300th Comment for April

Jan has given me my 300th comment of the month.
Congratulations!
You are awarded my imaginary collection of dragon wash beads.

RevGals Friday Five: Old vs. Modern

1. What modern convenience/invention could you absolutely, positively not live
without?
Sunglasses(Dark ones)

2. What modern convenience/invention do you wish had never seen the light of day?
Why?
Cell Phone - The call is not important enough to interrupt our current conversation.

3. Do you own a music-playing device older than a CD player? More than one? If
so, do you use it (them)?
I have a MP3/4 player, it was a gift, I never use it.
I read this wrong the first time, yes, I have a record player that plays 33s and 78s, I also have a tape deck for my stereo and an eight-track player. I use them often.

4. Do you find the rapid change in our world exciting, scary, a mix...or something
else?
The US is in its own little world so it is hard to answer this question- scary.

5. What did our forebears have that we have lost and you'd like to regain? Bonus
points if you have a suggestion of how to begin that process.
Community
I could tell you but it would be considered a terrorist act so lets just say roast marshmallows over an open fire.

Not in the Mood

I am just not in the mood today, sorry. I did upload a few more pics onto Flickr. These are from a visit to Occupational Therapy. Yea!

Three Thousandth Comment

More Cows has given my blog its 3000th comment since inception. Congratulations!

You are entitled to my virtual collection of fairy window washers!

Blogstones, Part II

I have to give credit where credit is due, More Cows is the one who explained to me what a blogstone was.


(o)

Remedy for Insomniac

If anyone has a good remedy for not sleeping (besides good sex), then I am interested. I can fall asleep, but staying asleep has been a problem. I am at the point where if you have any wacky idea that might help, I might be looking into trying it.

Fun with Navy Medicine, Part XII

This is really just an update for everyone. Today I am officially on a Limited Duty board. I have been trying to avoid this for as long as possible and time has come. I am currently unable to fulfill the physical parts of my job as a Marine. Here is an example: I cannot rack the slide on my M9 pistol without assistance, so that means no pistol range. The big stuff that requires re-qualification that I am unable to do because of this injury are at a "stay" until I return to a full duty status.

I had an appointment with one of the doctors today. Total wait time two and half hours (past appointed time) total face time twenty minutes. Anyway, he is happy with my current progress and I am continuing with the occupational therapy for an additional four weeks until another reevaluation. (Yea!)

The Internal Working of a Sane Man?

I have actually written about six different posts today but didn't publish any of them. (obvious) I have been contorting this idea I have, that I am kind of; in a fucked up way; figured out my faults or at least why it seems I have no love.

After my third failed marriage I went to a counselor with the idea that I am a "reject" or a bad apple of sorts and at the time I don't think I liked me. Well, today at least, I like me. I think me is fucking awesome. Me, is slowly, changing what parts I knew I had to change at some point.

Yesterday, I went to the commissary and bought diet Dr. Pepper. The key word in that sentence is diet. I am not ready to give up my Dr. Pepper so I am making the transition of lots of soda to controlled soda intake. See, the logic here?

Last year I quit smoking and in fact on average there is at least one person reading about that every 16 hours. Now, that is crazy.

There are lots of little tweaks that I have been meaning to do, but haven't probably because I am a lazy fuck. (One of the occupational therapist doesn't like the word fuck. So I compromised with her and made a swear jar for the therapy room. So far I only donated about four bucks over two weeks.)

One of the big ones, in my humble opinion, is the spiritual part. I am missing something, but I am willing to work on that. I am. As long as God can live with a few slips of the word fuck every now and then, I think this might be doable.

Little Questions, Answered

Mindy has asked:
Are you ever going to come and see me?
Never can say never. I have visited with many people over the years, that usually say something like " I never thought you'd come out here."

Do you like Sharpies?
Yes.

What is your idea of Mrs. Right?
Some woman that can be a lady and be exactly the opposite. Some woman that will love me for all me defects. And preferably has more than a handful of breasts.

MezzoSF has asked:

Favorite sport to play? Speed Ball, the Marine Corps version
Favorite sports team to cheer? Green Bay Packers
Out of all the places you have lived thus far in life - which one(s) did you like the most and least?
Most-Tennessee, not any particular city
Least-San Diego, California
Favorite band(s)? Monster Magnet, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Seether, Rufas Wainwright, Ozzy Osbourne, and many others.

