You've seen it in the news, now hear it from a guy who knows, this is the best blog post you'll read about that subject anywhere.
Now I leave you to go back to studying, thanks again for the votes, donations and support!
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
I’m the Award Winner of the 2006 Milbloggies for the Navy!
Thanks for your votes! If you’re wondering what a milbloggie is, here’s what Milblogging.com says about it:
“The Milbloggies Award recognizes military blogger for their contribution to blogging, news and information, and to the military over the last year”.
It was somewhat of a surprise that I won this year, as far as blogging goes, the past year was a slow one. I wasn’t doing the daily grind and posted a fraction of the pictures that I did in 2004. It might be that the big dogs of Navy Milblog world (Smash, Lex and the Salamander) did not send their rather large readership to the voting booths (thanks guys!) Check them out, they're all great reads (and have good taste in beer too).
Since my transfer to San Diego, I’ve kept a lower profile, not a single appearance in a news story or television interview to add to my resume. I would post when I felt like it or when some story would call out to me that I would share with my readers. I did get published in a book (two pages of The Blog of War) and had my third 7 month adventure in Iraq where I blogged about such mundane things as building bookshelves and the pulling of small pranks on my Marines. I spent more time communicating with my wife then anything else, what good is a blog if you let your home life fall apart?
Loneliness makes for a great muse and a reader can feel the yearning the reaches out though an authors writing but it’s been a couple of years since I’ve experienced that particular feeling in any force. I missed home but do you know how much better it makes you feel when you know absolutely that there is someone out there for you?
This past year was focused on the human aspects of being in the military at a close personal level, no great war stories or battles. I leave that to the guys who have actually fought them and who will carry the ghosts from those experiences for the rest of their lives.
Thank you everyone for the votes, this is the first thing I’ve actually won though my blogging and it sounds like it’s now time to go to Disneyland (oh I mean back to studying:)
“The Milbloggies Award recognizes military blogger for their contribution to blogging, news and information, and to the military over the last year”.
It was somewhat of a surprise that I won this year, as far as blogging goes, the past year was a slow one. I wasn’t doing the daily grind and posted a fraction of the pictures that I did in 2004. It might be that the big dogs of Navy Milblog world (Smash, Lex and the Salamander) did not send their rather large readership to the voting booths (thanks guys!) Check them out, they're all great reads (and have good taste in beer too).
Since my transfer to San Diego, I’ve kept a lower profile, not a single appearance in a news story or television interview to add to my resume. I would post when I felt like it or when some story would call out to me that I would share with my readers. I did get published in a book (two pages of The Blog of War) and had my third 7 month adventure in Iraq where I blogged about such mundane things as building bookshelves and the pulling of small pranks on my Marines. I spent more time communicating with my wife then anything else, what good is a blog if you let your home life fall apart?
Loneliness makes for a great muse and a reader can feel the yearning the reaches out though an authors writing but it’s been a couple of years since I’ve experienced that particular feeling in any force. I missed home but do you know how much better it makes you feel when you know absolutely that there is someone out there for you?
This past year was focused on the human aspects of being in the military at a close personal level, no great war stories or battles. I leave that to the guys who have actually fought them and who will carry the ghosts from those experiences for the rest of their lives.
Thank you everyone for the votes, this is the first thing I’ve actually won though my blogging and it sounds like it’s now time to go to Disneyland (oh I mean back to studying:)
Voting closes tonight at 8PM for the Milbloggies
I'm still currently in the lead for the Navy category, thank you readers for the votes and donations to the trip fund. The total is at 570 dollars!! A big thank you to Bane who sent readers my direction.
The hotel room has been booked and the tickets will be purchased on Friday. I haven’t been good company at home for the past week and instead of hanging out with me when I'm acting like a lump on the couch, she and the dog fled the house this morning and went north to visit the family.
So I’m all by my lonesome, I'm planning on getting some quality study time in, speaking of which, I’d better cranking. Thanks again!
The hotel room has been booked and the tickets will be purchased on Friday. I haven’t been good company at home for the past week and instead of hanging out with me when I'm acting like a lump on the couch, she and the dog fled the house this morning and went north to visit the family.
So I’m all by my lonesome, I'm planning on getting some quality study time in, speaking of which, I’d better cranking. Thanks again!
Sunday, February 25, 2007
What people think of me
Back in the day, I used to be a crazy rock climber and cliff diver, known by my friends for some of my free climbs on normally protected routes and my willingness to jump off of anything into water. Not because I lacked fear but I was addicted to challenging it. Believe me, I know I wasn't an amazing rock climber and knew climbers and cliff divers who did stuff which I thought was crazy and spectacular. I just appeared that way to people who lived a sedate life.
