So, here's a summary of the progress I've made in running from the beginning of 2010 to today:
Weight:
Beginning: 218
End: 198
1 Mile:
Beginning: 9:30ish
End: 6:58
Army Physical Fitness Test 2 mile Run:
Beginning: no test
End: 13:58
5K:
Beginning: 27:00 (and some change)
End: 22:00 (and some change)
10K:
Beginning: 1:00ish
End: 47:19 (ran that yesterday)
Half-Marathon:
Beginning: 2:13:28 (ran on 2/14/10)
End: 1:48:02 (ran on 11/13/10)
Average Training Run:
Beginning: 3 miles
End: 6-7 miles
Weekly Long Run:
Beginning: 6-7 miles
End: 16 miles
2011 Goals:
1 mile: 6:00
Army Physical Fitness Test 2mi Run: 13:30
5K: sub-21:00
10K: sub-45:00
Half-Marathon: 1:40
Marathon: Complete (goal is sub-4:00 for first one)
Friday, December 31, 2010
Happy New Year
I've been looking back on all the changes 2010 brought us, and I'm thankful for them, though some brought struggle and difficult farewells. My wife and I have both parted ways with our old careers, and I'm grateful that I'm able to serve our great nation again, and she's able to be the Mom to our daughter they both want. It was very hard for us to say goodbye to Texas, we established a home and family there, and made friends that we know will be our friends forever. Leaving such a life is never easy. I look forward to the new adventures we have begun, and will continue to embark upon as we enter 2011.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
I'm back. Back in the Saddle Again
I decided to take this week a bit easy with running, as I had my record Army Physical Fitness Test for my course this Thursday. That said, I did not run between last weekend's long run of 13.1 miles and Thursday morning. That morning was extremely cold, and we did the first two events of the test (a 2 minute set of push-ups and a two minute set of sit-ups) indoors. After a paltry 47 push-ups (rhythm thrown off by the grader's requests to "lock out " my arms when I clearly was) I rocked out 79 sit-ups. I nearly got the maximum score in that event. After the first two events, we get a ten minute break prior to the run. By that time, the sun was starting to come up, but it was still only about 20-25 degrees outside. I opted to go ahead and go with shorts, long-sleeves, and just a beanie and gloves in order to keep the weight down. In retrospect, I am glad I did, despite temperature. I've always felt that I run much better in colder weather, being quite warm-natured, and I actually was sweating quite a bit at the end. There are about 120 people in my class, so the start line was a bit crowded, as we did the run on one of the streets of Fort Lee. I positioned myself toward the back of the pack, because I really wasn't expecting to kill the run. They started off, and I settled into a nice stride, thinking I was pulling about an 8-minute pace. My breath control was good that morning, and I began to pass several of my classmates. About half a mile in, I'm finding myself easing closer and closer to the front of the pack, and my stride is lengthening out, and the lungs feel good. As I get to the one mile turnaround point, I hear the time keeper, "7 minutes!" I hit the turnaround at 7:04, so I had no doubt at this point I'd finish in probably 15 minutes or slightly less. BUT, the last mile is slightly downhill. I decided to try to pick up the pace, as my breath control is still good. I pass a few more classmates that were pushing toward the front. I hit 1.5 miles in just about 10 minutes, feeling good. The last .25, I get passed as some who reserved their energy throughout decide to sprint out the last portion. I'm OK with that, I like to maintain a steady pace. Once I'm within about 100m of the finish, I hear the timekeeper "13:45!" I stretch just a bit, and cross at 13:58, over a full minute faster than my goal. I haven't run the two-mile portion of the PT test that fast since I was in college, so I'm very pleased with that pace. I may just have to sign up for a holiday 5K just to see if I can PR that distance.
After taking Friday off to stretch out from Thursday's "speedwork," I ventured out for my weekly long run on Saturday morning. Another cold Virginia morning, it was about 35 degrees when I laced up to go hit the road. Given that I didn't log very many miles this week, I kept my expectations kind of low for how long I was going to go. That all stopped when I finally got going, because I realized quickly my legs and lungs felt GREAT. I hovered around an 8:00 to 8:15 mile pace through the first 5K, and said, "you know what, let's see if we can add a couple of miles to the plan today." Last week I logged 13, I put 15 miles in my crosshairs for this week. By the time I crossed the 10K point, I ate a gel, drank some water, and was feeling strong. I think I laced my shoes a bit tight that morning, because the top of my right foot was hurting, but just enough to be a nuisance. I hit 7 miles in less than an hour, a personal best. I hit 10 miles in about 1:23, another personal best. At 11 miles, I threw my last gel packet down, and stretched out the stride. After crossing the half-marathon point at just 30 seconds slower than my personal best (which came at the Richmond McDonald's Half-Marathon), I knew this 15 miler was in the bag. All I had was one more killer hill to traverse. I plugged in a favorite power song on the iPhone, and began my ascent. The legs were burning, the lungs were screaming, but I kept going. After that hill was behind me, I finished off my water, caught my breath, and eased in for the last mile. I finished in 2:04:49, a full five minutes faster than I told myself I'd be happy with. This was the farthest I'd ever ran, and just another step toward my goal of 26.2 miles in March. I'm a little sore today, but I feel great, I feel strong, and I feel more determined and able to meet my goal of a sub-4:00 marathon by the time my training is done.
