As my brain melts and becomes one with reality, the affair of this journey of life becomes familiar with you and me.
Monday, December 31, 2007
3 Sides to Every Coin
I am mean look at this blog, what category do I fit in?
I could go into specific examples on why this blog is this way or that way, I am declaring LIFE is the category. Now that I am done with myself it should be downhill from here, right?
I figure there is a heads, a tails, and that other side that is all ribbed or smooth. The side that seems to change from one type to another or evolves over time.
Either you just understood what I said or you didn't. Regardless, in the next few days I will be rearranging some stuff and changing the blog roll somehow.
Suggestions are welcome.
I Looked into the Mirror
I made it.
It is 2008.
Yea. Can you feel the excitement pouring out my skin. The surreal, the bliss of it all. No?
Well, I watched the Air Force Academy get their asses handed to them by Cal Tech during the change over. There were a few cheers on another TV and those watching it, to which was a little humorous since we have a lag of five minutes out here on most programing that boasts a live show.
There some sort of revival at one of the DFACs which I didn't go, food topped my priority, so I ate instead. A few of the other SNCOs (Staff Non Commisioned Officers) got a burn permit(we do that out here too) and had a little fire. I stopped by, it just wasn't the same. It was hot and bright as fire is supposed to be, but there was something that just didn't feel right to me.
I am "happy"...we are ending our deployment soon. Until my foot touches American soil, my year is not over.
The End of 2007
I have had years where I was a designated driver for a people who didn't need a DD because they did drink anyway or for some who really needed a babysitter not a driver. I have had few while married, some were good, some were bad and one was bliss. I have had many alone. I have spent my evening in bars, bedrooms and bathrooms. There have been years when I was too drunk to make it and didn't see the ball drop. I have been on duty. I was in a bar fight once during the change over, it is one I would like to forget. I have had a new year celebration while on a ship while we were transversing the Adriatic Sea.
As the year changes over into the new year here, I will most likely be eating my lunch and if lucky a football game will be on in the DFAC. The day will transition into the next without skipping a beat and no change in the "feeling" of the day, month, year will actually take place.
While for me, tomorrow will be just another day; for you, may freedom ring.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Art, A One Part Series Set in Al Asad
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Liar's Dice
1) Yesterday morning I awoke with trumpets being sounded and was escorted to work on top of giant elephants covered in jewels and a processional of forty two jaguars that had a slight touch of gray in their coats.
2) The occasion was trumped when the President of the Federation of Planets arrived via her flying Yugo. She announced that she is stepping down to let me pave the way as the new PFP. I know you are all ecstatic about his new development.
3) My first act as the PFP was to decommission Mars. The Martians upon hearing the great news decided to send Earth a fission bomb as and act of kindness. Knowing full well that Earth is not big enough to handle a fission bomb, I plucked it out of the atmosphere while flying in my Yugo and ate it. The indigestion from the fission bomb was horrendous; luckily, for me China has developed a new antacid from lead that does the trick every time you eat a fission bomb from Mars.
`
4) During lunch, news traveled fast of my appointment as the PFP, an assassination attempt was made on my life from the Plutonians. I saw them coming far ahead before they got to me, since Earth isn't filled with cartoon dogs. I gathered them up with the help of my right-footed trolls and put them in my trunk of my flying Yugo.
5) Mid-afternoon I received a medal of distinguished service as the PFP from the planet Saturn. It was presented for my long and illustrious service as a PFP.
6) Tired from the long day, I declared three in the afternoon official nap time and napped we did. I laid to rest atop my bed of elongated buffalo nickels enchanted with fairy dust. The fairy dust came from the fairy I have mounted on my wall of trophies. It is famous in thirty-four galaxies and a honorable mention in two universes.
7) After my nap, I borrowed Mathman's TARDIS, unfortunately it needed some maintenance and has left me stranded inside core of Mars, which I have decommissioned and unable to leave via the TARDIS. The Martians know this and have replaced my body on Earth with a Martian clone to take over the Federation of Planets and eventually decommission Earth.
Who Are You?
Most of you know who I am.
Some of you think you know who I am.
Since we all know who I am please do not use my name, meaning my "real" name when commenting. I know you are talking to me because you are here, on my site, to read this discombobulated text written by me.
I know there is no point in being anonymous in this world, but let's pretend. Let us all pretend together. So then we can be merry.
You want to be merry don't you?
Great.
I am glad we are in agreement.
Now stop using my real name.
I mean it.
I may send my imaginary army of left footed trolls after you, if you do not heed my warnings.
Okay, then.
