The Dynamic Dome

All Emotion Atide...

2011-12-05T20:22:00.001+09:00

Here are a few reasons why all you Ok St fans can just shut the he77 up:

- You lost to a 6-6 team. In double OT.
- Bama lost to a 12-0 team.
- Stanford lost to a 11-2 team.
- Boise St lost to a 10-2 team.
- Houston lost to a 11-2 team.
- You get one shot every 50 years. You blew it. Here's to the 2061 team.

OkSt should play Boise St and do us all the favor of beating the smithereens out of the Broncos. Then I might actually listen to the whining. No, actually I wouldn't, but I wouldn't nominate you for the task if I didn't think you could do it. Instead that honor goes to 6-6 Arizona State. I'm suddenly a huge ASU fan. Hey Boise, if you get a Bowl game that is not only before New Years Day, but before Christmas, you just had your nose rubbed in it.

All emotion aside, the two best teams will play for the championship.

Why we do not need a playoff system:

- I'd rather listen to the incessant whining of the fans of a 11-1 team arguing about why they deserve a shot at the title than the fans of a bunch of 9-3 teams arguing about why they deserve the last seed in a playoff.

Nightmare Scenario That Never Happened:

- Boise St doesn't miss that FG. Houston doesn't choke against Southern Miss. LSU loses to UGA. BCS title game with Boise St and Houston. PUHLEEZE. As Bama and OkSt showed this year, to get ranked and stay ranked (even after a loss), you have to play a decent schedule. And win. You play scrubs, and toss a game, you get no respect. I swear, if Boise St is in the pre-season top-ten again I am going to go insane.

Here's to a month of listening to Ok St and Boise St and the rest of the Rodney Dangerfield college football gang (I get no respect).

Weeks 1-3 Recap

2011-12-03T17:41:00.000+09:00

Week 1: Ran three times during the week, hitting all the short runs. I don't remember why i didn't do the long run (6 miles) on the weekend, but I didn't. Total distance for the week: 9 miles.

Week 2: Hit two of the weekday runs and the long run (7 miles). Skipped the Tuesday run for whatever reason. Total distance for the week: 13 miles.

Week 3: Skipped the Wednesday run, but split the difference and added some miles to Thursday and Saturday. Saturday was also the first Knights of Heroes team run. Total distance for the week: 15 miles.

Only 15 weeks to go.

Help Knights of Heroes help a child.

The Quest for the Perfect Marathon

2011-12-03T17:21:00.001+09:00

And so begins another winter of sweating, trudging and freezing my way through the not-so-safe streets of greater Pyeongtaek and Osan-si, hammering and chiseling my flesh and muscle into a fine-tuned, marathon-running machine.

Last year I conquered the 26.2 miles at the Seoul International Marathon for the first time. Not only did I finish the race, I can actually claim that I RAN a marathon. The only stops I made were at aid stations so I would not choke on my water and snacks. I even stomped through an ankle-deep puddle in the middle of the course, just because everyone else was trying to avoid it.

This year I am teaming with a group of runners here at Osan Air Base to raise money for the Knights of Heroes, a non-profit organization that provides mentorship and hope for the children of service members who were killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

$500 will allow one child to attend the summer camp that KOH runs. I decided that my goal will be $2000--enough money to send four kids. I can only hope that if my own kids were eligible for the program, someone else would try to raise enough money for all of them to go as well.

If you feel it in you, take a moment to go HERE. Read about what KOH does, then feel free to empty you wallet!

Dream, Again

2011-07-20T17:44:00.000+09:00

It spent a long two and half years stuffed away in a box in the closet, but the sailing dream was brought out last week, dusted off, and put on top of the dresser. With just around six months left here it is time to finally start teasing myself with dreams of owning my own sail boat. Heck, maybe even living on my own sailboat. Who knows, I may even invite my wife and kids to join me.

The manner in which the dream stumbled out of storage is pretty much a direct representation of my normal thought process. Random.

I've been pouring through a lot of books, lately. Somehow I got onto a sci-fi kick a few months back. Not a big deal, but I normally do not read sci-fi. The kick started with Ender's Game, which I read for the second time (the first being in 1998). I did not dive straight back in to sci-fi, reading a book about running before picking up Isaac Asimov's "Foundation." After that I turned to a book about Pakistan, and then... the hook embedded itself fully. More Ender, more Foundation, on to Hunger Games (entire trilogy devoured in about a week). I could not keep away. Finally, after a so-so book, I made a conscious effort to avoid sci-fi by reading a biography about Bartholomew Roberts, aka Black Bart, the pirate. Guess what there was a lot of in the book. Sailing. Open closet, box falls out, lands on head, old dream revived.

It didn't help that this occurred in early July, prime pina colada and margarita weather.

So, with the hook back in me, I grabbed Bumfuzzle for my Kindle. Very interesting read. Funny, light-hearted. Not really serious sailing, but serious life living and traveling (via boat).

I know I have to pace myself. I do not want the suddenly re-lit wick of this dream to burn itself out. But seriously, sitting on the balcony, listening to some calypso--I could easily be sitting on my boat and doing the same. Soon. Very soon.

Sleepytime

2011-07-13T16:15:00.000+09:00

For the second summer in a row, my office is undergoing various renovations. So far, this year's work has not been quite as invasive as last year's, but it has succeeded in interrupting my normal work routine. There is a significant difference between this year's contractors and last year's contractors, though. Last year during the lunch hour all the workers would leave the facility and go eat lunch at the KEU cafeteria. Not so this year, although at first glance you wouldn't know it. I crawled out of my cave and found the rest of the office area silent. Lights were off, no noise, no workers. Last year I used this time to check on the morning's progress, so I figured I'd do the same this year. I walked into the conference room and turned on the lights so I could examine the work that had been done. Imagine my surprise when several workers grumbled angrily from under the conference table where they were catching a mid-day nap.

My apologies, fellas.

What passes for fun in the summer

2011-07-08T14:09:00.000+09:00

Mmm... Is there really a need to explain this? This is a Double IPA. The first time I made this it was delicious. I am expecting this batch to be much the same.

This is batch one of two for July. After I put this into the secondary fermenter next week, I'll cook my ROKtoberfest up. Meant to do it in June but never really found the time.

Checked Baggage

2011-06-26T06:23:00.000+09:00

"Excuse me sir, is that a weapon in your bag?"

"Nope. It's a Crowns stick."

"Looks more like a sawed-off broomstick to me."

"Precisely. Is that illegal?"

"I suppose I could misconstrue about a half dozen federal laws and consider it illegal."

"I'd prefer you didn't."

"I'm sure you would."

"Should I just touch the box and get this over with?"

"Are you sexually harassing me?"

"Do you feel sexually harassed?"

"Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to step into our private screening room."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Ask away."

"Pardon me?"

"Gesundheit. May I go now?"

"Excuse me?"

"You're excused. These are not the droids you are looking for."

"Why are you quoting Star Wars?"

"He can go about his business."

"Sir, you are under arrest."

"How many outs is that?"

The Agony

2011-06-25T12:46:00.000+09:00

So the military has this "great" thing called Space-A travel. It allows you to ride for free on airplanes all over the world. Unless there is no room, or the plane cancels, or someone else has a higher priority... It is a great deal if you can afford to burn half of your leave waiting for a flight to your destination, then burn the other half trying to get back. Why do I lament so? It is now Saturday afternoon. We have been trying to travel Space-A since Thursday, with no modicum of hope available until Sunday, and only two more remote chances after that before we turn back into pumpkins and have to stay put. Space-A. Might as well call it Freakin'-A.

Let Down? Let it go.

2011-05-27T23:24:00.000+09:00

Two weeks ago I ran a "practice" PFT. As usual, I struggled to get 10 pull ups (20 being a perfect score). I only got 91 sit ups, primarily because I honestly was not trying very hard because I knew it was not for score. I ran a 21:05 3-mile--respectable, but I felt I could do better. Today, I ran for score. I churned out 11 pull-ups (weak), 100 sit ups (perfect score), and stumbled across the line in 21:36. Not a single mile split was under 7:00. I wanted to throw up in disgust.

I fully bought that slow-down in the run, though. I could not run for score two weeks ago because my weight was still slightly over my max allowable. I can keep myself at a cool 220 all year, but 214--my max--is something of a forbidden number for me. I run a lot. 20-30 miles a week. I ran a marathon two months ago. But I cannot keep my weight down. So I did what any self-respecting individual would do--I starved myself this week, and by starve I mean STARVE. I barely ate. Worse yet, I barely drank water in an effort to reduce my water weight. Wrong answer all the way across the board. I was dehydrated going into the run, and had no extra energy with which to kick. Had I not had to starve myself (thus denying my body of valuable nutrition) I would have easily had enough energy to get below 21:00. Being dehydrated did not help, either.

Alas, it is in the past now. One more year to worry about it...

Blasting Perspectives

2011-05-10T22:14:00.000+09:00

For the better part of my adult life, running was nothing more than a way to keep from embarrassing myself during my 3-mile annual physical fitness test. I had a bit of an epiphany this week when I realized that it is harder to summon the motivation to go for a three mile run than it is for a twelve mile run. Not too long ago, a five mile run was a long distance run for me. Now I consider it speed work (if you consider my pace to be "speedy"). Anything less than ten miles just doesn't seem worth the effort. I probably won't break a sweat, and may not get my heart rate up much above 120.

Don't get me wrong. I'm no world-class runner. Scott Jurek would walk--not run--circles around me. It hit me today, though, as I was pushing through a six mile run, that the reason I was running so hard was that I wanted to get it over with. Not because I didn't want to run, but simply because I COULD push hard and get it over with. In the end, I ran six miles at basically the same pace as I ran three miles the day prior. Six months ago I could barely finish a six mile run, now I am blasting through it at 8:00/mile. Well, blasting for a middle-age, fat bald guy.

Buraksan!

