Why I serve...

I have mulling this one for a while, since several people (most recently my GF) have asked what was I thinking when I joined the Army (more particularly the Virginia Army National Guard). After all, I was 28 years old, had a good job, a nice place to live and lots of things to keep me distracted.

But in 2005 I was in the recruiters office, and then MEPS (Military Entry Processing Station) to swear myself in (for my most stressful day ever, signing up for the military and learning that my offer on a condo had been accepted). I never even had the chance to move into my new place before shipping off to basic (I had been staying at my parents at the time).

There are a bunch of reasons... These are the prime ones:

1. I LOVE this country.... and if every else thought that the other guy was willing to protect it (in whatever manner the legally elected leaders of this country direct us to act) then we wouldn't have the best people protecting it.
2. 9/11..... 'nuff said. I was approximately 2 miles from the Pentagon on that morning.
3. My family. My Dad is retired Navy.. I love and respect him for that and I always wanted to live up to that legacy.

There are times that I wonder what the heck I was thinking (OCS is hard and makes you wonder at times). There have even been a few dreams that I get an honorable discharge for whatever non-harming reason. But in the end I stay in and try my best. Because I have never failed or quit and I am not about to begin now.... Hooah!


I get like this sometimes, right before drill.... I made it a point not to date new women in the week before since I am sometimes not the most optimistic person right before OCS drill (since its the first time that things have not come easily for me).

More Movies!

So I think now I have seen more movies in the theater this summer than last year.... Which is 2, which is so sad.
Saw "Fantastic Four - Rise of the Silver Surfer" last night at the Tyson Corners AMC. I think that it was the first time I have been to Tysons in ages, though it was a good visit, since I found some new stuff for the wall (needed something new, and I loved my new purchases from Z Gallery.... a great framed photograph of SF and this neat old map of the known world) and stopped into Ruby Tuesday for dinner (not too much since I am on an Atkins kick this week... hate the weigh ins that are associated with the APFT).

FF was an okay movie.... it felt very linear and really had no suprising plot points, everything was pretty obvious and there was no dramatic tension at all... It did have some fun points and overall it was an ok (5 out of 10) movie. Though I based on the preview I REALLY want to see Transformers....

Fun weekend!

After the blogger HH (and after recovering the next day.... got up just a wee bit late). Then it was off for a long walk (Courthouse to Adams Morgan (the scene of the crime last night) then over to Foggy Bottom for a Metro ride back home). Met up with the GF (and one of her friends) for lunch at my parents place (I think my Mom likes it that there is so much more Estrogen around her between most of her boys (I have 4 brothers.... yep.. she had 5 sons...)). Then off to the pool with the Girls and my Roommate, where upon I didn't put on enough sunblock....

A quick bit of lunch at the parents, then off to the DC United game against the Chicago Fire (3-1... hooah!). Watched "Children of Men" with the GF then off to bed. Children of Men wasn't as good as I expected (and yep, I had the HD-DVD problems with this disk that have been written about.... thank god the other side had the standard DVD format on it). Way less action than expected, VERY depressing, kind of confusing, and overall not the best film... definitely overrated compared to all the press that it has received.

Brunch with Dad and family. Then I hung out at my parents for most of the day, took my nephew Conor to the park (whew.... it was hot), and just generally chilled for most of the day.

Then for a fun treat, my GF got me and my family passes to Riverdance at Wolf Trap. My parents had seen it a number of years ago, but me and D had not. It pretty impressive. I am in awe of those dancers, the Irish Ones (gotta give props to my peeps), the Tap Dancers, the Russians and the musicians. A very enjoyable show and a great way to spend a lazy Sunday Evening. Everyone in my family was very happy that R could get us the tickets.

Blogging..

So hopefully I didn't creep out anyone out at the HH (its wierd to be there and already know so much about the person you are talking to, while they know nothing about you... other than that you know way too much about them). I think thats why I choose to open my own, since I figured it was only fair (that and like no one will read it so its like a diary). I think it would be wierd to meet someone like that but it was a lot of fun.

I love reading other peoples blog since it gives such an interesting insight into other people (and why read biographies when you can read about someone reacting to current events at the same time as you... and have the chance to meet them.)

So really this blog exists out of my sense of fair play..

Ouch

You would think that 30 years of being me (Irish & German) would teach me some respect of the sun (or as some geeks refer to it as, the daystar.... love that name). Or at least the importance of putting on sunblock...

I blame the GF for the suggestion, "its a nice day, lets spend it by the pool....."
And then the following results...