The Marines' Hymn

MARINES' HYMN

From the halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli,

We fight our country's battles in the air, on land and sea.

First to fight for right and freedom, and to keep our honor clean;

We are proud to claim the title of United States Marine.

~

Our Flag's unfurled to every breeze from dawn to setting sun.

We have fought in every clime and place, where we could take a gun.

In the snow of far off northern lands and in sunny tropic scenes,

You will find us always on the job, the United States Marines.

~

Here's health to you and to our Corps, which we are proud to serve.

In many a strife we've fought for life and never lost our nerve.

If the Army and the Navy ever look on heaven's scenes,

they will find the streets are guarded by United States Marines.

Do Feel It?

Do you feel it coming?

The emails and conversations have been leaning hard toward our birthday. For those of us that are Marines or former Marines our birthday is November tenth.

On the 10th of November in 1775, the Continental Congress passed a resolution, which said in part:

"...Resolved, that two battalions of Marines be raised, consisting of one colonel, two lieutenant colonels, two majors, and other officers as usual in other regiments; and that they consist of an equal number of privates with other battalions;

that particular care betaken, that no persons be appointed to office, or enlisted into said battalions, but such as are good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve to advantage by sea when required;

that they be enlisted and commissioned to serve for and during the present war between Great Britain and the Colonies, unless dismissed by order of Congress; that they be distinguished by the names of the first and second battalions of American Marines..."

On November 10, 1775, Robert Mullan, the proprietor of the (Tun) Tavern and son of Peggy Mullan, was commissioned by an act of Congress to raise the first two battalions of Marines, under the leadership of Samuel Nicholas, the first appointed Commandant of(the Continental) Marines.

Litttle Things that I Hate in the Blog World

I hate it when I visit a blog (or website) and they have a "Cost of the War" ticker.
I hate it when I visit a blog and they have a " Iraqi deaths due to US invasion" ticker.

I think it is "fucking" stupid. Of all the people it shouldn't piss off is me, according to most of those I have spoken to about their tickers.

I really can't write what I want to say. I have rewritten this post about two dozen times, not because I am trying to be politically correct. I have rewritten it because I am bound by the contract I signed under my own feel will and I am not allowed to say or write certain conclusions or hypothesis about my country men and women.

Oh, I understand, open your eyes ...various people that working against the system. Those people are not reading this, those people do not vote, those are the people who complain all the time and do not do anything about it.

The great thing here is not that you agree, you don't have to, "we" live in a free country.

Sandstorms and Post Cards

Today, there is another sand storm going through, it not the first I have seen, not the second, it probably is the thirtieth or more. I could take a picture but it wouldn't turn out because the sun is down. Sandstorms are bitch to prepare for, because they just kind of pop out of nowhere. So I keep a whole bunch of stuff for sandstorms with me all the time. It just sucks.

I did receive a post card from Fran I Am today. It is a picture of water fountain in Barcelona. (Just to let everyone know, I would reply if I had an address.) I am actually one of those crazy people who keep most, if not all, of the mail sent to me. I even have a wacky filing system. So lets say you wrote me a letter when I was floating around the ocean in 1996, odds are I have it somewhere.

So today's verdict is: it sucks there is a sandstorm but I am happy because I received a post card from Fran I Am .

Post From Jan

"Cascading 268 feet into a deep pool, Snoqualmie Falls is one of Washington's most popular scenic attractions."
Very Cool.

Something Everyone Can Understand

I saw this on Jan's blog, apparently anyone can enjoy my ramblings and only college level humans can enjoy hers.

The Truck

I have in my website several pictures of my '96 Ford Ranger in which I have painted several times. The thing that prompted this painting was this:




After this event, I attempted to fix it, but after another fender bender on Amarillo, Texas I said screw it.

The first original paint job was gold with chevrons on the fenders, but it didn't last very long.

This was followed shortly there after with a " 5-ton" color. I never understood why they look pale all the time until it finally rained. I had added some air-wing type terms with the type of humor I have. I have it displayed here.

Some time after that rain storm I took a little more time and used Marine Corps colors to paint my truck. This is the point when you may say I am a little proud. You can make your own assumptions. I had this paint job the longest.

