The People, elect a Democrat for President, then what is going to stop them from doing everything they want?

Nothing.

This is a serious issue. Everyone better be real happy with what Congress is proposing and what the Democrat President will most likely not challenge.

I foresee a possible civil war. A time when America goes into a socialism government and throws the democratic government to the wayside. I see a time when our enemies will take this time to do us the most harm.

I only hope that The People look at all points of every candidate and make a sound decision before voting in this year's election.

Under the Thumb

2008-10-08T20:07:00.002-04:00

At work, we are having many new faces popping up. All of which are higher ranking than I am. Only one of the three will technically be my boss. I know her more from outside of work than in. I have already talked to her previous subordinates about how it was working with her and the synopsis is a a fifty-fifty split.

I suppose since I have my surgery scheduled for Tuesday, I really won't get to know her appropriately. It will be interesting to see if anyone from my work, will actually check up on me to see how I am recovering. I say this, since, last time no one did, not even a phone call.

There is only two people I work with that even know where I live and both are Corporals. Not from a lack of trying on my part to get the higher enlisted to come over. I have invited everyone on two separate occasions to come over for a light lunch or barbecue.

One might think that at least a drive-by might be in order.

Moving In, Upgrades Part III

2008-10-06T12:03:00.002-04:00

I apologize in advance for the mess in my home in this video. I didn't know when I was going to have another opportunity to do this before I would be chocked up with drugs and would be rather loopy.

I have been looking at several color schemes as well for the living room, the master bedroom and another bedroom that will end up being my "I love me" space. When I get closer to a decision on what colors I am using I will post that as well.

Home Improvement Question

2008-10-04T22:14:00.004-04:00

I really want a fireplace. I almost bought a home with one but the rest was crap. I really need a TV/audio stand. So I am contemplating buying something like this:

Or something like this:

Both are about the same for price range and to match the rest of my furniture it would have to a be a lighter wood color like the ones pictured.
So here is the question, should I pick one of the above or go with a straight TV stand? If one of the above which one do you prefer?

I like both.

Rev Gals Friday Five: St Francis of Assisi

2008-10-03T10:39:00.002-04:00

(Side note: I was clueless of this saint before today. My heathen side may reign.)

1. Saint Francis experienced a life changing call, has anything in your journey so far challenged you to alter your lifestyle?
My injury to my wrist has been the most life changing experience that I can ever recall of having. Unless, of course, you include my career choice, that might be the big one.

2. Francis experienced mocking and persecution, quite often in the comfortable west this is far from our experience. If you have experienced something like this how do you deal with it, if not how does it challenge you to pray for those whose experience is daily persecution?
I know I am right and that is all that matters. When I find myself nervous for what ever reason, I engage in conversation and it soothes me soul.

3 .St Francis had female counterpart in St Clare, she was influenced by St Francis sermon and went on to found the Poor Clare's, like the Franciscans they depended on alms this was unheard of for women in that time, but she persisted and gained permission to found the order. How important are role models like St Clare to you? Do you have a particular female role model whose courage and dedication inspires you? If so share their story....
I was asked a about my role models many times and really, I don't think I ever had one. I did, always like Ronald Reagan though.
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” -Ronald Reagan

4. Francis loved nature and animals, how important is an expressed love of the created world to the Christian message today?

I don't have a good answer, I am a warrior and the simple things in life is what I love.

5. On a lighter note; have you ever led a service of blessing for animals, or a pet service, was it a success, did you enjoy it, and would you do it again?

Never. My sermons entail the espirit of Manhood and Womanhood and to never let anything stop you on your journey.

Cusp of Criticism

2008-10-01T16:19:00.007-04:00

According to the research I have found I was born into the Cusp of Criticism. Which may be the "duh" factor here.
`

Some of my research dictates that "we" are definitely something special. We combine personal charm and attractiveness with intelligence and talent. Although we shine effortlessly, they are natural loners who draw strength from privacy. We want to make our mark on the world and may even feel that we are destined to do so.
`

A preference for excesses is the key to understanding the health habits of people like me. We may equate a surfeit of food and drink with happiness, which could lead to the yo-yo dieting effect. Since these traits could be deep-rooted, we may benefit from professional advice. With our optimism and enthusiastic flair for life, those of us, don't put up barriers to what we can accomplish. If we want something, we go after it with tenacity. Even though we do not judge our level of success by how much money we make, we want to be recognized for our talent and ability.
Individuals born on the cusp of Libra (the seventh Sign of the Zodiac) and Scorpio (the eighth Sign of the Zodiac) are ruled by both Venus and Pluto. Here, the fair judgment of Libra adds intuition to the cool, precise skill of Scorpio. The end result is something quite remarkable...if care is taken in development. Coupled with the inherent Libra craving for excitement is the bold and pleasure-seeking Scorpio mind, which is strong in self-control and determination, standing ready to carry into action whatever seems worthwhile. However, the ability to turn ideas into accomplishments often produces a marked egotism among these cuspians, which is all the more reason why they should seek higher goals in culture, education and social life. Whatever is achieved by these individuals, they will cling to with much tenacity and they can easily drift into narrow-mindedness and unscrupulous behavior if not careful. These are souls who are easily flattered, particularly by popular acclaim, and flare into anger toward those who oppose their schemes. Yet, when intuition and judgment are developed to their fullest extent, these are not only dynamic persons, but ones who are endowed with the rare presence of mind customarily found in the fields of medicine and the military.

This cusp melds the airy (or mental) nature of Libra with the watery (or emotional) characteristics of Scorpio...not necessarily an easy task. Many times, the two aspects of this personality are at war with each other...the head guiding and the heart denying (or vice versa). Hence, these natives can find themselves in a deep dilemma when the intellectual and emotional clash. Periods of indecision associated with Libra may be broken by outbursts of aggression inherent in the Scorpio nature. Alternatively, the customary self-assured determination of Scorpio may be undermined by the Libra love of repose and tendency to procrastinate. Cultural awareness and a talkative nature will help these individuals to shine in any social situation and they are experts in communication and abstract reasoning. Yet, at times, the tensions and disappointments of life may prove to be overwhelming, so much so that those governed by this cusp may retreat into isolation. Therefore, Libra/Scorpio individuals benefit from physical exercise, fitness training, sound diets and all activities that promote healthy contact with the world at large, thereby lessening the unfortunate bent toward isolation. Mentally, these are perceptive and sharply insightful souls. However, they do possess a certain sense of personal infallibility coupled with a tendency to be overly critical. The disapproving or denigrating attitude of these cuspians can hurt those close to them, undermining the confidence of others in subtle ways.

Libra/Scorpio natives have a decidedly modern approach in many areas, but they also harbor an undeniable sense of tradition. This is particularly apparent in their devotion to parents and children, in whose lives they play a large role...sometimes a little too large. Still, that is not to say that these cuspians will readily accept the values of their parents. Indeed, it is usually quite the opposite. The attachment here is more emotional. After a normally stormy and rebellious adolescence, those born on this cusp often return to an extremely close relationship with their parents later in life. As responsible as the majority of those ruled by this cusp seem in most areas of everyday life, they possess a side which is undeniably wild and unpredictable. Dramatic and impulsive, they will fly in the face of society's moral codes without hesitation, asserting their personal values or expressing themselves both cogently and flamboyantly. Even the mildest of individuals ruled by the Libra/Scorpio cusp tend to be somewhat exhibitionistic...wanting and needing others to take notice of them. Here, the private life may well include a plethora of love affairs...a path strewn with the broken hears of those with whom they have had relationships. The particular brand of charisma, impulsiveness and mental powers associated with these natives makes them formidable individuals. When it comes to involvements, they may be even more than a little dangerous given their natural talent for being seductive, attractive, commanding and intense.

Highly motivated and usually loyal, those governed by this cusp are often misunderstood and may be perceived as dictatorial or sarcastic. If there is an ulterior motive, they can indeed be overbearing, but normally in a subtle, sly or manipulative manner. These are individuals who are both mystical and scientific...a combination that results in high awareness of what is truly happening around them. Since this cusp is associated with a passionate nature, care should be taken to avoid self-indulgence or compulsion. In addition, there is no doubt that this blend of Signs has a tendency toward a definite lazy streak. Still, this is generally barely perceptible given the enjoyment of difficult pursuits that challenge these persons to excel...and they refuse to be anything less than the best. There may also be an affinity here for activities that allow them to get out into nature. Capable of extraordinary originality, Libra/Scorpio natives are clever in business and quick to seize an opportunity.