Friday, December 28, 2007
I Have Been Blessed
The idea… it’s a game of tag with a difference, rather than looking inwardly, we look outside ourselves and bless, praise and pray for one blog friend. By participating in this endeavour we not only make the recipient of the blessing feel valued and appreciated, but we are having some fun too. We’re going to see how far the bloggin’ blessings can travel around the world and how many people can be blessed! Recipients of a bloggin’ blessing may upload the above image to their sidebar if they choose to. If you recieve a bloggin’ blessin’ please leave a comment on this thread here so that we can rejoice in just how many blessings have been sent around the world!
Steve, a blogsphere friend, has blessed me. To which, I can not thank enough.
I bless:
Rogue Gunner
Random Thoughts of an Aspiring Expat (Jan's daughter)
Inner Dorothy*
The above people/blogs all need a blessing. Whether they know it or not. Each have there own struggles with life and if grace can be wrought through them, then all can be well in the world.
I am supposed to say a prayer with my explanation, but I feel my explanation is my prayer.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
So You Are About to be Deployed
I am so glad you asked, I have some suggestions. (The following are just that suggestions that worked for me or for the ones I work with. No guarantees on your experience.)
Condoms - No not for sex, because "no one here is allowed to have sex," condoms are great for stopping unwanted particles entering your rifle through the barrel or the magazine chamber when not outside the wire. Also, ladies, condoms help keep your vibrators stay nice and clean.
ID holder - I used the one in the link, but you may want to use an armband version, either way you will want to use something that is handy to carry your ID, a little cash, a key and can be secured to your person somehow.
M9 Holster - You can find some leather holster out here but you may want to find something that is more comfortable to you and your equipment. There are some who are content with what they were issued, most use an after market holster. The style in the link is the most common.
MP3 player - Whether it is an iPod or Zune or something else, tunes always make the day go by a little faster.
Video Game Consoles - If you are one that is not going to be outside the wire constantly, this is a good time waster. I brought a laptop, but almost everyone has something.
Alarm Clock - Just because some days you don't want to get up.
Ziploc bags - The "color seal" is nice to have and a kind of guarantee that it is closed. Ziplocs are handy all the time. It won't take long before you realize what a gem they are.
The three things I always deploy with are: a feather pillow, sleep mask, a cotton blanket. Call me crazy, but to me it is the essentials.
Good luck with your adventure.
The Center of the World
PresbyFruit & The Village Carpenter
This is another example of how small the world is.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Top Ten Posts Read of the Year
10) I.Q. - December 6th, 2007 (75)
9) Five of My Favorite Gifts of All Time - November 27th, 2007 (84)
8) Letters - The Answer Expanded, Part II - November 30th, 2007 (86)
7) Green Bay Packers Tops My List - Semptember 1st, 2007 (101)
6) 1st Week Sergeant's Course - January 6th, 2006 (150)
5) Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious - September 07, 2005 (189)
(The title at the post redirects you elsewhere.)
4) How I Was Infected - December 11, 2007 (190)
3) The Marines' Hymn - November 9th, 2007 (210)
2) Quit Smoking: Day 3 - January 30, 2007 (265)
And the number one post:
1) Let me tell you about TPS Reports - June 07, 2006 (558)
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
To the Top..
Calling Mom.
Update: I talked to Mom about an hour later.
WIIFM?
You just have to love the holidays.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Christmas Morning
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Packers - Bears Game
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Something Quick
I received some Christmas card in the mail today, from the Fauls, Hansons, Langs, Youngs, Dice and Singhs. Thank you for the cards. If I already didn't say mail will be rerouted here shortly so please do not send anything more this way, to prevent the delay.
I myself stood in line in the post office for a couple of hours today and didn't get seen because sleep was becoming more important. I will try again in a few days, after Christmas, it then may be better.
I thank eveyone who comments on this blog, the little interaction here helps. And it is the little things.
Friday, December 21, 2007
A Day in My Life
By 1815 I am done shaving, brushing my teeth, and showering and am headed back to dress for the day. Since it has been steadily getting colder I have been donning more clothing. I put these "polypro" bottoms on that are similar to long johns but not as warm but are always itchy. Then socks, a sweatshirt, a fleece, then my MARPAT (MARine Disruptive PATtern) trousers and blouse. I will pack up my backpack that is also MARPAT with whatever extra items I feel I might need, this may include an outer fleece garment, camera, goggles, neck gator (like ninja mask) fleece cap, inner gloves, outer gloves, scarf, and any food items that I may want to snack on throughout the day. I put on my interceptor vest, my M9 holster with magazine pouches( at the same time I will add my M9, pistol, and attach it via my lanyard to my interceptor vest), then Gortex MARPAT jacket and my Kevlar helmet.