After taking Friday off to stretch out from Thursday's "speedwork," I ventured out for my weekly long run on Saturday morning. Another cold Virginia morning, it was about 35 degrees when I laced up to go hit the road. Given that I didn't log very many miles this week, I kept my expectations kind of low for how long I was going to go. That all stopped when I finally got going, because I realized quickly my legs and lungs felt GREAT. I hovered around an 8:00 to 8:15 mile pace through the first 5K, and said, "you know what, let's see if we can add a couple of miles to the plan today." Last week I logged 13, I put 15 miles in my crosshairs for this week. By the time I crossed the 10K point, I ate a gel, drank some water, and was feeling strong. I think I laced my shoes a bit tight that morning, because the top of my right foot was hurting, but just enough to be a nuisance. I hit 7 miles in less than an hour, a personal best. I hit 10 miles in about 1:23, another personal best. At 11 miles, I threw my last gel packet down, and stretched out the stride. After crossing the half-marathon point at just 30 seconds slower than my personal best (which came at the Richmond McDonald's Half-Marathon), I knew this 15 miler was in the bag. All I had was one more killer hill to traverse. I plugged in a favorite power song on the iPhone, and began my ascent. The legs were burning, the lungs were screaming, but I kept going. After that hill was behind me, I finished off my water, caught my breath, and eased in for the last mile. I finished in 2:04:49, a full five minutes faster than I told myself I'd be happy with. This was the farthest I'd ever ran, and just another step toward my goal of 26.2 miles in March. I'm a little sore today, but I feel great, I feel strong, and I feel more determined and able to meet my goal of a sub-4:00 marathon by the time my training is done.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Goings on and such
Once again, I'm being quite delinquent in regularly posting to my blog, but my commitment to improve on that has not ceased. Regardless, things are still moving along at a furied pace in our lives, as the dust from our move to Virginia has finally settled, and I am getting ready to start my course tomorrow. I'm doing all I can to get brushed up on the new Army doctrine I have to become proficient in, and let me tell you: IT'S NOT FUN. That shit is just SO DAMN BORING. OK, it's not really boring, it's just very cumbersome and difficult to pore through, especially when you're as ADHD as I am (hey, look a squirrel!). So, for the next six months my life is going to be consumed by Field Manuals, Training Circulars, Army Regulations, etc, etc, etc. I've also registered to take another MBA course starting in January. Good times.
On top of my military and civilian education, my commitment to running has grown stronger. Having recently completed the McDonald's (ironic sponsor, I know) Half Marathon in Richmond with a personal best of 1:48:02, I have a newfound strength and confidence in my running abilities. I registered for the SunTrust National Marathon in Washington, DC, and will spend the next few months preparing for it. I'm extremely excited to be able to run my first marathon, especially through a city rich in history and scenery as Washington, DC. My training is just kicking off, and yesterday I ran my final run of the week, 13.1 miles, bringing me to a 32 mile week. That is the most in one week I've ran since I started. So far, I'm feeling good about where things are going. I'm in the best shape of my life, I'm back to the weight I was when I was a senior in college, and I'm finally back in my career of choice. Life is good my friends, life is good. Best wishes to all as the holiday season really gets going, stay sane, keep the stress down, and stop and enjoy the scenery sometimes. That's my life philosophy, that's my running philosophy, and it works (and it's not copyrighted).
On top of my military and civilian education, my commitment to running has grown stronger. Having recently completed the McDonald's (ironic sponsor, I know) Half Marathon in Richmond with a personal best of 1:48:02, I have a newfound strength and confidence in my running abilities. I registered for the SunTrust National Marathon in Washington, DC, and will spend the next few months preparing for it. I'm extremely excited to be able to run my first marathon, especially through a city rich in history and scenery as Washington, DC. My training is just kicking off, and yesterday I ran my final run of the week, 13.1 miles, bringing me to a 32 mile week. That is the most in one week I've ran since I started. So far, I'm feeling good about where things are going. I'm in the best shape of my life, I'm back to the weight I was when I was a senior in college, and I'm finally back in my career of choice. Life is good my friends, life is good. Best wishes to all as the holiday season really gets going, stay sane, keep the stress down, and stop and enjoy the scenery sometimes. That's my life philosophy, that's my running philosophy, and it works (and it's not copyrighted).
Monday, November 22, 2010
Why I Run
So, in light of beginning my marathon training schedule today in preparation for the SunTrust National Marathon in Washington, DC, March, 26 2011, I’ve been trying to rationalize this crazy new addiction to running I have. I’ve come up with a few reasons:
1. I have quite the affinity for technical fabric.
2. It gives me a non-perverted excuse to rub petroleum jelly on my nipples and bum.
3. “Carb loading” as an excuse to eat excessive amounts of pasta.
4. My toenails have lived their life, and now just need to move along.
5. Finisher’s medals. Enough said.
6. Perpetual playlist perfection.
7. Justification for a guy to have a shoe fetish.
8. Post-race meal: whatever the hell I want. After I’ve been running for hours on end, who the hell are you to judge the fact that I’m eating 147 cajun spiced chicken wings and drinking 147 ounces of beer? What did you do that Sunday morning? Oh yeah, slept till 10am.
9. The quiet nobility of blisters.
10. Restoration of the metabolism I had as a teenager.
11. Race spectators. Seriously, the people that come out to stand on the side of the road for a marathon or half-marathon are just amazing. And some of them give out beer.
12. Gizmos: iPhone apps, GPS watches, noise-cancelling headphones, oh my!
13. My legs look great in those tiny shorts.
14. Small packets of gel loaded with carbs and caffeine.
15. The 30 pounds, two inches in my waist, and 6 body fat percentage points I lost, and have no intention of ever recovering.
16. Gawking at all the newest stuff at the race expo.
17. The much talked about “runner’s high.” Yeah, it exists.
18. Icing down. Is it wrong that I enjoy it?
19. “I wanna go fast!”
