Busy week

This week has been quite busy. Caught between work, and very busy social calender, this week has flown by. So far this week I have:

Helped my customers fix yet another one of the problems they cause themselves by not listening to people in the know (ie...ME).

Had dinner and coffee with a Scottish friend, and discussed all the high schoolish drama in our group.

Scheduled a trip to Hong Kong (YAY!!!)

Had dinner and drinks with the muse of my soul (I know you're going to eventually read this so have to poke fun at you)

Obtained all the stuff needed for Saturday's Toga Party , and only had one auto accident getting the stuff.

Paid for my Hong Kong trip (and received requests for various things from the wonderful city)

Had dinner with a Korean friend, who always manages to make me laugh.

Obtained information for some company bigwigs that decided to drop in unexpectedly.

Rolled up a Dungeons and Dragons character, a Kender thief (yep, still a geek at heart)

and still managed to make it to the gym every night.

And now it's the weekend, curious on what it will hold.

Hong Kong bound

Well made a snap decision yesterday, going to Hong Kong for a weekend. Been way too long since I've been there, and as an added bonus I get to finally meet a friend face to face.

Tired....

Last couple nights I have been plagued by insomnia. I was going to write about all the things that happened this weekend, revelations that were made, dances that were danced, and a surprise guest star all thrown in to the mix. Unfortunately just don't have it in me at the moment. The torpid state of sleeplessness is really kicking in. Oh well maybe tomorrow.

Vista Banished...

The ordeal is over, last night I reinstalled XP pro on my computer. It's like a great, red hot, spiky weight has been lifted (off very sensitive body parts). I can not begin to put into words, how I feel about Vista. The fact I spent money on this, for lack of a better word, program causes me much self loathing and shame. If you have not jumped from XP to Vista consider yourself blessed.

Some good vids

And a outstanding one sent to me by "M"

offensive material

Time for a bit of ranting. Let's look at some political correctness and the way we kowtow avoid offending people.

Police were called in because a 10 year old boy called a classmate "gay" in an email. I remember growing up, we called each other all sorts of names. Never needed the police. Over react much?

Schools quit teaching about the Holocaust . I really am stunned by this, 6 MILLION people murdered. 6 MILLION men, women, and children butchered by hatred. Certain people might find that fact offensive? It might cause strife because their holy men say it did not happen? Look in the eyes of the survivors, talk to the soldiers who found those camps, stare at the pictures, read the documents, and then tell me it did not happen.

School district supports "Ebonics" . So much for teaching proper English skills, and getting students prepared for the real world.

12 students suspended for praying in school.
"Congress make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."
Guess that doesn't include Christian students trying to have a prayer meeting. Still trying to figure out how a meeting at 7 am in the cafeteria would "disrupt education".

Maybe they should have claimed they were role-playing, instead of having a prayer meeting. It seems to have worked in San Francisco.

Just give it a rest. Stop with the double standards, and quit trying to subject everyone to your half-assed "Brady Bunch" view of the way the world is supposed to be. I don't give a damn about color, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or anything else. I try to live my life, pay my bills, and make it to the end of each day. I don't try to make you accept my views, quit trying to force me to submit to yours.

Non-being

We join spokes together in a wheel,
but it is the center hole
that makes the wagon move.

We shape clay into a pot,
but it is the emptiness inside
that holds whatever we want.

We hammer wood for a house,
but it is the inner space
that makes it livable.

We work with being,
but non-being is what we use.

-from the Tao Te Ching

Days of yellow dust.

I look out my window and see a sunny day smothered by dust. It settles like fog, blown in from the Gobi desert it filters the sunlight into a sickly yellowish green. Heavy metal contaminates are infused in the dust, making it not the sort of thing you want to be out in. A perfectly nice day ruined. Guess I'll clean some, Doh!

Down with the sickness

One of the downsides of working with Koreans, is their inability to take sick time. It's not that they don't get sick days, it is viewed as a sign of weakness to take them. This is an alien concept to me, if I have sick days they will be used. One very big reason is I don't want others catching the bug I have. Which brings us to the big cultural difference, and why myself and many of my coworkers are currently sick. Have also noticed here that when someone coughs or sneezes they do not put their hand in front of their face. Nothing like hearing a sneeze behind you and feeling the spray. Think I'm gonna get a big can of Lysol spray and start returning fire.

Irritating to say the least..

Certain things grind on me abit. These are not the grand problems of life, just the little irritants that cause grumbles. Here is a list of the ones that are vexing me at the moment.

Windows VISTA- 300 bucks for bug ridden piece of software. Let's see my Ipod software is flaky at best (hmmm....the Zune is crashing and burning and suddenly there are compatibility issues with the competition's mp3 player). Other software that I use quite abit is now useless, Photoshop CS, my photo printer, system mechanic, and quite a few others can't be installed. Now to try and find time to reinstall XP.

Political correctness- It is every person's right to be an asshole. If something offends you, tough deal with it. Get over yourself, drop the mock righteousness and just insult them back or ignore it. Making it illegal to say "certain" words just makes the underlying ignorance and resentment stronger.

Activist Actors- You played the president in a movie so that makes you an expert on international relations in what way? Wow, I wish I was rich and famous so that I could know how the whole world works. Two words for you "Bite me", you are an entertainer nothing more. With the bile that Hollywood is putting forth these days (with exception to Tarintino, Peter Jackson, Frank Miller, and a select few others), you should be expressing sorrow to the poor sods that watched your film.

Lack of common courtesy- I may be a brash person, but I am aware of the people around me and try not to be intentionally rude. I seem to be one of a dying few in this, it takes nothing to at least acknowledge another person's existence. It takes only a little more to just act civilized, try it sometime.

As I said, just somethings that irk me. There are plenty more, but those are for a later time.

Angels, Demons, and Addiction

"To know ones self is knowledge,
To know knowledge is enlightenment,
To know when you've had enough is enough,
You will have enough."

This is a mantra that I was taught over a decade ago, by one of my first martial arts teachers. It is a basic truth, You have to know yourself and your limitations. I've been noticing that the last couple months, I have not known who it was walking in my shoes and speaking with my voice or acting in my guise. I did not even notice the stranger until a friend (ironically enough, a sympathetic bartender) asked me what was going on and why the change.

In the few months there has been a rage in my eyes, that he had never seen before, and an aggressiveness to my body language and actions. This has caused me to take a step back and look at myself, I'm an addict. Not to any drug, but to certain people. When I am with them the world is great. If their attention is diverted to someone else then the aggression comes on strong. When they are not there, withdraw.

Remember in cartoons, the little angel and devil that would appear on people's shoulders? Well little bit of that adding things to the mix. Certain friends try to guide me one way or the other. Angels who see it coming and try to cheer me up, and Demons who try to bring it out.

Time to step back, and get back to being me.

Writing way more melodramatic than it really is. Gah, rereading this sounds like I'm turning into emo-boy (wonder if that comes with a cape). Must fight the urge to listen to the Cure and dress in black.

Fair winds and following seas

Saying goodbye to a fine old lady. The USS John F. Kennedy has been decommissioned after 40 years (All ships, no matter the name are referred to as female.). I spent 8 months aboard her supporting Iraqi Freedom, and am a bit melancholy about her retirement. On one hand she is at a well deserved rest, on the other she will never again stride the world. Goodbye old girl, you will be missed. Fair winds and following seas.

And now for something completely different...

Hooked On Ho-Speak - The best video clips are here

Why idiots should not see movies

Well, Iran is miffed about the movie 300. What happened to the days when you could go to the movies and enjoy one without some hyper-sensitive jackass claiming that it offends them? Not everything is a political/cultural/racist/sexist/whatever statement. IT'S A MOVIE!!! No hidden agendas (according to the creators), no political jab at anyone, no slight on any one's culture.

"The movie has fabricated the history," the IRNA news agency said. Maybe because it is a MOVIE based off a COMIC BOOK. I am pretty certain Spiderman, Superman, and X-men did a little bit of history fabrication as well (radioactive spider attacks, meteors with babies inside crashing into Kansas, and I'm almost positive the Golden Gate Bridge has not been ripped out of the ocean).