But this week, I’ve had 3 different people send me this picture saying they saw that and thought of me. Well it’s nice to know people are thinking of me at least.
Oh yes, I grew up in Northern Arizona, myself and buddy Larry made it a point to jump to rocks such as this. Most of those days are in the past, I'm older, slower and 50 pounds heavier (not quite fat though). Hopefully one day I’ll take it up again, at least I make a good splash cliff diving now.
Thanks everyone for your Navy milbloggies vote, I'm in the lead and there's only two days left of voting and also thanks for the donations, 350 dollars!
I won't be around much the next two days because I'm trying to study for my advancement exam on Thursday, hopefully I get it. Take care!
But this week, I’ve had 3 different people send me this picture saying they saw that and thought of me. Well it’s nice to know people are thinking of me at least.
Oh yes, I grew up in Northern Arizona, myself and buddy Larry made it a point to jump to rocks such as this. Most of those days are in the past, I'm older, slower and 50 pounds heavier (not quite fat though). Hopefully one day I’ll take it up again, at least I make a good splash cliff diving now.
Thanks everyone for your Navy milbloggies vote, I'm in the lead and there's only two days left of voting and also thanks for the donations, 350 dollars!
I won't be around much the next two days because I'm trying to study for my advancement exam on Thursday, hopefully I get it. Take care!
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Milbloggie Voting is Now Open
Over at Milblogging.com, head on over and vote for your favorite milblogger (while you're over there, I wouldn't mind a vote either:)
Three years of blogging (a ramble)
Three years actually a fairly big number if you float around the blogosphere a bit. Bane got me thinking on this, most blogs seem to have a finite life span. Many of the blogs that have burned bright eventually fade and the author puts up a post about having nothing more to say and falls out of the cyber landscape. 3 years is actually a heck of a long time for a milblogger, many of us get home from the front and our story is done.
Look at the links on my sidebar toward the bottom right above the visitor location map, I have a spot called "Milbloggers that fell off the face of the earth". The list used to be bigger but when the blogs gets taken over by spammers, I usually take them off. My advice to bloggers? Don't ever shut down your blog, keep it but don't let anyone take your address in cyberspace. A while back ago, there was someone who searched out the milbloggers who shut down and started blogging in their name. Empty your template, take off all of your personal information if you want, just don't click on the button that says "Delete Blog", who knows, maybe someday you want to do a post letting us know what happens after you ride off into the sunset.
One of the bigger names in the milblog circle gave an interview saying that he was looking forward to the day when he could finally close the door on his blog. I've had days and months like that, when blogging becomes a chore or even worse a job that people are expecting you to do. That's no way to survive, you should only blog because you want to do it. Or to meet people.. Or if someone pays you to do it. Or to pick up gals or guys. Or feel like telling a story. Blogging isn't for everyone.
Have you seen the bloggers who quit because the troll gang came around and decided that it was this persons turn to take on their wrath? You need to grow some thick skin to stay in this business. I've had my share of trolls and unlike some people who like to crush them and suck their bones. I usually laugh, my life stopped being centered around my blog a long time ago, I am Doc in the Box but if you know me, it takes an awful much to get a rise out of me. I can live with all but a few of them and those I take great relish in banning. Then telling all of my blogging buddies their trollish IP addresses and telling them how to ban them too. Do you know what a blacklist is?
Who do I consider trolls? People who call me a baby killer (one of my favorite things to do is practicing at making babies and have not killed a single one), banned, call me a Nazi of any sort (come on, I'm half Thai, you need to be white to do that), banned, be rude and inconsiderate and call me names that do not apply? (I don't mind people calling me names but at least use names that apply to me) Banned. Go around all of the milblogs and paste some dumb spam comment? (again that Nazi dude and the occasional spam add) Banned.
I welcome arguments and disagreements of all sorts, not that I get many of them. I'm not blogging to rock any boats, I'm just telling a story and put my thoughts into writing, them being my thoughts, I like to think their right but if I'm wrong about my facts, wack me for being a dork.
