Memo to liberal asshats:

I was watching 60 Minutes today and the Andy Rooney segment came on. Generally I like Andy Rooney because he can be funny and often raises the stupid questions about stupid things that I would like to raise. Today was a bit different.

What with it being Memorial Day and all he did a segment on, what else, Memorial Day. Fitting subject, yes, but the way he did it made me want to go Mike Tyson on his ass.

I'm all for peace. I really am. But I'm sick and tired of people telling me that I should be the one to think of ways to resolve things peacefully. Let me explain something.

Me and the people like me are extremely busy right now trying to think of ways to protect Americans and asshatted Euroweenies from getting killed by people who could care less if we bowed down to Allah or the almighty McDonald's arches. How about this for a plan: All you dimwitted liberal asshelmets actually think of feasible ways to cause people to congregate into a massive group hug without using the business end of a gun and I'll whole-heartedly back you.

Until then shut the hell up and let us do our damn jobs.

Asshats.

Second of the things that make me happy

Understanding. That moment that you figure something out that you were never able to understand before, whether in a video game, a riddle, or even trying to solve the mystery in a tv show before it all plays out. That one moment where you "get it".

Back in the saddle

Lately I've been thinking about starting to draw again. When I was younger I was a pretty good artist, at least better than average. My only problem is that I've always had a problem with drawing what I can't see.

I've always had to go off of pictures to draw anything and even then it never quite turned out the way it looks in real life. As a matter of fact, when I took art my teacher would put the A pictures in a display case in the hall. One of the very few times my pictures did not make it into the display was when I had to draw a person, which I'm probably the worst at. Animals are more my thing. But I'm digressing.

Anyway, what I really want to draw are pictures inspired by the military. I don't know if it's because I'm feeling sad that it's coming to an end or what, but I just feel this need to draw pictures that portray the military at it's best, or at least in a dignified light, because the majority of us, while not the kind of dignified you'd ascribe to royalty or high-class, are the kind of dignified that I think is even better. We have a love for life but we also know that sometimes to protect life you have to take life.

One of my favorite passages in the Book of Mormon says (in part): It is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief. (1 Nephi 4:15, God is talking to Nephi) Yeah, it comes from a religious book that not many people think highly of, but this particular part just sticks out to me when I think of what is going on in Iraq. What it all comes down to in Iraq is belief. Belief that a life of choice is better than a life of compulsion. Belief in the people sent there to help. Belief in their own ability to stand up to those who would enslave them.

In that light, I'd like to present the third picture I've drawn (the first one that I finished, though). I'd just like to point out that I've never drawn with colored pencils before so it doesn't look exactly like what I saw in my head. But it's a tribute to every soldier that has made sacrifices in Iraq and even in Afghanistan. I'm not sure what I'll do with it. I'm thinking about seeing if I could auction it off and then sending the money to help the troops as they try to make Iraq a better place. I don't know.

First of the things that make me happy

A good book. You know the kind. One that makes you want to go right back to the beginning and read again after you finish. The kind of book that you dread finishing because you don't want it to end but that you want to end just so you know what happens.

My Palm

In answer to your questions Harvey: I haven't gotten my keyboard yet, but I'm stoked about getting it (I love to type). What I got is a Palm Tungsten T2 and the Palm Ultra-Thin Universal Keyboard. I'm looking into getting a dictionary/thesaurus card (I really need one). So far I love the T2 and I'm sure I'll love it even more when I have the keyboard.

As far as 10 things that make me happy...Hmmm. I'll have to think about that one. I'll be thinking about it while I'm at work today and hopefully I'll have something to write by the time I'm done. It's a deceptively difficult list to make. Even one thing that really makes me happy is deserving of much thought.

This post is really boring. You've been warned

Today, as I was looking through my favorites list I thought I'd take a look at the last place one of my favorite bloggers was at and see if by chance she'd come back. You all know who I'm talking about: the unreplaceable Rachel Lucas. Imagine my surprise to find out she just started blogging again this month.

My own blog has been sorely neglected, this I realize. I've had some rants run through my head but putting them down just didn't seem like the thing to do at the time and so they just kind of faded away into the dark recesses of my dysfuntional brain. I'd think, I'll write about that a little later. Of course, "later" wouldn't seem right either and then I'd forget.

There really hasn't been much going on in my life. I'm not quite down to counting days yet, but it's getting close to my relocation and I can't wait. I'm going to miss my job, but not the many messed up aspects that have turned up since leadership changes were made. I'll miss working with the soldiers and being a small (very small) part of the efforts in Iraq. I'm not there, but of all the different units on this base I think that mine is probably the most involved without actually being there.