"The film has also been criticized in the United States as a thinly veiled attack on the Bush administration because it allegedly depicts Spartan King Leonidas as waging an illegal war." Again it is from A COMIC BOOK. The Iraqi war started in 2003 (trust me I was there for the kick off), the comic book was released in 1999, do the math. With the exception of couple scenes dealing with the queen trying to get help from the Parliament, the film was pretty much spot on from the comic. (So if anything the film is a thinly veiled attack on democrats for trying to halt support for the soldiers in Iraq)

Quit trying to ruin my fun at movies, get over yourselves and try to enjoy life. Some times a movie is just a movie, now let me enjoy my popcorn.

Yet more randomness

I just saw a can of Coke that had instructions on how to use the pop top. I'm not the smartest person on earth, but damn.

Why is it that people who call others fascists, are the first to try and stop any view that is opposed to their own?

Did they really need to make a "Fast and the Furious 3"? Wasn't the first two installments enough of this tripe?

WWJD for a Klondike bar? (Thanks tshirthell.com)

Why do women ask you "Why can't I find a nice guy like you?" and then go for the asshole? (just a tip, I am a guy like me)

Life isn't fair. Why do people whine and cry about this, instead of working to overcome it?

If you have nothing that you would die for, do you have anything to live for?

The weekend...

St Patrick's Day has come and passed. Looking like the final tally for folks at my party is 41, not bad turn out. The neighbors are not the happiest, but what can you do? As usual, the next day was time for cleaning and recovery.

Not all Saturday night was fun, there was some drama. At one point (after leaving my place and heading downtown to the normal bars) a friend found out the guy she had been talking to all night was married , so helped her down to a cab and saw her off. While down there, I see a really drunk (almost unconscious) girl sitting on the sidewalk next to the door to the bar. This is someone I had met a couple times, so helped her into a cab and sent here home. At this point the drama starts.
Some guy saw me do it, and comes up all puffed up like a rooster. Apparently he had been spending alot of money to get the girl in that state and was unhappy that I had ruined his chance to have some fun (he stated in much less nice words). I responded with my view of men who need to get women semi-comatose to have a chance of getting laid (also in very non-nice words), and quite frankly was itching for a fight (very unusual for me, but I really hate guys like this). Two of his chums dragged him away before things could get interesting.
So then it's off to grab a quick bite to eat with some friends, after seeing them off I do a quick trip back in the bar to say goodbyes and then head to the house as the morning sun rises.

Suspension of belief

Discovering that knowing too much about how real aircraft work, can sap some of the enjoyment out of watching tv and movies. Watching the first episode of lost, the plane has crashed and people are reeling from the event. I see the jet engine lying on the ground still running and sucking in wreckage and all I can think is "That's not right, that engine has no fuel and no power controls like that. Not possible for it to be running.". Then there is the classic explosion of jet fuel and instead of enjoying the loud boom and pretty colors the brain kicks in again "Hold up, jet fuel is highly stable and has a higher flash point than gasoline.". Sometimes knowledge can ruin your fun.

Recipies for eeevvviiillll....

In my ever continueing quest to find new and exciting ways to get folks inebriated, I have come up with some quite interesting jello shots. Be warned some of these are not for the faint of heart. Still working on the names, so bear with me. For most of these make jello as normal and substitute 1 half the water needed with booze.

The Dirty Sanchez
Lime Jello and Tequila with a pinch of salt on the side

The Dirty Jose
Lemon Jello and Tequila with a pinch of salt on the side

June Bug (mellow shot)
Pineapple jello, half scoop of Country Time lemonade mix, Bolls melon and Malibu rum (go 50/50 mix on the Bolls and Malibu)

Chocolate Cherry (mellow shot)
cherry jello and Kahlula

Unholy (keep away from open flame)
Berry blue jello and Barcardi 151

Dragon fire (from drinkmixer.com)
mix cherry and strawberry jello with scotch and vodka

WOOOHOOOO!!!

Just saw 300, let me just say one word about this film "OUTFRIGGINSTANDING!!!". After reading the original book, I can safely say it lived up to it's source material. I won't say too much more about the film since I know some may have not seen it yet. I have not left a movie that pumped up in a good long time.

Sarcasm

One of the biggest things to get used to here, in Korea, is the total lack of sarcasm. This culture just dose not have it, this is truly the most mind boggling thing to me.

Today one of the Koreans saw the empty refrigerator box and asked me if we had a new one. I told him not yet we only got the box today and it will come later. At this point he asked me when it would be delivered.

This is not the first time I have ran into this, but it never fails to amaze me.

Black Friday Rule -Flogging Molly

I want to believe in myself once again
So I dream of a man whose hopes never end
To kiss with a girl who's as lovely as you
I'd give you my heart, if you gave me the truth

And for every tear that is lost from an eye
I'd dig me a well where no man could destroy
I want to believe in a freedom that's bold
But all I remember is the freedom of old

Well I lost me a wife, so I found me a plane
Flew all the way to California
This mess in my head is a mess getting out
Ya drink too much coffee, I drink too much stout

But after a while, when my mouth's not so dry
I'll dance up a storm, sure life's looking fine
But as darkness falls, I return to my bed
Don't ask me more questions, don't fuck with my head

I've been down in this world, down and almost broken
Like thousands of people, left standing in their shoe
I've been down in this world, down and almost broken
As thousands they grieve, as the Black Friday rule

The buildings they shake but my heart it beats still
Oh mother of Jesus, I feel pretty ill
I want to go home where my feet both feel safe
But there ain't no jobs in the old free state

So I must remain in my new adopted land
I'm doing the best, Hell I'm doin' all I can
So next time you see me, don't ask for my name
For I am the King and sure long may I reign

I've been down in this world, down and almost broken
Like thousands of people, left standing in their shoe
I've been down in this world, down and almost broken
As thousands they grieve, as the Black Friday rule

I've been down in this world, down and almost broken
Like thousands of people, left standing in their shoe
I've been down in this world, down and almost broken
As thousands they grieve, as the Black Friday rule

That damn Murphy!

"If anything can go wrong, it will." Since 1949 this phrase has proven to be the bane of many people around the world. Capt. Edward A. Murphy coined this phrase, it has proved true time and time again.

How many times have you been running late for work and had every stop light turn against you? How many term papers have been claimed by inopportune computer crash, or power outage, the night before they are due?

Kinda funny that one simple phrase can give a man infamy and at least some small measure of immortality.


Edit: And in Murphy related news. Not 30 minutes after writing this post I found out I owe about $10,000 in income tax. Murphy strikes again.

St Patrick's Day approaching!!

Saturday is the one day a year when we can all be Irish, St. Patrick's Day. Next to Halloween, my favorite holiday of the year. Last year I wore a green dress (such is the life of a hasher), this year I think I will keep to the more manly clothing (not sure if it will be green, might be fun to be pinched), and will be hosting a party. So tomorrow will be buying up plenty of refreshing beverages, and Friday will be cooking up Jello shots (there's always room).

Change

If you realize that all things change,
there is nothing you will try to hold on to.
If you aren't afraid of dying,
there is nothing you can't achieve.

Trying to control the future
is like trying to take the master carpenter's place.
When you handle the master carpenter's tools,
chances are that you'll cut your hand.
-Tao Te Ching

Nothing endures but change.
-Heraclitus

Home again, home again....

Well, I seem to have made it back to Korea. The two weeks of vacation seemed to fly by way too quickly. Was a fairly good time, got to spend time with the family, did some target shooting with my dad, visited some friends, and spent way too much money.

Vacation time

Well, gonna be on vacation the next two weeks. Hope everyone has a blast while I'm gone.

V. Day

It's that time again, when Cupids let fly arrows at innocent folks, when roses are butchered by the thousands, and the colors pink and red are plastered on everything. Yes it's St. Valentine's Day, the one day a year where men are forced to spend money on useless trinkets to show their mate how much they care, or spend the next 4 to 8 weeks in the dog house. Being single on V.Day is even worse, lovey dovey couples everywhere it's enough to make you want to kick a puppy.