I have regular readers from both sides of the red and blue, where else in the blogosphere can you find links to gun nuts right next to the blog of a peacenik? There are plenty of people out there who are turning that line into a fortified wall, I'm just not one of them. I do have political thoughts about everything on the news but you won't find them here, there are rules pertaining to politics and the military and taking those values into a public forum. We're paid to follow orders and I like to believe I follow the rules, plus as far as names of milbloggers getting their real names thrown around, CB and me seem to have that market cornered. People who follow these circles see Doc in the Box and instantly think, Sean Dustman. My War = Colby Buzzell. Big brother doesn't bother me because I'm playing by the same rules I've used since I started.
But when someone comes here spouting poison and frothing at the mouth, I'm all for putting them down like the animal they are (I didn't say dog because I happen have a great fondness for dogs) I'm fine with someone who doesn't agree with something I've blogged about or what I'm doing, I still get grief about the post I did on the TLC show about the kid with the facial growth and the half lady. Oh well, it's still up there and I didn't ban anyone for them. Go ahead, tell me to go jump in a lake (oh no, not the briar patch!), call me a slacker or RAMF (which I was for much of the time) fine, just don't be rude about it.
My trick to surviving here? I don't take anything personally, this isn't my life, I have a very happy life away from this computer. I blog about what I want to, when I want to, there are no schedules. I love hearing from people who's lives I have changed, I've got emails from people who've found Soldiers Angels through me and set them on their path to supporting the troops. I do have a donation button on the side bar to help fund my trip (because even though I'm happy with my real life, I sure am poor) but I'm not blogging for that.
The real treasures from writing this blog can't be counted in cash. Every keystroke has paid me back a thousand fold, the girl of my dreams found me here using Webcrawler to look for military pen pals and agreed to be my wife, I've met and made friends from all over the world in all walks of life and by living one of the greatest stories that's going on right now, it's helped me develop a very critical eye about world events and look at both sides of the story and eventually you realize there is no correct answer. Everything will happen and eventually just become history for the bookish people to take apart at a later date. The only way an individual is going to make the world better place is to try to do good today and be honest and to talk as many people around you into doing the same. I sleep easy at night knowing that I do that.
Look at the links on my sidebar toward the bottom right above the visitor location map, I have a spot called "Milbloggers that fell off the face of the earth". The list used to be bigger but when the blogs gets taken over by spammers, I usually take them off. My advice to bloggers? Don't ever shut down your blog, keep it but don't let anyone take your address in cyberspace. A while back ago, there was someone who searched out the milbloggers who shut down and started blogging in their name. Empty your template, take off all of your personal information if you want, just don't click on the button that says "Delete Blog", who knows, maybe someday you want to do a post letting us know what happens after you ride off into the sunset.
One of the bigger names in the milblog circle gave an interview saying that he was looking forward to the day when he could finally close the door on his blog. I've had days and months like that, when blogging becomes a chore or even worse a job that people are expecting you to do. That's no way to survive, you should only blog because you want to do it. Or to meet people.. Or if someone pays you to do it. Or to pick up gals or guys. Or feel like telling a story. Blogging isn't for everyone.
Have you seen the bloggers who quit because the troll gang came around and decided that it was this persons turn to take on their wrath? You need to grow some thick skin to stay in this business. I've had my share of trolls and unlike some people who like to crush them and suck their bones. I usually laugh, my life stopped being centered around my blog a long time ago, I am Doc in the Box but if you know me, it takes an awful much to get a rise out of me. I can live with all but a few of them and those I take great relish in banning. Then telling all of my blogging buddies their trollish IP addresses and telling them how to ban them too. Do you know what a blacklist is?
Who do I consider trolls? People who call me a baby killer (one of my favorite things to do is practicing at making babies and have not killed a single one), banned, call me a Nazi of any sort (come on, I'm half Thai, you need to be white to do that), banned, be rude and inconsiderate and call me names that do not apply? (I don't mind people calling me names but at least use names that apply to me) Banned. Go around all of the milblogs and paste some dumb spam comment? (again that Nazi dude and the occasional spam add) Banned.
I welcome arguments and disagreements of all sorts, not that I get many of them. I'm not blogging to rock any boats, I'm just telling a story and put my thoughts into writing, them being my thoughts, I like to think their right but if I'm wrong about my facts, wack me for being a dork.
I have regular readers from both sides of the red and blue, where else in the blogosphere can you find links to gun nuts right next to the blog of a peacenik? There are plenty of people out there who are turning that line into a fortified wall, I'm just not one of them. I do have political thoughts about everything on the news but you won't find them here, there are rules pertaining to politics and the military and taking those values into a public forum. We're paid to follow orders and I like to believe I follow the rules, plus as far as names of milbloggers getting their real names thrown around, CB and me seem to have that market cornered. People who follow these circles see Doc in the Box and instantly think, Sean Dustman. My War = Colby Buzzell. Big brother doesn't bother me because I'm playing by the same rules I've used since I started.
