Another day......

Wake up, shower, dress, make coffe, toast bagel, eat, peruse Internet, pack lunch, pull on work boots, drive through traffic, go to work, supervise the sometimes glacial pace of ship repair, meetings, lunch, more meetings, drive home, eat dinner, walk dog, television, bedtime at 10:00, wake up and do it again. But wait.......it's Friday! And Labor Day weekend to boot! Three days off! Mountain biking with the kids, yard work, barbeque, cold beer. Fly the American flag proudly.

Just thinking...

I am guessing that since I have been a bit active on some of the other blogs out there that folks might actually be looking at this blog now. A little about me. I had a checkered past and my beloved Marine Corps set me on the straight and narrow. It gave me a reason to hold my head high and look people in the eye. And I appreciated the chance it took on me. I turned 27the day I jumped on the yellow footprints at MCRD San Diego. At that moment I left my past behind. I became an 0351 Dragon Gunner and tried out for Force Reconnaissance and to my amazement...I made it. My true maturity in the Corps began the day I checked in to that elite unit. I met the CO and 30 seconds after that, while still in Alphas, I was thrashed for 30 minutes by a Sergeant all us new guys affectionately nicknamed "Sgt Satan". I was tested and tested like I had never been before, being pushed to the extreme limits of what I could endure and then further than I gave myself credit for. It was the last thing in the Marine Corps I had joined for but soon became the real reason I had joined. I belonged to something greater than myself. Where only the mission mattered....everything else was secondary. And those lessons carried me throughout my career. I made a huge mistake during the RIF following the first Gulf War and got out despite knowing I was making a mistake. It took me 16 months to get myself back in.

And life rolls on.....

I know no one actually reads this blog unless they have the unfortunate occurance to stumble upon it. So I can use it to rant as I see fit about things that bother the hell out of me. But first....I must go to another meeting at this sould sucking establishment.

Sunday Morning....

I will admit it...I am the worlds worst blogger. Nobody has EVER read this blog but still, I should be a little more disiplined about the whole thing.

How about an update then? Well, My sone and I ran the Yuengling Shamrock 8K yesterday. I consider it a feat in many aspects: 1) I got my son to actually run 8K!! 2) I actually ran an 8K! My daughter ran the kids 1 mile race. I was with her at the start and, since they didn't tell me I couldn't doit, I ran it with her!! The knee felt, at times, like it was bone on bone grating but other times was great. It felt like old times. I rediscovered around the 2.5K mark that I really enjoy to run. I am going to keep this trend up.

Today we are kind of taking it easy. Started out the day with some really good coffe my wife made. I have fallen in love with the Nestle Coffee Mate Cafe Latte creamer. Of course, I got a small hazelnut coffe from Dunkin Donuts for the drive home!!

Coffee on the ship continues to rot the lining of my stomach....but yet, I still drink the stuff! I am amazed at my tenacity in this matter.

Well, I retire next June, 21 years in the Corps. A lifetime I am telling you. Seen stuff and been places that my friends can only dream about.

Now i have to find the elusive job in this economy. What has the United States come to? Can you really see this country being the same as it was when we grew up? I do hope my kids are able to havethe same experiences that I did growing up...but it is looking grim.

Well, we always have coffee. A hot cup, or over ice.....refreshing!! Been drinking a Trader Joes blend lately at home...DIner Coffee. Very tasty I must admit.

Been a while

Well, had to say good bye last Friday to my best friend at work. He was transferred to Japan. Going to miss having coffee with him and discussing what is pissing us off that day. He reminded me of what our old CO used to say...."Wasp is a good ship but we can really screw up a cup of coffee!" Hands down the worst coffee on the waterfront. But I still drink thestuff. Guess I am a glutton for punishment.

Another Day

Took the wife shopping today. Not as bad as it sounds. Actually had a some fun running around with her today. We hit about 5 shops at a shopping center and had lunch at some mexican food grill. Excellent burrito. On the way home we stopped off at Starbucks...her a Carmal Maccihato and me a grande Latte (no foam). The amazing thing I discovered in this place was it was like the hangout for lots of folks. And the barista, first one I have ever seen in a black apron, knew almost everyones name that was in line and knew exactly what each one wanted. I was amazed.

Over all a good day.