The greatest strength of Libra/Scorpio cuspians is to be found in their drive for peace and harmony, coupled with a determination to see things through to the end. The natural skill for seeing all sides of a situation, coupled with enormous passion and great strength, makes this combination one of the most powerful characters of the Zodiac.

The most important lesson to be learned by Libra/Scorpio natives is to develop their natural ability to think and act promptly since there is a tendency here to delay things or mull them over for so long that it proves to be costly. As with all cusp individuals, these cuspians tend to be attracted to others born on the cusp...particularly those who fall within the Taurus/Gemini and Sagittarius/Capricorn combination.

-- Possess the theatrical traits inherent in Libra --
-- Possess the serious, deep-feeling and critical traits inherent in Scorpio --
-- Counted among the most critical individuals of the Zodiac --
-- Possess a facile mind and sharp tongue --
-- Sought out for honest opinions --
-- Tend to hold nothing back --
-- Once committed to a project, will refuse to stop until completion is attained --
-- Need to learn how to relax and have fun --
-- Need to concentrate on the future while still living for today --

Interesting to know this. Don't you all think? Then again it could all be hogwash.

Worst Case Scenario

2008-09-30T00:56:00.000-04:00

With my on going medical visits and the soon to be had surgery, questions asked of me are about the worst case scenarios. If the surgery goes wrong or if recovery doesn't go as planned it is the "then what" questions. Basically, I would be looking at one of the four possibilities.

Separation with severance pay
This happens when separation with disability severance pay occurs if the member is found unfit, has less than 20 years of service, and has a disability rating of less than 30%.
This is highly unlikely so I haven't even considered it.

Permanent disability retirement
Permanent disability retirement occurs if the member is found unfit, the disability is determined permanent and stable and rated at a minimum of 30%.
This one is a possibility and retirees can receive retired pay based on the larger of two formulas: multiplying the retired pay base either by the percentage of the disability rating or by 2.5 percent of the number of years of service, up to a 75 percent ceiling.

Temporary disability retirement
Temporary disability retirement occurs if the member is found unfit and entitled to permanent disability retirement except that the disability is not stable for rating purposes. "Stable for rating purposes" refers to whether the condition will change within the next five years so as to warrant a different disability rating.
This is the other possibility that I must look at and the pay amount is the minimum payment is 50 percent of the last amount of basic pay before the member was taken off duty; the maximum is 75 percent.

Separation without benefits
Separation without benefits occurs if the unfitting disability existed prior to service, was not permanently aggravated by military service, and the member has less than 8 years of Active Service (active duty days); or the disability was incurred while the member was absent without leave or while engaging in an act of misconduct or willful negligence.
This is not the case so therefore doesn't apply.

I hope this answers everyone's questions. Oh, if you thinking how does one figure out the percentage then I suggest you can read for yourself. Go to this link: http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/bookc.html

If you can understand it, then you are the shinier apple.

Greenbacks

2008-09-29T17:29:00.004-04:00

Since this is a topic of discussion where ever I go these days I thought I would write a bit about it. The value of my home in Yuma, for example, was purchased for 131000 dollars, today that same amount is worth 139,077.33 per the consumer price index. So really my money is worth about five percent more in just a few short years. That really isn't bad when you think about it. Of course, I am not taking into account of what the land value is but just the basic value of the money.

The big things on people's minds seem to be the strong versus the weak dollar. Well, do people really know what that means? I don't think so. So here is my interpretation and if you think I am way off you can look it up yourself.

Strong dollar
Means: American-made goods relatively expensive for foreigners. Consumers at home and abroad buy less costly goods from countries other than the U.S. Sales of U.S. companies erode, prompting them to lay off American workers and outsource jobs to countries with cheaper labor. Foreign imports are relatively inexpensive, interest rates remain low or moderate if inflation is controlled, and the standard of living is relatively high.

Weak dollar
Means: American-made goods and travel to the U.S. less expensive for foreigners, boosting the sales of U.S. manufacturers and prompting them to increase production and hire workers. The growth of U.S. exports helps trim the trade deficit. A weak dollar also attracts increased foreign investment in U.S. real estate and capital markets. A weak dollar makes foreign imports and overseas travel more expensive for Americans; the U.S. standard of living falls because the dollar buys less. If traders believe the dollar will continue to weaken, they may invest in stronger currencies of other countries.

So you can see there are pros and cons to either scenario. It seems that currently we are looking at a weak dollar. So financially I, myself, don't plan on buying anything from China or Germany for awhile if I can help it.

The dollar is currently used as the standard it was once the gold standard but now more than 90 percent of the world economy uses the dollar as the standard. This partly due to the open economy that we have in the United States. The big question rising now is if the dollar will be replaced by either the euro, and perhaps the Chinese yuan. I personally don't see this happening in my lifetime, but what could happen if Europe and China's economies continue to grow at their current rate a division may occur and trading will be separated into three parts.

What I have found, in my own research, is the downturn of the dollar started with the embargo of OPEC in the late seventies. That may be reason enough to start, and mean really start, using all of our resources and find alternative ways of replacing this resources. I am not saying go green necessarily but I do mean we should be using our greenbacks and not other countries.

Muse

2008-09-29T00:05:00.003-04:00

As I wonder how I am going to cope with the next few weeks, I thought about laughter. And as I thought more about it, I really don't remember when was the last time I really laughed. A full out belly laugh. A time when laughter was the response to a time when fun was just the entertainment of the moment.

There were times while abroad where being silly was the norm. There were times when I looked forward to seeing friends when I knew the result was going to be a tearjerker of a roar. There was once a time when seeing someone would make me smile for no discernible reason.

Where did those times go? Has it been my own demise? Have I lost the touch of the humanity that drove into the next week?

Why is it that I ask such questions? I ask because, I think, I lost my muse.

Pupil (Final Draft)

2008-09-27T21:46:00.003-04:00

Being broken, hurt and sad
Possibilities are endless
Having hope while mad
Sparkling bubbles into the mess

Heartless and Joy
Consciences and Bliss
Girls and a Boy
Bullets waver the miss

Indulgent while coy,
Innocence of the smoking gun
Piercing a little toy
Drinking in Tun.

Shadows in the light
Smiles after the axe,
The sun into the Night
Envy: Wrath was the tax

Savoring my flavor
Waking into Yesterday
The raven of Flight; Soar!
Bosoms what may

Dust. Ash. Clay. And Mud.
Stripping, Clawing, and Fault
A spring with bud
Secrets, Lust ... in the vault.

It Wasn't Me, It Was the One Armed Man

2008-09-25T18:24:00.002-04:00

If anyone has some good ideas of things to do with one arm; I would be happy to take suggestions. I am basically looking at having my left arm cast up with pins sticking out of it. I am currently planning on lots of movie watching and some Internet perusing but that pretty much sums it up. Knitting is definitely out of the question. Even typing will wind up being a problem so that isn't looking like viable option. Suggestions welcome.

Fun with Navy Medicine, Part XIX

2008-09-24T18:06:00.002-04:00

In about three weeks I will be having the surgery I mentioned in my previous post. Then I will be at home for eight weeks. The doctor went into more detail with me about the procedure and either way you look at it, it will be painful.

So preparing for the extended visit in my home, I have bought the remaining seasons of Stargate: SG-1 and Atlantis that I was missing. (About 200 hours worth.) Plus, I have Netflix.

Politics for a Monday

2008-09-22T23:29:00.002-04:00

I have figured it out. Why, when I talk about what I need and what most of my readers think I need think that I need Andrew Jackson's "strong willed animal". Why not the animal that never forgets?

People are looking for the short term.

I don't need short term. I need a viable future. Every person sees the politics and how it fits them or how it helps them succeed in life. I look to the future. I have been doing that since my first reenlistment when I realized that I wasn't prepared for what lie ahead. I needed to start preparing instead of living in the moment.

(Basically, I am in thought process of doing my duty for twenty and my duty will take care me for the next twenty.)

I know that while looking out for all of you, most of you will not look out for me. Therefore, I am looking out for me while I am looking out for you as well.

I know who I plan to vote for, I do. No, I will not tell you. That is my right.