But when someone comes here spouting poison and frothing at the mouth, I'm all for putting them down like the animal they are (I didn't say dog because I happen have a great fondness for dogs) I'm fine with someone who doesn't agree with something I've blogged about or what I'm doing, I still get grief about the post I did on the TLC show about the kid with the facial growth and the half lady. Oh well, it's still up there and I didn't ban anyone for them. Go ahead, tell me to go jump in a lake (oh no, not the briar patch!), call me a slacker or RAMF (which I was for much of the time) fine, just don't be rude about it.
My trick to surviving here? I don't take anything personally, this isn't my life, I have a very happy life away from this computer. I blog about what I want to, when I want to, there are no schedules. I love hearing from people who's lives I have changed, I've got emails from people who've found Soldiers Angels through me and set them on their path to supporting the troops. I do have a donation button on the side bar to help fund my trip (because even though I'm happy with my real life, I sure am poor) but I'm not blogging for that.
The real treasures from writing this blog can't be counted in cash. Every keystroke has paid me back a thousand fold, the girl of my dreams found me here using Webcrawler to look for military pen pals and agreed to be my wife, I've met and made friends from all over the world in all walks of life and by living one of the greatest stories that's going on right now, it's helped me develop a very critical eye about world events and look at both sides of the story and eventually you realize there is no correct answer. Everything will happen and eventually just become history for the bookish people to take apart at a later date. The only way an individual is going to make the world better place is to try to do good today and be honest and to talk as many people around you into doing the same. I sleep easy at night knowing that I do that.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Update on my Convention Trip Fund Drive
Nine days into the fund drive the total is now at 325 dollars, thanks everybody, specially Bane who has been whipping his readers to my cause with a fund drive.
If this is your first time over here, I'm trying to gather funds to help support my trip to the 2007 Milblog Convention in Arlington VA in May. I don't like asking for hand outs, but the 1000 or so dollars that the trip is going to set me back is going to make a huge dent in the budget of this lowly enlisted guy so I'm hanging my cyberthumb out to the blogosphere.
Donations can be made by clicking on that little button under the milblog banner.
Thanks to Carla, Gina, Courtney, Jean, LL, Richard, Jennifer and some folk who want to remain unnamed. Guys and Gals, expect stuff from DC and other nick nacks! Thank you!!
If this is your first time over here, I'm trying to gather funds to help support my trip to the 2007 Milblog Convention in Arlington VA in May. I don't like asking for hand outs, but the 1000 or so dollars that the trip is going to set me back is going to make a huge dent in the budget of this lowly enlisted guy so I'm hanging my cyberthumb out to the blogosphere.
Donations can be made by clicking on that little button under the milblog banner.
Thanks to Carla, Gina, Courtney, Jean, LL, Richard, Jennifer and some folk who want to remain unnamed. Guys and Gals, expect stuff from DC and other nick nacks! Thank you!!
Monday, February 19, 2007
Nominations for the 2006 Milbloggies are now Open!
Currently I seem to be in the lead for the Navy Nominations
Check the charts to see the current standings:
View Branch Nomination Standings
View Country Nomination Standings
The Rules?
The Milbloggies Award recognizes military bloggers for their contribution to blogging, news and information, and to the military over the past year.
Overview
1. A military blog can be nominated ONLY once by the same registered user. However, a user can nominate as many military blogs as they wish. All nominations must be submitted online through Milblogging.com by 5:00 pm EST on February 21, 2007.
2. The top five nominees in each branch and country category will be announced on February 22nd and those nominees will move into the Voting Phase beginning February 22, 2007. The Voting Phase will close on February February 26, 2007. Instructions on voting will appear on the website on February 22, 2007.
3. Nominees may be military blogs that belong to the following branch categories and countries in the Milblogging.com database
4. To nominate a military blog, you must be signed in or a registered user (just like last year). Registration is quick and free and you will not receive any SPAM. This helps maintain the integrity of voting. To place you nomination, simply click on the listing in the Milblogging.com database, and click the Nominate button at the top of the blog profile. You can reivew the milblogs you nominated at any time, by signing in and clicking Manage Favorites. Click the link that says View Milblogs Nominated by You.
5. Winners will be presented awards at the 2007 Milblog Conference on May 5, 2007. Winners are not required to attend the conference in order to receive their awards.