Tammie has asked:
If you had to be trapped on a desert island with three people from your blog roll, who would they be and why?
The Village Carpenter - If we needed anything built, she would probably have the expertise needed.
all the way from oy to vey - Because laughter is the best medicine.
LadyBurg* - She has garden skills that might come in handy.

How *did* you injure your wrist, anyway?
At some point, while doing a MCMAP "exercise"the back of my hand touched the back of my arm.

DCup has asked:
Why Sorento?
While on deployment in the nineties, I had the pleasure of staying there for three days. It was one of the most peaceful and fun times in my life. The cove supplied endless beauty and the people were ever so gracious. There were stores that I found that made of the most inquisitive inlaid woodworking that I have ever seen.

RevGals Friday Five : For 24 Hours

RevHRod of RevGals writes:
Yesterday I had the 24 hour flu. I had been told by the people who had it first that it really was a twenty-four hour bug. And so while I dealt with all the blech of the flu, I kept reminding myself that morning would come and I would feel a lot better.

This is certainly a strange way to start out a Friday Five but it made me think about what I might like to do if I knew it would only last for 24 hours. There are no reality boundaries to these imaginings. So here are the five things for you to consider...

1) If you could dramatically change your physical appearance for 24 hours, what would you do?
My only fear is a tetrahedron dragon so that would be nifty.

2) If you could live in another place for 24 hours where would you go?
Sorento, Italy

3) You get to do somebody else's job for a day...
That guy who checks on the atomic clock in Colorado, his job

4) Spend the day with another person from anywhere in time and space...
Myself twenty years ago

5) A magical power is yours. Which one would you pick?
The magical lasso is all I need.

20,000 Visitor

Presbyfruit
Location: ------------- Camp Hill, Pennsylvania

Time of Visit: -------- Apr 17 2008 9:58:49 pm

`

Congratulations, you have won a fleet of imaginary guard dodos .

Name Game

Being the person I am, I have a tendency to visit the opposing parties blogs and news platforms because I like to be a devil advocate and this also helps keep my brain healthy with debate. This is a quick post about some stuff that I find interesting.

The following are quotes and facts each with a similar answer.

1) Individuals, not government, can make the best decisions; all people are entitled to equal rights; and decisions are best made close to home.

2) Ripon, Wisconsin: Birthplace of _________

3) Sen. A. A. Sargent of California introduced a proposal in the Senate to give women the right to vote.

4) As the Party of Lincoln, we stand for freedom.

5) Gallant Old Party, Get Out and Push(the treatment early cars often needed), and Grand Old Party

Blogstones

Cheesehead was the one who originally exposed me to the "blogstone" so I have to blame her. Whether she is the one who made it up or not, to me, she is to blame.

A blogstone looks like this (o) or (O) or (0) and is not usually accompanied with anything else.

A person would use a blogstone when reading a post and you really don't have anything to say or maybe you do not have enough time to write what you want to say for the comment. This is the easy way to signify you were there and read the post. Sometimes that is enough.

Warriors - A Short Video

http://www.warriorsthefilm.com/Movie.html

Gearing Up for Summer

For some darn reason or another, I used to think that when summer was about to be on us the fun would commence. Lots of parties, BBQs, laughs with friends, lots of down time; well, that just doesn't look like that is how it is going to be. We have personnel shortages all over the place and what this means for those of us that are here: Suck it Up.

Once I became a "they or them" my fun time seemed to just go away, like the caribou. Unless we find some replacements for the people that are leaving, I am going to be working similar hours that I worked in Iraq, that my friends just is not my cup of tea. I know, lots of time before summer, right? The hundred and one days of summer start on Memorial Day, which is just next month.

I know those of you that are not military or didn't come from military families will not understand. I know that. It just hit me hard today when I was going over needs of the squadron with my boss (Captain, who is also leaving) and realized this is effecting me as much as it is effecting everyone else. I am hoping for the best, but I am starting to prepare for the worst.

One is the Loneliest Number

One is the Loneliest Number, that is a song right?

