Moving In, Upgrades

This is a short video of what was upgraded since the last one I did. It is about two minutes long so if you use dial-up I don't suggest watching it since it is about 40 MB.

The Problem with the TV

The "new" TV which I bought and was installed on the 9th started acting funny by the 11th. There was a technician here on Friday after I called on Tuesday to fix the problem, but the problem only happened once and he didn't notice it. The TV worked for half a day and by five in the evening was continuing to do the same thing. The sound works but the picture goes black as if it was off. So since I will not get a hold of a technician until the earliest at eight in the morning on Monday this is a short video of what happens.
And if it miraculously works for the short time he returns I have some evidence it is jacked up. You would think with technology the way it is, Circuit City and LG would want to stop people from telling them they were jacked up, but working with both of them has been an awful experience.
The TV is a 47LG50 and it was installed by the store.

Take the Test and Be Happy

Your result for The Really QUICK Reassuringly EASY Test...

Freakin' Genius!

You are wonderful! If awesomeness was a crime, you would be in jail for life. You win 1,000,000 points and the respect and admiration of millions of fans. Here is a gold star for you:

Take The Really QUICK Reassuringly EASY Test at HelloQuizzy

RevGals Friday Five: Names

1. So how did you come up with your blogging name? And/or the name of your blog?
The name Wyldht1ng has been given to me many times, from teenage years to college to the Marine Corps. The spelling was done to establish my own website which I started in 1997. The name of the blog is self explanatory.

2. Are there any code names or secret identities in your blog? Any stories there?
Not really, I try to use words that don't seem boring.

3. What are some blog titles that you just love? For their cleverness, drama, or sheer, crazy fun?
I chose titles very carefully, many are song titles that relate to the post. Some are continuing posts over long periods of time.


4. What three blogs are you devoted to? Other than the RevGalBlogPals blog of course!
PoliTits
Hot Cup Lutheran*
Magdalene's Musings*
if not the last two then
The Village Carpenter
Post Secret

5. Who introduced you to the world of blogging and why?
I introduced myself, to communicate with my family and friends while overseas.

Bonus question: Have you ever met any of your blogging friends? Where are some of the places you've met these fun folks?
Ton-Fifty-ONE
The Village Carpenter
The Glamorous Life of a Hausfrau
Presbyfruit
LadyBurg*
Stories and Faith

Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina

Moving In, Part IV

The washer/dryer combo was supposed to be a stacked pair, the delivery truck was missing the stacking kit. Tomorrow is try two. My TV doesn't work as of Tuesday, the guy who installed it will be coming back Friday to fix it. The plumber/remodeling crew who have been working on my bathroom(since Tuesday morning) have had to do five different changes from the original plan and hopefully(God willing) will be done in the morning. Then, I may, clean my body. The bed (headboard, foot board, and rails) was back ordered till August, it was purchased on June 21st. For some darn reason when the power is cut off to the whole building, two walls of outlets still have power. It is difficult to tell why.

Fun with Navy Medicine, Part XV

I am typing only with my right hand, my left is bandaged and hurts profusely when I move my fingers. I won't know how the surgery went until my post-operative appointment next week. The main goal behind the procedure was to end the pain. So for the last few days I have been taking vitamin P every few hours or so and relying heavily on my friends for normal routine tasks.

RevGals Friday Five: Summer Camp, Part II

RevGals Friday Five: Summer Camp

1. Did you go to sleep away camp, or day camp, as a child? Wish you could? Or sometimes wish you hadn't?
I belonged to 4-H and went to camp there for several summers. It was a few weeks and for the most part we lived in cabins, but always spent a few days "roughing it".

2. How about camping out? Dream vacation, nightmare, or somewhere in between?
I don't camp anymore, since I joined the Corps.

3. Have you ever worked as a camp counselor, or been to a camp for your denomination for either work or pleasure?
I went to a church camp one summer, early teen years with girls.

4. Most dramatic memory of camp, or camping out?
I had sexual relations with one of counselors in my mid-teen years. It was a good experience and it wasn't my first.

5. What is your favorite camp song or songs?
I always enjoyed doing rounds of grace prior to meals at 4-H camp.

God is great! God is good!
And we thank him in the morning, noon and night.
'Cause God, God, God is out of sight!
We thank him in the morning ,every noon and night.
Amen.
(I still sing it on occasion.)

