Well, actually that kind of calmed down sooner then I suspected.
Ok, there is a couple of things about myself that I know very well. One is my anger. I can get angry at people, and that is not a light thing either. I have a temper. I'm usually good at subduing it, but it surfaces now and then. And when it surfaces, it ain't pretty.
I can get really mad at people. But there is a plus side to this. I don't hold grudges. I don't like to hold contempt for other people, I don't like to loathe other people. It doesn't suit myself and it is outside of my best interest. My best interest is to get along.
I'm not saying that I'm not still mad at my roommate, but if we're supposed to live together and if she isn't going to let me talk to her without raising a fit, then I need to just take the initiative to take that extra step to be civil. I mean, this is in my best interest, and it is in her best interest to return the favor. We are not that incredibly different that we can't tolerate each other's presence, are we?
So I took the first step. And we ended up helping each other out, and suddenly, I think we have taken a step forward instead of one back for once, and maybe we can come out of this whole experience being friends. Maybe we don't see eye to eye on things, and we don't handle problems the same way, but we can work on that.
Meanwhile, my collection of books has swollen quite a bit, as well as my collection of books and care packages and all sorts of goods, whether it is Beef Jerky and Girl Scout Cookies, a bunch of Ninja Turtle toys from Subway (that water gun will come in handy this summer!), or Herbal Teas. And of course, the continuous flow of Any Soldier letters. I accidentally opened one today instead of giving it out and had a kick reading it, where we thereby passed it around the section.
I did mention my readers rocked, right? Well, let me repeat, you rock.
I got a lot of letters to return!
A blog about a girl who speaks her mind and talks about whatever she wants. So its a blog about everything, and absolutely nothing, all at the same time. . .
3.09.2005
3.08.2005
The Internet, Bare Naked Ladies, and the Cheesiest Video of All Time
So anyway, the whole Roommate Spiel will hopefully eventually settle down, but I'm not counting on it.
But the Good News! I finally have internet in my room! Wireless, right to my Laptop! The wonders of technology will never cease to amaze me!
The bad news? It's. . .insanely. . .sloooooooowwwww. . .
Which brings me to my next point. The cheesiest video of all time.
It was made about a week ago, on my computer.
I guess I better start at the beginning.
I was having a particularly ho-hum day (meaning not great) when PFC W comes and says hi. See, he's got this video camera he just bought and I open the door to him video taping me. So what continues is this rather candid discussion, where I'm being kind of melancholy (my puddy I just got froze in the mail and it made me sad). Then he went and started video taping my roommate spawned from hell and she chewed him out. So we ended up taping over that part too. But not before he could get a frozen picture of the chair in her part of the room (which makes a candid appearance in the CVOAT, several times). See, most of this video is of W playing with his camera trying to figure it out, switching to the light, night vision and whatever.
I thought it was mildly humorous after watching it and asked him if I could have the tape so I could transfer it onto my computer. He went ahead and gave me the tape.
Well, then I had to figure out how to transfer it onto my computer. I started playing with various bits of software, because that's how I learn best. Heck, that's how I learn everything with a computer, by playing with it until I figure it out.
I ran into a piece of software that happened to capture video and I'm like Cool! SO I used it.
It made the cheesiest video of all time. If you are watching this thing you're thinking that this should be a wedding video or something. I hadn't laughed so hard since I been here. All I could think is "what the heck is this?"
I thought I would share, but couldn't get it online through the government computers (besides, the government kind of looks down on that, even in the MWR (Morale Welfare and Recreation)
So I had to wait until I could get a connection on my computer. 2 hours later, and listening to the Bare Naked Ladies concert that I attended last summer (good times, these people are what actually got me hooked on RedvsBlue, which I have recently pegged out as full blown addicted, IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT, BNL!), it is now online.
How could this. . .
. .turn into this?
I mean, seriously? You would think me and PFC W were an item or something? (no, we're just friends, he was cheering me up, and he unintentionally succeeded)
But the Good News! I finally have internet in my room! Wireless, right to my Laptop! The wonders of technology will never cease to amaze me!
The bad news? It's. . .insanely. . .sloooooooowwwww. . .
Which brings me to my next point. The cheesiest video of all time.
It was made about a week ago, on my computer.
I guess I better start at the beginning.
I was having a particularly ho-hum day (meaning not great) when PFC W comes and says hi. See, he's got this video camera he just bought and I open the door to him video taping me. So what continues is this rather candid discussion, where I'm being kind of melancholy (my puddy I just got froze in the mail and it made me sad). Then he went and started video taping my roommate spawned from hell and she chewed him out. So we ended up taping over that part too. But not before he could get a frozen picture of the chair in her part of the room (which makes a candid appearance in the CVOAT, several times). See, most of this video is of W playing with his camera trying to figure it out, switching to the light, night vision and whatever.
I thought it was mildly humorous after watching it and asked him if I could have the tape so I could transfer it onto my computer. He went ahead and gave me the tape.
Well, then I had to figure out how to transfer it onto my computer. I started playing with various bits of software, because that's how I learn best. Heck, that's how I learn everything with a computer, by playing with it until I figure it out.
I ran into a piece of software that happened to capture video and I'm like Cool! SO I used it.
It made the cheesiest video of all time. If you are watching this thing you're thinking that this should be a wedding video or something. I hadn't laughed so hard since I been here. All I could think is "what the heck is this?"
I thought I would share, but couldn't get it online through the government computers (besides, the government kind of looks down on that, even in the MWR (Morale Welfare and Recreation)
So I had to wait until I could get a connection on my computer. 2 hours later, and listening to the Bare Naked Ladies concert that I attended last summer (good times, these people are what actually got me hooked on RedvsBlue, which I have recently pegged out as full blown addicted, IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT, BNL!), it is now online.
How could this. . .
. .turn into this?
I mean, seriously? You would think me and PFC W were an item or something? (no, we're just friends, he was cheering me up, and he unintentionally succeeded)
My Rant
Well, I'm having a problem. Truthfully, its a problem that stems not from the fact of where I am, but who I'm with.
I guess you could say that sometimes my interpersonal skills are a little lacking. And the person I'm having the biggest issue right now happens to be my roommate.
The situation I cannot go into, on account of its sensitive nature (which immediately produces the 'red light') but it involves the fact that my roommates and I come from very diverse back grounds and we seem to be talking in different languages. But it doesn't change the fact that I am greatly annoyed by some of the things they do and their various arguments supporting their actions and condemning mine. Fine, whatever, but I don't think I can win when I finally tried to sit down and have a conversation with one of them trying to explain where I was coming from and why I did the things I did. I admit I was in the wrong on several issues, but it doesn't stop the other girl from continuingly stabbing me in the back while I'm sitting there in the room with her.
It makes for an uncomfortable environment. I'd offer to move out, but I've been ordered to stay there. I don't have permission to move out. I am told that I have to stay in this room and put up with this girl who I absolutely do not get along with and if I have problems with her, I should just ignore her.
I guess this would make more sense if I could tell you the whole story, but I can't. Besides, you have her version and mine. Two people on two very different wavelengths, seeing one issue from two points of view.
This is going to be a long year.
I guess you could say that sometimes my interpersonal skills are a little lacking. And the person I'm having the biggest issue right now happens to be my roommate.
The situation I cannot go into, on account of its sensitive nature (which immediately produces the 'red light') but it involves the fact that my roommates and I come from very diverse back grounds and we seem to be talking in different languages. But it doesn't change the fact that I am greatly annoyed by some of the things they do and their various arguments supporting their actions and condemning mine. Fine, whatever, but I don't think I can win when I finally tried to sit down and have a conversation with one of them trying to explain where I was coming from and why I did the things I did. I admit I was in the wrong on several issues, but it doesn't stop the other girl from continuingly stabbing me in the back while I'm sitting there in the room with her.
It makes for an uncomfortable environment. I'd offer to move out, but I've been ordered to stay there. I don't have permission to move out. I am told that I have to stay in this room and put up with this girl who I absolutely do not get along with and if I have problems with her, I should just ignore her.
I guess this would make more sense if I could tell you the whole story, but I can't. Besides, you have her version and mine. Two people on two very different wavelengths, seeing one issue from two points of view.
This is going to be a long year.
3.04.2005
A Place To Rant
About five and a half years ago, when I was feeling a little down and felt the need to kind of understand the thoughts I was having and figure myself out, I did a little free association writing. I took a piece of paper and just started writing my thoughts down on it. It wasn't entirely happy, I was mainly just trying to understand what I was going through, just writing things down on paper as it came. I think a little anger and frustration went into it, and I still have that piece of paper.
After I wrote it, I looked it over and read through it, and then I scrawled on the top "incoherent ramblings". It wasn't that the words didn't make sense, but the name seemed to fit what I was trying to say. The words going on in my head were just coming to fast to write them all down on that piece of paper.
I discovered Blogging about two and a half years later, and just because I could, I started a blog. I didn't know what to call it, I didn't know what it was going to be about, but I remembered that paper I wrote and I remembered what I had called it then. And I liked the title, it struck me in a way. As I signed up through Blogger and started my blog, I mispelled the word 'Incoherent' without really realizing it at the time.
But it just seemed to fit. After somebody mentioned to me that the way I spelled it superimposed the word 'rant', to which this blog was created for, I decided to leave it.
HOwever, one problem with this blog going as public as it has is I don't know how far I can go with a rant now. If I want to put thoughts and feelings onto my blog, I don't know who will read it and who won't. Especially when the entire hospital I'm working in just discovered that I had a blog and are learning the story of how I became 'famous'.
I've lost my place to rant. It kind of makes me sad. I just realized I don't write things here like I used to. But then again, I did used to go into bursts of writing periods where I would post a lot one week and not post anything for like a month or so.
And I need a place to rant.
After I wrote it, I looked it over and read through it, and then I scrawled on the top "incoherent ramblings". It wasn't that the words didn't make sense, but the name seemed to fit what I was trying to say. The words going on in my head were just coming to fast to write them all down on that piece of paper.
I discovered Blogging about two and a half years later, and just because I could, I started a blog. I didn't know what to call it, I didn't know what it was going to be about, but I remembered that paper I wrote and I remembered what I had called it then. And I liked the title, it struck me in a way. As I signed up through Blogger and started my blog, I mispelled the word 'Incoherent' without really realizing it at the time.
But it just seemed to fit. After somebody mentioned to me that the way I spelled it superimposed the word 'rant', to which this blog was created for, I decided to leave it.
HOwever, one problem with this blog going as public as it has is I don't know how far I can go with a rant now. If I want to put thoughts and feelings onto my blog, I don't know who will read it and who won't. Especially when the entire hospital I'm working in just discovered that I had a blog and are learning the story of how I became 'famous'.
I've lost my place to rant. It kind of makes me sad. I just realized I don't write things here like I used to. But then again, I did used to go into bursts of writing periods where I would post a lot one week and not post anything for like a month or so.
And I need a place to rant.
What am I, a Tool?
My sister is profiting off of me again.
She wanted me to mention on my blog that she's selling my stuff online via Ebay. And what's more, it has my name written on it and therefore once belonged to Me! She's hoping that maybe one of my readers will then want to buy it even though it is a VHS tape and who watches VHS anymore anyway?
Indiana Jones and Planet of the Apes (ala Charlton Heston)
There, Julie, you Happy now? Don't forget, You still owe me money!
She wanted me to mention on my blog that she's selling my stuff online via Ebay. And what's more, it has my name written on it and therefore once belonged to Me! She's hoping that maybe one of my readers will then want to buy it even though it is a VHS tape and who watches VHS anymore anyway?
Indiana Jones and Planet of the Apes (ala Charlton Heston)
There, Julie, you Happy now? Don't forget, You still owe me money!
2.28.2005
Definition of a Good Day: Today
Today started off with about four inches of snow on the ground. And my two roommates talking loud enough to wake me up while they were playing their music.
I also got rushed last night in remembering that I had air monitoring to do today and had to prep for that at 10 at night. So by all means, I was expecting it to be one of those days. You know, one of THOSE days.
Well, I got the TO-17s out (yeah, I know, jargon you don't understand, it tests for Volatile chemicals in the air, AKA VOCs) in time to sit in on the Sergeant Major's briefing on what I needed to get my promotion packet ready for the board (I don't know what happened to the one I put together before my deployment) and so I was just expecting it to be another Ho-Hum day.
Then I got a package in the mail.
Well, actually I got two packages. One was from one of my readers who bought me something off of my amazon wishlist (Thank You!) and another was a certified piece of mail that I had to sign for.
It was addressed to Me, with the attn: to Any Soldier.
Somebody had suggested that I sign up for Any Soldier.Com as a sponsor to people who may not get many pieces of mail (unlike myself, who it appears is very well loved!). I looked at it and thought "Hey, why not?"
My NCOIC saw the package and noted it before I did and said "hey, that's an Any Soldier package, can I have it?" Because I had no idea what was in it, and I knew that I was to distribute the package as fairly to less advantaged soldiers then myself, and my NCOIC wasn't feeling much love at the time, I thought "hey, what the heck?" So I handed him the package and he and another soldier (who decided to share it) opened it.
It was quickly discovered that this package was meant for more then just one or two soldiers. In it was 126 Phone Cards. And notes from many of these people thanking us for our service, have a happy Valentines day, and call home to loved ones. Well, it was a little late for V Day, but the thought certainly counted.
So I was given the task of distributing 126 Phone Cards to the people of my task force. And after a while trying to dig myself out of a rut, I realized how good this made me feel to be able to give to other people. Many people were surprised and pleased that a Post Office in New York State would sponsor a donation program through their customers and send us these phone cards. Some people even supplied Addresses. I was sure to get people to return the generosity.
By the end of the evening, as I made it my task to brighten other people's day, I looked back on the events of the day and realized I didn't have a negative thought or emotion on my mind. I felt positively good about myself.
To you who suggested I join this program. Thank you!
To those of you who have donated money and items to me in the past, in response to this site or to merely imagine a smile on my face, Thank you! Now I can see exactly why you did it!
And to that Post Office in New York who chose my Task Force to donate your Phone Cards to, Thank you for giving me the opportunity to give to someone else.
If you wish to donate to my task force (a group of people or just one person) and want to give me another opportunity to brighten somebody's day (as nothing pleases me more!) you can send care packages to me through the above site, with the address as shown.
SGT Kami Erickson
ATTN: Any Soldier
TFMF 6B
Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo
APO AE 09340
USA
It should cost the same as sending a package within the US. The rules apply as directed on the website posted above. And I promise, I will make sure somebody who needs and deserves it gets it (and I'm not talking about myself! :P )
I also got rushed last night in remembering that I had air monitoring to do today and had to prep for that at 10 at night. So by all means, I was expecting it to be one of those days. You know, one of THOSE days.
Well, I got the TO-17s out (yeah, I know, jargon you don't understand, it tests for Volatile chemicals in the air, AKA VOCs) in time to sit in on the Sergeant Major's briefing on what I needed to get my promotion packet ready for the board (I don't know what happened to the one I put together before my deployment) and so I was just expecting it to be another Ho-Hum day.
Then I got a package in the mail.
Well, actually I got two packages. One was from one of my readers who bought me something off of my amazon wishlist (Thank You!) and another was a certified piece of mail that I had to sign for.
It was addressed to Me, with the attn: to Any Soldier.
Somebody had suggested that I sign up for Any Soldier.Com as a sponsor to people who may not get many pieces of mail (unlike myself, who it appears is very well loved!). I looked at it and thought "Hey, why not?"
My NCOIC saw the package and noted it before I did and said "hey, that's an Any Soldier package, can I have it?" Because I had no idea what was in it, and I knew that I was to distribute the package as fairly to less advantaged soldiers then myself, and my NCOIC wasn't feeling much love at the time, I thought "hey, what the heck?" So I handed him the package and he and another soldier (who decided to share it) opened it.
It was quickly discovered that this package was meant for more then just one or two soldiers. In it was 126 Phone Cards. And notes from many of these people thanking us for our service, have a happy Valentines day, and call home to loved ones. Well, it was a little late for V Day, but the thought certainly counted.
So I was given the task of distributing 126 Phone Cards to the people of my task force. And after a while trying to dig myself out of a rut, I realized how good this made me feel to be able to give to other people. Many people were surprised and pleased that a Post Office in New York State would sponsor a donation program through their customers and send us these phone cards. Some people even supplied Addresses. I was sure to get people to return the generosity.