Here in Korea, the women give gifts to the men. Interesting twist there, but still the same problems occur.

If you truly love and care for someone, do you really need one specific day to show them? Instead of cards, heart shaped Nick knacks, and some horrible pink and red confections isn't it better to just be with them year round and show your love through actions?

Facebook madness

Seems that Facebook is catching on like wildfire. It is like a social organizer, all your friends can get and give constant status updates. I'm using it, still not too sure about it though. At times it seems abit stalkerish. Just another technology leash. Between cellphone, email, instant messages, blackberries, ect.. just can't seem to find a nice quiet place anymore.

Snowboarding round 2

Yesterday spent the day snowboarding. Being from the deep south, I still view snow as unnatural and disturbing. This being the case has most people ask me, why are you going, especially after how it went last time? Simple, I'll not be beaten by frozen water (that and when 3 attractive women all ask you if you are going makes it hard to say no). Did much better this time (IE. no bruised buttocks, wrenched knee, or broken limbs), and had a load of fun. Looks like here in a month will go again.

Meme time- Your life soundtrack

1. Open your music library (or turn on ipod)
2. Put it on shuffle/random
3. Press play
4. For every scene, type the song that's playing
5. When you go to a new scene, press the next button

The scenes

1. Opening Credits
Billion Dollar Babies -Alice Cooper

2. Waking up
Angry Johnny -Poe

3. First day of school
Close to you (they long to be) -Cranberries (remake)

4. Falling in Love
Sunset (bird of prey) -Fatboy Slim

5.Breaking Up
Babe I'm gonna leave you -Led Zepplin

6. Prom
Hang Em High -My Chemical Romance

7. Life's OK
Ain't it funky now -James Brown

8. Breakdown
Their law -The Prodigy

9. Driving
These are the days of our lives -Queen

10. Flashback
Figure .09 -Linkin Park

11. Getting Back Together
Jeremy -Pearl Jam

12. Wedding
Words so Leisured -Franz Ferdinand

13. Sex Scene
Faint -Linkin Park

14. Birth of Child
Welcome to the machine -Pink Floyd

15. Final Battle
Dissident -Pearl Jam

16. Death Scene
Magic Bus -The Who

17. Funeral Song
Where's Gerrold / Spectrum -Orgy

18. Dance Sequence
Disarm -Smashing Pumpkins

19. End Credits
All of my love -Led Zepplin

Thanks to Ashley Williams

The passing of time

Looking through some old photos today, I was struck how much time had passed since I took them. Friends that I have not spoken to in years, family members that are no longer here. Seems kind of odd that as a youth time drags, and as you age it passes faster and faster.

almost a rant....

Well, I was ready to rant and rave about this article from William M. Arkin of the Washington Post. I had The military pay scale all ready to show about how decent a wage they get (The pay listed is for a month, not the week. Converting it over to a 40 hour week does not really work either, in 6 years in the Navy I easily averaged 80 hours a week). I was ready to rip in with fire and brimstone, but after reading some of the responses I felt the job had been done. Here are a couple of them.

I'm not frustrated with a lack of progress in Iraq because I see it everyday! What I am frustrated with is ignorant people such as yourself Mr. Arkin undermining our intelligence, reality, and the resolve of American soldiers. My mission in support of Iraqi Enduring Freedom takes me all over Iraq. I escort convoys while driving our "Gun Trucks" through so many stretches of roadways that you and your like-minded ignorant counterparts can't even begin to understand. I won't even begin to start trying to explain any of the progress I personally see because it will likely be undermined just like any other success story to come out of Iraq by some fool! It's easy to just sit back and selfishly question everything when you don't actually have to be here. Nations don't just stabilize in a matter of a few years. Any positive at all is a good sign. Is your cub half empty? Well, mine is 3/4 full! No, I am not blind or ignorant of facts. Seeings progress firsthand gives me an insight you will never have. So, stop being selfish and just be grateful you don't have to worry about IEDs going off on your way to work or worrying whats going to happen if a nations just gives up and slowly leaves without finishing something that could have great potential. I would love if you personally come over here and tell all the little children (some with no shoes, a little dirty, hungry, maybe no parents because they were killed by Saddam's regime or death squads) that sorry, your life and your future isn't important! Bye, bye, have a nice life. You're not important enough. At least my conscience will be clear, will yours? As far as soldiers being mercenaries, lol, that's just too funny. Wow, yes, you're right, we are really raking in the cash here. If if wasn't for the tax relief, I would have made more at home at my civilian job at home. (ohh, i was also pursuing a college degree too, but wait, people that don't don't try hard, or don't work hard, get stuck in Iraq. Yes, you and John Kerry are equally disturbing to me) The amazing thing is we don't even get paid overtime and actually have to work on some holidays. I forget though, the salary I make in the military is equal to the risk of my life that I put on the line every day. Ohh well, theres that $400,000 life insurance policy if I don't make it. Is that what my life is worth to you? Gladly though, I serve and protect and do my job. Not for the money, the benefits but for something greater that you will just never be able to understand. God Bless, and take care. It is my hope that you get a reality check and stop being such a selfish, ungrateful, hurtful, arrogant man.!

Going back on the road soon, hopefully I don't get blown up, because then I will have people like you tarnish my memory and say that my life was taken in vain and the cause didn't serve a purpose!