Questions? Comments? Concerns? Feel free to leave your comments below or send an email to milblogging@gmail.com You can also discuss and chat about this year's Milbloggies with other members in the Discussion Boards.
Check the charts to see the current standings:
View Branch Nomination Standings
View Country Nomination Standings
The Rules?
The Milbloggies Award recognizes military bloggers for their contribution to blogging, news and information, and to the military over the past year.
Overview
1. A military blog can be nominated ONLY once by the same registered user. However, a user can nominate as many military blogs as they wish. All nominations must be submitted online through Milblogging.com by 5:00 pm EST on February 21, 2007.
2. The top five nominees in each branch and country category will be announced on February 22nd and those nominees will move into the Voting Phase beginning February 22, 2007. The Voting Phase will close on February February 26, 2007. Instructions on voting will appear on the website on February 22, 2007.
3. Nominees may be military blogs that belong to the following branch categories and countries in the Milblogging.com database
4. To nominate a military blog, you must be signed in or a registered user (just like last year). Registration is quick and free and you will not receive any SPAM. This helps maintain the integrity of voting. To place you nomination, simply click on the listing in the Milblogging.com database, and click the Nominate button at the top of the blog profile. You can reivew the milblogs you nominated at any time, by signing in and clicking Manage Favorites. Click the link that says View Milblogs Nominated by You.
5. Winners will be presented awards at the 2007 Milblog Conference on May 5, 2007. Winners are not required to attend the conference in order to receive their awards.
Questions? Comments? Concerns? Feel free to leave your comments below or send an email to milblogging@gmail.com You can also discuss and chat about this year's Milbloggies with other members in the Discussion Boards.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
PTSD Questions
Over the last few weeks, I’ve been receiving emails from people asking about PTSD and if I know any of my Marines who are willing to talk about it. First thing is, I’m not going to give out medical information on any of my patients. Not that most of the ones that I know mind talking about it, it’s a matter of me keeping my job and out of jail. I can let them know that someone is interested and pass on the information though and I don't mind you asking
Most of the PTSD cases that we run into in the airwing side are an entirely different ball game then the stories you would find if you were to ask the average ground pounder. Our usual supects for airwing mental issues come from separation anxiety, problems back home, adjustment disorders and issues that come from sending people to a war zone who should have never made it past MEPS.
My advise to all of these people is to go to the source, I have some fine fellow milbloggers in my sidebar who have been though the ringer and have blogged about it. Blown by IED’s? Check out Liz (as she put it "got my happy ass blown up" on Dec 4th 2004, scroll down), Rebel Coyote (one of the first milbloggers blown up), Chuck (who's has been getting chopped up on a weekly basis), Solder’s Life (was incountry for 3 months) and the latest one JR Salzman (who was just hit a couple of weeks ago). If their stories don't bring what we're doing home, then you're heart is made of stone. Want to see the baggage of PTSD can do? This is Your War put's that into prospective and Combat Doc has also blogged about it (H/T Madtom even though I read him enough to know). There are probably more people on my side bar who have blogged about it but if you haven't noticed by the size of my blog roll , it would be a full time job keeping daily tabs on everyone.
These guys are the experts and have been in the "shit", most of my time was spent putting band aids on boo boos, handing out meds and filing paperwork, plus keeping everyone around me happy. The only time I saw blood flying and people screaming around me was done flying CASEVAC or at the main hospital working on total strangers, I can honestly say, not a single one of my guys died under my watch. It makes a big difference on your mental out look if you know your patients or not.
Most of the PTSD cases that we run into in the airwing side are an entirely different ball game then the stories you would find if you were to ask the average ground pounder. Our usual supects for airwing mental issues come from separation anxiety, problems back home, adjustment disorders and issues that come from sending people to a war zone who should have never made it past MEPS.
My advise to all of these people is to go to the source, I have some fine fellow milbloggers in my sidebar who have been though the ringer and have blogged about it. Blown by IED’s? Check out Liz (as she put it "got my happy ass blown up" on Dec 4th 2004, scroll down), Rebel Coyote (one of the first milbloggers blown up), Chuck (who's has been getting chopped up on a weekly basis), Solder’s Life (was incountry for 3 months) and the latest one JR Salzman (who was just hit a couple of weeks ago). If their stories don't bring what we're doing home, then you're heart is made of stone. Want to see the baggage of PTSD can do? This is Your War put's that into prospective and Combat Doc has also blogged about it (H/T Madtom even though I read him enough to know). There are probably more people on my side bar who have blogged about it but if you haven't noticed by the size of my blog roll , it would be a full time job keeping daily tabs on everyone.