On my way out of the building, at about 1835, I inform the duty with my identification number and where I am going. No names are ever spoken. I use a bicycle to ride to work everyday so I will also put a reflective belt on my body as well as my backpack. I use about two kilometers of road and about two and half kilometers of rough terrain to get to the compound where I work. There is at least one gate in which I pass that requires positive identification before proceeding. Total distance is a little less than three miles.
I arrive about 1845 at the mobile facility unit that I work in. It is a complex configuration of metal boxes attached together. We work in the same type of buildings in the rear(garrison). For the next fifteen to thirty minutes I will receive a pass down of the days events and any pending issues that are still in play. The computer I use is a hot seat computer, meaning it is used all day long by one Marine, then when the shift ends the next Marine from the next shift sits down and uses all night.
My job is to ensure overall coordination and control of workload priorities for the Maintenance Department. I maintain a close working relationship with all supported squadrons assigned to MAG-29 (Marine Air Group) and I resolve problems affecting aircraft readiness. I monitor and expedite inductions and repairs of aircraft components and resolve inventory problems with the Supply Department.
For the next several hours, I ensure the priorities of the squadron are actively being entertained. I "visit" every maintenance division within MALS-29's (Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron)compound. I have found from experience that being present in ones workspace is better than calling or email. I will visit, in not in any particular order(keeps them guessing), GSE(Ground Support Equipment) which has tow tractors, stands, cranes and other like items; AVI (Avionics) which works on electronic and electrical components of aircraft such as radios, radar, weapons controls; A/F (Airframes) this division has three sides, hydraulics, metal, and tires( I don't know why it is split that way); and PP(Power Plants) all engines for aircraft and items that have bearings that don't already go to one of the other divisions.
Sometime at about 2300ish, I coordinate efforts to bring approximately 15 vats of food to the compound and chow is served from the Marines of one of the divisions to the night crew Marines and Sailors. Most eat this meal here at the compound. Myself and a few other bike, some walk, and the few that have vehicles will drive to the DFAC (Dining Facility) and the closest one open is about six kilometers or about three miles from the compound. Before entering any place where the military gathers at there is positive identifications and weapons clearing.
The last half the night is similar to the first half as far the duties and responsibilities. Everyday the computer systems shut down for about half hour. Once every week the power goes down for some darn reason or another. This happened yesterday the temperature in the mobile facility dropped 22 degrees in first fifteen minutes. Luckily, the power was only off for about forty minutes. Close to the end of my shift, I produce reports of the progress of the squadron and update any pending issues. I consult with a representative of the Supply Department about lag times for consumable parts and update statuses as needed.
By approximately 0650 the day shift will be here and I give my pass down and hand over the day's reports. My computer is hot seated and I don all my gear for a bike ride back to the building where I live.
Once arriving back to my living quarters I inform the duty of my identification number and he will log me in. At this point if I need to do any tasks such as pick up or drop off my laundry and the laundry facilities, go to the PX (Post Exchange) for any items of need, or go to the Post Office to mail items off. I usually read for about an hour or so and by 1000 I am ready to sleep. On random days during random times during the day the "Big Voice" which is an early warning device with loud speakers on it, will go off and sometimes repeat instructions. It is called a "Big Voice" for a reason. I try to get about six hours of good solid sleep, sometimes I do and sometimes I don't.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
RevGals Friday Five: It's Almost Christmas
I have debated with myself for weeks about today's Friday Five.
Self 1: It should be deep and theological.
Self 2: But it's almost Christmas, it should be fun and warm and sweet.
Self 1: But your last Friday Five was sort of silly. You should show your more serious side.
Self 2: You worry WAY too much!
So after consulting with my fourteen year old daughter, we're going playful, pals o' mine! I love stories, so I hope you'll tell some about your favorite Christmas memories.
1) What was one of your favorite childhood gifts that you gave:
2) What is one of your favorite Christmas recipes?
Peanut Squares
This is a catch all desert, good at anytime during the year. I think the recipe is cutting angel food cake into squares, add frosting to all sides, then add crushed peanuts to the sides. Done. It is like the best "guy" recipe.
3) What is a tradition that your family can't do without? (And by family, I mean family of origin, family of adulthood, or that bunch of cool people that just feel like family.)
I really have no idea. I will end up giving my sergeant some time to attend mass, then it is back to work.
4) Pastors and other church folk often have very strange traditions dictated by the "work" of the holidays. What happens at your place?