Posted by: SPC. Jonathan D | February 1, 2007 09:59 PM



Mr. Arkin-

I am an officer in the United States Army. I have deployed to Iraq twice, and been wounded once. I have had my soldiers killed and wounded, I have killed and wounded other human beings. I have carried wounded soldiers and civilians in my arms; crying in pain. I myself am permanently physically damaged by my experience.
Through all those events, I never shed a tear. Yet I sit here today crying; reading your original article and your rebuttal to the overwhelming response.
I am proud of what I do, what my soldiers do, the freedoms we defend, and everything we stand for. I proudly defend your right to publish your article, and it actually warms my soul to see free debate and discourse about any topic, because this is the only nation in the world where such completely unbridled discussion and opinion rage on in an organized fashion. That is the United States I am proud of, the one that has given me so much.
I decry and am ashamed of my fellow warriors who have lost their thin veneer of civilization and chosen to engage in the atrocities committed in Iraq. May God have mercy on their souls.
I have chosen to shelve my right to have an opinion on the war in Iraq. I support our effort to help the Iraqi people, depose Saddam, and promote a free(er) Iraq. Are we (or can we) still doing that? I don't know anymore. I have an opinion, but it is too visceral to be truly rational anymore, so I keep it to myself.
Overall, it does not matter. My country, almost unanimously, asked me to refresh the tree with my blood in Iraq/Afghanistan 6 years ago. That was this country, by referendum. As my country comes to terms with what she has done, and possibly chooses a different path, I will soldier on. I will guide and inspire my Soldiers to do the same. But, it saddens me to see so many of my brothers and sisters killed and maimed, only to find out my country either didn't mean it or had no stomach for it.
None of these are the reasons I cry. I cry for the lack of purpose, the apparent lack of caring, the lack of compassion you displayed in your original article and in this subsequent failure to apologize to me, my fellow warriors, and all those who came before me. Here's why.
1. I am not a mercenary. You could make me work two jobs and this would still be one of them, because I am that passionate about defending you and your rights. Many in the National Guard and Reserves do just that. My country needs professional warriors to do her bidding, and he is me, and thousands like me.
2. I have the right to express my opinion within the bounds of the UCMJ, as do my Soldiers. How dare you imply that I do not, or that I should reprimand them? We already accept an abbreviated set of rights willingly. Do not attempt limit my liberties that I have already willingly limited while I defend without complaint the unabridged version you are so rightly entitled to.
3. As an officer, my needs are met. However, in the three months leading up to my first deployment and the entire 13 month adventure, my pay amounted to 173 cents an hour. My friends and I logged our hours as a joke, but $1.73 is the reality. That equates to 19-20 hour days, 7 days a week, for 16 months. That's with the relatively lavish bonuses and benefits we receive while deployed. And I am an officer. Think of our junior enlisted, and find someone else in our great country that is willing to work so hard, day and night, no weekends, under fire, threat of death over their head, for so little? Find me one and I will retract this comment graciously. Of course, even when not deployed, it takes my wife and me quite some time to get through the line at the grocery store. That's because we get in line behind one of my fellow warriors, who with shame in their eyes and faces flush with embarrassment fill out their WIC paperwork because they don't make enough to support their wife and two kids (an average sized family).
4. This response is taking an inordinate amount of time to type, because I have only one functioning hand after being wounded in Iraq. I am trying as quickly as possible to use the medical system your (and my) taxes paid for to recover, so I can go back to Iraq and continue to fight for what you don't believe in, because I believe in you and my Soldiers. Still, I count myself lucky, as I received my Purple Heart next to a 19-year old warrior with both his legs amputated above the knee. No matter how wrong the majority feels the decision was at this juncture, that Soldier gave (I use the word gave deliberately) his legs at his nation's calling. Not for money. Not because he was too stupid to get into college. Not for the great benefits. Just because you asked him to. Please don't imply that this fallen hero is not entitled to the basic medical care he receives.
5. Given the opportunity, I would fight the Germans in 1944. Oh, to have that definition of purpose, that sense of righteousness! But, that is not to be. This is the war that this country has chosen for me, my peers, and my Soldiers. With its vagueness, dirtiness, ambiguity, undefined enemy, amorphous center of gravity, and undefined purpose. The actions of our administration, the decisions higher-echelons of our military, the blunders of the CPA, (I could go on) etc. aside; it comes back to one thing. America chose this fight for me, and I will fight it with all my skill and might until she tells me to stop. The woes and throes of the majority, hawks, doves, liberals, neocons, etc. mean nothing to me or those Soldiers you quoted. What matters to us is that you told us to be there, 3000+ of our brothers and sisters have died there, and we are still there. Change that - in reality, not in the abstract - and we will gladly leave and prepare ourselves for the next challenge and opportunity to defend your freedoms.
I am a Warrior, a Soldier, a Scholar, and a Patriot. This country has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to train and educate me. I am well-versed in our government, our demographics, our history, and our Constitution. Perhaps I am an idealist. To the end of my life or capability I will defend your rights and this country. I am proud that I live in a country where a free-thinker such as you can write an article so critical of current policy. But I am deeply hurt by the insinuations and accusations listed above. I request an apology, on the behalf of all the Armed Forces, for your insensitive and boorish comments. I only wish I could communicate with your entire readership the bitter taste of betrayal that is in my mouth as easily as you communicate your speech and thoughts.

With Respect,

A United States Army Officer
"Army Strong"

Posted by: Army Officer | February 1, 2007 05:25 PM



I just have a few questions for Mr. Arkin.

Have you been to Walter Reed? Have you asked those men and woman if they support the American People enough? Find the Man or Woman who is learning to walk again, or trying to figure out how to write with an articulated hook, and look them in the eye and tell that person they aren't supportive enough.
Better yet, you tell that young mom who is trying to figure what life is going to be like when she gets her amputee husband home. Tell her husband is a disgrace and needs to be more supportive of the America People.
I've been to Walter Reed, I'm an amputee myself and I proudly serve. I just can't tell if you are so bereft of knowledge or intellectually disingenuous enough to really mean what you say.
I'm also perplexed by what Mr. Arkin means when he says we receive "obscene quantities of amenities". Does Mr. Arkin think that the just because we are removed from our families for a year, placed in a hostile climate and will get shot at, indirectly fired on and possibly caught in an explosion means we are being self absorbed to ask for a few treats and trinkets and quality of life items?
Perhaps swearing to support and defend the constitution is just not supporting American enough for Mr. Arkin. Perhaps being cavalier with our personal safety is just too little an order when it comes to giving back to the American people. Maybe those brave sons and daughters at Walter Reed that have risked life and limb, and came back with little more than there life, just aren't supportive enough.
And the sad things about those heroes is so many of them feel guilty just for surviving where there friends did not.
I suppose those free Men and Woman that "stand between our loved home and the wars desolation" just need to find ways to sacrifice more and do more for the American people.
I wonder if Mr. Arkin could tell you what song I quoted there.
Mr. Arkin, you have no concept of sacrifice, allegiance, courage or even patriotism. But know this, that it is okay that you feel the way you do, it is after all your right. Just understand, it is not your god given right, because not everyone has it, it is because of people like me. You know those soldiers that just aren't supportive enough, by your standards.

Posted by: rhc4 | January 31, 2007 03:52 PM

Regardless of how you feel about Iraq, attacking the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen who are fighting it is uncalled for. Frankly after that I think there is nothing else to say.

Your Taste in Music:

Classic Rock: Highest Influence 80's Alternative: High Influence 80's Rock: High Influence 90's Hip Hop: Medium Influence Alternative Rock: Medium Influence

How's Your Taste in Music?

Heros

Seems that folks want to believe in heros. I guess it makes things a bit easier when you know that there is someone who will stand up and fight against what is wrong. At times this want distorts the preception of an event, molding one person into the hero and another into a villian. To compound this the event then gets seemingly enlarged with each retelling. Just a bit funny how things evolve.

Odd thoughts before a weekend

Facebook madness has caught on strong here in Korea. Not too sure what to make of it.

I'd rather fail, than not succeed as me. -The white room

Why do we always want who we can't have?

If you really want to get an odd look from a cashier buy the 3 following items at the same time:
white mice (hamsters or gerbils will do)
Plastic fill able eggs (the kind you use at Easter)
a sledge hammer
If done right the cashier should give you this fascinated yet horrified look.

Tragedy is when I stub my toe. Comedy is when you fall down an open manhole. -Mel Brooks

Right now a tropical beach, some rum, and bikini (or less) clad beauties would be heaven. (for that matter you can keep the beach and rum)

Self image...

It is strange how we see ourselves. I see myself in the mirror and then see myself in a picture, it is amazing how much the ego distorts what I see. It is also strange when people see something in you that you don't see yourself. Recently I found a friend sees me as a much better person than I perceive myself as, and I find myself not wanting to prove that person wrong. It's not that I see myself as particularly a good or bad person, just never really thought about it. Now I have, ~shrugs~ guess it was bound to happen sooner or later.

Random bouts of introspection, might actually be growing up. There's a scary thought.

A thought.....

Empty your mind of all thoughts.
Let your heart be at peace.
Watch the turmoil of beings,
but contemplate their return.

Each separate being in the universe
returns to the common source.
Returning to the source is serenity.

If you don't realize the source,
you stumble in confusion and sorrow.
When you realize where you come from,
you naturally become tolerant,
disinterested, amused,
kindhearted as a grandmother,
dignified as a king.
Immersed in the wonder of the Tao,
you can deal with whatever life brings you,
and when death comes you are ready. -Tao Te Ching

The week is over...

Well time to bring the work week to a close. Got a dinner for some coworkers, then time to start making Jello shots. I can hear my rum calling, so gonna keep it short. Have a good weekend, hopefully will have some interesting stories and pics to share.

Common Sense

Why is it some people just don't have this trait? For me, if I'm about to do something dangerous and/or stupid a part of my mind kicks in and says "Don't!!". Most of the time I listen, if alcohol or a woman is involved it gets fuzzy. I have met people here that will do things, completely sober with no opposite sex involvement, that would completely blow your mind. In the last 24 hours I have seen:

Numerous people walk blindly into traffic.

People arc welding with no mask, seems that closing their eyes will protect them from hot molten metal.

Folks wanting to work on live electrical equipment, think high discharge capacitors and a direct line to ground. Not a good thing.

A guy talking on his cell phone, typing on a laptop, with a cup of coffee in his lap while driving.

Yes, Darwinism has been proven false.

