I highlighted some places that are a possible venues for early spring. I would love to visit some of you when I get back. I figure since I will be travelling north through some of those areas anyway, there is some definite possibilities.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Me being Me
Sometimes while writing I tend to be a little cryptic and do not say exactly what I was thinking. ( I know few of you are going "duh.")
Some of the outcomes(comments) on what I expect others to respond is not even close to what I was talking about. When things like this occur, I worry that maybe my communications skills are lacking somewhere. It really should not bother me, but it does.
Now, after reading this, do not try to find a hidden meaning in my posts. There really isn't one. I just can't tell you everything about me for two main reasons,
A) OPSEC - Operation Security - There are bad guys and gals out there wanting to do bad things to other people.
B) Self Worth - Wanting to get to know me, for me. If I tell you everything, then why would you want to meet me? It is better to keep a few secrets for the encounter.
On another note(Mi maybe La),
Well Wishes for everyone's Thanksgiving.
Some of the outcomes(comments) on what I expect others to respond is not even close to what I was talking about. When things like this occur, I worry that maybe my communications skills are lacking somewhere. It really should not bother me, but it does.
Now, after reading this, do not try to find a hidden meaning in my posts. There really isn't one. I just can't tell you everything about me for two main reasons,
A) OPSEC - Operation Security - There are bad guys and gals out there wanting to do bad things to other people.
B) Self Worth - Wanting to get to know me, for me. If I tell you everything, then why would you want to meet me? It is better to keep a few secrets for the encounter.
On another note(Mi maybe La),
Well Wishes for everyone's Thanksgiving.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Friends and Friends of Friends
This blog world is quite cool.
I really do not know how I managed to find so many great friends by use of this blog. (Or other blogs that I read.)
My coping mechanism or my intellectual curiosity has been best spent involving myself in each small way amongst the fellow bloggers and internet perusers.
"They" bring me laughs, make me mad and give me sadness. It is a drama unto itself that I control how much or how little I want to involve myself in.
If this is not therapy for the masses, I do not know what is.
I really do not know how I managed to find so many great friends by use of this blog. (Or other blogs that I read.)
My coping mechanism or my intellectual curiosity has been best spent involving myself in each small way amongst the fellow bloggers and internet perusers.
"They" bring me laughs, make me mad and give me sadness. It is a drama unto itself that I control how much or how little I want to involve myself in.
If this is not therapy for the masses, I do not know what is.
The Holidays
Hate is such a strong word.
Displeased, unsatisfied, unfulfilling, or something like that.
I really "hate" the time period between mid-November to late December. I am supposed to be happy, in theory. It is not the time period really, it is the presumption that spending time with families, having time off at "work," the giving and receiving, the birth, the Puritans, the shopping, the whatever is going to make me feel better.
I am not a grouch, I am not the guy who goes "bah humbug." That is not me. I give. I don't really want anything. I can "buy" for myself if I need it.
I am really opening up a can of worms with this post. I know it. There is many issues revolving this. I just haven't decided yet if I am going to share it with all of you.
Just know, that I don't like these next few holidays.
Displeased, unsatisfied, unfulfilling, or something like that.
I really "hate" the time period between mid-November to late December. I am supposed to be happy, in theory. It is not the time period really, it is the presumption that spending time with families, having time off at "work," the giving and receiving, the birth, the Puritans, the shopping, the whatever is going to make me feel better.
I am not a grouch, I am not the guy who goes "bah humbug." That is not me. I give. I don't really want anything. I can "buy" for myself if I need it.
I am really opening up a can of worms with this post. I know it. There is many issues revolving this. I just haven't decided yet if I am going to share it with all of you.
Just know, that I don't like these next few holidays.
Takes a Lick'n and Keeps On....
I have this watch that has a leather wrist strap, gold bezel, white face, has the day and date, indiglo, and is analog. My current watch I bought from Wally World for about thirty five bucks just before coming out here. Here is the funny part, this is the fourth time I bought this watch. It seems I "re-buy" this watch ever year or so.
I have never really liked digital watches. I believe that having an analog watch says something about a person. Maybe it really doesn't mean anything is different about another person , but I think it does.