By the end of the evening, as I made it my task to brighten other people's day, I looked back on the events of the day and realized I didn't have a negative thought or emotion on my mind. I felt positively good about myself.
To you who suggested I join this program. Thank you!
To those of you who have donated money and items to me in the past, in response to this site or to merely imagine a smile on my face, Thank you! Now I can see exactly why you did it!
And to that Post Office in New York who chose my Task Force to donate your Phone Cards to, Thank you for giving me the opportunity to give to someone else.
If you wish to donate to my task force (a group of people or just one person) and want to give me another opportunity to brighten somebody's day (as nothing pleases me more!) you can send care packages to me through the above site, with the address as shown.
SGT Kami Erickson
ATTN: Any Soldier
TFMF 6B
Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo
APO AE 09340
USA
It should cost the same as sending a package within the US. The rules apply as directed on the website posted above. And I promise, I will make sure somebody who needs and deserves it gets it (and I'm not talking about myself! :P )
2.24.2005
E-Mail and Politics
Wow, I got a doozy in my inbox just now. I think I need to put up a Mail Box page with all of the mail I get from time to time. The Hatemail is my favorite, but that doesn't mean that I want you to send me hate mail.
I shall sit here and see how to reply to this person who is obviously very very angry. Hey, I understand anger, I can get angry too. But you don't just send emails to people and rant onwardly without having any conclusive evidence to support your argument other then your own wanton opinions. Because when it comes to politics, a lot of it has to do with Opinion. You can't convince people with your opinion, you have to present them with cold hard facts. But facts can be skewed to favor your opinion, or completely taken out of context to mislead you.
I guess his main reason for cursing at me repeatedly is because I actually *gasp* like George W. Bush. And I like him not only as a president, but I really like him as a person
Now granted, there are some things about Bush that bug me. Hey, the man is human. I don't agree 100% with his policies and I did honestly give the opposition a good hard look.
In the American Election system, we are given a variety of people to choose to be president. The fault in the system is the lack of choice running for president. You dwindle it down until you basically choose between a republican or a democrat. Both parties are corrupt in their own ways, and the people who support one are more then adament to point out the faults of the other.
Truthfully, I don't trust either political party, but I'm apt to trust the republican more because I'm a conservative and republicans generally are conservative. But then again, you got republicans in name only that are fiscal conservative but socially liberal (Rudy Giuliani comes to mind, though I really like him). You also have democrats who can seem more conservative then some republicans (can anybody say Zell Miller?)
Bush made some mistakes during his first term so I looked at him and said to myself, "did this man do a good enough job in his first term to earn my vote?" Then I look at his opposition and say to myself "would this man do a better job?" Becuase by electing a new person, you are basically firing the president.
Well, for one, the new person you are electing better be damn well more qualified then the person you are booting out. I can't say that about John Kerry. Frankly, the guy scared me. And whats more, he was completely opposite of many issues that I stand on. I'm not going to vote for a cure that is worse to me then the disease, and that's what I saw in John Kerry. Besides, there were to many people who were voting for Kerry just to get rid of Bush. And I could lay a rant as to why John Kerry's not qualified for President.
Bush is not a perfect President. Last I saw, there hasn't been one that was. He has his faults and he has his strengths. He's done some things in the last three months that made me cringe a bit. But I still support him as my President and as my Commander in Chief. And I will continue to be Not Sorry that I voted for him.
The email in question is attached. Sorry Grandma, but it has some vulgarity in it.
I invite the author of the email to reply to my response in the comment section, where he will likely get some feedback from my readers, or he can choose to continue correspondance with me through email. Or he can leave his argument at that. His choice.
I shall sit here and see how to reply to this person who is obviously very very angry. Hey, I understand anger, I can get angry too. But you don't just send emails to people and rant onwardly without having any conclusive evidence to support your argument other then your own wanton opinions. Because when it comes to politics, a lot of it has to do with Opinion. You can't convince people with your opinion, you have to present them with cold hard facts. But facts can be skewed to favor your opinion, or completely taken out of context to mislead you.
I guess his main reason for cursing at me repeatedly is because I actually *gasp* like George W. Bush. And I like him not only as a president, but I really like him as a person
Now granted, there are some things about Bush that bug me. Hey, the man is human. I don't agree 100% with his policies and I did honestly give the opposition a good hard look.
In the American Election system, we are given a variety of people to choose to be president. The fault in the system is the lack of choice running for president. You dwindle it down until you basically choose between a republican or a democrat. Both parties are corrupt in their own ways, and the people who support one are more then adament to point out the faults of the other.
Truthfully, I don't trust either political party, but I'm apt to trust the republican more because I'm a conservative and republicans generally are conservative. But then again, you got republicans in name only that are fiscal conservative but socially liberal (Rudy Giuliani comes to mind, though I really like him). You also have democrats who can seem more conservative then some republicans (can anybody say Zell Miller?)
Bush made some mistakes during his first term so I looked at him and said to myself, "did this man do a good enough job in his first term to earn my vote?" Then I look at his opposition and say to myself "would this man do a better job?" Becuase by electing a new person, you are basically firing the president.
Well, for one, the new person you are electing better be damn well more qualified then the person you are booting out. I can't say that about John Kerry. Frankly, the guy scared me. And whats more, he was completely opposite of many issues that I stand on. I'm not going to vote for a cure that is worse to me then the disease, and that's what I saw in John Kerry. Besides, there were to many people who were voting for Kerry just to get rid of Bush. And I could lay a rant as to why John Kerry's not qualified for President.
Bush is not a perfect President. Last I saw, there hasn't been one that was. He has his faults and he has his strengths. He's done some things in the last three months that made me cringe a bit. But I still support him as my President and as my Commander in Chief. And I will continue to be Not Sorry that I voted for him.
The email in question is attached. Sorry Grandma, but it has some vulgarity in it.
I mean every intentinon of respecting you, but that said in the months following this most disgusting election can you honestly say that this "mongeral" is the best person for our presidental office. Do a fact search.
He Is Satatisticly The Worst President That Has Ever Been Electied. I Am Sorry you Fell For It. You, Your Friends, Your Family, My Freinds, and My Family went to WAR under FALLS PRETENSES and you can only say that YOU AND YOUR M-16-203 Grenade Launching Death Device or SAW or LAW Provide you with enough comfort to you so that you remain stupid and ignorant to what is really going on in this FUCKED UP COUNTRY. I'm So Fucing Sorry To Be An American These Days Just Because Of Fucking Idiots Like Yourself. Fusk Off.
WE Reenter The Life Of Fascism
R A
I invite the author of the email to reply to my response in the comment section, where he will likely get some feedback from my readers, or he can choose to continue correspondance with me through email. Or he can leave his argument at that. His choice.
2.23.2005
Notice to all concerned
I got cool blog readers. Just when I think there is no hope for Humanity, I come to my blog and discover that there is indeed a future for mankind.
You guys rock. Just thought I would let you know that.
You guys rock. Just thought I would let you know that.
2.21.2005
In other news. . .
I recommend seeing Michael Moore Hates America. One, because it is an interesting documentary enlightening us upon some of the facts about American life and open to even criticizing itself, and it rips on Michael Moore, who if you can't tell, I don't like. Because he's a hypocrite. Big time.
Enough Said. Just got it in today from Amazon. I've grown to really like Amazon lately.
I love these Conservative documentary 'propaganda'. *snickers.* Time to order Celsius 41.11 The temperature in which the Brain Fries.
Enough Said. Just got it in today from Amazon. I've grown to really like Amazon lately.
I love these Conservative documentary 'propaganda'. *snickers.* Time to order Celsius 41.11 The temperature in which the Brain Fries.
I Swear By Happy Pills!
Ok, so last week, well, it didn't go over so well with me. You have your good days and your bad days. Last week was just one bad week.
Bleh.
Well, fortunately, it is over, but not without me going through my first time ever seeing an honest to goodness Psychiatrist. He officially diagnosed me as having character-driven Dysthymic Depression. And I'm now on medication.
All is well with the world now. Ahh. . .
But truthfully, depression is something I've been having difficulty with for a while now and for a long time it was just a fact of life that I was content to ignore.
Really, Depression is not something you should brush off. I learned this the hard way a couple years back. But though I came to grips that I had this problem and I should do something about it, something kept me from actually making any motion to do something about it. I didn't want to cause myself anymore headaches, I knew I had a problem but for some reason I thought if I could try hard enough, I could just get through it and be done on my own.
Last week, with all the little things going on, and dealing with the stress of initially deploying and trying to get into a niche, a routine of sorts, I found myself at a very difficult time, and I was getting sick of being lectured all of the time from people telling me that I had no reason to be the way I was considering this was one of the best deployments I could have gotten.
Believe me, you don't have to tell me that. I know. Besides, I volunteered to come here and despite all of what happened last week, I still want to be here. But at one point I got really scared that I was just screwed up in the head enough that they would send me home and I don't want that. At first I didn't want to say anything for fear of what would happen if I did.
The Psychologist here kind of eased my mind a bit and let me talk, trying to reassure to me that it was ok, I wasn't a complete nut job and what I was going through was actually normal.
You know, for the first time, hearing that made me feel better about it. He did notice that I seemed depressed and then referred me to the Psychiatrist, whom I saw today.
And I discovered one benefit of being in the army.
Back home, it takes about 4 weeks to six months to see a Psychiatrist. Here, it took the Psychologist 30 minutes to refer me to one.
And if nothing else, now I know the difference between the two.
I'm not perfect, I've never claimed to be perfect, I got some pretty hefty faults and I guess I've finally taken a step to get through them. Once I get onto a normal routine, I can get on with my deployment, actually enjoy myself, and come back a better person for it.
Even if I have to admit to seeing a Shrink regularly.
Bleh.
Well, fortunately, it is over, but not without me going through my first time ever seeing an honest to goodness Psychiatrist. He officially diagnosed me as having character-driven Dysthymic Depression. And I'm now on medication.
All is well with the world now. Ahh. . .
But truthfully, depression is something I've been having difficulty with for a while now and for a long time it was just a fact of life that I was content to ignore.
Really, Depression is not something you should brush off. I learned this the hard way a couple years back. But though I came to grips that I had this problem and I should do something about it, something kept me from actually making any motion to do something about it. I didn't want to cause myself anymore headaches, I knew I had a problem but for some reason I thought if I could try hard enough, I could just get through it and be done on my own.
Last week, with all the little things going on, and dealing with the stress of initially deploying and trying to get into a niche, a routine of sorts, I found myself at a very difficult time, and I was getting sick of being lectured all of the time from people telling me that I had no reason to be the way I was considering this was one of the best deployments I could have gotten.
Believe me, you don't have to tell me that. I know. Besides, I volunteered to come here and despite all of what happened last week, I still want to be here. But at one point I got really scared that I was just screwed up in the head enough that they would send me home and I don't want that. At first I didn't want to say anything for fear of what would happen if I did.
The Psychologist here kind of eased my mind a bit and let me talk, trying to reassure to me that it was ok, I wasn't a complete nut job and what I was going through was actually normal.
You know, for the first time, hearing that made me feel better about it. He did notice that I seemed depressed and then referred me to the Psychiatrist, whom I saw today.
And I discovered one benefit of being in the army.
Back home, it takes about 4 weeks to six months to see a Psychiatrist. Here, it took the Psychologist 30 minutes to refer me to one.
And if nothing else, now I know the difference between the two.
I'm not perfect, I've never claimed to be perfect, I got some pretty hefty faults and I guess I've finally taken a step to get through them. Once I get onto a normal routine, I can get on with my deployment, actually enjoy myself, and come back a better person for it.
Even if I have to admit to seeing a Shrink regularly.
2.20.2005
Just Asking For an Upheaval
Um, you might notice a thing or two about the site. Yes, you are at the right place. I just gave it a face lift to clean it up a bit. Just a couple things missing at the moment. The main one is the Blogroll, which will be back in a few days as soon as I sort it out, I promise. I just didn't like how my auto blogroll was set up, and it seemed to have a bit of a lag that I found annoying.
So I got rid of it.
I also got rid of the circle, which I actually, believe it or not, had plans for, yet never did anything with becuase I am a slacker. The circle was bugging me. And I already have an image on the page (which has also been updated for a new and improved 'army' look)
If you miss the other picture and prefer the look of the old blog, well, just go ahead and surf my site, the rest of it is still set up the way it was before.
I also added a couple of things. One I straightened up the whole look of the blog so its cleaner and looks a lot nicer, and hopefully will be a lot quicker to load. I also added time markers, because once upon a time my blog had those. And now you can see what time I am posting in relation to the day. And of course, I even added banners. Because I got bored a couple nights ago and decided to make a handful of them. So if you want to use them to link to me, you are free to use them.
I'm also going to work on getting my ancient archive to be added to my current blog. Um, I'm not sure how well that will work, but its something I'm working on.
I think I'll add a few more things to the sidebar as I get the time too, including a photoblog, as soon as I get the means of doing that. Meanwhile, here is my new and improved blog. Can't guarantee whether the content will improve or not, or if I will post more frequently, but, well, here it is.
Now I will go off and enjoy the rest of my sunday. And maybe I'll make a few prank calls.
So I got rid of it.
I also got rid of the circle, which I actually, believe it or not, had plans for, yet never did anything with becuase I am a slacker. The circle was bugging me. And I already have an image on the page (which has also been updated for a new and improved 'army' look)
If you miss the other picture and prefer the look of the old blog, well, just go ahead and surf my site, the rest of it is still set up the way it was before.
I also added a couple of things. One I straightened up the whole look of the blog so its cleaner and looks a lot nicer, and hopefully will be a lot quicker to load. I also added time markers, because once upon a time my blog had those. And now you can see what time I am posting in relation to the day. And of course, I even added banners. Because I got bored a couple nights ago and decided to make a handful of them. So if you want to use them to link to me, you are free to use them.
I'm also going to work on getting my ancient archive to be added to my current blog. Um, I'm not sure how well that will work, but its something I'm working on.
I think I'll add a few more things to the sidebar as I get the time too, including a photoblog, as soon as I get the means of doing that. Meanwhile, here is my new and improved blog. Can't guarantee whether the content will improve or not, or if I will post more frequently, but, well, here it is.
Now I will go off and enjoy the rest of my sunday. And maybe I'll make a few prank calls.
What I Think
Got a quick email in my inbox today promoting a publishing opportunity for people in my age group (IE 17-25) to write political/Social essays or stories or what not to give a voice to the often times liberal minded people of my generation. However, the youth are as diverse as any group of people can be, so I think i might have to write an essay and submit it. I've got a few friends from varying political persuasions that might be interested as well. We'll have to see about that.
Oh, and the publisher is from my home town, so that makes me want to submit something that much more. I've got until June.
So their previous book is now on my Amazon Wishlist.
Hat tip: SGT Stryker
Oh, and the publisher is from my home town, so that makes me want to submit something that much more. I've got until June.
So their previous book is now on my Amazon Wishlist.
Hat tip: SGT Stryker
2.19.2005
A year to think about it
So I've been here for about four weeks, and I've been spending a lot of time thinking about what is going to happen after I am done here. Afterall, that was one of my goals, to figure out what life will hold for me when I'm done with this deployment.
Its also offering me a chance of self discovery and a glimpse of what the army is like on active duty.
See, I've been in the reserves for about five years now, and come later this year, my initial deployment will be over and while i'll have to at least extend while I am here, I have the option of reenlisting or getting out when I get home. And reenlisting entails a lot of different things. Will I want to continue in the reserves? Will I want to change jobs? Do I want to go active duty? Do I want to change jobs while on active duty? Where do I want to go? If I get out, what will I do then? Go to school? If so, what do I want to get a job doing? What do I want to get a degree in? Where's my personal life headed? And on and on.
If you can't tell, I'm an indecisive person. I think about things like this all of the time but I can never decide on exactly what direction to head. And I'm at a point in my life where I really should be focusing on this more. I should have an idea of where I want to go and what I want to do, and I really don't becuase I can't decide what I want to do and when I do come across something that sounds interesting to me, I look more into it and look at my life and where I am now and wonder if myself and my personality are compatible with that.
Right now, I've got a little bit of stability. In that, I'm here in Kosovo for the next year, this will get me out of debt and on a clean sheet of paper and I won't have a whole lot of choice in which direction I want to go for at least the next year. For this I am thankful. But after that, the field is wide open. There is about few dozen directions I can take in the position I am in, and I have the problem in trying to go two different directions at once.
