Something Funny About America

There is an article from the MOD, Ministry of Defence, talking about how America is not a dream, kind of.

Here is some excerpts:

First the warning:

"Americans are very warm and welcoming, especially to military personnel, but – make no mistake – America is a foreign country, and as far as the locals are concerned, you are foreign aliens."

Next comes the advice:

"Take the time off you need to settle in. Until you know your family is OK you won't be able to get on with your job effectively. And make sure you take your leave and get to see the country. Americans don't tend to take much holiday, and they work six days a week. But it's in your terms and conditions of service, so don't miss out."

You have to find the humor in it. To read the whole article, you can read it here.

Hat Tip to Rogue Gunner.

Future Looks Bright

The selections for Gunnery Sergeant came out today and I have many friends and peers that have been selected. (The message is, FY 2008 APPROVED SELECTIONS TO GUNNERY SERGEANT 110830Z JUN 08, in case someone is looking for it.) I was in the below zone this year(I talk about what that means here.) so most likely I will be in zone next year. This has its pros and cons with it. The obvious pros are that selection to the next rank is possible and moving up the ladder may be quicker than originally expected. The cons are that I need to heal up and do some prerequisites such as the career course and all the normal "green" side training prior to the board next year. If all goes as well as it has this shouldn't be a major factor come next year this time.

The home purchase is moving along nicely and there should be no reason I can't close on the 27th of this month. I think I am more excited to find out what I have in my storage than the actual purchase. All my things have been in storage since June of 2005.

Rant Number 614

I just spent the last three hours on the phone with NMCI (Navy Marine Corps Intranet). The problem that I was trying to get resolved is still not resolved. Basically, I just wasted my time. I have an issue with PDF documents. It appears to the common user to be a software problem, but the technician on the other side said my CD-ROM drive was the culprit. I have nothing in my CD-ROM drive, the document is on my computer, what the fuck does that have anything to do with viewing documents. The technician, if that is what he is called, told me to get a new CD-ROM installed or a new computer. Right, that is going to happen. Let say it does happen they take my computer away, odds are I won't get a "loaner" and the original won't be here for months. At the end of our conversation he said to call back if that doesn't fix the problem. Holy begeezus! So really, he didn't have a clue what was going on.

I Am My Father's Son

I wrote this a few weeks ago to my Mom and Dad. With Father's Day approaching, I thought it may( or may not) pertain to others as well. Even if you can't relate to it, it may give you a better glimpse of where I came from.


I have been thinking about Dad a lot lately. Pa is on his way out the door, so to speak. I have been thinking about how I am now in comparison to him.

Yes, I successfully quit smoking for a year and half but now it seems that I started to buy cigarettes again, so I suppose it was a good run wasn't it? We have that in common.

I drink. I drink copious amounts of alcohol. I say it is for the pain, but it doesn't go away. The pain is still there. We have that in common.

I get hurt and usually wait to go to the doctor. My thinking is why waste everyone's time, I might get better. This is usually not the case, I do end up going in and get "scolded" for not coming in earlier. We have that in common.

I joined the Marine Corps. You could say I did it to get away. I have often heard the stories of how his(Dad) brothers couldn't hack it in the Army and he was/is a Marine. We have that in common.

So you could say I know what my fate is, I see Dad, the way he is now and I see where/how I am going to be. I don't want this life of mine to end up that way. I need to start making changes. I want Dad to start some changes. Dad can be quite stubborn. We have that in common.

Not Wanting to Grow Up

I am a walking talking adult. I have responsibilities. I have duties. I have mutual respect for other walking talking adults. I don't care if you are purple or green. One arm or four.

I do want to be a kid again. Even if it is for two minutes on the tail end of my day. Laughter is truly the best medicine. If I can play and laugh and giggle and make fun and get poked back and get tickled and jump up and down and make silly faces and sing a tune and whistle for jest and splash around and build sand castles and maybe even tell a dirty joke, then I know I lived that day.

I don't need other people, I don't need other adults, I don't need kids. I can be "silly" just with me. Sometimes I do make silly faces at what seems like random times, and others view me as odd. Maybe I still have something I can hold on to. Maybe I am, still, a kid inside.

Jupiter -Holst

Trying to find a decent You Tube video was not easy. I played cornet, like smaller trumpet, for years and still play on occasion. Just for all you by request.

RevGals Friday Five: Kodak Moments

1. How important is the "big picture" to you, do you need a glimpse of the possibilities or are you a details person?Work is all details, personal life is possibilities.

2. If the big picture is important to you how do you hold onto it in the nitty gritty details of life?

I make the best of whatever situation I am in at the moment. I make the best out of a worst case scenario.

3. Name a book, poem, psalm, piece of music that transports to to another dimension ( one....what am I thinking....)

Jupiter - Gustov Holst

4.Thinking of physical views, is there somewhere that inspires you, somewhere that you breathe more easily?
In the eyes of a person who sees me as me.