My watch is bent in funny spots and the wrist strap is dying a slow horrible death. So when I get back, I will probably go back to the World of Wally and buy this watch again for thirty five bucks.
I have never really liked digital watches. I believe that having an analog watch says something about a person. Maybe it really doesn't mean anything is different about another person , but I think it does.
My watch is bent in funny spots and the wrist strap is dying a slow horrible death. So when I get back, I will probably go back to the World of Wally and buy this watch again for thirty five bucks.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Was I the Only One?
Was I the only one saddened that Frank decided to wait to post until later this week?
Small Dilemmas
It appears I may have hurt something near my femoral artery on my strong leg. My opinion and the doctor's varies on what is really wrong. It does not matter much it still hurts to move.
I cannot get a hold of Chase, in which I have credit card. I have been unable to reach them via the phone, Internet, or mail. I think they forgot where I am. ( No other credit card do I have this problem with.)
I am very behind in writing thank you(s). Slow start, but progress is forward.
I have some packages that the mail room seems to be "holding hostage," hopefully tomorrow I will retrieve them.
Nothing major, just minor goings on.
I cannot get a hold of Chase, in which I have credit card. I have been unable to reach them via the phone, Internet, or mail. I think they forgot where I am. ( No other credit card do I have this problem with.)
I am very behind in writing thank you(s). Slow start, but progress is forward.
I have some packages that the mail room seems to be "holding hostage," hopefully tomorrow I will retrieve them.
~~~~~~~
Nothing major, just minor goings on.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Reading the News and Shaking my Head
I was reading the news and saw that a 1st grader was suspended for drawing a picture with a gun.
Before I go into my opinion, let's go back twenty years. Would this same drawing offend anyone?
I think the world is nuts, crazy, loco and is trying to make our children the same. I have to look at my own experiences and say there is nothing wrong with a drawing that has guns in it. Think, today, what kind of TV shows do "we" watch at Prime Time?
Something has reversed, maybe.
My belief is if "we" continue down this backward path, we won't need to save the world, we need to save ourselves.
Before I go into my opinion, let's go back twenty years. Would this same drawing offend anyone?
I think the world is nuts, crazy, loco and is trying to make our children the same. I have to look at my own experiences and say there is nothing wrong with a drawing that has guns in it. Think, today, what kind of TV shows do "we" watch at Prime Time?
Something has reversed, maybe.
My belief is if "we" continue down this backward path, we won't need to save the world, we need to save ourselves.
Different Shades of Gray
Well, I still did not pass the sustainment portion of the test. So for now I will remain a gray belt in MCMAP. I am not as pissed at myself today, for a few reasons:
1) I am still going to get paid
2) There is no adverse action
3) There is no reason that I can't go over the moves for a few days/weeks and take another test
4) Motrin
5) Naproxen
6) I am still the boss of my crew
7) I know that I have Marines willing to help me in my struggles
8) As far as I know nothing is broken
9) This deployment is almost over
10) I did my best
1) I am still going to get paid
2) There is no adverse action
3) There is no reason that I can't go over the moves for a few days/weeks and take another test
4) Motrin
5) Naproxen
6) I am still the boss of my crew
7) I know that I have Marines willing to help me in my struggles
8) As far as I know nothing is broken
9) This deployment is almost over
10) I did my best
Saturday, November 17, 2007
No Pressure
I failed.
I get to retake the test tomorrow night.
Funny, I didn't even get to the green belt part.
I really don't have anything nice to say about myself, it was all stupid(like "duh") mistakes.
I get to retake the test tomorrow night.
Funny, I didn't even get to the green belt part.
I really don't have anything nice to say about myself, it was all stupid(like "duh") mistakes.
Friday, November 16, 2007
One Possible Outcome in the States
I might get back find a permanent place to stay with a week or so. I do my job for the first few weeks, which is really catching up on all the training I didn't do in Iraq. Most of it is not my favorite things to do, but it must be done. Go on a leave period of 15 days.