Moving In, Part III

Had a small fire yesterday. The dryer started on fire. I put it out with some baking soda and laundry soap after I cut power. I should probably buy a fire extinguisher. The nifty thing was when I put power back on the washer's motor seized. So I went shopping yesterday afternoon for a new washer and dryer. That was the last of the money I had in savings. Fun.

The Key

(This is a poem I wrote, please do not read the words as words in a textbook. Then leave a comment as such. I am talking about many things in this piece and I wrote it over eleven years ago. Thank you.)

My flesh as it falls
To the earth
Enters Darkness

A Shadow
A Void
A Fear

My peace Turns
With an End
That approaches

Blistery
Nervously
And Panic

A state of being
of Love & Hate
I stand Alone

Sadistic
Coy
Childish

A Twinkle in her
Eye, Stops my Heart
And my Brain goes Cold

Secrets
Masochist
And Rumor

I wait for that
Longing, As I sit
By the door

Manic
Hope
Touch

The Key was Lost
At the Sea with no
Waves and no Wind

Calming
Horrified
Soulless

Walking in Hand
With her Grace
We are Struck down

Orgasmic
Hurtful
Psychotic

I am Alone
My bearer is Lost
The Key will not be Found.

RevGals Friday FIve: Fireworks

1. Barbecue's or picnics ( or are they essentially the same thing?)
BBQs require at least a grill. Picnics can be as simple as a two glasses of wine with crackers and cheese.

2. The park/ the lake/ the beach or staying at home simply being?
All the above.

3. Fireworks- love 'em or hate 'em?
Fire! Fire!

4. Parades- have you ever taken part- share a memory...
Many, while on recruiter assistance, I took part in the Flag Day Parade in Appleton, Wisconsin. I was part of the color guard and carried the Marine Corps Colors. We were first in line and the parade was six miles long.

5. Time for a musical interlude- if you could sum up holidays in a piece of music what would it be?


or maybe this

Moving In, Part II

You all know what happens when you move in, right?

Lots and lots of unpacking. I brought in my last load of boxes tonight and hopefully everything will be at least in the right room by Monday. The room I designated as the office is a freaking disaster at the moment. Washing lots of clothes and sheets the last few days and I seemed to have forgotten dish soap when I went shopping today.

Tomorrow, I don't expect to get too much accomplished, fore I have many appointments during the day. I do plan on buying a grill and a TV this weekend.

Next week, I have a partial bathroom makeover and partial electrical upgrade planned. Both of which is not cheap. So that is the reason it is going to be "partial".

After the work is done I will either video it or take photos to update you all.

Moving In

I bought a house and closed on the Friday. So naturally, I moved on Saturday. One thing you definitely learn while moving; you get to find out who your real friends are. I composed a short Five or so minute video of the tour of my home. It isn't really great quality, but I think you all should get a good idea of what I bought. (Of course, this is the reason why I haven't been on the computer.)

Secrets That I Don't Want to Keep Anymore

I have always wanted a hug, from someone who means it.

I threw away the girl of my dreams for a barbie doll woman, it didn't last more than a week.

I wish to dance the night away every day.

I have put up walls around me that I don't know how to take them down anymore.

I like to have my ass squeezed, gentle or hard.

I have never forgiven my relatives that have teased me for being smarter than their kids while growing up.

I enjoy looking at art for hours, I think it is erotic.

I have always had my steaks rare to medium rare, after I went to Africa, I really started enjoying the taste of the blood.

In my mind everyone hates me, I will never be good enough.

I think I would have died a lonely death had I not joined the Corps, I believe that prophecy may still come true.

I want a boring life, but I don't think I am capable of leading one.

Candyland

In my fantasy world that I live in, I would have strawberries on tap. There are joyful and sometimes pompous people wearing tassels on their nether regions. The sun only rests at nine am and sets promptly at eight pm. There is a light breeze of vanilla and it only rains at three am on every other even day. Homes are made out of reinforced concrete and have ballistic missiles perched at the corners. Everyone has laser guided MK-19 (Mod 3) Automatic Grenade Launcher/Machine Guns surrounding their property. There are slow streets and fast ones. There are large and delicious cherries and blueberries on top of every police enforcement vehicle. The red carpet is rolled out for any stop and a blue one for the special moments....