Which leaves me right back where I started.
I got a year to think about it. That is my ultimate goal is to know when this is over.
And stop beating myself up about it.
Its also offering me a chance of self discovery and a glimpse of what the army is like on active duty.
See, I've been in the reserves for about five years now, and come later this year, my initial deployment will be over and while i'll have to at least extend while I am here, I have the option of reenlisting or getting out when I get home. And reenlisting entails a lot of different things. Will I want to continue in the reserves? Will I want to change jobs? Do I want to go active duty? Do I want to change jobs while on active duty? Where do I want to go? If I get out, what will I do then? Go to school? If so, what do I want to get a job doing? What do I want to get a degree in? Where's my personal life headed? And on and on.
If you can't tell, I'm an indecisive person. I think about things like this all of the time but I can never decide on exactly what direction to head. And I'm at a point in my life where I really should be focusing on this more. I should have an idea of where I want to go and what I want to do, and I really don't becuase I can't decide what I want to do and when I do come across something that sounds interesting to me, I look more into it and look at my life and where I am now and wonder if myself and my personality are compatible with that.
Right now, I've got a little bit of stability. In that, I'm here in Kosovo for the next year, this will get me out of debt and on a clean sheet of paper and I won't have a whole lot of choice in which direction I want to go for at least the next year. For this I am thankful. But after that, the field is wide open. There is about few dozen directions I can take in the position I am in, and I have the problem in trying to go two different directions at once.
Which leaves me right back where I started.
I got a year to think about it. That is my ultimate goal is to know when this is over.
And stop beating myself up about it.
2.16.2005
Lesson of the Day: Mail is Good.
Another lesson learned. I like Care Packages. Even IF they are from myself.
Today wasn't one of the better days. I'm still getting used to how things go around here, trying to get into some routine while getting adjusted to doing things that I've only been briefly trained on and busy beating myself up over mistakes.
i'm also trying to get used to the people in my section. I like them, for the most part, but every once in a while, somebody will rub me the wrong way and if I'm having a bad day to begin with, I start shooting daggers with my eyes and grumbling under my breath and, well, it ain't pretty.
Especially considering I have a weapon at arms length at any given time.
So things progressively went from bad to worse and its not the big things that get me, its the many many little things that seem to attack all at once. Like everything going wrong in Air Sampling. Coupled with a freakin' 10 page long accident report because I brushed up against a barrier and scratched the Paint on my HMMW-V. And DHL was 25 minutes late and I was 10 minutes early, meaning I waited for 35 minutes. And the knowledge that I will be working until at LEAST 1800 hours. And skipping lunch because I had to much work to do. And, well, I could go on but you get the picture.
Then the mail guy came and I asked him if anything came for me and I got not one, but TWO packages from Amazon! From Myself! But, that's ok, they are books and now I have something constructive to read.
One's just light reading, called Dragon Rider (its aimed at the same age group as Harry Potter, but I love reading books at this age group because they are usually clean and really aimed at creativeness, and thats something I need, becuase it's how I escape) I also got Michael Moore is a Big Fat Stupid White Man, because I really don't like Michael Moore and the title made me curious (and i read a thing or two about it). Then there is the Official Handbook of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy, because anything with a name like that has to be interesting, plus its about debunking lefty looniness. And two books on blogs. Because I wanted to know what Hugh Hewitt had to say about them (Blog) and I wanted to know what I was doing right and wrong and how to make it better (the Weblog Handbook).
Yes, Books are good for me. I'm sure things will eventually calm down around here and I will get into some kind of groove, but meanwhile I'll have to try to maintain my sanity and remind myself that it really isn't THAT bad.
Afterall, I could be in a desert. Though I volunteered a few times for one of those rotations and nothing ever came of it. I can't really complain afterall, I did volunteer for this one.
Today wasn't one of the better days. I'm still getting used to how things go around here, trying to get into some routine while getting adjusted to doing things that I've only been briefly trained on and busy beating myself up over mistakes.
i'm also trying to get used to the people in my section. I like them, for the most part, but every once in a while, somebody will rub me the wrong way and if I'm having a bad day to begin with, I start shooting daggers with my eyes and grumbling under my breath and, well, it ain't pretty.
Especially considering I have a weapon at arms length at any given time.
So things progressively went from bad to worse and its not the big things that get me, its the many many little things that seem to attack all at once. Like everything going wrong in Air Sampling. Coupled with a freakin' 10 page long accident report because I brushed up against a barrier and scratched the Paint on my HMMW-V. And DHL was 25 minutes late and I was 10 minutes early, meaning I waited for 35 minutes. And the knowledge that I will be working until at LEAST 1800 hours. And skipping lunch because I had to much work to do. And, well, I could go on but you get the picture.
Then the mail guy came and I asked him if anything came for me and I got not one, but TWO packages from Amazon! From Myself! But, that's ok, they are books and now I have something constructive to read.
One's just light reading, called Dragon Rider (its aimed at the same age group as Harry Potter, but I love reading books at this age group because they are usually clean and really aimed at creativeness, and thats something I need, becuase it's how I escape) I also got Michael Moore is a Big Fat Stupid White Man, because I really don't like Michael Moore and the title made me curious (and i read a thing or two about it). Then there is the Official Handbook of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy, because anything with a name like that has to be interesting, plus its about debunking lefty looniness. And two books on blogs. Because I wanted to know what Hugh Hewitt had to say about them (Blog) and I wanted to know what I was doing right and wrong and how to make it better (the Weblog Handbook).
Yes, Books are good for me. I'm sure things will eventually calm down around here and I will get into some kind of groove, but meanwhile I'll have to try to maintain my sanity and remind myself that it really isn't THAT bad.
Afterall, I could be in a desert. Though I volunteered a few times for one of those rotations and nothing ever came of it. I can't really complain afterall, I did volunteer for this one.
2.14.2005
Shameless Plug for a Friend's site
I don't know how welcome she is to get a massive influx of readership, but one of my best friends from elementary school days (when I was of but a wee lass of 5 we were in Kindergarten together) has a blog. It is mostly about her baby that she has (which still blows me away, because we were really good friends through about third grade before we were seperated by a move and part of me still imagines her and her sister as we were back then) and I mainly posted this post for my family's benefit, but you can benefit too. She just started blogging so it seems. Go wish her well. She's one of the coolest people I know.
And I'm a definite judge on the coolness factor.
And I'm a definite judge on the coolness factor.
Valentine's Day
So, tis another year, and another February 14th, and everywhere around the world (or at least, those that celebrate it), people will be celebrating the holiday of Valentine's Day.
I want to let you in on a secret.
I hate Valentine's Day. In fact, I've always hated Valentine's Day, ever since I was a child. And I will tell you why.
As a kid, Valentine's Day consisted of buying a bunch of cheesey cards from the super market and being forced to give one to everybody in the class. Whether you liked them or not. It didn't matter how cool Bugs Bunny or Mickey Mouse were, or for that matter, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, every single freakin' card had a stupid saying on it that made you cringe that you had to find one to give to that one slimey kid who picked his nose in the back of the class. You also got those nasty candies that said little things on them like "I Luv U" and "be mine" that tasted like sugared saw dust.
Why did I hate it? Because it was a superficial holiday! I didn't want these people to be my valentines, and for those who I really actually did like, I didn't have the guts to go up to them and actually give them a real valentine. So you were stuck with the cheesey store bought ones. I mean, you got one from everybody, how could everybody in the class be your Valentine? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of the whole holiday? I mean, you couldn't hurt anybody's feelings, could you?
Truthfully, it seems like some kind of underground agenda for the Gay Rights Movement. I had both Girls and Boys give me valentines. I gave both girls and boys valentines. And Boys giving each other valentines. And girls giving each other valentines. It doesn't matter what your sexuality is, this is a Bisexual Holiday! GAAAHHH!!! It's getting engrained into the minds of Children!
I'm sure I'll change my mind when I finally meet the guy who has it in him to sweep me off my feet (I am not sure if this can be accomplished however, I'm a pretty stubborn troop) and maybe one day I'll look forward to Valentine's Day. But until then, I'll leave this day for the Card and Candy Makers to get their kicks out of. As well as the love-sick types.
Or maybe I'm just a born anti-romantic. I never got the whole 'Love' thing.
I want to let you in on a secret.
I hate Valentine's Day. In fact, I've always hated Valentine's Day, ever since I was a child. And I will tell you why.
As a kid, Valentine's Day consisted of buying a bunch of cheesey cards from the super market and being forced to give one to everybody in the class. Whether you liked them or not. It didn't matter how cool Bugs Bunny or Mickey Mouse were, or for that matter, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, every single freakin' card had a stupid saying on it that made you cringe that you had to find one to give to that one slimey kid who picked his nose in the back of the class. You also got those nasty candies that said little things on them like "I Luv U" and "be mine" that tasted like sugared saw dust.
Why did I hate it? Because it was a superficial holiday! I didn't want these people to be my valentines, and for those who I really actually did like, I didn't have the guts to go up to them and actually give them a real valentine. So you were stuck with the cheesey store bought ones. I mean, you got one from everybody, how could everybody in the class be your Valentine? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of the whole holiday? I mean, you couldn't hurt anybody's feelings, could you?
Truthfully, it seems like some kind of underground agenda for the Gay Rights Movement. I had both Girls and Boys give me valentines. I gave both girls and boys valentines. And Boys giving each other valentines. And girls giving each other valentines. It doesn't matter what your sexuality is, this is a Bisexual Holiday! GAAAHHH!!! It's getting engrained into the minds of Children!
I'm sure I'll change my mind when I finally meet the guy who has it in him to sweep me off my feet (I am not sure if this can be accomplished however, I'm a pretty stubborn troop) and maybe one day I'll look forward to Valentine's Day. But until then, I'll leave this day for the Card and Candy Makers to get their kicks out of. As well as the love-sick types.
Or maybe I'm just a born anti-romantic. I never got the whole 'Love' thing.
Awaiting the Z Monster
I was stricken with Insomnia, and made my way to the MWR building to make a phone call home, to be reminded that everyone had just gotten in from Hohenfels and now we have a rush for the phones.
So, I made my way to the computers instead.
It was only toward the end of my time on the computers that I thought to check Red Vs Blue for a new video. Oops. It's going to take it 20 minutes to download and I'm at the end of my time.
Hmm, there's computers open, maybe they'll me linger?
So, I made my way to the computers instead.
It was only toward the end of my time on the computers that I thought to check Red Vs Blue for a new video. Oops. It's going to take it 20 minutes to download and I'm at the end of my time.
Hmm, there's computers open, maybe they'll me linger?
2.13.2005
Sob
Hmm, commentation through Haloscan is down. Which makes me sad, because one of my favorite things about blogging is the comments.
So I am sad.
But I am happy that I can temporarily fix this problem. I used to have commentation through YACCS, I can just redo that again. I guess I will.
As soon as HALO SCAN Comes back up, I will move the comments over there. I like HaloScan much better then YACCS.
Update There is a saying that applies to me. Patience is a virtue I don't possess. I guess I could have given Haloscan a chance to come to its senses, as it undoubtedly would.
And so it has risen from the death of Cyberspace and is alive once more. Good to see the comment bar again.
I'm all for instant gratification though. *sigh*
MORE UPDATES Its not haloscan at all! Its...these...darn...government...computers!!!
Haloscan has become a blocked site! I have to go to the MWR building to read any comments! This can't be!
*sob* I am sad again.
So I am sad.
But I am happy that I can temporarily fix this problem. I used to have commentation through YACCS, I can just redo that again. I guess I will.
As soon as HALO SCAN Comes back up, I will move the comments over there. I like HaloScan much better then YACCS.
Update There is a saying that applies to me. Patience is a virtue I don't possess. I guess I could have given Haloscan a chance to come to its senses, as it undoubtedly would.
And so it has risen from the death of Cyberspace and is alive once more. Good to see the comment bar again.
I'm all for instant gratification though. *sigh*
MORE UPDATES Its not haloscan at all! Its...these...darn...government...computers!!!
Haloscan has become a blocked site! I have to go to the MWR building to read any comments! This can't be!
*sob* I am sad again.
2.11.2005
Set up Shop!
Silent Running has set up a shop for me. You can check it out here!
I guess I'll be adding that to my linkage on the side.
I guess I'll be adding that to my linkage on the side.
What Constitutes Divinity?
Anybody who has been reading this blog for some amount of time ought to know by now the ongoing in joke in regards to my claim to fame, a picture depicting my staunch support for President Bush while I hold a kick-ass M203 Grenade Launcher. I don't think I can kick the dead horse enough.
Anyway, Silent Running asked me to be their Patron Goddess, to which I said 'why not?' and then they sent me a T-shirt.
I've come up with a few problems with trying to pose for the T-Shirt. One, well, there really isn't anywhere to pose when I get off duty, as it is rather cold out and I don't feel like going outside in a T-shirt (not to mention that this puts me out of uniform) so I have to pose indoors for now, and my room is actually kind of nasty looking.
Then there is the whole idea behind the title of Goddess. Goddess tends to depict images of unearthly, beautiful, and I don't know about you, but I'm thinking Feminine.
I have never in my life looked at myself as Feminine, so it cracked me up to begin with that somebody wanted to make me their official Patrod Goddess (truthfully, i think the M203 is what initially won them over) And since I cut my hair since then, that has taken away even more from my femininity so now I look at this and think "how in the hell am I going to fit the Goddess Ideology with nothing but a T-shirt, Combat Boots and an M16?"
I guess that means I'll just keep up the Bad Ass routine. Maybe that'll keep the minions pacified?
Anyway, Silent Running asked me to be their Patron Goddess, to which I said 'why not?' and then they sent me a T-shirt.
I've come up with a few problems with trying to pose for the T-Shirt. One, well, there really isn't anywhere to pose when I get off duty, as it is rather cold out and I don't feel like going outside in a T-shirt (not to mention that this puts me out of uniform) so I have to pose indoors for now, and my room is actually kind of nasty looking.
Then there is the whole idea behind the title of Goddess. Goddess tends to depict images of unearthly, beautiful, and I don't know about you, but I'm thinking Feminine.
I have never in my life looked at myself as Feminine, so it cracked me up to begin with that somebody wanted to make me their official Patrod Goddess (truthfully, i think the M203 is what initially won them over) And since I cut my hair since then, that has taken away even more from my femininity so now I look at this and think "how in the hell am I going to fit the Goddess Ideology with nothing but a T-shirt, Combat Boots and an M16?"
I guess that means I'll just keep up the Bad Ass routine. Maybe that'll keep the minions pacified?
2.09.2005
Picture Gallery
One of these days, I will have the capabilities to upload pictures onto Exposure Manager and let people leaf through them at their leasure. However, such is unfortunately not the case.
*sighs*
Meanwhile, you can get a couple glimpses at me working hard.
Washing the HMMWV.
During the MASCAL, looking grumpy as usual (my flak vest and LBV are now more compatible I would like you to know, but I still look bloated whenever they call the MASCALs. This is me pulling QRF duty, and basically freezing.
This was doing water samples, back at Lewis actually. We do water samples so much simpler here at Bondsteel, instead of the BAC-T set, we use Collilert, which is presense absence and a hell of a lot simpler.
And at Hohenfels, waiting on the laundry usually meant I took my laptop out and listened to music and sorted through things. I tucked myself in a corner and went to town.
I just wanted to reiterate that it does indeed snow here. This was the first freakin' day in Bondsteel.
When we first got here, the fog was so thick you couldn't tell the ground from the sky. After about a week we actually got to see the Bondsteel Skyline. It is very beautiful in the summer I can hear. What am i saying, it's beautiful when it isn't hazed over!
I'm going to check up on that wireless internet we supposedly get in our rooms here. And then I get to chew out my bank.
*sighs*
Meanwhile, you can get a couple glimpses at me working hard.
Washing the HMMWV.
During the MASCAL, looking grumpy as usual (my flak vest and LBV are now more compatible I would like you to know, but I still look bloated whenever they call the MASCALs. This is me pulling QRF duty, and basically freezing.
This was doing water samples, back at Lewis actually. We do water samples so much simpler here at Bondsteel, instead of the BAC-T set, we use Collilert, which is presense absence and a hell of a lot simpler.
