3 Sides to Every Coin

Somehow along the line, I have been splitting into the different parts that make me, me. I am going to have to change my blog roll again because the blogs of interest keeps growing. I am currently torn between adding a bunch or splitting up a few in different categories. The problems are not everyone fits into a nifty category.

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

Boy, am I ugly.

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

Here we are at the end of 2007. What a year it has been. I don't want to reflect on the year, not because it was "oh so bad" or because I have been deployed for approximately ninety-seven point three, six, two percent of it. No, I want to reflect on the December 31st's that have transpired for me over my adult life. This post is my comparison.

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.

Art, A One Part Series Set in Al Asad

In the left hand corner, it looks like it maybe the artist's name. In the right hand corner, I placed two bills for size comparison. You can see a happy pilot in the cockpit.

Liar's Dice

I have been tagged by DCup for seven untrue facts about yours truly. Of course this concoction has been derived from Splotchy. Was there a question in your mind? In addition, because I can't say no, literary genius aside, call it charity to the minds.

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.

`

So since this is a tagging game, I tag:

Identity Mixed

Yearning For God*

Presbyfruit

Hot Cup Lutheran*

LadyBurg*

The Village Carpenter

Presbyterian Gal*

I figure since I had to come up with seven fibs which almost doubled my current tally, I would give this gift to seven others.

Who Are You?

I am know who I am.
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.

I Have Been Blessed

I truly do not think I qualifiy to be blessed and I shouldn't be the one blessing other people. You can read about me being a heathen here. But in the spirit of the gesture, the following is the roots:

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.

So You Are About to be Deployed

So you're about to be deployed for seven, nine, twelve or fourteen months to some barren waste land on the other side of the globe with no Wally's World or Mic Dicks within MRAP distance. What can you bring to make your time more enjoyable?

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

Sometimes I would like to think that I am the center of the world but I know better. Through some of my travels I made it to the Center of the World. I talk about it more here.

PresbyFruit & The Village Carpenter

The Village Carpenter & PresbyFruit sent me a nice care package with all sorts of goodies in it. Thank you both for the box. The card is awesome!
This is another example of how small the world is.

Top Ten Posts Read of the Year

The following is a list of what YOU, the reader, felt is the most interesting ramblings of a wretch like me. The numbers in parenthesis are number of hits for the last 365 days.)

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)

To the Top..

I figure my WIIFM might be answered here.



(Bonus points if you can guess where this photo was taken.)

Calling Mom.

I stood in line to use the phone for about three hours and then suddenly the network was out. So no signal. Unpredictable these things are, says the guy working on it. So I waited around for another half hour and the guy working on it says he has no idea how much longer it will be. So I figure that means it will be awhile. I go back to work and relieve my counterpart for awhile. He comes back and says he just used the phones to call home and the line were "not long." So I go back and the line is longer than the three hour line I stood in earlier. I will figure something out or I will have to wait until tomorrow.


Update: I talked to Mom about an hour later.

WIIFM?

As the day is closing, I can't help but wonder the WIIFM. (We, military people use acronyms for everything.) The WIIFM is What's In It For Me. I know there are many like me.

You just have to love the holidays.

Christmas Morning

I have never seen the sky look as it looks now. I have been trying to get a pictures but my camera is cheap and does not take night pictures.

The above is a representation of what is in the sky. There is a circle of clouds around the moon and are illuminated with mars slightly to the east.

I asked someone else about it and their reply was they saw the sky like this before, well I haven't.

Bush Calls 10 Overseas Troops on Christmas Eve

One of ours received a phone call today.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,318167,00.html

Story Time

Packers - Bears Game, Part II

Not happy.

Packers - Bears Game

I unfortunately will not be able to watch the game tonight. I will try to get my updates via the web as often as I can. It is a big game. Always is and most likely always will be.

Something Quick

It is relatively warm so far today. I came into work and it is in the low forties. Predictably the temp doesn't drop more than fifteen degrees fro the time I arrive to the time I leave. There are exceptions to that rule though. I am listening to Turn to Stone by the Electric Light Orchestra at the moment. My boss is writing up my "evaluation" this weekend, we call them Fitness Reports or FitReps.

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.