20. And finally, and seriously, I’ve seen many times what a lifetime of bad habits such as smoking, poor diet, and sedentary lifestyle can do and the havoc they can wreak on someone’s body. I’ve seen the pain a person can feel watching their loved one waste away, damned to live the rest of their life tethered to an oxygen machine because their lungs are wrecked, or to a bed because they’re too obese to move . I don’t want that life for me, or to have my family live on the other side of that story. I want to set an example to my daughter of how an active lifestyle can extend your life and vitality. That, and get some more finisher’s medals and cool t-shirts.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Veteran's Day Tribute to Army Spouses
On Veterans Day, let's not forget those service members may have husbands or wives who serve alongside them through it all. I always thought this was super funny, I can't take credit for it:
Army Wedding Vows
Dear family and friends, we are gathered here today in the sight of God and the Department of the Army, to witness this exchange of vows, and see the love that these two dedicated, loving people have for one another.
"Wilt thou, __________, take ___________ (who will now be referred to as the"dependent"), as your family member, to dwell together in so far as the Department of the Army will permit?" "Wilt thou love her, comfort her, via the postal service or over the phone, make sure she knows where the commissary, PX, and church are, and what time she is scheduled to use the laundry room the day she arrives, wherever you are stationed?"
"Wilt thou attempt to tell her more than 24 hours in advance that you will be leaving for two weeks, beginning the next morning?" This especially applies to the years you will live in a foreign country!
"Wilt thou ____________ , take this soldier as thy wedded husband, knowing that he is depending upon you to be the perfect (well almost) Army wife, running the household as you see fit, and being nice to the commander's wife?" Furthermore, you understand that your life with your husband (little that you may have together) will not be normal, that you may have to explain to your children, not once, but twice, and more often in the same day, that mothers do have husbands, and that children do have daddy's, and that the picture of the man on the refrigerator is not the milkman, but the same individual who tucks them in at 2200 hours, long after they are asleep. This soldier is their daddy, who loves them very, very much.
"Wilt thou love, respect and wait for him, preparing his favorite cookies and pictures of yourself and the kids, so he can remember what you look like?" And last but not least, put on the outside of your door his "Welcome home" sign when he's due to arrive?"
"I, ____, take thee ____, as my independent wife, from 1900 to 2200 hours or as long as allowed by my Commanding Officer (subject to change without notice), for better or worse, earlier or later, near or far, and I promise to look at the pictures you send me, maybe not when they get to me in the field, but before I turn the lights out. I will also send a letter, if time permits, and if not, to somehow, some way, make the time."
"I, _________, take thee _________ as my live-in/live-out husband, realizing that your comings and goings and 0330 staff meetings are normal (although absurd to me) and part of your life as a soldier. I promise not to be shocked or taken by surprise when you inform me that, although we've just arrived at our new duty station, we will be leaving within the month. Yes, I'll have you as my husband as long as while your are away, my allotment comes through regularly, and that you leave me a current power of attorney and the checkbook at all times. I am a famil y member and proud of it, dependent upon myself and my resources. Although I miss you when you are away, I know I can handle whatever comes across my path."
"Now then, let no man or woman put us under what God and the Department of the Army have brought together. The Army hereby issues you this lovely, dedicated, independent woman, knowing that she'll be an asset not only to your marriage, but also to the mission of the United States Army, which is, as you all know, to remain in a state of "Readiness." By the authority vested in the Bible, elaborated in the regulation and subject to current directives concerning the aspects of marriage in the Army, you are now a Soldier with a Family Member. Best Wishes and good Luck."
Army Wedding Vows
Dear family and friends, we are gathered here today in the sight of God and the Department of the Army, to witness this exchange of vows, and see the love that these two dedicated, loving people have for one another.
"Wilt thou, __________, take ___________ (who will now be referred to as the"dependent"), as your family member, to dwell together in so far as the Department of the Army will permit?" "Wilt thou love her, comfort her, via the postal service or over the phone, make sure she knows where the commissary, PX, and church are, and what time she is scheduled to use the laundry room the day she arrives, wherever you are stationed?"
"Wilt thou attempt to tell her more than 24 hours in advance that you will be leaving for two weeks, beginning the next morning?" This especially applies to the years you will live in a foreign country!
"Wilt thou ____________ , take this soldier as thy wedded husband, knowing that he is depending upon you to be the perfect (well almost) Army wife, running the household as you see fit, and being nice to the commander's wife?" Furthermore, you understand that your life with your husband (little that you may have together) will not be normal, that you may have to explain to your children, not once, but twice, and more often in the same day, that mothers do have husbands, and that children do have daddy's, and that the picture of the man on the refrigerator is not the milkman, but the same individual who tucks them in at 2200 hours, long after they are asleep. This soldier is their daddy, who loves them very, very much.
"Wilt thou love, respect and wait for him, preparing his favorite cookies and pictures of yourself and the kids, so he can remember what you look like?" And last but not least, put on the outside of your door his "Welcome home" sign when he's due to arrive?"
"I, ____, take thee ____, as my independent wife, from 1900 to 2200 hours or as long as allowed by my Commanding Officer (subject to change without notice), for better or worse, earlier or later, near or far, and I promise to look at the pictures you send me, maybe not when they get to me in the field, but before I turn the lights out. I will also send a letter, if time permits, and if not, to somehow, some way, make the time."
"I, _________, take thee _________ as my live-in/live-out husband, realizing that your comings and goings and 0330 staff meetings are normal (although absurd to me) and part of your life as a soldier. I promise not to be shocked or taken by surprise when you inform me that, although we've just arrived at our new duty station, we will be leaving within the month. Yes, I'll have you as my husband as long as while your are away, my allotment comes through regularly, and that you leave me a current power of attorney and the checkbook at all times. I am a famil y member and proud of it, dependent upon myself and my resources. Although I miss you when you are away, I know I can handle whatever comes across my path."
