What a WHIRLWIND few days it has been. Wednesday of last week I ran through our now normal routine: wake up, get dressed, gather up the shop, hop in the van and drive to north side, have breakfast, get to work, etc, etc. It was right then when I had a slight change of plans…
10:00 AM
“Want to go to Australia?”
“Ehh, maybe next time – I think I’ll wait for a more temperate loc… YES!”
Seriously who can refuse a free trip ANYWHERE much less Australia? So I ran up to get all the paperwork all straightened out, had to run back to the barracks for some information, but eventually got it all written down and finalized.
11:30 AM
So were almost done here… btw the plane is lifting off at 1:00, are you packed yet? PACKED?
HOLY-NOT EVEN CLOSE-BATMAN!
In a controlled state of panic I ran to the barracks, packed myself some clothes (didn’t really tell us what to expect so I covered my bases… shirts, shorts, pants, undies, socks….) And then ran for the techie essentials; laptop, camera, Zune, cables, power cords, and memory cards. Just the essentials 
Seriously though, it’s a little rough having to lug it around but I know I am going to use them at least once. Now wait a second… where is my laptop?
Is it in my…
Closet? No
Locker? No
Drawers? No
WILSON! I forgot… I offered my laptop for Wilson to borrow when his blew a fuse. CRAP – he isn’t in his room, he’s not at work… he’s at some hazmat class! CRAP! What is this? His doors open by some magical twist of fate! So I commit a criminal act and enter the premises. DOUBLE CRAP!! His lockers locked… (Call Wilson) hello? WILSON!!!! Can I get your combo man? AWESOME! Got the laptop, got the zune cable, got everything!
-wait-
PPLZ GOTTA KNOW! Gave the family a call to let them know where I was going and why I can’t call them on thanksgiving. Gave the shop a call, let them know I’m actually going … who else? MCCS! Called KC (well she wasn’t there but the secretary) let her know I’m jumping over the equator for a bit.
11:45 AM
O.K.! I’ll run outside and wait for SSGT to pull up – He said we would get some lunch and then head over to the terminal. I sat in the van, poked around, looked through anything with a crevice or a button, sifted through the glove compartment, found a Crutchfield magazine to read, Talked to Matt… WHERE THE HECK ARE THEY! A little bit later the duty came outside and tried to grab one of us standing there to act as a runner to run up to LCpl Farmers room and have him come outside and wait for a van… Check and Mate – Already there and already waiting… NO PROBLEMO.
SSgt finally showed up, we went straight to the air terminal and got everything check out and on the plane. Had to wait for one last piece of gear so that prolonged our departure but aside from that the transition was pretty seamless. I wont hog up anymore of the internet here… I’ll try and post a little while later… until then – No Worries!
Filed under: Uncategorized
Quick Catch up….
Lots of good work being done for MCCS Marketing
Amazing Race is back on track
Haunted House should prove fairly exciting
I’ve been dubbed the MALS-12 Squadron Photographer apparently lol
ANNNNDDDD…Physics
Title Status Grade Comments
Quiz1 Graded 86/100 None
Quiz2 Graded 90/100 None
Quiz3 Graded 93/100 None
Quiz4 Graded 96/100 None
Quiz5 Graded 82/100 None
Quiz6 Graded 91/100 None
Quiz7 Graded 84/100 None
QuizDrop Graded 82/100 None
Final Exam Graded 90/100 None
ParticipationGraded 100/100 None
Not too shabby I’d say!
Btw, Check out my deviant art for some of the ads I’ve been working on, Tell me what you think!
Filed under: Random
Well well… I finally (after a bit-o-waiting) have received my BALLOT TO VOTE!
I’m pretty much super excited?
I don’t really know if its just because I’m not getting the chance to walk into the booth, with all the streamers and posters, to cast my vote… But I feel like I’m missing something. This is my first … well my first ANYTHING to vote in so shouldn’t I be excited?
-I think I should-
So where is the excitement? I have searched facts and figures, looking at the candidates and their running mates to see whom I like better. And to be quite honest… Its a little lukewarm. It feels like the same re-hash of every other election I’ve seen. I do kinda like the new face of Palin… By that I mean just about one thing. Shes not an Old Guy preaching morals and ethics from upon high(just to personally show me via scandals or insider BS that is just more hypocritical promises that they can’t live up to) .