A Day in My Life

The alarm clock starts going off around 1745. The snooze lasts for four and half minutes and the beeping varies each time. At 1800, the duty turns on my lights and makes sure I am awake. I roll out of bed with my Green Bay Packer shorts and find my slippers and a sweatshirt. I gather my hygiene bag, a towel and some fresh skivies and trek to the showers. The shower trailer is about forty yards from the building that I sleep in. It is usually dark when going from here to there, the path is mostly muscle memory now.

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.

RevGals Friday Five: It's Almost Christmas

RevHRod of RevGals writes:
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:

When I was 16 I found this beer stein that was a boot at a rummage sale for 25 cents, I have wrapped it and gave it to my father that Christmas.

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.

35 Degrees

Fun with Navy Medicine, Part IV

Typing is a little harder to do with this thing on my arm/hand. So if it looks like the number of posts dropped from me, then a duh factor should be applied.

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.

Drifting

When growing up when someone mentioned drifting it was always during winter and it was always snow. Today, there has been some "light" drifting. While coming into work today the wind has picked up substantially but it isn't a sandstorm per se. Our temperatures here have been hovering the low forties for the first few hours and dropping down into the thirties at the peak of the night. While transversing to the chow hall for "lunch" it is always surprise going through the drifting sand.

Fun.

Cheesehead

For as much of a cheesehead that I am you must admit I have not been shoving football very much. This season I posted about what I wanted and it should have been what I needed. Then I ranted on the what "it" means and I don't think everyone was getting my dictionary like I did. Thanksgiving went well then the gift lists came shortly thereafter. I talked about the game another time about a week or so later, but that was it. The self-restraint has been crushing me. We only have 4 days until the greatest rivalry.

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

There are "Day-in-the-Life" articles that squadrons here have submitted and is posted on the following website by PAO (Public Affairs Office):

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

Sometimes I really hate my job.

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.

Way Too Early For Christmas? Part II

We figured it wouldn't have lasted on the door.

Fun with Navy Medicine, Part III

It is probably a good thing I am not left handed. (Or am I?) Anyway, I lied (fourth time ever) to HotCup my day wasn't the same as the others. Today, instead of sleeping, I spent it will a bunch of other Marines and soldiers who had one problem or other that their unit doc couldn't figure out. The consensus of my problem was I strained some tendons or ligaments so I need to "immobilize" my hand. Ha Ha....Ha.

So what was done, was they, the army guys at the hospital here, casted my arm, cut it in half, and then put it back on using this stretchy wrap stuff. The idea is I can remove it for hygiene purposes. Makes sense to me.

Time of wear is supposed to be six weeks. Well, if the time table holds true( keep your fingers crossed) I will be stateside by then. Yea!

Sand Gets In Every Crack

Everyone keeps asking about the sandstorms and what it is like or what they look like, so here are some photos that I hope with answer most of your questions.

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

I love a PB & J sandwiches. A key ingredient is bread. I hate healthy bread. When someone offers a PB & J sandwich with healthy bread I take it and eat like I would normally, but I really enjoy it with white bread. I have had a jar of peanut butter and jar of grape jelly for about five months now. Every now and then I take a spoonfull of each and savor it. It would have been great to make a sandwich. I have no way to store bread for any length of time and there is no bakery down the hill so it isn't even a request that I can entertain. Just sometimes, I wish I could have a PB & J.

Clock

Same clock, same place.

Is it strange that it changed or that I took a picture?

Nerd

Originally saw this at IdentityMixed's blog and figured what the hell. Who knew?

Preferred Mode of Travel

This is my mode of travel throughout most of the base here. The headlamp and reflective belt are mandatory items for night riders such as myself. The rear lamp in my opinion is a must for night riders. Your day gets progressively worse if you are run over by a convoy of 7-tons (big truck that weighs seven tons empty and with no armor) or water trucks.

The next souls to occupy the base will need to buy some new bikes. I have been through eight front wheels, three frames, four back tires (repacked the bearings twice), six pedals, and two seats. Parts have become hard to come by. I have modified a few parts to get me to the end of this deployment and I would be happy to get five bucks out of it by the time I leave. Rear tires are the scarce piece, so if you would be coming this way I would bring two back tires from a junk yard, so you could keep one for yourself and trade the other for the rest of the bike.

I am sure I look funny when riding down the boulevard with my interceptor vest(the "bullet proof" thingy) and Kevlar (helmet). There are few of us that travel with bikes.