"Now then, let no man or woman put us under what God and the Department of the Army have brought together. The Army hereby issues you this lovely, dedicated, independent woman, knowing that she'll be an asset not only to your marriage, but also to the mission of the United States Army, which is, as you all know, to remain in a state of "Readiness." By the authority vested in the Bible, elaborated in the regulation and subject to current directives concerning the aspects of marriage in the Army, you are now a Soldier with a Family Member. Best Wishes and good Luck."
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Veteran's Day 2011
So, again, I must begin a new blog with the disclaimer that I have neglected my literary and artistic callings for an extended period of time. Provided there is someone out there that is misguided enough to actually enjoy reading my delusional musings, I sincerely apologize for my apathetic state over the past 8 weeks. However, the past couple of months have once again swept me away in a wave of fast-paced life change, as I am now in a different time zone and living in what could be considered the "womb" of America, where our nation was conceived in liberty, grew, and began to develop into the nation it now is. That is, I'm in Virginia. Speaking of America, Liberty, Freedom, all that schtuff, I'd like to say that, for the first time since 2005, I'm not a "veteran" per se, anymore. I'm officially back in the uniform of the United States Army as a Regular Army officer once more. After a year of hard work, paperwork, fighting, kicking, screaming, pissing off very high ranking officers, making other high ranking officers happy, and all in all placating the system as a whole, I finally got back in for good. I've realized over the past few years, whilst living in and dealing with the utopia that others live in called "civilian life," that that's just not for me, and that I've been happier in the past five months back on Active Duty than I have been in the past five years since I left. On October 20, I once again raised my right hand and took that solemn oath that "having been appointed an officer in the Army of the United States in the grade of Captain, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic."
That said, on Thursday our nation will observe Veteran's Day. For many, this is just another day that you have to deal with banks and post offices being closed, and if you live in a city that is a capital, then maybe you'll have less traffic on your way to work. Well, take a minute to remember the reason you won't get mail or be able to deposit a check. There are hundreds of thousands of men and women that at one point raised their right hand to swear to support and defend the Constitution as well. Regardless of the reasoning behind their taking of that oath, be it college money, patriotic calling, unemployment, or just no other options, let us not forget the fact they took that oath and offered themselves up to the nation to serve and possibly die for our way of life and all we hold dear. Many of these men and women have served multiple occasions away from family, friends, home, and all the comforts contained therein, and have returned changed mentally, physically, and emotionally. Our country asks a lot of its military, and just because someone doesn't serve 20+ years in uniform doesn't mean they didn't pay the price for freedom, and return their debt to the nation with interest. For that, we remember this Veteran's Day. God bless you all, God bless America, and God bless our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Goodbye Summer...sort of...???
Hell I know it's been a while since I've been on here, but a shitty blog is better than no blog, right? Ok, I know it's not, but do you really expect gold everytime I open my laptop? Besides, why would you? There hasn't been gold yet, why would you expect it now? I didn't go out and get a PhD in Literary Arts in my absence, contrary to what you may believe. Instead, I've been in the field, living in austere conditions and training for the worst possible scenarios our country could face, living in a hotel, training others for the worst possible scenarios our country could face, and in the meantime trying to find someone to rent my house so I can move to Virginia in a couple of months. While all this has been going on, my wife has quit her job, supervised the packing and shipping of all our personal possessions, and moved her and the baby back to Arkansas for a few weeks. I'm once again living in austere conditions, meaning I'm sleeping on my good friend's futon whilst sharing his one-bedroom apartment in the San Antonio barrio. I've also completed 3 more hours of MBA coursework, decided to take a whole semester off, and lost ten pounds. So, don't go getting uppity because of my lack of bloggage. I've been busy!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Memorial Day 2010
When friends, family, former co-workers ask me why I volunteered and fought so hard to return to military service, it's hard to verbalize an answer. For so long I spent time hot, cold, tired, sleepless, scared, hungry, or confused for a job while others I knew went to white-collar jobs with six-figure salaries in plush office buildings. I thought that was the life I wanted, but it didn't seem to be for me. I'd rather spend a month in the field training, living on coffee and MREs than spend one more day in the back-biting rat race of corporate America. And if, God forbid, that the day comes I have to once more kiss my wife, and now my daughter too, farewell to fly around the world to fight for this great nation again, I will again do it with pride and in honor of so many that have made that trip only to not get the chance to return to those they love. Remember them, honor them, salute them, this Memorial Day. God bless us, and God bless America.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Captain's Blog: Stardate May 15rd, 2010.
I am so excited about returning to the days where getting to work means showing your ID, food is purchased at the commissary, you shop for everything else at the PX, there are no 7-11s but there are shoppettes, lunch decisions are Robin Hood, Charley's, Burger King, Popeye's or the DFAC, every Monday is spent in the Motor Pool, every Thursday is Family Day and Sergeant's Time, and you can guarantee that on the 1st and 15th it's time for Payday Activities.
There's a certain peace one feels within when you pull onto a military installation, seeing the multitude of buildings all the same size and color, each with their requisite flagpole in front. The delay of traffic because a convoy of HMMWVs and LMTVs or M1A2s and M2A3's (tanks and Bradleys) does not warrant the same frustration that one would encounter in a major city traffic jam. The "pop pop pop" of the rifle range in the distance brings a warmth inside and a slight jealousy that you're not out there firing with them. You can feel good about the day you've put in when you're on post for both reveille in the morning, and retreat in the afternoon, and also that you're getting to render courtesy to the colors you've sworn to defend.