Sunday Edition, Part II

2008-09-21T11:16:00.003-04:00

For some damn reason, it seems that I cannot get a thousand bucks of rent a month for my home in Arizona unless it has a carport. Even that doesn't cover the mortgage. The home is 2200 square foot home on an acre and a half. It sits about 14 miles from the city which is all interstate driving and has a mountain view on three sides. Inside it has three bedrooms, two full baths, closet space of approximately 800 square feet, energy efficient, skylighted kitchen, dinning room, breakfast nook, living room, sun room, and mud room. I also included every major appliance not to miss the jetted tubs in each bathroom. Where in Sam's Hell can you find anything like that for under a grand a month? Plus, since there is a built in pet door, it seems that every renter has pets. My Berber carpeting is ruined.

My home in North Carolina, is a complete contrast in comparison. It was built 50 years earlier and is centered in the city, plus there is grass. Since this is my primary residence, it would be nice to to have a carport or at least a cover park area to the home, it rains here. I have been trying to do an upgrade a paycheck. This last one I added a fan to the front room and one in the kitchen. (I'll do a video when I get the mess cleaned up.)

I have been trying lately to get some assistance in my remodel/repair of my homes. It seems unless I am missing something here, but since I am active duty I am screwed. There is lots of money available for veterans, whether it be a loan, grant or a combo. I have looked into the 203K and 502K programs, both are for remodeling or repair of a residence and are backed by the government. One I make about three thousand too much a year to qualify and the other it seems that since I am not a residence of where my homes are, automatically disqualifies me. There is no program or help for active duty members of service. Not a one. (I know what you thinking, what about the Navy Relief Society? They will only help me in a catastrophe.)

The good thing about doing any type of remodel or adding a carport is I will save a bunch of money once I have my surgery. No driving, alcohol, or partying for two months. So after that, I should be able to afford a carport for at least in Arizona.

I have tried something different over the weekend. I have been applying for about two dozen home improvement shows. Most are exclusively for California. One that looks promising is for north eastern United States, I am hoping North Carolina is north enough. The one thing that is needed for all of them is ownership, I have that. It seems to me that most are biased and are looking for a couple atmosphere, that may disqualify me.

Rev Gals Friday Five: First Point of Libra.

2008-09-19T12:09:00.002-04:00

As this vivid season begins, tell us five favorite things about fall:

1) A fragrance
It seems to me, that baking becomes the new holiday when this season comes. The fresh bread, the vanilla, and of course the cupcakes.

2) A color
Being of one who came from a state with seasons, the change of leaves the bright reds, oranges and yellows.

3) An item of clothing
You could call me lazy, but when the fall begins I don't have to roll my sleeves for my working uniforms anymore. I have been cheating for years and use motivated NCOs to roll my sleeves during the summer.

4) An activity
Does sex count for this one? If not, then it must be football.

5) A special day
I personally don't have any special days no matter what time of the year, but I am a Libra.

Let me tell you about TPS Reports, Part IV

2008-09-17T18:23:00.004-04:00

I apparently jinxed myself with the last post. I had to do another revision again today. This time the format was in question. I didn't write the original format. In fact, I had received this format from my administration section. I also had to include some people that were not listed originally. This part I think is odd since these people don't sign anything and I had already included them on the routing sheet for information anyway.

This is an example why people get out of the military. It is not the big things, it is the little ones.

Doctrines

2008-09-17T18:23:00.002-04:00

The recent influx of attention about what the "Bush Doctrine" is, has me wondering how many people really know what it is?

Wikipedia has every President's doctrine. Here are some of the doctrines that I found interesting.

Bush Doctrine:

The Bush Doctrine is a phrase used to describe various related foreign policy principles of United States president George W. Bush, created in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks. The phrase initially described the policy that the United States had the right to treat countries that harbor or give aid to terrorist groups as terrorists themselves, which was used to justify the invasion of Afghanistan.^[1] Later it came to include additional elements, including the controversial policy of preventive war, which held that the United States should depose foreign regimes that represented a threat to the security of the United States, even if that threat was not immediate (used to justify the invasion of Iraq); a policy of supporting democracy around the world, especially in the Middle East, as a strategy for combating the spread of terrorism; and a willingness to pursue U.S. military interests in a unilateral way.^[2]^[3]^[4] Some of these policies were codified in a National Security Council text entitled the National Security Strategy of the United States published on September 20, 2002.^[5]

Central to the development of the Bush Doctrine is its strong influence by neoconservative ideology,^[6]^[7] and it is considered to be a step from the political realism of the Reagan Doctrine.^[6]^[8] The Reagan Doctrine was considered key to American foreign policy until the end of the Cold War, just before Bill Clinton became president of the United States. The Reagan Doctrine was considered anti-Communist and in opposition to Soviet Union global influence, but later spoke of a peace dividend towards the end of the Cold War with economic benefits of a decrease in defense spending. The Reagan Doctrine was strongly criticized^[9]^[10]^[8] by the neoconservatives, who also became disgruntled with the outcome of the Gulf War^[7]^[6] and United States foreign policy under Bill Clinton,^[7]^[11] sparking them to call for change towards global stability^[7]^[12] through their support for active intervention and the democratic peace theory.^[11] Several central persons in the counsel to the George W. Bush administration consider themselves to be neoconservatives or sign on to their foreign policy ideas.^[7]^[13]^[14]^[15]^[16]^[17]

Clinton Doctrine:

The Clinton Doctrine is not a clear statement in the way that many other United States Presidential doctrines were. However, in a February 26, 1999 speech, President Bill Clinton said the following, which was generally considered to summarize the Clinton Doctrine^[1]:

It's easy ... to say that we really have no interests in who lives in this or that valley in Bosnia, or who owns a strip of brushland in the Horn of Africa, or some piece of parched earth by the Jordan River. But the true measure of our interests lies not in how small or distant these places are, or in whether we have trouble pronouncing their names. The question we must ask is, what are the consequences to our security of letting conflicts fester and spread. We cannot, indeed, we should not, do everything or be everywhere. But where our values and our interests are at stake, and where we can make a difference, we must be prepared to do so.

Later statements "genocide is in and of itself a national interest where we should act" and "we can say to the people of the world, whether you live in Africa, or Central Europe, or any other place, if somebody comes after innocent civilians and tries to kill them en masse because of their race, their ethnic background or their religion, and it's within our power to stop it, we will stop it" augmented the doctrine of interventionism.

The Clinton Doctrine was used to justify the American involvement in the war in Yugoslavia. However, President Clinton did not intervene to stop the genocide in Rwanda in 1994.

Truman Doctrine:

The Truman Doctrine was a proclamation by U.S. President Harry S. Truman on March 12, 1947. It stated that the U.S. would support Greece and Turkey economically and militarily to prevent their falling under Soviet control. Truman called upon the U.S. to "support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures,"^[1] which generalized his hopes for Greece and Turkey into a doctrine applicable throughout the world. The Soviet Union was clearly at the heart of Truman's thoughts, but the nation was never directly mentioned in his speech. As Edler states, Truman was attempting to solve Eastern Europe's instability while making sure the spread of communism would not affect nations like Greece and Turkey.

The Truman Doctrine represented the hard-side of containment, while the Marshall Plan was the less harsh approach. The declaration of the Truman Doctrine was followed by the end of tripartism (coalition governments that included communists).

Monroe Doctrine:

The Monroe Doctrine is a U.S. doctrine which, on December 2, 1823, stated that European powers were no longer to colonize or interfere with the affairs of the newly independent nations of the Americas. The United States planned to stay neutral in wars between European powers and their colonies. However, if later on these types of wars were to occur in the Americas, the United States would view such action as hostile. President James Monroe first stated the doctrine during his seventh annual State of the Union Address to Congress, a defining moment in the foreign policy of the United States. Most recently, during the Cold War, the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine (added during the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt) was invoked as a reason to intervene militarily in Latin America to stop the spread of Communism.

Let me tell you about TPS Reports, Part III

2008-09-15T20:11:00.002-04:00

I admit it, I lost a piece of government property. I knew it almost as soon as I lost it. I informed my chain of command immediately. The response at that time was to hold off until returning to the States and then file the proper paperwork. Fine. No problem.

Today, is the fourth revision of that paperwork. The item missing is a throat protector assembly, government cost is exactly twenty dollars and six cents. It is very possible that I could find another at a surplus store or online, but why? Especially, if I have to pay more. That is the reason we have these nifty forms in the first place. I have probably wasted in manpower, paper and ink the cost of this item by now, not to forget the individuals that need to review said paperwork.

Originally, my statement was simple and to the point. "It was lost sometime between Kuwait and Iraq on the journey into theater." According to my chain of command that wasn't good enough and required me to inform each person on the way through where the item was lost. So I rewrote it on the second revision.