The one thing you have to keep in mind is I didn't use high quality paint, so when the entire hood decide to chip up it was time to repaint. This was the last yellow paint job I had. (In the picture is a Chevy, it is not mine, it is my ex-wife's)

After that, I was experimenting with a digital patten to match our cammies and did various pattens. I did take a few pictures but I do not have access to them at the moment. Like I have mentioned before, I believe the last and current paint scheme is light blue with scarlet highlights. Something that should resemble the gremlin in the first Wayne's World.

Reading and Writing

Normally by now I would have read my usual 15 blogs and have read the headlines of around 10 news agencies. Instead I read my comments that were posted while sleeping and wrapped a hot towel around my neck.

I feel I am betraying myself somehow.

I should be writing letters back to the gracious people who have written me. I am going to put that off until tomorrow.

(Funny thing, I gave my sergeant time off again today, what the fuck was I thinking?)

I Have Been Tagged

Tagged = someone challenges you come up with 10 random things about yourself, then you have to tag 5 other bloggers.

10 random things about The Wyldth1ng:

1) When I was knee high to a grasshopper I would camp out in my toy box shaped as a football.

2) My junior year in high school I applied for the Air Force Academy.

3) I have been fascinated with breasts for as long as I can remember and I just can't seem to get enough of them.

4) The words nifty, shnazy, and silly should be included in everyone's everyday conversations.

5) My MCMAP instructor says I look like "Foamy" the Squirrel.

6) I have a glow in the dark pillow case with the solar system.

7) I love being the devil's advocate, all the time.

8) I have painted my '96 Ford Ranger 17 times, never once with auto paint.

9) I have bought the movie LA Story seven times in VHS and four times in DVD.

10) I went to Nationals while in VICA for extemporaneous speaking and finished thirteenth.

I am tagging:
MoreCows
Diane
(Deleted)
Magdalene
Jan

How it is.

I am not asking for sympathy.

I am hoping that this sore/pain lessens in the next few days or I do know if I can keep going in this course. I know that parts of my body that I don't use regularly are supposed to be sore. I have some bruises in places that there should not be bruises. I do not bruise easily.

The last few days I have been sleeping longer, my water consumption is up, and typing is royal pain in the ass(not literally, pain is in wrists and forearms). I normally don't lay still while sleeping, but everytime I do move I awake with searing pain in my ribs.

I volunteered for this. Does that make me a sadist or masochist?

Two weeks to go.

RevGals Friday Five: Interviews

Mother Laura writes:
Songbird just had an interview for a "vague and interesting" possibility, and More Cows than People is doing campus visits for doctoral programs. There always seem to be a few RevGals applying for new positions, and I just got my first call for this year's preliminary interviews for college teaching jobs at the American Academy of Religion meeting in San Diego coming up in a few weeks. It's for my dream job among this year's offerings, and I am flipflopping between excitement and nervousness. So please keep your fingers crossed and say a little prayer for everyone facing such conversations, and share your thoughts on the wonderful world of interviews:

1. What was the most memorable interview you ever had?

2005 Enlisted to Warrant Officer board at the Wing level. This was the first year in which I had put in a package and the Wing wanted to conduct interviews on the potential candidates. Previous years that I had applied I only interviewed at the Squadron level. Everything I did was wrong, my ribbons were upside-down, I rattled off the wrong job description in which I was applying, I couldn't screw it up any more that I did. (By the way, the list for this year is out, I did not make it, again.)

2. Have you ever been the interviewer rather than the interviewee? If so, are you a tiger, a creampuff, or somewhere in between?

I would have to say 'not applicable.'

3. Do phone interviews make you more or less nervous than in-person ones?

Never have I done one. I would think less nervous.

4. What was the best advice you ever got to prepare for an interview? How about the worst?

The best was reread the statement of purpose(reason why interview is taking place) ten to twenty minutes prior. The worst was act naturally.

5. Do you have any pre-interview rituals that give you confidence?

I hum the Marines' Hymn. Everytime.

(I don't know why my first link didn't work, but this goes to my site.)

With All of Your Help

My comments have increased five times with all of your help. Then again, with this support I also wrote fifty posts. That alone is almost more than all of last year.

Thank you.

Time Consumption with Pain

If you "see" less of me on the internet or do not here from me much I have a good reason.
Green Belt

I am attempting to increase my Marine Corps Martial Arts (Program) belt from a gray to a green. It is not a big step, but it is a step none the less.

So more or less I will be getting my ass kicked for about three weeks by a bunch of young bucks. I found out tonight that I am one of the heaviest of the group. That is wacky. I don't think that has ever happened before.