Now that I've gotten word that I've been approved to return to Regular Army status, I reflect on the time I've put in, and look forward to remaining in uniform until I ultimately retire one day. I do not truly regret leaving when I did, as one makes decisions based on the information they have at the time, but I do wonder where I'd be and what I'd be doing had I remained in. There are many WONDERFUL people I've met in my civilian careers that I wouldn't have had the joy of knowing had I stayed in. However I will not dwell on past decisions but rather look forward to new opportunities and hope, nay pray, for successful future endeavors. Many of the dearest friends (rather, family) I've ever made came while I've been in uniform and that was only reinforced by a recent visit with many of them for a wedding in Pennsylvania. Meeting up with them is so easy because it's like no time has past since our last meeting. All the same stories come up, all the same quotes and impressions. I cherish every chance I get to see those guys and look forward to future meetings and the chance to work with them again.
So, when you wonder why I serve, there are many reasons. Patriotism and duty to our nation are the obvious. Every Soldier serves for that. But, there are many other reasons as well. There is a culture and familial atmosphere that service in the military creates that I long to be a part of once more and the chance to work, train, fight, and serve alongside the finest group of people America has ever known brings me back and will keep me in until I retire...
HOOAH!
There's a certain peace one feels within when you pull onto a military installation, seeing the multitude of buildings all the same size and color, each with their requisite flagpole in front. The delay of traffic because a convoy of HMMWVs and LMTVs or M1A2s and M2A3's (tanks and Bradleys) does not warrant the same frustration that one would encounter in a major city traffic jam. The "pop pop pop" of the rifle range in the distance brings a warmth inside and a slight jealousy that you're not out there firing with them. You can feel good about the day you've put in when you're on post for both reveille in the morning, and retreat in the afternoon, and also that you're getting to render courtesy to the colors you've sworn to defend.
Now that I've gotten word that I've been approved to return to Regular Army status, I reflect on the time I've put in, and look forward to remaining in uniform until I ultimately retire one day. I do not truly regret leaving when I did, as one makes decisions based on the information they have at the time, but I do wonder where I'd be and what I'd be doing had I remained in. There are many WONDERFUL people I've met in my civilian careers that I wouldn't have had the joy of knowing had I stayed in. However I will not dwell on past decisions but rather look forward to new opportunities and hope, nay pray, for successful future endeavors. Many of the dearest friends (rather, family) I've ever made came while I've been in uniform and that was only reinforced by a recent visit with many of them for a wedding in Pennsylvania. Meeting up with them is so easy because it's like no time has past since our last meeting. All the same stories come up, all the same quotes and impressions. I cherish every chance I get to see those guys and look forward to future meetings and the chance to work with them again.
So, when you wonder why I serve, there are many reasons. Patriotism and duty to our nation are the obvious. Every Soldier serves for that. But, there are many other reasons as well. There is a culture and familial atmosphere that service in the military creates that I long to be a part of once more and the chance to work, train, fight, and serve alongside the finest group of people America has ever known brings me back and will keep me in until I retire...
HOOAH!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Captain's Blog: Stardate May 3th, 2010.
As I ponder the past few days, I continue to appreciate the power of one person over the lives of so many. This holds especially true in the line of work I am in. One corrupt or toxic leader can completely destroy the climate and cohesion of an entire unit within a matter of weeks. I have now witnessed it first-hand and realized the lengths one must go go separate from such an organization. But, thank God, it's possible. I'm now on the way to a new assignment with a vacation prior, and my vigor, resolve, and motivation are coming back!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Catching Up
Wow, it's been a month since I've been on here. The past 28 days have been quite crazy, and don't for a minute believe that 28 days means I went to rehab. They tried to make me go but I said "No, no, no." But, I digress. This finance class I'm taking has been whipping my tail, and I really haven't had any motivation or inspiration to write for a while. My job is sapping every bit of life I had left in me out, and I am finally seeing a light in this proverbial tunnel I've been in for so long. I'm finally leaving the hell-hole cubical city I've been contained to for the past 8 months, and moving on to conduct a real mission for a while. It may pay off big time for me, and I'm hoping, nay praying, that it does. More to follow...
Sunday, March 21, 2010
What unfolds today...
It appears today that America is on the verge of the passage of the most sweeping piece of healthcare reform legislation ever. Not since FDR’s administration and the passage of Social Security or LBJ’s administration and the passage of Medicare has America seen such a historical piece of legislation go to the Hill. Whether you support this bill or oppose it, you can’t deny that the vote going on today is huge…as is the price tag of it.
Now, I have not read the bill. I don’t know it inside and out, and cannot speak to the minute details contained therein. The sad part that I’ve seen in recent weeks, though, is that the staunchest opposition and support of it have not and cannot either. The loudest voices hawking this bill and even more so in protest of it are unable to speak intelligently as to why, and subsequently of what they support and/or oppose with this legislation. The loudest liberals and even more loud “Tea Party” conservative protestors take their cues and become puppets of Fox News Channel and Glenn Beck and Bret Baier, MSNBC and Rachel Maddow and Keith Olbermann. They spew their vitriol and two or three talking points, yet know nothing of the intricacies of the plan. They scream “government takeover,” yet don’t know that the freedom to choose is still there. They cry it “will reduce the deficit,” but ignore the fact that is unlikely to happen.