Christmas for Everyone

If in the giving mood to a soldier, Sailor, airman, or Marine please consider donating to one of the charities on my sidebar.

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

I had some down time today, so being the curious person I am, I researched what are the twelve days of Christmas are and what was so special about it that someone wrote a song about it.
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

I have solved the problem with government. Selective service. Everyone 18 or older will be put in a hat, then once every two years a new name gets picked for each respective position.
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

While I write about little things in life that are not always important and I throw my humor into almost everything I write, I always feel I am behind the power curve somehow.

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

Mother Laura for RevGals writes, Can you believe that in two days we'll be halfway through Advent? Gaudete Sunday: pink candle on the advent wreath, rose vestments for those who have them, concerts and pageants in many congregations. Time to 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.)

Belly Growth, Part III

Part of the belly growth can be attributed to Cow Tales. I received a box with them inside and they are very good. There was also Junga Bunga, never had it before but basically it is like injecting my body with sugar.

~

My Cow Tales were carmel apple and my Junga Bunga was Safari Strawberry. Slightly different.

Christmas Three - A Meme

PS tagged Jan who tagged me for this Christmas Three meme, and she also "gave" Jan a picture !

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

I am basically falling apart. My left wrist has been in constant pain for about seven weeks now. Today finally like the an epiphany came over the corpsman they say lets get some x-rays. "We" do not have any cool do-dads or gizmos, I have to go over to the Army get my x-rays and I have to say they do have some nifty stuff. Didn't stop the Army soldier from contorting my wrist in funny positions though.

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.

The Good Book, Part IV

The good book is my autobiography so I will take criticism on the title I am okay with it. I am sure you are thinking 4? how can you be on four already? One, two, three and now four. The thing is what i have been struggling with lately is how to separate all this junk I can my life. I already figure the chapters I call "wife one, two and three," will be popular one way or another. I am thinking about grouping idea together instead of by time. Like religion is one topic and women a completely different one. No matter how I end up doing it, the fluidity will be an issue.

Why Are Not You Happy?

You. This is defined as the person reading this post.

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

For whatever reason most bloggers seemed to have missed this report. I knew about here and then saw it reciprocated by Fox News.

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

When Ben coined the phrase who knew it it would be so true today? Appartently the fact that I don't pay taxes in a combat zone upsets people. Who knew? ( I think it is funny that the money I made in my first year in service didn't throw up red flags.)

So if you want to read it from the IRS click here. Other wise here is my explanation.

Public Law authorizes Combat Zone Tax Exclusion for all Service Members receiving Hostile Fire Pay in Iraq and Afghanistan. A Service Member who is present, however brief, in this area, including airspace, and is on official duty qualifies for Combat Zone Tax Exclusion for that month. All pay for both enlisted personnel and warrant officers is tax exempt for the months spent in the Combat Zone Tax Exclusion area.

The cool part is the death gratuity was raised to $100,000.00. When I first entered into service this was six grand. So what is a death gratuity? It is a lump sum gratuitous payment made by the military to eligible beneficiaries of a member who dies on Active Duty. Nifty, huh?

The death gratuity payment is $12,420, and is non-taxable. For those whose death is as a result of hostile actions and occurred in a designated combat operation or combat zone or while training for combat or performing hazardous duty, the
payment is $100,000.

So if I had died in '96 my folks would have been lucky to have bought a tombstone with that money, but now they could definitely buy the tombstone, casket, plot and some flowers.

Money, Part II

I did an earlier post about how much I make and wanted to know a some comparisons. Kind of like for shits and giggles. When ever I have a bad day, like today, sometimes the money thing makes me feel better. Like I get paid to get my ass chewed, type feeling. I know doesn't sound good does it? Well, it looks like I was right on the money(ha ha) when I said a I was going to make about 37 thousand this year. Because I was feeling not myself, I looked up my first year, I made seven thousand eight hundred twenty-three dollars and sixty-seven cents. So if you did the math in a little more than a decade my pay increased by more than 500 percent! I am trying to make myself feel better can you tell? The key to high pay is I am not getting taxed this year. The number would be much lower if I was and my first year total is the gross as well.

Nobody's Fault But Mine

I don't know what it is called so I will give an example and rant from there.

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.