I'm also fiercely possessive of "my" room. When I left basic training I was irritated because somebody else was going to be sleeping in "my" bed, even though I was happy as hell to get out of there. When I left tech school I was pissed somebody was going to be in my room, even though I was happy as hell to get out of there, too. During clinicals it was the same thing. And here will be no different.

I don't like change, but the funny thing is that I adapt very quickly when there is a change. I'm not sure how that works, it just does. Maybe I'm just a defeatist, thinking I'm not going to change it, so I may as well just go with it. Whatever. My entire life is one long series of contradictions. Case in point: My room can be an absolute disaster area and I won't give a damn. If my CDs/DVDs are out of order or not straight in their pockets or cases, I go nuts. And when it comes to being organized, I would love to be able to but I don't have the mindset. Which has become more prominent what with my stress going up. I've reached a point of "whatever" that is really not conducive to organized living. In simple terms, my life is like a dodgeball game and I'm just trying to avoid getting hit. It's something that I need to turn around.

As far as what's been going on lately with the war and politics, both international and domestic, I'm keeping my eye on it without being too over-zealous. I occasionally have conversations about politics, but they are few and far between. The best debate I've had in a while was with the guy who gave that briefing I was raving about last month and that ended up unfinished because I had to go do training.

One thing I did do that I've been meaning to do for a very long time was buy a PDA. I can say I'm glad I waited because the one I got, while still on the expensive side, has made it possible for me to completely dump my plans of carrying around my outdated laptop to take notes and instead carry around the smaller PDA with a portable keyboard, leaving me with more room in my bag to carry books.

I've been looking around for bags that I would want to carry around at school and so far the ones I like the most are messenger bags. I found a particularly nice one for half price that I'm debating on. I have a thing about actually holding a bag in my hands so I can get a feel for it and how much it will hold because I have no ability when it comes to estimating distance, temperature, or dimensions. The bag seems like it will be big enough, but I could just be letting the fact that I really like the bag get in the way of better judgement.

One thing I can say I've been really stressing about specifically is what classes to take when I get there. I'd like to have an idea so that when I talk to my counselor I don't come off like an unorganized, indecisive person (oh wait, I am). I'm thinking one poli-sci course ('cause I gotta have something interesting to look forward to in the beginning or I'll never make it) and then an English/writing course. Math (something to remind me of how to do algebra again since I haven't done any math in five years), and of course there's the fact I'm still debating on doing ROTC. Any suggestions would be welcomed. I've never done the college thing before, ya know.

Well, I've babbled enough. I would just like to give a hearty Welcome Back! to Rachel because I've certainly missed her rants. I know she doesn't read my blog (I'm small potatoes, after all), but still it's good to see her back in action. Now if only I could take up my hatchet and start swinging away with consistency again.

As an aside, I'm pissed I missed the Survivor finale. I read the news and all I can think is What the hell? That wasn't on the AFN schedule! Damn them! So I have no profound thoughts on the end of this season of Survivor. Grrrr.

Regions are evil

I recently bought The Last Unicorn on DVD for region 2 because of the differences in the quality between it and the region 1 version. The specs for region 2 are much better than the specs for region one (at least the German version, which also has English, so that's not a problem).

I have yet to watch it because my stupid DVD player refuses to play it and I can't find a region hack for it. Which is really irritating me. The ones I've tried haven't worked and neither have the ones I've tried for my PS2. I'm seriously considering just buying a cheap DVD player that is easily hackable to watch it at some point (not in the near future, though, as I still have to worry about making my car work and buying a computer and books for school).

At this point I'll ask if any of you happen to know how to hack any of the Sony DVD players and how you go about doing it. Or at least where I can get a good firmware program to download and run so my DVD player will switch regions automatically whenever I put in a disc.

I want to experience my movie in digitally remastered video and 5.1 surround, dammit!

Good day, ay

I watched the movie Brother Bear yesterday, then watched it with the commentary by Rutt and Tuke. If you are at all familiar with the McKenzie brothers (a la Great White North and Strange Brew fame), you'll recognize Bob and Doug.

If you aren't familiar with either Great White North or Strange Brew I highly recommend you at least rent Strange Brew. And get your hands on a copy of Great White North. "Black Holes" is funny as hell and you've got to love their version of "12 Days of Christmas":

On the first day of Christmas
My true love gave to me...
...beer.

On the second day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
Two turtlenecks
and a beer.

You've got to hear it to really get why it's so funny, but I digress.

Anyway, back to Brother Bear. If you have it and haven't yet watched it with commentary (I also recommend watching it with the visuals), do it. If you haven't even seen it yet, I recommend renting it, even if only to watch the commentary (thought I suggest watching the movie without the commentary first so you have at least a basic idea of what the characters are saying when you're watching with commentary since you really can't hear anything with Rutt and Tuke saying "Beauty" and "Ay".

Best commentary I've ever heard.