Now, I again don’t know this plan to the letter. I do know that I am the child of two very good people that worked hard for decades but seldom could afford their own healthcare coverage living in fear of getting sick not from what the cost to their physical health, but rather to their financial health. They, along with 30 million others, would benefit greatly for the passage of this plan. For this reason alone, I see the most good from the healthcare reform plan. I know the fiscal cost is great, and I hate government spending that raises my taxes and lowers my paycheck more than the next. But, to know that our family members that may not be able to afford private health coverage will now be able to go to the doctor when they need it, without fear of being bankrupted makes me think the most powerful nation in the world may finally be catching up to its neighbors…
Now, I have not read the bill. I don’t know it inside and out, and cannot speak to the minute details contained therein. The sad part that I’ve seen in recent weeks, though, is that the staunchest opposition and support of it have not and cannot either. The loudest voices hawking this bill and even more so in protest of it are unable to speak intelligently as to why, and subsequently of what they support and/or oppose with this legislation. The loudest liberals and even more loud “Tea Party” conservative protestors take their cues and become puppets of Fox News Channel and Glenn Beck and Bret Baier, MSNBC and Rachel Maddow and Keith Olbermann. They spew their vitriol and two or three talking points, yet know nothing of the intricacies of the plan. They scream “government takeover,” yet don’t know that the freedom to choose is still there. They cry it “will reduce the deficit,” but ignore the fact that is unlikely to happen.
Now, I again don’t know this plan to the letter. I do know that I am the child of two very good people that worked hard for decades but seldom could afford their own healthcare coverage living in fear of getting sick not from what the cost to their physical health, but rather to their financial health. They, along with 30 million others, would benefit greatly for the passage of this plan. For this reason alone, I see the most good from the healthcare reform plan. I know the fiscal cost is great, and I hate government spending that raises my taxes and lowers my paycheck more than the next. But, to know that our family members that may not be able to afford private health coverage will now be able to go to the doctor when they need it, without fear of being bankrupted makes me think the most powerful nation in the world may finally be catching up to its neighbors…
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Stirring the "Melting Pot"
In the past year, more children were born in the United States to people of color than to whites. Evidence has shown that by the middle of the 21st century, other races will outnumber whites. It seems, based on these facts that we are on the verge of a new minority in the United States. Now, I’m not for a minute complaining of the increasing amount of people of color in our country, or offering to champion increased immigration restrictions. I for one embrace the diversity that our country is so rich with. However, I wonder if come 2050 the paradigm will shift once our Anglo brethren are outnumbered across the nation. Will scholarships and job opportunities become easier to secure for those of Caucasian background because of new affirmative action legislation? Will advocacy groups march in force to ensure the rights of the ginger are protected? Are we going to recommend that our schools offer English classes so our kids have foreign language exposure? These may sound like foolish questions posed by an ignorant soul, but look deep at where things are going in the US today, and ask yourself, are they really that absurd?
One round-trip around a radio dial in Texas will show you the influence of our shrinking English-speaking population. Go to any new retail establishment and look at the department signage hanging from the ceiling to see that it is now required to be in two languages. Search the help wanted ads, and see that most positions now encourage bilingual skills. My last job position virtually required me to speak another language. I sit at my cubical, and hear full conversations in Spanish. I say all this with a bit of a laugh though, because if you were to visit our neighbors to the north, you’d see that most, nay nearly all, people speak two languages. My point is that America is behind the power curve as it is when it comes to open-mindedness regarding language. In our arrogance we expect everyone in our country to automatically speak English, and at the same time when we travel to other countries we expect them to speak our language as well.
America is heading a new direction with a growing population of blacks, Hispanics, and other races, and in our lifetimes we will see that whites are not going to be the majority any longer. The diversity and flavor that has defined America’s culture and language however comes from our roots as the new home and land of opportunity for those seeking a new life, and should always remain that way. I just hope that when we’re the new minority we’re not subject to the oppression and difficulty we gave their predecessors…
One round-trip around a radio dial in Texas will show you the influence of our shrinking English-speaking population. Go to any new retail establishment and look at the department signage hanging from the ceiling to see that it is now required to be in two languages. Search the help wanted ads, and see that most positions now encourage bilingual skills. My last job position virtually required me to speak another language. I sit at my cubical, and hear full conversations in Spanish. I say all this with a bit of a laugh though, because if you were to visit our neighbors to the north, you’d see that most, nay nearly all, people speak two languages. My point is that America is behind the power curve as it is when it comes to open-mindedness regarding language. In our arrogance we expect everyone in our country to automatically speak English, and at the same time when we travel to other countries we expect them to speak our language as well.
America is heading a new direction with a growing population of blacks, Hispanics, and other races, and in our lifetimes we will see that whites are not going to be the majority any longer. The diversity and flavor that has defined America’s culture and language however comes from our roots as the new home and land of opportunity for those seeking a new life, and should always remain that way. I just hope that when we’re the new minority we’re not subject to the oppression and difficulty we gave their predecessors…
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Relig-itics, poli-gion, um...yeah...
There’s a movement going on within certain Christian sectors to boycott Glen Beck and Fox News Channel for Beck’s call for people to leave churches that preach social and economic justice. Now, I am not a fan of either Glen Beck or Fox News Channel. I think both are sensationalized perversions of journalism and political commentary, and contribute about as much to news reporting as their left-wing counterparts at MSNBC, a load of bunk a load of bunk seasoned with yelling and finger pointing. [I’ll remind you that I strive to take a more moderate and centrist look at all things political and make decisions on my own values rather than political affiliation] I’d like to take a look at this argument through an objective lens, as I take extremist politics and extremist religions with a similar grain of salt, especially when it involves such an über-conservative pundit like Beck. Too often in recent years the lines of politics and religion have blurred to such an extreme point that it is starting to get dangerous, and too many of our policy makers in DC forget their oath to support the Constitution, which calls for politics and religion to be separate. Many argue that America was founded on Christian beliefs, and that is a short-sighted argument because many of our founding fathers were actually Atheists or Agnostics rather than the traditional Judeo-Christians that they are argued to be. But enough of that, back to the topic that started this whole train of thought: social and economic justice in our churches.