These guys are the experts and have been in the "shit", most of my time was spent putting band aids on boo boos, handing out meds and filing paperwork, plus keeping everyone around me happy. The only time I saw blood flying and people screaming around me was done flying CASEVAC or at the main hospital working on total strangers, I can honestly say, not a single one of my guys died under my watch. It makes a big difference on your mental out look if you know your patients or not.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Sorry to all my buddies in Snow Country
I should be studying or having car washes to support my trip to DC but instead we went to the beach with the Dog, pictures can be found here. The last few days have been bright and sunny, no great plans this weekend, just cleaning up the house (endless job) and studying, maybe doing some work on the beast. Great day, I'm bushed and have no thoughts on any news that's going on in the world. Just have a good weekend and enjoy the people who share your life.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
I've posted some very old pictures
over at my fotopage, me with long hair, glasses, jumping and climbing all over things, friends of mine doing the same sort of stuff. Oh to be young again!
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Sorry about the patchy blogging
One of our squadrons just went through a Command Generals inspection, the only problem is, the corpsman assigned to that squadron transferred last month and his replacement had not arrived yet. So on Tuesday last week, we get a phone call saying that this command was going to be inspected on Monday. Oh no and we're all short handed right now.
What does the Navy stand for? Never again volunteer yourself, well I volunteered myself and spent the next few days working till 8 or 9 every night, going through records, calling people to come in and fill out forms, turn in records, giving shots, chewing people out who’ve had their records sitting in their car for months and getting all sorts of things spilled on the them. One record even had mold growing on the cover and smelled like someone had soaked it in a bottle of cologne (this Marine was there for two hours filling out forms that I wanted to recreate due to the unsavory nature and the numerous shots he was "missing" due to the ink being bleached out and him not turning his record in for almost 2 years) . Sheesh, a month of not having a corpsman and the records fall apart, when I started there were 46 records were checked out or just not there and by the time of the inspection, that number was down to 6 (I’m going to get those last 6!)
My brain is still fried, Monday came along and the inspector came and he found a surprisingly few discrepancies, almost all of them were of the minor sort that could be fixed with a few strokes of a pen. One guy had two different blood types in his record but that was the only “hard” hit and we just had him get his blood type redone.
Considering that we had 6 days of notice, we passed with flying colors, a bunch of new record jackets, the readiness was up, new coversheets printed out and filled in. This is normally a job that takes a month of combing though records making sure all of the i’s are dotted and the t’s are crossed and involves lots of stress, for some reason, I wasn’t stressed out at all, perhaps because it wasn’t my squadron and it was time for a good challange. A good squadron corpsman who keeps up on his records and keeps a tab on all of his special programs usually doesn’t have a problem. But let your hand off of the reins for a while and everything goes to hell. I didn’t do all of the work but a rather large chunk of it, thanks Ryan, HM1 and Chris for the help. Whew, I’m glad it’s over so I can get back to my own records which have suffered for most of this week.
My first class test is going on in two weeks and I plan on studying rather heavily except for when I take breaks to blog or hide away from studying. Thanks everyone who has donated money, expect post cards from DC and regular blogging updates throughout the trip:)
PS Happy Valentines Day!
What does the Navy stand for? Never again volunteer yourself, well I volunteered myself and spent the next few days working till 8 or 9 every night, going through records, calling people to come in and fill out forms, turn in records, giving shots, chewing people out who’ve had their records sitting in their car for months and getting all sorts of things spilled on the them. One record even had mold growing on the cover and smelled like someone had soaked it in a bottle of cologne (this Marine was there for two hours filling out forms that I wanted to recreate due to the unsavory nature and the numerous shots he was "missing" due to the ink being bleached out and him not turning his record in for almost 2 years) . Sheesh, a month of not having a corpsman and the records fall apart, when I started there were 46 records were checked out or just not there and by the time of the inspection, that number was down to 6 (I’m going to get those last 6!)
My brain is still fried, Monday came along and the inspector came and he found a surprisingly few discrepancies, almost all of them were of the minor sort that could be fixed with a few strokes of a pen. One guy had two different blood types in his record but that was the only “hard” hit and we just had him get his blood type redone.