2011-05-08T18:51:00.000+09:00

I'm telling you, the more time I spend on this trail, the more I love it. Today we went on a Mother's Day hike. It was an amazing time. I actually felt calm and at ease, a feeling I don't get much while living in the city-like atmosphere of this place. The greatest part was watching the boys demonstrate that they are already accomplished trail runners.

Owen, who a year ago we thought would have to go into a

"developmental" class at school, showing his trail-running form.

Owen and Jacob running through the woods together. A hint

of what is yet to come?

Yellow Dust

2011-05-03T14:13:00.000+09:00

Sounds like the title to a twisted Prince song--Yellow Dust. It is everywhere right now. It tapered off enough last night to allow a 5 miler this morning, but it has rolled back in. On what would otherwise be a gorgeous day, the sky is clogged with an eye-burning yellowish-brown haze. Granted, the air quality is not BAD (at least not as bad as it could be), but it is inconvenient. According to health officials, when the yellow dust level reaches 100 ppm, folks with respiratory issues should consider reducing prolonged exertion. When it reaches 200, everyone should reduce prolonged exertions. At 400, all prolonged physical exertions outdoor should be halted. At 800, one should stay indoors and hope that their heart is right with God (an exaggeration, but still a relevant point). To get an idea of how big the Yellow Dust storm was this week, check out Foreign/er's Blog. Here is the yellow dust level at Osan as of 1300 on 3 May.

To run, or not to run...

2011-04-24T15:32:00.000+09:00

I'm having trouble summoning the motivation to run. I was supposed to run on Friday. Didn't happen. I was supposed to run on Saturday. Again, didn't happen. Last night I set my alarm for 0500. I intended to get up and run this morning, making up for my lack of motivation over the past few days. I woke up at about 0300 and reset the alarm for much later in the morning. Once I finally awoke, I resolved to run later in the day, once we got home from lunch. Of course, I made this decision without the knowledge that we would be eating lunch at an Easter banquet, and that I would quite stuff myself with bacon and other such delicacies.

Fast forward a bit...here it is, 3:30 in the afternoon. I really need to bag a few miles today, but instead I am comfortably ensconced in my chair, dorking on the computer, watching a movie while the kids color on the table beside me. Running is the furthest thing from my mind, and--it would seem--it is the furthest thing from my afternoon agenda. Oh well...

It's 3 AM...

2011-04-13T03:41:00.000+09:00

What can happen in one night? How much can one man take before 3 AM? How about two complete sets of bed linens--sheets, comforters, pillows, pillow cases--completely obliterated by whatever it was that your son ate for dinner that his body has only just now decided to expel. As I sit in my chair in the living room, listening to the easy snoring of the young lad now safely ensconced on the couch, I realized that this is one of those Dad of the Year moments that no one will ever know about. Last weekend I had a very public DOTY moment when I was playing maniacally with the kids on the playground (and was the ONLY parent on the playground at the time). But this is different. Like the Hillary Clinton commercial in the 2008 primary, it's 3 AM, something is happening, who do you want to deal with it?

Me!

Hey, maybe I should declare my candidacy for the Presidency!

Standing Eight Count

2011-04-11T11:38:00.000+09:00

The past week has been as close to a near-death experience as I ever want to come. Okay, so I was never actually in danger of dying or being dead, not literally anyway. Figuratively, my running life came eerily close to a repeat of last year's "government shutdown." Flashback to last year when extreme plantar fasciitis pretty much halted all running for several months. Flash forward to the present, when some sort of unusual pain in the same foot was on the verge of causing me to stop running again. Fortunately, however, this crisis may have been averted, After a week of rest, stretching, and (most importantly) Motrin, my running days will resume beginning tomorrow. I stand now in the corner, gloves up, the referee has stopped his count at eight. Clear-eyed, I'm back in the good fight.

What is the moral of this story? The Dynamic Dome's aging body does not like to do speed work or intervals or anything that resembles either of those. LSD is the thing for me!

Survivor

2011-04-10T20:34:00.000+09:00

I survived my first marathon. Rather, I finally finished a marathon.

I was pumped the morning of the race. My longest training run had been a 20-miler. 20 miles in a cold, steady rain. Pure misery. So when it was cold and rainy on race day morning, I was pumped. I knew that the weather was perfect for me. You see, the more miserable everyone around me is, the happier I become. While running, that is.

The gun sounded, and the first group was off, then the second, then the third. Then my group. Spent the first 8 miles constantly reminding myself to slow down, slow down. From mile 8-20 I averaged about 8:30/mile. Somewhere around mile 22 I began to experience what I will call my "Whitney Moments." I would be running along and all of a sudden I would get all emotional, and for no apparent reason I'd start crying. This happened three or four times. This was not helpful, as I was struggling physically by mile 22 as well. My legs were stiff and the thighs were sore. At mile 23 I also began to feel a twinge in my knee. Just before entering the Jamsil stadium for the grand finish, I spotted my family off to the side. I stopped for a quick picture, then off I went to cross the finish line in a personal best of 4:14! Hooray!

Enjoyed a celebratory dinner at The Navy Club then headed home for a much deserved shower!

Question 1--Did I enjoy this? Absolutely.
Question 2--Did it hurt? Ridiculously. For days and days afterwards.
Question 3--Will I do it again? As soon as possible.

I hereby resolve (again)

2011-01-10T12:38:00.000+09:00

So I failed miserably at all of my New Year's Resolutions last year. In fact, after I hurt my foot and stopped running for a few months, I actually gained weight. On the upside, however, I finished the year stronger than I began it. In February I ran 78 miles before injuring my foot. After months of being a wimp about it, I slowly began to put the left foot in front of the right, the right foot in front of the left (repeat(repeat(repeat))), etc... In December I ran 82 miles. 2010 ended and I had run 448 miles. Less than I had originally hoped, but far more than I expected once the foot went bad.

I may have mentioned this already, but back in October I decided that I wanted to finish a marathon before I turn 40 (less than 6 months away). I am not certain why I want to do this to myself. I have always enjoyed running, but until recently had never run more than 13 miles at one time (and that was five years ago). Perhaps I am trying to finally achieve something. I know, some folks will say that is silly, especially given the hard work that went into my getting my job, but that was just a means to an end. This, well, this is a means to God only knows what!

Given my penchant for not carrying through on resolutions, I now have goals and dreams.

2010 Goals: Finish a marathon before I turn 40, throw away anything with a waist size of 34 or larger, score better than 260 on my next PFT. With any luck, I'll achieve these by the end of may and have to reconvene the Hopes and Dreams convention in late Spring.

Lofty Ideals

2010-07-17T11:23:00.000+09:00

Yesterday I had to complete an online survey regarding the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." It was very easy to recognize the way each question and answer could be used to spin the repeal, but I was able to muscle my way through the spin. As I took the time to put some thought into my answers, I began to realize that nearly all of my answers indicated that serving with an openly homosexual service member would have no effect on why I continued to serve, or on how I performed my job.

After giving it some serious thought, I realized that while homosexuality is an abhorrent sinful behavior to me, as a sin it was no different than the sin in my own life. For those who know me, you know I am not a lofty water-walker. For those who really know me, you know there is sin in my life that is safely locked away from the prying eyes of the rest of the world. The Bible tells me that all sin is evil in God's eyes. It also says all mankind is sinful. Given that context, why could not a homosexual be given the same opportunity to serve his or her country as I have been given?

Those against homosexuals serving in the military will say that a homosexual would ruin unit morale. They might say that a homosexual would reduce a unit's combat effectiveness. I say that is a bunch of crap. Bad leadership is what destroys a unit's morale and combat effectiveness. I have seen some very heterosexual groups rendered utterly ineffective because of poor leadership.

We will certainly be challenged in the very near future with some very new types of leadership challenges. Make no mistake, strong leadership will be needed. Strong leadership is always necessary for a unit to survive dramatic change. I am absolutely certain that in the very near future, heterosexual service members will find themselves serving with openly homosexual service members. Whatever their personal opinion on the matter, they will certainly look to their leadership for guidance, and leadership had best be ready to lead, regardless of the situation.

Rants--Three Questions, Part 1

2010-05-16T19:44:00.001+09:00

It's been a month of Sundays since I've blogged, and longer than that since I had anything reasonably important to spout off about. There is good reason for it. I was making myself miserable. Not during the off time, but in the blogging leading up to it. As I see it, there are two elements in our political circles that routinely get the press--the Liars and the Haters. In my abhorrence for the Liars I was becoming a Hater, and hating is not what I do. I had to force myself to take a step back and analyze my foundation--what do I believe, why do I believe it, and what am I going to do about it?

Question 1--What do I believe?

There are so many angles of belief in my life. First and foremost, I believe that Jesus Christ is (not was) the Son of God, that his mom was a virgin, and that his death on the cross was the act that allows me to have a relationship with God. With that as a starting point, here we go. I believe a family is made up of, at the very least, a man and a woman as husband and wife. That family may grow and include children, and it may also include parents, cousins, grandparents, nieces, nephews, and so on. I believe that children are better off if they are raised in one home--the home in which their mother and father live, together. I believe that God has something to teach me through my kids, if I would just listen. I believe I should love my neighbor no matter how convincing my neighbor's argument to the contrary. I believe I should love my enemies no matter how despicable they seem to me. I believe that no sin is greater than another. We tend to sensationalize and humanize it so that some sins seems worse than others. Stealing a piece of gum from mom's purse is equal to raping and killing a child. Period. I believe that I am responsible for providing for my neighbor if my neighbor is in need. I believe that God's creation is a blessed gift and that I ought to be a responsible steward of that gift. I believe that it is okay to get angry. Righteous anger can allow you to see things more clearly. Anger for anger's sake makes things murkier. I believe that if David could dance and sing in the streets to glorify God, we all can. I believe that war is a deplorable state of humanity. It is also an unavoidable state (unless you want to be killed or enslaved), so a righteous war is better than an unrighteous war. I believe that my wife could have done better than me, and she most certainly deserves better than I can offer. I believe that before she started on the crack-pipe, Whitney had it right--our children ARE the future.