Glenn Beck recently called on his viewers to leave their churches if the pastors taught messages of social and economic justice, and he’s got the son of a popular Christian figurehead on his side. Social and economic justice, what is that? Some modern-day followers of the Bible contend that both Old and New Testament books teach charity, volunteerism, helping those in need, assisting in disaster relief, offering a hand to those less fortunate as social and economic justice. There are many that believe it is also related to changing the environment or conditions that lead to people being downtrodden. This is where the political lines can really start to cross over, and where Glen Beck and his supporter Jerry Falwell Jr. (yes, son of the late Reverend, who tried to inject his moral majority into politics so much) argue that those churches are pushing a socialist agenda on their patrons. But, honestly, who is politicizing their religion more here? Is it the pastor who wants his flock to spend more time volunteering in soup kitchens? Is it the Rabbi who wants members of his synagogue to help the unemployed in their job hunt? Is it the priest who is spending time in his inner-city neighborhood working to reduce gang violence? Or is it Beck and Falwell who think all those I just listed somehow "are trying to twist the gospel to say the gospel supported socialism." I think everyone needs to realize that when it comes to helping your fellow man, it’s not about left, right, or in-between, it’s more about seeing someone who’s in a tough time, and doing what you can, when you can, to somehow brighten that person’s day and help them realize that they can make it in this world, and maybe offer them a hand out of the hole they’re in. It might just change their life.
I don’t profess myself to be the most spiritual or religious person in the world. I’m at a place in my life where I’m still trying to decide what I truly believe when it comes to a “higher power.” What I do know, is that in the world I live in, I see and have seen lots of pain, suffering, and strife day in and day out. I’ve seen a lot in my short thirty years. I’ve seen the best of mankind, and I’ve seen the absolute worst. The best in mankind I’ve seen was due to people doing what they could to help the person to their left and right, whether they knew them or not, whether they liked them or not. The worst I’ve seen in man has almost every time been tied to some sort of religious dogma, and that saddens me. I've seen radical Islamists blow up children "in the name of Allah." I've seen "Christians" harass, abuse, and beat up gays because they were "different," and "perverts." Now, many of the ills of man lie and are due to extreme ends of the religious spectrum, and I know that. However, there are many that are caused by those that don’t fall so far to one end, and that’s where the change that can lead to true social and economic justice needs to come from. Ghandi said it best: “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” More of our Christians need to start being like our Christ, just like more Muslims need to subscribe to the true teachings of the Koran. The Jesus and Mohammed I’ve read about would like that…and that goes for EVERYONE...
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth...so help me blog.
The past few weeks have been quite interesting to say the least,
providing me a lot of time (probably too much) to be introspective,
uncertain, hopeful, and angry, though not all at once thankfully. I've
had a lot of time to wonder if the decisions I've made in recent months
have been the right ones, and I've hopped back and forth across that
fence a few times, and tripped over it a couple as well. At the end of
the day, I still think that parting ways with corporate America was in
the end a good decision. Life in the public sector is cut-throat,
political, and to truly succeed and exceed one must "know and be" more
than they must "do." By that, I mean, who you know and how you can be
the image they look for plays heavier at the table than what you
actually do for the company. It seems that out there, being the person
who likes to ask the Emperor why they're not wearing any clothes (in
lieu of complimenting their new outfit) creates a virtual concrete
ceiling that is impenetrable.
So, where have the days of the honest broker gone? When has our
society, and subsequently our workplace, gone to such a sensitive state
that telling the truth (good, bad, and ugly) alienates one to a point of
not being a good fit for success? There was a time when your boss asked
for your opinion regarding a matter that you told them the un-biased,
respectful, unfiltered, unpasteurized, 100% USDA Organic Certified
truth. Now it seems that one must be the spend day in and day out
tip-toeing on eggshells and ensuring that every professional opinion is
laced with rainbows, butterflies, smoke, mirrors, and sunshine. Before
I go further, let me say I'm not advocating a workplace where one's
daily routine is flooded with sarcasm, disrespect, and condescension.
Productivity and cohesion cannot thrive in such an environment. What I
am advocating, is an office or environment where no one is afraid to
tell their boss, their boss's boss, or even their boss's boss's boss
that the pile of rotten apples on their desk actually smells like rotten
apples. To me, when we get back to a place where such candor and
professional vigor is embraced, rather than squashed, we will once again
be in a professional society that I feel comfortable living and working
in. It worked to a fault for Peter Gibbons in "Office Space," as he
ended up the "Straight shooter with upper management written all over
him." Now, that's probably not the best example. I'll close with a
quote from "Heartbreak Ridge," a great movie that embraces an extreme
look at the candor needed in America's workplace:
Col. Meyers: [during a readiness exercise]: What's your assessment of
this situation, Gunny?
Highway: It's a cluster f*ck, sir.
Col. Meyers: Say again?
Highway: Marines are fighting men. They shouldn't be sitting around on
their sorry asses filling out request forms for equipment they should
already have, sir.
Even if the profanity is left out, he gave his honest assessment of how
things were going. That's how it should be. I won't piss on your leg
and then tell you it's raining, and you should thank me for that. It'll
keep your socks dry if anything...
providing me a lot of time (probably too much) to be introspective,
uncertain, hopeful, and angry, though not all at once thankfully. I've
had a lot of time to wonder if the decisions I've made in recent months
have been the right ones, and I've hopped back and forth across that
fence a few times, and tripped over it a couple as well. At the end of
the day, I still think that parting ways with corporate America was in
the end a good decision. Life in the public sector is cut-throat,
political, and to truly succeed and exceed one must "know and be" more
than they must "do." By that, I mean, who you know and how you can be
the image they look for plays heavier at the table than what you
actually do for the company. It seems that out there, being the person
who likes to ask the Emperor why they're not wearing any clothes (in
lieu of complimenting their new outfit) creates a virtual concrete
ceiling that is impenetrable.