All I have to remember is, if I am injured I have to stop; if I am hurt I keep on going.

Happy Halloween

Jan had at a link for Halloween Hangman. Here was my result.

The Night Sky

This is my representation of the night sky out here. Let me explain the picture. The word "NORTH" is not in the sky, but inserted in the picture for orientation sake. The big white dot is the brightest spot in the sky. The red dot is clearly the only red dot in the sky. And the five smaller dots are my representation of Orion. The "giant" pale yellow circle is the moon.

I know this isn't to scale but my cheap camera just doesn't cut it when taking night time pictures. I hope clarifies previous posts on the subject.

Letters - The Answer Expanded

I just sent out about a dozen letters. Dropped them off in the blue box in the hallway of the "head shed" right next to the Squadron Duty Officer.

I have been putting off letter writing for a little while hoping for some news to share, but there really isn't a whole lot to share. (I am not going to spoil what I did write about though.)

Some of those who wrote me or sent a care package included email addresses or I have them, but I didn't write an email back. My thinking is, this person or people took the time to send me a package or letter so I will return the favor and write back.

Now, know this, my handwriting is awful. So I do not "write" a whole lot. I type out a letter and then "write" a sentence or two specifically to that person or people. To me the hardest part is getting the address to look neat enough so the post office won't have problems delivering the letter.

No Idea, Part II

Do you like paper letters and/or email?

I like to receive paper mail even post cards while deployed, but when I am in the states I prefer emails. Here is the reasoning, while away in some foreign land, communications as the average American indulges on is usually not a possibility. I have been fortunate in this last deployment to be able access the Internet as often as I do(, but my job is partial to blame for that).

What did you have for breakfast??

I wake up in the late afternoon, since I work at night time. I initially start off with about six or seven cans of Dr.Pepper if available or about a pot of coffee. Then I may eat some dried fruit (about 4 or 5 cups) if available then won't eat until Midrats(midnight meal). Today was just that, Dr. Pepper and some dried fruit.

What were your favorite books as a kid?

One of my all time favorites is from childhood, The Monster at the End of this Book. (Which the person asking this knew that.) It is all about presentation.
I also enjoyed The Dark Crystal, Snow White, and Gremlins. Now knowing that, you all should understand my brain better.

Describe yourself using 4 adjectives?
Egotistical
Opinionated
Proud
Unpretentious

No Idea, Give Me One Please

I have no idea what to write about today. So if you read this and want to give me a suggestion, I will write about said topic or question put forth. Let me rephrase that give a suggestion in the next 3 or so hours and I will pick at random that topic or write about all of them if the list is short. If there is none, then it will be true, I am talking to no one in particular.

Links That I Have Here

I wanted to go back over some of my links and tell you why they are here.

You've Really Got to Love Your People* - This blog helps me intellectually as well as spiritually.
Yearning For God* - This blog is reminds me of everyone else.
Tribal Church* - This blog talks about a potential progressive spiritual path, which fascinates me.
The Daily Gut - This is one of those "duh" blogs, tells it like it is and reminds me of how stupid people can be.
Suitably Flip - This blog is similar to the Daily Gut but focuses more on politics. So stupid politicians.
Sharing a Journey* - I have this blog for a few different reasons but the most important one is I really do not agree with most of what is said, so you could say I am his devil's advocate.
Seeking Authentic Voice* - This is one of the spiritually charged blogs that I have here, one that keeps me on my toes.
Rogue Gunner - A Falklands war veteran that speaks volumes to me and others of similar backgrounds.
Quiet Musings From Virginia - The title says it best.
Presbyterian Gal* - This lady writes stories that keep me coming back.
Post Secret - This is the first blog I ever found, I read it at least once a week on Sundays. Sometimes I go back several times in a week. Go there and see.
Possible Water* - Spiritually charged blog and I think she may read as much as I do which is fascination in itself.
PoliTits - A tell it like it is blog with politics with the inclusion of life.
MilBlogs - This should be a "duh" statement, the center of my webring, a columniation of military blogs.
Magdalene's Musings* - Spiritually charged blog, brings humor along in a subtle way.
Lost in Lima Ohio, A True Crime Blog - Tell it like it is and reminding us where we are going as a nation.
LadyBurg* - Spiritually charged blog, a fun read every time.
Inner Dorothy* - This blog is spiritual and I feel for her pains that she has deeply.
Identity Mixed - This blog confuses me a lot so I go back a lot to figure it out.
Going on to Perfection* - A spiritual blog that interests my on the youth level of my brain.
General Din - This mother's blog is always an interesting read.
Faith in Community* - Spiritual blog that has more about the community than most communities.
Eagle Speak - An old retired Navy captain that writes about our history and similar military topics.
Confederate Yankee - A political and headliner blog that gives us another opinion of the truth.
Cheesehead in Paradise* - One of the first spiritual blogs I have read, I do not always agree, but I don't have to.
Bruttally Honest - Political blog that the title says it best.
Blonde Sagacity - One of the first political blogs that I started reading and has always been an interesting read.
Beyond Assumptions - I relate spiritually with this blog. This is not a spiritual blog.

