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.

Pirate pictures

Finally got a few pics of me as a pirate.

Here I am with a lesser generic pirate.



And me off doing the classic pirate pastime "wenching"



I think the world needs more swashbuckling pirates.

Halloween party

The Halloween party was a blast. Found out some really interesting things.

1. Women love pirates! I really wish there were more occasions I could wear that outfit. (will post a picture when I get one, kinda hard to be on both sides of the camera)

2. Werewolves may be immune to heavy wooden sticks.



But Barcardi 151 will drop one faster than a silver bullet.



3. Bruce Lee loves belly dancers.




4. Even the Osama loves women with pink hair.



That is why I love Halloween, the only night of the year you can be anyone or anything you want.

Disturbing discovery

Made a disturbing self discovery last night. This weekend is when all the costume parties are going on, since Halloween is on Tuesday this year. Tonight is there is a party at one of the local bars, and I am throwing one tomorrow night. This means 2 costumes, I was able to make both from my wardrobe. I find it a bit disturbing that I can throw together pirate and kung fu costumes with out any purchases or sewing. Maybe at heart I am a swashbuckling, kung fu fighting, pirate.

Good intentions

I think we all have them at one point or another. Those well meaning goals we take actions to accomplish. Sometimes those actions are not the most noble of thing, but the intention was good. Looking back it seems that these never turn out right in the end, I guess wrong begets wrong no matter what the intent was. The road to hell is paved in good intentions, sadly this would appear to be the case.

Whimsicalness on a Friday afternoon

Well, it's Friday with 2 hours left in the work week. These seem to be the longest 2 hours of the week. So to pass the time let's see.......

Some of my favorite things:
The sea
Paintball
Chocolate
Rum
Watching midgets wrestle
and the standard brownie point stuff (long walks on the beach, puppies, sunsets, ect...)

Some of my least favorite things:
Politicians
Lawyers
Mimes
Stupidity (amazing how the previous 3 things go with this)
Raw ginger
and more of the standard brownie point stuff (communism, people who frown, ect...)

Movies I like:
Big trouble in little China
Flight of the phoenix (original, not the remake)
The Iron Giant

Movies I don't like:
Dungeons and Dragons the movie (worst movie ever!!)
Street Fighter the movie
Syriana

Music I get into:
Linkin Park
Fort Minor
Most classical
Kidney thieves
Pink Floyd
Jimi Hendrix
Johnny Cash

Music I just don't get:
Boy bands
any country besides Johnny Cash
"Gangsta" rap
Polka

Well that's about all for now, got a photo show to go to tomorrow so hopefully my next post is a bit less inane.

Another rant about the media

News:
pl.n. (used with a sing.verb)
1. a. Information about recent events or happenings, especially as reported by newspapers, periodicals, radio, or television.
b. A presentation of such information, as in a newspaper or on a newscast.

2. New information of any kind.

3. Newsworthy material.


Kind of funny I don't see any mention of biasing views, or trying to influence the views of others. Let's face it, the media has become a corrupt political tool. You turn it on and all you see is death, destruction, and political mudslinging. Let's look at today's headlines from some of the largest MSM websites.

Four U.S. soldiers charged with rape and murder

Darfur violence spills into neighboring Chad

10,000 refugees from Burundi coming to U.S.

Coalition death toll in Iraq reaches 3,000

US troops called back to put down sectarian massacre

Suicide note leads to dismembered body

7 Funeral Home Directors Plead Guilty to Selling Body Parts

655,000 dead in Iraq

Iraq vet candidate derides Bush's 'shallow slogans'

Greenfield: Could Foley's follies hurt the GOP?