So, where have the days of the honest broker gone? When has our
society, and subsequently our workplace, gone to such a sensitive state
that telling the truth (good, bad, and ugly) alienates one to a point of
not being a good fit for success? There was a time when your boss asked
for your opinion regarding a matter that you told them the un-biased,
respectful, unfiltered, unpasteurized, 100% USDA Organic Certified
truth. Now it seems that one must be the spend day in and day out
tip-toeing on eggshells and ensuring that every professional opinion is
laced with rainbows, butterflies, smoke, mirrors, and sunshine. Before
I go further, let me say I'm not advocating a workplace where one's
daily routine is flooded with sarcasm, disrespect, and condescension.
Productivity and cohesion cannot thrive in such an environment. What I
am advocating, is an office or environment where no one is afraid to
tell their boss, their boss's boss, or even their boss's boss's boss
that the pile of rotten apples on their desk actually smells like rotten
apples. To me, when we get back to a place where such candor and
professional vigor is embraced, rather than squashed, we will once again
be in a professional society that I feel comfortable living and working
in. It worked to a fault for Peter Gibbons in "Office Space," as he
ended up the "Straight shooter with upper management written all over
him." Now, that's probably not the best example. I'll close with a
quote from "Heartbreak Ridge," a great movie that embraces an extreme
look at the candor needed in America's workplace:
Col. Meyers: [during a readiness exercise]: What's your assessment of
this situation, Gunny?
Highway: It's a cluster f*ck, sir.
Col. Meyers: Say again?
Highway: Marines are fighting men. They shouldn't be sitting around on
their sorry asses filling out request forms for equipment they should
already have, sir.
Even if the profanity is left out, he gave his honest assessment of how
things were going. That's how it should be. I won't piss on your leg
and then tell you it's raining, and you should thank me for that. It'll
keep your socks dry if anything...
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Tuesday Musing
Today's one of those days where I can't help but think that Ferris Bueller was wise beyond his years when he said, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." As with most days, I spent the majority of my time in useless meetings and nugging away at PowerPoint presentations that I'll never get credit for. Such is my job, such is my mania. However, I also got to spend a bit of time following my daughter as she tromped around the yard pointing at random objects and babbling incoherently with what I could only assume were her descriptions of each of the objects at which she was pointing. As she becomes more and more observant of the things around her it never ceases to amaze me the amount of small, once meaningless things that are now amazing and relevant once again. That bush at the corner of the house that I never got around myself to trim is now a new discovery. The paper that I didn't have time to pick up from the driveway this morning, now something cool to carry around. The neighbor's yard, just as dead and weed-infested as my own, a new frontier to explore. The garden gnome in the flower bed, once a cheeky bit of self-expression that I had to have, now a new toy. As the days go on, I only think more and more at how these little moments all add up to make a lifetime. Watching our little one grow, learn, and discover brings a whole new perspective to life, careers, and decisions, all of which I have to take inventory of over the next few weeks...
To be continued...
To be continued...
Monday, March 8, 2010
Captain's Blog: Stardate March 8th, 2010. Entry #1
This is my first foray into blogging, it's never been something that I've thought about much until recently, but the chance to have an outlet to talk about what's going on, share stories of life, work, family, etc., seemed pretty interesting. Plus, strangely enough, some consider me a relatively witty and humorous person, so who knows, maybe I'll post some quirky little gem that you can quote to your friends like, "I read this on a guy's blog, isn't he funny?" So, a little about me: I'm 30 years old, married for seven years to my absolute best friend, have a 15 month old daughter who's beautiful and hilarious and much more popular than I am. I'm an officer in the Army, and love my chosen profession. I'm a self-professed music snob. I'm a self-professed beer snob. I'm politically moderate, I can't stand the self-righteous right, the self-righteous left, too much government, irresponsible spending, or the Tea Party. So, needless to say, I prefer to make my own decisions regardless of party affiliation. I enjoy running, and recently completed my first half-marathon. I want to complete a full 26.2 mile race this year sometime. Being out on the road for hours at a time with nothing but my music running is my favorite outlet for blocking out the stress of life, work, bills, etc. I like to take risks, and sometimes they bite me in the ass. So be it. The best lessons learned in life sometimes come from taking risks. I'm very competitive, I always have been. It will one day spell my doom, I know. I have a handful of friends that I will always stay in touch with. They're the type of people that even when we go three or four years without seeing each other, when we do it's like only a day passed. That's friendship in my opinion. I can't stand seeing people touch their eyes. I can't even watch my wife put her contacts in. it's just creepy. For some reason I can't seem to take my shoes off, even at home. My wife hates it. I blame Iraq. Just not a fan of being barefoot these days. The year from March 2004-March 2005 changed me permanently, good, bad, and all in between. I still like cartoons. I still hate insomnia. I've tried to change the way I eat many times. It doesn't work, so that's another reason I have to run long distances.
SO, that's a little peek into the twisted mass of grey matter and velveeta that lies between my big ears. Random, I know, but aren't most first blogs? I'll shed more into who I am and what my life is like as I go. Till then, cheers!
SO, that's a little peek into the twisted mass of grey matter and velveeta that lies between my big ears. Random, I know, but aren't most first blogs? I'll shed more into who I am and what my life is like as I go. Till then, cheers!
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