And at Hohenfels, waiting on the laundry usually meant I took my laptop out and listened to music and sorted through things. I tucked myself in a corner and went to town.
I just wanted to reiterate that it does indeed snow here. This was the first freakin' day in Bondsteel.
When we first got here, the fog was so thick you couldn't tell the ground from the sky. After about a week we actually got to see the Bondsteel Skyline. It is very beautiful in the summer I can hear. What am i saying, it's beautiful when it isn't hazed over!
I'm going to check up on that wireless internet we supposedly get in our rooms here. And then I get to chew out my bank.
2.07.2005
One of my Pet Peeves with America
That we are a sue happy nation.
how come I didn't find out about this until now? I mean, how are people being able to get away with suing somebody who was just trying to be nice?
I think that is one of the biggest problems with this nation. Something happens to somebody that sends them to the emergency room and the first thing they do is try to find somebody to blame. And in this case, it was two teenagers trying to do something nice for their neighbors.
I think the lady who sued them needs to go see a shrink or something because if such a petty little thing such as two people out on the porch at 10:30 sends her into an anxiety attack, then I think she has some problems of her own, because most normal people wouldn't be freaking out.
I guess I could sue Schweitzer for causing me to lose my memory last year after I went snowboarding all day, or maybe I should sue Toyota, because they provided a free lift ticket. Heck, it might be their fault, after all, I still don't remember it.
But what did I do? I sucked it up, found a payment plan to pay for the emergency room myself and got on with my life. That was a one time thing, I didn't look for somebody else to blame, because the only person to blame is me. It was my choice and I took responsibility for what happened.
If somebody else really is responsible, then fine, work it out with them unless you have to take them to court. But in this case, the family offered to pay the bill and the woman STILL took them to court.
Its good to see that a lot of people have looked at this thing and said to themselves "no, this can't be right. People shouldn't be suing others due to acts of kindness." I heard about somebody trying to gather money to pay the girl's final bill ($900, at least the woman wasn't awarded punitive damages) and amazingly it appears that people have come together and raised the money and then some. Heck, I would have sent a check if I thought it would help.
I do believe that the court systems might need to get slightly revamped in this country to stop crap like this from happening and disallowing people from taking full advantage of the system and practically winning the freakin' lottery.
My favorite joke in this regards, click here and read on. Nothing like trying to sue McDonalds because their coffee was to hot, eating at McDonalds made them fat, or because McDonald makes their French Fries with Beef Byproducts.
how come I didn't find out about this until now? I mean, how are people being able to get away with suing somebody who was just trying to be nice?
I think that is one of the biggest problems with this nation. Something happens to somebody that sends them to the emergency room and the first thing they do is try to find somebody to blame. And in this case, it was two teenagers trying to do something nice for their neighbors.
I think the lady who sued them needs to go see a shrink or something because if such a petty little thing such as two people out on the porch at 10:30 sends her into an anxiety attack, then I think she has some problems of her own, because most normal people wouldn't be freaking out.
I guess I could sue Schweitzer for causing me to lose my memory last year after I went snowboarding all day, or maybe I should sue Toyota, because they provided a free lift ticket. Heck, it might be their fault, after all, I still don't remember it.
But what did I do? I sucked it up, found a payment plan to pay for the emergency room myself and got on with my life. That was a one time thing, I didn't look for somebody else to blame, because the only person to blame is me. It was my choice and I took responsibility for what happened.
If somebody else really is responsible, then fine, work it out with them unless you have to take them to court. But in this case, the family offered to pay the bill and the woman STILL took them to court.
Its good to see that a lot of people have looked at this thing and said to themselves "no, this can't be right. People shouldn't be suing others due to acts of kindness." I heard about somebody trying to gather money to pay the girl's final bill ($900, at least the woman wasn't awarded punitive damages) and amazingly it appears that people have come together and raised the money and then some. Heck, I would have sent a check if I thought it would help.
I do believe that the court systems might need to get slightly revamped in this country to stop crap like this from happening and disallowing people from taking full advantage of the system and practically winning the freakin' lottery.
My favorite joke in this regards, click here and read on. Nothing like trying to sue McDonalds because their coffee was to hot, eating at McDonalds made them fat, or because McDonald makes their French Fries with Beef Byproducts.
2.05.2005
Kami Time
I learned an important lesson this week after working long hours, having limited sleep, getting interrupted with the bloody MASS-CALs and overall freezing my ass off. Ok, so truthfully it was something I already knew but was just reiterated, a little.
Kami needs Kami Time. If Kami doesn't get Kami time, Kami get's cranky and pissy and has nothing intelligent to say other then to curse at any one who gets in Kami's way.
Needless to say, I didn't get much Kami time until roughly last night. I feel so much better now that I got Kami Time.
What is Kami Time you might ask? It is when I get a moment to myself, that's all. Just a couple hours or so. I enjoy my time. Ask anybody in my family. I like to be by myself every so often. If I don't get to be by myself every so often, I am not a fun person to be around. My fellow unit members might have picked up on that too.
However, I'm hearing rumors of another MASS-CAL going on in a few short minutes, so I should probably make myself scarce.
Kami needs Kami Time. If Kami doesn't get Kami time, Kami get's cranky and pissy and has nothing intelligent to say other then to curse at any one who gets in Kami's way.
Needless to say, I didn't get much Kami time until roughly last night. I feel so much better now that I got Kami Time.
What is Kami Time you might ask? It is when I get a moment to myself, that's all. Just a couple hours or so. I enjoy my time. Ask anybody in my family. I like to be by myself every so often. If I don't get to be by myself every so often, I am not a fun person to be around. My fellow unit members might have picked up on that too.
However, I'm hearing rumors of another MASS-CAL going on in a few short minutes, so I should probably make myself scarce.
T-shirt News
Let me tell you a story.
It all started with a picture. A picture largely taken in jest. It has become semi famous amongst gun advocates and some right wing web-blogs. It is a picture of me toting an M203 Grenade Launcher.
You know the picture.
The picture was taken on a sunny October afternoon. It was then filed away into my hard drive and then it sat there.
The presidential elections came and went, to the dismay of millions.
Some decided to whine and bitch about the outcome. Others felt the need to poke fun at the whiners and bitchers and set up counter websites in patriotic jest. I dug out that picture from my archives of old pictures and plopped the words “I am not sorry” along the bottom and donated it to the counter websites.
I crosslinked it to my blog just for kicks and giggles.
All hell broke loose and my quiet and usually spontaneous blog spiraled out of control and I got about three dozen marriage proposals in the course of three days.
Er, I wasn’t prepared for that. On top of all of this, I was receiving orders to deploy to the Balkans as well, so my life was kind of busy.
Fast forward to mid December. I was in Fort Lewis in the middle of mobilization and everything had quieted on the Blog-Front. And I get an email asking if I would become Patron Goddess of some conservative website that is all for the right to bare arms and hot chicks that like to bare them (amongst other conservative topics).
I laugh, and am promptly told my time is up. I close down my inbox and don’t answer right away, on account of my limited internet access and very busy life.
Finally, come January, I remember this email I got and decided that it would be rude not to answer it (along with the sixty other emails in my inbox also currently awaiting to be replied to and I vow heavily that I will indeed reply to them, eventually). My reply? “Sure, whatever.”
Immediately I am informed that I am being sent a T-shirt and they are expecting photos. Ok, no big deal. However, I don’t yet have an address to send the T-shirt to.
Fast forward to Hohenfels Germany. It is cool that I am in Germany, sucks that I’m in Hohenfels. The food is lousy, and I am promptly placed on the Hohenfels Weight Control Program. Also considering the fact that I walked damn near everywhere I went and was often skipping meals (and eating beef Jerkey and Gummi Bears instead, Nutritious) I probably lost a good three or five pounds in the week that I was there. But I did get an address to send my mail too!
I was in Hohenfels for about two weeks or so. To long in my opinion. Finally we fly over to Kosovo, where after two weeks of eating Dog Food and Egg Loaf, I am introduced to Chow Hall Heaven.
The outgoing people were commenting on how everyone tends to gorge themselves the first two weeks of getting here. I was no exception. The food, it was edible! And there were so many choices! I’ll take that, and that, and that. . .
Um, let me just say that I’m now starting to limit my choices at chow time.
Then, just today, I get my first package in the mail. Sweet! Packages are awesome! And low and behold, what does it hold?
An Official Patron Goddess T-shirt from Silent Running (with a warning that I have minions).
Um, I tried it on for good measure and took some pictures just to try it out and see how they would turn out, because Dad Nab It, the minions want their T-shirt Photos!
I think I need to start hitting that gym and start eating less grease and more salad before I get a decent picture for the masses. Because right now I’m feeling less Goddess and more Cow. And I don’t think the minions are Hindu and worship cows.
And I ain’t just saying that because I’m female and by default think I’m fat. Because I’m usually comfortable with the way I look. Just, um, five weeks of wearing nothing but Camouflage and it tends to camouflage my body even from me.
I vow to look drop dead sexy by the end of this deployment.
Crosslinked : Silent Running
It all started with a picture. A picture largely taken in jest. It has become semi famous amongst gun advocates and some right wing web-blogs. It is a picture of me toting an M203 Grenade Launcher.
You know the picture.
The picture was taken on a sunny October afternoon. It was then filed away into my hard drive and then it sat there.
The presidential elections came and went, to the dismay of millions.
Some decided to whine and bitch about the outcome. Others felt the need to poke fun at the whiners and bitchers and set up counter websites in patriotic jest. I dug out that picture from my archives of old pictures and plopped the words “I am not sorry” along the bottom and donated it to the counter websites.
I crosslinked it to my blog just for kicks and giggles.
All hell broke loose and my quiet and usually spontaneous blog spiraled out of control and I got about three dozen marriage proposals in the course of three days.
Er, I wasn’t prepared for that. On top of all of this, I was receiving orders to deploy to the Balkans as well, so my life was kind of busy.
Fast forward to mid December. I was in Fort Lewis in the middle of mobilization and everything had quieted on the Blog-Front. And I get an email asking if I would become Patron Goddess of some conservative website that is all for the right to bare arms and hot chicks that like to bare them (amongst other conservative topics).
I laugh, and am promptly told my time is up. I close down my inbox and don’t answer right away, on account of my limited internet access and very busy life.
Finally, come January, I remember this email I got and decided that it would be rude not to answer it (along with the sixty other emails in my inbox also currently awaiting to be replied to and I vow heavily that I will indeed reply to them, eventually). My reply? “Sure, whatever.”
Immediately I am informed that I am being sent a T-shirt and they are expecting photos. Ok, no big deal. However, I don’t yet have an address to send the T-shirt to.
Fast forward to Hohenfels Germany. It is cool that I am in Germany, sucks that I’m in Hohenfels. The food is lousy, and I am promptly placed on the Hohenfels Weight Control Program. Also considering the fact that I walked damn near everywhere I went and was often skipping meals (and eating beef Jerkey and Gummi Bears instead, Nutritious) I probably lost a good three or five pounds in the week that I was there. But I did get an address to send my mail too!
I was in Hohenfels for about two weeks or so. To long in my opinion. Finally we fly over to Kosovo, where after two weeks of eating Dog Food and Egg Loaf, I am introduced to Chow Hall Heaven.
The outgoing people were commenting on how everyone tends to gorge themselves the first two weeks of getting here. I was no exception. The food, it was edible! And there were so many choices! I’ll take that, and that, and that. . .
Um, let me just say that I’m now starting to limit my choices at chow time.
Then, just today, I get my first package in the mail. Sweet! Packages are awesome! And low and behold, what does it hold?
An Official Patron Goddess T-shirt from Silent Running (with a warning that I have minions).
Um, I tried it on for good measure and took some pictures just to try it out and see how they would turn out, because Dad Nab It, the minions want their T-shirt Photos!
I think I need to start hitting that gym and start eating less grease and more salad before I get a decent picture for the masses. Because right now I’m feeling less Goddess and more Cow. And I don’t think the minions are Hindu and worship cows.
And I ain’t just saying that because I’m female and by default think I’m fat. Because I’m usually comfortable with the way I look. Just, um, five weeks of wearing nothing but Camouflage and it tends to camouflage my body even from me.
I vow to look drop dead sexy by the end of this deployment.
Crosslinked : Silent Running
2.03.2005
Why I love Blogs
I'm a large advocate to a system of checks and balances. Which is one of the reasons I love blogs so much. They tend to check the MSM and they are known for checking each other.
And I am totally open to being checked.
Apparently I should have checked myself before, but I just thought the story was interesting, and not entirely unbelievable. Oh well, I'm just glad I can love Germany again.
Hat tip: Jack of Clubs
And I am totally open to being checked.
Apparently I should have checked myself before, but I just thought the story was interesting, and not entirely unbelievable. Oh well, I'm just glad I can love Germany again.
Hat tip: Jack of Clubs
2.02.2005
Movie Reviewing
One thing I used to love a lot is movies. i used to work at a movie theater and while I worked there, I saw just about everything that came out because it was free.
Well, here, I'll get the opportunity to watch a lot of movies for free once more.
Anyway, i just saw a movie that really pissed me off. Some parts of it were funny, yeah, but it was so damn inconsistant and was trying to hard to be the first one, which I loved.
That movie was Meet the Fockers. They could have done a lot with this thing and instead they went over the top and it came out as one forced laugh after another. Bloody hell at times I was squirming uncomfortably wondering when it would end. Granted, there were funny moments, but I wanted to slap the Fockers because they were bloody hipocrits.
I think what pissed me off was the fact that the Fockers were liberals of the worst sense. All about being open with one's self, in the case of this movie, a little to much to the embarrassment of their son and the whole 'self esteem' thing throughout the movie, congratulating on a 10th place finish. And then they ridicule the host who's a bit more withdrawn and conservative for being, well, conservative.
I didn't realize how much I hated this movie until after I had finished watching it and slept on it a bit.
Or maybe it was because Barbara Streisand was in it and there is something about her that really bugs me.
Damn, i could go on and rant about this movie. And I had been really looking forward to it too.
Curse you, Hollywood for continuing to release crap like this! I am mad at you! I haven't seen a decent movie since the Incredibles! (at one time I wanted to work for Pixar, still do in fact)
Well, here, I'll get the opportunity to watch a lot of movies for free once more.
Anyway, i just saw a movie that really pissed me off. Some parts of it were funny, yeah, but it was so damn inconsistant and was trying to hard to be the first one, which I loved.
That movie was Meet the Fockers. They could have done a lot with this thing and instead they went over the top and it came out as one forced laugh after another. Bloody hell at times I was squirming uncomfortably wondering when it would end. Granted, there were funny moments, but I wanted to slap the Fockers because they were bloody hipocrits.
I think what pissed me off was the fact that the Fockers were liberals of the worst sense. All about being open with one's self, in the case of this movie, a little to much to the embarrassment of their son and the whole 'self esteem' thing throughout the movie, congratulating on a 10th place finish. And then they ridicule the host who's a bit more withdrawn and conservative for being, well, conservative.
I didn't realize how much I hated this movie until after I had finished watching it and slept on it a bit.
Or maybe it was because Barbara Streisand was in it and there is something about her that really bugs me.
Damn, i could go on and rant about this movie. And I had been really looking forward to it too.
Curse you, Hollywood for continuing to release crap like this! I am mad at you! I haven't seen a decent movie since the Incredibles! (at one time I wanted to work for Pixar, still do in fact)
groundhog's day
Hmm, it's groundhog's day today. To celebrate it, i decided to recessicate my lagging webcomic which had promptly died, oh, about the same time I gained exposure on the internet, politically (which is something I always avoided with a webcomic. My comic readers are primarily of the liberal persuasion.) thing is, the comic is just a little bit younger then my blog. Fortunately, the comic is there in its entirity unlike my blog, which is missing all entries priar to this summer, when my entire website crashed and burned horribly. Somebody asked who the guy was. I have to admit that I can't draw myself with short hair and mad too and retain my femininity. Which is non-existant in the first place.
Though this comic is now not entirely true, just found out today that they are indeed sponsering MWR trips to Big Duke, which means I will get opportunities to Ski. Not sure about snowboarding yet, but if I'm allowed to ski, I'll take skiing.
Then I had to do a MASS-CAL exercise and promptly began hating cold weather again when I lost all feelings in my toes.
Punxsutawney Phil is going down, man, he is going DOWN!!!