On the third revision, I apparently had used a few words that required people to use dictionaries and was asked to use more common words.

On the fourth revision, I was asked to take full responsibility for the item and state explicitly that I will pay for the item. In the form, it states the word "wish" which to me is exactly that, a wish. Either way it really does not matter to me, so I agreed and redid the circling of the appropriate word to to inform my superiors that "I do wish to reimburse".

The following is my fourth and hopefully my final version:

"I, XXXX, state that during the Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08 the throat protector assembly was missing from my gear inventory. Prior to deployment a complete inventory of my gear was done. After arriving in Kuwait, our stick stayed there for several days. Once departure was imminent to leave for Iraq an inventory of the gear required to don was done and the throat protector assembly was missing. After arriving in Iraq at Al Asad, another complete inventory was done to ensure the throat protector assembly was missing or potentially pilfered. Upon conclusion of inventory, the throat protector assembly was still missing. At this point in time I contacted the S-3 shop and informed them of my missing gear. Once returning to Marine Corps Air Station New River after the deployment I conducted another inventory of my gear. At the conclusion of this inventory my throat protector assembly was the only item missing from my inventory. "

Sunday Edition

2008-09-14T23:18:00.003-04:00

I know I lost many of my readers when I stopped reading their sites and/or commenting, so this may fall on deaf eyes so to speak.

I am an American in the pursuit of the American Dream. I gross currently about forty-five thousand dollars a year. I am the owner of multiple properties, partly because I had the means and the portfolio to accommodate these purchases. I gained my portfolio by learning how the world works and how to make my dollar work for me. I have made some mistakes. Some cost me almost everything, some gave me gains far above my expectations, and some just seem to have become stagnate. It is all a gamble, such as life.

My ultimate goal is to completely retire by my fiftieth birthday. By my calculations, I need approximately 3.1 million dollars in assets by that age. And of that at least 40 percent need to be in liquid assets. (I wanted to add, that my figures do not include Social Security, I figure it will not be available by that time. No matter how much I have put in it.) This also puts in, the theory, that I will live until I am 75. That is twenty-five years of good retirement. The ability to do as I please, whether it be travel or working part time as a Wal-mart greeter and shooting pool on my afternoons.

It does not matter who is our next president, but my dream, my goal, hinges partly on it. I am not telling you how to vote. That is your right. I just can not find myself voting for someone who is proposing a "steal from the rich to feed the poor" type tax, I just can't. (I have many other reasons on why I won't vote for him, but doesn't follow my thesis statement for this text.)

I am all about the pursuit of happiness, but please don't hinder that dream. (I am talking to the individual that wants to stop this pursuit.)

Rev Gals Friday Five: Back to School

2008-09-12T06:48:00.004-04:00

1. Is anyone going back to school, as a student or teacher, at your house? How's it going so far?
Other than a few MCIs (Marine Corps Institute) (long distance learning) No.

2. Were you glad or sad when back-to-school time came as a kid?
Mostly I enjoyed interaction with other kids during that time, during high school I was happy about playing football again.

3. Did your family of origin have any rituals to mark this time of year? How about now?
No

4. Favorite memories of back-to-school outfits, lunchboxes, etc?
I really can't think of any special clothes or anything special for that time. I always skirted the rules of clothes though, so you could say that was a favorite.

5. What was your best year of school?
Junior year, I went to state for Forensics (Public Speaking), Band (Trumpet Solo and Jazz Band), VICA(Vocational Industrial Clubs of America), Football, Student Council (WASC- Wisconsin Association of Student Councils), 4-H, and it was the first year I was published as a writer.

Fuel

2008-09-11T19:04:00.002-04:00

Just as another link to help you compare gas prices in your neck of the woods.

http://www.gasbuddy.com/

Here it is about $3.60, but I still pay on base for $3.66. I figure the 48 cents extra or so that I pay is not worth it enough to travel to another lower priced one. Those of you around bigger cities this might be more helpful.

Psychos R Us, Part IV

2008-09-10T18:16:00.002-04:00

His Needs, Her Needs. Is actually a book I have received this week by Willard F. Harley Jr. And we, the head doctor and I, discussed it for part of my session today. I have read the intro, preface, chapter one and part of chapter two, as well as the appendixes. It reminds me greatly of a book by Dr. John Gray I had read years ago called Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus.

(One thing I have definitely learned, just because you sell a lot of books doesn't mean you know what you are talking about.)

The basic premise of the book is simple enough, men are different than women. Duh. Everything in both books is geared towards the married couple, and I am not married. But the principles in each are solid enough that if you practice what is preached by both parties there is a strong possibility a marriage or a relationship with someone can endure for many years.

The phrase it takes two to tango comes to mind a lot. Either way, this is part of my "homework" for the week. How to start or sustain a healthy relationship. Healthy in this sense, is the monogamous nature of both parties being happy in said relationship.

Liking my Job

2008-09-09T20:01:00.003-04:00

I really like my job. I have the opportunity to camp, visit new and strange places, shoot, grapple, swim, eat foreign cuisine, experience new cultures, understand what is really boring, learning about new technologies, gather with large groups of people, sing to new and old cadences, march, dress up, and many, many more tasks, skills, and experience that is unique to my role in life.

Many people come up to me and ask if I want to get out of _____(insert war/conflict here)?

The simple truth is no.

Yes, there are struggles and hardships, but I knew that when I raised my hand almost fourteen years ago. I want victory. I want United States of America victory. Where ever, whenever that may be, victory is a must.

Do I get treated unfairly in the public eye? (2nd most popular question.)

Never in my face, has anyone treated me unfairly. That does not mean it does not happen.

I believe in a days pay for a days work. I work very hard to be the best at what I do, so the J. Q. Public does not have to. The last time I reenlisted, there was no bonuses offered and I didn't bat an eye.

I like my job.

I am an United States Marine.

Samantha's

2008-09-06T15:11:00.003-04:00

If you didn't know, my parents own a restaurant in Valders, Wisconsin. My mom, Sandra, is changing the name to Samantha's. (It was known as Sam's Fine Food & Spirits.) So in helping with the family business, I have added a website for the restaurant. It is http://samanthasvalders.com/

Please check it out and let me know what you think. It is a little rudimentary at the moment, but I plan on adding the bells and whistles are time goes by.

Rev Gals Friday Five: Vulnerability

2008-09-05T10:43:00.002-04:00

1. Is vulnerability something that comes easily to you, or are you a private person?
It is so hard to humble. I like to think I am invincible. I am working on that.

2.How important is it to keep up a professional persona in work/ ministry?
I like to think I am very professional when it comes to my job. I have been doing this for 13 and 1/2 years now. Professionalism is a must.

3. Masks, a form of self protection discuss...
I don't think I have masks, maybe walls though. My walls are pretty thick and have endured the test of time.

4. Who knows you warts and all?
Any woman that I ever told I loved. Very elite group.

5. Share a book, a prayer, a piece of music, a poem or a person that touches the deep place in your soul, and calls you to be who you are most authentically.
Jupiter - Gustov Holst which I already posted here.
I also wrote an untitled poem in the early nineties that speaks volumes about my soul.

The wind whispered with no sound
The sun stared me down
I was working-
Painting shingles.
I looked downward
People were piercing my perplexed
Precarious situation
And I waved to them
With no meaning.
I moved the ladder
One more inch & tightened
The rope surrounding my body,
I started to climb
For the last time
Of the day.
I admired the heavens,
And my foot slipped from under me
Gracefully, with no time
There was silence
And no rhyme -
I floated forever
Bet fell for a matter of seconds.
When my back hit
The building
Time began slowly;
What life I have had
I witnessed for moments.
I felt life dearing
And with strength & agility
I twisted my way,
Like a squirrel climbing a tree,
To the roof top
Where my soul was waiting
I sighed with relief
And as I glanced over the edge
The wind whispered with no sound.

Hurricane Prep

2008-09-04T17:05:00.002-04:00

All we have been doing for the past few days is preparing for this almighty storm that currently looks as if is is puttering out. I am not worried at all about Hanna, Ike on the other hand may be much more fun. I personally like hurricanes. I get time off from work; all the garbage in the streets blows/washes away; I feel the need to fly a kite, it is all fun.

The basic essentials have been dumbed down for just about any family to help prepare for us. I guess you could say "they" have "Marine proofed" all stuff we need to know and do. It should be a no brainer since the Carolinas have had many famous Hurricanes come this way. The last big one I went through was Fran/Bertha and the last for me was Dennis.