Clock watching

Tick, tock, tick, tock, watching the seconds pass. It never fails, the morning passes buy in a blur, lunch time comes and things start slowing down. Slower and slower until you are now, the last hour of the day. Feeling like a fly stuck in amber, I watch the clock, waiting for 5:30 to roll around. Random thoughts come unbidden, daydreams that seem to last hours. Drat only seconds have passed. How can the perception of time change so much in the span of eight hours? The weekend is too far away.

one of those days

Today is the type of day it would have been nice to just stay in bed. Nothing bad happening, just felt waayyy too nice under my nice warm blankets. Reality kicked in, gotta go to work, gotta move. Now instead of my nice warm haven, I have the cold glare of a moniter....Reality bites!

The day after, the morning after...

Last night was a bit brutal, we celebrated the birthdays of 3 friends. It started off innocently enough, a nice dinner at a great restaurant (The lamb chops were outstanding). From there it was off to the karaoke where we probably scared the natives. There is something quite scary about a large group of drunk foreigners singing Queen (very badly). Then the increasingly drunk horde headed out dancing. This is where things got very.
Now most people will logically ask "Very what?", but gotta leave it at very. There was drama (one I was expecting, the other six or seven that struck were out of the blue), dancing (actually was taught some of the basics of shaking my groove thing), attempted assisted romance (drunk half-Korean friends trying to set you up with someone who is standing next to their boyfriend is a odd experience), and an incident involving being in a occupied stall of the female restroom with no toilet paper (actually reminded of my Navy days at times). This is the point where the group started to dissipate. Suddenly it's just me, a buddy, and 2 Bonny Scottish lasses (sigh, love that accent) and the club is closing and it's off to an after party. Needless to say 9AM rolls around and I am getting back to the apartment.
13 hours of straight celebrating, ach... I may be getting too old for this stuff (of course I always say that, and I charge straight back into the fray the next time).

The morning after

Why is it that drinking always seems like a good idea? It starts the same way every time "I'll have a few drinks, and keep it mellow." Suddenly it's 5 in the morning and you are seeing a very blurry rendition of the world. A few hours of sleep later it is the morning after. There are two Little dwarfs with hammers in your head. Your mouth tastes like a cat has used it for a litter box (one of these days I'll get that damn cat), and any attempt at being coherent (let alone eloquent) have flown out the window. Guess one of these days common sense will have to kick in.

Random thoughts yet again....

Ever meet anyone you just can't stand, and they don't realize you dislike them?

Watched a Korean basketball game last night. During the game it dawned on me that these guys really can't play.

Mmmmm....Corn Nuts....

I have realized why I could never be a lawyer:
1. I have a soul.
2. I hate bursting into flames when exposed to sunlight.
3. I like garlic.
4. I don't suck "(I leave it up to you to decide what lawyers suck, be creative)"

There are few things better on a cold morning then staying in bed, wrapped up in the nice warm covers.

In, twist, and up!! -from an old marine drill sergeant (best not to try visualizing what it is from, no good can come of it )

As always, I really want an nemesis and/or a sidekick (and a cape).

Doing another Fondue party soon, can't wait.

Fighting

A large part of who I am revolves around fighting. I'm not talking about brawling or fisticuffs (as the more cultured would put it), I'm talking about overcoming a challenge. That's just who I am, show me something where I have any chance of succeeding and I will fight tooth and nail until I accomplish it or die trying (he types rubbing the bruises from snowboarding). Tell me I should quit, and it makes me go that much harder. It is never about winning or losing, it is about the fight. It's about feeling the passion, and fire that comes from the struggle.
Facing a situation now that I honestly think I have no chance of succeding, and for the life of me I don't know how to handle it. It is a matter of the heart so I can fight all I want, but if the other person dosen't feel the same it is useless. Part of me says to walk away, but when I try a glimmer of hope is shown and I go charging right back in (like an idiot). Figgure it is time for a talk, if this fight is hopeless, it is time to move on.

Just wrong

Found this here in Korea, just something seems so wrong about it...

Owwwww.......

Recovering from my first attempt at snowboarding, I have many aches (many in places that I can not discuss in a polite post) at the moment. Coming from a part of the U.S. that doesn't get snow, this is not a natural thing to do. Snow should be soft and fluffy, not painful. I will be going back (yep, I'm an idiot)in about a month for more fun pain.

And the wheel turns...

What goes around comes around, it's funny how often this is true. The wiccan say that what ever you do, good or bad, comes back to you three fold. Then you have the whole karma/dogma aspect. It does a heart good to see these principles in real life, brings a big ol' smile to my face.

Horrible movies

Some movies should just not be made. Last night I was flipping through channels and landed on one of these.
Dracula 3000, yes it is as bad as it sounds. The stars of this little gem were Casper Van Diem (starship troopers), Ericka Eleniak (Under Siege), Coolio (rapper), and Tommy "Tiny" Lister (Friday), yep star studded. This movie actually sucked my will to live so much I was unable to move my thumb to change the channel.

On my alltime worst movie list it ranks a number 2 right behind Dungeons and Dragons the movie.

If movies were crimes these would deserve the death penalty:
1. Dungeons and Dragons the movie
2. Dracula 3000
3. Street Fighter the movie
4. Timecop
5. Syriana
6. Bloodrayne (well, any Uwe Boll movie)

Free will

Ever see something bad coming and not be able to prevent it? It's kinda tough, especially if you see it happening to someone you care about. What interesting beasts we are, gleefully choosing things we know will only lead to sorrow. Guess that is the burden of free will.

The white knight...

"I'm not the perfect little angel you think I am." Her emerald eyes meeting mine. A soft smile crosses my lips "I know darlin, trust me I see exactly what is there. I wish you could." Uncertainty flashes across her face "You always do that, I don't think you see the dark side of me.". I lay my hand on her shoulder "We all have our dark sides, and compared to what I have seen and have been you don't rate." I feel her trying to decide which way to go. I smirk "What do you see when you see me? Time for the brutal truth love, be honest." Her eyes break contact and then meet mine again "I see someone who is wonderful, I have not yet seen a bad side to you. Some of the best times I can think of are with you.". It takes me a moment to recover from this "You know when it comes to you I am a bit stupid? It's like staring down a train, you see it coming and know you should get out of the way, but can't. Your path is yours to choose, as much as I wish I could choose it for you it is not my place. Let me know when you make up your mind." I kiss her on the cheek and walk out....

Decided to try my hand at a little fiction. I think it came off a bit too melodramatic, but I can blame that on too much film noir and goth.

Photos...

Well decided to start a photo blog, only have one post at the moment but will be adding more as time and willingness to do anything permits.

The dawn of a new year...

Well the new year is here, and it was rung in with style at my place (and much drinking). Yesterday was spent recovering, and cleaning (it's amazing how much mess can be generated by drunk people). The party was held for a couple reasons, firstly it's New Year's eve. It was also to say farewell to a couple friends who are leaving Korea (and will be missed), and to say welcome to some who are just arriving (a drunken celebration, always makes the best first impressions :p).

Not really gonna go for the resolutions this year. Instead of saying what I'm going to do and not do it, I'm just going to do it. This seems to be a better way of doing it. I hope that everyone has a great New Year.

Twas a few days after Christmas...

Well Christmas has come and gone, and New Year's is just a few days away. I hope that everyone has had a nice holiday. My own is kinda mixed. I got some really good gingerbread cookies from Hong Kong yesterday :), but was in a auto accident the day before (my post about driving in Korea is quite factual). Saw the new James Bond movie, but found out a close friend had to spend Christmas taking care of her sick mother and got nothing for Christmas :( (everyone needs something for Christmas, so I went a picked her up a little gift).

New Years is looking good, throwing a party at my place. Got the booze, snacks and assorted party needs, even managed to secure some Jell-o (a rarity here) for "Jell-o shots". Champagne is a nogo though, average of 50 bucks a bottle for bottom of the line.

Have a great New Year's all!

Christmas time

Merry Christmas to all!! May you know peace, happiness, and love. To all those deployed during this season (as I have been many times), you are in my prayers and I give my heartfelt thanks for your sacrifices. Merry Christmas all my brothers and sisters, walk in grace and beauty.