Though this comic is now not entirely true, just found out today that they are indeed sponsering MWR trips to Big Duke, which means I will get opportunities to Ski. Not sure about snowboarding yet, but if I'm allowed to ski, I'll take skiing.
Then I had to do a MASS-CAL exercise and promptly began hating cold weather again when I lost all feelings in my toes.
Punxsutawney Phil is going down, man, he is going DOWN!!!
1.31.2005
Wonder what retention would be like if this was imposed?
This thing has been out for over a year and I am just NOW seeing it? What is my problem?
That is some funny crap man.
That is some funny crap man.
A bit of Political Hub-Bub
But not in the sense that I normally post, because I don't want to tread on toes, considering I am now a member of the Active Military and should not be getting to political.
Just because of that, I'll post a link and leave it at that.
Damn, those Iraqis really seem to be hating us Americans, aren't they?
In other news, which I'm sure is making its rounds around the Blogosphere just as the above is (though I retrieved it from other sources, my blog rounds haven't been the same since I deployed *deep sigh*), the status of Germany and its Unemployment laws really make you wonder. I can see that there was good intentions behind this, but it has certainly paved a road to hell. There has to be some moral high ground that should take presidence. I shouldn't be forced to take a job that goes against my religious beliefs for instance. Fortunately, nothing like this is going on in the US (right now) and I am comfortably employed.
I guess that means I shouldn't be moving to Germany any time soon and go through unemployment.
Just because of that, I'll post a link and leave it at that.
Damn, those Iraqis really seem to be hating us Americans, aren't they?
In other news, which I'm sure is making its rounds around the Blogosphere just as the above is (though I retrieved it from other sources, my blog rounds haven't been the same since I deployed *deep sigh*), the status of Germany and its Unemployment laws really make you wonder. I can see that there was good intentions behind this, but it has certainly paved a road to hell. There has to be some moral high ground that should take presidence. I shouldn't be forced to take a job that goes against my religious beliefs for instance. Fortunately, nothing like this is going on in the US (right now) and I am comfortably employed.
I guess that means I shouldn't be moving to Germany any time soon and go through unemployment.
Vow to refrain from Boredom
Well, I'm starting to get in the groove of things, I even have access to the computer in my office as well as the all important password to all sorts of government stuff.
I feel special.
Weather is still frigid. Somedays its cool yet sunny, other times its snowing big fat snowflakes, and sometimes it stings your face and your ears lose all of their feeling. But there is always snow on the ground. Going out amidst the locals, its actually rather pretty. I hear once the snow melts we will get to see the trash. Hmm. . .
So far since I've been here, I've been outside the wire about four times. I go back outside the wire again this week another three times, which is the case with my job. I'm beginning to see that this is one of the many perks about my job. My mobility. I will get to see the region, and I will see a lot of it.
And I've been to both the Greek and the Pole/Ukrainian Camps. The Americans stationed there have it tough. We visited them on a Saturday, they were playing Halo2 on a big screen TV.
Must be tough to be analysts.
I've decided I need an Xbox. My current addiction to RedvsBlue makes me want to play Halo. And we have a lot of time on our hands during our off hours.
Actually, i also want to direct videos. I vow not to be bored here.
But apparently, with all of the jobs that are going to be piled on my plate while I'm here, I won't be.
I feel special.
Weather is still frigid. Somedays its cool yet sunny, other times its snowing big fat snowflakes, and sometimes it stings your face and your ears lose all of their feeling. But there is always snow on the ground. Going out amidst the locals, its actually rather pretty. I hear once the snow melts we will get to see the trash. Hmm. . .
So far since I've been here, I've been outside the wire about four times. I go back outside the wire again this week another three times, which is the case with my job. I'm beginning to see that this is one of the many perks about my job. My mobility. I will get to see the region, and I will see a lot of it.
And I've been to both the Greek and the Pole/Ukrainian Camps. The Americans stationed there have it tough. We visited them on a Saturday, they were playing Halo2 on a big screen TV.
Must be tough to be analysts.
I've decided I need an Xbox. My current addiction to RedvsBlue makes me want to play Halo. And we have a lot of time on our hands during our off hours.
Actually, i also want to direct videos. I vow not to be bored here.
But apparently, with all of the jobs that are going to be piled on my plate while I'm here, I won't be.
1.28.2005
Pictures from Kosovo
Ok, to those of you who didn't think I was serious about the Bill Clinton Worship in Pristina (which got bombed to hell in 1999).
He's also got a street named after him. Case in point.
Anyway, along with other pictures of Kosovo is the real estate around here is interesting. Granted it is winter, but there is a lot of buildings around here that have the potential to be really nice, if they would finish them. Hmm. . .
And the propping up of the floors with sticks is particularly amusing.
And these people aren't very rich, their houses are usually missing windows, but at least they have their MTV. Sattelite Everywhere.
Aside from Kosovo, I flew in here on a C130 for the first time, got a picture with my helmet looking all ate the hell up.
My weapon is my battle buddy. It is with me 24-7. I think I might get sick of it after a while, but to tell you the honest truth, as long as I am required to have it on my person all of the time, Uncle Sam pays me another 250 a month and waives my income tax so I think I can live with that.
In other news, though I saw Team America World Police about three months ago, it is just coming to the theaters here. The team we are replacing saw it not to long ago and have been quoting it mercilessly. Unfortunately, I have fallen suit. Damn them.
Movies are free here, though they are usually about three to six months old in the theaters. This will make things difficult in regards to star wars (curses).
Luckily, there is a 'cd/dvd' shop outside KFOR Main that sells Cds and DVDs for dirt cheap. The thing about them is they are generally still theaters. Yes, that's right, they are all pirated. I picked up the Incredibles and Meet the Fockers for a paltry 6 Euro. I just had to pick up a pirated movie just to say I have one. But don't worry Disney, I will indeed buy a Real version of the Incredibles when it comes out. I still haven't seen Meet the Fockers, so I can't say the same thing about it. (but I liked Meet the Parents soo. . .)
He's also got a street named after him. Case in point.
Anyway, along with other pictures of Kosovo is the real estate around here is interesting. Granted it is winter, but there is a lot of buildings around here that have the potential to be really nice, if they would finish them. Hmm. . .
And the propping up of the floors with sticks is particularly amusing.
And these people aren't very rich, their houses are usually missing windows, but at least they have their MTV. Sattelite Everywhere.
Aside from Kosovo, I flew in here on a C130 for the first time, got a picture with my helmet looking all ate the hell up.
My weapon is my battle buddy. It is with me 24-7. I think I might get sick of it after a while, but to tell you the honest truth, as long as I am required to have it on my person all of the time, Uncle Sam pays me another 250 a month and waives my income tax so I think I can live with that.
In other news, though I saw Team America World Police about three months ago, it is just coming to the theaters here. The team we are replacing saw it not to long ago and have been quoting it mercilessly. Unfortunately, I have fallen suit. Damn them.
Movies are free here, though they are usually about three to six months old in the theaters. This will make things difficult in regards to star wars (curses).
Luckily, there is a 'cd/dvd' shop outside KFOR Main that sells Cds and DVDs for dirt cheap. The thing about them is they are generally still theaters. Yes, that's right, they are all pirated. I picked up the Incredibles and Meet the Fockers for a paltry 6 Euro. I just had to pick up a pirated movie just to say I have one. But don't worry Disney, I will indeed buy a Real version of the Incredibles when it comes out. I still haven't seen Meet the Fockers, so I can't say the same thing about it. (but I liked Meet the Parents soo. . .)
Carnival of Kitties
Now its time for KITTY BLOGGING!!!
This weeks honorary member, the mascot of Kamenica.
Um, these people technically aren't supposed to have mascots, but I'm not saying anything. Besides, this kitty was friendly. I'm sure the vets gave her the needed shots so she can hang around a while longer.
This weeks honorary member, the mascot of Kamenica.
Um, these people technically aren't supposed to have mascots, but I'm not saying anything. Besides, this kitty was friendly. I'm sure the vets gave her the needed shots so she can hang around a while longer.
1.26.2005
More in Kosovo
Like I mentioned before, I'm now in Kosovo. Internet is more consistant, unfortunately it is still a bit finicky. These next couple days are going to be fairly interesting, they went ahead and gave us the tour of the camp today and went over some things and now I have the rest of the day off.
Apparently, these next 12 months are going to yield a few things to us, including educational opportunities, a chance to get my butt in some serious ass-kicking shape, a mission that includes like seven countries (including possibly Italy), and a lot of free time.
The task force has designated this to be a non drinking deployment, which appears to be upsetting some people, but I don't care as it doesn't matter to me one way or the other. I don't drink. Which makes a lot of people starving for things to do. The Task Force we're replacing appears to be seriously beefed up, they must get a lot of time in the gym.
I have a feeling that Amazon and Ebay will become near and dear to me. The PX is good, supposedly the best in the Balkans and the second highest grossing one in the chain (because the other multinational forces like to shop there too, as well as eat our food).
And I've seen quite a few people in foreign uniforms wandering the region. We share this specific sector with Greece, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, and a fifth country that escapes my mind at present (only because they represent 1% of the task force here). The Norwegians are here on post too. I see a lot of Germans, Italians and French wandering around as well.
What's really hilarious is the locals. So far they appear to be really cool, and they LOVE the Americans. Its kind of an interesting thing we've got going on here. The Albanians love us because we came in and bombed the crap out of the Serbians back in '99. The Serbians love us (though they don't love us as much as the Albanians do) because we are preventing the Albanians from completely over taking Kosovo. That, and we protect their churches and other various places of importance. Long story.
In Pristina, largest city in Kosovo, they have a shrine to Bill Clinton with various signs exclaiming "thank you" and a big picture of him hanging off of one of the buildings. They love him here.
I will get plenty of opportunities to talk to the locals. They have both Serbs and Albanians on post working under contract so I'll get a chance to interact with them. They don't always speak great english, but we'll see how much Albanian and Serbian I can pick up before I leave.
This should be an interesting year. I'm looking forward to getting to work.
Apparently, these next 12 months are going to yield a few things to us, including educational opportunities, a chance to get my butt in some serious ass-kicking shape, a mission that includes like seven countries (including possibly Italy), and a lot of free time.
The task force has designated this to be a non drinking deployment, which appears to be upsetting some people, but I don't care as it doesn't matter to me one way or the other. I don't drink. Which makes a lot of people starving for things to do. The Task Force we're replacing appears to be seriously beefed up, they must get a lot of time in the gym.
I have a feeling that Amazon and Ebay will become near and dear to me. The PX is good, supposedly the best in the Balkans and the second highest grossing one in the chain (because the other multinational forces like to shop there too, as well as eat our food).
And I've seen quite a few people in foreign uniforms wandering the region. We share this specific sector with Greece, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, and a fifth country that escapes my mind at present (only because they represent 1% of the task force here). The Norwegians are here on post too. I see a lot of Germans, Italians and French wandering around as well.
What's really hilarious is the locals. So far they appear to be really cool, and they LOVE the Americans. Its kind of an interesting thing we've got going on here. The Albanians love us because we came in and bombed the crap out of the Serbians back in '99. The Serbians love us (though they don't love us as much as the Albanians do) because we are preventing the Albanians from completely over taking Kosovo. That, and we protect their churches and other various places of importance. Long story.
In Pristina, largest city in Kosovo, they have a shrine to Bill Clinton with various signs exclaiming "thank you" and a big picture of him hanging off of one of the buildings. They love him here.
I will get plenty of opportunities to talk to the locals. They have both Serbs and Albanians on post working under contract so I'll get a chance to interact with them. They don't always speak great english, but we'll see how much Albanian and Serbian I can pick up before I leave.
This should be an interesting year. I'm looking forward to getting to work.
1.25.2005
1.24.2005
Entertaining Oneself
I was coming back from chow for the evening when I was approached by my NCOIC (sergeant in charge for you none military folk) who asked me about guard duty. As in, would I mind pulling it on Monday from nine in the morning to nine at night. That didn't sound so bad, as long as I could get on post on Tuesday so I could mail a few things home.
As I did laundry this evening, I was further informed of another problem, in how SSG D says it, "do you want the good news or the bad news?"
I basically got an hour and a half notice that I was pulling an all nighter shift tonight from nine at night to nine in the morning guarding weapons.
Fortunately, they provide us with internet access, and we can bring our own computers with us and watch movies, or what not.
I can keep myself entertained on the computer for hours, however usually at home my entire sleep schedule is out of whack. Well, if I think I'm back in the states, its only 7:30. But in Europe, its 4:30 in the morning. Which consists of me staring blood shot thinking "only four and a half more hours. . ." I've been on a nice little sleep schedule of waking up before seven on most days.
I can think, I'll be sleeping in tomorrow. I've got all day to sleep in tomorrow. Just think, I'll be on Pacific Standard Time again (if only for the day).
But I'm getting a serious attack from the z monster. So what does one do with situations such as these?
Hop online and get a Sponser membership to Red Vs Blue and plan on watching those for the rest of the morning. They even have the copies from the BNL tour last summer, back before I knew they existed and I couldn't tell what was on the screen due to the massive whitewash by the usually non-existent Auburn sun!
I also watched Napoleon Dynamite again (AWESOME!) and enjoyed it's nerdy goodness, and relished in the fact that I am in deed, a nerd. I guess I could put it back on and watch the wedding scene over again.
Then there is of course, Livejournal Memes. My friends get me started on these, I thought I would expand on them. Most specifically, this one. Feel free to post anonymously in reply.
And of course, surfing through my pictures. Lots and lots of pictures. Not only that, but I'm on a computer with a USB port! That means, downloading pictures!
Now I have a bunch of movies I picked up for fairly cheap (or at least tax free) that I could pop in to entertain myself. But I guess I'd rather post to my blog delusional comments made in an exhausted state that I'm bound to regret later.
Actually, I think I'll stick to Red Vs Blue.
As I did laundry this evening, I was further informed of another problem, in how SSG D says it, "do you want the good news or the bad news?"
I basically got an hour and a half notice that I was pulling an all nighter shift tonight from nine at night to nine in the morning guarding weapons.
Fortunately, they provide us with internet access, and we can bring our own computers with us and watch movies, or what not.
I can keep myself entertained on the computer for hours, however usually at home my entire sleep schedule is out of whack. Well, if I think I'm back in the states, its only 7:30. But in Europe, its 4:30 in the morning. Which consists of me staring blood shot thinking "only four and a half more hours. . ." I've been on a nice little sleep schedule of waking up before seven on most days.
I can think, I'll be sleeping in tomorrow. I've got all day to sleep in tomorrow. Just think, I'll be on Pacific Standard Time again (if only for the day).
But I'm getting a serious attack from the z monster. So what does one do with situations such as these?
Hop online and get a Sponser membership to Red Vs Blue and plan on watching those for the rest of the morning. They even have the copies from the BNL tour last summer, back before I knew they existed and I couldn't tell what was on the screen due to the massive whitewash by the usually non-existent Auburn sun!
I also watched Napoleon Dynamite again (AWESOME!) and enjoyed it's nerdy goodness, and relished in the fact that I am in deed, a nerd. I guess I could put it back on and watch the wedding scene over again.
Then there is of course, Livejournal Memes. My friends get me started on these, I thought I would expand on them. Most specifically, this one. Feel free to post anonymously in reply.
And of course, surfing through my pictures. Lots and lots of pictures. Not only that, but I'm on a computer with a USB port! That means, downloading pictures!
Now I have a bunch of movies I picked up for fairly cheap (or at least tax free) that I could pop in to entertain myself. But I guess I'd rather post to my blog delusional comments made in an exhausted state that I'm bound to regret later.
Actually, I think I'll stick to Red Vs Blue.
1.23.2005
It's SNOWING!
It's snowing here finally. When it was warm here, it was subzero temperatures back home. Now that it's cold here, home is suffering from spring type weather.
That ok, I like snow. I'll be ok.
In fact, when it finally started snowing, I wanted to pose with my instrument of death. See how happy I am?
You know, this camouflage stuff really doesn't do a very good job camouflaging in this white fluffy stuff.
Now the question is, ask me again in a month if I mind the snow. I might give you the look of death and mumble a curse on your children.
1.19.2005
Parental Spawned
My dad created a blog. He emailed me to let me know.
I have no idea what TWIMC means.
I'm waiting to see what else he writes.
Update - Ok, now that i think about it, its a little bit obvious.