Pretty scary stuff. So where is the story about the Navy Seal who threw himself on a grenade, sacrificing himself to save both his team and Iraqi personnel? Where are the stories about something good happening in the world? Where is the stories showing democratic scandals (the democrat that was having sexual relations with the 16 year old girl, and her 15 year old friend, or the democrat that got $700000 for a house he did not own, these happened)? You might also want to read what Steven E. Moore has to say about the accuracy of number of dead in Iraq (the 1200% margin of error somehow managed to escape most of the reports on this). The Media keeps it's ratings high by cashing in on fear and strife. Responsible journalism has been forsaken for sensationalism. Pandering to the mindless masses seems to be the stock in trade today.

Random thoughts on a Tuesday morning.

The post title sounds like it should be a R.E.M. song title.

Stupidity should be painful, if not outright deadly.

I hate election time, all the politicians start acting even more childish than usual.

It may be easier to beg forgiveness than to ask for permission, but it is more fun to do it and then gloat.

Some sage advise from the redneck side of my family:

-Never deep fry anything while naked.

-The worst part about shaving your balls, is the aftershave.

-When robbing a convince store and the cops show up, try to steal some money orders or a stamp machine. That way it is a federal offence, and those prisons are much nicer than state prisons.

Chuck Norris only has two speeds, stop and kill! (Thanks dueling analogs)

Some things I want out of life:
Life
Love
Happiness
A nemesis
Enough money to have either henchmen or hired thugs

Utter disgust.

Instead of the long winded rant I was planning about this, I'll just keep it simple. The disdain, and disgust I feel towards this woman knows no bounds. Her nomination for a Nobel Peace Prize shows just how far the human race has fallen, and how meaningless the prize has become.

Illusions

We all live in a world of illusions. The mind skews perceptions to make them fit what we want to see. When you start to strip away the illusions, things can get ugly quick. Sadly enough finding the truth makes you deal with the world as it truly is. As it was explained to me "To know one's self is knowledge. To know knowledge is enlightenment. To know when you have enough is enough, you will have enough.".

Man this cryptic knowledge stuff would be a lot more useful if it was straight forward (or as Mia suggested, if it came with a manual).

Putting the cat out...

Time has come to say farewell to an old friend, the F-14 Tomcat. The old "Twin Tail Toms" will be sorely missed.

I have the been out on 2 cruises with the tomcats in support of Iraqi Freedom, and they always proved to be outstanding. The venerable jets will always have a special place in many sailors' hearts.

Made it back

Well my sojourn in the P.I. has ended. Interesting place, I can definitely see the Spanish influence on the culture. We started in Angeles city, it reminded me a lot of Tijuana. Nothing but bars, bars, bars, and guys selling various bootleg merchandise (everything from viagra and porn, to stun guns and pistols). We were supposed to head north after this, but a typhoon forced us to go to Subic bay instead (really wanted to head closer to Manila, so I could drop in on Madame Chaing for a drink). This was a bit nicer of an area, we stayed right on the beach (oh, how I missed the sound of the ocean).

All in all, a nice trip. Will definitely have to head back, and see some different parts of the country. Will post some of the photos I took later on.

Off again.

Well, off to the P.I., see you all in a week. I can hear the rum, and a lounge chair calling.

And on a side note, the longest Word verification I have ever gotten

Getting geared up...

Well Saturday I fly to the Philippines for a week, have never been there so am highly looking forward to it. I figure spend a few days exploring Angeles city, then if the weather holds then down to Subic Bay. Got my camera ready (8 gigs of flash cards), the Hawaiian shirts are packed, and I am ready for some rum. Can't wait!!

Morality

Let me ask you a question. You have the choice between two people you care deeply for, either one you will be mutually happy with for a time. One more than likely will end up hurting you, the other you will more than likely end up hurting. Which do you choose?

Do you pick the one that will hurt you, or do you pick the one you will hurt? Choosing neither and hoping it blows over is not a option in this case. Granted there is the chance that no pain will come of either choice, but the chance is slim. A question of morals, do you throw yourself on the sword or do you push another on it?

Nothing to read into on this post, just a question (a melodramatic one, I'll grant you). I know my path on such thing, what is yours?