While on leave travel north through DC to Baltimore and visit an old friend from when I was stationed in Yuma. Then skirt over and through PA to Youngstown, Ohio and visit with another friend from my days in Millingtion. Take a break in Chicago and shoot north and visit with my folks in Valders. While there I will probably renew my driver's license and find some of my old things that are no doubt collecting dust in the basement. After five or six days it will be time to head south again.
I might stop in Rockford and say hello to a friend I went to boot camp together, we reconnected on MySpace of all places. Then head cross ways through Ohio so I can take the mountains in West Virginia and see if the corridor is finished on I-77. On my way down, I may stop in Asheville and tour the castle there.
Once arriving back to base, I will most likely pick up my uniforms fro the dry cleaners and inspect them since it will be a month away and I will proceed to my Resident course.
Once I am done with that I will most likely take leave again and head to Yuma and probably donate my truck that is there.
Then again, I may do something completely different.
While on leave travel north through DC to Baltimore and visit an old friend from when I was stationed in Yuma. Then skirt over and through PA to Youngstown, Ohio and visit with another friend from my days in Millingtion. Take a break in Chicago and shoot north and visit with my folks in Valders. While there I will probably renew my driver's license and find some of my old things that are no doubt collecting dust in the basement. After five or six days it will be time to head south again.
I might stop in Rockford and say hello to a friend I went to boot camp together, we reconnected on MySpace of all places. Then head cross ways through Ohio so I can take the mountains in West Virginia and see if the corridor is finished on I-77. On my way down, I may stop in Asheville and tour the castle there.
Once arriving back to base, I will most likely pick up my uniforms fro the dry cleaners and inspect them since it will be a month away and I will proceed to my Resident course.
Once I am done with that I will most likely take leave again and head to Yuma and probably donate my truck that is there.
Then again, I may do something completely different.
Cross Your Fingers and Toes
I will be testing out for my Green Belt tomorrow night. I am still having problems with a few moves that are similar in each of the belts.
Testing is simple really. The instructor will pick five random techniques from both the previous belts in which I can miss only one(out of the ten). After passing that I may proceed with the Green belt test with all the techniques, twenty seven or twenty eight.
I have been soliciting help from another instructor during my "off time" the last few days. The wacky part is I don't fuck up when I practice with him. So it looks like I know what I am doing. Then class starts and I fuck up.
So I have one more day of class with practicing(which is tonight), then tomorrow is the test. Worst case scenario is when being the "dummy" for the other person a bone breaks. I am not too worried, I have been in pain pretty much constantly since we started.
I guess what I am asking is, cross a finger or two in the next few days and hope I pass this test.
Thank you.
Testing is simple really. The instructor will pick five random techniques from both the previous belts in which I can miss only one(out of the ten). After passing that I may proceed with the Green belt test with all the techniques, twenty seven or twenty eight.
I have been soliciting help from another instructor during my "off time" the last few days. The wacky part is I don't fuck up when I practice with him. So it looks like I know what I am doing. Then class starts and I fuck up.
So I have one more day of class with practicing(which is tonight), then tomorrow is the test. Worst case scenario is when being the "dummy" for the other person a bone breaks. I am not too worried, I have been in pain pretty much constantly since we started.
I guess what I am asking is, cross a finger or two in the next few days and hope I pass this test.
Thank you.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Fun with Locations
This is where the last fifty people who have visited me are from except the one person from England.I did not know that I knew that many people on the east coast. Kind of makes it seem like the world is smaller. In theory, I could drive through most of these locations on the way to see my folks in Wisconsin. It is just a theory.
Love
I have to admit I don't talk about to many mushy items in this blog. Things here tend to be on the "manly man" side. Someone had brought up an interesting point to me and it relates to the word love.
Let's start off with I love my Mom, Dad, and my Brother. I love my Brother's family. This love is the type of love that only families really can have.
Then my degrees of love take a sharp turn downward. My amount of love has gotten smaller and smaller with each divorce and ending relationship I had. So much so, the very definition of love has lost its meaning. I sometimes wonder why I even said vows to these women, obviously it didn't mean anything to them. I wonder if there was an attachment displayed as envy and love was never a factor or they were just coveting the marriage/relationship of another and wanted to be better than someone else.