5. A picture opportunity... post one if you can ( or a link to one!)

Two by Two - Cover Formation

Two names you go by:
1) Wyldth1ng
2) Staff Sergeant

Two things you are wearing right now:
1) Olive Drab Tee
2) Reading Glasses

Two of your favorite things:
1) Pinball
2) Strawberries

Two things you want very badly at the moment:
1) Something to go right for a change
2) Acceptance of me being me.

Two favorite pets you have or had:
1) I had a gold fish once, he died like fifty times.
2) Sturgis - German Shepard

Two people you hope will fill this out:
1) DCup
2) Mathman

Two things you did last night:
1) Danced (I am white guy, so keep that in mind.)
2) Sang a little karaoke (Piano Man and Jack & Diane)

Two things you ate last night:
1) Does Captain and Coke count?
2) Chicken Fingers

Two people you last talked to:
1) The Boss (Master Sergeant)
2) A random Marine of whom I corrected his attire.

Two things you are doing tomorrow:
1) Washing my truck
2) Taking Pictures of Future Home for the Insurance Company

Two of farthest trips taken in the last 5 years:
1) Yuma, Arizona to Okinawa, Japan (3 round trips)
2) Jacksonville, North Carolina to Al Asad, Iraq (2 round trips)

Two favorite holidays:
1) Marine Corps Birthday (November 10th)
2) I would say my birthday but I don't like the fact the number keeps getting bigger. (October 22nd)

Two favorite beverages:
1) Dr. Pepper
2) Captain and Coke

Green Backs

I don't know if anyone has noticed but the interest rates have gone up across the board. In this area the lowest mortgage rate as of yesterday was 6.3%. I am getting a 6.0% on my home I am purchasing, but had I applied two weeks earlier I probably could have gotten one around 5.3%. So in the big picture what does that mean? It means that I will if I keep the loan for its life I am looking at about sixty-five thousand dollar difference. That is a lot.
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On other news, my TSP (Thrift Savings Plan) which in a way is my retirement savings, took a big hit this last quarter and my gains equated to about 3%. That is pretty crappy. I did some moving around (with my money) and this next quarter I hoping for a minimum of a increase of 6%. Last year all my investments, gained an average of 8%. So overall, I am on track. (My goal is to not have to work after the age of 50.) I wish I would have started investing when I was 20, but we all know how that goes. (Originally, my goal was 45. I was aiming too unrealistically.)



This is actually the second year in a row where our (military) money is worth less. We, in theory, were supposed to have an inflation increase every year above the inflation for six years to "catch up" with the rest of the civilized world and it was extended for four more. This was Congress' fault last year and it was the President's this year. Don't get me wrong, I make decent money now, but it took me ten years to get there. If I was married and had kids, I would be struggling and probably would have to have a second or third income.

Music in my Head, Part II

Too Sick to Pray(Song Title) - Alabama3(Band Name)

I'm in a lonely room
Hank Williams sings the Lovesick Blues
Winter's walking up the avenue
And I ain't seen the sunshine since the 6th of June
But I tell you this

Chorus:
Don't call the doctor, I'm gonna get better
Don't run for the priest, I'm gonna find some faith
Just because I burned my bible baby
It don't mean, I'm too sick to pray

I'm in a crowded place
But I can't recognize a single face
They say the thrill is in the chase
Well I ain't got the legs, ain't got the legs

To run that race

But I tell you this

Chorus:

Don't call the doctor, I'm gonna get better
Don't run for the priest, I'm gonna find some faith
Just because I burned my bible baby
It don't mean, I'm too sick to pray

They say I made my money messing up young minds

I stooped the congregation and left them crying in the rain
Yea left them with their pain
Exit your boy with his ill-got left them crying in the rain
Yea left them with their pain
Exit your boy with his ill-got pain
Exit your boy with his ill-gotten gains

Well the blood runs deep and the blood runs cold

As the knife slits so another sucker is born and thrown into this world alone
The doctor came knocking, wasn't nobody home
Better burn a candle light

Rap

Ease The Pain

Repeat Chorus

The doctor came knocking, wasn't nobody home

Ease the pain
Gotta find some faith

Repeat chorus

Better burn the candle bright

Rap

Ease The Pain

Dreams, Part II

I have been trying something different to sleep. A friend has given me a copy of listening MP3s by Brian L. Weiss, MD. It is the relaxation type stuff. It has been working so far, I am on day 2 of my week test to see how it goes. I still haven't had a dream that I remember as of yet, but I am early in the week. Maybe tonight will be my lucky night.

Childhood Favorites, Part V

When I was a little bigger than a breadbox, this tune would use a whole quarter to play.


(25 cents for two songs on a jukeboxes that played 45s. This was both sides of the 45.)

Having Good Friends

It is a good thing I have some friends. Last night I almost was in a bar fight. I would love to tell you all that I have never been in one,but reality and fantasy are two different things.