Favorite lines #12 and #13

I don't know why, but lately my two favorite movies have been The Brady Bunch Movie and A Very Brady Sequel. I had forgotten how funny they were until I got them on DVD from Amazon as a two-pack. And one of my favorite lines from both movies has to be when Mrs. Brady says (to the Budget car rental guy in Hawaii):

"I wish I could be gay again. And I would be too if I were back with Marsha...and Jan...and Cindy"

"...and Alice..."

"...and Alice."

Of course the next favorite one would be when the rest of the family tells the same guy:

Rental guy: "It's none of my business, but she said she wanted to be gay."

"Well, of course she does. We all do, don't we kids?"

"Yeah!"

Classic!

Book list and bastards worse than the idiots that ran off to Canada

As of this moment I'm in the middle of reading six books. The list:

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville
Science and Faith by C. John Collins
The Paradox of God and the Science of Omniscience by Clifford A. Pickover
The Koran
The New Testament

(not necessarily in that order)

So much to do and so little time to do it in.

Everybody's telling me I'm a "short timer" now and I'm really feeling it. All I can think is I will be home and in college soon. Yay for me!

Even with that stuff to worry about and a huge collection of borrowed DVD's to get through, I've been paying some attention to what is going on with the prisoners and abuse down in Iraq. All I can hope is that the troops responsible get their asses nailed to the wall.

One of the worst parts about this is that the rest of the world hates us and thinks we are horrible people anyway, this just gives them more ammunition to use against us. It's just one more thing they can hold up to "prove" that American soldiers are trained to be inhumane and bad people (unless they are running their cowardly asses up to Canada, of course).

I can't and I won't accept responsibility for what they've done. I also refuse to accept the blame that certain groups are no doubt heaping on the military at this time. Sure, the military isn't about teaching us brotherly love for those deemed to be the enemy, but it sure as hell doesn't teach us to disregard the rights and dignity of others. Anything done was done by those specific people and not the military as a whole. Any characterization of all military people as being bloodthirsty warmongers who's only desire is to kill and/or humiliate everybody we don't agree with piss me off because I know people who put everything on the line for both the Afghanis and the Iraqis and did it with dignity and kindness. The minority is always going to get the media coverage, especially when they do such outrageous and shameful things, but as with the Iraqi people, the majority are not that way at all.

I'm proud to be a member of the Air Force; I wouldn't be going reserve if I wasn't. However, I won't stand up and defend somebody who is guilty, even if they are in the Air Force, or any other branch of service, for that matter. Once you cross the line I can't consider you a soldier, sailor, airman, or marine anymore. They disgraced every one of us who wears the uniform now, who once wore the uniform, and who will wear the uniform in the future. Really the only thing those of us who haven't soiled the uniform can do now is to just keep doing what we do and serving with pride. I don't give a rat's ass what the rest of the world thinks right now because they've hated us ever since we first busted onto international scene with our Declaration of Independence and Constitution, a constitution which has lasted us over 200 years with very few changes. Not only that, we're perfectly fine with the fact that the Constitution has remained basically the same. The rest of the world seems to think that that's a horrible thing. Screw 'em. What do they know?

God bless America and God bless the troops.

On the books

I just read a pretty good book that I would suggest as reading for anybody who has an interest in international politics, especially in relation to the war. The first half is very good, the second half I took a lot of issues with. At 103 pages long and slightly larger than a paperback book it's a couple of hours worth of reading that will get you thinking and piss you off.

You probably want me to spit the name out already. Well, I'll tell you: Of Paradise and Power: America and Europe in the New World Order by Robert Kagan. I'm looking at writing a long post about my thoughts on the book; what I agree with, what I don't agree with, what I think is downright idiotic.

At the moment I'm reading Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. I'm not even 100 pages in and I already want to throttle some of the characters. You think I may have some issues with anger opression?

Cowardly bastards

I'm still here. Been reading a lot lately, thinking about the upcoming move back to civilian life, and in general not paying a whole lot of attention to the news. As you can probably imagine things have gotten a bit busier at my unit.

The reason I'm posting right now is that I just watched the bit on Hannity and Colmes about the soldiers that are AWOL in Canada. That segment pissed me off. Especially after they said the bastards are trying to get refugee status in Canada so they don't have to go back to the States and face the consequences of their cowardly, un-American, pansy-assed desertion of their duty, a duty they signed up for.

I can understand that some people just can't handle the thought of having to kill. I can understand that there are some people who just can't sacrifice that part of themselves. I have no problem with that. As a matter of fact, I think it's a good thing when people say they don't like killing.

What I don't understand is why a person would sign up for the military and then, because they don't like going to war, try to obtain conscientious objector status. What the hell do you think the military does? I can tell you that wienee roasts and ghost stories around a camp fire are not what the military does. We kick ass. That is the entire purpose for our being. And if we're not kicking ass, we're training to kick ass. Regardless of your reasons for joining the military, you should know that the military is not the damn Boy Scouts.