Meanwhile, i was mentioning the whole 'dad blogging' thing to my mom and she mentioned that she didn't know why my dad started a blog. To tell you the truth, it kind of surprised me too. I don't think he knows what he's getting into. Believe me, I love my dad, but he really isn't the type to get into blogging and keep with it. He's to busy doing other things.
I have no idea what TWIMC means.
I'm waiting to see what else he writes.
Update - Ok, now that i think about it, its a little bit obvious.
Meanwhile, i was mentioning the whole 'dad blogging' thing to my mom and she mentioned that she didn't know why my dad started a blog. To tell you the truth, it kind of surprised me too. I don't think he knows what he's getting into. Believe me, I love my dad, but he really isn't the type to get into blogging and keep with it. He's to busy doing other things.
Computers in Hohenfels
Somebody made this suggestion. I thought I would expand on it.
I love jump drives. I just got one and between my laptop and anybody else's, I can just take things as i need to.
However, when it comes to the internet, there is one problem. Only three places have internet access.
The library (no USB ports)
The Surf-Net (again, no USB ports, and time is limited)
The commander's office (USB ports yes, freedom to surf? Nada)
I have been instructed that while I am here, connecting to the Network with my own PC is a no-go. I do it just once, my computer will be confiscated and returned to me when I get home. In a little over a year.
I think I can wait until Kosovo.
I love jump drives. I just got one and between my laptop and anybody else's, I can just take things as i need to.
However, when it comes to the internet, there is one problem. Only three places have internet access.
The library (no USB ports)
The Surf-Net (again, no USB ports, and time is limited)
The commander's office (USB ports yes, freedom to surf? Nada)
I have been instructed that while I am here, connecting to the Network with my own PC is a no-go. I do it just once, my computer will be confiscated and returned to me when I get home. In a little over a year.
I think I can wait until Kosovo.
1.17.2005
Stupidity
I have learned a lot in my lifetime. I still have a lot to learn as well, but one lesson that I had learned before that only got reinforced this weekend is that nobody is immune to stupidity. And there are different kinds of stupidity as well. Those who say stupid things and those who do stupid things.
Eh, you can see where I'm going with this, right?
See, I blew a trip to Neuschwanstein this weekend, due to the fact that I almost missed the bus. A trip to Neuschwanstein is even a new years resolution. I could have had it knocked out halfway through January. But NOOO!
I had to do something stupid.
We were given three simple rules. Don't drink (which was difficult for some people, as we were in Munich, the Oktoberfest capital of the world), stay in groups of two or more, and be back to the bus by 17:45.
I broke the latter two. The bus was leaving at 1800. I miss it, I had to take a train back to Munich. I made it by a minute.
I'd go into detail, but I am running out of internet time (damn these computers). Long story short, I had two trips scheduled this weekend and I blew the second because I screwed up on the first.
I'll expand on this later.
LATER - Alright, so while we are walking through Munich, eating at expensive German Resteraunts and sightseeing down the Marienplatz, I stuck pretty well with my group of two other people. Lot to see, damn I wish I had a way to upload pictures (will I be busy when I get steady internet!)
We had to be back at the bus at 1745. No ifs ands or buts about it. After Dachau (yes, I saw the concentration camp as well, very fascinating) where one soldier got caugt up in reading the information and put the rest of us behind by a good 20 minutes, the time issue was key. That, and the busdriver swore he was leaving at 1800 and not a minute later.
Anyway, we were walking back to the bus and I still had a good hour and fifteen minutes to dink around. My group merged with another, and out of the confusion, well, I seperated from everybody. Subconsciously, I think I did it on purpose.
Anyway, I wanted to find a bookstore, really bad, and started asking people about Bookstores and where there was one nearby. I was directed back to the MarienPlatz and told of a bookstore there. I went back, and found a bookstore. Seven stories of books. In german. I decided, to work on my german speaking skills, picked up book one in the Harry Potter series, auf Deutsch! I also picked up the first Movie in german too, with English Subtitles!
Can you tell I'm working on my German?
Well, in my confusion to get back to the bus, I decided to cut across the street and go a slightly different way then I came. Mistake Numero Uno. See, I was thinking american streets, which are nine times out of ten set up in a grid pattern of sorts. This is an old european city, it is built around a circle and all roads go inwards. My thought was I would just go due south and hit the main road where the bus was and catch it going back east. No, i never hit the main road, at least I never noticed it, and went not South but South West. And kept going.
After a while, and asking several people in german "wo is das Deutches Museum" and getting a long response from one about where to go in german, and I had no idea what she was saying because my german is not very good, I decided to wing it. I made it a point to ask "Sprechen Sie Englisch" after that. Becuase I was led on a wild goosechase.
Finally, after being told that I was about a 25 minute walk from the Deutches Museum, which was right across the street from the bus stop, I decided to take a taxi (becuase I wouldn't have made it on foot). My luck? The taxi driver doesn't speak much english but got the whole "Deutches Museum, mach schnell bitte!" down pretty much. He went about as fast as the traffic allowed, but I don't think I could have gotten it through his head to stop right at the bus instead of the Deutches Museum. He had to do a U turn and I threw 7 Euros at him and told him to keep the change as I booked it for the bus.
A counseling statement and no more MWR trips while we are in Hohenfels is my punishment. Tis ok, as I am forever grateful I made the bus. *sighs with relief*
I wonder if that can be my stupid act for this trip?
Nah, I doubt it.
Eh, you can see where I'm going with this, right?
See, I blew a trip to Neuschwanstein this weekend, due to the fact that I almost missed the bus. A trip to Neuschwanstein is even a new years resolution. I could have had it knocked out halfway through January. But NOOO!
I had to do something stupid.
We were given three simple rules. Don't drink (which was difficult for some people, as we were in Munich, the Oktoberfest capital of the world), stay in groups of two or more, and be back to the bus by 17:45.
I broke the latter two. The bus was leaving at 1800. I miss it, I had to take a train back to Munich. I made it by a minute.
I'd go into detail, but I am running out of internet time (damn these computers). Long story short, I had two trips scheduled this weekend and I blew the second because I screwed up on the first.
I'll expand on this later.
LATER - Alright, so while we are walking through Munich, eating at expensive German Resteraunts and sightseeing down the Marienplatz, I stuck pretty well with my group of two other people. Lot to see, damn I wish I had a way to upload pictures (will I be busy when I get steady internet!)
We had to be back at the bus at 1745. No ifs ands or buts about it. After Dachau (yes, I saw the concentration camp as well, very fascinating) where one soldier got caugt up in reading the information and put the rest of us behind by a good 20 minutes, the time issue was key. That, and the busdriver swore he was leaving at 1800 and not a minute later.
Anyway, we were walking back to the bus and I still had a good hour and fifteen minutes to dink around. My group merged with another, and out of the confusion, well, I seperated from everybody. Subconsciously, I think I did it on purpose.
Anyway, I wanted to find a bookstore, really bad, and started asking people about Bookstores and where there was one nearby. I was directed back to the MarienPlatz and told of a bookstore there. I went back, and found a bookstore. Seven stories of books. In german. I decided, to work on my german speaking skills, picked up book one in the Harry Potter series, auf Deutsch! I also picked up the first Movie in german too, with English Subtitles!
Can you tell I'm working on my German?
Well, in my confusion to get back to the bus, I decided to cut across the street and go a slightly different way then I came. Mistake Numero Uno. See, I was thinking american streets, which are nine times out of ten set up in a grid pattern of sorts. This is an old european city, it is built around a circle and all roads go inwards. My thought was I would just go due south and hit the main road where the bus was and catch it going back east. No, i never hit the main road, at least I never noticed it, and went not South but South West. And kept going.
After a while, and asking several people in german "wo is das Deutches Museum" and getting a long response from one about where to go in german, and I had no idea what she was saying because my german is not very good, I decided to wing it. I made it a point to ask "Sprechen Sie Englisch" after that. Becuase I was led on a wild goosechase.
Finally, after being told that I was about a 25 minute walk from the Deutches Museum, which was right across the street from the bus stop, I decided to take a taxi (becuase I wouldn't have made it on foot). My luck? The taxi driver doesn't speak much english but got the whole "Deutches Museum, mach schnell bitte!" down pretty much. He went about as fast as the traffic allowed, but I don't think I could have gotten it through his head to stop right at the bus instead of the Deutches Museum. He had to do a U turn and I threw 7 Euros at him and told him to keep the change as I booked it for the bus.
A counseling statement and no more MWR trips while we are in Hohenfels is my punishment. Tis ok, as I am forever grateful I made the bus. *sighs with relief*
I wonder if that can be my stupid act for this trip?
Nah, I doubt it.
1.13.2005
World and States
Now to the important stuff.
Yes, I am in deed, in Germany. Not a whole lot to say about it as of yet, because I'm stuck on a military installation at the moment. We flew over here on Monday, stopped in Maine and Iceland for a short time to refuel, lost nine hours due to the time change (which truly does suck), and got bussed to a little place called Hohenfells which is not as bad as I thought it would be (people kept mentioning how much it snows and how cold it gets here, and it really hasn't been much different then Washington so far).
I used to have a map on my computer showing all of the states and countries i've been. I need to dig that out again and use it. Hmm. . .
create your own personalized map of the USA
or check out ourAlbuquerque travel guide
That is my current State Map. Some of those states are airport only states. But I'll count them anyway.
create your own visited countries map
or vertaling Duits Nederlands
And this is my current country map. Not much will be going on in the states for now. The world map will be updated regularly. This should be fun.
Yes, I am in deed, in Germany. Not a whole lot to say about it as of yet, because I'm stuck on a military installation at the moment. We flew over here on Monday, stopped in Maine and Iceland for a short time to refuel, lost nine hours due to the time change (which truly does suck), and got bussed to a little place called Hohenfells which is not as bad as I thought it would be (people kept mentioning how much it snows and how cold it gets here, and it really hasn't been much different then Washington so far).
I used to have a map on my computer showing all of the states and countries i've been. I need to dig that out again and use it. Hmm. . .
create your own personalized map of the USA
or check out ourAlbuquerque travel guide
That is my current State Map. Some of those states are airport only states. But I'll count them anyway.
create your own visited countries map
or vertaling Duits Nederlands
And this is my current country map. Not much will be going on in the states for now. The world map will be updated regularly. This should be fun.
My Policy on Iraq
I don't know why, but I get a lot of questions about Iraq. Mainly because I'm in the army and every time I mentioned that I was deploying, most people immediately assumed I was headed to the middle east. Well, I almost went there, but I didn't go so Iraq really doesn't apply to me. At this moment.
That being said, my opinion on Iraq is mostly supportive yet indifferent. And I'll explain why.
First and foremost, I had some reservations about going into Iraq. I knew this wasn't going to be an easy war if we went in. However, I do believe that Saddam Hussein was an evil man and the prevention of the Iraqi war was by and large in his hands. I do believe that the world is a better place without him. Unfortunately we should have taken him out during the First Gulf War. We didn't. I feel we had unfinished business there.
Another thing, I do not read negative press about Iraq, or at least try to avoid it. Why you might ask? Because I am doing myself no favors by looking at all of the things that are going wrong in the war and the casualty count and so on and so forth when the probability of me going there is high, and my former unit is once again on the radar to go this coming summer. Chances are, they'll make the rounds this time.
If my views toward the Iraq war were negative and I felt that we made a huge mistake going there and I continually bashed my Commander in Chief on his policies and then got sent to go there, would that help me? No. In fact, my morale will be shot. I will be miserable and i will put myself and every one around me in danger.
We should have done things differently, we should have initially gone in there with more troops, or maybe we should have waited a little longer before going in. It is unfortunate that we have to focus a lot of our energy into this war but the fact remains, we're there now. Hindsight is 20/20, but we started this, we must finish it, and pulling out now is not the way to do it. I would rather focus on the terrorists and draw them to Iraq then have to fight them on our home turf.
I am not going to do myself any favors by criticizing the war and destroying my motivation for being there. That is one of the worst things I can do for myself. It will only get me killed that much easier. And due to the fact that I almost went there multiple times, I chose to remain positive in our outlook and focus on the good that was coming out of Iraq, and ignore the negative press. This is war. I can understand that. There will be some horrible things that will happen, but that has happened in war since the beginnings of time. The more I look at war and read about it, I begin to understand the horrors behind it, and the true irrationality behind it. War disgusts me. It is a truly horrible thing.
Nobody hates war more then those who have to fight it. But the true warrior understands the need that sometimes you have to fight for something greater then yourself. Is fighting in Iraq worth dying for? I guess that depends largely on how you look at it. You can view this as a war for oil, or you can view this as a fight to give millions of people freedom from oppression under a tyrant who butchered his own people. Maybe the reasonings behind this war are shady, but I'll view it how I want to view it. There are Iraqis who are supportive of us and want us to be there. There are some who will try to fight us at every turn. It is unfortunate that they can't see what we are trying to accomplish, and that fighting us will only make us stay longer.
And this is an all volunteer army. I knew that going to war was a great possibility if I signed up. If I have any regrets about going to Iraq or Kosovo, I have nobody to blame but myself.
Sometimes I wish things ran a little more smooth in the military, but alas it is an imperfect institution run by imperfect people. And nobody is perfect. Mistakes will be made, and mistakes have been made in Iraq.
All I can do is do my best if I get sent there.
However, right now none of this really applies to me becuase my attention is currently directed at the Balkans. Not Iraq.
So please, don't ask me my opinion on the matter. Because right now all I care about is getting through this deployment in one piece.
Then I'll think about Iraq.
UPDATE - Ok, I have an Alibi to this post. I avoid negative press, yes, but I do read up on it a little bit to learn from the mistakes of others, such as Abu Ghraib and where things went wrong and how someone such as me, a preventive medicine specialist, can prevent things like that from occuring again. That is the only use I have for the negative press, to learn from it so that I don't repeat the same mistakes, though death counts won't tell me anything unless I know how they died.
And then I go about preventing those deaths. See, that's my job.
That being said, my opinion on Iraq is mostly supportive yet indifferent. And I'll explain why.
First and foremost, I had some reservations about going into Iraq. I knew this wasn't going to be an easy war if we went in. However, I do believe that Saddam Hussein was an evil man and the prevention of the Iraqi war was by and large in his hands. I do believe that the world is a better place without him. Unfortunately we should have taken him out during the First Gulf War. We didn't. I feel we had unfinished business there.
Another thing, I do not read negative press about Iraq, or at least try to avoid it. Why you might ask? Because I am doing myself no favors by looking at all of the things that are going wrong in the war and the casualty count and so on and so forth when the probability of me going there is high, and my former unit is once again on the radar to go this coming summer. Chances are, they'll make the rounds this time.
If my views toward the Iraq war were negative and I felt that we made a huge mistake going there and I continually bashed my Commander in Chief on his policies and then got sent to go there, would that help me? No. In fact, my morale will be shot. I will be miserable and i will put myself and every one around me in danger.
We should have done things differently, we should have initially gone in there with more troops, or maybe we should have waited a little longer before going in. It is unfortunate that we have to focus a lot of our energy into this war but the fact remains, we're there now. Hindsight is 20/20, but we started this, we must finish it, and pulling out now is not the way to do it. I would rather focus on the terrorists and draw them to Iraq then have to fight them on our home turf.
I am not going to do myself any favors by criticizing the war and destroying my motivation for being there. That is one of the worst things I can do for myself. It will only get me killed that much easier. And due to the fact that I almost went there multiple times, I chose to remain positive in our outlook and focus on the good that was coming out of Iraq, and ignore the negative press. This is war. I can understand that. There will be some horrible things that will happen, but that has happened in war since the beginnings of time. The more I look at war and read about it, I begin to understand the horrors behind it, and the true irrationality behind it. War disgusts me. It is a truly horrible thing.
Nobody hates war more then those who have to fight it. But the true warrior understands the need that sometimes you have to fight for something greater then yourself. Is fighting in Iraq worth dying for? I guess that depends largely on how you look at it. You can view this as a war for oil, or you can view this as a fight to give millions of people freedom from oppression under a tyrant who butchered his own people. Maybe the reasonings behind this war are shady, but I'll view it how I want to view it. There are Iraqis who are supportive of us and want us to be there. There are some who will try to fight us at every turn. It is unfortunate that they can't see what we are trying to accomplish, and that fighting us will only make us stay longer.
