OK, so I've been very on-again, off-again about writing this thing. It's been a rough past several weeks -- the wedding, honeymoon and attendant issues followed a few weeks later by news that the contractor I work for has lost their contract and I'm facing unemployment. Lovely.
The stress has been really hard on Jenn and we've been very tense with each other. I think we reached a point tonight from which to move on. One thing that came of it all was that I don't write like I use to, so I'm back on here.
I fell in love with Jenn before I learned (through experience, anyway) that she's an INCREDIBLE cook. I was home for lunch today and we had chicken salad sandwiches. It was the best chicken salad I've ever had and it was served on some Pepperidge Farm bread. She then cut off some shortbread for me. I hadn't even realized that she'd even made it, but it was awesome.
Well, the days have been long and stress-filled. Even taking Bella (the puppy) to the bark park today did not help relieve much stress. I was a sweaty mess afterwards, though. So, having said all that, I'm off to bed in a bit. Good night, my readers, whoever you are.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Monday, April 16, 2007
Sorrow and outrage
The shooting today at Va. Tech has shocked everyone who has heard about it. It is simply unbelievable. I hope that some sort of note was left by the shooter to explain this senseless loss of life. I think it will be important for the families of those killed to know "why my child?"
My thoughts and prayers tonight are with the families of the slain and the injured students and their families. May God watch over you and yours in this time of tragedy.
ABC News is saying this happened because Congress slacked off on assault riffle bans. It's a little too early to be saying anything like that. You could just as easily say it's because the students did not have access to carry weapons of their own, to protect them from assailants, making them easier targets.
My fiance made a good point. There is so much publicity around these shootings that it encourages other nut-cases to go out and do the same; try to push the envelope. Today's shooter will go down in history for what he did, just like Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris. That sort of notoriety, infamy inspires people of a certain mindset.
We're in a country were the media sets the tone. I firmly, very firmly, support all the tenants of our Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, but draw the line at blindly following the media. American media have certain responsibilities which those at Fox News, CNN and MSNBC, along with the Big Three, have pretty much forgotten: news is not about political bias, it's about facts. Hard news has no room for political opinions about assault rifle bans or anything else. Reports on today's shootings should include nothing more than what happened.
OK, I'm not feeling well. Time to wrap this up.
My thoughts and prayers tonight are with the families of the slain and the injured students and their families. May God watch over you and yours in this time of tragedy.
ABC News is saying this happened because Congress slacked off on assault riffle bans. It's a little too early to be saying anything like that. You could just as easily say it's because the students did not have access to carry weapons of their own, to protect them from assailants, making them easier targets.
My fiance made a good point. There is so much publicity around these shootings that it encourages other nut-cases to go out and do the same; try to push the envelope. Today's shooter will go down in history for what he did, just like Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris. That sort of notoriety, infamy inspires people of a certain mindset.
We're in a country were the media sets the tone. I firmly, very firmly, support all the tenants of our Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, but draw the line at blindly following the media. American media have certain responsibilities which those at Fox News, CNN and MSNBC, along with the Big Three, have pretty much forgotten: news is not about political bias, it's about facts. Hard news has no room for political opinions about assault rifle bans or anything else. Reports on today's shootings should include nothing more than what happened.
OK, I'm not feeling well. Time to wrap this up.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Freedom ... cost is not measured in $$
There are countless poems, a song or two and quite a few movie lines that tell us, "Freedom isn't free." If it wasn't true, it wouldn't be heard so often.
I haven't seen "300" yet, but it looks like this weeks date movie. The history of the events that make up the plot to this movie are enough to tell you, "freedom isn't free." I've been excited to see this thing for weeks now, but a series of unfortunate events got in the way (more on that later).
Since 1992 a member of my family has been sacrificing for the needs of the country over the needs of the self in the military (USA for my brother, USMC for me). Where did this ideal come from? Sparta, and handed down for generations. Duty is selfless. Other members of my family have expressed duty in other ways for years prior to 1992; as my mother's family can account for two police chiefs and an officer killed in the line of duty in the past 35 years.
Even those who understand this idea have trouble watching those they love express it. My mom lost her brother when I was 7-months-old when he and his partner were killed by someone lying in wait for them outside the Kennett Square, Pa., police department. I couldn't join the volunteer fire department at 16 and my announcement that I was joining the Corps didn't go over well at all, either. Plans to join a police force later on have been viciously squished by family members of all types.
The future wife is the daughter of a retired soldier and frowns on any idea I have of service before self, even in my civilian work. I understand it, though I am conflicted by it. Countries, companies, families, cannot survive without someone who puts the needs of whichever unit it is ahead of their own. Each thrives because of someone willing to put aside their self for the needs of the group: the mother who doesn't eat so her kids can; the law partner who works 90 hours a week to help bolster the firms image, the Marine who jumps on a grenade to save his buddies.