The deserters are apparently being treated like rock stars in Canada. I can't think of them in any terms but disgust. If I was one of their fellow soldiers one of my first orders of business would be to head to the great white north and kick their cowardly asses back over the border to face the music.

I say that if Canada gives them refugee status, we lock down the border and let it be known that if China decides to make Canada a part of their country, they won't find us getting in the way. Besides, it will give us a valid reason to bomb the crap out of Canada because we all know that if China gets a hold in North America they'll use it to try to put us out of business.

I'm just so pissed off right now at the audacity and the cowardice shown by anybody who at one time called themselves a U.S. soldier. I don't think I can properly convey just how pissed off I am. After seeing a lot of the guys I've seen come through here, after hearing about Pat Tillman, after having served (and continuing to serve) I'm one pissed off airman. I don't feel sorry for them; I hope they get their asses kicked out of Canada. If I were in charge I'd go way old school and put their asses on the gallows.

Somebody I'd like to meet

Since I've been in Germany I haven't really been able to pay much attention to football, one of my favorite games to watch. To be honest I never knew who Pat Tillman was. But I wish there were more people willing to give up lives of comfort, lives they enjoy, to sacrifice for something more than just themselves or a sports team. From what I can tell, he did that and it's a rare thing. Especially when you consider that he wasn't in the news all the time with his decision.

I've seen some stars come through here with USO tours and they were clearly doing it for the publicity. They didn't want to be around the soldiers unless there was a camera capturing the moment. I can't say that in all the time I've been reading the news I ever saw mention of this guy and his exploits as an Army Ranger. This is the first I've heard of it.

The most interesting thing, I thought, was this line in the caption of a photograph: "Tillman gave up a $3.6 million contract with the Cardinals to enlist in the Rangers, a unit in which his brother Kevin also serves. Tillman earned $18,000 a year as a Ranger." By NFL standards $3.6 million isn't a whole lot of money. Still, he gave that up to take a job making less money than me in a much more dangerous situation.

Given the chance I'd like to just be able to shake this guy's hand, because I can't recall in my lifetime ever actually seeing somebody give up that kind of life to serve their country, especially when you consider that the Rangers are usually on the front lines somewhere.

I've actually got a list of people I'd like to meet after I die. It's not long, but I think that I'd like to meet Pat Tillman. Like I said, I don't know much about him, but from what I've read, he's closer to the true definition of a role model than any famous person I've heard of in the last 20 years.

It's moments like this I wish that instead of flying back to Dover the troops would fly through here. More work for me and my co-workers, to be sure, but we'd gladly take the load to send one more soldier home alive.

"But it's the style and everybody's doing it"

Louisiana May Ban Low-Slung Pants

Now this is just ridiculous. As much as I hate seeing thong underwear sticking out above the waistline of pants, I can't support this law. However, there is one money-shot in this that I think sums up the attitude among Americans when it comes to just about anything nowadays:

"I'm sick of seeing it," said [State Rep. Derrick] Shepherd, a first-term legislator. "The community's outraged. And if parents can't do their job, if parents can't regulate what their children wear, then there should be a law."

"There ought to be a law." I'm telling you, if we keep making laws for things that should be common sense (e.g. parents, don't let your children dress like whores or pimps) we end up with stupid laws like this (or at least people trying to make stupid laws like this).

Granted, people are free to dress how they want to dress, but parents are supposed to be teaching their kids how to be responsible members of society. There is only one reason to wear half of a square inch of material and it has nothing to do with being responsible. It definitely isn't because of a lack of money; bums wear more clothing than these girls and I can guarantee that my normal t-shirt costs less than their strip of babydoll T emblazoned with the word "Bitch". I bet my underwear costs less and is made of more material, too. As a matter of fact, I can almost guarantee it.

The point is that we are seeing the effects of this whole "It's not my responsibility" attitude. I know that kids hate it that their parents meddle in their lives. I know that it can seem like a teen's attitude problems aren't worth dealing with. I'm less than four years out from being one, after all. But I do know that I'm glad my parents took some type of active interest in the way I acted as a teen because it made me realize (and I'm still realizing) that there is a thing called society and as much as I may hate it I do have to conform to it in some ways. I could care less if these people's kids are out having sex or doing drugs, but when I'm out in a public area that I pay taxes to maintain I don't want to see them doing it. As much as I'm an advocate of turning one's head, it's getting harder and harder to do that as every way you turn you are likely to see somebody practically falling out of their clothes, and not because their pants are a little bit too large.