Questions, Comments and Concerns, Part II

The immediate response(s) from everyone who share their thoughts here, help me enlighten and humble myself.

While looking about and learning about others in wants and needs, I find myself in my own catch-22. My rants and raves while at times are very pointed, most of the time are quite general. Most people can relate because of similar personal struggles. It is flattering when someone thinks I write specifically about them; when I don't use their name or describe any detail of a possible person in question.

I really don't write to burn bridges and I don't write to build them. I put these thoughts forward looking to help me understand me better. All this is well and good, and may seem like I am talking about you, but in reality I am not talking to anyone. At least, not anyone in particular.

Foreplay

While, normally, posts like this one are on a completely different blog; today, I have decided it pisses me off so much that I am sharing it with you all.

Foreplay is not:
A board game
Has nothing to do with golf
A secret kept by Buddhist monks
Only for men to perform

Foreplay is:
Explained quite well in The Meaning of Life (For men)
Essential for normal living
For both men and women

Why is it that I keep encountering women that have no idea what to do with a penis other than stick(accept) it in a hole?

I think that is a valid question.

Speaking of me, visual stimulation really doesn't do a whole lot for me and I really need touch. (I know I am giving away all my secrets here, shh.)
All those things that women like, such as:
the running of fingers through your hair
biting of the neck(insert your favorite body part here)
soft/hard kissing
(I really could go on, but I am sure everyone knows what I am talking about.)

I like these things as well. And sometimes, without a little foreplay, I am not ready to go. I am not twenty anymore. I was never a premature ejaculater, so much on the opposite that spectrum, more like the four hour problem that they keep warning us about. Still, I need a little bit more than the parting of the tides. It doesn't have to be TLC, but it does have to be a little stronger than blowing the seeds off a dandelion.

The Ugly Duckling, Part II

My Life According to Google

My life according to Google
Type in the following and choose the first choice:
(I used my real first name in the search bar)

1: Type in "[your name] needs" in the Google search:
Wyldth1ng Needs Rehab

2: Type in "[your name] looks like" in Google search:
Wyldth1ng looks like a pretty white boy.

3: Type in "[your name] does" in Google search:
Wyldth1ng does Frisbee.

4: Type in "[your name] hates" in Google search:
Wyldth1ng HATES TYPOS.


5: Type in "[your name] goes" or "has gone" in Google search:
Wyldth1ng goes to hell

6: Type in "[your name] loves" in Google search:
Wyldth1ng loves to spin.


7: Type in "[your name] eats" in Google search:
Wyldth1ng eats dripping vagina.

8: Type in "[your name] has" in Google search:
Wyldth1ng has guts.

10: Type in "[your name] won't" in Google Search
Wyldth1ng won't be brought down and he and his friends sing about surviving.

11: Type in "[your name] can't" in Google Search
Wyldth1ng can’t be scared tonight.


12: Type in "[your name] wants" in Google Search
Wyldth1ng wants to try out a new truth serum on a volunteer.

13: Type in "[your name] makes" in Google Search
Wyldth1ng makes Gabriella HOT!

14: Type in "[your name] killed" in Google Search
Wyldth1ng killed on the Job.

RevGals Friday FIve: Word Association

Think summer......are you there? Below you will find five words or phrases. Tell us the first thing you think of on reading each one. Your response might be simply another word, or it might be a sentence, a poem, a memory, a recipe, or a story. You get the idea:

1. rooftop
Water Balloons

2. gritty
Arizona

3. hot town (yeah, I know, it's two words)
SummerFest

4. night
Full Moon

5. dance
Sex

For Fun, Part III

Your result for The Monty Python Character Test...

The Knight of Ni

You scored 70 Stubborn, 68 Crazy, 82 Agressive, and 88 Evil!

Apperance: The Holy Grail.



Evil, agressive, stubborn and utterly mad crazy fellow. :D



High Light:



Knights of Ni: Ni! Ni! Ni! Ni! Ni! Ni!

Arthur: Who are you?

Knight of Ni: We are the Knights who say..... "Ni"!

Arthur: (horrified) No! Not the Knights who say "Ni"!

Knight of Ni: The same.

Other Knight of Ni: Who are we?

Knight of Ni: We are the keepers of the sacred words: Ni, Ping, and Nee-womm!

Other Knight of Ni: Nee-womm!