And now a classic (thanks to Christmas-poems.com)

How the Grinch Stole Christmas
By Dr. Seuss

Every Who Down in Whoville Liked Christmas a lot...
But the Grinch,Who lived just north of Whoville, Did NOT!
The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season!
Now, please don't ask why. No one quite knows the reason.
It could be his head wasn't screwed on just right.
It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight.
But I think that the most likely reason of all,
May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.
Whatever the reason, His heart or his shoes,
He stood there on Christmas Eve, hating the Whos,
Staring down from his cave with a sour, Grinchy frown,
At the warm lighted windows below in their town.
For he knew every Who down in Whoville beneath,
Was busy now, hanging a mistletoe wreath.
"And they're hanging their stockings!" he snarled with a sneer,
"Tomorrow is Christmas! It's practically here!"
Then he growled, with his Grinch fingers nervously drumming,
"I MUST find some way to stop Christmas from coming!"
For Tomorrow, he knew, all the Who girls and boys,
Would wake bright and early. They'd rush for their toys!
And then! Oh, the noise! Oh, the Noise!
Noise! Noise! Noise!
That's one thing he hated! The NOISE!
NOISE! NOISE! NOISE!
Then the Whos, young and old, would sit down to a feast.
And they'd feast! And they'd feast! And they'd FEAST!
FEAST! FEAST! FEAST!
They would feast on Who-pudding, and rare Who-roast beast.
Which was something the Grinch couldn't stand in the least!
And THEN They'd do something He liked least of all!
Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small,
Would stand close together, with Christmas bells ringing.
They'd stand hand-in-hand. And the Whos would start singing!
They'd sing! And they'd sing! And they'd SING!
SING! SING! SING!
And the more the Grinch thought of this Who ChristmasSing,
The more the Grinch thought, "I must stop this whole thing!"
"Why, for fifty-three years I've put up with it now!"
"I MUST stop this Christmas from coming! But HOW?"
Then he got an idea! An awful idea!
THE GRINCH GOT A WONDERFUL, AWFUL IDEA!
"I know just what to do!" The Grinch laughed in his throat.
And he made a quick Santy Claus hat and a coat.
And he chuckled, and clucked, "What a great Grinchy trick!"
"With this coat and this hat, I look just like Saint Nick!"
"All I need is a reindeer..." The Grinch looked around.
But, since reindeer are scarce, there was none to be found.
Did that stop the old Grinch? No! The Grinch simply said,
"If I can't find a reindeer, I'll make one instead!"
So he called his dog, Max. Then he took some red thread,
And he tied a big horn on the top of his head.
THEN He loaded some bags And some old empty sacks,
On a ramshackle sleigh And he hitched up old Max.
Then the Grinch said, "Giddap!" And the sleigh started down,
Toward the homes where the Whos Lay asnooze in their town.
All their windows were dark. Quiet snow filled the air.
All the Whos were all dreaming sweet dreams without care.
When he came to the first little house on the square.
"This is stop number one," the old Grinchy Claus hissed,
And he climbed to the roof, empty bags in his fist.
Then he slid down the chimney. A rather tight pinch.
But, if Santa could do it, then so could the Grinch.
He got stuck only once, for a moment or two.
Then he stuck his head out of the fireplace flue.
Where the little Who stockings all hung in a row.
"These stockings," he grinned, "are the first things to go!"
Then he slithered and slunk, with a smile most unpleasant,
Around the whole room, and he took every present!
Pop guns! And bicycles! Roller skates! Drums!
Checkerboards! Tricycles! Popcorn! And plums!
And he stuffed them in bags. Then the Grinch, very nimbly,
Stuffed all the bags, one by one, up the chimney!
Then he slunk to the icebox. He took the Whos' feast!
He took the Who-pudding! He took the roast beast!
He cleaned out that icebox as quick as a flash.
Why, that Grinch even took their last can of Who-hash!
Then he stuffed all the food up the chimney with glee.
"And NOW!" grinned the Grinch, "I will stuff up the tree!"
And the Grinch grabbed the tree, and he started to shove,
When he heard a small sound like the coo of a dove.
He turned around fast, and he saw a small Who!
Little Cindy-Lou Who, who was not more than two.
The Grinch had been caught by this tiny Who daughter,
Who'd got out of bed for a cup of cold water.
She stared at the Grinch and said, "Santy Claus, why,”
"Why are you taking our Christmas tree? WHY?"
But, you know, that old Grinch was so smart and so slick,
He thought up a lie, and he thought it up quick!
"Why, my sweet little tot," the fake Santy Claus lied,
"There's a light on this tree that won't light on one side."
"So I'm taking it home to my workshop, my dear."
"I'll fix it up there. Then I'll bring it back here."
And his fib fooled the child. Then he patted her head,
And he got her a drink and he sent her to bed.
And when CindyLou Who went to bed with her cup,
HE went to the chimney and stuffed the tree up!
Then the last thing he took Was the log for their fire!
Then he went up the chimney, himself, the old liar.
On their walls he left nothing but hooks and some wire.
And the one speck of food That he left in the house,
Was a crumb that was even too small for a mouse.
Then He did the same thing To the other Whos' houses
Leaving crumbs Much too small For the other Whos' mouses!
It was quarter past dawn... All the Whos, still a-bed,
All the Whos, still asnooze When he packed up his sled,
Packed it up with their presents! The ribbons! The wrappings!
The tags! And the tinsel! The trimmings! The trappings!
Three thousand feet up! Up the side of Mt. Crumpit,
He rode with his load to the tiptop to dump it!
"PoohPooh to the Whos!" he was grinchishly humming.
"They're finding out now that no Christmas is coming!"
"They're just waking up! I know just what they'll do!"
"Their mouths will hang open a minute or two,
Then the Whos down in Whoville will all cry BooHoo!"
"That's a noise," grinned the Grinch, "That I simply MUST hear!"
So he paused. And the Grinch put his hand to his ear.
And he did hear a sound rising over the snow.
It started in low. Then it started to grow.
But the sound wasn't sad! Why, this sound sounded merry!
It couldn't be so! But it WAS merry! VERY!
He stared down at Whoville! The Grinch popped his eyes!
Then he shook! What he saw was a shocking surprise!
Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small,
Was singing! Without any presents at all!
He HADN'T stopped Christmas from coming! IT CAME!
Somehow or other, it came just the same!
And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,
Stood puzzling and puzzling: "How could it be so?"
"It came with out ribbons! It came without tags!"
"It came without packages, boxes or bags!"
And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!
"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store."
"Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"
And what happened then? Well...in Whoville they say,
That the Grinch's small heart Grew three sizes that day!
And the minute his heart didn't feel quite so tight,
He whizzed with his load through the bright morning light,
And he brought back the toys! And the food for the feast!
And he, HE HIMSELF! The Grinch carved the roast beast!


Welcome Christmas
Dr. Seuss and Albert Hague

Fah who foraze!
Dah who doraze!
Welcome Christmas,
come this way!
Fah who foraze!
Dah who doraze!
Welcome Christmas,
Christmas Day!

Welcome, welcome!
Fah who rahmus!
Welcome, welcome!
Dah who dahmus
Christmas Day,
Is in our grasp,
So long as we,
Have hands to clasp!

Fah who foraze!
Dah who doraze!
Welcome Christmas!
Bring your cheer.
Fah who foraze!
Dah who doraze!
Welcome all who's,
Far and near

Fah who foraze!
Dah who doraze!
Welcome, Christmas!
Fah who rahmus!
Welcome, Christmas!
Dah who dahmus
Christmas Day,
Will always be
Just as long,
As we have we
Welcome all who's,
Far and near.

Driving in Korea

I consider myself a worldly man, I have been to 6 of the 7 continents and visited about 33 countries. Out of all those countries Korea has the absolute worst drivers. A standard morning commute of 20 minutes usually takes me from a nice mellow mood right down to bloodthirsty and homicidal.

Most of the other car drivers consist of two types:

a: The terrified to be behind the wheel so they drive 30 kph below the speed limit.
b: The street racer wanta be's that have seen "The Fast and the Furious" too many times.