Personally, I don't care when guys wear lowriding pants because all the guys I've seen that wear their pants that way are also wearing boxers. I'm disgusted with the way my own sex dresses. Their clothes are barely there. And it doesn't help that if I were to shop in the women's department those are the only clothes I would be able to find. No thank you, I'll wear men's clothes. At least I won't be spending my time out fishing doing the "cast and tug" as Jeff Foxworthy says.

Stupid laws come about because people won't control themselves or their children. That is the bottom line. Here's a thought: If you think the tv is a substitute for actually spending time with your kids, DON'T HAVE ANY. If you think kids are an obligation, that you have to have them to complete that whole white-picket-fence-2.5-kids-and-a-dog scenario, DON'T HAVE ANY. And for crying out loud if you think a kid is going to turn into an amazing adult by allowing them to do stupid-ass things with your blessing during their teen years, DON'T HAVE ANY. The gene pool is filled enough with people who want instant gratification and think if they whine enough they'll get it; those people don't need to be passing that on.

I swear if I see one person complain about having their freedom restricted because of this law and then I see their teenage kid romping around in nothing but their birthday suit with strategically placed squares of almost-but-not-quite sheer fabric fists will fly.

Asshelmets.

The best briefing...EVER

Those of you who have ever been in the Air Force know that often when a relatively unimportant briefing is being held a building with an area large enough to hold a fairly sizeable group is usually taken over and used for the briefing. Since our building is just such a building we often host briefings, commander's calls, promotions, and anything else that involves more than just a few people meeting.

Well, on Tuesday I arrived at work to find that the entire night shift was being, well, conscripted, to attend a briefing being held in our building. I wasn't terribly impressed because, as any of you who have ever been in the military know, briefings tend to be rather boring. Especially those briefings they give every year. And when we were told it was an anti-terror briefing we could only expect that it would be the normal yearly waste of time.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the person doing the briefing was not the normal person they pull just to tell us the same exact thing as they told us the year before. And I can honestly tell you that it was the best briefing I have ever and will ever attend. Bar none.

The majority of the briefing was more of a look at the geopolitical, cultural, and military effects on terrorism, which of course turned into a long discussion with those of us interested in the whole thing. And while I can say I didn't agree with the man's view on the war (he's against it), he actually had good, discernable reasons that did not revolve around hating Bush. Reasons that made me think and jaded me more toward the military leadership. But fear not, my views on the war itself are still very much intact.

One thing I did learn - and you didn't read this here - is that while most liberals spout a lot of crap, there are times (however few) when they do have a point. I can honestly say that I have a hard time sometimes giving somebody credence when I want to punch them in the face, but if a person has a point, they have a point and you may as well concede it.

In any case, the discussion covered too much ground to write about (I wish I had taken my recorder), but I was happy to find that he is planning on writing a book. Since I'm terrible with names I can't remember his name (and I'm not even sure if it was ever announced), but he is giving us copies of his slides, which I imagine will have his name on them. I'll let you all know so you can look for any books he may write in the future. Really, the man was insightful and even if you don't agree with his politics, he's one of the few that you won't agree with that will make you think without offending you. That seems to be a rarity nowadays.

Heaven save me from European asshattery

As you should know, yesterday a whole bunch of us went to a soccer game. The K-Town Red Devils were playing and the group of us that went decked ourselves out in red, bought Red Devils scarves, ate wurst, and drank what we would normally drink at a sporting event (read: beer and wine for most of the people, soda for us D.D.'s).

The game was a blast. Early in the first half a red card was given to a guy from the other team because he kept kicking the back of the legs of the guys on our team (the bastard). Anyway, the last laugh was on him because despite their higher position in the rankings (they are 9th, we are 14th), we kicked their asses 3-2. And every goal we scored was awesome.

After the game we walked downtown because the bar we had planned on going to was closed. We ended up at this place called Thursty Nelly's, an Irish pub, where a group of guys that supported the other team showed up and promptly began in insult-match. They would yell stuff like "The Devil is gay" and we would remind them that we won. It was all in good fun until they started yelling "George Bush is gay". As you can imagine that turned some heads and caused one of our people to quite dramatically raise her left hand in the customary "F-you!" salute, with which I heartily agreed.

The insults went back and forth for a little longer. I was getting hungry, couldn't understand a lot of what was going on (much of it was in German), and decided to go get some food from a Thai place that a couple of our people had just come back from. So me and one other person went, got some food and brought it back.

In the mean time our group and the other group had started to mingle and talk about all sorts of stuff, at least one conversation which was about politics.

Of course I wasn't going to be left out and when the guy declared that all Europeans know that the war is all about the oil and it always has been I jumped right in with a reminder that if it had been about the oil, we would not be paying around $2/gallon of gas in the States. Of course he really couldn't say much back to that.