Considering that we had 6 days of notice, we passed with flying colors, a bunch of new record jackets, the readiness was up, new coversheets printed out and filled in. This is normally a job that takes a month of combing though records making sure all of the i’s are dotted and the t’s are crossed and involves lots of stress, for some reason, I wasn’t stressed out at all, perhaps because it wasn’t my squadron and it was time for a good challange. A good squadron corpsman who keeps up on his records and keeps a tab on all of his special programs usually doesn’t have a problem. But let your hand off of the reins for a while and everything goes to hell. I didn’t do all of the work but a rather large chunk of it, thanks Ryan, HM1 and Chris for the help. Whew, I’m glad it’s over so I can get back to my own records which have suffered for most of this week.
My first class test is going on in two weeks and I plan on studying rather heavily except for when I take breaks to blog or hide away from studying. Thanks everyone who has donated money, expect post cards from DC and regular blogging updates throughout the trip:)
PS Happy Valentines Day!
Monday, February 12, 2007
Milblog Convention Fund Drive
My good blogging buddy Bane has started a fund drive to help me gather money for our trip to the 2007 Milblog Convention in Arlington VA. Thank you very much, you have made my week!
Normally, I don’t believe in believe in donations for my writing but this has been a fairly tight year and the 1000 or so dollars that the trip is going to cost will definitely put our budget into the red.
In the 96 hours after putting up the donation button, I have received 300 dollars, thanks Gina from MN, Jean from Fl, LL from IL, Richard from TX, Jennifer from LA and some unnamed folk. You Guys are Great! Thank you!!
Normally, I don’t believe in believe in donations for my writing but this has been a fairly tight year and the 1000 or so dollars that the trip is going to cost will definitely put our budget into the red.
In the 96 hours after putting up the donation button, I have received 300 dollars, thanks Gina from MN, Jean from Fl, LL from IL, Richard from TX, Jennifer from LA and some unnamed folk. You Guys are Great! Thank you!!
R.I.P. FHM
Tonight I was tasked by my lovely wife to stop by the store and buy her some “products”. When I shop, I tend to shop in a holistic manner, meaning I wander around and looking at everything and saying to my self "oh, I need that".
Today, I just happened to meander by the magazine rack and saw that FHM was publishing their last issue. Woah, considering it was one of the top read magazines in Iraq, they probably have millions of military dollars, for them to shut down is quite an event. Of course I had to have a look and when I opened it up, the first page I looked at had this guy's picture in the “Who The Hell Are You” section
Today, I just happened to meander by the magazine rack and saw that FHM was publishing their last issue. Woah, considering it was one of the top read magazines in Iraq, they probably have millions of military dollars, for them to shut down is quite an event. Of course I had to have a look and when I opened it up, the first page I looked at had this guy's picture in the “Who The Hell Are You” section
I know this guy, he had a talent for timing his movements perfect to the second when the photographer was pressing the button, this guy was quick and smooth and his funny looking mug adorned many a photo of mine.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
2007 Milblog Conference
Will be taking place in Arlington VA on the 4th and 5th of May.
There will be 4 panels,
From the Front, milbloggers who blogged from Iraq and Afghanistan.
All in the family, will be those left behind, the spouses and significant others
Potluck, will be a mix of milbloggers
And finally Wounded Warriors, Healers and Angels section of which I’m a panelist.
My wife and I both plan on attending, that is if we can gather up the funds. I'm still a very lowly enlisted man but don't worry, I'm going to do everything in my power to make it. (if you're interested in helping fund this trip, there's a donation button on the side bar!) This is an event that I wouldn't miss for the world, I’m really looking forward to this, people whose lives I’ve followed and have admired from afar. Finally, a chance to meet some of these folk face to face.
More info can be found here, if you’re a reader of mine, a milblogger or a reader of milblogs, it would be great to see you.
There will be 4 panels,
From the Front, milbloggers who blogged from Iraq and Afghanistan.
All in the family, will be those left behind, the spouses and significant others
Potluck, will be a mix of milbloggers
And finally Wounded Warriors, Healers and Angels section of which I’m a panelist.
My wife and I both plan on attending, that is if we can gather up the funds. I'm still a very lowly enlisted man but don't worry, I'm going to do everything in my power to make it. (if you're interested in helping fund this trip, there's a donation button on the side bar!) This is an event that I wouldn't miss for the world, I’m really looking forward to this, people whose lives I’ve followed and have admired from afar. Finally, a chance to meet some of these folk face to face.
More info can be found here, if you’re a reader of mine, a milblogger or a reader of milblogs, it would be great to see you.