USMC Ribbon Checker - Always a good site after a deployment.
Real Clear Politics - A collection of many articles and polls, you get to make up your own mind.
News Busters - Set s the record straight on sloppy journalism.
My Pay - Federal and uniformed employs of the government need to know what they are being paid.
Middle East Journal - An independent journalist in the Middle East area.
Marine For Life - Life after the Marine Corps, one of the many tools available.
Global Incident Map - What "apocalyptic" event is happening where you live?
Bear Trap Guides - It is always good to know where the smoky may be.
Absentee Voting Assistance - Of those of us that are no where near to vote this where to get started.

TP

This is a rant. WARNING This is a rant. WARNING

To save the taxpayers money "we" use one-ply toilet paper. (This does not save anyone any money. If fact more ends up being used.) And that is the sad part.

I can't image what the females do.

Someone had sent a roll of Charmin or Northern in a care package and I guarded it with great care. That roll lasted three (3) weeks. That was also quite awhile ago.

So now with more than sevety five percent of this deployment done, one of my top fives on my list is to use "soft" toilet paper whenever I want.

Survey Says...

Wondering what to write about today or if I should write about anything, I have to decide to a do a short blog roll. Or in other words, a recap of other blogs I have been reading today, for fun.

LadyBurg is having a Blogiversary and it is also her 250th post.

More Cows is walking the labyrinth and I hope the best for her.

(Not a blog) I hopefully have fixed my guestbook on my website for the last time, today.

Diane has an awesome picture of her father in her 200th post.

RevGals Friday Six: Halloween

RevGals Friday Five turned into a Friday six. Singing Owl writes:
All Hallows Eve (Halloween) is near. As a child, Halloween was one of my favorite holidays. We didn’t yet worry about razor blades in apples or popcorn balls or some of the other concerns people have with Halloween these days. Halloween was a chance to be mildly scared, and better yet, to dress up and pretend to be something we really weren’t. Let’s talk about that a bit, but then let’s add in some food ideas for this year. Where I live the leaves are falling, the temperature is chilly and pumpkins are for sale everywhere, along with many kids of apples. What's more, the "Holiday Season" will soon be upon us. ACK! I could use a new idea for dessert. So, here we go…

1. How did you celebrate this time of year when you were a child?

I went trick or treating, had this huge pumpkin basket. I think I could have filled it with fifteen or twenty pounds of candy. It had a rope for handle. It worked well for years.

2. Do you and/or your family “celebrate” Halloween? Why or why not? And if you do, has it changed from what you used to do?
Parents owned a resturant so that was the celebration.

2. Candy apples: Do you prefer red cinnamon or caramel covered? Or something else?
Never had red cinnamon, unless baked counts, if it does then yes.

3. Pumpkins: Do you make Jack O’ Lanterns? Any ideas of what else to do with them?
Made a few, but they never lasted very long. If you use marker it last the whole season and into Thanskgiving.

4. Do you decorate your home for fall or Halloween? If so, what do you do? Bonus points for pictures.


5. Do you like pretending to be something different? Does a costume bring our an alternate personality?
Doesn't everyone? Sometimes a costume will bring out the best in me.

The Blanket

I have a blanket that is nylon/polyester/cotton mix with a pattern on one side. I think I may have bought it at a dollar general or family dollar or a big lots or some type of store like those. The pattern is of Winnie the Pooh, Donald Duck, Mickey and Minnie Mouse and is repeated 3 times on the blanket. There is a purple border or it may have been the field. The blanket is for a twin or double sized bed. I do know I bought it before my first deployment aboard the USS Nassau in 1996.

