Happy Mother's Day!

Just a post to celebrate all of those moms out there--especially my own! God only knows how you put up with me!

I mean, when I was a kid of course. Obviously, I'm really cool now. And totally self-confident. So I have that going for me, which is nice.

See, This is Why I Get Grinchy About Christmas...

I was in Wal-Mart last night doing my grocery shopping for the week, and I heard Deck the Halls playing. On the fifth of October??? I mean, I have a lot of good feelings about Wal-Mart as a company--they get decent products to people at good prices, they help out with disaster relief all the time (and I would know)... but 90 days out with the Christmas songs?

Come on.

Happy Independence Day!

I'll be working tomorrow, of course, but I doubt that I'll be posting anything--or that anyone will be reading anything. Remember, tomorrow isn't about shooting off fireworks in your backyard; tomorrow is about celebrating the birth of the greatest democracy the world has ever seen. There is big movement in the main-stream media that this Independence Day should be spent in mourning over things like the Abu Ghraib scandal. Personally, if people like that are unhappy with the United States, I would be quite happy to assist them relocating to another country.

Celebrate the day, celebrate our nation.

Semper Fidelis!

Flag Day!

In honor of the upcoming patriotic holidays (Flag Day and the 233 birthday of the U. S. Army today), here is some flag-flying etiquette for my non-military readers. Fly 'em high, fly 'em proud!

Merry Christmas!!

Thanksgiving

Man, has this been a busy week!
I'll start with Thanksgiving; I got to meet a lot of my in-laws (what do you call the father of your sister-in-law?), and see my brother's new house. It sits on a beautiful 10-acre lot (with lake) just outside of Mexico, MO. Must be nice to marry money!
Then, of course, there was my OCS physical. One more hurdle jumped, and I'm nearly on my way. I have decided, however, to do the "traditional" National Guard OCS. This means that I won't leave until February, and I'll only be gone for two weeks. After that, it's one weekend a month at FT Leonard Wood for 18 months. This will give me a chance to get my degree before I get my commission, so that I actually qualify for jobs that accept commissions.
I'm also in talks with Grantham University. They can't wait to have me, and I plan on majoring in business while I'm there. MBA here I come!
My big news, however, was the purchase of a 40-acre plot in Nevada. I'm still waiting for the paperwork to come through; I have to find out whether I can use it to get a USDA conservation subsidy or, if not, whether I want to sell it and how much I can get.
I also put together a bunch of furniture that I had bought and left sitting around. Some of that stuff has really poorly written directions!
I only hope next week is slightly less eventful...

Since this is the last Saturday of the month, here are new goals, and the results of my previous list:
-----
Previous goals:
Physical--230 APFT (failed to achieve)
Financial--Balance budged (bought land instead)
Professional--expert qualification with rifle and pistol (didn't go to qualification range)

Uh-oh, I'm zero for three!
-----
Short Term Goals (31 December 2007)
Educational--Enroll in Columbia College
Financial--01 House Payments to Mom & Dad
----------Pay off Chase
Physical--Push-Up/Sit-Up (35 ea/3 sets, 3/wk)
----------Daily Seven (x15, 3/wk)
----------2 mi run (2:10 split, 17:20 total)
Social--Establish the Jefferson City martial arts group
Spiritual--Find an acceptable Church (probably the Episcopal)

Medium Term Goals (31 March 2008)
Educational--First classes with Columbia College
Financial--Begin stock investment
Physical--Push-Up/Sit UP (50 ea/3 sets, 3/wk)
----------Daily Seven (x25, 3/wk)
----------2 mi run (1:55 split, 15:20 total)
Social--Have tree service remove limbs over my house
Spiritual--Full membership in chosen church

Long-Term Goals (31 December 2008)
Educational--Senior Ranking at Columbia College
Financial--02/03 House payments to Mom & Dad
----------Pay off BoA
Physical--Push-Up/Sit-Up (95 ea/3 sets, 3/wk)
----------Daily Seven (x50, 3/wk)
----------2 mi run (1:30 split, 12:00 total)
Social--Furnish my house
Spiritual--Be Confirmed in the Church

Happy Samhain

The Feast of the Dead, preparing for the Death of the Old Year at Yule. Also known as "All-Hallow's Eve" or "Halloween" today. Dress scary, eat sweets. Have fun!

Patriot Day

Today is Patriot Day, officially designated a holiday back in 2001 by Congress and the President. It is a day to remember the 3,000 who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of 9/11; to remember the people who fought back; to remember why we are fighting for freedom and democracy in the middle east. I find it appropriate that not only is today a new moon, but there was a partial solar eclipse this morning--today is a remembrance of darkness, and a signal for transition.

Fly your flags at half-mast today. Have a moment of silence before dinner. Say a prayer for our troops in the desert.

As I write this, General David Petraeus is preparing to give his testimony before congress regarding the troop surge in Iraq. There are many in the Democratic Party, such as Harry "Give 'Em Surrender" Reid, who are heavily invested in America's defeat. Along with 527 organizations like MoveOn.org, they are not only denying progress in Iraq, they are accusing General Petraeus of treason. This would be highly ironic, given their support for self-admitted war criminal John Kerry, if it were not so repulsively spiteful and willfully ignorant.

If you can find the time, I urge you to write your congressmen regarding your displeasure at this utterly baseless and honorless villification.
For Missourians, you can reach Senator McCaskill at:
http://mccaskill.senate.gov/contact.cfm
And Senator Bond at:
http://bond.senate.gov/contact/contactme.cfm

Flag Day

Thursday is Flag Day. Pay your respects to the National Ensign!

12 November 2006

First of all, a big happy birthday to all of Uncle Sam's Misguided Children!

It's been a quiet week--I was surprised at how quickly it went by. I had intended to go to Moberly to assist Kevin and Mary Ellen with Veteran's Day activities at the VFW, but Kevin and I both pooped out. I am certain that instant karma is gonna get us. On the up side, I now have my sergeant stripes sewn on my class A's.

Hey, does everybody remember a couple years ago when I asked for birthdays and contact information, and I actually *remembered* everybody's birthday that year? (I think I did, anyway) Well, I had that all stored on my laptop, which was fried when my apartment flooded--and of course I deleted those e-mails after about a year. If it wouldn't put you out too much, I'd appreciate getting that info again...

Kevin and Rachelle are going on their annual cruise soon--the beginning of December. I hope they don't get spit upon by any animals this time.

No progress to report on my commissioning goal, but I am due for a raise at MBS this month. Annual Training this (fiscal) year is going to be in Guatemala... is it bad that that makes me think of the movie "Birdcage?" ("I think you are intimidated by my Guatemalan-ness!") Also, I got possibly the most insulting rejection letter ever from my last federal job interview. Instead of hiring me, they hired... No one! They actually left the position unfilled rather than hire me. Wow. Kinda stings! :)

This "no weight" work-out I've been trying is kicking my hinder. I don't know if that means that it will actually be *productive* in the long run, but I've cut back the training a bit so that I can progress in it and continue to improve my APFT score.

I believed that I am scheduled for my Master Mason initiation in December. I have to say, I really get a kick out of this stuff!

-Jason