I am looking forward to see how my house stands up to a hurricane. I should finally find out if I have any leaks in my roof. Find out if my sealing of the windows was any good. And maybe find out how many candles it takes to light up my home.

In case you don't have a destructive weather checklist of your own here is a copy of ours:

INSTRUCTIONS: Check off each line after you have placed that item into your Disaster Supply Kit. Assemble supplies and store them in an easy- to-carry container such as a backpack or duffel bag.

FOOD & WATER
One Gallon of Fresh Water per Person, per day
Ready to eat Canned Meats, Fruits & Vegetables
Canned Juices, Milk & Soup
Sugar, Salt & Pepper
High-Energy Foods: Peanut Butter, Jelly, Crackers, Granola Bars, Trail Mix
Vitamins
Foods for Elderly Persons, Infants, or Persons with Special Dietary Needs
Comfort/Stress Foods: Cookies, Hard Candy, Sweetened Cereals, Lollipops

FIRST AID KIT
Bandages Assorted Sizes, Sterile Gauze Pads, Adhesive Tape, Sterile Rolled Bandages, Scissors, Tweezers, Needle, Antiseptic, Thermometer, Safety Pins, Latex Gloves, Sunscreen, Belt with buckle

TOOLS & SUPPLIES
Mess kit, Paper Cups, Plates, Plastic Utensils, Bleach
Battery Operated Radio & Extra Batteries
Flashlight (2) & Extra Batteries
Cash (Various Denominations)/Traveler Checks
Non-Electric Can Opener, Utility Knife
Fire Extinguisher
Pliers, Tape Roll (2), Compass, Wrench, Plywood to Cover Windows
Matches in Waterproof Container
Paper, Pencil (2), Pen (2), Sewing Kit
Road Maps of Local Area & Evacuation Route

CLOTHING & BEDDING
Sturdy Shoes/Work Boots
Rain Gear (Jacket & Pants)
Hat & Gloves
Thermal Underwear
Sun Glasses
Blankets/Sleeping Bags (Each Person)

SPECIAL USE ITEMS
Baby Items: Formula, Diapers, Bottles, Powdered Milk, Medications
Personal Records
Insurance Policies
Passports, Social Security Cards, Immunization Records
Credit Card(s) & Check Book(s)
Inventory of Household Goods (Pictures and/or VCR Film)
Birth/Marriage/Death Certificates
Photographs of all Family Members (Fingerprint on Back of Picture) & Photograph of Family Pets
Box of Large Plastic Bags

Favorite Thing To Do

2008-09-02T22:37:00.002-04:00

I was asked recently, "What is your favorite thing to do?" I answered, "showers." I have the ability to shower everyday. I can have a 5 minute shower or I can have a 40 minute shower. I can put the heat on max and have a hot steamy shower.

There is no mind boggling reason for this.

Several times while serving my country I have had to sacrifice that right to shower everyday. The right to have a hot shower. The fact that I can go home and shower as long as I want is (my opinion) one of the basic freedoms that I serve for.

We are lucky. We must not forget that.

Peanut Gallery: Autumn Edition, Part II

2008-08-30T06:28:00.000-04:00

MezzoSF » Asks:

1. Do you enjoy karaoke and if so, what is your "go-to" karaoke song?

Yes, if the song is available I will sing "Creep" by Radiohead as my first song. My stand-bys that work for me time and time again are "Jack & Diane" by Mellencamp, "Piano Man" by Joel, and "Just a Gigolo" by Roth. If my voice is hoarse my go to songs are "Mony Mony" by Idol and "Minority" by Green Day.

2. Have you ever studied another language? (Marine/Military-acronym speak notwithstanding . . . heh)

I studied Spanish (Spain dialect) while in high school and tested out while in college the first time around. Since then I tend to dabble in many of the romantic languages, but nothing serious.

3. Favorite hobby/leisure activity?

Woodworking. If not available, then runner-up goes to conversation.

4. If you could have a superpower . . . what would you choose?

I have actually answered this a few times, but now I am would be happy with levitation.

5. Tell us about your first kiss!

My first kiss went to Nicole Berge in my first grade year. It was innocent and platonic. The first time I french kissed was with Theresa Schisel in the summer of my fifth/sixth grade year. We were on our way back into town on the roller skating bus. It was the beginning of my own sexual revolution and girls became my priority.

sarah asks:

What has surprised you lately?

No matter how hard I try, I still need help from others. Some people love me and it just isn't logical. I find myself humbled more and more everyday.

PK asks:

1) What's your favorite dessert?

Peanut Butters Squares

2) What's your least favorite food?

Oysters

3) What meal do you like to prepare and love to eat?

Almost any steak, you can't lose with a strip(NY) or tenderloin with bacon wrap (Fillet Mignon).

mathman6293 asks:

How are you really doing?

I have been making due, and learning how talk about emotions.

What are you plans when you have completed your military service?

Wal-Mart greeter is my fallback. I have been looking into several employers with safety/quality control which what I am leaning towards.

Ron asks:

If you were reincarnated as an animal what would you pick to come back as?

Thorny Devil, a local in Australia

CDP asks:

How do you like your new house? Have you bought anything new for it? (Furniture, electronics, pictures)

In theory, I bought a new bed frame. It is being shipped from Nevada.(Arrived the day after I wrote this.) It is a sleigh bed style with slates of honey oak instead of being solid. I am still looking at a one room at a time upgrade idea, hopefully, by end of September the first two rooms will be done. Overall, I am happy with the house.

MEL asks:

Have you bought any plants for your yard yet?

None, I don't know the first thing about plants so it is the last thing on my list.

Are you going to get a pet for your new home? (besides a fish)

Mostly like not, since I have a hard time taking care of just myself.

How did you all do on your inspection?

Overall we did okay and we are still in business. PC got a Needs More Attention because the satellites screwed us over.

Wanna come over for dinner?

Yes.

Another Good Reason..........

2008-08-29T17:55:00.002-04:00

I know these videos are old here is what he has accomplished:

Of Obama's proposed legislation, 3 bills passed in 2007.

1. a resolution celebrating the life of Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson.
2. the designation of July 12, 2007 as "National Summer Learning Day."
3. a condemnation of Zimbabwe's governmental oppression of its citizens.

Rev Gals Friday Five: Labor Day

2008-08-29T12:06:00.002-04:00

1. Tell us about the worst job you ever had.
Auto-barrel operator @ Jagaman Plating Co. in Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Back breaking factory work, good pay but hard to love

2. Tell us about the best job you ever had.
United States Marine Corps
The best family I have ever had.

3. Tell us what you would do if you could do absolutely anything (employment related) with no financial or other restrictions.
United States Marine Corps
nulli secundus
Semper Fidelis

4. Did you get a break from labor this summer? If so, what was it and if not, what are you gonna do about it?
I have been on break since I was hurt in November.

5. What will change regarding your work as summer morphs into fall? Are you anticipating or dreading?
We change our working uniform from the Desert Digital MARPAT to Jungle Digital MARPAT.

Psychos R Us, Part III

2008-08-28T11:01:00.002-04:00

The theme for the week is changes. I was going to use a straight up video of David Bowie, but I thought this one was more fun.

Of course, we talked about my childhood, isn't that a norm when psycho-babble is in play. We talked about my role of my father and role models that I have had while growing up and the basic gist is I am currently all about change and where did that start or who did I emulate to teach me all about changing. Or something like that. So why is it that I like or want constant change?

Moving In, Part III

2008-08-26T10:48:00.002-04:00

My bed frame has finally arrived. It is a sleigh bed with slats on the foot and headboards. It is made with honey oak.

Rant # 5

2008-08-24T16:49:00.002-04:00

I don't understand why civilians feel they have the right to prosecute those of us that do our job. Whether it be Marine, Sailor, Coast Guardsmen, soldier or airmen, we do a job that the greater majority is unwilling to do. It saddens me a great deal when reading about Jose Luis Nazario Jr. He has done his duty to our country, yet there are some who oppose this very fabric. You can read about it here: http://hennessysview.com/2008/08/17/free-jose-luis-nazario-jr/
And here: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,405164,00.html

And if you want to read about the loophole that is talked about in the articles you can read about here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extraterritorial_jurisdiction.