The pattern is no longer vibrant with color and can hardly be called a blanket anymore. I still use it everyday. There are holes in various locations throughout and there is a hydraulic stain in the lower left hand corner from my second deployment on the USS Saipan in 1998 from when I was sleeping on the hangar deck waiting for my stick to leave the ship.

My blanket has been to Main Land Japan, Okinawa, Mexico, Canada, Greece, France, Malta, Zaire, America, Kuwait, Italy, Iraq, Congo, and a few others. My blanket has been in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. It has seen a Shellback or two and has been to Operation Iraqi Freedom.

I am thinking I may have to retire this blanket soon or it may be lost forever.

Orions's Pals

I had asked earlier about the sky out here or some help on what I see.

This is what I do not see:
The Dippers, aliens, the concord, bald eagles, robins, ducks, kites, balloons, asteroids, et cetra.

What I do see:
is the red ball of light, a large white ball of light, Orion and military aircraft. (I don't actually see the aircraft, I work at night, so maybe a wing light and that's it.)

I have been told the balls of light are planets. I have neither confirmed or denied the rumor.

What I Want to Be When I Grow Up

President of the Federation of Planets
At least that is what I wanted to be earlier in life.
I know at age 35 I am eligible to be President of the United States.

With all seriousness, what I have been doing is trying to build my resume` as much as possible while I have been in. My trade is Aviation Electrician and have acquired a journeyman status for Electronics Technician, Electric Mechanic, and Maintenance Electrician for any industry. Basically that means I spent 8000 hours per skill as an apprentice completed by on the job training and work and am now a journeyman by the regulations from the Deportment of Labor.
I have been certifeid in the federal safety and instructor courses, which means I can teach or instruct OSHA level classes. I have a several other certifications but those are the big ones.

I just don't know if I want to do any of that after the Corps.

I was looking into Troops to Teachers, but I think I would need to mellow out more for that. Your next question would be: what would I teach? Probably history, always my favorite.

The thing is I have been trying to keep my certifications open or more broad as possible to keep my options open.

Money

I am always curious how much other jobs make. My job is paid by tax payers so my pay chart is public knowledge.(The cool part is I pay taxes, when not in a combat zone, so in effect I pay my own wage.)

I am a salary worker so figuring out my pat is easy. You take my pay grade and the number of years I have been in active duty and walla. If you look at a paychart, find E6 then cross it with 13 years, oh wait, there is no 13. So you find 12 years and run your finger to cross meet and find I make 2928.30 a month before taxes.

In a combat zone we get few extra pays depending on what our function(job skill) is and where we are located. I receive an extra 225.00 for Imminent Danger Pay, 100.00 for Hardship Duty(which is figured by location), and I receive a deployed per diem of 3.50 a day. Even though we are in a combat zone and I am not taxed by my state and not taxed by the federal government I still pay (for me) 186.00 for Social Security, 43.50 for Medicare, and of course 50 cents for the United States Navy and Marine Corps Retirement Home. I have other stuff going on on my pay stub, but you all need not know that information.

So in a combat zone I should make about 37572.00 give or take a couple of hundred dollars for the year. This will be my best year since being in the Marine Corps. Last year I made about 27000.00, huge difference. Basically, my pay last was derived from not being in combat zone to rate extra pay and I still paid taxes to my "resident" state and the Federal government. I think it comes out that I pay myself every three months or so.

All right I am way off subject here, what I want to know is about how much do you make for your profession?

You don't have to give me exactly but I am looking for a ball park figure here. Just a rough estimate.

You may ask why, well, sometimes when life is hard and I wonder why the fuck I do this job. I think about what else I could be doing and I am curious what kind of increase of pay there is. My job is not about the money, it never has been, but it always nice to have a little. So you can buy a Willy Wonka bar or a feather pillow.

So, please, let me know. I am curious.

16830720 Minutes

Happy Birthday to me. Happy Birthday to me. Happy Birthday to me. Happy Birthday to me.
Just doesn't have the same ring to it, the way I remember it.

I am about 1,009,843,199 seconds old, give or take a few hundred. I work nights so was able to watch my body grow older as it happened. It was remarkable, one more gray hair sprung out and is free from the clutter of my normal hair.

I did receive a card from my brother and his family, which has the sort of humor my family strives on. It is a good one. My nephew wants ot know what I am going to dress up for Halloween. That is a good question. That will require a little more thought.

I also received a box from the Lauri, in which, has some great pictures and some other always needed items here in Iraq.