People who can piss off...

I have decided to make a list of those who, in my personal opinion, can piss(bugger, fuck, ect...)off.

The media.
Quit glorifying violence, the whole "If it bleeds, it leads." mentality is garbage. Stop projecting your political bias as balanced reporting. Bring back journalistic responsibility.

Politicians
You are supposed to be the leaders of my country, stop acting like spoiled children. You are elected to serve your constituents, not the other way around. This bipartisan bullshit is not the way the founding fathers meant it to be.

The politically correct crowd
You in particular need to die a horrible death. "Oh you can't say that, it might offend someone." No where in the constitution is anyone protected from being offended. How dare you violate my freedom of speech and expression, you self appointed Nazi bastards.

The entertainers
For all those singers, actors, directors, ect... you can save your political views. You are paid to entertain me, not to offer your half-assed insights to politics. Just because you played the president in a movie, does not mean you know a damn thing about ANYTHING. To all you singers and rappers here is a special message. Quit remaking songs from the 60's and 70's, and no one cares what kind of "bling bling" you have. Come up with something new, quit butchering actual artists. Knock off the overly commercialized "Gangsta" lifestyle and actually try writing something with content.

Sports stars
You get paid millions to do something that most other people do for fun. Knock off the whining when you sprain something. Do like all the little league kids do, cry for a few minutes and start playing again. In the golden age of sports the "stars" did not make insane amounts of money, and actually had jobs in their off season.

People who cry racism
Yes there are actually racist in the world, of all colors. Someone disagreeing with your opinion more than likely is not one of them. If you did not get the job you wanted, maybe the other guy was just better. If you do something wrong, and the police stop you, playing the race card should not get you a free walk. I don't care if you are a different color than I am, we all bleed red.

These are just a few of those who I really dislike. I could go on, but gotta get to work.

Random Friday thoughts

Well it is Friday afternoon with 2 hours left in the day. This has been quite a long day, not too much going on. Days like this the mind starts to wander.

If you set a mime on fire, will he make noise?

Does anyone actually find clowns funny (when they are not being fed to rabid chichiuas)?

Could Rosie O'Donnell be more annoying?

Does everyone work with at least one know it all?

Does everyone want to smack the above person?

Is there anything better than a sauna and/or a jacuzzi after working out?

How is it the female of the species can make the male do completely mind baffling stupid things? (no even more stupid than that)

Meme time once again.

Got this meme from Blonde Sagacity, drawing a blank on anything else to write. Here it goes.

Were you born before the end of the first Gulf war?
Yep, in the roaring 70's. The days of disco and leisure suits (thank God that decade is over)

Childhood nickname?
None really, but I did spend the first 10 years of my life believing that my name was "Goddamnit" (Thanks to Jeff Foxworthy for that one)

Historical person you have the biggest crush on?
Cleopatra, the original femme fatale

Favorite type of candy?
Kinder eggs *drools*

Favorite foreign country?
So many to choose from, I gotta go with Australia

Fish or chicken?
Chicken

Do you have your own perfume line?
Not as of yet, still working on the title "Low tide by Seven Seas" just doesn't flow.

Have you ever written a children's book?
Once, it was never published. Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy entering into a murder/suicide pact, was deemed unsuitable for young children.

Have you been in a movie based on a book?
No, but have watched a good many.

Ever posed nude for a photo?
Yep, but was drunk and/or young and needed the money.

Guiltiest pleasure?
Watching pro wrestling

Your best non-guilty pleasure, then?
Playing Paintball

What are you allergic to?
Basic human stupidity

Worst pickup line you've heard?
Once heard a guy actually use the "You are beautiful, do you have any English in you? No, do you want some?". I applauded as the woman decked him.

Were you bar mitzvahed?
Being born into the Southern Baptist religion, that is highly unlikely.

Have you ever cried during a TV interview?
Not really, have felt moved by a couple, but never cried.