If this man is tried and found guilty then we as a nation will be failing ourselves. Why would anyone want to defend a country that shits on them when their duty term is up? As a prediction in the hypothetical situation that he is found guilty, the military will no longer hold its numbers and the country will lose there defense and we as a people will have given up. The world that hates us will take over this land because it will be easy pickings, and most likely we will not have any freedom, we will be slaves of one of the many dictatorships and it will be America no more.

I hope this is not our fate, I fight for it not to be this way. I am and would like to continue to be proud of my country.

RevGals Friday Five: Appointments

2008-08-22T16:03:00.002-04:00

1) Datebooks--how do you keep track of your appointments? Electronically? On paper? Month at a glance? Week at a glance?
I am a big fan of the outlook calender, I use it for work, home and recreation dates. I usually print out the month and keep a copy in my truck and on my refrigerator.

2) When was the last time you forgot an important date?
I don't recall that ever happening.

3) When was the last time you went OUT on a date?
Funny. Tomorrow.

4) Name one accessory or item of clothing you love even though it is dated.
My entire wardrobe is dated.(Stuck in the eighties.)

5) Dates--the fruit--can't live with 'em? Or can't live without 'em?
I don't like immensely, but I have a friend who loves them. Whenever I am in Yuma, I try to pick up some for him.

The Original

2008-08-22T13:32:00.002-04:00

For awhile now I have been wondering if I should delete or get rid of wyldth1ng.com since it does cost me about one hundred and twenty bucks a year to keep it. According to one poll that I had here you all thought I should keep it or look for alternate solutions. Today I was searching through the 251 links to my site and really it made me laugh and exclaim "That's fucking funny!"

I will provide you the links to what I thought was so funny:
http://www.dirpedia.com/yuma.htm
http://www.dirpedia.com/golf.html
http://www.dirpedia.com/troy.html
http://www.dirpedia.com/life.html
http://www.dirpedia.com/truck.html
http://www.dirpedia.com/okinawa.html
http://www.dirpedia.com/marines.html
http://www.dirpedia.com/usmc.html
http://www.dirpedia.com/traditions.html

You have to find the humor in it, I mean if the guys at Dirpedia are linking to me, they must be "smoking crack."

Psychos R Us, Part II A

2008-08-21T20:18:00.002-04:00

I have an ego, that is why I used egotistical as one of my words to describe myself. Whether or not it is good or bad depends, really, on what setting I am at. Militarily it is a good thing. Otherwise, not so much. I run into problems when I find myself unable to turn off work mode and venture out into the civilian world.

(I always that it was funny, when military personnel refer to the civilian world as the real world. Makes one think that the military is fake in that context. Or a make belief world.)

Psychos R Us, Part II

2008-08-20T17:22:00.002-04:00

My homework assignment for the week is to explain one of the five words I used to describe myself. ( I only came up with four.) He had said most often people respond with emotional words as I did not. I didn't say I was happy or sad, but did say very specific adjectives and adverbs that I thought described me.

Word of the week is: egotistical

My idea as of today is: I have a very proud history, I have accomplished many things, I am a Marine, I am very intelligent and view myself as smarter than most people I interact with, I am good at my job, I am going to live forever.

Peanut Gallery: Autumn Edition

2008-08-18T17:12:00.003-04:00

I feel it has been awhile since I have opened the floor to questioning. So for the next week whatever trips your trigger, I will attempt to answer. I will close for questions on Friday and post the Q n A on Monday or Tuesday of next week.

Marines at Home

2008-08-17T20:04:00.001-04:00

RevGals Friday Five: Transformations

2008-08-15T11:50:00.002-04:00

For this Friday's Five, share with us five transformations that the coming fall will bring your way.

1) Surgery of the Wrist
2) Learning to share of who I am Vocally
3) Asking for Help and Accepting it
4) Re-learning how to use my left arm
5) Rekindling stagnate relationships

Fun with Navy Medicine, Part XVIII

2008-08-13T19:29:00.002-04:00

It seems to be that the surgery I had mentioned earlier is immanent. The doctor wants another MRI with this dye stuff injected into my wrist. Odds are that appointment will not be until at next week at the earliest. Then I see him again about a week after that. This is then followed by scheduling the surgery which would take us about three to five weeks from now. Then the recovery period of about eight weeks (staying at home) and then more of the occupational therapy that I have been doing. Hopefully, if all goes well, then a "speedy" recovery to full duty status and continue with life.

The gist of the surgery, from what I remember from my visit today, is grafting a ligament from another place of my wrist and applying it to where it is needed. In this process, a pin will be inserted between the two bones, that are currently separated, and at least two more pins in bones around (or above) the first pin. After the grafted ligament takes a hold the pins will be taken out and possibly a screw may have to be inserted into the two bones I mentioned before. If healing goes well, the screw would be taken out and viola a new wrist.

Psychos R Us

2008-08-12T17:09:00.002-04:00

Psychos R Us, an original from me, while it seems to some I knock myself while using this phrase or title, I find it amuses me.

I have made a list comprising of ideas from you, the reader, and some stuff that I came up all by myself. I plan on going over the ideas with my head doctor tomorrow and see how it goes from there.

Oddly enough, most of you and friends here in J-ville have suggested almost identical ideas. So probably (and statistically) it may be a flaw that needs looking at. I will tell you what, though, some of the suggestions are hard to think about just by myself, let alone talk to someone else about it.

To me, in my mind, I have a firm grasp on financial affairs, my social interactions, and most of my emotions. It appears that the problems I do face are, unfortunately, directly related to my childhood. Stirring the pot of the past is always a non-fun moment for me. Another reason, why, I choose to look at the future more regularly.

As a side note, I plan on splintering off my unusual "Fun with Navy Medicine" posts when dealing with this stuff and will be using the above title for the continuation of this projected series.

Realities of War

2008-08-11T17:23:00.002-04:00

I was reviewing the Lessons Learned safety letter today and it is very disheartening to know that war is the least of our problems. I have outspoken this to many people, whom dismiss what I say. War doesn't kill as bad as complacency and recreation does. I don't expect anyone to be able to go to this link without a (.mil) computer but the following link is the breakdown by the numbers:
http://siadapp.dmdc.osd.mil/personnel/CASUALTY/OIF-Total

The numbers break down in all sorts of ways and you find out that the Army leads the pack in non-combat related deaths and injuries by a lot.
Here are some numbers that I pulled from the report.

During GWOT and OIF: March 19, 2003 to July 5,2008

Total Non Hostile Deaths
Total : 761
Army: 559
Navy/Coast Guard :32
Marines :152
Air Force: 18

Total—Non–Hostile Related Medical (Air Transports Hostile and Non Hostile)
(Numbers include wounded in action)
Total : 42,395
Army : 34,732
Navy/Coast Guard : 1,274
Marines : 4,803
Air Force : 1,586

I obviously don't have the numbers for all the services for off-duty mishaps but reading this year's "so far" report for us doesn't make feel very warm and fuzzy about the rest. For our critical days of summer where traditionally fatalities rise; the Marine Corps appears to be doing better than last year. Still, a death, regardless of how it happened still hurts the brothers and sisters still here.

For the 15 weeks of summer(about Memorial Day to Labor Day)
Marine Corps (Non-Combat):
Total Fatalities FY08: 15

Navy(Non-Combat) :
Total Fatalities FY08 :18

Over half of the Marine Corps deaths that have occurred this summer are related to motorcycles. Also, the Navy shares half of their deaths to the same factor. So it is not surprising why there are so many safety guidelines and restrictions with the motorcyclists.

Here is an excerpt from the data of these deaths:

2ndLT was traveling east on highway 24 when his motorcycle struck another vehicle at an intersection. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sgt was killed after losing control of his motorcycle, striking a telephone pole and a fence.

GySgt died in a hospital after he and his passenger were thrown from the motorcycle they were riding. After losing control, he left the roadway and crashed down an embankment.

Sgt riding on a motorcycle collided with a guardrail, was ejected from the motorcycle and sustained fatal injuries.

LCpl was found unresponsive after a night of drinking.

LCpl and his passenger were killed in a motorcycle crash with a trailer.

SSgt killed in a motorcycle crash when his motorcycle veered off the road striking a curb, then impacting a tree.

Cpl died of injuries he received when involved in a motorcycle crash after hitting a curb and being thrown to street.

HM- assigned to Camp Pendleton, his wife and 4 year old son were killed when the car they were driving was struck head on by the driver of a pick-up truck that crossed the double yellow lines.

LCpl was passenger in a vehicle involved in a head-on collision.