Arthur: (to Bedevere) Those who hear them seldom live to tell the tale!

Knight of Ni: The knights who say "Ni" demand..... a sacrifice!

Arthur: Knights of Ni, we are but simple travelers who seek the enchanter who lives beyond these woods.

Knights of Ni: Ni! Ni! Ni! Ni! Ni! Ni! Ni! Ni! Ni!

Bedevere: No! Noooo! Aaaugh! No!

Knight of Ni: We shall say "Ni" to you... if you do not appease us.

Arthur: Well what is it you want?

Knight of Ni: We want.....



(pregnant pause)



A SHRUBBERY!!!!


(dramatic minor chord)


Arthur: A *WHAT*?

Knights of Ni: Ni! Ni!! Ni! Ni!

Arthur; No! No! Please, please, no more! We will find you a shrubbery.

Knight of Ni: You must return here with a shrubbery... or else you will never pass through this wood... alive.

Arthur: O Knights of Ni, you are just and fair, and we will return with a shrubbery.

Knight of Ni: One that looks nice.

Arthur: Of course!

Knight of Ni: And not *too* expensive.

Arthur; Yes!

Knight of Ni: Noowwwww.... GO!


(music)


Arthur: O Knights of Ni. We have brought you your shrubbery. May we go now?

Knight of Ni: Yes, it is a good shrubbery. I like the laurels particularly. But there is one small problem....

Arthur: What is that?

Knight of Ni: We are now *no longer* the Knights Who Say "Ni"!
Other Knights of Ni: Ni! Shh! Shh!

Knight of Ni: We are now the Knights who say "Ekky-ekky-ekky-ekky-z'Bang, zoom-Boing, z'nourrrwringmm".

Other Knight of Ni: Ni!

Knight of Ni: Therefore, we must give you a test.

Arthur: What is this test, o Knights of..... Knights who 'til recently said "Ni"?

Knight of Ni: Firstly, you must find.... ANOTHER SHRUBBERY!!!


(another minor chord)


Arthur: Oh not *another* shrubbery!!

Knight of Ni: (excitedly) THEN... Then, when you have found the shrubbery, you must place it here, beside this shrubbery, only slightly higher, so we get the two-level effect with a little path running down the middle.

Other Knights of Ni: A path! A path! A path! Shh, shhh. Ni! Ni!

Knight of Ni: Then, when you have found the shrubbery, you must cut down the mightiest tree in the forest... Wiiiiiithh.... A HERRING!

Take The Monty Python Character Test at HelloQuizzy

Questions, Comments and Concerns

Disclaimer: The different tenses of the word fuck are used for emphasis.

Please remember, I like me. I think me is fucking awesome.

Sometimes I just have some trouble hitting the fucking curve balls. Sometimes when I hit the fucking curve balls, the fucking thing goes out hits the fucking foul line pole and bounces out. Then that fucking umpire says something like you're fucking out! Usually, I just don't give a fuck and life goes on. There have been some rarefied occasions when giving a fuck has fucked me worse. The last week has been an example of the special fucking that I received. While I haven't gone into detail of the supreme fucking that I encountered this week; it wasn't necessarily to keep you all in the dark; it is just something I don't feel should be shared in a fucking public forum.

The Walls are Closing In

Do you ever feel like the walls are closing in at an alarming rate? So fast that by the time you feel you could put your arms out to stop it, you are already being crushed. Well, that has been the gist of what I have been experiencing lately. Of course, beer doesn't help, but it sure tastes good. I know my problems are light in comparison to most people. I know that life could be a lot worse. I know that in the big picture of things I am doing better than the majority of people my age. But knowing all of that, doesn't change anything. Luckily, since I have a wondrous and colorful past of near death experiences and total poverty, my outlook on life has a certain "moral flexibility". Since I have this moral flexibility, I know I am going to hell. I have my own name plate with poisonous shards sticking through it. Odds are, there isn't any beer in hell either.

I am sure that Mephistopheles is taking the tally very serious.

Fun with Navy Medicine, Part XIV

I have surgery scheduled for the middle of July. We, the doctor and I, have come to the conclusion that nothing more can be done without surgery for my wrist. Of course, this means there are several other things that can go wrong, which one of the major reasons it has been put off this long. `

The thumb problem will never get better. You could read this in two ways:
Gift from the Marine Corps or Screwed for life.