The critical belief that stabilizes my foundation is the first--that Jesus is my Saviour, that without His sacrifice I would not have the hope for the future that I have now. Without that single foundational truth, all the rest is gibberish. It all IS gibberish, really. All you need is Jesus, and the rest will follow.

Sandwich Love (The Week in Review)

2010-04-17T06:27:00.000+09:00

I don't know who will have a better weekend. Me, as I hang out with all the kids all by myself until Tuesday night, or Lorri as she spends 4 days in Beijing with 30 of her closest friends. I'm betting on me. Optimism. It's what's for breakfast.

I was reminded this morning of one of my favorite ministries back in the states. Graffiti Church, in NYC (Lower East Side) is where my intrepid wife spent a few months of her post-college life working as a missionary. They are doing a great work in NYC. Check them out. Give them a sandwich.

Friday was a fantastic day. Drove to Seoul at 0430 to run a PFT. It was just a practice PFT. I still have some progress to make with my pull-ups, but the crunches were solid (96) and the run was my fastest in 5 years (20:55). I'm going to run for score in two weeks. My goal is 15/100/19:50. The second best part of the evolution was that despite all my efforts, I was still over my maximum weight. I had to go run another 5 miles after the PFT (3 miles), and completely deprive myself of liquids before I was finally able to step on the scale and it did not push above 214 pounds.

What was the best part of the day? How about the 12 bottles of Sierra Nevada product that are now cooling in my beverage fridge!

Gone Green (or brown)

2010-04-07T12:44:00.000+09:00

Will someone explain to me why we ever did away with brown paper grocery bags?

The plastic variety are probably cheaper to make, and some may argue they are more convenient to use, but some folks who tend to be more responsible stewards of God's creation would argue that regardless of how cheap and handy the bags are, plastic is plastic and will likely still be blowing around playgrounds after the end times.

My crunchy green friends would argue that we should use re-usable bags, like the cheap ones you can buy at the commissary. You know the ones--green, and made out of recycled plastic! Designed to make you feel good about spending $1.49 on a grocery bag--"Hey look at me! I'm recyclin' and reusin'!" Problem is, they are only good for about 10 uses before they get cut or scraped, get beef blood leaked on them (you veggies out there are squirming in your seats, no doubt), or a handle breaks because your bagger thought it wise to put three gallons of milk in one bag (something my pagan vegan friends would have no clue about). Now I am stuck with a useless $1.49 bolt of recycled plastic that--guess what--is still going to be a useless bolt of recycled plastic after the end times.

Brown paper bags--ahh, the good old days. You could use them as garbage bags at home (you can with plastic, but if you are one who utilizes a burn-barrel, then plastic is out), you can use them to line the dog crate, you can use it to make cool costumes for the kids. We used to fill one with popcorn and take it to the movies. You could even use it in your garden as brown compost (you know, the dry compost you mix with the "green" or wet compost). All of this, and it is a renewable resource--just plant another tree. And think of all the guys who had jobs simply because you used a brown paper bag--the lumberjack, the log truck driver, the mill worker. Dinosaurs of a bygone age.

I miss brown paper bags.

Easter Thoughts

2010-04-04T07:05:00.000+09:00

It is Easter in Korea. I originally thought I ought to be just like every one of my Facebook "friends" and quote something particularly devout or religious in honor of the death and resurrection of my Savior, Jesus Christ. The more I reflected on what I could say, the more I grew frustrated and disgusted with the seasonal public devoutness upon which I was pondering. I have decided that rather than quote the Bible or retell the Easter story, I am going to express my disgust in myself and in everyone who is suddenly overtly devout when a major Christian holiday is upon us. Jesus didn't die because he got religious once or twice a year, and I suspect that he wouldn't be too happy with the lukewarm nature of my expression of worship. As he states in the Bible, he'd rather I was hot or cold, but not lukewarm. I never really understood what this meant until I starting considering my theme for the day and the apparent hypocrisy of a lukewarm Christian walk became clear to me. The reason Jesus prefers us to be hot or cold is that neither one does any harm to the body of believers. The on-fire Christian is a healthy member. The frozen Christian (or the non-Christian) may not be a healthy member of the body of Christ, but neither is his walk a stumbling block for those who might someday come to know Jesus as their savior. The lukewarm Christian is a roadblock to everyone's success. He causes the on-fire Christian to become frustrated, and he causes the frozen one to turn away in disgust. I'd much rather be the on-fire Christian than the luke warm one, but I am not. My Easter prayer is that God will continue to guide my steps, and that I will concentrate on Him as much between holidays as we do on Christmas and Easter.

Sidewalk Prophets...

2010-03-27T22:54:00.001+09:00

This is a pretty simple song, acoustically performed. (Ignore the first 15 seconds of silliness)

Why post this? It made me think of a day in New Bern when the whole family was downtown one afternoon. There was a pair of gentlemen playing guitars and singing on a busy corner. As we walked by we discovered they were both Christians and just loved music. They weren't trying to evangelize anyone, they were just sharing the gift God had given them. Jacob wanted them to sing again, so he went through the list of praise songs he knew--they weren't comfortable doing any of them with just two guitars. After some consideration we asked if they would just play an original composition, and they agreed. Holy crap! We couldn't have asked for a more powerful song. I don't recall precisely what the lyrics were, but the dude singing could SING, and he was giving the song everything he had. It was awesome! If you were within a block or two radius from the duo you could hear God's music loud and clear.

What does this have to do with anything? Those two guys were kind of like sidewalk prophets, except they weren't really prophesying. But the name of this band reminded me of them. Then, when you listen to the words to this song you have to ask yourself, could I stand on a street corner and proclaim God's glory and remain strong in the Lord, never giving up hope?

The Dear Leader's Civilian National Security Force.

2010-03-24T21:29:00.001+09:00

I've posted this video on Facebook before. It is a bit old, but still telling. You see, The Dear Leader is not a liar. He tells us exactly what he wants to do. There was another leader in the 20th century who pre-advertised his plans as well. In fact, in 1938 he was awarded the same honor as The Dear Leader was in 2008--Time Magazine's Person/Man of the Year. That leader's name? Adolf Hitler. (Side note--Joseph Stalin won in 1939, his first of two awards). The Fuhrer had a similar civilian military group when he first rose to power--the Brownshirts. These days we call our Brownshirts the SEIU. Same old stuff. No new ideas here.

The Imperial Cruise

2010-03-23T22:49:00.000+09:00

I just finished reading "The Imperial Cruise" by James Bradley. Prior to this book, I had thoroughly enjoyed all of Mr. Bradley's offerings. Before I dive into lambasting Mr. Bradley's views, let me just say that I know my country doesn't always execute its foreign policy properly. That may be putting it mildly. The trouble here is that Mr. Bradley's left-leaning, blame-America opinions are more than blatantly evident in this reading. To make my point, there is a section in the book where he cynically compares Teddy Roosevelt's declaration of victory in the Phillipines to George W. Bush's "Mission Accomplished" episode. That is but one of many examples. Facts are continually presented out of context, while Mr. Bradley simultaneously accuses Teddy Roosevelt of doing the very same thing.

There is no doubt that Mr. Bradley is an intelligent man who is passionate about his subject, but the United States was not the only international power-broker in the early 20th century. In fact, we were still a very minor world player. Alas, since we can't blame the noble Chinese (who have given us such societal advances as the movable type printing press and The Great Leap Forward), nor can we blame any of the half dozen European powers who had raped Asia clean for hundreds of years, let's blame America for a few more of the world's ills.

I do hope that Mr. Bradley's next book, about Marine Corps legend John Basilone, is either slightly less anti-American, or at least is as wildly pro-Marine Corps as "The Imperial Cruise" was wildly anti-American.

Stupid Money

2010-03-22T17:54:00.000+09:00

The upside to signing on with The Company for an extra six years is that every year during that time frame they give me a little extra "ahem" for signing on the dotted line. The downside is that I tend to blow a lot of that "ahem" on STUFF. AKA: presents for me. Ok, that's not entirely true. Two years ago we went on a trip to Alaska and also to California and Oregon. Last year it help subsidize the new rock on my wife's finger. This year...let me just say that in Korea, good beer is hard to find. No Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, no Fat Tire or 2 Below, no nada. (Truth be told, Sierra Nevada is available at the Navy Club in Seoul, but only by the bottle.) So, since I am growing weary of Sam Adams, I decided to re-invest in homebrewing. I played with homebrewing a bit during my college years and had fun with it. Alas, my kit was destroyed in a fire on New Years Eve, 1999, and was never replaced. Until now.

Having a decent beer available to me is only one of two excuses I have for doing this. The other is that I would prefer to spend the next two years in a drunken stupor. I think the things our government is doing would make more sense if examined through the sediment at the bottom of a bottle of homebrew.

So much for this week...

2010-03-22T07:58:00.000+09:00

The moron from Maryland stated it more clearly than he realized when he said something to the effect of, "American healthcare is on an unsustainable course." If the Stupid Dozen are any indication, the Honorable Moron from Maryland is correct.

Mr. Stupak, the pro-life congressman who's stand against government funding for abortion almost withstood the lies and empty promises of the Dear Leader, has caved. What did he cave in to? Was the abortion language removed from the legislation? Nope. The Dear Leader himself promised that once the legislation passed, he would make an executive order stating that no government funds would be used for abortions.

Really Bart? You believe that? Let's look at two angles. First, an executive order is not a line-item veto. The President does not have the authority to override portions of legislation he does not agree with. Which is convenient, since he does not disagree with federal funding of abortion in the first place. Second, You are going to actually believe TDL (a man with a 100% rating from NARAL) when he says he will forbid using federal funds to pay for abortions? That's akin to believing Billy Graham when he promises that donations won't be spent to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. How ca you believe a promise that is so completely at odds with something that is a core issue for that individual?