Freedom isn't free. It demands sacrifice. Time, energy, blood, life. Though sad, it's true; and thank God for those willing to make the sacrifice.
Semper Fidelis.
OK, why has my weekend been a mess? Friday I was doing a late trouble call and exited the customer's home to find my truck towed from the apartment complex. After a lot of fighting with various groups (the towing company, the apartment management), my employer, Comcast and I were able to get my truck released at no cost to me, aside from the two full days of work missed.
I haven't seen "300" yet, but it looks like this weeks date movie. The history of the events that make up the plot to this movie are enough to tell you, "freedom isn't free." I've been excited to see this thing for weeks now, but a series of unfortunate events got in the way (more on that later).
Since 1992 a member of my family has been sacrificing for the needs of the country over the needs of the self in the military (USA for my brother, USMC for me). Where did this ideal come from? Sparta, and handed down for generations. Duty is selfless. Other members of my family have expressed duty in other ways for years prior to 1992; as my mother's family can account for two police chiefs and an officer killed in the line of duty in the past 35 years.
Even those who understand this idea have trouble watching those they love express it. My mom lost her brother when I was 7-months-old when he and his partner were killed by someone lying in wait for them outside the Kennett Square, Pa., police department. I couldn't join the volunteer fire department at 16 and my announcement that I was joining the Corps didn't go over well at all, either. Plans to join a police force later on have been viciously squished by family members of all types.
The future wife is the daughter of a retired soldier and frowns on any idea I have of service before self, even in my civilian work. I understand it, though I am conflicted by it. Countries, companies, families, cannot survive without someone who puts the needs of whichever unit it is ahead of their own. Each thrives because of someone willing to put aside their self for the needs of the group: the mother who doesn't eat so her kids can; the law partner who works 90 hours a week to help bolster the firms image, the Marine who jumps on a grenade to save his buddies.
Freedom isn't free. It demands sacrifice. Time, energy, blood, life. Though sad, it's true; and thank God for those willing to make the sacrifice.
Semper Fidelis.
OK, why has my weekend been a mess? Friday I was doing a late trouble call and exited the customer's home to find my truck towed from the apartment complex. After a lot of fighting with various groups (the towing company, the apartment management), my employer, Comcast and I were able to get my truck released at no cost to me, aside from the two full days of work missed.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
LP/OP duty
It's Saturday. That means I'm the closing supervisor for my place of employment. It also means that as the evening wears on I get bored.
I'm sitting here with a dispatcher and we're both making the associated noises of boredom as we pursue our varied remedies for such. Sighs, clicking keyboards, probably the occassional fart ... and I swear it's not me this time!
Anyway, I was reading some very well-thought out blogs tonight and reallized that my entries are sometimes partial thoughts and not always as well-put together as these.
I wish I had the time and energy to get everything out in a rational, concise format, but much of what I do is free-form, steam-of-conscience type stuff.
Anyway, I wanted to point to one of my favorite blogs:
www.mypetjawa.mu.nu
From The Jawa Report you can link to many other fine conservative ramblings.
Also, feel free to check out www.GatheringofEagles.org; I'm pretty excited by what they are doing. Will be speaking to the wife and her dad about this. I'm pretty sure it's something he would like to be part of and I'd like to join in on this as well.
I'm looking at the title I used. I remember sitting in some cold sand with an AN/GRC-39 (I think I got that right) beside me looking for bad guys years ago. It was an exercise, but I still felt an intense nervousness keeping me awake and on edge, afraid of what the op-for guys might do to me and my unit if I dozed off. My little brother has experienced this in reallity a few times since being commissioned back in the mid-90s and I can't imagine how many go through this daily today in the GWOT.
Thoughts and prayers and whatnot. My unit is a man down now as my dispatcher leaves me. Time to pay a little more attention. I am bad about answering the phones here since 99% of the time there is someone here whose sole job it is to answer them.
I'm sitting here with a dispatcher and we're both making the associated noises of boredom as we pursue our varied remedies for such. Sighs, clicking keyboards, probably the occassional fart ... and I swear it's not me this time!
Anyway, I was reading some very well-thought out blogs tonight and reallized that my entries are sometimes partial thoughts and not always as well-put together as these.
I wish I had the time and energy to get everything out in a rational, concise format, but much of what I do is free-form, steam-of-conscience type stuff.
Anyway, I wanted to point to one of my favorite blogs:
www.mypetjawa.mu.nu
From The Jawa Report you can link to many other fine conservative ramblings.
Also, feel free to check out www.GatheringofEagles.org; I'm pretty excited by what they are doing. Will be speaking to the wife and her dad about this. I'm pretty sure it's something he would like to be part of and I'd like to join in on this as well.