So we started going the rounds. I can't recall everything we talked about because we ran the gamut, from the Iraq war, to terrorism, to Israel/Palestine, to American government, to socialism, to American ignorance, and back around to the Iraq war. What I can tell you is what I got from what he said.

- In Europe everybody thinks Michael Moore is the smartest man alive.
- Europeans know more about the world than Americans.
- Unlike in the States (where we still have the same constitution, he was careful to point out) every 50 years revolution occurs in Europe because they have to change every time it turns out a system of government doesn't work. After that I reminded him that America is only about 200 years old, is one of the biggest economic powers in the world (even during a recession), and has the most influence in the world today. If our constitution needed changed, we wouldn't have shown such success. Of course he had to agree.
- Europeans aren't bothered by the fact that their government takes 60% of their paychecks to spread out among the people; they actually see it as their duty to help the "less fortunate".
- It's all America's fault.
- We should fix our own problems before we try to fix the world's problems.
- There is no such thing as "equal opportunity" in America; that only exists in Europe.

I could probably go on. But thinking about it makes my head hurt because I can't believe how mislead Europeans are when it comes to the way the world works. They are so convinced that the American system is corrupt while their governments are only looking out for the good of the people that they are willing to believe that the only rights they have are those given them by their own governments. There are no such things as inherent rights in Europe, and they accept that as being the only way to run things. It's depressing really.

It makes me wonder how His Imperial Highness's mind was changed.

I guess the one thing I can be thankful for is that I will soon be making my way back to a land where I have inherent rights and can pursue happiness the way I want to (at least moreso than here in the "socialist utopia" of Europe). And even though the American government leaves much to be desired, it's a hell of a lot better than what they have going on here.

It's amazing what talking to these people does for your feelings on freedom.

One thing we did right in front of that group of guys was we got together, raised our glasses (those of us who had glasses anyway), and one of our guys gave a toast: "To us, and all those like us!" It was priceless. Absolutely priceless.

Military heavy metal: not just tanks anymore

Troops Blast Music in Siege of Fallujah

In Fallujah's darkened, empty streets, U.S. troops blast AC/DC's "Hell's Bells" and other rock music full volume from a huge speaker, hoping to grate on the nerves of this Sunni Muslim city's gunmen and give a laugh to Marines along the front line.

Despite the somewhat negative spin the writer inserted into the article, I have to say the idea of blaring AC/DC's "Hell's Bells" over loudspeakers in a Muslim city is absolutely delicious, especially since one of the nurses I work with used to play drums in a band and tells us stories about playing that particular song - among others - at Catholic high schools. Catholicism and Islam are different, yes, but I couldn't help but see the connection... and laugh hysterically.

Lumbar support, time of death, pie, and the photography of battle wounds

Yesterday I went to the BX and bought one of those full size egg-carton type pads that you put on your bed. The only word I can use to describe how nice it was to sleep on a surface free from the bars I'm used to is *droool*. The minute I sat down after putting the thing on my futon I actually sank into the puffiness and it felt fantastic. Why the hell didn't I buy one sooner? Stupid me.

Along with that fabulously cheap buy (again, why didn't I buy it sooner) I found a most excellent book called Corpse: Nature, Forensics, and the Struggle to Pinpoint Time of Death. I wouldn't recommend it for people who have a distinct lack of intestinal fortitude when it comes to descriptions of bodies in all their decaying glory, but those with iron stomachs won't have a problem. I sat at my table eating while reading this book.

There are a bunch of cases profiled throughout the book showing just how certain aspects of entomology, pathology, anthropology, and even botany have become integral parts of any investigations involving death. And quite a few have happened within the last 20 years. I even think that one of the cases profiled in the book was (at least in part) responsible for a storyline on C.S.I.. I love it when I find parallels!

In any case, good book. If you have an interest in the forensic sciences, I suggest you pick it up.

Anyway, back to the BX. I was intent on buying some lead for my mechanical pencil - when I write in books I like to use pencil - I also managed to run across some plastic plates with the infamous Maxine on them. I couldn't find the image on the internet (I'm too lazy right now), but the plate says: "It's my body. I'll have pie if I want to." I love Maxine. Along with that I found the book Maxine Yelling It Like It Is: A Fine Whine with the Queen of Attitude, a book guaranteed to make you laugh. Seriously, I haven't met a man or woman who doesn't like Maxine.

I was at work all night and, since I'm unable to lift anything, I ended up being left behind while the other techs made the trip to the hospital to pick up bags for patients flying out in the morning. The nice thing about that was that I got to help change dressings on patients that we are holding until they are scheduled to fly out.