Finally, this moron who is talking on the House floor right now is out of his mind. He begins debate on Healthcare by comparing this fight to the civil rights fight in the 60's. Who is making this a racial debate? Us or them? It should be painfully obvious to everyone with a functioning brain that this legislation is not about healthcare reform. It is about something much darker, and much more sinister.

Full Metal Jacket: The Jelly Doughnut

2010-03-19T22:15:00.001+09:00

I've spent the past few weeks trying to find a way to put my feelings about the Obamacare debacle into words. This morning I realized that my feelings on the subject had not only already been put to words, they had been put to film. I was originally of the opinion that the platoon represented America, Gunny Hartman was The Dear Leader (sorry, Gunny), and Private Pyle was Congress. Now I think that Pyle might represent America, Gunny Hartman is the Democrat Party (again, my apologies to the Gunny), but I can't really put my finger on who the platoon is. Unless both Pyle and the platoon represent America, and the mind-trick Gunny Hartman plays on them (ultimately leading to Pyle's suicide) somehow foreshadows the future of our country if this jelly donut gets let out of the foot locker.

What we think is important to watch

2010-03-19T18:29:00.000+09:00

I'm not a big TV viewer. In fact, if I had it my way there would be no TVs in my house. (For the record, I don't have it my way). I don't put a lot of stock in polls and such, but I do find it interesting to look every now and again at what other people are watching. The following list, taken from MediaBistro.com, tells a lot about American likes and dislikes.

Primetime:

1. USA
2. FOX News
3. TBSC
4. TNT
5. History Channel
6. NAN
7. ESPN
8. Family
9. A&E
10. FX
26. MSNBC

Some of the quality programming Americans were watching instead of MSNBC: HGTV, Lifetime, Cartoon Network, TRU TV, Food Network, AMC, Discovery Channel, SYFY, TLC, Spike, Comedy Central, Bravo, MTV, Hallmark. CNN's primetime lineup didn't register in the top 30.

The total programming day listing reads much the same:

1. Nickelodeon
2. NAN
3. TNT
4. Fox News
5. ADSM
6. USA
7. Cartoon Network
8. TBSC
9. ESPN
10. A&E
29. CNN

MSNBC didn't register on the full day top 30. Instead, Americans watched TRU TV, Lifetime, HGTV, the Travel Channel, TLC, Hallmark, Bravo, and a few others.

I don't have extended cable anymore, but I did once (a long time ago), so I have a pretty good idea just how awesome the programming on Hallmark is. The fact that more Americans find Home and Garden TV to have more riveting programming than both MSNBC and CNN speaks volumes. Maybe there is hope for America!

Don't Wait Too Long

2010-03-18T23:13:00.000+09:00

I almost missed my opportunity. Now that I have seen that the window is still open to me, I have to make sure I don't lose the chance. You see, I have been waiting (rather impatiently, I admit) for the opportunity to start including my oldest son in some of my activities--namely, I've been waiting for him to be able to go for runs with me. He's been pestering me about it all winter, and I kept telling him to wait until the weather turned a bit less chilly. Well, the weather yesterday sucked, but he chose to try and run in a 5K race that I was running in. The only guidance I gave him was to stay out of everyone's way (there were several hundred people running in the race), and that if running became too hard, to walk.

How did the lad do? I hit the halfway point and turned around to head back for the finish line. I was shocked to find that Jacob was only a few hundred meters behind me, loping along effortlessly. When he saw me he got a big grin on his face and shouted something at me (I had my earphones in and didn't hear him, but he did not seem to be too winded). I ended up finishing in 22:47. Not too shabby when you consider the blizzard we ran in (and all the extra pounds I was hefting along--pound for pound I was the fastest runner out there). Four minutes later, here comes Jacob, slowly gaining on another runner. You could see the panic on the guy's face. He knew there was a 10 year old narrowing the gap, and I can only imagine that he realized he could not live with himself if he got passed by a 4th grader just before the finish line. As it was, Jacob beat more than half of the runners in the race.

So now, after all is said and done, it looks like I will have a new running partner on the weekends! There are nine 5K races on base here in May, and I am very much looking forward to running WITH my son in each and every one of those races.

Yet Another Read

2010-03-08T20:49:00.000+09:00

I just finished reading Donald Miller's book, "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing my Life." What a fantastic book. Funny and insightful, it challenges you to examine your faith and your life, yet does so without being obtrusive. Well done, and highly recommended.

Next Book

2010-03-01T21:33:00.000+09:00

Last night I finished reading "The Search for God and Guinness" by Stephen Mansfield (the same Stephen Mansfield who wrote the "The Faith of..." books on G.W. Bush and The Dear Leader). Fantastic book. In fact, it was fantastic enough for me to get up at 2330 after being unable to fall back asleep after a short one hour "nap" and read until the book was complete at 0300. Dispelled a few rumors about Arthur Guinness (he apparently did NOT invent the Guinness stout out of Christian mercy to rescue the gin and whiskey addicts of the day--who knew?) and shed some light on the rise of the Guinness empire. Whether you are a person of faith or not, the Guinness business model of the first 200 years is a marvel. You think Google and Microsoft are somehow revolutionary in the way they do business? Learn about Guinness. They were doing it right HUNDREDS of years before those guys. And maybe enjoy a pint (or two or five) while you enjoy the book at the same time. Fantastic read, with fantastic insight.

Books

2010-02-23T20:25:00.000+09:00

I have fallen behind on my 52 books goal, but received two much-anticipated books in the mail yesterday. The Search for God and Guinness is first, and I'll give it a brief review once complete. I've got a few other books waiting on deck, so I should be in pretty good shape. I'm also a few chapters ahead of schedule in the Bible, so that is helpful as well.

Division as a Unity Tactic?

2010-01-26T20:51:00.001+09:00

I did not know until today that God is anti-equality, anti-choice and homo-phobic. Last time I checked, God is equally available to everyone, he gives the freedom to choose life or death, and is not afraid of anyone or anything. The uproar over the Tim Tebow Superbowl ad is pathetic. Hey, abortionists, here's a reality check for you. What if YOUR mom had chosen "choice?" Think about it. Tebow's mom followed God's lead, and gave birth to her son. I'm not going to cite his athletic excellence to validate her decision (although some vain Gator fans will). I'm going to cite his character. His life of service to the Lord (an alien concept to the poor choosers) is vindication enough. Roll Tide, and Roll Tebow.

Call to Silence

2010-01-20T21:12:00.001+09:00

If you have ever been within a mile of a mosque when it is prayer time you have heard the hauntingly beautiful call to prayer. It is usually sung by an imam from up on a minaret so all the town can hear. Nowadays they sing into a microphone and amplify it so all the much larger town can hear it over the hub-bub of modern life. It is in the shadow of this reality that this report must be read.

I disagree with non-Christian religions as much as they disagree with Christianity. The difference is that I am going to pray for your soul instead of standing at the back of your church or synagogue or mosque while making an ass of myself and my own church.

Jesus Rifles

2010-01-20T21:05:00.001+09:00

This report from ABC had me laughing before I even got to page 3! Here are my observations:

1. Civilian sales of Trijicon scopes will go through the roof.
2. Snipers don't normally leave people in a condition where they can comment on who shot them, nor do they normally get close enough to their targets to allow the target to look in the delivery end of the scope to read the inscription.
3. Exactly what part of the Constitution does this violate? Before you say, "The part that guarantees separation of church and state," please find the part that actually says that.
4. Anyone who doesn't consider our current war a crusade has no clue about the history of the spread of the religion of peace (speaking of which, you can learn more about the religion of peace at http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/ .

Classic. Folks, unlike the followers of the religion of peace, Christians don't want you dead if you don't believe in Jesus. In fact, we want you alive for as long as it takes for you to learn about Him and come to accept that He is the Way, the Truth and the Light. We don't want you dead, especially if you are not saved, a notion which is directly at odds with the evangelical efforts of the religion of peace.

Spin Control

2010-01-16T22:05:00.001+09:00

Just finished watching an intriguing documentary with my wife, Food Inc. If you are able to get past a few moments of very obvious leftist spin, you can gain some insight into how your food is really grown, processed, and marketed. To be honest, not a lot of what I saw caught me off guard. Despite some very "right" leanings of my own, I have always understood that the best food for you is the food you can see. You can see it planted, you can see it grown, you can see it harvested, you can see it slaughtered. I was very fortunate to grow up in a place where, to a certain extent, my family was able to consume food that we had grown on our own. It wasn't a lot of food, but a significant portion was home-grown. There is simply no comparison between a fresh tomato from your garden (fertilized with the poo-poo you collected from the cow or goat or horse) and the bland, red-colored orb the grocery store calls a tomato. I did not need this movie to tell me that.

If you need a reason to stop buying certain types of foods, this movie might be able to put the fear of Someone in you.

And if fear doesn't work for you, just follow your taste buds.

Dinner Table Discussion

2010-01-15T21:52:00.000+09:00

We had a fairly deep and interesting conversation at the dinner table tonight. Lorri offered a prayer for the folks in Haiti, after which my soon to be 10 year old son asked why we needed to pray for them. He knew about the earthquake, but when Lorri explained about the violence and such he was confused. I told him that there is violence in Haiti, even without an earthquake, to which Lorri countered with the explosion of violence in NOLA following Hurricane Katrina. We pondered this for a moment and came to the conclusion that, without fair and effective governance people will revert to their inherent nature, which is evil.

This governance can take many forms, whether as a state government or through a religious organization. Each has rules and expectations by which people are expected to abide. Without this social pressure to "conform," humans resort to their most basic instincts. Anarchy results, and the odd thing about anarchy is that when people write about it, they never say that a society or neighborhood rose or ascended to anarchy.

Now, the last paragraph was not part of the dinner conversation. It was just my mind rambling off into the sunset. Resuming the story-line, Jacob seemed to fully grasp the concept of human nature, and why it is evil, or at best sinful (if you don't like being called evil). I suppose calling ourselves evil is not very fair. We are all sinful, there is no question of that, yet some of the greatest sinners are not evil at all.