I'm looking at the title I used. I remember sitting in some cold sand with an AN/GRC-39 (I think I got that right) beside me looking for bad guys years ago. It was an exercise, but I still felt an intense nervousness keeping me awake and on edge, afraid of what the op-for guys might do to me and my unit if I dozed off. My little brother has experienced this in reallity a few times since being commissioned back in the mid-90s and I can't imagine how many go through this daily today in the GWOT.
Thoughts and prayers and whatnot. My unit is a man down now as my dispatcher leaves me. Time to pay a little more attention. I am bad about answering the phones here since 99% of the time there is someone here whose sole job it is to answer them.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Boogity, boogity, boogity! Let's go racing!
NASCAR has started it's latest season and I'm excited about the racing. Love it. Ever since I first set foot on the grounds of Darlington a few years ago, I've been hooked.
But I'm confused. The pre-race show was titled, "A Tribute to America." How was this accomplished by Kelly Clarkson singing a couple of non-patriotic pop songs? I could see various service members standing in formation along the infield, but that was it. Oh, and the red, white and blue banners in the shape of our country. If anyone has an explanation, please let me know.
With the Marine Corps not sponsoring a team this year, I'm at a loss of who to support. Probably going to stick with Dale Jarrett and the UPS squad.
In other racing news, Mitt Romney is looking like an early front runner for the Republican nomination for President in 2008. Check out his record and more at http://www.mittromney.com
But I'm confused. The pre-race show was titled, "A Tribute to America." How was this accomplished by Kelly Clarkson singing a couple of non-patriotic pop songs? I could see various service members standing in formation along the infield, but that was it. Oh, and the red, white and blue banners in the shape of our country. If anyone has an explanation, please let me know.
With the Marine Corps not sponsoring a team this year, I'm at a loss of who to support. Probably going to stick with Dale Jarrett and the UPS squad.
In other racing news, Mitt Romney is looking like an early front runner for the Republican nomination for President in 2008. Check out his record and more at http://www.mittromney.com
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Social Commentary (surprise!)
Went to see "Because I Said So" tonight with Jenn. Not a bad little Valentine's movie. Enjoyed it quite a bit. Diane Keaton still annoys the shit out of me, but the rest of the movie was good enough to overcome that.
During the previews they showed scenes from the upcoming movie "Amazing Grace" (http://www.amazinggracemovie.com/), about British abolitionist William Wilberforce (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Wilberforce). I was excited about this because I read about Wilberforce a few years ago. If it had not been for his work in England the end of slavery in the US may have occurred much later in history than the 1860s.
Hopefully this preview is showing before a lot of movies. Late in the preview it becomes clear it's a movie about slavery, not just a song or a man. I've seen no t.v. advertising about this movie. History is important to me and I think people should know it. Especially this. I doubt many folks today know the history of abolition, aside from Abe Lincoln and the Civil War. Sadly, that is almost all you'll get out of some folks on the subject.
The movie looks great and I'm looking forward to getting out to see it.
Continuing on bright notes, Jenn and I had a nice Valentines Day. She got flowers, dinner, perfume and Coldstone. I got a new toolbag, a tunecaster II for my mp3 player, a small teddy bear and a movie ticket. I really enjoyed getting out. Usually we go out, eat, get home and watch t.v. It's been like that for a while now, but we're going to get out more after tonight. We had a blast. We had forgotten how much fun we have when we get out for more than just a meal.
The wedding date is closing in. Tick-tock, tick-tock.
During the previews they showed scenes from the upcoming movie "Amazing Grace" (http://www.amazinggracemovie.com/), about British abolitionist William Wilberforce (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Wilberforce). I was excited about this because I read about Wilberforce a few years ago. If it had not been for his work in England the end of slavery in the US may have occurred much later in history than the 1860s.
Hopefully this preview is showing before a lot of movies. Late in the preview it becomes clear it's a movie about slavery, not just a song or a man. I've seen no t.v. advertising about this movie. History is important to me and I think people should know it. Especially this. I doubt many folks today know the history of abolition, aside from Abe Lincoln and the Civil War. Sadly, that is almost all you'll get out of some folks on the subject.
The movie looks great and I'm looking forward to getting out to see it.
Continuing on bright notes, Jenn and I had a nice Valentines Day. She got flowers, dinner, perfume and Coldstone. I got a new toolbag, a tunecaster II for my mp3 player, a small teddy bear and a movie ticket. I really enjoyed getting out. Usually we go out, eat, get home and watch t.v. It's been like that for a while now, but we're going to get out more after tonight. We had a blast. We had forgotten how much fun we have when we get out for more than just a meal.