Anyway, I hate working by myself. For those you know me, I have the gift of gab. That gift means squat when you are by yourself. When I get done doing some task, I find myself doing abstract busy work. Nothing really important, just stuff.

In other news:

I have uploaded some more photos to Flickr for your viewing pleasure. I have been having problems with my videos as of late, but I am still working on uploading a few more by the end of the month.

I had occupational therapy today, the good part besides getting somewhere with my ailment is my therapist is a cheesehead. Instant bond.

The house I am trying to buy is still being repaired to what I asked for and since then I locked into a mortgage rate of six percent, it is the best one that was offered with no money down. I hoping I made a right choice with that one. Realistically speaking, I should be in debt for the rest of my natural life.

Audits

Apparently, we had an audit during the daytime today and one of the "major" hits was my training jacket. I haven't really touched it in "long while." My boss was not too happy when I came in.

I have two days to fix it.

Fun.

So Little Questions, So Much Time

Anytime any of you, the readers, want to ask a question don't hesitate. I rarely shy any from the opportunity, because I like me. For example, when ever I going into a new home I always set up an "I love me wall" things like awards I have been given or different types of certifications I have accomplished, maybe even a picture of myself from a Mess Night or Dining In. But that will be it that will be the only place I would put up my "I love me items." Other items I enjoy hanging are artwork I have collected over time, some historic paintings, and some Marine Corps memorabilia.

I straying from the subject at hand if there are any questions you like to ask and haven't already done or would like a clarification, feel free to post it here and I will answer these on Saturday like I did last week.

Okay.

****UPDATE***
All Tom Foolery aside I meant if you wanted to ask about something and didn't get the chance here is a special post just for that.

Been Sick

It should be Monday when this posts. I have had a cold since Thursday and I think it is getting better. It started with a sore throat, then a cough and sneeze by Friday and Saturday. All day Sunday my head has been stuffed up.

The cool part is I have been on duty all day Sunday. "Duty" for me is a twenty four post that requires me to verify different secure points in the squadron and check up on the barracks. There are several different "wickets" that needs to be checked off during the duty. It is a sleeping post, which means from 2200(10pm) to 0530(5:30am) myself or my clerk may sleep. Someone must be awake at all times on the quarterdeck. (Yes, I know I am throwing a whole bunch of terminology at you, bare with me here.) I have not taken anything other than some daytime Sudafed which is not working. I did try to lay down maybe slept for about fifteen minutes and here I am. I told my clerk to get some shut eye. Depending on how I feel after "changeover" which is at 0730 (7:30am) with the Sergeant Major (3 ranks higher than me or the top enlisted for the squadron) I may go into sick call.

I hate going to sick call. Sick call is a designated time period in which no appointment is necessary to see a corpsman. Mondays are the worst day to go. I would rather buy the super heavy duty taste awful medicine I can find at the drug store and try to sleep it off. So knowing that, if in the next eight hours or so it gets worse I will go into medical and wait in line with everyone else for a minimum half the day. To me it seems to be a major waste of time, so I tend to not go. (That I inherited from my father, his arm better be torn from the socket before he sees a doctor.)

Off on another tangent, why does it seem I have seen so many doctors? I have this other bad habit of over doing things(not sure who I inherited that from) which when I do, I get hurt. Simple. I put in a hundred and ten percent and ten percent gets broken.

At any rate, the head cold is pissing me off. I have plans. I need to be better now. I know you, the reader, can relate. Most likely, I will try to sleep it off sometime on Monday, with any luck.

Answers for the Peanut Gallery, Part II

The Village Carpenter has asked:

If you could be a woman for a day just to see what it was like, would you want to? If yes, what would you do in that day?

I don't think any man would turn down the opportunity. Sad, but I would probably play with myself all day. I think it would unlock a few mysteries.

Brenda (Wisconsinite) has asked:

So let's say, in all of that spare time you get, you invented a time machine. After all, who wouldn't want one for when they're bored?Who would you go back in time to meet? What events in history would you like to witness?

I am a history fan so to be nice to the audience the condensed version of this would be I would like to go back to April or May of 1945 and meet Helmuth Weidling. At least a day or two before May 2nd.

Ron has asked:

If you could ask a higher power one question and were guaranteed to have it answered, no matter what the question was, what would you ask?

Is it possible for a swallow to carry a coconut?