I believe that each relationship(at least the marriages) were salvageable. In each instance, I put my good foot forward(since my first marriage) to resolve the problems or difference to save the relationship. Never worked, just prolonged the inevitable that they had set in motion.
I don't consider being a Marine as a major factor since I have been a Marine first and longer any of the relationships lasted. I am sure it played a role. My order of importance has been Children, God, Country, Corps, Wife/Girlfriend and this has not changed. I have always been up front with this. I mention it because I recall a time when it was brought up as an excuse on why the marriage failed. She was upset I put her kid in front of her during an emergency situation. Wacky, I know.
I am not saying I can not love. I am just saying that I have built a pretty big wall around me and to get through will take some time.
Let's start off with I love my Mom, Dad, and my Brother. I love my Brother's family. This love is the type of love that only families really can have.
Then my degrees of love take a sharp turn downward. My amount of love has gotten smaller and smaller with each divorce and ending relationship I had. So much so, the very definition of love has lost its meaning. I sometimes wonder why I even said vows to these women, obviously it didn't mean anything to them. I wonder if there was an attachment displayed as envy and love was never a factor or they were just coveting the marriage/relationship of another and wanted to be better than someone else.
I believe that each relationship(at least the marriages) were salvageable. In each instance, I put my good foot forward(since my first marriage) to resolve the problems or difference to save the relationship. Never worked, just prolonged the inevitable that they had set in motion.
I don't consider being a Marine as a major factor since I have been a Marine first and longer any of the relationships lasted. I am sure it played a role. My order of importance has been Children, God, Country, Corps, Wife/Girlfriend and this has not changed. I have always been up front with this. I mention it because I recall a time when it was brought up as an excuse on why the marriage failed. She was upset I put her kid in front of her during an emergency situation. Wacky, I know.
I am not saying I can not love. I am just saying that I have built a pretty big wall around me and to get through will take some time.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
I Had Some Time to Kill
I picked this up at ~ freshly ground & freshly brewed ~ which is Hot Cup Lutheran's blog.
Some of the questions were omitted, I am not making up new ones. Well, here goes:
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? : No
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? I got kicked in the lower abdominal area and had a tear or two.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? I can't read it, so yes.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Honey ham
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Highly impossible, NO
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I would kick myself in the ass or sucker punch me.
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Does a bear shit in the woods?
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS ? Yes
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Been there done that.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? I kind of like Pops, but only for a snack.
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Depends if I was PTing or not.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? No, but I fight dirty.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Orange sherbet
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Gait
15. RED OR PINK? Red, bloody.
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Intelligence.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? I hate to say it, the last ex-wife.
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Digital MAR PAT, rough side out leather.
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Apple
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Rock and Roll
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Sky Blue #76D7EA
23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Vanilla
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Mom
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Football
27. HAIR COLOR? Is this mine? Brown
28. EYE COLOR? Matches the hair.
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? I can kind of see
30. FAVORITE FOOD? This changes on what course we are eating. Peanut Butter Squares.
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Scary with the bad guy winning.(Realism)
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Snatch.
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Olive drab
34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer
35. HUGS OR KISSES? Both, unless you are an alien.
36. FAVORITE DESSERT? I covered this on question 30.
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING RIGHT NOW? Forever Odd.
40. What's ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Nothing, air.
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? Rerun of the Chiefs game
42. FAVORITE SOUND? Ch53E in a formation.
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Stones
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? I think here, I think here is the furthest I have been away from home.
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Not really.
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? In a hospital.
48. WHAT TIME IS IT NOW? 0600 GMT +3
Some of the questions were omitted, I am not making up new ones. Well, here goes:
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? : No
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? I got kicked in the lower abdominal area and had a tear or two.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? I can't read it, so yes.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Honey ham
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Highly impossible, NO
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I would kick myself in the ass or sucker punch me.
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Does a bear shit in the woods?
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS ? Yes
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Been there done that.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? I kind of like Pops, but only for a snack.