I may sing some carols until my sergeant can't take it anymore. Maybe a tad longer than that.
5)If you could just ditch all the traditions and do something unexpected... what would it be?
Visit another country.
Fun with Navy Medicine, Part IV
When I try to stray away from a politically comment, the following my be construed as one. It is not, it is an opinion.
I keep reading about universal health care for the US. I think it is a bad idea. In essence, I have universal health care while being in the military. Yes, I am seen when I have a problem, but I have learned to go when I really, really need to go see a doctor. Just because, I am seeing a doctor doesn't mean this doctor is a general practitioner, but he or she is a doctor of something. There are speciality doctors placed in the correct speciality, but to be seen in one, you have to go through "your" unit doctor and that means he or she may not think you need to go. That equates to fun. Also, in my opinion, every doctor I have seen seems to think everyone is a hypochondriac. So while you are telling your problems or showing or whatever, the care provider thinks you are lying. Yea. And God forgive you if you think you know what you need and tell the provider, because they will promptly let you know that they are the doctor not you.
I am just saying that I think universal health care is a bad idea. Let us think of something else.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Drifting
Fun.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Cheesehead
December's 300th Comment
CDP has made the 300th comment of the month. Congratulations!
You are now entitled to my imaginary snowflake droppings collection!
Day-in-the-Life
http://www.2maw.usmc.mil/forward.asp
A side note about the article about MALS-29: The pictures do not go with what that Marine does.
For my readers here I will do something similar within the next few days. (I will enclose some pictures too.)
Control
My job has interactions with lots of people, who all want something.
My job is about control.
Actually, I hate this job most of the time. I hated this job before I received it. Now I am in it and I still hate it.
No one likes the guy in this job. No one likes this job.
It has been a long year.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Fun with Navy Medicine, Part III
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Sand Gets In Every Crack
Now, like I have posted before sandstorms do not only happen during the day, they also happen at night. The big difference is at night there is no warning. It just happens. And pictures don't turn out like these did.
Side note: Bicycles do not like sand either. Bad sand. Bad. Bad.
Peanut Butter and Jelly
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Preferred Mode of Travel
Friday, December 14, 2007
Christmas for Everyone
USO (United Service Organizations)
Soldiers' Angels
Operation Gratitude
Any Marine
There are many more but I am partial to these, since these are the ones that brought home to me and my Marines while we have been deployed.
12 Days of Christmas
Well, turns out there is a lot of stuff going on about it. I know all of you can look it up for yourselves via Snopes.com or HowStuffWorks.com or Wikipedia and find all sorts of stuff. I am including what I thought was interesting, the symbolism of each day. Enjoy.
A Partridge in a Pear Tree - Jesus Christ
Two Turtle Doves - The Old and New Testaments
Three French Hens - The three virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity
Four Calling/Collie Birds - Four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
Five Golden Rings - First five books of the Old Testament
Six Geese-a-Laying - Six days of creation before God's rest on the seventh day
Seven Swans-a-Swimming - Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
Eight Maids-a-Milking - Eight Beatitudes
Nine Ladies Dancing - Nine fruits of the Holy Spirit
Ten Lords-a-Leaping - Ten Commandments
Eleven Pipers Piping - Eleven faithful disciples
Twelve Drummers Drumming -Twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed
Hypothetical Solution to Everything
The beauty is everyone gets to fuck up the country, an equal opportunity environment. I figure there is no difference with what we have now and since opinions are like assholes this will work well. The people who say 'you can't let so and so run the country' there is an opposite person named so and so who also say the same thing about the first people. A + B = C and B + A = C
Think about it like this, the person who is a president for a village board for some town in middle America has what qualifications. Probably has a steady job and once a month meets with others like him who were elected to "run" this town for like an extra two grand a year. Probably not a lawyer and most of the people in this town probably don't even know what he looks like. This guy doesn't do it for the money, he does it because he thinks he can make a difference in making lives in that small town better for everyone.
Why is "big" government not this way?
Power Curve
The world I live in has free people, they are walking around everywhere. And you've guess it men and women. You could say it is a lottery winner bonanza. Everyone here has won.
Okay, so you are saying the world has free people in it? I am saying Americans are free, so not to confuse the audience, in this post I am referring to the good ol' American public. So now that is out of the way let us continue.
In the area I work in, there are lots of tough times that require some tough calls. Nothing is personal but feelings can get hurt if you are not a thick skinned individual. I grew up in a world of sarcasms, so if you would meet me and I come off as an asshole, I probably am. I didn't join to make friends.
