Flag Etiquette

I have been asked several times about flag etiquette. So, I thought, I would post something and give you all a link. Most people would be surprised what the dos and don'ts of the US Flag Code (link is via the American Legion) actually are.

The following are excerpts from the US Flag code:

Time and occasions for display:

- It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.

Respect for the flag:

- The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free.

- The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever.

- The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.

Position and manner of display:

- When flags of States, cities, or localities, or pennants of societies are flown on the same halyard with the flag of the United States, the latter should always be at the peak.

- When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag's own right, that is, to the observer's left.

Top Dollar

I am thinking about buying a home when I get back to the states next to the base where I am stationed. I have been emailing back and forth with two different realtors. I have told them very specific on what my top dollar is and what type of home I am looking for. For some darn reason or another, they keep sending me lists of homes above my top dollar. It is my top dollar for a reason. They don't call it "Top Dollar" and mean it can go up twenty thousand more. Really.

I already figured in my escrow, extra insurance, maintenance, driving to and from work in comparison to renting for the estimated period I will be stationed here. I know what my top dollar is and when my break even point is. Why are these people trying to set me up for failure?

In the year 2000, The Correction

I know everyone has been reading all my posts especially the ones saying I have been taking percocet, right. Well I have been reading every one's comments all night and I couldn't for the life of me figure out why everyone is so interested in my September 10th post. The reason why I can't figure it out is because all night I have been thinking September 12th, in my mind.

You have to find the humor in that, right?

Wacky. So, wacky.

Here I am thinking you all are impressed by the length of the car line, but it was because I mistyped the date and I didn't realize it.

So, to be correct, the line should read:

On September 12, 2001, only military (and very high ranking government employees) were allowed to enter the base.

I am so sorry for the mistake.

In the year 2000

I could have sworn there was a song with either this title or phrase in the chorus. Regardless, Mathman has tagged me in a meme to recollect the year that I was twenty-five. I was twenty-five from mid October of 2000 to mid October of 2001. Wacky. (If I had used the Martian calender I would be only be seventeen, right now.)

1. I had been out of debt the first time in my life a the age of 25, every dollar (after taxes) was "blow" money. It was very exciting for about three months.

2. I had told myself, that I met the woman of my dreams. September 9th of 2001 was the beginning of the end of that marriage (Blog fodder for future). She was the woman who divorced me later and took most of my money and future money for the least amount of time. (Wife number 2)

3. I was at home, which was odd(taking wife to the airport that day), when I recieved a phone call from work to tell me to turn the TV on. About ten seconds later after turning the TV on , a second plane stuck the smoking building. Everything changed after that.

4. I remember thinking gas was expensive, I was just stationed at MCAS (Marine Corps Air Station) Yuma, Arizona. It was $1.22 a gallon on base. It was not as bad a the cigerettes which were thirty two bucks for a carton on base. I was paying 89 cents for gas (off base) and fourteen bucks for cigerettes in North Carolina earlier in the year.

5. On September 10, 2001, only military (and very high ranking government employees) were allowed to enter the base. I remember being in line of cars and being across the Nissan dealership and not moving, waiting to get on base. This traffic was the same for serveral weeks and we didn't know if it ever was going to different from that.

I tag Diane, Presbyfruit , Magdalene .

This was hard and I am young, seventeen by Martian years. So if you feel you can't do this I understand.

Why do this?

Why do I stay volunteered, enlisted in the Marine Corps? I ask myself that question every time I re-enlist.
It is not the money, even though lately the government has been trying to keep us by throwing a few grand our way.
It is not the sacrifice, at one point last year I went twenty seven days without a shower. Not because I wanted to, because there was not enough water for extras.
It is not for the glory, because unfortunately, other than some family and a few friends, there is no recognition.

I told myself one time that I would "quit" after the Marines' Hymn didn't mean anything to me anymore. That when the National Anthem played my chest didn't swell up with pride.

No, I joined for different reasons, but cannot deny what I have done and cannot imagine what life would be with out the Marine Corps.

3 Sides to Every Coin. Part III

Well, the "they" got me. Do to situations not in my control I am unable to make anymore "alterations" to the site. The file types that make this blog so user friendly is now being blocked my big brother.

I am still able to post though. As you can see.

I will have to make those changes when I get back to the states. Still on the teeter about putting up naked pictures as suggested. I did add a the rating of post before the shut down of such fun things. Little things to make the world go round.

The Daily Grind

Even though going to work has not changed from yesterday other than it has gotten colder, the anticipation of leaving is in the air. I have witnessed some discomforts by people and then hear them replying what the count down is and live with it. That is a good sign and a bad one. While most of are going through the motions of daily life, some are letting things slide. Things that should be corrected. I do my best to correct the things that need correcting when it presents itself to me or around me. It is not a hard task.

In essence the daily grind is going to change soon, and that is a good thing.