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Depends if I was PTing or not.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? No, but I fight dirty.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Orange sherbet
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Gait
15. RED OR PINK? Red, bloody.
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Intelligence.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? I hate to say it, the last ex-wife.
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Digital MAR PAT, rough side out leather.
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Apple
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Rock and Roll
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Sky Blue #76D7EA
23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Vanilla
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Mom
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Football
27. HAIR COLOR? Is this mine? Brown
28. EYE COLOR? Matches the hair.
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? I can kind of see
30. FAVORITE FOOD? This changes on what course we are eating. Peanut Butter Squares.
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Scary with the bad guy winning.(Realism)
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Snatch.
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Olive drab
34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer
35. HUGS OR KISSES? Both, unless you are an alien.
36. FAVORITE DESSERT? I covered this on question 30.
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING RIGHT NOW? Forever Odd.
40. What's ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Nothing, air.
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? Rerun of the Chiefs game
42. FAVORITE SOUND? Ch53E in a formation.
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Stones
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? I think here, I think here is the furthest I have been away from home.
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Not really.
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? In a hospital.
48. WHAT TIME IS IT NOW? 0600 GMT +3
Question and Answer Period
It is hard to be the one with answers all the time. I don't always have them. If fact most of the time I don't have them. When it comes to the job at hand, I know my job and can help it most circumstances. If the question turns to strictly a Marine Corps question, I usually have an answer or I know where to find it. It is the everything else that I have a problem with.
Since being in Iraq for more than three quarters of the year, I have been approached with some pretty hard hitting questions. Most of the time, I can reach back to my experiences and remember what I did in that circumstance. Everytime something like this has happened, I did not have all the right answers and most of the time there were no right answers, just suggestions.
Since most of my readers are clergy, maybe some of this post will be easy to relate to. I am not complaining, I am just saying it is hard.
Since being in Iraq for more than three quarters of the year, I have been approached with some pretty hard hitting questions. Most of the time, I can reach back to my experiences and remember what I did in that circumstance. Everytime something like this has happened, I did not have all the right answers and most of the time there were no right answers, just suggestions.
Since most of my readers are clergy, maybe some of this post will be easy to relate to. I am not complaining, I am just saying it is hard.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
The Village Carpenter's Answer
The Village Carpenter's question is: If you could do your life over again, what would you do differently?
A bunch of stuff....I was no angel growing up, so maybe make the other decision would have been wiser. Not as fun, but wouldn't have limited some of my options later.
There was this girl, that I dumped for a younger, prettier model (kind of like a Barbie doll), that was a HUGE mistake. By the time, I realized it is was too late. I believe that a lot of my early adulthood decisions hinged on that mistake. Later, I met her husband which was the guy she dated right after me, they have two kids a nice house and are essentially happy.
Maybe when I went to college the first time, if I would have not had a full load and a full time job (that was also sixty miles away), I would have lasted a little longer. Maybe.
I probably shouldn't have married my first wife. I should have listened to the "adults" for my second.
All in all, all these experiences make me like I am today. Whether it is good or bad, this is me and I can't change anything from the past, just learn from it.
A bunch of stuff....I was no angel growing up, so maybe make the other decision would have been wiser. Not as fun, but wouldn't have limited some of my options later.
There was this girl, that I dumped for a younger, prettier model (kind of like a Barbie doll), that was a HUGE mistake. By the time, I realized it is was too late. I believe that a lot of my early adulthood decisions hinged on that mistake. Later, I met her husband which was the guy she dated right after me, they have two kids a nice house and are essentially happy.
Maybe when I went to college the first time, if I would have not had a full load and a full time job (that was also sixty miles away), I would have lasted a little longer. Maybe.
I probably shouldn't have married my first wife. I should have listened to the "adults" for my second.
All in all, all these experiences make me like I am today. Whether it is good or bad, this is me and I can't change anything from the past, just learn from it.
Way Too Early For Christmas
I have received some Christmas items suck as a tree and light and ornaments. And I said, What the Hay!" The tree reminded me of Charlie Brown's when I first started setting it up, but it is definitely a tad better than that. You all can make up your own mind. So what, if there is about forty days to go, minor.
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