Often while viewing others thoughts via the web I get an impression that that I don't live in a free society and then I feel bad. Why would I, the asshole, feel bad you may say. Well my job is directly related to the free America.
I have been trying really hard to "enjoy" the holiday season, but it seems when looking to the states for news and encouragement, all I get is resentment and distaste.
RevGals Friday Five: Rejoice
Rejoice in the nearness of Christ's coming, yes, but also in the many gifts of the pregnant waiting time when the world (in the northern hemisphere, at least) spins ever deeper into sweet, fertile darkness.
(Side note: I have no idea what Mother Laura is talking about I just go with the flow on these.) (Side note to the side note: I may have a little idea, but my knowledge on these matters has lots of cobwebs.) (Side note to the side note of the original the side note: I have cleaned up most of the cobwebs by regualr field day but I am not the expert.)
What makes you rejoice about:
(Let me do a word game with this, I am going to put down the first word or phrase that comes to mind.)
1. Waiting?
Really?, How about...Surprise!
2. Darkness?
Peaceful
3. Winter?
Calming
4. Advent?
Billboards
(I still have no idea about advent, I would have to say that since I have researched it and have read some explainations, none of them have really stuck in my head.) (Heathen.)
5. Jesus' coming?
1975 and going strong.
(Don't expect anyone to get this, but if you do your brain probably works like mine.)
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Belly Growth, Part III
My Cow Tales were carmel apple and my Junga Bunga was Safari Strawberry. Slightly different.
Christmas Three - A Meme
What are your three favorite Christmas songs and who sings them?
Does "Did you see the Thirty Pointer?" by Da Yoopers count?
Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer written by Randy Brooks. Sang by everybody.
Frosty the Snowman by Gene Autry
What are your three favorite Christmas foods?
I am cheating on this one go here.
What are three Christmas Secrets?
Mistletoes are poisonous.
Santa was made up as a marketing ploy in New York in the early 1900s.
Christmas trees were originally part of the German Christmas celebrations.
What are your three favorite Christmas movies?
Again I cheating on this one, go here.
This is where I tag someone, but since everyone that I have been tagging lately is upset at the extra typing required since this is a busy time of year or something like that, so I won't but if you do feel the urge to do this meme put a link in your comment so others can enjoy in your meme expressiveness.
Fun with Navy Medicine, Part II
According to the radiologist report nothing is bad. So that is good. The problem lies with the pain factor. Navy medicine only has Motrin, I have been taking Motrin for seven weeks and guess what the pain is still there. This should come as no surprise to anyone who actually knows what Motrin is used for. I and yes, it is not healthy to take Motrin for that long. It would have been better for them to give me a sugar pill and telling me it was Vicadin.
On a side note, the above picture is a copy of my x-rays from this morning.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
The Good Book, Part IV
Why Are Not You Happy?
You are here
~a) by accident
~b) purposely
~~ i) by conscience choice
~~ ii) by way of links of another post elsewhere on the web
~~ iii) by way curiosity
So no matter which way you may be here for, why is it when I have good news you can not be happy?
Is your life so bad that you cannot even fathom what it would be like to happy?
Being happy is why I must finish writing my book, because I have learned over the years when I talk about my life everyone else feels happy. (Usually because their life is so much better.)
Permanent Progress
Major General Gaskin said: "I think that the positive trends are permanent."
That says it all. I am happy I have had hot showers everyday for almost five months now. If that doesn't say progress, I don't know what does.
Money, Part II (a) - Death and Taxes
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Money, Part II
Nobody's Fault But Mine
Scenario #1
When the senior says "I am going to go home for the day" and you ,the junior, says "don't worry I have it." Then later when someone comes looking for the senior, the junior says "he doing blah and blah," not mentioning he's at home and then calling or letting him know so and so is looking for him. What is that called?
Scenario #2
When the senior says "I am going to go home for the day" and you ,the junior, says "don't worry I have it." Then later when someone comes looking for the senior, the junior says "he's at home since this morning" and not doing anything extra . What is that called?
I call scenario number two, throwing someone under the bus or dropping dimes on someone. Either way the senior man is going to be in trouble later.
Some similar to the second example happened to me earlier in the day, so tomorrow morning I will be standing in front of the "boss" explaining why I wasn't where he had liked me to be. The job was still getting done, I was just not in the capacity to answer questions at the moment to the "boss" directly. It pisses me off when the junior guy completely lied to me about having control. (The junior guy is just junior to me, he has a bunch of rank.) The crappy part is not even fifteen minutes later I was back in the workplace, but the boss had already left for the day.