And this is an all volunteer army. I knew that going to war was a great possibility if I signed up. If I have any regrets about going to Iraq or Kosovo, I have nobody to blame but myself.
Sometimes I wish things ran a little more smooth in the military, but alas it is an imperfect institution run by imperfect people. And nobody is perfect. Mistakes will be made, and mistakes have been made in Iraq.
All I can do is do my best if I get sent there.
However, right now none of this really applies to me becuase my attention is currently directed at the Balkans. Not Iraq.
So please, don't ask me my opinion on the matter. Because right now all I care about is getting through this deployment in one piece.
Then I'll think about Iraq.
UPDATE - Ok, I have an Alibi to this post. I avoid negative press, yes, but I do read up on it a little bit to learn from the mistakes of others, such as Abu Ghraib and where things went wrong and how someone such as me, a preventive medicine specialist, can prevent things like that from occuring again. That is the only use I have for the negative press, to learn from it so that I don't repeat the same mistakes, though death counts won't tell me anything unless I know how they died.
And then I go about preventing those deaths. See, that's my job.
Defining Trolls
Ok, so why do people e-mail me to insult me? I got another piece of 'hate mail' in my inbox of somebody telling me how i must feel special to feel so tough when a poor little Iraqui girl has no arms somewhere because the big bad americans bombed her house.
Ok, so that pertains to a preventive medicine specialist how?
I was telling my dad back when about Trolls when my website first got its surge of readers from out of nowhere and at the time, I thought of a troll as a big green ugly thing that waits under a bridge to try to lure the billy goats. At least, that's where I thought the monikor was derived. But my dad, who is a fisherman, explained it better to me. Trolling is a fishing term, you cast your lure into the water and you troll it through the water, trying to lure the fish into biting.
So, what do trolls do on websites like this? They try to post something provocative and usually written in a nasty manner to catch people's attention and try to get them to bite. Then once they bite, you can start this big massive argument going that really doesn't change anybody's opinion and only causes tempers to rise and people to get really irritated at one another.
NEWS TO TROLLS!!! In the military, my job is environmental science, preventive care and education. I carry a weapon in self defense only. I don't bomb people, my job is to make sure people don't get sick. I must have one of the most liberal oriented job fields in the military. Seriously. I'm not kidding. In fact, I can name at least five people that at one time was in my chain of command that voted for Kerry this last election. Give it up.
And with my next post, I'll finally address that issue of Iraq and where I stand, because I promised what's her name that I would give her my honest opinion on the matter. STOP TALKING TO ME ABOUT IRAQ AND TRYING TO GIVE ME A GUILT TRIP ALREADY!!!
(I think I prefer thinking of trolls as big ugly monsters that hide under bridges trying to lure billy goats)
Ok, so that pertains to a preventive medicine specialist how?
I was telling my dad back when about Trolls when my website first got its surge of readers from out of nowhere and at the time, I thought of a troll as a big green ugly thing that waits under a bridge to try to lure the billy goats. At least, that's where I thought the monikor was derived. But my dad, who is a fisherman, explained it better to me. Trolling is a fishing term, you cast your lure into the water and you troll it through the water, trying to lure the fish into biting.
So, what do trolls do on websites like this? They try to post something provocative and usually written in a nasty manner to catch people's attention and try to get them to bite. Then once they bite, you can start this big massive argument going that really doesn't change anybody's opinion and only causes tempers to rise and people to get really irritated at one another.
NEWS TO TROLLS!!! In the military, my job is environmental science, preventive care and education. I carry a weapon in self defense only. I don't bomb people, my job is to make sure people don't get sick. I must have one of the most liberal oriented job fields in the military. Seriously. I'm not kidding. In fact, I can name at least five people that at one time was in my chain of command that voted for Kerry this last election. Give it up.
And with my next post, I'll finally address that issue of Iraq and where I stand, because I promised what's her name that I would give her my honest opinion on the matter. STOP TALKING TO ME ABOUT IRAQ AND TRYING TO GIVE ME A GUILT TRIP ALREADY!!!
(I think I prefer thinking of trolls as big ugly monsters that hide under bridges trying to lure billy goats)
1.09.2005
Update on Ebay
I sold for $31.00 on Ebay! (well, actually it was the jacket for sale, not me) To somebody in France. My sister was pumped. She was also a hair bit shocked at the traffic I sent to her.
I did mention to her that I got some pretty damn cool readers.
I did mention to her that I got some pretty damn cool readers.
Explaining 'Risawn'
I have often been asked where I came up with the name 'Risawn' and what it means. In fact, the question was posed this evening, and I gave the short version. (then the phone cut out, curse cell phones, though I don't know what I'm going to do without it for the next year, but I shall hold onto it until the bitter end!) This is the slight background to my moniker. In case you were wondering.
I discovered that I actually like to write (though at the time I wasn't very good at it, but you are never good at anything you start) in my senior year in high school and started to write a rather lengthy story in the process.
Being that my story was in a fantasy type setting, I tried to make the names as unusual as possible. I didn't want a bunch of characters named Bob and Fred running around.
About halfway through the story, I created the character 'Risawn', a character which isn't like me much at all. The name came about by putting a bunch of random letters together to get something phonetic out of the mix and the name 'Risawn' was born. As soon as I created it, I really kind of liked it.
Fast forward about June, right after I graduated. Believe it or not, I had never really played around on the internet before this. But alas, I discovered the internet and started dinking around on it. Then I discovered Email, and decided to make an email address. I thought about this character I had created and thought 'what the heck, I'll use that as my Alias' and tried it. It took.
It has proven to be fail safe, nobody else on the internet goes by Risawn. So the name became my internet alias (I don't use it in real life at all), and for the last five years, I've used it on just about everything I need to make an account for. I even got it as my domain name. If you see anybody or anything on the internet going by Risawn, it's probably me, or somebody posing as me.
So then, what does Risawn mean? Absolutely nothing. Just a name, a nonsensical word posed with a bunch of random letters, thought it sounded cool.
I discovered that I actually like to write (though at the time I wasn't very good at it, but you are never good at anything you start) in my senior year in high school and started to write a rather lengthy story in the process.
Being that my story was in a fantasy type setting, I tried to make the names as unusual as possible. I didn't want a bunch of characters named Bob and Fred running around.
About halfway through the story, I created the character 'Risawn', a character which isn't like me much at all. The name came about by putting a bunch of random letters together to get something phonetic out of the mix and the name 'Risawn' was born. As soon as I created it, I really kind of liked it.
Fast forward about June, right after I graduated. Believe it or not, I had never really played around on the internet before this. But alas, I discovered the internet and started dinking around on it. Then I discovered Email, and decided to make an email address. I thought about this character I had created and thought 'what the heck, I'll use that as my Alias' and tried it. It took.
It has proven to be fail safe, nobody else on the internet goes by Risawn. So the name became my internet alias (I don't use it in real life at all), and for the last five years, I've used it on just about everything I need to make an account for. I even got it as my domain name. If you see anybody or anything on the internet going by Risawn, it's probably me, or somebody posing as me.
So then, what does Risawn mean? Absolutely nothing. Just a name, a nonsensical word posed with a bunch of random letters, thought it sounded cool.
1.08.2005
Ramble, Rinse, Repeat
What do you get when you take a company sized element of troops on their last weekend in the states and inform them that once they set foot on the plane heading to Germany (of all places), they will be forbidden to partake of alcohol?
You get a bunch of drunken troops.
That's why I'm avoiding the mandatory party. I'm not much of a drinker, I think I was hit on at least a half dozen times.
I guess I could go back and people watch. Drunks are fun in that aspect. But apparently this is the last time I will have internet access for real (they're taking back these nifty borrowed laptops tomorrow) and I was hoping that there would be a new RedvsBlue to keep me company tonight, but alas, such is not the case.
I guess I'll check the forecast for Hohenfels instead.
Oh yeah, posted this in the Milblog, but it warrents being here too. I don't know, Not Sorry was kind of one of those fluke shots that turned out perfect. For kicks and giggles, I wanted to see if I could do it again.
Um, Nope! My hair was doing things to me that day.
I think it's back to the barracks for me now.
PS - Thumb Drives are the greatest thing since Sliced Bread.
You get a bunch of drunken troops.
That's why I'm avoiding the mandatory party. I'm not much of a drinker, I think I was hit on at least a half dozen times.
I guess I could go back and people watch. Drunks are fun in that aspect. But apparently this is the last time I will have internet access for real (they're taking back these nifty borrowed laptops tomorrow) and I was hoping that there would be a new RedvsBlue to keep me company tonight, but alas, such is not the case.
I guess I'll check the forecast for Hohenfels instead.
Oh yeah, posted this in the Milblog, but it warrents being here too. I don't know, Not Sorry was kind of one of those fluke shots that turned out perfect. For kicks and giggles, I wanted to see if I could do it again.
Um, Nope! My hair was doing things to me that day.
I think it's back to the barracks for me now.
PS - Thumb Drives are the greatest thing since Sliced Bread.
My Sentiments Exactly
Eh, just read this post and it tells you exactly how I feel on the matter, no point in explaining further.
You know, honestly, the democrats must really be in trouble or should take this as a hint to pull their heads out of their fourth point of contact when a highly liberal comic strip is ripping on them.
Hearing more crap on the Goober election here in Washington, but kind of gave up hope when it appeared that King County is F***** up. No surprises there. I still think Rossi should concede, and I would really enjoy it if it is proved that there was some major foul play on the Democrat's part and they gave it to him. Ah, who am I kidding? Maybe he should wait it out a little longer before giving up.
I'm not to fond of the Democratic Party.
You know, honestly, the democrats must really be in trouble or should take this as a hint to pull their heads out of their fourth point of contact when a highly liberal comic strip is ripping on them.
Hearing more crap on the Goober election here in Washington, but kind of gave up hope when it appeared that King County is F***** up. No surprises there. I still think Rossi should concede, and I would really enjoy it if it is proved that there was some major foul play on the Democrat's part and they gave it to him. Ah, who am I kidding? Maybe he should wait it out a little longer before giving up.
I'm not to fond of the Democratic Party.
Saturday Kitty Blogging!
Ok, so I read Time Magazine recently and discovered a phenomenon on the internet that I hadn't noticed, Friday Cat Blogging, mentioned in an article that was discussing the impact of blogs on this election.
I always wondered why so many people had pictures of their Cats on the internet.
Well, I want to take part, however I don't own a cat. And I can't guarantee that I have internet access every day, for instance, yesterday. Which was friday.
There are cats on Fort Lewis however. SO I thought I would take pictures of Stray Kitties and post them.
Look, it's a Cat Sighting!
I think I'm going to try doing this, I bet I could get pretty creative with Cat Blogging.
I always wondered why so many people had pictures of their Cats on the internet.
Well, I want to take part, however I don't own a cat. And I can't guarantee that I have internet access every day, for instance, yesterday. Which was friday.
There are cats on Fort Lewis however. SO I thought I would take pictures of Stray Kitties and post them.
Look, it's a Cat Sighting!
I think I'm going to try doing this, I bet I could get pretty creative with Cat Blogging.
1.06.2005
More from the Local Political Arena
Ah yes, every once in a while I have a concession to make.
My concession this time around? The Washington Goobernatural Election (Butchered on purpose). Rossi should concede.
The facts, I voted for Rossi, Rossi won the election and two recounts (or maybe just one, I may be a little off on those numbers and I've heard several accounts). Gregoire challenged and drug it on, demanded a hand recount, and won the final recount and with it the title of governor of Washington state.
I'm pissed at Gregoire, and if the tables were turned I would be pissed at Rossi (though not as much because I am obviously biased) However, as close as this election is, I believe that Rossi should concede (though at first I wanted him to fight) the election just to one up Gregoire and show people that Republicans aren't the whiney bastards that Democrats are. I hope that Gregoire can fix the problems of Washington State but I doubt it, and her record as Lietuenant Governor was far from steller. Unfortunately, this was in her hands from the start and I said it before. For the good of Washington, she should have conceded after the first recount instead of forking the bill on us. I don't think she'll have an easy term, especially at first considering the election was so close in a highly Blue state and a lot of people will feel like she stole it, kind of like I still do, as I don't believe that you should be allowed to hold recounts until you get your votes.
And I wouldn't be surprised if there was some dirty tricks played during this election, on both sides of the table. (my personal policy on politicians is you don't trust them)
Besides, now the Democratic Party gets refunded their money and your's truly, as a Washingtonian Tax Payer, get's to foot the bill of this last bloody recount that was insisted upon by Chris Gregoire to insure her victory.
I didn't really mind her before, she pissed the hell out of me during the recount, but I hope she really can help Washington because if she screws it up any more, it only screws me and the rest of Washington State.
And if she doesn't help things, maybe Washington can remember the mess she made of this last election that caused them to foot the bill and maybe they will vote her out of office.
My concession this time around? The Washington Goobernatural Election (Butchered on purpose). Rossi should concede.
The facts, I voted for Rossi, Rossi won the election and two recounts (or maybe just one, I may be a little off on those numbers and I've heard several accounts). Gregoire challenged and drug it on, demanded a hand recount, and won the final recount and with it the title of governor of Washington state.
I'm pissed at Gregoire, and if the tables were turned I would be pissed at Rossi (though not as much because I am obviously biased) However, as close as this election is, I believe that Rossi should concede (though at first I wanted him to fight) the election just to one up Gregoire and show people that Republicans aren't the whiney bastards that Democrats are. I hope that Gregoire can fix the problems of Washington State but I doubt it, and her record as Lietuenant Governor was far from steller. Unfortunately, this was in her hands from the start and I said it before. For the good of Washington, she should have conceded after the first recount instead of forking the bill on us. I don't think she'll have an easy term, especially at first considering the election was so close in a highly Blue state and a lot of people will feel like she stole it, kind of like I still do, as I don't believe that you should be allowed to hold recounts until you get your votes.
And I wouldn't be surprised if there was some dirty tricks played during this election, on both sides of the table. (my personal policy on politicians is you don't trust them)
Besides, now the Democratic Party gets refunded their money and your's truly, as a Washingtonian Tax Payer, get's to foot the bill of this last bloody recount that was insisted upon by Chris Gregoire to insure her victory.
I didn't really mind her before, she pissed the hell out of me during the recount, but I hope she really can help Washington because if she screws it up any more, it only screws me and the rest of Washington State.
And if she doesn't help things, maybe Washington can remember the mess she made of this last election that caused them to foot the bill and maybe they will vote her out of office.
The Awe of Technology
Behold, the new army.
Guard Duty includes computers, which allows for internet access while watching a bunch of wooden crates storing weapons.
Check Email (if it would work), update blog, mess with music files, watch a movie, and guard weapons, all at once.
Guard Duty includes computers, which allows for internet access while watching a bunch of wooden crates storing weapons.
Check Email (if it would work), update blog, mess with music files, watch a movie, and guard weapons, all at once.
Ramblings about nothing in General
The last few days have been pretty eventful, however most of it appears to be more along the lines of Dogtags Material.
Meanwhile, I miss my hair. It looks really good and everything when I take time to do it, however being in the military, I am forced to stick a hat on my head every time I go out doors. Which in turn produces hat head. Hat head has turned into a problem indoors at first, however fortunately I have managed to get rid of my part.
I have a feeling my part will be back.
It was actually kind of funny at first. There were a lot of people who stared at me when I first showed back up from Leave and asking what I had done to my hair. Some people even told me it looked really good. Others didn't really wish to say anything. Meanwhile, I acquired another nickname, GI Jane. I made a note that Demi Moore did indeed Shave her head for that movie, whereas I still have hair.
In other news, my sister had done something that lead to a pleasant biproduct. See, she took all of these old photographs and scanned them and downloaded them into a program with the intention of making a DVD set to music. All of these pictures ended up getting downloaded onto my laptop because I have a DVD burner on it.
The DVD was unsuccessful, but now I have a large amount of pictures on my laptop. I set my Screenserver to play these pictures and now I have pictures from home to keep me company while I'm away. And because they play completely at random, new pictures show up every time.
I'll be in Germany by next week. That happened a lot sooner then expected. And apparently, it will be VERY cold there.