Combining these two people makes for a real life bumper cars experience. To both these types anything outside the car does not exist, meaning they will change lanes without looking and/or cut across 5 lanes of traffic at the drop of a hat.

The taxi's come next. These guys believe that the traffic laws do not apply to them, and since there is little to no police enforcement, they are usually right. I have actually learned to curse fluently in Korean thanks to these folks (on a side note: Most of the taxi drivers in a 6 block area around my house can now curse in English).

Busses, these juggernauts of the road run red lights, stop in the middle of the road (not in the bus lanes) to let people off, and bulldoze their way through traffic with no thought of any one else on the road. I have been ran up onto the side walk by these guys changing lanes without looking (luckily no pedestrians were there at the time).

Mopeds, these guys are more reckless than maniacally depressed lemmings. There are not laws concerning these psychos. They drive on the sidewalks, on whatever side of the street they wish, I have even seen one running down beside a railroad track beside a train. If there is an accident involving a moped the automobile is automatically at fault.

Pedestrians and bicycles, both of these groups fall into the "If I ignore it, it can't actually be there." category. They walk/peddle into traffic without looking. Crosswalks and the associated lights are there only for decoration. About a month ago I was sitting at a red light when a kid on a bike rides straight into the side of my car and falls over (like a bird hitting a window). The kid gets up looks at me like it is my fault and then starts yelling at me in Korean (the yelling stopped when I got out of my car. It is amazing how sorry you can be when you realize the person you are berating suddenly has double your body mass.)

The stars of yesteryear

Found this while surfing around abit. A listing of many of the stars and the contributions they made during WW2. Quite a different Hollywood back then compared to today. Ben Affleck and Mat Damon vs. John Wayne and Lee Marvin, it don't take much to see who the real stars in the match up are. A Hollywood that actually stood up and took the call when their country called and supported the troops, such a difference from today's.

Good and Evil...

In kind of an odd mood this morning, started thinking about Good and Evil. To me it is curious, that as a species, we are capable of both these things in such magnitudes. What drives such things? Does nature override nurture in deciding which way a person goes?

According to Taoism one knows evil because one knows good, and one should strive to know neither. To some Good can not exist without evil, nor evil without good.

Like I said, kind of an odd mood today. I blame listening to too much Pink Floyd.

The next day...

Well, that was a surprisingly nice date. The young woman in question studied French literature and spoke English very well (a rarity from the local population). We will most definitely do it again sometime. For once a nice blind date!

Blind dates....

Well, got a blind date tonight. These things usually don't end well for me, so keeping it pretty neutral. Going to Pizza Hut (oh yeah, snazzy). I know not the romantic get away, but is pretty nice for Korea and well lit and public enough so if things go bad I can't get accused anything illegal (like I said these things usually don't end well). This particular one was rescheduled from Monday, due to nomenclature confusion both she and I ended up in different parts of the city waiting for each other (see that ending well statement again). So off to meet a person I have never seen before.

Busy weekend

Was kept on my toes this weekend. Friday night was trivia at a local bar, followed by wenching and drinking. Saturday was spent at a going away party for a friend, this ended up in a karaoke room (where I learned the apparent skill for singing I have in the shower, does not translate over to actual singing). Finally Sunday was spent hopping from a late lunch date to a early dinner date. I am honestly tired, looking forward to work this week to relax.

A blast from my past

Well was looking through some old thing around the pad, and came across this story I wrote in high school. I thought it would be interesting to post it. Sorry it's a bit overly melodramatic, back in the days of teen angst. What a difference 15 years make, for one I hope my grammer has improved abit.

The Final Move

The board was ready, sixty four squares, half black, half white. The squares were side by side to witness the battle. The armies were set.

Across the field two armies stared at each other, each equal but opposite. Each piece faced it's self on a plane of concordant opposition. All pieces fighting for the love of green paper.

The pawns, a force of eight, were ready to attack. Ready to rush forward and strike ahead left or right. The pawns...ready to die for green paper.

The rooks' lives, and powers had been bought on the block of sorrows. Death dubbed rooks, second only to the queen, ready for action. Fore, back, left, or right the rooks are destruction in a straight line. In God they trust.

The bishops' unholy work was ready to be unleashed on their enemies. Compromising their principles for legal tender, the bishops kill all diagonal to them. Betrayal most foul against God, all for green paper.

The knights were ready to sell their swords, and souls for dead presidents. Attacking forward left or right, ready to kill all... Sellswords till the end of time, charging ready for blood. The knights souls were sold into battle for green paper.

The queen is death incarnate, the ultimate weapon ready for use and feared by all. Death in a blinding flash, the queen is retaliation in a mushroom cloud.

The kings' part is that of leaders, and warlords. The weakest among the pieces, his is the cash holder, sending pieces to their death. The profit margin is his God.

The game starts, the war is declared. The first move is made.

The pawns are the first to fall. The screams of the dying are comforted by the all powerful green paper. One rook falls, as the other fights relentlessly, not pausing to mourn it's brother.

The king sits on his throne built of lies. The queen sits patiently on her silo waiting for use. The threats build, and contort carrying all, and no weight.

On the battlefield, knight fight without honor, and bishops without religion. The pawns die or get promoted. A former pawn, now rook, kills again and again in a never ending cycle of greed.

False flags are flown for fools, the real flags are protected in pockets. The battle rages on as it always has, and always will.

The once black, and white squared are now red. The once peaceful squares now torn with violence. The conflict evolves around green paper, nothing more.

The kings are at a stalemate, neither able to move. The soldiers are dead. The bodies of the vanquished litter the red field. All that's left are the kings and their queens.

threats as deadly, and useless as the soldiers are exchanged. The threats grow more and more, as innocents await the outcome.

The final move is made.

The war is over, the pieces are dead. The queens have been used. The field is now so much fused glass, and ash. All that is left is a single piece of green paper.

Just ain't right.

Yesterday during the ordeal of having my yearly hearing and eye exam, I had lunch at a local Pizza Hut. Going to the restroom I noticed a picture frame over every urinal, on each frame were the words "Taste the magic!". I know many things are lost in translation, but that is just sooo wrong.

Nice weekend.

This weekend was pretty nice and relaxing. Fondue party on Saturday night, and a late Thanksgiving on Sunday. Quite a nice change from the usual cycle of drinking and recovering. The Thanksgiving was a pot luck event, way too much food. It looks like the nice time had by everyone on Sunday, is going to result in a weekly or bi-weeky group dinner party. Fondue and dinner parties replacing drunken beerfests, guess I am growing up (had to happen sooner or later).

Simplicity

Conversing with a friend today, I was told something I thought was quite nice. I asked her what she wanted from life. Her response was "Right now I want three things, to learn a language, a martial art, and a instrument." Nothing grand or complex, just that.

Words that women and men use

My stepmother sent me this. I thought it was pretty funny, but lacking things from the male perspective.

Words that women use

1.) FINE: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right
and you need to shut up.

2.) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five
Minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes
to watch the game before helping around the house.

3.) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and
you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with "“Nothing" usually end in "“Fine"”.

4.) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!

5.) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often
misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and
wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about
nothing. (Refer back to #3 for the meaning of nothing.)

6.) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can
make to a man. "That's okay" means she wants to think long and hard before
deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

7.) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or Faint.
Just say you're welcome.

8.) Whatever: Is a women's way of saying "SCREW YOU!"

9.) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement,
meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times,
but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking "what's wrong",
for the woman's response, refer to # 3.

Words that men use

1.) FINE: Usually means nice or pleasent. Usually used as a response to "How does this dress look on me?"

2.) FIVE MINUTES: An amount of time equal to 300 seconds, or 5 INA MINUTE's

3.) NOTHING: A state of emptiness, and/or non-movement. Used as a response to "Whatcha doing?" or "Whatch thinking about?". When used means exactly that "Nothing.".

4.) GO AHEAD: a form of permission.

5.) LOUD SIGH: Usually used as a way to avoid cursing, normally used when hung over and confronted with a loud noise or after doing something painful (ie: hitting thumb with hammer).