I’ve found religion
What happens after you die? Why do disasters happen? What happens when someone steals God’s lunch?
You can find the answer at God, Inc.
You can find the answer at God, Inc.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
The Crash in Iraq
Earlier today I heard on the news that a CH-46 went down in Iraq and everything stopped as I searched the news for details. My first trip out to Iraq, I flew in 46’s flying CASEVAC and it’s a small community, if you do it long enough, you get know everybody. With 7 deaths in the crash, it wasn’t likely a troop transport run which means it’s was probably a CASEVAC mission.
Word’s not out yet with names or the unit the aircraft belongs to and that won’t happen till the families notified. I’m selfish, hoping that I don’t know any of the dead, saying goodbye is one of the hardest things to do. This one hits way too close to home, it could have me a dozen times over. Six crashes in 18 days, it's troubling news to myself and other corpsman who I work with. We're all part of the Marine aviation community and chances are, we will be heading back out there again before too long.
Word’s not out yet with names or the unit the aircraft belongs to and that won’t happen till the families notified. I’m selfish, hoping that I don’t know any of the dead, saying goodbye is one of the hardest things to do. This one hits way too close to home, it could have me a dozen times over. Six crashes in 18 days, it's troubling news to myself and other corpsman who I work with. We're all part of the Marine aviation community and chances are, we will be heading back out there again before too long.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Coronado's Dog Beach
We checked out the Dog Beach next to the navy base in Coronado. It was balmy 72 degrees out and the water was great, not that Gatsby noticed, he was just happy to be at the beach. The beach is right down the way from Hotel Del Coronado as the pictures here show. The directions are, drive to the Hotel Del Coronado, turn right towards the beach, follow the road till you get to the gate to the Navy base and park there.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
6 weird things
Sigh, I’ve been tagged by Desert Phoenix
With this
Can I even tag 6 people who do these things? Hmm. Well here goes…
1. I can’t start a book without finishing it, no matter how crappy it is and am have the talent to read in any situation. Have read for hours flying around at night by chem-light, boredom isn’t something I suffer from.
2. I have 2000 plus books on shelves all in alphabetical order, I’ve spent too much time in libraries and I can’t stand books thrown around.
3. I’ve grown an attachment to my technological devices, I feel naked without my computer or cell phone around, one of these days, I’m afraid I’ll volunteer for a direct line into my brain.
4. I have horrible stage fright but after I get over the first few seconds I do alright.
5. There’s a devil that lives inside of me that makes me pull pranks on others, I have little control of him and we don’t converse much.
6. I’m lazy but I like doing crazy hard impossible jobs, my family always calls me up for any sort of unsavory slave labor job.
Sorry guys, I’m just following the rules so…
My Wife
Army Wife Toddler Mom
Gamer
wintermelonsoup
Crazy Lawsuit Game
and last but not least
Beth
I tagged the folk who I think will have the greatest chance of actually filling this out.
With this
Here are the "Official Rules""Each player of this game starts with 6 weird
things about you. People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6
weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose
6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that
says you are tagged in their comments and tell them to read your blog."
Can I even tag 6 people who do these things? Hmm. Well here goes…
1. I can’t start a book without finishing it, no matter how crappy it is and am have the talent to read in any situation. Have read for hours flying around at night by chem-light, boredom isn’t something I suffer from.
2. I have 2000 plus books on shelves all in alphabetical order, I’ve spent too much time in libraries and I can’t stand books thrown around.
3. I’ve grown an attachment to my technological devices, I feel naked without my computer or cell phone around, one of these days, I’m afraid I’ll volunteer for a direct line into my brain.
4. I have horrible stage fright but after I get over the first few seconds I do alright.
5. There’s a devil that lives inside of me that makes me pull pranks on others, I have little control of him and we don’t converse much.
6. I’m lazy but I like doing crazy hard impossible jobs, my family always calls me up for any sort of unsavory slave labor job.
Sorry guys, I’m just following the rules so…
My Wife
Army Wife Toddler Mom
Gamer
wintermelonsoup
Crazy Lawsuit Game
and last but not least
Beth
I tagged the folk who I think will have the greatest chance of actually filling this out.
Layout changes
3 years of the same old boring Sean and it was time for somewhat of a change. So I’ve spent the greater part of an evening transferring links one at a time to the new blogger template then realized there was a place where I could copy and paste my old HTML and get my clock too. Probably still a few style bugs around but I’ll just have to fix that later. My bed and wife are calling me so I’d best be off. Have a good weekend everyone.
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