The wedding date is closing in. Tick-tock, tick-tock.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
It's been a long week
I like Sundays. They are my only day off. Over the last several weeks I've managed to sleep pretty late on Sundays, sometimes until noon or later.
Imagine my aggravation at hearing the following at 5a.m. today: "You might want to wake up; you have a flat tire. Again." Needless to say, things could only go up from there. Thing is, they sure are taking their time.
I've had a few good moments today. Jenn provided me a little breakfast and we had a nice dinner together. She also did an OUTSTANDING! job of cutting my hair tonight and we have had a few other decent moments.
Sadly, my sleep-deprived temper is running short and I've reacted badly to a number of things, so it's not been all roses.
Saturday was a disaster at work. A different field supervisor handled the closing and was botching it, so I ended up picking up work and staying out until roughly 10pm in order to try to get everything on track. Part of that included rescheduling a job for today so I could go back in daylight and actually be able to see what I was doing. It's amazing the areas of this county that have high concentrations of people and very little lighting.
The details would bore the uninitiated, so suffice to say I have asked to close every Saturday and run a full route during a week day to make up for this. The net result is that we should see business handled better on Saturdays and I should make more money each week. Win-win situation, don't you think?
Imagine my aggravation at hearing the following at 5a.m. today: "You might want to wake up; you have a flat tire. Again." Needless to say, things could only go up from there. Thing is, they sure are taking their time.
I've had a few good moments today. Jenn provided me a little breakfast and we had a nice dinner together. She also did an OUTSTANDING! job of cutting my hair tonight and we have had a few other decent moments.
Sadly, my sleep-deprived temper is running short and I've reacted badly to a number of things, so it's not been all roses.
Saturday was a disaster at work. A different field supervisor handled the closing and was botching it, so I ended up picking up work and staying out until roughly 10pm in order to try to get everything on track. Part of that included rescheduling a job for today so I could go back in daylight and actually be able to see what I was doing. It's amazing the areas of this county that have high concentrations of people and very little lighting.
The details would bore the uninitiated, so suffice to say I have asked to close every Saturday and run a full route during a week day to make up for this. The net result is that we should see business handled better on Saturdays and I should make more money each week. Win-win situation, don't you think?
Monday, February 5, 2007
Republicans talking minority
"We're
not stalling," said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
"We're using ... the power of a robust minority to make sure that we
get fair treatment. We're happy to have this debate, we're ready to
have this debate. But not on terms dictated to us in this fashion."
The full story is here: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,250403,00.html
I can't see why, when put in these terms, the Democrats have a problem with what's going on. I mean, we've spent years hearing them cry about treating minorities fairly. I agree, minorities need fair treatment. I agree with McConnell that terms cannot be dictated to minorities. If debate is going to take place on anything, it needs to be on fair, equal footing. Members of a majority will always attempt to format things in their favor.
Republicans have done it. Whites have done it. Democrats have done it. "Doves" have done it. I'm not casting stones here. This is just pure intellectual truth.
Republicans, the sitting minority in Congress, might just learn a little about relating to minorities between now and Election '08. I sure hope so. The GOP has a lot to offer them.
not stalling," said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
"We're using ... the power of a robust minority to make sure that we
get fair treatment. We're happy to have this debate, we're ready to
have this debate. But not on terms dictated to us in this fashion."
The full story is here: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,250403,00.html
I can't see why, when put in these terms, the Democrats have a problem with what's going on. I mean, we've spent years hearing them cry about treating minorities fairly. I agree, minorities need fair treatment. I agree with McConnell that terms cannot be dictated to minorities. If debate is going to take place on anything, it needs to be on fair, equal footing. Members of a majority will always attempt to format things in their favor.
Republicans have done it. Whites have done it. Democrats have done it. "Doves" have done it. I'm not casting stones here. This is just pure intellectual truth.
Republicans, the sitting minority in Congress, might just learn a little about relating to minorities between now and Election '08. I sure hope so. The GOP has a lot to offer them.
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Welcome back
I'm back. It's something that can't be helped. I have some sort of pathological need to get my thoughts out on "paper."
Visitors will find that I'm including my own photos along with my thoughts. Sometimes they will relate, sometimes not.
The profile picture shown on this page is of myself and my fiance' Jenn. We're getting married in May at a nearby beach. We've foregone using a wedding planner and are planning the event ourselves. We have less than 3 months until the big day. Somehow we seem to be overcome with excitement instead of worry. She's a goddess.
Visitors will find that I'm including my own photos along with my thoughts. Sometimes they will relate, sometimes not.
The profile picture shown on this page is of myself and my fiance' Jenn. We're getting married in May at a nearby beach. We've foregone using a wedding planner and are planning the event ourselves. We have less than 3 months until the big day. Somehow we seem to be overcome with excitement instead of worry. She's a goddess.
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