Roll Tide

2010-01-15T16:48:00.000+09:00

A belated congratulations to my beloved Crimson Tide. I've been marooned on an almost tropical island for the last 10 days while attending a conference. Needless to say, the conference organizers did not feel the need to cancel or postpone the conference so I could watch the game (which aired at 1000 local time here). So, I skipped the conference (I hope the boss is not reading this).

A few game comments:

1. For all you folks who think it would have been better had Colt McCoy played the entire game, I have only this to say to you: WAAAAAAA! There were 10 other talented guys on the field, and the backup QB seemed to be pretty talented. Colt had two very good opportunities to put the ball in the end zone and couldn't. Nor would Colt have had anything to do with the feeble attempt to stop the Mark and Trent Show.

2. The Mark and Trent Show. Questions?

3. Lesson learned for next season--in order to view every game, it might be best to switch to the Protestant service at the Chapel, which is at 1700. That way, when Bama has the late Saturday game (which airs at 1000 Sunday here) I don't have to miss the game for church. In reality, there was only one scheduling conflict this year, and I missed Sunday School for the SEC championship game.

2009

2009-12-31T22:04:00.001+09:00

The year is nearly up. Just a few more hours. The kids are watching Mary Poppins. The wife is baking a cake. I am trying to recall all that happened this year. We inaugurated a President. I wouldn't mention that, except that he mentions it all the time.

My family moved to Korea. That is an adventure. I do love spicy tofu soup, and I never would have known that had we not moved here. Ethan broke his wrist--our first broken bone! Both Owen and Anna Grace are now potty-trained. No diapers for the first time in 10 years. Jacob was elected as student body vice president. There is hope for a change! Lorri has really blossomed as a concocter of confections, which may explain the blossoming of my belt line this year!

Every new year requires resolutions, so here are mine:

1. Read the Bible, cover to cover (not necessarily in one sitting).
2. Lose 40 pounds (gets me to high school fighting weight).
3. Run 183 times.
4. Run 600 miles.
5. Begin my Master's degree.
6. Send my wife flowers at least 12 times (whether she deserves them or not!).

Vaya con dios.
(For my Eagle friends, that translates to "Cheers.")

Raw Deal

2009-12-28T11:42:00.000+09:00

While wandering through the BX the other day my eyes caught a glimpse of a book on the shelf. I can't say what it was that caught my attention, but I bought the book and am now about half way through with it. It is called "New Deal or Raw Deal: How FDR's Economic Legacy has Harmed America" and is written by Burton Folsom, Jr.

This blog entry will not be a book review. I will simply tell you this. One of my favorite books of all time is "It Can't Happen Here," by Sinclair Lewis. The novel chronicles the life of Doremus Jessup during the mid-1930's as the United States government finds itself spiraling out of control. I have read this book several times and each time thought to myself how far-fetched it would be for people to be put in jail in the United States simply because of their political beliefs.

After finally learning about the FDR presidency (beyond the dribble we are taught at school) the reality of the fictional novel is startling. Even more startling is the fact that the reader of Folsom's book could change out the name "FDR" with "The Dear Leader" and the book would still read the same, just 80 years later.

I highly recommend both books to all readers.

Fantasy Football 2009, The playoffs

2009-12-20T19:31:00.004+09:00

Here was my original Fantasy Team as drafted in September:

QB Philip Rivers, San Diego Easily one of the top three QBs in the league.
RB Ryan Grant, Green Bay Should go large this season.
RB Thomas Jones, NYJ Was good last year and ought to continue this year.
WR Vincent Jackson, San Diego Did I mention I like his QB?
WR Roddy White, Atlanta Another talented guy with a talented QB.
TE Visanthe Shiancoe, Minnesota No clue. Hopefully #4 is friendly to him.
Kicker Stephen Gostkowski, New England I'm pretty sure he'll be stretching his legs a lot.
Defense/Special Teams Baltimore Ravens As long as Ray Lewis is alive, this is a good bet.

Only two of these players are not currently on my starting roster entering the 2nd week of playoffs. In what may have been on of the great free-agent pick-ups of the year, I grabbed Vernon Davis and parked Shiancoe on the bench. I also gave up the Ravens D for the Saints D, a move which was reaping me huge points until the last two weeks.

I ended the regular season in 2nd place after a very slow, 1-3 start. I had the top ranked receiving corps and the 3rd ranked rushing corps. Oh, and the top tight end in the league. I outscored every other team in the league, scoring under 100 points only two or three times. This week is the 2nd of three weeks of playoffs. Win this week and I am in the superbowl. Lose, and, well, I lose. Last week the top team in the playoffs lost to the #8 seed. After two games this week, the #8 seed is dominating the #3 seed. If #8 wins this week, he'll be on the longest win streak of the season and still have a losing record going into the superbowl. I like my odds.

Clarity of Perception

2009-12-19T17:55:00.001+09:00

Those crazy married, hard-working Christians! At it again!

It is amazing how your perception of the world clarifies when you look through the eyes of Jesus. Or are married. Or are hard working.

Conspiracy... theory?

2009-12-16T14:57:00.001+09:00

I've already blogged on this topic this Christmas season, but it is important enough to me that I will blog on it again.

Modern Christmas is driving me nuts. I watched "The Santa Clause, 2" with my kids this past weekend. There was a line toward the end of the movie that crushed me. One of the characters (could have been Tim Allen, I don't recall) said that if there was no more Santa Claus, there would be no more Christmas. Wow. Sounds like there is already no more Christmas.

The commercialism drives me nuts because I spend 11 months every year digging my way out from under my Visa, only to lose control around the 1st of December and re-bury myself. I spend more time looking for the "perfect gift" than I do considering the Perfect Gift I already have been given.

To that end, I stumbled upon another organization who feels the same way I do (and a related site).

I don't know exactly how much money we have spent on presents this year, but I imagine that the time spent on the computer looking for presents could probably have been spent more productively (not to mention the money).

I'm working on a more comprehensive plan for next Christmas, and once I come up with it I will post it. Don't hold your breath, though.

Choose your sin

2009-12-16T14:22:00.001+09:00

I've got a problem with the Homosexual community. Believe it or not, it is not the fact that they are homosexual. Sure, what they do is abhorrent to me and turns my stomach, but what a murderer does is abhorrent to me and turns my stomach as well. What a rapist does is abhorrent to me and turns my stomach. What a thief does is abhorrent to me and turns my stomach. The sins I commit (and hide from public view) are abhorrent to me and turn my stomach. No, the sin you choose to commit does not bother me. Pushing your sin on the rest of us bothers me.

Imagine, for example, if instead of having a "Safe Schools" Czar who wants to teach our elementary school children how to perform homosexual sex acts we had a czar who wants to teach our children how to kill people. Instead of the czar being an unapologetic homosexual who wants to push himself on everyone (excuse the unseemly pun), we get a czar who is a remorseless murderer bent on training children to kill. Instead of a czar who wants to teach our kids to have polygamous, promiscuous sex with as many random partners (of the same sex) as possible we get a czar who wants to teach our kids to kill as many folks as possible in as many ways as possible.

Honestly, what you do in your bed (or any number of other men's beds) is between you and God. Not only do I not want to hear about it, I don't want you telling my children about it either.

The Jack Tree

2009-12-10T21:44:00.000+09:00

Quick burst from the Left Coast--two leading ladies and a Big Springs juniper in Ashland, Oregon. The tree was donated to the Memorial Park by my Uncle T in my dad's memory. It is a transplant from my parent's former ranch in Siskiyou County.

Nod to Tebow

2009-12-08T22:55:00.001+09:00

He may not have brought his "A" football game last weekend, but Tim Tebow always brought his "A" game for the Lord. Hats (and eye black) off to the man who brought God into our living rooms every Saturday without making us feel uncomfortable.

I had my Bible ready last Saturday and as soon as I saw the eye black I found the verse in John. I'll admit, watching the guy praying before the game and before the 2nd half made it tough to cheer against him, but hey, it was Alabama.

From www.tebowzone.com :

Through the entire 2008 season, Tim Tebow wore Phil 4:13 which says “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” However, during the National Title game he wore John 3:16 which says “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Now on to the 2009 games:

Charleston Southern: Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Troy: Mark 8:36 “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul.”

Tennessee: Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Kentucky: Isaiah 40:31 “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they.”

LSU: Thessalonians 5:18 “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. That’s pretty fitting for last nights game don’t you think?”

Arkansas: Psalms 23:1 “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

Mississippi State: Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Georgia: Philippians 4:6-7 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Vanderbilt: Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”

South Carolina: Joshua 1:8-9 “8- This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 9- Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

Florida International: Romans 1:16 “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”

Florida State: Hebrews 12:1-2 “1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

SECCG: John 16:33 – “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

A Holiday Letter for all my Liberal friends

2009-12-08T22:32:00.000+09:00

Merry CHRISTMAS, heathens.

I was sitting in my living room, contemplating the things that make me truly appreciate this time of year, when a sudden thought brought my brain to a stop--what sorts of things do liberals appreciate during this time of year?

What a terrifying question. What could Christmas possibly mean to them? They can't have a Christmas tree, since that would mean killing an innocent tree, thereby doing irreparable damage to the environment. They can't celebrate Frosty the Snowman, as that would fly in the face of their faith in Global Warming. They don't believe in God, so they can't believe in Jesus. Since they can't believe in Jesus, they obviously can't celebrate His birthday. Even if they did believe in God, they would have forced Mary to have an abortion, so December 25 would be a national day of mourning for them (the one that got away!). After all, they wouldn't want Mary or any other poor teenage girl to be burdened by that terrible mistake (God blessing you).

I'd say that my liberal friends would most likely celebrate all the shopping that gets done, and all the money that gets spent, except that far too many people have no job this year, so they have no money to spend. Perhaps this is an opportunity for the Congress and our Dear Leader to pass a "Christmas Money for Those who Have Not Experienced the Joy of the Stimulus" bill.