Presbyterian Gal has asked:

Butter or margarine (on food)? : Butter

Boxers or briefs? : Boxers for everyday, Boxer-briefs for PT

Coke or Pepsi? : Coke

Athletic shoes or boots? : Boots

Jeans: zippers or button fly? : Zippers on men, Button for women

Fries or fruit? : Sandwiches get fries; everything else,Fruits

Salad dressing on the side or on the salad? : On the side

PK has asked:

If you aren’t into expounding further on her question… this is mine very own... would you consider/have you ever thought about going to seminary?

I don't think I could preach something I am completely sure about. So no.

MEL (Jarhead) has asked:
1) Why have you not been drawing me pictures? Handicapped at the moment.

2) If you had unlimited time and money (and cheap labor), what kind of flowers and or plants would you decorate your yard with? I would like to know the reasons for your choices as well. Is this a trick question? Pretty ones.

3) When are you coming to visit? (Obviously a rhetorical question.) As soon as I can convince them I need to go to a school in Miramar for something. Or maybe fall.

4) Tym would like to know the size of your left big toe as well. Diameter and length.

I posted a picture of the missing toenail, but the diameter is about and inch and a quarter and the length is about two and quarter inches.

and one more:

Do you feel it is morally and ethically wrong to require Marines to attend a mess night that they have to pay for? Also If you are morally and ethically opposed to this, how would you advise a junior Marine to peacefully protest? No, It is one of the best traditions to enjoy. I wouldn't protest it.

Evil Twin's Wife has asked:

What type of scents/smells do you like (in general)? If you wear cologne, do you have a favorite and what do you like to smell on females?

Vanilla. For me I am like Drakkar.(Which I am currently out and have been unable to find any in the stupid town.) Some smells are good on some women and awful on others, but I figure you couldn't lose with Jasmine.

CDP has asked:
What are you reading, and what do you like to read? I am in between books at the moment, which is rare, I will probably find a Koontz book to read soon. I like to read mystery, or science fiction, or comedy, or books about war, or history.
What are your favorite movies (recent and classic?) La Story and Gosford Park and The Kindred and Dangerous Liaisons (and few more)

Will you retire from the Marines? If all goes well I should retire February 7th, 2015.

If so, what do you hope to do and where do you hope to live after you retire? (or after you leave the military?) I have or will have homes in Arizona and North Carolina, but I think I would rather live in Tennessee and most likely will keep something in Wisconsin.

And finally, are you a car lover, or do you not care what you drive as long as it runs? I am definitely not a car fanatic, but I appreciate cars and trucks more than I did when I was younger.

Tammie has asked:
1. If you found out tomorrow that you had to change careers, what would you choose as your new career? Aviation Safety Analyst or Consumer Safety Officer

2. What do you find intriguing about a person that makes you want to get to know them better? Mind

3. What is your favorite childhood memory? I talk about it here: http://wyldth1ng.blogspot.com/2005/06/thomas-l-stueber-jr.html

4. If you had to lose your hearing or sight, which one would you choose to give up? Hearing

5. Out of all the people you've known in your life, who would you say has been your partner in crime most often and why would you say that about this person? Thomas Stueber, the is explained in the above post.

imngrace has asked:
why did you join Marines? I needed a change in my life at the time.

Whom do you most admire and why? The man(woman) I have not met yet. The one who will take me on the next journey.

Ruth has asked:
What 5 words does a Marine have to have in his vocabulary to make it through the day? Other than profanity. Words like "perimeter" (is that a good Marine word?)

First let me say that I am an Airwing Marine so this may not apply to everyone. (Disclaimer)

Head - a place with a commode

Scuttlebucket - a fountain of some sort usually has water

Stick - A group of people assigned one when boarding a plane or helicopter

Hatch - door

Buttcan- a place where cigarettes go when done with them, also is in a location where smoking is allowed

MezzoSF has asked:
What do you like best about your job? What do you like least about your job? This is a qood question, the most is when you teach something and they get it. The least is probably when dealing with spouses of ones that were lost.
What is your favorite curse word? FUCK an A
Do you have any tattoos? If so - what (and where) are they? No, it was removed.

Diane has asked:
Where in the world would you like to go that you haven't been to already?

Home, a place I can call home.