Thank you all for remembering.

Public Thank You

I would like to publicly thank my Mom!

Not only is she the best Mom ever! but she sent out to me lots of Grape koolaid and Twizzlers!

Her timing is perfect for my birthday. It doesn't get much better than this.

Thank you, Mom!

RevGals Friday Five: Top Chef

With Top Chef on the Bravo channel in mind, here is this week’s Friday Five.

If you were a food, what would you be?
Normally I would say a strawberry, sweet and fruity, but lately I would say a coconut, so hard on the outside you need a rock to crack and I need sugar to be sweet.

What is one of the most memorable meals you ever had? And where?
Preteen years on my uncle's farm, during the summer under that big tree between the house and barn.

What is your favorite comfort food from childhood?
I really don't understand this question.
(Thanks to revhrod for the explanation.) I guess my comfort food strawberry twizzlers.

When going to a church potluck, what one recipe from your kitchen is sure to be a hit?
I have no idea. Peanut squares. It is a SWAG.

What’s the strangest thing you ever willingly ate?
Is this strange in my eyes? Cow tongue was pretty funny.

Bonus question: What’s your favorite drink to order when looking forward to a great meal?
Captian and Coke in a tub (I can still hear the song, Big Time, from Big & Rich)

Something Different

By trying to stay on the lighter side of blogging, I am going to do something different this morning.

Here is the top locations of my frequent visitors to my site:

Number 1 - Honolulu, Hawaii

~

# 2 - San Diego, California

~

Tied for Third - Binghamton, New York and Corpus Christi, Texas

~

A Five way tie for No. 4 - Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin and Jacksonville, North Carolina and Janesville, Wisconsin and Phoenix, Arizona and Portland, Maine

And these are top non US of A locations:

Bordeaux, Aquitaine
Bucharest, Bucuresti
Sydney, New South Wales
Thunder Bay, Ontario
San Juan
Paderborn, Nordrhein-Westfalen
Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal
London, London, City of London
Melbourne, Victoria

Beer

Thanks to LadyBurg I have beer on the brain, so I have some of my favorties listed. There are SO many.

Leinenkugel

Special Export

Old Style

Arrogant Bastard Ale
EKU28

Point

Fun Stuff for Tuesday

I saw this on someone's blog and I thought to myself "Why not?" Plus it has pretty colors associated with it.

My personalDNA Report

Lot's of Pink, for some darn reason. You should be able to hover over the colors for meaning.

Advocating Builder

From Fox News...Ben Stein

I hope this video works.

I am sure you all have seen it, but in case you didn't.

Boom

Apparently last night during my shift there was a load audible 'boom' and it shook several buildings. I missed it.

I mean I didn't hear it or feel it. I have friends who said they were awoken in their deep sleep to this 'boom' and some said they could feel it when this 'boom' happened. I was outside at the time and I do not remember anything in particular. Nothing at all.

What does that mean?

That must mean something, right? It seems, I was the only one who missed it. So strange.

A Comment about Commenting

It appears as of late that I am not communicating properly to my audience. Some of the points made my "commenters" are quite valid but not what I was trying to convey. For example the Too Long to Comment post, the main idea was about what other "bloggers" had to say or adorn on the perspective sites. The commenting I received went into a whole other direction, a direction that I didn't want to go in.

Then there are times I post things like "That Ragged Old Flag" and I feel it doesn't need any comments at all.

Then there is the fun stuff like Iraqi Lizard and no one comments. I practically have to beg on my hands and knees in chipped glass soaked in Texas Pete in fire and brimstone parched with no water to get someone to comment.

I don't get "it."

What I Read?

I believe I have told everyone at least once I read. (Unfortunately, I have reading glasses now.)


"People" keep asking me what I have read. I can not tell you what I have read this year but I know from the pile next to my bed what I have read the last three weeks. Every month, or so, I redistribute the books amongst other Marines.


This is in no particular order:

Pop Goes the Weasel - James Patterson
~
Little Boy Blue - Ed Dee
~


Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
~

Midnight- Dean Koontz
~

The Watchman - Robert Crais
~

Broken Prey - John Sanderford
~


The Overlook - Micheal Connelly
~
Bleachers - John Grisham
~
Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die - John Piper
~
Demolition Angel - Robert Crais
~
The Bible Promise Book - NIV
~
The Rainmaker - John Grisham
~
Fear Nothing - Dean Koontz
~
Four Past Midnight - Stephen King
~
Without Fail - Lee Child
~
The Green Mile - Stephen King

Iraqi Lizard

I have been meaning to post the Iraqi lizard for some time now.