6.) THAT'S OKAY: Can be used as either an acknologement of an apology ("Sorry I did that."), or a statement of approval("How does this taste?").

7.) THANKS: A statementatment of gratitude.

8.) WHATEVER: Statementatment of not caring one way or the other.

9.) DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT, I GOT IT.: Statement of being able to do the task at hand, and that anyone around should get out of the way.

I hope that listing some of the differences between the male and female lexicons will one day lead to common understanding.

Things I have done

From Plancks Constant
simple to play: just copy, bold the things you’ve done, and post

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said “I love you” and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby’s diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Played touch football
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Kissed on the first date
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Touched a stingray
110. Broken someone’s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Touched a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone’s life

Damn you Murphy!!

Well Murphy's law seems to be in full force.

My home computer is toast, either a nasty harddrive frying virus or was hacked and killed.

Saturday at the club I was chatting with a young lady from UK (love the accent). I had just made the statement "Not all of us men are sex crazed idiots", when Murphy struck again. A pretty drunk friend (?) of mine rushes up, grabs me (causing my drink to spill down her leg), yelling "Come on man, two hot chicks are making out in the bathroom".

One of these days I'm gonna find that murphy guy. When I do, gonna put him in the hurt locker.

UCLA student tasered

Now a lot of fuss is being raised about a UCLA student getting tasered by police. I have heard all the "racist" and "abuse of power" cries from the far left. I took a look at the video here at youtube. Now the video does look bad, but what I fail to see on any of them is what led up to the incident. The one thing all the stories I read about this can agree on are the following.

The student in question was asked to show his I.D. card. This is a posted rule at the institution he was attending. He refused (one witness said that the student said that he had his I.D. in his wallet but did not want to show it), and was asked to leave. He refused again, and the police were called. 10 minutes later the police show up and try to escort him out, he then goes limp and starts yelling about abuse of power. He was warned that if he did not comply, he would be tasered. He refused and was tasered. At this point a large crowd had gathered and were shouting at the officers. The student still did not comply and was warned that he would be shocked again if he did not get up. He refused and was tasered again. Some of the people got too close to the incident when shouting at the officers for their badge numbers, and were warned to get back or they would be tasered.

Having been taught in the military to handle belligerent subjects (ie. drunk, and/or angry sailors) I would have to say the cops were right, if not overly nice, in handling the guy (a very effective technique I was taught was to use two fingers and grab the person refusing to move by inserting the fingers into their nostrils, lift, and they will follow [a bit disgusting, but very effective]). The police on the scene had to look at the situation they were in, the guy was not cooperating and the crowd that out numbered them 3 to 1 was getting loud and was under 10 feet. This leaves them in a rather touchy situation. At 21 feet a firearm is useless (and cops don't want to shoot anyone), at 10 feet any object still on your belt can not be drawn in time to be of help. The use of a taser in this situation was probably the best choice. Had they used nightsticks to subdue the man, mob mentality (an actuall happening) may have come into play and the situation would have been really bad.
Now the only thing I would have done differently, is after the first shock grab the guy and drag him out on the spot. This would have ended the situation much more quickly and safely for all involved, but then again hindsight is 20/20. As for the students complaining that the officers threatened them, it appears to me that the police were trying to control the crowd verbally (another common and effective tactic). Simply the aggressor has just seen what the taser did to someone else, and is told to back down or the same will happen to them.

To me, it seems the whole incident would have not happened had the student simply followed posted rules. Instead he tried to make some sort of political statement. Being asked to show your student I.D. card at the library is not trampling on your civil rights, get over yourself.

So much for riding off into the sunset

Well, Saturday did not go as planned, her work intervened. After a quick raincheck, I was left with a open day. Luckily some friends invited me out to a hockey game (my first), so it was not a total wash out. Later that night in the night club, after many libations, I did something stupid and am now waiting to see if it will come back to haunt me. What is it about the members of the opposite sex that can make your common sense shut down, and cause you to do something you swore you would never do again? Also saw a couple melt down this weekend, it is amazing how people who love each other can turn and do some pretty horrible things to each other. I just don't get it at times.

You have got to be kidding.

Been seeing all the hoopla about the release of the Playstation 3. I love to play video games, but damn. Camping out in line a week before launch, ebay prices are 1200 to 6000 bucks(msrp is 600)? Not this little black duck. I just don't get it, seems like around every Christmas people get more stupid than usual.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow, I get to have lunch with someone I have been crushing on for awhile now. Not sure how this will go. Hopefully romantic soundtrack will cut in, the hero(me) will ride off into the sunset with the lovely lady, and live happily ever after. Not a big believer in fairy tales, so we will see.

A bit more randomness...

When trying to communicate with someone who speaks a different language and doesn't understand you, SPEAKING SLOWER AND LOUDER DOES NOT HELP!!!

Just passed a attractive young woman, wearing a perfume that smelled of roses with a touch of vanilla. That should be illegal, I nearly walked into a wall.

Never challenge someone to a drinking contest who is twice your body mass and 12 years your senior. I had to teach that lesson Saturday night.

I think I am one of the few people on earth that could care less that Britney is getting divorced.

I have mentioned it before, but screaming into your cell phone in a public place should be a caning offense.

The local Cartoon Network has switched to Korean dubbing instead of subtitles. This is quite a downer, it was my favorite of the few English channels here.

Been watching "Smallville", I quite like the show. I could do without the constant foreshadowing of Superman and Lex Luthor being enemies in the future. On a side note; I hear that the wrestler Bastista is going to be on an episode, as a marrow sucking evil alien. I did not know he could play a lawyer.

Uwe Boll should be executed for crimes against humanity. How else would you describe the movies: House of the dead, Bloodrayne (he is making a sequel), and Alone in the Dark. Those movies were so bad that they should have had Jean Claude VanDamme in them.

If at first you don't succeed, you aren't Chuck Norris!

The age

I have reached "The Age", the one where all your friends (who are married or in relationships), try to play matchmaker. This week I have had 3 people introduce me to women "I must meet" or "that I have sooo much in common with". Last night I went out with one of them, things were a bit awkward to say the least.

The young woman in question is a very sweet attractive person, who speaks little to no English. It is a bit odd to try to get to know someone when a second friend has to act as a translator. Overall it was a pleasant time, and we may be going out sometime this week for dinner. We will see what happens, at the moment I am not really looking for a relationship (after the events around the first of the month).

Once again I stand by my statement of life being much easier before puberty.

On a happier note, I just found out a couple hours ago that I have another niece/or nephew on the way. One more drum set to buy *big evil grin*.

Election time

I don't know about you, but I am glad the election is over. In 32 years of life, I have never seen such a vicious election. Both side acting like children fighting over a piece of candy, in my opinion neither side deserved to win. Once again we see that U.S. politics are not about doing what's right for your voters, but doing what ever it takes to get elected and towing the party line. The media made sure any pretext of fair, balanced coverage was not going to happen (look at the msnbc coverage for one). I can safely say I am disgusted by the whole thing. It didn't matter who won, America lost.

Quiet weekend

After the emotional week, I have taken this weekend pretty slow. Caught up on my beauty sleep, and watched some DVD's I have been wanting to see (Charlie and the chocolate factory, and Lucky number Sleven). Also went with a small group of friends to see "The Prestige". A quiet relaxing weekend, just what the doctor ordered.

The right thing

Today I have done the right thing, and feel terrible for it. It involved hurting someone who did not deserve it.
In the Philippines I met a woman, I think that I am the only person in her life that has ever treated her kindly. We parted and have kept in touch. She professed her love for me almost daily. The problem is that I do not love her. I cared for her, and still do, but don't love her. She is looking for someone to sweep in and take her away from the life she is in. As much as I wish I could be, I am not that man. So today I told her that it was over, I am not and can not be the man she is searching for. It would be wrong, and hurt her much more to live a lie.
Today I have hurt someone whose only fault was to care for me, and this feels like my lowest point. Can't help but feel, that I am not the nice guy people keep claiming me to be.