If liberals tried to celebrate Christmas, who would play the key roles in the congressional re-enactment of The Christmas Story? Mary Landrieu as Mary? No way Nancy Pelosi doesn't get the lead role. We can stop right here, though. Even if we could find a Joseph (someone willing to stick with Nan even though she is carrying something that most of society feels is improper), WHO WOULD PLAY THE WISE MEN? No Christmas play in congress this year, I'm afraid.

This must be a bewildering time of year for liberals. They must be asking each other, "Why are these people celebrating a baby?" How confusing it must be, celebrating the live birth of a child when you spend your life celebrating the murder of unborn babies. Of course, since they would be upset that they hadn't killed Jesus in the womb, they would be secretly thrilled about Herod's plan to kill all the babies under three years of age (sounds like a certain former state senator from Illinois who supports killing babies who survive the murder attempt on their lives and unwittingly find themselves lying helpless in the murderous hands of the OBGYN).

I'm not even sure any of my liberal friends will understand what I am about to write, but here goes:

Have a Blessed Christmas.

Crimson Tide and Christmas

2009-12-06T07:17:00.000+09:00

It's amazing how much a part of my life this silly computer is. While watching the SEC championship game I still have time to check the news, etc... What is important this morning (listed in order by which one I paid attention to first this morning)?

1. Roll Tide
2. Christmas, and what it really means.

My next goal is to give like it is Christmas between Christmases.

Thou shalt kill as many babies as you can

2009-12-04T22:58:00.001+09:00

This guy has a problem. Namely, how does he back up his claim that women have a God-given right to kill babies? I'm not an expert on the Bible, but I am fairly certain that there is no commandment in the Bible condoning the murder of an innocent life. I am also fairly certain there is nothing in the Bible that states a woman has a right to decide that God's gift in her womb is not a gift worth keeping.

This dude's organization blows my mind. Have fun perusing their website. I did not. Try not to hurt your computer.

I'll bake a dozen cookies of your choice if you are a clergy member who can explain to me how killing babies is part of God's plan. Unintended pregnancy? Unintended to whom? Are you insinuating that God created life in a womb and then said, "Oops, my bad. Go ahead and kill that baby, I didn't mean for you to get knocked up."

Gay used to be a pretty neat word

2009-12-04T22:36:00.000+09:00

Another example of the government knowing what is best for your kids.

1. Not that the Bay Area was ever on my list of places to settle my family once my current sojourn is up, but it is now definitely off the list.
2. Homeschooling keeps looking better and better.
3. Option A: Don't have kids so as to avoid having to expose them to the nastiness of the world.
Option B: Have four kids and raise them right, so they can reflect Christ in their lives to the world.

Away With Christmas

2009-12-03T21:18:00.000+09:00

I agree in spirit with this article. I don't entirely agree with his conclusion. Yes, Christians have their work cut out for them fighting the forces that promote homosexual marriage, pornography and baby-killing, but that doesn't mean we should back down from the fight when it comes to proclaiming Christ. Particularly on His birthday.

I am one who recoils at the commercialization of Christmas. I have lobbied hard for the past five years to attempt to reduce the level of participation my family has with the commercial side of Christmas (of course I am always the one who spontaneously outspends everyone as well). This year saw my first major victory--instead of sending gifts to our extended family members we donated money to Christian charities in our family members name. This act, however, did not translate into a reduction in our level of involvement in the commercial side of things. Suffice it to say there will be no shortage of toys and junk here on Christmas morning.

I really want to do away with all that, and I think we are close, but the next major hurdle is Santa. How do you kill an icon? My proposal (and when my wife reads this it will be the first time she has been exposed to this idea) is to explain to the kids who Saint Nicholas was in real life. Next we'll explain that while St Nicholas is not alive anymore, the spirit of his charity continues. Further, if we are to accurately reflect Christ in our giving, then our gifts ought to be to those who NEED them instead of to those who want or expect them. Saint Nicholas was, as best I can tell, a loyal servant of Christ. I'd bet he'd be appalled to see how he has developed into the main theme during Christmas. I'll be honest, I'd much rather have Christ return on Christmas Eve than have a fat man climbing down my chimney.

I'm not advocating a boycott of Christmas. I'm advocating a well focused attention to Christ. I ought to focus on Him every day, but especially on the day of His birth.

Killing the Constituency

2009-12-02T06:36:00.001+09:00

I still don't understand abortionists. My assumption is that 99% of the women who get abortions support a woman's right to kill her baby, thus lining her up in the liberal camp. If children are supposed to grow up to be a reflection of their parents, then endorsing the killing of liberal babies does nothing more than reduce the potential future ranks of the liberal mad-house. If the morality of killing babies (while ironically opposing the death penalty for some nasty criminals) isn't enough to convince them of the wrongness of their ways, perhaps the thought of reducing the size of the constituency will cause the liberal God-haters to rethink their stance.

Paul(ette), today.

2009-12-02T06:19:00.000+09:00

Found this while checking the news this morning. I thought this kind of stuff only happened in other countries. Pray.

Florida Criminal Activity

2009-12-02T06:05:00.003+09:00

I'm guessing Urban will suspend this guy for the opening kick-off this weekend.

Thanksgiving Proclamation

2009-11-27T07:34:00.002+09:00

George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor -- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be -- That we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks -- for His kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation -- for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of His Providence which we experienced in the tranquility [sic], union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed -- for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One [capital O] now lately instituted -- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which He hath been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions -- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually -- to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed -- to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn [sic] kindness onto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord -- To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease [sic] of science among them and us -- and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York
the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789
George Washington

I can't bear to watch (and thanks to AFN, I didn't have to)

2009-11-22T20:24:00.001+09:00

The college football season is racing toward completion, and I can't bear to watch. I have faith in Alabama, but I just can't stand the anticipation. Another Auburn blowout, an SEC Championship and a National Championship? So now we have to ask FIU, who is better? Florida or Alabama? They lost to both teams. The answer? Florida scored more against them, but Alabama shut them out. Guess we'll find out in two weeks.

Who gets fired first? Charlie Weis or Les Miles? I'm going to go with Notre Dame sacking the fat man first. Nothing against the midshipman at Annapolis, but after 40+ years of absolute domination ND loses to Navy twice in three years--both games at HOME. This year they lose to Navy and UConn. A strong argument could be made for Les Miles after his colossal coaching gaff today against Ole Miss. The game was in the bag. All LSU needed was to trot the field goal team out for a quick attempt. Except the field goal team wasn't ready, so the 2nd string QB took the snap (with 1 second on the clock), and spiked the ball, ostensibly to stop the clock. Oops, my bad, coach. Game over. No, Les Miles' bad. Not having the field goal team ready means he had no confidence in his offense which means he had given up on the game long before his players showed they still had some fight left. I wonder, if Les Miles is gone next season will the LSU fans still be angry at Nick Saban?

After they got throttled by Stanford, who would've thought Oregon would still be in the Rose Bowl hunt? Even more insane, who would have thought the PAC-10 champion would be a team from Oregon, period? Ducks, Beavers--the end is near.

My prediction is that Alabama runs the table, beating Auburn, Florida and whoever they get in the BCS Championship game.

I'm going to go out on a limb here: Alabama beats Florida convincingly, Texas loses to Nebraska, and The Tide get TCU in the Big Game.

I'll make you famous

2009-11-19T21:56:00.002+09:00

Short, sweet and to the point. Someone got a photo op today. I made him look good!

So, how did this whole thing play out? We got in line at 1235, as ordered. Gates opened at 1300. Everyone went through the metal detectors. Once inside, we all stood around for two more hours before BHO arrived. I was a bit taken aback when I thought about how much money and wasted man-hours went into this little production. Anyway, just the facts. BHO showed up, tried to pep talk the crowd a bit. Then talked for 5-10 minutes about the standard military stuff--better pay, take care of families, blah blah blah. Then he left, pressing flesh on the way out. Once he was gone, we had to stay in the building another half hour, until Air Force 1 had departed.

I want to try and be positive about the whole thing, but I can't. I just don't trust this cat. He says today he won't send the troops into harm's way unless it is absolutely necessary. So, he doesn't want us to get killed, but he'll kill unborn babies. Got it.

Here are the notes I took at the event today:

-BHO said (multiple times) that South Korea's many successes were "backed by our alliance." How do you think that will read with the North Koreans? It feeds the imperialistic Americans and the puppet regime conspiracy lovers.

-BHO stated he will give a sound strategy for us to follow. When? Some time in the next few weeks? You had it all figured out last October. What changed since then?

Breathe Deep

2009-11-18T22:39:00.000+09:00

Tomorrow I get to go see the President of the United States. Sure, I'll be just a face in the crowd. Sure, I disagree with just about everything that the current holder of that billet says and does. I'm not going to support, and I am not going so I can feel good about myself after the current holder of that billet gives us a pep talk. I am going because it is the President of the United States. When will I get this chance again.

For the next 24 hours I am blogging a truce--I will not say anything truthful about the current holder of the billet of the President of the United States. In fact, I'll just leave it right here, gazing off into the distance from the sanctity of my balcony.

It takes a real man to kill babies

2009-11-18T16:20:00.001+09:00

Interesting article at FT.com today. My favorite was the last line of the 2nd paragraph--"potentially forcing him to take sides on an issue he has tried to avoid since becoming president."

Funny thing is, one of the first official acts of The Dear Leader after his inauguration was to reverse US policy on providing money to aid agencies that promote abortions internationally. How can a news agency write that TDL has tried to avoid the abortion issue, when one of his first official acts was to make it easier to kill millions of babies around the world? This is the same guy who opposed legislation protecting born-alive failed abortions while in the Illinois senate in 2001. In 1997 he opposed a bill preventing partial-birth abortions. If one of his daughters is unfortunate enough to get knocked up, he doesn't want them to have to live with the mistake (raise the child).

So, question to FT.com--does it hurt, lying and covering up TDL's past?