Generally I don't like messing with wounds because I don't like making people feel pain and when you clean a wound or change a dressing you cause pain. But I wanted to help out some yesterday since everybody else was doing most of the work and I was feeling like a real lazy-ass. So two patients later I'd managed to help successfully clean and redress wounds, all while two patients whipped out their cameras and took pictures. Which made me want to smack myself in the head for forgetting to bring mine to work. The guys are really quite gracious about letting people take pictures of their wounds. I seriously get to help some of the coolest people in the world and that is the one aspect of the job I'm going to miss when I leave here.

There really isn't much else to tell you about what's been going on. I've been paying slight attention to everything going on downrange. As you have probably been able to pick up from the news and people blogging from Iraq there have been more evacuations, and hence, more work for my unit. The news tends to piss me off a lot. Mostly because the whole situation with that bastard cleric makes me want to start pulling out my hair by the roots. I don't even want to know what Kerry has been saying about the whole thing because I can almost guarantee that I'd be typing with one hand, the other firmly bandaged and stitched after ramming it through my tv screen. Then I'd have to take pictures and post them, some of you might be disturbed by the visual, and I just don't think I want that on my conscience. Heh.

Anyway, tomorrow I'm going to a soccer game (Yay Red Devils!), after which almost my entire shift will be getting drunk in a bar. After this past weekend I think they deserve it (while I was in bed watching the disco dots on the ceiling they were running around in a mad frenzy). I'll be one of the D.D.'s, as usual. Not that that's a bad thing, since I don't drink anyway.

And now I'm going to end because this post is just one long ramble. Probably fit for the Bonfire of the Vanities (who the hell is hosting it this week, I don't know).

At least now you know what's going on with me. Though sometimes I wonder why you would want to. I'm really not that interesting. No, really. What, you don't believe me? Fine, I'll prove it: Given the chance to go out with friends or chill in my room, I tend to spend more time in my room. See, I told you.

So there:P

Taxes, happy pills, and tunes to make up for my not making it to the Bartender's comment party (sorry Eric and Harvey)

So I finally managed to do my taxes. Yes, I waited until the last minute, and no, I didn't have any good reason to. I'm such a procrastinator. I thought it would be a good idea to do it now because if I didn't I'd end up forgetting about it and then I'd be in trouble with the IRS and who needs trouble with the IRS, especially when I'm getting ready to hit the college scene?

Happily this means I'll be getting back a sizeable chunk of money within the next two weeks. Unhappily I can't spend any of it at Discount Anime DVD. It's all ear-marked for the fixing of my car. A girl has to have transportation, especially in the big bad west, which we all know is filled with mean capitalists that will take all my money and pay me less for wages (since I'm a woman, and all) than a discount hooker on the corner of Temple Square.

Well, my back is starting to hurt. I don't think it's very fond of sitting up for any extended amount of time. I think I need to find somebody who is willing to take me over to the BX so I can buy one of those egg-carton foam pads. Those things are so comfortable. I'd go myself but my car is still at the ASF and walking over there is just not feasible. I also think I need to find out if I have to report to work today so I can determine whether or not I can take my Valium and Percocet. I'm really needing them today.

For those wishing to hear a tune, just pop in your Pink Floyd The Wall album and listen to "Comfortably Numb" and imagine me playing it. Oh, and "Hey You", also.

Gross anatomy

On Friday (the day before I managed to kill my back) I was lucky enough to be picking up bags on a ward where one of the patients had a very interesting-looking wound.

A little background: His upper left arm was hit by a bullet, which chipped part of his bone and took out an artery. This incident caused some damage to his forearm which caused mondo-huge swelling and the docs had to cut open his skin to relieve the pressure.

They were doing a dressing change and I got to see it. You could see his radius (the bone on the thumb side of your arm) and the muscles around it. He was flexing his fingers and you could see the muscles moving. It was all very interesting. I've never seen anything like that before and he was actually very nice explaining about it. He was excited that people showed interest and I think when they had him at the ASF to prep for his flight the next morning he was showing it to everybody on the day shift, too.

Seriously, the patients we get coming through here are some awesome people. They don't brag about what they do, but they'll sit and swap stories about their scars with you and tell you what happened to cause the injury without embelishment. They'll tell you they got shot and what the bullet did. You have to drag the rest out of them.

Makes a person proud to serve with/for these guys. Now of only they weren't so heavy to lift;)

Just call me Gimpy

In the words of Professor Farnsworth from Futurama: Good news everyone! (If you've ever watched Futurama you know that means something bad).

I sustained a back injury on Saturday that pretty much had me bedridden at work until this morning. I'm now back in my room contemplating a return to the ASF. My problem: I live on the third floor, have laundry to do, and almost no food. Oh, and my car is still parked over near the ASF.