Just as an example, Here is a quote from a great website… factcheck.org
“Biden and Palin debated, and both mangled some facts.
* Palin mistakenly claimed that troop levels in Iraq had returned to “pre-surge” levels. Levels are gradually coming down but current plans would have levels higher than pre-surge numbers through early next year, at least.
* Palin repeated a false claim that Obama once voted in favor of higher taxes on “families” making as little as $42,000 a year. He did not. The budget bill in question called for an increase only on singles making that amount, but a family of four would not have been affected unless they made at least $90,000 a year.
* Biden wrongly claimed that McCain “voted the exact same way” as Obama on the budget bill that contained an increase on singles making as little as $42,000 a year. McCain voted against it. Biden was referring to an amendment that didn’t address taxes at that income level.
* Palin claimed McCain’s health care plan would be “budget neutral,” costing the government nothing. Independent budget experts estimate McCain’s plan would cost tens of billions each year, though details are too fuzzy to allow for exact estimates.
* Biden wrongly claimed that McCain had said “he wouldn’t even sit down” with the government of Spain. Actually, McCain didn’t reject a meeting, but simply refused to commit himself one way or the other during an interview.
* Palin wrongly claimed that “millions of small businesses” would see tax increases under Obama’s tax proposals. At most, several hundred thousand business owners would see increases.”
Maybe it’s my relative inexperience with the political process ?
(I want to say no because I have followed the elections pretty closely before, Thx for the chance at real discussions as a younger kid Mom & Dad)
No, I think its just my first time to closely pay attention to all the infighting and bickering between the candidates. Where are the presidential hopefuls that I can rally behind? Do you remember as a kid – drinking from the water hose in the yard? I feel like that is how the election coverage is being presented. You have a stream of information shooting out and all you get are licks here and there. If you ever try to get more than that the hose blows up in your face( and gets water everywhere).
Where can I turn for a single honest transcript?
Political Ads? HA! For once I am happy that I don’t get any real commercials here in Japan. Political Ads are nothing more than artillery pieces the candidates use to take pot shots at each other. A Jab here, a punch there… Just to turn around and “amplify” the opponents commercials as a slap to the face of the political process. Its a Pissing match to see who can influence the sheep of our country.
The news? CNN and FOX both spin in opposite directions, every reporter out there has an agenda for something… Hatred for someone, Search for Opportunity to Advance… something… I refuse to sit by and take a news reporter 100% on face value alone. But how do I know what their talking about for sure?
The Paper? Besides the fact I cant even get a really decent paper out here… See the news ^
The Internet? Now the Internet… as vile, bored, narcissistic, and excellent as it is… Is spotty at best. Occasionally you will find an island of truth in the big sea of things (READ: factcheck.org, issues2000.org). But point of fact… Our whiny, politically correct culture is nothing but a bunch of fanboys/girls. I can admit it, product branding drives our economy. Think of all the “Brand Name” items you pick up from the store on a regular basis. I personally can name quite a few:
I prefer Zunes to Ipods
Crest Toothpaste (although… I am easily swayed by product design)
Tide Deturgent
Downy Fabric Softner
Bose Audio Stuff
Microsoft In general
Texas Instruments (Calculator)
Wells Fargo
View Sonic Monitors
We make choices like these daily. The newest Smell of Cologne, my purse says coach and your doesn’t, My razor has EVEN MORE blades on it than yours, and etc. etc. etc. This attitude multiplied by the anonymity that the internet presents you with… means cliques upon cliques that travel in packs and flame whomever gets in their way. What happened to original thought? What happened to a personal voice that you made based on INFORMED decisions and SINCERE decision. I may not be the most decisive at times… but expletive Ill give some thought to my answer. I haven’t had the time but If you have ever heard Henry Rollins here is some food for thought:
““I believe that today more than ever a book should be sought after even if it has only one great page in it. We must search for fragments, splinters, toenails, anything that has ore in it, anything that is capable of resuscitating the body and the soul.””