This Iraqi is about 4 inches long and clinging to a wall.

Always out and about but hard to capture on film.

Too long to Comment

This is a post I expect either no one to read or a lot people will read in protest. I, being a blogaholic, view and read about a dozen or so blogs regularly with about five or six new ones for spice of life type feeling. Fridays, stateside time, I read a lot of church leader blogs. You could say it is my Saturday class before church. I write a comment on about 95 percent of the blogs I read. I am sorry for those I do not, but sometimes there nothing to say or I have something to say and it is not a "pretty" answer. So I abstain on occasion.

I keep reading items from church leaders that are male bashing. Sad. It really bothers me. You know why? I am classified as a Alpha male. I am a dying breed.

I believe in such things like, opening doors for ladies; buying flowers for ladies; reaching for or picking up some item. I do not do these things to demean anyone or think "she" cannot do these things. I do them because of "common courtesy." Traditions sometimes are a good thing.

I could easily split into a section talking about women ruling the world, but why? Why can't we rule the world together. I will never understand why not. I will meet you all halfway, but you need to come this way at least fifty percent or it is all not.

Earlier today I wanted to post something to this effect on many blogs. I hope I made my point.

RevGals Friday Five: The B-I-B-L-E

(Keep in mind, if the below answers seem to make no sense, it is because they don't.)
So, in the spirit of dealing with ways to help as many people in a community as possible engage with a scriptural text in preparation for Sunday worship, Mother Laura offers her first Friday Five.

1. What is your earliest memory of encountering a biblical text?

I was slightly higher than the knees of a grasshopper, but shorter than a grizzly bear.

2. What is your favorite biblical translation, and why? (You might have a few for different purposes).

I really don't know the answer to this question. If it has a glossary for some of those hard to use Hebrew words, that would help. I grew up with the King James version, I believe.

3. What is your favorite book of the Bible? Your favorite verse/passage?

Revelations is always a fun read.

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.

4. Which book of the Bible do you consider, in Luther's famous words about James, to be "an epistle of straw?" Which verse(s) make you want to scream?

I am not sure why James was not worthy of a gospel and not familiar enough with the Bible. As far as screaming, I scream at all books that scream at me first.

5. Inclusive language in biblical translation and liturgical proclamation: for, against, or neutral?

Does this really matter? Let there be light! It didn't work. Let there be sun! That didn't work either. I think I will just flip the switch...and behold there was light!

Bonus: Back to the Psalms--which one best speaks the prayer of your heart?

I think I covered this already. So does that mean I win a prize? Oh wait, Psalm 23 or Psalm 91. Not really sure which one I like better.

I Was Just Reading...

I was just reading the Stars and Stripes and noticed on page 18 of the October ninth edition a picture a young boy and his rabbit, Mr. Thumper. The caption is of the boy and his rabbit sharing the moment before they take part in the Blessing of the Animals at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York.

This reason I post this, I think I read something similar in a blog somewhere about blessing animals very recent. To me the world just got smaller.

"That Ragged Old Flag"

I walked through a county courthouse square
On a park bench, an old man was sittin there.
I said, "Your court house is kinda run down,
He said, "No, it will do for our little town".
I said "your old flag pole kinda leaned a little bit,
And that’s a ragged old flag you got hanging on it".
He said "have a seat", so I sat down,
He said, "is this your first time you been to our little town"
I said, "I think it is"
He said "I don’t like to brag, but we’re kinda proud of
"That Ragged Old Flag"

"You see, we got a little hole in that flag there,
When Washington took it across the Delaware.
It got powder burned the night Francis Scott Key sat watching it, writing
"Oh Say Can You See"
It got a bad rip in New Orleans, with Packingham & Jackson tugging at its seams.
It almost fell at the Alamo beside the Texas flag,
But she waved on tho.
It got cut with a sword in Chancellorsville,
Got cut again at Shiloh Hill.
There was Robert E. Lee and Beauregard and Bragg,
And the south wind blew hard on
"That Ragged Old Flag"

On Flanders Field in World War I,
She took a big hole from a Bertha Gun,
She turned blood red in World War II
She hung limp and low a time or two.
She was in Korea, Vietnam, She went where she was sent by her Uncle Sam.
She waved from our ships upon the briny foam, And now they've about quit waving her back here at home.
And here in her own good land,
She’s been abused, burned, dishonored, denied and refused,
And the very government for which she stands
Has been scandalized throughout out the land.