If they made a movie of your life, who would play you?
Bruce Campbell

Pet peeve?
People who have no common courtesy.

If you weren't doing what you do, what job would you like to have?
I would love to be a photographer for National Geographic (or Playboy). Being paid to travel the world and take pictures (or being paid to take pictures of beautiful naked women, either way it's a good thing).

Place you will never be found?
A queers for Islam march (this march actually happened,and that was the actual name [definitely a group who has no clue on Islam's stance on homosexuality])

Why did you participate in this tagging?
I'm egotistical enough to want to hear what I have to say, and needed some filler.

Been a bit lax.

I know over the last couple weeks I have been a bit lax on writing on my blog. I wish I could say this was due to sheer laziness, but I can't. Drama has reared it's ugly head. Here lately it has been like a movie, save for no theme music and no evil (or good, I can do either) nemesis (man I want theme music). There has been drama (answers the phone "My boss had a heart attack? Is he alright?"), comedy("So a baby seal walks into a club, think about it."), action ("Say what again, I dare you!"), and every thing else Hollywood requires (except a paying audience).

From all the excitement I have gleamed a few things:

Life will kill you.

He who knows the least knows it the loudest.

Women and men think so completely different (big duh), it's amazing that the species is able to procreate.

All members of the IRS should be hunted down, while they are sleeping during the daylight hours, and staked through the heart.

and finally....

Never underestimate basic human stupidity, especially from large groups.

Snapshots

My life comes in snapshots. I spend months on end away, am back a week or two, then off again. I come home, snap, memory is made. I leave and that memory stays with me. I come back, snap, new memory. Little changes are what you notice first, changes in your loved ones.
Snap, the baby niece is starting to crawl. Snap, the niece is running, and starting to talk. Snap, my little sister is 5 and playing with dolls. Snap, she is 10 and wanting an Ipod. Snap, I look in the mirror and see more and more of my father staring back at me.
Sometimes I wonder what it would be to have a normal life, sometimes I don't. I do regret not being able to spend more time with my family, but such is the path I walk. I often look at the snapshots of my memory, and wonder what happens between them.

Nooooooo!!!!!

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie vow not to marry until all gay couples in the U.S. can legally. Oh my, how will life go on? What ever shall we do? (there needs to be a font for dripping sarcasm) So the rich, beautiful demigods of Hollywood refuse to marry until the whole country agrees to do what they wish. It's not that I don't care....Wait, yes it is. To me it shows how far human society has fallen when fluff like this makes the news. To know that there are actually people who will take this to heart only because of the names involved, makes me weep for the future.

It's not humanity I abhor, it's the humans.

Recovery

Well Saturday went off without a hitch. There was much merriment, and libations enjoyed by all. Sunday was quite harsh, I remembered why I don't drink like that any more (last time I was that drunk, I woke up with a large ankh tattoo). Then the clean up, it is surprising how much mess 20 or so people drinking can make of an apartment. Let's see the total consumption for the night was:

1 case of Heinikin beer
2 bottles Malibu rum
1 bottle Jagermister
1 bottle Crown Royal
1/2 bottle Jack Daniels
12 pack Hooch wine coolers
3 Mickey's beer
4 liters of Hite beer
4 bottles Soju
1/2 bottle Absolute vodka
2 Corona beers
and quite a bit of fruit that had been soaked in soju overnight.

Definately gonna stay away from drinking for a while.

Rant time again

You just get sick of it. Politicians, the men and women who are supposed to lead our country (this is probably true in all countries), acting like spoiled children. Toeing the party lines, regardless of what their constituents need or want. I really wish that ALL positions in government had term limits. That would end a lot of the constant "Election time coming up, gotta do something dramatic to get re-elected." mentality.