How it was started: I was having a conversation with one of my friends that bartends at another bar and was talking about how this town has interesting characters in it, she had recently moved here from Maryland. The reason the subject came up was there was a very drunk man hitting on her earlier and she didn't want any of it. This other fellow who was drunk, took what I said and thought it was some sort of insult on his family. He also was not in the conversation. I really don't know where he was at the time of it.

My friend goes off to go dance and this guy comes up from behind me and jabs me in the ribs and threatens me. He told me how he was going to dispose of my body and how I had better watch myself. I as politely as possible, knowing I had a few drinks, did not want to get in a fight. Potentiality that is grounds for dismissal from the Corps while state-side, fights while drinking.

At some point, two of my friends butted in between us and eventually escorted this guy away. One of them says to me later, that he heard me asking the drunk if he was threatening me and knew it was starting to get bad.

RevGals Friday Five: Garage Sales

1) Are you a garage saler?
Sometimes if the mood strikes me right.

2) If so, are you an immediate buyer or a risk taker who comes back later when prices are lower?
I haggle.

3) Seriously, if you're not a garage saler, you are probably not going to want to play this one.
(That wasn't really #3.)
3) This is the real #3: What's the best treasure you've found at a yard or garage sale?
Glass beer stein boot for quarter

4)If you've done one yourself, at church or at home, was it worth the effort?
Not really, but my garbage was someone else's wealth.

5) Can you bring yourself to haggle?
It is a sport.

May 300th Comment

Mel gave me my 300th comment of the month, congratulations!

You are now entitled to my virtual collection of three horned dragon wing bats!

God, Part III

(If you do a search for the second post you will not find it here. So don't bother looking.)

Being the well rounded individual that I am, I wonder at today and yesterday. This wonder is what we have done.

According to Ms. Winfrey, the mere conscious is God. To her there is nothing after here, which to her credit might be true since she makes a lot of money here. Why have a sin of greed, let's just get rid of that, then it won't be sinful to be rich. I will be honest with you all, I don't like her and her preachings; the cult she has made or the money machine she generated with it.

Then you have those who have decided to replace it all with a machine that has a meter on it like a Geiger counter. I have been exposed by enough radiation to know that this crap is for the loonies.

I could easily go on with more examples of lunacy and cult-like activities, but why?

It seems to be the hip thing to do lately, really. Let's replace God with stuff. Okay, so for the next twenty minutes all my advice is going to come from an iPod.

That was fun wasn't it?

I am still searching with my spirit. I don't know what I want to follow. I do know what not to follow.

When someone came up with the seven deadly sins, I think maybe they came up with this list for a reason. I mean look at what they are:

Lust - okay so with out this one the porn industry would be out of business and we know how good business is.

Gluttony - Do these jeans make me look fat? If you asking the question you probably are.

Greed - I think I all ready covered this one.

Sloth - I am sorry but sometimes it is easier to push the buttons on the TV set than finding the remote.

Wrath - You would think I would know a lot about this one, not the case. There are others much better at it than I.

Envy - I don't anyone with out this, I am one of them. I envy goodwill and happiness.

Pride - This is one of my worst and low and behold it is considered the worst. I just can't stop.

So there you have it. I am still searching for something else. These "sins" are called that for a reason and I can find fault in myself with them, but I am working on it.

Oath of Enlistment

I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm)
that I will support and defend
the Constitution of the United States
against all enemies,
foreign and domestic;
that I will bear true faith
and allegiance to the same;
and that I will obey
the orders of the President of the United States
and the orders of the officers appointed over me,
according to regulations
and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
So help me God.

Acronyms - Pet Peeve # 316

I may be a dumb man, but I am not stupid. It irritates me immensely when people use acronyms to express their feelings or use it to express themselves in a conversations. While I know that I use a blogstones at times, this is not an acronym. It is a symbol. When communicating with any sort, they use crap like LOL, LMAO or SASMF; I tend to believe that the individual still hasn't passed the eighth grade. Well, I did.

In the military, there are many acronyms for just about any job and it differs tremendously on occupation. Out of habit more now than anything else, I will use the words in everyday conversation unless said acronym is an accepted form by all parties.

Most people(in my experience) that use this type method to converse, instead of typing it all out, also seem to not understand basic sentence structure. "Noun - verb idea." If using an action verb there must be something doing the action. And guess what, a whole sentence cannot be all prepositions. It just cannot. Sorry to disappoint you all on that one. The point I am trying to make here is, if you are trying to impress me don't speak (type) outside of your grade level. Let me know if you flunked out of high school, so that I will use small one syllable words. I have no problem if you were a child left behind, let me know and I will help you fill out that (insert no education required employer here) application.

Childhood Favorites, Part IV

I just could not get this tune out of my head this weekend.

Childhood Favorites, Part Friday

The intro (in my mind) is one the best ever. So in lieu of not doing a Friday Five, enjoy.