Job Opportunities

2009-11-15T20:46:00.000+09:00

Unfortunately for me, I am locked in to my current job for the next four years (2.5 of which will be spent in the ROK). Otherwise, I would most definitely be interested in this job.

The White House Bunker

2009-11-12T22:29:00.000+09:00

Cheers to the fellas at www.thenoseonyourface.com for this.

Random Acts of Terror, II

2009-11-11T21:30:00.002+09:00

So I may have missed it completely with this Hasan clown. He may be a terrorist after all. So be it.

Lucky for you, I have more thoughts on not only his acts of kindness, but on some other things that followed.

1. Even if several agencies had been investigating Hasan, they obviously did not have enough dirt on him to arrest him. It is odd that the folks raising a stink about why we didn't have him locked up in Gitmo already are the same folks who railed against W locking up "innocent" Muslims. Folks, like it or not, we have certain freedoms in our country that allow us to believe what we want and to say what we want. We also have the freedom to own firearms. All three of these are constitutional freedoms which Hasan (an American citizen) exercised. That he abused those rights and murdered innocents is tragic, but it does not mean we should now restrict those rights.

2. I couldn't help but notice as I looked at pictures of The Dear Leader and The Dear Leader's Woman that they didn't look entirely saddened at the memorial service in Texas. The look on their faces was more one of annoyance, as if they were upset at having to leave DC and the protective circle of Obama Love In participants. Going to Texas and pretending to mourn the loss of a few soldiers lives was more an inconvenience than anything else (especially since the odds are that the dead soldiers almost certainly did not vote for him). In that case, they should have had looks of jubilation on their faces--fewer people to vote against TDL in 2012.

Speaking of 2012, isn't that the year the world is supposed to come to an end? The apocalypse might be something to look forward to after 4 years of TDL.

Random Acts of Terror

2009-11-11T09:15:00.000+09:00

I have to ask this question--had the Ft Hood shooter not been Muslim, would we be claiming the incident was an act of terrorism? I don't know. We were able to call the Seattle cop-killer incident an act of domestic terrorism (have you ever heard of international terrorism?), but because this guy in Texas was a Muslim, we are hesitating to call it terrorism? Really?

Here are the facts, with no spin: The shooter was Muslim, the shooter killed over a dozen people on a US Army installation. Do these two facts make this an act of terrorism?

How do we define terrorism? "The use of violence and intimidation in pursuit of political aims." That is how the Oxford American Dictionary defines it. So, IF this shooting was a form of jihad--if this clown thought he was striking at his perceived enemy--then yes, it was terrorism. Wouldn't matter if he were Muslim, Christian, Jewish, whatever. However, if he was just a nut case who cracked (I've never known a shrink who wasn't a bit loony), then it is not terrorism, just a random act of violence.

I despise terrorism as much as the next guy. I am also not convinced that Islam is a religion of peace. That having been said, it is shameful that we have allowed ourselves to become so hysterically reactive that anytime a Muslim performs a crime, it becomes terrorism. All violent crime creates terror, but not all violent crime is terrorism. Adding a religious tag to the crime does not make it terrorism. Adding political intent does.

The Future is Now

2009-11-02T22:23:00.001+09:00

I am glad I am not the only one thinking along these lines:

Time to Think

2009-10-25T05:06:00.000+09:00

Besides the joy of watching Crimson Tide football, Sunday mornings also present me the opportunity to read up and think about what I am missing back in the states. More specifically, how The Dear Leader has moved forward his Revolución.

I was reading on Yahoo News this morning that TDL has declared a Swine Flu state of emergency. This will give his HHS Secretary the power to create off-site ERs to treat all the poor schmucks who contract the H1N1 virus. A few thoughts here. One, I don't believe in the Swine Flu as a dangerous and deadly virus. Look back over the past 9 months of TDL's presidency--every time his approval ratings dip to a new low, the news urinals all begin to increase coverage of the terrible Swine Flu epidemic. Two, granting oneself the authority to create off-site facilities to quarantine "infected" people sounds more to me like granting the ability to detain people with infectious ideas that are counter to TDL's ideology.

I read on Reuters that French president Sarkozy has been snubbed by TDL and has had to look to elsewhere to build critical strategic alliances. Wonderful! Lets examine the evidence, shall we? We finally get a leader in France who does not hold his nose at us, and we kick him in the nuts and ignore him. We cave in to the Russian leader and abandon our missile defense of Eastern Europe. Who is next? Which ally do we give it to in the backside, and which non-ally do we offer a hand-job to?

Sour, dough, and coffee

2009-10-25T04:32:00.002+09:00

It took 6 months, but I am back on the sourdough bandwagon. At the moment I have two starters going. I have plans formulating in the back of my mind for perhaps as many as four starters at a time. I am determined to find just the right combination for a fantastic sourdough. Last winter I spent a significant amount of time researching sourdough. I did not, however, create a log of my efforts. This year I have the log book. I am also still on the hunt for anything and everything that could aid me in my search for the perfect sourdough--using he right flours, adding the right special ingredients...whatever it takes.

One of my favorite uses for sourdough--pancakes! I have only three jobs this morning: 1. Watch Alabama roll up Tennessee, 2. Iron the kids church clothes, 3. Make sourdough pancakes for breakfast. Yes, Crimson Tide Football at 0430 once again. A full pot of hot coffee (add a splash of Jameson's, mix with sugar and top with heavy whipping cream) will be very helpful this morning. I do not feel awake. It's a small price to pay for going out to a movie with my wife for only the second time in 10 years last night. Julie and Julia--an absolutely delightful movie. Highly recommend it if your wife is a budding culinarist.

So, what are you wearing to the airshow?

2009-10-21T23:10:00.000+09:00

With full endorsement from the boss (in fact, she told me to take the photos) comes the following--Korean women wearing heels to the most unusual places.

I think we first noticed the trend in June when we visited Mt. Sorak and saw a girl struggling up the rocks in a mini-skirt and heels. We have noticed this odd trend so much that the boss tells me to take a picture if I have the camera ready. Today at the airshow, it was ready. What better shoes to wear while walking all over the flightline than heels!

Second Chances

2009-10-02T16:17:00.000+09:00

Another Quacking post for my most avid reader.

I forgave Kanye. Chris Brown--that's a bit more difficult given his crime, but he has stated his remorse and seems honest, so I'll forgive him, too. My Eagles have forgiven Mike Vick (he did the time and says he is remorseful), so I forgive Mike as well.

How about LaGarrette Blount? You remember LaGarrette Blount, right. After Oregon lost their opener to Boise State, Blount popped a Boise State player in the kisser.

Why? Who knows. I suggest three reasons:

1. Hey Ducks, you just lost to Boise State. What are you going to do next? Disneyland? Nah. UFC!

2. Would you be happy if you lost to Boise State, and did so wearing those awful uniforms?

3. You just lost to Boise State, and the only moron with his helmet off decides to trash talk.

Blount was suspended from the team for the season (his senior season at that). Now, it appears Blount may have a chance at being reinstated. By all accounts, Blount regrets his actions. I say give the kid a chance.

Quack.

Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy of the Day

2009-10-01T19:07:00.002+09:00

The Conservative movement is funding the gang murders in Chicago in order to spoil the Olympic efforts of The Dear Leader's hometown.

Football Thoughts

2009-09-28T19:31:00.000+09:00

Four weeks of college football are in the books, so why are there any one-loss teams in the top ten? There are plenty of legit undefeated teams rounding out the rest of the top 25: Houston (beat Texas Tech and Oklahoma State), Iowa (beat Arizona and Penn State), Kansas (beat Southern Miss), Michigan (beat Notre Dame and Indiana), Cincinnati (beat nobodies--but haven't lost), TCU (same as Cincinnati). Some one-loss teams are legit contenders (VaTech for sure), but some just don't belong: USC/Oklahoma/Ohio State--beat a bunch of nobodies, and their only game against anyone good they lost. I think there ought to be a rule that if you have one loss, you can not be in the top 10 until there are only 9 undefeated BCS teams remaining, and at no point can you be ranked ahead of an undefeated team (Utah loves me).

Best college story-lines that I have paid attention to:

1. 3-way tie on top of the SEC West. Bama, LSU and Auburn. All are 4-0. Bama is #3, LSU #4. Auburn is not ranked. Why, you ask? That's a great question, given that they have played a schedule that is only slightly more difficult than LSU. I guess the deal here is if you want to break the top-25, you can't give up 30 points to Ball State.

2. PAC-10--born again hard? Is the PAC-10 really as tough as they seem this year, or do all the teams suck equally? USC has had the luxury of being a national-caliber team wading through a mediocre conference for a few years now. Either the rest of the conference has caught up to them, or they have come back down to earth. Let's be honest, the best team in the PAC-10 (whoever that turns out to be) would likely not even be bowl-eligible in the SEC. How do you bet on a conference where the team with the highest national ranking in the conference gets destroyed in conference play just about every week? PAC-10 team to watch for--QUACK QUACK. The Ducks are giant killers, and are on a mission to prove they can do it without a star player. I say they run the table.

3. CU who?? I'm a Dan Hawkins fan, so the debacle at Colorado has me perplexed. Hawk was a winner at every school he has been at, from Siskiyous to Willamette to Boise St--why not CU? The Buffs play in the weaker half of the Big-12 (no Texas or Oklahoma). Heck, they still might run the table in conference play--but Toledo, and Colorado State? C'mon!

Open auditions

2009-09-27T19:45:00.000+09:00

This is a test to see how many people besides my wife and my mom actually look at this.

Leave a comment with a subject you'd like to see me write on. I'll write a blog entry on every comment I receive before 1 October.

Tuesdays

2009-09-22T21:11:00.000+09:00

Today it becomes for Jesus.
Well,
  maybe later in the afternoon
  or in the evening.
Could even be
  tomorrow. Yeah. That's more likely.
  Tomorrow.
I've got the 1200 meeting
and the 1400 meeting
and some meeting that I just know is going to pop up
and my wife just called to say the house has been overrun
  by four maniacs, all
  under the age of 10 and
  without knowledge or remorse.
So now Jesus is tomorrow, but in all likelihood
Jesus will be
next week or month.
See, He's always there, yeah, so
  if He's there this morning (sorry I can't make it I have a pop-up)
  He'll be there this afternoon
  or tomorrow or next week or month, right?