And while I'm on the subject, and contrary to popular conspiracy theories. The U.S. government was not behind 9/11. It sickens me to no end to see the so called "experts" go on and on. This is why I have basically quit reading/watching the news, the constant bias. In one day I have heard that George Bush is responsible for:

9/11
Hurricane Katrina
Rising Gas prices
All terrorism world wide
The Columbine High School shooting
and is involved in a plot to take over the Earth

All of the above also maintained that he had sub average intelligence. Pick either bumbling idiot or evil mastermind, the man can't be both.

On the flip side, ABC is making a docudrama "The road to 9/11". This is not finished , so has not been viewed by anyone. The rumor that it may have a scene critical to the Clinton Administration, has been enough to provoke a outcry. ABC has since changed the scene under veiled threats from the DNC (guess censorship only counts if it comes from the republicans).

I am neither republican or democrat, seeing how I find both parties to be full of idiot extremists. The U.S. needs a viable third party. Sorry if all this comes as a incoherent jumble, but am good and riled up (doesn't make the best mindset for writing).

Parrrty on.

Been a very hectic couple weeks since returning. Go here do this, go there do that constantly. This has it's good and bad sides, on the good side it means I don't have to deal with the personal life drama, on the bad side I have no personal life. Saturday I am having a party at my house to get back in touch with the dynamics of the groups of friends here. This should be real fun mixing drinking, and at the moment, lots of stressed feelings from all sides between multiple parties. I figure that one of two things will happen.

A: Every one has a good time and wounds heal.
B: Tempers flare, and I end up being glad I removed all sharp objects from the house.

Either way it should be entertaining.

Randomness on a Monday morning

Steve Irwin was killed by a stingray. I am a bit bummed about this, I actually liked the guy. How is it that a entertaining star dies, and the annoying ones keep living (Paris Hilton, Michael Moore, Tom Cruise, etc....)?

An addendum to my previous post about cooking. Some advise from my grandfather (one of the few non-Chinese wise old men I have known), "Never fry bacon naked.".

Why do people who know the least, know it the loudest?

"Brokeback mountain" would have been much more entertaining if it had been about lesbians. (it's a man thing)

Flipping through the channels yesterday, I found "Tom and Jerry" dubbed in Korean.

Sarcasm is wasted on stupid.

Why does life not have theme music? How great would it be to start sneaking around and have the "Mission Impossible" theme start playing? Or to be in a romantic situation and have Barry White start up?

Gotta get one of those big white hats.

Made dinner for some friends last night. I had forgotten how much I enjoy cooking. Cooking, to me, is a multi-sensory experience. The aroma of the cooking meal, the play of colors and textures of the ingredients, and finally the taste all make the meal.

The meal consisted of grilled rib-eye steaks(some marinated in mustard and soy sauce, some marinated in Italian dressing) topped with sauteed mushrooms and onions, baked potatoes with real butter, green beans (seasoned with black pepper and a dash of Tabasco),and cabbage salad (really liked the purple and green contrasting colors).

I think that I will be doing alot more cooking now, I really missed the simple enjoyment of it.

Off the path

I have mentioned before that we all walk our own paths. Here recently, I have discovered that I have strayed from mine. A large part of this is over a woman.
The last couple days of confusion, and angst brought me to the realization above. I reflect at where this new path is leading, and see that it is not where I want to be. Now for the part that is both the simplest and hardest thing to do, get back on my path.

As always, such is life.

Home again, home again, jigiddy jig...

Well made it back. Two fun filled weeks of somewhat relaxing, hanging with friends, and family drama (I am amazed that I don't see some of my family on "COPS"). Got to meet my new neice. I will try to post a couple pics later on.

Ahhhhh...Vacation time

Well gonna be gone for a couple weeks, time for some vacation. Take care all.

Time for another rant....

Well, I had originally planned to write a short piece about how good a time I had last night at a small birthday dinner some friends threw for me, instead let's address today's news. Since I am flying tomorrow morning (19 hour flight), I found this to be just peachy.