At least one other person has suffered a back injury and they were just putting her into a bed at the ASF as I was leaving. This really sucks. My back hurts, I can't lift anything so I have to mooch off other people to lift things for me, and if my back won't stop complaining I'm going to end up spending the night at work. Again. It's not that I don't appreciate the time I had to just sit and read, but I can't sit and read for hours on end. I have to take a break, play some video games, watch a movie, anything to get my eyes moving. I can do that in my room, but not at the ASF (there are no tv's in the cot bay), so it's a toss-up.

On the bright side I've managed to read all the way from somewhere around 2 Nephi chapter 5 to Alma chapter 4 in the Book of Mormon, which is a fairly sizeable chunk. Yay me.

On the continued bright side, they've loaded me up with some wonderful pills. Valium, Motrin 800, Prednisone, and the ever-coveted Percocet. About 15 minutes after I took a Percocet the dots on the ceiling started moving and I felt like I was in a disco without the disco ball. As nice as it felt to just let go, I'm not one that likes to let go of my faculties so I fought it and then ended up sleeping for a few hours. Not that I need pills to sleep. When you are confined to a bed for the entire day except to go to the bathroom you tend to do a lot of sleeping anyway.

I think I now understand why the guys coming off the planes want to walk off even with two broken legs and a foley catheter. Being stuck in bed sucks.

"The torment of the Easter Bunny?"

Actors Whip Easter Bunny at Church Show

Now, I'm not one to say that irreverance is a bad thing all the time. If you've been reading this blog very long at all you know that I have a fairly irreverant, sarcastic style when it comes to expressing my amusement with many things, up to and including my own religion and the quirks I acquired growing up in a fairly conservative setting.

Then I read this and have to wonder how much Wild Turkey the people in charge of this travesty of a "church show" had to drink before they decided it was a good idea.

I'm just not sure how you square this:

Patty Bickerton, the youth minister at Glassport Assembly of God, said the performance wasn't meant to be offensive. Bickerton portrayed the Easter rabbit and said she tried to act with a tone of irreverence.

"The program was for all ages, not just the kids. (emphasis mine-hM) We wanted to convey that Easter is not just about the Easter bunny, it is about Jesus Christ," Bickerton said.

with this:

Performers broke eggs meant for an Easter egg hunt and also portrayed a drunken man and a self-mutilating woman (emphasis mine-hM), said Jennifer Norelli-Burke, another parent who saw the show in Glassport, a community about 10 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.

I do realize that, out of any the various church services I've been to, those held by my own religion tend to be the most calm and serious (even with the jokes people tell during their talks) so I'm not used to more "involved" forms of worship. Sometimes I think it would be nice if people showed a little more excitement in church. But as much as I like to see people excited about Jesus and expressing something of a sense of humor, irreverance, to me, doesn't belong in church. Maybe it's because I've always been taught that when one is in church, one should be reverent, as one is in a house of God.

At any rate, this is a horrible thing to do to kids. If this is their idea for Easter, I don't even want to think of what they'll come up with over a bottle of peppermint schnapps for Christmas. Even not wanting to think of it I can see it now: A fake baby body with a grown-up head clad in a white beard and Santa cap singing "Here Comes Santa Claus".

I have to pay HOW much for a book?!?

Study: Textbook Prices Soar for Students

This just makes me want to cry.

Blue funk and Condi on a roll

It's been a very looooooong time since I've written. I don't want to go into specifics, but suffice it to say I've been pretty stressed out of late due to a variety of issues (work as well as personal) that came to a head last week. Things are going ok now but I haven't really felt much like swinging the hatchet. Well, that's not true, really. I just wasn't sure what to write about. Basically I've been in a blue funk with everything and just wasn't up to passing on bad vibes to the rest of you.

On a happy note I did get to see the end of Condoleeza Rice's testimony today and I must say that while I don't remember specifically what was said, I found my admiration for her growing with each question she answered. She's been added to the List of People I'd Like to Meet™. Though the chances of that happening are very slim, I can dream. And don't you dare say I can't. Or I may be forced to show you the hatchet, up close and personal, like. Catch my drift?

Name that movie

I need some help and I figure that somebody who reads my little slice of the internet must know the answer.

A very looooong time ago my dad borrowed a couple of animated movies from my uncle (hey, maybe he's reading and he can tell me). Anyway, the one that I was allowed to see I enjoyed and would like to see again, if only to see if I still enjoy it enough to track a copy down.

It is a sci-fi movie that has something to do with the human race being enslaved and forced to work in mines. One of the slaves somehow escapes, ends up with a sword, there's a big fight with the head honcho of the enslaving race near a river of lava (maybe even on an island surrounded by lava), and the guy, of course, gets the girl. I'm thinking it was made in the 80s by an American company, though I could be wrong.

Really, if you have any idea what movie I'm talking about or could even send me in the right direction to find it I would be grateful. Things like this tend to niggle at the back of my mind and drive me crazy. And while I am good with web searches, there are just some things that I have a hard time looking for.