Cheesehead Victory

Looking Forward

I am looking forward to:

North Carolina pines
Driving
Going to a store
Buying anything
Drinking some frothy adult beverages
Sleeping In
Jeans
Soft toilet paper
Having a choice for lunch
Being able to drive to no where in particular
Women
Tanning
Going to a beach with water
Watching cartoons
USO
Flannel
Fresh cut lawn smell
Hearing Harleys on the highway
Hugs
Fast food
Good coffee
Friends
Golfing
Weekends
Hump Day
Mountains
Ice Cream
Captain and Cokes

Norman Rockwell's Homecoming Marine

RevGals Friday Five: Las Mañanitas

Mother Laura over at RevGals hosts today's Friday Five. It's birthday time in her family and she asks:
1. When is your birthday? Does anyone else (famous and/or in your own life) share it?
October 22nd
1907 - Jimmie Foxx
1938 - Christopher Lloyd

2. Do you prefer a big party or an intimate celebration for the chosen few?
Small party with friends.

3. Describe your most memorable birthday(s)--good, bad, or both.
Good - 9th
Bad - 29th
Both - 32nd
(You will have to ask me in person for details.)

4. What is your favorite cake and ice cream?
White, New York Vanilla

5. Surprise parties: love 'em or hate 'em?
I like surprises, brings spice to life.

1st Snow in Al Asad

Because it is night time, I tried taking this one straight up.

The side lights help a little to see the flakes.

This snow is the wet clumpy type snow. The type that makes great slush.

For Fun, Part II

Something different and fun, I saw this on BAC's Blog, Yikes. It looked like something different than the norm lately.

Let’s Make a Band:

1. Wikipedia

The first article title on the page is the name of your band.


2. Quotes

The last four words of the very last quote is the title of your album.


3. Flickr

The third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

( FLickr is now blocked from us, as a nudity site, so I picked a picture that was twelve from the right sixty second down from my collection. It seemed random enough.)

You then take the pic and add your band name and the album title to it, then post your pic.
Here's mine:

3 Sides to Every Coin. Part II

While I have been applying pressure, ever so slightly in a kind of circular motion, I have not witnessed any excitement.

I cannot decide on any changes, structure -wise to the blog. I didn't get a whole lot of suggestions, when I asked.

Still looking for suggestions.

Social Studies

I had this class in school called social studies. We learned about other countries, our country and geography was included. There were lots pretty pictures of a variety of culture.

I have to blame my job for knowing about several different cultures first hand. As well as, knowing different and varying political views of different countries. The one thing that seems the utmost important is the history.

Let's learn from our mistakes.

On Being Me, Part II

I admit I tend to be "pessimistic" at times, which I relate to realism. My comments as of late may seem to be on the down turn and they are. I haven't had coitus since May. ( I have masturbated regularly, normal every day stuff here.) I have not had a meaningful conversation with a woman since February. (Talking, writing, poetry, whatever) I am in pain everyday for a stupid injury. Even with drugs I haven't had a good sleep in more than a month. Homecomings in general are depressing. (See this post.) My living situation has not been resolved as of yet. I fear the worse for my truck I bought two years ago that I have only driven for three months. ( This falls into the theory that if I fuck up something that is mine, I will be upset, but if someone else fucks up something that is mine I will be irate.) I don't think I believe in "love" anymore. I have been searching for a god and have not found one yet. My job by the general population is under appreciated. There tends to be no respect for the "elders" anymore. I really don't want sympathy, I just want "you " to fix it. I want America to fix themselves. I just don't see it happening, not in my lifetime. I try to fix something, then another will undermine that fix. It is truly a sad world we live in.

Bible and a Gun, Part II

I am all about saving the world. I mean look at Superman, he has saved the world at least a dozen times now. (What, he's not real? Say it isn't so.)

Why can 't we save ourselves?

Why don't we have a charity to "Save the US of A?"

What is the point of being the world's greatest super power, if we have no super powers?

How come we don't cut the hands off of thieves in this country?

Why don't we burn an "A" into the hands of adulterer's?

Why are insurance company buildings so large and pretty?

When are we going to be equal?

When there are equality discussions, how come the tests are not the same, that give the results which are discussed?

Why do keep bad people and drive away the good?

Pictures of Marines

http://www.mcnews.info/mcnewsinfo/marines/gouge/marines.htm

One of my favorites is 26.

Global Warming Here?

Somebody, much smarter than me, needs to explain this global warming thing to me. I mean warming is the opposite of cold right?

It has been in the mid to high twenties the last three days and it is expected to get worse. I am actually hoping for snow. I think it would be a great photo opportunity, snow in Iraq.

I can't recall if if was this temperature last year, but I do remember it being cold. Now that I have been "climatized" it should feel warmer than it has.

Bible and a Gun, Part I

I have had the gun for some time now.
I have been wandering this earth.
I have been looking.
I have not found what I am looking for.