Last day of summer

2009-09-21T17:46:00.001+09:00

I survived my first Korean summer. I think. Throughout the Spring I was told, "Oh just you wait, it'll be SO nasty hot and humid." Depends on what your definition of "so" is. Let us examine the evidence.

It did not break 90 until August. That was not a typo. August. July was quite mild. Yes, it rained a lot (4-5 inches in a few hours at times), but it never got hot. Once August rolled around, I found myself breaking into a light sweat while walking to work or walking home, but I don't think the max temp ever broke 95. It did get a touch humid from time to time, but it never got North Carolina humid--meaning it was so humid you actually felt like you were swimming while walking around. Nor was it as humid here as it was in Okinawa in June.

Which brings us to today. September 21, 2009. Max temp in the 60's. Overcast, light drizzle. It was cool outside, but not with a bite. Just cool. Comfortable. Supposedly our AC will get turned off this week. Yes, in September. So much for the vaunted Korean summer. I heard the winter is chilly. I hope so.

The Great Korean Arms Race

2009-09-20T16:50:00.000+09:00

Osan has a gang problem. Seriously. Every day packs of armed youth storm around the playground shooting randomly at one another without regard for human life. My two older boys love the playground, so it was in their best interest that they be well-armed when they go down there. To that end, yesterday Ethan purchased--with my full knowledge and blessing-- a pair of Maverick Rev-5's for himself and for Jacob. In reality, though, those little pop-guns are kids play compared to some of the weaponry being propagated by the deranged Air Force kids.

The Rapid Fire Raider CS-35 is the weapon du-jour. Today I witnessed a DAD sniping at the kids from a second story balcony with one. The horror! I am going to have to break down and invest in a pair of N Strike Vulcan EBF-25's. I suppose it is time to train the boys in fire and movement. I'm up, he sees me, I'm down. Fire, move. Fire, move. They already know one important rule--Know your target and what is behind it.

Viva la revolution! We must rise up together and quell the insurrection! Lessons in fire-team tactics and readings from the Small Wars Manual will become as regular as breakfast in this house. We will be victorious!

Happy 0430!

2009-09-20T05:00:00.000+09:00

It's dark and early. Can't wait for the AC to be turned off this week so I can get up early and enjoy the morning silence instead of the numbing hum of the AC units outside the back patio. Jacob and Ethan wanted nothing to do with getting up early, so they are missing the FL/TN game. Speaking of which, what is with the first quarter of that game? One of the teams is playing like they want to win, and it isn't the defending national champions.

No losers!

2009-09-19T13:52:00.001+09:00

Saturday means futbol in these parts (football doesn't come on until 0100--0430 if you are waiting for the Florida/Tennessee game). Jacob had the early game at 0900. He scored one goal for the Yellow Beasts, but the other team battled back with a late goal and we settled for a 5-5 draw. Ethan had the late game. No goals scored, but plenty of good defense from the Littlest Gator. I stopped keeping score when the Red Barons went up 10-1. One victory and one draw. No losers!

Having plenty of fun with my fireteam today. Had lunch (peanut butter and Nutella sandwiches, carrots and ranch dressing) and then set the little ones down to rest. Now we (the older two boys and me) are sitting on the patio talking, blogging and listening to the bands playing across the street at the Osan Musicfest. Cover bands, mostly. Currently listening to a poor cover of Sanctuary, by The Cult. Props to anyone covering one of the least remembered bands from my prime, though.

Ethan and I are going to bed early tonight. He wants me to wake him up at 0430 so he can watch Tim Tebow and the Florida Gators throttle the nasty Vols from Knoxville.

CFT Prep, Day One

2009-09-14T21:23:00.000+09:00

So the Marine Corps in it's infinite wisdom has now made the Combat Fitness Test a scored item. This means my days of keeping in good enough shape to run a 1st class PFT are over. For 6 months out of the year I train for the PFT (3 mile run, 20 pull ups, 100 crunches). The other half of the year I train for the CFT. Except for the initial CFT. I have 14 weeks to prepare for it.

I surfed around on the web for awhile trying to find the most comprehensive (and least Navy SEAL-like) training plan. I thought about this one, mainly because at one point in my life I was actually trained by the author: The 300 . The workout reminded me of the man, no question. It also implied a certain level of current fitness. I'm not there (I hope he doesn't read this--I have a feeling he'd come find me just to scold me). So I kept looking.

I found this monstrosity . Problem is, I just re-read "Lone Survivor," by Marcus Luttrell. He's the Navy SEAL (can you just feel the irony?) whose team got wiped out in Afghanistan, but he survived. So I had a false sense of motivation. I also had a false sense of time. I spent a summer in Coronado years ago and watched a class go through Hell Week. All of a sudden I am looking for workouts and thinking I am 22 again instead of 38. I settled with the monstrosity and split it into a MWF workout and a TTH workout. Today was day one.

I forgot how much I hate doing lunges. Argh! The agony of it all. Tomorrow morning's run is going to really hurt. I'm going to withhold judgment on this workout for at least two weeks. I'll need the first week just to find the weights and reps that I should be starting at. I'll need the second week to wipe myself out. I think by the time my wife's birthday rolls around I'll be completely wiped out and unable to walk.

Having it both ways

2009-09-14T21:00:00.001+09:00

My wife thinks I don't get it, but I think I do. I have forgiven Kanye West. Even before he apologized. Now, he has apologized for embarrassing Taylor Swift and Beyonce. Call me narrow-minded, but that ought to seal the deal. Story over. But no, wait, let's keep showing the video on the news and on YouTube. What is the benefit of dragging a man through the coals like that? Chances are he is already embarrassed by his actions, and his apology most likely chaffed at his ego--a punishment far worse that what the media can dish out. Let bygones be bygones, I say. Here's to beers with Kanye and Joe. Forgiven for the step out of decorum. Admired for being ballsy enough to say what you mean.

Our Joe is better than their Joe

2009-09-11T17:04:00.000+09:00

I am kicking myself for not posting this last night. Had I done so, then I would not be accused of copy-catting certain radio talk show hosts. You can check some of my Facebook comments--it was my idea first.

Joe Wilson for President!

Someone finally has the gonads to call it like it is. An elected someone.

Bravo, Mr. Wilson! You have my support, for the moment. Don't blow it and go all big gov on us like W. You've already taken a step down off the victors podium with the pathetic apology. Take back the apology and stick to your very accurate guns.

liar
noun
a person who tells lies

synonyms: falsifier, perjurer, prevaricator

The Address

2009-09-09T16:57:00.000+09:00

Turns out DOD Schools (at least in the ROK) didn't show the Dear Leader's indoctrination address today. It is, however, available on the DODDS website for viewing.

Despite all the Bad News Outlets proclaiming the event as wonderfully non-political, I choose to disagree. In principal, I am vehemently against government intrusion into any part of my life (which is strange because I am in the military, and thus the government pretty much owns me). I'd prefer lower taxes (and I'd gladly accept the inevitable reduction in services as a trade off). I'd prefer to invest in my own retirement, not in the retirements of others. I'd prefer to choose things for myself, not have things chosen for me. I'd like to raise my kids as I see fit, and not have the Dear Leader or anyone else try to tell my kids how to achieve their dreams. That is the reason I would not have let my kids watch the Dear Leader's Welcome Back to School Love-In.

My wife and I don't get out a lot without the kids, primarily because we are very choosy about who watches after our brood. A sitter in our house has to fit a certain mold, and that mold oddly reflects the values we hold dear (God, Country, Family--the standard red-neck mantra). I think my kids will end up better off someday if I don't confuse them by allowing folks with wrong notions on how to live a life to affect their delicate minds. Given that fairly strict policy toward babysitting, why would I allow someone who stands for everything that turns my stomach lecture my kids on how to be a productive member of society? The best way my kids can be productive members of society will be to vote the Dear Leader out of office. Soon.

Fantasy Football 2009

2009-09-08T23:00:00.000+09:00

I thought I had put more effort into my draft than most of the other clowns in my league. Just because I had printed out the top players in each position. Boy was I wrong. I did end up getting a couple of high-value folks, and there is a chance my #2 receiver and #2 running back could go huge, but you never know.

QB Philip Rivers, San Diego Easily one of the top three QBs in the league.
RB Ryan Grant, Green Bay Should go large this season.
RB Thomas Jones, NYJ Was good last year and ought to continue this year.
WR Vincent Jackson, San Diego Did I mention I like his QB?
WR Roddy White, Atlanta Another talented guy with a talented QB.
TE Visanthe Shiancoe, Minnesota No clue. Hopefully #4 is friendly to him.
Kicker Stephen Gostkowski, New England I'm pretty sure he'll be stretching his legs a lot.
Defense/Special Teams Baltimore Ravens As long as Ray Lewis is alive, this is a good bet.

My favorite bench player is Percy Harvin. The kid has speed, and a pretty talented quarterback to get him the ball. Time will tell.

The New Day

2009-09-08T22:10:00.000+09:00

That's what I get for laughing at Tank for having to play Mr. Mom tonight after his wife's ankle decided to blow up on her, relegating her to couch patrol for the next three weeks. By 1900 my wife was besides herself ill, thrusting me into the role of Mr. Mom. A role, by the way, that I am good at, but not one that I am necessarily happy at. Add that one to the list of reasons I love my wife. #3--she is good at being a Mom. I only recently decided to keep a list of all the little things she does that make me love her, so we are only at #3, but I know there a plenty more (so don't worry, love). In the end, all four kids are alive and sleeping, the dishes are cleaned and about to be put away, a couple loads of laundry are complete and folded, and my new Blog is up and running. All in all a successful evening!