What do you hope to accomplish by attacking civilians? Are you hoping to make a political change? Are you hoping to scare your enemies into submission? Look at the track record, it does not work! You kill innocent people, more military heads your way. You hope to strike fear into the infidels, instead you piss them off and they send more military your way. You try to make the "evil western governments" bow to your will, instead they send more military your way. You claim to be a religion of peace (granted most of the Muslim people are just like you and me trying to make it through the day, feed their family, pay the bills, etc...), and you make war on non-combatants. You fight from behind women and children, the cry outrage when they are killed by accident (contrary to what the MSM shows, U.S. forces try to avoid killing civilians). You want the mean nasty people to leave you alone, QUIT ATTACKING THEM!! It's not that difficult to understand.

Half the liberals are slamming Bush, because it was not found fast enough. Hmm... Let's see, did anyone get blown up? How much faster do you want it? The other half of the critics say that it is all a plot to get his numbers up (God, some people should not be allowed to breed). You don't like the man, we get it. Stop the flip flopping view that he is either an idiot, or an evil genius. He can't be both, pick one and stick to it. Now, I wonder how long it takes the MSM to make the terrorist into the victim? I'm sure some photos have already been staged and photoshoped for this.

As you can probably guess, I am pretty riled up. I get to spend tomorrow on a airplane, now without any toothpaste, or deodorant. I will also be picked for the "random" extra security checks (something about a no criminal record, security clearance, veteran, with pork related last name that screams possible Islamic terrorist).

Political incorrectness

I have mentioned before that one of my Guilty Little Pleasures is watching wrestling. Just now, thanks to this Guilty Little Pleasure, I have seen the most politically incorrect thing I could have imagined. Most people who know me realize that I consider political correctness a disgraceful practice (personally I believe that everyone has the right to be an asshole). I just saw a Irish guy, beat a black man with a midget. The fact that the midget was dressed up like a leprechaun, was the icing on the cake. That was the single most offensive thing that I have ever had the pleasure of watching. It actually moved wrestling from the Guilty Little pleasure list, to the simple enjoyment list. God, I wish I had TiVo.

Yet more weekend discoveries.

There are a lot of cheap people here in Korea. I was at COSTCO and watched a woman take a plate to the hot dog condiments area, fill it with raw grated onion, add mustard and ketchup and chow down. There were many people doing the same.

Winning at trivia is fun. Winning at trivia against someone who gets mad (I mean really, steaming, brooding mad) when they lose, is even better.

Talking slower and louder does not help people, who do not speak your language, understand you.

High speed trains rock. It is cool to be speeding along at around 190 mph.

Yelling into your cell phone, in a public place, should be an caning offense.

Everyone loves puppies, especially in a light marinade.

Men are attracted to shiny objects (I have stated this before and it is still true). So if you are wearing a silver sequins shirt, don't get mad when I stare (honest, was looking at the sequins :D).

The chase

Heart pounding, I race down the empty street. My breath comes in short controlled bursts, I can hear them behind me. I don't know who they are or why they are after me, but they want me alive. I stop, a predatory grin lighting up my face, I turn and charge.

I attack their ranks with controlled coolness, ignoring the molten rage that wants to take over. Every movement measured, every hit precise, no fear, no joy, just the moment. I see my attackers clearly, their confidence is shaken as they realize they have just grabbed the tiger by the tail. The fight continues, blocking or rolling with attacks as they come at me, I continue to attack. The conflict is vicious and ugly, bones break under my fists, groans of those fallen fill the air. Suddenly it is over, their ranks turn and run, I stand, finally feeling the dull ache of hits taken, as adrenaline burns out.

And then I wake up. That was a very odd dream, it has been a long time since I had such a vivid dream that I remember. Even more strange is the content of the dream, not sure where that came from. I think part of the reason the dream made such an impact is the fact that my arms are quite sore at the moment, and the lingering feeling of victory.