““There are so many hammocks to catch you if you fall, so many laws to keep you from experience. All these cities I have been in the last few weeks make me fully understand the cozy, stifling state in which most people pass through life. I don’t want to pass through life like a smooth plane ride. All you do is get to breathe and copulate and finally die. I don’t want to go with the smooth skin and the calm brow. I hope I end up a blithering idiot cursing the sun – hallucinating, screaming, giving obscene and inane lectures on street corners and public parks. People will walk by and say, “Look at that drooling idiot. What a basket case.” I will turn and say to them “It is you who are the basket case. For every moment you hated your job, cursed your wife and sold yourself to a dream that you didn’t even conceive. For the times your soul screamed yes and you said no. For all of that. For your self-torture, I see the glowing eyes of the sun! The air talks to me! I am at all times!” And maybe, the passers by will drop a coin into my cup.””
“Go without a coat when it’s cold; find out what cold is. Go hungry; keep your existence lean. Wear away the fat, get down to the lean tissue and see what it’s all about. The only time you define your character is when you go without. In times of hardship, you find out what you’re made of and what you’re capable of. If you’re never tested, you’ll never define you character.”
I don’t get the chance to read nearly as much as I would like, but that can’t keep me from the pursuit of knowledge. I pray for life to let me continue learning until the day I pass way, let me keep on thirsting for creativity, thirsting for love, and to just let me understand even a percentage of what it means to live.
………………………………………………………Where is Truth?
Filed under: Update
Long time no POST!
Sorry about all the lag time, no real reason other than being slightly lazy and a lot more un-wanting to type anything out. Just got done with duty section weekend – got some of my pictures posted to flickr, so you should DEF go check them out… Plus! New site… This ones more of a community with comments anyways… but if your interested – here it is:
http://cadfluence.deviantart.com/
Enjoy!
Filed under: Videos
Pretty sweet video on the potential look of magnetic fields if in fact… we could see them.
http://www.vimeo.com/1166968?pg=embed&sec=1166968
Filed under: Uncategorized
Hey guys, this week has kinda been crazy – Lots of work – I have been getting to work, staying in the back working until lunch, leaving and coming back, then staying there until the end of the day. BUT hey! Happy weekend, and next week will be the beginning of "grass week" for me. What does that mean? Well basically that means Ill be laying in the grass pretending to shoot my m-16, not to mention the classes we have to sit through.
Oh and hey – I was bored today and here a little fan boy art lol
If you’ve never used a zune your missing out – its different than an Ipod but in my opinion… I prefer that. Talk to ya laters!
Filed under: Uncategorized
Hey guys! Real quick update, Happy 4th of July!
Currently Watching: Independance Day
Drinking: Dr.Pepper
Snack: Pepperoni Pizza
Filed under: Uncategorized
This past weekend Had me running through the rain, fighting crowds, attempting to stay dry, running to catch trains, causing trolley congestion, meeting new people, experiencing Japanese culture, and generally… making memories that last forever.
More Pics @ flickr
Filed under: Uncategorized
Hey all!
Things have been kinda busy over here lately… getting my next MCMAP belt level and all. What is MCMAP you say?
The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) is a combat system developed by the United States Marine Corps to combine existing and new hand-to-hand and close quarters combat (CQC) techniques with morale and team-building functions and instruction in what the Marine Corps calls the “Warrior Ethos”.[1] The program, which began in 2001, trains Marines (and U.S. Navy personnel attached to Marine Units) in unarmed combat, edged weapons, weapons of opportunity, and rifle and bayonet techniques. It also stresses mental and character development, including the responsible use of force, leadership, and teamwork. The MCMAP has several nicknames, including “semper fu”, MCSlap, and “new bushido“. In speech, the acronym is often pronounced “mick-map.”
-wikipedia.com
<– a hip toss
We were always outside… and usually tired and wet (being up at 4:30 while its raining will do that to you) BUT its over now, I tested out and moved up to the next level. Gray belt isn’t that significant, BUT I am making progress so who can argue with that?
On a side note…
for all you guys at home, I don’t know if you saw this or not – but here is the barkers little slice o’ the net: http://wreneliseandfamily.blogspot.com/
Ttyl guys!