Sgt was killed when his vehicle left the road and hit a tree.

Pvt departed a social event and was walking in the road when he was struck by a civilian vehicle and killed.

Cpl was found dead on ground below 7th story hotel balcony.

LCpl who was TAD to Recruiting Substation, died after being involved in a motorcycle accident when his motorcycle crashed into a building.

Hopefully, we will learn from this and live another day.

Post Number Six Hundred and Sixty-Six

2008-08-10T17:41:00.003-04:00

I could never be in Wisconsin for more than a few years at a time. I couldn't be anywhere for more than a few years at a time. I am a nomad. Kind of. After high school, the longest I have ever been in one place was Yuma, Arizona. (I also have ocean front property there.) So it may be better that I have homes in the West and one now in the East. Maybe one day if things work out, I will have one in the Midwest as well. That way I could kind of jump around from one place to the other and not really get sick of one place and have the option to return on happier terms. ( I am also in debt past my eyeballs for awhile.)

The big picture of things, really, is I have about six years and six months of the Marine Corps until retirement. That is the goal. By accomplishing that goal, I should have the resources and the foresight to be able to live my life the way I want to. I may still need a job, but I won't have to make sacrifices of taking a job I don't want.

I figure at my current state of affairs I should be able to drop my current debt to around two hundred thousand by the time I retire. That should give you an indication of how much debt I have now. (If you are looking for a sugar daddy, stop reading here.)

I have been wondering what I want to do in seven years, and I really haven't the foggiest. I do know what I don't want to do and that is a start.

I do not plan on moving back to Wisconsin permanently. I would like to visit on occasion, but that is about as far as it gets for me. I still consider myself a cheesehead. Cheeseheads don't have to stay in Wisconsin they can be nomads like me.

I figure because I have moved so much since I have been in may be the big reason behind it all. I have gotten used to moving. I am pretty good at it. The only things I have ever lost in a move was due to external parties "helping" me. My number of possessions are really to a minimum. I still have lots of stuff, but nothing in comparison to those who stay rooted to one spot over a decade. And maybe that is a blessing as well. The items I do exchange or rid myself of, I always find out if friends are in need of it first before selling or giving it to the local charities.

In the end, I look and see a promising future.

RevGals Friday Five: Dog Day Afternoons

2008-08-08T12:05:00.002-04:00

1. What is your sweetest summer memory from childhood? Did it involve watermelon or hand cranked ice cream? Or perhaps a teen summer romance. Which stands out for you?
WASC (Wisconsin Association of Student Councils) Camp my Junior year of high school. Fun, devious, and lots of laughs.

2. Describe your all time favorite piece of summer clothing. The one thing you could put on in the summer that would seem to insure a cooler, more excellent day.
Sandals (Jesus' type)

3. What summer food fills your mouth with delight and whose flavor stays happily with you long after eaten?
Strawberries

4. Tell us about the summer vacation or holiday that holds your dearest memory.
Sorento, Italy - I had a three day pass from the USS Nassau in 1997, it was bliss.

5. Have you had any experience(s) this summer that has drawn you closer to God or perhaps shown you His wonder in a new way?
Funny, maybe...I will have to get back to you all on that.

Bonus question: When it is really hot, humid and uncomfortable, what do you do to refresh and renew body and spirit?
Shower and a beer.

Constructive Criticism, Part II

2008-08-07T18:09:00.002-04:00

Really.
I wasn't kidding.

Please tell me what you think is fucked up about me. Everyone I run into keeps telling me it is a good thing to see a head doctor, but obviously I need more than " I just need to go."

I think the last one was leaning towards relationships and family crap, but she and I didn't "click" so I am seeing a new guy.

The original reason I went there to see "psychos are us" was due to me having hard hitting bouts of depression after returning from Iraq. I really haven't had anything like that for quite awhile now and I fixed it on my own(so to speak). It is not command directed, I went on my own accord.

So back the first request, help me "see" what I missing about myself. Obviously there is something I can improve on.

Constructive Criticism

2008-08-06T17:04:00.002-04:00

The head doctor I am currently seeing has asked me for goals. Goals of what I want accomplished in talking with him over the next few months. I frankly don't know and told him so.

He told me to try and come up with something by next week. Since I currently am at a loss with this, I would like some feedback from all of you.

What do see or read that it seems that I need help with?
If you know me personally, then through out some ideas. Good or bad or indifferent, doesn't matter.

Fun with Navy Medicine, Part XVII

2008-08-05T19:50:00.002-04:00

Occupational therapy sent me home today with homework. A few exercises and stretches to do while at work.

Warm-Up:
Forearm Resting on table:
Extension - Active with finger extension (Straight palm)
Flexion - Active with finger extension (Straight palm)

Wrist:
Extension - Active with finger Flexion (Fist)
Flexion - Active with finger Flexion (Fist)

Ulnar Deviation - (Left/right straight palm)
Radial Deviation- Active with finger Flexion (Fist)

Thumb:
Extension (Hitchhiker)
Flexion (Middle of palm)

To side ("L"):
Extension/Flexion - Hand Flat on table
Extension/Flexion - Hand on side on table

Exercises:
Bend elbow at side, turn hand palm up/down (Pushing/Pulling with other hand)
Bend elbow at side, Hold hammer(something heavy) and rotate palm up/down (wrist straight)

Active Assisted Wrist Range of Motion Exercises:
Arm on table with thumb up, bend hand at wrist (Pushing/Pulling with other hand)
Rest forearm on table , bend at wrist (Pushing/Pulling with other hand)

I was told to hold off on the exercises for a while until I get the go ahead from the doctor, but the warm- up is bad enough at this point. I do most of this stuff while at occupational therapy and some other "fun" stuff that goes into my evil category.

Time Management

2008-08-04T17:23:00.003-04:00

As most of you have probably noticed I haven't been visiting everyone's blogs and other nifty things floating on the web. Last night for example I was at work until 0437, I know that was the time because I looked at my watch as I was pinning the door. So I suppose I earned my paycheck yesterday by working a twelve hour shift. My Marine is currently on leave and will be for the next two weeks, so that means I am soloing it. This week being an inspection week makes it not fun by itself. I had occupational therapy today for two and half hours, then went to pay some bills, got a haircut and picked up some chicken tenders on the way to work. My arm hurts pretty bad and the drugs just kind of dull the pain. I would love to leave early but that is just not in the cards for me. I some reports I have to finish up tonight and the boss doesn't know where the forms are located which adds to the fun.(Reports that are "new and improved") Twice this week I will be guaranteed to be late for work because of the scheduling of my doctor's appointments, another fun add on. The topping on the cake is the mandatory fun day that is scheduled for Friday, oh, and I have to provide a dessert for.

So my humble apologies for not seeing everyone's stuff and I hope you all know that I will catch up when I can.

Inspection Week and A New Boss

2008-08-03T23:30:00.002-04:00

All week we are having a CNAF (Commander, Naval Air Forces) Inspection which is normal done once every two years and a Wing inspection on the alternating years. I am not going to go into too much more detail on who they are, just know that it is really important to people with lots of shiny stuff on their collars. Usually the maintenance department (me) will have their inspection then the supply department will have theirs the following week. So naturally, everyone has been fussing about and most of the preparation happens the week prior, even though it would be done gradually over the course of the year.

With that we received a new officer who came from a training squadron and is instantly changing stuff. Some of it I agree with, most of it I don't, but that is why he makes the big bucks, right? Some of the changes guarantee me to never have an early night off. Not a big fan of that idea. A lot of the processes we do here are not done anywhere else, the MALS (Marine Aviation and Logistics Squadron) have to put it bluntly, added common sense to what we do and got rid of most of the dumb crap. Crazy stuff, I know. So our new officer, is completely foreign to our concepts and will probably take a little while before he has a good grasp of the situation here. I do have to say it must suck a little to check-in to a new squadron and then they tell you "there is a major inspection next week. Good luck."

So this week we are doing everything by the numbers and hopefully we do well enough that someone might even get a good job out of it. Wouldn't that be fun.

RevGals Friday Five: Lock Me Out, Lock Me In

2008-08-01T21:01:00.002-04:00

1) How do you amuse yourself when road construction blocks your travel?
I sing sesame street tunes.

2) Have you ever locked yourself out of your house? (And do you keep an extra key somewhere, just in case?)
Never. But I have helped others who have.