And she’s getting thread bare, and she’s wearing thin,
But she’s in pretty good shape, for the shape she’s in.
Cause she’s been through the fire before
and I know, she can take a whole lot more.
So we raise her up every morning
And we bring her down every night,
We don’t let her touch the ground,
And we fold her up right.
On second thoughtI do like to brag
Cause I’m mighty proud of
"That Ragged Old Flag"

Words to Ragged Old Flag By John R. Cash, © 1974 House of Cash, Inc.

History and Stories, Part II

Being me, and for those of you who now me, these statements should be self evident.

I believe that America as a whole has forgotten where they have come from and why they are here today(USA). I believe that Americans are not learning from the past. I believe that Americans are turning into a mob. I believe, if we the leaders of Americans do not teach and hold a higher standard to which we believe America is; then we will lose. That dream of America that we strive for will be lost and we will be America no more. We are beating ourselves and we are doing it to the youngest generation.

I do not want to lose. I want to Dream. I want the Dream of America to prevail.I want America to win. I am doing my part to ensure the future of that Dream.

Are you?

Wishing in One Hand........

If you link to my blog...

I will think about you regularly.

I will help in vitural solutions to your problems.

I will lend you my imaginary friend.

I will not call you names out loud or under my breathe.

I will take back all those means things I said about you.
(Unless you liked that.)

History and Stories

Reflecting on one's past.

Strategy

Immigrants of History

Analogy

Lacrosse

I believe this photo was taken in the summer of '97. I am fairly sure we were golfing the Scarlet course at Camp Lejeune. The goal keeper is Eric, a former Marine, who I have lost touch with.

Fuzzy Apples

I am coming to the fast approaching realization that everyone is more cuckoo than I. The only difference is some people are better at hiding it. I am not saying I am "crazy", in my mind I am the most sane individual there is. Everything in my head makes complete sense, it is the venture that worries me.

The Council of Trent

I really wanted to label a post "the Meaning of Life" or the "Answer to the Ultimate Question", but I knew everyone knew the answer was 42.

I am looking for answers to questions that I haven't asked. Without any sillyness(spelled right), I am looking for a direction. I have been having a reoccurring dream and it is not a good one. (So if it seems that the last few posts do not make sense, that's okay, they might not.)

Roles of People in a Community

(I am not saying I want to be a preacher, this just thoughts that need clarification.)

My understanding of "preacher" is to be a leader in the "community" and translator of "God's" work.

On someone's blog ( unfortunately, I do not keep track of every blog I visit) I listed some traits of a pastor that I believe he or she should have. That post or link would have been good here. Hindsight is 20/40, right?

Part I - Please tell me what your thoughts are on the role a preacher should have on her/his
congregation or community.

I posted some time ago about some of my thought at that time about God. HERE.

Part II- What is your thought on God, in other words, what purpose or role does God have?

The Many Facets

Death is always bad when speaking generally about youth.
Life is always bad when speaking generally about those who terrorists in nature. (I do not like to use that word in the previous sentence, but people only seem to connect lately with that one.)
The Armed Forces of any nation rely heavily on youth to deal out death with the political view of that nation.

What brings me to say these things?

For some reason, many people including Americans are forgetting that it is the youth of the world that is trained how to inflict pain and or death. You can disguise it any way you want but that is the simple fact.

The Great American Football

It is not like the Great Pumpkin or even Charlie Brown's Christmas tree, but is is as special. The lengths in which some of us will go to watch our preferred or any football game for that matter.

Last night I spent about six hours rerouting some coax under and over and through some pretty disgusting and hard to reach places. My signal still isn't good and it looks like I won't be able to see the Packers play again this week.

That is it, the Green Bay game, it lasts for 3 to 4 hours a week, with a bye week in late October, for seventeen weeks. Potentially another month when they reach the play-offs.

My guess is, the majority of you do not understand the mind of cheesehead. Do not fret, many have tried and many have failed to realize We are a different breed. The type that will tailgate in a blizzard six hours before the gates open in a stadium. The type that will pass season tickets in their will. The type that never leaves even when the team looks grim and may have been losing. The type that remains true no matter where they may be in the world.