Also, I'm staying in the same general area now that My dad did when he went through basic training back in 1968 (he was drafted). He brought me back from Leave and for the first time in 36 years, saw North Fort Lewis. It was kind of fun to watch him remember basic training and talk about what he did as he tried to orient himself. My favorite story arose from the old shoppette set up on stilts. One time he was caught smiling by a drill sergeant and the said drill sergeant made him do pushups under the PX. I promised him I would get pictures. Apparently there is talk that they'll be tearing these old buildings down in the next couple of years, so they might not be here when I demobilize.
Heck, I better get pictures for myself as well.
Meanwhile, I miss my hair. It looks really good and everything when I take time to do it, however being in the military, I am forced to stick a hat on my head every time I go out doors. Which in turn produces hat head. Hat head has turned into a problem indoors at first, however fortunately I have managed to get rid of my part.
I have a feeling my part will be back.
It was actually kind of funny at first. There were a lot of people who stared at me when I first showed back up from Leave and asking what I had done to my hair. Some people even told me it looked really good. Others didn't really wish to say anything. Meanwhile, I acquired another nickname, GI Jane. I made a note that Demi Moore did indeed Shave her head for that movie, whereas I still have hair.
In other news, my sister had done something that lead to a pleasant biproduct. See, she took all of these old photographs and scanned them and downloaded them into a program with the intention of making a DVD set to music. All of these pictures ended up getting downloaded onto my laptop because I have a DVD burner on it.
The DVD was unsuccessful, but now I have a large amount of pictures on my laptop. I set my Screenserver to play these pictures and now I have pictures from home to keep me company while I'm away. And because they play completely at random, new pictures show up every time.
I'll be in Germany by next week. That happened a lot sooner then expected. And apparently, it will be VERY cold there.
Also, I'm staying in the same general area now that My dad did when he went through basic training back in 1968 (he was drafted). He brought me back from Leave and for the first time in 36 years, saw North Fort Lewis. It was kind of fun to watch him remember basic training and talk about what he did as he tried to orient himself. My favorite story arose from the old shoppette set up on stilts. One time he was caught smiling by a drill sergeant and the said drill sergeant made him do pushups under the PX. I promised him I would get pictures. Apparently there is talk that they'll be tearing these old buildings down in the next couple of years, so they might not be here when I demobilize.
Heck, I better get pictures for myself as well.
1.03.2005
Fandom Down Under
Ok, one of the many humorous things that came about from my brief run in with fame was the following that came with it. (along with a couple dozen marriage purposals, found hundreds of links such as that)
I got an email a while back from Silent Running (a New Zealand Blog) asking if I could be their patron goddess. I laughed at the time, but didn't return their email until recently, due to lack of time. Apparently I created a stir with the New Zealand Crowd by agreeing.
Question, do these T-shirts you want me to pose in go with camouflage pants and combat boots? Because that's about all I'll be able to wear with them.
But good news, I'll have a perpetual M16 in my hand so I can pose with that as well!
PS - Julie, I think you are acquiring a following as well.
UPDATE - Now you can buy a shirt claiming to be my minion through Silent Running (who turns out, is not limited to the realm down under or so they informed me)
I got an email a while back from Silent Running (a New Zealand Blog) asking if I could be their patron goddess. I laughed at the time, but didn't return their email until recently, due to lack of time. Apparently I created a stir with the New Zealand Crowd by agreeing.
Question, do these T-shirts you want me to pose in go with camouflage pants and combat boots? Because that's about all I'll be able to wear with them.
But good news, I'll have a perpetual M16 in my hand so I can pose with that as well!
PS - Julie, I think you are acquiring a following as well.
UPDATE - Now you can buy a shirt claiming to be my minion through Silent Running (who turns out, is not limited to the realm down under or so they informed me)
1.02.2005
Hair today, Gone Tomorrow
Leaving back for Fort Lewis Today, however I needed to get one final thing taken care of before I left.
It's called my Hair. It is incompatable with the United States Military and has been a Bane of my existence for as long as I can remember wearing a uniform. Being a blonde, my hair is really fine and wispy. In other words, it doesn't like to stay put unless I cake a nice glob of Super Duper Extra Sports Gel in it to hold it in place.
And sometiems that still doesn't work.
Case in point, the following photograph. It's pokin' out. That is a no go.
So I went over to my sister's house and asked her to give me a haircut. As in, Chop it ALL off. So she did. I decided to do a PhotoBlog of my trials in getting my hair whacked.
I had to start with a picture of me before.
Well, if anything, at this point it needs a serious trim, and my roots are beginning to show.
So Chop CHOP! It came off!
There's the uneven look, but that's a bit faddish for army standards. Hmm, still we can play pranks with the leftover hair.
Ok, my goal was to get it short, while still maintaining a slightly feminine look. See, women have kind of an unfair rap in the military. The stereotype is that all women in the military are, and pardon my language, Whores and Dykes. I am neither, though I've been mistaken for both. HOwever, I didn't want my hair style causing people to question my sexuality, but make it short enough so that I could not worry about it for the next few months, besides a trim here and there to keep it within regs.
And so, it continued to come off. Strange, that is my natural hair color, I haven't seen it that color in, well, a long time. My intention was to keep it that color so I wouldn't worry about it. However, after trimming it up, I decided it wasn't short enough.
I look like a boy. More came off, and I wanted to try something where I could spike it up a bit.
The Lesbian jokes were flying, let me assure you. I didn't care, in fact, I was expecting them. My family is kind of like that. Anyway, my sister insisted I should do something about the coloring and put in some highlights, or something. Anything. I tried to withstand her due to the fact that 99.9% of the time my hair will be under some type of a cover (unless I'm indoors, and then I'll have hat head) but eventually I caved in.
That could be used as an incriminating photo if I don't watch it.
How it turned out? Um, the following. My family insists that it fits my personality and they like it. I like it too, but I think it will be a while before I can fully accept the fact that I chopped all of my hair off.
So this is the final look. My sister, who has been very successful at Ebay (with a lot of help from me, *snicker*) let me model some of her clothes with my new haircut. That was great fun.
She has a way of making people look really good. I just hope I can duplicate the style on my off days.
Click to View the Ebay Page!
It's called my Hair. It is incompatable with the United States Military and has been a Bane of my existence for as long as I can remember wearing a uniform. Being a blonde, my hair is really fine and wispy. In other words, it doesn't like to stay put unless I cake a nice glob of Super Duper Extra Sports Gel in it to hold it in place.
And sometiems that still doesn't work.
Case in point, the following photograph. It's pokin' out. That is a no go.
So I went over to my sister's house and asked her to give me a haircut. As in, Chop it ALL off. So she did. I decided to do a PhotoBlog of my trials in getting my hair whacked.
I had to start with a picture of me before.
Well, if anything, at this point it needs a serious trim, and my roots are beginning to show.
So Chop CHOP! It came off!
There's the uneven look, but that's a bit faddish for army standards. Hmm, still we can play pranks with the leftover hair.
Ok, my goal was to get it short, while still maintaining a slightly feminine look. See, women have kind of an unfair rap in the military. The stereotype is that all women in the military are, and pardon my language, Whores and Dykes. I am neither, though I've been mistaken for both. HOwever, I didn't want my hair style causing people to question my sexuality, but make it short enough so that I could not worry about it for the next few months, besides a trim here and there to keep it within regs.
And so, it continued to come off. Strange, that is my natural hair color, I haven't seen it that color in, well, a long time. My intention was to keep it that color so I wouldn't worry about it. However, after trimming it up, I decided it wasn't short enough.
I look like a boy. More came off, and I wanted to try something where I could spike it up a bit.
The Lesbian jokes were flying, let me assure you. I didn't care, in fact, I was expecting them. My family is kind of like that. Anyway, my sister insisted I should do something about the coloring and put in some highlights, or something. Anything. I tried to withstand her due to the fact that 99.9% of the time my hair will be under some type of a cover (unless I'm indoors, and then I'll have hat head) but eventually I caved in.
That could be used as an incriminating photo if I don't watch it.
How it turned out? Um, the following. My family insists that it fits my personality and they like it. I like it too, but I think it will be a while before I can fully accept the fact that I chopped all of my hair off.
So this is the final look. My sister, who has been very successful at Ebay (with a lot of help from me, *snicker*) let me model some of her clothes with my new haircut. That was great fun.
She has a way of making people look really good. I just hope I can duplicate the style on my off days.
Click to View the Ebay Page!
1.01.2005
Traditions
In my family, there is a tradition that as a child I didn't think to much about. I just thought everybody did it, much like I thought most families were like mine and most people thought the way I did back then.
We celebrate the New Year's Baby, where we leave our shoe by the door on New Year's Eve and the next day it is filled with all sorts of goodies.
Strangely, though my grandfather who started it in our family is Swedish, the tradition is actually Greek (though the Greeks leave their shoes by the fireplace, and it is St Basil who brings the goods at midnight). However, the New Year's Baby originates from Greece as well so it all fits. I celebrate a Greek Tradition and I don't have an ounce of Greek Blood in my veins.
My mom (who's birthday happens to by New Year's Eve), had trouble finding a shoe to put my loot in. So she used a combat boot this year. Very fitting :P
Since Serbia is close to Greece, maybe I'll still be able to celebrate next year as well?
We celebrate the New Year's Baby, where we leave our shoe by the door on New Year's Eve and the next day it is filled with all sorts of goodies.
Strangely, though my grandfather who started it in our family is Swedish, the tradition is actually Greek (though the Greeks leave their shoes by the fireplace, and it is St Basil who brings the goods at midnight). However, the New Year's Baby originates from Greece as well so it all fits. I celebrate a Greek Tradition and I don't have an ounce of Greek Blood in my veins.
My mom (who's birthday happens to by New Year's Eve), had trouble finding a shoe to put my loot in. So she used a combat boot this year. Very fitting :P
Since Serbia is close to Greece, maybe I'll still be able to celebrate next year as well?
The Quintessential New Year's Post
A year ago, like every year, I put up a list of New Year Resolutions. Let's see how I did.
1- Get Website back online
Well, at the time, I had completely deleted my website. It was part of my way of coaping with the fact that the army was toying with me at the time, the whole "you're deploying to Iraq, Wait, we changed our minds." I was a bit frustrated, and I took it out on my website. It was zapped from the face of the internet. I actually put it back on shortly after New Years, however, it was deleted again sometime in September, but that wasn't quite my fault.
a) get it functional and half way interesting
That is up to debate.
2- Find a decent paying job.
I work at a slighly above minimum wage job, which actually pays pretty well considering Washington minimum Wage is at $7.10, however, this was not accomplished do to the fact that the army was, well, toying with me and their decision on whether or not they were going to Mob me. I was slated to go somewhere a half dozen times and I didn't feel it necessary to find another job. THis was accomplished sometime in November, when the Army said 'we got a job for you' and now I'm on Active Duty. Much better pay.
3 - Get at least CUSA and CAP1 paid off.
Done. Then my Sister Used the CUSA and I added more to CAP1. But they were both paid off at one time this year.
4- Run Bloomsday this year. No, I mean it!
Ran the bloody whole thing. Was hurting for a week.
5- Move out on my own, one way or another.
Eh, army killed a lot of my motivation to do this, because I didn't know what was going on. Hence, never moved out, well, until about November.
6- Jump a snowboard.
I'm getting into intermediate/Expert area, but the snow isn't the greatest here, usually it get's icy. When you fall on ice, it hurts, so I don't really focus on dare devil tactics. I can't afford to get hurt. HOwever, toward the end of last season, I had successfully gone Airborne many times without falling, but I have yet to catch serious air.
The snow hasn't been great this year so far either. I'll be missing the rest of the season.
7- Read one new book a month.
Did really well for about, oh, four months, then I got distracted.
8- Sign up for Martial Arts (I've always wanted to take a class)
I still vow to do this one day. I wish I could have when I was younger.
9- BNCOC
Army terminology, tried to sign up, the Training NCO wasn't very cooperative however. I think he had more on his mind.
10- Speak acronymics less.
HAH!
11- Rekindle friendships with Suzanne, Andrea and Marnie, Carla, etc. . .
Attempted to with Suzanne, however she moved and I never got her phone number, mission accomplished with Andrea and Marnie, lost Carla's information. Damn.
12- Date at least once a month (I mean, I really just need to take a chance on the opposite sex!)
This is really quite a lost cause on me.
13- Break some bad habits of mine.
I'm trying to remember what those bad habits were.
14- And of course, it wouldn't be a new years resolution if I didn't include Lose Five Pounds.
a) Then Tone Up Body
b) And Run more. A lot more.
c) And work out more in general.
My weight has continually fluctuated by a margin of five pounds. And its right after the holidays, so I'm on the upper end of that scale. As for working out, well, that's a lost cause as well.
So how did I do? About fifty/fifty. And what do I have for this year?
1) Get out of debt - (piece of cake!)
2) Drive on the Autobahn in a Porsche.
3) Max APFT.
a) this will require me to work out regularly. I hear Bondsteel has some good gyms available.
4) Upkeep webspace from Kosovo
5) Learn how to edit videos.
6) See Prague, Budapest, Norschwanstein, etc. . .
7) Don't get Shot.
8) Make a decision on what I want to do when I come home.
Hmm, simple, let's see how I do? (of course, Resolutions are always up to change)
1- Get Website back online
Well, at the time, I had completely deleted my website. It was part of my way of coaping with the fact that the army was toying with me at the time, the whole "you're deploying to Iraq, Wait, we changed our minds." I was a bit frustrated, and I took it out on my website. It was zapped from the face of the internet. I actually put it back on shortly after New Years, however, it was deleted again sometime in September, but that wasn't quite my fault.
a) get it functional and half way interesting
That is up to debate.
2- Find a decent paying job.
I work at a slighly above minimum wage job, which actually pays pretty well considering Washington minimum Wage is at $7.10, however, this was not accomplished do to the fact that the army was, well, toying with me and their decision on whether or not they were going to Mob me. I was slated to go somewhere a half dozen times and I didn't feel it necessary to find another job. THis was accomplished sometime in November, when the Army said 'we got a job for you' and now I'm on Active Duty. Much better pay.
3 - Get at least CUSA and CAP1 paid off.
Done. Then my Sister Used the CUSA and I added more to CAP1. But they were both paid off at one time this year.
4- Run Bloomsday this year. No, I mean it!
Ran the bloody whole thing. Was hurting for a week.
5- Move out on my own, one way or another.
Eh, army killed a lot of my motivation to do this, because I didn't know what was going on. Hence, never moved out, well, until about November.
6- Jump a snowboard.
I'm getting into intermediate/Expert area, but the snow isn't the greatest here, usually it get's icy. When you fall on ice, it hurts, so I don't really focus on dare devil tactics. I can't afford to get hurt. HOwever, toward the end of last season, I had successfully gone Airborne many times without falling, but I have yet to catch serious air.
The snow hasn't been great this year so far either. I'll be missing the rest of the season.
7- Read one new book a month.
Did really well for about, oh, four months, then I got distracted.
8- Sign up for Martial Arts (I've always wanted to take a class)
I still vow to do this one day. I wish I could have when I was younger.
9- BNCOC
Army terminology, tried to sign up, the Training NCO wasn't very cooperative however. I think he had more on his mind.
10- Speak acronymics less.
HAH!
11- Rekindle friendships with Suzanne, Andrea and Marnie, Carla, etc. . .
Attempted to with Suzanne, however she moved and I never got her phone number, mission accomplished with Andrea and Marnie, lost Carla's information. Damn.
12- Date at least once a month (I mean, I really just need to take a chance on the opposite sex!)
This is really quite a lost cause on me.
13- Break some bad habits of mine.
I'm trying to remember what those bad habits were.
14- And of course, it wouldn't be a new years resolution if I didn't include Lose Five Pounds.
a) Then Tone Up Body
b) And Run more. A lot more.
c) And work out more in general.
My weight has continually fluctuated by a margin of five pounds. And its right after the holidays, so I'm on the upper end of that scale. As for working out, well, that's a lost cause as well.
So how did I do? About fifty/fifty. And what do I have for this year?
1) Get out of debt - (piece of cake!)
2) Drive on the Autobahn in a Porsche.
3) Max APFT.
a) this will require me to work out regularly. I hear Bondsteel has some good gyms available.
4) Upkeep webspace from Kosovo
5) Learn how to edit videos.
6) See Prague, Budapest, Norschwanstein, etc. . .
7) Don't get Shot.
8) Make a decision on what I want to do when I come home.
Hmm, simple, let's see how I do? (of course, Resolutions are always up to change)
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