3) Have you ever cleared a hurdle? (And if you haven't flown over a material hurdle, feel free to take this one metaphorically.)
In high school, I was a 200m hurdler, but gave that up for pole vaulting.

4) What's your approach to a mental block?
Sleep

5) Suggest a caption for the picture above(Revgals site); there will be a prize for the funniest answer!
The prizes have already been awarded by the time I got to this today so I will abstain from this question.

Felix the Cat

2008-07-31T19:20:00.004-04:00

I have always wanted to, but haven't, put a Felix the Cat behind a picture frame of an individual in my home. Felix was also my introduction to exotic drugs as a pre-teen. I won't elaborate, but if you know what I am talking about you can keep it to yourself and smile. I have a small collection of cartoons with Felix, along with Betty Boop and a few others. Mostly on VHS, so I will have to upgrade it eventually.

Something about the clock has always intrigued me. I suppose that is part of the corny humor that I have. Most people don't get it.

One of these days... One of these days.

Homework

2008-07-30T08:54:00.002-04:00

Last night was the first day back to work for me. We have a major inspection coming up in the second week in August, which is the first of many inspections we receive from higher authorities throughout the year. It seems that many of the instructions I left behind while recovering were not followed. So my first day back I spent the bigger part of my shift going through large amounts of paperwork that needed to be completed.

Some of which is due today, so I ended up spending a few extra hours at work last night finishing up those things. Today, I am going to have to go in early just to keep the ball rolling and finish the week on schedule.

I brought home a bunch of stuff that didn't need to be instantly but needed to get done none the less. Usually stuff like this doesn't happen, but as I have gone up in rank it seems the paperwork increases in size proportionally.

Hopefully, I won't have too many more days like this. Today, is another one those back to the grindstone types. It is a good thing I don't have a short supply of coffee.

Resilience

2008-07-28T16:42:00.002-04:00

My love life, my mental health, my duty, my spiritual self, my physical appearance, my wealth, my plans of the future, my here and now, my self worth, my social interactions, my habits, my knowledge, my candor, and the list can go on all have one uncanny link besides being part of me.

I grew up in a "non-normal" childhood. My wealth of knowledge starts simply with the casual passerby in a local bar and restaurant. We had a ballroom or dance hall which was occupied almost every weekend by social gatherings, weddings, and other large parties. I intermingled with strangers, friends and some people who most likely should have been enemies. By the age of 10, I had a firm grasp of how to set a table for multi-course meal and how to perform at such. Well, before that time I could tell you how figure out cost of a beer by either a quarter barrel (pony keg) or a half barrel. I knew the difference between glasses, what they were used, for how many ounces each was, and the importance of the illusions glasses perform on the customer. I learned how operating a business worked and how the text book(which was wrong most of the time) said you were supposed to run that business.

It wasn't until the summer before my eleventh birthday that I truly learned the value of money. My parents had two restaurants, sold the one making less money, and that summer the one left burned to the ground. We lost everything in that fire. Luckily, the fire occurred after everyone had left for the night.

It was different and to me wrong that my parents started enforcing curfews and required me to check periodically throughout the day. This practice was new to me. I never had to check in with anyone before and curfews were for other kids.

Eventually, my parents, through donations and help from family started another restaurant, one that they still have today, in the beginning of my freshman year. This one was a contrast to the others, smaller and we went to a history theme. My dad continued with the job he had at a local construction company until he retired a few years later.

My failure of my attempt at college after high school, which was clearly my fault, where I worked a full time job at a plating company about seventy miles away and also had a full course load. It probably would not have lasted much longer than it did anyway. I joined the Marine Corps. I really needed a change. My scores were high, and after some negotiations I received everything I wanted for my first enlistment.

Since joining I have have been married and divorced three times, mostly for different reasons but still there are common links. I have been deployed seven times. It is eight if you included Japan, but I was stationed there. I have essentially circled the globe four times. I am a shell back and a golden shell back. I have very few personal awards and most of them that I do have are for doing something no one else has done. Now most of those things are common or are becoming more common. I have been hurt badly enough five times to be hospitalized. Most are from electrocutions and I think makes sense since I am an electrician by trade. Up until this last deployment I have been relatively safe and have cause little trouble with the law on my off time for about four years. I suppose I was due.

I will tell you all that, I miss having a partner. But if having one means I have to get married again, you can forget it. Not worth it. With my current injury, I have a very hard time doing some simple tasks. For example, showering hurts tremendously. If I could be satisfied with cleaning only half of my body it would not be problem, but my body needs a total cleaning. I have dishes that need washing, right now a collection from the last week or so. I tried the other day, and it hurt so bad, that I thought maybe if I drugged myself up I could do it closer to painless. Yeah, I felt no pain, but I also stabbed myself and didn't feel that either. I stopped when the water was a deep red color. Now my dishes sit waiting.

I really don't want anyone to feel sorry for me. I don't. I just need some help to get me through this. I try not to ask the same person over and over again. I feel it is mostly stupid stuff and that is why it pisses me off. Tomorrow, I go back to work. It should be interesting and I am sure there will be plenty of paperwork to do. I feel I should have no problem with it, fore I have typed this with my right hand and my left index finger.

I have been through a lot in my short lifetime. I know that I have a lot to still go through.

Thank you to all who have helped with this injury and past injuries. I could not and can not go through all of this alone. I can't begin to tell you all how much I appreciate what help I have received, even if it is only talking with God.

Moving In, Upgrades,Part II

2008-07-25T15:47:00.003-04:00

This weeks updates and upgrades.

RevGals Friday Five: Don't Leave Home Without It

2008-07-25T10:56:00.003-04:00

What are the five things you simply must have when you are away from home? And why? Any history or goofy things, or stories?

1) Feather Pillow - When sleeping is in question, a good night's rest is always the answer.
2) Blankets - Even if they say it going to be hot, you never know when you will need a blanket.
3) Green Stuffed Animal Frog named Freddy - It was a gift that replays a message to me.
4) Knife - A hundred and one uses for a knife.
5) If I had time to prepare I would bring the Army Survival Guide dated 1948 7th edition. If not, then a coloring book with crayons.

Fun with Navy Medicine, Part XVI

2008-07-23T13:08:00.003-04:00

My sutures were taken out today. The doctor explained that he had "cleaned" up some of my frayed ligaments and tendons and found what is probably causing the majority of the pain. Two bones within my wrist are separated more than they are supposed to be. The equivalent of 150 times wider gap than what is normal. The rest was relatively normal or what it is supposed to look like.

The bone gap answer at the moment is to do more occupational therapy. After a few weeks of strengthening exercises in that area if there is not an improvement another surgery will be scheduled. The surgery in essence would be shortening my ligaments in that area and unlike the recovery from this one which was two weeks it would be eight for that one.

Why neither of MRIs showed this or why no one caught it, is beyond me.

The Valders Journal, Part II

2008-07-20T12:30:00.002-04:00

I receive many inquiries about the Valders Journal. Usually an average of sixty inquiries per month. Most people want to know how to contact them. Since it is published in the paper, I don't feel bad about giving anyone the address and phone number for the paper.

To contact the Valders journal write to:

204 Liberty Street
PO Box 400
Valders, WI 54245

or to call the paper:
(920) 775-4431

Moving In, Upgrades

2008-07-20T08:33:00.002-04:00

This is a short video of what was upgraded since the last one I did. It is about two minutes long so if you use dial-up I don't suggest watching it since it is about 40 MB.

The Problem with the TV

2008-07-19T20:19:00.004-04:00

The "new" TV which I bought and was installed on the 9th started acting funny by the 11th. There was a technician here on Friday after I called on Tuesday to fix the problem, but the problem only happened once and he didn't notice it. The TV worked for half a day and by five in the evening was continuing to do the same thing. The sound works but the picture goes black as if it was off. So since I will not get a hold of a technician until the earliest at eight in the morning on Monday this is a short video of what happens.
And if it miraculously works for the short time he returns I have some evidence it is jacked up. You would think with technology the way it is, Circuit City and LG would want to stop people from telling them they were jacked up, but working with both of them has been an awful experience.
The TV is a 47LG50 and it was installed by the store.

Take the Test and Be Happy

2008-07-19T12:02:00.000-04:00

Your result for The Really QUICK Reassuringly EASY Test...

Freakin' Genius!

You are wonderful! If awesomeness was a crime, you would be in jail for life. You win 1,000,000 points and the respect and admiration of millions of fans. Here is a gold star for you:

Take The Really QUICK Reassuringly EASY Test at HelloQuizzy