The Ugly Duckling

As the years have gone by, so have my smooth skin and my pure brown hair. I know in my youth that I was an attractive young man. I know that I hesitated very little before doing something, almost anything. I was easy to please and virtually happy for almost all of my teens and twenties. (I know I am young yet.) For the last few years though, things have been changing. I don't feel I am as attractive as I once was. I have wrinkles and parts of my body hurt almost everyday. I have gray hair coming out in all sorts of odd places. And I really haven't been happy. I have been content, but not happy. I am not sure what has all changed and I am not sure I really want to go back. My career seems to be on hold as I try "to get fixed" and healthy. I hope for the best and prepare for the worst, which is not how it used to be. It used to be hope the best and God help me for the worst. Sometimes, I wish someone would tell me that I am good looking. Just once in while, I don't need that everyday.

It would be nice to hear it, once.

RevGals Friday Five: Beach Trip

1. Ocean rocks, lake limps? Vice versa? Or "it's all beautiful in its own way"?
I prefer the lakes, but must as big as Winnebago or it is just a pond.

2. Year round beach living: Heaven...or the Other Place?
Maybe after I turn 60, but lately I have seen a enough beach to last awhile.

3. Any beach plans for this summer?
Of course, I live in North Carolina.

4. Best beach memory ever?
Elkhart Lake the 80's

5. Fantasy beach trip?
Female to Male ratio 10 to 1, sand consistency of 600 to 800 grit, sun at 9 am, a light 3 to 5 mph breeze from the south, and the rest will take care of itself.

Bonus: Share a piece of music/poetry/film/book that expresses something about what the beach means to you.


Warning: Not for young minds.

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.
`
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.

Popular Posts by General Public

This is another installment of the non-topic posts. Probably, the last one for awhile. The following are the most viewed and or linked to posts on my site since the beginning of the year.

Updating Pictures
February 12

Middle Name Meme
March 26

Rainy Day
April 5

Pet Peeve #23
May 8

The Poll to the Right
May 15

Coming Home - Surprises
February 3

Coming Home - The Transition
February 4

Fun with Navy Medicine, Part Seven A
February 4

Fun with Navy Medicine, Part Seven, Subsection A
February 5

Vacation Winter ' 08
February 5

Fun with Navy Medicine, Part XIII

Today was a pinnacle point in my situation(re-evaluation). I received an injection to my joint in my wrist which the needle was two and half inches long and my wrist is about an inch and half thick. We learned I do not have a joint problem and it is ligament and/or tendon damage. This is separate from my thumb which we have known all along it was tendon damage. My thumb is now my (and the Navy's) secondary concern, but still a concern none the less. I have a new (temporary) splint for the long weekend that supports my wrist more and gives me more freedom with my thumb. After Decoration Day, I will be going back to Occupational Therapy to concentrate on my wrist and drop the pain levels. I am making progress and the doctor is confident that returning back to full duty will be a reality.

Childhood Favorite, Part II

NOTE: This is from Leader of the Banned and may not be suitable for young minds.

Post 600

Going with the current theme of non-topic posts, this is a display of the most common ISP(Internet Service Providers) that come visit me.

1) Road Runner Holdco Llc
2) Earthlink Inc
3) Charter Communications
4) Comcast Cable Communications Inc
5) Verizon Internet Services Inc
6) New York Life Insurance Company
7) Covad Communications Co
7) Qwest Communications Corporation
8) Marshfield Medical Research & Education Foundation
8) Pppox Pool Rback37.snfcca
9) Xo Communications
9) Grande Communications Networks Inc
9) Insight Communications Company L.p
10) Stentor National Integrated Communications Network
10) Hughes Network Systems

11) Embarq Corporation
11) Elca
11) Oregon Health & Science University
11) Simple Pc.net
12) Comcast Cable Communications Holdings Inc
12) Wideopenwest Michigan
12) Connecting Point Computers
12) Bellsouth.net Inc
12) Prairiewave Static Host Assignment
13) Level 3 Communications Inc
13) Google Inc
13) Thunder Bay Telephone
13) Service Provider Corporation
13) Nctc
13) Pppox Pool - Rback5 Emhril
13) Hale County Cscd
13) Central Scott Telephone
13) Taylor & Francis Inc
13) Pcs Broadband Llc
13) University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences
13) Special Design Products